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Changing food waste behaviours – Covid-19 and beyond
22 June 2020
The past few months have been challenging to say the least. Panic buying cleared supermarket shelves and some big brand shops introduced ration-like limitations on certain food items. But now, new patterns in food waste behaviour are beginning to emerge, suggesting the way in which we value food under lockdown has changed. So, can the current lockdown crisis help to ignite a long-awaited food waste revolution?
Less shopping, more cooking, less waste
Food waste is a huge problem experienced along the entire supply chain; one third of edible food is wasted globally each year. The cost to our planet and our pockets is immense; in 2018 alone, the UK wasted around 9.5 million tonnes or £19 billion worth of food. Household food waste accounted for over two thirds of this.
Recent reports suggest life under lockdown is having a positive impact on how much food we’re throwing away. Self-reported levels of household food waste have reduced by over a third. A recent study suggests 63% of us started shopping less often once we were asked to stay indoors, with far less nipping to the shops after work to ‘pick up a couple of extra bits’. It appears that recent restrictions and shortages have unnerved many of us enough to reconsider what food we use, how we use it, and what we throw away.
Moreover, supermarkets are reporting decreased sales across a range of convenience items, including salad packs, prepared vegetables and ready meals. Whilst reductions in food waste may well be driven primarily by changes to household budgets, it appears the general slow-down to our lifestyles has allowed for home cooking – and baking – to ramp up, as the recent run on flour testifies. Research carried out by Tesco as part of the Food Love Stories campaign found that 40% of people have reignited their passion for cooking as a result of lockdown, and 89% say they intend to keep cooking meals from scratch after the lockdown ends.
We’ve known for some time that those termed ‘casual consumers’ and ‘kitchen evaders’ who are most reliant on convenience food, are generally the most wasteful, so what happens as we begin to return to ‘normal’? We need to think of ways we can continue this positive reconnection with our food, whilst still meeting the convenience demands of many consumers.
Current trends and shopping behaviours
The convenience of online shopping is embraced by many. It provides shoppers with remote access to thousands of products, with hassle-free delivery to the front door. Yet, this instant connection to so many products can have repercussions, leading to a dangerous journey down the online shopping rabbit hole.
Food subscription boxes have experienced rapid growth over the past few years; market disrupters such as HelloFresh, Gousto and Mindful Chef supply the ‘precise ingredients for zero food waste’ straight to your door. Evidence shows that providing consumers with accurate portions of food as part of ‘meal kits’ can drastically reduce household food waste, and compared to individual journeys to the supermarket, can help to reduce transport emissions as well. That said, excessive packaging can be an issue with this kind of shopping, and trips to the supermarket will still be necessary for some basic items. This market is still in its infancy, making its overall impact on food waste in the UK currently relatively small, but there remains a huge opportunity for this pre-measured, subscription-style of shopping to make an impact.
Future win-win opportunities for all
With current restrictions on the number of people allowed in supermarkets at any one time – which might be here to stay – more home delivery orders are being fulfilled than ever before. Could our supermarkets, who already operate in this door-to-door space, introduce a similar service to bring these food waste reductions to scale? Might online supermarket shopping of the future offer a recipe bank as an option, calculating your shopping list for you based on the meals you choose, the number of people you’re feeding and what stock items you already have at home?
Could tapping into this subscription market meet the convenience needs of the consumer whilst also improving retailer supply chains? Such convenience offerings are also a key driver of loyalty, so it could be a win-win situation. With an extended home delivery fleet on the road, could this open up the possibility of more ‘take back’ and ‘return from home’ packaging solutions? Could charities and community groups tap into this expanding delivery fleet to redistribute more surplus foods to those in need – an area of support many organisations so desperately require? The potential synergies are endless.
With the classic supermarket blueprint facing a powerful change in consumer behaviour, there is an opportunity for a new type of service to emerge. At the start of the year, pre-Covid-19, I spoke to several large retailers who all confirmed there was significant scope to improve current supply chain management to further reduce food waste. With the added impact of the pandemic, which has rocked supply chains all over the globe, the need for supermarkets to respond with greater and more streamlined forecasting processes is more pressing than ever.
There is, without doubt, a significant challenge to face in moving forward with our new ‘normal’. However, this time is also ripe for change and new ideas.


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Hindustan Unilever (HUL) chief executive and managing director Sanjiv Mehta’s pay rose by a whopping 47 percent to Rs 22 crore in the last fiscal, the company’s annual report showed.
In the previous financial year FY21, his salary stood at Rs 15 crore.
In FY22, he got Rs 3.7 crore salary, Rs 9.2 crore in allowances, Rs 4.3 crore in bonus and Rs 4.2 crore in perquisite - long term incentives. All these components make over Rs 21 crore. Contribution to provident fund and perquisites formed other components of his salary.
In FY20, Mehta was the highest-paid CEO in the FMCG sector and took home a salary of Rs 19.42 crore. But his pay package dropped by 21 percent in the next fiscal year FY21 at Rs 15 crore. Nestle’s Suresh Narayanan dethroned him at a pay package of Rs 17.19 crore (in 2020).
In 2021, however, Narayanan’s salary rose 9.3 percent to Rs 18.8 crore and is lower than Mehta’s Rs 22 crore.
Nestle follows January to December financial year.
Other FMCG majors such as Britannia, Marico, Dabur, Godrej Con-sumer Products and Tata Consumer Products are yet to release their annual reports for FY22 and it remains to be seen who will emerge as the highest-paid FMCG CEO this year.
HUL’s other top executives such as Ritesh Tiwari, Wilhelmus Uijen and Srinivas Phatak took home Rs 5.9 crore, Rs 11.5 crore and Rs 1.4 crore, respectively in FY22. Tiwari was appointed as a whole-time director and chief financial officer of the company on May 1, 2021, succeeding Srinivas Phatak. Uijen is the executive director, supply chain at HUL.

domain: news


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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Tesla is on track to start selling new electric vehicles in Utah under a deal approved by state lawmakers.
Utah lawmakers approved a proposal Thursday allowing the company to sell sleek new cars for the first time at a $3 million showroom it built before the state denied them a license in 2015.
Utah officials cited a law banning car manufacturers from owning dealerships. Tesla pushed back, saying it had to sell its own cars because its business depends on convincing customers its electric cars are better traditional gas-engine cars.
The Utah Supreme Court sided with the state and car dealers who argued that they were just as capable of selling electric vehicles.
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The governor has urged the state to smooth the path for Tesla, and the new bill now awaits his signature.


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figured prominently at the recent chief secretaries' conference with at least three presentations focusing on how India
must take advantage of the economic space being vacated by China.
ET has gathered that the thrust was on initiating key state-level reforms to increase exports by grabbing the low-skill manufacturing base China is exiting as wages rise there.
"This is India's Moment. (India can be) a potentially large beneficiary of China + 1 and "friend shoring" as "China (is) vacating low-skilled manufacturing export space," a JP Morgan
presentation at the meet on 'India's Growth Imperative and the Role of Exports' said.
It listed out apparel, ceramics, footwear, leather, iron and steel, furniture and gems and pearls as areas which China is fast vacating. Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Spain, Italy and Germany are among the countries increasing their market share in these sectors as China exits them.
It pointed out that demography is in India's favour as 'working age population is to increase even as that of other economies shrink'.
JP Morgan made a strong case for a public capex push to boost near-term aggregate demand, increase private sector investment and utilisation levels in areas that are labour intensive and thereby create blue-collar construction jobs that are needed post- pandemic. It cited the example of China and how its focus on 'low skill manufacturing pulled labour out of lower-productivity agriculture'.
"India's endowment/opportunity lies in low skill manufacturing exports, where it is punching much below its weight. Service exports reveal competitive advantage but will impact white collar workers; key is to create more blue-collar jobs," the financial service provider said.
It noted that the pandemic has made several "non-tradable services" tradable and India is in prime position to capture post-Covid digitisation opportunity provided due policy reforms are undertaken.
Global major Credit Suisse pointed out that 'the next decade is likely to see a significant shift in production out of China' and it is 'India's game to lose'.
Talking of opportunities in the 'garments sector', Credit Suisse observed that while the initial shift away from China benefited Bangladesh and Vietnam, there is a lot more that needs to shift.
"An additional $50b of apparel exports can shift out of China. India has the skills and upstream value chains. Some of the most populous regions with cheapest labour need hubs", it said in a presentation on the 'Role of States in India's Growth Acceleration'.
"Creation of hubs that may be simple to start with, but within a generation innovate to global leadership (e.g., Japan
in the 1950s)", it added.
It mentioned internal as well as external export opportunities in goods and services and specifically mentioned electronics, garments, consumer durables, specialty chemicals, automotive components (particularly EVs) as sectors that have strong potential going forward.
Credit Suisse was emphatic that the next stage of reforms is needed at the state level in urban governance, real estate regulation, agriculture, power distribution, land records modernisation, labour law simplification, pollution control and so on.
China also figured big in the presentation made by the then CEO Niti Aayog
Amitabh Kant. He noted that while at the eve of Independence, India was richer than China or Korea on a per-capita basis (PPP terms), today incomes in Korea are 5x that of India's and China's 2x of India's.
High investment and infrastructure growth have driven high growth in Japan, Korea, China and Singapore
with China clocking an average real GDP growth of 10% between 1995-2010.


