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Ford Motor Co. announced Tuesday that its share of the electrified vehicle market in the United States quadrupled during the first half of 2013 vs. the first half of 2012, rising from 4 percent to 16 percent.
Ford Motor Co. Friday said it had surpassed its previous full-year hybrid sales record in just the first five months of 2013.
Despite high gas prices, hybrid owners aren’t repeating their purchases.
Generation Y’s strong affinity for hybrid vehicles could make it the “generation that leads us away from traditional gasoline-powered vehicles,” reports Craig Giffi, vice chairman and automotive practice leader at Deloitte LLP, after seeing the results of Deloitte’s annual survey of Gen Y consumers and what they want in an automobile.
The two stations, now in the Macomb County Administration Building parking lot, were a gift from DTE.
With new fuel economy rules coming, Ford and Toyota are have decided to work together to build a new generation of hybrid pickup trucks and SUV’s.
This week, we visit the SAE World Congress, take a look at Porsche’s future in the Motor City, and test drive a new hybrid from Lexus.
Whether you’re unplugging electronics when not in use, using canvas bags instead of plastic or collecting rain water, Ford wants to know what changes consumers are making to better the environment. It’s all part of Ford’s new “Take Charge” contest on its Electrified Vehicle Facebook page, which runs through mid-April.
General Motors (NYSE: GM) said Tuesday it will add 1,000 engineers and researchers in Michigan over the next two years to significantly expand its vehicle electrification expertise
General Motors (NYSE: GM) said Tuesday it will add 1,000 engineers and researchers in Michigan over the next two years to significantly expand its vehicle electrification expertise and lead in the development of electric vehicles […]


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Video: Woman Licks Blue Bell Ice Cream And Puts It Back
A video was posted Saturday by a user named Optimus Primal showing a woman licking a tub of Blue Bell ice cream and then putting it back on the shelf. The video has been viewed over 10M times and tweeted 25,000 times.
Blue Bell Ice Cream Corporate in Texas says they are monitoring the video and cooperating with police. The company said in a statement, “This type of incident will not be tolerated”.
Nobody knows what State this happened in, but with today’s digital footprints, police will track her down.
Blue Bell added that while they are searching for the ice cream licker, you can easily examine Blue Bell ice cream at the grocery store and should be able to tell if someone has previously opened a tub.
What kinda psychopathic behavior is this?! pic.twitter.com/T8AIdGpmuS— Optimus Primal (@BlindDensetsu) June 29, 2019

domain: news


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A few months back, New York-based brand Proenza Schouler announced its sister brand, Proenza Schouler White Label (PSWL), which is a less expensive version of the original label in an effort to venture out to more consumers.
To mark the launch of PSWL’s first collection, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez — the designers behind Proenza Schouler — have tapped longtime friend and all-around stylish gal, Chloë Sevigny, to be the face of its lookbook. Shot in New York by photographer Ricky Saiz, she appears in casual pieces from the new line – think a blush raincoat, denim separates featuring Proenza Schouler’s signature shoe laces, and a long belt that spells out the brand’s name.
The ready-to-wear range focuses on t-shirts, sweatshirts, denims, and casual outwears. According to the brand, the pieces are of “everyday wardrobe staples and riffs on a set of references explored in past Proenza Schouler collections: from early Powell Peralta videos to the graphic work of Guy de Cointet, from Harmony Korine’s Kids to the work of friends like Dan Colen.”
It only makes sense that Chloë Sevigny is the face of PSWL. After all, the American actress achieved recognition for her eclectic style, prior to her acting career. Since then, she released her own clothing lines, along with collaborations with other designers. Her cool, relaxed aesthetic represents the modern girl who breaks the rules and dresses freely.
The Proenza Schouler White Label collection will be released on November 6 with prices ranging from $195 (P9,750) to $1,195 (P59, 9750) and will be available in Proenza Schouler stores around the globe and online at proenzaschouler.com.


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Sharekhan is bullish on HCL Technologies has recommended buy rating on the stock with a target price of Rs 1250 in its research report dated September 17, 2019.
Sharekhan's research report on HCL Technologies
Management sees no material changes in the business environment despite macro uncertainties; HCL Tech is expected to achieve the top end of its revenue guidance. EBIT margin is expected to improve significantly in Q2/Q3 despite wage revision, led by revenue contribution from acquisition of IBM products. Strong revenue growth and reasonable valuation makes HCL Tech an attractive investment.
We maintain our Buy rating on HCL Technologies (HCL Tech) with an unchanged PT of Rs. 1,250.
For all recommendations report, click here
Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
The Great Diwali Discount!
Unlock 75% more savings this festive season. Get Moneycontrol Pro for a year for Rs 289 only.
Coupon code: DIWALI. Offer valid till 10th November, 2019 .


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New CEO at PureCars
PureCars has a new CEO.
The company, which provides a customer data and marketing platform for car dealers, said Tuesday that appointed to serve as the new chief executive is Aaron Sheeks, who had been president of PureCars since January.
Stephane Ferri, who had been CEO since June 2022, will transition to a continuing role on the board.
Sheeks co-founded The AutoMiner, which PureCars bought in January
“We want to thank Stephane Ferri for his tremendous contributions to PureCars over the past year, including guiding the company through the successful acquisition of The AutoMiner. We look forward to his continued participation at the board level,” Diversis Capital operating partner David Muscatel said in a news release.
“As we strengthen our industry-leading digital advertising with cutting-edge technology and data management solutions, we’re confident that Aaron’s expertise, product vision and leadership will drive PureCars’ future growth,” Muscatel said.
Sheeks added: “I am humbled to step into the position of CEO at this important time and even more excited about the opportunity ahead for PureCars. With our new business strategy, our dedicated and talented team and our commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience, PureCars is poised for long-term success.”


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The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is always a special place to visit for Valley residents and their families, and though the temperatures drop through the holiday season, it doesn't slow crowds from enjoying the … [Read more...] about Fresno Chaffee Zoo Debuts New Holiday Experience: Illuminature
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Steven Goodpaster has planned a big event for Saturday, Aug. 29, in Powell. Here’s what Steven says about our company’s participation:
“Food City is a HUGE supporter of the Powell community and the PBPA! They’re set and ready with tons of hot dogs, fixings and more for the August 29 Powell Station Celebration.
“Come visit their booths at the car show, flotilla and disc golf event and thank them for their amazing, sustaining in-kind and financial donations. They truly go above and beyond.”
We’re proud of all Food City associates who go above and beyond to make their community a special place.
This week’s ad has some above and beyond deals. Click link to read: Food City_8.7 Knox ROP
Betsi James is special events manager for Food City’s Knoxville and Chattanooga divisions.


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Major Asian stock markets edged higher on Thursday. Investors responded with relief after the House of Representatives approved a recent deal to raise the U.S. government’s debt ceiling. Without Congressional approval, the United States was in danger of quickly running out of money. The deal now goes to the Senate, where Democrats hold a majority. President Joe Biden will then sign the bill into law.
The Nikkei was up 0.6 percent in the final hour of trading in Tokyo, returning above 31,000 points. Japan’s manufacturing activity rose again in May for the first time since October 2022, Bank of Japan data showed. Chip equipment maker Tokyo Electron rose 1.3 percent and technology investor SoftBank rose 4.6 percent. Toyota rose 1.9 percent. The automaker will invest an additional $2.1 billion in its North Carolina battery plant. Electronics and games giant Sony gained an additional 2 percent.
The Shanghai Stock Exchange rose 0.4 percent. Investors were rallied by better-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data. Activity in China’s manufacturing sector grew in May, according to data from market researchers Caixin and S&P Global. Official Chinese government figures a day earlier pointed to a contraction in the country’s sizeable industry.
In Hong Kong, the Hong Kong index rose 0.8 percent. A day earlier, the indicator reached its lowest level of the year. Chinese online shopping group JD.com and internet and games giant Tencent showed particularly strong price gains of 4.5 percent and more than 3 percent.
All Ordinaries in Sydney won 0.3 percent. The Kospi in Seoul fell 0.3 percent after another decline in South Korea’s exports. South Korean technology and chip group Samsung lost 0.6 percent and battery maker LG Energy Solutions fell more than 2 percent. Carmakers Hyundai and Kia fell 1.2 and 1.6 percent.
“Award-winning beer geek. Extreme coffeeaholic. Introvert. Avid travel specialist. Hipster-friendly communicator.”


