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And such is its tone that something completely unexpected is concealed - that every model posing has an artificial bowel or bladder as a result of crippling disease.
Nicola Dames, 37, has been on a mission to make women like her feel beautiful again since having her colon removed in 2006.
Fitted with a bag which collects her bodily waste, Nicola despaired of the dowdy big pants she was recommended to wear following her life-changing surgery.
Nicola instead started to design her own undergarments and ended up building Vanilla Blush, her lingerie company that supports women who have had an ostomy - the surgical procedure to fit the bag - in the most discreet way possible.
And such has been her success in revolutionising how patients feel about themselves, she now has customers volunteering to model for her.
The results have been published in the first Vanilla Blush magazine designed to celebrate her clients and also to influence a change in perception of those with ostomies.
Nicola said: “We now have 46 models, they have all had ostomies, they are all everyday people but they feel so confident now that they all want to model.
“You can feel that confidence, it oozes off the photo because they are concealed and supported in beautiful products.
“The condition is known as an embarrassing condition but we have always strived to make our business not about a medical condition but a fashion challenge.”
When Nicola started to pitch her garments to hospitals, she ripped up the usual approach of such meetings and threw catwalk shows of her wares instead.
The breakthrough for Nicola was getting her garments licensed for prescription on the NHS, with around 70% of her business now done in this way.
It is only national health patients in the UK who benefit, with Vanilla Blush now being prescribed in seven other European countries including Germany and Holland.
Around 600 pairs of knickers are now made every week for the firm - each with a secret compartment to hold the stoma secure and away from the body.
She said: “I design underwear that is inclusive of ostomies, The knicker style is very vintage and looks a lot sexier than something skimpy.”
Underwear and swimming trunks for men have also been designed by Nicola, a former neurological nurse.
Of her own condition, she said: “It was horrific but me having my colon removed on March 31 2006 is something that gave me a life.
“Nobody really wants to wear a bag but I was very disabled before then, I couldn’t go out without a big bag and toilet paper, and all this paranoia about whether I could find a toilet that was open, or clean and now I have this bag and I don’t have to think about it.”
What does make her feel extra good is knowing what she has done has helped others like her.
She said: “This is a serious business but what gets me really going are the testimonials, when people write to you and actually say ‘your knickers have changed my life’.
“People think their life is over when they get a bag but then they see our products and all our imagery, which is fresh and young and sexy, and things seem possible again.


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Nicaragua El Suyatal: Growing coffee and education on one farm
Family is at the heart of the El Suyatal farm in Nicaragua. For the past two decades, the Valladarez family has been growing coffee at this renowned farm.
“For the whole family, producing coffee is a work which pass[es] from a generation to another generation,” Olman Valladarez said.
Olman, his brother and his father, Luis Emilio, own the El Suyatal farm, located high in the mountains of Dipilto. Luis Emilio first began growing coffee in 1955, when he inherited land from his grandmother. El Suyatal is now one of eight coffee farms they own in the Nueva Segovia region.
Over the years, they’ve produced some of the finest coffees from the area. Their coffees have placed many times in the prestigious Cup of Excellence competition designed to identify the highest quality coffees.
Their commitment to family goes beyond their own. During the peak season, coffee pickers come to their farm to help out with the harvest. Many of them bring their own families. The Valladarez family saw how important it was for the pickers to have their children close by. They came up with the idea to build a kindergarten right on the farm.
When we purchased Starbucks Reserve® Nicaragua El Suyatal from the Valladarez family, we teamed up with them to make their idea a reality. It’s part of our commitment to invest in the coffee communities that bring us these rare, small-lot coffees.
“For the labor families, it is very important…[it] will allow them to leave their children in a safe and educative place when they will work,” Olman said.
The construction of the kindergarten started back in January and is on track to be completely finished by the end of August 2016. Nearly 50 students will benefit from the kindergarten, giving them access to education they might not otherwise have. The Valladarez family will provide lunch for the children each day. The kindergarten has an after-school program, as well.
We’re proud to play a role as the Valladarez family helps create opportunities for the next generation of coffee families.
Starbucks Reserve® Nicaragua El Suyatal
Notes of toasted nut and caramel with a malty sweetness
This is our September subscription coffee. It’s expertly roasted in the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery & Tasting Room in Seattle, then shipped fresh within 48 hours. Subscribe by September 4, 2016 to receive this coffee.
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domain: news


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Last year, GiveDirectly made headlines for doing just that: giving cash directly to the poor. The charity makes monetary transfers to households in Kenya and Uganda. There are no eligibility requirements for the transfers and no strings attached to the funds. Ninety-two cents of every dollar donated to GiveDirectly goes directly into the pockets—or, more specifically, onto the mobile phones—of recipients.
GiveDirectly offers a simple solution to the complex problem of poverty, promising to avoid the overhead, corruption, and inefficiency that plague many charitable schemes. It’s a return to one of the oldest solutions to poverty, yet in the age of cause marketing and corporate social responsibility it seems new and novel. The market has seduced us into believing that buying goods is doing good.
It’s not a choice between the perfect and the good, only a parade of wolves masquerading as sheep.
Most of us want to do good, but few of us know how. Take the meteoric rise of activist brands like Toms Shoes and Ethos Water. Toms is a for-profit company that has thrived on the “buy one, give one” model of consumer spending: for every pair of shoes hipsters buy in Brooklyn, the company donates a pair of shoes to children in need. With business booming, the company is expanding its empire from shoes to eyewear. Ethos Water is a Starbucks subsidiary that donates five cents to water and sanitation projects around the world for every bottle sold.
Pay $1.80 for a bottle of Ethos Water every day for a year, and you’ll have donated less than $20 to the cause of clean drinking water. For the $48 you might have spent on ikat-patterned, soft-soled Toms Shoes, you could buy a similar pair of cloth shoes and have $24 left over to direct to charities meeting children’s needs: not just shoes, but food and health care. In almost every instance, we can do more good by buying fewer goods or less expensive substitutes and donating the surplus directly to charities instead of filtering it through a corporation.
There very well may be such a thing as caring capitalism, but the last few years of cause marketing evidence the opposite: corporations re-branding themselves with charitable causes seem to have funded the brands more than the causes. Both Toms and Ethos Water have made hundreds of millions of dollars while donating a million pairs of shoes and a few million dollars; both companies have also come under additional scrutiny for failing to honor their philanthropic promises. For Toms, it’s where they manufacture their shoes and how their shoe donation practices fail to generate long-term benefits like jobs or infrastructure; for Ethos, it’s their steep mark-up on the designer water and the environmental costs of millions of plastic bottles.
When criticized, these companies usually claim that beyond dollars donated, they are raising the profile of some of the world’s most important causes. But they’ve shown how it is more expensive to raise awareness than to simply raise money directly. Take Product Red, the branded campaign to end HIV/AIDS that partners with companies like Apple, Gap, Hallmark, Nike, and Theory. These partners license the Product Red logo for their products and then donate a portion of their profits on those Red products. Today, Product Red claims to have donated $240 million to The Global Fund to fight AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, but in 2007 it was lambasted for having invested $100 million in advertising and raising only $18 million for its cause.
The perfect can certainly be the enemy of the good, and these corporations have shielded themselves from criticism with the defense that any donation is better than no donation. But this suggests consumers have no alternatives, in their consumption or in their charity. It’s not a choice between the perfect and the good, only a parade of wolves masquerading as sheep. There are more than a million charities in the United States alone; we even have charities that rate and rank other charities. There is no shortage of deserving organizations to which you can donate your money, and your donation will likely do more good if you make it directly.
Ethics don’t often scale well, so why outsource your charitable giving to a corporation? In the case of Toms, buy their shoes if they’re what you want, but if you are only buying them because you care about children in need, then just buy the brand your heart truly desires and donate the equivalent amount or support manufacturing where those children live by buying shoes from Sole Rebels, Nisolo, or Oliberté Footwear.
One of my resolutions for the New Year is only five words: buy less; donate more dollars. I’m not buying that $39 Product Red iPhone case, instead I’m donating directly to The Global Fund; rather than buying a new pair of shoes to advertise my charity on my feet, I’m making do with the shoes in my closet; instead of buying bottles of Ethos Water, I’m drinking from the tap.
It’s not that I won’t ever buy accessories or shoes or bottled drinks, though I do hope to buy less of everything this year, it’s that when I do buy things I don’t want to mistake my shopping for charity. I want my spending to reflect my ethics, not corporate gimmicks.


