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The name Black Friday originated in the 1950s in Philadelphia, when masses of people would storm the city the day after Thanksgiving and fit in some shopping to coincide with the big Army-Navy football game. The hard-working police force of that city began to refer to the day as Black Friday thanks to the traffic, shoplifting and general mayhem (some of which might call to mind the more unpleasant shopping mall incidents closer to our time).
The term Black Friday was first used in print in the late 1960s but it was only in the 1980s that US retailers saw its potential. When they brought the name back in, it was in deliberate reference to “being in the black” after a year of poor profits (or “in the red”).
As online shopping became more commonplace, bricks-and-mortar stores started to see yet more potential. The online efforts and expected profits of the three largest US retailers – Amazon, Walmart and Target – show just how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have merged into one single weekend of shopping, with lines blurring between in-store and online retailing. Cyber Monday took off in 2005 when shop.org’s founder noticed a huge 77% spike in online sales after Black Friday.
Shoppers have taken seamlessy to the online environment, and for good reason. Not only do they benefit from pre-Christmas deals but they also get the convenience of going no further than their doorstep to pick up a package, avoiding cold weather and driving to stores. Amazon’s 2019 move to speed up delivery times even further is an indication of how this convenience has become a given: this initiative alone is expected to cost them $1.5 billion in the last quarter of this year.
The entire weekend after Thanksgiving now has a number of spinoffs marked on many retail calendars, though Sunday has mostly escaped being renamed as it is still a nominal day of rest. After Black Friday comes Small Business Saturday, and after Cyber Monday we now have Giving Tuesday.
Giving Tuesday was an initiative started in 2012 by the UN and a number of tech companies, notably Mashable and eventually the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The intention was to tone things down and bring people’s attention to that more traditional Christmas effort of charity-giving. The effect of this push has been remarkable: in 2018, almost $400 million was raised in the US through Facebook and other sites offering a platform for users to donate – donations which were often subsequently matched by the tech companies. That’s no small change for good causes.
The retailing gold of Black Friday and Cyber Monday has made its way to other parts of the world over the last decade, becoming especially popular in Italy, France, South Africa and Japan. According to a 2019 IPSOS report, global sales were on average 6.6 times higher than a regular Friday, with Pakistan leading the way, at 115 times regular spend. It’s worth noting that Pakistan and some other Islamic countries have considered terming it White Friday or Blessed Friday, to avoid referring to the holy day of Friday as ‘black’.
It is easy to see how Black Friday has quickly spread worldwide. As mobile and eCommerce technologies have become more widely adapted, consumers have become more comfortable with using them, as well as more demanding. The American online giants, naturally, led the way – like Amazon, which now operates in 14 local markets. Regional retailers are starting to offer stiff competition to the global movers, one example being the African eCommerce platform Jumia, which is based in 12 countries and headquartered in Nigeria.
The combination of Black Friday and Cyber Monday is however dwarfed by China’s phenomenal Singles’ Day which this year saw over $38 billion in sales in just over 24 hours. Compare this to the $23 billion earned by the top US eCommerce companies over the four days in 2018.
Single’s Day was created by retail giant AliBaba in 2011, (the date 11/11 symbolically marking ‘1’, or an unattached person) and it has grown exponentially to become the biggest shopping day in the world – offline and online.
This year’s shopping extravaganza was kicked off in Shanghai with a performance by global headliner Taylor Swift, her presence an indication of how this Chinese event might start spreading to other countries. There are signs that Black Friday itself is also taking off in China, as it is promoted by AliBaba and JD.com’s platform Koala, and is especially popular with ‘haito’, shoppers who gravitate to foreign goods.


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Earlier, due to price fraud and counterfeit goods on the platform related to the epidemic, the counterfeit goods were repeatedly banned. Outbreak-related products. The move is mainly to prevent sellers from trying to take advantage of the outbreak and raise prices for products such as fungicides, masks and protective clothing.
In addition, Amazon also issued an announcement on March 17th, deciding to restrict FBA storage from now until April 5th, giving priority to necessities and medical supplies. Non-essential or medical supplies FBA non-essential products will not be able to create shipments. .

domain: news


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The Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) share price was trading 9% higher today as more enthusiasm returns to the local market.
For context, the broader Australian share market or S&P/ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) was trading up 1.91%.
Afterpay Touch is the owner of the popular “buy now, pay later” app. As of 2020, Afterpay had over 7.5 million registered users worldwide, making it one of Australia’s true technology success stories.
The following video from Rask Australia explains how to value stocks using SaaS metrics.
Afterpay’s COVID-19 investor update
Earlier this week Afterpay gave a reassuring update to its investors who were growing increasingly concerned about the potential for rising bad debts and a dramatic slow-down in consumer spending. This has come at a time when Australians have begun to think more optimistically about a return to a ‘normal’ lifestyle.
On Wednesday Afterpay said it was still too early to estimate the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy but it was acting quickly to respond to any challenges.
What was particularly promising for the company was the underlying sales result, which tells you how much money is being made by retailers using Afterpay. Afterpay said underlying sales for the year to date were $7.3 billion, up 105% on the same period a year earlier. Afterpay makes its revenue by taking a cut of the sales and managing the credit risk of any short-term customer defaults.
With regards to credit losses as a percent of underlying sales, the company said it was estimated to be around 1%, although these numbers were unaudited. This was in-line with the first half of its 2020 financial year.
With increasing sales, and losses at around 1%, the company said its net transaction margin, which is what Afterpay makes, was around 2%.
Finally, in terms of liquidity and downside risks, Afterpay said it has undertaken modelling which suggested it was capable of supporting operations for years based on its current cash flow and balance sheet. Meaning, if the economy does not return to normal anytime soon and continues ‘as is’, it’s capable of remaining afloat for at least another year.
What Happens Next?
Afterpay Ltd shares were last seen trading at $30, giving the company a market capitalisation more than $8 billion. That’s not exactly dirt cheap. If you’re considering taking a position in Afterpay there are three articles on Rask Media worth reading:
- The real reasons the Afterpay share price fell 70%
- 5 ASX tech shares for your 2020 watchlist
- Is Afterpay still worth $34?
If you’re looking for our analyst’s top three cloud stocks for 2020 and beyond, grab a free report below.
Disclosure: The author of this article does not have a financial interest in any of the companies mentioned.


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Reuters: Next generation MINI delayed due to Brexit uncertainty
The Brexit saga is far from over and a new report from Reuters comes to emphasize that. According to them, the next generation MINI is delayed due to the Brexit uncertainty. The current MINI hatch model has been on the market since 2014 and is built on the UKL1 platform.
But the new generation might not be around the corner as many have assumed. “The lifespan of this platform has been extended,” BMW spokesman Maximilian Schoeberl told Reuters. “For cost reasons and because of Brexit.”
Most of MINI’s cars are currently built in Oxford and in Born, the Netherlands, and any next generation car would require investments into the production lines of both factories.
Therefore, BMW is taking a cautious approach with further investments until the negotiations between Britain and the European Union come to an end.
“If tariffs are in the range of zero and 5 percent, the business case would not dramatically change,” BMW Chief Executive Oliver Zipse said last year, referring to Oxford’s status as a production and export hub for the MINI.
The Bavarians have often stated that the higher tariffs on exports to and from Britain may force them to consider shifting more production to the Netherlands.
BMW produced 211,660 cars in the Netherlands in 2018, a 39 percent increase from 2017. BMW uses contract manufacturer VDL Nedcar to build the BMW X1, the MINI hatch, MINI convertible and MINI Countryman models at its Dutch plant.
The article Reuters: Next generation MINI delayed due to Brexit uncertainty appeared first on BMW BLOG
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text: November Last Year, OnePlus updated smartphones 3 and 3T to Android 8.0 Oreo, which brought not only new features, but also new bugs. The manufacturer quickly corrected them and released in December the Oxygen OS update for these models. Bugs really did not become, but there was a new problem. The Google Play Protection tool has determined that the factory-built FactoryMode application (formerly EngineerMode, used to test the device at the factory and support services) is dangerous. Google Play offers users to remove it, and they can do it, although this can later prevent them from repairing the device. Previously, a vulnerability was found in EngineerMode that allowed root access, but OnePlus claims to have closed it. What’s the problem with FactoryMode now, it’s not known.


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MARKETWATCH FRONT PAGE
Democrats in the House of Representatives push through a sprawling, $787 billion economic stimulus package backed by President Barack Obama, handing the new president a key victory on his top economic priority. See full story.
Market Snapshot: S&P heads to first quarterly earnings loss ever
As Wall Street tracks Washington’s moves to help the beleaguered banking sector and push through a massive economic stimulus, nearly 400 of the S&P’s 500 companies have weighed in and reported a collective loss, even excluding the financials. See full story.
The Spiral: Deflation brings bad news for almost everyone
Bargain shoppers, beware. The last time a major economy experienced repeat price cuts across a broad range of consumer goods, the stock market lost 80% of its value and unemployment hit its highest level since World War II. See full story.
Biggest stimulus effects won't be instant
The historic $787 billion economic-stimulus package is just about ready for the president’s signature, but many of its effects will take some time to kick in, despite the feverish days and nights of horse trading on Capitol Hill and Obama’s warnings of catastrophe in the absence of a bold plan. See full story.
GM prepares progress report for Treasury
GM has toiled over the past couple months to slash its workforce, curb employee benefits and highlight a rosier, fuel-efficient future in an attempt to remain viable and keep the money coming from Washington. See full story.
MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE
TaxWatch: Latest stimulus bill pares some business, individual tax breaks
As the fiscal stimulus bill nears a final vote in Congress, plenty of the tax breaks aimed at individuals that were in differing House and Senate versions of the bill have been pared down, and a big tax perk for medium and large businesses has been completely stripped out, according to draft versions of the plan. See full story.


