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…and this is why we are encouraging everyone to drink loose leaf tea…..
As a nation – we love a good ole cuppa and in fact, it’s know that we drink around 100millions cups of tea, each and every day.
….but are we sure of what we are “really” drinking’….hence as a nation, we must think about the brands that we buy and consume due to the amount of plastic that has been found, in tea bags.
In recent tests carried out, Twinings, Tetley and Yorkshire Tea bags were found to contain the plastic polypropylene – which is unlikely to degrade for hundreds of years.
In a recent program aired on the BBC, “War on Plastic, the experiment that were conducted by the University of East Anglia subsequently showed that brands such as Clipper, PG Tips and Pukka tea bags do not have any plastic in them.
The researchers, led by Dr Andrew Mayes, put liquid through the tea bags in to a sieve to see if any plastic was remaining which then gave the big reveal as to which brands passed the test – and which ones didn’t.
The first to be put through its paces was Clipper, which boasts on its packaging that its bags are plastic-free.
True to their word, the Clipper bag dissolved entirely, meaning it has no plastic in. The same could be said for both PG Tips and Pukka.
However, in the test tube which contained the Twinings tea bag, a ‘plastic skeleton’ which looked much like a tea bag had remained and was pulled out with tweezers.
Dr Mayes said: ‘It’s dissolving away the papery part of the tea bag so that we can see the plastic skeleton that’s inside it.
‘As you can see, other than being a bit more transparent and fragile-looking it’s like a tea bag.’
Ms Rani said she was ‘shocked and surprised’ by the finding. Her surprise grew when the Tetley bag was also found to be made from plastic.
The presenter then herself checked the tube which the Yorkshire Tea bag had been put into whilst urging, ‘Please be nothing, please be nothing,’ but then added, ‘oh no Yorkshire Tea,’ when she pulled out the plastic remains of the bag.
‘Oh gosh, look at that. This is not a good result for Yorkshire,’ she said.
Dr Mayes said polypropylene is a plastic which ‘probably will survive in the environment for for hundreds, thousands of years.’
When contacted by the BBC, Tetley, Twinings and Yorkshire Tea all said they will be switching to fully biodegradable bags by the end of 2020.
It comes after scientists at Canada’s McGill University discovered that plastic tea bags release billions of tiny fragments into the liquid when left to steep.
The plastic degrades with time, breaking down into tiny micro- and nano-sized particles than can be over 750 times smaller than the width of a human hair.
The researchers also found that water fleas exposed to the plastic debris from the teabags went on to grow abnormally and exhibit unusual behaviours.
The exact impact on humans of ingesting micro- and nanoplastic particles, however, is not yet known.
Last month PG Tips, which is owned by Unilever, announced that from next year it would be ditching all plastic packaging.
Its bags are made from corn starch and were first introduced on a limited range of products in 2018.
The tea company has also removed the outer plastic wrap on its 160-bag boxes with plans to remove the outer plastic wrap from the rest of the sizes next year.
Unilever says that the new plant-based materials would provide retailers with a product that ‘shoppers are actively looking for’ and help the environment.
A Harvard Business Review survey found consumers were five times more likely to buy sustainable products, which has prompted many firms to start to change lines.


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Articles by Emily Price
Emily is a commercial lawyer at Sprintlaw. Having worked in tech startups for a number of years, Emily brings a unique understanding of technology, business and law. Her experience spans across corporate structuring, intellectual property protection, consumer and privacy compliance and technology contracts.
The Australian Federal Court Rules On AI Technology And Patents
Recently, the Australian Federal Court overturned a previous decision from…
by Emily Price • June 14, 2022

domain: news


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The government has unveiled its eagerly awaited Battery Strategy, a plan to strengthen local supply chains for EV's.
The Battery Strategy is a clear roadmap to enhance domestic supply chains for electric vehicles and reduce the current high demand for Chinese-made batteries. The strategy discusses the allocation of £2 Billion, which will be used for capital, research, and development funding until 2030, with a heavy focus on zero-emission vehicles, EV batteries and the supply chains that go with them.
The strategy follows a 15-point plan, some key points of the plan are:
A huge point in the development of electric vehicles is Gigafactories, which offer huge benefits to the industry. A Gigafatory is a term which was popularised by Tesla, one of the world's leading electric vehicle companies.
The factory's main purpose is to build lithium-ion batteries which are an essential part of electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems, as well as the vehicles themselves and some solar products.
There is currently only one Gigafactory in the UK, this is a Chinese-owned factory in Sunderland. On the other hand, France has four, Germany has nine, the US has 34, and China has a huge 283, showing a massive difference in the funding priorities across the world when it comes to Gigafactories.
The latest plan for a Gigafactory in the UK is the Jaguar Land Rover factory, likely to be based in Somerset. Tata, which owns Jaguar Land Rover, has been hailed by Rishi Sunak over their plans for the £4 Billion factory. It will become one of Europe's largest factories and is set to start production in 2026, producing 40 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of batteries a year.
Nusrat Ghani, Minister of State for Industry and Economic Security at the Department for Business and Trade and Minister of State for the Investment Security Unit at the Cabinet Office, said:
“The government’s 2030 vision is for the UK to have a globally competitive battery supply chain that supports economic prosperity and the net zero transition. The UK will be a world leader in sustainable battery design and manufacture, underpinned by a thriving battery innovation ecosystem. Batteries represent one of the highest growth clean energy sectors and the UK is well placed to reap the rewards thanks to its comparative advantage in research and advanced manufacturing.”
The UK government's Battery Strategy, backed by a £2 billion investment, marks a significant milestone in the nation's journey towards a greener future. This comprehensive plan not only aims to reduce reliance on foreign battery supplies but also fosters innovation and growth within the domestic electric vehicle (EV) industry. With key investments in research, development, and infrastructure, particularly in gigafactories and emerging battery technologies, the UK is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable battery production and EV technology. The Jaguar Land Rover Gigafactory in Somerset is a testament to this commitment, promising to enhance the UK's competitive edge in the clean energy sector. As Minister Nusrat Ghani highlights, this strategy is not just an economic venture; it is a crucial step towards the UK's 2030 vision of sustainable industry and net-zero transition, ensuring that the nation remains at the forefront of the rapidly growing clean energy market.


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Online retailer Kogan has reported a roaring start to the financial year, with the company's recently introduced Marketplace division more than doubling its revenue over the first quarter of 2020.
Across the whole company, gross sales for the September quarter were up over 16 per cent, and gross profit grew more than 28 per cent, defying last month's weak retail trading figures.
Marketplace, which allows local businesses to sell and market their products through Kogan's platform, posted gross sales of about $24 million, up from $12 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Its growth came at the expense of Kogan's third-party brand division, which sells products from big-name companies such as Samsung and Microsoft. Revenue in the section materially declined over the first quarter, partially due to low demand for Apple iPhones and Huawei handsets.
However, Kogan’s private label and "exclusive" brands, which include electronics manufactured in Asia that the company brands as its own, saw revenue jump 35 per cent.
Kogan's assorted collection of non-retail verticals also saw strong growth, with the number of Kogan Internet's active customers up 347.5 per cent and Kogan Insurance revenue up 20 per cent.
Founder and chief executive Ruslan Kogan said the company was looking towards the Christmas quarter with confidence.
"The product range available on our site is the biggest it’s ever been, our service is the best it’s ever been and we have the widest logistics network out of any e-commerce company in Australia – all this means our customers will get their Christmas orders faster and cheaper than ever before," he said.
RBC Capital Markets analyst Tim Piper said while Kogan's trading update was in line with expectations, the Marketplace growth had improved the company's profit outlook.
However, Mr Piper warned it remained "unclear" how much of an impact the growth of Marketplace was having on the company's third-party brands. Shares jumped 7 per cent to $7.40 in early trade, before closing up 1 per cent at $7.04.
Homewares and appliances shine
Meanwhile, online homewares and furniture merchant Temple & Webster revealed a similar sales boost to start the new financial year, with trading in the first 16 weeks up 45 per cent compared to the same period last year.
The company said it had also managed to keep margins within its target range of over 15 per cent, unlike fellow retailer Super Retail Group which on Tuesday announced its sales growth had come at the expense of margins.
Following August's weaker-than-expected retail trade figures, concerns the Morrison government's mid-year tax cuts are failing to find their way into the coffers of Australia's retail businesses have been mounting, but online sellers appear to be defeating the downturn.
Business bank NAB's Online Retail Sales Index saw a rebound of 5.7 per cent for the month of August after a weak mid-year, with the homewares and appliances category contributing the lion's share of growth.
Despite its significant 45 per cent lift in trade, Temple and Webster chief executive Mark Coulter said the company was "remaining watchful" of broader retail and housing market conditions.


