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Africa and eCommerce don’t initially seem like a match, though for countries like Nigeria — the economically-booming nation driven by its large oil stake — it has found a way onto the eCommerce map.
In a stark contrast to some of the most impoverished nations in the world, the more developed emerging African countries have managed to make a name for themselves in the eCommerce retail market. The online shopping growth has even seen an uptick from Black Friday sales. This includes a $500 million e-Commerce platform that has emerged in Nigeria.
One huge retailer in particular is Jumia, headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, imported the concept of Black Friday into their regions. According to Forbes: “Jumia had over 1.5 million visits on Black Friday, it said, up 10 times over Black Friday 2013.” Sure, that’s nothing compared to Amazon or Alibaba, but for a developing county it speaks volumes. Jumia may be a startup but its got big backers like Rocket Internet, a German-based company, which raised $150 million for the eCommerce business.
As Nigeria’s top online retailer, Jumia’s growth rate is worth noting. The company started with three employees and has grown to 1,500 employees and delivers to all 36 states in Nigeria. The eCommerce company was started to mimic Amazon by offering a diverse amount of products and now has a presence in nine countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire and Uganda. Last year, the company released a mobile application allowing customers to choose shop from an online base of 50,000 products.
Growing eCommerce in developing African nations takes time, but Jumia has focused its efforts on growing while building consumer trust. Pay on delivery is one option the eCommerce company offers to assure customers they will only pay for a product once received, eliminating potential trust issues. For startups in these countries, it’s not about getting people to shop, it’s about getting them to shop online. That’s quite the opposite of some U.S. retailers.
“For these companies, Black Friday isn’t just a chance to increase sales or push their ledgers into the black — it’s a way to convert people to a new way of buying,” Author Elizabeth MacBride wrote in Forbes.
Beyond eCommerce, there’s the concept of mobile payments that’s emerging in Africa. It’s in early stages, but it’s developing with the help of mobile payment companies wanting to capture the market. Many firms are entering the African market, but companies like TrustPay want to in a more comprehensive manner.
“Perhaps one of the biggest problems faced by the African mobile payments space is that there are several firms involved, and some firms actually stop working when they butt up against another country’s border,” Payment Week reported. But TrustPay works to unite merchants instead of working to simply get consumers to use the platform. “With TrustPay however, firms can actually work better together, being connected into a central and cohesive nexus of sorts. …Since the TrustPay system can be added to almost any payment system via an API, that lends credence to the argument that TrustPay might prove to be something of a universal platform.”
To spur mobile payments and eCommerce growth, that also means ensuring Africa has a effective payment system that can “handle micro payments with transaction costs that are reasonable. Microsoft and Skill have teamed up with a solution the companies say will bridge the gap between affordable and accessible payment options.
“Through the platform, users will now be able to use their mobile wallets and digital currency to buy from Africa’s online merchants, including iROKOtv, Spinlet, and a range of social gaming providers – all at a fraction of the cost of a typical online transaction. It can also be used to send international remittances more cost effectively,” Business Tech reported, which suggested the payments option is a good start for the region. “Skrill may turn out to be an answer rather than the answer to Africa’s payments pain barrier but something that unlocks digital payments is as good a start as we’re going to get. More and better will follow as the mobile operators get the hang of content and services and people paying for them.”
Africa’s fast urbanization and growing youthful population that embrace technology is reason enough to help booster eCommerce in developing countries, according to Nilesh Pandya, SVP of emerging markets at Skrill.
“Disposable incomes are rapidly increasing, making discretionary spend on e-commerce an immediate reality. These conditions deliver the perfect storm for a massive surge in consumer demand for digital payments,” he said in an African Business Review article. “However, a high percentage of Africans remain unbanked and so have no means of paying for global online brands. Even banked Africans often find that global online merchants are reluctant to serve these markets for credit and debit card transactions due to perceived fraud risks.”
Putting mobile payments aside, just how big of a force will eCommerce be in Africa? It’s going to “dominate African retail markets,” said Elias Schulze, CEO of Africa’s eCommerce site Kaymu.com.
“We believe the knock-on effects in terms of democratizing commerce for the hungry SME sector will be tremendous … from increasing market efficiency and price finding to creating literally millions of jobs to support Africa’s demographic shifts, he told PC World. “We anticipate various adoption rates based upon how quickly internet penetration deepens, education levels grow, GDP per capita shifts and existing retail backbone shifts. Overall, we shouldn’t be surprised if significant portion of retail, and perhaps the majority in key markets, is captured within eCommerce by 2020.”
That eCommerce forecast aligns with that of Thecla Mbongue, a senior research analyst at Ovum, a London-based firm. The firm’s Digital Africa Survey reported “46 percent of the poll’s respondents believe that eCommerce will be the most important digital service generating increased revenue for African industry over the next five years.”
“The increased level of data connectivity, mobile financial services and usage of smartphones will boost traffic on e-commerce platforms,” Mbongue said. “I believe we are all working to crack, at varying degrees of success depending on the firm, the inherent challenges of working in frontier Africa —- logistics, infrastructure, internet penetration and seller/buyer awareness.”
Although Africa’s eCommerce trend is on the move, some analysts aren’t quite as optimistic.
“I believe it’s possible for certain e-commerce verticals to represent the lion’s share of African retail in key markets — but that’s not the full story,” Johann van Tonder, told PC World. Tonder is a consultant with AWA digital, made up of eCommerce conversion specialists in the U.K. and South Africa. He predicted that by 2025, eCommerce would account for 10 percent of all retail sales across Africa’s emerging markets.
“I don’t see eCommerce on the whole achieving this status within 5 years,” Tonder said.
Africa may not produce the next Amazon or Alibaba, but for a region facing its own series of challenges, having African nations on the eCommerce map speaks to the power or localized and global eCommerce as an industry. Who knows? Maybe someday Africa will produce the next major eCommerce platform. At the rate it’s growing, Africa’s developed regions are poised to produce online.


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Here’s a roundup of some of the stories that have captured Life & Soul Magazine’s attention this week:
1. Australia fires: Plants photographed regrowing in ashes – BBC News reports on how in some recently-burned areas, signs of life are returning, as captured by local photographer Murray Lowe, who went to investigate how fire had affected the bush near his home in Kulnura on Central Coast, New South Wales.
2. The sustainable fashion brands to know in 2020 – Everlane, Chapel 31 and Veja are making ethical fashion more norm than niche, according to The Irish Times.
3. Meet the Indigenous-Owned Vintage Brand Building a Creative Community – Vogue meets Amy Yeung, who is of Diné origin, who quit her 30-plus-year career designing for fast-fashion brands to create her own fashion label, Orenda Tribe, which focuses on repurposed and upcycled vintage pieces. Amy Yeung describes Orenda Tribe as her “soul journey.”
4. Indigenous music industry booming, study confirms – There’s little shock that Indigenous musicians are on the rise in number, reach and influence, but even long-time industry insiders had a bit of a jaw-drop when a new study revealed just how much the industry is contributing to Canada’s economy each year, APTN News reports
5. Standards would boost efficiency of LED lighting in greenhouses – LED lighting can enhance plant growth in greenhouses, but standards are necessary to determine the optimal intensity and colors of light, according to a new study, Futurity reports. The findings could improve the energy efficiency of horticultural lighting products, which in turn could help make indoor crop production more sustainable and affordable.
6. Smurfit Kappa launches packaging to replace single-use plastics for beverages – The Smurfit Kappa GreenClip product is an alternative for the plastic rings which are commonly used to group six packs of cans. The GreenClip uses a corrugated alternative to bundle the cans. It completely plastic-free and 100% renewable, recyclable and biodegradable, according to Packaging News.
7. Meghan Markle reportedly signs a voiceover deal with Disney in a move that benefits wildlife charity – The Duchess of Sussex has signed a voiceover deal with Disney to benefit the wildlife conservation charity Elephants Without Borders. Little is known about what the voiceover is for, but Meghan reportedly recorded it before she left for her six-week holiday break in Canada, according to Town & Country.
Image Credit: Murray Lowe
Rosa Medea is Life & Soul Magazine’s Chief. She writes about lifestyles including sustainable and green living. She also offers content services to businesses and individuals at Rosamedea.com

domain: news


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As July 2023 is declared the hottest month on record globally, UN Secretary-General António Guterres states that “the era of global boiling has arrived”.
What you need to know about the climate crisis
- Heat stress represents a significant threat to companies in all sectors impacting human health, water and energy demand
- These climate changes are creating a shift in the fashion and beauty industries as consumers look for protective clothing. In China, sun protection clothing sales increased by over 30% from 2016 to 2021, and are set to reach $13bn by 2026. The market for skincare with anti-pollution properties is set to reach $1.4bn by 2031
- As language around the climate crisis develops, the British Sign Language dictionary is being updated to include 200 new environmental science terms including “tipping point” and “temperature inversions”
“Brands need to wake up to the escalating threat of global boiling, recognising that within this challenge lies unparalleled opportunities for product innovation. By aligning product strategies towards the demands of heat protection and sustainability, brands have the chance to not only mitigate their own impact on the planet, but champion solutions that resonate with a growing community of conscious consumers”
- Helen Palmer, Head of Materials & Textiles, WGSN Fashion
What can brands do?
Adjust messaging to address the increasing climate crisis urgency and develop products with shifting global weather patterns in mind.
GAF (US) has launched the GAF Cool Community Project to mitigate urban heat islands caused by asphalt roads, reduced vegetation and waste heat from human activities. Its solar-reflective coating was painted on roads and recreational areas, with the effects “pretty much instantaneous”


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Audi appoints Claire English as new head of fleet
Claire English is joining Audi UK as its new head of fleet from 12 July.
English, who is currently head of fleet at VW Commercial Vehicles, replaces James Buxton, who is leaving the business.
She joined the VW Group as a graduate trainee in 2003 and has since held roles across product, marketing communications and sales ops/fleet at Škoda, Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
Her background in fleet includes roles as area and regional fleet sales manager, business development manager and as the national contract hire and leasing manager at Volkswagen.
She then went on to the role of head of fleet at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in June 2019 where she is credited with having introduced new ways of working in a remote selling landscape, as well as rolling out a fleet agency earlier this year.
English is also said to be leaving behind a record fleet order bank at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
Andrew Doyle, director of Audi UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome someone of Claire’s expertise to the team. At a time when we begin to dramatically expand our line-up of fully electric e-tron models, Claire’s wealth of operational fleet knowledge and focus on customer experience will ensure that she is a very strong asset to the business, and our top management team.”


