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In a neighborly mood? Good.
Because today, Feb. 7, is Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbors' Day.
You also need to get angry, because today is Dump Your Significant Jerk Day.
And get determined, because it's also Leadership Success Day.
And National Consumer Protection Week, and Funeral Service Education Week, and Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month, and National Weddings Month.
Don't forget Just Say No to Powerpoints Week.
Yes, in America today, there's so much to celebrate, and so few days, weeks and months to fit it all in. Or so you'd think.
But the number of pseudo-official celebrations continues to grow each year, and all it takes is a little creativity and an entry form.
Chase's Calendar of Events, considered to be the ultimate reference calendar to special days, weeks and months as well as holidays and historical anniversaries, gives its readers a chance to get in the holiday spirit by creating their own special days.
"We accept submissions by April 15 of every year," said Kathy Keil, the associate editor of Chase's.
The number of submissions varies from year to year, but on average, Chase's gets several hundred holiday suggestions annually, Keil said.
So what separates the good suggestions from the bad?
"Our editorial team goes through, and we choose to publish the ones submitted by the people who take it the most seriously," Keil said. "Particularly the people who want to promote a cause or people doing it for fun that have something to offer the people who are reading the book."
Keil was quick to mention that Tom and Ruth Roy, who have been avid holiday creators since the late 1980s, have contributed more than 80 holidays to Chase's.
Their long list of copyrighted holidays include Answer Your Cat's Question Day (Jan. 22), Get a Different Name Day (Feb. 13), Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Night (Aug. 8), Haunted Refrigerator Night (Oct. 30) and Bathtub Party Day (Dec. 5) "The Roys have a Web site that offers suggestions with wacky ways to celebrate their holidays," Keil said. "They take it very seriously."
According to their Web site, wellcat.com, the Roys' passion for creating holidays began while Tom was working as a morning radio announcer.
He discovered an entry form for new holidays in the back of Chase's and submitted it with the suggestion to celebrate Northern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day on Feb. 20.
On his entry form, he described the day as a day for citizens in the Northern Hemisphere to go outdoors at high noon and yell "Hoodie-Hoo" to chase away the winter's cold and make ready for spring time.
Roy said he never expected his idea would be published, but sure enough, when the following year's edition of Chase's came out, he turned to Feb. 20 to find the holiday Northern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day staring back at him.
The high of seeing his holiday in print gave him the rush to create more.
And so Tom, along with his wife, Ruth, continued to do so.
Taking in inspiration from everywhere, the Roys have created and copyrighted 85 holidays, but they aren't the only ones who dedicate their free time to bizarre observances.
Sheila Cicchi, who maintains her own Web site, brownielocks.com, features a page dedicated to strange and unusual holidays that gets about 10,000 unique visitors a day.
Cicchi said she started featuring a silly holiday every month on her Web site a few years ago, and as her collection of holidays quickly grew, Cicchi herself has grown to be known as somewhat of a strange-holidays expert.
"I get a lot of e-mails from people asking me more about certain holidays and suggestions on how to celebrate them," she said. She gets flooded with letters from writers, activities directors, teachers and journalists.
Cicchi's Web site lists all the monthly, weekly and daily celebrations for each month, from Oatmeal Month (celebrated in January), to It's About Time Week (celebrated on Dec. 25-31).
Even though she doesn't celebrate the more unusual holidays, she said she does celebrate what she considers to be some of the more doable ones.
"Wear Red Day is coming up," Cicchi said. "And I plan to wear red all day."
Mark your calendar
In a neighborly mood? Good.


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will require warehouse and logistics workers to mask up again beginning on Monday, regardless of vaccination status. The company called the move a response to “the concerning spread of new COVID-19 variants in the U.S.” plus guidance from public-health and its own medical experts. The company on Thursday pushed back the date its office workers will have to return to offices until early January, four months later than it planned. Amazon has not yet required employees to be vaccinated, unlike other tech giants such as Google parent Alphabet Inc.
and Facebook Inc.
An Amazon.com spokesperson said the online retailer is “monitoring the situation closely and will continue to follow local government guidance and work closely with leading medical healthcare professionals, gathering their advice and recommendations as we go forward to ensure our buildings are optimized for the safety of our teams.” Amazon.com shares were flat in the extended session Friday after ending the regular trading day down 0.9%.

domain: news


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Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL) has been using Twitter to drum up some customer attention to buy some of their computers. It looks like that it has been working for them quite nicely too. Through Twitter marketing itself, Dell made over $6.5 million. The number of tweets sent out by all of Dell’s Twitter accounts were about 1.5 million. Over 100 employees have been sending out tweets for the company according to Manish Mehta, VP of Dell?s online division.
Surely the $6.5 million is only a mere fraction of the company’s $61.1 billion in revenues, but the company sees social media as being a vibrant channel to communicate with customers.
?It?s a very vibrant channel for us and it?s growing aggressively,? stated Mehta in an interview. ?It?s not just our reach and growth that has progressed, it?s that it?s happening globally.?


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How to trade major news events
Democrats held their breath as the predicted Republican ‘red wave’ met a blue wall during the US midterm election this November.
Meanwhile, Wall Street investors breathed a sigh of relief as financial markets weren’t too badly shaken up.
In the same week, it was revealed that Tesla CEO Elon Musk sold nearly $4 billion of his stock in the electric automaker. And if that wasn’t enough news, the major cryptocurrency platform, FTX, has collapsed.
So, what do you do when there are so many market-related events happening, some at the same time? In this article, we highlight ways traders can take advantage of major events and reveal techniques for trading the news.
Trading the news
In addition to random news events, during any given week there can be dozens of financial events marked on an economic calendar. Some of these won’t create a blip in price movements (i.e local banking announcements) and others can move the markets by hundreds of pips (i.e Federal Reserve rate hikes).
The USA, the world’s biggest economy, naturally has some of the biggest events that affect the market.
Major monthly US events that affect the markets:
Non-Farm Payroll (Employment report)
Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)
Consumer Price Index (Inflation report)
The events above are scheduled financial news events. This means you know the exact time and date that they are set to be released. This means you can plan. What’s more, a typically scheduled news event will even detail previous figures and what is expected/forecasted for the next event.
Before you take a position you need to be armed with all information at your disposal. Doing your research and planning based on all potential outcomes is part of being a good trader.
Whether you’re planning to trade the upcoming NFP report or want to take advantage of breaking news, this process begins with pre-news analysis and planning.
Planning ahead – Pre-event analysis
One important detail for any event is finding out whether the market has already “priced in” the expected news. Sometimes the markets have already moved substantially before the new announcement based on the expected number. This can happen a lot if the news of a specific event is trending and many expect what will most likely happen. A predicted outcome means lower volatility since this news and its outcome has already been “priced in”.
If the result hasn’t been priced in or goes against an expected outcome, then traders can expect market volatility.
A technique that good traders use is “buy the rumour, sell the fact.” If the jobs NFP report is expected to be good but the actual result is negative, this could cause a drop in the US Dollar. The trend here would be negative.
It’s all connected
Economic events are often interlinked – a strong US dollar will mean higher import prices of US goods and lower consumer spending. The 2022 War in Ukraine saw record-high oil and wheat prices globally.
Traders should ask ‘is there another news/market event that could be related to the one you wish to trade?’
For example, let’s say wish to trade the NFP (A US market event) yet there is also news of a major report from the European Central Bank (ECB). In this case, it would not make sense to trade the USD/EU.
The reason? There could be positive news from both the USA and Europe, strengthening both currencies and limiting your opportunities. It would be better to trade the US/JPY (USD/Japanese Yen) or EU/CNY (Euro/Chinese Yuan) as there would be no news expected from either Japan or China at that time.
Do your research
One of the benefits of trading today is access to information. Anyone can access data to review previous price movements and more. Concerning scheduled events, it is important to review the last 10 price movements ahead of the news event you plan to trade.
By reviewing historical data you can work out how the markets reacted and plan accordingly. For example, You can view the release of prior NFP reports and analyze what affect each one had on the price direction pre and post-release.
Doing your research will help you better plan for bullish or bearish market trends.
2 unique trading strategies for news events:
1. Pre-news trading
There could be volatility leading up to the day before or even the week ahead of a news event. If an event started trending it could encourage traders to start buying or selling in the direction the market is believed to be headed. This will reach a critical point once the event occurs and the market will be able to tell whether events are in line with predictions.
If the NFP is expected to grow, many Forex traders will start buying the US dollar before the news event, to make the most of the volatile leading up to the actual release. Many traders take this opportunity to trade the pre-news action with a strategy of closing their positions before the event occurs.
2. Post-news trading
The most popular approach for traders, especially the more experienced ones, is to trade the event immediately after it has been announced. This requires a lot of skill and the ability to absorb current information and react quickly. Major economic news, regardless of whether it’s positive or negative, can create massive price spikes. Many new traders will want to wait until the dust has settled before taking positions.
Safe traders wait at least 30 minutes to 1 hour after the event to gauge the price momentum and which direction the trend is moving.
Often major events, such as rate hikes, can have effects that will last for many days if not weeks. Experienced traders can follow price movement over many days. What this means is, even if you missed the pre-news trading and the initial movements, there will still be opportunities to trade.
High-impact news is where you will discover the highest level of volatility in the markets. However, these events also carry the highest level of risk. Traders who can do their research, implement a sound trading plan, and manage their risks can ultimately turn any major news event into a highly profitable session.
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 3/4/2014 (1234 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
In one magical decade, the Beatles made records built to last an eternity. The same might be said for the band's chart records.
Friday marks the 50th anniversary of the Fab Four's remarkable Billboard coup, when their songs occupied the top five slots of the singles chart, a feat never repeated.
The Billboard Hot 100 ranking on April 4, 1964:
1. Can't Buy Me Love
2. Twist and Shout
3. She Loves You
4. I Want to Hold Your Hand
5. Please Please Me
"It was the first and only time anyone ever monopolized the entire top five," says Keith Caulfield, Billboard's associate director of charts/retail. "It was a unique moment in time, something that likely will never happen again. We were at the height of the Beatles invasion, and millions of fans were discovering them and their work."
Two factors played into the band's chart "hits-krieg," says Beatles scholar Martin Lewis. First was the "unquenchable thirst for Beatles records after three consecutive appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show in February," he says. Those performances, three months after JFK's assassination, were "an aural balm to America's soul."
Aiding the Beatles' chart lock was a shambolic distribution pattern, with songs simultaneously released by various labels.
"Capitol Records had rejected The Beatles (repeatedly) during 1963 while they conquered Europe," says Lewis, who spearheaded the campaign for Beatles manager Brian Epstein's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next week. "Those rejections meant that three other U.S. labels also had Beatles discs available to release. Only two of those top five Beatles singles were on Capitol, which paid the price for its earlier myopia."
The only artist to come close to the Beatles' slam is 50 Cent, who had three titles in the top five in March 2005: Candy Shop at No. 1, How We Do (The Game single featuring 50) at No. 4 and Disco Inferno at No. 5.
Shifts in music consumption habits and changes in Hot 100 criteria have increased the odds of matching The Beatles' conquest, but not by much.
"For years, the Hot 100 was based on sales of singles available to purchase in record stores and limited by what was actually released by labels," Caulfield says. "Now, in the era of the Internet and YouTube, when a digital-oriented artist like Taylor Swift or Mumford & Sons has a big surge, all those tracks show up on the Hot 100. But their chances of filling the top five? Pretty slim."
The week the Beatles occupied the top five slots, they had a dozen songs spread across the chart, setting a record they broke a week later with 14. That record also still holds. Drake nudged it in October 2013 by racking up 12 tracks in the Hot 100.
On April 4, 1964, the Beatles also held the top two spots on the album chart with Meet the Beatles! and Introducing ... The Beatles.
Nobody has reached this level of domination, though Adele grazed those heights in 2012 when she had two songs in the Hot 100's top five while 21 and 19 perched at No. 1 and No. 4, respectively, on the album chart.
-- USA Today


