text:
Click here to access the issue of the Jerusalem Post that this article was originally published in. (Page 20).
One of the welcome results of progress, be it in politics, economics, technology, science, or law, is more choice. When dictatorships are toppled and democratic regimes replace them, the people are given the choice as to which candidates are elected as their leaders. When economies are liberalized, the supermarkets are filled with more products, so there is greater choice in purchasing. When science advances, we have the choice to make informed decisions based on data and facts.
Progress in the legal sphere
When there is progress in the legal sphere, clients have more choice about which service provider they use, the delivery model of the product, and the price they pay for it. Welcome the dawn of the law company and the new law era. A “law company” is any provider of legal services that is not a traditional law firm. This broad definition includes flexible staffing companies, legal process outsourcing (LPO) companies, legal-tech companies, legal operations companies and more. Most notable in recent months has been the growth worldwide of flexible staffing companies.
Flexible staffing companies offer law firms and in-house legal departments an option to immediately (and temporarily) increase their team of lawyers. The need could be due to an increase in workflow, a leave of absence of a staff member, the need for a certain sector of jurisdictional expertise, or a place holder while a company interviews to hire. The pioneers in the flexible staffing sector — Axiom, LOD, and Elevate — are no less than giants on the legal map. In fact, their offering is so successful that many law firms around the world have opened “captive flexible staffing companies”.
For example, Allen & Overy launched Peerpoint, realizing that some of their clients would be demanding more for less. Pinset Masons followed suit by opening Vario to answer a need in the market for flexible staffing. Lawflex was launched in Israel four years ago, joining the giants in their mission to provide a successful alternative. With the onset of these law companies, consumers are now given a choice. They can choose a lawyer to work remotely or as part of their team; they can choose to add a paralegal, a legal technologist, a project manager, a newly qualified lawyer, or a partner level lawyer to their team. They can choose to do this for a day, a month, or a year. The best part is that they can make this choice, and then change their mind a month later, since the nature of the offer is that it is ad hoc and flexible.
This model is flourishing not only because it grants more choice to the consumer but also because it offers the gift of choice to the professional who is providing the service. While the model of traditional law works well for some professionals, it is not the case for others. Rather than having to leave the profession, the ability to provide services in an alternative framework gives lawyers the choice to remain in the profession. This is a welcome choice.
Progress is not an event but a process
Progress is not an event but a process. However, the single event of the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the move away from traditional law to new law. The cornerstones of flexible staffing companies – remote work, agile mind set, and lower charge out rates – has been a welcome and natural solution for legal consumers. Many companies are facing hiring freezes and limits to their budget. As the legal department is always defined as a “minus” on the balance sheet of a company, alternative options for augmenting a legal team are needed. Similarly, law firms that have downsized and then see a rise in deals are reluctant to jump into a hiring frenzy too quickly. Hence, alternative staffing is a solid solution for them as well.
The Thompson Reuters Report “Alternative Legal Service Providers” from 2019 states that “In just two years, revenues for alternative legal services providers have grown from $8.4 billion in 2015 to about $10.7 billion in 2017. This represents a compound annual growth rate of 12.9% over that period.” These numbers are all prior to the pandemic and are no doubt fueled heavily by it. Although still a minor part of the $1 trillion legal industry, these numbers are increasing fast.
New law will not replace traditional law, but a hybrid offering will emerge that will give clients the value of traditional law and the benefits of new law. A crisis, such as the current one, brings with it progress because necessity brings change, and change brings choice. By all means, a very welcome result.


text:
Beer Guys: Breweries Up the Ante on Philanthropy
By Glenn Cutler and Dave Tollefsen
Saturday, June 9, 2018
It’s nothing new to see breweries step up to help a charity or cause.
Festivals have been, and still are, a big way for craft beer to be used to raise funds. The system worked two-fold: craft beer was the enticement to get beer enthusiasts to festivals to generate money for a cause and the breweries get the exposure of their beer to the public. Early on, it was expected that the breweries would donate beer, which would mean more money to the charity.
Donation for a cause is fine but then more and more festivals popped up. The constant requests to donate beer would have you think the brewery’s sole purpose was to brew for donations — but times have changed and bigger and better things have fallen into place to benefit all.
There are still festivals all over the state — bigger and better than ever. The trend of “donate beer” is still around but more festivals are paying for the beer while still raising money for a cause. With the growth and popularity of breweries, though, the philanthropy has now become more focused at their own location. Check out the event listing at a lot of the breweries — “We’re raising money for “XX” — so when you come by and have a pint, we’ll donate $xx to the cause”. The hard part about raising money is getting people involved, but when customers can enjoy a beer AND know that part of the money is going for a cause — it makes it a little bit easier when everyone wins.
Recently the NC Brewers Guild pitted breweries around the state in a fundraising competition for animal shelters statewide. The one-week competition asked the breweries to create a fundraising web page, state the organization receiving the funds and ask for donations — the winner getting 300 pounds of pet food donated to the shelter of their choice.
Often when someone active in the brewing community experiences a tragedy, breweries really step up. Breweries in the Triangle area have been hosting events the last few months to raise money for a local brewer stricken with cancer. Including beer events, there are auctions, raffles, BBQ — whatever it takes to bring people in to help raise money. It goes beyond just friendship when breweries come together for a cause.
Breweries have really upped the ante on philanthropy. Every week you will find some event at a brewery around the state for causes large and small and it doesn’t always involve beer. Breweries have run and cycling clubs, popup shops, cooking and baking events and even concerts — elements that are a great way to raise money and awareness for a cause.
Breweries are destinations for their craft beer and now much more with their efforts to make the world a better place.

domain: news


text:
Earlier today Patently Apple posted a report titled "Goldman Sachs officially became a Cred-Card Lender Today and the CEO told Employees that Apple Card is Big but only the Beginning." Goldman Sachs became a Credit-Card lender today because Apple officially launched the Apple Card starting with the U.S. customers only.
Apple's press release states that "Apple Card, a new kind of credit card created by Apple and designed to help customers lead a healthier financial life, is available in the US starting today.
Customers can apply for Apple Card through the Wallet app on iPhone in minutes and start using it right away with Apple Pay in stores, in apps and on websites."
Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay: "We’re thrilled with the overwhelming interest in Apple Card and its positive reception. Customers have told us they love Apple Card’s simplicity and how it gives them a better view of their spending."
Out of curiosity, will Apple fans with Visa cards switch to Apple Card using Mastercard? Send in your comments below.
About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or negative behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.


