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It’s a rare day when you get still-smokin’ new footage from an Aphex Twin gig and audio from a new Daft Punk project, but there’s a whole lot more in today’s news, including tips on the new OWSLA label showcase, an interview with Mount Kimbie, and some opinions from Youngsta. So let’s check it out!
– Check out the exclusive soundtrack that Daft Punk crafted for the latest Saint Laurent fashion show, featuring edits of bluesman Junior Kimbrough. (full story)
– Curious about the person behind the amazing cover art for all the Visionquest records? Her name is Pilar Zeta, and Resident Advisor just assembled a really nice profile on the artist. (full story)
– We’re loving the sweet and subtle vibes of Gothenburg, Sweden-based producer 1991. Now he’s gone and made a video that encapsulates the era from which he takes his name, and it’s a tribute to outdated operating systems.
– Youngsta, one of the originators of the UK dubstep sound, sounds off on 10 years of the genre, and where it’s headed. (full story)
– The electronic-indie crossover kings Mount Kimbie speak with FACT about their forthcoming album for Warp. (full story)
– Did you know that Skrillex has just announced a huge tour for his OWSLA label, which kicks off later this month and features The M Machine, Jack Beats, Kill the Noise, Birdy Nam Nam, and tons more? Check out all the tour dates. (full story)
– And lastly, a couple of nights ago, Aphex Twin staged a rather experimental performance at London’s Barbican Arts Centre with his Remote Orchestra. Peep the slew of videos below. (full story)


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Senator Elizabeth Warren Urges SEC to Investigate Tesla: What You Need to Know
Senator Elizabeth Warren has urged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate Tesla Motors and its board of directors over CEO Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover, possible conflicts of interest, and other negative impacts related to Tesla shareholders. The nine-page letter, first obtained by CNBC, was sent to SEC Chair Gary Gensler on Monday. The news has sparked discussions among Tesla investors, regulators, and the public alike.
Elizabeth Warren just sent a letter to the SEC urging it to investigate Tesla $TSLA and its board of directors over possible “conflicts of interest" from @elonmusk buying Twitter and becoming its CEO pic.twitter.com/DcP8k9hxUC
— Evan (@StockMKTNewz) July 17, 2023
In the letter, Senator Warren expressed concern over the “apparent lack of independence” of the Tesla board from Musk, who reportedly owns over 28% of Tesla shares. Warren argued that the board’s inaction and incomplete disclosures raise questions about possible securities law and exchange rule violations falling under SEC jurisdiction.
Warren also cited Musk’s tweets about Tesla’s SolarCity acquisition, claiming they were misleading to investors and benefited his own interests, not those of Tesla shareholders.
Warren’s request for investigation follows the SEC’s previous investigations and settlements with Musk over his controversial tweets. In 2018, Musk tweeted about taking Tesla private at $420 per share, which led to lawsuits and an SEC probe. Musk and Tesla settled with the SEC for $20 million each and agreed to appoint a communications oversight committee. In 2019, Musk tweeted about Tesla’s production numbers and earnings forecasts, leading to another SEC probe. Musk and Tesla both denied wrongdoing, and no charges were made.
The new request for an investigation comes amid continued scrutiny over Tesla’s corporate governance practices and Musk’s leadership style. In recent years, several institutional investors, including the CtW Investment Group, have criticized Tesla’s board for being too close to Musk and failing to provide adequate oversight. Some investors have called for an independent chairperson to separate the roles of CEO and board chair.
Some analysts argue that Warren’s action is politically motivated and may not have significant implications for Tesla or its stakeholders. They note that Warren has previously criticized Musk and Tesla for environmental and labor practices, and her letter may be part of a broader political campaign against the company. They also argue that the SEC may not find any grounds for investigation, given the previous settlements and lack of clear evidence of wrongdoings.
Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, the news has put Tesla under the spotlight again and raised questions about the role of social media in corporate governance and investor relations. Some experts argue that social media platforms like Twitter can be a powerful tool for CEOs to communicate directly with investors and the public, but they can also pose risks for market manipulation, information asymmetry, and conflicts of interest. They urge companies and regulators to establish clear guidelines and processes for social media use, disclosure, and accountability.
Elizabeth Warren’s request for an SEC investigation into Tesla over Twitter ties and corporate governance practices has stirred up debates and speculations in the investment community. While some see it as a legitimate call for accountability and transparency, others view it as a political tactic or an overreaction. Whatever the case may be, the case highlights the growing importance of social media in modern corporate governance and investor communication, and the challenges and risks that come with it. It also underscores the need for clear policies and regulations that balance the benefits and risks of social media use by CEOs and companies, and protect the interests of all stakeholders.

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On Thursday, June 7, Thomasville’s Manchester, MO location was featured in a fun, local HGTV-like TV show called, “The Great Design Rescue.” KMOV-Channel 4’s Virginia Kerr hosted with Interior Designer, Jessie Miller, solving a young family’s design challenge. The show’s premise was a tight budget revamp of a living room, so Jessie talked about designer secrets like looking for floor samples to stay within budget. The Thomasville store received front and center camera time including a shopping trip inside the store, with the host and designer looking at many items, including demonstrating the adjustable Apprentice Table from the Reinventions collection, close-ups on a bright shag rug and then on to purchasing wall sconces, a rug and two lamps. And Jessie referred to Thomasville as “the place we are going to get items that will last this family for the long run.”
Thomasville Designer, Shannon Craig, was shown on camera and behind the scenes, Store Manager, Tammy Kavanaugh, went above and beyond to make sure the segment went perfectly.
Want to watch?
The Thomasville portion of the show starts at the four minute, 30 second mark (4:30):
If this video link doesn’t work, you may visit the TV station’s website where the video is posted in segments: http://www.kmov.com/great-day-st-louis/The-Great-Design-Rescue-Part-2-158186875.html


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The Habit Burger Grill set for 'pre-opening' event Sunday
Fundraiser will support Hesperia High
HESPERIA — A nationally renowned burger chain is set to show off its first High Desert location at a fundraising event this weekend.
Named "Best Burger in America" by Consumer Reports two years ago, The Habit Burger Grill has scheduled a pre-opening fundraising event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, with all proceeds going to Hesperia High School.
“An important part of the Habit’s culture is caring about the communities that we serve,” said Russ Bendel, president and chief executive officer of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. “It’s a Habit tradition to open every new restaurant with a significant fundraiser that has a local impact. We are happy to support Hesperia High School as part of the opening.”
The new restaurant is located at the Hesperia Marketplace Shopping Center on the southeast corner of Escondido Avenue and Main Street. It will take up over 3,800 square feet and will include seating for 50 inside and 76 on the patio. Officials say The Habit will create approximately 35 new jobs.
It's part of the new, two-building commercial development that broke ground across from the Wal-Mart Supercenter earlier this year. The 24,000-square-foot development includes Petco, which opened in October, and the soon-opening Pieology Pizzeria, Yogurtland and MetroPCS.
A spokesman for The Habit Burger said Sunday’s fundraiser is open to the public, and those planning to attend are encouraged to sign up for the company’s CharClub to know about new menu items and be invited to other grand opening events.
“My favorite burger is the basic Double Charburger with extra mayonnaise and grilled onions,” said Sheila McDonald of Oak Hills, who has dined at several Habit Burger Grills in the Inland Empire. “The tri-tip sandwich is also very good.”
McDonald said having a new Habit Burger in Hesperia gives her a new Christmas gift option as she can now purchase a gift card for family and friends.
The Habit Burger Grill, a "fast casual" restaurant chain focused on hamburgers, salads, sandwiches, shakes and french fries, came in first place in front of local competitor In-N-Out, which took second place in the Consumer Reports survey.
With nearly 140 locations, the company experienced a 40-percent sales increase from 2012 to 2013, as reported by the Orange County Business Journal.
Following the Sunday evening fundraiser, the store is set to officially open at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. The Hesperia Marketplace Shopping Center is located at 13325 Main Street in Hesperia.
To sign up for the CharClub, to view a full menu and for general information on the The Habit, visit habitburger.com.
Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227, RDeLa firstname.lastname@example.org or on Twitter@DP_ReneDeLaCruz.


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Perfect Day, a company that researches, develops and produces animal-free dairy, has announced the launch of new limited-edition ice cream product, powered by the company’s flora-based, animal-free dairy protein.
Perfect Day will be offering a bundle containing three flavours of the frozen dairy dessert: Milky Chocolate, Vanilla Salted Fudge and Vanilla Blackberry Toffee.
The company aims to produce protein-heavy products that are dairy-free through a fermentation process that is similar to the manufacture of vitamins and amino acids, which are identical to the proteins found in cow’s milk.
According to the Irish Times, the company, which is now based in California, was part of an accelerator programme in Cork, which was backed by former Dragon’s Den star Sean O’Sullivan.
Perumal Gandhi, the co-founder of Perfect Day, said that the goal has always been “to pave the way for a kinder, greener planet”.
Since the company’s $50,000 funding from the accelerator programme, Gandhi and his co-founder Ryan Pandya have gone on to raise more than $60 million in investment.
“What we’re doing here is completely new to the world,” Pandya, Perfect Day’s CEO, told the Irish Times.
“We wanted our first debut to be under the care of our own brand, so that we could demonstrate the consumer benefits inherent to our protein, while starting a conversation about this new approach to making food.”
The limited-edition flavour bundles are available from July 11 for $60.00 plus shipping and handling, exclusively at perfectdayfoods.com.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.


