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According to explosive allegations in a new book, Elon Musk once demanded to be made CEO of software megacorporation Apple — prompting Tim Cook, the actual CEO, to hang up the phone in disgust.
Here's how things went down during a 2016 call, according to the Los Angeles Times' synopsis of "Power Play: Tesla, Elon Musk and the Bet of the Century," by Wall Street Journal reporter Tim Higgins.
Cook has an idea: Apple buys Tesla.
Musk is interested, but one condition: “I’m CEO.”
Sure, says Cook. When Apple bought Beats in 2014, it kept on the founders, Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre.
No, Musk says. Apple. Apple CEO.
“F— you” Cook says, and hangs up.
The claim is notable as yet another example of Musk's executive bombast, but it also — intriguingly — directly contradicts Musk's own account of Tesla's relationship with Apple.
Referring to the same period of time, in the company's "darkest days" when it was trying to get the Model 3 out the door in 2016, Musk claimed in late 2020 that he had reached out to Cook to discuss the possibility of selling Tesla to Apple.
But in Musk's telling, Cook "refused to take the meeting."
Whose telling is correct? It's tough to say. Musk has certainly been known to behave in a grandiose way and contradict reality, but it would also be an outrageous move — even by his own outsize standards — to demand that Tim Cook surrender his job.
READ MORE: Review: A deep new history of Tesla takes the shine off Elon Musk [Los Angeles Times]
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Extreme weather events have been reducing crop yields across the world and many European countries that import a lot of their food could soon face a crisis. Politicians barely seem bothered about this but thankfully scientists think they have found a solution – undersea farming. This is not for fish but seaweed, which they call seawheat.
People have been eating seaweed for thousands of years but the scientists believe mass production of a species called Ulva, as a staple crop, will be necessary to keep Europe from food shortages. They realise that shifting people from eating wheat to seaweed is not just a technical question of the best way to mass production, but is a major cultural shift, and so have called in chefs to create recipes for salads, stir-fries and soups. They are tempting consumers with a green seaweed that has a “mild, slightly salty flavour with a nutty aftertaste”.
This is not planned as a niche industry but is being sold as a new wonder food: a rich source of nutrients, including protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals such as iodine, iron and calcium but which is also low in calories and fat. Thirty-three countries, including the UK, are working together on a seawheat programme that they hope will soon be on supermarket shelves.
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Electricity is something that we may not even think about, it’s become so ingrained into our daily lives, we barely stop to think that just 100 years ago this LED invention didn’t even exist. So how has the electrical trade developed over this time, and what innovations within the industry have been implemented in electrical safety in order to protect workers in the electrical sector?
The electrical trade is now part of an environmental context that supports one another and reports back to policy makers whenever they feel a change needs to come. The way in which the electrical trade works together to ensure maximum safety and security is pretty revolutionary, some technologies seem far off in terms of their development and maintenance, and the lack of communication between workers could be the reason why.
Innovations implemented in electrical safety in order to protect workers
Electrical workers have displayed an innate ability to anticipate and respond appropriately to changing circumstances, which is particularly important in a world where the landscape in which electricity sits and is used, is constantly evolving. New technology is coming into the trade at a rapid rate, and with it comes changes for the workers themselves. With the introduction of said developing products, often means a prior product or practise that could now be deemed as unsafe, can be phased out.
LED lighting, for example, is a more recent innovation that could be described as a game changer. The way in which LED is being used is more prevalent than ever, and this couldn’t have come at a better time, due to the decision by the electrical trade to ban all halogen lighting by September 2018. Halogen lighting, in all forms, has been assessed as unsafe, due to their blowing nature. The use of LED innovations means that these dangerous products can be removed, and new safer measures can be put in place. With new technologies in the industry, electricians are advised to embrace the change, and develop their skill set even further.
These changes make electricity safer, on the whole, however, how does this change, amongst others, affect the safety of electrical workers? New techniques and products mean new safety measures, and with health and safety at an all-time high, the safety of workers in the electrical trade is stronger than ever. Whenever new developments are put in place, new strict safety procedures are also implemented. And as the electrical community are one of the highest rated when it comes to internal support and reporting back to officials, each change brings around new measures across the board.


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Most AT&T iPhone owners have been waiting for any word from their beloved carrier regarding the activation of MMS and as it turns out, AT&T just notified us personally to make sure we pass on the good word that MMS will be available on the iPhone on September 25th.
It's official -- the HTC Hero, currently the most drool-inducing handset the Android platform has to offer, hits Sprint October 11. Sibling site AndroidCentral has all the details, and PreCentral.net has the concern that Spring might be loving the Palm Pre just a tad less when the droid everyone's looking for hits the Now (and then) Network.
Has AT&T been delaying the US launch of iPhone 3.0's MMS and tethering services due to concerns about their network being able to handle it? Um, yeah, that would have been our guess... The New York Times, however, states it as fact:
[AT&T] has also delayed bandwidth-heavy features like multimedia messaging, or text messages containing pictures, audio or video. It is also postponing tethering, which allows the iPhone to share its Internet connection with a computer, a standard feature on many rival smartphones. AT&T says it has no intention of capping how much data iPhone owners use.
Lars Ulrich rejoice, Napster will NOT be heading into Apple's coveted App Store any time soon. Strange considering they once toyed with our emotions by mentioning an iPhone app was in the works? Sadly, unlike Spotify, it is just not going to happen anytime in the near future. Did Apple reject it? No, so do not go ditching your iPhone for a Android or RIM device just yet -- Napster have scrapped apps for those devices as well.
Dieter and Derek of the PreCentral.net PalmCast invited me on to throw down on the topic of iPhone vs. Palm Pre, App Store vs. App Catalog, virtual vs. tiny tic-tac keyboard, and other assorted controversies. (No smartphones were hurt during the recording, however). Listen in!
Apple has gone and shocked the world again as, according to the company's Twitter feed, popular VoIP service Vonage has been approved for the iTunes App Store.
Vonage has announced that Apple approved its mobile application for iPhone and iPod Touch. Vonage is currently conducting a beta test and general availability will be announced at a later date. This new service, along with the recent launch of the Vonage World unlimited calling plan, continues Vonage's heritage of using innovative technology to create significant value for its current and future customers.
Rumors of an iTablet continue to gain steam while Apple boats a metric ton of refinements for their new Mac OS X Snow Leopard release, including better performance and smaller footprint, then goes and adds a new virtual keyboard that just begs to be touched...
...Ah, yeah, here come the Mac OS X Snow Leopard on iTablet stories!
On the eve of Microsoft releasing its new Zune HD platform (the one targeted at competing with the iPod touch), Windows Super-siter, Paul Thurrott is reporting that the still nascent plain vanilla Zune platform (the one targeted at competing with the iPod touch and classic) is being abandoned. (Shades of PlaysForSure?)
Leif Iverson was kind enough to invite me back onto the Digital Trends Podcast to talk iPhone and Snow Leopard:
editor Rene Richie from the iPhone Blog gives us tips on the best way to upgrade, and what programs make best use of Snow Leopards smaller OS footprint. Rene also talks about known bugs with some popular applications in Snow Leopard, and how the new OS could optimize mobile computing in sync with Apples rumored tablet Mac. Read more about Snow Leopard in our complete guide.


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Destiny 2 was released as the successor to 2014’s original Destiny, and it quickly attracted fans from all over the world. In fact, the game was also nominated for plenty of awards at The Game Awards 2017 and the PlayStation Game of the Year 2017 Awards. Currently, the game has over 4 million players, and the developers behind the game have been highly active in pushing forth a plethora of updates for the game to keep the game alive and the gamers happy.
As reported by Gamespot, in a recent blog post, Destiny 2’s game director Christopher Barrett has explained what the team has planned for the game’s future updates in a complete roadmap reveal. To start off, the first of many new updates will be coming on January 30 and will expand the Masterwork system to include armor for the first time. The said armor is supposed to offer better damage reduction while making use of your Super abilities. Furthermore, it can be upgraded as well using Cores and Shards tied to Masterworks.
Bungie has updates planned for Destiny 2 in January, February, and a major update to be released some time in Spring 2018.
This update will also feature mods with Raid-specific perks. The team is also said to be working on adjusting the rewards to ensure a Raid item drops from each major encounter. There will be new perks dropping from the final encounters in the Leviathan and Eater of Worlds raids.
Next up, the team has also planned an update in the month of February, that will add scoring and high score tracking to Nightfall Strikes. Also, the update will bring a version 2.0 for the mods, which is described by Bungie as a “full rework” of how mods work for armor and weapons. The team also states that they’ll be adding the ability to see other members of your fireteam on the destination map.
The dev team is also planning for a major update sometime in Spring 2018, which will see the game get a new paid expansion following last year’s Curse of Osiris. Although some parts of this new expansion will be reserved for premium players (read players who pay), everyone will be getting new updates in other parts of the game. Bungie is also said to be working on a new ranking system that will begin from Season 3 and will see seasonal Crucible ranks, broken into two categories: Valor and Glory.
Players will also get the ability to host private matches where they can invite friends to and choose a map and mode. The team is also launching a 6v6 playlist, a “Mayhem event”, and some behind-the-scenes improvements and fixes to improve the experience overall.
Last, but not the least, Bungie also stated that they are working on another update in Fall 2018, or potentially sooner, and there will be “a lot more” in terms of updates and changes. While the team did not reveal anything in particular, they did state an outline of some of the features to come, which include Additional Crucible Playlists, Better Clan Rewards, Trials of the Nine improvements, and much more.
Clearly, the development team at Bungie has been working very hard in polishing the overall experience of Destiny 2. While we’ve listed out the highlights of the upcoming updates above, you can check out the complete official blog post for a detailed list of upcoming changes. With such a hefty roadmap set ahead and plenty of fan-requested features making its way into the game, I feel Bungie is set to establish Destiny 2 as a multiplayer game that will continue to be played by gamers along the world, and follow in the lines of Counter-Strike and DOTA.
If you’re a gamer who’s currently playing Destiny 2, let us know your thoughts on the upcoming features and why you would love to see in future updates.


