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... just not in Australia.
Google Stadia will be available in the USA, Canada, UK and most of Europe on 19 November, Google today announced.
As we knew previously, Australia isn’t a Google Stadia launch region, with Google Australia saying the internet-dependent streaming service will be rolled out to “other countries and territories as soon as [possible].”
A listing of all available regions is below:
- United States
- United Kingdom
We’ll let you know when Aussies can get their hands on Stadia… but don’t hold your breath, okay?
For more on Google Stadia, including details of recommended internet connection, available games, its controller, devices you can play upon and much, much more, head right over here. If you’re after pricing, we’ve got you covered right here.


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Shiraaz Sookralli, 44, has been charged in connection with an alleged scheme that reportedly saw him enter bogus orders for special Porsche models while he worked at Champion Porsche in Florida, the highest-volume Porsche dealership in the United States.
The criminal complaint asserts that in 2017, Sookralli opened a shell company called Champion Autosport. Sookralli proceeded to open a bank account in the corporation’s name and entered in bogus sales orders with customers purchasing desirable 911 models, such as the GT3 and GT3 RS. Customers would send deposits to Sookralli, which he put in the bank account of his shell company.
No such thing as a perfect crime
According to the complaint, Sookralli received more than $2.2 million from approximately 30 customers, none of whom
The former salesman was charged with mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and money laundering. U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Southern District of Florida confirmed the arrest alongside Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony, but did not say exactly when the arrest was made.
Champion Porsche filed a lawsuit against Sookralli in October last year and announced that it will reimburse the deposits to customers. The dealership will try to recover the stolen money through the lawsuit against Sookralli, his wife, and the Champion Autosport shell company.

domain: news


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This week has been all about the Nike Air Yeezy 2 Release. The sneaker game has developed and releases have became more demanding than ever. With #sneakerheads camping-out weeks before the release of the Yeezy 2, it caught the attention of CNN which compared the shoe to moon boots. Check out the video below as you may found it funny to hear someone report the news that has no clue how crazy the game is.
Jason Markk, the Premium Shoe Care brand from Los Angeles launches a collaboration with New York City based kids fashion and lifes
The Nike SB Zoom Dunk Elite Low Sean Malto takes inspiration — with a nod to his ability to negotiate the streets or a competiti


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As the world seeks to curb the use of single-use plastics, Stanford University researchers may have found a way to create value from plastic food packaging waste. The latest research published in Environmental Science & Technology showed that tiny mealworms are not only able to eat and digest various forms of chemical-laden plastic waste, but they also remain safe as a protein-rich food source for other animals.
“Previous research had shown that [the mealworms] could eat polystyrene,” said Anja Malawi Brandon, PhD candidate in environmental engineering and science at Stanford. “In our lab, we then discovered that they could eat polyethylene as well.” This discovery is significant because polyethylene is a plastic that is chemically dissimilar from polystyrene, meaning that these insects could break down multiple types of plastic.
“When thinking about how these discoveries can be used, we learned that mealworms are already widely used as a feed supplement for agriculture and aquaculture,” Brandon said. Her team sought to test whether plastic-fed mealworms could safely be used as a food supplement for other animals, such as shrimp.
Many of the chemicals added to plastics, such as the flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), are known to be persistent and bioaccumulative, which makes them toxic. After consuming the polyethylene containing HBCD, the mealworms excreted about 90% of the HBCD within 24 hours and almost all of it within 48 hours. All that was left of the polyethylene was partially degraded fragments and carbon dioxide. The researchers then fed the mealworm biomass to Pacific white shrimp and found no evidence of bioaccumulation or toxicity in the shrimp.
Mealworms’ ability to digest these plastics without becoming toxic means they can still be used as safe food for other animals and they can be used to help break down plastic. “It was very surprising that these chemicals passed through the mealworms without bioaccumulating, meaning that the mealworm biomass remained free of chemicals,” Brandon said.
This research may be a positive step towards recovering value from plastic waste. However, the researchers noted that further studies are needed to evaluate the possibility of nanoscale toxicity. Additionally, the researchers acknowledged that the excreted fragments of polyethylene and carbon dioxide still pose an environmental hazard that requires further efforts to solve.
France-based Carbios is developing the first biological technology to transform the end-of-life of plastics, says Martin Stephan, deputy CEO of Carbios.
The dangers of a high-sodium diet have been well documented, but a new technology devised by scientists from Washington State University could help reduce sodium in processed foods while retaining taste and texture.
Lee Kum Kee, an Asian sauce provider, has announced that its Xinhui Production Base was awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification.
According to the Associated Press, Amazon has debuted a new smart shopping cart called the Dash Cart.
Diageo, makers of Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Guinness, has created a 100% plastic-free and paper-based spirits bottle, made entirely from sustainably sourced wood.
As part of its commitment to sustainably nourish the world, Cargill has released its mid-year report on its progress toward building a deforestation-free soy supply chain.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) has announced a $90 million investment in research projects seeking to improve the sustainability of the U.S. food supply.


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• Half of the entertainment sector is “in bad shape”, according to CEO of Main Event Entertainment Group Solomon Sharpe, who is arguing for the authorities to find a way for “getting the entertainment ecosystem going” again, as guest presenter at the weekly Mayberry Investor Forum. The Government is in discussions with the sector on specific COVID protocols for a limited reopening of the industry during the summer.
• Restaurants of Jamaica is testing a new service by which customers may place food orders through WhatsApp. It’s piloting the service in Portmore, where the KFC Cumberland outlet will fill orders messaged to the store and customers can then pick up kerbside. That began June 1. The Cumberland experience will guide the roll-out of the service nationally, said KFC operator, Restaurants of Jamaica.
• Kingston Properties Limited has secured a 13-month bridge loan from Victoria Mutual Investments Limited, as it continues the buildout of its property portfolio. Kingston Properties aims to have one million square feet under ownership of management by 2023.


