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It's often said that passion is the creator of innovation, and the mother of change. There’s a contagious effect amongst the peers of the passionate that many times can lead to great things.
So when the snowboarding world got word that two passion-fueled brands backed by mavericks of snowboarding’s establishment were developing an entirely new snow industry tradeshow, we needed to understand the motivation behind the concept.
Joe Suta from Nightmare Snowboards and Steven Kimura from Owner Operator/United Shapes realized what many have often boldly whispered when it comes to the current health of the industry: "Snowboarding isn't just some dusty corner of the sporting goods world," said Kimura. "Snowboarding is what we dream about and get up to work on every day."
After perusing the landscape of Parts & Labor, the event was just that: a visual of the “dream-turned-job” lifestyle that many entrepreneurs in the space live, breathe, and bleed.
The roughly 50 brands exhibiting reverberated the same sentiment: "Parts & Labor is a refreshing opportunity to show the line, find distributors, and talk to retailers outside of our regional focus," said Common Apparel Owner and Founder Nate Blomquist. Common Apparel is based out of Duluth, Minnesota. The brand has a heavy streetwear focus that seems ideal for Minnesota riders as well as a particular international rider. But Blomquist knew that finding retailers outside of the immediate Midwest meant he needed something like P&L that paired Common Apparel with similar brands to attract like-minded partners.
The show also provided a financially responsible opportunity for brands who otherwise would not have attended a winter tradeshow. "It's financially unrealistic for most snowboard companies to justify the costs of what it takes to look reasonably professional in a format like SIA, and most of the brands at our show were deciding between showing at P&L and just staying home," said Parts & Labor’s Kimura.
The exhibitors who stood out at Parts & Labor were specialty brands with a focus on a niche segment of the snowboarding market thanks to a strong following in their local region.
Templeton, a brand out of Fussen, Germany, showed their impressive line of streetwear-inspired outerwear for the first time in the US. The brand's CEO, Marinus Schuster said Templeton was originally created to give himself and his friends something cool to wear on their local hill–a story that rings true for most brands in our space.
Needless to say, Templeton's popularity grew in the area, but reaching outside of the region proved difficult. Schuster said the show has introduced him to several distributors and even some team riders that could provide an opportunity to grow the brand outside of Germany.
Kimura echoes this mentality when initially discussing the motivation behind creating Parts & Labor: "[The show is] small, but you want to meet everybody in the room. We designed the space such that the products will be able to speak for themselves. P&L allows for the best ideas, not the most expensive booths, to make the biggest impression."
In terms of trends, small brands seemed to be the loudest when it came to nimble innovation in their lines. Streetwear inspiration in both apparel and board graphics was ubiquitous among all brands. Art and snowboarding went hand-in-hand at Parts & Labor, and everything from the show's layout to the brands visual representation backed up this purposeful focus.
We gathered some of the best snapshots of brands, product, and aesthetics from Parts & Labor's debut show in Denver, Colorado.


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Acting mayor receives delegation from EcuadorThe subject discussed was interested in establishing partnership with the Amazonas industries.
The acting mayor of Manaus, Councilman Wilker Barreto (PHS), has received, early on Tuesday (1º), Rio Branco Palace, Minister of Foreign Trade of Ecuador, Diego Aulestia, and delegation, which is in Manaus to disclose the companies of state industrial sector the route of waterway, ranging from the Ecuadorian Amazon to the port of the capital of Amazonas.
“We are here, at the request of the mayor, receiving the Minister of Ecuador , which seeks to interact not only the question of disposal alternatives via waterways, but also the growth in tourism and trade input matrix. Obviously, does it matter to Manaus Prefecture, the interests of the state government, and we hope that the Federal Government has the same sensitivity.
As there is a great harmony between the city and the government of Amazonas, we are with open arms so we can dream of an alternative to the Industrial Pole of Manaus, reduce costs and thereby increase productivity”, said the acting mayor after meeting.
The intention of the Ecuadorian minister is to present to the Manaus Industrial Pole waterway route that goes from the Manta Port, Ecuador, to the Port of Manaus, as a viable alternative to the economy of both countries, e, mainly, to the city of Manaus and Amazonas State.
“It would allow the industry and Manaus Amazonas state consumers can stock up and consume products Ecuadorians, as, for example, food products and industrial goods. E, on the other hand, we want the Ecuadorian industry can also buy the products that are produced in the Amazon. It is a road that may well supply the State very competitively and in favorable conditions both for the price on the duration of transport”, He assured the minister.
The Ecuadorian delegation consists of businessmen, economists and government secretaries, and the ambassador of Ecuador in Brazil, Horacio Sevilla Borja. They, still, participate in the 2nd Business Round Ecuador and Brazil sponsored by the Federation of Trade in Goods, Amazon Services and Tourism.


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Philips Professional Display Solutions has announced a complimentary Android upgrade across its range of HFL5014 and 6014 Google-certified MediaSuite hospitality displays.
The company says the move is part of its commitment to supporting the hospitality industry, with its ‘Extended Lifetime’ promise ensuring its Android-powered hotel TVs “get better with age, with regular updates bringing a consistent, high-performing experience in every room, regardless of when the TV was purchased”.
Jeroen Verhaeghe, the company’s global product manager for professional TVs, said, “We don’t believe in limiting the latest and greatest features to the newest Philips models. We want our customers to be able to offer the best experience at all times, not just when their TVs are due for replacement. We hope our strategy brings some welcome relief to the industry, both today and into the future.”
The latest Android 9 (P) TV update can be installed remotely using Philips PDS’ exclusive CMND control and management platform, or manually via software downloaded onto a dedicated USB stick from philips.com/p-p.
The update includes embedded Netflix (announced at ISE 2020), Disney+, and Google Assistant which will give guests voice-activated control of their TV. All TVs will include the latest security updates from Google Android, as well as those from Philips PDS.
“The update to Android P is far more than a regular software update. It’s a complete platform upgrade and true game-changer to the industry, the way businesses think of technology and the regularity at which that technology is replaced,” Verhaeghe added. “With MediaSuite and our Extended Lifetime guarantee, hotel TVs get better with age, ensuring greater return on investment and the ultimate, uncompromised TV viewing experience for every guest in every room.”


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After the success of Google maps, Google has teamed up with Gilbarco Veeder-Root to bring Google maps to petrol stations across America. Internet connected touch screens will be installed on pumps and motorist will be able to get directions and print out a copy whilst filling their tanks.
Gilbarco Veeder-Root is a company providing fuel and retail management services to Petrol stations and convenience stores in the US, this new partnership and business step seems to be a good move by Google to a get a little more exposure and publicity not that it necessarily needs it. Note that Google will not be receiving any advertising revenue from this.
Insiders see this new move as good profit opportunity, petrol stations will increase their earnings from motorist that would stop to use the map and purchase fuel, the company involved could also see this as a good opportunity to increase volume sales of pumps and other services they offfer.
As per Kirsten Paust, vice president of global retail systems at Gilbarco Veeder-Root, “getting directions at the pump is safer than using Internet-enabled devices from the driver’s seat and far more reliable than just asking a stranger (…) We believe consumers will prefer convenience stores that deliver useful information and ultimate convenience. Retailers who use these tools will make themselves more valuable to consumers and gain the competitive edge”.
How useful would this service be for the consumers? More and More people rely on satellite navigation systems and previously printed maps from personal computers before starting their journeys. Can Google maps touch screens really compete against that?
Only time will tell. These touch-screens are meant to go ‘live’ next month in the United States ans there’s yet no date or plan for a UK trial.


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Savvy YouTube users, notably youths, benefit from the platform as a means to earn large sums, turning video-making a professional job
The popular video sharing site YouTube is becoming an increasingly popular way to earn money, especially among young people. The annual profits of YouTube channels created by young people who are interested in this field and whose subscribers have reached 1 million or more start at $10,000 and reach up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. For Turkey's youth, the scene is similar as more users turn their eyes and ears to YouTube.
Göker Gülay of the Yaşar University Faculty of Communications' Public Relations and Advertising Department, said that YouTube offers its users ways to upload regular videos and reach a target number of subscribers and views, giving them a chance to earn money via advertisements: "The new media platforms draw many people to YouTube and the social internet community. However, it is not as easy as it looks to create your own video content, earn money from this and become the boss of your own business. There are many factors that affect a person's success rate. The most important criteria are to take a share of advertising revenues, which is directly related to your viewing rate and the number of subscribers. These numbers determine the amount of profit you could receive; ranging from small amounts of pocket change to thousands of liras," Gökay said.It is no secret that watching videos online has become as common as watching TV.
Gülay said the rate of watching videos online is high especially among young people. According to YouTube's data, the rate of video viewing through mobile phones doubles each year. "A majority of YouTube users consist of high school and university students. Online videos magically escalate the power of each environment it is show, which was mostly affected by the human sounds and movements within the videos," Gülay said. "The human brain is very sensitive towards visual stimulus. That's why when we stare at a screen it is as if we have been hypnotized. For example, the rate of opening emails with video attachments is a few times higher than normal email opening rates. Other data suggests that people have a higher tendency to order a product that was featured in an advertisement during a video. Therefore, the rates of viewing, watching, clicking, following, and selling make positive contributions to almost everything."
Many users around the world who have created online videos are becoming increasingly popular and started to earn a great deal of money due to high viewing rates. Another reason for this is the fact that YouTube gives a share of its advertising revenues to popular users along with the partnership implementation. Stressing that there are many factors which affect the overall success rate, Gülay said the world's number-one example is Swedish Felix Kjellberg, who has a YouTube channel called PewDiePie and has reached nearly 48 million subscribers with his uploads. He is known to earn $12 million annually in YouTube-derived income alone. "Sharing clues and comments about computer games and having recently signed a contract with Walt Disney, Kjellberg's videos have been viewed over 13 billion times," Gülay continued.
"The most important factor that attracts viewers is originality. In addition to covering a brand-new subject in a video, interpreting a well-known or cliche subject from a different perspective is one of the ways to prepare an intriguing video," Gülay said, suggesting that nothing which violates copyright laws should be included in videos and emphasizing that YouTube is very sensitive to copyright infringements and monitors video content using algorithms. "Therefore, the most popular ones are experiments and "how-to" or "do-it-yourself" videos," he added.
The next important factor is that viewers tend to look for real, natural videos as opposed to acting as shown on TV: "The videos that are successful enough to create a connection with viewers might be more popular," Gülay added. "Now viewers pay attention to the production quality. During the first years of YouTube, the visual quality was not that important but now it is essential. Most 'YouTubers' have to deal with décor, lighting, scenario and plot all by themselves and a basic equipment support is needed for all of these. A serious pre-production process is a must when making high-quality videos."


