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Housebuilder Persimmon is set to open another 85 sites this year to match soaring demand from new buyers, the firm said today.
Persimmon — which reported a 40% rise in pre-tax profits to £135.3 million in the six months to June thanks to higher selling prices on bigger homes and the Government’s Help to Buy initiative — already has 390 active sites and plans to make a “swift start” on new schemes.
The company opened 90 sites in the first half. Chairman Nicholas Wrigley said: “The group is working hard to increase production in response to the improved demand evident in all our regional markets, investing to support sustainable growth.” The builder anticipates a hiring spree as a result of the openings and has expanded its apprenticeship programme to take on more than 100 every year.
Sales reservations since Help to Buy was launched on April 1 are running 30% ahead of a year ago, Persimmon said. It has so far achieved over 1,700 reservations under the scheme, designed to help first-time buyers struggling for deposits.
Higher profits from sites bought more cheaply since the credit crunch also helped the firm achieve its margin target of 15-17% 18 months early. Persimmon is still spending on new land, splashing out £236 million in the first half against £142 million a year ago.
Peel Hunt analyst Clyde Lewis said: “Persimmon is a well-run housebuilder with a great track record and land bank.”Reuse content


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was yet another spectacular win for the Silver Arrows as Lewis Hamilton and his
teammate Nico Rosberg of Mercedes AMG Petronas claimed the 1st and 2nd
positions at the Bahrain Grand Prix held at the Sakhir circuit on April 6,
Perez of Force India Mercedes flew in third for the second podium finish for
this Indian team controlled by India’s liquor baron Vijay Mallya. Perez outpaced Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull
Racing Renault who came in fourth. Force India’s Nico Hulkenburg came in fifth.
For Mallya this was a dream finish as his team aims to be among the top pacers
for the 2014 season.
was followed by Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Racing Renault, Felipe Massa and Valtteri
Bottas of Williams Mercedes and Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari.
Official tyre supplier Pirelli provided their medium
as well as soft tyres for the final race. There was action plenty in the earlier laps.
the 14th lap Adrian Sutil of Sauber Ferrari pulled off the track
with a damage caused after coming clashing with Jules Bianchi of Marussia
Ferrari. The next lap saw Bianchi pitting with a puncture. Bianchi was later
given a drive through penalty for causing the collision.
21 saw Sutil retiring his car. Sauber confirmed that Sutil had to retire
because of the damange caused from the collision.
the 41st lap Esteban Gutierrez of Sauber Ferrari was hit by Pastor
Maldonado of Lotus Renault into Turn1 as the latter rejoined the track after a
stop. The Sauber car was flipped into the air ad rolled and fortunately for
Gutierrez, he emerged safe from the car.
Photo courtesy Daimler
ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt Ltd announced the launch of its next-generation passenger vehicle lubricants - ‘Mobil Super,’ in new, improved packaging with refreshed labels. The improved packaging offers ...
Michelin, the world’s leading sustainable mobility company, has become the first tyre brand in the passenger vehicle segment in India to be accredited with the newly introduced star labelling programm...
With an aim to reduce manual intervention and enhance vehicle inspections, MyRaasta, a car and bike service aggregator, has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based vehicle inspection technology ...

domain: news


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New Novation Launchpad Announced
Now you can have RGB colour pads too 01/06/15
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There's a new Novation Launchpad in town. Updating the previous launchpad and borrowing the new RGB coloured pads from the iminent Launchpad Pro, the new Launchpad is going to be in the stores around July this year.
In this video Launchpad whiz Buddy Peace is doing his thing with the new hardware.
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Company to end production of malfunctioning medical device
INDIANAPOLIS -- A subsidiary of Guidant Corp. is ending production of a medical device, days after pleading guilty to covering up problems with the product that may have led to a dozen deaths.
Endovascular Technologies Inc. pleaded guilty to 10 felonies last week involving its Ancure "stent-graft" device, including shipping misbranded products and making false statements to government regulators. It faces $92.4 million in federal penalties.
Guidant officials said Monday that Menlo Park, Calif.-based Endovascular would cease ongoing operations other than continuing to provide long-term services for patients who have received the device, an abdominal aortic graft.
The company will continue to ship the device until October.
Endovascular spokesman Stephen Tragash said the Ancure "continues to demonstrate excellent long-term clinical data and proven safety," and attributed the closing to slower-than-expected growth. The subsidiary, which has 285 employees, represented less than 2 percent of Guidant's total sales of $3.2 billion last year.
The majority of affected employees will be offered other positions within Indianapolis-based Guidant, the company said. Guidant shares closed up 40 cents to $40.35 on Monday.
The problems with the device, used during operations to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms, were resolved after the device was voluntarily recalled in March 2001 and before it was reintroduced five months later, the company said.
The device, inserted through the groin, was designed to let doctors patch the aneurysm without requiring risky surgery to open the abdomen.
The criminal complaint against Endovascular alleged the company misled federal regulators and reported only 172 malfunctions. Prosecutors said Endovascular had records of 2,628 malfunctions, including reports that the incidents may have led to 12 deaths and 57 surgeries to remove the device.
Guidant faces 14 civil lawsuits related to the device and expects more, said Ralph Hall, the company's deputy general counsel.
Fewer than 7,700 devices were implanted before March 2001, and only 5 percent suffered serious physical problems, Hall said. Those findings were consistent with the clinical trials under which the FDA approved the product for use, he said.
Guidant also faces several lawsuits seeking class-action status on behalf of patients who have received the Ancure device. The latest, filed Monday in San Jose, Calif., represents a 70-year-old widow whose husband died, allegedly as a result of complications from the Ancure device.
On the Net:


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The food processing and service industry is in the middle of a substantial shift. Restaurant technology is bringing the sector into the digital age and changing how businesses process, prepare, and serve food. As the industry grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, this technological transformation reached new heights.
Restaurants are no strangers to technology. They often embrace tools to increase efficiency, provide new experiences, and stay ahead of the competition. Amid the disruptions of the pandemic, though, these resources saw faster and more widespread adoption. Tech has moved past a competitive advantage and become a necessity.
Of course, not all tools have the same impact on the industry. Here’s a look at the emerging restaurant technologies having the most significant impact on the sector.
Automation has been on the rise for some time now. As of 2019, 22 percent of food manufacturers had implemented advanced automation systems. These technologies became all the more enticing amid a rising need for efficiency and a diminished workforce.
Robots in food processing plants sort and package food far faster than humans can. Similarly, automated vehicles can move products throughout a facility, so employees don’t have to leave their workstations. More recent advances in machine vision have even made it possible for robots to inspect product quality in detail.
While robots have been prevalent in processing plants for years, their emergence in restaurants is relatively recent. Robot waiters may not be taking orders yet, but automated cleaning systems and robotic cashiers are seeing more implementation. Unemployment concerns may keep these technologies from replacing human workers, but they’ll likely augment the workforce more in the future.
Few emerging restaurant technologies are as disruptive as mobile apps. The vast majority of consumers have smartphones and use them constantly, so restaurants would be remiss not to take advantage of them. Mobile apps provide a wealth of valuable information and services to businesses, too.
Food delivery app revenue more than doubled amid the pandemic as dining out became a less viable option. Partnering with these apps expands restaurants’ reach, making them more appealing to a broader range of consumers. Enabling in-app deliveries also helps reach customers who may be uncomfortable with talking over the phone.
Apps aren’t just changing the way people order, either. Restaurants can use dedicated mobile apps to offer exclusive promotions to draw in more customers. Some businesses have even used geofencing services to push coupons to customers near a competitor.
The Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) has thoroughly disrupted the manufacturing and logistics industries, and it can do the same for food. In the production and processing stages, these connected devices help facilities track their products. This increases supply chain visibility and helps restaurants and other food businesses anticipate deliveries and react to any disruptions before they become larger problems.
IoT sensors can also help monitor and maintain food quality in storage. For example, an atmosphere of 3-5 percent oxygen and 5-10 percent CO2 is the ideal condition for fresh fruits and vegetables. Connected climate control systems can monitor these levels and adjust automatically to maintain them, preserving the freshness of fruits and vegetables.
IoT location tracking can enable restaurants to provide customers with real-time updates about where their orders are. This information will help manage customer expectations, improve satisfaction, and increase loyalty. Before long, these benefits will drive IoT adoption in the food industry to a similar level as manufacturing and logistics.
Another disruptive restaurant technology that’s shaping the industry is self-service kiosks. These partially automated machines have seen remarkable success in grocery stores, and now they’re moving into restaurants. Implementing these kiosks can make businesses more appealing to digitally literate customers, decrease crowding, and increase revenue.
These machines are typically designed to push higher-margin items and encourage additional purchases to drive profits. A 2018 study found that average checkout totals rise by 15-30 percent after implementing self-service kiosks. Socially conscious customers may also be more comfortable with these machines, so they won’t rush their order and potentially order more.
Self-service kiosks aren’t meant to replace workers, but rather support them. In a high-volume restaurant, these machines help serve more guests at once. This efficiency improves customer satisfaction and minimizes lines that would otherwise dissuade people from entering.
New Restaurant Technology Is Reshaping the Food Industry
Technology advances exponentially these days, including innovations in the restaurant industry. As this happens, the tech that was once cutting-edge becomes standard-issue. In the end, the industry looks entirely different than it did before. This kind of transition has happened before, and it’s happening right now.
The food processing and service sector has always adapted to changing customer trends. Today, technology is driving those trends. Restaurants and food preparation facilities that don’t take advantage of these resources will quickly fall behind the competition. Those that can capitalize on them could see remarkable success in the coming years.
Emily Newton is the Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized Magazine. She has over three years experience writing for the food and beverage industry.


