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Recently, sponsored by DTinsight China Digital Intelligence Development Research Center, the second China data elements Summit Forum and Chief data Officer CDO Award presentation ceremony with the theme of "AI reshaping all things" was successfully held in Shanghai. Among them, after-sales Bao's "new generation intelligent customer service solution" was awarded as the "best data enabling solution of the year".
The conference invited academicians, experts and scholars in the field of data, as well as nearly 200 CDO, CIO and digital leaders from intelligent manufacturing, new consumption, and Internet industries to conduct in-depth discussions on hot topics in the market for data elements such as AI and data empowerment, and jointly explore and promote new ways of digital transformation. At the same time, the conference also held the award ceremony of "Outstanding Chief data Officer of the year CDO", "Best data Innovation benchmarking case of the year" and "Best data enabling solution of the year".
During the "reshaping the Future-High-end closed Dinner", the conference announced the "Best data enabling solution of the year". Nine solutions from outstanding technology companies stand out, affirming the contributions made by these enterprises in the digital transformation of their customers. Among them, after-sales Bao's "new generation intelligent customer service solution" won the title of "your best data enabling solution" because of its excellent product power and good customer reputation.
After years of polishing and testing by tens of thousands of enterprises and tens of millions of users, after-sales treasure always insists on taking customers as the center and uses data capabilities to empower enterprises to carry out digital upgrading in the service field.
After-sales treasure adopts the mode of combining SaaS+PaaS to meet the enterprise's complete solution + personalized demand expansion, with more than 30 general business templates, more than 20 application API interfaces and more than 40 business controls, precipitating the actual business scenarios of many industries, taking business needs as the starting point, and continuously providing enterprises with solutions of digital enabling service system.
At present, after-sales Bao has formed mature solutions for equipment manufacturing, equipment, intelligent hardware, home appliances and other industries, providing a new generation of intelligent customer service solutions for tens of thousands of enterprises, including 30 + Fortune 500 enterprises and 200 listed companies. to help enterprises achieve the management goal of reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
Welcome to subscribe "Shulou Technology Information " to get latest news, interesting things and hot topics in the IT industry, and controls the hottest and latest Internet news, technology news and IT industry trends.
The iPhone14 / Pro / Pro Max phone is now available for pre-sale in JD.com. During the pre-sale period, you can enjoy the right to return the phone for 90 days without repair + 15 days without reason. Among them, there is a sufficient supply of iPhone 14 mobile phones, which can be purchased directly by order:
Thank you, Mr. Air, a netizen of CTOnews.com, for your clue delivery! CTOnews.com May 8 news, at the end of March this year, Alibaba Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Zhang Yong issued a full letter to start a new round of corporate governance reform. The biggest change in this adjustment
From September 1 to 5, the 99th International Consumer Electronics Show (IFA2023) was held in Berlin. User-centered, scene-driven, innovative launch of intelligent high-end high-quality household appliances, Hisense and other Chinese enterprises attract global attention. Is showing the best to consumers around the world.
CTOnews.com November 28 news, learned from BYD Ocean Network, its frigate 07 will launch the latest version of OTA upgrade from November 28. This upgrade will optimize vehicle parking interaction, wiper and other functions. It is reported that this escort
On August 22, Kuaishou released its results for the second quarter of 2023, with total revenue up 27.9% year-on-year to 27.74 billion yuan. Among them, the revenue from online marketing services increased significantly, up 30.4% from the same period last year to 14.35 billion yuan, a growth rate of nearly a year.


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Bitcoin on Wednesday jumped to a report $28,599.99, after the virtual foreign money virtually quadrupled in worth this yr amid heightened passion from larger traders.
The arena’s hottest cryptocurrency used to be ultimate up 2.three% at $28,zero12. It has surged by way of just about part since breaking $20,000 for the primary time on Dec. 16.
Bitcoin has increasingly more noticed call for from higher U.S. traders particularly, attracted by way of its perceived inflation-hedging qualities and possible for speedy positive aspects, in addition to expectancies it could transform a mainstream bills means.
Bitcoin crosses US$20K threshold for the first time
Traders stated restricted provide of bitcoin – produced by way of so-called “mining” computer systems that validate blocks of transactions by way of competing to resolve mathematical puzzles – has helped energy upward strikes over fresh days.
Many fresh entrants to the marketplace are maintaining onto positions, they stated.
“The provision facet to the bitcoin marketplace will stay tight,” stated Jacob Skaaning of crypto hedge fund ARK36.
Marketplace and Industry Record Dec. 17 2020
The most recent positive aspects took bitcoin’s marketplace capitalisation previous $518 billion, consistent with business web site CoinMarketCap.
Different main cryptocurrencies, which generally tend to transport in tandem with bitcoin, had been flat. Ethereum, the second one greatest, used to be down zero.four%, heading in the right direction for a 2020 acquire of round 465%.

domain: news


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- No blanket ban in India, says Indian Finance Minister.
- Regulations won’t be as severe as has already been reported.
- The hypothetical ban drew widespread criticism across the crypto world.
No blanket ban in India, says Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Sitharaman’s Clue About Crypto Ban in India
The Indian crypto firms found solid growth. This is since the Supreme Court overruled the RBI’s banking ban on crypto firms in March 2020.
Sitharaman said in a CNBC interview that reports of a blanket ban on cryptocurrencies overstated. While ongoing negotiations, she expects the end results to be more tempered.
Moreover, many negotiations and discussions are happening with the Reserve Bank. However, RBI will take a quorum about the kind of unofficial currency, cryptocurrency has to be planned, and how it has to be regulated.
In addition, it is necessary to make sure that there’s a window available for all varieties of experiments which will have to take place in the crypto world. More so, she said that regulations won’t be as severe as has already been reported.
Authorities will look inward and take a very calibrated stance. In order to the mixed messages coming in from across the world. She added that the world is moving faster with technology. It is not possible to pretend that people do not want it and she gave the clue.
“I can only give you this clue: that we are not closing our minds, we are certainly looking at ways in which experimentations can happen in the digital world, in cryptocurrency and so on.”
Even more, the explanation from Sitharaman is no doubt a source of relief for crypto businesses, users, and hodlers in the world’s second most famous country. Recently, a Bloomberg report citing a senior Indian financial minister said that the country would be banning all cryptocurrencies.
The hypothetical ban drew widespread criticism across the crypto world. Some firms found the reports to be hot air and continued on with developments apace.
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Here’s a quick explainer video from Nintendo about its all new Switch gaming console.
The Nintendo Switch is almost here and the company just pushed out a new video to answer all your burning questions about the upcoming console.
The Nintendo Switch will sell for $299 and is expected to launch on March 3. Unfortunately, preorders are already all sold out so keep your ear to the ground for more info. Learn more about about the Nintendo Switch here.


