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The Middle East's first zero-waste store opens in Beirut
Despite the February drizzle, opening night was abuzz with activity, welcoming a mix of vendors, interested citizens and journalists at the small store in Hamra. The EcoSouk, which Kehdy, 33, is billing as the Middle East’s first zero-waste store, is the latest project from Recycle Lebanon, and perhaps the most important step so far. She calls it the “Circular Hub” – a play on the Arabic word for love, hub, and the concept of a circular economy, which traditionally champions minimal waste and making the most of a nation’s resources – where her “change-makers” can congregate.
“This isn’t a store,” Kehdy explains. “It’s a hub and point of access. You don’t even have to buy something. You get a free tree with or without purchase.” The akidineh is a native Lebanese fruit tree that she’s distributing as part of an effort to offset the store’s carbon footprint. “We want you to re-think the way you are consuming and the products you are producing.”
Kehdy was raised on a farm in the Lebanese village of Baskinta, so the traditions of the country resonate with her, and this is what has led her to her unique brand of environmentalism. “Lebanon is traditionally a circular economy. We just have a name for it now. It used to be village way of living. A repair culture, an artisanal culture.”
Instead of importing western innovations for green living, Recycle Lebanon is committed to looking for baladi, or traditional alternatives, from the country first. For example, the store is selling meswak, a tooth-cleaning twig that boasts anti-bacterial and medicinal properties and has been in use across the Middle East for 7,000 years.
The plan is to eventually also import bamboo toothbrushes and other eco-friendly goods, but Kehdy first wants to promote what’s available on home turf. “The approach of the place is what struck me,” says Basil Abi-Hanna of BA Creations, whose homemade knives are featured in the store. “It isn’t this modern concept of consuming 1,000 plastic bottles but thinking that because you recycle it’s OK.”
The artisan, 31, builds his products using reclaimed wood from items such as skateboards or sailboats, and then engraves each custom knife with the co-ordinates of where the material was originally found. “Making things and learning how things are made is healthy. Most people don’t know that soap or shampoo can be made by hand.”
Kehdy remembers going to a farmers’ market in Maui, where she worked for eight years, and being shocked that the prices were so much higher than in the supermarkets. Thinking back to her childhood, this just didn’t make sense to her. “The real reason behind this is how my dad raised me. As a child, I wasn’t allowed to eat Jello from the box, I had to suck gelatin from the bone.”
Despite Lebanon’s age-old environmentally friendly traditions, the country still faces an uphill battle in its mission to become truly green. Sea pollution is reaching dangerous levels and every single water source in the country, including rivers, are polluted to some degree, according to a 2017 report by the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute. Recent government reports also found that in Beirut and its suburbs, more than 3,000 tonnes of garbage are created per day. Many citizens feel helpless, which is why Kehdy’s DIY environmentalism is especially inspiring in Lebanon right now.
It’s taken four years of hosting pop-up shops, which would feature both Lebanese and western eco-conscious alternatives, but now, it seems, her determination has paid off. The EcoSouk really does offer all the accoutrements for an environmental lifestyle, including a “pharmacy” bar, where customers can fill glass jars with nearly every beauty and body product one needs.
Kehdy says it requires more time to work with producers and Lebanese companies before everything is without plastic, though. Even making sure everything was 100 per cent zero-waste in EcoSouk was tough enough.
In the future, she’ll also arrange tours so customers can actually see where products are being made. They’ll visit the workshops where plastic bags are washed and pressed into reusable bags or go to see traditional soap-makers. She also aims to open another EcoSouk with a maker space hub.
“I want to put Lebanon on the map [of environmentalism],” Kehdy explains. “This is something that is native to us, from traditional soap-making to making mouneh to distilling aromas. We are farmers. We are the birthplace of agriculture.”
Alexandra Talty - The National


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Many unused televisions and video game consoles sit quietly in American homes with a red-eyed glare similar to that of the homicidal computer HAL in the science fiction film "2001: A Space Odyssey." Despite being turned off, their collective energy vampirism drains the equivalent of entire power plants in the United States.
That holds both the good and bad news for energy efficiency. New appliances and gadgets suck down less energy than their power-hungry predecessors, but U.S. households now host bigger swarms of TVs, computers and recharging smartphones. Still, energy experts say that continuing to boost energy efficiency standards should pay off more than trying to get Americans to tame their vampire gadgets.
"We've made progress, which is not to say we've won the war," said Steven Nadel, executive director for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. "A lot of products now have lower standby energy usage than when we first started studying this issue."
Electronics on standby make up 5 percent to 10 percent of energy consumption in U.S. homes, according to the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. That translates into the energy equivalent of 43 to 86 power plants, if each plant produces 300 megawatts, based on Nadel's calculations.
"We're talking about power plants churning away just to keep the little red light on, so that when you hit the power button, you don't have to wait three seconds for the TV to turn on," said Matt Golden, president and founder of Recurve Inc.
Swarms of efficient gadgets
Overall energy use per American household has actually fallen by 31 percent over the past 30 years, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But the amount of electricity used by appliances and electronics in U.S. homes almost doubled during that same period — a factor that partly offset the overall energy efficiency gains.
The huge growth in energy used by gadgets comes despite federal energy efficiency standards being applied to every major household appliance. That points to the growing number of appliances and gadgets that simply didn't exist 30 years ago, as well as more households having several TVs or other devices.
"If you look at a plasma TV from six years ago and an LED TV coming out today, there's a huge difference between operating consumption and phantom (standby) loads," Golden told InnovationNewsDaily. "I think that's where we'll see real change — higher energy efficiency standards from equipment."
Federal energy efficiency regulations may prove necessary as more gadgets creep into homes. Whereas most U.S. households had no computers and just one TV in 1978, they had at least one computer and two televisions on average by 2009.
Better behaviors prove tricky
Some experts have focused on educating Americans about saving energy at home by unplugging devices and turning off power strips. But Golden is pessimistic, based on years of his firm's experience in helping retrofit homes with energy-saving makeovers.
Most Americans have no way of comparing how much energy their gadgets use, according to Golden. He recalled getting calls from homeowners in California who complained that "broken" energy meters were leading to expensive electricity bills. His company, Recurve, never found a broken meter.
So-called "smart home" technologies have also begun creeping into a few households by promising to put energy awareness and management at the fingertips of homeowners. But adoption is slow and often expensive, according to a smart homes panel of experts at the ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit in March.
The current cost of smart home technologies may not justify the energy savings for many homeowners, Golden said.
"It's hard to come up with really good use cases," Golden said. "You can control the household lights and do some fancy stuff, but at what cost?"
Smarter ways to save
For now, improved federal regulations on energy efficiency may continue to have the bigger impact. Most American homeowners and manufacturers of appliances or gadgets simply don't have good reasons to boost energy efficiency on their own, according to Golden.
"To expect the market to start cleaning this up and to start producing new appliances and technologies that pay attention to energy is unrealistic," Golden said.
The U.S. government's Energy Star label for energy efficiency already appears on many new appliances and gadgets. Nadel and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy have continued to push for minimum energy efficiency standards across all gadgets.
Take the case of video game consoles, which some gamers leave on all the time. Doing that with a first-generation console such as a Sony PlayStation 3 or Microsoft Xbox 360 consumes as much electricity as two new refrigerators each year, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Now, newer models of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 have managed to cut their energy usage by as much as half.
"We need to account for the fact that people will get new things and use even more of them," Nadel said. "We need to make the new gadgets as efficient as possible."
You can follow senior writer Jeremy Hsu on Twitter @ScienceHsu. Follow InnovationNewsDaily on Twitter , or on .

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Resident Evil Village has received a release date of May 7th today as part of the Resident Evil Showcase, and alongside a new trailer, we've been treated to a few minutes (IGN says four, but we say five!) of first-look gameplay footage.
You can check it out above, which showcases everything from its impressive visuals to its powerful combat, as well as its new crafting system and weapon upgrades. There's a lot going on in these five minutes!
Let us know what you think of this Resident Evil Village gameplay footage in the comments below.


