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In one of the richest countries in the world
Soaring bills and stubborn inflation have driven 5.5 million people into “clothing deprivation”, says a network of charities, clothing banks and academics.
Under the “Right to Clothing” campaign, the collective have called on the government to address the near 13% of the population who cannot afford adequate clothing.
The campaign group says the well-documented and dramatic rise in food bank use has been accompanied by a similar rise in clothing banks.
“It stops people from functioning,” said Louise Cooke, CEO of clothing-bank scheme, Sharewear.
“People aren’t able to leave the house, or flourish by having the right clothes to wear at a job interview.”
In a letter signed by over 50 charities, clothing banks, and academics, the group called for a new clothing deprivation strategy, similar to the National Food Strategy report published in 2021.
“After more than a decade of cuts, austerity and now the cost of living crisis devastating communities across the country, even the most basic food items are becoming increasingly unaffordable for so many people,” said former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
“On top of this, over 5 million people in the UK are facing clothing deprivation.”
But just like food banks aren’t the solution to food poverty, clothing banks aren’t the solution to what academics call “clothing deprivation”.
Campaigners say a radical overhaul to the way the fashion industry is allowed to operate in the UK is urgently needed.
With one rubbish truck full of viable fast fashion landfilled or incinerated every single second, the group say meaningful change to most fashion retailer’s business processes could help alleviate the cost of living strain on many households.
The group said banning these practices would force retailers to give their excess stock to charities that provide clothing away free of charge to those who need it.
The radical plan would alleviate symptoms of poverty, while promoting the UK’s move toward a net-zero future by reducing excess waste by clothing giants.
The Right to Clothing Network represents over 50 organisations, including founders Sharewear and the Peace and Justice Project as well as Fashion for Future, Give Your Best, and the Uniform Exchange, who are all currently working to reduce clothing poverty in their communities.
In a letter to Rishi Sunak, the collective say they are calling on the government to take action now, “before more people become clothing deprived and are excluded from accessing adequate clothing in one of the richest countries in the world.”
The full letter addressed to the prime minister, reads as follows:
Too many people in the UK today can’t afford adequate clothing. We hear about the dramatic rise in food banks, but alongside it, there has been a similar rise in clothing banks.
Like food banks aren’t the solution to food poverty, clothing banks aren’t the solution to what academics call “clothing deprivation”.
Earlier in the summer, from the 5th – 11th June we marked the 4th annual Clothing Poverty Awareness Week. This year, the Right to Clothing Campaign co-hosted the awareness week alongside Sharewear Clothing Scheme who began Clothing Poverty Awareness Week in 2020.
The Right to Clothing Campaign also highlights the issue of the environmental damage from fast fashion. According to the UN, every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is landfilled or burned. As well as raising environmental concerns, the campaign is working with organisations that promote garment workers rights both here and in the Global South. By uniting the issues of consumers, producers and our planet, we can make clothing more equitable, accessible and sustainable.
We strongly believe the government needs to address this issue through a clothing deprivation strategy, similar to the National Food Strategy report published in 2021. This would review the entire industry from production to high-street, including the issue of incineration and dumping by fashion brands. Through voluntary ratification of international treaties, the UK has already committed to and assumed obligations in international law to work towards the realisation of the right to adequate clothing. We’re calling on the government to take action now before more people become clothing deprived and are excluded from accessing adequate clothing in one of the richest countries in the world.
Louise Cooke, Sharewear Clothing Scheme
Rachel Stallion, Positive Momentum Limited
Adriana Batty & Gianni Romano, co-directors, Lyfcycle Ltd
Dr Alex Hiller Head of Postgraduate and Executive Education, Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University
Sharon Sisson , Chair, St. Austell Revival Together Clothing Bank
Gina Francis, SATEDA and Kent & Medway Sharewear
Kate France, Founder & Operations Trustee, Uniform Exchange
Stefanie Lakin, Founder, MADRINA UK
Ann Rochester, St Chad’s Sanctuary
Julie James and Steve Cooke, co-chairs Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity
Sol Escobar, Founder & CEO, Give Your Best
Helen Lloyd, Manager, Arnold Foodbank
Glos Smith, Nottingham Women’s Centre
Helen White, Product and Brand Director, Bamboo Clothing
Jay Kerr, No Sweat
Apsana Begum, Member of Parliament for Poplar and Limehouse
Jeremy Corbyn, Member of Parliament for Islington North and founder, Peace & Justice Project
Allison Kay Wainman, Chair of Trustees, Jericho Road
Phil Gunn, Branch Manager, Notts Unison
Samia Badani CEO, 214 Space Baby Bank
Tonia Nixon, Founder & CEO, Tees Community
Caron Boughassoul, Director, The Uniform Project Nottingham Ltd
Owen Griffiths, Carmel Community Clothing
Lucy Fox, The Sunday Centre
Anthea Peters, Founder & Chair, Togs Clothing Bank
Michele Grigolo, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Nottingham Trent University
Ricky Gee, Senior Lecturer, Department of Social and Political Sciences, Nottingham Trent University
Emily Compston, Head of Operations, Little Village
Marianna Poberezhskaya, Associate Professor, Nottingham Trent University*
Dr Rumana Hashem, Department of Social and Political Sciences, Nottingham Trent University
Michael Rees, Senior Lecturer, Sociology, Nottingham Trent University
Roxanne Travers, Founder & Director, Fashion for Future
Matt Henn, Department of Social and Political Sciences, Nottingham Trent University
Dawn Willson, County Durham Community Clothing Bank & Food Pantry
Chloe Methley, Resettlement Advisor, NACRO
Joyce Francis, Willow Tree Ministry New Generation Church
Ryan Shannon, Managing Director, Bamboo Clothing
Annie Parry, Trainer Work Coaching, Groundwork Five Counties
Alison Davey, Manager, Children’s Storehouse charity
Courtney Thomas, Volunteer Coordinator, Greater Pollok Volunteers
Dr Sheikh Ramzy, Director, Oxford Islamic Information Centre
Claire Jones, Framework Housing Association
Suzanne Williamson, Framework Housing Association
Sara Garton, Nottingham Women’s Centre
Phil and Mim Chadwick, A Little Help
Simon Wheatcroft, Nottingham University Hospital
JamesTaylor, Branch Secretary, K243, Usdaw Union
Aghileh Djafari-Marbini, Founder, Wealdstone Baby Bank
Katie Wilson, Clothing Coventry
George Atwall, Officer, Region 3, Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union
Kevin Deegan, Founder, North Staffordshire DPAC
Cat Ross, CEO, Baby Basics UK


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While there is no direct reason why Amazon is shutting down its distribution business in India, evidence points to the growing competition in the country’s e-commerce sector may be squeezing out the retail giant.
Amazon.com, Inc. is an American electronic commerce and cloud computing company with headquarters in Seattle, Washington. It is the largest Internet-based retailer in the United States. Amazon.com started as an online bookstore, later diversifying to sell DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, video downloads/streaming, MP3 downloads/streaming, audiobook downloads/streaming,software, video games, electronics, apparel, furniture, food, toys and jewelry. The company also produces consumer electronics—notably, Amazon Kindle e-book readers, Fire tablets, Fire TV and Fire Phone—and is the world’s largest provider of cloud infrastructure services (IaaS).
In October 2015, Amazon announced the AWS IoT, a platform for processing and using data from Internet-connected devices. The IoT service will work across a range of protocols, Amazon says, and set automatic triggers to send data to other processing tools.

domain: news


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From building wells in Africa to teaching sewing in India, Vancouver-area women are helping to empower other women around the world.
And they’re making a huge impact.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
“If you really want to change the world, you have to start investing in women,” says Lotte Davis, CEO and founder of One Girl Can. The Coquitlam-based charity has raised $6.9 million dollars supporting education for girls in Africa.
This includes more than 860 scholarships, says Davis, and building or renovating 130 educational spaces, as well as leading mentorship and more.
On their website, onegirlcan.com, there is information and photos of students who need support so people can sponsor their academic goals. Like Valarie who wants to become a pilot, or Ruth, an engineer.
There are also updates on school projects, as well as posts by Davis, where she reflects: “I get the sense every time I’m in Kenya that we’re moving the needle closer to our objective of empowering girls and mobilizing them to become leaders in their country.”
Davis says, working with One Girl Can she’s seen many lives change, as well as her own perspective.
“It’s taught me that nothing is impossible,” says Davis, just days after returning from her twenty-first trip to Africa. “It’s given me a lot of joy to be able to share this message in my life.”
Everyone can make a difference, says British Columbia nurse, Marj Ratel, founder of Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation (KBNF).
“What we do is bring hope,” says Ratel, of the Langley-based charity’s work with West African countries to improve their healthcare systems.
In 20 years, KBNF has performed more than 200 neuroscience surgeries, and shipped more than 38 containers of medical equipment, considered surplus in B.C., to Africa. Each container is packed full of everything from surgical microscopes to hospital gowns, linens and beds.
The charity also sends “baby boxes” to new mothers in need, says Ratel, adding that these are filled with items like clothing, diapers, blankets, soft toys and other newborn essentials.
Ratel says many of these baby boxes are put together by volunteers through schools or private individuals, including one 86-year-old B.C. woman named June, who made up about 800 of them. Then she donated the $7,500 to pay for shipping costs, says Ratel.
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On their website, kbnf.org, there is more information about ways to donate or volunteer locally, or overseas.
Twenty-nine-year-old fashion designer, Nicole Guzzo is working to help women in India, Nepal and Uganda by teaching them sewing and small business skills with her non-registered charity, Prakasa Co.
“Educating a woman is the fastest way to end generational poverty and help grow communities,” says Guzzo.
“After completing sewing and small business training, women have the ability to create their own business, secure work in a tailoring shop or create work from home contracts.”
One of Prakasa’s projects involves working with 16 women in rural Uganda to help them create, design and sell hair scrunchies. So far, Guzzo says, they’ve sold about 3,000 of these to yoga studios, hair salons and stores in North America.
There’s more information at prakasaco.com, including updates on Guzzo’s other initiatives underway in Nepal and India.
Treana Peake, founder of Obakki Foundation, says she finds inspiration in the people she meets.
“It’s really, truly inspiring. When you see the things we complain about on this side of the world and how we struggle with all these resources practically laid out in front of us,” Peake says. “And you go over there and you watch these women make great things out of nothing. It’s super inspiring.”
Since 2009, the Obakki Foundation has built 12 schools in South Sudan, provided clean water for about three million people by drilling, monitoring and repairing wells, supported orphanages and schools and more.
On their website, obakkifoundation.org, project profiles tell of the people and communities impacted over the years. Like the inspiring story of how a new well changed the lives of women living in a village called Amedichi in South Sudan.
The website also features ways to support these sort of projects by donations, as well as a section called “shop for good.” It lists items for purchase, like solid perfume, hand-made blankets and artwork.
All net proceeds from sales support the foundation’s work. And each item sold has its own unique story.
Peake describes how one such item, the Bidi Bidi scarf, came about two years ago. She was on a United Nations (UN) tour through Bidi Bidi in Uganda — one of the world’s largest refugee resettlements, with more than 250,000 people — and she was introduced to a co-operative of about 500 women.
One of them stood up and thanked the people from the UN for delivering things like bags of rice, but said, they’d like to be able to grow their own rice.
This resonated with Peake, who says, she stood up and said:
“’I’ve got paint and paper in my bag. Why don’t you guys help me design the new print for my scarves and I’ll donate 100 per cent of the proceeds back to you to kickstart some of your livelihood initiatives.’ So that’s what we started to do.”
The artwork created that day is now printed on the Bidi Bidi scarf, available for $89, with 900 sold so far. It’s described on the site in this way: “These women are warriors. Wear a symbol of their strength.”
One photo documenting this encounter shows Peake kneeling, in a pair of jeans, laying out art supplies. Another shows a circle of women painting side-by-side.
“Just believing in the capabilities and the power of these women leaders. I mean, my role there is to help open doors and connect this side of the world to them,” says Peake.
“But really, they’re the superstars and the heroes and the ones that, you know, have fled wars, and carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders — and still getting up every day.”


