text:
Table of Contents
Microsoft (MSFT) has had a gorgeous year. Right after almost 50 several years in company, the tech giant crashed through the $2 trillion market place capitalization mark in June, becoming a member of an unique club that involves Apple and, for a temporary moment, Google guardian Alphabet. As of Dec. 6, Microsoft was worthy of a staggering $2.4 trillion.
About the final 52 months, Microsoft’s stock selling price has skyrocketed 45%, very easily outpacing the broader S&P 500, which rose 21%, not to mention rivals Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN), which saw their stock charges boost by 23% and 5.5%, respectively.
The company’s monetary stories ended up just as outstanding as its market place cap. About the very last 12 months, the program giant has described a whopping $176 billion in profits — a almost 20% yr-around-year maximize.
But Microsoft has often been a funds cow. It operates in the large-margin software program sector.
[See also: What we get right, and wrong, with our Company of the Year]
What is certainly amazing is that, underneath CEO Satya Nadella, the 46-year-previous enterprise is branching out and flourishing in new companies together with cloud computing, connectivity apps like Teams, and social applications like LinkedIn.
Equally extraordinary is that Microsoft has flourished although preventing the general public backlash or antitrust scrutiny its Massive Tech peers like Amazon, Fb (FB), and Apple have confronted. It’s for those explanations and much more that Yahoo Finance has named Microsoft its Organization of the Calendar year for 2021.
Microsoft reinvented alone by cannibalizing alone
Monthly bill Gates and Paul Allen launched Microsoft in 1975, producing what would go on to grow to be the world’s most extensively applied functioning technique. Gates remained CEO for a long time till he stepped aside in 2000 and Steve Ballmer took the reins. The duo noticed Microsoft by a variety of main merchandise releases and challenges, the most sizeable of which was Microsoft’s antitrust fight with the Justice Office that ran until 2002.
[See also: Why Microsoft avoided antitrust scrutiny that plagued other tech giants in 2021]
And although Microsoft is a reborn tech large in 2021, the distraction brought about by its antitrust battle and a sequence of miscues intended it invested many years combating for relevance amongst its Major Tech friends.
Microsoft unsuccessful to penetrate the smartphone industry, regardless of shelling out much more than $7 billion to acquire Nokia. Though LinkedIn has done effectively, Microsoft’s social media abilities are even now dwarfed by Fb And when was the past time you tried out to Bing your very own identify relatively than Google (GOOG, GOOGL) it?
But in 2010, the organization released Azure, a variation of Windows run by the cloud, and it has not seemed back again. It is now a person of the world’s largest cloud suppliers, giving the most current cloud products and services and coming in next in market place share only to Amazon’s Amazon Website Products and services.
People endeavours, on the other hand, required Microsoft to reinvent alone. Rather than peddling unique items of program, it commenced offering subscriptions that generate recurring earnings. Although the particular person profits offer more short-phrase revenue, subscriptions deliver in additional money general.
Its Business office products and solutions, for instance, are now mostly out there as cloud-centered products and solutions for both commercial and customer programs. And in fiscal Q1 2022, that meant income growth of 18% and 10% for the professional and consumer companies, respectively.
[See also: How Microsoft saved itself from social media scrutiny]
“For so very long, [Microsoft] resisted cloud computing and opening up their computer software and functioning it on other units mainly because they thought it would cannibalize Windows, for the reason that that was their gain equipment,” University of Pennsylvania Wharton Faculty senior fellow Scott Snyder instructed Yahoo Finance.
“Everybody at that time saw cloud as this nascent enterprise,” reported Snyder, creator of “Goliath’s Revenge: How Set up Firms Flip the Tables on Digital Disruptors.”
But Nadella — who assisted nurture Microsoft’s cloud business before turning out to be the company’s third CEO in 2014 — noticed the chance. And it is the cloud that pushed Microsoft above the $2 trillion mark in 2021, in accordance to analysts.
“But then you start out to include in these other factors they’re bringing in regardless of whether it is really LinkedIn, irrespective of whether it can be other sorts of platforms that can let folks to start off to develop on Microsoft Options. They are actually established up nicely to enable enterprises for digital transformation for a extended time,” Snyder extra.
Even though Microsoft had approximately 20% of international cloud sector share in 2020 guiding Amazon’s 41%, the program firm is slowly attaining on the All the things Store.
Microsoft’s cloud business enterprise has been significantly unstoppable in the past yr. Above the previous four quarters, the segment has exploded with calendar year around calendar year improves of 34% in Q2, 23% in Q3, 30% in Q4, and 36% in fiscal Q1 2022.
“I imagine investors underneath appreciated the story even going into 2021, thinking there was not that a great deal gasoline left in the progress tank,” Wedbush analyst Dan Ives advised Yahoo Finance.
“Instead, it’s in fact accelerated, for the reason that it is really a great storm of demand. It is really with much more enterprises going to the cloud. You’ve got seen Azure attain share compared to the likes of Amazon, and AWS. And the stock has now commenced to get rerated on becoming a cloud enterprise, alternatively than the standard Microsoft. It is no longer your grandfather’s Microsoft,” Ives included.
Even far more place for progress
Microsoft’s cloud development does not display any indications of halting either. The organization now gives cloud-based variations of IT infrastructure, world-wide-web internet hosting services, and Office, as nicely as on-premises versions of its server program.
In accordance to Ives, only 30% of Microsoft’s enterprise set up base has shifted to the cloud, leaving an monumental development prospect forward.
“In our opinion, it is not a matter of if, it truly is when this enterprise hits a $3 trillion current market cap,” he said.
It’s undoubtedly on its way there, incorporating $500 billion to its benefit in just 5 months. And the organization is continuing to make all of the proper moves, stated Michael Cusumano, deputy dean at MIT’s Sloan School of Management.
“They’re expanding yet again, because utilization of the cloud has been rising,” Cusumano reported. “They’re in some really impressive positions.”
Microsoft proceeds to seem to the long term
Whilst Nadella and enterprise could kick back again and rake in the cash by promoting its cloud choices to its present set up foundation of prospects, Microsoft is continuing to innovate. In April, the corporation procured AI pioneer Nuance Communications for $19.7 billion, a shift that will benefit anything from Microsoft’s health care attempts to its shopper engagement choices.
The business is also diving into the nascent metaverse area as a result of its Mesh Groups software package. The thought is to have colleagues found all-around the globe participate in virtual conferences utilizing almost everything from AR and VR headsets to their laptops, developing a perception of presence and earning it come to feel like every person is in the exact home.
At the same time, Microsoft is digging further into its gaming organization with its Xbox Video game Pass cloud gaming, a system powered by Microsoft’s individual cloud servers. The company not only marks Microsoft as a leader in the change to cloud gaming, but it also guarantees youthful users understand the Microsoft nameplate. It doesn’t hurt that it also provides likely cloud shoppers with evidence that Microsoft’s cloud servers are sturdy enough for even the most demanding purposes.
And many thanks to its more open up mother nature — you can come across Microsoft solutions on most any working program — it’s gained a lot of goodwill throughout the tech industry.
Of training course, there is no ensure that Microsoft’s present trajectory will maintain. Just after all, a lot of rivals hope to knock it from its pedestal — no matter whether that contains Amazon’s AWS, Slack, Google’s Workspace, Sony’s PlayStation, or SalesForce.
For now, on the other hand, the the moment below-the-radar software package organization is amongst the most impressive organizations on the earth.
A lot more from Dan:


text:
Danny Meyer Restaurants Shut Down Due to Coronavirus Concerns
As New York restaurants reel from decreased business and a new mandate that they can only serve guests at 50% capacity, one of the city's most influential restaurant groups has taken a drastic measure. On Friday afternoon, amid growing concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, Danny Meyer announced in a statement that all 19 of his Union Square Hospitality Group restaurants would shut down indefinitely. Another new high-profile closure is Le Bernardin, which Eric Ripert announced would close for two weeks after dinner service tonight.
"With all that we now know about federal, state and citywide mandates, as well as the science that has provided evidence urging everyone to reduce nonessential social contact, we have made the difficult, but for us, obvious decision to temporarily close our restaurants in New York City,” said Meyer, who is the founder and CEO of the restaurant group. "I feel it is necessary that U.S.H.G. do our part to prevent the spread of this pandemic."
The news comes a day after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that restaurants seating under 500 customers would have to reduce capacity 50%, allowing for more space in between tables to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. As many restaurants have already been reeling from a sharp decline in diners, even weeks before Cuomo's mandate, closing down all operations could be the only financially viable move for many struggling businesses in the coming days.
Restaurants around the country have had to get creative to stay afloat, with many amping up delivery and take-out options to accommodate customers who just don't feel like dining out. After experiencing a 50% decrease in business, Canlis, Seattle's historic fine-dining institution, has temporarily closed its dining room; it's launching a takeaway bagel shop in the mornings, a drive-up burger place in the afternoons, and for dinner, delivery-only service.
Mark Canlis told Food & Wine that he made the pivot to save all 150 of the jobs on his team, from valets to waiters to office staff.
"There's a bunch of chefs in the city that are all having this same discussion,” he said. “I was on the phone with one team today who was just saying, 'Hey, we were trying to figure out how not to lay people off. How did you guys do this? Can we get your playbook?'"
Staffers at the Union Square group, who are now out of work with their restaurants closed, will receive pay through the end of the pay cycle.