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Resident Evil 7 has already become one of the top video games releases of 2017, thanks to its exciting first-person horror gameplay and atmosphere, with most reviewers and players agreeing that this is a great return to form for the Resident Evil series after the disappointment that the earlier Resident Evil 6 was.
Although sadly for Japanese company Capcom, it seems that sales of its most recent Resident Evil game have not been stunning to date, despite the company announcing last month that the game was off to “solid start”, according to gaming website GameSpot.
But investors have not responded well to the fact that Resident Evil 7’s first week sales were “only” 2.5 million, which is quite a bit below that of the company’s earlier Resident Evil 6 and Resident Evil 5, which sold 4.5 and 4 million copies respectively during their first week in the market. The result of this is that Capcom’s shares in the Tokyo stock market have been in a downward trend of late, despite Resident Evil 7’s decent sales and the game’s high quality.
Resident Evil 7 has been a success in another way, though, and this is that according to official figures on residentevil.net, almost 10 % of the game’s player base has tried the game in VR, which his stunning indeed. Because quite a few pundits had predicted that VR would end up being a flop, and that few would buy a virtual reality headset such as the PlayStation VR that costs more than a PS4 console just to play a few mediocre video game offerings.
Things have changed, though, due to the fact that some big-name releases like Resident Evil 7 have began offering VR modes as well, with players who own a VR headset being able to switch between traditional and virtual reality modes easily. This surely has made owning a PlayStation VR headset a more attractive proposition, and the fact that almost 90,000 people have played Resident Evil 7 in VR mode shows virtual reality gaming might not be a lost cause after all.
Of course, this figure might end up being higher if Resident Evil 7 ends up supporting other VR headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, something that’s likely as the game is a timed exclusive for PlayStation VR only until January 2018.
It remains to be seen, though, whether the VR market and virtual reality gaming actually take off despite the current high cost of VR headsets and other issues like the lack of game support and the fact that wearing these headsets is not as comfortable an experience as it could be, but nonetheless 2017 might still turn out to be a big year for VR all the same.


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Credit card cash advance fees on the rise
Many credit cards allow holders to withdraw cash, such as at an ATM in the same way you would using your pin and a debit card.
However, users could be hit with an immediate cash advance fee, as well as the usual APR from the minute you take out cash, meaning it can be an expensive way to borrow money.
Some other credit card transactions may also be treated as a cash advance, including buying foreign currency and those related to betting or gambling.
Overall, taking cash out on your credit card should be seen as a last resort and only done in emergencies.
A comparison of credit cards by business information and ratings site Defaqto, revealed that in the last five years, several providers have increased their cash advance fees.
According to Katie Brain, consumer banking expert at Defaqto, three of the top 10 providers for credit cards have increased their cash advance fees, while the Post Office and two sub-prime cards have also done the same:
The Halifax reference is for the credit card, not the Halifax Clarity credit card.
Brain said: “To make a cash withdrawal will now cost you from 99p to £2 more per £100 withdrawn. So, it is worth shopping around for the most cost-effective credit card for you, as some cards have no fees for cash withdrawals. Barclaycard Rewards credit card and Halifax Clarity credit card both have no cash advance fees.”
Andrew Hagger of Moneycomms added that Halifax, MBNA and Lloyds Banking Group now all charge 5% with no minimum amount.
He said: “MBNA has charged £5 for many years along with Virgin Money (which at one time was part of MBNA). Lloyds and Halifax seemed to have adopted the MBNA 5% rate after Lloyds took it over.”
However, Defaqto also found that the number of cards which do not charge cash advance fees has increased from four in August 2017 to seven today.
The following providers and products do not charge cash advance fees:


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By Ashley M. Heher, AP Retail Writer
CHICAGO A private equity firm said Friday that it will buy the company that owns Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants for about $619 million in cash.
Thomas H. Lee Partners, a Boston firm among a trio of investment firms that bought Dunkin' Brands Inc. in 2006, has made the deal to buy CKE Restaurants (CKR) at a time when the fast-food chains' sales are falling and fewer diners are visiting their restaurants.
Lee Partners also will assume about $309 million in CKE debt.
Under terms of the deal, CKE shareholders will receive $11.05 in cash for each share they own — a 24% premium to its Thursday closing price of $8.91.
CKE, based in Carpinteria, Calif., can seek other offers until April 6. The company said it won't disclose any information related to its talks with other potential buyers, unless its board decides a superior bid has been received.
CKE CEO Andrew Puzder says the acquisition is the right choice partly because of Thomas H. Lee Partners' experience in the consumer sector.
CKE is a regional fast food chain that operates and franchises more than 3,000 restaurants, with Carl's Jr. in the West and Hardee's restaurants in the Southeast and Midwest.
But its business for CKE and many of its competitors has slowed as the recession kept some of its most loyal customers — young men — away from its stores. That's sent results tumbling across most of the sector, sending stock prices down as well. That makes chains like CKE a good investment, said Morningstar analyst R.J. Hottovy.
Through the first three quarters of its fiscal year, CKE earned $32.8 million, a 4.5% decline. Revenue is off about 4% to $1.11 billion.
Meanwhile, sales at restaurants open at least a year fell 5.2% at Carl's Jr. and 1.8% at Hardee's the three months ended Nov. 2. That's an important performance measure because it excludes the effects of expansions and store closings.
The company hasn't yet reported fourth-quarter results.
CKE shares climbed $2.23, or 25%, to $11.14 in morning trading Friday. Its stock has traded between $5.65 to $11.52 in the past year.
Contributing: AP Retail Writer Michelle Chapman in New York
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There have been a lot of rumors on the next BlackBerry 10 handset the Canadian company would launch this year, but none of them was confirmed until BlackBerry’s last quarterly earnings call from John Chen, who talked about a device called “Jakarta.”
BlackBerry “Jakarta” was leaked a while ago via handset manufacturer Foxconn, along with some details on its specs, which suggested that that was the mid-range BlackBerry 10 smartphone. Today, N4BB.com reports that the first official specs for the BlackBerry “Jakarta” have been leaked along with the first press render of the smartphone. Judging by the look of the handset, BlackBerry “Jakarta” could be a solid choice for those who wish a full touch BlackBerry 10 device but can’t afford to grab the Z10 or Z30.
According to the latest hearsay, BlackBerry “Jakarta” should be available for purchase this year for around $150 (€110) outright. The information has yet to be confirmed, and the price may vary by country, but if it proves accurate, this might be even cheaper than the Q5.
The “Jakarta” is expected to go official later this month at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2014, as BlackBerry Z3. No word on when it will hit shelves, but we suspect that it will be available several weeks after its official release.
The smartphone will be equipped with a dual-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz, 1.5GB of RAM and 8GB of internal memory. There aren’t any details on the presence of the microSD card slot for memory expansion, but expect the budget-friendly smartphone to offer this feature as well.
Furthermore, BlackBerry Z3 “Jakarta” is said to sport a large 5-inch qHD capacitive touchscreen display that supports 540 x 960 pixels resolution.
On the back, the device packs a 5-megapixel photo snapper with autofocus, LED flash and video recording, while in the front, there’s a secondary 1.1-megapixel camera.
We also know that BlackBerry Z3 will be powered by a 2650 mAh non-removable battery, which has yet to be rated by the manufacturer. Stay tuned for more updates on the smartphone’s exact release date and price tag.


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- News tagged "internet security"
Wednesday, 5 Oct 2011
Google Chrome users may be affected by the overzealous virus definitions in Microsoft Security Essentials. The latter has mistakenly flagged the browser as malware.
Tuesday, 6 Sep 2011
Have you gotten less spam lately? Since September 2010, the spam ratio has dropped nearly 20% in Singapore's email traffic. Still, there are several spam threats you should be aware of and this report highlights some of them.
Monday, 18 Apr 2011
Norton has released 2012 beta versions of Norton Anti-virus and Norton Internet Security, which are now available for free download from the Norton beta website.
Tuesday, 16 Nov 2010
Small businesses in Asia can now enjoy real-time antivirus and anti-malware software free of charge, as Microsoft makes its Microsoft Security Essentials available to small businesses with up to 10 PCs installed with genuine Windows software.
Wednesday, 27 Oct 2010
Avira, a global provider of antivirus software and IT security solutions for consumers and businesses is officially making its waves into Singapore.
Tuesday, 19 Oct 2010
BitDefender today announced the launch of BitDefender Total Security 2011 in Singapore, offering comprehensive protection against the latest viruses, spyware, phishing and identity theft attacks.
Monday, 18 Oct 2010
PC Tools today announces the release of its 2011 performance and protection portfolio, including PC Tools Spyware Doctor, PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus, PC Tools Internet Security, PC Tools Registry Mechanic1 and brand-new PC Tools Performance Toolkit2, built on the brands award-winning technologies.
Wednesday, 8 Sep 2010
Trend Micro today released new security software that provides state-of-the-art protection for consumersÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ data, delivered with optimal performance and ease-of-use.
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Symantec today announced new enhancements to its Small and Mid-sized Business (SMB) Protection Portfolio, providing SMB customers with greater choice and flexibility for protecting the information that drives their businesses.
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Sophos is warning Facebook users to be wary following a video attack on users designed to infect computers with adware. Thousands have been hit by the attack which posted a fake video to profiles claiming to be the "sexiest video ever".