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On the demographic front, no other country comes close to India in its comparison to China’s scale.
With a population of 1.3 billion and a median age of 29 years, India has a huge workforce that’s ready to take on opportunities. At 24%, India’s female labor force participation rate is one of the lowest in the world. India needs to reskill and upskill its workforce and get more women in the workforce to take greater advantage of its demographics. The government is already working on this.
Export and manufacturing capabilities
Traditionally, India has been an economy focused on agriculture and services, with manufacturing mostly focused on domestic consumption. Manufacturing accounted for just 15% of India’s GDP in 2017 against China’s 29%.
Even on the goods exports front, India severely lags its East Asian peers. Its goods exports in 2017 stood at $304 billion, just a fraction of China’s $2.2 trillion and even less than the much smaller Singapore’s exports.
India isn’t known to be an exporter of hi-tech and sophisticated products, which limits its ability to be the destination of choice to replace imports from China to the US despite the demographic advantage.
However, in the medium term, India could emerge as a strong alternative if its policies focus on skill development and exports. Analysts are expecting the current government to focus on these areas.
Relationship with the US
Despite having a largely consumption-driven economy, India runs a trade surplus against the US. Thus, India is one of the prime targets of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Trump recently removed India’s developing nation status under the general system of preferences. Thus, duties will now be levied on $5.6 billion worth of made-in-India products.
However, the relationship between the two countries beyond trade is becoming cordial, with the US viewing India as a regional counterbalancing force.
How India manages to push appropriate policies will decide the success of its Make in India program.
Investors who want to gain exposure to Indian equities can invest in India-focused ETFs. The iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA), which invests in Indian equities, closed at $35.74 on the NYSE Arca on June 11. The ETF has provided an 8.14% return so far in 2019.


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It is well into 2017 and companies are coming up with trends that they forecast for the year. LEE NAIK, CEO of TransUnion Africa, discusses the tech trends that matter to local businesses.
It’s well into 2017 and you’ve been bombarded with more trends pieces than you know what to do with. From the many articles covering the CES and Davos to the analyses by the likes of Accenture, McKinsey, Deloitte and other major consultancies, there’s a lot to absorb.
I’d like to apply a more strategic viewpoint. Sound business decisions should not be made on a whim, adopted every time a new, innovative technology claims to be the future of enterprise. To make these decisions easier, I’ve closely researched the predictions of big analysts, cross-referenced it with TransUnion’s extensive bank of data, and put together a shortlist of the innovations that should be at the top of any South African executive’s priority list.
AI becomes part of our everyday lives
Artificial intelligence (AI) came of age in 2016 and will continue to steal the limelight this year. While you may not quite be able to visit an AI-powered theme park just yet, at least you’ll be able to order a pizza while you watch Westworld.
In 2017, Chatbots will dominate headlines, as companies like Starbucks and Domino’s roll out virtual baristas, with retail and banks leading the early adoption charge. Here at home, Mercedes Benz and Absa are just two of the companies that have already bought into this new technology. But before you go all in on chatbots for your organisation, just remember that the technology’s not quite yet at a level to deliver a seamless customer experience by itself.
Less discussed (though hugely significant) will be the enterprise and industry use of AI. Most common will be the use of messaging platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams, incorporating some form of automation and chatbot functionality. And this is just the start: from reporting to research, the automation of knowledge work is already well under way. IBM’s Watson is streamlining cancer diagnosis and treatment, for example.
The Internet of Things comes home (but might bring a nasty surprise)
The advances in machine learning are set to have another big impact – on the mainstream realisation of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the home. The likes of Alexa, Siri and other virtual assistants are nothing new, but we saw a record number of companies at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) – from Ford to Whirlpool – bring out compatible products. Smart home devices have always lacked a single unifying platform, but the number of Alexa-compatible devices set to come out this year suggests we might soon have one. The competition is not too far behind either: Google Assistant is already arriving pre-installed on the Google Pixel, and Microsoft’s Cortana is expected to be included in a variety of gadgets released in 2017.
The flipside of the IoT coin will be the challenge of securing intelligent devices from opportunistic cybercriminals. From automation to as-a-service models, hackers have embraced digital innovation as eagerly, if not more so, as legitimate businesses. And the IoT revolution doesn’t just offer a whole new army of hackable devices, but connected business processes that can be exploited as well.
Gartner believes the need for an adaptive security architecture will arise in 2017. What that architecture might look like will be the question that preoccupies many enterprises this year, but it’s likely that it will be powered by machine learning, gathering actionable intelligence in real-time from a variety of sources and adapting as threats evolve. Think next-gen authentication platforms that can tell who you are, simply by analysing behaviour patterns.
Blurring the lines between digital and physical
The PlayStation VR may be the latest virtual reality headset to hit the market, and a sensation at technology trading shows, but experts agree that it’s augmented reality you should be keeping an eye on in 2017. If IDC’s prediction that 3 out of every 10 consumer Fortune 5000 companies will experiment with Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR) is anything to go by, it’s clear the greatest innovation will be found at the juncture between physical and digital.
Companies will find new ways to use digital technologies to enhance real-world experiences. Take Carnival Cruises, which is rolling out the same technology behind Disney’s MagicBand onto its cruise liners. Or BMW, who’s partnered with Google to allow buyers to check out any of its cars, even if it isn’t in stock, using a virtual showroom. We’ll also see the rise of enterprise IT, as businesses explore using AR tech to boost operational efficiency. With manufacturers such as Lenovo starting to create devices aimed at the enterprise market, we’ll see more and more businesses make use of AR and VR for scenarios such as training and remote stock-taking, and general collaboration.
Betting money on Africa’s FinTech market
It’s important not to focus so much on the headline-grabbing tech – the darlings of CES and Davos – that we ignore the disruptions outside of the American and European bubbles. McKinsey & Company predicts that up to 3 billion people will connect to the digital world – a large portion of that from emerging markets.
With many in these markets still unbanked, a need has arrived for solutions that can turn them into fully digital consumers. As a result, we’re likely to see a convergence of FinTech aimed at financial inclusion and convenience that could allow emerging markets to leapfrog the West.
Keep an eye out for money transfer, POS, microfinance, and mobile payment services to emerge out of Africa this year. As for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, the continent will prove a fertile testing ground for alternatives to paper money. This year sees Senegal launch its own digital currency, for example.
Stop thinking big data, start thinking smart data
For years now, businesses have been acquiring more data than they know what to do with. But even with considerable investments in analytics, companies are failing to realise the true value of their data. And a shortage of data science capabilities means businesses are seeking alternate means of securing and using information.
Cue the rise of systems and partners designed around smarter, value-driven data analytics. More and more, businesses will use platforms like Hadoop and Spark to work around their lack of data science expertise. Business Intelligence applications like Power BI and QuickSight should also gain in popularity. At the same time, we’ll see more resources spent on high-level data strategy, as businesses work out ways to use their information as the basis for new services, experiences and models. In 2017, we will see more businesses partner with specialist service providers and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in order to accelerate the extraction of value from vast data sets.
The reinvention of corporate culture
With all these new game-changing technologies hitting us, never has the task of digitisation been more urgent. In 2017, businesses must continue to find new ways to challenge their current operational models, or run the risk of lagging behind.
There is, of course, the task of adapting to a service-based economy. Not only are we going to see businesses continue to redefine their existing models, but we’ll also see largescale changes to what we think of as corporate culture. From the gig economy and on-demand enterprise to process automation and as-a-service models, these changes will support more elastic, people-centric cultures. Whatever form these changes take, they will all be centred around one thing: unlocking human potential and creativity to be able to innovate and thrive.
Money talks and electronic gaming evolves
Computer gaming has evolved dramatically in the last two years, as it follows the money, writes ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK in the second of a two-part series.
The clue that gaming has become big business in South Africa was delivered by a non-gaming brand. When Comic Con, an American popular culture convention that has become a mecca for comics enthusiasts, was hosted in South Arica for the first time last month, it used gaming as the major drawcard. More than 45 000 people attended.
The event and its attendance was expected to be a major dampener for the annual rAge gaming expo, which took place just weeks later. Instead, rAge saw only a marginal fall in visitor numbers. No less than 34 000 people descended on the Ticketpro Dome for the chaos of cosplay, LAN gaming, virtual reality, board gaming and new video games.
It proved not only that there was room for more than one major gaming event, but also that a massive market exists for the sector in South Africa. And with a large market, one also found numerous gaming niches that either emerged afresh or will keep going over the years. One of these, LAN (for Local Area Network) gaming, which sees hordes of players camping out at the venue for three days to play each other on elaborate computer rigs, was back as strong as ever at rAge.
MWeb provided an 8Gbps line to the expo, to connect all these gamers, and recorded 120TB in downloads and 15Tb in uploads – a total that would have used up the entire country’s bandwidth a few years ago.
“LANs are supposed to be a thing of the past, yet we buck the trend each year,” says Michael James, senior project manager and owner of rAge. “It is more of a spectacle than a simple LAN, so I can understand.”
New phenomena, often associated with the flavour of the moment, also emerge every year.
“Fortnite is a good example this year of how we evolve,” says James. “It’s a crazy huge phenomenon and nobody was servicing the demand from a tournament point of view. So rAge and Xbox created a casual LAN tournament that anyone could enter and win a prize. I think the top 10 people got something each round.”
Read on to see how esports is starting to make an impact in gaming.
Blockchain is generally associated with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, but these are just the tip of the iceberg, says ESET Southern Africa.
This technology was originally conceived in 1991, when Stuart Haber and W. Scott Stornetta described their first work on a chain of cryptographically secured blocks, but only gained notoriety in 2008, when it became popular with the arrival of Bitcoin. It is currently gaining demand in other commercial applications and its annual growth is expected to reach 51% by 2022 in numerous markets, such as those of financial institutions and the Internet of Things (IoT), according to MarketWatch.
What is blockchain?
A blockchain is a unique, consensual record that is distributed over multiple network nodes. In the case of cryptocurrencies, think of it as the accounting ledger where each transaction is recorded.
A blockchain transaction is complex and can be difficult to understand if you delve into the inner details of how it works, but the basic idea is simple to follow.
Each block stores:
– A number of valid records or transactions.
– Information referring to that block.
– A link to the previous block and next block through the hash of each block—a unique code that can be thought of as the block’s fingerprint.
Accordingly, each block has a specific and immovable place within the chain, since each block contains information from the hash of the previous block. The entire chain is stored in each network node that makes up the blockchain, so an exact copy of the chain is stored in all network participants.
As new records are created, they are first verified and validated by the network nodes and then added to a new block that is linked to the chain.
How is blockchain so secure?
Being a distributed technology in which each network node stores an exact copy of the chain, the availability of the information is guaranteed at all times. So if an attacker wanted to cause a denial-of-service attack, they would have to annul all network nodes since it only takes one node to be operative for the information to be available.
Besides that, since each record is consensual, and all nodes contain the same information, it is almost impossible to alter it, ensuring its integrity. If an attacker wanted to modify the information in a blockchain, they would have to modify the entire chain in at least 51% of the nodes.
In blockchain, data is distributed across all network nodes. With no central node, all participate equally, storing, and validating all information. It is a very powerful tool for transmitting and storing information in a reliable way; a decentralised model in which the information belongs to us, since we do not need a company to provide the service.
What else can blockchain be used for?
Essentially, blockchain can be used to store any type of information that must be kept intact and remain available in a secure, decentralised and cheaper way than through intermediaries. Moreover, since the information stored is encrypted, its confidentiality can be guaranteed, as only those who have the encryption key can access it.
Use of blockchain in healthcare
Health records could be consolidated and stored in blockchain, for instance. This would mean that the medical history of each patient would be safe and, at the same time, available to each doctor authorised, regardless of the health centre where the patient was treated. Even the pharmaceutical industry could use this technology to verify medicines and prevent counterfeiting.
Use of blockchain for documents
Blockchain would also be very useful for managing digital assets and documentation. Up to now, the problem with digital is that everything is easy to copy, but Blockchain allows you to record purchases, deeds, documents, or any other type of online asset without them being falsified.
Other blockchain uses
This technology could also revolutionise the Internet of Things (IoT) market where the challenge lies in the millions of devices connected to the internet that must be managed by the supplier companies. In a few years’ time, the centralised model won’t be able to support so many devices, not to mention the fact that many of these are not secure enough. With blockchain, devices can communicate through the network directly, safely, and reliably with no need for intermediaries.
Blockchain allows you to verify, validate, track, and store all types of information, from digital certificates, democratic voting systems, logistics and messaging services, to intelligent contracts and, of course, money and financial transactions.
Without doubt, blockchain has turned the immutable and decentralized layer the internet has always dreamed about into a reality. This technology takes reliance out of the equation and replaces it with mathematical fact.