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Welcome to our our tech roundup this week, readers. It’s been a busy old week in Silicon Valley and beyond. The news is full of controversy courtesy of Uber and Volkswagen. Shares are up and down all over the place as Q3 results continue to trickle in. There are some big winners, and some big losers (let’s just say, you wouldn’t want to be a VW investor right now). If you haven’t had chance to keep up with all our technology news this week, don’t worry. We’ve been taking care of that for you. Here’s what you’ve missed.
Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page
Google cofounder Larry Page opens up about Alphabet
Larry Page is a notoriously secretive fellow. He’s certainly a Silicon Valley founder who likes to fly below the radar. But, this week, he sat down with Fortune editors to discuss Google’s recent restructure. It’s the first time Larry Page or co-founder Sergey Brin have openly discussed the recent brand change to ‘Alphabet’. Unfortunately, we didn’t learn too much. Only that Alphabet should not impact (or even concern) the average consumer or customer. It’s more of an investor’s restructure. Apparently it’s made the internal working much more efficient. Good news.
Uber find themselves in more controversy
Uber has never been a company to keep a low profile. It’s outspoken founder has found trouble in the past for his controversial views and statements. Uber is no stranger to lawsuits either, but there’s a new trial in the works that could do some damage. A high profile attorney, Shannon Liss-Riordan is raising the case against Uber’s classification of drivers as ‘freelancers’. If the case is won, Uber will have to classify them as ‘employees’, and grant all the perks that come with it. It could damage Uber’s bottom line.
Activision buy Candy Crush
Activision are the biggest name in gaming and gaming technology. They own and develop monster franchises like Call of Duty and Destiny. They’ve typically focused on console gaming, but this week they turned their attention to mobile apps. They acquired the devilishly addictive Candy Crush, and the company that makes it, King Entertainment. For a shade under $6 billion, Activision will gain access to some of the planet’s highest-grossing apps. Not to mention an enormous user base of customer information.
Environmental test chambers licensed to FOM technologies
Environmental test chambers are incredibly important to the research and development industry. It allows companies to test products in a range of temperatures, climates and conditions. A recent licensing deal has been struck to give FOM technologies access to the best new test chambers. FOM technologies are one of the biggest R&D companies on the planet, so this is big news in the industry.
The hot new startup: Grability
Silicon Valley is full of thriving startups, but Grability has caught our attention this week. The app seeks to bring the digital e commerce experience closer to a real-life shopping experience. They have just secured more than $1 million in seed 2 funding, and they’re building a huge presence. Keep an eye on this one.
That’s all for this week, folks! In the meantime, keep one eye on our breaking news topics.


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Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class News
Mercedes-Benz is set to reveal the Concept GLC Coupe at the 2015 Shanghai Motor Show, heavily hinting at the replacement for the current GLK and a potential BMW X4 rival from the Silver Star automaker.
Mercedes is preparing to replace its aging GLK-Class crossover with an all-new generation, and it's tipped to alter the model's nameplate to more closely align with the C-Class sedan upon which it'll be based. The move to a GLC-Class nomenclature is all wel
As development moves forward, the next-generation Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class continues to drop its camouflage. Despite seeing it testing three times now, these are the best shots yet with the least amount obfuscation to give a better idea of its front and rear styling.
The Mercedes-Benz GLK has stood out from the rest of the brand's portfolio for a less-than-flattering reason – it's been the sole vehicle to wear a silver arrow on the nose, but not wear an AMG-badge on its trunk (unless you count the coupe and convertible variants of the E-Class, which we don't).
Our spy shooters recently caught this early prototype of the next Mercedes-Benz GLK, and it appears that the boxy little crossover, well, isn't. The very familiar two-box, upright design of the current model (that we all rather like, by the way) looks to be going away in favor of something that's a bit more streamlined and fluid.
We got our first taste of the refreshed 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK lineup last summer, once again affirming our belief that it's easy to fall in love with the littlest Benz CUV. There's something sort of charming about the boxy, rugged-looking luxury crossover, and while it won't set the world on fire in terms of driver engagement, it's a solid front-runner in the segment.
It's been more than a year since we first saw the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 Bluetec unveiled at the 2012 New York Auto Show, but it looks like the compact diesel crossover is finally starting to roll into dealerships. Those wanting to buy a diesel GLK will only have to pony up an extra $1,500 over a base, gas-powered GLK350, as the GLK250's starti
If you think Mercedes-Benz will slap an AMG badge on anything with wheels, think again. Word has it the German manufacturer will not offer buyers a performance version of the GLK, with Tobias Moers, director of AMG vehicle development, saying that he doesn't see a market for the car. That's not to say the picture won't change in the
Radio chatter around the emerging small, premium crossover coupe genre has thus far been dominated by the Land Rover Evoque and the Mini Paceman. According to a report in Car, the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class (shown above) has received its invitation to the party and will spend the next three years getting ready: it's said that two-doo
Like the existing GLK but not such a fan of its incredibly boxy styling? Or like the styling just fine but just wish it had a diesel? Well we've got good news for you, friends, because Mercedes-Benz has just taken the wraps off a revised model that aims to remedy both.
When the doors open at Manhattahn's Javitz Center for the New York Auto Show in less than two weeks, Mercedes-Benz will have a refreshed version of its GLK-Class on display. But you needn't wait that long, as parent company Daimler has just released the full spectrum of
Even though spy shots signal that exterior adjustments on the next Mercedes-Benz GLK will be subtle, there's one giant adjustment coming under the hood, and it smells like oil – in a good way. Automotive News says the revamped softroader will gain a new diesel engine option. For its part, Mercedes-Benz hasn't said which of its oilburners it will offer with the GLK, but Jonathon Ramsey
The smallest member of the Mercedes-Benz utility vehicle range, the GLK-Class has only been on the market for a couple of years now. Hardly in need of an update, then, but that hasn't stopped the Silver Star automaker from working on a little refresh for the boxy little crossover.


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By Ben Levisohn
Tesla Motors (TSLA) started producing batteries at its GigaFactory yesterday, and Tesla being Tesla, made sure that Wall Street analysts were on hand to take in the scene. Oppenheimer’s Colin Rusch and team contend Tesla “bulls got much of what they wanted.” They explain:
With Tesla demonstrating that its Gigafactory is ramping and reiterating that Model 3 production would begin mid-2017, we believe bulls got much of what they wanted from the day. At the same time, the magnitude and complexity of what Tesla is trying to accomplish over the next two years along with the potential bottlenecks remains sizeable. Management focused on Tesla improving manufacturing density and velocity as key to the company’s success over the long term. We would agree with management and believe gross margin over the coming quarters will be an early indicator of how the company is doing on that front. We continue to see significant manufacturing and financing risk, but note as the company eliminates those risks, shares are likely to move higher.
Shares of Tesla Motors have dropped 1.7% to $223.24 at 10:13 a.m. today.


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Grabber Construction Products is pleased to announce Darren Jones is replacing Bevan Wulfenstein as Director of Marketing who is retiring October 2nd after a successful 17 year career of leading Grabber’s multi-faceted marketing efforts.
Grabber fasteners have been making professionals more productive and profitable for over 50 years. Investing in Grabber products means you can expect less material waste, greater worker productivity, and fewer tasks that run up labor costs.
Every new day is fluid due to COVID-19. Are your materials arriving to job sites? How are ordering and expediting critical materials changing to accommodate the current situation? Our panel of AWCI member suppliers/distributors will discuss important steps companies are taking to adjust their service platforms to contractors.


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Fueled by a blitz of "low-interest, no-interest" promos, the nation's auto industry drove U.S. retail sales higher in July, although many other retailers languished, according to government figures released Tuesday.
Auto sales surged 4.2 percent as bargain-hunting customers continued to respond to dealers' financing deals, the latest Commerce Department figures showed.
Other retail areas, however, did not do as well.
Furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances and building materials were among the categories that decreased more than 1 percent in July.
And department store sales edged up a meager 0.30 percent.
Sales at chain stores also fell, according to the most recent figures.
Sales for the week ending Aug. 10 decreased 0.5 percent from the prior week, according to a survey by the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Ltd. and UBS Warburg. The Redbook Average, a survey by Instinet Research, showed chain-store sales down 0.8 percent for the same period.
The figures indicate that so far there has been more fizzle than sizzle to this year's back-to-school retail season, researchers said.
"These sales can still pick up as the summer vacation time shortens before the beginning of the new school year and with the arrival of cooler September weather," said Bank of Tokyo economist Michael Niemira in the survey report. "But for now, the trend is soft for back-to-school and overall sales."
For some industry experts, the latest figures raise serious concerns about consumer spending for the rest of 2002.
"It appears that the rough economy has absolutely hit home with retailers," said Cynthia Cohen, president of Strategic Mindshare, a Miami-based retail consulting firm.
"I think many consumers have already cut back spending and plan to cut more in the months ahead. The stock market is a big issue, and few people haven't been affected. And the back-to-school year is going to be tough, reflecting concerns about the economy. Basically, retailers are trying to pull every rabbit out of the hat that they can," she said.
But retail trade executives said such concerns are overstated. Despite the recent sales trends, many retail areas are showing year-over-year growth, they said.
Sales are up 5.6 percent in areas such as general merchandise, apparel, furniture, home furnishings, electronics, appliances and sporting goods, according to the National Retail Federation, a trade group based in Washington.
The figures are not adjusted for inflation.
"July is traditionally a slower month for retail, with lots of clearance sales on summer items as stores transition over to their fall inventory," said Rosalind Wells, the group's chief economist.
Discount and value-price stores remain the retail backbone, as many department stores and specialty chains struggle. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., for example, released its latest financial report Tuesday, showing a profit of $2.04 billion, or 46 cents a share, up 26 percent from $1.62 billion, or 36 cents a share, in the year-earlier quarter.
"Clearly, Wal-Mart and others in the discount segment of the market are carrying the weight," said Rick McAllister, president of the Florida Retail Federation, a trade group based in Tallahassee. "When you look at a spreadsheet of the various retail segments, you see where the growth is, who's growing and who's not.
"But I think, in general, our members feel things are getting better. Back-to-school sales are eventually going to help. It would have helped a lot more if we'd had the sales-tax holiday. It was a very unfortunate time to cancel that. Retailers did gangbusters in the states that did have it," he said.
But all retailers are going to have to work harder to put customers in a buying mood, experts said.
"Retailers use a lot of techniques to attract the people during a soft economy, whether it's zero financing or 75 percent-off sales," said Brian Gibbs, a consumer psychology expert and professor at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management.
"But once those kinds of offers have established a new baseline for consumers, they become very sensitive toward any movement away from that level. In that context, people generally react much more strongly to price increases, and they regard them as personal losses," he said. "They know retailers are hurting, and they believe they can wait for those good deals to come around again."