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Ten of Southern California's Top Software Companies
NOVEMBER 16, 2012
Southern California is often criticized for having too many startups which only revolve around brand, celebrity, ecommerce, and. Factual.
Southern California Companies Raise $2.49 Billion In VC In Q2
JULY 15, 2016
Southern California companies raised $2.49 The big numbers were directly impacted by several large fundings in Southern California--most notably, a giant, $1.27 Southern California represented almost half of the top fundraising rounds for Q2 nationally. billion round for Venice based Snapchat.
Southern California Companies Raise $1.46B In VC In Q3 2015
OCTOBER 15, 2015
Southern California has seen another, big venture capital investment quarter, with companies raising $1.46 raised in 15 companies.
Forbes Midas List Gives Cold Shoulder To SoCal VCs
MARCH 26, 2014
The latest annual ranking of venture capitalists by Forbes has given a cold shoulder to Southern California venture capitalists.
5 things Silicon Valley gets wrong about Southern California
AUGUST 28, 2012
5 things Silicon Valley gets wrong about Southern California. MYTH 1: SoCal’s nothing but beaches, Housewives, and Mickey Mouse.
Southern California Venture Deals Hit $683.7M in Q4 2012
JANUARY 17, 2013
was invested across Southern California in Q4 of 2012. The funding brings Southern California's total 2012 investments to $3.2
Accelerator Crazy In Southern California
OCTOBER 20, 2011
What's the latest craze in startups in Southern Califonia? K5Launch , which was announced yesterday, is headed up by Amir Banafatemi, Ray Chan, David Cheng, and Kai Tao, four Southern California angel investors. It looks to be startup accelerators.
Southern California Firms Raise $762.88M in Q1
APRIL 21, 2014
was invested in the region; it was also an increase from Q4 of 2013, when $611.48M was invested in Southern California as a whole.
Southern California Sees Boom In Venture Investments In Q4
JANUARY 19, 2016
That's definitely not the case in Southern California, which saw a massive, $1.3 Southern California bucked the national trend, where venture investing dollars were down 32 percent in Q4 compared with Q3. survey capital venture 2015 investors investment moneytree california southernThe $1.3 in San Diego.
TrueCar Jumps In IPO As Socal Tech Exits Continue
MAY 16, 2014
The company--the second technology company to have an IPO this year from Southern California--was trading around $10.47 truecar southern california technology exit merger acquisition true per share, up around 16 percent over its pricing at $9.00 per share late last night. READ MORE>>.
Southern California Firms Get $694M In Q3 2012 Venture Funding
OCTOBER 19, 2012
The MoneyTree report--which is compiled with data from Thomson Reuters--found that so far in 2012, $2.5 was raised. raised. in investments.
Ten Of The Top Tech Companies For Employees In LA
NOVEMBER 9, 2012
Who are the top tech companies to work for in Los Angeles? Despite a huge number of companies, we found there are a number which. OpenX.
Southern California VC Totals Drop To $810.5M In Q1
APRIL 14, 2016
Southern California startups raised $810.5M Southern California venture totals were down significantly from the $1.38
Entrepreneur's Brilliant Companies List Pinpoint SoCal Startups
AUGUST 6, 2012
brilliant companies nimble parkme quarterly beachmint dollarshaveclub chromatik startupREAD MORE>>.
Honest Company Signs On To White House Effort On Equal Pay
DECEMBER 8, 2016
Los Angeles-based Honest Company is one of 44 companies who are backing an effort this week by the current White House, to bolster equal pay efforts in the United States. The Honest Company appeared to be the only, Southern California technology company on the list to join the effort. READ MORE>>.
Sixty-four Southern California Firms On Technology Fast 500
NOVEMBER 16, 2012
Earlier this week, Deloitte released its latest list of the top 500 growing technology companies, in its 2012 Technology Fast 500. list. Mogul.
Southern California Venture Investments Top $1.3 Billion In Q4
JANUARY 16, 2015
The numbers in Southern California were significantly helped by two, mega-funding deals in Los Angeles, including $485.6M READ MORE>>.
Report: Unilever Eyes The Honest Company
SEPTEMBER 15, 2016
Is another, Los Angeles consumer startup-- The Honest Company --about to be acquired by Unilever ? An unconfirmed report Thursday afternoon, from TechCrunch, says that Unilever is in early talks to acquire the company, founded by Jessica Alba and SoCal serial entrepreneur Brian Lee. READ MORE>>.
Southern California Companies Have Healthy Showing In Deloitte Fast 500
NOVEMBER 13, 2013
Of those 500, there were at least 60 Southern California companies in the rankings. READ MORE>>.
SoCal Firms Still Lined Up For IPOs
APRIL 20, 2011
10 of the 44 venture-backed companies currently filed to go public are from Southern California, according to an analysis today from the Wall Street Journal. venture-backed companies currently filed for an IPO, with 10 from Southern California and 13 from Silicon Valley.
Southern California Startups Raise $761.12M in Q2 2014
JULY 17, 2014
The latest venture capital totals from the PricewaterhouseCoopers/National Venture Capital Association''s MoneyTree Report was released this evening, tallying up $761.12M in investments in Q2 of 2014 in Southern California, up from Q2 of 2013, when $616.83M was invested in the region. Nationally, there was $13.0 READ MORE>>.
Google Hiring Frenzy Skips SoCal, So Far
FEBRUARY 4, 2011
google southern california santa monica employment jobsREAD MORE>>.
A History of SCaLE12X, 12 years of the SoCal Linux Expo
Tech Zulu Event
FEBRUARY 20, 2014
This weekend marks the 12th consecutive Southern California Linux Expo, SCaLE12x. I remember being worried no one would show up.
Southern California Accelerator Report Card: Q1 2013
APRIL 12, 2013
For our first list, we tallied the venture capital raised by portfolio companies of. companies in the last year. Our analysis.
Three SoCal Startups That Beat Snapchat To $100M In Revenues
FEBRUARY 26, 2016
Venice-based Snapchat might be the darling of the technology startup scene, but there are at least three, privately held startups--and maybe, more--in Southern California who recently passed $100M in revenues, according to a look through recent announcements. READ MORE>>.
CTO Equity and Compensation at Venture Backed Companies
FEBRUARY 22, 2011
The data is a bit tough to deal with via a post, so I've shared it two ways: You can find a PDF with some analysis at: CTO Equity Compensation PDF.
SoCal Gets $739M In Venture Capital In Q2
JULY 19, 2011
Southern California companies raised $739M in venture capital in Q2 of 2011, according to the latest numbers from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) based on data from Thomson Reuters. billion going into 275 companies in the quarter. raised for the quarter. Los Angeles had $222.5M
Three Southern California Firms Get EETimes Focus
OCTOBER 10, 2012
eetimes southern california startup electronics semiconductor transphorm rfaxis epccEfficient Power Conversion Corp. READ MORE>>.
The Complete Guide To Southern California Accelerators and Incubators, Part I
FEBRUARY 9, 2012
Representative companies: Look.io, Getbonkers, Invested.in, Tidepool, Stacksocial. Representative companies: Funding: No. Funding: Yes.
Job Fairs Back, As SoCal Technology Firms Ramp Hiring
JULY 6, 2011
In a sign that demand for employees from Southern California technology firms is on the rise, two, separate announcements Wednesday from local companies indicates that hiring demand at local companies is up, and companies are again scrambling to fill positions.
Metacloud, Eucalyptus, Inktank: SoCal Startups Now Powering The Cloud
SEPTEMBER 17, 2014
Based on a trio of recent, cloud technology acquisitions by major, Silicon Valley technology powerhouses, that would be Southern California. The three startups are among the many, technology-centric startups in Southern California who, for the most part, have been far less visible than sexier consumer Internet and media companies here.
Four Founders of Hot Startups With Links To Southern California
MARCH 12, 2014
Here are four startup founders, who are among the hottest companies in the technology world, who got their start in Southern California.
Southern California's Top 10 Most Popular Tech Stories Of The Year
DECEMBER 31, 2012
What was Southern California's technology community most interested in 2012? companies. As part of our. venture capital exits in.
Southern California Linked IPOs Grow
FEBRUARY 9, 2011
The number of Southern California related initial public offerings is growing steadily upwards, as Gevo --originally started in Pasadena, and based on technology out of Caltech and UCLA--hit the market this morning. Gevo is just the latest in a surge of companies hitting the public markets which have Southern California links.
Southern California Firms Raise $738M In Q4 2011
JANUARY 19, 2012
The latest numbers from the PricewaterhouseCoopers/National Venture capital Association MoneyTree survey, which is based on data from Thomson Reuters, tallies $738.34M invested in Southern California in Q4 of 2011. Southern California fundraising matched a similar increase nationally, where $28.4 in venture funding.
Southern California's Billion Dollar Startup Trio: SpaceX, Snapchat, Beats
JANUARY 27, 2014
A recent analysis by the Wall Street Journal uncovers a surprising number of Southern California startups in the billion dollar valuation -- led by Hawthorne-based SpaceX , with a $4.8 Along with SpaceX, Southern California includes Snapchat ($2.0 Think Silicon Valley has a lock on billion dollar startups? billion).
Enterprise Software Is Back: SoCal Sees Surge In Software Deals
JANUARY 28, 2014
Think Southern California''s tech industry is all about fashion, Hollywood, and content? for its cloud-based medical offices software.
SoCal Investors Score With Klout Acquisition
MARCH 27, 2014
A number of Southern California angel investors, and one of its venture firms, have scored an exit over at social media influence measurement startup Klout , as the San Francsco company said Thursday that it is being acquired by Lithium Technologies. The deal is reportedly worth $200M. READ MORE>>.
SPONSOR POST: Southern California Technology Firms Are Hiring
FEBRUARY 4, 2011
Not in Southern California's technology market! Southern California technology companies are hiring aggressively, and the high tech job outlook is better than it has ever been, with hundreds of open positions and many companies eagerly seeking high tech talent. Slow job market? per month monthly membership.
SoCal Sees Summertime Surge In Exits
AUGUST 10, 2016
In what looks to be an unprecedented surge in high profile, high value exits for high tech companies in Southern California, there have now been six big exits in the region over the last month worth over $100M. southern california merger acquisition dollarshave vizio nervana touchcommerce aurrion orbitera


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The company is seeing growth across its business lines and the IT Services business has now become a USD 100 million business entity. The company has recently appointed Raj Mamodia as Chief Executive Officer, Collabera in a statement said.
Mamodia is joining Collabera from Cognizant Technology Solutions, where he was part of the global leadership team.
Stating that many of company's strategic clients are betting heavily on emerging technologies to transform their business, Hiten Patel, Chairman and Co-founder of Collabera said "Our investments into IT services business and in multiple acquisitions we have made over a decade are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunity with many of our strategic clients looking to deploy new wave of technologies to improve their businesses."
Collabera employs about 9,000 professionals across more than 25 offices and 4 world-class delivery centers in the US, UK, India, Singapore and the Philippines.
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- Investors Want Bloomberg Barclays to Bond with India
Top US funds have urged managers of the Bloomberg Barclays Emerging Markets bond index to advance a scheduled review to early October so that a decision on India, now featuring on the competing JP Morgan gauge, can be brought forward by a quarter to give bulge-bracket investors tracking the benchmark an option to incrementally buy about $25 billion of bonds issued by one of the least indebted major economies.Gold Buyers Take a Shine to Monthly Schemes
Consumers might be buying less gold amid record-high prices, but top retail chains are seeing a surge in jewellery purchased through deferred or monthly payment schemes. Some of the big jewellery retailers saw over a 50% rise in purchases through monthly schemes.NSE Plans Longer F&O Trading Hours
The National Stock Exchange, India’s largest bourse, is finalizing plans to extend trading hours for equity derivatives, said three people with knowledge of the matter.
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Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.Top Trending Stocks: Sensex Today Live, SBI Share Price, Axis Bank Share Price, HDFC Bank Share Price, Infosys Share Price, Wipro Share Price, NTPC Share Price


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In the Northeast, there is no shortage of fresh food grown locally. What’s your favorite summertime farm product? Let us know in the comments below and visit our Farm Fresh Guide to find out where to buy your favorite farm fresh products all summer long.
We have witnessed tremendous resilience among Northeast producers these past few months, and as summer kicks into full swing, it’s important to to thank and support local farmers, commercial fishermen and forest products producers.
Ag businesses’s commitment to providing local communities with access to fresh food during the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t faltered. Learn how some ag retail business are adapting to the current environment to service their customers and communities.
On April 17, the USDA announced $19 billion in relief programs as a step toward a remedy for supply chains and prices during the COVID-19 crisis. Find a breakdown of support and allocations in today’s blog.