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What’s up with consumers and healthy foods?
The market is demanding more and more healthy dining options, and as a product & growth marketing enthusiast, the dynamics are very interesting. You may not realize how wide a trend this really is.
No doubt you’ve seen some of the headlines….but you’re on the web. To you, this feels “normal.” Unlike you, food retailers and manufacturers aren’t treating this as “normal.” Have you been paying attention?
- Costco is dropping the sale of poultry treated with antibiotics used to treat humans.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill is no longer offering ingredients that include genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
- Panera Bread is dropping a number of additives.
- Diet Pepsi is dropping the aspartame.
- Kraft is shifting to natural coloring for its macaroni and cheese.
- Whole Foods is opening a new chain of stores with lower prices, aimed at millennials.
- Target Stores announced that it’s going to offer less promotional preference to makers of packaged foods, in favor of more prominent placement for healthier items like yogurt and granola.
- Even Taco Bell is removing “artificial colors, flavors, added trans fats, high fructose corn syrup” from its foods.
This reflects a tectonic shift in consumer preference…..or the Second Coming. Your call. 🙂 “Whole Foods” have moved mainstream. People want healthy foods that are sustainably raised rather than raised in brought up in a large-scale commercial setting.
While it’s true that more and more about human health is known every year, I personally credit the internet for the modern day growth in health consciousness.
What are the underlying trends?
There are a few trends that I sense contribute to today’s focus on health:
- Wider distribution of documentaries
- Uniting of the gluten free community
- Distribution of alternative medicine information
Think about the impact of documentaries such as Food, Inc. and Super Size Me. Both of these films had minor box office impact during their in-theatre release, but have lived on through the magic of Netflix.
Think about the number of people who became activists after viewing such films, and the impact they’ve had by spreading information to their networks and beyond after becoming more educated. These two films alone made people afraid of conventional meat production and fast food; now they want healthy foods.
That network effect is similar to that which is making alternative medicine information more accessible than it was one or two decades ago. Practitioners like Dr. Mercola, Mark Hyman, David Perlmutter, Dr. Oz and others who operate from a holistic, “functional” (some say “quack”) perspective have more of a voice than in the past.
So do those sharing alternative nutritional and fitness viewpoints such as Dave Asprey, Tim Ferriss, Mark Sisson and Robb Wolf.
While I won’t debate the accuracy or scientific support behind every claim of members of either group, the theme I see is these individuals are making mainstream some of the discoveries being made in the scientific community.
The reason it’s important is that genetic testing and the impact of various macro and micronutrients are leading to a number of impactful discoveries, which take a long time to trickle into the thinking of conventional physicians. People know this and are seeking out this information as early as they can find it.
An example of people taking their conditions into their own hands is the story around the awareness of gluten intolerance. Awareness was only raised after people with this condition began to rally together online and put pressure on food manufacturers. There is debate about whether non-celiac gluten intolerance is a real thing, but celiac disease itself would clearly not have the profile it does today without this grass-roots effort.
Local farmers markets are seeing increased business as part of this trend; people want to buy food directly at the source so they know how it was created. We’ve seen the rise of the urban food garden, where people in cities set aside a little of their precious space to grow their own herbs and vegetables. Office workers are joining local food cooperatives, which deliver fresh produce from local farms to members at their places of work.
This is all in an effort to make more food at home, rather than buying processed foods at the grocery or even eating at restaurants.
A telling passage from the Fortune article:
The idea of “processing”—from ancient techniques of salting and curing to the modern arsenal of artificial preservatives—arose to make sure the food we ate didn’t make us sick. Today many fear that it’s the processed food itself that’s making us unhealthy. Indeed, nearly half of the respondents in a recent Bernstein survey say they distrust the food system.
Large food manufacturers have to adapt.
How does this affect brand managers at companies like General Mills and Kraft? So far, it’s seemed like a typical reaction to a minor change in consumer taste–the ingredients change.
For years, whenever studies showed the negative impact of a specific ingredient, manufacturers came out one by one and announced that they were swapping out that ingredient for a “healthier” one.
In the 1980s, fat was replaced with sugar. Coconut oil was replaced with canola oil. Butter was replaced with margarine.
Of course, now that trend is reversing.
But now, it’s not a specific ingredient that’s called into question. It’s all of them.
People want to avoid those CAFOs and eat sustainably raised whole foods. Restauranteurs are seeing the success of more locally-owned chef-driven restaurants serving gourmet fare, in place of the chain restaurants of yesteryear.
At the grocery store, more and more people are shopping primarily around the perimeter of the store buying whole healthy foods, rather than picking up the packaged goods in the center.
In a recent special report on Fortune.com titled The War on Big Food, Steve Hughes, formerly of ConAgra, was quoted as saying:
“I’ve been doing this for 37 years,” he says, “and this is the most dynamic, disruptive, and transformational time that I’ve seen in my career.”
This is big. Companies have to adapt. But how will they?
First, large food brands have gone and are going shopping. A number of names seen in the organic / healthy food sections of your grocer may be part of a conglomerate. A few examples:
- Seeds of Change – owned by M&M Mars
- Burt’s Bees – owned by Clorox
- Kashi – owned by Kellogg’s
- Honest Tea – owned by Coca Cola
Ownership provides access to resources, but in some cases (such as that of Cascadian Farms as shown in the BI article) it leads to modifications of recipes with cheaper and less wholesome ingredients.
These are not acquisitions in which the buyer will rebrand the acquired company. These are acquisitions where the acquired company will retain its name and attention will not be drawn to the acquisition, in order to keep them separate in the prospect’s mind.
Branding and Rebranding
Let’s look at what Mayfield Foods is doing. Mayfield, owners of 31 regional milk brands, is adding an umbrella brand called “DairyPure” to all its regional brands. The new brand reflects Mayfield’s health-conscious practices:
The new DairyPure label includes the company guarantee that all milk is tested for antibiotics and for purity, all milk comes from cows fed a healthy diet that doesn’t include growth hormones and all milk is shipped fresh from local dairies, Dean Foods officials said in announcing the new labeling Monday.
Beef jerky sales are going up a little due to the industry actively positioning it as a source of healthy protein for athletes and health-conscious consumers.
Last year, we saw a number of brands adopt ingredient changes in foods marketed to children, and some companies pledged not to market to children below a certain age. Chobani LLC changed its marketing and branding approach to focus on the natural nature of its products rather than the taste.
And many companies struggle with the ethics and accuracy of labels such as “natural” and “healthy” for their products, as experts and consumers evolve their definitions of what is natural and healthy.
An interesting element going along with rebranding and acquisition in some cases is the technology-sector trend of “acqui-hiring.” From the Fortune piece:
Legacy food companies are on an acqui-hiring spree, hoping to gobble up foodpreneurs, their more agile management operations—and their know-how in the natural food arena.
This is one way to bring in people with fresh ideas into the company. Of course, the article goes on to warn against bringing in those people and absorbing them into the existing corporate culture, rather than encouraging retention of what made them unique.
In other cases the culture may be explicitly changed. Also from Fortune:
In what may be the clearest sign that Morrison is intent on doing more than “putting the barn on the package,” she backed Plum’s decision in 2013 to become a public benefit corporation, which codifies the business’s social and environmental purpose in its charter. It is among a slew of changes in corporate culture that Morrison has tried to make. Executives now even talk a bit differently, infusing a more wholesome-sounding vocabulary in day-to-day conversation. The company “cooks” and “preserves” rather than “processes” and “manufactures”; employees follow “recipes,” not “formulas.”
This itself is part of a bigger trend towards a company’s ethical and social behavior being considered more a part of its identity than simply a set of rules and things to say “no” to. That trend is quite visible in the world of corporate compliance, but is having ripple effects in industries directly tied to the common good.
What’s the End Game?
Where does it go from here? Do the healthy foods around the perimeter of the grocery store completely overtake the processed foods in the middle? Do Whole Foods and online startup Thrive Market take over food retailing from your local grocer?
Not so fast–Costco may already be the leader in organic food retailing!
Where do we go from here? Please tell us in the comments!
A final note: For those of you who might be interested in healthy eating, I’m starting a newsletter & blog around that topic and my new passion, bodyweight fitness. Please sign up for updates if you’d like to learn more.
Image source: Flickr


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According to a story that just hit the Dow Jones newswires, Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) will reportedly be buying Walgreens (WAG)!
Folks, this is a major move and will completely reshape the pharmacy industry. I conservatively estimate that the combined buying power of the two companies will exceed even CVS Caremark.
This also puts a new spin on drug wholesaler contracts. Cardinal Health (CAH) supplies Walgreens, while McKesson (MCK) supplies Wal-Mart. Look for another race-to-the-bottom margin slugfest when this contract comes up for re-bid!
From what I understand, Wal-Mart plans to rebrand all Walgreens retail pharmacies as "Wal*Wal" stores.
So far, there's no comment on this name from Pennsylvania-based convenience store operator WaWa. However, one of my lawyer friends works at Disney and told me that Disney may seek to block the deal because of possible consumer confusion with Wall-E.
I'll be following this story closely and will post more as details are released.
Hey, did anybody else notice what today is? Oh yeah, it's April Fools' Day. Enjoy!


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Diners—especially millennial ones—are beefing up demand for meat-free burgers. Some 29% of consumers ages 18 to 34 say it’s important that restaurants offer vegan burger options (compared to just 16% of those over 35), according to Technomic data. Operators are catering to that plant-based demand with a flurry of emerging vegan burger chains. Here’s a look at some of those growing concepts.
1. Expanding via Whole Foods partnership
Next Level Burger launched in Bend, Ore., in 2014, offering traditional fast-food fare like indulgently topped burgers, loaded fries and shakes—all made without animal products. Two years later, the chain opened in a 365 by Whole Foods grocery store outside Portland, Ore. Next Level Burger, with a vibrant orange color scheme reminiscent of Whataburger, serves burgers made from tempeh, produce and other ingredients, as well as the Beyond Meat burger.The growing chain, which also serves breakfast, plans to open its first East Coast store at the end of this month inside a 365 by Whole Foods in New York City. The chain currently has five units, three of which are inside Whole Foods markets.
2. Feeding the meat-and-potatoes Midwestern masses
Earth Burger currently has just one unit in San Antonio, Texas, but announced recently that it will open a second operation early this year at the Mall of America near Minneapolis. Earth Burger’s menu extends beyond meatless patties to include “fish” tenders, plant-based barbecue, faux chicken tenders and wraps. In nearby St. Paul, vegan restaurant J. Selby’s had to shut down its first week due to overwhelming demand. Its most-popular menu item, the Big Mac-esque Dirt Secret, is made with two patties from the city’s Herbivorous Butcher plant-based butcher shop and routinely sells out.
3. Catering to omnivores, too
Two-unit Plant Power Fast Food, financed in part by a crowd-funding campaign, says it aims to appeal to omnivores looking to try something new just as much as, if not more than, vegetarians and vegans. In August, the chain opened its second unit—in a former Burger King. The chain plans to expand outside of California and is looking at franchising, according to a report in Forbes.
4. Big dog of the veggie chains
Founded in 2006, Veggie Grill has grown to become one of the biggest players in the vegan fast-casual arena. The West Coast chain, now with 29 locations, plans to open its first Chicago unit in February, with three more Windy City locations slated for the coming year. Veggie Grill serves meat-free burgers (including a quinoa-based version) and faux chicken sandwiches. The chain also features a range of shareable apps, including lettuce wraps and vegan nachos.