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Fuel price likely to decrease
Based on unaudited fuel price data for the past week released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF), the AA noted: “Petrol is set for a drop of between 71 and 77 cents a litre, diesel will be lower by 50 to 53 cents, and illuminating paraffin down by about 56 cents.”
According to the AA, if it were not for the current weakness of the Rand against the US Dollar, the decrease could have been higher. “But the Rand's weakness against the US dollar has been expensive for motorists; fuel prices would have dropped by an additional 25 cents a litre if our currency had remained at its late-July levels.”
What does this mean for consumers?
Smith noted: “Given that we also had a sizable petrol price reduction in August, it looks as if inflation for both August and September will come in below July’s inflation rate.
“As a result the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) will probably revise down its inflation forecast for 2015. Nevertheless, it is likely that inflation will rise towards year-end and into next year.”
Will interest rates still go up?
According to Smith, “the slightly lower inflation trajectory is good news for the consumer as inflation erodes the value of disposable income. However, we remain of the view that the SARB will lift interest rates once more before the end of the year, due to the weakness of the Rand and the fact that inflation is still likely to rise.
“As a result economic conditions are likely to become more challenging for consumers, notwithstanding this recent reprieve,” added Smith.
The international petroleum price recently reached a six-year low, however, the AA is concerned about the possible impact on consumers when the price stabilises or increases, as “motorists will be fully exposed to any Rand weakness,” revealed the AA.
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 5/9/2013 (1442 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The 2014 Toyota Corolla arrived in local showrooms in late August with a new look inside and out.
"The world's top-selling nameplate still offers its legendary combination of top quality, dependability and reliability," said Woodhaven Toyota's new car sales manager Nelson Gaspar, "But with this complete redesign, the Corolla has a more dynamic style and emotional appeal."
"The new model is effused with waku-doki appeal. That's the Japanese term for the feeling you get when you are about to do something exciting."
The new model moves more quietly and shifts gears more smoothly than its predecessor, he added, and there are a lot of new high-end soft-touch materials.
The Corolla is powered by a 1.8-litre, all-aluminum four-cylinder engine that produces 132 horsepower and 128 lb.-ft. of torque, as well as a class-leading fuel-economy rating of 4.6 litres per 100 km on the highway.
Gaspar noted the new model has a slightly longer wheelbase, which allows for more space in the back seat. "The amount of space in the rear now rivals that of mid-size competitors," he said.
All Corollas feature LED lowbeam headlamps with LED daytime running lights, an in-glass AM/FM antenna, color-keyed outside door handles, color-keyed outside mirrors, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, power door locks with automatic locking feature, power windows with driver-side one-touch up/down, air conditioning with pollen filter, standard Bluetooth connectivity and a class-leading eight airbags. Back-up cameras and display audio systems are standard with the LE and S trims.
The base price for the entry-level L model Corolla starts at $15,995 plus freight and pdi.
Jeff Dveris relocates Park City Auto
Jeff Dveris' Park City Auto has a new address -- 6885 Roblin Blvd. (just west of the Perimeter) -- where he's sharing space with Mike Chiappetta's Eastwood Truck and Toy Centre.
It's been a bit of an odyssey for Dveris over the past few years. Park Pontiac Buick, the 40-plus year dealership on Regent Avenue founded by his late father, was one of two Pontiac stores in Winnipeg that General Motors closed as part of its 2009 restructuring.
After a year as Mazda dealer, Dveris decided to go into the used-car business in the summer of 2011. But that fall, the Manitoba Lotteries Commission made an offer on his building next to the Club Regent Casino that was too good to refuse.
Dveris temporarily relocated his Park City Auto store to a lot on Pembina Highway near Stafford. "The question was whether to stay there with our two trailers and later build a building, or find something else," he said.
That something else turned out to be office space with Mike Chiappetta.
"We remain a separate operation from Eastwood, but our two businesses complement each other. Dveris said. "We focus on late-model vehicles with low mileage. Mike sells older models."
Eastwood also has a service department and does some body work, both of which Park City Auto can utilize, he added.
Park City Auto also has a telemarketing arm. "We focus on credit-challenged clients with need of sub-prime or tier-two financing."
Dveris said the move has been very good for he and his team, noting Park City Auto is now selling as many vehicles in a week at the new location as it used to sell in a month on Pembina Highway.
Riley Klassen received a "helping hand" of her own in her effort to raise funds in support of Steinbach's South East Helping Hands last week.
On Thursday, the four-year-old set up a lemonade stand to raise money for the cause, charging 50 cents a cup. Her grandfather, Ron Loeppky of Ron Loeppky Fairway Ford, supported her efforts by contributing an additional $2 toward the charity for every cup of lemonade she sold.
"When Riley and her mom, Darci, told me Riley's plan to set up a lemonade stand, I suggested she do it in support of a good cause," Loeppky said. "We talked about the work that South East Helping Hands does, and how it gives food to those in need. Riley loved the idea. I wanted to do more to help and decided to donate $2 for every cup sold." With rain falling, Riley set up her lemonade stand in Vivid Hair, her mother's hairdressing shop at 359 Main St. in Steinbach from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. With the help of her mom, her aunt and her grandfather, she hoped to take in more than $2,000 for South East Helping Hands.
She ended up more than doubling her sales estimates and, with her grandfather's help, raised about $5,000.


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ANCAP’s new vehicle safety protocols, explained
How ANCAP’s new vehicle safety protocols will help keep you safe on the road.
From crumple zones to autonomous emergency braking to features that put pedestrian safety front of mind, the past 20 years have seen dramatic improvements in vehicle safety.
Take, for example, 2000’s Toyota Corolla Conquest Seca hatch, which when released had just a single airbag as its standout safety feature. Its 2020 equivalent, the Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport, has by comparison at least 18 standard safety features, including six airbags, antilock brakes, reversing camera, autonomous emergency braking, electronic stability control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, pedestrian avoidance with braking control and more.
The increased focus on safety from manufacturers has largely been a result of pressure from our vehicle safety watchdog, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
ANCAP was founded in 1992 and has steadily pushed for better safety outcomes for road users through the vehicle crash safety ratings program, as well as lobbying government for more stringent safety regulations. Through the safety ratings, ANCAP regularly changes the protocols to include the latest advancements as part of the tests, which forces car companies to lift their game and include more safety features in their latest models.
Safety features have been treated as premium features by some manufacturers, which might only offer the latest tech in flagship models or variants, leaving high-volume entry-level models with inadequate safety equipment. It wasn’t so long ago that reversing cameras were only found on higher-end models – now they’re standard on a $15,000 Kia Picanto. Fewer OEMs are holding back important new safety features for pricier models these days, but some still do.
ANCAP also keeps an eye on the safety of our vehicle fleet overall. It hammered home the disparity between the safety of older and newer models a couple of years ago by crashing a 1998 Toyota Corolla into a 2015 Toyota Corolla. The frontal-offset test replicated a head-on crash at 64kmh and the video of the crash is shocking, with the older car all but destroyed.


