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Beats Electronics and Beats Music cofounders Jimmy Iovine and Dr Dre are set to join Apple as full-time employees, with the tech giant confirming it is buying the two companies for $US3 billion ($A3.2b).
The deal which SmartCompany first reported on earlier this month will see Apple take over subscription streaming music service Beats Music, as well as headphone and speaker-maker Beats Electronics, which markets high-end headphones under the “Beats by Dr Dre” brand.
Under the deal, the tech giant will pay the record executive and the Straight Outta Compton rapper $US2.6 billion upfront for the two companies, along with a further $US400 million that will vest over time.
Beats was established in 2008, one year after the launch of Apple’s original iPhone, with the company claiming product endorsements from Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj as well as athletes LeBron James, Serena Williams and Neymar.
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During a Q&A session with Re/Code, chief executive Tim Cook said bringing in “guys with very rare skills” who “really get music deeply” was a key reason for the deal.
“We get a subscription music service that we believe is the first subscription service that really got it right. They had the insight early on to know how important human curation is. That technology by itself wasn’t enough — that it was the marriage of the two that would really be great and produce a feeling in people that we want to produce.”
In a statement, Apple told investors it hopes to close the deal by the fiscal fourth quarter, subject to regulatory approval.
The deal comes ahead of Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference, which begins next week on June 2.


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Women are healthier and better educated than they used to be, but somehow that hasn't translated into the expected surge of economic progress.
That's according to a recent report by the Clinton Foundation, as cited by Fortune. The magazine reports the foundation is partnering with 20 businesses and nonprofits and investing $70 million in women in a bid to close that gap.
The foundation anticipates efforts will impact more than 900,000 people in 60 countries, according to Fortune.
One of the businesses involved in the initiative is Airbnb, which is offering free accommodations through the platform to 160 small business owners and activists who are women. The idea is that covering these accommodation costs will make it easier for these women to attend conferences and networking events that can help them advance their careers.
It's about the hosts, too. Female hosts in some parts of the world are disproportionately entrepreneurial.
"Airbnb execs have found that women hosts tend to re-invest the money they earn from hosting guests to start small businesses, schools, and training programs for other entrepreneurs," states Fortune.
Other companies involved in the initiative with the Clinton Foundation include P&G and Unilever. Also part of the project: nonprofit Catalyst plans to start an annual list of women deemed prime to serve as directors of boards of U.S. corporations.

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Companies being forced to cut back spending but that still want to continue employee training programs are putting students in online courses, an industry with an expected annual growth rate of about 30 percent. Southeast Michigan bus-inesses are no exception. Lansing-based Michigan Virtual University expects to have 8,000 to 10,000 students in its corporate training programs in 2002, up from 5,000 this year. General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) continues to work on plans to move 88,000 executives into online training, a move to save the automaker $4 million. The Dearborn-based Society of Manufacturing Engineers introduced its Learning Center on Oct. 25, offering about 1,100 online courses to its 60,000 nationwide members starting this week. Companies and organizations benefit by offering online training — through cost savings, more consistent course content, less cheating and less time spent by employees at out-of-the-office training. Users get to learn at their own pace, without having to travel or rearrange schedules to accommodate class times. “In Michigan, we’ve seen a marked increase in e-learning,” said David Spencer, president of Michigan Virtual University. “We’ve seen a really broad cross section of businesses begin to adopt use of online learning and are looking at a compound annual growth rate in the corporate community of about 28 percent a year.” The Michigan Economic Development Corp. founded the nonprofit Michigan Virtual University in 1998. The online university posted sales of $950,000 in fiscal 2001, which ended Sept. 30, and expects $3.4 million in fiscal 2002, Spencer said. Also expecting significant growth is Joe Hart, president and CEO of Troy-based InfoAlly Inc., which helps companies such as the McGraw-Hill Cos. and Dale Carnegie & Associates Inc. conduct online training. “Companies are look-ing for ways to cut costs and increase efficiencies to gain even the slightest competitive advantage,” Hart said. “With less than 5 percent of companies using online learning, we see a tremendous market opportunity.” The investment bank W.R. Hambrecht & Co. said $4.1 billion will be spent in the United States on e-learning in 2001. That is expected to increase to $11.4 billion in 2003. Classes range from certification to personal enrichment. The average length of time students spend on a course is three to 10 hours, and the cost range is $99 to $495 a class. Because employees don’t have to leave work, companies don’t incur travel costs and instructors are paid less, online courses cost about 50 percent less than traditional classes, said Richard Siyufy, manager of continuing education at the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. The costs for a traditional course — including time spent away from work, travel and lodging and paying for an instructor — often can range from $500 to $1,000 a day. There are two types of e-classes: asynchronous and synchronous. Asynchronous courses allow the user to take it at his or her own pace and usually allow six months to a year to finish. Synchronous courses require the user to log on at a specific time and interact in real time through the use of hardware such as headsets and software that creates a classroom model, even allowing students to raise their hands. Online learning is attractive to companies for a number of reasons. Besides keeping employees at work and out of multiday conferences, courses are more flexible and selection is greater. But the biggest benefit to companies, experts agree, is cost savings. Spencer of Michigan Virtual University said companies on average spend about two-thirds of their training budget on travel and lodging when they don’t use e-learning. But switching to online training may not see an immediate return on the investment because of the cost associated with installing new computer equipment and developing content for the site, he said. “Even with those costs, companies are spending between 30 percent and 50 percent more on Web-based learning annually,” Spencer said. Siyufy of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers said development of course content costs between $15,000 and $30,000 for every finished learning hour of class. But it’s money well-spent, he said. “We still offer conferences, workshops, books, videos and CD-ROMs, but these courses really give us another weapon in our arsenal,” Siyufy said. The Society of Manufacturing Engineers launches the SME Learning Center on Dec. 1, offering members 50 customized manufacturing courses and about 1,100 other courses, such as team building. Some courses are bought or leased from companies specializing in course content, while others are developed jointly with organizations such as Michigan Virtual University, Siyufy said. Revenue generated from the jointly developed courses is split, he said. The Society of Manufacturing Engineers isn’t alone in its e-learning endeavors. Mark Hogan, president of eGM, the Internet-based unit of GM, announced at the Digital Detroit 2001 conference two weeks ago that plans are in the works to move 88,000 GM executives to Web-based courses. It’s a move he said should save the company $4 million. Kerry Christopher, communications manager of eGM, said the company is completing plans for the courses and will make more details available soon.
Companies moving thousands of workers to online classrooms


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Mushroom Group lawyer Brigid Dixon, Google US’ Design Director Dee Speed, and Seventh Street Media Founder and CEO Luke Girgis are among the eight names announced to speak at FastForward Sydney.
FastForward is the brainchild of industry veteran Chris Carey, who in April 2019, is returning his global music business conference to Sydney for two days (11-12th April).
The first wave of speakers for FastForward Sydney:
- Brigid Dixon, Lawyer, Legal and Business Affairs, The Mushroom Group
Chris Carey, CEO, Media Insight Consulting (UK)
Dee Speed, Design Director, Google (USA)
James Fleury, Founder and CEO, Nouvague, (UK)
Luke Girgis, CEO, Seventh Street Media
Rachel Maria Cox, Artist and Founder, Sad Grrrls Club
Taka Suzuki, President, EnterTech Accelerator, ParadeALL (Japan)
Vanessa Picken, CEO, Comes With Fries
Just like the inaugural two-day 2018 event, FastForward Sydney will be curated by Vanessa Picken from Digital Agency, Comes With Fries.
Super Early Bird Delegate Passes are on sale now for $155. But get in fast, Carey limits the tickets to around 150 to allow for deeper networking.
FastForward first began back in late 2015 by Chris Carey (former Global Insight Director at labels EMI and Universal), with its inaugural conference taking place in Amsterdam. 2017 saw the expansion of FastForward into London, and this year saw the conference expand globally, with the inaugural Australian event taking place in April.
Founder and CEO, Chris Carey, said:
“The music industry is constantly changing, constantly innovating. Technology opens up fresh opportunities and new challenges, some to be fought and others to be capitalised upon. I’m excited to be back in Sydney to continue these conversations.
“At FastForward we will be looking at the businesses shaping the future of music and technology, exploring the impact of government policy on the music industry – for better and for worse – and tackling some of the big issues that affect the whole industry, from productivity and wellbeing to sustainability.”
FastForward Sydney takes place on 11-12th April 2019 at the Aerial Function Centre within UTS, Sydney. Tickets are on sale now from Universe.