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- Here in my (electric) car. The Nissan Leaf is fully electric.
When it launches later this year, the Nissan Leaf will be the first automobile in Nova Scotia to not require an internal combustion engine. Even fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles---the Toyota Prius and GM’s Chevrolet Volt---require at least some gasoline to run.
The Leaf, however, is completely electric. From the motor, to the air conditioning and the audio system, everything in the car depends on its lithium ion battery pack. The vehicle has no tailpipe.
But this car does have its limits. A fully charged battery gets you about 160 kilometres in perfect conditions. Instead of a fuel gauge you’re going to be looking at a battery range metre---how long you have left to reach a charger.
Many car critics have brought up “range anxiety” as one downside, which is mainly due to the fact that the charging infrastructure is not yet in place. Ian Forsyth, director of Corporate and Product Planning with Nissan Canada, says most Canadians will not have to worry about battery range: “Ninety percent of Canadians commute less than 100 kilometres a day. We don’t foresee that as an issue.”
Forsyth says that businesses and public areas are going to need charging stations. “Infrastructure support incorporates a lot of things,” he says. “One of those things is that the local bylaws and regulations allow very easy installation of what we call ‘the electric vehicle supply equipment’ in homes or offices. It’s not just public charging stations. Those are useful obviously, but one of the key issues is that you’re permitting---or local bylaws allow---for example, a 240 volt supply line to be put into a garage.”
Not everyone is excited about electric vehicles in Nova Scotia, not while we’re still using coal fired power plants to juice them up.
“If a lot of people buy this thing, it could represent a significant increase in demand on the electric grid,” says Scott Gillard, a member of the Ecology Action Centre’s Transportation Issues Committee. “That is support for a call for a new coal-fired plant.”
If the Leaf or other electric vehicles are widely used in Nova Scotia, it could present major problems for our power grid, explains Gillard--- we could see a situation akin to California’s rolling blackouts.
Nissan’s Forsyth considers that a grim assessment. “It’s unfortunate they feel that way because I’m not sure then what the solution is,” Forsyth says. “This is a zero-emission mobility solution. At the point of mobility, there is zero emissions. So if they can’t support it then, well I guess it’s lovely, they’re going to support Internal Combustion Engines and that’s fine. We’re quite happy to sell ICE’s; we’ve got no problem with that.”
David Swan is an engineer with DHS Engineering and has been working with renewable resources and electric vehicles for over 20 years. He says that Nova Scotia generates plenty of energy to supply a fleet of electric vehicles. “Look at the future,” Swan says. “The direction of where the grid is going versus oil. Oil refining is taking place off-shore, it’s no longer crude, it’s heavy crude and it’s tar sands oil. Yes I agree we shouldn’t put to much demand on our grid, but it can be used to displace something that’s worse, like fossil fuels.”
Swan says if the province increases its use of renewable energy, it will save us money as taxpayers and consumers. But even now, with using coal, switching to electric vehicles “will either break even or be an improvement in terms of emissions. No question.”
The price of fossil fuels will only go up. But if we can harness renewable energy, it effectively kills two polluting birds with one stone, Swan says. No more coal in our lungs, and no more gasoline being burned in our cars. In order for electric vehicles to be a success, we need a clean and efficient electric grid to go along with them.


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It goes without saying, but a lot can change in 40 years.
Four decades ago, the global population was four billion people. Today, that number is well above seven billion. Throughout 1974, the top songs on the Billboard Hot 100 included “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce, “The Way We Were” by Barbara Streisand, and “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive. In January of that year, a little show called “Happy Days” premiered on ABC, introducing America to Richie Cunningham, Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli and the rest of the Happy Days gang.
But as popular trends in music, television, clothing and even business have evolved over the last four decades, there’s been at least one constant – Cummins has manufactured components and engines at its facility in Jamestown, New York.
Today marks the 40th anniversary of Cummins’ Jamestown Engine Plant (JEP). Cummins acquired the more than 1-million-square-foot facility in 1974, using it initially to manufacture engine components. Five years later, the plant produced its first engine.
Today, the plant produces on-highway engines, including the ISX15 – the top-selling heavy-duty truck engine in North America – as well as the ISX12 and ISM diesel engines. Typically, more than 400 engines are built per day at JEP, and the plant produced its 1.5 millionth heavy-duty engine in the summer of 2013.
Dave Crompton, President – Cummins Engine Business said it best:
“This anniversary is a testament to our more than 1,500 employees at JEP who produce reliable, clean and fuel-efficient engines that enable our customers to be successful in all of the markets they operate,” Crompton said. “An anniversary such as this is just another indicator of their commitment to quality. They help Cummins deliver the best solutions to our customers every day.”
Official Press Release – Jamestown Engine Plant Celebrates 40th Anniversary With Cummins
Do you want to write something?


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Citrix's upgrade to its Receiver application, which allows companies to deliver enterprise network apps to smartphones and tablets, will land in January. The latest Citrix Receiver will support Apple iOS multi-tasking and turn the iPad and iPhone screens into a big mouse track pad.
Chris Fleck, vice president of solutions development at Citrix, said the new Receiver app, which has garnered more than 1 million downloads on the iOS and Android platform, will hit Apple's App Store sometime in January and be available for the iPad and iPhone.
What's notable about the Citrix Receiver app is that it is giving life to a lot of legacy enterprise software. For instance, the current version of Receiver touch enables old applications. Citrix set it up so a left swipe on the iPad corresponds with a left arrow key. Ditto for the right swipe and the right arrow key. As a result, users can navigate enterprise apps.
I'm not sure that's such a great thing since there are more than a few legacy apps that should be put to rest. Citrix is giving these tired enterprise apps a few more years of use by dragging them into the mobile world. "
Now Citrix is turning up its game. The latest Receiver will have a mouse pointer that can be navigated with your finger on an iPad screen. "By adding a mouse pointer mode, you can use the whole screen as a track pad and click on smaller features," said Fleck, who noted that the mouse feature was heavily requested from users.
On other topics:
Fleck said that it has formed teams for each mobile platform. The teams that create Receiver for the various platforms are largely independent (and even in different locations). For iOS, Citrix needs developers that know Apple and objective C. Android requires Linux and Java experts.
Is Citrix hit with competition for developer talent? Fleck said the mobile teams are spread around the world, but he has had a few developers with counter offers. Citrix's iOS work is done in Fort Lauderdale with the Android team in Sydney, Australia. The BlackBerry team is in Bangalore and the Receiver for Windows Phone 7 teams are in the United Kingdom and Fort Lauderdale. This location diversification means Citrix "isn't impacted as much by the Google-Facebook talent war," said Fleck.


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SiriusXM has upgraded its streaming services today for users with new personalized stations powered by Pandora, access to new music channels, and more exclusive video content. The company is also expanding subscriber access to SiriusXM content on devices like iPhone, Apple TV, the web, and more at no cost.
SiriusXM detailed the news in a press release today:
SiriusXM announced today that 30 million subscribers now have access to the world’s best audio entertainment in more places than ever before. SiriusXM Select subscribers now join SiriusXM All Access, SiriusXM Essential Streaming and SiriusXM Premier Streaming subscribers with unlimited streaming access to the hundreds of SiriusXM music, sports, talk, news and entertainment channels, at no additional cost, outside the car on a phone, at home, and online.
SiriusXM Select subscribers will also now get access to the over 100 ‘Xtra Music Channels.’ Meanwhile, All Access and SiriusXM Premier Streaming plans now have the ability to create personalized ad-free radio stations powered by Pandora.
SiriusXM listeners can get a truly unique combination of rich music curation and industry-leading personalization not found in any other audio entertainment service. These Personalized Stations Powered by Pandora will employ Pandora’s unrivaled listener personalization technology, driven by its pioneering Music Genome Project. The Stations will draw from SiriusXM’s vast music library and be served through SiriusXM’s delivery infrastructure.
As for video, the company touts even more exclusive content in its app and web player.
SiriusXM Video Preview: More exclusive video content is now available to SiriusXM subscribers on the SiriusXM app and web player, featuring memorable performances and interviews from the archive, including artists and newsmakers such as Kevin Hart, Cardi B, Jonas Brothers, P!NK, Khalid, Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire, Lady Antebellum, BTS, George Clooney, Tracy Morgan, Chelsea Handler, Ryan Reynolds, KISS, Halsey, Bruno Mars, Brooks Koepka and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Plus, new videos are being added regularly. This marks the next step in SiriusXM’s video offering, following the debut of video from The Howard Stern Show last year, with more to come from other SiriusXM personalities this fall, including Jenny McCarthy, Michelle Collins, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, Jeff Lewis, Emily Morse, Jim Norton & Sam Roberts, Jason Ellis, Karen Hunter and others.
Read more about today’s SiriusXM updates here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.


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The computer security company, best known for its Norton antivirus software, has fired its CEO less than a year into his tenure, as the firm struggles to offset unimpressive revenues and disappointing share performance.
The now former chief executive Steve Bennett was partway through an exhaustive overhaul of Symantec’s products and systems in an effort to compete with increasingly sophisticated cyber security threats and a new breed of security software company. Founded in 1982, Symantec is struggling to keep pace with some of the industry’s newer, more advanced players such as the much-publicised Mandiant.
“We recognise Steve’s contributions to Symantec, including developing and leading a series of successful initiatives focused on organisational realignment, cost reduction and process effectiveness,” said Symantec’s chairman Daniel Schulman in a company press release.
What’s more surprising is that Symantec’s lacklustre performance comes at a time where cyber security spending is on the rise
What’s more surprising is that Symantec’s lacklustre performance comes at a time where cyber security spending is on the rise. A recent report co-authored by IDC and the National University of Singapore estimates that enterprise cyber security spending will come to almost $500bn this year, due to mounting concerns with regards to the possibility of malware and data breaches.
In addition to the company’s largely outdated approach to tackling cyber threats, Symantec’s struggles have been aggravated further still by declining PC shipments and sales. IDC released a report earlier this month showing that the PC industry saw its sharpest annual decline on record through 2013, with shipments falling 9.8 percent and sales 10.1 percent. What’s more, the analysts expect sales to continue falling until 2018, by which time shipments are estimated to reach as little as 291.7 million units – as opposed to the 315.1 million in 2013.
Regardless of Symantec’s disappointing performance, the company maintains that it will continue to target revenue growth in excess of five percent organic revenue growth by 2017. “Our priority is now to identify a leader who can leverage our company’s assets and leadership team to drive the next stage of Symantec’s product innovation and growth,” said Schulman.