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Funambol Open MobileWe Shortlisted For Best Service Delivery Platform By GSMA Global Mobile AwardsCompany to preview next-gen open source MobileWe for two billion
phones at Mobile World Congress
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – January 21, 2009 – Funambol, the leading provider of open source push email and mobile sync worldwide, today announced that Funambol open source MobileWe has been shortlisted for “Best Service Delivery Platform” by the GSMA Global Mobile Awards. The awards are held in conjunction with GSMA Mobile World Congress to showcase the best mobile services, products and initiatives around the world.
“Our congratulations go to all the nominees in this year’s Global Mobile Awards,” said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSMA. “In an uncertain economic climate, mobile communications continue to drive social, economic and technological development, as the calibre of entries this year again illustrates. To have been nominated from such a high quality field of more than 450 companies that entered is a tremendous achievement, and we await the announcement of the winners at the next month’s Global Mobile Awards evening in Barcelona with great interest.”
Funambol will reveal the next generation of its open source MobileWe solution at Mobile World Congress. MobileWe works on two billion phones, including smartphones such as iPhone, BlackBerry Storm and Google Android. MobileWe syncs and shares contacts, calendars, email, photos, and more, via the Internet cloud, and supports popular desktop apps such as Outlook, and webmail, including Gmail, AOL Mail, Yahoo! Mail and Hotmail.
In addition, Funambol CEO, Fabrizio Capobianco, will discuss the impact of open source on relationships across the mobile value chain during a panel discussion with Orange, HTC and Sun Microsystems on Wednesday, 18th February.
“For the first time, Mobile World Congress will focus on the accelerating innovation and change that become possible through open mobile software and services,” said Capobianco. “Funambol is backed by the world’s largest mobile developer community – we are honored to be shortlisted this year and want to thank our extended family and dedicated community for bringing open source MobileWe to 2 billion phones worldwide.”
Global Mobile Award winners will be announced at the GSM Association’s Global Mobile Awards Dinner on Tuesday 17th February 2009. In addition to providing an exclusive preview of its next-gen open source MobileWe, Funambol invites you to experience the world’s best open source espresso at its booth #1J46 in Hall 1.
Funambol is the leading provider of open source push email and mobile sync worldwide. Funambol open source software has been downloaded three million times by 50,000 developers and project participants in 200 countries. The commercial version of Funambol has been deployed at service providers, mobile operators, portals, device manufacturers and ISVs including customers such as AOL, 1&1, Earthlink and CA, Inc. Funambol is headquartered in Redwood City, California with an R&D center in Italy. For more information, please visit http://www.funambol.com. You can also learn more about Funambol by following it on Twitter at http://twitter.com/funambol.


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PepsiCo has unveiled three flavours of sparkling lemonade in Canada, the US and Western Europe, as part of a line-up of drinks called 7UP Lemon Lemon.
The premium new options – almost unrecognisable from the rest of the 7UP brand – are available in lemon, white peach, and cucumber-mint varieties.
Launching just in time for summer, the range will seek to encourage consumers to escape their busy daily routine and enjoy the outdoors, the sunshine and the open air during the summer months.
Logan Chambers, director of marketing for PepsiCo, said: “7UP Lemon Lemon is about finding a balance between routine and relaxation, modernity and nostalgia. Join us in taking time to enjoy Lemon Lemon while you relax, recharge and reconnect with those around you.”
The drinks are packaged in ‘sophisticated and contemporary’ striped slimline cans with striking iconography playing up the lemon content, as well as the three different flavour combinations.
Now on grocery and convenience store shelves across Canada, the US and Western Europe – including markets like France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands – 7UP Lemon Lemon has 70kcal per 355ml can and is free from artificial flavours. It is sweetened with a blend of sugar and stevia leaf extract.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2022
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Ready for four new Nissan sports cars?
BladeGlider, IDX, new GT-R and 370Z replacement are all on the way. Nissan’s VP reveals details
Posted: 15 Jan 2014
The all-new GT-R "won't be a beautiful, sleek Emerge or anything like that," says Palmer. "It'll be more a mechanical look. It'll be brutally aggressive."
Palmer confirmed, as TG reported last year, that the GT-R will benefit from hybrid power. "We've registered the trademark ‘R-Hybrid'," he says. "For ‘Race hybrid'."
When asked about the performance aims, Palmer simply replied: "Six minutes fifty-six, isn't it?" That's a reference to Nurburgring lap times: the Porsche 918 went round the Green Hell in 6m57, so it looks like the next GT-R is could go even quicker than Stuttgart's hyper-hybrid. Strewth.


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Last month saw the first signs of companies making cuts to stave off the further threat of recession. However, the cracks had commenced long before Klarna’s infamous reductions were announced last month. The UK Government is also reducing the number of civil servants. And not just the ones who attended Boris Johnson’s parties at Downing Street:
When talk of the Digital Revolution increased in the early 2010s, there were concerns about job losses. About what will happen to all the lorry drivers with the advent of autonomous vehicles. About what will happen to call centres with the rise of the chatbot and its machine learning. However. One always hoped that the new players in the tech sector would offer a solution. Or better yet, offer jobs to those who would become displaced by digitalization.
Whether it’s because they were over-priced to start with though, the tech sector is also shedding jobs. And this week was no different.
Jobs growth not growing as expected
Yesterday Reuters released a story suggesting that demand for labour was starting to slow. Economists polled by Reuters had forecasted private payrolls increasing by 300,000 jobs. The actual figure was 128,000 jobs. Seen as a huge blow for the recovery in the U.S.
However, it’s not all bad. The U.S. is generating 400,000+ new jobs each month for the last 12 months. Raising the question: ‘is demand starting to cool?’
It’s not just the U.S. that is feeling the pinch. India has seen some devastating cuts amongst its’ leading tech firms recently too:
Digital health platform Mfine laid off 500 employees last week. This accounted for half of the entire workforce, and Mfine is the ninth company in the startup space to cut staff in India since April. All of this is leading some commentators to suggest that “Winter is coming”. And not just a “Crypto Winter” but a much wider cull of employees across the tech and startup ecosystems.
#BacktoWork at Tesla
Having moved its corporate HQ to Austin, Texas in December last year, Elon Musk has demanded change. His new Texas-based employees may not be as happy as they were when the HQ opened. Musk wants them all back in the office… Or else.
Following on from his letter to employees, Musk got into a row with Australian tech billionaire Scott Farquhar. The row was about the value of putting an end to the pandemic-era habit of remote working. Musk pointed out how he is trying to get rid of the ‘chaff’, and how “recessions serve a vital economic cleansing function.”
Fortunately, Tesla’s share price is on the up this week, so maybe it’s the right time for Musk to be coming out with soundbites like the ones above.
Microsoft changes its outlook
A few weeks ago we wrote about how Apple and Samsung have had to revise their targets for 2022. This week Microsoft is the next leading Tech firm to revise its targets. TradingView offers insights into what is happening at the firm. Which is expected to lower its revenue forecast by about $1 billion.
Part of the reason is because Microsoft receives around 50% of its revenue from outside the U.S. The dollar might be strong compared to some currencies; however, it has been weakening. This in turn has led to a potential slowdown in hiring at the company. It hasn’t affected Microsoft’s share price much yet, with markets generally performing slightly better than previous weeks.
How did FAANG stocks perform?
Whilst Memorial Day may have made this week a little shorter, there is no doubt that markets are showing a little more optimism. Even amongst all the talk of layoffs, revised earnings and the dreaded recession.
Apple is up 1%, Google’s Alphabet by 3% and Amazon by an incredible 9%. Facebook’s Meta is closing in on 5.5% and even Neflix has managed to show a 5% increase. All in all, quite a comforting show by the FAANGs this week so far (correct at 13.30 GMT).
Tesla is also up 2% rounding off an all together successful week for U.S. companies that often set the trends for the rest of global markets.
Salesforce is the surprise package this week. The stock price of the Tech firm has shown a massive 17.5% increase on last week. A reassuring sign for some of the companies in the Tech sector who are shedding staff now.
Author: Andy Samu
#FAANG #BacktoWork #Tesla #SalesForce #Microsoft #Jobs
This Article is most definitely not Financial Advice.
Our readers are reminded that investing in cryptocurrencies or equities can mean that you will lose all your money. Only invest what you can afford and always look before you leap.


