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Couponing has always received a lot of negative attention. For far too long people have felt embarrassed to use coupons, in order not to have their friends ridicule them or have sales clerks look down on them.
But as you’ll see in the infographic below, coupon users had the right idea all along. Why shouldn’t coupons help you prepare for SHTF? Coupons have helped a small fraction of the population to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars every year, while others missed their opportunities.
This infographic shows not only the identity of coupon users, but also their backgrounds and how much they save and make on an annual basis, and highlights the fact that a large proportion of people using coupons come from middle to high-income families, not low-income households.
While most people accept that using coupons can help them make considerable savings each year, the stigma has always prevented people from making the wise choice. Survival has no room for stigma, so one must move quickly.
Research has revealed that individuals with a household income above $100,000 remain more than twice as likely to use coupons than those with household incomes below $35,000. This goes to show how those with more money can use coupons to amplify their purchase of SHTF gear and food items.
But this might also have something to do with educational background. 70% of coupon users have graduated from college, while 20% of users never made it out of high school. This buttresses the point that those taking advantage of coupons know what to do with these much-neglected opportunities. It doesn’t even take much work these days, mobile couponing apps can save you hours of coupon clipping time, and using a cash back rewards card is like having a 1-5% off coupon for everything you buy – provided you pay your bill on time of course.
Further research revealed that 26% of users have household incomes above $200,000 and they make use of mobile coupons for food shopping. If anyone needed proof or courage to support the claim that coupon users could come from any income level, look no further.
Another reason high-income families are more likely to use coupons is that they’re also usually more diligent with managing their budgets, something many people neglect. The argument in support of couponing far outweigh any arguments against it.
As of 2013, the average person in the U.S. had access to $1,617 worth of coupons. This meant that $516 billion worth of coupons came into circulation. Unfortunately, only $4 billion of those got used, meaning $512 billion got wasted in one year.
Of the people using coupons, 42% save $30 each week, while 21% save $50 per week. This amounts to annual savings of $1,560 and $2,600 respectively. For people looking for a raise each year, using coupons can supplement that. The $2,600 saved amounts to a 6.25% pay rise, based on the national average. The annual average pay rise of 3% or $1,248 pales in comparison.
Despite all the potential savings from using coupons, only 1% of shoppers take advantage of them. If you really want to get ahead in your preparedness, make the most of your coupons.


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How Fintech Platform CNote Gives Socially Conscious Investors New Ways to Battle Inequality: An Interview With Catherine Berman
Catherine Berman is CEO and cofounder of CNote, an innovative fintech platform that unlocks new investment opportunities for retail and institutional investors. Working with mission-aligned community lenders, CNote aims to close the wealth gap by allowing anyone to invest in small businesses, affordable housing and economic development in financially underserved communities, with a focus on lending to women and minorities.
Press Release: 2X Challenge Exceeds Initial Target by Committing and Mobilizing $4.5 Billion in Capital Towards Women’s Economic Empowerment
The 2X Challenge is a multilateral initiative launched during the G7 Charlevoix Summit with the ambitious objective of deploying and mobilizing unprecedented amounts of capital to support projects that empower women as entrepreneurs, as business leaders, as employees and as consumers of products and services that enhance their economic participation.
Longer-term manufacturing shift from China expected to boost power demand
- South Asia
Press Release: BBVA and Pestana Hotel Group Issue the World’s First Green Bond in the Hotel Industry
BBVA and Pestana Hotel Group have reached a new milestone in the sustainable finance market, issuing the world’s first green bond in the hotel industry, according to the International Capital Markets Association’s (ICMA) Green Bond Principles.
- Europe & Eurasia

domain: news


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Caught up in the daily hustle and bustle of operations, it’s not often that you get the chance to share the reality of being a business owner with like-minded people.
Last week however, Sarah Smith, Chief People Officer at StrategiQ, had the privilege of doing just that, thanks to Suffolk Director Magazine’s inaugural gathering of business owners.
Inspiring ways to run a better business, from people who live it every day.
The event, themed around Helping To Run Your Business Better, was held at the University of Suffolk, and featured keynote speeches from Minnie Moll alongside brand entrepreneur and Suffolk organic farmer, William Kendall. These inspirational moments were followed by a lively Q&A panel which got everyone engaged in the topics of the day.
“What I loved most about the event wasn’t only the opportunity to meet old faces and say hello to new ones (although that was obviously lovely). It was the ability to share knowledge and experiences with people in a similar position”. Sarah Smith, StrategiQ
Despite hailing from a whole range of business backgrounds, it was reassuring to know that the issues keeping me awake are the same for everyone. One thing that particularly resonated with me was the issue of talent and retention.
What’s keeping business owners up at night?
As a CPO for a large marketing agency, getting the right people into the right roles is key to driving our success. Talking with others, it became clear that as business owners, we have a big responsibility to play in helping people grow in their careers. Getting the culture right is vital. We can’t just blame a ‘talent shortage.’
That was just one of the many topics that we covered, with brilliant questions coming from so many business leaders in the room.
Thank you to Ellisons Solicitors, Paddy and Scotts, The University of Suffolk, Pound Gates and Ensors Chartered Accountants for their sponsorship of the event, and of course, big congratulations to Suffolk Director Magazine owner and publisher Sue for pulling this off.
I also managed to grab a quote from Sue, who says…
“What we had in the room was a mix of high achieving business people who don’t see themselves as business people. We’re delighted with the feedback, which has been overwhelmingly positive.
We’ve managed to create a unique insight into the business community here in Suffolk and we’re excited to see where we can grow the opportunities for the benefit of everyone.” Sue Wilcock, Suffolk Director Magazine
I couldn’t agree more. Thank you Sue and the Suffolk Director team, we look forward to seeing you at the next event!
Credit: Warren Page / Pagepix


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High-speed car chases, urban car culture, and everything exciting about four wheels. For over 20 years, these are what have been driving one of the most popular racing video games ever: Need For Speed. And after a bit of hibernation, your favorite NFS game is back with its latest reboot.
Electronic Arts (EA), the company behind the awesome game, has just announced the return of the Need For Speed series. Developed in collaboration with Ghost Games, the latest installment promises more exciting racing action and even more adrenaline-pumping cars.
While EA hasn’t revealed too many details, it did hint at the latest reboot having the look and feel of the urban car scene, a load of nocturnal action, and a story that puts players right in the heart of the action. But what will really get players pumped up are the cars. The new game will feature such awesome rides as the Porsche 911, the Ford Mustang, and the hot Subaru BRZ. Needless to say, you can pimp your ride to suit your style.
First seen in 1994, Need For Speed debuted on such platforms as Microsoft DOS (yes, Disk Operating System), 3DO, Sega Saturn and, of course, Sony’s PlayStation console. Since then, some 21 installments have been released, including a few truly memorable titles such as Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Need For Speed: Most Wanted, and Need For Speed: Undercover, among others.
Excited to play? Well, you’ll have to wait until later this year when EA releases the game, preceded by the official trailer this June. For now, you can check out this teaser video showing a few snippets of the upcoming Need For Speed installment.
If you're viewing this on a mobile device and can't see the video, please click here.


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Garden centres were around 4.5% down in January/February according to GCA figures but Owen says "we didn't do as badly I feared we would" at the start of the year.
Owen said February was down on a poor February 2009 but she hoped March 2010 would match March 2009 if sales continue to pick up.
She said garden centre sales trends were going against British Retail Council High Street figures showing retail spending is up 4.5%, so this must be purely the weather and "clearly not the economy".
BRC figures showed UK retail sales values rose 2.2% on a like-for-like basis from February 2009, when sales had dropped 1.8%, hit by snow and consumer caution. On a total basis, sales rose 4.5% against only 0.1% growth in February 2009.
A BRC representative said: "There are lots of uncertainties out there including the economy and the political climate, with tax rises and spending cuts possible after the election. But consumer spending is still better than 12 months ago when we were in the depths of the recession. If people have money to spend on discretionary goods such as gardening they are more likely to spend it than 12 months ago."
Owen added: "Hopefully we will see March sales match up with last March but we are 10% off being a good March though we are up on March 2008. We're not seeing people out in their gardens yet."