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Has it really been 15 years since two men registered a website called YouTube? The site exploded on the internet in recent years as more people here in California and around the world found a way to earn a living uploading content for others to watch. According to the CEO Susan Wojcicki, the number of content creators with at least 100,000 subscribers grew 40% in the last year. Those creators earn five figures a year, which makes YouTube big business for a lot of people.
The problem is that it can be so easy to violate another person’s copyright, especially those with music rights. Just in 2019, YouTube paid no less than $3 billion to the music industry for rights to songs for advertisements and subscriptions. That number probably does not include any copyright infringement claims that arise, which is why the popular site has begun cracking down on content creators for violations.
In the third quarter of 2019 alone, approximately 8.7 million videos were taken down due to potential copyright infringement. The CEO says that doing so reduced around 70% of the videos that either came close to or crossed the line. Content creators need to make sure they understand YouTube’s policies regarding copyright infringement in order to avoid losing money on videos.
The internet has made it possible for hundreds of thousands of people across the globe to work from home and earn a living doing it. In fact, some people here in California and elsewhere make six to seven figures a year, which means they probably cannot afford copyright violations through YouTube or from artists themselves. It would be wise to consult with an attorney to gain a better understanding of copyright law in order to limit the potential for videos being removed due to a misunderstanding or an honest mistake.


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With the big ticket acquisition of diagnostic chain Thyrocare wrapped up, healthtech unicorn PharmEasy is preparing to venture into a host of new domains as it looks to establish a single point of access for all healthcare services. PharmEasy parent API Holdings’ immediate new focus areas will be hospital supplies, insurance, and medical devices, CEO Siddharth Shah told TechCircle.
“We are actively looking at hospital supplies, insurance, medical devices. We are still at the start of the journey. The idea is to create integrated use cases so that the entire consumer journey can be captured,” he said. “As of now, we don’t have anything in hospital supply and insurance. We have some basic presence in diagnostics, medical devices and brands. We are just figuring out how to go about it further,” he added.
PharmEasy’s aim, Shah said, is to be present across all patient touch points including doctor, lab, retail store, medical store and hospitals. “In hospital supplies, we have a very large market out there. We want to become partners with hospitals for their procurement needs, their lab requirements, their consultations, that is something that we would like to build now,” he said.
He said the company will explore both organic and inorganic options to enter and grow these business segments. Brand partnerships are also on the cards as a growth strategy.
“We have shown that we are not afraid to make bold acquisitions, we are not afraid to make transformative acquisitions. We have enough and more capital, we have great partners and we can go very deep, very fast if we are convinced about something,” he added.
About two week ago, PharmEasy said it was acquiring a majority stake in diagnostics firm Thyrocare Technologies for Rs 4,546 crore ($613 million). As part of the transaction, PharmEasy will acquire 66.1% stake in Thyrocare at a price of Rs 1,300 per share and will make an open offer to buy an additional 26% stake as per regulatory norms.
At the time of announcing the deal, the company said that the collaboration between PharmEasy and Thyrocare would help accelerate the delivery of high-quality diagnostic and outpatient department (OPD) services across the full continuum of patient care to nearly 800 million Indians.
Shah said the company has been aggressively building out a diagnostic business unit over the last one year and the addition of Thyrocare brings significant scale to the business.
“We realized that Thyrocare is the perfect partner because they have a pan-India presence, they have more than 4500 partners, people across 280 districts and towns can get a test report done in 24 hours, and they are the largest volume provider and lowest cost provider of diagnostic tests in the country. It appeared an absolute natural fit so that we can completely the entire circle of holistic care,” Shah said.
Last month, VCCircle reported that PharmEasy was planning to float an initial public offering (IPO) and had tapped JM Financial and Kotak Investment Banking for the offering.
Confirming the development, Shah said the board is deliberating on the timelines and other details for the IPO. According to Shah, the platform has a network of 6000 doctors serving over 3 lakh tele consultation every month. Its health-tech ecosystem has about 17 million monthly active users and it works with 90,000 pharmacies across the country.


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Do you understand all the ingredients contained in your personal care products? If no, then you’re not alone. Researchers found that although consumer demand for ingredient information is on the rise, most consumers still do not understand many of the ingredients listed on food and personal care product labels.
According to Label Insight’s 2017 Ingredient Confusion Study, 81 percent of those surveyed sometimes do not recognize the ingredients on the labels of personal care products, and only 2 percent of women said they always understand what all the ingredients are.
|In June 2017, researchers surveyed at least 1,000 men and women, ages 18 and up to better understand how consumers’ confusion about the ingredients listed on product labels impacts their purchasing behavior. 72 percent were women, 28 percent were men, and 50 percent were between the ages of 18-35.
Some Key Insights
Confusion about ingredients listed on product labels impacts how much consumers trust brands and whether or not they will continue to buy the product in the future. In fact, the researchers also found that when consumers better understand the ingredients listed on products, not only are they more likely to trust the brand more, but 48 percent of the consumers were willing to pay more for personal care products containing ingredients they understand or recognize.
Another key insight gained from the study, was that when label ingredients are clearly defined, it alleviates confusion and concern for consumers. For instance, when presented with a confusing, but harmless, ingredient, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, 88 percent of the research participants were not familiar with it and 49 percent said they would not be comfortable buying a product that contained it. However, once it was defined as a liquid form of vitamin C used in cosmetics and personal care products that enables the vitamin C to penetrate the skin more effectively, there was a 43 percent increase in those who say they would be "very comfortable" purchasing the product.
How Consumers Can Become More Informed
According to researchers at Label Insight, industries are responding to the consumer demand for more product label transparency by giving consumers the tools they need to improve their understanding about product ingredients with SmartLabel, which can be accessed by using their website or by downloading the free app.
"Women in particular are concerned about what is in their personal care products - from lotion to shampoo to sunscreen - and will make buying decisions based on ingredient data. It will be important for manufacturers to respond and to provide solutions such as SmartLabel in order to address these demands," said Kira Karapetian, Vice President of Marketing for Label Insight.
SmartLabel™ gives consumers a way to access more detailed product information about a wide range of food, beverage, household, pet care and personal care products. It's fast and easy to use, with a consistent digital format that shares accurate product data directly from the manufacturer.
You can also search product label ingredient information at EWG’s (Environmental Working Group) Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, which lists overall hazard rankings, including cancer risk levels, use restrictions, and allergies and immunotoxicity levels for numerous personal care products ranging from low, moderate, to high. EWG’s Cosmetic Database also contains a data availability rating, which reflects how much scientists know or do not know about a product based on the level of research conducted.
For more information about EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database, visit: ewg.org.
Photographs by Getty Images
|Read more health, beauty and skincare tips featured in the digital issues of VERGE Lifestyle & Urban Culture magazine. Click here to download the latest issues now and become inspired!


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BMW will launch the new 3-series in early 2012. The new 3 will be made in China by the Brilliance-BMW joint venture, jut like the outgoing car. But there will be one big difference: the joint venture will also make a long wheelbase BMW 3.
First spy shots indicate at least 10 centimeter extra behind the B-pillar. BMW 325iL would compete directly with Audi’s popular A4L. Price of the current 3-series starts around 250.000 yuan, the ‘L’ will likely start around 300.000 yuan. Question is: will there be a BMW M3L at some time in the future?
Pics via: Sohu.com.


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Wall Street analysts have proved willing over the years to back up Apple on the latest focus of Apple management's bullish outlook. But there's a notable lack of analyst attention in the reports being issued after Apple earnings to what has been a major point of Apple bullishness in recent years: China.
Apple CEO Tim Cook again talked up the opportunity in China as sales in that key market stabilized. But in looking for a reason to be bullish as Apple stock shares declined on Wednesday morning by as much as 3 percent, the analysts weren't harping on China as a reason investors should be buying Apple on the dip.
Analysts noted the improvement in China, but at least four reports reviewed by CNBC didn't consider it a major near-term catalyst for Apple shares. Analysts are also asking whether something is structurally changing in Apple's China business. UBS analysts cited the fact that high-end smartphone penetration in China is now at 90 percent, according to a CNBC TV report on Wednesday morning.
Make no mistake: many Wall Street analysts remain bullish on Apple but are instead focused on rising speculation about next September's iPhone upgrade, a so-called supercycle with bigger upgrades than those included in this year's iPhone 7 launch.
"We see new form factor, better display and longer battery life driving shorter iPhone replacement cycles in fiscal year 2018, with double-digit revenue and EPS growth," wrote Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty, who thinks the company will earn $10.60 per share in the year beginning next October, thanks to better growth in iPhones. "Shares historically trade closer to 14 [times estimating earnings] heading into a supercycle, which drives our new $148 price target."