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Sony Corp. of Japan and Sweden's Ericsson have a long established joint venture in the Sony Ericsson line of cell phones. According to Reuters, it was reported in Saturday's Nikkei business daily that Sony would like to bring enhanced portable gaming features to the Sony Ericsson label to compete directly with Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch product lines.
More and more game developers, like Capcom, are designing games for Apple's popular iPhone device and this is seen as a direct threat to some of Sony's portable gaming products.
Sony is not commenting on the story but others have speculated that we may see a PlayStation Portable-like device that can make and receive cellphone calls.
On the eve of Sony's 30th anniversary of their original Walkman product, Sony is facing increasing competition from rival Apple and Nintendo products during a global recession which has led to Sony's first annual loss in 14 years.
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Amazon next month plans to add 25 new TV shows and movies to its Prime streaming lineup, including seven originals and five Thursday Night Football games.
The new titles will include season three of Goliath, the Amazon original drama starring Billy Bob Thornton as a down-on-his-luck attorney who fights corporations amid the palm trees of Santa Monica, California. The third installment will feature Dennis Quaid as a billionaire rancher who schemes to steal California’s water. (John Huston wasn’t available.)
Click Amazon: See Today’s 1-Day-Only Deals!
Rottentomatoes.com, which tracks critical reviews, gave season two of Goliath a score of 88 out of a possible 100 based on eight reviews.
“Like Amazon’s Bosch, this L.A. crime story is satisfying in its confident approach to a familiar genre,” writes Matt Roush of TV Insider.
“You can see where all of this is going but the joy of Goliath is the way it chooses to get there,” adds Alastair McKay of the London Evening Standard.
Also notable on Amazon Prime in October: Five NFL Thursday Night Football games, including a high-profile match up between the New York Giants and New England Patriots on October 10.
Here is the complete list of new titles coming in October 2019 to Amazon Prime:
Series (Dates to be announced later.)
* Jestination Unknown: Season 1 – Amazon Original series
* One Mic Stand: Season 1 – Amazon Original series
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Astro Boy (2009)
Patriot Games (1992)
The Accused (1988)
The Great Gabbo (1929)
Glorifying the American Girl (1929)
High Life (2018)
Thursday Night Football: Eagles @ Packers (NFL)
Goliath: Season 3 – Amazon Original series
Thursday Night Football: Giants @ Patriots (NFL)
* Costume Quest: Season 1b – Amazon Original series
Thursday Night Football: Chiefs @ Broncos (NFL)
Modern Love: Season 1 – Amazon Original series
Kill Chain (2019)
Thursday Night Football: Redskins @ Vikings (NFL)
* If You Give a Mouse a Cookie: Halloween Special – Amazon Original|
* Just Add Magic: New Protectors: Special – Amazon Original series
Killing Zoe (1993)
Unforgotten: Season 3
Nobody’s Fool (2018)
In Search of Greatness (2018)
Thursday Night Football: 49ers @ Cardinals (NFL)
— Phillip Swann


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Skittles Skittish About Lawsuit Squawking
Candy maker Mars Inc. has shied away from speaking out against a class action alleging its Skittles confection contains “a known toxin.” We’re typically in favor of defending oneself, but this is a rare instance where the quiet routine may be justified because of the confusion over the issue. It’s a tough call.
A California man sued privately held Mars July 14 in San Francisco federal court alleging Skittles “are unfit for human consumption because they contain titanium dioxide.” Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring white powder used in food to bring a whiteness or translucence. It’s also used as a white pigment in sunscreens, cosmetics and paints.
The suit garnered a lot of coverage but the issue isn’t new. Scientific papers about safety are indecisive. “It turns out there is no conclusive research showing the chemical, as it is used in food products, poses danger to people,” a July 29 Scientific American article summarized.
All Mars Wrigley ingredients are safe and manufactured in compliance with strict quality and safety requirements established by food safety regulators, including the FDA.
— Mars Wrigley
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recognized the chemical compound as safe since 1966, but at no more than 1 percent of the food’s weight. Britain, Canada and many other countries also give it the nod. This year, however, the European Union banned it, saying it wasn’t clear what level in food would be safe; the EU didn’t actually say that it was unsafe. So that means Mars has to phase it out of its products in Europe.
The only response to the suit we’ve seen from Mars, whose Wrigley unit makes Skittles, was in a New York Times explainer. The company said its use of the compound “is in full compliance with government regulations. While we do not comment on pending litigation, all Mars Wrigley ingredients are safe and manufactured in compliance with strict quality and safety requirements established by food safety regulators, including the FDA.”
A couple of things about that. The only really sparkling part of the statement is its direct assertion that the ingredient is safe. It otherwise relies a lot on regulatory compliance, which is standard but a tad wimpy. And we’re always skeptical when a company says it doesn’t “comment on pending litigation” because it usually does when it serves its purposes.
And yet, given the disagreement over the ingredient, maybe it’s best to not get in the fray while this plays out. At some point down the line, Mars may want to be more forthright. And the issue is also playing out on a wider field: Brussels-based Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers Association is fighting the European ban.
Photo credit: PRCG
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Sarasota residents celebrated Neighborhood Toy Store Day Saturday, Nov. 10, at Children’s World. The event, celebrated nationwide by independent toy stores, was a celebration of local toy stores and their relationships with the community.
The celebration included free entertainment, including balloon animals, free giveaways, contests, games and other activities. Children’s World donated 20% of the day’s profits to Toys for Tots, and the store will also serve as a collection point for the charity throughout the holiday season and will provide something special for those who contributed.
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24 Sarasota Christian School Open House
9:00 am - 10:30 am
26 Sarasota Heat Golf Tournament
26 Comcast Cares Day Sarasota
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
26 Air Fair 2014 Radio Controlled Model Aiplanes
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Hyatt gives back with All Faiths Food Bank
A group of Hyatt staff members joined the All Faiths Food Bank's Sprout Mobile Farm Market to teach local children the importance of eating healthy.
Homes sales spike 33% in Sarasota
Property sales in Sarasota County jumped 33% in March over February and surpassed 1,000 for the month, the Sarasota Association of Realtors reports.
Visit Sarasota County taps additional funding
The Sarasota County Commission narrowly approved an additional $769,000 for a contract with the local promotion organization Wednesday.


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Foodtechie Jumbotail Raises $8.5M in Series A from Kalaari and Nexus
“98% of India’s food and grocery consumption is via Kirana stores. Jumbotail brings tech centric innovation to address massive inefficiencies in terms of product discovery, distribution costs, stock outs, and pricing.”
Jumbotail, a leading online marketplace for food and grocery has raised 8.5 million dollars in Series A from Kalaari Capital and Nexus Venture Partners. Nexus Venture Partners had earlier invested 2 million dollars in the company. Jumbotail serves thousands of wholesale customers such as kirana stores and Horeca (Hotel/Restaurant/Café) businesses in Bangalore. The company plans to utilise the funds for building cutting edge technologies and enhance operational capabilities to deliver the best customer experience in the wholesale food and grocery sector.
Founded in November 2015 by Stanford alumni S. Karthik Venkateswaran and Ashish Jhina, Jumbotail's vision is to organise the food and grocery ecosystem in India using technology, data science and design. Jumbotail offers a wide selection of products including staples, spices, dry fruits, packaged foods, and FMCG products. Sellers (traders, manufacturers and brands) can list their food, grocery and FMCG products on the Jumbotail Marketplace, which is accessible to customers through a mobile app available in 4 languages - Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and English. Jumbotail provides full stack services including storefront delivery and payments collection for its sellers, as well as working capital credit from third party credit providers to its customers using rich transactional data and proprietary algorithms.
Ashish Jhina, cofounder and COO, Jumbotail, says, “Manufacturers and brands can instantly get direct and highly targeted access to thousands of retailers and institutional customers through the Jumbotail platform without needing to invest in expensive physical distribution networks. Jumbotail also opens up the Kirana network to financial institutions looking to extend credit in a cost-effective and scalable manner.”
Bala Srinivasa, Partner, Kalaari Capital, adds, “98% of India’s food and grocery consumption is via Kirana stores. Jumbotail brings tech centric innovation to address massive inefficiencies in terms of product discovery, distribution costs, stock outs, and pricing. We are excited by their ability to eliminate information asymmetry, aggregate previously unavailable demand and supply data, and significantly improve economic outcomes for manufacturers, brands, financial institutions and kirana owners."
“While this is a multibillion dollar market opportunity, it requires us to solve challenging problems that are so unique to India that copycat models will not work. We are putting our customers first and building technologies and supply chains that will work for the next billion Indians in distributed, chaotic and unstructured environments”, says Karthik Venkateswaran, cofounder and CEO, Jumbotail.
Sameer Brij Verma, Director, Nexus Venture Partners, adds, “Nexus is glad to have partnered with the Jumbotail team since its very inception. Jumbotail is going after a very large but inefficient market that requires very strong first-principles approach towards solving challenges across commerce, efficient fulfilment, payments and credit via their platform. We feel this team and their technology platform has a shot at solving these challenges to create enduring value for the kirana/Horeca segment over the next few years.”
Around The World


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(Image courtesy of product-reviews.net)
The past couple years, Apple has really seemed to embrace the themes of touchscreen technology. Rumors out of DigiTimes say that the company is now testing a new touchscreen all-in-one iMac desktop computer.
The report says that the new hardware would maintain a size of 20 inches on up.
“The new iMac is rumored to have a good vertical and horizontal viewing angle, and its projected capacitive touch panel will adopt a one-glass solution, which integrates the touch sensor and cover glass, to reduce thickness and weight,” said the report.
It also noted that most touch panels are constructed by placing a sensor over the panel, and are then covered with glass. But that method becomes costly, complex, and can result in a dimmer screen.
The report also noted that Sintek Photronics “has a good chance” of becoming a supplier for the new iMacs. No estimated release date had been given yet.
Follow this article’s author, Matthew Tilmann on Twitter


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DESLOGE — Police say they have arrested a Bonne Terre woman and a juvenile from Valle Mines at the Desloge Wal-Mart Supercenter on for shoplifting. Desloge Police Chief James Bullock said an officer was called to the discount retailer at 2:40 p.m. Saturday.
“Wal-Mart’s security detained both of the individuals for shoplifting in the jewelry department,” he said. “Corporal Dustin Cash searched both of the suspects and found Xanax and Vicodin on one of them.”
Bullock said a 17-year-old woman from Bonne Terre was arrested for possessing the controlled substances and for shoplifting. He also said a female juvenile from Valle Mines was taken into custody for shoplifting.