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JOHOR BARU: Despite concerns of economic slowdown due to Wuhan Coronavirus, many traders and eatery owners said they had not experienced any major effects.
MIRI: Sarawak must open more mobile lab facilities for comprehensive on-the-spot health checks at the many entry points in this vast state.
TESCO Stores Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Tesco) continues to support local small and medium enterprises (SME) to play a bigger role in the retail industry and enjoy higher sales.
SHOPPING centres are proactively tackling the sanitary matter in the face of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.
LIKE his nickname, the paintings by Thai artist Bomb feature an “explosion” of patterns and effects that invite viewers for a closer look to admire their textures and step back to ponder the overall meaning.
JIRO KL presents Home featuring Alam, J-Sun and Qussay tomorrow.
SEVERAL pharmacies in Ipoh have run out of three-ply surgical face masks due to high demand because of the Covid-19 outbreak.
MALAYSIA is doing all the right things to face the Covid-19 outbreak, according to the Penang Health Department.


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IBTM Arabia, part of IBTM’s global portfolio of meetings and events industry trade shows and the most established event of its kind in the MENA MICE industry, has announced that its 2019 event is scheduled at Jumeirah Etihad Towers from March 25-27.
The event’s exclusive one-to-one pod format mutually-matches Hosted Buyers and exhibitors using IBTM’s bespoke “matchmaking” software, ensuring meetings take place between people with whom there is a great chance of doing business.
IBTM Arabia, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, is set to bring together exhibitors from Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Turkey, Russia, central Asia, Georgia, Armenia and Cyprus, as well as the UAE and GCC. Exhibitors signed up to attend so far include Cyprus Convention Bureau, Galaxia Tours, Rotana Hostel and Resorts and United Nations Economic Commissions for Africa.
“We’re delighted to announce the first details of IBTM Arabia 2019,” says Danielle Curtis, exhibition director for Reed Travel Exhibitions Middle East. “In a dynamic region such as ours, where so many destinations are investing heavily in facilities and infrastructure as they look to establish themselves in the global M&E industry, there is great demand for an established platform like IBTM Arabia. We provide an opportunity for organizations keen to market their brand, destination or services to a highly targeted international buying audience, as well as creating tailored content for international event planners keen to learn more about the region.”
One of the highlights of IBTM Arabia is its strong focus on networking and cultural events. This includes a “Discovery Day” in which all attendees can network in a relaxed setting to build relationships ahead of their formal business meetings, all while enjoying the sites and local culture of Abu Dhabi. The event’s well-known White Party gala dinner, sponsored by Rotana Hotels and Resorts, will also return in 2019.
“Our 2018 event was a huge success, and we’re committed to building on this as we continue to provide valuable business opportunities and inspiring content through our Knowledge Program,” says Curtis. “We are looking forward to sharing further details of the event in due course.”
More than 2,700 meetings took place during the three-day event at IBTM Arabia 2018, between a select one-to-one group ratio of Hosted Buyers and exhibitors. IBTM Arabia features a full program of pre-planned business meetings as well as an insightful series of Knowledge Program sessions presented by experts and educators on the latest industry developments.
IBTM, part of Reed Travel Exhibitions, is the world’s leading showcase for the meetings and events industry with a portfolio of five global and regional events providing business solutions on five continents. They include IBTM World, IBTM Arabia, IBTM Africa, IBTM Americas and IBTM China. For more info, visit ibtmevents.com.
Reed Travel Exhibitions is the world’s leading travel and tourism events organizer, with a wide-ranging portfolio of 22 international events in 13 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa. Its market-leading, business-to-business events cover all elements of travel and tourism, including leisure travel, luxury travel, meetings, events, incentives and business travel, as well as golf travel. For more info, visit reedtravelexhibitions.com.


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During its WWDC keynote, California-based tech monolith Apple has announced that its FaceTime app, once only available on its iPhones and Mac computers for iOS/MacOS, is releasing on the web and will be available for users on Android and Windows.
It seems Apple is taking on Zoom and the video calling service market with this move. FaceTime will also now allow users to send and receive links to scheduled calls. Call links can be shared with people in advance.
A release date has yet to be announced, according to The Verge. However, it is expected to be included in the iOS 15 update coming in spring. The new web version of FaceTime will either be available with the update or come after.
More new features coming to FaceTime with iOS 15
Apple also announced several new FaceTime features that will ship with iOS 15, including:
- A new grid view option for multiple callers at once.
- A voice isolation feature to improve sound quality.
- Spatial audio support.
- “Portrait mode” will now let you blur your background like most video-calling services.
- SharePlay – This new feature will allow groups of people to watch or listen to the same thing at once over FaceTime, sort of like Netflix Party. Pull songs, videos and share your screen with other users over FaceTime. Several major streaming services have been announced that will support the feature on release, namely – Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO Max and Twitch. Of course Apple’s own Apple Music and Apple TV Plus will support it too.
Virtual watch parties became popular during the first many months of worldwide lockdown with people reaching over the internet to spend time with friends and family. SharePlay looks to rebrand FaceTime from a convenient video calling service for your grandparents into a hangout space.
Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference is the company’s second-largest showcase for new developing products – from iOS, MacOS, to be apps set to be released.
Unable to perform the event in person due to the pandemic, this year Apple streamed the event. Showcasing many new software features, as well as a few hardware surprises.
By Luis Monzon
Follow Luis Monzon on Twitter
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"We are excited about the opportunity to expand our company's production operations. York County provided us with an excellent location for the new plant. South Carolina has offered us a positive business environment and a skilled workforce. We appreciate all the support we've received from state and local officials," said Brian Smith, plant manager for Softex Paper.
Softex will locate a new paper products manufacturing facility in an existing building, located at 210 Mount Phillips Street in Rock Hill. The company will produce paper towels, toilet paper and napkins at the 163,000-square-foot facility. Softex expects to begin operations in the new facility by the middle of 2013.
"While we work every day to bring new companies to South Carolina, it's always exciting to see one of our existing businesses further invest in our state. We celebrate Softex Paper's decision to invest $2 million and create 36 new jobs in Rock Hill. Investments like this one show we are on the right track with our economic development efforts," said Gov. Nikki Haley.
Since January 2011, South Carolina has recruited more than $7 billion in capital investment and more than 18,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector.
"South Carolina continues to build on its success in the manufacturing sector with announcements like this one. Softex Paper's decision to add another South Carolina operation once again demonstrates that companies see the Palmetto State as the right place to do business," said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
The new facility will be the second in South Carolina for Softex. The company already has production operations in Chester.
York County Chairman Dr. Britt Blackwell said, "Driven largely by the availability of a suitable existing building, we appreciate Softex's decision to expand in York County. The store chains they supply are expanding and thereby creating increased potential for more new jobs and investment for our area."
Softex will begin hiring for the new positions close to the time when the plant begins operations, around the middle of 2013.
For more information about Softex Paper, please visit www.softexpaper.com.
Source: South Carolina Dept of Commerce


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RUSSIA: Pyatyorochka founder Vysotsky exits X5
X5 Retail's discount format director Oleg Vysotsky is leaving the supermarket group, the company has confirmed.
Vysotsky will continue to manage the business for an interim period and will serve as a "transition advisor" when a successor has been appointed, X5 said in a statement.
"The company has already identified internal and external candidates and is conducting an exhaustive search to consider the broadest pool of management talent for this position," X5 said.
Vysotsky was a co-founder of the Pyatyorochka chain, which was renamed X5 Retail Group in 2006, and has been with the group for 15 years.
The turbulence in X5's senior management line-up has prompted speculation that internal divisions have emerged since long-serving chief executive Lev Khasis left the company a year ago to join Walmart.
Collectively, Pyatyorochka founders hold a 19.85% stake in X5. When contacted by just-food, the company declined to comment on the size of Vysotsky's personal holding in the group.
Jan Fuchs has become the latest senior executive to leave Russian retailer X5 Retail Group....
Russian retailer Dixy is focusing its growth strategy on expanding its convenience store network in the country....
- On the money: Hormel still looking for M&A
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- BRICs and beyond: Fonterra, Beingmate partnership
- On the money: Hain expects continued organic gains
- Analysis: Market bets on higher Chiquita offer
- Fonterra, Beingmate launch infant formula JV
- Parmalat nears Lacteos Brasil acquisition
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- Mondelez eyes snacks categories in India
- Italy yoghurt woes lead to Emmi profit warning


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Fisker Automotive is reported to be planning to delay the market rollout of Atlantic electric vehicle due to financial issues and the current investigations from the federal government. According to industry Web site InsideEVs.com, it has gotten copies of investor documents that reveal that Fisker is now planning to introduce the vehicle to the market by mid-2014.
Fisker just unveiled the Atlantic in April at the New York auto show and had planned to roll it out to the market in 2013. Roger Ormisher, Fisker spokesman declined to comment on the report, but sent an e-mail to Automotive News that the company considers the Atlantic as “very much part of Fisker’s future plans.”
Automotive News, however, said that Ormisher’s language implies confirmation that Fisker has trashed its 2013 plans for the Atlantic. In the e-mail to Automotive News, Ormisher said Fisker will be “confirming a new timetable for the program” once it secures funding from the US Department of Energy or from other sources.
InsideEVs.com disclosed that the investor documents also show that the Atlantic will be sold at around $50,000 to $60,000 each. According to Autoweek, the Atlantic is expected to fetch a price of below $40,000 after federal tax credits.
The Atlantic, dubbed as Nina during its development, is a plug-in hybrid powered by a BMW four-cylinder engine.
Fisker is targeting to have the Atlantic compete against mid-sized luxury sedans. Although the Atlantic is offered as a rear-wheel drive vehicle, a buyer could get an all-wheel drive version.
The delay in Atlantic’s rollout would be the latest misfortune for Fisker. It took the company a long time before it rolled out its first electric vehicle, the Fisker Karma, a $100,000 unit made in Finland. The company also suffered a blow from the DOE, which froze $529 million loan to the Fisker after the company had received about one-third of the allocated funds.
Fisker Automotive unveils its all-new Atlantic sedan, the latest model in its growing lineup of extended-range luxury electric vehicles.
The Fisker Atlantic was presented as a design prototype during a VIP preview event before the 2012 NY Auto Show press days. It is a luxury 4-door sporting sedan that boasts a practical interior and targets young families who are looking to drive high-end, impactful vehicles while also making a positive statement on the practicalities of daily life and on their commitment to sustainability.
Moreover, the Fisker Atlantic utilizes the latest second generation Electric Vehicle w/ extended range or EVer technology. It will also offer all the advantages and benefits of an electric drive and at the same time eliminate "range anxiety" with an all-electric powertrain.
And just like the Fisker Karma sedan, the Atlantic is also a plug-in series hybrid car that allows you to manually or automatically switch between electric driving and gasoline modes, thus sustaining the charge of the lithium ion batteries while on the move.
Its four-cylinder gasoline engine, which acts as a generator and is not mechanically connected to the wheels, is tuned to offer maximum economy and high torque. This Atlantic EVer powertrain offers performance that is highly competitive for a vehicle in its class. Standard powertrain is going to be configured for RWD or rear-wheel drive, while an AWD or all-wheel drive version is going to be offered as option.
In addition, the glass roof of the Fisker Atlantic design prototype boasts an incredibly strong ridged 'spider' structure. This construction also enables the car to offer an impressive amount of rear headroom given its sleek, coupe-like stance. The high-tech approach meets and surpasses all crash-test and rollover safety requirements worldwide. What’s more, the Atlantic's long wheelbase provides rear passengers with extra legroom as well as additional space in the trunk.