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In a site visit to Sama, a global tech company providing data annotation solutions that power the AI models of the future, the Government of Kenya, through the State Department for Industrialization, reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with industry stakeholders to address gaps in the country’s labour laws that are hindering job creation in the burgeoning digital economy.
During his visit, the Principal Secretary State Department for Industrialization Dr. Juma Mukhawana, assured a closer working relationship with Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry stakeholders to address gaps in the labour laws and to prime the rapidly evolving digital economy to create jobs for the youth, in line with the Kenya Kwanza administration Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Dr. Mukhawana said the Government acknowledges that current labour laws were formulated in 2007, a time when the digital economy had not been fully envisioned.
Now, the Government is keen to work with the private sector to modify these laws to align with the realities of the present-day digital economy.
“To fully harness Kenya’s potential, the Government acknowledges the need to identify and address challenges that currently inhibit the creation of jobs within the digital sector. The plan is to work with the industry to create an enabling environment for businesses operating in the digital economy,” Dr. Mukhawana said.
In recent years, the digital economy has emerged as a transformative force globally.ue to a pool of talent and good infrastructure, Kenya has continued to attract global tech companies, including Sama; however, challenges to some labour laws hold the industry from its optimal potential.
To fully harness this potential, the Government acknowledges the need to identify and address challenges and barriers that hinder the growth of the digital sector.
The global BPO market is estimated to be valued at more than US$ 262 billion, with African countries continuing to emerge as the next BPO growth frontiers. The BPO sector is crucial in developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems that power the automotive, retail, agricultural and food technology sectors.
During the tour, Sama Director of Global Service Delivery Lilian Kiplang’at said that as Kenya forges ahead into the digital era, this partnership between the Government and industry stakeholders marks a significant milestone in propelling the nation toward becoming a digital powerhouse and a key player in the global digital economy.
“The digital economy is a catalyst for job creation and economic advancement in Kenya. At Sama, with the right operating environment, we have the potential to create thousands of jobs by 2024,” Kiplang’at said. “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the Government to develop clear and progressive policies that foster a conducive business environment for the digital economy to ensure it remains competitive on a global scale.”
Sama has been in Kenya for the last 15 years and continues to provide quality formal jobs for Kenyans, providing value chain AI solutions for self-driving cars, virtual reality gaming consoles, fashion segmentation and agricultural solutions for crop disease protection.
Recently, Sama unveiled Platform 2.0, a computer vision platform to reduce the risk of machine learning (ML) algorithm failures.
The completely redesigned, scalable platform, consisting of SamaIQ™, SamaAssure™ and SamaHub™, offers greater transparency for clients to minimize rework and allows Sama to deliver annotated data and insights three times faster. Platform 2.0 has achieved a 99pc client acceptance rate for AI training data through SamaAssure, the industry’s highest quality guarantee.


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August 30, 2012
Men Who Eat A Chocolate Bar Every Week May Be Significantly Lowering Their Risk Of Stroke Later In Life
Lawrence LeBlond for redOrbit.com - Your Universe Online
Chocolate just keeps getting healthier. It has been recently revealed that eating chocolate may help lower blood pressure in some people. And in another study, revealed today, chocolate has the potential to boost brain function. Now, researchers from Stockholm´s Karolinska Institute have found a link between chocolate and stroke.The Swedish researchers found that men who consume a standard chocolate bar every week lower their risk of having a stroke later in life by 17 percent. And the researchers believe that eating more chocolate could reduce the risk even further.
The Swedish study, led by Susanna Larsson, PhD, followed 37,000 men between the ages of 45 and 79 for about ten years. Over the study period, the team found that, compared to men who ate little or no chocolate, those who consumed about 2.2 ounces per week, dropped their stroke risk significantly.
To strengthen their findings, Larsson and colleagues pooled data with four previous studies, including a nearly identical 2011 study conducted in women. Re-analyzing the combined data showed similar results: Men and women who ate the most chocolate had a 19% lower risk of stroke, compared to those who ate the least.
“This was a meaningful reduction in stroke risk, and the results seem to be valid, given the high number of patients,” Dr. Jonathan Friedman, a neurosurgeon at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, told Amanda Gardner of CNN.
The study, funded by a Swedish research council and published in Wednesday´s edition of the journal Neurology, adds to the growing evidence that consuming chocolate can have some heart-healthy effects.
The benefits of eating chocolate actually come from the cocoa, which contains flavonoids. Flavonoids are compounds that have been shown in previous studies to lower blood pressure, increase good (HDL) cholesterol and improve arterial function. These antioxidant flavonoids can also thin the blood and prevent clotting, which can also help prevent heart attacks and, as seen in this new study, strokes.
“Cocoa flavonoids can reduce blood stickiness to prevent clot formation. They can also help the arteries to manage changes in blood pressure, by helping dilate arteries to accommodate blood flow better,” Catherine Collins, principal dietitian at St George's hospital in London, told Alok Jha at the Guardian.
The researchers are quick to point out, however, that other substances found in chocolate could just as easily explain the positive results. The team also note that traits found in certain individuals may also show a more positive linking to eating chocolate and stroke prevention.
In the current study, participating men answered questions about education, weight, height, smoking, physical activity, history of hypertension and other cardiac events, alcohol usage, and diet as a baseline for analysis.
Weekly chocolate consumption was assessed through a food frequency questionnaire. Over the course of the study, the majority of the chocolate consumed was milk chocolate, which is generally most-often consumed in Sweden as a whole, said the researchers. And the team did not assess which types of chocolate were more successful in preventing stroke.
Over the study period, men had incidents of stroke recorded through the Swedish Hospital Discharge Registry. There were 1,995 incidents of first stroke by the Dec. 31, 2008 follow-up date. After adjusting for other factors, men in the highest quartile of chocolate consumption eluded stroke by 17 percent more over those in the lowest quartile.
Since there is a possibility that other ingredients found in chocolate may be playing part to the reduced stroke risk, the authors theorize that caffeine could be one of those ingredients. Although, quantities of caffeine in chocolate are generally much less than in most coffees, and it is likely caffeine alone could not fully explain the positive effects of eating chocolate.
The authors also noted that there were a number of limitations involved in the study, such as relying on self-reports of chocolate consumption, lack of data between different types of chocolate, and lack of measurement for residual confounders.
Larsson also found that those who ate the most chocolate were younger, had a college education, used aspirin, and were less likely to be current smokers, and have a history of cardiac events. These participants were also more likely to be trimmer and consume more fruits, vegetables and red meats, as well as alcohol.
While the results of the study are noteworthy, the Stroke Association warned that it doesn´t mean men should start eating access amounts of chocolate to make themselves healthier.
“Past research has shown that eating dark chocolate might go some way to reducing your stroke risk if it is eaten as part of a healthy, balanced diet,” Dr. Clare Walton of the Stroke Association, told BBC News. “This study suggests that eating a moderate amount of other types of chocolate could also be beneficial in men.”
“However, a lot more research is needed and these results should not be used as an excuse for men to eat chocolate as an alternative to regular exercise or eating a healthy diet to reduce their risk of stroke,” said Watson.
“Studies seem to demonstrate a benefit on cardiovascular health with chocolate consumption but, as in this study, other factors such as eating more fruits and veg, smoking less, and a modest intake of alcohol also assist in maintaining cardiovascular health. A little of what you fancy does you good, but in terms of chocolate, choose one with at least 40-50% cocoa solid content if you want to boost your flavonoid intake,” Collins explained.
Larsson and colleagues acknowledge that more research is needed and also warn of the high sugar and fat content of chocolate. “It should be consumed in moderation,” they said.
Moderation is definitely the key here, added Friedman, who was not involved in the study. “Eating five chocolate bars a week might be worse for you in terms of obesity than it is good for you in terms of stroke risk,” he told CNN.


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Inmar Enhances Features to its LifeInCheck Drug Disposal Program to Help Combat the Opioid Epidemic
Today Inmar announced that it has enhanced its LifeInCheck website with a feature to help consumers easily locate the more than 250 DEA compliant medication disposal receptacles across the U.S. In conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration and National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the website feature is designed to allow consumers to identify approved receptacles where they can safely dispose of unused or expired medications.
Inmar's LifeInCheck Drug Disposal Program aims to assist consumers fighting the opioid crisis by removing medications from the home when they are no longer needed, decreasing the risk of opioid abuse in the home. Beyond National Drug Take-back Days held two times each year, the Inmar Drug Disposal Program allows consumers to remove unused drugs from their homes any day of the year when they visit a participating pharmacy location.
Every day, 197 Americans die from a drug overdose and over 1,000 people are treated in emergency rooms for not using prescription opioids as directed. In addition, an estimated 54 million people in the U.S. over the age of 12 have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons in their lifetime.
"The opioid crisis is endangering the lives of Americans on a rapid scale," said David Mounts, Chairman and CEO of Inmar. "Inmar launched LifeInCheck to educate people about the current opioid crisis and how it affects families, communities and the environment. To date, we have collected over 12 tons of expired and unused medications in 38 states and we are honored to work in conjunction with the DEA to continue to increase those figures and help combat the opioid crisis in America."
Inmar's LifeInCheck Drug Disposal Program features an innovative in-store receptacle for members of the community to quickly and easily dispose of unnecessary prescription medications. The secure ADA and DEA compliant repository provides environmental protection by reducing unwanted drug residue in water tables. Program members receive the receptacle, collection and shipping supplies for monthly returns with prepaid shipping labels, and destruction, along with marketing materials to promote the program.
For more information about Inmar's LifeInCheck Drug Disposal Program, please visit https://www.inmar.com/inmar-solution/lifeincheck-drug-disposal-program.


