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Some 2019 Kia Stinger vehicles equipped with 3.3L T-GDI engines and manufactured between June 21, 2018 to July 9, 2019 could experience an engine compartment fire. There have been six (6) fire related customer complaints and no known crashes or injuries related to this problem.
According to the defect report, these vehicles could experience an engine compartment fire in the area of the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU). Kia is still investigating possible causes and are asking drivers to watch for signals that a fire could occur. This includes the illumination of warning lights on the instrument panel, including tire pressure, ABS and MIL lights. Other signs include a burning or melting odor and smoke from the engine compartment. Owners should park their vehicles outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall is repaired.
The fix for this defect is still under development and is expected to begin October. Kia’s recall number is SC196 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-518.
Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles because of a problem affecting engine and engine cooling. The subject vehicles are equipped with 2.5L 4 cylinder engines that may have been produced with engine blocks with high porosity levels.
According to the defect report, these porous engine blocks could crack and leak internally and/or externally causing the engine to overheat and possible internal mechanical damage. There is also an increased risk of an engine fire if oil leaks should come in contact with an ignition source.
Drivers may be alerted of a problem through engine noises, smoke, illuminated engine warning lights and an audible warning chime.
|2020 Lexus ES300H
|2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
|2020 Toyota Camry
|2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid
|2019-2020 Toyota RAV4
|2019-2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Dealers will inspect the engine and engine block, replacing them as necessary. Toyota’s number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus’ number for this recall is 20LA02. The NHTSA campaign number is 20V-064.
Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2019-2020 Ram 2500 and 2019-2020 Ram 3500 pickups equipped with six-speed automatic (68RFE) transmissions, because of a problem affecting the transmissions in their trucks.
According to the defect report, these vehicles could experience a build up of pressure and heat inside the transmission strong enough to expel fluid from the dip stick tube. If the fluid comes in contact with the turbocharger or other ignition sources within the engine compartment, it could lead to a fire. Vehicle occupants may notice odd smalls, noises or transmission surging prior to a vehicle fire.
Dealers will fix the problem by replacing the transmission valve body separator plate and reprogramming the powertrain control module. Chrysler’s number for this recall is W03 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-043.
If you are the owner of a 2017-2018 Audi R8 Spyder or R8 Coupe, you may be receiving a manufacturer defect notice for the power train of your vehicle. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, during extreme maneuvers the transmission fluid could expand and foam up beyond the expansion volume in the gearbox, causing the transmission fluid to leak out of the gearbox ventilation hose. The fluid could contact hot engine parts, causing smoke and a possible fire.
Dealers will correct the problem by adding a double ventilation hose that has a higher oil expansion volume. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 34J1 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-639.
Volkswagen will be contacting the owners of certain 2013-2015 Audi A8 and S8 vehicles because of a problem affecting the fuel system.
According to the NHTSA defect report, the high pressure fuel pump supply line could become porous and deteriorate from the inside. The resulting fuel leak may lead to a fuel smell withing the vehicle cabin and a potential fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Audi will be asking owners to return to their dealers to have the fuel line replaced. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 20AV and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-430.
Kia will be asking the owners of certain 2017 Kia Sorento vehicles, equipped with 3.3L engines, to return to their dealerships to repair an improperly heat treated crankshaft. According to the defect report, an improperly heat treated crankshaft will produce a cyclic knocking noise from the engine that may result in the illumination of the engine warning lamp. If these warnings are ignored and the vehicle continues to be driven, the crankshaft could fail, the engine vehicle could stall and, under certain conditions, a fire may occur.
Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine sub assembly as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC153 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-586 .
The owners of certain Audi vehicles equipped with 2.0L TFSI engines, will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding a problem affecting the engine and its cooling system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the coolant pump could become blocked by debris from the cooling system. If this happens the pump could overheat and cause a fire.
The vehicles affected by this defect include:
Audi has developed software which will deactivate the power supply to the coolant pump, if the pump becomes blocked. The driver will be notified of the blockage through an illuminated Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 19M1 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-002.
Ford will be contacting the owners of certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles regarding a manufacturing error affecting the engine cooling system. According to the defect report, the engine oil cooler assembly hose may have insufficient crimps and could separate and leak. A sudden loss of engine oil may result in engine failure or a possible fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the engine oil cooler tube assembly replaced. For more information about the problem, owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 16S40 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-779.


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According to a nationwide market study conducted by market research organization, Philippine Survey and Research Center (PSRC), PLDT HOME is the trusted choice among broadband providers with its fast and strong internet connection across the country.
The PSRC survey showed that based on the brand imagery question asked among respondents–1,200 male and female decision-makers of telecommunication services for the household, aged 18 – 60 years from ABCD homes–who were aware of the different ISP brands, PLDT HOME DSL scored the highest, besting other internet service providers when it comes to internet speed and strong connection.
It can be noted that, PLDT HOME is behind breakthrough broadband services like the Fibr that offers ultra-fast speeds up to 100mbps to residential customers and LTE for the home Ultera which offers up to 10mbps speed.
PLDT VP and Head of Home Marketing Gary Dujali said the survey results reflect PLDT’s commitment to deliver the best possible service to its subscribers. “This is the fulfillment of our promise to our subscribers – that we will give them the fastest, most reliable and strongest connection to their homes,” Dujali said.
He added that PLDT HOME is able to provide the strongest connections at home through its most extensive fiber optic network that currently spans over 88,000 kilometers which is more than four times that of the competition.

domain: news


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Microsoft surprised the world by unveiling its futuristic augmented reality headset, the HoloLens, but how does the company create content for the new and interactive medium? Find out here.
...of Google's greatest, the wait for Microsoft's latest, and BlackBerry's bad day
...of Lumia luxury, Android antitrust, Chinese Windows, and an iPad on a stick
Office 2016 available for Office 365 subscribers on Windows
office 2016 promo
Android Marshmallow officially announced for Oct 5 rollout
Leaked slides confirm Lumia 950 + 950 XL specs, 'Display Dock'
Despite the company's reluctance to talk about what's inside the HoloLens, information has started to trickle out and according to a report, Microsoft's AR headset is powered by Intel chips.
Cisco has developed 3D holographic telephony to create the world's first real time virtual presentation. Cisco CEO John Chambers, who was live on the Bangalore stage, 'beamed up' Martin De Beer, the Senior Vice...
Microsoft has been quick to explain why the holographic image on the face of the Windows Vista DVD includes a microscopic picture of three men who just so happen to be members of the team...


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These are the first pictures of the new Suzuki Alto, a city car with looks inspired by the funky A-Star concept. The new Alto will be unveiled at the Paris motor show this autumn and promises to be both clean and frugal. And if the Swift is anything to go by the Suzuki Alto should be a cracking drive too, plus prices should start at under £7k when the it goes on sale in early 2009. What more could you want?
So the A-Star has influenced the new Alto?
Absolutely. Of course the devil is in the detail, so the concept car’s fancy lights and pink trim (thank goodness) have disappeared. But the large front grille and subtly bulging wheelarches remain.
Other details are still scant, but when Suzuki unveiled the A-Star late last year CAR discovered the Alto would be powered by an all-new Euro 5-compliant 1.0-litre aluminium petrol engine that’s mated to a five-speed manual. Apparently this combination means an ultra-low 107g/km CO2 rating and exceptional fuel economy.
A diesel is also on the cards. Suzuki currently builds a 1.3-litre diesel but the 1.0-litre petrol is cleaner and greener so the company is developing a new 1.1-litre unit for Europe.
The Alto will be produced in India, with annual production expected to reach 960,000 units by 2010. Just 100,000 of those will reach the Europe, while most of the rest are destined for the burgeoning Indian market. The factory itself is a joint-venture between Suzuki and local car maker Maruti Udyog Limited. Together the two have formed Maruti Suzuki India Limited.
Anything else interesting at Paris?
Suzuki will also debut two new eco-friendly concepts. The first is the SX4 FCV, running a GM-made fuel-cell, while the second has a much simpler fuel-cell system, with a performance boost coming from a lithium-ion battery pack.


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Kanye West once said his love of fashion started in kindergarten but it looks like it might’ve stalled there!
At a Halloween party in NYC on October 27, the 35-year-old self-appointed “voice of this generation” seemed to be channeling Hollywood’s other grade-school trendsetter: Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. (Alright, alright, the more logical guess is that he was the sea captain to girlfriend Kim Kardashian’s mermaid. But we can’t help but notice the eerie resemblance.)
Six-year-old Shiloh, whose mom Angelina Jolie famously described her fashion sense as “Montenegro style” wore this nautical look first in Venice, Italy, in 2010.
But who wore it better?
[Photo credits: Pacific Coast News]
Follow Michelle on Twitter @HWMichelleLee
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A major Japanese retailer threatened to leave the US if Trump enforces 'made in America' policies
If Trump follows through on his "buy American" promise, he may end up driving some foreign-owned retailers out of the US altogether, if recent remarks by the president of Japanese clothing giant Fast Retailing are any indication.When asked by members of the Japanese media about his thoughts on Trump's ideas for trade and manufacturing, Tadashi Yanai was steadfast in his opposition.
AP/Ng Han Guan
TOP VIDEOS FOR YOUOne sticking point was "made in the USA" clothing, which could prove difficult to make a reality for a retailer like the Fast Retailing-owned Uniqlo, which operates 51 stores in the US and primarily makes its clothing in Asia.
Advertisement"If I was directly told to [manufacture in the US], I will withdraw from the United States," Yanai told Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun in a group interview. "We would not be able to make really good products [in the US] at costs that are beneficial to customers."Because of the additional costs that would be passed on to consumers, and the lack of specialized labor in the country, Yanai said it would be "meaningless to do business in the U.S."
Yanai also cautioned against Trump's trade policies in general, which he said would raise prices across the board.
MSME EXCHANGE 2021Join us in amplifying the voice of over 60 million MSMEs in IndiaJune 28 - 29, 05:00 PM onwards
"[What Trump is doing] is not beneficial for US consumers," Yanai said.Trump has emphasized that US manufacturing and trade are central issues for his administration. He has proposed a border tax on any imports into the US as an incentive to manufacture in the country, but specific policy proposals are nonexistent, and it's still unclear how the tax would apply to foreign companies.Fast Retailing previously said that it wants to open 20 to 30 more Uniqlo stores in the US this year as part of a greater strategy to penetrate the American market.
- There are a few reasons why Zomato wants $8 billion valuation from its IPO -- here's a look at if it makes sense
- Germany adopts $9.6 billion climate protection programme to achieve new climate targets, says Finance Minister
- China's migrating elephant herd travels further south in Eshan county, say authorities
- Iran condemns US' seizure of website domains as an 'attempt to undermine global freedom of expression'
- North Korea rules out 'possibility of any contact' with US, according to media report