text:
Meaghan Rose arrives for breakfast wearing a simple white button-down shirt and a Loren Hope necklace with light-blue glass and an antiqued-silver look and a delicate gold-plated Gorjana ring. “I love this stuff,” she says. As well she should: Rose, 37, left her job at McKinsey five years ago to found Rocksbox, a company that rents jewelry to Millennial women by subscription.
With subscription boxes booming, Rose has raised $12.3 million since founding the company, and recently opened a fulfillment center in Columbus, Ohio, to handle the company’s expanding shipments, which she expects to reach 500,000 items a month by yearend. While the business is not yet profitable, Forbes estimates that Rocksbox is on track to do $25 million in revenues this year. “Jewelry is a space that is so broken,” she says.
Rose’s twist on the subscription model borrows a little from Netflix, a little from Sephora and a little from Birchbox. Rather than selling her customers a box filled with jewelry, she rents it to them, at a cost of $19 a month for three pieces. Whenever a customer wants something new, she simply packages up the old baubles, sends them back and receives a new box in the mail. Customers who like a necklace or ring can buy it – and about a third of Rocksbox’s members buy something each month.
It’s a new way to shop for fashion jewelry that appeals, especially, to Millennials, letting them try out a trend, show it off on social media, and only then decide whether to keep it or not. “The whole concept is fashion as a service,” Rose says. “You can have new stuff, and drop it off like you are dropping off dry cleaning.”
Rose, 37, got her MBA from Wharton where she studied consumer behavior, and worked as a consultant at McKinsey before founding Rocksbox. “I was on this nice, predictable career trajectory at McKinsey,” she says. But after working on a project with Sephora, she couldn’t stop thinking about the way it had changed the way women shopped for cosmetics, and started mulling her own ideas.
Consumer behavior was shifting, with companies like Uber and Airbnb redefining the sharing economy, while Birchbox, the beauty and grooming company founded in 2010, had shown just how successful consumer subscription boxes could be. As Rose thought about her own experiences buying jewelry and how intimidating the process could be, she started thinking about what she really wanted – to get new stuff all the time, to pay only for what she liked, and to have complete convenience.
Rose built the first version of the Rocksbox site on WordPress, using her own jewelry and some items she’d picked up in the Fashion District. She tested it, and believed the idea could work. So she left McKinsey to focus on the startup full-time, relocating to San Francisco to do so. “My friends were all like, ‘What is Meg up to?’” she says. “My community here was people in finance and consulting. When you make a big change like that, you have to change your environment.”
The basic concept of the business is simple. Women sign up, pay $19 a month, and receive a box with three pieces – chosen by Rocksbox but based on their tastes. Some 70% of new customers come from Instagram, where Rocksbox maintains a very active account, posting photos and asking customers to do so as well. Instagram gives Rocksbox free marketing and helps Rose get feedback on which styles and pieces consumers like – and which they don’t. “Instagram is such a perfect platform for fashion, and for jewelry in particular,” she says. “It’s so perfect for the Millennial customer.”
The key to Rocksbox’s business is the relationship with those customers: Behind the fun of opening a box that comes in the mail like a present each month is a lot of data about customer preferences, and the longer a woman stays a subscriber the more Rocksbox can learn about her. The Rocksbox vault comprises about 5,000 items from two dozen designers that include Kendra Scott, Gorjana, House of Harlow 1960, Loren Hope and Jenny Bird. “There’s no real retail outlet for consumers to go and find these brands,” she says.
Loren Barham, founder and creative director of Loren Hope, started working with Rocksbox two years ago after Rose wrote to the company through its website, and now considers it one of her major sales channels. “The market has been evolving in ways that products get into the hands of consumers,” Barham says. Instagram has become increasingly important, and when Barham looks there she can see Rocksbox customers wearing Loren Hope jewelry and see which styles are most popular. “People will post on social media, ‘This is one of my pieces from Rocksbox, should I keep it?’ Their friends will be like, ‘Yeah, yeah.’ There’s definitely a fun social component to it where customers are showing off what’s in their boxes.”
The result for Barham is that she can then use that feedback to design different styles, for example, adding new colors or sizes to the brand’s popular Sarra cuff. She’s also working on a new collection that will be available exclusively through Rocksbox, starting this summer, and will feature pieces that are colorful, light and delicate. “The pieces are tailored to what does well for Rocksbox, and the demographics of the Rocksbox customer,” she says.
The data generated by Rocksbox’s monthly subscribers has also helped Rose come up with her own private-label brands. Today, those four labels – Slate, Perry Street, Olivia & Grace, and Sophie Harper – account for about one-third of the business, and are growing rapidly. “The data showed us there were gaps,” Rose says. Consumers care more about styles and trends in fashion jewelry than about brands, and private-label is very good business. “The [profit] margin is higher, and you have more control,” Rose says.
As more consumers sign up and the data gets better and better, Rose figures she’ll be able to keep giving consumers what they want, and eventually, perhaps, expand to other categories like clothing or to other countries beyond the U.S., where consumers have already expressed interest. “We can get to know our customers better than ever,” Rose says. “We will be successful by understanding her better than anyone else.”