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Quote from Per Eriksson, President and CEO
-”The second quarter featured strong demand for our products and strong growth. Revenues increased by 30 percent and operating profit rose by 32 percent. The operating margin was 34.8 percent, which was an improvement compared to the previous year. I am optimistic going into the second half of 2016 – the conditions look good for continued strong growth.”
Second quarter 2016
- Revenues for the second quarter increased by 29.8% to SEK 352.1 (271.2) million
- Operating profit amounted to SEK 122.4 (92.7) million, an increase of 32.1%
- Operating margin was 34.8 (34.2)%
- Profit after tax amounted to SEK 113.5 (86.5) million, an increase of 31.1%
- Earnings per share amounted to SEK 0.47 (0.36) after dilution
- 12 new customer agreements were signed, 6 new customers’ casinos were launched
First six months 2016
- Revenues for the first six months increased by 31.7% to SEK 697.4 (529.5) million
- Operating profit amounted to SEK 250.5 (174.5) million, an increase of 43.6%
- Operating margin was 35.9 (33.0)%
- Profit after tax amounted to SEK 235.2 (160.7) million, an increase of 46.3%
- Earnings per share amounted to SEK 0.98 (0.67) after dilution
- 21 new customer agreements were signed and 14 new customers’ casinos were launched
Important events in the second quarter
- NetEnt games went live with Tropicana in New Jersey
- Gaming licenses obtained in Romania
- Customer agreement signed with Rank Group
- NetEnt won prestigious awards at the eGR B2B Awards
- Distribution of SEK 320.2 million to shareholders and share split 6:1
Comments from Per Eriksson, President and CEO
Revenues and operating profit for the second quarter amounted to SEK 352 million and SEK 122 million, respectively. Compared to the same period last year, revenues increased by 30 percent and operating profit rose by 32 percent. The second quarter featured strong demand for our products and strong growth. The number of gaming transactions in our systems amounted to a full 8.8 billion in the second quarter, representing growth of 36 percent compared to last year. The operating margin was 34.8 percent in the second quarter, which was an improvement compared to the previous year.
NetEnt continues to drive the digital casino market with innovative, cutting-edge gaming solutions and entertaining games that are best-in-class. In yet another sign of appreciation, we won several prestigious trophies at the eGR B2B Awards in London – in the categories Innovation in Mobile, RNG Casino Supplier and Innovation in Slot Provision. Mobile live casino is an innovative product that we have recently started to launch in a beta version with some of our customers, and it has been very well received by both operators and players. Mobile gaming continues to be an important growth driver for us. Revenues from mobile doubled compared to the same period last year and accounted for 37 percent of revenues in the second quarter.
We signed 12 new customer agreements and launched six new customers’ casinos in the second quarter, among which was Tropicana in New Jersey, USA. We continue to see high levels of activity with our games in New Jersey and hope to see more US states follow suit and open up for online gaming. Recently, encouraging steps in the right direction have been taken by lawmakers in Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Great Britain continues to be one of our most important markets, where we keep seeing strong growth. In June, we signed a license agreement with Rank Group, one of the largest gaming operators in Europe with a strong market position in the UK. It is difficult to assess how online gaming demand will be affected by Brexit going forward. In the short term, we see mainly currency effects as we invoice most of our UK customers in British pounds. However, since the UK referendum, weakness in the Swedish krona against the euro has compensated for the weaker pound.
At NetEnt we want to be a role model for the IT and gaming industries when it comes to diversity and gender balance, because we believe it creates better conditions for innovation and growth. Our target is to achieve a 50/50 gender balance for the entire Company by 2020. Therefore, we were really pleased by the number of awards and nominations received at this year’s Women in Gaming Awards in London in May as well as our ranking number 14 in AllBright’s annual review of all the listed companies on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
I am optimistic going into the second half of 2016 – the conditions look good for continued strong growth.
Presentation of interim report
On Thursday, July 14, 2016, at 9.00 a.m. CET the interim report will be presented by CEO Per Eriksson live via audio webcast. The presentation can be followed in real-time on NetEnt’s website at www.netent.com. The dial-in number for the telephone conference is +46 8 56642690 for Sweden and +44 20 30089802 for the UK. The link to the audiocast is: http://financialhearings.nu/?160714/netent/
For additional information please contact:
Per Eriksson, President and CEO, NetEnt AB (publ)
Phone: +46 8 57 85 45 00
This information is information that NetEnt AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 7:30 a.m. CET on July 14, 2016.


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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Urban Outfitters' line of Navajo-branded clothing and accessories has set off a firestorm online and within the Navajo Nation government, with allegations of trademark violations and criticism of the products — particularly underwear and a liquor flask — that many tribal members consider disrespectful.
Native American-inspired prints have shown up on runways for years, and it's common for designers to borrow from other cultures.
But the Navajo government's issue with Urban Outfitters is the clothing chain's use of the name "Navajo" on its products and in marketing. The tribe holds at least 10 trademarks on the name that cover clothing, footwear, online retail sales, household products and textiles.
The tribe's Department of Justice sent Urban Outfitters CEO Glen Senk a cease-and-desist letter in June, demanding that the company pull the Navajo name from its products. The tribe has received no response but says it remains "cautiously optimistic" it can persuade Urban Outfitters to adopt another name and trademark.
"When products that have absolutely no connection to the Navajo Nation, its entities, its people, and their products are marketed and retailed under the guise that they are Navajo in origin, the Navajo Nation does not regard this as benign or trivial," said Brian Lewis, an attorney for the tribe. "It takes appropriate action to maintain distinctiveness and clarity of valid name association in the market and society."
Urban Outfitters, which has stores across the country and overseas, said it has not heard from the Navajo Nation and has no plans to alter its products.
"Like many other fashion brands, we interpret trends and will continue to do so for years to come," company spokesman Ed Looram said. "The Native American-inspired trend and specifically the term 'Navajo' have been cycling through fashion, fine art and design for the last few years."
While the Navajo Nation has not threatened legal action, law professor Bill Hennessey thinks it has a strong case. He said the tribe could argue the products cause confusion among customers about who manufactured them.
Hennessey points specifically to a trademark governing textiles that was registered to a Navajo Nation enterprise in 2008.
"If you're going to maintain control over your mark, the more quickly you bring an action against the infringer, the more likely the federal court is going to grant an injunction order prohibiting Urban Outfitters from continuing to use the word 'Navajo,' " said Hennessey, who teaches at the University of New Hampshire School of Law.
Urban Outfitters labels more than 20 products on its website with the word "Navajo," including jackets, earrings, scarves and sneakers. But the two items that have sparked possibly the most controversy online are the "Navajo Hipster Panty," and the "Navajo Print Fabric Wrapped Flask." Both have geometric designs common in Navajo arts and crafts.
Dwayne Clauschee, a designer from the Navajo town of Chinle in Arizona, said Urban Outfitters and other clothing companies are trying to cash in on a trend he believes has been done more respectfully and tastefully in higher-end fashion.
A "Navajo" flask is "extremely insensitive" considering the long history of alcohol abuse among Native tribes, many of which ban the sale and consumption of alcohol on their reservations, he said. The Navajo Nation is among them. And branding underwear as "Navajo" goes against the tribe's spiritual beliefs of modesty and avoidance of indecency, Clauschee said.
Jessica Metcalfe, a Turtle Mountain Chippewa from North Dakota who writes a Native American fashion blog, tells Urban Outfitters to knock it off. "Don't claim Navajo, unless it's Navajo, and you ain't Navajo."
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Selling lingerie? The lads get their knickers in a twist
“Many tell their parents that they work for an apparel rather than a lingerie firm,” she says. Interesting, 25% of buyers on Clovia are men, a fact highlighted by TOI in a recent report.
Kant has also come across instances of employees camouflaging their professional identity. “Many tell their parents that they work for an apparel rather than a lingerie firm,” she says. Interesting, 25% of buyers on Clovia are men, a fact highlighted by TOI in a recent report.
Once when Kant and her co-founder and husband Pankaj Vermani were visiting a colleague's home, they were strictly told not to describe their company as a lingerie firm. “A large part of this has to do with socio-cultural issues,” says Kant.
Also read: Men are big buyers of lingerie online
Arpita Ganesh, founder of Bengaluru-based online lingerie boutique Buttercups, even had problems with a potential investor. “He said, `I would have loved to invest in your business, but I cannot tell my wife that I invested in a bra-chaddi business’,” recalled Ganesh.
And it isn’t only men who have a problem. Women who sell men’s undergarments are often equally squeamish about the details. Pallavi Khandelwal, founder of men's online boxer brand, The Boxer Store, had no qualms telling her family what she did. But when it came to hiring women for the firm, she ran into a problem -- women were coy and uncomfortable about even using the words ‘boxers’ or ‘underwear’.
“I even had a content writer who used words like pants and shorts. I had to ask her point blank if she was too shy to use the word underwear,” says Khandelwal.
Not everybody feels the same way. Richa Kar, founder of online lingerie startup Zivame, says she had no trouble hiring senior male talent. “You see many men working for women’s fashion brands, why make a distinction when it comes to lingerie?” asks Kar, whose company sells two bras a minute. Zivame recently appointed Shaleen Sinha as COO, a man who previously held leadership roles at Aditya Birla Group and Boston Consulting Group.
Some men, despite initial inhibitions, quickly learn the nuances of the trade. Arun Srinivasan, a former senior marketing manager at Zivame, says he had thought twice before joining the company two years ago and was initially embarrassed about the job. At that time his parents were also looking for a bride for him.
“To my surprise, I found that people were cool about it and the product category made for interesting conversations. I had to read a lot to get myself acquainted with the products and eventually figured that it is actually simple for a man to handle it,” says Srinivasan, who has since founded another startup.
Clovia’s Kant has designed an interesting induction process for new recruits. “We do Wikipedia sessions to bring them up to speed. Most of our new hires have to learn the distinction between, say, a G-string and a thong,” she says.
Christopher Pilny, who worked as a cashier at Victoria's Secret, and is now the editor-in-chief of online science chronicler RedOrbit, has written a blog that lists things that, as a man, you should never say while working at Victoria’s Secret. He told TOI that when a man looks desperately for ways to make conversation with a customer, he could end up making embarrassing remarks. “I thankfully made it out of there without it ever happening, but I did utter this doozy at one point: `Welcome to Victoria's Secret: We don't have a nursing line, but our stuff will get you pregnant.’ This line actually came to me when a customer made it known she was pregnant, and asked why we didn't have a nursing line,” he said. Later, when he repeated the line to another pregnant woman who made the same enquiry, his manager pulled him aside and asked him never to say it again.