domain: news


text:
Have you ever felt like the process of seasoning your latest culinary masterpiece was too low tech?
One lifestyle firm believes it has spotted a gap in the market and has come up with a bizarre piece of kit designed to make this more of an event.
Smalt incorporates a Bluetooth connected smart speaker and mood lighting, to take the stress out of shaking salt.
Users will also be able to monitor their salt intake via Smalt’s app.
A California-based lifestyle company has created Smalt (pictured), which is designed to make shaking salt more less strenuous by automating the process of seasoning your food through Amazon’s Alexa smart assistant
California-based lifestyle company Herb & Body aspire ‘to make ordinary life more fun, easier, and healthier.’
Their strange vision for the future of sodium chloride dispensing is currently still at the concept stage.
The company’s website says they will soon be launching a crowd-funding campaign to help make it a reality.
And early adopters can sign up now to receive up to 50 per cent off a future retail price, yet to be announced.
How much interest it will receive from the general public remains to be seen.
Smalt has been in development for two and a half years, according to reports in SF Gate.
And a functional prototype was demonstrated at the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago, held in March.
Speaking to the site, CEO Bipan Singh said: ‘Whether it is the healthy eating trend or the convenience of meal ingredient services, people love to prepare meals, get together, have fun.
‘We want them to further enhance their dining experience with Smalt by using all of its features.


text:
Every Company Should Invest In Cyber Security
11 Reasons Every Company Should Invest in Cybersecurity
Here are 11 reasons why every company should be investing in cybersecurity. They are;
#1 Cyber-attacks are all over the news
The cybercrime industry generated a minimum of $1.5 trillion in revenue in 2018 globally. The cyber-attacks are becoming like an epidemic disease all over. Every industry and company is prone to cyber threats. Every day for about every 50 seconds a cyber-attack takes place. Financial services, the Pharma industry, and the Oil & Gas sectors are the worst hits with about 72% attacks according to research. Cyber security is the talk of the town.
#2 Cyber-attacks lead to multiple losses
Financial loss is the common denominator in determining the severity of the cyber-attack. The damages and losses actively caused by cybercriminals are expected to be $6 trillion by 2021. Many companies would become prey to cyber-attacks. For instance, Sony Pictures suffered a massive attack which led to a $24 billion loss, and over 77 million users were affected.
“It’s a wakeup call”.
#3 Cybercrime leads to Lawsuits & Non-Regulatory Compliance
Organizations related to Healthcare and Finance are liable to protect customer information. A cyber attack in these sectors can make them non-compliant. The Data losses constitute numerous lawsuits and end up being very expensive to settle.
#4 Email servers are targeted
Cybercriminals attack the critical systems of companies via the Email server and majorly 31% of the attacks are customized to hit the Enterprise Resource Planning system. According to research, about 65% of cyber crimes happen on email servers, especially in Indian companies.
#5 Cloud-based technology
With the evolving technology changes, cloud-based organizations are more vulnerable. According to Gartner, cloud technology is prone to cyber threats and vulnerabilities. Therefore, any organization adopting cloud storage must put cyber security measures in high severity.
#6 Insider accomplice
In most of the cyber incident cases throughout initiates within the organization. Research says, almost 60% of cyber incidents occur due to the employees of both current and past. However, these incidents are mostly accidental each organization must ensure itself with proper security systems within its infrastructure.
#7 Trust bridge for clients and users
Any organization hit with a cybercrime-related incident then their reputation becomes questionable. The domino starts falling apart. The organization loses its clients and customers in a jiff in such scenarios. Whereas, installing essential cyber Security measures and tools shall make any organization appear to be trustworthy involving data privacy.
#8 Improves SEO
Digital marketing goes hand-in-hand with the growth of any company in this digital world. In such cases, the traffic to the online shopping websites or any other websites should be managed and should be free to increase the revenue of any organization for that matter. When a data breach or an attack occurs, the website ends up inaccessible to customers and search engine crawlers. Initiating the right IT and data security programs boosts online business operations.
#9 Reduced exposure to threats
Smaller organizations exclude themselves from being attacked by hackers. But that isn’t the case. Every organization of any size that involves servers or multiple servers located in-house or outside their premises is vulnerable to data breaches at some point. Phishing is one of the hacking methodologies used to gather personal or sensitive information stored in one information system. Appropriate cyber security training for every level of employee should be in place as users granting access to hidden malicious codes or links accidentally could lead to data breaches or cyber incidents. Cyber security tools and measures are required for every enterprise – big or small.
#10 Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT is the new tradition as various appliances, security systems, and data systems are automated. Smartphones, laptops, desktops, and biometrics are all automated which makes us exposed to cyber-attacks. The Internet of Things (IoT) has made business very convenient and also allowed hackers to create loopholes.
#11 Secure online banking
The banking systems and applications could be hacked leading to online fraud or theft. Cybersecurity tools and financial security tools shall prevent sensitive banking data from being fetched and manipulated by hackers. Device access is to be minimized by only authorized users to maintain secure online transactions.
In Need of a Security Monitoring Service?
Here are a few reasons as to why every company should be investing in Cyber Security.


text:
Customers of Moldova’s Moldindconbank can now transfer funds from their accounts to individuals using ATMs equipped with OpenWay’s Way4 Cash by Code technology. Recipients receive a code via SMS and another code from the sender that they use to withdraw the predetermined cash amount. “If the amount is not withdrawn within 24 hours, the money is automatically returned to the sender’s card account,” the bank says.
- Dejamobile raises €2.5m to expand its technical and commercial teams
- Singapore banks begin rollout of NetsPay NFC and QR mobile wallet
- Apple Pay set to launch in Poland and the Netherlands?
- Eftpos brings Apple Pay debit payments to Australia with Rambus tokenization technology
- NFC mobile payments users triple in Poland in a year


text:
Backslash, the cultural intelligence unit of TBWA's The Disruption® Company, has released its Future of Retail report, which leverages the insights and expertise of its global network of cultural "trackers" to uncover disruptive growth opportunities in the retail sector.
Accelerated by the global pandemic, the e-commerce revolution is about to explode: Nasdaq predicts that 95% of purchases will be made through e-commerce by 2040. In fact, a study by Astound Commerce estimates a 24% growth in ecommerce in Spain by 2021. However, 71% of consumers say they still prefer to shop in physical shops, according to A.T. Kearney, so the total eradication of retail in real life may not be the answer.
Full story in Revista Emprendedores.


text:
Lenta reports strong fourth quarter sales growth
Russian supermarket giant Lenta has reported that sales climbed by 30.6% to 59.5 billion roubles in its fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, like-for-like sales increased by 7.6% year-on-year boosted by double-digit growth in December.
The company opened 21 hypermarket and eight supermarkets in the period to take its total number of stores to 132 at the end of December.
The results mean that total sales climbed by 34.5% year-on-year in 2014 to 194 billion roubles which was in line with the expectations. Like-for-like sales grew 10.6% in the year.
Lenta chief executive Jan Dunning said: “Lenta further extended its track record of rapid growth during 2014, opening a record 31 hypermarkets and 14 supermarkets and increasing net selling space by 39%.
“It is clear that the economy will face further challenges in 2015. Lenta will continue to focus on improving value for our customers and increasing productivity. Our team has developed a very strong pipeline of projects for the upcoming years, but we will closely monitor market conditions and optimise our store opening programme as appropriate to maintain high returns in combination with a healthy balance sheet.
“Having added around 195,000 sq.m. of selling space in 2014 we remain on track to meet our long-term target of doubling net selling space over the three years to December 2016.”
Email this article to a friend
You need to be logged in to use this feature.
Please log in here


text:
Savings on fashion and items for the home from M&S, House of Fraser and Debenhams thanks to voucher codes website this Mothers Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT
08 March 2012 – Voucher codes website DiscountVouchers.co.uk, the online provider of bargain deals redeemable at more than 800 top stores, has this week sourced new offers for saving on clothing, homeware and more. The website has announced the introduction of new deals for savings at Debenhams, House of Fraser and Marks and Spencer.
Marks and Spencer has long been recognised as a watchword for quality and the store is available among the new deals on DiscountVouchers.co.uk this week. Consumers can log on to the DiscountVouchers.co.uk website and browse the latest Mother's Day Marks and Spencer voucher codes which include Mother's Day Flowers & Plants + Free Delivery on All Flowers.
Another famous name retailer available on a budget this spring is favourite department store Debenhams, which boasts branches all over the country and a strong online presence. The DiscountVouchers.co.uk website is this week offering Debenhams voucher codes which include Free Standard Delivery and Returns at Debenhams.
More top quality goods can be had on a budget this spring too thanks to the latest House of Fraser discount codes sourced by the DiscountVouchers.co.uk team. Deals to be had this week include Sale: Up To 50% Off Selected Makeup & Cosmetic Cases and 70% Off Bed Linen.
Doug Scott, managing director of DiscountVouchers.co.uk, says, “We have some fantastic value deals available on clothing and other items from some of the country's most famous retailers this spring. Our users can look forward to some big bargains on products from M&S, Debenhams and House of Fraser thanks to our team updating our site in real time."
DiscountVouchers.co.uk offers consumers money saving deals at major high street brands and specialist retailers, including stores like Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Travelodge, First Choice, lastminute.com and Boden.
For more information visit www.discountvouchers.co.uk
DiscountVouchers.co.uk features the latest money saving offers from a growing range of retailers, all updated in real time. Designed to help consumers save money with both leading high street brands and specialist retailers, DiscountVouchers.co.uk offers one of the widest choices of discounts available.
Part of ASAP Ventures Ltd, the company behind the award winning Carrentals.co.uk price comparison site, DiscountVouchers.co.uk is committed to offering a growing range of the best savings available online.