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The meat-free company says it 'has never been burger-specific' despite the success of its plant-based patty
After defying doctor's expectations that he 'probably wouldn't live another year', James is now using vegan food to tackle health issues in the black community
'A lot of people have been asking for it, people that are vegetarians or vegans. Everybody who lives that lifestyle absolutely loves it'
The plant-based eatery says ocean cleanups are 'vital to the survival of the planet and its inhabitants'
The plant-based burger 'continues to drive new traffic' to the fast-food chain
CEO of the third biggest pizza chain in the US has said plant-based meats are 'here to stay'
The fast-food giant's CEO has questioned whether launching vegan options in the states would cause an 'additional complexity'
The win marked the tennis pro's 14th Grand Slam title
The pro racer claimed a 'sensational' victory on lap 45
Patients with chronic diseases including diabetes and heart disease will be offered intensive support as well as a whole food plant-based diet
An increasing number of people are opting for animal-free meals
The ice-cream brand is one of the largest in the world
The star thanked his vegan daughter for paving the way to a plant-based lifestyle
The company hit headlines earlier this year when Sainsbury's started selling its mince and burgers
The musician is plant-based for health reasons
A number of forward-looking meat producers are turning their attention towards plant-based protein
The market for plant-based foods is growing rapidly
The star has credited a plant-based for both physical and mental gains
The new initiative has been launched by Compassion In World Farming
The campaign is moving into its second year, following huge success in 2017
Eating more fruits and veg, and less cholesterol and saturated fat, can have a positive impact
Canapes made from Beyond Meat products will be served at the event
He said he has never felt better about his impact on animals or the planet
The brand removed meat and fish from its meals earlier this year
The group wants to 'significantly increase the scope' of is advocacy
The chain eatery has a weekly offer for customers
Nina Messinger created the film 'H.O.P.E - What You Eat Matters'
The product is made from a range of plant-based ingredients
The retail giant is adding new plant-based products to its shelves
15 top food specialists tell PBN about their daily meals
There will be a range of flavors and formats
The Top Chef contestant backed company instantly 'took off'
The athlete follows an extremely healthy plant-based diet
Smith says plant-based eating has led him from 'widowmaker' heart attack to 'wonderful' health
The dish features a breaded seitan cutlet in curry sauce
The store is 'committed to catering' the growing number of vegans
The royal's fiancée is said to be 'weaning him off meat'
Almost 30 doctors have signed an open letter to Gove following his claims
A visit to the doctor prompted her lifestyle change
Rose says eating plants is making him think more deeply about animal rights
Now the producers are looking at expanding availability
The musician believes in better lifestyle choices - but will take medicine if necessary
The majority of respondents see plant-based diets as a positive, healthy choice
The event promises to improve health, and prevent or reverse a number of common diseases
64% of responders anticipate increaseed demand for plant-based options
The company has been awarded for its 'Zero Waste to landfill' policy
The plant-based director revealed some exciting insights into his filmmaking career
Some employees lost upwards of 40 pounds
The brand says more people are opting for 'healthier' snacks
A plant-based diet could help solve some of these issues
The launch has been described as 'forward-thinking'
He is hoping to inspire others to adopt a plant-based diet
Seitan and tempeh are leading the charge
Fats found in olive oil can reduce the risk of premature death, scientists claim
He said he is conscious that what he buys has an impact on the planet and all living beings
The program will launch next month
The athlete ditched animal products last year
The plant-based eater said his previous diet 'was f**king horrible'.
The new shop will be just steps away from Venice Beach
The company received a petition with over 30,000 signatures
Google trends data shows growing interest in the lifestyle
15 top food specialists tell PBN about their daily meals
The athlete has sung the praises of a plant-based diet
Boucher-Hayes ate meat during the challenge
A range of foods have been targeted
The decision reflects increasing demand for plant-based protein
Environmentalists say in vitro animal products could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 96 percent
More than 11 million of the patties have now been sold
He says he is facing some lifestyle changes
The piece will be aired across the US during the Games' closing ceremony
The producer of 'Vegucated' called the book 'delicious and personable'
The product will hit shelves in Woolworths
The sector could be worth $5.2 billion by 2020
The patty has been described as 'breakthrough'
The cruise offers customizable packages and an ‘Esther approved’ menu
The Playboy Playmate says her goal is to educate others.
The vegan account got 50 percent more likes than the 'bacon lover'
One doctor said he believes all hospitals will eventually go plant-based
Patients tried a low fat whole foods plant-based diet
In reality, it’s very hard for athletes NOT to get enough protein in their diets
Customers have been requesting healthy vegan options
The movie looks at how athletes power their bodies through plants.
The company has faced questions on social media this week
Analysts claim vegan food is set to hit the mainstream
The fitness expert admitted switching to a vegan diet has been 'a real challenge'
People are switching to plant-based options
The athlete slimmed down from 245 to 180 pounds after he became plant-based
Customers can dine in-house or pick from grab-and-go items
The foodie duo are bringing plant-based food to a mainstream audience


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With Africa for the taking‚ retail chain Shoprite Holdings shows a promising growth outlook for the next three years‚ despite not meeting its first-half earnings forecasts‚ global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan said on Monday, 10 March 2014.
By Zeenat Moorad 11 Mar 2014 15:57
The 2014 TAJ Classic Wine Trophy was held at the Taj Hotel in Cape Town last week, in association with La Revue du Vin de France, Tonnellerie Claude Gillet, Dorrance Wines, GQ South Africa and Tonnellerie Darnajou.
11 Mar 2014 14:24
The Distell Group has announced the appointment of Australian-born Luke Maga (33), as GM of the company's Asia Pacific duty free operations.
11 Mar 2014 11:48
The winners of the 2013 customer survey, Product of the Year (POY), have been announced, following the Nielsen survey of 5000 South African households.
11 Mar 2014 11:19
The first Clicks Pharmacy opened in Glengariff Street, Sea Point in 2004 and since then it has expanded its footprint to over 330 pharmacies across the country.
10 Mar 2014 12:09
Zappar is an app that brings brands to life by using augmented reality to turn one-dimensional communications into vibrant, animated, three-dimensional brand experiences via mobile or tablet.
6 Mar 2014 11:16
Insurer MMI Holdings (MMI) grew diluted core headline earnings per share (HEPS) 13% to 105.4c for the six months to December‚ up from 93.6c in the previous period.
By Gillian Jones 6 Mar 2014 10:22
MTN Group has reported a 27.5% rise in headline earnings per share (HEPS) to R13.86 for the year to December.
By Thabiso Mochiko 6 Mar 2014 09:20
Would you like to jump for joy this Easter? Win big and 'Share the Joy' with Cadbury Dairy Milk's latest promotion. Up for grabs are weekly shares of R300,000 in cash prizes!
Issued by Mondelez South Africa 4 Mar 2014 13:49
The Clothing Bank (TCB), founded in February 2010 in Cape Town, has opened a Gauteng branch in Halfway House, Midrand. It has received a R1.5 million start-up loan from Woolworths and is joined by Edcon as clothing supply partner.
3 Mar 2014 15:02
Jan de Beer has been appointed as the new managing executive of The Fish & Chip Co., building on his valuable experience gained within the retail industry over the past 20 years.
3 Mar 2014 10:31
Eco Health, a leading pharmaceutical distributor in Nigeria, has sold 53% of its company for US$74 million in cash to Imperial Logistics, a wholly owned division of Imperial Holdings.
27 Feb 2014 10:46
South Africans can now enjoy the taste of Cape Town, wherever they may be, by joining Durbanville Hills Wines' new wine club.
26 Feb 2014 11:37
Waterkloof Estate has releases its 2010 red wine trio in its Circumstance collection. "The Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah each express the grape types from which they are made with purity and integrity and set a high benchmark," says Waterkloof winemaker Nadia Barnard.
25 Feb 2014 09:46
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The sharing economy continues to bear fruit. CarHopper, a platform for luxury car rental, has raised a $1.5 million seed round to expand to new markets.
CarHopper started as a peer-to-peer platform for luxury car owners — think Lexus, Mercedes and BMW all the way up to Ferrari and Rolls Royce — to rent out their rides to others. But in its infancy, the company realized there was a much bigger opportunity with small, local rental agencies that don’t have a strong online presence.
These local agencies have trouble competing with nationwide rental agencies like Avis and Hertz, according to founder and CEO Bora Hamamcioglu, who says that many of them have archaic inventory systems and poor online booking systems, if any at all.
CarHopper facilitates the transactions for renters and the agencies on their luxury and ultra high-end inventory, while the agency still takes care of things like insurance, customer service and maintenance.
On the low-end, CarHopper cars can go for $600/day, and range all the way up to $1,500/day for the priciest models.
[vimeo 219738586 w=640 h=360]
What story will you drive tomorrow? from CarHopper on Vimeo.
The company currently operates in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Las Vegas, with plans to launch in New York, The Hamptons and Orlando.
Obviously, CarHopper isn’t alone in the market. Turo has been around for the past few years and picked up more than $172 million in funding, offering both peer-to-peer sharing as well as the front-end for rental agencies.
Hamamcioglu says that the big opportunity for CarHopper, competitively, is to stay focused on the luxury and high-end market and build brand loyalty with those specific consumers.


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Scientists in China have reportedly created a herd of genetically modified cows that produce milk similar to human breast milk. They claim that the human-like cow's milk could be available in Chinese markets within two years. What exactly are they doing, and why? Here, a brief guide:
What have Chinese scientists done?
The scientists have successfully created a herd of more than 200 cows, genetically modified to make them "capable of producing milk that contains the characteristics of human milk," says Li Ning of the China Agricultural University, as quoted in the Times of India.
Why would they do that?
Human milk contains nutrients that help the immune and central nervous systems. Cow milk and goat milk lack such nutrients, but the genetically modified cows' milk would not. The goal is to make the "healthy protein contained in human milk... affordable for ordinary consumers," says Ning. He notes that in ancient China emperors and empresses drank human milk their whole lives, a luxury afforded only to them.
How does it taste?
It's got some kick. The genetically modified milk "tastes stronger than normal milk," says Ning. Wow, I'm "at a loss for words" over the "overwhelming grossness" of this idea, says Matthew McDermott at Treehugger.
Is it safe?
We don't know yet, but we will soon. China's Ministry of Agriculture is engaged in a 22-month study of the genetically modified herd, to determine if its milk can safely be sold in stores.
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The oikos Academy team would like to thank everyone participating in this year’s Academy on ‘Urban Sustainable Living’. On average 104 attended each lecture, which we are very happy about.
We want to give special thanks and congratulate the winners of the case competition Jakub Kowalczyk, Cristina Stef and Antonia Draghic. Prizes for all case finalists included tickets to Sustainia Award, the book ‘Guide to Sustainia’ and gift bags from the lovely greenskin.dk store at Gl. Kongevej.
This year’s case competition was in collaboration with IBM, who was extremely pleased with the high quality of the case contributions.
Last but not least, we would like to thank our speakers Esben Alslund-Lanthén and Jakob Anker Hansen from Sustainia, Vinay Venkatraman, Jørgen Hvid fra Rambøll, and Professor Christian Erik Kampmann as well as our case partner IBM.
We hope to see you all at the Academy 2014.