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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — General Motors is making sure it has the materials for the transition from petroleum to battery power, this time heading to North Texas and lining up magnets for electric vehicle motors.
On Thursday the company said it has a deal with MP Materials to supply rare earth metals and finished magnets for the motors from a new factory in Fort Worth starting in 2023.READ MORE: Dallas ISD Inducts Its 4th Sports Hall of Fame Class
It’s also negotiating what is likely to be a joint venture with Vacuumschmelze (VAC) of Germany to build a U.S. factory to make electric vehicle motor magnets. Production is to start in 2024 and will create “hundreds of new jobs” the companies said.
The companies didn’t announce financial terms of the deals. Shilpan Amin, GM’s head of purchasing and supply chain, said it has a parts supply agreement with MP Materials with no GM capital investment. The capital structure of the venture with VAC is still being worked out, but the companies said they would build a plant together.READ MORE: Doug Dunbar Speaks One-On-One With Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker
The moves come as automakers scramble to line up parts supplies for what is expected to be a dramatic shift from internal combustion engines to zero emission electric power during the coming decade. GM, for instance, has a goal of selling only electric passenger vehicles by 2035.
The LMC Automotive consulting firm expects U.S. sales of new fully electric vehicles to hit nearly 400,000 this year, almost double last year’s figures. But they still make up only about 2.6% of sales. But the firm expects sales to grow to more than 730,000 next year and more than 2 million by 2025. Even at 2 million, EV sales still would be only about 12% of U.S. new vehicle sales.
MP Materials has the potential to supply magnets for about 500,000 EV motors per year, Amin said. Combined, the two deals will supply all of GM’s magnet needs at least for the near term, the company said.MORE NEWS: Alaska, Texas Governors Sue Over National Guard Vaccine Rule
(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)


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Live-streaming the likes of Overwatch and Hearthstone on Facebook will soon be as simple as a click of a button. Blizzard Entertainment announced a deal with Facebook Monday, to integrate Facebook Live into their current lineup of games (via Polygon). Along with the streaming side of things, you’ll also be able to log in to your Blizzard games using your Facebook account later this month, making it even easier to jump into Overwatch.
If it hasn’t sunk in yet, this is a huge deal for both parties involved. For Facebook, this means that their streaming service could potentially gain even more success thanks to the popularity of Blizzard games. On the flip side, Blizzard now has the premiere social media platform which they can use to implement other social features for their community. This has the potential to completely change the streaming game. Now we wait to see what Twitch and other live-streaming services will do to combat this move by Facebook.
There’s no timeline yet as to when we’ll be able to stream the games on our respective Facebook timelines, but Blizzard is currently working on adding the “Go Live” feature on Overwatch, with other games to follow soon after. I’m not sure this is a big deal to your average gamer, but it will definitely be a great feature for popular streamers.
What do you guys think about the new deal? Does this incentivize you to stream your epic Overwatch matches on Facebook? Is this even something you can see yourself using on a daily basis? Which games would you want to stream? Is Blizzard trying to take over the world? Let us know in the comments section below!
A movie universe of Nintendo games? WHAAAA?!
Image: Blizzard Entertainment


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After a cautious year of investment strategy in 2002-03, the world's major tire makers devoted more of their resources to capital expenditures in the past 12 months than in the prior year.
The major tire companies have disclosed more than $2 billion in investments in the past year for specific expansion/modernization projects, up measurably from the $1.2 billion disclosed in 2002-03 and the $1.6 billion in 2001-02.
Individually, the major companies have budgeted the following:
Group Michelin, nearly $450 million; Continental A.G., more than $389 million in new projects; Bridgestone Corp., $196 million; Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd., $150 million; Kumho Tire Co. Inc., $130 million; Pirelli S.p.A., $115 million; Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., more than $45 million; Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., $76 million; Nokian Tyres P.L.C., $63.5 million; and Goodyear, $32.2 million.
On a corporate basis, the 11 tire makers with more than $1 billion in annual sales plowed 5.4 percent of their 2003 sales back into capital expenditures. The overall level of spending was up nearly 23 percent over 2002 and put the industry's giants back on par with 2001.
Of the 11 major tire makers, only Goodyear, Pirelli and Toyo reported lower capital spending last year.
Kumho reported the heaviest capital expenditure rate at 10.4 percent of sales, ahead of Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. at 7 percent, Bridgestone at 6.8 percent and Michelin at 6.6 percent.
On average, the majors spent 3.3 percent of their corporate revenues in research and development activities, according to data from nine of the 11. The ratio was down slightly from the 3.4 percent reported for fiscal 2002.
Of those that reported R&D spending, Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. and Michelin reinvested the most, at 5 and 4.6 percent of their sales, respectively.
Among specific projects announced are:
* $75 million for a radial car tire plant in Voronezh, Russia, adjacent to an existing 54-year-old factory there. Capacity will be 3 million tires annually when completed.
* $45 million to expand annual capacity by about 11.5 percent at its Bridgestone Metalpha USA steel cord facility in Clarksville, Tenn., to 58,000 metric tons by early 2006. The expansion will require 125,000 square feet of new space at the 690,000-sq.-ft. plant and will create 35 jobs.
* $106 million to expand production of radial off-the-road tires at its Hofu, Japan, factory to 16,000 metric tons by year-end 2007.
* $45 million to build a state-of-the-art tire proving grounds in Aprilia, Italy. Phase I-which comprises a 2.5-mile high-speed oval circuit, a 22.2-acre ``black lake'' wet handling area, a 2.5-mile dry handling circuit and 11 noise and comfort tracks-was inaugurated earlier this year. Phase II will take until spring 2006 to complete.
* $183 million to build a car tire plant in Camacari/Bahia, Brazil, with production to start in 2006.
* $122 million starting in 2006 to add capacity at the Camacari facility for commercial vehicle tires by 2008. Together the projects will create more than 1,000 jobs.
* An undisclosed sum to modernize and expand capacity at newly acquired factories in Selangor and Alor Setar, Malaysia. Combined, projects in Brazil and Malaysia will add 7 million units of annual passenger/light truck tire capacity and 700,000 units of annual truck tire capacity by 2006.
* An undisclosed sum to expand annual car and light truck tire capacity at its San Luis Potosi, Mexico, plant to 27,000 units a day.
* $84 million for a new facility in Otrokovice, Czech Republic, for high-performance radial passenger tires. The new factory, to be built adjacent to the existing Barum Continental S.R.O. car, truck and farm tire plant, will be rated at 3 million tires a year, with 430 manufacturing-related employees.
* $11 million at a retread materials facility in Athens, Ga., to add capacity for racing tires. No capacity was given. The project should create about 30 jobs when it comes on stream in early 2005.
* $7.5 million to boost capacity for larger-diameter performance tires by more than 500,000 units annually at its Tupelo, Miss., passenger tire plant. Initially, capacity for 17- and 18-inch radials will be added, but eventually the factory will have capacity for sizes up to 22 inches in diameter. The investment will create 35 jobs at the 1,500-employee plant.
* $19.4 million at its Albany, Ga., facility to boost capacity for radial car and light truck tires by 1.39 million units. The expansion will create 56 jobs. The new capacity fills space made available by the company's decision to shift production of medium truck radials to China.
* $5.2 million to boost capacity at its Texarkana, Ark., plant by 560,000 units annually and expand the operation's capability to manufacture ultra-high performance tires.
* $1.8 million to boost capacity for passenger and light truck tires at its Findlay, Ohio, factory by 500,000 units, or 5.5 percent, annually. The expansion will create at least 30 jobs.
* An as-yet undisclosed sum to build a facility in China for radial passenger and light truck tires in partnership with Taiwan's Kenda Rubber Industrial Co. Ltd. The joint venture plant, to be built in China's Jiangsu Province near Shanghai, should be operational by early to mid-2006.
Dunlop Tyres International
* An undisclosed sum being invested at its Durban, South Africa, factory to expand steel radial truck tire capacity.
* $18 million to add steel radial capacity to its Ndolo, Nigeria, bias-ply truck tire plant.
Firestone East Africa
* This Bridgestone affiliate has budgeted $1.5 million to upgrade and expand truck and bus tire capacity at its Nairobi, Kenya, facility.
* $15 million to expand truck tire production capacity at its TC Debica S.A. subsidiary plant in Debica, Poland, by an undisclosed amount.
* $17.7 million to upgrade its Kelly-Springfield Tire Co. plant in Fayetteville, N.C., for larger diameter (up to 20 inches) tires.
* Undisclosed sum to phase out bias-ply tire capacity at its Geumsan, South Korea, facility and add 2,300 units of daily capacity for radial high-performance tires. New capacity is being brought on stream throughout 2004.
Hwa Fong Rubber
* $10 million for a motorcycle, scooter, bicycle and all-terrain vehicle tire factory near Bangkok, Thailand. The new plant should be operational before the end of 2004 with an annual capacity of 12 million tires-6 million industrial tires and tubes, 3 million motorcycle tires and tubes and 3 million bicycle tires and tubes.
* $130 million for a radial passenger tire facility in Nanjing, China, adjacent to an exiting truck and bus tire plant there. The factory will have an annual capacity of 5 million units by 2008.
* $26.5 million upgrade of its truck and bus tire plant in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, principally to add new technology at the facility and enhance efficiency. No capacity or employment increase data were disclosed.
* $19 million upgrade of its 21-year-old Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, passenger and light truck tire factory to enhance flexibility and expand capacity for larger dimension light truck tires. The plant employs 1,100.
* $12 million to enhance capacity for large industrial and construction tires at the 22-year-old Waterville, Nova Scotia, plant.
* $74 million to boost radial truck tire output 40 percent at its 23-year-old Campo-Grande, Brazil, factory to 1.6 million units a year.
* $24 million to expand steel cord capacity at its Itatiaia, Brazil, facility. Together the two Brazilian projects will create 500 jobs over two years.
* $59 million to add capacity for radial passenger tires at its Taurus Rubber Co. Ltd. agricultural tire plant in Nyiregyhaza, Hungary. The factory will be capable of producing 2,500 tires a day by June 2005. The project will create 200 to 300 jobs.
* $28 million to buy a 14.9-percent stake in India's Apollo Tyres Ltd.
* $70 million, together with its partner Apollo Tyres, for a new radial truck and bus tire plant in Ranjangaon/Maharashtra, India. The facility should come on stream in 2005 but not reach full annual capacity of 300,000 to 350,000 tires before 2007.
* $100 million in the coming five to 10 years for as-yet undisclosed projects in China.
* $11 million to build a steel cord factory in Zalau, Romania. The project should be operational by mid- to late 2004.
* $63.5 million for a passenger tire plant in Vsevolozhsk, Russia, which will have a startup annual capacity of 1.5 million passenger tires by 2006. The 226,000-sq.-ft. facility will be expanded gradually to 4 million tires annually. Employment initially will be about 200.
* Several million dollars for new molds and other equipment to expand capacity at its Nokia, Finland, factory to 6 million car tires annually. The project is part of $82 million in capital investments budgeted for 2004.
* $115 million in unspecified projects to modernize and expand truck tire capacity globally, including adapting aspects of the firm's Modular Integrated Robotic System for tire production to truck tires. Pirelli makes truck tires in Europe, South America and the Middle East.
* Up to $300 million over four years to modernize and expand tire plants in Omsk, Yekaterinburg, Volzhsky and Yaroslavl, Russia. No further details were available.
* $150 million for a passenger and light truck tire factory in Bartow County, Ga., capable of 2 million units a year initially.
* $26 million to double annual capacity for radial passenger tires at its Hangzhou Yokohama Tire Co. Ltd. joint venture in Hangzhou, China, to 1.4 million units by year-end. The project will more than double the plant's size to 1.43 million square feet; employment will rise to 500 from 300 upon startup of the new phase.
* $50 million through April 2005 to build a steel radial truck and bus tire facility near Bangkok, Thailand. The plant will have an initial annual capacity of 315,000 units, but this will be doubled by 2007 in a second-phase project, for which no investment projection has been released.


