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Fallen Earth will be bringing the appocolypse to open beta beginning August 17, 2009. Players wanting to get a peak at the game can register for their open beta slot on FilePlanet starting on August 14. Those who choose to preorder Fallen Earth from Direct2Drive will not only receive a guaranteed open beta slot, but will also receive an in-game mount, the Wasteland Runner, and early access to the game five days prior to launch.
Those who pre-order Fallen Earth at Direct2Drive get an exclusive in-game mount-the Wasteland Runner-which has four more points of defensive skills, 2500 more Stamina and six more pack slots than other horses. Additionally, pre-orders receive a guaranteed spot in the Open Beta and a five-day head start in the game, beginning September 4.
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our Fallen Earth Game Page.


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Medical device company ResMed looks to expand its software-as-a-service business through a recently announced acquisition.
San Diego-based ResMed on Nov. 5 stated it would pay $750 million for MatrixCare, maker of post-acute care software for more than 15,000 providers of skilled nursing, senior living and similar service. MatrixCare’s offerings span leads and referral management, claims processing, payroll and nutrition management, tied into electronic health records.
ResMed said MatrixCare will complement software-as-a-service offerings from two other companies it acquired: Brightree and Healthcarefirst. ResMed is known for digitally streaming medical devices for sleep disorders, namely sleep apnea.
“With our portfolio including Brightree, Healthcarefirst, and MatrixCare, we will streamline transitions of care, creating better outcomes for patients, caregivers, and out-of-hospital healthcare providers,” said ResMed CEO Mick Farrell.
MatrixCare’s 2018 net revenue is estimated to reach $122 million, with $30 million in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA.
After closing, the acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principals) gross margin and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, according to ResMed.
MatrixCare will operate as a standalone business within ResMed, and MatrixCare CEO John Damgaard will continue in his current role, reporting to ResMed’s Raj Sodhi, according to ResMed.

domain: news


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MediaTek dismisses rumors of 10nm supply cuts
TSMC on track to fulfill chip orders in Q1 2017
A recent report from Chinese-based Economic Daily News claimed that MediaTek would be slashing orders for its upcoming ten-core, 10-nanometer chips by at least 50 percent. Now, the company has publicly dismissed the rumor, saying it was not the source.
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Under Armour doesn't blame or thank the weather
Under Armour Inc.’s stocks skyrocketed following the results of its fourth-quarter earnings — and the Baltimore sportswear maker’s share prices continue to far outpace its competitors’ stocks.
Under Armour’s stock ballooned 23 percent in the days after its earnings were released. The stock reached an all-time high of $108.64 Jan. 31.
Under Armour’s stock prices started the new year at $86, and they have remained above the company’s competitors since then. Nike Inc.’s stocks have fallen from $78 to $70 during the past month. And Columbia Sportswear Co.’s stock have fluctuated between $72 and $80 since 2014 began.
Under Armour posted a strong fourth quarter. The company grew its fourth quarter profit 28 percent, driven by sales of ColdGear, fleece and shoes. Under Armour saw a profit of $64 million, or 59 cents per share.
The company has traditionally relied on weather to boost its sales. But the company’s Chief Financial Officer Brad Dickerson said that’s not the case anymore. A cold winter helps, but it won’t make or break sales in a quarter.
The company saw apparel sales increase 25 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 during a warm winter. In quarter four of 2013, apparel sales were up 35 percent. Dickerson said the weather did not account for the 10 percent difference.
“The impact of weather is less and less on our organization,” Dickerson said. “We definitely realize that there’s some tailwind to weather.”
Life on the sidelines isn’t cheap
The cost of being a Baltimore Ravens cheerleader.
Cheerleaders’ pay per game. Captains make $125.
Percentage of hair and makeup costs the Ravens cover
Number of bikini calendars each female cheerleader must buy and sell
Profit cheerleaders make per calendar sold
Number of hours in shift for one game performance
Price per cheerleader for event appearances
Number of excused absences from rehearsals permitted per year
Source: Deadspin; 2009 Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders Rules and Regulations guide
Sarah covers hospitality/tourism, minority business, marketing and new media
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Microsoft has released an update for Internet Explorer 7 designed to reduce the amount of processor power that the application demands.
Steve Reynolds, Internet Explorer program manager at Microsoft, explained that the problem centred on IE7's phishing filter.
When users attempt to open a web page with a large number of frames, the phishing filter causes the browser to take up unusually high amounts of processor power.
"This occurs when the phishing filter evaluates the page for each [frame] navigation, resulting in multiple simultaneous evaluations for each page," said Reynolds.
The update is currently available for all users. However, Reynolds said that only Windows Vista currently downloads the browser though the built-in Windows Update component. Other users will have to manually download the update from Microsoft.
Since IE7 was launched in October it has largely been the phishing filter's accuracy, not its processor use, which has come under fire.
A November study by Carnegie Melon University reported that IE7 failed to block more than 30 per cent of phishing sites tested.
In September a study funded by Microsoft reported that the browser blocked more phishing sites than Firefox 2.0, although Mozilla later issued a counter-study claiming that Firefox had superior phishing detection.
Microsoft curbs IE7's CPU appetite
By Shaun Nichols, vnunet on Feb 2, 2007 9:49AM


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THE REAL ROAD RACER
23 Apr 2012 News
Cameron Donald is one of our finest ever TT exports — he could also be our last.
Honda supports plan to deregister cars with faulty Takata airbags
Honda Australia is calling for regulatory support to compel owners to have potentially deadly airbags replaced
Inside Wheels August 2017, ON SALE 27th OF JULY!
Our Ferrari 812 Superfast test drive kicks off our tribute to the Prancing Horse’s 70th anniversary
In Gear: Our pick of awesome gadgets in April
Our picks of the most awesome automotive-related gear we found in April


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Photos show desolate scenes in Laredo as coronavirus lockdown goes into effect
The COVID-19 pandemic has had effects both big and small in Laredo, but the most noticeable effect has to have been in downtown Laredo.
What is usually a bustling hub of commerce, with shoppers both from Mexico and the U.S., has become deserted in light of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting restrictions that have been instituted to curb the spread of the disease.
On March 19, City Council adopted a mandatory lockdown on all public and private gatherings of 10 or more people. The following day, the U.S. and Mexico governments announced restrictions on non-essential travel on the U.S.-Mexico border.
What would follow is a simplification of life, with a majority of residents limiting their time outside of their homes.
Click through the gallery above to see scenes from around Laredo as the coronavirus lockdown went in effect.