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According to a survey by Trend Micro, IT bosses see 69% of UK staff bring wearables into their organisations.
The research also showed 91% of organisations expect the number of employees bringing their own wearable devices to work to increase over the next year.
Trend Micro CTO Raimand Genes believes wearable tech is in its growth stages.
He said: "It's a developing market.
"We are now talking about all the Fitbit devices and we're talking about the Apple Watch, which have pretty basic sensors."
In September 2014 research firm Juniper predicted premium wearable devices will push wearable revenues to $53.2bn in 2019.
Genes added: "I believe in the future we will see more and more of this. We are witnessing devices which are measuring heart rate and all this kind of stuff, and it's positive but you also have to think about the security implications."
The research from the security firm also revealed 64% of UK staff said the increase in wearable devices entering their workplace will not prove to be a problem and they are not worried about it.
However, even though there is a lack of concern over wearables entering the workplace, 85% of respondents said they are aware of the security risks these devices may bring.
The main concern for IT professionals was the risk of identity theft - which was cited by 47% of participants.
The Information Commissioner's Office has already warned that wearable technology must comply with UK data privacy laws to protect its user's information.
Return to internet news headlines
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Pernod Makes a Little Vodka in a Berlin Garage
With enthusiasm for all things local on the rise and sales of its Absolut vodka softening, Pernod Ricard is looking for a profit boost from a new brand made on the riverside docks of Berlin. The world’s second-largest distiller is taking a page from McDonald’s—that bogeyman of the locavore movement—and franchising. Pernod supplies the distilling equipment and vodka recipe but leaves production, sales, and marketing—along with a small shot of the profits—to entrepreneurs in cities worldwide. “It’s extremely unusual for a spirits brand to franchise production,” says Chris Wickham, an analyst at Oriel Securities in London. “Like craft beer, they’re trying to make a virtue out of each batch being small.”
The brand is called Our/, as in Our/Berlin, Our/Melbourne, or Our/NameYourCity. Pernod introduced the Berlin version last year and is rolling out Our/Detroit this summer. Ten other city labels are in the works, from London and New York to Nashville and Austin. Pernod is betting that pairing its global pedigree with local production will appeal to drinkers who eschew big names in favor of the little guy around the corner. “People who are into this trend aren’t necessarily turned on by big brands,” says Asa Caap, the Absolut executive who created and heads the program. “They want more personal and inclusive things.”
Vodka sales fell 1 percent from 2007 to 2012, International Wine & Spirits Research (IWSR) estimates. Big players such as Pernod and Diageo, the owner of Smirnoff, have compensated by introducing variants to keep drinkers interested. While Absolut has added “city” bottles such as Vancouver, Rio, and Miami—which don’t claim any local provenance—the brand’s growth has averaged only 1.2 percent annually from 2007 through 2012, according to IWSR.
Our/Berlin is produced by Pauline Hoch and Jon Sanders in an old river port district that’s attracting clubs and bars. It’s sold from a storefront outfitted with Ikea cabinets topped by reclaimed wood. The vodka is made in a former garage by mixing Pernod’s flavorings with bulk alcohol and tap water. Behind the till, there’s a wall of squat Our/Berlin bottles, the name scrawled on the label in faux handwritten script. Pernod says it will support the Our/ partnerships until they make money and then take 80 percent of the profit. Each plant can produce 40,000 to 60,000 9-liter cases a year, a fraction of the 11.3 million cases IWSR says Absolut made in 2012.
The ideal partners for Pernod, Caap says, aren’t established distillers. Hoch and Sanders, who also run a small brand consulting firm in Berlin, paid nothing for the franchise but have used their contacts and marketing smarts to build the brand. “We provide the water and the ethanol,” Sanders says during a tour of the Berlin store. “We don’t use Pernod’s sales channels. We are completely responsible for the selling ourselves.” In addition to the dockside shop, Our/Berlin has contracts with 150 bars, cafes, and stores. A 350-milliliter bottle costs €13 ($17.70), about double the price of Absolut.
The franchise approach is a departure for big-name spirits, which pride themselves on coming from one place—think Scotch whisky or Caribbean rum. Consumers, though, are turning to drinks with limited production and hands-on makers. “There’s a certain status accorded to drinking craft spirits,” says Matt Woodhams of branding consultant Added Value. “You’re an aficionado.”
While Pernod is keen to take advantage of the growing interest in local products, it says it won’t disguise that Our/ vodka is made by the giant behind behemoths such as Beefeater gin and Chivas Regal Scotch whisky. The Pernod Ricard name isn’t currently on the Our/Berlin label, but the company says it plans to add it. Although the strategy may not do much for Pernod’s overall sales, it could help profits, because small-batch spirits can command hefty prices, says Nick Turner, a partner at Deloitte specializing in consumer goods. “There’s a significant chunk of margin that comes with selling a craft brand,” he says. “The consumer makes the assumption it’s a unique, exclusive product they’re happy to pay more for.”


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It seems that Netflix is in the mood to cancel shows. After removing original content like The Killing from its streaming service and canceling two shows like Luke Cage and Iron fist, we have all been in disarray wondering what the heck is happening? Well, another show is getting the ax. American Vandal, a Peabody-Award winning series; follows school mates Peter and Sam as they investigate the disgusting criminal mastermind known as The Turd Burglar. While it was thought that this fan favorite would get another season, Netflix has decided to cancel it – sound familiar?
“American Vandal’ will not return for a third season. We’re very grateful to the creators, writers, cast, and crew for bringing their innovative comedy to Netflix, and to the fans and critics who embraced its unique and unconventional humor.” Netflix released a statement after canceling American Vandal.
Because Netflix doesn’t actually produce American Vandal, CBS Studios does we wonder if there is a possibility that this show will be picked up by another service such as Amazon and Hulu. While there is no word on this just yet and it’s all speculation, Netflix seems to be shifting things around a bit. It’s hard to say Netflix is losing out, considering all the subscribers they’ve gained recently, but with all the money they reportedly lost from having to shuffle around the last season of House of Cards and how poorly their original movies do, it’s possible Netflix is being stingy.
Are you upset to know American Vandal has been canceled?
Source: Screen Rant
A girl with too many fandoms to count.


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Budget in price, mainstream in aspiration.
Despite a shaky beginning, Turtle Rock's cooperative shooter is a worthy successor to Left4Dead.
After years trapped in licensing hell, the classic action-RPG is back. But does it still hold up in the days of Dark Souls?
Mark Pincus returns as CEO.
Social gaming giant Zynga is losing approximately 18% of its workforce to cut costs and closing down several of its offices.
SocialApps says Zynga used its source code in FarmVille, and failed to pay its dues.
Social gaming giant Zynga claims games should be free.
Dr Tanya Byron has called for a new independent report on the state of online and casual games.
Peter Molyneux has commented that PC gaming is being reborn, thanks to Facebook.
Freemium games on Facebook are making around $20 per user, say analysts.
October 14 2021 | 15:04
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The owners of Britain’s Fox’s Biscuits are in early stage talks to sell the business to rival biscuit maker Burton’s, owned by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, two sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
Fox’s, maker of Party Rings biscuits, dates back to 1853. The sale is being advised by Rothschild and could value the company at around 340 million pounds ($486 million), the people said, noting that the talks were at an early stage and no deal is certain.
Fox’s is owned by UK food group 2 Sisters, whose holdings include Goodfella’s Pizza.
Ontario Teachers, 2 Sisters and Rothschild declined to comment.
Burton’s, which makes Maryland cookies, Wagon Wheels and Jammie Dodgers, is about as old as Fox’s and has long been rumoured as a suitor for the Party Rings manufacturer, especially after losing out to Turkish food group Yildiz Holding, owner of Ulker Biskuvi, for United Biscuits. That business was sold by Blackstone (BX.N) and PAI for more than 2 billion pounds ($2.85 billion) in 2014.
Snacks businesses have long been favoured by private equity. Ontario Teachers bought Burton’s Biscuit Company in 2013 and has been exploring ways to grow the business, organically and through acquisitions.
Ontario Teachers has also explored diversifying the business, introducing savoury, slightly healthier snacks including the revival of Burton’s Daily Fish ‘n’ Chips.
Fox’s Biscuits has made around 1,450 billion biscuits since it began, according to 2 Sisters’ website.
($1 = 0.7007 pounds)
(Reporting By Freya Berry, additional reporting by Martinne Geller; editing by Adrian Croft)
Recent reports reveal The Body Shop will shut up to half of its 198 stores in the UK and cut the size of its head office, incurring hundreds of job losses. According to the firm overseeing the restructuring of the beauty retailer, closures will begin this Tuesday.
Amidst brewing tensions, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a coalition of states are poised to take legal action as early as next week, aiming to prevent grocery giant Kroger’s $24.6 billion acquisition bid for Albertsons, Bloomberg reported.
The owner of Guinness and Baileys has hired financial service group Rothschild to explore the sale, which includes Pimm’s, fruit liqueur brand Safari and Pampero rum. Each brand could be offloaded individually or as a three, according to Sky News.


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Goodyear and LEGO have joined forces to create a 1:1 life-size LEGO truck for charity. The truck is currently on display in an exhibit in Germany.
As a support for DocStop, a European commercial vehicle drivers’ initiative to assist and provide truck drivers with health care while they're on the road, the two companies have collaborated to build the monumental vehicle that stands at 2.5 meters wide x 3.5 meters high x 2.5 meters long. The truck was built with over 410 hours and 250,000 LEGO bricks, putting the weight of the truck at around 740 kilograms, which makes it "among the largest LEGO models in the world."
Running for 10 days, the life-size LEGO truck is being auctioned off on eBay this coming October 19th to 29th.
Goodyear Helps Build a Life-Size LEGO Truck to Assist Drivers on the Road
1. Life-size LEGO Creations - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring the use of life-size LEGO models for marketing campaigns and charitable initiatives.
2. Collaboration Initiatives - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Encouraging collaboration between companies from different industries to create unique and attention-grabbing projects.
3. Digital Fundraising Auctions - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Leveraging online platforms like eBay to conduct fundraising auctions, reaching a wider audience and increasing accessibility.
1. Automotive - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring the use of unconventional materials or collaborations to create visually striking vehicles that capture consumer attention.
2. Toys & Games - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrating advanced building techniques and materials, such as LEGO bricks, to create larger-than-life play experiences and memorable brand activations.
3. Charitable Organizations - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Partnering with corporate sponsors and unique collaborations to create attention-grabbing fundraising initiatives that raise awareness and support for important causes.