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Sneak peek at what’s on show at Expo West
Above Food Corp
Above Food Corp, a vertically integrated plant-based food company, has launched a D2C platform after spending the past year acquiring a range of brands in the plant-based space, including Only Oats (gluten-free oat based products), Culcherd (dairy alternatives), Farmer Direct Organic (pantry staples) and Eat Up! by Above Food.
Plant-based food sales surpassed $7bn in 2020 and Above Food is rising to meet the increasing demand. The ecommerce site will give consumers across North America the opportunity to enjoy more than 40 plant-based products delivered straight to their door.
“Now more than ever, consumers are looking for quality and accountability when it comes to what they feed their families, and put into their own bodies,” said president and cofounder Martin Williams.
“Our comprehensive ecommerce platform meets that need by not only providing the most premium quality plant-based goods, but by taking care of every seed from field to fork, because we believe that knowing the whole story of your food’s journey is important.”
All of Above Food’s plant proteins (chickpeas, fava beans, lentils, peas, and oats) are grown in the Northern Plains of America and the Canadian Prairies. In addition to its whole grains, plant-based bakery and meat offerings, Eat Up! by Above Food is planning to launch plant-based meatballs and mini sliders, additional plant-based dairy products and plant-based snacks in the coming months.
“As a fourth-generation farmer, the movement toward higher quality, traceable and sustainable food has been a passion in my family for more than 120 years,” added Lionel Kambeitz, executive chair and CEO.
“The entire team at Above Food shares in these core values, and we look forward to providing more offerings to consumers looking for a healthier, more sustainable way of life.”
Better-for-you snack producer Seapoint Farms is showcasing its new savoury line, Mighty Lil’ Crunchy Corn, along with its Mighty Lil’ Lentils.
Mighty Lil’ Crunchy Corn are made with 100% whole grain Non-GMO corn and is available in two variants: Pink Himalayan Salt and Zesty Ranch. The snacks are also Non-GMO Project Verified, vegan, naturally gluten-free, kosher and free of trans fat and cholesterol.
“We’re thrilled to build upon our better-for-you portfolio and introduce an entirely new genre of corn snack to consumers,” said Philip Siegel, COO of Seapoint Farms.
“As the first American company to bring edamame to the US, we’ve always been a leader in forging new snacking categories. Mighty Lil’ Crunchy Corn was crafted to be a vegan crunchy snack that’s simply better than popcorn and corn nuts, and is great for all snacking occasions.”
Seapoint Farms’ Mighty Lil’ Crunchy Corn will be available on Amazon from April, with a roll out in retail outlets to follow, for an RRP of $3.99-$4.29 per bag.
The fresh snacking brand behind the world’s first Greek yogurt bar wrapped in chocolate, is unveiling three new variants – Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bars, Vanilla Less Sugar Yogurt Bars and Vanilla Almond Granola & Yogurt Parfait Bars. The brand is also celebrating its win into Kroger stores for the first time, with three of its bars hitting 1,2000 stores later this month.
All the bars combine the benefits of pure, strained whole milk Greek yoghurt – which is high in protein (8g-10g) and probiotics – with Clio’s signature cheesecake-like texture, and chocolate or almond butter coating. Additionally, they are Certified Gluten Free, while the Vanilla Less Sugar Greek Yogurt Bars are keto-friendly and contain just 1g of sugar. All the bars are also low in calories – between 100 to 210.
“The snacking trend has emerged as an incremental and dynamic force within refrigerated CPG, and our goal is to provide delicious solutions which deliver on the promise of guiltless indulgence,” said CEO John McGuckin.
“With the nutritional profile of Greek yoghurt, these new bars are the perfect choice for all-dayparts. From crunchy breakfast parfaits to afternoon cravings to lower sugar options, Clio’s portfolio is an anytime, anywhere, hand-held snacking sensation... no spoons allowed.”
The bars are rolling out in Kroger, Whole Foods Market and Albertsons with an RRP of between $1.49-$2.49 per bar. They are also available online from the company in 10-count boxes for $18-$28.
Chomps, the fastest-growing natural meat snack brand in dollar growth in both the Natural and Conventional retail channels in the US, has secured a minority investment of $80m from private-equity firm Stride Consumer Partners. This is the first outside private equity capital Chomps has raised and Stride’s first large investment in the food category. Stride’s involvement will help Chomps to accelerate innovation, brand-building, and distribution.
The family-owned healthy meat snack brand is also rolling out in Canada, nine years after Chomps first debuted in the US. Chomps Original Beef Sticks are now available for Canadians to purchase through Amazon and Natura Market.
“For several years now, consumers in Canada have been asking for Chomps to become available in local retailers,” said CEO and cofounder Pete Maldonado.
“Amazon and Natura Market are just the first step in our expansion into Canada, and we look forward to continuing to grow the Chomps footprint.”
Chomps Original Beef Sticks are made from grass-fed beef, sustainably sourced from Tasmania and Victoria, Australia, packing 9g of protein and only 90 calories. Joining the lineup is Pepperoni Turkey, a highly requested, bold new flavour featuring free-range turkey (with no hormones or antibiotics) and a blend of spices including chili pepper, fennel seed and oregano.
The snacks are Whole30 Approved, Certified Gluten Free, Certified Paleo, Keto Certified and free of all top 9 allergens.
“We could not be more delighted to partner with Chomps team,” said Juan Marcos Hill, Stride partner.
“They have built an amazing brand and the perfect snack, one which is so well aligned with what today’s consumers are looking for including clean ingredients, high protein, low carbs and low sugar. But most importantly a product that tastes great.”
Pipcorn is celebrating its 10th anniversary by highlighting its five top-selling product lines: Heirloom Popcorn, Heirloom Cheese Balls, Heirloom Corn Dippers, Heirloom Crackers, and Heirloom Crunchies.
Reinventing childhood snacks into modern, better-for-you, sustainable offerings, its snacks are made with less than four ingredients that are whole grain, gluten-free and Non-GMO Project Verified.
It focuses on heirloom corn to help preserve the agricultural biodiversity that might otherwise be lost, and, with each harvest, saves the seeds to plant the next time around. The heirloom corn is grown by family farmers in the exact way heirloom popcorn has been grown for generations. Since the heirloom corn is untainted by modern engineering and technology, the flavour and nutrients are preserved in Pipcorn’s final product.
Pipcorn was founded in 2012 by Jeff Martin, his sister Jen Martin and his wife, Teresa Tsou and became a Shark Tank success story when backed by Barbara Corcoran in 2015. It has been crowned as one of ‘Oprah’s Favourite Things’ three times and is favoured among celebs.
Pipcorn is available at retailers across the US, including Whole Foods Market, Target, Sprouts, Kroger, Walmart, Thrive Market and Erewhon.
On a mission to put cheese back in cheez foods, Whisps will preview its newest creation coming to shelves in late April: NEXTY-nominated Whisps Cheese & Pretzel Bites, a snack made with 100% real cheese, pretzels and spices – in two variants: Everything and Cheddar – with 7g-8g of protein per serving.
Beyond tasting this new creation, Whisps will also showcase its new Cheese Crumbs, a cheesy alternative to breadcrumbs, serving up lunch every day with a cauliflower mac & cheese collab with Kevin’s.
Merit Functional Foods
Merit is giving attendees an exclusive opportunity to taste its 100% plant-based cookie dough protein bar concept, featuring non-GMO pea and canola protein, along with its protein-fortified, vegan dark chocolate coating and inclusions.
“As the largest natural and healthy products trade show in the world, Natural Products Expo West is a show that we’ve been waiting for,” said co-CEO Ryan Bracken.
“This will be our first year attending as exhibitors, and we’ve been looking forward to connecting with innovators in person so that we can collaborate to solve formulation challenges and, ultimately, help create the next generation of plant-based products.”
Since unveiling its pea and canola protein portfolio in 2019, Merit has fully commercialised the novel ingredients produced at its 94,000-square foot production facility. Today, however, it delivers more than just ingredients, focused on bringing consistency and reliability back to the supply chain.
“It’s no secret that the past two years have created challenges for the industry that none of us could have anticipated,” Bracken said.
“With that in mind, we built our company with measures in place to ensure that supply chain and capacity is paramount. As a solutions-based company, we continue to focus on concept innovation, leveraging the high functionality of our ingredients to help solve pain points for plant-based food and beverage manufacturers.”
The protein bar, including the chocolate coating and chunks, is made with Merit’s high purity Peazazz pea protein and Puratein C canola protein – boosting the nutritional profile to 20g of protein per serving and a soft texture. This proprietary protein solution offers a unique combination of functional and nutritional capabilities that allows for exceptionally soft plant-based protein bars with a significantly reduced rate of bar firming over time.
It is also sampling a ready-to-mix (RTM) protein powder, with 20g of plant protein per 26g serving. According to the company, the concept has superb solubility that enables it to solve the mouthfeel hurdles that often drive plant-based powders to rely on gums and thickeners.
The longtime Expo West exhibitor is back, emerging from the pandemic stronger than ever.
The organic plantain and banana snack brand weathered the worst of the pandemic, doubling sales in two years, solidifying its commitment to its smallholder and indigenous farmers in the Amazon, enhancing supply chain reliability, introducing new products, and continuing to champion the upcycled food movement.
Barnana brought in CPG veteran Al Multari as CEO in September 2019 to scale and optimise the business, along with a team of other CPG experts with a combined 130 years of experience across all disciplines.
“It was time to go to the next level and bring in top talent with in-depth expertise in general management, sales, marketing and operations, so we hired Al Multari to lead the charge,” said founder Caue Suplicy, who started the business in 2012 with a homemade, dehydrated banana snack he ate growing up in Brazil.
“This leadership change proved a timely move as the pandemic quickly created unprecedented supply chain challenges and new consumer shopping and buying habits that we were able to respond to quickly.”
Barnana now works with more than 1,500 individual farming families in the Amazon with the goal to double that number in the next five years. Paying a 30% premium over market prices, it has helped its fruit growers increase their monthly income from an average of $80 to around $350 a month, while ensuring a steady fruit supply for its expanding portfolio.
In April, it plans to launch Organic Crunchy Plantain Nuggets. Its snacks can be found at Kroger, Costco, CVS, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Safeway across the US, as well as online and on Amazon.
BodyBar Protein is showcasing its line of newly-launched clean, protein-based bars – in both vegan and non-vegan options – that deliver a strong lineup of nutrients. Available in three flavours, Apple Cinnamon, Sweet Cocoa and Chocolate Brownie, BodyBar ae powered by grass-fed whey, collagen peptides and plant-based protein.
BodyBar Protein was founded in 2021 by Ayarpi Reganyan, who struggled for years with inflammatory bowel disease (or ulcerative colitis). Combined with light exercise and a whole foods diet, Reganyan was able to get her health under control, even getting off the medication her doctors had prescribed – and vowed to help others.
“Feeling inspired, I worked with experienced food scientists and nutritionists, and we started experimenting with different clean, simple ingredients, flavours and proteins, and then BodyBar was born.”
BodyBar’s snacks made with clean ingredients, packed with protein (9g-12g) and fibre (8g-11g), are gluten-free, have zero added sugar and only natural flavours. Each is Certified Paleo or Certified Paleo Friendly by the Paleo Foundation.
Available for $35 per 10-count box direct-to-consumer nationwide, with a roll-out into retail to follow.