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Last week saw the launch of the first commercial Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) services, but most operators are likely to take a cautious approach as they face technical and business challenges.
U.S. operator MetroPCS as well as SK Telecom and LG Uplus in South Korea will be the first to offer VoLTE services.
“It is the crystallization of all of what we have been working on in the last two years,” said Dan Warren, director of technology at industry organization GSM Association, which has lead the work to implement VoLTE.
Eric Ericsson, head of the Mobile Telephony Evolution Program at Ericsson Networks, agrees: “It is proof that VoLTE works. I find it difficult to believe that someone would make a commercial announcement without being fairly sure that it works from a technical standpoint,” he said.
However, take-up of telephony will be slow compared to the roll-out of commercial LTE networks for mobile broadband, which is expected to reach 150 networks by the end of the year, according to industry organization Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA).
Expectations for VoLTE are much lower, according to market researcher Dell’Oro Group.
“There will be up to ten commercial launches next year around various parts of the world. The success or failure at MetroPCS and shortly thereafter Verizon Wireless and what happens in Korea will determine whether the other projects go ahead quickly or slowly,” said Chris DePuy, analyst at Dell’Oro.
For operators, VoLTE has to make sense both technically and financially, and the latter may be a struggle in the short term, according to DePuy.
“The problem with VoLTE is that operators aren’t able to charge more than for current voice services, and therefore carriers are spending money but not getting more revenue; possibly even getting less revenue because voice usage is going down, and it’s very competitive,” said DePuy.
Swedish TeliaSonera was the first to launch a commercial LTE network for mobile broadband in 2009. But when it comes to moving voice to 4G the operator won’t be an early adopter, as it sees few advantages over existing systems, according to Tommy Ljunggren, vice president of system development at TeliaSonera.
“The drivers for us in Europe for implementing VoLTE for economic reasons are not strong. In the long term, and that is in the very long term, it will be easier for us to handle just IP. But producing VoLTE isn’t automatically cheaper than circuit-switched voice,” said Ljunggren.
TeliaSonera will instead continue to rely on CS (Circuit-Switched) Fallback, a mechanism that allows smartphones to access the Internet using LTE and then switch to GSM or 3G when there is an incoming call. So the radios for GSM and 3G as well as LTE don’t have to be turned on at the same time, which increases battery life.
Warren, on the other hand, isn’t a big proponent of CS Fallback.
“I am hoping [the first launches] will give a strong indication that within the next 12 to 18 months operators can take the step directly into VoLTE and not encumber themselves with a CS Fallback launch,” said Warren.
Proponents say VoLTE will result in better voice quality thanks to lower latency and HD Voice becoming a defacto standard. There is nothing in the VoLTE specification that makes implementing HD Voice mandatory, but most operators are still expected to do that, according to Warren.
The improved quality HD Voice offers is possible thanks to AMR-WB (Adaptive Multi-Rate – Wideband), a speech-compression algorithm that doubles the range of voice frequencies transmitted.
To take full advantage of the improvement HD Voice can offer, users also need phones and headsets with good sound quality.
“More and more people are using headsets, and you can really tell that there is a difference in quality. There are lots that are really bad,” said Ljunggren.
However, HD Voice isn’t a VoLTE exclusive, and has already been implemented in over 40 3G networks, according to GSA. Lower connection times should give VoLTE an edge over CS Fallback, but the technology also introduces new potential problems, according to Ljunggren.
That’s because the implementation of VoLTE also means telephony traffic is moved from a circuit-switched world to one where everything is IP-based.
“Previous mobile networks have been optimized for telephony and SMS, while LTE has been optimized for offering broadband connections that are as fast as possible,” said Ericsson.
The challenge is to ensure the quality of the voice service on that data-centric network, including at the edge of a cell or network where the available bandwidth is limited, according to Ericsson. The key to doing that is prioritizing voice over data, he said.
“From the LTE device, telephony is sent using one radio bearer or pipe and data is sent using another pipe, and if a conflict arises, the telephony gets priority,” said Ericsson.
Getting the quality right will be important to operators. The disaster scenario is that the quality and coverage is not as good as the old telephony systems, according to DePuy, who nonetheless is still optimistic about the outlook for the pioneering operators.
“I actually do think they will be successful. Technically it will work,” said DePuy.
The use of traffic prioritization opens up discussions on network neutrality, but Ljunggren isn’t too worried.
“As long as we offer other services the same possibilities to use QoS and priority, I don’t see a problem with using it for VoLTE,” he said.
VoLTE is powered by the IP Multimedia Subsystem framework, the implementation of which also allows operators to roll out over-the-top services such as instant messaging based in turn on a specification called Rich Communication Suite (RCS).
Work on the suite started in 2008, and the goal was to turn IMS into standardized services for operators. IMS had been around for a long time, but due to the framework’s complexity it hadn’t taken off, a situation which RCS was meant to change.
Even though it is off to a slow start, there is a lot of hope in the telecom industry that RCS will help operators develop more attractive offerings and compete with Web-based services, while at the same time potentially delaying the arrival of VoLTE.
“In the past month or so, bundling voice and messaging has become a priority for operators, and that is having somewhat of a delaying effect,” said DePuy.
The combination of VoLTE and RCS will allow users to communicate in new ways, according to Warren. The vision is that they will be able to see who is available, and chat, share files across any device, on any network, with anyone in their address book.
“What I think will be really interesting is the step beyond that when operators expose those capabilities to application developers,” said Warren.
But even if VoLTE works well, it won’t take off until there are a number of great smartphones for users to choose between, including a future version of Apple’s iPhone.
“Handsets will be shipping in small volumes initially, and that is not good for keeping prices low,” said DePuy.
TeliaSonera’s motivation to implement VoLTE isn’t helped by the fact that Europe is behind the U.S. when it comes to rolling out 4G. That has resulted in fewer smartphones and tablets being adapted for the European spectrum bands.
The launches in South Korea and the U.S. are backed by LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics, with smartphones like the Galaxy S III available. It is good news that Samsung is onboard, according to Warren. But when it comes to Apple he isn’t as hopeful.
“When it comes to this kind of technological evolution, Apple isn’t on the bleeding edge. Instead it is relatively cautious,” said Warren.
Together Samsung and Apple own the smartphone market with a 50 percent market share, according to IDC.
Still, the arrival of the first VoLTE services is a really positive step for 4G as a whole, and shows that LTE can become the preeminent technology for all services, according to Warren.
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The South Korean giant is trying to compete with the phones of Chinese companies in the same phone category, but at a cheaper price, according to what it announced about the mobile at the annual Consumer Electronics Show conference, which is currently being held in Las Vegas, USA, and continues until January 8.
Samsung revealed the specifications of its new phone, which has a screen size of 6.4 inches, with a resolution of (1080 x 2400) pixels, and a refresh rate of 120 Hz.
The phone comes with a larger screen than the previous version “S21”, which has a screen size of 6.2 inches, but with a camera and less memory and security features.
The company supports the mobile S21 FE with three cameras, and a primary camera accuracy of 12 mega-pixels, with OIS, with an f / 1.8 lens slot, and a second 8-megapixel telephoto camera, with 3x optical zoom, supported by a front camera for selfie photography, and 32-megapixel video calls .
The new phone comes with an internal storage space of 128 GB for the first version, and 256 GB for the second version.
As for the phone’s processor, it comes from Qualcomm, a Dragon 888 octa-core, Android 12 operating system, a 4500 mAh battery, and 25W fast charging.
The S21 FE phone weighs 177 grams, 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm, and is made of polycarbonate plastic materials with an aluminum frame, and supports two fifth-generation SIM cards, but the phone does not support an external storage memory “memory card”.
According to Samsung, the new phone is scheduled for sale in the market on January 21, at a price of up to $699, which is $100 less than the traditional “S21” phones.
These were the details of the news Samsung launches its new mobile phone S21 FE at a low... for this day. We hope that we have succeeded by giving you the full details and information. To follow all our news, you can subscribe to the alerts system or to one of our different systems to provide you with all that is new.
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Nonfungible token (NFT) market OpenSea has been banning artists and collectors from Cuba, citing United States sanctions as the important thing cause behind its motion.
According to a report revealed by Artnet, 30 artists and collectors have been banned from the favored NFT market till now. Essentially the most famous artist to face the axe consists of well-known Havana-based artists Gabriel Guerra Bianchini and Fábrica de Arte Cubano.
OpenSea market has talked about in its phrases of service that it explicitly prohibits sanctioned people and people in sanctioned jurisdictions. The NFT market’s adhesion to United States sanctions was broadly recognized and included international locations akin to Venezuela, Iran and Syria. Nevertheless, the current blocking of Cuban artists provides the nation to that record as effectively.
“We proceed to holistically consider what different measures should be taken to serve our neighborhood and adjust to relevant regulation,” an OpenSea Spokesperson informed Cointelegraph.
A Twitter profile referred to as NFT Cuba Artwork revealed earlier in December that OpenSea had blocked them from viewing or itemizing their artwork whereas they nonetheless had entry to their wallets. Erich García Cruz, the founding father of Bit Remasa, responded that their NFT collections had been banned too. Cryptocuban founder Gabriel Bianchini added that the way forward for Web3 doesn’t look decentralized.
— GabrielBianchini.ethᵍᵐ (@GGBIANCHINI) December 13, 2022
Other than OpenSea, a number of crypto platforms needed to shut down their companies for Russian prospects within the wake of the brand new European Union sanctions issued after the struggle in Ukraine started earlier this 12 months.
Associated: Proactive sanctions might help spare the ecosystem: Chainalysis exec
Whereas the cryptocurrency ecosystem is constructed on the ethos of decentralization, the vast majority of the intermediaries and corporations facilitating varied companies nonetheless very a lot work like most centralized Web2 firms.
The crypto neighborhood was not more than happy with the auctions of the NFT market and referred to as for an finish to intermediaries. One other person said that there’s a want for actual decentralized platforms that do not care about nationalities
The journalist is a writer and digital nomad. Loves thinking, learning, and writing about all things Web3, particularly its impact on major creative industries.


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Shoprite brings fight against hunger to its doorstep
Issued by Shoprite - May 14th 2018, 11:09
Community food gardens are gearing up to sell their vegetables at selected Checkers stores on Friday (18 May) to raise much-needed awareness ahead of World Hunger Day (28 May).
As part of its broader strategy to fight hunger, the Shoprite Group believes in partnering with local community organisations in the fight against hunger. The Group’s vision is to enable communities to feed themselves in an independent and sustainable manner.
It is the second time that community food gardens will be selling their excess crops at Checkers stores across South Africa.
Lydia Hlophe from Yenzanathi Community Upliftment Programme in Pinetown, Durban looks forward to the interaction with a broader customer base. “Last year the customers were so happy to see us and some even took pictures with us. We were able to share our organisation's story and talk to them about how they can help. Afterwards many even took the time to visit us at our garden's monthly market day,” she explains.
The money generated by sales will go towards supporting the children who normally benefit from the Yenzanathi programme. “Many of the children we work with live in child-headed homes and all the money raised through this initiative will go towards helping them. Every customer can help and their support will be greatly appreciated.”
Another second-time participant is the Suthani Community Garden from Alexandra, Johannesburg. “We’re very excited about this opportunity as it is a great way for us to market our garden,” says Kenneth Sibiya.
Kenneth is one of the four pensioners who started Suthani (Isizulu for “well fed”). With support from Shoprite, the garden now grows enough vegetables to sell to the local community. “In addition to buying our vegetables, we also invite members of the public to visit our garden, which we are very proud of,” he adds.
In the Eastern Cape, the Empumelelweni project in the Amothole District’s Goshen Village will participate for the very first time. “We are so excited and look forward to selling our vegetables at the Checkers in Queenstown. Our vegetables are delicious and of the highest quality,” says Mxolisi Mankunti of the Empumelelweni project.
In addition to partnering with sustainable food gardens, the Shoprite Group also makes surplus food from its stores available to verified non-profit organisations whilst its fleet of Mobile Soup Kitchens enables the Group to respond to immediate needs in vulnerable communities.
Transforming the customer retail experience with future fit technology
26/06/2019 - 09:19
Although the South African retail sphere is currently hindered by a slow economy and weak consumer confidence, technology is presenting opportunities to radically transform the customer experience and boost bottom line sales.
New Look losses mount as Brexit, rain keeps shoppers away
26/06/2019 - 09:03
British fashion chain New Look reported a bigger annual pretax loss, hurt by a large charge, while Brexit woes and rainy weather kept many shoppers out of its stores.
Pick n Pay and FoodForward SA aim for 2 million meals with Mandela Day Food Drive
25/06/2019 - 12:57
Pick n Pay and FoodForward SA have launched their third annual Mandela Day Food Drive and invite all South Africans to contribute towards the ambitious goal of collecting 500 tonnes of food – enough to produce two million meals.
Woolworths Beauty goes 100% vegan
25/06/2019 - 09:08
Woolworths is driving the vegan lifestyle into the mainstream in South Africa with its announcement that its WBeauty ranges are 100% vegan. This is in step with worldwide trends, where more and more consumers are turning to veganism, which excludes the consumption of all animal products and products with animal-derived ingredients, as a more ethical lifestyle that is gentler on the Earth.
Kit Kat Group team members join forces to give hope to local communities
25/06/2019 - 08:58
Helping needy local communities has become a cornerstone of the Kit Kat Group’s annual outreach. This year, for the tenth consecutive year, the group has donated blankets that its staff members have handed out to local community members, hospitals and schools. Over 700 blankets are donated annually each winter, providing much-needed warmth to recipients.