text:
A local developer is looking to put up a new building in Woodside that will include nearly 50 residential units as well as a supermarket, daycare facility, and other commercial spaces.
According to a permit filed with the building department last week, Queens-based developer Cheung Kiu plans to build a four-story, 64,472 square foot building at 31-19 56th Street in Woodside.
The plans show that the development would have 40,099 square feet of residential space, 18,711 square feet of commercial space, and 5,662 square feet of community space, with 47 apartments on the upper floors and retail and offices on the lower levels.
Kiu plans to build an attended below ground parking garage with 68 spots on the site, according to the plans.
Well, I don't think that drawing quite depicts a 50-unit building but what do I know?


text:
The popular platform, which has been designed with both beginner and experienced sewists in mind, currently has over 125 different patterns, with a new pattern being added every month. This month at Sewing Pattern Secrets the theme is Western, and they have added a new girls’ Western shirt to their repertoire of sewing machine patterns for men’s, women’s and children’s clothing.
More information is available at https://sewingpatternsecrets.com/vsl?el=cm
Sewing Pattern Secrets has launched their new Western fashion collection as the trend grows in 2023. As a recent article on Who What Wear said, “Westerncore is the trendy new aesthetic everyone’s wearing”. Another recent article on Vogue stated that timeless Western-inspired fashion is perfect for Spring as it evokes images of rodeo-ready denim partnered with paisley dresses, and, above all, the classic western button-up shirt.
The head seamstresses at Sewing Pattern Secrets are also fans of the Westerncore trend. This is why they have added to their selection of clothing patterns with a series of cute new pieces for girls that channel the modern cowgirl look, including their new girls’ Western shirt.
As with all of their other sewing machine patterns, Sewing Pattern Secrets includes step-by-step instructions with their new girls’ Western shirt pattern. They also partner their DIY patterns with detailed garment schematics, views of the final piece from all angles, and material and cutting lists.
Beginner and amateur sewists will also love that the membership platform contains a repertoire of online courses, lessons, and tutorials. These have also been aligned with specific patterns to ensure that each sewist has the skills they need to complete their chosen pattern.
The growing platform also has an online helpdesk and takes custom commissions for new sewing machine patterns.
Sewing Pattern Secrets’ has designed their clothing patterns to be both foolproof and fun, and they hope to help beginner sewists grow in their craft while completing quality projects.
A spokesperson for the head seamstresses behind the membership site said, “We have over 125 high quality and popular sewing patterns with step-by-step instructions that let you create stunning, professional clothes and crafts–easily, quickly and hassle-free.”
More details can be found at https://sewingpatternsecrets.com/vsl?el=cm
Sewing Pattern Secrets LLC
145 Great Road


text:
Landscapers encouraged to do more marketing
Every year about this time, over 18,000 landscape contractors, equipment manufacturers and service providers in the Green industry converge on Louisville, KY, for the Green Industry + Equipment Expo (GIE+Expo) and Planet’s Green Industry Conference (GIC). It is now the 9th largest trade show in North America. That makes sense considering that the landscaping industry is projecting to be an $80.6 billion industry by 2015. That’s billion.
It’s a pretty impressive number and certainly represents a whole lot of business opportunity. But I’m reminded that revenue is only part of the equation. What the industry needs to care about more is protecting and growing its profit margins. “A majority of the industry – 66 percent – still inks less than $500,000 in annual revenue and nearly half post net profit margins of less than 10 percent.” * To improve those numbers can be a little more tricky.
Which brings me to the Planet GIC sessions I attended on marketing. There was a lot of the usual talk about using tactics like social media and digital marketing. Landscapers were encouraged to take up tweeting, pinning, liking, following and writing… lots of writing. But beyond the fact that, for most of these guys, a trip to the dentist would be more enjoyable than writing content, I think it’s misguided advice.
Granted, North American landscapers in general still have to do a much better job at marketing their companies. They have to do a better job inspiring and educating the market about the benefits of what it is they do in order to drive demand for their services. Without adequate demand it’s hard to position for profit. Without demand, companies will be quick to race each other to the bottom.
But the marketing challenges in the landscape industry are not a symptom of a lack of tactics or channels but rather a symptom of a lack of ideas. A lack of thinking. Encouraging everyone to become a writer without first challenging their own thinking is going to flood media channels with more useless info (which is already happening) and drive up skepticism, NOT demand.
Two exceptions in Louisville this year were Jim Paluch from JP Horizons and Daniel S. Gordon from Turf Books. Jim delivered his inspiring “Come Alive Outside” message and encouraged landscapers to think bigger and better about their work. Daniel gave some great advice on how to develop a marketing budget and measure its ROI. You’d think an accountant would only want to talk about the cost of marketing and advise against spending too much. Instead, he showed why landscapers might want to spend more on marketing this coming year but emphasized doing it smartly. I couldn’t agree more.
- Based on Lawn and Landscape State of the Industry 2012 (US)
Written by Jason Bouwman, RGD
October 30, 2013


text:
Facebook is among the tech companies standing up to the government over data requests. Noah Berger
Boston...Eric Schmidt's worried: Google's executive chairman says he's concerned over joblessness in the United States.
Each business day, we scour the news from local business publications from around the country—from our partners in the 43 markets covered by American City Business Journals as well as from others—to find the most interesting deals of the day, entrepreneurs, and upstart moves. Connect with me on Twitter @kbernhardjr.
Since coming aboard with Upstart’s parent company, Kent has covered sustainability and business, entrepreneurs, technology, and venture capital. Now, he covers all the ways upstart businesses get their money.
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
Sign up to receive Upstart Business Journal’s free daily email newsletter, weekend edition and breaking news alerts.


text:
The in-display fingerprint scanner technology was introduced in the early 2018 and now it has become quite a standard fingerprint biometric security feature. Unfortunately, this technology is only able to apply on OLED display that allows better light transmission where the LCD panel technology having difficulty in light transmission.
Yesterday, the Redmi General Manager, Lu Weibing has announced a remarkable breakthrough that the company’s R&D manages to include an in-display fingerprint scanner right under an LCD display.
According to Lu Weibing, this technology was possible by using infrared through high transmission film materials. This allows light to pass through the screen and let the fingerprint sensor to register.
This would allow more budget smartphones to feature this technology.


text:
Smart TV sales set for new peak
Tens of millions of new smart TVs will be sold around the world this year, new research has indicated.
According to a report from market analyst MIC, the total global shipment volume for smart TV sets will total around 88 million units in 2015. The devices are set to increase their share of the LCD TV market to 41.2 per cent.
"Consumers' high acceptance of high-end products drove the Japan Internet TV penetration to over 50 per cent in 2014," said MIC industry analyst Cindy Gu.
"In western Europe where broadcasters have deployed open standard interactive platforms such as Hbb.TV and aggressively introduced Internet TV services, the penetration rate reached nearly 40 per cent," she added.
While China accounts for approximately 60 per cent of the global smart TV market, smart TVs penetration across emerging markets amounts to only 20 per cent.


text:
KUALA LUMPUR: It was billed as a “modern and comfortable” place for traders and hawkers to do business. However, after more than seven years, Keramat Mall is far from being the buzzing marketplace it was envisioned to be.
It is an expensive reminder that things can go wrong when the authorities make decisions without understanding the needs of the people.
Then Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) wanted to provide traders at the old Datuk Keramat market with a building that would house a wet market, a dry market, a food court, a multipurpose hall and parking bays. The cost of the project was RM70 million.
“We were not consulted,” said Shoid Chee, Chairman of the Datuk Keramat Malay Hawkers and Petty Traders Association. “In the end, the authorities ended up building a mall that was neither trader friendly or consumer friendly.”
This complaint was echoed by a trader at the old market who identified himself only as Latif.
“There aren’t enough parking bays,” he said. “The space allocated for us to sell meat was on the top floor and the drainage was bad. If we slaughtered chickens, it wouldn’t be long before the place would smell.”
He added that loading bays were not constructed properly, forcing traders to haul their goods up the stairs from the lorries.
There were 424 traders at the old market and only 91 made the move; so many customers continued to shop at the old market.
In 2013, Keramat Mall was given what had the potential to be a lifeline when a small office of the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) moved in. But the impact of this was limited, said Shoid.
“It’s not everyday that a person needs to go to a UTC. People go there with very specific purposes. So how many stalls can benefit?
“That is why only the food stalls and and maybe stationary shops and insurance agencies have some business.”
A look around the mall reveals more closed shutters than open ones. On some shutters, there are warning notices about unpaid rental arrears.
A trader who declined to be named said only some shops were busy, and that many opted to open only on weekends when the mall would be slightly busier.
He also said there were many entrepreneurs who had applied to open shops at the place but could not get DBKL’s permission. Asked to comment on this claim, a DBKL spokesperson said the council was filtering these applications to ensure there were not too many businesses of the same type.
“If everyone opens the same shops, then it will not be sustainable,” he said.
For Shoid and the other traders who have refused to move to Keramat Mall, there may be a reward in staying at the old market, now that a plan to redevelop it into a three-storey market is close to being finalised.