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Oct. 10, 2018 By Nathaly Pesantez
A new pet grooming service has opened in the neighborhood, joining the several grooming shops in the area.
Madagascar Pets Services officially debuted on 39-32 Queens Blvd. last Monday, and offers a lineup of grooming services including baths, ear cleaning and plucking, clipper work and facial cleaning.
The site also provides medical baths to help treat fleas, ticks, and irritated skin, and dental work including teeth cleaning and dental scaling to remove plaque and tartar buildup.
Pet products are also available to purchase, including clothing, food, toys, and home grooming tools.
Rosy Montesinos, a self-described animal lover and first-time business owner, said the shop was a long time coming.
“I wanted to bring a good service here in Sunnyside,” Montesinos said. “Many people are moving here with pets.”
Montesinos, who lives in Sunnyside, has eight years of grooming experience, and ran a veterinary practice in her native Peru with her husband prior to moving to the United States about a decade ago. Her parents, she said, also ran a pet shop in Peru.
Prior to getting her professional pet grooming license, Montesinos worked at a veterinary assistant at an animal hospital in the Bronx and in Astoria.
Madagascar Pet Services is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and until 6 p.m. on weekends. The shop opens at 11:30 a.m. on Sundays.
A full list of services and prices are listed on the shop’s website.


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China’s government-run trade union has blocked a plan by Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, to restructure its China-based management, state press reported Monday.
“Three mid-level executives came to my office this morning and told me the plan was shelved and they have resumed their work,” Xinhua news agency quoted Yang Fengzhi, a union official in northeast China, as saying.
The managers in Jilin province, who earlier had been told they would be laid off, were asked to return to work after the union stepped in, the report said.
Wal-Mart officials however said they were still in the process of explaining the restructuring plan to employees and the union, Xinhua said.
On April 10, Wal-Mart said it needed to slash mid-level executives in an effort to adapt to “the changeable market situation,” but company excecutives refused to say how many people would lose their jobs.
Wal-Mart entered China in 1996 and employs more than 50,000 people in the country. The retailer only allows trade unions to operate in its China stores.
Under the restructuring plan, affected employees were encouraged to move to other locations or face demotion or dismissal, Xinhua said.
The US discount titan’s global net income fell to 3.79 billion dollars in the three months ended January 31, a 7.7% drop from 4.01 billion dollars a year earlier. It did not release China-specific figures.
Retailers in China are beginning to feel the pinch of the global downturn.
Sales growth weakened in the first two months of this year to 15.2%, compared with 21.6% for all of 2008 as consumers continue to lack the confidence to spend, according to the latest official data.


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The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has said that it has “started a sweep” to find misleading testimonials and endorsements by social media influencers.
The body said that it will look at 100 influencers mentioned in more than 150 tip-offs it had received via a Facebook post it created asking for information.
Most of the tip-offs, according to the ACCC, were from members of the public calling out beauty and lifestyle influencers. However, parenting and fashion influencers also caught the ire of consumers for failing to disclose their affiliation with the product or company they were promoting.
The ACCC will look at a range of social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch. It also said the sweep would target sectors where influencer marketing is particularly widespread such as fashion, beauty and cosmetics. It would also look into influencer marketing in food and beverage, travel, health fitness and wellbeing, parenting, gaming, and technology.
The ACCC will also examine the role of advertisers, marketers, brands, and social media platforms in facilitating misconduct.
“The number of tip-offs reflects the community concern about the ever-increasing number of manipulative marketing techniques on social media, designed to exploit or pressure consumers into purchasing goods or services,” ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.
“We want to thank the community for letting us know which influencers they believe might not be doing the right thing.
“Already, we are hearing some law firms and industry bodies have informed their clients about the ACCC’s sweep, and reminded them of their advertising disclosure requirements,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb added.
The ACCC said that while consumers are aware that influencers receive money for promoting products and services, it was “concerned” that influencers, advertisers and brands try to hide the fact, preventing shoppers from making informed choices.
It added that the problem is particularly acute micro influencers, as they can “build and maintain a more seemingly authentic relationship with followers” in order to “add legitimacy” to hidden advertising posts.
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Independent brand and digital agency, Archibald Williams (AW) has been appointed to lead the NBA account across the APAC region. The NBA is one of the most prestigious sporting leagues in the world and basketball is one of the fastest-growing sports in Australia. Effective immediately, AW said it was “excited” to work across all digital, […]
B&T's shining a light on industry folk prior to adland. Preference given to anyone purporting actual UFO abduction.
Leading digital outdoor company QMS has announced it is the first-ever inaugural partner for Most Contagious APAC, the landmark London event by creative and strategic intelligence company Contagious, which will be showcased in Australia on Tuesday, 12 December in Sydney and Wednesday, 13 December in Melbourne. Most Contagious is an event that delivers key advertising […]
Omnicom’s data and analytics division Annalect has partnered with Meta, giving it access to Advanced Analytics (AA) – one of Meta’s privacy-focused measurement solutions – to provide Omnicom’s clients with future-proof, next-level measurement. Omnicom is the first holding company to have access to AA. AA allows advertisers to combine their first-party data with Meta’s ads […]
WPP’s AKQA has launched Fixmas.gift, an environmentally conscious AI-powered DIY assistant, affectionately known as Fixie, for a one-stop solution for all things repair. Fixmas.gift hosts an array of guides and inspiration to empower people to prolong the lives of their belongings or purchase pre-owned items that need a little love and care. Fixie can: Help […]


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AdvoCare and its former chief executive officer agreed to pay $150 million and be banned from the multi-level marketing business to resolve Federal Trade Commission charges that the company operated an illegal pyramid scheme that deceived consumers into believing they could earn significant income as “distributors” of its health and wellness products.
Two top promoters also settled charges that they promoted the illegal pyramid scheme and misled consumers about their income potential, agreeing to a multi-level marketing ban and a judgment of $4 million that will be suspended when they surrender substantial assets.
Speaking from the FTC’s Southwest Regional Office in Dallas, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Andrew Smith announced, “an important victory in our continuing efforts to root out pyramid schemes and protect consumers.” He then announced a complaint against AdvoCare, former AdvoCare CEO Brian Connelly and four of the company’s top promoters—Carlton and Lisa Hardman and Danny and Dianne McDaniel. Smith said a settlement of charges against AdvoCare, Connelly and the Hartmans had been made. Litigation against the McDaniels continues.
“We have alleged that AdvoCare is a pyramid scheme because the defendants, through their compensation scheme and false earnings claims, pushed Distributors to recruit new Distributors,” said Smith. “To earn the most lucrative rewards, Distributors had to make large product purchases and recruit others to do the same. These purchasing requirements never stopped. To maintain their status and rewards, Distributors had to keep making large purchases month after month, year after year.”
The FTC alleges that the vast majority of AdvoCare Distributors earned little money or lost money. According to Smith, a clear directive was “recruit business builders who recruit business builders who recruit business builders.”
Today, AdvoCare International, L.P. (AdvoCare) finalized an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), resolving the agency’s multi-year inquiry into the structure of the company’s direct sales business model. While AdvoCare fully cooperated with the FTC during their investigation, we are not in agreement with the agency’s conclusions.
“We strongly disagree with the FTC allegations, but we are committed to abiding by this agreement and moving forward. The strength of AdvoCare is and always has been our highly-valued health and wellness products, which remain in great demand by our hundreds of thousands of loyal customers,” says AdvoCare CEO Patrick Wright. “We will continue to stand behind our distributors, employees and customers and to uphold our values of integrity and transparency, as we have for over 25 years.”
AdvoCare has always endeavored to remain compliant with FTC regulations, and we will continue to comply with the law. As part of that commitment, the company revised our business model earlier this year from a multi-level marketing model to a single-level compensation plan. Since making that change, our sales remain strong and we continue to invest in new products and to work with our distributors to provide the best possible customer experience.
AdvoCare provides premier health and wellness products to help consumers live a healthier and more nutritionally balanced lifestyle. We remain steadfastly committed to the ethical business practices on which the company was founded. For more information about our products, please visit our website at advocare.com
Corrections to FTC Statements
AdvoCare also wishes to correct statements made by the FTC in their News Conference in Dallas, Texas on October 2, 2019:
The FTC incorrectly stated in a press conference that AdvoCare had admitted to operating as a pyramid. This is categorically false. AdvoCare forcefully rebutted this charge in its discussions with the FTC. To this day, AdvoCare denies it operated as a pyramid.
Additionally, the FTC incorrectly stated that AdvoCare is considering additional sales channels such as GNC, Walmart or others. This is absolutely not true as we are not considering retail channels and remain committed to our distributors and customers.
UPDATE: DSA Response
Joseph Mariano, president of the Direct Selling Association (DSA), the national trade association for companies that market products and services directly to consumers through an independent, entrepreneurial salesforce, responded to the FTC Advocare settlement.
We consider today’s announcement by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding its settlement of inquiries into AdvoCare International, as well as several members of its salesforce, a serious matter. Business ethics and consumer protection are at the heart of DSA’s mission. We will swiftly engage our process and review the FTC order released today to determine our next steps.
We continue to welcome clarity from the FTC and remain in close contact with regulators to seek guidance from regulators. Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection is scheduled to speak at our DSA Legal and Regulatory conference next week. The DSA Code of Ethics also reinforces our commitment, requiring member companies and its independent salespeople to adhere to high standards of conduct including strict rules on earnings claims and ensuring companies buy back inventory from anyone who leaves the business.
This year, DSA accelerated its efforts to ensure high ethical conduct by initiating a partnership with the Better Business Bureau National Programs (BBNP) for comprehensive monitoring. The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) monitors the online presence of companies and salesforce members to identify unreasonable or inappropriate product or incomes claims by all direct selling companies, regardless of DSA membership. The DSSRC operates entirely independent of DSA or any direct selling company and already has established a strong track record of success in having companies identify and correct issues, especially those that may be caused by overzealous salespeople.
The announcement of the settlement agreement serves as an opportunity to gain further insights into the FTC’s interpretation of the law and vision of best practices in our industry. Our mutual goal is to eliminate any instance of non-ethical business practices while protecting the millions of people who responsibly engage in direct selling, either as consumers or as sellers who supplement their income through an entrepreneurial venture.
To read more on the FTC’s action against AdvoCare, click here.