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Acer unveils gaming notebooks, 2-in-1s, Chromebooks in New York
Aaron Lee, New York; Joseph Tsai, DIGITIMES
Acer unveiled new gaming notebooks, 2-in-1 models and Chromebooks in New York on April 21 to specifically meet expected back-to-school demand in the third quarter of 2016.
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If you were texting while “otherwise engaged” in the latrine and you happened to let your Apple device slip from your hands and splash into the bowl, you’re not alone. It might put you at ease to hear that CNET recently reported that 16 percent of all iPhone accidents occur in the bathroom, with 9 percent of iPhone owners dropping their devices in the toilet.
There are steps you can take after your phone takes a dip. In a recent MacRumors forum post, user ryan.lheureux wrote a humorous post about what to do when an iPhone is dropped in a toilet.
“If you have not yet dropped your iPhone in the toilet, consider NOT dropping your iPhone in the toilet,” he wrote. “This is a solid course of action, in my opinion, and one that can be easily achieved by not keeping your iPhone in your back pocket, unless your back pocket has a button, but if that’s the case, you probably aren’t cool enough to own an iPhone in the first place, no? … In layman’s terms: pants down + phone falls = splish splash.”
For those of you who have already heard that dreaded splish splash, the first thing to do is get your device out of the water as quickly as possible, according to a recent article for iMike’s Help. Once you have retrieved your device, if it hasn’t already turned off by itself, turn it off immediately. The next step is to dry the device as thoroughly as possible.
“DO NOT PLACE IN RICE,” iMike’s Help wrote. “This is just a myth and can actually do more harm than good. Rice will not dry your phone fast enough, can get stuck in the headphone jack, swell from the moisture and be one pain in the buttocks to get out. Instead you need to find a dry, warm spot for the phone.”
The site suggested that the absolute perfect spot to put your phone to dry might be inside of a computer tower, as it is generally dry, particularly toasty and safe. Once you have found a prime spot to let your device dry, iMike’s Help recommends that you leave the phone alone for anywhere from 24 to 48 hours. Afterwards, check your device thoroughly for any visible signs of water still on the device, and if none are found, try plugging it into a power source and cross your fingers that it powers on.
While these steps may help rescue a phone from liquid death, water often causes serious damage and can, in many cases, require the phone’s logic board to be replaced. If your phone needs more than a thorough air-drying, iResQ’s iPhone repair services can fix it up in no time.


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Top of the Order:
EBay’s Latest Deal: Well, on the whole, Friday could have been worse for eBay.
The e-commerce company’s shares fell 1.5 percent to close at $36.31, mostly because late Thursday, eBay gave a third-quarter earnings estimate of 46 cents to 48 cents a share. That fell short of analysts’ forecasts of a profit of 49 cents a share. Nobody likes a company to say it doesn’t think it will earn as much as the prognosticators on Wall Street.
But, eBay also said it expects revenue for the quarter that ends in September to be in a range of $2.35 billion to $2.39 billion, which surpassed analysts’ forecasts of $2.32 billion. EBay also expects revenue for the year to be between $9.3 billion and $9.5 billion. And it helped that eBay reported a second-quarter profit of 45 cents a share on $2.3 billion in sales, which met Wall Street’s consensus estimates.
“(There was) nothing exciting one way or another,” said Piper Jaffray analyst Michael Olson, in a research note. “EBay’s place on the internet is stable.”
Olson did think enough of eBay to raise his price target on the company’s stock to $34 from $30 a share.
At Credit Suisse, analyst Paul Bieber said that growth in eBay’s classified and StubHub businesses are helping to set the company up for a strong second half of the year. Bieber, who left his $44-a-share target price on eBay’s stock unchanged, also has an outperform rating on the company’s shares.
“Overall, we are more positive on the second-quarter results given modest acceleration across eBay’s core businesses and management’s confident tone on the second half,” Bieber said, in a research note Friday.
Lobby Up: Companies and organizations pay a lot of money to lobby for access to politicians. This is no secret. And it should also come as no secret that many leading tech companies cut lots of checks as part of their lobbying efforts. Who pays the most? Well, you can put Google, Oracle, Facebook and Apple right at the top of the list.
Supply and Demand: The game of Bay Area real estate never ceases to attract attention here, and around the country. And if you live in the East Bay, you are in a place where the supply of homes available declined during the first six months of the year, while the price of homes continued to rise — and rise and rise some more.
Bottom of the Lineup:
Cue Up Ringo: The old Beatles classic, “With a Little Help From My Friends,” may be the song of the day, or even the week. That’s because Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon and Google parent company Alphabet have all submitted comments to the U.S. International Trade Commission on behalf of Apple as part of that company’s ongoing product-licensing dispute with mobile-device chip supplier Qualcomm.
Quote Of The Day: ““I did not know that there was any discrimination. It’s a reality because it’s perceived as a reality. And perception is more important than reality.” — Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, speaking about sexual harassment among Silicon Valley companies at an event Thursday night.
Sign up for the 60-Second Business Break newsletter at www.siliconvalley.com.


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03 November 2015
03 November 2015
Co-located with Techtextil North America and Texprocess Americas, the JEC Americas Composites Show & Conferences will be host to 750 exhibitors and 9,000 attendees encompassing 363,000 square feet of the Georgia World Congress Center on 3-5 May 2016.
According to JEC, North America currently accounts for 32 percent of the global composites market, with a market share of nearly US $24 billion. It says that two-thirds of exhibitors at the show are North American-based, which underscores the remarkable evolution occurring throughout the continent. Between 2013 and 2018, North America is predicted to have an astounding 23 percent share of the composites industry’s projected growth.
“The demands made on materials have become greater. Decision-makers from the applicative markets, especially transportation, automotive and energy in the US are looking for light (resistant) products and design flexibility. The composites industry is establishing new modes of collaboration with end-users. JEC Americas 2016 centered around their needs will offer an extensive presentation of competitive manufacturing technologies and a wide range of finished composites products” said Frédérique Mutel, JEC Group President & CEO.
“Another dimension is Going Green. Our Century requires “Green” products. It means more efficient processes. It also means we are able to recycle composites products and re-use the recyclates to make new products. “Green” will be the colour of JEC Americas in 2016 and widely applied.” adds Mutel.
JEC Americas comes back to Atlanta and once again to experience southern hospitality. JEC explains that the South is home to manufacturing and Atlanta perfectly reflects the dynamism of this sector. Atlanta is the ideal location to attract exhibitors from throughout the US, Canada, Latina America, as well as Europe and Asia.
Each of the JEC Americas programs (Live Demo Area, Innovation Corner, Conferences, Leadership Circles, etc.) is expected to highlight the importance of innovation in producing composites parts. The two Leadership Composites Circles, in both Aeronautics and Automotive, will gather top managers in their respective industries from OEM’s to tier 1 suppliers to end-users, to exchange knowledge and network with their counterparts.
In addition, back by popular demand, JEC Academy, in a strategic partnership with Georgia Tech, will bring back and enhance the Education & Skills Village.
Peter Zezima, JEC Americas Event Director, added, “We are also proud to announce that Tennessee will be the official State of Honour for the JEC Americas 2016 event. The diversity of their industry, research center and universities will be showcased in Atlanta and serve as an introduction to our next American event, JEC Forums, in Knoxville, Tennessee, US, 13-14 October 2016”.
Peter Zezima also points out, “Manufacturing and Automotive will be major subjects in 2016. The selected Country of Honour is Germany for this session.”
Composites are considered hard to join and researchers have predominantly focused on mechanical joining technologies including crimping, gluing, riveting or screwing. The Composites Europe exhibition in Stuttgart, Germany, on 6-8 November will show the advantages and drawbacks of each of these processes.
The Aachen Center for Integrative Lightweight Production (AZL) and the Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV) at RWTH Aachen University are commencing a study into the use of thermoplastic tapes in injection moulded parts. Companies interested in joining the study are invited to a kick-off event during Fakuma 2018 in Friedrichshafen, Germany, on 18 October.
ZSK will hold its bi-annual technology showcase on 21-22 September 2018 at its Krefeld, Germany, headquarters. The Embroidery Technology Show assembles more than 25 exhibitors from around the world to discuss emerging trends in the embroidery manufacturing industry and demonstrate the latest products produced using techniques such as tailored fibre placement (TFP) or smart textiles.


