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The main selling-point that Apple boasts about on the iPhone 5s is Touch ID. Touch ID is supposed to allow iPhone 5s users to unlock their phone faster and easier than typing in a four-digit passcode. There is debate on whether Touch ID is faster, as there have been multiple reports of a inconsistency when unlocking the phone.
Since day one, many users and developers have been yearning for Apple to open up Touch ID in a form of an API, to allow developers to implement Touch ID security into their apps. For example, a banking app may use it to secure information – and whenever the user opens the app, he/she is prompted for their fingerprint.
On the surface, this sounds like a great idea. Not only will it give Apple more boasting rights, but it will make the need for four-digit codes somewhat obsolete. The question that does arise is, how safe is all this? This is the first realistic, all-in approach to fingerprint security, and a lot of users are skeptical.
Apple assures users that their fingerprints are not being uploaded or held on a server, but are being stored locally on the iPhone 5s, which makes the risk of hackers comprising fingerprints a lot lower. Other companies, like Samsung, have recently implemented similar technology into their new Galaxy S5 smartphone. What is interesting about Samsung’s approach is that the fingerprint sensor is open to developers right off the bat.
This comes as an advantage to Samsung. More and more mobile payment applications are popping up using the widely popular Near Field Communications (NFC) technology, so fingerprint security makes the process a lot more streamlined.
In my opinion, I think there needs to be a little more thought put into opening Touch ID up to developers to use in their apps. There was substantial feedback when it was released, and an announcement like this, could get users worried. Apple should investigate on how to make sure apps can’t actually have access to the fingerprints, and build up a nice arsenal of facts on how secure it actually is, to display to potential buyers.
In the end, I do think that allowing developers to play with an API of such could make for some really useful features in many banking, trading, and financial apps. I’m all for it – and I think Apple realizes that they have to tie their camel.


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Shopping giant Walmart is rolling out a fresh financial service which will bring some 54,000 Iowa family that have eliminated standard finance companies a substitute for expensive check-cashing agencies for monetary treatments, specialists say.
The country’s prominent retailer has partnered with prepaid credit card provider Green mark to introduce GoBank, a checking account that contains no overdraft costs or minimal balances specifications.
About 17 percent of Iowa homes comprise under-banked, which means they conducted a banking account but additionally relied on choices like payday advance loan
With overdraft costs receiving extra regulating scrutiny, Walmart have joined a pattern of banking companies offer reports geared toward Us americans coping with the economic downturn. Financial of The united states and Citibank have both going their records that don’t need overdraft costs, based on the Associated push.
“What they’re stating are, ‘discover something that https://paydayloansexpert.com/title-loans-me/ individuals can provide toward neighborhood that features not already been really (given to) by the financial providers industry,'” mentioned Tahira Hira, an Iowa condition college teacher and private loans expert.
Those customers normally have decreased incomes and just have not already been wanted as consumers by a lot of finance companies, Hira as well as others mentioned.
“It is not something which will likely be poaching the financial institution’s most readily useful clients at all,” mentioned Greg McBride, chief monetary analyst at Bankrate, a consumer funds web site.
Clients want best a valid ID and get is over 18 years of age, making the account available to greatest people.
“It is a huge huge difference that must be filled, and let’s hope it’s all for the great,” she mentioned.
Hira mentioned Iowans without a financial select choices like check-cashing or payday lenders because money is readily available. The drawback, she said, is those providers demand with regards to their service while the prices can rack upwards.
Annual amount prices on payday loans, for example, can reach inside multiple digits, according to research by the customer Investment coverage Bureau.
Once the roll-out is done, Iowans need 67 spots – all of Walmart’s Iowa shops – to view the checking accounts.
Recharging no overdraft charge would be appealing to people that do n’t have or cannot open an account with a conventional financial, referred to as unbanked, professionals said
Molly Blakeman, a Walmart spokeswoman, mentioned the organization cannot especially state whenever GoBank would strike Walmart shelving in Iowa. The service is working nationwide by the end of October, she confirmed.
Clients entering Iowa shops will dsicover stands with “starter bags,” she mentioned. The packages will surely cost $2.95 as well as have a temporary credit and information for you to opened the account.
Shauna Shields, appropriate adviser for your Iowa unit of Banking, stated no regulating problems or problems bring increased at the condition department.
Like with any bank-account, guards said consumers should educate by themselves on what they have been purchase before opening a GoBank account.
“If I had been a customers i might glance at the charges which can be becoming recharged, ensure they truly are sensible and determine what these are typically,” mentioned guards, who’ll become the division’s Bank Bureau fundamental in December.
Dave Nelson, chairman and CEO of western Des Moines-based West Bank, said he’s maybe not concerned about competitors from Walmart.
“Checking accounts are simple, but the majority group (seek) a monetary company predicated on their ability to give recommendations that assist them accomplish economic achievement,” Nelson mentioned. “I don’t think Walmart can provide that.”
Walmart ultimately fell that effort after backlash from the lender sector and a now-lifted federal moratorium on supplying charters to commercial organizations.
Gurus stated offering checking reports are a normal step for Walmart, which accommodates toward lower-income customers and those searching for decreased costs, quite a few of whom will always be coping with the results regarding the economic downturn.
Iowa’s average house earnings ended up being $52,229 in 2013, in regards to $900 around the inflation-adjusted home income in 2007, according to research by the U.S. Census agency.
The Bentonville, Ark.-based retail string keeps struggled to steadfastly keep up while increasing the number of customers, facing competitors from Amazon and buck shops such as money standard.
Ken Perkins, a Morningstar assets analyst, said the service try a manner Walmart could possibly offer something its rivals try not to.
“With shopping, at the conclusion of a single day, its keepin constantly your customers, having them keep returning and investing most,” Perkins mentioned.
Treatments: Green mark Bank supplies prepaid notes, checking reports and other money operating solutions through retailers, particularly Walgreens and CVS.
Wal-Mart Stores possess partnered with Green Dot to provide GoBank, a bank checking account without overdraft costs or the absolute minimum balance needs.
Profile uses MasterCard debit cards. Customers can access their account on mobile devices or from 42,000 ATMs in Greent Dot’s system.
Customers need to pay $2.95 for a “starter kit” to setup a merchant account. A credit check is not needed, merely a legitimate ID, to open a free account.
Account holders need to pay either a monthly fee of $8.95 or deposit at the very least $500 every month to waive the cost.
a€? 17.2 percentage of Iowa families comprise under-banked, which means they held a banking account but additionally relied on options like payday advance loan.

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It’s not until you are a victim of cyber hacking that you realise just how insecure the online world is. Last week, I received a text asking whether I had made an iTunes purchase 10 minutes earlier and if I hadn’t, I should follow the link provided. Being totally paranoid about clicking on anything that I am not 100 per cent sure is genuinely from a person or organisation I know and trust, I immediately rang my bank to check. Turns out someone had my card details and had made a test link to iTunes presumably to see if the card was active. The helpful bank security employee immediately cancelled my card.
So how did the cyber criminals get my card details? The bank security team says in the past two weeks they have been inundated with attempts to use stolen card details for online purchases. Presumably the hackers grabbed my details, along with a lot of others from one of the many companies that have experienced data breaches in the past few months or perhaps, few years.
But surely those companies have been taking precautions to protect their customers’ data? If they’d experienced cyber breaches surely they’d let us, the customers, know so we can do something about it – like alert our banks or cancel our credit cards?
Sadly, this doesn’t often happen. A recent article by Paul Smith in the Australian Financial Review (22 November) labelled as ‘shameful’ taxi industry disrupter Uber’s recent cover up of a serious data breach that led to 57 million customer and driver records being exposed.
All too often we see large corporations, either through negligence or simply an inability to keep up with the techie bad guys, leaking our precious financial data. Take the Equifax breach in the US for example, which resulted in the personal data of more than 145 million people being stolen.
Equifax’s share price dropped like the proverbial hot scone, down by about 25% per cent since the hack according to a November 10 article in Fortune Magazine.
The big problem here is that, up to this point, companies have not been compelled to disclose that they have been hacked and that personal financial and other data has been compromised. Many organisations seem to have worked on the premise that if they say nothing the whole thing will go away eventually.
But that’s about to change. From February 23 2018, organisations will have to inform the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and any affected individuals of an ‘eligible data breach’.
This means that putting safeguards in place and having a crisis communication and management plan to cover this eventuality is a must.
As Uber has found, trying to cover up a breach can have a major impact upon reputation and the bottom line. I know many people who’ve cancelled their accounts to avoid the risk of their data being stolen once again. Will customers or drivers trust Uber in the future?
As PR practitioners, we’ve always recommended that our clients establish and maintain a working crisis communication plan to ensure key audiences like customers, employees, shareholders and the media are kept informed when disaster strikes. If your organisation doesn’t have one of these you need to get one.
How the cyber-crooks got hold of my personal credit card details is anyone’s guess. One thing I do know is that the breach will leave me without an operational credit card in the lead-up to Christmas. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s certainly inconvenient.