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Home sales soar in Twin Lakes Area
- 34.92: Percent of increase for Baxter and Marion county home sales between June 2014 and June 2013
- 85: Number of homes sold during June in Baxter and Marion counties
- 403: Number of homes to date sold in Baxter and Marion counties in 2014
- $116,366: Average home sales price in Baxter and Marion counties in 2014
Home sales are on the upswing in Arkansas, but comparatively speaking, they've shot through the roof in the Twin Lakes Area, and local realtors are attributing the positive numbers to an improved economy.
According to the most recent housing report from the Arkansas Realtors Association, Baxter and Marion county realtors sold 85 homes in June 2014 compared to 63 homes sold in June 2013 — a 34.92 percent increase. That figure more than triples the 10 percent growth in home sales reported for the state.
The president of the North Central Board of Realtors, Clyde Packer, says the area might be in a buyer's market for a long time.
"I think, overall, the economy is up a little bit, and I think most people are feeling better. I think most agents are busy — those who want to be busy are busy. The activity is up, calendar's got a lot on it, and I think it's looking very positive," Packer said. "The sales are up, the volume is up, but the value still has a long way to go.
"There are a lot of homes out there. The buyers, the baby boomers, like me, I think they're feeling a little bit more secure in what they're saving and they're looking."
And many are looking online, Packer notes.
"They're more invested in the Internet because that's where these homes are selling from," he said.
Steve Burges of Gilbert Realty agrees the area is experiencing a better market.
"Number one, the prices have slipped a little bit and things are a better bargain now. People are always wanting bargain prices, so that's been one of the biggest reasons why sales have increased," Burges said. "And two, people are finally able to sell their homes out of state to come here."
Burges says most of Gilbert Realty's clients come from states like Texas or California.
In total, through June, realtors have sold 403 homes in Baxter and Marion counties, which is an 18.18 percent increase of the 341 sold over the same time period in 2013.
Nationally, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.04 million projected sales in June climbed 2.6 percent from May, but remains 2.3 percent below the 5.16 million-unit level a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors.
The ARA report also notes the average sales price is down across the board in the Twin Lakes Area — $118,470 in June, a 7.31 percent slide from $127,811 in June 2013, and $116,366 year to date, which is a 2.72 percent decrease from $119,616 last year.
"That's not really a number that means anything to me, the average price," Burges said.
Both realtors consider the average price of a home is difficult to calculate because all properties are different.
"The average sales price means that you're averaging a whole bunch of repos that are selling for $50 or $60 thousand, and then you're throwing in a few $300 thousand sales, and the average comes in at $130 (thousand)," Burges said. "Hardly ever does a home sell for $130 (thousand) — they're either way lower or way higher."
In June 2014, ARA also reported that the total value of homes sold in Baxter and Marion counties had ballooned to $10,069,950 from $8,052,093 in 2013, which is a 25 percent change.
"I think the most important thing is that people need to feel confident that we're seeing a much-needed improvement in the economy," Packer said. "House sales are up, values are up a little bit."
By The Numbers
Percent of the increase for Baxter and Marion county home sales between June 2014 and June 2013
Total number of homes sold during June in Baxter and Marion counties
Number of homes to date sold in Baxter and Marion counties in 2014
Average home sales price in Baxter and Marion counties in 2014


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However, a senior official noted that the ICF envisions the production of 3,000 trains or more in 2018-19, with a number of new product variations in the pipeline for the coming year.
"Producing 2,503 units is an important milestone for us. However, we are aiming at 3000 coaches next year, and have many new products coming up. We are looking to supply 80 world-class coaches to Sri Lanka, for which the prototype will be ready tentatively in July. By 2020, we have also planned on introducing Train 20 aluminum body train set," he said.
The product mix consists of electric multiple units (EMUs) for Mumbai and Chennai, diesel-electric multiple units (DEMU) for Jammu and Kashmir, Kolkata Metro, Self Propelled Accident Relief Train (SPART), diesel-electric tower cars (DETC), tourist coaches for IRCTC, and Military Langer.


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When most of us think of diversity, I'm sure the beacon of celebrating differences that we first imagine is not the runways of Fashion Week. It's probably not high fashion, or even fashion at all — and you wouldn't be wrong. Thin bodies, straight hair and white faces still dominate our narrative of what beauty is perceived to be. Fashion magazines in 2014 were severely lacking in racial diversity and I'm fairly certain I could count on one hand the amount of people who were surprised by this. However, this week in New York, I'm regaining some hope that fashion is seeing the value in casting diverse bodies to walk its runways.
FTL Moda featured physically disabled models; Jamie Brewer strutted down Carrie Hammer's runway filled with "role models"; and Canadian model Winnie Harlow, who has vitiligo, walked in Desigual's show — and this is all for starters. In a letter for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), legendary designer Diane von Furstenberg urged other designers to center diversity and health when they were casting this season's models: "We strongly believe that models under the age of 16 do not belong on the runway... Remember, we must consider the emotional and physical well-being of these young women." It's no wonder Mashable is declaring that diversity was NYFW 2015's "unofficial theme." This year's runways were perhaps the most diverse yet when it comes to age, race, physical ability, and gender — so is the problem fixed? Is our work here done?
Many people are calling more diverse runways a "trend" — which is definitely a dangerous label for the phenomenon. If you have a pair of sneaker wedges in your closet, you understand that trends are fickle and change too often. I'd like to see runway diversity stick around and continue to go even further: Casting tokenized models of color is no longer enough to count as diversity, so I think we can continue to push the boundaries of what we consider "the norm." Diverse imagery needs to be the rule, not the exception. I want more people to be able to recognize themselves and see a part of their identity represented on runways and in media. I want a truly diverse array of body sizes to be seen. I mean, so far only two plus-size models have ever walked the runways at NYFW. And I don't want us to have to keep asking black designers about the lack of black designers. We're still waiting to see the diversity on the runway trickle down to diversity in big box stores and clothing chains.
Ultimately, we have a long, long way to go from Fashion Week stunts to daily representation. So we need to see designers feature diversity in their shows and campaigns all year long. As Styleite points out, we're right to be suspicious of the motives of designers and fashion houses:
"It’s easy to be hesitant when fashion makes such an obvious attempt to be more inclusive. These are images that are intrinsically share-worthy, and when 99 percent of fashion shows are experienced through photographs and social media, anything to increase clicks is fair game."
Regardless of designer intentions, if the result is seeing more diverse imagery, it feels hard to complain about this progress. But it also doesn't make it feel difficult to ask for more.


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Once buried and left for dead, the electric vehicle (EV) has been gaining ground at a slow, yet steady pace in the automotive market. With a growing middle class globally, and climate change concerns is helping to revitalize EVs in recent years.
Now Ford’s new Chief Operating officer suggests EVs could make up one-quarter of their sales by the end of this decade.
In an interview with Green Autoblog last week, Ford Chief Operating officer Mark Fields said Ford’s fleet of electric vehicles (battery, electric, plug-in and hybrids) could make up 10-25% of their sales by 2020.
Fields also said to help reach that goal will involve “electrifying platforms” as compared to electrifying single vehicles.
“And our manufacturing strategy will allow us to flex. For example, our Wayne [MI] Plant will produce the regular gas-powered Focus, the electric Focus and the C-Max hybrid,” he said.
With fuel CAFE standards coming into focus, Fields believes the companies base of electric vehicles will help reach CAFE targets. However, he also suggests firm consumer interest is vital in reaching fuel economy targets.
Currently, Ford has the EV Ford Focus, C-Max hybrid, and C-Max Energi on the green car/EV market. However, they are now behind other well-known electric cars in EV sales, including the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf. In February, there were 1,626 Volts sold, an increase of more than 59% from the previous year, while the Nissan Leaf sold 653 Leafs, a 37% increase from the previous year.
Ford sold 119 Fusion Energi vehicles in February, while 158 Ford Focus Electric units and 175 C-Max Energis left car dealer’s lots.
While Ford’s number may be small for its EV and hybrid sales, it was the first month for the Fusion Energi on sale to the public, so there is lots of time for the Detroit manufacturer to boost its EV sales well ahead of their ambitious 2020 target.
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Black Widow will be available to all Disney+ subscribers on October 6th, 2021 for no additional cost. What is Disney+? Disney+ is the streaming home of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more.
Is Black Widow coming out on Disney plus?
Black Widow is now streaming on Disney Plus via Premier Access here. … Black Widow is released on Disney Plus on Friday July 9, 2021. If you live in the UK, you can already watch it early in theaters from July 7. In the US, you might be able to see a preview screening on July 8.
What time can I stream Black Widow on Disney plus?
“Black Widow” will begin streaming on Disney+ on July 9, starting at midnight. You will need a subscription to Disney+ to watch the film. Disney+ currently costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 for the year. You can also buy a bundle with Hulu and ESPN+, too, for $13.99.
Can you watch Black Widow on Netflix?
After what feels like years in the waiting, Marvel fans are finally getting their ScarJo solo movie in Black Widow, available to watch with Premier Access. … New on Netflix July 9: Fear Street Part Two: 1978 New on Netflix this weekend is the second installment of Netflix’s original Fear Street film series.
Will there be an Iron Man 4?
Iron Man 4 has officially confirmed by the MCU. Not only this but the main character of this movie i.e. Robert Downey Jr. aka Iron man has also confirmed himself that there will be the fourth part of Iron Man.
Can you download Black Widow on Disney plus?
What is Premier Access? Starting July 9, with Premier Access, you can watch Black Widow before it’s available to all Disney+ subscribers or anywhere else. Disney+ will offer Premier Access to Black Widow for $29.99 on disneyplus.com and in the Disney+ app on select platforms, including Apple, Google, Amazon, and Roku.
Can I Stream Black Widow today?
Is Black Widow streaming? Yes, Black Widow will be available to stream on Disney+ with Premier Access, which will cost you $29.99 (on top of your existing Disney+ subscription plan).
Is Black Widow on Amazon Prime?
Watch Black Widow Movie 2021 – Stream it on Amazon Prime and Netflix.
How can I watch the new Black Widow movie?
To watch Black Widow online, you’ll need to have an existing Disney+ subscription and then purchase Black Widow for $29.99 (with unlimited viewings).
Will there be an Avengers 5?
The fact that Avengers 5 hasn’t been solidly confirmed yet and with filming still to be done on upcoming Marvel movies, all of which feature characters likely to appear in Avengers 5, makes us think a 2023 release could be too early.
Is Chris Evans done with Marvel?
Let the fantasy go: Chris Evans will no longer play Captain America. Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, would know.
Who is going to be the new Iron Man?
Tipster Daniel Richtman has claimed that, just as Sam is the new Captain America, the new Iron Man will be Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes AKA War Machine, the best friend of the late Tony Stark. Terrence Howard initially played the part in 2008’s Iron Man before Don Cheadle took over from Iron Man 2 onward.