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Hi and welcome back to The Station, a weekly newsletter devoted to the upcoming (and current) of transportation. I’m your host Kirsten Korosec, senior transportation reporter at TechCrunch.
What you’re studying in this article is an abbreviated model of The Station. To get the finish e-newsletter, which will come out just about every weekend, go here and simply click The Station.
Here’s a helpful reminder to attain out and e mail me at email@example.com to share thoughts, viewpoints or strategies or ship a direct message to @kirstenkorosec.
There was not a ton of news in micromobility this 7 days, but I arrived throughout an intriguing study above at Town Lab about regardless of whether or not cities must financially aid micromobility companies. Shared bikes and scooters present transportation options to metropolis-dwellers through a time when some towns are determining to scale back again public transportation functions in buy to continue to keep its personnel and people harmless.
In Portland, Town Lab pointed to how the city agreed to temporarily waive e-scooter fees as very long as Spin passed those people personal savings on to riders. Now, Spin rides price about 50% a lot less in Portland.
But, as the authors publish, “While we consider that waiving e-scooter expenses and providing community funding may perhaps be important, we harbor no illusions that it would be effortless to do so in the latest fiscal ecosystem.”
— Megan Rose Dickey
A little fowl
We listen to issues. But we’re not selfish. Let us share.
Layoffs are nothing new in this COVID-19 earth. Additional than 260 startups have laid off 25,010 employees, according Layoffs.fyi, a web site that is trying to track cuts in the startup ecosystem amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Not all of these layoffs are directly associated to the COVID-19 pandemic. In several cases, the pandemic has simply augmented pre-current complications. A person such case in point is Kodiak Robotics, an autonomous trucking startup, that laid off 20% of its workers on Wednesday (about 15 of its 85-individual staff). The Details was the very first to report the layoffs and TechCrunch has due to the fact verified people quantities. The formal line is that Kodiak diminished its headcount thanks to the extraordinary affect COVID-19 has experienced on the financial state. The transfer was couched as the finest way to situation Kodiak for the future.
We have realized from numerous individuals that the company was previously facing substantial headwinds on the fundraising entrance.
Kodiak Robotics arrived out of stealth in August 2018 with $40 million in a Series A funding round led by Battery Ventures. CRV, Lightspeed Venture Associates and Tusk Ventures also participated in the round. The business probably attracted interest and investment decision simply because of its founders. CEO Don Burnette was section of the Google self-driving project prior to leaving and co-founding Otto in early 2016, alongside with Anthony Levandowski, Lior Ron and Claire Delaunay. Uber then acquired Otto (and its co-founders). Burnette remaining Uber to start Kodiak in April 2018 with Paz Eshel, a previous undertaking capitalist and now the startup’s COO.
The pair scaled up promptly. The organization, headquartered in Mountain Look at, Calif., went on a selecting spree in 2019 and opened a new facility in North Texas to aid commercial deliveries employing its fleet of eight vans. Autonomous motor vehicle engineering startups are by now capitally intensive. But Kodiak was also attempting to launch a carrier provider — not just building the self-driving truck stack.
Fundraising efforts started late final year and Kodiak was hoping to raise a $100 million round on a $300 million pre-dollars valuation, in accordance to two sources. It was advised that Kodiak currently experienced a direct. On the other hand, the firm has experienced difficulties closing a Collection B spherical with desirable phrases, in accordance to several resources who spoke to TechCrunch on problem of anonymity. When COVID-19 erupted it put more tension on the startup.
Kodiak is hardly on your own. Autonomous automobile technology startups have experienced a a lot more tepid reception from buyers since spring 2019. It’s still attainable to elevate money. But it’s more difficult now — particularly individuals trying to get more substantial raises — and the phrases are considerably less desirable.
A further autonomous shipping and delivery pivot
Pony .ai is the latest autonomous automobile startup to transform its initiatives to supply — at minimum quickly. The organization declared this week it will spouse with e-commerce system Yamibuy to provide autonomous previous-mile shipping and delivery company to clients in Irvine, Calif.
The new delivery provider was released to supply added capacity to deal with the surge of on-line orders brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Pony.ai reported.
Pony.ai, which a short while ago elevated $400 million from Toyota Motor Corporation, has targeted on shuttling people today, not deals. The organization has launched ride-sharing and commuter pilots in Fremont and Irvine, California and Guangzhou, China.
Pony.ai now reported it will use its Irvine robotaxi fleet of 10 electric powered Hyundai Kona autos for shipping and delivery by at the very least mid-summer. It’s not obvious how, or if, Pony.ai can deliver earnings with this new shipping company. The company is in talks with the California Division of Motor Vehicles, the agency that problems AV tests permits, about this issue. The DMV doesn’t allow AV tests fleets to cost funds by offering products or rides. Nevertheless, a deployment allow, which Pony.ai has for its Irvine services, does let for business use, just not a shipping and delivery payment.
Pronto.ai tends to make a go
Pronto.ai, a startup co-founded by controversial star engineer Anthony Levandowski, is not pursuing Amount 4 autonomous automobile engineering, Instead, the company is creating an superior driver support process merchandise for vehicles referred to as Copilot. Pronto AI was initially called Kache.ai, according to paperwork found out at the time by TechCrunch, and was registered as a corporation with the California Secretary of Point out.
The startup has taken care of a minimal profile due to the fact August 2019 when Levandowski was indicted by a federal grand jury on theft of trade secrets, forcing him to phase down as CEO. Levandowski has since attained a plea deal. Now, it would seem that the company is generating some moves.
Pronto.ai just lately utilized for a 5-yr exemption from the federal govt that would permit drivers in vans with Pronto’s CoPilot technological know-how to continue to be on the highway for a longer period than present procedures let. The ask for to the Federal Motor Carrier Basic safety Administration, which was to start with documented by Freight Waves, would allow drivers to drive up to 13 several hours inside a 15-consecutive hour driving window immediately after coming on obligation, pursuing 10 consecutive hrs off responsibility.
Motorists are generally permitted to drive up to 11 hours in a 14-hour window, following staying off responsibility for 10 or more consecutive hrs.
Lime swoops up Boosted IP
Boosted, startup powering the Boosted Boards and, much more just lately, the Boosted Rev electrical scooter, would normally fall into micromobbin’. But it deserves it is own segment this 7 days.
Five weeks back, Boosted laid off “a significant portion” of its group and commenced actively looking for a purchaser. It appears that a sale under no circumstances materialized and Lime swooped in and purchased up Boosted’s main patents, according to a report from The Verge. Lime was evidently doing the job on attaining Boosted’s intellectual assets since the conclude of 2019. The shared scooter business snapped up the IP after a proposed acquisition from Yamaha fell via for Boosted.
Boosted cofounder and previous CEO Sanjay Dastoor, who still left the board 18 months in the past, posted a concept to the Boosted subreddit soon soon after The Verge tale published that implies Lime’s acquisition was broader than originally thought.
Dastoor wrote that the business is shut and will likely enter into some form of personal bankruptcy security. He also wrote that Lime had ordered all the property and IP of the corporation and appears to be in possession of everything at Boosted’s headquarters in Mountain View, which include access to the developing. Here’s one crucial nugget:
“As far as I can notify, this includes layout documents, program and code, diagnostics, areas, and examination gear I’m not positive if this features the obligation for guarantee coverage for boards and scooters sold just before. I do know that a handful of former engineers at Boosted, most senior is Michael Hillman who joined as VP Engineering final calendar year, are now at Lime and could be capable to help. Irrespective of how this is structured, if we want our solutions to continue currently being supported, such as components for boards or any software diagnostic assessments and debugging, their cooperation and assistance will be essential.”
He included that some Boosted staff members have been trying unsuccessfully to support and deliver boards back again to prospects for months.
“I’m not a attorney, but I suspect that individuals boards ought to rightfully get again to their entrepreneurs and should really be risk-free to trip, and I’m attempting to obtain a way to support with this,” Dastoor wrote. “In the meantime, I’d endorse individuals who are searching to get in contact a lot more urgently should really attain out to Lime directly.”


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Google’s Driverless Cars Set for Public Roads
“Our goal is to create something safer than human drivers.”
So says Google (GOOGL) Co-Founder, Sergey Brin.
The solution? Take humans right out of the equation!
That might sound crazy… until you realize that human error is responsible for a whopping 90% to 95% of the 1.2 million deaths on the road across the world each year.
To help reverse that sorry statistic, Google is just one of many companies working on various driverless car designs – i.e., handing the controls over to a computer.
Aside from the safety aspect, there are other benefits, too. Autonomous cars would aid traffic flow and ease congestion, as well as offer new independence to elderly and disabled people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to drive themselves.
Auto industry experts – including Daimler (DDAIF) CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Tesla (TSLA) Chief Elon Musk, and executives at Volvo (VOLVY) – all believe we could see the first commercial driverless cars available by 2020.
And Google just made a significant breakthrough with its ambitions…
“The World’s First Fully Self-Driving Vehicle”
This summer, Google will begin testing its driverless cars on public roads.
It’s the next step of a trial that began in the company’s hometown of Mountain View, California just over a year ago with a heavily modified version of its Lexus RX 450h SUV.
However, while Google will employ the same technology as those cars, it’ll use a new purpose-built prototype – 25 self-driving, two-seater electric car “pods” that Google built from scratch, and which the company calls “the world’s first fully self-driving vehicle.”
And while they resemble smart cars in terms of size and shape, the really smart technology is contained within the cars.
Using sensors, cameras, radar, and lasers, they can drive and navigate roads, brake, and recognize hazards by themselves – no humans required.
However, while Google initially said the cars wouldn’t need a steering wheel or pedals, California law requires them, so a human driver can take control, if necessary. Plus, without air bags, the cars are limited to 25 mph.
To further lessen the chances of serious injury, the cars have flexible windshields and foam front ends. And the trial will take place on “familiar roads” around Mountain View that Google has carefully mapped out.
“Getting these cars out into the public and allowing people to react to them, that’s a huge deal,” says Google’s driverless project leader, Chris Urmson. He wants to see “how the community perceives and interacts with the vehicles and to uncover challenges that are unique to a self-driving vehicle. It’s the necessary step to getting them to drive themselves.”
While the cars have logged many thousands of miles on test tracks that resemble real-life roads, mixing with live traffic is the only way to give the engineers the information they need in order to continue developing the technology.
To Drive or Not to Drive?
Ultimately, Google will build between 50 and 100 of its pods, and broaden the testing to encompass different weather conditions and roads.
But Brin says the company doesn’t want to become an automaker. Rather, it wants to partner with an existing car manufacturer or license the technology to them. (And collect the driving data, of course!)
So far, Google’s driverless cars have logged 1.7 million miles of tests. But are they safe?
In six years of testing, Google cars have experienced just 11 accidents. And the company says none of them were the cars’ fault, with most of them being hit from behind by other drivers.
Urmson says the sensors “can detect objects out to a distance of more than two football fields in all directions.”
But negotiating city streets during rush hour is a far cry from mapped-out, predictable roads in tests. And ultimately, convincing the public is the key here.
A J.D. Power survey of American drivers in 2013 found that only 20% were interested in a driverless car. Yet auto research firm IHS Automotive predicts that 250,000 self-driving cars will be sold every year globally by 2025 – a number that could balloon to 11.8 million by 2035.
But what do you think? Take our survey below…


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TD Bank Announces Organizational Changes to U.S. Consumer Products Business
With this new alignment, Mike Kinane, who previously headed up TD's home equity lending business as Senior Vice President, Head of Home Equity and Personal Lending, has been appointed to Head of U.S. Bankcard. Kinane will oversee the bank's TD-branded credit card portfolio, a business that started at TD Bank under his leadership in 2012. Kinane brings deep expertise in the consumer credit space, having held a variety of leadership roles across consumer lending business during his tenure at TD.
I'm extremely excited to return to the credit cards business in this role, said Mike Kinane. It's an exciting time to be in this business. Payments are swiftly evolving with consumer demand and the seemingly constant introduction of fintech capabilities, so there's incredible momentum across the cards sector.
Additional personnel changes include:
Mike Rittler, previously General Manager of Strategic Partnerships, has been appointed to General Manager Retail Card Services, Personal Lending, and Business Development.
David Swift, previously Head of Vendor & Program Management, has been appointed to Head of Partnership Programs
Kurt Lessig, Head of Cards, Personal Lending, and Merchant Solutions Credit Management, has joined the U.S. Credit Cards and Personal Lending leadership team.
The changes went in effect as of November 1, 2018.