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The thing is, most unpaid internships are useless, because most interns are not, in fact, interns, but regular members of staff except without pay, legal protection, or benefits. Employers in the U.K. argue that such positions are justifiable under Section 2 of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, which requires that anyone who is a “worker” be paid, as internships are covered by the exceptions contained within the act for work experience and volunteering. However, advocacy group Intern Aware argue that these exceptions don’t cover the vast majority of internships in the U.K. Rather, businesses which actually do offer valuable experience and training are being used a shield by those companies who exploit young workers for free labour.
The Billfold: Being an Intern Sucks in the U.K. Too
Smartphones and Tablets are already crammed with numerous input devices, of which the camera is but one. They are already capable of determining their location using multiple sources of data: global positioning satellites, the location of mobile phone mast you’re using, and the wi-fi networks in range.
As connectivity continues to improve in terms of both speed and coverage, the device will be able to feed what it gathers from its “senses” up to the cloud, where unfathomably capable systems will be able to determine all sorts of things about what’s happening where you are. Also, smart devices will become more and more aware of their human accomplices: about what we’re doing, who we’re with, what we’re paying attention to, and what we care about. The smart device of the near future will know something’s there before you do, whether or not you notice it, and whether or not you care.
By me: Mobile Marketing Magazine: Cracking The Code
A study suggests that nearly half of Facebook users will never click on ads, making things less than favorable for those looking buy a piece of the site today.
With Facebook as one of the biggest tools for brands to connect with its fans, the number is quite jarring for companies that have invested the big bucks on Facebook advertising. Perhaps that’s why General Motors pulled $10 million worth of advertising from Facebook on Tuesday, citing that the service had not delivered effective results.
Digital Trends: Nearly half of Facebook users never click ads
Mapping Wikipedia is a groundbreaking visualisation of the world mapped according to articles in 7 different languages. The map displays both the global patterns and the vast number of geo-located items. The dataset was produced by the Oxford Internet Institute as part of a project that examines Wikipedia in the Middle East and North Africa.
Tracemedia: Mapping Wikipedia
Desktop publishing has given way to laptop or smartphone publishing. And Microsoft Word is an atrocious tool for Web writing. Its document-formatting mission means that every piece of text it creates is thickly wrapped in metadata, layer on layer of invisible, unnecessary instructions about how the words should look on paper.
Slate Magazine: Microsoft Word is cumbersome, inefficient, and obsolete. It’s time for it to die.
Jeremy Deller does art outside galleries. It thrives in ‘low culture’ and it is usually ambitious, socially-engaged and unexpected. Indeed, most of his career is built on looking for art in the most unpredictable places, working with the public or with people who have particular knowledge or skill but who wouldn’t otherwise be associated with the contemporary art world. They include unemployed miners, brass bands, a campaign banner maker, fans of Depeche Mode, a glam rock wrestler, experts in battle re-enactments, etc. He even collaborated on an art project with nightclub owner and trendsetter Peter Stringfellow.
In late February, a retrospective of Jeremy Deller’s work opened at the Hayward gallery. It is called Joy in People and joy is precisely what it brings.
We make money not art: Jeremy Deller: Joy in People
Prolific coffee chain Starbucks has announced it intends to revamp its network of cafes to coincide with the Olympics and Queen’s Jubilee this summer, commencing with the chain’s 70 London outlets.
This will attempt to move away from the standardised approach taken thus far to pursue individually designed stores that fit in with their local neighbourhoods.
The Drum: Starbucks embark on store refresh ahead of the Olympics


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Feb 29 2016 12:04 | normal in News
Following the Bristol Show. Arcam has released a major update for it's award winning DAC (Digital to Analogue Convertor). As well as having a major audio upgrade, it now also includes Bluetooth aptX streaming too. At £495, it's for the serious HiFi listener with a bit of spare change, but having owned previous generations of Arcam's DAC, we still look forward to using one.
Jul 27 2015 18:03 | normal in Reviews
TVs are getting thinner and thinner, and yet sound still has to come from somewhere. This means built in speakers are often disappointing and helps explain why soundbar speakers are becoming increasingly popular. Not only are they living room / partner friendly, but also can add a great depth of sound to match the big pictures on modern televisions.
Yamaha was one of the pioneers in this field, and have a fine pedigree, so what is the YSP-2500 sound projector like?
Jun 11 2015 10:36 | normal in News
It's no secret that the digital compact camera is suffering a slow death as more and more people use their mobile phones to take snaps. It's fair to say that many top end mobiles can take better photos than the compact cameras they're replacing.
The top end of digital compacts do continue to prosper though, offering a combination of bigger sensors, better lenses and faster auto-focus which entice enthusiasts and professionals alike. That's why we're excited that Sony has launched two new RX series cameras.


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Rockstar Energy releases limited edition Day of the Dead cans
Rockstar Energy has released a limited-edition collection of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) themed cans to encourage customers to participate in the Mexican holiday.
The “Proud Hasta Los Huesos” cans, designed by Mexican artist and illustrator Joaquín Nava, are inspired by the iconic images of La Catrina, one of the most recognisable symbols of the Día de los Muertos. It includes Rockstar Pure Zero, Brisk, Crush and Manzanita Sol beverages.
Each can features artistic nods to Mexican culture and community, and honors those who came before us. Design elements include La Catrina in the signature colors of each beverage surrounded by customary ofrendas, the alebrije icons (spiritual guides), the Xolo dog, the feathered serpent, and other distinct decorative cues like marigold flowers and papel picado (paper banners).
“For Latinos, honoring family and preserving tradition are an intrinsic part of our lifestyle, and we celebrate them with pride and passion,” said Esperanza Teasdale, Vice President & General Manager, Hispanic Business Unit, PepsiCo Beverages North America. “Rockstar Energy’s Proud Hasta Los Huesos campaign was created to honor our heritage while giving a platform for Hispanic artists to shine and share their talents with the world. Through this new, limited-edition Día de los Muertos can collection, we honor our roots, while infusing culture and creativity into every sip.”
As consumers prepare to celebrate Día de los Muertos this year, Rockstar encourages them to not only incorporate the limited-edition cans as part of their personalized ofrendas, but also as a way to continue supporting a new generation of talented Latino creators that use art as a tool for cultural expression.
Consumers are also invited to follow @RockstarEnergy on Instagram for a chance to get a limited-edition Rockstar Pure Zero ceremonial box with items to incorporate into their at-home altars including: Rockstar Pure Zero Día de los Muertos limited-edition cans, custom papel picado, calavera (skull) candle, and temporary face tattoo with the Catrina skull design.
Joaquín Nava’s distinctive artistic interpretation of La Catrina imparts a profound message: live life with unapologetic enjoyment while embracing the legacy of those who came before you. The unique can collection offers a fresh and contemporary visual interpretation of this time-honored Mexican belief.
“Collaborating with Rockstar Energy to infuse my passion into these can designs has been an extraordinary journey – it underscores the universal language of art and culture, serving as a reminder that when creativity and tradition intersect, the result can be truly exceptional,” said Joaquín Nava, renowned Mexican artist and illustrator. “This partnership not only pays homage to our heritage but also amplifies it, sharing the essence of Mexican culture with the world in every glance at these vibrant cans.”
The limited-edition Rockstar Pure Zero cans are available for purchase across the USA. Brisk and Manzanita Sol fans can find the cans in the West and Central U.S. The Crush cans are available in select markets such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas and Chicago.


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Cumbies celebrates new Milford store opening
MILFORD – Cumberland Farms will hold a ribbon-cutting event today, Oct. 16, at its new store at 583 Nashua Street.
The event is scheduled from noon until 1 p.m. and will kick-off a four-week fundraiser for Share Outreach, in which 10 cents from all dispensed beverages purchased at the new location will go directly to Share.
Share Outreach provides food, clothing, and emergency financial assistance to area families in need who do not qualify for government assistance or for whom that assistance is insufficient or delayed
The Massachusetts-based Cumberland Farms has nearly 50 retail locations in New Hampshire. Its new store offers a range of hot food items including pizza, chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks and hot dogs.


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The 2013 GMC Acadia was first unveiled earlier this year at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show sporting a new front-end and some other tweaks.
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When a new pickup truck debuted, did you ever wonder how its competitors would suddenly gain a few hundred pounds of towing capacity with seemingly no changes from the previous model year?
The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 will be the most powerful trucks on the road, when a new V-8 engine debuts this fall.
We've already sampled the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, but its upmarket twin, the 2014 GMC Sierra made its official debut today.


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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Shares of 3D Systems
tumbled 10% in premarket trade Wednesday, after the 3D printing company warned that it would miss third-quarter profit and sales forecasts, as the company failed to meet demand because of production delays. The company expects adjusted earnings per share of 16 cents to 19 cents and sales of $164 million to $169 million, both below the average analyst estimates compiled by FactSet of 21 cents and $186.2 million, respectively. "We are disappointed that we failed to fully capitalize on the robust demand for our direct metal and consumer products during the quarter," said Chief Executive Avi Reichental. "While we worked very hard to deliver these products sooner, achieving manufacturing scale, quality and user experience targets took significantly longer than we had anticipated." After nearly tripling in 2013, the stock has lost 53% so far this year, compared with a 5% gain in the S&P 500.


