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Roger Federer Leaves Nike for Uniqlo
But the good news is that it will come with me at one point. 'With the shoe situation, I don't have a shoe deal. During his partnership with Nike Federer created the iconic "RF" logo, which is owned by the brand.
"Last night around 2:30 a.m., my phone sent her my entire photo gallery over text but there was no record of it on my messages app". Both they and other Reddit users who reported the same problem found no record of the messages having been sent, either.
Drunk dialing and butt-dialing are bad enough, but what if your phone sent some. compromising photos to your contacts all by itself? So for Samsung Galaxy users, this means that the best way to now get around the bug is to avoid Samsung Messages entirely or revoke its permission to access your photo gallery. "Concerned customers are encouraged to contact us directly at 1-800-SAMSUNG".
A spokeswoman for Samsung Australia confirmed the company was investigating the problem but had yet to verify if it was a bug and whether Australians could be affected. The update was meant to improve its capabilities by switching from the existing SMS protocol to the more capable RCS (Rich Communication Services). TechCrunch has also reached out to T-Mobile for comment. T-Mobile, on the other hand, insisted it was not an issue from their end. El Reg asked the chaebol for any explanation, and will let you know if we hear more. Go to the settings menu that handles apps'permissions and deny Samsung Messages' access to your storage.
Dude, Dell is going public again
Dell said it will list its Class C shares on the New York Stock Exchange following the completion of the deal. Billionaire Carl Icahn is deciding whether to challenge Michael Dell in VMware, sources told The Post.
Call for temporary ban on bouncy castles after girl’s death
Robert Halfon, the Conservative MP for Harlow, tweeted: "Another horrific tragedy after the horrific tragedy in #Harlow in 2016". A joint investigation is continuing in Gorleston following the death of a child who was thrown from a bouncy castle. .
Is Samsung making a new yellow-blue Galaxy Note 9 model?
Even the Snapdragon 845-powered model bound for US, China and South Korea is also expected to on par with the Exynos series. This is two weeks earlier than the August 23 Unpacked event for the Galaxy Note 8 a year ago , as pointed out by Yonhap .
Courageous pup saves owner from rattlesnake bite in Arizona
What a courageous boy! "This is what a hero looks like", Godwin wrote alongside photos of Todd, showing the dog's swollen face. A golden retriever puppy was attacked by a rattlesnake in Arizona on Friday after jumping to protect his owner.


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Tests find glyphosate in many restaurant foods, Canadian honey, popular beer and wine
Published: April 6, 2019
Category: Glyphosate/Pesticides, The Organic & Non-GMO Report Newsletter
Recent tests are revealing how pervasive glyphosate herbicide is in the food system. Researchers have found the weedkiller, the main ingredient in Roundup herbicide, in many U.S. restaurant foods, popular beer and wine products, and Canadian honey.
A new round of food testing commissioned by GMO Free USA found that the weedkiller and its by-product aminomethylphosphonic acid, are pervasive in foods served by major restaurant and fast food chains in the United States.
Foods from popular restaurant chains including Chili’s Grill & Bar, Domino’s Pizza, Dunkin’ Donuts, IHOP, Le Pain Quotidien, McDonald’s, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Panera Bread, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, Pret a Manger, Subway, Taco Bell, and Whole Foods Market were tested.
Thirty-eight different menu items were tested, some more than once. Glyphosate was detected in 39 out of the 44 restaurant food samples tested, in 33 of the 38 menu items. Foods with no glyphosate detected included beef, chicken, egg and sweet potato.
A recent report by California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) found that many brands of beer and wine sold in the U.S. also contain glyphosate. In the report, Glyphosate Pesticide in Beer and Wine, CALPIRG tested 20 beers, wines and hard cider, including several organic brands, for glyphosate/Roundup and found that all but one contained the harmful chemical.
In Canada, government scientists found glyphosate in 197 of 200 samples of honey they examined. The prevalence of glyphosate in the samples, 98.5 percent, was higher than what was reported in several similar studies conducted in the last five years in other countries.
Source: GMO Free USA, CALPIRG, Environmental Health News
To view the full articles, visit:

domain: news


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Forbes has released its annual 30 Under 30 list of people who have done remarkable work across 15 different categories and we're happy to see quite a few familiar faces in the mix. Among the list of young influencers are entertainers like Rihanna, Janelle Monae and Bruno Mars, who will be headlining this year's Super Bowl halftime show.
In Hollywood, Beasts of the Southern Wild's Quvenzhané Wallis and Ryan Coogler, director of Fruitvale Station, made their marks for their powerful work. Issa Rae, the creator of YouTube series The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl, is reaping the success of her popular show and has parlayed it into a writing and acting gig for her own show on HBO. Todrick Hall, a former American Idol contestant who also caught the public's attention on YouTube, is now being courted by Hollywood and is managed by Scooter Braun, the man who discovered Justin Beiber.
And we're a brainy bunch, too, as young African-Americans are also being recognized for their work in fields such as sports, marketing, media, technology and social entrepreneurship.
To view the entire list, click here.
BET.com always gives you the latest fashion and beauty trends, tips and news. We are committed to bringing you the best of Black lifestyle and celebrity culture.
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
(Photos from left: Jason Merritt/Getty Images, Andrew Toth/Getty Images, Johnny Nunez/WireImage)


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Calvin Klein Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation announced that it has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement and retail store license for India with Murjani India Ltd.
The agreement includes both the ck Calvin Klein bridge line of women's and men's apparel and accessories, as well as Calvin Klein Jeans and jeans accessories.
Murjani will sell the products through free standing retail stores and select department stores approved by CKI.
Separately, The Warnaco Group Inc has entered into an exclusive distribution and retail agreement with Murjani for Calvin Klein Underwear and, pursuant to its global licenses, will be the exclusive supplier of Calvin Klein Jeans and jeans accessories.
These new arrangements include the planned opening of a total of at least 40 free-standing ck Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Jeans, and Calvin Klein Underwear stores over the first five years of operation, with development beginning as early as Spring 2007.
Murjani has an established retail distribution platform to bring well-known luxury brands to India, and currently has relationships with Gucci, Jimmy Choo, and French Connection, among others.
“We have been evaluating the potential of the Indian market for an extended period of time. We feel strongly that over the next decade this region will become a very important part of our global business,” said Tom Murry, President and Chief Operating Officer, Calvin Klein Inc.


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Charlotte Russe has moved into the new Santa Monica Place and had her own makeover.
The San Diego-based chain store, a mall fixture that offers inexpensive trendy fashions to teenage girls and young women, is rolling out its new retail concept at Santa Monica Place this weekend. The Santa Monica store is the prototype for revamped Charlotte Russe stores opening in Cambridge, Mass., and Chicago in November.
Jenny Ming, Charlotte Russe's president and chief executive, says the 35-year-old retailer appeared "stuck in the 1990s" and lost confidence as an early seller of inexpensive fast-fashion. The store selection had become too focused on the teenage customer, who shopped the store for inexpensive accessories and prom dresses but graduated from Charlotte Russe as soon as she graduated from high school. Now the brand seeks to appeal to that young woman through college and her first job up to age 30 — Charlotte Russe even offers a "wear to work" collection featuring blazers ($34) and slacks ($29.50). The clothes "are more elevated," says Ming. "It's better-edited fashion with incredible pricing."
Ming came onboard last October after the company was bought by Advent, a private-equity firm, for $380 million. Ming, a former president of Old Navy and a 20-year Gap veteran, relocated Charlotte Russe's design and marketing division to San Francisco.
The 5,400-square-foot Charlotte Russe at Santa Monica Place shows off a new logo, Modernist-influenced interior and special mannequins created to display jewelry and shoes. The other retail concept is a pared-down selection of on-trend merchandise. "We can't believe in every trend but what the customer wants," Ming says.
The new Charlotte Russe features an edited selection of go-to basics, including denim and shirts, such as tanks updated this season with sequins ($18). The jean collection offers nine fits, ranging from denim leggings ($29.50) to slouchy "ex-boyfriend" treated denim trousers ($34.50).
The fast-fashion pieces, meant to be refreshed every four weeks, are the most expensive pieces in the store now, including a $40 lace shrug along with $29.99 lace dresses. The other Charlotte Russe trend idea is "fleur fatigue," teaming floral dresses with military pieces such as an army jacket ($36.99) and combat boots ($30).
Charlotte Russe also plays up its popular accessory offerings, including footwear ranging from $30 pumps to a $50 folding boot that can go from calf to mid-thigh, both made from faux-leather. A $22.50 quilted shoulder bag made from active wear materials has been anointed by this September's Teen Vogue as "the affordable It bag"
But Charlotte Russe hasn't forgotten its core shoppers: Teenage girls can still find inexpensive school dance dresses, like a $29 flower-print 1980s bubble style. "Gossip Girl" stylist Eric Daman is also designing a capsule collection of special occasion dresses, which will be out in October.
Another incentive to give Charlotte Russe fresh eyes: Ongoing through Labor Day (Sept. 6) the chain is offering BOGO, buy one, get one half-off, deals on selected merchandise.
395 Santa Monica Place, second floor, Santa Monica. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Rachel Pally Weekends from Friday through Aug. 22: Pally, a Los Angeles designer known for her jersey pieces for women, is having a huge sample sale at the brand's warehouse, taking from 55% to 85% off retail on summer 2010 fashions along with previous season styles. Prices start at $30 and top out at $1,290 Cash, Visa or MasterCard accepted. The sale will take place over two weekends starting Aug. 13.
2301 E. 7th St., Suite C100, Los Angeles. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 20 and Aug. 21; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 22.
L.A.M.B. and Harajuku Lovers Friday and Saturday: Gwen Stefani's two collections are the highlight of this accessory sample sale, the first for the brands. Prices go from $10 to $125 — up to 75% off retail. Some deals include the Harajuku Lovers "Candy" tote and "Poppin" bag, each $35 (regular price $78 and $128, respectively) plus the L.A.M.B. "Worthington" satchel and "Williamsfield" tote, each $100 (regular price $275 and $295 respectively).
Siren Studios, 6063 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
25 Park Malibu Sunday, Aug. 8: Boutique with four locations in New York, including the Hamptons, has a grand opening for its debut West Coast outpost in Malibu. Founded by former Bergdorf Goodman personal shopper Alison Brettschneider, 25 Park carries women's collections such as Elizabeth and James, Rick Owens Lilies, Duarte, Haute Hippie and Vanessa Bruno. 25 Parks also stocks kids wear from Cacharel, Stella Cove and Eberjey. Complimentary refreshments will be served to shoppers.
3636 Cross Creek Road, Malibu. (310) 456-6625.1 to 5 p.m.
Carmen Steffens Thursday: Carmen Steffens, a Brazilian accessory brand, is inviting women to a first look for the fall/winter 2010 collection featuring 1,500 styles and color combination of shoes and bags at its flagship store in Westfield Fashion Square Sherman Oaks. The collection of handcrafted shoes ranges from $95 flats to $900 crystal-detailed sandals and includes thigh-high and ankle boots. Browsers can enjoy wine and light hors d'oeuvres.
14006 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks. (818) 784-8408. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.