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The death knell has been sounded for fast fashion. Gen Z-ers want to shop more sustainably, the argument goes, while profits at major players like Boohoo, Pretty Little Thing and ASOS have slumped in recent years.
Still, the fact that H&M and Zara have seen sizeable profits of late, combined with the rise of ultra fast fashion behemoths such as Shein (and its recent viral influencer trip), suggests that the appetite for cheap, trend-driven clothing – the vast majority of which ends up in landfill – is not going away anytime soon. Indeed, the fact that Shein adds, on average, an eye-watering 6,000 new styles to its website every day shows the scale of the challenge that we’re facing.
That’s why the European Union has backed a raft of new regulations to “end fast fashion”, including policies designed to make clothes more durable, easier to reuse, repairable and recyclable. “We cannot continue with the current linear model, where [clothing waste] has tripled in the past 20 years,” Virginijus Sinkevičius, EU commissioner for the environment, oceans and fisheries, tells Vogue. “We need to address [this].”
Moving away from a linear model to a circular one – where all garments can be reused, recycled or are biodegrade and compostable – is crucial in order to tackle fashion’s impact on the planet. But experts have questioned whether the EU’s proposals actually do enough to halt fast fashion.
“It’s not physical durability that is the problem,” Veronica Bates Kassatly, an independent analyst and sustainable fashion consultant, says, pointing to the fact that a lace dress would fare less well in wash tests typically used to test durability, compared to a polyester garment. “If you look at the piles of discarded clothing in the Atacama Desert in [Chile] or in Ghana or Kenya, it’s not lace dresses that are dumped there. It’s not physical durability that is the problem.”
In fact, a 2022 French study found that while 35 per cent of people say they throw away their clothes because they’re worn out, 26 per cent say that it’s because they don’t suit them anymore, while 30 per cent say it’s because they’re bored of them – suggesting durability isn’t the primary issue. “If more than 50 per cent of clothes are being thrown out for reasons that have nothing to do with durability, legislating durability is not going to solve the problem,” Bates Kassatly continues.
Sinkevičius argues that there’s a limit to what policymakers can do to tackle the issue of fast fashion, suggesting that consumer behaviour is a crucial factor. “Not everything can be put into policy,” he says. “At the end of the day, it’s also consumer choice.” Yet, while shoppers, and particularly the younger generation, say they’re concerned about sustainability, a recent study found that nine out of 10 Gen Z-ers are still buying fast fashion – suggesting that consumer behaviour won’t change at the speed that’s needed.
It’s worth noting that the focus on resale and repair in the EU proposal doesn’t necessarily make financial sense, currently, considering the low prices that fast fashion is sold at. “Zara has a repair service now; it starts at £3 to have a button to sewed back on, and goes up to £15 to have a dress re-hemmed,” Bates Kassatly says, pointing to the fact that the average price of 70 per cent of garments bought in France is €8.20 (£7). “Who’s going to pay more to repair a garment than they paid to buy it in the first place?”
While France has just announced a new scheme to subsidise clothing repairs, it remains to be seen whether this will outweigh the effort required to get a garment fixed, if the item wasn’t particularly valuable in the first place.
Although experts are sceptical about whether the EU’s eco design guidelines will have a significant impact on fast fashion, there is more hope for its extended producer responsibility (EPR) proposals – which would make retailers financially responsible for the collection, sorting and recycling of garments at the end-of-life stage. While the finer details of the plans have not yet been made public, this could incentivise brands to produce less. “It remains to be seen how hefty a fee will be levied on brands, as this will be critical to what difference it makes,” George Harding-Rolls, campaign manager at the Changing Market Foundation, says. “If fees are negligible, it may just be business as usual.”
Meanwhile, there are concerns about whether the EPR regulation would help countries – predominantly in the Global South – that are currently bearing the brunt of the world’s textile waste. “While the proposal recognises the environmental damage caused by fashion’s waste in what the proposal calls ‘third countries’, what’s missing is a willingness to incorporate the realities of the people most deeply impacted by fashion’s waste crisis and to support the solutions taking shape in those communities,” Branson Skinner, co-founder and executive producer of The Or Foundation – a non-profit that helps those affected by the enormous textiles waste problem at Kantamanto Market in Ghana – comments.
Other campaigners have also argued for the need to introduce living wage legislation – which would mean that retailers could no longer rely on cheap labour to produce vast volumes of cheap clothing. “Millions of women globally make our clothes,” Ciara Barry, campaign co-lead at Good Clothes Fair Pay, says. “The vast majority earn so little they are trapped in poverty. Factories are pressured to produce more clothes with less money and less time, ultimately leading to overproduction and the inability to pay garment workers a living wage. Paying living wages is one of the most effective mechanisms we have to slow down the fashion industry, and reduce not only garment worker poverty but also mass overproduction.”
Although the EU proposals are a start, it‘s clear that they don’t go far enough to actually halt the rise of fast – and ultra-fast – fashion. “Without addressing overproduction, there is no end to fast fashion,” Skinner concludes.
Read more – Vogue.uk


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“I’m thrilled to join LOOPS to bring the brand into its next phase. I’ve always been a fan and love the face masks, so to be a part of its future development in this way is a dream,” said Mendes.
“In taking on new roles in my career, my skincare routine is where I really reset from the day and nourish myself. LOOPS helps me maintain my routine in the most effective way possible, so I’m excited to help grow a brand that is authentically part of my everyday life.”
LOOPS was originally founded by brand incubator Syllable in 2020 with a mission to deliver the highest quality skincare experience with products that redefine real-life “beauty habits.”
With the appointment of Mendes, the brand hopes to leverage her creative vision to drive change and growth across brand marketing, product transition and further expand on its sustainability commitments.
In addition, the brand noted that Mendes would lend her personal skincare ethos to the brand to further engage with LOOPS customers.
“We couldn’t be more excited for Cami to join the LOOPS family. She’s an extraordinary partner and creative collaborator who truly embodies the life and energy of our brand,” said Colin Peek, founder and chief creative officer (CCO) of Syllable.
“With Cami’s insight and vision, we see our partnership with Ulta Beauty as the home for LOOPS as we explore global ambitions for our product portfolio that serves everyone. It’s an incredible time for our brand as we continue to build and grow together with several key initiatives and innovations planned for the rest of 2022 and into 2023.”
In addition to the appointment of Mendes, LOOPS has also revealed that it will be expanding on its physical footprint through a brick-and-mortar partnership with Ulta Beauty. Beginning August 1, 2022, the brand will be available nationwide in 450 Ulta Beauty locations.


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The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced the conclusion of an agreement with Lucid Company to purchase electric vehicles with a minimum of 50,000 vehicles and a maximum of 100,000 vehicles within ten years; With the aim of diversifying its fleet of vehicles while respecting the environment.
This agreement is an important step in in line with the achievement of the goals of the Kingdom Vision 2030, which seeks to carry out far-reaching reforms in the economy, society, quality of life, diversify the Kingdom’s economy and build new sectors that fit with the future and create opportunities work for citizens.
The deal is also in line with the Green Saudi Initiative and the Green Middle East Initiative, previously announced by Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council for Economic Affairs and Development, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as reflecting the government’s efforts to diversify its fleet in order to reduce carbon emissions and encourage the use of sustainable transport.
The choice of the Kingdom of Lucid Company, which intends to establish a factory in Saudi Arabia to assemble vehicles, which will pass over time to full production, to support the local contentwhich will help diversify the economy and get returns in line with Vision 2030, as well as making the Kingdom a major regional and global industry center for the next generation. Coming from auto electric, Lucid aims to produce up to 150,000 auto per year.
By purchasing these vehicles, the Government of the Kingdom aims to diversify the technologies used in the field of private transport as part of its efforts to develop vehicle emission management technologies, which include, but are not limited to: the production of electric vehicles using the modern technologies, programs for the development of advanced low-emission fuels and the testing and development of vehicles. Hydrogen cell vehicle technologies.
The conclusion of this agreement by the Kingdom has taken place in one moment in which the world is seeing a dramatic increase in demand for auto electric, and many other governments are requesting this type. The agreement also represents an opportunity for the Kingdom to work with Lucid to develop new models and vehicles to suit the needs of the government fleet.
Read More About: Business News


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It looks like this will be another year without one of the previously premier events on the gaming calendar. The Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, has officially been canceled, shuttering the hopes of a digital show in June.
While we knew an in-person E3 show would not be happening this year, there were still hopes for many that a digital showcase would take place, bringing the event to gamers around the world. However, it seems the ESA has other plans, shuttering the digital show in order to "focus its resources" on next year's show, according to a statement made to IGN.
IGN reports the news first came down via a tweet from Razer's PR lead Will Powers, stating that the show had been canceled via an email. The Electronic Software Association, or ESA, confirmed this with a separate statement to IGN, promising that the show will return in 2023 with an "all-new format and interactive experience." The statement also makes it seem the event will be back in person in Los Angeles in some form.
"We will devote all our energy and resources to delivering a revitalized physical and digital E3 experience next summer. Whether enjoyed from the show floor or your favorite devices, the 2023 showcase will bring the community, media, and industry back together in an all-new format and interactive experience.
We look forward to presenting E3 to fans around the world live from Los Angeles in 2023."
E3 has had a tumultuous few years, going back to 2020 when the pandemic forced the show to shut down. 2021 saw the E3 return in some form in an online event, but it seems 2022 will not have the premier event on the calendar. This isn't too shocking, as the relevance of E3 has been questioned for years now, especially with major publishers pulling out of the show, as well as others hosting their own digital events, including Geoff Keighley's highly popular Summer of Gaming streams.
It remains to be seen exactly how E3 will rise from the ashes here and re-invent itself. It seems we'll be waiting till 2023 to find out.


