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Donkey Kong is one of Nintendo’s oldest video game characters, and while the series has seen some massive releases over the years – Donkey Kong Country and being two notable examples – the franchise has remained pretty dormant since , which made its debut on the Wii U back in 2014 before being ported to Switch in 2018.
However, there are rumours that Nintendo is looking to resurrect the series by bringing it in-house, with development currently underway at Nintendo EPD, the team responsible for .
YouTuber LonelyGoomba has mentioned the rumour in passing on social media and other sources have also discussed it, but Nintendo Life can confirm that it has heard the same rumour from an independent (and very trusted) source, which would appear to lend this report some degree of legitimacy. However, our source claims that the game will be 2D (or 2.5D, if you prefer) and not 3D.
This rumour is also backed up by recent comments made by leaker Zippo:
It’s the big ape’s 40th anniversary, and while I’m not sure how Nintendo is celebrating the occasion, there is a new 2D DK game being developed by EPD Tokyo. Retro is obviously busy with other things, so Nintendo has taken it upon themselves to bring DK back in as internal series. Don’t expect the “Country” moniker to return, as EPD Tokyo are not interested in making a sequel to games they didn’t make. Diddy, Cranky and the Kremling Krew should all be returning in this installment. It sounds like this game is launching before the end of the year. An E3 announcement seems very likely.
Following the arcade and NES releases – as well as an excellent Game Boy outing – Donkey Kong was entrusted to UK studio Rare in the ’90s, which produced three titles for the SNES. DKC outings were also released on both the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance. When Rare was purchased by Microsoft, Nintendo passed the property to Texas-based Retro Studios, which produced the Wii sequel Donkey Kong Country Returns and the aforementioned Tropical Freeze.
Numerous spin-off titles have spawned from the Donkey Kong series over the years, including Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, and .
What do you make of this rumour? Do you think it’s likely to be true? Would you like to see EPD tackle a new Donkey Kong, or would you rather Retro Studios do it? Let us know with a comment below.
But apparently not. So what exactly have Retro Studios done between Tropical Freeze launching on Wii U in 2014 and inheriting the Metroid Prime 4 development in 2019? That’s a long period of time – did they seriously deliver nothing? And what does this tell us about Metroid Prime 4?! Nintendo seriously gave such an important title (or at least it should be, FPS is seriously neglected on Switch) to a studio that managed the grand sum of nothing for FIVE years?!
And don’t give me “they did the three previous Prime games and they’re brilliant” – practically no-one remains employed by the studio from those “good old days”.
And that’s before we even address the massive elephant in the room… where the heck is Odyssey 2?!


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Dairy manufacturers can now achieve premium texture, using a cost-efficient and sustainably sourced ingredient for creamy dairy desserts. Satiagel Seabrid is a new type of carrageenan extract, based on 100 percent cultivated seaweed, enabling a reliable supply of sustainably sourced ingredients while also delivering the texture preferred by consumers. This launch follows the 2017 debut of Cargill’s Seabrid solution for gelled dairy desserts.
“From our recent global proprietary consumer research, we found that texture is a strong deciding factor in consumer food preferences,” says Caroline Delabrousse, dairy application specialist for Cargill Starches, Sweeteners & Texturizers. “In line with current trends, consumers look for full-bodied products with a creamy texture. Our research also revealed that over 70 percent of consumers look at creaminess and a smooth texture as the main criteria to determine whether they will purchase a dairy dessert again. Employing a new technology, we can now replicate the functionality of wild seaweed using cultivated seaweed, offering food developers a reliable solution to achieve an appealing creamy texture.”
Euromonitor 2018 forecasts that the demand for dairy desserts will continue to increase steadily, with the Middle East and Africa as well as Eastern Europe being the fastest growing regions.
“As demand for dairy grows, we find consumers searching for the ideal combination of premium quality dairy desserts at affordable prices,” said Xavier Martin, global seaweed product manager for Cargill Starches, Sweeteners & Texturizers. “Seabrid’s hybrid-like functionality provides the premium textures consumers seek, including outstanding creaminess, body and mouthfeel in any type of crème dessert, custard, or multi-layered desserts, while also enabling an attractive price.”
The Seabrid portfolio of texturizers is designed to help dairy manufacturers deliver textures for creamy as well as gelled dairy dessert formulations. It is part of Cargill’s broad portfolio of texturizing solutions, which includes complete texture choices for our customers derived from plant sources such as extracts from major crops (starches, soy proteins and lecithins), seaweeds (carrageenans), fruits (pectins) and sugar fermentation (xanthan gum).
The unique functionality of Seabrid also presents diverse opportunities for future developments across a range of applications which Cargill will continue to explore to further diversify their offering.

domain: news


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Global leader in wireless security solutions further complements Wavelink’s wireless portfolio
Melbourne, August 25, 2010 – Wavelink Communications, a value-added distributor of business IP, wireless and communication solutions has been chosen as the Australian distributor for AirTight® Networks’ SpectraGuard® family of wireless intrusion prevention (WIPS) products and services. AirTight is recognised as a global leader in supplying wireless network security solutions, which ensure that both wired networks and wireless LAN (WLAN) security and performance are not compromised by wireless threats or interference such as denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, WLAN traffic is kept private and secure, users are prevented from installing unauthorized WLANs, and unsupported/ unauthorised WLAN technologies are barred from operation.
Ilan Rubin, Wavelink managing director said, “It is now standard industry practice that any enterprise wireless network must provide secure wireless connectivity. While the built-in security capabilities of enterprise-class WLAN vendors are acceptable for many applications, a number of factors drive the need for wireless-specific security monitoring capabilities. These include mis-configuration and administration of WLAN security settings, the proliferation of unmanaged wireless devices in the workplace, such as iPhones and smartphones, and increased security demands from government and defence users as well as from the retail industry for the security of wireless payment processing systems and to meet the PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) Wireless Guideline.” Read more ❯


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Hongjie Dai and colleagues have developed a cheap, emissions-free device that uses a 1.5-volt battery to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen gas could be used to power fuel cells in zero-emissions vehicles.
Stanford University Professor Hongjie Dai has developed an emissions-free electrolytic device that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen at room temperature.
In 2015, American consumers will finally be able to purchase fuel cell cars from Toyota and other manufacturers. Although touted as zero-emissions vehicles, most of the cars will run on hydrogen made from natural gas, a fossil fuel that contributes to global warming.
Now scientists at Stanford University have developed a low-cost, emissions-free device that uses an ordinary AAA battery to produce hydrogen by water electrolysis. The battery sends an electric current through two electrodes that split liquid water into hydrogen and oxygen gas. Unlike other water splitters that use precious-metal catalysts, the electrodes in the Stanford device are made of inexpensive and abundant nickel and iron.
"Using nickel and iron, which are cheap materials, we were able to make the electrocatalysts active enough to split water at room temperature with a single 1.5-volt battery," said Hongjie Dai, a professor of chemistry at Stanford. "This is the first time anyone has used non-precious metal catalysts to split water at a voltage that low. It's quite remarkable, because normally you need expensive metals, like platinum or iridium, to achieve that voltage."Wow. To read more, click here.


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Events to be webcast on salesforce.com’s investor relations website
SAN FRANCISCO – May 7th , 2010 – Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM), the enterprise cloud computing company, today announced that Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of salesforce.com, is scheduled to speak at key IT industry events in Japan this month.
Benioff is scheduled to speak at the following events:
Cloud Computing Expo Japan
Wednesday May 12th, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. JST
(Tuesday May 11th, 9:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. EST)
Friday May 14th, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. JST
(Thursday May 13th, 11:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. EST)
Cloud Computing World in Osaka 2010
Monday May 17th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. JST
(Sunday May 16th, 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. EST)
A webcast of Benioff's presentations will be available on salesforce.com's website at www.salesforce.com/investor .
Salesforce.com is the enterprise cloud computing company. Based on salesforce.com’s real-time, multitenant architecture, the company’s platform and CRM applications (http://www.salesforce.com/crm ) have revolutionized the way companies collaborate and communicate with their customers, including:
• The Sales Cloud, for sales force automation and contact management
• The Service Cloud, for customer service and support solutions
• Chatter, for social collaboration
• The Force.com platform, for custom application development
• The AppExchange, the world’s leading marketplace for enterprise cloud computing applications
Salesforce.com offers the fastest path to customer success with cloud computing. As of January 31, 2010, salesforce.com manages customer information for approximately 72,500 customers including Allianz Commercial, Dell, Japan Post, Kaiser Permanente, KONE, and SunTrust Banks.
Copyright (c) 2010 salesforce.com, inc. All rights reserved. Salesforce and the "no software" logo are registered trademarks of salesforce.com, inc., and salesforce.com owns other registered and unregistered trademarks. Other names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.