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One-hundred percent of the 25-largest CPG companies are commited to increasing recyclable content, minimizing packaging or reusing material.
That’s according to the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), who reported that 80% of those companies committed to producing fully recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging by 2030 at the latest.
“Few industries are able to adapt as quickly to consumers as CPG,” said GMA President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “The CPG industry is a leading force for change, but there is no person, industry or government that will solve this alone. We want all stakeholders at the table, ready to make the hard decisions that will create lasting change.”
Unilever North America is among those CPG companies, and it just unveiled a three-part plan to expand and accelerate its reduction of plastic waste. The plan calls for reaching 50% recycled content in plastic packaging by the end of 2019 and adding “How2Recycle” labels on all packaging by 2021.
“We know that the response from the consumer goods industry is critical in determining the speed that positive change takes place around plastic packaging, and using less, better or no plastics is a priority at Unilever,” said Unilever North America President Amanda Sourry. “We are significantly accelerating our plastic packaging commitments in North America and are thrilled to be working alongside other industry leaders like Walmart to push these initiatives forward.”
Globally, Unilever made plastic packaging goals, which will be accelerated in North America with three significant packaging initiatives including: reaching 50% recycled content in plastic packaging in 2019, adding How2Recycle labels on all packing by 2021 and partnering with Walmart on “Bring it to the Bin” shopper education program.
“These Unilever initiatives are important steps, but we can’t create a circular economy for plastic packaging in isolation,” added Sourry. “We need collective action to tackle the problem at the source by working with forward-thinking companies like Walmart, advocating for systemic change in government and recycling facilities, working closely with plastics suppliers, and educating consumers. Only together will we answer the urgent call made by the plastics issue we are facing.”
At its 2019 sustainability milestone summit, Walmart unveiled that checkout carousels at its U.S. stores will include reuisable bags that will be available to customers for purchase. The aim of the new campaign is to help reduce plastic waste and increase customer convenience by placing reusable bags in easy to find and highly frequented sections of its stores.
As part of the launch, Walmart is rolling out a new assortment of reusable bags that are made with post-consumer recycled content. The initiative will begin rolling out to stores in May and follows a recent announcement by Walmart on a series of plastic waste reduction goals that seek to advance the sustainability of the retailer’s private brand packaging by making it 100% recyclable, reusable or industrially compostable by 2025.
Meanwhile, 75% of Americans changed their behavior to be more environmentally conscious, taking steps to recycle more frequently, buy sustainable products or reduce waste, according to GMA. However, 92% are unsure or believe anything with a plastic resin label could be recycled curbside, although only two of the seven codes are consistently recyclable.
“Confusion is not a sustainable system,” said GMA President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “America’s recycling future cannot depend on a patchwork system that undermines good intentions with bad policy.”
Though more than 90% of respondents say they feel they know their local recycling rules, fewer than six-in-ten reported researching them. Consumers largely support a more uniform system, as almost 75% believe more standardized rules at the national or state level would bring more clarity to recycling.
In addition, 40% of Americans are “aspirational recyclers” who recycle items that they’re unsure will meet the requirements in hopes that any unrecyclable items will be later sorted. That number goes up to 44% for those who say they are very environmentally concerned and to 49% for Millennials.
The data shows that Americans want to recycle, even if they aren’t entirely sure how. Fast-reacting CPG companies have a chance to capitalize on this trend by becoming more environmentally-conscious and providing their customers the guidance to recycle correctly and often.


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Camel milk could be set to go mainstream after Camelicious, a brand owned by the ruler of Dubai, launched in the UK with listings in Asda.
The first Camelicious product to hit Asda shelves was a UHT long life milk (rsp: £2.85/235ml), which rolled into 141 Asda stores at the end of October.
The brand also produces camel milk ice cream in flavours including date and pistachio, which it is hoping to export to the UK in time for next summer, said Faiza Akmal, sales consultant at distributor Damasgate.
“Camel milk is seen as a luxury product - a rich man’s drink - in the Middle East and Somalia,” she said. “But we’re now hoping to bring it to the mainstream.”
“A few years ago it was acai and goji berries, now camel milk is the new super drink,” added Akmal. He also said the lactose contained in camel milk was easier to digest than that in cow’s milk.
An advertising campaign on Islamic satellite channel Islam Channel is supporting the product launch, added Akmal. However, the brand was also hoping to branch beyond the ethnic market, citing the health benefits associated with camel milk.
Produced by more than 5,500 camels owned by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, the milk is processed in Vienna before transport to the UK.


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The former Tysons Sheraton Hotel will be converted into permanent, multi-family housing consisting of up to 544 apartments.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the plan, proposed by JBG Tysons Hotel, LLC, without objections in a public hearing on January 23. With this plan, the existing structure of the hotel will be modified to create small studio apartments.
“Those units will be naturally occurring affordable units by virtue of the fact that the hotel will be preserved, all of the infrastructure and existing conditions on the site will be preserved,” including the parking garage, said Bob Brant, a land use attorney at Wash Colucci who represented the applicant at the hearing.
“This is providing a different type of residential unit that’s not available currently in this part of Tysons,” said Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter L. Alcorn. “That’s good, that will help provide some new housing options, at least market rate housing options, for folks in the area.”
The former hotel will also contain 5,000 square feet of retail space.
This application is part of the previously approved Tysons West mixed-use development, an approximately 16-acre site with residential housing, offices, and retail space within a half-mile from the Spring Hill Metro station.
In addition to the changes to the Sheraton, the application also proposed to reduce the size and footprint of a previously approved mixed-use building in Tysons West called Building C. The plan will reduce the number of residential units in Building C from 400 to 265 and the amount of retail space from 50,000 to 5,000 square feet in order to preserve more parking.
This development will contain 3.05 acres of publicly accessible urban park space, including recreation spaces and urban plazas, and nearly 40,000 square feet of private outdoor space.
Alcorn also noted that the future Boone Boulevard ramp, connecting Boone Boulevard to the Dulles Toll Road, was an important detail in creating this application. “That is a big deal for this part of Tysons,” Alcorn said. To make the ramp possible, the developer agreed to put aside $250,000 in escrow to relocate the Sheraton’s loading facilities.
Alcorn called the plans for electric vehicle charging “less than overwhelming” — a minimum of 2 percent of parking spaces will have EV charging stations — but said that because it is a conversion of an existing building, he doesn’t believe it’s “realistic to expect major improvements.”
“This is something, I think, as a board we need to push more, particularly with new construction, to have higher levels of EV commitments,” Alcorn said.
Feature rendering courtesy Fairfax County
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One of the most influential people in the cryptocurrency community is Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and he was interviewed about the current and future status of blockchain and cryptocurrency. The founder and CEO of Binance shared his opinion about the market, prices and his belief that blockchain will have a greater impact on the world than the internet.
The impact of blockchain on the world
The above interview dates from November 27 and CZ says he is not following the daily cryptocurrency price promotion. According to him, price forecasts are difficult to make in the short term because the market is not handling news as well and it is reacting too strongly. However, he is a strong advocate of blockchain and its potential global impact. He even seems to believe that it can become bigger than the internet itself.
“The market always reacts excessively. It is very difficult to predict the price in the short term, but if you look 3, 5, 10, 100 years further into the future, then blockchain will have a greater impact on our society than the internet. At the moment about 0.1 percent of our population has crypto, maybe even less, so there must be a thousand times more people with crypto. We know that this technology is not going away; it’s going to change the world; it’s going to change our lives. “
He also points to the fact that cryptos have a limited offer. More people will become involved in the industry and if this happens, the price can only rise, CZ said.
The role of crypto and blockchain in China
China remains a hot topic within the crypto community. Although cryptocurrencies are still discouraged, the government is actually pro blockchain and is pushing for further acceptance.
CZ also confirmed China’s “Blockchain, not Bitcoin” policy. He says, however, that the possession of bitcoin in China is not illegal. Zhao also believes that China is a strong proponent of mining.
From the government’s perspective, CZ understands that it imposes restrictions on cryptocurrency’s and stock exchanges. He thinks this is in preparation for their own central bank coin:
“It is very logical for the Chinese government to say: the Chinese Central Bank issued currency should be the only one used in the country. It may only be used for online payments. It does not become a cryptocurrency such as bitcoin, where you can do whatever you want with it. China wants to promote its own currency instead of the other cryptocurrencys that are not controlled by them. “