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'Halo: Reach': $200M in 24 hours, biggest game in Microsoft history
- Todd Bishop
"Halo: Reach," the new installment in the blockbuster Xbox 360 series, topped $200 million in sales in the U.S. and Europe in its first 24 hours, according to data released by Microsoft tonight.
It's "the biggest game Microsoft has ever released," said Phil Spencer, the corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios, in a statement. “Every major installment has grown in scope and popularity, firmly cementing the ‘Halo’ franchise as one of the most popular entertainment properties in the world over the past decade.”
"Halo 3," released in 2007, pulled in $170 million in its first 24 hours.
As is the tradition with these things, Microsoft made the obligatory comparisons to Hollywood movies, sizing up the initial "Halo: Reach" sales against the three-day opening weekends of “Iron Man 2,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Toy Story 3,” and declaring the video game "the biggest entertainment launch of 2010 in the U.S."
Previously: Scenes from the "Halo: Reach" launch event
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Introducing Realme V20 5G – a cheap smartphone for the Chinese market
News unit EMGblog.com: usually Realme releases its V series phones only in the Chinese market. On Sunday, June 12, 2022 (June 22, 1401), this company unveiled its latest smartphone in the V series. This product is called Realme V20 5G and according to reports, it will be available only in physical (or offline) stores in China. It was mid-May when a smartphone from Realme with the code RMX3610 was spotted on TENNA and 3C sites – known as telecom certification centers in China. At that time, it was thought that this phone would be called Realme V21 5G, but now we know that it will be launched as Realme V20 5G. Accompany us in introducing this product.


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BEIJING, China – From shopkeepers to shipbuilders, China’s deepest slowdown since the 2008 global crisis is inflicting more pain in some areas than still-robust headline growth of about 8 per cent might suggest.
Higher spending by state industry and government-directed investment are pumping up the world’s second-largest economy, but that is masking the fact that the private sector is cutting jobs and scrambling to prop up plunging sales.
Data due out Friday are expected to show growth in the three months ending in June fell as low as 7.3 per cent, down from the previous quarter’s nearly three-year low of 8.1 per cent. That is in line with this year’s official 7.5 per cent target. But revenues for companies in construction, shipbuilding and export manufacturing are down by up to half compared with a year ago.


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As we approach 2020, I’ll start to predict how luxury will evolve over the next decade. The last five years have been characterized by some of the biggest changes the luxury market has ever seen — and in the shortest time frame. Entire industries are being challenged like never before and need to rethink how they do business through 2030.
Luxury car brands have been disrupted by electrification and the shift away from owning to sharing in cities around the world. Luxury fashion has been disrupted by “social currency” and trends that emerge and disappear faster than ever before. Luxury travel has been disrupted by the search for meaning and new experiences that established companies have a hard time delivering. Luxury watchmakers have been disrupted by the increasing threat of smartwatches. And luxury jewelry has been disrupted by fewer marriages worldwide, meaning fewer engagement and wedding rings. Do you see a pattern here?
Chinese consumers have become the most important worldwide — now accounting for 40 percent of the entire luxury market. They have a different profile than Western consumers: They’re generally much younger (25-30 is the sweet spot), highly-educated and sophisticated, have high expectations, and are digitally native. But this doesn’t mean stores are obsolete to them. In fact, the opposite is true. But a store can’t just be a transaction place anymore. It has to create a unique experience to have relevance with young consumers.
I have written a lot about the need for brands to change their methodologies to successfully master these new challenges, but nothing companies have experienced to date will compare with is coming over the next decade. We live in accelerated times, and the speed of change will only continue to accelerate. What made managers uncomfortable during the last five years will feel like a relaxing period when people will look back ten years from now.
A big shift is coming courtesy of Generation Z. Most luxury brand CEOs will admit privately that they have a hard time connecting with millennials (consumers that are currently between 20 and 40 years of age). Yet those millennials are now the top group for luxury purchases worldwide, particularly in China, and that is threatening many brands’ existence. But the news doesn’t get any better for these brands because, in ten years, Gen Z will be on the verge of dethroning millennials as the most important luxury consumers — and they’re even more demanding!
Gen Zers grew up digitally connected. Their rite of passage won’t be their first car — it will be their first smartphone. Their life is entirely digital, and many Gen Zers are already tired of sharing their life on Snapchat or generating content for Instagram. No generation has ever felt so much pressure to share moments, talk about them, and receive social confirmation. I sometimes call them the “content creation” generation, the first generation to experience a lifestyle that’s about social currency, social scores, and social recognition. This creates pressure and the desire to “escape,” and the role of luxury is to offer escapes.
This is why branded experiences become more important than anything else. For previous generations, luxury brands could get away with flawed experiences as long as they could make consumers believe that their quality, craftsmanship, and heritage was better than the rest. Those times are over. Quality is simply expected now, and consumers know that whatever is the latest technology today will be replaced by something better in less than a year. That leaves experiences as the area for a competitive advantage. In 2030, when Gen Zers will account for the largest chunk of luxury spending, the ability to create a differentiating experience for that group will determine the fate of brands and companies.
Experience creation requires completely different skills than what most brands were traditionally excellent at. It requires a much more holistic approach where the customer is in the center of all strategies. Today’s companies are mostly product-driven rather than story-driven. Companies of the future have to build a strong brand story first and then create branded experiences from that story. Looking at today’s leading luxury brands, only a handful are fully prepared for this challenge. Radically different approaches will be necessary.
First, brands must adapt to their fast-changing consumer insights. As the speed of change will accelerate exponentially, classic market research will completely lose relevance, and real-time insight generation technologies will take over. Artificial Intelligence will evolve from a buzzword to a minimum necessity, and the ability to make sense of millions of data points will be the difference between success and failure. This is the competitive advantage of the future.
Second, insights need to lead to much faster and more precise actions compared to what brands do today. They need to generate relevant content that is authentic because content may change by the day or even by the hour. Therefore, precise branding and brand storytelling must improve drastically. Rarely is a brand’s story precise enough today, and by 2030, imprecise brand storytelling will make brands obsolete. Many established brands will not survive the transition to Generation Z, as they will have to compete with a lot of new, Gen-Z-focused brands. Initially, these might be indie or niche brands, but over time the sheer volume of these new brands will change the game. As they are born, they’ll come with new ideas, and many could originate from China to conquer the luxury world from China. Because of these brands, half of the current top-10 luxury brands won’t exist in ten years.
What those brands will have in common is the ability to connect with Gen Zers in an authentic, relevant, insight-driven, and content-focused way. Those brands will have a very precise brand story that combines rational framing with an emotional core. They will excel in optimizing the customer journey and making it distinct. This will create differentiated, highly relevant, and shareable experiences.
This is what luxury was always about: creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience and establishing an emotional relationship with a customer. In its purest form, luxury is like a romantic relationship. It is intense and emotional. It creates desire, intimacy, and a sense of belonging. Does your luxury brand provide this love relationship today at every touchpoint? If the answer is no, your brand might not survive over the next ten years.
Daniel Langer is CEO of the luxury, lifestyle and consumer brand strategy firm Équité, and the professor of luxury strategy and extreme value creation at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He consults some of the leading luxury brands in the world, is the author of several luxury management books, a global keynote speaker, and holds luxury masterclasses in Europe, the USA, and Asia. Follow @drlanger


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Wednesday 12 January 2011
Wavre, Belgium – Very big fire at the car dealership ITAL MOTORS
suie e cendres
6.01.2011, WAVRE – Very big fire at the car dealership ITAL MOTORS in Wavre. During the night, a fire erupted in one of the three places of the car dealership Ital Motors, which is a commercial distributer of Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Toyota and Nissan. Firemen say the fire started from the side of the work place and then spread to the showroom. A part from the buildings which are destroyed or heavily damaged, between 130 and 150 cars (new cars, cars from clients for maintenance and even some oldtimers) have been consumed by flames. The fire caused thousands and thousands of euros of damage; the people working there are currently on “technical unemployment”.
Currently, the site is blocked off by the police, who is conducting a serious investigation.
Posted by sysiphus at 15:13


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Also “completely virtual” are the models at the center of H&M’s swimsuit and lingerie online campaigns, the Swedish-based retailer confirmed.
“It’s not a real body; it is completely virtual and made by the computer,” H&M press officer Hacan Andersson told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet in an article questioning the company’s picture-perfect online models.