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NEW DELHI: Despite the ongoing jewellers' strike to protest against reimposition of 1 per cent excise duty on gold and diamond jewellery, CBEC today said the sector contributes to generation of black money and needs to be brought under the tax ambit.
"We have brought jewellery (sector) into the tax net. This is the levy which we had attempted two years ago and withdrawn... This is the sector which you will agree with me needs to be brought into tax needs," Chairman of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), Najib Shah today said at an event organised by industry body Assocham.
"This is a sector which lends itself to generation of unaccounted wealth."
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Budget for 2016-17 had proposed 1 per cent excise duty on jewellery without input credit or 12.5 per cent with input tax credit on jewellery excluding silver other than studded with diamonds and some other precious stones.
Jewellers are on a three-day pan-India strike to protest against the proposed re-introduction of 1 per cent excise duty on gold and diamond jewellery and mandatory quoting of PAN by consumers for transaction of Rs 2 lakh and above.
Shah noted: "... manufacturing sector contributes 17 per cent of GDP. We have a huge chunk of industry which is out of the tax net."
The CBEC chairman said the revenue department will take a hit of Rs 1,000 crore due to the change in CENVAT credit rules.
"But we thought it is essential because the cost of litigation for you and me are much more than revenue which otherwise we have got," he said.
Noting that the government has increased some duties, Shah said it's done so to create a level-playing field for Indian industries as was the case in defence.
He urged industries to stop demanding exemptions to avail of goods and services tax (GST).
"If you want GST, you should not demand exemptions because two don't go together," Shah said.
Flipkart’s logistics arm Ekart and Reliance Retail-backed Dunzo have already integrated with ONDC for logistics services while PhonePe, which is also owned by Flipkart and Walmart, is joining the network and is in advanced stages of integration, these people said.
As the two global giants poured a combined $24 billion into India and captured 80% of the online retail market with aggressive discounts and promotion of preferred sellers, the kirana shops are fearful of an uncertain future.


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Pepsi has launched the Pepsi10Co program in Europe to find entrepreneurs able enough to partner on technology start-ups with the company.
After its success in the US, the program will look to find 10 technology firms in Europe that will work with PepsiCo in the UK to come with services that will let consumers interact with the Pepsi brand.
The company has partnered with venture capital firms Highland Capital Partners and tech magazines Mashable and Wired for the Europe wide program.
The program will chose 10 companies that will work with PepsiCo brands Pepsi, Walkers, Tropicana and Quaker for developing new methods to interact and engage customers.
The program will be accepting product related to social media, mobile marketing, place-based technology, digital video, and gaming or learning platforms. Products will be judged by a panel of senior executives from Pepsi, Walkers, Tropicana and Quaker and several industry experts.
"PepsiCo10 offers start-ups a unique opportunity to share and develop their ideas with some of the leading brand marketers and media consultants in business,” said Bonin Bough, global director of digital and social media at PepsiCo.
"It also gives our brand teams access to a new arsenal of tools, helping them remain at the cutting edge of creative consumer engagement,” he added.


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bpma, Sourcing City Collaborate On New UK Show
The British Promotional Merchandise Association (bpma) and business services provider Sourcing City (UPIC: SCITY) have announced a new show for the promotional products industry in the UK. The inaugural Merchandise World, to be held September 19-20, 2017, folds the Sourcing City Marketplace and The bpma Show together in a single event.
“We are delighted to be equal partners in Merchandise World with the bpma, and our teams are excited to deliver a great experience for top industry distributors and suppliers at Merchandise World,” says David Long, chairman and founder of Sourcing City. “More importantly, we want to help create a unique event that will bring true value to everyone’s business.”
Merchandise World will include a trade show area, expected to feature more than 200 suppliers, and “Conversation Pods” designed to foster meaningful conversations between industry business leaders. The bpma’s Annual Awards Dinner will also be held in conjunction with Merchandise World, and its Promotional Products Week will follow shortly after with the intention that bpma members can promote products discovered at Merchandise World.
The bpma Education Day will continue; however, it will be in a new format at a different time of the year. These dates, along with the new dates for Promotional Products Week will be announced later. The opportunity for distributors to invite end-user customers to one of the days of the new two-day show, as trialed at the bpma Show 2016, is also being considered.
“Sourcing City and the bpma have a proven track record in delivering high-quality events to our industry, and we’re thrilled to be working together to raise the bar even higher,” says Graeme Smith, bpma chairman. “We know what it takes to deliver maximum value to both suppliers and distributors, particularly in retaining a focus on the quality and professionalism of those attending this exciting new event.”
The Sourcing City team has been contracted to deliver the management and organization of Merchandise World, and they will be supported by the bpma’s board. The event owners, bpma and Sourcing City, will work together to create the strategy for the event.


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LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton maintained its strong momentum in the second quarter, indicating global demand for luxury goods is thriving despite continuing trade tensions.
The group’s overall revenues were up 15 percent in the three months ended June 30 to 12.54 billion euros, helped by another strong performance in its key fashion and leather goods division. Sales were up 12 percent on an organic basis.
Group share of net profit rose 9 percent to 3.27 billion euros in the first half, while profit from recurring operations advanced 14 percent to 5.29 billion euros, with an operating profit margin of 21.1 percent, reflecting a negative foreign exchange impact.
The luxury giant said sales in the fashion and leather goods division, which includes Fendi, Dior and Givenchy, jumped 20 percent on a like-for-like basis to 5.31 billion euros during the quarter, zooming past consensus estimates.
The division had posted organic growth of 13 percent in the same period a year ago, and recorded a 15 percent rise in like-for-like sales in the first quarter.
Fashion and leather goods outperformed all other segments. Wines and spirits were up 4 percent, while perfumes and cosmetics recorded organic growth of 10 percent. Selective retailing grew 7 percent, and watches and jewelry posted a 4 percent increase.
LVMH does not provide guidance, merely reiterating in familiar wording its plan to reinforce its global leadership position in luxury goods.
“Despite buoyant demand, we will continue to manage costs and remain vigilant into the second half of the year,” Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive officer of LVMH, said in a statement.
The luxury conglomerate’s share price is up 47 percent so far this year, propelling Arnault near the top of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, where he briefly replaced Bill Gates as the world’s second richest person after Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos. Arnault is now back in third position, with a net worth of $106 billion.
This story was reported by WWD and originally appeared on WWD.com.


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Jay-Z Announces New Album ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’
Jay-Z is back! He has announced the title of his 12th studio album is ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail” and will be released on US Independence day, July 4th. He is taking a new approach though and will release the project exclusively in partnership with Samsung Galaxy.
JAY Z’s new album “Magna Carta Holy Grail” comes to Samsung Galaxy fans first. Be among the first million to download the app on June 24th and get the album free July 4th, three days before the rest of the world.
Check out the above video which shows Jigga working with super producers Timbaland, Rick Rubin, Swizz Beatz and Pharrell.


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ASOS mag gets down and personal with Azealia Banks, the 212 rapper, getting to the heart of what makes this powerhouse 21 year old tick.
The Tatler has created their annual list of most eligible men and women. Out of the 100 listed for 2012, 15 fashion faces made the cut and the list is as follows.
Charlotte Free is the pink-haired muse of the fashion industry with a song in her heart. Before she was signed, she dreamed of pursuing a career in music and now she’s jumping in head first.
Fashion darling Azealia Banks just keeps the fast and fashionable music videos coming. Her latest video for Luxury prominently features her two repeat 90s backup dancers and the New York skyline. And we just can’t get enough.
Controversial female rapper Azealia Banks is not only famous for her banned Dazed & Confused cover. Now the internet sensation is going mainstream with a new lipstick from M.A.C. named after her alter ego, Yung Rupunxel.
Despite having a magazine cover prematurely banned in 7 countries, raptress Azealia Banks stars on Vibe Magazine‘s Aug/Sept issue clad in Dolce & Gabbana & strewn across mega producer Diplo. Inside the mag she talks about Kanye West, Twitter beefs & more, all with a deliciously foul mouth.
Harlem based rap goddess Azealia Banks has been making waves in the music industry with her raunchy lyrics and hot beats. But the hype-queen’s latest controversy got her September issue of Dazed & Confused banned from not one, but 7 countries.
Model-off-duty master designer Alexander Wang has been known to collaborate with the cool kids of music for his ad campaigns. Working with the likes of Diplo and Die Antwoord, his latest partnership is with bad girl rapper Azealia Banks. She rocks out with her long locks and a variety of comfy looking crop tops. Watch the video after the jump but be warned — you will come down with a heavy case of seat dancing.