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ANDERSON — As businesses owned by women become more commonplace across the country, Central Indiana is emerging as a microcosm of that trend.
Female participation in the American workforce has been on the rise since the 1950s, and female entrepreneurship has risen along with it. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of women business owners nationwide rose by 4% from 2005 to 2017. Currently, women comprise 31% of all business owners in the United States.
In Indiana — and specifically in Central Indiana — the trend is even more pronounced.
A study by e-commerce software company Volusion ranked the region including Indianapolis, Carmel and Anderson No. 10 in the country in terms of the percentage of women business owners. The area boasts 9,936 female business owners, or 34% of all businesses in the region. Several local business leaders noted that figure is less than five points below the top-rated metro area, Tucson, Arizona, where 38% of all business owners are women.
“This is progress,” said Mary Jamerson, who owns Myers Autoworld on Scatterfield Road. “I view this as the type of thing where a rising tide lifts all boats. The economic benefits of women stepping up in the business world, that has a way of spreading out to families, to all areas.”
Factors like lower rent on building space and an influx of jobs in skilled manufacturing and other industries have also enticed more female entrepreneurs to explore Madison County.
Lindsay Montgomery and Charity Rees saw an opportunity in an empty storefront at the corner of 9th and Meridian streets in downtown Anderson. They decided to pursue a shared dream of opening their own business.
With Montgomery’s background in gymnastics and Rees as the only licensed bungee instructor in Indiana, a bungee-focused workout center emerged. The pair presented their plan at the first Vesuvius Coworking Pitch Night in January 2018 and won more than $7,000 to put toward opening the business in July of that year.
Fourteen months later, AerialFit2Fly is a key part of a business lineup that economic development officials are touting to promote a revitalized downtown.
“I think in our climate in Anderson, it’s a good time to start a business for anybody,” Montgomery said. “The economy is getting better here, and people are wanting to get out and do more things. (Anderson) is a great place for anybody to start a business right now.”
The county has an abundance of consulting resources for those starting a business. The Flagship Enterprise Center’s nonprofit lending arm, Bankable, offers small business loans in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $250,000. Bankable also provides advice on formulating business plans, logistical planning and other considerations for entrepreneurs.
“I honestly believe we’re blessed to have resources like (Bankable), because they actually walk women through those things and help them navigate those murky waters so they can get to a place where they can say, ‘Yes, I think I can do that,’” Jamerson said.
“Even before they get a loan, we’re trying to help them get started,” Bankable Executive Director Adam Hoeksema said. “I hope that is making a difference in terms of why the Indy metro area is on that list."
Area banks and credit unions are also seen as generally supportive of female entrepreneurs — or at least willing to consider loans when presented with detailed and thorough business plans, according to Greg Winkler, executive director of the Anderson Economic Development Department. Winkler also pointed to the city of Anderson's revolving loan fund and its work with local lenders as other mechanisms available to help women in business.
“I kind of grew into each space,” said Cathy Gray, who owns an interior design studio and an event center in Anderson. “I did not take loans out originally, but I did when I found my building. The local banks were so supportive. It seems like especially with retail, as soon as things are paid off, it’s time to go to market again. You just have to believe in what you’re doing and go for it.”
AnnaMarie Hinton recalls visiting with officials at two local financial institutions and coming away feeling encouraged as she was preparing to purchase a PIP Printing franchise prior to rebranding it and opening JAM Printing in 2010.
“We’d brainstorm, and everybody encourages each other,” Hinton said. “It truly was professional, and they would have told me if they thought it was a risk.”
The Volusion study also examined trends across several different industries, finding that higher percentages of female business owners were more typical in educational services, health care, social assistance and arts and entertainment.
Those findings didn’t surprise Montgomery and Rees. Their venture, they say, was an ideal pairing of their shared passions and discovering a niche that met a unique demand in the local marketplace.
“We saw a need for it in Anderson,” Montgomery said. "There’s not a lot of places like ours that are just for women. That’s kind of what it’s evolved into, a place where women can come and feel good. We’re just kind of drawn to that sort of sense of team building and community environment.”
From her experience, Hinton says that consumers in the area respond well to business ideas that are well thought out, carefully planned and which meet clear demands for a product or service — regardless of industry.
“There are a lot of people in Madison County, in my opinion, who have been instrumental in helping women and encouraging women to step out of their comfort zone and become business owners and not just a worker bee,” Hinton said.
For Gray, the numbers aren’t necessarily tied to financing. It's more about commitment to an idea and then putting in the sweat equity.
“I think there may be a lot to that,” Gray said. “But it just depends on how much you believe in your business. I did not look at those risks. In hindsight I did it the way I did because I believed this was going to be successful — not for any other reason. Not because I’m a woman, but because I work hard. Successful people do things others don’t want to do.
“It’s hard, and it just takes a lot of work," she added. "If you’re willing to put in the work, you can have it.”


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By Manoj Kumar
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s industrial output shrank at its fastest rate in more than six years in August, reflecting the impact of an economic slowdown that could prompt the central bank to cut its key policy rate for the sixth time in December.
Annual industrial output
Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast industrial output for the month to have grown at 1.8%.
Subdued inflation and an economic slowdown have prompted the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to cut interest rates by a total of 135 basis points this year, including a 25-basis-point cut last week, making it the most aggressive central bank in Asia.
“Another rate cut in December seems likely,” Shilan Shah, of Capital Economics, said before the release of the data.
India’s infrastructure output
India’s passenger vehicle sales slumped 23.7% in September, the 11th straight month of declines, prompting an industry body to flag more job cuts if sales failed to pick up soon.
Car and auto component makers have cut thousands of jobs and halted some production as the industry grapples with various challenges amid a broader economic slowdown. The government stepped in last month, announcing a corporate tax rate cut to boost manufacturing and lift growth.
The government has also seen tax collections falling due to weakness in the economy. Collections from India’s nationwide goods and services tax (GST) fell to a 19-month low in September, while direct tax collection growth since the beginning of the current fiscal stands at 6% so far, below the required growth rate of 17%.
(This story corrects Aug. industrial output to worst since Nov. 2012 from incorrect Feb. 2013)
(Additional reporting by Aftab Ahmed; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Alex Richardson)


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Yesterday, members of Georgetown Solidarity Committee and Georgetown Occupy gathered in Red Square to protest Adidas’s refusal to pay its workers severance at the PT Kizone apparel factory in Indonesia. The students claim the unpaid severance is in violation of both the University’s code of conduct for its licensees and Indonesian law. After demonstrating in Red Square, the crowd marched to President John DeGioia’s office to officially deliver a letter requesting that the University exert more influence on Adidas to pay $1.8 million in severance for the 2,800 workers.
“Adidas’s refusal to pay is in direct violation of both Indonesian law and Georgetown University’s Code of Conduct for Licensees, both of which require the payment of terminal compensation,” the letter read. “Despite the fact that Adidas sub-contracts with PT Kizone, Adidas remains in violation of Georgetown’s code, as the code applies to both ‘licensees’ and ‘contractors,’ and ‘contractor’ is defined as ‘each contractor, subcontractor, vendor, or manufacturer that engages in manufacturing process that results in a finished product for the consumer.”
Georgetown’s code of conduct stipulates that licensees have a direct responsibility to ensure the payment of terminal compensation. The code states: “The remedy will at minimum take all necessary steps to correct such violations including, and without limitation, paying all applicable back wages, or any portion of them, found due to workers who manufactured the licensed articles.”
“Anything that comes to President DeGioia is always given the most careful consideration and reviewed very carefully, and I can promise you we will do that with this,” Joseph Ferrara, DeGioia’s chief of staff, said. “I appreciate you bringing it by. And I appreciate your interest and commitment on this issue.” He went on to say that DeGioia would see the letter that day.
The PT Kizone factory was a subcontractor for Adidas, Nike, and the Dallas Cowboys Merchandising. Nike and Adidas used the factory to produce college apparel. Nike and Dallas Cowboys Merchandising have already paid the severance to the workers.
According to an email that Adidas representative Gregg Nebel sent to Scott Fleming, acting chair of the University’s licensing oversight committee, during the first six months of 2010, 490,000 units were placed at the factory. On June 30, 2010, the factory informed Adidas that they would no longer be accepting orders.
“Kizone operations stopped at the end of March and bankruptcy [was] declared in early April 2011. This was 5 months after our last shipment and ten months after Kizone told Adidas they would no longer accept our purchase orders,” the email reads. “Some are asking us to pay the money for severance and call it whatever we think it should be called if not severance… At the end of the day, what we intend to do with relief aid through PT Lidi could cost hundreds of thousands but it will be spent for the most relevant and expedient needs.” Effectively, Adidas contends that they have no obligation to pay severance because it’s not their policy to pay severance to workers who are laid off after their contract ends with the factory.
Gregg Nebel visited Georgetown this Tuesday to explain Adidas’s position to the licensing and oversight committee. “It was definitely good for Gregg Nebel to come here, but he still just gave a lot of excuses, explaining the different kinds of remediation that they’re going to go through. But they basically said that they would not pay the severance and that they will not accept financial responsibility. On the committee, there was a lot of hesitance about responding to that,” Louisa Abada (COL ’12), a member of GSC and the licensing and oversight committee, said. “It is a direct violation of our code, as well as it’s illegal in Indonesia.”
GSC wants the University to exert more influence on Adidas to make them pay the severance wages. “We would like to see Georgetown cut its contract with Adidas due to the company’s violation of Indonesian law and Georgetown’s code of conduct,” Rachel Milito (SFS ’12) wrote in an email to the Voice. “We hope that having Georgetown and other universities cut their contracts would pressure Adidas to do the right thing and pay the workers at PT Kizone what they are owed.”