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Japanese camera brand Yashica is on the verge of a comeback. While the brand has long been a favorite amongst photographers — with the T4 edition gaining special notoriety amongst those who wanted handheld point-and-shoot versatility with a Zeiss lens — it has fallen from commercial popularity over the years.
The company — founded back in 1949 in Nagano, Japan as a manufacturer of clock components — made its first camera in 1953 and, if the teaser is to believed, now aims to bring back some of its most-loved cameras. The video, entitled “The Silence of Story,” is a triptych of short clips showcasing a photographer on her travels and ending with “look out for a coming chapter.” There’s no news as to which cameras will be part of the revamp, but you can take a guess based on which models appear in the film above.
- Image Credit
- My Camera Cabinet


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The Moto X Android 4.4 KitKat update has arrived for more and more users over the past few months, and now we’ve received word that the latest Android 4.4.4 KitKat release is headed to one more variant of the Moto X.
Over the past few months Google’s been busy with software updates. Rolling out Android 4.4.3 KitKat, then quickly after that Android 4.4.4 KitKat back in June. This disrupted the update timeline for many carriers and manufacturers, Motorola included, but they’re finally back on track.
Last month Android 4.4.3 arrived for the Moto X from a few different carriers in the United States, while others such as Verizon were still stuck on Android 4.4.2, which introduced a few software issues and bugs. However, today we’re hearing the latest Android 4.4.4 KitKat for the Moto X on Verizon is coming soon.
Motorola was one of the first to issue updates to Android 4.4.3 KitKat for many of its popular devices, and it looks like Android 4.4.4 KitKat may be up next for those with the Verizon Moto X. Just like earlier this week, today the Motorola Feedback Network is inviting select members of its forum to test a brand new Moto X Android software update, but they didn’t state which version.
As a reminder, the Verizon Moto X currently runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat, and never received the 4.4.3 upgrade the Sprint and T-Mobile variants saw late last month. Verizon isn’t usually first to software updates, but the Motorola devices on their network have received rather excellent support when it comes to software updates and fixes.
In what Motorola calls a “soak test” certain members of their feedback network get to beta test final release software before Verizon Wireless distributes it to the mass public. This usually signals that the next software update is finally ready for the public, and needs one more final beta test before getting the green light.
The Motorola DROID Ultra and MAXX started getting Android 4.4.4 KitKat earlier this week, skipping both Android 4.4.2 and 4.4.3 and going right to the latest and greatest, and many are expecting the Verizon Moto X to receive the same treatment. There isn’t much difference between Android 4.4.3 and 4.4.4, but Google’s improved the experience and patched some extremely important security holes. So the update is certainly welcomed.
So what does this mean for regular Verizon Moto X users? This means that both Verizon and Motorola have finalized a software update for your handset, and after another day or two of quick testing it should hopefully start rolling out to all users. If no issues or problems are found, expect the latest Android 4.4.3 or Android 4.4.4 KitKat for the Moto X to arrive on your Verizon smartphone over the next 1-2 weeks.
Traditionally soak tests only takes 24-48 hours to make sure all is clear, then Verizon posts the full update details and changelog to its support forum. Once that happens we can expect the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update to start arriving the same day, and complete within two weeks. This means all Verizon Moto X owners are likely just days or weeks away from running the absolute latest version of Android released by Google.
The Moto X already received Android 4.4.4 KitKat outside of the U.S. but carriers stateside tend to take a little longer than other regions. That being said, the wait isn’t very long and we’ll know more as soon as the soak tests start hitting beta tester handsets. That will confirm which version of Android is coming in the next Verizon over-the-air update, and what to expect. Stay tuned and we’ll report back with any and all details once they’ve been made available.
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Home Tags Pizza
From global chains like Pizza Hut to lesser-known hits like Blaze and Marco's, here are some of the best places to grab a quick slice of pizza.
A restaurant in South Carolina has been accused of reselling Costco pizzas at a 700% markup as ‘gourmet Roman-style thin crust pizza’
Diners and employees accused the restaurant of selling $18 to $20 'gourmet' pizzas that were just frozen Costco pizzas that cost around $2.50 each.
15 major chains like IHOP, Carl’s Jr, and KFC are offering free delivery right now due to the coronavirus pandemic
Major chains like IHOP, Chipotle, and Carl's Jr have started offering free delivery to customers because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Domino’s, Pizza Hut, and Papa John’s plan to hire more than 50,000 workers amid the coronavirus outbreak
Domino's, Papa John's, and Pizza Hut are together hiring more than 50,000 new employees amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The writer ordered a pie from Papa John's Pizza, Pizza Hut and Domino's Pizza — and only one had the best flavor and value.
The writer compared cheese pizzas from five different brands — DiGiorno, Amy's, Newman's Own, Red Baron, and Tombstone — to see which was the best.
We compared two of the most popular baking steels to see which is worth your money, and we found the Dough-Joe Samurai is slightly better
We compared the Dough-Joe Samurai to the Original Baking Steel to see which is the best baking steel for making pizzas at home.
Chains including Mod Pizza and Blaze Pizza are offering free food or discounts for Pi Day. Here’s how to get them.
Pi Day is upon us, and so are big savings on pizza. Here's how to get a free or discounted pie from chains like Mod and Pieology this March 14.
The burger at Emily features two patties, caramelized onions, American cheese, and a special secret sauce that packs a sweet and spicy punch.
Making pizza at home is fun and easy with a pizza stone. These are the best pizza stones you can buy online to start creating your own pies.


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FTX Exchange buys Super Bowl ad
- The FTX cryptocurrency exchange has purchased an ad during the iconic Super Bowl event.
- The Super Bowl is a major event in American football that has an audience of over 90 million people.
- FTX has been investing heavily in sports advertisements.
Follow Invezz on Telegram, Twitter, and Google News for instant updates >
The crypto space has become very competitive, and cryptocurrency exchanges are constantly looking for ways to continue attracting new customers. FTX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange platform, has been looking into sports as a way of marketing itself.
FTX recently purchased an ad for the 2022 Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is one of the most iconic events in American football; hence this ad will give FTX a large audience.
Through this ad, FTX will have the chance to broadcast its platform to over 91 million viewers of the Super Bowl. The CEO of FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, has stated that investing in sports advertisements is the perfect way of onboarding new users. He stated,
Sports are 2x more likely to know about crypto than nonsports fans. Avid sports fans are nearly 3x as likely.
Bankman-Fried further noted that the Super Bowl ad would be used to educate the audience that cryptocurrencies are easy to invest in, accessible and safe.
“We’re inviting everyone to check it out, and here to help them on their journey. There is no bigger, more mainstream event to share a message like that than the Super Bowl,” the CEO said to Bloomberg.
FTX has not provided the financial details regarding how much the ad will cost. However, past advertisements done during this sporting event have companies paying around $5.6 million for a 30-seconds long advertisement.
FTX is Big on Sports
As can be deduced from the remarks of Bankman-Fried, the FTX exchange believes that sports fans are the ideal audience to target when it comes to onboarding new users.
The Super Bowl ad is just one of the several sporting avenues that the FTX has explored this year. The exchange purchased the naming rights of the California Memorial Stadium in a $17.5 million deal. Following this deal, the stadium was renamed the FTX Arena.
The exchange has also onboarded renowned players to be ambassadors for the exchange. Among these ambassadors is David Ortiz, a former baseball player with Boston Red Sox. FTX also became the first exchange to sponsor Major League Baseball.
Get started in crypto easily by following crypto signals & charts by pro-trader Lisa N Edwards. Sign-up today for easy-to-follow trades for tonnes of altcoins at GSIC.


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With the Foo Fighters show at Wrigley Field approaching, the band has released images of some of the merch they will be selling.
The items below will be sold at a Pop-Up Shop at 108 N State Street which will be open Wednesday-Friday (10am-8pm), Saturday (10am-4pm), and Sunday (11am-6pm). The Pop-Up Shop also boasts exclusive prints, posters, and out of print vinyl.
For those unable to make it to Saturday’s show or the Pop-Up Store, the t-shirt below is for sale online here.
With the Cubs on a roll and Foo Fighters being one of the best rock bands of our time, how can you go wrong?


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There has been immense speculation over the last few weeks on the launch date of the rumoured iPad mini. Reports in the past have indicated that this smaller tablet will be unveiled alongside the next iPhone aka the iPhone 5. However, a recent report by AllThingsD has stated that sources have informed them that Apple will host a special event to unveil the product and it will take place in October this year.
Author John Paczkowski of AllThingsD states, “Only after the next-generation iPhone is out the door and on sale will Apple announce the smaller iPad it’s been working on. That device, which is expected to have a display of less than eight inches, will be uncrated at a second special event, which sources said is currently scheduled for October.”
A recent post by John Grubber of Daring Fireball stated that Apple would host two events in the near future -- one for the upcoming iPhone and the next for the iPad mini. He stated, “I’m thinking it makes more sense for Apple to hold two events. First, an iPhone event, focused solely on the new iPhone and iOS 6. Then, the iPhone ships nine days later, and there’s another wave of iPhone-focused attention as the reviews come out. Then, in the first or second week of October, Apple holds its traditional “music event”, exactly along the lines of the events at which they’ve been debuting new iPods for the last decade.”
Though Grubber speculated this fact, the report by AllThingsD seems to confirm this to be true.
An earlier report indicated that Apple would be ramping up production for this smaller tablet with it expecting to produce 4 million units of the same from September. A report by Digitimes stated, “Supply volume of Apple's 7.85-inch iPad is estimated to reach four million units per month starting in September in order to prepare for demand from year-end holidays, according to sources from the upstream supply chain. Rumors are circulating in the IT market that Apple will launch its 7.85-inch iPad in October with a thinner screen frame to allow the device to feature a bigger display area than other competing products and will also feature a resolution similar to that of iPad 2.”
The report ends by stating that sources have implied that the pricing of this smaller tablet would be at $299, i.e. more than that of its rivals, the Amazon Kindle Fire and the Google Nexus 7. They state that though this is the case, the specs table from Apple would still definitely be able to give them competition.
If Apple is indeed currently mass producing the 7.85-inch iPad, this could indicate that the launch is near. Earlier this year, there had been reports doing the rounds that Apple was testing a tablet with a smaller display, but hadn't decided yet whether to proceed with the production.
It may be really interesting to see if Apple does launch an iPad with a lower budget, as the brand has lost a significant amount of market share to 7-inch tablets. The main competitor is the Amazon Kindle Fire, which has eaten quite a bit of Apple’s share in the tablet market in comparison to other tablets.
Image courtesy: iMore
Published Date: Aug 27, 2012 11:24 am | Updated Date: Aug 27, 2012 11:24 am


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Maricopa, Ariz. — Thompson Thrift Retail Group, a wholly owned company of Indianapolis-based Thompson Thrift, has inked a deal for Sprouts Farmers Market to anchor Sonoran Creek Marketplace, the company’s $30 million retail center under development in Maricopa. The Phoenix-based specialty grocery chain is expected to open its 23,293-square-foot location in September 2021.
Situated on 14 acres at the intersection of John Wayne Parkway and Edison Road, Sonoran Creek Marketplace will feature 75,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. Additional recently signed tenants include The Joint Chiropractic, State Farm Insurance, Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches and Filiberto’s Mexican Food. Also included in the development are Dutch Bros, Culver’s and Fast & Friendly Express Carwash, all of which are currently open for business.
This is Thompson Thrift Retail Group’s first project in Maricopa, and the company’s 2021 Southwest pipeline is projected to include more than $120 million in volume across metro Phoenix.