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It’s out of the lab and into the limelight. At least, that’s what the HBA Global Expo’s first New Product Technical Achievement Award is designed to do — give those who toil behind the scenes in research and development some of...
It’s out of the lab and into the limelight. At least, that’s what the HBA Global Expo’s first New Product Technical Achievement Award is designed to do — give those who toil behind the scenes in research and development some of the face time their marketing counterparts are used to having. Perhaps more importantly, the award recognizes those who bring into being the nuts and bolts of directional consumer products.Case in point: Procter & Gamble’s R&D team’s creation and adaptation of Permatone, the key ingredient in Cover Girl Outlast All-Day Lipcolor.Not only is Permatone the "backbone" of Outlast, said Gerald Cantey, lead global scientist for P&G Cosmetics, it’s also the reason Outlast won the New Product Technical Achievement Award. Those recognized this year are Thomas Rabe, principal scientist for Global Color Cosmetics; Lee Ellen Drechsler, section manager for R&D, and Ed Smith, research fellow."We are extremely excited about this level of recognition," said Cantey, who’s known at P&G as the Permatone guru. "The folks in the trenches normally don’t get that type of recognition. Rabe and the others who are able to accept [the award] are ecstatic about it." Cantey probably won’t be able to attend the dinner/awards ceremony slated for Oct. 14, because of a scheduling conflict, but, "when I think of who the award is for and who the original inventors are," he says, "they are the ones whose names are listed on the patent for Permatone; they are the ones who deserve to accept it."Bob Grayson, who runs a marketing consultant firm called Grayson Associates, based in New York City and San Juan Capistrano, Calif., was instrumental in putting together the voting process. To determine the Technical Achievement Award winner, write-in ballots were completed by a jury of 3,494 technical peers, including members of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and attendees from the last two Product Development seminars and workshops offered at the Expo. Outlast tallied the most votes for "best new product" to be introduced between November 2000 and June 2002. Max Factor Lipfinity — a close cousin of Outlast, as it also uses Permatone for its long-lasting lip color technology — got the nod as co-winner of the Technical Achievement Award. P&G markets both Outlast and Lipfinity.Rabe is credited as the principal inventor of Permatone, which is described as a complex of pigments and silicone-based polymers that form a mesh adhering to the lip. Rabe created product prototypes — Outlast forerunners — that P&G colleagues, including Cantey, used in their own trials. There are accounts of Cantey, as well as other male and female colleagues, applying the lip color before munching on fried chicken, corn on the cob and Chinese food.It was all part of the job, acknowledged Cantey, who added that lipsticks with traditional wax- and oil-based formulations can be rubbed off or dissolved by oily foods.Outlast appears to have lived up to its name — at least in terms of sales. Since its launch in April 2001, through mid-July, Outlast racked up $55 million in retail sales volume in chain drug, mass discount and supermarket outlets, according to data from Information Resources Inc. These figures do not include Wal-Mart, which can account for 20 to 30 percent of sales.Perhaps more noteworthy is the 6.9 percent share of dollar sales Outlast grabbed for the year ended July 14, putting it atop of the $689 million mass market lip cosmetics category, according to IRI. Behind it was Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick, with a 6.5 percent market share. Cover Girl Outlast, which targets a somewhat younger consumer and is priced a bit lower than Lipfinity at a suggested retail of $9.50, features 34 shades with names like "Ever Red-dy," "Brazen Raisin" and "Everbloom."And the third best-selling lip product? Lipfinity, with a 4.4 percent market share. Lipfinity, which launched in January of last year, topped $40 million in total sales through mid-July, according to IRI. The brand’s 25 shades include names like "Euphoric," "Radiant" and "Caffeinated" and are priced at $12.75 for retail.Although the R&D teams behind Outlast and Lipfinity will be the only official winners of the New Product Technical Achievement Award, voters recognized a number of other R&D stars, including those behind P&G’s Crest Whitestrips. Peggy Pernik, section head, product development; Paul Sagel, principle engineer; Lisa Ernst, assistant director, product development, and Shekhar Mitra, general manager, global research and development, P&G Oral Care, were behind the development of the new dental whitening system, which received nearly as many votes as the P&G lip color cousins. Whitestrips were launched last year and come in 56-count boxes retailing for $44.There were also several honorable mentions, according to Grayson. In addition to cosmetics that claim longevity, voters seemed to admire the brains behind cleansing and freshening cloths.Pond’s Age Defying Cleansing Towelettes were a favorite, judging by the high number of voter mentions for the Unilever offering, Grayson said. The towelettes were designed by Craig Slavtcheff, director, personal wash; Bob Gott, scientist; Ewa Padlo, scientist, and Dave Canestrari, director, biosciences. The towelettes launched in June 2001, and earlier this year, the Age Defying Towelettes were folded into Pond’s Dramatic Results line. A "vanity case" of 30 towelettes retails for around $7.Johnson & Johnson Shower to Shower Refreshing Body Cloths were also popular among voters, said Grayson. The cloths, which claim to "refresh and revitalize," were a collaborative effort led by David Burwell, director of new products, research and development; Katherine Coret, scientist, and Anna Prilutsky, scientist. Launched in May 2001, the cloths are available 30 to a box and retail for $5.99.Bobby Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner was also among the most highly mentioned products for the award. The six-stockkeeping-unit collection launched in April 2001 and was the brainchild of Bobbi Brown and Gail Boye, executive director, global product development.While the award may only provide these products’ "true" parents 15-minutes of fame, Grayson is satisfied that the award is serving its purpose. "We arrived at this honor because the marketing side of the business gets all the play — the ad budgets, the models. But what about the guys on the inside? Long-term, it’s what’s on the inside that really counts."
“I grew up in New York but I hadn’t really experienced the city in any type of touristy way…This was probably the first museum I really explored and took the time to see,” said @haileybaldwin of the @whitneymuseum. On Tuesday night, Baldwin was joined by Jemima Kirke and more at the annual Whitney Museum Gala and Studio Party, which honored Lorna Simpson, Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo and Beth Rudin DeWoody. See more photos on WWD.com. #wwdeye (📷: @lexieblacklock)
Displayed starting this week at the @fashiontextilemuseum: An exhibition on designer @orlakiely titled “Orla Kiely: A Life in Pattern,” which spans two decades and contains more than 150 pieces. “I want people to come away loving pattern and print. It’s something that makes you feel so good,” said the designer during a preview of the exhibit. Also on show are mood boards, samples, sketches and more. Head to WWD.com to see more photos. #wwdfashion
Exclusive: @dsquared2 signs fragrance licensing agreement with Euroitalia, with the first effort of the new partnership being unveiled in September. The brand will launch two scents – one for men and one for women – in Italy. Read our interview with designer Dean and Dan Caten on WWD.com. #wwdbeauty #wwdnews (📷: @zefashioninsider)
@louisvuitton has officially renewed Nicolas Ghesquière’s contract as artistic director of women's collections. "I am very pleased to open the next chapter of the story I started with Louis Vuitton almost 5 years ago," said Ghesquière, who first signed on to design the French luxury brand's women's line in 2013. Get all the details on WWD.com. #wwdnews #wwdfashion (📷: @giovanni_giannoni_photo)
“I learned then and there that I had to figure out a way in life to maintain and preserve my sense of pride when I felt good about what I did or what I represented or created,” said @saintrecords on how being bullied for wearing capri pants inspired her to be the artist she is today. Knowles was at the 70th Parsons Benefit last night where she outbid the room for a Dapper Dan customized @gucci experience. #wwdeye (📷: @lexieblacklock)
“There’s this amazing braintrust of people who know the whole universe so well. So we talked to them and they gave us more input,” said actor Alden Ehrenreich on playing the young Han Solo in “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” The cast was at NYC’s SVA Theatre last night for an advanced screening of the film, which hits theaters this week. #wwdeye #starwars #hansolo (📷: @aurorarosedecrosta)
@asaprocky spent nearly two hours in a Plexiglas box Sunday night at @sothebys putting himself through a series of “tests” to demonstrate the process of completing his new album called “Testing.” Get all the details and see all the pictures on WWD.com. #wwdeye
“I’ve struggled my whole life to find a bathing suit that fits me that doesn’t look like a maternity bra. I’m proud of the line because it’s an accurate representation of me rather than me putting on someone else’s clothes,” says @atlantabean of her swimwear collaboration with @piaarrobio, LPA X ATL. The two decided on a swimwear collab and increased the industry standard size for the pieces. Read more about the line — and our interview with de Cadenet Taylor and Arrobio — on WWD.com #wwdfashion (📷: Dan Doperalski)


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Royston businessman eyes up Fowlmere restaurant opportunity
- Credit: Archant
A Royston businessman has spoken of his excitement at the possibility of taking over the building of a former Indian restaurant in Fowlmere.
Safwaan Choudhury, managing director of the British Raj Express, became interested in having a venture at Swan House - which until three weeks ago housed Sachin's Indian restaurant - after the existing management reportedly left the business.
Posting on its Facebook page on August 21, Sachin's said the restaurant had closed due to a "major leak which has resulted in loss of power and severe damage to the building" - and said a full refurbishment would take place before they reopening in four to six weeks.
However, Safwaan has told the Crow he is currently liaising with the landlord of the historic building regarding opening a new business venture at the premises.
He told the Crow: "We are currently in negotiations with the landlord trying to secure a deal for the building.
"There's a lot of support in the village and what they wanted was a business that communicates to the local community and that is what we do. The villagers are very insistent that we should go ahead.
"We would go for a high-end Indian restaurant and make use of the whole building. I'm very interested in opening a restaurant there.
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"To have the support of people boosts confidence - I was worried at first that, because it has changed so many times, people would lose confidence in it.
"But, because we have that existing reputation in the area, people do seem to be happy - they are hungry for us to have a restaurant in the village."
Safwaan, 22, ran Royston Tandoori before taking over operations at the British Raj Express takeaway in Royston's Kneesworth Street in May.
He said: "It's been really good, and I am really enjoying it. My customers have told me to open a restaurant, because they enjoy my food so much but say 'there is only so many times we can have a takeaway'.
"I grew up locally, so it gives it that local touch. Royston right now is too saturated, so this opportunity is perfect. It's still in the area so people know me and what I'm about.
"I've been in business for 4½ years, and began working in restaurants in my last year of school.
"I'm very excited at the prospect and the challenge a new business could bring."
The Crow has attempted to contact Sachin's, but has not received a response.


