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Television host Tess Daly showed no signs of being bothered by the sex text scandal that has dogged husband Vernon Kay as she coolly attended the TRIC (Television and Radio Industries Club) annual awards. In an elegant black lace dress, Tess picked up the trophy for Best TV Reality Programme despite recently cancelling several public appearances in the wake of the whistle being blown on her husband's antics.
Father-of-two Vernon - who sent racy texts to five different women - has publicly apologised for his "foolish decisions".And Tess recently broke her silence to reveal the showbiz couple were "working through it". But the aftermath has affected sales of her parenting book, The Baby Diaries: Memories, Milestones and Misadventures, which is currently lagging behind at 300 in online retailer Amazon's chart of bestselling books.
Tess was joined at today's awards by yummy mummies Jo Wood and GMTV presenter Kate Garraway - looking effortlessly cool in a silk jumpsuit and hot pink accessories. Also posing for pics was Tess's Strictly Come Dancing pal Ola Jordan and EastEnders star Barbara Windsor.


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Most consumers wouldn’t rank the car buying experience high on their list of “fun things to do.” A Utah car dealer is hoping to change that.
The Tooele (pronounced Tu-willa) Performance Auto Mall has done what many people might think is impossible – placed a variety of competing brands under one roof. According to Kirk Bengtzen of the Performance Auto Group, the auto mall has Ford, Chevy, Buick, Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler all together at one location. He says that’s especially helpful when buyers are looking for trucks, because they can compare and test drive the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado and Dodge Ram on the same day in the same place.
Additionally, Bentzgen says that the Performance Auto Mall has a garage that can fix virtually any car. “Because we have so many brands here, back in the shop we have so many technicians that have to know every kind of vehicle that we can service anything,” he says.
Let us know! Do you think it’s a good idea to put multiple brands under one roof? Does one brand outweigh another in sales?

domain: news


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Tate & Lyle, P.L.C. achieved sales volume growth over the first half of the fiscal year in a tough North American market, one that has the London-based company raising prices.
“Our volume in North America itself was up a strong 3%, and that is despite the fact that the food and beverage market in the U.S. as a category is largely flat, and it tells you that the strategy we’ve put in place is working,” said Imran Nawaz, chief financial officer, in a Nov. 8 earnings call. “Shifting our mix toward higher-growth subcategories, shifting our mix to new channels and gaining share with our larger customers is delivering solid progress, and if you look at that progress from a categories perspective, what you see is that we are growing in a large range of our core categories: beverages, dairy, bakery, soups, sauces and dressings.”
Four days after the conference call, Tate & Lyle said that within its North American Food and Beverages Solutions business, prices are increasing between 3% and 11% for its specialty starches, fibers, oat products, specialty and high-intensity sweeteners, and stabilization and functional systems. The company, in giving a reason for the price increases, cited cost increases over the past year for materials and logistics and transportation due to truck shortages.
London-based Tate & Lyle companywide recorded sales of €1,383 million ($1,556 million) in the six-month period ended Sept. 30, which was down 1% from €1,398 million in the same time of the previous year. In constant currency exchange, sales were up 2%. Profit before tax was €166 million ($187 million), even with a year ago.
“Despite seeing greater cost inflation in North America than we anticipated at the start of the year, we took the necessary actions to manage these headwinds in the first half,” said Nick Hampton, chief executive director, in the Nov. 8 call. “As a result, our guidance for the financial year remains unchanged …”
In Food and Beverage Solutions, sales of €443 million were up 2% from €433 million. Adjusted operating profit rose 2% to €77 million from €75 million. Within the segment, sales of sucralose increased 1% to €77 million from €76 million while adjusted operating profit for sucralose dipped 4% to €27 million from €29 million. In Primary Products, sales slipped 3% to €863 million from €889 million. Adjusted operating profit was €85 million, down 8% from €93 million.
Tate & Lyle is reexamining its oats business.
“So as we’ve learned more about the oats business since we bought it back in 2012, I guess what’s increasingly clear is the value proposition for our core customer base doesn’t quite work as well as we thought it would be,” Mr. Hampton said. “It doesn’t play into the category focus that we’re focusing on, and therefore, we’ll be reappraising it and we’ll come back with a clear point of view, and that means when we finish the work.”
By Jeff Gelski
Source: Food Business News
The Coca-Cola Co. has promoted Evguenia (Jeny) Stoichkova to president of global ventures, effective Jan. 1, 2023. Ms. Stoichkova joined Coca-Cola Bulgaria in 2004 and was most recently the president of the company’s Eurasia & Middle East division, a role she has held since 2021.
US-based Perfect Day, is partnering with Onego Bio, which specializes in creating animal-free eggs, aiming to accelerate the timeline to bring the eggs to the market. The business, with the use of its technology, plans to commercialize animal-free ovalbumin, the most abundant egg white protein extracted through precision fermentation.
Food waste costs the EU €143 billion per year (US$141.7 billion), with a report by Feedback EU raising the alarm of how it’s vital to reduce waste from farm to fork 50% by 2030 and the only way this will be achieved is by enforcing a mandatory directive forcing the food industry to do better and retailers to pay a tax of food waste.


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Nissan Motor Co. has developed technology that applies a vehicle's brakes automatically to keep it from drifting out of its lane. The device helps sleepy drivers, for example, avoid an accident.
Nissan also has created a system of cameras and a video monitor that help drivers park.
The devices were unveiled at a press event here last week.
In the Lane Departure Prevention system, a camera installed behind the windshield detects lane markers in front of the car. The system sends the driver a visual and audible warning when the car approaches within a few inches of the markers. The brakes are applied automatically on one side to help keep the car in its lane.
The device is deactivated when the driver uses the turn signal.
"We're looking at the use of this system in America ahead of other markets," says Yasuhiro Shiraishi, Nissan's senior manager of advanced vehicle engineering promotion group.
Shiraishi says 50 percent of U.S. traffic fatalities and serious injuries are caused by vehicles that veer out of lanes, compared with 30 percent in Japan.
Nissan plans to offer the safety device in some models, probably Infiniti vehicles, within three years. It most likely will be offered as an option.
The Infiniti M and FX series use a similar warning system, but it lacks a braking device to help keep a car in its lane.
Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. offer a similar system. Honda's version is used in the Inspire and Accord in Japan. The Toyota device is available in the Japan-only Crown Majesta.
Meanwhile, Nissan's Around View Monitor uses four cameras mounted on the vehicle that create a top view of the car. The image is displayed on an interior monitor to help park the car.
Nissan is looking at using the system for global markets within five years. This could be more helpful in Japan, where streets and parking spaces are narrower than in the United States.


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SEMI Member Delegation to Visit Vietnamese Central Government and High-Tech Parks in Hanoi
SINGAPORE ─ July 15, 2015 ─ After two Semiconductor Strategy Symposiums in Ho Chi Minh City in 2013 and 2014, SEMI announced today that a SEMI Member Delegation will visit the Vietnamese Central Government in Hanoi on September 21-24. The objective of the SEMI Vietnam Business Delegation is to introduce SEMI Members to key government officials in several important ministries and economic development agencies in Hanoi and provide the opportunity to learn firsthand about new policies, investment and incentive plans in Vietnam. As Vietnam makes progress on its ambitious journey to establish semiconductor fabrication in the country, now is the right time for the government to interact more closely with foreign businesses, and for SEMI Members to understand the full breadth of opportunities available to them.
As an important stepping stone to Vietnam’s high-tech industries development plans towards 2020, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung agreed in principle to support the country’s first semiconductor wafer fab, managed by Saigon Industry Corporation (CNS). The Prime Minister assigned the Ho Chi Minh City government to appraise and approve the project and oversee project execution. The SEMI delegation will engage with CNS, potential partners and the government around opportunities for foreign equipment and materials companies and on doing business in Vietnam.
The delegation visit will provide a structured but interactive way to meet representatives from the government as well as the Hoa Lac High Tech Park and the Samsung facility in Thay Nguyen, in order to get a full understanding of how to establish a business presence in Vietnam, find local partners and take advantage of the favorable policies available to the technology sector. With Samsung, Intel, LG Semiconductor, ON Semiconductor and other customers already well-positioned in Vietnam, our member companies have the opportunity to fully explore the promising and growing market in Vietnam.
In addition, workforce development and education are critical issues SEMI will discuss with Hanoi officials. SEMI will provide an overview of the SEMI Foundation and its “High Tech U” program and plans to introduce its first High Tech U event in Vietnam in spring of 2016.
SEMI is the global industry association serving the nano- and microelectronics manufacturing supply chains. Our 1,900 member companies are the engine of the future, enabling smarter, faster and more economical products that improve our lives. Since 1970, SEMI has been committed to helping members grow more profitably, create new markets and meet common industry challenges. SEMI maintains offices in Bangalore, Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Grenoble, Hsinchu, Moscow, San Jose, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.semi.org.
Ms. Shannen Koh
SEMI Southeast Asia
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- Market Info
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Tata Motors, Jayem Automotives announces joint venture for performance enhancement
New Delhi [India], Mar 31 : Tata Motors on Friday announced the launch of JT Special Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., a 50:50 joint venture with Jayem Automotives Pvt. Ltd., for the development of special performance vehicles based on the latest series products.
As part of the agreement, both Tata Motors and Jayem Automotives will work towards performance enhancement and appearance of series vehicles to offer an exciting and innovative range of niche aspirational products for the passenger car customers.
"We are delighted to partner with Jayem, a brand known for its capabilities in concept creation and prototyping of special performance vehicles. This partnership is a step towards creating long-term relationships as a part of our transformation journey and to bring more exciting performance variants to our product range," said CEO and Managing Director Tata Motors, Guenter Butschek.
"We are excited about our joint venture with Tata Motors and to be a part of their transformation journey. We aim to bring World Class Performance Products to market in a short time, and to fulfill expectations of passionate customers in the niche segment of sportier cars," said Managing Director Jayem Automotives Pvt. Ltd, J Anand.
JT Special Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. will develop a range of performance vehicles in a phased manner at a dedicated line, currently being explored at Coimbatore. With all processes including design, precision machining, assembly, and testing facilities driven under one roof, this facility will aim to deliver the next level of personalization and enhanced performance with agility and efficiency.
As part of Tata Motors' Passenger Vehicle business strategy, while an architecture approach with two platform strategy will reduce complexity, these special performance vehicles will be targeted to augment the latest product range in our vision to build aspirational cars. (ANI)