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When Google announced the closure of its Stadia cloud gaming platform last week, the news was delivered at roughly the same time to employees, partners, and players on Thursday morning. Within hours, it had become clear that Stadia’s shutdown, planned for next January, would involve more than just refunding consumer purchases and quietly bowing out.
Now developers are scrambling to salvage planned projects, migrate players to other platforms, and figure out whether they’re still owed money from Google before the search giant puts Stadia out to pasture for good.
Stadia’s shutdown came as a surprise. Scores of indie game makers, not typically bound by the conservative norms of corporate PR, took to Twitter to explain their frustrations upon learning of the shutdown from news articles and a terse five-paragraph blog post from Stadia chief Phil Harrison.
- “Tangle Tower was due to launch on Stadia in 2 days time, and this article was the first I heard about it shutting down,” SFB Games co-founder Tom Vian tweeted on Thursday.
- “We have a title coming out November 1st,” Rebecca Heineman, CEO of indie studio Olde Sküül, wrote in response to Vian. “Now we hear about this.” Olde Sküül has since announced it will release its planned Stadia game, Luxor Evolved, on console and PC in 2023.
- “We have a game coming to Stadia in November. Who wants to guess that Google will refuse to pay us the money they owe us for it,” tweeted Mike Rose, founder of British game publisher No More Robots. “Hours later and I still have no email from Stadia, and no clarity on what’s happening with our games, deals, anything.”
- Necrosoft Games creative director Brandon Sheffield was quick to point out how strange it was that Stadia released a new software development kit just two days prior to the announcement.
- Necrosoft Games was planning a sequel to its Stadia exclusive game Gunsport, and Sheffield told The Verge he has no idea if the publisher will be able to release Gunsport on other platforms or receive some type of reimbursement.
- “We were having marketing discussions [with Stadia] just last week,” Sheffield said. “So it’s unfortunate all around, as I think the platform was gaining some good traction.”
It wasn’t just indies caught off guard. Google’s Stadia announcement kicked off a wave of uncertain responses from major third-party partners, including Bungie, CD Projekt Red, and Ubisoft. The consensus: We’re looking into it.
- Ubisoft has been Google’s longest cloud gaming partner, having given the company Assassin’s Creed Origins to test Stadia’s Project Stream predecessor. And with 38 games on the platform, Ubisoft said on Friday it was “working” to allow Stadia customers to bring those purchases to PC but had nothing more to share.
- “We hear you - we are looking into ways for you to continue your HITMAN experience on other platforms,” wrote Hitman developer IO Interactive.
- “All I can say now is that we’re currently looking into the matter, and exploring possible options,” a representative of Cyberpunk 2077 studio CD Projekt Red told The Verge.
- “We just learned about Stadia shutting down and have begun conversations about next steps for our players,” a Bungie representative posted to the company’s Destiny 2 forums.
- One player of the online component of Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 who logged more than 6,000 hours into the game for Twitch and YouTube content has no idea if they can migrate their account off of Stadia. Rockstar has yet to respond to Stadia’s shutdown.
It’s not clear why Google axed Stadia now, and why it did so with little to no warning for any of the various parties that invested time, money, and other resources into the platform over the last three years.
- Google is undergoing a serious cost-cutting effort at the moment to contend with the economic downturn. And Stadia was expensive: Last year, Bloomberg reported that Stadia spent tens of millions of dollars just to secure rights to a single big-budget release like Red Dead Redemption 2.
- CEO Sundar Pichai said last month he wants to make the company “20% more productive,” and hiring slowdowns, the cancellation of a new Pixelbook, and other cost-cutting efforts may have pushed Stadia toward the chopping block.
- Stadia arrived on the gaming scene with big ambitions in 2019 that included developing original exclusives that would make use of the platform’s cloud computing advantages.
- But Google’s internal studios were shuttered less than 18 months after launch, and many of its ambitious cloud features like State Share never made it to more than 10% of the platform.
- Ultimately, Stadia chief Harrison said the main culprit was a lack of growth: “While Stadia’s approach to streaming games for consumers was built on a strong technology foundation, it hasn’t gained the traction with users that we expected.”
- "The number one problem is the business model. Secondly, you need to deliver something consumers cannot get elsewhere," said Benjy Boxer, the co-founder of game streaming platform Parsec who now oversees the product at Unity. "In my opinion, the only way cloud gaming will ever shift to the mainstream is if we get to a point where we’re not selling the distribution technology and instead selling a unique value proposition."
- Boxer said Stadia had "amazing technology" but failed at selling coherent product and experience. "Stadia never figured out who their customer was," he added.
It’s perhaps too early to draw broader conclusions about Stadia’s closure, what it could mean for cloud gaming as a whole, and whether the platform’s demise is the nail in the coffin for Google’s gaming ambitions. But Google’s sloppy handling of the announcement and Stadia’s stunning failure is evidence that even the largest, most experienced companies can find themselves lost in the woods when trying to crack such a notoriously difficult set of problems.
Cloud gaming is still available on platforms operated by Microsoft, Nvidia, and — for the time being — Amazon, too. But developing games is costly, difficult, and multidisciplinary work that takes years, and streaming those games over the cloud has yet to be accomplished in a sustainable fashion with an attractive business model. Google found this out the hard way, and let’s hope Stadia’s shutdown provides the road map that helps keep its competitors alive.
A version of this story appeared in Protocol’s Entertainment newsletter. Sign up here to get it in your inbox three times a week.


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The bitcoin price has crashed 70% since hitting a peak of almost $70,000 per bitcoin in November last year, crumbling in the face of the Federal Reserve’s “brutal” interest rate hikes. The crash has wiped around $2 trillion from the price of ethereum and other top ten cryptocurrencies BNB
Now, Yassine Elmandjra, the top crypto analyst at Cathie Wood’s Ark Investment Management, has said bitcoin is a “$28 trillion opportunity,” standing by a previous prediction the bitcoin price will hit $1 million per coin by 2030.
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“When we look at bitcoin’s potential, we segment it across several use cases—everything from it competing as a digital store of value, to a settlement network, to an insurance policy against arbitrary asset seizure,” Elmandjra told Bloomberg. “When you stack every use case one on top of another, you come to about a $28 trillion opportunity, which translates to more than a million dollars per bitcoin.”
Bitcoin supporters have argued that the cryptocurrency will eventually supersede gold as the world’s de facto store of value and inflation hedge, with bitcoin often referred to as “digital gold” due to its fixed supply and decentralized nature.
This week, the bitcoin and crypto community pointed to a shock new PayPal policy that was quickly reversed and JPMorgan’s decision to cut ties with rapper Kanye West as evidence of the need for “censorship-resistant money.”
“When you look at bitcoin as a strategic asset, non-sovereign, censorship-resistant money, competing against central banks and fiat currencies, bitcoin supply being capped at 21 million, I think there is an arms race—especially as we shift from the digital to the physical world—to be an asset independent of the traditional financial systems and traditional asset classes,” Elmandjra said.
However, Ark has this year dumped $75 million worth of Coinbase shares, giving up its postition as the crypto exchange’s third-largest shareholder. Coinbase stock has crashed along with bitcoin and crypto market, with Coinbase chief executive Brian Armstrong this week revealing a sale bombshell.
The technology and finance industries are though still inching toward crypto adoption. Google
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“If the price recovers the $20,000 psychological level with a substantial trading volume in the next few days, bitcoin could test $23,000 next week,” Yuya Hasegawa, crypto market analyst at Bitbank, said in emailed comments.
The crypto and stock market has this week been boosted by data that showed the headline U.S. consumer price index (CPI) rose at an annual pace of 8.2% in September, compared with an estimated 8.1% rise.
“It had been another tough week for the stock market until the CPI, so the rebound will likely trigger unwinding of the recent risk-off sentiment, which could have a positive effect on the price of bitcoin,” Hasegawa said, adding: “Unlike last month, wherein the market expected inflation to slow down, the market has been anticipating a shock this time around, so although the price dipped initially, it was not deep enough to induce panic.”