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D-Link in pictures
D-Link issued fixes on Monday for flaws that could allow remote access to one of its routers, and will patch several other models in the coming week.
D-Link routers have several unpatched vulnerabilities, the worst of which could allow an attacker to gain total control over a device, according to a systems engineer in Canada.
A vulnerability found in a DSL router model from D-Link allows remote hackers to change its DNS (Domain Name System) settings and hijack users' traffic. The issue might also affect other devices because it is located in a popular firmware used by different manufacturers, according to a security researcher.
The best and most noteworthy products and technologies found at CES 2015.
A serious vulnerability in an embedded Web server used by many router models from different manufacturers allows remote attackers to take control of affected devices over the Internet.
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The lineup of Microsoft's Xbox Games with Gold for June 2019 has been announced. This time around, it includes 'NHL 19' and 'Rivals of Aether' for the Xbox One.
Video Games May 31, 2019
Online multiplayer is a melting pot of people with bad mouths and equally awful behavior. Microsoft wants to fix that by adjusting the language players use to trash talk others.
Video Games May 6, 2019
A report says that Microsoft is going to unveil a new subscription called Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The new offering is said to combine Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass for the disc-less Xbox One S All-Digital edition.
Video Games April 6, 2019
Yup, 'Cuphead' is coming to Nintendo Switch, which means it won’t be a Microsoft exclusive anymore. Enjoy the critically acclaimed hand-drawn title on April 18.
Video Games March 21, 2019
Prepare to see Xbox Live arrive on more platforms. Microsoft just announced a new SDK for iOS and Android developers, and soon the Nintendo Switch could be included, as well.
Video Games March 15, 2019
Microsoft is scheduled to hold a session at the upcoming Game Developers Conference, during which it plans to unveil a new SDK. Speculation says that this means cross-platform support is coming to Xbox Live.
Video Games February 4, 2019
Microsoft might unveil a new subscription service called Xbox All Access later this month. It’ll include an Xbox One console, Xbox Live, and Xbox Game Pass.
Video Games August 23, 2018
Say goodbye to ‘Forza Horizon 2’ this October. Turn 10 confirms the game is leaving the Xbox marketplace for good, but there’s still plenty of time to download it along with all available DLC.
Video Games August 20, 2018
An update to the Microsoft Services Agreement apparently paves the way for Microsoft to suspend Xbox One players for offensive language. A civil rights activist, meanwhile, noted the ambiguity of some of the contents of the agreement.
Video Games March 28, 2018
Microsoft’s Xbox party chat application is now live and ready to download for Android and iOS users. The app permits real-time conversation among gamers and essentially extends the Xbox Live outside of the living room.
Apps/Software February 15, 2018
The free Games with Gold for August 2017 include the return of 'Bayonetta' through the Xbox Backward Compatibility program and the console debut of 'Slime Rancher.' 'Trials Fusion' and 'Red Faction: Armageddon' are also part of the lineup.
Video Games July 25, 2017
Director of Xbox Programming Larry Hryb, more popularly known as Major Nelson, detailed the massive update that has been rolled out to the Xbox One. Among the new features of the console are custom gamerpics, co-streaming, and controller-linked profiles.
Video Games July 13, 2017
Microsoft unveiled the Xbox Live Games with Gold for July 2017, which include 'Grow Up' and 'Runbow' for the Xbox One. The new titles coming to Xbox Game Pass, meanwhile, include zombie-infested 'Resident Evil 6' and 'Dead Island: Definitive Edition.'
Video Games June 29, 2017
Sony might be a tad bit unwilling to support Microsoft in its cross-play plans, as proven by PS4 being left out of Microsoft’s cross-play plans for 'Minecraft.' Microsoft, however, is still holding conversations with Sony at present.
Video Games June 13, 2017
Microsoft revealed the Xbox Games with Gold lineup for the month of June 2017, which includes 'Watch Dogs,' 'Assassin's Creed III,' and 'Dragon Age: Origins.' Some of the titles can be downloaded for free starting June 1.
Video Games May 24, 2017
Psychological thriller 'Alan Wake' will be taken down from Steam and Xbox Live after May 15. The reason behind developer Remedy's decision to stop selling the horror game involves David Bowie, Depeche Mode, and Roy Orbison.
Video Games May 13, 2017
Microsoft has now announced the Games with Gold lineup for the month of May, complete with 'Star Wars titles' and games with female characters at the helm. Here’s all the free games you’re going to get in May.
Video Games April 22, 2017
Xbox has announced the games lined up for April’s Games with Gold. Four critically acclaimed games will be available for free for Xbox Live Gold members.
Video Games March 24, 2017
Microsoft is bringing a laundry list of feature updates to Xbox Live, including custom gamerpics, improvements to Looking For Group posts, captive portal support, and more. The updates will roll out over the coming weeks to Xbox Insiders.
Video Games March 21, 2017
Microsoft has now unveiled free Xbox Live Gold titles for the month of February. Included in next month’s free lineup are 'Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime,' 'Project CARS,' and more.
Video Games January 25, 2017
Microsoft Project Scorpio is the next video game system to come from Microsoft, and so far, we're not entirely sure of the features it might bring to the table. However, we can take a big guess an hopes to be right in the future.
Gadgets January 1, 2017
'Minecraft' is heading to the Apple TV with seven special DLCs. While players can enjoy the Creator and Survival modes, there are several limitations such as the lack of support for Minecraft Realms and Xbox Live.
Video Games December 20, 2016
Xbox One Preview members now get to enjoy the promised multiplayer features Clubs and Looking for Group or LFG on Xbox Live, with Arena following soon.
Video Games September 7, 2016
Check out the free games coming to Xbox Live Gold subscribers next month.
Video Games August 24, 2016
Gamers on Xbox One are running into problems when it comes to Xbox Live.
Video Games August 17, 2016
Microsoft has acquired interactive livestreaming service Beam, which allows viewers to participate as their favorite streamers play their games. Making the interactive experience possible is the ultra-low latency that the company's technology provides.
Microsoft August 12, 2016
Microsoft has started to roll out the Xbox Summer Update, which contains many new features and improvements for the Xbox One. Among the additions to the gaming console is the digital personal assistant Cortana.
Video Games July 31, 2016
Xbox gamers will get the chance to play one of the most critically acclaimed games of the past two decades next month. 'Beyond Good and Evil HD' is included in the lineup of next month's free Games With Gold titles.
Video Games July 26, 2016
Microsoft updated its terms of service for Xbox Live users. One of the key changes involves gamertags that will now expire in five years if players don't log in to Live within that time period.
Video Games July 26, 2016
The amended services agreement of Microsoft requires Xbox Live subscribers to log in to the gaming network at least once every five years to keep their gamertags. Have you logged in since Sept. 15, 2011?
Video Games July 25, 2016
Microsoft has reported a 4-percent increase in Xbox Live revenue for the quarter ending June 30. However, the company's gaming division still struggled, primarily due to the lagging sales of its consoles.
Microsoft July 20, 2016
Twitch is the number one streaming platform today for video games. With capture card support for Xbox One broadcasters, use of the platform is expected to expand even further.
Video Games July 13, 2016
The next wave of free games for Xbox Live Gold members have been revealed.
Video Games June 28, 2016
The list of free Xbox Live Games with Gold titles for June is here, and it's definitely one heck of a lineup, featuring 'Goat Simulator' and 'XCOM: Enemy Unknown,' to name a few.
Video Games May 25, 2016
Nearly 1 million Xbox Live Gamertags will be up for grabs this week. This goes without saying, but this is the perfect opportunity to get the name you've always wanted.
Video Games May 17, 2016
Xbox unveiled the free games that will land on Xbox One and Xbox 360 in April’s Games with Gold program. We found that the titles are a strong mix of acrobatics, humor, horror, aliens and backward compatibility support.
Video Games March 28, 2016
'Rocket League' developer Psyonix says they are already working on cross-network play between Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Geek March 22, 2016
Microsoft builds an eSports service and toolkit for Xbox Live and Windows 10. This will make it easier for developers - companies and individuals alike - to run both big and small events for competitive, professional gaming.
Video Games March 17, 2016
Microsoft released a new list of discounts in its Deals With Gold program. Xbox One and Xbox 360 gamers can purchase titles and add-ons for a fraction of their initial prices, with some discounts requiring an Xbox Live Gold membership.
Video Games March 16, 2016
Microsoft announced that it is opening up cross-network play to developers, and 'Rocket League' will be the the first game to support the feature. Why did Microsoft finally open up the Xbox One and Xbox Live to the possibility?
Video Games March 15, 2016
Microsoft has announced cross-network play for the Xbox One, which will allow those using Xbox Live to connect with gamers on other gaming networks.
Geek March 14, 2016
Xbox Live goes down again leaving customers without access to its services for hours. Microsoft is working on a fix but has not confirmed the reason for the extended outage.
Apps/Software February 23, 2016
Both Microsoft and Sony are offering a new batch of free games, but which package is the better deal?
Geek January 27, 2016
Microsoft has revealed its free Xbox game offerings for February.
Geek January 27, 2016
Roblox makes its move to gaming consoles. It's launch on Microsoft's Xbox One is available to download for free on Xbox Live.
Geek January 27, 2016