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CryptoNinjas The Bitfury Group today announced a new partnership with PatentBot to use blockchain to digitally timestamp copyright documents, providing
sponsored AI is riddled with mistakes, but a new platform believes human contributions could help this technology become more accurate
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has collaborated with Ripple and Coil, aiming to provide payment services for the unbanked.
Bitcoin SV, the Bitcoin Cash (BCH) software client published by blockchain development firm nChain, is now live on GitHub. Released
On October 23, Malta will welcome Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Malta – large crypto event about DLT and digital coins.
Initial coin offering (ICO) operator Civil will refund investors due to the blockchain startup’s failure to reach its minimum sale cap.
Ethereum developers say Constantinople may be subject to delays following Saturday’s test network release.
San Francisco based DocuSign has announced the integration of the Ethereum blockchain into its electronic signature and transaction management service.
Controversial economist and professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business, Nouriel Roubini, has long been a detractor of
By now, it’s highly likely that most of us understand how Blockchain technology has dramatically changed and how the world
CryptoNinjas XYO Network, a proof of location protocol that connects the blockchain to the real world announced they have partnered
Industries focusing on the Bitcoin’s blockchain technology, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) are fueling the semiconductor
The president of the World Bank has said Blockchain holds “huge potential” and that “embracing technology” is essential to it
Gary Cohn, a former chief economic advisor to the U.S. president and Goldman veteran, has just joined a financial data-focused
In an effort to bring their members up to speed about the goings on in the financial world, the AARP
Blockchain exchange platform CryptoCoin.Pro has announced the launch of its ICO service suite, which will support both established and upcoming
CryptoNinjas The Insurance Corporation of Barbados Ltd (ICBL) today announced an agreement with Bitt, the Caribbean digital payments company will
As the ICO space continues to generate headlines, driven chiefly by the ICO boom of 2017 and the early part
The mayor of Seoul has rolled out a project to boost the blockchain industry, including setting up an $88 million
A new patent filed by Alibaba seeks to develop a blockchain system that enables authorized parties to intervene in a
Binance has announced a $2.5 million investment in Australian travel startup TravelbyBit in a move to introduce a blockchain-based, point-of-sale
Overstock’s investment subsidiary Medici Ventures has funded a blockchain project aimed at fighting wine counterfeit. Overstock.com’s venture capital subsidiary Medici
The future of real estate and the mortgage business are set to be revolutionized by tokenized properties. Now Everyone Gets
Spanish City of Valencia to Create ‘Smart Port’ Using Blockchain, Big Data One of Spain’s busiest ports based in the city of Valencia


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Leave it to blogger Kimberly Pesch of Eat.Sleep.Wear to give us the perfect collection of images that best display fashionable "Four Eyes." We swear this board will have you rethinking that contact lens order!
Please upgrade your browser for the best Refinery29 experience. Read more.
Many a four-legged friend spent Thursday figuring out how to snatch a turkey off the table, but there were some dogs actually earning their keep at the National Dog Show. Somehow, we doubt Charlie the Skye terrier, who took home Best in Show, will have to do much begging this weekend. Technically speaking, the 4-and-a-half... read
This story was originally published on December 23, 2014. Update: Amid last year's flurry of guides to "discreetly" hooking up at your family home over the holidays, we set forth an alternative option: Don't. The recommendation applies this year, too — here's why. There's no question: The holidays are an etiquette ... read


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Is the practice of relocating production to the other side of the world in order to optimize margins behind us? Our economies have become dangerously interdependent.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers in France are worried that they will no longer be able to produce the drugs they sell, as they have outsourced all of their production to China.
Apple will no longer able to supply replacement iPhones as the majority of the parts are produced in China.
In short, the effects on businesses from the Coronovirus pandemic will force the question of a new form of globalization. There will not be a complete withdrawal of dependence for international products, but probably a transition continent by continent of integrating localized sourcing plus international sourcing. This “plan B” thinking and planning will reduce the effects on the supply chain for future “crisis”. The probability of these kinds of events happening more and more often is certain.
In addition, according to a recent National Association of Manufacturer (NAM) survey, 53.1% of manufacturers anticipate changing how their operations function following the effects of the Coronavirus and ⅓ expect a disruption in their supply chain.
At BizBiz Share we have always positioned our platform as a USEFUL tool for manufacturing companies during a stable economy. We frequently mention that in the event of a downturn in the economy, we would become NECESSARY for businesses.
Never before have we considered a situation like the one we are in today, where global supply chains are completely disrupted. We now know that in this context we have become an ESSENTIAL platform!
The globalization of the economy as we know it will never be the same. From now on companies will try to return to a local supply by having access to the surplus inventories of their neighbouring companies instead of sourcing in Asian countries.
In addition, many companies will postpone the purchase or replacement of new equipment and will sell equipment no longer in use.
BizBiz Share is in an exceptional position to help the industry by offering a unique product to manufacturers and businesses in order to promote the local economy and help solve the upcoming disruption to their supply chain.


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Parcel logistics company OnTrac announced a partnership with Boxbot, a last-mile logistics and automated vehicle startup company founded by veteran Tesla and Uber engineers. According to sources at OnTrac, the new partnership will test a new system that reimagines the way e-commerce packages and other shipments are delivered.
Through Boxbot’s logistics system, recipients can schedule their delivery at a time of their choosing (including evenings), giving e-commerce customers a convenient option that helps them better plan their day and keep their purchases safe. When Boxbot's autonomous vehicle arrives, customers get a text message alert with a unique code they can use to retrieve packages from its parcel lockers.
For several months, Boxbot has worked with OnTrac to test its technology, identify new ways in which autonomy can improve the delivery experience, and tightly integrate within the existing OnTrac delivery infrastructure.
OnTrac and Boxbot plan to expand testing starting this summer in select Zip codes in Northern California. As part of the expanded partnership, Boxbot is now operating as a regional service provider for OnTrac, handling last-mile deliveries through Boxbot's fleet of delivery vans and drivers.
Boxbot will manage these deliveries using a system that combines an automated local hub with a fleet of street-based delivery vehicles. Boxbot's automated local hubs store and sort parcels before automatically loading them for delivery via hubs situated close to residential neighborhoods.
Boxbot's fleet includes two types of vehicles: traditional parcel delivery vans with drivers, and self-driving electric vehicles that can manage more complex deliveries, like those requiring signatures. Boxbot's delivery vehicles can be reloaded with packages throughout the day at its automated local hubs. Automating this process enables Boxbot's drivers to get more done in less time, without worrying about loading, organizing or finding packages within their vehicles.
Originally posted on Trucking Info


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Cadmium-free quantum dot (QD) TVs will be introduced by Samsung next year, claims the Korea Times. The source quotes an unnamed official at Samsung.
Samsung will apparently receive the QDs from Dow Chemical, which signed a licensing agreement with Nanoco last year (Display Monitor Vol 20 No 4). Dow announced recently that it expects to begin mass production of cadmium-free QDs in January 2015 (Display Monitor Vol 21 No 39).
LG is also said to be working on cadmium-free QD TVs. Nanoco signed a licensing agreement with ‘a major South Korean electronics company’ in March (Display Monitor Vol 21 No 13), commonly thought to refer to the company. The Korea Times says that LG Electronics is working with LG Chemical and – again – Dow Chemical on the products.
Both Samsung and LG plan to release their TVs at CES 2015, according to the source.


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The new StatePoliceCU mobile app is now available for download in the App Store or Google Play!
Access your account information and perform transactions anytime using your phone or tablet. The new app also includes Credit Sense, a tool for free access to your credit score, credit report, financial tips and more. There is no impact on your credit score using this feature. Don’t wait; our existing TouchBanking app will be retired later this Fall!


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Capcom has secured the exclusive worldwide rights to publish games in the MotoGP series across all hardware platforms.
The deal comes a year after Capcom obtained the PlayStation rights to the franchise.
Now the publisher plans to release games based on the 2008 MotoGP season for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PC, PS2 and mobiles. Top manufacturers such as Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki will feature, along with riders including Shinya Nakano, Jorge Lorenzo and the UK's James Toseland.
Meanwhile, Capcom has also announced the acquisition of K2 - the studio behind the Tenchu and Valhalla Knights series.
"K2 has a proven record as a reliable provider of game development services for Capcom," the company said in a statement.
"By making this company a wholly-owned subsidiary, Capcom plans to make its game development activities more efficient and speedy."


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You may know Bitcoin is a controversial digital currency that makes news for falling or rising -- a lot. Less widely known is that consumers can acquire the cryptocurrency through ATMs, just like regular cash.
The number of machines installed worldwide is nearing 1,600, with the biggest hunk in the U.S. at more than 900, according to Coin ATM Radar, which tracks the information globally. That's up from virtually none at the beginning of 2014.
Bitcoin is available at all 1,567 cryptocurrency ATMs, followed by Litecoin, available at 357, according to Coin ATM Radar. Coinsource operates 128 ATMs in the U.S., making it the biggest, with machines across the country including New York, Philadelphia, and cities in Texas and California.
There are several Bitcoin ATM manufacturers, which mean there are several kinds of Bitcoin ATMs. Most will allow you to create a "wallet" for the digital currency, though some require you have one set up on line before visiting the machine. To buy Bitcoins, typically a user scans a code created either online or at the machine, inserts cash and fills the digital wallet with converted Bitcoin. Some machines also allow users to convert Bitcoin into cash, digitally or physically.
Most ATM users are looking to convert their cash to use Bitcoin to buy things online or send money, Coinsource CEO Sheffield Clark said in an interview.
The reason non-trader types are interested? The currency's growing popularity as way to make online purchases may be one, Clark said, pointing to acceptance by online retailers including Microsoft, Expedia and Overstock.com.
Earlier this year, Japan started accepting Bitcoin as legal tender, helping drive prices of the currency higher over the summer. Some critics said Bitcoin's rising price -- and speculation about a bubble and possible crash -- may slow the pace of retailer adoption in the U.S.
Still, Clark estimates most customers use Bitcoin ATMs "more as a fin...