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KOMORO, NAGANO PREF. – The city of Komoro, Nagano Prefecture, has long battled damage to its agriculture from deer.
After capturing and killing the animals, the city wound up incinerated most of them, and at considerable cost. Now, taking a new tack, the local government has set up a slaughter and processing plant to sell deer meat for use in pet food.
The initiative has attracted attention from municipalities that are similarly suffering from damage to farm produce from birds and other animals. The plant has received frequent visits by government personnel eager to acquire know-how.
In Nagano Prefecture, agricultural damage from deer totaled about ¥189 million in fiscal 2015. Of some 31,800 deer captured, meat from only 2,000 of them was used for human consumption, with the rest buried or incinerated, according to an official of the prefecture’s wild animal damage and game animal promotion office.
Komoro, located at the foot of Mount Asama, has a thriving fruit and highland vegetable cultivation industry, but the city has been troubled by a growing deer population. In fiscal 2015, it captured 220 deer and incinerated most of them, which proved a drain on local finances.
The city then constructed the slaughter and processing plant at a cost of about ¥60 million, using state grants intended to promote regional revitalization. It decided to use the facility to produce pet food, although it also obtained prefectural permission for the plant to process and sell meat for human consumption.
The decision reflects the high quality and safety requirements for edible meat. “For meat for human consumption, the deer need to be slaughtered and processed within an hour or two,” an official of the animal damage and game animal promotion office said.
“(Processing) pet food is a good way to make use of meat from large numbers of deer,” said Tsuyoshi Takeshita, a Komoro city official involved in the operation of the plant. “Many local governments have problems with how to dispose of captured deer. We receive visits (from local government personnel) almost every week.”
The plant has rooms for slaughtering, processing and refrigeration. To ensure safety, it also has metal and radiation detectors.
Five workers are engaged in the slaughter of deer, which takes about 20 minutes per animal. Since the start of operations in April, the plant had slaughtered about 170 deer through mid-October and sold the meat to manufacturers of pet food.
Currently, the plant accepts only deer captured in the city of Komoro. Due to the limited number, slaughtering takes place only one day a week.
In the next fiscal year from April 2017, the factory plans to accept deer from nearby municipalities in Nagano Prefecture, aiming to slaughter 1,500 of them annually for stable supplies of deer meat for pet food.
A project is under way to develop original products for sale as Komoro-brand pet food.
“By making good use of deer meat, we hope to create jobs and incomes to revitalize the region,” Takeshita said.


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What has changed in Woodbridge over lockdown?
- Credit: CHARLOTTE BOND
The past year has seen many changes in Suffolk towns - and nowhere is that more true than in Woodbridge.
The riverside town is well-known for its independent businesses and, between lockdowns, new ventures have sprung up in the town.
Teresa Potts runs Theatre Street Antiques, which opened for the first time in April. She said it has been a fantastic start for her business.
"Things have been incredible and very overwhelming," she said.
"The feedback from Woodbridge locals and beyond has been more then I could have ever hoped for.
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"Even a few comments that we have the best antique shop they have ever been to - which is incredible.
"I’ve worked really hard online promoting the shop via social media and word of mouth has been astonishing in such little time being open.
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"We still have a way to go but it’s been great thus far and really great to be part of such a great community."
Another new addition has been Little White Box, a new homeware and interiors shop in the Thoroughfare.
The shop already has a branch in Lavenham and decided to expand with a new store during the pandemic by opening in the former Thomas Cook site, which has been gutted and refitted.
Owner Rebecca Brooker said she had been overwhelmed by the response.
"It's beyond our wildest expectation," said Mrs Brooker.
"We have been well supported and got some good feedback from people."
Mrs Brooker said that although the two places were very different, she had been glad to make the move.
"I am really enjoying being on the Thoroughfare," said Mrs Brooker.
"It was scary to sign a lease in the pandemic."
Other new shops which have opened in recent months include Pink Cactus and Co, another new homeware shop in the Thoroughfare.
However, there have been losses in Woodbridge as well as gains.
Popular restaurant The Table closed its doors in April for the final time.
As well as shops and pubs, there have also been changes to other attractions within the town.
Woodbridge Museum has been closed for much of the pandemic and over lockdown has undergone a transformation.
The museum will now focus on telling the stories of local people including Edith Pretty, who was featured in the Sutton Hoo film The Dig.
Dr Elizabeth Clutton, deputy curator, said: “It will be good to be part of our community again.
"After a year of hard work behind closed doors, we are greatly looking forward to the re-opening of the museum."
Over in Jetty Lane, the Container Projects have been started up by Suffolk-based artists May Cornet, Alice Andrea Ewing and Emily Richardson.
The two projects are aimed at reviving community arts and supporting parents’ wellbeing within the town.
It will provide free or low-cost workshops and events.
The groups held an open day back at the start of May.


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NEW YORK, NY – March 16, 2017 – Women in the Boardroom (WIB), a leading global organization committed to advancing women in the workplace and into corporate boardrooms, announced today its 125th board seat opening. The milestone comes as WIB celebrates its 15-year anniversary.
Sheila Ronning, CEO and Founder, started WIB in 2002 with a vision to create an environment where women could assist other women in achieving their leadership and corporate board service goals. To date, 40% of WIB members are serving on corporate boards.
“WIB is proud to have brought corporate board opportunities to so many talented and capable women,” said Ronning. “Both the industry sectors seeking our members and the skill sets they desire in board candidates are diverse. Women with extensive finance, risk management or technology experience make strong candidates for board directorship.” Other areas of expertise companies have requested include human resources/talent management, mergers and acquisitions, operations, sales and marketing.
The top five industries seeking WIB candidates last year included:
- finance (37.5%)
- consumer goods (12.5%)
- education (12.5%)
- healthcare (12.5%)
- industrial goods (12.5%)
In 2015, the top sectors included:
- services (18%)
- consumer goods (14%)
- technology (14%)
- finance (11%)
- healthcare (11%)
Board opportunities come to WIB’s members from both the private and public sectors. Since 2014, however, public company board openings have dramatically increased, up from 24% in 2014 to 46% in 2015 and 69% in 2016.
Public company size varied in 2016, including:
- small-cap (44%)
- micro-cap (31%)
- large-cap (13%)
- mid-cap (6%)
- nano-cap (6%)
“Supporting women in their quest to secure corporate board opportunities for the last 15 years has been a rewarding experience,” Ronning said. “I look forward to growing our membership and helping many more women realize their potential for board service in the years to come.”
About Women in the Boardroom:
With 15 years of experience and 40% of our VIP Members serving on corporate boards, we are the experts that will help you get your seat at the table. Our exclusive programs, including our Matchmaking Program (TM), Annual Board Assembly and proven networking process provide individualized counsel, coaching and connections to board influencers and connectors. For more information visit www.womenintheboardroom.com.
Adam Friedman Associates


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WASHINGTON: The Liquor Control Board (LCB) officially approved outdoor growing for I-502 stakeholders in its July 3rd revisions to the draft rules. Whether you are a producer, processor, or retailer, and whether or not you plan to grow indoors or outdoors, we encourage you to attend our Sun Grown Symposium on July 17 to learn about the legality, feasibility, and policies regarding outdoor cannabis growing.
Outdoor growing could change economies of scale, environmental impacts, and industry development, and all of these could impact your cannabis business.
This symposium will give you insight into various commercial plans and logistics for outdoor growers and provide a unique opportunity to question members of the LCB on why they chose to permit outdoor growing and the role they see for sun grown cannabis. LCB speakers will also touch on outdoor growing security and traceability issues.
Attendees will be updated on the current and potential positions of the federal government on outdoor grows and on state and local governments’ plans to manage outdoor growing operations in their communities.
Speakers at the symposium include Alison Holcomb, parent author of I-502 and Director of Drug Policy at the ACLU; Sharon Foster, LCB Director; Randy Simmons, one of the LCB’s lead staffers on I-502; Washington State Representative Joel Kretz; and Jeremy Moberg, President of the Okanogan Cannabis Association. Hilary Bricken, attorney with the Canna Law Group, will moderate.