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Strong sterling drives Ford away
Ford's luxury-car division chief is poised to shun the Uk in a bid to lower the costs of production for Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin.
Wolfgang Reitzle is the latest car manufacturing boss to claim the strong pound and weak euro are driving up production costs at Ford's Premier Auto Group.
The Sunday Times reported Reitzle had said the strong pound had driven up PAG's costs by 20% in recent months. A PAG executive said this was likely to lead to the group buying more of its parts from continental Europe.
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People started to wonder if Cyber Monday was worth all the fuss this year. Dead, even. If holiday sales start before Thanksgiving and extend almost a week after Cyber Monday, what’s the point in even having a Cyber Monday?
The point is people can’t wait for Cyber Monday, according to fresh figures from First Data (NYSE: FDC).
2017 Cyber Monday Trends
According to their information, more than 20 percent of all online sales on Cyber Monday happened between midnight and 6 a.m. That represents a 92 percent increase during that same time of day in 2016. For that figure, First Data tracked the times customers clicked a “Complete Purchase” or similar button on an ecommerce site.
Check out how sales increased for online stores on Cyber Monday all day long, including the nearly 50 percent increase in sales over 2016.
This is good information to put away for the next holiday shopping season, even if it’s not Christmas. Any holiday sale your business might run should probably start as soon as possible that day. And why stop at a day? Cyber Monday, for a lot of online retailers, has turned into cyber week.
Best Buy is just one online retail location that’s embraced the idea of extending sales from Monday into the next weekend. Check out the promo for 20 Days of Doorbusters:
“By the end of the 24 hour day that was Cyber Monday 2017, ecommerce transactions approached an almost 50 percent increase over last year’s transaction count. This activity included both Retail and Non Retail categories. eCommerce activity this year reflected a cadence in which hot deals were released, and consumers jumped on them,” First Data shared via email with Small Business Trends.
Season of Change
It may be presumptuous to suggest any of these special shopping holidays are dying or already dead. After all, Thanksgiving shopping is also relatively new as a mainstream retail idea. It seems the increasing popularity of ecommerce is forcing a shift in the shopping season.
Whatever it is, it’s resulting in higher overall sales for retailers, according to First Data’s information.
Ecommerce sales accounted for 28 percent of all transactions conducted between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday. That’s up 4 percent over the year prior. Online sales make up 29 percent of all retail sales on Thanksgiving and Black Friday alone. Total sales were 15.2 percent higher than 2016 for the whole five-day shopping period from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday.
But look how the season is even now extending prior to Thanksgiving. First data also tracked the week prior to Thanksgiving and saw nearly 25 percent higher sales a full seven days before the holiday this year compared with 2016 figures. Sales were up over last year on every one of these days prior to Thanksgiving.
This information, off the bat, shows that it may not be too late to jump in with a special pre-Christmas sale or New Year’s promotion for your online store. And for next year, it’s best to think of a new holiday shopping season, one that starts far sooner than Black Friday and extends well beyond Cyber Monday.
Images: First Data, BestBuy.com


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Are you ready for yet another Galaxy S4 variant just weeks after the release of the supposed flagship? Samsung CEO JK Shin has stated that an additional model will be on the way shortly. Reuters reports that the company is planning a Galaxy S4 variant that will feature LTE Advanced technology, resulting in data speeds that are twice as fast.
Not only that, but the new Galaxy S4 model might see a slight specs change too to accommodate the new LTE speeds. Android Beat spotted a report by Korean publication ETNews earlier today, suggesting that Samsung will push out a device with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 800 chipset that’s capable of supporting LTE Advanced. Add that to JK Shin’s latest nugget of information, and it looks like a Snapdragon 800 Galaxy S4 is on the way.
Having said that, there’s only one operator in the world that supports LTE Advanced right now, a Russian network called Yota. EE has indicated in the past that it intends to support LTE Advanced, saying in April that the technology was “absolutely on our roadmap”, but the network didn’t give any clearer information. Even if you look towards the US, there aren’t any definitive plans for bringing the faster speeds to market – you’ll only find vague promises.
Faster LTE speeds sound great in theory, but there’s a ton of work that needs to happen behind the scenes to make everything work. Chip makers all need to add support for the technology before carriers and networks can even begin to roll out the increased data throughput. That’s not even taking into account the LTE situation here in the UK. Even when O2, Vodafone, and Three officially launch their networks, they’ll only be offering standard speeds to begin with. All in all, things are moving along, but don’t expect to be seeing LTE Advanced in the near future.


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Sainsbury’s and the John Lewis Partnership have joined a string of other businesses as founding members of a new diversity-focused retail group.
Diversity in Retail aims to increase diversity and inclusion across all levels in the industry via co-operation between member retailers.
A total of eight key names in retail, also including WH Smith, Wickes, EG Garages, Dr Martens, Kingfisher and Dixons Carphone, are behind the movement.
The organisation’s main goal is to positively impact one million employees globally by 2025.
To achieve that, the members have committed to taking action to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces and to sharing D&I best practices and tangible solutions with each other.
“I am delighted that Sainsbury’s is a founding member of the Diversity in Retail group,” said Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts. “We are committed to being a truly inclusive organisation where colleagues can fulfil their potential and where all of our customers feel welcome when they shop with us.
“Collaborating with other retailers and sharing best practice is good for both the retail industry and for enabling a more inclusive society.”
We are proud to welcome our 8 founding members of Diversity in Retail! Each one is committed to collaboratively working to drive forward meaningful progress in #diversity and #inclusion in the #Retail sector - https://t.co/O39nVLBpDB @TeaColaianni pic.twitter.com/QKUIwflfTb— Diversityinretail (@DiversityRetail) June 14, 2021
Last month, Sainsbury’s announced it was joining the Black British Network to “improve the representation and experiences of its black colleagues”.
The retailer also pledged to triple its investment in the development of programmes for its “ethnically diverse colleagues” and published its first ethnicity pay gap report.
Similarly, the John Lewis Partnership recently announced it was launching an Inclusion Committee this summer, which is to feature “external advisers who have strong diversity and inclusion experience, as well as our own partners”.
Earlier this month, it also became the first UK retailer to introduce 26 weeks equal parenthood paid paternity and maternity leave.
“We are passionate about inclusion and diversity at John Lewis Partnership and we want everyone to feel valued for their individuality, thrive in our business, and share a strong sense of belonging,” said JLP people executive director Nikki Humphrey.
She said being a member of Diversity in Retail would enable those in the sector to work together “to make the step change and open up opportunities for all”.


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Dirk Torfs: "The future of our industry is promising"
According to our CEO, Dirk Torfs, the valuation of companies that contribute to a sustainable economy through technological innovation is rising so much that it is becoming a competitive advantage.
"The future of our industry is promising. The digital transformation that is taking shape through the roll-out of Industry 4.0 technologies is becoming the driver of a major move towards sustainability, which will have both a direct and indirect impact on the success of companies. As part of this sustainability transition, moving towards a circular economy - one that aims to give products a longer life and transform them into usable 'new' materials afterwards - is also important."


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Sunterra Corp., an international resort company with ties to Maryland, has filed for bankruptcy protection in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, saying it owes potentially thousands of creditors hundreds of millions of dollars.
The petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy follows months of financial trouble for the Orlando, Fla.-based time-share company, which operates 90 resorts around the world and serves about 300,000 families.
The company reported a $15.6 million net loss in the first quarter of 2000. Ten days ago, it announced that it would lay off 930 workers and halt sales at its less-profitable resort sites, including spots in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Hilton Head, S.C., according to company reports and court papers.
In filings with the federal Securities and Exchange Commission at the end of 1999, the company reported debts of more than $827 million. Its revenue for the year was $507 million and the company's assets total $1.058 billion.
Court papers describe Sunterra as a Maryland corporation, with a business address of 300 E. Lombard St. in Baltimore. But the company does not list a Baltimore phone number, and its executive offices are in Florida.
Baltimore attorney Paul M. Nussbaum, who filed the bankruptcy petition Tuesday, and company officials in Florida did not return phone calls.
In a news release, company President T. Lincoln Morisonsaid the company will continue operating while it restructures its finances. He said Sunterra planned to emerge as a "stable organization that is competitive in our markets and that consistently delivers quality service to our vacation interest owners."
To keep its doors open, Sunterra said it has secured an interim $25 million credit line from Ableco Finance LLC that could be extended to $53 million.
Along with Sunterra, 36 of the company's affiliates also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. That list did not include two leading subsidiaries, Sunterra Europe and Sunterra Pacific.
The company said in court papers that the case would involve liabilities of more than $100 million and thousands of creditors. It identified the top 30 creditors, and Norwest Bank of Minnesota topped the list with a claim for $209.7 million. Other creditors included companies such as Sprint, owed $372,637; NASCAR, owed $300,000, and Walt Disney World, with a claim of $223,680.


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It’s been a busy week for Android users looking to get their Android 5.1 fix. The HTC One M9, DROID Turbo, and Galaxy S6/Edge have all seen updates to Android 5.1 across various carriers here in the US. Joining fellow Android devices in the 5.1 winner’s circle is now the Moto X 2nd Gen, which is now officially receiving Android 5.1 Lollipop on AT&T.
Don’t worry about AT&T’s support page. It’s kind of a mess right now. Aside from showing the Samsung Galaxy S4 on the header, it also incorrectly states the update is for the original Moto X 1st Gen. As you can see from the updated software version — 23.16.2.victara_att.att.en.US att — it actually references the Moto X 2nd Gen (Victara). The update is pretty sizable at about 508MB, so make sure you’re on WiFi before pulling it.
It was barely last week that Android 5.1 hit all Moto X (2nd Gen) Pure Editions, followed by the Verizon version only last night.
[AT&T | via Google+]
TAGS: Android 5.1 Lollipop , Motorola Moto X 2014
sourceDOWNLOAD CENTER >>Cynogenmod 11,ROM.ZIP(KITKAT) ,ROM.ZIP(JELLYBEAN),ALL USB DRIVER