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Condemning the statement of Jammu Chamber of Commerce & Industry, threatening Rohingya refugees in Jammu, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Inc) on Saturday warned Chamber of dire consequences.
“The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Inc) strongly condemns the statement made by the President Jammu Chamber of Commerce & Industry wherein it threatened to identify, catch and kill Rohingya refugees in Jammu,” a statement issued by KCCI said .
“The KCCI terms the statement as uncalled for, irresponsible and divisive. The KCCI warns that same could be applicable to the West Pakistan Refugees as well,” it added.
KCCI also urged Jammu chamber to widraw the statement saying: “Instead of involving itself in activities beneficial for the trade and commerce, JCCI has taken upon itself the role of Vigilantalism. KCCI urges Jammu Chamber to immediately withdraw the Statement otherwise be ready to face consequences.”


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Fraud ad listing Unveiled At IAB
Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, (may just 11, 2015)
The danger from bots in online advertising and data breaches in electronic commerce and emerging fee systems continues to develop. whereas threats and new security challenges seem daunting, the internet marketing and payments industries proceed to take steps to center of attention more on security. Some consider that not enough is being carried out. finally, the typical U.S. adult obtained three information breach notifications in 2014, per Experian data, and a latest Google learn about found that 192 deceptive Chrome extensions affected 14 million customers.
The devoted Accountability staff (TAG), an promotion trade initiative, Monday announced plans to create a database of domains which have been identified as known sources of fraudulent bot traffic for digital ads.
The TAG Fraud threat record unveiled at the IAB promoting technology marketplace convention in big apple will publish the technical suggestion for the Fraud chance list and, for 30 days, solicit comments from the promoting trade before finalizing this system.
The American association of merchandising companies (4As), the affiliation of nationwide Advertisers (ANA), and the Interactive advertising Bureau (IAB) make stronger the program and will compile the checklist using data from participating firms with specific perception on domains that are driving significant fraudulent advert traffic to the advert trade. AOL, Yahoo’s BrightRoll, and SpotXchange are among the many firms which can be designing the pilot.
The Fraud threat checklist is TAG’s 2d major initiative this year to handle those considerations. In February, TAG launched the brand Integrity application in opposition to Piracy, a application to be able to lend a hand advertisers and companies avoid model damage from undesirable web sites through the usage of TAG-validated suppliers of anti-piracy products and services.
Fraud places a hole in the internet advertising trade as well as mobile and desktop ecommerce. As new payment methods are offered, it will be significant for marketers at brands and retailers to have in mind the safety risks they invent. more individuals wish to work with their respective IT and safety departments to understand that innovations in the fee systems raise the chance of a knowledge breach.
in truth, cell funds in stores increase data breaches by 59%; eWallets, 58%; and cell payments on gadgets and apps, 57%, consistent with the Ponemon study knowledge safety within the Evolving funds Ecosystem backed by means of Experian. The find out about surveyed 748 U.S.-based IT and IT safety, chance administration, product building and other mavens involved within the payments methods inside their organizations equivalent to retailers, financial institutions, fee processors, credit card brands, regulators, customers and others involved within the drift of funds and transactional knowledge.
Michael Bruemmer, VP with the Experian data Breach resolution team, mentioned the company helped companies through more than 3,one hundred data breaches up to now 12 months. About 87% are attributed to worker negligence akin to running open checks that make the system vulnerable. “customers assume that with new know-how comes higher safety, which isn’t authentic,” he mentioned.
companies feel drive to undertake emerging payment techniques to maintain consumer satisfied. About sixty five% of the executives feel power emigrate to the new cost programs, but this is striking client information at risk. Some fifty three% said they’re prioritizing customer convenience over security. About 69% mentioned the media protection prior to now yr has caused them to revaluate and prioritize safety.