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In a groundbreaking move, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green light to over-the-counter distribution of Opill, an oral birth control pill that has long been available by prescription.
This approval makes Opill the first oral contraceptive pill accessible without a prescription in the United States.
The approval of Opill represents a significant milestone, as it is the first time a nonprescription daily oral contraceptive will be available to millions of people in the United States.
When used as directed, daily oral contraception is safe and is expected to be more effective than currently available nonprescription contraceptive methods in preventing unintended pregnancy,” stated Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, Director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
Opill, initially approved with a prescription in 1973, will join other oral contraceptives that remain available by prescription only, according to the FDA’s statement.
Safety and Consumer Understanding
To secure over-the-counter approval, the FDA requires products to be demonstrated as safe and effective for consumer use, relying solely on nonprescription drug labeling without assistance from healthcare professionals. Studies have shown that consumers have a high level of understanding of the information on the Opill Drug Facts label and its instructions, leading to the FDA’s conclusion that over-the-counter availability is warranted.
“Giant leap for women’s empowerment,” hailed Perrigo.
Opill manufacturer Perrigo hailed the FDA’s action as a “giant leap for women’s empowerment,” recognizing the increased accessibility and convenience the over-the-counter approval brings.
Executive Order and Accessible Contraception
President Joe Biden’s June executive order, which called for improved access to affordable over-the-counter contraception, may have influenced the FDA’s decision. This aligns with the administration’s commitment to ensuring reproductive health options for all Americans.


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I read an article today written by Susan Thixton, also known as "the Caped Crusader for Pets" for her 16 year study of pet food and ingredients information, and I wanted to share some of what I read. The article was on AquaDent Pet Oral Health Product and one of its main ingredients being Xylitol; which is toxic to cats and dogs.
According to the article, “many pet owners are aware that the sugar substitute Xylitol, found in many sugar free chewing gums, is toxic to [pets]. However few pet owners would think to look for Xylitol listed as an ingredient in a pet oral health product; especially one that claims to be developed by 'Veterinary Dental Specialists'. Yet, the pet oral health product C.E.T. AquaDent lists Xylitol as the third ingredient.”
Numerous pet retail stores sell AquaDent, including 1800PetMeds.com. According to their website, "C.E.T. AquaDent is a drinking water additive formulated by veterinary dental specialists to help freshen your pet's breath and maintain oral hygiene in conjunction with regular home dental care for your pet;” however, it provides no warning of Xylitol toxicity to animals.
Again, “according to Dr. Eric Dunayer, veterinarian and toxicologist for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, there appears to be a strong link between xylitol ingestion and the development of liver failure in dogs. It was previously thought that only large amounts of xylitol could result in problems for dogs, however recently even small amounts of xylitol can result in severe illness in dogs (and believed to affect cats and other animals as well).”
In doing her research, Susan consulted Snopes.com, a website known for debunking or confirming urban legends. According to this site, just three grams of Xylitol can kill a 65 pound dog. "Because the amount of sweetener used in sugar free chewing gums varies by manufacturer and product, the number of sticks of gum that would prove fatal to a pooch of that size can't be stated with precision. As a general rule of thumb, between eight and ten pieces of gum might be deadly to a 65 pound canine, but a smaller dog could easily die after ingesting far less (perhaps as few as two sticks of gum)."
Lastly, Susan points out that AquaDent also contains dyes linked to cancer and numerous other health risks, and it is manufactured by (Virbac Animal Health) a company that was on the FDA warning letter list (December 10, 2008) for violations of current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations, and who’s heartworm preventative was recalled on 2/11/2004 “due to contamination of Minocycline, a FDA approved human drug which has not been approved in species other than humans."
Susan finished with a good question and some great advice for all pet owners: “Why would a pet product, formulated by ‘veterinary dental specialists’, contain an ingredient that is known to be toxic to dogs? It's illogical and reckless. The moral of the story is this, read the ingredients of every single product provided to your pet. Just because a pet product is ‘formulated by veterinary specialists’ doesn't mean it's safe.”
To read the entire article and learn more about the author, please go to http://www.naturalnews.com/z025335.html.


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Endesa renews alliance with Iberia, allowing customers to earn 'Avios' and exchange them for flights or leisure plans. In three years, more than 100 million Avios have been earnt by customers who have joined the Fly with Endesa programme. The energy company has launched a loyalty campaign in which customers can obtain 1,000 Avios (up from 200) and 50 more every month if they register before 10 February 2023.
* The agreement could potentially benefit Endesa's 6.2 million electricity customers in the deregulated market in Spain.
* The Vuela con Endesa alliance has already delivered more than 100 million Avios to customers.
* In addition, all those who are not yet customers and sign up for electricity, gas and maintenance services can obtain up to 12,500 Avios.
* Today, the programme has more than 10 million cardholders and offers six card levels: Classic, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Infinita and Infinita Prime.
Original Press Release:
Jan. 24 -- Endesa Energy issued the following news release:
- In three years, more than 100 million Avios have been earnt by customers who have joined the Fly with Endesa programme, which is equivalent to more than 1,500 round-the-world flights.
- The signing of the new agreement is linked to a new campaign where customers who register will receive 1,000 welcome Avios, without the need to purchase any additional services or change their terms and conditions, just for being customers of the energy company.
Endesa and IAG continue to work together to offer their customers benefits. The energy company has renewed its agreement with Iberia Plus and Vueling Club for a further three years, enabling Endesa customers and members of Iberia and Vueling’s loyalty programme to accumulate Avios which they can use to purchase or obtain discounts on flights, as well as book other services such as hotel stays, car hires and leisure activities. The agreement could potentially benefit Endesa's 6.2 million electricity customers in the deregulated market in Spain.
The Vuela con Endesa alliance has already delivered more than 100 million Aviosto customers who joined the programme, equivalent to more than 1,500 round-the-world flights or around 50,000 long-haul flight hours. Now, with the renewal of the agreement, registered customers will be able to continue to earn Avios while new customers will have the opportunity to sign up and start taking advantage of the partnership.
The energy company has launched a loyalty campaign in which customers who have not yet registered with the alliance can obtain 1,000 Welcome Avios(up from 200) and 50 more every month if they register before 10 February 2023, without having to purchase any additional services or change their terms and conditions, simply for being Endesa customers. In addition, all those who are not yet customers and sign up for electricity, gas and maintenance services can obtain up to 12,500 Avios.
To benefit from the agreement, customers must have an Iberia Plus or Vueling Club card, which can be obtained free of charge from the website. After that, all they have to do is visit the endesa.com Customer Area and, in the "Customer benefits" and "Fly with Endesa" sections, go to the "Advantages of being a customer" and "Fly with Endesa" sections. Once there, they can register using their Iberia Plus or Vueling Club card quickly and easily.
Maite González, Endesa's Residential and Business Director, explains that "this agreement is being very well received by customers and, with its renewal, we are continuing our commitment to customer loyalty by offering them additional benefits for being Endesa customers".
Gabriel Perdiguero, Iberia's Director of Customers, Transformation and IT, said, "We are delighted to be working with Endesa. This agreement allows us to bring all the advantages of the Iberia Plus programme to another large segment of customers; it also provides them with new ways of obtaining Avios and, in short, gives our loyalty programme greater added value for our customers".
Iberia created its Iberia Plus programme in 1990 to reward the loyalty of its best customers with flights and other exclusive benefits. Today, the programme has more than 10 million cardholders and offers six card levels: Classic, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Infinita and Infinita Prime. With the Iberia Plus card, every time an Iberia flight is booked or services are contracted with Endesa, Avios are earned which can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car hires and other services.
Endesa is the largest electricity company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. The company is also the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. Endesa operates an end-to-end generation, distribution and marketing business. Through Endesa X it also offers value-added services aimed at the electrification of energy usage in homes, companies, industries and Public Administrations. In addition, it has created a new line of business. Endesa X Way is fully dedicated to electric mobility. Endesa is firmly committed to the United Nations SDGs and strongly supports the development of renewable energies through Enel Green Power España, the digitalisation of grids through e-distribution, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The Endesa Foundation is also active in CSR-related matters. Our workforce numbers around 9,260 employees. Endesa is a division of Enel, the largest electricity group in Europe.
Iberia has been flying from Spain for more than 95 years with a single purpose: to generate prosperity, connecting people with the world. It is part of the IAG airline group, the first airline group worldwide to commit to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and to operate 10% of flights using sustainable fuel by 2030. Iberia is the leading airline between Europe and Latin America, as well as being one of the first members of the Oneworld alliance, and, together with Iberia Express and Iberia Regional Air Nostrum, offers flights to fifty countries from Madrid's airport, where its hub is based. In addition to the airline business, its activity is diversified into cargo transport, aeronautical maintenance and airport services.
[Category: Energy Equipment & Services, Transportation Infrastructure, Renewable Electricity, Partnerships and Alliances]
Source: Endesa Energy


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Watermelon sometimes gets a bad rap for being high in sugar, but the fruit has some impressive health benefits.
Research conducted at the University of Kentucky showed that eating watermelon may improve lipid profiles and lower fat accumulation. Better yet, a study among athletes by the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena in Spain found watermelon juice to help reduce the level of muscle soreness
Green tea works magic when it comes to weight-loss. Green tea — a humble drink that’s been cherished as a health miracle for centuries, but one that science is finally coalescing around.
Literally hundreds of studies, found in The 17-Day Green Tea Diet, have been carried out to document the health benefits of catechins, the group of antioxidants concentrated in the leaves of tea plants. And the most powerful of all catechins, a compound called epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, is found almost exclusively in green tea.