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Microsoft is currently on a streak of increasing cloud storage capacity for its customers. Earlier this week, Microsoft more than tripled the storage capacity for SkyDrive Pro users from 7 GB to 25 GB. The latest cloud mailboxes to receive a storage boost are for Exchange Online and Office 365, which will increase from 25 GB to 50 GB starting this Friday. Customers should see their storage capacity double sometime between now and November. According to the Office 356 blog, the following services plans will receive the upgrade: Exchange Online Plan 1, Office 365 Small Business, Midsize Business, Enterprise E1, Government G1, and Education A1. Shared mailboxes and Resources mailboxes will grow to 10 GB as well. A chart of the new plans follows below. More →
Gartner released a report on Friday that suggested Google’s Gmail solution is ready to take on Microsoft in the enterprise email arena despite having just a tiny fraction of the market. “While Gmail’s enterprise email market share currently hovers around 1 percent, it has close to half of the market for enterprise cloud email,” Gartner research vice president Matthew Cain said. “While cloud email is still in its infancy, at 3 percent to 4 percent of the overall enterprise email market, we expect it to be a growth industry, reaching 20 percent of the market by year-end 2016, and 55 percent by year-end 2020,” Cain added, noting that Gmail should “now be considered a mainstream cloud email supplier.” Microsoft Exchange and Gmail are the only two services that have gained momentum during the past few years while other solutions, such as Novell GroupWise and IBM Lotus Notes/Domino have started to fade out. Cain said that companies should consider splitting their email services between the cloud and on-premises servers which, for now, “plays to Microsoft’s strengths.” Gartner also suggested the Google/Microsoft rivalry will make it tougher for other competitors to enter the industry. Gartner’s full press release follows after the break. More →
Moments ago, Microsoft officially released its new cloud-based Office product, Office 365, which will compete directly with Google Docs. The Office 365 suite, which has been in public beta for awhile now, is being targeted at the enterprise market and plans for the entire suite cost between $10 and $27 each month depending on the feature set chosen. Small and medium-sized businesses can also choose a more cost effective $6 option that only includes Office Web Apps and Microsoft Exchange. Those options, however, are all more expensive than the $50 annual fee that Google charges corporate users for access to its Google Docs suite. Microsoft’s full press release follows below. More →
According to a Bernstein note issued on Monday morning, Apple’s fifth-generation iPhone will not include Near field communication (NFC) capabilities as had been previously rumored on several occasions. NFC, which will be featured in RIM’s 2011 BlackBerry smartphone lineup, allows cell phones and other devices to transmit data wirelessly over short distances. Unlike Bluetooth, NFC connections do not require a pairing process, so NFC is well suited for applications such as mobile payments, as it is currently being used in several markets around the world. In the U.S. at the moment, carriers, manufacturers, banks and other companies are all independently working on various solutions. Without better standards, it will be difficult for the technology to take off in the mass market. More →
Motorola has announced that there is a new software update available for the Verizon Wireless DROID Pro. Unfortunately the patch will not update your DROID Pro to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), but it should reduce the frequency of UI lockups, offer improved audio during calls, and the following fixes:
- Improved audio on voice calls.
- Improved stability and performance.
- User interface display now refreshes when user switches from GSM/UMTS communication to Global Mode.
- Device now prepends 011 to Country Code to send SMS messages.
- Global Mode no longer resets when connecting to a USB charger.
- Visual Voice Mail now detects airplane mode while Wi-Fi is active.
- Prompt return to full screen brightness after wake-up.
- Upgraded Bluetooth firmware.
- Improved interoperability with Microsoft Internet Application Gateway (IAG) configurations.
- Device string format for Exchange changed to include device name and version number.
- Upgrade to Google applications Release 7
Think you can avoid having corporate email on your mobile device by buying a feature phone? Think again, as today Verizon Wireless announced an update to its feature phone email solution, Mobile Email 4.0. The downloadable application will allow users to connect their non-smartphone devices to Microsoft’s Exchange environment, leverage push email, and utilize an integrated contact list. The service will retail for $5 per month and is available to those with a data plan of at least $15 per month. The software is currently compatible with eight VZW phones, including the Samsung Zeal, LG Cosmos Touch, and Pantech Crux. Hit the read link for the full PR. More →
Apple has made changes to its internal screening process pertaining to iPod liquid damage, a source told BGR. Apple builds a series of Liquid Contact Indicators (LCI) into its iPod line of devices. When these LCIs come in contact with moisture, they become activated. In the event of a warranty claim or other repair, the LCIs indicate to Apple that the device in question may have been affected by a liquid. Employees of Apple Stores and AppleCare Repair Centers then have specific guidelines used in the event liquid damage is suspected. Previously, the presence of an activated LCI within the headphone jack was cause enough for employees to state that an iPod may have been damaged by water or another liquid. Now, employees must first inspect the iPod for other signs of liquid damage before reaching that conclusion. It is currently not known if the new policy applies to iPhone models as well.
Whether or not Apple has concerns internally regarding the reliability of its LCI devices is unclear at this time. Apple may have also discovered LCIs located within the headphone jack are overly sensitive and activate even when they come in contact with permissible amounts of moisture.
Today, Samsung and AT&T announced an over-the-air update for the Captivate handset to address the units GPS performance. As the two companies state:
An update to improve the Samsung Captivate’s GPS performance is now available. Captivate customers will receive a notification on their device that an update is available and will simply need to download the file to update their phone. The updates will be pushed to customers’ devices over the next few weeks.
The update for the Captivate will also improve additional device functions, such as media scanning time, add the full version of QuickOffice and address Microsoft Exchange 2003 policy support.
We know that for many Captivate users this fix can’t come soon enough.
According to a report filed by CNET, Microsoft’s free email service — Hotmail — will get Exchange ActiveSync support beginning on Monday. The site quotes Microsoft’s director of product management for the Windows Live, Dharmesh Mehta, as the source of the information. There isn’t much else to say about it, if you have a desktop client or mobile device that supports the ActiveSync protocol you’ll have access to push email, contacts, and calendar appointments in approximately four days. Any Hotmail users out there excited? More →
Yesterday afternoon, a Motorola employee named Matt dropped this little nugget in the company’s official forums:
Some Droid X users are experiencing an issue using Exchange 2003 email. Though the email is arriving on the Droid X, no notifications are appearing. A fix for this will be included in the upgrade to Android 2.2 scheduled for deployment by early September.
The post is the closest thing to an official date released by Motorola; up until now the software update has been coming “soon” or “this summer.” Anybody disappointed by the September timeline? Anyone seeing the Exchange 2003 issue Matt goes on to mention in the post? More →
Complaints are starting to mount from iOS 4 users that are having a difficult time synchronizing their iDevice with their Exchange environments. The bug in question prevents iOS 4 from synchronizing email, calendar, or contact data from a users Exchange server to an iOS 4 device (usually just one of the three data points won’t synchronize, and from the looks of it Calendar is the big one). Apple released a knowledge base article with a potential quick-fix, but a quick gander at the Apple discussion boards tells us that it didn’t quite get the job done. Add this latest snafu to the list of fires Apple is currently trying to extinguish. How about it, anyone having issues with their iOS 4 device synching to an Exchange server?
Oh man, this is definitely not something we wanted to hear: Microsoft has announced on its blog that Office for Mac 2011 will only ship as a 32-bit version. Citing a need for enhanced compatibility between the Office for Windows and Office for Mac over high-power performance, Microsoft said that it would not have been possible for its team to create a 64-bit version of Office 2011″because Apple’s frameworks require us to complete the move to Cocoa before we can build a 64-bit version.” Office 2011 is not 100% Cocoa. Microsoft is downplaying the lack of 64-bit support by stating that “most users with typical or even larger-than-average document content will not notice a difference in performance” and that the only area “64-bit can make a difference is for people working with huge amounts of data.” You know, like the professionals who are champing at the bit for Office 2011 and its inclusion of Outlook.
[Via ZDNet] More →
Not long after it pledged to update the myTouch 3G to Android 2.1, today a leaked document from T-Mobile revealed that the carrier is planning to further kick it up a notch with the release of Android 2.2. In addition to that, myTouch 3G owners will also get an updated version of the Faves Gallery alongside the addition to the Genius button and support for Exchange. No word yet on when the update will actually drop, but we imagine this update will involve at least a little bit of an agonizing wait.


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Celebrity farmer and food campaigner Jimmy Doherty has told Farmers Guardian’s Over the Farm Gate podcast that Covid-19 has helped bring a new appreciation of farmers and shows why a trade deal with countries like the US should not be done at any cost.
Speaking on the podcast after an NFU petition pressing the Government to ensure all food imports are produced to the same high standards as in Britain garnered more than one million signatures, Mr Doherty said people had become more reconnected with farming and high food production standards since the coronavirus lockdown.
Mr Doherty, who farms with his wife in Suffolk, said: “This hideous situation could have been a smokescreen for the Government to get a deal done [with the US] and quickly get it out of the way, but the situation with Covid has really made people understand and appreciate our farmers.
“In a moment of crisis farmers have kept us all fed. That is why people signed the NFU petition. Yes, let us get a trade deal done, but not at any price.”
The farmer has joined forces with celebrity food campaigner and chef Jamie Oliver - the pair have been friends since they were children - to lobby the Government on food standards.
They have been vocal in the fight against food entering the UK which is produced to lower production standards than are allowed here, including chicken washed in chlorine to guard against bacteria and hormone injected beef to speed up finishing times.
Mr Doherty added: "No one is against trade and this is not about closing down barriers. It is about trade being equal is not about being anti-American.
"There are some fantastic farmers out there [in the US] who produce food to the same standards as us. But we will not be getting that food. And what do they want from us? I cannot see them buying lots of our beef and lots of our wheat and barley.
"If we are going to do a trade deal let us make sure it is all produced to the same standards. We would not dream of buying electrical goods that were produced to standards that we would not accept in terms of health and safety, so why would you do that with food that you are going to put in your mouth?"
Mr Doherty said while people were more connected with their food than they were 10-15 years ago, there was still work to be done to educate the public and he suggested one way in which to help this was giving every school access to a farm.
"There has been a bit of a divorce over the years between farmers and consumers but that gap has closed massively," he said.
"If I had my way I would have a farm in every school or link a farm directly with a school. We talk about woodland classrooms, but there should be farm schools, where children go and learn chemistry, biology, mathematics and English, all based around the farm and how food is produced."
Jimmy Doherty is also backing FG’s 24 Hours in Farming event on August 6, which celebrates the work of British farmers in keeping the countryside thriving.
For more information and to download your free ‘take the pledge’ posters visit fginsight.com/farm24
Listen to the Over the Farm Gate podcast, produced in association with the CLA on your favourite podcast platform or via this link.