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CMP garment exports fetch $1.8bn for Myanmar in FY17
The cutting, making and packaging (CMP) garment industry in Myanmar earn about $1.836 billion in financial year 2016-17 that ended this March, according to the ministry of commerce. Myanmar exports around 33 per cent of its CMP products to Japan, followed by 25 per cent to EU. It also supplies clothing items to South Korea, US and Chinese markets.
The CMP garment industry, which includes manufacturing of shoes, garment and bags, contributed 16 per cent to total export earnings of Myanmar during the year. Last fiscal, Myanmar had earned $627 million from its CMP garment exports.
The garment industry in Myanmar employs more than 300,000 persons. It has set an ambitious export revenue target of $12 billion and creating around 1.5 million new jobs by 2020, according to the Myanmar Garment Entrepreneurs Association.
Sweden’s H&M and America’s Gap are among the major foreign companies that have invested in garment manufacturing in Myanmar. (RKS)
Source: Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India


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Harvard’s Brattle Square Florist will stay open, relocating under new – and old – ownership
Not only will Brattle Square Florist remain open after a December scare, it will return to the founding family who ran the business for nearly 100 years.
Randy Ricker said Dec. 27 that the pandemic, economic conditions and physical drain of running the 31 Brattle St. store forced him to close Jan. 31 after nine years as owner. There was an outpouring of sadness and support from customers and the community – so much so that Stephen Zedros – longtime manager at the shop and grandchild of the founders – put plans in place to take over the business and maintain operations without interruption starting Feb. 1.
“I’ve had customers reflect on how their parents and grandparents bought flowers at the store, and they wished their children would be able to do the same. Those traditions, as well as my own family’s traditions, will now live on,” Zedros said. “Brattle Square Florist has been operating in Harvard Square for over 100 years and I’m planning to lay the foundation for the next 100 years.”
In March, however, the store will relocate to 52 Brattle St., just steps away.
The store was founded by George, Stavros and John Gomatos in 1917 as Gomatos Brothers Fresh Produce, according to the store website. Flowers were always on sale at the store, turning into a thriving business that in 1973 took the lead as the shop was renamed Brattle Square Florist.
The Gomatos brothers are the grandparents of Zedros, who helped his mother and uncle at the shop, and fell in love with the business. “Connecting with the customers and helping them through life’s biggest milestones makes the store so special,” Zedros said.
“Returning Brattle Square Florist to my family is a dream come true,” Zedros said. “The energy of the Square keeps me going and being able to watch as my clients grow up with families of their own is one of my favorite aspects of running this shop. I want to thank everyone for their ongoing support and I look forward to making many more memories in the years to come.”
Denise Jillson, executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association, called the news a “small miracle” that was “exactly what we hoped for.”
“Brattle Square Florist is such an iconic business in the Square. We are so pleased and know the community is as well. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Steve and his staff and wish him great success in his new location at 52 Brattle St.,” Jillson said.
So good to hear. Looking forward to the new location!


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Like their counterparts supplying the “conventional” milk market, the number of certified organic dairies are declining but increasing in size, according to the USDA’s latest Certified Organic Survey. Based on the 2021 survey, released Dec. 15, 2022, total certified organic dairy herds and cow numbers declined but milk volume and value increased from a similar survey in 2019.
Milk remains a strong component of the overall organic market, representing about 15% of all organic sales (based on value) in 2021. Organic milk sold during the year was just under 5.2 billion pounds, up about 74 million pounds (1.4%) from 2019. The value of organic milk sold was up nearly $47.5 million (3%) from 2019, to $1.632 billion.
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Local McAlister's Deli franchisee Vanco JME LLC has sold its area franchise rights and properties to a Tennessee-based company.
Vanco JME, which was managed by Richard and Katie Vance and Mark Garrett, sold its four Springfield locations and one Republic restaurant to Nashville, Tenn.-based Southern Rock Restaurants for an undisclosed amount on Oct. 7, Richard Vance said. He noted properties were included in the sale for all but one of the restaurants, 1460 E. Primrose St., which is under a lease. The sale included the franchise rights for Greene County.
With the transaction, both the Vances and Garrett have relinquished their ownership interest in the McAlister's chain. Garrett started the first McAlister's franchise in Tennesee, according to Springfield Business Journal archives
Vance added that Southern Rock Restaurants also purchased another McAlister's location from him in Grenada, Miss., and 20 other locations from Garrett in the Memphis, Tenn., metropolitan area.
Under the terms of the deal, Vance said Southern Rock Restaurants, which is owned by David Blackburn, is keeping on existing employees at the McAlister's locations.
"Most of my people have been with me eight to 10 years," Vance said, noting regional director Brock Barton has continued managing the Springfield area restaurants since the sale. "Nothing is going to change in Springfield. It's changed for me, not for McAlister's."
Vance said he and Garett decided to leave the chain to spend more time with family.
"I'm literally just taking time off and spending time with the kids," Vance said. "I just turned 40, and I'm re-evaluating what I want to do."[[In-content Ad]]


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share in this article
Forex in this article
• Crypto market with a weak 2022
• NFTs are also suffering from the crypto winter
• Some Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs are still trading at high prices
The crypto winter is long and spreading: Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum have already had to accept price drops of 63 and around 66 percent this year. In addition to increasing risk aversion in the market, this is mainly due to bad news from the crypto world: the collapse of the Terra/LUNA cosmos has shaken the confidence of investors in the same way as the insolvency of the crypto lender Celsius and the crypto. exchange Voyager Digital. The fact that the debacle surrounding the bankruptcy of FTX and BlockFi caused new market shocks amid a small stabilization trend in the crypto market at the end of the year certainly did not help restore lost investor confidence.
NFTs are also suffering from the crypto winter
However, recent events have not only affected cryptocurrencies. The crypto token market has also suffered massive losses due to rising risk aversion. Not so long ago, NFTs were still considered a hot bet in the crypto market. In January, NFT marketplace OpenSea secured an investment of millions, large companies such as Disney, Vodafone and Pepsi brought NFT collections to market, and the non-fungible tokens generated a lot of investor interest.
During this time, the hype around the Bored Ape Yacht Club also picked up steam. The founders of Yuga Labs launched 10,000 NFTs, the collection of digital images featuring cartoon-style portraits of monkeys, each with a bored expression on their faces. Famous buyers – including pop star Justin Bieber – sometimes put millions of dollars on the table for an NFT, further fueling the hype. Yuga Labs even landed $450 million in funding for a new Metaverse.
But cracks soon began to appear in the world of bored NFT monkeys. Accusations of racism against Bored Ape Yacht Club and Yuga Labs made the rounds and couldn’t be completely put to rest.
Combined with the shocks that the crypto market as a whole had to digest, Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs lost massively in value. On the OpenSea trading platform, prices fell significantly in some cases.
Some Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs are expensive though
However, according to data from DappRadar, NFTs from the Bored Ape Yacht Club series have recently been among the most expensive on the market. Over the past 30 days, Yuga Labs non-fungible tokens have been among the top sellers. While Bored Ape Yacht Club #1268 last changed hands for 780 ETH (equivalent to about $1,007,557.20), number 232 in the series sold for 800 ETH. For #5718, a buyer recently put 350 ETH on the table.
However, these are top sellers on the platform, the average prices are way below. The lowest price for an NFT from the series of bored monkeys is currently given by OpenSea as 68.99 ETH (as of December 6, 2022) – users had to pay for one of the virtual monkey tokens at an Ethereum price of 1,250.70 US dollars. currently equivalent to about 86,285.79 US dollars.
Gearing must be between 2 and 20
Image sources: phloxii / Shutterstock.com, iQoncept / Shutterstock.com


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Loungers reports like-for-like sales down just 1.7%: Loungers, the operator of 165 neighbourhood cafe bars and restaurants across England and Wales under the Lounge and Cosy Club brands, has announced like-for-like sales have been -1.7% since re-opening. The company stated: “The board is pleased to update on current trading having now re-opened all 165 sites in the estate, with the exception of Cosy Club in Leicester which opens this Friday. Like for like sales have been -1.7% over the period from 4 July, when our phased re-opening commenced, through to 2 August. Whilst these are still early days, we are encouraged by the initial strength of our trading performance to date and remain confident the company will emerge strongly from this period. Loungers will next update the market in late September when we publish our preliminary results for the year ending 19 April 2020. The board hopes to be in a position to recommence providing fuller guidance to the market at this time.”
Ireland announces three-week delay to opening of bars and nightclubs: Ireland announced a new three-week delay yesterday to the full reopening of bars and nightclubs, and further restricted travel after a doubling of covid-19 infections left the country in what the government described as a “precarious situation”. Ireland has reported an average of 46 cases per day over the past seven days, up from an average of 19 the previous week. But it still has the 11th lowest rate of new infections of 32 European countries monitored by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, with nine infections per 100,000 people reported over the past 14 days. “We’re in a precarious situation in our battle with the virus,” Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told a news conference. “We have lost some ground but it is possible to reclaim it.” Bars operating as restaurants have been allowed to open since the end of June, but those serving just alcohol must remain closed for at least another three weeks to 31 August, Prime Minister Micheál Martin told reporters. “I wish that I was here to share better news but I’m not,” said Martin. He said he could not guarantee bars would reopen this year, adding: “We’ve got to achieve a reasonable equilibrium.” The government has tasked the finance and spending ministers to look at additional funding for sectors likely to be impacted for a significant period of time, such as bars, the arts and entertainment sectors and aviation, Martin said.
London-based meal delivery company secures £250,000 funding to protect jobs: London-based meal delivery company The Pure Package has secured £250,000 of funding to protect jobs. The company has received the funds from HSBC UK through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. The loan has enabled the company to protect 30 jobs and ensure it can continue supporting suppliers. The funding also has supported The Pure Package’s focus on its nutrition courses, which it has moved online during the past few months. During the pandemic, The Pure Package set up the online nutrition and culinary practice course that now hosts more than 60 students and is continuing to grow. Founder Jennifer Irvine said: “The past few months has had a huge impact and we anticipate the next few months will continue to be challenging, even as we start to gradually roll-out our food boxes again. The loan meant we could support staff and suppliers and continue with our online nutrition courses during the pandemic. We are now in a strong position to recover and rebuild the business.”
Bake Off: The Professionals winner to launch cookery school: Laurian Veaudour, owner of Cardiff-based Cocorico Patisserie, who this week won television show Bake Off: The Professionals, is to launch a cookery school. Veaudour launched Cocorico Patisserie in Whitchurch Road in 2010 offering French delicacies such as salted caramel-filled tarte au chocolat and hand-made macarons. Veaudour and Cocorico Patisserie head of pastry Thibault Courtoisier were also runners-up in Bake Off: Crème De La Crème in 2017. Veaudour now plans to launch a cookery school – Laurian At Home – in South Wales. He said: “I know a lot of people like to cook but don’t know how to improve or how to get organised, so that will be my next project.”