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CJ 4DPLEX, d’strict and Funtory House Will Provide World Class Contents for HERO CENTRAL in the Soon-to-be Completed Empire City Damansara Kuala Lumpur.
KUALA LUMPUR, 20 NOVEMBER 2017 – US VR Global Inc, recently announced its strategic partnerships with not one, but three world-class digital, user-centred experience creators in Korea. These world-class brand names, which include CJ 4DPLEX, d’strict and Funtory House will provide their respective innovative and immersive technologies to US VR Global Inc’s newly introduced HERO CENTRAL, touted to be one of the largest VR parks in the world.
CJ 4DPLEX, the world’s first and leading 4D cinema company, has brought its immersive theatre technology to 415 auditoriums spanning 50 countries worldwide. Its “4DX VR” combines the company’s unique motion chairs and environmental effects with virtual reality, resulting in a unique and thrilling new entertainment experience. State-of-the-art 4DX VR products utilize the motion simulator technology that has resulted in CJ 4DPLEX being regarded as a top global 4D cinema brand. They can be coordinated with many kinds of VR content, with endless possibilities, including game & entertainment content, short films and promotional VR movie trailers – and the most amazing ride experiences ever.
In partnership with CJ 4DPLEX, US VR Global Inc is taking one of its signature offerings – VR thrill rides, to the next level by incorporating the fully immersive, virtual motion experience of 4DX VR. The VR roller coaster environment will be based on real life images and not CGI or animated, providing riders a truly authentic roller coaster ride experience derived from various actual famous roller coaster rides all over the world.
Tengku Rozianti Tengku Mamat, VP Sales & Marketing of US VR Global Inc said, “The HERO CENTRAL VR roller coaster will be equipped to allow riders to feel the heart-pumping adrenaline of steep drops, inverted loops and powerful twists and turns. Accelerometers and proximity sensors will be synchronized to all of the action in an incredibly realistic 360-degree virtual reality world. This remarkable technology is a definite game-changer for theme park rides and represents everything HERO CENTRAL stands for.”
“We are very pleased to present our newest and unique 4DX VR in Malaysia. We are hopeful that many people will now have an opportunity to experience this unique technology, with perfectly synchronized motion along with VR content giving a genuine sensation of ‘reality,’” remarked Byung-Hwan Choi, CEO of CJ 4DPLEX.
“What makes this partnership so compelling for consumers and the broader tech industry alike is that both companies are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible – and bringing a VR roller coaster to life is certainly an exciting and thrilling proposition,” added Jung-Hoon Cho, COO of CJ 4DPLEX.
In a separate occasion, Tengku Rozianti enthused, “Following the demand for Korean pop culture in Malaysia, it is indeed the perfect time for us to partner with d’strict to create the ultimate “K-pop Experience” where fans can feel close to their favourite stars.”
d’strict is a design company that creates user-centered experience by integrating both contents and digital media technology. Working with US VR Global Inc, d’strict will produce entertainment attractions featuring Korea’s best known pop stars using new media technology, holograms, and 3D projection mapping, with pop content from PSY, BIGBANG, 2NE1, G-DRAGON, PARK MI-KYUNG, RAINBOW, CLON and AOA to create the “K-Pop Experience”.
“Among others, this state-of-the-art facility provides HERO CENTRAL’s visitors a hyper realistic holographic performance featuring various Korean pop stars and accompanying dancers performing their hits and interacting with the audience. Photo booths at the entrance will capture pictures of visitors which are then inserted into the show, as the faces of the backing dancers and also in other activities,” explained Tengku Rozianti.
“d’strict is always looking for opportunities to use and expand our underlying “K-Pop Experience” to suit new markets or venues. The use of our technology to enhance fans’ interaction with their pop idols certainly seemed to go down well with our audience outside of Korea, including Malaysia,” said Sungho Lee, CEO of d’strict.
In another event, US VR Global Inc also signed a partnership deal with Funtory House. Funtory House creates new media children’s playgrounds for families that combines sensibility-based facilities and new media technology, providing children with a new experience that sets them apart from existing kid’s playgrounds or cafes. Funtory House will bring some of their top-notch creations to HERO CENTRAL through this partnership.
Hyunwoo Bang, CEO of Funtory House said “We are extremely excited to expand our digital play content experience to Malaysia. From the success we’ve seen and the overwhelmingly positive response we’ve received from our audiences so far, we have no doubt that our partnership with US VR Global Inc will bring early childhood education to a different level of excitement and fun amongst the Malaysian community. Our contents are developed and operated by a team of specialists that will help children develop various competencies like never before.”
HERO CENTRAL is US VR Global Inc’s launch pad to the emerging VR and AR market, and was announced earlier this year. Spanning 15,793.5sq m, HERO CENTRAL has been purposed-designed from ground up, bringing together award winning designers, top of the line technology, a world class management team and a whole host of big name partners, resulting in the best possible VR experience. HERO CENTRAL is expected to open its door to the public by the fourth quarter of 2018.


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It's a beautiful afternoon in Denver. I'm sitting on the patio at Great Divide Brewing Company with founder Brian Dunn, enjoying a pint of the brewery's Hazy IPA. The sun is shining. Birds are chirping. All is right with the world.
But it's a different story deep in the haze: The abundant ultraviolet light and oxygen are wreaking havoc on the unfiltered yeast and hop particulate that adds to the body of the beer and makes it semi-opaque.
Dunn says he can taste the difference between the first and last sips of a pint, especially when he's drinking outside. "There's a chemical reaction that happens," he says. "Certain kinds of hops really get affected by UV light and it makes them skunky. That can happen with any beer."
But hazy IPAs are particularly vulnerable, he adds. "The reason IPAs are hazy is because there's a lot of hop loads in the beer, there's protein, there's yeast," says Dunn. "It's a tough thing. A lot of breweries are working on it."
Dunn points to three high-profile efforts in Samuel Adams New England IPA, Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing, and New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA. Packaging a true hazy IPA is easier said than done: Hazy Little Thing "is a nice IPA, but it's not like a canned version of a hazy IPA," he says.
He's quick to point out that Great Divide isn't planning to package its draft-only, Colorado-only Hazy IPA in cans or bottles. The brewery is releasing a new IPA, Heyday, in cans this spring, with "more contemporary" hops than Titan, but no haze.
Neil Fisher, co-founder and head brewer of WeldWerks Brewing in Greeley, says he applied a year and a half of experience with kegs and Crowlers of Juicy Bits and other New England-style IPAs to canning before launching in October 2017.
The success of Juicy Bits helped WeldWerks has propelled to 100 percent growth year-over-year growth. "New England-style IPAs are probably about 60 to 70 percent of our volume," says Fisher.
But there have been plenty of lessons learned along the way. "We're the best ones to ask what not to do," says Fisher. "A lot of it is the unfiltered nature of it, and the high dry hops -- about double the dry hops of a West Coast IPA -- subject to oxidation. It's just got more vulnerability."
Fisher says smaller breweries are a better fit for the style. "About 90 percent of breweries producing New England-style IPAs are 25 barrels or smaller," he notes. Its fragility "is why it's done well with small breweries: It's best to be consumed fresh. It prioritizes flavor over everything."
WeldWerk's brewing team had already learned how to maximize the shelf life before canning the first six-pack. "Two months was not unheard of for a Crowler," says Fisher. "What we figured out was a lot of breweries rush it to cans to keep it hazy. We try to get as much yeast as possible out of suspension before it goes into the cans."
Minimizing dissolved oxygen is also critical, he adds. "We're really cognizant of the DO through the entire process. Limiting our DO before we get to the brite tank really helped us as well. . . . We really started from the top down and made sure every tank was basically at zero."
The end result: A can of Juicy Bits can last for 90 days in cold storage. "All of our IPAs are unfiltered," says Fisher. "Cold storage is a big thing. We're trying to make sure they're never in warm storage."
In both cases, the canning lines are more efficient and thus contribute to the main goal of less oxygen and longer shelf stability. "Craft Canning are really affordable and really good," says Fisher, citing a low 3 percent loss during a recent canning session.
With about 50 retail accounts in "a very limited footprint" on the Front Range, it can be difficult to find a sixer of Juicy Bits or another WeldWerks New England-style IPA. And that's part of the plan. "We're always going to prioritize the taproom first," says Fisher. "Bringing people to Greeley is a big mission for us."
Eric Peterson is editor of BreweryWeek and CompanyWeek. Reach him at email@example.com.


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It will see a concessions building belonging to the centre being demolished, with the supermarket being built to the rear of the garden store, formerly the Wyevale Garden Centre.
There will also be a new storage building to serve the garden centre as well as alterations to vehicle access and service roads.
The project, due for completion by next autumn, could create 120 jobs.
Waitrose, part of the John Lewis Partnership, has included detailed reports on air quality and lighting, as well as a 50-page dossier on the ecological and bio-diversity impact of the project.
The 15,000 sq ft store would have parking for 450 cars and 18 trolley bays.
Waitrose carried out a public consultation and 96 per cent of the 250 people who responded were in favour.
Of these, 72 per cent expressed full support and 24 per cent highlighted support, but with some reservations. Four per cent objected to the plans.
Nigel Keen, director of development, said: "We have worked in partnership with the Garden Centre Group to prepare an application we are confident will be welcomed by the local community.
"As well as creating new jobs, it will provide residents with a convenient, high-quality food store that will stop them having to travel out of the area to carry out their shopping.
"We’ve been encouraged by the positive feedback received so far."
Northampton Borough Council’s planning committee will consider the application, possibly at early as its January meeting.