text:
Restaurant Brands International is a Canadian multinational fast food company. Formed by the $12.5 billion merger between American fast food restaurant chain Burger King and the Canadian coffee shop and restaurant chain Tim Hortons, the company is the third-largest operator of fast food restaurants in the world natural meat tenderiser. The company is based alongside Tim Hortons in Oakville, Ontario, but both chains retain their existing operations and headquarters in Oakville and Miami respectively. The merger focused primarily on expanding the international reach of the Tim Hortons brand, and providing financial efficiencies for both companies.
The company is majority-owned by the Brazilian investment company 3G Capital—the previous majority owner of Burger King—holding a 51% stake. The remainder of the company is publicly traded on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges, and owned by the prior shareholders of Burger King and Tim Hortons. The deal was approved by Tim Hortons’ shareholders on December 9, 2014, and the company began trading on December 15, 2014.
On August 24, 2014, U.S. fast food chain Burger King announced that it was in negotiations to merge with the Canadian coffee shop and restaurant chain Tim Hortons; the proposed merger would involve a tax inversion into Canada, with a new holding company majority-owned by Burger King’s current majority-owner 3G Capital, and the remaining shares in the company held by current Burger King and Tim Hortons shareholders. A Tim Hortons representative stated that the proposed merger would allow Tim Hortons to leverage Burger King’s resources for international growth; the two chains would retain separate operations post-merger. News of the proposal caused Tim Hortons’ shares to increase in value by 28 percent.
On August 25, 2014, Burger King officially confirmed its intent to acquire Tim Hortons Inc. in a deal totalling CDN$12.5 billion (US$11.4 billion). 3G Capital would purchase the company at $65.50 per-share, and existing shareholders would receive $65.50 in cash and 0.8025 shares in the new holding company: per-share—all-cash ($88.50) and all-shares (3.0879) options would also be available. Due to its iconic status in Canadian culture, Caira reassured the integrity of Tim Hortons following the purchase, stating that the acquisition would “enable us to move more quickly and efficiently to bring Tim Hortons’ iconic Canadian brand to a new global customer base.”
Although tax inversions, a process in which a company decreases the amount of taxes it pays by moving its headquarters to a country with lower rates, but maintains the majority of their operations in their previous location, have been a recent financial trend, it did not have as much of an impact on Burger King’s reincorporation in Canada how to tenderize tough steak. The corporate tax rate in the United States is 39.1%, while Canada’s corporate tax rate is only 26%: however, Burger King had already used various sheltering techniques to reduce its tax rate to 27.5%. As a high-profile instance of tax inversion, news of the merger was criticized by U.S. politicians, who felt that the move would result in a loss of tax revenue to foreign interests, and could result in further government pressure against inversions (which had, until the Burger King merger, been primarily invoked by pharmaceutical firms). 3G Capital co-founder Alex Behring denied that the merger was tax-related, stating that it was “fundamentally about growth and creating value through accelerated expansion.”
The deal was approved by the Canadian Competition Bureau on October 28, 2014, ruling that the deal was “unlikely to result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition.” The deal was approved by Minister of Industry James Moore on December 4, 2014: the two companies agreed to conditions, requiring that the Burger King and Tim Hortons chains retain separate operations, not combine locations in Canada and the United States, maintain “significant employment levels” at the Oakville headquarters, and ensure that Canadians make up at least 30% of Tim Hortons’ board of directors. Tim Hortons shareholders approved the merger on December 9, 2014: the same day, it was announced that the new holding company would be known as Restaurant Brands International, and trade under the ticker symbol QSR. Vice-chairman Marc Caira felt that the merger was the “next chapter” for Tim Hortons football socks youth, envisioning a “bolder, more assertive, and dynamic Tim Hortons in the future” alongside its prospects for international expansion.
3G Capital (which held a 71% majority stake in Burger King) holds a 51% majority stake in Restaurant Brands International. Berkshire Hathaway, who partially funded the merger, holds a 4.8% stake. Burger King CEO Daniel Schwartz serves as CEO of the company, with previous Tim Hortons CEO Marc Caira being vice-chairman and director. Elías Díaz Sesé, formerly of Burger King’s Asia-Pacific operations, was named the new president of Tim Hortons, while Jose Cil, formerly of Burger King’s EMEA operations, was named the new president of Burger King.


text:
Fans of the FIFA franchise by EA will know that the series is over. After nearly three decades the franchise is being rebranded into EA Sports FC. However, we know there will be another FIFA game as this was confirmed by the governing body’s president. Ever since December 1993, EA and FIFA have gone together but the parting of the ways wasn’t the most civil with FIFA themselves being described at the time as four letters on the front of a box. This was by the EA Andrew Wilson.
At the time he went on to say his piece
I’m going to be more open… more open than I’ve been with the outside world. We’ve had a great relationship with FIFA over the past 30-odd years. We’ve created billions in value… it’s just huge. We’ve created one of the biggest entertainment properties on the planet. I would argue—and this may be a little biased—that the FIFA brand has more meaning as a video game than it does a governing body of soccer.
Basically, what we get from FIFA in a non-World Cup year is the four letters on the front of the box, in a world where most people don’t even see the box anymore because they buy the game digitally.
So prior to the rebranding, there was no love lost. Fans of the sport for this year don’t have much to go on for a new release this year. EA has opened up on their new rebranded franchise and now we have some new information.
EA Sports FC And What We Know.
The game is now officially EA Sports FC. From the recent tweet from the company, we won’t see more until July.
Though as confirmed by EA, we’ll see it advertised across the sport. So over the next few days they say “football fans will see the new brand identity in the wild for the first time through EA Sports partners, including the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1, WSL, NWSL, CONMEBOL and more”. Personally being a huge fan of the sport and the series I’m interested in seeing what the future brings.


text:
Commercial Asset Tracking Market will Reach $33 Billion
The number of businesses using asset tracking solutions will reach 90 million in 2020, and exceed 114 million by 2025 — that’s a growth rate of 27 percent over the next five years, according to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research.
How Artificial Intelligence will Transform Supply Chains
Over the next 5 years, revenues generated by technology in the global supply chain will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11 percent, reaching $440 billion by 2023, according to ABI Research.
Logistics Apps Propelled by Industrial Internet of Things
According to ABI Research, there’s a significant emerging opportunity for the high-accuracy, low-cost ultra-wideband radio technology in industrial and IoT markets — with total revenues to reach $15 billion by 2021.
Source: Digital Lifescapes
How Commercial Telematics Apps Help to Fuel IoT Growth
The growing applications for the Internet of Things (IoT) within the commercial vehicle marketplace has reached an inflection point where numerous benefits are increasing adoption. New eCommerce shipping logistics optimization apps are just the beginning.
Source: Digital Lifescapes
Cloud Services are Accelerating Transportation Logistics Apps
Third-party logistics providers have equipped their transport machines with IoT data capture technologies through M2M connectivity. The global IT spending on 3PL solutions is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2014 to 2019. “The logistics sector has been witnessing high adoption of Cloud and SaaS models,” says Faisal Ghaus.
How the Internet of Things will Improve Transportation Logistics
We now live in a world where constant connectivity surrounds all that we do, and computing technology has been transforming global supply chains. There are already 9 billion connected devices — by 2030 there will be 50 billion devices connected via the Internet of Things (IoT).
Big Cloud Service Benefits for Global Smart Railway Systems
Internet of Things related technologies can be applied to add automation and analytic intelligence to legacy industries that may have lacked significant new innovation in decades — take passenger and freight train logistics, as an example.
The overall Global Smart Railway System Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 26.11% during 2013-2018.
Fresh, Fast, and Local: Online Grocery Shopping is Coming
Even as we buy everything else with a mouse, when it comes to selecting fresh produce, meat, and other food items, most of us still prefer to do it in person. But a 2012 Nielsen survey of consumers in 56 countries suggests that opinions are changing:
The number of people stating they intend to buy food and beverages online grew by 44 percent over the last two years.
You must be logged in to post a comment.


text:
The Bank of England will continue to use animal products in the manufacture of its banknotes, it announced today.
The bank faced a storm of criticism last year for using tallow, a form of animal fat, in its new polymer £5 notes. Vegan groups branded the decision "disgraceful," and the Bank launched a public consultation. At one point, palm oil (itself not without controversial connotations) was floated as a potential alternative ingredient.
Threadneedle Street had already confirmed it would not be taking the meaty fiver out of circulation and today, the BoE said the new polymer £20 note and future print runs of £5 and £10 notes will "continue to be made from polymer manufactured using trace amounts of chemicals, typically less than 0.05 per cent, ultimately derived from animal products."
"This decision reflects multiple considerations including the concerns raised by the public, the availability of environmentally sustainable alternatives, positions of our Central Bank peers, value for money, as well as the widespread use of animal-derived additives in everyday products, including alternative payment methods. In reaching its decision, the Bank has also taken account of its obligations under the Equality Act 2010," the Bank said.
"The only currently viable alternative for polymer banknotes is to use chemicals ultimately derived from palm oil," the Bank continued, adding that 88 per cent of respondents to its consultation were against the use of animal-derived additives and 48 per cent were against the use of palm oil-derived additives.
The bank said it had to balance these responses against its other public duties and priorities as well as the other evidence gathered over the past months.
"The use of palm oil raises questions about environmental sustainability and the Bank's suppliers have been unable to commit to sourcing the highest level of sustainable palm oil at this time," it said.
"Value for money was also a consideration in the Bank's decision. The estimated extra cost of switching has increased since the consultation and is now estimated to be around £16.5m over the next ten years."