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Global Drinks Industry Logistics - Part IV: Middle East and South Africa
In the final part of this month's management briefing, the spotlight moves to the logistic set-ups in the Middle East and South Africa.
Drinks distribution is highly fragmented in the Middle East, and ranges from best practice at leading companies in the Gulf countries to less automated and more labour-orientated methods in the Levant region, which comprises Lebanon, Syria, Israel, the Palestinian terrorities and Jordan. Modernisation is currently underway throughout the region as company’s bottom lines are pressured by rising fuel, commodities and labour costs. Subsequently, demand for the latest systems at factories, warehouses and in distribution is on the rise.
In the region’s wealthiest area – the Gulf Cooperation Council counties - there are 231 beverage companies, around half of which (48.9%) are in Saudi Arabia, followed by the United Arab Emirates at 27.3%. With beverage exports nearly doubling in the three years to 2009 to US$696m, and imports increasing by a third over the same period to around US$1bn in 2009, according to a 2011 report by the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), companies are investing heavily to meet demands. Gulf investment in the drinks sector (largely non-alcoholic), was estimated at US$2.5bn in 2010.
These investments are being pushed by major players such as Saudi Arabia's Aujan Industries, which is expecting to hit US$1bn in sales this year through its brands Vimto, Rani and Barbican, and it is investing more than US$130m in upgrading its distribution network. The company is also planning on ramping up capacity by 40% at existing factories in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Iran.
Another major Saudi Arabian beverage player upgrading its distribution network is Almarai, a major dairy and drinks player, which boasted turnover of US$2bn in 2011. The company has a fleet of 1,000 tankers, reefers and tractor heads at its main facility in Riyadh, and uses around 3,200 delivery trucks from 70 sales depots in the Gulf to reach 48,500 retail customers on a daily basis.
Due to the high temperatures in the Gulf - which reach above 40 degrees Celsius during the summer months – Almarai, like other Gulf manufacturers and distributors, uses cooling systems to retain product freshness. “From manufacturing to depots to distribution, everything is cooled,” said Almarai spokesman Hussam Abdul Qader. "The trucks are all chilled for dairy and beverages."
With a van leaving a company depot every six minutes, Almarai has adopted automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), along with warehouse management systems (WMS). “We are strong on hand-held terminals (HHTs) as, [they] give us a high utilisation of our resources, whether from storage in the factory or in the depots, as [product] moves from van to retailer,” says Abdul Qader. He adds that, although the company has been using HHTs (hand-held terminals) for a while, they are being “continuously upgraded”.
At the retail end, Almarai has its own fridges to monitor temperatures. “It is not 100% foolproof - as some small retailers do switch off fridges to save electricity – [but] once we get a product complaint, it is tracked back to where it was bought and if there is temperature abuse we can see if there is a pattern and pinpoint it,” says Abdul Qader.
To improve logistics, Almarai is also considering adopting Radio-frequency identification (RFID) in its supply chains. “RFID seems very interesting, but we are not sure how soon it will be feasible for the region, so we are keeping our eyes on it,” says Abdul Qader. “There is cost involved, and anything adding on to cost is approached carefully as commodity prices are rising, prices are flat and there is an aversion to raising costs per unit.” In terms of noticeable packaging trends, there is growing consumer preference for PET bottles over HDPE (high-density polyethylene) ones, which companies are shifting towards, inevitably causing some changes in manufacturing and distribution.
In Lebanon, carbonated beverages and juice distributor Interbrand is upgrading its fleet with 20 new trucks with higher payloads, to improve efficiency due to higher fuel costs. The company is introducing its own ASRS (automated storage and retrieval system) to reduce labour costs, and is also thinking of RFID and WMS, according to Interbrand VP Marc Tabourian. “We are investing in this right now and doing it slowly but surely," he says. "Overhead savings come from reducing transportation and warehousing costs.” Overall, while the Gulf is moving towards PET, Lebanon is still lagging behind: “I think there will be a move to plastic but it takes time, as technology is not up to date,” added Tabourian.
According to global brewing giant SABMiller, a number of special logistical difficulties exist for South Africa’s beer industry, in terms of getting company’s products to retailers around the country.
Thinus Van Schoor, head of supply chain development at SABMiller South Africa, says that current issues include a lack of reliable rail infrastructure, a sometimes undisciplined workforce, patchy road conditions in some areas – particularly in remoter regions - and congestion at some of the country’s main ports.
However, the brewing company believes that “a collaborative effort between SAB and relevant stakeholders such as Transnet [South Africa's national transport businesses, which include ports, Petronet, Metrorail, Transtel, and South African Airways] will lead to effective solutions to these challenges”.
In relation to the next big trends and processes in drinks industry logistics, Van Schoor says that the future lies with ‘Vendor Managed Inventory’, “whereby the wholesaler owns stock at the retailer, and the retailer orders directly from the supply chain and manufacturer”.
When it comes to the local wine industry, Wines of South Africa spokesman André Morgenthal says that the rising cost of transportation and bottling is proving to be a headache. “Fuel prices have increased dramatically in South Africa in recent years and [this] has led to wine being shipped out of the country in bulk and bottled in countries at the heart of our target markets,” he says. “While bulk shipping is good economically, the vineyards lose control of their product, which can affect quality.”
In the past, says Morgenthal, 40% of wine has traditionally been shipped out in bulk – the remainder 60% in bottles – but rising costs have led to a shift. The trend is now in reverse, he says, with 60% of wine shipped in bulk.
Morgenthal notes that there are several ongoing developments in the works to help overcome South Africa’s rising fuel and energy costs, such as light-weight bottles and plastic containers, which have been introduced to enable vineyards to export greater volumes of wine abroad for a lower cost.
In the second part of this analysis of the European Union's review of its strategy to combat alcohol harm across the region, EurActiv details the issues that have to be considered....
SABMiller is looking to generate strong growth in its Latin American markets by focusing on the introduction of "affordable" products in the region....
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- Comment - Beer - Does 'Craft' Work?
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- Global Tequila insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends research
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- Global Scotch whisky insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends research
- Diageo plc (DGE) - Financial and Strategic SWOT Analysis Review
- Beam Suntory Inc. - Strategy and SWOT Report


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Google Glass 1-day sale could be extended
STAR-ADVERTISER / FEB. 28, 2014
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Google Inc. said in an email Tuesday that it could extend the one-day sale of its $1,500 Google Glass device, seen above.
Photos: Garden Party: Ruth Edgar, Oct. 19
Photos: Effects of Hurricane Ana, Oct. 19
Photos: Island Images: October 2014
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Smartphones can already do pretty much everything, right? Actually, UAB computer scientists have a few more ideas.
They’re tapping into the accelerometers, proximity sensors and other environment-aware chips packed into modern phones to help users stay safe — and keep ahead of the bad guys.
Here are seven innovations that could be coming soon to your favorite device.
1. Watching your back
Most of us are very protective of our phones. Ragib Hasan, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences Department of Computer and Information Sciences and director of SECRETLab, wants them to return the favor. He is developing software to turn a phone into a digital wingman, using information from its camera, microphone, accelerometer and other sensors to gauge a user’s attentiveness and respond appropriately. When it detects that a person is driving, for example, it could silence all but the most important alerts. If it decides from the way that you’re walking and talking that you are drunk, it could prevent you from making bank transactions. Hasan’s code will also save important security warnings for times when you are alert, rather than groggy from sleep.
The project builds on a study by Munirul Haque, Ph.D., who recently completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Hasan’s lab, and collaborators at Marquette University. The researchers found that a phone can do a remarkably good job at sensing mood. They parsed camera images to read facial expressions and accelerometer data to judge energy expenditure (anxious people tend to pace; inactivity is often a signal of depression). Their system was able to recognize six different “affective states”: anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness and surprise.
Learn more: Read the paper “In Situ Affect Detection in Mobile Devices: A Multimodal Approach for Advertisement Using Social Network”
2. Learning your style
You may be only one of millions of people with an iPhone, but the way you hold your phone — and take pictures and send text messages — may be unique. Nitesh Saxena, Ph.D., an associate professor in the CIS department and director of the SPIES lab, is a pioneer in “behavioral biometrics” security research. He’s pulling together data from accelerometers, gyroscopes and proximity sensors to chart the characteristic gestures a user makes when answering a call or snapping a selfie. Once his software learns your moves, it could unlock your phone automatically — and freeze when it detects that it is in the wrong hands. A system that taps into user interactions with multiple connected devices, such as Google Glass or the new Apple Watch, would be even more secure, Saxena says.
Learn more: Read the Mix feature Swagger security: How your smartphone style could keep your digital assets safe
The Latest on: Sensor-Packed Smartphones
via Google News
The Latest on: Sensor-Packed Smartphones
- A sensor-packed “skin” could let you cuddle your child in virtual realityon November 20, 2019 at 10:01 am
The skin is wireless and doesn’t require any batteries, thanks to inductive charging (the same technology used to charge smartphones wirelessly). Although virtual reality can recreate sounds and ...
- Sony announces new IMX586 image sensor with 48 megapixel resolutionon July 23, 2018 at 3:55 am
which roughly converts to $27 and will start shipping the CMOS image sensor in September this year. However, the company has not revealed when we’ll be able to see the sensor packed in a smartphone.
- The latest Android iPhone X clone has an in-display fingerprint sensoron February 13, 2018 at 7:16 am
I’m sorry to tell you all: it’s the year of the notch. Android phones that unabashedly ape the iPhone X’s sensor-packed front notch keep on coming, and another, from Chinese phone maker Doogee, is ...
- The light and dark of AI-powered smartphoneson January 6, 2018 at 8:24 am
Analyst Gartner put out a 10-strong listicle this week identifying what it dubbed “high-impact” uses for AI-powered features on smartphones that it suggests ... control infrastructures powered by the ...
- Samsung SmartSuits help speed skaters train for the Winter Olympicson January 3, 2018 at 1:36 pm
The sensor-packed outfits relay data back to their coach ... feed live body position metrics down to the millimeter back to the national coach's Galaxy S8 smartphone. There, a custom app ingests the ...
- Sensor-packed Smartphones to Secure your Deviceon February 26, 2015 at 9:03 am
An Indian-origin scientist and his team are adapting accelerometers, Global Positioning System (GPS) chips, gyroscopes and other sensors to make smartphones that can read a user's mood, eliminate ...
- Sensor-packed smartphones can read your mood, guard your data, and wreak havoc in the wrong handson February 24, 2015 at 1:06 pm
Smartphones have replaced nearly every conceivable gadget, but computer scientists are teaching them some new tricks. The researchers are adapting accelerometers, GPS chips, gyroscopes and other ...
- How Sensor-Packed Smartphones Can Read Your Mood, Guard Your Data — and Wreak Havoc in the Wrong Handson February 17, 2015 at 4:00 pm
Smartphones can already do pretty much everything, right? Actually, UAB computer scientists have a few more ideas. The Mix lists seven innovations that could be coming soon to your favorite device.
- Sensor Packed Eyewear Tracks Fatigue and Postureon January 27, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Meme glasses exhibit Japanese style, but sync to smartphones for high-tech health monitoring When choosing eyewear, do you prefer classically stylish Warby Parkers or tech-forward Google Glass? Now, ...
- Hands On With The Node, A Sensor-Packed Smartphone Dongleon October 31, 2012 at 5:00 pm
As a scientist practicing actual, bona fide science, I have often found myself in need of immediate g-force readings or barometric pressure analyses for my scientific problems. Whereas before I had to ...
via Bing News