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Scott Edelman writes, "Science fiction writer Thomas S. Gardner says in a 1940 issue of the fanzine Fantasy News that science fiction comic books hurt science fiction, but don't worry -- he also says that comics likely won't be around for long anyway:" (more…)
It’s a big year for Wonder Woman from the DC comic books to the upcoming Gal Gadot fueled live action film, so it’s no wonder the favored Wonder Woman for many generations, Lynda Carter, is also being thrust back into the public eye....Show More Summary
Jack Chick, the 92 year old inventor of the controversial Christian comic book series, has died.
Sequart Organization is proud to announce the publication of The Best There is at What He Does: Examining Chris Claremont’s X-Men, by Jason Powell. The X-Men franchise is a sprawling comics mythology, to which hundreds of creators have contributed over the past 50 years. The period from 1975 to 1991 is special, however, as the X-Men […]
GWAR are the stars of their own comic book, GWAR: Orgasmageddon. It’s created by the band, writer Matt Miner, artist Jonathan Brandon Sawyer, colorist Marissa Louise, letterer Taylor Esposito, and editor Brendan Wright. They’re seeking funding via Kickstarter for the four-issue series (with a fifth issue if they hit their stretch goal). Show More Summary
CEO Ted Adams explains how he took his comics and gaming publishing house into TV with Wynonna Earp and Dirk Gently. CEO Ted Adams explains how he took his comics and gaming publishing house into TV with Wynonna Earp and Dirk Gently....Show More Summary
Doctor Strange is my favorite Marvel comic book character, so I’ve spent the past year-plus in suspense, waiting to see how director Scott Derrickson was going to bring this admittedly (dare I say strange?) odd character to the big screen. Show More Summary
Not content to stick with just Windows 10 PC and Mobile, file archiving app 8 Zip is now available on the Xbox One as well....
Chick Productions announced Monday that their founder Jack Chick has died at 92, which is big news for anyone who’s ever been fascinated, horrified, and occasionally delighted by his comic books. Chick was the creator of Chick Tracts,...Show More Summary
The world is filled with great comic book artists, but very few can be called true legends. Sadly, one of those is no longer with us, as Preacher co-creator Steve Dillon passed away at 54.
Learn How To Draw is a new Android app from Marvel Comics artist Will Sliney, which offers hundreds of tutorials on how to draw superheroes and more.
Launching live today is a Kickstarter campaign from shock rock legends GWAR. The goal? Raise funds for a brand-new 4-issue full-color comic book series entitled GWAR: ORGASMAGEDDON. For this foray into the comic book world GWAR has teamed with writer Matt Miner, artist Jonathan Brandon Sawyer, colorist Marissa Louise, letterer Taylor Esposito and editor Brendan […]
A contingent of fans want the PULP FICTION director to try his hand at a comic book movie.
X-Men founding member Iceman, aka Bobby Drake, will soon be the star of his own Marvel comic series, the company announced last week. Coming soon: “Iceman" #1 #ResurrXion pic.twitter.com/XGPlfHeNvF — Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) October… Read The post Gay Founding X-Men Character Iceman to Get His Own Comic Book Series appeared first on Towleroad.
While The Walking Dead has been sticking close to the comic books when it comes to the show's overarching story, the TV series has deviated in a number of smaller ways. In the comics, Abe is the one who dies by way of arrow to the eye (not Denise), baby Judith dies with Lori, and Rick is down one hand. Show More Summary
News broke over the weekend that comic book artist Steve Dillon, who is most known for co-creating the series Preacher for Vertigo and reinventing the Punisher for Marvel in the 1990s, died at […]
We spied some Marvel and DC superhero suits (both incongnito-style and costume-style!) that would up the game for comic book or Halloween weddings. Whether you're a groom looking to sport your favorite Avenger on the down-low or planning to go full makeup as the Joker, these superhero suits are killer.
The Walking Dead season seven premiere gave viewers the answers they needed, but maybe not the ones they wanted. In a twist, the show stayed true to comic books with a death at the hands of Negan...
Comic book artist Steve Dillon, best known for Preacher, Judge Dread and The Punisher, has died.
By Tom Spurgeon this Trina Robbins + various comics all-stars project could still use some attention. this monster book looks very cute. I wouldn't have picked up the Adventure Time homage element except as it's pointed out to us. ...Show More Summary


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By Andrea Rumbaugh
A record 234.1 million passengers are expected to travel on U.S. airlines this summer, industry trade organization Airlines for America reported Thursday.
That's up 4 percent from the 224.8 million people who traveled from June 1 to Aug. 31 last year.
RELATED: Despite recent turbulence, airlines doing better job, survey says
"Rising U.S. GDP, a steadily improving economy, all-time high household net worth and low airfares are fueling the expected growth in summer air travel," said A4A Vice President and Chief Economist John Heimlich. "We continue to see consumers value experiences and travel, and airlines are responding accordingly by increasing staffing and boosting the availability of seats in the marketplace, as well as further investing in new aircraft and customer-facing technology."
Last year, 14.6 million people traveled through Houston's airports during the three-month summer period, the Houston Airport System said.
To read this article in one of Houston's most-spoken languages, click on the button below.
Business Reporter, Houston Chronicle
© 2017 Hearst Newspapers, LLC.


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In his 2010 State of the Union address, President Obama set a goal of doubling exports by the end of 2014 – an increase that will support two million additional jobs here at home. In a time when millions of Americans are out of work, boosting U.S. exports is a short-term imperative because exports support millions of good, high-paying American jobs. And for companies looking to expand, looking beyond our borders only makes sense because 95% of the world’s customers are outside our borders.
Since the President announced his goal, exports are up 33.5% and slightly ahead of the pace needed to achieve the National Export Initiative goal of doubling exports by 2014. Yet, even with that success, only 1% of businesses export and of those that do, 58% export to only one market. That is why the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service has joined forces with several private sector vendors in the New Market Exporter Initiative. This program provides companies with expert analysis of target countries, matchmaking services with vendors or distributors and help with logistics and shipping.
Those strategic plans are paying off. Today we begin a series highlighting private sector vendors and the manufacturers they are helping export to new markets.
FedEx works closely with the Commerce Department to support the National Export Initiative by reaching out to its customers, especially those in the manufacturing sector, who are best positioned to export. Through its expansive outreach network, FedEx has seen firsthand how looking beyond our borders can breathe new life and new jobs into a business. They know that exporting is no longer just a competitive advantage, but a means to survive this changing environment.


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The Overlooked Environmental Impact of Vaping
Lined up end-to-end, the disposable e-cigarettes sold and (presumably) trashed annually in the U.S. could stretch across the country and back again, according to a new report that highlights a growing problem: vape waste.
Disposable vapes typically have plastic bodies that are designed to be used until they’re empty and then tossed, as opposed to devices that can be refilled with nicotine e-liquids or pods. The CDC Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, estimates that each month in the U.S., consumers purchase 11.9 million disposable e-cigarettes. Based on that figure, the new report—from the U.S. PIRG Education Fund, a nonpartisan consumer-interest group—estimates that the disposable vapes sold annually would stretch longer than 7,000 miles if lined up, more than twice the width of the continental U.S.
Once little-used, disposable e-cigarettes accounted for about 53% of e-cigarette unit sales in the U.S. as of March 2023, according to the CDC Foundation. Single-use products like Puff Bar have also unseated once-dominant vaping brands like Juul (which sells devices that can be recharged and refilled with e-liquid cartridges) among underage users, according to federal data.
That swift ascent started in part because of a regulatory loophole. In early 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a ban on the sale of many flavored vaping products—but disposable e-cigarettes were not part of the policy, making them an appealing option for people who wanted to continue to use flavors. Their takeoff has concerned both public-health and environmental advocates.
In addition to creating plenty of plastic waste, discarded e-cigarettes can be considered both e-waste (because of their circuitry and lithium-ion batteries) and hazardous waste (because they contain nicotine). E-cigarettes are also difficult to recycle, and many people don’t even try: garbology research has found evidence of plenty of vape litter. A 2022 survey found that just 8% of teen or young-adult vapers sent their used disposable devices to recycling facilities.
Within the e-cigarette category, disposables “pose the highest potential environmental costs,” according to a 2018 paper in the American Journal of Public Health, because they aren’t used as long as refillable models. A 2022 letter in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine called for tighter regulations on single-use vapes to ward off “environmental disaster.”
Some legislators have pushed for such regulations. Lawmakers in California and New York have, respectively, introduced bills meant to limit the sale of single-use vapes—many of which have not cleared the FDA’s authorization process—and establish better disposal practices for e-cigarettes. A recent New York City lawsuit also aims to block flavored e-cigarettes sales there, with a particular emphasis on disposable products.
A representative for the Vapor Technology Association, a trade group for the vaping industry, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In the meantime, suggests the new report, people who vape can make a simple switch to benefit the environment: choose reusable devices instead of those that go straight in the trash. “Nothing used for a day or two,” the report says, “should pollute our environment for hundreds of years.”
Write to Jamie Ducharme at [email protected].Trump Indictment History Will RememberExtreme Heat Is Endangering America's WorkersParalyzed Man Move and Feel AgainOppenheimer's GrandsonDon't Ignore Your Climate Anxiety10 New Books You Should Read in AugustCandace BushnellExtra Time, Your Guide to the Women's World CupWrite to