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Saturday, May 17th, 2014
Bloomberg News (5/14, Wayne) reports that the “average meal at a chain restaurant contains more than half the calories, 1.5 times as much sodium and almost all the fat that people are recommended to consume in an entire day,” according to a study published online May 13 in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine. The University of Toronto researchers “analyzed nutritional information for 685 meals and 156 desserts reported by 26 sit-down restaurant chains” and found that the meals contained an average of “1,128 calories, or 56 percent of the US Food and Drug Administration’s 2,000 calorie-a-day recommendation.”
Reuters (5/14, Seaman) reports that in a separate study published online in the same issue of JAMA Internal Medicine, US Department of Agriculture Energy Metabolism Lab Director Dr. Susan Roberts, who is also a professor at Tufts University, and colleagues, analyzed the calories in 157 meals at small ethnic restaurants – American, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Mexican and Thai – in the Boston metropolitan area and found that the meals contained an average of 1,327 calories, or 66 percent of the FDA’s daily calorie-intake recommendation.
AFP (5/14) notes that the “Italian meals had the highest average calories per meal (1,755), followed by American (1,494 calories) and Chinese (1,474 calories). Vietnamese meals had the fewest calories on average (922), and Japanese meals had the second lowest (1,027).”
The New York Daily News (5/14, Miller, 543K) adds that the FDA is “working on legislation that will require chains with 20 or more locations to post calorie content for all of their menu items.” But the Dr. Roberts, the lead study author of the Boston area study, said that only “accounts for about half the nation’s restaurants. ‘Fifty percent of restaurant locations are small places that don’t post calories and aren’t going to have to when the new legislation comes in,’ she told the Daily News.”
The Boston Globe (5/14, Kotz, 250K) “Daily Dose” blog adds, “Other new research published in the same issue of JAMA Internal Medicine found that fast-food restaurants have done little to reduce their sodium content.” A study by “researchers from the Centers for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit nutrition activist group, found that sodium increased in restaurant meals by nearly 3 percent from 2005 to 2011.”
The CBS News (5/14, Castillo) websites add that the CSPI study also “showed that the average sodium content in 402 packaged foods only decreased 3.5 percent between 2005 and 2011.”
MyHealthNewsDaily (5/14, Rettner) reports that in an editorial accompanying the CSPI study, “Dr. Mitchell Katz of the Journal of the American Medical Association noted that government regulation of salt content may be difficult. ‘Regulating calorie size, or the maximum of a necessary nutrient, such as salt, will always raise questions of whether the government is going too far in regulating our lives,'” he noted.
Additionally, the Huffington Post (5/13) points out that the “new studies come on the heels of a report (pdf) just published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, showing that the nutrition quality of fast food has improved just 3 percent over a 14-year period.” Also covering the three JAMA Internal Medicine studies are HealthDay (5/14, Reinberg), MedPage Today (5/14, Petrochko) and Heartwire (5/14, O’Riordan).


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Venture and Angel Investors
Entrepreneurs seek venture capital, even though it is financially unattractive. Think twice about jumping in. The water is deep.
Venture and Angel Investors Articles and Videos
Besides the famed "hockey stick" adoption rate, here are a few ideas for showing investors why they should pay attention to your startup.
Like entrepreneurs, investors also tend to specialize in certain industries. Here's how to cater to all of them.
Rapid growth and its founders' ability to take the lion's market share are big factors in determining whether a start-up will get the attention of VC firms.
With so many startups trying to follow in Facebook's -- and now Instagram's -- footsteps, they're forgetting one very important element: money.
Lot18 proves funding options are not dry for wine businesses.
Entrepreneur's Colleen DeBaise reports on the SXSW Accelerator competition at the South By Southwest festival.
See what's coming up on both shows this season, which kicks off this week.
For young companies looking for venture investments in the New Year, finding capital may be daunting but not impossible.
New York recently beat out rival Boston for the number two spot for venture capital accumulation. Here's what makes the Big Apple more appealing.
On tonight's season finale of Bloomberg TV's reality series 'Techstars,' the show reveals the outcome for the program's entrepreneurs.
A social network that promotes healthier living through group support and motivation attracts a $5 million VC investment.
Sidestepping the traps of equity fund-raising
They're easy to remember: management, market, money and, above all else, momentum.
Student-run venture funds offer startups a financing alternative, but they may not be the place to seek guidance and connections.
Why a great business idea is only the beginning
Landing investors takes a lot of persistence and a little luck. Here's how these entrepreneurs did it.


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Downtown Paris is going GREEN for the second year!
“Paris, Texas Main Street Program is always in the mood for fun and games that will bring people to our historic downtown,” said Main Street Board Chair Glee Emmite referring to the Mini Golf Challenge set for Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 in downtown. “In partnership with the downtown businesses the Main Street Project volunteers are planning a weekend event for the whole family, continued Emmite.”
Participants will enjoy 18 holes of the miniature golf course where greens are either inside or outside of businesses and see what the merchants in downtown have to offer. Specials and discounts at participating merchants will be available that day along with the chance to win prizes.
During the event, participants will go to 18 locations to play a hole of golf. Each location will have a “theme” green built for this event. Participants can bring their own putter or golf ball, but it isn’t necessary as all supplies will be provided at each green.
Golfers with a hole-in-one on any green and certain low scores will be placed in a raffle to be held on Saturday. Need not be present to win. Raffle items include rounds of golf provided by Pine Ridge Golf Course and Paris Golf and Country Club.
Admission to the event is $5.00 per adult, and children 13 and under are free with an adult. Wristbands will be provided and the one admission price is good for both Friday evening and Saturday. A $1 dollar donation of each wristband purchase will be distributed to the Downtown Food Pantry.
A ticket booth will be set up on the east side of the plaza, and wristbands will be sold beginning at 4:45 pm on Friday, March 20 and be available until 7:30 pm. Sales will resume Saturday, March 21 from 10:45 am till 3:30 pm. A wristband and scorecard will be distributed to all participants.
Cathy Harbin, of Pine Ridge Golf will be assisting with supplies for the event. There will be 19th hole specials offered in participating downtown restaurants both Friday and Saturday.
”The response for this event from the community was fantastic last year,” says Main Street Coordinator, Cheri Bedford. “The Main Street Board was very pleased with the turn out, was able to donate $400 dollars to support the Downtown Food Pantry.”
First Federal Community Bank and the Lamar County Health Department are the major sponsors of the event that brings fun and fitness to downtown.”
For more information, call Paris Main Street at 903-784-9293 or email firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Politics Play Role in PayPal Payment Freezes
By Ina Steiner
A new policy at eBay's payments unit is resulting in frozen funds for some sellers. And while it's always unexpected to see politics directly impact the world of collecting, it's not uncommon.
Sellers began reporting in April that PayPal was freezing payments for coins and stamps originating in countries such as Cuba and North Korea - despite the fact that the sellers and items were not located in those countries. Belgian auction site Delcampe notified its members this month, explaining that at the beginning of May, "PayPal froze payments for items including the name of the countries subject to U.S. embargo (Cuba, Iran, Ivory Coast, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Zimbabwe)."
Delcampe told its members PayPal had not notified it of the new policy, but said it contacted the eBay payments unit immediately after reports from sellers began surfacing.
According to Delcampe, "They told us that this was the application of a new measure. The overall principle is that the sale of goods cannot bring money to countries under embargo, because in this case they are automatically blocked. This blocking is but only temporary when the names of countries in question are only included in the title of the item and the sale does not bring any money to countries under embargo. This is the case for the vast majority of collectibles sold on our site."
A spokesperson for PayPal sent the following statement to EcommerceBytes in response to our inquiry:
"PayPal makes every effort to comply with the laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate around the world. In order to comply with government regulations, in April PayPal began to no longer process payments for coins, currency and stamps originating in U.S.-sanctioned countries. To avoid being impacted by this change, we recommend that businesses stop offering PayPal as a payment option for the sale of U.S.-sanctioned goods or services or to pay for shipping these goods to sanctioned countries."
Controversy often swirls around the world of collecting. One notable case - back when Yahoo had an auction site, it got in trouble thanks to France's ban on Nazi material.
But apparently it's not just collectibles dealers being impacted by PayPal's new policy. The UK newspaper the Independent reported in April that PayPal had shut down the account of a coffee merchant in England who was selling Cuban coffee beans, despite the fact they weren't selling the beans to U.S. customers. "The UK does not and never has operated an embargo on Cuban imports," the newspaper stated.
So merchants and dealers, consider yourself warned if you wish to sell items originating from U.S. foes - think twice before offering PayPal in those listings.
About the author:
Ina Steiner is co-founder and Editor of EcommerceBytes and has been reporting on ecommerce since 1999. She's a widely cited authority on marketplace selling and is author of "Turn eBay Data Into Dollars" (McGraw-Hill 2006). Her blog was featured in the book, "Blogging Heroes" (Wiley 2008). Follow her on Twitter at @ecommercebytes and send news tips to email@example.com.
You may quote up to 50 words of any article on the condition that you attribute the article to EcommerceBytes.com and either link to the original article or to www.EcommerceBytes.com.
All other use is prohibited.