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Fifty-three million people, or 44 percent of Internet users and one-quarter of all adults, now say they use online banking, according to a study released Wednesday by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
That is an increase of 47 percent since 2002.
On a typical day, 13 million Americans are performing banking chores online, representing a 58 percent jump from late 2002.
In the nearly five years that the Pew Research Center initiative has been tracking major Internet activities, none has grown faster than online banking.
The rise most likely flows from two major trends.
The first is that as Internet users gain more experience online, they are more likely to perform activities online that involve money, such as online purchases, travel reservations and auctions.
The second trend is that banks themselves have discovered the virtue of online banking and have become more aggressive in offering it as an option to customers. Studies have found that online banking customers are more profitable — they make fewer customer service calls and are less likely to switch banks.
Some key characteristics of online bankers include:
- Broadband and online experience: The spread of online banking has kept pace with the spread of high-speed broadband connections and the increasing maturation of the Internet population.
A full 63 percent of those with broadband at home have tried online banking, compared to 32 percent of those with dial-up connections. Fifty-one percent of those who have more than six years of Internet experience have tried banking online, compared to 27 percent of those with three years or less online experience.
- The rise of GenX: Sixty percent of individuals between the ages of 28 and 39 with Internet connections have tired online banking, compared to 38 percent of wired GenY members (age 18-27) and 25 percent of those with Internet connections.
- Men: Half of men with Internet connections have tried online banking (49 percent) compared with 39 percent of women. Two years ago, the penetration between men and women were virtually the same (31 percent of men, 29 percent of women).
- Higher socio-economic status: Like many other online activities, online banking is seen most often in households with more than $75,000 in income, those who have college and graduate degrees and those in the suburbs. The across-the-board rise, however, did increase the number of online bankers in the working class, rural communities and those without college degrees.
The report did warn that the practice of “phishing,” fraudulent Web sites and e-mails designed to get customers’ bank and credit card information, has the potential to deter customers from banking online.
The report was derived from a survey conducted Nov. 23-30, 2004. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.


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Internet of Things is a growing market worldwide. While the Gartner approximates that around 25 billion connected things worldwide by 2020, a recent report on “Internet of Things: A Revolution in the Making” estimates India to have nearly 2.7 billion connected devices by then. And that’s nearly 10% of the world’s IoT market expected to grow to $15 billion by 2020.
“IoT is all around us with more and more devices being connected to provide comfort, convenience and a great experience to the end user. These positive numbers give a clear picture of the future of IoT in energy efficiency being promising…” says Vishal Bansal, COO and co-founder of Zenatix.
The numbers were clear and the co-founders of Zenatix, Rahul, Vishal and Dr. Amarjeet Singh believed in the power of technology & data and wanted to leverage these to make a meaningful contribution towards a sustainable planet.
They all agreed that energy is an underexplored area and IoT and data analytics can contribute significantly. Launched in December 2013, Zenatix was aimed at disrupting the traditional energy efficiency market by focusing on operational energy efficiency and using technology and advanced data analytics to achieve that.
It was an apt opportunity to scale up and make a large scale contribution to the society.
Zenatix currently provides energy efficiency solutions – WattMan, an IoT based Building Management System (BMS) tailor-made for retail chains and banking set-ups (essentially, anyone who has large number of geographically distributed infrastructure) and help them in reducing their electricity consumption by up to 30%.
Given the distributed nature of retail/ banking set-ups (100s of thousands of outlets/branches, spread across the country), having a control over the electricity spend and providing the right customer experience at the same time is a big challenge.
WattMan addresses these challenges in an automated manner through its cloud based intelligent controls driven by advanced machine learning algorithms. It employs proprietary firmware for performing automatic sensing and control.
Collected data is used to develop machine learning driven models deciding optimal operational settings based on external factors like weather and footfall, thus allowing sophisticated control and saving up to 30% energy.
The team is continuously developing and adding use cases to the products so as to deliver more value to customers, while simultaneously innovating technologies to reduce costs of hardware and improve its robustness.
“We aim to develop more products to address the energy efficiency problem across a range of customers and eventually help electric grids turn smarter” adds Vishal.
IoT is still a nascent industry in India, and consumers adopting to its applications is still a challenge for many in the field. new technology which is changing the way customers consume energy. “While customers clearly see the benefits of our product, there is an adoption curve for any new technology or product. Having the trust of clients like Mother Dairy, Vodafone, SBI, Fabindia is a step closer to our vision” continues Vishal.
Wattman is currently deployed across the country at 750 locations and they are looking at expanding to other customer segments such as large office buildings, large hotels, hospitals, industrial units etc. The company aims to take the count to 5000 locations by August 2018.