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CNET intros listing fees for Download.com
CNET is to start charging software publishers for listing their apps on Download.com.
From September 30, the tech publisher will charge a fee to have software posted or updated. Software already posted on Download.com will stay there until the end of the year. But then publishers will have to pay up if they are to avoid eviction. CNET is also rolling out some enhanced pay-for-placement services, with subscriptions starting at $99 a month. And it's teamed up with a webhosting firm called MoveDigital to offer cut-price bandwidth.
We await news of the paid-for conversion rate with great interest, but the proposition makes sense to us. Why shouldn't CNET make a turn on this worthy service?
"CNET, according to a source, approached Yahoo about a possible partnership for the new Download.com, but was apparently rebuffed. The theory behind the Yahoo partnership was to put Download.com in more direct competition with Digital River, an e-commerce services provider which, among other solutions, enables software vendors to hock their wares via direct download." ®


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Wickham Micro, a prominent member of the Cormica Group, is pleased to announce a significant expansion of its bacterial endotoxin testing facilities. The expansion comes in response to the increasing demand for high-quality microbiology services in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries.
Wickham Micro's commitment to excellence and innovation has driven this expansion, resulting in a 40% increase in laboratory space. This growth reflects the company's dedication to providing excellence in microbiology testing services without compromise.
One of the key achievements of this expansion is the implementation of a leaner process, which has boosted efficiency by an impressive 33%. This strategic improvement ensures that clients receive quicker turnaround times without compromising on the quality and accuracy of the testing services provided.
To support the expanded operations and enhance safety measures, Wickham Micro has also invested in new equipment, including extra safety cabinets and plate readers. This addition reinforces the company's commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards in the industry.
In just two years, the Wickham Micro Bacterial endotoxin department has seen a remarkable 50% growth in its workforce. This investment in talent within the local area underscores the company's dedication to fostering the next generation of experts in microbiology.
Wickham Micro takes pride in being one of the few laboratories in the UK capable of performing cytotoxicity testing. As part of the Cormica Group, Wickham Micro also holds the distinction of being one of the largest Microbiology laboratory in the United Kingdom. This expansion reaffirms Wickham Micro's position as a leader in microbiology testing services.
With this expansion, Wickham Micro continues to uphold the high standards of quality and reliability that Cormica and its group laboratories are renowned for. The company's dedication to delivering exceptional testing services will undoubtedly benefit clients in the medical device and pharmaceutical sectors.


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Watch out for the latest and comprehensive review of the all-new Ford Focus. Another standout car for you to watch out.Read More
Category: What’s Next
What's Next? The cars our team at CarTell.tv will be reviewing in the coming weeks. Send your comments and requests on social media so we can continue to bring you what you want to see.
Good looking car reviews! Video reviews of the latest cars to hit the Australian market. Check us out on youtube.com/cartelltv


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Sony announced on Twitter, via its PlayStation Europe account, that the new firmware was available to download. It also included a link to a step-by-step guide on how to install the new firmware on a bricked console.
Sony pulled the 4.45 firmware quickly after launch because of a number of panicked forum posters complained about their consoles freezing up, rendering them unusable..
Run of the mill, bric-a-brac, update
The original 4.45 update was released to give users the option to turn of trophy notifications and other small things.
But the unintended result was that some consoles were unable to boot up past the PS3 loading screen. Not all consoles were affected and there seems to be no distinction between older PS3s and the new slim version.
It's unclear how man people were affected but it was enough to cause a mini-storm on Twitter and for Sony to pull the firmware less than a week after launch. Sony, however, previously told us that it had received reports from only a small number of users.
Those affected will have to download the update onto their computer, transfer it onto a USB, and then boot up their PS3 in safe mode with the USB plugged in.


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SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea acknowledged for the first time an outbreak of bird flu at poultry farms near its capital, in a sign that the deadly avian virus endemic in Southeast Asia could be greatly expanding its geographic reach.
Pyongyang's official news agency reported Sunday that hundreds of thousands of chickens had been destroyed in an effort to curb the spread of the disease, which had killed birds at "a few chicken farms."
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60% off running shoes and apparel at Nike


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AppleInsider has a story about a group of Mac users who have had enough of their faulty MacBooks, and they're not going to take it anymore. The group has set up a page at ClassAction.com and is looking for support to force Apple into a recall of the company's newest consumer notebook. AppleInsider also points to macbookrandomshutdown.com, a site dedicated to RSS (random shutdown syndrome) that already has over 1,250 reports of afflicted laptops.
This shouldn't be much of a surprise. There have been reports of random MacBook shutdowns for months, and Apple even copped to the problem last month, but there's not been much movement since then.
I didn't sign up at either of the petitioning sites, but I could have. I bought my fiancee a MacBook about a month after they were released and within a week it was shutting down at will. We were lucky, though. We made an appointment at Apple's main store in London and after the Genius witnessed two shutdowns in as many minutes, he said he'd give us a brand new MacBook. Things have been OK so far.
Are any of you still suffering with the same problem? How has Apple handled your complaints? Sound off in comments.


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Want to join the conversation?
Elon Musk's prestigious electric vehicle brand $TSLA said its 4Q15 revenue jumped 25% to $1.21Bil, powered by Model X and Model S deliveries, but quarterly loss widened to $2.44 per share on higher costs and expenses. Model S deliveries increased 76% year on year in 4Q15, the company said.
I haven’t seen a drop in banks like this in a long time. Looks like $WFC is still facing pressures from its sales practices scandal..!!
Helping President-elect's America first focus, $WMT set to create 10,000 retail jobs in the US in 2017.
Looks like Trump has his eyes on the $MON and Bayer merger next. He had a meeting with the CEOs and apparently got job promises from them.


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Which comes 1st, jobs or shopping?
American shoppers are being careful about how much they spend, and that is making businesses cautious about hiring.
For the economic recovery to gain strength -- and the unemployment rate to come down in any meaningful way -- consumers will need to become less frugal. But a flurry of data released Tuesday suggests families are reluctant to increase their spending, even as they buy more stuff, including cars and consumer staples like razors and shampoo.
"Once the unemployment rate starts coming down in a significant way, consumers will feel more confident and start spending. But businesses are reluctant to step up hiring until they see stronger demand," said Chris G. Christopher, senior economist at IHS Global Insight. "It's a Catch-22 situation."
Unemployment stands at 9.5 percent. The government's next jobs report comes out Friday.
General Motors and Chrysler on Tuesday posted higher U.S. sales for July, a sign that Americans are still willing to buy big-ticket items. And Procter & Gamble, maker of Tide laundry soap and Pampers diapers, said its revenue grew 5 percent in the latest quarter.
But other industry and government data were more downbeat.
Factory orders dropped in June for the second consecutive month after nine straight months of gains, the Commerce Department said. And the number of buyers who signed contracts to purchase homes fell in June to the lowest level on records dating back to 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Savings up, debt isn't
One telling detail about consumers' habits these days came from the Commerce Department's personal income and spending report for June: The annualized savings rate stood at 6.4 percent, the highest level in nearly a year -- and triple the rate in 2007, before the recession.
The savings rate hasn't dipped below 5 percent since October 2008.
Even the way people are paying for things shows a change in attitude about money. Consumers shied away from accumulating new debt during the second quarter, according to the latest reports from MasterCard Inc., and Visa Inc.
Overall card use rose 14 percent. But the growth came almost entirely from debit cards, which rose to $465 billion, from $408 billion a year ago. Credit card use edged up less than a percent to $345 billion from $342 billion last year.
Analysts believe consumers have now rebuilt savings and will be open to spending more in the coming months.
"We think most of the required increases in savings have already happened and that further increases in incomes will translate into consumer spending," said Peter Newland, an economist at Barclays Capital.
Consumer spending is important because it accounts for 70 percent of total economic activity.
Last week, the government said economic growth for the second quarter slowed to 2.4 percent. Many analysts believe it will dip further in the second half of the year because of high unemployment, shaky consumer confidence and weakness in home prices in many major metropolitan areas.
While personal income growth was flat in June, it rose in April and May. But households chose to save the extra money rather than spend it.
Longer term, that may not be such a bad thing, economists said, because the savings help households get control of their bills and make purchases they can afford.
"It is of some comfort that households now appear to have something of a cushion that can be used to pay down debt or support spending," said Paul Dales, U.S. economist at Capital Economics.
Changes in spending
Make no mistake, Americans are spending money. But they want value for their purchases or a good deal. If they don't get either, many are passing on name brands and living with generic goods.
The automakers that posted higher U.S. sales in July did so through summer promotions and easier credit plans.
P&G executives said they've noticed shoppers shift to cheaper brands. In response, the company has cut its prices, offered discounts and created lower-priced versions of some brands to hold onto customers. This explains why net income for the quarter was down to $2.2 billion from nearly $2.5 billion a year prior.
Saving more and budgeting for purchases may be good for families. But it worries retailers, who employ 14.4 million Americans, or about 11 percent of total employment.
Retailers stepped up hiring earlier this year after a solid winter holiday shopping season, then cut jobs in May and June as consumer spending slowed.
Craig Johnson, president of retail consulting firm Customer Growth Partners, says stores would prefer Americans saved in the 3 to 4 percent range. But he expects shoppers to keep squirreling money away at the higher rate even through the Christmas holiday season.


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A new public-private partnership will attempt to break ground on new ways Ontario's municipalities can conserve water consumption and spending.
International Business Machines Corp. is launching its first formal research and development lab in Canada through a $175-million investment over the next 21 months in a consortium with seven Ontario universities, the company said Tuesday
Facebook Inc. acquired 750 patents from International Business Machines Corp., adding intellectual property that may help it counter allegations of patent infringement, a person with knowledge of the transaction said
The computer that won “Jeopardy!” a year ago will help Citigroup identify risks, rewards and customer wants mere human experts may overlook
Tech firms making news this morning: Mobovivo Inc., International Business Machines (IBM) Corp., Microsoft Corp. and Intel Corp.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc is holding onto its Johnson & Johnson stake for now but could consider selling it given the company’s recent problems, Warren Buffett said on Monday
Berkshire Hathaway Inc has bought more shares in International Business Machines Corp during the first quarter but is unlikely to do much more investing in the technology sector, Warren Buffett told CNBC on Monday. Buffett, asked about Apple Inc, said he has never bought the shares. He did note, though, that Apple’s late CEO Steve […]
International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) – $185.76 added 2.9% after releasing higher than consensus fourth quarter results. The stock has a positive, but deteriorating technical profile. Intermediate trend is up. Support is at $175.46 and resistance is at $194.90. The stock trades above its 200 day moving average, but below its 50 day moving average. Seasonal […]
North American markets gave up some ground on open Wednesday as investors fretted over Europe. The Dow was off 0.4% while Canada's main exchange opened closer to flat
For the 19th year in a row, International Business Machines Corp. has set the pace for patenting new inventions in the United States
The tragic accident, which also killed three crew members, ended a career that oversaw the biggest expansion of the French energy giant in at least 15 years
Sure, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos devours bookstores. But he also devours books, and has said the he learns more from novels than non-fiction
Apple said it will lump Apple Watch with the iPod, Apple TV, Beats headphones, and other accessories into an 'other products' category in its financial statements
When Vancouver’s RB Energy flamed out this month, investors were shell-shocked. But it’s not the only lithium producer to cost shareholders millions
Martin Pelletier: Large daily swings in the markets recently have not been uncommon, making it a rather challenging environment for investors