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Samsung has officially revealed the Galaxy K Zoom – an Android KitKat-running smartphone with a 20.7MP camera and 10x zoom. The K Zoom also features optical image stabilisation, a xenon flash and a 4.8in 720p screen.
In typical Samsung style, it will be loaded with software features, with the likes of an autofocus/exposure separation mode, 10 optimised filter settings, object tracking and a Selfie Alarm function. Yep, that’s Selfie Alarm; this couldn’t be any more 2014 unless it also released a song about it.
It’ll also have several of the OS features found on the Galaxy S5, including a Lite version of the S Health app and Ultra Power Saving mode, plus all of the usual Android smartphone tricks and treats.
But design-wise it’s a very different beast from the S5, and not just because of that 10x zoom round the back. Its rounded corners more closely resemble those on the Galaxy S4, and at 16.6mm thick, it’s not one to wear with your tightest trousers. Neither is it waterproof like Samsung’s new flagship.
The announcement confirms rumours that have been doing the rounds for several weeks, and also promises to confuse anyone who thought the recently released Galaxy Camera 2 was Samsung’s prime Android-based snapper.
So just to make it clear – the Galaxy Camera 2 is A CAMERA. It has a 16MP sensor, 21x zoom and runs Android Jelly Bean. See: it’s clearly A CAMERA. The Galaxy K Zoom, on the other hand, is A PHONE. It has a 20.7MP sensor, 10x zoom and runs Android KitKat. See: it’s most definitely A PHONE.


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Canadian military hopes a bionic knee brace will give soldiers a boost
It sounds like something right out of science fiction, using bionic technology to enhance a soldier’s ability.
But it just might become fact for Canadian soldiers, thanks to a high-tech take on an old idea – a spring.
Spring Loaded Technology is a Halifax-based company that has developed a state-of-the-art, military-grade knee brace with a special liquid spring technology built into the hinge. The spring stores energy when the knee flexes and releases it when the leg is extended. (Picture someone giving you a boost when you straighten up from a squat.)
The company says the light-weight, carbon fibre braces can help lift up to 100 pounds of body weight when worn on both knees.
Called the Upshot, the $5,100 knee brace is designed to optimize performance, reduce fatigue, and help prevent injuries. “This is not a new idea. People have had this idea for a really long time,” says Spring Loaded Technology CEO, Chris Cowper-Smith. “The challenge has been miniaturizing it and making it compact and powerful."
The company won a $1-million contract to supply the military with braces for testing. They’ve delivered the first 60, with another 130 on the way.
For its part, the military is looking for a way to help soldiers deal with backpacks and equipment that, thanks to other new technologies, have become heavier over time. “Anything that could assist in lightening their load and reducing fatigue is going to be welcomed by the army,” says Maj. Edward Jun, the man in charge of the testing program.
The first group of military personnel to receive the braces will wear them during “low level” activities for the next few weeks then provide feedback to the company. Military field testing will follow. The first impression appears to be that, yes, the Upshot provides a noticeable boost, but it’s going to take a little getting used to. “Especially with the spring compression,” says Capt. Marek Serocki. “It’s giving me a lot more, so I’m like a deer walking for the first time.”
Spring Loaded Technology has also designed a commercial version of the Upshot, called the Levitation, due to be shipped in September, 2016. Retail price: $2,380.


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FjÃ¤llrÃ¤ven Continues Growth in Canada with Launch of E-Commerce Website
Following the opening of its first Canadian flagship store in Vancouver, BC this past April, Swedish outdoor heritage brand, FjÃ¤llrÃ¤ven, has launched a new website specifically targeted towards Canadian consumers. Up and running for spring 2014, FjÃ¤llrÃ¤venâ€™s website caters to Canadians with a new channel to shop the products that the brand is known for: outdoor apparel and gear for men, women, and children.
The site will offer the largest selection of FjÃ¤llrÃ¤ven products available online in Canada, providing consumers of all outdoor abilities with exceptional gear for their adventures and activities. Staple pieces like the iconic KÃ¥nken bag, Greenland jacket, Expedition Down Parka and various versions of trekking trousers can transition to meet the city or summit needs of any urban explorer, and are available for purchase online immediately. An additional selection of outdoor equipment, such as sleeping bags and tents, will also be introduced in upcoming seasons.
The website contains brand and product info for all of the quality, hard wearing equipment and apparel that FjÃ¤llrÃ¤ven is known for and consumers are encouraged to sign up for the official Canadian newsletter for updates on sales, events, and promotions.
FjÃ¤llrÃ¤ven can also be found in select retailers across Canada.
Visit FjÃ¤llrÃ¤ven Canada online:
Follow on social media:
Instagram @fjallraven_vancouver and @fjallravenusa