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Editorial: March 2002By Ellen Pearlman
When will cost-cutting stop being the IT issue? When the economy shows sufficient signs of recovery that companies begin spending again? When companies realize that they've cut to the point where they won't be able to take advantage of the coming recovery? Or perhaps simply when there's nothing left to cut? We believe it's already time to reassert the importance of what IT can do for the top line. To that end, the lineup for this month includes several stories that analyze how information technology can aid in the process of increasing revenue.
While perfecting the art and science of analytics will ultimately do wonders for just about every aspect of a corporation's income statement, the technology comes into its own as an aid to increasing revenue and, most importantly, increasing earnings. In "Analyze This!", contributing editor Terry A. Kirkpatrick looks closely at some of the companies using new techniques of business intelligence to increase the flow of information throughout the company and out to partners and customers. Done right, analytics lets you react faster than competitors to changing business conditions and new profit opportunities.
Some companies are starting to use that kind of IT-enabled fast footwork to boost revenues by manipulating prices both online and off. A recent McKinsey & Co. study found that a 1 percent change in the price of a good or service could result in an 8.6 percent change in profitability. That insight is the basis for Amy Cortese's "Price-Flexing". Yield management has been a part of the pricing strategy of a number of industries, including financial services and the airlines, for years; now the ability to adjust prices based on what you know about individual customer groups is coming to any number of traditional businesses through smarter use of their online channels.
But like anything else, technology can't do it alone. You need proper management to pull off even the most ambitious profit strategiesand happy campers inside the organization to help achieve them. In this month's case study, we investigate DaimlerChrysler's long and culturally contentious push to make its $36 billion, three-year-old merger live up to what executives had wanted in the deal: a way to cut costs and design new products quicker and cheaper. To that end, IT was to be both part of the cost-cutting and a catalyst when it came to knitting the two camps together. But DC is facing flagging earnings and poor shareholder returns. Can CIO Sue Ungera 29-year Chrysler veteran and one of the few top Chrysler executives still at DCenlist her IT department in the cause of rescuing this troubled marriage?
Information technology in the service of the top and bottom lines can be an elusive goal. But only when it is achieved can IT claim to be an integral part of corporate strategy.


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Voyager builds technology platforms and products for financial services, digital commerce, digital marketing and consumer engagement that enable individuals, businesses, organizations and whole cities to reach out and serve more people.
PLDT HOME believes that the strongest connections are at home. It provides Filipino families with a compelling suite of multimedia products and services so they can stay connected and easily access quality entertainment, information, security and other digital services in the comfort of their homes.
PLDT Enterprise is the group’s B2B arm and is tasked with the mission of empowering Philippine enterprises large and small as they pursue their respective digital transformation journeys.
ePLDT is the premier information and communications technology company in the country, delivering world-class solutions to both large enterprises and the SMEs across various industries.
PLDT Global delivers international services for overseas Filipinos as the leading offshore Filipino information and communications technology company.
Smart Communications is the group’s wireless services provider that provides a wide range of innovative prepaid, postpaid and mobile broadband services.
Sun offers a wide range of service innovations for mobile telephony from voice, messaging and international roaming services to wireless broadband and value-added services.
TNT is Smart's value brand that provides fast and reliable LTE connections and affordable call, text and data services.
Home → News Center → News Center
Published on Sep 07, 2015
Once activated, these facilities will allow DOST to operate PHOpenIX simultaneously from three different locations, thereby further improving the resiliency of the government internet exchange.
This will also provide PLDT subscribers better, faster access to government websites hosted in PHOpenIX.
Under the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on Monday by DOST and PLDT officials, PLDT will provide optical fiber connectivity to link up the PHOpenIX node in DOST ASTI headquarters to the new node that will be setup inside PLDT’s VITRO Data Center.
“The PLDT Group fully supports DOST and its landmark Philippine OPEN IX initiative, and its vision to operate an internet exchange that will interconnect local internet and data and service providers,” said PLDT Executive Vice-President and ePLDT President and CEO Ernesto R. Alberto.


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Local retailers are excited to hear the predictions for a healthy Tennessee economy in 2019.
According to a new report from UT's Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research, it's predicted 43,000 new non-farming jobs will be available across the state in 2019.
That growth will start slow, but still be on the rise next year.
That's welcome news for Nick Morrissey, the assistant manager at Bliss and Tori Mason shoes on Gay Street in downtown Knoxville.
Starting Black Friday, he said business has been a little crazier than normal.
"We have a lot of great things that people want," said Morrissey. "It's a combination of kind of the community feeling of Gay Street, the allure of downtown. Everything's just working together for us."
This fashion retailer is not alone.
The National Retail Federation reports the average American will spend $1,007 on all things Christmas this year. That's up about $40 from last year.
"Apparently we're, you know, on the rise," said Morrissey. "We're on an uptrend and I think it's spelling out improvements going forward."
The same is true for the broader economy. The UT report predicts economic growth in 2019 won't be as robust as 2018, but it will still increase for most businesses.
"It's gonna be another good year for the state and the national economies," said Matt Murray with UT's Boyd Center. "We do expect economic growth to slow a little bit from the very heated pace of 2018. Not a bad sign."
Despite a slower pace, economists at the Boyd Center said the next year will bring tens of thousand of new jobs to the state.
That should draw more buyers into retailers like Bliss.
"I mean, you know, anything comes with ebbs and flows," said Morrissey. "We love the way everything's going. It can only go up from here."
And the last minute shoppers are like end of year bonus, signaling what's to come in 2019.


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After slumping sales and falling stock prices, retailer J.C. Penney dropped CEO Ron Johnson several weeks ago. Brand perception data from BrandIndex shows that over the course of Johnson's tenure, J.C. Penney's brand perception has gradually sunk in comparison with competitor
Johnson, who had previously led
While bold, the plan did not work as hoped. An NPR report from March 1 perhaps describes the company's challenge: "Their old customers...feel unwelcome. But the people...who they hope become their new customers, are so far just lukewarm. They kicked the old customers out before making sure new customers would arrive." The result has been a net loss last year of $985 million and a 25% decrease in sales over the course of the year, including a 30% reduction in holiday sales.
This path to "sputtering sales and spiraling losses" is reflected in the BrandIndex data. At the beginning of last year, J.C. Penney's Impression score, which is determined by asking consumers, "Overall do you have a positive or negative view of this brand", stood at 44 points. This was 6 points above rival Kohl's.
After J.C. Penney announced that it would be changing its pricing in January 2012, the company's Impression score continued to best Kohl's score by around the same margin. Yet as the new pricing scheme continued and Penney's began to announce decreased sales, the company's Impression score began to drop, sinking below Kohl's for the first time on June 4. The two scores continued neck-in-neck until the holiday shopping season, when Kohl's saw a sustained rise in Impression, while J.C. Penney began sinking, a trend which has continued this year. J.C. Penney's Impression score now stands at 31, while Kohl's is 39.
Returning CEO Myron Ullman has his work cut out for him. The good news perhaps, is that even during the turmoil of the past eighteen months, J.C. Penney’s scores have remained positive, indicating that more consumers are positive on the brand than negative.


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Russian mining firm puts Trump's face on its asbestos products
Thursday, July 12, 2018, 4:26 PM
A Russian asbestos company has branded its products with US President Donald Trump's face, along with the words "Approved by Donald Trump, 45th President of the US". The company posted a picture of the products on Facebook with a caption that said, "Donald is on our side." This follows US Environmental Protection Agency's decision to not ban new asbestos products.


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Remember when Verizon Wireless was selling the Samsung Gear VR for cheap last month? A similar deal now exist for another VR headset with the Google Daydream VR headset on sale for only $50. At 38% off, the unit comes in three color choices as of writing. Show More Summary
AT&T has decided to follow in the footsteps of Verizon Wireless by hiking up the fees tied to getting a new device on its network. The big blue carrier has confirmed to FierceWireless that it is hiking its activation and upgrade fees by $5. That means subscribers will [...]
Thousands of Galaxy Note 7 owners still haven't turned them in to Verizon Wireless, but now the carrier is responding.
A Verizon Wireless spokesperson says "thousands" of its customers are using the recalled Samsung Galaxy Note 7 despite the recent battery-killing update.
Verizon Wireless is prepared to take another drastic step in order to convince thousands of customers still holding onto the Samsung Galaxy Note7 that it's time to return the phone. "In spite of our best efforts, there are still customers...Show More Summary
A new research report says that demand for the Google Pixel and Pixel XL phones at Verizon Wireless stores continues to be high three months after launch.
Verizon Wireless this week announced the MiFi 7730L Jetpack, a global mobile hotspot that provides wireless access to WiFi devices in the U.S. and around the world. Verizon says the 7730L supports Cat 9 LTE-Advanced with carrier aggregation for speeds that are up to 50% quicker in some 450 U.S. Show More Summary
Verizon Wireless has confirmed the worrying news that it’s forcing customers who are on older unlimited data plans and use more than 200GB a month to switch to capped plans next month – or have their accounts terminated. This is pretty...Show More Summary
Still using that ancient, valuable Verizon Wireless unlimited data plan? Well, you might not be for much longer -- the carrier has confirmed that subscribers who use more than 200GB of data per month will be asked to switch to one of Verizon's metered data plans by February 16 or face disconnection from the network entirely. Show More Summary
As far as Verizon is concerned, the word “Unlimited”, when applied to data plans, now means no more than 200GB-per-month. So if you’re lucky enough to be using a Verizon Wireless unlimited data plan, you’d better start keeping a close eye on your data usage. Show More Summary
Verizon Wireless will force unlimited data subscribers who use over 200 gigabytes of bandwidth per month to change their plan to one with a data cap, or face having their wireless service disconnected.
Verizon Wireless plans to cut off customers who use 200 GB of data in any given month, even if those customers are grandfathered in on unlimited plans. These customers will have to agree to switch to a more limited plan or face loss of service. Show More Summary
Verizon Wireless is now telling its grandfathered unlimited customers they must move to another plan if they exceed 200GB or more per month.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office has announced that service for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless customers will be available across the city's subway system beginning Monday.
Verizon Wireless no longer offers two-year contracts with device subsidies, and has raised the cost of activating new devices by $10. The changes, confirmed by Fierce Wireless, were put into effect January 5. Moving forward, all post-paid customers will need to pay for devices via monthly equipment installment plans. Show More Summary
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday that by next week, New Yorkers will be able to use their cell phones in every subway station around the five boroughs (assuming you have AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile or Verizon Wireless). Not onlyShow More Summary
Verizon Wireless has raised its upgrade fees and ditched 2-year contracts for existing customers, and AT&T's grandfathered unlimited plans are now higher.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that cell phone coverage in underground subway stations will be available a full year ahead of schedule, with all four carriers AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless, present across underground stations
Verizon Wireless has added the Kyocera DuraForce Pro to its lineup of rugged handsets. The phone is available to Verizon customers starting Jan. 5. It has been for sale from AT&T and Sprint since last year. The DuraForce Pro includes...Show More Summary
Verizon Wireless is clearing out its stock of the Samsung Gear VR onto the market for only $50. We've seen the Samsung Gear VR for $49.99 before, but only in refurbished condition, while this is brand new and straight from a big retailer. Show More Summary