text:
Carmel Valley, Calif. -- Like all great supercars, the Lamborghini Aventador S looks like it's speeding even standing still.
The Aventador S, a souped-up version of the Italian automaker's flagship car, can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under three seconds. The S model also comes outfitted with the latest technology, a basic requirement these days even for exotic sports cars.
"Normally a young customer -- a customer, who would like to show himself -- he's not scared to show himself, but he's also a guy who's very well informed about technology because this car is full of technology," Lamborghini's Federico Foschini told CBS News.
While it's not the fastest car on the market -- that title belongs to Bugatti's Veyron Supersport, which can reach a top speed of 267 mph and jet from 0 to 60 in 2.4 seconds -- the carbon-fiber Aventador S still packs a punch. Its V12 engine, hand-built at Lamborghini's headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognes, Italy, generates 740 horsepower and produces a top speed of 217 miles per hour.
The Aventador S isn't all brute force, also coming with some refinements. That includes a new four-wheel steering system, always helpful with parallel parking; heated seats; digitial dashboard; and Apple's CarPlay audio system.
Not surprising for a supercar, the Aventador S guzzles fuel: It gets an estimated 11 miles per gallon in the city and 18 on the highway.
Starting price tag? A cool $417,0000. Fingers-crossed on winning this weekend's.


text:
Braga is very bullish on the organic sector, as his company is transitioning about 500 acres per year from conventional to organic to satisfy the ever-increasing demand. In fact, he believes the coronavirus situation could add to that demand even after it is gone. He theorizes that the amount of home cooking that has occurred during this era of COVID could create a significant increase in organic produce demand post-COVID at foodservice.
Braga believes there are many consumers – especially in New York and other big cities – that have had to alter their eating habits and are now shopping at the grocery store, and eating at home three times a day rather than in restaurants because they have been largely shuttered for the last three months. He said this consumer segment has helped increase retail demand during the pandemic and may well do the same at foodservice once restaurants reopen fully, as they will want to order those same products when dining out.
“From your mouth to God’s ears,” said Antle, who has been trying to increase organic produce sales at foodservice throughout her career.
Rich Mendonsa, vice president of produce and floral procurement for Albertsons, reminded that even without a pandemic, organic sales have been trending upward. He revealed the “O” brand is a $1 billion sector for Albertons/Safeway with 1,500 items across 180 categories. He also predicted that the increase in produce demand would last beyond COVID as consumers have been reminded that their food dollar stretches further in the supermarket and he doesn’t expect that they will abandon the concept of eating healthy.
Kocher made a similar observation, predicting that two COVID trends he sees will have legs. He said both organic produce sales and on-line shopping were already growth areas that received a “jump start” during these shelter-in-place times. He believes there were new shoppers introduced to both of these opportunities and those shoppers will continue to fuel the growth beyond the pandemic.
He also commented that retailers are re-examining their product lines and organics may also get a boost from this SKU rationalization effort. Kocher asked if there is really a need for twin SKUs on some items. “If you offer organic Bok Choy, do you really need conventional Bok Choy?”
Mendonsa agreed, stating that with the significant uptick in demand for produce during the pandemic, if your fresh produce item “didn’t sell during COVID, maybe we don’t need it after COVID.”


text:
New Silk Road freight train is part of China’s Belt and Road initiative – one of the largest economic developments ever planned. Covering more than half the world’s population, across 65 countries and 30% of the global economy, it is a key pillar of the country’s Going Global strategy.
Despite this legacy, rail has historically seen significantly less interest than the ocean when it comes to transporting goods to and from the Asia Pacific region. That is all changing. Over the last few years, there has been increased usage in the New Silk Road, a usage that has skyrocketed in the past few months. In July 2020, more than a thousand trains, transporting in excess of 110,000 containers, left Chinese cities bound for destinations in Africa and Europe.
That’s a 68% year-on-year increase. It’s also an astonishing rise when one considers that just 200 trains left China for the West in the whole of 2015.
Demand is such that even carriers such as Maersk are making use of it, deploying their own rail services to capitalize on the opportunity. So, what’s caused this boom, and what does it mean for businesses needing to get their products from East to West (and vice versa)?
The COVID catalyst
As with so many disruptions to the status quo this year, the coronavirus pandemic has played a significant role.
With Asian countries recovering quicker than elsewhere in the world, demand for goods to be both exported and imported rose, putting pressure on existing ocean freight capacity. At the same time, planes were grounded, impacting air freight capacity, while border crossings and ports have all seen an increase in restrictions, delaying the fast movement of goods.
In this context, rail has emerged as a viable alternative, offering faster transit times than ocean vessels, particularly for the movement of medical equipment from China to Europe. It is even attacking sea freight’s traditional strength, price, thanks to government subsidies.
The Silk Road freight train: An opportunity with challenges
It all adds up to a fantastic opportunity for shippers. They are no longer simply stuck choosing between different ocean carriers when looking for a direct route from key manufacturing and sourcing regions to destinations. They can now bring rail into the mix.
This is a really important point – as we’ve highlighted before, continued disruption has wreaked havoc on over-optimized supply chains. This means businesses need to have alternatives, both in terms of sourcing locations and transport networks. An improved rail network from China is exactly what supply chains need in order to develop that resilience we have previously called for.
That’s not to say there aren’t challenges. A boom in demand has led to fears of capacity crunches and congestion. While trains are getting longer (with the number of shipped containers growing at a faster rate than the number of new trains being deployed), there have been reports of delays of up to five days on some routes.
There’s an argument that as capacity matches demand, these will ease – all areas of logistics suffer from these sorts of challenges at different points of the year, whether it’s port congestion or road haulage in the peak season.
However, there’s also the fact that cargo is exposed to extreme temperature while traveling overland. Plus security is an issue – while rail freight is subject to the same stringent customs controls as other modes of transport, the fact is that a container on land (whether road or rail) is more at risk of hijacking or theft than one tucked into the middle of an 18,000 TEU vessel.
Keeping your rail freight on track with a clearer visibility
How do shippers combat these threats and incorporate the New Silk Road into their logistics and supply chains?
As noted above, part of it means having a resilient supply chain – to be able to integrate new routings or sourcing locations, you need timely, accurate data that you can analyze, draw insights from and make decisions with. Political disturbance halfway along your preferred rail route? Switch to ocean freight for that shipment. Ships continually delayed going through the Suez Canal? Bring back rail.
You’ll get some of this intelligence from publicly available sources; others, you can only get by having a clear understanding of where your cargo is. At the moment, this is a gap for rail freight – tracking services remain significantly underdeveloped when compared to the sort of solutions available for maritime shipments.
So shippers shouldn’t rely on operators to provide them with real-time, accurate updates on both the location and state of the train and its cargo. They need to look at their own solutions. That means combining IoT sensors, placed on containers, and connected to a cloud-based analytics platform, enabled by Big Data and artificial intelligence. That way, you get data from wherever your shipments are to wherever you are, allowing you to make decisions rapidly.
Having cargo monitoring and tracking solutions in place will also allow you to rely on dynamically updated Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) updates that are the basis for planning further activities. Thanks to real-time cargo monitoring you can keep track of your cargo all along the Silk Road, get notified when cargo reaches checkpoints, handover points, and specific rail terminals. Additionally, you can monitor cargo conditions such as temperature, humidity, shocks as well as cargo security through monitoring door openings and intrusion.
Building new supply chains with the New Silk Road
The New Silk Road offers shippers significant opportunities to build more resilient supply chains and, ultimately, ensure that the cargo reaches its customers in a timely manner. However, to use it successfully demands that they fully integrate the new with the old – in this case, harnessing the power of digital tracking tools with a thousand-year-old trading route.
It is only through the deployment of IoT and cloud analytics that shippers can ensure they enjoy the full benefits of a fast, cost-effective route from one market to another.


text:
Unsightliness is one reason to throw out a frayed extension cord. A fire hazard is a more pressing reason.
As part of a national safety campaign, fire officials have been asking residents to check their homes for fire hazards and to bring any recalled consumer products to Fire Station 80 at 2801 Coral Springs Drive.
The effort is being made in coordination with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's "recall round-up" to rid homes of fire hazards. The campaign ends today.
"Extension cords are a biggie," said Elyse Weintraub Brown, public education officer for the Coral Springs Fire Department.
"People are getting generic extension cords that haven't been tested and are not listed with Underwriters Laboratories, and they continue to use them when they are frayed or damaged."
According to the Safety Commission, more than 3,000 people die and 16,000 are injured annually because of fires that start in homes. About 800 children under the age of 15 die of fire-related causes and about 500 of those deaths are children under age 5, the commission said.
"We are basically trying to collect the items that really just need to be disposed of. There is a long list of items on recall. The bulk of the items can be repaired by calling a phone number. The ones that can't should be disposed of," Brown said.
To help conduct this year's recall roundup, the Safety Commission has enlisted help from local fire marshals, fire departments, state and local officials and national and state health and safety organizations.
Among the items residents could bring to Fire Station 80 or have repaired:
Cigarette lighters without child-resistant mechanisms. Disposable lighters and novelty lighters made since 1994 must be hard for children under age 5 to operate. Novelty lighters often are in the shape of toys. Discard old, non-child-resistant lighters.
Old electric hair dryers without built-in shock protection devices in the plug can cause electrocution. The hair dryers should be destroyed.
Extension cords with frayed or cut insulation, undersize wire, loose connections or improper grounding can cause fires. Throw them out.
Black & Decker Spacemaker Optima Toasters sold from 1994 to 1996. The toasters were recalled because food can catch on fire, and when the toaster door automatically opens flames from the food can escape and expose kitchen cabinets and their contents to fire.
Kmart children's decorative lamps, sold from January 1993 to March 2000. A short-circuit poses a fire hazard. The lamps should be returned to Kmart for a refund.
Halogen torchiere floor lamps made before 1997 present a fire hazard. They need a wire guard to help reduce the fire hazard. Wire guards are available by sending a postcard to Catalina Lighting Consumer Services, 18191 NW 68th Ave., Miami, FL 33015.
Items can be dropped off in two blue bins placed in front of the station. For more information, call the fire station at 954-346-1386.
Sallie James can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org, or 954-572-2019.