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If you’ve been scanning the interwebs today you’ll likely have seen that, as part of the ongoing #Mar10 celebrations, Nintendo teased fans with an upcoming collaboration with LEGO. This tease came by way of a short video posted on Twitter, where what looks like a LEGO-ised Mario figurine is placed fully in the frame with an animated question block on his chest. The caption included simply read: “Something fun is being built! Stay Tuned.”
As typically happens, this began a rampant uproar of fan speculation across social media, with people left wondering whether this meant that a new Mario game was coming or possibly a new LEGO set… However, if all this confusion wasn’t enough, UK retailer GAME then added to the rumour mill by commenting on the collaboration on their official website. “Heard about the partnership between Lego and Nintendo,” the site text reads, before going on to address “the latest Nintendo Direct announced their exciting collaboration”. The only thing is, there was no such Direct.
Update: GAME has since removed all mentioned of the Direct, but the original text can be seen below
Does this mean that a new Nintendo Direct that will further explain this teased partnership is imminent? It’s not the craziest thing to think, especially since that it’s been a fair old while since we’ve had a Direct that doesn’t explicitly feature on just one game. Pokémon Sun and Moon received its own livestream towards the end of January, and just recently players got a new look at what to expect from Animal Crossing: New Horizon when it launches on March 20th.
It could merely be that GAME has simply jumped the gun a little, suggesting that the short Twitter tease was a sort of mini-Direct, but then we’ll admit that this is quite the stretch. Does GAME know something that we don’t? Only time will tell, but in the meantime this LEGO x Nintendo alliance certainly has gotten us excited regardless of the way it eventually manifests. In the meantime, we’ll keep you notified as soon as any related Nintendo Direct is announced.
Wondering what Black Friday 2023 Nintendo Switch Deals will be available on November 24th? We break it down.
Wondering what deals to expect for the Xbox eco-system during Black Friday 2023? We lay it all out.
What to expect in terms of PS4 and PS5 deals, offers and discounts ahead of Black Friday 2023. Info on PS5 console, games, accessories as well as why we expect this to be the best sale on the PS5 since it was released!
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Disney News on Parade
For August 28th, 2020
We cover a range of topics today from Bob Iger’s comments on CDC as well as reinstalling wages at the Disney executive level. Cast Member furloughs continue and NBA makes a protest inside the Disney bubble about tragic events occurring outside. A security guard gets attacked for asking a guest to wear his mask, and Disneyland is poised to reopen. All this and Halloween news at Walt Disney World. Join us for this week’s Disney News on Parade.
Bob Iger Cries Out Against the CDC
ABC News shared this week about the CDC’s abrupt change, telling people testing might not be necessary. Medical professionals and public health experts swiftly pushed back, calling the move baffling and dangerous because it would reduce the country’s visibility on the virus ahead of flu season.
What makes this article interesting for this source is that Bob Iger stepped out into the sunlight of Twitter and shared the following:
Disney Execs Rumored To Receive Their Pay Back
Variety reported that Disney has reinstated executive salaries for most of those impacted by temporary pay cuts amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to those familiar with the situation.
As of April 5, the company reduced salaries of vice president-level executives and above by 20%; senior VP pay was trimmed by 25%, and exec VP-level staff saw a 30% reduction. CEO Bob Chapek had taken a 50% salary cut. Executive chairman Bob Iger is foregoing his salary for the entire year.
Cast Member Furlough to Continue
Meanwhile, Disney Cast Members received an email from Disney this week stating:
“We continue to manage through this pandemic, and based on your role, you will continue to remain on furlough until further notice. When we initially notified you of your furlough, we could not have anticipated that it could exceed six months. However, due to business circumstances that were not reasonably foreseeable at the time and given the unprecedented and ongoing nature of the pandemic and its impact on our businesses, we regret to inform you that we now reasonably expect your furlough could extend beyond six months from your initial furlough date. We wish we had been able to provide you with more notice, and we have acted as quickly as we could, given the rapidly changing situation.”
NBA protests in the Disney Bubble
The Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to sit the fifth game of their first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, which was scheduled for Wednesday, eventually led to the rest of the day’s NBA postseason slate being postponed. Thursday’s matchups were called off as well. Meanwhile protests against brutal violence continue in Wisconsin.
While the season was potentially in ” jeopardy” players made the call Thursday to continue the season and have had positive communications with owners amid the recent playoff protest, according to the Bleacher Report.
Thirteen teams are left inside the Disney World campus in Orlando, Florida, where the remainder of the league ledger is being held.
Guest Arrested for Striking Epcot Security Guard in Protests of Masks
According to the Orlando Sentinel, an Orlando man struck an Epcot security guard when he was reminded to follow the theme park’s mask rules, an Orange County sheriff’s report says, the first known crime report involving such a confrontation at Disney World.
Enrico Toro, 35, is accused of hitting the guard in the head and threatening to kill him, which led to Toro’s arrest Aug. 14, the arrest affidavit said.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Meets with Orlando Area Parks
WESH shared that executives from all three theme parks told Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that the reopenings have been a success and claim they’ve created some of the safest environments in the world.
The governor in return replied that the state would be open to allowing the theme parks to increase capacity at their attractions.
“We think the capacity can be increased. When you have the kind of protocols they have in place, you know, we’re very comfortable at the state level that they’re doing it in a good way.”
Disney Annual Passholders Receiving More Days
To limit attendance Disney guests must make a reservation to visit. This has been a big issue
At the start of this week, additional days were added for shareholders wishing to visit the parks. On Thursday evening, even more days were added.
Some bloggers have noted that the reservation system is here to stay, quoting Josh D’Amaro, head of all Disney theme parks and experiences world-wide. Rather, what Josh noted was several technologies that emerged while dealing with this pandemic, to include the reservation system, and then noted that many of them are not going away.
Josh D’Amaro Notes Disneyland is “Ready to Reopen”
Josh was interviewed by the CEO of the U.S. Travel Association Roger Dow. In that interview he noted the following:
Josh also noted: “The reality is we don’t have an opening date for Disneyland right now. We don’t have any California guidelines for opening. And as soon as a date and those guidelines are set, I can tell you we are ready to reopen.”
In the wake of awaiting that day, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure park has started turning on its lights at night, as if to send a message that they are determined to someday reopen.
California currently sits with the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases of all 50 states. Florida’s number is not far behind.
Although no Halloween parties will be held at the Magic Kingdom, the parks will be decorated and the guests will be invited to wear costumes during operating hours from September 15th to October 31st. There will also be lots of treats. Here’s the list.
- Mickey Cinnamon Roll (Available at Main Street Bakery) – Mickey-shaped cinnamon roll drizzled with orange and white icing
- Cinnamon Donuts (Available at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café) – Served in a Hitchhiking Ghost Novelty container
- Hades Nachos (Available at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café) – Black bean nacho chips with “fiery” buffalo chicken, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, salsa, and jalapeño
- Pumpkin Spiced Waffle Sundae (Available at Sleepy Hollow) –Pumpkin spice-flavored waffled topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and sprinkles
- Poor Unfortunate Souls Float (Available at Storybook Treats)– Cream cheese soft-serve, black raspberry syrup, and Coke
- Pumpkin Spice Milkshake (Available at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies) – Topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, sprinkles, and a Mickey-shaped marshmallow straw
- Pumpkin Spice Soft-Serve Sundae (Available at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies) – Served as a sundae topped with whipped cream, caramel, and sprinkles
- Constance’s For Better or For Worse Wedding Cake (Available at Liberty Square Market) – Citrus cake with raspberry Bavarian cream, whipped cream flowers, and a chocolate axe.
- Mickey Monster Mash Burger (Available at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café) – Burger with Meunster cheese, potato barrels, bacon, and sriracha aïoli
- Headless Horseman Rides Again (Available at Sunshine Tree Terrace) – Strawberry DOLE® Whip with Fanta Strawberry and a Headless Horseman Novelty Straw
- Not So Poison Apple Cupcake (Available at Pinocchio Village House) – A spiced apple cupcake with pecan crunch buttercream themed after a poison apple
- Orange and Black Sugar Churros (Available at Various Churro Carts and Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café)
- Oogie Boogie Dice Novelty Glow Cubes (Available at Various Quick-Service Restaurants)
- Jack Skellington Sipper (Available at Various Quick-Service Restaurants and Outdoor Vending Locations)
- Oogie Boogie Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Various Popcorn Carts)
- Mickey Pumpkin Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Various Popcorn Carts)
- Halloween Base Popcorn Bucket (Available at Various Popcorn Carts)
- Hitchhiking Ghost Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Liberty Square Popcorn Cart)
- Hitchhiking Ghost Sipper (Available at Various Quick-Service Restaurants)
- Madame Leota Sipper (Available at Sleepy Hollow)
- Halloween Cupcake (Available on Halloween Day Only at Sunshine Seasons) – Choice of vanilla or chocolate cupcake with buttercream and a Mickey Pumpkin garnish
- Nemo & Squirt’s Noggin Concoction (Available on Halloween Day Only at Coral Reef Restaurant) – Chocolate brownie stuffed with a chocolate chip cookie topped with white chocolate-covered pretzels and a Mickey Pumpkin Garnish
- Halloween Sugar Cookie (Available on Halloween Day Only at Traveler’s Café and Garden Grill) – Sugar cookie topped with Halloween Sprinkles
- Liquid Nitro Cake Pop (Available on Halloween Day Only at Desserts & Champagne Marketplace in World Showplace for EPCOT Taste of International Food & Wine Festival) – Liquid nitro chocolate cake pop with Halloween sprinkles
- Oogie Boogie Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available Canada Popcorn Cart and Fife & Drum)
- Green Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Eats at EPCOT Experience and Mission Space Popcorn Cart)
- Halloween Base Popcorn Bucket (Available at all EPCOT Popcorn Locations)
- Tire Pumpkin Novelty Straw (Available at Sunshine Seasons and Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Scar Cupcake (Available at Creature Comforts, Flame Tree Barbecue, and Restaurantosaurus) – Red velvet cupcake with toasted marshmallow filling, chocolate marshmallow frosting, chocolate pebbles, white chocolate flames, and an edible icing image
- Spooky Apple Punch Specialty Beverage (Non-Alcoholic) (Available at Flame Tree Barbecue and Isle of Java) – Sprite with Monin Apple Syrup poured over ice, garnished with a rocky candy apple straw, a gummy worm, a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube, and a sugar lime rim
- Rotten Apple Punch Specialty Beverage (Alcoholic) (Available Flame Tree Barbecue) – Angry Orchard and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky over ice, garnished with a rocky candy apple straw, a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube, and gummy worms
- Tire Pumpkin Novelty Straw (Available at Tamu Tamu, Trek Snacks, Restaurantosaurus, TriloBites, and Outdoor Vending Ice Cream Carts)
- Purple Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Trek Snacks)
- Halloween Base Popcorn Bucket (Available at Trek Snacks)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Poison Candied Apple (Available at Trolley Car Café) – Apple and caramel mousse covered in red glaze with a crunchy candy base
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Cannoli (Available at PizzeRizzo) – Pumpkin cheesecake mixed with a hazelnut praline crunch in a cannoli shell
- Pumpkin Tiramisu (Available at Rosie’s All-American Café) –Layers of cream mascarpone and spiced pumpkin cake
- Box of Bones Chocolate Éclair (Available at Backlot Express)– Chocolate éclair with dark chocolate mousse and white chocolate bones
- Frozen Apple Cider (Non-Alcoholic) (Available at Rosie’s All-American Café, Backlot Express, and PizzeRizzo) – Served with a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube
- Frozen Apple Cider with Crown Royal Regal Apple (Alcoholic) (Available at Rosie’s All-American Café, Backlot Express, and PizzeRizzo) – Served with a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube
- Orange Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Anahiem Produce, Hollywood Popcorn, and Animation Popcorn)
- Tire Pumpkin Novelty Straw (Available at Rosie’s All-American Café, Backlot Express, PizzeRizzo, and Anaheim Produce)
Construction continues to play out for Tron Lightcycle Run alongside of Space Mountain.
The show building is largely enclosed, but look down at the bottom of the building.
A closer view indicates the canopy being assembled to go over the coaster.
Did you catch our last Epcot Update? It includes lots of photos and a complete podcast about the massive construction happening at that park. You can check it out here.