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This Friday sees the launch of the 11th annual Marketing Derby Derby Food & Drink Awards, which shine a light on Derby's food & drink sector, promoting the fantastic hospitality we have on offer here in the city and wider county.
Last year, over 5,000 nominations were received, this year's will open at 5pm on Friday 28th June, and you can cast your vote by visiting the Derby Food & Drink Awards website.
Managing Director of Marketing Derby, John Forkin said "Food and drink is an important sector but a tough one too. We want to celebrate the best and promote customer growth.”
The awards ceremony will take place on Monday 7th October at Bondholder Derby Roundhouse.
Nominations are welcomed from members of the public, business leaders in the city and food and drink establishment owners. The nomination period is open for four weeks and the entries are used to select the three finalists in each category.
Two representatives from each sponsor will judge their category, which involves ‘mystery shopping’ at all three finalists and scoring against defined criteria.
The awards ceremony will be attended by over 400 industry representatives from Derby, including food and drink establishments and business leaders from across the city. To book your ticket, please click here.


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Nonstop Signs & Graphics
Nonstop Signs and Graphics Begins Accepting Bitcoin Payment
The printing company is the latest to explore opportunities in cryptocurrency.
SAN DIEGO, CA. – JULY 1, 2018 – Nonstop Signs & Graphics is proud to announce that they will begin accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment. The systems are developing to enable customers to pay with bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies. The company plans to introduce cryptocurrency payments by the end of the year.
“Our company values using the best of the best and cutting-edge technology to create our products. Certainly, blockchain technologies have been on our radar for some time. This is because of their immense possibilities in the consumer world. We’d like to embrace the forward momentum of crypto. And follow in the footsteps of other retailers who have found success,” says Brandon Stapper, CEO of Nonstop Signs and Graphics.
About Bitcoin Currency
Bitcoin first appeared in 2009 as the first decentralized and completely digital currency. Bitcoins are sent peer-to-peer using blockchain technology, without any intermediaries. The digital currency has met with criticism for its volatility and uses in illegal dealings. It continues to be a popular investment for users. The University of Cambridge estimated that in 2017, maybe there were anywhere from 2 to 6 million people using cryptocurrency wallets.
Bitcoin acceptance has met with some mixed reviews from retailers. Several aspects of cryptocurrency, including taxes, conversion methods, & relatively small market segments have given many small businesses pause. Bitcoin acceptance has paid off for the major retailers who have embraced it. The most notable success story is Overstock.com. The site was the first major online store to accept bitcoin in January 2014. This site was cited nearly $5 million in cryptocurrency payments annually.
Expedia, CheapAir, Microsoft, Shopify and even Dish have accepted major forms of Bitcoin. Expedia and Microsoft have begun phasing out the option. Nonstop Signs & Graphics intends to optimize its site to accept all major forms of cryptocurrency. This includes Ethereum, Litecoin, Monero and Bitcoin Dash.
The decision comes from wanting to offer convenience and flexibility to a market. Accepting Bitcoin will open more options for customers of the printing company. The CEO Brandon Stapper and the management team have a vested interest in helping the blockchain technology industry flourish.
What Brandon Stapper Says?
“In my view, Bitcoin is here to stay. The possibilities for blockchain tech and cryptocurrency aren’t even fully realized yet. Businesses and retailers will play a huge part in accelerating its growth and success. And Nonstop Signs is thrilled to be a part of that in some small way,” said Stapper.
By accepting the payment method, Stapper believes that businesses will play a key role in mainstreaming cryptocurrency. In theory, creating widespread use of the payment method will force conversation. And the innovation around cryptocurrency. The investment from retailers and users will iron out grey areas including volatility and theft. For the reason, entrepreneurs search for ways to offer solutions to these problems.
Nonstop Signs & Graphics is a San Diego- based printing company. They services clientele from small businesses to Forbes 500 companies. For more information, news or contact information, visit www.nonstopsigns.com or email email@example.com.
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About Nonstop Signs & Graphics
Nonstop Signs & Graphics is a San Diego-based printing company that has enjoyed astronomical growth in recent years. They are serving clientele from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. And everywhere in between, Nonstop Signs prides itself on superior quality. The company enjoys frequent expansion with its state-of-the-art equipment. We can do with the unparalleled customer service. Forbes recently recognized Nonstop Signs as one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States. CEO Brandon Stapper serves on the Forbes Young Entrepreneur Council. The outcome is, frequently weighs in on relevant issues affecting entrepreneurs today.
Stay updated on the latest news from Nonstop Signs & Graphics at www.nonstopsigns.com/blog.


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"Flavrs Club" is designed to promote the Chicago company's new Flavor Boosts range of seasoning mixes.
If you always wanted your feet to smell like the chocolate sandwich cookies, now's your chance.
Chaka Sobhani, the London-based creative behind McDonald's U.K. advertising work, replaces Liz Taylor.
That's the idea behind this new ad campaign from Miller High Life.
A new campaign from Leo Burnett speaks to those divided by the Singapore-Malaysia border closure.
"This vaccine means hope," says President Barack Obama in one of the two ads debuting today.
In a year that's brought us McOreoSpam and candy-flavored Mac & Cheese, this particular mashup actually doesn't sound half bad.
The fast food giant is getting bolder than ever in terms of how logo-free it's prepared to go in its advertising.
Remember the pumpkin spice version around Halloween? The latest limited edition comes with a candy flavoring.
A campaign by the Mondelez-owned brand has attracted both praise and anti-gay trolling.
A Swedish campaign jumps on the trend of floppy '90s-style hair.


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2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid
Honda hybrid vehicles have a reputation for delivering an unrivaled blend of power and efficiency, and the current Honda CR-V is one the world’s bestselling crossover SUVs. Take those facts together and you’ll quickly start to understand why the upcoming 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid is attracting so much attention.
Showcasing proven hybrid engineering alongside eye-catching exterior styling, this groundbreaking vehicle is highly anticipated. If you’re eager to find out more, simply read on to explore:
- Honda CR-V Hybrid Powertrain
- Honda CR-V Hybrid Design
Honda CR-V Hybrid Powertrain
The non-hybrid 2020 Honda CR-V gets a 1.5L VTEC™ Turbo engine across all trims, while the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid will use the same hybrid powertrain currently used so successfully in the Honda Accord Hybrid.
That will make this the first electrified SUV from the Honda brand in America. It’ll join the Accord Hybrid and Insight to make the third electrified Honda manufactured in the U.S. Honda will start applying that advanced two-motor hybrid-electric system across its core U.S. models in the years ahead. As summed up by Henio Arcangeli, Jr., senior vice president of Automobile Sales at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “The CR-V Hybrid also signifies our direction … to invest in the production of electrified vehicles in America.”
Official MPG ratings have not yet been released, but as noted by the team over at Car and Driver, “if it can get close to the Accord hybrid’s 48-mpg combined rating, it will have a leg up on its most natural rival, the Toyota RAV4 hybrid.”
Honda CR-V Hybrid Design
The Honda CR-V will receive a few styling updates for 2020, and the Honda CR-V Hybrid will enjoy a few design features to make it unique, including:
- Hybrid Badging
- Blue Honda Logo on the Grill
- Hidden Tailpipe
- Unique Rear Bumper (Touring Trims)
It’s also going to be available with two of the 2020 Honda CR-V’s new exterior colors, Sonic Gray Pearl and Radiant Red Metallic.
Learn More About 2020 Honda CR-V Changes from Your Local Honda Team
You can check out the latest Honda hybrid lineup and find out more about the upcoming CR-V by visiting your nearest Mid-Michigan Honda dealer. For any further assistance or to hear about current specials, feel free to contact us today.


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And here we thought the adverse effects of the Ledger data breach from last year have already run their course. Reports show that the same players responsible for the major data breach are now sending malicious hardware wallets to the Ledger users whose data was compromised during the aforementioned breach. To those uninformed, these fake Ledger wallets contain integrated hardware specifically to siphon user’s crypto holdings.
While the package box, wrapping, and logo appear authentic, the device itself and the letter that comes with it should already seem incredibly jarring and suspicious right from the very start. The scammy letter, which claims to be signed by Ledger CEO Pascal Gauthier, states that Ledger has sent a new device to replace the user’s old one for security purposes.
Upon closer inspection, however, one can see several grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Nonetheless, despite being poorly written and the device itself questionable at best, Ledger still warns its users to always keep an eye out for any suspicious signs before they trust whatever they may be receiving.
According to Ledger, they are aware of such scams, evidenced by their inclusion in the firm’s list of ongoing malicious advances. They then reminded their users to remain vigilant for any free product that comes to them via mail, especially if they don’t have any prior idea of ever ordering one. It is still unclear whether the firm has indeed reached out already to the users who reportedly received fake wallets. As of press time, Ledger is yet to announce their course of action to rectify the situation, or at the very least, mitigate it.