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Bill Gates owns this historic photo, and 100m others tooBreaking News
Anyone wanting to use that image in a book or on a Web site must first license it from Corbis, a corporation founded and owned by Mr. Gates...The photo is among the 11 million prints and negatives in the legendary Bettmann archive, which Corbis bought in 1995.
Since that first purchase, Corbis has spent tens of millions of dollars acquiring image collections and other companies, hired more than 1,000 people and set up two dozen offices worldwide. Although Corbis says it brings in some $250 million a year in sales, it has yet to turn a profit...
The company still gets some 88 percent of its revenues from image licenses, yet commands only about 11 percent of that market. Getty Images dominates the market with a 40 percent share...
Corbis also owns digital reproduction rights for art from the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the National Gallery in London.
In all, Corbis represents or owns the rights to more than 100 million images, including some of the most famous photographs ever —- Arthur Sasse’s photo of Einstein sticking his tongue out and Marilyn Monroe on the subway grate. And Corbis handles the licensing of millions of other images on behalf of thousands of photographers...
The Corbis photographs themselves are not stored in Seattle, except digitally on the computers there. And those digital images constitute only a small fraction of Corbis’s holdings. Of the 50 million items in the Sygma collection, just 800,000 have been digitized.
The prints and negatives from Otto L. Bettmann’s archive, as well as those from a few smaller collections, are kept 220 feet underground in a former limestone mine in rural Pennsylvania. In February, Corbis announced that it would be storing the Sygma collection in a preservation facility near Paris.
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OTTAWA — Canadian exporters are scrambling to find ways to avoid a potential 10 per cent import tax promised by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, including the possible shifting of production or supply lines south of the border.
Amid warnings from the Bank of Canada that protectionist policies brought in by Trump could drive companies to invest in the United States rather than Canada, executives said their search for options has already begun.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Canadian exporters are not alone, with global business leaders talking up the benefits of local production to shield themselves from criticism from Trump, who was sworn in as president last Friday.
“We’re a Canadian company, we like to build things in Canada and export them … but you can’t sell stuff and not make money,” said Jim Rakievich, chief executive of Edmonton-based McCoy Global, which makes oil and gas industry equipment.
‘Not all bad… right?’: How Trump’s tax on imports may benefit Canadian heavy oil producers
Ripping up NAFTA should actually worry Canadians less than this horrific Republican border tax
“We could move our production down into the U.S. fairly quickly, we could absorb that production (in our U.S. plants) if we had to.”
National Bank Financial estimated a 10 per cent border tax could cause Canada’s total goods exports to the United States to drop by about 9 per cent, with non-petroleum goods sinking almost 11 per cent.
Exports are expected to drive about a third of Canada’s economic growth in 2017, behind only consumption and government spending, according to the Bank of Canada’s forecast this week. The United States is Canada’s largest export market with about 74 per cent of all goods heading south.
Canadian companies with U.S. affiliates may be best placed to weather a shift in tariffs, if they can shift production or investment to their U.S. plants to avoid an import tax.
Foreign affiliate sales to the United States rose to $298.4 billion in 2014, the latest year for which data is available, from $285.8 billion in 2013, according to Export Development Canada.
We’re a Canadian company, we like to build things in Canada and export them … but you can’t sell stuff and not make money
Some exporters without U.S. subsidiaries have already begun to search for new investments.
One such company is Mehadrin Group, which includes Canada’s biggest kosher meat processor.
Mehadrin had planned to sell Canadian-certified kosher meat in the United States but is now moving quickly to find U.S. sources of kosher meat as well as wholesale space in New York and Massachusetts to warehouse it rather than try to import it from Canada and then raise prices to cover the cost of a tariff.
Now, the company is “looking at a couple of places,” including a slaughterhouse in California, “that can produce some volume for us,” according to Vladimir Budker, financing consultant of Mehadrin Group.
“Plan B is to look at a couple of local (U.S.) producers – we’ve looked but didn’t approach them yet — to see if there is any change in policy, in NAFTA or taxes. We’d be looking at this avenue pretty fast,” Budker said.
For others, their cross-border business is far too integrated and specialized to easily separate U.S.-bound goods to avoid a tax.
Veso Sobot, director of corporate affairs at plastic pipe maker IPEX Inc, said products can cross the border between IPEX’s 18 plants in Canada and seven in the United States before they are even ready for market, making a shift in production to make products in the United States for U.S. customers impossible.
Instead, he’s hoping Trump will come to see that Canada is not a low-cost competitor that needs to be targeted.
“We feel very hopeful that … we will have an exemption to Trump’s Buy American policy. We believe Canada is not America’s problem.”
© Thomson Reuters 2017


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California’s economy may be struggling and its 12.1% unemployment may be second highest in the U.S. but its new business activity led the nation in the second quarter, reports Manta, an online community of small businesses.
Manta’s definition of activity is filings for fictitious business names and business licenses plus openings of new offices.
Remember, California is the most populous state so we’re likely to lead in most business measures, but we’ll take our good news wherever we can get it. The states with the highest growth rates are Maine, 165%; Colorado, 149%; and Arizona, 113%.
Manta draws upon multiple business resources for data and also surveys more than 2,300 small-business owners.
“Despite the challenging economic conditions, small-business owners are charging ahead; in fact, our survey found 37% of small-business owners expect their profits will increase this year,” said Pamela Springer, president and CEO of Manta.
As President Obama and Congress made competing proposals for increasing jobs and fixing the economy, Manta asked business owners some government-politics questions in the latest survey. Here’s where elected officials SHOULD spend their efforts, these business owners said:
Turns out 87% of respondents are dissatisfied with the effectiveness of government, Manta’s survey showed.
More than two-thirds (68%) said the president’s most recent plan to boost jobs won’t prompt them to hire more workers, while 13% said they might, depending on what incentives eventually pass and 11% who said they definitely will add jobs if Obama’s plan becomes law.
The lack of hiring might be related to respondents’ pessimism. Six out of 10 are not optimistic about the 2011-2012 economic outlook and 37% expect their own profits to increase vs. 25% who expect a decline and 38% who expect little change.
Other business stories…
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- Crevier BMW sold to Penske Automotive Group
- Amazon terminates deal with Calif. affiliates
- O.C. manufacturer moves, adds 270 jobs in D.C.
- Top 5 things Americans won’t do without


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Value of social media networks for small businesses
SMEs which use online social media networks are more likely to grow their sales.
Family-owned businesses which use social media networks are more likely to have a higher annual turnover and grow their sales than those that do not, new research has found.
The study, led by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), also found that family-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which use online business networks such as LinkedIn tend to have an innovative approach to products and processes.
The findings highlight the importance of supporting SMEs to access online business networks by improving digital infrastructures and connectivity – such as satellite Internet, superfast broadband or 5G network - particularly in rural areas.
The report also recommends providing IT and digital business support and a digital skills training programme to rural SMEs to educate them about the benefits of having social media business networks.
This would highlight the potential of SMEs to build social capital and resources via digital means at low costs and increase their ability to work with modern technologies and improve their odds of thriving in the digital world.
Lead researcher Dr Pattanapong Tiwasing said: “This empirical research highlights some practical implications for policymakers, practitioners and academic researchers to help unlock digital potential for business performance and improve online business support environments amongst family-owned SMEs.
“This is particularly important for family businesses in the primary and secondary sectors, since those in the service sector - such as the tourism, food and beverage industries - are likely to be well-connected with social media business networks through their online services and operations.”
The research analysed data from 9,292 English and Welsh family-owned SMEs from the Longitudinal Small Business Survey 2015 commissioned by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
It was conducted in partnership with Dr Yoo Ri Kim from the University of Surrey and Professor Sukanlaya Sawang from Coventry University and published in the Journal of Family Business Management.
Posted by SRUC on 19/10/2022


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Dutch fibre broadband subscribers may be getting more interested in a switch to cable, according to research by Telecompaper.
Almost a third of Dutch people with a smartphone have the Netflix app on their mobile phone.
Cable remains the market leader in The Netherlands with 3.39 million connections. DSL is still number two, despite a decrease to 2.85 million connections, according to Telecompaper.
The number of triple play customers switching to another provider has continued to fall, according to the Dutch Multiplay report by Telecompaper Consumer Insights.
The Dutch fixed broadband market grew by only 0.1% in the second quarter of 2017, according to research by telecompaper.
Netflix has more than doubled the number of subscribers in the Netherlands, from 1.1 million to 2.3 million, now reaching one in three Dutch homes, according to Telecompaper.
The Dutch market for fixed broadband internet was affected by a slowdown in the first quarter, according to Telecompaper’s Dutch Broadband 2017 Q1 report.
Well over half (57%) of Dutch people binge watch, viewing multiple episodes of a TV show in rapid succession.
The share of Dutch households with a smart TV has more than doubled in the past two years, to 48% from 20%.
60% of Dutch viewers will consider cutting the cord if the three main public NPO channels are available OTT, according to research from Telecompaper.