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Sandhya Devanathan will be the new head of Meta India
Sandhya Devanathan will be the new head of Meta India: will handle her post from January 1, 2023, and has been with Meta since 2016
Facebook's parent company Meta has appointed Sandhya Devanathan as the new head and vice president of its India business. Devanathan will assume her post on January 1, 2023. Reporting for Sandhya will be from Dan Neary, Meta's Vice President for the APAC region.
Devanathan has been with Meta since 2016 and has been helping the company grow its business in Singapore and Vietnam. Apart from this, she was also working on the company's e-commerce launch in South East Asia.
Sandhya is also currently an executive sponsor for Meta Women@APAC and serves as the global lead for the gaming industry Play Forward. In addition, he is also on the global board of Pepper Financial Services.
After completing engineering at Andhra University in 1998, Sandhya Devanathan did MBA from Delhi University. She went to Oxford University's Said Business School in 2014 for a course in leadership.
Recently, WhatsApp's India head Abhijit Bose and Meta India's public policy director Rajeev Agarwal resigned from their posts. Shivnath Thakral, Director of WhatsApp Public Policy in India, has now been made Director of Public Policy for all Meta brands in India.
Meta Platforms Inc. has fired 11,000 of its employees this month. For the first time in the company's 18-year history, such a large number of employees have been retrenched. The company's CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the removal of employees. He attributed this to the decline in revenue due to wrong decisions.


text: It has been reported that a report from ForgeRock has revealed an unprecedented 297% surge in breaches caused primarily by security issues associated with supply chain and third-party suppliers and representing almost 25% of all breaches. The report also found unauthorized access was the leading cause of breaches for the fourth consecutive year, steadily increasing to account for 50% of all records compromised during 2021. The report underscores the fact that cybercriminals continue to find new methods of attack across industries and geographies. The cost of breaches also continues to grow. In the US alone, the price of remediation from a breach has climbed annually, doubling since 2018.


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The GST Council has pruned the 28 per cent slab by cutting tax rates on 191 goods over the last one year, leaving just 35 items, including ACs digital cameras, video recorders, dishwashing machine and automobiles, in the highest tax bracket.
There were around 226 goods in the 28 per cent category when Goods and Services Tax(GST) was implemented on July 1, 2017.
Over the last one year, the Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister and comprising state ministers, has slashed rates in 191 items.
The 35 goods, which will be left in highest slab once the new GST rates are implemented from July 27, also include cement, automobile parts, tyres, automobile equipment, motor vehicles. yachts, aircrafts, aerated drinks, betting and demerit items like tobacco, cigarette and pan masala.


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The Dubai based Q9 Capital, which had announced a month ago unilaterally announced that they had received a provisional virtual asset approval from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) are now listed on Dubai VARA ( Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority) website under Native crypto content/ DLT platform. Q9 is listed along with Calvin Cheng Web 3.0 Holding and Woonkly Labs.
This had taken some time, as Q9 Capital had announced that they had received a provisional approval in October 2022. But looking at VARA website, it seems Q9 has received a DLT or crypto content preliminary approval.
As per Q9 press release the company is a crypto investment management platform offering capabilities to crypto and TradFi firms.
Q9 had stated that this approval came as it expanded into the UAE and applied for a full operating license in accordance with VARA requirements. As per the release, Q9 products and strategies can be created and executed on Q9’s platform, such as systematic investment portfolios and white-labeled offerings, within VARA’s framework and distributed globally in an automated, transparent, regulated and compliant manner.
The release added, the full operating license, once received, will allow Q9 to extend products and services to qualified investors and financial service providers. Q9 will also establish a regional hub in Dubai to contribute to developing the ever-expanding virtual asset ecosystem both in Dubai and globally.
The press release from Q9 had noted that the provisional approval is a major milestone that follows a number of registrations for Q9’s local entities in Hong Kong and Dubai. As a regulation-led platform with robust compliance and security controls that have consumer protection and market integrity at its core, the registration further strengthens Q9’s position.
James Quinn, Managing Partner of Q9, noted “Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority is a testament to the country’s forward-looking stance on digital assets and its willingness to support the industry through collaboration. We look forward to participating in the authority’s robust compliance framework and continue building partnerships as we expand our presence in Dubai to roll out additional services and enhanced products for the region.”


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Wazazi na walezi ndio wenye jukumu la kulipia chakula cha wanafunzi katika shule za msingi na upili- waziri Machogu
June 8, 2023
The Weeknd hit a new milestone by becoming the most listened to artist on spotify this January.
Spotify is the world’s largest music streaming service provider with over 381 million monthly active users including 172 million paying subscribers as of September 2021.
The Weeknd beat Justin Bieber for the number 1 spot with 85,667,564 monthly listeners.
The Weeknd released his new album titled Dawn Fm on January 7th 2022 and it has sold over 300,000 pure album sales.


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Unknown persons robbed garments worth Rs 2 lakhs from 'The Boutique' shop at Anand Nagar, Vasai (west).
Two persons were arrested from their shops after the central crime branch (CCB) conducted a raid on two shops which were found selling fake shirts and trousers of popular brands worth over 28.9 lakh. The raiding team seized more than 1100 shirts and as many as 375 trousers and a case under Copyright Act was slapped on them.
The central crime branch of city police conducted a raid in a shop on Kamaraj road off Commerial Street, in central business district of the city and seized several garments bearing fake labels of prestigious companies, besides fake perfumes, watches and arrested three persons who were running she shop for the last one year on Friday.
Police has registered a case against an accused for stealing garments and cash from the godown of a factory at Geeta Nagar in Tibba road on Friday.
To rescue the interests of traditional jewelers against branded jewelers Gulbarga Saraf (Gold merchants) merchants association president Raghavendra Mailapur has come with new idea constructing 'Gold Hub'.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that the process was going on to set up around 500 market hubs across the state.
The state government is setting up around 500 market hubs across the state, said chief minister Mamata Banerjee at a public meeting in Kolaghat.
PM Narendra Modi during his visit to Goa on Saturday said that Goa could be developed into an educational hub. Goa has a high literacy rate and a conducive environment for setting up top educational institutions in the state, he said
The West Bengal government is planning to develop a silk hub at Srirampore in Hoogly. Similar silk hubs will also be developed at 5 more locations in the state.
National Innovation Council along with ministry of culture and Planning Commission is working on the scheme to launch 100 Innovation Hubs across the country. The basic idea of setting up such hubs is to encourage children to imagine and explore.
Government launches 'Innovation Hub' at the National Science Centre here. The Centre will provide a unique opportunity for children of various age groups to work at the facility during the week-ends to develop their ideas on various aspects of Science & Technology.
The industrial development department of UP is planning to study the Japanese industrial hub spanned across 1170 square metre in Neemrana of Alwar, Rajasthan. The officials would visit the place on November 9 to see how the Rajasthan industrial development corporation is helping the Japanese companies to flourish within the state.
Swiss exports to India lost a further 25% in the first half of 2014, as need for robust Indian economy, stable rupee are of great interest to Swiss investors, said Swiss ambassador Dr Linus von Castelmur at an ASSOCHAM event in New Delhi today.
S R Patil, minister for information technology said that the state government is expecting to garner Rs 5,000 crore from IT establishments in tier-II cities such as M angalore, Hubli-Dharwad and Mysore during the current financial year.
KIOCL Ltd, through its efforts in economizing cost and making price internationally viable and competitive has been able to export a shipment of iron ore pellets cargo of 48,309 DMT by MV Port Nelson which sailed from New Mangalore Port Trust on August 25.


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August 29, 2023
Welcome to Morning Blockchain, where we explore the unexpected twists and turns that keep the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency buzzing. From empowering NFT creators with digital storefronts to the regulation of digital assets, and even the challenges faced by banks in embracing cryptocurrencies, we’ve got you covered with the latest surprises and insights in this exciting field. So grab your favorite morning beverage and get ready to dive into a can of knowledge that’ll help you crush it in your work week. Cheers!
FirstMate raises $3.75 million in Dragonfly-led round FirstMate, a startup that aims to empower NFT creators with digital storefronts, raised $3.75 million in funding from investors including Dragonfly Capital, Coinbase Ventures, and NextView; the startup also announced the beta launch of its marketplace website builder, which focuses on giving creators control over their works and royalties, making it relevant to blockchain and cryptocurrency as it addresses the challenges faced by creators and artists in the current one-size-fits-all marketplace model. SEC Issues First Enforcement Action Targeting NFTs A California media company, Impact Theory, made almost $30 million selling NFTs that the SEC classified as securities because the company guaranteed investors would make a profit from these collectibles, showcasing the relevance of blockchain and cryptocurrency in the regulation and classification of digital assets. Velodrome launches new DEX on Coinbase’s Base network Velodrome Finance, the largest decentralized exchange protocol on OP Mainnet, has launched a new forked DEX called Aerodrome on Coinbase’s Layer 2 Base network, aiming to capture liquidity and value exchange with the support of over 20 partners, while incentivizing users through an airdrop of its native Aero token. Republican trio says Fed is undermining progress on stablecoin bill A group of Republican lawmakers argue that the Federal Reserve’s recent moves to strengthen its oversight of banks’ involvement with cryptocurrencies and stablecoins are hindering their efforts to regulate stablecoins, potentially deterring financial institutions from participating in the digital asset ecosystem. The Bitcoin Circular Economy Battles Entrenched Mindsets in El Salvador The article discusses how bankers in El Salvador are interested in Bitcoin but are hesitant to adopt it due to potential negative consequences with their international partners, as remittances make up a significant portion of the country’s economy and are primarily conducted through traditional channels rather than cryptocurrency, highlighting the current challenges and concerns faced by banks in embracing cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. A Crypto President? Top U.S. 2024 Contenders Aren’t Fans, and Rivals Are Way Behind The article discusses President Biden’s record on cryptocurrency and blockchain, highlighting his administration’s enforcement actions and proposed regulations that could have significant effects on the industry, such as the SEC’s proposals on custody and defining crypto platforms as exchanges, and the Treasury’s new proposal on taxing token gains, indicating the relevance of this article to blockchain and cryptocurrency. What are blocks in a blockchain? A block in a blockchain is a crucial element that contains transaction data, a timestamp, and a unique identifier called a hash, ensuring the security and integrity of the blockchain; understanding blocks is important in comprehending the functioning of blockchain technology, which is relevant to the field of cryptocurrency and decentralized systems. Ethereum’s Daily Transaction Fees Drops to 8-Month Low of $2.8M Ethereum’s proof-of-stake consensus mechanism involves validators who secure the network and receive transaction fees, with users offering a tip to prioritize their transactions, but the base fee is burned, reducing the supply of ETH - making this relevant to blockchain and cryptocurrency as it explains how fees are distributed and how ETH is taken out of circulation.