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School sales tax holiday to be Aug. 2-4Published 4:18am Monday, July 29, 2013
Elmore County students will return to class in less than a month. Store shelves and racks are stocked with the supplies and clothing to fill back-to-school needs.
Shoppers will have an opportunity to save on school purchases most places in the county during Alabama’s upcoming eighth annual school sales tax holiday. From 12:01 a.m. Aug. 2 to midnight Aug. 4, there will be a tax break on selected back-to-school items.
In addition to the state’s abatement of its 4-cent sales tax, the Elmore County Commission along with the cities of Wetumpka, Tallassee, Millbrook, Eclectic and Prattville, will suspend collection of sales taxes.
Purchases that will be exempt from state sales tax during the holiday are: most clothing costing $100 or less per item; computers, software and computer supplies up to $750 per item; school supplies and textbooks up to $50 per item; and other books up to $30 each.
Not all clothing, electronics and books will be tax-free during the tax holiday. A detailed list of exempt and taxable items can be accessed on the Alabama Department of Revenue’s website at http://revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/SalesTaxHol.cfm.
According to the Alabama Retail Association, the back-to-school buying season has become the second busiest shopping time of the year – second only to the winter holiday shopping season.
“Consumer spending will increase in August, and Alabama’s sales tax holiday will give back-to-school shopping in our state the jump start it needs,” Rick Brown, Alabama Retail Association president.
The National Retail Federation estimates $1.08 billion will be spent to equip and outfit students in the state this year.
And, the sales tax holiday is for everyone, not just students and their parents. All shoppers will be able to enjoy the tax-free benefit on designated items.
A record 274 cities and counties across the state have passed legislation to date to participate in this year’s sales tax holiday according to the Alabama Department of Revenue.
“Stimulating sales is what this weekend is all about,” said Brown. “As it has in the past, we expect the sales tax holiday to boost retail sales and spur purchases in other segments beyond the tax-free items.”


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There is more money pouring in India’s scooter rental space. Just days after electric-only scooter rental startup Yulu closed an $8M round, its gasoline and electric rival Bounce has reportedly closed a massive $150 Million. The round, reported by Techcrunch citing sources, has been led by existing investors Eduardo Saverin’s B Capital and Accel Partners India.
While specifics on the round are yet to surface, the same sources mentioned the valuation to have exceeded well beyond $500Mn. Unlike Yulu though, Bounce provides both gasoline and electric scooters on rent. The startup currently operates over 17,000 electric and gasoline scooters in 36 Indian cities.
Similar to other two-wheeler rental startups, Bounce too has an app which allows customers to book scooters from designated parking spots across its operational cities. The rides are pretty cheap. They cost Rs 1 (0.1 cents) per km and Rs 1.5 per hour. The company operates with a patented keyless entry tech, thus allowing users to operate scooters with just an OTP.
The upstart claims over 2 million users till date and is witnessing rapid growth. A Business Standard report back in July mentioned about Bounce becoming the fastest scooter sharing startup globally. The startup had then claimed to have clocked a staggering 60,000 rides per day in Bengaluru, making it the fastest-growing bike-sharing start-up in the world. Within 10 months of launching dockless scooters in Bengaluru, the firm has completed over five million rides, covering 30 million km.
The company however, has its fair share of competitors. While Yulu is an up and coming venture, a more comparable competitor would be Vogo. Vogo is heavily backed by Ola and reports have surfaced that the startup might be on the heels of closing a $40 million round. Apart from these, there is always competition from Ola and Uber (and other bike taxi startups like Rapido), which offer taxi rides over two-wheeler.
Needless to say though, Bounce’s $150 million will dwarf all others in the space. Bounce had earlier raised $72 million from the same set for investors, valuing the company at close to $220 million.


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Chinese market continues to expand for California grapes
by | October 04, 2010
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's recent trade trip to China for the
California Grown program highlighted the importance of the Chinese market
for California products.
While visiting a market in Hangzhou, China, the governor posed with a basket
of California-grown grapes showcasing the high-quality California products
available to Chinese consumers.
In a 2009 survey, the majority of Chinese grocery shoppers preferred grapes
from California to any other source, including Chinese-grown grapes.
"From the beginning, we knew China had the potential to be a great market
for California grapes," Kathleen Nave, president of the Fresno-based
California Table Grape Commission, said in a press release. “When the
market first opened in late 1997, California grapes were available in just three
cities in that country. Since then, we’ve expanded access to California grapes
and promotion programs into all regions of the country.”
Last year, China was the No. 2 export market for California grapes behind
Canada, with nearly 4.2 million 19-pound boxes of grapes shipped to that


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The world of agriculture is rapidly evolving, driven by the need for sustainability, efficiency, and resilience in the face of challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and shifting consumer demands. One of the leading voices in this transformation is AeroFarms, a pioneering clean-technology company specializing in building and operating state-of-the-art indoor vertical farms. The company’s journey towards resilience and growth will take center stage as AeroFarms President and Chief Financial Officer Guy Blanchard leads a keynote address at the 2nd annual Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East, scheduled for September 19-20, 2023.
The CEA Summit East, a collaborative effort between Indoor Ag-Con and the Virginia Tech-IALR CEA Innovation Center, aims to unite key players in the controlled environment agriculture sector, including indoor and greenhouse growers, educators, researchers, government officials, and industry innovators. The summit is a platform for sharing insights, fostering collaboration, and addressing the industry’s most pressing challenges.
Blanchard’s keynote, scheduled for Wednesday, September 20th at 9 a.m., promises to provide valuable insights into AeroFarms’ journey towards resilience, particularly in the aftermath of a Chapter 11 filing. This candid exploration of challenges and growth strategies aligns with the conference’s mission to promote learning, networking, and collective growth within the CEA community.
AeroFarms’ commitment to sustainability and innovation has earned it recognition as a Certified B Corporation. Accolades such as being named one of the Most Innovative Companies in the World by Fast Company and one of the Top 25 Disruptive Companies by Inc. Blanchard’s extensive experience in project finance and corporate development has played a pivotal role in AeroFarms’ success, making his insights particularly valuable to attendees of the CEA Summit East.
Blanchard’s keynote address will delve into AeroFarms’ growing retail partnerships with industry giants like Walmart, H-E-B, The Fresh Market, Whole Foods, and Amazon Fresh. These partnerships underscore AeroFarms’ impact on the food supply chain, bringing fresh, locally-grown produce to consumers year-round. Moreover, the keynote will provide updates on AeroFarms’ latest venture—the Danville farm—an enterprise that is scaling according to plan and contributing to the company’s ongoing success.
AeroFarms’ story is a testament to the power of innovation and resilience in modern agriculture. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainable practices, AeroFarms is transforming how we grow food and demonstrating how businesses can navigate challenges and emerge stronger.
Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con, expressed excitement about Blanchard’s participation, emphasizing AeroFarms’ status as a trailblazer in the indoor farming industry. Sullivan believes that Blanchard’s insights will provide invaluable guidance for the sector as it confronts new challenges and seizes new opportunities.
Dr. Scott Lowman, Co-Director of the CEA Innovation Center and Vice President of Applied Research at IALR, highlighted the alignment between Blanchard’s keynote and the center’s mission to foster collaboration and innovation within the CEA community. The Innovation Center, a collaboration between IALR and Virginia Tech, aims to advance the CEA sector through research and educational programming.
The CEA Summit East is an engaging two-day event with keynote speeches, panels, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. Attendees will have the chance to connect with CEOs, researchers, and experts, explore the latest CEA innovations and services through tabletop exhibits, and build meaningful relationships within the industry.
As the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, events like the CEA Summit East play a crucial role in shaping the future of farming. With AeroFarms’ Guy Blanchard at the helm of a transformative keynote address, attendees can gain valuable insights into navigating challenges, embracing innovation, and cultivating resilience in the dynamic world of controlled environment agriculture.
Image provided by Aerofarms


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As part of a pilot programme, select Coca-Cola Interactive Vendors in Atlanta (US) will provide people with the option to make a donation to the American Red Cross, the emergency response organisation.
The technology enables people to make a specified donation using a credit or debit card following the purchase of a Coca-Cola beverage. People are able to make a contribution without a purchase by selecting the donation application on the vending screen.
Thomas Barlow, senior vice president, vending/wholesale, Coca-Cola Refreshments, said: “Using our existing group of interactive vending machines, this donation application gives our charity partners, like the American Red Cross, the chance to directly engage with thousands of people.
“Through this technology, we’re connecting worthwhile philanthropic organisations to our most valuable asset – the Coca-Cola drinker.”