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Table of Contents Hide
- 1. Thailand’s IT spending to sustain in 2011
- 2. Telecommunication Services spending will show persistent climb
- 3. Mininotebooks will feel the pressure from the rise of media tablets
- 4. IT Service Providers will refine their Verticalization Strategy
- 5. Businesses on the Cloud expected to materialize
- 6. Social Media and the Advantage of Social Analytics—Exploring Analytics Abilities over Social Platform
- 7. Mobile OS – Application design will span across multiple Mobile Platform
- 8. Rise of Integrated Infrastructure solutions to stir channel development
- 9. Consumers will invest more on Licensed Security Software
- 10. Rising Demand for Mobile Data Services Will Stimulate Operators to Customize Variety of Packages
The Thailand ICT Market will Gain Further Momentum in 2011 with Greater Economic Optimism and the Adoption of New Technologies, says IDC
In 2011, the Thailand information and communications technology (ICT) market will be shaped by advancements in social media, greater acceptance of smartphones, and increased demands for data services for both fixed and wireless communications, according to the annual International Data Corporation’s (IDC) predictions report for the Thailand ICT market.
“We believe that rising demands from consumers for mobile devices and personal computing systems will play an important role in driving ICT spending in Thailand this year. Comparing the different verticals, the financial services, telecommunication, and government sectors are likely to be dominant spenders”, says Attaphon Satidkanitkul, Research Manager, IDC Thailand.
He adds, “Due to the increasing popularity of social media, IDC foresees that enterprises in Thailand will be evolving to better leverage the benefits of this new platform to drive their business forward in Thailand.”
The following are IDC’s top 10 ICT predictions for Thailand in 2011. These trends are what IDC believes will have the biggest commercial impact on the Thailand ICT market this year.
1. Thailand’s IT spending to sustain in 2011
IDC predicts that the upward IT spending trend will continue in 2011. Hardware, software and IT services combined are expected to grow 9.3% year-on-year (YoY), allowing the total country IT spending for 2011 to exceed US$6.5 billion.
2. Telecommunication Services spending will show persistent climb
IDC expects the Thailand telecoms services market to maintain a positive growth trend in 2011 expanding 3% YoY. Both fixed and mobile segments will also post 3% YoY growth. In 2011, the mobile services market will encompass 66% share of the overall telecoms services market in Thailand. Mobile voice will continue to be the main source of income for operators, although this segment will only grow 1% YoY, while data will expand by 16%. In 2011, IDC expects multimedia and portable broadband services to have a combined contribution of 70% to the overall mobile data services market in the country.
3. Mininotebooks will feel the pressure from the rise of media tablets
The hype about media tablets has already been causing many consumers to think twice about buying new PCs, especially mininotebooks. The mininotebooks market is hurting not only in demand but also in supply. PC and Smartphone vendors have been launching their versions of the media tablets from late last year to target the same segments that used to be occupied by mininotebooks. However, there is no sign that media tablets will replace mininotebooks in the near future as the capabilities of media tablets, compared to mininotebooks, are still limited despite the ability to offer more superior user experiences. IDC predicts that the adoption of media tablets in Thailand will be especially significant in the beginning of the second quarter of this year.
4. IT Service Providers will refine their Verticalization Strategy
IT service providers will be intensifying their value-added services offerings in 2011. On top of their usual products and solutions, they are likely to offer customized services to better address the diverse needs and requirements of different verticals. IDC believes that service providers will be especially focusing their energies and resources on getting to know the telco, government and education verticals so as to enhance their value proposition for these markets. The strategy will also enable them to make their horizontal products and services more enticing to customers in the verticals. For example, most IT vendors will partner with local system integrators (SIs) or Internet telephony service providers (ITSPs) to deliver customized solutions that fit the requirements of local businesses.
5. Businesses on the Cloud expected to materialize
IDC believes that the infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) cloud computing model will be widely adopted in Thailand in 2011. The services are likely to be offered by ITSPs and Internet service providers (ISPs) that have Internet datacenter facilities. These service providers will actively expand and implement strategies to manage and optimize their systems based on cloud technologies to help businesses increase their productivity. Storage, server, security services, as well as some enterprise collaboration platforms represent examples of infrastructure cloud services that are available in the market today.
6. Social Media and the Advantage of Social Analytics—Exploring Analytics Abilities over Social Platform
2010 witnessed some early social media adopters in Thailand from the banking, telecoms and government sectors. By registering their profile on social media sites like Facebook, these industries are taking the initiative to test out new platforms to market their latest offerings, gain feedback and monitor public opinions through online communities. In 2011, we expect business analytics software vendors to introduce tools that provide on-demand social analytic solutions that conduct text mining and “sentiment” analysis of dispersed customer data over social websites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, forums, blogs, etc.) for enterprises. The solution can possibly deliver real-time insights such as web-based dashboards and reports. IDC believes that the wider adoption of social platform across enterprises will encourage investments in analytics to complement online community feedback and sentiments.
7. Mobile OS – Application design will span across multiple Mobile Platform
Use of smartphones has become an important part of people’s lifestyle and lately, smartphones have shown massive growth in Thailand. In 2010, the data-centric smartphone market grew close to 100% and in 2011, IDC projects that it will reach about 2 million units, growing by 30% YoY. Nokia’s Symbian, Apple’s iOS, Google’s Android and Research in Motion’s (RIM) BlackBerry OS are the current market leaders in Thailand, and IDC projects that they will continue to enjoy high growth in 2011. IDC believes that there are ample opportunities for developers creating apps for any of the major platforms, as growth in apps is driven by growth in data-centric smartphones. This just goes to show that it does not really matter whether the platform is open or closed; applications are needed and in high demand in this data-centric world.
8. Rise of Integrated Infrastructure solutions to stir channel development
Solution bundling of systems infrastructure with storage hardware and/or software along with security capabilities is often appealing for medium to large businesses for its “value-added” qualities. IDC believes that new product mixes with strategic pricing will continue to generate momentum in the market specifically from vendors offering systems infrastructure, storage, security and services solutions. Thailand’s systems infrastructure software market grew at 10.1% YoY in 2010 and is expected to expand 13.5% this year. In 2011, the concept of virtualization is likely to draw huge attention for its ability to enhance consolidation and bring flexibility to infrastructure platforms.
9. Consumers will invest more on Licensed Security Software
Despite conservative consumer spending and the extensive availability of pirated software, end users are increasingly paying for licensed security content and threat management (SCTM) or antivirus software. This can be attributed to vendors’ aggressive and unique marketing campaigns to influence the market. For instance, Kaspersky, BitDefender and Norton have joined the race to influence the market to purchase licensed security software through above-the-line media to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. These vendors are also aggressively rolling out sales promotions and making improvements to their after-sales services. IDC expects SCTM spending to grow 13% in 2011 and security at 11.7%.
10. Rising Demand for Mobile Data Services Will Stimulate Operators to Customize Variety of Packages
Demand for mobile data usage has been increasing and will continue to grow this year due to the popularity of smartphones and mobile devices among consumers and business users. In 2011, demand for mobile data usage will be on the rise. This is mainly due to strong demand coming from mobile internet access, instant messaging services, and social networking. This will trigger mobile operators to devise new data packages to meet the different demands of consumers and business users. Volume-based data packages are expected to be more popular as compared to time-based packages due to the popularity of smartphones and mobile devices since users are likely to be “connected” 24/7.


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Calgary's University District shows no sign of slowing down despite Calgary's sluggish economy. Last week another exciting project was unveiled for the rapidly rising district. West Campus Development Trust (WCDT) unveiled plans for its new central park and a pair of retail buildings that will be connected to the park.
Known as Block 23 and Central Park, the project is a combination of a large central park space, coupled with a retail development. The Park will be located on Block 14, a parcel of land in the master planned University District that was always slated to be a park. The unveiled plan shows block 14 designed as an urban park with green-space and public areas, while the retail development will be situated on block 23 - the adjacent parcel to the north. It will house two low rise mixed use buildings, with both buildings sporting retail as well as some office space.
Retail spaces will front on University Aveune, that districts main artery, with the retail portion in the east building having larger spaces available. Tenants Staples and Cineplex have already signed up for those spots. There will also be smaller retail spaces and the east building will host a pair of restaurants that will overlook the park. The buildings were designed by Calgary based Gibbs Gage, and will be developed by WCDT themselves.
With Rhapsody right next door having more retail units - including a grocery store, and an ALT hotel going up across the street, as well as more retail in neighboring August and Argyle, the University District is well on its way to becoming a fully functional vibrant neighborhood before it's even finished.
SkyriseCalgary will be sure to return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.