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This isn’t the first time Dedet dela Fuente’s stuffed lechon has traveled. New Yorkers got a taste of her prized pork when she hosted a sold out degustation at Purple Yam last year. In early March, she held a one-night only charity dinner in Singapore.
Well, she’s back in the Lion City where many more people will get to taste what Filipinos have been raving about all these years. Dedet is joining The World Street Food Congress set at the Tan Quee Lan Street from April 8-12.
The four-day event doesn’t only encourage dialogue among key players in the food industry, but also get to sample a myriad of street food from different participating countries.
The Philippines is very well represented thanks to Dedet, whom industry insiders fondly call the Lechon Diva, and the James Beard awardee and current F&B Report cover boy, Paul Qui. Dedet will be serving her roasted truffle paella lechon to guests, while Paul will be serving his kinilaw and chicken inasal tacos.
This early on, we congratulate and thank both Filipino food ambassadors for spreading awareness about our cuisine.


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My portfolio lost 3.15% in the last week, the biggest weekly loss in over a year. BSE Sensex lost 4.22% and NSE Nifty 4.23%. The loss in the month to date for Sensex is 8.04%, for Nifty 7.82% and for my portfolio 4.79%. Inflation continued to be the major news that affected the market negatively.
Zensar Technology, NIIT Technology and Bharti Airtel gained 1% to 4% while TIL, L&T, GAIL and Reliance lost 6% to 8%. I bought Tech Mahindra, Zensar Technology and Clariant Chemicals in the last week.
The market may go up or down J , but what an investor should do is use the opportunity to buy good companies at a better price. Keep buying, slow and steady.
Good buys in my watch list
|Company||Sector||3 Years Target||Current Price||Expected Margin|
|Swaraj Engines||Auto Ancil||850.00||471.65||80%|
I will be buying all of the above in small quantities in the coming week. All of them are already in my portfolio. Even though it is advised to diversify into multiple companies, it is better to keep within a manageable numbers. I have 33 companies at present, but would bring it down to 30 as soon as I get an opportunity to sell some of them at a good price.


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Treyarch now all about the Call of Duty
Treyarch's Mark Lamia has stated that the studio is now 100 percent committed to Call of Duty.
Lamia was also keen to stress that the decision was made long before the problems at Infinity Ward began.
He said in an interview with CVG: "Treyarch is a 100 per cent Call of Duty studio - and it has been for a long time now, long before any of [the Infinity Ward] events occurred."
He added: "We focused all of our efforts on creating the best Call of Duty game we possibly can and what that meant is not working on anything else. We are a multiple team studio and focusing on Call of Duty and Call of Duty gameplay meant focusing all of our teams on that."
This is a little bit of a sad development as their Quantum of Solace effort was arguably better than both the film and their last Call of Duty title World at War.
- The Last Team Standing update arrives for GTA Online
- Syndicate spiritual successor Satellite Reign gets a new HD gameplay video
- Last chance to back card-collecting RPG Eminence: Xander's Tales on Kickstarter
- October PS Plus Instant Game Collection line-up announced with Driveclub as a bonus
- Betas planned for every platform should ensure Battlefield: Hardline will work at launch
- Latest patch for Battlefield 4 fixes just about everything and unblocks your kitchen sink
- Warface gets updated with new maps and a few gameplay tweaks
- Platinum Games' Hideki Kamiya gives one final response to those begging for Bayonetta 2 to be released on PS4 and Xbox One
- Shadow Of Mordor devs not worried by the Assassin's Creed comparisons


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Together with Kathy Wood, 21 stocks want to go down in the US financial markets. But Juke-based crypto company tops the list.
Since last May, 21 shares and Kathy Wood A couple: as well finews.ch The American star investor, who has amassed an army of fans with his dangerous challenges on electric car maker Tesla, has joined Juke-based crypto as an investor and team member. Wood and his investment in Arc Investment Management, a finance company, caused a stir at the time.
Registration for the list
It is now clear what plans the team is pursuing. Named ARK 21 Shares Bitcoin ETF, they want to list an index fund in the United States that follows the S&P code in the most important cryptocurrency Bitcoin. It was reported Company “Bloomberg” (Item to be paid) A record note of the regulator.
21 shares caused a stir internationally in 2018 – later named Amun – when the company launched its first index product (ETP) on the Six Swiss Exchange. It is a world in the first place.
S.E.C. with bookings.
In 2021, 21 shares of ETP took the performance crown in all European index funds; According to its own data, the startup has revenue of $ 50 million and manages more than $ 1 billion in customer assets. America’s well-known arch brand can now be guaranteed to grow rapidly again. In ETFs, 500 to 6,500 billion is managed, compared to $ 1,475 billion in Europe.
For now, however, two high-flying players, Wood and 21 Shares, will have to wait and see. In the United States, according to “Bloomberg”, more than 14 providers line up regularly with their crypto ETFs. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has substantial reservations about funds based on cryptocurrencies, which are also available to retail investors.
“Amateur coffee fan. Travel guru. Subtly charming zombie maven. Incurable reader. Web fanatic.”


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A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Eastern Kentucky through Friday evening. Heavy rain is possible through Friday as a strong storm system moves through the mountains. Flash Flooding is likely during this time. Remember if you come across a flooded roadway to turn around and don't drown. Keep it with WYMT for the latest.
A safety alert for parents.
Millions of toys have been recalled because they pose a choking hazard.
Mattel is recalling four-and-half million Polly Pocket magnetic play sets.
Three children have swallowed tiny magnets in the toys, and had to undergo surgery.
The consumer product safety commission says it's received 170 reports of magnets falling out of the dolls and accessories.


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A new expansion for a decade old MMORPG supplanted by one of its own sequels? Absolutely: Final fantasy XI is one of Square Enix’s top financial performers.
Speaking at Vana Fest 2012, as translated from a Famitsu report by Andriasang, Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada revealed Final Fantasy XI Online’s importance to the publisher.
“Looking at profitability, it’s the top of all past Final Fantasy games,” he said.
Wada also revealed the startling tally of hours spent playing the MMORPG – over 200,000 years, and that’s just currently active players, not lapsed accounts, apparently.
Final Fantasy XI first launched on PC and PS2 in 2002 in Japan, gradually trickling to other territories on both platforms before launching worldwide on Xbox 360 in 2006. It first generated a profit for Square Enix in late 2003.
Successor Final Fantasy XIV was not so lucky; it was panned on release, and will relaunch in early 2013 as version 2.0.


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5 Product Innovations from Asia
Today, technology in Asia is innovating at an exponential rate and this not only applies to digital, but physical products as well. In this article, we highlight five product innovations from Asia in 2019.
Toyota: Solar Panel Electric Vehicles
In July 2019, Toyota announced test trials of a new version of their plug-in hybrid Prius equipped with Sharp solar panels on the roof, hood, and rear hatch door. These solar panels have an astounding efficiency of 34 percent-plus and generates an output of around 860W, almost five times more than the standard Prius model.
Sony: Personal A/C
In July 2019, the hottest month ever recorded in history, Sony unveiled the Reon Pocket. It’s a personal, wallet sized thermoelectric powered A/C that is inserted into the back of a shirt. The device is controlled by an app, and can lower the user’s body temperature by 23F or raise it by 14F. It is expected to be released in Japan in March 2020 at a cost of about $117 USD.
Smoking Cabin SG: Outdoor Smoking Cabin
In May 2019, in Singapore, Smoking Cabin SG launched an outdoor smoking cabin that converts 99.5% of cigarette smoke into clean air. The air filtration system is activated by motion sensors when a smoker enters the cabin, and can house up to 10 smokers at a time. The company plans to have 60 cabins nationwide by the end of 2019.
Vincross: Robot Plant
In May 2019, a six-legged robot plant, Hexa, was nominated for a DRIVENxDESIGN’s NOW Award. Hexa can carry a small succulent plant on its back and automatically moves around to find sunlight and shade as needed for the plant. It can also sense when the plant needs water and will dance to alert the owner. It can be purchased for about $949 USD.
Mitsubishi: Premium Toaster
In April 2019, Mitsubishi Electric launched the Bread Oven. This premium toaster heats one slice of bread at a time to perfection by trapping in moisture. This makes the toast taste like freshly baked bread. The toaster can also be used to make French toast, cheese toast, or an egg on top. It can be purchased for about $270 USD.
Sources: Trendwatching, Popular Mechanics


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Maker's Mark bottle to salute '78 Cats champs
For the second year, Maker's Mark has announced plans to release a limited edition bottle honoring a University of Kentucky basketball coach as part of a fundraiser for the school's center of academic and tutorial services.
This Friday, the distillery will begin selling a commemorative bottle featuring former head coach Joe B. Hall and the Kentucky team that won the school's fifth national championship in 1978, according to a press release.
Proceeds from the bottles' sales - along with contributions from Maker's Mark and Keeneland - will go toward a goal of raising $2 million over five years for the academic center, which is expected to open this summer as part of a new football training complex adjacent to Commonwealth Stadium, the release stated.
"Our commitment to serving students and positioning them for success when their playing careers conclude is at the heart of who we are as an athletics department," Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said in the release. "This unique partnership allows us to continue to give our students the academic support they deserve through CATS."
In total, Maker's Mark plans to release five bottles in the commemorative series. The distillery released its first bottle last spring, featuring legendary coach Adolph Rupp.
Bottles featuring Hall will be available for sale at liquor stores across Kentucky beginning Friday, the release stated. Four members of the 1978 championship team will also be available to sign already-purchased bottles at Keeneland on April 15.
Remember to drink smart, drink safe. Reach reporter Bailey Loosemore at 502-582-4646 or firstname.lastname@example.org.