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Payments processor Worldpay Group PLC on Tuesday priced its initial public offering at 2.40 pounds a share ($3.69), giving it a market value of £4.8 billion and making it the biggest U.K. IPO in 2015. The shares started conditional trading Tuesday morning and rose 2.5% above the IPO price, according to media reports. The company said it expects to be included in the FTSE UK Index Series at the quarterly review in December. “We have already invested over £1 billion in our technology, people and capabilities, helping us to become an advanced and sophisticated technology-led organisation with great potential,” Philip Jansen, Worldpay’s chief executive, said in the IPO announcement. Worldpay was sold by Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC
to Advent International Corp. and Bain Capital LLC in 2010 for about £2 billion. It Worldpay will trade under the ticker “WPG”.
View more information: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/worldpay-prices-ipo-floats-in-biggest-london-listing-in-2015-2015-10-13


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Google is scheduled to launch the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 at an event on September 30th. Both the devices have been extensively leaked. A recent leak showed Pixel 4a 5G in full glory alongside specifications. Tipster Jon Presser has now revealed Pixel 5 pricing in a different region.
Jon Presser claims that Pixel 5 with 128GB storage will be priced at $700 in the US and CAD 900 in Canada. Furthermore, Vodafone Germany leak reveals Pixel 5 pricing as €630. In other words, the Pixel 5 prices will start at $700. Interestingly Google has already confirmed Pixel 4a 5G pricing starts at $500. Both the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 have many things in common, including the Snapdragon 765G and camera setup.
Pixel 5 5G 128Gb $699
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) September 24, 2020
Google Pixel 5 is expected to feature a display with 90Hz while the Pixel 4a 5G will settle for a 60Hz display. If rumors are believed, the Pixel 4a 5G will come with a polycarbonate back instead of a glass back on Pixel 4. Lastly, Pixel 5 is expected to feature 8GB RAM instead of 6GB on Pixel 4a 5G. This makes us think, does the Pixel 5 justify a $200 premium. That being said, we need to hold our horses and wait for Google’s announcement on September 30th. Perhaps the Pixel 5 does come with other features that we dont know yet.
As far as design is concerned, the Pixel 5 is expected to feature a punch-hole camera and a dual-camera setup at the rear. On the camera front, the Pixel 5 is expected to offer a dual rear camera setup and a punch-hole selfie camera. Previous reports claim Pixel 5 will be backed by a 3,080mAh battery and will support up to 18W of fast charging.


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'Further restructuring' for Wolseley amid 'subdued' trading
Plumb Center owner Wolseley said it was ramping up restructuring efforts across the UK and Europe as it revealed a sharp slowdown in sales growth amid "subdued" trading.
Shares in the FTSE 100-listed firm fell 6% after Wolseley said like-for-like revenue growth dropped to 1% in recent weeks, down from 2.8% in its third quarter.
The building supplies group said it had "committed to further restructuring" as part of an overhaul announced in March that will see 14 branches closed and around 300 jobs axed.
Its bill for the restructure will increase to around £20 million this year, up from £15 million previously.
The additional revamp efforts are not impacting further on branches or jobs, although there are fears of more cuts to its 6,200-strong UK workforce as it carries out a root-and-branch review of its British business.
It said it aims to complete the UK review by August.
Wolseley stuck by its full-year profits forecast, but cautioned over current trading.
"Demand in several of the Group's markets remains subdued and we continue to experience the adverse impact of commodity deflation, particularly in the US," it said.
The gloomier outlook comments came as Wolseley posted a 0.4% fall in like-for-like revenues for its UK business for the third quarter to April 30 as it was hit by weak repairs, maintenance and improvement markets.
It added the UK heating market "continued to be challenging and we continue to take actions to protect profitability".
But UK trading profits held firm at £26 million.
Ferguson - its US arm, which represents the bulk of Wolseley's earnings - grew like-for-like revenues by 5% in the quarter, down from growth of 8.3% a year earlier as it was impacted by lower demand in industrial markets.
US trading profits rose to £204 million, up 17.4% with currency effects stripped out.
Analysts at Liberum said Wolseley delivered a "decent" performance in the third quarter, but said the slower recent trading was a concern.
They added: "The Q3 update from Wolseley confirmed again that Ferguson is the jewel in the group's crown and that the rest of the businesses are running hard to stand still."


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While Exxon is being investigated for covering up knowledge about climate change (and misinforming the public) for decades, Monsanto had its own cover-up – it knew about the link between glyphosate and cancer for 35 years, according to research published in the Journal of Biological Physics and Chemistry.
Monsanto never reported a decades-worth of studies that showed animals exposed to glyphosate in their food developed cancer in multiple organs, and many died.
"In this paper, we have reviewed the research literature on glyphosate and on the biological processes associated with cancer, and we have provided strong evidence that glyphosate is likely contributing to the increased prevalence of multiple types of cancer in humans. Monsanto’s own early studies revealed some trends in animal models that should not have been ignored. 40 years of glyphosate exposure have provided a living laboratory where humans are the guinea pigs and the outcomes are alarmingly apparent," the researchers conclude.
"In 1981, both Monsanto and the EPA were aware of malignant tumours and pre-cancerous conditions in test animals given doses of glyphosate in secret feeding experiments. Although concerns were expressed by EPA committees, they were suppressed while Monsanto was allowed to bring forward a range of cynically manipulated and fraudulent studies purporting to show that glyphosate was harmless. None of these studies has been made available for independent examination. That is a scandal in itself. If Monsanto and the EPA had acted in a precautionary fashion back then, glyphosate would never have been licensed, and hundreds of thousands of lives might have been saved," says Brian John, speaking for GM-Free Cymru, a group that works to keep GMOs out of Wales.
Other investigations show Monsanto and the biotech industry have been enlisting university scientists willing to whitewash studies that show GMO crops cause harm. Then they hire PR firms to get the word out that GMOs and its main product, Roundup, are safe.
GMO Crops Failed Promises
Meanwhile, a report from Greenpeace exposes the dismal failure of GMO crops to live up to their promises. It debunks every myth the biotech industry uses to sell its products, such as:
• GMO crops can feed the world: sorry, not a single GMO crop is designed to deliver high yields, but instead are designed to sell the company’s pesticides.
• GMO crops hold the key to climate resilience: conventional breeding techniques are way ahead on developing plant varieties that can withstand drought, salt intrusion and other factors associated with climate change.
Resilience to climate change is much more about farming practices that promote crop diversity and nurture the soil, not monoculture GMO crops.
"Where GMO crops are grown, they lead to increased pesticide use and entrenchment of industrial farming systems that in turn exacerbate hunger, malnutrition and climate change," says Franziska Achterberg, EU food policy director for Greenpeace, noting that two-thirds of member nations have opted out of growing GMO crops.
After the World Health Organization called glyphosate a probable carcinogen, France banned Roundup from retail stores and California listed glyphosate as a carcinogen, opening the door to lawsuits.
Thrown Out of Mexico
This month, Mexico’s Supreme Court blocked cultivation of GMO soy in the Mexican states of Campeche and Yucatan, and separately, an appeals court upheld a 2013 ruling that bars planting or selling GMO corn in Mexico.
In the soy case, Maya beekeepers took Monsanto to court because pesticides used on Roundup Ready soy could destroy their businesses and their health. Honey collection and production is the main industry in the Yucatan. The court suspended Monsanto’s permit to grow GMO soybeans on over 250,000 hectares, directing the federal agency in charge to first consult with indigenous communities before granting such permits.
For corn, it’s a matter of saving Mexico’s staple maize crop, which has so far retained its diversity.
Roundup is also implicated in epidemics of fatal chronic kidney disease that’s affecting poor farming regions across the world.
Read the Greenpeace report, 20 Years of Failure: Why GM Crops Have Failed to Deliver on Their Promises:


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Update: The Kings of Limbs is now available! In an unexpected—which we might as well call “expected” at this point, considering the band—move, Radiohead pushed the digital release date up one day. As of this morning, the band’s website read, “It’s Friday… It’s almost the weekend…It’s a full moon….You can download ‘The King of Limbs’ now if you so wish! Thank you good people for waiting … Have a great weekend wherever you are.” Those who pre-ordered The King of Limbs have been sent digital copies, while everyone can now purchase it online at Radiohead.com.
Additionally, the band released the video for “Lotus Flower,” which you can watch below:
Radiohead doesn’t like to conduct music business in a conventional manner, but we’ve known that for a while. On a weekend where the music industry showed glimmers of hope by awarding the Arcade Fire a Grammy for Album of the Year, Radiohead one-upped everyone by announcing that their highly-anticipated, forthcoming eight LP, titled The King of Limbs will be released in five days. Yep: five days.
Radiohead will digitally release The King of Limbs this Saturday, Feb. 19. While there had been reports about a new album in the works, the band surprised just about everyone when they announced it on Twitter early Monday morning. The King Of Limbs will available from retailers on CD and 12” vinyl on March 28 via a partnership with XL Recordings (TBD Records in the USA & Canada and Hostess Entertainment in Japan & Asia).
According to their website, the band will also release a version of The King of Limbs that will stand as “perhaps” the “world’s first Newspaper Album,” containing “two clear 10” vinyl records in a purpose-built record sleeve, a compact disc, many large sheets of artwork, 625 tiny pieces of artwork and a full-colour piece of oxo-degradeable plastic to hold it all together.”
In anticipation of The King of Limbs, we put together a list of Radiohead’s 20 Greatest Songs. You can order pre-order the album at TheKingOfLimbs.com.
As excited as we are about the upcoming release of The King of Limbs, we feel the need to set Radiohead straight on their claim about releasing the world’s first newspaper album. After doing some research, we’ve compiled a gallery of previously released newspaper albums—check it out below to see our favorites.


