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| Apr 16, 2011
Giorgio Baldi, 66, whose Santa Monica trattoria was a favorite among celebrities such as Warren Beatty, Goldie Hawn and Rihanna, died Monday while on vacation in Mexico, his family said. The cause of death was...
| Apr 11, 2011
| 1:42 PM
| Apr 15, 2011
| 1:12 PM
| May 2, 2011
| 4:31 PM
The Greek Theatre, which has hosted the likes of Steve Miller, Sheryl Crow and Ringo Starr, has canceled precious few shows in its storied past. So last year, when it crossed off nine engagements, it was nothing short of a catastrophe.
"In a normal...
| May 29, 2011
Red is the blazing hot trend in hair color this season. Longtime redheads Christina Hendricks, Florence Welch and Karen Elson stand out with an almost angelic glow of gorgeous color framing their faces. And hardly a day goes by that we don't hear of...
| Jun 2, 2011
| 7:59 AM
Pundits, commentators and TV watchers were shocked a couple of weeks ago when Britney Spears and Rihanna kissed at the Billboard Music Awards.
But not J. Cole, who's opening Saturday for Rihanna at 1st Mariner Arena, the first show on the Loud tour....
| Apr 5, 2012
| 9:36 PM
Baltimore Orioles' star center fielder Adam Jones loves to sleep out — which works out nicely for him, realization, since his team spends more than 80 days a year on the road.
Obviously undaunted by frequent changes of scenery, Jones has been a...
| Apr 9, 2012
| 11:41 AM
Smirnoff and Bacardi may still be the largest brands in the spirits industry, but it’s smaller and more health-conscious names such as Skinnygirl Cocktails getting the most growth.
Volume sales from the top 250 liquor brands grew 3.1% last year,...
| Apr 12, 2012
| 4:43 AM
Robyn Harr's teen daughter told deputies that her mom had been drunk and was "being nasty all day," reports Will Greenlee in his Off the Beat blog for TCPalm.com in Stuart.
The teen also reported that her 38-year-old mom had been blasting a Rihanna...


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WarnerMedia has announced that its streaming platform, HBO Max, is launching in 15 additional European countries on the 8th of March, 2022. Now, the users from these countries will also be able to watch series and movies from Warner Bros., HBO, DC, Cartoon Network, and Max Originals in one place. Top Warner Bros. films, including The Matrix Resurrections, Dune, King Richard, The Suicide Squad, and Tom and Jerry will also be available on HBO Max for users to enjoy.
General Manager, HBO Max EMEA, Christina Sulebakk stated:
HBO Max is a new streaming experience offering the very best entertainment, movies, original series and kids programming from Warner Bros., HBO, DC, Cartoon Network, Max Originals and more. We are thrilled to confirm that on March 8th, HBO Max is arriving in 15 additional European countries as we continue making the platform available across the continent and beyond.
The 15 countries getting HBO Max include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Previously, the streaming platform launched in the Nordics and Spain in October 2021.
Currently, HBO Max is available in 46 territories throughout North and South America, and Europe, and with these launches, the number will rise to 61. WarnerMedia also mentioned that HBO Max will expand to six more European countries including Turkey and Greece later this year.
Head of HBO Max International, Johannes Larcher stated:
The global roll out of HBO Max continues at pace as we launch the platform in 15 additional European countries, taking us to 61 territories worldwide. We are delivering on our strategy to go direct-to-consumer around the world which coupled with our beloved content will give us the scale needed to be one of the top global streaming platforms.
HBO Max will be available on various devices and platforms, including smart TVs such as Samsung, LG, and Android TV, through streaming devices such as Apple TV 4K and Google Chromecast, game consoles including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, and mobile and tablets.

domain: news


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Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos reveals company's latest attempt to ensure faster product drop...
Shoppers cautioned to take care with web purchases in what could be busiest online...
The fight for the right to be measured, recognised and valued on equal terms is far from...
James Brokenshire, the minister for crime and security, calls for industry support for...
Windows 8, Google's robot army and superfast broadband deployments are the hot topics of conversation in this week&
Money will be allocated to "innovative" solutions that can deliver broadband to some of the UK's remotest
USB Type-C will be reversible, allowing connection in any direction and orientation.
Updated: The free upgrade has dropped and we take a look at the Windows 8 problems it fixes.
Chinese bank bans Bitcoin-based transactions on security grounds.
We speak to TfL's head of online services - and a member of the IT Pro Leaderboard - about usability, people skills
The Prime Minister has officially launched a union between the UK's tech hub and comms giant EE.
Software giant to patch 11 vulnerabilities, but Windows XP kernal issue isn't one of them.
Jane McCallion reports from the fourth day of the San Francisco IT Press Tour.
Botnet suspected to originate in Russia was using 2 million machines.
Mike Lynch makes an undisclosed investment into London-based Taggar.
We speak to the IS director at thetrainline.com - and a member of the IT Pro Leaderboard - about his what his role invol
Search giant has acquired several robotics specialists to deliver on its tech vision.
President not allowed an iPhone for "security reasons", he reveals.
Software giant said move is to reassure customers their data is safe.
Jane McCallion reports from the third day of the San Francisco IT Press Tour.
The bank's response to its IT failure this week could be a valuable lesson in the importance of IT crisis managemen
US development agency has reportedly launched a probe into the construction of search giant's barge.
Financial services firm sounds alarm as fears grow about customer details being exposed as result of cyber attack.
Researchers from Trustwave Spiderlabs confirm discovery of massive haul of login data.
Workers at Bracknell, Sheffield and Warrington offices facing the axe.
Mobile operator to let customers use their allowance abroad.
Cross-party effort sees sites selling counterfeit goods shutdown in pre-Christmas blitz.
Qsan’s storage appliance combines fast 10GbE performance with ZFS data protection and it's good value.
Mobile operator announces where 4G network will be available next.
We speak to the head of technololgy at Ocado - and a member of the IT Pro Leaderboard - about how IT is shaping the busi
Royal Bank of Scotland Group CEO speaks out after customers hit by another round of tech problems.
Jane McCallion reports from the second day of the San Francisco IT Press Tour.
BES 10 use in these areas is up by 20 per cent, according to BlackBerry.
HTC faces One Mini ban from end of this week after court ruling on patent infringement.
The channel island wants to become the first jurisdiction to mint physical versions of virtual currency.
However, the market as a whole looks set to experience its biggest ever contraction this year.
Apple has reportedly shelled out $200m for firm led by Oxford graduate.
Jane McCallion reports from the first day of the San Francisco IT Press Tour.
Market analysts caution micro-blogging site may never achieve "Facebook-like" scale.
Four mobile operators agree to pledge, but O2 bides its time.
A pintsized 12.5in laptop with more ports than you can shake a stick at.
Windows 8 and 8.1 gain just 0.05 per cent market share between Oct and Nov 2013.
Transport for London FOI request reveals how many staff are embracing BYOD.
Telco calls ISPA conference criticism "nonsensical" and "disingenuous".
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Google Develops Partnerships to Build Google Home
Google does a lot more than merely run the most powerful search engine on the internet and have amazing cars. Google, like any other successful multi-billion dollar company, seeks to expand its offerings. Google Home reflects the company’s desire to get involved with the home ecosystem industry. Google Home already is established in the industry and many homeowners are jumping on the Google train.
Google Home serves a simple purpose. Through integrating smart home and audio visual systems via Google’s smart speaker, homeowners find running technology in a home to be really easy. Amazon Echo looks to be facing serious competition from the growing popularity of Google Home.
As big as a global force Google is, the company cannot do everything on its own. Google’s management realizes this, which is why so much effort is being invested in developing strategic partnerships intended to expand Google Home’s reach.
A Matter of Compatibility
The average homeowner and smart system consumer don’t spend a lot of time trying to understand how specific technology works. After all, homeowners don’t perform repairs on their purchased hardware. That said, homeowners do know systems must be compatible in order to work together. With the announcement 70 designers of smart home technology will be compatible with Google’s systems, consumers know they can access Google’s wares.
The arrival of more customers adds revenues to Google’s already overflowing financial coffers. While Google must have an eye on the bottom line, immediate revenues and profits reflect only short-term gain. Short-term gains are valuable to be sure, but long-term plans contribute to something far more important: strength in the market.
As Google grows in the market, the company works its way towards gaining dominance. Being the top player in the home ecosystem world won’t be easy for Google. Amazon has already staked a major claim. Overtaking a small company might not prove too difficult, but overtaking a giant such as Amazon requires an enormous amount of work and long-term consistency.
Amassing strategic partnerships with a variety of smart home providers helps Google’s cause. Partnerships support Google’s expansion and presence in the marketplace. The greater the presence, the more influential and impacting Google can become those interested in home theater, home protection, and other automation concepts.
Google vs. Amazon
Amazon hit the market first with the very appealing Amazon Echo system. People already know about Echo and reviews are solid. Echo also gains from a publicity in the media thanks to all the buzz about Amazon’s rising stock prices. Those paying peripheral attention to Amazon’s good fortunes via cable business channel discussion may learn about products and services such as Echo.
Google may get a little buzz thanks to recent announcements of partnerships, but Google simply isn’t getting the same level of attention as Amazon is. So, no one should be shocked that Amazon’s Echo sales are far surpassing Google Home. Of course, all this could change in the future. There were quite a number of highly-popular search engines Google completely surpassed.
Shades of Google overcoming established search engines, Amazon also has not dealt with serious competition before. Google is hardly an underfunded startup relying, desperately relying, on an infusion of venture capital. Google has billions upon billions of dollars in cash reserves. From a financial standpoint, Google definitely has a strong funding advantage. Potential partners realize this.
The value of strategic partnerships cannot be overstated. Google won’t slow down its approach to working with partners. In the home automation world, partnerships are vital since so many different items of hardware and software must come together. Google understands the future is based on working in the present to build those strong partnerships for the future.