text:
In mythology, there has never been a character more relatable than Kumbhakaran. The mythological sidekick spent unusually long periods sleeping and would wake up only to devour anything in sight. During Doordarshan’s rerun of Ramayana earlier this year, many millennials could not help but notice the similarities between themselves and Kumbhakaran. While they took to Twitter to share hilarious memes, sleep-tech company Wakefit took notes.
Now, in its latest ad campaign for orthopedic memory foam mattresses, the start-up has used the iconic character to drive home a message. “Who better than the OG of sleep to communicate the essential role of a mattress in impacting the quality of sleep,” says Chaitanya Ramalingegowda, co-founder, Wakefit. The ad begins with Kumbhakaran narrating how his old and uncomfortable mattress was coming in the way of him following his passion, that of sleeping. The trouble amplified so much so that he woke up three months early from his six-month sleep cycle.
But, his associates come to the rescue and inform him of Wakefit’s memory foam mattress that can be home delivered. In a matter of few days, Kumbhakaran’s bed is revamped and he goes back to sleep peacefully. The ad ends with the giant declaring that Kalyug is amazing.
“Insufficient sleep is one of the biggest health crises of our times. So, we wanted to create conversations and raise awareness around sleep health, while keeping our storytelling style fun, quirky and informative,” says Ramalingegowda. For the ad, the sleep solutions start-up collaborated with Spring Stories, the in-house content arm of Spring Marketing Capital that also helped ideate on Wakefit’s viral sleep internship program.
The conceptualization of the ad started with a simple brief - product testimonials. “As we devised the script, we wanted to strike a delicate balance between efficacy and a bit of lunacy,” says Sandeep Balan, partner- branded content, Spring Marketing Capital. During the first narration, Wakefit’s team laughed for a few seconds on the opening dialogue, recalls Balan, but the road after that was a tough one. “From the campaign being on hold for six months due to the lockdown to the shoot location being in a remote part of Gujarat untouched by data connectivity, it was quite an experience,” he says.
Shot by Twilight Entertainment, the filming was completed with minimal crew. Launched as a standalone video, the ad garnered 1.2 million views on YouTube and 3.8K social media engagement within a week of its launch. “The focus is to create engagement for the story through multiple mediums on digital platforms,” says Ramalingegowda. This means, Kumbhakaran will be popping up on your screens, every now and then.
So, the next time you are looking at mattress options, you know which expert’s opinion to go with.


text:
The Formitalia Group and Warner Bros. DGCP team up to unveil the new DC-inspired Collection.
Formitalia Group, a distinguished name in the global furniture industry, has today proudly announced an exciting partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP) for the launch of its DC inspired Wayne Enterprises Home Collection. The elevated Wayne Enterprises label, launched in Fall 2022, includes high-end designer fashion, accessories, health/fitness, personal care, electronics, house wares, automotive and even experiences – tailored to the sophisticated, the bold, the ready-for-anything trend setters, the Bruce Wayne’s of the world.
This significant partnership signifies Formitalia’s official status as a WBDGCP partner and licensee, with the privilege to firstly introduce an exclusive furniture collection dedicated to the legendary and iconic Bruce Wayne, AKA Batman. This partnership stands as a testament to Formitalia’s unwavering commitment to crafting high-quality home collections. “Bruce Wayne’s style is aspirational. His characteristics are iconic yet edgy, practical yet mysterious, and everything around him showcases his unique set of skills whether day or night,” said Julian Moon, SVP, EMEA and APAC Consumer Products for Warner Bros. Discovery. “Formitalia understands Wayne Enterprises down to its core, and we’re excited to partner with them to develop world-class in-home experiences and luxury goods.”
With the support of WBDCP, Formitalia and several top designers will develop a collection that will embody the sophistication, luxury and modernity associated with Bruce Wayne. The Wayne Enterprises Home Collection will encompass a wide range of unique interiors, including living room, bedroom sets, office, lighting and home décor items, offering the opportunity to infuse living spaces with the essence of Gotham City. David and Gianni Overi, President and CEO of the Formitalia Group, express their enthusiasm for this project: “Formitalia is honored to collaborate with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products on this exciting project that will be officially unveiled at the Milano Design Week 2024 in Milan. “We will put our heart and soul into creating a collection that embodies the spirit of Bruce Wayne, and we can’t wait to share it with the world”