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With over a third of all roasts consumed in winter, root vegetables are firmly back on the menu – the colder the weather, the more room they take up on the plate.
Retailers have an opportunity to cash in on produce like parsnips, which feature in 14 per cent of all roast dinners eaten in winter – a big increase from their presence in six per cent of summer roasts. But the benefits of root vegetables go beyond this seasonal trend. They consistently tick boxes for consumers when it comes to health and price, as well as forming a key part of waste-cutting concerns.
Shoppers are still bearing the brunt of 2018’s poor potato crop, with prices up seven per cent per kilo from the same period last year. But despite recent price hikes the trusty root vegetable, buoyed by discounted ranges, still represents good value for money and should weather these price fluctuations.
Shoppers are managing their spend through the economy range, which currently accounts for 13.9 per cent of onion sales and almost a quarter of all carrot sales, and the nature of root crops as a staple food prevents retailers seeing a decline in sales in value terms.
Crucial to this is the fact that root vegetables are more likely to be chosen for their health benefits. Consumers cite health as the motivation for purchase 31 per cent of the time, compared with 24 per cent for the average vegetable.
The popularity of wonky veg also shows no signs of waning and is a fantastic example of how root vegetables tackle multiple needs simultaneously – consumers want to be healthy, spendthrift and sustainable. What’s more, interest in categories like wonky carrots is growing fast: almost 10 per cent of the population bought them this year compared to 8.3 per cent the year before, and 44 per cent of these shoppers made it a repeat purchase.
Root vegetables are the steady and reliable superstars of winter, because not every produce category carries their trifecta of benefits.
By carefully balancing the marketing between the category’s health, price and sustainability credentials, retailers could find themselves generously rewarded – as could consumers.
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Drop Shipping 101- How to avoid the common mistakes and dropship scams
- As seen on
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up South Dakota’s lawsuit against Wayfair Inc., Overstock.com Inc. and Newegg Inc. If the court
Opinion: Sales is Profession!
Steve Jobs once said, "It’s not the customer’s job to
Being from the “baby boomer” generation and after
The past few weeks have been a frenzy, as favorable reports by Wayfair and countermoves by Amazon have prompted a widening group of analysts and interested onlookers to
Wayfair, the largest e-commerce outlet for furniture and home goods, is an often overlooked company growing at 40% y/y.
Furniture currently benefits from being one of the most under-penetrated categories in online


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An April Tuesday complete with a surprise snow shower has come to an end.
The weather was not as bad as The Met Office predicted, but we got a small dose of the white stuff at about 5pm .
We also revealed how a Bracknell scout leader had been jailed for a string of sexual offences , dating back to 2010.
We also had some interesting news for coin collectors, and people who may have stacks of money in money boxes at home.
We revealed your cash boxes could be hoarding some seriously pricey coins .
The exciting Bracknell Lexicon project is progressing, with four more retailers announced .
And Reading FC, barring a complete disaster, should end up in the Championship play-offs.
Jonathan Low has looked at all the scenarios possible for Jaap Stam’s men.
Here are the five most read stories of the day
A dad has warned other parents about he shocking behaviour of a group of teens who threatened to set a huge dog on his little boy.
Matthew Dixon contacted getreading after encountering the group in an alleyway off Wensley Road in Coley
A fish salesman from County Durham has been ordered to carry out unpaid work after he tricked a woman into spending nearly £200 on cheap fish he claimed were expensive turbot, halibut and bass.
In fact, they were Vietnamese cobbler, coley and an unknown species.
A Reading based graphic design company has come up with a design for Reading FC’s kits next season.
Graphic designers Bahl-Corp have come up with several possibilities for the new home and away shirts.
The supermarket giant caused the most middle-class of problems with withdrawing its houmous.
The chain blamed a “production issue” but a spokeswoman moved to ease the fears of chickpea dip fans by saying its shops should be restocked within a couple of days
Super-fit Reading athlete Anna Boniface hit new heights on the biggest stage of all when she became the first non-elite British woman to finish the London marathon.
Not only did she smash her personal best by seven minutes to finish in two hours 37 minutes, she also won the English Athletics Championship race.


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Strictly Business: Bertie’s Retro Boutique closes in Haymount
Bertie’s Retro Boutique brick-and-mortar shop in Haymount has closed. The clothing and photography business continues to operate online.
On its website, Bertie's bills itself as “a full-service pin-up photography studio and retro shop.” Others have referred to its unique retro attire and accessories as rockabilly fashion and “the greaser look,” akin to something out of one of S.E. Hinton’s classic young adult novels set in early 1960s America.
Bertha “Bertie” Fernandez opened the boutique at 1225 Fort Bragg Road on April Fool’s Day in 2017. It quickly gained a reputation as a shop for people who love vintage, pin-up, greaser and rockabilly fashion styles.
Bertie’s website is at bertiesnc.com and on Facebook at Bertie’s Retro Boutique.
Staff writer Michael Futch can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org or 910-486-3529.


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Opening bell: Asian markets open mixed; HPCL, automobile stocks in news1 min read . Updated: 27 Jun 2017, 09:18 AM IST
In other news, Adhunik Metaliks Ltd which has Rs6,000 crore of loan dues is planning to file for insolvency
US markets edge higher, Asian markets open mixed
US markets closed mostly higher. S&P 500 rose 0.03% to 2,439 points on buying in shares of high dividend paying companies. In Asia, Japanese markets gained in morning trade. According to Bloomberg, markets elsewhere in Asia are trading mixed.
GST: Car firms brace for short-term losses
Passenger vehicle makers are adopting diverse strategies ahead of the roll-out of goods and services tax (GST), reports Mint. Some, such as Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd have chosen to offer discounts to ensure buyers do not postpone purchases. Others, such as Maruti Suzuki India Ltd have cut shipments to enable dealers liquidate stock.
Scooters capture one-third of two-wheeler market
Scooters have captured more than one-third of the domestic two-wheeler market for the first time in over a decade, reports Business Standard. According to the report, a sustained double-digit growth in scooter sales has raised its share.
HPCL keen to pick up stake in Russian oil fields
PSU fuel retailer HPCL Ltd is looking to buy stake in Russian oil fields, reports The Hindu Business Line. According to the report, several PSUs, including HPCL, are looking to buy stake in oil fields in the country.
Adhunik Metaliks to plead insolvency
Adhunik Metaliks Ltd which has Rs6,000 crore of loan dues is planning to file for insolvency, reports Business Standard. According to the report, the company plans to restructure by filing for insolvency.
Banks may move NCLT against four of 12 major defaulters this week
Monnet Ispat Ltd, Alok Industries Ltd, Amtek Auto Ltd and Essar Steel Ltd will likely be the first companies where bankruptcy proceedings are initiated this week, reports Mint. Last week, the joint lenders’ forum met to approve referral of these bad loan cases to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
Banks may have to take 60% haircut on 12 largest NPAs: Crisil
The strong steps taken by Reserve Bank of India to resolve NPAs are likely to raise provisioning by a whopping 25% this year as lenders will take up to 60% hair cut while resolving these accounts, reports PTI.


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Facebook announced Thursday that it is opening Horizon World, its virtual reality world avatar, to anyone 18 years of age or older in the United States and Canada.
Courtesy of Meter
Facebook-Guardian Meta plans to reduce digital asset sales by 47.5% on its virtual reality platform Horizon Worlds, an integral part of the company’s plans to create a so-called “metaverse”.
The social media giant announced in a blogpost on Monday that it is allowing Horizon World makers to sell a handful of virtual assets, such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs), to the world they created. However, the company failed to specify in the post how much Meta would charge manufacturers for selling their products.
A Meta spokesperson confirmed to CNBC on Wednesday that Meta would take an overall cut of up to 47.5% on each transaction. It includes a 30% “hardware platform fee” for sales through the Meta Quest store, where it sells apps and games for its virtual reality headsets. On top of that, Horizon Worlds will charge 17.5%.
The size of the cut has angered some in the NFT community. One Twitter user wrote: “I hate you Facebook.” Another Says: “If Meta wants 47.5% of NFT sales, they have to talk to the IRS because I don’t have it after tax.”
Elsewhere, NFT Marketplace OpenSea charges 2.5% off each transaction, while rival LooksRare charges only 2%.
Over the past few months, companies and individuals have been pushing everything from industry to real estate in the virtual world on platforms like Decentland and The Sandbox. Hip-hop star Snoop Dogg has bought virtual land and a fan paid $ 450,000 in December to buy a plot next to it in The Sandbox.
Vivek Sharma, Meta VP of Horizon, told The Verge: “We think this is a fairly competitive rate in the market. We believe other platforms will be able to take their share.”
Horizon Worlds (formerly Facebook Horizon) is a free virtual reality, online video game that allows people to create and explore virtual worlds. Meta released the game on December 9 on its Oculus VR headsets in the United States and Canada, but it has not yet been launched worldwide.
Meta vs. Apple
Meter fees for selling virtual assets at Horizon Worlds are significantly higher Apple charges developers in its App Store.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other meta executives have previously criticized Apple for charging developers a 30% fee for Apple purchases through the App Store.
In November, Zuckerberg said his company was going to try to help Metavers builders avoid Apple’s App Store fees.
“As we build for Metaverse, we’re focused on unlocking opportunities for manufacturers to make money from their work,” he said. “Apple’s 30% fee on transactions makes this difficult, so we’re updating our subscription products so that manufacturers can now earn more.”