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Talk of Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has begun boiling as chances of Galaxy Note 7 ever coming back to life keep fading away.
Even though we didn’t have high hopes that the Galaxy Note 7 will be revived once more, we hoped that Samsung would at least come clean with what really happened to the phone. But apparently, the South Korean tech giant has no clue as to what was causing the fires or rather the batteries to overheat.
As a result of this lack of progress in finding the problem of the Galaxy Note 7, stories started emerging suggesting that Samsung was considering to scrap the Galaxy Note 8 and the entire Note series.
Now, according to fresh reports coming from South Korea, the tech giant has even better news. Samsung Galaxy Note 7 customers in the country who trade in their recalled flagship for a Galaxy S7 will be eligible for an upgrade program.
In a statement that was released this Monday, the company confirmed that these customers will then be allowed to trade in their S7 handsets for a new Galaxy S8 or Galaxy Note 8 this coming year.
The Note 7 has been discontinued and up to now, the tech giant has been offering incentives to those who take back their recalled devices and pick another Samsung Galaxy phone. If anything, this latest upgrade program is the latest attempt to get customers into sticking with the brand.
As opposed to earlier reports that had claimed Samsung Galaxy S8 will be offered for free to the Galaxy Note 7 customers who trade in the phone for a Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge, this new report further adds that this upgrade program will attract a fee that costs half the price of the then Galaxy S8 or Galaxy Note 8.
Whether this Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 upgrade program will be pushed to other countries or not is still a mystery. But hopefully, it does as it might play a huge role in retaining a larger part of its unsatisfied customers.


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- Starbucks and Alibaba are partnering to expand the coffeemaker's delivery and digital presence in China, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson tells CNBC.
- The strategy "will be an accelerator for our business, no doubt," Johnson tells "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer.
Starbucks has officially struck a partnership with Alibaba Group with a multipronged plan to boost the beverage company's digital and physical presence in China, Starbucks President and CEO Kevin Johnson told CNBC on Wednesday.
In the exclusive agreement, the global fast-casual chain will leverage all of Alibaba's properties, including delivery platform Ele.me and supermarket chain Hema, to expand delivery services throughout China.
"This means that a customer that uses Alipay or Taobao or Tmall or Hema has an integrated Starbucks virtual store similar to the mobile app embedded right into that experience," the CEO said. "That opens up 500 million or more active users of those apps that will have access to Starbucks."
Starbucks will also partner with Ele.me, a food delivery platform that Alibaba acquired this year. The partnership will help Starbucks make deliveries from 150 stores in Shanghai and Beijing and then broaden delivery to 2,000 stores in 30 cities "before the end of the calendar year," Johnson said.
In Hema's small-scale supermarkets, Starbucks plans to build up to 600 of what the company calls "Starbucks Delivery Kitchens" — stations that will service delivery orders for surrounding areas — over the next several years.
While the partnership was previously reported by the Wall Street Journal, Johnson's comments marked the first official confirmation by the coffeemaker about its specific plan with Alibaba.
Calling the initiative "a transformative strategic partnership around modern retail," Johnson said the combination of Alibaba's top-tier technology capabilities and Starbucks' retail prowess "will be an accelerator for our business, no doubt."
In Starbucks' fiscal third quarter, its China business — which has historically been a growth driver for the company — weakened slightly. While Starbucks' revenues in the Chinese market grew 17 percent, its same-store sales, a key metric for retailers, fell 2 percent.
"Most of the growth of transactions in China is coming from our new store growth," Johnson told Cramer on Wednesday. "Now, yes, we did have a negative 2 percent same-store sales comp last quarter, but, you know, if ... I look at what we're doing here with Alibaba and the digital flywheel and enabling delivery, this is like rocket fuel for the digital flywheel in China."
Coffee consumption in China has nearly tripled in the past four years, according to the International Coffee Organization and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
On Starbucks' third-quarter conference call, Starbucks China CEO Belinda Wong told investors that "our new delivery service will adhere to the high standards our customers in China have come to expect ... as we expand our business [there]."
Shares of Starbucks closed down 0.88 percent on Wednesday at $51.93. The stock ticked up slightly in after-hours trading to $52 a share.
Correction: This story has been revised to correct that Starbucks' Ele.me delivery partnership will be implemented in 150 Starbucks stores that are already open.


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REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 8, 2006 — Viva Piñata™ — one of the most buzzed-about new kids’ entertainment properties of the year — from Microsoft Corp., Rare Ltd. and 4Kids Entertainment Inc. will make its debut this Saturday morning on 4Kids TV on FOX. The computer graphics (CG) animated series produced by 4Kids Entertainment and Bardel Entertainment will act as a springboard for the new franchise, which will also include an Xbox 360™ video game from Microsoft Game Studios and other licensed merchandise.
Created by U.K.-based developer Rare, Viva Piñata is the first property to be introduced as part of an alliance between Microsoft and 4Kids Entertainment. It not only marks Microsoft’s efforts to broaden the Xbox 360 audience beyond core gamers, it solidifies 4Kids’ role as a leader and innovator in the world of children’s entertainment marketing and licensing. Families can also gear up for even more piñata fun with the “Viva Piñata” video game, developed by Rare exclusively for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system; the game will be launched this holiday season.
“Today is an exciting day as we continue to reach out to new audiences and introduce families to a vibrant world that will not only entertain, but also inspire creativity and imaginations on many levels,” said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “People of all ages are invited into the Viva Piñata universe, where they will meet a cast of wacky characters and enjoy an immersive interactive experience with the Xbox 360 game and Viva Piñata merchandise.”
In addition to the Saturday morning 3-D animated television series, the Viva Piñata brand will offer a number of entertainment elements for everyone, from kids to adults, to enjoy. The Xbox 360 video game, which will hit store shelves in November, invites gamers to create their own environment where they can attract and host more than 60 species of wild piñatas and customize piñata-filled adventures in their unique, ever-growing world. “Viva Piñata” gameplay will continue to evolve with new content available via the Xbox Live® network and the ability to play, trade and interact with millions of gamers via the online gaming and entertainment network. An extensive product line of Viva Piñata-inspired merchandise across multiple categories will debut in 2007. The new “Viva Pinata” Web site, http://www.vivapinata.com, will be officially launched Sept. 11 and will feature the sights and sounds of Piñata Island.
“This is a brand the world will grow to know and love, thanks to a dynamic partnership with Microsoft Game Studios and Rare,” said Alfred R. Kahn, chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment. “The animated series premiere marks the first in a long line of exciting opportunities for kids and creative minds of all ages to interact with Viva Piñata, a brand that has the power to attract a diverse, worldwide audience.”
Following the strategic alliance announced in January 2006 with Microsoft, 4Kids’ exclusive representation agreement includes all broadcast, home video, music and merchandise licensing rights on a worldwide basis for the Viva Piñata property.
About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming network and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 is expected to have a catalog of 160 high-definition games by the end of 2006 and to be available in nearly 40 countries by the end of 2007. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.
About Xbox Live
Xbox Live is the first and only unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox Live connects millions of members across 24 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox Live Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, and movie trailers, as well as new game levels, characters and vehicles for all their favorite retail games. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Microsoft® Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as “Age of Empires®,” “Flight Simulator” and “Zoo Tycoon®”; Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as the upcoming “Gears of War” and franchises such as “Halo®,” “Fable®,” “Project Gotham Racing®” and “Forza Motorsport™”; and MSN® Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as “Bejeweled” and “Hexic®.”
About Rare Ltd.
Rare Ltd., one of the world’s leading video game developers, was founded in 1985 by Chris and Tim Stamper. Based in the United Kingdom, Rare is the mastermind behind some of the most popular video games available, including multimillion-dollar sellers “GoldenEye 007,” “Perfect Dark®,” “Banjo-Kazooie®” and “Donkey Kong 64.” In November 2005, Rare released “Perfect Dark: Zero™” and “Kameo™: Elements of Power™” for Xbox 360, the second-generation video games console from Microsoft, and continues to entertain the world with the upcoming release of “Viva Piñata.” For further information visit www.rareware.com.
About 4Kids Entertainment
Headquartered in New York City with an international office in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE), is a global provider of children’s entertainment and merchandise licensing. 4Kids, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, provides domestic and international merchandise licensing; product development; television, film, music and home video production and distribution; media planning and buying; and Web site development. For further information, please visit the Company’s Web site at www.4KidsEntertainment.com.
About 4Kids TV
4Kids TV, 4Kids Entertainment’s four hours of children’s programming broadcast Saturday mornings on FOX, features popular animated series for both boys and girls including Magical DoReMi™, Winx Club™, Bratz®, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®, Sonix X™ and G.I. Joe Sigma 6™. For more information, please visit www.4Kids.TV.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.