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Get ready for a jam-packed glasses-free launch day. Nintendo has just announced that there will be 18 titles available for the Nintendo 3DS when its new 3D held system launches on March 27.
going to be a huge day. expect sony to take notes for the ngp launch
only ngp for me
i'm going to get both.
only 3DS for me
N4G is a community of gamers posting and discussing the latest game news. It’s part of NewsBoiler, a network of social news sites covering today’s pop culture.


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Since its launch more than 10,000 people completing their own calendars at www.three.co.uk/CalendarMe every single day, averaging at 417 an hour and 7 every minute.
People can star in a variety of crazy scenarios and view all their creations online.
Lianne Norry, Director of Brand and Marketing Comms from Three, added: “The CalendarMe app follows hot on the heels of our hugely popular Sing It Kitty app, which launched earlier this year, proving the power of silly shareable content. CalendarMe is all about people having fun and getting into the Christmas spirit, whilst tapping into the current trend for people buying themselves, as well as their loved ones, gifts for Christmas. Not only did our own sales data show a clear trend for self-gifting, with people buying phones and tablets as a treat in December, but our research clearly showed that this is the case across the high street.”
After putting your calendar together, users can then share it among friends and family through a variety of social media platforms.
Share your calendar on Twitter using #CalendarMe.


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Research firm Gartner predicts that PC sales will rise 4.4% this year, with further increases to follow in 2013. The reasons for the only-marginal gain: increased mobile device adoption and greater shifts toward cloud storage.
The Gartner report estimates that this year’s global PC shipments will reach 368 million units in 2012, while 400 million are expected in 2013. The increases look paltry compared to forecasted tablet sales. According to Forrester Research, there will be 112 million tablet owners in the United States alone before 2016, amounting to domestic sales of 293 million tablets in a four-year span.
Purchasing trends appear to indicate that consumers are willing to hold onto an outdated PC longer, and spend part of the savings on a new tablet. Tablets offer mobility that exceeds even that of Ultrabooks, the thin, light PCs Gartner expects will generate the most interest in the PC category. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), whose MacBook Air fits the Ultrabook profile nicely, has taken to calling this the “post-PC” era due to the continued popularity of the company’s iPad devices. Combined, iPad and Macs sold more units in Q4 than any PC company.
Tablets do have had their own set of weaknesses. Owners have complained about a lack of Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows integration that would bring familiar business tools to the mobile devices. The forthcoming release of the Windows 8 operating system, including a version designed to operate on touchscreen devices such as Nokia’s upcoming 10-inch tablet, is intended to answer that complaint.
The benefits of the cloud
The other issue comes down to storage. Tablets currently have an average of 16 gigabytes (GB) of internal storage. Ultrabooks, the closest comparable PCs, average from 128 to 256 GB. There are various ways to achieve more storage in either machine, but the industry push toward consumer cloud storage could decrease the importance of embedding storage on desktop and mobile devices.
Cloud data storage is a third-party service. The Kindle Fire from Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), for example, utilizes the company’s own cloud servers to allow customers to purchase and download media well beyond the limited 8 GB of internal storage on the device. The strategy boosted sales of the device and its related products while helping compensate for the Fire’s deeply discounted price.
Still, the PC isn’t irrelevant, even as mobile devices and services continue to improve. Tablets are still evolving toward a functional middle ground, and if Windows 8 for PCs is a hit, it could help keep the PC market relatively healthy. The newly launched Ultrabooks, under production from companies including Acer, could boost PC sales more than market researchers expect. Analyst projections can be helpful, after all, but they’re not definitive.


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DENVER (CBS4) - Who isn't trying to save a few bucks these days? Even celebrities are pinching pennies.
"Michelle, her favorite shopping spot is Target … she used to go there all the time," President Obama told CBS4's Shaun Boyd in a recent interview.
Carmelo Anthony gets paid millions, but his humble roots have left him, in some ways , still counting his pennies.
"I go to the supermarket, make sure I get the newspaper and tear the coupons out; save a dollar or two," Anthony said.
People may look at his play on the court with awe, but he says they look at him in the grocery with shock.
"I've got the paper open with coupons, ripping them, I'm human too," Anthony said.
Also human is furniture wheeler and dealer Jake Jabs, who promotes storewide savings and practices what he preaches.
"Pay cash for stuff, don't get your credit cards maxed out for things," Jabs said.
Jabs says he's always paid cash for everything, including cars and his home.
Sen. Michael Bennet spends hours haggling with lawmakers about improving the nation's economy, but there is no haggling over his family budget.
"When we go out for lunch or something like that, I make our kids, we have three little girls, share meals," Bennet said.
And even our nation's leader has some tips for saving money.
"Right now probably the best thing you can do is insulate your home and figure out how to get your money back by driving your utility costs down," Obama said. "It's an investment on the front end, but it's good for consumers and it's good for the environment as well."
CBS4 wants to hear about the ways you save money. Call Suzanne McCarroll at (303) 863-TIPS or send her an e-mail to email@example.com. CBS4 may even give you a call and have you share your tips on the news.
for more features.


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Google has admitted that it provided the Hong Kong authorities with consumer facts, creating it the initial US tech huge to disclose its compliance with requests from the authorities just after a nationwide security legislation that criminalises protests was brought into effect last June.
Google past year pledged to stop responding to any ask for for consumer info from the Hong Kong authorities, except they arrived via the US Justice Section, as claimed by the Hong Kong Free of charge Push (HKFP).
Having said that, Google has given that revealed that it “produced some data” for 3 out of the 43 requests it acquired from area authorities for consumer information involving July and December past 12 months.
The company mentioned one particular of the requests was for an crisis disclosure involving a credible threat to lifestyle, when the other two associated human trafficking. Google included that the two requests had been unrelated to nationwide security, were supported by search warrants signed by a justice of the peace as element of an investigation, and had been processed according to the company’s world wide coverage on authorities requests for user information and facts.
Last 12 months, Google claimed it would not answer to consumer details requests from the area federal government except if they were created by the bilateral Mutual Authorized Aid Treaty (MLAT) with the US Justice Office. The business claimed the 3 requests in Hong Kong ended up not manufactured by the treaty and additional that unexpected emergency requests involving threats to daily life are not necessary to go by way of the treaty.
42 of the lawful requests it obtained associated 46 user accounts, whilst the one particular crisis disclosure ask for associated a solitary account. Google additional that it nevertheless needs the huge the greater part of Hong Kong federal government requests to be processed by way of diplomatic strategies, which includes any nationwide security legislation-similar requests. Nevertheless, it did not verify regardless of whether it had notified the 3 people in the requests that it experienced furnished the authorities with their data.
IT Pro has contacted Google for comment.
In July past 12 months, Microsoft, Google, Facebook and Twitter suspended the processing of person knowledge requests from the Hong Kong authorities next the implementation of a new security legislation that criminalises protests. Google revealed at the time that the community government asked for facts from Google consumers 105 occasions in 2019 by itself.
Some pieces of this write-up are sourced from:


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R&D will focus on designing and developing battery-electric cars, but there will also be work on electric-vehicle platforms, too. In addition to this JV with BYD, Toyota has an R&D centre in China (TMEC) and two regular JV companies with local partners FAW and GAC.
The company will launch its first vehicle in 2025, five years after Toyota rolls out its first pure-electric models in China. Both Toyota and BYD will staff the new company by transferring engineers and the jobs now involved in related research and development from their respective companies.More news: Pixel Phones Get a Sweet New Vibratin', Ringin' Feature
BYD is the latest of several new EV bedfellows for Toyota, which has also announced a partnership with Panasonic and a broadened commitment with Subaru, increasing the likelihood that its joint venture with BYD will only have a direct impact on the Chinese market.
BYD and Toyota Motor Corporation announced today that they have signed an agreement to establish a joint company to research and development for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).More news: Cyclone Bulbul: Operations at Kolkata airport suspended
BYD's Senior Vice President Lian Yu-bo added this collaboration will help bring new battery-electric cars to market as quickly as possible. Toyota plans to staff the new joint venture by transferring its own engineers already working on electric vehicle development. The government is promoting clean energy vehicles to fight pollution and spur new industries.
Toyota and BYD both aim to collaborate in order to develop battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that are appealing to the customers of China. Last month, BYD said so far it delivered more than 50,000 electric buses to global clients. In 2008, BYD became the first in the world to sell mass produced plug-in hybrids, and since 2015, BYD is the top seller of EVs and PHEVs in the world. "We hope to further advance and expand both BYD and Toyota from the efforts of the new company with BYD".More news: Bruins will open 2020-21 season in Czech Republic
The firm has been one of the leading manufacturers of battery-powered vehicles. The Japanese giant has sold over 14 million electrified cars worldwide since the first Prius debut in 1997.