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Luxury sector unites to create roadmap for sustainability
Major luxury firms such as Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton and Chanel have developed a sustainable roadmap to help the sector address the challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss and rising economic inequality.
The Disrupting Luxury report was launched late last week by fifteen luxury companies including Kering, Harvey Nichols and Swarovski.
It recommends that the industry engages in the circular economy by adopting regenerative sourcing products to ensure the availability of precious raw material such as wool, leather, exotic wood, cashmere and rare essential oils.
The report also argues that luxury companies should assess how products affect society and the planet, and help ensure that supply chain workers receive quality training a fair wage.
Investors and consumers should be better engaged on environmental and social progress through heightened transparency, the report contends. It calls on businesses to engage consumers more deeply on a new value proposition for luxury that fully integrates sustainability.
“Luxury companies have the added responsibility as trendsetters to create value for the good of the environment and society, which can then influence the entire fashion industry to act,” said Marie-Claire Daveu, chief sustainability officer and head of international institutional affairs, Kering.
“In prioritising sustainability and embedding proactive strategies into our business models now, the luxury sector will become more adaptive to future challenges and ultimately this will provide us with critical business advantages.”
Fashion and textiles are considered the second largest contributors to pollution in the world, accounting for 10% of global carbon emissions.
The equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is wasted every second, according to a report co-launched by Dame Ellen MacArthur and Stella McCartney, while less than 1% of clothing is recycled into new clothes. In a stark warning, the report predicts the fashion industry could use up to a quarter of the world’s carbon budget by 2050 if nothing changes.
Fashion group Kering is leading the way in creating a more sustainable future for the luxury industry. The firm’s chief sustainability officer Marie-Claire Daveu recently told edie it is partnering with “disruptive” new minds to uncover innovations that will help reach ambitious science-based targets. Targets have been set for 100% traceability of key raw materials, and the creation of a supplier index to ensure the entire supply chain complies with Kering’s values by 2025.
edie’s Responsible Retail 2018
Solving key challenges – including modern slavery, supply chain involvement and the circular economy – will be one of the key themes of edie’s third annual Responsible Retail conference, taking place on 20 September 2018 at 99 City Road, London.
The full-day event has been designed for the retailers, sustainability professionals and key stakeholders that are looking for the information, insight and inspiration required to seize the sustainability opportunity.
© Faversham House Ltd 2023 edie news articles may be copied or forwarded for individual use only. No other reproduction or distribution is permitted without prior written consent.


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Japan Tech Giant GMO Internet To Create Bitcoin Mining Operationbr>
Japanese technology giant GMO Internet Group has started its own bitcoin mining operation in its home country.
GMO plans to have a large bitcoin mining operation running by the beginning of next year. The move will complete the plans the conglomerate first revealed in January of this year and accelerated after Japan legalized bitcoin.
To date, bitcoin mining is dominated by three companies. But the entry of the billion-dollar GMO into the market is sure to shake things up, particularly as China seems intent on slowing down its cryptocurrency industry with more regulations and official scrutiny.
,The GMO infrastructure includes an institutional and consumer investor exchange, Z.com Coin, which was announced in May.
Formerly known as GMO Wallet Co., Ltd, GMO-Z.com Coin Co. Ltd was first announced by GMO Internet last year as a cryptocurrency wallet. However, due to the implementation of a law that brings bitcoin exchanges in Japan under national know-your-customer/anti-money laundering rules and views bitcoin as an online payment system, the company decided to launch a full-scale exchange, allowing users to buy and sell bitcoin with Japanese yen.
The platform launched with two product offerings, ‘virtual currency foreign exchange’ and ‘virtual currency trading’.
GMO Internet says the exchange is insured by Mitsui Sumitomo Kaika Kaisha Insurance Co., Ltd. to protect against cyber-attacks and theft, which was introduced to the country back in November. The exchange also features cold storage and multi-sig. Trade is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. The trading fee is 0 yen with no withdrawal fees, and the minimum trade will be 0.0001 BTC.
The platform launched with 500 million yen (approx. USD$4.3 million) in capital reserves, above the requirement noted in exchange regulation.


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Attention would-be cannabis store operators, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has published the required fees for cannabis retail-related licenses and authorization.
And, it’s at least $10,000 for the first store.
The AGCO released its guide for regulating cannabis retail earlier this month. Among the requirements: a retail operator license ($6,000), a retail store authorization for each outpost ($4,000), and a Cannabis Retail Manager License ($750) for each authorized store location–though individual proprietors or partners can skip that last fee if they’re acting as the retail store manager for a particular location.
Registration for cannabis retail licenses is set to begin Dec. 17, and applicants will be required to meet all of the eligibility criteria set out in the Cannabis Licence Act including requirements that relate to store layout and location.
– Forwarded from Leafly


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Singapore has made a significant stride toward the realm of digital currencies by finalizing new rules for stablecoins. These are fundamentally digital assets that are always intended to be worth the same as traditional fiat currencies.
They are linked to a regular fiat currency, such as the United States dollar or the Singapore dollar. It’s essentially the same as having digital coins that operate just like money everywhere we go. The fact that they employ blockchain technology is the nicest thing about them.
Stablecoins are unique in that they strive to be safe and consistent so that users can use them with confidence. Some stablecoins are backed by real-world assets such as bank deposits or government bonds. They feel more secure as a result, and they are highly popular.
Previously, there was no regulation of stablecoins. Those were the days of cryptocurrency’s wild west. However, new countries, such as Singapore, are currently focusing on cryptocurrency regulations, specifically stablecoins.
These are some of the regulations they established in order to strengthen the healthy ecology.
- Stablecoin companies must hold enough safe assets to cover all of the stablecoins they issue. This is like a backup they can retain to ensure that everything is well in times of crisis.
- If someone wishes to convert their stablecoins back into conventional currency, the company must do it within five business days. This is critical to ensuring that the coins have value and that the user has faith in them.
- Companies must also provide all relevant information to stablecoin users.
NEWS: 🇸🇬 #Singapore has made a significant stride toward the realm of digital currencies by finalizing new rules for stablecoins.💰
— Walletor (@walletorapp) August 15, 2023
This entire saga is huge news for anyone who utilizes stablecoins on a daily basis. Furthermore, we hope that such new legislation would encourage other countries to work on their own personal cryptocurrency regulations. This is beneficial to the global ecosystem of decentralized finance.
This is tremendous news for everyone who uses stablecoins on a daily basis. Furthermore, we hope that such new legislation would inspire other countries to develop their own cryptocurrency regulations. This is advantageous to the global ecosystem of decentralized finance as well as fresh innovations embarking on the path of crypto assets.


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Mar 29 2018
The new devices feature nearly bezel-less displays with a notch at the top for their high-resolution front-facing cameras, and boast high-end specifications. They are powered by an octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 970 SoC alongside a neural processing unit that provides an AI integration and offers 60 percent better response time.
"It has a 6.1-inch FHD 1.080x2.240 pixel OLED screen and a 4,000 mAh battery capacity", said Yu.
But with Huawei's new flagships - the Huawei P20 and P20 Pro - the Chinese manufacturer now has legitimate chart-toppers in terms of smartphone photography. The topmost lens bears an 8-megapixel sensor with 3x optical zoom thanks to its Leica telephoto lens (VARIO-SUMMILUX-H 1:1.6-2.4/27-80ASPH).
However, the company isn't selling them directly, it is only selling through retailers, so if you want the Huawei P20 SIM free, it will cost you £599 from Carphone Warehouse. The announcement was made alongside the launch of the P20 and P20 Pro at a special event held in Paris.
The Huawei P20 Pro features a Leica triple camera comprising a 40MP RGB sensor, a 20MP monochrome sensor, an 8MP sensor with telephoto lens, and an exclusive Leica color temperature sensor for better color reproduction.
Bovada Released Odds For A Trump vs. Biden Boxing Match
In 2016, the then Republican candidate attacked Mr Biden on Twitter in 2016, calling him, "our not very bright Vice President". It's not the first time the pair have speculated about who would win if they came to blows.
Nidahas Trophy: Shakib, Shohan fined 25 percent of their match fees
Apart from the behaviour of the Bangladesh players on the field, there was more trouble following the ending of the fixture. However, one of the biggest talking points from the tri-nation T20 series had nothing to do with the gentleman's game.
One hurt in explosion at FedEx Ground facility in Schertz
The ATF could not confirm that the latest explosion is associated with the Austin blasts, ATF spokeswoman Nicole Strong said. Police say that explosion was more sophisticated, having been triggered along a street by a almost invisible tripwire.
The Huawei P20 standard variant does not have the triple lens system, but it also boasts of a Leica-branded dual camera setup that is no slouch at all.
The phone features a "long exposure" mode that combines multiple shots, taken over a period of up to six seconds, to create an image that appears well-lit.
Introduced on the HUAWEI Mate 10 Series, the HUAWEI P20 Series and PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS feature TÜV Safety Certified HUAWEI SuperCharge.
The promo is open to those who will purchase from participating Huawei Experience Stores and Multi-Brand Stores nationwide. Apple and Samsung both focused heavily on the camera which continues to be a strong area where companies can differentiate their devices from each other, in a sea of very similar looking phones.
Under the hood it pretty much shares a lot of the spec from the Huawei Mate 10 Pro but with a bigger, better, stronger camera. The Huawei P20 Pro is the world's first Leica triple camera leveraged by new AI capabilities. There is also a fingerprint scanner just below the display and the sensor is claimed to be always on and doubles as a multi-purpose control button. Both the batteries support Huawei SuperCharge fast charging as well.
The HUAWEI P20 Series and PORSCHE DESIGN HUAWEI Mate RS are immediately available globally.
Mar 29 2018
Toyota's Aging RAV4 Getting Major Makeover to Defend Sales Crown
Optional Qi wireless charging is available on select trims and audio channeled through an 11-speaker setup by JBL sound systems. The engine comes mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid models will get the existing CVT unit.
Mar 28 2018
Israel waives permits for United States embassy in Jerusalem
So far, partners in Netanyahu's governing coalition have stood by him, saying they are awaiting the attorney general's next moves. Police were seen arriving to Netanyahu's residence Monday morning.
Mar 28 2018
Gundogan: Germany paying no mind to 7-1 ahead of Brazil match
Douglas Costa and Anderson Talisca will also be hoping to impress and become the 16th name on Tite's World Cup list. Germany's 2018 World Cup squad predicted: Who will join Muller & Ozil in 23-man squad? Germany coach Joachim Low.
Mar 28 2018
Multiple suspicious packages sent to DC military installations, FBI confirms
A second package sent to Fort Belvoir also tested positive for explosive material, and was also rendered safe, reports CNN . Law enforcement officials asked not to be identified discussing the case because the investigation continues.
Mar 28 2018
Inside Kim Jong Un's mystery train
And the Bloomberg news agency cited unidentified sources as saying the North Korean leader was in Beijing . On the contrary, the official said, a summit with Xi would underscore Kim's standing as a world leader.
Mar 27 2018
Giggs: Wales need to be "even better" to win China Cup
WALES BOSS RYAN Giggs has told Gareth Bale to forget the approaches of Manchester United and stay instead at Real Madrid . Asked in the areas where there is scope for development he said: "I am not a naturally outgoing person".
Mar 26 2018
Air India's flight reaches Israel using Saudi airspace for first time
Interviewed on Israel's Army Radio, Levin voiced confidence that El Al would eventually be allowed to use Saudi airspace. It will leave New Delhi at 6 PM Indian time and arrive at Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport at 9:45 PM on Thursday.
Mar 26 2018
Son of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat chief joins Hizbul Mujahideen ultras
The police says that investigation has started and the probe will confirm whether Junaid has joined the militant outfit or not. Sehrai ", said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Srinagar , Imtiyaz Ismail Parray.
Mar 25 2018
Paul McCartney makes heartfelt plea to end gun violence at #MarchForOurLives rally
The singer added that he was unsure if gun violence can be ended, adding: 'But this is what we can do, so I'm here to do it'. Speaking to CNN he explained that having lost a good friend of his to gun violence, it was a very important issue to him.
Mar 22 2018
Trump praises MBS over ties, arms sales
Yet, they are buying multi-billion arms which will benefit the United States far more than it will benefit Saudis. Kushner is charged with leading the president's greater Middle East strategy, which includes isolating Tehran.
Mar 29 2018Manafort bets on presidential pardon in special counsel case
Mar 29 2018Russians mourn at first funerals for mall fire victims as fury m
Mar 28 2018More celebs come forward to say they didn't bite Beyoncé
Mar 28 2018Police Officers Who Fatally Shot Alton Sterling Won't Be Charged
Mar 25 2018United States destroyer sails close to contested island in South China Sea
Mar 25 2018Top seeds Villanova, Kansas advance to Elite Eight
Mar 25 2018Australian GP: Hamilton grabs 73rd pole position
Mar 24 2018Marvel Land Is Going to Be a New Disney Theme Park
Mar 24 2018Americans Banned From Buying Venezuela's Digital Currency
Mar 22 2018Boris Johnson likens Russian Federation hosting World Cup to Hitler's 1936 Olympics
Mar 28 2018Men: Dark Phoenix and New Mutants delayed to 2019
Mar 28 2018North Atlantic Treaty Organisation expels seven Russian staff in solidarity with United Kingdom over Salisbury attack
Mar 28 2018Uber Is Leaving Southeast Asia
Mar 27 2018Fourteen killed in explosion outside busy hotel in Somalia's capital
Mar 27 2018Yankees' Greg Bird To Miss 6-8 Weeks
Mar 26 2018China announces $3bn target for retaliation in trade dispute with US
Mar 25 2018Devonte' Graham helps Kansas hold off Clemson in the second half
Mar 25 2018Saudi Arabia's crown prince meets Trump
Mar 25 2018Organizers expect thousands at gun-control rallies
Mar 24 2018Russian Federation vows to expel United Kingdom diplomats
Mar 22 2018KB Toys to return?
Mar 22 2018Broad ready to do damage in New Zealand series