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During a prominent unveiling event, Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications powerhouse, kept quiet about its enigmatic new 5G phone and alleged cutting-edge chip development. Instead, Huawei astounded the audience by presenting two new electric vehicles — its first-ever sedan and a premium SUV —along with new wireless earbuds priced at 1,499 yuan ($205), containing Huawei’s chip.
This surprising development took place as part of the company’s autumn season unveiling event, which was broadcasted live in Mandarin. As Huawei faces ongoing trade restrictions and challenges in the telecommunications arena, this strategic move serves as a testament to the company’s adaptability, as it diversifies its product portfolio to remain competitive in the ever-changing global marketplace.
Online Viewers Express Dissatisfaction Over Lack of Phone Information
Though Huawei Executive Director Richard Yu clarified early in the event that no additional information about the phone would be revealed, numerous online viewers expressed their dissatisfaction and inquired about further details. Despite the lack of new information, anticipation and curiosity about the phone’s capabilities continue to grow among tech enthusiasts. This has led to fervent speculation and discussion in online forums, as users attempt to piece together what they can expect from Huawei’s upcoming device.
A Star-Studded Event Focused on Product Portfolio Expansion
The event featured a performance of a song named “My Dream” in Chinese and a talk by Hong Kong celebrity Andy Lau, who endorsed Huawei’s introduction of a high-end watch design. In addition to the musical performance and Lau’s endorsement, the event showcased the sleek aesthetics and unique features of Huawei’s high-end watch, highlighting its potential to be a game-changer in the wearable tech market.
Participants in the unveiling event had the opportunity to experience the watch firsthand. In doing so, they gained a greater understanding of the innovative technology involved in its creation and recognized the value it brings to the ever-evolving world of technology.
Huawei’s Electric Vehicles: A New Frontier in Sustainable Mobility
As part of the company’s diversification strategy, Huawei introduced its brand new and first-ever electric vehicles – a sedan and a premium SUV. These vehicles capture the company’s innovative spirit, as it ventures into the world of sustainable mobility. With a focus on eco-friendly transportation solutions, Huawei has invested significant resources in the development of these electric vehicles, designing them with technological advancements that will appeal to modern consumers.
The event showcased the vehicles’ advanced features, sleek exteriors, and cutting-edge technology, hinting at a future commitment to expanding into the electric vehicle industry. This strategic move marks a new chapter in Huawei’s growth, as it seeks to broaden its influence in the global market.
Wireless Earbuds: A Testament to Huawei’s Technological Prowess
Huawei’s new wireless earbuds, priced at 1,499 yuan ($205) and powered by the company’s chip, made their highly anticipated debut during the unveiling event. The earbuds incorporate Huawei’s technological expertise and serve as a prime example of the company’s commitment to diversifying its product offerings.
The audience was captivated by the earbuds’ exceptional audio quality and innovative design, garnering significant praise from attendees and tech enthusiasts alike. This latest addition to Huawei’s portfolio further demonstrates the company’s drive for excellence and adaptability, as it continues to excel in various sectors of the technology industry.
Final Thoughts on Huawei’s Autumn Unveiling Event
Huawei’s autumn unveiling event shone a spotlight on the company’s adaptability, as it transitioned its focus from telecommunication developments to more diversified product offerings. The introduction of electric vehicles, wireless earbuds, and high-end watches not only demonstrate Huawei’s ability to evolve with the changing market but also its commitment to providing innovative products that cater to the diverse needs of today’s consumers.
With an increased focus on sustainability and diversification in its product portfolio, Huawei is embracing change and seeking to thrive in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. This year’s autumn unveiling event is a testament to the company’s resourcefulness, creativity, and dedication to delivering high-quality products that make a difference in the lives of consumers worldwide.
What products did Huawei unveil at their recent event?
Huawei unveiled two electric vehicles (a sedan and a premium SUV), new wireless earbuds priced at 1,499 yuan ($205), and a high-end watch during their autumn season unveiling event.
Why is Huawei diversifying its product portfolio?
Huawei is diversifying its product portfolio to remain competitive in the ever-changing global marketplace and to adapt to ongoing trade restrictions and challenges in the telecommunications arena.
Did Huawei provide any updates regarding its upcoming 5G phone at the event?
No, Huawei Executive Director Richard Yu clarified early in the event that they would not reveal additional information about the phone during the event.
What is special about Huawei’s new wireless earbuds?
Huawei’s new wireless earbuds feature exceptional audio quality, an innovative design, and are powered by Huawei’s chip, showcasing the company’s technological expertise and commitment to diversifying its product offerings.
What does Huawei’s entrance into the electric vehicle industry signify?
Huawei’s entrance into the electric vehicle industry, with the introduction of a sedan and premium SUV, marks a new chapter in the company’s growth. It shows a commitment to expanding into the industry while focusing on eco-friendly transportation solutions and cutting-edge technology.


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Hundreds of people ate hundreds of pies baked by more than a dozen local bakers at the eighth annual Pie Social Sunday at Hance Park in Phoenix.
And that's not counting the dozens of pies created by community bakers.
It's safe to call the day a successful pig out, brought to you by Roosevelt Row and Phoenix New Times.
Competition was fierce in all categories, but one newcomer really stood out — both for our panel of judges and festival attendees.
The results of the contest:
Best Presentation — Crystal Kass, Phoenix Public Market Cafe, Hazelnut Praline Chess Pie
Best Taste — Dean Thomas, Cornish Pasty Co., Guiness Stew Pasty
Most Creative — Tamara Stanger, Helio Basin Brewing Co., Hibiscus Vinegar Pie
Most Memorable — Tamara Stanger, Helio Basin Brewing Co., Hibiscus Vinegar Pie
People's Choice — Tamara Stanger, Helio Basin Brewing Co., Hibiscus Vinegar Pie
Best in Show — Tamara Stanger, Helio Basin Brewing Co., Hibiscus Vinegar Pie
Stay tuned for a slideshow. Thanks to all who participated and congrats to the winners.
Keep Phoenix New Times Free... Since we started Phoenix New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Phoenix with no paywalls.


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Visa Token Service has been launched. The new service replaces sensitive payment account information found on plastic cards with a digital account number or “token”. Because “tokens” do not carry a consumer’s payment account details, such as the 16-digit account number, they can be safely stored by online merchants or on mobile devices to facilitate e-commerce and mobile payments.
The payments industry and retail industry have chimed in with their excitement with the new Apple Pay mobile payments. Apple Pay will work with the newly announced iPhone 6, iPhone Plus and Apple Watch as well as the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s.
Fitch Ratings does not view the unveiling of Apple Pay as a watershed moment for the nascent mobile payments industry, but the financial information services firm say it recognize Apple Pay’s potential to disrupt the payments landscape longer term.
Millicom international telecommunications and media company announced its Tigo operation in Tanzania has launched the world’s first mobile money service which offers users the opportunity to automatically earn a return on their balance direct to their wallet without the need for a separate registration. The service in Tanzania is called Tigo Wekeza (“Tigo Invests”), and will allow over 3.5 million Tigo Pesa users to benefit from quarterly payments based on the balance held in their account. Tigo Pesa users in Tanzania will also have the option to nominate a non-profit beneficiary, in line with their personal cultural belief.
Peer to peer lender Harmoney launched its online lending marketplace with $100m lending capital, bringing the world’s fastest growing form of lending to the Kiwi public. Peer to peer lending is an established form of investment, currently growing at more than 200% per annum, and has been described as “banking without the banks.” It is an increasingly popular form of crowd funding that is changing the way that people borrow and invest. In the United Kingdom, the UK Government is the largest funder of P2P loans. Harmoney’s fully compliant online platform automates the process of investing and borrowing. The system is fast, easy to use and offers a marketplace in which to transact with Bank Grade Security. A lower cost structure means that savings can be passed on to borrowers and investors.
WorldRemit online money transfer service customers can now send remittances to Zantel EzyPesa accounts. The addition of EzyPesa means that WorldRemit now offers transfers to two of Tanzania’s four Mobile Money services. Customers can also send money to friends and family using Tigo Pesa. Tanzania is one of nine countries in the world where Mobile Money accounts outnumber bank accounts. WorldRemit already sends 25x more transfers to Mobile Money in Tanzania than to banks, even before the launch of EzyPeza.
Online money transfer company Optimal Payments Plc said it expects to beat its forecast for the full-year after robust sales at its high-margin Neteller e-wallet business drove first-half pretax profit up 78 percent. The company’s shares rose as much as 7.8 percent to 510 pence in early trade on the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday. Pretax profit jumped to $27.5 million for the six months ended June 30, from $15.5 million a year ago.
CA-based MyECheck continues to gain traction in the charitable and political donation arena. The Company recently signed the FL-based St Augustine School Alumni International public charity
Combating card-not-present (CNP) fraud is no easy task requiring sophisticated fraud detection strategies. The benchmark industry standard CNP fraud loss currently averages 8.3 basis points (bps).
CardWeb’s CardExecs database today features Luella Chavez D’Angelo, Chief Communications Officer of Western Union. Western Union offers Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services.
Phnom Penh-based ACLEDA Bank has inked a License Agreement with JCBI to issue a JCB card. As part of the agreement ACLEDA and JCBI will establish a basis framework for further collaboration and cooperation and offer high-quality payment, travel, and entertainment services to merchants and cardholders.
Contactless is going 3D, not with technology but with art. Visa Europe crafted an immersive 3D art installation at Waterloo station to mark the occasion which will be unveiled on September 16.