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Lego has explored various corners of the Minecraft universe in sets based on the Nether, The End and more. But the biggest set of them all — coming in June — focuses on a decidedly more mundane location: The Village.
Minecraft‘s social centers are the subject of a June 1 Lego release, and it’s not small. For $199.99 you get 1,600 pieces spanning three different biomes (rainforest, snow and desert) and key structures (watchtower, library, butcher, blacksmith and marketplace).
Several of the structures — specifically the library, butcher and marketplace — feature hinged pieces that make it easy to crack them open and create interior scenes.
The set also packs in some new Lego minifigs of your favorite Minecraft characters and beasties. Steve and Alex are included, along with two villagers, a pig, a baby pig, a zombie, a zombie villager, a Creeper, an Enderman and an iron golem.
You can get your first look at the sprawling new set in the gallery up top.


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The Soybean Saga
A 150 percent surge in the price of soybeans, the main ingredient of tempeh, over the past six months has been a huge blow to tempeh chip makers like Sentot.With another 20 percent rise in the price of cooking oil in the last week, the 37-year-old Sentot is struggling to keep his business running.
Producing 60 kilograms of chips daily, before the price surge, Sentot usually pocketed a net profit of Rp 100,000 (US$11) per day. Now, he earns around Rp 60,000 a day, a 40 percent drop in daily profits.
The native of Blimbing, Malang, however, has no other choice but to keep producing the chips because the business is the main source of income for him and his wife, Denny Istanti, 35.
He raised the price of his tempeh chips from Rp 21,000 a kilo to Rp 24,000 two weeks ago, but is still losing profits. He does not dare raise prices again for fear of losing all his customers.
Sentot can only hope soybean prices will come down so he will not have to raise the price of his chips or, even worse, lay off his seven workers.
Let’s hope that the government listens,” he said with a sigh.


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Consumers who are sustainable and look for the best hotels, hospitality, and tourism products should also consider an in-depth view and be critical of the company’s sustainability measures. Even though it’s almost impossible to be fully sustainable, technology and people can help the luxury hotel and tourism industry to successfully reach its sustainability targets.
The luxury hotel guest and the changes that COVID-19 has brought about insofar as what the guest is looking for.
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, planned to open in 2023, will lead a new generation of Jumeirah Group’s ultra-luxury portfolio.
eHotelier will provide continuous professional development for Jannah Hotels and Resorts’ leadership teams through internationally endorsed certifications and executive development courses.


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Shares of Dean Foods Co. were up more than 12 percent in midday trading Wednesday after the dairy giant said preliminary figures show its WhiteWave Foods subsidiary posted a 13 percent jump in third-quarter sales and a 22 percent gain in operating income.
The preliminary report for the quarter that ended Sept. 30 comes as the nation’s largest dairy producer prepares for an initial public offering for its WhiteWave-Alpro unit, which is home to popular brands including Silk soy milk and Horizon Organic milk. The unit will become WhiteWave Foods.
For the quarter, sales at WhiteWave-Alpro are expected to have increased to $598 million, from $531 million a year ago. The jump was driven by strong growth in the amount of product sold (called volume) especially coffee creamers and plant-based foods and beverages.
Dallas-based Dean expects WhiteWave-Alpro to post operating income of $64 million, up from $53 million a year ago.
In a regulatory filing, Dean Foods said lenders have agreed to loans and credit for the new company of up to $1.35 billion. The lenders include Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase Bank.
Dean Food’s stock was up $1.86 to $16.90 at midday.
Dallas-based Dean Foods, which already is making plans to spilt apart, also is exploring the possible sale of its Morningstar unit.
The nation’s largest dairy processor said Wednesday it “has not yet identified a buyer for Morningstar, but believes the business possesses an attractive portfolio in a growing marketplace and a top-notch management team.”
The unit, which sells products including ice cream mixes and coffee creamers, posted operating income of $32 million in the second quarter, which ended June 30. That’s up 19 percent from a year ago.
The unit could fetch more than $1 billion in a sale, Reuters said, quoting several people familiar with the matter.
Last month, Dean filed papers to sell 20 percent of its WhiteWave unit to the public in an initial public offering. The rest of the company would be separated from Dean in a tax-free spinoff following the IPO.
Gregg Engles, chief executive and board chairman with Dallas-based Dean Foods will recoup the money lost in last year’s pay cut, plus a bit more, when he becomes chief executive and chairman of the new WhiteWave Foods Co.
Dean, the nation’s largest dairy processor, has proposed having an initial public offering for WhiteWave, its division that is home to popular brands including Silk soymilk and Horizon Organic milk.
As the top executive with the new company, Engles would have a base salary of $1.12 million, according to regulatory papers filed Tuesday. That’s a 12 percent boost over last year’s base pay.
Engles’ base salary was reduced in 2011 “due to the company’s 2010 performance,” according to a regulatory filing.
Gregg Engles, chairman and chief executive of Dallas-based Dean Foods Company has exercised stock options for about 950,000 shares of Dean stock in a net exercise transaction with the company.
Engles, who guided Dean as it grew into the nation’s largest dairy producer, intends to hold all of the shares of shares except those needed to cover the exercise price and related tax liability.
The 950,000 options were granted to Engles in 2003 under a shareholder approved stock awards plan and expire in January of 2013. Following the completion of this exercise, Engles will hold about 2.831 million shares of Dean Foods stock.
The stock soared this week after Dean announced plans to launch an IPO for 20 percent of its WhiteWave unit.
Shares of Dallas-based Dean Foods were up nearly 40 percent in midday trading as investors reacted to a long-time wish come true.
For some time analysts have questioned the nation’s largest dairy producer about unhitching its fast-growing organic and soy milk operation, seen as a cash cow, from the unit that produces traditional milk.
Dean addressed those analysts today but offered little new information on a plan announced after market close Tuesday to launch an IPO for 20 percent of the WhiteWave unit.
In response Dean shares rocketed 37.2 percent to $17.04 at midday.
Dallas-based Dean Foods Co. said Tuesday it will have an initial public offering for a stake in its WhiteWave unit.
The move should appeal to investors who have long argued that WhiteWave, which includes top brands Horizon Organic and Silk soy milk, have more growth potential than traditional milk.
Dean also announced that after the IPO Gregg Engles, who steered the company as Dean grew into the nation’s largest dairy producer, will become chairman and chief executive of The WhiteWave Foods Company, while remaining chairman of Dean Foods.
Gregg Tanner, president of Dean’s fresh dairy direct unit, the largest unit in the company, will be promoted to chief executive of Dean Foods.
Tanner has more than 30 years of food industry experience with companies including The Hershey Company, ConAgra Foods, Quaker Oats Company, and Ralston Purina Company.
Even after the IPO Dean, the nation’s largest dairy producer, will continue to own 80 percent of White Wave, the company said after the market closed.
Dean Foods intends to distribute its remaining interest in The WhiteWave Foods Company to Dean Foods’ shareholders in a tax-free distribution no earlier than 180 days following the closing of the IPO.
Beverage and snack giant PepsiCo continued its march into Dean Foods’ territory with the announcement early Monday that it will enter the U.S. yogurt business through a joint venture with the largest privately held dairy business in Germany.
PepsiCo and Theo Muller Group will launch Muller Quaker Dairy, and enter the growing U.S. dairy market in mid-July. The JV plans to sell premium yogurt products that have never before been available to U.S. consumers. The products – Muller Corner, Muller Greek Corner and Muller FrutUp — mark the first entry by either PepsiCo or Muller into U.S. dairy aisles.
The products will be available in 17 markets in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic U.S. starting this summer.
PepsiCo, which owns Plano-based Frito-Lay, has been morphing its portfolio to reduce reliance on sugary soft drinks and salty snacks. The company also owns Quaker Foods.
While most of the sales for Dallas-based Dean Foods come from liquid milk, it does have a stake in the yogurt market through its Horizon Organic brand. Organic yogurt was the first Horizon product produced, according to the company’s Web site.
PepsiCo has been edging into the dairy space for years. Last year it completed the acquisition of Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods, a leader in both traditional and value-added dairy products based in Russia.
Sysco Corporation, one of North America’s largest foodservice distribution companies, recently named Dean Foods and its Morningstar Foods business unit, as the top Gold Supplier across all categories and a Gold Supplier in the dairy category for 2012.
It marks the second consecutive year Dallas-based Dean Foods, the nation’s largest dairy producer, has been recognized as a top diary supplier
A federal court judge in Tennessee has given final approval to a $140 million settlement agreement that will end Dean Foods’ involvement in a long-running, multi-district class action suit alleging price-fixing in the dairy industry.
Dallas-based Dean, the nation’s largest dairy producer, said in a statement it continues “to be confident that we operated appropriately in the Southeast.
“We settled the case to avoid the expense, uncertainty and distraction of litigation and the likelihood of a lengthy appeals process,” the statement said. “We believe the settlement agreement provides for a fair resolution of the issues and appreciate the court’s approval.”
In the suit, filed about four years ago, Dean and several other defendants were accused of conspiring to depress prices paid to dairy farmers in the Southeast.
Shareholders of Dallas-based Dean Foods Co. spoke out Wednesday, literally and via the ballot at the annual meeting, as company officials sought to focus more on future growth and less on the company’s past stock swoon.
A measure that would require directors of the dairy food giant to be re-elected each year, replacing the current system of staggered terms, was approved by stockholders. So was a plan that will take effect after the 2015 annual meeting that will allow directors to be removed by stockholders with or without cause. Similar measures have been backed for years by activist shareholders at other major companies.
Also, there were three shareholder proposals, two of which garnered more than 40 percent of the votes cast. That’s an unusually strong showing said an attorney for one shareholder group, and it shows the level of concern among equity holders.
“I’ve lost quite a bit of money,” one stockholder told Gregg Engles, Dean’s chairman and chief executive, who listened attentively after the annual meeting.
“As have I,” Engles countered.
In the last few days, the news about Dean Foods has been good. The company posted a stronger than expected first quarter financial report, and on Tuesday Fitch Ratings raised its outlook on Dean from stable to positive.
The ratings firm said the company’s finances have improved more quickly than expected. Fitch also upgraded Dean’s secured bank debt and unsecured bond ratings.
Between Jan. 3 and Tuesday’s stock market close, Dean’s stock was up 36 percent. It’s up 51 percent since May 2010.
Still Wednesday’s midday posting of $14.75 a share is still about half the $31 showing of May 2007.
The company’s stock price was hammered after steep retail discounts on milk and rising commodity costs soured its financial reports.