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President Trump has just signed the first part of a new trade deal with China. While the complexity of the U.S.-China relationship makes complete deals very difficult, this deal is a monumental first step toward free and fair trade. In the short term, the deal will help certain industries that were hurt by the trade war. In the long term, Chinese markets will be fairly opened to U.S. manufacturers.
This deal is a huge win for all Americans including workers, taxpayers, businesspeople, consumers, and investors. Here is what the deal does:
China has agreed to continue to eliminate tariffs on agricultural products, and the Chinese will purchase as much as $50 billion of American produce in the next two years. This is great news for farmers who have been struggling since China retaliated to Trump’s tariffs by placing tariffs on their products. This deal assures them strong steady demand going forward.
China will also purchase another $150 billion of other US manufactured goods. This will increase production at many factories, which will increase their demand for workers. Moreover, these Chinese markets will remain open into the future.
Read the full story from American Thinker
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Latest US Food and Drug Administration Stories
The US Food and Drug Administration (USDA) recently officially approved DNA barcoding for seafood in hopes of preventing the growing issue of the mislabeling, both locally produced and imported, into the United States.
The CDC said in its latest bulletin that the number of deaths linked to Colorado-grown cantaloupes tainted with listeria has risen to 29 and 139 people infected across 28 states.
The FDA has banned papaya’s from all of Mexico’s growing regions from entering the US due to an outbreak of salmonella.
The FDA has given approval for Allergan, the maker of Botox, to market the drug to treat a specific kind of overactive bladder condition.


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Time spent traveling — including preparation and post travel — will never go away, but the way that time is spent is ripe for change.
In this context, a connected ecosystem is becoming a key differentiator for vehicle manufacturers.
A recent Publicis Sapient survey found 60% of drivers feel like time spent traveling is a waste of time and are interested in ways to get more out of it. Enter connectivity, which has many different meanings across the automotive industry. In the past, connectivity was defined by navigation, safety features, telecom united, and connected apps. The next level of connectivity is moving from a feature-driven approach to more holistic thinking in a connected ecosystem where functionalities such as personalized media content, upgrades on demand, and even location-based retail discounts are commonplace.
With commuting time projected to increase on average by 10 percent by 2035 as traffic grows, according to research from Publicis Sapient, customer's time to research and fulfill common tasks and elected activities will continue to dwindle. Commuters are seeking solutions for efficient trips that make the best use of their time spent getting to work. The car, the commuter, and smart devices will become part of that connected ecosystem, rolling travel needs, productivity and entertainment all into one piece.
The global automotive telematics market was worth an estimated $4.7 billion in 2018 and will be worth $24 billion by 2026, according to McKinsey and a Publicis Sapient analysis. Many car companies already leverage 3rd party apps such as Google Maps, Waze, and Spotify via e.g., Apple CarPlay. The challenge is, users are leaving the car environment and its brand experience. Currently, these apps are the only connection between the car and driver, but they are not truly integrated in a wider ecosystem. That integration is now happening with e.g., electric vehicles which inform drivers where to find charging stations, parking, and more.
The relationship between the brand, dealer, and customer has traditionally been more about the physical connection with a car, such as holding the steering wheel. A 2018 McKinsey mobility survey found that by 2025 about 58% of a customer’s relationship to a car will involve software and 42% will involve hardware. Telematic solutions will support the shift from a hardware or physical relationship to one that’s software-driven and integrates the offline and online world.
Tesla is a current leader in the automotive connected ecosystem solution space. They’re able to push new things to the car through software, versus hardware updates that require customers to bring their car to a dealership — known as software over the air (SOTA). SOTAs allow car brands to continually release new features, and some recent examples from Tesla include custom horn sounds and “in-car dog mode,” which allows temperature control to run and displays a message on the screen for any concerned onlooker, letting them know the air conditioning is on and the dog is comfortable and safe.
Looking outside the industry for benchmarks, all-in-one apps like WeChat incorporate messaging, social media, payments, and other tasks, along with IoT companies that connect multiple devices. These are great examples of connected ecosystems. Google has expanded from browsers, computers, and phones to wearables and smart speakers, all connected through their OS to ensure a seamless, personalized experience from device to device.
Cars have become a connected device just like the phones, tablets, and wearables that Apple and Google have proliferated. And just as Apple and Google want users to deepen their relationship to the brand and become more entrenched in their devices through a connected experience, car companies are moving down the same path to strengthen the customer relationship and increase loyalty. It’s not just about buying a car anymore; it’s about what kinds of services are valuable and how the relationship changes and evolves.
Telematics can enable the ideal connected experience to become reality, where you can start to listen to content at home and then transfer that to your vehicle. Consider that you have a 23-minute commute to your office. You will have a smart system that understands the types of content you are interested in and that will learn from you. What you’ll get is 23 minutes' worth of custom, curated content from all over the world that is relevant to you automatically. Cars will become generic commodities, but these services are the evolution of what car companies can provide, and must be best-in-class as they will become the differentiating criteria in making purchasing decisions.
Car companies and OEMs have a lot of work to do to reach the bar that Tesla and other disruptors like WeChat have set. Mobility in the twenty-first century means more than simply getting from Points A to B; it now encapsulates more personalization and productivity as customers look for mobility solutions that cover their individual needs. Customers will expect to have greater control in car feature selection—whether that’s enabling four-wheel drive on demand, automatically adjusting insurance rates based on real driving data, or simply picking up where they left off on their latest podcast—with the functionality at their fingertips to ensure their commutes are better connected, more convenient and value-adding — inside and outside the car.


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2014 Toyota Highlander SUV With World Debut in New York
It has just been announced that the strongly anticipated next generation b is going to make its world premiere at this year's New York Auto Show. Details around the new version of the model weren't disclosed so far.
It was only revealed that Toyota will stage the world debut of the 2014 Highlander mid-size SUV and at the press conference at the Auto Show. The reveal of the new SUV will happen on 27th of March at 9:10 a.m. Eastern Time in the Galleria Level Four at the Jacob Javits Center.
The previous generation of the same model was from the 2011 model year. And in it was featured an engine choice of two petrol engines: four and six-cylinder. They were mated to either a five-speed or a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Both two-wheel (2WD) and full-time four-wheel-drive (4WD) are also available on all trim levels. On the other hand, the Hybrid version of the 2011 Highlander back then was equipped with 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine plus electric motor with overall power of 280 PS. And these facts put the question out: what are we to see in two weeks? Stay tuned!


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Broad Support From Amazon Shareholders to Reduce Plastic Use
Almost half of Amazon shareholders showed support for a resolution that calls for reduced use of plastic packaging. The vote came on the heels of Oceana’s December report, Exposed: Amazon’s Enormous and Rapidly Growing Plastic Pollution Problem, which claims the company used 599 million pounds of plastic packaging in 2020 alone. The investors voted on a proposal put forth by the shareholder advocacy organization, As You Sow, which has submitted similar resolutions at McDonald’s, Target, and other companies with a long plastic waste trail. While the resolution didn’t pass, Amazon shareholders showed more support for reducing plastic packaging than any prior environmental proposals.
Oceana: Amazon's enormous and rapidly growing plastic pollution problem, December 21, 2021.
Our Changing Planet: Why is Amazon shipping so cheap?, February 28, 2020.
Why This Matters
Just a few years ago, shareholder advocacy groups were looking for pledges to make products more recyclable. With a better understanding of how little plastic is ever recycled, those demands have shifted to reducing waste upfront. Plastic pollution is well beyond the crisis point, with humans producing over 18.2 trillion pounds of effectively non-recyclable material since the 1950s. Plastic releases carbon emissions from beginning to end, starting with oil and gas extraction. Much of the petrochemical industry, including plastic production, is funded by oil companies and banks that also contribute to deforestation and biodiversity loss.
The Story of Stuff Project: The Story of Plastic, April 21, 2021.
Our Changing Climate: Why Plastic Pollution is Even Worse Than You Think, April 23, 2021.
The Amazon plastics proposal is one of many pushes from shareholder advocacy that big polluting companies have felt.
- Last year, a group of ExxonMobil investors successfully displaced multiple board members over their "refusal to accept that fossil fuel demand may decline in decades to come," causing the company to underperform against competitors.
- This spring, a shareholder advocacy group encouraged investors at Chevron to vote out CEO Michael Wirth and Lead Director Ronald Sugar, and to disclose climate risks at the shareholder meeting, including the oil giant’s failure to cut its climate-damaging emissions and its lack of ambitious carbon-reducing targets. The measures were voted down.
Even if the Amazon plastic reduction request had passed, shareholder resolutions have their limits. They aren’t binding, so the company isn’t required to follow them, but they can be part of the broader negotiation toolkit.
PBS: Plastic Wars (full film), March 31, 2020.
CBS: Climate change lawsuits | Taking fossil fuel firms to court, April 17, 2022.
CNN: Climate milestone | Big Oil sent clear message by investors, courts, May 27, 2021.
TED: How to get Big Oil to end the climate crisis | Mark van Baal, January 5, 2022.