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Apple’s super-powered iMac Pro hit the company’s online store just ahead of Christmas. Now those who’d prefer to pick one up in-person can do so by paying a visit to one of its various retail establishments. Availability was first spotted by MacRumors earlier today, and you can check it for yourself by entering your zip code over on the company’s site.
At $4,999 and up, this isn’t check out line impulse buy territory, but the professional version of the company’s well-regarded all-in-one packs a wallop. Matthew spent some time around the machine around its official launch, calling it “a love letter to developers,” adding that the company, “decided to see exactly how ridiculous it could get with iMac performance inside what is essentially the exact same shell as the current machines — with a nice coat of color treatment and a few additional cosmetic differences.”
With the Mac Pro still in a state of limbo, the company has focused on the AIO desktop form factor to deliver some crazy high-end tech specs for users looking to perform truly CPU taxing tasks like editing 4K video and creating VR content. The iMac Pro represents a sort of recommitment to the developers and creative types that have long formed a core user base — which Microsoft has been actively courting with its own Surface line.
The computers appear to be pretty well seeded out there in Apple Stores, though I suspect not every location is going to have every single configuration, so you’re going to want to call ahead. Of course, if you’re not willing to make the $4,999+ commitment, there’s apparently already a ridiculously inflated second-hand market for those limited edition space gray accessories.


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Apple rides the iPhone to quarterly revenues of $58 billion
Tim Cook reported this week that Apple had earned quarterly revenue of $58 billion, largely due to brisk sales of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The iPhone alone accounted for $40 billion of the revenue.
The 61.17 million iPhones sold exceeded analyst expectations of 55.7 million handsets.
Apple HealthKit goes to big LA hospital
An LA hospital has connected 80,000 patients to iOS HealthKit. HealthKit integration with patients of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is the largest connection yet with the over 900 apps that work with Apple's HealthKit.
The LA hospital joins the Mayo Clinic and Duke University Hospital in bringing HealthKit to its patients healthcare.
Microsoft: Office reaches 100 million downloads on iOS and Android
Microsoft revealed that Office has been downloaded 100 million times on iOS and Android. The apps that make up the suite have been popular on both platforms since the release.
The touch operation of Office on Android and iOS makes it a very capable solution for both individuals and enterprises.
Apple Watch launched with 3,500 available apps
Tim Cook shared this week that at launch the Apple Watch had 3,500 apps available. Apple's was to have more apps at launch than the iPad.
There were only 1,000 apps for the iPad at launch so the company's work with developers paid off.


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The impact COVID had on global food security
An international team of scientists have conducted a world-level assessment of the impacts of COVID-19 on food security.
The research, which was conducted by global research partnership CGIAR, showed that the pandemic impact most initially feared — food shortages — for the most part did not occur.
However, the research found this apparent resilience was not universal and came at a price paid largely by the informal and small-scale actors who make up the bulk of food systems in low- and middle-income countries.
Sellers in informal markets, small restaurants and vendors, and those who transport food at the local level struggled with mobility restrictions and lockdowns.
On the other hand, most of the larger, formal markets, often considered ‘essential businesses’ and exempt from many of these measures, were not only shielded from impacts, but prospered.
The research said that while the pandemic affected the livelihood of billions and made many losers, it also made a few winners across the food supply chain.
The study’s lead author, Christophe Béné, a CGIAR researcher from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, who conducted the analysis commissioned by the CGIAR COVID-19 Hub, notes that food security impacts only tell half the story.
“It is critical to understand how the pandemic affected food security, but equally important to then consider what we can learn from this to build back more resilient food systems,” he said.
“Understanding the impacts of lockdowns or market closures, for example, can help put in place interventions and policies to better protect our food systems from negative shocks in the future.”
The analysis looked at more than 330 documents in four languages from 62 countries, examining not only food security, but also COVID-19’s impacts on the food environment, or where consumers interact with the food they will eat.
The company hopes to change the way consumers buy meat while providing Australian farmers with a...
Food science has determined how certain processed foods could trigger chronic kidney disease, but...
The plant-based versions of the company's chocolate malt drink and its Nescafé latte...


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Advocates anxiety that charge out-of earned wage access can add right up easily getting repeated pages and therefore the same guardrails you to definitely control very financing are required. “If we accept this new conflict why these commonly financing, men and women costs may go right up once they keeps good exemptions away from credit rules,” Saunders said.
But boffins on the College of Houston Legislation Heart published into the an effective 2020 analysis of a few payment patterns you to definitely “if the employees are going for anywhere between a quick payday loan that may rates $forty-five when you look at the costs and an earned salary access merchandise that tend to costs $5, it looks a straightforward solutions.”
“Which includes cash advance, you do the brand new math, and also you end up getting good 360%, 400% https://servicecashadvance.com/installment-loans-ca/seaside/ Annual percentage rate – that’s what we’re trying avoid,” told you Nico Simko, co-originator of one’s towards-consult payment startup Clair. “The reason for control would be to carry out what is best for people, so authorities have to be yes, is i fighting the best guys here?”
Part of the difficulties inside means laws is that team patterns in the industry vary notably. Particular spouse with companies, that have those enterprises every so often paying charges, although some render an upfront straight to specialists.
This new CFPB’s earlier guidance possess worried about workplace-established apps. However, MoneyLion, and that places a young-availableness product to people, told you it could enable the CFPB when planning on taking a beneficial “business-model-agnostic means” said Matthew Kellogg, Vice-president out-of regulators affairs and interaction. The business states one an immediate-to-consumer design such as for instance its very own allows it to suffice workers omitted away from services which go compliment of businesses, eg specific independent designers. The business plus seems “highly there is a totally free pathway on facts.”
Businesses that companion which have businesses, yet not, believe they provide a more simple regulating circumstances. “Employer-integrated functions has numerous degrees of depending-when you look at the user protections, and you may features without the individuals protections normally angle various other and more tough plan and you will regulating things,” told you Matt Kopko, vp regarding public policy on DailyPay.
Because the early wage availableness comes to pay, state wage and you can hours guidelines could figure hence items are offered. Nj-new jersey, Ny, South carolina, Georgia, Utah, Las vegas and you can New york have for each felt regulatory architecture to the circumstances.
Certain for the business enjoys given help having California’s method. Inside March, the new state’s Agencies from Monetary Shelter and you will Creativity issued an affirmation you to definitely boss-based EWA provider FlexWage isn’t susceptible to certification significantly less than its financing and deferred-deposit laws and regulations. The organization asked the brand new legal remark.
The fresh new remark set two requirements to compliment brand new designation the device is not financing: Businesses offered finance in quantity one to don’t surpass earned however, outstanding earnings, in addition to fees billed from the FlexWage don’t suggest the merchandise was created to avert California’s financing laws. The latest regulator has also established a rule-and come up with process on business.
While the CFPB ended Payactiv’s sandbox letter, the fresh new obtained salary availableness company stays invested in getting an effective “collective matchmaking” into federal company, said Government Issues Vice-president Molly Jones.
The new CFPB refuted so you can discuss if this you are going to release then suggestions or how it is interesting stakeholders towards matter.
“Area of the situation, irrespective of and therefore front you’re on, is there is insufficient quality,” told you Moorari Shah, somebody towards the law practice Sheppard Mullin. “Brand new authorities, a, new businesses all the accept it: It’s unsure how this ought to be addressed.”
Veronica Irwin () are a san francisco bay area-centered reporter at Protocol coating fintech. In past times she is at brand new San francisco bay area Examiner, level technology regarding a good hyper-local perspective. Ahead of you to, this lady byline try seemed in SF Per week, The country, Techworker, Ms. Magazine plus the Frisc.


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A new survey conducted from M:Metrics has revealed that a huge portion of iPhone users, as much as 85% regularly browse the internet from their iPhones. According to the survey, as compared to any other smartphone, Apple’s iPhone is used on the largest scale for browsing the internet.
The patterns of over 10,000 adults in the US were analyzed for a period of six months; post the iPhone’s debut in the US.
Mark Donovan, senior analyst, M:Metrics said, “While the demographics of iPhone users are very similar to all smartphone owners, the iPhone is outpacing other smartphones in driving mobile content consumption by a significant margin.”
It’s important to note that while there are 58% of total smartphone owners and 13% of mobile phone users browsing the internet from the handset; 85% of iPhone users use the device for their internet activities, clearly showing the significance of the device amongst the phone browsing circuit.
While 59% of iPhone users regularly visited a search engine, only 37% of smartphone users, and 6% of regular mobile phone users were noticed doing the same.
Two of the key reasons behind the popularity of the iPhone as an internet browsing device are firstly the fact that it incorporates a simple Safari browse and secondly it bundles unlimited data plans offered from AT&T for iPhone users.
Speaking about this, Donova said, “In addition to the attributes of the device itself, another important factor to consider is the fact that all iPhones on AT&T are attached to an unlimited data plan. Our data shows that once the fear of surprise data charges is eliminated, mobile content consumption increases dramatically, regardless of device.”
Furthermore, while a huge 30.9% of iPhone owners used their Apple device to watch TV and/or video, only 14.2% did the same on their smartphone, as compared with a 4.6% market average.