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Warnings about about the health risks posed by sugar have failed to curb consumption, with children aged four to 10 eating and drinking more than double the recommended amount, according to Public Health England (PHE) figures.
Britons are advised that sugar should account for no more than 5% of daily calories, but from 2012-14, the average was 13.4% for those aged between four and 10, 15.2% among 11- to 18-year-olds, 12.3% for adults under 65 and 11.1% for those aged 65 and over, the national diet and nutrition survey (NDNS) found.
Many believe sugar is the biggest contributor to the obesity epidemic crippling the NHS, and the results, published on Friday, reignited criticism of the failure by the government to take a stronger line in its childhood obesity strategy.
The Action on Sugar chairman, Graham MacGregor, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University of London, said: “Today’s NDNS data shows that children are still consuming almost three times more sugar than the daily maximum recommendation. Theresa May must urgently rethink her pathetic childhood obesity plan that lacks restrictions on the marketing of, and promotions on, products high in saturated fat, sugar and salt.
“The strategy must include the implementation of the soft drinks industry levy and a mandatory reformulation programme, as the failed responsibility deal has already proven that a voluntary system does not work.”
The figures showed a drop in the consumption of soft drinks by children aged four to 10, from 130ml a day from 2008-10 to 100ml a day from 2012-14, which helped make the age group the only one in which sugar consumption declined, having stood at 14.4% from 2010-12.
But levels remain unacceptably high, despite attempts to raise awareness of the harmful effects of sugar and the proliferation of healthy eating content on blogs and social media. Last year, the UK’s official nutrition advisers slashed the recommended daily amount of sugar, which had been 11% of calorific intake, in response to rising concerns.
The Obesity Health Alliance and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPH) said the figures underlined the need to protect children from junk food marketing on television and online, one of the most heavily criticised omissions of the obesity strategy published last month.
The RCPH president, Prof Neena Modi, said: “At a time when one in three 10-year-old children are overweight or obese, and one in three five-year-olds has tooth decay, the health risks posed by failure to tackle sugar intake are serious.
“An overweight or obese child is highly likely to be an overweight or obese adult, increasing the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.”
An Obesity Health Alliance spokeswoman called for “an environment that makes it easier to make healthier choices”.
The survey painted a grim picture of the UK’s dietary habits. It found that people consume too much saturated fat and not enough fruit, vegetables, fibre and oily fish, with very few improvements since 2008-10. Additionally, men are eating too much red meat and processed meat, which was ranked alongside cigarettes as a major cause of cancer by the World Health Organisation last year.
Dr Alison Tedstone, the chief nutritionist at PHE, said: “This data provides compelling evidence that we all need to eat more fruit, veg, fibre and oily fish, and cut back on sugar, salt and saturated fat to improve our health.”
The survey was based on responses from 1,288 adults and 1,258 children, drawn from households selected at random.


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Last June 20 to 21 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom Manila, “SMACS” (Social, Mobility, Analytics, Cloud and Security) – are reshaping the strategies of enterprises and organizations. Hosted by PLDT Enterprise, the corporate business group of PLDT, the convention was a huge success at it was attended by media, smart and pldt executives, business leaders, and decision makers from the country’s leading enterprises across various industries. The convention provided these business leaders with in-depth information on the future of the digital enterprise and the breakthrough technologies that will prominently figure in their business. The Philippine ICT Leadership Convention will highlight the strategic challenges and opportunities that digital technologies present to Philippine companies. The convention helped enterprises make this shift and usher in a more digitally-empowered Philippines.
Attendees also participated in breakout workshops focused on specific technology tracks that include Data Center and Cloud, Big Data and Analytics, M2M and Internet of Things, Digital Engagement, Cyber security, and Unified Communications and Collaboration. These topics, designed to provide a holistic approach to the benefits of technology tracks to enterprises, enabled participants to better understand the solutions that are at their disposal, and how these can significantly impact their businesses Aside from presentations by industry leaders and technology experts, the 2-day convention also allowed guests to experience various digital technologies within the enterprise environment through workshops, exhibits, and plenary discussions.
I'm particularly happy with this event because it was presented in association with premier global market intelligence provider IDC, where my brother Jubert works as Country Manager.


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But dozens of the locals are choosing instead to spend their Saturday indoors. They've packed into the A View To Video adult store, hoping to meet Penthouse Pets and Sin City contract stars Hannah Harper and Gina Austin.
They ask the girls for autographs, pose for pictures with them. Big smiles all around. Nobody is worried about wasting a nice day.
They'd rather be inside and close to the girls. They aren't the only ones with smiles on their faces.
Store owner Daryl Jenkins is a happy man, too, because the fans aren't just milling about; they're buying videos. Lots of them. And he knows they'll be back for more.
Jenkins does one or two signings a month at his two Oxnard A View To Video locations.
Jenkins, who has about 20,000 adult videos in stock at all times, says the starlets are a huge draw for fans, helping him bring in new customers, building relationships with his existing customers and, most importantly, driving sales. The best case scenario are starlets who have substantial bodies of work that the store can put on display. "I'll run a deal on those movies, get the box covers personally signed by the girl," he tells XBiz. "When Max [Hardcore] came in with Kendra [Jade], we sold better than two-to-one what we normally sell." Like most retailers, Jenkins had some help from his distributor in organizing the event, as well as a promotional push from Sin City, which blasted adult media outlets with press releases.
"The key is getting people in the door," Jenkins says.
That's easier said than done, according to Jenkins.
"We run ads on radio, in newspapers, wherever they'll let me put in an ad," he says. "But I'll tell you, promoting adult is the hardest thing you'll ever do because everyone wants to pretend it doesn't exist."
Often, distributors will supply artwork for ads and posters. Jenkins also tries to run radio ads on multiple stations reaching different target demographics. "We'll work with a company like Clear Channel to find a station that reaches our older customers, say 45 and older," he says, "and one that reaches the younger kids, the hiphop crowd."
Who covers the costs and does the legwork? Typically, the store covers the costs of flying girls to the local city, putting them up in a hotel and most of the advertising costs.
"It's either/or," Daniel Metcalf, who has been involved with dozens of signings for Wicked Pictures, tells XBiz. "In some cases, we've shared the logistics and cost of promotion. In a well-executed signing or tour, you'll involve local radio, local web and print press, and look for other ways to exploit the promotional value of the signing, such as having the contract talent host a local nightclub event."
Sin City Sales Manager Danny Gorman says another effective — and free — promotional avenue is offering to arrange interviews with local radio DJs.
"I usually ask the store to try to get us on a local radio show, to arrange for the girls to do an interview the day before the signing or the morning of the signing,"
Gorman tells XBiz. "A lot of these talk stations love to have the girls on; it's an easy sell, and [the exposure] draws in a lot of fans." Gorman points to one signing he helped organize several years ago in Phoenix, Ariz., in which porn star Houston — one of the more media-savvy performers of her time — was interviewed by three of the biggest stations in the market, and the store ended up with lines around the corner.
He says that kind of a turnout is a good day for everyone involved, from the studio to the girls themselves.
"It's a great vehicle for the store and for us," he says. "It gives the store a chance to sell lots of DVDs, and there are a lot of people who'll come into the store because of the signing — first-time customers who come back again. So, the store owner is happy, and the happier he is, the happier I am, because it means he's ordering more of my DVDs."
Gorman said larger chains like Castle Books and Movie Gallery will sometimes order several hundred extra pieces of a title when the star is coming to the store, which means profits for the store, the distributor and, ultimately, Sin City. And the girls make money from taking Polaroid pictures with fans — up to $25 a pop, so they're happy, too.
"Another popular option is to have the radio station itself do a live remote from the signing," offers Metcalf. "That often proves to be one of the most effective ways to drive foot traffic to your event."
Timing of the event itself also is a factor. After 20 years of experience hosting signings, Jenkins has found he gets the best results when he hosts a signing on a Saturday and starts it in the afternoon so that it goes into the early evening.
But the most crucial element, all agree, is the girls themselves.
Jenkins said the performer's attitude has a direct impact on sales. "Someone like Kendra, she has a great personality and understands what needs to get done. She said to me, 'My job is to make you guys happy.' More girls should watch her and learn from her. But a lot of the girls are not dependable. They show up late, and you end up with [customers] bugging on you."
Gorman adds that some stores have reported such negative experiences dealing with girls that they've sworn off signings forever. "Some girls don't care or put out much effort," he says, "and that can be a turnoff for the fans. You want a girl who's reliable, who shows up on time, who has a good personality."
And that's not the only time customers "bug," according to Gorman, who says Sin City usually sends an escort to accompany girls to signings to keep possible stalkers at bay.
"One guy came in with a book of stick figure drawings of how he wanted the girls to pose," he recalls. "I wondered, 'Exactly how long did this guy work on those drawings?' For some of these guys, their whole lives are based around [porn]. It's good to have someone there to watch out for the girls."
You also have to be on the lookout for fans who may not be fans, but local law enforcement, especially in Southern states where many communities have strict rules regarding what's allowed at in-store events and would like nothing better than to bust the local adult shop.
Still, despite these concerns, Jenkins says he swears by signings as a way to drive new business.
"When you're opening up a new store, what better way is there to get it off the ground than having girls come in?" he says.