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BOARDRIDERS, the new US-based owners of surfwear icon Billabong, has listed the group’s Burleigh Heads offices on the Gold Coast for sale with a long-term leaseback.
The 3.3-hectare property at 1 Billabong Place is its Asia Pacific headquarters and was acquired by Boardriders as part of its takeover over the Billabong business earlier this year.
The near-$200 million deal saw the group also take on the Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, DC Shoes, RVCA, Element, VonZipper, Xcel, Kustom and Palmers brands.
Knight Frank’s Mark Witheriff and James Branch are marketing the property with a 12-year lease to Boardriders via expressions of interest closing Thursday, December 6.
It is believed the property could net as much as $50 million.
The site has a net lettable area of around 15,000 sqm, comprising a retail store, showrooms, warehousing, car parking and office space for more than 200 staff, and is located adjacent to Stockland’s Burleigh Heads Shopping Centre, which is anchored by Woolworths, Aldi and Big W and alongside 90 speciality stores.
“The sale of the property is in line with our strategy to focus on our core business and free up cash to invest in our brands,” global president and president APAC of Boardriders Inc., Greg Healy said.
“Importantly, under the sale and lease back arrangement, we will secure Boardriders long-term occupation of the property (including the office, store and warehouse area).”
Boardriders has also made the decision to retain its office presence in Torquay, south-west of Geelong.
Australian Property Journal


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Samsung Galaxy S4 comes to AT&T stores Saturday, first preorders arriving Wednesday
Samsung Galaxy S4.
That is for the basic 16 GB version, and apparently the 32-gigger is reserved for a later date, if it materializes soon at all, but you have the flexibility of a microSD slot under that back cover, so no sweat.
The company's finest will be available this Saturday, April 27, and the first preorders might actually start arriving as soon as Wednesday, said AT&T, despite that the shipping date on its website still shows April 30th.
source: AT&T (Twitter)


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problems to address.
This month in Fairview Heights, Illinois, members of the city council will consider a bill that would ban the sale of personal vehicles in the city's commercial districts. According to the town's planning department, some resident have complained about seeing cars, trucks and boats sitting in parking lots with handmade "For Sale" signs posted onto the vehicles.
"Tacky" is the word some people have used to describe the vehicles up for sale along the town's main commercial drag.
Amber G. Miller, the city's director of land use and development, tells the Belleville News-Democrat
that people have complained that the items for sale detract from the city's professional business demeanor and make it look like an "old car lot."
Council members aren't necessarily in agreement. Last night they sent the proposed ordinance back to committee to "iron out" a few issues. The bill will be heard at another meeting later this month.
In the meantime, several business owners in Fairview Heights say it's well within their rights to let people showcase used vehicles on their parking lots. The city has somewhat similar restrictions in residential neighborhoods where residents can't park their jalopies on the front lawn with a "For Sale" sign taped to the windshield.
You could say it's a "sign of the times" or more proof that some cities just don't have enough


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It wouldn't be Prime Day if Amazon weren't discounting all of its own hardware. If you've been waiting to upgrade your streaming experience, the entire lineup of Fire TV gadgets is on sale. Whether you're switching from another platform or adding Netflix to your bedroom TV, there's a little something for everyone.
This story was originally published and last updated .
Amazon already had its Prime Day festivities last month, but the company apparently still has some Echo speakers it needs to clear out. Amazon has again discounted most of its hardware products, plus a few third-party devices running Fire TV.
Prime Day 2019 is nearly upon us, but ahead of the main event, Amazon has been known to trickle out deals early here and there. Such is the case with this Prime-exclusive sale on the Fire TV Recast: the OTA DVR, normally $229.99, is currently $100 off for members.
Every deal season, one thing you can depend on is that Amazon will place its first-party Kindle, Echo, and Fire hardware on discount. It's such a regular part of Amazon's sales that we often overlook it as expected, familiar, and therefore uninteresting. But if you're in the market for an Alexa-powered smart speaker, cord-cutting Fire TV recast DVR, or an Amazon Prime-compatible streaming device, now is the time to pick one up.
If you've been looking to upgrade your TV setup, today is a good day to do it. All of Amazon's Fire TV products are currently on sale, including the new 4K streaming stick, the Fire TV Cube, and the 'Recast' DVR box.


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Beginning next month, medical cannabis sales in Montana will carry a 4 percent sales tax which could force officials at the Revenue Department to make changes to their infrastructure to accept large cash payments, according to a Billings Gazette report. Due to federal drug laws, most financial institutions won’t do business with cannabis companies, forcing them to rely primarily on cash to do business.
“We may have to do some changes to our physical buildings to be able to accept cash and maybe have some cash counters and that kind of thing,” said Department of Revenue Deputy Director Gene Walborn in the report, adding that the agency needs to change their computer system to be able to accept the payments.
Businesses, too, will have to adapt to the new policy as medical cannabis sales in the state were not previously subject to sales taxes. The legislature passed the new tax in April, which is designated to state regulators for setting up a seed-to-sale tracking and lab testing system and conducting site and shop inspections – none of which was required under the state’s previous regime but lawmakers added the program safeguards after voters moved to effectively re-legalize medical cannabis use after the legislature decimated the original 2004 program.
The 4 percent tax is expected to bring in $750,000. It will drop to 2 percent on July 1, 2018.
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Study: Small soda taxes don't dent obesity
ATLANTA (AP) -- Small taxes on soda do little to reduce soft drink consumption or prevent childhood obesity, but larger levies probably would, according to new research.
The study is being released as a recent wave of proposals would raise soda taxes or create new ones on sugared beverages. But they'll have to be a lot steeper than current taxes, which are generally 4 percent or less, said Roland Sturm, lead author of the new research.
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As of now, the recall seems to be applicable for the international markets only.
Harley-Davidson has announced a recall for the Pan America 1250 over a “seat base failure” issue. A total of 2,689 units of the ADV manufactured between March 8 and October 13, 2021, have been affected by this.
Based on the information available, the seat base might not be fastened properly. This could cause the handhold portion of the base to fracture. The seat base of the units affected by this recall will be replaced by a new one.
As of now, the recall seems to be applicable for the international markets only. Harley-Davidson India has not shared any information about the same yet.
In India, the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 is available in two variants – Standard and Special. Both models are powered by the same 1,252cc, liquid-cooled, V-twin Revolution Max engine that makes 150 BHP @ 9,000 rpm and 127 Nm @ 6,750 rpm.
Harley-Davidson has recently launched the Sportster S in India. The latest offering from the American motorcycle company carries a price tag of Rs 15.51 lakh (ex-showroom).
Source: Read Full Article


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McDonald’s Canada introduces a vegetarian wrap leaving Australians to chew the fat.
Despite the fact that Australia has more overweight people than its Commonwealth counterpart, the fast-food giant has chosen the healthier nation for the meat-free wraps, where they are more likely to sell.
The wraps, offered alongside salad, fruit or vegetables, offer a healthier alternatives to burgers and fries.
“People always ask for the veggie burger. So this we’re going to surprise them with,” McDonald’s Canada CEO John Betts told Canada’s National Post.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 1 in 2 Australians are overweight or obese, compared with 1 in 4 that are overweight or obese in Canada. – Bianca Mureddu


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Maserati MC20 - the name of the new super sports car
Maserati has chosen the Maserati Multi 70 trimaran and Giovanni Soldini’s Team to tell the world the name of its new super sports car, developed, engineered and 100% built in Italy. Today, the trimaran set sail in the Caribbean Sea for routine training in the run-up to the RORC Caribbean 600 Race. Unexpectedly, when the sails were hoisted, the new "MC20" logo appeared on the mainsail. The Modena-based manufacturer has unveiled the car’s name in an unconventional way: the new mainsail graphics with the logo of the super sports car, created by the Centro Stile Maserati, is a tribute to the Brand's new Era, for which Giovanni Soldini, a long-term friend of the brand, is a leading spokesperson.


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U.S. vehicle exports are expected to hit a record high two-million units this year, with half of them produced by the Detroit 3.
The remainder of the exports come from German, Japanese and Korean automakers with plants in the U.S., with total automotive exports expected to exceed last year’s $132.7 billion that came from approximately 1.8 million vehicles. About half of the vehicles exported are to Canada and Mexico, but the biggest growth is coming from outside the U.S. Since 2009, exports to China have grown nearly 600 percent and one in nine vehicles exported from America now goes to China.
SEE ALSO: 2015 Mustang Fully Revealed
Export growth is expected to be limited over the next few years as automakers continue to build assembly plants in countries where sales continue to grow such as Brazil, Russia, India and China. Meanwhile, Japanese automakers such as Honda hopes to export more cars from the U.S. than it imports from Japan.
The all-new 2015 Ford Mustang will join the list of vehicles being built in America and exported to other global markets. The assembly plant in Flat Rock, Michigan will be producing right-hand drive versions for the UK, Australia and Japan.
GALLERY: 2015 Ford Mustang Live Photos
GALLERY: 2015 Ford Mustang
[Source: The Detroit News]
Discuss this story at our Ford forum.


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City Hall to open info centers for tourists in downtown Yerevan
YEREVAN, MARCH 7, ARMENPRESS. Information centers for tourists will be opened in downtown Yerevan, City Hall Tourism Department director Gevorg Orbelyan told a press conference.
The centers will assist tourists in getting around the city and provide information on leisure and entertainment options. “The information centers will operate in Northern Avenue and near Vernissage,” he said.
English –translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan


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Budweiser Clydesdales coming to Mount Pleasant this week
Beer lovers and equestrian enthusiasts alike will have the opportunity to witness one of the world’s most famous team of horses in action this week.
The Budweiser Clydesdales are coming to downtown Mount Pleasant Thursday.
They will begin pulling the iconic red Budweiser wagon at the corner of Broadway and Main Street at 4 p.m.
Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller said the eight-horse team will parade through University, Illinois, Broadway and Main Streets.
Participants will be able to pet the horses and ask the hitch team questions about the animals, Sponseller said.
The event is free of charge.
“It’s a great event to come on down, take some pictures and spend an evening downtown,” she said.
Fabiano Brothers, a family-owned beer and wine company, booked the horses and decided to bring them to Mount Pleasant.
The Mount Pleasant area was the corporate home for the company for many years, Fabiano Brothers Retail Communicator Josh French said in an e-mailed statement.
The horses will pull their beer wagon in celebration of the Fabiano Brothers’ new beer and wine distribution center in Bay City, as well as their 125th year in business.
“It’s amazing what a team of great big horses will do. They’re iconic as far as animals go,” Sponseller said. “You put pictures of Budweiser Clydesdales up and people instantly know what it is.”
She said her office has already received a lot of positive feedback from the community.
“It’s probably a once-in-a-lifetime event,” she said. “The reality is the chances of us bringing them back in town are slim at best.”
French said the horses were booked more than six months in advance.
“Appearances from them are sure to be a first class event, from the perfect grooming of the Clydesdales to the family friendly showings for the community,” he said. “It really is top notch.”
He said the Budweiser Clydesdales are symbolic of the rich history tied to Anheuser-Busch.
“We are honored to be able to show our appreciation to the community by bringing them to downtown Mount Pleasant for this family friendly event,” French said.


