text: Viva Media announced the NA release of RACE On for the PC. RACE On comes with new challenging content including the tracks and cars from WTCC season 2008. The game also marks a new focus from SimBin with the inclusion of iconic Detroit Muscle cars suited for those who like to lay down lots of rubber power sliding out of corners on the rev limiter. In addition, Race ON features 39 unique car models in 17 classes with over 450 variations, as well as 40 tracks and 17 alternate layouts, in total 47 tracks. A demo will be released tomorrow.


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NewsRadio 920 WHJJ and the Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — State and municipal offices are closed throughout Rhode Island as the state marks Victory Day.
Rhode Island is the last state to recognize the holiday, which marks the Japanese surrender in World War II in 1945, which put an end to the war.
Public buses are operating on a holiday schedule, and trash pickups are delayed a day.
Most retail stories are open, as are federal offices. The postal service is delivering mail.
SHUTTERSTOCK Dave Newman

domain: news


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It’s hard to get rid of our dependency on plastic bags when it comes to carrying food. But at the same time, it’s something that you should do at the earliest.
When carried around in plastic bags, these vegetables are exposed to a combination of chemicals. According to scientists, chemicals like bisphenol A and phthalates can leach into our food. And these chemicals are known for causing tissue changes, genetic damages, and even hormonal changes.
Apart from this, when airtight plastic bags are used, it ceases the breathing space for the food items. A way around it would be to poke holes in the plastic bags. Nevertheless, the impact of chemicals will not be solved with this and it’s recommended not to use plastic bags while carrying food items.


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Inter Parfums Q2
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive SummaryGlobal decline in consumer spending and unfavorable currency exchange rates dragged Inter Parfums' fiscal 2009 second-quarter sales down 10.6% to $88.6 mil. versus the comparable 2008 quarter, firm says July 23. Chairman and CEO Jean Madar reports that firm's Lanvin brand has "proven somewhat resilient to the economic downturn" with sales 25% higher than last year due to strength of Eclat d'Arpege, spring launch of Lanvin L'Homme Sport and reorders of Jeanne Lanvin, which debuted in the fall. Firm's specialty retail business was hurt by "especially weak" North American market, Madar says. Inter Parfums will debut new products for Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic and bebe in the second half of 2009 in domestic and international markets. "We anticipate that these new activities together with existing distribution should stem the sales decline for our U.S. operations," Madar said. European-based operations generated $79.4 mil. in sales during the second quarter, while North American operations generated $9.2 mil. For the first half of 2009, sales totaled $179 mil
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Index Detail:PSE Composite Index
LONDON - More than half of consumers globally expect job prospects to be good to excellent in the year ahead, a survey showed on Tuesday.
|MCX GOLD c1||Rs27,932.00||Rs-155.00|
|MCX SILVER c1||Rs44,640.00||Rs349.00|
|BRENT CRUDE JUL1||$107.75||$0.07|


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The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) store located at 132 Lee Jackson Highway in Staunton is closing at the end of the month. Two other ABC stores in the area—at 1028 Richmond Ave. and 201 State St.—will remain open. In addition to the stores in the city, there are locations in the neighboring areas of Stuarts Draft and Fishersville which Virginia ABC opened in 2014.
“Virginia ABC regularly checks for changes in demographics, traffic patterns, population density, distance to other ABC locations and store sales,” said Director of Retail Operations Wilson Jones. “As situations change or opportunities open up, Virginia ABC relocates, remodels or adapts as needed. Opening the Fishersville and Stuarts Draft stores allowed us to provide more shopping convenience for Augusta County customers, therefore reducing the need for three stores in the city of Staunton.”
The ABC store has been at the Staunton Mall location since 1969 and was on a month-to-month lease. The last day customers will be able to make purchases will be June 30. The remaining two Staunton stores are open from 10 a.m. ¬to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Since the start of the current fiscal year on July 1, 2014, Virginia ABC has opened five new stores, relocated eight and modernized 12.
“For the last decade, Virginia ABC has been opening smaller stores in more areas to reduce travel time for customers,” Jones said. “With the other ABC stores in and around Staunton, we are able to meet the needs and fulfill the orders of area customers, retail licensees and restaurant sellers and servers.”
Customers may use Virginia ABC’s newly updated website (www.abc.virginia.gov) to search for ABC stores, determine the availability of products at any of the more than 350 retail locations and order spirits online for delivery to a local store. Currently 98% of Virginia’s population resides within 10 minutes of an ABC store.
The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is a major source of revenue for the commonwealth, contributing more than $1.8 billion to the general fund in the last five years. The agency currently operates 351 state stores. Its Bureau of Law Enforcement oversees more than 16,000 ABC licensed establishments while the Hearings and Appeals Division considers more than 700 cases each year. The agency also provides alcohol education and prevention programs for people of all ages. ABC is committed to progress and innovation in carrying out its control, service and revenue mission.
Virginia ABC to Close One of Three Staunton Stores


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Bertino-Tarrant reminds residents to shop local this holiday season
12/1/2020, 7:14 p.m.
As the holiday season quickly approaches, businesses continue to struggle to stay afloat amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. To help those businesses, State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) is urging Will County residents to shop locally.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we need to keep our local businesses in our minds,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Our local businesses are the heart and soul of our communities. I encourage residents to support our business community however we can to help them during this difficult time.”
As people begin their holiday shopping, Bertino-Tarrant is reminding residents that supporting small doesn’t just mean shopping at brick-and-mortar stores. Residents can support small businesses through online sales, ordering carryout from a locally owned restaurant or buying a gift card for a friend.
Nearly $2 million in Business Interruption Grants have been awarded to businesses in the 49th State Senate District, and more is still available.
“The Business Interruption Grants has, and will continue to, help our local businesses keep their doors open and employees and customers safe during this awful pandemic,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “I urge business owners to take advantage of this assistance program to help them during this difficult time.”
Bertino-Tarrant would also like to remind struggling small businesses that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has launched the second round of the Business Interruption Grant program, which will distribute $220 million to small businesses hit hardest by the ongoing pandemic, including movie theaters, event venues, hotels and more.


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We were a little concerned about the amount of burgers in our cities, but our fears were quickly dispelled when we noticed that in all but the smallest of places, there were none.
For example, the New York City Burger King only offers a limited selection of burgers.
In the LA Burger King, there are no cheeseburgers, and they only serve hamburgers.
But when it comes to the other LA cities, they offer up plenty of options.
The LA Times reports that Los Angeles has some of the widest selection of restaurants with a total of about 4,500 restaurants, but there’s also a huge variety of burgers from the best chains like Five Guys, Chipotle, and Domino’s.
“They’re just all about having good burgers, and when you get them you want them to be great,” said one person who spoke on condition of anonymity.
There are even some local chains like KFC, Chipotles, and Pizza Hut who offer some of their own burgers.
In fact, KFC is reportedly offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the restaurant owner who has been charged with shoplifting.
A few of the burger chains are quite well known and recognizable.
KFC is probably one of the most recognizable.
The chain’s signature burger is a huge sandwich that is topped with lettuce, tomato, onions, and mayonnaise.
Domino’s Pizza Hut has also gained a reputation for offering delicious burgers.
Their classic cheeseburger is a beef patty with lettuce and tomato and topped with mayo, bacon, and melted mozzarella cheese.
Burger King, a burger chain with a history of controversy, has also recently made waves.
Last year, Burger King was sued by two former employees for wrongful termination.
It’s unclear if this case will go to trial, but if it does, the case could have far reaching consequences for the chain.
This article originally appeared at Vice News