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McDonald’s says its stores that were running out of lettuce due to high demand should have received salad overnight, or it’s on its way today.
The main menu items affected by the lettuce shortage were Big Mac and McChicken, McDonald’s spokesman Simon Kenny said.
Customers of the affected stores were offered burgers without lettuce or to order another burger.
The shortage came after 24 hours of booming business for the fast food giant, which saw more than 300,000 burgers sold and doubled sales compared to the same day last year.
* Coronavirus: Crowded takeaways could lead to more Covid-19 clusters, expert warns
* Coronavirus: Police issue warning after 111 call after long queue at fast food restaurant
* Coronavirus: McDonald’s trade doubles normal Tuesday in Covid 19 level 3 lockdown
* McDonald’s runs out of patties, gravy as kiwis freak out to buy burgers before lockdown
McDonald’s briefed customers on the lettuce issue on its Facebook page on Wednesday evening.
Her message read, “Sorry! Due to demand, some of our stores are temporarily running out of lettuce. Our suppliers and delivery trucks are working hard to restock the restaurants.
“You can still order your favorites, but for sold out stores they will be made without lettuce. Thank you for understanding.”
Since the country went to Alert Level 3, some takeout restaurants across the country have seen huge lines of cars lining up with patrons eager to get their hands on fast food.
Queues lined with roads, streets and even overflowed into bus lanes on Tuesday following the slight easing of restrictions.
In Christchurch, city council even had to involve traffic management at two McDonald’s restaurants on Tuesday due to demand.
In Hamilton, 24 cars were counted lined up at KFC Ulster St after the restaurant opened on Tuesday.
Police said they had witnessed a small number of traffic incidents at some fast food outlets and restaurants since they reopened after the Level 4 lockdown.
An incident occurred at BurgerFuel in Glenfield where a large crowd was pictured waiting for their meals and not practicing social distancing.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has since criticized the lack of social distancing after seeing footage of people gathering as they grabbed take-out and toured parks or beaches.
McDonald’s spokesman Simon Kenny said Tuesday was one of their busiest days in New Zealand for more than 40 years.
“We had a week to work with suppliers and our distribution partner to prepare and ship inventory for restaurants to be opened below alert level 3. For some restaurants, the busy opening resulted in shortages on certain items. .
“Lettuce is one example, where there is a 20 week delay, and the consequence of foreclosure and initial customer demand means some restaurants may be temporarily short.”
He said restaurants were receiving more supplies over the next few days, so they contacted their customers to explain “they may have to let us catch up.”
He was unable to say precisely which stores were affected.
“Almost everything we serve is from New Zealand and our suppliers are doing everything they can to support us,” he said.


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Oppo is said to be expanding the Reno 8 series. The smartphone is likely to be it Oppo Reno 8T phone It has been featured on many certification sites including TKDN, EEC, and redundantAnd the rinseAnd the Element material technology. The rumored smartphone carries model number CPH2481.
According to a report by Gizmochina, the listing on SIRIM suggested the brand of the device and Elements material technology The listing has indicated that the device comes with 33W charging support. The price of the smartphone is likely to be lower compared to the Reno 8 series which supports 80W charging. There is a smartphone that may feature other cuts in terms of features and specifications.
The Bureau of India Standards (BIS) has also certified the launch of Reno 8T in India. However, the Chinese smartphone maker has not disclosed the launch dates. The smartphone is expected to be launched next year in 2023.
Oppo recently unveiled the Reno 9 series of phones smart phones In China. The series consists of three smartphones – Reno 9, Reno 9 Pro and Reno 9 Pro +. The smartphones were launched in China and feature a similar design but they come powered by three different processors.
Oppo Reno 9 series: price and availability
The vanilla Oppo Reno 9 comes in three RAM + storage options – 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB. The three variants are priced at CNY 2,499 (roughly Rs. 28,500), CNY 2,699 (Rs. 30,800), and CNY 2,999 (Rs. 34,000), respectively. The three smartphones will be available in All Things Red, Bright Moon Black, Tomorrow Gold, and Slightly Drunken colours. The smartphones are already up for pre-order and will be on sale starting (today) December 2nd in China. There is no information about the official launch of the Oppo Reno 9 series in India. However, smartphones are expected to arrive in 2023.


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Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer Inc. is finally about to make its much-anticipated entry into southeastern Wisconsin. The addition of Meijer seems sure to shake up the region’s already highly competitive grocery market.
“They are blitzing the market with more square footage than the market can absorb,” said Pewaukee-based grocery industry analyst David Livingston.
Meijer has more than 200 stores throughout the Midwest, and now is ready to open its first Wisconsin stores. Meijer will open stores in Grafton and Kenosha in June and in Oak Creek and Wauwatosa in August. The company also plans to open stores in Waukesha and Sussex in 2016. Meijer also recently obtained approval for a store in Greenfield. In 2017, Meijer plans to open a store in West Bend, city officials announced recently. Also, Meijer eventually plans to open a store in Sheboygan, where the company earlier this year acquired Memorial Mall.
Meijer stores include full grocery and general merchandise departments. The company is entering southeastern Wisconsin as the region’s grocery industry has become increasingly competitive. Walmart, Sendik’s, Woodman’s and others have added numerous stores in the region in recent years.
Even more competition is on the way, besides Meijer. Costco plans to add two more stores, in New Berlin and Menomonee Falls. Whole Foods will add a store in Wauwatosa. Fresh Thyme Farmers Market will enter the market with stores in Milwaukee and Brookfield.
In addition, the area’s Target stores have increased their grocery offerings in recent years.
In a region with modest population growth, the combination of so many additional grocery stores, plus the pending addition of Meijer and other planned stores, has put a strain on market leader Pick ’n Save, a brand of Milwaukee-based Roundy’s Inc.
Pick ’n Save’s market share in southeastern Wisconsin has fallen from about 65 percent in 2006 to about 35 to 40 percent today, Livingston estimates. Roundy’s says it has 42 percent market share in the Milwaukee area.
In addition to the increasing number of competitors in the region, Pick ’n Save faces challenges that include a high level of debt, high labor costs for its unionized workers and rental costs, because it typically rents its space, Livingston said.
Last year, Roundy’s closed three Pick ’n Save stores in the area: a store at 810 E. Green Bay Ave. in Saukville; a store at 8120 W. Brown Deer Road in Milwaukee; and a store at 11111 W. Greenfield Ave. in West Allis. The closure of the three stores resulted in the loss of 226 jobs.
“These stores were EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) negative, and we acted accordingly to best position our existing store base for future growth and improved returns,” Roundy’s chairman and chief executive officer Robert Mariano said in the company’s fourth quarter earnings call.
Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly moved into the former Pick ’n Save store in Saukville, but vacated its previous location nearby at 835 E. Green Bay Ave. Fox Bros. also opened a Piggly Wiggly store in Hartford late last year.
Roundy’s also recently announced that it will close the Pick ’n Save store at 2210 Rapids Drive in Racine. The store closure will put 65 employees out of work.
“You can’t run low volume or low sales stores perpetually,” Livingston said. “At some point you have to cut the line and let them go.”
Roundy’s reported adjusted net income from continuing operations of $3.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, down from $5.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. For all of 2014, the company reported an adjusted net loss from continuing operations of $2.07 million, down from adjusted net income from continuing operations of $27.8 million in 2013.
In its report on the fourth quarter of 2014, Roundy’s said, “same-store sales continue to be negatively impacted by competitive store openings in our Wisconsin markets.”
“For the full year of 2014 we experienced seven competitive (grocery store) openings in our Wisconsin markets. The outlook for this year, 2015, is for 13 competitive store openings in the Wisconsin markets, including five supercenter openings and eight conventional (grocery store) openings. Ten of these openings are expected to be in the Milwaukee metropolitan market, and the majority of them will be summer and fall openings,” Mariano said in the fourth quarter earnings call. “We will be very proactive, not reactive, in regard to new competitive openings. We will continue our process improvements initiatives in 2015 with a goal of operational excellence across all banners.”
Meijer stores, typically about 192,000 square feet in size, are similar to Walmart stores, with large grocery and general merchandise departments, Livingston said. Meijer differentiates from Walmart by offering higher quality perishable grocery items, he said. Meijer will differentiate itself from Pick ’n Save by offering lower prices.
“Meijer knows Roundy’s is vulnerable and can’t fight back,” Livingston said. “(Pick ’n Save) can’t lower prices (because of debt, labor and real estate costs). Meijer knows they can push (Pick ’n Save) over the edge.”
The region’s grocery market will not feel a significant impact from the opening of the first Meijer stores, Livingston said. But over time, as all of the planned Meijer stores open and other planned stores, such as the Costco stores in Menomonee Falls and New Berlin, also open, the region’s grocery market will face a significant shift in market share, he said.
Livingston predicts that Roundy’s market share in southeastern Wisconsin will shrink to about 18 to 20 percent, levels that will be matched by Walmart and Meijer. Sendik’s, Piggly Wiggly and Woodman’s will each have about 10 percent market share, he predicts.
“Customers are going to love it,” Livingston said. “They are going to have all kinds of good places to shop.”
The competition in the region’s grocery market is much tougher than it was about 15 years ago, when most of Roundy’s competitors were weakened by struggling parent companies, Livingston said. Walmart, Target, Meijer and Costco are much stronger competitors.
“These companies are huge compared to Roundy’s,” Livingston said. “Now (Roundy’s) is the little guy.”
While stymied by increased competition in Wisconsin, Roundy’s, which went public in 2012, has turned to the Chicago area for growth. The company opened its first Mariano’s grocery store in the Chicago area in 2010 and now has 31 locations in that region, according to the 2015 Roundy’s Fact Book. The company says it plans to expand to 45 to 50 Chicago area locations over time, including five planned new stores this year and five new stores in 2016.
“They are a Chicago company now,” Livingston said.
In southeastern Wisconsin, Roundy’s may have to close more stores as the competition continues to grow. Livingston predicts about half of the Pick ’n Save stores will close. Roundy’s has 90 Pick ’n Save stores, most located in southeastern Wisconsin.
“Many of their existing stores are in good locations and will survive,” Livingston said. “(But) about half of their locations are redundant. I think about half of the (Pick ’n Save) stores will close over time. I don’t know how long that is going to take. I think they need to get rid of about half of their stores to get their sales per square foot to a reasonable level.”
One of the few new stores planned by Roundy’s in southeastern Wisconsin is an 85,000-square-foot, two-level Metro Market grocery store that will be built on Oakland Avenue in Shorewood. It will replace the Pick ’n Save store on that street.