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1:05 p.m. April 22, 2018
- By Shibani Mahtani
Suspect in Waffle House shooting was arrested at White House last year Four killed in early-morning shooting near NashvilleA gunman who killed four and wounded four others at a Waffle House outside Nashville on Sunday morning was arrested last summer after he crossed a security barrier at the White House, police said.
1:00 p.m. April 17, 2018
- By MarketWatch
Stocks end at highest level in a month, as earnings drive rallyU.S. stocks rally on Tuesday, with major indexes closing at the highest levels in about a month as the latest round of corporate earnings supported the thesis that valuations were supported by economic activity.
10:56 a.m. April 17, 2018
- By Shawn Langlois
Time to cash in on this crypto, according to the 13-year-old son of a money managerWalk dogs. Open Stash account. Buy cryptos. Profit. Easy, right?
6:21 a.m. April 14, 2018
- By Angela Moore
This retired couple lives for their hobbies — and each other Jim and Kathy splurge on cars and eating out, but are cheap on everything elseJim and Kathy splurge on cars and eating out, but are cheap on everything else
6:20 a.m. April 14, 2018
- By Steve Adcock
13 simple ways to make early retirement easier How to ignore conventional wisdom — and the hatersHow to ignore conventional wisdom — and the haters.
5:17 a.m. April 13, 2018
- By Kari Paul
Darker emoji skin tones promote diversity, not racism, on Twitter The study analyzed a billion tweets.The study analyzed a billion tweets.
12:52 p.m. April 12, 2018
- By Marisa Schultz
Mike Pompeo takes harder line on Russia than his boss CIA director says U.S. needs to send stronger message to Russia Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo contradicted President Trump Thursday, saying that Russia’s “bad behavior” is responsible for tensions with the U.S. and not special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.
7:29 a.m. April 11, 2018
- By Joseph F. Coughlin
Why businesses are so clueless about reaching this huge demographic It’s not the consumer that’s stodgyProduct developers and marketers are missing out on a vast untapped market because of an outdated narrative.
4:03 p.m. April 1, 2018
- By Andrea Riquier
These housing markets are going to the dogs, in a good way There’s some rigorous economic analysis in here, not just ruff estimatesDog parks don’t just contribute to well-being of two- and four-legged residents, they may also help boost property values in communities that host them.
5:00 a.m. March 30, 2018
- By MarketWatch
Why stock-market investors should welcome the arrival of AprilThe U.S. stock market is coming off a rough March—the worst month for the Nasdaq in more than two years—but seasonal trends indicate that investors should have plenty to look forward to with the coming of spring.
1:54 p.m. March 29, 2018
- By Jacob Passy
This is exactly when to list your home if you’re selling it and this airline is exploring in-flight gyms Thursday's top personal finance stories Thursday's top personal finance storiesThursday's top personal finance stories
6:02 a.m. March 26, 2018
- By Claire Tsosie
How to save money on Disneyland—tips from the pros Because all that magic can add upA vacation to a Disney park is expensive, but you can cut costs. Experts tell us how.
5:47 a.m. March 22, 2018
Conagra posts higher profit despite rising costsConagra Brands Inc., the maker of Hunt's ketchup and Slim Jim meat snacks, said it expects a higher annual profit this year despite rising costs for ingredients and shipping. For its fiscal year ending in May, Conagra projects adjusted earnings of up to $2.05 per share, up from previous guidance of around $1.89 per share.
11:26 a.m. March 17, 2018
- By Elizabeth Stewart
10 things your kids don’t want to inherit How to get rid of these things if you’re downsizingYour grown children will not agree to be the recipients of your collections of stuff.
10:08 a.m. March 14, 2018
- By Leslie Albrecht
As the cost of dog cloning drops, here’s which breeds lead the pack These pampered pooches are popular choices for cloningThese pampered pooches are popular choices for cloning.
3:30 a.m. March 13, 2018
- By Brett Oswalt
Where the smart upset picks are lurking on your NCAA tournament bracketWhether you’re just starting your bracket or restructuring it after some extensive research, it’s important to keep some more overarching concepts in mind. A lot are based on historical results and the probability of those events happening this time around.
5:01 a.m. March 9, 2018
- By Gregory Karp
How to bring a dog on a plane—if you must No, you can’t buy them a seatThe cost, paperwork, rules and regulations for flying Fido vary among airlines. Here’s how to prepare.
12:08 a.m. March 5, 2018
- By Jeff Reeves
5 ETFs that nervous investors can use as insurance against a stock-market crash Jeff Reeves highlights some ways to preserve capitalThese may not make you lots of money, but you might want them to preserve capital, writes Jeff Reeves.
6:12 a.m. March 1, 2018
- By Chuck Bolotin
Why health care in Latin America is better for retirees Personal medical experiences from expatsApproaching 60, this expat explains why he prefers health care in Mexico over the U.S.
4:17 a.m. Feb. 28, 2018
- By Anatole Kaletsky
The market dogs that didn’t bark Stocks plunged, but oil prices, bond prices and currencies were calmThe correction in the stock market probably doesn’t mean the end of the bull market, because of the dogs that didn’t bark, writes Anatole Kaletsky.
7:04 a.m. Feb. 24, 2018
- By Tonya Garcia
General Mills is making an $8 billion gamble on pet food, but it may pay off Shoppers spent $20 billion on pet care in 2017, with dog food making up half the spend, according to Nielsen dataGeneral Mills Inc. is taking a risk with its $8 billion acquisition of Blue Buffalo Pet Products Inc., its first foray outside of food for human consumption, but feeding animals could bring a welcome sales boost, analysts said Friday.
2:27 a.m. Feb. 23, 2018
- By Carla Mozee
General Mills buying pet foods maker Blue Buffalo in $8 billion cash deal General Mills Inc. said Friday it's purchasing pet foods maker Blue Buffalo Inc. for $40 a share in cash, or roughly $8 billion. General Mills said the deal will immediately add to its net sales growth and operating margin profile, and is expected to be neutral to cash per-share earnings in fiscal 2019. Shares of Blue Buffalo jumped 17% in premarket trade Friday. "The $30 billion U.S. pet food market is generating consistent 3%-4% growth and is highly attractive for retailers," General Mills said in a statement. Blue Buffalo makes natural food and treats for dogs and cats. "The wholesome natural market represents approximately 10% of the pet food market in volume and approximately 20% in value," said General Mills. The deal is expected to close by the end of the General Mills's fiscal 2018.
3:15 p.m. Feb. 20, 2018
- By Bob Fredericks
Trump Jr. ‘likes’ tweets undermining credibility of Florida school-shooting survivorsDonald Trump Jr. “liked” a pair of tweets attacking a teen survivor of the mass school shooting in Florida that left 17 people dead — including one that suggests the boy was a fabrication of the “mainstream media.”
6:44 a.m. Feb. 20, 2018
- By Quentin Fottrell
I take care of my father — shouldn’t he leave his estate to me instead of my sister? This woman cooks all her father’s meals and drives him to appointmentsThis woman cooks all her father’s meals and drives him to appointments.
6:30 a.m. Feb. 16, 2018
- By Jay Newton-Small
This woman got an inside look at a dementia unit An unusual Entrepreneur-in-Residence programShe spent a week living in a locked dementia unit. This is what she learned.
4:50 a.m. Feb. 14, 2018
- By Rachel Koning Beals
Flynn, a bichon frise, is this year’s top dog at WestminsterA bichon frise named Flynn topped over 2,800 dogs late Tuesday to win best in show at the 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York.
5:51 a.m. Feb. 13, 2018
- By Marilyn Lewis
The latest home design trends are going to the dogs One community has a canine conciergeDesigners are adding dog parks, dog concierges, dog elevators, and more to make sure dogs feel right at home.
6:12 a.m. Feb. 8, 2018
- By Jacob Passy
Does Amazon Prime’s 2-hour free food shipping make it a better deal than Costco? Amazon Prime members now can get two-hour delivery from Whole Foods storesAmazon Prime members now can get two-hour delivery from Whole Foods stores.
7:13 a.m. Feb. 3, 2018
- By Kari Paul
Social justice warriors are coming for your outdoor cat The issue of indoor versus outdoor cats is contentious, especially among bird loversThe issue of indoor versus outdoor cats is contentious, especially among bird lovers.
9:38 a.m. Feb. 1, 2018
- By Tim Mullaney
Fast-growing Amazon should replace sluggish GE in the Dow The last of the original Dow members should leave to make room for the futureWhich American company should replace General Electric in the Dow Industrials? Amazon is the best choice, says Tim Mullaney.
5:26 a.m. Feb. 1, 2018
- By Josh Smith
10 inspiring TED talks to boost your money goals Get motivatedFrom credit to investing, these talks can help you to set financial goals and reach them, too.
2:31 p.m. Jan. 31, 2018
- By Jacob Passy
This is when it’s time to change jobs and global warming could be poisoning your food Wednesday's top personal finance stories Wednesday's top personal finance storiesWednesday's top personal finance stories
7:23 a.m. Jan. 31, 2018
- By Deborah Linder
To understand why our dogs and cats have gotten so fat, look in the mirror Pet obesity is much more about the human-animal bond than the food bowlPet obesity is much more about the human-animal bond than the food bowl.
4:34 a.m. Jan. 31, 2018
- By Tim Mullaney
How to survive the stock market correction you know is coming Investing in the best companies — and the worst — has been a winning strategyInvesting in the best companies — and the worst — has been a winning strategy, writes Tim Mullaney.
1:46 p.m. Jan. 30, 2018
- By Alessandra Malito
No more snakes or, now, peacocks are allowed on airplanes as ‘support animals’ Passengers with animals will need more paperwork before coming on boardPassengers with animals will need more paperwork before coming on board.
6:22 a.m. Jan. 27, 2018
- By 0
Your airline overhead bins may now be reserved An American Airlines memo advises staff that space will be reserved for some carry-on baggageAn American Airlines memo advises staff that space will be reserved for some carry-on baggage.
8:02 a.m. Jan. 23, 2018
- By Chris Farrell
The reality of renting your home when a Super Bowl-sized event comes to town Airbnb hosts in Minneapolis surge as game day approachesIf a big event is coming to your town, you may be rent out your home, but you probably won’t make a fortune.
2:44 a.m. Jan. 23, 2018
- By Maria LaMagna
Trump may hate sharks, but these animals cause more deaths each year It’s not alligators either.It’s not alligators either.
5:13 a.m. Jan. 19, 2018
- By Tom Teodorczuk
Post-Weinstein, Sundance Film Festival grapples with #MeToo The biggest U.S. independent movie festival pledges to address the current reckoning within the industryThe biggest U.S. independent movie festival pledges to address the current reckoning within the industry.
12:11 p.m. Jan. 17, 2018
- By Shawn Langlois
Do CEOs earn too much money? This chart may help answer that questionCost-estimating website HowMuch.net offers some perspective on how a CEO’s pay correlates with the amount of revenue his or her company books


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San Francisco: With an aim to fund its plans to build electric vehicles (EVs), popular automaker Ford is likely planning to cut up to 8,000 jobs over the coming weeks, media reports said.
According to Bloomberg, the layoffs would occur at its Ford Blue unit, recently created to develop vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE), and would affect other salaried positions in the company.
The bulk of cuts are expected to occur in the US, the report said.
In March, CEO Jim Farley restructured the company, dividing it into the Ford Blue and Model E divisions, with the latter dedicated to electric cars and pickups like the Mach E and F150 Lightning.
As part of that, he announced plans to cut $3 billion in costs by 2026, intending to transform Ford Blue into “the profit and cash engine” for the entire company.
“As part of this, we have laid out clear targets to lower our cost structure to ensure we are lean and fully competitive with the best in the industry,” Ford’s CCO Mark Truby was quoted as saying by Bloomberg in a statement.
Ford currently employs around 31,000 salaried US workers, as per the report.
In March, the automaker announced plans to boost electric vehicle spending to $50 billion and plan to build two million EVs by 2026. The company sold just 27,140 EVs stateside last year, but got a significant 76.6 percent boost last month as shipping commenced for the F-150 Lightning.


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The photo is relatively small, but the resolution is good enough that the redesigned flex cable connectors on the iPhone 5S part can be seen. On the iPhone 5, the two connectors supporting the display itself and the touch digitizer are both oriented horizontally, while on the iPhone 5S one is oriented vertically and the other horizontally.
The report suggests that the photo points to mass production of the display assemblies already being underway with the possibility of the device being ready for launch earlier than expected. Mass production of the display was, however, previously rumored to be ramping up this month, and a public launch is expected around the September timeframe alongside the release of iOS 7.
Parts for the iPhone 5S are beginning to leak with increasing frequency, and over the past several days we have shared several photos of the rear shell and internals from an early iPhone 5S prototype, revealing a new A-series chip, a larger capacity battery, and an updated rear camera system with dual-LED flash.


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Ewald Automotive Group Acquires 2 Dealerships in Wisconsin
Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Sept. 25, 2023
The Ewald Automotive Group has acquired the Volkswagen, Buick and GMC franchises located on Main Street in Menomonee Falls, WI, it announced in a news release.
The dealerships will offer the sale of new Volkswagen, Buick and GMC vehicles, as well as certified used cars, trucks and SUVs. There also will be large automobile and truck service repair centers on site, staffed with experienced personnel.
"We are extremely excited to add these brands to our product portfolio in an effort to better serve our customers," said Tom Ewald, managing partner of Ewald Automotive Group. "We look forward to welcoming all of the existing employees to be a part of our 'Top Workplace' Family in the Ewald Automotive Group."
Ewald Volkswagen is located at N88W14060 Main St. in Menomonee Falls; Ewald Buick GMC is next door at N88W14132 Main St. Hours of operation for sales is Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Service and parts departments will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.