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Tesco is facing the worst crisis in its 95-year history after it revealed an accounting error meant profits for the half year had been inflated by £250 million.
The shock admission wiped more than £2bn off the value of the supermarket giant and four senior executives have been suspended as the investigation continues.
We give you a breakdown of Tesco's six months of hell:
Chief finance officer Laurie McIlwee is dumped by the company following bust-ups with chief executive Phil Clarke over the direction the company is heading. Insiders blame Mr McIlwee for making a promise to investors that margins will stay at 5.2 per cent. Tesco dropped the promise in February. A few weeks later the supermarket revealed full-year profits fell for a second year in a row. Executives told they will not receive a bonus.
Tesco’s Turkish operation, which is struggling, fails to find a local partner to help save the business, leading to stores outside major cities slated for closure. Mr Clarke also reveals a joint venture in China after a nine-year solo project to establish Tesco fails.
First quarter UK sales fall 3.8 per cent, on a like for like basis. Mr Clarke calls it the worst set of numbers in his 40 year career at the company, despite spending £1bn on store revamps and price cuts. Analysts point out the fall would have been 4 per cent if Tesco excluded fuel, VAT and sales paid in vouchers in its figures.
Marks & Spencer’s finance director, Alan Stewart defects to Tesco but is told he must wait until December before he can join. Meanwhile two weeks later Mr Clarke is sacked following a profit warning, leaving the board devoid of any executives. His 40 year anniversary party at the Victoria & Albert museum is cancelled.
Tesco’s chairman issues a second profit warning and unilaterally gets new boss Dave Lewis, who joins from Unilever, to start a month earlier than expected. The profit warning also comes with news of a 75 per cent cut to the interim dividend and cuts to store refurbishments.
Mr Lewis starts and within three weeks has been told by a whistleblower that £250m has been “overstated” due to some creative accounting. A third profit warning is declared, an investigation is launched and four senior executives are suspended.
Share prices plunge by 12 per cent to new 11-year lows and continue falling as new CFO Mr Stewart is rushed in three months early after Mr Lewis pleads to M&S boss Marc Bolland to release him from his contract.Reuse content


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Director of Creative Operations | Better.com
New York, NY
Wednesday, October 2
Marketing to the Next Generation of LGBTQ Buyers
Marketing to the Next Generation of LGBTQ Buyers: More lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender couples are purchasing homes since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to legalize same-sex marriage more than three years ago, according to the second annual LGBT Real Estate Report produced by the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals. Nearly 50 percent of NAGLREP members reported an increase in married LGBT couples buying homes and the estimated nine million people who identify as LGBT in the United States had a staggering buying power of $917 billion, the most of any minority group. This session would explore insights on how to appeal to the next generation of LGBTQ homebuyers, featuring expert insights from Laura Rosenblatt and Tanya Hayre at Better.com.
Speaker Bio: In her 10+ years of product and marketing experience, Laura has focused on keeping the needs and wants of consumers at the center of every interaction — with a special passion for helping minorities. She’s partnered with clients including NAR®, Google, Finland’s mobile-gaming giant Supercell, Jet.com, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and more to build products, brands, marketing strategies, and systems to facilitate great work from cross-functional teams. As the Director of Creative Operations for Better.com, she looks forward to solving complicated problems that will help more Americans realize their dream of homeownership. She’s also a member of the advisory board for Earnwell, a startup that aims to make it easier for people to invest in companies that care about diversity, sustainability, and LGBTQ equality.
Laura has a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Pittsburgh. She lives with her wife and nutty rescue mutt in Brooklyn where she also dabbles in film photography.


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Audio designer Rob Bridgett, who worked at the Vancouver-based studio, confirmed the news on Twitter. Radical was a subsidiary Activision Publishing, a division of Activision Blizzard. The shutdown is one more sign of tough times in the core console game business, which has seen sales in physical stores drop dramatically this year.
Radical also worked on titles such as Prototype, Scarface, Crash of the Titans, the Simpsons: Road Rage and Hit & Run, and CSI: Miami.
Radical’s web site says, “Radical is hiring.”
In a statement, Activision said, “Although we made a substantial investment in the Prototype intellectual property, it did not find a broad commercial audience. Radical is a very talented team of developers, however, we have explored various options for the studio, including a potential sale of the business, and have made a difficult conclusion through the consultation process that the only remaining option is a significant reduction in staff. As such, some employees will remain working for Radical Entertainment supporting other existing Activision Publishing projects, but the studio will cease development of its own games going forward.”


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This year the number of cellphones is expected to exceed the worldwide population. The usage of mobile devices has increased rapidly over the past several years. Recently Cisco released their updated Visual Networking Index (VNI) survey, which includes data on the volume of mobile traffic. The Cisco VNI survey uses analyst projections, Cisco forecasts, and direct data collection. This year’s forecast predicts that an even larger number of mobile phone subscribers will use more data than in previous years.
Growth of Mobile Usage Will Continue to Increase
Global usage is expected to increase exponentially. Figure 1 includes data from both the 2013 and 2014 Cisco VNI forecast. The values from 2012 and 2013 are from the 2013 and 2014 forecasts respectively. The values from 2014 to 2018 are projections based on the survey data from the 2014 forecast. Cisco predicts that worldwide monthly usage will reach 15.9 exabytes per month by 2018. Last year’s forecast predicted 1.6 exabytes per month missing by only 0.1 exabytes. They predict a future Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 61 percent. The estimated CAGR from the previous year was 66 percent. Despite this slow down increased numbers of subscriptions, usage of 4G devices, and higher numbers of people using bandwidth intensive applications like streaming video will drive up the volume of mobile data.
US Continues to Lead World in Mobile
The United States held its position as the leader in mobile traffic and is projected to remain in that position until at least 2018. To create Figure 2 I used the country level CAGR and the predicted exabytes per month in 2018 (included in the 2014 forecast) to estimate the exabytes per month for the years 2014 to 2018. Currently the United States accounts for 24 percent of global mobile traffic. By 2018 that number is expected to decline to 17 percent. In 2018, the United States, China, India, Japan, and Korea are estimated to use the largest volumes of mobile data. By 2018 those five countries are predicted to use about half of all mobile traffic. The United States ranks near the bottom of the 25 countries for which data is available with a CAGR of 0.5. The five countries with the fastest growth rates are India (0.88), Russia (0.79), Mexico (0.73), China (0.73), and Indonesia (0.73). If those CAGR’s hold then India will pass the United States and China in monthly data usage in about 10 years.
TechTank will continue to cover the mobile economy. Stay tuned for more research and analysis on mobile technology policy.


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Latest Verizon Communications Stories
Four store owners awarded for their success with the nation’s largest Verizon Wireless franchise retailer MIDDLETOWN, Conn.
NEW YORK, March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- RootMetrics, an independent mobile analytics firm based in Seattle, released its eighth New York City and Tri-State Area, RootScore(®) report and, for
Hearing completed on March 16, 2015; Awaiting Court's Direction BETHESDA, Md., March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Spherix Incorporated (Nasdaq: SPEX) -- an intellectual property development
Technology Industry Analyst Jeff Kagan comments on a LightReading article about CenturyLink Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) March 16, 2015 CenturyLink is rebuilding
Enhance Cloud Services to Boost Innovation for Multinational Companies, Including Panviva SINGAPORE, March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Enterprise Solutions' customers will now
New Capabilities and Extended Reach Enhance Productivity and Workforce Agility Across Industries, Universities and Government Agencies BASKING RIDGE, N.J.
Indiana Fiber Network, LLC (IFN), the leading Indiana statewide Network Service Provider announces an agreement with S and R Communications (SnR) to provide fiber broadband connectivity and managed
T-Mobile USA is having another uncarrier event.
NEW YORK, March 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Communications Inc.
AT&T Mobility beat Verizon Wireless on a five city iPhone based wireless data speed test, says Technology Industry Analyst Jeff Kagan Atlanta, GA (PRWEB)
Image Caption: Motorola Razr3 V13. Credit: ChoisChoice/Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) The Motorola Razr is a 4LTR mobile phone produced by Motorola that was first released late 2004. The V3 was the first model of this series of phone. By 2006, 50 million were sold and in the first four years over 130 million had been sold, making it the best-selling clamshell phone in the world. In July 2007 the Motorola Razr2 was released with a sleeker design with more features, improved audio, and...
- Growing in low tufty patches.


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By Melinda Upton and Rebecca Kay (Sydney)
In recent months, the Australian federal Treasury has come under intense pressure from local retailers and state treasures to extend the Australian goods and services tax (GST) to overseas-purchased goods and services. On 27 November 2013, the Australian Federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey, met with state treasurers to discuss these controversial proposals for reform.
At present, goods and services purchased by Australian consumers from overseas are exempt from the 10 per cent GST, provided they are valued at less than $1000. National retailers argue that this gives foreign retailers a price advantage and encourages Australian consumers to shop extraterritorially. In an era where the profile of international retailers in Australia is spiraling as ever-increasing numbers flock to the region’s shopping malls and high streets, the threat looms large. Some national stores such as Myer believe the import loophole affects them so badly that they may even be forced to consider shipping products via New Zealand, so as to put themselves on a level-playing field with foreign competitors.


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Aston Martin officially unwrapped its multi-million dollar Valkyrie hypercar back in July alongside Red Bull Racing. Now, according to a report by Bloomberg, customers will have the opportunity for unparalleled customization opportunities on their orders.
Aston Martin’s chief creative officer Marek Reichman told the outlet that all 150 buyers will not only be able to select the paint and materials used for the seats, dashboard, headliner and trim but also be able to customize the reflectivity of the body panels and wheels. Taking it one step further, once a decision is made by the customer, a 1-to-18 scale model is produced and if it isn’t up to par, the process is revisited until the client is satisfied. Reichman revealed that one customer has already gone through 10 different versions of a one-off color.
Inside of the hypercar, the seats for both the driver and passenger will be custom fitted with laser measurements and the cushions will be attached directly to carbon fiber skeletons. While the English automaker hasn’t finalized a hybrid powertrain yet for the Valkyrie, we do know it will house a naturally-aspirated V12 under the hood which will put over 1,000 horsepower onto pavement.
Stay tuned for more updates on what will surely be 150 marvels of engineering once completed.
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The HYPEBEAST Discord Server is a community where conversations on cultural topics can be taken further.