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Mahindra is developing an all-new Thar on the future Scorpio platform, which will in turn use a body on ladder platform borrowed from South Korean SUV maker Ssangyong. The new off-road vehicle will be ready within the next 5 years, and is expected to be sold both in India and globally. The main reason why Mahindra is shifting the new Thar to the new Scorpio platform is to make it ready for stricter safety norms. Also, this approach will give Mahindra the flexibility to use turbocharged petrol, diesel and even electric powertrains on the new Thar.
Mahindra’s international operations chief, Arvind Mathew said this about the new Thar,
The one that is out there (present Thar/Roxor) does not meet Australian regs for crash, but the next generation will.
For now, these are the only new details available about the new Thar but off-road enthusiasts and existing Thar owners will be thrilled to know that Mahindra is actually developing an all-new model of the off-roader with many modern bits. The new Scorpio platform will not just meet higher safety standards but will also have cleaner engines. Finally, buyers of the Thar can have safety features like ABS and airbags, features that are missing from the present model. Also, using the new Scorpio platform for the new Thar will allow the off roader to be more refined in terms of on-road behaviour, another area where the current model lacks in.
Using the new Scorpio platform an digging into the parts bin of the new SUV is also expected to result in an affordable price tag for the new Thar. This is because of platform and parts sharing. As for styling, fans of the Thar will be hoping that it retains the iconic CJ5 Jeep inspired design. More details on the Thar is likely to surface in the coming months. Keep reading CarToq for the latest updates on the next-generation Thar, an international lifestyle off roader from India that is a Jeep Wrangler rival.


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WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama on Wednesday will consider a new compromise plan for adding troops to Afghanistan that would deploy 30,000 to 35,000 new forces, including as many as 10,000 military trainers, over the next year or more.
The new scenario combines reinforcements for fighting Taliban insurgents with trainers aimed at rapidly increasing the size and capabilities of Afghan troops to take on more operations themselves. It wouldn't aim to eliminate the Taliban, but weaken it until Afghan forces can secure major population centers themselves.
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GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — To soak in some of the luck of the Irish, people gathered at A.J. McMurphy’s Irish Pub today for some green beer, corned beef, and cabbage.
Every year this is the biggest day of sales for them.
They are offering food and drink specials including Irish car bombs and of course, Guinness beer.
Food includes Shepard’s pie and Irish stew, sticking to the Irish theme.
“A crazy amount of people come,” said server, Julia Treadway. “I’d say it’s ten times on the normal average shift for us. We probably quadruple our sales on a given day, on this day. It’s a long day!”
Bagpipers began at 7 P.M. drawing in people all around our area in green, ready to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.


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Are you ready for #Arivenchy?!
Ariana Grande is officially the face of Givenchy, the fashion house revealed on Friday (May 10).
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Ariana Grande
“It is with great excitement that the House of Givenchy reveals its new face — a strong, independent woman of refreshing character and style: the multi-talented Ariana Grande,” the brand announced.
“I am so proud to be the new face of Givenchy. It is a House I have forever admired and to now be part of that family is such an honor. I love this clothing and the confidence and joy it brings to the people wearing it. Not only is the clothing timeless and beautiful but I’m proud to work with a brand that makes people feel celebrated for who they are, and unapologetic about whatever they want to be,” said Ariana.
The full Givenchy Fall-Winter 2019 campaign starring Ariana will be unveiled in July.
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The Czech Republic’s economic confidence weakened in January after rising in the previous month, survey results from the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) show.
The economic sentiment index fell to 98.1 in January from 99.1 in December. In November, the confidence index stood at 98.5. Likewise, the business confidence index decreased to 96.7 in January from 96.8 in the previous month.
The industrial sentiment index declined to 91.1 in January from 93.0 in the preceding month. The measure of confidence in construction came in at 123.9 in January, down from 126.3 in the prior month, while that in trade rose to 98.3 from 94.6.
The consumer confidence fell to 104.8 in January from 110.0 a month ago, CZSO said in a statement issued on January 24.


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The US has suspended the issue of green cards and new H-1B visas in a move that has been slammed by the IT industry, a sector that depends on H-1B holders to carry out a sizeable amount of work.
Four men of Indian origin, three of whom ran two IT staffing companies in the US, have been charged with committing H-1B visa fraud by bringing job-seekers in on false claims that they had secured positions with companies in the country.
The United States has told India it may place curbs on the number of H-1B visas which can be issued to people from countries that insist overseas firms must store data locally.
Steer well clear of Intel-based models unless you need a Mac Pro with Intel processor for super high-end animation and[…]
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Looks like the ban hammer struck again on innocent players! I was one of them! been missing out on 2[…]


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Platinum Games has announced its new Nintendo Switch action game Astral Chain. The game releases in August.
As part of a police special forces unit in a multi-cultural futuristic city, players work together with a humanoid special weapon, Legion, in a synergetic action system of battle and exploration.
The game is currently in development at Platinum Games, the same studio that worked on the Bayonetta series.
Astral Chains releases on August 30, 2019, exclusively for Nintendo Switch.


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The video above explores Ralph Lauren's exclusive September sponsorship of the New York Times iPad app, which went live on Thursday.
The fashion brand has bought out the app's inventory for the entire month as part of a deal that will also provide non-subscribers with unlimited access to several sections. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the sponsorship is a live video event scheduled for September 15, when Ralph Lauren will stream its Fashion Week runway show within the app.
On a creative level, the campaign is lavish and elaborate. At least four Ralph Lauren ad executions appear on article pages; tapping them takes readers to a branded experience that uses a tablet magazine format to present photo essays, videos, and a "Letter from Ralph."
AdAge first reported the sponsorship.
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December 12, 2013
1:00pm ET / 10:00am PT


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AD Ports Group inks concession deals with KTP, Congo
UAE-based port operator AD Ports Group has signed a concession agreement with Karachi Port Trust (KPT), the Pakistani federal government agency that oversees the operations of the Port of Karachi.
Under the terms of the 50-year concession agreement, a Joint Venture between AD Ports Group, as a majority shareholder, and Kaheel Terminals, a UAE-based company has been formed to manage, operate and develop the Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL), berths 6-9 at Karachi Port’s East Wharf.
The JV will undertake significant investments in infrastructure and superstructure over the next 10 years, with the bulk of it planned for 2026. The development works will include deepening of berths, extension of quay walls, and an increase in container storage area. As a result, the terminal will be able to handle Post Panamax class vessels of up to 8,500 TEUs and container capacity will increase from 750,000 to 1 million TEUs per annum.
Historically, the terminal has been generating revenue of around $55 million and EBIDTA of around $30 million annually.
This strategic agreement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in May this year.
AD Ports Group has also signed three MoUs with the Government of Pakistan to establish a framework for cooperation in improving transportation infrastructure, facilitating efficient cargo movement, reducing logistics costs, and enhancing the competitiveness of Karachi Port or any other projects of mutual interest. The Group will provide technical expertise, advice, and support to the Government for the planning, design, and implementation of trade, customs and logistics infrastructure projects within Pakistan.
These include Rail Connectivity MoU to develop and upgrade the connectivity of Karachi Port to the railway systems, Free Zone MoU under which AD Ports and Port Qasim Authority will develop, operate and manage industrial and/or free zone facilities in the Port Qasim area, and a Digital Solutions MoU under which AD Ports Group and the Government of Pakistan will cooperate to develop digital trade and logistics solutions including customs digitalisation.
“The UAE and Pakistan have a strong and long-standing relationship, which is experiencing continuous growth in the areas of trade and investment due to our leadership’s commitment to further strengthen ties. The signing of this agreement underscores both our great nation’s shared vision for the development of port infrastructure and sets the stage for a prosperous global maritime ecosystem,” Faisal Subzwari, Pakistan Minister for Maritime Affairs, said.
“The concession agreement, has the potential to unlock a new chapter of growth and progress for both the UAE and Pakistan, enabling us to strengthen ties with key trading nations and leading to increased economic growth and prosperity. We foresee significant opportunities ahead, together, in line with our wise leadership’s vision, we will redefine the maritime landscape and create value for all stakeholders,” Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group said.
The UAE was Pakistan’s number one regional trading partner in 2021, accounting for over 40% of Pakistan’s trade with Arab countries, with non-oil exports from the UAE to Pakistan valued at nearly AED 4.8 billion ($1.3 billion) in 2022 according to Pakistan’s Ministry of State for Foreign Trade. Additionally, re-exports from the UAE to Pakistan amounted to AED 10.6 billion (US$ 2.9 billion), reflecting a 7.7% growth compared to 2021.
Separately, AD Ports has signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Congo for managing and operating the multipurpose New East Mole Terminal in Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo.
The agreement follows the previous Head of Terms agreement signed between the two parties in March 2023.
Under the terms of the new agreement, AD Ports Group will have the exclusive right to invest in the development, operation, management and maintenance of the “New East Mole Port” that will handle containers, general cargo, break-bulk and other types of cargo. The agreement runs for thirty years from the date of signing and AD Ports Groups shall have the right to further extend it for a further period of twenty years on the same terms and conditions.
AD Ports Group will invest more than $ 500 million over the life of the concession, with around $ 220 million allocated for phase 1, which is expected to be completed over the next 30 months.
Throughout the term of the agreement, AD Ports will provide the new facility with digital services and technology solutions to enhance its efficiency including design, implementation and operation of a single-window, software development, digital architecture, business analytics, digital operations support and digital transformation.
“By expanding our operations and presence in Congo, we are not only strengthening our position in the region, but also tapping into a new market with immense potential. We anticipate boosting trade and commerce between our countries and opening new trade routes, creating new employment opportunities, and contributing to the overall development of Congo. As such, we will be closely working with our government partners in the Republic of the Congo to identify areas where our partnership can help support their vision for the future,” Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said.
“Through this partnership, we will have access to AD Ports Group’s expertise and resources, which will be invaluable in developing our infrastructure and supporting our future plans. We are confident that with their support, we can accelerate progress in critical areas such as transportation, trade and logistics. We believe that this partnership has the potential to be a game-changer for our country, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have in the years to come,” Denis-Christel Sassou Nguesso, Minister of International Cooperation and Promotion of Public Private Partnership of the Republic of the Congo, said:
Pointe Noire is the main commercial centre of the Republic of the Congo, and its port plays a key role in the economy and development of the nation and wider region.