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Last year, directors of Cevisama, the International Ceramics, Bathroom and Kitchen Equipment, Natural Stone, Raw Materials, Glazes, Frits and Machinery exhibition, made the decision to extend the four-day show to include an extra day to allow industry professionals additional time for networking and other business opportunities. Since it proved to be so successful, drawing in a record number of attendees from all over the world, organizers continued the weeklong format again this year, which worked in their favor.
The 34th edition of Cevisama, held from February 1 to 5, 2016, at the Feria Valencia Centre in Valencia, Spain, not only drew in its largest crowd to date, with a 10% overall increase in the number of national and international attendees, but attracted the largest contingent of European visitors and Spanish buyers since its inception. According to show management, this year’s show received just over 78,000 visitors — 3,000 more than last year — almost 15,000 of which were international visitors from 145 different countries.
Compared to the last two years, management has seen an increase in the number of professionals coming from the European market — specifically from Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom. Visitors from the U.S. also increased significantly. Figures also show that the largest selection of foreign buyers arrived from countries in western Europe (33%), Russia and countries in eastern Europe (more than 14%), as well as North Africa (12%). Individuals from Middle Eastern countries such as Israel, Lebanon and Iran, represented a considerable audience (10%) as well.
Improving popular looks
In addition to increased attendance, show organizers reported that they saw the largest assortment of tile exhibitors at this year’s show, which was apparent when walking through the various halls. Among the hundreds of exhibitors were some new faces, some familiar ones and some much larger displays than in past years.
Going hand-in-hand with the growing tile sector are the trends TILE observed at this year’s edition. Some of the same trends that have been popular for the last couple of years are continuing to flourish, especially overseas, including the stone-, wood- and industrial-looking tiles, such as those inspired by cement, concrete and terracotta. Many manufacturers have been producing these types of natural-inspired tiles for almost a decade, but in recent years, have been incorporating more realistic options, in regard to finishes, textures, decors and even sizes — which have made them more noticeable in the public eye.
Of the 90 Tile of Spain-branded manufacturers that were present at this year’s show, almost all had at least one of the aforementioned looks on display, if not more, especially when it came to wood- and stone-looks. Grupo Azulev, whose main focus was introducing larger sizes, presented an incredibly realistic wood-inspired tile collection, Evoque, in a variety of formats, including the popular 8 x 48 inches. “It’s very important for us to introduce big sizes in terms of presentation,” said Luca Carena, export area manager. “The U.S. market is also very interested in big sizes, so we’re developing them to cater to that market. What we think isn’t prevalent in the U.S. yet is what we’re working on. Larger-sized tiles are also much nicer than a small-sized tiles.”
Ceramicas Aparici, who had a myriad of enhanced and innovative looks, created a terracotta-inspired porcelain tile collection this year, Terre, which replicates that of the natural material to a tee. “We took our first three lines from the 1990s and made them in porcelain,” explained area manager, Carlos Aparici, when describing where the inspiration from this particular series derived from.
Tau Ceramica, a mega player in the Spanish tile industry, introduced a new wood-look, Woodstock, which showcases the realistic capabilities of current inkjet technology, incorporating different colors, patterns and textures. “The idea behind this collection was to mix different styles and looks into one plank,” explained Luis Ramirez, export manager. “We were also inspired by the idea to mix different planks and different colors so people aren’t able to see where the grout lines are. Overall, we’re trying to make very complete collections with a lot of colors and sizes.”
When it came to stone-inspired looks, many companies replicated natural stones in either porcelain or ceramic to the best degree TILE has ever seen. Tile of Spain-branded manufacturer, Ibero Porcelanico, created its newest porcelain tile collection, Lake Stone, which has a slight texture. “It was inspired by the sediments from the bottom of a river or lake,” said Roberto González Jaén, U.S./Canada/Latin America manager. “We wanted to replicate that feel.”
Another aesthetic that caught our eye was Keros Ceramicas’ new porcelain tile collection, Atlanta, which replicates the look of a local, brown Spanish stone, and was developed to cater to the U.S. market, according to Roberto Villaplana López, export manager. “It’s the evolution of a local stone, Pulpis, which we blended with other [stones] to make something unique,” he said. “We tried to complement what was seen in old factories. And, we’re going to double production because of the demand of the American market.”
When walking the floor, TILE viewed an assortment of new, trending product lines, including more glossy finishes, 3-D-inspired tiles and decors, additional geometric shapes, heavily-designed artistic looks and more hand-painted/washed finishes. In addition to revamping the older trending styles, Ceramics Aparici introduced a variety of new types of tiles, including Bricket, a 3-D rectangular-shaped porcelain and ceramic tile collection that truly stood out, attracting the majority of booth visitors.
Tile of Spain-branded manufacturer Alea, a smaller manufacturer of intricately-designed tiles, displayed Geom, a hexagonal-shaped tile with a glittery sheen that embraced a rugged, yet subtle texture. Etnia, a red body porcelain collection designed specifically for walls by Vives Ceramica, was also unique and unlike any other 3-D tile TILE observed at the show; the arabesque-shaped tiles feature an incredibly unique 3-D diamond and triangular texture that looks deceivingly subtle from afar.
Vives also introduced Laverton, a porcelain tile collection featuring all different types of shapes — hexagons, rectangles, arabesques, etc. — in concrete- and industrial-inspired looks with various decorative options. “This series was inspired by handmade tiles in the Mediterranean regions of Europe,” said Francisco Robles of the export department.
Alttoglass, a Spanish manufacturer that focuses on creating glass mosaics for both floor and wall use, introduced a handful of new collections this year, which are created using recycled glass from the windshields of old cars. Two of its newest collections, Brilliant and Night Glass, embrace the decorative trend that’s currently popular; Night Glass even goes a step further with its photo luminescent qualities, essentially making the tiles glow in the dark.
Each year, Cevisama features a focal exhibition of ceramics for architecture known as “Trans/Hitos,” which showcases the innovative use of ceramics in the center of the Feria Valencia Centre on the first level. This year’s theme was “Harmonies,” which aimed to highlight “the pursuit of balance, proportion and proper correspondence between the different units of a whole,” and highlighted four separate projects completed by different organizations and schools of architecture. The projects were completed by the Ceramic Tile Studies Department, Mixuro Studio, Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and the 14th Tile of Spain Awards — all organized by the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association (ASCER).
Exports continue to grow
For the Spanish ceramic tile industry, exports represent 80% of sales, according to Isidro Zarzoso, chairman of ASCER. Each year, Spain’s presence in the tile industry continues to grow, since the country is a vibrant leader in ceramics. This year, Spain’s export grew by 6%, further solidifying its leadership position. As a result of this success, Spain is currently Europe’s leading ceramic tile producer and the second largest exporter at a worldwide level.
Exports to the U.S. also increased by 40% since 2014, accounting for 6% of the total exports. “The U.S. is the fourth top market [of the top 10],” said Zarzoso. “In the future, the market will continue to increase, but consumption will depend on demand.”
The next edition of Cevisama will be held from February 20 to 24, 2017 at the Feria Valencia
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The art market is still sizzling.
Christie's International PLC said Tuesday it sold $8.4 billion of fine and decorative art last year, up 17% from the year before and a record for the London-based company.
The total at privately held Christie's included $6.8 billion in auction sales and $1.5 billion in privately brokered art sales. The auction house sold $35 million of art online, up 60% from 2013.
Rival Sotheby's said it auctioned $6 billion in art last year, up 18% from the year before and also a record for the New York-based auctioneer.
Sotheby's said it will release consolidated totals, including its private sales, next month.
Both auction houses said roughly one-third of their buyers last year were first-timers, a sign that the art market still is being fueled by an expanding generation of newly wealthy people who are choosing to start collections.
For the most part, these new buyers are shopping at the top, seeking masterpieces at the highest price points in part because they seem like safe bets and status symbols.
Competition to win these coveted consignments is eating into the houses' profits, a phenomenon both houses say they are trying to combat this season.
To meet the demand for trophy art, Christie's offered up 86 artworks last year that wound up selling for more than $10 million apiece. The roster included an $82 million Andy Warhol silkscreen of Elvis Presley, "Triple Elvis [Ferus Type]," and a $65 million Édouard Manet portrait of a Parisian woman, "Springtime," that sold to the J. Paul Getty Museum.
Christie's Chief Executive Patricia Barbizet, who took over from ousted former chief Steven Murphy last month, said the company owes much of its success to the "strong appetite" of contemporary-art collectors, but she said "other departments have been growing and doing well. Our success is global."
Ms. Barbizet declined to discuss her own strategy for the company, but she sought to dispel market rumors that she had hired the management consulting firm McKinsey & Co., saying her own team would evaluate Christie's in-house.
In terms of collecting categories, Christie's sold $2.8 billion in postwar and contemporary art, up 39% from the year before and exceeding Sotheby's $1.6 billion total for the same category last year. Christie's sold $1.2 billion in Impressionist and modern art, up 19% from the year before but less than Sotheby's $1.4 billion total for selling similar art.
Christie's jewelry sales totaled $755 million, up 11% from 2013 and easily surpassing Sotheby's $602.5 million jewelry total. The company also sold $288.3 million of Old Masters and 19th-century art, up 13%, and $71.4 million of rare books and manuscripts, up 38%.
Competition between the two houses is expected to get more heated in Asia. Christie's sales of Asian art dropped 18% to $717 million last year, and its salerooms in the region also auctioned less art overall, dropping 10% to $844.1 million. Asian buyers still represent 27% of Christie's global clientele, however.
Ms. Barbizet said the figures indicate that traditional collectors of Asian art are shopping less at home and starting to expand and migrate to different categories such as jewelry and contemporary art, which they can find in multiple salesrooms and art fairs around the world.
In addition, Sotheby's is proving to be a tough competitor on the Asian front, with its sales of Asian art totaling $900 million and its Chinese clients buying more than $1 billion in art world-wide. Ms. Barbizet said Christie's would continue to bet big on Asia, particularly China.
Collectors from the U.S. outspent all rivals last year, taking home $3.3 billion of art from Christie's, up 16% from the year before. European collectors bought $2.7 billion in art from the company, up 26% from a year earlier. In all, the world's collectors were pretty evenly spread out, with Americans accounting for 38% of Christie's sales; Europeans accounting for 35% and Asian buyers accounting for 27%.
Christie's said it also remains committed to conducting sales at its hubs in India and the Middle East--where new buyers increased 23%, it said. Last year, it offered 78 online-only sales across 21 collecting categories, and bidders joined in from 69 countries.
The art market faces a new test during a round of Impressionist, modern and contemporary-art sales next month in London.
Write to Kelly Crow at firstname.lastname@example.org
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Research Reveals How Audio Supercharges Ad Campaigns
While audio has legions of loyal fans, in-demand content and creative advertising solutions, many advertisers are underinvested in the medium and missing out on prime opportunities.
Audacy is on mission to bring this imbalance to light, partnering with independent third-party sources to share new insights on audio’s quantitative impact. Data shows that when brands shift a fraction of their ad budgets to audio, it lifts engagement and drives action. And, as brands look to optimize their media mix, audio amplifies messaging on other platforms, making advertising more effective overall.
“In a word, audio is immersive,” said Idil Cakim, Senior Vice President of Research and Insights for Audacy, which owns more than 500 local audio stations, leading podcast studios Cadence13 and Pineapple Street Studios, as well as the Audacy streaming app. “Consumers make emotional connections, and it holds their attention like no other medium.”
Edison research shows that 95% of Americans aged 13+ use audio in some form on a daily basis. Media consumers spend almost a day (21 hours) of their week on OTA, streaming OTA or podcast content. That’s according to the Audio Amplification: Engaged Impressions Study*, Cakim said.
So, what’s the medium’s secret sauce? It creates intimate relationships with listeners, Cakim explained. Local radio fans and podcast devotees are fiercely loyal to their favorite hosts, and they trust those personalities to recommend products and services. Listeners rely on their favorite AM/FM stations and streaming music to provide a soundtrack for their daily lives. In today’s fractured media environment, that level of familiarity is difficult to find.
For maximum effect, Audacy advocates an “all audio” approach, where advertisers bundle AM/FM radio and digital audio. That combination mirrors a modern media consumer’s audio journey, Cakim said.
It also optimizes campaigns, allowing brands to make multiple impressions. In the morning, a listener might stream a news podcast over coffee; then tune into their favorite AM/FM station on the morning commute; and, in the evening, play music via their smart speaker. As the listener moves locations and changes devices, audio — and advertising — travels with them.
Combining over-the-air and digital audio also produces better campaign results. In fact, the new Audacy Total Audio study indicated that advertisers who used both over-the-air (OTA) and digital audio saw as much as a 55% lift in sales.
Shift a Little, Gain a Lot
In a recent analysis, Neustar tracked 40 national advertisers’ media plans and found that moving just 1.2% of the spend to audio produced as much as a 23% increase in audio return on ad spend (ROAS).
Auto clients that increased audio spend by 1.8% saw their audio ROAS jump 23%. A 1.1% increase for retail advertisers produced a 16% lift in audio ROAS, and a 1.2% increase for financial services advertisers generated a 14% jump in audio ROAS, according to the Neustar analysis.
“Audio works so well because of the emotional connection and because it can be in so many different places and platforms,” Cakim noted. “You can’t really drag your TV into the street.”
Amplifying Other Media
Across top ad categories, adding audio to the media mix impacts sales by as much as 83%, according to Audacy research.
It also makes other media “work harder,” Cakim said. When auto retailers added audio, it boosted impact on TV, out of home and online video advertising, the Neustar report found. After telecom advertisers activated audio, they saw a lift on TV, online display, paid search and paid social.
Audacy’s reports show an audio ad campaign starts to produce measurable results in just one week and effects last up to 22 weeks.
“When there is so much clutter and so much screen fatigue, everyone is looking for a way to break through,” Cakim said. “We all need to get more share of ear, mind and wallet. Audio is a highly nimble, effective medium to drive that home.”
Audio publishers need to advocate for their media, share research and lobby for a larger share, Cakim asserted. Several categories have inefficiencies that could benefit from optimization with audio — among them auto, retail, financial services and telecom.
Audio companies need to “roll up their sleeves and have important conversations,” she said. “It’s a matter of recognizing how under-invested a plan might be in audio and realizing that audio is a highly efficient and effective medium. Audio is in all the moments that matter.”
*Audio Amplification: Engaged Impressions Study, Alter Agents, August 2020
Original article posted by MediaVillage: https://www.mediavillage.com/article/research-reveals-how-audio-supercharges-ad-campaigns/