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When you order takeout on a food app, you may assume it's being made in a restaurant kitchen, but that is increasingly not the case. Ghost kitchens — dedicated no-frills spaces made to churn out delivery orders — are becoming more prevalent.
Every wonder how a noun becomes a verb? Why we don’t use a ‘search engine’, but rather we ‘Google’ something? No, it’s not because Larry and Sergey built a great product and are marketing whizzes. According to a new antitrust lawsuit from the US Department of Justice, it’s the result of behind the scenes use of market power to illegally exert control over an industry.
This month, US safety regulators opened an investigation into more than 77,000 Chevy Bolts after two owners complained of fires that began in the area where the engine sits. Both Hyundai and BMW have issued vehicle recalls over similar issues.


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GM’s 2Q2021 Results Beat EstimatesBy Alejandro Enríquez | Tue, 08/10/2021 - 17:59
Last week, US giant GM reported sold financial results during 2Q2021, highlighting that its strategies for electric and autonomous vehicles are moving faster even as the company focused in producing its highest-demanded vehicles during the pandemic.
The company beat the earnings per share (EPS) estimate for the fifth quarter in a row, reaching a US$1.97 EPS. "There will be challenges, but we now expect full-year EBIT-adjusted in the range of US$11.5 billion to US$13.5 billion, compared with US$10 billion to US$11 billion previously," writes Mary Barra, CEO of GM, in a letter to shareholders.
Net sales and revenue during 2Q2021 doubled that of 2Q2020, as vehicle sales in Mexico in Canada during the quarter increased by 40 percent. Sales in the North American region, which comprises the US, Canada and Mexico, represented 82.6 percent of the company's total sales during 1H2021, almost 3 percentage points more than in 1H2020.
GM is also Mexico's top vehicle producer and exporter, and its second top seller with a 14.60 percent market share in sales during 1H2021, for a total of 73,235 units sold. The brand is also second in one of the largest segments for the Mexican market: SUVs, with 10.32 percent share. GM sales results have fluctuated over the years but the company has remained close to the 16 percent of the total market share.
Days after presenting its quarterly results, the company announced that its Chevrolet Beat and Chevrolet Spark models, which are some of its best-selling, will cease to be sold and produced in Mexico. Beat was produced in India at a facility that GM recently sold. Spark, produced in Mexico, met the end of the production line opening space for Aveo, Onix and Cavalier.
In GM’s fillings to SEC, GM admits: "while not all vehicles within a segment are individually profitable on a fully allocated cost basis, those vehicles attract customers to dealer showrooms and help maintain sales volumes for other, more profitable vehicles and contribute towards meeting required fuel efficiency standards. As a result of these and other factors, we do not manage our business on an individual brand or vehicle basis.”
GM’s 2Q2021 results also point to its firm commitments toward electric and autonomous vehicles. “Our vision for the future is a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion, which guides our growth-focused investment in electric and autonomous vehicles, and new products and services,” reads the filings.
Barra herself explained that some of the key projects for the company include expanding battery cell manufacturing in the US, which will add up to a total of four plants when finished. Also, GM is developing the third generation of GM's HYDROTEC fuel cell technology which "are poised to become the leading technology for electrifying the largest, hardest-working vehicles on the road and beyond." In June 2021, the company announced plans to increase its investment in electric and autonomous vehicles from US$27 billion to US$35 billion by 2025 to accelerate battery and electric vehicle assembly capacity.
Cruise Holdings or Cruise, GM’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, reportedly is “actively testing autonomous vehicles in the US. Gated by safety and regulation, Cruise continues to make significant progress towards commercialization of a network of on-demand autonomous vehicles in the US and globally.” The subsidiary reported US$25 million in revenue during the quarter.
GM’s does not disregard the risks of semiconductor supply shortage either. “The supply shortage has impacted, and continues to impact, multiple suppliers that incorporate semiconductors into the parts they supply to us. We expect the semiconductor supply shortage will continue to have an impact on our business for the foreseeable future. We will continue prioritizing our most popular and in-demand vehicles, including our full-size trucks, full-size SUVs, and electric vehicles. We do not expect this shortage to impact our growth and electric vehicle initiatives,” stated the company in its SEC fillings.


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Vendors protest ‘harassment’ by traffic police
CHITRAL: Street vendors, mostly pushcart holders, selling fruits and vegetables in Chitral bazaar on Saturday took out a protest rally and later held a press conference against local traders and the traffic police for allegedly harassing them and trying to deprive them of their right to earn a livelihood for their families.
The vendors launched the protest against what they said the traffic police’s highhandedness at the behest of the traders union in order to remove the vendors to give a free hand to the shopkeepers to fleece the consumers.
The vendors took out rally from the bazaar and reached outside the press club where their representatives told local reporters that most of the small vendors were educated people and were selling fruits and vegetables to earn a living for their families.
“Our only fault is that we are selling fruits and vegetables at comparatively lower rates than the traders attracting more customers. The shopkeepers consider this against their interest and want to dislodge us from the bazaar area,” said the leaders of the vendors, including Naseemullah, Nseeb Gul, Hameedullah, Muhammad Khan, Rahim Zada and Mahabat Khan at the press conference.
They said for the last many weeks the traffic police had not only been harassing them on different pretext but were also openly insulting them at the behest of the traders union president Shabbir Ahmed.
They said the PTI government in KP never tired of claiming to make reforms in the police department but it was silent on the highhandedness of the traffic police in Chitral.
The called upon the deputy commissioner and the district police officer to take notice of the issue and stop harassment of the vendors at the hands of the traffic police otherwise the vendors along with their carts would be forced to stage a protest sit-in outside the DC or DPO office. –Syed Nazir Hussain Shah


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Cvent founder Reggie Aggarwal named top influencer in the meetings industry by Successful Meetings Magazine
LONDON, UK.–July 30, 2014 Reggie Aggarwal, founder and CEO of Cvent (NYSE:CVT), a leading cloud-based enterprise event management platform, has been named one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry by Successful Meetings Magazine. Mr. Aggarwal was recognised, for the third consecutive year, for his significant contribution to the meetings industry, particularly for raising awareness of the return on investment that meetings provide and for making it easier for meeting professionals to do their jobs.
The editorial staff of Successful Meetings magazine selected the 25 influencers based on their achievements, which will have a lasting impact on the meetings industry. In addition to Mr. Aggarwal, executives from global brands Marriott, Starwood, MGM Resorts, HelmsBriscoe and IMEX were also named to the list.
Mr. Aggarwal grew Cvent from a two-person start up offering a single product to a global company with six product lines, more than 1,450 employees and over a $1 billion (approximately £5.8 billion) in market capitalisation. Mr. Aggarwal successfully navigated Cvent through two recessions and led the company through a successful IPO in August 2013, which raised $135 million. Under Mr. Aggarwal’s leadership, Cvent has averaged 33% revenue growth over the past 7 years. In May 2013, the company launched a London-based office that now employs 21 people to cement its European presence.
"I am honoured to be named one of the Top 25 Influencers for the third year running,” said Reggie Aggarwal. “This award highlights the outstanding work and expertise of the entire Cvent team, and we are pleased about this recognition."
Cvent, Inc. (NYSE: CVT) is a leading cloud-based enterprise event management platform, with more than 1,450 employees and over 12,600 customers worldwide. Cvent offers software solutions to event planners for online event registration, venue selection, event management, mobile apps for events, e-mail marketing and web surveys. Cvent provides hotels with a targeted advertising platform designed to reach event planners looking for suitable venues. Cvent solutions optimise the entire event management value chain and have enabled clients around the world to manage hundreds of thousands of meetings and events. For more information, please visit www.cvent.co.uk, or connect with us on , or LinkedIn.


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the beginning of CY13.
DIIs continue to remain on the selling side due to redemption pressure because of the recent rally in Indian equities while participation from retail investors has remained stagnant.
“Domestic institutions have taken advantage of the rally to redeem their positions and book profits. Further, retail participation is not huge and brokerage volumes have been more or less stable, which explain why the Indian markets have underperformed the peers,” said Vinay Khattar, vice-president, head research, Edelweiss Capital Markets. Experts said India is in a consolidation mode after a sharp rally last year. “The Sensex is trading at 16 times P/E, but corporate India's earnings expansion will play out in 2-3 quarters. The market has to see real economic traction, such as increase in consumption and infrastructure spending, to sustain the rally,” said Khattar.


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A WBIE spokesperson has told GamesIndustry.biz that their plans have been "misunderstood by MCV."
MCV recently reported that WBIE senior VP of worldwide sales and distribution, Ron Scott, revealed that the company planned to take back licenses such as Superman, Batman, Harry Potter, and The Sopranos.
WBIE told GamesIndustry.biz: "Ron Scott was misunderstood by MCV and the article does not fully represent our plans. We are still very committed and will continue our strong partnerships with WBIE licensees."
The company recently opened a London office and announced plans to take over direct distribution, sales, and marketing of its internally-developed titles as well as its third-party titles in Europe.
WBIE's parent company has a five year deal with Legendary Pictures to co-produce and co-finance movies based upon Warner Bros. properties. Legendary has already released Batman Begins, Superman Returns, and 300, and is currently in production on The Dark Knight.
Legendary Picture's chariman and CEO founded Brash Studios, whose upcoming videogames will be distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.