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Misco Products Adds to Sales TeamSeptember 16, 2019
Misco Products Corp. has appointed Jeremy Menegay as a field sales specialist for the Great Lakes region.
Menegay has more than 12 years of sales and operations experience in the chemical, oil, and gas industries, with previous roles including territory and senior account manager, district sales representative, and logistics/operations manager.
Prior to Misco, he worked with companies such as TightRock Solutions, Nalco Champion, ComDoc/Xerox, and Ecolab. Menegay holds a degree in business administration from the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio.
About Misco Products
Founded in 1962, Misco Products Corp. is a Reading, Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of private-label cleaning chemicals. For more information, visit www.miscoproducts.com.


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China’s flexible screen maker, Juyu Technology, is considering an initial public offering in the Us, raising up to $1 billion, Reuters media ifR reported today. Founded in 2012, Jou Technology has offices in Shenzhen, Hong Kong and California.
According to the company’s website information, Joyu Technology is the global leader in flexible technology industry, through the core of independent research and development of flexible technology, the production of fully flexible displays and fully flexible sensors, as well as a full range of flexible screen folding mobile phones and other smart devices, including a full range of new generation of machine interactive products.
In March, it was reported that Joo-woo is seeking financing of about $1bn, valuing the company at least $8bn. In previous financings, Joo-woo has been valued at about $5 billion. Currently, Joyu Is Trying to Expand Sales, Marketing and Research and Development.
People familiar with the matter also said at the time that Joo-woo was still considering an IPO, but had not yet decided where to do so. IfR today’s news shows that Joo Yu Technology is considering an IPO in the United States.
It is reported that Joyu Technology has invested 11 billion yuan (about $1.6 billion) to build a flexible display plant in Shenzhen, which went into operation in June last year. Early investors in Joo technology include Knight Capital, IDG Capital, Poly Capital Management, AMTD Group and Shenzhen government venture capital.


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Olivier Ropars, senior director of mobile commerce at eBay Europe, which compiled the report that suggests that the 4G mobile network could provide a boost to the UK economy, said:
Consumers today want convenience and speed.
The arrival of universal 4G will bring with it a more immersive, instant and intimate shopping experience than ever before - putting the most exciting features of mobile retail as we know it into high definition.
It won't just turbo-charge the way we shop. It will truly give us the ability to shop anytime, anywhere.
That means an extra £1.8 billion of consumer spending up for grabs.
More top news
A year ago the International Court of Justice ruled that Japan's decades-old whale hunt in the Antarctic should stop.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has backed a free vote for MPs on the issue.
Savers into the new scheme can expect rates as high as 4 per cent from some banks.


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The developers of the Heritage Grove shopping complex on the city's eastern edge are confident the site will be ready in time for the planned opening of the Winners store on Thursday.
Allan Windrem, director of development with Villarboit Development Corp., said Friday there is still some work to be done, including some asphalt and curb work, but he was confident it would be completed in time.
"We believe we will have everything functioning on 20th Avenue on time for that opening," he said.
The opening of the store is subject to Owen Sound council approval. A report going to council on Monday recommends council grant permission subject to conditions.
Among the conditions are that the chief building official is satisfied that the site and buildings are suitable for public occupancy and use and that proper signage is in place. The recommendation also states that public access can be withdrawn should the city feel 20th Ave. E. or the site is unsafe for the public.
"Whether or not the WInners will be opened I think is a matter for council to decide on Monday night," said Windrem, who will be at council as a deputation. "From our perspective we believe that we will be able to comply with the requirements in the staff reports. We intend to do that on or before the day that it opens."
Windrem said to Villarboit's knowledge the building meets building code requirements, but there are still questions about the completion of the access to the site from the 20th Ave. E. extension. Windrem said the traffic signal, curb and asphalt work that still needs to be done should be finished. He attributed the tight deadline the company is now facing to the weather.
"It has been a very difficult winter and our contractor, Sutherland Construction, has worked diligently and quite frankly under very difficult conditions to make this happen and we owe them our thanks, along with our engineering consultants and our architects," said Windrem.
He said work on the main parking lot in front of the three units and the main road is complete.
"Really all that is missing is a little bit of asphalting right at the intersection as you come in on 20th and that is to accommodate the joint access into the Home Depot and Smart Centre site," he said. "All that is really missing is the curbs and they will be installed. I am not sure which day it is going to start because it is a scheduling thing, but those curbs will be in."
Shane McKenna, a spokesman with Winners, said Friday the store will be ready for its grand opening on Thursday. A ceremony is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. with Mayor Deb Haswell cutting a ribbon.
In a news release Friday, Winners said the store, located at 2125 16th St. E., will offer over 20,000 square feet of designer and brand name clothing, accessories, home accents and giftware.
Windrem said he believes the Michael's and Value Village stores will both open "toward the end of the month."
"I don't have the exact days, but they will follow in lockstep," said Windrem. "The Winners building is completely ready and the Michael's building, I was in it the other day, is all but ready for them to come in and begin their process of racking and fixturing and stocking."
Signs at the site say Michael's and Value Village are both "coming soon." Officials from both companies could not be reached for comment Friday.
On its website, Value Village is accepting applications for store management and store team member positions in Owen Sound.
Villarboit has announced that Dollar Tree will be a future tenant at the site and has also indicated Future Shop will be located there.
Windrem said agreements with those tenants aren't finalized, but they are in the process of moving forward with a second phase of the project. There is a proposal for two more buildings in front of Michael's/Winners building at the west end of the site. The Value Village building is at the east end of the site.
"We would like to move forward with those" next two units Windrem said. "Things are just being put together and finalized in terms of leasing."
On March 18, city council rejected most of a number of zoning requests by the developer including increasing by 57% the amount of retail and service floor space at Heritage Grove. Villarboit is in the process of reviewing their options including appealing council's decision to the Ontario Municipal Board.
"We were very disappointed and we do question council's decision to refuse that application," said Windrem. Had it been approved "it would have mean't more development on that site and more retailing and more development charges and more taxes and jobs for Owen Sound."
When council rejected the zoning requests, Haswell said the they did not comply with provincial or municipal plans or policies and could put the viability of existing stores, including ones in the downtown, at risk.
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Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 electric cars are set to be fully vegan by 2020.
The electric car manufacturer first proposed offering vegan leather seating at a shareholder meeting in 2015. While the board recommended voting against the idea, Tesla introduced the option for its animal-free “Tesla Synthetic Material” later that year and in 2016, completely eliminated leather seating. But one non-vegan component remained unless a custom order was placed: the steering wheel.
Electric vehicle news site Electrek reports that the steering wheel for the Model 3 and the upcoming Model Y will be entirely vegan next year. The option came to light during an exchange between a representative for international animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and CEO Elon Musk.
Is Tesla Going Vegan?
The PETA representative asked Musk if the Model Y will be vegan as promised, which he confirmed it will be, then asked if all of Tesla’s cars will be animal-free by the next shareholder’s meeting. Musk replied that he’s “confident” that both the Model 3 and Model Y will be vegan next year and added that special orders can be placed for the S and X.
Musk added that the company still has issues to solve regarding vegan-friendly steering wheels. While the standard wheel is easily made vegan, the heated wheels pose a problem. He also expressed concern over durability and how the dirt and oil on hands may affect the vegan option more than traditional leather.
Does this mean that the San Carlos, California electric car company is going vegan? Not quite. Electrek reported earlier this week that Tesla recently filed a patent for a new, durable seating material called “Load-bearing Fabric Architecture,” which uses wool.
While it may not seem inherently cruel to shear a sheep, veganism as a moral baseline advocates for not using animals as commodities. According to PETA, many wool industry workers are paid by how many animals they shear. Combined with a low pay, this often leads to quick shearing jobs that leave the animals with cuts and sores that go untreated. Toward the end of their “lifespan” as a wool producer, the majority of sheep are sent to a slaughterhouse.
Tesla’s vegan Model Y and Model 3 cars are set to launch in 2020.


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Via Comic Natalie: The anime adaptation of the hit smartphone game “Koi to Producer: EVOLxLOVE” has revealed its latest key visual and trailer! To accompany the anime’s release on 5th July, a pop-up shop will also be opened at Ikebukuro Marui Department Store from 21st July to 10th August.
Based on the “Koi to Producer: EVOLxLOVE” smartphone game, the story centres on a lone female protagonist struggling to save her deceased father’s television programme. She encounters four mysterious men who could possibly help her, not knowing she has become a pawn in a bigger conspiracy surrounding “EVOL”.
“Koi to Producer: EVOLxLOVE” will star Tomokazu Sugita, Yuuki Ono, Daisuke Hirakawa, and Tetsuya Kakihara as the four male leads. Animated by Studio MAPPA of “Yuri!!! on ICE”, “Kakegurui”, and “Zombie Land Saga” fame, the opening theme will be sung by Yuutarou Miura and the ending theme will feature Konomi Suzuki as “Koi to Producer: featuring Konomi Suzuki”.