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Ocean World Travel has opened its first high street store and expanded its holiday offering after 21 years focusing on cruise.
The Southampton-based cruise specialist will now offer land-based beach, family, city and tailor-made breaks after opening the doors to its new shop in Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire, last week.
It is the first retail venture for the brand, which has a team of eight homeworkers and has moved its staff from offices in Southampton to the larger back office of the Chandler’s Ford store.
David Hearn, Ocean World Travel commercial director, said: “We always talked about having a frontline store and we have finally found the right place.
“We have recognised that selling holidays, particularly cruises, can be complex, and because of this customers want more of a face-to-face experience.
“Having this store is about fulfilling the growing demand by our customers and adding another string to our bow.”
The company was founded in 1995 by Michele Dance and her partner Alan Godfrey, expanding from a back room in their home in Birmingham to a call centre and homeworking team on the south coast.
The company has hired three new staff members to run the store; all have experience of retail for the likes of Thomson and Thomas Cook.
In May the company joined the Advantage Travel Partnership to support its extension into selling all types of holidays.
“The reaction so far has been really positive just from people walking in and finding out who we are. We’re well positioned here in an affluent area and by other shops.
“Our main focus has always been cruise, with 80% of the cruise we sell made of ex-UK sailings but in terms of selling other holidays we are testing the market at the moment with a bit of everything and anything from cruise to beach to tailor-made.”
Hearn said the popularity of the shop would determine growth for the company in the future.
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Google has confirmed main growth plans for New York Metropolis, gearing as much as make investments greater than $1 billion as a part of a broader plan that would double its head depend within the Massive Apple over the following decade.
The Alphabet subsidiary mentioned it has signed lease agreements at 315 and 345 Hudson Road in Decrease Manhattan, along with a letter of intent to take over a close-by property at 550 Washington Road.
Google already inhabits 111 Eighth Avenue, having purchased the Chelsea Artwork Deco constructing in 2010 for a reported $1.eight billion, although it first moved to town means again in 2000. Earlier this 12 months, Google additionally introduced that it had purchased New York’s Chelsea Marketplace for $2.four billion, with plans to broaden into one other four-block campus at Pier 57.
Google Hudson Sq.
The brand new hub, to be referred to as Google Hudson Sq., will function dwelling for Google’s New York World Enterprise Group. Along with the Chelsea Market growth, it’ll enable Google to develop its current 7,000-person footprint in New York Metropolis to greater than 14,000.
Right this moment’s announcement additionally comes on the heels of rival Amazon’s resolution to separate a brand new secondary HQ between New York Metropolis and a Washington, D.C. suburb, although that transfer isn’t with out its native critics. And Apple final week revealed plans for a brand new $1 billion campus in Austin, Texas.
It’s clear the large know-how firms wish to unfold their wings past their home hubs on the West Coast, partially as a result of it opens them as much as a wider hiring pool — in any case, not everybody desires to maneuver to California or Seattle.
“New York Metropolis continues to be an important supply of various, world-class expertise — that’s what introduced Google to town in 2000, and that’s what retains us right here,” mentioned Ruth Porat, SVP and CFO of Google and Alphabet, in a weblog put up.
Porat added that the corporate is now rising quicker exterior the Bay Space than it’s inside it.
Google mentioned its new 1.7 million-square-foot campus ought to open in 2020, kicking off with the 2 Hudson Road addresses, adopted by Washington Road two years later.


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DALLAS--In a move to strengthen its position in audio applications, Texas Instruments Inc. today announced the acquisition of Toccata Technology ApS in Copenhagen, a three-year-old developer of digital-audio amplifier solutions. Terms of the acquisition were not released.
TI said the acquisition will allow it to combine its digital signal processors (DSPs) and other components with Toccata's technology to support development of high-end audio systems and speakers for a range of products, including PCs, home entertainment, car stereo, and audio/video receivers.
The announcement comes just one day after Intel Corp. said it had agreed to acquire another Copenhagen company, GIGA A/S, for $1.25 billion to gain an entry into optical networking chips (see March 15 story). The moves are not directly related except for the fact that U.S. chip companies are increasing their efforts to tap European engineering talent in fast-growing applications for communications, consumer electronics, and other market systems outside of PC motherboards.
Toccata has 15 employees, and it will now become part of TI's Digital Speakers Business Unit. The operation will continue to be based in Denmark, said TI.
"This is a powerful combination," said Keh-Shew Lu, senior vice president for mixed-signal products at TI. "Toccata has developed a high-quality, high-efficiency digital audio amplifier solution. When combined with TI's programmable DSPs and other digital speaker components, customers will have an all-digital audio solution with performance that is unmatched by today's audio systems."
Lu said Toccata's amplifier is called as "equibit," and it uses "only digital technology, eliminating analog feedback and the need for analog signal processing or amplification at any stage." He added that this technology "leverages the power of digital signal processing. It delivers clearer, crisper sound while allowing easy to use plug-and- play connections."
TI hopes to enable digital speaker technology to bridge the gap between high-end and low-end audio systems, he said. The Dallas chip company believes speaker systems represent a huge opportunity for its chip business because audio is pervasive. In PCs and consumer electronics, more than 88 million digital audio units are expected to be shipped in 2001, according to TI.
Toccata was founded in 1997 by Lars Risbo, the company's chief technical officer, with the goal of delivering pure digital audio amplification, said Niels Anderskouv, the CEO of the privately held Danish company. "By joining forces with TI, the world leader in DSP and analog, we now have the manufacturing prowess and marketing reach to achieve our goals," he said.


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Captain Minnie stands aboard Disney’s newest cruise ship, The Wish.
It’s been a decade since then Disney It expanded its cruise fleet. Its latest addition, due to launch in two weeks, is a 1,119-foot floating amusement park.
Disney Wish is one of more than 30 ships from a variety of cruise leaders expected to debut before the end of 2022, and dozens are set to join the seas through 2027.
The fifth addition to the company’s fleet of cruise ships, The Wish is scheduled to make its maiden voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, on July 14.
The Wish navigates a time of transition and recovery for the cruise industry, which has been hit by the pandemic and health restrictions. In addition to headwinds from guests, who have been slow to return for vacation at sea, the industry is now facing economic pressures from rising fuel costs And the inflation.
Disney is betting that franchises like Marvel and “Frozen,” as well as innovative courses on classic cruise experiences, will lure travelers back to the high seas.
In addition to the typical Disney bonanza on donuts and sweet apples, Wish’s Star Wars-inspired Hyperspace Lounge boasts a $5,000 Kaiburr Crystal brew served in a camtono, a container often used by bounty hunters in the space opera franchise. It’s unclear what’s in the drink, but it became one of Wish’s most talked about aspects after members of the media got a test ride of the vessel this week.
Other less expensive experiences include a “Frozen” musical dinner and a Marvel dining experience. The ship also has Disney’s first attraction on board, the AquaMouse.
While overall passenger numbers are set to surpass pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023, the cruise industry has never had the same pricing power as other travel and hospitality sectors, leading some analysts to raise concerns about the potential for business recovery in the short term. . . In particular, as rival brands like Carnival are saddled with three times the debt they had before the pandemic.
Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure is Disney’s first “Frozen” themed theatrical dining experience, bringing the Kingdom of Arendelle to life with immersive live entertainment – featuring favorite characters like Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf – and world-class cuisine Infused with Nordic effects.
Disney | Matt Strochan
“Going back to this financial situation where you can play offense instead and play defense or be in survival mode, it’s just a longer climb,” said David Katz, an analyst at Jefferies.
Royal Caribbean stock is down about 61% compared to the same period last year and Carnival stock is down about 68%.
Disney has more wiggle room because its business is generally more diverse. The company operates a media empire as well as hotels, theme parks and cruises.
Disney does not separate its cruise business when reporting earnings. Instead, it is encapsulated in the Gardens, Experiences and Products segment, Revenue more than doubled to $6.7 billion in the second fiscal quartercompared to the previous year period. For comparison, this segment generated $6.2 billion during the same quarter of 2019.
Disney shares are down about 66% compared to the same period last year.
Katz, who only covers carnival, said cruise companies are running against the hotel business. Meaning cruises will discount tickets the closer they get to the ship’s launch in order to reach capacity. For hotels, prices usually rise as the booking date approaches.
“This recovery was not like any other recovery anyone else has seen,” he said. He added that the price does not usually drive the desire of travelers to go on cruises, so the discount may not increase the number of customers.
However, people are cutting back on the number of days they spend on a cruise due to the higher costs.
Disney’s Wish has three-night cruises starting at $1,750 for two guests and four-night cruises starting at $2,250. These prices increase if travelers choose cruises linked to Halloween or Christmas. Disney is a bit more expensive than Carnival and Royal Caribbean for base prices, but if guests choose to upgrade to larger cabins or add dining or experiences packages to their itineraries, the prices are quite similar.
About 80% of travelers who have cruised before say they will cruise again, the same percentage as before the pandemic, according to data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), a global trade group for the cruise industry.
CLIA expects 2022 to be a transitional year for the cruise industry and 2023 to be when full recovery occurs. It also expects passenger volumes to recover more than 12% above 2019 levels by the end of 2026.
For Josh D’Amaro, president of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, there’s no reason to worry that the cruise industry will make a comeback.
“Could the road be a little bumpy in the short term? Yes,” he said. “But, do I know where the destination is? Sure. I’m very confident about that.”
The decision to add more ships to Disney’s fleet came five years ago, before Damaro took over as department head. The expansion includes The Wish and two other ships that have yet to be named, but are scheduled to premiere in 2024 and 2025.
While the average production cost of a cruise ship is about $617 million, according to CLIA, the cost of large ships like Disney’s Wish is estimated at nearly $1 billion. Disney declined to say how much it has invested in its new fleet additions.
“I think Desire will be another one of those beacons that call out to the world and remind them that sailing is a special thing to do with your family,” said Damaro. “We are very optimistic about that.”
Despite the traditional onboard Wish amenities that are a staple of cruise lines — upscale restaurants, pools, spas and playrooms for kids — Disney has incorporated storytelling into these services to elevate the company to its “magic” “.
The Wish, led by Minnie Mouse, offers an array of theatrical dining experiences, Broadway-style theatrical productions and Disney’s first-ever attraction at sea.
“With Wish we had the opportunity to think, ‘What are the things we can do that could be new and different and a priority? “And there is a long list,” said Damaru.
The 144,000-ton ship has more than 1,500 crew members on board, 75% of whom served on a former cruise ship, and has a capacity of 4,000 passengers.
“The ship is fantastic. But it’s our crew that will bring the ship to life,” said Sharon Cesky, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Cruise Line.
Marvel, Star Wars, and “Frozen” are ports of call aboard Wish, serving as dining destinations and themed play areas for children and adults alike.
While the cruise industry’s recovery has been slower than other leisure industries, Siskie said the offerings onboard Wish “will help remind people that sailing is a great experience.”
Like Disney’s newest immersive hotel, the Galactic Starcruiser in Florida, Disney Wish Interactive and immersive storytelling in many of its restaurants.
The dining experience based on “Frozen” is essentially a theater on tour, with tables rather than stadium seating. The dinner is a celebration of Anna and Kristoff’s engagement and features singing and dancing from the duo along with Elsa, Olaf and Okin. The menu is inspired by Scandinavian cuisine.
Worlds of Marvel is Marvel’s first cinematic dining adventure, where guests interactively role-play the action-packed Avengers mission that unfolds around them, with a global menu inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Disney | Amy Smith
The cinematic dining adventure in Worlds of Marvel brings guests to the Avengers mission centered on Ant-Man and the Wasp, who introduces diners to the latest Pym technology. Quantum Core has allowed things to shrink and grow, but the show doesn’t go according to plan and an unexpected villain arrives to steal the technology.
Ant-Man and The Wasp team up with other Avengers like Captain American and Captain Marvel to stop them.
For Star Wars fans of legal age, Disney’s Wish has the Hyperspace Lounge, an upscale bar designed to replicate Dryden Vos’ luxury yacht-class spaceship in “Solo.”
For the first time aboard a Disney ship, guests take a space-hopping tour of the Star Wars galaxy at Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge, an upscale bar modeled on a luxury yacht-class spaceship on board Disney Wish.
Disney | Amy Smith
Here, guests are served signature drinks inspired by destinations in the Star Wars universe, including the jungle planet Patu, the desert planet Tatooine, and the lava planet Mostafar – also known as the home of Darth Vader. As they sip cocktails and sample the tasting menu, the ships outside the viewing port can be seen jumping to the speed of light.
There are two funnels on Disney Wish, one that works and one that is “aesthetically interesting,” Siskie said.
On that second path is the Wish Tower Suite, the first suite located in a cruise ship funnel path. The two-story penthouse measures approximately 2,000 square feet and seats eight guests and is Moana-inspired.
The Wish Tower Suite is the first accommodation of its kind located elevated in the ship’s forward funnel course. This 1966-square-foot penthouse in the sky sleeps eight guests and features an elegant design inspired by Disney Animation’s movie “Moana,” unparalleled ocean views and excellent Disney service.
“The Wish Tower Suite really provides a great example of what makes Disney different in this space,” Siskie said.
Another first for Disney is the AquaMouse, which at first glance appears to be just another waterslide, but is actually a full water attraction.
The 760-foot ride features lighting, sound, and water effects, including video screens showing off new Mickey Mouse shorts, before transforming into a traditional waterslide. Gravity wraps around the upper deck and takes about two minutes to travel.
In addition to the AquaMouse, there are six swimming pools nested among the many terraced floors.
“We know we have something very powerful here,” D’Amaro said.
Guests immerse themselves in animated “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse” shorts aboard Disney’s first at sea attraction, AquaMouse. Complete with show scenes, lighting, special effects, and great surprises, this wild water ride is sure to delight everyone in the family as it meanders, zigzags, and winds through 760 feet of zigzag tubes suspended high above the upper floors.
“Travel junkie. Coffee lover. Incurable social media evangelist. Zombie maven.”