text:
Marks and Spencer has been working hard on its festive range of food and drink, and has launched pre-made cocktails for the Christmas season.
The retailer has been busy over the last few months creating the perfect recipes so customers can purchase a ready-made margarita, passion star martini, espresso martini, clover club, aged rum, cacao old fashioned, and golden negroni.
Consumers can buy the ‘Marksologist’ collection of six cocktails for £108, but Marks and Spencer intends to sell each beverage separately closer to December 25th.
Those who love chocolate and a digestif when the nights draw in are also bound to enjoy its new Golden Cream Liqueur. The silky caramel-flavoured beverage can be teamed perfectly with the entire Golden Blond range, which will be new to customers too. This includes Golden Blond chocolate spread, Panettone and Florentines.
Chocolate fans will also enjoy M&S’ unique Christmas Pudding Truffles, combining two popular flavours over the festive season. These fruity chocolate bombs with just a hint of alcohol are sure to be a hit with customers over the next few months.
As Christmas shopping begins earlier and earlier each year, consumers can already start shopping for their favourite decorations, fragrances, gifts, drinks and food at Marks and Spencer.
Another flavour that will fly off the shelves this winter is Ben & Jerry’s Minter Wonderland ice-cream. Though not new, this is back by popular demand due to its festive-inspired ingredients.
These include peppermint ice-cream with large chocolate chunks. The classic combination is as popular as ever, even during the colder months, as co-founder Ben explained “you could feel warmer when it’s chilly by lowering [your] inner body temperature, so it’s more balanced with the outside temperature”.
For more information on MPG suppliers to create new flavours, get in touch today.


text:
WASHINGTON (AP) - In a move that could send interest rates higher, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke ended weeks of speculation Wednesday by saying the Federal Reserve will likely slow its bond-buying program this year and end it next year because the economy is strengthening.
DETROIT (AP) - Car buyers increasingly want high-tech features like voice recognition and navigation. But they're not very forgiving of the car company when those systems fail.
NEW YORK (AP) - Taco Bell plans to test a "Power Protein" menu that it's hoping will eventually be hit with its core audience - young men.
NEW YORK (AP) - Starbucks has a new way to wake up its customers: showing the calories in its drinks.
SUNNYVALE (AP) - Yahoo is the latest company to disclose how many requests for user data it has received from U.S. government agencies, putting the number between 12,000 and 13,000 in the six months that ended on May 31.
DETROIT (AP) - After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
NEW YORK (AP) - A former intern filed a class-action lawsuit Monday against Warner Music Group and Atlantic Records over his unpaid internship, similar to a spate of recent lawsuits in other industries pushing back against the widespread practice.
NEW YORK (AP) - Nine owners and managers of 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia were charged Monday with making tens of millions of dollars by exploiting immigrants from Pakistan and the Philippines, in part by paying them using the stolen Social Security numbers of a child and three dead people while stealing most of their wages.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Lowe's plans to expand its California presence with an acquisition of Sears spinoff Orchard Supply Hardware Stores for about $205 million in cash.
NEW YORK (AP) - For the first time in seven years, most U.S. homebuilders are optimistic about home sales, a sign that construction could help drive stronger economic growth in coming months.
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - A single mother who worked briefly at a northeastern Pennsylvania McDonald's franchise is suing the owners after she said she was given a fee-laden debit card and told that she must use it to access her earnings.
SEATTLE (AP) - For the activists who led the effort to legalize recreational marijuana in Washington state last fall, Jamen Shively was one of their biggest fears: an aspiring pot profiteer whose unabashed dreams of building a cannabis empire might attract unwanted attention from the federal government or a backlash that could slow the marijuana reform movement across the country.
NEW YORK (AP) - Here's the latest goal for food makers: Perfect the art of imperfection.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - First the chefs of a small Italian restaurant got mad at online review site Yelp. Instead of trying to get better reviews, they decided to take a different approach: get terrible ones.
LONDON (AP) - "This call may be monitored."
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The nation's second-largest chain of rent-to-own furniture and appliance stores has agreed to pay $28.4 million to settle a case in which it allegedly violated California's consumer protection and privacy laws, attorney general Kamala Harris announced Monday.
HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Astros' improvement this year from baseball's worst team cost a Houston furniture mogul Jim McIngvale more than $4 million to make good on a promise to fans.
NEW YORK (AP) - McDonald's wants to explain why its burgers may not rot and that there are no worms in its beef.
NEW YORK (AP) - Americans are expected to spend at the highest rate in three years during what's traditionally the busiest shopping season of the year, according to the nation's largest retail industry trade group.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Drug Enforcement Administration set up a fake Facebook account using photographs and other personal information it took from the cellphone of a New York woman arrested in a cocaine case in hopes of tricking her friends and associates into revealing incriminating drug secrets.
FRESNO (AP) - California has fined two oil companies a total of nearly a half-million dollars for dumping oilfield fluid into unlined pits in Kern County.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Millions of Americans may qualify for waivers from the most unpopular part of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. But getting that exemption could be an ordeal.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration announced Tuesday that it is delaying enforcement of its initiative to extend minimum-wage and overtime protections to the nation's nearly 2 million home-care workers.
POINT REYES (AP) - A popular family-owned oyster farm whose lease at the Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California has expired will be allowed to keep operating until the end of the year under a legal agreement with the federal government announced Monday.
PALO ALTO (AP) - Personal computer sales have been in a slump for years, as customers flock to increasingly powerful smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. Now Hewlett-Packard, the Silicon Valley stalwart that was once the world's biggest seller of personal computers, is splitting off its PC and printing businesses. It's the latest shakeup in a tech industry that's being reshaped by the mobile revolution.
NEW YORK (AP) - Wal-Mart is taking one-stop shopping to another area: health insurance.
SANTA CLARA (AP) - It's a tough challenge for the National Football League to entice fans off their comfy couches and into stadiums when ticket prices are almost as high as the sport's TV ratings.
WINDSOR, Conn. (AP) - More cars and trucks are being equipped with cameras, radar, automatic braking and other safety technology that help avoid accidents, but drivers may not see their insurance bills go down anytime soon, experts in the auto and insurance industries said Thursday.


text:
BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund Program
“Indigenous Tourism BC through a partnership with Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport is delivering a $5 Million Dollar Fund through the BC Tourism Indigenous Recovery Fund. This fund will provide non-repayable grant contributions of up to $45,000 to Indigenous businesses in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19”.
“The program will provide recovery support to assist Indigenous businesses that have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption of the 2020/21 tourism business”.
Applications for this grant are due April 23rd.
To learn more about this grant, click here.


text:
Dairy Farmers of America, along with six other companies, has partnered with Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) in an effort to ignite innovation in fluid milk and milk-based beverages to meet the growing demands of foreign and U.S. consumers.
These seven partners are committing an unprecedented investment to unlock innovation and put milk back in the center of the rapidly growing health and wellness beverage market.
The seven partners from across the supply chain are DFA, Darigold/Northwest Dairy Association, the Kroger Co., Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association Inc., Shamrock Farms, Southeast Milk Inc. and the Coca-Cola Co. All of the partners will aggressively pursue growth opportunities for fluid milk through infrastructure, capital, human resource and marketing investments.
“These dairy partners are making an unprecedented investment over the next few years — more than half a billion dollars in capital and other resources,” says Tom Gallagher, chief executive officer of DMI. “With our Dairy Checkoff resources and dedication to fluid milk innovation, we’re excited to see how unique partnerships will help us drive ingenuity and generate new offerings and sales in the fluid milk category.”
DMI’s fluid milk partnerships represent marketplace leaders chosen for their anticipated catalytic effect in causing others in the business to follow with innovation and investment.
The companies bring strong financial, technological and marketing capabilities to the partnerships; DMI’s commitment is assisting in product development, consumer insights, nutritional consulting, technical and formulation support, and introductions to perspective marketplace partners.