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After the initial surge of "panic-buying" amid the coronavirus pandemic, many people are wondering when stores will restock essentials like hand sanitizer and toilet paper. Thankfully, the shopping experts at The Krazy Coupon Lady have laid out the most useful information about stocking up efficiently in these troubled times.
For the last week or two, stores have been posting apologetic signs on empty shelves, and news stations have been showing footage of frantic crowds gathering in stores, buying up home essentials in bulk. Economic experts have warned against "panic-buying" and "hoarding," saying there is no logical reason for there to be shortages of these products. Nevertheless, there are many who are desperately waiting for their local stores to restock toilet paper, or other home goods.
Exactly when an individual location will receive shipments of these products varies from place to place, and is typically known only to the staff and the delivery drivers. Still, there are some good general tips on how to shop in a time like this, and how to plan for scarcity and restocks.
Here is what you need to know about finding toilet paper, hand sanitizer and other goods during the coronavirus pandemic.
Retail vs. Delivery
According to The Krazy Coupon Lady, most big box stores and supermarkets will prioritize delivery orders and pickup orders over restocking the shelves. This means that when they get a new shipment, they'll set aside the amount ordered ahead of time before putting the rest out in the store. If you need to guarantee your supply of certain items, consider using Walmart's in-store pickup option or another similar service.
If you are going to go into a store hoping to find what you need, consider going first thing in the morning, as close to opening time as possible. Stores will typically restock the shelves before opening, and this will give you the best range of options — and perhaps the least competition from other shoppers as well.
According to The Krazy Coupon Lady, all of Walmart's 24-hour locations have changed their hours to 6 a.m. through 11 p.m., giving them more time to clean and restock overnight. Costco, meanwhile, reportedly gets shipments around 4 a.m., and most locations say they are now getting near-daily deliveries. Target is the same, restocking overnight and then throughout the day as needed.
While the supply may be catching up to the demand, experts warn that many stores will likely still be enforcing quantity restrictions on key items — especially toilet paper and hand sanitizer. They also said to keep an eye on changing return policies, as some stores are altering their rules to reflect the tendency towards panic-buying.
Experts stressed that there is no reason to expect a toilet paper shortage in the near future. They said that households should keep no more than two to four weeks' worth of toilet paper on hand at a time, as anything else could be considered hoarding, which could effect the availability for others. Today published a study on how to calculate the amount of toilet paper needed for your home.
Sadly, hand sanitizer shortages may continue for some time. According to Nielsen, hand sanitizer sales were up by 470 percent last week, and it will take a while for the industry to catch up. There are ways of making your own hand sanitizer with household ingredients, but it is worth remember that the CDC recommends washing your hands with soap an water over hand sanitizer, when you can.
Furhter out on the supply chain, manufacturers are reportedly ramping up their efforts to meet the increased demand for cleaning products. According to a report by The New York Times, many factories are moving to 24-hour schedules to make their products around the clock. Some are also reducing the range of their offerings, such as bleach companies making just one size bottle with no added scents.
Finally, if there are particular products you and your family are waiting on, Amazon allows users to set restock alerts so they know exactly when they can buy a fresh supply. Find the product you need on Amazon and choose the "Email Me" option, that way you can place an order as soon as possible. On Tuesday, Amazon announced that it is suspending restocks on all "non-essential" products for nearly three weeks in the hopes of meeting the needs of the outbreak.
For the latest on the COVID-19 pandemic, visit the CDC's website.


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Comviva teamed up with the telecommunications company Zain Jordan to manage the operator’s digital services ecosystem by offering its digital commercial solutions.
“As part of the deal, Comviva will provide its Digital Business Management Suite including Digital Services Delivery Platform (DSDP 2.0) along with its expertise in business operations and digital content to help Zain grow its digital ecosystem,” said a joint statement.
Comviva’s DSDP 2.0 platform will allow Zain Jordan to connect with digital service providers such as call reminder tone (CRBT), video, games, music and live streaming players. ‘The solution will also support new content mediums like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), live streaming, e-sports to cater the new digital customer, ” the statement added.
“This deal is of strategic advantage to Comviva, as it has given us a footing in the Jordanian market. We are extremely excited to extend our innovative value proposition to Zain, which will help the operator in overcoming the major hurdles in the digital service delivery,” declared Ramy Moselhy, vice president and MENA region chief at Comviva.
“We are glad to be partnering with Comviva as our digital business aggregator, and looking forward to benefiting from their expertise to help us boost our content related revenue while maintaining utmost customer experience and cost optimization,” said Zain Jordan.


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Nestlé has announced the launch of its new Combos range, featuring the brand’s popular Aero, Rolo and Milkybar confectionary staples.
The treat packs are currently available from Asda and retail for £2.50, with a wider rollout across UK stores expected to arrive in August.
The company has developed the range to “deliver a unique mix of tastes and textures”, with each bag featuring smooth, chewy and crunchy selections.
The Aero Combos includes Aero bubbles, toffee popcorn and dark chocolate malt balls.
READ MORE: Nestlé launches Mezeast range
Alongside, the Rolo Combos features Rolos chocolates, toffee popcorn and fudge bites and the Milkybar Combos features Milkybar pieces, toffee popcorn and milk chocolate digestive balls
All three collections are available in sharing bags of 120 for the Aero range, 125g for the Rolo and 110g for the Milkybar selection.
“Our new sharing range is all about offering consumers a deliciously different sweet snacking experience,” Nestlé brand manager Cat Mews said.
“We have taken three of our most popular confectionary brands and elevated them to the next level.”


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CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Local ice cream favorite Gelati Celesti is serving up free scoops of frozen cheer at the grand opening of their new Chesterfield location.
The Richmond-based company is celebrating National Ice Cream Day with events over four-days, beginning with the grand opening of a shop in Chesterfield’s Swift Creek area on July 16. The ribbon-cutting is the first of a four-day weekend event, that lasts through July 19.
Located at 13487 Hull Street Road, the Midlothian shop will gift customers a free scoop of the small-batch handcrafted ice cream. Free ice cream begins at 3 p.m.
“We know people are eager to get out and enjoy some normalcy after all the craziness we’ve been experiencing with COVID-19. And what better way than an over-the-top weekend of ice cream jubilation!” said Steve Rosser, owner and president of Gelati Celesti. “This year, we’re getting the party started early by opening our newest store in the Swift Creek Place Shopping Center.”
The four-day weekend event includes:
- July 16: Swift Creek Grand Opening. Customers get a free scoop of ice cream from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. (Swift Creek store only).
- July 17: Christmas in July. Four of Gelati Celesti’s most popular holiday flavors will be available while supplies last, including Peppermint, Pumpkin Gingersnap, Eggnog, and Cinnamon. Store hours are noon until 10 p.m.
- July 18: Make it a Sundae Saturday. Customers get a free sundae upgrade with the purchase of any size serving of ice cream. Store hours are noon until 10 p.m.
- July 19: National Ice Cream Day Giveaways & Raffle. Customers who stop and enjoy a scoop (or two) at regular prices can win all sorts of treats, including Gelati Celesti shirts and gift cards. Store hours are noon until 10 p.m.
Established in 1984, the dessert eatery has six stores in Richmond and one in Virginia Beach. National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 19.
- StormTracker 8: Scattered thunderstorms; possible flash flooding
- Buildings damaged, glass shattered after protests in Richmond turn violent
- Goochland County School Board votes for virtual reopening plan
- Powhatan school board approves Confederate flag ban
- Second stimulus checks: Why $1,200 payments aren’t expected in August


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The outlook for retailers is uncertain as interest rates rise and consumers begin to close their wallets. It’s time to re-focus on marketing and selling strategies. Successful retailers tell EMILY ROSS how they do it.
By Emily Ross
The outlook for retailers is uncertain as interest rates rise and consumers begin to close their wallets. It’s time to re-focus on selling. Successful retailers tell how they do it.
Margot Spalding, co-founder of furniture retailer Jimmy Possum thinks Australian retailers are killing themselves. She comes home from most shopping trips these days wanting to throttle someone. “The level of service is so bad, every window screams 60% off, it’s all dirt cheap with 500 years interest free.”
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According to Spalding, a shopping climate where consumers are only interested in what they can get for the cheapest price is not the right way forward for Australian retailing.
After Australia’s record retail boom, the outlook for retailers is sobering. Retail sales flatlined in January, wage costs are up 4.2% on last year, job vacancies are at record highs, interest rates keep rising and the Reserve Bank has commented on a “dearth” of workers.
It all adds up to uncertain times for Australia’s 77,000 retailers and 200,000 retail outlets, competing for a slice of the $200 billion annual retail spend.
Listed retailers are being pummelled by fearful investors – even those companies performing well. JB Hi-Fi announced a record half-year profit of $41.9 million with sales up 50%. This stellar performance comes as JB Hi-Fi’s share price has fallen to $10.06 (at close March 3, 2008), down from more than $17.00 in December 2007.
JB Hi-Fi’s chief executive officer Richard Uechtritz says the company has never been in better shape. “Go figure,” he says. Interest rates are a clear negative, but Uechtritz believes there are still many positives on the ledger for the company, including Australia’s insatiable appetite for technology. “Technology has become a bit like food. People don’t want to go without televisions, computers and even game consoles,” he says.
Uechtritz is not pressing the panic button. On the contrary, JB Hi-Fi plans to open around 15 stores this year. “We will look at any opportunity that presents itself,” he says. JB Hi-Fi’s competitor Harvey Norman has big plans 50 new stores in 2008. And it is not just the big retailers who aren’t too concerned about a retail slump; many leading specialty retailers question whether any retail slump will have an impact on their businesses at all.
David Wittner, the chairman of Wittner Shoes, has clocked up 57 years in retail and he likes to call himself an eternal optimist. He has read all the current reports that warn of a drop in discretionary spending, however Wittner is planning to open four new stores this year.
“We are not lacking in confidence about the future,” he says. The 95-year-old business has 400 staff, 40 shops around Australia and an online store. “We are not factoring in a drop in sales, although we are being more conservative,” he says.
Stick to your knitting
Wittner’s strategy centers on making sure customers keep finding the right shoe in store. “We are very conscious of quality, pricing and product improvement,” he says. Rather than slashing shoe prices, Wittner’s approach is to boost the resources of the buying department, bring in design consultants for the stores and continuously develop advertising, promotion and merchandising for the brand. “Instead of how do you get it cheaper, we think, how do get it better,” he says.
David Wittner sees his role as “lion tamer” to the third generation of Wittners; Michael, Peter (joint chief executives) and Debra (marketing and PR). Michael and Debra travel extensively around the world, bringing back plenty of retail ideas to keep the stores and the products fresh.
Director of Connect Marketing Professionals Carolyn Stafford, runs workshops for troubled small businesses. She regularly has to pass the tissues to retailers who feel like they have got it all wrong. “Marketing is a huge missing link for SMEs,” she says. “They get confused and think that marketing and selling are the same things. When they realise they need marketing, they slap it on the offering as an afterthought.”
Marketing-led businesses such as Boost, Roses Only and Fernwood have powered ahead of competitors because of a strong emphasis on marketing.
Stafford also cites innovative stationary retailer Smiggle (which sold to the Just Group in 2007 for $29 million) as a prime example of a retailer that understands its core appeal to its customers, its special value.
Smiggle’s “egg” highlighters and “yum yum” rubbers may not appeal to the Officeworks customers, but they send Smiggle’s ‘tween girl customers into raptures. “Many businesses miss the mark, offer too many services and aren’t differentiating themselves,” says Stafford who has a background in sales, training and marketing roles at Merrill Lynch and Westpac.
To discount or not to discount
According to Jimmy Possom’s Spalding, there are substantial pockets of consumers that want something different and are prepared to pay a premium for locally made, quality timber furniture. The business had turnover in 2007 of $27 million and employs 160.
Bendigo-based Jimmy Possum has gone national with its strategy to be as different from other furniture retailers as possible – no discounts, no sales and no airheads on the shop floor. The company’s inhouse training team provides regular training for all staff – floor staff receive training every six weeks, even Jimmy Possum’s manufacturing staff spend days on the shop floor to better understand customer needs.
Spalding is not anticipating a turndown in the furniture market for her customer demographic. Jimmy Possum is opening a new store in Bendigo in central Victoria and the company is looking for sites in Canberra, the Gold Coast and potentially in Geelong and Adelaide.
The key for specialist retailers is to forget about trying to compete with the big retailers on price, and instead focus on creating a niche. “A common trait between successful entrepreneurs is a passion for what they do and passion for the niche customers they are delivering too,” says Stafford at Smiggles. And Spalding agrees: “If you try and be all things to all people, as a retail you end up being nothing to anyone.”
Surviving the retail slump
- Think head down, tail up.
- Keep a hawk eye on costs and encourage a low-cost culture.
- Beware hysterical discounting.
- Retain staff with relevant, practical training.
- Enhance the customer experience instore.
- Understand marketing and selling are two different, critical aspects of retail strategy.
- Keep abreast of merchandising, advertising and promotional best-practice.
- You cannot be all things to all people.
- Commit to continuous product improvement.
- Do everything in your power not to waste your customers’ time.
- Don’t try and compete on price with the giants, create value in other ways.