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Part of complete coverage on
China closes book on Taiwan's top bookstore
June 21, 2013 -- Updated 1008 GMT (1808 HKT)
A close-up of Eslite's multi-story flagship bookstore in Taipei.
- China banned media coverage of opening of Shanghai bookstore by prominent Taiwan retailer Eslite
- Propaganda department did not provide reason for media blackout
- Ban follows Eslite's announcement that it will lease space in what is slated to be China's tallest commercial tower
Hong Kong (CNN) -- China has long banned the sale of certain books, but now it has banned media reports on the opening of a Taiwanese book chain in Shanghai.
The Eslite bookstore -- which in Taiwan stocks titles banned on the mainland -- announced this week it had signed a letter of intent to lease 6,500 square meters spanning three floors in the Shanghai Tower, a new development that will be China's tallest when it opens in 2015.
A source at the Shanghai Labor Newspaper confirmed to CNN that the paper's editor-in-chief on Thursday received a terse directive from the Shanghai Municipal Propaganda Department not to report the deal.
"The matter about Taiwan Eslite Bookstore [intending] to open a branch in Shanghai should not be reported anymore," Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported the message as saying.
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Censorship clash in China
The source, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the issue, said the message was communicated by SMS text message, an unusual medium for propaganda directives to the media, which are typically delivered in writing.
The directive did not provide a reason for the media blackout and a spokesman at the Shanghai Municipal Propaganda Department told CNN he was "not aware" of the matter.
Eslite's deputy communications manager, Jessie Lu, declined to comment on whether the media blackout would affect the bookstore in any way.
"Eslite respects the rules and regulations in mainland China, including those on the book market," she said.
The bookstore chain also would not comment on which titles would be available at the new Shanghai branch although Lu acknowledged that the retailer would not be able to sell books banned by China at its mainland locations, including Taiwanese public intellectual Lung Ying-tai's book about the Chinese civil war, "Big River, Big Sea—Untold Stories of 1949."
Founded in 1989, Eslite is Taiwan's largest bookstore chain, with more than 40 locations, including a 24-7 branch in the capital of Taipei.
Its multi-story flagship in Taipei, located a block from the iconic Taipei 101 tower, is wildly popular among locals and tourists.
It opened its first overseas branch in August 2012 in Hong Kong, where titles banned on the mainland are freely available. While Hong Kong falls under Chinese sovereignty, the special administrative region enjoys a high degree of autonomy and is not subject to China's regulations on banned material.
Part of complete coverage on
December 10, 2013 -- Updated 0435 GMT (1235 HKT)
Traditional teaching methods in rural schools highlight China's education challenges where students struggle with creative learning.
December 10, 2013 -- Updated 0052 GMT (0852 HKT)
Laws prohibit discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS in China but campaigners say reality suggests a different story.
December 9, 2013 -- Updated 1312 GMT (2112 HKT)
China has banned shark fin and bird's nest dishes from official banquets as part of a government crackdown on official extravagance.
December 6, 2013 -- Updated 0756 GMT (1556 HKT)
With more than a third of the world's bitcoin transactions flowing through one Chinese website, China is at the heart of the bitcoin frenzy.
December 3, 2013 -- Updated 2051 GMT (0451 HKT)
When it comes to mathematics, reading and science, the OECD says Shanghai teens are the best in the world.
December 2, 2013 -- Updated 1411 GMT (2211 HKT)
China launched its first lunar probe early Monday, making it the world's third nation to soft-land on the moon.
November 29, 2013 -- Updated 0521 GMT (1321 HKT)
President Xi Jinping has reshaped China's foreign policy by recalibrating its stresses on sovereignty and stability.
November 28, 2013 -- Updated 2205 GMT (0605 HKT)
China sends fighter jets into its newly claimed air defense zone above the East China Sea as Japan's military remains defiant.
A flying ray? A trapped spaceship? No, it's Shenzhen's new airport terminal.
November 28, 2013 -- Updated 0259 GMT (1059 HKT)
Tensions are running high in the skies between China and Japan -- and the United States is refusing to stay on the sidelines.
November 27, 2013 -- Updated 0715 GMT (1515 HKT)
China has declared the creation of an air defense identification zone in the East China Sea, eliciting criticism from the U.S. and Japan.
November 25, 2013 -- Updated 0937 GMT (1737 HKT)
Wang Zixu was among the 1.1 million hopefuls who packed out school and universities across China to sit the country's civil service exams.
November 25, 2013 -- Updated 0458 GMT (1258 HKT)
China is busy designing and implementing a bolder foreign policy in light of an anticipated U.S. decline, writes Stephanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt.
November 21, 2013 -- Updated 0353 GMT (1153 HKT)
After presiding over a smooth leadership transition in his first year, what will Xi Jinping's next move be?
November 20, 2013 -- Updated 0238 GMT (1038 HKT)
Taste makers say China's fashion landscape is changing, with home-grown designers and brands ready to challenge their Western counterparts.
Today's five most popular stories


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Merger completed with MelodyVR, Napster today offered the first half-year figures for the combined company.
MelodyVR ended 2020 with 325k users… and a £26m operating loss
Since completing its merger with Napster, music startup MelodyVR has adopted that company’s brand. However, this morning it published financial results for its last full year before the deal, to 28 December 2020.
Bright spots included nearly doubling its users to 325,000, and selling around 40,000 tickets for a streamed Liam Gallagher concert. Less bright spots include, well, the financial results.
MelodyVR’s revenues did grow sharply, from £195k in 2019 to £988k in 2020 (around $1.4m). However, its cost of sales also grew from £1.8m to £5.6m, while administrative expenses grew from £14.2m to £21.5m.
In other words, those costs and expenses combined were more than 27 times the company’s revenues, leading to an operating loss of £26m. However, the newly-merged business remains optimistic.
MelodyVR raises another £6.5m in convertible loans funding
MelodyVR started this year by completing its acquisition of streaming platform Napster, and now it’s preparing to rebrand the company as Napster Group. It’s also raising more money for what […]
MelodyVR completes Napster acquisition and launches in Asia
Forget loafing about on the sofa munching turkey leftovers: MelodyVR spent the days between Christmas and New Year completing its acquisition of Napster. After issuing additional shares in MelodyVR to Napster’s […]
MelodyVR reveals next steps in its merger with Napster
Music VR service MelodyVR’s plans to merge with streaming service Napster continue: they have been detailed in a public filing this morning in the UK. They include a new shares issue: 201.3m […]
MelodyVR posts £10.5m operating loss for first half of 2020
Virtual reality startup (and future Napster owner) MelodyVR published its half-yearly results this morning. The company generated just £189.9k of revenues in the first six months of 2020.
Royalties and content creation costs amounted to £1.3m, while administrative expenses of £9.4m pushed MelodyVR to a £10.5m operating loss and £10.7m net loss for the first half.
The company’s filing outlined its plans for Napster. “We intend to develop a new application which will enable us to drive revenues by providing users with a premium, recurring, monthly subscription service,” it explained.
MelodyVR raises $15.3m to help fund Napster acquisition
Yesterday we reported on MelodyVR’s planned acquisition of streaming service Napster for $26.3m in cash and stock, and wondered why the company was describing it as a $70m deal. A separate announcement from Napster’s majority owner RealNetworks cleared that up: the deal also saw MelodyVR assuming “approximately $44m in payment obligations, primarily to various music industry entities”.
The cash portion of the deal is $15m, and shortly after our story was published, MelodyVR raised $15.3m from a new share placement – it’s publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM sub-market – to fund it. The acquisition is expected to be completed later this year.
MelodyVR boss Anthony Matchett talked to Rolling Stone yesterday about the company’s ambitions to combine livestreamed performances and a streaming music catalogue. “Historically, the major recorded music streamers aren’t content creators. They may get content from the record labels but they don’t create new content like we do,” he said. They may pay massive sums of money to broadcasters for exclusive rights to a show, but again that’s not their content. We come at this from a different angle.”
Music VR startup MelodyVR announces plan to merge with Napster
Music-focused virtual reality startup MelodyVR has announced plans to merge with streaming service Napster. To be clear: MelodyVR is the buyer, although the Napster brand will live on.
“Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company will be merged with and into Napster (with Napster being the surviving entity),” explained MelodyVR’s announcement to the markets this morning.
“The Company will pay consideration totalling approximately $26.3 million to the vendors of Napster to be satisfied in aggregate by $15.0 million in cash, and the issuance of approximately 200 million MelodyVR shares.”
MelodyVR and Live Nation set for Brixton Academy livestreams
We reported last week on VR music startup MelodyVR’s financial performance in 2019 – £195k of revenues but a net loss of nearly £15m.
The company is continuing to explore new partnerships to grow its business, though, with the latest being a deal with Live Nation in the UK.
The pair will launch a series of live concerts from the O2 Academy Brixton venue in London, with fans able to buy tickets to watch online – in 360 degrees and/or virtual reality via MelodyVR’s app on smartphones and Oculus VR headsets.
MelodyVR’s 2019: £195k of revenues and a £15m net loss
Virtual reality music startup MelodyVR has published its financial results for 2019. The company’s revenues were £195k ($242k) last year, down from £1.2m in 2018.
MelodyVR’s content sales – people paying to watch VR music performances in its catalogue – nearly doubled from £19k to £36.7k, but its revenue from content licensing dropped from just under £1.2m to £158.3k.
With a cost of sales of £1.8m and administrative expenses of £14.2m, MelodyVR reported an operating loss of £15.9m in 2019, and a net loss of just under £15m.
It ended the year with cash reserves of £6.8m, although it has since raised another £10.3m from the sale of shares (it’s a publicly-listed company) to ensure that in accountancy parlance, it’s a ‘going concern’. Whether MelodyVR’s revenues can ramp up fast enough this year to make that still true in 2021 remains to be seen.
Startups explain the lessons they learned working with the music industry
In the Music & Tech Springboard series of videos we’ve produced with the BPI, we’ve heard from collecting societies, lawyers, advisors, accelerators and incubators, and labels about their advice for music/tech startups. But what about hearing from some startups themselves?
That’s what this video does. A group of British startups who’ve all signed licensing deals and/or worked on pilots with music industry rightsholders give us the key lessons they’ve learned along the way, for the benefit of younger companies about to embark on similar journeys.
Get set for Wireless Connect and Electric Blockaloo virtual festivals
Livestreams are all the rage in 2020, but the related ‘virtual concerts’ category is seeing some activity too. Travis Scott’s performances in Fortnite, which attracted 27.7 million people in total, are the obvious example, but there are also experiments happening around virtual reality, as well as other online games.
VR startup MelodyVR has expanded on its partnership with Live Nation subsidiary Festival Republic around the UK’s Wireless Festival. The physical event has been cancelled, but MelodyVR will be putting on “an entire weekend’s worth of unseen performances, exclusive footage, and much more” from 3-5 July instead, including broadcasts in VR from MelodyVR’s studios in Los Angeles and London.