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Chrome's latest stable release brings 64-bit Windows support out of beta
Sure, a computer with a 64-bit processor can run almost anything designed for a less robust CPU -- but programs designed specifically for these chips tend to just run, well, better. Google's been trying to drag its web browser into the modern age for a few months now, and today it finally has: Chrome officially supports 64-bit processors on Windows. A beta of the 64-bit code showed up last month, but now it's part of the regular stable release. Why upgrade? Well, aside from gaining a more secure and stable browser, Google says the update significantly increases graphics and media performance on supported machines, and decodes HD YouTube videos 15% faster. Sound good? Check out that source link below.
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Kemper Freeman is going big with the $1.2 billion expansion of his downtown Bellevue real-estate empire, and he isn’t skimping on the high-tech showroom to draw in tenants for the multipurpose complex, either.
Starting in mid-June, the public and potential tenants will be able to get virtual views inside and out of any piece of the Bellevue Collection expansion.
The expansion project will officially break ground on the Lincoln Square side of Bellevue Way on July 18, and later will include Bellevue Square, said the Eastside developer whose namesake company, Kemper Development, owns the Bellevue Collection.
Together the expansions will add two hotels with a combined 500 rooms; 550 luxury apartments; 700,000 square feet of office space; 350,000 square feet of retail and restaurants; and 3,500 parking spots.
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All told it will take three and a half years to complete: Two and a half for Lincoln Square, and another year for Bellevue Square.
The high-tech leasing office — Freeman calls it the Studio Expansion Experience Center — on the second floor of Lincoln Square is equipped with screens that will let visitors visualize the project before it is complete.
“What we are trying to do is use the 2.5 years of construction to end up fully leased by the time we are done,” Freeman said.
In the studio, a customer can look at an office space on the 28th floor in one of the towers, lighting up that portion of the building on the physical model, while the outside view is displayed on the panel of floor-to-ceiling screens behind it. They can then see a 3-D tour of the inside.
“If you want to see it from the north, south, east or west, or southeast, or any corner … we can do the same thing with each apartment,” Freeman said during a presentation to the media Friday.
This summer, a room across the hall will also open, displaying full-size models of each type of space offered — office, hotel and residential.
Freeman postponed plans for a major Lincoln Square expansion during the Great Recession in 2008. But now, when other similarly-sized retailers across the country are seeing declines, the Collection has seen five years of retail-sales growth — up 27.2 percent in 2013, he said.
With office space in the Bellevue Collection at 100 percent occupancy, retail and restaurant occupancy at 97 percent and the hotels booked 80 percent of the time, Freeman said now is the time to expand.
“Too many [developers] get an epiphany in the shower, and before anybody talks to them, they go and build,” Freeman said. “We do just the opposite. We spend a lot of time on market research on what is needed … We don’t build with an epiphany, we build with research.”
Coral Garnick: 206-464-2422 or email@example.com. On Twitter @coralgarnick


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Cybersecurity software developer Fortinet announced that it will expand its intelligence and research and development operations in Burnaby, British Columbia.
The expansion will create 1,000 new jobs at a Fortinet data centre in Burnaby, which is located about 13 kilometres from Vancouver. The new positions will in effect double the Canadian presence of the company, which is headquartered in California.
Many students from Simon Fraser University Faculty of Applied Science program have worked at Fortinet through co-op positions, and officials are hopeful about the possibility of more student opportunities.
” … We look forward to an exciting new chapter in our growing partnership with Fortinet,” said Vancouver Economic Commission CEO Ian McKay.
Students in technology and related industries may have additional skill development opportunities coming their way if Amazon chooses to build its second North American headquarters in Canada.
The company recently announced that it was looking for a location for 50,000 employees, and several major cities have attempted to court the tech giant.
Toronto Mayor John Tory recently touted the advantages Toronto would hold as the site of the Amazon HQ, according to CBC News.
“I think when we take the quality of the people we have here … the cosmopolitan, cool nature of this city – and we really put that forward – I think it’s going to be a powerful case,” he said.


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Designer News is where the design community meets.
almost 6 years ago from Stevie E, Co-founder of https://getacquainted.co/
Linux can be used to decode and encode the various social links.
Where the design community meets.
Designer News is a large, global community of people working or interested in design and technology.
© 2023 Designer News Ltd.


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Pacific ACP members met with the EC at the beginning of October 2012 in Brussels, in order to reiterate their willingness to extend the global-sourcing provision to fresh and chilled tuna products. This would allow Pacific ACP members to source their fresh and chilled tuna products from sources other than local or EU fleets, including the main long-line fleets present in the region, such as Taiwan, Japan, Korea and China.
In an interview with Islands Business, the deputy director general of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency highlighted that for every 100 tonnes of fish processed onshore in the long-line fishery, six jobs are created, adding that: ‘A typical fresh frozen long-line tuna processing operation with 30 boats therefore creates 180 new jobs directly, a significant boost in small PICs.’
He added that the inclusion of global sourcing for fresh and frozen fish steaks or fillets in the comprehensive EPA could benefit small island states by attracting onshore investment in canning facilities. Currently, the EU mainly imports canned tuna, primarily from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The EU also imports tuna loins and a small quantity of fresh and frozen tuna products from these countries.
The latest FFA Economic Indicators Update highlighted that, although 70% of the value of the long line catches are still made by distant water fleets, the ‘value of the catches by the FFA flagged vessels has steadily risen over the years to reflect increasing member country participation in the fishery especially through domestic fleet expansion and/or domestic basing of foreign fleets’.
While new markets are being explored including regional ones, for Pacific ACP countries, as for most ACP fish-producing countries, preferential access to the EU market is still of critical importance, and the relaxation of the rules of origin through the extension of global sourcing to unprocessed tuna products may play a positive role. But this should not hide the fact that other requirements to access the EU market, such as SPS standards, the IUU regulation, and maybe the new regulation against unsustainable fishing, have to be addressed before unprocessed tuna can access the EU market. However, and although exports of unprocessed fish products on the EU market are currently minimal, the demand for extending global sourcing may play a significant role in terms of attracting onshore investments by other distant-water fleets, and in ensuring a fairer redistribution of the EPA benefits amongst Pacific ACP members.


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Amazon Prime Video India bosses Aparna Purohit and Gaurav Gandhi have outlined their strategy for super-serving the country’s diverse audiences, and revealed a plan to push into true crime and investigative doc series.
In their first interview since unveiling a 40-strong slate of original films and TV shows in April, the pair said constantly engaging with the “well developed creative ecosystems” in India’s various language segments, which include Hindi and Tamil, has been key to the Amazon Prime Video’s local impact since launching there more than five years ago.
In practice, Country Manager Gandhi said this involved considerable research and insight gathering to asses what original films and shows could cut through locally and then assessing how that could transcend cultural barriers.
“Each segment is looked at in isolation first to see if we can super-serve an audience — maybe young adults or women, for example,” he said. “Then if we’re looking at a Telugu or Tamil property, where do they cross over to Hindi or other languages around the world? Then we put international content such as The Boys, Wheel of Time or Modern Love on top of that.”
“The reason Amazon India has had a successful run is because from the beginning we’ve had local teams empowered to make decisions,” added Purohit, Amazon Prime Video India Head of Originals. “They understand the culture and the milieu. We have local boots on the ground, who understand local creators, audiences and ecosystem.”
One example is drama Modern Love, which Amazon first created in the U.S. before three Indian language versions were ordered — marking Amazon India’s entry into the niche romantic anthology genre. Hindi language Modern Love Mumbai launched earlier this month, with Tamil-language Modern Love Chennai and Telugu language Modern Love Hyderabad coming soon.
“We’ve never been afraid to try formats and storytelling of this nature — high-end limited series — is new to India in many senses,” said Gandhi. “But to build an anthology in this market is a first of its kind. The insight work that our team does here, working with customers to understand their needs, gives us a lot of confidence to try to set trends.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Purohit revealed Amazon India’s next content push would come in unscripted. The company unveiled four new series in its content showcase last month and is likely to up this number. “We are now expanding our scope of unscripted and doc-series — especially in crime, true crime and investigation,” she said.
The slate announcement included Dancing on the Grave, a Hindi-language investigative true crime series from that tells the story of a sensational crime with access to exclusive interviews, shocking footage and the perpetrator himself.
The plan apes those of Amazon’s UK Head of Commissioning Dan Grabiner, who last week told Deadline of plans a suite of true crime docs that will potentially sit within one all-encompassing strand.
Amazon India will also be focusing on forfeiting more horror, sci-fi and female-focused movies and attracting younger audiences.
“We’ve had dark noirs, thrillers, mystery, patriotic shows, musicals and romance but a few things remain [outstanding]. We want more young adult content, as we want to bring people in early — India is a very young country,” said Purohit.
The company has around 70 projects in development, most of which spend up to three years in development. “The investment any show requires will never be cut short. If the creators need time, investment or workshops, international guidance we are there to provide it,” added Purohit.
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As fake meats enter marketplace, here’s why beef will remain kingAs fake meats enter marketplace, here’s why beef will remain king
As producers go on the offense to share with consumers why beef is a superior choice, here is what emerging plant-based and lab-grown protein companies are up to.
May 21, 2019
In the last couple of weeks, I have shared a roundup of recent headlines pertaining to plant-based and lab-grown protein products. These blog posts have been very well received, and reader responses helped me formulate a speech that I presented at Alltech’s ONE19 event earlier this week.
Ultimately, I’m not against these protein options, and much of what we know of these products is largely conjecture as there is limited information available to the public.
However, in my speech and in today’s blog, I can tell you what I do know — Mother Nature wasn’t wrong when she created the beef animal. Cattle are amazing upcyclers, utilizing marginal land and converting inedible cellulosic material like grass into beef.
Moreover, what America’s cattlemen and women have been able to accomplish in providing a safe, nourishing, affordable and delicious protein source to feed the masses is nothing short of incredible. I challenge these companies to match even a fraction of the efficiencies beef producers have achieved as they attempt to scale production to meet the growing demand for protein here and around the world.
While my speech is in the rearview mirror, and I’m back home in South Dakota, I will continue to keep an eye on the headlines and share the latest information with all of you. By being informed on this topic, we can better engage with our public and address any misconceptions being introduced by these competitive protein companies.
So here is a roundup of a few headlines worth checking out today:
“The Future of the Veggie Burger” by Alicia Kennedy for How We Get To Next
“Beyond Meat rival Impossible Foods raises another $300 million” by Aditi Roy and Amelia Lucas for CNBC
“Evidence is mounting that fast-food chains from Chick-fil-A to McDonald’s will be forced to add vegan menu items — or face consequences” by Kate Taylor for Business Insider
“Meatsplainer: How new plant-based burgers compare to beef” featured on NBC News
Despite the white noise of these headlines, I want to emphasize one clear point — beef can handle this competition. We are king of the center of the plate and will continue to be in the future. These products may wax poetic and claim the ethical and environmental high ground. However, when rubber meets the road, beef has the edge. No question about it.
The task at hand is this — we as producers need to take an active role in sharing our story and explaining our protein’s best attributes. And we need to share these stories often, and with great conviction.
BEEF Senior Editor Burt Rutherford says it best in his most recent blog post titled, “What business are we in? Cattle or protein?"
Rutherford writes, “Will fake meat replace real beef? No. But some have postulated that it may have a role in providing more protein to a growing world population. Maybe. But that’s likely a long time in the future. At present, however, the media is hailing the products as a disruptor and one of the hot new food trends.
“And I’m not suggesting that you get into the fake meat business. Far from it. I am suggesting that between now and when petri-dish meat is commercialized, we have an opportunity to go on the offensive in explaining why the real stuff is better — way better.
“We can’t waste this opportunity.”
The opinions of Amanda Radke are not necessarily those of beefmagazine.com or Farm Progress.
About the Author(s)
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Heading into the next generation of gaming, the team at Press-Start are going to take a moment and reflect on some of the greats of gaming past. Third issue up we’re taking a look at “Indie” games. An Independent game is a game that hasn’t received the financial backing of a publisher, for anyone needing a refresher. Throughout this generation of gaming in particular, the world has seen a boom in indie games receiving some much deserved recognition and even taking out numerous awards on a global gaming scale. Let us here at Press-Start reveal our top 3 indie games.
First up an honourable mention goes out to Assault Android Cactus, a game of absolutely gorgeous presentation and endless fun. Set to be arriving next year across multiple consoles. The team here has certainly got their keen eyes out for every piece of news they can find for it.
Now for our top 3 indie games:


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Dozens of techies, designers and entrepreneurs have signed up as Betamore members, while the center’s business incubation services have attracted more than a dozen startup companies. Last month, Gov. Martin O’Malley chose the facility, at 1111 Light St., as the launch space for the state’s new-and-improved online business licensing system.
Plus, organizers said they are moving ever closer to realizing their ultimate vision for the center. They plan to roll out series of classes this month on topics of interest to members, like the basics of coding or how to find funding for new ventures. By March 1, they hope to average four-to-six classes and workshops a week.
The educational component is what differentiates Betamore from similar co-working spaces throughout the city, said co-founders Mike Brenner and Greg Cangialosi, and it’s what makes the center more than just a business incubator.
In addition to providing desk space for startup entrepreneurs and discounted programs for paying members, Betamore is designed to encourage meaningful interaction and collaboration among members of the community who occasionally choose to stop by.
On Monday night, they will host “The Rise of the Angels (And the Entrepreneurs),” a session on how the process of financing a startup company has changed. The talk will be led by Paul Singh, a partner at 500 Startups, a “super angel” fund based in Mountain View, Calif.
Singh will discuss “the tangible factors and economics of early stage financings around the world,” and share helpful hints and strategies. The event — which targets startup entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and angel investors— is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and costs $15 for non-members (Betamore members get in for free).
Some classes, like the one on Monday, will be taught by well-known industry players. But organizers said they also want Baltimore-bred professionals to be the ones at the front of the classroom sharing their expertise with their neighbors.
The following week, though, that teacher might take on the role of student by enrolling in a peer’s class — that’s the vision.
And if Betamore maintains the progress of the past two months, that vision might very well materialize sooner rather than later.


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Android ▪ August 28
Update: Huawei has shared the following statement regarding the Amazon listing, which is now pulled:
Earlier today, incorrect information about the upcoming launch of the Huawei Watch was published on a partner website. We have nothing to announce at this time. Stay tuned for more details next week.
Even though the device was first made public a full 6 months ago, the Huawei Watch price — which was rumored to be upwards of $1,000 — has been a mystery for quite some time. Now, thanks to a new pre-order page on Amazon’s website, we can see that the watch will be priced between $350 and $800 depending on the model you choose… expand full story
It looks like Google has been working behind the scenes to make searching for apps a much more intuitive and better-looking experience on Android. As spotted by the folks at Android Police, if you go searching for apps from the default search feature in Android, you’ll now get a very attractive, Material-themed grid of apps. Although it doesn’t work for every single term, simply search for anything followed by ‘apps’ and it’ll bring up a grid of downloadable options from the Google Play Store.


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Saudi Arabian Airlines, also known as Saudia, has extended its free in-flight WhatsApp service across all domestic and international flights, the airline announced last week.
The service was first launched last month but was limited to specific routes only and had a 20-minute usage restriction.
For now anyone flying on a Boeing 777, Being 787, Airbus A320 or Airbus A330 of Saudia will be able to use the service free of cost without any usage restrictions but according to a Facebook post by the airline, it is limited to texting only which suggests that users won’t be able to send or receive images, videos, or voice notes.
Passengers can get the plans by logging into Saudia’s in-flight web portal.
Saudia claims to be the first Middle Eastern airline to launch the free WhatsApp service in the region.
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Apple is going green… and greener. New iPhone 13 colors just launched during the March 8 Apple Event following speculation the flagship would offer a new finish. Both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro will now come in green hues.
The new iPhone 13 color doesn’t come as a complete surprise. In April of last year Apple added a purple option to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini models. And like the purple iPhone 12, the green iPhone 13 appears pitched for the spring season. But only the standard iPhone 12 came in purple — this time the iPhone 13 Pro models also have a new color.
Called Alpine Green on the iPhone 13 Pro and simply “green” on the iPhone 13, customers will be able to order the new iPhone 13 colors as of Friday March 11. The green phones will then become available on Friday March 18.
The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, two of the best phones right now, earned their own identifying Sierra Blue color. It’s a beachy hue that, in our opinion, conceded nicely with Apple’s California Streaming event theme this past September. We didn’t expect Apple to add another finish to the Pro lineup, but we’re pleasantly surprised by the subtle, somewhat-muted matte green.
Now the non-Pro iPhone 13 models have an exclusive color too. While the phones also come in pink, blue, midnight (black), starlight (aluminum white/silver) and red, picking up an iPhone 13 in the new vibrant green will let others know you're sporting the latest iPhone flagship. Just make sure to pair it with one of the best iPhone 13 cases that’s clear or at least somewhat transparent.
Be sure to check out our iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 13 Pro comparison to see which phone is right for you, and we won't judge you if you factor the new color in your decision.


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TARA DENNIS, MA
WRAPAROUND RESOURCE SPECIALIST
Houston Public Library Vinson Neighborhood Library (3810 W. Fuqua St, Houston 770450
WiFi labeled HPL-PUBLIC, select and connect
Spectrum is offering free internet access for students. Beginning March 16, Spectrum is offering free internet for 60 days to households with K-12 or college students who don’t already have a Spectrum subscription. To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395.
Charter is offering free internet for 2 months.
AT&T COVID-19 response: AT&T will offer open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low-income families
Sprint is following the FCC agreement, providing unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot spots for 60 days at no extra charge.
T-Mobile is following the FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and, coming soon, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.


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Also in the news are Samsung, Frankfurt Auto Show, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, SEAT, Audi, IBM and TomTom.
Guidance clears the way for automakers and suppliers to test...
A sensor’s effectiveness can be proved ahead of getting an...
Also in the news this week are Audi, Ford, PSA, The US House of...
Paul, (Feb 3, 2017)
Consumers could be biggest barrier to autonomy, Kelley Blue Book’s Karl Brauer tells Susan Kuchinskas.
Paul, (Jan 23, 2017)
Also in the news this week are Amazon, Google, Uber, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Daimler and BMW.
Paul, (Jan 20, 2017)
Sensing and perception for the autonomous vehicle explored by Graham Jarvis. [Auto.Jarvis.2016.10.12]
Paul, (Jan 13, 2017)
AEB is a critical step toward autonomy but challenges remain in educating consumers Hyundai’s Cason Grover tells By Louis Bedigian. [Auto.Bedigian.2016.10.25]
Paul, (Jan 6, 2017)
Eyes-off driving is still a major hurdle until it's 'acceptable', Dr. Maarten Sierhuis tells Paul Myles. [Auto.Myles.2016.11.30]
WardsAuto, (Dec 16, 2016)
AImotive has created a virtual small car with a laser system that allows it to drive, steer and brake, while receiving positive and negative feedback. Alysha Webb reports.
Paul, (Dec 16, 2016)
Expect a huge transition before autonomous and traditional vehicles coexist, James Fackler of Michigan Department of State tells Louis Bedigian. [Auto.Bedigian.2016.09.13]
WardsAuto, (Dec 9, 2016)
Fully autonomous, “transportation modules” will be left to another automaker, executives for the GM luxury brand say. James A. Amend reports.
Paul, (Dec 9, 2016)
BMW i Ventures is on a quest for disruptive start-ups, Dr Ulrich Quay tells Louis Bedigian [Auto.Bedigian.2016.09.09]
Paul, (Dec 2, 2016)
How autonomous technology is changing the face of fleet management, explored by Susan Kuchinskas. [Auto.Kuchinskas.2016.08.02]
Paul, (Nov 25, 2016)
Driving with Autopilot on a crowded London motorway, Paul Myles is relieved it was a typically grey winter’s day. [Auto.Myles.17.11.2016]
WardsAuto, (Nov 23, 2016)
The first of three test tracks to be built on the grounds of a one-time World War II bomber plant, a 2.5-mile highway loop, is expected to be in operation by the end of 2017. David E. Zoia reports.
Paul, (Nov 11, 2016)
Fewer, bigger players will emerge to cope with autonomous, says TomTom’s Jan Maarten de Vries. Paul Myles reports. [Auto.Myles. 2016.09.30]
Paul, (Nov 3, 2016)
A round up of all the top stories from Munich by Siegfried Mortkowitz.
WardsAuto, (Oct 31, 2016)
GM expects the technology’s rollout to occur in a controlled environment such as ride-sharing before it is put into mass production. James M. Amend reports.
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Government confirms end of 1c and 2c coins
Central Bank welcomes decision and will assume responsibility for changeover
The Government has today decided to withdraw 1c and 2c coins from circulation, with prices being rounded up or down as appropriate. File photograph: Getty Images/iStockphoto
The Government has agreed to the rounding of prices involving 1c and 2c coins to the nearest 5c, which would lead to the withdrawal of the coins from circulation.
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan advised the cabinet to support the move after a successful trial in Co Wexford in 2013.
The Central Bank has welcomed the decision and will now assume responsibility for the changeover.
Details of how the rounding project will be implemented have yet to be finalised, but it is anticipated that it will be rolled out in the next few months.
In a statement, the Central Bank said the key features of rounding are:
- Rounding will be conducted on a voluntary basis;
- 1c and 2c coins will remain legal tender;
- Rounding will apply only to cash payments;
- The total amount of any bill will be rounded down or up to the nearest 5c.
The statement said: “The Central Bank will engage with industry bodies and other stakeholders in advance of rollout to ensure that they are fully prepared for it.
“The Central Bank will also ensure that the public and consumers are well informed.”
Rounding will only apply to cash transactions and not to credit card, electronic payments or cheque payments.
It will apply to the total transaction bill and not to individual goods.
Bills will be rounded up or down as follows:
- A transaction costing €10.21 or €10.22 would be rounded to €10.20;
- A transaction costing €10.23 or €10.24 would be rounded to €10.25;
- A transaction costing €10.26 or €10.27 would be rounded to €10.25;
- A transaction costing €10.28 or €10.29 would be rounded to €10.30.
Two individual items priced at €10.99 and €3.49 respectively would remain at these prices, though the total bill (€14.48) would be rounded up to €14.50.
Three individual items priced at €2.99, €4.49 and €8.17 respectively would remain at these prices, though the total bill (€15.61) would be rounded down to €15.60.
As at June 12th, 2015, 1,096,853,216 2c coins have been issued into circulation in the State, amounting to €21,937,064.32.
At the same time, 1,384,491,236 1c coins have been issued into circulation in the State, amounting to €13,844,912.36.
A 1c coin costs 1.65c to produce, while a 2c coin costs 1.94c.