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EAGLE, NE – People who bike from Lincoln to Eagle on the MoPac East Trail won’t get their nachos from the One Eyed Dog Saloon anymore, but they might be able to get Asian fusion or barbecue.
The Eagle Village Board voted last week to allow food trucks in the village by waiving an itinerant sales permit — similar to a peddler’s fee — for a trial period through Dec. 31.
Dan Buckley is selling the saloon after running it for 11 years, and asked the board to waive the $25 fee it typically charges for a seven-day permit.
He hopes to stay in business until he sells and said it’s tough to hire cooks when a new owner could take over at any time.
“So, we closed up the kitchen and came up with the idea of these food trucks,” he said.
Buckley and Village Clerk Nick Nystrom said there are no places to eat other than convenience stores in the town of 1,000 about 10 miles east of Lincoln.
The saloon is a popular stopping place for 250 to 300 cyclists who do the Nacho Ride from Lincoln to Eagle on Tuesdays in May through October.
Heoya, a food truck that offers Asian fusion, was in town Tuesday.
“It went really good,” Buckley said. “The guy from Heoya was really happy. He will be back next week.”
Find the entire article at journalstar.com [here]


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It's official, Boxing Week Deals are on now at Home Depot plus they're giving free shipping on hundreds of online items. There's no need to wait till December 26!
There are deals to be had sitewide, from appliances to tools, flooring to smart home, decor and more.
If you've been waiting for just the right time to pick up a Google Home Mini Smart Speaker with Google Assistant, now's the time to scoop it up. Home Depot has it on sale for $39 (reg. $79) and it'll ship free!
You might also be looking for a snow blower, and luckily there are plenty to choose from. Most will ship free as part of the Boxing Week special, and some are even on sale - like the PowerSmart 24-inch Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower.
And for those of you who cook outdoors year-round, it's a great time to check out the outdoor cooking section. There are plenty of deals on smokers and barbecues, plus most of these also include free shipping as well.
Shop these deals and take advantage of the free shipping while you can!


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THE WHAT? The owner and Executive Director of Ama Laboratories, Gabriel Letizia Junior, pled guilty to defrauding customers by reporting laboratory results for panellist testing that were not fully performed.
THE DETAILS Four former Ama employees also pled guilty in connection with their involvement in the scheme. Ama Laboratories tested the safety and efficacy of cosmetics, sunscreens and other products via volunteer panellists.
For some 30 years, Letizia and his team defrauded the lab’s customers of more than US$46 million by testing products on materially lower numbers of panellists than the numbers specified and paid for by clients. Sentencing will take place in September.
THE WHY? US Attorney Audrey Strauss said, “As he has now admitted, Gabriel Letizia schemed for decades to defraud customers of his laboratory, and caused sunscreens and other consumer products to be sold and marketed to consumers on the basis of false laboratory testing reports. Letizia’s guilty plea underscores that my Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute fraud and endangerment in the consumer products testing industry.”


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Written by Staff Writer
11 Jun, 2018 | 10:57 am
Colombo (News1st) – Postal workers have decided to launch a continuous strike action in protest against the recruitment criteria.
Convenor of the Postal Trade union Collective, Chinthaka Bandara noted that postal workers from across the island will join this trade union action.
Distribution of letters and parcels, as well as the transportation of cargo, will be affected due to the trade union action.
Post-Master General Rohan Abeyratne commenting on the trade union action stated that they have taken all steps to meet the demands of the postal workers.
21 Aug, 2021 | 05:07 PM
24 Jul, 2020 | 07:03 PM
Are you interested in advertising on our website or video channel
Please contact us at [email protected]


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TNI || New Delhi || 4th April 2022
On April 2, EKA, a commercial electric vehicle maker and a subsidiary of Pinnacle Industries, unveiled the E9, a new electric bus.
The e-bus was presented at the Pune Alternate Fuel Conclave (AFC) by Aaditya Thackeray, Maharashtra’s Minister for Tourism and Environment, alongside Chairman of EKA and Pinnacle Industries Limited, Sudhir Mehta.
As per the manufacturer, the EKA E9 is driven by a 200 KW electric motor that provides faster acceleration, more horsepower, and better traction power, as well as 17 percent gradeability to conquer any topography and has a regenerative braking system.
The electrification of commercial vehicles, public transportation, and, most importantly, the bus industry is key to India’s decarbonization strategy.
The first electric bus, the EKA E9, has been unveiled to assist cities in achieving their zero-emissions targets, Mehta said.
He added that with the new EKA E9, they have established a global platform for clean, efficient, and profitable public transportation to meet the growing needs of potential markets that are ready to make the switch to electric mobility.
The conclave is a Maharashtra government project, organised by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) in conjunction with the Maratha Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture (MCCIA).
EKA claims that its first battery-electric bus has a highly simplified vehicle design, increased power and range, and a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than traditional internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered buses, ensuring sustainability and profitability for all stakeholders.


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Now that Philip Morris International (PM 1.17%) has decided to forgo a merger with Altria (MO 1.26%) and instead focus on marketing its IQOS heated tobacco device in the U.S., its upcoming earnings report takes on much more importance.
Previously, earnings release could have been largely ignored, because the real driver for the future would have been the merger of Altria and Philip Morris into an international tobacco force again -- particularly with Altria's investment in electronic cigarette maker Juul Labs. But now, how Philip Morris itself is performing will again be of central interest.
With the earnings report expected on Oct. 17, let's see what investors can anticipate.
Heated tobacco remains the key
The cigarette industry remains in a decline. Year-to-date shipment volume for Philip Morris is down 1.9% from the same time last year, and it was off 2.8% for all of 2018. Currency-adjusted revenue, however, is up 6% so far, reflecting price hikes as well as greater shipment volumes of IQOS, which are up 29.2% in 2019.
IQOS is where Philip Morris has staked much of its future, so this is good news for investors since it shows there is still ample room for growth as the heated-tobacco device is introduced into more markets.
Japan remains the biggest market for IQOS, only because it is the oldest. Having saturated the market after its initial introduction in 2016, Philip Morris has struggled to see sales grow meaningfully, and revenue in the East Asia and Australia region over the first six months of 2019 is down 6.6%.
That's because of a combination of falling cigarette sales, particularly in Australia, and lower cigarette and IQOS shipment volume in Japan and -- to a lesser extent -- Korea. Even so, the region's shipment volume of 15.2 billion units is greater than all other regions combined.
Rising markets outside Japan
The European Union and Eastern Europe are the next two largest regions for heated tobacco, respectively, with volumes growing by triple digits, particularly in Russia and Ukraine.
Market intelligence site SimilarWeb, which measures traffic to tens of millions of websites, found that IQOS sites globally have seen a 30% increase in traffic year over year through August, and that Russia is the fastest growing and now accounts for almost 20% of the total (Japan still represents 30%, but it's in decline).
IQOS' future in the U.S., however, will be the key because this country is the world's largest e-cig market.
Altria just began marketing the IQOS under its Marlboro brand in the Atlanta area, and will use the results from the pilot program to roll it out to the rest of the country. Because it is the only e-cig on the market that has received Food and Drug Administration marketing approval (which Juul lacks), something all manufacturers will have to get next year, it has a considerable lead on the competition. Moreover, as questions about Juul e-cigs mount, there could be a tremendous land-grab opportunity here.
The risk Philip Morris faces is that IQOS gets lumped in with all the other e-cigs in the minds of consumers. As concerns over health-related vaping risks grow, analysts at Cowen & Co. found that traditional cigarette use bounced 1 percentage point higher in September following numerous consecutive months of decline. It's still lower than it was during the summer, but concerns about vaping's role in lung illnesses and deaths intensified last month.
Smoking still rules
Philip Morris is likely to report that revenue once again grew in the third quarter and that consolidated volumes fell from declining cigarette sales. Greater uptake of the IQOS device in established and emerging markets will more than offset the decline of cigarette shipments, and the U.S. market is only just getting started.
Yet cigarettes are still Philip Morris International's moneymakers, with cigarette shipments outpacing heated tobacco units by 13 to 1. Yet cigarettes remain in a secular decline, and reliance on price increases to bolster revenue and profits should hasten their fall. Cigarette alternatives ought to be the future, and their strength will become more evident this quarter.


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Respawn teases Apex Legends’ first season, Wild Frontier, and details the contents.
Apex Legends players have been waiting for the Battle Pass for a while now, with Respawn getting everyone’s hopes up by briefly making it live on Origin last week before swiftly taking it down. But after teasing players by peppering parts of the map with upcoming Legend Octane’s launch pads, the dev has finally announced that it will be available tomorrow, at 10AM PT/ 1PM ET/ 5PM GMT.
The Battle Pass will be priced at 950 ($9.50) Apex Coins, or you can opt for the Battle Pass bundle for 2,800 ($28) coins, which comes with the added benefit of unlocking “your next 25 levels for Season 1 instantly.”
— Apex Legends (@PlayApex) March 18, 2019
Players who pick it up will unlock the Lifeline Revolutionary skin, the Wraith Survivor skin, and the Mirage Outlaw skin.
If you don’t want to buy the Battle Pass, you can still unlock rewards including the Wild Frontier Legend Skin, five Apex packs, and 18 Wild Frontier Stat Trackers.


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Benetton x ‘Pac-Man’
Bandai Namco Europe has signed a global licensing agreement with the Benetton Group to develop a clothing line dedicated to children with the historic Pac-Man brand.
The collection includes t-shirts and sweatshirts for boys and girls and is already available in Benetton stores around the world and online stores.
“We are delighted to have been able to build this partnership with Benetton on our legendary PAC-MAN franchise,” said Aadil Tayouga, EMEA Head of Licensing and Strategic Partnerships at BANDAI NAMCO Europe S.A.S.
“Both of our brands are colorful, have a long history and attract all generations.We are really proud of this collection that captures the fun, joy and colorful side of PAC-MAN”.
For Benetton, PAC-MAN has been a symbol of fun and accessibility for decades, and the company is pleased to present this unique collection to children around the world. The DNA of both companies is about color and this collection with vibrant colors and design is very good for both brands.