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High street retailer Marks & Spencer has confirmed the next 17 stores it is set to close, as part of its plan to shut 100 branches by 2022.
Grimsby's store, on Victoria Street South, is not among the British institution's list, meaning it is safe for now.
The 17 proposed stores to close:
- Junction One Antrim Outlet
- Luton Arndale
- Sutton Coldfield
She said: "Grimsby’s M&S working hard to remain sustainable but it needs people to keep shopping there.
"Active manager, keen to be part of making Grimsby better, but if people don’t use it, we will lose it."
Nearby stores in Hull and Boston are among Marks & Spencer's list of closures.
The most recent proposals could impact 1,045 employees, who could be left without a job if no arrangements are made.
The 30 stores that have already closed:
New Mersey Speke Shopping Park
Marks & Spencer's retail, operations and property director, Sacha Berendji, said: “We’re continuing to transform M&S with pace and as part of this we are making good progress with our plans to close over 100 stores - radically reshaping our store estate to become more relevant for our customers.
“Proposing to close stores is never easy, for our colleagues, customers or the local community, but it is vital for the future of M&S.
How often do you shop at M&S
500+ VOTES SO FAR
"Where we have closed stores, we are continuing to see an encouraging number of customers choosing other nearby locations and shopping on M&S."
So far, the retailer has shut 30 stores, impacting on 1,891 empolyees. However, 1,591 of these were transferred to other roles within the company.
History of Grimsby's Marks & Spencer
Marks and Spencer arrived on Freeman Street, Grimsby
The retailer bought the neighbouring property on Freeman Street in order to meet demand following an increase in popularity
The company bought the Lawson & Stockdale site on Victoria Street, Grimsby
The Freeman Street branch closed
The Freshney Place store underwent a £126,000 revamp
Grimsby's Marks & Spencer was revamped in a £40 million refurbishment programme seen across 100 of its stores. The aim was to create “a brighter and more modern environment” and Grimsby’s store was included
A new-look food hall was unveiled by the oldest retired member of staff, Jessie Conley, 87, who had worked with the company for 40 years. The improvement works cost £1 million
In March, a car crashed into the front of the Victoria Street store, just 15 minutes before it opened to the public
Staff at the Grimsby store joined forces with stores from across the country, in the company’s 125th year of trading, to raise a combined £1.25 million for different charities
The store underwent a six-week revamp. Work included a new bakery and re-fitted 54-seat café, the Victoria Street store was also given new fitting rooms, tills and equipment
In May 2018, nationally Marks & Spencer announced its first phase of closures, with more being planned over the next four years. The British institution looks to shed more than 100 outlets by 2022
Marks and Spencer confirmed the next 17 stores to close down


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Dive Into YouTube VR, YouTube’s New Virtual Reality App
December 7, 2016
A few months ago, we mentioned how YouTube was building a standalone VR-app to be part of the reignited wave of VR-based products that have become increasingly popular in recent years. YouTube’s announcement regarding the design of this app proves that the virtual reality experience is gaining significant attention. It also shows that YouTube understands its potential… Read more »
The post Dive Into YouTube VR, YouTube’s New Virtual Reality App appeared first on The Daily Rind.


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Hong Kong bans poultry imports from 3 countries
Poultry producers from Gyeongsangbuk-Do (South Korea), Brandenburg (Germany), and Lubuskie (Poland) have lost access to Hong Kong due to outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza reported recently.
Hong Kong's food safety authority decided today to suspend the import of poultry meat and products from bird flu-affected areas in South Korea, Germany and Poland.
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Hong Kong government's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said that this was in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health about outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in these areas. The CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products, including poultry eggs, from these areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong, informs The Strait Times newspaper.
Due to multiple outbreaks reported across the EU, poultry imports from several other states have been banned recently across Asia. Among those are France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Bulgaria.
Thus, of the 20 countries to which Spain exports the largest volume of pork, 18 of them have grow...
With funding under the AgriAssurance Program, the organizations will draw on new research to upda...


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Decrypting consumer behavior and crypto
New currencies and financial formats are attracting a different class of investors to this rapidly evolving space
Normies can now buy bitcoin from PayPal
Awareness of cryptocurrency has been growing due to increasing value of cryptocurrencies and increasing scrutiny from governments worldwide.
Crypto buyers are more confident investors
The study shows that cryptocurrency buyers are more confident in managing their personal finances and less risk averse than non-buyers.
© DISQO | All Rights Reserved


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With all the excitement surrounding the recently announced Galaxy Watch 5, we can’t forget about the Google Pixel Watch. This is Google’s first smartwatch, which is slated to launch this fall. In accordance with 9To5Google, Pixel Watch can actually use the Google Fi network at startup.
Google Fi is the company’s own signal carrier service, like many other smaller carriers. With it, you will receive a phone number, a tariff plan and all other attributes of the operator. At the moment, you could only use phones (both Android and iPhone), tablets, and Chromebooks with Google Fi.
But you might be able to use the Pixel watch with Google Fi
You’ll want to take this with a grain of salt, as this was discovered by disassembling the APK. Looking through the Google Fi app, 9To5Google was able to find some references to the Pixel Watch, specifically its codename Rohan. There is a line in the code “rohan_add_device_confirmation_details”.
Since Google The Fi app refers to the Pixel Watch, which could mean you’ll be able to use that device online. There’s no official confirmation at the moment, but it’s something to look out for.
When this watch arrives on Google Fi, we expect Google to make the device available for purchase on the Google Fi site. If not, another option is to purchase the watch from another store and activate it Google Fi.
Since it was discovered in the program code, there is always a chance that it could be taken away. We’ll have to wait until the device gets closer to release before we can say for sure. The Pixel Watch is expected to launch alongside the Pixel 7 phones in October. There’s a lot more to look forward to, so stay tuned.
The Pixel Watch could be the first watch to support Google Fi
Source link The Pixel Watch could be the first watch to support Google Fi


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Former Bidvest 3663 managing director, Alex Fisher, has joined the board of Bibendum Wine Holdings (the parent company of Bibendum Wine) as a non-executive director.
Fisher, who worked for Booker Foodservice and Bidvest for 23 years before his departure earlier this year, oversaw a period of sustained growth and improvements in his seven years in charge of 3663 Wholesale.
His achievements included a European Quality Award, a place for 3663 in the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For list and the successful supply of goods to the organisers of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Stephen Moss, chairman of Bibendum Wine Holdings, said: "I am delighted that Alex has agreed to join the board. His considerable expertise and experience in running such a successful distribution business will be invaluable in helping Bibendum drive value throughout its supply chain."
Alex Fisher commented: "I have known and respected Bibendum as a business for many years and was able to get to know managing director Michael Saunders very well through ViVAS, the company's joint venture with 3663. I am very excited to be joining the non-executive team and working hard to ensure even greater success for Bibendum in the future."


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Best Buy to close in UK and buy Carphone Warehouse out of mobile venture
Best Buy has today announced that it will close in the UK to focus its capital investment and ‘connectivity’ strategy.
As suggested in The Drum over a month ago, Best Buy's 11 "big box" stores will close by the end of 2011 after it made losses of £46.7 million in the six months to September, which could lead to over 1,000 job losses.
Andrew Harrison, CEO of Best Buy Europe, said: “After conducting a thorough strategic review of our operations, we believe that our capital investment and ‘connectivity’ strategy should be prioritised within our Carphone Warehouse stores as they offer a higher and proven rate of return. The technology world has changed substantially since 2008 and we are confident we will best serve our customers by investing in a single brand and format rather than two.
“We are very proud of our Best Buy team members. They have been exceptionally committed and have delivered fantastic customer service. Our immediate focus is on ensuring that they are offered new opportunities within Carphone Warehouse and Geek Squad, where they will help us deliver a best-in-class customer experience.
“We have within Carphone Warehouse a proven way of meeting customers’ emerging needs around connectivity. We will now concentrate on evolving our store development and building the complementary multi-channel capabilities to fuel our continued growth.”
Despite the Best Buy website indicating that it would focus on smaller Carphone Warehouse stores, the retail giant is buying its British partner out of the mobile phone joint venture for $1.3 billion (£838 million).
Best Buy said taking full control of Best Buy Mobile and closing British megastores would add 35-40 cents to fiscal 2013 earnings, adding the one-off cost of both actions, plus a non-cash impairment to write down goodwill, was $2.6 billion.