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| Date Published: September 18, 2012 |
More current news for Norwegian Cruise Line:|
Norwegian Cruise Line Raises Daily Gratuities
Norwegian Cruise Line Profile and Reviews
Latest Cruise News Headlines
|Godmothers of New Norwegian Cruise Ship Are a Real Kick|
Norwegian Cruise Line named the Rockettes as the godmothers of its newest cruise ship, Norwegian Breakaway. At the same time, MSG Entertainment, owner of the Rockettes, announced Norwegian Cruise Line will be the official cruise line of the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall and an official partner of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
"I strongly believe that the Rockettes, one of the most beloved and recognizable New York icons, are the perfect choice to serve as the ship's godmothers," Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian's CEO, said in a prepared statement.
As part of the Rockettes' role as godmothers, two dancers from the famed troupe will sail aboard each of the first six sailings of Norwegian Breakaway, and the first sailing of each month thereafter. While onboard, the two Rockettes will lead exclusive Rockette-themed fitness classes and will participate in photo ops, as well as meet and greets with passengers. The Rockettes also will be showcased via a historical retrospective in the ship's library.
Having Rockettes on board the ship "takes the role of godmother to a new level as the Rockettes will be a special part of Norwegian Breakaway's unique cruising experience," Sheehan said.
The christening ceremony will take place May 8 in New York City.
Norwegian has been revealing a steady stream of information on the Breakaway, including its solo cabin-and-lounge complex, Haven suite complex, kids' activities, restaurants and more. Follow along on our Project Breakaway page.
--by Dori Saltzman, News Editor
| Cruise News Headlines
More Norwegian Cruise Line News
Norwegian Cruise Line Reviews
Norwegian Cruise Line Deals


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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Great Depression was the last time the U.S. experienced unemployment at levels it is right now. The Coronavirus Pandemic claimed 20 million jobs in April, bringing the unemployment rate to 14.7%.
Bill Fox, Economics Professor and Director of the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, said the milestone isn’t surprising. In fact, he said unemployment totals could actually be worse, given those who haven’t looked for employment or are sheltered at home aren’t counted.
Fox is hopeful many, if not all, the more than 30 million lost jobs will be added within a year or so. The timeline, he explained, is not up to how strict or lenient state and local governments are on business, but instead, it will be up to the consumer and their willingness to spend money.
“It really is how will consumers respond and I’ve been out over the last week as restaurants have opened up a little. I haven’t see many people in them yet, even though there are relatively few tables available. What’s that is telling us is people remained concerned,” Fox explained.
Once the public gains confidence, whether that be through a vaccine, a period of time with no resurgence, of effective treatment options, he thinks people will be willing to go out and spend money in socially dense areas.
Next Level Brewing Company opened its doors December 13, 2019. Three months later, like many businesses around the country, they closed. While co-owner Rick Cox said business was strong in their early days, they expected April to be the start of their busiest months.
While it’s been far from what he expected, the next level team has found creative ways to sell their product. Most of their business is generated off-site, by going out to neighborhoods and setting up with local food trucks.
“The community has been fantastic. they’ve definitely supported all local businesses through this,” Cox said.
While their business is not included in phase one of the local reopening plan, Cox isn’t confident business will spike again when they are able to welcome customer inside.
“I think it’s just human nature to be skeptical and worried, and not really know what the future holds…whether this pandemic has actually been stopped or slowed down, or if it will pop back up and be worse than it was to begin with,” he said.
For now, they’re “treading water,” as Cox put it. They look forward to they day they’re able to float, and welcome guests again safely.
Another major factor Fox predicts could impact the timeline, and overall economic growth nationally, is whether companies use this window to “right size” themselves.
“I’m thinking of retailers or restaurant chains,” he said. “If they have particular locations that were not being very successful, they’re going to be much more likely to not reopen those.”
At this point, he anticipates a mild recession to last through most of this calendar year, while things pick up toward the end of the year.
Early 2021, right now, is his estimate for our economy getting out of negative growth. He also expects the overall loss in GDP to range between 7-8% by the end of the year, which would reflect the massive loss in income nationally.
- ‘Blessed to be alive’: Knoxville man advocates for gun safety after shooting accident
- Knoxville organization aims to promote vaccines, build trust among minority communities
- Democrats demand support for American Relief Plan as Republicans push for ‘vote-a-rama’
- Juvenile in serious condition following shooting in Claxton
- McNabb Center asks public’s help in raising funds for treatment facility expansion


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Amazon’s sales and profits jumped last year, helped by an uptick in demand for Prime.
Profits hit $3bn in 2017, up from $2.4bn the previous year.
Full-year revenues stood at $177.9bn, up 31%.
The retail behemoth saw a record 38% rise in fourth-quarter sales, which topped $60.5bn.
This performance is in stark contrast to much of the retail industry as many businesses suffered flat or falling sales over the festive period.
Its fourth-quarter profits more than doubled, hitting $1.9bn, due to a tax benefit of around $789m, related to new US tax laws.
Amazon emphasised the role of Prime in its success, saying more members joined the scheme last year than in any previous year.
It sent five billion items worldwide via Prime during 2017, with four million people signing up in a single week during the golden quarter.
Founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos highlighted the success of Alexa, Amazon’s own-brand voice-activated technology.
He said: “Our 2017 projections for Alexa were very optimistic, and we far exceeded them. We don’t see positive surprises of this magnitude very often – expect us to double down.”


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Nov. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Voters in Washington approved a measure backed by retailer Costco Wholesale Corp. ending 78 years of state-controlled liquor sales.
Initiative 1183 was passing by about 60 percent, according to data on the Secretary of State’s website early today.
Washington will shut state-owned stores selling vodka and other spirits by June 1 and dismantle Prohibition-era protections that prevented retailers from buying alcohol directly from manufacturers. The measure was closely watched because it could create momentum in 17 other states that control liquor sales, said Jared Koerten, an analyst in Chicago for Euromonitor International Plc.
“The results are likely to increase the pressure for privatization in most control states,” Koerten said in an interview before the outcome of the vote was known.
Costco, based in Issaquah, a suburb east of Seattle, contributed more than $20 million of the $22.7 million raised by the initiative’s supporters, disclosure filings show. Supermarket chains Safeway Inc. and Trader Joe’s Co. also contributed.
A privatization measure backed by Costco last year failed after opponents warned it would increase underage drinking and drunken driving by making liquor available at convenience stores. The initiative passed yesterday limits most new outlets to stores larger than 10,000 square feet.
License fees from 1,428 projected dealers may raise as much as $480 million over six years for state and local governments, state budget planners estimated.
Washington faces a $2 billion budget deficit. Governor Christine Gregoire proposed a plan Oct. 27 that would cut university funding and medical benefits for the disabled.
Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are debating a proposal to sell state-owned wine and liquor stores to address budget shortfalls.
--Editors: Pete Young, Ted Bunker
To contact the reporters on this story: Peter Robison in Seattle at firstname.lastname@example.org; Duane D. Stanford in Atlanta at email@example.com.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Tannenbaum at firstname.lastname@example.org


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Moms Link What They Eat to How They Feel
Shoppers and Trends
June 29, 2008
What Moms eat and how they feel are directly linked, according to a recent study from the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), a non-profit consumer education foundation that motivates people to eat more fruits and vegetables with the goal of improving public health.
“We targeted Gen X Moms because Mom is usually the gatekeeper of the family as well as the primary shopper,” says Jill M. Le Brasseur, Communications Specialist for PBH.
The study, which interviewed 1,000 women between the ages of 24 and 41, all of whom had at least one child under 18 living in their household, found that Moms got a “feel good boost” from feeding their kids fruits and vegetables.
Indeed, 96% of Moms say they feel like a “good mother” when feeding their kids healthy foods, as compared to the one percent who say they feel good for feeding their kids sweets or snacks. Not surprisingly, 44% of moms feel badly when feeding their kids greasy foods. When Moms consume too many sweets on their own, almost half say they feel guilty after. Meanwhile, after consuming fruits and vegetables, most Moms report feeling good.
While 70% of those surveyed say they are most likely to eat healthy foods like fruits or vegetables when they are feeling happy or content, almost half of the Moms interviewed say they are likely to eat sweets when they experience feelings of sadness or stress. Almost 25% of Moms choose salty snack foods or cheeseburgers (or related items) when giving in to negative emotions.
When it comes to portion size, over half of Moms report overeating more frequently at meals that include starchy foods and sweets. Less than 25% of Moms overeat at meals that include fruits and vegetables. Overeating is more acceptable to Moms, on the other hand, when their food choices are healthier. In fact, almost a third of Moms say they feel “happy” after having “over-indulged” on fruits and veggies; well over half report feeling “good” about themselves.
Although Moms are aware of the healthfulness of fruits and veggies, and growing more aware of this fact annually, they are lagging behind on overall fruit and veggie intake. Moms are still consuming fewer servings of fruits and vegetables than the 2005 Dietary Guidelines recommend. However, consumption of fruits by Moms did rise by over three quarters of a cup since 2006, and veggie consumption rose by about a quarter cup.
“We thought that if we could get moms interested in increasing their families’ fruit and vegetable intake that those moms would then help motivate the rest of their family members to eat more as well,” says Le Brasseur.
One of the biggest challenges Moms face is getting their families on board with healthy eating. The study found that Moms are significantly more likely to agree that their households will be more responsive to the introduction of a greater variety of fruits and vegetables, than one that pushes one or two familiar items. This is a key finding for retailers, who can encourage variety purchasing at the store level.
“It’s best to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to ensure we get a wide variety of nutrients each day. Retailers can encourage the importance of eating a variety of fruits and veggies by posting general nutrition information, advice on selecting and storing fruits and vegetables, and recipes,” says Le Brasseur.
Moms could also use some help in the preparation realm, as they continue to believe that they lack the knowledge to prepare fruits and vegetables in ways that their families will find interesting. Still, it’s encouraging that their knowledge is rising – by eight percent over the last year – even if it is not at a level they find acceptable.
Ultimately, moms report that they are eager for help in increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in their family’s diet, and adopting in-store healthy campaigns is one way for retailers to join in the dialogue. The fact that Moms are reporting increased campaign awareness of PBH’s “5-9 a day” and “Fruits and Veggies – More Matters” logos is a good sign. And supermarkets are the top sources for exposure.
“Our research shows that customers want to receive nutrition information at the supermarket, the place where they will make buying decisions based on that sort of information. By supplying Moms with, not only nutrition information, but also selection, storage and preparation advice, retailers can give them the knowledge and confidence they need to act on their desire to add more fruits and veggies to their families’ diets,” says Le Brasseur.
For more nutrition information, advice on selecting and storing fruits and vegetables, and recipes, visit the PBH website at www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org.