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New Delhi, Nov 30 : Continuing with his attack on diesel-guzzling cars like sports utility vehicles (SUVs), Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh today asked the users of such cars to pay full market price for the fossil fuel which is being sold at subsidised rates for farmers.
"Why should they get subsidised fuel meant for farmers," Ramesh asked while speaking at a conference on 5th Sustainability Summit organised by CII.
"We introduce the (diesel) subsidy for a certain economic purposes but have ended up with a wholly different purpose...," he said while favouring incentives to the firms aiming at sustainable development.
However, he made it clear that his "deliberate" criticism of the vehicles, which had created some-what of a controversy recently, need not be seen as being anti-automobile sector.
"I am not knocking the growth of the automotive industry but those who want to use diesel cars must pay the full market price for the fuel. Why should they get subsidised fuel meant for farmers?" he said.
Ramesh said there was a need for creating an incentive structure from a fiscal point of view particularly which rewards and added that stimulating sustainable development at the producer-end is absolutely important.
The remarks by Ramesh, who had earlier called SUVs as criminals and Socially Useless Vehicles for being bad emitters, has raised a storm in the auto sector with BMW manufacturer Germany taking a serious exception to it.
The Minister also called for an incentive structure which has to be skewed in favour of sustainable development choice as far as consumers are ready to embrace such mechanism. PTI


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If you thought the crypto market was volatile, the NFT market offers an even wilder ride. It wasn't too long ago that NFT volumes were dismally cratering but like clockwork, the market is peaking once more.
In August, monthly trading volumes hit their lowest in two years, with OpenSea Ethereum active users shrinking to just 126,000. But just as we were ready to write off NFTS, NFT volumes hit a 4-month high in November.
Tiger Global Management has seemingly had enough and has cut its stake in both Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and OpenSea by 69% and 94% respectively. The firm recorded an 18% paper loss in its biggest fund in September.
NFT FUD was also shared by OpenSea investor Coatue Management, which cut its $120 million stake in the platform by 90% last month.
Despite the recent surge in NFT activity, OpenSea continues to struggle with the ongoing volatility. With investors pulling out, OpenSea's valuation has plummeted from $13.3 billion last year to $1.4 billion. Last month also saw the axing of 50% of OpenSea's workforce, as part of CEO Devin Finzer's plan to launch Opensea 2.0.
"We’re building a new foundation so we can innovate faster and we’ll have some experiences to share with you soon. We will change how we operate - shifting to a smaller team with a direct connection to users. So today, we’re saying goodbye to a number of OpenSea teammates," Finzer said.
Days later, half of OpenSea's remaining staff were sent on a two-week luxury company retreat at a $9 million West Hollywood mansion.
Whilst BAYC's volatility isn't as wild as the NFT market as a whole, its floor price seems to be on a downward trajectory.
At around 30 ETH, BAYC's floor price is a far cry from its 153.7 ETH all-time high.
Just like OpenSea, BAYC creators Yuga Labs announced an undisclosed number of layoffs in October.
"We’ve been spread quite thin for a while as a company, and while there have been some wins, our execution in other areas hasn’t been up to our standards. With this reorg, Yuga is still over 120 employees, and is focused on specific priorities," co-founder Greg Solano tweeted.
However, a soured market and a Yuga Labs budget cut didn't stop the firm's other co-founder, Wylie Aronow, from splashing $1.5 million on NFTs from marquee collections like CryptoPunks, Doodles and Beeple last month.


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Wenger: I like Enrique, Arsenal timed retirement announcement
The New Gmail is Here: How to Get It Now
God of War's reincarnation shows big changes can be a blessing
Sega Bringing Genesis and Master System Games to Nintendo Switch
Hands on: Nokia 8 Sirocco review
26 February 2018, 12:44 | Dan Bryan
Hands on: Nokia 8 Sirocco review
In the past one year, HMD Global is said to have sold about 11.5 million Nokia phones. As for the upgrades on the inside, the Nokia 8 Sirocco has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal memory. Thankfully, the front camera isn't as awful, with 16 megapixel fixed-focus f/2.0 "Bothie" shooter.
The last device is the Nokia 1 with the Android Gooperating system, a version of Android that's fine-tuned to work on very cheap and affordable hardware.
Up front, the smartphone houses a 5-megapixel wide-angle camera with f/2.0 aperture and flash for selfies. At €399, it will also be available in early April. The Xpress-on back covers will be available for $7.99. It's the higher-end flagship follow up to the super Nokia 8 and cashes on the traditional Nokia strengths of functional design, decent pricing - and, these days, Android One. With that, the phone will come powered by the latest iteration of Android and will stay updated with the latest security and firmware updates.
New Nokia 6 will be available from May for a global average retail price of €279. The phone is backed by a 3800mAh battery. The 6-inch Full-HD+ 18:9 screen provides a compact format that photography enthusiasts will be pleased with.
According to reports, the Nokia 8 Pro might just be being built to compete with the premium phones of the century as it is reportedly going to be powered by Qualcomm'sSnapdragon 845. The dual cameras are equipped with ZEISS lens, and supports 2X zoom.
Plus Dual-Sight technology helps you tell both sides of the story, creating the #Bothie by using both front and rear cameras simultaneously. Gone are the large bezels found in the last generation Nokia 8. This device also has a 3260mAh battery inside with Qi-standard wireless charging compliance. This means you can capture crystal clear, distortion free audio on the Nokia 8 Sirocco in even the loudest of places. While the 2017 Nokia 6 came with a Snapdragon 400-series chip, the new handset boasts Qualcomm's Snapdragon 630, thus seeking to compete in the upper mid-range market segment.
HMD Global, which has the global licence to make Nokia-branded phones, has launched a new flagship device, the Nokia Sirocco, which will go on sale in April.
The conference concluded with announcements for Nokia 7 Plus and Nokia 8 Sirocco, or as we like to call it, the overkill phone.
On top of that, all three handsets put under Android One run Android Oreo out of the box.
We have already seen that the Nokia 6 (2018) and Nokia 7 Plus might be released in India starting from April this year but we need to wait for an official confirmation from HMD regarding the same.
Norway breaks United States' Winter Olympics medal record
As Olympics hosting responsibilities shift to China , the human rights situation and challenges they pose deserve a closer look. An Olympic historian told USA Today this is collectively the worst performance by US women figure skaters in this event ever.
I never said 'give teachers guns': Trump slams media
He has also floated - in listening sessions , on Twitter , and most recently at CPAC - giving guns to school workers. Trump sounded confident of his ability to get the NRA onside. "I really think the NRA wants to do what's right".
Western New York students call for tougher gun rules
We don't want to just sit here and we don't want to be next", Andy Kowalczyk, Clarence High School senior said. Emma also spoke out about President Trump's response to the shooting and against the NRA. "We want change.
Samsung Galaxy S9 promo video leaks out accidently
In this case, the Galaxy S8 should have got the price cut, but the Galaxy S7 Edge swooped right in to steal some limelight. Carphone Warehouse and Mobiles.co.uk will email you as soon as deals are available when it is announced on February 25.
Tiger Makes His Long-Awaited Return To The Honda Classic
He told reporters that it was the best he's struck the ball in his short return so far, and that he felt good around the greens. Tiger Woods got off to a quick start Thursday at the Honda Classic , firing a 1-under 34 on his opening nine at PGA National.


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Four beer brands in hot water as watchdog pulls underage ads
Beer brands including XXXX, Summer Bright Lager and Furphy have been forced to remove ads that violated age-related alcohol advertising rules.
The Alcohol and Beverage Code (ABAC) adjudication panel found that beer brands XXXX, Summer Bright Lager, Wilde Beer and Furphy had breached advertising rules through the use of social media influencer campaigns.
The complaint came from Cancer Council Victoria following the discovery of the brands using social media influencers to promote their products through paid production placements on Instagram and Facebook.
According to industry-developed rules, alcohol companies may not feature adults under the age of 25 unless the model or influencer is unpaid and features only in an ‘adult-only setting’. Additionally, ABAC held under the code that social media influencers with business accounts must restrict their followers with an age gate to over 18 years of age.
Cancer Council Victoria’s alcohol legal policy adviser Sarah Jackson chastised the alcohol brands, calling the combined marketing efforts “incredibly irresponsible.
“Today’s decision shows that these alcohol brands have been flouting their own rules by engaging social media influencers aged under 25 to promote alcoholic beverages on the influencers’ own social media accounts.
“They know these influencers have huge followings and that young people are impressionable to them.
“Alcohol brands are eager to market their unhealthy products, which are known to increase the risk of cancer, to young people and will go to great lengths to develop positive brand relationships from an early age,” says Jackson.
According to Cancer Council Victoria drinking alcohol increases the risk of mouth and throat cancer (larynx and pharynx), stomach and esophageal cancer, bowel cancer, liver cancer and female breast cancer. “Even small amounts of alcohol [increase the risk of cancer],” says the Council, “but the more you drink, the greater the risk.”
Jackson says while the Council welcomed the decision to remove the offending advertising material, it was not enough.
“By now, influential endorsements for alcoholic products are likely to have appeared in the social media feeds of thousands of kids.
“We need to stop alcohol brands from using young social media influencers as a way to reach young people and endorse their alcoholic beverages altogether. The only effective way to do this is through Government regulation.”
Beer brands doing it right:


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TALK OF SELF-BALANCING scooters or ‘hoverboards’ may have dominated the Christmas period, but it’s easy to forget that Segway is still around.
The company, whose products have fallen in popularity, was bought by Chinese company Ninebot back in April, but it’s hoping to recover lost ground by announcing a Segway that’s part transport device, part robot helper.
The Ninebot Segway looks similar to any other self-balancing scooter. It’s a two-wheeled device with no handles and can travel at speeds of up to 18km/h, but when you get off, it can turn into a mini-robot that can help you out.
Ninebot designed the robot Segway in conjunction with Intel using RealSense – a system that includes a 1080p camera, an infrared camera and an infrared laser projector and allows devices to see the world like we would. In this case, it allows the robot to sense its way around a house, recognising both its surroundings and people.
At Intel’s keynote at CES 2016, it showed some of the things the Ninebot robot can do. It can check who is entering a house (if it’s connected with a smart door sensor) and use its camera and sensors to navigate its way around a room. It also records the footage it sees so you can view it in real-time and can follow a person around if they command it.
The robot runs on open platform software meaning developers can come up with their own uses for the robot.
A developer kit will be made available in the second half of this year, but Ninebot didn’t say when a commercial version would be released.Source: MobilboardOfficial/YouTube


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While EA and other publishers buy up social gaming developers like there’s no tomorrow, Activision has gone a different route, and we’re yet to see any action from them on the social side.
Odd, considering that the publisher is at the helm of the most popular shooter franchise on the planet, but don’t count them out just yet says CEO Eric Hirshberg: “Valuations of some of the companies in that space are out of whack, so that’s an issue when it comes to acquisitions,” he told Bloomberg (via).
He later added: “any new place where people are playing games, at scale, is something that we’re interested in.”
“Don’t mistake careful, methodical planning for inaction,” he concluded.
CoD on Facebook? Sounds like it could well happen.