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How to fix your student loan debt
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced Thursday that it would review whether to take over the auto loan industry after years of complaints from lenders and borrowers.
The CFPB is expected to make a final decision in December.
The agency, which was formed in 2010 to oversee the auto lending industry, has made changes to its process to prevent repeat misconduct and has brought in more independent consumer experts to review loans.
The bureau also has said it will increase the number of independent consumers it hires.
In a statement, CFPO Commissioner David Hartwig said that the bureau was reviewing how to best respond to the industry’s concerns.
“We are committed to working collaboratively with our lenders and other industry stakeholders to make the best consumer experience possible,” he said.
The agency said it would provide consumers with access to information on consumer loan options and other consumer rights, and provide guidance to lenders on the types of loans they can offer.
The new program will be led by Consumer Financial Justice, a nonprofit that has been working with lenders on loan modifications since the agency took over the industry in 2012.
The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s Consumer and Business Lending Council, a committee made up of lenders and credit unions, also will review the program.
The council will discuss whether to expand the loan modification program to include auto loans.
“The CFP has taken a lead in helping to shape the financial industry, which is essential to our economy,” Hartwig told reporters.
“But it has become clear that there is a significant problem with the way loan modification works in the auto industry, and that the CFP is stepping in to provide some assistance.”
The CFCB’s first step will be to review loan modifications approved by the bureau, Hartwig explained.
If the bureau finds that there has been a repeat violation of the bureau’s lending rules, the bureau will take action, and the bureau may issue a warning or take other enforcement action.
For borrowers who have received a loan modification, the CFCBs consumer loan forgiveness program, or LFB, is designed to help lower their monthly payments by up to $1,500.
The LFB is currently available to borrowers who earn at least $75,000, according to the bureau.


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IM Motors is planning its first public financing round, said CEO LIU Tao. Founded at the end of 2020, IM Motors is a high-end pure EV venture jointly owned by SAIC Motor, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech and Alibaba with SAIC holding 54 percent of the equity.
In April 2021, IM Motors’ first EV sold for 400,000 yuan (US$63,000), and its Angel is sold out on pre-orders.
Covid, international tension, and the price of batteries have brought rising EV prices. However, there were 239 new energy vehicle financing events last year, worth a total of 364 billion yuan.


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Advertising is fast becoming an A-word like the F-word
And advertisers as well as media houses are realizing that. Obviously, they are not oblivious to the increasing use of ad blocking software on the web or viewers’ aversion to TV commercials that’s one of the top reasons they access their favorite TV shows or movies from video libraries or via online streaming.
100 million people in the US are expected to watch the big game today
A study from Adobe noted that one in three consumers watch live sports on a device other than a traditional television set.
With content being consumed on various devices, CBS has offered advertiser friendly packages that will air Super Bowl ads on TV and also stream them online and on mobile devices simultaneously. This package comes at a cost of $5M for a 30 second ad, which is 11% higher than the $4.5M that NBC had charged last year. But advertisers cannot complain, since it lets them target ad hating game fans, who won’t be able to avoid annoying ads that humiliate their intelligence, even if they are watching the game on other devices.
Super Bowl advertisers are, as expected, largely FMCG, automobile, electronic and such brands that typically rely heavily on TV as one their top promotional channels, apart from print and billboards.
More than generating sales or ROI, Super Bowl ads generate a buzz among viewers and build brand awareness. Advertisers are willing to pay $5M for a 30 second TV ad, which could give them a lot lot lot more mileage if spent on search, social or mobile marketing. But Super Bowl ads do result in a heavy buzz on social media, particularly on Twitter where #SuperBowlAds is a trending hashtag.
These 5 Super Bowl advertisers seemed to have conceptualized their ads in keeping with the multi-device packaging, viewer intolerance to ads and the social media spill-over effect. Instead of being bombastically self-promotional, they have adopted socially relevant themes and conveyed powerful messages.
1. Budweiser – GiveADamn
An intelligently conceptualized ad that uses a celebrity (English actor Helen Mirren) to snub drunken driving in a very humorous way.
2. Mini Car – #DefyingLabels
Ha! Don’t give a dime to labels and stereotypes, be yourself no matter what you drive. A message that is sure to strike a chord with millennial viewers.
3. Colgate – #SaveWater
After watching this, would you still continue brushing with the faucet running?
4. Death Wish Coffee Intuit – Small Business Big Game
In case we forgot that entrepreneurship is also about giving back to the entrepreneurial community, then this ad helps refresh our memory. Doing a Super Bowl ad could be the dream of every business there is. Intuit ran a contest for small businesses and sponsored a 30 second Super Bowl ad for the lucky winner – Death Wish Coffee.
5. Wix – It’s Easy
One in two small businesses in the US don’t have a website. Leaving money on the table, eh? Wix advises them to get one for free.
What to expect in the next Super Bowl?
Don’t be surprised if the next year’s Super Bowl ads package evolves to include innovative cross-channel ads that look to engage consumers in a lot more meaningful ways. But definitely be prepared to be shocked if it doesn’t.
What to expect today?
I predict one of these two teams will win the Super Bowl.


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The Indian arm of Mitsubishi, a world renowned Japanese auto maker, is going to unveil a new model of its Pajero Sport premium Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) at the Wonder Valley resort in Bengaluru on March 24, 2013. Hindustan Motors Limited, a part of the CK Birla Group, manufactures, assembles and distributes Mitsubishi models in the domestic auto market. The company is set to conduct an exciting full-of-adventure boot camp for the Indian owners of its Pajero Sport model that was introduced last year in the country. The boot camp is called 'Heart-in-Mouth' and has been organised as a rally event over the years. The event is going to be inaugurated by P. Vijayan, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Strategic Business Unit Head of Hindustan Motors' Chennai production facility.
The adventurous Mitsubishi Pajero Sport owners from Bengaluru, Mangalore and Kochi are expected to burn rubber at the Heart-in-Mouth Pajero event. A specially constructed obstacle circuit is being created at the Wonder Valley resort based in Bengaluru. The demanding track will feature seven tricky and difficult to overcome patches, comprising rocky beds, water body, muddy and slushy terrains. The participating Pajero Sport models will be categorised into groups of 10, with each group following the other. Further, the time required for one group to traverse the entire track length is estimated to be around 60 minutes.
Expressing his delight regarding the adventurous difficult-to-tackle obstacle track event, Uttam Bose, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Hindustan Motors Limited, was quoted as saying, “We are confident that the Bengaluru boot camp will be a big success and will enable Pajero Sport owners to fully realize the true potential of this legendary SUV whose predecessor holds the record of winning the world’s toughest car contest – the Dakar Rally – as many as 13 times. The newly launched Pajero Sport is more than a notch above its ancestors like Pajero SFX, Pajero GLX etc. The event will also help Pajero Sport owners bond better with one another and share experiences of real off-roading.”
It must be noted that the Pajero Sport SUV is Mitsubishi's flagship offering in the Indian auto market and was felicitated with the ‘Off-roader of the Year 2012’ title by BBC Top Gear. Further, the 2011 edition of Heart-in-Mouth rally witnessed participation from the Mitsubishi Pajero owners of Ludhiana, Delhi and Vadodara.
As per reports, the Pajero Sport owners can also avail an opportunity to get a 50-point free check up of their vehicles, such as top up of oils and minor servicing, amid things of similar nature at the March 24 event. The free service check up will be organised at the Wonder Valley resort and the company is also offering an additional discount on labour charges to Pajero Sport owners, during their next visit to the local dealership.