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USDA beef recalls have certainly become the “norm” in today’s news headlines. While these recalls pose a threat for consumer confidence about beef, do you feel the increased number of beef recalls indicates neeeded improvements in our safety procedures as an industry? How do we express this to consumers? If you want to look back at the history of beef recalls, USDA Food Safety Inspection Service has just released a beef recall archive of recalls that have been completed by establishments.
USDA Releases Beef Recall Archive
USDA Food Safety Inspection Service has released beef recall archive for viewing.


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PHOTOS: D-Tech on Demand Kiosks Removed from the Magic Kingdom, MaDe Now the Only Merchandise Personalization Service at Walt Disney World
The future of customized merchandise has arrived, as MaDe kiosks have been installed at Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. in the Magic Kingdom.
The new kiosks replace D-Tech On Demand, which is being phased out at merchandise locations around Walt Disney World. But while the replacement is happening in places where the merchandise is produced, like at this shop, in stores where it could be ordered remotely but picked up in a different location, kiosks have been removed entirely. Our reporters have noticed the missing kiosks at places including The Darkroom and Star Wars Launch Bay in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Frontier Trading Post in Magic Kingdom.
Customized MagicBands, phone cases, and magnets can still be created and ordered through MaDe.
Currently, the MagicBand options are limited compared to what D-Tech On Demand offered, though it’s possible previous designs have not yet been loaded into the system. As of the writing of this article, only five parks designs are available: Cinderella Castle, Disney Parks snacks, the 20th Anniversary of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, the farewell to IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, and Orange Bird.
Keep reading WDWNT for continuing coverage of this ongoing story.


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Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has once again been recognised for his business work.
Maritime specialists Lloyd’s List have included the Greek in their power ranking of the world’s 100 most influential people in the global shipping industry for 2021.
It is the 12th consecutive year he has made the cut, and this time he has jumped up 12 places from 2020’s list, climbing to 47th spot.
Lloyd’s List say: “Whether buying, selling, ordering or merging, the Greek shipowner always seems to make money and enhance his reputation as a shrewd deal-maker, while expanding his group in the longer term.
“Besides a cascade of big deals across several shipping sectors, the Capital boss has ensured his group is in the forefront of exploring greener technologies.”
It comes after a show of trust in Marinakis’ shipping company, CPLP Shipping Holdings PLC, led to record success when a 150m euros bond was issued last month, raising a significant amount of money.
The bond was oversubscribed by more than five times, with listed offers exceeding 800m euros for five-year unsecured bonds by the company.
Lloyd’s List add: “Evangelos Marinakis is one of the most active big deal-makers in shipping, as well as being a public figure in Greece - primarily as owner of Olympiacos football club, a serial title-winner.”
Marinakis recently said of the challenges CPLP have faced this year: “We successfully weathered very severe crises, always with respect towards our investors; we enjoy a very good reputation as we coped under very difficult conditions, succeeding not only to manage crises, but to also emerge victorious.
“We have, in fact, grown through these crises!”
The businessman took over Forest in 2017 and has invested a lot of money into the club - including more than £2m spent directly related to the City Ground redevelopment plans.
The Reds’ most recent set of accounts, released earlier this year, included a statement saying Marinakis remains “committed to the long-term future of the club and its funding”.


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- The company also expects to launch an advertising-supported (AVOD) version of HBO Max in the United States in June;
- In the same month, the service will come to Latin America.
AT&T said on Friday it expects global subscribers of between 120 million and 150 million for HBO Max and HBO by the end of 2025, raising its forecast as more people turn to streaming services for entertainment on the go.
In October 2019, the company had said it expected to add 75 million to 90 million subscribers for the same period.
The forecast raise comes as HBO Max, which includes 10,000 hours of content from WarnerMedia brands and libraries such as Warner Bros, New Line Cinema, and Cartoon Network, competes in a crowded streaming landscape dominated by Netflix, Walt Disney‘s Disney Plus, and Amazon‘s Prime Video.
In June, the company will launch HBO Max in Latin America, the first international market of the service, as LABS anticipated in May 2020. The launch will hit the following countries and territories: Anguilla, Antigua, Argentina, Aruba, B.V.I., Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Uruguay and Venezuela.
In the same month, the company also expects to launch an advertising-supported (AVOD) version of HBO Max in the United States. This version already has $80 million in upfront advertising commitments, WarnerMedia’s CEO Jason Kilar told investors this Friday.
AT&T expects its HBO business unit revenues to more than double over the next 5 years. The company’s shares were up nearly 1% before the bell.


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- Amazon told sellers and vendors on Tuesday that it was suspending shipments of all nonessential products to its warehouses to deal with the increased workloads following the coronavirus outbreak.
- Amazon is now prioritizing medical supplies, household staples, and other high-demand products to its warehouses until April 5.
- The change only affects shipments to Amazon's warehouses, not the last-mile deliveries to consumers.
- "We are temporarily prioritizing household staples, medical supplies, and other high-demand products coming into our fulfillment centers so that we can more quickly receive, restock, and deliver these products to customers," the message read.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Amazon is blocking all shipments of nonessential products to its warehouses in response to the significant increase in orders it's seeing as the novel coronavirus spreads across the US.
On Tuesday the company told sellers and vendors that it would accept only shipments of "household staples, medical supplies, and other high-demand products" to its warehouse until April 5 to deal with the high demand of those products amid the coronavirus crisis.
That means sellers who use Amazon's storage and delivery network for a fixed fee, through a program called Fulfillment by Amazon, will no longer be able to ship nonessential products to Amazon. The same restrictions apply to vendors who wholesale their products to Amazon, who then resells them at a markup.
It doesn't affect last-mile shipments of those products to consumers.
Amazon said in an email to sellers that it was now prioritizing shipment in the following six categories: baby product; health and household (including personal-care appliances); beauty and personal care; grocery; industrial and scientific; pet supplies.
"We are seeing increased online shopping, and as a result some products such as household staples and medical supplies are out of stock," the email obtained by Business Insider said. "With this in mind, we are temporarily prioritizing household staples, medical supplies, and other high-demand products coming into our fulfillment centers so that we can more quickly receive, restock, and deliver these products to customers."
The move follows huge increases in orders of certain products on Amazon, like face masks and toilet paper, as more shoppers flocked to e-commerce sites like Amazon for their shopping. That's put huge strains on Amazon's supply chain, resulting in shipment delays, technical glitches, and labor shortages.
"Amazon is taking drastic measures to address logistical challenges faced amid the coronavirus pandemic," Steven Yates, CEO of Prime Guidance, an agency that helps Amazon sellers, said. "Amazon has struggled to keep up with demand on essential items, so this move will allow them to focus more available resources to meet this increased demand."
For the vendors, Amazon said they would see "reduced purchase orders" as it "temporarily paused" orders for all non-essential products until April 5. It also extended the delivery windows for existing orders, giving vendors more time to deliver those products to Amazon.
"We understand this is a change to your business, and we did not take this decision lightly," Amazon wrote in the note. "We appreciate your understanding as we prioritize the above products for our customers."
A group of vendors told Business Insider earlier this week that some changes were expected, as Amazon stopped placing purchase orders that it normally does on Mondays. They suspected Amazon was only placing orders in high demand because it ran out of stock for household staples over the weekend.
"We would like to notify you, due to the current health concerns, we are taking actions to prevent more health issues. We will share more information in the upcoming days," Amazon wrote to one of the vendors who asked about the order change on Monday.
Yates said sellers of nonessential goods have seen their sales drop by 40% to 60% on Amazon lately, as shoppers significantly cut back on discretionary spending during the coronavirus outbreak. While many of the sellers have 30 to 60 days' worth of inventory in stock, Yates said they are scrambling to figure out how to deal with the changing shopping behavior.
Other sellers are now storing and shipping their products on their own, instead of using Amazon's fulfillment service, according to Will Tjernlund, the CMO of Goat Consulting, an agency that helps Amazon sellers. For example, they are now fulfilling their products out of their own warehouses, using services like Amazon's Seller Fulfilled Prime, which still gives their products Prime eligibility and better exposure on the site, even if they don't ship them to Amazon's warehouses.
"It may be difficult for some sellers to ship every item themselves, but if they want to have their products for sale on Amazon, they have no other choice until April 5," Tjernlund told Business Insider.
On Monday, Amazon also announced that it was hiring an additional 100,000 employees in its warehouse and delivery networks. It also said that it would raise their pay by $2 per hour through April, as the coronavirus causes an "unprecedented" increase in demand for this time of year.
Here's the full message from Amazon:
Hello from Fulfillment by Amazon,
We are closely monitoring the developments of COVID-19 and its impact on our customers, selling partners, and employees.
We are seeing increased online shopping, and as a result some products such as household staples and medical supplies are out of stock. With this in mind, we are temporarily prioritizing household staples, medical supplies, and other high-demand products coming into our fulfillment centers so that we can more quickly receive, restock, and deliver these products to customers.
For products other than these, we have temporarily disabled shipment creation. We are taking a similar approach with retail vendors.
This will be in effect today through April 5, 2020, and we will let you know once we resume regular operations. Shipments created before today will be received at fulfillment centers.
You can learn more about this on this Help page. Please note that Selling Partner Support does not have further guidance.
We understand this is a change to your business, and we did not take this decision lightly. We are working around the clock to increase capacity and yesterday announced that we are opening 100,000 new full- and part-time positions in our fulfillment centers across the US.
We appreciate your understanding as we prioritize the above products for our customers.
Thank you for your patience, and for participating in FBA.
Correction: The original headline on this article has been updated to clarify that Amazon is prioritizing essential shipments to its warehouses and is not suspending nonessential shipments to consumers.