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Wendy’s Plans Google Generative AI Drive-Thru in Ohio
Wendy’s and Google Cloud will install a generative AI-powered voice assistant to take drive-thru orders in a summer pilot program, starting with Columbus, Ohio. The new Wendy’s FreshAI leverages Google’s Large Language Models (LLMs), expanding on the deal signed in 2021 by the restaurant chain with Google Cloud’s generative AI features.
Wendy’s Generative Drive-Thru
Wendy’s first FreshAI test for Google Cloud will be at a company-operated location around Columbus starting in June. Google’s foundational LLMs will be embedded at the drive-thru after training to understand Wendy’s menu, company business rules, and its collected guidance on customer service. The AI will be integrated into the restaurant’s hardware Point-of-Sale system to complete the tasks of a human taking the order.
Wendy’s and Google Cloud hinted at a drive-thru AI when signing the original deal. At the time, the companies described potentially building a branded voice assistant capable of recognizing and interacting with customers on the phone and at drive-thrus. One that could even link with kitchen cameras to alert the cook when a burger needs to be flipped or that the drive-thru line is getting long. Generative AI’s flexibility gives Wendy’s plenty of options if the pilot goes well. The new AI goes well beyond the custom voice assistant and branded smartphone marketing stunt Wendy’s ran a couple of years ago and has a chance at being used by many more people than visit Sunrise City, Wendy’s metaverse hub in Meta’s Horizon Worlds.
“Wendy’s introduced the first modern pick-up window in the industry more than 50 years ago, and we’re thrilled to continue our work with Google Cloud to bring a new wave of innovation to the drive-thru experience,” Wendy’s CEO Todd Penegor said. “Google Cloud’s generative AI technology creates a huge opportunity for us to deliver a truly differentiated, faster and frictionless experience for our customers, and allows our employees to continue focusing on making great food and building relationships with fans that keep them coming back time and again.”
Wendy’s and Google are far from alone in providing voice AI drive-thru assistants. Just last week, restaurant voice AI developers OpenCity, Presto Automation, and Valyant AI announced deals to bring their respective voice assistants to Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. drive-thrus. All three can point to a quickly growing list of restaurant clients, but Google and Wendy’s may expand their AI drive-thru footprint even faster since it all falls under a single restaurant chain and tech provider. That’s especially true if Wendy’s opens up the drive-thru AI to its franchise owners.
“Wendy’s has always been at the forefront of innovation, and we’re thrilled to build upon our partnership with the company with our new generative AI technologies,” Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said. “Generative AI is fundamentally changing how people interact with brands, and we anticipate Wendy’s integration of Google Cloud’s generative AI technology will set a new standard for great drive-thru experiences for the quick-service industry.”


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Yet another iteration of the classic shoe.
OFF-White and Nike have announced yet another Air Force 1 model collaboration that will feature in a pack titled ‘AF100’ that aims to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the AF1 that took place back in 2017. The upcoming pairs stay true to the classic white colour but feature silver branding to add a twist. Furthermore, some details seen in the previous Off-White x Nike sneakers come back again, for example the “AIR” printed on the sole unit, the Off-white signature on the side and the label attached to the laces as well.
Expected to be released exclusively, the new AF1 revamped by Virgil Abloh will probably see a wider release and an approximate retail price of $150.


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The vinyl soundtrack for Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number will once again be available for purchase, iam8bit has announced.
In a pair of posts on Twitter, iam8bit announced it will be holding a special sale at a random time tomorrow, January 21, during which all of its Hotline Miami products will be on sale.
The company also said it found a few unopened boxes of the Hotline Miami 2 soundtrack on vinyl, which will be available in "very limited quantities" for $60. You'll be able to check out the sale over at iam8bit's online store when it goes live tomorrow.
Earlier today, the LA-based creative company also announced it's partnering with Stoic to release The Banner Saga's soundtrack on vinyl, pre-orders for which open tomorrow at 10am PT.


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Citigroup is to target wealthy US consumers in big cities with a revamped offering of accounts and credit cards, in the latest attempt to revive its North American retail bank.
The strategy, spearheaded by Manuel Medina-Mora, the unit’s chief, is a recognition that Citi needs to scrap its focus on the mass market in the US and cater for the richer customers it serves in its overseas operations. Citi has long been under pressure to improve the performance of the US retail bank, which is smaller and less profitable than competitors such as Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo.
In an internal memo sent to staff on Wednesday, Mr Medina-Mora, a Mexico-born banker who heads Citi’s Latin America business, said the bank would take “best practices and products from around the world and implement them in the US”.
Under Mr Medina-Mora’s plan, Citi will roll out its Citigold account, the flagship product of its international operations aimed at the affluent, in the US.
Unlike the no-frills accounts offered to US customers, Citigold aims to be a one-stop shop with a more personalised service and a wider offering of financial products. It often requires customers to hold a higher minimum balance than traditional accounts.
Mr Medina-Mora’s memo, which was obtained by the Financial Times, said Citi would overhaul its credit card offering and strengthen links between its commercial and retail units to cross-sell more products.
The document did not deal with Citi’s 1,000-strong branch network in the US, but executives have indicated the bank will close outlets in areas where it is underrepresented and focus on larger urban centres.
In an interview with the Financial Times in March, Vikram Pandit, Citi’s chief executive, said the “sweet spot” of the group’s retail operations would be in 100-plus global cities.
Citi’s North America consumer unit had profits of $84m in the first six months of 2010, an 83 per cent fall from the same period last year, although revenues recorded a 60 per cent year-on-year rise to $7.5bn.
The US retail bank accounts for a small part of Citi’s profits and Mr Pandit has repeatedly said the group’s future growth would come from outside the US. But the US consumer business holds about half of its total retail deposits, and its presence on US main streets is important for Citi’s image.
More from FT


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Bollywood stars have been instrumental in turning the concept of repeating outfits into a chic and sustainable trend. Their conscious effort to re-wear iconic pieces has set a new standard in fashion, inspiring audiences globally.
Alia Bhatt’s decision to re-adorn her wedding saree for the National Awards this year showcased the significance of sentimental attachment and sustainability in fashion. Sushmita Sen’s choice to don her old, shimmery gold saree for Diwali this year echoed elegance and the timeless appeal of a classic ensemble. Additionally, Deepika Padukone’s reuse of the red dupatta from her wedding ceremony exemplified the sentiment of treasuring special moments by incorporating them into different looks, thereby promoting sustainability with grace and style. These instances from Bollywood’s style icons have not just redefined fashion but also emphasized the beauty of cherishing and reviving cherished garments.
Take a look at more such instances:


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Tyson Foods Inc. has acquired 5 percent of plant-based protein producer Beyond Meat. The Springdale-based company announced the deal Monday (Oct. 10). Beyond Meat is a privately-held company based in El Segundo, California, and is the only plant-based protein producer in which Tyson Foods has invested.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but money from the investment will help Beyond Meat expand the number of its products and distribution, according to a news release. The company, led by founder and CEO Ethan Brown, will remain independent and privately owned.


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By partnering with BestBuy, Time Warner Cable is providing an online retail route for users of its IntelligentHome monitoring and automation service. The deal with BestBuy allows IntelligentHome users to buy “smart” door locks, light bulbs and in-wall light switches that they can then self-install via a touchscreen.
Cablevision has signed off on the renewal of its long-term distribution agreement with Discovery Communications. The new multi-platform deal covered Discovery’s suite of 13 U.S. networks as well as TV Everywhere rights for authenticated Cablevision subscribers.
Midcontinent has promoted three of its managers to the director level based on their contributions to the company. With the promotions, newly minted directors Ben Dold, Chris Green and Char Hay are now part of Midcontinent’s senior leadership team, which also includes other directors and executives for the company.
Time Warner Cable is preparing to add the ability to perform DAI with on-demand content delivered to IP-based devices. TWC has set itself up to enable advertisers to run unified ad campaigns that could cut across all three platforms: traditional VOD, linear over IP, and on-demand over IP.
The FCC will use a modernized version of Title II with Section 706 as a “one-two” punch to keep the Internet fast, fair and open, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said in a speech last night, in which he provided a little more insight into his plans, which remain unpublished.
With the addition of four cities in the Southeast, WOW! Business continues to roll out its 110 Mbps down, 15 Mbps up tier to more small businesses across its footprint. WOW! Business is now offering the 110 Mbps service in Augusta, Charleston, Knoxville and Panama City for a total of 10 Southeast markets.
Cogeco Data Centers said it was on track to open a new 100,000-square-foot data center this spring on the island of Montreal. The new facility, which is located in Kirkland, will be the fifth location in Cogeco Data Services’ growing data center fleet.
RCN Business is removing some of the complexities associated with enterprise-level customers managing their WAN and LAN assets by offering a new managed LAN service. The service is packaged as a switch management solution for RCN Business’ hosted voice and Ethernet products.
Watch what you say in your living room. Samsung's smart TV could be listening. And sharing. Voice recognition technology in the South Korean company's Internet connected TVs captures and transmits nearby conversations.
There is a clear lack of appropriate security measures to protect drivers against hackers who may be able to take control of a vehicle or against those who may wish to collect and use personal driver information, according to a report from Sen. Edward Markey's office.
Only about 27 percent of Cuba's population currently has access to the Internet, according to Internet Live Stats, which uses information from the International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations and the World Bank to estimate the world's Internet users.
The software offers dynamic data replication, balancing of content across storage nodes, automatic data recovery, and other features useful to support the launch of IP video applications such as network-based digital video recording (DVR) or personal video lockers.
As of today, Sling TV’s cord-cutting service is open for business to everyone, and it also announced that AMC Networks has joined its roster of content providers. Sling TV, a subsidiary of Dish, started out as an invitation-only offering when it was announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last month.
Atlantic Broadband has bolstered its presence in the burgeoning South Florida communications sector by partnering with Miami Data Vault. The deal allows Atlantic Broadband to offer its suite of commercial services to businesses via Miami Data Vault’s data center and coloction facility.
Calix has lit up the state of Alabama’s first 1-gigabit service through a deal with Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative (FTC.) After launching last week, FTC, which is Alabama's largest member-owned telephone cooperative, is providing symmetrical 1-gig speeds to customers in DeKalb and Jackson counties.