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Detroit - May 12, 2014 - GM has announced pricing for its new mobile hot-spot feature, which will debut in the 2015 Chevy Malibu. Each in-car Wi-Fi hotspot (using ATT 4G/LTE) will support up to seven devices, which could include laptops, tablets, smartphones or game consoles.
According the Register, GM will use a common marketing gimmick. "We're excited to give millions of customers an opportunity to explore the technology without paying extra for a data plan for three months or three gigabytes,” said Mary Chan, president of OnStar, GM's partner in providing over-the-air security, navigation, diagnostics and other capabilities. After three months, GM - through its provider AT&T - will start charging for data streaming. Subscribers to OnStar's Safe & Sound or Directions & Connection services will be able to add 200MB of data per month for $5, 1GB for $15, 3GB for $30, and 5GB for $50. Non-subscribers will pay $10, $20, $30, and $50 for the same bandwidth amounts.
GM's rollout will be extensive, beginning with the soon-to-be-released 2015 Chevrolet Malibu, followed by 15 Chevys, four Buicks, six GMCs, and seven Caddies, all by the end of this year.


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The latest health-minded fast-casual chain to hit Manhattan just launched off of Union Square. Panorama Middle Eastern Grill is clearly aiming to become the Levantine Chipotle, and is hoping to succeed right across the street from where The Hummus & Pita Co. failed. Backed by a Canadian real-estate developer, the restaurant aims to open 15 locations around Greater New York in the next few years, starting with its first at 820 Broadway.
Even if you aren’t familiar with the term Levantine cuisine (we’re talking about the food of Israel, Lebanon, Palestine and other surrounding countries), the assembly-line model will be familiar, so don’t freekah-out (sorry). You can order meals in the form of a box, a wrap, or a whole-wheat pita pocket; select a base of romaine, freekah, or rice; choose from a dozen fillings, like chickpeas, tzatziki, and hummus; throw in a protein like chicken shawarma, chicken shish, or doner kebab; and top it off with one of six sauces. (That’s right, the choices go beyond “white sauce / hot sauce.”) There are also grab-and-go items as well as “signatures” like French fries topped with chicken shawarma, garlic sauce and tahini.
The menu was shaped by culinary director Julien Iaconelli, formerly food operations manager at vegan fast-casual phenomenom by CHLOE. A press release touts his use of “charcoal-barbecued, free range, grass fed, and hormone/antibiotic free meats.”
The decor is much closer to by CHLOE than to the holes-in-the-wall where East Villages have traditionally gotten their falafel fixes (Mamoun’s, Rakka Cafe, etc.). You can even browse books curated by Panorama’s neighbor, Strand.
Panorama Middle Eastern Grill, 820 Broadway, at 12th Street.


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Although Giant Food Stores has had a presence in Philadelphia since the banner opened a store on Grant Avenue in 2011, Giant Heirloom Market is its first-ever downtown location, and there are already plans for three more Heirloom stores in the city.
The 9,500-square-foot store in Philadelphia’s dense Graduate Hospital neighborhood offers high-quality, fresh and seasonal foods, along with everyday essentials, in a welcoming, up-to-date environment. Store features include a produce chef preparing fruits and vegetables on demand, local artisanal breads, a huge assortment of plant-based foods in a dedicated display, and regular sampling and demonstrations.
And if customers want an item not available in the store, associates will direct them to in-store iPads to order it online via Peapod Pickup or Delivery.
“From featuring products made locally to being staffed by people who call the neighborhood home,” Giant Food Stores President Nicholas Bertram said when announcing the store last fall, “Giant Heirloom Market is a true reflection of the surrounding community.”


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Al-Tuwaijri: Service is for the first time in Kuwait
KUWAIT: In continuation of its distinction in presenting new and remarkable services and products in the banking services’ market in Kuwait, Boubyan Bank has launched “Musaed” service as a part of AI-based conversation management technology, simply known as “Chatbot”. This is service is introduced for the first time in Kuwait by Boubyan Bank.
In a press conference held yesterday, Abdulla Al-Najran Al-Tuwaijri, Boubyan Bank’s Deputy CEO, said that Chatbot is a new technology for managing the relationship between any organization and clients or consumers who would be willing to conduct their transactions or obtain information without missing a beat and at any moment whether when they are inside or outside the country.
He added: “With the recent developments in the communications’ field and digital technology, the outcome has been in favor of the organizations which became capable of providing distinctive and unique services to their clients. Boubyan Bank has always been in the right direction towards providing the best for its clients.”
“The phrase “For the first time in Kuwait” has become a synonym of Boubyan Bank and this did not just come out of thin air, rather, everyone realized the steps made by Boubyan Bank towards giving its clients unique experiences in application of our slogan “Towards Perfection” and in an attempt to provide a different lifestyle to customers”, Al-Tuwaijri added.
On his part, Dr Waleed Al-Hasawi, General Manager – Information Technology Group, stated that the new service launched by the bank under the name “Musaed” would be available on Boubyan App. The service employs AI technology and would be available around the clock.
Clients may complete several banking transactions and find responses to many questions and queries related to their bank account such as inquiring about account balances, credit cards’ balance and making various types of transfers and many other banking services.
Al-Hasawi added: “The idea came as a part of the bank’s drive to provide the best banking services and solutions to its clients by allocating a special staff for each Boubyan customer to help him and answer his queries anytime, anywhere. This is why we called the service “Musaed”, i.e. assistant, since the service will be serving as the customer’s personal assistant.”
Musaed will be able to answer customers’ queries and complete their banking transactions as per their instructions whether in Arabic or in English.
“This is just the first stage; in the future, many other features will be added such as Musaed’s recognition of the customer and taking voice queries and requests from him. Also, several other banking transactions available in Boubyan App will be added in addition to adding interactive video calls.”, Al-Hasawi added.
“The new service is just the beginning. The future has a lot to offer towards the development of this service in order keep up with banks, companies and international organizations,” Al-Tuwaijri stressed again.
Digital banking services
Al-Tuwaijri also stated that the bank devised its strategies towards expansion of the use of new technologies in order to give clients banking services and products which would keep up with this age and the modern developments.
He added: “Customer service has been the main pillar of the bank’s success throughout the past years, where we managed to distinguish our clients by providing them with services that make their banking experience unique.”
Boubyan Bank has been awarded the Best Islamic Bank in Customer Service by Service Hero, the international consumer-driven customer satisfaction index, for the eighth year in a row in addition to being awarded the First Place Award in Customer Service as a Country Winner atop all economic sectors in Kuwait, for the third time
Chatbot numbers and facts
As per Gartner, a world leading research and advisory company, Virtual Customer Assistants “VCA” used in conducting conversations and managing chats, Chatbots, will be responsible for 25 percent of customer service operations at organizations and companies around the world by 2020.
VCAs are a bundle of conversation programs operated via PCs, which may conduct conversations or chats with similar programs or humans. They simulate the conversation between the human employee and the customer with regard to a service provided by a company or an establishment online or via a digital department or a mobile App interface.
This bundle includes technologies to process natural languages, manage conversations and understand the context in addition to other visual features such as picture and animated drawings.
It is expected that more than 50 percent of organizations and companies around the world will adopt VCAs within a few years in order to provide quicker and better services to clients.


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China will again allow imports of U. S. pork, lifting a ban that lasted almost a year, and shipments will resume as soon as trade officials finalize export documents, U. S. agriculture and trade officials said May 18. The move will open what U. S. meat exporters have described as being their second-largest market for pork exports before Beijing halted trade last April over fears about the H1N1 flu outbreak.
AgriRecovery launched for Northwestern Ontario farmers
Canadian National Junior Shorthorn show a success
Creativity needed to address veterinarian shortage
Feed management affects proper mineral intake


text: School’s out for the summer and you can bet that there will be kids setting up their lemonade stands all across the country. You can also bet on hearing and reading stories of how some local officials are fining the kids for setting up shop without a permit. But, says the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC], this year young entrepreneurs have a patron who will pay the fines for them. The makers of Country Time Lemonade have announced a program they call Country Time Legal-Ade. It will cover any such fine up to $300 that may be imposed on kids up to 14 years of age.