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CONCORD – Krispy Kreme is closing a donut factory in Concord and cutting 102 jobs, the company says.
The job cuts were disclosed in a layoff notice filed with the state of North Carolina.
Layoffs will take effect May 11 and will be permanent, the company says.
“All employees who work at this facility will be separated,” the company said in a notice. “This action is expected to be permanent.”
The factory is located in Concord.
However, employees are not required to work through the May 11 date, Krispy Kreme said. “[A]ll employees will continue to receive their regular pay and benefits” through May 11 unless they resigned or lose their jobs for reasons other than layoff,” the company added.


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Blog: Warrnambool urges investors to hold fire on "opportunistic" Bega offer
Dean Best | 18 September 2013
Bega claims combined business would benefit from "globally relevant" scale
Australian dairy processor Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory has told investors to "take no action" on the A$319m takeover bid from local peer - and shareholder - Bega Cheese, while it reviews what it has already labelled an "opportunistic" offer.
Bega, which first invested in WCB in 2010 when it bought a 15% stake in the business, last week made a cash-and-share bid it claimed would benefit both companies' shareholders.
WCB chairman Terry Richardson has written to the company's investors to say its board is looking at the offer and to urge them not to act until its directors have made their recommendation.
Richardson also made the point of highlighting WCB's recent moves, which he said "provide a positive outlook" for the company's growth and profitability.
The initiatives, he said, "are contributing to an improving product mix, higher margins and earnings diversification" and "will create significant value for shareholders". In the last year, for example, WCB has signed deals to produce cheese products for Kraft Foods and supply milk powder to Japan's Mitsubishi Corp.
However, in the letter, Richardson also indicated WCB had an early view of at least the timing of Bega's offer.
"WCB directors will assess these factors as we consider whether Bega's offer adequately reflects the value of the WCB business today, the expected future earnings uplift from the initiatives currently underway and the improving market conditions. Given the highly favourable outlook for WCB, we consider the timing of the offer to be highly opportunistic," Richardson wrote.
The offer must remain open for at least a month from when it opens, which, WCB said, can be no earlier than next Thursday (26 September).
The presence of a second major local dairy co-op, Murray Goulburn, could muddy the waters. Murray Goulburn owns a 17% stake in WCB. What are its intentions? It tried to buy WCB in 2010 but withdrew its bid after rebuttals from the WCB board and indications Australia's competition watchdog thought a deal could hinder competition in parts of the milk market.
As an unlisted co-op, Murray Goulburn has no shares to offer in any counter offer. Any bid for Murray Goulburn would still likely interest anti-trust officials in Australia. But could it make a Bega takeover more difficult?
Singapore-based agribusiness group Olam International is to become a major international cocoa supplier after announcing a US$1.3bn deal for Archer Daniel Midlands' cocoa business....
Germany's competition watchdog has issued an interim injunction against retailers Edeka and Tengelmann over their planned deal over the Kaiser's supermarket chain....
The Aldersgate Group - an alliance of big business, NGOs and civil society pushing for a "sustainable economy" - has set out a new campaign calling for the introduction of a fiscal policy that tackles...
- Focus: Danone CEO Faber puts stamp on business
- Cleaning up Tesco will have mixed supplier impact
- The just-food interview: Doux CEO Arnaud Marion
- Interview part 2: BRF CFO Augusto Ribeiro
- General Mills US "priority" categories gain share
- General Mills outlines "aggressive" NPD drive
- Coles supplier payments broke competition law
- Lay's heads "billionaire food brands" list
- PepsiCo opens snacks plant in Saudi Arabia
- General Mills earnings drop one-third


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Customer appreciation week at Home Town Tire and Auto in Ruidoso
Home Town Tire and Auto will host a customer appreciation day and sale Oct. 8 through 10. This is the second such event by owners J.R. Montoya, Mark and Sara Storms. This year, however, they have decided to donate the proceeds to the Ruidoso Middle School elective programs.
“I have three kids in school so I keep up with what is going on in the schools,” Montoya said. “The middle school and its culinary and shop classes especially seem to be hurting.”
Montoya has donated tools to the school and knows of teachers spending their own money and residents who also give to help out.
“I wanted to do more,” Montoya said. “These classes prepare a lot of kids who don’t go onto college. I just don’t want to see these programs gone.”
The event coincides with companies who are running specials and offering rebates.
“We want to give our customers the best deal,” Montoya said.
Cooper Tires is donating a set of tires. Rough Country® is giving a winch and LED lighting and leveling kits will be available for a raffle. Tickets will be sold throughout the event.
“Whatever we make, we’ll put some more in and I’ve been talking to other businesses,” Montoya said. “We’d like to work with a shopping list so that we can go to the local hardware stores and purchase what is needed. As far as culinary, we may just donate the proceeds directly for groceries.”
On Friday and Saturday, free hot dogs and hamburgers will be available, and door prizes will also be given away.
For more information, call Home Town Tire and Auto at 258-2100.