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nib prescribes Net Promoter Scores
Australian health insurer nib has announced it is about six months away from launching its own mobile app. Called ‘White Coat,’ the app will help patients make informed decisions when choosing a healthcare professional.
According to boss Mark Fitzgibbon, Net Promoter is a conspicuous element of the app. “You’ll be able to go online via your phone or iPad or PC or laptop, search for a medical provider in your area – a doctor or hospital or dentist – and go and see their Net Promoter Score,” he told the Australian Financial Review.
This is an interesting development for a couple of reasons.
The first is that nib is a client of CustomerGauge and Genroe, our Australian partner. In fact, we recently posted a case study on how nib is using Net Promoter to ensure that its rapid growth does not come at the expense of customer service. It is particularly heartening to see that the metric we advocate and work with has made such a positive difference to our clients that they are recommending it to their own customers!
The second reason is that this news comes hot on the heels of the rollout of the Net Promoter-based “friends and family” patient satisfaction measure in the UK. Is Net Promoter an emerging trend in the healthcare sector? It may be too early to call at this stage, but we’ll be keeping a close eye on developments! Australian Financial Review
DNA art and the importance of Promoters
[caption id="attachment_3202" align="alignnone" width="314" caption="DNA-portrait from DNA-11"][/caption]
From the quirkier end of the online retail business world, DNA11 is a site that creates works of art from its customers’ DNA or lip imprints. (And yes, it’s a real business).
According to co-founder Adrian Salamunovic, in the age of social media the company's Net Promoter Score is more important than ever. The reason he gives is that social networks offer Promoters a potentially powerful platform from which to make unsolicited recommendations. To which we’d add, this would be particularly true for an unconventional, conversation-worthy topic such as your new DNA Ancestry Portrait (yes, they apparently exist too). Las Vegas Business Press
Whistler Blackcomb whistles past rivals
Canadian ski resort Whistler Blackcomb has been named best resort in Canada in terms of satisfaction, customer loyalty and commitment to promoting and growing skiing and snowboarding by the Canadian Ski Council (CSC). The resort also achieved the highest Net Promoter Score in Canada for the season. Pique News Magazine
Surety1 goes from -6 to +52
According to a self-puffer, insurance provider Surety1’s first score was returned two years ago, and was a miserable -6. However, in the time since then, the company has invested in bettering its customer satisfaction levels to such an extent that its NPS for June this year was a dramatically-improved +52. PR Web
The verdict is in: Gold for Forest Pines
In the UK Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort has been awarded a VenueVerdict Gold award for delivering exceptional service. The recognition is awarded to hotels with a Net Promoter Score of +70 and above. At this point in time, only 31 hotels in the country are recognised with the status. Hotel Industry UK
- At its most recent earnings call, car rental company Hertz announced that its average Net Promoter Score for the Rental Car division improved by 40 basis points. (Non-bankers note, = 0.4% improvement). Hertz consistently call out NPS along with other excellent metrics in their presentations. Seeking Alpha
- ShoreTel closed the second half of 2012 with an NPS of +62 for the business and NPS of +64 for Resellers. Shoretel Blog
Net Promoter Vacancy
Are you a customer satisfaction buff itching to get your hands on a new role?
An iconic Australian company is now seeking a Customer Community Lead. The successful applicant will be able to build and lead an NPS community across the operations of a large organisation. If this sounds like it may be you, please visit the ad for more details.


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Arc’Teryx Debuts Comprehensive Circularity Program
Canadian outdoor apparel and equipment brand Arc'teryx has launched ReBird, which connects customers to used gear, upcycled products, and care and repair services
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
A new circularity program from Arc’teryx, whose name derives from the first reptile to develop wings, has taken flight.
The Canadian outdoor apparel and equipment brand, a division of Amer Sports, this week launched a program called ReBird, which includes three components: the sale of upcycled and repurposed products; the sale of used Arc’teryx gear; and the offering of care and repair services to keep gear out of the landfill.
In addition to allowing customers to buy used Arc’teryx items and repair their own items through the brand’s care and repair service, the ReBird program includes three new upcycled products. The Stowe Windshell is made from end-of-the-roll materials reclaimed during the production process, while the brand’s Upcycled Tote and the Upcycled Pouch were crafted from post-consumer materials and gear that’s no longer usable.
Arc’teryx said ReBird “marks an organization-wide commitment to shift away from a take-make-waste economy by continuously seeking to adopt and evolve a circular way of operating. It also contributes to the brand’s science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 65 percent by 2030.”
“At Arc’teryx, we have always built products that last, and durability is crucial to how we see ourselves contributing to a more circular economy and achieving our global climate goals,” said Katie Wilson, senior manager of social and environmental sustainability. “It enables us to do fun work like make new product from old, resell used gear, and repair. While some of this work has been happening as long as we’ve been in existence, some of it is brand new.”
Wilson told Outside Business Journal that Arc’teryx will measure the ROI of ReBird with a unique set of metrics. It’s not about hitting a specific financial target or achieving a certain number of units upcycled, repaired, or sold. Instead, the program’s goal is about simply doing the right thing, being a better steward of the environment, and offering customers a way to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
“The ROI for us with ReBird is in increasing the amount of business we do in this new lower carbon approach,” she said. “We’re learning by doing, and we know that in order to meet our science-based targets on emissions reduction, we need to do more of this kind of work: upcycling, reselling, and repairing products.”
Upcycled and repurposed gear, as well as information on the brand’s care and repair service, are available on the Arc’teryx ReBird website. Used gear is available on this site, and the brand is also hosting three used-gear pop-up shops in New York and Chicago this summer.
The move comes at a time when other brands are making similar moves. Patagonia, for example, late last year launched its “Buy Less, Demand More” initiative that promotes pre-owned outdoor products. And the resale and used gear marketplaces continue to boom as consumers look for less expensive ways to get quality apparel and equipment.
Now, add Arc’teryx to the mix of brands looking to make a difference by repurposing unused materials and selling used gear to reduce waste from the apparel industry.
“To us, circularity means continuously seeking to design out waste and pollution from our systems and to respect the resources of our finite planet,” Wilson said. “ReBird is one way that Arc’teryx is bringing this to life.”


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Crypto wallet Phantom integrates with Bitcoin, Ordinals, BRC-20 tokens
Phantom emphasized itself as a wallet that includes Solana, Ethereum and Bitcoin features within a single platform. It highlighted the ability to grow consumers’ SOL/ETH/BTC holdings, collect NFTs and Ordinals and manage multi-chain portfolios easily on the go.
Introducing: ₿itcoin on Phantom 🟠
You can now buy, sell, trade, transfer, and HODL Bitcoin, Ordinals, and BRC-20 tokens with your favorite multichain wallet.
Here’s what’s to love👇 pic.twitter.com/hmuizc8Ec0
— Phantom (@phantom) December 20, 2023
Phantom also expanded its services beyond Solana to include decentralized apps (dApps) and assets on Ethereum and Polygon scaling networks. In 2023, Bitcoin’s ecosystem grew significantly due to the introduction of the Ordinals protocol. This protocol allows the creation of Bitcoin-based tokens and the inclusion of NFT-like assets through inscriptions.
“As crypto continues to go multi-chain, our wallet stands out as the premier choice for users,” Phantom CEO Brandon Millman said.
Bitcoin influencer Udi Wertheimer, co-founder of the Taproot Wizards project, said in a social media post that Phantom’s move signifies a substantial validation of Bitcoin’s progress this year.
“This is an emotional moment for me,” Wertheimer wrote. “Last year, in 2022, Bitcoin was a joke. The stagnant uncle of crypto. ‘Nothing to see here’ was the sentiment across the industry.”
He also emphasized that with the integration of Bitcoin, Phantom has become a leading platform among marketplaces and exchanges engaged in Bitcoin inscriptions alongside Magic Eden, OKX, and Binance.
Phantom’s beta version now supports Bitcoin. Any Phantom wallet holder can enable Bitcoin compatibility in their app settings. They can import BTC, Ordinals, and BRC-20 tokens from their existing Bitcoin wallet onto the platform.
Wallets must adapt to multichain environments, Millman says
In April, Millman discussed how wallets are adjusting to the diverse nature of the cryptocurrency. He shared insights about topics like airdrops for wallet apps, regulations, and how a multichain environment impacts adoption.
Millman highlighted the evolving nature of the ecosystem, stressing that wallet apps must adjust to the diverse multichain environment in the cryptocurrency space. He noted technical challenges in transitioning wallets designed for one chain to support other networks.
The CEO outlined two main issues, including variations in derivation methods across chains and the necessity to establish a system capable of handling multiple nodes on the backend.
“We believe that the future of digital asset management lies in cross-chain interoperability.”
Brandon Millman, Phantom CEO
Millman revealed in April that Phantom currently has no immediate plans for a token in the short to medium term. He also stressed that regulatory concerns in crypto affect self-custody wallets, requiring constant vigilance from projects to stay compliant.
Angel Marinov is the Managing Editor at Coinlabz. With extensive knowledge of crypto payments and blockchain use cases, Angel is a trusted source of accurate and timely information