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Review: T-Mobile myTouch 3G
T-Mobile and HTC have teamed up to offer the second Android phone in the U.S., the myTouch 3G with Google. It is leaps and bounds better than the G1, but still has a number of limitations.
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The mobile landscape in August 2009 is vastly different from that of October 2008, when T-Mobile, HTC and Google first launched the G1. Competition in the smartphone realm is fierce, with solid entries from RIM, Apple and Palm already on store shelves. The latest Android handset from HTC and T-Mobile — the myTouch 3G with Google — is a huge leap forward compared to the G1, even if it subtracts some features found on the first Android handset. If you're looking for the freshest experience on a mobile phone that has lots of potential, the myTouch is a good place to start.
Phone Scoop gives HTC's new myTouch 3G Fender Edition Android phone the special hands-on treatment, complete with unboxing!
HTC's 2018 flagship is the U12+, a large Android slab with a big screen, front and rear dual cameras, see-through glass, and squeezable actions. The phone offers top specs in a modern piece of hardware that's attractive, powerful, and sadly flawed in some respects.
May 23, 2018
HTC today announced the U12+, its flagship handset for the year. The phone carries over the "liquid design" from last year's U11, but updates the color selection for the metal-and-glass chassis.
Oct 23, 2018
HTC made the Exodus 1, a secure phone based on blockchain, available for preorder from its web site. HTC announced the device earlier this year, but details about the hardware were few.
May 15, 2018
HTC today pulled back the curtains on Exodus, a forthcoming phone based on blockchain. "Our vision is to expand the blockchain ecosystem by creating the world’s first phone dedicated to decentralized applications and security," said the company.
Few things wrong
Second there are serveral Facebook apps in the market, I prefer Babbler myself. There will be an official facebook app being release in the next week or so.(don't blame google on that one facebook was being lame about developing one for android)
Facebook. This is not T-Mobile or HTC's fault. Facebook has basically been throwing a hissy fit and refusing to work the Google because of Google's close association with mySpace. Rumor has it that ...


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Describing it to be more akin to the exotic bounties available in the main game, community manager David Dague revealed new story quests will be based around a set number of tasks ending in new unlocked content.
Dague also made clear the new setup was aiming to bring a varied way of playing Destiny that had been influenced by gamers themselves.
"Quests are a new storytelling mechanism that we're using in the Dark Below," he wrote in an official Bungie blogpost.
"They are multistage tasks that culminate in a reward, similar to the Exotic Bounties you may have experienced.
"Unlike Exotic Bounties, the Quests in the Dark Below can be completed by players who are solely focused on the cooperative story content of The Dark Below.
Quests are a new storytelling mechanism that we're using in the Dark Below
"For example, one Quest creates a continuous chain of multiple tasks that culminates in the “Will of Crota” Strike.
"Another may simply ask you to return to Earth to take down the surging Hive threat.
"This new way of storytelling in Destiny is a bit experimental in nature.
"We’ve seen players spending a lot of time in the Tower, and we’ve heard loud and clear that players would like more unique gear and additional Bounties."
Dague also revealed players who didn't buy the expansion would still receive new updates in the future.
- New Weapons and Armor
- New Daily Bounties
- Five additional Bounty slots.


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Microsoft's new prototype device can track everything you say in a meeting.
Microsoft has plans to make the office meeting of the future run much differently.
The company showcased a new technology prototype at its 2018 Build Developers Conference that uses facial and audio recognition combined with artificial intelligence to act as the ultimate stenographer.
The device recognizes employees as they walk into a conference room and microphones capture audio of the meeting as it takes place, and AI tools then transcribe everything being said in real time. The AI is even able to learn about team members' speech patterns over time to improve transcription accuracy, according to Mashable.
This isn't a stand-alone device, either. Instead, it can plug into other Microsoft services, such as their group chat app, Teams, so that all meeting information is available to colleagues and managers.
If you have a meeting between people who speak different languages, the device can provide translations. There's also an accessibility tool, which helps those with hearing loss better participate in the meeting.
While this device prove incredibly useful for organizations, it might be concerning for employees to have a device tracking everything they say in a meeting and then reporting it to higher-ups. Don't worry about holding back during your upcoming conference call just yet, though. This device is only a prototype—for now.


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According to an Instagram video posted by Mondo’s Twitter account, it looks like the soundtrack label will be releasing a vinyl pressing of Halloween later this month. The video is of the release’s test pressing, as it plays the horror film’s classic theme music.
We’ll let you horror fans know when some more information is released.
Update 10/12/13: The pressing is now up for pre-order over at Amazon. The release date is listed as November 26th. And remember, Amazon does not charge you for an item until it ships, so if you’d like to secure a copy (without fighting with the Mondo fanbase), then this may be a good option. Colored vinyl is randomly spread throughout all retailers.


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Do you have a contentious relationship with your cable company? Has your cable bill doubled in the past ten years? Are you finding yourself or your family members watching TV over the internet more frequently?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you might be ready to “Cut the Cord!!” This is a fairly recent phenomenon and signals the biggest change in how media is consumed since the internet began killing the print version of newspaper a decade ago.
Consumers now have alternatives to dealing with their dreaded cable providers – these include Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. Nearly 1 million households have “cut their cords” during the last 12 months – and while this represents a fraction of the estimated 100 million cable households in the United States, this is no longer being viewed as an “urban myth” but rather a growing trend. It is estimated that by 2016 nine million households will eliminate their cable subscriptions entirely. The number one reason given by consumers for cutting their cord (83%) is that the subscription has gotten too expensive.
Think about the generation that has realized they no longer need a land line and opted to use their mobile devices as their only phone. These are the people who will most likely opt out of the cable universe. According to Forrester Research 32 million consumers are already getting video over their televisions using Internet devices such as Xbox, Blu-ray players and smart TV’s.
All of this change creates new opportunities for content creators of which there is no shortage of!! The real winners may end up being the technology companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft and Amazon as they have the ability to operate across the divide of selling content as well as designing the devices on which the content is viewed.
I believe the other winner in this game may ultimately be the consumer who will have more choices and by virtue of the marketplace may will pay less for these choices!! Cord cut away!!
Posted in Advertising Industry, Entertainment Industry, Technology
Tagged broadcast, cable tv, cord cutting, digital media, hulu, Netflix, Television, TV, XBox
If you’re a Time Warner Cable customer living in New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, or several other major markets, you probably noticed your channel options for most of this week did not include CBS. The two communications giants have been disputing network fees and the valuation of CBS programming, which has resulted in a blackout of CBS programming in eight different markets. As retaliation, CBS blocked TWC internet users from CBS.com material. In short, if you’re a TWC customer in one of these markets hoping to catch the PGA championship this weekend, you may be out of luck.
This disagreement underscores the larger issue of the increasingly blurry lines between one media entity and another. The way today’s media landscape is controlled is largely a result of isolated chronological events. First there were broadcast TV stations, which established an advertiser-based revenue model. Simple enough.
Then, cable TV boxes came along, which function on both subscriber revenues and advertising dollars. If your home receives cable, your cable box also provides the over-the-air channels that non-cable homes receive for free (which is how TWC is able to cut off CBS from customers).
Finally, in the Internet age, we have even more subscriber-based options – such as Hulu and Netflix – in addition to streaming options, which can have any of these revenue models. In other words, you could be watching an ABC show on Netflix, through your Time Warner Cable internet connection. If you’re not confused yet, try deciding who you think really owns that transaction and who should be given the biggest piece of the pie.
I’m not sure, but apparently neither are CBS or Time Warner. TWC’s proposed solution earlier this week was to offer CBS as an option to customers “a la carte,” which is an interesting idea but to me would only be fair if all stations were offered that way (CBS promptly rejected the offer).
It’s always frustrating when consumers must suffer as a result of disagreements at the corporate level, and it seems a bit juvenile that both companies appear to be showing the other whose boss by slashing the options consumers are paying for (apparently without a deduction in their bills). I hope for the sake of millions of customers that the issue can be resolved soon. If not, there’s always the other 200 channels…


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// 2870 high street stores closed in the six months to June 30, research by PwC & Local Data Company shows
// This is the highest figure since records began and equates to around 16 shops closed every day
// However, a total of 1634 stores opened in the same period, up 4% year-on-year
// This results in a net closure of 1234 stores on Britain’s top 500 high streets
The number of stores closing down in the first six months of the year has reached its highest levels, with new figures indicating an average of 16 shops shutting per day.
Research from PwC and the Local Data Company shows that a total of 2870 stores across the UK closed down in the six months to June 30.
However, a total of 1634 stores opened in the same period this year, equating to a four per cent year-on-year uptick.
This resulting in a net closure of 1234 stores – an increase on the 1123 net closures in the same period in 2018.
This is the highest figure since the survey, which focuses on retail chains with more than five outlets in the UK’s top 500 high streets, began in 2010.
Fashion retailers saw the biggest declines, driven by a high number of CVAs and administrations.
They also continue to face growing competition from online retailers coupled with rising costs from business rates and growing wages against a backdrop of dwindling consumer confidence.
Restaurants, estate agents and pubs were the next big groups to record declines.
However, there were more openings of takeaways and sport and health clubs.
“The decline in store numbers in the first half of 2019 shows that there’s been no let-up in the changing ways that people shop and the cost pressures affecting High Street operators,” PwC consumer markets leader Lisa Hooker said.