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- BurgerFi is out to change the traditional fast-food burger model.
- The Florida-based grass-fed beef burger chain went public in late 2020 through the SPAC process.
- Stewart plans to "create menu choices of highest quality ingredients for discriminating diners."
Perhaps it's fitting that the very first BurgerFi restaurant replaced a shuttered Burger King in Florida.
When the first grass-fed burger outlet opened in 2011, the co-founders set out to build a fast food burger brand of the future – a modern concept where everything from the food to the furniture would be made from sustainable products.
The old Burger King was transformed. Chairs were made of recycled Coke bottles. Grass-fed burgers were topped with clean ingredients. Walls were finished with planks of sustainable softwood – a stark contrast to the primary colors of a standard burger joint.
Thus, it was aptly named, BurgerFi, short for "burgerfication."
"We tried to redefine the whole burger experience at a higher level," CEO Julio Ramirez told Insider.
Ramirez and his growing executive team are now leading the brand's next chapter as the newly minted Wall Street company looks to compete with better burger leader Shake Shack. The chain, now with more than 120 locations and ghost kitchens in 23 states, went public in late 2020 after combining with the SPAC, or shell company, Opes Acquisition.
As it plans to conquer the East Coast, BurgerFi has a new cheerleader on its side: Martha Stewart.
In late February, America's original influencer joined BurgerFi's newly formed board, whose executive chairman is Ophir Sternberg.
Sternberg, founder and CEO of Lionheart Capital, told Insider that he and Stewart "forged a friendship" after meeting a few years ago at a food festival in Florida. They both share an admiration for Friesian horses. Sternberg's favorite Friesian horse, "Bond," is currently at Stewart's farm for the winter.
Sternberg said "it was only natural to reach out" to Stewart about playing a strategic culinary role in the company after it went public.
Ramirez, a former Burger King executive who became BurgerFi's CEO in late 2020, said Stewart will "lead our product and culinary efforts with our chef Paul Griffin."
Will we see a Martha Stewart burger on the menu?
Ramirez declined to discuss the public company's future plans.
But, one thing's for sure: Stewart won't likely touch the onion ring recipe, which she raved about during a recent menu sampling at a BurgerFi in New York.
"Wow!!," she told her 1.3 million Instagram followers.
"I look forward to working with the company to create menu choices of highest quality ingredients for discriminating diners," she concluded in the post, which generated more than 39,000 comments.
Since going public, BurgerFi has been full steam ahead building its burger brand of the future and shoring up its leadership. The company recently named Michael Rabinovitch as its chief financial officer and hired former Burger King and Panera Bread executive, Jim Esposito, as its chief operating officer.
The appointments are crucial if BurgerFi wants to play in the same league as Shake Shack. The roadside burger brand started by Danny Meyer has more than 310 units worldwide, had been growing at a rapid rate prior to the pandemic.
Both Shake Shack and BurgerFi are going after large US markets, as well as international locations and airports.
In 2021, BurgerFi plans to increase its footprint by 30% through a mix of company-operated stores and franchise locations. By 2022, the company is projecting to have 225 to 255 units, according to its investor presentation.
Growth will be centered primarily in the Southeast, where it already has 50 restaurants in Florida. The chain plans to blanket urban markets such as Atlanta; Nashville; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Richmond, Virginia.
Beyond 2021, the company will focus on the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the US.
"We want to create what we're calling cluster cities, where we build a couple of company restaurants to help seed the market," Ramirez said.
While drive-thru lanes weren't part of BurgerFi's original business strategy, Ramirez said the pandemic forced the fast-casual brand to shift its thinking. The company recently opened its first restaurant with a drive-thru and more are on the way.
Other fast-casual brands like Chipotle Mexican Grill and The Habit Burger Grill have added drive-thru lanes over the years. But Ramirez is quick to note that BurgerFi beat its main better burger competitor Shake Shack when it opened its first drive-thru restaurant in Kentucky.
Shake Shack, whose urban locations have been clobbered during the pandemic, said it plans to open its first drive-thru later this year. It will be in BurgerFi territory – Orlando, Florida.
Ramirez said BurgerFi's smaller footprint makes it nimbler than its rivals. As such, it can more easily accelerate its drive-thru plans.
"In the next 30 sites that we have planned, we've peppered some drive-thru locations out there," Ramirez said. "That's a very real viable option for us."
The company is also ramping up its non-traditional operations with ghost kitchens and expanding its presence on military bases.
BurgerFi was an early adopter in the burgeoning space, partnering with REEF Technology in May 2020 during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
Unlike other ghost kitchens, REEF makes licensing agreements with restaurants to sell their food as a delivery only or pickup product within their network of Neighborhood Kitchens.
REEF is selling BurgerFi's food in a handful of locations including Miami and Austin. BurgerFi recently launched a similar licensing agreement with ghost kitchen operator Epic Kitchens in Chicago.
Ramirez called these partnerships "low-risk learning" because they don't have to build brick-and-mortar stores or pay employees to make food inside a commissary.
"We get a percentage royalty on the sale. So it's a good way to see how strong our brand is digitally," he said.
But, if BurgerFi is to compete with Shake Shake, will it march out West where Shake Shack has already planted its flag in top markets like Los Angeles and Las Vegas?
"That could be the biggest opportunity down the road. But I just want to make sure we continue to perform well in the areas where we're dominant," Ramirez said.


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Produce green – buy green
The ecological trend, which is worldwide, is now reaching new borders. The claim to take green actions and the save the environment is now coming from the customers to the suppliers and all the way back to the manufacturers. The need is to produce green products and the customers are now the ones to tell the manufacturers’ how to produce their products.
Customers are saying – yes we buy green products !
Greenpeace volunteers are the guys to thank to, since they have made the first change with Nike and Timberland not so far ago. The two big manufacturers posted a press release that they will no longer buy leather from cows which was grown in the ex forests of the Amazonas. The number of the Amazonas trees in decreasing and more and more Ackers of forests are cutting down in order to free space to the leather production. In this act, Nike and Timberland which are huge power in the industry are trying to save these forests.
Other companies are trying to save the forests around the world and not just in South America. Kleenex for example also announced that they will stop using new trees for their products and will use recycled materials for the Kleenex, Scott, Haggies and other products they are manufacturing. The green customers, which consume more than 4 tons of paper every day in Kleenex products say enough and actually forced the company to go green as well.
The future to have more companies in this situation is close and it’s good for us, good for them and good for the environment. I want to buy products from the supplier who is really care about the environment and I want to know that while making the product for me, and making money from selling it to me and to the other customers, he is not ruin the environment.


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The Bismarck Police Department is reminding residents to be wary of phone calls that sound to good to be true or use threats to scare you into complying with their requests, especially if they relate to the coronavirus.
The police are passing along Federal Trade Commission (FTC) tips to help keep you safe from scammers:
- Hang up on robocalls. Don’t press any numbers. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from scam Coronavirus treatments to work-at-home schemes. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might lead to more robocalls, instead.
- Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — online or in stores. At this time, there also are no FDA-authorized home test kits for the Coronavirus.
- Fact-check information. Scammers, and sometimes well-meaning people, share information that hasn’t been verified. Before you pass on any messages, contact trusted sources.
- Know who you’re buying from. Online sellers may claim to have in-demand products, like cleaning, household, and health and medical supplies when, in fact, they don’t.
- Don’t respond to texts and emails about checks from the government. The details are still being worked out. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.
- Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device.
- Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus.
- Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.
For more information, you can visit www.consumer.ftc.gov.