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As many as 26 new bills, including one on cryptocurrencies, have been listed for introduction in the Winter Session of the Parliament, slated to begin from November 29 and conclude on December 23.
The Winter Session will consider cryptocurrency and regulation of digital currency bill, banking amendment bill, repeal of farm laws, IBC amendment bill, stated the legislative agenda for the upcoming session released on Tuesday.
The cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021 to be tabled in Parliament during the Winter Session seeks "to create a facilitative framework for creation of the official digital currency to be issued by the Reserve Bank of India. The Bill also seeks to prohibit all private cryptocurrencies in India, however, it allows for certain exceptions to promote the underlying technology of cryptocurrency and its uses." The cryptocurrency Bill comes amid concerns over such currencies being allegedly used for luring investors with misleading claims.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting on cryptocurrencies, and noted that attempts were being made to mislead youth by over-promising and non-transparent advertising, and should be stopped.
The Bill also aims to "create a facilitative framework for creation of the official digital currency to be issued by the RBI".
The government is considering changes in the Income Tax Act to bring gains made from transactions in cryptocurrencies under the tax net in the Budget next year. It is also looking at imposing goods and services tax (GST) on the trade in virtual currencies, a FinMin official said last week.
People are already paying capital gains on income from cryptocurrencies, and the GST law provides for taxing such transactions as ‘services’, Revenue Secretary Tarun Bajaj told PTI.
Asked whether people involved in cryptocurrency trading would be categorised as facilitator, brokerage and trading platform and how the taxation would be done under GST, Bajaj told PTI that “there would already be such things available in other services also. So whatever GST rate they are taxed at, that will be applicable to them. They have to get themselves registered. The GST law is very clear. If there is an activity, if there is a broker who is helping people and charging brokerage fee, GST would get charged."
The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 will also be tabled "regarding privatisation of two Public Sector Banks".
The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 will also be tabled to repeal the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance, Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. This comes in the backdrop of PM Modi announcing withdrawal of the contentious laws on Friday.


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SPA launches industry survey to track trends and the health of screen production in Australia
Screen Producers Australia (SPA) has launched an annual industry survey of production companies designed to deliver an insight into the health of the screen production sector and track trends with regards to employment, trade and investment.
The survey, titled Screen Production in Australia, will be conducted by Deloitte Access Economics, and is open to all production companies – not just SPA members.
The data collected will inform an annual report, which SPA hopes will become a key document for evidence-based decision-making related to the sector, and provide a picture of the size and scale of the industry.
“The engine room of our industry is the small businesses that tell and sell great Australian content domestically and internationally. Screen Production in Australia will give us the tools to tell and sell this trade story better to governments, industry and Australian audiences. I strongly encourage all Australian producers to complete the survey,” said SPA CEO Matthew Deaner.
SPA has partnered with several organisations to deliver the report, including Media Super, Film Victoria, Screen Queensland and AFTRS.
Media Super CEO Graeme Russell said that there has been an historical tendency to significantly underestimate the value of Australian screen production to our economy, including export income.
“Consequently, the sector often doesn’t get the government attention and public policy support that, on the reality of the numbers, it deserves. This report should help change that,” Russell said.
Complete the survey here.


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As YouTube faces like Justine Ezarik, also known as iJustine, become superstars among millennials, studios such as Lionsgate are courting Internet tastemakers in increasingly sophisticated online marketing campaigns on films — like this weekend’s “The Hunger Games Mockingjay – Part 1.”
While studios have traditionally sought social-media relevance with official trailers and short film features, now they are hiring YouTube influencers to help create fan-films of their films, tapping into young followers more familiar with YouTube faces than upcoming Hollywood titles, far less expensive than exorbitant promotional material.
Justine Ezarik, a creator at StyleHaul Network, a site dedicated to fashion, beauty and lifestyle content with a community of more than 3,500 original creators on YouTube, was one of five YouTubers selected to participate in “District Voices,” a video campaign for “Mockingjay.” Ezarik’s lifestyle channel iJustine has over 2 million followers who are avid fans of the franchise.
“Essentially people thought we were in the movie because the videos they shot looked so good,” Ezarik told TheWrap. “This wasn’t a commercial, this was an awesome piece of content that I was able to create and share with my audience.”
“District Voices” is a five-episode series that gave life to Panem, the fictional world of “The Hunger Games.” Each episode featured a different YouTube personality whose channel content aligned with a specific industry from Panem. The series was presented as programming from Capitol TV, the government-sanctioned television network seen in the film. The creators who participated in “District Voices” had a combined base of over 4.9 million subscribers and more than 550 million video views.
“It’s interesting to see people realizing how amazing these audiences are and how you can capture their attention and speak to them so much differently than a normal commercial,” Ezarik said.
Ezarik’s video was shot in the desert about an hour outside of Los Angeles to recreate Panem’s transportation district. The shoot was much bigger than Ezarik’s typical production, requiring a sizable crew that included stunt drivers and armored vehicles.
Ezarik was even invited to the Los Angeles film premiere, although she wasn’t allowed to film the festivities for iJustine.
“They wouldn’t let us take our phones in,” she said.
“It’s such a big movie and that they recognize the importance of the influencers, what they can bring and how they can actually put butts in seats,” Vanessa Del Muro, head of global talent at StyleHaul, told TheWrap. StyleHaul, which is the largest original video content network on YouTube for fashion and beauty, has seen an uptick in the number of studios looking to use their talent to promote projects.
“It’s a stark difference between what we saw during the last [“Hunger Games”] movie when they weren’t necessarily letting many of the influencers even cover the project on YouTube,” Del Muro said. “Now that they recognize the power and they’re hiring them to promote the film, it really speaks volumes to how far YouTube has come.”
In addition to “Hunger Games,” talent on StyleHaul was used in campaigns for Universal’s “The Purge,” Lifetime’s “Project Runway” and CW’s “Jane the Virgin.”
“We’re now a part of the process,” Del Muro said. “We’re a resource to promote a film or TV show property.”
Estimates have YouTube stars getting paid in the thousands to tens of thousands for this kind of advertising. The number can go into the hundreds of thousands for a recognizable celebrity, but those deals are rare.
“What’s exciting about these new platforms is that they’re not necessarily household names among somebody who is [age] 45 to 60,” said Rich Raddon, co-founder and CEO at ZEFR, a tech company that helps brands discover and target important influencers. “Because of that, it opens up opportunities for brands to be associated with content creators who have a tremendous amount of influence that aren’t also fielding multi-million dollar requests from broadcast or traditional media outlets.
“What’s fantastic about these creators is that they can upload a video, include the brand’s messaging within that video and that revenue gets paid directly to the content creator,” Raddon said. “The creator doesn’t have to split that revenue with anybody else.”


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We're Running at Full Steam20 Jun, 2007 By: Thomas K. Arnold
These are busy times for us here at Home Media Magazine. We have three big projects we're working on at the same time as our weekly magazine. And each is a key component in our grand plan to serve the home entertainment industry and its players to the best of our ability, even if it means venturing out of the proverbial box.
First up is the Sixth Annual Home Entertainment Summit: DVD & Beyond, an annual conference for industry executives that will be held this week in Century City, Calif. We've been producing conferences since 2002 — in partnership with DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group and The Hollywood Reporter — as a way to get our industry leaders to address hard-hitting issues and topics on a stage before other industry executives. We've got panels on next-generation discs and digital downloading, catalog DVD sales and the TV DVD business, the direct-to-video phenomenon and Internet-based marketing. Throw in some exclusive market research from such respected organizations as Screen Digest and Understanding & Solutions, as well as compelling keynoters such as Jack Kyser, the chief economist for Los Angeles, and you've got an event that's become a “must go.”
At the same time, we are working on two publications, Hollywood Goes High-Def and Agent DVD. The former is a quarterly publication we launched in January at the Consumer Electronics Show that gets inserted into Home Media Magazine as well as two hardware books, Dealerscope and CustomRetailer The goal is to show the hardware community that our industry is committed to next-generation software, crucial to growing the two high-definition disc formats.
The other is Agent DVD, a consumer magazine for San Diego Comic-Con International, an annual event that's increasingly important to the studios. To studio executives who tell us, “Help us reach the consumer,” this is our answer: a slick, glossy magazine about DVDs aimed at the comic book, sci-fi, fantasy and horror fan.
I could envision both growing beyond their current states: Hollywood Goes High-Def could be a standalone trade magazine for the entire high-definition industry, while Agent DVD could be a monthly on newsstands — or video stores — everywhere.
But first, let me get through this week's conference …


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PBoC-Backed Blockchain trade platform, which is aiming to increase the efficiency of interbank transactions, has reportedly entered the final testing phase. The project also plans to aid small and medium-sized businesses to be able to have an access to a wider range of financial tools.
5 September, AtoZ Markets – A Blockchain trade finance platform organized by the central bank of China, the People’s Bank of China, has reportedly made its way to the testing phase. The official launch is expected in the near future, as well.
PBoC-Backed Blockchain Trade Platform Enters Final Trial
As per the report from one of the local news outlets, the first phase of the so-called Bay Area Trade Finance Blockchain Platform has been already deployed across financial institutions in the southern city of Shenzhen. It is now carrying out the final trials.
The Bay Area in Southern China is a special economic development zone that comprises major cities along the Pearl River. It also includes some specific administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau. The trade finance project has been jointly formed and managed by the Digital Currency Research Lab of the People’s Bank of China and the central bank’s Shenzhen branch.
The project also saw participation from some other major commercial Chinese banks, such as the Bank of China, the Bank of Communications, China Merchants Bank, Ping’An Bank, and Standard Chartered.
The trade finance platform is aiming to increase the efficiency of interbank transactions. It also plans to aid small and medium-sized businesses to be able to have an access to a wider range of financial tools. These might include some asset-backed securities since the data can be easily shared among the participants through a distributed ledger network.
Hong Kong Central Bank Blockchain platform
In addition, greater transparency of transactions and information shared on the Blockchain is anticipated to provide local regulatory bodies with clearer oversight for advanced risk control and fraud prevention.
The PBoC-backed trade financial effort emerges as Hong Kong’s central bank is also rolling out a Blockchain trade finance platform. A number of financial institutions from the Chinese special administrative area are also taking part in this initiative.
The joint venture between the Chinese company Ping An Group’s fintech subsidiary OneConnect and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority is aimed to cut down the paperwork. It also plans to reduce the costs of security risks for participants.
The primary goal of the scheme is to reduce the amount of time and bureaucracy that is existent in the process of signing up new inexperienced firms to banking services. The scheme plans to do so by organizing the transaction process.
According to some of the online reports, “some” transactions will be able to be processed in just one day using Blockchain. This is in comparison to fourteen days through current methods.
Think we missed something? Let us know in the comments section below.