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Data Breach News
Houzz suffers a huge data breach, asks users to reset password
Home improvement startup Houzz suffered informed its users on Thursday, January 31, that it suffered a data breach. The company has not provided details about the occurrence but contacted its users to …
Data Breach News tracked by SVPN AI.


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SMM learned that at 10:40 CST on May 25, Great Wall Motor issued a statement on its official account that it had submitted a report to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on April 11, 2023 that BYD Qin PLUS DM-i and Song PLUS DM-i using atmospheric fuel tanks are suspected of violating the evaporative pollutant emission standards.
After the news fermented, BYD issued a statement around noon on May 25: "We firmly oppose any form of unfair competition and reserve the right to legal proceedings. Our products and related tests meet national standards and have passed certification from national authorities. “
In the wake of the news, BYD's stock price dived and fell by more than 2% in the afternoon. As of the closing, BYD reported a 2.41% drop to 255.6 yuan per share.
Great Wall Motor, on the other hand, plunged more than 6% at the opening after the release of BYD's statement in response. As of the closing, the company plunged 6.17% to 24.8 yuan per share.
More popular news:


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The Royal British Legion has appointed the London Strategy Unit (LSU) as its strategic partner after a competitive pitch handled by Creative Brief.
TalkTalk TV's new ident campaign for the talent show, X Factor, allows fans to star in their own music videos.
UTV Media has reported a fall in pre-tax profits of 90 per cent for the first half of 2015.
O2 is rebranding its 377 high street stores with England Rugby's red rose as part of its campaign leading up to the Rugby World Cup in September.
Think of a world where Facebook knows where you are, where your next meeting is, and how long it'll take you to get there, imagines Mindshare's head of mobile.
LeoVegas, the mobile casino brand, has signed up to be the new sponsor of Celebrity Juice, the primetime ITV2 celebrity comedy panel show.
The non-profit organisation, 9/11 Day, has released a campaign urging Americans to do good deeds on the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the US.
Samsung's introduction to its Galaxy smartphone rose in the chart this week.
Philip Davies, the president of branding agency Siegel + Gale, explains why banks need to keep things simple.
Webmasters could well notice changes in their Google rankings because of Panda, says the director of data intelligence agency, Kerboo.
Havas' net income was €77 million (£56 million) for the first half of 2015, up nearly 28 per cent on the same period in 2014.
Digital news site Buzzfeed has secured its first global advertising deal with GroupM, the global media planning and buying arm of WPP.
McCoy's, the KP Snacks crisps brand, has appointed WCRS to be its retained creative agency.
Giant "smart" outdoor screens, which track the ages of passers-by and select ads based on their profiles, have been unveiled in Birmingham.
Lyst, the global fashion e-commerce platform, has appointed Anomaly to its global ad account after a competitive pitch.
A former freelance digital designer, who worked at Saatchi & Saatchi and VCCP, has won channel Dave's award for the best joke of the Edinburgh Fringe festival.
Made.com, the online furniture retailer, has released its first ad campaign since hiring a suite of agencies to unify its brand.
Wunderman London's creative director is sceptical that AI technology will create better engagement with consumers. After all, it's comedy, rather than telepathy, that connects with people.
Five hundred staff members from media agency MEC teamed up with the charity FareShare last week to prepare meals for 5,000 vulnerable Londoners.
Burger King has offered its rival McDonald's the chance to mark this year's International Peace Day by creating a 'McWhopper' burger together.
Orangina is encouraging consumers to shake up their lives, in a new brand campaign inspired by its French heritage.
Primesight has withdrawn from talks to buy Eye Airports, the airport advertising specialist.
Christina Andersson, managing director at digital training company Hyper Island, explains how marketers can use creativity, analytical thinking and social metrics to achieve successful marketing campaigns.
A Morrisons ad, starring ITV presenting duo Ant and Dec, has escaped a ban by the ads watchdog after the supermarket giant agreed to make price comparison information clearer for customers.
WPP, the world's largest advertising holding company, has reported pre-tax profit of £709.7 million in the first half of 2015, up 44.5 per cent year-on-year.
It was the ad storm of the summer, but did the 'Beach Body Ready' campaign actually work and what intelligence can marketers take from it? Alex Smith, planning director of Sense, investigates.
Clear Channel International's chairman and chief executive says outdoor ads are much more than a Faustian pact between the industry and town halls.
Statoil, the Norwegian energy group, has picked McCann London as its UK ad agency after a competitive pitch.
Visa has awarded Starcom Mediavest Group its $200 million global media account following a competitive pitch.
Hearst Corporation has promoted Mark Iremonger to become the chief executive of search marketing specialist iCrossing's UK division.
The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has put out a £14 million public contract to find an advertising and design agency.
Brands and media owners need to see data and the technology that channels it, not as a burden, but as an opportunity, says the chief executive of Exterion Media.
McCoy's is urging men to cast off traditional notions of masculinity, "go bold" and do whatever they feel like, in a new campaign.
Throw yourself into another culture to better understand yourself and your audience, says the chief creative officer of Droga 5.
Britain's Beer Alliance, the umbrella body representing the beer industry, has launched a new series of digital outdoor ads as part of its £10 million 'there's a beer for that' campaign.
Cheryl Giovannoni, the chief executive of Ogilvy & Mather London, is leaving the agency after two years.
Agencies must take a lesson or two from management consultants if they want to become their clients' trusted advisors, says Ross Farquhar, a partner at 101.
Nine agencies are in the running to win the Public Service category for this year's Campaign Big Awards, for which the final shortlists revealed today.
Sportswear, headphones and high street fashion brands have seen their ads nominated for a Campaign Big Award this year.
Grey London leads the Media & Entertainment shortlist for the Campaign Big Awards, with seven of the 12 finalists in the category.
The BBC is considering its agency options for a campaign to promote BBC One at Christmas.
101 has hired one of Crispin Porter & Bogusky London's creative directors, Joe Bruce, as a creative.
UTV Media, the owner of Talksport, has confirmed it is in talks with ITV over the sale of its TV assets.
Specsavers is speaking to direct and digital agencies about its CRM requirements.
Bwin, the gambling brand that sponsors the Real Madrid football team, has picked Home to handle a pan-European advertising brief.
Writing for Campaign, following Microsoft's transfer to AOL of its global ad sales team, AOL UK's managing director says marketers are increasingly demanding a single, holistic view of the customer journey.
What may work for one bank won't necessarily work for another, says the chief executive of OgilvyOne.
Nato, the inter-governmental military alliance, has appointed Engine and Agenda to handle all its communications requirements across its 28 member states.
BBH and Grey London lead the shortlist for Financial & Legal in the Campaign Big Awards.
Eight agencies are in the running to win the Grocery and Soft Drinks category in this year's Campaign Big Awards.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the financial services regulator, has appointed Manning Gottlieb OMD for its media planning and buying business following a competitive pitch.
John Lewis Insurance has launched a campaign starring a young girl enthusiastically dancing around her house to Elton John's Tiny Dancer.
William Hill, the bookmaker, has released an energetic TV campaign to advertise its in-play betting products.
Agility and innovation are the strengths independents illustrate, argues Nick Fox, the founding partner and new business director at Atomic London.
Bar B Q Plaza's emotional Mother's Day ad in Thailand is top of the chart this week.
Digital agency Aqueduct has poached Gareth James, TMW Unlimited's chief creative officer, to be its creative partner.
Ogilvy & Mather's "it happens here" campaign for 28 Too Many leads the way in the shortlist for the Charity category in this year's Campaign Big Awards.
Six agencies are vying for the top award in Campaign Big Awards' Household Goods category.
KPMG, one of the world's 'big four' accounting firms, has appointed J. Walter Thompson as its global creative agency after a competitive pitch that involved all four major holding companies.
Sky, the pay-TV broadcaster, is speaking with advertising agency networks about its creative requirements.
Ad agencies are competing to promote company's role as sponsor of 2016 Olympics
AG Barr, the manufacturer of soft drinks including Irn-Bru and Rubicon, is looking for a UK digital agency.
British Airways is hunting for an agency to manage analytics for its CRM programmes.
Three has issued a brief for a content and social media agency.
The Big Issue, the magazine sold by the homeless and long-term unemployed, has appointed Saatchi & Saatchi London without a pitch.
VCCP has hired Andy Booth, the group creative director leading the BBC account at Red Bee Media, as a creative director.
Content Manager - Audi Competitive Audi, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Strategic / Creative Minds Competitive FPP Design Limited, Newcastle , Newcastle Upon Tyne
Head of Partner Services Competitve Mercedes F1, Brackley, Northamptonshire