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SA poultry imports still banned
Namibia is maintaining its suspension of the importation and in-transit movement of live, cloven-hoofed animals and their products, as well as live poultry and their products, from South Africa.
This follows outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in South Africa, which led to the suspension of imports since January 2019 (FMD) and May 2021 (HPAI).
The chief veterinary officer in the agriculture ministry, Dr Albertina Shilongo, says the South African veterinary authority has in June this year reported that outbreaks of the two diseases have not been resolved.
“The recent update from the South African Veterinary Authority indicates a continuous spread of FMD within its former FMD-free zones, as the diseases has spread to 11 other locations in Kwazulu-Natal Province since May this year.”
Shilongo further said that the HPAI infection also continues to spread in South Africa, with 33 new outbreaks reported across Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga, Free State, Kwazulu Natal and the East Cape provinces since April this year.
“Importers and the general public are further informed that Namibia has maintained the suspension of importation and in-transit movement of live, cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products, as well as of live poultry and their raw products, of South African origin with the exception of cooked products.”
Namibia continues to allow the importation or in-transit movement of raw products that are derived from cloven- hoofed animals and poultry that are transiting through South Africa, originating from countries or zones free of FMD, and HPAI-free countries or compartments.
Furthermore, Namibia continues to allow the importation and in-transit movement of raw pork from South Africa, provided that these products originate from the approved FMD-free pig compartments.


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The fourth industrial revolution is upon us, but unless we’re first movers or fastest followers – those agile players that reap the rewards of disruption, according to management consulting firm McKinsey – we’re among those businesses that have to play catch-up.
Uncomfortable questions arise: Is our business model still relevant? How do we ensure that our responses to change are strategic and not knee-jerk reactions?
Here’s what we do know about how insurance is changing. We know that new players are doing things differently because start-ups are relatively inexpensive and they can afford to breach barriers that bigger companies can’t.
“The impact of the so-called fourth industrial revolution is about more than Moore’s law and processing speeds – it’s about the rate at which consumers are changing how they think about the world,” says Anthony Miller, CEO and co-founder of insurtech start-up Simply Financial Services, which offers life cover underwritten by Old Mutual. “For example, they are more interested in positive recommendations from people they don’t even know than in promises from brands they’ve known about for a long time. New players can now leapfrog these brands via building communities and earning social media endorsement. There are great opportunities to create loyalty in this way.”
To read the full article, download the February issue of RISKAFRICA magazine – out soon! Subscribe today using the links below. Subscribers get COMPLIMENTARY access to the 2018 and upcoming 2019 UMA Directory.


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ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Minister of Plantation Industries Navin Dissanayake said he was fighting with the Treasury to retain control over a fund created to promote Ceylon tea in overseas markets by raising money from a tax on exports.
“I’m now fighting with the Treasury on the tea fund which we got for promotion,” he told a news conference held to announce a series of events planned globally to mark the 150th anniversary of the tea industry in the island in 2017.
“I strongly believe it (the fund) should be with the Tea Board. This is not a personal issue but on principle. We have to fight for our corner – as an industry.”
Sri Lanka Tea Board chairman Rohan Pethiyagoda said the fund now had raised US$35 million which is to be invested on a global promotional campaign next year.
Dissanayake said the government aims to award the contract for an international tea marketing campaign shortly.
“We’re on the verge of awarding the international marketing campaign,” he said. “It was held up by red tape and bureaucracy.”
Sri Lanka’s tea industry has strongly opposed a reported government move to take over a cess fund charged from exports in order to promote Ceylon tea globally, and demanded that if not, the cess be suspended.
The Tea Promotion and Marketing Levy of Rs3.50 was introduced by the Sri Lanka Tea Board in October 2010 and charged on every kilogram of tea exported from Sri Lanka.
It was to be used exclusively for the worldwide promotion of Ceylon tea under the stewardship of the Promotion and Marketing Committee of the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
(COLOMBO, Dec 08, 2016)


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2017 BS-4 compliant Honda CB Shine SP launched in India at Rs 65,354
Honda Two Wheelers has opened sales of the refreshed 2017 CB Shine SP in India at Rs 65,354 ex-Mumbai. The motorcycle, like before, is available in three trims - standard (Rs 65,354), DLX (Rs 67,947) and then the CBS at Rs 70,022. The motorcycle also sees a marginal increment in its price from the BS-3 units - approximately Rs 300.
The engine sees a slight drop in power compared to the BS3 (10.7PS) unit at 10.3PS while torque stays at 10.30Nm. The motorcycle comes with a 5-speed gearbox unlike the Shine which persists with a 4-speed unit. The other change is the introduction of AHO and new graphics. Honda has also added new MRF nylogrip low rolling resistance tyres to the CB Shine SP for increased fuel efficiency. While there are no fuel efficiency claims being made, the company says that it is patenting this technology. Honda claims a top speed of 93kmph from the CB Shine SP.
Starts Rs 57,683
Starts Rs 63,300
Starts Rs 68,900
- Top 10 best selling cars in India 2021 - Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai dominate
- Tata Punch interiors leaked ahead of launch, features revealed
- Why are manufacturers like Ford shutting their plants in India?
- 2021 MG Astor midsize SUV revealed with level 2 autonomy and AI assistant
- Mahindra XUV700 variants revealed ahead of launch


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The people behind the politically incorrect game Cards Against Humanity take their jokes seriously.
Case in point: for the company’s latest hat trick, they’re building a gigantic catapult to take on President Donald Trump’s proposed Trump’s border wall. In November, the company launched a crowdfunding campaign to buy land where Trump’s wall along the U.S.-Mexico border would be constructed. The stunt is all part of the company’s six-point plan to “destroy” the wall, which it finds “preposterous.” According to the company’s web site, the idea is to stall that wall by getting the U.S. government to battle it out in court over the “eminent domain” over the land.
Determined to make good on their promises, the company announced Monday that they’ve used some of the money to buy a vacant plot on the land.
The Chicago-based company already raised $2.25 million for their mission, according to the Chicago Tribune. If nothing else, fans who gave the fill-in-the-blank card game company $15 each got a comical illustrated map, a copy of the games’ attorney’s statement of intent and limited-edition playing cards.
This is not the first Cards Against Humanity promotion to poke fun at social issues and charge people for it. Previously, the company released a set of cards “for her,” exactly the same as the original set except it cost additional $5 and was pink — the company’s way of shedding light on the gender pay cap.
More Must-Reads From TIME
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- In the Belly of MrBeast
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- Taylor Swift Is TIME's 2023 Person of the Year
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
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After a profitable 2017, the cell app trade is all set to take up and meet challenges in 2018. The cell improvement state of affairs is on the way in which to maturing and turning into extra user- pleasant. It goals at integration of enterprise wants and technical points.
Cell Software Efficiency Supervisor
Expertise within the final 12 months reveals that although the app market has carried out effectively, there are much less variety of apps downloads per consumer. Builders are actually taking a look at apps that have interaction and fulfill customers and likewise encourage common use of their apps. The purpose is to make them technically sound and concurrently enhance the demand to be used.
The sudden and meteoric rise in use of Bitcoins has fueled curiosity in cell blockchain expertise. Builders are able to latch on to this curiosity. Their solely concern could be to find out the advantages of utilizing the brand new expertise to exchange the previous SQL database for particular person apps.
Apple’s Core ML Library has launched built-in ML fashions. This offers builders a handy approach to embrace ML expertise in iOS apps. in 2018 app builders are anticipated to leverage this benefit.
Chatbots had been launched in 2016. They created messaging platforms utilizing the bot for use on web sites. This 12 months these bots are set to increase their area to mobiles. Builders discover it simple to make use of chatbots. They neither should study new interface nor do they should develop native apps that want common updating.
Android Immediate App
This new entrant is prone to develop into a favourite this 12 months. It wants no set up and is suitable with all OS. The opportunity of embedding it in Google serps acts as added benefit.
Optimized Cell Web page
Google AMP makes internet shopping on mobiles sooner. Domains are utilizing AMP to succeed in and interact extra customers. An increasing number of apps are anticipated to transform to AMP to leverage benefit.
5G is on its approach
5G is able to ship velocity. It is going to work as much as sixty instances sooner than the current 4G expertise. This new community is to roll out slowly with the USA based mostly service suppliers taking the lead.
Return of the Cloud
2018 will see cloud-based apps rise to a whopping 89%. Cloud storage is safe. It clears area on units and doesn’t eat into gadget reminiscence making it a most well-liked storage for personal and industrial use. Cell Backend as a Service permits for information to maneuver forwards and backwards from cloud to gadget simply, conveniently and quick.
Wearables will proceed to develop this 12 months. Safety considerations will likely be part of app improvement as increasingly transactions are carried out utilizing mobiles. Builders will likely be engaged in creating increasingly on-demand apps as their utilization will increase and startups start to take a look at these as a method of reaching clients. Digital actuality and Augmented Actuality apps will see a rise in demand and can drive the sphere of cell app improvement.