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BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes
CHAIN Stores have increased their percentage of local sourcing as amplified by the Covid-19 pandemic, says the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) president, Ezekiel Sekele.
Mr Sekele observed that Covid-19 had accelerated the need for Chain stores, such as Shoprite, to increase the percentage of Zambian products on their shelves.
He indicated that the association was working with the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) to ensure that more of local farmers were supplying stock to Chain stores.
Mr Sekele was speaking during the Anakazi Banking Online Conversations discussing the topic “Insights from the Zambia Association of Manufacturers in navigating the post Covid-19 world.”
“We have been pushing for local sourcing and Covid-19 has amplified that. Chain stores have more of the Zambian food now.
“For Example, Shoprite about a month ago were buying 43 percent local of the stock and 57 percent was sourced from South Africa. But at the moment, numbers have changed, a number of Chain stores have grown their local sourcing percentages,” Mr Sekele said.
Covid-19, he said, had pushed local suppliers to accelerate their efforts in producing products to ensure that there was shortage commodity shortage in chain stores.
Mr Sekele said the demand by Chain stores had given local farmers the impetus to produce more as there was a readily market.
“Covid-19 has in a way accelerated the change. It has given us the extra effort to do more work. We are seeing the impact on the economic side of our country,” he said.
Mr Sekele also said ZAM was working with Government to ensure that the association operated under an Act of Parliament to incorporate all manufactures.
“We are working within our sector and Government to ensure that we transition the association to operate under an act of parliament so that anyone who ventures into his sector has to register with the association.
“Currently, we are sitting around 240 members but if you see the numbers maintained by Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA), we have so many players in the manufacturing sector,” he said.
Stanbic Bank Zambia Chief Financial Officer, Mwindwa Siakalima, said the institution was facilitating growth in all sectors of the economy.
“Manufacturing is very key to what we do as well, looking briefly at statistics, manufacturing represents somewhere around between seven and eight percent in terms of contribution to Gross Domestic Product,” Mr Siakalima said.


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During Arc System Works’ discussions at Nexon Developers Conference earlier this week, it was revealed that the game company is bringing Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R to the Nintendo Switch later this year. Additionally, the international release of the game will feature the Korean Guilty Gear XX #Reload soundtrack as produced by the late Shin Hae Chul.
Originally released across Japan through an arcade version of the game in 2012, the game would later be ported to PlayStation Vita in 2013 and again on PC in 2015. Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R is the most recent revision of the original Guilty Gear X2 game and has undergone a total of five revisions since that time. While little else is currently known about the Nintendo Switch release of the game, fans of the series can expect it within the year.
While Nintendo’s latest hybrid console already boasts a competitive number of fighting games, it’ll be exciting to see something as highly-regarded as Guilty Gear join that roster. Now, did somebody say Melty Blood on Nintendo Switch?
Source: Anime News Network


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The Drs Investigate: Lunchbox Dangers; Toxic Fast Food Wrappers; Erotic Websites For Sex Ed; You Called 911 for That; Tiffani Thiessen’s Healthy Dinner Tips
Could you be sending your kids off to school with mold, fungus, and bacteria? The Doctors discuss proper care for the containers carrying your children’s food!
Ever noticed those white stripes on uncooked chicken breasts? They are the result of a muscle disorder that is plaguing the chicken we eat.
The Doctors reveal a simple trick to use during a blackout to make sure your frozen goods are safe to eat once the power returns.
An IUD removal can cost up to $200, but a new DIY IUD removal process could save you some money and trip to the doctor.
An Australian woman recently dialed 911 to complain about the hike in the price of marijuana.
Fast food items may not be the healthiest choices but a new study found that many fast food packaging items are created with Perfluorinated compounds, which have been linked to cancer, birth defects and more.
The Doctors share a video of a remarkable earwax removal procedure done at the doctor’s office.
"Hamilton" star Miguel Cervantes is on top of the world starring in one of the hottest musicals, but things took a turn last year when his baby daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy, which affects 3 million people in America.


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Local 135 Members Demand New Agreement, No Forced Overtime
(INDIANAPOLIS)–Teamsters Local 135 members at MonoSol are picketing outside the company’s LaPorte, Ind., facility, demanding the packaging employer negotiate a fair contract and call off its lockout of workers.
On Nov. 26, Teamsters overwhelmingly rejected a substandard contract offer from MonoSol and authorized a strike. In advance of a potential job action last week, the company preemptively shut its doors to workers. Nearly 200 Teamsters are asking for an end to forced overtime and 60-hour workweeks.
Local 135 members produce water-soluble packaging used by Procter & Gamble [NYSE: PG] to make products like Tide laundry detergent pods and Cascade dishwasher detergent pods.
“Our members work extremely hard for MonoSol, but this company needs to hire more people and treat its employees better — period,” said Dustin Roach, President-Elect of Local 135. “Teamsters shouldn’t have to suffer because of the employer’s chronic understaffing. MonoSol management is operating this company off the backs of hardworking people, and our members deserve respect and fair treatment on the job.”
“MonoSol is trying to wear us down, but we won’t let them,” said Eric Hoffman, Caster and Mixer at MonoSol. “All we want is an agreement with reasonable hours so we can see our families. We need fair wages that keep up with inflation and the cost of living. We aren’t asking for the world here. But the company is being unreasonable and, to be honest, greedy.”
The Teamsters represent more than 350 MonoSol employees nationwide, including about 200 utility operators, casters, mixers, winders, and maintenance workers at the LaPorte facility.
MonoSol, a division of Japan-based Kuraray, is the exclusive distributor of water-soluble products to Procter & Gamble nationally.
In 2020, Kuraray endorsed and became a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact, which includes a pledge to uphold freedom of association in the workplace, recognize the right to collective bargaining, and eliminate all forms of forced and compulsory labor, including forced overtime. This week, Local 135 sent Procter & Gamble a letter asking the corporation to investigate MonoSol’s labor practices throughout the United States.
“I have close to 200 coworkers here and we are all sticking together until MonoSol treats us right and returns to the table. We deserve a fair deal. We cannot accept a contract that includes forced labor,” Hoffman said.


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In the latest features on Whispers, an app for Rolls-Royce owner, members can expect better experience to stay connected with the marque and members. The app has been updated to help their members for a better experience in the digital world of luxury, curated by Rolls-Royce.
Ever since the introduction of Whispers, the app has been largely reserved exclusively for owners of Rolls-Royce cars. In the latest update, access for partners of owners will now be available, providing a more holistic access as we approach the holiday season.
The app has been evolved to consider the current restrictions faced by so many Rolls-Royce owners around the world, who, due to Covid-19 movement restrictions, are unable to travel to the Home of Rolls-Royce, in Goodwood, West Sussex. Many owners expressed a wish to maintain even closer contact with Rolls-Royce, and in answer to these demands, Verena Masters, Head of Whispers, embraced the unique opportunity presented by the Application.
“Rolls-Royce found itself in a unique situation at the onset of the global pandemic. It had recently unveiled an Application named Whispers, which acts as a gateway for clients to immerse themselves in a digital world of luxury, curated by Rolls-Royce. This access to thousands of clients ensured the marque could maintain direct and personal contact with its customers around the world despite the limitations of the coronavirus pandemic. Today, we go even further, bringing a comprehensive suite of online live video options for Whispers members to specify their motor cars, speak with Rolls-Royce product specialists, executives and craftspeople, or even witness a unique moment in the manufacture of their motor car, from the comfort of their own homes.” said by Verena Masters, Head of Whispers, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
The app now spots a new feature face-to-face video interactions for more natural communication between clients and the marque. This allows patron to experience Rolls-Royce’s Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence from wherever they are in the world, in the comfort of their own home. They may even may even view their motor car, live on the production line, at the marque’s manufactory – witnessing the ‘marriage’ – a seminal moment as the powertrain meets the chassis, or the fitting of the Spirit of Ecstasy.
Owners of the new Ghost can optimised the app for one-on-one live consultations with Rolls-Royce specialists and designers have provided detailed and personal product insights, which enable remote commissioning to take place. Materials and colours are defined, Bespoke accoutrements are envisioned, and unique motor cars are brought to life in consummate Rolls-Royce style – with effortless ease.
The marque’s Luxury Intelligence Unit will continue provide curation of cultural and exclusive opportunities. The app will offer members to enjoyed editorial inspiration on topics ranging from the forefront of moving-image art, guidance on how to cultivate a woodland, and even, the philanthropic endeavours of other Whispers members. The Whispers Concierge also allow users to get rare and whimsical products which are sourced for members from around the world like signed first edition Harry Potter books, unique Hermès handbags and Yeezy Boost 380.
Members of Whispers can now virtually exhibit their automotive collections for the network of fellow Rolls-Royce clients to peruse and admire. With the ability to search by name, location and even by car, members are able to connect with local, like-minded members, be it for business or leisure purposes.
Interested with the Whispers’ latest features? All you need to do is owned a Goodwood manufactured Rolls-Royce motor car to get access to app. For further information, please contact your local dealer.


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By far the most popular items in 2018, according to retail management software provider Vend, are eco-friendly and reusable products, with sales of these items up by more than 1,000 per cent compared to 2017.
The company said that reusable coffee cups, such as Keep Cups, have seen sales soar by the same amount, while beeswax food wraps are up by 600 per cent and bamboo straws by 420 per cent.
“It looks like many of us could be receiving some pretty cool gifts come Christmas day, as shoppers hunt out more tech items like drones and look to new, sustainable products,” Vend’s Dave Scheine said.
Activewear is also a popular choice, with sales spiking by 230 per cent.
Computers and accessories also remain popular, with sales up by 300 per cent on the same time last year, while sales of drones and virtual reality products have increased by 74 per cent.
Other popular items are older-style products making a popular comeback.
Vend’s data showed that vintage vinyl and records have seen sales soar by 260 per cent compared to a year earlier, while even book sales have spiked by 78 per cent this year.
But there is also no substitute for some of the old classics, Mr Scheine said.
“Our data shows that a lot of our traditional go-to gifts, like socks for Dad, chocolates for Gran, and a handbag for Mum, are still very much a popular choice,” he said.
“For example, sock purchases have increased by 51 per cent year-on-year, chocolates are up by 65 per cent and bags are up by 147 per cent.”
The data was collated from a sample of 3,000 Australian retailers, the majority of which are SMEs, on transactions made between 24 November and 16 December in both 2017 and 2018.