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The CyanogenMod team is working on the next version of its popular Android software for dozens of smartphones and tablets. CyanogenMod 9 will be the first version based on Google Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich which the developers say offers improved speed and performance.
It also makes some of the tweaks that earlier versions of CyanogenMod had used unnecessary or impractical — and breaks graphics and camera drivers used in CyanogenMod 7 and earlier versions. So CM9 is still a work in progress.
There’s already a usable build for the Samsung Nexus S smartphone, and according to a progress update on the CyanogenMod blog, the next devices to get support will likely be those with TI OMAP4, Samsung Exynos, and Qualcomm MSM8660/7X30 chips. In other words, it might take a little while before older devices such as the Google Nexus One get support — but the plan is still to release CM9 for the Nexus One.
That’s good news, since Google has said it won’t release an official Android 4.0 update for the first Google-branded phone.
Unfortunately, another older flagship Android phone is getting left behind in the new update. There won’t be an official CyanogenMod version for the original Motorola Droid.
The system requirements for Android 4.0 are much higher than for older versions of the operating system, so it’s not surprising to see official support dropped for older devices. You can’t exactly install OS X 10.7 on an Apple IIe. But CyanogenMod and other independent developers have done some amazing work over the past few years by porting stripped down versions of newer software to run on older devices.
I suspect someone will still release an Android 4.0 custom ROM for the original Droid, but odds are that the operating system won’t run as well on that phone as on newer devices.


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Some people believe that as long as they exercise regularly they can eat what they want without gaining weight. A new report however dispels this myth, saying that although exercise has many benefits – weight-loss isn’t one of them. Instead, the finger has been pointed at our diets.
Cardiologist Aseem Malhorta, author of the report, said:
“Regular exercise has a multitude of benefits but weight-loss is not one of them.
“We therefore need to stop misleading the public by suggesting the cure for obesity is to do more exercise when nothing could be further from the truth.
“Diet-related disease which also affects up to 40 per cent of those with a normal weight is being driven primarily by the consumption of sugar and carbs.”
In the report, an assessment of the nation’s health described the PR tactics within the food industry as “chillingly similar to those of big tobacco”, a company that proclaimed doubt and denial to convince members of the public that smoking was not linked to lung cancer.
When we look at our diets and obesity related diseases, it is interesting to note that the prevalence of diabetes increases 11-fold for every 150 additional sugar calories eaten daily. This is in comparison to the equivalent amount of calories consumed via fat.
Research suggests that reducing carbohydrates is the most effective way to overcome obesity and should be the first port of call when treating diabetes.
Back in 1972 Britain’s obesity rate was 2.7%, but now this has climbed to 25% of adults. Experts say this is primarily due to our dependence on carbohydrate-rich foods like white bread, pasta and pizza.
Vice president-elect of the Faculty of Public Health, professor Simon Capewell made the point that we don’t allow tobacco companies to market cigarettes to children.
“Our kids now deserve equal protection from the cynical marketing of cheap sugary drinks and junk food because our children’s future health depends on it.”
Obesity expert and family GP, Ian Campbell has spoken up to remind people that the best way to stay healthy is to maintain a healthy weight, eat a nutritious diet and to exercise more. He also said, “To suggest anything else is both misleading and dangerous.”


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U.S. EPA Issues Final TSCA Fees Rule
On September 27, U.S. EPA finalized its fees rule pursuant to the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act).
EPA Issues Proposed Approach for Identifying Candidate Chemicals for Prioritization
U.S. EPA has issued what it describes as a "Working Approach for Identifying Potential Candidate Chemicals for Prioritization" under the 2016 amendments (the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act) to the Toxic Substances Control Act.
Group Seeks Listing of Zinc-Containing Tires as Priority Product
The California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) has petitioned the Department of Toxic Substances Control to list tires containing zinc as a Priority Product pursuant to the Department's Safer Consumer Products program (SCP).
ACC Asks DTSC to Take A Second Look at Decision to Identify SPF Systems as Priority Product
On July 1, 2018, the Department of Toxic Substances Control formally identified Spray Polyurethane Foam Systems (SPF Systems) with Unreacted Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanates (MDI) as a Priority Product under the Department’s Safer Consumer Products program (SCP).
EPA Celebrates Two Year Anniversary of New TSCA Law by Announcing Completion of Several Actions
On June 22, then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced that his agency was celebrating the second anniversary of the 2016 revision of the Toxic Substances Control Act [the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act] by announcing the completion of several initiatives required under the law. The announcement was one of the last made by Pruitt who resigned his position shortly thereafter.
EPA's Problem Formulation Documents Illustrate Agency's Views on Risk Assessment Under TSCA
U.S EPA has announced ten "problem formulation documents," which lay out how the agency plans on doing risk assessments on the initial ten chemicals it has chosen for review under the 2016 TSCA amendments.
OEHHA Proposes Lower PHGs for Cis- and Trans-1,2-DCE
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment is proposing Public Health Goals for cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (1,2-DCE) in drinking water.
Coalition Brings Suit Over Food Additives
A coalition of health, consumer, and environmental groups has filed a petition with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco asking that court to order the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to act order the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to act on an earlier petition filed by the coalition members.
DTSC Considering Listing NPE Containing Laundry Detergents as Priority Product
The Department of Toxic Substances Control is considering the listing of laundry detergents containing nonylphenol oxylates (NPEs) as a "Priority Product" pursuant to the Department's Safer Consumer Products (SCP) program.
DTSC Releases Final Version of Priority Product Work Plan with Few Changes
The Department of Toxic Substances Control has released the final version of its second Priority Product Work Plan laying out the product categories that the Department staff will investigate for possible listing as Priority Products for the next three years under the Department's Safer Consumer Products (SCP) Program.
DTSC Lists SPF Systems as Second Priority Product under Its SCP Program
The Department of Toxic Substances Control has listed spray polyurethane foam systems with unreacted methylene diphenyl diisocyanates (SPF Systems) as a "Priority Product" pursuant to the department's Safer Consumer Products (SCP) program; effective as of July 1.
Environmental Groups File Opening Brief in Ninth Circuit Challenging TSCA Framework Rules
Fifteen organizations—including environmental groups, unions, public health groups, and local advocates—have joined together to file an opening brief with the Ninth Circuit challenging U.S. EPA's major "framework rules" implementing the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Judge Concludes Requiring Prop. 65 Warning on Glyphosate Products Violates First Amendment
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction barring the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) or anyone else from enforcing Proposition 65's warning requirement for the recently listed pesticide ingredient glyphosate.
EPA Proposes TSCA Fee Rule
On February 8, U.S. EPA issued a proposed rule establishing fees to be paid by chemical manufacturers or importers for actions covered by the recently amended Toxic Substances Control Act. This "fees rule" is the fourth and final "framework" rule that EPA is required to adopt pursuant to the new law.
DTSC Intends to List Carpets and Rugs Containing PFAs as a Priority Product
The Department of Toxic Substances Control has announced that it is planning to list carpets and rugs containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) as a "priority product" pursuant to the Department's Safer Consumer Products (SCP) program.
New Coalition Will Support Industry Attack on IARC
A group of industry and business interests has launched a new coalition seeking to "reform" the process utilized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in its Monograph program.
DTSC Adds Food Packaging and Lead Acid Batteries to Product Categories for Possible Regulation under the SCP
The Department of Toxic Substances Control has released a draft of what would be its second Priority Product Work Plan laying out product categories that it will study for possible identification as "priority products" under the Department’s Safer Consumer Products (SCP) Program.
Commenters Have Sharply Different Views of DTSC's Proposed Designation of Methylene Chloride Paint Strippers as a SCP Priority Product
In November the Department of Toxic Substances Control announced it was proposing to designate "paint or varnish strippers containing methylene chloride" as a priority product pursuant to the Department's Safer Consumer Products (SCP) program.
California District Court Rules That EPA Wrongly Dismissed TSCA Section 21 Petition
In a decision of first impression under the new TSCA law, the District Court for the Northern District of California has ruled that U.S. EPA wrongly dismissed a Section 21 petition filed by coalition of anti-fluoridation groups.
Glyphosate Case Correction
We recently filed a story discussing a lawsuit filed in federal district court by Monsanto Corporation and several agricultural associations [see Monsanto and Farm Groups Sue to Overturn Glyphosate Listing, December 21, 2017]...


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Pharmacies still facing EpiPen shortage over a year later
MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - EpiPens have been in short supply for over a year now after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration first declared a shortage back in May 2018, citing to manufacturing issues.
“The auto injector is somewhat complex to make and we have some manufacturers who are having supply issues and manufacturing issues and they are working on it,” said Sam Abraham, owner of Carolina Forest Pharmacy.
Summer time means more exposure to life-threatening allergies, leaving families who depend on EpiPens on edge. With no specific timeline released by the manufacturer, pharmacists say don’t expect relief anytime soon. The drug manufacturer Mylan is made by a division of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer.
"Despite our significant efforts, we do not anticipate further supply shortages over the coming months,” said Pfizer spokeswoman Kim Bencker.
Many are holding onto their expired EpiPens for use in emergencies. Pharmacists like Abraham are racing to keep EpiPens on their shelves, ordering fresh supply whenever they can. Abraham says he’s been dealing with the shortage and didn’t expect it to last this long.
“We have been trying to grab every vial every box we can get. Right now, we have the EpiPen, the standard dose, which is a .3 EpiPen. We have them in stock. The junior one is a little hard to get," said Abraham.
Abraham says if you don’t have access to an EpiPen and start to feel initial allergic reaction symptoms like rash, swelling or itching, take over-the-counter allergy medications, like Benadryl. Watch your symptoms closely because severe allergic reactions can result in anaphylaxis, which can lead to difficulty breathing, feeling light-headed or severe drop in blood pressure. That’s when you need an EpiPen and seek medical help.
If you do have an EpiPen and it’s expired, pharmacists say don’t get rid of it just yet.
“The FDA has put out a letter on expiration dates where it stated that we can extend all the adult EpiPens by four months. So the general recommendation at this point, try to be proactive and get one in date. If you can’t, hold onto the one you have until you’re able to replace it, just in case,” said Abraham.
Some pharmacists expect the shortage to get worse before it gets better. As we inch closer to the start of the new school year, EpiPens can be especially difficult to track down when sales tend to peak. That’s why Abraham is encouraging families to start thinking ahead so everyone isn’t trying to stock up on EpiPens at the same time.
Abraham says there are alternatives you can keep on hand in the meantime, such as over-the-counter allergy medicine, vials of epinephrine or other brands of auto-injectors that contain epinephrine. He says if you do make the switch, make sure you and your loved ones know how to properly administer the drug.
For more information, click here.
Copyright 2019 WMBF. All rights reserved.