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Royal Flooring showroom opens in Urbandale
Royal Flooring has opened a store at 9850 Douglas Ave., Urbandale, its second metro area location.
The store offers flooring, kitchen cabinets, countertops, appliances and window treatments. The showroom offers seven complete kitchen models so that customers can view choices, said Julie Fiala.
The four owners, Nick Fiala, Bill Ludwig, Scott Sullivan and Johnnie Kennell, launched Royal Flooring in 2005 in Altoona. They expanded to Urbandale to better serve a growing western Des Moines metro market, said Julie Fiala, who is married to Nick Fiala.
The company converted the former lumber warehouse into its showroom and warehouse. The shop employs about 15 people.
Owners will be holding a grand opening event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday that will include cooking demonstrations, live music and refreshments.
The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and by appointment.
Call 515-957-9738, visit www.shoproyalflooring.com or find it on Facebook.


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Microsoft has announced that Nikon has signed a patent agreement with Microsoft, relating to Google’s Android OS, the patents are related to Android being used on Nikon’s cameras.
Nikon joins a host of other companies who have signed patent deals with Microsoft, as Microsoft owns a number of patents which are apparently used by Google’s Android OS.
“Microsoft and Nikon have a long history of collaboration, and this agreement further demonstrates the value that both companies place on responsible IP licensing,” said David Kaefer, general manager of Intellectual Property (IP) Licensing at Microsoft. “Microsoft is proud to align with a leader in the digital camera industry to license Android technology for the benefit of Nikon’s customers.”
You can find out more information about the deal over at Microsoft.
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.


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Long Islanders turned out Thursday to say goodbye to Toys R Us stores, the last of which will close by Friday.
It's the end of a chain known to generations of children and parents for its sprawling stores, brightly colored logo and Geoffrey the giraffe mascot. The company filed for bankruptcy last fall.
Catherine Tarko, 66, of Roslyn, visited a Toys R Us store in Carle Place with her 11-year-old niece Isabella.
"I just felt like we had to come and visit the store one last time," she said.
"We made so many memories here. I remember bringing my daughter Nicole, who is now 26, and how happy she would get every time I said 'Come on, let's go to Toys R Us.'"
Tarko's niece Isabella Soto, of North Bellmore, said though she had "gotten too old" for some toys, she was sad the chain was closing.
Tarko and her niece took selfies together both inside and outside the store; a common sight among the wave of customers coming in and out of the store.
Toys R Us, which also owned the Babies R Us chain, was hobbled by $5 billion in debt after a leveraged buyout that left it unable to invest and keep up. As the last of the U.S. stores close, more than 30,000 workers will be looking for work. Toys R Us' troubles have also shaken some big toy makers such as Mattel and Hasbro.
Some shoppers at the Carle Place store Thursday complained that merchandise was scarce, but others said they were not visiting the store in search of bargains but instead wanted to say farewell to the once bustling toy store.
Children lined up to pose for photos in front of a poster of Geoffrey the Giraffe that read, "I'll always be a Toys R Us Kid."
Other customers snapped photos of themselves in front of empty shelves.
Lydia Lee, 37, of Franklin Square, visited the Carle Place Toys R Us store with her 6-year-old son Michael.
"His birthday is coming up so I told him we could come and he could pick out a toy but there's almost nothing left," Lee said. "He's so angry. He doesn't want the stores to close and doesn't understand why" they're closing.
Lee herself said having seen the store fully stocked and "full of life" made it hard for her to imagine what she now saw.
"Just empty shelves. It's so sad," she said. "There is no other store like Toys R Us."
Toys R Us pledged to stay open after filing for bankruptcy, but it had poor sales during the critical holiday season as customers and vendors shied away. In March it said it would liquidate the rest of the 700-plus stores.
At the time, the company had 12 Toys R Us and four Babies R Us locations on Long Island. Some of those have already closed.
It's not clear whether the Toys R Us name and mascot will disappear forever. An auction for the company's name, baby shower registry and various trademarks is set for late July.
The 16-foot tall statue of Geoffrey the Giraffe that greeted visitors at Toys R Us headquarters in Wayne, New Jersey, will be moved to a children's hospital in the state.


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The Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder is finally testing on the track, where it belongs.
The last time spy photographers caught a prototype on camera, the Boxster Spyder was braving wintry conditions during cold weather testing. Now, it’s hitting the Nurburgring and, given the lack of camouflage, expect the model to make its debut soon. It’s still unclear what will power the Boxster Spyder, but latest rumors point to a naturally aspirated, flat-six engine with output around 400 horsepower. It’s believed the engine will be a detuned version of the 911 GT3’s powerplant. A six-speed manual transmission is all but guaranteed, the question is whether Porsche will offer a PDK dual clutch as an option.
Like the previous Boxster Spyder, expect this model to be the lightest in the range, which means some luxury amenities like air conditioning will be tossed out. Aluminum panels are also likely to help put the Boxster on a diet.
Look for more information on the 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder sometime this summer, when it should be making its debut.
Discuss this story on our Porsche Forum


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Along with the increasingly fierce competition, some manufacturers like Xinri and Aima began to tap into central market instead of focusing on the Yangtze River Delta and Bohai Economic Rim to seize the initiative. They tend to establish production bases closer to the consumer market, and Shangqiu, Henan and Xiangyang, Hubei are expected to become new manufacturing bases of electric bicycle.
The report not only introduces electric bicycle industry in China, Europe, the United States and Japan, but also highlights the electric bicycle business of 28 domestic manufacturers including Jiangsu Yadea, Jiangsu Xinri, AIMA Hi-tech, Shanghai Lima and Shandong Bidewen, etc.
Jiangsu Yadea, a famous electric bicycle producer in China, tops the ranking of China National Light Industry Council (CNLIC) electric bicycle industry for consecutive three years. Headquartered in Wuxi, Jiangsu, the company now owns four production bases in Wuxi, Cixi, Tianjin and Dongguan, and boasts annual capacity of nearly 6 million electric bicycles.
Jiangsu Xinri is one of the leading electric bicycle producers and has rapidly expanded its capacity in the past two years. Its production base, which is located in Xiangyang, Hubei and boasts annual capacity of 2 million electric bicycles, was officially put into operation in June 2011. Later in June 2012, its electric bicycle project with one-million capacity went into operation in Wuxi, when its total capacity amounted to 6 million electric bicycles per year.AIMA Hi-tech is another leader in Chinese electric bicycle industry. It has built up new bases in Dongguan and Shangqiu in the recent two years, with both its capacity and sales volume rapidly expanding. In 2011, its electric bicycle led the industry in terms of sales volume which reached 2.6 million. Table of Contents 1. Overview of China Electric Bicycle Industry1.1 Definition1.2 Position1.2.1 Position in the World1.2.2 Position in China1.3 Characteristics


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Pay-per-click search companies difficulties’ adequately policing their affiliate distribution partners is one of the bigger challenges facing the search marketing industry, experts said.
It is on these affiliate sites that 70 percent of click fraud activity takes place, according to Scott Boyenger, president and CEO of ClickDefense, one of a score of companies that has launched in the last 18 months to identify and stop click fraud. Affiliate publishers distribute pay-per-click ads and search players pay them a cut of what advertisers bid.
“About 15 to 20 percent of all click activity is erroneous. Seventy percent of that is not by real people,” Boyenger said, referring to bots designed by fraudsters to click on PPC ads. “The advertiser is the loser and the companies offering PPC are winning, and so are the affiliates.”
Other companies, like Fathom Online, also identify search players’ affiliates as the most widespread source of fraudulent click activity.
“Without a doubt, the majority of click fraud is coming from affiliate sites,” said Matt McMahon, EVP at Fathom Online. “But advertisers will vote with their pocketbooks with regard to the offending search engines, and go for the service that offers them the best ROI.”
The percentage of click activity that falls under the umbrella of affiliate fraud was a subject of hot debate at a panel discussion on click fraud held at the Search Engine Strategies (SES) conference in New York this week. However, panelists generally agreed the percentage is higher on so-called tier two services like Kanoodle, Enhance Interactive, and FindWhat.com than on Google and Overture.
While all of the paid search players acknowledge that affiliate fraud is a problem, they maintain they have both human and technological defenses that are effective in keeping the problem in check.
“Anyone who says it’s not a problem is kidding you, but we think it is a manageable one,” said John Slade, senior director of global project management at Overture.
Overture says it employs three lines of defense against click fraud. First, every click must pass through a system of thousands of filters designed to screen out “unqualified” clicks of all kinds. Second, Overture employs a team of expert analysts whose job it is to screen out invalid clicks from genuine click traffic. Finally, Overture actively solicits input from its advertisers, forming what it refers to as a “neighborhood watch” helping to report suspicious activity, Slade said.
“If we see we have a node in our network generating unqualified traffic, we remove it immediately from our network,” Slade said.
Though experts at SES said they thought affiliate fraud was a more serious problem at the smaller paid search companies, Enhance Interactive said it couldn’t comment on the alleged disparity.
“We only have access to our own information,” said Walter Korman, SVP of technology at Marchex, the parent company of Enhance Interactive. “Like the leaders in the space, we have a vigilant system in place to identify and prevent this type of click fraud from taking place. If there are variances between us, there are variances.”
However, Korman acknowledged that the bots targeting Enhance’s affiliate sites are growing in sophistication, and that filtering affiliate fraud traffic out of its network is a demanding process of identification and removal.
Kanoodle had a similar response to inquiries about the issue. “Kanoodle takes this very seriously and has processes and people dedicated to staying one step ahead of those who would try to game the system,” said Lance Podell, Kanoodle’s CEO. “It is the responsibility of the sponsored links providers to deliver quality leads to advertisers, which requires a constant and dedicated effort.”
Neither FindWhat.com nor Google were available for comment.
Perhaps the thorniest side of the whole click fraud issue for advertisers is that search engines, while maintaining their commitment to protecting advertisers, nonetheless profit from those fraudulent clicks that are not identified.
“All companies offering CPC advertising are susceptible to some level of affiliate fraud,” said Rich Kahn, COO of BlowSearch, which has its own pay-per-click offering. “Are we benefiting from it? Yes. Are we also looking to eliminate it? I also have to say yes. It we find it, we squash it immediately. Catching it all is the trick.”
Despite the fact that it faces growing competition from Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, Google-owned YouTube is still one of the most popular ... read more
Amazon prides itself on being the most “customer-centric” company in the world, but according to investigative journalism non-profit ProPublica, Amazon’s algorithms are often anything but ... read more