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The release of PUBG Mobile’s upcoming Indian rival FAU-G is reportedly set for December 2020. The made in India multiplayer game recently went live for pre-registration, and its maker nCore Games claim that it saw a record 1 million pre-registrations within 24 hours.
As per a report by InsideSport, sources close to nCore Games have said that FAU-G could be launched this month. However, the developers of the game are yet to announce an official release date fo the game. The report cites the source to reveal that “the developers are trying their utmost to catch the December timeline for the launch and if all goes well the launch of FAUG before the 2021 deadline is looking possible now.”
The makers of the game earlier said that it would be available for download by November, which didn’t happen. As of now, we do not know when the game will be ready for download unless the recent report turns out to be true. However, the game has is listed on Google Play, and pre-registrations have kicked off, which indirectly points towards its release.
Everything we know about FAU-G (Fearless and United Guards)
The developers have not shared much about the gameplay or how the game will be, but we’ve joined dots to set our expectations from what’s available from the official source. For starters, we got a look at what appears to be the main menu of the game, which suggests that it will feature two in-game currencies. Most likely one will be a free currency, while the other will be a premium currency that can be bought in exchange for real money. There is also an in-game store that should allow players to make in-game purchases.
Also, n-Core Games dropped the first teaser for FAU-G a few weeks back. While it doesn’t reveal a lot about the actual gameplay, it does suggest a focus on the Indo-China clashes at the Galwan Valley. While most battle royale games are synonymous to guns and grenades, FAU-G teaser focuses on melee-based combat with soldiers resorting to clubs and hand-to-hand combat. There seems to be a focus on team-based action as we see five soldiers standing together towards the end of the teaser.


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"Carbon (Dioxide) trading is now the fastest growing commodities market on earth.....And here’s the great thing about it. Unlike traditional commodities markets, which will eventually involve delivery to someone in physical form, the carbon (dioxide) market is based on lack of delivery of an invisible substance to no-one. Since the market revolves around creating carbon (dioxide) credits, or finding carbon (dioxide) reduction projects whose benefits can then be sold to those with a surplus of emissions, it is entirely intangible." (Telegraph)
This blog has been tracking the 'Global Warming Scam' for over ten years now. There are a very large number of articles being published in blogs and more in the MSM who are waking up to the fact the public refuse to be conned any more and are objecting to the 'green madness' of governments and the artificially high price of energy. This blog will now be concentrating on the major stories as we move to the pragmatic view of 'not if, but when' and how the situation is managed back to reality. To quote Professor Lindzen, "a lot of people are going to look pretty silly"
PS: If you have arrived here on a page link, then click on the HOME link...
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
There are more charging points than electric cars in UK as sales slump
"Sales of electric cars have slumped so badly that there are now more charging points than vehicles on the road. Just 2,149 electric cars have been sold since 2006, despite a government scheme last year offering customers up to £5,000 towards the cost of a vehicle.The Department for Transport says that around 2,500 charging points have been installed, although their precise location is not known."


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12 Oct 2016
Online Pairing and Support Boosts Growth of Mainland Nanny Sector
With increasing birth rates, nannies have never been more in demand across the mainland, with many operators now offering parents the chance to vet potential carers online, while also offering smartapp monitoring and support services.
The mainland maternity care sector is growing up fast. Overall, though, the market is becoming increasingly segmented and standardised, with accredited baby-rearing specialists and lactation consultants gaining increasing recognition. To date, however, brand awareness is low in this referrals-dominated business.
That regardless, there is a high level of consensus as to the robust nature of the mother and baby care market, with clear signs of growing demand. According to recent research by Roland Berger, a Munich-headquartered management consultancy, the mainland's mother and baby care market will grow at an annual rate of up to 16% over the next five years. This growth is being driven by China's new two-child policy, as well as the coming of age of a new generation of parents born in the 1980s and early 1990s.
As a result, a number of players in the mother and baby care industry have begun to actively explore new business models, a development further stimulated by the internet plus trend – the growing popularity of combined on- and offline offerings. This has seen a number of the more established players quick to embrace online marketing channels – including mobile apps and social media – while several new mother and baby care O2O (online to offline) platforms have also begun to appear.
Confinement Clubs: O2O Trend
According to industry statistics, Beijing currently has more than 3,000 postnatal care 'confinement clubs'. Among their operators are a number of the more established businesses in the sector that are all keen to expand on a chain basis, as well as several new O2O businesses. The real growth, though, has come from the ever-expanding number of unregulated small companies operating in the sector.
At present, the pricing structure of these businesses is showing signs of convergence, irrespective of the chosen marketing channel. Confinement nannies (yuesao) charge an average of around RMB10,000 (US$1,490) a month, while baby-rearing specialists' fees are in the RMB5,000-8,000 range. In the case of lactation consultants, they charge between RMB300-1,000 for a one-time service, while a steam treatment for new mothers typically costs RMB600-1,000.
On account of the rising number of new-borns in recent years, high-quality confinement nannies are very much in demand. On many online booking platforms, such a service now requires booking at least six months in advance.
According to one operator, the more highly rated nannies have at least 10 clients lined up at any one time. One service provider in the sector said: "It's a lucrative business. In every city, across every tier, confinement clubs are in great demand."
Despite this surge in demand, no brand leader has yet emerged. According to market analysts, this is down to the peculiarities of the sector, which is seen as very much dominated by referrals. While the market currently largely consists of small, local operators, many believe that the larger brand-name companies will take an increasingly significant share in the future.
Against this backdrop, many of the established players are seeking to grow through the internet plus model. This has seen a number of them introduce online booking services. These allow clients to reserve their chosen nanny or to check out a potential nanny's credentials and social media feedback.
The cost of creating and maintaining mobile apps and social media accounts – such as WeChat and Weibo – typically represents 30-50% of the operating costs of a conventional confinement club. The largest proportion of the overall cost, however, is taken up by property rental and personnel training.
According to a Mr Rao, the Manager of an established confinement club, Fuyingle (Happy Mother and Baby), his company has adopted the O2O business model, working on a chain basis and utilising internet plus as a key part of his operations. Summarising the success of his business to date, he said: "Over the past five years, my company has opened 46 stores across the country, including 11 in the Beijing area. The government has also announced its commitment to support the company and to help us establish our brand."
At present, the Beijing Municipal Government is giving considerable support to a number of consumer services chain businesses and other companies adopting the internet plus model. According to figures on the Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce website, funding for internet plus projects is currently capped at RMB2 million. In the case of consumer services chain businesses participating in co-operation projects in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, some RMB5 million-worth of funding is available.
Emerging O2O Platforms: Matching Clients with Nannies
While the more established players are looking to dominate the sector, a number of new O2O platforms are also beginning to emerge. One such company is Sinovation Ventures.
An early-stage investment company founded in Beijing by Kai-fu Lee, the American venture capitalist, in 2015 Sinovation Ventures invested in a specialist mother and baby care O2O business. The company – Putiguo – takes a very different approach to conventional chain store businesses. It has only one office – in Beijing – with all of its activities carried out online.
Compared with traditional companies' online channels, O2O platforms can do far more when it comes to matching clients with the optimal nanny, with neither party restricted to a particular physical location. Clients can screen nannies online in terms of location, price, experience and age. At the same time, nannies may be hired across a wide geographical area, as long as they meet a given client's expectations.
As part of the process, clients and nannies can vet one another via video interview. These videos, along with the client's comments, are then filed online for reference by other prospective employers. This arrangement is an online take on traditional offline selection methods, making full use of the internet to save time and ensure a successful match.
The O2O platform eliminates the traditional role of intermediaries, allowing clients and nannies to make direct and individual agreements. The facility to make such bespoke agreements has proved a real challenge to the traditional confinement nanny business.
The better quality nannies are often keen to make their own arrangements, often contrary to the interests and protocols of the company they work for. At the same time, while hiring a nanny through a private deal – missing out the cost of paying a middleman – can be cheaper, it can also leave clients feeling insecure. In the case of a Ms Lu, for instance, who hired a nanny through just such a private deal, she found that the arrangement ultimately failed to safeguard the interests of both the baby and the nanny. In the case of any dispute, she felt that any resolution would have proved difficult.
Chen Guo, the Chief Executive of Putiguo, however, believes that his platform allows nannies to take on their own work, while both parties are still clear as to exactly what is on offer. He said: "We provide a level of reassurance by ensuring service standards and monitoring performance." In effect, clients pay for this reassurance, while the platform operator does not charge a traditional commission fee.
As well as matching clients with nannies, another advantage of using O2O platforms is their facility to set service standards. Explaining his company's strategy, Chen said: "We market via WeChat, then offer our support services through the same intermediary."
A popular social media channel, WeChat is said to easily facilitate the screening process. Once a nanny is selected and a contract signed, the full package of standard services is then also delivered via the app.
Once employed, the nanny is required to make daily records of the baby's progress via the app. This includes details of temperature, bowel movements and sleep. This enables the company's support staff to remotely assess the health of the baby, promptly alerting the nanny of any potential concerns and, when required, providing additional guidance.
According to Chen, some 40% of Putiguo's clients come as the result of referrals, despite the growing number of O2O platforms in the sector. In spite of the increasingly competitive nature of the market, the success of its model and the wider uptake of its services has seen Putiguo raise the average charge for one of its nannies by 30% year-on-year. This is seen as a sure sign of both the robust nature of the market and as an endorsement of its particular operating model.
Li Nan, Special Correspondent, Beijing


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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The brand for "Hard Rock" will appear in the pool of the hotel under construction on the oceanfront that formerly was the Desert Inn, labeled one of the dirtiest hotels in the US.
And while the new hotel will carry the Hard Rock brand, it won't quite have the woeww factor of Hard Rock's must-see destinations in Tampa, Orlando and Hollywood. Still it will have some of the basic amentiities of the Hard Rock, minus the big-name concert acts, of course.
And i comes at a price that has left a sour taste in the mouth of some locals because it means further reduction of beach driving as a give-away by the county in exchange for a hoped-for boost in tourism. And that is something County Council members agreed in a unanimous vote earlier this yerar was a sacrifice worth making to see the project through.
And earlier on this Wedneaday afternoon, came word politicians and tourism officials alike were waiting on.
“From the gorgeous beaches to the NASCAR races that draw in hundreds of thousands of people each year, we’re thrilled to bring our product to visitors and locals alike in Daytona Beach,” Marco Roca, executive vice president of global hotel development at Hard Rock International, said in the company’s formal announcementm, released to Central Florida media outlets."