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Lisbon, Portugal, 9 Jan – The revision of customs tariffs and the negotiation of a double taxation agreement between Portugal and China are at the top of the economic agenda for Portuguese prime minister José Sócrates on his next visit to the country, according to the Portuguese Economy Ministry.
On leaving a meeting with some 40 business owners from several sectors headed by the prime minister, the secretary of state for trade, Fernando Serrasqueiro, said that the revision of customs charges was aimed at gaining “greater reciprocity” between the two countries, without giving concrete examples.
Marques da Cruz, the chairman of Portuguese export promotion agency, ICEP Portugal, noted the strong growth of Portuguese exports last year to China, of some 70 percent, adding that it was still possible to continue that trend.
Growth of exports to China was mainly driven by products such as machines, marble and cork, Marques da Cruz said.
The Portuguese prime minister plans to take 40 business people along on his official visit to China from January 30 to February 4
Amongst the most represented sectors are equipment and information and communication technologies, in a delegation which will also include representatives from Portuguese business associations. (macauhub)


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The entry-level Fitbit watch is impressive for its price, but don't expect anything remarkable from it.
Kids don't always show signs of mental illness. These researchers think wearable tech can make a big difference.
PCMag Editor-in-Chief Dan Costa met up with Best Buy to talk about exciting new smart home products at CES 2019.
The Muse 2 is the most effective stress-busting tool you can buy.
Headphones no longer have to be a headache.


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By KATIE HOOS
With what feels like unprecedented weather patterns battering the county this winter, local businesses are finding it difficult to dig out, blaming the snowy season for below average monthly sales and disappointing customer turnout.
On Feb. 13, a Nor’easter known as Pax left its mark on the east coast, bringing nearly a foot of snow and ice in less than 24 hours to some areas in Westchester. On the eve of Valentine’s Day, retailers, florists and candy stores that would normally be bombarded with holiday business, were left with empty stores and lackluster sales.
Valentine’s Day sales, which were expected to reach $17.3 billion this year according to the National Retail Federation, likely fell behind due to poor weather across the country.
Maria Valente, owner of Chocolations, a chocolate and sweets shop located at 607 E. Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck, said Valentine’s Day is her biggest day of business.
Last week’s snowstorm changed that.
“To lose [Valentine’s Day] or have it impacted from the snow the day before is a horrible thing,” Valente said. “By Christmas, business usually breaks even and on Valentine’s Day, we pull ahead. That didn’t happen this year.”
Valente said she normally sees high demand for chocolate-covered strawberries around Valentine’s Day, but is now left with dozens of unsold strawberries, which will go to waste. “You can’t possibly predict this,” she said. “This year has definitely been challenging with the snow.”
Even with 75 percent of her sales booked in advance of the holiday, Yoli LaGuerre, owner of YL Event Designs, a floral boutique located at 68 Purchase St. in Rye, still felt the impact of the snowfall.
“Walk-in sales are down whenever the weather is bad,” LaGuerre said. “Customers can’t find a parking space to run in and grab a bouquet because of all the snow mounds, and so whenever the weather is bad, they tend to think of a Plan B.”
LaGuerre added the recent snowstorm forced her to rearrange delivery schedules with her clients to make sure their Valentine’s Day arrangements arrived on time.
“It’s all about good service, and all of our clients appreciate that we have back-up plans and options instead of simply blaming the weather,” she said. “No matter what the weather may be, romantics will always find a way to get flowers.”
This year winter weather has been much more difficult than in recent times.
Westchester sees between 40 to 60 inches of snow each winter on average, according to data from the National Weather Service. Already this winter, total snowfall has reached more than 75 inches, crippling local businesses, shutting down schools and depleting salt supplies across the county.
Homeowners desperate to dig out rely on local hardware and home supply stores for supplies, but, due to high demand, storeowners are finding it difficult to keep their shelves stocked. Shovels, salt and other winter weather supplies are completely sold out at the Home Depot in New Rochelle, according to Assistant Store Manager Kar-loong Ng.
“We’re out of anything snow or winter weather-related,” Ng said, adding he is uncertain as to when the store’s salt and shovels will be restocked.
Ng also said, despite the store’s winter supply sales, business has been below average for this time of year.
“We definitely don’t have the kind of traffic we’re used to,” he said, citing the snow as a likely cause.
Businesses in Westchester are not alone in their snow-fueled despair.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, businesses across the nation are feeling the effects of the harsh winter, reporting lower than expected retail sales over the past three months, with apparel sales dropping roughly 1 percent in January.
Automobile sales also took a hit last month, with buyers less inclined to venture outside to purchase cars and trucks during the Polar Vortex—the Arctic cold front that descended upon the greater portion of the country in early January—when temperatures in New York plummeted to 5 degrees and 15 degrees below zero with wind chill factored in.
Ford, Toyota and GM reported lower-than-expected January sales over last year’s numbers with a 7 percent, 7.2 percent and 12 percent decline in sales respectively. Chrysler did manage to increase sales by 8 percent, selling mostly trucks and sport utility vehicles designed to handle winter conditions; Jeep sales increased by 38 percent; and Ram truck sales increased by 22 percent.
“The bad weather only seemed to affect our competitors’ stores, as we had a great January,” Reid Bigland, Chrysler’s head of U.S. sales, said.
Looking to gain a competitive edge, some local businesses are actually capitalizing on the poor weather conditions by remaining open in spite of the snow.
The Rye Grill and Bar, located across from the Rye Metro-North train station, was open during the Feb. 13 storm and saw a spike in business for that night’s dinner rush.
“Our policy is pretty much never to close,” Manager Erin Flynn said. “Since we are in town and a lot of people can walk to the restaurant, we stay open and people appreciate that.”
March 19 marks the official end to this year’s brutal winter and many business owners are hoping the detrimental snowstorms are behind them.
Valente of Chocolations said she is already thinking of the next holiday rush and is looking to recoup the losses she felt from a lackluster Valentine’s Day in the upcoming warmer months.
“You just have to keep moving forward,” she said. “We’re gearing up for the next holiday and filling the store windows with chocolate Easter bunnies. It’s all we can do.”


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Applications Now Open for the
10th Annual Craft Lake City DIY Festival
Salt Lake City, Jan 10 – Craft Lake City®, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, announces today that applications are now open to exhibit at the 10th Annual DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Festival®, being held on Friday Aug. 10, Saturday Aug. 11, and Sunday Aug. 12, 2018. Makers in the categories of artisan, vintage vendor, craft food creator, stage performer and DIY engineer are encouraged to apply. Exhibitor applications will be accepted on the Craft Lake City website at https://staging.craftlakecity.com/apply/ through Thursday, April 5, 2018.
Craft Lake City’s DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Festival® is Utah’s largest local-centric, three-day arts festival, with over 250 local artisans, DIY engineers, vintage vendors and craft food creators, a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Building, two stages of music and dance performances, local food vendors and food trucks, a kids’ area, a DIY workshop area, a VIP lounge and approximately 20,000 attendees.
“This year will be the 10th anniversary of the DIY Festival, and our hope is to expand the reach of the Festival within the community,” says Angela H. Brown, Craft Lake City’s Executive Director. “We want to see applications in all exhibitor categories from people who haven’t considered applying before, both hobbyists and entrepreneurs alike. Utah is full of dynamic and talented people, and we love providing a platform for their projects.”
Items exhibited by DIY Festival participants run the gamut of modern handmade goods. Just a few examples include pottery, jewelry, handmade bicycles, crocheted goods, embroidery, handmade furniture, sauces and spice mixes, 2D fine art, handcrafted childrens’ clothing, craft coffee, handmade paper, home decor items, mini pies, and hand-carved wooden objects.
Exhibitors in the STEM Building put their most innovative projects on display, whether to get input into product development, or simply to share their passion for creating with the public. Examples of past STEM exhibits include virtual reality, robotics, Arduino, programmable toys, educational sustainability displays, handmade synthesizers, self-propelled mechanical puzzles, drones, and audio systems.
The 10th Annual DIY Festival will be held Friday, Aug. 10, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.;Saturday, Aug. 11 from noon to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 12 from noon to 7 p.m. at the Gallivan Center, located at 239 S. Main Street in downtown Salt Lake City. Admission is $5 and children 12 and under are free. More information can be found at craftlakecity.com.
For more information, contact Craft Lake City at firstname.lastname@example.org or call our office at801-906-8521.
About Craft Lake City:
Founded in 2009 by Angela H. Brown, Executive Editor of SLUG (Salt Lake UnderGround) Magazine, Craft Lake City® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with the mission to educate, promote and inspire local artisans while elevating the creative culture of the Utah arts community through science, technology and art. Craft Lake City strives to further define the term “craft” by modernizing the definition for handmade creativity.


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The Washington Wizards haven’t made any major changes to their jerseys since the 2011-12 season when they changed their colors from teal blue and gold to their current red, white and blue scheme.
The team’s popular Stars and Stripes jerseys from the 2016-17 season were refreshed last year as their “City Edition” uniforms in Nike lingo. They were refreshed again this year, according to leaked screenshots, including from Quinton Mayo of NBC Sports Washington.
Leaked Washington Wizards City Edition jerseys for the 2020-21 NBA season.— Quinton Mayo (@RealQuintonMayo) October 31, 2020
The new jerseys haven’t changed much from last year, except that they are now gray and the numbers are blue. Last year’s version featured white jerseys with red numbers.
I am not a fan of these jerseys, but that’s just me.
With the exception of the “Statement Edition” jerseys which are the blue jerseys with the Jumpman logo from Jordan Brand instead of a swoosh from Nike, there are no expected changes on the team’s “Icon” (white) and “Association” (red) uniforms.