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Cryptocurrency keeps making headlines these days! And for good reason, as the market price for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency has increased by over $ 2 trillion. That’s a lot of money!
Earlier this week, BTC maximalist and CoinDesk columnist Nic Carter predicted that Ethereum could overtake Bitcoin.
Let’s face it, the majority of the working class cannot afford to buy even half a bitcoin. While the majority of people can afford at least half or even a whole Ethereum coin.
Well, aside from Ethereum’s obvious affordability over Bitcoin, what else is going to make it overtake Bitcoin?
Let’s turn to billionaire Mark Cuban for some answers.
Laura Shin interviewed Cuban on her “Unchained” podcast about how Ethereum could be a better store of value than Bitcoin, and that’s what he said.
“I think the applications that use smart contracts and extensions to Ethereum will put Bitcoin to shame. Bitcoin has now become a store of value and it is very difficult to use for any other purpose. You really have to work a lot harder with Bitcoin than with Ethereum. “
Cuban also stated that he expects Ethereum’s long-awaited 2.0 upgrade to trigger the development of apps that “dwarf” Bitcoin.
This prediction, made by a man who once said he would “prefer bananas to bitcoin” and claim that crypto is “too complicated”, should not be ignored.
However, the owner of Dallas Mavericks has since made friends with cryptocurrencies and praised the emerging decentralized financial space. The EDI is largely based on the second largest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin, Ethereum.
The price of Bitcoin has increased by around 700% in the past 12 months. And cryptocurrencies have continued to rise as Elon Musk continues with his somewhat weird tweets (which actually move the price of Bitcoin) and super billionaire Jack Dorsey who gives him the stamp of approval.
Additionally, the Wall Street giants have started rolling out bitcoin services, with Mastercard and PayPal also on the bitcoin train.
Something that has gained quite a bit of traction lately is that big investors fear that inflation is on the verge of undermining the value of traditional currencies like the U.S. dollar, and this has further piqued interest as to whether Bitcoin is potentially rising Can counteract prices.
Cam Harvey, senior advisor to Research Affiliates and a professor of finance at Duke University, appears to disagree with the former.
“Cryptocurrency’s history is too short to assess whether it can protect against soaring prices.”
However, the huge rebound in Bitcoin prices has been obscured by Ethereum and some other cryptocurrencies, with Ethereum price rising an astonishing 1,100% since April 2020.
Cuban assumes that the upcoming upgrades to Ethereum, which are expected to be completed by at least the beginning of 2022, “will give some people a reason to use them Ethereum as a store of value via Bitcoin. ”
The Cuban told Shin too, and this perhaps outweighs the importance and clarity of what he said before.
“I think Ethereum and maybe two or three other blockchains will have their place in a couple of years and those will be the winners“Said the Cuban, adding that he will not sell his Bitcoin, but that he will owns “a lot more” Ethereum than Bitcoin.
In the meantime, choosing a cryptocurrency to invest in should be based on your current financial circumstances and what you can afford.
Therefore, at this point in time, it is largely a personal decision to weigh up whether to buy Bitcoin or Ethereum.
According to Cubans, we may not know which of the two cryptocurrencies has more value until at least 2022.
Any investment should always be secured through appropriate research. Always consult a financial expert and research, research, research! You can never do enough personal research into where you are putting your hard earned money !!
Read more about Mark Cuban’s thoughts on Ethereum here.
Note: The author is not a financial expert and this article is not intended to provide financial advice. The work in this article comes from credible sources and high-level financial experts in the cryptocurrency space.
Can Ethereum overtake Bitcoin as a better store of value? 5


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On 28th of April Victoria Secret declared that their group of supermodel Angels is including 10 beautiful names, Martha Hunt and Elsa Hosk are just a few of the stunning new recruits, and we cannot wait to watch them on the runway and in the VS catalog. Keep reading to see funs facts regarding The Newest Angles and be certain to tell us which attractive lady is your fave.
The latest Angles are not only a bunch of cute faces, you are going to be amazed to see that many of them athletically presented and even musically skilled.
Kate Grigorieva is a skillful ballroom dancer, and has a Bachelor’s Degree in marketing.
Taylor Hill rode horses on a ranch in Colorado earlier than being explored as being a model. She as well likes reading, snowboarding and yoga.
Elsa Hosk began as an expert basketball player, however soon shifted on to a full time modeling career.
Martha Hunt like to cook, surfing and dancing.
Jac Jagaciak came from Puszczykowo, Poland. She is well trained in track and field, and has loved sunning since she was a kid.
Stella Maxwell was came out by a New Zealand agent. She loves traveling, and has lived all over the world.
Lais Ribeiro enjoys salsa dancing, boxing and playing volley ball
Rmmm Strijd keeps fit by boxing and running. as well she enjoys cooking and interior designs
Jasmin Tookes it a 2nd gymnast and self described foodie. She has all the time up for trying a new food.
‘International Bombshells’ Day’ On May 2 — Exclusive Specials At Victoria’s Secret
Including with the latest Angels , Victoria Secret has as well declared a new holiday: International Bomshell days:
2nd of May the brand is going to motivate women to pamper and embrace their “inner bombshell” by participating in social sales both available in the stores and online. As well the latest Angels is going to celebrate the day on social media and post tips using the hash tag #TheNewestAngels. We can certainly get behind this holiday.


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New AA Smart Lease solution to provide ‘accessible way into EV market’
The AA is promoting its newly launched car leasing solution as an ‘accessible way’ into the electric vehicle market to help drivers avoid London ULEZ and other Clean Air Zone charges.
Announced last month, the AA Smart Lease scheme is being offered in partnership with LeasePlan and offers customers inclusive car leases which cover the cost of insurance, servicing, maintenance and tyres. This means the customer can drive an electric or hybrid car without a deposit.
Cars can be leased for similar daily costs to the London ULEZ charge. An electric Vauxhall Corsa-e is available from £400 per month, or £13.15 per day.
The scheme also offers CAZ-compliant petrols and diesels too. A petrol Corsa is available from £290 per month, or some £9.53 a day, but won’t benefit from the electric Corsa-e model’s fuel savings in operation.
The daily figures compare with the £12.50 daily charge for the London ULEZ and the £8 daily charge planned for non-compliant cars for the Birmingham Clean Air Zone when it launches in June 2021.
The AA scheme is aimed at members and will offer home deliveries of cars during the current lockdown restrictions. It will also provide customers with of mind through lockdown of a ‘life event’ break clause, which means they can stop their lease if, for example, they lose their job.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “Later this year, millions of drivers in London will find themselves on the wrong side of the road when the ULEZ scheme is expanded. There is a very real risk that many people who rely on their car for essential journeys will be priced off the road.
“With the whole country back in lockdown, this is likely to have an even bigger impact than previously thought as more people will be trying to avoid public transport by using private cars.
“For those drivers who were already considering the switch to electric, being able to lease one which includes the insurance, service and repairs, for a similar cost to paying the charge, could be a lifeline. It enables them to dip their toe into running an electric car, without any upfront costs, – as well as helping improve air quality.”


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New ultra-fast charger at Battersea petrol station promises to deliver up to 80 per cent charge in around 10 minutes
Shell has today officially launched the first 150kW electric vehicle (EV) charger to appear on a UK forecourt, promising to slash charging times for zero emission motorists.
The company said the new Shell Recharge charger at its Battersea Service Station will sit alongside its existing 50kW rapid chargers, which can deliver a nought to 80 per cent charge in around 30 minutes. In contrast, the next generation 150kW chargers can deliver power up to three times faster, depending on the EV model that is plugged in.
Shell and other charging network operators are increasingly confident that ultra-rapid chargers that more closely replicate the refuelling times for conventional vehicles could help unlock significant new demand for EVs.
"More of our customer are driving electric vehicles and as they do we will offer them the ability to charge where it suits them - on the road, at home and at work," said Bernie Williamson, Shell's general manager for Retail UK. "This new 150kW charger is the latest addition to our Shell Recharge offering, joining the range of 50kW chargers we have already installed on our forecourts. Our aim is to make charging up as simple and stress-free as possible."
The company added that customers will be able to pay for the 100 per cent renewable power from the new charger using either a contactless payment card, a NewMotion app/card, or the SMOOV app. There are no subscription or connection fees; customers only pay for the power used to charge their car, Shell said.
The opening is the latest milestone for Shell's EV infrastructure expansion plans, which has seen it develop a range of public, domestic, and business focused charging products and services following its 2017 acquisition of European charging infrastructure specialist NewMotion.
It is also working on plans for even faster chargers following an agreement with the auto industry backed IONITY joint venture, which will see Shell offer super-fast 350kW charging points across 10 European countries, starting with 80 of Shell's biggest highway stations.
The latest news comes a day after Shell CEO Ben van Beurden reiterated calls for the UK government to bring forward its target to end the sale of internal combustion engine cars by 2040.
Speaking at the Shell Energy Live Summit he welcomed the adoption of a legally binding net zero emission target for 2050 and warned that if the new goal is to be met "the UK will have to move a whole lot more quickly on vehicles to meet the commitments that the government made [on net zero]".
The BusinessGreen Powering Progress Together Hub is supported by Shell. All the hub's content is editorially independent, unless stated otherwise.