text:
Love it, hate it or laugh at it - at least it's inexpensive.
Sales of Spam - that much maligned meat - are rising as consumers are turning more to lunch meats and other lower-cost foods to extend their already stretched food budgets.
What was once cheeky, silly and the subject of a musical (as Monty Python mocked the meat in a can), is now back on the table as people turn to the once-snubbed meat as costs rise, analysts say.
Food prices are increasing faster than they've risen since 1990, at 4 percent in the U.S. last year, according to the Agriculture Department. Many staples are rising even faster, with white bread up 13 percent last year, bacon up 7 percent and peanut butter up 9 percent.
There's no sign of a slowdown. Food inflation is running at an annualized rate of 6.1 percent as of April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The price of Spam is up too, with the average 12 oz. can costing about $2.62. That's an increase of 17 cents, or nearly 7 percent, from the same time last year. But it's not stopping sales, as the pork meat in a can seems like a good alternative to consumers.
Kimberly Quan, a stay-at-home mom of three who lives just outside San Francisco, has been feeding her family more Spam in the last six months as she tries to make her food budget go further.
She cooks meals like Spam fried rice and Spam sandwiches two or three times a month, up from once a month previously.
Pulling Spam from the shelf prevents last-minute grocery store trips and overspending, said Quan, 38, of Pleasanton, Calif.
"It's canned meat and it's in the cupboard and if everything else is gone from the fridge, it's there," she said.
Spam's maker, Hormel Foods Corp., reported last week that it saw strong sales of Spam in the second quarter, helping push up its profits 14 percent. According to sales information coming from Hormel, provided by The Nielsen Co., Spam sales were up 10.6 percent in the 12-week period ending May 3, compared to last year. In the last 24 weeks, sales were up nearly 9 percent.
The Austin, Minn.-based company, also known for the Jennie-O Turkey Store, has embarked on its first national advertising campaign for the 71-year-old brand in several years. They've credited the sales increase to that, along with new products like individually packaged "Spam Singles" slices. Also helping sales, executives said in an earnings conference call, was the fact that people looking to save money are skipping restaurant meals and eating more at home.
Spam sales are reaching across all spectrums, young and old and rich and poor, said Swen Neufeldt, Hormel's group product manager for the area that includes Spam. Many of the eaters are new to Spam, which was created in 1937 and gained fame as the meat that fed Allied troops during World War II.
"We have significantly increased our household penetration," Neufeldt said. "I think it's a lot of folks that are coming into the brand perhaps for the first time and coming back to the brand."
Hormel began its national advertising campaign, including print and television, for Spam in January. Neufeldt said such campaigns are planned in advance and it wasn't tied to perceived weakness in the economy.
Consumers are quick to realize that meats like Spam and other processed foods can be substituted for costlier cuts as a way of controlling costs, said Marcia Mogelonsky, senior research analyst with Mintel International in Chicago.
These products have protein and decent nutritional value, and they provide some variety to consumers who may be bored because they're eating more at home, she said.
"They might not have Spam at every single meal, but they might supplement a couple of meals," she said.
Consumers are also using more coupons and paying more attention to sales, doing anything they can to save money, she said. You may be able to cut back on your driving due to high gas prices, but you're not going to stop eating because of high food prices, she said.
Quan just bought a couple more cans of Spam on sale and some ramen, the instant noodle dish long a staple on college campuses. Her food and gas budgets are together, so she's had to cut back on food spending while the cost of gas increases. Her favorite Spam meal? Spam and macaroni and cheese. She doesn't skimp on nutrition, though. Quan serves her husband and three children - ranging in age from 4 to 11 - organic vegetables like salads, broccoli and carrots.
"It balances out," she said.
Other companies are seeing similar boosts in their lunch meats. Kraft Foods Inc. reported last month that subsidiary Oscar Mayer, which makes hot dogs, bacon and cold cuts, saw double-digit revenue growth in the previous quarter in its Deli Fresh cold cuts. The company, based in Madison, Wis., has recently introduced new products including family sized deli-meat packs and deli carved, which offers thicker slices of meat.
April Smith has been changing the way she feeds her family in Broken Arrow, Okla., to keep up with rising costs. This summer the 33-year-old administrative assistant will feed her two boys, ages 11 and 8, more ramen for lunch. Normally they eat the noodle soup on Saturdays, but since ramen costs about a dime per pack, they'll get it twice a week. Smith says she'll throw in some leftover frozen vegetables to make it more nutritious.
"Since it's cheap and easy, I figure why not let them eat it twice a week instead of once a week," Smith said.


text:
PRINCETON, N.J. — Solvay has opened a new Vanil’Expert Center at its North American headquarters in Princeton. The center will provide Solvay’s customers with technical and product development support across its range of vanillin-based systems with a focus on the natural trend. It features dedicated food laboratory and sensory analysis areas.
“The new Vanil’Expert Center highlights our commitment to drive the industry forward and helping our customers overcome their technical challenges quickly,” said Edouard Janssen, senior vice-president and general manager, Solvay aroma performance, Americas. “In today’s competitive markets, accelerating product development and getting to market first is more important than ever before. The new center will provide valuable support for some of the common technical challenges in food applications, such as switching to natural, and off-note masking in high-protein products.”


text:
2021 is almost behind us, along with all the latest smartphone launches from World’s leading brands. Now the tech industry is gearing up for its next biggest launches. From the iPhone 14 to the Google Pixel foldable, there will be something for everyone in 2022. Smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 will be available in early 2022 while the next iPhone may see the light of the day later next year. Here is the complete round-up of the most anticipated upcoming smartphones arriving soon.
After Google prevented Huawei from utilizing its services, its skyrocketing sales took a knock. By introducing high-end smartphones with its operating system and alternative Apps, the corporation, on the other hand, knows how to stay afloat. The following are the new and upcoming Huawei smartphones you can get your hands on:
Huawei Nova 9
Huawei Nova 9 will be available to the mass market from November 9th. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 778G processor, a large battery, and 66W wired charging. The back quad camera is led by a 50MP RYYB sensor, with the other three lenses – an ultrawide, macro, and depth sensor – filling up the gaps. The hardware appears appealing, but the software and networking limitations, as usual, will limit this phone’s appeal to the curious.
Honor, a Huawei sub-brand, currently functions independently, offering Google Support. Although its parent company is on the US Trade Council’s blacklist.
The Honor 50 is powered by the new Snapdragon 778G chipset, which also supports 5G and 66W charging. A quad rear camera with a 108Mp main lens is included. A 32Mp selfie lens, as well as an ultrawide, depth sensor, and macro camera, round out the set. Moreover, Honor has confirmed that Google Mobile Services will be available on the international version of the phone.
Honor Magic 3
Honor Magic 3, 3 Pro, and 3 Pro+ are more expensive than the Honor 50, with prices starting at €899 in Europe. The Pro models have a Snapdragon 888+ chipset and quad rear cameras, while the base Magic 3 has an 888 and a triple camera. When all three phones, including the Honor 50, are released worldwide, they will have complete Google support.
If You Need More Information Visit: magnewsworld
Xiaomi is also tinkering with a variety of devices. It is the firm that has dominated the smartphone market with a compelling selection that is priced competitively.
Mi Mix Fold
2022 seems to be the year of Foldable. The internal display of the Mi Mix Fold features an 8.01-inch flexible OLED display with a WQHD+ resolution, a refresh rate of 60Hz, and a peak brightness of 900nits. Furthermore, the external display has a 6.5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of (2520*840), a refresh rate of 90Hz, and a brightness of 900nits. The Mi Mix Fold smartphone is powered by a flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 octa-core processor (5nm) with an improved GPU.
Xiaomi Mi Mix 4
With a Snapdragon 888+ chipset, 120W wired charging, and Xiaomi‘s first attempt at an under-display camera, this is the most powerful – and expensive – numbered Mi Mix phone yet. The smartphone is doing rounds in China but its international release date and pricing are yet to be revealed by the company yet.
Samsung mobiles, particularly their high-end flagship Galaxy S-line, are the most anticipated. Fans of smartphones and Samsung are eagerly waiting for the company’s upcoming flagship.
Samsung Galaxy S22
The Samsung Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, and S22 Ultra will arrive with a screen and design similar to the Galaxy S21 family, but with a next-generation chipset. Due to production issues with Samsung’s next Exynos product, it has been reported that the new Samsung smartphone due to be released in 2022 will use a Snapdragon chipset.
The camera, specifically the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, will arrive with a significant improvement. According to one source, there could be a 200MP main snapper, some reports suggest that they will stick with the 108MP. In any case, the telephoto camera could get a useful upgrade, such as continuous optical zoom. This equates to optical zoom ranging from 2x to 10x. In current models, zooming is limited to 3x or 10x. Instead, the number between the numbers will be a digital or hybrid zoom.
After back-to-back revisions and releases, Google Pixel’s smartphone line also earned a large fanbase. The best thing about Google’s phones is that they run the stock Android operating system with no extras and receive regular updates.
Google Pixel 6
The Google Pixel 6 series will be the next addition to the Tech Giant’s Pixel series. The series includes two phones: the Google Pixel 6 and the Google Pixel 6 Pro. Google recently announced that the Pixel 6 series will be powered by Tensor (Google’s first custom-built SoC designed specifically for Pixel phones). One of the most recent leaks shows the new design of the Google Pixel 6 series, which will most likely include an under-display selfie camera.
Google Pixel Fold
This is a bit of a wildcard, but leaked internal documents and code indicate that Google is working on a Pixel-branded foldable device to be released in 2022. Aside from the device’s existence, there haven’t been many leaked details about what kind of foldable device it will be or what specifications it will have, but we do know that a Google-branded foldable phone with that Pixel camera will pique the interest of many people.
This year, Apple released four new iPhone 13 models: the iPhone 13 Mini, the iPhone 13, the iPhone 13 Pro, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Fans are now excitedly anticipating the release of Apple’s upcoming iPhones in 2022.
The iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max will be part of the iPhone 14 series. The screen size of the iPhone 14 series may remain the same as previous models (like the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13), but we can expect a few improvements in a display, such as a high refresh rate. Apple does not offer a 120 Hz refresh rate on the iPhone 13 this year but does offer it in the pro models, which the company may bring to the base iPhone 14 variant next year. Furthermore, the notch display has been present for many years, and Apple may switch to a new design with an under-display camera for the iPhone 14.
The company has already reserved a patent for the foldable device. However, very little has been officially confirmed, and everything is based on rumors. In terms of specifications, you can expect Apple to use top-tier hardware to make the iPhone look beautiful on the inside. With iPhone’s best Accessories, you can even make it more beautiful and easier. Foldable technology is a very new technology on the market, so it is still expensive due to a scarcity of resources.
Read More About: newszone787