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Digital Rupee pilot for retail segment to commence on December 1 – RBI has announced that the digital rupee pilot project for the retail segment will begin in the country on December 1. Here’s everything you need to know. After a successful digital rupee pilot earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a second pilot to begin next month. The new pilot is aimed at the retail segment, while earlier the pilot was at the wholesale segment. The RBI will start a commercial central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot project in the country on December 1. The pilot will be conducted in selected locations in Closed User Groups (CUGs) with customers and dealers.
The demonetization of high value currency notes has prompted people to switch to digital modes of transactions. This has led to a rise in the use of digital wallets, which are becoming more and more popular as they offer convenience and security. To keep things running smoothly, the government has decided to start a digital Rupee pilot for the retail sector starting from December 1. This will help merchants transition to using digital modes of transactions without any hitches.
Digital Rupee pilot for retail segment to commence on December 1
- 1 Digital Rupee pilot for retail segment to commence on December 1
- 2 Digital Rupee pilot Details
- 3 What is Digital Rupee?
- 4 What is the use of Digital Rupee?
- 5 How Will Digital Rupee replace physical cash?
- 6 How is Digital Rupee different from Cryptocurrency?
- 7 How is Digital Rupee different from UPI?
- 8 Conclusion
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions
The RBI confirmed on Tuesday that the retail digital rupee pilot will begin on December 1. The digital rupee is used as a digital currency that is legal tender. e-Rupees (e₹) are distributed through intermediaries viz. banks According to the RBI, users can trade with the digital rupee through a digital wallet offered by participating banks. Merchants can be paid using QR codes displayed at merchant locations. It is also worth noting that e₹ can be converted into different types of money such as bank deposits. In such cases, however, there is no interest. eight banks have been identified and four are participating in the first phase of this pilot project. Banks include State Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Yes Bank, IDFC First Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Bank of Baroda.
Starting from December 1st, all retail businesses across the country will be able to start using the Digital Rupee. This new digital currency will enable businesses to easily and quickly pay their employees, suppliers, and other customers. The Digital Rupee pilot is a step towards ushering in a new era of e-commerce in India, and it’s important that all businesses get on board. If you’re interested in learning more about the Digital Rupee pilot or how it can benefit your business, read on!
Digital Rupee pilot Details
|Name Of Article||Digital Rupee pilot for retail segment to commence on December 1|
|Digital Rupee pilot||Check Here|
|Official Site||Click here|
Check here – Cryptocurrency Prices Today bitcoins
What is Digital Rupee?
Digital Rupee is a digital currency issued by RBI. It is also called Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said that retail. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that the commercial digital rupee pilot will begin on December 1 with four banks – State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, IDFC First Bank and Yes Bank. The project will be implemented in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar. The digital rupee is the RBI’s digital currency, launched by the central bank earlier this month in a wholesale sale of government securities.
Digital Rupee is a new digital currency that uses blockchain technology. It was created to solve the problems that traditional currencies have, like high transaction costs and slow processing times. Digital Rupee is also more secure than traditional currencies, because it uses a distributed network of servers. As a result, it is harder for hackers to steal your money. If you’re interested in using digital currency, then you should know about Digital Rupee!
What is the use of Digital Rupee?
According to RBI, the government is using the digital rupee (in the wholesale segment) as a digital currency, which is legal tender. In retail, users can make payments to merchants digital with QR code visible at business office. Earlier, the central bank announce in the whole sale segment that e₹, or digital rupee, will be used to settle secondary market transaction in government securities. It is said to strengthen the interbank market (interbank transactions).
Digital Rupee is a new kind of currency that uses blockchain technology. It is designed to provide a more secure and efficient way to transact online. It is also faster and easier to use than traditional currencies, making it more convenient for shoppers. As the world moves towards a digital economy, Digital Rupee is set to play an important role. So what are you waiting for? Learn more about this innovative new currency today!
Read also – 5 Best Apps To Buy Cryptocurrency In India
How Will Digital Rupee replace physical cash?
No, digital rupee is not a substitute for physical money or cryptocurrency. E₹ only offers additional options for currently available currencies.
With the world moving towards a cashless society, many are asking whether or not digital Rupee will replace physical cash in the future. At first glance, it may seem like a no-brainer – after all, who wants to carry around a bunch of cash when we can just use our phones? The answer, unfortunately, is that this isn’t as easy as it seems. While digital Rupees may be convenient for some, they are not perfect and cannot replace physical cash everywhere. In this article, we explore the pros and cons of digital Rupee and explain why they may not be the future of currency.
How is Digital Rupee different from Cryptocurrency?
According to the RBI, the digital rupee is no different from currency notes. It is simply money in digital form, which is a faster and easier arrangement of payment transactions. Cryptocurrency , on the other hand, is completely different and is held on the Blockchain platform.
Digital Rupee is a new way to pay for goods and services using digital tokens. Instead of using traditional currency like dollars, euros, or yen, Digital Rupee uses tokens that can be used to buy goods and services from merchants all over the world. Together, we’re working to make Digital Rupee the most convenient way to pay for goods and services. Join the revolution today!
How is Digital Rupee different from UPI?
Unlike UPI, Digital Rupee is managed directly by RBI and managed by RBI itself. On the other hand, UPI is managed and operated by banking intermediaries with RBI. Moreover, every rupee transferred through UPI is equivalent to physical currency. But digital rupee (e₹) may not be equivalent to physical currency as it can be used as legal tender. Digital rupee completes UPI, which completes the mobile payments ecosystem.
Digital Rupee is a new digital payment platform that is built on the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) standards. UPI is a standard that allows users to easily make payments using their bank accounts and mobile phones. Digital Rupee will allow users to make payments using their digital wallets, which are similar to the apps that people use to store their personal information. This new platform will allow users to make payments at retailers and other businesses that accept UPI, as well as online platforms and services.
Beginning on December 1, all online and offline retail customers will have to use digital rupees for payment. This is in response to the high number of complaints about cash transactions and the associated risks. The digital rupee pilot will be implemented in selected cities and will be used to track the usage and performance of the new currency. If everything goes as planned, the digital rupee may soon become the primary currency for retail transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Digital Rupee pilot for retail segment to commence on December 1?
According to the Reserve Bank of India, on December 1, 2023, it will launch the first trial for retail digital Rupee e₹-R. The pilot would focus on certain sites in a closed user group CUG of interested consumers and businesses.
What is retail digital rupee?
A digital token that represents legal tender will be used to represent the retail digital rupee. In the same denominations as paper money and coins, the RBI will issue digital money. Sreekumaran Nettath reported Market News, with Boris Pradhan editing it and updating it on November 29, 2022 6:02 pm IST.
What is e-rupee pilot?
The experiment will assess the whole digital rupee creation, distribution, and usage process in real time. Based on the learnings from this pilot, the RBI said in a statement that various features and uses of the e₹-R token and architecture will be explored in future pilots.
How to get digital rupee?
Only four banks will be able to issue the digital currency in the initial phase (pilot): State Bank of India SBI, Yes Bank, ICICI Bank, and IDFC First Bank. Any of these banks will give you a digital rupee that you can use for a transaction.


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Razer announced the Blade 15 and Blade Pro 17 laptops with Nvidia’s latest GTX 30 series GPUs today. However, as is the case during every CES, the company also has a few concepts to show off. Last year, the company debuted a concept esports setup that included a chair and a couple of projectors. This year, however, the company is showing off – albeit virtually – a concept smart mask and an immersive gaming setup – both with Chroma RGB.
Yes, the company has made a smart mask that houses Chroma RGB lighting. Project Hazel, as the firm calls it, is an advanced N95 face mask that uses detachable and rechargeable active ventilators and Smart Pods that “that regulate airflow for optimal breathability”, adding that its “high bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) Smart Pods filter at least 95% of airborne particles”. These ventilators can easily be recharged and sanitized in an included wireless fast charging box with UV-light.
The mask features a transparent design to let others see users’ facial expressions even in the dark, thanks to its interior lights. It also comes with a new – yet to be patented – Razer VoiceAmp Technology that uses a microphone in the mask to amplify users’ speech. Additionally, the exterior of the mask features RGB lighting for “extra user entertainment and style” and supports dynamic lighting effects.
The company says that the design, along with adjustable ear loops, makes it a comfortable yet air-tight fit for users. It adds that the product will “continue [to] be optimized through rigorous testing and user feedback”, and that it is a part of the firm’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
The other concept that Razer is showing off this year is Project Brooklyn, an immersive gaming chair with impressive credentials. Along with its Chroma RGB lighting and a carbon fiber build, the chair houses a 60-inch OLED rollout display, includes tactile feedback in the seats, “4D armrests that roll out into adjustable peripheral tables”, and offers complete cable routing through the back.
Project Brooklyn takes design cues from some of the firm’s own products such as the Iskur chair and the Raptor monitor. The rollout display is mounted in the chair’s “backbone” and can be deployed via the touch of a button. The “full surround” OLED screen allows for an immersive gaming experience, the firm says. Other features such as Razer Hypersense, the company’s haptic feedback technology shown off during CES 2019, collapsible armrests that can adapt to users’ needs, and a leather-stitched seat back with a carbon fiber frame delivers a “one-of-a-kind gameplay experience”, says Min-Liang Tan, co-founder and CEO of Razer.
The concept chair will also go through a range of tests and further development. Razer aims to benchmark the product’s feasibility and performance to improve the offering. While it does mention that costs for current all-in-one chairs are “astronomical”, there is no hint on what the cost of Project Brooklyn could be if it ever makes it to the market. Regardless, it is a cool concept nonetheless.
Click here for our complete coverage of CES 2021!