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Is 2023 the year of Street Fighter? The mobile RPG Street Fighter: Duel will release in February and we have the details.
Initially released in early 2020 as an exclusive to the Chinese mobile game market, the long-awaited mobile RPG Street Fighter: Duel will release in the west in February. Similar to the mobile RPG The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match Online, Street Fighter: Duel is a card-based action-RPG. However, the real selling point here is the deep roster, as characters such as Rufus, Hakan, Abel, and more all make their return to the streets.
Players can pre-register for the game by either going to the Apple Store or Google Play.
IGN released the extremely barebones trailer today, which is below.
Street Fighter: the RPG?
Featuring single-player gameplay and a story mode, Street Fighter: Duel will look unlike any other game in the series with its release next month. The active-action combat will see players beat up baddies in iconic Street Fighter locales and chaining special attacks into big, flashy combo moves.
Terry Li, General Manager of Crunchyroll Games and Senior Vice President of Emerging Business, Crunchyroll said in an interview with IGN, “We’re excited to collaborate with Capcom to bring Street Fighter: Duel and its incredible roster of iconic fighters to anime and gaming fans alike.”
In addition to its single-player content, Street Fighter: Duel will also feature multiplayer hooks upon release. A guild system is in place, in addition to battle modes, PVP content, daily leaderboards, and more.
In addition to the thrilling PVP and PVE gameplay, the game also offers daily and weekly events, where players can compete for exclusive rewards and climb leaderboards. Log in every day for rewards and exclusive characters and skins, such as Chun-Li Vigilante.
The year of Street Fighter
2023 is shaping up to be a major year for the Street Fighter franchise. The Capcom Pro Tour coming to a conclusion next month with its final Street Fighter V event. And, of course Street Fighter 6 looms on the horizon as Capcom hopes to take back its FGC crown. Will all this synergy pay off? Only time will tell.
Keep watch on Esports.gg for more Street Fighter news and notes.


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A week removed from Gamescom and the gaming industry is already gearing up for the Tokyo Game Show!
Sony skipped the opportunity at having a press conference of any kind at German game show, opting to announce a Media Showcase at Paris Games Week. However, year in and year out, Sony always has a grand presence at TGS game and this year’s press conference has been dated for September 19, 16:00 JST!!
The best part? It’ll be streamed via YouTube for the rest of the world AND will be translated for all of us who don’t know Japanese. Awww Yeah. Expect major announcements from some of your favorite Japanese developers!
Sony has this showcase in September, Paris Games Week in October, AND PSX in December. It’s good to be a PlayStation Gamer!!!


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Leading juice drink brand Ocean Spray has launched a new range of Wholeberry chilled fruit drinks.
The new drinks will be available in cranberry and mixed berry. Every 200ml serving of Ocean Spray Wholeberry contains 40 whole crushed cranberries.
The launch of the new range will also be supported by a ’Try Me Free Campaign’ to encourage health conscious consumers to try the products.
Caroline Rose, marketing manager at Ocean Spray, said: “Consumers want the benefit of the whole fruit in a convenient way and Wholeberry meets this demand perfectly. And consumers are prepared to pay a premium too, helping to deliver category growth in chilled juice.
“Our new Wholeberry range is the first fruit juice in the UK to deliver a whole cranberry proposition. This juice is thicker than our original cranberry juice because it is made with the whole cranberry fruit, not just the juice and so, it offers more goodness and nutrition in every glass. It meets different consumer needs, resulting in incremental sales opportunity for retailers.”
The launch of the new range is being supported by a £1 million investment, including in-store activity, PR, and digital/social media support.
The new Ocean Spray Wholeberry range is sold in 850ml bottles (rrp £2.99) and available now.


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CHICAGO — Vadara Quartz, a product line distributed by UGM Surfaces, has opened a Design Resource Center in LuxeHome, the collection of premier boutiques for home building and renovation on the first floor of the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago, LuxeHone officials announced.
The newly opened space (Suite 163) represents an exclusive collaboration between UGM Surfaces and Vadara Quartz, a product line aimed at designers, architects, custom home builders and homeowners.
“We are delighted to welcome them to LuxeHome,” said Blair Loftspring, managing director, leasing and marketing, Vornado | Merchandise Mart.
“We view LuxeHome and the Merchandise Mart as the epicenter of the design community here in Chicago and there are tremendous benefits to being displayed and associated among some of the world’s top brands who are present at theMART,” said Brian Barnett, vice president distribution, Vadara Quartz.
“We also look forward to participating in the many LuxeHome events which are hosted throughout the year and becoming more engaged with the local industry professionals who attend them,” Barnett added.


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J.C. Williams Group/Ebeltoft is about to release its 2018 Global Retail Trends & Innovations Report, which highlights some key insights into what innovative retailers are doing around the world. The release will include video discussion as well as a free downloadable version of the book.
The report is useful for retailers seeking out leading industry insights, brokers seeking new concepts to approach, designers and architects, and anyone who is interested in gaining knowledge as to what’s working in retail during this age of disruption.
The report also highlights four ‘hot trends’ for 2018: Smart Shopping, Interaction, Emotional Retail and Responsibility. Examples are used to illustrate each, in an engaging report that will soon be available online.
Ebeltoft Group is a global alliance of consultancy companies with members in more than 25 mature and emerging retail markets. J.C. Williams group is a leading Canadian consultancy, based in Toronto and Montreal.
Watch for the first video to be released early next week.


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Earlier this year, Trimble completed its acquisition of Transporeon, combining the two companies’ North American and European expertise, and enabling the creation of a unified, global transportation management platform that transforms the way the world works. Christopher Keating, Senior Vice President of Trimble Transportation Europe explores this connection in the following byline, as he looks at how the industry can become a digital leader…
Transporting goods from A to B requires close collaboration between shippers, carriers, logistics service providers and recipients. In many ways, how these stakeholders interact with each other and conduct day-to-day operations has remained largely unchanged for the past decade (or more). After all, the industry often still relies on phone conversations, lengthy email chains, paper documentation and manual reporting to coordinate the smooth movement of freight.
But with a raft of digital technologies now available, this is no longer the best approach. Companies could be much more efficient if they embraced ‘phygital’ – the seamless integration of physical and digital systems to enhance their operations. So, what’s holding the industry back from integrating the physical and digital worlds? And where could companies see meaningful gains from adopting a phygital approach?
Old habits die hard
Technologically speaking, much of the logistics transportation industry is stuck in the past, operating a patchwork of disparate tech solutions combined with legacy paper-based processes.
Why? Well, put simply, old habits die hard. Archaic import and export rules (e.g. countries stipulating the use of physical stamps to authenticate and authorise documents) have, until recently, forced companies to continue using paper. Meanwhile, a lack of ‘universal standards’ for digital solutions means that companies have taken vastly different digitalisation trajectories over the past decade. This results in siloed tech stacks that can’t ‘communicate’ with each other, making it hard for companies to accurately understand their order and capacity situation and see whether processes are flowing seamlessly – among other challenges.
The solution? A standardised approach to digitalisation based on a collaborative network, rather than companies working in isolation. Also known as a ‘platform approach’, standardisation provides the foundation for a phygital future, enabling the creation of a transportation network spanning the entire industry. By connecting shippers, carriers, logistics service providers and other stakeholders, companies can simplify communication and slash manual administrative work.
A collaborative approach also enables data-driven decision-making, with companies benefiting from a vast pool of insights that helps all parties get ahead. In the short term, companies can use this data (combined with a high level of automation) to minimise dwell times, optimise yard operations and more. On a long-term basis, it can be used to train AI models to create tools for autonomous procurement or quotation, real-time ETA and everything in between.
New challenges require novel solutions
Embracing a phygital approach won’t just help shippers and carriers enhance overall efficiency, it’s also crucial to helping the industry tackle emerging challenges.
Decarbonisation is arguably the greatest of these, as companies face pressure from governments, end users and fellow industry participants to slash carbon emissions. Sustainability is now impacting the bottom line, with shippers increasingly contracting carriers based on their sustainability credentials, offering extended freight contracts to environmentally responsible companies, and even paying a premium for lower carbon transport.
Decarbonisation isn’t just about investing in expensive, cutting-edge technologies. Companies can make significant progress by implementing digital tools that enhance visibility into existing inefficiencies. With real-time data, they can reduce empty mileage, tackle lengthy dwell times, train employees on sustainable driving practices and combine transport modes to minimise emissions. Again, this is more effective when done collaboratively. For instance, it’s much simpler for carriers to reduce empty mileage by finding a return load if they’re operating as part of a wider network (rather than in a silo). All they have to do is inform the network when they’ve delivered their shipment, and wait for a match from a shipper looking for available capacity.
Another challenge currently facing the industry is the ongoing driver shortage, caused by an ageing workforce and increased demand for logistics services. With driver recruitment set to remain a persistent challenge, shippers and carriers must put their people first. This means taking tangible steps to lessen the administrative burden on drivers and minimise time spent waiting in yards, at ports and in traffic, as well as using tools and technologies to alleviate process-related stress .
To do so, shippers and carriers must first understand where there’s room for improvement. Digital tools can play a crucial role, with companies increasingly turning to real-time insights to uncover hidden inefficiencies and improve visibility by tracing deliveries. In particular, shippers and carriers can make significant efficiencies within the warehouse loading and unloading process, and by automating time slot and yard management processes. This can reduce waiting times from hours to minutes, freeing drivers to spend more time on the road.
The way forward
So, should the logistics transportation industry prepare for a phygital future? In short, yes. Companies already have all the necessary digital tools at their disposal, but success hinges on selecting and implementing them intelligently.
When companies embrace a true phygital approach, they can forget about optimising individual processes, and look holistically at improving their entire system. By embracing platform-based technologies to enhance their physical operations, they can be more efficient, improve visibility and make better decisions. This will help to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and meet customer demands, especially when tackling rapidly evolving challenges like decarbonisation and personnel issues.