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Petrosys PRO is widely used in production teams globally and after discussing their need with regards to well data, we have concentrated our development for PRO 2019.1 on exchanging well log data and have made some major improvements to the display of well data.
We’re getting ready for the release of the up-coming dbMap/Web 2019.1 - here is a sneak preview of a couple of the new features you can expect.
The Petrosys PRO 2018 series has been one of the most action-packed versions of Petrosys PRO software to date. Remind yourself of some highlights.
With the release of Petrosys PRO 2018.3 the PRO 2018 series continues the ongoing objective to develop new functionality and deliver new features into the hands of users as soon as they are ready.
In addition to the traditional way of creating title blocks using CGM files, Petrosys PRO 2018.2, now gives users the option to use an Excel spreadsheet to create and edit title blocks.
The latest release of Petrosys PRO 2018.2 introduces the ability to display data histograms associated to color bars.
Our objective for Petrosys PRO 2018 is ‘Continuing to deliver new functionality and faster workflows’ and with the release of Petrosys PRO 2018.2 at the end of June we are most definitely living up to it!
The Petrosys commitment to value – added agile development continues with the release of Petrosys PRO 2018.2. The first up-date to Petrosys PRO 2018 is a significant up-grade and not just a patch release.


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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 8
The value of export of cars from Turkey to international market in the first 5 months of 2021 has grown, Turkish Ministry of Trade told Trend on June 8.
According to the ministry, in the reporting period this indicator rose by 37.1 percent, compared to the same period of 2020, making up slightly over $12 million.
In May 2021, Turkey exported cars worth more than $1.8 million abroad, which is 56.5 percent growth over the year, the ministry said.
Over the past 12 months (from May 2020 through May 2021), Turkey’s exports of cars amounted to more than $28.8 billion.


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AMG adds aggressive air intakes to the front of the GL63, helping feed its 5.5-liter twin turbo direct injection V-8. That engine produces 550 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque, giving this behemoth a top speed of 174 mph.
Back to 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show
November 28, 2012 9:29 PM PST
Photo by: Josh Miller/CNET
| Caption by: Wayne Cunningham
Conversation powered by Livefyre


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Download GlobalData’s Covid-19 Executive Briefing report
- ECONOMIC IMPACT -
Latest update: 21 October
Many economists have cut their GDP forecasts. The 2020 consensus forecast for GDP growth is currently negative and many predict a recession.
World Trade Organization forecasts the volume of world merchandise trade to shrink by 9.2% in 2020 followed by an estimated rise of 7.2% in 2021.
IMF has revised its 2020 global GDP forecast to -4.4% from an estimate of -4.9% made in June.
The global economy is estimated to contract by 4.2% in 2020 and bounce back by 5.3% in 2021.
Impact of Covid-19 on Travel and Tourism
- SECTOR IMPACT: Travel and tourism -
Latest update: 4 November
International travel impact
GlobalData forecasts that international arrivals into the 62 largest tourism markets will fall by 34.8%
After resuming flights with China, Japan envisages allowing 1,000 business travellers, student and foreign residents to enter per day. (24 September)
The UK, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Belgium have been added to Italy's list of high-risk countries. Covid-19 tests are mandatory for travellers from these nations (7 October).
In Canada, travel restrictions on international travellers has been extended until 31 October (29 September) but borders have been opened for extended family members of Canadians from 8 October onwards (2 October).
Japan is to lift overseas travel restrictions to 12 countries including China, Australia, South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan among others by next month (9 October).
Russia has resumed flights with Serbia and Cuba from 15 October, with South Korea from 27 September, and with Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan from 21 September (19 September).
Key travel and tourism market developments


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It’s almost that time of year again – the most critical period on the Canadian retail shopping calendar. And, as we approach closer to the 2021 holiday shopping season, merchants across the country are gearing up their efforts, refining their services and offerings and prepping their physical and online storefronts to welcome shoppers and realize opportunities to make up for a bit of a shortfall that they’ve suffered over the course of the past year-and-a-half. And, according to PwC’s recently released 2021 Canadian holiday outlook, it seems that conditions leading up to the festive period may be ideal for the fruition of these opportunities and the start of a demand-fuelled recovery. In fact, they are conditions that Myles Gooding, Partner, Global Consumer Markets Advisory Leader, PwC, says are lending to a season that’s more positive than that of 2020.
“The holiday shopping season is much more anticipated by the industry than it was last year,” he says. “We’re really getting a sense that as we continue to emerge from the pandemic and steer clear of economic shutdowns, that the upcoming season is feeling considerably different than 2020. There’s a lot more optimism as consumers are now able to start planning their spending with a bit more certainty. And, many are expecting to spend more on gift-giving and travel than they did last year. It’s all adding up to great news for retailers in the country, providing excellent signs that the trajectories of the economy and consumer sentiment are heading in a positive direction, resulting in quite a bit of excitement and confidence heading into the 2021 holiday shopping season.”
Increased holiday spending
Cause for excitement and optimism, indeed. According to PwC’s outlook, the average Canadian consumer expects to increase their individual holiday spending by 29 percent over last year, represented by an estimated average spend of $1,420. Though these numbers are still below pre-pandemic levels, 11 percent shy of what they were in 2019, it’s still positive news for those operating within the industry. What’s perhaps most interesting about consumer intentions this holiday shopping season, however, is the ways in which they plan to allocate their holiday spending. According to the outlook, Canadians are planning to spend most on gifts for their family and entertaining those closest to them, with an anticipated spend of $768, an increase of 18 percent over last year. In addition, Canadians are expecting to splurge on themselves over the next few months, 76 percent more over 2020, reflected in an outlay of $478 on personal pampering and luxury items. It’s all part of the positivity surrounding the upcoming shopping season, says Gooding, and a result of pent-up consumer demand for experiences and enjoyment.
“We’re already starting to see the demand-fuelled recovery take place as restrictions continue to lift and retailer activity increases,” he says. “It’s supported by a willingness of the Canadian consumer to spend. And, their spending on open venues and events, which is a symbol of pent-up demand and a consumer that’s ready to spend on experiences. It’s obviously the result of the economic uncertainty that’s lingered over the course of the past year-and-a-half – uncertainty that’s correlated to subsequent savings in the wallets of Canadians. So, the money is there. And all indications seem to point to the fact that Canadians are going to spend it this holiday season, in particular the higher earners who have come out of the pandemic period a little more robust with respect to their bank accounts and savings.”
Online shopping behaviour
Though pent-up demand and increases in retail activity across the country over recent months are buoying a sense of enthusiasm among retailers and industry observers, it’s paramount that they understand how their consumers are intending to shop in order to realize the full potential of the upcoming holiday shopping season. PwC’s outlook projects that lingering health and safety concerns associated with the pandemic will continue to influence consumer behaviour. And, combining their ever-growing penchant for convenience and cost-savings with their desire to shop seamlessly across channels, the need for retailers to align their online and physical offerings is going to be critical in order to attract consumer spending.
In fact, according to the outlook, Canadian consumers plan to split their holiday spending evenly, with 52 percent projected to occur online and 48 percent in physical retail settings. And, although home delivery will continue to be the primary service opted for by Canadians shopping online, the number of those who regularly or occasionally opt for curbside pickup jumped to 50 percent this year, up from 33 percent in 2020. Of those surveyed who said that they regularly pick up their orders, 45 percent state their motivation to be based on cost-savings. Though they are all behavioural trends that have been caused or accelerated by the pandemic, Gooding suggests that it’s part of an evolution toward a new normal for the industry.
“The most significant change that we noticed in the shopping habits of Canadians over the course of the past year-and-a-half is their propensity to be online,” he asserts. “It means that their behaviour is being influenced and shaped by channels that continue to evolve and are being leveraged to support the shopping journey and experience. Social media is playing an increasing role in inspiring and enticing consumers to shop with brands. And so, the online environment is becoming an even more meaningful component within the retail shopping ecosystem, often serving today as the starting point for many shoppers, informing them of the products that they’re interested in purchasing and how they’re going to complete the purchase, whether online or at a physical brick-and-mortar retail location. It’s all representative of the digitization of retail, heightened expectations of today’s consumer concerning a seamless omnichannel experience, and the need for organizations everywhere to adjust to these new realities.”
When it comes to the expansion of the omnichannel world and vastness of today’s online marketplace, it’s clear that there are numerous opportunities for retailers to focus on and seize. However, it also presents one of the banes of the industry in Canada – that of cross-border shopping. Though the borders have only recently opened to travellers, dampening the physical cross-border shopping intentions of Canadians up to this point, it’s anticipated that the act of doing so online will continue to intensify. According to the outlook, an estimated 38 percent of Canadian consumers plan to cross-border shop online this holiday shopping season, up from 28 percent in 2020. Despite this growing sentiment, however, a vast majority of respondents to the survey cite a patriotic appreciation as a motivator for their spend, with nearly two-thirds (62%) stating that they want to show loyalty to Canadian retailers and brands, while more than half (55%) say that they want their shopping dollars to stay in Canada in order to help the country’s economy. And Gooding suggests that Canadian retailers are doing everything they can to support those intentions.
“The traditional drivers of cross-border shopping for Canadian consumers still exist today,” he explains. “There’s a perception that there’s a greater assortment at a lower price on the websites of US retailers, even if that math doesn’t always hold up to be true. Canadian retailers are doing a really good job at the moment of keeping those dollars in Canada. Many are increasing their assortments and offering deals that are on par with their American counterparts. And, with an aim to capture the spend of those consumers displaying intentions to spend with Canadian businesses, there’s an increased emphasis on featuring Canadian brands and products that are made in Canada. Heading into this holiday shopping season, the Canadian consumer wants to be loyal to the brands in this country. And it’s going to be important for Canadian retailers to recognize this and deliver value through the product and experiences that they offer.”
Living up to all of these heightening consumer expectations seems like a daunting task for any retailer, which includes ensuring the availability and fulfillment of product, and the delivery of an exceptional experience, all within a seamless omnichannel experience. Gooding explains that when retailers can meet or exceed the expectations of today’s consumer, they’re able to engender a trust in them for their brand. It helps to develop or enhance the perception of a brand’s reliability and comfortability with respect to the shopping experience they offer. However, lending perhaps more so toward the cultivation of trust than anything else a brand can do, suggests findings within PwC’s outlook, is the values it stands for. Of those surveyed, 45 percent say that they’re likely or extremely likely to shop with socially and environmentally responsible retailers, an increase from 35 percent in 2020. It’s a huge consideration among consumers, says Gooding, adding that it’s another sentiment that is not likely to subside any time soon.
“There’s a lot of focus today being placed on environmental, social and governance issues,” he says. “And, it’s an area where retailers can really focus on their values and demonstrate those values to the consumer in tangible ways that align with the things that are most important to them. Depending on the retailer and the product or service that they offer, improving components of the business through initiatives like ethical sourcing, ethical labour practices, sustainable product and the sustainable manufacturing of products will go a long way toward instilling trust in the consumer. And, measuring how well they’re doing and sharing results with the public will provide the transparency and accountability that consumers are increasingly looking for from brands. Values are quickly becoming the new business currency. And the retailers and organizations that stay true to those values are going to be the ones that build their brand and create much-needed stickiness with their customers.”
It’s been a turbulent past 18 months for retailers in every region across the country. It’s been a time riddled with instability and uncertainty. However, as social restrictions continue to abate, consumer sentiment around spending maintains its positive momentum and the 2021 holiday shopping season advances unhindered, the signs are positive, indicating a successful period for merchants in Canada. And, if findings within PwC’s 2021 Canadian Holiday Outlook manifest, the opportunities that will be available for retailers from coast-to-coast-to-coast to engage and inspire Canadian consumers this holiday shopping season will be boundless, truly making it the happiest time of the year for everyone within the industry.