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As a sign of celebration of the upcoming Bitcoin halving, the cryptocurrency exchange Binance has launched the NFT game “Word of the day” (WOTD) inviting its users to participate to try to win a share of the 500,000 Binance Points up for grabs.
The game, only available to registered customers on the exchange platform, will last until March 31st and will offer new episodes every day to try to win exclusive prizes, redeemable at the end of the event in the “Rewards Hubs” section.
Let’s see all the details below.
Binance launches the NFT game WOTD and challenges its users
Waiting for Bitcoin’s halving, expected on April 19 at block height 840,000, the cryptocurrency exchange Binance has launched a fun NFT-style game called “Word of the day” (WOTD).
This is an educational word puzzle game, where users have to find the correct word of the day by following some clues, and trying to win a share of the 500,000 Binance Points provided by the platform.
Until March 31 at 23:59 UTC, all registered users on Binance will be able to participate in WOTD up to two times a day and test their general knowledge about the crypto world and blockchain.
The second daily riddle unlocks by clicking on the “Get a new WOTD ” button and sharing one of the articles selected by Binance on social media.
The NFT game works like this: for each word to be guessed there is an initial reference theme to take inspiration from, and a maximum of 6 attempts.
With each attempt (considered valid when a real term present in the vocabulary is tried), the color of the entered letters changes:
- if it’s green, it means that letter is in the right place
- if it is yellow, the indicated letter is in the word, but not in the right position
- if instead it is black, the given letter is not in the word
Example of the game WOTD. Source: X
For each guessed WOTD word, each user earns Binace Points, which can be spent during the Bitcoin halving celebration by redeeming the prizes provided in the “Rewards Hub” section.
Eligible users to claim the prize can receive up to 10 USDT token vouchers and up to 50 trading fee refund vouchers USDT.
Small tip: to guess the correct word it is advisable to read the daily theme-related articles published on the Binance blog, or use third-party “solvers.”
We remind you that new Binance users who register during the NFT game activity period can take advantage of a welcome bonus that includes a 10% discount on spot trading fees, simply by using the referral code “WOTD2024” or through this link.
It is also possible to earn additional welcome rewards by completing the activities available in the reward hub during the first 14 days after registering the account.
Have fun everyone!
Expectations grow for Bitcoin’s halving
While Binance launches its NFT riddle game, all eyes of industry operators are focused on the scheduled date for the fourth halving in Bitcoin’s history.
The long-awaited event of halving the rewards for miners, which will reduce the issuance of new BTC by 50% from the current 6.25 coins per block to 3.125 units, is expected to take place on April 19, 2024 at block height 840,000.
The cryptographic community is in fibrillation for the halving, as historically this mechanism has been good for the price of Bitcoin by incentivizing purchases from the demand.
Technically, this kind of “update” does not affect demand at all, but rather the supply side: in any case, the narrative that has been created over the years ends up creating more attention in the market and encouraging purchases by retail investors.
What is instead reflected in the increase in demand are the newcomers spot ETFs, approved by the US SEC in January, which in just 3 months have already led to a large influx of new investments in digital gold, which has seen over 11 billion dollars in inflows so far.
The introduction of these tools has created a strong hype for Bitcoin, which for the first time since its existence has reached a new historical high just a few months before the halving, reaching 70,000 USD just a few days ago.
In the past, in fact, in the weeks before the halving, the price action of crypto assets has always been generally disappointing, while the best performances usually come a few months later.
The trend of the network’s hashrate is not surprising, as it constantly grows over time, demonstrating the health and security of the cryptographic network.
ATH #Bitcoin Hashrate. UP 25% in the 3 months leading into the halving.
Miners are investing in expectation of $100K+ #Bitcoin pic.twitter.com/kL0jDnL8w2
— Thomas | heyapollo.com (@thomas_fahrer) March 21, 2024
While waiting for the halving, the general market sentiment seems clearly bullish: US monetary policy for 2024 confirmed as expansive, prospects of interest rate cuts by the FED, large inflows of investment into the crypto market, and an increasingly “diamond hands” attitude from miners and retail investors, all lead us to think that the $100,000 threshold is only a matter of time.
Read the full article here


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Analog Networks to Go Dark On Monday
Feb 16, 2008, 3:08 PM by Eric M. Zeman
Monday, February 18, the FCC will allow wireless network operators to shut down their old analog networks. These networks, built in the 1980s and called Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (AMPS) were some of the first used in the U.S. Network operators can also turn off their first-generation TDMA digital networks. Verizon Wireless and AT&T plan to shut their analog networks down on the 18th. The number of AMPS and TDMA users is low, so most wireless costumers will be unaffected. Other, regional network operators will likely turn their analog networks off as well.
Sep 1, 2021
Residents of Arizona and Georgia will soon be able to add a secure digital version of their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on their iPhone and/or Apple Watch. Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah have also announced plans to support Apple's implementation.
Oct 18, 2021
Apple today launched a completely redesigned version of AirPods. The new AirPods 3rd Generation have longer battery life, Spatial Audio (including Dolby Atmos), and a new driver for better sound quality.
Oct 27, 2021
Anker has launched MagGo, a new line of wireless chargers compatible with Apple's MagSafe magnetic wireless charging system, introduced with the iPhone 12 series. The MagGo lineup includes several unique new designs.
Jun 6, 2022
Apple today announced iOS 16, the next version of its core software for iPhones. The new OS features a major revamp of the Lock Screen with new personalization, including font & color options, and widgets that are similar to complications on the Apple Watch.
hey does any one know if this affected sprint?? 😕
Sprint & T-Mobile have no analog networks since both of them are PCS only carriers. It will affect Sprint users somewhat when it comes to roaming i...
So, Im checking every few hours to see if Verizon kills Analog here.
If you wondering why AT&T...
I heard that OnStar and ADT would be affected...


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Ford (NYSE:F) posted a first-quarter profit of $1.6 billion on Wednesday, a good result that was better than Wall Street expected. That profit was driven by very strong earnings in the company's North American division. Ford North America is hitting on all cylinders right now, as recent models like the Fusion and Escape are doing very well with buyers.
But as always with Ford, its F-Series pickups are a big part of the story.
Ford's cars are better than ever, but its pickups might still be its most important products
In the U.S., Ford sells more of its F-Series pickups -- the popular F-150 and its heavier-duty siblings -- than any other vehicle. In fact, it's the best-selling vehicle in America and has been for decades.
Lots of people will tell you that Ford builds a good truck. And while its No. 1 sales ranking occasionally benefits from rival General Motors' (NYSE:GM) insistence on splitting its full-sized pickup sales between the Chevrolet and GMC brands, there's no doubt that it's an exceptionally popular and successful product.
What is somewhat less well known is that it's a very profitable product as well. Some of that profit comes from sheer numbers: Ford sold 168,843 F-Series pickups in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2013, a 17.4% increase over the first quarter of last year. That's almost as many sales as all of Ford's popular SUVs managed -- when added together.
But it's also true that pickups in general have very good profit margins. Ford's exact profit per pickup sold is a closely guarded secret. But there's little doubt that it's good: One leading Wall Street analyst said last year that the F-Series might represent as much as 90% of Ford's global profit.
Ford made $2.4 billion in North America in the first quarter. (Ford's total profit was lower because of losses and spending overseas, where Ford is still restructuring and expanding.) Clearly, a lot of those dollars came from pickup sales.
But here's the interesting thing about Ford: As good as that North America profit number was -- and it was Ford's best in more than a decade -- it could have been even higher.
Investing more of Ford's profits for future growth
Ford's North American profit was very strong, and its profit margin was also very good at 11%, a big number for a mass-market automaker. But some analysts had expected a slightly higher profit, and a slightly higher margin -- in part because of Ford's strong pickup sales.
Ford could have arranged to post a higher profit. But its costs were up in the quarter, because the company is plowing more of its money into developing new vehicles.
Ford CEO Alan Mulally is in the midst of a multiyear push to build more vehicles off shared architectures, or "platforms," an approach that improves quality while reducing costs. This year, Ford aims to build more than 85% of its vehicles using just its nine global platforms.
Getting that number closer to 100% will improve Ford's financial performance -- and it could improve quality as well. But that takes considerable investment, and Ford is making those investments now.
Ford is also investing heavily in development of the next F-Series, due next year. Given the importance of the pickup line to Ford, it's a safe bet that the upcoming new version is being lavished with attention right now as the company works to finish it up and put it into production.
With new pickups coming shortly from GM and Toyota, and Chrysler's Ram having received an update recently, the F-Series is facing ever-stiffer competition. Expect Ford to spare no effort (or expense) in making sure that the next F-Series is its best ever.