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RICHMOND, Va. — Philip Morris USA filed suit in federal court here yesterday to overturn a San Francisco ordinance that would ban the sale of tobacco at pharmacies. Philip Morris claims the ban violates tobacco manufacturers’ First Amendment right to communicate to adult consumers about their lawful products. The suit asks the court to delay enforcement of the ordinance that’s scheduled to take place Oct. 1, and declare it unconstitutional. “Although called a ban on sales, the purpose and effect of the ordinance is to suppress communications directed to adult smokers, in violation of our constitutional rights,” said Joe Murillo, client services vice president and associate general counsel for Philip Morris parent company Altria, in a statement. “Likewise, the ban unfairly deprives adult consumers of the opportunity to buy tobacco products from legitimate licensed retail businesses.” Earlier this month, Walgreens filed a suit that challenges the legality of the ordinance. The drug chain, which has 52 locations in San Francisco, is seeking to have the ordinance blocked on the grounds that it’s anticompetitive and unconstitutional, since it does not include grocery stores or wholesale clubs that have pharmacies. A preliminary injunction hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 30.
Read More of Today's Headlines


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In releasing the 2015 Global Powers of Retailing report, Deloitte partner and retail industry leader David White said he expects more international retailers to come into the Australian market this year.
“In 2014 we saw the likes of H&M, Fast Retailing (Uniqlo), Forever 21 and most recently Sephora entering the Australian market with bricks and mortar stores,” said Mr White
“There was also the takeover of David Jones by South African-based retailer Woolworths SA.
“With a weakening Australian dollar and ever-increasing competitive pressures, we expect to see further interest by overseas retailers in the Australian retail market."
This expected influx of international retailers is expected to create a challenging retail environment for existing Australian retailers.
“As major global players continue to enter the Australian market, and existing global retailers expand their store footprint, Australian retailers across all segments will continue to face significant challenges and increased competition. The ability to innovate, drive improved processes and to connect with the consumer will be critical in order to remain competitive,” Mr White said.
Woolworths and Wesfarmers were ranked as Australia’s top retail businesses at 18th and 22nd respectively in a list of the world's top 250 by revenue. While both companies dropped slightly from last year’s rankings, (15th and 19th respectively), the drop is largely driven by the devaluation in the Australian dollar against the US dollar.
Wal-Mart topped the list of global retailers followed by Costco and French giant Carrefour.


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Authorities said Wednesday that thieves got away with thousands of dollars’ worth of perfumes and colognes from the Macy’s store at a mall in Massachusetts.
The North Attleborough Police Department said surveillance video recorded the thieves as they grabbed 25 boxes of fragrances worth about $3,200 off store shelves at Emerald Square and slipped out a door on Tuesday night.
Police said a store manager told them two women and a man came into the store, went to the perfume section, and dropped the bottles of perfume into bags.
Police said the manager told them he recognized the three people from two previous unreported shoplifting incidents.
Police said the thieves got into a Nissan Altima with Rhode Island license plates and drove toward Attleboro. Investigators said they don’t know the shoplifters’ names.
The Retailers Association of Massachusetts said it is seeing an increase in thefts and in many cases, companies tell their employees not to intervene.
Somebody that has been hired to work at a cash register should not be interfering with these types of activities,” Ryan Kearney said. “They have been growingly, more violent, more confrontational, and more aggressive.”
He said these cases impact more than a corporation like Macy’s bottom line.
If consumers don’t feel comfortable and employees don’t feel comfortable in a store, and when issues turn violent, they become victims,” he said.
Macy’s responded in a statement:
The safety of our customers and colleagues is always our top priority. As a company, we are unable to comment or provide any additional information on ongoing investigations. We are fully cooperating with local authorities and defer to them for further updates and information,” a spokesperson for the department store said.


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[3/16/17] Comfortable clothes are emerging as a source of plastic that’s increasingly ending up in the oceans and potentially contaminating seafood, according to Gulf Coast researchers launching a two-year study of microscopic plastics in the waters from south Texas to the Florida Keys.
Yoga pants, Patagonia’s cozy jackets, sweat-wicking athletic wear and other garments made from synthetic materials shed microscopic plastic fibers — called “microfibers” — when they’re laundered. Wastewater systems flush the microfibers into natural waterways, eventually reaching the sea.
“Anything that’s nylon or polyester, like the fleece-type jackets,” University of Florida researcher Maia McGuire said.
When McGuire set out to study the kinds of plastic found in Florida waters, she expected to mostly find microbeads — the brightly colored plastic spheres the US government banned from rinse-off cosmetic products in 2015 because of the potential threat to fish and other wildlife.


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* See the Top 5 All-brands and Top 13 All-models by clicking on the title *
The Venezuelan new car market, annihilated by the deep economic crisis afflicting the country, posts a fifth consecutive year of decline and sinks further into stalemate, down 18.2% year-on-year to just 2.461 units to be compared with 130.533 in 2012 and a record high 491.899 in 2007. These are all vehicles assembled in the country as new laws prohibit imports. Local association CAVENEZ estimates that an additional 1.111 new cars have made their way into the country in 2017 through the grey market but there is no official data about these cars. Only 5 carmakers have sold at least one unit in 2017 (vs. 11 in 2016) and just 13 nameplates (32 a year ago). Ford remains the best-selling brand despite a 48% year-on-year drop with 45.8% share, only 4 units above Toyota at 45.6% up 3-fold on 2016. Jeep (5.9% share) has also returned to Venezuela. Model-wise, the Toyota Hilux becomes the best-seller for the first time with 23.8% share (+281%) but Venezuela only has access to the previous generation of the model, produced locally. The Ford Explorer (-32%) and Toyota Fortuner (+162%) round up the podium.
Full Year 2017 Top 5 All-brands and Top 13 All-models vs. Full Year 2016 figures below.


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Redmi India has announced that it will launch a New Redmi Note smartphone in the country on March 12. The company has shared a teaser on social media that says that ‘A new #RedmiNote is coming on 12th March’. So, the company may launch only one phone and we’re not sure if both the Redmi Note 9 and Note 9 Pro will be launched at that event.
— Redmi India (@RedmiIndia) March 2, 2020
Further, the teaser image shows a ‘9’ and quad-cameras arranged in a square setup. We have already seen quad-cameras on Redmi Note 8 series smartphones, but this new square setup suggests that this time Xiaomi may opt for a new telephoto lens instead of a depth sensor. This is only one speculation that can be done from the teaser.
Moreover, Xiaomi India Head, Manu Kumar Jain also shared a picture for the same announcement. The picture shows a hidden phone that looks like having a 3D glass back in blue color.
We have already seen the glass back on Redmi Note 8 Pro, so this is not a surprise. Further, we can also the speaker grill, USB Type-C port, and a 3.5 mm jack in the image.
Apart from these small details, no other information is currently available on Redmi Note 9 series. We will have to wait for a few days when more things about these upcoming phones appear online.
The post Redmi Note 9 Series Launching in India on March 12; Details Here appeared first on Gadgets To Use.


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Mumbai—based logistics start-up Kale Logistics has raised new funds at a valuation of Rs 600 crore led by Inflexor Ventures along with 20 other individual investors. Apart from Inflexor Ventures, Narendra Kale and Vipul Jain have invested Rs 2.5 crore each, whereas Rakesh Puri and Manju Puri jointly invested Rs 1 crore in the company. The remaining amount has been invested by other 16 investors.
According to the filings with the Registrar of Companies, Kale Logistics’ board has passed a special resolution to issue 9,81,474 Series A3 compulsorily convertible participatory preference shares (CCPS) at an issue price of Rs 135 per share to raise Rs 13.25 crore or $1.7 million.
As per a report by Entrackr, this is the second funding round of the company in the last two years. In June 2020, the company raised $5 million in a Series A funding round led by Inflexor Ventures. Following this, the company’s valuation jumped two-fold. In the new funding round the company has been valued at Rs 600 crore or $75 million.
After the funding round, Jain holds a 32.93 per cent stake in the start-up, followed by Kale, who now holds a 20.79 per cent stake. Meanwhile, Inflexor Ventures holds 12.47 per cent equity in the company.


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The government has today slammed the ABC for wasteful spending and inefficiency, stating that the government broadcaster which produces 12 radio stations, 5 national TV stations, a leading national news website, an online streaming service, and a host of social media accounts for $900 million should be more like the 3 minute completely incomprehensible ad they made for a mere $3.7 million.
“Why if the ABC used our efficient spending model they’d be producing almost 36 hours of TV a year!” said one government minister. “Instead they wastefully spend all that taxpayer money on ‘watchable content’ and ’employing a nationwide network of broadcasters’.
The public has meanwhile expressed shock that the government which pre-announced a budget surplus which turned out to be a $700 billion deficit, might not be great at finances. “I was shocked, they’ve always told me they’re the better economic managers,” said one voter. “But somewhere between Josh Frydenberg misplacing $60 billion and their cheaper copper NBN which almost doubled the price, I’ve started to get an inkling that they might not be so great with money after all.”
The government has stated that it has learned from this mistake, pledging that in the future it will seek to gain greater efficiencies with its spending, by giving the $3.7 million to News Corp and not asking for anything in particular in return.