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Leaked L.A Noire Trailer Reveals May 17 Release
What appears to be a leaked LA Noire trailer, officially supposed to be revealed this coming Monday, has confirmed the game will be releasing on May 17, 2011.
The trailers since been pulled by Take Two. The trailer officially releases on Monday.
The footage gives new details on the games plot, which is shown to be about a serial killer hunt.
The Team Bondi title, already infamous for its groundbreaking facial animation, will release for PS3 and 360.


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DC already has a series of Monster variant covers planned for their October-shipping titles , but you can add three more to the mix.
According to USA Today, DC and General Mills are teaming up to redesign the classic characters of General Mills ‘Monster’ series – Boo Berry, Franken Berry and Count Chocula, when the food giant rereleases the cereals for Halloween this fall.
The three cereal brands that originated in the 70s haven’t been on sale year around since 2010. General Mills now releases them nationwide beginning in September and running through Halloween.
Lee redesigned Boo Berry for the limited edition box art, Dave Johnson did Franken Berry, and Terry and Rachel Dodson teamed for Count Chocula.
"I have a lot of highlights in my career that have nothing to do with superheroes. This is definitely one of them," said the DC co-publisher, who told USA Today Boo Berry was his preferred cereal when he was a kid.
"I loved the milk turning blue afterward, and it brought back a lot of childhood memories."
Lee told the national newspaper he has an emotional connection to Boo Berry, so tweaking his design proved more difficult that he thought he would, and he worked through several drafts before coming up with a final product.
"I put a lot of thought in it. It was stressful," Lee said. "Drawing simpler characters is a lot more work and harder than drawing something that's more complicated or has a lot of renderings. Every line counts and every distance between the eyes and the ears, it's all super critical."
Apparently Fruit Brute and Yummy Mummy didn’t make the cut this year.


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Aug. 16, 2011— -- It's a tried-and-true marketing method: Slap a famous cartoon on food boxes and odds are children will be more likely to seek the food out at the store. But research now suggests that silly cartoons appearing on food boxes may also determine whether children will pester their mothers to buy the food and also the level of nagging parents are likely to experience.
Researchers analyzed surveys and interviews from 64 mothers who had children between the ages of 3 and 5. The mothers were asked questions about family eating and shopping habits, their use of media and how they dealt with their children's nagging.
The study, published in the Journal of Children and Media, found that packaging, characters and commercials all contributed to whether children pestered their mothers. The children who watched more television commercials were more likely to nag for foods that included cartoons on the packaging, even if they didn't like the food, researchers said.
"She picks up the characters by osmosis," one mother who took part in the study said of her 4-year-old daughter.
The bind that many parents face is that many of the foods that advertise popular characters are oftentimes not healthy, said Dina Borzekowski, associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and co-author of the study.
"We know marketing works, so the trick is to make it work for healthier products," said Borzekowski.
Another mother of a 4-year-old boy said, "It really became clear to me how much TV impacts his preferences when he asked me to go to Burger King and I said, 'Why Burger King?' and he replied he had seen it on TV."
While researchers did not cite specific packages, mothers who were interviewed said the characters or commercials that drew the most attention were Dora the Explorer, Elmo, Spongebob and Scooby Doo.
But the so-called "nag factor" didn't stop there. The children who watched the most commercial TV also engaged almost equally in different types of nagging -- juvenile nagging, nagging to test boundaries and manipulative nagging.
Juvenile nagging consists of repeatedly asking for items, whining and even flailing arms and stomping feet. Children nagged to test boundaries by throwing a public tantrum and putting items in the cart even as their mother said no. Manipulative nagging consists of sweet talking the mother, or even saying that other children possessed the item.
"Our study indicates that manipulative nagging and overall nagging increased with age," Holly Henry, a co-author of the study and a doctoral candidate at Johns Hopkins said in a statement. Mothers of 5-year-olds recalled more negative nagging experiences, researchers said.
"It's been a battle with my child," said one mother. "No reward in whining." "Giving in was consistently cited as one of the least-effective strategies," said Henry.
Thirty-six percent of the mothers studied dealt with the nagging by limiting their child's exposure to commercials. And researchers said that may be one of the most effective ways to limit a child's nagging and consumption of potentially unhealthy foods.
Researchers also suggested not going to the store with a child, or trying to explain to a child before heading out why they would be tempted to buy certain types of foods and avoid buying others.
"I don't' think marketing is going away anytime soon, said Borzekowski. "We need to help parents deal with the current situation."


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You all know about Apple iPad 3 release and now Google renames Android Market to “Google Play”. Now lets know more about Google Play and know more exciting update about this Android Market. l see all of the categories in the virtual store change names too. Music, videos and books apps, will becoming Play Music, Play Movies and Play Books.
The new look of the Android store is available as part of the latest Android 2.2 mobile update. Google Play is now available on all android mobiles, computers, laptops and Chromebooks. Google Play allows users to buy a piece of content and access it on any device.
This change in name of Android Market to Google Play is clever trick by technology experts. Rich Trenholm, the news editor of technology site CNET UK, wrote: “This [rebrand] took me by surprise, but it’s a smart move.
“As enormously popular as Android phones are, Google is still a word that’s far more recognizable to ordinary folk. I think the name Google is added for maintaining the portfolio of the Android Market. This Google can help Android for a better Marketing in applications world.
Now friends enjoy a inspiring video by Google Play….


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Sweet treats & exclusive merchandise from the traveling truck.
Much like the likes of the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile, this should be fun to see in person.
The brightly colored Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is making a stop La Encantada Shopping Center from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 2.
The cafe on wheels is delivering a new batch of exclusive treats and limited-edition collectibles that ought to warm any hardcore Hello Kitty fan’s heart.
One of the sweetest things you can grab are the Hello Kitty Cafe Chef Cookies that come inside a lunchbox, alongside some confetti popcorn.
Doesn’t that just tickle your fancy?
If you happen to splurge and spend $25 or more you’ll get a free Hello Kitty Cafe pink mini-tote to store all of your purchases.
Aside from the treats, the truck will be selling other merchandise like enamel pins, canvas totes, and Hello Kitty cushions.
La Encantada Shopping Center is located at 2905 E. Skyline Dr. and the truck will be parked near Firebirds. For more information, visit the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck on Facebook.