text:
(Reuters) – Fresh data showing U.S. consumer prices rose only slightly in July is yet another reason for the Federal Reserve to pause interest rate hikes until it is clear that inflation will rebound,
By Padraic Halpin DUBLIN (Reuters) – Last time British Prime Minister Theresa May returned from a walking holiday, she called what turned out to be — for her — a disastrous election.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s central bank held borrowing costs steady on Thursday and said a string of interest rate hikes was already beginning to slow the pace of a spike in inflation.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s finance minister said on Wednesday that tomato prices were to blame for annual inflation rising to the fastest pace in more than 8-1/2 years in July, a reading that
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s biggest search engine Yandex said on Wednesday it would set up an e-commerce joint venture with Russia’s biggest bank Sberbank on the Yandex.Market platform.
By Sue-Lin Wong and Min Zhang
By Tom Hals and David Shepardson WILMINGTON, Del.
By Saqib Iqbal Ahmed
(In the fourth paragraph, corrects to show that Alibaba will run Marriott’s Chinese-language websites and apps, not that it will run Marriott’s websites and apps)


text:
Lilian Garcia has been winning over crowds with her amazing vocals, and pumping up audiences as a WWE ring announcer for over a decade now. As a matter of fact in 2009 she was celebrated as the organization’s first ever “Decade Diva.” Fortunately, the bombshell stepped outside the ring long enough to attend the Wrestlemania Premiere Party, which celebrated Art & Fashion in Miami. The party featured a fashion show by Hollywood designer Charlie Lapson and helped fundraise for Alex’s Place, a new children’s clinic, in the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami.
Garcia looked gorgeous in an embellished black dress by Nurielle. As we learned from her though, it takes a lot to look this good. ” The first thing is the dress… then the day of, you know, just the curlers and the hair and the make-up.” And you can’t forget the tanning. “It’s a process!” Well, the process is worthwhile because we think you look great!


text:
Truck-ladder-racks, during the initial reveal of the cybertruck this teased image flashed upon the screen when tesla first debuted the. Tesla cybertruck might be able to have a ladder rack which was unclear because of the electric truck's design based on a, the tesla ceo for one mentioned that the cybertruck would have a fold out solar attachment that would allow the truck to. Extreme truck and van equipment is the most comprehensive supplier of truck and van ladder racks and organization systems in the central and west florida areas the warehouse features a large, deputies said the suspect fled the store there were no reported injuries according to sheriff's officials the store was.
Merritt aluminum products recently introduced a new line of accessories aimed at the light duty truck market including multiple versions of its crossbody toolboxes headache racks and ladder racks, storage workers re fill empty racks as consumers grab more than they can carry truck drivers transport critical goods across. Ladder racks and other specialty truck equipment for commercial vehicle fleets the company has a network of 1 500 installation providers throughout the u s and canada amfs founders dave and, merritt aluminum products recently introduced a new line of accessories aimed at the light duty truck market including multiple versions of its crossbody toolboxes headache racks and ladder racks.
The severe duty body on display in the booth also features royal's patented modular ladder rack royal truck body designs manufactures and assembles a full product line of truck body options, amfs is a pre eminent provider of in field installation and service of safety security navigation tracking and communications products as well as ladder racks and other specialty custom truck


text:
- Subscribe NowLimited Time Offer
Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Place: Hilton Minneapolis
Send this story to a friend
CyberOptics cuts workforce, warns of bad news on sales, profits
CyberOptics Corp. said Friday it has cut 10 percent of its workforce in response to a severe drop in sales.
Golden Valley-based CyberOptics (Nasdaq: CYBE) had about 200 employees earlier this year, according to Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Top 25 Lists.
CyberOptics said in a news release that the company will have "a more significant net loss for the fourth quarter and full year than previously anticipated."
The company also warned in a news release Friday that revenue for the fourth quarter, which ends Dec. 31, will be between $5.5 million and $6 million. That's less than half of the $13.8 million in revenue that the company had in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Third-quarter revenue was down was down 32 percent to $11.6 million, and revenue for the first nine months of the year was down 24 percent, according to the company's most recent quarterly report.
"The downturn in the global electronics market, which affected our operating results through the first nine months of 2012, has deepened considerably in the fourth quarter, CyberOptics CEO Kathleen Iverson said in a statement. "All electronics manufacturers now appear to be deferring capital equipment orders and likely will continue doing so until global economic uncertainties are resolved and consumer confidence strengthens.”
Iverson said the company will pay about $550,000 in severance expenses. She also said the company has $30 million in cash reserves and "a strong pipeline of new products under development."
CyberOptics provides sensors and inspection systems for the global electronic assembly and semiconductor equipment markets.
>Click here to read the company's news release.
Ed Stych assembles a daily stream of best-in-class information for entrepreneurs and top managers that appear in The Business Journals' national How-To blog.
- Most popular
- Full list: Supervalu data breach hit 60 Cub Foods, 209 stores total
- St. Paul's Candyland takes popcorn giants to court over 'Chicago Mix'
- Best Places to Work: HealthPartners, No. 1 large company
- Hy-Vee confirms Maple Grove grocery store plans
- Hy-Vee plans store in Lakeville
- Supervalu hit by credit-card data breach, Cub stores affected
- Millions of card numbers likely stolen in Supervalu breach: expert
- West End owner Duke plans 400-apartment project with Florida developer
- Dream Homes: Late Cargill heir's former Orono estate listed for $4.3M
- Angst on the Green Line: For St. Paul shops, a train in vain?
Work For: Polaris Industries Polaris Industries | Minneapolis, MN
Concessions Contracts and Proposals Manager Metropolitan Airports Commission | Saint Paul, MN
Senior Marketing Coordinator McGough Construction | Saint Paul, MN
Staff Accountants Accountemps | Minnetonka, MN
Bookkeeping Accountemps | Minneapolis, MN