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Visit Natchez’s new logo includes various nods to the town’s culture, history and future within the design.
NATCHEZ, MISS. – Visit Natchez has officially announced the launch of its new branding, including a logo, tagline and website, all featuring the tagline “Experience Elevated.” This news was announced to the public during a local press event on January 30 at The Grand Hotel.
The destination marketing organization’s goal throughout the brand development with marketing agency, Stamp, was to fully encompass all that Natchez has to offer and demonstrate that there is more to the town than one would expect. The brand positively represents Natchez as an elevated destination that not only has historic significance but is also progressive, warm, unified and hospitable.
“We are excited to kick off the new year with new branding and a website design that we hope will resonate with travelers and encourage them to visit Natchez,” said Devin Heath, executive director of Visit Natchez. “Whether you’re a food lover, history buff in search of cultural stories or nature explorer, Natchez is home to several signature experiences that you can’t find anywhere else in the world, and we feel that this new brand illustrates our ability to connect with the interests of today’s travelers.”
Visit Natchez’s new logo includes various nods to the town’s culture, history and future within the design. The “Visit” portion of the logo delivers a modern feel through its use of warm colors and unified connected lettering. The flowing ligatures are meant to pay homage to the Mississippi River, while the flowing stroke of the “N” between two columns represents the progression of Natchez’s history and its future.
“Experience Elevated” was chosen as Visit Natchez’s new tagline to provide an appropriate expectation of what awaits in Natchez. The tagline is meant to speak to the experiences and sites that await visitors such as the town’s grand historic homes and structures, its annual hot air balloon festival, the city’s 200-foot elevation over the Mississippi River and the airport that could soon provide commercial service.
As part of this new branding, Visit Natchez has also unveiled a new website that is now live and features more robust imagery, narratives with more user-friendly navigation, a page dedicated to the city’s cultural heritage and more.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.


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Unless you have been living under a totally soundproof boulder, you have most likely heard about Amazon Prime Day is coming up in just a couple short weeks, on July 15, 2019. And even though the holiday itself will only last two full days, there are some awesome deals all month long. For example, Whole Foods Market's Amazon Prime July 2019 deal is coming up, and it will last almost two weeks. But, the best part is it will get you credit to use on Prime Day.
As of Wednesday, July 3, Whole Foods Market will offer Amazon Prime members a pretty incredible deal. For 13 days, until Tuesday, July 16, according to the brand, Prime members who spend at least $10 at Whole Foods Market will receive a full $10 in Amazon credit to use on Prime Day.
In order to receive the credit, Prime Members will be able to scan the Prime Code in the Whole Foods or Amazon apps when they check out, according to an email from Whole Foods Market. That way, they can then use the credit when Amazon Prime Day starts at midnight PT on Monday, July 15. So, it pretty much goes without saying I'll be doing all my grocery shopping at Whole Foods for the next few weeks.
OK, this is actually an incredible opportunity, if you ask me. As a dedicated Whole Foods shopper (and avid Primer), you know I'll be taking advantage of this. Keep in mind, however, you'll only get the $10 credit once. According to a Whole Foods representative, it's a one-time-only deal.
Anyone who loves a good deal is down to celebrate Prime Day, and it seems as though Jeff Wilke, Amazon CEO Worldwide Consumer, is too. In a press release announcing the 2019 Prime Day, Wilke expressed pure excitement when asked about Prime Day. He shared, "Get ready, as we pull back the curtain to reveal exclusive products, special performances and two full days of phenomenal deals this Prime Day."
In the press release, Wilke continued:
Our vision is that Prime Day should be the absolute best time to be a member – when you can enjoy shopping, savings, entertainment and some of the best deals Prime members have ever seen. Stay tuned as we reveal exclusive savings at Whole Foods Market, thousands of new product launches, as well as world-class entertainment and more, leading up to Prime Day on July 15 and 16.
Basically, if you haven't already started planning what you want to buy, I strongly suggest doing so ASAP. It'll get you ready for that two-day-long online shopping spree.
If you want to prepare for one of the biggest consumer-based holidays of the year, there are a few ways to do so. Start by shopping at Whole Foods to build up your credit. Then, peruse what you'll want to get ahead of time, just to get organized. From there, you'll be totally prepared for a successful Prime Day. Good luck out there!


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Apple Directors Informally Exploring CEO Succession Possibilities, Jobs Calls Report 'Hogwash'
The Wall Street Journal reports that some members of Apple's board of directors have informally been exploring possibilities for CEO succession should Steve Jobs permanently step down from his position.
Jobs has taken several medical leaves of absence over the past few years, the most recent of which began in January and has continued indefinitely. Jobs has however, made several public appearances at Apple media events to introduce new products.
Since Steve Jobs went on medical leave this winter, some members of Apple Inc.'s board have discussed CEO succession with executive recruiters and at least one head of a high-profile technology company, according to people familiar with the matter.
The conversations weren't explicitly aimed at recruiting a new chief executive and were more of an informal exploration of the company's options, said these people. The directors don't appear to have been acting on behalf of the full board, some of these people said.
The report notes that Apple's directors have long taken executive succession plans seriously, routinely holding private sessions at every board meeting to discuss the topic and update plans.
Apple's independent directors take succession planning seriously, said a person familiar with the board's thinking. This person said Apple's independent board members discuss management succession in private sessions without Mr. Jobs held at every board meeting for the past 12 years.
"It's best practice,'' this person noted. "Everybody in the room is sworn to secrecy as to what it [the succession] plan is."
Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook, who has been in charge of Apple's day-to-day operations in Jobs' absence, is still considered to be a top candidate for the job, but directors are understandably exploring all options and reaching out to multiple channels in order to help make the most informed decision possible.
The report suggests that at least some of the external discussions have been initiated by recruiters themselves, although the talks are said to have progressed beyond the routine contact directors normally have with such firms. Jobs has of course given no indication that he plans to step down permanently, and so discussions appear to so far be informal and preparatory in nature should the situation change.
While Apple declined to comment for the report, Jobs reportedly responded via email, saying "I think it's hogwash." Consequently, the Journal suggests that Jobs may have been unaware of the discussions.


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London may be getting a boost in innovation with an exciting new innovation training program, the “MICL” (pronounced like “Michael”), short for Masters in Innovation, Creativity, and Leadership, a masters degree program offered at City University London. See http://creativity.city.ac.uk/ for details. The program involves the arts, business, law, social science, and informatics. Looks like a good cross-disciplinary blend.
As the University began building this program, they got a quick taste of some of the realities of innovation as the economy shuddered and forced new approaches in light of economic reality. This was viewed as an opportunity for creativity–very healthy–and the result is the subject of this entertaining Youtube video they created.
Hats off to City University London and best of luck with the MICL!


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The onward march of coffee leaf rust and coffee berry disease (CBD), which have been devastating coffee plantations throughout Africa and Southeast Asia for decades, may be coming to a halt
Scientists in four African countries have identified two coffee varieties that appear to be resistant to both diseases.
In a research programme headed by international agricultural science organisation CABI, in partnership with national research organisations in India, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Rwanda, scientists selected and tested a range of coffee varieties from India for their resistance to coffee leaf rust. India was selected as the country that harbours the most strains of leaf rust in the world.
"We knew that if a coffee variety survived the onslaught of so many different strains of coffee rust in India, it would almost definitely prove resistant to the strains of the disease in Africa," said Noah Phiri, senior plant pathologist at CABI.
Coffee leaf rust, caused by the fungus Hemileia vastatrix, attaches to the underside of the leaves of coffee bushes and causes them to fall. Many trees retain only two or three pairs of leaves on branches where they might ordinarily have 15 or 20. This leads to stunted bushes, which are low in yields and usually die after a few years.
Resistance to replace fungicide
Control of the disease has always been problematic due to the ease with which the fungus spreads and develops new strains. Coffee leaf rust is spread by wind and rain from lesions on the underside of the leaves of the coffee plant, and the only way to prevent this is to spray frequently with a fungicide; this has both economic and environmental costs for the smallholder farmers; the predominant coffee growers in Africa.
However, the two resistant varieties of coffee found in Karnataka, South West India, which the researchers refer to as Selection 5A and Selection 6A, have not developed the disease, despite numerous tests. They were tested first in a nursery, then in research fields, and finally in farmers' fields. Noah Phiri explained how they were deliberately planted next to varieties known to be susceptible to coffee leaf rust, and the disease did not develop.
"Entire crops have been lost to coffee leaf rust in the past," he said. "We are very encouraged by the results of this research which will make a big difference to coffee farmers in Africa. Replacing diseased or dead coffee bushes with the new varieties will mean they lose less of their crops and have a higher quality crop overall."
Resistance to CBD
There are also encouraging signs that Selections 5A and 6A will be resistant to CBD, another fungus-based disease that damages yields. CBD, which was discovered in Kenya, affects the cherries, greatly reducing production of berries. It is caused by a fungus which lives in the bark of the coffee bush and produces spores which attack the coffee cherries, causing annual losses of between 30 and 60 per cent. The researchers are now waiting for the new varieties to flower and bear berries so that resistance to CBD can be tested under field conditions.
"What we have seen so far in the nursery has been very encouraging," said Noah Phiri. "What is more, we have noted some interesting data that shows that one of the two Indian lines has the capability to tolerate coffee bacterial blight (CBB), another disease that has been a headache among Kenyan coffee farmers. We are continuing to test this and hope to be able to confirm resistance."
The researchers hope soon to see real practical results in the fields of the farmers who have been involved with the project. Coffee is a major source of income for many in Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda; planting coffee bushes that will not succumb either to coffee leaf rust or CBD will be a major step forward in protecting and advancing the industry in these countries.
In the next stage of the research programme, scientists will evaluate the two Indian varieties for the taste and aroma of the final coffee product, since the price of coffee is determined by its taste. "Our first priority was to make sure we were actually able to harvest a coffee crop," said Noah Phiri. "Now we need to make sure that farmers will be able to get the best possible price for it."
by Kimani Chege, CABI


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Motorola’s upcoming X Phone has raked up considerable amount of interest among the tech geeks and the consumers alike. While we still wait for official announcement on this from Motorola or Google, here are some pointers to keep ourselves satiated in between. Like some sources with The Verge who have stated the upcoming X Phone will not be a Droid device with the carrier Verizon. This could be hard to swallow for the moment since all previous flagship devices from Motorola such as the Droid RAZR HD or the Droid RAZR Maxx HD have been Verizon exclusive devices in the US.
All of that will cease of be in the case of the Moto X which Motorola is keen to market as a device that the users can design according to their tastes. Also, the new smartphone won’t be marketed with an overdose of its technical abilities but will still be a contender against the established brands such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 or the Apple iPhone. Top that off with the already announced aspect of the phone to be built in the US itself, which should be seen as a major USP of the devices as well. Motorola also claimed they have received excellent support from the carriers so far which means the new device won’t be exclusive to any particular carrier.
Having said that, Motorola’s special relationship with Verizon will continue to flourish as it used to be in the past. This since there also are reports of the former devoting resources into making a Droid Ultra phone that will make a separate product chain parallel to the X Phone. Details on this are scarce at the moment though a Verizon landing page for the Droid Ultra made an appearance and the only bit it revealed is that the device will be extremely thin.