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Mobile service provider Safaricom has been sued for selling an alleged defective cellphone to a customer.
Ms Juddy Wanjiku Munene, who says she bought a Samsung Galaxy S4 from Safaricom Limited, now wants the company to refund her Sh64,999.
She is also seeking a replacement of the phone besides damages for losses suffered.
Ms Munene says in a case filed at the Milimani Law Courts Commercial Division that the phone she bought from the company developed problems after a few days.
“I noticed that the phone had a problem of losing network coverage and overheat,” says Ms Munene in her pleadings through her lawyer Kinyanjui Njuguna.
She states that she has returned the gadget for repairs but “it still has problems”.
Ms Munene says that the defendant Safaricom has breached the warranty and conditions of use of the mobile phone.
She says the company has failed to repair the phone and consequently she has lost a lot of business.
She states that she has been frustrated by the company by being kept out of business as she entirely relies on the phone to transact her businesses.
“The company has failed to replace the phone,” Ms Munene states in her suit papers lodged at the commercial division of the High Court.
Ms Munene says that the company is bound by the contract it entered with her and “therefore it is liable to court action.”


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[Funding alert] Origo raises Rs 35 Cr debt from Northern Arc Capital, others
Agritech supply chain and trade finance firm Origo on Monday said it had raised Rs 35 crore debt from Northern Arc Capital and other investors.
Origo provides end-to-end agriculture supply-chain solutions such as procurement, storage, and financing.
Origo group firms Origo Commodities and Origo Finance will use the fund for securitising agricultural markets and streamlining the supply chain mechanism for agri produce in India.
Origo Commodities India (OCI) has raised Rs 15 crore from Northern Arc while Origo Finance raised Rs 20 crore for development of micro-lending avenues and agri supply chain financing.
The funding will help Origo to improve agri processes, warehousing, and accessibility for lakhs of Indian farmers in dire need of tech-enabled services. Origo has managed 25 million tonnes of commodities and reduced food grain wastage of 3 million tonnes so far.
Sunoor Kaul, Co-founder, Origo Commodities, said, "Through the support of Northern Arc and other financial partners, we aim to serve the agri ecosystem by providing solutions that can take care of all commodity needs for procurement, financing, and warehousing."
Origo Commodities manages assets worth Rs 8,500 crore and is present in 12 states in India.
Through its trade finance platform, TradeFi, Origo enables trade and trade finance for better price discovery and a national platform for agri commodities.
“We have been working with Origo Commodities for over five years and are excited to have played an important role in supporting their mission to build a robust commodity supply chain that can benefit farmers, FPOs, and processors. The efficiency from their solutions can have a positive impact on the entire agri supply chain ecosystem in the long run,” said Kshama Fernandes, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Northern Arc Capital.
(Disclaimer: Additional background information has been added to this PTI copy for context)
Edited by Teja Lele


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There’s plenty of money to be made by serving as an advertising platform for Main Street businesses, and no shortage of ideas for how to best tap into the market. Google and Microsoft’s Bing beefed up their neighborhood-specific business listings years ago. AOL bet big on Patch, its network of hyperlocal blogs. Investors chased companies such as Groupon that offer new models for capturing local ad dollars.
One obvious hiccup: Small companies typically have small advertising budgets. Less obvious: Small companies have proved reluctant to shift their limited resources from print to online. How reluctant? That’s the big question posed by a Boston Consulting Group survey (which was suggested and partially funded by Yelp) released today.
The survey polled 550 U.S. companies with 100 or fewer employees across industries and found the average respondent is spending only about 3 percent of its advertising budget on Web ads. The companies in the survey spend $63 to $196 per month on Google, other search engines, Yelp, Facebook, Yahoo! Local, YP.com, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Superpages.com (in order of popularity).
While BCG’s study didn’t estimate the amount small businesses spend on local advertising, BIA/Kelsey has estimated they’ll spend $36.7 billion annually on Web ads by 2014; more recently, BIA/Kelsey noted that small business spending on all types of ads has flattened, and that money is being used for improving companies’ websites, customer loyalty programs, and other forms of marketing.
For small businesses to want to buy online ads, says Kate Manfred, who co-authored the BCG study and heads the Americas division of BCG’s Center for Consumer and Customer Insight, word-of-mouth referrals are crucial. In other words, the hardware store owner needs to suggest to the dry cleaner down the street that she try online ads, or it’s unlikely to happen. “Knowing what worked for other people in their community was a key driver,” Manfred says. Failing that, “it falls on digital content providers to be thoughtful about how they quantify return on investment for advertisers.”


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For a short time only, we’re publishing our exclusive news and reports again, but out of Jakarta Indonesia, where ecommerce is booming. For our latest stories go to the eCommerce News page.
eCommerce Report has more than twenty years of research, publishing and participation in Australian ecommerce. Our service has always been supported by commercial subscribers who, in recent years, were also able to subscribe to eCommerce Report online.
Typical subscribers were larger companies and/or government agencies including online merchants like eBay Australia, law firms like Freehills and Maddocks, payment gateways like eWay, government organisations like Australia Post and peak industry bodies like the Australian Payments Clearing Association.
A number of ecommerce companies and developers like TNS, Centricom, Icebreaker, Premier Technologies and Contiigo were also subscribers. So too were online merchants like www.hardtofind.com.au
Subscribers enjoyed weekly email updates on developments in Australian ecommerce delivered direct to their in-box. Since moving to Jakarta in however, we’ve been preparing a re-launch, with a new and different focus.


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This time last year, Philip Morris International Inc.(PMI) had announced that its popular Heat not Burn device, iQOS, would be available for sale in South Korea as June 2017.
Philip Morris Korea has estimated that a million Korean smokers have switched from smoking to using the heat-not-burn products since last June. While the market share of Heets, has been reported at 7.3 percent in the first quarter of this year.
“I am pleased to see that our vision to replace cigarettes with science-based smoke-free products is becoming a reality in Korea at an unprecedented speed,” said Chong Il-woo, Philip Morris Korea’s managing director, during a press conference in Seoul.
Heets to be produced locally
As part of its efforts to keep up with the growing demand, Philip Morris Korea will start producing Heets locally in a factory in Yangsan, which will be the first facility in Asia to manufacture heated tobacco units for iQOS.
PMI has invested billions in producing alternatives to tobacco cigarettes and is hoping that revenue will reach 1.2 billion by 2020, whilst aiming to produce 32 million iQOS devices for distribution just during this year.
Read Further: The Investor
This article has been edited on May 29, 2018 with an image modification. Previous image used from Flickr by Vaping360 under CC BY 4.0 license.


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Pete Mulvihill got a job at Green Apple Books in San Francisco after graduating from college, and now at 41 he's a co-owner. Amazon is a serious competitor, but Mulvihill notes that the store has survived other challenges. "First we had a Crown Books down the street, and then the rise of the mega bookstores. ... We're not just treading water, we're doing better," he said.
Published in Brief:


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Is It The Last One? Takata Issues Recall For Another 10M Air Bag InflatorsYes, the now-defunct Takata Corp. has issued another air bag recall, this time involving some 10 million front inflators, but officials say it could be one of the last.
BMW Telling Some Customers To Park Their Older 3-Series Cars Due To Air Bag DangerAnother recall of dangerous Takata air bag inflators has BMW telling owners of some older model 3-series cars to stop driving the vehicles.
Rats! New, Cheaper Vehicle Wiring Apparently Attracts Rodents, Leads To DamageSome of the biggest names in the auto industry have faced class action lawsuits over this issue, but so far, each case has been dismissed.
NHTSA Expands Investigation Into Air Bag Failures To 12.3M VehiclesU.S. auto safety regulators have expanded an investigation into malfunctioning air bag controls to include 12.3 million vehicles.
More Than 1M Honda Vehicles Being Recalled Because Of Dangerous Air BagsHonda is recalling some 1.2 million vehicles because their Takata air bag inflators can explode.
Rockwall Teacher Surprised With $5,000 Worth Of School SuppliesA teacher in Rockwall thought that she was showing up for a Career Day presentation on Wednesday, but she was surprised when Honda gave her $5,000 worth of school supplies.
Honda Prepares To Unveil New Compact Gas/Electric Hybrid SedanHonda said that it will unveil a new five-passenger gas/electric hybrid sedan at the Detroit auto show next month, and the company is bringing back the Insight name.
Woman Hurt By Takata Air Bag Urges Owners To Get Cars FixedA woman who was seriously hurt by an exploding Takata air bag inflator in a 2013 crash is helping Honda's effort to persuade car owners to get the dangerous parts replaced.
How A Dangerous Takata Air Bag Made Its Way Into A Used CarThe Accord had been fixed up and sold in March of 2016 to the family of Karina Dorado, a 19-year-old woman whose trachea was punctured by shrapnel spewed by the faulty air bag.
Honda Unveils New Accord As Midsize Car Sales FallThe latest version of Honda's venerable Accord is lower, wider, lighter and sleeker than its predecessor. But no matter how nice it looks, it'll be a tough sell with U.S. buyers who are migrating away from sedans.
Honda Recalls 1.2M Accords; Battery Sensors Can Catch FireHonda is recalling 1.2 million Accord midsize cars in the U.S. because a battery sensor can short out and potentially cause a fire.
Howard Fastest, Honda Dominates Indianapolis 500 PracticeJay Howard topped the speed charts at Indianapolis 500 practice Thursday with a fast lap of 226.744 mph while Honda cars claimed nine of the fastest 11 speeds during the session.
Honda Sales Fall Just Under 1 Percent As Acura StrugglesHonda says its March sales fell just under 1 percent, dragged down by sagging demand for its Acura luxury brand.
GM & Honda Team Up On Advanced Hydrogen Fuel CellsGeneral Motors and Honda took a big step Monday toward putting out vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells, forming a joint venture to produce the systems for vehicles from both companies.
NHTSA Chief Says Honda Must Do More To Fix Air BagsHonda must do more to track down owners of 300,000 cars with highly dangerous Takata air bag inflators and make sure that they are repaired, the nation's top auto safety regulator said Wednesday.


