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After a difficult 2022, marked by component shortages and logistical difficulties, Citroën is entering 2023 under the sign of combativeness, with a desired position against the current automotive world. This new positioning, embodied by oli, was an opportunity for Citroën to meet its dealer network in Italy to explain what oli would bring to the brand.
Launched on 29 September, the oli concept was therefore the star of the "Controcorrente" event held on 14 February at the Allianz Cloud in Milan. The event brought together the entire Citroën world to share the brand's new strategic vision, closely linked to its DNA, which has always been characterised by an original and daring approach. The new "conceptual manifesto" continues this tradition with a radically different vision of electric mobility compared to the competition. With oli, Citroën is breaking market codes and finding its own unique and innovative way to create a sustainable and accessible car.
Laurent Barria, Citroën's Worldwide Marketing and Communications Director, said: "Citroën oli is our starting point for an optimistic and functional electric mobility that meets the needs of consumers who are increasingly sensitive to pollution issues and the search for reliable vehicles, both from an economic and environmental point of view. The new concept car will inspire the design elements and technologies that will be used in future models in the range, while also being a source of inspiration for rethinking the services Citroën offers to electric vehicle owners to accompany them into the future of mobility".
This new strategy, which Citroën plans to implement next year, aims to improve the brand's commercial performance in a market that is moving towards electric vehicles and where car prices are soaring. For Marco Antonini, Country Manager of Citroën Italia, the brand has held up well in Italy: "In a market complicated by numerous external factors, such as component shortages and transport problems, Citroën in Italy recorded growth in segment share for all its models. In particular, the Citroën C3 was the best-selling model in the range and the fourth best-selling model in Italy, with 30,400 registrations and a 12% share. This is an important result that makes us look to the future with ambition. This year, we want to reach and exceed 5% market share and double the share of LEV vehicles."
For 2023, Citroën can count on the launch of the C4 X and ëC4 X, which will arrive at dealerships in the coming days, but the brand also knows that it can count on the AMI, which has received more than 10,000 orders in Italy since its launch. Citroën is therefore about to launch the AMI Buggy N°2 series, which, with the planned 1,000 units, will be marketed in all the countries where AMI is sold, i.e. in Italy.


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Container lines are likely to move into the black in the second quarter of this year and expand their profits in the third quarter as freight rates improve, according to Jefferies.
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MATCHESFASHION is partnering up with the Wedel Art Collective to launch a new line of face masks perfect for the art lover within your life.
The project draws upon the power of contemporary art to encourage more people to wear face masks to not only protect those around them, but also to support other individuals affected by the pandemic.
Participating artists include Jenny Holzer, Rashid Johnson, Barbara Kruger, Raymond Pettibon, Lorna Simpson and Rosemarie Trockel, to name a few. The artists, who are internationally celebrated for their work, have created pieces that address some of the most important social and political issues of our time.
Inspired by these artists’ masterpieces and created out of ethically produced 100% cotton, the limited-edition face masks reflect their passionate and urgent response to the pandemic, reinforcing the need for community action. Jenny Holzer’s face mask taps into the necessity of mask-wearing, reading ‘You-Me’ and ‘I like to think of my work as useful.’
When describing the project Holzer states, “that is a recurrent impulse, when something happens in the world, if I have an idea that will be properly responsive…Not necessarily a cure or a solution but at least an offering.”
Also included in the collection is Raymond Pettibon’s mask featuring ‘Vavoom’, a figure inspired by Felix the cat that he has drawn since the mid-1980’s. ‘Vavoom' stands for "...sprawling, empty landscapes and shouts his name across the land – simultaneously a rallying cry and an existential shout into the void...". With his mask design, Pettibon urges us to be 'notsoclose!', a perfect sentiment for the current landscape we find ourselves navigating.
When discussing the collection founder of Wedel Art Collective Amelie von Wedel states, “It has been a joy to work with these exceptional artists to realise their face masks – each one is a meaningful, wearable artwork. It’s hard to over-emphasise the importance of wearing masks.”
Going on to express their honor in working with their chosen charities “...we applaud all three charities for their tireless work throughout this pandemic and the economic recovery beyond it”.
All proceeds from the sales of the Wedel Art Collective face masks will be donated to charities; 50% of the proceeds will go to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO, powered by the United Nations Foundation, and 50% divided between two artist relief charities working to support artists whose livelihoods have been severely diminished with the pandemic: the US-based Artist Relief coalition, and Common Practice in the UK.
The collection is available now on MATCHESFASHION for Dhs190 each.
Lead image courtsey of Wedel Art Collective


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Snap AR shopping filter highlights Pangaia’s grape-made sneakers
Snap continues to take the try-before-you-buy retail philosophy into the realm of augmented reality (AR) with an innovative collaboration with Pangaia.
AR shopping comes of age as Pangaia and Snap forge a virtual fashion partnership
Virtual Try-On enables Snapchatters to model the brand’s Grape Leather Sneaker range without setting foot in a shop by swiping to cycle through available colors to see which style suits best before making a purchase.
The entire process is conducted in-app to minimize purchase friction, while engaging with a target gen Z and millennial audience who are in the market for unisex trainers made from Vegea, a waste product from the wine industry comprising discarded grape skins, stalks and seeds.
In a statement, the Pangaia Collective said: “As a brand driven by innovation and technology, we are proud to work with the Snap team to leverage Snapchat’s AR technology and invite its community to experience Grape Leather Sneakers through their phones.”
Launching in the UK later this week, the partnership is the latest to capitalize on an exploding market for AR e-commerce amid a study by Foresight Factory indicating that 56% were encouraged to buy after embracing AR shopping.
Watch it here.
Content created with:
Snapchat is an image messaging and multimedia mobile application created by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown, former students at Stanford University, and developed by Snap Inc.Find out more


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Shortly after IBM announced it will sell its low-end server business to Lenovo – and may sell its software-defined networking (SDN) business to anyone – there are new reports that Big Blue may sell its semiconductor manufacturing business, as well.
News about the latest possible sale of a key IBM business was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources.
Under the current plan, IBM would keep its chip-design capability, The Journal said.
Why would IBM want to sell the business? The company has a new focus and these other operations – which are sold or could be sold – go beyond the company’s new concentrations. In addition, chip manufacturing is “capital-intensive and volatile,” The Journal said.
“Shedding those operations could help boost IBM's profitability, and dovetail with recent moves by the company to reduce its reliance on selling computer hardware,” the newspaper adds.
Recently, IBM has moved away from servers – and is producing fewer chips for other companies. The Journal reports how videogame consoles offered by Sony and Microsoft are no longer using IBM chips, opting instead for those from Advanced Micro Devices.
Last month, it was reported IBM may ask $1 billion for its SDN business. Among the possible purchasers are Cisco, Dell, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard and Juniper along with other companies named as possible buyers, too, SDN Zone reported. Of those named, some media speculation has been focused on Cisco as the best to acquire the SDN business from IBM. IDC predicted the SDN market will reach $3.7 billion in 2016, compared to $360 million last year.
Earlier, IBM sold its x86 server business to Lenovo for $2.3 billion – which included other networking products, servers and switches.
Yet IBM continues to concentrate on the Watson computing business – which used in big data analytics – and then last year acquired SoftLayer cloud computing – another possible focus for the company.
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CEC Entertainment Inc. is amid a number of changes, as it works under new ownership, readies to replace its retiring leader and could possibly soon be in a portfolio that includes Dallas-based Dave & Buster’s.
President and CEO Michael Magusiak’s announcement that he will retire June 2 is the latest in a string of events that could change operation of CEC, parent company of Chuck E. Cheese’s.
Magusiak has spent almost 27 years with the company, serving as CEO of the chain since December 2008 and as president since June 1994. Previously, he served as the executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of the company. He’s also served on the board since 1988.
The news comes just two months after New York private equity firm Apollo Global Management bought the company for $1.3 billion.
“I am extremely confident in both the future of Chuck E. Cheese’s and in the outstanding people we have throughout our organization,” he said in a released statement. “I wish the very best for the entire CEC team as they work to continue to grow the Chuck E. Cheese’s brand in the U.S. and around the world with the support of our partner, Apollo.”
Magusiak is often credited with helping execute the turnaround of Chuck E. Cheese’s, after taking the role of chief financial officer in 1987 when the company was financially struggling. The company started returning profits in 1992 and 1993.
In a previous interview, Magusiak told us his biggest accomplishment has been watching his core team become seasoned throughout the years.
CEC’s new owner, Apollo reportedly is also considering a bid for Dave & Buster’s, according to Bloomberg. According to the report, Oak Hill Capital, the owner of Dave & Buster’s, is seeking roughly $1 billion.
Dave & Buster’s filed for an IPO in 2011 to withdraw in 2012.
The deal could help Dave & Buster’s with some of the debt it’s built up during ownership switches the past several years, as well as help Apollo strengthen its portfolio, according to Adriana S. de Lozada, analyst with financial research firm PrivCo.
“Both are combined-experience brands,” she said, referring to the brands’ focus on dining and entertainment. “They (banks) would see a lot of synergies so it’s possible it would be able to renegotiate some of the loans.”
How this will affect CEC Entertainment is yet to be determined.
CEC Entertainment most recently reported a $400,000 drop in its third quarter earnings, raking in a $7.4 million profit on $195.9 million in revenue. It attributed the drop to a decrease in same-store sales.
CEC operates 577 Chuck E. Cheese’s, but plans to open 12 to 15 company-owned stores this year.