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Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s Playstation 4 video game consoles will be released within the month. Microsoft recently showcased the Xbox One video game console in Chicago, and we asked attendees what they expect from Microsoft and Sony’s new releases.
Pidgeon Pagonis had vague memories and dreams of hospital visits, and there were things about her body that she couldn’t explain. But she didn’t know why until one day in her psychology class at DePaul University.
The 1893 World’s Fair has attained almost mythical proportions in Chicago. Yet that huge fair was motivated, at least in part, by the same thing that motivates those shows that take over McCormick Place today.
Chicago Public Schools this week reversed an earlier decision and restored Jesse Owens' name to a South Side elementary school. Here's a look at Owens himself—more than a half-century ago—on the game show What's My Line?


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Amazon cancels pharma license application in Maine, raising questions about its health-care plans
Amazon (AMZN) appears to have canceled a pharmaceutical wholesaler application in the state of Maine, analysts at RBC Capital Markets pointed out Tuesday, raising further questions about the tech giant's plans to enter the pharmacy space. The Maine Board of Pharmacy website shows an application from Amazon.com was canceled on Dec. 1, RBC analysts George Hill, Stephen Hagan and Lee Lueder wrote in a research note. Amazon didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
The news that Amazon had acquired wholesale pharmacy licenses in multiple states, first reported in October by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, heightened already intense speculation that the company planned to compete in prescription drugs. But experts soon pointed out that the licenses didn't enable Amazon to distribute prescription medicines; instead they supported existing medical products businesses . But RBC's analysts say Maine's regulations mean Amazon's licensing activities in the state could be a signal of its plans. "In Maine, a medical device license was not needed for the sale of medical supplies so industry sources have implied the Maine license was a strong leading indicator of whether or not Amazon would enter the drug supply chain," RBC wrote. "We see this cancellation as a negative indicator of the likelihood that Amazon enters pharmacy in the near term and thus as a positive for the pharmacies and drug supply chain." Speculation about Amazon's entry has weighed on stocks of drug distributors, pharmacy benefits managers and retail pharmacies. Amazon has remained silent about what, if any, plans it may have for a bigger move into health care. CNBC reported last week that the company has engaged in exploratory discussions with makers of generic drugs about what role it could potentially play .
WATCH: Amazon holding talks to explore pharma space entry
More From CNBC


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Restaurant gravy for Harvey Nicks
New Year's Eve with Dom Perignon champagne, caviar and lobster will cost £1,000 a head at Harvey Nichols' London restaurant in Oxo Tower.
'Value for money,' says chairman Dickson Poon. Apparently the Dorchester is charging £2,000. Poon expects a full house, which is more than can be said for about his Harvey Nicks store in Knightsbridge.
Sales in the six months to October fell 1% as rival Sloane Street shops succumbed to some quiet bargaining once customers were in the door.
Poon refuses to join in 'suicidal' price-cutting. High fashion is selling well, but everyday apparel is lingering on the shelves. Recently trade has improved.
Luckily the Leeds store, the Oxo and the new Prism restaurant grew sales. Group profits were flat at £6.1m. Dividends were held at 2.1p.
Poon plans to expand own-brand products and eventually to open Harvey Nichols boutiques. An Edinburgh store will open in 2002, with Manchester or Newcastle to follow. The shares, which have outstripped the sector, fell 19
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According to a new report from the Chinese site WeiPhone, Apple will allegedly enhance the screen of the iPhone 5S in a rather significant way, effectively doubling the pixel count to roughly 1.5 million. Additionally, the report suggests that the iPhone 5S will feature a narrower side bezel, although it’s unclear how Apple will go […]
Today, in a new report, Japanese blog Macotakara highlights a pair of interesting articles in the Economic Times (a Taiwanese newspaper) that address the much-rumored Apple smart watch. The first report suggests that Apple ordered a small number of 1.5-inch OLED displays from RITEK (a subsidiary of RiTdisplay) for testing purposes.
According to a new report from CNET that cites NPD DisplaySearch analysts, Retina-quality displays for Apple’s next iPad mini should enter production either next month, or sometime in July. Interestingly, previous intel from the same firm indicated that a Retina iPad mini wouldn’t be released until as early as the first quarter of 2014, before […]
Today, in an exclusive report, 9to5Mac highlights alleged details on Apple’s forthcoming OS X update (OS 10.9) that’s expected to be unveiled alongside iOS 7 during WWDC 2013. In mentioning that the update will bring further “power-user” features, 9to5Mac notes that the next major installment to OS X is codenamed “Cabernet”.
With Apple’s next-generation iPhone scheduled to be unveiled sometime in the months to come, the majority of industry watchers suggest that the “iPhone 5S” will either be available sometime this summer or later this fall. However, other reports state that Apple’s iPhone 5S, in addition to their rumored low-cost iPhone and the second-generation iPad mini, […]
Earlier this week, a case manufacturer by the name of Tactus publicized images of what was allegedly a case designed for Apple’s upcoming fifth-generation iPad. Sensibly, the case mirrored what rumors have suggested for some time, that the upcoming tablet is expected to feature a smaller, thinner and an iPad mini-esque design. Today, the same […]
According to a new report from DigiTimes, Apple will allegedly begin mass production for the 5th generation iPad sometime between July and August of this year. Of course, this new report contradicts earlier rumors of Apple actually releasing the next-generation 9.7-inch iPad as early as late spring or even later this month.
In a Branch chat yesterday, John Gruber from Daring Fireball said that according to his sources, iOS 7 is running behind schedule and the next major iOS installment will bring significant visual user interface (UI) changes. After stating that engineers have allegedly been pulled from Apple’s next Mac OS X update (10.9) Gruber went on […]


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Young people will make up a hefty wodge of the cheap burger consumers, so the latest news that horse (and pig) DNA has been found within them provides an unbridled opportunity to take a look at food production and what actually goes into the processed food we eat. The story provides an ideal stimulus for classroom debate and exploration. For Guardian food critic Marina O'Loughlin: "The big surprise is that there's actually real meat in the burgers at all."
From the Guardian
Horsemeat discovered in burgers sold by four British supermarkets
Breaking news story reporting frozen beef burgers on sale in Aldi, Iceland, Lidl and Tesco were found to contain traces of horsemeat.
Tesco boss responds to discovery of horsemeat in burgers - video
Tesco's Tim Smith, says his company does not yet know how many products containing horsemeat have been sold in their shops or for how long they've been sold - and an investigation is underway into how it happened.
Horsemeat-in-burgers scandal prompts food hygiene fears
The horsemeat issue is just the tip of the iceberg. Karen Jennings, Unison's assistant general secretary, said: "While horsemeat isn't a threat to health, it does pose the question: do we know what's in our burgers?" This article also contains quotes from Jewish and Muslim leaders - on the fact that the suspect beefburgers contained even more pig DNA than horse.
Would you eat horsemeat?
Food blog pointing out that horsemeat is actually very healthy and much loved across Europe, in South America and east Asian countries.
Horsemeat burgers - the best and worst jokes
Our favourite: Those Aldi horse burgers were nice, but I prefer My Lidl Pony.
Horsemeat burger scandal: history repeating itself
Felicity Lawrence explains the reasons behind the scandal and how she's seen it all before. Surely, it's time the food processing and meat industry was forced to tighten up its act?
Great debate: is it wrong to eat horsemeat?
Hundreds of readers respond to the question. Great research for your own classroom debate.
Opinion piece on fast food
Food blogger Lagusta Yearwood writes on the fast food system – which she calls cheap food prepared quickly, eaten quickly, forgotten quickly – hinging on one slim peg: wilful ignorance. What do your students think?
Quinoa: the unpalatable truth
Even vegans can have ethical dilemmas in food, as this article on the supergrain Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wa not qui-no-a by the way). It's now so trendy that poor Bolivians can no longer afford their staple grain.
Rat on the menu - why not?
A useful reminder that all of our food choices are based on culture and prejudice.
Data: How much water is needed to produce food and how much do we waste?
As much as 50% of all food produced in the world ends up as waste every year according to figures from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. But how much water is needed to produce it?
Data: Are TV chefs' recipes good for you? See how they compare to ready meals
Are celebrity chefs' recipes as healthy as you think? See how they compare to supermarket ready meals in terms of calories, fat, fibre and more
Data: What's wrong with our food? FSA sees rise in food scares
Data from the Food Standards Agency showing food contamination in the UK. See what happened.
On the Guardian Teacher Network
This activity doesn't show pupils how to test their food for horse DNA but does give experiments on testing for fat, starch and protein
FILMCLUB's guide to World Food Day
This resource was created to tie in with World Food Day on 16 October last year. This resource explores a thought provoking film season and teaching guide to promote awareness and discussion about global food production.
Mission:Explore Food Taster: Waste
Illustrated mission-based activities that challenge children to think creatively and critically about where their food comes from.
Good and bad fats by Jamie Oliver
Learn all about good and bad fats with the Turkey Twizzler's greatest enemy, Jamie Oliver. (Who can forget his stomach churning demonstrations of what goes into junk food?)
All about mince
If only the processed food manufacturers responsible for serving up horsemeat on the nation's plates had learnt how to make good mince with Jamie Oliver's home cooking skills resource.
Cookit recipe card
This resource from Open Futures Cookit gives children the opportunity to really understand where their food comes from and how it relates to their physical development. This recipe is for honeyed vegetable kebabs. Also see Growit growing plan from Open Futures.
Magic breakfast: what makes a good breakfast and why
A list of questions to get your pupils thinking about what makes a good breakfast and why.
Food and technology focused lesson plan devised by the Eden Project showing students some different jobs available to those studying food tech at school.
The best of the web
Food Standards Safety Authority of Ireland
Here's the report of the survey that uncovered the story of the two food processing plants in Ireland (Liffey Meats and Silvercrest Foods) and one in the UK (Dalepark Hambleton) whose beef burger products testing positive for horsemeat.
Food Standards Agency
The government department responsible for protecting the public, regulating the food industry and enforcing food standards in the UK. The current scandal was uncovered in Ireland, so questions are being asked about whether the FSA is doing their job.
The KFC "brain"
This photo taken by UK student Ibrahim Langoo went viral (the "brain" in his Kentucky Fried Chicken ended up to be a kidney but he did end up getting an apology from KFC) - should provide a nice prompt for class discussions on what we eat. Are your students offended by the idea of eating a kidney and why, when it is a perfectly edible ingredient? Is the problem just one of labelling?
The vegetarian society
Lots of resources and information here for those interested in exploring an alternative to eating meat.
Food for Louis
Blog by a man who has made a career about eating weird things from eyeballs, to scorpions to a turkey leg crawling with maggots (that was his Christmas special). Not for the faint hearted or at all suitable for younger pupils but does make you think about what we count of as food.
WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme)
In the west we throw away nearly half the food we buy, and the UK is among the worst offenders. WRAP calculates the average Briton could save £50 a month on food by minimising food waste.
BBC What's really in our food?
Info on a series of investigative programmes on the Beeb, including a multiple choice quiz.