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- For centuries, Asian fashion has been customized by Western designers.
- Asian designers spoke to Insider about how traditional clothing has affected their businesses, from cheongsam to áo dài to kurta.
- Designers discussed the importance of promoting Asian-inspired clothing.
Áo dàis, cheongsams, samfus, and hanboks are not for Lunar New Year anymore.
Rep. Marilyn Strickland wore hanbok, a traditional Korean dress, while taking her oath of office in Congress in 2021.
Actress Kelly Marie Tran, who has starred in films like “Raya and the Last Dragon” and the Star Wars franchise, graced the 2022 Oscars red carpet in a shimmering emerald gown, a traditional Vietnamese gown.
“Having my original name Thai Nguyen and then putting this áo dài on the world’s biggest red carpet feels very proud,” the dress’s designer, Ty Nguyen, told Insider.
Having this kind of authentic representation on the red carpet can have lasting ripple effects. Nguyen said that when a follower’s daughter first saw Tran wearing áo dài at the premiere of the 2021 virtual “Raya,” she immediately snatched her own clothes from her wardrobe. Her mother said she didn’t want to wear Cinderella’s dresses anymore.
“You woke me up, you woke up our community,” Nguyen said.
The cultural appropriation of Asian fashion has been around for centuries
Throughout history, Western countries and luxury fashion houses have made Asian cultures through their clothing. This has not stopped in recent years.
Until 2020, retailer Pretty Little Thing was sorting qipaos complete with leg slits under the “oriental” category.
In the realm of luxury fashion, Dolce & Gabbana canceled what was supposed to be the biggest show in the house’s 33-year history after airing commercials for a narrator mocking an Asian model for using chopsticks to eat pizza and cannoli.
During the 2003 Christian Dior show, a white model walked in geisha-style makeup and a silk gown. That same year, Roberto Cavalli designed a mini qipao that reveals a leg – Kim Kardashian will later wear one on a plane in 2019.
The history of capturing Asian clothing is long. The Silk Road first brought Chinese silk and fabrics to Europe since 130 B.C. As the centuries passed, European royals and elites sought out the intricate embroidery of their dresses and ball gowns. It is eventually woven to create its own fusion aesthetic: Chinoiserie.
History at the seams
After creating the dress that rocked the 2015 Met Gala, Guo Pei became an international name. Pictures of Rihanna wearing a yellow, fur-lined dress and 16-foot train went viral on the Internet, making the Chinese designer a hot topic.
Bai has spent her decades-long career resurrecting the venerable art of Chinese embroidery — which was forbidden under the country’s Cultural Revolution — stitching stunning threads that etched what she calls “the nation’s DNA” into her work.
“The set of embroidery and skills involved isn’t necessarily just some kind of rote retrospective, but it’s also a combination of my own imagination and also a connection to the world’s weaving culture,” Bay told Insider, through an interpreter. .
Rihanna’s 2015 Met Gala dress weighed 55 lbs. The threads themselves took more than 50,000 hours of hand embroidery.
“It carries the thoughts and souls of the Chinese people. It is also one of the languages of the culture I was born and raised in,” Bai said.
A symbol of women’s liberation takes on a modern twist
Like Pei, Cheryl Leung draws on Chinese tradition with her fashion label Sau Lee.
“My upbringing in Hong Kong really inspired me,” Leung told Insider. “I’ve really developed over the years a sense of wanting to represent my culture and realizing that I don’t see it anywhere.”
While Leung asserts that other retailers have created traditional cheongsam – a style of tights that originated in Shanghai in the 1920s as a symbol of women’s liberation – her brand aspires to “add cheongsam elements to international designs”.
Cheongsam is one of the most appropriate pieces of traditional Asian clothing. Thus, Leung said it’s important for her designs to avoid evoking obsessive stereotypes.
“I won’t design anything that I wouldn’t wear as an Asian woman,” Leung said. Its role in modernizing clothing may mean the use of jacquards instead of traditional embroidered silk, or the asymmetric fastening of buttons. These modern pieces have become Sau Lee’s bestsellers.
“It’s a strength that these oriental designs are so highly regarded,” Leung told Insider.
The Nyla Hasan brand, ether, was born to challenge strict cultural boundaries.
Inspired by Hassan’s South Asian roots, the brand brings the kurta – a loose-fitting, collarless jacket – to everyday western fashion.
“The other kind of inclusion came out of this that explores identity, what it means to be promiscuous, and what it means to be American,” Hassan told Insider.
Hassan returned to the United States after the events of September 11th. Hassan said that after she finished her education, she had a “little advantage where I don’t care if I belong or not.”
She started wearing kurta and jeans at school, which is popular among South Asian teens.
While the traditional kurta is often simple and boxy, the Hasan version plays with clothing, adding silk, a high-low shirt, or all-over split sides. One of Hassan’s kurta even includes a hidden belt.
Hassan said she sees the Other as her way of “coding” — as she describes, “the harmonious state of being, not compatible with space, but choosing how to project our identity into the spaces in which we live.”
“Also” isn’t anything anymore
As one of the few Vietnamese fashion designers, Nguyen said he is “proud, proud, proud.” But just five years ago, he said he would struggle to say the same.
After quitting his job at fashion brand BCBG, Nguyen said he was constantly closed off for not following the “mainstream rules”.
“I wanted to follow my roots,” Nguyen said. “I wanted to put áo dài in my collection. And then they’d be like, ‘No, that’s very ethnic.'” This is very Vietnamese. “The Vietnamese dress is similar to a cheongsam, but is worn with long pants and features a full side slit.
Now, Nguyen designs dresses for the likes of Ariana Grande, Sarah Hyland, and Laverne Cox, to name a few.
His Hollywood look, while western, offers subtle nods to áo dài: a high neck, full-sleeved collar, and a long, straight skirt.
Nguyen says his pieces are “the eastern silhouette with western concoctions.” For Nguyen, áo dài is contemporary.
About wearing áo dài to an event, Nguyen said “I don’t want people to have that question anymore.”
Update “Grandma’s Favorite Wardrobe”
Trixie Chua, co-founder of dear samfu, found inspiration in her grandmother’s wardrobe.
“Asian women in the past used to wear [samfus] “A lot, but it’s not very well known,” Chua told Insider. “So we decided to really shine a light on it.”
“Sampho” simply means shirt and pants. The timelessness of this staple of Chinese fashion is the foundation of the brand. It’s a relaxed version of the ‘t-shirt and jeans’.
More profound than simple, Chua said, dear Sampho celebrates heritage. The brand dedicated to “grandmother’s fashion” is not only creative, but also sustainable. Chua said sustainability, before it became a buzzword, was practiced by her predecessors.
Kathy Liu, a cherished Sampho customer, bought her pieces because it was a tribute to her Chinese heritage.
“As I get older, I embrace my Chinese heritage more. And so just being able to wear something like samfu in public is something I’m happy to do now,” Liu told Insider.
Liu posts collections of her everyday outfits on Instagram – many posts featuring samfu.
“Over time, I just noticed that there is a lack of Asian-inspired clothing in the Western world. And so I really want to be able to promote it when I can to other people,” Liu said.


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For every problem, a solution.
That seems to be the approach to new car tech these days, with a gamut of new gadgetry (lane assist, stability
A better solution? Building cars that work with the driver to prevent accidents, rather than for them. Think Apple’s new “Do Not Disturb” mode. This according to no less an authority than MIT.
In a new research project, the university's Tech Age Lab and Touchstone Evaluations department — which is funded by the likes of Denso, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, Google and Panasonic — took a deep dive into monitoring how we behave in cars and how that behavior can be modified via technology. As pointed out by Wired, previous research had been more secular, attempting to figure out exactly what caused crashes without comprehensive information on driver behavior. The MIT researchers took this information and looked at the moments before incidents occurred, up to 20 seconds before
Using an algorithm called AttenD that dates back to 2009, the research found that “it is essentially the timing of the [distracted-driving] activity that may determine how badly it ends. Timing in this context means more than it is often taken to mean.” Translation: people who are apt to send a quick text were already in a situation where their awareness was compromised. In these critical momets, one glance in the wrong direction can trigger a chain reaction of compromised attention that eventually begets an accident.
What can the auto industry do with this data? Declutter instrument panels, for one. More user-friendly infotainment systems mean less eyes on the screen, and more eyes on the road. “How can I keep the driver’s awareness of the situation high while they search for something to listen to on their new infotainment system?” Touchstone's Linda Angell told Wired. “How can I structure this task in a way that their eyes are on the road, and give them frequent enough breaks, and cue them to look at the road once in a while?”
In the meantime, put your damn phone down, and rest assured that someone out there is trying to figure out how to cover your ass nonetheless.


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Dubai plans £1.7bn development with theme parks, 100 hotels and the world's largest mall
Dubai is set to break its own record for the world's biggest shopping mall with plans for a new mega-development complete with a shopping centre that could welcome 80 million people a year.
The new 'city' will cost £1.7 billion and is set to boast up to 100 hotels, five distinct theme parks based on films, animals and characters from brands all over the world.
Universal Studios will host an attraction and there will also be a Bollywood theme park, staging musicals aimed at attracting Indian visitors and enriching Dubai's cultural calendar.
New heights: The development will be situated just outside Dubai's current Downton area
Mohammed bin Rashid City, named after the emirate's ruler, will be located just outside the city's current Downtown area.
It will also have a water and marine life park that can host 16 million visitors annually, a children's theme park dedicated to safaris and adventures in the desert, plus museums and art galleries.
The huge shopping complex will overtake the Dubai Mall as the largest in the world and will aptly be called the Mall of the World. It will be surrounded by a public green area expected to be 30 per cent larger than London's Hyde Park.
The plan is to start work immediately and have the first phase of the project complete in 2014.
Sheikh Mohammed said: 'The current facilities available in Dubai need to be scaled up in line with the future ambitions for the city.'
He confirmed the city's goal is to become 'the capital of entrepreneurship, arts, culture and family tourism for over 2 billion people.'
Abdulla Ahmed Mohammed Al Habbai, chairman of Meraas Holding, the company behind the development, said: 'The new initiative comes in response to Dubai's status as a top global touristic destination which will contribute to the growth of the economy.'
Green-fingered: An enormous park, 30 per cent larger than London's Hyde Park, is also planned in the desert state
He added: 'We expect the comprehensive offering to set a new benchmark within the leisure and entertainment industry and offer tourists one more reason to visit Dubai.'
Dubai was hit hard by the worldwide recession. Its saturated property market collapsed and ambitious projects, such as 'The World', a man-made set of islands shaped like the continents of the globe, were abandoned.
But after investing heavily in tourism and attracting additional visitors from rival destinations due to the Arab Spring, the emirate has reported 13 per cent growth in annual visitor numbers.
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Local drug store customers can't bee-lieve what's inside the parking lot
Big hive in parking lot tree
Be on the look out for bees if going near the Walgreen's near Forest Hill Blvd and State Road 7.
A huge beehive is hanging from a tree near the parking lot.
"I think it's crazy in this neighborhood in a busy parking lot. Just good somebody discovered it, and they're going to remove it, because that thing is huge," said customer Paula Mildford.
Store officials blocked off the area with shopping carts and posted warning signs.
Several bee removal companies have contacted the store.
"It's not uncommon to see a hive like this, because Florida is a great place to keep bees, and they like the climate," said Al Salopek, with CWM Inc. Bee Removal company, based in Wellington.