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- Three in 5 tech company business leaders believe a potential recession will impact their organizations positively, according to a report released Monday by consulting company EY.
- Nearly three-quarters of respondents are already seeing signs of recession, yet half plan to activate growth initiatives within the next two years, according to the report, which surveyed 250 business leaders at U.S. technology companies.
- “This isn’t all doom and gloom,” said Ken Englund, Americas technology, media and telecommunications leader for consulting firm EY. “After an arms race around capitalization, talent acquisition and escalating growth for the last few years, it gives companies a chance to reset their business back to the core.”
Economic downturn has an upside in the tech sector, where several years of rapid growth had taken attention away from core products and markets, according to Englund.
Behind the headline-capturing layoffs and hiring freezes in big tech, many companies are jockeying to shore up technology assets as a hedge against economic downturn.
To recession-proof their businesses, tech execs are prioritizing remote work, securing in-demand tech talent and using AI and analytics tools to adjust supply chain capacity and maximize efficiency gains, according to the report.
“Companies are moving from just-in-time to just-in-case with their supply chain,” Englund said. “It’s not just fixing your supply chain — it’s making it more resilient.”
The bullish outlook of tech company executives is reflected in their enthusiasm for IT investments. More than two-thirds aim to increase spending on new and emerging technologies.
Digital transformation and cybersecurity ranked right below with 62% of respondents planning to invest in those areas.
Talent recruitment, retention and upskilling were also high on the list.
Nine in 10 respondents pointed to remote work as an appealing cost-saving measure. That bodes well for tech workers, who overwhelmingly prefer working from home, according to Tuesday’s Tech Sentiment Report from Dice.
The same number of respondents — 90% — said they are investing in new talent, and three-quarters noted the importance of skill development among the current workforce to remain competitive during economic downturn.
Branding and marketing are one area tech companies are looking to trim spending, Englund said. Cross-enterprise initiatives are another.
Payroll is also on the chopping block, but not for the most highly sought-after technology roles.
“High tech is about talent,” Englund said. “The rockstar engineer is better than ten average engineers. Executives know that talent is still a competitive differentiator. That hasn’t changed.”


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OnePlus have a bit of a cult following, and their launch events tend to be massive and they allow the community to be part of it too.
This year, the event which is named “The Speed You Need” will have 1000 available places for anyone that wants to attend.
In addition, being the first in the world to use a OnePlus 6, attendees will receive a swag bag filled to the brim with exclusive The Speed You Need event items, as well as enjoying a OnePlus party, and will receive a mystery gift when they buy a OnePlus 6.
While this is OnePlus' biggest Community event ever and everyone is invited, the reason for putting tickets on sales is due to the limited number of seats available. To ensure no-one misses out, OnePlus is asking people to buy a ticket in advance. As with the OnePlus 5T launch event, the value of the swag bag collected at the launch event far exceeds the price of the ticket.
The swag bag last year included a OnePlus backpack, event t-shirt, stickers and a $40 coupon for the OnePlus 5T.
Early Bird tickets cost just £16 / €18 each and are available until 8 pm BST Friday 27th April. Regular tickets are then available from 8.01pm BST Friday 27th April, and are £30 / €34. Buy a ‘Plus One' ticket (minimum order of two tickets) for just £20 / €23 per ticket.
You can register to be part of the event via http://onepl.us/e9


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News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services.
Nine-year-old schoolboy's heartbreaking Christmas wish will reduce you to tears
Real Housewives Of Cheshire say £14 bag is BETTER than £715 Gucci lookalike
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People share their epic Christmas craft, cooking and decoration fails
Meghan Markle is this week’s Fabulous magazine cover star
Vicky Pattison says hero Toff has 'smashed' I'm A Celeb and deserves to win
Teen hits back after being told she’s ‘ugly’ when she takes her make-up off
Keira Knightley's high cheekbones spark a '10% rise in fillers and implants'
Pink Christmas trees are IN this year... and you can bag one for just £10
Cute pig laughs it up in front of the fire as Storm Caroline batters Orkney
Fashion site slammed for plus-size tights ad showing models standing in one leg
The lowdown on the Counterweight Diet and weight loss programme
Sidebarring is the latest brutal dating trend - so are you guilty of it?
The £82 Yeezys in Kim & Kanye's new kids' clothing line have already sold out
Ugg has released a new range of boots and they're nothing like the originals
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Mum hits back at woman who slated parents for putting their kids in nursery
Festive fans proudly show off their ugly Xmas jumpers - and they're bizarre
Scar over little girl's heart a constant reminder of the twin sister she lost
How Scots star James McAvoy got buff by googling 'good way to put on muscle quick'
Mum slept on floor by daughter's coffin after drink-drive horror
Steal Holly Willoughby’s style with her top that cost just £12.99
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Victoria Milligan who lost husband and daughter in boat tragedy is dating again
YouTube Rewind 2017 is out TODAY - get the lowdown
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Be the host with the most with these Fabulous drink and nibble combos


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The International Data Corporation (IDC) is one of the world's leading market research, analyst and advisory firms when it comes to technology. Their latest forecast in regards to mobile sales shows that for the first time ever, there will be more shipments of smartphones than feature phones with over 900 million smartphones predicted to be shipped by the end of the year. Currently dumb phones still make up for the majority of mobile shipments worldwide; in previous analyst reports we have noted how Nokia has managed to stay near the top of global mobile sales despite the relatively weak performance of Windows Phone due to sales of cheaper feature (dumb) phones over smartphones.
We have been seeing a growing trend towards smartphones by users over the past couple of years as interfaces become simpler and easier to use while prices across the board are falling without compromising hardware. There is no comparison when it comes to Nokia's old Symbian OS compared to modern iOS, Android and Windows Phone 8. Even the progression from Gingerbread to Ice Cream Sandwich was a massive leap when it comes to software. On the hardware front, in the space of a year the Galaxy S3 has been degraded from top of line to midrange; remember when the Nexus One came out with its revolutionary 1 GHz processor and 5 MP camera? Now such hardware is present on entry-level devices such as the Galaxy Ace 2. It's this level of innovation that has really helped boost the level of smartphone sales over the past couple of years.
The emerging markets of the world is another area that we are seeing significant growth. IDC predicts China to become the largest market for smartphones, downgrading the US down to second and the strong growth in India will see it becoming the third largest market over the next couple of years. Such growth in those two nations should be expected considering they have populations of 1.3 and 1.2 billion respectively compared to Europe and America who barely make it over 1 billion combined. Let's not forget the role Chinese companies have had in the cheap smartphone business with companies such as Huawei flooding markets around the world with budget devices.
When did you make the leap from feature phone to smartphone? What do you think about the growth of budget smartphones? Do you think companies will spend more resources developing cheap phones or premium flagships?