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Dealers Report a Flurry of Sales at Frieze London 2016
Despite Brexit-related concerns, dealers sold well in all sections of the fair.
The 14th edition of Frieze London previewed on Wednesday to what was described by most dealers as a “flurry of sales” and a much more dynamic first day than at the 2015 edition.
This was particularly evident for blue-chip galleries, those occupying the areas near the fair’s entrance, which this year—after yet another re-design by Universal Design Studio—has two different access points instead of just one, preventing the bottle-neck that used to clog the front aisles.
In the first hours, David Zwirner sold a new $1 million painting by Kerry James Marshall that will go to a major American museum, and another work by Marshall for $600,000 to a private collection. A new painting by Yayoi Kusama also sold for over $1 million, while a 2016 Bridget Riley painting worth £700,000 was bought by an Asian collector.
Additional sales at Zwirner included two new oil and charcoal on linen works by Chris Ofili, worth $380,000; two new sculptures by Carol Bove for $375,000 each; a Thomas Ruff photograph for €85,000; and a number of photographs by Wolfgang Tillmans ranging from $8,000 to $80,000, which also sold on day one.
Hauser & Wirth sold a number of works from its eye-catching and crowded (featuring a whopping 46 artists) “L’atelier d’artistes” booth, including sculptures by Fischli / Weiss and Thomas Houseago (for $75,000); a Rodney Graham lightbox; several works by Phyllida Barlow, including a small sculpture for £50,000; and a Jack Whitten work on canvas for $45,000, all of which changed hands on day one, alongside works by Henry Moore and Louise Bourgeois, among others.
“It was a great start to the opening,” Neil Wenman, senior director at Hauser & Wirth told artnet News on Thursday morning. “I think the thematic booth got a lot of attention which drew lots of people in, and we did make quite a lot of sales. The atmosphere is really different this year, it was really jovial, also because our booth had such a strong theme, and even music.”
Overall, this year’s edition felt more pared down and elegant, with more galleries choosing to show modern artists. Could this be influenced by Frieze London’s successful younger sibling, Frieze Masters, also evidenced in the higher number of curated booths and throwback presentations?
“I think so,” said Wenman. “I think The Nineties section was a great example of that cross-historical look. There’s definitely a sense of contemporary art galleries looking back, but questioning it through a modern lens.”
Contemporary works, however, were high in demand. Over at Timothy Taylor, the London-based gallery reported strong sales at its solo booth of work by Brooklyn-based artist Eddie Martinez, selling 14 sculptures on the first day for prices ranging from $12,000 to $15,000.
Maureen Paley sold a £150,000 sculpture by Rebecca Warren, dated 2005-2016, to a British collector, as well as an installation by Paulo Nimer Pjota, titled Vaporware, some samples (2016), to a New York-based collector for $24,000. On the first day, Wolfgang Tillmans’s photo Kleine Welle (2015) sold to a US collector for $120,000.
Victoria Miro reported strong sales in the very first hours, during which a number of works by Grayson Perry, including sculptures and tapestries changed hands for prices ranging from £50,000 to £450,000. A series of recent paintings by Yayoi Kusama (with prices ranging $400,000 to $1 million) were also a hit with collectors, as were a series of paintings by Chantal Joffe depicting strong Jewish women, including Betty Friedan, Hannah Arendt, Claude Cahun, and Gertrude Stein, with prices between £10,000 and £30,000, a number of which sold in the first morning.
Over at Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, the first day brought sales of blue chip works by Robert Longo, Tony Cragg, Daniel Richter, Sigmar Polke, and two paintings by Georg Baselitz. Nearby, Berlin’s Peres Projects had sold all its paintings by Donna Huanca, priced between $17,000 and $22,500.
Pace Gallery sold a new LED light work by Leo Villareal entitled Radiant Wheel, (2015) for $100,000. The gallery also sold a new marble bust by Kevin Francis Gray for £80,000; a small minimalist painting made of copper wire and gesso by Prabhavathi Meppayil for $20,000; and two life size works by Kohei Nawa priced at $380,000 and $230,000.
Simon Lee sold works by Hans-Peter Feldmann between €50,000 and £90,000 on day one, and paintings by Paulina Olowska for around $80,000 on day two. Meanwhile, Berlin’s Esther Schipper reported a number of sales, including Ryan Gander’s bronze sculpture Elevator To Culturefield (2016) which sold for well over £80,000.
“The fair has been great to work with as every year and has managed to attract more collectors from Asia and Middle East than previous editions. First day sales have been very strong and I am particularly happy to present Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster’s historical work R.W.F. in The Nineties section,” Schipper told artnet News.
Meanwhile, Sprüth Magers sold two 2009 Craig Kauffman acrylic and glitter sculptures for $125,000 each on the first day, while the second day brought the sale of the seminal Sylvie Fleury at its booth over at The Nineties section, presented in collaboration with Salon 94 and Mehdi Chouakri.
New York galleries also did extremely well. Casey Kaplan sold out the majority of its stand in the first hours, including works by Kevin Beasley, Giorgio Griffa, Garth Weiser, N.Dash, and Sarah Crowner, while P.P.O.W. reported strong sales including several Betty Tompkins paintings for $3,000 to $3,500; photographs by Portia Munson at $15,000; and works by Martin Wong, ranging from $25,000 to $200,000.
David Kordansky Gallery sold the majority of its booth in the first hours, with most of the interest coming from non-British collectors. A new painting by Harold Ancart sold for $85,000 to an American collector. Mary Weatherford’s Spike Driver’s Moan (2016) sold to an Asian collector for $185,000, and Kathryn Andrews’s Black Bars (Dejeuner No. 1) from 2016 sold for $68,000 to an American institutional collector.
South Africa’s Goodman Gallery also reported a strong start, with early sales including William Kentridge’s drawing Observer (2016) for $450,0000; a Mikhael Subotzky photo from 2006 for $15,000; and a recent work by ruby onyinyechi amanze on graphite, ink, and photo transfers, for $8,000.
The top galleries from São Paulo couldn’t complain either. Galeria Fortes Vilaça sold two new works by Erika Verzutti, with prices ranging from $45,000 to $50,000; and two new works by Leda Catunda, for prices ranging from $25,000 to $60,000. Galeria Luisa Strina sold three works by Leonor Antunes, acquired through the Frieze Tate Fund to join the Tate collection, as well as works by Fernanda Gomes, Laura Lima, Marcius Galan, Tonico Lemos Auad, and two drawings by Anna Maria Maiolino.
Mendes Wood, also from São Paulo, sold works by Lucas Arruda, Sonia Gomez, Patricia Leite, Luiz Roque, Daniel Steegmann Mangrane, and Mariana Castillo Deball, while Galeria Vermelho sold a 2014 work by Dora Longo Bahia for $25,000.
The works by Leonor Antunes sold at Luisa Strina weren’t the only pieces that have been bought through the £150,000 Frieze Tate Fund, supported for the first time by WME | IMG. The six-person international jury, composed of four Tate curators and two guest curators, also selected six artworks by the Turkish artist Hüseyin Bahri Alptekin, acquired from Rampa, Istanbul; and one work by the Malaysian artist Phillip Lai, acquired from Stuart Shave/Modern Art, London.
London’s Laura Bartlett sold a unique photograph by Elizabeth McAlpine for £15,000, as well as two works by Lydia Gifford for £6,200, a painting by Sol Calero for £11,000, and a wall-based work by Maria Lund for £5,200.
Younger galleries, those located more towards the back of the tent, also had an exciting start. Vienna’s Galerie Emanuel Layr sold a number of paintings by Nick Oberthaler, priced at €20,000. Athens’ The Breeder sold a brilliant installation by Angelo Plessas, who’s participating in the forthcoming Documenta 14, for $34,000 to a European collector; as well as a delicate bead curtain by Zoë Paul to a London-based collector, for $15,000.
So what about the dreaded Brexit and the depreciation of the pound? Has the uncertainty been harmful for the British art market at all, as speculators were quick to predict?
“I think it might have come out as a positive at the moment,” Neil Wenman, senior director at Hauser & Wirth, told artnet News. “Sales have been really strong at Frieze London but particularly strong at Frieze Masters this year, with some of the really high value works we’ve put on display selling, so perhaps this is a particularly strong time for works priced in pounds, as the currency is weak at the moment. If you are an international collector, the pound is weak, so things are cheaper. We’ve definitely seen a strong start to the season. It was a very long summer with lots of uncertainty, politically, with terrorism, Brexit… But now we are up and running, and we are excited,” he added.
Although it’s too early to say, judging by the excitement of dealers across the fair and the encouraging results of the London auctions this week, it might seem as if, after the doom and gloom of previous months, the market could be perking up again. All eyes will now be on the sales results at Paris’ FIAC and Art Basel Miami.
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