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Bahamas: Fraudulent Invoices Hit 29% Of Bahamas Trade
The Ministry of Finance’s top official yesterday admitted there is “substantial” revenue loss from fraudulent invoices that are impacting up to 29 percent of The Bahamas’ trade.
#Marlon Johnson spoke out after Global Financial Integrity (GFI), an advocacy group that acts as a watchdog on “illicit financial flows”, unveiled a report showing The Bahamas has one of the world’s highest rates of customs duty and “border” VAT leakage due to the practice of submitting phony invoices that significantly undervalue import shipments.
#Basing its findings on United Nations (UN) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) data, GFI found that more than one-quarter of The Bahamas’ goods trade with advanced economies such as the US and Canada was impacted by such tax evasion practices.
#Branding this as “trade misinvoicing”, GFI said: “Several nations have trade misinvoicing levels significantly higher than the global average, including: Sierra Leone (39.8 percent), Georgia (34 percent); Botswana (31.1 percent); Maldives (29.6 percent); Ethiopia (29.3 percent); The Bahamas (29 percent); and Cameroon (26 percent).”
#Employing two different evaluation methodologies, the GFI report said one estimated that “underinvoicing” affected almost 64 percent – nearly two-thirds – of incoming import shipments to The Bahamas. With this nation’s total physical goods trade pegged at $4.646bn annually, it added that some $2.994bn was being impacted by fraud-related tax evasion.


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— Honda fuel dilution problems have caused a lawsuit that alleges 2015-2018 Honda Civics, CR-Vs and Honda Accords have 1.5-liter direct injection turbocharged engine defects that cause engine oil to dilute with gasoline.
The proposed class-action lawsuit includes all Georgia consumers who purchased or leased one of the named Honda vehicles.
Plaintiff Christopher Hamilton purchased a new 2017 Honda Civic on June 2017, but when the car had about 10,000 miles on it the plaintiff noticed the smell of fuel when he checked the oil level.
He allegedly took the Civic to a dealer to complain about the smell of gas in the oil and the Honda technician allegedly said the oil was “filled over the crank case.” However, the lawsuit alleges the technician concluded there was “no problem found at this time.”
The plaintiff says he was never told about fuel dilution problems even though he continued to smell gasoline in the passenger compartment of the Civic.
According to the lawsuit, the 1.5-liter VTEC turbo direct injection engine is part of Honda's Earth Dreams technology and should only need the oil replaced every 7,500 miles, or every 12 months. In more severe driving conditions, the plaintiff says the owner's manual recommends the oil be replaced every six months or 3,750 miles.
According to the lawsuit, Accord, Civic and CR-V owners are not told how the engine oil dilutes with the gasoline due to fuel entering the crankcases. The resulting fuel/oil dilution allegedly reduces the ability of the oil to lubricate the engines, causing premature wear and engine damage.
In addition to possible engine failures, the plaintiff claims vehicle occupants can suffer from gas odors inside the cabins.
Honda is allegedly aware of the problem because the automaker recalled 350,000 Civics and CR-Vs in China for fuel dilution problems.
The China recall was issued after customers in cold weather climates complained about oil mixing with gasoline in the vehicles. At the time, Honda said short trips in cold climate areas of China caused condensation and excess fuel vapors if the engines didn't have time to reach temperatures that would normally burn off contaminants.
Excess fuel built up and stayed in the oil pan where it should have normally evaporated and recycled through the combustion chamber. Chinese drivers reported illuminated warning lights, fuel smells in the vehicles and in some cases customers said their engines were damaged.
The Georgia lawsuit alleges the Chinese recall is proof Honda knows about alleged engine problems but refuses to order a recall to repair the fuel dilution problems.
The Honda fuel dilution lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia - Christopher Hamilton, et al., v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc.


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Whereas 2014 brought us the ramen burger and a full fledged quinoa craze, 2015 brought a whole new set of tasty trends. Let’s run through a few of our faves, shall well?
1. The death of dairy. With more non-dairy options entering the market at a fast clip, dairy consumption was down in 2015. Through the first seven months of the year, U.S. dairy exports shrunk 11 percent. So what is moving in instead? A larger variety of dairy-free options. Ben & Jerry’s announced their first non-dairy line and larger coffee houses continued to move past soy milk, with additions of coconut, almond and hemp options.
2. Plant-foods. In 2015, vegetable-based cuisine continued its steady march toward the new normal. More high-end restaurants began adding creative vegetarian options to their menus (sayonara, simple side salad) and the National Restaurant Association noted an overall 5 percent increase in vegan and vegetarian dining options. However, the increase in plant food doesn’t necessarily exclude meat. Omnivorous spots are also kicking up their use of local, fresh produce, pairing them with meaty accents. This brings us to …
3. Local. The focus on going local only increased in 2015, with more emphasis on environmental sustainability and hyper-local sourcing, the National Restaurant Association reported. Farm-to-table restaurants, neighborhood co-ops and CSA shares continued to rise in popularity as more consumers wise up to sustainable farming methods.
4. Less processed foods. More and more consumers are choosing to skip processed foods, with whole foods skyrocketing in 2015, according to the National Restaurant Association. Some tops favorites: sweet potatoes, avocado and leafy greens.
5. Cold brew coffee. Cold brew coffee—coffee and espresso prepped with cold water instead of the traditional hot variety—saw an uptick in 2015. Starbucks launched a cold brew line and FourSquare recorded more than 200 independent shops serving the chilly beverage.
6. Fancy ice cream sandwiches. Ice cream between brownies, cookies, waffles—oh my! Although dairy was down this year, the ice cream sandwich had a bit of an uprising, with revamped versions of the childhood favorite gracing menus across the country. The trend could possibly be traced back to LA’s trendy Coolhaus, which features ice cream stuffed between a load of strange “architecturally inspired” options, including fruit pebble cookies.
7. Avocado toast. According to Eater, 2015 was the year of the avocado toast. On Foursquare, mentions of “avocado toast” increased 270 percent from 2014 and overall internet searches for the nibble spiked greatly.
So what will we see in 2016? Experts and top chefs alike are expecting an uptick in seaweed consumption, African-inspired flavors and “pulses,” aka legumes. Bring on the lentils!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
5 Helpful Tips to Becoming a Successful Locavore
Michael Pollan: What You Should Eat to Be Healthy
Greenhouses: The Solution for Year-Round Local Food?


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Cases contain one of five limited-edition LandShark T-shirts
Supplier - Waterloo Brewing Co.
LandShark Lager is debuting three new promotional packs: Fin to Win Sweepstakes, Margaritaville Trip Giveaway and T-Shirt In Case. Packs provide buyers with a chance to win free brand gear and a tropical getaway. Cases of LandShark Lager also contain one of five limited-edition LandShark T-shirts, with new designs for the sixth consecutive year.


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NEW DELHI: Tiles maker Kajaria Ceramics today said it has acquired a 51 per cent stake in Gujarat-based Soriso Ceramic in an all-cash deal for Rs 5.6 crore.
The same translates into acquiring 1.53 million equity shares of Rs 10 each at Rs 36.63 per share, Kajaria Ceramics said in a statement.
"This acquisition shall help both the companies to increase the capacity further to cater to the southern and western part of the country to take advantage in transportation charges," Kajaria Ceramics Limited Chairman Ashok Kajaria said.
With this acquisition, Kajaria Ceramics' total capacity would touch 30.60 million square metre by March 2011. Soriso has an annual capacity to produce of 2.30 million square metres of ceramic floor tiles.
The acquisition will also add a new production base for the company in Gujarat. It already has manufacturing operations in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
In January this year, the company had tied up with Turkey-based Eczacibasi for marketing and sales of 'VitrA' bath ware products as an exclusive and sole marketer and distributor for India.
Shares of Kajaria Ceramics today closd at Rs 68.95 on the Bombay Stock Exchange, up 1.55 per cent from its previous close.


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(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – According to the latest figures, Sri Lanka’s total government revenue has grown from Rs. 1, 205 in 2014 to Rs. 1,461 billion in 2015.
Tax revenue rose from Rs. 1,050 billion to Rs. 1,356 billion in the same period.
This is crucial for Sri Lanka, which has a very low tax revenue-to-gross domestic product ratio.


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To help achieve better care, smarter spending, and healthier people, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is working in concert with partners in the private, public, and non-profit sectors to transform the nation’s health system to emphasize quality over volume. HHS launched the LAN to help advance the work being done across sectors to increase the adoption of value-based payments and alternative payment models.
The LAN is about shifting away from the current fee-for-service model of payment in our health care system (where more services lead to higher payments, regardless of health outcome) to one that pays providers and hospitals for quality care and improved health.
To accelerate the health care system’s transition to alternative payment models (APMs) by combining the innovation, power, and reach of the private and public sectors.
Increase the adoption of APMs that pay for quality of care over quantity of services.
Adoption of Alternative Payment Models (APMs)


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Satirist Stephen Colbert complains that a Google search has his height wrong. So, try searching "How tall is Stephen Colbert" now.
Apple's tablet lineup has expanded from six configurations to more than 50 in four years. Has the product lineup become too complex?
To try to keep medium-format photographers loyal to the brand, Hasselblad introduces a new camera body with modernized focusing.
A new lens for its 654 system includes all of Pentax's latest tech.
iOS 8.1 comes in hot and fast with several new features and changes. Here's everything you need to know.
The blog publishing startup's mobile app will allow consumption of Medium content but not creation, according to Fortune.
The Air Force says that the almost one-of-a-kind spacecraft "conducted on-orbit experiments" in the the longest-ever mission for the X-37B program.
The publishing platform that's a mix between Twitter and Blogger gets a hefty wad of cash in venture capital funding.
The update, which became available for download Monday, adds support for Apple Pay, brings back the camera roll and launches the iCloud photo library.
Apple's Beats reaches for profundity as it shows LeBron James losing weight and gaining soul in a new campaign.