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In order to push new Original Recipe Boneless chicken, which debuted April 14, KFC has incorporated the catchphrase, “I Ate the Bones,” in its TV advertising. And now, “I Ate the Bones,” which is meant to communicate that KFC’s boneless chicken is just like its Original Recipe chicken with the exception of bones, is part of a Facebook contest that asks customers to bring the reaction, “I Ate the Bones,” to life.
KFC introduced Original Recipe Boneless chicken in response to what it says is an increase in consumer demand for boneless menu items.
“The focus is on the idea that people are amazed it tastes just like Original Recipe chicken,” says Rick Maynard, senior manager of public relations at KFC.
So, in a word, an “I Ate the Bones” reaction is one of amazement, Maynard adds.
To participate in the online initiative, customers simply post a photo or video with their best “I Ate the Bones” faces on Facebook, Twitter, Vine or Instagram with the hashtag #IAtetheBones.
Maynard says the brand has seen a significant number of entries via Instagram and Vine.
Entries are curated on Facebook. As of Friday, there were 630.
Through June 8, weekly winners will be chosen to receive t-shirts and gift checks. Five grand prize winners will also be selected to receive $1000 and a chance to be included in an online or social media advertisement within the next year, KFC says.
Fans are encouraged to solicit votes for their entries, but Maynard notes that votes will not guarantee a win.
In choosing winners, Maynard says KFC is looking for creativity, originality, consistency with brand image and enthusiasm.
The first weekly winners were announced Wednesday.
According to a press release, the commercials for Original Recipe Boneless were so buzzworthy in test markets last year that customers began mentioning them in social media — even using the hashtag #IAteTheBones — with no solicitation from the brand. KFC says some customers even made their own YouTube videos.
Maynard says this most recent extension essentially gives fans another outlet for that enthusiasm.
It targets young adults 18 to 35.
KFC has 6.3 million Facebook fans; @kfc_colonel has 139,000 Twitter followers.
Nurcin Erdogan Loeffler, head of strategy and innovation, Vizeum China, outlines the seven ways businesses can future proof their digital strategies.
Chief marketing officers have shared their views on technology, innovation and how they see their roles transforming into the near future at an ... read more
Every brand would love to see its hashtag trending on social media, but what if it’s for the least expected reason? Should you ... read more
In today's multichannel world how can marketers use data to ensure the experience a customer receives is relevant to them?


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Retail giant Federated Department Stores Inc has revealed it will close two Macy's stores in Alabama and Georgia this spring. The firm's Macy's stores at Riverchase Galleria in Birmingham and Augusta Mall in Augusta will begin liquidation sales early this spring. In a statement, Federated said it intends to make the space available for third parties, or possibly use the space to expand the presence of its Rich's/Lazarus/Goldsmith's division which currently operates Rich's stores in both centres.
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Captain Fresh secures $20M for global expansion
The extended Series C round was led by Japan-based SBI Investment and Evolvence Capital.
B2B fish and seafood startupon Tuesday said it has raised $20 million as part of an extended Series C round led by Japan-based SBI Investment and Evolvence Capital.
Existing investors such as Accel, Matrix Partners India, Prosus Ventures, and Tiger Global also participated in the round, the company said in a statement.
The startup will use the fresh capital to fuel its global ambitions, with expansion plans in Europe and the US. Captain Fresh says it has already initiated discussions with potential partners in these markets. Elluminate Capital was the financial advisor for Captain Fresh in this transaction.
To further accelerate its expansion efforts in the European market, Captain Fresh has appointed Basola Valles as CEO - Europe.
"We will bring Captain Fresh’s improved and still improving tech-enabled sourcing capabilities to Europe, delivering a multi-species, multi-origin approach to distribution. We aim to reduce turnaround times, invest in product innovation, and deliver on transparency and traceability needs." Valles said.
Captain Fresh says it relies on the Indian Ocean Region for its supply, with India representing a significant 90% of the supply. In terms of demand, Europe, the US, and India each contribute roughly equal shares, with additional demand originating from South East Asia.
The startup says it has a wide range of products, with 100 varieties of fish and seafood, serving clients in more than 30 countries worldwide. It has operational offices in India, the US, Dubai, and Madrid.
"They have successfully consolidated a highly fragmented and unorganised industry and have built a robust demand network while demonstrating impressive execution and attractive unit economics," Rohit Batra, Managing Partner at Evolvence India said, according to the statement.
Utham Gowda established Captain Fresh in 2019 with the vision of revolutionising India's fish and seafood supply chain.
Captain Fresh's approach involves combining a digital commerce platform with a robust physical fulfillment layer to provide retailers across various formats with dependable, equitable, and transparent purchasing experiences.
Last March, Captain Fresh said it raised $50M in a Series C funding round co-led by its existing investors Prosus Ventures and Tiger Global.
In June 2021, it raised $12 million in a Series A round led by Accel Partners and existing investor Matrix Partners India, with additional participation from Ankur Capital and Incubate Fund.
Edited by Affirunisa Kankudti


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The Reinvention of the Drive-In?
The inventor of the drive-in, Richard Hollingshead Jr., has been dead for three decades and is mostly forgotten. Bryan Kennedy, a 27-year-old Web designer, has never been to a drive-in. But with an online initiative called MobMov, the San Franciscan is reinventing the ozoner for the YouTube generation.
MobMov.com -- MobMov is short for "mobile movie" -- serves as a kind of digital clubhouse for about 160 "chapters" around the world, from L.A. to Hyderabad, India, that organize impromptu outdoor screenings. Projection booths usually consists of an LCD projector perched atop a car, a DVD player and an FM radio transmitter for the soundtrack.
But in a fresh twist on this old-fashioned exhibition form, two independent filmmakers have given MobMov chapters the right to screen their latest movies for free, in hopes of building buzz and spurring DVD sales.
(One fix to the story: Lance Weiler's "Head Trauma" is actually screening next Saturday, October 20th.)


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News Archives November, 2010
5over50 is an Anthill initiative launched in mid-2010 as an offshoot of its popular 30under30 awards. It recognises Australian entrepreneurs over age 50 who have started a new business in the past five years. Macanta Director, Breed Lewis, is one of the five inaugural winners of this award. Read about this exciting accolade for baby-boomers […]…Read the full article.


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Google Home isn't enough - Google vodka anyone?
Google, my how you’ve grown. Today, you’re oh-so much more than a search engine.
Calendar, Gmail, and Maps are just a few ways you shape our lives every day, and with Google Earth you’ve truly taken over the world.
But readers, listen up: if you thought the most exciting Google product launch of 2017 was the Google Home, you’re wrong.
The internet giant just found an itch we didn’t know needed scratching:
Google just launched its own ‘Google vodka’.
Not satisfied with simply dominating our digital needs, the global goliath is now on a mission to mix up your martini.
The startup hub Google Campus Warsaw has this week launched its very own vodka brand – named Old Style Flavoured Vodka.
The chameleon company is known for adapting each of its offices to fit the spirit (sorry, not sorry) of their locations, and Google vodka it seems is the perfect nod to the history of the Polish capital.
Google Campus Warsaw is even located in the Koneser complex, once home to a vast vodka distillery.
As you’d expect with any Google product, the boozy beverage comes dressed in slick minimal packaging.
Designed by Studio Redkroft, this features a low-key logo and product information silk-screen printed onto white, grey and yellow paper.
We have yet to spot anywhere you can purchase the unique gift online, but the promise of vodka is another great reason to visit Google in Warsaw.
Will you make your next one a ‘Google on the rocks’?


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Publishers worried about platform dependence have to watch their backs on e-commerce, too.
As more publishers have charged into commerce looking for new revenue, many have run straight into the jaws of Amazon, which is a convenient, yet addictive partner. For some publishers, Amazon represents upward of 80 percent of their affiliate commerce revenues, and its penchant for dropping the commission rates on certain categories of goods has the ability to make or break entire business strategies.
That’s left many publishers trying to figure out how to Amazon-proof their e-commerce strategies. We gathered some advice and opinions from the Tap conference on Sept. 28.
Use audience data to personalize
“The advantages of publishers building gateways [for commerce] is they know their user base better,” said Aram Zucker-Scharff, a digital ad engineering director at The Washington Post. “Amazon has to be very general because they have to serve everyone. If you know that your readers are very interested in a particular thing, you can customize that experience in a way that caters to them.” He added that publishers could use the detailed audience taxonomies they’ve established for article recommendations to also understand product recommendations.
Embrace the role as an authority
While Amazon is a place where most people head to purchase something they’ve planned to purchase, they are just scratching the surface of curation, which gives publishers that have gained their readers’ trust an advantage. “It’s all about curation,” said Jacqueline Wladis, the director of partnerships at Keep.com. “They’re coming to you as a top-of-funnel publisher because they want new suggestions.”
Tell products’ stories
Many brands are still leery of Amazon, and they have limited ability to make their products stand out inside the e-commerce giant’s properties. That “democratization of product making” gives publishers an opportunity, said Jack Jia, the founder of Musely.
“Think of how many different kinds of bottled water we drink now. There’s audience for each of these makers. But those stories need to be told before someone wants to buy one of those products,” he said. “The Walmarts and Amazons of the world struggle to do that.”
Embrace Apple Pay
One key reason publishers wind up yoked to Amazon is the convenience it offers to consumers: More than 40 million people use the Amazon iPhone app on a monthly basis, and over 1.5 million new people download it every month, according to Apptopia data.
Many publishers are reluctant to direct their readers to different retailers, which have a smaller base of app installations and may have a more cumbersome, time-consuming checkout process. Focusing on speed and convenience, which a checkout system like Apple Pay offers, can ease that friction.
“You’re trying to make that checkout as fast as possible,” said Attn CTO Jake McGraw, who spent five years at Refinery29. “A lot of shoppers are price-sensitive, but a lot more of them are time-sensitive.”
Podcasters are pitching longer, more lucrative ads, but ad buyers prefer shorter, cheaper spots
While podcast production companies and creative studios pitch custom, longer-form podcast ads, buyers prefer ads under a minute long due to budgets, reach and audience attention.
Media Buying Briefing: Four takeaways on Upfront Week from a buyer’s perspective
Beyond a general optimism to be back in person for Upfront Week, buyers shared their thoughts on what worked and what still needs to happen.
How publishers are future proofing their commerce offerings for post-pandemic consumers
Four publishers gathered at Digiday Media's Commerce for Publishers Forum to talk about their affiliate programs and strategies.
SponsoredHow marketers and retailers are unlocking the true value of retail media
Ben Kneen, senior director of product management, Xandr It’s a challenging time for retailers in the advertising industry. As they cope with supply chain woes and inflation-related pressures, they seek high-margin revenue streams amid evolving privacy regulations and massive shifts in identity solutions — including IDFA, the deprecation of third-party cookies and more. In light […]
Member ExclusiveMedia Briefing: Publishers and media unions are still haggling over office-return plans heading into the summer
In this week's Media Briefing, senior media reporter Sara Guaglione reports on how unions at some major media companies are pushing back against publishers' return to office mandates, with The New York Times Guild seemingly netting a victory on Wednesday.
‘He thought I was accusing him of being racist’: Confessions of a comms pro on working with out of touch leadership
The [CEO] and one of the other co-founders felt the need to point out that they mentor black people and donate to black-focused charities. 'It wasn't about them, but they were making it about them.'