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Boston Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi says he lost his running shoe deal with Nike three years ago because of his age.
The 38-year-old distance runner signed a new shoe deal three years ago with Skechers, a footwear company more known for casual "lifestyle" shoes than hard-core running gear, after Nike dropped Keflezighi from its endorsement roster.
During an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Keflezighi said his deal with Skechers has boosted his career and helped his running mechanics.
"I'm almost 39 years old and Nike thought I was probably too old," Keflezighi said on "Squawk on the Street." "And with the Skechers partnership, things have been going really well."
Keflezighi won Monday's marathon with a personal best of 2:08:37, becoming the first American male to win the Boston Marathon since 1983. He won the New York City marathon in 2009. According to NBC Sports, Keflezighi went seven months without a shoe contract before Skechers need a pitchman for its first-ever running shoe line.
A Nike spokeswoman declined to comment on Keflezighi's assertions.
—By CNBC's Jeff Morganteen


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Size might not matter, but speed does.
At least according to Facebook – which has warned advertisers to speed up their mobile website load times, or risk being cut adrift.
Faster higher better
Facebook calculates the speed of advertisers' mobile sites when delivering ads.
Ad Age reports that if these websites load too slowly Facebook could stop these ads from displaying, according to Facebook's Director of Ad Products and Marketing, Matthew Idema.
"The speed with which a mobile website will load is one factor our ad delivery system will use to determine which ads to show which people," Mr. Idema reported.
Lean and mean
Facebook data suggests 40% of users will go elsewhere if a mobile page takes longer than three seconds to load.
To help get the most mojo mobile, Facebook will be releasing guidelines for advertisers on how to create faster websites.
If you haven't already, now is the time to make sure you're mobile ready, and speedy.


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When Daniel founded the London Cloth Company in 2011, he had no idea a sharp rent increase in 2016 would nearly put him out of business. As an Experience host, he credits Airbnb for helping save his textile business this past year.
Airbnb Experiences are a way for locals like Daniel to share their passion, hobby or talent with guests visiting their city while earning a bit of extra income. Daniel’s Experience proved vital in ensuring his business was able to remain open when adversity struck.
“We had a really unfortunate thing happen to us when the people who own the industrial estate we’re on raised our rent. If we hadn’t been on Airbnb this year, I don’t know what we would have done because I would’ve been forced to close the mill,” Daniel said.
Daniel’s hands-on Experience was one of the first 40 launched in London last year and offers guests a look inside a working textile mill—the first in London since 1917—where he’s designed custom fabrics for brands including Nike and Ralph Lauren.
The experience also offers guests a chance to get out of central London and take in a historic location—formerly a WWII army barracks—in Epping Forest before weaving their own scarf on refurbished machinery which dates back to 1870.
Daniel touched on another benefit Airbnb Experiences present in their uniqueness and variety, saying, “I’m amazed at how well it has gone. You can go into a museum or get a tour bus and drive around London but you can’t go into a mill. Without online platforms like Airbnb, no one would ever get the opportunity to visit a working mill to see what we do, which is great.”
Find Daniel and London Cloth Company on Instagram.


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Carterton’s Small Business Grant Fund will be open for applications next month.
The Carterton Small Business Grant Fund was designed to help our small local businesses recover from the economic effects of COVID-19.
From 1 June, small-sized, locally owned and operated businesses in Carterton will be able submit an application to the fund, giving them the opportunity to tell their story of how COVID-19 has affected them and how the grant will help keep their business going.
The fund was generously set up by Carterton District Council’s Chief Executive Jane Davis, who decided to give up 10% of her salary for the next year towards the fund.
Davis said the decision to forgo part of her salary and make it available for small businesses was one that in the current circumstances was important for her to make, to show her support for the Carterton community in a personal way.
The move has been praised by Mayor Greg Lang, who encourages business owners to not be shy about applying for a grant.
“It’s great to see so many of our local businesses back up and running again in Level 2, but we know the effects of several weeks without generating any income has hit them hard,” said Mayor Greg Lang.
Lang said the fund administered by the council would be opened up to allow additional funding contributions.
“Carterton residents have been doing a fantastic job of supporting local. We also know there are other organisations and community groups out there who want to contribute in other ways, so we are opening up the grant fund up to allow them to contribute.”


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While the terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed, Groupon has made a run of acquisitions over the last six months, and this move is likely one being made for talent. Not only that but the daily deals behemoth is looking to create more defined inroads with local mom and pop restaurants in its quest to become “the OS for local commerce,” and adding Breadcrumb and its technology to the team is a step in that direction.
As mentioned, Groupon’s purchase of Breadcrumb is the latest in a slew of startup talent and tech acquisitions the company has made since going public last year — as far as we can tell, its eighth acquisition since November. In March, Groupon added FeeFighters to the fold, which followed the likes of Mertado, Adku, Campfire Labs, Hyperpublic, Kima Labs, and Uptake into Camp Groupon. And, again, all of those acquisitions have come since November.
After all the grumbling surrounding Groupon’s high valuation and blockbuster IPO, it seems that the company has been quietly ignoring detractors and is — at least by its own standards — on somewhat of a hot streak. Not two weeks ago Groupon beat estimates in its second quarterly earnings report since going public, seeing $559.3 million in revenue in Q1 2012, up 89 percent year-over-year, as well as increasing the total amount of money collected from customers for Groupons sold to $1.35 billion, up 103 percent, as Frederic reported.
We are excited to announce that Groupon has acquired Breadcrumb! The team behind Breadcrumb shares our passion to build affordable and intuitive products that make it easier for local merchants to manage their business. We’re thrilled to welcome founder Seth Harris and his team to the Groupon family – Seth boasts more than 12 years of hospitality management experience, making him uniquely empathetic to the tight budgets and unique needs of business owners in the food and beverage industry who often struggle to find technology products that will work perfectly for them.
Breadcrumb will continue to serve new and existing clients and we look forward to offering their product to our existing merchant partners. Also, for Groupon merchant partners that use Breadcrumb’s point of sale system, we’ll be able to significantly improve the process of redeeming a Groupon.
Updating in realtime


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airSlate, a no-code business workflow automation provider competing with major players in eSignature and document management, aims to provide easy-to-use, no-code, end-to-end business automation solutions that empowers individuals and teams across industries to digitize business interactions on their own.
When airSlate partnered with PAN in 2020, the program focused on corporate and product messaging. As the need for more robust PR support arose, the partnership naturally expanded to the full media relations and thought leadership program it is today – just in time to support not one, but two major company financial announcements.
With the massive global shift to remote work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the low and no-code business automation market became increasingly crowded and airSlate needed to break through the chatter to compete among the major players in the space, namely DocuSign and their powerful SOV. PAN was tasked with increasing airSlate’s share of voice in the industry and establishing airSlate as a notable brand while positioning the CEO as a trusted media source across all relevant enterprise and SMB verticals, both digitally and traditional.
Starting with a major funding announcement, part one of two, and moving into a steady cadence of partner and product news announcements, PAN worked closely with airSlate’s communications team to seamlessly execute targeted media outreach to top business, financial, tech and vertical publications to highlight the success and growing momentum of airSlate and their suite of solutions.
To further elevate airSlate’s industry presence, PAN leveraged CEO Borya Shakhnovich’s unique founder story and entrepreneurial experience, in tandem with the ongoing conversation around remote work solutions, to promote a targeted content campaign that positioned Borya as a reputable influencer in this space.
In preparation for parts 1 and 2 of airSlate’s funding news, PAN lead the charge in press release messaging, identifying key media targets, and developing a phased pitch strategy with heavily vetted embargo contacts to achieve the best quality, and quantity, of news coverage – thus creating a rolling thunder into the upcoming news announcements of the year, and establishing brand awareness in an otherwise crowded space.
As a result of PAN’s efforts and constant monitoring of industry news and media trends, we secured 40 pieces of organic coverage in the first quarter of the year, with over 26B impressions. The team pitched, drafted and secured executive thought leadership content opportunities for Borya across 8 publications, aligning with airSlate’s core topics and pillars – no-code, workflow automation, and future of work.
Coverage highlights include Venture Beat, Fortune, Reuters, Axios, Business Insider, VMBlog, Security Magazine, and DevOps Digest among others.