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China's manufacturing shrank for a third month in December as export demand fell, suggesting an economic slump is worsening despite government efforts to shield the country from global turmoil, according to data reported Sunday.
BEIJING, January 04, 2009-- China's manufacturing shrank for a third month in December as export demand fell, suggesting an economic slump is worsening despite government efforts to shield the country from global turmoil, according to data reported Sunday.
A key indicator, the Purchasing Managers Index, edged up from November's all-time low but stood at 41.2, below the 50 level that shows activity is shrinking, the government-sanctioned China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said.
Manufacturing is about 40% of China's economic output, and a drop in demand for its exports has triggered thousands of factory closures. That has prompted protests by laid-off workers, and communist leaders worry more job losses could fuel unrest.
The index of new export orders stood at 30.7, showing a severe contraction, according to the logistics group. Exports fell in November for the first time in seven years and analysts expect more weakness in December when monthly figures are reported this month.
The index is based on a survey of 700 manufacturers across China.
China's economic growth is expected to fall to about 9% this year, down from 11.9% in 2007. Analysts have cut 2009 growth forecasts to as low as 6% -- a worrisome sign for communist leaders who need to satisfy a public that has come to expect steadily rising incomes.
The government is pressing companies to minimize layoffs and has promised to make sure new university graduates can find jobs.
On Sunday, China's premier announced a 12-year plan to increase spending on education and vocational training in an apparent effort to stimulate economic growth.
"At present, when dealing with the global financial crisis' impact on the Chinese economy, and during the key period of promoting stable and relatively fast economic development, education must be given prominence," Wen said in a statement posted on the central government's Web site.
Wen said the government will increase scholarship and grant spending from the 20 billion yuan ($2.9 billion) in 2008, but did not go into specifics.
The government also aims to gradually provide free vocational training in rural areas and continue to implement plans to build more middle and elementary schools, Wen said.
China spent 26.8 billion yuan ($3.9 billion) on the construction and renovation of elementary and middle schools in rural areas over the last two years, he said.
The education program marks the latest government move to try to spur spending by easing the financial burden on families who save heavily for health care, education and retirement.
Beijing launched a multibillion-dollar spending package in November to revive growth and is promising companies loans and other aid. But the stimulus is in its early stages, and analysts say it could take several months to see results.
The official Xinhua News Agency reported Sunday that China's foreign trade rose by 18% in 2008 but gave no details for December, which would give a clearer picture of the health of the economy. Total trade is expected to have reached $2.55 trillion, Xinhua said, citing the Chinese customs agency.
It said the trade surplus for the year should be about $290 billion. That would be a new annual record, up 10% from 2007's surplus of US$262.2 billion (euro170.5 billion).


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Google wants to fill your house with streams. Music streams, that is.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the Googs is building a device – actual hardware – for streaming music throughout your home, but that’s probably just the tip of the iceberg (think movies, television, and appliances). The device is expected to be controlled via smartphone or tablet and hook up to Google Music, the iTunes rival that launched last November but has been pretty silent since.
This marks a big shift for Google which has famously shied away from making the kinds of things we can hold in our hands. The Wall Street Journal talked to PFWTM (people familiar with the matter) and reports:
It’s unclear which retailers would sell the entertainment device, which would stream music from Google’s online music-storage service and pipe it wirelessly to Google-designed speakers or other Web-connected devices in people’s homes, according to these people. In the future, such a device could potentially stream other forms of digital media such as video, one of these people said.
Who knows, if Google is going to start making devices, it mine as well have its own stores to sell them in too. That’s what a report from CNET hinted at yesterday, saying that its Dublin, Ireland headquarters might be the perfect spot to test the brick and mortar waters. And with the Federal Trade Communication’s expected approval of Google’s purchase of, handset maker, Motorola Mobility to come next week, it could fill up a retail space pretty quickly.
A streaming music device for the home isn’t a groundbreaking idea. Companies like Sonos have offered similar systems for years, but with a one-speaker system starting at $300, you have to be pretty dedicated to the idea to jump into it. Google’s idea is, reportedly, to drop the price through volume. Make a lot of stuff, stuff gets cheaper.
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A pilot program of running the BTS Skytrain with its windows open was declared a complete failure today.
After public health officials proposed opening the windows for better air circulation to lower the risk of COVID-19 spreading, the skytrain operator said sorry – it won’t work.
The Bangkok Mass Transit System said Thursday afternoon that opening small windows and for even only short distances resulted in the cabin interior becoming uncomfortably warm and sending the air-conditioners into overtime.
Plus, the fact that the season of wet has just begun doesn’t make it very feasible either.
“Thailand has entered the rainy season and opening windows while running will even cause more inconvenience to passengers,” the operator said in a statement.
BTS said it already has measures to address COVID-19 such as providing hand sanitizer and requiring everyone to wear face masks while aboard, and may consider checking commuters’ body temperatures.
Support Coconuts and rep your city
Now you can wear your love of Coconuts proudly across your chest. That’s right, we’re getting into the merch business with the launch of our official online store, The Coconuts Shop.
Our first product is that ultimate wardrobe mainstay: the white T-shirt.
If you want to rep your city, we’ve also launched Coconuts City Logo Tees for Bangkok, Manila, Singapore, Hong Kong, KL, Jakarta, Bali, and Yangon.
They’re all sold exclusively at The Coconuts Shop – at a special introductory price of S$29 until Sep. 30, 2020!


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Facebook Mistakes Elbow for a Woman's Breast
Last week, we reported about Apple censoring apples and now we have a funny story about a website that tested how good the censorship on Facebook works. In order to do so, they uploaded the following picture on their Facebook page and when a user complained that the picture showed a naked woman, Facebook removed it less than 24 hours after it was put up and contacted the Facebook user responsible for uploading.
When other media such as Huffington Post and Daily Mail reported about this incident, Facebook took a closer look at the picture, which they finally released again. They also apologized to Theories.of.
It's unknown whether Facebook will introduce workshops for their censors in order to identify female breasts with a higher accuracy in the future.
Release: Dec 05, 2012 - Author: Bob - Translator: Mike Lowrey
Feb 19, 2017 Phenomena - 4K Remastered Release by Arrow Video
Feb 19, 2017 Fifty Shades Darker Gets an Unrated Version
Feb 19, 2017 Office Christmas Party: Unrated Edition on Blu-ray
Feb 10, 2017 Evil Dead  – Unrated Edition in Japan
Feb 09, 2017 Silence – Cutting Room Talk & Extended Cut Chances
Feb 09, 2017 The Lost City of Z – Censored for PG-13 Rating
Feb 09, 2017 When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth Comes in HD
Feb 04, 2017 John Wick 2 Only Censored in UK Cinemas
Jan 25, 2017 Bad Santa 2 – Unrated Version on Home Video
Jan 25, 2017 Incarnate – Demon Horror Gets Unrated Version


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Guest blog post: This is just the beginning of digitalization
In this guest post Anni Ronkainen, Country Manager Finland at Google, adds her voice to the blog challenge commenced by Tieto CEO Kimmo Alkio. Previous posts have been written by VR Group CEO Mikael Aro and Cisco Sweden‘s General Manager Niklas Andersson.
Kimmo Alkio wrote an excellent blog post about the future competitiveness of companies. It outlined four key arguments for success:
- The world will look different in the future and we need to take this into consideration
- Startup companies and startup-like thinking are required to foster innovation
- Customers have all the power now
- Companies will need to compete more and more to attract the best future talent.
It’s easy to agree with all these arguments. Kimmo also asks, "How do we ensure world-class services in ever-tightening competition?". These four points indeed cover some of the challenges faced by companies in Finland as well as highlighting opportunities, and I have been discussing these topics a lot.
Early morning of the web
I believe the digital transformation we have seen so far is only the beginning - it’s the "early morning" of the web. If 1% of what can be done has been achieved, then 99% of digital transformation still needs to be done. Digitalization will change everything, and everything that can be digital will undergo this transformation. This process has only just begun.
And this provides a huge opportunity for companies.
I’ve often referred to research done by the Boston Consulting Group already back in 2011. In that report Finnish consumers were ranked in second when it came to their ability to utilize the internet. However the Finnish companies ranked 17th among the OECD countries analysed.
This has created a gap between the consumers and the companies: we have the demand but the supply is often coming from abroad. For example, over 60% of the money spent on online apparel purchases happen outside of the country.
Fortunately, we're seeing that companies are starting to understand the opportunities of digitalization, and I’m sure the remaining 99% will create great stories for Finland.
SMBs need to think big
Kimmo writes about startups. He lists openness, individualism, creativity, innovation and the willingness to take risks as the values behind startups. These are needed whether the company is young or old.
I would like to emphasize that we also need to focus on growing the existing SMBs. The vast majority of Finnish companies are very small. According to a Finnish policy and pro-market think tank EVA the 130 biggest companies employ as many as the 300,000 smallest ones. Some 500 companies represent about 90% of the exports.
The Internet has created a huge opportunity for Finnish SMBs by opening up markets that were inaccessible before. Now even the smallest companies can seek new customers across the country and abroad. The EU alone is a market area of 500 million people.
We need to change our focus from small to big and aim for international growth. Online marketing makes it possible to find clients from the other side of the world when your business idea is good enough. The Finnish gaming industry is a perfect example how to become international right from the beginning.
If we can grow the SMBs (the majority of the Finnish companies) even a little bit we can gradually create a bigger German “Mittelstand” class of powerful, globally active, medium-sized companies. That would have an enormous impact on the Finnish economy.
Customer experience is everything
Not so long ago, every business thought that the key to success was a combination of the highest quality product and the best customer service. But today, everyone is talking about customer experience. This refers to designing and reacting to customer interactions in a way that exceeds expectations and increases satisfaction and loyalty.
In a digital world, building a great customer experience is a must since the competitor is only one click away. Customers want a good experience. Once you have lost a customer, it’s hard to get them back.
Today’s customer sits behind the steering wheel and decides whether the experience has been satisfactory or not. If the foreign online stores outperform domestic ones, that’s where our customers will go.
We cannot lose half of the talent pool
As Kimmo says, finding the right talent is and will continue to be one of the key success factors for companies. As digitalization will affect all businesses, it’s crucial to ensure that we have the talent needed in coding, understanding the digital business and so on. That’s why the education system also needs to address these needs.
The fact that girls and young women are currently not as inspired by tech potential as male peers poses one of the biggest challenge for the success of Finland. When talking about talents we need to be able to use all the talent we have, not only half of it.
It's also important to keep in mind that half of the users of any digital services are women and girls. We need to make sure that we have both men and women to work on customer experience to make it reflect the world around us.
That’s not to say there are no any positive examples to report - quite the contrary, in fact. The discussion about girls and coding is relevant and schools are already going to teach some basic skills related to this subject matter. Also, Finnish women are often as interested in founding tech startups as men. But the distribution is still uneven and we need to work hard until everyone can fulfill their passions regardless of their gender, whether it’s related to technology or any other profession. By having more role models and open discussion, I believe this can be done.
Anni Ronkainen is the Country Manager Finland at Google. You can find her on LinkedIn. In this guest post Anni Ronkainen, adds her voice to the blog challenge commenced by Tieto CEO Kimmo Alkio. Previous posts have been written by VR Group CEO Mikael Aro and Cisco Sweden‘s General Manager Niklas Andersson.