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Under the Indian Accounting Standards (IAS), the global software major reported Rs 6,446 crore net profit for Q2, registering 8.4 sequential growth from Rs 5,945 crore last quarter but a 2.1 per cent annual decline from Rs 6,586 crore in the same period past year.
In a first cut analysis prior to TCS's earnings call with investors, Emkay Global's analyst said, "We believe that the company has delivered strong growth and profitability performance despite sustained pricing pressure and weak INR realisations". Brokerage IDBI had forecast TCS' revenue to grow 3.2% at Rs 30,534 crore, while HDFC Securities had forecast a 3.5% to 3.6% growth QoQ. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected the outsourcer to post a net profit of Rs 6,306 crore in September quarter. TCS's digital services revenue stood at 16.7 percent of the total for the previous fiscal year that ended March 31, 2017. The operating margin improved by 170 basis points to 25.1%. Customers are trying to look at how to exploit multiple technologies into a connected solution, which can be termed as an Industry 4.0, better harnessing data analytics and automation, he said.
Attrition went down further to 11.3 per cent.
TCS's profit fell 2.1% to Rs6,446 crore in Q2 from Rs6,586 crore in the year-ago.
During the quarter, the company added six clients in each of the $ 10 million and above, $ 20 million and above, and $ 50 million and above billing segments of clients. The US, its largest market saw growth of 1.4 per cent, as it saw continued softness in business from banking and retail customers.
While the signs are there for strong growth numbers due to cross-currency gains, shadows of muted results linger due to second quarter yet to witness a notable increase in spending in the retail and banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sectors.
TCS Chief Operating Officer N. Ganapathy Subramaniam said headwinds across sectors are slowly abating.
He said in retail, the company expects an improvement in the next few quarters, but declined to specify a timeline for BFS, the larger revenue contributor, where the commentary was limited to saying that the momentum is positive.
TCS announced an interim dividend earlier in July of Rs 7 per equity share and Re 1 each of the firm.
Gopinathan said the company is close to sealing a United States dollars 50 million deal in offering internet of things solutions.


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The National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP) has published a new piece from our David Pugh focused on Strategically Repurposing Common Spaces in Office Buildings with new ideas from the education, healthcare and retail sectors. As the piece notes, “An exciting shift is currently occurring in office buildings across North America. Owners, developers and designers are rejuvenating older buildings by rethinking the traditional concept of common spaces. Lobbies and public areas originally designed to function solely as entries and security checkpoints are becoming hospitality-infused destinations. Spaces previously active only at key moments during the day – arrival, lunch, departure – are now “places to be” all day long, with food service, retail offerings, group seating, art installations, concierge service and more.”
Throughout David’s article online, he points to examples from other industries that can strengthen this shift. Here’s a key excerpt:
Retail’s influence on office space
The world of retail has been upended in recent years, as e-commerce has made it simple to shop from home. In an effort to bring people back into brick-and-mortar stores, shopping center owners and retailers are reimagining the experiences created within the shopping environment, transforming stores and malls into destinations that celebrate brands and encourage social interaction.
Shopping malls throughout North America are rethinking their under-utilized open spaces and departing from tradition to create destinations that attract visitors for the experience as much as for the shopping.
Office buildings are dealing with a similar challenge. As technology makes it easier for employees to work from any location, owners and employers are drawing people into their office buildings by adapting their spaces to foster interaction and reinforce collaboration and culture.


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Canadian Stablecoin ‘CUSD’ Launches Today | BTCMANAGER
Bitcoin, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency News
An Ontario based blockchain company is rolling out the first fully-regulated Canadian-delivered USD stable coin. According to news published by Yahoo Finance on November 11, the new stable token aims to ease access to the digital currency asset class in North America and facilitate cross-border transactions between Canada and the U.S.
A Canadian-based USD Stablecoin
Blockchain Venture Capital Inc. (BVCI), an Ontario-based company that develops public blockchain and cryptocurrencies digital infrastructure, has just announced the launch of the first Canadian delivered USD stable coin named CUSD.
The launch of the volatility-free token pegged to the U.S. Dollar comes just 4 months later the roll-out of the CADT, the first stable coin backed by Canadian Dollars, launched on July 1, by BVCI itself.
CUSD is expected to be used by businesses and individuals worldwide and aims particularly at providing easy and reliable access to the digital asset class.
According to the company, CUSD will facilitate the exchange of values between the borders of Canada and the U.S. even though it is still unclear how the token will achieve complete private cross-border transactions as the company hasn’t provided any detailed feedback on the KYC requirements to acquire both CUSD and CADT.
In addition, BVCI has confirmed that CUSD will be backed by U.S. Dollars which will be held in an escrow account. BVCI’s CUSD differs from other competitors since the company is compliant with all federal regulations that relate to the transmission of virtual money.


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Up until now all we’ve seen of the droid 2 is a blurry picture that didn’t even show the entire front of the device. Now we finally get a clear look at the full handset. There’s even a video of the boot screen and you can clearly see that it has a full QWERTY keyboard. It looks almost identical to the original droid that we all know and love.
Cellular South has officially announced that the Milestone will be available soon. A little over a month ago they placed a promotion on their site with an unknown Android handset under a veil. Now that veil has been lifted to reveal the Motorola Milestone.
With all the excitement we’ve had today with the release of Froyo, the Droid 2 almost slipped by us. The folks over at Howard Forums have received some specs and more information on the next iteration of Verizon’s Droid series. The picture of the manual below is none other than the successor of the Droid.
So far we have seen this device in two flavors, the gray one that we all know and love and in white. Now a black Desire has been spotted. Not only has it been spotted but it’s on sale for preorder right now at Amazon.
It's official, Sprint just announced via a press release that the Nexus One will be available on their network soon. Google just released an AT&T and Rogers compatible Nexus One the other day and now Sprint is joining them at the table with their own Nexus. All while the Verizon version has yet to be announced officially.
Verizon fans will soon have another awesome Android handset in lineup. There has been a few pictures and specs of the device leaked today. Rumors have this phone replacing the Eris, it's another Sense UI Android but this has an 8MP with dual LED Flash. Unfortunately, the snapdragon has been underclocked to 768MHZ. Pictures and specs after the break.
The guys over at slashgear put together a nice in-depth review of the Legend. Behind the HTC Desire, the HTC Legend has been the most discussed Android device around the web. Like the Desire, it is also features HTC's Sense UI on top of Android. HTC hopes to duplicate or surpass the success of the original Hero with this phone.


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Shop prices keep declining in the UK
Shop prices in the UK posted deflation of 1.6% in July, from the 2% decline seen in June. This is above the 1.8% 12-month average. Non-food deflation decelerated in the period to 2.2% from 2.8% in June.
When it came to clothing and footwear, deflation decelerated to 6% from 7.3% in June, which is the weakest deflation rate seen since September 2015, the BRC said. There was a deceleration in the deflation rates for the womenswear, menswear and kidswear categories, while clothing accessories saw rising inflation. The only category to report a deeper deflation rate than that seen in June was footwear.
Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive, British Retail Consortium, commented: "The long stretch of deflation continued in July with shop prices falling once again. This is testament to the strength of competition between retailers, which is as fierce as it has ever been. In food retailing, the battle for our custom has seen yet more deflation at near-record levels. Shoppers will have found fresh food prices 1.2 per cent down on the same period last year and ambient food was cheaper for the first time since April 2015."
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