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Rio Olympics 2016
Entertainment Big Image
Mon Dec 17 2018 23:35:49 GMT+0530 (IST)
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iPhone 8 will have curved screen, OLED display, cost around $1000
Apple says iOS 10.2.1 Update has significantly reduced unexpected iPhone 6s shutdowns issues
iPhone 8 production to be started earlier than expected, says reports
Apple, Google, Facebook reach court to fight Trump's immigration ban
Apple accused of intentionally breaking FaceTime to force users into iOS upgrade
Apple to set up iPhone manufacturing unit in Karnataka soon
Demonetisation great move for India in the long run: Apple CEO Tim Cook
Despite facing $1 billion lawsuit, Qualcomm to supply chips to Apple
iPhone 8 with an OLED screen, competitors fear a display shortage!
Foldable iPhone gun puts European cops on high alert
Apple seeks 15-year customs duty exemption before setting up India unit
Flipkart Apple fest: Attractive deals on iPhone 7, iPhone 6s & iPhone 6
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According to the Jerusalem Post, European Union officials are moving forward with a plan to label Israeli products made in settlements in the Occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.
Furthermore, according to the publication, the labeling of the products by the EU will begin on October 1st. The EU is set to finalize by mid-October the remaining legal and technical issues surrounding the labeling.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been harshly critical of the European Parliament’s support of the labeling. According to the Israeli-based publication Haaretz:
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the expression of support. “The European Parliament decision is unjustified, it is just a perversion of justice and a distortion of reason, and I think that it also harms peace, it doesn’t advance it,” he said. “The roots of the conflict are not territories and the roots of the conflict are not the settlements. We already have a historical memory as to what happened when Europe marked products of Jews.”
The proposal to start labeling products in the EU from these Israeli settlements has been around for years.
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The European Parliament decision was significant. It’s clear that this is the direction the EU is headed. But it is possible that technical issues will delay the beginning of this actually happening until later. It’s been a very long back and forth.
A spokesperson for Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated the following about the EU parliament’s decision to label the products: “Under the guise of a technical procedure, it’s an attempt to force a diplomatic solution, instead of encouraging the Palestinians to return to negotiations.”
Is the EU’s decision to label these Israeli products an unjust one? Feel free to share your thoughts.
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ATLANTA - The furniture company made famous for hiring the homeless, Lamon Luther is under new ownership. Founder Brian Preston has sold the custom woodworking firm to Gordon Cortez.
Cortez, who has a background in design and marketing, said he became aware of Lamon Luther in 2016. “It was the perfect example of the kind of organization and model that I wanted to build,” he said. “Not only is the product beautiful, handcrafted wood furniture, which is a major passion of mine, but the company is built for the people who are creating it—this is what really attracted me to the business.”
“While I anticipate expanding our furniture offerings and investing in online strategy, the brand itself will remain unchanged,” said Cortez. “The do-good model that Brian has built is what makes Lamon Luther so special. As we continue to grow the company, it will only increase the ways we connect with people, sell custom, handcrafted furniture and provide stable employment for more people who are rebuilding their lives.”
Preston founded Lamon Luther in 2012 with the mission to employ craftsmen transitioning out of homelessness and addiction. To date, Lamon Luther has provided more than 100,000 man hours of work building products for companies like Williams-Sonoma, the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and other notable restaurants and entertainment venues. Preston and Lamon Luther have also been active in community service, including tiny home giveaways to raise money for their missions.
In recognition of his efforts, Preston was named a Wood Industry Market Leader in 2016 by Woodworking Network. He has also been featured in FDMC magazine, HGTV, CNN and TEDx.
“I have been incredibly blessed by the love and support that Lamon Luther has seen over the past six years,” said Preston. “It is evidence that the marketplace today cares about people in a way that influences their purchasing behavior. I am thrilled that Gordon and I had the chance to meet and that his vision and background will only take the organization to new heights.”
Preston's new vision is a tech startup to help people and brands raise money for their favorite cause. The new venture, Let’s Enter, helps companies and organizations conduct online sweepstakes of high value to further a mission or a project.
Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.


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"American Chopper" had its debut on the Discovery Channel in 2003 and since has been the highest rated series on the channel, with an average four million viewers each week.
"American Chopper" follows the lives of Paul Teutul, Sr. and Paul Teutul, Jr. who fabricate choppers out of their garage.
"We are very excited about our partnership with the Discovery Consumer Products and the 'American Chopper' series," states Dave Oxford, General Manager, Activision Value Publishing, Inc. "This agreement underscores Activision's commitment to develop games based on popular brands with a broad range of appeal. Every week, millions of consumers tune in to find out what it takes to make one of these unique handcrafted motorcycles and the ongoing story about the theme bikes that the Teutuls build."The first "American Chopper" titles are scheduled for release this holiday season on PC, consoles and handhelds.
"We are thrilled to partner with Activision, a leader in the video game industry, and we believe that they are uniquely positioned to translate the 'American Chopper' franchise into a compelling, innovative product line," said Sharon Markowitz Bennett, senior vice president, Discovery Consumer Products. "Activision's vast experience in video games combined with Discovery's high quality, real-world content forms an ideal partnership."


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Beef Products Inc., the top producer of ammonia-treated beef product dubbed "pink slime" by critics, said Monday it had halted production at three of its four plants in three states for 60 days from Monday.
Rich Jochum, corporate administrator for the South Dakota-based company, said that the temporary closure could become "a permanent suspension."
"This is a direct reaction to all the misinformation about our lean beef," Jochum told Reuters.
The company shut down operations on Monday at its plants in Amarillo, Tex.; Finney County, Kan.; and Waterloo, Iowa. As of Monday afternoon, the company was still informing employees in Iowa about the closure.
Two of the biggest U.S. supermarket operators, Safeway and Supervalu, have said they will stop buying the ammonia-treated beef.
Also known as lean finely textured beef, the product has drawn criticism from food activists. McDonald’s stopped using USDA-approved ammonia-treated meat in its hamburger products last summer.
Altogether, the plants employ 650 people. The company’s facilities in Iowa and Kansas produce approximately 350,000 pounds of product a day, while the Texas plant puts out nearly 200,000 pounds.
The company’s largest plant, based in South Sioux City, Neb., will remain open and in operation, Jochum said. Before Monday’s closures, BPI employed nearly 1,500 people at its plants and its headquarters in Dakota Dunes, S.D.
The closures are because of the recent outcry by food activists over its lean finely textured beef, Jochum said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and industry experts say the meat was safe to eat. But critics, who argue that the product may be dangerous, say such meat products are an example of how the nation’s large-scale food producers use industrialized practices that are unappealing.
"The demand in the market will hopefully resume," Jochum said.
Live cattle futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange shrugged off news of the plant closures, but traders have been closely monitoring developments for signs if there would be any impact on demand for beef.
"If they stop using that it’s going to take more cows per burger. So if anything it has a bullish tint to it," said Domenic Varricchio, a commodities broker at Schwieterman, Inc., implying that higher quality beef may be used for hamburger.
"If not safer"
BPI, founded in 1981, began as a processor of frozen beef products. In 2001, the company emerged as a key player in the nation’s ground beef industry after federal regulators approved the firm’s process of using ammonia in the beef processing to remove foodborne pathogens such as salmonella and E.coli O157:H7.
The product is made out of scraps and fatty trimmings that, for years, typically had been sold off to make pet food or cooking oils because it was too difficult to remove the meat and was somewhat susceptible to contamination.
In general, BPI uses a heat and centrifuge process to melt the fat, collect and mash the meat, and spray ammonia hydroxide on it to remove possible bacteria and pathogens. The final product — which is formed into blocks, frozen and shipped in boxes — is relatively low in fat and often used as a cheap filler.
"Hamburger is not a completely safe product, but the BPI product is as safe, if not safer, than other parts of hamburger," said Seattle-based food safety lawyer William Marler. "BPI has gotten crushed by public sentiment that this stuff is icky."
Concern and questions over BPI and its product have been raised in the media for years, including a Pulitzer Prize-winning series of stories written by the New York Times in 2009. The current debate, which has been brewing for months, began after British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver drew attention to the practice.
— Additional reporting for Reuters by Meredith Davis and Theopolis Waters


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Credit Suisse: CONSUMER Stocks Tops in Hong Kong
Credit Suisse said in its China Market Strategy that it has the biggest “Overweight” recommendation on consumer sector stocks listed in Hong Kong, and expects the H-share index to rise this year.
“In early 2012, we had expected the market to experience a mild rebound (which happened) and less ‘flight to quality (which did not happen). Again, in 2013, we expect the market to rise, and set our H-share index target at 14,000.
“We believe that two consecutive years of positive share price performance will finally reduce the ‘flight-to-quality’ phenomenon that we have seen in the past two years. As in 2010, we expect the ratio of outperforming stocks to reduce to the 50% range,” Credit Suisse said.
The research house said it was most bullish on consumer shares listed in Hong Kong.
“The Hong Kong-listed consumer discretionary sector has underperformed in four of the past five years. We also like banks which have underperformed in the past three years.”
Despite the underperformance of the capital goods sector in the past five years, Credit Suisse said it is still having difficulty in bottom-up stock picking in this sector.
“In our January 2012 report, ‘China Market Strategy: Reversal to mean?,’ we highlighted two things: (1) the market would experience a rebound in 2012 -- we set 2012 index targets for MSCI China, H-share and Shanghai A-share at 65, 11,500 and 2,900, respectively; and (2) given the market rebound, the ‘flight-to-quality’ phenomenon would change and more laggards would start to outperform.”
With the exception of A shares, Credit Suisse’s index targets for 2012 materialised -- MSCI China and H-share indices were at 11,436 and 63 as of end-2012, respectively.
“However, we changed our H-share index targets a few times last year -- so we should not claim too much credit for the earlier call last year.”
Consumer discretionary and materials are two other poorly performing sectors which have underperformed in four of the past five years.
“Indeed, we have the biggest ‘Overweight’ on consumer discretionary, expecting that the investment-led macroeconomic stabilization will filter through to discretionary consumption,” Credit Suisse added.
CHINA's REAL ESTATE & RETAIL: Latest Happenings...
XTEP ‘One Of Two Survivors’; China Property Boosting White Goods
HSBC Upgrades XTEP; UNI-PRESIDENT Started ‘BUY’
Bocom: CONSUMER STOCKS See Strong November Rebound
Bocom International said that Hong Kong-listed consumer/retail stocks saw a “strong rebound” in November.
Hong Kong retail sales growth (in value) saw a strong rebound to 9.5% in Nov from 3.9% in Oct, much better than the consensus estimate of 4.2%. For Jan-Nov 12, the average retail sales growth was 9.9%.
The key improved segments were jewelry & watches (to +14% vs. -3% in Oct), followed by apparel (to +8% vs. +1% in Oct) and department stores (to +11% vs. +6% in Oct).
On the other hand, electrical goods reported sales slowdown (to +11% vs. +22% in Oct), followed by cosmetics (to +13% vs. +16% in Oct).
“We believe the rebound was mainly due to the normalization of Chinese tourist arrivals, with arrival growth recovering to 30% in Nov (Jan-Nov +24%), from 21% in Oct which was affected by the adverse impact of China’s Golden Week holiday,” Bocom said.
While the research house expects the growth momentum to carry into Dec (the peak season of the year), the continuing cautious consumer climate and the sustained high base last year (retail sales +23.5% in Dec 11 vs. +23.4% in Nov 11) will cap the sector’s improvement, Bocom added.
“In our Hong Kong retail universe, Sa Sa (HK: 178, ‘Buy’) and Lifestyle (HK: 1212, ‘Buy’) remain our key picks.”
China Retail Rundown; XTEP ‘Buy’; ANTA Mixed
XTEP ‘Buy’; Bocom Downbeat; MAGIC Shines; PAX Impresses