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December 19, 2014
Israel Ramirez and Lucy Thompson at the debut of Pez Cantina.
Stories this photo appears in:
L.A. foodies have been salivating over the debut of Chef Brett Thompson’s newest restaurant Pez Cantina for about a year. California Apparel News uncovered the high end Mexican seafood restaurant's Fashion District edge.


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MADISON – State Representative Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) applauded the announcement from Agropur Dairy Cooperative that they will be undertaking a multi-million dollar expansion of their cheese-making facilities in Little Chute and further expanding their footprint right here in the Fox Valley.
“Agropur Dairy Cooperative and Simon’s Cheese has been a valued member of our local community and the statewide dairy industry as a whole for decades,” Steineke said. “Supporting dairy farming families all across our region, it is fantastic to see that they are continuing to grow and invest right here in Wisconsin.”
Under the plan, Agropur will be eligible for $4.5 million in business tax credits from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to build a new state-of-the-art facility. This will allow Agropur to double their current operations from 300 million pounds of milk per year to 750 million pounds. It is estimated that this will generate more than $60 million more in increased spending on dairy and create 54 new full-time jobs.
Currently, Agropur is already the largest dairy cooperative in North America, employing around 850 people in plants all across Wisconsin, including La Crosse, Appleton, Little Chute, Weyauwega and Luxemburg.
“Wisconsin has long been the leader in all things dairy, and Agropur’s commitment to its Little Chute expansion will ensure that this is the case for decades to come,” noted Steineke.


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The largest diamond jeweler in the world has just announced plans to buy Charlotte-based Diamonds Direct for $490 million in cash.
According to a press release from the company, Signet Jewelers Limited plans to increase Diamonds Direct profits “by leveraging scale in purchasing, targeted marketing, Connected Commerce and jewelry services“.
“The accretive addition of Diamonds Direct to our portfolio will further drive shareholder value with its distinct bridal-focused shopping experience and add a new entry point as we build lifetime customer relationships and strive to reach our $9 billion revenue goal over time,” said Signet CEO, Virginia C. Drosos. “The Signet team continues to deliver strong business performance as part of our Inspiring Brilliance growth strategy. We are executing on our strategic priorities and investing in our business, while also returning cash to shareholders through our previously announced reinstated dividend and share buy-back program.”
Diamonds Direct started as a small jewelry store in SouthPark in 1995 and has since grown to 22 locations across 13 states. They still operate their flagship store in their original SouthPark location at 4521 Sharon Rd.
What do you think about the merger?


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Android P Beta 2 includes a whopping 157 new emoji, many of which are created to promote inclusion and diversity.
Android P developer preview beta 2 includes the final Android P APIs and updated SDK.
A month after releasing the first beta version of Android P at I/O (and right in the middle of Apple's own developers conference), Google has just released Beta 2 of its upcoming mobile operating system.
You can wait for the OTA updates to roll out if you have Pixel or Nexus phones - these should be coming pretty shortly. The UI also seems to pop preview cards into place as you swipe up too, there's a subtle vibration as you do so, and the entire gesture animation in general feels smoother.
Others can enroll their device in the Android Beta program. Developers can thus start confidently building with Android P features and APIs today.
President Trump calls off Philadelphia Eagles' White House visit over anthem dispute
He added, "staying in the locker room for the playing of our national anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling". US President Donald Trump has said no to the Eagles.
There's a Red Hair and Superhero emoji, both of which are available in two genders and five skin tones, a bagel with cream cheese, a llama and a lobster. There are also new gender neutral "family" and "couple with heart" emoji.
The Adaptive Battery tool uses machine learning to prioritise system resources for apps Android users care about most.
We thus have two more previews to go before final release in the third quarter, so don't be surprised if you find plenty of bugs.
Google released the first Android P developer preview back in March and I installed that on my Pixel 2 XL using a fairly laborious process.


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Nigeria was one of the last nations to sign the agreement. With a population of 200 million, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and has about 98 million inhabitants in the most populous countries, Ethiopia and Egypt. With a nominal GDP of $376 billion, or about 17% of Africa`s GDP, it is just ahead of South Africa, which accounts for 16% of the African economy. Given that Nigeria is such an important country in terms of population and economy, its absence at the first signing of the agreement was particularly striking. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted this in his comments of 12 July 2018, commenting: « The continent awaits Nigeria and South Africa. Through trade between us, we are able to maintain more resources on the continent. South Africa signed the agreement later.  At this summit, Benin and Nigeria signed the agreement, so that Eritrea is the only African state not to be part of the agreement; Since then, Eritrea has applied to join the agreement. Gabon and Equatorial Guinea also tabled their ratifications at the summit. At the time of launch, there were 27 states that had ratified the agreement.    The overall objectives of the agreement are:  Eritrea has not signed because of tensions with Ethiopia, but after the Eritrea-Ethiopia Summit in 2018, the AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry now expects Eritrea to sign the agreement.
 The SAfCFTA secretariat is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the agreement and is an autonomous body within the AU system. Although it has an independent legal personality, it will work closely with the AU Commission and receive its AU budget. The Council of Ministers responsible for trade will decide on the headquarters, structure, role and responsibilities.  The African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government is the highest decision-making body. It will probably meet during the AU summit.  The Council of Trade Ministers provides strategic trade oversight and ensures the effective implementation and implementation of the AfCFTA agreement.  Given that the Nigerian government continued to consult with local business groups in the second half of 2018, one of the main concerns was whether the agreement adequately prevented anti-competitive practices such as dumping.  At the close of 2018, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said the delay was « regrettable » and stressed the lack of trade in goods between African countries, the difficulties in getting from one African country to another, and the colonial legacy of these restrictions on Africa`s growth.  The government steering committee responsible for the consultation process is expected to release its report on the agreement in January 2019.  As of July 2019, 54 of the 55 African Union states had signed the agreement, with Eritrea the only country not to sign the agreement. Of these Member States, 27 have tabled their ratification instruments.
  44 countries first signed the agreement on 21 March 2018. Nigeria was one of 11 African Union countries that avoided the signing of the treaty. At the time, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said Nigeria could do nothing to undermine local producers and entrepreneurs.  The Nigerian Manufacturers` Association, which represents 3,000 Nigerian manufacturers, welcomed the decision to withdraw from the agreement.  Nigeria`s foreign minister tweeted that more internal consultations are needed before Nigeria can sign the agreement.  Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said Nigeria`s delay was regrettable.  The Nigerian Labour Congress called the agreement a « renewed, extremely dangerous and radioactive neoliberal political initiative », suggesting that increased economic pressure would push workers to rush into difficult and precarious conditions.  The free trade agreement reduced tariffs to 7,881 categories of goods, or 90% of goods imported to zero.
 This reduction came into effect in China and in the original six ASEAN members: Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.


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Artist and social activist Naomi Pitcairn recently completed six temporary, music-driven artworks for the Pershing Square Summer concert series in downtown Los Angeles. Offering six weeks of free outdoor concerts — with The Wallflowers, Boogie Knights, Toad the Wed Sprocket, Los Lonely Boys, The B-52’s, and X. The live music event was paired with Naomi’s site-specific artworks, each reflecting the bands’ […]
Behind the scenes, Amazon has been using technology to vertically integrate nearly the entire process of consumption.
Amazon is the most obscure large company in the tech industry. It isn’t just secretive, the way Apple is, but in a deeper sense, Jeff Bezos’ e-commerce and cloud-storage giant is opaque. Amazon rarely explains either its near-term tactical aims or its long-term strategic vision. It values surprise. Over the last few years, Amazon has […]
In January 2016, Intel debuted their Drone 100 project in which 100 illuminated drones performed a coordinated aerial show over Hamburg, Germany. On May 4, 2016, Intel premiered the project over the Mojave desert. The show was not only notable for its beauty, but also because Intel was able to secure an exemption from the […]
The patent details an autonomous delivery system that attempts to keep humans at a safe distance from delivery drones using a low-tech vocal warning.
Drone video from Niseko, Japan


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Pleasanton, CA – In a sign the RV industry—and the economy as a whole—is on the road to recovery, GoodTimes Promotions will hold two RV shows in a year for the first time since 2008, and will expand in size and number of dealers.
Mike Nohr, the founder of GoodTimes Promotions and organizer of the 18th Annual Northern California Spring RV Show and Sale slated for May 14-23, said the troubled economy delivered one of the worst blows to the RV industry he’d seen in 35 years—which is why he held only one show in 2009. However, Nohr, who organized the West Coast’s largest RV show at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in January, said the economic tide is turning.
“We had a lot of folks come out to the winter show and we sold a lot of RVs,” he said. “People are feeling better about the economy and want to get back to doing some of the things they love—like traveling.”
In fact, a recent survey by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association shows that RV manufacturers shipped 20,100 new RVs to dealers in February—up 27 percent over January and up 95 percent over February 2009 shipments—making it the best month in nearly two years.
After seeing strong sales at their winter event and promising economic indications from the industry, GoodTimes is embracing the good news and beefing up the event: 70,000 more square feet, dozens more RVs and more dealers showcasing their wares will make the May show one of their largest yet and allow customers to speak to dealers in one convenient location.
“The signs are all there,” said show manager Shawn Nohr. “The sellers who survived the recession were willing to make good deals. They’re eager to keep this recovery rolling, so they will be out to wheel and deal.”
Cost: Adults $7; seniors (62+) $6, children 15 and under free. Special “Senior Wednesday 2 for 1.” Held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds: 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton, May 14-23, 2010; Mon – Fri 11am – 7pm, Sat & Sun 10am – 8pm; Sun 10am – 6pm. For information, call (925) 931-1890 or visit www.rvshow.net.Research Campgrounds, Plan RV Safe Routes & Turn your phone into an RV GPS.
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Buick Lowers Price of 2015 Regal, Verano
Yesterday, Autoblog confirmed that Buick has slashed the price of its 2015 Regal, as well as its 2015 Verano. This is a direct response to the dipping sales of these two models. In April, overall Buick sales dropped 5.2%. Specifically, the Regal was down 21.8% and the Verano was down 13.3%.
Thanks to the new 1SV trim level for the Regal and Verano, consumers can get a base Regal for $27,990 and a base Verano for $21,990. That translates into $2,925 in savings on the Regal and $2,315 in savings for the Verano.
Of course, the cheaper 1SV trim means some content will be lost. On the Regal, that means saying goodbye to the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and instead finds a 2.4-liter EcoTec four-cylinder. Power drops from 259 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque to 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque.
Meanwhile, the Verano loses its satellite radio.
Nick Richards, GM spokesman, told Autoblog, “We added this new base level to some models as a means of expanding the opportunity for more customers to experience Buick vehicles. The addition of these trims will create an increased awareness and consideration of these vehicles when being compared to the competition.”
News Source: Autoblog
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.