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The global superconductivity market was valued at about $8.4 billion in 2022. Magnet resonance imaging (MRI) systems, most of which use Nb-Ti, accounted for about 80% of the total market value. The higher temperature superconductors (YCBO, nitrogen cooled) remained a much smaller market.
The LK99 material has not shown the very large current capacity or magnetic fields needed for high power magnet and power applications.
IBM, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon make superconducting nobium computer chips. SuperTools and SuperCable make EDA support equipment. It is not clear that existing superconducting nobium computer chip makers would be the eventual winners if Lk99-type room temperature superconductors prove to be a major new area. Taiwan Semiconductor, Samsung and other major chip fab companies would have the resources to dominate a major new computer chip material.
The global superconducting wire market was worth USD 1,300 million in 2022.
Some superconducting companies briefly tripled from their normal trading range and have settled in at double. An example is American Superconductor corporation which is publicly traded on the NASDAQ.
SuNam is a Korean Superconducting products company. The share of SuNam nearly quadrupled before trading was frozen by the Korean Stock Exchange.
Small caps including Duksung Co. and Sunam Co. jumped by as much as their 30% daily limits for a third-straight day. Sunam is up about 260% in the past six sessions while Duksung is up 170%. Mobiis Co. also went up 30% Thursday. Shinsung Delta Tech Co. was up 21% to a record high before losing the gains.
The rally in small China superconducting companies reversed on Thursday. Jiangsu Fasten Co. dropped by as much as the 10% limit in Shenzhen after the company said it’s a metal products maker and environmental protection firm, and hasn’t conducted research into the technology. Henan Zhongfu Industry Co. fell by the limit after clarifying that while it took part in a 2010 superconductor project run by a unit of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, it only provided the venue and equipment.
Others non-pure play superconducting companies have not had major positive valuation reaction to the possible impacts of LK99 room temperature superconductors.
The top Global High Temperature Superconductor companies are Sumitomo, AMSC (American Superconductor), Furukawa, Fujikura and SuNam. The Global top five manufacturers hold a share over 95%.
Japan has been the largest market for the ceramic (YCBO) class of superconductors. Japan has 65% global share. North America and Europe have a combined 30% share.
1G HTS is the largest segment which represent 65% of the market. The largest application has been electrical equipment. The next largest products areas are Medical Equipment and Industrial Equipment.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.


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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Local makeup brand Colourette Cosmetics has raised over P1.6 million for those affected by Typhoon Ulysses in the days after its CEO, Nina Ellaine Dizon, was criticized on social media over posts critical of the government.
Dizon’s posts, several demanding national government accountability for the inadequate typhoon preparations, prompted some online users to call for a boycott of her brand. In response, Dizon pledged that 100% of sales from over 5,800 units of their hero product, Colourtints, would be donated to victims of the typhoon. She even used the hashtag #boycottCOLOURETTEcosmetic to announce their fundraising drive.
Dizon, like thousands of Filipinos, took to social media as Typhoon Ulysses triggered massive flooding around parts of Luzon, which left many families stranded on their roofs.
According to Dizon, 100% of the gross sales would be donated to typhoon victims, meaning Colourette would be shouldering the costs related to the production and sale of the tints.
As of late Monday, November 16, nearly all of the 5,000 products were sold, based on an inventory sheet which Dizon had been updating and sharing on social media.
On Monday, November 16, Dizon also announced a second round of fundraising, this time involving her brand’s merch. Like the previous drive, 100% of sales, according to Dizon, will go to Typhoon Ulysses relief operations.
Dizon has yet to update her followers on how the money would be spent, but said her team was still organizing their relief drive.
Colourette and Dizon first grabbed social media attention last week, as Typhoon Ulysses wreaked havoc over several provinces in Luzon. As water levels rose and thousands were displaced, social media users began criticizing the national government, for what they saw was inadequate preparation and response to Typhoon Ulysses, which made landfall even as provinces and towns in some areas were still reeling from the effects of Super Typhoon Rolly just a few weeks back.
Water levels in Marikina even rose beyond those recorded during the onslaught of Tropical Storm Ondoy, which caused catastrophic flooding in the Metro Manila city.
Following Dizon’s tweets, online users – particularly those who were defending the government’s disaster response – attacked her online and called for a boycott of Colourette Cosmetics.
One online user uploaded a makeup-free photo of Dizon to make fun of her, prompting the makeup brand’s founder to use that same photo as her profile picture on Twitter instead.
In a post on Tiktok to update her followers on the sales of the Colourtints, Dizon noted that how, with their help, they’d managed to turn “lemons into a lemonade stand.”
Colourette, founded in 2015, is a Filipino beauty company that specializes in multi-use color products for the face. – Rappler.com
Purchase Colourette Cosmetics and save with this Shopee voucher code.


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|You are in: Cycling|
Wednesday, 24 July, 2002, 18:14 GMT 19:14 UK
African riders back on their bikes
Cyclists from the Gambia and Kenya who arrived for the Commonwealth Games without bikes have been supplied with new racing machines.
Gambian pair Mamudou Bah and Eliman Jammeh will both be competing in the road race for the first time in Manchester.
"Their regular cycles were never going to be of a suitable standard to be competitive in the road race here," said chef de mission for the Gambia, George Gomez.
"So our Manchester-based team assistant, Charles Jackson, stepped in to help,
"He made some enquiries and sourced a Preston bike shop - Ribble Cycles - which did us a very good deal on the bikes."
The shop also arranged some helmets, windbreakers and shoes for the cyclists.
"The good thing is that, although bikes of this calibre are not readily available back home, we can get access to spare components in Dakar if and when we need them.
"The bikes have been custom-built exactly to the athletes' height and weight and it will take Mamudou and Eliman just a few days to get used to them.
"They have no doubt that if Charles and the bike supplier had not assisted as they did, they would simply not have been able to take part.
"We hope Mamudou and Eliman will do very well and we know they will be motivated by the equipment."
The Kenyan cycling team have also been saved, by a Manchester-based bike shop.
Harry Hall Cycles has agreed to lend the four-strong squad from Kenya some top-of-the-range bikes for the Games.
"I got a phone call from the Commonwealth Games officials saying the Kenyan team had arrived without their bikes," said shop owner Graham Hall.
Hall was initially unsure about loaning out any bikes, but contacted one of his suppliers, Specialized Bikes.
Specialized agreed to send four bikes for the Kenyan team to use during the Games.
"I asked them why they didn't just get their own bikes fixed, but it turns out they can't get the equipment over there," said Hall.
"And they had spent all their money on the flights to England anyway.
"They were a really nice bunch of lads so I got them some T-shirts and posters and plenty of stuff to take home with them."
Harry Hall Cycles has started an appeal to help out cyclists back in Kenya by donating second hand race equipment.
If you would like to help email firstname.lastname@example.org.
Other top Cycling stories:
Links to more Cycling stories are at the foot of the page.
|E-mail this story to a friend|
Links to more Cycling stories


text: One thing I enjoy doing is browsing through Bass Times. I was totally unprepared to see my hometown, Columbia, MO, listed "In the News". It was an interesting article about a University of Missouri professor and the local Moser's grocery store teaming up to develop a market for Asian carp meat. While carp doesn't sound too appealing to me, evidently sales "have been vigorous" enough to think about expanding the cuts sold and enlisting other markets. You can learn more about this work on www.youtube.com/user/SilverCarpSolutions. Congratulations to Dr. Morgan for his unique idea.