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Chicago Dining Critic Watchlist Causing A Stir Online
By Melissa McEwen in Food on Mar 17, 2014 9:15PM
Chicago Tribune writer Kevin Pang apparently found this list in the kitchen of a "prominent Chicago restaurant" that is making the social media rounds today. It tells kitchen workers how to identify food critics and specific critics to watch out for.
Unfortunately for this kitchen, the list isn't totally accurate. Jeff Ruby ended his tenure as Chicago magazine
dining critic last year. (Ed. Note: Ruby still reviews restaurants for Chicago; he resigned as an editor at the magazine. —CS) Frank Bruni hasn't been a dining critic since 2009.
As for the tip that Michelin guide inspectors have to eat all of their food, it appears to come from a 2009 New Yorker article. Jeff Ruby quipped on Twitter that "I always thought that was one of those urban legends that the Michelin people perpetuated to keep restaurants off their trail."
It warns that "single diners" are more likely to be food critics, media and bloggers. They may be subject to special treatment to ensure a "consistent dining experience." Perhaps that's one upside of being alone. Or maybe it's bad, since the relationship between restaurants and food writers can be ambivalent or even hostile. A recent Vice article claimed that "chefs hate all food writers." One of the reasons? "You have to be nice to them."


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A pair of seemingly official adverts for Nokia's first Windows Phone handset have been discovered, which give the rumored Sea Ray the extremely dull new product name Nokia N800. And we get to see the thing, too.
Known previously as the mysterious Nokia "Sea Ray," this leaked bit of mobile kit from Orange France is now apparently known as the Sun. The leak includes specs. Oh, the specs!


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Obeetee to Exhibit for the First Time at New York Carpet Show
June 21, 2012,
SECAUCUS, N.J.-Obeetee is slated to exhibit for the first time this September at the New York International Carpet Show, September 9-11, at 7 West 34th Street.
Obeetee will feature a number of new additions to its Bosphorus, Kuba, Relic and Epoch lines, all launched this past January. Bosphorus, a handknotted collection from India, will expand with six new designs, including Xian here, in a multicolorway. In addition, the affordable Rubi collection will be expanded with several new color combinations.
The company will also be previewing a range of transitional/contemporary designs as part of its new 100 knot Tibetan collection from Nepal. This new line is made of the finest 100 percent handcarded/handspun Tibetan wool and Chinese silk.
For information about the show, NYICS.com.


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The Filipino electronics company Innovatronix has announced the CPFlash 550W: it’s the most powerful off-camera flash ever made for smartphone photographers and videographers.
Flash power can be adjusted from 0.5% to 100%, flash duration can be adjusted from 80ms to 500ms, and 8 different 20W video lighting effects will also be at your fingertips: Continuous, Flicker, Lightning, TV, Paparazzi, Police, Strobe, and Fire.
There will be free companion iOS and Android apps for the flash, providing a user-friendly interface for checking and adjusting settings over a Bluetooth connection from 66 feet (20m) away (line of sight). The flash can also work with other flashes via a UHF wireless connection that can communicate at distances of 164 feet (50m).
Bundled with the flash are a number of accessories. You’ll get 6 magnetic acrylic glass filters, a rechargeable smartphone camera trigger, a wireless hotshoe trigger for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, and a detachable metal bracket.
Here’s a photo shot without an off-camera flash with the Samsung S10 smartphone:
And here’s the same shot illuminated with a flash from the CPFlash 550W:
Here’s a photo shot with the iPhone 11 Pro without the flash:
And here’s the shot with the flash used:
Here’s a 6-minute video that introduces the flash and shows what it can do:
The Innovatronix CPFlash 550W will be available starting on March 31st, 2020, for $199 on Shopify and $219 on Amazon and eBay.


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Mar. 19 – Besides the traditional research and development powerhouses of the United States, Germany and Japan, India too is proving to be the destination of choice for global technology, pharmaceutical and engineering companies. Large multinational corporations like GM, IBM, Cisco, Motorola, Huawei and GE have already set up large R&D centers in India and many small and medium companies are actively considering establishing R&D facilities in India.
Mar. 18 – India has just announced the purchase of eight Boeing P-81 maritime patrol aircrafts, worth US$2.1 billion. The deal, just approved by the Obama administration, is the largest U.S.
Mar. 18 – The Indian government is mulling a Rs 100 billion (US$2 billion) package to help shipping companies buy new vessels as Indian and foreign banks tighten credit lines.
"Foreign banks are not lending now. Traditionally they’ve been the lenders for shipping acquisitions. This is some sort of financing for acquisition of new ships by Shipping Corporation of India and also by other Indian private shipping companies," APVN Sarma, secretary, ministry of shipping told Reuters.
Mar. 12 – The Government is considering proposals to scrap the cap mechanism by which foreign institutional investors are restricted in certain industries from investing in Initial public offerings, according to the Economic Times. The proposal, put forward by the Dept. of Industrial Policy & Promotion will be studied by various secretariats before being presented to parliament.
The move would lift the uncertainty over whether FDI applications in sectors such as retail, auto, aviation and telecoms will require permission from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). Currently, both the Reserve Bank of India, which manages foreign exchange and investment through the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and regulations concerning FDI into India conflict over the requirement. Common practice is that applications to FIPB are required. It frees up uncertainty over the routes via which investments can be made, provided they remain within the pertinent capped FDI ceiling.
Mar. 6 – India’s foreign investment promotion board on Wednesday gave the green signal to allow 29 FDI proposals worth Rs 6.16 billion (US$119 million) to be passed. Due to the gloomy global economic scenario, the government has eased FDI entry regulations allowing many more companies entry into the vast Indian market than before.
The largest deal to be passed on Wednesday was hospitality group AAPC Singapore Pte. Ltd.’s proposal of Rs 3.65 billion (US$70.5 million). AAPC plans to set up a wholly owned venture to construct, develop, own and manage low-budget hotels in India. Other sectors that were given FDI clearance included cargo – bulk handling, telecom and retail clothing sectors.
Mar. 3 – The all-share merger between Reliance Industries India's largest private sector firm with its subsidiary Reliance Petroleum which created the world's sixth-biggest refiner also marks the country’s 10th largest M&A deal ever.
While 2005-2008 saw large, M&A deals, the past few months have seen a significant plunge in M&A deals in India, even as valuations of Indian companies have become extremely attractive. So far 2009 saw M&A deals worth US$4 billion, less compared to 2008’s M&A deals worth US$30 billion.
Not only has M&A activity fallen, but deal values have also plummeted. During 2005-08, listed Indian companies have been involved in 54 M&A activities worth US$45 billion, but the current mark-to-market value of such M&A’s is down to US$20.96 billion, indicating a loss of 53 per cent, SMC Capital said in a report.
Feb. 27 – India’s commerce and Industry minister Kamal Nath has set an export target of US$200 billion during the fiscal year 2009-10. Due to poor economic conditions the government has also lowered this fiscal year’s export target from US$200 billion to US$175 billion. India’s export sector grew 30 percent from January 2008 to September, however in January this year the sector was down 16 percent from the year earlier. Experts estimate the slowdown in exports to continue until March this year.
By way of offering exporters 26 additional sops on Thursday, including interest rate subsidies on export loans, enhanced reimbursement of duties, and a longer period to fulfill export obligations etc. the government hopes to decrease the burden on exporters. Nath also said that the most affected industries leather and textile would get a special package of Rs 325 crore (US$64 million) and the threshold limit for recognition as premier trading house would be lowered from Rs 10,000 crore (US$1.9 trillion) to Rs 7,500 crore (US$1.5 trillion).
Feb. 24 – On Monday, the Indian government finally gave their nod to Japan’s NTT DoCoMo buying a 27.3 percent stake in Tata Teleservices Ltd the country’s sixth-largest mobile operator for 129.24 billion rupees (US$2.6 billion). The deal will also allow NTT DoCoMo to acquire 20.25 percent in Tata Tele's listed unit Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Ltd, for 9.45 billion rupees (US$188 million) the government said. The twin investments make this one of the largest foreign direct investments to flow into India in the past year and NTT DoCoMO's largest overseas invetsment in eight years.
This marks the Tata Group’s third major international deal. In 2007, Tata Steel bought the Corus Group Plc for US$13 billion marking India’s largest takeover. Last year the conglomerate’s automobile arm Tata Motors bought Jaguar and Land Rover for US$2.3 billion.