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when will the fashion industry wake up and finally go fur free?
The tide is finally turning against fashion's endorsement of animal cruelty in the name of vanity, but there is still a long way to go.
I talked informally with a class full of fashion students recently about their attitudes to the use of fur in fashion. Out of 26 of them, all of them under the age of 22, only one felt that it is okay to still wear fur -- and that was as long as the fur was vintage and might otherwise be thrown away. The rest were adamant that wearing fur was no longer an acceptable option; one of them raged about it being “sick,” some deemed fur to merely be “old fashioned,” while others commented that even fake fur was yuck as it perpetuates the idea that wearing something that looks like an animal is okay.
This move to an 'anti-fur' mindset among Millennials and Generation Z might seem sudden, but has gradually resulted from organizations such as PETA, the Fur Free Alliance, Surge, and the Humane Society International -- among others -- relentlessly campaigning, initiating high impact protests and provoking debate throughout the past few decades. Additionally, the 21st century advances of the internet and social media have enabled anyone -- particularly a younger generation -- to easily investigate the grim realities of the fur trade for themselves.
The above has not gone unnoticed by the big fashion houses and established designers, as confirmed by PETA's Dan Mathews: "The fashion world is finally evolving... More and more designers are showing that you can be even more creative without being destructive to animals." This is also evidenced by the predominant method of fur production for the fashion industry having already been banned or closed down in the UK, Croatia, Germany and Austria, Switzerland and Japan. The Czech Republic intends to close all of its fur farms by 2019 and Norway -- at one time the biggest fox fur producer in the world -- has pledged to phase out fur farms altogether by 2025.
“We don’t want a product, we want ethics, a firm that defends the values that we admire.”
Aside from any late-in-the-day pangs of guilty conscience about the issue, for their own financial survival major fashion designers and brands absolutely need to pay heed. After all, the young customer who today can only afford to buy a dinky accessory, could develop into the future shopaholic with a well paid job who, season after season, splashes out on a full look. Such potentially long-term and lucrative customer loyalty will, however, only ensue if the moral stance of the company chimes with an emerging wave of socially-conscious fashion punters.
This new mood is now recognized, for example, at Maison Margiela (which announced it was going fur free in early 2018), clarified by its creative director John Galliano's comments during an interview with French Elle: “Today we don’t want a product, we want ethics, a firm that defends the values that we admire,” he explained. “You can be outrageous and fun without fur! Come and party with us, you’ll see!” Donatella Versace similarly made her no-more-fur-at-Versace feelings clear, telling 1834 magazine back in spring: “Fur? I am out of that. I don’t want to kill animals to make fashion. It doesn’t feel right.” Both designers were preceded by Gucci, in October 2017, when its CEO Marco Bizzarri revealed the brand's newfound fur-be-gone intentions to an audience at London College of Fashion. "Technology is now available that means you don't need to use fur. The alternatives are luxurious. There is just no need. Gucci is so visible, so well-known -- we need to use that in a positive way.”
During the past year or so, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, The Kooples, Tom Ford, Donna Karan, and Jimmy Choo have joined the fur-free chorus, including adding to the ban on fur which has been longer-upheld by design stars including Stella McCartney, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, Armani, and Vivienne Westwood. Just today Diane Von Furstenberg announced they were stopping using fur too.
Burberry declared that it was ending the use of fur, to tie in with the debut collection from its new Creative Director, Riccardo Tisci, presented at London Fashion Week, in September 2018. Burberry CEO, Marco Gobetti, announced: “Modern luxury means being socially and environmentally responsible. This belief is core to us at Burberry and key to our long-term success.” Tisci's own succinct acknowledgement via Instagram -- “NEW ERA @burberry #modernluxury” -- similarly underlines the brand's view of fur as being dated and no longer desirable.
"There is now scope for the BFC to implement an outright ban on the use of fur within the collections at LFW, rather then merely relying on designers to decide among themselves to not use fur."
At London Fashion Week, just days before the spring/summer 19 collections were shown, the British Fashion Council suddenly announced the catwalks would be totally devoid of fur. This was the result of a BFC survey conducted beforehand, among all of the LFW participating designers, which found that none were using fur within their collections. Many animal welfare campaigners were cheered by the news -- a step in the right direction, surely? -- while others more cynically interpreted it as a pre-emptive tactic from the BFC, intended to minimize negative publicity for LFW arising from protests planned by Surge, the London-based activist group, who have maintained a presence on the streets outside LFW show venues for the last few seasons.
However, noisy protests still took place outside Victoria Beckham's show, for example, prompting her to confirm her eponymous label is and will always be fur free. As well as outside the Prada store on Bond Street, with the Italian brand still unabashedly using fox and mink fur within its collections. “Prada is feeling the pressure with protests erupting outside their stores across the world, from Russia to the UK, from Ukraine to Denmark,” Connor Jackson, President of the Open Cages organisation, explains. “We urge them to listen to their customers and make the business savvy decision to go fur-free. By continuing to endorse fur they risk their entire reputation."
Arguably, there is now scope for the BFC to implement an outright ban on the use of fur within the collections being presented at all future London Fashion Week events, rather then merely relying on designers to decide among themselves to not use fur. Going even further, the BFC could lend its support and prestige to increasing demands that the sale of fur should be totally outlawed in the UK. To not do so could be seen as sitting on the fence.
I contacted Caroline Rush, Chief Executive of the BFC, to ask about this and in response to my questions she emailed a fairly substantial statement - an extract of which defines the BFC's position in terms of encouraging best practice among designers, rather than dictating to them: “As representatives of the fashion industry, we keep an open dialogue with designers, media, retailers, business leaders, government and global brands,” Rush says. “We support the creativity of our designers and do not believe that it is our position to define or have control over their creative process. That said, we encourage designers to consider the environmental impact of the materials they choose to use throughout their collections. As an organisation we believe in the rights of people and animals and encourage designers to make ethical choices. What we are seeing is a cultural change based on ideals and choices made within brands.”
"Anyone can utilise social media and online petitions to share information and encourage discussion. Anyone can join the aforementioned activist groups. Anyone can write to politicians and demand action."
For some, the cultural change identified by Rush needs to be accelerated. Not least Claire Bass of Humane Society International. Enthused by the recent banning of fur sales in San Francisco and L.A., she asserts that “Now it is time for the UK government to show equal compassion and listen to the vast majority of British people who want the UK to become the first country in the world to fully ban the sale of animal fur. Our government has stated its ambition for the U.K. to be ‘a world leader in animal welfare’, blazing a trail as the first country to outlaw the cruel and unnecessary fur trade would show that this ambition will be delivered with actions, not just words. The sale of cat, dog and seal fur is already banned here so now let’s finish the job and ban fur full stop.”
What more can be done to get to a place where fur is simply no longer on the fashion agenda? Well, anyone can get involved with the campaigns and protests on city streets around the world. Anyone can utilise social media and online petitions to share information and encourage discussion. Anyone can join the aforementioned activist groups. Anyone can write to politicians and demand action. Boycotting designers who prioritise profits over ethics seems perfectly reasonable. And young and established designers alike, who have yet to commit to being fur free, should stop dithering about and do so.
For the millions of animals that have across the decades been hunted, trapped, tormented, terrified, bred in captivity, caged and killed, purely to furnish the demands of humans who desire their fur as a fashion statement, the long-awaited shift in attitude towards their plight has arrived too late. Maintaining a relentless pressure upon the fashion industry - now, next week, next month, next year, as long as it takes - is therefore key to finally ending this prolonged era of cruelty. By doing so, a much fairer and more stylish future can finally emerge. One in which fur only ever belongs to animals, not to us.
This article originally appeared on i-D UK.


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Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer
Hi-Lyte Sport Drink brand manager, Julette Fox-Hosang, says the calm demeanour and character of West Indies Women's all-rounder Stafanie Taylor were two of the reasons behind her company's decision to sign the world-ranked cricketer as a brand ambassador.
Taylor, the reigning ICC Women One Day International Cricketer of the Year, officially signed with the beverage manufacturing company on Wednesday.
"In looking for another ambassador, Stafanie was presented to us, and when we interviewed her, we found out that she was the right person to represent our brand," said Fox-Hosang.
"First, she is Jamaica's best female cricketer, and second, her whole demeanour falls in line in what we see as an ideal ambassador."
The one-year deal, which includes cash, kind and incentives, will see Taylor joining 2008 Beijing Olympics 100 metres silver medallist Kerron Stewart as Hi-Lyte's lead ambassadors.
The company also sponsors four high-school athletes who, they believe, all have a bright future in sports.
Among the duties that Taylor will be expected to perform are visits to schools for activity sessions and promotional activities.
"Being our brand ambassador, she will go out there and promote our brand, including, whenever possible, visiting schools to give motivational speeches, etc," said Fox-Hosang.
Taylor, who bats in the top order and bowls off-spin, has been a member of the West Indies Women's team since 2008.
She is currently ranked number one, two and seven on the ICC Women's all-rounder, batting and bowling rankings, respectively.