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Hybrid Solar Wind Market Trends Global Industry Analysis
Hybrid Solar Wind Market Trends Global Industry Analysis, Top Manufacturers, Share, Growth, Opportunities and Forecast to 2024
Decreasing wind and solar component cost associated with increasing clean fuel energy demand will drive the global hybrid solar wind market size. The component manufacturing cost has witnessed a significant price drop since 2012, owing to technological advancement. Hybrid Solar Wind Market size is expected to reach USD 1.47 billion by 2024, according to a new research report.
Developing interest for dependable power combined with strict government standards to decrease carbon impressions will additionally compliment the business standpoint. Developed countries driven by the U.S. has acquainted different activities with advance vitality preservation and decrease greenhouse outflows.
High initial costs and lack of awareness may restrain industry demand over the next few years. Grid connected hybrid solar wind market size was valued over USD 190 million in 2015 and is predicted to grow at over 10% by 2024. Low installation cost, feed in tariff and net metering are some of the advantages offered by grid connected system.
Key insights from the report include:
U.S. hybrid solar wind market size was valued at USD195 million in 2015 and is estimated to reach over USD 300 million by 2024.Government incentives such as tax rebate and increasing emphasis on renewable energy have encouraged regional industry growth.
India is set to exceed 30MW in installation by 2024 and is estimated to grow at over 20% CAGR during forecast period. Government initiatives toward rural electrification and initiatives to promote sustainable energy will drive the hybrid solar wind market size.


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As one of the fastest-growing economies in ASEAN, Vietnam has set out on a journey to transform into a smarter IoT nation. Hanoi is among one of three major Vietnamese cities that have transformed into digital and interconnected urban areas. With the launch of Vietnam’s first IoT Innovation Hub in Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi in 20191, the city has continued to intensify its efforts in adoption of digital and tech solutions that are fundamental to accelerating sustainable urban development.
“Leveraging MediaTek’s AI IoT system-on-chip (SoC) platform, we are collaborating with global companies such as Arrow to provide AI technology solutions and technical support on the implemented IoT applications to improve how the people of Vietnam work and play,” said Miles Sun, general manager of Corporate Sales, Asia & Africa, MediaTek.”
Aiming to achieve net-zero emissions in the transport sector by 2050, Vietnam has recently introduced national policies including tax incentives and subsidies to promote electric vehicle development2. The local transportation industry is ramping up EV production capacity with an expected goal of reaching 3.5 million vehicles by 2040.
Power electronics is a critical part of electrified powertrain in EVs, supplying and controlling the current and voltage throughout the drive system, including motor control, energy management, and charging speed. Wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors such as SiC and GaN are poised to revolutionize power applications and EV innovations. The ability to design and manufacture WBG-enabled devices will allow automotive innovators and engineers to develop EV solutions, helping to deliver superior reliability, performance, and energy efficiency than the current technology.
“It’s an exciting and critical time to be innovators in the automotive industry. Leveraging innovated technologies on vehicle battery system, high-speed video link, audio signal transmission and processing, we look forward to working with Arrow to accelerate vehicle electrification and boost EV industry in Vietnam,” said Edward Chen, marketing director for AP JC Automotive Business and China Business Unit of Analog Devices.
At the seminar, engineering experts from Arrow and major technology suppliers introduced a wide range of AIoT and EvTech products and solutions, including:
- Analog Devices‘ battery management system (BMS)
- Diodes’ IoT and EV solution
- ECS‘s modern EV and IoT
- Exascend‘s flash technology for high-performance and computing in AIoT and EvTECH
- MediaTek‘s Genio IoT and Genius at the Edge
- Silicon Labs’ secure, intelligent wireless technology
- TE Connectivity‘s EV solution
- Texas Instruments‘ solution for electrification and AIoT
- Toshiba‘s semiconductors including discrete devices, references design/ Eval Boards
- Yageo‘s one-stop solution
“Next-generation electronics and digital technologies are advancing electrification of transportation and shaping the digital future. We are excited to bring in our global network of technology suppliers a range of advanced AIoT and EV technologies to the Vietnamese market. We look forward to driving best-in-class IoT and EV technologies and adopting best practices while helping our technology customers address the challenge of carbon neutrality,” said Natarajan MM, Arrow Electronics’ vice president of South Asia.
1 Vietnam’s first IoT Innovation Hub launched (Source: http://english.mic.gov.vn/Pages/TinTuc/138857/Vietnam-s-first-IoT-Innovation-Hub-launched.html)
2 2022 International Council on Clean Transportation (Source: https://theicct.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ldv-asia-using-policy-and-regulation-to-pave-way-for-two-wheeler-electrification-in-vietnam-mar22.pdf )
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Arrow Electronics
Arrow Electronics guides innovation forward for over 210,000 leading technology manufacturers and service providers. With 2022 sales of $37 billion, Arrow develops technology solutions that improve business and daily life. Learn more at FiveYearsOut.com.


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German luxury car giant BMW has unveiled its new car model that changes colour at the CES 2022. The BMW iX Flow car was unveiled at the event that changes colour with just the touch of a button. The car has a unique technology built-in that allows changing colour with the push of a button. “We are bringing personalisation to unforeseen levels,” the BMW said at the launch.
“You choose the clothes you wear, you chose your social media status and now you can choose the colour of your car,” the BMW said.
The German automaker has not revealed much details of the technology but a video of the new model was shared on social media. Taking to Twitter, the BMW shared a clip of the new car model. The clip shows the BMW iX appearing in a dark grey shade while transitioning to white.
Besides changing colour, this luxurious car also has other interesting features. “If you have lost your car in the parking lot then we can make it flash so you can detect it in your peripheral vision,” the BMW said.
“The third benefit is functional. By changing colour, we can change sunlight reflection and thus change the thermal properties of the car. we can essentially change the colour of our car to support our sustainability goals,” the BMW said in the announcement.


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IPOH - The price of banana leaves has gone up by 50 per cent to RM3 (S$1.14) per kilo against RM2 last year.
The leaves which are used in the making of nian gao, a Chinese New Year sweet delicacy, saw a surge in demand since a week ago.
Nian gao maker Oh Cheng Guan, 78, said the recent floods had destroyed banana trees, resulting in a shortage of the leaves and pushing up the price.
"There is always a surge in demand for the leaves in the run-up to Chinese New Year.
"The leaves are used to line the metal moulds for the nian gao mixture (ground glutinous rice and sugar), which is steamed for 18 hours until it achieves a soft texture and is golden brown in colour.
"The banana leaves are the best and safest lining and can withstand long hours of steaming," Oh explained.
He has been making and selling nian gao here for more than 60 years.
Nian gao (which means achieving greater heights in the new year in Mandarin) is a much sought-after delicacy and is believed to bring good tidings, too.
Oh said his nian gao was priced at RM20 per kilo, and came in three sizes to cater to the customers' demand.
He said his customers buy the delicacy for consumption, prayers and to use as gifts.
"Nian gao is a much sought-after traditional delicacy but sales have slowed down a bit this year," he added.


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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Home Diagnostics, Inc. on Monday announced the pending launch of its new blood glucose test strip platform called TRUEtest.
“The development of our new TRUEtest strip platform has been a major effort for us and the upcoming launch of our no-coding meters will mark a significant technological advance that will greatly benefit people with diabetes,” stated Richard Damron, Jr., HDI president and chief executive officer. “With this upcoming product platform, we are continuing to deliver on our promise of providing people with diabetes and our business partners with high-quality, cutting-edge products at affordable prices.”
According to the company, TRUEtest strips will utilize no-coding technology that automatically calibrates with the company’s upcoming TRUEresult and TRUE2go blood glucose meters. Home Diagnostics’ TRUEresult meter will offer advanced performance features while TRUE2go will be the world’s smallest monitor for on-the-go testing. The company expects to launch these products, the latest additions to the TRUE product line of diabetes testing supplies, in the second half of 2008 following clearance from the Food and Drug Administration.
The new no-coding technology of TRUEtest strips will eliminate the need for users to code their TRUEresult and TRUE2go meters with each new box of test strips. This enhancement reduces the risk of inaccurate glucose results caused by miscoding or failure to change the code when a new box of test strips is used.