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With a 9% growth in this year, the Port of Los Angeles is experiencing backups due to equipment shortages, labor negotiations and rail delays. This perfect storm of issues has resulted in frustrated retailers who are accustomed to getting their merchendise off the ship at the port and moving across the country that same day.
Spokesman for the port, Phillip Sanfield, said that the Port of LA is aware of the issue and working to fix these delays. While the port won't take any major hits this season, this situation brings to light a larger issue on import demand and how retailers can strategize differently as these challenges continue to be addressed.
Check out the future home of Annenberg student media:
Wallis Annenberg Hall
(opening Fall 2014)


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Mobile mania: smartphone users dialing up health info; docs prefer Apple
A Kantar Media survey found that among those cell phone customers using their devices to go online, a quarter, or around 19.3 million, are going online for health-related information.
The survey of 20,000 found that while four-fifths of Americans own a cell or smart phone, two-thirds of adults use their phones to surf the Web, access email, download content, send photos or update social networking sites, while the remaining third uses their phones only for texting or calls. The average age of those searching for health info on their phones is 33 – considerably younger than the average age of the entire adult population (46). They are just as likely to access the Internet through their phones as through laptops or desktop computers.
They're comfortable registering on disease-specific websites, said Kantar, and they find online healthcare advertising credible. After being exposed to an ad, they tend to visit specific websites or conduct online research, and they are likely to call toll free numbers or return free sample cards. A third are also big magazine readers.
“With the number of mobile units by some accounts exceeding those of computers, these devices are becoming the primary entry point for internet access,” said Jayne Krahn, VP consumer health and custom research at Kantar.
Meanwhile, Manhattan Research reports that three-quarters of US physicians now own an Apple device – iPhone, iPad or iPod – and that 81% own some type of smartphone. The iPad is coming on strong. Thirty percent of doctors own one and another 28% told Manhattan Research they plan to get one within the next six months.
“Despite the success of the Android platform in the overall consumer market, physicians are flocking to the iPhone as their smartphone of choice,” said Manhattan Research president Meredith Ressi, who noted that docs are particularly gung-ho about the iPad for use in clinical practice and look forward to accessing electronic medical records through the devices, according to the phone and online survey of 2,041 US practicing physicians.
“As more EMR providers offer this ability, iPad accessibility may be a deciding factor for some practices when selecting an EMR provider,” she added.


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By Carlie Kollath/NEMS Daily Journal
TUPELO – One of Tupelo’s Walmart locations has been remodeled and the other is scheduled for an update next year.
Friday morning, Walmart officials and associates gathered in the front of the North Gloster Street Supercenter to celebrate the grand reopening of the store, which underwent 31⁄2 months of interior renovations.
According to store manager Howard Brannon, the remodeling included updating the colors, expanding the electronics department, making the aisles wider and regrouping merchandise.
“So far, customers like the look, but they can’t find anything,” Brannon said.
Maps are set up in the entrances to help customers navigate the store, which has about 350 employees.
Sammy Sappington, a Walmart market manager, said the remodel helped make the store more female-friendly. Now, if customers enter through the north entrance by the pharmacy, the female-oriented categories are grouped there. Apparel is on the left and items for the home, such as kitchen items, sheets, bathroom decor, pillows, are on the right.
Sappington estimated that women make up about 60 percent to 70 percent of Walmart shoppers.
The store’s inventory also was reduced as part of the remodeling, especially in the food department. Sappington encouraged shoppers at the Friday event to tell a manager if they used to buy an item before the remodel and can’t find it now but still would like to buy it.
The remodeling is part of a corporate effort from Wal-Mart Stores, which has slowed new store openings to focus on updating its current store base.
According to Sappington, about 400 U.S. stores are slated for remodeling this year. In Northeast Mississippi, remodels in Oxford and Batesville should wrap up in the next two weeks.
Walmart already has begun remodeling its Fulton store, with work expected to wrap up in June.
The West Main store in Tupelo is scheduled to be remodeled next year, Sappington said.
The plan, he said, is to remodel all the stores along the corridor from Batesville to Fulton.
Contact Carlie Kollath at (662) 678-1598 or firstname.lastname@example.org.
As part of its celebratoin Walmart donated about $5,100 total to the following:
– Saltillo Fire Department
– Richomnd Volunteer Fire Department
– Tupelo Fire Department
– Verona Fire Department
– Tupelo Police Department
– Lee County Sheriff’s Department
– American Legion Post 49
– American Red Cross/Haitian relief


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Flip is adding a larger screen, and WiFi, to its camcorders reports Pocket-lint.
It's a smart move. Now Flip users will be able to upload their videos straight from the camera to the web, just like the iPhone 3GS, and Droid.
It's a late move, though. Smartphones have turned the camcorder into an application, not a device. Unless this is the first step in a radical plan that changes the company, it's hard to see a long vibrant future for Flip cameras.
Get the latest Cisco stock price here.


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The all-American vibe of Mustangs and Camaros is beginning to resonate in China -- even at twice the price.
Ford plans to launch the midsize Ranger pickup truck in China in 2018, hoping to draw more Chinese consumers, who generally prefer crossovers and SUVs, toward a different market segment.
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Notoriously difficult indie platformer VVVVV is coming to a platform you could conceivably break in a temper tantrum.
Eurogamer reports the Nicalis published title, which gets its name from the V-like spikes covering most surfaces, will be available on the 3DS e-Shop some time this year.
No pricing has been set yet, but the 3DS version of Captain Viridian’s adventures will sport six new levels and a map on the second screen, as well as the obligatory 3D effects.
Nicalis has said extra content will release post-launch, too.
Despite its rage-inducing trickiness, VVVVVV was hailed as one of the best indie releases of last year. It’s available on PC for $5.


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Amazon is ending its plan to buy Roomba developer iRobot for $1.7 billion, blaming the deal’s collapse on government regulators.
“This outcome will deny consumers faster innovation and more competitive prices, which we're confident would have made their lives easier and more enjoyable,” Amazon SVP David Zapolsky said on Monday.
The e-commerce giant is pulling the plug on the deal after the European Commission said in November that the Amazon-iRobot merger might “restrict competition in the market for robot vacuum cleaners” within the EU. The Commission cited how Amazon could delist or bury the product listings for rival robot vacuum makers on Amazon.com, forcing rivals to pay more in advertising in order to stand out.
“Such foreclosure strategies could restrict competition in the market for RVCs (robot vacuum cleaners), leading to higher prices, lower quality, and less innovation for consumers,” the Commission said. Another concern was that Amazon could extract more data from users through the sold Roomba devices.
In terminating the deal, Amazon didn’t name the EU by name. But the e-commerce giant said the “undue” regulatory scrutiny threatens competition since some tech companies hope to grow precisely through an acquisition.
In response to the deal’s collapse, iRobot also announced it’s been forced to restructure to stabilize the company in the “current environment, while focusing on profitability and advancing key growth." As a result, the company is laying off 350 workers or about 31% of its staff. In addition, iRobot CEO Colin Angle is stepping down. The company’s chief legal officer Andrew Miller is taking over as interim CEO.
Amazon is paying iRobot a $94 million break-up fee. Nevertheless, the Roomba developer has been posting quarterly losses amid falling revenues. The restructuring is expected to net iRobot $80 to $100 million in cost savings while also reducing its R&D spend by $20 million per year.