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SAN DIEGO–After 60 years of serving guests driving to and through his Jack in the Box® restaurants, Jack has decided to turn the tables. He’s going to start driving to his guests to serve his delicious burgers, tacos and fries. That’s right, Jack in the Box is taking its fast-food show on the road and will soon be coming to an event, venue or street near you.
“The mobility of a food truck enables us to serve our guests, even if there’s not a restaurant around”
This week, the popular chain debuted its first-ever mobile, brand-building Jack in the Box food truck. And consistent with his m.o. for taking his big-headed ideas to the extreme, Jack is hitting the road in style – with a truck that’s bigger and badder than its counterparts. Dubbed Jack’s Munchie Mobile, its length is about 12 feet longer than the average food truck. Ironically, the length and height of the truck renders it unable to navigate the drive thru at most Jack in the Box restaurants.
“The mobility of a food truck enables us to serve our guests, even if there’s not a restaurant around,” said Terri Funk Graham, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Jack in the Box Inc. “We’ve engineered Jack’s Munchie Mobile with state-of-the art kitchen technologies that enable us to prepare a variety of guest favorites – from our Jumbo Jack® and Spicy Chicken Sandwich® to our famous tacos. And with a powerful onboard generator, water heater and 30 gallons of potable water, we can serve up great-tasting Jack in the Box food anywhere and anytime.”
There’s nothing “off the shelf” with the new food truck. Along with custom refrigeration and freezer units, the truck was fabricated with the same equipment as a Jack in the Box kitchen, including grill, fryer, toaster, fountain beverage dispenser and prep area for burgers, sandwiches and tacos. The truck also includes a 47-inch flat screen digital menuboard and satellite radio to entertain guests.
As it rolls along the highways and byways of Southern California, the food truck will be hard to miss. Along with its distinctive length, the sides feature a custom design of Jack, with a spatula in hand, driving a chariot pulled by a tiger and polar bear in hot pursuit of a Thunderbird clutching a take-out bag.
In addition to a driver, five Jack in the Box employees have been handpicked to serve as the inaugural crew. Graham said a three-employee crew is optimum to operate the kitchen, given onboard space limitations. Beyond complying with state and federal regulatory requirements, Graham said all of the kitchen equipment as well as food handling and cooking protocols are consistent with the same rigorous scrutiny that have made Jack in the Box restaurants an industry leader in food safety.
Jack in the Box will leverage the new food truck to support restaurant activities as well as community events. Jack’s Munchie Mobile is also available to cater public or private events throughout Southern California. Other than requiring a concrete or similarly hard surface and a minimum parking space of 55’ x 20’, Jack’s Munchie Mobile is fueled up and ready to roll. For reservation information, visit http://www.facebook.com/MunchieMobile. Twitter followers can also track the Munchie Mobile’s whereabouts via twitter@MunchieMobile.
[Note to media: High-resolution photos of Jack’s Munchie Mobile are available at http://www.jackinthebox.com/corporate/press-room/photo-gallery/].
About Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box Inc. (NASDAQ: JACK), based in San Diego, is a restaurant company that operates and franchises Jack in the Box® restaurants, one of the nation’s largest hamburger chains, with more than 2,200 restaurants in 19 states. Additionally, through a wholly owned subsidiary, the company operates and franchises Qdoba Mexican Grill®, a leader in fast-casual dining, with more than 500 restaurants in 43 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.jackinthebox.com.


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| Jan 10, 2014
| 5:48 PM
The data breach at Target Corp. is dramatically larger than first estimated, affecting as many as 110 million consumers and deepening a public relations nightmare for the beleaguered retailer.
The Minneapolis company said Friday that the personal...
| Jan 22, 2014
| 5:03 PM
Target Corp. became the latest major company to say it will stop offering healthcare coverage for part-time workers, and experts said it won't be the last.
The Minneapolis company announced in a corporate blog post that it was changing its benefits...
| Aug 14, 2013
| 12:21 PM
It was a stunning moment when open-wheel racing star Juan Pablo Montoya announced in 2006 that he was moving to NASCAR stock-car racing.
Here was a celebrated Colombian who had won the Indianapolis 500 and several races in the international Formula...
| Oct 24, 2013
| 6:11 PM
Safeway Inc. shares have climbed for two straight days on speculation of a buyout offer just weeks after the grocery giant deflected another potential takeover.
Buyout rumors erupted this week on reports that private equity firm Cerberus Capital...
| Jan 5, 2014
| 9:57 PM
In its bleakest days in the mid-1990s, Cherokee Inc. realized it had overlooked a key asset — its name.
The Cherokee brand, which began as a shoe line in 1973, evolved into a Van Nuys clothing manufacturing company focused on women and juniors...
| Nov 24, 2013
| 5:00 AM
As the hardiest of shoppers prepare for the annual Black Friday consumption frenzy, many are convinced it's their one shot at a great deal.
But "that's not even close to the truth," said Matthew Ong, senior retail analyst at online personal finance...
| Nov 27, 2013
| 5:00 AM
When retailers opened on Thanksgiving last year, workers protested outside stores and holiday purists grumbled online — a distracting sideshow in what ultimately proved to be a less-than-robust sales season.
Still, 35 million Americans showed up...
| Jun 27, 2013
| 2:18 PM
Paula Deen may be in crisis mode, but who better to call a supporter than fellow Food Network alum and domestic comeback queen Martha Stewart? On Wednesday night's episode of Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live," Stewart expressed sympathy for Deen's current...
| Apr 30, 2013
| 10:10 AM
Blackstone Group, the New York-based private equity group, announced Tuesday it would hire 50,000 military veterans over the next five years across its various businesses.
The company said it is partnering with the White House, which is leading an...
| Jun 6, 2013
| 8:17 AM
Retail sales in May had their best month since January, as warmer weather and a stock market rally drew out shoppers who had spent March and April cooped up indoors.
Same-store sales across the board rose an estimated 3.9%, slightly beating expectations...
| May 22, 2013
| 8:22 AM
Target Corp., like many other retail rivals, was laid low in its first fiscal quarter by cold spring temperatures that discouraged seasonal shopping and caused the chain to underperform by even its own metrics.
The Minneapolis company said sales at...


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If you teared up a bit during the MassMutual commercial that played in last nights game, you’re not alone. Surprisingly, there were many moments of heartbreak and heart warmth in the commercials during Super Bowl LII. Brands such as T-Moblie, Budweiser, and Verizon all played a major role in making altruistic ads a trend during the big game. If you missed them, here’s a quick glimpse:
A 30-second commercial spot during Super Bowl LII cost $5 million dollars. So, why would brands choose to start a conversation on inclusion, diversity, and relief-aid when the price is so high? The CEO of T-Moblie defends his decision saying “We wanted to use our airtime to further that conversation by making this simple point: We all started in the same place. We are more alike than different.” This idea was consistent across most brands this year, and it continues on, even outside of the prime-time spotlight.
Adobe’s student program, “The Future is Yours”, released a video on YouTube last week that highlighted work the program has done for Harvey Hurricane victims. The program focused on restoring the family photos that had been damaged due to the hurricane.
So, why is altruistic advertising working? Just a few years ago, the idea that a brand would capitalize on associating their name with the well-being of others was frowned upon. In today’s political and social climate, consumers are more responsive than ever to altruistic advertising. Gen Z and millennial shoppers are taking cause culture seriously as consumers. Only 12% of millennials said they don’t think about the causes that a brand supports, which is why altruistic advertising has potential to be the trend of 2018.


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Apr 06, 2017
Scientists have explored a way to melt the old clothes using an ionic liquid so that new clothes can be prepared with new fibers.
1. 09:36 AM
2. 08:19 AM
Climate-friendly labriculture depends on an energy revolution
3. 07:58 AM
Spherical display brings virtual collaboration closer to reality
4. Feb 18, 2019
Lithium-air batteries can store energy for cars, houses and industry
5. Feb 18, 2019
Drug combination may become new standard treatment for advanced kidney cancer


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In December 2015, Facebook opened Facebook Live to the masses -- and its popularity has yet to slow down, with everyone using it from your grandma sharing her top baking secrets to your next-door neighbor filming cool dog tricks all for friends to see in real time. Facebook Live was a risk, especially with users' allegiance to other apps (like Periscope), but Facebook's decision to push Live videos to the top of users' news feeds and even giving videos a separate tab on the mobile app shows that Live was a risk that paid off -- big time. Now, brands and businesses are jumping on the Facebook Live train and are figuring out how to get a piece of the more than 100 million hours of video watched on the platform each day (according to Facebook). An opportunity to cover CES in a new way Coldwell Banker, the company that's worked to become the real estate authority on all things smart home, is now gunning to be the industry leader in social media techniques, as evidenced by its Fa...
- During CES, Coldwell Banker utilized Facebook Live.
- VP of Brand Engagement David Marine said their strategy was to have the production quality of a news studio while keeping a 'genuine' feeling.
- Marine said the some of the keys to the success of their stream was heavy promotion before CES and staying engaged with viewers on Facebook by answering questions and replying to comments.
Learn the New Luxury Playbook at Luxury Connect | October 18-19 at the Beverly Hills Hotel


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The Milton Union-MVCTC FFA Chapter is holding its first annual Fruit Sale fundraiser.
The Milton Union-MVCTC FFA will sell red delicious apples, golden delicious apples, navel oranges, tangelos, pears, grapefruit, mixed fruit and peanuts.
The fruit is sold in full and half boxes. Amish cheeses and trail bologna, fruit gift baskets, and bar-b-que sauce also will be offered.
Milton Union-MVCTC FFA will be selling the fruit from now through Nov. 14 and delivery will be the first week in December.
Anyone who wants to buy fruit can find an FFA member traveling throughout the community or call Milton Union schools at 937-788-7940 ext 4202 or by email at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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40 Under 40 2003
TED ALLEN | 38
"Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"
In assembling the cast of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," Barbara Barna plucked a fashion stylist, a hair stylist, an actor, an interior designer -- and a journalist.
A journalist? How did that happen?
"Ted Allen is the thinking woman's sex symbol," says Ms. Barna, the show's New York-based casting director.
Which is amazing considering that, six months ago, few people knew what the "food and wine expert" looked like.
The Carmel, Ind., native's path to celebrity began locally. He broke into journalism covering North Side politics at Lincolnwood-based Lerner Community Newspapers in 1990, working up to bigger audiences, first at Chicago magazine and eventually at Esquire. He's still a contributing editor at both magazines.
But, last year, Mr. Allen began looking for something different and found it in Ms. Barna's casting notice.
He says he didn't think the Bravo network show would take up too much of his time, so he signed up for a mere $3,000 per episode. But the show quickly exploded, and in September, Mr. Allen and his castmates inked new deals worth as much as $10,000 per episode.
As the foodie of the "Fab Five," Mr. Allen is also negotiating pitchman stints with major food, beverage and kitchen product companies, including Minneapolis-based General Mills Inc. And, according to his Los Angeles-based manager, Michael Flutie, Mr. Allen is weighing about a dozen offers for personal engagements.
While he acknowledges an element of craziness in the show's success and his newfound earning potential, Mr. Allen, who lives with his longtime partner, Columbia College journalism professor Barry Rice, sees a societal upside.
"I grew up in central Indiana, and there weren't really any (gay) role models other than drag queens and whips," he says. "We wanted (the show to have) five real people who are out. Maybe a gay kid sees that and realizes it's okay."
Out of 16 large U.S. cities, only one ranked lower than Chicago in a new Gallup poll.
The death of the scion of one of Chicago’s richest families on his 70th birthday last month stunned the city's business, civic and philanthropic communities.
Inflation has driven up prices of alcohol and other beverages, while some food items cost less and lower gas prices make leaving town cheaper than last year.