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CRUISE.co.uk, the specialist online travel agent serving the UK ocean cruise market, is to be acquired by Bridgepoint Development Capital from Risk Capital Partners in a transaction totalling £52 million.
The business has demonstrated strong growth, delivering sales and EBITDA CAGR of 23% and 30% respectively over the last three years. In 2015 turnover grew by 15% to £104.5 million. The company also enjoys industry leading repeat rates of business.
The UK ocean cruise market is the second largest globally (after the US) whose value is forecast to grow from £2.5 billion in 2015 to £3.0 billion in 2019 and has been resilient across cycles. The market benefits from several favourable demand and supply characteristics that include a growing customer demographic with increasing wealth, life expectancy and propensity to travel, as well as an increasing supply of cruises from cruise lines themselves.
Adrian Willetts, partner of Bridgepoint Development Capital, said: “CRUISE.co.uk is an opportunity to invest in a market leading consumer business that has shown strong defensive characteristics and benefits from strong market trends that will underpin its ambitious growth plans. It has grown impressively and we will seek to maintain and enhance its trusted expert reputation as we work with management to accelerate business growth through acquisitions and drive further value through digital and marketing expertise.”
Seamus Conlon, CRUISE.co.uk‘s managing director, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Bridgepoint as a new partner and shareholder to help us take our business forward in its next stage of development. Their financial and operational expertise will power our ambitions, particularly as we look to expand internationally.”
Senior debt financing for the transaction was provided by Royal Bank of Scotland. Advisers involved included: for Bridgepoint – KPMG (Corporate finance, tax, financial diligence), Eversheds (legal), OC&C (commercial), Intuitus (IT), ERM (ESG), Marsh (insurance) and White Hart Associates (regulatory); for the vendor (Risk Capital Partners) – BDO (corporate finance), CMS (legal), Armstrong (commercial), and Deloitte (financial); for management – Altium.


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Economic uncertainty and the pandemic didn’t reduce interest in new franchises during 2020, according to data from HSBC UK.
From January to September HSBC UK’s Franchise team took on 834 new customers, just short of the 894 new accounts in the same period of 2019 and comfortably exceeding the 727 new customers in 2018.
Food delivery, the storage sector, business technology, care in the home and tutoring were among the most popular new franchises started during 2020.
Fast-food franchises in particular adapted quickly during the first lockdown by pivoting to offer drive-thru, delivery and Covid-secure collection. The major brands saw huge demand and all have experienced like for like sale increases on the previous 12 months.
Andrew Brattesani, Head of Franchise for HSBC UK, believes the stability of new customer numbers can be put down to a combination of furlough giving people more time to consider their career aspirations, economic uncertainty putting jobs at risk and people wanting to take control of their own careers.
He said: Despite the huge economic challenges that businesses faced through the course of 2020 we haven’t seen interest in new franchises dwindle.
Through the uncertainty there have been opportunities and we’ve seen examples of people having more time to assess their options and look to franchising as a way to start their own business, be their own boss and find growth.
Even with the unprecedented disruption, franchising is booming. Having the benefit of a proven business model behind them has given people the confidence to take these new opportunities and run with them and we don’t expect that to change.
HSBC UK customer Gbolahan Laoshe from London took the opportunity to change his career and start a franchise during the pandemic.
He had been working for a financial services company in London, but after a couple of months in lockdown found his contracted hours reduced, giving him more time to consider his future career aspirations.
Gbolahan explains: I’d previously looked into starting a franchise but hadn’t taken the idea forward until things changed with my day job early in lockdown.
The pandemic expedited my thinking and I got back in touch with Driver Hire, who I had spoken to previously, to see if there was still an opportunity there for a franchise in Bedford and Huntingdon.
Gbolahan went to private school in the UK before moving to Nigeria for university to study law, he then took over the family haulage business which he ran for seven years.
He returned to the UK where he settled with his family and worked in IT, but always had the desire to start his own business.
He said: Going out on my own felt scary and that’s why I looked at the option of franchising and got in touch with the British Franchise Association (bfa) and spoke to a number of franchisees to understand their experiences.
In October Gbolahan joined the Driver Hire ranks. The company is the UK’s largest specialist logistics recruiter with more than 100 offices and offers a full range of recruitment services.
He added: Some people might think it’s mad to start a business during a pandemic but as a famous author once said every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.
In uncertainties there are opportunities and while it’s daunting every day I love the challenge. I wake up each day with a desire to make things happen.
HSBC UK has an award winning franchise team who have been providing financial support, advice and expertise to both franchisors and franchisees for decades.
The bank works closely with the bfa and its members to encourage successful and ethical franchising


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Sellers raise concerns as Flipkart delays payments, firm blames tech glitch
A number of sellers have taken to social media platforms raising concerns over delayed payments from the Flipkart group, though the e-commerce marketplace denies there is any such problem.
Several sellers have taken to Twitter and seller group pages on Facebook complaining about discrepancies in payments saying the seller platform is showing reduced payment status of up to 75%.
“We have to pay our dealers and today we were expecting the payments, but received 75% less, what’s going on?” asks a dealer on the Flipkart Sellers Club, a seller group page on Facebook which has over 1,600 members.
Flipkart follows a seven- to 15-day payment cycle after a product is delivered to consumers, based on sellers’ performance classification.
A number of sellers worry that the next payment cycle (scheduled for coming Wednesday) will also be affected as the seller portal is showing reduced figures for the upcoming payment.
Meanwhile, the All India Online Vendors Association (AIOVA), a group of 3,500 online sellers, has issued a statement asking if Flipkart is using sellers’ money to stay liquid.
“It has come to our attention today from sellers and through posts raised on social media page of Flipkart Seller Club that Flipkart Internet Pvt. Ltd, the marketplace running flipkart.com, has held back payments up to 50-75% of the amount that was due to be made to sellers today. There has been no statement by Flipkart on their Facebook page or on Seller panel, which is accessed on a daily basis by sellers,” the AIOVA said.
The AIOVA said there have been cases of delayed payments and withholding of payments, which have been previously attributed to a “technical glitch”.
The association also said that it has receiving regular complaints of payment delays from Jabong.com, a fashion marketplace that’s part of Flipkart.
A Flipkart spokesperson told TechCircle the issue was a technical glitch and that the company was fixing it. “There have been absolutely no issues on payments and all payouts that were due to sellers are being made without any delay. There has been a temporary glitch in our systems, which is causing the amount displayed in the next/outstanding payment field on the seller platform to show incorrect numbers. We have intimated our sellers of the situation, and are working to fix the technical issue at the earliest,” the spokesperson said by email.
Several sellers have voiced their concerns over the fluctuation and uncertainty over the non-payment of dues and safety of doing business on the platform after the $16-billion.
Soon after the announcement of the deal, Flipkart chief executive Kalyan Krishnamurthy had reached out to the company’s 150,000-strong seller base to assure them of operational continuity. In an email addressed to its sellers, Krishnamurthy said there would be no changes in operating processes as a result of the Walmart investment.
He had also assured the sellers that Flipkart and Walmart would maintain distinct brands and operating structures after the investment.


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Four Points by Sheraton, one of Marriot International's brands, opened its doors in Jimbaran, Bali, in October. (Photo courtesy of Marriott International)
Marriott in Expansion Mode, Seeks to Tap Indonesia's Growing Tourism Potential
BY :NUR YASMIN
OCTOBER 07, 2019
Jakarta. American hospitality company Marriott International plans to open more hotels in Indonesia to tap the country's growing tourism potential.
It currently has more than 700 hotels and resorts in 23 Asia-Pacific countries. Indonesia is the company's third-largest market in the region, after China and India.
"We see incredible opportunities in domestic and international travel in Indonesia and hence we remain bullish about Indonesia as a market," Rajeev Menon, Marriott International's chief operating officer for Asia Pacific, told the Jakarta Globe.
The company plans to have 53 hotels in Indonesia and 25 more in development by the end of this year. Some of them are in new tourism destinations, such as Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, which is part of the government's "10 New Balis" project. The company also opened a new Sheraton hotel in Jimbaran, Bali, earlier this month.
"We are working very comprehensively with different governments in Asia and Asean countries and I have to say that the Indonesian government particularly is being very responsive in working with us," said Ramesh Jackson, market vice president for Indonesia at Marriott International.
Marriott is engaged in an aggressive expansion, with plans to have 1,000 hotels in Asia by the end of next year.
"We have 7,000 operating hotels in the world and globally, we are opening a hotel every 15 hours. In Asia, we open around two to three hotels every week. Today we operate around 750 hotels in Asia and we are targeting 1,000 hotels in the region," Menon said.
Marriott International will also replace its single-use toiletry bottles and switch to refillable, wall-mounted dispensers by 2020 to reduce its environmental impact.
The company has 30 hotel brands for various markets, including The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Sheraton and Westin at the high-end, while it promotes Aloft and Moxy as affordable alternatives targeted at millennials.
Aloft has two hotels in Jakarta. Moxy has one in Bandung, West Java, and plans to open another in Bali.
"Millennials love to travel and they want to experience, and we think we could give value and deliver those great experiences to millennials," Jackson said.
Last year, the company also launched Marriott Bonvoy, a "holistic travel program" that allows members to enjoy privileges at its 30 hotel brands across the world.