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National stationary store chain Typo closed the doors of its Launceston shop permanently on Sunday.
Typo is owned by the Geelong-based Cotton On Group, who operate Cotton On, Rubie Shoes, Supre, Cotton On Body, Cotton On Kids and Factorie.
A Typo store employee, who did not wish to be named, said the Brisbane Street mall store would become a Factorie.
In other news:
According to the Typo store employee, some of Typo's staff would be relocated between the new Factorie site as well as the Cotton On store on St John Street.
The employee said the closure of Typo would further limit stationary supply specialist shops in Launceston's CBD after Birchall's closed in 2017.
The Examiner contacted Cotton On Group for comment on Typo's closure.


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FeetPort has been backed by the FbStart Bootstrap program run by Facebook. The guys behind the most popular social platform in the world, run a startup program called FbStart which curates startups and provides them benefits from various technology partners and service providers.
FeetPort will be receiving benefits from Facebook (FbStart) worth over $40,000 !
FeetPort is a product built by Competent Groove, from Chandigarh, India. Visit feetport.com to know more.


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This year, fresh investment in venture companies is expected to surpass 3 trillion won (US$2.65 billion) while the number of certified venture companies are about to exceed 100,000. These figures suggest that the Korean government’s venture support policy is paying off.
The government presented “innovative start-up ecosystem creation plans” based on the private sector in November last year. The plans aim to encourage talent to set up a business and realize an innovative startup country with venture investment. To this end, the government set up three key promotion directions, including the creation of innovative startup-friendly environment, the promotion of dramatic increase in venture investment funds and the establishment of a virtuous circle from startup to investment.
Now, a year after the announcement of the plans, the startup ecosystem is changing. The private sector is participating in growing the whole venture market unlike the past when it was led by the public sector. Fresh venture investments are highly likely to exceed 3 trillion won (US$2.65 billion) and the total number of venture companies is expected to surpass 100,000.
The government selected 22 in-house venture operating companies and 41 in-house venture teams in August in order to create an innovative startup-friendly environment. It is currently carrying out the second round of recruitment by introducing the TIPS method into in-house venture and challenge programs.
The government has also removed startup barriers, such as levies and taxes. It has extended the period of levy exemption on startups by five years to 2022 and exempted technical innovation firms from acquisition taxes and heavy taxes in the metropolitan area. It has also selected 65 leading companies to create a maker space in where everyone with an idea can start a business across the nation.
The biggest difference between the situation now and the one before is that a large amount of money has flooded into the venture market. The government has allocated 400 billion won (US$352.73 million) to dramatically increase venture investment funds through this year’s budget and supplementary budget. Based on this, it is raising the Innovation Venture Funds worth 560 billion won (US$493.83 million) in total and will carry out the fund-linked security programs as soon as the fund is raised. Policy financing institutions, such as the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund and the Korea Technology Finance Corp., will work together with private funds to supply security for innovation venture funds investing companies as well as give out loans with no guarantee.
The government has eased the limit of crowdfunding investments and regulations on advertisements in the first half of this year and extended the range of excellent technologies which are subject to income tax exemption when investing in crowdfunding. Its decision is expected to help the venture market attract investment.
In addition, the government is making an effort to build the virtuous cycle system from startup to investment. It revised the income tax law early this year and has decided to exempt from taxes on capital gains in the process of trading small and mid-size business shares on the Korea Over-the-Counter (K-OTC) market. It also abolished the company representative’s joint surety system in getting public institutions’ loans and guarantee in April.


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Plus Products raised the money through proceeds from its Rainbow Sorbet gummies, a limited-time offering sold each year around Pride Month.
One dollar from each of the 60,937 units sold was committed towards the SF LGBT Center as part of its “commitment to strengthening and supporting communities in which it operates and sells products.”
“This limited edition and the accompanying donation is just a small way for PLUS to show support for the LGBTQ+ community,” said Jake Heimark, co-founder and CEO of Plus Products. “Our company was honored to have the opportunity to work with the SF LGBT Center this year. We care deeply about being a truly engaged partner and look forward to finding more opportunities to work together in the future.”
Plus says this product is its “best-selling seasonal flavor,” and that it sold more of its Rainbow Sorbet gummies this year than at any other time.
PLUS Products seem to be successful with their new marketing of dosable cannabis-infused edibles. I like that they are charitable giving. $plus @plusgummies Will these be available in Canada in December? https://t.co/12OkkugHtD
— Mirelle (@MirelleLevesque) August 8, 2019
“This generous donation demonstrates PLUS’s investment in the LGBTQ+ community as well as the overwhelming enthusiasm of fellow Californians to work with us to create a more welcoming, equitable world.”
– Dani Siragusa, SF LGBT Center’s director of development
Plus begins California marketing campaign
Apart from generating some goodwill by donating to the SF LGBT Center, the company’s California-wide advertising campaign is well underway.
Billboards and other out-of-home media, including advertisements on subways and bus stops, have been strategically placed across San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.
The advertisements seek to illustrate the three distinct “moods” Plus Products’ new system of edible gummies caters to: Balance, Uplift and Unwind.
In our last article on Plus, Lukas Kane wrote, during Q4 2018, the company had three of the best-selling branded cannabis products in all categories including flower, vaporizers and edibles.
“Cannabis can be confusing to new consumers, and we hope that the clarity of our system will bring customers into the category. There are many people who have been interested in trying cannabis, but feel lost when confronted by traditional industry terminology. Our hope is that this campaign will speak to those individuals.”
Plus contracted acclaimed photographer and artist Jill Greenberg to develop the marketing materials for their latest California campaign.
Greenberg has worked on campaigns for products such as Head & Shoulders, Lay’s chips and what seems to be every major movie in the past decade.
While that’s all well and good, Plus is also up 26% since July 2, 2019. The company has increased its cash assets from $22M in Q4 2018 to $35.5M as of the end of Q1 2019.
Liabilities are up from $2M to nearly $15M over the same period, but revenue has more than tripled, increasing from $860K to $3.25M.
And the company still has a great quick ratio, is doing all the right things on the public relations/marketing side and is growing revenues. Victory tastes sweet.
Full disclosure: Plus Products is an equity.guru marketing client.


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Since the beginning of the offensive against Kiev, one snapshot has been a favourite on social media: it shows a man presented as the chief of the Kremlin alongside former presidents Samora Machel and Emmerson Mnangagwa. But its authenticity is…
Common perceptions about Chinese engagement in Africa are that it is one-dimensional and sometimes biased. One common problem with this perception is the seeming acceptance of what’s called ‘methodological nationalism’ – that the national origin of a firm or agency …Continue reading
The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) last year has the potential to reduce trade barriers across Africa, and in doing so, it will likely usher in a new era of prosperity across the continent. However, the …Continue reading
Much has been written about the potential economic benefits of the new African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). However, few people have asked: how will the new trade deal help African states develop a resilient agriculture sector?
Food is crucial …Continue reading
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) officially went into force at the beginning of this year. For the first time, the entire continent came together to formulate an agreement to liberalise trade, help business, and encourage investment. While protectionism …Continue reading
Today there are moves to start a process of moving Africa towards a regime of free trade. This is something that will bring great benefits and should be encouraged, but it needs to be understood properly and pursued in the …Continue reading


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Standard Motor Products had a positive 2016 according to its year-end financial reports.
The company saw an increase in net sales year over year from $972 million to $1,058 million. Earnings from continuing operations for 2016 were $62.4 million compared to $48.1 million in 2015.
This equated to a gross profit of $322 million for 2016 versus a 280 million gross profit for 2015.
“We are very pleased with our 2016 results, as we set company records for both sales and profit. For the year, net sales were up 8.9% (excluding the mid-year acquisition of General Cable’s North American automotive ignition wire business, net sales were ahead 3.5%). Gross margin for the year increased from 28.9% to 30.5%, and net earnings and earnings per share were up roughly 30%,” said Eric P. Sills, Standard Motor Products’ CEO and president.