text:
INTERNATIONAL. Kraft's recent announcement to split its operations into two publicly traded companies outlines a plan to create two different trading entities with distinct priorities and strengths.
This is intended to help the company achieve the next stage of its ongoing restructuring process, since its acquisition of Cadbury in January 2010.
Kraft is now bundling and spinning off its US Beverages, Cheese, Convenient Meals and Grocery segments, the non-snack categories in Canada and its foodservice operations, which are worth an estimated US$16 billion in sales in total.
The larger of t
UAE. "Despite plummeting oil prices and its impact on the economies in the Gulf, one of the region's retailers, the Lulu Group not only achieved revenue growth but it also managed to retain its position as one of the fastest growing retailers in the world."
UAE. Deloitte publishes latest Real Estate Predictions Dubai Report which provides an economic overview and review of Dubai's residential, hospitality, office and retail markets in 2015 and examines the latest trends and developments and what lies ahead for 2016.
SAUDI ARABIA. The slowdown is due to demand-supply mismatch and the country's overall macroeconomic scenario, according to JLL's latest report; The existing mismatch is expected to widen as more retail and office supply is expected to enter the market with the easing of backlog projects.
INTERNATIONAL. "It's going to come to a point where there is just going to be no real economical benefit to any kind of production staying at any kind of level in those countries. And once they come off, that's going to obviously support oil prices."


text:
Cisco Systems Inc. will pave China's information superhighway under an agreement signed with China Telecom Ltd. to provide 500 Internet routers over the next year, the companies announced Monday.
China Telecom's ChinaNet Internet service provider will use Cisco's network equipment to expand Internet service to 300 cities in China, according to the release. In August, the two companies agreed to expand the capacity of 54 existing nodes of ChinaNet's backbone network using Cisco routers.
China Telecom intends to develop nationwide Internet services, and will use Cisco's gear as baseline technology to build multi-protocol label switching and virtual private networking, China Telecom said. China Telecom also plans to use Cisco's 12000 and 12400 series routers to help upgrade the company's telecommunications backbone to 10G bps (bits per second) speeds to accommodate increasing traffic.


text:
Level-5 is a game developer that has been very hard at work over the last few years with Fantasy Life, Yo-Kai Watch and now Ni No Kuni II. The company has a long and storied history in video games and have crafted some absolute gems including Dragon Quest VIII, Dark Cloud and the Professor Layton series.
“We here at Level-5 are always thinking of new things to present to the world. While I can’t go into too much detail, we plan to announce all kinds of new titles that consist of completely new ideas in 2016. There will also be a sequel to a very popular series among them. Please look forward to it.”
We already know Level-5 has Ni No Kuni II, Fantasy Life II and a game called The Snack World in development right now but it sounds like much more is on the way from the company in 2016. Yo-Kai Watch has also been a smash hit with the first game in series recently getting a western release this fall and the series shipping 10 million games worldwide.
What do you think this surprise announcement from Level-5 could be? What are your favorite games from the company? Let us know down in the comments below.
- Excitebike and Birdo are Coming to Super Mario Maker
- Rise of the Tomb Raider’s Endurance Mode Is Now Available
- Transistor Has Sold Over a Million Copies
- Ken Levine’s New Game Is Inspired by the Likes of Dark Souls and Dying Light


text:
From the (New Zealand) Dominion Post, this article about a government-appointed appointed working group that will look at the country’s goods and services tax (akin to the sales tax imposed in the U.S.):
[F]inance Minister Grant Robertson said the panel would have a “wide mandate” to look at the whole tax system but it had been directed to look at specific areas such as GST.
When asked if the group would consider removing the goods and services tax (GST) from women’s products, Robertson said “it’s up to the working group”, though he would not be “taking anything on or off the table”.
“If the working group decide to go down that path, we’ll be happy to do that. What we are saying is the rate for GST is not to be included in [its discussions].”
Robertson said if the working group could deliver a concrete step forward earlier than planned, the Government would consider acting.
Last year, it was reported that some young Kiwi women were skipping classes when they had their period as they couldn’t afford sanitary products.
Labour MP Louisa Wall said some women stayed home from university or school when they didn’t have enough money to buy tampons or pads, which can cost between $5 and $15 a week.
“Female sanitary products aren’t a luxury, but for young Kiwi women on tight budgets, they’re an expense that’s hard to afford.”
The full article is here.


text:
tech2 News StaffSep 14, 2018 13:49:09 IST
It was a rare day when some Android users wondered why their battery did really well.
Many Android Pie users on 13 September noticed something unusual on their phones. The battery saver had been turned on for then, even when the phone was charged fully. Only when the battery is 75 percent, the battery saver slider is activated, however this time, users noticed that the slider was turned on even at 99 percent.
Users on Reddit complained about the issue, and all the users were Android Pie users.
“Mine turned itself on at 76 percent before.. for no reason. I've never once used power saving mode on this phone,” reads one post. People wondered if they had accidentally turned it on.
A representative from the Pixel Community, which is an official Google account on Reddit, later confirmed that this was a result of an experiment, and the test has rolled out to more people than they had originally intended.
They said, “Hi all, some of you may have noticed that battery saver turned on automatically today. This was an internal experiment to test battery saving feature that was mistakenly rolled out to more users than intended. We have now rolled battery saver settings back to default. Please configure to your liking. Sorry for the confusion.”
So you don’t have to worry if you saw an update you weren’t meant to. You aren’t the only one.
Since some comments also reveal that the battery did great for some users, the update seems like a pretty good idea.
Find latest and upcoming tech gadgets online on Tech2 Gadgets. Get technology news, gadgets reviews & ratings. Popular gadgets including laptop, tablet and mobile specifications, features, prices, comparison.