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NTT DoCoMo is one of the largest wireless carriers in Japan. The company has announced that it has teamed up with a clothing maker named Toray to develop a new type of smart clothing. The material the clothing is made from uses nanofibers that are able to monitor the wearer.
The fabric is called Hitoe, which means one layer in Japanese. The nanofibers are coated in a transmissible layer of material. The material itself can’t link with a smartphone. NTT’s part of the deal is in that smartphone connection.
NTT DoCoMo uses the transmissible nanofibers to connect to some of the health apps that are available on smartphones the company offers. The clothing acts as electrodes for measuring heart rate. It can also offer metrics and other details like those that you would see on an EKG. The electrodes are built into the surprisingly thin clothing and have an attached transmitter that shoots the signals to the phone.
It appears that everything is thin enough to wear under another shirt if wanted. The project is to be aimed at sportswear for runners and athletes. The company is also making other items like sleepwear, casual wear, and a hat. The sensors are able to survive washing in a machine too.
SOURCE: Japan Daily Press


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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — There is a push by New Yorkers to help families hurt the most by soaring inflation, but some are questioning if it is the right move.
Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to pay workers making minimum wage more as costs continue to rise. She is pitching a plan to lawmakers to tie the minimum wage to inflation.
Last week at the start of the new year, the minimum wage in New York increased by another dollar, bringing it up to $14.20 an hour here in Central New York. The minimum wage for home care aides locally also went up a dollar to $16.20 an hour.
The governor says we have to do more to put money back into New Yorkers' pockets while the cost of living continues to rise. Now she has a plan to help workers make ends meet.
Hochul was given a standing ovation from many state lawmakers during her State of the State address from Albany on Monday, getting support for her new plan. "The average monthly cost of goods and energy for low-income households has jumped by more than 13 percent in just two years and they were barely making it before," Hochul said.
We have all watched as soaring inflation has made life more expensive. We are all paying more for everything from gas to groceries. But it is the low wage workers, the governor says, who were hit the hardest. Those people already on the margins, many women and people of color, she says, who are being pushed to the breaking point.
I am proposing a plan to peg the minimum wage to inflation. If costs go up, so will wages." Gov. Hochul
State Assembly Minority leader Will Barclay is pushing back on the plan, saying at a time when many people are leaving the state, we cannot afford to make the cost of business even higher. However, he says, he would be open to the idea of raising the minimum wage. "I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing to tie it to some sort of economic indicator," he said. "The problem is when you tie it to inflation, that can be a self-fulfilling prophecy whereas inflation goes up, wages go up. The increase in wages will cause more inflation. So it's kind of an endless cycle."
Dr. Chandan Jha teaches finance at LeMoyne College. He thinks the governor's plan is a good idea, saying the poorest people are hit the hardest by inflation. "When they are hit by the inflation, for them a 5 percent or 10 percent increase in prices of the goods that they are consuming, it's a big effect for them," he said.
Dr. Jha says businesses, even smaller ones, can absorb higher costs more than people with low wages who are just barely getting by. "When inflation rises, they are also able to sell their products at a higher price even if they are mom-and-pop stores. And so they should be able to withstand that increase because it's an economy-wide phenomenon," he said.
If lawmakers support her plan, the governor says the state will make increases predictable for employers and create flexibility if we deal with a recession. But she calls it a matter of fairness and social justice, saying the change will give nearly 900,000 minimum wage workers a lifeline.
Assembly Minority Leader Barclay thinks it may be a better idea to tie it to personal income. He also wants to reinstate the suspension of the gas tax and extend more sales tax relief to help New Yorkers struggling to get by.


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But now it seems the fate of the rounded behind is also causing men some concern. Research published today shows the men of 2002 would struggle to fit into the slimline hipsters which dominated fashion in the Seventies.
For in the past 30 years, the average size of male hips has expanded from 38 to 40 inches. The sedentary office life and a love of fast food mean waists have also grown by around 3.4 inches to an average of 36 inches and toned chests have expanded by three inches to 42.
The survey, by Datasize Research Management (DRM), compared the shape of a range of volunteers with the average male body shape recorded 30 years ago.
They found that the problems men face are no longer restricted to a beer belly. They are also piling on the pounds around the thighs, bottom and waist.
Tony Rosells, of DRM, said: "The research shows men are getting bigger in all areas including their waist and chest."
Official data suggests half of the population will be obese by 2040 as Britain follows America in its poor eating habits. And it seems men are far from confident with their new vital statistics.
Around one in 10 said they felt uncomfortable getting undressed in front of their partner because of their size. And one in five said too much food and beer meant their hips and thighs would get fat. However, the survey, carried out for the low calorie bread, Nimble, found few men know how to tackle the problem of putting on weight.
While they spend seven hours a week watching sport, only one in three men actually participate in games or go to the gym.
And fewer than one in 10 said they ate three healthy meals a day, opting instead for ready-made meals, takeaways and snacks. Of those who did try to lose weight, fewer than one in three tried to eat either low-fat foods or counted calories.
Sarah Eden, from Nimble, said as the population continued to put on weight, men needed to try and eat a more healthy diet.
"It seems that one of the main reasons why men are gaining weight is they don't understand the link between weight control and a healthy, nutritious diet.
"Keeping an eye on your health and food intake and maintaining your weight does not have to be a chore. Nowadays it is possible to feel good about yourself and enjoy delicious food that is high in taste but is low in calories and fat."Reuse content


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Is the secondary ticket market finally under siege on both sides of the Atlantic? Yes! And it’s about time.
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) is proposing stiff fines for reselling Broadway tkts and in London “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is refusing to honor tkts not sold by legit vendors. In some cases — like for “Hamilton” — we’re talking hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Ouch!
“Hamilton” star and creator Linn-Manuel Miranda and Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin are supporting Schumer‘s sponsorship of legislation that would impose a $16,000 fine on those who use automated ticket purchasing software to purchase tickets online.What’s not clear to me, at this point, is that per transaction? If not, paying the fine could be cheaper — much cheaper — than scalping tkts, as it used to be known. The story on Playbill.com doesn’t say.
Reselling tkts is illegal in NY state, but not in New Jersey or other states where resellers have relocated to avoid prosecution. It’s kinda like getting rid of cockroaches: fumigate one apartment in the building and they just move next door.
Schumer wants to make it illegal nation-wide. He’s on our side. (Couldn’t resist. You should be hearing the theme song from Nationwide Insurance by now.)
Meanwhile, in London, a much smaller country, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender “reportedly instructed the Palace Theatre staff to accept only those tickets sold by Nimax and ATG services, and not to accept tickets that have been purchased on the so-called secondary market,” according to Playbill.com.
My son and I tried to get Bruce Springsteen tkts for his latest tour, working two laptops, watching our screens constantly, reloading. Never. Got. Close. Within 12 minutes they were for sale on the secondary market for many hundreds of dollars.
That’s just not right. Fans pay much, much more money. Talents loses much, much more money. And the scalper — who contributed nothing and risked no money — reaps profits galore.
To let Schemer know you support his legislation, click here.


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2012 will mark the Centennial celebration of Arturo Fuente Cigars. As a result, one can expect an exciting year from the company. Despite having to deal with a serious tobacco fire last year, Fuente is moving forward with four new blends.
The January 7th, 2012 Cigar Dave Show unveiled some information about the four blends. Most of the information is high level, but it is for something for cigar enthusiasts and fans of Arturo Fuente to keep in mind. This is still early information and much is subject to change and correction, but still this can give folks an idea of what is planned.. The plan is for these four new blends to be available or unveiled by the 2012 IPCPR retail show in Orlando, Florida.
1.Opus X Angel Share – This is actually a variation of the existing Opus X blend. The difference is that Fuente is using a different priming in the blend taking it from a middle leaf as opposed to the higher priming that is normally used. The idea is to give this cigar a sweeter component.
2.Don Arturo Aniversario: This is going to be a new line of limited annual releases. The plan is for this cigar to be available in six vitolas. The distinguishing factor here is a new Dominican-grown Cuban Seed wrapper that has been perfected by the Fuentes.
3.Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 Aniversario: This is being targeted as a larger ring gauge release than corona gorda ring gauge on the current Fuente 8-5-8s. It will also utilize the new Dominican-grown Cuban seed wrapper being used in the Don Arturo Aniversario.
4.Casa Cuba: This one has probably already been on the radar with Fuente fans as many were expecting it in 2011. A decision was made to age some the cigar some more. This cigar will be marketed without using the Fuente name on it. It is expected to be a cigar in the medium range.
Cigar Coop will follow these releases throughout 2012 and provide more information and hopefully have some in-depth blend previews when they are made available.
Source: 1/7/12 Cigar Dave Show. Click here for the podcast link.