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With its enterprise suite product Ci helping the company reach AU$35.1 million in profit for the year ending September 30, 2013, TechnologyOne is now focusing on mobile platforms for the next iteration, Ci2.
"Our intention is that all of our enterprise software will be able to operate on all smart mobile devices," the company's directors' report said.
Furthermore, such an approach was touted as allowing its customers to "abandon the traditional PC/laptop model of computing and access their data from anywhere in the world and at any time".
It plans to officially launch the product in mid-2014, with it being made later that year.
TechnologyOne's vision for Ci2 is one where customers use their iPhone, iPad, or Android device to access the software in a native browser. Such an approach, it said, will result in no more software installs, making it "future proof", and reducing licensing issues.
A difference from its previous version of its enterprise software is that instead of targeting back-office users, Ci2 will target the "front office" — where organisations may have over 100 users connecting, albeit only occasionally and through their own consumer-grade devices.


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Amid “surging” port congestion across China, rising Covid cases and lockdowns in Shanghai have also caused additional cargo delays.
Some restrictions in Shenzhen were lifted this week, allowing factories to re-open ahead of schedule and help dampen the supply chain impact.
However, cargo operations are not yet back to normal, with one forwarder telling The Loadstar: “Most container freight stations in Shenzhen are not operating, or are very limited, due to a lack of staff.
“Sending LCL at the moment is very difficult ex-South China, so officially its business as usual, but the reality is very different.”
Furthermore, in Shanghai, China’s zero-Covid policy is in full force, with lockdowns in affected districts and restrictions on transport.
According to Thomas Gronen, head of Greater China at Fibs Logistics, most of the Shanghai lockdowns are in residential areas and, therefore, while the ports are operating it is “very likely they are short-staffed and backlogs and congestion are building.”
To leave Shanghai, truck drivers require a PCR test within 48 hours – “if the driver isn’t in lockdown” – and again to re-enter the city.
“But also, for example, Jiangsu province has its own requirements for entering the province,” Mr. Gronen said. “And then, within Jiangsu, the cities each have their own requirements for entering their territory.
“We are now asking shippers to do local trucking themselves as it’s much easier for a local trucker to leave and re-enter the city.
“The situation in Shenzhen is similar, but more severe in regard to trucking, as it’s apparently almost impossible now to get any truck in Shenzhen city to pick up empty equipment and deliver to the port,” he added.
Meanwhile, the deteriorating Covid situation has raised concerns over worsening port congestion in China. For example, CMA CGM said this week Yantian and Shekou were experiencing longer waiting times. According to Bloomberg, there are 174 vessels anchored or loading across South China – the most since October when the region was affected by typhoons.
Shipping analyst Linerlytica said Chinese ports had seen a “sudden surge” in vessel congestion over the past week, resulting in all-time highs in global port congestion of 3.58m teu – 14.1% of the total fleet.
It added: “In North China, congestion at Qingdao has seen increased vessel waiting times of two-to-five days. Lower port productivity and dense fog have contributed to congestion that is the worst seen in the Bohai region since 2020.
“Congestion has also built up at Shanghai and Ningbo, with dense fog forcing several terminals to shut over the past week.
“Restrictions on truck movements have impacted trucking services for container pick up and delivery, and this has impacted yard productivity especially in Qingdao, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.”
By Sam Whelan Source: https://theloadstar.com/
We are not responsible for the content of external links.


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STAMFORD, Conn. -- The Loft Artists Association will host a surrealist-inspired group exhibition, “The Exquisite Corpse,” in its galleries at 575 Pacific St. in Stamford from July 23 to Aug. 28.
Based on an early 20th-century movement by surrealists such as Yves Tanguy, Jacques Prévert, André Breton and Marcel Duchamp, participating Loft Artist members will create three pieces in their own style and medium.
They will choose figures that might be human, animal, celestial, mythical, vegetable, mechanical, or any combination and make pieces to represent one head, one torso, and one legs section.
“The pieces will then be randomly shuffled and re-combined to create new and unexpected results,” said show chair Paul Larson. “It’s a unique, exciting concept that must be seen to be appreciated.”
There will be an opening reception on Friday, July 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. Regular gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free with a suggested donation. Handicapped access is available. For directions and more information visit this link or call 203-247-2027.
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AirDrop lets users transfer files amongst two iPhone users or iPhone and MacBook users. It is an exclusive feature of iOS and at the moment and no Android smartphone has been able to effectively replicate it. But that may change soon as Samsung is making a similar feature for their smartphones.
According to XDA Developers’ source, a new feature called “Quick Share” was spotted and will debut alongside the upcoming Galaxy S20 smartphones. It will work similarly to AirDrop i.e. it will not use cellular or Bluetooth to transfer files. Instead, it will use Bluetooth to create a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi network between connected devices. XDA was able to access the interface of the application and it says that within the app, users can locate nearby Galaxy devices to transfer files. This also suggests that the feature may be exclusive to Galaxy smartphones.
Quick Share will also have other options for users such as choosing whom you can receive files from i.e. from everyone or from your contacts. The app will also be able to let users save files to the cloud, from where it can later be downloaded locally or streamed to Samsung SmartThings devices. There will be a limit of 1GB per file and a daily limit of 2GB of total cloud storage.
It is currently not clear whether this feature will be available for older Samsung Galaxy devices, however XDA revealed that its source was using the app on a Galaxy S20 Plus 5G. It could be possible that the new Quick Share feature will roll out for devices that will get the OneUI 2.1 update.
Samsung is not the only company working on an AirDrop like feature as Google is also rumoured to be working on a similar service called “Nearby Sharing.” Google’s service is rumoured to be released via Google Play Store and may work with almost every Android smartphone.
We will get to know more about Quick Share at Samsung’s “Unpacked” event that is set to take place on February 11.