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Tesla turns to its employees for help in testing self-driving technology
In a recent report, electric vehicles magazine Electrek has revealed that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has sent an email to employees, seeking their help in testing the company’s self-driving technology.
Tesla Motors presently has efforts underway to develop its self-driving program. As part of the move, the US-based electric vehicle maker is leveraging the work that it has done on its Autopilot software as well as the data collected through its electric car fleet.
According to the email sent by Musk to employees, Tesla requires “100-200 employees” for testing its full self-driving technology.
Musk has revealed in the email that Tesla employees who purchase new electric cars will get premium interior packages, along with free Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Capability package upgrades, which are priced between $5,000 and $10,000.
In lieu of the benefits being offered to employees who buy new electric cars, Tesla wants the employees to commit to the sharing of hundreds of hours of driving feedback with the company. The feedback from employees will enable Tesla to make improvements to its self-driving technology.
The latest move by Tesla marks an apparent expansion of a program which the company already has in place for employees and some customers to gain access to new software and give their feedback, before a broader release of the software.
German automaker BMW has recently revealed that the total number of company’s i3 electric cars sold in the UK has touched ‘10,000 units’ milestone.
According to an Automotive News report, German automaker BMW plans to discontinue its i3 all-electric compact car and i8 plug-in hybrid sports car ahead of introducing its next-generation electric vehicles (EVs).
According to a Reuters report, Germany’s new Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said in a recent interview with the Funke Mediengruppe newspaper chain that all possible measures should be taken by the country to avoid the imposition of ban on diesel car
According to a recently published Reuters report, German automaker BMW -- which sold more than 100,000 battery-electric and plug-in hybrid cars in 2017 -- does not plan to commence mass production of electric cars before 2020.
German automaker BMW has recently announced that it will be presenting a series of new all-electric vehicles this year. The announcement was made by BMW’s CEO Harald Krüger at the company’s recently-held Annual Accounts Press Conference 2018.
Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Motors has issued a voluntary recall of 123,000 units of its Model S electric cars, owing to a defect in a power steering bolt.


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HCM CITY — The Vietnamese retail market is highly attractive to investors given the country’s population of over 97 million, rapid economic growth and an increase in income and consumption, a seminar heard in HCM City yesterday.
Speaking at the seminar on Multi-task distribution platform- BB Link – Optimal solution for Vietnamese manufacturing firms, Võ Tân Thành, vice president of the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said retail sales increased by 12.4 per cent last year to US$143 billion.
“Many foreign investors have invested in Việt Nam’s retail sector in the past.
"Retail ranked sixth among sectors attracting the largest foreign direct investment.”
Many large retailers from Thailand, South Korea and Japan have increased their investment in Việt Nam, and many US retailers had shown interest in the market, he said.
Local giants such as Saigon Co.op and Vingroup had also made bold investments in the sector, he added.
Nguyễn Ngọc Dũng, vice president of the Việt Nam E-Commerce Association, said the e-commerce sector had also grown strongly in recent years and now had many different trading platforms.
But 70 per cent of their transactions are from Hà Nội and HCM City, and his association was striving to increase e-commerce transactions in other cities and provinces to ensure they account for 50 per cent by 2025, he said.
Thành said despite strong growth in recent years the modern channel only accounted for 25 per cent of retail sales.
The traditional channel with over 9,000 markets and 1.4 million grocery stores accounted for the rest, he said.
Vincent Lữ Thế Hùng, chief strategy officer of BB Vietnam Investment and Trading Corporation, said the retail sector had great potential.
But manufacturers, importers and distributors had difficulty distributing their products through the traditional channel due to high risks, high transport fees, poor store management, and other factors, he said.
His company had set up BB Link, a platform that enables businesses to directly sell merchandise to traditional markets and grocery stores through its warehouse and logistics system, he said.
With this platform, businesses can easily and quickly access traditional distribution channels cost effectively thanks to the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data, he said.
The BB Link platform would also operate in other countries like India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand and so Vietnamese firms could take advantage of it to distribute their products abroad, he added.
The seminar witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Aptus Capital and BB Link to offer investment services.
BB Vietnam also signed an MoU with the VCCI to organise training courses and other activities to enable local firms to capitalise on its multi-task distribution platform as well as support them to boost export to other markets. — VNS


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New York State Attorney General Letitia James is teaming up with California Attorney General Rob Bonta to sue the United States Postal Service for buying a new fleet of mail trucks. The Attorney Generals claim the USPS used a faulty environmental analysis to justify the purchase of new gas-powered vehicles.
According to James, the USPS purchased a new fleet of vehicles without first holding the mandatory environmental review, a violation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The review allegedly did not consider and evaluate fleets that included electric vehicles, instead opting to replace up to 165,000 of its delivery vehicles with 90% gas-powered vehicles. The lawsuit seeks a court order to block USPS from moving ahead with the purchase until it allegedly fully complies with NEPA.
“This decision will have lasting and devastating consequences for our environment, and the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers,” said James.
The USPS has one of the largest civilian vehicle fleets in the world, consisting of more than 212,000 vehicles. While these vehicles play a critical role in delivering the nation’s mail, James alleged that they also emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases and other hazardous air pollutants.
According to James, the USPS was obligated to assess the impacts of its Next Generation Delivery Vehicle Acquisitions program under NEPA. The USPS chose a manufacturer, signed a contract, and made a substantial down payment for new, almost entirely gas-powered vehicles before publishing a mandatory environmental review, she alleged.
Joining James and Bonta in filing the lawsuit are the attorney generals of Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, as well as the City of New York and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.


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NEW YORK (Reuters) - An electronic textbook Web site is launching a smelly e-book after finding college students like to be able to smell their books.
A survey of 600 college students conducted by pollster Zogby International found that 43 percent of students identified smell, either a new or old smell, as the quality they most liked about books as physical objects.
Six out of 10 students also preferred buying used textbooks over new or electronic textbooks even though e-books are generally a third less expensive. E-books sales have been slow to take off.
In an attempt to persuade college students to try e-textbooks, Web site CafeScribe.com (cafescribe.com on Wednesday said it was launching "the world's first smelly e-book."
CafeScribe Chief Executive Bryce Johnson said that from September the company will send every e-textbook purchaser a scratch and sniff sticker with a musty “old book” smell.
The survey, conducted between August 15 and 21, found three out of 10 of students associated “mustiness” with the books they most loved, although 16 percent associated best-loved books with the smell of “freshly-ground coffee.”
“By placing these stickers on their computers they can give their e-books the same musty book smell they know and love from used textbooks -- without any of the residual DNA you often find stuck to the pages of used textbooks,” Johnson said in a statement.
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.


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LAHORE – The cement industry, which generally recorded stagnant sales for the past four years, has now shown signs of recovery as cement dispatches in December 2012 surged by 7.3 per cent YoY and 8 per cent MoM to 2.86 million tons.
Cement industry experts said that after incorporating December sales provisional figures, cumulative cement sales for 1HFY13 have registered at 15.99 million tons, up by 4.1 per cent YoY.
Furqan Ayub, an industry expert, observed that winter chill failed to dampen cement domestic sale in Dec, as volumetric growth to date is on the back of surge in local demand, stemming from aggressive infrastructure spending before the general elections in 2013.
He said that there are signs of recovery of cement industry, which had registered sluggish sales for a long time, resulting in huge financial losses. The industry suffered a net loss of Rs337 million in the first half of 2010-11 but earned a net profit of Rs4,300 million in the first half of 2011-12. According to latest reports, total sales during fiscal year 2011-12 increased to 32.515 million tons, showing an increase of 8.84pc in domestic sales.
This trend of domestic sales is expected to remain in momentum in future, given the present conditions. Experts said that big groups have been making substantial profits, small cement producers continue to struggle to recover their operating costs.
The industry suffers rapid increases in input costs, unsustainable prices of energy that constitutes more than half of production cost and rising transportation cost. Yet, industry’s performance during past years in terms of capacity utilisation remained more than 70pc of installed capacity.
Experts said that currently, per capita consumption of cement in Pakistan is 131kg, one of the lowest even among developing countries, while world average is 273kg. To ensure future economic growth, Pakistan will need to invest considerably in its infrastructure development, despite the economic challenges it faces.They further said that cement demand in any country is inextricably linked to the growth in GDP. Pakistan’s 3.70 GDP in 2011-12 was lowest in the region but it is projected as 4.30 in the current financial year, following some strong prospects of economic revival.
Major driver for cement consumption is infrastructure development and house-building projects. There has been an allocation of Rs873 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).