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It's a big day for Weetabix, Britain's favourite breakfast cereal. This weekend a £7m campain kicks off designed to position the brand as the ideal start for dealing with a busy day.
The new campaign dramatises the role Weetabix can play in setting people up for a busy day; a promise which is backed up by a brand new pack design featuring the brand’s slow release energy credentials.
Focused on the gentle rivalries that exist in all households, a series of 60' and 30' TV commercials have been created featuring a typical British family’s light-hearted debate over who has the busiest day. Created by ad agency BBH, each execution signs off with the end-line ”Weetabix. Fuel for Big Days” and will run nationally over the next few months.
Supporting the TV will be a series of nationwide radio ads, smartphone initiatives, social media and YouTube activity.
Weetabix is the brand leader in the £1.5 billion UK cereal category with household penetration at 33 per cent* and a market share of 7.8 per cent. The cereal is eaten regularly by 8.3 million consumers with 890 million bowls consumed each year.*
“Weetabix is the No.1 cereal brand in the UK and has been a great British icon for the past 80 years. However, it stands for different things for many consumers and we embarked on a key project to find that one defining piece of insight which differentiates the brand within the cereals category," said Adrian Mooney, Weetabix Head of Marketing.http://www.google.com/cse?cx=partner-pub-9300639326172081%3A5191442144&ie=UTF-8&sa=Search&q=adforum&hl=en
"At the heart of our new proposition is the fundamental truth that for most people, life is getting busier and more demanding. In research we found that in the course of a week 3-4 days will be busier than others. Consumers said to us that a big day ahead could mean a maths test, a long drive, making a presentation at work or simply ferrying the kids between activities.
"The new campaign is designed to tap into that truth and the need that all people from babies to senior citizens have for sustained energy to get them through their big day without faltering.”
Two Weetabix biscuits with 125ml of semi-skimmed milk has a Glycaemic Index of 47, making it a low GI food. Low GI foods release their energy slowly and help keep you fuller for longer.
"We want Weetabix to own that 'Big Day' moment," said Mooney. "Our aim is for Weetabix to be front of mind for consumers when they think about preparing for their busy day."
The light-hearted ads feature a family seated around a breakfast table. Each family member contemplates the busy day that lies ahead in a series of flash forward sequences. Dad, Mum, Son and toddler all seek to outdo the others as they tuck into their bowls of Weetabix.
A vibrant new design, developed by Springetts, is going into store now to coincide with the new campaign. The front of pack has been modernised and now features a prominent 'slow release energy' motif. This is explained in more detail on the back of pack under the line ‘fuel your day’.
Radio ads will run later in the year and a digital campaign will run in support of PR and other marketing activities.
"Weetabix is the backbone of British family life," said Mooney. "The brand stands for simplicity, honesty and wholesomeness and it's as good today as it always has been. We believe this new campaign will help to drive frequency and enhance our position as the nation's favourite breakfast cereal."
Dominic Goldman, Creative Director, BBH comments: "The fast pace of modern life can be exhausting; and yet it's typically English to wear your busy day like a badge of honour. We leveraged this insight and created a game of oneupmanship centred around the breakfast table, where a family compares notes whilst fuelling up with Weetabix to prepare themselves for the big day ahead."


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That’s right. Here’s your chance to win a brand spanking new 16GB Wi-Fi iPad Air. Apple’s new iPad will be released on Nov. 1, 2013 and set you back $499, but you have a chance to win one through this giveaway! I’ve teamed up with Micheal “The DetroitBORG” Kukielka for this amazing giveaway. Check out the rules below.
Apple has finally unveiled its next generation iPad lineup. The iPad Air is the new thin and light successor to the fourth generation iPad. Along with that, we get a shiny new iPad mini with Retina display. Join us this week as we discuss all of Apple’s latest announcements.
What’s so great about the Samsung Galaxy Gear. Well, in my opinion, not too much. In fact, for a $300 device, it’s not much better than similar low-budget competitors like the Pebble watch. If you’d like to know exactly how I feel about this new device, check out my video review above.
Amazon is back with a brand new Kindle. This time it’s packing a better display, a new design, and a ton of performance. Today, we’re unboxing this new mini tablet and taking a look at its external design and features.
Guess what? New iPads are right around the corner. That’s right, Apple’s iPad event is coming up on Oct. 22, 2013 and we’re very excited. It’s very possible that preorders will begin on Friday Oct. 25, 2013, so get your credit/debit cards ready. Take a listen to our podcast for all of the info about Apple’s upcoming releases.
Over the years, I’ve covered a lot of iOS devices and accessories. I’m sure it’s obviously by now that I prefer Apple devices, but lately, I’ve been exploring other territory. Welcome to my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 review. This isn’t the first Android device I’ve used or made a video on, but it definitely is my first review of one.
This is Samsung’s new smartwatch. The build quality is excellent, but its biggest limitations are software and battery life. For an in-depth look at what comes along with this new smartwatch, check out the video overview above.
I know it sounds too good to be true, but every day tons of great apps get discounted or even become totally free. I’ve done some digging in the App Store to put together today’s best free and discounted apps. Don’t delay, these prices won’t last forever!


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Finland’s Prime Minister, Sanna Marin, will visit New Zealand next week – it will be the first ever visit to Aotearoa by a Finnish PM.
The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Ville Skinnari, and a business delegation.
She will meet with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Auckland.
“New Zealand and Finland are natural partners. We share similar approaches and views on many international issues, including the importance of the rule of law, multilateralism, sustainability, and free and open trade,” Ms Ardern said.
“We look forward to building our trade and investment relationship with Finland, utilising the opportunities presented by the conclusion of our free trade agreement with the European Union. The ongoing and active support of friends such as Finland is welcome as we move toward signing and ratifying the FTA as soon as possible”.
The New Zealand-European Union FTA includes ambitious and ground-breaking outcomes to promote trade and sustainable development. It is expected to increase exports to the EU by up to $1.8 billion per year.
The visit, from 29 November to 1 December, will be the first opportunity for the two Prime Ministers to meet in person.


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NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks fell in early trading Wednesday as investors held back ahead of an anticipated decision by the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.
The central bank has been using its power to cut short-term interest rates as a way to shore up the economy amid the costly impact from the U.S.-China trade war. It has already cut rates twice since this summer. Investors will also listen closely for any clues about the Fed's future plans as it monitors lingering economic threats.
Banks fell broadly ahead of the expected rate cut and as bond yields dipped. Lower yields and interest rates make it more difficult for companies like Bank of America and JPMorgan to increase profits from loans.
Energy stocks, including Valero and Hess, also fell.
Johnson & Johnson was a standout with a gain of 3.2%. That helped the broader health care sector hold on to modest gains.
Consumer product makers and utilities held up better than most as investors shifted to the safe-play sectors. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 1.81% from 1.83% late Tuesday.
KEEPING SCORE: The S&P 500 index rose 0.1% as of 10 a.m. Eastern time. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 5 points, or less than 0.1%, to 27,064. The Nasdaq fell 0.2%. The Russell 2000 index of smaller company stocks fell 0.6%.
FED WATCH: Analysts are forecasting that the Fed will reduce short-term interest rates, which influence a broad range of consumer and business loans, by one-quarter percentage point to a range of 1.5% to 1.75%. It would mark the third such cut in 2019 and nearly reverse the four rate hikes that the Fed made last year.
Rising global risks led the Fed to change course and begin easing credit. Lower rates are intended to encourage more borrowing and spending. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell has said that the central bank's rate reductions are intended as a kind of insurance against threats to the economy.
MIDWEEK MOVEMENT: The early losses on Wednesday extend Tuesday's slight pullback. The decline is an about-face from Monday's rally, which pushed the S&P 500 to a record high close.
Investors have been focusing on a steady flow of corporate earnings, along with key economic reports. Apple, Facebook and Starbucks will report their earnings later Wednesday.
GOOD ENOUGH GROWTH: The U.S. economy slowed to a modest growth rate of 1.9% in the July-September quarter, but still surpassed economists' forecasts for even weaker growth. The Commerce Department reported that consumer spending downshifted and businesses continued to trim their investments in response to trade war uncertainty and a weakening global economy.
Gross domestic product, which is the economy's total output of goods and services, grew at a 2% rate in the second quarter.
PLAYING NICELY: Mattel surged 21% after the toy maker breezed past Wall Street's third-quarter profit forecasts on strong sales of its Barbie and Hot Wheels brands. The company also put investors at ease when it said that it hasn't seen any impact from tariff increases on toys imported from China ahead of the Dec. 15 deadline.
Key rival Hasbro said last week that the trade war is wreaking havoc on the company's supply chain and creating confusion among retail customers for its toys.
CASH FLOW JOLT: General Electric jumped 12.7% after the industrial conglomerate raised its projections for a key measure of profitability despite a damaging trade fight and ongoing problems with Boeing's 737 Max, which GE helps make engines for.
OVERSEAS: European markets fell. Britain will hold an early election, in December, as politicians continue to debate over the nation's stalled departure for the European Union. The trading block recently gave Britain a three-month extension to Jan. 31 for its pending departure. Asian markets also fell.