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In another sign the global economic downturn is affecting the wine world, the Naples Winter Wine Festival, held this weekend, raised $5m – just over one third of last year’s total.
The auction, which raises money for local childrens’ charities, has been held annually since 2001. It rose in popularity to become the top-earner among charity wine auctions in the US.
The auction was founded, and continues to be supported, by wealthy residents of Naples, Florida. Last year, the auction raised US$14m.
One of the attendees, Tim Mondavi, who arrived with his stepmother Magrit, admitted financial challenges had affected the wine industry.
‘Everyone is going to be more careful about how they spend their money – wine producers and consumers both,’ said Mondavi, of Napa Valley’s Continuum winery.
Winemakers attending included Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Sir Peter Michael of his eponymous Sonoma winery, Bill Harlan of Harlan Estate and Ann Colgin of Colgin Cellars, who served as an auctioneer.
Top wine lots included US$150,000 bid for five magnums from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, including 1999, 2000 and 2001 La Tache; a double magnum vertical of Screaming Eagle with a private vintner dinner for US $110,000, and US $60,000 bid for 28 magnums donated and signed by all 28 of the participating winemakers.
The wine festival and auction has raised more than US$74.5m since 2001.
Written by Janice Fuhrman


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Published on February 1st, 2019 | by Brad Gibson0
Your definitive Apple TV guide to watching Super Bowl 53
Super Bowl LIII will take place Sunday in a matchup between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams. Apple TV users, there are lots of ways to watch free and not so free.
Here are your basics for Americans…
When: Sunday, February 3
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Line: Patriots -2.5
Kick-off time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Pregame coverage on CBS
11:30 a.m. ET: “That Other Pregame Show”
12 p.m.: NFL Films’ “Road to the Super Bowl”
1 p.m.: “Tony Goes to the Super Bowl”
2 p.m. “The Super Bowl Today” leading all the way to 6:30 kickoff
Other pregame coverage
9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.: NFL Networks “NFL GameDay Morning”
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: ESPN’s “Postseason NFL Countdown”
3 p.m.: Animal Planet’s “Puppy Bowl”
About the Broadcast
In the booth: Jim Nantz (fifth Super Bowl), Tony Romo (first Super Bowl)
Sideline reporters: Tracy Wolfson, Evan Washburn, Jay Feely
Rules analyst: Gene Steratore
Total CBS Cameras: 115
National anthem singer: Gladys Knight
Halftime performers: Maroon 5, Big Boi, Travis Scott
Regardless of who wins Sunday, history will be made by one of the two coaches. If the Patriots claim yet another title, Bill Belichick (age 66) will be the oldest coach to ever win the big game. Rams head coach Sean McVay (age 33) would be the youngest to ever do so.
And here’s a rundown on how you can watch the big game through your Apple TV.
Stream on Locast in nine large U.S. cities
Locast is a nonprofit broadcasting service re-broadcasting local, over-the-air stations in nine large U.S. cities (Baltimore, Washington, DC, New York, Philadelphia, Houston, Boston, Denver, Chicago, and Dallas). While the service does not have a tvOS app at this time, it does have an iOS app that supports re-broadcasting using AirPlay through Apple TV on to televisions.
With Locast airing CBS affiliates in nine markets, it’s another great option for Apple TV users to view the Super Bowl.
Stream on CBS Sports
CBS has semi-exclusive rights to broadcast Super Bowl 53 in the US in English and you can watch it – all authentication-free – on the free CBS Sports app for tvOS, which can be downloaded from the Apple TV App Store.
Stream on CBS All Access
You can stream the Super Bowl by signing up to get a free seven-day trial of CBS All Access, which is available as a free app on Apple TV’s App Store. You can get a CBS All Access subscription for as little as $5.99 per month if you don’t mind a few commercials, or go commercial-free for only $9.99 per month.
Stream on third-party live streaming services
Five of the live subscription streaming platforms – all available as independent apps on Apple TV – will carry the game in the U.S. through many local CBS broadcast affiliates. They include…
- DirecTV Now (with a seven-day free trial and packages starting at $40 per month)
- fuboTV (with a seven-day free trial and packages starting at $40 per month)
- Hulu with Live TV (with a seven-day free trial and packages starting at $40 per month)
- PlayStation Vue (with a 14-day free trial and packages starting at $40 per month)
- YouTube TV (with a five-day free trial and packages starting at $40 per month)
Stream the Super Bowl abroad
Outside the U.S., live streaming access to the Super Bowl is fragmented.
The easiest way for those outside America to watch is subscribing to the international version of NFL Game Pass, a tvOS app available on Apple TV App Stores outside the U.S. The price varies by region, but the platform generally costs between $10 and $30 for access during the Super Bowl, which includes the week of and after the game.
Many broadcasters are airing the Super Bowl in international markets. An entire, searchable list is available at this NFL web link.
Here are just a few of the English-language broadcasters we know off streaming the game live through their associated Apple TV apps with embedded links to those tvOS apps…
TSN GO – tvOS app (Cable or satellite authentication required)
BBC iPlayer – tvOS app
The bottom line regarding Super Bowl 53 on Apple TV…it’s free for those in America and in some countries, also free from certain broadcasters. It’s just a matter of finding your options.


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How COVID-19 accelerates the digitalisation of the insurance customer journey
Article information and share options
COVID-19 has made us uncomfortable and anxious. It's also fair to say that it has changed us … and our habits. My colleagues have addressed this pandemic from several angles already, so I'm going to stick to just one – digitalisation.
Throughout human history, every challenge we've faced has made us more resilient. This pandemic is yet another example of "life-changing." So, it's especially crucial that we understand how the insurance industry can adapt to the changing market needs.
In a piece I wrote for a Swiss Re audience, I wrote of a "Kodak moment" – when companies or industries fall by the wayside because of their stubbornness to adapt or realise that the world is adapting and leaving them behind. Kodak is one example. Other prime exhibits include: Pan Am, Nokia, BlackBerry, Blockbuster Video and MySpace.
The last example is probably one of the more recent examples of how tech so rapidly transformed that a pioneer tech company got left by the wayside.
The Swiss Re COVID-19 APAC Consumer Survey in April 2020 showed that the pandemic has transformed consumers' view on insurance products and the way they purchase insurance. It is not surprising to see consumers' interest in Life & Health insurance has increased since the COVID-19 outbreak, especially when insurance companies have proactively contacted their customers.
The survey was conducted in Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai and a number of Australian cities – all highly connected locations with high-speed networks. Whatever it is called - lockdown, "Circuit Breaker" or social distancing – it has altered our attitudes towards daily life via smartphone, tablet or laptop whether forced or by choice.
Whether we're buying, selling, ordering, delivering or working, it's taking place online.
To reinforce this, we have found that consumers express a strong desire to buy new policies and submit claims through digital channels. Drawing on the survey results, the unprecedented environment has now highlighted the importance and opportunities for insurers to elevate their digitalisation plans.
Hybrid models key to retaining policyholders in the wake of COVID-19
The insurance industry has long acknowledged the urgency of undertaking digital transformation. Our survey further illustrates how insurers with stronger digital capabilities will be in a better position to meet consumers' expectations in future.
For a majority of respondents in the four major markets surveyed, selecting an insurer that is able to process their policies online end-to-end was a priority, with respondents in mainland China topping the survey at 77%. In terms of claims processing, improvements to speed and flexibility when processing claims is key to consumers in Singapore (57%), Hong Kong (55%) and mainland China (66%), especially if they were to make a claim at a time of a public health crisis.
Despite the fact that consumers are looking for online purchases, agents and brokers still have a unique, strong role to play. Respondents across all markets indicate that looking more closely at coverage details will be the biggest influence of the COVID-19 outbreak on their purchasing decisions. This underlines the need for expert – and trusted – advice. It also highlights the ongoing importance of intermediaries in customer engagement, especially when customers are unfamiliar with their specific protection needs.
Therefore, the insurance industry must digitalise our distribution channels in tandem with hybrid models and assisted sales to ensure that consumers are provided with the right information and different options when purchasing insurance. This also represents an excellent opportunity to introduce behavioural economic and human-centred design principles into the insurance customer journey.
Pushing digital healthcare forward with insurance
The physical isolation during COVID-19 has accelerated a trend towards increased digitalisation across industries. This trend is likely to be particularly pronounced in the healthcare industry which has been at the heart of the pandemic.
The global lockdown and ongoing care of chronic patients have raised awareness of the state of play in digital healthcare, remote monitoring and diagnostics. Around half of the survey respondents identified healthcare services (e.g. virtual medical consultation) as the most impactful value-adds. This trend will have both short-term and long-term impact. While shifts in healthcare trends can introduce new risks into our portfolios on the whole, the life & health insurance sector should embrace the opportunities presented by this trend.
With our risk assessment knowledge and partner network, we are keen to support insurers in designing the financial protection that consumers need. A digital healthcare ecosystem has multiple benefits for all of us, and with 5G already being rolled out in parts of Asia, it's just a matter of time before those that choose not to go down this path will be left behind.
Joining forces to complete the digital customer journey
COVID-19 has prompted consumers to review their own personal protection gap and re-consider the merits of stable, longer-term protection. As we expect stronger customer demand for health and life insurance products, it's time for us to rethink what values we can add for our customers and how should we speed up and plan ahead for the imminent wave of digitalisation.
The writing's on the wall (or tablet): Change, adapt to your end-user's needs or be left behind in another Kodak moment.