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Mass Effect 3 was released in March 2012, over nine years ago. Since this is a very popular (and infamous for its completion) video game, one would think that its fans have now taken it to their ashes and they don’t have any surprises at all. But Richard Boisvert, a former BioWare employee and ME3 cinematographer, Khan denialTen years ago, he put an Easter egg in the game, which no one has yet discovered.
Boisvert himself did not shoot the surprise, just how to find it. According to his instructions, we can find the secret at the beginning of the Mars mission by following the path it gives through the solar panels next to the lander. No wonder players haven’t found an Easter egg before because the designer drew a beautiful squiggly line. Soon, a player on Reddit noted that it was successful: It followed the prescribed path, so it was encountered by Mars, similar to the small planes that had already been sent to the Red Planet. The machine even nodded to Shepard in salute, which was Kotaku Recorded:
According to the newspaper, by the way, it is not entirely true that no one has encountered Mars yet. Player already in April last year take a picture About the little machine, though, he found him using a mode that made the camera free to move for the PC version of Mass Effect 3. That is, he wasn’t welcomed by the machine, so his discovery wasn’t entirely worthwhile.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition was released on May 14, 2021 for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. You can find our test of the revamped trilogy here.


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Legendary French music producer and disc jockey, David Guetta is collaborating with Crypto Blockchain Industries (CBI) to launch a dedicated metaverse for a new music genre dubbed Future Rave. Future Rave will deploy on the AlphaVerse metaverse to offer concert and entertainment experiences, NFTs, and more, according to a press release on October 28, 2022.
Music in the Metaverse
World-renowned disk jockey and music producer, David Guetta and Morten, are joining forces with AlphaVerse, a blockchain-based metaverse hub from the stables of Crypto Blockchain Industries (CBI), to deploy Future Rave, a new label and music genre created by the duo, in the metaverse.
Per a press release by the team, Future Rave doubles as a music genre and label that offers a more underground approach to electronic dance music and boasts a large community of fans and new creators.
Through the blockchain-powered CBI AlphaVerse metaverse, Future Rave will bring to life innovative experiences around music, support the development of new sounds, and the nurturing of new music talents.
Future Rave metaverse will also offer fans free-access forums for exchanging, streaming music tracks and concerts, NFTs, exclusive experiences, as well as community management and content creation tools.
The team wrote:
“One of the Future Rave metaverse objectives will be to identify new artists who will be able to share tracks within the community, and this metaverse will contain previously unreleased and exclusive tracks. The Future rave universe will offer a permanent platform for this new music genre, which is very popular both within the metaverse and in the real world. The initiative will help develop this new sound and its culture in order to continue pushing the limits and exploring all the opportunities that electronic music has to offer.”
The CBI AlphaVerse
Earlier in September 2022, CBI announced the alpha test event of its AlphaVerse, giving 500 users an opportunity to experience what the platform has to offer. The team claims the AlphaVerse platform is designed to function as a gateway to the world of metaverses, offering users richer and more varied experiences than what’s currently available in traditional video games.
DJ David Guetta and Morten’s Future Rave deployment into the AlphaVerse metaverse is being coordinated by Blockchain Artists Agency (BAA), a talent management platform co-owned by CBI, Jean-Charles Carre, and Michael Wiesenfeld.
The BAA is dedicated to managing brands and creatives within the blockchain, NFTs, and metaverse ecosystems and making it easier for them to showcase their intellectual property and create value in the industry.
Born in November 1967, Pierre David Guetta is one of the most successful DJs and music producers in the world, with more than 10 million albums, 65 million singles sales globally, and over 10 billion streams.
While the crypto markets continue to suffer under the firm grips of the bears, with the Bitcoin (BTC) price finding it seemingly impossible to surpass the $20k price range, the metaverse movement has continued to attract top brands from the real world.
On October 27, 2022, leading fashion and luxury brand, Gucci, became the latest entrant into the metaverse, following its acquisition of virtual land on the Sandbox.


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Is Culver’s racist? Is the popular Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin-based franchisor intentionally depriving minorities from clogging their arteries with bacon Butterburgers and fried cheese curds in their very own neighborhoods? A federal judge has definitively declared: Maybe!
(UnhappyFranchisee.Com) Our friends over at We Are Main Street (WeAreMainSt.org), a website featuring news, commentary and original research about the franchise system in the United States, have provided an update on franchisee Michael Wilbern’s racial discrimination lawsuit against the Culver’s franchise organization.
We first reported on this in 2013(CULVER’S Franchise Accused of Racism)
Wilbern is a franchisee whose requests to open Culver’s locations on Chicago’s South Side have been allegedly denied by the franchisor.
The WeAreMainSt.org post “Judge finds evidence Culver’s discriminated against franchisee” (reprinted, with permission, below), states that a federal just has found enough evidence of discrimination by the Wisconsin-based fast food company (which refers to its restaurants as “The Home of the Butterburger”) to allow the suit to proceed to trial.
We are conflicted about this case. On the one hand, we firmly believe that access to Butterburgers and deep-fried cheese curds are constitutionally protected and inalienable rights (under the “Pursuit of Happiness” section).
On the other hand, Culver’s, not Wilbern, may actually be the party who is looking out for the well-being of the African-American population, considering:
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death for African Americans
- African American men are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic white males.
- Blacks are 1.5 times more likely to contract diabetes than Whites
- African Americans have the highest rates of obesity
- African Americans have a 51% higher prevalence of obesity compared with Whites
- Source: NAACP website
Here’s the news from Main Street:
Judge finds evidence Culver’s discriminated against franchisee
Posted on October 21, 2015 by: Staff
A federal judge has denied burger and frozen custard chain Culver’s motion to throw out a case brought by a franchisee, holding that there is sufficient evidence of intentional discrimination that the case should proceed to trial. Michael Wilbern, one of Culver’s first African-American franchisees, alleges in the lawsuit that the chain stopped him from opening stores in majority African-American neighborhoods and impeded his ability to operate the store Culver’s did let him open in a mostly white suburb.
Wilbern contends that from 2003 to 2012 he repeatedly tried to open a Culver’s on Chicago’s predominantly black South Side. Wilbern charges Culver’s “denied those locations every time” even though local officials offered him tax breaks to open there. Instead, Wilbern claims, Culver’s steered him to a site in suburban Franklin Park.
Wilbern charges that the “overwhelming majority” of Culver’s restaurants are located in areas where African Americans are in the minority.
The Chicago Tribune explains:
Wilbern, who previously managed a dozen KFC restaurants in Wisconsin, went along with that offer because he wanted to build a relationship with Culver’s, the suit says. But the location failed because he was encouraged by Culver’s to pay higher than market-rate rent for a lease on the restaurant, he says.
Culver’s also allowed two other franchisees to “cannibalize” Wilbern’s sales by opening Culver’s restaurants in [nearby] Rosemont and Lyons, and refusing him permission to increase prices to cover the lease, contrary to its usual practice. One of the franchisees — a white man — took over the Franklin Park restaurant when Wilbern was forced into bankruptcy, the suit says.
Franchisees face enough challenges staying in business. Do you believe your franchisor has discriminated against you or other franchisees in your system? Share your story.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE CULVER’S & THE CULVER’S FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
TAGS: Culver’s franchise, Culver’s franchise opportunity, Culver’s complaints, Culver’s discrimination, Culver’s lawsuit, Culver’s franchise opportunity, fast food franchise complaints, burger franchises, butterburger, Culver’s racist, Michael Wilbern, unhappy franchisee


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Following its debut in Bolton, Lancashire last year, bike shop-organised UK Ebike show is back for 2020, taking place at the slightly earlier point in the year.
Founded by E-bike Capital, which is claimed as the UK’s largest e-Bike store, the show will this year run on Saturday 9 May, for one day only. Held outdoors, the UK Ebike show has space for 50 marquees, test rides and free parking. The shop confirmed that many suppliers have signed up to support the show again and was expecting to field more than in 2019.
CI.N attended the inaugural event and our man on the scene (Chris Keller-Jackson) found a steady stream of visitors to the show, adding that E-bike Capital’s store itself is “more like a Tesla store than a traditional bike shop”.
E-bike Capital said this year’s show will be supported with radio and social media promotions. More details are available direct from firstname.lastname@example.org


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News and Articles About Drones
Ostensibly enacted to improve safety, the requirement that recreational drone pilots register their craft with the FAA is nevertheless unlawful, a court ruled.
New pilots need education.
Even as it faces setbacks with its high-flying drone, Facebook is looking toward other efforts to beam internet from the sky to under-connected areas of the world.
Rather than walk around a store, a drone will collect what you want and fly it across the store ready for collection.
Nine little-known companies are working hard to bring game-changing tech to market.
Ford said it plans to have a fully autonomous vehicle ready for package delivery fleets in 2021.
The annual event features more than shiny new smartphones.
Would you want to pilot one of these?
The drones would take off from the company's trucks with an aim to more efficiently cover rural routes.
Far Out Tech
Besides looking completely ridiculous, of course.
Why risk a landing when a package can be dropped from a safe height...
Welcome to the age of Personal Flying Vehicles.
From the looks of it -- the campus is almost finished.
Things get crazy around the 2:15 mark.
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© 2017 Entrepreneur Media, Inc.