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27 November 2015
At SparkOptimus, we try to highlight the most important news and background stories in digital, e-commerce and retail. Here is our selection of last weekâ€™s news:
We have seen some interesting technology announcements last week, including many on robots. Schiphol launched an airport robot, assuring you will never miss your flight again. Spencer is an armless friendly-looking robot that will ease your journey through one of the most complicated airports to navigate around. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology announced the Pleurobot, another robot. It is salamander-like and one of the most accurate robotic animals ever made to further both understand spinal therapy and animal evolution.
Although Black Friday is more popular than ever before, the same ongoing technology development is expected to make this shopping day obsolete in only a couple of years. Retailers will no longer rely on one weekend that pushes them into the black. The upside of the absence of a physical Black Friday is that this will also lead to less serious injuries in the US (5 in 2014).
So please be careful this weekend, we wish you a happy Black Friday and Cyber Monday!


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Next year, online brands will re-invigorate their packaging to enhance the e-commerce experience and brands that adopt clear and succinct package messaging will be rewarded as consumers prefer brands that embrace minimalism, according to market intelligence agency Mintel.
Packaging will also play a pivotal role in reducing global food and product waste and brands will be called to keep marine conservation at the forefront of packaging development and to anchor the circular economy for future generations.
David Luttenberger, global packaging director at Mintel, discussed the major trends set to influence the packaging sector worldwide in 2018.
- Packaged Planet
Consumers have often considered packaging as unnecessary and a waste to be disposed of but that misconception is now changing, said Mintel. A focus on package innovations that extend food freshness, preserve ingredient fortification, and ensure safe delivery is increasingly benefiting consumers. Brands will need to act fast by exploiting on-pack communication tools to educate consumers to the benefits packaging can bring, from extending shelf life of food to providing efficient and safe access to essential products in developed and underserved regions of the world.
Online shopping is becoming increasingly widespread around the globe and is near ubiquitous in some markets. However, while online shopping’s key advantage is convenience, consumers expect more from their favoured brands. When designing packaging to be viewed online and transit packaging to be opened upon delivery in the home, Mintel reminded the experience of e-commerce packaging must reflect consumer expectations from shopping with that brand in-store.
- Clean Label 2.0
Today’s consumers are more informed than ever. However, brands are in real danger of being rejected if consumers feel overloaded with information, leading to the questioning of provenance, authenticity and transparency. The ‘essentialist’ design principle bridges the divide between not enough and just enough of what’s essential for consumers to make an enlightened and confident purchasing decision. Mintel suggested brands must bring the next generation of clean label to packaging design to provide a moment of calm and clarity for shoppers in an increasingly hectic retail environment.
- Sea Change
Concerns over safe packaging disposal will increasingly colour consumers’ perceptions of different packaging types and impact shopper purchase decisions. Only by communicating that a brand is working towards a solution will this growing barrier to purchase be overcome, Mintel opined. While collecting waste plastic from the sea to recycle into new packaging can raise consumer awareness, it won’t solve the problem. In order to keep plastic out of the sea, a renewed effort towards the circular economy is needed to keep packaging material in use.
Young shoppers are increasingly ‘shopping the periphery’, visiting the fresh and chilled aisles around the store perimeter and turning their backs on processed, ambient and frozen offerings in the centre of the store. Mintel noted the use of transparent materials, contemporary design, recyclability or unique shapes can help draw in younger consumers to the store centre.
Luttenberger added: “Our packaging trends for 2018 reflect the most current and forward-looking consumer attitudes, actions, and purchasing behaviours in both global and local markets. Such trends as those we see emerging in e-commerce packaging have stories that are just now being written. Others, such as the attack on plastics, are well into their first few chapters, but with no clear ending in sight.”


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The great recession, it seems, goes on. While I don’t like statistics as morality, and I hate how much this stuff lends itself to inane talking points in politics, this was just striking. I saw it on CNN Monday: Family net worth plummets 40%. The illustration is by CNN, and sources are cited in the small print.
The piece says:
The stunning drop in median net worth — from $126,400 in 2007 to $77,300 in 2010 — indicates that the recession wiped away 18 years of savings and investment by families.
I’m not an economist so I don’t draw conclusions. I am a skeptic so I question the statistics, always; but this seems hard to dispute.
And we see it, don’t we? Aside from the politics? People out of work, people looking for jobs, people sticking to jobs they hate. The great recession of 2007-09 dropped 10 or 12 millions out of the economy, out of work. Millions of them are still down looking up. No wonder growth is down and sales sluggish.
As the newspaper business seems to die slowly, I console myself with the idea that journalism isn’t dying with it. The Huffington Post is booming. The New York Times will bring in about $350 million this year. The new iPad shows us how we can spread the paper in front of us with coffee and a newspaper in the morning. There’s hope. They capped the stupid oil spill overnight. Maybe they’ll cap the journalism spill too. Eventually.
I wish I knew who I’m quoting here, but I don’t. Somebody mentioned this quote to me recently:
I don’t care about newspapers. I do care about journalism.
What if news didn’t come on mashed-up trees? What if it came online instead? What if the iPad is the future of the daily newspaper? I can still sit with my coffee and page through the news. Sort of.
Can we survive with a few big online news organizations, but no newspapers?
In that case, who’s going to cover the city council meeting? Who’s going to spend months doing investigative reporting? And who’s going to pay the salaries of the people spending months on investigative reporting?
Meanwhile the Huffington Post, by far the most successful news business of the last half decade, is paying journalists full time incomes to develop the news. They have a handful of their own correspondents. That’s not the answer to those questions, but it is a start.
And, then, without hesitation, I signed up for both the apps mentioned, Apollo and Pulse, to go with my New York Times, Huffington Post, CNN, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and SkyGrid. So it’s not like I won’t have news. And local news? That icon in the lower left of my iPad picture above is the Eugene Register Guard, which is my local newspaper. Now, as long as the local paper can figure out how to survive on its online revenues … sigh…
No, I’m not suggesting the iPad is the big answer or magic solution. It’s mostly just a good illustration. This is a long-term change of worldwide news landscape, and the iPad is significant here because this is how things are going to be. The iPad will have good competition soon enough. Let’s hope it does, and that the competition generates money for news organizations, so that the journalism survives.
Interesting juxtaposition: while much of the world worries about where we get real news, and particularly investigative reporting, iPhone users are up in arms about CNN charging less than $2, once, for an iPhone app that includes ads.
CNN’s new iPhone app is creating quite a stir. First of all, they’re the first major news site to have a paid app ($1.99). Secondly, they’ve included ads in it. Users are in quite an uproar over this. They wouldn’t pay for something with ads in it!
There’s no doubt that the iPhone world is new and strange. I have an iPhone myself, and I love it; but how did $1.99 for an application end up as expensive? In what world? Maybe I’ve been in software for too long. Megan (disclosure: she’s my daughter) adds:
Yet, what about newspapers, magazines, television, and increasingly games? We constantly pay for media that includes ads, and we don’t even think twice about it.
Meanwhile there’s a lot of real worry about what’s happening to journalism, and especially investigative journalism, as newspapers and magazines fade. Within a click or two of that same CNN-iPhone-related post on Huffington, there’s this post in which Arianna Huffington frets over the debate over online news, another about whether the New York Times should charge for news, and yet another titled What Google Can Do for Journalism. I posted about that here just a couple of months ago.
On The Huffington Post, meanwhile, they took a Quick Poll on how people feel about paying for an iPhone application with advertising in it. Almost half the respondents said no: “If I pay for an app, I shouldn’t have to put up with advertising.”
I’m not saying that iPhone users shouldn’t worry about a couple of dollars, but … no, wait a minute, maybe that is what I’m saying. Skip a cup of coffee, once. Not that I even like CNN, but if nobody can figure out how to pay the reporters, we’re not going to have Journalism. I can imagine a world without newspapers, but a world without Journalism would be a lot worse than that. If saving Journalism (note: not newspapers necessarily, but investigative reporting) takes some ads, I can deal with ads.
So I just bought the CNN application for my iPhone.
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e-Strategy Trends’ continually updated collection of mobile app trends and statistics for marketing, public relations, advertising and strategic communications professionals.
eMarketer estimates that more than half of the US Hispanic population will use messaging app WhatsApp at least monthly this year. The platform’s US Hispanic user base of 32 million is growing because of its data cost savings, messaging encryption capabilities and popularity in Latin American countries.Read More
Pinterest has an ambitious visual search strategy, which has produced tools such as Shop the Look, which lets users select blue dots within a pin to find similar products, and Lens, a real-time visual search tool embedded in the camera of the Pinterest App (and elsewhere).Read More
Of the 1,000 US internet users surveyed, more than half (56%) of Gen Zers, ages 16 to 24, said they had increased their use of Snapchat in the past year, and another 55% of respondents said they are using Instagram more.Read More