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Tesla Dominates Fastest-Selling Used Car List
A new study out this month that tracks how quickly used cars are sold shows that Tesla has the number one vehicle on the list. Furthermore, every Tesla for which used vehicle inventory exists is also among the top-10-fastest-selling vehicles.
Related Story: Tesla's Model Y Is Now Outselling Every Crossover Model At These Major Brands
iSeeCars analyzed nearly one million new and used cars sold in August 2021. iSeeCars.com found that the average new car takes 26 days to sell, and the average used car takes 34.6 days to sell. Both new and used cars are selling faster now than one month ago.
“The microchip shortage is showing no signs of slowing down as major automakers continue to halt production, leading to lower and sometimes scarce inventory levels, especially for the most in-demand vehicles,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “It looks like car buyers who were initially waiting for prices to drop have embraced the reality that inventory shortages are here to stay, at least for the next several months.”
iSeeCars found that the fastest-selling used car is the midsize Tesla Model 3 sedan for the third consecutive month. Tesla’s Model S super-sedan and the Model X minivan also made the top-10 list, which is evenly split between alternative-fuel and conventional vehicles.
“The Tesla Model 3 has remained popular since its highly anticipated debut, thanks to its impressive technology and performance at a relatively affordable price compared to Tesla’s earlier vehicles,” said Brauer. “A new version of the Model 3’s Standard Range Plus variant is sold out for the remainder of 2021 to further add to the already-high demand for used versions, some of which are being sold at higher prices than new versions .” Two additional Teslas make the list, the Model S and the Model X. “Tesla continues to see record sales growth for its new vehicles, and demand for used Tesla models is on the rise as well.”
The Tesla Model Y midsize crossover is not on this list simply because the vehicle is too new. There has not been ample time for the vehicle to enter the used vehicle market yet.
Seven hybrid vehicles make the list of the top-20 fastest-selling used vehicles. These include the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the Lexus RX 450h, the Toyota Prius Prime, and the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid. “Just like in the new car marketplace, Toyota hybrid vehicles are hot sellers due to their reliability and advanced technology,” said Brauer. “The Honda Clarity debuted in 2018, while the Honda Insight debuted in 2019, so used versions are just now becoming available and are in high-demand.”
To see the full study report please check out the iSeeCars website. Clearly, electrified vehicles of all types are among the most desired by American used vehicle shoppers.
John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin


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HUL’s June quarter net profit up 19% on higher volumes
Earnings for the first quarter of FY19 reported by India’s largest listed consumer packaged goods firm met Street estimates, signalling continued consumption growth in the economy.
Building a future-ready workforce
While many organisations have all the ingredients to grow smartly in the digital era, are they doing enough to nurture their biggest asset—their people?
Wilful defaults: the financial underbelly of the banking system
Only four economies globally have higher NPAs than India. These are Portugal, Italy, Ireland, and Greece.
Reliance Foundation’s yet-to-be established higher education institute is part of five other colleges that have been selected to be Institutions of Eminence by the HRD ministry.
Telengana was a close second followed by Haryana, Jharkhand, and Gujarat in the annual rankings by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) and the World Bank.
Private equity deals value falls by 39%
The deal volume, however, rose 22% to 165 transactions during the period due to increased deal activity on the Internet and computer software segments.
‘India has a lot to teach America in healthcare’
Vijay Govindarajan says that while the Indian healthcare system has a severe shortage of doctors and facilities, the U.S. has plenty of medical resources.
Liberty House : A passage to India
After a global acquisition spree, British industrialist Sanjeev Gupta is looking to buy at least four distressed Indian companies.
Salesforce: Transforming India, digitally
U.S.-based software firm Salesforce’s Sunil Jose says the company is preparing organisations in India for the “fourth industrial revolution”.
Havells: The big switch
Havells chairman Anil Rai Gupta is following in his father’s footsteps, but is also making some footprints of his own.
Emami: Sprucing up its act
With competition nipping at its heels, Emami is entering new segments and pumping up its e-commerce business.


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donderdag 23 oktober 2003
Amazon moves to front line of shaping 'Web services'
"What Amazon is doing could redirect how Web services moves into the mainstream and reorder which tech companies get rich in the process, analysts say. Suddenly, Amazon has emerged as 'a model for leveraging the benefits that Web services promise,' says Yankee Group analyst Paul Ritter. Over the past 16 months, Amazon has inspired about 30,000 developers to invent myriad ways to extend Amazon's visibility on the Web. 'Amazon basically hired the entire world to create Web services for them,' says Calin Uioreanu, a Romanian tech engineer who in his spare time runs several online stores he created to funnel sales to Amazon."


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A CLUB’S new ‘bring your own booze’ policy could become a weekly event, according to the venue’s manager.
Durham Live’s boss Bob Senior said people could take their own alcohol to his club - a move designed to counter cheap supermarket alcohol pricing and disorder at night as it encourages revellers not to ‘preload’ by drinking heavily before heading out.
And after the successful run of the event on Monday, Bob has said he hopes to make it a weekly event.
Last week revellers paid £5 entry fee into the club, on North Road, and took their own drinks, while the bars were still open.
He said: “Around 100 people showed up. It went reasonably well and there was a lot of interest in it for this week - and it is definitely worth doing it again in the future.
“A lot of students turned up and it was interesting to see people getting their drinks out.
“If that works then great, and we might look to it becoming a regular thing. I think its probably an event that works better during the week rather than on a weekend.”
Alcohol charities slated the new policy but Bob said he was just trying to compete with the low supermarket prices.
He said: “There was a lot of hullabaloo but nobody gave it a chance. There was no trouble.
“It’s not something I would like to do but the reality is that I have to do it. I would rather be charging full price for drinks, but supermarkets are selling drinks for cheaper than I can buy them.
“Clubs are competing with the fact that people have got used to cheap drinks.”
The new idea proved a hit with revellers last week.
Hanna Morris, an 18-year-old hairdressing student from Durham, said: “I think it’s a good idea.
“You can understand why the club has done this. It’s annoying when you go out and pay £3 for one vodka when you can buy a bottle from the supermarket for less than £10.”
Ally Owens, 23, an IT worker from Consett, County Durham, added: “Some restaurants let you take your own booze so why not clubs? It’s a good idea, something different.”
The club will still sell alcohol, but Mr Senior said supermarkets can sell beer 25p cheaper per pint than he can even get it for his club.
Claire Sullivan, of Safe Durham’s Alcohol Harm Reduction Group, warned the policy would have a detrimental impact on health, increase disorder, and domestic and sexual violence.
But Mr Senior hit back, saying: “It worries me that people in charge of alcohol awareness would put out a comment that’s so out of touch. I’m not saying come and have free drinks.”


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Microsoft has released security updates that are impacting some security AV vendors, causing some of their customers using Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 2008 R2, and Windows 2012 to occasionally experience system fails or hangs during boot up after application of the update.
A small number of customers have reported experiencing this issue. is working very closely with Microsoft to resolve the issue. Microsoft has introduced a temporary block to stop computers not already affected from applying the latest Windows security update. Additionally, we have a work around for those impacted customers.
How do I know if my customer is impacted?
To be impacted, customers must meet all the criteria below. If they do not meet all the criteria, then they are not impacted.
1. Running Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 2008 R2, or Windows 2012
2. Running any Security Windows endpoint or server product except Sophos Central Intercept X. (Note: this does impact Intercept X Advanced and Intercept X Advanced with EDR.)
3. Have applied the latest Windows security update and have rebooted after the update is complete
Important note: If customers have not yet rebooted, they should uninstall the latest Microsoft security update before rebooting
As the majority of customers do not seem to be affected, it is possible that during the ongoing investigation additional criteria will be added to further limit the scope of impacted customers. KBA 133945 will continue to be updated with the latest information.
How do I help an impacted customer?
The latest information about this issue and remediation steps are documented in KBA 133945:


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A potential rebound for defeated Tesla Inc. stock might be good for short-term traders, but it probably doesn’t bode well for a long-term investment, a widely followed technical analyst said in a Wednesday note.
“I have little interest in TSLA right now as an investment. It is overrated and run by a CEO who clearly has other priorities and who has effectively become public enemy number one for much of his potential customer base,” said Andrew Adams in a note for Saut Strategy, referring to Tesla TSLA,
Chief Executive Elon Musk.
“However, I don’t think there has ever been a time when sentiment on TSLA was worse and yesterday it essentially filled a gap from the end of 2020 around $136. Its 50-day moving average is up to $193, so there is room for a return to the average move even if the TSLA eventually falls more,” he wrote (see chart below).
Laws: Tesla shares close below $150 for the first time in more than two years as analysts say they can no longer ignore Elon Musk’s Twitter ‘nightmare’
Tesla shares rose 0.3% near $138 in afternoon trading, on track to snap a three-day losing streak. The company is planning another round of first-quarter layoffs and is instituting a hiring freeze, Electrek said Wednesday, citing a person with knowledge of the matter.
See: Tesla stock appears to be breaking its losing streak after reports of hiring freezes and layoff plans
The decision, the report noted, would follow broad growth for the company and a 61% decline for Tesla shares in the year to date. The stock has tumbled in recent months after Musk finally bought social media platform Twitter Inc. Controversy has followed Musk’s takeover, prompting criticism that he isn’t spending enough time looking after Tesla.
Tesla is one of the biggest year-to-date bears in the S&P 500 SPX,
which is down nearly 19% over the same stretch.
Adams said one of his best trades of 2022 “was mentioning Tesla as short in September near its reaction high,” a call that was followed by “reader after reader” asking where they should consider buying again.
“The very fact that so many wanted to buy it gave me pause, but now I covered my short and lost yesterday [my] betting on the long side for just a very small trade,” he wrote. “