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KARACHI: The Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) on Tuesday appealed that the Rs 5,000 per tonne surge in steel bar prices will affect the construction industry of Pakistan.
As per a statement, ABAD chairman Fayyaz Ilyas highlighted the attention given to the construction industry in the current administration. Special packages have been introduced which will revive the national economy.
He further stated that the steel bar prices have been raised multiple times which have increased the overall cost of construction.
The current all-time high price of Rs 142,000 per tonne has been witnessed in steel bar prices. Chairman ABAD requested to remove duties so the Prime Minister’s 5,000 homes initiative can be materialised.
For more news, visit Graana.com


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Video game accessories and peripherals maker Turtle Beach surprised the markets with a major beat in earnings as sales of their headsets and devices grew amid coronavirus quarantines. Now, the company is looking forward to the highly anticipated next generation of video game consoles slated for the holidays.
"We're very excited about the new Xbox and PlayStation launches. They're coming soon, can't wait," Turtle Beach CEO Juergen Stark told Cheddar. "We believe that they will do very, very well post-launch, and that is definitely a long-term driver of, and a catalyst for, all console accessories."Stark added that gamers tend to "re-accessorize" upon upgrading to new video game systems and that Turtle Beach was already prepared with four new wireless headset models, two for each of the next-gen platforms. And, with the growth of multiplayer gaming, the company sees its headsets continuing to grow right along with the phenomenon.
"People play together. Fortnite was a big example of this even to the point where there was a concert, a Deadmau5 concert earlier this year where 20 million people went into Fortnite to watch the concert," he said. "So, to play together, you need to be able to communicate, and that's what the headset portfolio we have does a great job at."
The ability to communicate virtually was a "huge driver" of the popularity of the headsets during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Stark. So much so, he also was bullish on the future of the gamer gear in non-gaming arenas even after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
"Our headsets work great for video calls, working, learning, schooling from home," Stark said.


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Under the brand name “MerinoFine,” Icebreaker introduced four new products in the month of September. Men’s and women’s T-shirts and pants were among the new items. These were the first garments produced by the company that were made entirely from wool sourced from ZQRX-signed farms.
The Best of Both Worlds: Merino Wool is Durable and Sustainable
When clothing manufacturers want to lessen their impact on the environment, one of the most difficult things they can do is support measurable change at the level of material sourcing.
Raw materials are the initial component of any product that will eventually be manufactured. Merino wool, which gets its name from the breed of sheep it comes from, has been used extensively in the outdoor industry for a very long time.
In addition to being used in socks and base layers, this durable and temperature-regulating fiber is also used in other products.
“Regenerative” has become a buzzword in material sourcing and, more generally, in agriculture as a way for brands to show they support farming and production practices that let nature take its course and harvest materials like merino wool in a more responsible way.
This is because “regenerative” farming and production practices let nature take its course and let materials like Merino wool be harvested.
Because there are no guidelines for the correct usage of the term “regenerative sourcing,” businesses are free to apply it in any way they see fit. This presents a problem.
MerinoFine Releases New Products Made from ZQRX-Signed Wool
According to Jordi Beneyto-Ferre, senior manager of global materials and sustainability at New Zealand-based Icebreaker, “When we started to spread our regenerative culture, we had to raise awareness and help people understand why this choice is better and what regenerative is and isn’t.”
“When we started to spread our regenerative culture, we had to raise awareness and help people understand why this choice is better and what regenerative is and isn’t.”
In September, the performance clothing brand “MerinoFine,” which is made of merino wool, released four new products, including a T-shirt and pants for both men and women.
These were the first garments produced by the company that were made entirely out of wool sourced from ZQRX-signed farms.
The raw materials originate from seventy different farms, each of which employs “regenerative” farming practices and participates in a ZQRX program that monitors the materials from the moment they are harvested until the moment they are sold. A base layer set is scheduled to be released at the end of the month of October.
VF Corporation’s Icebreaker Brand Commits to Regenerative Wool Production
These items range in price from $165 to 360 United States dollars, but they only represent a small portion of what Icebreaker has to offer.
What these clothes do show, however, is the beginning of a shift toward tracking the development of clothing that, in the long run, has a much smaller effect on the environment and uses fewer resources. These clothes are a good example of this shift.
Traditional wool production isn’t as good for biodiversity, clean water, and healthy sheep as regenerative wool production is.
Icebreaker is significant because it is owned by VF Corporation, which also owns The North Face and Vans, two significant lifestyle brands. This makes the scale important.
In addition to their “foundational” partnership with ZQRX, VF made a significant investment in the company earlier in the year.
This will make it easier for the program to communicate with more farmers and sell the raw materials that have been given the regenerative label so that more products can be manufactured for both Icebreaker and Smartwool, which are both owned by VF.
Jeannie Renne-Malone, Vice President of Global Sustainability at VF, has said that “many of our brands are working on regenerative agriculture pilots” to “help people learn more about the benefits of regenerative agriculture and to start making a supply of regenerative raw materials for use in our products.”
ZQRX: The New Zealand Farm Making a Difference
If you want to help farmers improve their lives and their health, buying regenerative wool products, whether as an investment by a business or as a consumer purchasing them off the shelf, is a great way to contribute.
In the 2022 Transparency Report, Icebreaker discussed a New Zealand farm that had successfully transitioned away from some harmful and unnatural methods, such as the use of plastic to keep grass alive, and toward methods that were more in line with natural farming practices.
Because of this, the farm is now able to generate a significant amount of its own electricity and contribute any surplus to the local power grid.
According to Beneyto-Ferre, ZQRX also adds much-needed rules and checks to all of this work in a way that can be understood by people who are not involved in the process.
He says it shows how good it is for the environment and gives numbers to back up his claim.
ZQ farmers are required to enter a variety of information regarding their sheep and the land they farm, as well as agree to have this information verified by a third party as part of the program.
Not only is this information helpful for a large company trying to determine what effect it has, but it is also helpful for farmers who want to know where they stand as growers and where they could improve.
This investment and support of regenerative farming show the next frontier of material sourcing, particularly in the outdoor industry. Even though Icebreaker has always supported responsible wool and clothing production, this investment and support of regenerative farming show it.
Renne-Malone says, “The majority of our emissions are caused by the raw materials that we work with.” “The procurement of materials offers the greatest potential for us to cut down on those emissions, and doing so is integral to the achievement of our business goals.”
Is Regenerative Communication the Next Step?
It’s possible that the next most important step in the regenerative conversation is going to be communication and education.
Both Beneyto-Ferre and Renne-Malone believe that businesses have a duty to teach their customers about the positive effects that these newly developed regenerative products have on the environment, such as how they help reduce carbon emissions and increase biological diversity.
Beneyto-Ferre says that it’s about a lot of different things, but the most important thing is that we’re making nature better. “It’s about a lot of different things,” she says.