text:
Vicksburg native and small business owner Matthew Montgomery have received a $25,000 grant from billionaire investor Mark Cuban. Montgomery, who appeared on the season finale of ABC’s “Shark Tank” in May, said he was recently notified of the grant via email. He will use the money to expand his online retail store, which sells home goods and gifts. This is amazing news for Montgomery and his business! Be sure to check out his website to see what products he offers. You just might find something you love.
Who is the Vicksburg native?
Ricky Willis is a Vicksburg native who has received a $100,000 grant from “Shark Tank” investor Mark Cuban. Willis is the founder of the online platform “We Are Family,” which helps families connect with resources and support during times of need.
Willis grew up in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and attended high school at Vicksburg High School. He then went on to college at the University of Mississippi, where he studied business. After graduation, Willis moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment. He eventually realized that his true passion was helping others, and he founded “We Are Family.”
Read this: Why Magento is the best platform for big e-commerce companies?
The mission of “We Are Family” is to help families in need connect with resources and support. The website provides a directory of resources for families, as well as articles and blog posts about topics such as parenting, finances, education, and more. Willis has said that he started the website because he saw a need for it when he was going through tough times himself.
Cuban’s grant will allow Willis to expand the reach of “We Are Family” and help even more families in need. Willis plans to use the money to build out the website’s content and add new features such as a forum where families can connect with each other. He also plans to use some of the grant money to create videos about topics that are important to families.
What is the grant for?
The grant is for $100,000 and it is from Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban.
How will the grant be used?
The grant from a ‘Shark Tank’ investor will be used to fund a new business venture in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The grant will be used to purchase equipment and supplies, as well as to cover the costs of marketing and advertising. Additionally, the grant will be used to support the hiring of new employees.
What is Shark Tank?
Shark Tank is a TV show where entrepreneurs pitch their business or product to a panel of investors, called “sharks.” If the sharks are interested, they will make an offer to invest in the company.
Vicksburg native J.D. Montgomery recently received a $100,000 grant from Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban. Montgomery is the founder of The Cuddler, a company that makes blankets for people with anxiety disorders.
Montgomery said he applied for the grant after seeing Cuban on Shark Tank and thinking that he would be a good fit for The Cuddler. He said he was surprised and thrilled when he found out he had been selected as a recipient of the grant.
“It’s just an incredible feeling,” Montgomery said. “I’m so grateful to Mark Cuban and Shark Tank for this opportunity.”
The Cuddler is currently available for pre-order on its website, and Montgomery said he plans to use the grant money to expand production and reach more customers.
Who is the investor?
The investor is Mark Cuban, a self-made billionaire who is best known for his role on the hit TV show Shark Tank. Cuban started his career as a bartender and then went on to become a successful entrepreneur. He is now one of the richest people in the world, with a net worth of over $3 billion. Cuban has invested in many businesses, including startups, and is known for his willingness to take risks.
How was the native chosen?
The Vicksburg native was chosen for the grant by the ‘Shark Tank’ investor because of her strong work ethic and dedication to her community.
As a single mother, she has overcome many challenges in her life and has become an inspiration to others.
She is currently working on starting a non-profit organization that will help women in her community who are struggling with addiction and domestic violence.
The grant will help her continue her work in the community and make a positive impact on the lives of those around her.
This is an amazing story and we are so happy for the Vicksburg native who received this grant. It just goes to show that with a little bit of hard work and dedication, anything is possible. We hope that this grant will help the recipient achieve their goals and make a positive impact in their community.


text:
You've seen the biggest news stories of the year, but what reviews got you most interested over the past year? These ones, of course. Perhaps surprisingly, nearly all of the reviews are for mobile...
Samsung shrugs off struggling sales of super-premium smartphones with £1800 Galaxy Fold coming in May
Samsung also first major manufacturer to rush out 5G smartphone with the Galaxy S10 5G
The company says it will try again in the next few days
The map was created using data collected through the Low Frequency Array telescope
New technique enables nanoscale patterns to be cut in graphene without compromising its electrical properties
Graphene moves a step closer to commercialisation with new method encapsulating graphene inside another two-dimensional material


text:
Update: The Board of Supervisors will not be hearing the plastic bag ban ordinance at Tuesday's meeting. Reportedly, after telling supervisors last week that the bag ban ordinance could be heard on May 24, county counsel Jeanine Nadel discovered that the county had failed to properly give notice for the certification of the EIR. We'll update you when we know more.
"April is plastic bag month in Mendocino County," says Mike Sweeney, manager of the county's garbage agency. The Ukiah City Council voted 5-0 to approve first reading of an ordinance phasing in a ban of disposable plastic carryout bags Wednesday night. The Fort Bragg City Council is scheduled to consider a similar ordinance on Monday, and the board of supervisors has a vote on the bag ban on Tuesday's agenda.
Phase one of the ordinance would ban single-use plastic carryout bags at supermarkets with more than $3 million in annual gross sales and at large drugstores of 10,000 square feet or more. This would start six months after the ordinance was formally adopted. A year after that, the ban would kick in for other stores, including smaller markets, department stores, bookstores and specialty stores.
"Our expectation is that the public will get into the reusable bag habit by then," Sweeney says. "The public will be ready to do it, and it will be an easier transition."
Sweeney is expecting Fort Bragg and county supervisors also will approve the ordinance. "There have been several sessions on the plastic bag ordinance at each jurisdiction, where the sentiment of policymakers has been stated," he says.
At the March 27 board meeting, Supervisor John Pinches said he would support the ban on plastic carryout bags. "I think it probably should be expanded," Pinches continued, "because when you really look at our rivers and streams, there's a lot more plastic in them than what comes from plastic bags: fertilizer bags, pieces of black plastic, and black plastic pipe-it goes on and on and on."
The ordinance does not apply to plastic bags used to hold produce, meat or bulk items usually placed inside a carryout bag at the point of sale. It also does not apply to restaurant carryout bags.
The ordinance requires that paper carryout bags be made of at least 40 percent recycled material, and that stores charge 10 cents for paper bags, "so the cost of carryout bags is no longer hidden in the price of the merchandise, and the customer can choose whether to pay or not to pay for the cost of the bag," as per the environmental impact report prepared for the ordinance.
Lindsay Maurer, president of the Ukiah High School Environmental Club, told supervisors at a March board meeting: "In the past year and a half we've been working on public education about the proposed ordinance in Ukiah, we've definitely seen a shift in public opinion. A year and half ago it was kind of like an outrageous idea, and now it seems most people are very accepting of it, and the businesses, too, not just the consumers."
Although Ukiah Mayor Mary Anne Landis commented at the March board of supervisors meeting that "we're all doing this as a level playing field, at the same time throughout Mendocino County," there are no immediate plans to consider a ban on plastic carryout bags in the City of Willits.
The Willits City Council does have a plastic bag subcommittee, made up of councilmen Victor Hansen and Ron Orenstein.
"We're going to let Ukiah and Fort Bragg and the county adopt the bag ordinance, and then we're going to wait and see," Hansen says. "Hopefully the public will get back to us as to how they feel about it. Plastic bags are a blight, and it's not getting better,"
Hansen adds, "but I don't feel comfortable with government imposing this on private businesses."
Orenstein also invited his constituents to let him know their thoughts on banning plastic carryout bags in Willits, but said he was thinking that offering paper bags instead might not be the best solution. "Why charge 10 cents for a bag to throw away?" he says. "That's still waste. Why not do away with all disposable bags? If we're going to do anything, we might as well do it the right way."
Orenstein suggests stores could offer reusable plastic bags at 25 cents each, and says a disposable bag ban could offer local entrepreneurs more opportunity to market locally made, higher quality reusable bags.
Sweeney told The Willits News the Walmart in Ukiah, which stopped offering free single-use bags in January 2010, was one of three California Walmarts participating in the company's reusable bag pilot program.
Walmart now offers lightweight blue reusable bags for 25 cents each.
According to Walmart, in the first 14 months of the pilot program, 87.7 percent of Ukiah Walmart customers used their own bags or declined to use any bags at checkout. Sweeney says when the Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op started charging 10 cents per bag in June 2010, "the new charge resulted in the store's purchases of paper bags declining
from 11,000 per month to 3,000 per month, a drop of 73 percent."


text:
Thailand-based Charon Pokpant Foods (CPPs) will increase its cage-free egg production by 1621 to 16 million to meet the growing demand for animal protection and antimicrobial products.
CP Foods says strong poultry, good genetics, high levels of animal welfare and biosectomy are needed to produce these free-range eggs.
According to Somkid Wannalukhi, vice-president of the company, the CVD-19 outbreak has led to an increase in health-consuming consumption, which is also seen in other parts of the world.
The first garden-free farm in Thailand
CP FoodsWang Sombon Farm in Saraburi Province is the first cage-free farm in Thailand to be caged-free by the Department of Livestock Development. Since 2018, egg farming has introduced high animal safety principles and plans to produce 16 million cage-free eggs this year. This is a 30 percent annual increase and is in line with the company’s CPF 2030 sustainability action strategy.
“CP Foods is important for safe, sustainable and antibiotic-free production, using best-of-breed technologies to manage garden-free farming, ensures environmentally friendly and safe practices,” Wannalukkhee said.
Multiple enhancements and a digital-controlled environment
Wang Sambon Farm chickens are housed in a closed system managed by animal welfare principles, including:
- 15 cm per chicken for linear perch space.
- Many enhancements that allow chickens to express their natural behavior.
- A system that allows digital control of the environment.
The covers are 100% grainy. With a combination of strong poultry, good genetics, good animal safety practices and high biosecturics, Wannalukkhee says CP Foods have fresh, bright orange egg yolks and are anti-bacterial.
Egg tracking method
In addition to quality inspection, CP Foods has introduced a digital product tracking system that prints on egg shells to identify the incoming field. The company says it aims to increase consumer confidence in cage-free egg production. Trays are made from 100% recycled paper.