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Like many DTC-first brands, hair care startup Function of Beauty is expanding into retail. But the company, which launched in 2015 and offers custom-made product subscriptions, isn’t releasing one collection for multiple retailers.
Instead, Function of Beauty is trying to cater to different types of customers based on hair care needs and channel preference. This week, the company is rolling out its new Pro collection on Sephora’s website and in 300 hundreds U.S. and Canada stores. With the launch in Sephora, Function of Beauty will have three different product lines at different points of purchase — along with the DTC website and at hundreds of Target stores.
With the latest launch, Function of Beauty’s product lines now range from the hyper-customized DTC offering — which can create millions of personalized formulas — to the salon grade Pro range at Sephora, geared toward hair damage repair. Meanwhile, the brand’s value-driven mass retail collection is made for Target, and is a simplified, less expensive version of the company’s formulas; The company launched in Target at the end of 2020, and more recently expanded the line to include styling products.
Function of Beauty’s Pro products were developed exclusively for Sephora with the help of professional stylists, and feature proprietary bond-building ingredients. The collection includes shampoos and conditioners for four different hair types, as well as Function of Beauty’s treatment pods, called Hair Goal Concentrates. Like the Target line, these treatments can be mixed and matched and poured into Function of Beauty products for customizable hair goals, like frizz taming and added shine. The Pro products retail for $4 to $28.
Alexandra Papazian, CEO of Function of Beauty, told Modern Retail that as the company scales fully-customizable products in retail, Function of Beauty is creating different lines that fit the needs of each retailer’s customer base. She added that for Sephora — which has been growing its premium haircare assortment — Function of Beauty Pro makes sense since that customer is usually willing to pay more for luxury hair products.
Papazian said the company, which operates its own factory, developed the new line to be salon quality. On the other hand, the Target collection acts as an accessible entry point to the brand. For instance, an 11 oz. shampoo base is sold for $9.99 at Target. In comparison, a customizable shampoo subscription starts at about $21 on the brand’s DTC website.
“We think of DTC as the top of the brand pyramid, which allows for the highest form of customization,” Papazian said. The website uses the company’s algorithmic quiz to create shampoos, conditioners and styling products for each visitor. The DTC channel allows customers to customize formulas based on hair texture and goals – even allowing the choice of the product’s color, fragrance and bottle label. “Of course this level of customization is a privilege, where you can even get your name printed on the bottle.”
Indeed personalization is arguably the brand’s biggest draw, but that level of customization isn’t feasible in a retail setting. The solution for Function of Beauty was to create concentrate pods to mix with the base products. This way, Papazian said some level of tailoring “is accessible to all across every channel.”
Personalized beauty formats are also becoming increasingly important for retailers, as they try to cater to Gen Z shoppers. Last year, Oddity Tech — which went public in July — launched its second customizable beauty brand, hair and skincare brand SpoiledChild. Function of Beauty marks Sephora’s first foray into customizable haircare. Earlier this year, the retailer tested the concept with skincare, in partnership with AI-powered brand Proven.
Amber Williams, vp of brand strategy at marketing agency Front Row, which works with beauty brands such as Makeup By Mario and La Mer, said customization is taking hold across various consumer categories. “For hair care, the rise of texture-specific solutions in retail environments from brands like Shaz & Kiks, Amika, Ouai, and K18 Hair illustrates the sophisticated expectations of personalization from shoppers across generations and ethnic backgrounds,” Williams said.
She added that “despite the complicated formats that sometimes accompany a ‘made-for-you’ collection sold online, a retail experience remains important for brands to execute customization at scale.
With the success of the Target partnership and now the Sephora debut, Papazian said that Function of Beauty will continue to consider exclusive lines for each new retailer it enters. “DTC will remain our flagship channel,” Papazian said. “But over time and with scale, we see retail becoming a bigger part of the business.”


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Airservices 'tech issue' grounds Sydney flights
Clean Energy Regulator CIO departs
Amaysim rebuilds analytics on AWS
Adobe security team fumble sees private PGP key published
Govt, industry invest $140m for cybersecurity CRC
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NAB switches on chatbot for business customers
Further foray into virtual banking.
Sep 4 2017 10:02AM
ANZ Bank in process automation push
Latest big Aussie org to join drive.
Apr 21 2017 11:36AM
Lloyds Bank to deploy Windows Hello biometrics for logins
Facial or fingerprint recognition for online banking authentication.
Apr 19 2017 4:10PM
Westpac outage downs branches
Update: Fall back to manual processes.
Feb 27 2017 1:32PM
Macquarie Bank to build next-gen data platform
Microservices-based, spanning cloud and on-premise storage.
Aug 30 2016 6:40AM
CBA more than doubles annual system changes
Credits core banking overhaul with newfound agility.
Aug 10 2016 4:30PM
Global fintech start-ups take on Australia's big four
A new frontier?
Apr 20 2016 9:53AM
Visa debit users charged twice in Cuscal glitch
Transactions duplicated on Saturday.
Apr 19 2016 2:58PM
How CUA plans to get to a single customer view
Digital drive in full flight.
Apr 13 2016 6:45AM
Why ANZ Bank's mobile wallet took three years to arrive
Solutions 'not mature enough'.
Feb 16 2016 6:50AM
ANZ Bank to give new digital exec a seat at the top table
Creates role to lead transformation efforts.
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CBA, global banks test blockchain-based trading system
Can settle transactions almost instantly.
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Commonwealth Bank to move 10k staff to site.
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Big IT spend likely next year.
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Regulations, ambivalence part of the problem.
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$1.25 billion in FY15.
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Apple has officially announced the date of its next event, a presentation expected to unveil several long-awaited products including the third-generation AirPods, updated iPad Pro and all-new AirTags.
Though Apple sent out e-mails revealing the date and time of the April event, details regarding its content remain sparse. It’s rumored that the company will introduce its next-generation AirPods (which have already hit the counterfeit market), redesigned iPad Mini and new iPad Pro. MacRumors guesses that the tech giant will also take the opportunity to announce the AirTags, an entirely new Bluetooth tracking device. The MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are also due for updates, though experts doubt the refreshed laptops will be announced this month.
Apple’s April event takes place on April 20 at 10 a.m. PDT. Watch the presentation at the Apple website.


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Recently, China MIIT announced the declaration images of the new Changan CS55. As a facelift model, the new car adopts a new design language and will be launched in the third quarter of this year. It is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
The new Changan CS55 has a very different shape comparing to the current model, the front face adopts the latest butterfly-wing family design language, the multi-frame grille is decorated with a large area of chrome, which is full of fashion. The headlight group is also upgraded to matrix LED light group. In the rear end, the LED bar-style taillights group is the highlight. Changan’s brand LOGO is embedded in the center, creating an excellent visual effect. In terms of size, the new Changan CS55 has a length, width and height of 450018601690mm and wheelbase of 2650mm, it is positioned in a compact SUV model.
In the power section, the new car is expected to continue to be powered by a 1.5T engine and matching 6MT / 6AT two gearboxes, with maximum power of 115kW (154hp) and maximum torque of 225N·m.


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There have been many positive and negative, happy and sad articles and reports over the last 6 months or so as the whole world got to grips with the devastating effects of a global pandemic. Selecta Systems Sales Director, Andy Green, speaks about how Selecta have coped during this time as they become one of the industries success stories of this extraordinary year as they see exceptional demand for products soar to record levels.
What a strange year 2020 has been! We started the year with optimism and confidence on the back of an excellent 2019, where 46 new fabricators were converted to or started fabricating our Advance 70 System. In January we saw a 25% increase on 2019 figures, with February and March producing similar increases in sales on the previous year. We were then to shut down for a total of 6 weeks, as the majority of our industry did too, at the end of March before a phased return to work began on the 11th May.
I duly believe that there’s not a single person in our industry who could have predicted, planned for or been able to forecast events prior to or post lockdown. Demand from an increased number of at home on-line shoppers certainly caught everyone within our industry by surprise as the home improvement market boomed. With orders stacking up, Selecta returned to work with demand for our products at a level never seen before. Within a couple of weeks everyone was safely inducted back to work from furlough and working at full speed.
Whilst handling that initial demand was logistically tough, as it pushed production, supply and transport to its limits, it did however allow ourselves to bring forward and fast-track our planned programme for growth. Plans were already in place for expansion and investment with another 27 small, medium and large fabricators already converting to our Advance 70 System so far during 2020.
The sales surge from existing customers and the recent influx of new customers joining Selecta, saw sales increase by almost 50% in June, 42% in July and 36% in August, compared with the same periods for 2019. At the time of writing, September is showing no sign of slowing down either! We are currently forecasting a sales increase of between 40 and 45% for September compared with 2019 figures. To keep up with this demand and increase our capacity further, we have added extra shifts to our warehouse, distribution and profile foiling departments. Coloured profiles are now contributing to approximately 50% of all profile sales and continue to grow. We have also increased the delivery capabilities and capacity of our fleet of HGV delivery vehicles to ensure that transportation of our goods remains efficient and effective. A recruitment drive has also seen our staffing levels increase by 9.5%, with further plans to increase resources within other areas of the business over the coming few months.
Lead times across the industry supply chain have primarily been affected by the home improvement boom, where there has been a lot of talk regarding this circulating within the industry press. Selecta have experienced similar issues to many others across the window and door supply chain. In fact, we’ve just been informed that raw material supplies and coloured profile foil may be affected by the recent high demand, with no ‘extra’ deliveries outside of any arranged purchases and possible outages of Anthracite Grey foil stock widely predicted. These are issues that are going to affect the whole supply chain as the suppliers of these materials are commonly used by the majority of the industry supply chain. Being up front and honest in explaining these potential issues is of major importance at the moment, to help each other plan and move forward together.
We have continued to be transparent and up-front with our customer base with longer lead times for certain products than previous, hence the growth plan investments being brought forward backed up by the tremendous hard work and dedication of the Selecta team. However, there are times where the best laid out plans cannot alleviate conditions outside of our own control.
Personally, I would like to thank all our customers for their patience, understanding and co-operation during these times of exponential growth. Their response to the current situation has been endearing and they have shown a tremendous amount of compassion and support. Similar thanks go to our team here at Selecta, with many going above and beyond to ensure that we continue to build and maintain excellent relationships with new and existing customers. We are in a very fortunate position to be experiencing the higher volumes than expected, but that also has a lot to do with the quality of our products and the conscientious, meticulous and hardworking nature of the team here at Selecta. We were experiencing excellent growth prior to the lockdown and the home improvement boom and so to hit the levels we are currently at is exceptionally pleasing, at a time, where we hear so much negativity from the mainstream media.
Moving forward we have further exciting expansion and growth plans afoot to build upon and extend our production and storage capacity and capabilities. I’m sure we are not the only one who’s, as the saying goes, ‘making hay whilst the sun shines’, but we all still need to be cautious as we move in to 2021. I’m confident that whatever 2021 throws at our industry, that Selecta have a business model and structure that provides long-term stability and continuity, mostly owing to independent ownership and a business model that ensures that. We are looking beyond what is looking like being an exceptional and unpredicted 2020, whilst prudently having one eye on how the industry will develop.