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In a blog post, Google said that with the new version of Chrome OS, which will arrive in March, a screen recording tool will come to Chromebooks.
Google published a blog post saying it will bring a native screen recording tool to Chrome OS devices to further facilitate the whole online teaching process. The native screen recorder will be available to users in an update in March. It was also mentioned in the Google blog post that more than 40 new Chromebooks will be released this year.
More than 40 Chromebooks coming this year
Search giant Google has promised a native screen recording tool will come with the next major Chrome OS update scheduled for release in March. This new feature will be very advantageous for students. Students will be able to easily record their lectures and review them when necessary.
Saying that the devices will have an LTE connectivity option that allows connectivity over the cellular network, Andy Russell, Google Product Manager, says: “We’re launching more than 40 new Chromebooks. Many include convertible Chromebooks that function like laptops and tablets, and students take notes, Comes with stylus, touchscreen and dual camera for video editing, podcasting, drawing, publishing digital books and screen recording. Each new Chromebook is equipped to deliver exceptional Google Meet and Zoom experiences out of the box. Plus, limited access to the internet We also have devices that can better support students in countries with strong mobile broadband networks. ” made statements.
The company has made a list of Chromebooks available with configurations from Samsung, Lenovo, HP, Dell, Asus and Acer and tips for choosing the right one so students and teachers can find the Chromebook that suits them best.


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Google Inc said more than 100,000 smartphones running on its Android mobile operating system are now activated daily and its library of applications has grown to 50,000, underscoring rapid adoption of the devices.
The Internet search and advertising leader said on Thursday that searches on its mobile Internet search engine have quintupled in just the past two years.
At its annual developer's conference, Google executives outlined how the Android -- an operating system introduced last year in competition with Apple Inc's and Palm Inc PALM.O> -- is gaining traction in the intensely competitive market.
Later on Thursday, Google, Intel Corp and Sony Corp are expected to announce a joint effort to develop Web-connected televisions for households.
The tie-up may extend Google and Intel's reach beyond the personal computer and into the roughly $70 billion television broadcasting ad market. Sony, whose erstwhile dominance in consumer electronics has been eroded by the likes of Samsung, could beat rivals to a potentially new generation of devices.
The multi-pronged effort will mark the latest attempt to bring the Internet to the living room, a vision that has attracted and challenged virtually every major player in the technology and consumer electronics industry for years, from Apple to Microsoft Corp.
(Reporting by Alexei Oreskovic; editing by Andre Grenon)


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Wikivoyage officially launches today with support by the Wikimedia Foundation, with much of its content copied from Wikitravel, a run by private company Internet Brands.
Last week, Ryan Holliday filed an anti-SLAPP motion seeking to dismiss Internet Brandâ€™s lawsuit against him and other unpaid contributors of content to the Wikitravel site.
There are many that have written off quick response (QR) codes as having no real value going forward especially with the emergence of other technologies such as near field communication
Yesterday, Wikimedia Foundation announced that it will seek declaratory relief in response to legal threats from Internet Brands, the company that has run the collaboratively-edited destination database Wikitravel since 2006.
Back in July 2010, when Google said it was splashing out $700 million on air search and shopping tech provider ITA Software, officials put together a handy diagram.
Similar to when Google bought ITA Software in the summer of 2010, officials are avoiding saying yet what the search giant intends to do with its purchase of Frommer’s travel guides.


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Facebook, the most popular social media platform, had a good month in February this year. First off they announced that there are nearly 1.25 billion active users. Next, they celebrated their 10 year anniversary by producing a highlights video for every user. Finally, the company launched a new mobile app – Paper – that drastically changes how users views their profiles.
What is Facebook Paper?
The mobile device is quickly becoming the main way people access their Facebook profiles. While some open the browser on their device and navigate to the website from there, most use the Facebook app. This app is really a smaller version of Facebook that is formatted for mobile devices.
While the app is heavily used, many users are unimpressed with the layout and general functionality of the app as a whole. It’s really Facebook minus some functionality and a slight bit clunkier to navigate.
To address this and other issues the company launched a new division called Creative Labs, where teams can develop new ideas and features that could one day be incorporated into Facebook. One of the first major developments to come out of this division is Paper.
Paper is a new app for the iPhone that combines your traditional Facebook News Feed with something like an online newspaper. The whole idea of Paper is essentially Facebook reimagined into something that not only looks better but is easier to use.
How Paper works
When you download and open Paper using your iPhone you see a brief tutorial video of how the app works. Essentially, your Facebook Feed has been broken down into about 20 different categories, including: Headlines, Tech, Cute, Score, About, Photos, etc. Each section contains relevant stories and posts from your News Feed and from popular posts and publicaly shared content on Facebook. The posts are displayed differently and look more visually appealing.
These sections are then individually displayed in a horizontal manner, often with pictures and text, much like a mini article. For example, when you start the app you may be looking at the Headlines section and all relevant content. If you swipe to the left or right a new section will be brought up allowing you to view the content related to that new section.
What’s cool about this app is that you are in charge of what categories you see. If you want to see the Headlines section (news headlines from around 40 sites) first, you just have to rearrange the sections. This is interesting because the app allows you to customize how you view Facebook.
Is Paper good for business users?
This app could be great news for businesses, largely because it gives them yet another avenue to have their content seen by users. The creators of the app want it to be content forward. In other words, content displayed in a visually appealing way that draws the eye and potentially increases interest. Businesses creating visually appealing posts will really shine on Paper.
Can I get Paper?
For now, Paper is currently only available for Apple’s mobile devices and can be found on the iTunes store for free. Unfortunately, the app is only available to users in the US for the time being.
We are unsure as to when this app will be made available to more countries and devices, largely because the team developing this is small. We will undoubtedly see it come out in more countries and on other platforms but we can’t say when.
If you are looking to learn about Facebook and how your business can get more out of it, contact us today.


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Online sales tax collection on the rise, solutions sought in statute
Online sales tax revenue was on the agenda for legislature’s lead committee this week.
Members of the Legislature’s Executive Board received a report on Sales Tax Reduction from Remote Sales, which in state statute is the reduction of the sales tax by one-tenth of percent for every $20 million raised by Internet sales, also known as the Partridge Amendment.
Tuesday’s (11/19) report, however, didn’t provide much clarity on whether or not there’s a mechanism to lower the state’s sales tax because there’s uncertainty in how to interpret the statute.
“The language of the statute is unclear,” LRC Code Counsel Wenzel Cummings told legislators, adding the intent of the current law “was not exactly communicated in the actual language of statute.”
The statute was passed as part of 2016’s House Bill 1182, and attempts to clarify the mechanism for reducing the sales tax failed during the 2019 session.
To complicate the matter even further, LRC Senior Fiscal & Program Analyst Jeff Mehlhaff stated “the calendar year 2019 is going to be substantially more” in terms of revenue collection from the online sales tax with his estimate being $85 million in collection, which he added could “potentially be on the low side” and is “projected to be more than a $20 million increase” from 2018 to 2019.
When asked by Rep. Spencer Gosch how his 2019 collection estimate would “pertain to the Partridge Amendment?” Mehlhaff said the statute is “too ambiguous” as “it’s not really clear on when to start counting or what to start counting.”
The Executive Board voted 14-0 to have Cummings and Mehlhaff work with the Bureau of Finance and Management to develop a solution and report it to the board in two weeks’ time.
“Come up with the best possible solution and most illuminating solution,” Sen. Brock Greenfield requested.
ASBSD resolution D2. School Funding – Partridge Amendment, which was passed by at Delegate Assembly recently, states: ASBSD supports legislation giving the legislature the authority to decide whether or not to reduce the state’s sales tax rate by one-tenth of a percent should the revenue collected from the remote seller’s tax – the tax collected by the state on Internet sales – exceed the previous calendar year’s revenue collection from the tax by $20 million.
“We’re going to watch this very closely as it will have a major effect on state revenue and in turn, on state aid,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “We have a clear position on the matter and will argue against any proposal that is in opposition of our resolution and would negate state aid.”
For updates on the Partridge Amendment, check the ASBSD Blog.
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Holiday Pet Pics
Holiday Pet Pics are back for 2023! Santa will be stopping by Ren's Pets at 4002 Trafalgar Road in Oakville over four different dates this year. Our volunteer photographer from Karen Dillabough Photography will be on hand to capture your pet's holiday photo to commemorate the 2023 holiday season.
Funds raised at Holiday Pet Pics support the animals at the shelter in getting healthy and finding their forever homes.
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Ren's Pets (North Store)
Thanks to everyone who attended!
New date added!


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RUMA condemns Grand National antibiotic 'publicity stunt'
7th Apr 2017 / By Alistair Driver
A statement by Grand National sponsors Randox Health revealing it has been testing meat served at the meeting for antibiotic residues has been dismissed as a ‘publicity stunt’.
The Responsible Use of Medicines (RUMA) alliance has condemnded the move, suggesting claims about antibiotic use made by the company contain inaccuracies and have the potential to cause confusion.
In a press release, Randox said the Ladymoor Farm beef to be served to 12,000 people at Aintree had ‘received the all-clear’ from Randox’s Food Diagnostic division after being tested on the company’s patented Biochip Array Technology.
For more on this story, see Pig World


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Earlier in 2016, KWE reported on the meteoric rise in the value of classic cars in general, and the Jaguar XJS in particular. The XJS has been widely documented as the next modern classic, with prices set to go up year on year.
We’re happy to report once more that the Jaguar XJS is continuing to rapidly increase in value, from a slow start up to mid-2015 to a rate of 5-25% a year. The big stars are the rare 6 litre convertibles, and the pre-HE (1975-1980) coupés. It would be fair to say that the XJS is ‘doing an E-Type.’ In other words, as good examples decline in availability, the XJS is becoming very sought-after, with prices soaring due to the investment potential.
Although all examples of the XJS are rising in value, it is not too late to grab one at a reasonable price. However, a good un-restored example that cost, say, £5000 two years ago will now be going for £8 to £10k.
Now’s certainly the time to buy, as we don’t anticipate this trend changing for many years!
If you’d like to stay ahead of the curve, check out our current cars for sale, or contact us by calling +44 (0) 1635 30030 or emailing email@example.com.