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A Bristol restaurant group is looking to hire a "Tik Tok expert" to create social media content that takes viewers behind the scenes at its three sites.
Oowee, which has restaurants in Baldwin Street, North Street and Picton Street, said it has received hundreds of applications for the role.
The successful applicant will put in around 10-15 hours per week, creating content at Oowee's Bristol restaurants before editing and sharing it to the fast-growing social media platform.
The role will initially be a 10-week contract, but that could be extended "if the initial campaign is successful", reads the job advert.
"We want to stay ahead of the game when it comes to promoting our restaurants," said Charlie Watson, who owns Oowee alongside his partner Verity Foss.
"With Tik Tok growing so quickly, we wanted to hire someone who really knows what they're doing with it.
"The successful applicant will be going behind the scenes at our three sites in Bristol and celebrating our teams at each of them, as well as showing followers how we make our recipes.
"We hope the content will give people more of an insight into who we are as a brand.
"We're really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team, especially as the pandemic has led to so many job losses in the industry."
Charlie and Verity hope to have hired the "social media wizz" by the end of January - weeks before they launch a brand new menu at Oowee Vegan which heavily features their new chicken substitute creation.
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The new employee will be paid between £8.50 and £10 per hour, depending on experience, and will received free food on shift.
Created by Beijing-based ByteDance, TikTok now has around 700 million daily users, second only to Facebook which boasts 1.6 billion.
The video-sharing social networking service only launched in 2016 but its daily usage number has already surpassed those of Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Snapchat.


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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Nov. 29, 2016) - The evolution of smartphone filming and photography is here with the launch of DreamGrip, a revolutionary new smartphone system that allows anyone to easily create professional quality content from anywhere. The innovative new mobile filming and photography device is the first of its kind to adapt to any smartphone and integrate with all universal film and photography equipment. This system is future focused for dreamers and professionals alike who want to take their content creation to the next level. From filmmakers and mobile journalists, to vloggers and Instagrammers, the launch of DreamGrip empowers anyone with a smartphone to shoot like a pro.
"These days everyone has the ability to create great visual content with their smartphones but DreamGrip will empower them to take their art to the next level," said Brodie Gunning, co-founder of DreamGrip. We've had great response to the product so far and hope to make this an accessible tool for ANYONE who wants to create professional quality photo and video with their smartphone."
The new lightweight aluminum DreamGrip system is the first of its kind to accommodate a range of filters, hoods, lights, microphones and lens sizes, including 17 mm, 37mm and 52MM. The system even integrates with DSLR lenses, filters and hoods. The product also features ergonomic handles for more controlled, stable shots; plus 1/4" - 20" mounts for tripods, monopods, stabilizers, action camera and even DSLR's or SLR's.
DreamGrip is a Hong Kong-based company founded by Yegor Denisov, an experienced entrepreneur in the mobile phone accessories industry and Broderick Gunning, a Canadian who has been in the digital content and technology space since 2000. Together, Denisov and Gunning saw an opportunity to develop a smartphone filming system that would give anyone the ability to create content and to envision a future where quite simply anyone with a smartphone could create a Hollywood movie. DreamGrip is positioned in Hong Kong to cover its manufacturing, development, and design while its Vancouver, Canada office offers DreamGrip a direct bridge to the North American market as well as Europe.
DreamGrip unveiled its prototype earlier this year where it received an overwhelming positive response with substantial interest from a broad range of filmmakers, photographers, industry retailers and global distributors. Since then, the DreamGrip team has invested in refining the product in preparation for their North American launch on January 5, 2017 at the Global Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
DreamGrip pre-sales will launch online on Friday, December 2. The makers of DreamGrip are initiating a crowdfunding site in an effort to build a community of content creators and drive advance sales of the first DreamGrip units before the product's North American launch on January 5th at the Global Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The first 500 backers will receive their DreamGrip package at a 30% discount. Package prices range from $99 for the base system with two cold shoes, aluminum sliders, ergonomic grips, one wireless remote, CPL filter, one smartphone grip, and the downloadable IOS/Android filming application. Prices scale up to $299 USD for more comprehensive DreamGrip packages.
To learn more and back the DreamGrip project, visit www.dreamgrip.com
Media interviews and product testing are available.
Please contact Tanis Sullivan for inquiries at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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J.K. Rowling Writing a Harry Potter Encyclopedia
If you're new to the Harry Potter universe and befuddled by words like "muggle" and "squib," the author of the popular book series, J.K. Rowling, is here to help. She's announced that she's finally assembling a long-awaited Harry Potter encyclopedia.
Rumors of the tome have been floating around for a few years now, ever since Rowling and the distributor of the 'Potter' films, Warner Bros., filed a copyright infringement suit against the publisher of the unofficial "Harry Potter Lexicon" back in 2007.
During her testimony in the case, Rowling said she was writing her own companion book, telling the judge, "I think [the 'Lexicon' is] atrocious. I think it's sloppy. I think there's very little research. [It] constitutes wholesale theft of 17 years of my hard work."
She also told the judge in that case that she's "made enough money," which could be why, when announcing her own Potter encyclopedia on her website, Rowling said, "It is likely to be a time-consuming job, but when finished I shall donate all royalties to charity."


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Euronet Worldwide Inc., a global electronic payments provider and distributor, announced the closing of an amended and expanded five-year, $355 million senior secured credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions.
The facility consists of a $275 million revolving line of credit and an $80 million term loan. It replaces a $100 million revolving line of credit and $126 million term loan maturing April 2012 and April 2014, respectively.
The revolving line of credit allows for borrowings in U.S. dollars, euro, British pound sterling, Australian dollars and/or Indian rupees. Term loan and revolving line of credit borrowings will bear interest at short-term variable interest rates, plus a leverage ratio-based margin.
Subject to certain conditions, the company has the option to increase the credit facility by up to an additional $205 million by requesting additional commitments from existing or new lenders.
“We were very pleased to extend and expand our credit facility by receiving additional commitments from most of the banks in our existing facility and pleased that several new banks joined the group,” said Rick Weller, chief financial officer of Euronet Worldwide Inc. “The new credit facility gives us the flexibility and liquidity for short-term cash requirements, strategic growth initiatives as well as for general corporate purposes.”
Euronet Worldwide offers payment and transaction processing solutions to financial institutions, retailers, service providers and individual consumers. These services include ATM, POS and card outsourcing services, card issuing and merchant acquiring services, and consumer money transfer and bill payment services, among other services.


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- Thomson Reuters StreetEvents•18 days ago
Q4 2016 Fingerprint Cards AB Earnings Call
- Reuters•19 days ago
Former stock market star Fingerprint Cards (FPC) reported earnings below expectations and gave a bleak outlook for the start of the year, dealing further blows to the Swedish biometrics company. FPC said it expected first-quarter revenues to be "materially weaker" than a year ago because of an inventory build-up in the supply chain, a component shortage affecting its customers and growing competition. It stuck to its revenue guidance for the year as a whole but critics questioned whether it could regain lost ground.
- GlobeNewswire•19 days ago
Fingerprint Cards AB (Publ.) Year-end report 2016: January - December 2016 Fourth quarter, 2016 Revenues totaled SEK 1,618.7 M (1,351.5), up 20 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2015. The gross ...
FING-B.ST : Summary for Fingerprint Cards AB ser. B - Yahoo Finance
Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) (FING-B.ST)
Stockholm - Stockholm Delayed Price. Currency in SEK
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|Day's Range||53.00 - 54.15|
|52 Week Range||48.90 - 118.90|
|PE Ratio (TTM)||8.51|
|Dividend & Yield||N/A (N/A)|
|1y Target Est||N/A|


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Over 7 million members, 12.3K ebook deals, and 20 million ebooks sold — that's just a taste of what the BookBub community of authors, publishers, and readers achieved in 2015. To highlight these and other accomplishments from last year, we created the infographic below. … [Read more...]
Stay up-to-date with BookBub through company news, product updates, and more.
Today we have exciting news: Beginning this morning, we’re sending BookBub readers email alerts about new releases by their favorite authors. These New Release Alerts will include links to purchase the book immediately on retail sites or to bookmark it on BookBub for … [Read more...]
Today we’re excited to announce a new BookBub feature for authors. Any author can now claim and update their own BookBub Author Profile. Every day BookBub connects authors with millions of readers via our daily Featured Deals email. We know price promotions are an … [Read more...]
In order to reach readers most likely to purchase your books, you should run targeted marketing campaigns to an audience interested in your genre. BookBub’s partners have found great success running Featured Deals for this reason — they’re able to send their books to … [Read more...]
Targeting your book marketing campaigns to fans of your genre is one of the most effective ways to reach relevant readers. That’s why our partners’ Featured Deal campaigns are so successful — they target distinct category lists, reaching members who will be most interested … [Read more...]
Dear BookBub Partners, Today I have an exciting milestone to share with you. We recently closed $7 million in new equity and debt financing for BookBub. Now we have even more resources to pursue our two core goals — to make it easier for readers to discover great books, … [Read more...]
As of September 1, 2022, we are no longer supporting India as a region. We’re thrilled to announce that our newest international edition is now available for partners looking to expand their global reach even further. The world’s second largest English-speaking country, … [Read more...]