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Customers should expect more new rules when shopping at supermarkets this week - including shopping limits.
The major supermarkets are putting measures in place to attempt to prevent the empty shelves seen at the start of lockdown in March.
Other new rules include hiring marshals to ensure everyone is wearing a face covering.
With worries that some areas could enter local lockdowns or another national shutdown could be on the way there have been reports of people panic buying some products.
That's despite supermarkets remaining open throughout the crisis and no evidence of shortages of pasta, flour or toilet roll.
Morrisons and Tesco are the first big supermarkets to bring in the rules - which cover cleaning products, pasta and flour.
Here are the latest rules on shopping limits from the major supermarkets:
Tesco have introduced a three-item limit on some of its products, including flour, dried pasta, toilet roll, baby wipes and anti-bacterial wipes.
However it's currently just a precaution and the supermarket has said that there's good availability on these products.
A Tesco spokesperson said: "We have good availability, with plenty of stock to go round, and we would encourage our customers to shop as normal.
"To ensure that everyone can keep buying what they need, we have introduced bulk-buy limits on a small number of products."
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Morrisons was the first supermarket to bring back limits on its cleaning products and toilet roll.
In a statement to shoppers, a spokesperson for the supermarket said: "We are introducing a limit on a small number of key products, such as toilet roll and disinfectant.
"Our stock levels of these products are good but we want to ensure that they are available for everyone."
The supermarket has said there is an "extremely high demand" for some products, including face masks.
The Sainsbury's site reads: "We are experiencing extremely high demand for certain products and as such have introduced some quantity restrictions.
"We have started to remove limits on the number of certain non-essential products you can buy. Limits will remain in place on pain relief and cold and flu products and Type IIR Approved Face Masks."
Cold and flu products which contain painkillers are already restricted by national rules.
While Asda announced they will be doing more to make sure people are following the rules on wearing face coverings, there aren't any restrictions for shoppers.
An Asda spokesperson said: "We’re not seeing evidence in a change of customer behaviour.
"We’ve currently got good availability in our stores and the same can be said for our online slots so we wouldn’t comment on panic-buying preparations since we’re not seeing any panic-buying so we’re not implementing any product limits at the moment."
Aldi have asked customers to "shop considerately" but that shops remain fully stocked.
In a letter to customers, chief executive Giles Hurley wrote: "I would like to reassure you that our stores remain fully stocked and ask that you continue to shop considerately.
"There is no need to buy more than you usually would. We have remained open for our customers throughout the pandemic and will continue to have daily deliveries, often multiple times a day, across all of our products."
A spokesperson for Lidl said: "We’re not currently experiencing any product shortages and have good availability in stores. As such, there are no restrictions on any of our products. "


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Belfast consumer credit firm's assets lift to nearly £1.2 billion
BELFAST finance company Creation Consumer Finance made more than £20 million profit in 2015 - and claims its recovery was propelled by improving market confidence and a fall in the jobless rate.
The company, which offers personal loans as well as credit for larger purchases including furniture and cars on behalf of partners including DFS, Currys and Sony, has made its annual returns to Companies House in Belfast.
Although based in Solihull in the West Midlands area of England, its registered head office is at Royston House in Belfast.
The company's assets in 2015 were £1,183 million (up from £1,124 million), though its profit for the year, after taxation, dipped to £20.7m from £24m.
The directors of Creation Consumer Finance said: "We have seen a rise in the demand for consumer credit as the economy improves.
"There are significant uplifts in the home improvement loan and unsecured personal loan markets and the point-of-sales credit market continued to perform strongly.
This year the company will be further integrated into the personal finance division of BNP Paribas, the French multinational bank and financial services company with its global headquarters.
And Creation says it believes the enlarged group will "provide the support and expertise" to allow it to continue to develop in the UK consumer credit market.


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If there’s a surefire way of measuring Royal Caribbean International’s commitment to the comeback of the cruise industry, one could simply look at the numbers.
Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said that the cruise line has gone from spending 10% of its usual marketing budget in the first part of the year to “as we now move into this fourth quarter, we are now investing in our marketing at a rate that we’ve never invested before in the history of our company.”
Bolstered by the fact that RCI now has 18 ships up and operating globally, more than 500,000 passengers have embarked on cruises with the company since operations resumed. Although the figures are lower than the 5.5 to 6 million annual guests typically on board during a pre pandemic year, and lower than its goal of reaching one million guests by the end of year, Bayley is still optimistic.
“Obviously the numbers are much lower but relatively speaking it’s the highest in the industry,” he said during a special sailing for the naming ceremony of Odyssey of the Seas. “As an industry and as a company, we feel like we’ve really moved into a really positive place.”
Another notable figure is the fact that of all of the passengers who have set sail, Royal Caribbean’s positivity rate is 0.09%.
“The prevalence on a Royal Caribbean ship is remarkably lower than anywhere else I would say on the planet. It’s a remarkably pristine environment,” he said. “Everybody over the age of 12 is required to be fully vaccinated to sail on Royal Caribbean International ships globally and all of our crew members are 100% fully vaccinated. Typically our population on the ship at any time, even with the kids 12 and under unvaccinated, is around 95%. So it’s a very safe environment.”
One cool feature that reduces the amount of touch points on Odyssey of the Seas is that the elevator buttons are touch-less and are triggered by motion.
Reflecting on the journey to get to this point, Bayley described how the word “Odyssey” represents much more than just the name of the latest Quantum Ultra-class ship Odyssey of the Seas.
“Although building a ship is always a journey within itself, there was no predicting the past 20 months,” he said. “Whether it was changes to the construction timeline or the date we would set sail again, in many ways what it took to get Odyssey of the Seas here today is much like Royal Caribbean’s journey to get back to cruising. In this last year the word Odyssey has become more than the name of the ship. It represents the Odyssey we’ve experienced together as a cruise line and as an industry.”
As for what’s new on Odyssey of the Seas, Captain Sindre Borsheim said while there are some familiar spaces for those who are familiar with other Quantum sister ships, there are a lot of changes as well.
“The open pool space, we don’t have an indoor pool so it’s extended to allow for far more capacity under the sun. We have the open dining room which only Spectrum and Odyssey have,” he said. “We have moved the gym from the Spectrum back to the forward part of the ship again.”
A new dining option is Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, which offers favourites like handcrafted pizzas and lasagna, and 50 wines by the glass and classic Italian cocktails with a twist, including a negroni and aperol spritz.
“We have a lot of different activities, we have the Zone Zero (a fully immersive 4D virtual reality experience at sea), Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, hangout areas for the adults who don’t necessarily want to take part in the sports activities, but be together with their children in the same area,” he said. “It is an amazing hangout area. We also have the tallest North Star (a glass observational pod) of all the Quantum Class Ships. Our North Star is actually going 1.2 degrees higher than the Spectrum.”
Although it was incredibly challenging dealing with health authorities in the beginning, Baley said the cruise line wound up having very productive and meaningful meetings with the likes of the CDC.
And although the instances are very low, he didn’t shy away from addressing what happens when passengers test positive for COVID-19.
“If we do have a COVID positive case onboard, the guest is immediately quarantined, we have a contact tracing process immediately identifying anyone within their circle of connection, they then are tested and quarantined,” he said. “And positive cases are often sent home that very same day by private jet. And so we’ve got a pretty remarkable process in place, we think.”


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Chevron Corp. of San Ramon said its petroleum reserves dropped 7.3 percent last year to the lowest since at least 1998 as oil-rich nations com manded a greater share of output. Chevron had oil and natural-gas reserves equivalent to almost 10.8 billion barrels of crude as of Dec. 31, down from 11.6 billion barrels a year earlier, the company said Thursday in a regulatory filing.
The company also failed to replace 89 percent of the oil and gas pumped from wells last year even as it boosted exploration spending 21 percent to a record $15.5 billion.
Biotech lobby money
South San Franciso-based biotech giant Genentech Inc. spent $1.8 million last year lobbying the federal government on issues that could influence the market for its biotech drugs. Genentech spent $940,000 lobbying Congress, the Food and Drug Administration and other agencies in the second half of the year, according to a government form disclosed Feb. 13. The company lobbied against bills that would have permitted the importation of drugs from Canada and allowed the government to set drug prices for the Medicare program.
San Jose-based business software maker BEA Systems Inc. reported a net income of $75.7 million, or 18 cents per share, in the fourth quarter, compared with a loss of $99.7 million, or 25 cents per share, for the same period a year before. The company has agreed to be bought by software-giant Oracle Corp. of Redwood City for $8.5 billion.
Shares Apple Inc. of Cupertino rose 5.7 percent to $129.91 after the company reiterated its goal to sell 10 million iPhones this year and said the number of handsets that have been unlocked to work on unauthorized wireless networks is a sign of “great demand” worldwide.
Gap earnings rise
Gap Inc., which is in the midst of a companywide restructuring under new Chief Executive Glenn Murphy, says sales at its Banana Republic chain helped drive earnings up 21 percent in the fiscal fourth quarter. The San Francisco-based apparel retailer said Thursday net income rose to $265 million, or 35 cents per share, from $219 million, or 27 cents per share, a year ago.
Digital multimedia and presentation technology company AVerMedia Technologies Inc. of Milpitas said it has launched a new Teacher Forum, located at http://www.avermedia-usa.com/presentatio. This new forum is designed to be a central area where teachers can access resources, share ideas, and find out about new technologies.
Compiled from wire and staff reports. Got Bay Area business news? Reach Drew Voros at 925-943-8099 or at firstname.lastname@example.org.
Assistant Business Editor