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A Commonwealth Realm is a sovereign country in which the Monarch of Great Britain, currently Queen Elizabeth II, is the reigning constitutional monarch and head of state. The role of the queen is largely symbolic as the government of each country manage its domestic affairs.
As part of this management, each country produces its own coinage. Within the Commonwealth Realm, the largest state-run mints are the Royal Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, Royal Australian Mint, and Perth Mint. There are other private mints that produce legal tender coins, but these are the only government-owned mints in the commonwealth.
Every time one of these mints issues a new coin for circulation, the information is all over their country’s media. For example, in the run-up to the issue of the Peter Rabbit circulating 50p commemorative as part of the Royal Mint’s Beatrix Potter series, nearly every news outlet in the U.K. has been covering the anticipation.
This phenomenon is not restricted to the Commonwealth Realm. Former Commonwealth members also heavily promote their coins. We know that India is issuing a 12-sided 20 rupee coin along with other new designs. South Africa Reserve Bank is issuing circulating coins to celebrate the country’s 25 years as a Constitutional Democracy.
Yet the United States press has been largely silent. Sure, there are blurbs when a congressperson drops a bill into the virtual hopper but the press has been silent after that.
While there were other things going on in December, there was very little reported about the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Act for 2020.
There was hardly a peep out of the press for the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative coins. Even with the political turmoil, this country should be commemorating one of its greatest feats of the 20th century that did not involve bombs or bullets.
There has been more coverage in the science and tech-related press about the release of the Black Hole coin honoring Stephen Hawking by the Royal Mint.
To its credit, the American Legion has been promoting the 100th Anniversary commemorative coins to their members. However, was there any general media outlets covering the program’s release?
The hobby is perceived to be dying because it is not attracting new members. How can the hobby attract new members when it does not promote itself outside of its insular bubble?
I am sure that I will hear from the bullion sellers because they have been crowing about the steady rise of gold prices. Aside from being an investment and not a hobby issue, the rise of gold prices is alarming. Investing in gold and other precious metals is seen as a safe-harbor move when investors predict that markets will be less lucrative. If investors are pulling money out of other investments to invest in gold that means they do not trust the markets and we may be in for problems.
If we stop worrying about what is good or bad for the hobby and figure out how it could survive, maybe we can attract new collectors. First, we have to do is to let everyone know the hobby still exists.
And now the news…
This new series comprising denominations of ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10, and ₹20, designed by the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, will aid the visually-impaired through its thoughtful design. As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, apart from the ₹20 coin, which will be a 12-sided polygon (a dodecagon), the rest of the coins will be circular in shape. → Read more at architecturaldigest.in
A 14th-century French gold coin was discovered inside one of three hidden drawers in a bureau inherited by a woman who lives in Derbyshire, England. The mother of three, Amy Clapp, 37, told reporters she had no idea the 650-year-old coin — or the secret drawers — existed after being left a 20th-century bureau by her distant cousin. → Read more at thevintagenews.com
The brand new commemorative Peter Rabbit coin that was announced last week has been released to the public. The new coin features an original illustration of Peter Rabbit taken from the book, The Tales of Benjamin Bunny. → Read more at inews.co.uk
TYLER, TX (KLTV) – An East Texas woman found a unique coin on the side of the road by the Caldwell Zoo more than six months ago, and she wants to find its rightful owner. Jan Hommel, the director of the American Freedom Museum, knew exactly where the coin came from. → Read more at kltv.com
A $1 million penny, a $3 million nickel and more than $100 million more in rare coins are coming to Pittsburgh from March 28 through 30 when the National Coin & Money Show stops at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. → Read more at triblive.com
A "rare" 650-year-old coin found in a secret drawer in a desk has been sold for £850 at auction. The 14th Century coin was discovered inside one of three hidden drawers in a 1970s bureau, left to a woman by a long-lost relative. → Read more at bbc.com
A number of new coins have been approved by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and celebrate the country’s 25 years as a Constitutional Democracy. A few of the coins will be collector’s items, and the R500 and R50 coins are specifically made for commemorative purposes only. → Read more at capetownetc.com
LITTLETON, N.H. — After playing a key role in the success of Littleton Coin Company for nearly 30 years, the firm’s Chief Operating Officer Mike Morelli has announced his retirement at the end of 2019. → Read more at caledonianrecord.com
The Rocket Ship Set is a coin product produced for kids to tie in with the space theme generated by the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Commemorative Coin program. The set contains two coins: an uncirculated 2019 Kennedy Half Dollar an a proof Native American $1 Coin honoring American Indians in the Space Program. The coins are mounted on a card shaped like a rocket ship that glows in the dark and can be set up to stand up on a desk, shelf, or anywhere else.
The text an the card explains the significance of the coins in honoring the space program written for children.
When the set was announced, there was a lot of commentary how the U.S. Mint was wrong for doing this. I read and received emails saying that this is the wrong way to reach children that many thought this set would barely reach 15,000 units sold.
While the numismatic snobs were throwing around adjectives like “dumb” and “stupid” claiming it is “bad for the hobby” and wondering out too loud what the U.S. Mint was thinking, customers bought up 93½-percent of the available inventory in two-weeks!
Although we do not know how many of the sales are to dealers or other institutional buyers, the fact that there is that level of interest suggests the U.S. Mint might have a better idea as to what’s good for the hobby than the snobs.
While searching for something else, I came across a story that F+W Media, the parent company of Krause Publications, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 10. As part of its bankruptcy filing, the company plans to liquidate its assets to pay its creditors.
According to the bankruptcy filing, F+W owes $105.2 million in outstanding debt to between 1,000 and 5,000 creditors (filing is not specific and I did not want to count the over 500-page filing). The most money is owed to LSC Communications, a company that provides printing and distribution services with over $2.7 million owed.
F+W is also asking the court to approve $8 million in financing to be used as working capital. They claim to have over $10 million in assets.
F+W has been a hobby publisher for many years. The company was founded in 1913 and was named for its two initial publications Farm Quarterly and Writer’s Digest. Farm Quarterly ceased publication in 1955.
Since 2000, F+W has been on a buying spree trying to diversify its portfolio. In 2000, F+W bought UK-based book publisher David & Charles and later renamed it F+W International. In 2002, they bought Krause Publications. In 2012, F+W Media acquired Interweave, an arts and crafts media company, and in 2014 purchased New Track Media.
F+W has had a failed Internet strategy that was not coherent across imprints. While those of us who regularly read Antique Trader find it difficult to understand why Numismatic News does not have a website to match. After scanning the bankruptcy filing, it is apparent that the lack of a cohesive e-commerce strategy led to the failure of the Numismaster website.
The bankruptcy of F+W will be felt across a lot of hobbies. They report that the company averages 600 new titles every year and has over 4,000 titles in print. The company produces 42 magazines, not all are weekly publications like Numismatic News. It lacks a cohesive e-commerce strategy and their idea of selling e-books is producing PDF files of their publications.
From a reader’s perspective, F+W magazines have no integration. Several times I have written to the writers and editors of Antique Trader and Old Cars Weekly magazines when there is a numismatic-related mistake in their publications. The response is almost as if they do not realize the other publications exist.
Krause Publications publishes more than numismatic-related magazines and books. Many of their books are collector and buyers guides for other hobbies. Books like Antique Trader Antiques & Collectibles, Warman’s Antiques & Collectibles, Goldmine Price Guide (vinyl records), and Military Trader magazine define these industries.
For the sake of numismatics, I hope that the Krause publications survive. This includes the Standard Catalog books, which are a hobby staple. In fact, because of the Standard Catalogs, Krause should have a significant database of numismatic information that should beat almost anyone. With a lot of imagination, that data could be put to great use for the benefit of numismatics and a way to produce premium content in order to generate the revenue to support its existence.
Just their database could create a treasure trove of possibilities that could be used beyond the numismatic community. All it would take is someone with money (which I don’t have) and imagination (which I have plenty).
A lesson learned is that people do not pay attention or care, which is why the iodine pen is popular. This is why the story of the week is about a person in suburban Des Moine, Iowa is wanted for passing a counterfeit American Gold Eagle coin.
According to the story, the suspect, who has been identified, used the alleged gold coin to purchase $25 worth of merchandise from a gas station. The next day, the clerk who took the coin found it was fake after taking it to a local coin shop.
Although the story does not say why the employee accepted the coin as payment, I speculate there was a greed motive involved. The suspect probably convinced the clerk it was real and that worth more than the $50 face value but was low on cash and needed the merchandise. The clerk thought that the coin is worth more took it hoping to make a profit.
If the coin was worth more than face value, then why did the clerk not ask why the suspect did not take it to a coin shop himself?
Even if you do not know the price of gold, why would someone try to use a valuable coin in a gas station?
I have commented in the past about the perpetual hunt for “rare” 50 pence and £2 circulating commemorative coins in the United Kingdom. At least by publicizing the coins, Britons learn a little about the coins issued by the Royal Mint. In fact, if you are watching my Twitter feed (@coinsblog), I post stories about other countries that produce stories about coins put out by their country’s mints.
Unfortunately, the best we get in the United States outside of the numismatic media is an infrequent blurb in a local news source. The Washington Post’s new motto is “Democracy Dies in the Darkness.” It also dies with ignorance especially when movie money is mistaken for real.
And now the news…
Worried about buying a fake when you shop online? Here's how you can keep counterfeits out of your shopping cart. David P. → Read more at desmoinesregister.com
Richard Masters’ work for the U.S. Mint is a marriage of his interest in art and his boyhood hobby of coin collecting. A former professor of art at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Masters has designed 21 coins and five medals, including the 2009 Bicentennial Lincoln Cent (Log Cabin), the 2011 Sacajawea gold dollar reverse and the 2017 America the Beautiful Effigy Mounds (Iowa) quarter reverse. → Read more at legion.org
Finance ministry had issued a notification on March 6 announcing the launch of 5 new coins in the country namely new One Rupee, Two Rupees, Five Rupees, Ten Rupees and Twenty Rupees. The new series of coins are visually impaired friendly and have enhanced design. → Read more at zeebiz.com
Urbandale police are looking for a man who used a counterfeit $50 coin to make a purchase at an Casey’s General Store in February. → Read more at desmoinesregister.com
Warwickshire County Council wants to raise £62,000 towards buying a hoard of Roman coins. → Read more at bbc.com
More A lucky penny which deflected an enemy bullet during the First World War One – saving a soldier’s life – is set to be sold at auction. Private John Trickett would have been shot in the heart if the bullet – which still left him deaf – had not struck the coin in the breast pocket of his uniform. → Read more at uk.news.yahoo.com
It has been eight months since I opened my shop of treasures. While I have had fun most of the time one thing that has not happened is a good cash draw find. That is until recently.This past week, a customer bought a small item and paid for the under $3 purchase with three coins, a 1979-P Susan B Anthony Dollar, two 2000-P Sacagawea dollars. Of course, given the past problems with confusing a Susie B for a quarter, I took an extra glance at the coin to make sure.
I think the patron was surprised I took the coins without question. I threw the coins in the far left slot and counted out his change. With a quick tear of the receipt and a nod, I thanked the customer for his business and he left.
Later, I was telling someone about the transaction and was told the customer was testing me. Apparently, some people use dollar coins, half dollars and two dollars bills to test the store to see if the store knows enough to take the coins. I was told that the “pass rate” for this test is under 20-percent. I guess I passed!
Earlier today, I passed one of the Sacagawea dollars out for change.After hours, when it is time to close the books on the day, I was counting the change in the quarter bin and saw something odd. It was the size of a quarter but shinier. The U.S. Mint does not strike circulation coins this shiny. A closer look revealed that it is a 2013 British ten pence coin.
It’s a cool find and worth 13-cents, but what is it doing in my cash drawer?
I cannot blame anyone because my assistant was not in and I was the only one operating the cash register. I didn’t open a roll taking the blame off the bank. No, this is my fault and I lost 12-cents on the transaction!
I thought I would find a loose Canadian cent or a Jamaican penny mixed in with the copper. Nope! Apparently, I didn’t pay enough attention and was handed 10 pence.
After counting the coins, I replaced the British coin with a U.S. quarter that was in my pocket. My drawer balances but now I have my own lesson to pay attention!
As I peruse the non-numismatic news sources looking for coins and collecting-related information, I am surprised how much is published by the media in other countries about their coins. Interestingly, most of the stories are either from the Commonwealth Realm or those...read more
Last week, the U.S. Mint reported that the sales of the Rocket Ship Set is close to being a sellout. With an announced limit of 50,000 sets, they said that 46,762 were sold. The Rocket Ship Set is a coin product produced for kids to tie in with the space theme...read more
While searching for something else, I came across a story that F+W Media, the parent company of Krause Publications, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 10. As part of its bankruptcy filing, the company plans to liquidate its assets to pay its creditors....read more
One of the most popular stories on this blog that people find via a search is “How easy is it to pass counterfeit currency.” I wrote it in response to watching a cashier use a pen with iodine-based ink used to determine whether the paper used is...read more


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After 18 years in business, Jimmy Choo says it is preparing for an October initial public offering, which will list the company on the London Stock Exchange. The footwear company’s owner, JAB Holdings, will likely sell at least 25 percent of its shares at its debut.
According to Bloomberg, Jimmy Choo will be looking for a roughly $1 billion valuation. Back in 2011, the company sold to Labelux for about $855 million; this past June, JAB Holdings took control of Labelux, bringing the shoe and handbag brand Bally under its wing as well.
Although many luxury companies have experienced faltering sales in China in recent months, Jimmy Choo is pursuing the region as a key part of its expansion strategy. CEO Pierre Denis told Bloomberg that the company’s status as a “specialist brand” could work in its favor, noting that revenue in China is currently growing at a double-digit rate.
A rep for Jimmy Choo did not immediately respond to request for comment.
We’ll definitely be watching to see how this one unfolds — and how much money the company can ultimately raise on its first day out.