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LONDON (CNN) -- The European Union said Wednesday it is dropping antitrust charges against Microsoft after the company agreed to give users the choice of other Web browsers with its Windows operating system.
Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500) will also allow computer manufacturers to install competing Web browsers, set them as the default browsers, and turn Microsoft's Internet Explorer off, the EU said in a statement.
"Millions of European consumers will benefit from this decision by having a free choice about which Web browser they use," Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said in the statement. "Such choice will not only serve to improve people's experience of the Internet now, but also act as an incentive for Web browser companies to innovate and offer people better browsers in the future."
Microsoft agreed with the EU that over the next five years, it will give European users of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 a "choice screen" allowing them to choose which browsers they want to install in addition to, or instead of, Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
The competition commission sent a statement of objections to Microsoft in January, saying Microsoft was abusing its dominant position in the market through the tying of Internet Explorer to Windows.
Boeing's stock fell by as much as 12% after Bloomberg reported the SEC is investigating the company's accounting practices. More
China pour nearly $30 billion into Latin America last year, the second highest total ever. At the same time, U.S. investors fled the region. More
Just three days after Zenefits CEO Parker Conrad resigns, the California Department of Insurance announces that is investigating the startup's business practices. More


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Apart from building breathtaking cars, British carmaker...
Amrut put India on the world map by creating the first...
Last night saw couturier Tarun Tahiliani open Lakmé...
Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite automobile brand, Bentley Motors, made its debut in the imperial Middle East with a bang! The brand recently inaugurated its largest flagship store in Dubai. Here’s all the dope on it. Continue Reading »
If private planes and a jet-setting lifestyle is what regular day in your life is about, you need Vacheron Constantin’s newest timepiece—the Overseas World Time. Continue Reading »
One can buy almost any television set these days—a model with great picture quality or a model with 3D—but what we are missing out on is the look of the product. We are quite particular about the design elements in our home but when it comes to television, there is a silent compromise that we tend to make. Bringing a revolution in home decor and changing this idea of compromise, Bang & Olufsen has unveiled its new smart TV—the BeoVision 14—a product that is not just a television but also doubles up as a decor piece. Continue Reading »
Burberry recently launched My Burberry Black – the brand’s new perfume for women that is inspired by the black heritage trench coat. Exuding sensuality, the campaign for this new fragrance by Christopher Bailey is shot by the renowned photographer Mario Testino and is being fronted by Lily James. Read on to know more about this new perfume and the campaign promoting it. Continue Reading »
French maison Christian Dior is attracting world attention towards its skilful craftsmanship and detailing with a one-and-a-half minute long film released by the brand. Unveiled earlier last week, the video gives a closer look at the making of the house’s bejewelled timepieces—La D de Dior. Continue Reading »
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is synonymous with rarity and exquisiteness. And to further its brand in the ultra luxurious space, Rolls-Royce presents a bespoke picnic hamper for the Phantom Zenith Collection. Continue Reading »
All set for the launch of their new bridal line at Karleo, designers Karan Berry and Leon Vaz will present White Symphony, a stunning collection of interfaith white bridal gowns. Close on the heels of the launch, the designer duo shared with us the exciting journey of this collection. Continue Reading »
After successfully demonstrating its monogramming service in India, renowned brand Louis Vuitton has now launched its made-to-order shoe service in India. Currently personalising only a few shoe styles, this new service will be exclusively available at the brand’s Delhi boutique. Continue Reading »
Chef Davide Bisetto, Executive Chef of Oro Restaurant at Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice, takes us through his culinary journey, as he reflects on his love for fresh, flavourful and seasonal ingredients and his inherent affinity for Italian cooking. Continue Reading »
Furthering the love for its bestseller, the Dotcom bag, Fendi recently introduced the Click, a miniature version of the leather satchel. Here's everything you need to know about it. Continue Reading »
Outfit by Monisha Jaising paired with Aka Bespoke footwear
She was attending a promotional event for her upcoming movie


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By Rachelle Bowden in News on May 23, 2007 12:50AM
- Mini Ditka stole the Rembrandt.
- The park district has announced the "Tour Da Lakefront Bicycle Challenge" in which they invite you bike the 18-mile paved lakefront path in 3 hours or less. Great idea, but isn't this already the most congested area of the bicycle trail system?
- Ladyfest Chicago is a festival promoting women involved in arts and activism and takes place from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 27, at the South Union Arts Marketplace. Local vendors will sell handmade clothing, journals, photography, poster art, paper goods and other arts and crafts.
"Baseball and Beer" via swanksalot.


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VMLY&R today announces the appointment of Janelle Shinners (main photo) as head of client engagement in Brisbane, effective from the beginning of June 2022.
Shinners will work alongside VMLY&R’s Queensland leadership team to enhance VMLY&R’s client engagement function and integrated offering.
She will work across VMLY&R’s clients including The Lottery Corporation, TerryWhite Chemmart, Bond University, Goodlife Health Clubs, Visit Brisbane, The Coffee Club, RSL Queensland among others. In her role, Shinners will be responsible for delivering exceptional creative effectiveness, overall client satisfaction and connecting the agencies ideas across paid, owned and earned platforms.
Having built her career across creative, media and client roles, Shinners brings extensive category experience, data and consumer insight and people leadership skills to the role.
Adam Kennedy, managing director, VMLY&R Brisbane, says: “I remember the first time I met Janelle. She struck me then, as she does now, as one of the smartest, nicest people I’d ever met in our industry – and she just happened to be in Brisbane.
“Ever since, we’ve coveted the chance to bring her into the VMLY&R team. We’re delighted she’s chosen to join us and we can’t wait to see the creative work we’ll produce together with our incredible clients.”
Thomas Tearle, CEO of VMLY&R in Australia and New Zealand, said: “I can’t wait to welcome Janelle to our team. She is a renowned agency leader in Brisbane who has a genuinely unique skillset when it comes to effectively creating connected growth by bringing together insight, creative, channel, technology and customer experience.
“Her passion for developing people and creating strong client relationships, coupled with her ability to provide strategic business counsel, means she will not only be an exceptional leader but will also deepen our ability to create connected brands for all our clients.”
Shinners added: “I’m thrilled to join the incredibly talented team at VMLY&R. I know the agency – and even some of the clients – personally. I’ve been impressed by VMLY&R’s trajectory over the past few years and it’s exciting to be a part of a growing agency that connects brand and customer experience in progressive and interesting ways. ”
In uncertain times, trusted sources become even more significant in the world of media. Elise Bennett (pictured), head of account management (APAC) at Outbrain, reveals what advertisers need to know about the new trust exchange. Instability breeds uncertainty. From bushfires to the pandemic and war, there’s been plenty of both to go around in recent […]
Independent SEO agency Optimising has further reinforced its commitment to the environment by being part of 1% for the Planet, on the back of it gaining B Corp Certification last year. Optimising continues to walk the walk around environment sustainability by being part of the global movement, which inspires businesses and individuals to support environmental […]
Media and communications staff at all levels are invited to take part in a national online survey examining perceptions and practices around cultural diversity, inclusion, and representation in the industry. The FAIR survey, now in its second year, provides a snapshot of cultural diversity in the communications industry, as well as how practitioners incorporate diverse […]
PubMatic has announced a partnership with AlikeAudience in Australia, Japan, and Indonesia, enabling advertisers to access quality audience data on the supply side. Activating data on the supply side cuts down complexity and delivers more efficiency and value for both media buyers and data owners, through higher match rates and better CPMs. The partnership expands […]
Live streaming service Optus Sport will be showing all major games of the Spanish La Liga Santander and the LaLiga SmartBank, giving football fans an extra reason to become subscribers. The Spanish Football League is considered one of the greatest in the world, containing the likes of European champions Real Madrid, Catalan giants FC Barcelona, […]
In the recently launched campaign for TVNZ+, Dentsu Creative, and Sweetshop’s Damien Shatford, have delivered an entertaining look at the new streaming brand, TVNZ+. TVNZ launched the reimagined streaming brand last week to better reflect its digital offering, repositioning the platform as a streaming destination rather than an OnDemand catch-up service.
Ruffie Rustic Foods have teamed up with Nikki Van Dijk and Surfing Australia to encourage groms to be kind to their bodies and minds through providing nutritious, plant-based meal options. Ruffie Rustic Foods are on a mission to prove that plant-based eating can be easy and convenient, without compromising on flavour. Whether you’re vegetarian, flexitarian, […]
Nestlé Australia today launched Tuck In!, a program supporting emerging First Nations creatives to establish career pathways in commercial content creation. Tuck In! invited First Nations chefs and aspiring content creators to develop recipe and video content celebrating the combination of bush foods and Nestlé products. Nestlé Oceania marketing & communications director Anneliese Douglass said […]
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that the British Army’s Twitter and YouTube accounts had been compromised by hackers who used them to promote their non-fungible token (NFT) products. The two accounts have since returned to normal, as the Ministry said via their own Twitter page. “The breach of the army’s Twitter and YouTube accounts […]


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- WHITE PAPERS
Pizza Hut Delivery is expected to add 100 new units across the United Kingdom by the end of 2014. According to the Telegraph, this expansion fits the growing trend of British consumers ordering in versus eating out as the recession lingers.
Parent company Yum! Brands will invest £4.5M (about $7.24M) toward the plan. Currently, there are nearly 300 outlets across the country. Eventually, Yum! would like to grow that number to 700.
Mark Fox, a Yum! managing director, told the Telegraph: "We are committed to delivering a major investment in growing our UK system, creating significant new opportunities for existing and would-be franchisees. Our investment will increase our marketing spend, drive the outlet numbers, and visibility of Pizza Hut Delivery and create opportunities for franchisees to grow their businesses quickly."
Read more about franchising and growth.