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After first unveiling the product at CES in January, Microsoft on Monday released Beta 2 of Windows Home Sever, and is opening up the beta program to a broader group of external testers. Previous releases were tested by over 1,000 Microsoft employees and the Redmond company’s partners.
Windows Home Server, known by the code-name Quattro, is designed to enable families with multiple PCs connect their home computers, digital devices and printers so they can easily store and access their digital media and documents. HP has announced the first Windows Home Server-based product, dubbing it: MediaSmart Server. Those interested in joining the beta test can apply on Microsoft Connect. A new Windows Home Server blog has also been created to supply more information.


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In the news
Self-driving vehicles are the perennial next big thing; always just around the corner, never quite here.
Recent setbacks prompted Bloomberg to run an article entitled, “Even After $100 Billion, Self-Driving Cars Are Going Nowhere.” That may be harsh, but recently Tesla admitted its cars, even those with the “full self-driving” (FSD) option, aren’t ready to gain the regulatory approval that would allow drivers to nap in the backseat—human oversight is still required.
Experts pointed out that regulatory hurdles are less of a problem than the functionality itself, which is not ready for prime time. "The impediment is the technology. It is not about approval of that technology,” one said.
Meanwhile Xpeng, a Chinese maker of electric vehicles, has a system similar to Tesla’s FSD and is boasting about approval for true autonomous driving. But the fine print bears study; Xpeng vehicles are only genuinely autonomous in certain urban, fully mapped situations. And Argo AI, an autonomous vehicle startup backed by Ford and VW, has just shut down. Even one analyst who is generally optimistic admits, “There is still a long way to go before fully autonomous cars can be built.”
The Cognizant take
Aditya Pathak, Cognizant VP and Head of Auto, Transportation & Logistics, Americas, is less bearish on self-driving vehicles. Despite the acknowledged setbacks in autonomous passenger cars, he notes, “there is also steady progress being made.” Honda recently introduced its Legend, the world’s first Level 3 autonomous car, and the Mercedes EQS has also earned Level 3 autonomy certification in Germany.
But even more interesting developments are shaping up in point-to-point long-haul trucking, Pathak says, “where the total addressable market is 10 times that of self-driving cars.” Companies like Torc, Samsara, TuSimple, Aurora and Embark are all working with truck OEMs to bring self-driving trucks to reality for point-to-point, long-haul use.
In the US, Pathak expects a 2024 debut of self-driving trucks that run between transfer hubs on certain highways. “This approach side-steps the technical complexity of reliably solving self-driving in urban, first and last miles,” he says. It could also unlock significant wage expense reductions (40% to 50%), increase daily miles driven (by 20% to 30%) and alleviate the chronic driver shortage in the US.
“By some estimates,” Pathak adds, “we could see 90% of long-haul miles become automated in the not-so-distant future, unlocking tremendous cost efficiencies and improved safety—and transforming the entire logistics industry.”
He also points to the global “robo-taxi” market, which is expected to grow from $1.71 billion this year to $11 billion in 2026. “Players like Waymo, Cruise and Zoox are making steady progress and are now in the process of growing their operations in current markets and expanding into new cities,” he says.
So maybe those who are crowing because you can’t yet nap in your Tesla while being whisked to the office are missing the bigger point.


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Auto Expo is the biggest automotive exhibition in India that happens every two years. The ongoing event has seen many new two-wheeler showcases and launches. Multiple manufacturers have showcased their products at the Auto Expo 2018 and here are all the upcoming scooters that will be launched soon.
Honda Activa 5G
Honda Activa has been around for a while now. It is India’s best selling scooter and Honda has showcased a new version of the Activa at the 2018 Auto Expo. The scooter gets new LED headlamp with integrated LED DRLs and chrome garnish.
Overall the silhouette remains the same. The Activa 5G gets newly redesigned instrument cluster with a digital-analogue console, a mobile charger, a retractable rear hook, multifunction key slot, LED headlamp and tail lamp. The 110cc, four-stroke, fan-cooled engine remains same. It generates 8 Bhp – 9 Nm. It will launch soon with a slight price increase over the current model.
The maxi-scooters are slowly becoming popular in India. Suzuki showcased the Burgman Street at the Auto Expo that will be launched soon. It is a new scooter that is powered by the same 125cc that is available with the Access. The scooter looks quite unconventional and gets LED headlamps, big footboard and a relaxed riding position.
The 125cc engine produces a maximum of 10 Bhp and 10 Nm. It will be more expensive than the Activa 125 when launched. We can expect a launch at around the festive season.
Aprilia launched the long-awaited 125cc version of the SR150 in the Indian market. With the launch, it also showcased a new scooter based on the SR125 called the Storm. It is basically an adventure version of the SR125 and gets additional accessories like a tall windshield and a sporty body graphic. The 125cc engine that generates around 9.6 PS and 9.9 Nm remain the same. It will launch in a few months.
The SR150 is currently the quickest scooter in the affordable segment in India. Aprilia showcased the new SR150 at the Auto Expo 2018. The sporty scooter now gets a new analogue-digital instrument console. Rest of the engine specifications and the body design remains the same. The scooter will be launched soon.
22 Motors Flow
Twenty-Two Motors showcased a new electric scooter called Flow. The manufacturer announced the prices but they are yet to open the bookings. The new artificial intelligence based scooter is priced at Rs. 74,740, ex-showroom, Delhi. The Flow gets many advanced techs like cloud server based information storage, GPS security system, phone app-based control and more.
The scooter is powered by a 90 Nm electric motor that takes power from lithium-ion batteries. The scooter can be charged within five hours and can do 80 km on a full charge. The battery capacity can be doubled, which in turn can double the range of the electric scooter.
Hero Duet 125
Focusing on the bigger, more premium scooters in the Indian market, Hero MotoCorp has showcased new Duet 125. It will be launched in the Indian market soon. The Duet is a sleeker version of the scooter and is powered by a 125cc engine that generates a maximum of 8.7 Bhp – 10.2 Nm. It gets Integrated Braking System, service reminder, high beam pass switch external fuel tank and more.
Hero Maestro 125
Hero has also showcased the new Maestro 125. The scooter is targeted at the young male riders and shows a brawny character. Hero powers the scooter with the same 125cc engine like the Duet. The expected launch date is around April.
Okinawa showcased the OK100 electric monkey bike at the expo. The compact bike looks really cool, especially with the visible frame. Okinawa has not released any details at the moment except a few. The OK100 will get removable rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. It will get a 2500 watt battery and 150 km range on a full charge. It is expected to be launched later this year.


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BlackBerry mobile phone manufacturer Research in Motion (RIM) is poised to release BlackBerry Desktop Software for the Mac during September.
The software will enable BlackBerry owners to synchronise content between their Apple computer and their mobile - a service that has hitherto been on offer only for PCs running Windows.
Owners of RIM’s smartphones will also be able to add and remove applications as well as update their software and restore device data.
News of the imminent arrival of Mac-compatible BlackBerry software was confirmed on an official blog operated by RIM.
The blogger does not name an official release date, but urges that BlackBerry owners to visit the Inside BlackBerry site to keep abreast of new developments.
RIM is currently gearing up for the release of the successor to the BlackBerry Storm 9500, dubbed the BlackBerry Storm 2.
Features of the phone are said to include a 3.2 megapixel camera and HSDPA support for fast downloads.
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The Nokia 6555 is exclusive from Fido. This is a mid range phone that has a few extra features than your basic devise. For the price you will be pleasantly surprised of how much this can actually do: Take pics with the 1.3 megapixel camara, take video and play music, surf the net, IM your [...]
Rogers Wireless has officially launched the Nokia 3555. This is a basic 3G flip phone that comes with all the basic needs of a standard phone. The 3555 has a good 128×160 display and keypad with multimedia capabilities of a music player, camera, and video recorder. Measuring 99.5x44x20.5mm and weighs 3..jpg3 ounces. This devise is [...]
Court papers are stating that Nokia has paid Qualcomm around $1 billion over the last 15 years for full access to the chip maker’s early mobile technology patents.
Nokia and Free The Children are working together on a joint initiative called “Directors of Change”, a program that aims to create a generation of socially engaged and globally aware Canadian youth.
Fido launched the exclusive Nokia 6555 mobile phone. This is a basic phone with a low cost of $75 on a 3-year contract and includes a 1G Memory Card. Some highlights of the phone are that you can easily browse, download, share and stream videos. It has a colourful 2.0″ display, 1.3 megapixel camera and [...]
As part of Nokia’s ongoing work looking at how it can help people make more sustainable choices, they have released an online video for the “Remade” mobile phone concept. The idea is focussed on how recycled materials could be used to make mobile phones in the future. The video below shows s concept phone that [...]
At the World Mobile Congress Nokia announced a beta version of Nokia Map 2.0 that is available now for downloading at the Nokia Beta Labs web site. The update to the software is a feature called “Walk” – this is a pedestrian-focused navigation for those walking around city streets and provides visual turn-by-turn directions information [...]
Nokia, the largest cell phone maker in the work is being sued for almost $18 billion by Munich-based IP-Com for using patents for “mobile communications technology”. IP-Com decided to sue Nokia after the mobile-phone maker refused to pay and demands that Nokia stop using the patents IP-Com owns. Christoph Schoeller, managing director of IP-Com [...]
Today Nokia announced an intent to purchase Oslo-based mobile software provider Trolltech – the make the Linux powered Qtopia platform as well as the Qt product that is used in products such as Google Earth and the Opera web browser. The cost is estimated to be around $155 million. Nokia says that the acquisition will [...]
Finland-based Nokia said fourth-quarter net profit surged 44 percent to $2.6 billion and that they reached its long-term goal of 40 percent market share in handset sales Sales in October through December grew 34 percent to 15.7 billion euros ($22.9 billion), this accounts for more than 133 million handsets — up 27 percent from the [...]