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(CNN) — We've long known that "bad" fats aren't the healthiest choices in our diets, but the latest news from Harvard is lethal: Eating too much saturated or trans fat can increase your risk of dying.
Sticking your neck out and taking charge of your career is no trivial matter. Whether that's switching careers, going back to school, or walking away from a j-o-b to start your own business, it takes lot
FBI tips Apple about security flaw in iOS and Mac software … but it had already been fixed with iOS 9
The FBI has decided it will not divulge the details of how it successfully hacked into the San Bernardino iPhone to Apple, having found a method at the last-minute just hours before going to court in March.
Better than you might expect. There are obvious upsides to being the assistant to an Oscar-winning movie star, especially if that movie star is newly-Oscarfied Leonardo DiCaprio. But it can't be easy,
Cozy. In 1987, workers began constructing what would be the tallest hotel in the world in Pyongyang, North Korea. The frame was finished two years later—a little behind schedule, the structure was supposed
From American muscle to obscure European offerings. From American muscle to obscure European offerings, here are some of the most unique and interesting collector cars that are available for sale right
The newest toy for the ultra-affluent is now gaining steam - the American made VFL Automotive Force 1 supercar that's been created by Henrik Fisker. From the rear, you get the glimpse of car that is as
Accidents are bound to happen in motorsports, and for that very reason, modern racing vehicles are built to a very high standard of safety. Unfortunately, the accident that caused Robby Gordon to withdraw
A fascinating insight into the future from the man who shaped the McLaren P1. One wouldn't necessarily think a sports car manufacturer like McLaren would need to think about self-driving cars much, but
A huge crowd watched as former GM giant Bob Lutz and designer Henrik Fisker debuted the Force 1 today on the Detroit auto show floor. The car is visually stunning in person, and a top speed of 218 mph
Chrome Industries have a reputation for bombproof bags and apparel for urban cyclists and adventurers which is well founded. Designed by riders for riders, Chrome bags are constructed to withstand the
ENVE manufacture some of the world’s finest carbon fibre rims and components. They’re based in Ogden, Utah, which is where they make 100% of their rims. Their quality control standard are beyond peer,
Whenever this website was fortunate enough to feature a bike by Ezra Caldwell of Fast Boy Cycles, I used to wax lyrical about how it was a good day for Cycle EXIF. Not today. Drifting through my Instagram
Today’s Tommasini catalog is still predominantly steel, more so than most Italian contemporaries, with no less than seven models compared to three carbon, three aluminium and one titanium. It’s no wonder,
Despite a reputation during the 70s and 80s for budget bikes, the US-based Centurion brand featured a few highlights in their range, including the Centurion Pro Tour which Richard Ballantine listed as
The Melbourne-based duo of Nik and Michael sure caused a stir when they released photos of their home-grown KRES Pista a few months ago, and now they’re back with a Strada version of the aero-tubed frame.


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Want to join the conversation?
Defense technology company $CUB said it received final Hart-Scott-Rodino regulatory approval and completed its acquisition of GATR Technologies, a manufacturer of deployable satellite communication terminal solutions. Cubic said the deal value is $232.5MM.
$DB is going to cut off services for about 3,400 clients in equities trading.
$F stock slid more than 2% after the company issued two safety recalls involving more than 650,000 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ model cars.
The new CEO of $SBUX, Kevin Johnson, has some pretty large shoes to fill but there are many who have good faith in his ability to do so.
$TSLA opening a showroom in Michigan. A bold move !!


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Amrep Settlement 2006
$48,662 in Fines Paid by Amrep
As part of a negotiated settlement this past March, Amrep, Inc. committed to continue their self-audit process and report any additional violations. On April 7, 2006 they informed ARB staff that between December 31, 2002 and January 2006, they sold cans of non-complying tire sealant and inflators that exceeded the 20 percent VOC limit. In addition, they indicated that after January 1, 2005, they sold cans of non-complying aerosol rubber and vinyl protectants that exceeded the 10 percent VOC limit. As a result, a new settlement agreement was executed on May 8, 2006 which calls for Amrep, Inc. to pay an additional $48,662 in penalties.


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The relentless development of WiMAX products worldwide seems to have cooled down recently due to confirmed or rumored retrenchments of WiMAX projects by some leading players, according to market sources. Uncertainty over the prospect of the industry arose recently when Ericsson announced that it would suspend its development of related WiMAX technologies and products and stated that it can continue to offer broadband access services to enterprises and homes through 3G networks without using WiMAX.
Market rumors also stated that US-based Sprint Nextel has become more conservative about WiMAX and could slow down its deployment of WiMAX networks. In addition, the declining stock price of Clearwire, a WiMAX service provider in the US, to around US$20 recently from the US$27.95 at its debut in early March, has also cast a pall on WiMAX development, the sources indicated. In Taiwan, Mitac Technology Corporation (MTC), a notebook subsidiary of Mitac International, recently closed its WiMAX business unit, which was named as a possible parter with Nortel, according to the sources.


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Hammerson’s shareholders have a choice to make. Do they put their trust in chief executive David Atkins and push on with the £3.4bn takeover of rival intu, or do they force him to consider the offer from French shopping giant Klépierre? For me it has to be the latter.
A couple of weeks ago, Klépierre executive board chairman Jean-Marc Jestin wrote to Hammerson chairman David Tyler inviting him to engage in talks – an offer many would have thought was worth revealing to Hammerson’s shareholders. Tyler and Atkins felt otherwise, and it was not until the news leaked 11 days after Jestin wrote to Tyler that Hammerson shareholders were made aware of the offer.
Jestin said Klépierre would offer 615p a share, with a mix of shares and cash, valuing Hammerson at £4.88bn. Despite the fact that Hammerson’s share price hasn’t been that high since November 2015, Tyler, Atkins and the rest of the Hammerson board took less than 24 hours to reject the bid, in a letter to Jestin containing a mere six lines.
So hell bent does Atkins appear on sealing the much-criticised deal with intu, I believe Hammerson’s board has lost sight of its primary goal – to create value for its shareholders. Judging by the reaction of the group’s share price to Klépierre’s offer, shareholders appear keen on taking the cash now, not waiting for Atkins’ promises of jam tomorrow following the intu deal.
However, Atkins believes Klépierre’s bid significantly undervalues the group. One person close to Atkins told me Hammerson would not even entertain a takeover bid unless it mirrored Unibail’s takeover of Westfield, in which the other French retail property giant paid a 7% premium on Westfield’s net asset value (NAV). In other words, Atkins is under the illusion that Hammerson is worth 830p a share, or a staggering £6.6bn. Pah!
If Atkins really believes takeover bids should be based entirely on NAV, then why is he offering intu shareholders just £3.4bn, 34% below intu’s NAV?
Time is running out
A deal with Klépierre makes sense. Its portfolio of more than 100 shopping centres is heavily weighted towards continental Europe and Hammerson would give it a strong presence in the UK. For Hammerson shareholders, the deal offers what Atkins promised: a balanced European portfolio.
Atkins, who would be in line for a windfall of at least £9m if a deal with Klépierre were agreed, is playing for time. But time is running out. As Jefferies analyst Mike Prew points out, Klépierre’s opening gambit of 615p a share is a good opening bid, one Atkins and his board should take seriously.
Find out more - Klépierre bid throws Hammerson’s future intu doubt
Since turning Hammerson into a pure retail play, just before retail property had a massive wobble, Atkins has made much of his efforts to ensure his portfolio is more balanced and less reliant on the highly cyclical UK market.
However, the intu deal would leave 70% of the group’s assets in the UK. Plus, apart from the odd gem, intu has a lot of old, shabby shopping centres requiring a great deal of expensive management. Sure, Hammerson would offload many of intu’s less attractive assets, but the market does not lie. Since announcing the deal, and before Klépierre’s offer was revealed, Hammerson’s share price had dived 19% and its membership of the blue-chip FTSE 100 has been revoked. When news of Klépierre’s offer leaked this week, the shares made up that fall and then some.
It’s clear what the market believes Atkins should do – and the intu takeover is not it.


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Consumer confidence plunged in early March amid soaring energy prices to the lowest since October 2008, according to the IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index released Tuesday.
The gauge dived 7.9 points, or 15.5%, to 43. It was the second-biggest drop since records began in 2001. Readings below 50 signal contraction. The six-month outlook crashed 13.3 points, or 25.1% to 39.7, the lowest since July 2008, when oil topped $147 a barrel.
Optimism had turned positive in January and February for the first time since 2009 as rising stock markets, a gradually improving labor market and better economic data fueled confidence. But growing Middle East unrest has sent oil and gasoline prices soaring in recent weeks, hitting consumers' pocketbooks.
"It's all driven by fear of events that are beyond our control," said Raghavan Mayur, president of TIPP, a unit of TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence, IBD's polling partner. Still, "I don't think this is a signal for another recession" unless oil prices keep rising.
Higher oil prices filter down to a wide range of consumer goods such as food, gasoline and air travel, Mayur said, adding that consumers are already feeling the pinch from high unemployment.
"There are still 23% of households that have at least one person looking for full-time employment," he said.
U.S. crude fell 42 cents on Tuesday to $105.02 a barrel, but remains near 2 1/2-year highs amid ongoing and potential turmoil in the Mideast and North Africa.
Gasoline prices have jumped an average of 39 cents to $3.509 per gallon since Libya's protests began in mid-February, according to AAA, Wright Express and the Oil Price Information Service .
Two-thirds of respondents to the IBD/TIPP poll said that rising pump prices are hurting them financially, with 44% strongly agreeing. In all, 71% of those polled expect gas prices to top $4 a gallon in the next three months, with 24% predicting $5 or more.
The National Federation of Independent Business' small-business optimism index rose 0.4 point to 94.5 in February, before much of the recent spike in energy costs. Hiring and hiring plans improved, but just 9% net of small-business owners think the economy is improving.
The gauge of confidence in federal economic policies fell 4.5 points to 39. Separately, the IBD/TIPP Presidential Leadership Index fell 1.8 points from a nine-month high to 49.8.
The measure of how Americans feel about their finances in the next six months fell 5.9 points to 50.2, the lowest since August. All income groups felt less secure about their finances.