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By María Díaz Valderrama
Paris, Jul 6 (EFE).- Like a glance at an Édouard Manet painting, the Chanel Haute Couture autumn-winter collection treated the Paris Fashion Week with an abundance of soft hues, classy ribbons and puffy skirts.
Virginie Viard, the brand’s creative director, said she was inspired by old images of Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel dressed in black and white in 1880s style.
The collection premiered at the first Chanel runway show of the year, the last one being in October 2020, with reduced capacity at the Palais Galliera, the museum of fashion and fashion history in the French capital.
The mighty brand has adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic throughout the past year, and managed to come back with a solid offering for the fall season.
Actress Marguerite Qualley stepped into the spotlight wearing a minimalist bridal gown with puffed up shoulders, a back cleavage and a short tail to close the show. EFE


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Shares of Dish were gaining 1.3% to $62.89.
"They have the satellite and we have the network that we can collaborate on. We are looking at a technology alliance and we are doing some tests together," Sprint chairman and SoftBank CEO Masyoshi Son told Reuters.
Son recently said the U.S. wireless market is plagued by slow speeds and high prices, saying Sprint could help change the industry. The carrier wouldn't be able to make those changes alone in its current position, however.
Sprint was recently looking into merging with T-Mobile (TMUS) to improve its position in the market. Those plans never resulted in a bid for the rival carrier due to the response of regulatory agencies such as the FCC which signaled it would not approve such a deal.
Must read: Warren Buffett's 10 Favorite Stocks


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Date: 2015-07-01 18:12:48
Style.com’s editor at large weighs in on Raf Simons, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Hood by Air, and what he’s calling “the most far-ranging season in a long while.” Want more? Visit Style.com for more runway shows, fashion trends, shopping guides, and news about models and designers.
Still haven’t subscribed to Style on YouTube? ►► http://bit.ly/styleyoutubesub
CONNECT WITH STYLE
The Scene: http://thescene.com/style
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Complete fashion coverage and videos from around the world, including comprehensive runway reviews, breaking news, and beauty.
Tim Blanks on the Spring 2016 Paris Men’s Shows – Style.com
Starring: Tim Blanks
Executive Producer: Harris Levinson
Produced by: Emoticon Productions


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The Pizza Category Report covers multiple issues driving the pizza category and its operators, the researcher said. These issues include increased quality from frozen pizza and the emergence of take and bake. Combined with pressure from other forces, these matters have given consumers pizza options beyond the traditional chains.
Technomic also conducted original consumer research that involved 1,000 structured online interviews, which quantified consumer trends regarding away-from-home pizza consumption.
"Pizza chains are facing more emerging players in the pizza market," said Sara Gillis, project analyst. "These players aren't limited to traditional operators, and increasingly, chains should be aware of what's going on in non-traditional environments."
In addition, the Pizza Category Report found that consumers are searching out more specialty toppings that often appear to be inspired by ethnic flavor trends.
"Pizzas that utilize Latin flavors are being rolled out with greater frequency, taking advantage of ingredients like black beans and Cheddar cheese," said Gillis.
Not to be disregarded were loyalty and quality, with Gillis noting, "Consumers tend to visit their local independent pizza restaurant more frequently than any other establishment and perceive these restaurants as offering high-quality pizzas."
The Pizza Category Report also offers consumer profiling and rankings for 25 of the leading limited-service pizza chains; identifying new emerging concepts; analysis on ingredients trends such as proteins, fruits, vegetables and sauces; and a detailed listing and comparison of pricing between full- and limited-service chains.


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NewsBit: Week of October 15
Mac gaming receives a boost from GOG.com, Japanese Vita sales lag, The Old Republic details free-to-play, and more.
Click through for the biggest gaming news stories for the week of October 15:
GOG.com Brings Classic PC games to Mac
Good Old Games, a subsidiary of Polish developer/publisher CD Projekt Red which offers DRM-free digital downloads of classic PC games, is now selling titles for Mac.
According to a press release issued by the company, more than 50 games are now available for Mac via GOG.com, 28 of which are exclusive to the site. Mac titles available for download include Syndicate and the Ultima and Wing Commander series.
Per the press release, GOG.com Managing Director Guillaume Rambourg said the addition of Mac titles responds to demand from a growing base of Mac gamers.
"The Mac audience is growing and so is the demand for games for Mac OS," he said. "We have been selling the best games in history for PC for 4 years now, so we knew that one day we would have to address the [Mac gamers'] expectations."
Indeed, Mac gaming is becoming more prevalent, in part with help from Steam being ported to the platform in 2010.
Japanese Vita Sales Hit Record Low
The PlayStation Vita this week hit record low Japanese hardware sales, continuing a trend of declining financial success since its December 2011 Japanese release.
According to Media Create, a website which publishes Japanese video game sales figures, the Vita pushed only 6,134 units this week. Its predecessor, the PSP, sold more than twice as many at 15,107. Also per Media Create, the Vita sold 324,859 units at launch.
U.K. Sony executive Fergal Gara said to U.K. magazine MCV to expect successful Vita sales around Christmas, and to judge a console's success prior to the holiday season is "preposterous."
"We have got the cash to invest in terms of marketing and retail to really ignite it this Christmas," Gara said. "To start judging a console before it has had its first Christmas is preposterous, really. And we are giving it everything we have got."
BioWare Details Free-to-Play Model for Star Wars: The Old Republic
Star Wars: The Old Republic will offer a free-to-play option later this fall, and BioWare has updated the game's website with a laundry list of content the new option allows (and doesn't allow) access to.
Announced in July, free-to-play allows players to reach the level 50 cap but limits character creation options, inventory space, and access to certain in-game activities, to name a few. Additional access to limited features may be unlocked a la carte with "Cartel Coins," an in-game currency purchased with real money.
A subscription option awarding unlimited access to all content will continue to be available after free-to-play launches.
Star Wars: The Old Republic is said to be the most expensive video game ever developed, with estimates from between $150 and $200 million. Positive critical reviews and a large initial subscriber base gave it a strong launch. As reported by CVG in July, however, a representative from publisher Electronic Arts confirmed declining subscriptions, and free-to-play is likely an attempt to reverse the decline.
4A Games Drops Multiplayer from Metro: Last Light
A multiplayer mode announced for Metro: Last Light is no longer being pursued, developer 4A Games has revealed via the game's official blog.
According to the blog, a small team had been designing multiplayer concepts throughout the game's development, but the mode never entered full production. Although not ruling out multiplayer as a post-launch feature, the developer says it is no longer thinking about anything beyond the single-player campaign and concedes the announcement was probably pre-mature.
"We are gamers at the studio and really wanted to bring the world of Metro to life in a multiplayer environment," the post says. "In hindsight, it was probably a mistake to announce it when we did," it continues.
Metro: Last Light, the follow-up to 2010's Metro 2033 is targeted for an "early 2013" release.
Nintendo Cuts Wii MSRP by $30, Adds Wii Sports Resort
With less than one month until Nintendo launches the Wii U, the company has announced a $30 MSRP price drop for the original Wii.
The new Wii bundle includes a black console and both Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort packaged together on a single disc for $129.99, according to a press release issued by the company.
Gamers considering a purchase at the new price may wish to note Nintendo dropped backward compatibility for GameCube games from the console in late 2011.
According to sales data released by Nintendo in June, the company has shipped 96.56 million Wii consoles to date. The Wii's successor, the Wii U, is scheduled to launch November 18 with two different SKUs, one for $299.99 and one for $349.99.


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Digital’s share of total global OOH ad spend is expected to rise to 37.3 per cent – or $14.6 billion.
The study analysed the marketing techniques used by Indian brands and the areas they could improve to optimise their Return on Marketing Investment (ROMI).
The entire advertisement strategy has been conceptualised and driven by Makani Creatives, who are positioning the brand for premium customers reflecting upon their needs as per their lifestyle and choices.
Media and Entertainment sector is seeing a convergence of technology, media and telecom (TMT). The reason, obviously, is to facilitate content and marketing on mobile that would captivate the consumer who is spending a large part of his/her time on it.
In a detailed conversation with Adgully, Shamsuddin Jasani, Group MD, Isobar - South Asia, sums up the year 2018, not just for Isobar, but the entire digital spectrum in India.
Reporting into Ken Potrock, President, Disney Consumer Products Commercialization, Mahesh takes on responsibility for the commercialization of Disney franchises across merchandise, publishing and licensed games throughout India, Southeast Asia, Greater China, Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
Christine, who is currently CFO of GroupM China, will relocate to MediaCom’s London HQ in March 2019.
Wunderman Thompson will be an agency of more than 20,000 people in 90 markets. It will be fully operational in early 2019.
She has won about 190 national and international awards across Print, Activation, Media and Out-of-Home. She also had the opportunity to be a jury at The Abbys and The Emvies.
Consumer engagement, high creative impact and right brand association are the hygiene factors of a good communication, be it on print, TV or mobile.
He breathed his last in a Delhi hospital where he was being treated for a kidney ailment.
Pawar’s appointment is in sync with an aggressive growth strategy that will further integrate the management structure of Havas Group’s India operations to create a simple, unified and client-centric organisation in line with the Group’s “Together” strategy.
Set against the backdrop of Rajasthan’s stunning cultural heritage, this esteemed Festival has hosted nearly 2,000 speakers in the past decade.
This position will be critical in ensuring focus on business transformation to achieve accelerated growth while maintaining the Group’s vision to keep the common man at the centre of all its efforts.
A first of its kind service in Asia, Tata Sky ShortsTV will provide about 600 hours of unconventional and captivating short format stories on a single platform that can be accessed on-the-go.
Creative excellence and impactful brand communication without being obtrusive are mandatory for the success of mobile advertising.
In conversation with Adgully, Mandeep Singh Gulati, DVP – Marketing, Aegon Life Insurance Company Limited, speaks about the company’s strategy on going completely digital, growth targets for 2019, communication strategy, marketing spends and more.
Snap Inc., makers of Snapchat, the popular social camera app, today announced the launch of a newly localised Discover, tailor-made for the growing community of Indian Snapchatters, through partnerships with nearly a dozen media brands, all premiering within the app over the next several weeks.
AdGyde is a Mobile Apps Analytics Platform Solution, launched in the year 2017, as a joint venture between Spice Digital Limited (subsidiary of Spice Mobility) and MoMAGICTechnologies.
AdGully’s ‘The W-Suite’ series features interactions with influential women leaders in India, who share some deep insights on what being a woman leader means in India’s business landscape.
As per a study in the US by AI company GumGum, a number of widely used mobile ad formats go unnoticed, what is more, users are not at all appreciative of intrusive ads that increase the page load time.
Forrester has named it a Leader in its recent report ““The Forrester Waveä: Commerce Specialist Service Providers, Q4 2018.”
In his role, Emmanuel will be responsible for strengthening the creative capability and reputation of the agency.
Comscore provides the most comprehensive coverage of audience traffic on both owned-and-operated and distributed platforms.
Recently launched mythological show, ‘Radhakrishn’, gained traction in Rural+Urban markets, even as ‘Naagin 3’ lost out on its numero uno position yet again this week.
Polman will retire as CEO and as a Board member on 31 December 2018. He will support the transition process in the first half of 2019 and will leave the company in early July.
Most studies predict mobile/digital marketing growing at a rapid pace, overshadowing the growth in traditional media advertising.
A computer engineer having followed his heart, Shekhar Mhaskar, Executive Vice-President, Isobar, has been part of the digital advertising industry for more than 2 decades with a varied experience in heading Digital SBUs at renowned agencies like Ogilvy One, Cheil Worldwide, and Maxus.
Nima Namchu who was Chief Creative Officer of Havas Worldwide India has resigned from the organisation. He joined Havas Worldwide India in 2015.
Adgully caught up with Kaushal Kurapati on the sidelines of ad:tech Mumbai 2018, where he underlined how data driven creativity can fortify marketing strategies, as well as how AI is helping marketers gain consumer loyalty and the business edge that AI provides.
At the event, Facebook announced that is finding more ways to support Indian publishers and creators build a community of passionate fans and earn money with its new monetization tools.