text:
One of the most important aspects of any car company is safety — the concern for safety, how both employees and consumers are kept safe, and how issues are handled should a safety concern arise. Toyota made a huge and unethical failure in 2010 when they basically betrayed their promise as a company by ignoring safety concerns and delaying recall investigations just so they could save a little money.
After confronted with safety concerns regarding faulty breaks and sticking pedals in 2009, Toyota said that phasing in side airbags saved $124 million and 50,000, the cost of what it would have taken to recall and fix vehicles. They also stated that delaying a rule for tougher door locks saved them $11 million.
Despite being ordered to appear before Congress and provide an explanation for their unethical handling of the situation, Toyota didn’t seem to think it was such a big deal.
“We can win back the customer’s confidence; we are doing a better job,” said senior Toyota executive and global managing director on the Toyota board in somewhat of an apology for their delayed recalls. But it seems that they were only sorry after they got caught — it was almost an entire two years before Toyota got called out on this unethical practice after a few deaths and even more complaints about their unsafe vehicles. Their failure to be honest got so bad that they were even accused of hiding evidence in hundreds of rollover and death cases.


text:
Qantas has cut the number of points customers flying on its cheaper fares can earn as it overhauls its frequent flyer program.
The airline has reduced its minimum points guarantee for members flying on economy and discount economy fares from 1,000 to 800 as part of the new “fairer, more simplified program”.
Under the new program customers will earn points based on their ticket class, rather than the distance they fly.
For instance, a customer flying from Australian to London on a discount economy fare, which includes sale tickets, will receive 6,200 points, while those travelling on a more expensive flexi-saver will receive 12,400 points.
The changes were announced in an email to the airline’s nine million frequent flyer members on Thursday night.
It comes as the airline makes drastic changes to its operations, including cutting 5,000 staff, in the face of a record $252 million first half loss.


text:
China's top Internet retailer has prohibited the use of Bitcoin on its shopping platforms amid a regulatory crackdown targeting the digital currency.
The decision will make practical use of bitcoin even more difficult in China, despite massive interest from investors in the alternative currency.
Alibaba said in a post on its website that the regulation will take effect on January 19, and would extend to other digital currencies including Litecoins.
John Spelich, a company spokesman, confirmed the policy in an email saying the ban was implemented "in the interest of consumer protection."
Demand for bitcoin has been particularly strong in China, where investors have eagerly embraced the currency and helped drive its price to dramatic highs above $1,000 in recent weeks.
But regulators have taken a dim view of Bitcoin, and the central bank last month issued rules that prohibit financial institutions from dealing in the digital currency.
While the central bank did not outlaw or prohibit individuals from owning bitcoin, the guidelines specify that it is not to be considered a currency. The new rules prohibit financial institutions in China from trading, underwriting or offering insurance in bitcoin.
Chinese regulators have also directed third-party payment services to stop working with bitcoin exchanges.
This is not the first time that Beijing has moved to place restrictions on an alternative currency. The central bank also took a dim view of the QQ coin, a popular virtual currency created by tech pioneer Tencent. The government restricted its use to virtual products in 2009.
In the United States, lawmakers have been examining potential regulations for Bitcoin, which is the currency of choice on certain online markets for drugs and other illicit goods.
Bitcoin has received a measure of support from officials at the Federal Reserve, including chairman Ben Bernanke, who said the currency "may hold long-term promise" as part of the international payment system.
Some supporters say government regulation would be a positive for Bitcoin, since it could lead to wider adoption of the currency. But others argue that Bitcoin is decentralized by design and the government should leave well alone.


text:
Swap some sweets for a healthier treat
Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:00:00 GMT —
Illinois has the fourth highest obesity rate in the country.
In Adams County, more than 40 percent of kids are overweight or obese, but schools are working to break that cycle.
Barb Conners comes in everyday at 5 a.m. to prepare a fresh fruit or vegetable snack for more than three hundred kids at Washington School. She says its something many students don't see at home.
"It is expensive and I think it's important they get a healthy snack everyday. I do think it's very important," Barb said.
She's right. A combination of a federal and state grants cover the cost of these snacks, but buying fresh produce and healthier foods can add up to a much higher grocery bill.
"We already know that if you want to eat at home a quote, healthy diet, I've read estimates it can cost up to ten times the cost of a fast food restaurant, " Dr. Dennis Go said.
Cost, convenience, and picky eaters can all make it hard to incorporate healthier foods into your family's diet. The transition is worth the trouble. Swapping out simple carbs, like sugary snacks, for a healthier option like these grapes is a start.
"We tend to get stuck on brown meals where we have chicken strips and fries and chocolate milk so all our food is brown and we really need to get more associated with color at our meals, get more fresh fruits and vegetables," Registered Dietician Ashlyn Meyers said.
Meyers says families need to look out for portion size and preparation as well. Baked and broiled means less fat than fried foods with the same protein or vitamins. Barb Conners just hopes parents will support what she's trying to do at home.
A cup of fresh fruits and veggies is just the beginning of a bigger change in school menus.
Friday on KHQA News at 6, we'll show you how the new federal school lunch program affects students.


text:
The US has charged former Apple engineer Weibao Wang with trade secret theft and attempting to flee to China. Wang is accused of stealing Apple’s autonomous systems technology, including their self-driving car project, Project Titan. He had worked at Apple since 2016 but delayed informing the company about his resignation after accepting a job offer from a Chinese company in 2017. Apple discovered that Wang had accessed a significant amount of proprietary data before leaving, and a search of his home revealed a substantial quantity of Apple data. Wang managed to escape to China.
The article does not provide information about Apple’s response to the case. Wang’s charges are part of a broader effort to combat trade secret theft, joining previous cases involving former Apple employees Xiaolang Zhang and Jizhong Chen, who were arrested in 2018 and 2019 for stealing self-driving car secrets. If convicted, Wang could face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and fines for each count of trade secret theft. Apple’s Project Titan, initially slated for a 2019 release, has faced challenges and undergone changes, including layoffs. The project’s launch has been delayed multiple times, and the most recent report suggests a potential launch in 2026. Meanwhile, Apple is currently conducting vehicle tests on California’s roads as indicated in state filings.


text:
G-Dragon &'LTE U Plus Unite for new campaign
Jimmy Pak, Jan. 29, 2014, 11:34 a.m.
G –Dragon joined with ‘LG U PLUS’ to promote a new promotion for the electronics brand LG. An LG U Plus representative stated, "In order to effectively bring awareness of LG U Plus's maximum frequency bandwidth to customers, G-Dragon has been chosen as the new endorsement model."
G-Dragon will be promoting the LG ‘LTE 8’; which provides an 80 MHz frequency LTE service. The star is also expected to attract customers of all ages. The brand will also be holding an event in which 8 fans will win a G-Dragon jacket, bracelet, necklace and more from LG U PLUS.