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Here’s a look at Puerto Rico Comic Con’s pool of local talent. Read on for their thoughts on the convention, the future of the Artist Alley, and the state of the island’s indie scene.
Cartoonist and former National Cartoonists Society president Steve McGarry talks NCS Fest and what it takes to put on a comic arts festival.
Learn about the pair’s first meeting, which pop icons each of the WicDiv gods is based on, and the time McKelvie nearly teamed with Janelle Monae.
I don’t think there’s a person alive who would debate the fact that Sergio Aragonés is the world’s greatest living cartoonist. So many industry giants look up to this man for his cartooning talent. The fact that he’s going to celebrate his 60th year at MAD Magazine with us, I could not be more thrilled to have him. Everyone loves his work. He’s so highly entertaining and funny. It just floored me when he actually said yes to being the guest of honor, because at the heart of it I’m still a fanboy and I do not know anyone on this planet that is not a fan of his work. To be able to highlight Sergio’s career and all that he’s done is immense and I cannot stop being excited about it.
The Big Apple Comic Con is right around the corner! March 9-10 at the Pennsylvania Hotel in Manhattan.
Unable to wait for the start of San Diego Comic-Con, DC Collectibles has just announced new additions to their ever-growing library of figurines and statues. Headlining this news are three statues to be released based off the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures’ Aquaman film. Each one will be based off the actors’ portrayal of the comic book characters; Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, Amber Heard’s Mera, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Black Manta. Each will be done in great detail and stand at 12” tall. They are expected to hit store shelves November 2018, a month before the movie’s December 21st release date.
Dell isn’t content on just supplying gear to strict PC gamers. They also hope to also lure that of seasoned console gamers to the world of PC. “The overlap between console ownership and PC ownership is increasing, and I think, and we think, as a company this is the perfect feature set and price point for someone who’s looking to buy their first gaming PC,” said the rep referring to Dell’s line of PC gaming machines called the Dell G3, G5, and G7 come in.
My packing list for San Diego Comic-Con hasn’t grown much since starting these gear lists. If anything, I’ve been removing more and more from the list to become more streamlined and effective, inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupery:
“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”
InterGalactiCon is the brainchild of former Playstation and DEF CON EXEC Steve “Captain” Kirk, who The Beat interviewed last month. When asked the reason for creating InterGalactiCon, Steve had said, “We wanted to design this as an experience. Something broad like Comic-Con can be, but more accessible and more-easy to get into. More space and easier to interact with your friends.” InterGalactiCon has been Steve’s passion project for more than sixteen-months now, consuming his days and nights with planning.
One notable memory she shared was from her work on the movie The Hidden. In it, she played as a stripper with an alien housed inside her body. “I sort of lied to get the role,” she said. The director had fired one actress for the role Claudia auditioned for, due to not having a look right for the role. Claudia cupped her hands in the air just in front of her chest to explain what she meant by this. “I was really skinny at the time, so I was pretty much all straight there.”


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Minnesota House Approves Cannabis Legalization, New York City Opens First Dispensary, and More Cannabis News
As of February 14th, 2023, the bill to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and up has been approved by the Minnesota House, and is currently being vetted. Senate Bill 211 removes marijuana as a Schedule I drug from the state’s criminal code, and provides oversight regulating its cultivation, sale, and product labeling. House Bill 360 also legalizes the possession and use of cannabis for individuals over the age of 21.
Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch keeps readers up to date on the latest news from the cannabis industry, including the recent inquiry from Vermont cannabis regulators into Curaleaf’s alleged ties to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
In addition, a study recently presented at The Pregnancy Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine found that using cannabis early in pregnancy can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The High Country Cannabis has also opened up in New York City, becoming the first dispensary to open in the Queen City following the legalization of cannabis for adults 21 and up in the state.
Washington’s bill only covers drug tests before hiring, while certain jobs are excluded, such as those requiring a federal background investigation or security clearance.
As the cannabis industry continues to develop, keep up to date with Marijuana Moment’s newsletters, and stay informed on the latest news.
0. “State Policy Weekly Update 2/22/2023 – NORML” norml.org, 23 Feb. 2023, https://norml.org/blog/2023/02/22/state-policy-weekly-update-2-22-2023/
1. “New Biden exec order touts cannabis actions (Newsletter: February …” www.marijuanamoment.net, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-biden-exec-order-touts-cannabis-actions-newsletter-february-20-2023/
2. “Early Pregnancy Cannabis Exposure Tied to Adverse Pregnancy …” www.channel3000.com, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.channel3000.com/news/health/early-pregnancy-cannabis-exposure-tied-to-adverse-pregnancy-outcomes/article_529be2a0-82ae-5254-97a7-13cd85f74f2a.html
3. “Cannabis News | Cannabis Blog | Herban Creative” herbancreativenj.com, 23 Feb. 2023, https://herbancreativenj.com/cannabis-news
4. “State senate passes bill that would ban pre-employment cannabis …” mynorthwest.com, 23 Feb. 2023, https://mynorthwest.com/3838085/state-senate-bill-ban-pre-employment-cannabis-tests/
5. “Canadian Cannabis Sales Surged in December – New Cannabis …” www.newcannabisventures.com, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.newcannabisventures.com/canadian-cannabis-sales-surged-in-december/


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Xbox Series X will launch in November
Console launch lineup will emphasize backward compatibility, Game Pass
The Xbox Series X has been given a slightly narrower release window today, this time honing in on November of 2020 from a previously-stated holiday 2020.
This was announced today in a post on Xbox Wire, which emphasized the console's backward compatibility for select games across four generations, as well as optimized games for the system and its Game Pass library at launch.
However, the system's key console exclusive title, Halo Infinite, has been officially delayed into 2021, leaving the Xbox Series X with no known major launch-day exclusives.
Furthermore, pricing details for Microsoft's console still have not yet been announced; nor has a rumored Xbox Series S model been confirmed by official sources, though a leaked controller earlier this week appears to verify its existence.
Sony has announced neither a release window beyond holiday 2020, nor pricing details for the PlayStation 5.
Earlier this year, an international Xbox Series X officially page appeared to showcase artwork pinpointing the release date of the console for Thanksgiving 2020.
However, the image was taken down quickly, and Microsoft's Larry Hryb said the product page was inaccurate.


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Bungie emerges victorious in a $12 million lawsuit against cheat distributor VeteranCheats, first filed back in 2021.
Mihai Claudiu-Florentin, the person behind the website VeteranCheats, now owes Bungie more than $12 million in damages.
Bungie originally filed the lawsuit back in August 2021, and in February this year the company sought around $2,000 in damages for every sale of a Destiny 2 cheat by VentureCheats. It identified 5,848 separate transactions.
The court judgement found that Claudiu-Florentin, a resident of Romania, violated the terms of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) by selling the Destiny 2 cheats. The judgement continues to say that Bungie alleges that “the VeteranCheats Hack has caused it harm by diminishing the enjoyment of the game for those not cheating and reducing its potential revenue from in-game sales to players.”
The Destiny 2 cheats are no longer listed on the VentureCheats website. However, the site still continues to offer a range of cheats, such as aimbots and recoil removers, for a wide range of other titles, including Warframe, Apex Legends and Dota 2.
This isn’t the first time Bungie has won a lawsuit against cheat distributors. Back in February, the company won $4.3 million in a case against AimJunkies. Quite how the cheat vendors at the heart of the cases are meant to find these millions of dollars in damages is anyone’s guess, but for now, it seems that Bungie’s war against cheaters is interminable.


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These future systems, utilising and harnessing 800V technology, are already at advanced stages of development and being tested in real-world conditions.
GKN Automotive’s global experts are now working with the leading automotive manufacturers around the world to make the advanced eDrive systems a production reality.
Future eDrive technologies promise many benefits for EV owners including faster charging times and superior performance.
The greater systems efficiencies they bring will also lead to an increased driving range – currently a key obstacle for consumers wanting to make the switch to a battery electric car.
Efficiencies could also lead to car makers opting to use smaller batteries, reducing vehicle cost, complexity, and weight.
GKN Automotive’s rapid development of next generation eDrive systems is being enhanced through working in Formula E as a partner to Jaguar Racing and technology currently being developed for the race team is likely to be available on road cars in about three years.
The technologies span high-volume low-cost vehicles to top end premium cars with complex all-wheel drive driving dynamics.
Liam Butterworth, CEO GKN Automotive, “Global demand for EVs is accelerating fast and now is the perfect time for GKN Automotive to introduce eDrive systems through next-generation technologies.
“These high-tech 800V systems will create faster charging cars with better battery range, improved driving performance and even greater efficiencies. GKN Automotive intends to continue delivering an increasingly electrified future”