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Prime retail space is increasingly driven by service-based operators.
Despite soft retail trade conditions, Victorian retail investment activity is on track to achieve record highs.
Strong sale result “sets the precedent” for the rest of the year.
CBD location to build on arcade and laneway culture.
As Australia’s CBDs continue to grow, retailers have faced higher rents and stiffer competition – many are getting creative.
A spate of major shopping centre redevelopments highlights the challenges faced by High Street and CBD retailers in Melbourne.
Perth city records highest number of new shopping centres developments in 2014 since GFC.
Trading hours extended in Melbourne CBD in the lead up to Christmas.
Potential redevelopment underway for one of the department store’s CBD flagships.
Centrepiece of city redevelopment to include retail, restaurants, and supermarket.


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Brown Jordan Makes Leadership Changes
February 22, 2012,
EL MONTE, Calif.-Brown Jordan has appointed Chris Carmicle president. Carmicle has been with the company since 2002, most recently serving as president, national accounts.
In his new position, Carmicle will be responsible for overseeing the company's global supply chain, manufacturing, product development and distribution efforts in addition to his existing duties.
Other Articles By Author
SPONSORED: Abbyson's Fashion-Forward Collections Shine in High Point


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The financials at landscaping products group Marshalls have begun to surpass pre-pandemic levels, after the group watched operating profits collapse amid lockdown last year.
Revenue hit £298.1m in the six months to 30 June, inching past the £280.1m it recorded in 2019. The group posted a profit before tax of £38.9m as it again surpassed its pre-pandemic figures.
Shares lifted 2.25 per cent to 773.5p per share in the firm’s early trading.
Marshalls was struck hard by the pandemic, which left it with a profit before tax of just £1.3m and a statutory operating loss of £14.2m in the first half of 2020.
Since 2020’s lows, the group’s statutory profits have climbed to £41m in its half-year trading results published today.
The improved financials has chief executive Martyn Coffey feeling positive about the second half of the year, as he told City A.M. that despite a number of headwinds, the company has forecast revenue growth of six per cent for the full year.
The pandemic has left Marshalls grappling with both HGV driver shortages and the so-called ‘pingdemic’, which has rattled supply chains across the country.
“We’ve had 10 to 15 per cent of the workforce out of our factories and our logistics” as a result of being pinged by the Covid-19 app, Coffey said.
Meanwhile, “the availability of drivers has been a big issue,” the boss added, noting that the company has been able to circumvent a lot of its impacts as it has its own fleet of drivers.
The shortage of lorry drivers has prompted the company to start training its own – which the boss said had been easy to fill with many people looking for daytime positions.
Sales in Marshalls’ domestic market was the “stand-out performer”, the company said in a statement – as spending on patios and driveways held up momentum.
“The demand is unprecedented,” Coffey added. “This is the best construction market I’ve ever seen.”
Domestic sales were up 54 per cent on 2020 levels, and also showed 17 per cent growth on levels seen prior to the pandemic.
The company said that UK homeowners will have to wait over 21 weeks to upgrade their outside spaces, with domestic installer order books hitting record levels.
Coffey explained that although market conditions are supportive, in light of the pandemic-induced supply chain struggles which have hit businesses across the globe – there remain “inflationary pressures across the sector.”
However, the boss added that the group has been “encouraged by the continuing strength in demand and the positive trading environment” which has bolstered the board’s confidence of making further progress throughout the rest of the year and 2022.
“This year we’ll invest hopefully £30m, which is the most we’ve invested as a company. That’s a critical part of our growth factor,” Coffey said, as it gives the firm an edge both in terms of its products and logistics.
The company, which makes block paving, has recently injected some £20m into a dual block plant to produce twice the number of slabs its other plants make.
A typical Marshalls block plant would create 48 blocks every 10 seconds, but its latest dual block plant based in St Ives, Cambridgeshire will produce 96 blocks every 10 seconds.


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Tennessee state senator asking for inquiry into sports programs with Nike ties
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WTVC) - Tennessee state Sen. Bo Watson says he has asked the state's Office of Legislative Budget Analysis to look into which state-financed colleges and universities have Nike contracts.
That's according to a tweet Watson shared Saturday evening.
This comes after the sports apparel giant released an ad featuring former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick has drawn criticism for kneeling during the national anthem prior to NFL games to protest police brutality toward minorities in the United States.
Following the ad's release, several sports programs across the country have cut ties with Nike, including the College of the Ozarks in Missouri.
More recently, Liberty University in Virginia says the school is debating dropping Nike as an apparel supplier.
WTVC spoke to Watson on Monday:


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A new Travelzoo survey in the UK shows that price is the leading factor when choosing a vacation destination and accomodation.
While this is not shocking news, especially as consumers search for value in a still-downtrodden economy, it does raise red flags for destination marketers who focus the bulk of their energy on showcasing their locales.
Many tourism boards do put some emphasis on value and discounts. The Orlando Magicard, Lisbon's dining and shopping cards, the Miami Beach INCard and so many others give discounts ranging from percentages off of dining to a dollar off of mini-golf.
A search on Google using the phrase "tourism board discounts" brings up first-page links to offers from three US tourism boards (Orlando, Las Vegas, Telluride) and five international tourism boards (Goa, Lisbon, Gibralter, Tuscany, St. Lucia). Intestingly, the links to the US destinations go to their home pages, while the international destinations tend to point toward their actual discount page or a partner offer page.
In a price-conscious world, though, the biggest challenge is to position a destination as affordable in a meaningful way while still promoting the many ways a tourist can spend money in that destination.
Should hotels drop rates? Should theme parks give away free dining with park tickets? Should tourism boards put a greater emphasis on price?
We'd love to hear about how price impacts your destination and how you address it through marketing, discounts or other ideas.
If you see a lot of kids wearing pink today it’s because of “Pink in School.” Pink in School is an anti-bullying initiative run through Facebook. On the initiative’s Facebook page, Pink in School encourages its fans to wear pink on Tuesday, March 22, and to upload a profile picture of them wearing pink or, better yet, the official Pink in School T-shirt to take a stand against bullying and to increase awareness of the issue.
The Pink in School T-shirts are free and provided by Shirts in School, a marketing services company that pays high school and college students to wear T-shirts imprinted with other companies’ messages. Shirts in School started and organizes the initiative as a non-profit version of its services. The concept of Shirts in School is simple and effective. Students sign up on Facebook to receive their free T-shirts; to get paid, they must wear them in school for at least one day. In addition to wearing the shirt, the students must post their photo wearing the shirt on Facebook and other social media outlets, as well as a link to or a post about the advertiser. This way, companies not only get publicity value, but can easily monitor reactions to a campaign based on the posts of the participants and the comments by their friends. The students get paid $ 10 a day and can keep the shirt. Their schools receive an additional $2 as an incentive to support the concept.
Shirts in School’s marketing method successfully combines traditional word of mouth marketing with social media efforts. After the first participants had signed up, the concept “went viral,” says president of Shirts in School Richard Whitney. Now, an average of about 200 students signs up every day. It’s a win-win situation: students get free clothing and Shirts in School gives advertisers access to a highly desirable but hard to reach target group of 14-to-21 year-olds.
Social media is becoming the number one crisis communication device. Not only is it used for fixing a damaged image or restarting a career, it also serves as a much-needed platform for gathering information and mobilizing volunteers, as in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake and the Brisbane floods.
Currently, Facebook, Twitter etc. promote and support relief efforts in Japan and help the population reconnect. Many organizations and companies like the Red Cross or Groupon use social media to make support for Japan as easy as possible – some as easy as a mouse click. Spark Energy is adding an additional dollar to its donation to Japan for every person that “likes” one of the company’s Facebook pages by the end of the month. So instead of putting your hands in your pockets, all you have to do is give a thumbs up online.
But social networkers may use all ten fingers to help. Facebook’s online games FarmVille and Café World currently include purchases benefiting Japan. FarmVille players can buy Japanese radish crop and the chefs at Café World can buy Japanese décor. All proceeds go to Save the Children.
As for other information and reconnecting people, social media is in high demand in both Japan and the U.S. Despite blackouts, Japan’s Internet availability fortunately is relatively stable and, without a working phone system, an unmatched device to stay in touch with loved ones. Shortly after the quake, 1,200 tweets per minute were sent from Tokyo alone. Google published a Japanese version of its People Finder (see also last week’s blog entry). Within the U.S., the tsunami’s estimated times of arrival on U.S. shores were available on Twitter before the official government warning. And one of Japan’s top social media companies, Mixi, raised more than $1.5 million dollars for relief efforts in only two days.
Social media and fashion are apparently a match made in heaven. Social media devices like live streaming, Facebook pages, blogs and videos fuel online discussions on brands and designers and result in thousands of new fans and followers. Curve ID jeans, for instance, “cheekily” uses YouTube to demonstrate their product’s effectiveness. Result: Nearly seven million views. Bebe’s new blog earned the fashion brand 66,428 new fans and a sixth-place ranking on fans and followers-surveying famecount.com. Victoria’s Secret invites brides to view – and purchase – the new collection of whites at an online shop, resulting in 69,000 new fans. And Burberry’s fashion show live stream attracted more than 100,000 fans. First place on Famecount goes to Converse, with more than 175,000 new fans. Converse.com not only lets visitors watch videos or shop online, they can also create their own sneakers. Together with its All Star sneaker line, Converse to date has 23 million + fans.
Finding lost persons is the idea behind Google’s Person Finder. Originally created with the U.S. Department of State to find lost persons in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, the website is presently used to help victims of the Christchurch Earthquake. The Person Finder can be found on a website launched by New Zealand’s Earthquake Commission. The site further features reports, videos and information on accommodation, alerts and volunteers. Its users can easily submit important information via Twitter.
Hotels in Myrtle Beach, SC are joining social media with a website to compete with travel sites for last-minute offers. On the Myrtle Beach Facebook page, the tab “This Friday” features hotels’ last-minute specials for the upcoming Friday. The “This Friday” tab also links directly to MyrtleBeachHotels.net, a website for last-minute hotel deals in Myrtle Beach. Using social media and their own websites, hotels avoid the 30 percent commission they would otherwise have to pay at a travel site.
Shopping hub Hubzi blends online shopping with social media. While the website serves a similar purpose to Craigslist, Hubzi lets vendors create a profile listing contact information, contact person, ads, and products links or videos to boost the buyers’ trust in them. Customers can post comments and reviews on vendor profiles.
Kraft Foods uses a combination of tweets to promote one of their products. Whenever two people tweet the phrase “mac & cheese” at the same time, both get a link leading to the “Mac & Jinx” promotion, where they are asked to give Kraft their address. The person to submit their info first gets five free boxes of Kraft’s Mac & Cheese and a T-shirt.
Recently, Facebook’s Like button has become more of a promotion tool. “Liking” something now results in a full wall post complete with story, blurb and thumbnail that won’t be easily overlooked.
However, there are more sophisticated – and fun – ways to use Facebook as a promotional tool.
NBC, for instance, rewards everyone who watches the trailer for its new show “America’s Next Great Restaurant” on the show’s Facebook page – to date liked by 215,378 users – with a free Chipotle meal. Concurrently, Chipotle is conducting an in-store texting promotion that offers customers the chance to win a catered burrito party.
But carnal instincts are not the only motivation to Facebook users’ attention. The Facebook application FrontierVille serves as a promotion tool for the animated movie “Rango,” which will be released this weekend. Rango, a chameleon voiced by Johnny Depp, appears as a character in the online game, and players must watch the movie trailer in order to add a Rango statue to their homestead. Active FrontierVille users: about 19 million.