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- McDonald's, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A have changed their operations since the pandemic started.
- The drive-thru lane has been a lifeline to most fast-food chains.
- Taco Bell's mobile-ordering option and contactless payments are likely to continue.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Many fast-food restaurants have adopted possible strategies for getting through the coronavirus pandemic, which has drastically shifted how the dining industry functions.
Sanitizing tables, frequent employee hand-washing, and asking customers to wear masks inside are a few ways fast-food chains are shifting indoor dining. Other changes are evident when you stop by your favorite fast-food restaurants, such as more drive-thru lanes and encouraging customers to order ahead and pick up through their phone apps.
Here are 14 ways fast-food restaurants could be different even after the coronavirus pandemic ends.
Employees have been wearing gloves and masks, and this could stay even after the pandemic ends.
At the start of the pandemic, many fast-food chains immediately, including McDonald's, began requiring employees to follow health and safety guidelines like mask-wearing and encouraging physical distancing between crew members and customers when possible.
While most chains will likely follow CDC and state guidelines on exactly how long after the pandemic "ends" it will require employees to wear masks, it's also possible that COVID-era health measures aren't going anywhere any time soon — even after more people get vaccinated.
"It's going to be really hard for people to tell apart who has been vaccinated, who hasn't, and who just isn't wearing a mask because they don't want to," Shan Soe-Lin, Ph.D., a lecturer in global affairs at Yale University and epidemiologist told Today. "I would say that until the vaccine is widely available and case counts drop as you would expect with high vaccination coverage, we'll be wearing masks."
Similarly, customers could be told to wear masks inside restaurants into the future.
Masks are currently required to enter most businesses nationwide. In states where face masks are required, McDonald's has offered to have face masks available for customers in those areas before they enter the building, as part of the restaurant's reopening plan.
Experts also explain that even those who have been vaccinated should continue to wear masks until the effectiveness of the vaccine has been proven.
"I think people's perception is you get the vaccine and you're safe and finally we can stop all this masking and social distancing and stuff, but that's not actually reality," Debra Goff, an infectious-disease pharmacist and professor at the Ohio State University, told Insider's Anna Medaris Miller.
Plastic barriers could be the norm at drive-thru windows and counters where orders are taken.
Many fast-food restaurants, from McDonald's to Chick-fil-A to Dunkin', have implemented plastic or glass barriers at point-of-sale stations like drive-thru windows and ordering counters.
It's unclear when these barriers might be removed, or if they'll be a mainstay long after the pandemic has subsided, for the same reasons as mask-wearing may still be required.
Self-serve soda dispensers could be phased out indefinitely at some fast-food restaurants.
According to the New York Post, Burger King, Popeye's, and Tim Hortons locations switched off their self-serve soda dispensers after reopening last May.
"We have turned off our self-serve soda fountains and are offering beverages, extra condiments, and trays from the behind the front counter," Jose Cil, chief executive at Restaurant Brands, which operates the three aforementioned chains, wrote in an open letter.
Cil stated that the company has "fully embraced the notion that parts of our restaurants need to change – certainly, for the foreseeable future and possibly forever."
As of December 2020, the CDC's considerations for restaurant and bar operators recommends establishments to "avoid offering any self-serve food or drink options, such as buffets, salad bars, and drink stations."
Ordering kiosks and contactless payments could become even more prevalent.
Though one could argue that the constant touching of an ordering kiosk could heighten the spread of germs, this form of payment limits face-to-face, person-to-person contact. However, kiosks will need to be cleaned regularly.
One way fast-food restaurants could continue to operate in the near and distant future is with "contactless" ordering.
McDonald's has implemented contactless pickup and delivery in China and internationally where customers place an order remotely by phone or through an in-store kiosk. Then, customers can pick up their orders from a designated area, without ever coming face-to-face with an employee.
Taco Bell is also implementing similar processes.
"Our research shows that consumer behaviors changing today that make life easier and safer will be the behaviors that carry into the future, like delivery and mobile ordering, as well as contactless payment and service," Taco Bell CEO Mark King said in an emailed statement to Insider. "We've been working on some of these initiatives for a while, so we're really accelerating the future of digital innovation."
Even chains not traditionally thought of as "fast food" like Chipotle are leaning into contactless pickup and delivery, as well as experimenting with a drive-thru model in 2021.
Drive-thrus could be the most important part of fast-food chains adapting to changing customer behaviors.
For some customers, going through the drive-thru may still be seen as the most convenient and safest option.
In March of last year, drive-thrus generated $8.3 billion in sales across the fast-food industry, compared to $8 billion in sales over the same period in 2019. Perhaps even more staggering, in May it was reported that drive-thru sales represented approximately 70% of fast-food sales each month, according to data from the NPD Group, a market research firm, and the New York Times.
According to Restaurant Business, chains like Del Taco, Burger King, and Jack in the Box are focusing their efforts on drive-thru service. In some versions of Burger King's new drive-thru-focused prototype restaurant, indoor dining seats have been eliminated entirely. Other possible Burger King restaurants of the future could feature outdoor dining areas.
Some fast-food restaurants without drive-thrus could close permanently.
According to the New York Times, drive-thrus have become a "lifeline" for fast-food chains during the pandemic. As the coronavirus pandemic forced many restaurants to shift to a strictly drive-thru or curbside pickup model, other stores without drive-thrus were forced to close.
According to a previous article by Business Insider, some chain restaurants, most of which do not have drive-thru models, have permanently closed over 1,500 locations so far as a result of the pandemic.
Some customers may still prefer to get their meals delivered.
Experts believe many customers will continue to rely on food delivery apps like, Grubhub, and Seamless for their fast-food orders.
"Certainly the best kiosk in the world is your mobile phone. It's a portable kiosk and you can use it wherever you want and nobody else touches it," Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs told Yahoo Finance. "I think the use of mobile phones for kiosk type ordering will probably become more prevalent, and perhaps using kiosks in stores will become a little bit less part of the business model."
Dining rooms will be cleaned more frequently.
One thing you'll probably notice once fast-food restaurant dining rooms reopen is how clean they are. According to the McDonald's reopening plan, workers are required to clean and sanitize tables after each use, and restrooms are required to be cleaned every 30 minutes.
At Chick-fil-A, workers are also required to disinfect "high-touch areas," such as ordering tablets, credit card readers, trays, and door handles roughly every 30 minutes.
Some chains may offer hand-washing or sanitizing stations to employees.
Hand washing is still considered one of the main defenses against catching the coronavirus. Recently, Chick-fil-A introduced hand-washing stations for its employees to use in the drive-thru lines.
While no other chains have released information about implementing these, most chains have touted having hand sanitizer available to both employees and customers.
Family-style meal deals could be here to stay.
According to a previous article by Insider, a memo received from an anonymous Wendy's employee reads: "Interestingly, Google searches for 'Family Meal Deals' [were] up 250% in the first week of April. The bottom line is, we need to make ordering large meals easier for our customers and our crew by introducing new Family Meal Deal options."
Even today, a year on from the start of the pandemic, customers appear to be interested in fast-food options for the whole family, according to Quick Service Magazine.
David Portalatin, the food industry advisor for the NPD Group, told QSR, "That's the problem that everybody in America must solve today: What's for dinner? And however you could be a part of the solution, whether you are the grocery store, whether you're the restaurant operator, is going to be the key."
"Global" foods could also be a trend in the fast-food industry, according to experts.
Experts told QSR Magazine that restaurants may introduce more global foods as they expand their menus to welcome back customers in the future. Chains are already leaning into "global" flavors, such as Shake Shack's recent release of a "Korean-inspired" menu, although that release was met with criticism.
"Consumer travel will be down, which often helps to drive interest in international cuisines," Maeve Webster, president at food consultancy Menu Matters, told QSR.


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Project xCloud has been in testing for many months at this point, and last month, Microsoft finally started talking about the streaming service’s eventual release. Later this year, Microsoft said, Project xCloud would launch as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, giving subscribers game streaming without raising the monthly cost of Ultimate. That all sounded great, but Microsoft didn’t tell us when we could expect xCloud support to go live.
That all changed today, as Microsoft announced that Project xCloud will be joining Game Pass Ultimate on September 15th – six weeks from today. When Project xCloud initially launches in Game Pass Ultimate, it’ll do so in beta in 22 different regions.
Those regions are: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Microsoft says there will be more than 100 games available for streaming at launch, listing titles like Minecraft Dungeons, Destiny 2, and Gears 5 today. More information on the full lineup of streamable games will be made available as we close in on September 15th.
For now, it seems Project xCloud will only be available on Android. That was true of the entire public preview, and Microsoft’s announcement on Xbox Wire today makes no mention of upcoming support for additional platforms. So, if you’re an Ultimate subscriber looking to tap in to Project xCloud streaming, be sure you have an Android phone or tablet handy.
The Project xCloud preview will be live until September 11th, so if you’re already in, you can keep playing until then. Microsoft says that more information about Project xCloud’s launch is coming up fast, as it will feature in Samsung’s Unpacked reveal event tomorrow. We’ll let you know what the two companies announce tomorrow, so stay tuned for more.


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South Florida hotels reported their best January in years, new numbers from Smith Travel Research show.
In Broward County, hotels were 80 percent full at an average daily rate of $132 for the month. That’s up from 74 percent full at $125 a night last year. It’s the best January occupancy since 2006 and the best January rate since 2009 for Broward hotels, Smith Travel data shows.
In Palm Beach County, hotels were 74 percent full at an average daily rate of $162 for the month. That’s up from 70 percent full at $151 a night last year. It’s the best January occupancy since 2006 and best January rate since 2009 for Palm Beach County hotels, the numbers show.
For consumers, the strong showing mean it’s harder to find South Florida hotel bargains in the peak travel season.
To get deals, hoteliers suggest you try to reserve early or last-minute; visit during weeks when there are no holidays or school vacations; stay weekdays instead of weekends; and check Facebook among other sites for specials.
Any other suggestions to secure the best deals on South Florida hotels in winter? Please let us know.