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|Is this hair better than...|
According to CNBC's Darren Rovell, the Packers' stud linebacker with the flowing, blond locks has signed a one-year deal with Unilever to market a newly-formulated men's shampoo under the Suave brand. The contract includes appearances before and after the Super Bowl as well as a production day that could include filming a commercial. The deal allows Matthews to have his hair trimmed a bit, but he isn't allowed to shave it off for at least a year.
It's somewhat surprising that it took this long for someone to ink Matthews to a deal considering he may have the second most recognizable hair in the NFL combined with his rapid rise to stardom. And it's not like Matthews hasn't been trying to snag an endorsement deal.
"I've been throwing it out there and just getting shunned," Matthews said on Monday. "I don't know what it is...America, I'm looking for a hair deal."Well, Clay...congratulations. You've got it. Although he may want to walk across the way and shake hands with Polamalu. This all comes after the Steelers' safety had his hair insured for $1 million by Head and Shoulders back in August. It's hard to imagine that this would have been in the works without Matthews' team getting set to line it up against Polamalu's team in the Super Bowl. Nonetheless, kudos to Suave for making it happen.


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Sometimes, financial traders have difficulty deciding what to do. Sure, it’s good news that Blink Charging (NASDAQ:BLNK) struck a deal with the United States Postal Service (USPS). Yet, BLNK stock popped and dropped as investors assessed this notable development.
Blink Charging is one of the best-known, publicly tradable businesses that sells and installs electric vehicle (EV) charging ports and related equipment. Impressively, Blink “has deployed nearly 66,000 charging ports across 27 countries.”
Global EV purchases, according to Blink Charging, are expected to comprise half of the passenger cars sold in the U.S. by 2030. Evidently, the postal service is getting ready to join the growing EV movement.
As part of the USPS’s vehicle-electrification strategy, it awarded Blink Charging awarded a contract to “sell up to 41,500 EV charging units.” This certainly sounds like a win-win scenario for all parties involved in the transaction. So, how is the market responding to the news?
What’s Happening With BLNK Stock?
As you might expect, BLNK stock gapped up this morning as traders weighed the news of Blink Charging’s arrangement with the postal service. However, shares dropped quickly into the red and were down 2% as of 10:30 a.m. Eastern.
As usual, Wall Street is unpredictable in the short term. In the long term, however, the deal with the USPS should benefit Blink Charging. Perhaps, the company will become the postal service’s go-to EV charging-station provider.
Even beyond that, Blink Charging could have opportunities to serve other government entities. After all, this is how reputations are built. Blink has a chance to prove itself here, and the company might build its public-sector client base during the coming months and years.
However, it appears that the market is skeptical at the moment. Still, this story isn’t finished yet and investors could change their minds about Blink Charging. If that happens, then a swift rally may be in store for BLNK stock.
On the date of publication, David Moadel did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.


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Axie’s land changed hands for $ 2.3 million when Metaverse’s price skyrocketed
Axie’s land changed hands for $ 2.3 million when Metaverse‘s price skyrocketed . Another multi-million dollar chunk of digital land has changed hands as prices for the virtual real estate metaverse continue to rise. The newest block of virtual assets, the Land of Axie, has cost its new owners a staggering $ 2.3 million in Ethereum (ETH).
Axie Infinity property is for sale for 550 ETH
A digital piece of land in the popular play-to-earn game Axie Infinity was sold for a high price of 550 ETH.
The official Axie Infinity website tweeted:
“A property owned by Genesis that has just been sold for 550 ETH! That’s over $ 2.3 million! Our player-owned digital nation continues to shock the world. We believe this is the highest amount ever paid for a digital property. Wish buyers and sellers! ”
Axie Infinity received its first lot on January 22, 2019. A few years later, the ArcaChemist user made a fortune after his original property listing sold for around $ 2.3 million.
Though Axie Infinity’s land game isn’t out yet, the land’s value is still rising as the anticipation of the game mode’s release draws nearer. Lunacian # 789512 appears to be preparing for this release as it currently has fifteen Mystic plots and three Genesis plots. According to the roadmap, the alpha of the land game community will start in the fourth quarter of 2021. At the time of writing, the minimum price for a piece of digital property in Lunacia is a piece of Savannah land priced at 3.5 ETH. Is this a harbinger of things to come in the near future?
Axie’s land changed hands for $ 2.3 million when Metaverse prices skyrocketed
Genesis storylines are especially rare in the game: only 220 currently exist, a factor that has increased their value as the title’s popularity continues to rise.
Earlier this week, a piece of digital land from the Metaverse game Decentraland sold for $ 2.8 million – where it was snapped up by Tokens.com. The second bought virtual real estate on Fashion Street, part of the map that was billed as the new fashion and e-commerce hub.
Yahoo Finance calculated a fiat equivalent price of $ 2.43 million and found the price “higher than most homes in New York City and San Francisco.”
A poster on Reddit complained:
“I can’t buy land in the real world or online.”
Axie Infinity surpassed $ 2.5 billion in trading volume in the third quarter of its current fiscal year, while big players like Southeby’s and Coca Cola poured into Decentraland. In the meantime, the Adidas Originals brand has also bought virtual real estate on The Sandbox.
Some believe the party is just beginning, like Bitcoin (BTC) trust operator Grayscale, who released a report on the Metaverse this week. Outer space, grayscale was chosen, was only “in the first legs”.
“The market opportunity to bring Metaverse to life could have annual sales of more than $ 1 trillion and compete with Web 2.0 companies that are valued at around $ 15 trillion today.”
Greyscale added that the Metaverse had the potential to “change the world’s business model, culture and politics, and claims that Meta (the company formerly known as Facebook) and its own Metaverse plans have closed down. “Role” as a catalyst “for the area of rapid development.
Join our Facebook group and Telegram group Coincu News to chat with more than 10,000 other people and share information about the crypto currency market.
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Children have a ball playing at the Lake View Park, where vendors have been found charging visitors twice the listed prices for snacks and beverages. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID
ISLAMABAD: The kiosks’ owners at Lake View Park have been found selling snacks and beverages at almost double their listed prices.
The park, established by Capital Development Authority (CDA) adjacent to Rawal Lake, is a bustling place where a number of families regularly visit.
However visitors have been quite vocal about how inflated prices leave a bad taste by the time they leave.
Cabin owners sell most items at 50 to 100 per cent markup, and visitors, who have no other option, end up paying through the nose.
“I was shocked to hear the rates of many items,” said Asfaq Kawsar, a private college student from Rawalpindi.
He noted that cold drinks which cost between Rs15 to Rs18 at general stores are sold for Rs30 and small bottles of mineral water which normally cost Rs15 are sold for Rs25 to 30 at the park. A cup of tea costs Rs20 to Rs25 compared to Rs10 to Rs15 at most places.
Kiosk operator Kamran Ahmed called it a “matter of routine”. He said prices of most items at recreation areas are always a bit higher than the market, but was visibly uncomfortable when asked to justify the extent of markup.
He said he paid Rs1,000 daily to the owner of the cabin, who got it from the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Most kiosk operators would run into losses if they did not charge higher prices, he added.
Umair Hayat, who works for a private company, was visiting the park with his family. He appreciated that the government had built a beautiful park, but felt the need for some oversight to keep profiteers at bay. He said the rate of a small bowl of chicken corn soup is Rs60 to 70 in the park as opposed to Rs30 to 40 elsewhere. Official sources said CDA charges Rs30,000 per year from the actual holders of each kiosk, but the owners often rent them out at much higher rates. The official added that most cabins have been allotted to people linked with the ruling political parties.
When contacted, Director Parks Asif Majid said the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration is responsible for regulating prices in the city and the CDA’s job is only to maintain the park.
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmed said that he would recommend CDA to order all cabin owners to display their rates lists.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2011.:::ref:tribune:::


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David Elstein, former Channel 5 chief executive, has said newspaper and magazine publishers need to band together so that they are not "held to ransom" by digital companies such as Apple.
Elstein, speaking at the Oxford Media Convention on Wednesday, was asked for his view of the power of Apple as a gatekeeper for digital publishers offering digital content online.
Apple, which runs an e-store called Apple Newsstand, takes as much as 30% of revenues from publishers that launch apps and offer content on its platform and devices.
"It is very important for publishers of news to get together in groups so they are not held to ransom by intermediaries," he said. "Those who get a temporary economic advantage [like Apple] can consolidate quite extensively before the rest of the world catches up with them."
Robert Shrimsley, managing editor of FT.com, pointed out that the Financial Times decided that it needed to launch a digital news app using HTML5 technology after deciding that Apple's terms were onerous. He said that a number of publishers have followed such a strategy to look to decrease reliance on Apple, such as the New York Times.
Shrimsley also highlighted the importance of publishers controlling as much of the revenue as possible from mobile devices.
"We think that 50% of our digital readers will be accessing content on mobile devices in the next two or three years, as opposed to on laptops," he said.
He added that digital subscriber numbers passed the FT's global newspaper subscription numbers last year for the first time.
• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email email@example.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".


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VDSL news stories
Fibre the most environmentally friendly broadband option according to new research
New research has determined that fibre is the best broadband option for consumers concerned about carbon emissions.
How Nokia and Chorus aim to enhance broadband access for Kiwis
Chorus has deployed Nokia's VDSL2 vectoring technology to deliver improved broadband access to users across New Zealand.
The age of the landline is over: 71% of Kiwis prefer naked broadband plans
“Kiwis know value when they see it and have been quick to adapt their preferences as landlines have become less and less necessary..."
Voyager bags big broadband download speed win
Voyager was the standout performer in the latest TrueNet Broadband Report, with the growing Internet Service Provider’s VDSL measuring at 2.5 seconds download speed.
VoIP / SIP
2talk walks the walk with 'good honest' broadband
Customers can now add 2talk broadband to voice plans by ordering through 2talk live, with broadband now available as ADSL, VDSL, UFB (Auckland only) or HSNS.
Don't wait for fibre, businesses should adopt VDSL now
Auckland based ISP Voyager believes businesses shouldn't wait for the UFB rollout
Voyager's VDSL venture
High-speed option offers bridge for businesses who don't want to wait for UFB.