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Mark Davies (pictured) is managing director of Link Mortgage Services
It’s tempting to regard the advent of cryptocurrencies as something from a sci-fi movie.
Digital currencies are still alien to most of us but the recent announcement by Facebook that it will unveil its planned Libra cryptocurrency has made something other worldly feel very real and it has got the attention of, among many others, regulators who see the prospect of a tech firm with billions of users launching its own currency as a threat to state currencies.
Indeed, Agustin Carstens, chief of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), acknowledged that central banks will likely soon need to issue their own digital currencies in a recent interview in the Financial Times.
Of course, not all cryptocurrencies are the same. Some are going to be pegged to a basket of other values whereas others such as Bitcoin maintain a market value. Bitcoin too, unlike others has a finite amount that can be created so it is anti deflationary.
Perhaps the starkest difference between Bitcoin and Libra is where you can use the two cryptocurrencies. When it is released perhaps in 2020, Libra will be a digital currency that can be used for purchases and trades on Facebook, WhatsApp, and other Facebook properties.
Other supporting websites will potentially come on board at that time, most likely members of the Libra Association, but that’s yet to be confirmed. Bitcoin, on the other hand, can be used by anyone, anywhere in the world, entirely independently of any organisation or platform.
Trades can happen on exchanges, through direct trade websites, or even in large quantities with entire wallets in a practice that’s typically known as over the counter. Where Facebook will ultimately control where and how Libra is used, Bitcoin is almost entirely deregulated.
Ultimately whether it is Facebook or Amazon or another who launch the next big currency, the challenge to the existing financial services infrastructure, whether that be providers, regulators or HMRC, are clear and present. The speed at which these ideas can be embraced means they will inevitably take hold quickly.
We may not be buying houses from the offset in digital currencies but its not too outlandish to imagine many younger tenants wanting to pay their rents this way. Put that in a landlord’s affordability calculation!
But there are much bigger issues at hand. Will there be discovery of information, or data that can be used in credit provision, and how will data privacy be protected? This is just the beginning of this adventure that will bring many challenges and change the way we organize society. The future is unfolding right now.


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London (Brussels Morning) Today, First Minister Arlene Foster outlined the Northern Ireland Executive’s decision to implement tough new restrictions. Foster said it was necessary to “break the chain” of the coronavirus spread.
The new measures, which are among some of the harshest in the UK, have received some backlash for fear of how it might impact the economy.
They included what has been called a “circuit-breaker” — a term adopted throughout the UK — that involves a mini lockdown where all schools will close for an extended period from 19 October. Pubs and restaurants have also been told to shut their doors but can still deliver takeaways and deliveries.
The measures will also impact businesses that necessitate close contact with customers like salons.
Trade NI, a joint alliance of the hospitality, manufacturing and retail groups, said in a joint statement yesterday that shutdown would devastate the economy:
“No effective help is being offered to those businesses that will be forced to close as a result of a loss of trade, footfall and consumers, nor those who will lose their incomes over these difficult winter months”.
“We fully appreciate that this will be difficult and worrying news for a lot of people”, said Foster.
“The Executive has taken this decision because it is necessary, and we discussed the impacts in great detail. We do not take this step lightly”.
Foster said she was hoping support measures would be signed off on Thursday.
“I plead with people today, please take personal responsibility for your actions. Please work with us”, she added.
The news comes as four more people died in the region, making the death toll 602 for coronavirus related deaths. The number of confirmed cases increased by 1,217, the highest daily rise since the pandemic’s onset bringing the total to 23,115. Around 6,693 people have tested positive in the last week.
The announcement comes, as well, as Boris Johnson’s administration is criticised for ignoring its medical advisers’ advice by failing to implement a circuit-breaker, among other measures. The government has defended its actions and stood by its new-three tier system, promoting a localised approach to curbing virus transmission.


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“He also worried that the deal could create a new problem for the industry and consumers in the form of AT&T’s plans to exclude its online video offerings from its wireless data caps. Critics worry that could turn AT&T into a powerful gatekeeper for consumers’ content, Sen. Lee noted,” McKinnon reports. “AT&T Inc. Chief Executive Randall Stephenson said Wednesday that AT&T is a communications company that distributes content, while Time Warner is a content creator. The merger ‘eliminates no competitor,’ he said — a classic vertical merger… We’re going against a cable provider to compete,’ Mr. Stephenson said, noting that the company is likely to be competing against entrenched cable-distribution companies.”
“Antitrust enforcers in the Trump administration will ultimately decide whether to approve the deal or block it as anticompetitive, so the senators will have little or no say in the outcome. However, members of Congress can both reflect and contribute to the public mood regarding the merger of such large, high-impact businesses,” McKinnon reports. “The merger deal has taken flak from Mr. Trump, who criticized it on the campaign trail as too much concentration of power and promised to block it.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: As noted in the full article, it’s notable that Republican lawmakers are expressing concerns, as they are often apt to take a pro-business approach. McKinnon opines that “may reflect in part a recent surge in populist sentiment in both parties.”
Apple currently not interested in buying Time Warner, source say – November 2, 2016
Goldman Sachs tries to persuade Apple to bid for Time Warner as TV ‘strategy’ treads water – October 31, 2016


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One in Ten UK Adults Are Now Cashless
More than 5 million people in the UK hardly ever make cash payments anymore, according to a report by UK Finance.
The latest research from the trade association for the UK banking and financial services sector revealed that 5.4 million adults made just one or no payment per month with notes and coins last year. That figure is around 2 million more than 2017, when just 3.4 million people used cash once or less per month. The decline of cash payments in the UK is being fuelled by the rise of contactless cards and phone payments, and it is a concern for the future of ATMs in the country. There were 7.4 billion contactless payments made in 2018, a 31% jump from 2017.
Despite the rise in cashless payments, the data revealed that 1.9 million people, or 4% of the population, still use notes and coins as their main form of payment. However, UK Finance has said that although credit card payments will become more common than cash transactions, the UK will not become a completely cashless society any time soon. But there have been recent reports that access to cash is becoming more difficult, especially in rural and remote areas were the number of free cash machines is rapidly declining.
John Howells, chief executive of ATM network operator Link, said: “The sharp drop in cash usage means that it is vital now to reform how cash is distributed to maintain broad, free access for all consumers. Link is determined to deliver this with the support of industry and regulators.”
The UK Finance report found that over 39 billion transactions were made up and down the country by both businesses and individuals in 2018. Out of these, 34.9 billion were made by individual consumers and 4.4 billion were made by businesses, although business transactions are typically of a much higher value. The most common method of payment last year was debit cards, accounting for as many as 15 billion transactions.
Meanwhile, the number of cash payments in the UK last year was just 11 billion, down 16% from 2017. Cash payments made up just 28% of all transactions last year, which is a huge decline from a decade ago when in 2008 cash payments accounted for 60% of transactions. And UK finance has predicted that in ten years’ time cash payments will make up just 9% of all transactions.
“More and more customers are now opting for the speed and convenience of paying with their contactless cards, or using mobile banking to check their balances and make transfers while on the move,” said Stephen Jones, chief executive of UK Finance. “This rapid rate of technological change is set to continue over the coming decade, as people embrace the ever-widening number of ways to pay and manage their finances, depending on their needs and lifestyle.
“However, technology is not for everyone and cash remains a payment method that is valued and preferred by many, so maintaining access to cash will be vital to ensure no customers is left behind.”