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With help from Doug Palmer and Cristiano Lima
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— The Trump administration is weighing whether to extend by one year some China tariff exclusions, a move that would offer some relief for U.S. businesses navigating the fallout from the pandemic.
— USTR is considering changes to the U.S. de minimis levels in its efforts to curb sales of foreign counterfeit goods. But it’s unclear what Trump could do without the help of Congress.
— A bipartisan group of 11 senators is urging the State Department to work with Mexico to avoid supply chain disruptions in the midst of the pandemic. They’re asking that Mexico’s definition of “essential activity” include production of parts needed to manufacture critical goods
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USTR CONSIDERING ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF TARIFF EXCLUSIONS: USTR, in an apparent bow to concerns about tariffs’ impact on companies struggling with the coronavirus pandemic, says it is considering extending some previously approved China tariff exclusions for one year. The move would apply to some products excluded from the 25 percent tariffs that Trump imposed on Chinese goods in two initial batches: a list of $34 billion in products and $16 billion.
USTR asked for public comment on the idea before June 1. The trade agency said it would evaluate the exclusions, currently set to expire on July 9 and July 31, on a case-by-case basis, rather than approve an across-the-board extension.
“The focus of the evaluation will be whether ... the particular product remains available only from China,” USTR said in a Federal Register notice. “In addition, USTR will continue to consider whether the imposition of additional duties on the products covered by the exclusion will result in severe economic harm to the commenter or other U.S. interests.”
USTR EYEING CHANGES TO DE MINIMIS LEVELS: The Trump administration, as part of its efforts to crack down on foreign counterfeit goods, is exploring possible changes to the U.S. “de minimis” threshold that allows low-value shipments to enter the United States without paying import duties, a senior USTR official said Wednesday.
“We are aware of the concerns and issues with respect to the de minimis exception,” the official told reporters on a call to discuss two of its annual intellectual property reports. “It is something the administration is looking at to see if there are steps that should be taken to address that.”
Congress raised the de minimis threshold from $200 to $800 in 2016, which means that most goods valued at $800 or less enter the U.S. duty-free. That has contributed to a boom in e-commerce shipments from abroad, including many counterfeit goods.
Don’t forget Capitol Hill: Since Congress set the higher de minimis level, it’s not clear what the administration could do on its own to change it. But the senior USTR official indicated there could be ways to alter how it is applied or administered that would effectively “impact what the de minimis level is.”
E-commerce companies such as Amazon and eBay benefit massively from the higher de minimis threshold, as do shippers like FedEx and UPS.
Grassley not impressed: A spokesperson for Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) gave a thumbs-down to the idea of the administration tinkering with the provision to effectively tighten the threshold.
“The position of Congress is clear. The current de minimis threshold is the law of the land and has broad, bipartisan support. Congress must be a part in determining the best approach to address counterfeits. Unilateral action by the administration in violation of the clear will of Congress isn’t acceptable,” the spokesperson said.
Not everyone is a big fan of the higher threshold. “USTR’s Notorious Markets report again spotlights that consumers are being threatened by fake, dangerous goods purchased on online marketplaces, so why won’t the president use the robust authority that he has to close the ‘de minimis’ loophole that now permits most shipments of goods bought online to skirt any inspection?” Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, said in a statement.
AMAZON LANDS IN ‘NOTORIOUS MARKETS’ REPORT: USTR listed five of Amazon’s foreign websites in its annual report on “notorious markets” for counterfeit goods, prompting the tech giant to accuse the administration of making the decision because of President Donald Trump’s hostility toward the company.
"This purely political act is another example of the administration using the U.S. government to advance a personal vendetta against Amazon," a company spokesperson said. "Amazon makes significant investments in proactive technologies and processes to detect and stop bad actors and potentially counterfeit products from being sold in our stores."
Why the move?: USTR’s action was in response to a request last year from the American Apparel and Footwear Association, whose members include major brands and retailers like Ralph Lauren Corp., Kenneth Cole Productions, Perry Ellis International, Under Armour, Spanx, Lululemon Athletica and Hanesbrands.
The trade agency stopped short of listing Amazon’s U.S. website in the report, but a senior USTR official did not rule out that possibility in the future.
Don’t expect House Democrats to applaud: Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), head of the House Energy and Commerce Consumer Protection Subcommittee, scoffed at the move, telling our Morning Tech colleagues that “the Trump administration acknowledged a problem that has been obvious to consumers for years.”
She added that the administration “will need to implement a far more aggressive strategy, including using the authority it has had since arriving in office, to fix the major loopholes that are flooding our country with unsafe, counterfeit goods.”
USTR DECLINES PHRMA REQUEST ON FOREIGN PRIORITY COUNTRIES: USTR spurned a request from U.S. brand-name drug manufacturers to designate Canada, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia as “priority foreign countries” in an annual report released Wednesday on countries with the worst records of protecting intellectual property rights.
“Priority Foreign Country” is the most serious designation in the annual USTR report, since it requires an investigation that could lead to unilateral U.S. sanctions or other punitive action if concerns are not resolved. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, in a filing last year, urged the Trump administration to “use all available tools to remedy serious concerns” in the four countries.
USTR rarely uses the foreign priority country designation and its latest report reflected that tendency. But it also did not put any of the four countries on its “priority watch list” and included only Canada on its lowest level “watch list.”
Name-and-shame: Wednesday’s release was the 32nd iteration of the report that publicly criticizes countries’ IP practices. And although a senior USTR official called it a valuable tool for fighting counterfeiting and piracy, many of the countries on the priority watch list, such as China, India and Russia, have been there for years.
Out-of-cycle reviews: USTR said it would use a process known as an “out-of-cycle” review to engage with Saudi Arabia in the coming year on concerns about its protection of test and other data generated to obtain marketing approval for pharmaceutical products.
The trade office also said it would extend an out-of-cycle review it began with one of PhRMA’s target countries, Malaysia, last year on whether it was “providing adequate and effective IP protection and enforcement, including with respect to patents.”
SENATORS PRESS FOR MEXICO TO MINIMIZE SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS: A bipartisan group of 11 senators urged the Trump administration on Wednesday to press Mexico to change its definition of “essential businesses” to include industries that produce materials needed for food, medical and other critical goods needed during the coronavirus crisis.
In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the senators — led by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) — joined U.S. manufacturers in their growing calls for Mexico to include supply chain needs in its guidance on what is an “essential” industry that can stay up and running. Mexico has shut down hundreds of factories that are tied to the production of critical goods, causing major supply chain disruptions, as POLITICO reported.
“Both nations will only be able to reduce the economic impact of this global challenge through increased coordination, and ensuring functioning supply chains is a vital step in doing so,” they wrote.
CANADIAN DAIRY BRACES FOR USMCA ON JULY 1: The Canadian government has promised to offer aid to dairy farmers to make up for expected losses from the USMCA, but farmers and opposition leaders are now particularly upset with Canada for allowing the deal to take effect on July 1.
Canadian Senate Opposition Leader Don Plett on Tuesday expressed outrage over the three countries moving forward with USMCA implementation on July 1 — a month earlier than the dairy industry wanted.
What’s the issue?: Under the USMCA, the dairy industry must implement certain terms within the dairy production year, which runs from August 1 through July 31 — not the standard calendar year. That means Canadian dairy producers will have one month to adjust to the new deal’s rules instead of a full year. Aug. 1 will be the start of Year 2 based on USMCA rules.
“The government’s latest decision to move ahead with CUSMA on the backs of our dairy processors in the middle of a global pandemic is completely inexcusable,” Plett said in a statement.
Canada’s response: “We have been clear that our dairy sector will be compensated as part of the new NAFTA,” Katherine Cuplinskas, press secretary for Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, said in a statement to POLITICO.
The ratification of the replacement deal for NAFTA will offer much-needed economic certainty and "position our economy for the recovery" from the pandemic, Freeland’s office said.
— USTR says it’s working well with China to keep the trade deal on track, POLITICO Pro reports.
— Commerce will continue its agreement that manages U.S. sugar imports from Mexico after it concluded that terminating the deal with Mexico would cause injury to American sugar growers.
— Commerce is seeking public comment on a new system for monitoring imports of aluminum, similar to a pre-existing program for steel imports. The proposal would come with an import license requirement that would obligate applicants to identify where the primary aluminum used in imported aluminum products was smelted and poured.
— U.S. economy shrank at 4.8 percent rate last quarter as the coronavirus struck, Associated Press reports.
— The Federal Reserve pledges to keep interest rates at zero to help the economy weather the pandemic, POLITICO reports.
THAT'S ALL FOR MORNING TRADE! See you again soon! In the meantime, drop the team a line: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] and [email protected]. Follow us @POLITICOPro and @Morning_Trade.