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TOKYO – Honda Motor Co. is recalling 304,000 vehicles globally for air-bags that may inflate with too much pressure in a crash, send metal and plastic pieces flying and cause injuries or deaths.
Honda said there have been 20 accidents so far related to this problem, including two deaths in the U.S. in 2009.
The Japanese automaker announced the recall Friday, which affects the Accord, Civic, Odyssey, Pilot, CR-V and other models, manufactured in 2001 and 2002.
The recall spans 273,000 vehicles in the U.S., some 27,000 in Canada, nearly 2,000 vehicles in Japan and another 2,000 in other countries. It affected 359 vehicles in Europe — 200 in Germany, 158 in Israel and one in Great Britain, according to Honda.
The latest recall is an expansion of recalls for the same problem in 2008, and again carried out in 2009, as well as last year. The recall now covers about 2 million vehicles worldwide, according to Tokyo-based Honda.
Honda spokesman Hajime Kaneko said the cause for the latest recall was the use of incorrect material in the chemical used to deploy air bags.
The initial cause of the recall was excessive moisture in the inflator propellant, which is part of what inflates the air bag.
But that problem was found later to affect more vehicles than initially estimated, as incidents didn't stop, and the recall was expanded to account for the possibility that the problem was caused by a defective stamping machine used during production, he said.
Honda is extremely sorry about the recalls but believes the problem has now been taken care of, with no more recalls linked to this problem expected, he said.
Also included in the latest recall are 912 air-bag service parts sold for installation in vehicles for collision repair and other reasons, Honda said.


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Platform Five: This week’s most important social media changes
What’s changed in the last seven days? What does it mean?
The social media changes from the major platforms came in thick and fast this week (although that isn’t anything new).
Google had an especially busy week as did the ever evolving Facebook.
Let’s jump in.
Google has updated its advertising platform to allow brands to further custom-target their audience(s) by using their own data. Previously brands were restricted to a more generalised set of pre-defined audience characteristics by Google, but this update means brands can be much more precise, reaching target audiences with better efficiency.
Until now brands have not be able to include original captions when embedding Instagram photos into their website or blog posts. This update changes things, making it much easier for brands to contextualise their Instagram images, enabling better story-telling.
Facebook is rumoured to be nearing the release of a new app allowing Facebook users to communicate without using their real names. This is an interesting move from Facebook after their recent troubles with their exclusive real name policy.
User experience continues to be a big focus for Google. This latest rumour suggests brands may be rewarded with improved search results for providing users with a better mobile experience.
Snapchat announced this week that they will be introducing ads to the platform in the near future, starting with its Stories feature. Story images sit in the home screen, as opposed to being sent direct to a user, and can be revisited as many times as the user wants within 24 hours. The introduction of ads may encourage more brands to consider the platform, providing it is in line with the rest of their social media channel and content strategy strategy.
For previous editions of Platform Five, check out the full library here.


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THOMASTON, Ga., November 29, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Tidal Wave Auto Spa, one of the nation’s fastest-growing express car wash companies, opened two brand-new locations on Wednesday, November 29th in Pampa, TX and Thomson, GA.
To celebrate the Grand Openings, the new Pampa and Thomson Tidal Wave locations are offering eight days of free car washes from November 29-December 6. This limited-time promotion provides an opportunity for car owners living in-and-around these communities to experience Tidal Wave’s premium wash option, Graph-X4, at no cost. Additionally, any new customer that joins a Clean Club unlimited wash membership plan during Grand Opening week at these locations will enjoy their first month of unlimited washes for only $9.97 – for savings up to $40.
“We’re excited to open two brand-new locations this week,” said founder and CEO Scott Blackstock. “The opportunity to bring our exceptional car wash experience to more folks is what it’s all about, and both locations are joining communities we have not previously been a part of. Our team is looking forward to providing the Pampa and Thomson communities with car care that is easy, efficient, and enjoyable for years to come.”
Tidal Wave Auto Spa was founded in 1999 by Scott and Hope Blackstock in Thomaston, GA. In the years since, the company has earned its reputation as an industry leader, known for their cutting-edge car care technology, pristine locations, and dedication to delivering an exceptional car wash experience to every customer. The company offers single wash options and unlimited wash memberships to fit any budget, and customers planning to wash more than once a month can save money by joining any of Tidal Wave’s Clean Club unlimited wash membership options.
Pampa, TX Location: 2545 N Perryton Pkwy, Pampa, TX 79065
Thomson, GA Location: 1868 Washington Road, Thomson, GA 30824
Tidal Wave Auto Spa currently operates 39 locations in Georgia and 13 locations in Texas. In the coming months, the company will open several additional locations in both states, including brand-new locations in Liberty, TX, El Paso, TX, Athens, GA, Statesboro, GA, and more. For additional information, please visit: https://www.tidalwaveautospa.com/.
About Tidal Wave Auto Spa
Tidal Wave Auto Spa is an industry-leading conveyor car wash company founded in 1999 by Scott and Hope Blackstock in Thomaston, GA. Tidal Wave is committed to providing cutting-edge car care technology and exceptional customer service at each of their 212 locations operating in 23 states across the South, Midwest, and Northern United States. In 2020, Tidal Wave partnered with Golden Gate Capital to facilitate their accelerated growth across the country. Tidal Wave is one of the top five conveyor car wash companies in the country and has been included in the Inc. 5000 list for America’s Fastest Growing Companies since 2020. The company was recognized as a 2023 Champion of Charity Honoree by Professional Carwashing & Detailing and has raised over $3 million dollars for organizations in their communities.Contact Information:
Senior Director of Digital Marketing
Original Source: Tidal Wave Auto Spa Opens New Express Washes in Pampa, TX, and Thomson, GA


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Though experts agree on the long-term benefits, including the ease of doing business in India and bringing swathes of the country's informal economy inside the tax net, they say in the near term there could be significant disruptions. These people were opposed to such economic integration.
"(The) GST paves the way for the "One Nation, One Tax" ideology", said Devendra Kumar Vyas, chief executive officer at Srei Equipment Finance Ltd.
President Pranab Mukherjee said the new indirect tax system was a "disruptive change", and any initial problems in its implementation would be overcome. "GST is a simple, transparent system which prevents generation of black money and curbs corruption", said Modi, who jolted the country past year by withdrawing more than 85 percent of India's bank notes from circulation in a clampdown on under-the-table dealings. To everyone else including the poor, PM Modi pitched the GST as a tool to deliver value to the poor.
"We are setting India's roadmap with GST", Modi said. In a little while, the country will move in a new direction. The GST has been launched with an aim to unify India's $2 trillion economy and 1.3 billion people into a common market.
President Pranab Mukherjee signalled the formal launch by pressing a button.
Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya today said the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) will create one lakh jobs in the next three months. This path we have chosen is not one party or one government's.
He went on to add, "It is not just a financial reform, but a social reform too". The first fallout was seen yesterday when the southern state of Tamil Nadu announced a 30 percent levy on movie tickets, in addition to the 28 percent GST fee.
"We are not selling right now... permission for manual billing has not been received yet", said Dinesh, manager, Baggit, a premium leather brand for bags. "It has pleasantly surprised everybody by completing its task on time", the President said. With higher input tax credit, prices of most goods may reduce, but services, a lot of them taxed at 18 per cent, could become more expensive.
Hours before the midnight launch, the GST Council, the highest decision making body that formulated the rules and tax rates, met for the eighteenth time.