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So let's celebrate with a list of who was naughty and nice this year to people on the go. For example, we paid more for hotels in New York (naughty) but flew there seemingly for pennies (nice).
U.S. airlines were
Nice, for giving us cheap fares. We got by with paying nearly 50% less, on average and adjusted for inflation, than we did in 1978, the year that the industry was deregulated, the Air Transport Assn. reported in July. Even airlines' attempts to add sorely needed fuel surcharges mostly fell under the wheels of low-cost carriers and penny-pinching passengers.
Naughty, for charging us $5 and $10 to book seats by phone or in person.
Nice, for reducing walk-up fares and not making us fly round trip or stay Saturday night to get good prices — even if these courtesies were often limited to routes where so-called legacy carriers confronted low-cost competition.
Naughty, for taking back extra inches of legroom. Saying it needed the fares, American announced it would reinstall some seats it took out only four years ago in its "More Room Throughout Coach" program. Just when we were getting comfy.
Nice, for putting more self-service check-in kiosks at airports. It saves us time. And it saves airlines money.
Naughty, for reducing food service on domestic flights. Among the cutbacks: US Airways, which earlier ended free meals in coach, stopped offering special meals, such as vegan and gluten-free, even in first class. American indicated it will end free meals in coach next year.
Nice, for expanding electronic ticketing. By the end of next year, two big alliances of U.S. and foreign carriers — the Star Alliance and Sky Team — plan to have agreements among all their members that will enable passengers to use a single e-ticket when their itineraries include more than one airline.
The lodging industry was
Naughty, for raising room rates. OK, they crawled up less than 4% at U.S. hotels overall in 2004, according to the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, after three years of slipping and stagnation. But rates in New York shot up more than twice as fast as the nation as a whole, and Las Vegas was raking it in too. And really — $40 per day to park your car at an urban hotel? $4.50 for a bottle of water in your room? Not a jolly prospect.
Nice, for otherwise treating us well. Nearly 70% of readers surveyed by Consumer Reports magazine said they were "very" or "completely" satisfied with their hotel stays — up from 60% in 2001. The lodging industry also scored a respectable 71 of 100 points in the American Customer Satisfaction Index, produced by the University of Michigan Business School and other entities.
NCL Corp. was
Naughty, for converting the genteel art of tipping into a mandatory service charge on its new Pride of Aloha ship sailing the Hawaiian islands.
Nice, for suspending, at least temporarily, the $10-per-day charge after persistent service problems.
The cyber-world was
Nice, for giving us more one-stop shopping, including Mobissimo.com and Kayak.com. These aggregators, an idea pioneered by SideStep, scour gobs of websites for the best airfares, saving us many mouse clicks.
Naughty, for making us pay to play in our forests and on other federal lands. I'm talking about the Adventure Pass program, which Congress last month voted to extend for a decade. Yes, I know our forests are underfunded. But the government should allocate more money instead of dinging users at the doorstep. What's next? Pay toilets?
Nice, for aiding passengers who may be stranded by a bankrupt airline. Congress on Dec. 8 renewed a law that requires other carriers, on a standby basis, to honor these fliers' tickets. The law has plenty of fine print and loopholes, but at least it puts a $25 one-way cap on fees that airlines can charge in this situation.
California state government was
Nice, for curbing rental-car spies. Starting Jan. 1, companies can't use satellite tracking devices to fine car renters for crossing state lines or other alleged violations of their contract, thanks to a bill sponsored this year by former Assemblywoman Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro). Using this gambit, some rogue outlets had extracted thousands of dollars from customers.
Not so nice: A provision in Corbett's bill that would have required companies to disclose that the device is in your rental car was dropped before passage. That leaves us to wonder: How can you guarantee that bored car jockeys won't silently monitor your every move? And what happens to the records of your whereabouts?
Naughty, for nearly doubling the price of annual park passes and raising other park fees too. The real culprit was a $15-million reduction in the park system's budget.
Nice, for pulling the plug on cruise-ship pollution. A new law sponsored by then-Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) prohibits waste incineration on cruise ships within three miles of the California coast. Another, by former Assemblyman George Nakano (D-Torrance), bars ships from draining water from sinks, showers and laundries into the ocean within three miles of the California coast.
The big picture
On balance, I'd stuff a few more oranges than lumps of coal in the stockings of the travel industry and its regulators.
So happy traveling to all this holiday season.
And to all a good flight.
Hear more tips from Jane Engle on Travel Insider topics at latimes.com/engle. She welcomes comments but can't respond individually to letters and calls. Write to Travel Insider, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A., CA 90012, or e-mail email@example.com.


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Report : Europe 3D Avatar Solution Market Forecast to 2028 – COVID-19 Impact and Regional Analysis – by Component (Solution and Services), Model (Stylized, Realistic, and Futuristic), and End User (Media and Entertainment, Healthcare, Fashion, and Others)
At 32.3% CAGR, the Europe 3D Avatar Solution Market is speculated to be worth US$ 216.80 million by 2028, says Business Market Insights
According to Business Market Insights’ research, the Europe 3D avatar solution market was valued at US$ 40.48 million in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 216.80 million by 2028, registering a CAGR of 32.3% from 2022 to 2028. Rise in development of new 3D avatar solutions and adoption of advanced technology like metaverse and 3D avatar in fashion industry are the critical factors attributed to the Europe 3D avatar solution market expansion.
3D body scanners are being adopted across industries such as healthcare, fashion, and modern art to provide a 3D replica of the human body for measurements, treatment plans, and modern art development. As a result, the demand for advanced 3D scanners and software is increasing across the region. A few of the notable players operating in the 3D avatar solution market that offer 3D avatar solutions include Texel, LLC and TG3D Studio. A few of the recent development of new 3D scanning models have taken place in recent years. For instance. in July 2022, TechMed 3D launched a SNAP application for human body 3D models and measurement. The application offered clinicians easy access to 3D body scans and measurements. The scanners enable the doctors to capture accurate body images; hence, the need for manual input of any other body specification is minimal. Similarly, in April 2021, NetVirta announced the launch of Verifyt, its new 3D body scanning application for apparel and footwear brands. The application is designed for both apparel manufacturers and consumers. It is developed to increase fitting efficiency, thereby reducing return rates. The rise in investment by the 3D avatar solution players to innovate and develop new and advanced products is driving the growth of the Europe 3D avatar solution market.
On the contrary, high preference of shopping from of brick-and-mortar stores hurdles the growth of Europe 3D avatar solution market.
Based on component, the Europe 3D avatar solution market is bifurcated into solution and services. The solution segment held 71.4% market share in 2022, amassing US$ 28.89 million. It is projected to garner US$ 158.82 million by 2028 to expand at 32.9% CAGR during 2022–2028.
Based on model, the Europe 3D avatar solution market is segmented into stylized, realistic, and futuristic. The stylized segment held 41.4% market share in 2022, amassing US$ 16.75 million. It is projected to garner US$ 83.32 million by 2028 to expand at 30.7% CAGR during 2022–2028.
Based on end user, the Europe 3D avatar solution market is segmented into media and entertainment, healthcare, fashion, and others. The fashion segment held 37.0% market share in 2022, amassing US$ 14.99 million. It is projected to garner US$ 76.14 million by 2028 to expand at 31.1% CAGR during 2022–2028.
Based on country, the Europe 3D avatar solution market has been categorized into the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, and rest of Europe. Our regional analysis states that Germany captured 34.2% market share in 2022. It was assessed at US$ 13.83 million in 2022 and is likely to hit US$ 72.48 million by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 31.8% during the forecast period.
Key players dominating the Europe 3D avatar solution market are 3D Generation GmbH, Bodygee AG, NeXR Technologies SE, Osensus GmbH, Polyga Inc, Texel Inc LLC, and TG3D Studio Inc among others.
Contact Person: Sameer Joshi
Phone: +1- 646- 491- 9876
Email id: firstname.lastname@example.org


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Tesla raising up to USD 5bn in third share sale this year
After seeing its equity appreciate roughly 670 percent so far in 2020, the electric car manufacturer returns to capital markets for the third time this year, raising USD 5 billion through an "at-the-market" stock sale planned to support CapEx spending on new production facilities and hardware.
BY DANA HULL, BLOOMBERG NEWS
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Odfjell Drilling beat tough market conditions in offshore to deliver significant growth in earnings in 2020, but the company fears that future financing opportunities are impacted by sliding values and overcapacity.
Denmark's new North Sea energy policy has instilled Wintershall Dea with doubts about its future in the country. The German oil and gas group is currently working to find a solution, says COO Dawn Summers in an interview with EnergyWatch.