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Since the start of the pandemic, activewear has gone from trendy to essential. The indisputable king, Nike is poised to continue its decades-long domination.
But what exactly makes the athletic gear giant so successful? And can anyone catch up?
On the Offensive
Nike commands a 39% share of the global footwear market and 13% of global apparel sales. Transcending shoes and sport, the Nike brand has become a cultural phenomenon. Striving for more, the company has proven willing to reinvent itself.
In 2017, Nike devised a digital strategy to drive growth, targeting 30% digital penetration in five years — a goal that, at the time, seemed lofty.
Then the pandemic hit. Boosted by the global eCommerce boom and spike in activewear sales, Nike surpassed its goal three years ahead of schedule.
Doubling down on direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, Nike accelerated its digital transformation, executing its “One Nike Marketplace” strategy.
Wholesale, who? While the majority of Nike’s revenue (around 65%) remains driven by wholesale, the company is well aware of the growing competition from DTC activewear brands.
Noting the shift, Nike has closed undifferentiated wholesale accounts, pivoting resources toward direct channels to secure higher margins, reclaim access to consumers, and maintain control.
Content, community, customization. Supporting this move is Nike’s tightly woven ecosystem, from digitally outfitted Nike Live stores to its arsenal of apps.
Case in point, last August, it launched a 24,000-square-foot Nike Rise store in Seoul. A manifestation of the company’s unique digital capabilities, the store is a high-tech, highly personalized retail experience.
Numbers don’t lie. A recent Q2 earnings report confirmed the retailer’s growth in spite of pandemic headwinds and supply chain issues:
- Nike posted $11.36B in revenue in its second quarter ending November 30, 2021, outpacing expectations by over $100M.
- Most of this growth notably came from digital sales, which have grown by over 12%, including by 40% in North America.
Far from a siloed approach, Nike excels by executing interconnected, multipronged long plays — anticipating wider market trends and making tough calls to stay a step ahead.
Facing the Swoosh
Outside of Nike, the activewear sector is booming; experts project the market to top $546B by 2024.
From lululemon to Allbirds, brands across the board are upping their game. But can any of them dethrone Nike?
When life gives you lululemons. A potential Achilles’ heel, Nike has had mediocre success with women — worsened only by internal snafus. Despite efforts to grow, women’s products make up less than 25% of its total revenue.
In particular, lululemon has soared in recent years:
- While the pandemic pummeled most of retail, lululemon plotted its overseas expansion and increased brand value by more than 40%.
- In 2021, it grew revenue by 88% to over a billion dollars and posted some of the best gross margins in the apparel industry.
- Challenging Nike directly, lululemon has also entered the digital fitness space with its MIRROR acquisition while teasing a 2022 entry into footwear.
Nike seems to be feeling the heat — in early January, Nike filed a lawsuit against lululemon, accusing it of infringing on a number of patents on fitness equipment and related mobile apps.
Foot race. Over in footwear, Nike’s bread and butter, the company has maintained an iron grip. But with the recent running boom, a number of brands are nipping at its heels:
- CrossFit favorite NOBULL reached a half-billion-dollar valuation last year on 80% YoY growth and has been eyeing global expansion.
- Focused on female runners, Brooks Running unseated Nike in the women’s performance category in Q1 2021, increasing sales by 88% while Nike took a 35% blow.
- Touting pain management, HOKA has posted 96% YoY growth and grew its DTC channel by almost 15%.
Darkhorses Allbirds and On Running have shaken things up as well. Both companies IPO’d last year at billion-dollar valuations, boasting sustainability and simplicity as differentiating streaks. “I’ve tried to make us the opposite of Nike almost,” said Allbirds co-founder Tim Brown.
Elsewhere… from unorthodox contenders to legacy competitors, Nike is getting squeezed from all angles. Peloton debuted its apparel line in fall 2021 while adidas and Under Armour are outlining their own DTC revolutions.
In a digitally driven market where competitors are just a few swipes away, brands that fail to adapt will get left behind.
Despite impressive growth, most activewear brands simply can’t compare to Nike’s massive presence.
lululemon’s revenue, for example, sits at a fraction of Nike’s $37B in fiscal year 2020. The yogi favorite would need to maintain double-digit growth for over a decade in order to catch up — and that’s if Nike stood still. As its $44.5B FY2021 shows, that seems unlikely.
Even now, as the web3 movement sweeps the internet, Nike is already diving in headfirst:
- The company has been ramping up to produce digital versions of its products since at least October.
- In November, Nike partnered with Roblox to launch virtual world NIKELAND and it teamed with Snapchat for an AR running experience.
- A few weeks later, it snapped up NFT studio and fashion startup RTFKT.
Punchline: For now, no one seems likely to topple Nike, but activewear brands are steadily carving out their own lane, building billion-dollar empires in spaces that were once considered niche. In other words, this isn’t a zero-sum game — Nike’s dominance signifies the success of the activewear industry at large.
🥾 Hit the Trail
Bolstered by pandemic tailwinds, as more people hit the trails, there’s a growing opportunity in the great outdoors.
On the Fitt Insider Podcast: AllTrails CEO Ron Schneidermann joins us to discuss the company’s content flywheel, free app, and subscription product.
We also cover: the intersection of technology and the outdoors, as well as the company’s recent $150M funding round — fueling community, personalization, and international expansion.
Listen to today’s episode here.
🎮 Fitness x Gaming
Liteboxer is launching VR workouts, expanding beyond connected equipment and into the metaverse.
What it is: Available on Meta Quest 2 in March, Liteboxer’s VR offering features instructor-led classes, curated playlists, and head-to-head workouts with friends.
Priced at $18.99/month (plus the cost of a Quest headset), the VR subscription is significantly less expensive than the company’s $1,245–1,445 smart punching bag.
On the Fitt Insider Podcast, Liteboxer CEO Jeff Morin hinted at the company’s ambition beyond equipment:
“We’re trying to hack the brain… where your mind and body get into this flow state. Time flies by, and the pain you normally experience when working out is replaced by joy.”
Put ’em up. More and more, boxing-inspired workouts are gaining popularity:
- June 2021: Connected boxing company FightCamp raised $90M, with backing from Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Georges St-Pierre, and others.
- December 2021: Peloton added boxing workouts to its fitness platform; Conor McGregor’s FAST training brand debuted a connected boxing offering.
To infinity. A parallel development, the fitness metaverse is reimagining exercise with immersive training options.
- Meta (Facebook) acquired VR fitness subscription Supernatural for $400M.
- FitXR’s virtual fitness club brings fun, effective workouts into the home.
- Quell, an interactive boxing game, raised $3M in funding last year.
Looking ahead: Appealing to a much larger audience than the typical fitness-seeker, the next wave of innovation in at-home exercise will focus on fun, gamification, and entertainment over competition.
👀 MIRROR Hires New CEO
lululemon hired former Amazon exec Michael Aragon to lead MIRROR, its connected fitness business. Aragon replaces MIRROR founder Brynn Putnam, who resigned the CEO role in September 2021. The leadership shakeup comes as growing competition in at-home fitness prompted MIRROR to cut its 2021 sales forecast in half. Complicating matters, lululemon is facing a lawsuit from Nike related to MIRROR’s immersive fitness tech.
🦾 Abbott Readies Consumer Biowearables
Expanding beyond diabetes tech, healthcare company Abbott is developing new consumer biowearables. Targeting elite athletes and casual exercisers, the company’s Lingo sensors will track biomarkers like glucose, ketones, and lactate. As metabolic fitness and high-performance health move into the mainstream, Abbott CEO Robert B. Ford said Lingo will help users “proactively manage health, nutrition and athletic performance.”
😌 Hoame Enters VR Meditation
Toronto-based meditation studio Hoame is bringing mindfulness to the metaverse, debuting a subscription-based app for Meta Quest. The VR meditation offerings feature daily classes and on-demand practices led by expert instructors. With the mental wellness sector valued at $121B, and the mental health crisis intensifying, VR meditation and therapy could be a path to improved well-being.
📈 Funding Frenzy
In 2021, US digital health companies raised a record $29B in funding, doubling the previous high-water mark of $14.9B in 2020. Taking the top spot, startups focused on mental health attracted $5.1B, up from $2.7B last year. Of note, fitness and wellness companies garnered $4.3B, with Mindbody ($500M) and Noom ($540M) securing two of the year’s largest deals.
📰 News & Notes
- Peloton drops $145 Altos cycling shoes.
- Boxing and fitness brand Everlast opens flagship UK gym.
- Fitt Jobs: 900+ open roles at top health & fitness companies.
- KFC x Beyond Meat: plant-based chicken launches nationwide.
- Startup Q&A: Spoked CEO Richard Lang on data-driven cycling.
- CrossFit cuts ties with longtime Games mastermind Dave Castro.
- Corona debuts Sunbrew, a non-alcoholic beer with added vitamin D.
- UK-based PureGym opens first US location under Pure Fitness banner.
💰 Money Moves
- Planet Fitness is acquiring top franchisee Sunshine Fitness Growth Holdings LLC, operator of more than 114 Planet Fitness locations, in a $800M deal.
- Mojo Vision, makers of smart contact lenses, raised $45M and partnered with adidas, Wearable X, and others to pursue augmented reality in personal performance and sports.
- Global wearable manufacturer Myzone raised $17.2M in funding from growth capital investor BGF.
More from Fitt Insider: Wrist Wars
- Tennis app Break the Love, a platform for connecting the tennis community, secured $2.5M in seed funding.
More from Fitt Insider: Recreation’s Renaissance
- Mine’d, an emotional wellness app, raised $3.5M in seed funding led by Listen Ventures.
- Campsite booking platform Hipcamp acquired Cool Camping, a UK-based digital travel agency.
- CoPilot Systems, creators of one-on-one personal training app DeltaTrainer, closed $5.86M in a Series A round led by Hyde Park Venture Partners.
- Little Otter, a digital mental health solution for kids, closed a $22M Series A round led by CRV.
- UK-based meal kit company Gousto secured $100M in new funding from SoftBank Vision Fund II.
- Kiddo, a remote patient monitoring platform for children, closed a $16M Series A round led by Clearlake Capital-backed Vive Collective.
- Israeli animal-free dairy startup Remilk landed $120M in a Series B round led by Hanaco Ventures.
- NESTRE Health & Performance, a cognitive training and mental health company, secured $1.6M in new funding.
Today’s newsletter was brought to you by Anthony and Joe Vennare, Melody Song, Wesley Yen, and Ryan Deer.