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8x8 (News - Alert) Inc., a company specializing in VoIP services, video conferencing, cloud hosting and unified communications, has announced its financial report for both the full fiscal year of 2012 and fourth fiscal quarter of 2012. Some of these results were record breaking for the company, with the fourth quarter being particularly successful.
The company's total revenue for the fourth fiscal quarter increased 33 percent from last year's figure and totaled $24.2 million. The revenue from the entire fiscal year totaled a record breaking $85.5 million – a 22-percent increase from fiscal year 2011.
Business customers provided a revenue increase of 44 percent during the fourth fiscal quarter of the year and this totaled $22.8 million. During the entire fiscal year of 2012, revenue from business customers totaled $79 million and this was a 30 percent increase in total over fiscal 2011. The average number of service subscriptions per business customers grew from 8 to 9.8 during the quarter from last year.
A specific highlight noted by the company was the acquisition of cloud contact center service provider Contactual (News - Alert), Inc. and cloud hosting service provider Zerigo.
The company's balance grew by $2.4 million during the fourth fiscal quarter, and now has $24.4 million in reserves (cash, cash equivalents and investments). During fiscal 2012 as a whole, the company's reserves increased by $6 million.
“I am very pleased to report that as a result of these investments, we have increased revenue from business customers in the fourth quarter by 44 percent while maintaining very healthy margins, net income and an increasing cash balance,” said CEO Bryan Martin (News - Alert).
“8x8's strong results for fiscal 2012 reflect the continued success of our core business model, combined with solid execution of our new strategic initiatives,” he added. “These included a sharper focus on mid-market business customers, reflected in our higher ARPU figures, the acquisition of Contactual, the addition of cloud hosting services and the refinement of our customer service methodology and procedures, which translated into decreasing churn results during the course of the year."
Edited by Braden Becker


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Conn’s names former Sears exec as new chief - USA
ChainStoreAge.com - Sep 10th 2015, 08:43
Texas – Conn’s Inc. named a new CEO as part of a planned succession, and announced it beat Wall Street expectations for profit in the second quarter.
Following a yearlong repositioning initiative, Conn’s has appointed Norman Miller to serve as CEO and president.
Miller brings more than 30 years of business leadership experience, most recently serving as president of Sears Automotive, and as president and COO of DFC Global Corp.
He also has held progressive management and leadership roles at Aramark, Nestle, Kraft, and Pepsi. Miller will also be elected to Conn’s board.
As CEO, Miller will work with senior management and the board to develop strategies to further strengthen Conn’s strategic position, including strengthening oversight of its credit and risk function.
Miller succeeds Theodore M. Wright, who will remain on the Conn’s board as executive chair.
Conn’s beat Wall Street expectations for profit in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 despite posting net income of $16.5 million, down 7% from $17.7 million the same quarter the previous fiscal year. Legal and professional fees, as well as costs related to store closures and relocations, dampened profits.
Total net sales grew 13% to $324.95 million from $288.28 million. Same-store sales rose 3.1%, with negative impact from Conn’s exit from selling video games, digital cameras and some tablets.
During fiscal 2016, Conn’s expects same store sales ranging from flat to low-single-digit growth and is reaffirming plans to open 15 to 18 new stores, with no closures.
In other fiscal news, Conn’s has entered into an agreement to securitise $1.4 billion of retail instalment contract receivables, with an expected Sept. 10 closing. The retailer also authorised the repurchase of up to $75 million of outstanding common stock or senior notes. Also, upon closing of the securitisation transaction, Conn’s will terminate a shareholder’s rights plan it initiated in 2014 that made it difficult for any one entity to control a large portion of the company by buying stock.From ChainStoreAge.com
Ackermans launches futuristic concept store
16/10/2019 - 16:17
Ackermans, one of South Africa’s longest-standing value retailers, launched its first technology-driven concept store in Sandton City, Johannesburg.
UK supermarkets join the nude-food revolution
16/10/2019 - 10:28
British supermarkets are starting to go “nude”.
Sainsbury's best performing of the big four but discounters still gaining ground
16/10/2019 - 09:17
Latest grocery market share figures from Kantar show total supermarket sales grew by 1.3% year-on-year over the 12 weeks to 6 October with Sainsbury’s continuing its recent run of better performance following investment in cutting prices and improving its offer.
CBD oil product launching countrywide in Clicks and Dis-Chem
15/10/2019 - 14:43
South Africa’s top health and beauty retailers, Clicks and Dis-Chem, are both rolling out the Elixinol range of CBD full-spectrum extract products in October.
Checkers launches long-awaited rewards programme
15/10/2019 - 12:20
The wait is over - Checkers Xtra Savings is here! Africa’s largest supermarket group has introduced its latest initiative that shows their loyalty to customers, and not the other way around.


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Robotics and automation are the way of the future for commercial enterprises. Based on recent data, more than half of all companies are already investing heavily in these areas. These investments range from robotic-assisted health procedures to automated warehouse management. Businesses are pursuing these types of activities not only because their “cool.” Instead, they seem things like robotics and autonomous transportation as being essential for future success. Those who lag behind will struggle to catch up, especially as consumers begin to expect the conveniences these advances offer. (Read more about how the drive for convenience pushes innovation in this Bold story.)
Understanding this, it’s worth checking in to see which companies are pursuing these innovative technologies today. Several new startups are introducing new robotics and automated solutions in a variety of industries. Many are forming major partnerships that will pave the way for ongoing adoption in the years to come. This is particularly true for autonomous transportation solutions, which are expected to grow substantially in the next 5 years. The following highlight some of these more intriguing developments currently that will likely usher in a new era of automation.
“There is still so much for our brand to learn about the autonomous delivery space. This program will allow us to better understand how customers respond to the deliveries, how they interact with the robot and how it affects store operations.” – Dennis Maloney, Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, Domino’s Pizza
ATM Pizza Delivery?
With the pandemic, delivery services have skyrocketed as consumers enjoyed the safety and convenience of at-home service. This notably pertained to food delivery services, and Domino’s Pizza has been one company that benefitted from consumer preferences. However, Domino’s was already investing in autonomous transportation and driverless delivery systems before the pandemic. In fact, it partnered with autonomic driving vehicle startup Nuro in 2019 for this purpose specifically. Now, Nuro and Domino’s have announced the launch of their electric, self-driving, occupant-less delivery vehicles in select Houston areas.
Nuro’s robotics project, called the R2 robot, uses radar, 360-degree cameras and thermal sensors to navigate autonomously. As a result, Nuro has become the first autonomous transportation company approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Nuro is also partnering with other companies as well. This includes Kroger in Houston and Phoenix as well as Walmart and CVS in California. And it recently received an additional $500 million in Series C funding with Chipotle being a notable contributor. The current Domino’s robotics car will provide pizza-lovers GPS tracking of its location. Likewise, customers will receive a PIN after payment to access their pie from the vehicle’s touchscreen…just like an ATM.
“The Hominis system represents a significant advancement in the growing multi-billion-dollar robotic surgery market. This financing positions us to accelerate our commercialization efforts and bring Hominis to both surgeons and patients in the months ahead.” – Dvir Cohen, Co-founder and CEO of Memic
Robotics in Surgery
Another hot area of robotics has been healthcare as of late. In particular, several startups have introduced automated products that assist surgeons with specific procedures. For example, Asensus Surgical offers robotic automation for general laparoscopic procedures. For Sight, another company, does the same for some eye-related surgical interventions. Unlike autonomous transportation, however, these devices are still controlled by surgeons through a central console. However, these types of robotics offer greater precision in many cases and reduced surgery time in many instances. All of this results not only in better patient results but also a reduced number of potential complications.
Most recently, another startup company received FDA approval as the first transvaginal robotics device. Memic, who introduced its Hominis platform, was granted approval for benign transvaginal procedures like hysterectomies. In essence, this allows Memic to marketing these devices to surgeons and patients alike with interests in these areas. It also resulted in the company receiving an additional $96 million in Series D funding. While these types of surgical robotics may never be fully independent like autonomous transportation, they have noted advantages. Thus, patients can expect these types of offerings will only increase over the next many years.
“[A partnership with Cruise] is a major step towards realizing Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy aimed at converting 25% of total trips in Dubai into self-driving transport trips across different modes of transport by 2030.” – Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed
Scaling the Robo-Taxi
Many cities throughout the world have been experimenting with autonomous transportation in the form of robot-taxies. These are a form of robotics that could completely revamp transit services as we know them. Not only are most electric in nature, but they also could reduce human error and traffic congestion. Understanding this, Dubai has been aggressive in its efforts to embrace autonomous transportation. As part of its 2030 initiatives, the city hopes that a quarter of all passenger trips will be served by automated travel. This has led them to partner with Cruise, made by General Motors to achieve these bold plans.
The electric robotics shuttles that GM will provide for Dubai will be called Cruise Origin. These autonomous transportation vehicles have no steering wheel or pedals yet are able to travel at highway speeds. While a limited number will be available in 2023, GM and Dubai plan to have over 4,000 in operation by 2030. This will aid Dubai in achieving its transit goals for the city. Plus, GM gets a pretty sweet deal as well. They have been awarded the exclusive autonomous transportation provide for robo-taxi services in the city through 2029.
Consumer Adoption of Robotics and Automation
If one thing is certain, the pandemic served as a catalyst for many industries. E-commerce, delivery services, telehealth, and others were better received out of a state of necessity. But in the process, users became more comfortable with a variety of technologies. And these changes will enable robotics, autonomous transportation, and other automated processes to be endorsed. In the decade to come, these types of innovations will become increasingly the norm. And for many businesses, it will be important to explore opportunities where automation may enhance their services. Such shifts are already present in 2021, and many more will likely come in the very near future.
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Hyundai Eon 1.0l bookings open in India
The Eon is Hyundai's contender in the exceptionally fierce small car market in India. The entry level car market in the country is currently dominated by Maruti Suzuki which has models like Alto 800 and the recently introduced, very successful Celerio. Eon has not been able to make a dent to its competitior's sales figures and has not received an update since 2011.
Hyundai will be giving the car a much needed update this year, which will take inspiration from the company's Fluidic design philosophy. Minor exterior styling changes are expected and include revised headlamps, front bumper and grille. But before that, the Eon has received an all-new engine. The 1.0l dual VVTi motor motor makes 69PS and 94.1Nm of power and torque respectively. This engine is mated to a 5-speed manual box and the Eon 1.0l is available only in the Magna Plus variant. Lack of power from the 0.8litre unit is one of the major negatives according to the customer feedback that the company has received and this is why the 1.0l engine has been introduced.
Price for the new Eon 1.0l, on-road in Mumbai is Rs 4.63 lakh according to our source. Bookings are already open with an amount of Rs 25,000. We expect Hyundai to make a formal announcement soon about the Eon 1.0l. The 1.0litre variant faces the Maruti Alto K10 and the upcoming Tata Nano 1.0l.
Starts Rs 3.29 Lakhs
Starts Rs 5.99 Lakhs
Starts Rs 2.36 Lakhs
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