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Apple debuted the MailKit framework with macOS Monterey in 2021, allowing programmers to create cutting-edge and safe additions to the Mail app on the Mac. Extensions may be developed to filter information, send messages, enhance security, and other functions.
In response, Apple stated that legacy Mail app plug-ins would no longer be supported in a subsequent macOS release, and it appears that time has come. Today, AltStore announced that it obtained confirmation from Apple during WWDC last week that macOS Sonoma does not enable plug-ins and that MailKit-based extensions are the only viable alternative going forward.
AltStore revealed in a tweet that it has been confirmed at the WWDC labs that macOS Sonoma does not support legacy Mail plug-ins. Moving future, only MailKit-based extensions are supported.
Once you update, AltServer’s Mail plug-in will no longer function, but we’re working on a new approach that we hope to make available soon.
Not all plug-ins may survive as extensions even though MailKit extensions are more secure and have less functionality than older plug-ins.
Since the first macOS Sonoma beta, legacy plug-ins cannot be opened in the Mail app. The public will receive the update later this year.


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Global feed companies Nutreco and Cargill Animal nutrition are amongst the companies that are part of a new initiative aimed to change the international fishing industry.
The initiative made up by eight of the world’s largest seafood companies and called “Seafood Business Ocean Stewardship” will clear-out IUU fisheries and inhumane working conditions.
Companies who attended and signed the statement are:
• Maruha Nichiro Corporation
• Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd
• Thai Union Group
• Marine Harvest ASA
• Dongwon Industries
• Nutreco (owner of Skretting)
• Cargill Aqua Nutrition
• Cermaq (subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation)
The eight companies came together to reduce the global extent of illegal, unregulated and unreported fisheries. They will also address shortcomings in reporting and documentation of the value chain in order to prevent illegal fishing and forced labour linked to the sector.
“Increasingly more people look to the sea for solutions to the global food and climate challenges facing the world community. Only by strengthening our global partnership, we will find good solutions for sustainability that can increase food production from the sea, says Einar Wathne, president of Cargill Aqua Nutrition and Chairman of Norwegian Centre of Expertise, The Seafood Innovation Cluster.
Knut Nesse, CEO of Nutreco said: “I believe this represents a good start to something which can become important in improving the sustainability of seafood. First and foremost because it is a real global initiative. Secondly, and equally important, it links the challenges in wild fisheries and aquaculture. I look forward to translate our joint commitment into concrete actions.”
The new initiative comes as a result of research conducted by the Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) at Stockholm University. In 2015, the centre identified the 13 biggest companies that largely controls the global seafood market, whether it’s about aquaculture or fisheries. The research gave rise to the idea of gathering these keystone actors in the seafood industry to create unified transformation of the seafood industry. A meeting between the companies in November 2016 has now resulted in the initiative Seafood Business Ocean Stewardship. Companies will follow up efforts in 2017 with discussions on specific measures to be taken.


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A juice trailer parked in North Old Town is headed to Planning Commission review next month after a zoning inspection triggered by a complaint found it was not in compliance with city ordinance.
Juice Box Old Town is a cold-pressed mobile juice bar set up at 500 North Union Street, near Founders Park. The Juice Box website describes it as a perfect site to catch locals and visitors walking along the river. What it was not, a staff report said, was in compliance with city zoning ordinance.
“On June 10, 2022, a zoning inspection of the subject site was conducted after the City received complaints of the operation of a commercial trailer,” the report said. “A Zoning Inspector confirmed that a trailer was being used as retail juice establishment at the subject site and the proprietor was informed of the need to bring the trailer into compliance through Special Use Permit approval. To bring the business into compliance with the City’s Zoning Ordinance, the applicant has submitted the current application for an after-the-fact SUP review.”
It is likely Juice Box will get that approval, though, with the staff report recommending approval and saying the trailer makes a welcome addition to the city’s efforts to make the waterfront more vibrant.
“Staff recommends approval of the applicant’s request for a temporary trailer. The temporary trailer would provide a desirable amenity in close proximity to the City’s active waterfront area and in a location where this relatively small business would not impact the surrounding commercial and residential neighborhood.”
The trailer turns the empty lot into a space for beverages; offering pressed juice, water and coffee at a walk-up window.
The report also said there’s no reason to believe the trailer would impact parking of traffic flow.
Juice Box is a seasonal business, and the report said the trailer will be permitted for up to two years beginning on April 1, 2023, when the business reopens. Additional years could be approved via an administrative special use permit.
The Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 6.
Five Guys is moving its corporate headquarters to Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood, according to the Washington Business Journal.
The burger chain, which opened its first location in Arlington in 1986, has been headquartered in Lorton for nearly a decade. It is moving to a 40,000-square-foot space on the fifth floor of 1940 Duke Street in the Carlyle Crescent building.
Contractor L.F. Jennings lists the project on its website, and says that the interior construction schedule will run from January to June 2023. The work includes new flooring, drywall and tile installation.
The building is located by the intersection of Duke and Delaney Streets, near the Whole Foods Market (1700 Duke Street).
Five Guys opened its second and third locations in Alexandria before experiencing explosive growth by franchising in 2003. There are now more than 1,600 locations around the world and more than 1,500 in the works.
Five members of the Murrell family started Five Guys in 1986 with a simple concept — fresh burgers and fries without all the frills. All their food is free of trans fats, the restaurants use fresh ground beef, the fries are cooked in peanut oil and the food is not stored in freezers.
Old Town could be getting a new Indian restaurant next year, replacing a sushi restaurant in the heart of Old Town.
Bollywood Masala is an Indian restaurant currently based out of La Plata, Maryland. The restaurant features dishes like vindaloo and the eponymous masala along with other regionally-based meals like lamb gosht and various types of curry. The restaurant also features chai and coffee on the menu.
Staff at Bollywood Masala said the restaurant is currently working through the permitting process but the plan is to open in summer 2023.
Photo via Bollywood Masala/Facebook
Alexandria land use attorney Cathy Puskar was named the 2022 Business Leader of the Year by the Chamber ALX at its annual Best In Business awards on Thursday night (Oct. 27), and restaurant Chadwicks (203 Strand Street) was named Overall Business of the Year.
“I don’t just ‘Remember the Titans,'” said Puskar, a 1985 graduate of T.C. Williams High School (now Alexandria City High School). “I am a Titan.”
Puskar frequently represents landowners in major development projects, like Inova Alexandria Hospital’s massive redevelopment of Landmark Mall.
She added, “I love living in a vibrant progressive city where I’m surrounded every day and tonight by family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances and ‘YIMBYs’ who share a vision for moving our city forward, championing economic development, supporting our public schools, celebrating our diversity, helping others, and bringing the fun back to Alexandria.”
Chadwicks owner Trae Lamond accepted the Overall Business of the Year award.
“Anyone that’s told you that a business starts from the top down is wrong,” Lamond said after receiving the award. “We’ve got dishwashers, busboys, servers — they’ve been there for 25 years. They’re the reason Chadwicks is standing here now.”
There’s a new cheap lunch spot in Old Town. On Halloween — Monday, October 31 — franchise Falafel Inc will formally open at 726 King Street.
Foodies may remember that the location is the former home to Nicecream, the shop that made ice cream with liquid nitrogen, which closed a year ago.
Lunch at Falafel Inc. costs $10 or less, with entrees ranging between $5 and $7, and sides (Baklava, hummus, pita bread) ranging in price from $1 to $4.
The menu is simple:
- Falafel sandwich, $5 — Falafel, letuce, red cabbage, pali salad, tatbili, tahini and red sauce on a fresh-baked pita.
- Falafel bowl, $6 — Falafel, red cabbage, tabouli, tomato, cucumber, pickles, and greens, with chips
- Shawarma sandwich, $6 — Vegan meat, red ummi cabbage, lettuce, pickles and special sauce
- Rice shawarma bowl $7 — Vegan shawarma meat, red umani cabbage, pali salad, pickles and special sauce, on a bed of rice
The company was founded in D.C. in 2015 by entrepreneur Ahmad Ashkar, and there are three locations in Washington, D.C., as well as locations in Tysons Corner and Los Angeles.
The restaurat will be open from 12 to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
Zenn Press, a wellness-focused juice bar and cafe in Fairfax, is planning to open a new location in the heart of Old Town.
According to the Zenn Press website:
At Zen Press, we have one goal in mind — crafting the perfect recipes that will boost your wellness and elevate your nutrition in the best way possible. With our fresh flavors and natural ingredients, all that’s left to do is choose the daily blend that will turn your day around and get you the glow you deserve. Meet your daily ritual — stay fresh, stay balanced.
The menu features healthy and vegan-friendly sandwiches, bowls and more. The application said the new location will serve juice and coffee along with prepped meals, salads and sandwiches with no cooking done on-site. The application also said the cafe is hoping to have outdoor dining.
The new location will be open every day from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Photo via Zenn Press/Instagram
Popular sandwich franchise Jersey Mike’s Subs is opening a new location in Alexandria tomorrow.
The shop is opening at 3219 Duke Street — formerly Sweet Frog — on Wednesday, Oct. 19.
In addition to in-store dining, guests can order through the website or app and delivery is available. The restaurant is open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., seven days a week.
The grand opening will coincide with a fundraiser — kind of. The fundraiser is running from Wednesday to Sunday, Oct. 23, supporting the One Love Foundation, but donations are only valid for customers who received a coupon through a “grassroots effort” prior to opening and it is not available on online, app, or third-party orders.
“Customers who receive a special fundraising coupon distributed through a grassroots effort prior to the opening can make a minimum $3 contribution in-store to One Love Foundation in exchange for a regular sub,” the restaurant said in a release. “Customers must have a coupon to be eligible. Coupons are not available for online, app, or third-party orders.
Photo via Jersey Mike’s/Facebook
After a two-and-half year hiatus, The Tasting Room (1602 King Street) has reopened in Old Town.
The 2,500-square-foot restaurant is owned by Lorien Hotel & Spa, which also owns BRABO (1602 King Street) next door. Both restaurants are run by Executive Chef Fredy Garciaguirre, who was promoted from executive sous chef over the summer.
The Tasting Room softly reopened on October 5, and there will be a grand opening later this month, although a definite date has not been set.
On the menu, expect to find hearth-baked goat cheese with spicy tomato-pesto and a warm baguette, skillet cornbread with jalapeno honey butter, and other French staples. The signature cocktail menu features Sweet Old Town, a concoction of Blanco rum, pineapple juice, vanilla syrup and lime juice.
Hotel General Manager Phillip Blane says that the restaurant has a fresh vibe.
“We are so thrilled to bring this restaurant back for the Alexandria community and area visitors to enjoy again,” Blaine said. “It will be a destination perfect for pre-dinner tipples, grabbing a beer with a neighbor, or enjoying a nightcap. A great addition to Alexandria’s thriving culinary scene.”
After years without a by-the-slice pizza shop in Alexandria, two opened in Old Town on the same day this week.
Three months after a cryptic announcement, Andy’s Pizza has launched in Old Town at 107 N Fayette Street — while Handover by the Slice opened at 728 King Street. The latter has been referred to as Old Town’s first by-the-slice pizza joint. True to the by-the-slice pizza fashion, though, it may have to share the prize.
The Alexandria opening of Andy’s Pizza is the latest in a series of expansions for the neighborhood pizza shop, which started in D.C. and has since expanded to Tysons. Brown also recently announced a Bethesda location for Andy’s Pizza.
Andy’s Pizza made headlines last year for winning the top prize for best New York-style pizza at an international competition.
“Andy’s is a New York style slice shop with classic pies and a simple menu of salads, wings, fries, and a locally driven bar program,” Andy Brown, the restaurant’s eponymous owner, said in an email. “Old Town will be no different, pouring local draft beer and craft cocktails to guests looking for a comfortable and casual night out.”
Brown said the restaurant’s bar isn’t open yet, but it will be in around a week or two. The restaurant is only open for evenings currently but will soon be open for lunch as well.
The restaurant will be offering a free slice with any purchase on Wednesday, Oct. 19, to celebrate the grand opening.
Halloween pop-up bar ‘Nightmare On The Avenue’ is back in Del Ray.
The pop-up bar at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue is decorated for the occasion, and offers spooky cocktails and snacks in the space previously home to the Tiki Bar Del Ray pop-up.
Customers can snack on light fare, like nightmare nachos, while drinking Harry Potter-themed butter beer, a Vampire’s Kiss (Tito’s vodka, pumpkin pie syrup, pumpkin puree, heavy cream and sugar) and the Insane Clown Painkiller (Pusser’s Rum, Coco Lopez, pineapple juice, orange juice and nutmeg).
Owner Bill Blackburn of the Homegrown Restaurant Group told ALXnow that customers are in for a spirited time.
“It’s a great spot to get into the Halloween spirit,” Blackburn said. “We wanted to create a fun place with a Halloween theme, and I think we succeeded with that.”
After Halloween, the bar will be transformed into the Christmas-themed “Joy On The Avenue.”