text:
Stores are trying everything they can think of to disguise the fact that you’re going to pay more for clothes this fall.
Some are using less fabric and calling it the new look. Others are adding cheap stitching and trumpeting it as a redesign. And the buttons on that blouse? Chances are you’re not going to think it’s worth paying several dollars more for the shirt just to have them.
Retailers are raising prices on merchandise an average of 10 percent across-the-board this fall in an effort to offset their rising costs for materials and labor. But merchants are worried that cash-strapped customers who are weighed down by economic woes will balk at price hikes. So, retailers are trying to raise prices without tipping off unsuspecting customers.
“Let the consumer trickery begin,” said Brian Sozzi, Wall Street Strategies retail analyst
Retailers have long tried to mask price hikes — for instance, jacking them up more than needed so that they can offer a “sale” on the higher price. But the new strategies come as merchants’ production and labor costs are expected to rise 10 percent to 20 percent in the second half of the year after having remained low during most of the past two decades. Costs can quickly add up: Raw materials account for 25 percent to 50 percent of the cost of producing a garment, while labor ranges from 20 percent to 40 percent, analysts estimate.
Stores already have passed along their rising costs to customers by raising prices on select items. The core Consumer Price Index, which includes spending on everything except food and energy, rose 0.2 percent in July, the Labor Department said Thursday. But now that production costs are going up even higher, merchants are increasing prices on a broader range of merchandise. Because of their concern that shoppers will retreat, though, retailers are treading the line between style, quality and price.
Some merchants are making inexpensive tweaks __ additional stitching, fake button holes, fancy tags __ to justify price increases. Those embellishments can add pennies to $1 to the cost of a garment, but retailers can charge $10 more for them, said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst with market research firm The NPD Group.
“We’re not seeing deflation or inflation; we’re seeing con-flation,” he said. “Stores are making consumers believe they’re getting more for their money.”
After the price of the fabric for its girl’s corduroy pants almost doubled, catalog retailer Lands’ End, based in Dodgeville, Wis., raised the price of the pants by $7 to $34.50. The company, a unit of Sears Holdings Corp., also added buttons and stitching on the pockets to dress them up.
“Consumers are going to notice the price differences,” said Michele Casper, a Lands’ End spokeswoman. “But they are also going to get a lot of added benefits so they know they’re not getting short-changed.”
Others are taking away things, but marketing it to customers as the latest trend.
Spencer Elmen, owner of Cupid’s Lingerie, which operates five stores in Arkansas, said he is seeing more items in his store that are even skimpier than usual, from underwear to mini dresses. He says that’s because designers are finding clever ways to conceal the fact that they’re clothes have less fabric.
Elmen said $39.99 teddies, which are $5 more than that they were last year, feature a studded heart that gathers up the material to disguise the fact that less fabric is being used. He also noted that the corsets with fishnet patterns are priced about 5 percent more at about $49, even though they also have less material.
“They’re just being more creative with less fabric,” Elmen said.
Teen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is advertising “Redesigned 2012” jean collection in its stores and on its website, touting that the jeans are “softer, with the perfect amount of stretch.” They’re also mostly priced between $78 and $88, about $10 more than last year, according to Jennifer Black, who heads up research firm Jennifer Black & Associates.
Sozzi, the Wall Street Strategies retail analyst, examined the jeans and believes they are “thinner” and of “cheaper quality.” That extra stretch, he says, simply could mean the retailer is saving costs by using less denim.
Eric Cerny, an Abercrombie & Fitch spokesman, declined to comment. But Cerny reiterated what executives told investors in recent months: the bulk of increases on items will start to happen in September and the chain will not sacrifice quality to achieve cost reductions.
Bill Melnick, director of strategic planning at SAI Marketing, which studies consumer behavior at major consumer brands, said most shoppers may not notice retailers’ tactics to disguise prices. But he says shoppers won’t buy if they can’t afford it.
“Shoppers are being pragmatic,” he says, nothing that they think “‘If it fits into my budget, then it’s a sale.'”
Rhonda Sayen, a Stephens City, Va., resident, said she checked out prices on new fall items and noticed jeans that were about $40 a year ago are now closer to $60. She also said she’s spotted lower quality T-shirts at some of the stores.
“I know prices have changed,” said Sayen, who added that she and her husband are sticking to a $400 budget for clothing and supplies for her four children ages 3 to 18. “You ain’t fooling me.”
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.


text:
American Securities LLC, a U.S. private equity firm, has, through affiliates, acquired Conair Corp., a global provider of kitchen electrics appliances, non-electric kitchenware, personal care, grooming, health and beauty products. Certain members of the Rizzuto Family have retained a minority ownership stake in Conair. Based in Stamford, CT, Conair’s brands include Cuisinart, Babyliss, Scunci and Waring.
“I am proud to continue the journey I started under Mr. Rizzuto more than 40 years ago that helped us grow our iconic brands into a world class, diversified global company sharing our products in millions of consumers’ homes,” said Ron Diamond, Conair’s president. “The partnership with American Securities will allow us to continue our evolution with a focus on new product development and an acceleration of our M&A activities while continuing to bring efficiencies to our operations.” With the closing of the transaction, Mr. Diamond has become President and CEO of Conair.
“We are strong believers in Conair’s vision, people and ability to deliver innovative, high quality products to its customers. We are excited to have the opportunity to work alongside the Conair team to continue growing the company,” commented Kevin Penn, a managing director of American Securities. “Conair’s success is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of the company’s employees. Our new partnership and extensive experience will help the team drive substantial additional growth,” added Helen Chiang, a Managing Director of American Securities.
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison LLP served as legal counsel to Conair and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP served as legal counsel to American Securities with respect to the transaction. Sawaya Partners LLC and PJ Solomon acted as financial advisors to Conair with respect to the transaction.


text:
By Nathalie Tadena
Zumiez lowered its fiscal third-quarter earnings guidance as the teen-apparel retailer reported weaker-than-expected October same-store sales. Shares fell 11% to $22.52 in after-hours trading.
BMC Software authorized $1 billion of new stock buybacks after lower licensing revenue and compensation costs pushed down second-quarter earnings 15% from a year ago, as expected. Shares rose 2.7% to $41.80 after hours.
Ellie Mae’s third-quarter profit more than doubled as more people used the company’s mortgage-origination software. Shares jumped 13% after hours to $28.22 as the results beat the company’s expectations, and it lifted its outlook.
Open Text (OTEX, OTC.T) fiscal first-quarter profit fell 44% as the software maker recorded a larger tax bite and expenses increased. Though revenue was boosted by gains from a recent acquisition, top-line results came in lighter than analysts had expected. Shares slipped 7.3% to $50 after hours.
Allstate (ALL) third-quarter profit soared as the insurance company paid out far fewer catastrophe claims due to a dramatic drop in natural disasters.
Caesars Entertainment (CZR) third-quarter loss widened as impairment charges and higher interest expenses more than offset the casino operator’s slight revenue increase.
Cirrus Logic (CRUS) fiscal second-quarter profit more than tripled as the chip maker saw a sharp rise in sales from its audio segment.
Essex Property Trust (ESS) third-quarter profit nearly doubled as the West Coast owner of apartments saw rental rates increase and as it continued to benefit from acquisitions.
General Growth Properties (GGP) swung to a third-quarter loss as the mall landlord recorded a negative accounting adjustment for warrants, compared with a positive adjustment a year earlier.
Jack Henry & Associates (JKHY) fiscal first-quarter profit rose 16% as the financial-services company reported strong growth from its electronic payment services.
MDU Resources Group (MDU) swung to a third-quarter loss on a writedown related to lower natural gas prices, masking the oil and natural-gas producer’s slightly higher revenue.
MetLife (MET) swung to a third-quarter loss as the life insurer recorded a hefty impairment charge to reflect the damage being done to insurers’ annuity businesses by ultralow interest rates. Operating profit improved, however.
MGIC Investment (MTG) said it has reached an agreement on substantially all terms of a settlement of the pool-insurance dispute between one of the mortgage insurer’s subsidiaries and Freddie Mac (FMCC), marking a step closer to resolving MGIC’s complicated tug of war with one of its major customers.
Montpelier Re Holdings (MRH) swung to a third-quarter profit as the reinsurer benefited from fewer loss and loss adjustment expenses.
Murphy Oil (MUR) third-quarter earnings declined 44% as weaker natural-gas prices hurt the oil-and-gas producer’s results.
OCZ Technology Group (OCZ) is refocusing its business to reduce costs and improve operating results, including cutting its global workforce by about 28% and discontinuing certain product variations among other actions.
Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD) third-quarter profit declined 95% as prices for oil, natural gas liquids and gas declined and a loss on derivatives weighed on the bottom line.
Proto Labs (PRLB) and certain stockholders are offering a total of $100 million in shares. The company, which manufactures custom parts, recently had around 24.3 million shares outstanding.
ServiceNow (NOW) and certain shareholders are offering as much as $300 million in shares as the company seeks to increase its financial flexibility and its public float. ServiceNow, which provides services to automate information-technology operations, had around 123.4 million shares outstanding as of Sept. 30.
SM Energy (SM) swung to a third-quarter loss as the oil-and-gas company reported higher operating expenses and lower revenue from divestitures, though production increased.
Tesoro (TSO) third-quarter profit fell 21% as the independent refiner reported debt-related charges and higher operating expenses, masking revenue growth.
Authorities in the Netherlands have extended the offer period for United Parcel Service (UPS) proposed acquisition of Dutch rival TNT Express N.V. (TNTEY, TNTE.AE) to no later than the end of February, the companies said.
Unum Group (UNM) third-quarter earnings rose 14% as the insurer posted growth in its U.S. business, masking continued income declines in its U.K. segment.
Visa (V) posted an 88% increase in profit in the fiscal fourth quarter as the world’s largest payments network reversed debit-related losses resulting from new regulation and experienced a tax-related benefit.
Williams Partners L.P. (WPZ) and Williams Cos. (WMB) signed a deal in which Williams Partners will acquire Williams’s 83.3% interest in the Geismar, La., olefins-production facility and its refinery-grade propylene splitter for $2.26 billion.