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LIG's plant closures to cost 1,000 British jobs: Durex maker's net assets to vanish
The condoms and film processing group, which has debts of at least pounds 154m, also admitted that its current restructuring, which includes the disposal of its troubled photoprocessing arm as well as the closure of a number of manufacturing plants, would virtually wipe out its pounds 112m of net assets.
It acknowledged this would mean it would need a refinancing, but said that the timing, and whether it would involve a rights issue, would not be decided until the outcome of its attempts to sell its non-core businesses was known.
But Nick Hodges, chief executive, insisted the company was not in breach of its loan covenants and had the support of its bankers.
The UK redundancies stem from the closure of two plants - Chingford, with the loss of 600 jobs, and Llanelli, where there will be 240 redundancies.
A further 60 jobs will be lost at the group's health and beauty aids plant at Dundee and around 100 will go at the London head office. But the company gave no sign of where the 1,000 job losses would bite in its plants worldwide.
The closures mean that none of LIG's condoms, including the Durex brand - it has a 75 per cent market share here - will be manufactured in the UK.
Mr Hodges said condoms sold in the UK would now come from the group's Italian and Spanish plants, where investment in automation made production costs much lower.
Many of LIG's problems are traceable to its ColourCare photoprocessing business, which processes film for companies such as Boots, but which has been badly hit by the recession and competition.
This year photoprocessing is expected to lose around pounds 15m, wiping out trading profits from condoms, gloves and health care.
Mr Hodges declined to be drawn on whether progress had yet been made on a sale of the photoprocessing arm, but he promised a statement in June to coincide with the the release of the full-year results to March.
The photoprocessing businesses shows no signs of improving. However, the company indicated a substantial pick-up in operating profits from the healthcare business in the second half, but these were still 'considerably reduced' compared with the same period in the previous year.
Some non-core activities and brands have been sold. A contract has been signed with the Pfizer subsidiary, Unicliffe, for the sale of the UK cough medicines Buttercup, Galloway's and Liquafruta for around pounds 11m. The assets had a net book value of pounds 500,000 and made annual profits of pounds 700,000.
The company is also in talks on the sale of other over-the-counter brands such as Wright's soap, Eucryl toothpowder and Goddard's embrocation oil.
It is pinning its hopes in future on its core businesses of condoms and surgical and household gloves, and says the world branded condom market, in which it has a 22 per cent share, is continuing to grow at 2 to 3 per cent a year.
The company said that Michael Moore, chairman of Tomkins, would take over as chairman from Alan Woltz, who is retiring. The shares fell 8p to 121p.
View from City Road, page 28
Threat of 'catastrophic cascade of collisions' must be averted, warn scientists
Wellcome Image Awards: The most striking images from the world of science, including breast cancer cells under chemical attack and a photographer’s own kidney stone
Missing Malaysia Airlines plane: 'All passengers' under investigation, police say
Bob Crow death: 'Admired by his members, feared by employers' - Tributes pour in for RMT union leader and 'working class hero' Bob Crow
Oscar Pistorius murder trial: Athlete repeatedly sick as court hears 'graphic details' of Reeva Steenkamp's post-mortem
How climate change helped Genghis Khan: Scientists believe a sudden period of warmer weather allowed the Mongols to invade with such success
Britain's top vet sparks controversy with call for ban on slashing animals' throats in 'ritual' slaughters for halal and kosher meat products
Poor 'live like animals' says Boris's privately educated sister after going on 'poverty safari'
Exclusive: Impact of immigrants on British workers ‘negligible’
Vince Cable: Teachers 'know absolutely nothing' about the world of work
Ukraine crisis: Russia pledges to 'retaliate against sanctions' as Ukrainian president says Crimea vote will not be recognised
The quiet diplomat: Catherine Ashton - recognised and admired in all the world’s troubled countries, yet ridiculed at home
- 1 Pakistan vs Paul Smith: Sandal-wearers bemused by famed British designer's attempts to sell traditional Peshawari chappal-style shoes for the distinctly untraditional sum of £300
- 2 Family forced to flee home after discovering 'terrifying' nest of spiders in bananas
- 3 First Kiss: Filmmaker gets 20 strangers to make out on YouTube with awkward results
- 4 Grace Dent: Who cares if she spells it Barraco Barner? Gemma Worrall is more employable than some bookish arts graduate
- 5 Bob Crow death: 'Admired by his members, feared by employers' - Tributes pour in for RMT union leader and 'working class hero' Bob Crow
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Apple Reportedly Solves 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Battery Issues, Wants To Build 20 Million Units
A new week is upon us, and we start off with yet another iPhone 6-related rumor. It almost seems like there’s not one week passing by without some new information and / or speculations regarding the next-gen iPhone to surface, but this should definitely bode well with the majority of Apple enthusiasts out there. Every piece of the puzzle we uncover brings us closer to the moment when we’ll find out what the next flagship phone has in store for us, and this time around, the latest rumors target the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 in particular.
As some of you might recall, back in April we’ve come across reports suggesting that the “iPhablet” might not see the light of day earlier than 2015 due to battery supply issues. While some rumors have also indicated that the 5.5 incher will most likely be launched by the end of 2014, we haven’t really heard any other news regarding Apple’s battery conundrum; at least not until today. Check back after the break for details.
Apple Reportedly Solves the 5.5-inch iPhone 6’s Battery Issues
Last time we’ve discussed the rumors concerning Apple’s battery supply chain we’ve mentioned that, according to the reports, the Cupertino giant’s suppliers have failed to meet the company’s demands, causing a delay in the handset’s launch date. Reportedly, Apple intends on creating an extremely thin device, and in order to achieve this, the 5.5-inch iPhone needs to be fitted with a very slim battery. Sadly, Apple’s main battery supplier, Dynapack International Technology Corporation, hasn’t managed to keep up, but the good news is that Apple has now allegedly teamed up with a different battery supplier in order to beat the odds.
Based on these fresh reports, Sunwoda is the one who will now have the task of supplying the company with the necessary batteries, and based on these reports, Sunwoda will have the responsibility to produce roughly 20 million batteries (each at 40 yuan -> roughly $6.4 ).
This brings us to a slightly different topic, and that’s the iPhablet’s rumored price. Since Apple intends on manufacturing 80 million iPhones in 2014 (according to several rumors which surfaced earlier this year), and given the fact that the 5.5-inch model will account for 20 million smartphones out of 80 mill, this also indirectly confirms the theory that the iPhablet will be a more exclusive and pricier device.
Whether or not these speculations will come to pass remains to be seen, and since the iPhone 6’s launch date now appears to be out of the danger zone, we’ll hopefully learn more about the 5.5-inch iPhone’s price in the following months. We’ll keep you up to speed as soon as the story moves forward, so stay tuned for more.


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Until about a week ago, Harald Lohn of Prior Lake, Steve Piragis of Ely and retired Minnesota Sen. Bob Lessard of St. Paul had little in common.
Now they’re all in the same boat, as it were, following the shuttering of the U.S. and Canadian border at midnight March 21.
Chaos and uncertainty followed, perhaps especially in northern Minnesota, where retail and other stores in International Falls and Warroad that regularly cater to Canadians have seen their businesses decline.
If the border remains closed, additional cash-flow falloffs will be realized, because countless American anglers have already booked fishing and other adventure-based trips in Ontario and other Canadian provinces this summer. Many have placed deposits with outfitters.
Now those plans are in limbo. Not just for the would-be northbound vacationers, perhaps tens of thousands of whom are Minnesotans, but for business owners on both sides of the border who depend on tourism dollars.
Phones of Ontario tourism operators have rung virtually nonstop since the border closure’s announcement, said Laurie Marcil of Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario, a trade group in North Bay, Ontario.
“We’re hoping our 200 member businesses can survive the spring with the border closed,’’ Marcil said. “We’re advising them to attempt to rebook their American clients to later dates this summer, if necessary, or even to rebook them to next year. But things could change quickly, and the border could open up again. We’ll have to wait and see.’’
Here are snapshots of six Minnesotans whose businesses and/or personal plans will be affected by the closing if it continues into summer:
• Steve Piragis, owner, Piragis Northwoods Co., Ely (piragis.com): “If our clients can’t enter Quetico Provincial Park on the Canadian side of the boundary waters, we’ll redirect them into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on the U.S. side. We’ve already contacted our clients about the situation. We’re also offering clients who want to bypass Ely and go directly into the BWCA the option of us meeting them at their wilderness entry points. We’ve been in business 40 years, with 20 full-time employees. We’re trying to keep most of them on the payroll. But we have expenses, including $200,000 for new canoes.’’
• Harald Lohn, Prior Lake, owner with his family of KaBeeLo Lodge and Outposts in northwest Ontario (kabeelo.com): “We’re about 75 percent booked already for the summer, beginning in mid-May. We’ve gotten a few calls from clients. We tell them it’s our intent to operate this summer, but that whatever happens, they will be made whole. Normally I am at the lodge May 1. In a rush, we could get ready in one week. Tourism is big in Canada and the government wants us to operate. So that’s in our favor.’’
• Bob Lessard, owner with his son, Brett, of Lessard’s Fly-In Fishing Outpost on Otukamamoan Lake in northwest Ontario (lessardoutdoors.com): “Our first group isn’t due until June 14, so we’re hopeful the border is open by then. We lease our boats and motors, and those payments are due every month, and like other Canadian outfitters, we hope clients don’t cancel. As for prospective clients, unfortunately most of them won’t book until this is settled.”
• Nancy Burkes, Hibbing, cabin owner on the Ontario side of Lake of the Woods: “Typically we open our Sioux Narrows cabin as early as possible in May and close it when Minnesota’s deer season starts. I’ve been going to Lake of the Woods since I was 11, camping for many years before we bought a cabin. That’s where I spend my summers. The kids and grandkids love it there, too. It’s like deer camp, except it’s a fishing camp. It’ll be a real loss if we can’t get there.”
• Bob Neuenschwander, owner, Border Bob’s in International Falls (borderbobs.com): “Anyone crossing the border at International Falls has to drive 20 feet from our business, so it’s a big deal, the border closing. I’m 71 years old and have seen a lot. We can survive one pass of anything. But if the virus comes back again or doesn’t go away, that could change everything. I’m staying on top of it. For now, all we can do is hunker down.”
• Dick Myers, Warroad, cabin owner on the U.S. side of Lake of the Woods: “We’ve had our cabin on Flag Island near the Northwest Angle since 1934. We try to get there the first week of May. I’ll stay all summer, coming back to Warroad every two weeks for supplies. The trip takes about 2½ hours one way and I have to travel through Canada to get there. Right now, I’ve got another problem. Like a lot of Minnesotans, I’m in Arizona and unsure how I’ll get home. Usually a friend flies down and drives back with me. But with the virus, those plans are up in the air.”