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The US manufacturing sector is crucial to various other industries, and global advancements in technology, awareness, and demand are creating growth opportunities for manufacturers to leverage. However, to efficiently capitalize on the growth opportunities available, US manufacturing sector players must identify, assess, and strategize for them efficiently. How can manufacturers ensure growth in their organization? Infiniti’s market research and industry experts offer comprehensive solutions that enable manufacturers to identify the ideal growth opporutnities, develop data-driven strategies to capitalize on them, and ensure sustainable business operations and profits. To capitalize on the abundant opportunities for growth in the US manufacturing sector, and recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges in this market, request a free proposal.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201030005300/en/
Key Factors Influencing Growth in the US Manufacturing Sector (Graphic: Business Wire)
The US manufacturing sector has witnessed a steady decline over recent years. Recently, the advent of COVID-19 has added to the pressure on all industries, particularly the manufacturing industry. However, the rising demand and growth in the industry due to technological advancements and exploring growth opportunities across the value chain are expected to influence recovery in the US manufacturing sector. The manufacturing sector highly impacts the economy, and recovery of this sector is crucial to the country’s growth. In their recent article, Infiniti’s industry experts examine the key factors that will fuel growth in the US manufacturing sector.
Unsure of what’s next for the manufacturing industry as it recovers from recent years? To learn how your organization can successfully capitalize on ideal growth opportunities, speak with our experts.
“The erosion of the US manufacturing sector over the past couple of years have been a big blow on the growth of the US economy. Small and midsize manufacturing companies are the most affected. In contrast, large companies in the US manufacturing sector have managed to thrive despite the growing headwinds,” says a manufacturing industry expert at Infiniti Research.
Infiniti’s experts examined the following three key factors influencing growth and recovery in the US manufacturing sector and discuss how manufacturers can leverage growth opportunities:
- The increasing demand for high quality and variety, and growing demand across the domestic and international markets, is leading to growth in the manufacturing sector.
- Innovative technologies and the rise of industry 4.0, driven by the increasing amount of data available, help manufacturers carry out cost-efficient and smart plants.
- Technology and the internet of things ensure safety and change costs for manufacturers, allowing them to rethink business models and improve workflow.
- Gain in-depth insights into the factors influencing growth in the US manufacturing sector and efficiently leverage all growth opportunities by reading the complete article here.
About Infiniti Research
Established in 2003, Infiniti Research is a leading market intelligence company providing smart solutions to address your business challenges. Infiniti Research studies markets in more than 100 countries to analyze competitive activity, see beyond market disruptions and develop intelligent business strategies. To know more, visit: https://www.infinitiresearch.com/about-us


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Australian economy grows 0.4 per cent in June Quarter
Australian gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.4 per cent (seasonally adjusted, chain volume measure) in the June quarter 2023 and by 3.4 per cent over the 2022-23 financial year, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today. GDP per capita fell 0.3 per cent.
Katherine Keenan, ABS head of national accounts, said: “This was the seventh straight rise in quarterly GDP, and annual growth remained above trend, reflecting the absence of significant COVID-19 disruptions, such as lock downs, in 2022-23."
“Capital investment and exports of services were the main drivers of GDP growth this quarter.”
Investment continued to grow in June
Total gross fixed capital formation rose by 2.4 per cent. Both public and private investment rose.
“The growth in public capital was driven by health and transport infrastructure investment. National defence investment also contributed to growth, rising by 16.2 per cent.”
“The increase in private capital was driven by a 4.3 per cent rise in new machinery and equipment, led by continued investment in light and heavy vehicles and other transport equipment. Ownership transfer costs also grew, rising 3.9 per cent following six consecutive quarterly falls,” Ms Keenan said.
Trade in services continued to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic
Services exports rose 12.1 per cent, driven by travel services (+18.5 per cent) as the number of international students and tourists to Australia continued to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the biggest driver of overall export growth (+4.3 per cent).
Imports of services rose 4.7 per cent after a rise of 4.6 per cent in the March quarter. Travel services (+11.2 per cent) was the main driver as the number of Australians travelling overseas rose.
Easing supply chain constraints and improved weather drove trade in goods and changes in inventories
Net trade in goods contributed 0.5 percentage points to GDP and was closely linked to the decline in change in inventories, which fell by $3.4bn, detracting 1.1 percentage points from GDP growth. Global supply-chain constraints continued to ease over the quarter as domestic inventory behaviour normalised.
The rise in goods exports (+2.5 per cent) was driven by mining commodities, facilitated by a $1.1bn rundown in mining inventories. Improved weather and reduced bottlenecks allowed higher shipments from ports, despite lower underlying mining production (-1.3 per cent).
Goods imports fell 0.2 per cent despite strength in domestic demand for machinery and equipment and motor vehicles. This led to a drawdown of retail and wholesale inventories of $2.4bn over the quarter.
Household spending slowed further in the June quarter
Household spending remained subdued, rising 0.1 per cent and contributing 0.1 percentage points to GDP growth.
“Spending on essential goods and services were the main contributors to the rise in household spending, while many discretionary categories detracted. The exception was spending on vehicles which rose 5.8 per cent as supply bottlenecks eased during the quarter,” Ms Keenan said.
Household saving ratio fell
The household saving to income ratio fell for the seventh consecutive quarter to 3.2 per cent, its lowest level since June quarter 2008.
“The fall in the household saving ratio was driven by higher interest payable on dwellings, income tax payable and increased spending by households due to the rising cost of living pressures," Ms Keenan said.
Total income received by households rose 1.8 per cent, driven by interest received and compensation of employees.
Prices fell in June following strong growth in the previous two quarters
Nominal GDP fell by 1.2 per cent in the June quarter but grew by 9.7 per cent over the 2022-23 financial year.
The GDP implicit price deflator fell 1.5 per cent in the June quarter. This was driven by a fall in the terms of trade (-7.9 per cent), as export prices fell (-8.2 per cent) more than import prices (-0.3 per cent).
The decline in export prices was driven by energy related commodities, as coal and other mineral fuels prices both fell. This was the largest quarterly fall in export prices since June quarter 2009. The fall in import prices was led by oil-based products.
The large decline in commodity prices caused mining profits to fall 11.2 per cent. This drove an overall fall in gross operating surplus of 4.5 per cent.
Domestic price growth remained steady at 1.2 per cent, driven by rises in household rents and food as well as capital goods, which rose due to the depreciation of the Australian dollar.
- A breakdown of key information from this and other economic releases can be found in '11 things that happened in the Australian economy during the June quarter'.
- When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
- For media requests and interviews, contact the ABS Media Team via firstname.lastname@example.org (8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri).
- Subscribe to our media release notification service to get notified of ABS media releases or publications upon their release.


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But nobody cares about 3D movies anyway.
Protect the lifeblood of your business with at least one—and ideally, two—of these proven techniques.
Ray Raulerson asked about running a computer with two monitors
If you need to connect just a single client, such as a laptop or a home-theater PC, to your 802.11ac network, Netgear's A6200 is a far cheaper alternative to a wireless bridge.
You don't just watch an LG TV, LG TVs are watching you.
Only a "very small number" of consoles are affected by the issue, Microsoft says. It's working on getting replacement models to anyone reporting the issue.
Cyber Monday may be over but the deals continue.
3D printing is not only entering the consumer space these days, but it also is finding application in the filmmaking industry.
An extra hard drive bay and two free SODIMM slots mean that the already fast Satellite P75-A7200 can easily be made faster.
New features in Sony's upcoming gaming console will make it easier for users to stream games and share content over social media.
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Samsung had paused the rollout of the One UI 3.0 update for the Samsung Galaxy S10 last week.
By Tanishka Sodhi | Updated: 27 January 2021 14:48 IST
Samsung hasn't given an official reason for pausing the One UI 3.0 update for the Galaxy S10 series
The One UI 3.0 update is said to carry firmware version G975FXXU9EUA4
It is reportedly rolling out to Samsung Galaxy S10 devices in Switzerland
Samsung Galaxy S10 will receive the January 2021 Android security update
Samsung Galaxy S10 smartphones have started receiving the Android 11-based One UI 3.0 update again, as per a report. Samsung had started rolling out the update earlier this month, but it was paused abruptly last week. While the reason wasn't officially revealed, reports claimed that the update made some Samsung Galaxy S10 phones heat up and also caused camera blur. The Android 11-based One UI 3.0 update is now said to be rolling out to Samsung Galaxy S10 devices in Switzerland.
The Android 11-based One UI 3.0 update for the Samsung Galaxy S10 carries the firmware version G975FXXU9EUA4, according to a report by SamMobile. While the update is said to be rolling out to devices only in Switzerland as of now, it is likely that Samsung will expand it to other markets soon.
Samsung had pulled the stable Android 11-based One UI 3.0 update for the entire Samsung Galaxy S10 series last week. Reports indicated that this was due to certain bugs in the firmware. Users had reportedly complained about camera blur and the device heating up. And those who hadn't already upgraded were unable to do so via over-the-air or SmartSwitch later.
While Samsung hasn't issued any clarification, it seems that the issues have been resolved since the Android 11 update appears to have started rolling out to the Samsung Galaxy S10 phones again. If you have an eligible device and didn't get a chance to upgrade earlier, you can go to Settings > System updates > Check for system updates > Download now > Install update. The update is said to bring Android 11 and One UI 3.0 features to the phone, along with the January 2021 Android security patch.