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CHICAGO, IL (BRAIN)—After a year away from the Chicagoland area, Turin Bicycles is back in the Windy City with a new store that will emphasize its own branded bikes, clothing and accessories.
PITTSBURGH, PA (BRAIN)—Dick’s Sporting Goods saw net income rise 10 percent to $291 million for its fiscal year ended Feb. 2 as net sales jumped 12 percent to $5.84 billion, according to the company’s 10-K filing.
KENT, WA (BRAIN) — REI increased sales by 7.4 percent to $1.93 billion in 2012 but saw net income drop 3.9 percent to $29 million due to tighter margins, according to the company’s year-end earnings statement.
SANTA FE, NM (BRAIN)—After six years in its current space, Santa Fe retailer Mellow Velo is headed downtown next month to a larger location just 100 yards off the city’s historic plaza.
TAMPA, FL (BRAIN)—Outspokin Cycles of Clearwater, Florida, has expanded to a second location with the opening of its Giant partner store in Tampa.
OAK PARK, IL (BRAIN) — Chicago triathlon specialty retailer Element Multisport is looking to serve a broader customer base with its new store, Element Cyclesport, in Oak Park, Illinois.
LAS VEGAS, NV—When you walk into the new Las Vegas Cyclery store, the pleasing aesthetics of the building are striking.The 34-foot-tall ceiling with the wooden décor gives the bike shop an open, airy feel, reminiscent of a ski lodge.
HAWLEY, PA (BRAIN) — Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, Pennsylvania retailer Sickler’s Bike & Sport has now opened a third location, this time in a historic mill building.
MARTINSBURG, WV — Eastern Panhandle Bicycle Company has moved its flagship store to a new location with triple the floor space.
MCKINNEY, TEXAS (BRAIN) — Dallas-based triathlon retailer Playtri is expanding to a second location set to open in May that, the company claims, will be the world’s largest triathlon store.
LEWISVILLE, NC (BRAIN) — Recumbent bike retailer Neighborhood Transportation is closing after six years in business as owner Bruce Hermann contends with health issues.
BELMAR, NJ (BRAIN) — A longtime Jersey Shore shop is getting a fresh scrubbing as well as a new owner and name as DJ’s Cycles becomes Belmar Bike Shop.
BOULDER, CO (BRAIN) — Leisure Trends Group is hosting a webinar for NBDA members Wednesday to provide analytics and insights gained from ongoing tracking of monthly point of sales data from independent bicycle dealers. The one-hour webinar is being presented by Greg Shoenfeld and is free for NBDA members.
SEAL BEACH, CA (BRAIN) — Two and a half years ago Brian Ballard bought his first Pedego electric bike.
IRVINE, CA (BRAIN) — Orange County Specialized dealer Rock N Road Cyclery has opened redesigned Body Geometry Fit studios at three of its four locations, part of the retailer’s increased focus on high-end bike fitting.
ANCHORAGE, AK (BRAIN) — The owners of Anchorage retailer Chain Reaction Cycles are set to open Alaska’s first Trek concept store in March.
CHAPEL HILL, NC (BRAIN) — Performance Bicycle is plotting an aggressive growth strategy in the first half of 2013, with plans to open five stores in Florida — its first locations in the state — and one new store in Arizona.
LOS ANGELES, CA (BRAIN) — Sport Chalet on Wednesday reported disappointing earnings for its fiscal third quarter, as the company’s net loss widened to $1.9 million from $1 million a year earlier.
NEVADA CITY, CA (BRAIN) — After Armstrong was charged with doping and had his race results nullified last year, Nevada City race organizer Duane Strawser — who also owns the Tour of Nevada City Bicycle Shop and is mayor of the old Gold Rush town — was an obvious interview subject for the hordes of journalists sniffing around the story.


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Litehouse, Inc., an employee-owned company, received the highest honors in the sauce category at the 2017 Association for Dressing & Sauces (ADS) 16th annual awards event held October 7-9 in Nashville, Tenn. The Sauce of the Year Award was given to Litehouse’s Mango Habanero, which won in a blind taste test of industry experts where products were judged on innovative flavor and taste performance.
“We are incredibly honored by this industry recognition for our focus on and commitment to product innovation,” said Camille Balfanz, Brand Manager. “By combining different levels of sweet and heat, our Mango Habanero creates a dynamic experience for the taste buds that is perfectly on trend for consumers seeking interesting flavors and spice combinations.”
Since its introduction in 2016, Litehouse Mango Habanero quickly became a fan favorite for its sweet and spicy flavor palette, which offers the sweet taste of real mangos followed by a slow heat at the finish. The sauce is gluten-free, contains no high fructose corn syrup or artificial preservatives, and has only 25 calories per serving, making it a go-to dressing, sauce or marinade.
The 2017 ADS award marks the ninth honor for Litehouse and reflects the company’s Guiding Principles, which underscore a commitment to excellence in every aspect of its business. All product innovation originates from Litehouse’s more than 1,000 employee-owners, who are encouraged to share, at every level of the organization, suggestions and ideas for new flavors and products.


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Are you on Pinterest yet? I must admit that I’m not . . . but I intend to be soon. Because Pinterest just can’t be ignored.
According to a report recently produced by Experian Hitwise, Pinterest has risen - rapidly - to become the third most popular social network in the United States, behind Facebook and Twitter. Although Facebook, which had 7 billion visits in March, might appear uncatchable, Pinterest, at 104 million, has increased its visitors by 3000 per cent in the past six months.
There is also no doubt that Pinterest appeals to women. Mashable claims that 60 per cent of users are women, while Inside Network’s AppData claims that, in the USA, 97.9% of those who like Pinterest are female.
And AdWeek reports that a study by BlogHer showed 81 percent of women sampled in the USA said they trusted Pinterest, 73 percent said they trusted Twitter and only 67 percent said they trusted Facebook.
Melissa Pitts, writing on the Forbes website believes that there are four reasons why Pinterest is becoming so popular with women: it’s simple (which makes browsing easy and enjoyable), it’s relaxing, marketers have ‘an open window into consumers’ interests, and brands have found new and interesting ways to use it. Pinterest, she says, “has brought women together online in a way never seen before and tapped into an extremely influential consumer market without even trying.”
So I wonder what this means for the development of Pinterest. Will it turn into a site specialising entirely in things that women are interested in? Or will it develop into a “universal site” (such as Amazon) but one which appeals primarily to women. Whichever it is, I have no doubt that it will continue to grow steadily as more and more people discover its appeal.


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The interesting part of Wistron's confirmation is that it backs up previous reports pointing to wireless charging capabilities on the iPhone 8, which is expected to be released this fall. Read: iOS 11 Beta: 5 Features We're Excited To Use On The New iPhone Wistron expects to ship more units this year than last. "We will have lenses for [a] 3-D sensing [module used in smartphone] ready to ship in the second half this year," CEO Adam Lin told a press conference. Last month, it was reported LG Innotek, a unit of LG group, would supply 3D facial recognition modules for Apple's 10th anniversary iPhone.
A Barclays analyst said in a research note the iPhone 8 will come with a faster USB-C connector, MacRumors reported. Analyst Blayne Curtis said the 10th anniversary iPhone will come with a 10W power adapter with USB-C connector and an integrated USB-C Power Delivery chip. Cypress Semiconductor will supply Apple with USB-C Power Delivery chips. The analyst suggested the chips in the upcoming iPhone will be the same one used in the recent 10.5-inch iPad Pro. The iPhone 8 would be able to charge quickly with a USB-C to Lightning Cable connected to the 10W power adapter or with the 29W USB-C power adapter that works for MacBooks.
Apple will likely reveal the iPhone 8 in less than a couple of weeks during the company's press event on September 12. The gathering was announced in media invites, according to Apple Insider. The event will take place at 10 a.m PST in the Steve Jobs Theater at the new Apple Park campus in Cupertino, Calif., a picture of the invite shows. Samsung is said to be the OLED display supplier for Apple. Apple reportedly agreed to a two-year deal worth $9 billion with Samsung for OLED panels.
With facts about Apple's much-anticipated iPhone 8 scarce, rumors abound prior to its expected fall release -- so many that it's hard to keep up. It seems like every day there is new information about the iPhone 8, and Apple has hinted it's not so happy about that. CEO Tim Cook recently blamed the "pause" in purchases of its current iPhone models on rumors about possible iPhone 8 features during his second-quarter 2017 earnings call this week. Read: iPhone 8 Rumors: Mock-Up Video Shows How Apple's Next Edition Might Look If you're looking to buy the iPhone 8 this fall, here's an overview of the device's rumored features, release date and possible delay. The upcoming iPhone 8, which could also be called the iPhone X, iPhone Pro or iPhone Edition, reportedly will come with an OLED edge-to-edge display.
Production for the iPhone 8's OLED screen is reportedly ramping up this month. Samsung, which is said to be the OLED display supplier for Apple, will operate seven OLED production lines at "full scale" this month for the 10th anniversary iPhone, according to ETNews (via Apple Insider). This appears to put some of the iPhone 8 release date delay rumors on hold. The iPhone 8, which is expected to be released this fall, is rumored to come with a bezel-less OLED screen. To meet Apple's demands, Samsung's production capacity for the screens spiked from 30,000 to 45,000 panels per month last year to 105,000 on Friday.