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Luke Bryan Earns FTC Warning for Instagram Product Endorsements
Luke Bryan is one of 45 celebrities who recently received letters from the Federal Trade Commission regarding improper promotion of products on Instagram. The country superstar and the other artists, actors and celebrities have been using the social media platform to advertise products without disclosing their potential financial gains.
Billboard reports that the FTC sent out their letters after receiving complaints from Public Citizen, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and the Center for Digital Democracy. The three advocacy groups claim that Instagram “has become a platform for disguised advertising directed towards young consumers" and requested that the FTC enforce the laws that require "influencers" to explain their ties to the products they're promoting.
Also among those sent letters by the FTC are Jamie Lynn Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Lucy Hale, Akon, Jennifer Lopez and more. The FTC sent the letters to educate, not publish, those involved, the organization says.
All of Luke Bryan's Singles, Ranked
The FTC's letters to Bryan and the other celebrities were made public on May 4, after Womens Wear Daily filed a Freedom of Information Act request. Each letter explains the FTC's Endorsement Guides, which "state that if there is a ‘material connection’ between the endorser and the marketer of a product -- in other words, a connection that might affect the weight or credibility that consumers give the endorsement -- that connection should be clearly and conspicuously disclosed, unless the connection is already clear from the context of the communication containing the endorsement."
The specific Instagram post named in Bryan's letter from the FTC has to do with his ties to Cabela's, the retail chain that sells gear for outdoor sports, including hunting and fishing. Bryan's HFE clothing line -- named for his single "Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Every Day" -- is available at the store, and he often mentions the line's products on his Instagram account. Although the specific Instagram post mentioned in the FTC's letters to Bryan and Cabela's has been removed, others remain on Bryan's Instagram page, marked with the "#sponsor" hashtag.
Country Music's Nastiest Lawsuits
How Well Do You REALLY Know Luke Bryan?


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According to a survey this week from the National Retailers' Federation less Americans will celebrate Halloween. Just 58% of Americans surveyed say they will celebrate Halloween. However, average Halloween spending per person is expected to hit a record high of $91.12 this year Business Insider reports that Halloween spending serves as a proxy for holiday shopping. The survey points to a strong season for retailers this year, according to DataTrek.
By now, most Americans have gotten the memo that the sun can seriously damage skin, leading to wrinkles, dryness, and even skin cancer. But according to Allure, the alternative way of getting a sun-kissed glow by using self-tanner is a double-edged sword. The active ingredient in most self-tanners is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). When self-tanned skin is exposed to the sun's rays, the ingredient intensifies the damage. Still, if you're really committed to self-tanning your face, do what the pros do.
Tens of millions of Americans are facing a pandemic-driven tight budget, and it's tempting to want to rein in spending. A tried-and-true method for cutting down food expenditures is to set aside a fixed weekly amount and only pay cash for it. According to Business Insider contributor Jen Glantz, doing so cut down her weekly grocery spend by roughly 25%. Glantz says she planned her meals, clipped coupons, shopped mid-week to get the best specials, and ultimately put many items back on the shelf.
Fewer than 60% of Americans believe vaccines are safe and effective. That figure is on par with much of Western Europe and is far higher than those in eastern European and Asian nations. According to UPI, the numbers are part of a recent analysis published Thursday in The Lancet. According to experts, the findings are significant, given the global quest for a vaccine against COVID-19. To date, COVID-19 has infected nearly 28 million people globally, including 6.4 million in the United States.


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A decade of restructuring has not affected the financial integrity of the average regulated utility.
Ideological bias, economic...
Chris King's article, "How Competitive Metering Has Failed," (Nov. 15, 2001) states that the Congressional Budget Office's report, (September 2001), found that advanced metering and improved price signals could have prevented California's energy crisis and averted rolling blackouts. Mr. King overstates both the weight the CBO report places on the demand side of the electricity market and the importance it assigns to advanced metering therein.
The report certainly does indicate that freezing the price of electricity to retail customers was a significant factor in California's crisis, but it emphasizes that many factors on both the supply and demand sides of the market came together to cause the state's problem. In discussing the lessons of California's electricity problems, the report notes that prices that accurately reflect costs are necessary for markets to function well, and that the broader use of real time metering and contractual agreements that permit service interruptions when prices rise are options worthy of consideration. The report, however, does not make the grander claim indicated by Mr. King that advance metering would have prevented the crisis and averted black outs.
Deputy Assistant Director
Microeconomic and Financial Studies Division
Congressional Budget Office
While Mr. Moore and I seem to disagree on the semantics, it appears that we are in violent agreement on the big picture, as stated in the CBO report (emphasis added):
"California's freeze on retail rates inhibited the response of electricity to the state's supply problems. Thus, it proved to be a major factor in the ensuing crisis. A simple lesson of that experience is that consumers need to face the real cost of electricity. Exposing consumers to price changes will induce them to increase their use of power when prices fall and curtail it when prices rise.
"... relative to the size of the power disruptions that California has experienced so far, the ability to conserve could be significant. ...
"Price signals should encourage consumers not only to buy more or less power now, but also to invest in the ability to adjust their future use. ... Electricity consumers-particularly households-have acquired few devices that would let them reduce electricity use on short notice, such as real-time meters ... several approaches can make real-time pricing easier, such as technologies that monitor electricity use and prices, and contracting arrangements with electricity suppliers that permit the customer (or a designated agent) to interrupt service when the prices rises. In many cases, large industrial customers already have the capacity to monitor and adjust their demand in the face of rising prices and, in fact, do so. Successful restructuring may necessitate that residential and commercial customers may acquire many of the same demand-management capabilities that industrial customers have."
Chris S. King
American Energy Institute
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Meat unique to Britain could disappear unless endangered animals end up on diners’ plates.
It’s an unusual concept, but the UK’s Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) is encouraging restaurants and chefs to embrace Britain’s most threatened pigs, sheep and cows, creating demand to save them from extinction.
“If we don’t eat them, no one will breed them,” Tom Beeston, CEO of RBST, tells Food Spark. “There is very little government funding for keeping livestock, and if we lost some of these breeds they would be lost forever. And we will want their genetics sometime in the future.”
The Trust has released a danger watch list highlighting dozens of historic UK breeds that are in peril, as farmers prefer modern hybrids that help to maximise profit when using intensive farming practices.
“[Rare breeds are] probably the most ethical meat you can eat, because they virtually all graze or eat naturally, they are slow grown, the fat on them is healthy and they taste good, and they’re part of British heritage. You’re also buying what you think you’re buying – you can’t intensively farm a rare breed, so it will be looked after and have a happy life.”
Breeds with lowest number of females
- Vaynol cows – 12
- British landrace pigs – 138
- British lop pigs – 161
Food Spark has explored the growing demand for heritage meat before, but Beeston believes more needs to be done to promote little-known breeds, particularly as provenance continues to gain momentum with the public.
“If there is the move away from intensive big farming to outdoor big farming and the consumer demands something different, then you need different base stock, like the rare breeds. This is the stock that all our commercial breeds come from, so you need that horde of genetics for the future,” he says.
So what’s the background on these rare breeds?
Out of all the animals, Beeston is most worried about pigs.
British landrace and British lop pigs are among the top five breeds that are in extreme danger.
While the UK’s appetite for bacon continues to rise – it formed part of 87 million more breakfasts between 2016 and 2017, according to Kantar Worldpanel – the demand for pork over the past few decades has led to intensive production of pigs for lean meat with little waste.
Rare breed pigs like the Gloucestershire old spot and Tamworth do feature on gastro-pub menus, but the RBST is aiming to create a market where consumers actually ask for these animals when they go out to eat.
Beeston notes that supply could most rapidly meet demand with pigs, since a sow will typically have two litters a year with 12 piglets.
Restaurants already putting rare pigs forward include The Pointer in Brill, which has its own farm raising Middle Whites. These porkers are free to forage, before eventually ending up as terrines, salami, pulled pork and slow-roasted suckling pig.
In London, Chef Cyrus Todiwala is an ambassador for the RBST, working with the group to build relationships with restaurants and stressing available supply chains.
Todiwala uses the British lop pig from Cornwall in a Goan vindaloo at his Indian restaurant, Café Spice.
Cattle not in danger with female numbers
- Holstein Friesian – 684,000
- Friesian – 134,400
- Holstein – 123,600
The Trust’s push on rare breeds is not a pie-in-the-sky idea, as it has proven that rare breeds can be saved with its approach. Highland cows used to be on the danger list in the 1970s, but are now popular with consumers.
Of greatest concern today are Vaynol cows, which originated in North Wales but are critically low in numbers. The dozen breeding females have been dispersed across three sites to reduce the risk of disease wiping them out entirely.
British white cattle also being hit hard, with a significant decrease since last year. Beeston says the RBST are working with Anderson’s Bar & Grill in Birmingham to rear a small herd of the breed for the restaurant.
With concerns over the environmental impact of farming animals and even ethical issues relating to their feed, saving some vulnerable beasts now could be beneficial in the future.
North Ronaldsay sheep, which live on a Scottish island, feed off seaweed, having developed the ability to digest the sea vegetable. This function could later be bred into other sheep as a way to incorporate sustainable feed.
Long term, Beeston also has his sights set on labelling, with hopes of overturning today’s old, voluntary system. He says if breeds are being advertised on packaging, then there should be a pedigree certificate to back up the claim.
There is certainly a case for ordering rare.