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The long awaited Pokemon Go is finally available for Android and iOS and has received positive feedback from all around the world. The last version of Pokemon Go was Pokemon Go 0.29.2 which had a lot of bugs causing authentication issues and various other problems. Thanks to Niantic and Nintendo, who have just launched the new version of Pokemon Go. The latest version of Pokemon GO is Pokemon Go 1.03 and it includes various bug fixes such as crashing, force logout and a lot more.
Pokemon Go 1.03 is the latest version and its launched on 21 July 2016. If you are using iOS then you can download it right away but if you are on Android then you have to wait a little. Pokemon Go 1.03 APK will be available in the next few hours officially. If you haven’t tried Pokemon Go yet, then you can install the previous version of the game which you can find here.
Update: It turns out that Pokemon Android version is different than the iOS version. The latest Android version is Pokemon Go 0.29.3. Download Now
Here is the Pokemon 1.03 Features:
- Trainers do not to have to enter their username and password repeatedly after a force log out
- Added stability to Pokémon Trainer Club account log-in process
- Resolved issues causing crashes
- Fixed Google account scope


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Nike’s recent “Just Do It” ad campaign drew a lot of controversy before the 2018 NFL season.
It featured a meme of Colin Kaepernick’s face that said, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” It also featured a commercial.
But this newly released poll shows that Nike made a huge mistake with their 30thanniversary campaign.
Nike’s 30thanniversary campaign of their “Just Do It” slogan made some people furious.
Nike’s 30thanniversary campaign of their “Just Do It” slogan made some people furious
You might’ve caught some of the viral videos that show people destroying their Nike gear as a result.
That’s because they made embattled divisive former quarterback Colin Kaepernick as the face of the campaign.
But a new Rasmussen poll proved it was a complete disaster for the biggest apparel brand in the world.
Between September 9th and 10th, Rasmussen polled 1,000 Americans.
They concluded that 45-percent of respondents have an unfavorable view of Kaepernick.
Rasmussen noted, “Forty-five percent (45%) of American Adults have at least a somewhat unfavorable impression of Kaepernick, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey. Nearly as many (40%) view the former National Football League player favorably. This includes 21% who view Kaepernick Very Favorably and 31% who have a Very Unfavorable opinion of him. Another 15% are undecided.”
It also found that 36-percent are less likely to buy any Nike products in the future.
36-percent are less likely to buy any Nike products in the future
This also comes on the heels of a Quinnipiac poll that was just released.
It was odd that these polls revealed vastly different results.
The Quinnipiac poll revealed that two-thirds of those polled believed NFL players had the right to kneel for the National Anthem.
It also said that 49-percent approved of Nike’s ad choice of Kaepernick as the new face. https://offthewire.com/nfl-just-colin-kaepernick/
To make things worse, the Nike stock hit its all-time high last Thursday.
And on Labor Day weekend clothing sales spiked 31 percent for the global brand.
But that’s not the whole story.
Those that burned and destroyed their Nike gear also had an opposite reaction.
The people who love Kaepernick went out of their way to go out and buy Nike products for that specific reason.
The people who love Kaepernick went out of their way to go out and buy Nike products
Even NBA superstar LeBron James trolled those that were upset with Nike’s decision.
He wrote, “Well I mean I guess WE’RE on [Fire emojis].”
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 14, 2018
Outside of retired legends Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, LeBron James is Nike’s biggest cash cow.
Trump was perturbed by Nike’s decision as well.
He said, “What the hell were they thinking?”
Out president also said, “Just like the NFL, whose ratings have gone WAY DOWN, Nike is getting absolutely killed with anger and boycotts. I wonder if they had any idea that it would be this way? As far as the NFL is concerned, I just find it hard to watch, and always will, until they stand for the FLAG!”
Don’t be surprised if the stock drops significantly soon.
The surge was probably due to those who want to prove the boycotters wrong.
Nike will feel the effects of their decision soon.
Nike showed all of us their true colors.
They support disrespect for our National flag and anthem.
That was a bad business decision on their part.
There are millions of people who will never buy their product now. https://www.americanpatriotdaily.com/featured/heres-where-the-government-is-banning-nike-purchases/
What do you think? Will you buy Nike products in the near future?
Let us know in the comments below!


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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Lam Research Corp. on Wednesday reported financials showing the chip tools maker swinging to a June-quarter loss, stung by a steep drop in sales.
Shares of Lam Research LRCX, -6.52% fell more than 3% in after hours trading.
The Fremont, Calif.-based semiconductor capital equipment company reported a June quarter loss of $88.5 million, or 70 cents a share, compared with a profit of $72.2 million, or 57 cents a share, for the year-earlier period.
Revenue was $217.8 million, down sharply from $566.2 million for the same quarter last year. The company reported an operating net loss of 45 cents a share.
Analysts had expected the Fremont, Calif.-based chip tools maker to report an adjusted loss of 47 cents a share, on revenue of $202.06 million, according to data from FactSet Research.
The semiconductor capital equipment industry was hit hard by the economic downturn, as chip makers scaled by production.
But in a prepared statement, Lam Research Chief Executive Steve Newberry said "business conditions improved in the June quarter" compared to the previous quarter.
"Shipments and revenues increased as a result of customer investments to add wafer starts at the leading edge in both foundry and memory, as well as higher fab utilization contributing to improvement in the customer service business," he said.


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Hundreds call on Target to refrain from political spending
- Dale Eisman
Affiliated institutional investors question Target executives on political spending policy
PITTSBURGH, PA — As shareholders of Minneapolis-based Target Corporation gathered for the first time since the company came under fire for its 2010 campaign contributions, hundreds of activists demonstrated outside their meeting today in Pittsburgh, calling on Target to refrain from using corporate profits for political spending.
“Target should stick to business and stop meddling in our democracy,” said Mike Dean, executive director of Common Cause Minnesota, a lead organizer of the event. “Target Corporation has failed to learn from the controversy last year by continuing to make corporate political donations.”
Last year, in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which permitted corporations to spend unlimited amounts from their treasuries on politics, Target donated
$150,000 to a political group supporting Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. The donation sparked a consumer boycott and the value of Target stock plunged by 3.5 percent, or $1.3 billion. Critics found Target’s support for Emmer, an opponent of same-sex marriage rights, sharply at odds with the progressive image Target has cultivated on social issues.
While activists marched outside today, affiliated institutional investors entered the shareholder meeting to question Target executives about the company’s political spending policies. Dean, who was inside the shareholder meeting, said questions about Target’s political spending dominated the meeting. In particular, shareholders questioned whether board members and auditors have created effective checks and balances on how Target Corporation makes political donations from the general treasury. Those checks should have been there to ensure that such donations actually met the business interests of Target and its shareholder, Dean said.
“Target was known for having policies which supported civil rights of all people. When Target made a donation last summer to Minnesota Forward, which supported Tom Emmer, those policies were upended,” said Thomas Waters, the advocacy chair of the Delta Foundation, which participated in the protest. “We are asking Target Corporation to make it right by pledging to end its practice of giving corporate treasury money to political organizations and activities.”


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After the massive success of Elden Ring, fans are curious what From Software is going to do next; so you can imagine the frenzy that fans cooked up when a tweet about a Bloodborne remaster came out. As it turns out, that post was just a bunch of baloney.
According to ComicBook, a Twitter account impersonating gaming tweeter @Nibellion had posted this fake news online:
The tweet had managed to gain a lot of attention and had gotten thousands of likes and shares. Upon closer inspection of the link though, you’ll see there’s no mention of a Bloodborne remaster at all.
I guess it doesn’t have to be April for other people to pull pranks online. If anything, it looks like a lot of fans had a hoot out of the joke, and he tweet even got the attention of the original account that it was impersonating:
For now, we don’t have any official news on a Bloodborne update, but if the fake tweet was able to get this much attention, this should be worth looking into by the studio. With Elden Ring being considered to be a great entry point into the Soulslike genre, maybe more fans will be looking to get access to some updated, classic Soulslike games.
At least, that’s my guess. In the meantime, they can just play the original Bloodborne or the current-gen Soulslike, Elden Ring.
Bloodborne is now playable for PlayStation 4.


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Post Covid19, Indians are shifting from a sedentary lifestyle to adopting a more fit and healthy lifestyle as demand for fitness training classes sees a 234 per cent rise (YOY) with Tier-II cities leaping ahead of Tier-I in terms of searches, reveals the latest Just Dial Consumer Insights.
India’s fitness training industry has been impacted severely since the outbreak of Covid19. Gyms were shut down while other physical fitness classes like yoga went into a virtual model, spelling doom for fitness trainers. But now with all Covid19 restrictions withdrawn, the manifold rise in demand for gyms and yoga classes comes as a silver lining for the fitness training industry in the country.
Searches on Just Dial indicate that even Tier-II cities are increasingly getting online to find the best fitness classes in the neighbourhood and searches and have slightly edged past those in Tier-I cities. The total number of searches in Tier-II towns and cities was 6.3 per cent higher than in Tier-I cities during the April-May-June (AMJ) 2022 quarter on Just Dial.
Commenting on the trends, Just Dial CEO Prasun Kumar says, “The rise in demand for fitness training classes signals the revival in business for fitness trainers and gym owners. In the last two years, people have realised the importance of staying fit and healthy, which is being reflected in the number of searches for fitness training on Just Dial. Besides the usual gym and yoga classes, we are also witnessing a rise in demand for specialised and niche services like dieticians and personal yoga trainers that are growing by 38 per cent YOY.”
Gyms dominated the searches on Just Dial for fitness training, contributing to almost 62 per cent of the total searches during the AMJ’22 quarter. During the same period in 2021, gyms contributed to 53 per cent of searches for fitness training classes. Demand for yoga classes was second at 19per cent while gymnastics classes were third at 5 per cent during the AMJ’22 quarter.
Searches for gyms in India saw a YOY rise of 280 per cent in Tier-I cities and in Tier-II it went up by 276 per cent. Tier-I cities saw a 211per cent rise in demand for yoga classes and in Tier-II it was 255 per cent. Demand for gymnastic classes surged by 300 per cent in Tier-I cities and in Tier-II by 207 per cent.
Demand for gyms was the highest in Delhi and Mumbai with both the Tier-I cities witnessing almost the same number of searches while Chennai was third. For yoga, Mumbai topped the number of searches, and the demand was 40 per cent higher than second-placed Delhi and Bengaluru was third. Searches for gymnastic classes were also 50 per cent higher in Mumbai vis-à-vis Delhi while Pune was second.
Among Tier-II towns and cities, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Patna, Jaipur, and Surat were the Top-5 markets that saw maximum demand for gyms. For gymnastic classes, maximum searches were from Jaipur, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Indore, and Surat.