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Alberta launched its site rehabilitation program to clean up oil and gas wells but the program has been plagued with delays as the government has struggled to process more than 35,000 applications.
https://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/533254/land-reclamation-industry-concerned-with-delays-in-albertas-1b-well-cleanup-program.jpeg349620euitsolseuitsols2020-07-27 12:57:182020-07-27 12:57:18Land reclamation industry concerned with delays in Alberta's $1B well cleanup program
A team from the University of Regina hopes their tool, which helps farmers more accurately spray herbicides, reduces their environmental impact and boosts their bottom line.
https://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/533256/u-of-r-team-developing-tool-for-more-accurate-herbicide-spraying.jpg00euitsolseuitsols2020-07-27 12:57:172020-07-27 12:57:17U of R team developing tool for more accurate herbicide spraying
Wildlife officials were forced to kill a black bear that had become a risk to the public in Waterton Lakes National Park after it habituated to feeding on human food and garbage left out carelessly, Parks Canada said Thursday.
https://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/533260/black-bear-deemed-risk-to-public-safety-killed-by-parks-canada-officials-in-waterton.jpg00euitsolseuitsols2020-07-27 12:57:152020-07-27 12:57:15Black bear deemed risk to public safety killed by Parks Canada officials in Waterton
Hollie Deese and Debbie Williams, USA TODAY Back To School magazine
Published 6:30 a.m. ET July 24, 2020
Crayola is releasing a new line of colorful back-to-school masks. The company says that the masks can be worn for up to six months with regular washing.
Fashion subscription boxes aren’t just for grown-ups. These services send you complete outfits customized to fit your child’s size and style. From kindergarten to senior year, keep your kids in trendy clothes that can be tailored toward their needs and your budget.
Kidbox curates from brands including Splendid, Guess, Adidas, Puma and DKNY in sizes 2T to 14. Each box contains six to seven items and costs $98, and for every Kidbox purchased, a new clothing item is donated to a child in need. kidbox.com
Stitch Fix’s new kids service provides clothing in sizes 2T to14 across a range of tastes. Each delivery includes eight to12 items personalized to your child’s style and interests. The head-to-toe looks range from $10 to $35 per item. A $20 styling fee goes toward each purchase, and if you buy every item in the box you receive a 25% discount
on the order. stitchfix.com
Kidpik is a seasonal subscription box for girls sizes 4 to 16. Each shipment includes seven items that make up three complete outfits, and consumers can sign up to receive four to 12 boxes per year. Each shipment averages $89. kidpik.com
A new paper published in Science on Thursday suggests that, with global efforts, we can drastically reduce the amount of plastic waste found on land and in our oceans, though eliminating it entirely isn’t likely.
https://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/532776/strong-efforts-to-reduce-plastic-could-still-leave-710-million-tons-in-the-environment-by-2040-study-suggests.jpg00euitsolseuitsols2020-07-27 04:57:312020-07-27 04:57:31Strong efforts to reduce plastic could still leave 710 million tons in the environment by 2040, study suggests
China launched its most ambitious Mars mission yet on Thursday in a bold attempt to join the United States in successfully landing a spacecraft on the red planet.
https://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/529490/china-launches-ambitious-attempt-to-land-rover-on-mars.jpg00euitsolseuitsols2020-07-24 18:04:562020-07-24 18:04:56China launches ambitious attempt to land rover on Mars
Scientists at the University of Saskatchewan are creating a light millions of times brighter than the sun to illuminate the answers to scientific mysteries hidden inside COVID-19.
https://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/529204/bright-lights-at-canadian-synchrotron-working-to-illuminate-covid-19s-scientific-mysteries.jpg00euitsolseuitsols2020-07-24 13:03:102020-07-24 13:03:10Bright lights at Canadian synchrotron working to illuminate COVID-19's scientific mysteries
In this week’s issue of our environment newsletter, we look at different cities in Canada that are cultivating “food forests” and why a Quebec couple is fighting to grow wild plants.
https://www.deshinewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/529206/why-cities-are-planting-more-food-forests.jpg00euitsolseuitsols2020-07-24 13:03:092020-07-24 13:03:09Why cities are planting more 'food forests'


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Force India launches VJM01..for lack of better names
I was not sure if I didn't like the team name Force India, but am certain I don't like the car name VJM01 named after the sponsor Vijay Mallya, which is a repainted Spyker , although Ferrari-powered. Can't they think of something else? VJM01 ? blah blah...
However, the latest 2008 car to join the Formula One tracks was launched in Mumbai, India and I look forward to the season start already and see how this car performs, with Fisichella behind its wheels!
Autoblog posted on it too
Labels: Just Casual


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Maryland & Virginia's tax free weekend
Virginia is August 3-5th (this weekend) and covers qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, hurricane and emergency preparedness items and Energy Star and WaterSense products without paying tax. There are more than 150 items that qualify.
Maryland is August 12-18th and covers clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less and on the first $40 of a backpack purchase. Also, Maryland college students can win a $2,500 scholarship from the Maryland Retailers Association by entering their social media contest. You have to follow or “Like” Shop Maryland Tax-Free on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Washington DC residents can travel to Maryland and Virginia as their tax free day was repealed in 2010.


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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is believed to be a part of the South Korean tech giant’s next flagship lineup. Rumours surrounding its various aspects have surfaced in recent times. Notably, this smartphone is expected to receive a camera bump with a 200-megapixel ISOCELL HP3 sensor over the 108-megapixel primary sensor featured in the Galaxy S22 Ultra. A reliable tipster has now claimed that the updated rear camera setup will offer greatly improved camera performance, including capturing photos and shooting videos under low-light conditions.
In a series of tweets, tipster Ice Universe (Twitter: @UniverseIce) revealed several key aspects regarding the camera performance of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The tipster claims that this smartphone offers vastly improved camera performance under low-light conditions. This improvement could be accredited to the improvement in the contact image sensors (CIS) chip.
This Samsung smartphone is tipped to feature the same 12-megapixel and 10-megapixel secondary sensors as its predecessor the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Despite the same specifications, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is said to offer improved telephoto performance as well. New AI algorithms are said to have also caused an improvement in the picture colour quality.
Finally, the tipster has hinted that the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s rumoured 200-megapixel main sensor supports a 50-megapixel mode. However, this feature is supposedly under development and is not functional at the moment. The current camera software is said to be unable to support this mode.
According to a past report, the Samsung Galaxy 23 Ultra could be the only Galaxy S23 series smartphone to feature a 200-megapixel main camera. This could be the first significant camera upgrade by Samsung since the introduction of the 108-megapixel sensor on the Galaxy S20 Ultra. The same main camera is also available on the Galaxy S21 Ultra and Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Samsung unveiled the 200-megapixel ISOCELL HP3 sensor earlier this year in June. This sensor is said to be capable of recording 8K videos at 30fps. However, it is unclear whether the Galaxy S23 Ultra will feature this sensor or a brand-new ISOCELL sensor.


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Sidewalk fun at Crazy Days
UPDATED July 13, 2017: The location of the firemen breakfast was misstated in the original story.
LA GRANDE — Thanks to the Lovin’ Spoonful song, summertime sidewalks often call to mind temperatures “hotter than a match head,” but on July 14 and 15, downtown La Grande’s sidewalks mean only festival fun.
Crazy Days is back with its hallmark sidewalk vendors, fireman’s breakfast and family-friendly activities organized by La Grande Main Street Downtown.
The public is welcome to visit the vendors, but are also encouraged to remember the downtown businesses.
“If you are hungry during the day, check out the local restaurant specials or the Main Street concession stand,” a press release for the event reads.
Vendors continue July 15, along with a hearty breakfast prepared by local firemen and served in the firehouse, 1806 Cove Ave. Breakfast will be from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and costs $6 for adults and $5 for children.
There will be a People’s Choice Barbecue contest from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Benchwarmers Pub and Grill. The public is invited to taste each team’s tri-tip entries. The cost to judge is $10, which includes a beer from Side A Brewery or a soft drink.
The annual Grande Ronde-A-View car show, which is held in conjunction with Crazy Days, will begin at 9 a.m. and run through 3 p.m. July 15 on Adams Avenue. There will also be a parade of classic cars from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and a presentation of the Union County Timber Cruisers Car Club awarding special trophies to the cruising cars.
Participants can also swing by the Farmers’ Market on July 15 to browse the locally produced foods and enjoy live music. The market is at Max Square on the corner of Fourth Street and Adams Avenue. The Farmers’ Market runs from 9 a.m. to noon.


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For the past several decades operation teams have sought getting their work done by leveraging the lower salaries and cost structures provided by working in parts of the world where wages are comparatively low. This push for efficiency moved call centers, back-office work and most of the world’s supply chains to developing nations such as Mexico, Eastern Europe, and China. Now, these strategies have come into question.Read full article
Managing the Digital Endpoint – Know where the data stops, humans take over, and what happens next!
Today, supply chains are wrestling with all sorts of supply chain constraints from silicon chips to metal shipping containers. For many senior procurement executives, managing shortages and supply continuity is their number one issue. With that, comes the criticality of knowing exactly how commodity teams are managing visibility into their continuity of supply, and having a response plan when things go awry.Read full article
Future Of Business Is “Micro-Level Profitability”
Enterprises are facing a variety of optimization challenges in maintaining the day to day business operations. ExperienceFlow is enabling enterprises to be optimal at the micro-level of each customer, each asset, each employee and each business process. We believe this micro-level optimization led profitability is the future of business that can be powered only by innovative AI based solutions like ExperienceFlow's Digital Nervous System.Read full article