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AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. These affiliate partnerships do not influence our editorial content.
The service will launch in the U.S. Thursday morning at 8:00 AM EST, though initial availability will be "by invitation and subscription," according to a press release sent to AppleInsider on Wednesday. Interested customers can pre-subscribe at www.spotify.com ahead of the beta launch.
"Spotify, the award-winning digital music service loved by millions of Europeans, will become available tomorrow morning in the United States by invitation and subscription," the release read. "Spotify is a new way to listen to and manage your music, discover new tracks and share songs and playlists with friends â music whenever you want it, wherever you are."
Further details were lacking, though the company promise more information during tomorrow morning's launch. Paul Miller of This is my next reports having spoken to someone from Spotify, who said customers will have access to a library of 15 million songs, available for free with ads, $5 a month without ads and $10 a month to include mobile access and higher bit rates.
Spotify officially announced that it was coming to the States earlier this month, boasting the availability of "any track, any time, anywhere" for free. Rumors of a U.S. launch have persisted for more than a year.
Last fall, rumors claimed Apple was ">in negotiations
">in negotiationsto purchase the company, but Spotify publicly denied the speculation. Apple also reportedly attempted to block Spotify during talks with music executives last year.
For its part, the Cupertino, Calif., company has repeatedly said that its digital storefronts do not generate substantial profits, despite being wildly successful. "Regarding the App Store and iTunes stores, we are running those a bit over break even, and that hasn't changed," Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer said last year.
Regardless, one analyst foresees iTunes growing to $13 billion in revenues by fiscal 2013 with an expected annual growth rate of nearly 40 percent. Since its launch in 2003, the iTunes Music Store has become the most successful music store in history, with more than 10 billion tracks downloaded.
Despite initial rumors that Apple would introduce its own streaming service, the company instead announced last month iCloud, a cloud-based storage solution that will automatically sync music and other data across a range of devices when it arrives this fall. The free service will by default store all music purchased from iTunes by a customer, while the new iTunes Match service will scan and match a user's personal music library with songs available in iTunes for $24.99 a year.


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Following a security data breach, a ruined Battlefield 2042 game, the company’s loss of Star Wars exclusive rights, and its split with the International Federation of Association Football, also known as FIFA, one would think that things aren’t really playing in EA’s favor. However, that is not entirely the case. Following the announcement of its “uncontested divorce” with FIFA, Electronic Arts has announced the rebranding of its soccer video game genre and has secured a multi-year partnership with one of the biggest soccer clubs in the world.
According to IGN, Juventus, one of the world’s biggest soccer (referred to as football in the rest of the world) clubs, is coming back to EA Sports, starting with the upcoming FIFA game, FIFA 23. This means that we’ll see the Italian side featured in the developer’s final soccer title under the FIFA banner before its partnership with the FIFA organization officially expires at the beginning of 2023. Considering that EA practically owns the game engine, the company announced its plans to rebrand the gaming series as EA Sports FC.
Juventus previously had an exclusive relationship with Konami and the publisher’s Pro Evolution Soccer series for the past three years. Pro Evolution Soccer never matched FIFA in terms of sales, whose licensed teams and player names made the series more realistic and thus more appealing to the gamers. But PES occasionally gave a FIFA series a run for its money, considering how several iterations were regarded as better games than their FIFA contemporaries.
The new deal between EA and Juventus means that the club’s players, stadium, and jerseys will appear in the next EA soccer game. In addition, EA stated that the two sides would work across several lifestyle and cultural initiatives that will bring new opportunities outside the world of football alone, while Juventus praises EA as its next official urban culture partner. This is a piece of very notable news for the future.
As stated above, EA and FIFA have split paths, but neither company is dropping their soccer gaming titles. FIFA already announced that it’s ready to work with third-party developers to launch new, non-sim soccer games, some of which are already in development with a planned release in Q3 2022. EA stated high price tags and creative limitations imposed by FIFA as reasons for the split. FIFA, on the other hand, only stated that it wants its wide range of future products to reach all gamers, members, and fans, which could indicate the development of a new metaverse.
And no, we’re not kidding either; the company has applied for World Cup Metaverse Trademarks, which indicates the creation and implementation of digital content. EA, on the other hand, has revealed that a massive number of the world’s top clubs and leagues choose to remain with the company and its future series, including Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, and UEFA team licenses. EA showed off FIFA 23 recently, and for the first time, while also revealing a renewed focus on women’s soccer — a continuous effort to include more women in gaming. Apparently, Rockstar Games isn’t alone on this front.


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MAN Truck & Bus has delivered its first new generation of trucks in two decades; promising to use state of the art technology to deliver fuel savings and significant reductions in CO2.
The new versions of the MAN TGX, TGS, TGM or TGL feature the latest tech in assistance systems, driver orientation and digital networking.
“The new truck generation thus represents the development of MAN Truck & Bus from vehicle manufacturer to a provider of intelligent and sustainable transport solutions. With fuel savings of up to eight percent, the new MAN Truck Generation achieves significant reductions in CO2. The newly developed turn assist helps to prevent serious accidents in urban traffic – four years before the legally prescribed introduction. The lane change assistant also warns the driver of vehicles in the next lanes. MAN has involved customers and drivers in the development of the new MAN Truck Generation from the beginning, so that their requirements could consistently be made part of the new vehicle,” said the firm in a statement.
“Today, the requirements in all areas of the transportation industry are more diverse and complex than ever – forecasts for the future indicate that fundamental transformation of the industry is in “full gear”. This brings great challenges with it – the transport volume in the EU alone is to increase by an additional 40 percent in the next 20 years. At the same time, strict legal regulations are intended to reduce CO2 emissions by 15 percent by 2025 (with an additional reduction by 30 percent by 2030). To make matters worse, there is a growing shortage of drivers. According to current statistics, in Germany there will be a shortage of around 150,000 qualified professional drivers in the next two years alone. Additionally, increasingly comprehensive digitalisation across all logistics processes sets a fast pace for transport companies.”


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This is not a drill: Shake Shack, the East Coast’s cult-favorite burger chain, is adding a second Seattle-area location with a restaurant in Kirkland. It should be open for business late summer or early fall. Shake Shack is one of 14 tenants — including a Dough Zone Dumpling House — announced in a new mixed-use development called Kirkland Urban.
Kirkland Urban will have more than 1 million square feet of space for offices, retail, and housing. Other confirmed tenants include Evergreens Salad; Mud Bay; Caffe Ladro; QFC; and a new restaurant from Heavy Restaurant Group, which owns Purple, Pablo y Pablo, Barrio, and more. Most of these businesses should be open around August.
Shake Shack opened its first restaurant in this region in Denny Triangle this past October. That restaurant has consistently drawn long lines for its wildly successful fast food — Shackburgers, chicken sandwiches, concretes, milkshakes. Seattle had been on the company’s wishlist for a while: CEO Randy Garutti is tight with the Canlis family, having befriended Mark Canlis at Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration. Garutti even became general manager of the Canlis family’s Seattle’s famous fine-dining restaurant before moving back east to join the team of Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer.


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Facebook versus Twitter for ROI is a debate that businesses must consider in both their short term and long range marketing plans. The article below suggests that Facebook has the upper hand...for now! Jason
If event registration site Eventbrite’s experience is any indication, social media marketers looking for monetary returns on their efforts might get more value from Facebook than Twitter.
Read more at mashable.com
The company announced Wednesday that an average tweet about an event drove 80 cents in ticket sales during the past six months, whereas an average Facebook Like drove $1.34.


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Xiaomi has finally pushed out the MIUI 10 Global stable update for its POCO F1 in India. This update brings three new features to the handset. The features like 4K 60FPS recording, Widevine L1 certificate, and game turbo mode is now available. What do these new features mean for a POCO F1 user? We talk about it below.
Now record smooth high-resolution videos
The company promised earlier in February that they’ll be pushing out an update that will allow POCO F1 users to record 4K videos at the higher frame rate. At 30FPS, the footage may not look as smooth as it would be at 60FPS. If you’re someone who has bought this phone for creating video content, the company has finally pushed out the update you have been waiting for ages. After updating to the latest stable MIUI 10 3.4.0 stable ROM, you should be able to see this option in the camera app.
Widevine L1 Certified
After much controversy last year, the brand has finally rolled out the update with this certification. Earlier, users on POCO F1 was not able to enjoy the HD streaming on services like Hotstar and Prime Video. Unfortunately, Netflix HD streaming support has not yet arrived. But the brand has promised it will arrive. If one thing that we have noticed, the company might take the required time, but they eventually come around and try to fulfill their promises. Let’s hope POCO F1 users don’t suffer non-HD streaming on Netflix anymore than they’ve already.
Bringing its A-game
With Game Turbo mode, the brand promises to boost the gaming experience on its first POCO smartphone. This is essentially a framework enhancement which will result in CPU and GPU smart allocation. Plus, allocates more system resources during gameplay. This option can be turned ON from MIUI security app. This mode allows users to clear memory, take a screenshot, start screen recording without leaving the gameplay. Interestingly, apart from the above features, users can also access apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Browser in a floating window within the game.
These three are the major updates you’d see in the MIUI 10 3.4.0 stable update as posted by C Manmohan, General Manager of Poco India. You can find a couple of UI tweaks as well as the March security patch.