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Consumer electronics giant LG Electronics has rowed back from yesterdays announcement that it had struck a deal to supply 15,000 3D TVs direct to UK pay-TV operator BSkyB, reported in yesterdayÂs DTVE Daily.
LG issued a correction to its own press release, confirming that it is supporting SkyÂs forthcoming 3D channel by supplying TVs to pubs and other venues. However, it said that Sky was helping its commercial customers buy 3D TVs direct from a third-party supplier and that it had not, in fact, ordered 15,000 TVs direct from LG.
ICYMI: SeaChange names new CEO digitaltveurope.com/2021/09/28/sea…
28 September 2021 @ 19:29:00 UTC
‘Fire suppression systems’ cause channel outage from Red Bee Media playout centre in London digitaltveurope.com/2021/09/28/fir… https://t.co/DBzsbjok2G
28 September 2021 @ 17:00:00 UTC


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Global Views Teams up with DwellStudio
March 21, 2011,
DALLAS-Home decor company Global Views has partnered with textiles company DwellStudio to introduce an eclectic line of modern accessories at next month's High Point Market. With 70 skus in the initial launch, the line will include vases, objets d'art, trays and mirrors.
"DwellStudio brings a youthful, fun and fresh perspective to our line," said David Gebhart, CEO, Global Views. "It gives Global Views access to patterns, colors and designs that we would not normally be involved in."
Other Articles By Author
HFN Launches Interactive Idea Book
HFN's DIGITAL EDITION
COVER STORY: HFN Turns 90
We commemorate HFN's 90th anniversary by paying tribute to the iconic retailer and supplier brands--and the people--that have helped the industry flourish, then and now.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
- Up & Coming Leaders - The home industry is in capable and visionary hands as this year’s 40 Under 40 list attests. Today’s young leaders span all disciplines and varied levels of operation.
- Omnichannel Retailing - In the Mobile App World, Time is Money


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The heavy-duty electric trucks will be introduced in Los Angeles, with more electric vehicles planned for the U.S. market.
DHL Express is forging ahead with its emissions reduction goals with the launch of four Class 8 battery-electric trucks in the U.S. DHL is piloting the trucks in the Los Angeles market to haul goods to and from the DHL LAX Gateway and local service center facilities.
The electric trucks are manufactured by BYD Motors and equipped with an air-ride cab and air suspension, providing them with enough power and torque to operate at 82,000 lbs. combined weight. Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL, explained that the L.A. market has a great deal of volume and a need for these trucks.
“It’s a busy gateway for us,” Hewitt said during an ACT Virtual press conference. “And sitting within that 125-mile radius that we find these electric vehicles work effectively, we can move between our stations and test the capability of the equipment.”
California is a prime market for these vehicles. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is mandating that all operations of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles be 100% zero-emission by 2045 “where feasible,” with the mandate going into effect by 2035 for drayage trucks. CARB is pushing for these emissions reductions through its newly adopted Advanced Clean Trucks regulation.
This year, California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom, along with the governors of 14 other states, as well as the mayor of Washington, D.C., agreed to a pact called the Multi-State Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Memorandum of Understanding, which calls for only new medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission trucks and buses to be sold in their jurisdiction by 2050. They set a 30% goal of zero-emission commercial vehicles by 2030, which will be reassessed in 2025 as new data comes in.
“The introduction of these efficient electric trucks is a huge step forward, not only toward achieving our own clean transport goals but also California’s ambitious goals on the adoption of zero-emission vehicles,” Hewitt said. “By implementing these electric trucks, we will prevent more than 300 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere per year as we continue to grow and enhance our clean pickup and delivery solutions.”
The new trucks aim to enhance DHL’s alternative fuel vehicle fleet in the U.S., which includes fully electric, hybrid-electric, and clean diesel in addition to low-power, electric-assist e-cargo cycles. DHL Express also has 72 all-electric battery-powered vans on order from multiple vendors that will support DHL pickup and delivery operations throughout California and New York.
During the Nov. 17 press conference, Aaron Gilmore, vice president, Electric Truck Division, North America, BYD, pointed out that commercial drivers are finding these electric Class 8 trucks “much easier to drive than a diesel vehicle.”
“That initial instant torque feel and regenerative braking is a little different than what they are used to, but drivers learn to love the smooth, powerful acceleration of those trucks; the feel of the regenerative braking doing most of that braking for them; and, overall, the lack of diesel smell, the quietness of the cab, and the lack of the vibrations of a combustion engine,” Gilmore said.
Hewitt said the test pilot in Los Angeles will determine whether DHL will add the Class 8 electric vehicles to its operations in other markets in North America.
The audit is a key tool to know the overall status and provide the analysis, the assessment, the advice, the suggestions and the actions to take in order to cut costs and increase the efficiency and efficacy of the fleet. We propose the following fleet management audit.


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Stockholm, Sweden-based label X5, which was created in 2005 to take advantage of digital distribution, has further beefed up its U.S. presence by hiring former Amazon employee Griff Morris. In his new role at X5, Morris will be in charge content deals and artist relations.
During his time at Amazon, Morris was senior manager of content licensing and vendor management.
The addition of Morris, the label has quietly beefed up U.S. operations since May. That month, the company hired Scott Ambrose Reilly as CEO and Joy O'Shell, who is in charge of operations. A week later the label hired Dan Pifer to oversee new product.
X5, which specializes in curating genre compilations designed for the digital marketplace, now counts three ex-Amazon employees on its staff. Besides Morris, who spent nearly five years at the Seattle-based merchant, Reilly and O'Shell have also come from Amazon. Pifer, meanwhile, arrives from RightsFlow, where he was COO.
The first three hires are based in New York, and Morris will travel between his home in Seattle and New York. He'll visit New York at least one week per month.
Last year the label received a $10 million injection from Northzone Ventures. It's beginning to diversify beyond its classical music beginnings and look at other genres ripe for digital compilations.