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Bethesda Games have hosted their annual E3 Presentation. Showcasing some of their most beloved franchises, the company gave fans a glimpse of what they can expect from the company over the coming months.
The Elder Scrolls
While there was no word on The Elder Scrolls VI, which was announced at the end of the 2018 presentation, there was still plenty of content for fans of Elder Scrolls to enjoy. Matt Carofano and Craig Lafferty took to the stage to announce the Elder Scrolls Blades, which is currently in Early Access, would be launching on Nintendo Switch in the fall. As with the other release, the Switch version will be free to play and will allow for cross play and cross saves between devices, allowing players to transfer games saves from mobile to Switch.
Carofano and Lafferty also announced that a new update – featuring solo Arena battles, new jobs and a dragon questline is now available to download on mobile.
Later in the show, Matt Frior from Zenimax gave fans the latest information on The Elder Scrolls Online. Currently, in the midst of The Season of the Dragon, fans were treated to a new cinematic clip featuring the return of a legendary character – Sai Sahan – and the Dragon Guard in upcoming DLC. Before that, the next update Scalebreaker will launch in August with new Dungeon maps and other content.
Finally, it was announced that The Elder Scrolls: Legends would be receiving a new Moons of Elsweyr update and expansion on June 27.
Following on from the tumultuous release of Fallout 76, Bethesda was keen to showcase what they have planned for fans of the nuclear apocalypse adventure.
First up was the unveiling of the Wastelanders DLC. Set to arrive in the autumn, this free update will bring human NPC’s to Fallout 76. With them will be full dialogue trees, new choices to make – with consequences – along with a new storyline, new weapons and gear.
Next was the announcement that Fallout 76 will be getting its very own Battle Royale mode – Nuclear Winter. This 52-person battle royale will see players use whatever they can get their hands on in order to win and be named the Overseer of the Vault. This new mode will be available to preview as part of Fallout 76’s free week of play from June 10-17.
Rage & Wolfenstein
Rage 2 will be getting their first expansion – Rise of the Ghosts – later this year.
This new expansion will bring new characters and vehicles to the wastelands, along with new cheats – including low gravity – new games modes, a new story and new areas. Bethesda has also confirmed that new content would be delivered on a weekly basis to keep things as fresh and exciting as possible for players.
Wolfenstein fans will be getting a chance to play in the Nazi-conquered world in a whole new way with Wolfenstein: Youngblood. Set in the 1980s in Nazi-occupied Paris, players will follow the daughters of B.J Blazkowicz – Jess and Soph – as they search for their missing father.
Players will be able to play alone or with a friend in one of the biggest worlds ever built for Wolfenstein when the game launches on July 26.
Among the well-known titles in the presentation, there were also some previews of new projects coming from Bethesda.
The first title shown is the newest project from Tango Gameworks – Ghostwire Tokyo. Set-in modern-day Tokyo, the story centres around the mysterious and sudden disappearances of hundreds of people all over the city. With a mix of action, adventure and the paranormal, it will be up to players to explore the city and try to find out exactly what has happened.
Next up is Commander Keen, a mobile game based on a popular cartoon series. Staring tech genius twins Billy and Billie, players will be able to play through classic Commander Keen tales while also taking on some modern adventures. The game, which is soft launching on iOS and Android in the summer, will also feature a PvP battle mode.
Finally, Arkane Studios – the team behind the Dishonoured games – revealed their latest project. Entitled Deathloop, this action title focuses on two people – Julianna and Colt – who are fighting on opposite sides of a battle in a place known only as Black Reef. While Julianna believes the island to be her destiny, Colt doesn’t quite see it that way, with the two killing each other over and over again only to be able to go back in time and change the outcome to ultimately break the cycle.
Rounding out the presentation was more details on the upcoming Doom Eternal.
Taking to the Bethesda stage, Hugo Martin and Marty Stratton explained how this was one of the biggest worlds ever created for the franchise. With the fate of the universe in the balance, Doomslayers will go to Hell, Heaven and everywhere in between to save what’s left of humanity.
Showcasing the worlds in two different trailers, the team also announced that there would be a special Collector’s Edition – with full-scale replica Doomslayer helmet – for the game, which is scheduled to be released on November 22, 2019.
In addition, the new multiplayer Battlemode was unveiled. In this mode, three players will face off in a battle to the death, with two players working together as demons and the third playing solo as a fully loaded slayer.
Bethesda also announced that more information about the game, as well as events celebrating 25 years of Doom would be announced during QuakeCon in the summer.
Information about all the games featured can be found here – https://bethesda.net/en/dashboard.
Watch the presentation in full below.
Words by Megan Roxburgh


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Hands-on trainings and demos for integrators. The Road Trip provides smaller-scale opportunities to train on new, updated smart home and hybrid work solutions.
Home Technology Specialists of America (HTSA) congratulates its multiple award-winning members on their recognition by top integration control brand Control4 as part its ‘2021 Partner Award’ program.
The Wyckoff, N.J.-based Restrepo Innovations installation team was the expert of choice for this home theater design, executed for a sports executive.
In what is being called the “ultimate expression of modern living,” Savant Systems has brought to life a new smart home design, overlooking the Las Vegas Strip
Using Somfy’s new TaHoma Gateway, Somfy-powered shading solutions can now be fully integrated into the smart home and controlled through the SmartThings application.
Sony’s “Collaborative Alliances” program will allow them to offer even more compelling capabilities by providing integrated solutions through alignment with industry leaders among a variety of categories and applications.
AudioControl (audiocontrol.com) has announced the availability of a certified driver that brings Crestron Home integration to their Director D Series and M Series amplifiers as well as their complete lineup of Concert and Maestro Series home theater AVRs and preamp/processors.
The Snap One stand at ICS West features new products such as the all-new T4 Series Touchscreen that delivers a professional-grade smart home performance.
After more than 30 years with Crestron Electronics, including the last eight as President and CEO, Randy Klein will retire this year.
Josh.ai expands the impact of AI in the home with an update to its Crestron Home integration. The voice-control pioneer was given exclusive development access to expand its audio and video distribution capabilities to Crestron Home systems.


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Netflix took the high road and didn’t respond or cave to ransom demands last month after a mysterious group of hackers calling themselves The Dark Overlord leaked the new season of Orange is the New Black in hopes of extorting money from the big red streaming giant. That hack apparently did much more than scare third-party studios into locking down their servers: Netflix has now pushed digital rights management (DRM) updates into version 5.0 of their app aimed at protecting their content. In what might be an unintended side-effect, millions of Android users will now no longer be able to run the Netflix app on their Android devices.
Don’t panic yet, though. The move will only affect Android users who are running rooted or unlocked Android operating systems. If your Android device is off-the-rack or you’re not sure what that means, your device is most likely not rooted or unlocked.
“Rooting” a device means involves disabling certain operating system functions in order to give users more control over their devices. Forbes has noted that since it’s estimated that up to 25% of Android users run rooted or unlocked devices, tens of millions of users could be affected.
To check if your device might be affected, search for the new Netflix app in the Google Play Store. If you see a message stating the Netflix app is ‘incompatible with your device,’ you’re out of luck. However, many Android users who downloaded the app before Netflix’s new update are reporting that their app still works – for now. While it seems the update only affects new downloads at the time of writing, it’s not clear if that will continue.