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Hudson -- While shoppers across the country were busy camping out for pre-dawn Black Friday sales at big box stores, local merchants celebrated their own shopping extravaganza Nov. 29 with "Come to Hudson for the Holidays" and Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30.
"Overall is was an excellent weekend," said Michelle Sahr, owner of My Little Red Wagon, 220 North Main St. "Our sales on Friday were up a lot from last year and our sales from Saturday were up a little -- it was an excellent weekend."
The store saw an 8 percent increase in sales over last year on Nov. 29, and a 1 percent increase over last year on Nov. 30, Sahr said.
"It was pretty crowded Friday. Saturday started off slow but I think that's pretty typical with people being tired from Friday," she said. "We were very pleased and really enjoyed working with the customers over the weekend."
And, unlike some stores in the news, there were no problems reported at the local shops.
"I feel like our store is pretty friendly and it's contagious," Sahr said.
Sahr expects the upward sales trend to continue.
"Our sales have been up for the last three months and I expect that to continue through December," she said.
Nearby, the Land of Make Believe toy store, 190 North Main St., saw a similar sale increase.
Each day, from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, the store saw an increase of 10 percent in sales over last year, according to Robert Harrison, one of the owners. Harrison hopes the upward trend in sales will continue through the holiday season, including the Dec. 8 Holiday Walk in downtown Hudson.
"It depends on what the traffic is going to be, with Thanksgiving being a week later this year" Harrison said. "We are hoping sales are actually a little better having one week less after Thanksgiving."
Shoppers were treated to sales at the downstairs shop as well as the upper level "Man Cave of Hudson" sports and video game shop.
"I think the sales we ran helped bring people in for the weekend," Harrison said.
Sales were also up at the Learned Owl Book Shop, 204 North Main St., according to owner Kate Schlademan.
"It was good, we were actually up a bit," Schlademan said of the sales figures as compared to last year.
However, Schlademan did not have the exact figures at press time.
"It was steady, all day, every day," Schlademan said.
She hopes the upward trend in sales will continue, she said.
"People were really positive and saying that were particularly coming out for Small Business Saturday," Schlademan said. "I'm just really thankful for all the support. It's been really fantastic."
There crowds visiting Epiphany, 105 First Street, "were good," according to owner Eric Pickering.
"Everyone seemed to be in the Christmas spirit," Pickering added.
Revenue from the weekend was about the same as last year, Pickering said.
"With Thanksgiving being a week later this year, I have a feeling that it's only [going to] get busier," Pickering said. "And that kids can meet Santa in our store this Sunday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m."
Karen Koch, the owner of Life Needs Art, 220 North Main St., also lives in Hudson. Her shop has been open just over a month.
"As a resident of Hudson for nine years, I've loved shopping in town and even more so at the holidays," Koch said. "It's convenient, the shops offer unique and personal items I can't find elsewhere, and the shopkeepers are always warm and welcoming."
Koch says her family enjoys the Hudson shopping habits.
"They all know that Aunt Karen gives the best gifts," she said.
Liz Murphy, of Destination Hudson, said the weekend shopping weather was "perfect."
"There was a little sun, not too cold, and after last year especially, no wind," Murphy said. "The Boy Scouts did a fabulous job with the luminaries."
The next major shopping event in Hudson will be the Dec. 8 Holiday Walk.


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If you'd like to know the reactions that some Madden fans have received in regards to Brady's departure, be sure to keep reading to the bottom of this article Madden 22 coins. (NEXSTAR) The sealed reproduction of the Sega Genesis game "John Madden Football" has sold for record prices, proving that the legendary coach and broadcasting legend may be the founder of modern sports video games.
The auction of video games which ran for two consecutive days last month, the original copy from "John Madden Football" sold for $480,000. The price, far over what the original video game's price in the beginning, set a record-setting world record for the highest amount ever spent on a sports video game, as per Heritage Auctions.
"This particular copy is especially unusual because it's coming from the offices of the famous Madden namesake," the auction house says. The proceeds of this sale will be donated by Heritage Auctions to a charitable foundation that was established in the honor of Madden.
Madden passed away in late December at the age of 85. Spanning three decades, the John Madden Football video game franchise brought in over $7 billion of revenue according to the New York Times. The first season of the series began in 1988 before being changed to "Madden." NFL Network even had a special show dedicated to the game's video "Madden NFL Live." It's been the second-highest-selling sports video game ever created buy madden coins, trailing only the soccer-based shows FIFA.


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“Until today, talking about whether the internal combustion engine (ICE) in the 2011 Chevrolet Volt should have a direct mechanical connection to the wheels was an interesting thought experiment,” notes an article at AutoBlog.com.
“Sure, there were hints and patents that suggested that the ICE could drive the wheels, but General Motors kept saying its ‘extended range electric vehicle (ER-EV)’ was just that: an electric car with a gasoline-powered generator on board. Guess what?”
“GM has now confirmed, late in the game, that the Volt can, in some situations, use the ICE to power the wheels. This came to light after Motor Trend was allowed to test the car for three long drives and discovered…”
Meanwhile, Business Week has published another take on this issue, entitled “GM Defends Volt While Critics Say It’s Not a Real Electric Car.” From their story…
“General Motors Co., the largest U.S. automaker, is disputing accusations that its low-emission Chevrolet Volt is a hybrid and not a true electric vehicle a month before the car goes on sale.”
“Auto critics Edmunds.com, Motor Trend and Popular Mechanics have said that during heavy acceleration the Volt uses its gasoline engine to power an electric generator which helps turn the wheels, similar to how hybrids run. GM said on its website that the car is an extended-range electric vehicle, not a hybrid like Toyota Motor Corp.’s Prius.”
“The Volt debate illustrates the marketing challenge for automakers selling new technology in cars that don’t fit standard classifications and whose performance is difficult to measure…”


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Recent Advertising graduate, Daniela Eriksson, has won an EFFIE Award at the inaugural IAA Effie Awards UK. Effie Awards are recognised throughout the industry as the global standard of marketing effectiveness excellence.
The 2016 Effie UK Awards Ceremony took place on Thursday, 19 May 2016, in the iconic BAFTA Princess Anne Theatre. The evening celebrated advertising effectiveness in the United Kingdom, honoring the finalists and awarding the Effie UK and Global Effie winners.
Daniela, who is originally from Sweden started her studies at in Stockholm’s Berghs School of Communication and chose to make the move to Perth due to the appeal of ECU’s Advertising and Marketing course, “What’s good about ECU is that it’s really what you make it, if you want to go on and create yourself a career you’re given all the tools and contacts to do so…I met my first employer at ECU (through) the Introduction to Advertising class I did. The standard of lecturers, particularly within the advertising courses are fantastic, not many schools can pride themselves with having the likes of Jon Steel lecturing, arguably one of the most famous people in advertising today.”
Since completing her studies in the Bachelor of Communications majoring in Advertising and Public Relations, Daniela has moved to London and worked with International agencies OMD international and Manning Gottlieb OMD. “After making the big move back to Europe I have worked hard to get the opportunity to work on big global brands like PlayStation, Heinz and Nissan. Getting to do that is an achievement in itself I think, but having won an Effie for the work we did with car rental company Sixt can definitely not be forgotten,” said Daniela.
For the award-winning campaign, Daniela and her team worked with car rental company Sixt to create a cut-through awareness raising campaign that made a splash across London. After 17 years in the United Kingdom, Sixt were still a small player on the car rental market so the aim of the campaign was to appear big and bold on a shoestring budget compared to the competitive likes of Hertz and Avis. It was the first campaign Sixt has ever run in the UK and resulted in a massive revenue growth four times the objective of the campaign.
Daniela says that the EFFIE award, “was a team effort, but it’s a testament to what’s achievable.” With accounts such as John Lewis, Virgin Media and Starbucks in the same office, the agency is not short of award winning work.
Daniela currently works for Manning Gottlieb London as a Media Planner mainly focusing on two of the agencies auto accounts, Nissan and Infiniti, but also working in the agency’s retail team. She was also one of our hosts on last year’s Advertising Study Tour and organised for the students to do a pitch for the Renault Clio.


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There could be a jobs boost in Portlaoise as Glanbia have announced plans to develop a brand new cheese facility by 2020.
It is understood the brand new €130m project will create 78 full time jobs at the plant, whilst further 250 jobs will be created during the construction phase.
It is believed Glanbia and Leprino Food plan to manufacture mozzarella cheese at the plant.
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Mar 02-04, 2017
The embedded community will once again congregate at the embedded world trade fair in Nuremberg - the leading international fair for embedded systems, scheduled to be held from March 14-16, 2017. Toradex will showcase its broad range ARM®-powered System on Modules (SoMs) and customized single board computers at its booth 1-639 (Hall 1).
Mar 14-16, 2017
Toradex and Okamoto Electronics further strengthen their partnership to help build the market for embedded systems in Japan, with an enterprising 2-day course on embedded Linux and Yocto. The course is for a maximum of 5 attendees and will be held at the Okamoto Electronics Naniwa Building, Osaka city, Japan from March 23-24, 2017.
Mar 23-24, 2017
Back and bigger in its second year, ESC Boston will be held in May 2017 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Expected to connect visitors with software developers, hardware engineers, executives, and suppliers across the embedded systems space, the event helps you find faster, cheaper, and smarter solutions to your challenges.
May 03-04, 2017
The 19th session of the hugely-successful China International Industry Fair (CIIF) is slated to be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China, from November 07-11, 2017. The event is jointly organized by seven Chinese Ministries and Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, co-organized by China Machinery Industry Federation and managed by Shanghai East Best & Lansheng International (Group) Co., Ltd. Over 2,000 exhibitors and 120,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the event.
Nov 07-11, 2017
Nov 08-09, 2017
Whether it’s embedded hardware design or the Internet of Things (IoT), the ESC Silicon Valley showcases emerging trends and innovations that aim to set the tone for the embedded systems industry in 2017. With thousands of attendees, nearly 100 leading exhibitors, and numerous speakers set to meet face-to-face, the ESC Silicon Valley is back at the San Jose Convention Center and is positioned as a must attend opportunity for embedded systems professionals to accelerate industry knowledge and network.
Dec 06-07, 2017
The Embedded Expo 2017, slated to be the most sought-after embedded industry event in China, will be held at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center from December 21-23, 2017. The expo will also host concurrent events such as Embedded 2017, Elexcon 2017, Mechatronics China, and China EV & Autotronics.