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When three executives from the freshly minted Kontoor Brands paid a visit last week, they came dressed in denim and steeped in optimism.
They were bullish about their company, which was part of a more familiar company, VF Jeanswear, before it was spun off last year.
They see sales ticking up and new possibilities for their marquee brands, Wrangler and Lee, which will remain separate.
And most encouraging, they see a bright future in Greensboro, which they have embraced warmly and unequivocally as their hometown.
They say they like it here because of Wrangler’s deep roots in Greensboro.
They also consider this city a good place to live and raise a family, with reasonably priced housing and manageable traffic.
And they not only want to be in Greensboro, they want to be part of Greensboro.
Kontoor’s CEO and president, Scott Baxter, said in an interview that his company, which employs a workforce of 17,000 internationally, 1,200 in North Carolina, is firmly committed to being a strong corporate citizen here. That means executives taking leadership roles in community life, Baxter said.
It means sponsorships for civic and cultural activities such as the N.C. Folk Festival.
It means re-opening what was once a temporary “pop-up” retail store on Elm Street in downtown Greensboro as a permanent fixture.
It means moving about 30 Lee executives to Greensboro from Merriam, Kan., and hiring another 170 employees here.
It means shifting the company’s annual managers conference to Greensboro.
It means keeping the corporate headquarters on North Elm Street in downtown Greensboro and a service and support center on Elm-Eugene Street — as well as leasing 40,000 square feet of workspace in the Revolution Mill complex, with plans to lease 4,500 more.
“This is where we’re supposed to be,” Baxter said. “This is where we want to be.”
Turning those words into actions, Baxter recently hosted a global leadership conference in Greensboro at the new downtown Hyatt Place Hotel.
Kontoor officially became a publicly traded company on Thursday. Now the Kontoor and Lee logos join the giant Wrangler letters on the building.
As for the unpredictable market of casual wear, which has trended from relaxed jeans to skinny jeans to ripped jeans to yoga pants, Baxter cited two reasons he expects success: the growing presence of casual fashions in the workplace and innovations such as stretch denim.
To be sure, the chain of events that led to last week were not so upbeat in the beginning.
Greensboro did lose (another) corporate headquarters when Kontoor’s former parent, VF Corp., announced that it was moving to Denver, Colo. VF officials said the company wanted to concentrate on active wear brands such as North Face and Vans and felt that Denver as a home base better suited that emphasis.
But VF’s spinoff of Lee and Wrangler, now rebooted and re-invented with iconic brands that are household names and with designs on growth and innovation — plus Kontoor’s unabashed desire to remain here?
That’s as sweet a glass of lemonade as you could hope for from those lemons.
Welcome home. Glad you could stay.


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Shazam has started to warn users of upcoming changes to the way their data will be handled following the acquisition of the music recognition service by Apple, with data being transferred to the iPhone producer's servers and maintained under Apple's privacy policies, rather than Shazam itself.
Appearing just two months after the completion of the deal to buy the company, the notification in the Shazam app and a warning on the Shazam website advises of changes to the service, if the user has a previously-created Shazam account.
The notice, spotted by iGeneration in both the iOS and Android versions of the app, appears as a small extra banner at the top, complete with Apple's privacy logo and a button to instantly agree with the changes.
On the website, a notice advises "Your Shazam data will be moved to Apple and aligned with Apple's privacy practices." Users wishing to delete their Shazam account are offered a "Delete Account" button at the bottom of the page.
If requested, the account is removed and personal data associated with Shazam erased, including the user's email address if they signed in with Facebook, Facebook ID, and any personal data shared with the service via Facebook. A user's "Shazams" will remain available in the app, but they will not synchronize between devices, and will not be accessible if the app is uninstalled then reinstalled.
"If you continue to use Shazam without an account, your Shazam data won't be associated with you," the web notification continues. While analytics logs for Shazam usage won't be erased, the logs won't be personally identifiable once the account itself is deleted.
The acquisition by Apple, which was initially announced in December 2017 and received EU regulatory approval in September, is believed to have cost the company an estimated $400 million. Considering the existing integration with Siri as well as the connection to Apple Music, it is likely that Apple will use the technology behind the service to bolster its other products.


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SK hynix Inc., South Korea's No. 2 chipmaker, said Monday it has developed the industry's most advanced double data rate-4 (DDR4) module with a capacity of 128 gigabytes (GB), significantly improving speed and efficiency.
Based on the 8-gigabit(Gb)-DDR4, SK said it expanded the maximum capacity by two-fold from the previous model of 64GB with the Through Silicon Via (TSV) technology, which allows the dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) to be connected with higher electrical efficiency.
The module has a speed of 2,133 megabits per second (Mbps), compared with the 1,333 Mbps of DDR3, and consumes less power by working on the 1.2 voltage, compared with the 1.35 voltage of its predecessor.
"The development of the world's first 128GB DDR4 module has its significance in opening ultrahigh density server market," said SK's Senior Vice President Hong Sung-joo, adding it will further strengthen its competitiveness in premium DRAM sector.
Citing data compiled by market researcher Gartner, SK said the market for server DRAM will expand 37 percent on average on-year through 2018, with DDR4 models becoming a key product in the industry after 2016.
SK said it plans to commence the mass production of the model by the first half of 2015. (Yonhap)


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The US and China are moving forward with new tariffs on each other's products.
On Sunday, a 15 percent tax on about $112 billion in Chinese imports went into effect.
The goods include textiles, clothing, and shoes - the higher costs could be passed on to US consumers.
China put its own tariffs on US goods, slapping a five to ten percent tax on goods ranging from sweet corn, liver, marble and bicycle tires.
Trump maintains that his tariffs are not hurting American companies that operate in China.
"A lot of badly run companies are trying to blame tariffs," Trump told reporters. "In other words, they're run badly and they're having a bad quarter or they're just unlucky in some way. It's not the tariffs. It's called bad management," the New York Times reports the president saying.
It's all part of an ongoing trade war between the two nations.
Even though talk of trade wars and the economy has some economists and politicians saying the US will suffer for President Trump's strong stand, FreedomWorks economist Stephen Moore believes China will take the harder hit and the economy is really going to be okay.
Moore told CBN News, "Has the economy hit a few bumps in the road? Absolutely yes," pointing to the trade war with China specifically. "This probably is hurting the economy in the short term, but not enough to send the economy into recession. And once the trade deal gets done, the economy will really boom."
"The trade war has hurt the United States, but it's clobbered China," he said. "China is getting hurt way more than we are by this. ...There's a big disinvestment in China. Businesses are moving out of China, moving to Vietnam, India, Singapore to avoid the tariffs. So China is getting hit hard and hopefully they will come to their senses, he added.
....adds up to the most ambitious Pro-Worker policy agenda this Country has ever seen. The President promised Jobs, Jobs, Jobs, and that is exactly what he is delivering.” @SteveHiltonx @NextRevFNC @FoxNews
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 2, 2019
As the tariffs heat up, trade negotiations with China are expected to continue during the month of September in Washington.


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Thursday 8th September saw the launch of the eagerly awaited issue 16 of Very Nearly Almost magazine. The new issue features Invader, Chu, Dead Sea Mob, Kid Zoom, Will Barras, as well as street photos from different cities. I was happy to contribute and discover interviews from the different artists.
This time, a special VNA 16 limited edition with a screenprinted cover has been signed by Invader. The pack also contains a series of VNA/Invader stickers, within a shiny silver screenprinted enveloppe. No wonder a growing crowd started to queue from the early afternoon at Pictures on Walls to get one of the 80 from the special edition made available for the launch party.
Here are some pics from the release party:


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High street goes bust! Plus size lingerie range featuring size 46K bras, premieres at Debenhams
Celebrating natural curves, Debenhams has launched its first underwear collection specifically aimed at plus size women.
It joins a growing number of high street chains to stock supersize ranges, previously only available in specialist shops.
The new sets, which feature size 46K bras and briefs up to a UK 26, have been designed with the fuller figure in mind.
Debenhams has unveiled its first collection of underwear specifically designed for plus size women (Victoria praline underwired bra and briefs, £36)
A study conducted at Plus London, the UK’s largest blogging event for plus size women earlier this year revealed that the majority of fuller figured women only shopped for garments online.
A large proportion also reported a lack of fashionable lingerie sets available in large sizes.
As a result Debenhams took the decision to stock the Elomi’s range, launching it at stores nationwide.
A spokesperson for Elomi said: 'We spoke to many plus size women about their lingerie shopping habits, and many found fuller figure lingerie shopping in department stores an impossible task, commenting that styles and sizes on offer were restricting.'
A study found the average British bra has jumped from 34B to 36D over recent years
Cassandra light pink bra £38.00 and short £20.50 (left) Caitlyn teal bra £35,00 and brief £18.50 (right)
Brasseries sport wider straps to support the bust, while other features of the new Fifties-inspired
collection include lace detailing, feminine prints, and
But this isn't the first time that plus size ranges have appeared on the high street. In 2007 Marks & Spencer introduced the J cup and in 2010 Selfridges began stocking a K cup range, as it saw sales of D to G cups rise by 50 per cent year-on-year since 2005
One study found the average British bra has jumped from 34B to 36D, while another revealed that the
average size-14 pair of women’s trousers is more than four
inches bigger at the waist today than they were in the 1970s.
The new Elomi range starts from £18.50 for briefs and goes up to £38.00 for a bra, swimwear is also available.
For more information visit: www.debenhams.com
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The international LEISURE Exhibition is held from 19 to 21 September at the central exhibition Complex "Expocenter" of the Russian capital. Krasnodar presents its tourism opportunities as a member of the joint exposition of Krasnodar Region.
"At the LEISURE Exhibition Krasnodar is represented by enterprises and organizations of the tourism industry of the city — Tourism Information Center, Pedagogical Center "Holidays", Krasnodar balneary, hotels of the city. We are confident that the participation of the Krasnodar delegation in international exhibition will increase the tourist flow, establish new business contacts with partners, create conditions for the effective development of the tourism industry, promote internationally the image of the city as an attractive city for tourists," was commented in the city department of economic development, investments and external relations.
In addition to Krasnodar, the joint stand prepared by the Ministry of Resorts, Tourism and the Olympic heritage of Krasnodar Region also give presentations of tour operators from the Tuapse District, Sochi, Novorossiysk, Anapa, Gelendzhik and Goryachi Klyuch. The delegation of Krasnodar Region is led by the Minister of Resorts, Tourism and the Olympic Heritage of the region Christopher Konstantinidi.
The exhibition provides a rich business program that includes press conferences, presentations of new trends and services, seminars and master classes. The Krasnodar delegation, inter alia, participated in a seminar on the development of business tourism, in conferences dealing with the peculiarities of the development of gastronomy and on-farm tourism in the regions of Russia and also held a number of important meetings and negotiations.
Along with that, at the exhibition there was a presentation of the municipal budgetary institution Tourism Information Center (TIC), which opened in Krasnodar this year. Krasnodar party concluded cooperation agreements with similar centres of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Pskov, Tula, Voronezh, Tver, Kostroma, Penza, Sevastopol, Maikop, Vologda and Pskov regions, Perm and the Chechen Republic.
LEISURE exhibition is the largest international tourism exhibition in Russia, which is in the top five over the world, and is rightfully recognized by the international tourism community. It serves as a forum for the business of tourism industry professionals, the presentation of new programs and trends of the industry.