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U.S. Charges Retired-UAW Official in Widening Corruption Probe
The U.S. has charged former United Auto Workers union official Virdell King with using a credit card from a UAW-Chrysler training center to buy more than $40,000 in personal items for herself and other union executives.
#Morgan #Chrysler #GeneralMotors
U.S. prosecutors have charged Virdell King, a former United Auto Workers Union associate director, with using a credit card from a UAW-Chrysler training center to buy more than $40,000 in personal items for herself and other union officials.
King, the first African-American woman to head a UAW-Chrysler union local, is the fourth person accused in a $4.5 million embezzlement investigation. Prosecutors say ex-UAW and Chrysler officials diverted worker training funds to pay off mortgages, buy exotic cars and fund lavish home improvements and acquire personal luxury goods.
The original value of the embezzlement was set at $2.2 million. But the amount has since doubled. The highest-ranking former Chrysler official indicted to date is Alphons Iacobelli, who reportedly has been suspended from his current job as executive director of labor relations at General Motors Co.
Iacobelli is accused of embezzling $1 million for himself from the UAW-Chrysler training center between 2009 and 2014. He also is charged of diverting an additional $1.2 million to General Holiefield, who was the UAW’s top Chrysler official at the time. Holiefield died two years ago, but his widow, Monica Morgan, also has been indicted.
A fourth person, FCA financial analyst Jerome Durden, pleaded guilty a week ago to laundering funds to hide the conspiracy. He is believed to have revealed about $2.3 million in additional payments to King and others still under investigation.
When an employee breaks the rules, what should his or her boss do about it?It’s an important question because the answer can affect the employee’s future behavior, his department’s morale—even a company’s relationship with a union, if one is involved.Every manager, therefore, should review his disciplinary methods periodically to make sure they are producing the most constructive results.
A witch, a clown, a masked vigilante, and a doctor go into a studio. . . .
When it comes to the deployment of robots, the auto industry is the hands-down leader. Or maybe that should be “gripper down”


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Brivo, a global player in cloud-based physical security, has acquired Parakeet Technologies, a provider of smart building solutions which include sensors, thermostats, wireless locks and lighting controls. The acquisition — the first in the company’s 20 year history — accelerates Brivo’s ongoing push to enhance its in-building capabilities beyond its current access control, video and security. The companies had already been working together as partners, and now plan a deeper integration between their products, including a common user interface, unified billing and bundled services.
“We saw Parakeet’s IoT platform as an ideal way to quickly bring smart office capabilities to our channel partners and end users,” said Steve Van Till, president and CEO of Brivo. “Parakeet has a great track record of providing highly reliable remote management to widely dispersed properties, and they share our core values around customer service, cyber security and innovation.”
The Parakeet product leverages cloud services, mobile apps and an on-premise IoT gateway. The gateway provides connectivity to Z-wave sensors, locks, thermostats, lighting and other devices. Internet connectivity to the gateway is supported via WiFi, Ethernet or an integrated cellular modem with a built-in service plan. Parakeet’s responsively designed web app enables property managers and security personnel to manage smart building infrastructure from one central dashboard, while collecting data to track, monitor and manage staff.
Parakeet launched its product in 2015 in the vacation rental market.
“Among property managers who cover large geographic territories for dozens or hundreds of clients, we uncovered a need for a remotely managed IoT service that would boost productivity and save money,” said Brad Huber, founder and CEO of Parakeet. “Being able to provide our products through Brivo’s international base of security dealers will give our customers the convenience of professional installation and ongoing service.”
The Parakeet platform will continue to be offered as a standalone solution for the vacation rental market under the new name, Brivo Vacation Rental, and will be unified with Brivo’s billing system. All current Parakeet customers will continue to be supported on the existing product, with options to add Brivo offerings to their current service plans.


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The government shutdown panic bypassed dealer showrooms in October, as Ford (F), General Motors (GM) and Fiat’s (FIATY) Chrysler posted double-digit sales gains in the U.S. Even better news for shareholders: The average transaction price hit record highs in October, which translates into lower incentives and higher profit.
When all is said and done, total U.S. sales in October are expected to hit an annualized rate of at least 15.5 million vehicles. GM retained the top spot in the U.S., growing sales by 16% to 226,402 vehicles — beating out Ford at 14% and Chrysler at 11%.
The Detroit Three were not the only automakers to rack up strong sales last month: Toyota (TM) sold 168,976 vehicles — an increase of 9% — and Nissan’s (NSANY) 14.2% sales increase set a U.S. sales record in October, as the company sold 91,018 cars and light trucks last month. Bucking the sales growth trend was Volkswagen (VLKAY), which actually posted an 18% sales decline in October, selling only 28,129 vehicles during the month.
As far as the vehicle mix is concerned, pickup trucks and luxury vehicles were leaders of the pack in October — an even better sign for the industry, considering those vehicles have higher price tags and are more profitable. Here’s the breakdown on the best cars and best trucks for October:
GM: Chevrolet, Cadillac and Buick-GMC all posted strong performance in October. Buick was the biggest gainer for GM in October, as total sales increased 31% — the 18th consecutive month of year-over-year growth. The Regal sedan was one of the best cars for the company, with sales jumping a whopping 47 percent. GMC was up 16 percent, with the division’s Terrain midsize crossover recording its best October sales ever. On the luxury front, Cadillac’s sales were up 10%, driven by the new XTS full-size luxury sedan and ATS compact.
Ford: Ford, which posted its best October retail sales performance since 2004, had strong growth in passenger cars and light trucks. To no one’s surprise, Ford’s F-Series pickups are still some of the best trucks out there — the automaker sold 63,803 of them last month. Ford’s midsize Fusion was a big hit: Sales hit 21,740 — a 71% increase year-over-year, and the best-ever October sales performance. Ford’s Lincoln luxury brand even began to gain traction as sales of the midsize MKZ sedan topped 2,900 — an increase of 80%.
Chrysler: The company’s Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck brands all posted year-over-year sales gains in October, although the Fiat brand sales slipped 1%. The Ram Truck brand’s 22% increase was the largest sales gain of any Chrysler Group brand during the month, while Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Patriot, Dodge Journey crossover, Dodge Dart compact and the Dodge Challenger muscle car all set October sales records, as did the Ram Cargo Van.
Toyota: Toyota’s U.S. sales reflected strength in the SUV and truck segments. SUV sales spiked 21.3%, led by a nearly 61% rise in RAV4 crossover sales. Sales of the Tundra full-size pickup rose 22.6% to more than 9,900 units. The Corolla compact continued its strong sales run, gaining 12.8% to 23,637 vehicles. However, sales of Toyota’s top-selling Camry slipped 2.6% last month. While the Camry remains the best-seller in the U.S., it faces headwinds: Consumer Reports withdrew its reliability recommendation over crash test data.
Nissan: Nissan must be producing some of the best trucks out there, as total truck sales surged 42.8% to 32,798. Top performers included a 53.1% increase in sales of the Rogue crossover, with robust sales of the midsize Frontier pickup and Pathfinder SUV, which rose by 72% and 90% respectively. Sales of the midsize Altima, however, slipped 11.5% to 21,785. Nissan reported small gains for its luxury Infiniti brand, rising 4.5% to 9,152 units.
Bottom Line: October auto sales were strong — and the results are even more impressive given the 16-day federal government shutdown. The resurgence of trucks is likely to continue as long as the housing market and overall economy cooperate. The good news: Economic catastrophes aside, there’s still enough pent-up demand for the best cars and best trucks to keep automakers’ sales revved up into 2014.
As of this writing, Susan J. Aluise did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.


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For 16 years, Alen has been selling its top-rated air purifiers on Alen.com and Amazon. Recently, the company made its first venture into retail, and its products are now available in 300+ Lowe’s stores, with the potential for expansion in 2023. The company saw great success during the pandemic, experiencing 210% growth since 2020 as the move indoors for work, school and living made clean air a must for many consumers. Now Alen’s retail expansion has opened up a new avenue outside of its ecommerce and DTC roots.
The bootstrapped private company has its air purifiers in over 70,000 classrooms, 200,000 homes and over 1,200 businesses nationwide, and has been named the top air purifier by Consumer Reports. In addition to the Lowe’s agreement, Alen recently launched a mobile app and air quality monitors, syncing its air purification system with the burgeoning smart home trend. We spoke with Warb Lee, founder and CEO, and Marsha Osborn, COO of Alen, about the company’s growth, the deal with Lowe’s and what’s next.


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March 1, Darlington House, Dupont Circle, Washington DC
USPS Chief information Officer Wows WILDS Members
Kristin Seaver, U.S. Postal Service Chief Information Officer, shared a variety of exciting concepts. She described the ‘Digital Reflection of the Mail’ as bridging the divide between the digital and physical mail piece, keeping mail relevant and better serving our customers. For example, Informed Delivery, a Postal Service digital offering, provides customers with a preview of incoming mail and packages. Ms. Seaver also discussed the importance of security and protection of personal information; a longstanding priority of the U.S. Postal Service. Ms. Seaver also referenced how the world is getting smaller as more and more goods are shipped internationally requiring several agencies and world organizations to continuously work together to protect the sanctity of the mail here in the US.
In response to being asked how she manages time, Ms. Seaver conceded it is difficult, but looking at the larger picture of one’s life helps to see how overemphasis on work, or family is unavoidable at times. Ms. Seaver’s advice? So long as you keep both in focus, you can achieve balance.
Postscripts by: Violette Jacobson
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Image: Liz Jones via flickr
Crocs, the Colorado-based company that makes the seemingly-ubiquitous bright-colored plastic shoes, has been caught in a lie. Crocs were said to be antimicrobial and, well, they're not.
After discovering the false claim, the EPA has told the company pay $230,000 "to resolve cases involving unsubstantiated antimicrobial claims for several types of its shoes," as well as remove the language from its packaging.From an EPA press release:
"EPA will take action to protect the public against companies making unverified public health claims," said Jim Martin, EPA's regional administrator in Denver. "Unless these products are registered with EPA, consumers have little or no information about whether such claims are accurate."
The case involves several styles of Crocs shoes that included unsubstantiated health claims on product packaging in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The company also made similar claims in advertisements and on their web site.
The EPA, which has the authority to assess penalties because FIFRA requires companies to register products before making pathogen- or germ-related claims about them, says that Crocs has cooperated with its enforcement staff.
But it's a sign of a larger problem. Sandra Stavnes, director of EPA's technical enforcement program in Denver, said: "We're seeing more and more consumer products making a wide variety of antimicrobial claims. Whether they involve shoes or other common household products, EPA takes these unsubstantiated public health claims seriously."
More on Crocs and green footwear
10,000 Crocs Make Their Way to Ecuador, Go For Children's Feet
Where the Rubber Leaves the Road: Flat Tire Footwear
Payless To Launch Green Footwear With Zoe & Zac and Summer Rayne Oakes