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CrescoData becomes the first Google Shopping partner based in Singapore
By Digital News Asia April 10, 2017
- Enables merchants to automate the listing of their catalogues onto eCommerce marketplaces
- eCommerce in Southeast Asia is expected to surpass US$15 billion this year
CRESCODATA, a cloud based multi-channel listing platform announced their partnership with Google Shopping in Singapore. CrescoData is the first Google Shopping partner based in Singapore.
With over two years of experience with Google Shopping in international markets, including Australia and the US, e-tailers can use CrescoData to rapidly scale and localise product listings on the platform. This enables them to score a first-mover advantage in Singapore’s fast-growing eCommerce market.
CrescoData enables merchants to automate the listing of their product catalogues onto eCommerce marketplaces and digital advertising platforms, and ensures product data including stock and price changes are updated.
Since Google Shopping interfaces directly with product data, and delists inaccurate entries, accurate product data is essential to success on the platform.
In addition, Google Shopping Ads are in beta in five more markets across Asia. Sellers looking to expand to these markets need to rapidly and scalably localise for currency and other variables.
On relevant searches, Google Shopping ads occupy half of a display screen. Due to its visibility on both web and mobile platforms, spending on Google Shopping ads tripled year-on-year in 2016.
By providing relevant product information that consumers are searching for, leads that land on an eCommerce page are better qualified - increasing the likelihood of purchase. In addition, customers click through to the purchase page, therefore reducing the number of clicks. Image-based product ads also perform better than text-based ads, further increasing purchase rates.
Google Shopping’s tools and detailed reports also offer real-time insights into the effectiveness of product listing ads, enabling sellers to optimise ads for better sales.
“As with other regions, Google Shopping will widen the floodgates to eCommerce in Asia. Google Shopping’s Product Listing Ads (PLAs) offer consumers a direct path to purchase. These have been proven to generate more clicks, and better ROI compared to text ads on Adwords,” said CrescoData CEO Anna Trybocka.
“To ensure success on Google Shopping, e-tailers must have robust product data processes. After two years of working with Google Shopping, and proven ability to drive revenue for our clients through the platform, we are incredibly proud to be Google’s shopping partner in Singapore”.
Google and major marketplaces such as Alibaba and Amazon are investing in the region due to its potential. eCommerce in Southeast Asia (SEA) is expected to surpass US$15 billion this year.
Global e-tailers such as Decathlon are also taking the initiative to widen their reach in Southeast Asia. Google Shopping’s PLA’s provide a rich, mobile-friendly format to reach consumers in Singapore.
“We have seen phenomenal success with Google Shopping Ads in Australia. Given that we already have a highly engaged customer base in Singapore, we look forward to expanding our presence in the region. Decathlon aspires to provide a seamless omni-channel customer experience and Google Shopping helps compliment our omni-channel strategy. We work with CrescoData as our Google Shopping feed partner in both Australia and Singapore.” said Decathlon Singapore CMO Clarence Chew.


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The mobile world has fully arrived. You've probably noticed an increased use of mobile apps like Uber and SnapChat. Every business has to deal with the mobile scenario now and it's not just that people are carrying cell phones around 24/7. It's because those phones aren't just phones--they're cameras, super computers, and live streaming broadcast transmitters as well. And people have them in their hands every time they are making a buying decision.
Randy Gage suggests that mobile is disrupting marketing more than newspapers, radio, direct mail, television, and the Internet all did--combined. In his latest book, Mad Genius, a self-proclaimed "manifesto for entrepreneurs," Gage paints some frightening, but exhilarating scenarios on how mobile apps just might blow up every business plan in the world today, including yours.
Here are Gage's suggestions for getting ahead of the mobile tidal wave.
1. Start devising a mobile plan today.
Many companies are still behind the curve in understanding how mobile will affect them. Gage insists everyone to start putting some resources into developing a plan to deal with it. "It doesn't matter what industry or profession you are in--if you haven't done some serious critical thinking about how smart phones will disrupt everything in your space, you better start now," says Gage.
2. Be transparent.
Mobile technology allows people to get the information they want, when they want and wherever they want it. Because of this, it is harder for companies to hide information and any attempt to do so could prove problematic. Gage warns against doing this, noting that companies should "be prepared to deal with that transparency. Instead of trying to escape the reality, embrace it. Businesses that provide true value have nothing to fear from this. Make sure you're one of them."
3. Know what customers are saying.
In addition to getting whatever they want whenever and wherever, customers can also say whatever they want about whomever whenever they please. Gage notes that companies must know what is being said about their company online and be ready to deal with it appropriate. "A bad report goes viral a whole lot quicker than a positive one," he notes. "Make sure you are monitoring your online reputation at all times, and respond immediately to negative posts."
4. Develop a killer app.
Gage warns that "businesses are also going to lose control, because a large percentage of the most popular apps will be produced by third parties, not the actual businesses who want to promote through them." Because of this it is crucial for companies create a product that consumers can easily comprehend and utilize. "The app you offer better give prospects a reason to go to you. As an example, there are many apps from airlines for their frequent flyers. But there are also lots of third party apps to help flyers get lower fares. But if my Delta app allows me to get through TSA pre-check, change my seat, check my elite status, and receive alerts in the event of a gate change or flight delay--I may decide the service is better than the possible discount."
5. Don't ignore Facebook.
With so many social media apps and websites, it is easy to get lost in how to develop a mobile strategy. Gage notes that Facebook is still king and should not be ignored. "With more than 800 million people a month accessing their site--and a huge percentage on them doing it on mobile--Facebook is poised to impact mobile behavior more than any other player in the space," he notes. "Facebook is already partnering with app developers for restaurant reservations, TV listings, and movie tickets. This is just the beginning, and with their captive audience, they can drive a lot of trends."
Gage is a big fan of Joel Comm, author of , so he invited him to contribute the two critical points about social media on mobile.
6. Watch for trends so you don't miss the boat.
The younger generation has been using Snapchat for several years, but recently there has been a greater adoption by brands such as Netflix, American Airlines, Marriott and others. "With the arrival of big brands, adults are embracing Snapchat in droves," says Internet pioneer Comm. "The ability to both share and consume brief stories which personalize the social experience even further is an irresistible proposition for content creators wanting to reach a new audience."
7. Use live video applications.
While live video streaming has been available online since 2008, the advent of video on-demand broadcast apps such as Periscope, Facebook Live and Blab.im have opened up doors of opportunity. "It's the perfect storm of increased broadband, mobile adoption and easy-to-use apps," says Comm. "2016 will find us moving from pioneer to early-adopter phase of . Brands and businesses that get on board now may have a leg up when the masses arrive."


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Residents of Hangzhou, China, can hop onto any one of at least 86,000 bicycles and ride wherever they like. The bikes are easy to find, too, because people tends to leave them any old place. On sidewalks. Under overpasses. In parks. Leaning against walls and lying in vacant lots.
Police have rounded up 23,000 bikes so far this year and hauled them to 16 corrals around the city. From the ground, these bicycle graveyards look like junkyards. Seen from above, they take on an impressionistic quality.
Hangzhou launched the $24 million bike share program in 2008 to mitigate the vehicle exhaust choking the city. It was the first project of its kind in China, and its size is second only to the program in Wuhan. It recently won a fancy sustainable transport award, and GST claims the bikes eliminate more than 110,000 tons of gas consumption a year.
But no one anticipated so many lazy cyclists. Private companies started offering bikes riders didn't have to return to one of the government's 3,000 docking stations. People could simply drop the bikes wherever they liked. And so they did, leaving them almost anywhere. China News Service reports that in March this year, complaints from concerned citizens grew so numerous that the city began rounding them up.
What happens next is anyone's guess. Until someone figures that out, the bikes will just keep piling up.


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Delta Air Lines’ CEO Richard Anderson (pictured) is to speak at the GBTA Convention in Los Angeles this summer.
Anderson will be one of the “featured speakers” at the event to be held at the LA Convention Centre on July 26-30. Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey will also be speaking at the convention, which is using the tagline "Business in Motion".
GBTA executive director Michael McCormick said: “Richard is an industry leader and one of the most influential people in travel today. He joins an impressive slate of speakers that will give our attendees unique insight and perspective on the business travel industry.”
Anderson, who is also currently chairman of IATA, featured in Buying Business Travel’s Hotlist 2014. He was behind Delta’s decision to buy a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic which has led to the new joint venture between the two airlines across the Atlantic.