text:
Refunds issued due to impact of the Coronavirus
C. I. Travel Group, whose brands locally include Bontour and FlyDirect, has started the process of issuing cash refunds to their clients whose holidays have been cancelled due to the impact of coronavirus.
Where the Channel Islands tour operator cannot fulfil a booking, due to some or all the package being unable to be realised, they are offering clients the opportunity to amend holidays free of charge or they can accept a full cash refund.
The travel industry has been hit hard as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and C. I. Travel Group is no exception. Managing Director, Robert Mackenzie said “The safety of our customers is at the forefront of everything we do and these unprecedented times have resulted in difficult decisions which may have led to disappointment for those who have had holidays cancelled. As a company, we feel that issuing cash refunds is the right thing to do for our clients making the process simple and easy for them whilst maintaining relationships and trust.”
The longstanding Jersey based Tour Operator has over 40,000 clients travelling with them every year including bringing holiday makers into the Channel Islands with JerseyTravel.com, GuernseyTravel.com and Airways Holidays. Given the volume of bookings having to be managed by the local team, the company initially offered credit refunds until they were in a position to be able to process cash refunds. Mackenzie confirmed, “This has been a challenging time and the team has been working tirelessly. We are pleased to now have reached a stage where we can offer a full cash refund on those bookings where supplier costs have bene returned in full.”
Their team is working through bookings in date order and, although this may take some time, they have confirmed that cash refunds will be processed in a timely manner and that this will be their policy for future bookings affected by the pandemic.
The Managing Director concluded, “We hope this reassurance means that our clients will come back to book with us again, in their own time, when consumer confidence returns. This may be for later this year or even for 2021, which is already on sale for some brands, offering more flexibility and choice.”


text:
Cash, Trade, Payments, Funding
Financial markets, Operations, Technology
Tax, Compliance, Governance
Moves, Case studies, Corporate strategy
Conference, Webinars, Roundtables
Find out who is the best in the business
179 results found
The so-called trade war may be hogging the headlines, but for many corporate treasuries it’s more than business as usual. M&As, one survey has found, have never been more vigorous
The US multinational information technology company is the latest tech giant to enter the clearing and settlement fray. Will its Blockchain World Wire change the payments landscape?
US-based Farmers Insurance treasury manager outlined how a tie-up between cloud treasury provider GTreasury and risk tech experts Visual Risk helped enhance their treasury experience
What do corporate treasurers and Kim Jong Un have in common? A burning need to know how to operate, or operate in, an open economy with a closed political system
Commercial paper transaction processed in minutes rather than days as corporates take a major step toward fully blockchain-based securities trading
For Stephen Hogan, DHL’s vice-president of treasury for the Asia Pacific region, the challenge of e-commerce is knitting fintechs to standardized processes
Corporate treasurers might love their non-bank financial providers – especially when it comes to foreign exchange – but could these small players soon be gobbled up?
Is Ant Financial’s purchase of WorldFirst showing the way head for smaller businesses and for the FX market at large?
The bank payment obligation (BPO) is often seen as an earlier effort to digitise trade finance, but it may still have a role to play even as blockchain trade platforms mushroom every month
News that one of the world’s biggest banks – JP Morgan – has moved into digital currency may have sent a ripple through corporates, but treasurers will have to wait to use it


text:
PESHAWAR: A historic moment unfolded as the first shipment of goods embarked on its journey from China to Afghanistan through the Khunjerab border, marking the initiation of a significant trade route. The maiden consignment, bound for Kabul, began its voyage from China’s Kashgar city and made its entry into Pakistan through the renowned Khunjerab Pass.
To commemorate this pivotal event, an inaugural ceremony was held at Sost Dry Port, witnessing the convergence of key figures including GB Customs Collector Syed Fawad Ali Shah, Transit Trade Director for Peshawar Arbab Qaiser, officials, and trade representatives.
The introduction of this transit route holds immense promise, as it is projected to substantially reduce travel time by approximately 70%, accompanied by a significant 30% cut in logistics expenses. This cost and time reduction is poised to trigger positive trade diversion, amplifying the attractiveness of this route for international commerce.
The successful commencement of the inaugural shipment underscores the potential for enhanced trade connections between China and Afghanistan. With its strategic location and the facilitation of a more efficient trade corridor, this route is expected to contribute significantly to regional economic growth and collaboration.
The maiden shipment’s journey from China to Kabul via the Khunjerab border signifies a promising step towards fostering trade connectivity, unlocking economic opportunities, and strengthening international relations. As the route continues to develop and streamline, it holds the potential to become a pivotal link in the broader network of global trade routes.


text:
Opera, the Norwegian browser developer and leader on AI-driven digital content, announced today that Opera News, the most downloaded news app in Nigeria, is expanding its platform with the introduction of Opera News Hub - a new online media platform that helps authors and bloggers produce their create online content and share it with the fast-growing Opera user base of more than 350 million users worldwide and over 120 million users in the African countries.
Opera News Hub connects seamlessly with other Opera mobile applications like the popular Opera Mini browser and the standalone news app Opera News. This means that content creators who choose to distribute original content in Opera News Hub, will have a unique opportunity to reach a new international audience, increase their number of followers on social media channels, and run their own online publication across the various Opera mobile products.
“With Opera News Hub, we are enabling thousands of Nigerian authors and bloggers to explore their creativity in a collaborative online media platform based on generated content,” said Scot Eritemu, Product Manager for Opera News. “Opera News Hub also guarantees premium content placement across the Opera mobile apps, allowing them to be discovered by a large international audience of over 350 million Opera users.”
The easiest and fastest way to engage with your audience
The user interface of the Opera News Hub is easy to use and allows content creators to set up their online content in minutes. Once the login and registration process is completed, Opera News Hub allows you to create an article where you can edit the text and images according to the goals of your publication.
Content creators that are already using other social media platforms to share their content can link their social media profiles to their own website in Opera News Hub to increase their traffic and profile views.
The Opera News Hub platform also allows authors and bloggers to keep track of their publication traffic, helping them better understand the topics that their audiences are primarily interested in. The platform’s dashboard displays detailed information about the number of impressions, visualizations, and shares that their articles have. This information becomes valuable for content creators who are searching for detailed information that they can use to improve the monetization of their online content.
Enhancing the digital shift in Africa
Opera has great ambitions to continue leading the digital transformation of Africa. Last year, Opera announced its Africa First strategy, wherein the company committed to launching its new products and services in Africa before anywhere else in the world. This strategy was set up with the ambition of contributing to the growth of the African digital economy and speed up internet adoption across the continent.
The inclusion of Opera News Hub into Opera’s product portfolio is part of Opera’s strategy to expand its products beyond mobile apps. Opera News Hub joins the recently announced online content and marketing platforms Opera Ads, OLeads and OList. With these digital content and marketing platforms, African businesses and content creators now have better opportunities to interact with their audiences and grow in popularity by expanding their online presence.


text:
Madigans department stores, a family-owned business that`s had stores in the Chicago area for more than 100 years, has closed one of its nine outlets amid reports the retailer is consolidating part of its operations and laying off employees.
The River Forest-based chain Saturday closed its Madigans For Men and Madigans Junior store at Randhurst Shopping Center in Mt. Prospect, just 14 months after opening, according to F. Scott Ball, general manager of the mall. ``(President) Joe Madigan called Saturday and said they were closing the store,`` said Ball, who declined to discuss the terms of Madigan`s lease with Rouse-Randhurst Shopping Center Inc.
Officials at Madigans refused to comment, saying only that ``as a privately owned company, we do not quote for attribution.``
But a former Madigans department manager, who asked not to be identified, said she and about 20 other managers were fired starting Sept. 27 as part of an effort to restructure and cut costs.
At the retailer`s older stores in the western suburbs, more than a dozen managers, 5 to 10 buyers and several clerical workers in the buying department were fired, according to the former manager, who said she was given two weeks` severance pay.
Another employee, who spoke briefly outside the store`s administrative offices at 7440 Central Ave. in River Forest, said she did not believe that
``a lot`` of layoffs at the firm were likely.
Employees packing up the closed Madigans at Randhurst said they had not heard of plans to close other stores.
Madigans` other stores are in Melrose Park, Norridge, Lombard, Lincolnwood, Schaumburg, Evergreen Park, North Riverside and Chicago Ridge.
The first Madigans store opened in 1881 across from what is now Chicago Stadium at Wood and Madison Streets. The store later was moved west to Madison Street and Pulaski Road.
The store specialized in women`s, children`s and infant wear. It was the sole Madigans until 1962, when the family opened a store in Melrose Park.
The Melrose Park now is the chain`s oldest operating outlet.


text:
Update: Lauren's currently in NYC with us. She'll be appearing on the Hot 97 Morning Show with Paul Rosenberg on January and afterwards will be at various red carpet events. Make sure to keep checking back for more updates.
Woman Loses 180 Pounds In 30 Days After Miracle Microwave Diet Chicago| An Illinois woman has defied all laws of human physics as what Guinness World Record’s has proclaimed to be the fastest weight loss diet ever recorded in human history. Surprisingly enough, the woman claims she can even eat fast food in her diet, “as long as it has gone through the microwave”, landing her a prestigious publicity deal with international fast food chain restaurant Wendy’s.