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2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
After its initial introduction in 2013, the Mercedes-Benz GLA has been redesigned for 2018. The 2018 model includes subtle styling changes both inside and out, as well as increased aerodynamics that improve fuel economy and reduce road noise. The GLA250 and GLA250 4MATIC models are powered by a 208 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo.
The most drool-worthy model is the Mercedes-AMG GLA45, which features more aerodynamic styling, a new air intake grille and yellow highlights. It's powered by a 375 horsepower, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine that boasts 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds. It goes on sale this summer.


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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Moog Inc. cut its 2009 outlook late Wednesday due to a "dramatic slowdown" in orders for its industrial products and in anticipation of reduced commercial airplane deliveries.
The East Aurora, N.Y., maker of aerospace, automotive and medical products lowered its full-year earnings view to $2.20 a share from $2.80, plus or minus 20 cents. Sales are expected to come in at around $1.9 billion.
Analysts polled by FactSet Research expected 2009 earnings of $2.76 a share on similar sales.
"Given the state of the capital goods markets in Europe and Asia, we should not be surprised that many of our industrial customers are really hunkering down and everyone is anticipating a slowdown in commercial aircraft," said Chairman and Chief Executive R. T. Brady.
Analysts have been speculating jet deliveries will see an increase in deferrals this year and into 2010.
"The fact that the company has reduced expectations in its industrials and commercial aircraft business is not a shocker to us," said Karl Oehlschlaeger, an analyst with Macquarie Research. "However, we are somewhat surprised by the extent of the hit to earnings."
Moog said its revised guidance anticipates declines in the sales of controls to Boeing Co.
Airbus is a unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co.


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Work continues to convert a building into a Panera Bread on Lew DeWitt Boulevard day, July 16, 2013.
A Panera Bread will open in Waynesboro off of Lew Dewitt Boulevard on August 21.
General manager for the new restaurant, Laura Ludholtz said there has been a lot of excited chatter about the popular sandwich chain coming to this area.
While the menu offerings will be the same as other Panera restaurants, this location will be slightly bigger with a drive-thru and two conference rooms for training and meetings. ...


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Introducing European brands in the Middle East market. This is just the beginning.
Are UAE shoppers falling more and more in love with Europe? While the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated a decrease in shopper spending across MENA regions, it has definitely seen an increase in fast fashion shopping behaviours. While MENA shoppers are spending considerably less on luxury fashion, they’re spending most of it on European fast fashion brands. Over the last decade, Arab shoppers specifically became a top-spending clientele at Europe’s luxury boutiques and department stores, and European brands have started taking an interest in the Middle Eastern market, according to Vogue Arabia.
Even though the UAE was always an attractive fashion market to grow in, many European fashion brands have found their way today into the Middle East. A pattern that has been most overlooked in the past, is now very much becoming a reality.
UAE was a region that many Western brands were unfamiliar with on a cultural level, but post COVID-19 behaviour brought a great cultural change. This is because of a number of reasons, first and foremost being that the UAE has the highest social media presence in the world – post pandemic. In 2021, UAE led the way with 91% internet penetration, meaning that most consumers now shop and browse online, meaning that they’re directly affected by Western digital influences. This ranges from Instagram, to European influencers, to political discourse at times, to other Western trends and so on. As digital European trends shape the fashion retail landscape of UAE, Kingpin enters the industry with a B2B portal that aims to bridge the gaps between brands and retailers, international and local.
Kingpin aims to be part of the e-commerce landscape as it evolves, helping retailers as they prepare to tailor their strategies to new patterns of customer demand, working out how to adapt and develop to the new post pandemic norm while achieving maximum impact and building sales. Partnering up with brands that have a strong European presence like Brave Soul, Sockshop, Bread & Boxers, Colmar, Anerkjdt and many more, Kingpin aims to foster integrity and act as a communication hub for both retailers and brands alike.
It has been estimated that more than 50% of European brands already in the UAE are in the process of expanding to surrounding countries through either existing or new franchise partners and digital portals while expanding their digital presence. (Bird & Bird, recent Q&A on Middle East franchising).
The Middle East has thus proven to be very fertile ground for European brands looking to expand. Going digital is definitely the next frontier for Middle East retail and Kingpin has become a large piece of that cake, slowly and steadily becoming the new face of the fashion e-commerce market. Learn more on how you could be removing all retail pain points, improving transactions between brands and maximising the supply chain all from one single portal. Register here.


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Today, leaders from the global games industry who participated in #PlayApartTogether committed to reactivate the initiative launched one year ago, which encourages gamers everywhere to follow World Health Organization (WHO) health advice on COVID-19 prevention.
As part of #PlayApartTogether, a large number of gaming companies agreed to disseminate evidence-based health messages from WHO to help slow the spread of COVID-19. To promote these messages, hundreds of game industry leaders in the interactive entertainment space have encouraged their vast network of users to follow the WHO’s health guidelines—including on physical distancing, masks, hand and respiratory hygiene, avoiding crowds and how to keep rooms well ventilated.
Since the initial kickoff of the campaign, #PlayApartTogether has been adopted by platforms and organizations across the breadth of the digital entertainment space, including mobile, console and PC gamemakers, hardware, platforms, eSports, streamers, universities, non-profits and consumer advocacy groups. The hashtag has been seen by gamers around the world, during the pandemic, in countries including Finland, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, the Netherlands, Russia, UK and the USA.
WHO has served as the leading international health agency spearheading the global response to the coronavirus outbreak and has prioritized keeping people informed through equitable access to trusted information. As information on the virus, as well as diagnostics, treatments and vaccines are developed and used around the world, WHO continues to provide essential guidance and public health recommendations to governments, communities and individuals everywhere, including through new and wide-reaching communication channels.
By bringing special events, exclusives, activities, rewards and inspiration to some of the most popular games in the world, #PlayApartTogether encourages users to adopt best practices of protection from COVID-19 transmission for the sake of their own health and that of their families and communities. By incorporating COVID-19 prevention messages into games, people everywhere are told: “Wherever you are, whatever game you play, you can make a difference.”
Follow the hashtag #PlayApartTogether on social media for ongoing updates and details.