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Deok union has called for the immediate payment of unemployment benefits to seasonal workers in the hotel and food sector.
Workers suspended from work in November because of closures in the sector are not due to receive their unemployment benefits until March.
“Employees in the food and hotel industry are paying the highest price because of the effects of the pandemic on the economy and especially on the tourism sector,” Deok said on Wednesday.
“For two consecutive years the vast majority of hotel employees and their families face social deprivation and impoverishment due to unemployment, underemployment and a dramatic drop in their incomes.”
The union said that the long delays in the payment of unemployment benefits affects all the unemployed. However, for these particular employees there should be a different approach and the benefits they are entitled to should be paid immediately due to their pressing economic and social needs.
Deok called on the labour minister to intervene promptly and decisively to resolve the issue.


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LC Waikiki has developed its own Instagram direct sales model, which will be implemented for the first time in Kenya.
With the new application it will be much easier to shop without going to the store. Trendy pieces of the season will be prepared as a digital catalogue and will be presented to the customers via LC Waikiki Kenya Instagram account.
It is possible to place orders online between 09:00 and 18:00 every day of the week through Whatsapp Business Line, which is specially formed for the application that offers ease of shopping for customers.
Orders arrive within 24 hours in Nairobi and within 48 hours outside Nairobi.


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|West Cornwall Pasty Outlets Look Set to Stay Shut|
Company fell into administration earlier this month
West Cornwall Pasty Co's kiosk in Fulham Broadway and store in Hammersmith Broadway look set to stay closed after the firm went into administration earlier this month.
A consortium of wealthy individuals, including former England footballer and Celebrity Masterchef finalist Danny Mills has since stepped in to rescue the company by buying 35 stores and outlets out of administration.
However, a spokesman for the private equity firm Enact, in which Danny Mills is a partner alongside a former HSBC banker, a senior partner at the accounting firm Deloitte and a retail entrepreneur who founded the Republic fashion chain, has confirmed that the local branches are not among the 35.
The firm says West Cornwall Pasty Company was hit by George Osborne's decision in 2013 to apply 20% VAT to all food sold “above the ambient air temperature”. Pie sellers had previously been exempt from the tax on hot takeaway food by arguing that they sold their products warm to improve their appearance or comply with health and safety legislation.
In the resulting controversy the Government was accused of being out of touch with ordinary people, prompting David Cameron to say "I love a hot pasty".
He said he had last bought one from a West Cornwall Pasty Company outlet in Leeds train station, which it emerged had closed years earlier.
Chris Cormack, Enact’s investment director, said: “The business has struggled to cope with the effects of the pasty tax and a number of underperforming outlets.”
Hammersmith and Fulham's outlets, which have been longstanding features in local stations, appears to have been among those underformers and their future not looks bleak.
Ironically, the company's collapse cam just a month after its "traditional" pasty was crowned the champion at the Eden Project's annual World Pasty Championships - otherwise known as the Oggy Olympics.
March 6, 2014


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It’s a daunting task — trying to find the big location story in a maze of 150,000 attendees and thousands of exhibitors at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Aside from every automaker touting their connected vehicle efforts, the big deal this year at CES is wearable technology (last year it was 3D printing? Yawn). Despite sore feet from walking football-field lengths of booths, CES is still a cool show, blaring stereos, walls of TV screens, robots…and connected cars.
LAS VEGAS — Although the largest number of worldwide auto manufacturers attended this year’s International CES here, many industry experts believe that technology giants Google and Apple will swoop in and grab not only the market, but will control what will go into the connected automobile in the future.
“Leading IT, consumer electronics and Internet companies will marginalize specialist vendors. I’m worried that Internet companies will take over the [connected car] market — away from the auto manufacturers,” said Thilo Koslowski, Gartner vice president at the Consumer Telematics Show, held the day before CES
Koslowski’s fears have been partially validated as Google launched a partnership, called the Open Automotive Alliance, with automakers to bring the Android operating system into cars. The Google move comes after a similar announcement by Apple, which was launched to get its iOS platform into connected cars.
Initial Open Automotive Alliance members include Audi, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai and Nvidia. Apple, in its group, has Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Ferrari, Nissan, Chevrolet, Infinity, Kia, Hyundai, Opel and Acura.
“We think [Google] is a strong content partner — the deal gives [you] perspective on where we as a company are heading. Same on the Apple side,” said Charles Koch, Honda manager, new business development, at the Consumer Telematics Show.
Despite standing room-only crowds at CES during most of the connected and automated car session, Koslowski said companies need to keep the right focus on the future. “[Connected vehicles] still are not a definite market, but we will see if it is in the next 3-4 years,” he said. “HMI and user interface will be biggest differentiators. Personalization will be important, but it will also be an expected feature.”
Koslowski said the Holy Grail for connected vehicles in the future is the transition to autonomous capability. “It’s progressing very quickly. Automakers have to avoid the gold rush mentality as it may not be the treasure trove,” he said. “They have to meet expectations [about the the technology] and avoid the creepiness factor that you know too much about the consumer.”
Regardless of the future, Koslowski believes the connected vehicle is a disruptive opportunity. “I can see carriers offering a car for free in exchange for lifetime data. Less dramatic would be with an eight-year data plan,” he said. “This would probably be a smaller, less expensive vehicle than a Ferrari or Audi.”
Overall, the telematics market has gone through several market changes in the past 10 years, said Kevin Link, senior vice president and general manager, China, for Verizon Telematics. Link said that Telematics 1.0 included door unlock, navigation, automatic collision notification, call centers and navigation. “It all began with GM and Mercedes becoming springboards for the industry. Initially, there was low consumer awareness; now, it is something like 88 percent in the United States,” he said.
Outside the U.S., however, the consumer awareness for telematics drops into the single digits. “The business model, especially in the U.S., is a burden on the consumer. In China, it’s a business-to-business play, which is not a burden on the consumer, which also explains the high usage rate,” Link said.
At CES, a record nine automakers attended and exhibited: Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes and Toyota.
AT&T Mobility Makes Big Announcements at CES
In a pre-CES press conference, General Motors announced its first LTE-enabled vehicles — in which AT&T Mobility is powering the LTE network for GM’s OnStar service. The first LTE-enabled vehicles, which will be available this summer, are Impala, Spark, Volt, Orlando, Spark RV, Silverado, Silverado HD, Malibu, Equinox and Corvette Stingray.
AT&T also announced it will provide connectivity for Ericsson Connected Vehicle Cloud which connects to the AT&T Drive platform for automakers
“We expect about 50 million cars to be connected by 2020. The car will be another device in your life,” said Glenn Lurie, AT&T president, emerging enterprises and partnerships. “LTE in a car will get another set of application developers involved — how will they differentiate the car? It’s a global opportunity.”
Magellan and Navigation Solutions’ Nav System Features Proximity Capability
Navigation Solutions, owned by Hertz, said it is working with Magellan to offer the NeverLost 6 navigation device that features connected services — many of which offer a consumer choices based on businesses and attractions near their current location.
A number of new systems, including Magellan’s new models and Pioneer’s five NEX models, which consist of four navigation and an A/V receiver, feature connected services that allow access to navigation — even when the phone isn’t connected to a data source. This has been a sore subject for users of the free Google Maps on a phone — no Internet, no navigation.
Magellan also announced a new line of RoadMate Personal Navigation Device (PND) units featuring Easy Touch screens and an underlying Android OS to improve navigation capabilities and features.
In other CES news:
- Broadcom continues to make strides in indoor and Wi-Fi position with several new product rollouts. The company also is rolling out its BCM47531 GNSS chip that can grab signals from five satellite constellations at the same time (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, SBAS and BeiDou), said Mohamed Awad, Broadcom director, product marketing.
- Alpine rolled out the aftermarket’s first 9-inch navigation system, which will cost $2,600 and be available in June. The company is targeting used trucks and other vehicles as they are staying on the road longer, said Melvin Diaz, Alpine product planning manager.
- In its press conference at CES, Kenwood said its navigation units are selling well. Its flagship, a $1,500, 7-inch system, features INRIX traffic and Garmin navigation.
- In the LBS Insider February blog, several industry experts will be interviewed about the future of the autonomous vehicle.


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Sun Protection Factor (SPF) cosmetics are expected to flood the
market this year following the heatwave in Europe last summer.
Cosmetic brands - such as Artdeco and Nivea - have already
announced their plans to introduce new 2004...
Poland's public finance committee has recommended the government to
keep the excise taxes on cosmetics. The decision - reached by a
marginal vote - makes the country the only EU member state to
harbour such a duty.
The European Commission has announced it is to further assess the
risk of chemicals released from consumer products. The statement
comes following findings earlier this week that suggest cosmetic
chemicals may be linked to breast...
Procter & Gamble is to advertise its cosmetics range on the
reality television programme Survivor next year. The product
placement deal is one of the largest in television history and
highlights the latest in cosmetic marketing...
UK supermarket group Tesco is making a bid to undercut health and
beauty retailer Boots by launching a €100m price reduction program.
With an everything under one roof policy more customers are turning
to supermarkets to purchase...
The popularity of cosmetic coolers will almost triple by the end of
2004, according to a Korean manufacturer. The mini-fridge concept,
which was launched in Asia in 1997 is set to hit the western market
as the latest in bedroom decor.
In the last five years, the Russian perfume and cosmetics market
has been the fastest growing in the world. Sales have increased by
20-25 per cent a year in Russia in comparison with the sales growth
in western countries, which has...
It is always said that it is what's on the inside that counts, but
can what's inside make you look better on the outside? A rise in
so-called 'cosmeceuticals,' or beauty foods, is about to emerge,
The popular Sephora cosmetics chain, owned by luxury goods
powerhouse LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, is searching for
stores in Canada as it looks at taking on domestic department
stores that currently dominate cosmetics retailing.
It appears that the beauty media and the average consumer disagree
when it comes to selecting their favourite brands and products. In
the biggest survey of its kind Tesco invited Britain's media and
more than half a million women...
With five million contaminated and unregistered cosmetics being
seized in stores across Thailand this week, counterfeit cosmetics
and perfumes are becoming a serious global issue. As increasing
numbers of fraudsters turn their activities...