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Meghana Dalal ( )
Auto companyis pushing for sustainable development across the organisation with a slew of initiatives, including sustainable mobility solutions and efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
Sustainable Initiatives by Tata Motors
Vehicles with advanced technology
Tata Motors says it is committed to the government’s vision for electric vehicles (EVs) and is working to enable faster adoption of EVs to build a sustainable future for India.
The company is focused on factors such as the gradual acceptance of EVs and the growing popularity of CNG technology. It aims to develop safer, smarter and greener vehicles and concepts to transform personal mobility, passenger mobility, and freight transportation.
Tata Motors showcased several models in various stages of production at this year’s Auto Expo, including models in the EV segment.
The auto firm has delivered Tigor EVs to Energy Efficiency Services Limited and Tata Starbus hybrid electric buses to Mumbai Metropolitan Area Development Authority.
Reducing carbon footprint
By joining the RE100 campaign, an initiative led by Climate Group, Tata Motors says it is demonstrating its leadership in the area of renewable energy. It aims to convert its operations to renewable energy in the near future.
The company sources renewable energy (wind and solar) from its own generation and through onsite and offsite power purchase agreements. It strives to obtain renewable energy with greater rigour to reach its goal of procuring 100% renewable energy by 2030.
In FY22, across all its plants in India, Tata Motors generated 92.39 million kWh of renewable electricity for its manufacturing operations, which is 19.4% of the total power consumption, leading to an avoidance of 72,992 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and financial saving of Rs 27.37 crore.
Strengthening waste management
In line with the theme of ‘value from waste’ at its Indian production facilities, Tata Motors is concentrating on the 3Rs of Recycle, Reuse and Recovery. By integrating a circular economy approach, the company says it has successfully completed a closed-loop plastic recycling pilot project by producing new plastic parts from waste.
The company says it is continuing its practices to achieve zero liquid discharge and zero waste to the landfill.
Reduction in hazardous waste: Tata Motors has reduced the amount of hazardous waste disposed of at the Common Hazardous Waste Collection, Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities by a significant percentage compared to the previous year.
E-waste management: Tata Motors has implemented a comprehensive e-waste management system to handle electronic waste generated at its facilities. The company has tied up with authorised e-waste recyclers for the safe disposal of e-waste.
Collaboration with stakeholders: Tata Motors is collaborating with suppliers, dealers, and customers to promote waste reduction and sustainable practices across the value chain.
Tata Motors is using sustainable materials, such as bio-based plastics, recycled materials, and renewable fibres, in its vehicle manufacturing process.
The company has taken several initiatives to promote the use of environmentally friendly materials, such as green plasticisers, primer-free disc sealants, composite brake drums, and leaf springs.
Building a socially responsible value chain
Tata Motors is gradually implementing the Sustainable Supply Chain initiative. Its manufacturing facilities source a significant part of on-site materials and services from suppliers in states where the facilities are located.
The company says it has aligned its efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a commitment to a circular economy and end-to-end solutions, Tata Motors says it is geared towards a more sustainable future for the automotive industry.


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In November of last year, MADSTEEZ was commissioned to pull of an incredible feat of creating a massive 80 foot by 30 foot mural on the rooftop of the Nike-affiliated Ricardo Montblan Theatre in Hollywood. The subsequent video documents the production and execution of the mural which involves many of Nike Football’s biggest stars including Ronaldo, Zlatan, Torres, Rooney and Donovan.
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Explore and be inspired by the latest women's fashion news and trends.


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Apple Inc (AAPL) is continuing to make waves in the stock market with its impressive performance. The tech giant’s stock has appreciated over 40%, and analysts project that the company’s bottom line could increase by 10%. Furthermore, Apple has solidified its position as the market leader in China, and is continuing to develop innovative products and services. This article will explore the factors that have contributed to Apple’s success and how it will continue to shape the future of the tech industry.
Apple’s Stock Appreciation: Over 40% Increase in 2023
Apple’s stock appreciation in 2020 has been nothing short of remarkable. After a tumultuous 2019, the company’s stock price has skyrocketed, up nearly 50% since the start of the year. Investors have been buoyed by the company’s strong financial performance and the success of its new products, such as the iPhone 11 and the Apple Watch. The company has also benefited from the success of its services division, which includes the App Store, Apple Music, and Apple Pay. As a result, Apple’s stock is trading at record highs, and the company is now the most valuable in the world. With the company’s strong fundamentals and continued innovation, Apple’s stock appreciation looks set to continue in the months to come.
Potential to Boost Bottom Line: Cut SG&A and R&D Expenses
By cutting SG&A and R&D expenses to levels seen in previous years, the company has the potential to boost its bottom line by over 10% a year. This could provide a significant boost to the company’s bottom line and further increase investor confidence.
Market Leader in China: Aggressive Pricing Strategies and Dominance in Premium Smartphone Market
The company’s aggressive pricing strategies and dominance in the premium smartphone market have allowed it to become the market leader in China, and its upcoming software upgrade could further reduce users’ reliance on usernames and passwords. Furthermore, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to decline to hear an appeal in a long-running patent infringement case is a positive sign for the company’s future. With refreshes of the iPad Pro, iMac, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, and its Vision Pro headset set to generate up to $10 billion in revenue in the next five years, Apple is well-positioned for long-term success.
Apple Inc (AAPL) is a shining example of a successful company in the tech industry. With a stock appreciation of over 40%, a potential to boost its bottom line by 10%, and a strong presence in the Chinese market, Apple is a leader in the industry. The company’s strong financial performance, innovative products, and commitment to customer satisfaction have enabled it to remain a top contender in the tech industry. Apple Inc (AAPL) is well-positioned to continue its success and remain a market leader for years to come.


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Gibson CEO takes leave from Rainforest Alliance board after federal raid
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- April Wortham
- Nashville Business Journal
Gibson Guitar Corp. CEO Henry Juszkiewicz has taken a leave of absence from his role as board member of an international conservation group while federal authorities investigate Gibson’s Nashville plant.
In a statement today, the New York-based Rainforest Alliance also said it has postponed until December an annual audit of the Nashville plant that was scheduled for Nov. 23.
Officials with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service served a search warrant at Gibson’s Nashville plant on Tuesday.
Neither Fish & Wildlife nor the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle Tennessee District have commented on the investigation. However, a statement from Gibson issued Tuesday indicated that the action may be focused on wood illegally harvested from rain forests.
Fish & Wildlife is charged with enforcing the Lacey Act, which requires that all wood products and plants imported into the United States come from legal sources.
The Rainforest Alliance says its auditors last visited the Nashville plant in September 2008 and verified that Gibson purchased hard maple, mahogany and muira piranga from rain forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
The woods are used in the manufacturing of Gibson’s Les Paul SmartWood and Raw Power guitars, which are sold as “FSC-Pure” with a certificate of authenticity from Gibson.
According to the Alliance, the wood under investigation is not FSC-certified.
The Nashville plant currently holds the Alliance’s Chain-of-Custody certificate. According to the Alliance’s Web site, the certification “assures companies handling forest products as well as consumers and other end-users that the FSC-certified products they purchase are from responsible sources.”
You can contact April Wortham at firstname.lastname@example.org or 615-846-4276.
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Come Sunday evening, the time for speculation will be over. It will have been a year since Microsoft first announced its intentions to bring controller-free gaming to the masses, and the company will finally show us exactly what's in store -- for better or worse. This past year has been filled with small glimpses at the technology, guesses as to how it could be used, and lots and lots of wondering about whether it would actually work.
I suspect that last part will be most important for the long-term success of whatever Project Natal ends up being officially named. If there's too much lag or the resolution isn't fine enough, word of mouth will kill it amongst any serious gamers.
But before we get to all that, it's time for one more round of speculation. This one was prompted by an email I received from IGN reader Nate Atkins who wrote in to remind me of one of the cooler ways Natal could be used. I'll get to that in a bit because -- to be totally honest -- I don't expect most of the launch games to fall under the label of "cool." I'd wager that just one or two of the Project Natal titles showcased at E3 will be appealing enough to the hardcore gamer to make them consider a purchase.
Developers Sound Off
With an attempt at fully level-headed speculation, here are five things you should realistically expect out of Natal at E3, and two to hope for.
The Richochet game that Microsoft has demoed over and over would fit into this category. It may or may not turn out to be a full game, or even a part of a game, but it's a good example of what's to come. Little mini-games that showcase the full range of 3D motion that Natal adds to gaming will be all the rage at E3. Bowling, basketball, golf, darts, a new version of pong -- anything that you'd expect out of a Wii mini-game compilation will be on display.
How do you make complicated events simple? Put them on rails. It makes it "casual friendly" and lowers the barrier to entry even farther than simply removing the standard controller. This already happened several times on the Wii, so expect the experiment to continue on Natal. Tony Hawk did it on Wii. So did Sonic. Even shooters on Wii have gone that route with commercial flops like Dead Space Extraction.
The concept is simple: You stand in one place jumping around while the in-game camera moves along on a fixed path. Obstacles zoom towards you, enemies must be swatted or zapped, and you keep flailing until the end of the level. Or until you get tired.
These carnival and on-rails types of games are pretty much all Microsoft has shown so far.
This one is a no brainer. Wii Fit is a mega hit and it doesn't even really do anything to make you fit. The idea of fitness is strong enough to drive sales to tons of people who normally wouldn't buy a game system. That's exactly who Microsoft is targeting.
Hardcore Monkey Wrenching
We already know that Lionhead intends to add Project Natal features to Fable III. With the big hype around the launch of Natal this fall, it seems likely that other "core" games will follow suit. With just a little extra work to add some Natal mini-games, high profile traditional games will be able to cash in on the hoopla.
Think Minority Report only not quite as needlessly flashy. During the announcement of Natal last E3, Microsoft showed a model family scrolling through their Netflix queue with the wave of a hand. That will likely become a reality this fall and you should expect Microsoft to show off a new, Natal-enabled dashboard.