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- U.S. convenience stores will soon see 24-ounce, single-serve cans of Tecate Titanium 7.5% ABV on shelves in February, according to Foodbev Media.
- Heineken says that the brand is aiming to capitalize on the continually growing popularity of Mexican imports in the U.S., as well as the growth of high-strength beers in convenience stores.
- "Our core target, Hispanic c-store shoppers, are currently underserved by existing high-ABV options as they are 13% less likely to have purchased than the average shopper and have spent 30% less on the segment. We are offering a superior liquid at a competitive price point, in a segment our shopper target is familiar with," Belen Pamukoff, Tecate brand director, said.
For years, major beer producers have seen slumping sales as Americans move away from domestic lagers in favor of Mexican imports, craft beers and spirits. But recently, even craft beer — which used to be the golden child of the beer industry — seems to have reached a saturation point with consumers foregoing brand loyalty in favor of trying the new products that are finding their way into store coolers.
But there are some exceptions. Consumers have been flocking to Mexican beer, which has continued to see strong sales. And high-alcohol content beer is also becoming popular. With the release of its new high-ABV Tecate, Heineken is hoping to tap into these two popular segments simultaneously in specific stores. According to Nielsen data cited by Heineken, 6.5%+ ABV products are growing 10.1% and singles cans are growing 11.6% in the the c-store channel.
At the same time, brewers who produce Mexican beer have been doing well. Constellation’s portfolio of Mexican beers continues to grow margins and market share. Its Modelo and Corona brand families have helped boost its earnings when other brands in its portfolio have struggled. But total American beer shipments in the U.S. declined 1.3% in 2017, led by sharp drops among flagship products including Budweiser (-6.8%), Coors Light (-4.1%), Miller Lite (-2.8%) and the most popular U.S. brand, Bud Light (-5.7%).
With American beer struggling, it seems that a Mexican beer was a good investment for Heineken. South-of-the-border flavors are finding a permanent place in the American palate. According to Constellation Brands, approximately 36 million Hispanics of legal drinking age lived in the U.S. in 2016. That number is expected to grow to 46 million by 2025.
This is good news for the beer industry because Mexican consumers generally prefer beer over other alcoholic beverages, according to a report from The Brewers Association. Plus, since Mexican consumers are more traditional in their preferences, there is a good chance that more traditional brands will be able to gain back some of their market share by catering to this emerging demographic.
Even among non-Hispanic Americans, Mexican beer is taking off. But Constellation Brands still controls 90% of the premium beer. Other manufacturers like AB InBev are also doubling down on their investments in Mexican beer with Anheuser-Busch InBev's Mexican unit, Grupo Modelo, building a $755 million brewery and bottling plant about 55 miles northeast of Mexico City that is set to open in March.
With all these other brands looking to sell Mexican beer, it’s no surprise that Heineken is hoping to take part in this growing market. But it is interesting that it is partnering its ramp up efforts with single-serve cans. AB InBev has also chosen to jump into the single-serve market by adding 7-ounce bottles to their Michelob Ultra brand, the fastest-growing beer in the country during the last few years. Depending on where the price point of Tecate Titanium falls, these single-serve portions of high alcohol beer could be viewed by customers as an attractive way to get the best bang for a buck. Especially now that convenience stores are edging into supermarket territory, it could be wise for Heineken to launch its newest beer through this platform.


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VR poised to transport fans from couch to front row
Someday in the not-too-distant future, when your favorite team reaches the Final Four or the Super Bowl, this is how you'll watch the game:
You'll purchase a virtual ticket, put on your 3D virtual reality headset and settle into your "front row" seat for an immersive experience that will make you feel as if you're mere feet from the action while you're sitting on your couch, hundreds of miles from the arena or stadium.
You'll hear the television play-by-play announcers but also the ambient crowd noise. You'll control what you want to see, not what the network's cameras make you see.
Turn your head to the left or right and check out the corporate CEO or movie star sitting "next" to you in the front row. Gaze up into the crowd. Zoom in on your favorite player for an entire series of plays. Watch your own instant replays.
"You can be anywhere in the world and you can feel like you're in the front row of a Bucks game or a Celtics game or whatever," said Jeff Jonas of Shorewood, the chief commercial officer for Voke, a California-based company that is at the forefront of virtual reality-based viewing of live events.
If you think your 65-inch smart TV with 4K resolution is the ultimate way to watch a game, well, you ain't seen nothing yet.
Voke's media platform utilizes synchronized 180-degree stereoscopic cameras installed in front-row seats and at other vantage points in the stadium or arena. The camera "pods" function almost as eyes, letting the VR headset wearer see anything in the field of view at any time.
"We're capturing the whole panoramic feed and we're stitching it live," Jonas said. "So now you get to digitally control that experience. In normal broadcasts, the cameraman has to focus wherever the director wants the camera. This is unmanned. It's capturing everything all the time. So now in that unmanned environment, you get to digitally zoom, pan and do whatever you want."
This is all in the early stages of development. As Jonas said, "The VR market wasn't even there a year ago." But it's coming, just as surely as radio made way for television and bulky desktop PCs begat laptops, which begat tablets.
The technology already is available. Voke has partnerships with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Sacramento Kings and earlier this season VR live-streamed a Kings game to India (where Kings owner Vivek Ranadive was born).
"High-definition started in sports," Jonas said. "No one had HD TV sets. All of a sudden the broadcasters started broadcasting stuff in HD and people would see it in the store and they were like, 'I've got to have that.' So now we all have these huge sets. The same thing eventually is going to happen to VR. It's going to start in sports. It's going to trickle down and eventually everybody is going to have it.
"At least, that's what I think. That's what I'm betting on."
Jonas, 47, a graduate of Shorewood High School, was so convinced that virtual reality was the future that he left Sportvision after 16 years to join Voke. At Sportvision, he helped bring a number of technological advancements to television, including the yellow first-down line in football.
Jonas isn't the only one betting on virtual reality. Two years ago, Mark Zuckerberg bought headset maker Oculus VR, a partner of Voke's, for more than $2 billion, though at the time the company had zero revenue.
"When you put (an Oculus headset) on, you enter a completely immersive, computer-generated environment, like a game or a movie scene or a place far away," Zuckerberg wrote in a post on — what else? — Facebook. "People who try it say it's different from anything they've ever experienced in their lives."
It's just a matter of time before Oculus' headset is available to the masses. Samsung's Gear VR already is on the market.
"A couple of things have to change," Jonas said. "The headsets are too big. And to be honest with you the quality of the headset experience isn't as good as it needs to be yet. But that's going to change. People are putting a lot of money into this.
"Once it's easy to use and the content is great, think about the social experience. I can have a buddy in Ohio and we can watch a Packers game together; you can be sitting next to him, watching and interacting."
Voke also is developing a VR app for smartphones. Jonas said a user likely would watch the linear feed on television and supplement the viewing experience with his or her phone, which he likened to a "magic window."
The VR applications are limitless: concerts (singer Ricky Martin is on Voke's board), Hollywood awards shows (imagine sitting next to Leonardo DiCaprio at the Oscars), gaming, education, security. But Jonas thinks the impetus for growth will come from sports events.
Voke won't be able to spend hundreds of millions on content rights but would partner with leagues and media entities to offer the VR experience. Users would buy virtual tickets from the rights-holders.
"People are spending $20,000 for a ticket to the Super Bowl to be in the front row," Jonas said. "What's a virtual ticket worth? Five percent of that? Fifty percent? I don't know."
The leagues and rights-holders stand to make millions, if not billions, from virtual ticketing. You think they're not on board?
Which begs the question: Why buy a ticket to actually attend the game when you can buy a virtual ticket and enjoy an immersive front-row experience from the comfort of your home?
That's the concern with every new viewing technology that comes along. But despite the proliferation of means and devices to watch games — cable and satellite TV, computers, tablets, cellphones — stadiums and arenas are still sold out.
Jonas said the virtual reality experience can't replace being in the arena, but "it comes as close as anybody has come so far. You put your headset on and you almost forget you're not there."
Hmm. Sounds like the perfect marketing catchphrase.
VR: Forget you're not there.
Send email to email@example.com


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The Annual Jacksonville Light Boat Parade is happening November 26th!
- November 8, 2022
A Jacksonville holiday tradition is making its return to Thanksgiving weekend. The City of Jacksonville is excited to announce the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 6:00pm on the St. Johns River.
The Jacksonville Light Boat Parade has been a holiday tradition for more than 30 years. Vessels of all shapes and sizes adorn their hulls with festive decorations as they float along the north and south banks of the St. Johns River. Residents and visitors alike gather downtown along the North and Southbank Riverwalks including Riverfront Plaza to witness this magical event. Following the parade, the evening concludes with a beautiful fireworks show featuring the one-of-a-kind waterfall fireworks on the Main Street and Acosta Bridge.
Participants will be judged on overall look and decoration composition.
Judging categories: Vessels under 30'; Vessels 30' and over; Sailboat; and Corporate
The 2022 Light Boat Parade will feature The 904 Pop Up from 4:00pm - 9:00pm at Riverfront Plaza! The 904 Pop Up will be curating Jacksonville's largest Small Business Saturday event featuring 15 food trucks, over 200 local creatives, makers, artists, and more.
Click here to visit the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade Facebook Page.


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2014 Mercedes Benz S Class: All you need to know and see before it’s launch
The official launch of 2014 Mercedes Benz S Class is less than two days away. But, before the launch takes place, details have been revealed via brochure which was leaked online last week, while the car itself was revealed via scaled model. Mercedes Benz too have played their part, as they released an official teaser video.
Apart from this, a scaled model of the new S Class has also been revealed which gives a clear look of what the new S Class will look like (credit to WorldCarFans). It portrays a chiseled exterior body along with attractive interior designs.
From the brochure, it seems that the new Mercedes Benz S Class sits on the same wheelbase measuring 3,035 mm while the vehicle itself measures 5,116 mm long, 1,899 mm wide, and 1,496 mm tall which means that the W222 is 28mm wider, 25mm lower and 20mm longer than the W221 currently available.
Technology on board the upcoming S Class is in the form of two 12.3 inch TFT screens on its instrument panel while a state of the art climate control system permits active perfuming and filtering of cabin air. The vehicle will also sport heated arm rests.
Engine specifications will include the S350 fitted with a 3.0 liter V6 turbo diesel engine capable of 258 ps power while the S500 will sport a 4.7 liter turbocharged V8 gasoline engine offering 455 ps power. The S400 hybrid will have a 3.5 liter gasoline V6 along with an electric motor capable of 306 ps power.
Email - [email protected]


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Including today, there are NINE shopping days left before Christmas. And retailers are nervously hoping sales pick up in these final few days.
Exhibit A: Beginning today, Sears is holding a 72-hour sale, offering discounts on a large number of items, in order to draw reluctant shoppers into the store.
Some of the discounts include 50-70 percent off jewelry and a Panasonic 42-inch plasma HDTV for $699.
Know of any other stores offering bigger discounts? Are you one of those shoppers who are waiting for bigger discounts as we get closer to Christmas?