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Perhaps it was the picture of half a dozen nearly naked teenagers entwined under the Christmas tree like so many unwrapped presents. Or maybe it was the words printed on the cover promising “group sex and more . . . “
The latest edition of Abercrombie & Fitch’s notoriously racy catalog so inflamed conservative groups that the teen clothing retailer was forced to recall it or face boycotts at its 651 stores.
Abercrombie & Fitch, which began publishing the catalog six years ago, has recently courted controversy with pictures of young couples in sexually explicitly poses and full frontal nudity.
The current issue, known as the “Christmas Field Guide,” is no exception. This time A&F goes even further, though, adding advice on oral sex (“when at the movies, don’t disturb the neighbors”) and group sex (“try group masturbation instead”).
“You can’t sell orgies to 15-year-olds and not expect parents to react,” said Dr. James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family, a nonprofit group that produces his syndicated radio show by the same name.
Dobson and others, including the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families and the American Decency Association, have been urging parents to boycott Abercrombie & Fitch until the company changes its marketing policy.
An Abercrombie & Fitch spokesman didn’t return two phone calls seeking comment.
Three other company employees unofficially confirmed that the catalog had been recalled.
Employees at the Abercrombie store at the Westchester Mall in White Plains, N.Y., were instructed to rip off the covers of the catalogs so they “could never be sold,” one staffer said.
Abercrombie has in the past made concessions to critics. The company now requires first-time buyers of the catalog, which sells for $4, to present proof that they are 18 or older.
Outwardly, Abercrombie shows no sign of backing away from its risqué image. Shirtless hunks posed for pictures with shoppers at Abercrombie’s stores over the Thanksgiving weekend, part of a promotion to raise money for Toys for Tots.
And protesters may have inadvertently created that must-have item for the holidays. Copies of the now hard-to-get catalog were being auctioned yesterday on eBay for as much as $26 each.
On second thought
Teen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch has pulled the racy current issue of its A&F Quarterly after protests from conservative groups. Some excerpts:
On group sex:
“An orgy can involve an unlimited quantity of potential lovers. Groups can be mixed-gender or same-sex, friendly or anonymous.”
On oral sex:
“If you’re discreet … If there’s no armrest between your seat and your partner’s seat, and you happen to get tired during the movie, and if your head just ends up in your partner’s lap, well, nobody can blame you for that.”


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MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) -- Friday January 4th at the Shoppes at Bel Air -- two women are seen walking into the Victoria's Secret Pink store. They were all smiles walking past the $6.99 bins heading straight to the athletic wear.
To watch the surveillance video, it appears as though they're browsing. But if you watch long enough they each start making their own piles of shirts.
One of the women, who has shorter hair in the video, eventually stuffs her selections in one of her shopping bags. But she wasn't done. A few looks around the store and a minute later she goes for another stack of clothes.
The other woman, who has long hair in the video, was a bit more careful. She waited a little longer to use her five finger discount.
Had it not been for all those surveillance cameras with so many different angles -- the two might have gotten away with it.
Investigators say they took more than $2,000 worth of merchandise. Maybe you've seen them wearing their new finds or you recognize them -- if so call Mobile Police 251-208-7211.
Meanwhile, if you have video of someone "Caught In The Act" -- email it to us at firstname.lastname@example.org. We just might show it in our newscast.


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|The biggest supplier of slot machines has ruled out entering the online casino marketplace until the US legalizes Internet Gambling. Even before major casino companies announced plans to operate Internet gambling sites abroad, International Game Technology (IGT), had exited the business by pulling its investment in an Australian content provider to Web casinos. |
IGT divested it’s shares in Access Systems shortly after concerns that a website run by an Access client was accepting bets from clients outside Australia. Nevada gaming regulators had voiced concerns about the investment –and with IGT’s business so tied to the US land-based gaming market, Nevada’s regulators’ words carry a lot of weight.
IGT would certainly be able to make a powerful online play: 'With their technology, their systems and their content, IGT could be a pretty powerful provider of online services' for Web casinos, said Marc Falcone, a gaming industry analyst with Deutsche Bank Securities.
IGT Chief Executive Tom Baker says the company is waiting for the right time and place to re-enter the online gaming market.
'We took a look at it then and thought it was a good idea,' Baker said in an interview published in In Business Las Vegas. 'We changed our mind because the regulatory environment in the U.S. is still uncertain and the politicians and regulators still have not come to a consensus and a clear set of rules for how things are going to work.'
Internet gambling must be legalized in this country before the industry can gain enough credibility to move forward, Baker said.
'I personally feel that although we've seen some success in some parts of the world, Internet gaming is not going to work well until the U.S. is part of the market,' he said. 'We'll continue to stay abreast of what's going on ... I think (legalization is) going to take a while. How long? I don't know, but a while.'
IGT would be more likely to offer content for online casinos rather than operate one, which could compete with the company's land-based casino customers, Vice President of Marketing Ed Rogich said.
The company has been approached by major gaming companies to provide content for websites that now operate in areas that have expressly legalized Internet gambling.
But IGT has avoided such deals because of the uncertain legal environment in the United States, Rogich said.
'When the light started shining more and more on Internet gambling, the one thing we saw that held true through it all was that the potential impact on our business wasn't worth the price of being involved with it at all,' Rogich said.
US regulators’ attitudes towards Internet gambling may change over time, Baker said.
'Some of these businesses that regulators don't like at all, as time goes on and as those businesses change and the people doing them change or the technology becomes more secure, the regulators become more comfortable with it.'


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U.S. corporations had quite a bit to beat within the latter half of 2022 with rising rates of interest, extra budget-conscious customers and a sagging inventory market. That’s left a few of them in very robust spots in the beginning of the brand new yr.
These 5 ought to be watched carefully:
The Carnival Valor cruise ship units sail from the Port of New Orleans. (Photograph: Bloomberg)
Carnival Corp. entered 2020 with a full head of steam, having reported document gross sales and revenue the yr earlier than. Three years into the pandemic, it’s a unique firm.
The cruise line big, like different ship operators, shut down for greater than a yr on account of Covid. It bought new shares and borrowed closely, tripling its long-term debt to $32 billion over the previous three years. Rising rates of interest will make that sum even more durable to pay down.
In the meantime, Carnival’s fleet has shrunk by 11% as older and fewer fuel-efficient ships had been bought or retired. Passenger capability is about the identical, as newly added ships are bigger. The problem for brand new Chief Government Officer Josh Weinstein, who took over in August, might be filling the remaining vessels at costs that enable the corporate to return to profitability.
That’s been troublesome within the wake of weakening economies in Europe and Covid outbreaks in China. The corporate stated final week that Europe and Asia bookings for 2023 have trailed pre-pandemic ranges, whereas North America and Australia are monitoring forward.
Weinstein hopes to entice folks again to cruising subsequent yr with a important step in promoting, and he’s working with every of Carnival’s manufacturers to hone their place within the market. On a current earnings name he likened the corporate’s relaunch over the past 18 months to being “the world’s largest startup.”
Carnival shares commerce as if extra hassle lies forward. The inventory is down greater than 80% since December 2019 — the worst performer among the many three huge cruise corporations — and just lately touched a 30-year backside. “On the finish of the day, we predict expectations are low,” stated Credit score Suisse Securities analyst Benjamin Chaiken.
It’s additionally been a tough yr for Past Meat Inc. Gross sales of faux meat have fallen at grocery shops and product checks with fast-food companions didn’t lead to any Past merchandise changing into everlasting menu gadgets within the US.
Two separate rounds of layoffs eradicated greater than 20% of workers, or about 240 roles.
The corporate additionally endured its share of scandals — starting from its chief working officer being arrested in an alleged road-rage incident after a soccer sport to a plant in Pennsylvania being linked to Listeria contamination and different issues of safety. The COO, finance chief, head of provide chain and chief progress officer have all departed in current months.
Past Meat says it would lastly be cash-flow constructive within the second half of 2023, however analysts are skeptical that may occur till gross sales stabilize. Quarterly spending has come down however the firm had simply $390 million in money readily available on the finish of the third quarter and greater than $1 billion in debt.
CEO Ethan Brown maintains that plant-based meat will ultimately exchange the true factor. Traders are removed from satisfied; the inventory has fallen about 95% from its peak in 2019 and quick curiosity accounts for round 40% of the accessible shares. It’s unclear how lengthy Brown — or his firm — will survive and not using a significant turnaround.
March might supply a tell-tale second for debt-strapped on-line used-car retailer Carvana Co.
That’s when when an curiosity cost is due on its 2029 bonds. If the corporate makes the cost, it could possibly be an indication that it has a plan to restructure debt with collectors and keep it up. If not, then chapter “has to obviously be considered a attainable end result,” in line with Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Joel Levington.
Carvana is in an actual bind. The corporate aggressively purchased used-car stock when demand was excessive and sticker costs had been hovering early within the yr, counting on credit score agreements and share gross sales to boost money.
Then costs tumbled as automakers discovered extra semiconductors and boosted new-vehicle manufacturing, shifting patrons’ focus. The once-hot used-car market sank much more as inflation and rising rates of interest made purchases much less reasonably priced for lower-income customers.