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DALLAS, Tex. – AT&T’s HBO Max is starting to get a buzz after plans for the latest on-demand streaming service was announced early this week.
While AT&T is doing a lot to market their new streaming service to existing and potential customers, however, a lot of cord-cutters are a bit cautious when it comes to streaming service offers from them. This issue from many cord-cutters stemmed from when AT&T walked away from their investment with DirecTV, which they now call AT&T TV NOW.
When AT&T first get a hold of DirecTV Now, there was such massive and aggressive marketing and fanfare. Unfortunately, it only lasted a few years after launching the service before DirecTV Now became AT&T TV NOW.
What happened to AT&T’s DirecTV Now streaming service left a bad impression on a lot of cord-cutters, as well as the company’s streaming efforts. Some are even starting to get cautious about any streaming service that AT&T is going to launch.
This concern from cord-cutters won’t bode well, especially on the new HBO Max streaming service that AT&T hopes to launch. The similar marketing tactics AT&T is using for their HBO Max from when they launched DirecTV Now even strengthens the concern of many cord-cutters.
In addition, there was also a significant list of promises and technical issues that never materialized for DirecTV Now, like the DVR add-on. It’s another reason why former pay-TV subscribers of AT&T are understandably cautious about the new HBO Max.
Unfortunately, there was also no statement from AT&T that can alleviate these concerns about their streaming issues yesterday. AT&T made no efforts, for now, to address any of these concerns. But, it’s imperative that they have to work in winning back their customer’s trust for the new AT&T’s HBO Max to gain the success it’s hoping for.


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The notch epidemic isn’t ending at Mobile World Congress 2018, where most of the new flagship phones were revealed with a notch similar to what the Apple’s latest flagship has had. While most people have grown disappointment in the beginning on the iPhone X, most of the current smartphone makers are jumping into the bezel-less bandwagon like what Essential, Sharp, Samsung and Apple did. However, one thing that the newer Android phones have in common is something that we didn’t thought would happen – adopting the iPhone’s notch – which actually happened unlike what we’ve thought.
In line of this epidemic, OPPO just posted a promotional poster (which how it seems to be) on Weibo a device that will be called the OPPO R15 and R15 Plus. As you can see, the new phones will have a notch on top of the display, while also having thin chin, and an almost bezel-less display.
While we don’t have anything yet about the specifications, we’re skeptical that it might arrive with the new Snapdragon 700-series that comes with an AI platform, which was recently launched in MWC by Qualcomm.
We’ll be looking out on this device so stay tuned for updates!


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For $4 a month, Snapchat+ followers will get access to additional features, but the advertising won’t disappear from their screens.
Our business model is still primarily based on advertising revenue, but we see subscriptions as a potentially interesting model.explains Snap Inc. in a press release.
No net profit
Snapchat has more than 332 million daily active users worldwide, according to the Californian group. It generated more than US$4 billion (C$5.15 billion) in revenue in 2021, but never posted an annual net profit.
The paid version of the application will initially be offered in ten countries, including Canada, the United States, France, Australia and Saudi Arabia.
Subscribers will have more options to personalize their profile, highlighting their favorite friendships, for example. They will also have more information on the number of contacts interested in their Stories.
At the end of May, Snap Inc. issued a profit warning that sent its stock price plummeting.
Like other platforms, Snapchat is suffering from the economic crisis (inflation, slow supply chain, etc.) which is weighing on advertisers’ budgets.
It also suffers from the change in Apple’s regulations, which requires application publishers to obtain the consent of Internet users before tracking them in their navigation to collect data for advertising targeting purposes.
Most major social networks have begun to diversify their sources of revenue after years of relying primarily on very large-scale targeted advertising, based on the collection of personal data.


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Musk can finally put his tweets to good use now and maybe get a few followers to buy a couple of Teslas (TSLA) as Twitter’s (TWTR) recent feature now allows users to sell products through live-streaming.
The feature, announced by Twitter a few days ago, allows people to watch their favorite accounts live-stream through a video feed on the top half of their screen while the bottom half shows a roster of products seen in the video available for purchase through a single click. It’s all a digital QVC.
Twitter is testing out the first iteration of its new feature with no other than perhaps the biggest retailer in the US — Walmart (WMT). The large consumer-goods business will be live streaming starting next week with Jason Derulo (yes, you read that right, Jason Derulo) hosting a 30-minute show where he walks through electronics, home goods, and home decor. Who would’ve thought Jason would end up becoming a Walmarts sales guy?
why it matters
Fleets might’ve been a flop, but Spaces has been becoming a far superior Clubhouse-alternative, and now live-stream shopping might just be Twitter’s next step in adding more functionality (which equals more time spent on the app). Twitter stock was up by 0.5% yesterday.


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Sam’s Club Testing Solar, Radiant Flooring
Among other environmental initiatives, Sam’s Club is testing solar at five locations. The wholesale club store also is looking into radiant flooring and energy efficient refrigeration measures.
Another three solar test sites are planned by the end of the year, said Tim Yatsko, Senior Vice President, Replenishment and Planning for Wal-Mart, reports Supermarket News.
Additionally, Sam’s Club is doing three tests of carbon dioxide refrigeration systems that should help prevent the release of ozone into the atmosphere, Yatsko said.
At a prototype store in Sacramento, Calif., Sam’s Club is testing a range of efficiency measures, including a radiant flooring system that uses water cooled on the roof by means of an evaporative cooling tower.
In late 2005, the company announced its goal to be ultimately supplied by 100 percent renewable energy.
By October of 2008, the chain had completed a 546 kilowatt solar power system at its Glendora, Calif., store, and had several more in the works.
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The owner of a donair shop -- a restaurant that serves Arabic food -- in Edmonton, Canada, is receiving heaps of online praise and new customers after performing an act of kindness for a needy patron.
Maher Taweel, the owner of Jumbo Donair in Edmonton, first opened his business two years ago, CBC News reports. However, the large crowd of customers who greeted him on March 29 was something he had never expected.
The new wave of patronage was the result of a small gesture Taweel made the day before.
On March 28, a homeless man came into the restaurant and told Taweel that he was hungry but did not have much money, according to a Facebook post written by a customer who witnessed the incident.
The restaurant owner reportedly replied, "If you're hungry, I give you food," and gave the man a free meal.
After the customer described the incident online on March 28, her post went viral, garnering more than 9,000 shares in just three days.
Local residents who saw the Facebook post decided to pay a visit to Taweel's shop.
"I read the story about how he helps people who don't have enough money to eat," John Marshall, one of Taweel's new customers, told CBC News. "It's giving me goosebumps. I feel warm about that."
Ami Kitzman, another Edmonton resident, also decided to go eat at the restaurant with her brother and son after reading about Taweel's act of kindness.
"It's delicious, and he's so nice," Kitzman said. "They're just wonderful people."
Taweel first moved to Canada from Palestine in 2002, according to CBC News. He said that he received a very warm welcome in his new country and likes to pay the kindness forward to others.
Taweel added that he and his wife had been thinking of selling the restaurant because of a medical issue with his leg but changed their minds due to the increased business. He said he will now likely have to hire more staff.
"If I'm busy like this, I'll need more help for sure," he said.


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Starbucks has announced that it is going to be making its U.S. coffee houses free of an artificial growth hormone (rBGH) used in dairies to increase milk production.
Why should we care? rBGH is given to dairy cows to increase the level of another growth hormone in both cows and humans known as IGF-1, and the elevated levels of IGF-1 has been associated with increased cancer rates. Growth hormone supplements are also thought to be harmful to the dairy cows. The dairy products involved will include fluid milk, half-and-half, whipping cream and eggnog.
This follows the recent news that Starbucks is also moving to rid its stores of artery clogging trans fat.


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Nozomi Hayase, PhD, is a author who has been covering issues of leisure of speech, clarity and decentralized movements.
In this opinion piece, Hayase discusses a new penetrate during a vital bitcoin sell and because she believes this should offer as a call to transformation for those who trust in decentralized solutions and their virtues.
The problems compared with handling a bitcoin sell are not going away.
On 2nd August, Bitfinex, one of a largest bitcoin exchanges by volume, became a latest to announce itself a plant of a vital confidence breach. Accounts were hacked and consumer supports stolen. The spook of Mt Gox influenced again.
Yet notwithstanding a issues, exchanges still offer as gateways into bitcoin, a interfaces with a universe of executive banking. With vast exchanges like Coinbase and Bitfinex winning a trade scene, commercialization has come to a front of what was once a grassroots transformation spurred by anarchists and technologists.
The potency and speed that these centralized systems offer trade-offs with security. These fast-growing companies yield preference to users, while during a same time, supports amassed in a handful of exchanges tend to combine risk and emanate singular points of failure.
The Bitfinex theft