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FDA warns of possible Listeria contamination
Published 3:38 pm Friday, November 1, 2013
Reser’s Fine Foods of Beaverton, Ore., is voluntarily recalling some refrigerated ready-to-eat products that could have been available to customers at Walmart.
The company reports the products were distributed nationwide and Walmart was one of the recipients that may have received foods contaminated with Listeria, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness in children, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there are no confirmed illnesses associated with these products that were manufactured at the Topeka manufacturing facility and the recall is a voluntary action.
Consumers who purchased the products make take them back to the store for a refund, or simply discard the products.
The packages will be marked with a use-by date and followed by the plant identifier code “20.”
Some of the Reser’s products sold to Walmart include: Amish macaroni salad, mustard potato salad, redskin potato salad, regular potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, jalapeno Marketside dip, spinach and artichoke Marketside dip and tuna salad.


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Reno man indicted on PayPal fraud charges
September 15, 2017
A Reno man is facing fraud charges in a scheme investigators say involved $3.5 million.
Kenneth Gilbert Gibson, 46, faces 10 counts of wire fraud, three of mail fraud, 10 counts of bank fraud and six counts each of access device fraud and identity theft.
He allegedly obtained identities of multiple people and used them to open online accounts, credit and bank accounts and prepaid debit and credit cards to obtain money and property. Between 2012 and 2017, he allegedly opened more than 8,000 fraudulent accounts through PayPal using stolen identities, using them to send himself $3.5 million.
He faces potential prison time totaling more than 60 years.
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Update: No more teasing; read all about the 2014 Toyota Corolla now!
Read This Article
Ignore all the froufrou about the Acura NSX, pictured above, and the sleek, unpronounceable Lexus concept that were hyped up at the last auto show.
The number-one selling compact truck in the country just got a facelift, and unlike the plastic injected into many of southern California's yoga-practicing, soccer moms, the 2012 Toyota Tacoma doesn't look like a duck.
Toyota has sold its 3 millionth Prius worldwide since the car went on sale in 1997 across the pond and 1999 as a U.S.-spec model.


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River cruising has experience unprecedented growth over the past decade. Today, you can book trips for your clients on most of the major rivers in the world.
Europe certainly has some of the most popular itineraries – and one of the most successful brands in the river cruise sector – particularly in Europe, is Avalon Waterways.
On this week’s Voices of Travel podcast, host Ron Pradinuk sits down with Stéphanie Bishop, managing director for the Globus Family of Brands in Canada.
During the interview, Bishop talks about the continuing upward trend of river cruising and some of the features and initiatives that Avalon Waterways is introducing to make these journeys even more popular.


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The latest figures from business and credit risk analyst, Vision-net.ie, show that 4,106 new companies and businesses were formed in October—an average of 146 every day.
The data showed that professional services, wholesale and retail, and social and personal services were the three industry sectors that saw the highest level of new company start-ups.
New wholesale and retail start-ups increased by 74% to 240 from 138 in the same period last year; social and personal services start-ups increased by 38% to 171 from 124.
Furthermore, IT and construction companies also received a significant boost in numbers compared to the same period last year, up 36% and 35% respectively.
Dublin, Cork and Limerick were the three most popular centres for new business. Cork start-up numbers grew by 45%, from 139 to 202, while Limerick's were boosted by 66%, from 35 to 58.
Managing Director of Vision-net.ie, Christine Cullen commented, "Ireland’s economic recovery is feeling ever more tangible, with clear numbers demonstrating burgeoning start-up environments across nearly every sector, and insolvencies dropping overall.
"A drop in insolvencies in the real estate sector, and a rise in start-up numbers in the wholesale and retail sectors, indicate an increasing propensity to spend and invest in assets."


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on 02-10-201604:00 PM - last edited on 02-10-201604:36 PM by Tony-BBY
Many things have been said in the numerous Tech Blogs about this year’s recent Consumer Electronics Show. But among all the headlines, the phrase “The Year of VR” has caught my eye the most. For years, consumer Virtual Reality has just been a curiosity with the faint promise of being available for the masses one day soon. With the recent opening of pre-orders for what is considered the genesis of this movement, the Oculus Rift, as well as the strong showing of competing VR hardware at CES like the HTC Vive, maybe this is the year computing changes again.


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Oktoberfest at Galveston’s First Evangelical Lutheran Church features a wide array of sausages, strudel and other German favorites, but according to Pastor Richard Rhoades, that’s only the second-best thing about the annual celebration. “Last year was my first, and the food was great, but what I loved most about it was seeing so many people sitting and talking,” he said. “The utter sense of “Hey, we’re out here having a good time” for multiple generations of families was amazing.”
Oktoberfest gets underway at 5 p.m. Friday with a “tapping of the keg” ceremony and an evening of food and live music, and continues from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. Highlights of the menu include bratwurst, knackwurst and “Wurstabendessen,” a special dinner of German and Polish sausage accompanied by traditional German side dishes, including sauerkraut, red cabbage and German potato salad. “We cook 1,200 dinners, and we always run out,” event chair Marilyn Haupt said. “All the recipes are from the families of our congregation, passed down for generations, and now interpreted by Benno’s Catering.”
Desserts are plentiful, with Helmut’s Strudel baked fresh on-site and other desserts made by First Lutheran’s congregation available for purchase. For those who prefer to leave their dessert-eating to chance, the popular Cake Wheel offers the chance to win a lovingly homemade cake.
New this year is a wine-tasting event Friday night that pairs five wines from Haak Vineyards and Winery with tastes of complementary food. “The experts for Haak will give a talk and share some information on the four wines of theirs that we sell at Oktoberfest, plus their award-winning Blanc du Bois Madeira,” Haupt said. The wines chosen for their compatibility with German food are a dry Blanc du Bois, a sweet Blanc du Bois, Malbec, and Amorcito, a red note with strawberry and cherry notes. Participants in the wine tasting, which requires a reserved ticket, receive a commemorative wineglass.
“Friday’s fun,” Pastor Rhoades observed, “there’s music on both the main stage and the family stage, both German and American, from five o’clock until we close.” Local band Mid-Life Crisis takes the main stage at 7, with German bands AlpenMusikanten, Valina Polka and strolling tubameisters setting the mood at the family stage.
Oktoberfest is open to the entire community, and that includes the younger generation. “We want people to bring their children and have fun,” Rhoades said. This year, the children’s activities area has expanded to fill the nearby park board parking lot with pony rides, inflatables, a rock-climbing wall, games and a petting zoo.
Admission to Oktoberfest is free, and parking is available on streets near the church, which is located at 24th and Winnie streets. German dinners are $15, and items are also available a la carte. Advance tickets for the Haak wine tasting are $20, and any remaining spaces will be sold on Friday evening for $25. A full schedule of activities is available online at GalvestonOktoberfest.com.


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Frogger in Toy Town, a new release published by Konami Digital Entertainment and developed by Q-Games, launched today on Apple Arcade! Q-Games creative director Baiyon demoed the game at Apple’s September keynote event, which you can watch here.
Have you tried the latest and silliest game in our Sticky Bodies? This bizarre adventure on Android and iOS will take you all across the United Kingdom! You fall from the sky, stick to people and try to land in a giant’s mouth for points!
Sticky Bodies will sure going down as one of the best games in the PixelJunk™ series. Download it now for free!
Q-Games CEO Dylan Cuthbert took to the stage today at GDC 2019 in San Francisco as part of the Google keynote officially announcing Stadia, its new gaming platform!


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As many readers have probably heard, Amazon's Mechanical Turk will soon (July 22, 2015) be charging substantially more for its services. Before, Mturk took 10% of what researchers ("requesters") paid workers. Now it will be effectively 40% (in the rare case that you need fewer than 10 distinct participants, then it's only 20%).
Naturally, some researchers are upset, as documented at The Chronicle of Higher Education ("Researchers Complain About Changes in Amazon Tool Used for Surveys").
Two quick downsides that stand out to me:
(1) Running even a small x-phi study on Mturk will more likely require grant money, which is scarce in the humanities.
(2) An increase in operating costs will probably motivate researchers to still get the same mileage out of their funds. This makes it even less likely that workers will get paid a living wage, which is an ongoing ethical issue with use of the site.
Any reactions from the x-phi community?
(Note: If interested, this blog recently featured an excellent post on the status of Mturk as a research tool.)


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The City of Surrey has been named as the top destination in Metro Vancouver for starting a new small business. The report by Vancity has Surrey as the best place for aspiring entrepreneurs due to its growing population, affordable business and residential property and low costs of doing business.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and I am pleased that Surrey has been recognized as the best place for new small businesses to set up shop,” said Mayor Linda Hepner. “Given our growing population, affordable property costs and low business tax rates, it’s no surprise that the City of Surrey is an ideal location for new small businesses to prosper.”
The report analyzed seven factors that contribute to small business success, including a thriving market, reliable transportation, cost of doing business, supply chains, personal cost of living, personal support and a culture of entrepreneurialism.
“Local entrepreneurs innovate to create new products and services, generate jobs and help our communities thrive,” said Christine Bergeron, Vancity’s Director of Business Member Relationships. “Location is a primary factor in setting up a small business for success — Surrey is the number one location when it comes to supporting entrepreneurial innovation.”
The City of Surrey also ranked high on the following:
- Surrey received high marks for a thriving market, as the population rose by 18.6 per cent between the 2006 and 2011
- business property costs in Surrey are more affordable due to ample inventory and vacancy
- Surrey and Langley Township received high marks for business taxation rates
The full report, Open for Business: the top cities to start up a small business in Metro Vancouver can be viewed here.