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Short Bytes: Facebook obtains information about you from commercial data providers. It can include things like salary details, purchase information, eating habits, interests, etc. Facebook doesn’t tell people about this data which powers their Ad platform. A recent study conducted by ProPublica has shed more light on this matter.Facebook tracks what you like, share, comment, and watch. It uses the data to power its ever-growing advertising platform which is a significant part of the company’s income resources. They know if you hate Donald Trump or not, you recently watched a superhero movie or some chilling horror flick.
Personally, I have observed that the items I browse on the internet are likely to show up in my news feed. That’s the level of interest Facebook has in our lives. However, they admit this thing, and their policies reflect it. Anyways, to some extent, it is fine if Facebook follows us just on the internet to serve better ads.
A report published by ProPublica throws light on the fact that Facebook tries to collect information about you from various offline sources as well. Facebook purchases data from commercial data brokers including Datalogix, Epsilon, Acxiom, etc. The data — including things like mortgage, salary details, restaurant choices, supermarket purchases, gender, location, etc. — is used to display relevant ads to the people.
ProPublica has tried to make an approximate database of such categories Facebook uses to classify people. Using a Chrome extension, they were able to include 52,000 categories in their database after crowdsourcing information from users.
Facebook doesn’t tell users about this data. It defended itself by saying Facebook itself doesn’t collect this data and the data brokers often provide it to other ad platforms.
If you want to get this information removed, according to Facebook, you’ll have to approach the data providers directly. And, it’s a tiresome process which involves authenticating yourself with a valid ID proof before the vendor would delete the information.
ProPublica says they downloaded a list of 29,000 categories — most of them auto-generated — Facebook offers to the advertisers, including 600 categories from third-party brokers. They note that the categories from commercial providers are mostly related with financial details. For example, ‘people having a household income between 100K and 125K’.
Also, the data broker provided categories that had no connection with any of the category Facebook displays in front of the users. You can check the interests by going into Settings > Ads > Ads based on my preferences > Visit Ad Preferences.
In the nutshell, Facebook wants to collect a handful of psychographic and other data related to its users. It doesn’t matter if it fuels their marketing platform. At least, Zuckerberg isn’t charging you for using Facebook. But he has to run his company and provide free Facebook to you. On the other hand, the question of privacy concern can’t be ignored.
If you have something to add, tell us in the comments below.
Also Read: Does Mark Zuckerberg Plan To Leave Facebook And Run For President In Future?


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After much speculation, the Super Mario 3D limited release details include the name of the title and what are included for a limited time on the Nintendo Switch.
Unfortunately, the fact that this is a “limited release” of three Super Mario 3D titles has spawned scalpers hoping to make a quick buck. Super Mario 3D limited release includes remasters of Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario 64. One of the first things many were worried about are scalpers who would take advantage of the situation.
Super Mario 3D limited release scalpers are somehow listing the game on websites like eBay at a much higher price than the planned retail price. The Super Mario 3D limited release, or Super Mario 3D All-Stars, unfortunately, have already had offers. That means there’s plenty of demand for the Super Mario 3D limited release once it’s released physically after March 2021.
For now, the three 3D remastered titles on Super Mario 3D All-Stars will only be available digitally. With how limited the Nintendo Switch is during the current Coronavirus pandemic, don’t be surprised if people find a way to purchase a Nintendo Switch, load it up with the Super Mario 3D limited release titles only to sell them at a premium. Many people did that when P.T. was released. P.T. was the demo for the Silent Hills remake that never came to be because Hideo Kojima feuded with Konami.
Unfortunately, after the feud between the director and the studio, P.T ended up not being available for download from the PlayStation network. However, those who already had it on their PlayStations were able to sell their PlayStations for a premium.
It looks like the same thing will happen with the Super Mario 3D limited release. People will buy up a Nintendo Switch, load it with the digital copy of Super Mario 3D All-Stars, and wait until it’s no longer available for the Nintendo shop. There may be a window of time where people will see scalped systems on eBay or other websites with no word of a physical release.
For now, we’ll have to wait until September 18th when the digital release of Super Mario 3D All-Stars releases for the Nintendo Switch. Right now, some retailers are offering the Super Mario 3D limited release for reservation.


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Waaaaaaaaaaaay back in November 2016 Google launched their home assistant system, Google Home for $129. Now, almost 6 months later the UK gets to catch up on the party. Google has announced that not only will Google Home launch, but Google WiFi routers will be coming to the UK on April 6. That’s next week!
The Google Home is a handy, neatly designed Google Assistant for your home, controlling your smart home, planning your day, and streaming your music. It will launch for £129 on the Google Store. Why bother with price conversion when you can just change the Currency?
Similarly, Google WiFi aims to bring a simple, manageable router to your home as well as offer the option of building a wireless mesh network from multiple units. You’ll be able to pick one up for £129 or two for £229, almost replicating Google’s price in the US 6 months ago. However, notice the amount you get to £229, yes two, not three, two. Stateside $229 (£185) got you an extra WiFi Extender in the box.
Google really isn’t doing the UK any favours here, charging over and above the prices for their ageing hardware and even slashing what might have seemed like good value for multi-purchase.


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The World Container Index this week has declined marginally by 0.4% and reached $9,865.14 per 40ft container, but is 281% higher than the same week in 2020.
The average composite index of the WCI, assessed by Drewry for year-to-date, is $7,191 per 40ft container, which is $4,661 higher than the five-year average of $2,530 per 40ft container
This is based on the composite released by Drewry on Thursday, 21 October 2021.
Freight rates on New York – Rotterdam gained 3% or $35 to reach $1,189 and rates from Los Angeles – Shanghai grew 1% to reach $1,315 per 40ft box. However, rates on Shanghai – New York, Rotterdam – New York, Rotterdam – Shanghai and Shanghai – Genoa declined 1% respectively per 40ft container. Rates on Shanghai – Rotterdam and Shanghai – Los Angeles hovered around previous weeks level.
Drewry expects rates to remain steady in the coming week.


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Scammers are continuing to call people around the state and our area and threatening to arrest them or disconnect utilities if a payment is not made. Scammers pretending to be from the IRS, WPS, or even a local sheriff’s department are continuing to barrage local residents with threatening phone calls. They even disguise themselves by faking calls from the actual numbers connected to the agencies to make it seem more legitimate.
We’ve obtained a voicemail left by one of the callers that says “and once it’s expired after that you will be taken into custody by the local cops as there are four serious allegations pressed on your name at this moment. We would request you get back to us so that we can discuss about this case before taking any legal action against you.”
Department of Ag, Trade, and Consumer Protection Director Michelle Reinen reminds everyone that any call demanding money or threatening arrest is not likely coming from a legitimate source. Reinen says “governments, utility companies, they do not make phone calls and demand payment. But we’ve seen a drastic increase during the month of August and this first part of September where we are spiking on every record we have as it relates to the number of consumers letting us know they’re receiving these phone calls.”
Reinen also tells us she knows the alerts are working after “we heard from a television station that scammers actually contacted
them and said ‘stop issuing these alerts because they’re starting to cut into
our payments’ – and they threatened the television station. So we know these
consumer alerts are working and consumers are paying attention. But we have to
keep the conversation going.”
Anyone who receives a call like this should hang up immediately – then look up the agency’s actual number to call and report the scam.


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November 25, 2010 § Leave a comment
With Google TV and Apple already making their rounds on the online television circuit, a report from Turner Broadcasting that claims web viewers may be willing to watch even more ads online is drumming up support for television without the television.
The report found that online viewers may be willing to sit through ads comparable to that of current television ads (read: a half hour of NBC’s “Community” actually breaks down to a 23 minute episode with the remaining seven minutes left for 30 seconds+ ads).
Currently, Hulu viewers are accustomed to much less, watching that same 23 minute episode with four to five 15-30 seconds breaks–totaling a whopping minute and a half of ads. Viewers on Hulu also have the option of watching a minute-long trailer or long-form commercial first and bypass the 15-30 seconds breaks entirely for an uninterrupted viewing experience.
The plan? Pad online streams with so many ads that its simply television online. Really? Moving backwards much?
Granted that online viewing still has its limitations, the idea of online streams simply becoming jam-packed with ads will still not bode well with online viewers. The flexibility of the web is still hampered by traditional media, with some shows running on a delayed posting date in conjunction with broadcast agreements (e.g. popular shows like Fox’s “House” is posted 7 days after the original broadcast).
And we still haven’t seen anything comparable to a 6 o’clock news show online that doesn’t originate from a network. [And even so, how many times will you go online to watch Nightly News with Brian Williams the DAY AFTER the original broadcast? It’s old news made even older.]
But for now, it’s good news for those hoping to squeeze the nickels and dime out of online viewers, who, for the most part–don’t really pay attention to ads. At least I don’t. The best part of watching House online, even if it’s a week later, is being able to quickly toggle to my Facebook page while some Toyota ad blares on in the background. Is it just a case of the dollar-dime rule, this time applied to television and the web instead of print and the web?


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Attorney General Announces Lawsuit Against Pickerington User Car Dealership
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a lawsuit against a Pickerington use car dealership and its owners for multiple violations of Ohio’s consumer laws.
The dealership is Dads Car Lot Inc., which is owned by William D. Taylor Sr. and Gary Jones.
"Buying a car is a major purchase for most consumers and they rightly expect to be treated fairly according to the law," DeWine said. "Businesses must fulfill their promises to consumers, and if they don't, we will take action."
DeWine’s office has heard dozens of complaints against the dealership, citing issues with title certificates, repossession, misrepresentation and repairs and services, according to the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
According to the DeWine’s office, the business failed on many occasions to provide buyers with receipts listing terms of sales.
The lawsuit charges Dads Car Lot with Consumer Sales Practices Act and Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title Act violations.
Watch 10TV News and refresh 10tv.com for the latest news.


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BlackBerry, the developer of phones that sport mini keyboards and grew cultishly popular among executives a decade ago, says it is “transitioning” away from those devices to chase software. The Nasdaq-listed Canadian firm all but announced in September it was finished with smartphones after once being a dominant brand.
But the company just meant it wouldn't do that hardware in-house anymore. BlackBerry picked one of the world's biggest consumer electronics manufacturers in the world's chief factory hub this month to make those devices. Hardware production is hardly finished -- BlackBerry just doesn't want to be intimately associated with the factory side of it anymore as it pushes software.
The 32-year-old developer has already created software packages for industry, earning strong reviews from market research firm Gartner. Still, the company’s image is stuck in hardware. BlackBerry devices once captivated so many corporate types that someone coined the term "CrackBerry" to suggest an addiction. Eventually its phones lost ground to iPhones and Android rivals that were often more powerful and impeccably timed for mass market consumption.
BlackBerry said earlier in the year it would outsource future production of hardware and it just picked China for its first global licensing agreement. China, like Blackberry, has logged credible advances in Internet software, and the government wants to steer the economy away from export manufacturing toward other kinds of investment. But also like Blackberry, China can't weak itself from factory work just yet. The world still sees it as a center for export manufacturing. To wit, the PMI index beat expectations at 51.2 in October, a signal of factory strength.
Chinese electronics producer TCL Communication Technology Holdings Ltd. signed a long-term deal with BlackBerry Dec. 15 to make all smartphones and distribute them everywhere except in South Asia and Indonesia, according to statements from both companies. TCL Communication had already worked into this year with BlackBerry on the DTEK50 and DTEK60 handsets, both Android-based phones with extra security features, the Canadian firm says in a statement extolling relations between the two sides.
TCL Communication, founded in 1985 and based in factory-intensive Guangdong province of southern China, ranks among the top 10 biggest smartphone makers globally. It was once better known for making television sets that were sold across the world. It’s a pure factory play.
“BlackBerry needs to get past its old reputation as an phone maker and instead get IT departments to recognize the new company as a software vendor,” says Bryan Ma, client devices vice president with fellow research firm IDC Asia-Pacific and Worldwide. Those departments would be at companies that buy software, such as BlackBerry's office mobility packages and its Unified Endpoint Management setup that specializes in security.
“In that sense, hardware licensees like TCL seem to be more of a secondary play to support any remnants of device demand that might still be lingering around,” Ma says.


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Beginning June 19 through July 23, Einstein Bros. locations will provide tent-themed donation boxes asking customers to support the Kids to Camp fundraising program. Einstein Bros. has set a goal of $400.00 per store. Each location's employees will don camping hats with the Kids to Camp logo to create a fun environment and help boost support of the program. Stores will also compete to raise the most amount of money. Customers will be encouraged to donate monies in cash or check through a donation box at the register.
All contributions throughout the promotion will be collected and presented to the Salvation Army by Einstein Bros. Bagels at the end of July. One hundred percent of the monies donated by Einstein Bros. customers will be used for local summer and day camp programs in local communities where Einstein Bros. has stores.
The Salvation Army camps impact the lives of thousands of children from low-income families. The day and summer camps offer activities that build teamwork, interpersonal relationships, communication skills, confidence and self-esteem. The Salvation Army sent more than 156,000 children to summer and day camps nationwide in 1999.
Currently, there are 464 ENBC retail bagel stores in 29 states and the District of Columbia of which 376 stores operate under the Einstein Bros. Bagels brand name and 88 stores operate under the Noah's New York Bagels brand name. Einstein Bros. and Noah's stores are unique bagel cafes and bakeries featuring fresh-baked bagels, a variety of cream cheese spreads, specialty coffee drinks, soups, sandwiches and salads.
The five times weekly e-newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the latest industry news and additions to this website.


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Opera has become the first browser to introduce cryptojacking protection for its mobile device users.
The list of invisible dangers of the internet recently got a new, potent addition. Malicious miners have upgraded their skills and now pose yet another danger to internet users. When you visit an infected site, your mobile device or PC starts mining cryptocurrencies, leading to an overload or system crush.
In response to this, Opera browser only recently released a crypto miner protection feature for its PC users and has now extended the provision to mobile users as well. This new function will be launched for both Opera for Android and Opera Mini as part of its ad blocker feature.
According to the browser company’s estimates, there are more than a billion devices globally being drained by crypto miners without their users’ knowledge. At the same time, there are more than three billion websites that have miners embedded.
The new provision comes under a function known as NoCoin that is part of Opera's native ad blocker. The feature is turned off by default and requires enabling the native ad blocker so as to function.
The Rise of Cryptojacking
Cryptojacking is one of the latest trends in the malware industry. It is not a completely new phenomenon. In the past, these malicious miners would sneak in software components onto unsuspecting victims’ machines in order to divert resources for their interests.
But over the past few weeks, a clever twist to this has made their task even easier. When a user loads a compromised website page, this runs a hidden java script containing a mining component. You might fail to notice the impact but your resources and electricity bill will reflect the change in the long run.
Such attacks have been discovered by security researchers as well as users on different sites. According to Karl Sigler, a SpiderLabs threat intelligence research manager, these malwares not only force browsing to specific sites, they also at times steal cryptocurrency wallets.
The Other Side of the Coin
However, some think in-browse miners as potential alternatives to annoying digital ads. Pirate Bay reports that on asking its users whether they prefer ads or giving their CPU cycles away when they visit the site, a majority opted for the latter.
The cryptojacking trend has been operational since September 2017 when Monero launched the first in-browser mining service known as Coinhive. While this pioneer product was launched in good faith, the fact that the original version and other alternatives in the market do not have an opt-in or out feature is mostly perceived as intrusive.
To this end, Coinhive launched an improved version known as AuthedMine that incorporates user consent into its protocol. Unfortunately, the alternative scripts in the market do not have this feature and pose a potential danger to individuals and organizations.
According to Sigler, even with the opt-in option, this innovation is still a threat to stability. He says,
"When dozens of machines get locked up at a company or when important work is lost due to a mining glitch, this can have a serious effect on an organization’s network."


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Bloomberg says Dell will stop selling Dell-branded televisions, though the computer maker is dismissing the report.
Dell will stop selling liquid crystal display TVs under its own brand name, according to Bloomberg.
Citing anonymous sources, the report says Dell will cease selling its own TVs this month to focus more on the PC business, but will continue to offer other brands of televisions.
Dell was dismissive of the Bloomberg report. "We don't speculate on what we're doing down the road," said company spokesman Bob Pearson. He added that nothing had changed since Dell announced in February that it would be selling Sony LCDs in 40- to 46-inch sizes on its Web site, in addition to Dell-branded sets in sizes less than 37 inches. Additional brands will also be added in the future, said Pearson.
In light of many recent changes at the company, it wouldn't necessarily come as a surprise if Dell were to change strategy on TVs. The Round Rock, Texas, company lost its lead in the global PC market last fall and has struggled recently. Looking to turn things around, the company replaced CEO Kevin Rollins with founder Michael Dell in January, brought in other new executives, and last month announced it would begin selling some of its desktop computers in Wal-Mart Stores, a significant departure from its traditional direct-to-consumer sales model.


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Do you take supplements containing omega-3 fish oil in the belief they are helping to protect your heart? A new study suggests you could be wasting your money.
Researchers from Cochrane analysed trials involving more than 100,000 people and discovered little proof that omega-3 supplements prevented heart disease. In fact, they say the chance of getting any benefits from such supplements is one in 1,000.
However, despite this, the researchers still maintain that eating oily fish as part of a healthy diet is beneficial. Indeed, NHS guidelines state that people should try to eat two portions of fish each week, one of which, ideally, should be oily fish such as mackerel, salmon or fresh tuna. This is so they get enough “good” fats.
Speaking about the findings of the research, Prof Tim Chico, a cardiologist from Sheffield University, said: “There was a period where people who had suffered a heart attack were prescribed these on the NHS. This stopped some years ago.
“Such supplements come with a significant cost, so my advice to anyone buying them in the hope that they reduce the risk of heart disease, I'd advise them to spend their money on vegetables instead.”
Dr Lee Hooper, from the University of East Anglia, said: “The most trustworthy studies consistently showed little or no effect of long-chain omega-3 fats on cardiovascular health.”
Nevertheless, Dr Carrie Ruxton from the UK’s Health and Food Supplements Information Service said supplements containing omega-3 can still play an important role for people who don’t eat oily fish – especially as omega-3 also benefits the brain, eyes and immune function.


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For Autumn, the prestigious Ralph Lauren kicks off its campaign with this short but tasty video for their Purple Label range. Dedicated to the highest level of quality and elegance, the line is considered the ultimate expression of luxury for the modern man.
Remember when Giorgio Armani launched its Frames of Life print campaign earlier this year? Well, in a bid to keep things current, the Italian label has just unveiled a brand new interactive website to put the ad online. The interactive portal will allow you as a visitor to create personalized videos and photo albums, which [...]
Emporio Armani has released the full version of its suggestive lingerie commercial called The Tip, featuring Megan Fox. Megan Fox was chosen as the new spokesmodel for Armani to replace Victoria Beckham who has modeled the brand since 2008.
Cristiano Ronaldo puts on his Armani jeans in a hotel room in this film called “Housekeeping” while the maid watches. Cristiano Ronaldo was chosen as the new spokesmodel for Armani to replace David Beckham who has modeled the brand since 2008.
Two videos teasing what to expect from upcoming Armani promo ads featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Megan Fox are offered. The soccer player is wearing nothing but tight underwear in his hotel room, while Megan Fox is donning untied robe on top of barely-there lingerie in her own suit. Craving more? Armani will be revealing their [...]


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The communications office of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin provides media with timely, accurate information about the Wildflower Center. Below are recent press releases related to Center events and to staff expertise on conservation practices, native plant gardening, nature education, and native plant resources and research findings. For more information or photos beyond those on the newsroom site, please contact:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2006
When: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, December 1 and 2. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, December 3
What: The Wildflower Center's 16th Annual Holiday Shopping Event features local artists and artisans selling watercolors, jewelry, photography, pottery and herbal products as well as the unique gifts for all ages in the Wildflower Center Store. Friday and Saturday are tax-free shopping days. Sales specials: 10 percent off general gifts on Friday, 10 percent off apparel and accessories on Saturday and 10 percent off books, calendars and stationery on Sunday. Wildflower Center members save another 10 percent.
Where: 4801 LaCrosse Ave., Austin, TX Refreshments: At the Wildflower Café.
Book Signings: Saturday: Photographer Laurence Parent signs his book, Big Bend, and Wesley Treat signs Weird Texas Admission: Free! Sponsored by Majic 95.5 For information, visit www.wildflower.org.


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The retail sector is in middle of a revolution. The rapid growth of online shopping and digital services has left some of the sector’s best-known brands in chaos. Poundworld, Bench, Maplin and Toys ‘R’ Us are just a few examples of traditional retailers who have shut down in the UK this year. Online sales of non-food products have soared in the past five years, from 11.6% of the total market in December 2012 to 24.1% in December 2017, according to the British Retail Consortium.
However, it is not just a case of moving your business online. According to a survey conducted by ParcelHero, 200 ecommerce retailers expect to collapse in 2018, thanks to a continued growth in returns rates. Retailers have said they feel obliged to pay the full cost of returns to avoid poor customer reviews. While large companies such as Amazon can absorb these costs, smaller retailers need to develop a more sustainable business model.
The devil is in the detail
For most retailers uncertainty is unwelcome. Volatile market conditions can put incredible cost pressure on suppliers, which in turn means there is little space for negotiation. Retailers who push suppliers regardless, put themselves and their customers at risk of purchasing low-quality or even illegal products – remember Horsegate?
Thinner margins call for better planning. We have all heard the phrase “retail is detail,” but I have seen many businesses who do little more than pay lip service to this mantra. Leaving aside opportunities linked to consumer data, I am always surprised by how few retailers actually have an in-depth overview of the entirety of their operations.
Take indirect spend. While seldom the preferred area for procurement to look for savings, it frequently represents a large percentage of the overall costs facing retailers. This area should be viewed as a significant opportunity to deliver gains to the bottom line, especially as suppliers face increased costs and uncertainty linked to Brexit.
Combining data with experience
At 4C Associates, we are currently working with a number of leading tech firms to develop and improve AI based solutions in procurement and supply chain. These combine the in-depth procurement expertise of our consultants with machine learning solutions. As a result we are able to rapidly analyse spend data, highlight opportunities and take the actions needed to deliver savings.
One of the tools we have designed for retailers provides a breakdown of spend across multiple categories of spend, highlights and quantifies the margin gaps compared to their competition and the category averages, while overlaying it with external market information. Other tools focus on understanding promotion effectiveness, pricing strategies, SKU rationalisation and supplier substitution modelling. All of this combined with the product knowledge and experience of a well trained category manager, builds a significant position of ‘informed’ power when seated at the negotiation table.
These solutions have already proved effective in terms of rapidly sourcing alternative suppliers, increasing supply reliability, minimising supply chain risks and achieving goals related to sustainability and ethical sourcing. The technology is designed to continue evolving alongside the needs of businesses, but also react instantly to market changes, identifying risks and opportunities. I am looking forward to sharing more on these solutions in the near future.
Planning and flexibility
The retail sector is well aware of the speed at which markets can change and evolve. In the past, opening new shops might have proved an effective growth strategy, however, these days increased competition, discount stores, e-commerce and changing consumer tastes have added multiple layers of complexity. Retailers need to fully understand these layers, both in terms of the detail and how they impact each other.
The key, as always, is adapting to changing conditions and the best way to achieve this is to understand the detail behind the big picture. New technology has made it easy and cost-efficient for businesses to understand the inner workings of the market and better predict upcoming risks and opportunities. Retailers that understand and react the quickest, will continue to be the most successful.


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Marvel vs Capcom's roster has been expanded upon even more, as Storm, from X-Men, and C.Viper, from Street Fighter IV, have both been announced as new characters for the game.
Storm is one of the longest standing members of the X-Men, one of Marvel's more famous properties. She has the ability to control the weather. C.Viper was introduced in Street Fighter IV, but quickly became a fan favourite.
The game is due for release on the 18th of February in the UK on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.


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With a probable design that differs noticeably from the iPhone 13 Pro, Apple's iPhone 14 Pro is expected to be the device that shakes up the iPhone lineup. The speculations have so far made several suggestions, including the demise of the notch and an always-on display.
Reportedly, it appears that Apple will need to be at the top of its game with the iPhone 14 Pro in the face of fierce competition from devices like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Google Pixel 7. With a speculated new 48MP primary camera and a potent new A16 Bionic CPU that the standard iPhone 14 may not receive, Apple certainly seems to be doing exactly that.
Overall, the changes between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro might be the most we've seen between the two lines this year. Here is everything we currently know about the iPhone 14 Pro and what we anticipate learning. According to all the current speculations, we predict the iPhone 14 series will debut on September 13.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 14 range are then anticipated to open the Friday after the Apple event, September 16, with the devices, likely going on sale a week later, on Friday, September 23. This would occur ten days following the alleged Apple event.
There have been rumors that supply chain problems might have an impact on the production of Apple's iPhone 14 line. According to these speculations, the iPhone 14 Pro would cost $1,099 at launch, $100 more than the iPhone 13 Pro's starting price of $999. And the price of the iPhone 14 Pro Max may rise by a comparable $100, to $1,199. Anyone trying to obtain a high-end next-generation iPhone 14 would undoubtedly feel the pinch from this somewhat large jump in the launch pricing.


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Botswana’s government will reopen borders to allow foreign travel today for the first time since March.
Airports, roads and other ports of entry will be open to tourists who have undergone prior testing for COVID-19. The government hopes that re-opening its borders will boost the sagging economy after the pandemic devastated the country’s mining industry, which makes up 25% of its GDP and 80% of its exports. The second quarter of 2020 saw national GDP contract by 24%.
However, the sector is making a rapid recovery with premier jeweller firm De Beers seeing a 57% leap in sales in September. This augurs well for the economy, which is heavily dependent on diamond mining. Expect Botswana to implement new programs attracting investment similar to recent policies in Rwanda.
These allow mining companies to write off costs of unprofitable ventures. Such incentives may prove crucial in an industry where profit margins are often uncertain. Botswana’s Chamber of Mines has already hinted that the government will take future steps to protect investors.
The opening of tourism in the country is unlikely to fuel the recovery, since the industry on a global level is unlikely to return to its 2019 height until 2024.


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If you have a spare iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV, and are keen to not only test out Apple's new iOS 13, iPadOS, MacOS Catalina and tvOS 13 betas, then go for it, but wait before you install on your primary devices.
If you've been waiting for Apple to release the first public beta of iOS 12 for iPhones, iPads and the iPod touch, and you've been curious to see the first tvOS 12 beta too, the wait is over.
Those brave enough to try a sneak peek of Apple’s latest iOS 9 in a more stable ‘public beta’ than earlier developer betas can now do so.
Proposed initially in 2016, it is estimated that the RBS would raise something in the region of $40 million by[…]
Nah mate, not needed. NBN Co has it all under control. ;=)
Your article states:"Most people we have spoken to agree that ACS should become more commercial, and that the transition from[…]
This is a cartel monopoly. Liberals idea of "competition". Fibre would provide competition. But not when these criminals get to[…]
They can't exactly sell fibre "spectrum" can they ? Not theirs to sell. People are for sale here.


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OeTTINGER brewery sets the course for the future, launches new products and honours long-service employees
The focus of the OeTTINGER Brauerei GmbH Works Assembly for the Gotha site, which the Works Council had convened in Günthersleben-Wechmar in March, was on people and new products.
The most important item on the agenda was the introduction of the new Board of Management completed in February. The three new Managing Directors therefore introduced themselves in person: Dr. Andreas Boettger (Responsible for Engineering and Technology), Bernhard Wenninger (IT, HR and Finance) and Peter Böck (Sales and Marketing). The workforce then agreed the joint tasks for the coming months and years with Managing Director Michael Mayer.
“Winning back lost ground and managing OeTTINGER as one of the most successful German beer brands in future” – that is the joint objective of the company management and the employees, which will need major effort on the part of each and every individual. Jürgen Martini, host of the Works Assembly, expressly welcomed this approach and, on behalf of the Gotha workforce stated: “We will do everything in our power to get back to where we once were: in the top spot!”
Leading the way will be new products, which were presented to employees for the first time and will be available in stores throughout 2018.
The conclusion of the Works Assembly has traditionally always been dedicated to honouring long-service employees. A total of 22 employees, with a total of 620 years of service, celebrated a personal anniversary because they had been employed for a minimum of 10 years at the Gotha site.
OeTTINGER members of staff honoured*
- 10 year anniversary: Katrin Cyk, Florian Fahr
- 20 year anniversary: Monika Trott, Detlef Schwirtzke, Jack Detlof, Torsten Möller, Maik Bachmann, Hans Brückner
- 25 year anniversary: Michael Rothlauf, Heiko Almeroth, Ullrich Kasperek, Ronald Hötzel, Rainer Krensel
- 30 year anniversary: Diana Brand, Mario Beer
- 40 year anniversary: Ute Czernohorsky, Sigrid Baumbach, Udo Liebmann, Thomas Körfer
- 45 year anniversary: Gerlinde Herrmann, Gerd Frank, Jürgen Zaia
*For various reasons, not all long-service employees were able to receive their award in person.


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Nabat says, "Electronic Cigarettes simply keep Smokers Addicted to Nicotine."
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 03, 2014
On Friday, January 3, 2014, Nabat will appear at 11:15 a.m. on The Roger Hedgecock Show in San Diego on the UT-TV Network expressing his viewpoint about E-Cigarettes. A local electronic cigarette store owner will debate Nabat http://bit.ly/Kkyhab about the benefits of this new and popular nicotine delivery device.
For the past decade, Nabat’s Freedom Laser Therapy clinic based in Los Angeles has been assisting smokers in breaking nicotine addiction. In numerous news reports, Craig has expressed his belief that if smokers desire a better chance at quitting smoking, they should seriously consider not using nicotine replacement therapies due to their low success rates. Nabat considers products like the nicotine patch, gum, lozenges, and now e-cigarettes as nicotine delivery devices only prolong the agony of quitting smoking. Presently, electronic cigarettes are not categorized as smoking cessation devices, but many of Freedom Laser Therapy’s clients have claimed to have tried to quit smoking using electronic cigarettes and Freedom has yet to learn of one case of their clients, client’s friends or family members quitting smoking successfully because of them. Nabat states the smoker who switches to e-cigarettes is not actually quitting the drug they are addicted to, which is nicotine. Craig declares, “Freedom from Smoking should be Freedom from Nicotine.”
Popular celebrity spokespersons actor Stephen Dorff and TV host, actress and author Jenny McCarthy are the highly visible promoters in the media of the leading electronic cigarette brand Blu. They may now be second guessing their decision to become such visible personalities promoting this nicotine delivery device. Many recent media reports state Stephen Dorff is still trying to kick his smoking habit despite receiving an emphysema diagnosis late last year. Also, reported by Inside Edition, Jenny McCarthy declared to her co-host Ryan Seacrest during Wednesday morning’s New Year’s Eve hosting gig in Time Square, New York she had recently given up smoking, and quitting was her New Year’s Resolution. http://bit.ly/1dbYq1k It appears these two famous e-cigarette spokespeople have in some way been ill effected by smoking or are even finally ready to abandon their nicotine addiction for good. Craig applauds McCarthy decision to quit smoking and offers his assistance to Dorff, if he ever seeks assistance in permanently stopping smoking.
Since January 2003, Freedom Laser Therapy has assisted over 10,000 smokers to break free from nicotine addiction and their company has invented, manufactures, and now distributes a quit smoking system for the home. The new Freedom Quit Smoking System focuses on the physical, psychological, detoxifying and educational aspects of nicotine addiction.
In January and February 2014, the Freedom Quit Smoking System’s test marketing begins for Freedom’s 1 and 2 minute short form infomercials, in preparation for a national direct response television advertising campaign. Freedom Laser Therapy’s plans to roll out a $1.5 million DRTV media campaign over 90 days and will immediately distribute the Freedom Quit Smoking System-America’s Nicotine Free & Natural Way to Quit in 25,000 retail outlets, which currently carry smoking cessation products such as Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, Kmart, and Bed Bath Beyond stores which carry health and wellness items. Freedom Laser Therapy has aligned with a 20 year old manufacturing rep firm who has successfully secured retail distribution for hundreds of innovative As Seen on TV products. Their many products they have taken to the mass market has successfully solved a common problem for millions of Americans.
About Freedom Laser Therapy, Inc.:
Entrepreneur Craig Nabat learned about laser therapy after being treated in Canada for his own nicotine addiction, and in April 2003 he established Freedom Laser Therapy in Los Angeles. Nabat’s first-hand battle with nicotine addiction sparked a fire in him to help others struggling to quit smoking. After years of clinical experience operating Freedom Laser Therapy and assisting smokers, it has become his quest to help as many smokers as possible quit who have the desire to stop. Craig strives daily to have an impact on undoing some of the global damage already caused by nicotine addiction. Nabat is also driven to inspire young adults not to pick up the habit in the first place. Learn more by visiting Freedom Laser Therapy’s website: http://www.freedomquitsmoking.com


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Last Call For Some Alcohol In Ohio Liquor Stores
It’s the last call for some alcohol in Ohio because certain items are being discounted for sale and will not be restocked.
The Ohio Department of Commerce, the agency that oversees liquor sales in the state, says there are about 700 products that will no longer be offered in the Buckeye State. Agency spokeswoman Lindsey LeBerth says the state decides how to stock shelves in its contracted stores.
“We are actually the owners of the products so we would be decided what is sold. Now, in terms of each individual agency, they look at sales numbers for those agencies and they may get one product here in Columbus that a store in Cleveland doesn’t get because it doesn’t sell well there.”
The list includes some popular brands and a lot of flavored vodkas, rums, tequila and several kinds of schnapps and liqueurs. And some products are only being eliminated in certain sizes.
Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.


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The weeks between late August and early November usually comprise of back-to-school marketing, numerous conferences and trade shows, and the back-to-back release of new mobile devices from many of the big manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung. Apple owned this mobile season last year with its tradition breaking iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which featured both larger screens and near field communication chips (NFC).
Discussions and hype around this year’s incoming flock of mobile tech is flooding Twitter this week, as a year’s worth of rumors and speculation begins to subside and official announcements abound.
This week, consumers are particularly enthralled with Chinese manufacturer OnePlus and the Tuesday unveiling of its OnePlus Two phablet. Tech lovers are also consumed with Motorola’s Moto G third gen and Moto X Style, which is branded as Moto X Pure Edition in the United States. The OnePlus Two—which will only be available to those who were invited to preorder the device—went positively viral after its announcement, amassing more than one-half million preorders before Tuesday evening.
Here’s what the consumers are saying.


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When Is The WWE 2K22 DLC Release & Banzai Pack Coming Out?
Developers Visual Concepts has confirmed that the WWE 2K22 Banzai Pack DLC release date is Tuesday, April 26, 2022 (the team has not announced a set release time). Everything will be released at the same time on Windows , PlayStation or Xbox.
Visual Concepts has revealed that 28 new fighters will be added to the game, spread across several different DLC packs.
— #WWE2K22 (@WWEgames) April 21, 2022
After downloading the new Banzai Pack, the following WWE wrestlers will be available
- Kacy Catanzaro
Visual Concepts has also confirmed that all DLC packs are included in the Season Pass (included in the Deluxe and nWo 4-Life Editions) and can also be purchased individually.
WWE 2K22 wiki :
Xbox Series X/S
|Release||nWo 4-Life Edition|
March 8, 2022
March 11, 2022


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Whitecroft celebrates it’s sales teams annual successes
- Posted on January 27 2017
Congratulations to Ron Clark who has been recognised for his outstanding sales performance throughout 2016 and contributing to yet again another successful year for Whitecroft Lighting.
Ron received the Sales Person of the Year award from Managing Director Nigel Kilby earlier this month for his amazing efforts.
Furthermore Regional Manager Richard Warwick’s East Midlands team shone bright picking up the Sales Team of the Year award. The award signifies exceptional sales performance combined with product knowledge and excellent customer service.
Congratulations to all involved for their hard efforts throughout 2016.


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The Duchess of Cambridge apparently isn’t the only woman whose style Vivienne Westwood thinks could use a little help. In an interview with the New York Times, Westwood bashed first lady Michelle Obama’s fashion choices, calling them “dreadful.”
In an interview teasing the Costume Institute’s upcoming exhibition, “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” the Times’ Eric Wilson asked Westwood about her recent criticism of Kate Middleton for not being more mindful of the environment and not making an effort to recycle some of her looks.
“I didn’t criticize her,” Westwood said. “I said that it would be a wonderful thing for her to wear her clothes more than once. She’s getting this wonderful look, but if she has a red look today, why does she have to wear the blue look tomorrow? It’s just by way of an example to other people that you should buy less. Don’t buy so many clothes.”
Wilson suggested that Westwood must be a fan of Michelle Obama, who has gained a reputation both for her daring fashion choices and for repeating outfits.
“Don’t talk about her,” Westwood responded. “It’s dreadful what she wears.”
When Wilson expressed his surprise, Westwood expanded upon that thought.
“I don’t want to talk about it. Really, I can’t. She’s a very nice looking lady, but it’s a nonstarter regarding clothes that suit her,” Westwood said, speaking of the first lady. “Jackie Kennedy was a different matter altogether. It just has to suit her and be something that makes a human being more glamorous. That’s what fashion is there for. It’s there to help, not just to make you look more conservative.”
Obama recently faced fashion criticism of a very different nature when an image of the dress she wore in a telecast at the 2013 Oscar awards was Photoshopped by an Iranian news agency. Although Obama’s sleeveless Naeem Khan dress garnered her positive reviews from fashion critics here in the United States, the Iranian media outlet Fars News Agency saw fit to alter a photo of Obama wearing the dress.
In the edited image, the garment had been changed to appear more modest, with newly added mini sleeves and dramatically higher neckline. The Guardian reported that the Photoshop job had been performed to make the image “conform to Iranian restrictions on images of the female body in the media.”


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Real innovation doesn’t happen behind closed doors.
Isn’t it possible that a technology buying process driven by marketers instead of technologists will make things better?
Business Intelligence apps could meet the varying needs of corporate end-users more efficiently than the all-encompassing tools analysts require, and help make BI a core part of enterprise decision making.
Traditional sales models simply can’t cope with the changes in how enterprise software is sold today, but effective replacements have yet to appear.
Legacy enterprise software companies that insist on opaque pricing, hard-to-acquire-and-use software and complicated sales cycles are looking a lot like dinosaurs these days
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Depending on the product, the freemium model can work especially well for B2VSB (business-to-very-small-business) companies.
A new study by Forrester Research shows Oracle is struggling to get customers to migrate from its older on-premise software to its modern Fusion Applications.