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New car star – what they are? Far-from-common cars chosen by the Japanese "Big Three" automakers' top executives to drive on to the stage at the Tokyo Motor Show Wednesday said it all.
Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn rolled out in the GT-R, a flagship muscle car. Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe scooted out in a wheelchair-like "personal mobility" vehicle. Honda President Takeo Fukui chose a rubbery bubble-shaped fuel-cell model.
As starkly different as they may be, the tiny fuel-efficient cars and the expensive sports car are the undisputed stars of the Tokyo Motor Show. Similar offerings, spotted everywhere at a sprawling hall, shed light on how global automakers are hoping to woo buyers in mature markets such as the U.S., Europe and Japan - by appealing to their conscience about the environment and to their passion for speed.
Nissan General Manager Francois Bancon hopes the show will entice interest in cars, which he said was fading not only in Japan but also in Europe, especially among young people. "They are somehow rejecting the car as an icon," he told The Associated Press.
Christopher J. Richter, analyst with Calyon Capital Markets Asia in Tokyo, said Japanese are not only buying fewer cars but also holding on to them longer.
"The decline in personal incomes particularly among young people has had a negative impact on the vehicle market," he said.
Tokyo is notoriously unfriendly to car-owners, with expensive taxes and parking fees. And most urban-dwellers use commuter trains. The growing gap between the rich and poor here has also hurt car sales, analysts say.
Last year, Japan's passenger car sales totaled about 3 million vehicles, down around 7 percent from the previous year.
Automakers say they hope the razzle-dazzle of the more than 500 models on display in this Tokyo suburb, from the jet-like GT-R to the futuristic electric cars, will perk public interest in cars and help revive the lagging sales.
Reporters got a preview look Wednesday at the biannual event, which is opening to the public Saturday.
The 7.8 million yen (US$68,000; EUR48,000) GT-R from Nissan Motor Co., unveiled last week with much fanfare, is a rare offering from the Japanese, more reputed for small cars with solid mileage than the GT-R's twin turbo engine and carbon-fiber components.
The GT-R is being promised for under US$80,000 in the U.S. next year. They go on sale in Japan in December. Ghosn said the company has received orders worth three months of production and plans to sell 1,000 GT-Rs a month.
Fancy sports cars like the GT-R are crucial for enhancing an automaker's image, but environmentally friendly technology that eases consumer conscience about being green is another image-booster.
Honda Motor Co. combined the allure of both in the sleek CR-Z gas-electric hybrid sports car, which President Fukui said outdid rivals with its new hybrid system.
Hybrid vehicles tend to be bulky because of the size and complexity of the hybrid systems, which include a battery, motor and engine. They're usually not known for their torque, acceleration, handling and innovative design.
Fukui didn't say when the CR-Z will go on sale but promised it for "the near future."
"As a leader in ecology, Honda also hopes to show the fun of driving so that mobility can be enjoyed on this planet forever," he told the crowd gathered at the Honda booth.
Besides the scooter-like I-Real, which President Watanabe rode onstage, Toyota Motor Corp. showed a stripped down experimental version of its popular Prius gas-electric hybrid.
Watanabe said the upgrade will be a plug-in hybrid, which can travel longer as an electric car by recharging from a household socket, and will offer double the mileage of the current Prius.
"Our theme is harmonious driving," Watanabe said. "What we have on display shows the direction of where Toyota is going."
Japan has long been an elusive market for the U.S. "Big Three" - General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC - whose combined sales make up about 1 percent of the Japanese market.
The top executives of the U.S. automakers skipped the Tokyo show. GM, which had one of the smallest booths at the show, showed only a handful of vehicles, including a Cadillac luxury model.
Upbeat, by contrast, was Lamborghini, which is doing booming business among Japan's burgeoning upper class. Annual sales jumped from just 30 in 2002, to 150 or 160 forecast for this year.
The top-of-the line Lamborghini costs 34 million yen (US$298,000; EUR209,000), but a Japanese customer has bought even the EUR1 million limited-edition model, Carlo Zambotto, representative at Lamborghini Japan, said in an interview on the sidelines of the show.
"The more money it takes, the better it goes - strange as it may sound," he said of the auto market here.
Selim Bensaad, the great-grandson of Joseph Stalin, wrote an open letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. In the letter, Bensaad pointed out the need to dissolve the United Nations


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Apple is quickly becoming one of America's most valuable companies. I sometimes think that Apple kills competition with its "walled garden" ideology, but any company which can afford to spend literally billions of dollars in R&D will give the consumer better hardware at a reduced cost.
Apple might be one of the healthiest companies around as well. I looked a bit deeper into their financial reports
and found the following:
Cash and cash equivalents ... 7,609
Short term marketable securities ... 17,187
It looks like Apple has 24.796 billion dollars in cash or liquid investments. Of course there are liabilities, but to have tens of billions just sitting around collecting interest isn't a bad thing.


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A year in review and look ahead at the market Down Under. Editorial is provided by License! Global’s Australian content partner, The Bugg Report.
Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products has opened its first dedicated office in Asia and appointed Pinky David as vice president, Asia Pacific.
Universal Studios Japan hosted the grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Friday that featured an unveiling of the Hogwarts castle.
Outfit7, the company behind Talking Tom and Friends, has appointed a raft of new licensing agents to expand its reach globally.
As part of its annual investor meeting, Gap, Inc. unveiled plans for major expansion in Asia.
Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products and 3DBA are helping to cool down a resort in Jakarta, Indonesia, with an Ice Age-themed attraction.
AG Properties has renewed its partnerships with 14 licensing agents worldwide for its five signature brands.
Studio 100 International has tapped Empire Licensing to represent May the Bee in South East Asia.
Viacom International Media Networks Asia is planning the first Nickelodeon-branded attraction in Asia.
Tempur Sealy International has bought back its Sealy brand rights in Japan from its former licensee in the region.
Bubuzz has launched a new line of collectible figures featuring football stars from teams including FCBarcelona, Man U and Chelsea.
The twelfth annual Seoul Character & Licensing Fair is set to take place July 17-21 in Seoul, South Korea.
Hot Wheels has teamed up with Toy State for a range of new remote controlled Hot Wheels-branded cars.
Perpetual Licensing has tapped Empire Multimedia to act as a sub-agent for lifestyle brand Bottom Crawlers in Asia.
Rovio Entertainment has launched a new learning concept based on the Angry Birds brand and Finnish educational standards.
Sina and NBA China have expanded their existing partnership to provide fans in China with unprecedented access to NBA content.
Ahead of the Asian Animation Summit, Nickelodeon has announced a number of broadcast deals for its animation properties in Asia Pacific.
SEGA Corporation has taken on its first client as a merchandising agent–Lima Sky’s game app, “Doodle Jump.”
China’s CCTV Children’s Channel and Sesame Workshop have teamed up for series of segments in CCTV’s Spring Festival Special series.
For the first time, home entertainment titles from Fox International’s BabyTV channel are available at retail in China.
DreamWorks Classics has secured a range of new sales across Europe, The Middle East and Asia for the children’s series, “The Owl & Co.”
©2014 ADVANSTAR COMMUNICATIONS INC. All rights reserved.


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Low sales reported in Merida, even with the high heat
Every year, the hot season makes the consumption of water, ice and soft drinks increase; however, in these days, when the temperature in Merida has exceeded 40 degrees, some companies in the industry have had low sales due to the health contingency.
Hydropurific, which bottles, markets and purifies water, has not had the profits of previous years due to the current situation, and several of its main customers are companies or businesses that had to close their doors.
This is the same case of the company known as Muunyal, which this season began selling water and ice at home, since most of its clients are businesses that had to close due to the sanitary emergency.
In the case of the San Miguel purification plant, which distributes water at home in the Los Héroes neighborhood, its profits are also lower than in previous seasons, since it had to reduce its hours to protect its employees.
Previously, they used to work from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and now they only work from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.


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A new project aimed at showcasing black-owned businesses in Louisville is operational.
The Louisville Urban League established a permanent indoor/outdoor pop-up space at their West Louisville sports and learning complex. The League will use the PNC Entrepreneur Plaza to support Black business owners by providing them with an area to promote their services.
The plaza opened Friday in celebration of National Black Business Month, an August initiative that began in 2004.
Sadiqa Reynolds, the league outgoing President and CEOsaid interested black entrepreneurs should apply to reserve a spot online through its Center for Entrepreneurship.
“Wherever we can, we’re highlighting black businesses every time we open the doors. And we decide, who does it make sense to have here? Is it, you know, the bookstore? Is it the coffee shop?… The more the community sees them, the more their business grows,” Reynolds said.
Business owners can market their services to guests at the sports complex’s events such as the upcoming 2023 ACC Indoor Track and Field Championships next February. This event is expected to draw 1,000 athletes and 2,000 spectators.
The league previously worked with black business owners to set up pop-up services on site before opening the space and reserving a space for this type of activity.
Ausha Hilliman runs Julee’s Mocha, a new coffee shop on the Nia Center in the Parkland district. She said she previously advertised her company at the Sports and Learning Complex.
“They invite us in pretty quickly, and I’m always here to support them and get my name out there,” said Hilliman, noting Cafes are rare in the West End.
Aaron Williams has also participated in previous pop-ups at the complex. He owns Chicago’s Jerk Tacos, a restaurant across the street in the Russell neighborhood.
He said he wants his work as a black business owner to help inspire the next generation.
“I think it’s important for youth to see minority-owned companies and it gives them something to aspire to and look forward to,” Williams said.
Last year, Mayor Greg Fischer’s office said that 2.4% of Louisville’s businesses were owned by black people.
According to the Federal Reserve Survey of consumer financesFor example, the median net worth of black American families in 2019 was nearly eight times lower than the median net worth of white families, despite growing 33% since 2016.
This wealth gap Effects on the ownership rate of companiesaccording to a report by the Brookings Institution, a centrist research and policy group.
The PNC Foundation funded Entrepreneur Plaza last year through a $1 million grant to the League to support business and people development at the Sports and Learning Complex.


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Analyst Hits Out at on Disc DLC
Gaming research analyst at Wedbush, Michael Pachter, has attacked on-disc DLC, saying its simply pure greed for companies to take part in that sort of practice.
“I think that DLC has been so successful that publishers are trying to get a jumpstart and if you put it on the disc, it allows them to unlock it when they feel like it,” he said.
“A few years ago, we didn’t see DLC for typically six months after a game launch and I think it was Red Dead Redemption, but I think Take Two kind of pioneered and launched DLC like a month after the original title and it was super successful. Now you’re seeing a lot more guys do it yet.”
Ubisoft was right up there too, releasing DLC for Assassin’s Creed II very soon after release, having made it from levels pulled from the main game.
“The stuff on the disc, some gamers feel entitled to because they bought the disc, so they should have a right to anything that’s on the disc. And that’s a dicey one. You actually do own the disc and I think, theoretically, if you could crack the code on the DLC, you probably would be allowed to access it without paying,” he continued.
“And I’m not even sure that’s stealing because you did, in fact, buy the disc. That’s about as close as you can get to legal piracy.”