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A Field Agent Canada survey conducted on April 30 illustrates that some household cleaner brands and grocery retailers have gained the trust of Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Field Agent surveyed 603 Canadians and asked them which three brands were gaining their trust. Respondents were primarily women, about 70 per cent, aged 35-44 or 38 per cent who typically have the most purchase power over household products.
Lysol was cited as the top product that has most gained the survey participant’s trust since the start of the crisis in Canada.
Several retailers have also gained the trust of shoppers, according to the survey, including Costco, Walmart, Loblaws and Sobeys.
“Retailers fared very well and it looks like their hard efforts to keep the food supply chain safe and plentiful is gaining favour with the Canadian population,” says Jeff Doucette, general manager of Field Agent Canada.


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A study sponsored by Nokia revealed that Pakistan scored low in mobile broadband infrastructure despite high use by subscribers. According to the study, the country scored 2.09 out of 10, ranking 25 out of the 26 developing telecom markets in mobile broadband connectivity.
For measuring the score, the study titled ‘Connectivity Scorecard 2013’ took into account key criteria such as consumer infrastructure, consumer usage and skills, business infrastructure and business usage and skills, public sector infrastructure and public sector usage and skills. The study results were shared at Nokia’s “Connected Pakistan – 3G, 4G Perspectives” conference, held recently in Islamabad.
Danny Atme, General Manager, Nokia Networks, Pakistan, said: “The study shows mobile broadband users in Pakistan increasingly demand high-speed mobile broadband and significantly improved network coverage across the country. As the world’s specialist in mobile broadband, we are committed to providing operators in Pakistan with our advanced 3G and 4G technologies, and comprehensive services to build and run the networks cost efficiently.”
The number of WCDMA subscriptions in Pakistan will overtake GSM subscriptions by 2019, and there will be 103.4 million WCDMA subscriptions in Pakistan by the end of 2019, representing about 58% of the mobile market, according to Ovum forecasts. It also forecasts that the adoption of 4G will be more modest than for 3G for the foreseeable future, with the number of LTE subscriptions in Pakistan reaching about 6.6 million by the end of 2019.
Talking about the results of this study, Matthew Reed, Practice Leader Middle East and Africa, Ovum, said: “Although Pakistan is a late-comer to mobile broadband, the rollout of 3G services that is now underway in the country following the recent award of new licenses, combined with the increasing affordability of 3G-enabled devices as well as demand for Internet access and other data services, means that there is likely to be a substantial shift in Pakistan’s mobile market from 2G to 3G over the coming few years.”
Dr. Syed Ismail Shah, Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), said: “The Nokia conference on “Connected Pakistan – 3G, 4G Perspectives” has brought out excellent insights from various eco-system players on how to achieve further mobile broadband penetration here. The government is committed to enabling the operators to take the mobile broadband subscription base to a new high. Together with players such as Nokia and its advanced 3G and 4G mobile broadband technologies, we are confident that Pakistan will be able to provide high quality mobile broadband services on a par with leading services around the world.”


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So, we are convinced now that “Icon” will be just another greatest hits record with no new material, which is still cool I guess. Apparently Universal has released this compilation type album for tons of artists, pretty neat that No Doubt will have one now.
Woah, wait, what? Thanks so much to MadVibes from the NDC for pointing out, but Amazon is listing a release from No Doubt on October 5, 2010 titled “Icon”… what the heck? MadVibes mentioned that iTunes was promoting the release in an iConcert Calendar update and referred them to Amazon to pre-order the release, which you can do here. I’m thinking that maybe this a new “greatest hits” or something, cause there would be no way the new album would be released this soon… unless No Doubt has been pulling our leg this whole time… anyone know anything? This is bugging the crap out of me now!


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According to Det. Richard Bango, of the Shelton Police, the arrest of Keyarra Burnett-Johnson stems from an incident that occurred at Walmart located at 465 Bridgeport Ave in Shelton on Wednesday, March 22.
The incident started when Shelton Police officers responded to the store for a reported fight. Once on the scene, they learned that Burnett-Johnson, accompanied by two juveniles, attempted to leave the store with a shopping cart full of merchandise without paying, Bango said.d
Bango said when the store’s loss prevention staff questioned Burnett-Johnson about the unpaid merchandise she began to yell and spit at them. She also struck a Walmart employee with a curtain rod that she stole.
The Walmart employee sustained minor injuries during the incident. During the altercation, a Walmart employee dropped his phone which was stolen by Burnett- Johnson.
Burnett-Johnson and the two juveniles then fled the store in a Jeep Cherokee. Witnesses on the scene took note of the vehicle and its registration plate.
Shelton Patrol officers located the vehicle on Bridgeport Avenue and attempted to stop it but it refused to stop and fled onto Route 8 at a high rate of speed, Bango said.
The Walmart employee was able to GPS track his stolen phone which showed it was at a residential address in Bridgeport.
Bridgeport officers responded and located the vehicle along with Burnett-Johnson and the two juveniles. It was also discovered that Burnett-Johnson does not possess a license to operate a vehicle, Bango said.
Burnett-Johnson was arrested and charged with:
- Two counts of risk of injury to a child
- Engaging police in pursuit
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license.
She was released on a $5,000 bond.
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Globe Says Some of Its Hardware are Being Sold as DITO Modems
Certain Globe at Home WiFi modems are being sold as Dito Telecommunity by individuals and online stores, Globe Telecom said in a news release on Monday (June 14). Accoridng to the Ayala-owned telco, the modus operandi involves replacing Globe's labels with DITO stickers, making them appear as DITO modems to unsuspecting customers.
"It has come to our attention that certain individuals and retail establishments are illegally reselling and passing off as Dito Telecommunity modems, several of our Globe At Home WiFi Modems," the company said in a statement. "The modus is done through the unauthorized unlocking of the Globe device, substituting the Globe SIM with a DITO Telecommunity SIM and concealing the Globe At Home trademark with a sticker of DITO. All Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi kits have pre-inserted SIMs in the modems ready for activation via the Globe At Home app or FB messenger upon purchase.
"We are prepared to take the necessary legal action against these unscrupulous individuals and establishments carrying out these deceptive business practices, through the assistance of law enforcement authorities. If anyone has bought, experienced, or has been made aware of this illegal activity, please report the matter to the Department of Trade and Industry--Consumer Protection Group via their email address at [email protected] or text 09178343330. They may also report via Globe At Home’s official FB messenger."
Dito, chaired by rising tycoon Dennis Uy, is the country's third major telco, and which launched in Metro Manila last month. The company has yet to make a statement about the alleged modus.


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For those keeping up with the latest GNOME 3.0 development snapshots and packages, GNOME 2.31.3 was just christened today. This newest snapshot of the GNOME 3.0/2.32 desktop environment incorporates the newest GTK+ 3.0 development toolkit
along with many other updated packages for the desktop.
The next development release, GNOME 2.31.4, is expected to be released using the GTK+ 2.90 tool-kit version. The release announcement can be found on the GNOME mailing list