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General Motors has announced that it will add a diesel Cruze to its 2014 model lineup. The addition of the 2.0-liter turbo-diesel option marks the first time an American automaker has offered a diesel car since 1986 when it phased out the Chevrolet Chevette diesel.
The diesel Cruze will reportedly deliver 148 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque which tops the specs for the model’s sole competition – the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The Jetta TDI’s 2.0-liter dual-overhead-cam turbo-diesel delivers 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The engines will be manufactured in Europe and fitted at Chevy’s Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant.
The Cruze’s engine options currently include a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, and a turbo-charged 1.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine.
When it comes to fuel economy, however, the Jetta wins by a nose. When it comes to highway driving, the Cruze’s 46 mpg beats the Jetta by 4 mpg. However, the Jetta’s 30 mpg city rating tops the Cruze by 3 mpg. The Jetta TDI has an EPA-estimated 34 mpg combined city / highway compared with the diesel Cruze’s 33 mpg.
GM is confident that consumers will base their buying decisions on more than fuel economy. With a sticker price of $25,695, the diesel Cruze offers comparable standard amenities as the higher priced Jetta TDI, and GM is also offering a longer warranty and maintenance plan than Volkswagen.
Chevrolet’s vice president of marketing Chris Perry says, “Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel fills an important role in Chevrolet’s diverse four-cylinder lineup, and is primed to win over diesel devotees and compact car buyers with its performance, torque and fuel economy. We leveraged engineering expertise from around the globe to develop a world-class, low-emissions engine to give U.S. and Canadian customers a car that’s both fun to drive and practical at the pump.”
Although the automaker doesn’t expect to sell large numbers of Cruze diesels, the introduction of its Clean Turbo Diesel engine to the U.S. market will pave the way for other diesel cars and trucks. The company is considering offering a 4.5-liter V-8 diesel option for its Sierra and Silverado light-duty pickup trucks.
GM plans to launch the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel model in select cities this spring. By this fall, the model will reportedly be available at dealerships throughout the U.S. and Canada.


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Hobart is one of the first states to get electric vehicles on the roads, and they’re doing it in a way that’s far less disruptive than conventional vehicles.
The city has installed more than a dozen electric vehicles across the city.
The program has been running for more than six years, and the city is set to have nearly 1,500 of the vehicles by 2020.
But Hobart will only be getting its first 500 electric vehicles by the end of 2019.
The city will be able to take delivery of more than 5,000 of the cars.
“Hobart has been working to develop the citywide EV program in a cost-effective manner, and we have been very committed to getting the first 500 of the city’s electric vehicles to the public in the fall of 2019,” said Michael Cappellini, Hobart city manager.
“This program will continue to be a vital element of our community’s electric future.”
Cappelline told MSNBC the city plans to start using the vehicles on private property and public streets.
“We’re going to put them on our private property, so it’s public right now,” he said.
“Then, we’re going for the public streets, which is public right here.”
While the city will only have its first five electric vehicles in the city, it plans to have up to 100 vehicles on city streets by the time the program is complete.
The cars are expected to be electric vehicles, and can have as much as 8,000 miles on a single charge.
“We’re building a program that will allow us to bring this to the masses in a very cost-efficient manner,” Cappllini said.


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Lyle Schwartz, GroupM's Chief Investment Officer for North America, is speaking at Variety Magazine's Future of TV Summit, on May 9th in New York. Lyle will be featured on a panel discussing the future of video advertising, moderated by Variety's Senior TV Editor, Brian Steinberg.
In this era of peak programming – combined with today’s advanced targeting tools – advertisers and marketers have never had more power in reaching more audiences than ever glued to all of this media. But what are the best choices for advertisers and marketers across platforms? The panel will discuss what advantages and distinctions are there between linear networks, social media, on-demand digital video and more, and what ad Buyers and media sales chiefs feel is the best way to engage audiences across platforms.


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One of the three Best Buy stores in Wichita will close its doors for good this fall, the company confirmed Wednesday.
Best Buy spokesperson Matthew Smith said the company is not renewing the lease for the location at 6700 West Kellogg. The last day of business will be November 2.
Smith said the closure of the west Wichita store is not part of a mass closure. He said Best Buy would attempt to relocate employees to the other locations on Rock Road or New Market Square, or they would offer a severance package.
Best Buy has been at the West Kellogg location since 1993. The store has about 40 full-time employees.
The company generated revenue of more than $42 billion in fiscal 2018.


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American Media Inc.’s National Enquirer became a Twitter trend Thursday after Amazon chief executive officer accused the company of attempted extortion—but its deputy general counsel could face more serious consequences than jokes on social media, including legal action or bar discipline.
Lawyers with extortion law experience were split on whether or not AMI’s deputy general counsel Jon Fine, who joined the New York-based company in November and allegedly wrote two of the emails published by Bezos, could face charges. In the alleged emails he sent to the Amazon CEO, Fine outlines the terms for an agreement between AMI and Bezos, who also owns The Washington Post.
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According to AutoWeek, U.S. Mini dealers are down to a one-day supply of vehicles, and the factory doesn't see any near-term way to alleviate the shortage. So far this year, Mini sales are up 33.6%, resulting in a total depletion of the company's in-stock vehicles. While the factory is cranking out approximately 800 cars a day, the magazine says they're just keeping up with pre-ordered vehicles at this point. We like to take any "sold-out" news with the obligatory grain of salt; as such, we decided to take a quick look at some dealer websites in an attempt to find a Mini for sale.
Using three different zip codes from three different parts of the country (two major cities and Kansas City), we found that our metro Detroit Mini dealer had zero vehicles in stock; an ominous sign. However, an Atlanta dealership had ten in stock, but four of them were high-dollar JCW editions. Still, they count. Finally, our friendly KC-area dealer had a whopping 19 Minis in stock, but a big note at the top of the inventory page stating:
Our MINI's are Going Fast and Many of Our Cars are Already Spoken For - Call Now to Check for Availability!
So, sold out? Maybe not quite yet. But if you've got your eye on a Mini, it sounds like you'd be wise to act now or be ready to wait. [AutoWeek]


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Agent Bong - bong means help in Cantonese - was released in Hong Kong in April last year, and began operations in Singapore early this year. The platform is an app available on both iOS and Android app stores.
Besides cleaning, Agent Bong can be used to find workers for elderly care, cooking and baby-sitting.
Customers can either select Quick Match, which pairs them automatically with a helper, or Choose Yourself, where they can select their own helper from a list of profiles.
Mr Sam Ng, co-founder of Agent Bong, said that they chose to expand to Singapore as it is a similar market to Hong Kong.
"Both cities are very reliant on live-in maids, but it's getting more difficult to hire them because countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines are more reluctant to export cheap labour," he explained.
"Hong Kong and Singapore are also similar in that they have high credit-card and smartphone penetration, and people in both cities are used to using apps to get what they need online."
Mr Ng added that Agent Bong is focusing on introducing certification for its trainers, by working with partner training agencies for services such as childcare and elderly care.


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The news that Pinterest has added its own version of visual search to the popular social media Site came with a burst of enthusiasm from those involved with this innovative product search software. For many years the visual search has been classed as akin to the holy grail of the Online shopping industry, which has seen a number of versions of software designed for identifying products using only images created with differing levels of success. Retail experts have been pushing for technology based companies like Toronto based Slyce to develop software that allows customers to simply take a photo of a product before searching for it Online.
Slyce has been one of the leaders of this form of retail technology for a number of years and has been looking to perfect its visual search software into a custom created app for each retailer the company works with. Slyce was established in 2012 in Toronto and was followed by a large number of acquisitions of app and software developers to aid in the creation of the most complete visual search technology available. Two app developers were acquired by Slyce in a bid to make sure the company had a large amount of app development technology on hand, which has been used to integrate the Slyce software directly into the app’s of customers.
One of the great drawbacks seen in some of the earliest attempts top create visual search app’s was the fact most required a specific app to be developed and run alongside that of the retailer. Slyce developed an innovative way of using images to allows for instant products searches based on materials, style, and many other features; this means the search function can be integrated into an existing app to allow for interaction with the product range of the retailer.
The inclusion of the visual search feature on Pinterest has led to a larger interest in visual search by people who hope to use the ever present buy now buttons on most Websites. Despite the visual search now becoming a mainstream option for many retailers and customers the development of the software has not stalled. Instead, the movement to increase the level of development to include video and the ability to search directly for advertised products means visual search will become a major aspect of the Online shopping experience in the coming years.


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A US woman is allegedly dressing as a nurse and stealing from seniors to fund her shopping trips.
Police said the woman was a shopaholic who had stolen credit cards, driving licences and social security cards from senior residents in at least two Florida nursing homes.
Last month, she allegedly tried to use a 92-year-old man's credit card to spend $4000 at Target and racked up a $600 bill at an Apple store.
Police said the woman wore nurse-style scrubs to allow her to get in and out of the centres without being noticed.
"[The way she is disguised] she pretty much could walk around and steal anything she wanted to," a police spokeswoman told ABC News.
"It's very, very scary. And it's somebody who is purposefully taking advantage of a vulnerable population."
Source: ABC News
Author: Alexandra Pleffer, Approving editor: Henri Paget
© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2018