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At New York Fashion Week in February 2015, Sies Marjan was the brand on every editor’s lips. It was the newbie that had great promise. A whole new label, helmed by Dries Van Noten alum, Sander Lak, aided by the business smarts of CEO Joey Laurenti, the founder and president of Goods and Services. The brand’s debut definitely met expectations, with fluid silk silhouettes that were saturated in deep hues of dusty pink, punchy orange and lemon yellow.
Blockchain-based payments startup Circle Internet Financial on Thursday launched an international online money transfer service that allows people in the United States and Europe to send money to each other instantly and at no cost as it seeks to tear down borders in the payments world.


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CARMAKER KIA Motors will invest €135 million more in its new Žilina plant than originally planned and create 3,100 jobs, 700 more than expected, the daily Pravda wrote.
Dušan Dvořák, spokesperson for KIA Slovensko, said that the company was pleased with the growing sales of KIA in Europe, which motivated it to boost the Slovak investment.
The new plant will make 300,000 cars per year instead of the originally planned 200,000, and will produce three car models rather than two.
KIA's total investment should thus exceed Sk34 billion (€870 million).
Compiled by Martina Jurianová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
26. May 2005 at 9:36


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New Delhi: Asus has launched its new dual-SIM, voice calling tablet, Fonepad 7 dual-SIM, in India for Rs 12,999.
Announced at the MWC 2014 earlier this year, the tablet comes with a 7-inch (1280 x 800) HD LED backlit IPS display and is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2520 processor. The device is expected to run Android 4.4 Kitkat.
It comes with a 5-megapixel rear camera with 1080p full HD video recording and a 1.2 MP front-facing camera, SonicMaster audio technology and 3G HSPA+ connectivity along with voice calling capabilities.
The tablet offers 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal memory, which can be further expanded up to 64GB via a microSD card slot.
Asus introduced the Fonepad 7 with 3G voice-calling in India last year. Buyers already have the option of chosing the single SIM version of Asus Fonepad 7 and the dual-SIM version is expected to cost Rs 14,999.
Connectivity options include 3G, Dual-SIM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, A-GPS and more.


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Throughout the United Kingdom, consumers’ trust in banks has deteriorated due to a series of recent scandals. The tidal wave started in June, 2012, when Barclays Bank agreed to pay $450 million to settle claims that it manipulated interest rates to lift profits and mask concerns about its declining health. Next, the United States Senate issued a report that HSBC bank failed to stop laundering Mexican drug money; HSBC faces up to $1 billion in fines. Furthermore, JPMorgan & Chase Co. recently disclosed a $5.8 billion trading loss caused by its London office in a portfolio designed to circumvent risks that the bank takes with its own money. As a result to these financial disasters, London bankers now worry that regulators will increase their efforts to clean up the image of the financial sector and quell public outrage.
As a result of these scandals, newcomer financial firms seek to capitalize on United Kingdom banks’ misfortunes. Financial startups are using new technology and are innovating in ways that banks cannot in order to improve customer service, and venture capital firms are jumping at the chance to get a piece of the action. For instance, Wonga, an online lending firm that offers high interest lending services to small businesses and consumers, has secured about $150 million in venture investment from Balderton Capital, TAG, and Kreos Capital. To cut own on costs, Wonga gathers publically available online data to determine a potential lendee’s creditworthiness. Consumers are attracted to the fact that they can obtain loans within 15 minutes that they would not be able to receive from banks due to their risky credit. Last year, Wonga reported revenues amounting to $73 million, and is contemplating a $1.5 billion IPO on Nasdaq.
Other venture capital success stories include GoCardless, a new financial firm based in London, which provides services to small businesses and consumers, allowing them to set up monthly payments directly to suppliers, at a cost dwarfing that of what banks charge. The company is able to provide such favorable rates by cutting out the cost and complexity of credit card networks. GoCardless has secured approximately $1.5 million from the venture capital firm Y Combinator.
Finally, as banks have pulled back on lending, deeming small businesses to be too much of a financial risk, MarketInvoice helps small businesses obtain capital fast. MarketInvoice is an online marketplace where small businesses are able to auction their long-term supply contracts to money managers for the highest price. The company has received $1.4 million from venture capital investors.
Growing disdain among small businesses and consumers for banks in light of recent scandals in conjunction with new innovative and technological services provided by financial start-ups has sparked a new industry in the United Kingdom. Venture capital firms will without a doubt continue to seize on the opportunity to invest in these financial start-ups.
____________________________ Mark Scott, In London, Nimble Start-Ups Offer Alternatives to Stodgy Banks, N.Y. Times DealBook (Oct. 22, 2012, 4:45 PM), http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/10/22/in-london-nimble-start-ups-offer-alternatives-to-stodgy-banks/.  Ben Protess & Mark Scott, Barclays Settles Regulators’ Claims Over Manipulation of Key Rates, N.Y. Times DealBook (June 27, 2012, 8:11 AM), http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/06/27/barclays-said-to-settle-regulatory-claims-over-benchmark-manipulation/.  Robert Barr, Bank Scandals Tarnish London’s Reputation, The Miami Herald (Aug. 17, 2012), available at http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/07/v-fullstory/2938519/bank-scandals-tarnish-londons.html.  Id.  Id.  See Scott, supra note 1.  Bobbie Johnson, Wonga Readies $1.5bn IPO, but Stigma Won’t Go Away, Gigaom (June 6, 2012, 1:26 AM, http://gigaom.com/europe/wonga-ipo/.  http://www.startups.co.uk/wonga.html.  Scott, supra note 1.  See id.  Id.  See Johnson, supra note 7.  Scott, supra note 1.  John Peabody, GoCardless Tries to Disrupt the Credit Card Industry, Reuters (May 15, 2012), http://blogs.reuters.com/small-business/2012/05/15/gocardless-tries-to-disrupt-the-credit-card-industry/.  Scott, supra note 1.  Id.  Id.  Id.


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Samsung has resumed the distribution of the Android 4.3 update for Galaxy S4 handsets, following a botched first attempt.
Users reported a host of technical issues after installing the original update, but the South Korean firm has now rectified the problems and restarted the roll-out.
Customers who downloaded the original upgrade will soon receive an additional patch to iron out any flaws, according to SamMobile.
US operator AT&T was the first to deliver the refined update to its customers, but users across Europe are said to have discovered it on the Kies software.
The download is expected to be pushed out over the air in the coming days, with some users likely to be in for a longer wait depending on their network and demographic location.
Google's latest Android 4.4 update was recently released for Google Play Edition models of the Galaxy S4, with standard versions expected to receive it next year.
Watch Digital Spy's video review of the Samsung Galaxy S4 below: