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This World Record Pot Brownie Got Totally Baked for National Brownie Day
It's cloudy with a chance of munchies in Massachusetts, man!
National Brownie Day 2021 has brought us the World's Largest Pot Brownie.
More specifically MariMed, Inc. brought us the world's largest pot brownie!
MariMed is among the leading multi-state cannabis operators in the US so naturally, National Brownie Day was of big interest to them. With growing facilities in Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Nevada, we have to wonder when we will see these larger growing operations in more cities across the US. specifically Texas.
Did you know Texas is home to over 250,000 hemp farms?
There is even one right here in Victoria, Hempyre!
So is this pot brownie the actual world record? LOL, We may never know.
MariMed, Inc. unveiled what they proclaimed is the world’s largest pot brownie on Tuesday to celebrate National Brownie Day today. This just happens to coincide with the launch of the company’s new brand, Bubby’s Baked. And Bubby, did they bake!
Actually, they baked a brownie and made some serious bread. According to a Youtube segment from the Dales Report, MariMed stock jumped 200%!
But we will never really know if a pot brownie was ever made that was bigger than this one. Wink
What went into this brownie exactly?
You're likely not surprised to read that this brownie has all of the basics like; eggs, flour, sugar, and cocoa but this brownie, according to Marimed's press release which you can read here, also included a staggering "20,000mg of THC."
"The confection measures 3 feet wide by 3 feet long and 15 inches tall, weighs a whopping 850 pounds," according to MariMed.
What other kind of brownies is MariMed and Bubby's Brownies baking?
Bubby's comes in three classic confectionery recipes! Regular brownies, chocolate chips, and snickerdoodles are the three flavors of brownies you can buy to celebrate National Brownie Day. Happy National Brownie Day!
What about Hemp Tamales, a new Christmas tradition? Just kidding...
Tamale Making Isn't THAT Hard Y'all
Truly Texas Christmas Ornaments


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Adoption of superfast broadband and 4G is rising in the UK, but many are taking ‘digital detoxes’ as a consequence of the increasing influence of connectivity and technology in everyday life.
An Ofcom survey of 2,025 adults and 500 teenagers also revealed how addicted many people are to technology, with a majority of internet users admitting they are “hooked” and typically spending one a day a week online.
Of these digital down-timers, 25 percent spent up to a day internet-free; 20 percent took up to a week off; and 5 percent went web-free for up to a whole month. Many people (33 percent) said they felt more productive after their digital timeout; 27 percent found it liberating, and a quarter (25 percent) enjoyed life more.
But some (16 percent) said they were fearful of “missing out”, 15 percent felt lost, and 14 percent felt cut off.
And as the holiday season continues, 30 percent of UK adults admitted to a digital detox holiday. Sixteen percent of UK adults have purposely visited a destination with no internet access, while 9 percent have intentionally travelled to a place with neither internet nor mobile phone coverage.
And the Ofcom study found that unsurprisingly, most Brits are increasingly enjoying the advantages of superfast broadband and 4G.
The UK communications regulator said that by the end of last year, 9.2 million fixed broadband connections were superfast, compared to just 7.1 million in 2014.
There are a total of 24.7 million fixed broadband connections in the UK. The average fixed broadband line used 82 GB of data per month in 2015, up 41 percent from the 58GB per month recorded in June 2014.
And moving away from wires, it seems that our mobile appetite continues to grow with 71 percent of UK adults owning a smartphone (compared to 66 percent in 2014).
4G accounted for almost half of all mobile subscriptions (46 percent or 39.5 million connections), up from 28 percent (23.6 million) in 2014.
And it seems that nowadays most UK homes and businesses (97.8 percent) have 4G coverage from at least one service provider.
But the rise of mobile has created problems, notably the issue of “smart snubbing”, where people’s attachments to their devices is getting in the way of face-to-face communication.
Indeed, go to any resturant or coffee shop nowadays and it is common to see people using their mobile devices, rather than actually talking to each other. Four in 10 UK adults (40 percent) felt they’d been ‘smart-snubbed’ (ignored by a friend or relative too engrossed in their smartphone or tablet) at least once a week; while 17 percent said this happened on a daily basis.
“The internet has revolutionised our lives for the better. But our love affair with the web isn’t always plain surfing, and many people admit to feeling hooked,” said Jane Rumble, Director of Market Intelligence at Ofcom.
“So millions of us are taking a fresh look at the role of technology in our lives, and going on a digital detox to get a better tech-life balance,” Rumble added.
The average amount that households spends on telecom services has also increased (mostly down to people switching to superfast broadband). That said, the number of households with landline telephones continued to fall, decreasing 1 percent to 33.2 million in 2015 as people move to mobile services and instant messaging.
Mobile subscriptions has risen 1.8 percent to 91.5 million during 2015, of which half were 4G (39.5 million).
Two thirds (66 percent) of adults now use internet data services on a mobile phone, but the use of SMS and MMS messages continues to plummet. Indeed SMS and MMS volumes have fallen by around a third since peaking in 2012, thanks in a large part to the rise of Instant Messaging.
DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman leaves parent company Google for Silicon Valley venture capital firm after…
US House of Representatives set to introduce bill on tech funding and domestic chip manufacturing,…

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It’s going to be a big year for gaming in 2022. Only a few small studios will be working from home due to the high cost. Bigger studios have figured out a way to make cloud computing affordable and secure, so almost everyone is going back to working in an office again. We’re seeing a lot of collaboration between developers, which is leading to better games, and more games getting released in a shorter amount of time.
This year’s been a bit of a downer for many gamers. But game development looks bright in 2022. With so many games from beloved studios, sequels to beloved series, and the indie scene growing more incalculably large and surprising than ever, there’s no reason to be stuck in a gaming rut. Even the most hardcore of PC fans will have something new to dive into, and even Nintendo has some exciting surprises in the works. For many of us, the shiniest and newest games will always be far off on the horizon. But we shouldn’t let that get in our way of looking forward to what we can expect in the upcoming year.
There are several reasons why next year will be better. The first is because of the release of new consoles, which will see even more games being created for them. The second reason is the fact that 2019 saw some fantastic gaming, and this has set a high standard for 2022. It is likely that the big hitters left to come out in 2019 will be followed by exciting sequels early next year. The third reason is that there are plenty of exciting indie titles that are due to come out soon, with 2021 looking particularly hefty for video game delights. So, if you’re worried about not having played many new video games this year, take a deep breath. It’s about to change. From the PC to consoles, to mobile devices and everything in-between, 2022 looks set to be the biggest year for gaming since 2017. Here in this article, some of the mind-blowing games that are about to release in 2022 are listed.
Many people around the globe cannot wait for 2022 to come. Why? Because it will be one of those years with lots of intriguing games across various disciplines. We are now in 2021, which will pass by quickly, meaning that 2022 will come before you know it. Therefore, keep reading to explore what is lined up for in the gaming world in 2022.
Elden Ring is an open-world action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware, the team behind the 2011 hit Dark Souls. Elden Ring features mounted combat, vertical exploration, stealth elements, and a wide variety of weapons, armor sets, bosses, and enemies. Taking place in a ruined world where humanity’s only hope is a legendary magical ring, players must battle creatures and face off against powerful bosses to discover the mysteries surrounding the ancient Elden Ring.
God of War: Ragnarök
Expectations are high but God of War: Ragnarok looks set to change the way we think about the series. You’ll once again control Kratos as he embarks on a new adventure that will take him and his son across the Nordic wilds – and you can bet there’ll be plenty of blood and guts along the way.
Horizon Forbidden West
In the next chapter of Horizon Zero Dawn, as well as its standalone expansion The Frozen Wilds, robotic dinosaurs called Daemonosaurs have been terrorizing the old West Coast. In an attempt to hunt them down, Aloy ventures beyond her homeland to a much warmer climate in the heart of California. Horizon Forbidden West is a standalone expansion much like The Frozen Wilds and has no impact on the main story. However, it’s going to feature much larger map areas and a whole new group of robotic animals that Aloy will have to trek through.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl
Stalker 2 is an upcoming open-world (or rather, off-world) survival shooter and the proper sequel to 2007’s Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl. After a few years in development hell, we finally got a trailer courtesy of publisher Bandai Namco. While we still don’t know when we’ll be able to step back into the Zone for another dose of radiation therapy, at least we know it’s far from dead.
When the sun goes down in the online world, you have to be ready to defend your home from powerful vampire lords and hordes of vicious werewolves. With a full co-operative campaign for up to five players, the goal in Redfall is to keep these beings at bay while unlocking new playable characters and gathering resources to expand your fortress. As in Arkane’s other games, co-operation is paramount to success in Redfall.
Take on Gotham City’s villains to try and protect it from complete destruction as Bruce Wayne lies dead. Taking control of Batman’s former proteges, players must use the unique skills of the four playable characters to solve puzzles, take down enemies, and solve traps set to eliminate Batman once and for all.
What do we know about Starfield? It’s a space RPG and Bethesda’s first untested setting after picking up the Fallout franchise and handing it a few more loving side quests and paper-thin moral dilemmas. As ever it’ll be single player, but expect an online co-op multiplayer option as that’s now the default for pretty much every Bethesda release.
Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 is a stunning, nearly endless experience that blends rich exploration, puzzle solving, and a compelling story – with a world that looks closer to reality than any Zelda world ever previously created. Open-air style environments let you wander through fields, battle ferocious beasts, or climb up towers to take in the breathtaking vistas that could only be realized by the power of the Nintendo Switch system.
The year 2022 looks set to be a big one for gaming fans. With a wave of exciting new games coming out, it’s going to be a busy few months. So, whether you’re after a fun new adventure, or just love the thrill of playing competitive games against other players worldwide, 2022 has something in store for everyone.


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Today's Must Read
Disney's (DIS) Movies, Parks & Resorts Units to Fuel Growth
Danaher (DHR) Q3 Earnings Beat; Acquisitions Hold Promise
Monday, November 21 2016
Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Coca-Cola (KO), Disney (DIS) and Danaher (DHR).
Coca-Cola shares have struggled this year, with the stock down more than 4% in the year-to-date period compared to the roughly flat showing for the consumer staples sector as a whole. Driving the weakness has been headwinds from uncertain outlook for emerging markets, unfavorable currency movements and other structural issues like weakness in the company's North American sparkling beverage business. These issues notwithstanding, the company reported better-than-expected results in the third quarter of 2016 courtesy of higher prices for sodas and strong demand for water and sports drinks in North America. The analyst likes Coke’s formidable portfolio of globally recognized brands. The company has witnessed improved margins on higher pricing and smaller packaging in developed markets, amid slowing sales. (You can read the full research report on Coca-Cola here>>)
Disney shares have lagged its peers (the stock is down more than 6% year to date) on concerns about the impact of 'cord cutting' on the company's ESPN franchise. But Disney is more than just the ESPN franchise, as the analyst points out in the updated research report issued today. The analyst likes the company's movies business and favorable momentum in its parks and resorts division. The success of its movies also means greater business opportunities for its consumer products business. (You can read the full research report on Disney here>>)
Buy rated Danaher shares have struggled lately on concerns about its business repositioning that involved greater exposure to the healthcare and environmental verticlas following the Fortive spin-off. The analyst points out that the new Danaher is less exposed to volatile end-markets following the spin-off and has a more recurring revenue business. Two of the company’s latest acquisitions, namely Cepheid and Phenomenex, are expected to boost its already thriving Diagnostics and Life Sciences business, respectively. However, on the flip side, sluggish economic conditions across some key operating regions and unfavorable currency translations pose as significant headwinds. (You can read the full research report on Danaher here>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Halliburton (HAL), Teva (TEVA) and Time Warner (TWX).
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Director of Research


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Wednesday morning proved problematic for the stock market, as investors got word that China had fired another salvo in the budding trade war. Threats to withhold rare-earth metals that are essential to the production processes of key goods made market participants even more jittery about the tensions between the U.S. and China. As of 11:30 a.m. EDT, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI 1.20%) was down 286 points to 25,062. The S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.89%) fell 26 points to 2,777, and the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) was lower by 76 points to 7,531.
Retailers have been on the front lines of the trade war, and earnings from Canada Goose Holdings (GOOS -0.55%) showed some of the impacts of multiple rounds of tariffs and the resulting ire of Chinese consumers. Meanwhile, Occidental Petroleum (OXY 0.85%) is looking to figure out how to sell some of Anadarko Petroleum's (APC) assets following their merger in order to manage the combined company's balance sheet effectively.
Canada Goose issues disappointing outlook
Shares of Canada Goose Holdings plunged 25% after the maker of luxury outerwear reported its fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year financial results. The high-end apparel provider said that revenue jumped in fiscal 2019 by more than 40% from year-earlier levels, with adjusted net income per share climbing at an even faster rate of more than 60%. The company reported solid gains in sales in Canada and the U.S. for the quarter, and even faster growth rates exceeding 60% in its rest of world category.
Yet quarterly results weren't as encouraging. Revenue growth for the fiscal fourth quarter slowed to 25%. Net income rose at an even weaker 11% pace.
Most troublesome was Canada Goose's outlook for fiscal 2020. The luxury retailer predicted that annual revenue growth would be at least 20%, with adjusted earnings per share rising at least 25%. Yet even those growth rates weren't enough to keep everyone satisfied with Canada Goose, as they implied a much more abrupt reduction in strong top-line performance than initially expected.
Even though Canada Goose is a Canadian company, it's suffered along with U.S. retailers in feeling the fallout from tariffs and other trade tensions. Chinese consumers are boycotting certain products in order to support their government's stance, and it's entirely possible that Canada Goose could come to be a symbol that consumers in China will use to show their defiance. That could ruin the company's expansion plans for the region, and that's why investors aren't happy today.
Occidental faces merger challenges
Shares of Anadarko Petroleum and Occidental Petroleum were both down modestly in the broader market's swoon. With Occidental having emerged as the apparent winner in its efforts to purchase Anadarko, it's now up to the oil giant to figure out how to make the merger work financially.
According to the deal's terms, Occidental will need to come up with cash to cover more than three-quarters of the roughly $76-per-share price it offered for Anadarko. To do so, it turned to Warren Buffett for $10 billion in financing, and it's also looking at selling off some of Anadarko's noncore assets so that Occidental can concentrate on the opportunities it has in the Permian Basin.
Yet those attempts to divest assets are running into potential obstacles. One deal involved the sale of certain properties in Africa to Total, but that part of the proposal has gotten criticism from the Algerian government. With almost $9 billion on the line, losing that part of the plan could prove problematic for Occidental.
At this point, no one expects these side issues to jeopardize the acquisition as a whole. However, they could make it harder for Occidental to reap the full rewards it expected when it bid for Anadarko in the first place.


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26 October 2010 14:13 [Source: ICIS news]
TORONTO (ICIS)--Airgas reported fiscal 2011 second-quarter net earnings up 22% to $66.6m (€47.9m) as sales rose 10% to $1.06bn, the US-based industrial gases firm said on Tuesday.
“Our business continued to strengthen in our second quarter, reflecting broad-based improvement in most of our geographies and customer segments, and with the greatest strength in manufacturing,” said CEO Peter McCausland.
“While revenues have not yet recovered to pre-recession levels, we are experiencing favourable leverage on sales growth and are achieving near record results for earnings and margins,” he added.
Total same-store sales increased 9%, compared with the year-earlier quarter. Acquisitions contributed 1% sales growth over the prior year, Airgas said.
Operating income for the three months ended 30 September rose 11% to $121.8m.
Results included $4.7m in legal costs Airgas incurred in defending itself against Air Products’ unsolicited takeover attempt, the company said.
($1 = €0.72)
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Bali is running out of freshwater and tourism is the only industry being blamed.
Over half of the Indonesian island’s rivers have run dry, and the rainy season, which traditionally runs from October to April, has still not arrived. With over 65 per cent of the island’s water supply being used by the tourism industry, one local journalist says Bali is in ‘real danger’. With so many swimming pools and garden resorts to cater for, each tourist is estimated to use between 2000 and 4000 litres of water a day.
IDEP, an Indonesian non-government organisation highlighting sustainable development, says the situation is particularly bad in the south of the island, and that traditional freshwater exploitation is being hampered by hotel and villa development. Indonesia’s Environmental Protection Agency says that 260 of Bali’s 400 rivers have run dry, and this situation is becoming dire.
“We have three major underground water channels in Bali and they are all changing shape and shrinking because hotels are drawing too much water from their wells. Our research also shows the quality of the water is really bad, too.”
A senior professor of tourism geography at the University of the West of England has written scientific articles about Bali’s water problem. He said that the issue will only get worse ‘unless there is a paradigm shift in the mass tourism model and adopting quality sustainable tourism’.
“How absurd that a tropical island like Bali is running out of water?”


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LONDON (ICIS)--The global economy’s expansion will slow down in 2019 as downside risks like an uncertain Brexit or trade tensions unfold, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Monday.
The Washington-based body lowered its GDP growth forecasts, compared to its previous World Economic Outlook (WEO) published in October, in which it had also cut forecasts.
The global economy is expected to expand by 3.5% in 2019 and 3.6% in 2020, 0.2 and 0.1 percentage points lower than in the October forecast (see bottom table for main regions and countries).
The IMF remains concerned that the end of a 90-day truce in the US-China trade war coming to an end on 1 March could put the global economy under further strain as “raising harmful barriers” to trade could destabilise the economy further.
“High-frequency data signal subdued momentum in the fourth quarter. Outside the US, industrial production has decelerated, particularly of capital goods. Global trade growth has slowed to well below 2017 averages,” said the IMF, adding that the “true underlying impetus” could even be weaker than what the data for the fourth quarter indicates so far.
“[This is because] the headline numbers may have been lifted by import front-loading ahead of tariff hikes, as well as by an uptick in tech exports with the launch of new products. Consistent with this interpretation, purchasing managers’ indices, notably in the category of new orders, point to less buoyant expectations of future activity.”
Earlier on Monday, China published its GDP growth figures for 2018 and, although they showed growth at its weakest in 28 years, some analysts preferred to see the glass half-full, arguing that economic activity in the second half of the year had held up better than expected.
The IMF remains concerned about a disorderly UK exit from the 28-country EU, planned for 29 March and for which a withdrawal agreement is not in place yet after the country’s Parliament rejected the government’s proposal on 15 January.
In fact, the Fund said there was “substantial uncertainty” about the UK’s GDP growth forecast for 2019-2020, at 1.5%, given that “as of mid-January” the shape that Brexit will ultimately take remains uncertain, and the growth projections were done assuming that a withdrawal deal was reach for the exit date of 29 March.
The US economy will continue to growth at a healthy rate, although in 2020 it will slow down slightly as the current fiscal stimulus comes to an end, said the IMF.
“Nevertheless, the projected pace of expansion is above the US economy’s estimated potential growth rate in both years. Strong domestic demand growth will support rising imports and contribute to a widening of the US current account deficit,” it added.
However, all projections, concluded the IMF, will be subject to how countries resolve their trade differences, and whether more trade barriers are erected.
“If countries resolve their differences without raising distortive trade barriers further and market sentiment recovers, then improved confidence and easier financial conditions could reinforce each other to lift growth above the baseline forecast,” it said.
“However, the balance of risks remains skewed to the downside, as in the October WEO.”
|IMF growth projections|
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Click here to view latest news and resources on the ICIS Brexit topic page
Pictured: Beijing, 21 January; China's
growth slowed to a 28-year low in
Picture source: Andy Wong/AP/REX/Shutterstock


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Pokémon is one of the most lucrative entertainment channels of all time and its popularity continues to grow, with its population continually growing at an alarming rate, having raised $90 billion in 2019 year-to-date. 1995.
In the late 90s, it was hard to understand why Pokémon had become so popular around the world. However, with the benefit of 20 years of hindsight, we can see that he was famous then for the same reasons he is now. Its approach to visual content, emphasis on compiling, combat mechanics are just some of the reasons Pokemon have become so popular in such a short time and for so long.
Pokemon has come a long way
The fantasy world of Pokémon has increasingly intertwined with our own as the series has evolved. Millions of people around the world are now playing a smartphone title, with Pokémon Sword and Shield marking the franchise's first mainline foray onto home consoles on Friday, November 15. Pokémon are no longer just a figment of the imagination, any ethereal fantasy children ponder as their imaginations grow.
Even trading cards are becoming more popular again as the series celebrates its 25th anniversary. The Pokémon Company has revealed that it will be reprinting trading cards to meet high demand, which says a lot about Pokémon's popularity. Pokémon cards have been in high demand in recent months, with merchandise quickly selling out in stores and older cards running into the millions on other sites as well.
Even the artists join us...
As trends become increasingly popular again, many artists are coming out on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, showing off their creative skills and drawing. Pokemon random generator which are totally loved by viewers too.
With more and more people returning to the game, the number of views on Pokemon related videos have also skyrocketed and that is why we are seeing more Pokemon related content as well.
There are even great Pokemon-only tools that help create random Pokemon teams, Pokemon stats, and more.
Pokémon has always been a big part of my life, as it is for many video game fans. Whether you first heard about the series while playing cards in school or watching them on YouTube, the series looks set to deliver more family-friendly moments that would pique the interest of young and old alike. .
Pokemon doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, but they're planning on doing a whole host of things, including giveaways, releasing albums, and more. It will only grow in popularity and attract more players or viewers in the coming months, as new titles are also worth waiting for.


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Rajasthan has been the first of states to adopt a new tourism policy and the policy also reflects upon learning from the pandemic. While saving life remains the top priority, the Tourism Department of Rajasthan is more focused on ensuring ‘Safe Tourism’. Alok Gupta, Principal Secretary, Tourism & Devasthan Department, Govt of Rajasthan, shares with TTJ on the challenges, the revival of tourism in the state, emerging travel trends, and the new tourism policy which lays out short and long term goals for promoting Rajasthan as a leading tourism brand in domestic and international markets.
– Prashant Nayak
How bad has the tourism industry in Rajasthan been affected due to the pandemic? What has been your biggest challenge in navigating COVID-19 to date?
The pandemic and subsequent lockdown across countries almost halted the tourism industry world over, Rajasthan was no exception either. The previous year over 1.6 million foreign and 52 million domestic tourists visited the state, much of the business has been lost this year. As the second wave prevails in several countries the foreign arrivals are expected to remain limited and the industry is restructuring itself to cater to contemporary demands. It was also a difficult time for thousands of families directly or indirectly dependent on the trade.
The biggest challenge is to help survive the tourism industry during this period of the pandemic. As the number of tourist arrivals has come down drastically, the tourism sector is facing its biggest challenge.
To revive tourism in the state, what are some of the measures taken by your department?
The State Government has taken several steps to help the tourism industry. The safety of the visitors and the staff was the foremost priority for the Rajasthan Government. The Department released ‘Safety and Hygiene Guidelines for Tourism and Hospitality Sector’ to set standard operating procedures for hotels, restaurants, monuments and museums. New guidelines have also been issued for the shooting of videos and films. Social and mass media campaigns were also initiated to raise awareness of social distancing and safe behaviour at public places.
As the pandemic posed an unprecedented crisis the department also had to improvise accordingly. Even during the lockdown, the department maintained its connect with agencies and stakeholders related to tourism. The state government has also extended financial relief to the crisis-hit hotel and tourism sector. The department’s initiative such as ‘Short Stay, Safe Stay’ has also been able to attract a large number of tourists from neighbouring states. A safe environment has been helping build confidence among the tourists and sign of an early revival of the sector.
Can you tell us about the highlights and objectives of the New Tourism Policy 2020 rolled out by the state government?
It is an attempt to holistically and comprehensively address various regulatory issues related to the growth of tourism and incentives. Its provisions for creating new experiential tourism venues and identifies 15 such categories including rural tourism, craft and cuisine tourism, etc. The policy also focuses on improving the infrastructure, the availability and quality of services, safety and sustainability. There is also an increased focus on skill development to meet the demand of an expanding sector.
In addition to the incentives for hotels and other tourist units, the new policy also identifies tourism startups. The policy calls for the strengthening of the tourist protection force to ensure the safety of visitors. Drawing marketing strategies and aligning foreign collaboration is also focused upon in the policy.
Domestic travel is gradually picking up pace. Do you think it will make a big difference to the state’s economy in the short or medium-term?
Yes! More than 95 per cent of total tourist arrivals are domestic. As international tourism is likely to take time, domestic is the only option. The unlock phase registered the emergence of new tourist trends such as ‘workation’, Rajasthan has been drawing more weekend tourists from neighbouring states. Even as the numbers are still short of the previous year, the confidence is gradually building up, and as foreign travel remains restricted even the high-end domestic tourists would be keen to explore more local destinations.
When international travel resumes, what are some of the action plans to ensure that you are ready to get more inbound travellers back?
Even during the lockdown, the department has continued its efforts to connect with foreign visitors and agencies. The rich culture and heritage of the state continues to hold its charm for international travellers, yet, it would be only on the surety of safety that tourists will be picking their travel destinations. Rajasthan has been able to present an example in COVID management and breaking the contamination chain. Thus, when the situation normalises people would prefer the state among other destinations.
We would focus on overseas marketing in key markets i.e. Europe, the US, SE Asia through media campaigns, participation in travel trade shows, social and digital media campaigns, PR activities, FAM tours, etc.
Are you working or strategising on sustainable and responsible tourism which is getting more importance now?
The recent pandemic and the new normal has once again emphasised the need for sustainable and responsible development. This is also applicable to the tourism sector. Our new tourism policy has a special focus on sustainable development. Also, the provisions for rural tourism, art and craft tourism, tribal tourism, eco-tourism, etc will also promote responsible tourism by helping conserve the culture and environment. This will at the same time also ensure the prosperity of local people without destructive exploitation of the natural wealth.
The tourism department is also working closely with the Forest and Environment Department to come out with better solutions to the problem at wildlife parks. We are also preparing an Eco-Tourism certification scheme for hotels, opening up a format for the tourists, identifying new Ecotourism Zones.
What have been some of the emerging travel trends that you are witnessing in your state?
Post lockdown, weekend tourism, short trips, trips to more open, remote places, countryside resorts, and heritage hotels have increased. Wedding tourism has seen a rise with the marriage season. More emphasis is being made on cleanliness, hygiene and safety.
What are your expectations from 2021 in terms of tourism even amidst the pandemic?
We hope that 2021 will bring new hopes and prosperity for all people. As for tourism, it will be a year of rediscovering its potential and developing new avenues. Several companies are now claiming progress in developing COVID vaccines and we are optimistically observing their trials. It will help in opening foreign tourist circuits and instill confidence among people to take on long journeys. Meanwhile, the state government will focus on achieving objectives of the new tourism policy, promote investment in the sector and expand infrastructure.


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Rarity Club entity a big owner of Rarity Mountain firm
As Maryville-based Rarity Communities has spiraled into financial distress, one question raised by lot owners at Rarity Club, in Marion County, has been what happened to all the revenue from lot sales at their project.
Developer Mike Ross has told the KNS that money from Rarity Club lot sales was probably reinvested in other projects, and a recent bankruptcy filing gives more details.
Pine Mountain Properties LLC, is one of the entities behind the Rarity Mountain project, in Campbell County, and it filed for bankruptcy protection last month. According to a statement of financial affairs filed this week, one of the three members of that entity was Nickajack Shores Holdings LLC -- the development firm behind Rarity Club.
In fact, the document indicates that Nickajack was the biggest member of Pine Mountain, with a 71.46 percent stake in the company. The other two members were Ross and the estate of his brother, both with stakes of 14.27 percent.
Meanwhile, a separate filing by RMT Cottages LLC -- the entity that sold Rarity Mountain lots to the public and also filed for bankruptcy in April -- indicated that nearly $6.3 million worth of Rarity Mountain lots were sold in 2008. The filing shows no revenue from lot sales in 2009 or 2010.
KNS photo/Michael Patrick


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Verizon’s media powerhouse Oath, the umbrella for companies including AOL and Yahoo!, has brought VR (virtual reality) to programmatic ad buying.
While not quite transporting audiences to virtual new worlds, and perhaps better described as ‘extended reality’ (XR), Oath’s new ad experiences allow brands to layer on rich and immersive content to product ads, adding an extra layer of detail and dimension.
Companies already experimenting with the format include LG, Three, Chevrolet and Peugeot, and for automobile brands, in particular, it’s easy to see the draw of presenting a three-dimensional glimpse of a new model highlighting key features to a targeted audience.
The format is particularly geared at mobile, which is expected to take a third of global ad spend by 2020, and in lieu of expensive devices such as Oculus Rift, allows a normal smartphone to transform ads into 3D visualisations.
The new product is made possible thanks to a partnership with VR and augmented reality firm Admix and programmatic trading platform BidSwitch, which is able to tag display and video inventory as VR to serve programmatically through Oath’s DSP.
Meanwhile, if brands and agencies don’t know how or where to start creating virtual ads, Oath is even offering to build VR customer experiences for clients in the US and UK, where the product is currently available.
“Consumers are hungry for engaging, well-executed XR ad experiences that provide utility, enhance reality, and create meaningful connections with brands,” said Jeff Lucas, head of Americas sales and global teams for Oath.
“At Oath, we’re using brand advertising intelligence to help marketers build emotional connections that motivate consumers throughout their journey toward a brand.”
The VR market couldn’t be described as ‘booming’ with only steady growth predicted for next year. and this is largely down to the expense of hardware, such as headsets and controllers, and the cost of making the software itself.
However, inroads are being made to bring similar experiences to a wider set of consumers. Facebook and Google are making developments with the technology, both releasing their own lower-cost headsets.
Google’s AR Translate tool, which has been around since 2015, meanwhile remains a prime example of the technology’s practical application catered to existing smartphones.


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The Joy-Con Grip gamepad that comes in the Nintendo Switch box will not charge the machine’s Joy-Cons.
In order for gamers to be able to charge their Joy-Con controllers, they will need to purchase an extra 24.99 – on Nintendo’s official store; 27.99 on Amazon – special Charging Grip. The peripheral that ships in the box merely holds the two controllers.
In order to charge the Joy-Cons, gamers have to either fork out for this peripheral or connect them to the Switch itself. The firm has said that Joy-Cons have a 20-hour battery life.
That the packaged Grip controller would not charge gamepads was spotted by Polygon during a post-Switch event Treehouse stream, which distinguished the the Grip and Charging Grip accessories.
This news comes after Nintendo announced the – admittedly rather high – price points for its Switch peripherals.
A new pair of Joy-Con controllers sets consumers back 74.99; a single Joy-Con costs 42.99 while straps for these have a 4.99 price point.
That’s on top of the 280 that the console itself costs.
Despite this rather high price point, initial stock allocation for Nintendo’s new machine has sold out on both Amazon and GameStop, while an update from GAME says the Neon Red and Blue SKU has sold out, while the retailer isn’t sure how many consoles it is getting from Nintendo.
At a London event last Friday, MCV was lucky enough to get our hands on Nintendo’s new machine – here is what we thought.


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Earlier this year, Apple boldly stepped into the world of mobile payments with its own proprietary system called Apple Pay. Apple Pay is only available to iPhone users, but Apple has a laundry list of partners on board in the United States and it is expected to strike similar deals once it launches internationally. It’s enough to have Samsung worrying and considering its own solution for users of Samsung-brand devices.
According to new reports, Samsung is thinking of launching an Apple Pay competitor next year. Recode cites multiple sources that say the company is in talks with LoopPay, a U.S. startup with an iPhone- and Android-compatible solution for mobile payments. LoopPay uses MST or Magnetic Secure Transmission to communicate the information that’s stored on the magnetic strip on the back of your card.
The most cumbersome thing about LoopPay is that it requires a special case, card, or fob to execute a transaction. Recode’s sources say that Samsung’s payment solution would see customers wave their device rather than use the fingerprint sensor on their device, so it looks like we’ll see LoopPay’s solution baked into a Samsung phone as opposed users having to use additional hardware. This matches up with comments LoopPay made to Recode earlier this year about its technology being integrated into a mainstream phone next year and working with NFC as well as its own MST technology.
One of the biggest issues plaguing mobile payments today, certainly in Canada, is one of compatibility. Every device, bank, wireless provider, and even retailer support different combinations of mobile payments solutions. We’ve already talked about the Galaxy S5 being one of the best devices available in terms of compatibility, whether it’s cases or payments solutions. To think that Samsung might soon have a phone that is capable of making a payment at basically any retailer that accepts card swipes at their POS system is extremely exciting.


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(The Center Square) – The Great Lakes states, let alone the nation, don’t have the infrastructure necessary for the transition to electric vehicles, a car search and research company reported.
BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group and Stellantis NV announced Wednesday they’re collaborating to install 30,000 high-powered charge points in urban and highway locations, beginning in summer 2024, with private and public funding,
iSeeCars.com Executive Analyst Karl Brauer said it’s not enough.
The seven companies announced their venture, which should be established this year, would begin opening stations in summer 2024. The networks would be powered solely with renewable energy. All battery-powered electric vehicles that use Combined Charging System or North American Charging Standard will at least meet the U.S. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program’s requirements.
Brauer told The Center Square in a statement July 26 that the most daunting challenge for the electric vehicle transition is the lack of charging infrastructure to satisfy the current 5% new vehicle market share of EV drivers.
“With government mandates looking to make EVs the dominant form of personal transportation, achieving more than 60 percent share over the next 10 years, a massive infrastructure investment is required if consumers are expected to replace their gasoline vehicles with electric-powered alternatives,” Brauer said. “Automakers have clearly recognized that investing in product alone won’t sell future EVs. We’re already seeing a stall in consumer demand, with electric vehicles piling up at dealer lots.”
The move the seven automakers announced Wednesday will attempt to do that by doubling the number of chargers in the U.S., but moving EV market share from 5% to 60% is multiplying by 12.
The 30,000 figure the automakers announced in their news release also includes an unspecified number for Canada.
“Assuming Tesla and other existing electric vehicle charging networks continue to expand we could get closer to solving the infrastructure problem. But each of these fast chargers can cost $50,000 or more to install, and this joint effort claims it will utilize 100 percent renewable energy to power the new chargers, which can only mean higher costs for each unit,” Brauer said.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory said in a June reportthat the country needs 182,000 fast chargers by 2030. The seven automakers’ collaboration only brings the country one-third of the way.
iSeeCars analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center through 2022 as of Feb. 8. It aggregated the number of Level 2 EVSE and DC Fast EVSE ports nationally and by state for chargers from Tesla’s network and all networks. The number of chargers was normalized according to U.S. Census Bureau population counts.
The research company reported that Wisconsin has the ninth-fewest EV chargers per million people. It has 131 per million people. The state has 773. Mississippi has the fewest per million people: 38. Vermont has the most: 998.
Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan were each below average on all the reports’ comparisons of population to number of chargers.
The Milwaukee and the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area are the third- and ninth-least electric-vehicle-friendly metro areas based on number of non-Tesla fast chargers they have compared with their populations.
A spokesperson for iSeeCars.com said that the latest data the company had was from February.


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November 30, 2016 - Industry News
The Arizona Department of Transportation will use federal funding next year to testing technology to improve commercial transportation safety and efficiency.
Tags: Inspections, Grants, Road Safety, Arizona Department of Transportation
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking public comment on a proposal that would establish an alternative certification process for Department of Veteran’s Affairs physicians to be added it its list of certified medical examiners.
Tags: FMCSA, Department of Veterans Affairs, Medical Examiners
Fuel supplier Piedmont Natural Gas hopes to expand compressed natural gas adoption with lowered fuel prices and contracts with government and commercial fleets in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Tags: CNG Fueling Stations, CNG, Piedmont Natural Gas
November 29, 2016 - Industry News
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved a 6% increase in the level of biofuels that producers must blend with gasoline and diesel in 2017 that falls significantly short of amount required by the Renewable Fuel Standard by 2022.
Tags: EPA, Biofuels, Regulations, Renewable Fuels Standard
The board of directors of the Professional Truck Driver Institute has voted to move the organization’s headquarters to Denver, Colorado, where it will be managed by Leading Associations, leaving its previous association with the Truckload Carriers Association.
Tags: TCA, Professional Truck Driver Institute, Driver Training
Daimler Truck Financial has appointed Tobias Waldeck vice president of sales, marketing, and remarketing, effective immediately.
Tags: Leadership, People, Daimler Truck Financial
President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Elaine Chao to serve as secretary of transportation. She served as secretary of labor throughout President George W. Bush’s two terms and as deputy secretary of transportation under President George H. W. Bush.
Tags: Donald Trump, U.S. DOT
The North American Commercial Vehicle Show announced that it has adjusted the trade show's original dates to allow a more fluid schedule to benefit exhibitors.
Tags: Industry Event, Suppliers, North American Commercial Vehicle Show
AmeriPride Services has taken delivery of 21 Ford F-59 trucks powered by hybrid-electric powertrains for the company's uniform rental and linen supply delivery fleet.
Tags: XL Hybrids, Gasoline-Electric Hybrids, Ford F-59, AmeriPride
Walmart was ordered to pay $54 million by a California court in a driver wage lawsuit alleging that the company was not paying drivers for all required time and work.
Tags: Lawsuit, Walmart, Driver Pay, Western States Trucking Association
The value of freight movements between the U.S. and its two next door neighbors moved back into negative territory following the first year-over-year increase since late 2014.
Tags: Cross-Border Trucking, Mexico, Canada, Economy, Railroads, Surface Trade
Overall U.S. economic growth increased more in the third quarter of the year than first projected, according to a new Commerce Department report, and will likely pave the way for an interest rate hike in December.
Tags: Economy, GDP, Consumer Confidence, Consumer Sentiment, Gross Domestic Product
November 28, 2016 - Industry News
HDT will be hosting the Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange, an intimate event that pairs a select group of innovators in the Class 8 market together with the suppliers, giving them an intimate environment in which to engage in discussions on topics that affect the entire industry.
Tags: Bobit Business Media, Heavy Duty Trucking magazine, Events
The average price of diesel fuel in the U.S. was nearly flat during the week of Thanksgiving, according to the latest numbers from the EIA.
Tags: Gas Prices, Diesel Prices, Crude Oil Prices
Toledo, Ill.-based transportation equipment dealer Ervin has been added to Stoughton Trailers’ network of North American dealers, the company announced.
Tags: Trailers, Dealership, Stoughton Trailers
A demonstration on Monday, using a 35-mile stretch of U.S. 33 northwest of Columbus, was postponed, but may be rescheduled. Next week, the Otto truck will run on the Ohio Turnpike.
Tags: Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Turnpike, Autonomous Vehicles, Otto
The Fleet Safety Conference planning committee is looking for presenters for the 2017 show to fill out the conference schedule.
Tags: Industry Event, Fleet Safety Conference, Fleet Events
November 28, 2016 - Product News
McLeod Software is releasing version 16.2 of its Loadmaster Enterprise and PowerBroker products, introducing new automation solutions for carriers and brokers.
Tags: Software, LoadMaster, McLeod Software, PowerBroker
Two measures of freight shipping posted their first year-over-year improvements in more than 12 months, indicating there has been more than the usual fall surge in shipment volume.
Tags: Economy, Railroads, Intermodal, Cass Intermodal Linehaul Index, Cass Truckload Linehaul Index, Freight Rates, Cass Freight Index
Carrier Logistics has partnered with Rice Lake Weighing Systems, a manufacturer and marketer of commercial weighing and measurement equipment, on a weight and measuring solution to help carriers reduce costs and provide accurate rates.
Tags: Carrier Logistics, Truck Weights, Weights and Measures
November 26, 2016 - Industry News
The recall affects more than 12,000 2016-model year pickup trucks that are at a higher risk for running out of fuel.
Tags: Nissan, Recalls, NHTSA, Large Pickups, 2016-MY, Nissan Titan XD
November 24, 2016 - Industry News
East Manufacturing has named Bill Wallace as platform product manager, adding the duties to his current position as Northeast regional sales manager, the company announced.
Tags: Sales, Trailers, People, East Manufacturing
November 23, 2016 - Industry News
Operation of zero- and near-zero-emissions trucks, locomotives and container-handling equipment would expand beginning in 2019 and culminate with wide use of electric trucks by 2035, according to the latest San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan.
Tags: NOx, Drayage, Emissions Reduction, Regulations
Navistar has introduced a new line of Fleetrite collision replacement products designed for a wide variety of heavy-duty truck applications.
Tags: Collision Repair, Navistar, Aftermarket Parts
10-4 Systems, a firm that provides end-to-end shipment visibility of the supply chain for Fortune 500 companies, has licensed freight-tracking technology from MacroPoint.
Tags: Macropoint, Supply Chain Management, Asset Tracking
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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Let's see, Frank and Pardis Stitt's Highlands Bar and Grill has been a James Beard Foundation finalist for the country's most outstanding restaurant for six years in a row now.
And earlier this summer, the food and travel website Thrillist chose the Hamburger Fonfon at the Stitts' French bistro Chez Fonfon one of the 33 best burgers in the U.S.
Now, the Stitts have one of the country's top pizzas, too.
Here's what The Daily Meal had to say about the Bottega Café pizza:
"Over the past 30 years, chef Frank Stitt has been credited for significantly raising the bar in Alabama's culinary scene. As if the success of his restaurant Highlands Bar and Grill and the roster of culinary talents that have launched their own successful careers after spending time in his kitchen weren't impressive enough, he's now going ahead and doing the same thing for the state's pizza scene.
"While devoted regulars may have trouble steering themselves away from Stitt's classic dishes at Café Bottega like the seared beef carpaccio, Niçoise salad, and chicken scaloppini, they'll find themselves particularly rewarded by any of the eight pizzas on the menu.
"There's a white pie with fennel sausage, a grilled chicken and pesto combination, and even a pizza with okra and corn. But the signature pie that the restaurant pointed to as the biggest crowd-pleaser is the 'Farm Egg,' topped with mushrooms, guanciale, Taleggio, and porcini oil."
To come up with this year's list, The Daily Meal had 78 experts sample more than 700 pizzas across the country.
The white clam pizza at the legendary New Haven, Conn., pizzeria Frank Pepe is No. 1 on the list.
To see a slideshow of all 101 pizzas on The Daily Meal's list, go here.


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The University of Chicago gets ready for tests on people. Following laboratory findings demonstrating that cannabis’ CBD extract prevents COVID-19 from spreading in human and animal cells
Researchers from all over the world are still interested in the problem of how to treat COVID-19. which seeks to develop innovative therapeutic approaches so that everyone can get the treatment. the potential support of additional species
A group of researchers from the University of Chicago recently discovered proof that “Cannabidiol,” or CBD, a byproduct of the hemp plant, can prevent COVID-19 infection in mouse and human cells. Observers reported Clinical trials should then be carried out to ascertain whether CBD can eventually be used to prevent or treat disease COVID-19.
They did issue a warning, though, noting that CBD’s high-purity extract component is what causes its COVID-blocking effect. This uses a unique recipe. The study’s findings did not imply that ingesting commercially available generic cannabis with CBD of various strength and quality added can offer COVID-19 protection from the Division of Cancer Research, Dr. Marsha Rossner According to a member of the research team, the notion of utilizing CBD to treat COVID-19 It is coincidental. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD. So, we reasoned that it could be able to stop the spread of COVID-19. The second phase, known as the “cytokine storm,” involves the immune system. The outcomes we discovered considerably beyond our expectations. because it directly prevents the virus from multiplying in lung cells.
Such findings were made by the researchers. Human lung cells were treated with non-toxic CBD dosages for 2 hours before being exposed to COVID-19 and afterwards monitored.
They discovered that CBD prevented the virus from multiplying. Further research revealed that, in addition to the original virus strain, CBD also had the same impact on three additional virus strains and two additional cell types.
However, CBD has no effect on COVID-19’s capacity to enter the cell, meaning that it has no effect on the infection’s capacity to enter the cell. However, once within the cells, CBD will stop COVID-19 from multiplying. Approximately 6 hours after the virus entered the cell, early in the infection cycle
To demonstrate with evidence that CBD stops the COVID-19 virus from spreading in actual living animals As a result, the research team ran additional tests. It was discovered that infection in the lungs and nasal cavity of rats was suppressed by pretreating rat lung and nasal cells with CBD for 1 week prior to exposure to COVID-19.
These findings offer crucial backing for additional human clinical trials of CBD, according to Rossner.
Additionally, CBD’s success extends outside of the lab. According to an analysis of 1,212 patients from the National COVID Cohort Collaborative, using oral CBD as prescribed by a doctor to treat epilepsy is associated with a lower rate of positive COVID-19 test results than a sample of patients with comparable demographic backgrounds who are not using CBD.
Clinical tests are required. However, we believe CBD may have therapeutic promise and are investigating if it is indeed useful in preventing or suppressing COVID-19 infection. Perhaps you reside in a region with frequent outbreaks. or you believe you might be infected or a recent positive test These are the areas where CBD may be useful in treating COVID-19, according to Rossner.
The research team adds that only extremely concentrated and pure CBD extracted by professionals is effective against COVID-19. The cannabis plant contains a variety of other cannabinoids, including the psychotropic components THC, CBDA, and CBDV. Not as strong In fact, the effectiveness of CBD is decreased when THC and CBD are combined in an equal amount.
It probably won’t help to go to a restaurant and order from the cannabis menu. or anything you bought online It can also be pure. However, there are also variations in quality. Without an unique FDA-approved formulation, it is also challenging for CBD to be absorbed into the body by eating, according to Rossner.
Additionally, there are hazards associated with using CBD. Despite the fact that it seems secure when ingested with food or drinks However, other practices, like smoking, might have unfavorable side effects. This includes potential lung and heart harm. Additionally, some populations, such as pregnant women, have not been adequately studied when it comes to CBD. As a result, it should only be used under medical supervision.
But the study’s findings are fascinating. However, more research is required to ascertain the precise CBD dosage, as well as its safety and potential side effects, in order to effectively prevent COVID-19 infection in humans.
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Some landlords and HOAs have responded by banning e-bikes and electric vehicles (EVs) from parking spaces, occasionally citing safety concerns. While they are right to be cautious, an outright ban is uncalled for, as there are simple ways to store and charge electric vehicles safely.
What is the safety concern regarding e-bikes?
“While we support and enjoy these types of sporting vehicles and devices, they can pose problems and risks in regard to overheating, potentially causing fires when being charged,” the complex said.
Lithium-ion battery fires are most often caused by batteries that have been changed or repaired by untrained technicians. In 2022, a notable New York City e-bike fire was found to have been caused by what authorities said was a resident running an unauthorized battery repair business out of his apartment unit.
Why switch to an e-bike?
Like the landlords banning EVs, some people incorrectly assume that e-bikes are too risky to store at home. However, there are several major benefits that make it worthwhile to learn to use an e-bike safely.
Because they have a motor, e-bikes are far less tiring to ride than a traditional bike, making them practical for longer commutes, especially when you don’t wish to show up to your location sweaty and out of breath. At the same time, they’re smaller and lighter than a car, so they use very little power, making them extremely cheap to ride.
Also, EVs of any size are a smart choice for the planet. Fuel-burning cars and motorcycles generate air pollution that traps heat in our atmosphere and warms up the Earth, which leads to stronger, more devastating extreme weather events.
EVs are part of the shift toward cleaner energy sources for a cooler planet.
How can I make sure my e-bike won’t catch fire?
First, overcharging a battery can cause it to overheat, so following the manufacturer’s instructions and not leaving the battery to charge too long is essential.
Second, riders should choose a quality battery and charger, which have better safety features, as Electrek pointed out.
UL Solutions certifies electric batteries to ensure their safety. It’s worth investing in a quality battery, even if it costs more upfront because it can prevent costly and dangerous situations later.
Finally, if a battery is damaged, you should go directly to the manufacturer for repairs instead of doing the work yourself or giving the job to a third party. Unlicensed repair work isn’t monitored or subjected to safety standards and can create defective, unsafe batteries and chargers.
Ultimately, the apartment complex whose email was shared on Reddit only wants residents to follow these simple safety rules, and the comments on the original post are very positive.
“I think that it is a very fair and reasonable request as opposed to outright banning of all PEV’s in the apartment building,” said one user.
“I bought an outlet timer as I am planning on getting an ebike at some point. Just an extra layer of safety,” added another Redditor.
Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet.


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Xenomorphs now "truly terrifying foes to face".
Y'see, long-time fans of the series will love that because...
Sega's critically panned first person shooter Aliens: Colonial Marines has sold over 1.3 million copies
Any sense of pride Sega and Gearbox may have had for creating one of the worst games of the year has been squashed.
Sega has confirmed that Wii U owners won't get the chance to play Aliens: Colonial Marines, any time soon.


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Blog: Pernod Ricard looks for material gains with wearable tech
Andy Morton | 29 January 2014
Here at just-drinks we like to be on the cutting-edge of technology, so here's a nod (and a wink) to the latest in fashion unveiled at Pernod Ricard's "innovation" day in Paris this week.
Below is our exclusive footage of a T-shirt that displays personalised messages and images keyed in from a computer or mobile device. The women holding it is creator Alison Lewis, who owns Californian wearable technology firm Switch, and the prototype design was only completed a few days before it was brought to Paris.
But what's this got to do with drinks?
Well, the technology is part-funded by Pernod's blended Scotch whisky brand Ballantine's, who's marketing team came up with the idea a few years ago. An earlier prototype in 2012 managed to bring about 200,000 visitors to Ballantine's website and was featured in about 500 blogs. That prototype, however, was not very wearable, and came with a EUR14,000 (US$19,000) price tag. The new one is washable and scrunchable, and a comparative snip, at just EUR3,000!
What you won't find on the T-shirt, however, is the Ballantine's logo. Brand managers are aware a personalised message system is open to abuse and don't want the whisky associated with the questionable words and images that users will inevitably broadcast on their chests. Which rather raises the question, to what end is Pernod investing in this tech?
On Tuesday, I was told that the success of the earlier prototype in raising Ballantine's profile means the project can already be deemed a success. But why keep investing in something that doesn't appear to give anything back to the brand? Pernod doesn't even have rights to the technology - that belongs to Switch, with the French group merely owning the project's name, T-shirt OS.
Strange that a campaign that is all about delivering a message might not do the same for Pernod.
To read a comment piece on Pernod's innovation day, click here.
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Major wine players flocked to China ready for online giant Alibaba's 9.9 Global Wine and Spirits Festival, which took place on 9 September....
In May, Heineken's CEO, Jean-François van Boxmeer, called Vietnam the "poster child" for international beer thanks to strong demographics and growing demand....
Pernod Ricard's Chivas Brothers division has added a new expression to its Scapa single malt Scotch whisky portfolio....
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Signature OLED R, the LG rolling TV that the Korean company first introduced two years ago, has officially entered the market – only in the Korean market for now.
LG sells this TV in South Korea for 100 million KRW, which, at the current exchange rate, means 74,585 euros.
It’s a very high price for a TV in general, but not so unusual for a product that comes with an innovation that is no longer in the portfolio of other manufacturers, and LG is known for such fireworks, including in the area smartphones.
Signature OLED R has a flexible 65-inch panel that can be fully or partially retracted into the wooden base on which it is placed. Basically, when not in use, the TV can simply be hidden in the base that accompanies it and which can be confused with a piece of furniture.
When partially retracted, the image will be displayed only on the visible area of the panel, so you can create different ratios of the image at which the content is played back.
LG’s TV has a complicated history, being presented for the first time at CES 2018, when it was only in the project stage. A year later, the first commercial version of it was released, but it is only now available in South Korea.
There is no information yet on the launch in other countries, but it should only be a matter of time.
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We’re pleased to announce that The Price Group, Inc is now a Google Partner! A select group of marketing companies, agencies, professionals and online experts are certified by Google to manage Pay-Per-Click AdWords campaigns. Google Partners are recognized for excellence, proficiency and experience with Google’s services and best practices.
Just like many other industries, online advertising has its share of experts. It seems like everywhere you turn these days, you see individuals and companies claiming to be online marketing experts. But think about it. When you’re looking for someone to manage your finances or tax return, you’d look for a Certified Financial Planner or a Certified Public Accountant, right? In turn, it makes good business sense to seek out and hire certified professionals to manage your online advertising campaigns.
Google offers one of the most recognized certification programs in the online industry, and becoming a Google Partner is no easy task. Companies must earn the Google Partner Badge which signifies the company is healthy, has managed a certain level and type of campaigns over a period of time, and demonstrates Google best practices. In-depth certification tests must be passed and re-certification is required as often as every year. In addition, companies must comply with rigorous standards on an ongoing basis to maintain their Partner status.
At The Price Group, we are committed to providing our clients the highest level of service with the most cost effective solutions. Now that we’re backed by one of the industry’s biggest online experts, we’re excited for the new opportunities this partnership provides our clients!
If you need help with pay-per-click advertising, The Price Group, Inc. is a certified Google Partner with years of Adwords experience. We can be reached at 630.717.8332 or at email@example.com.


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The Alexandria Hotel, which has sat empty since Merivale snapped it up for $10 million in 2016, will join Sydney's post-lockdown party of hospitality launches, reopenings and reboots.
The opening of "The Alex" in early November is an unexpected but calculated move by the hospitality giant, which already has a long list of proven venues to reopen. Its enormous footprint and outdoor space makes the hotel well-placed to cope with the complex and shifting rules around diner numbers and floor space ratios.
"It's a new concept for us," says Merivale chief Justin Hemmes. "We're flipping a traditional pub on its head." The pub is currently stripped bare with no working kitchen inside.
Working with this derelict chic vibe, The Alex will instead pump food out of three kitchens in shipping containers in the huge beer garden.
One kitchen will headline a rotating menu of Merivale favourites – Dan Hong's cheeseburger spring rolls are on the list – while Backyard at The Alex will host a rotating line-up of the city's best food truck talent in the other two shipping containers.
First cabs off the rank will be Firepop, which sells yakitori-style skewers, and chicken schnitzel specialist Wholly Schnit.
The pub will be home to DJs, live music, dancing and sport screens. It'll also be dog-friendly.
"It has these wonderful rooms that can be used for meetings and events," Hemmes says. "You can even sit behind the old bar, if you want to."
The success of the outdoor area at Vic on the Park, which Merivale bought in 2017, provided inspiration for The Alex.
"It's a great space," Hemmes says. "It needs to be used."
Continue this seriesNovember 2021 hit list: Where to eat and drink in Sydney this month
There's so much inspiration out there on how to eat, drink and cook al fresco, whether it's the backyard, the balcony or the beach.
Natural Spanish wines and small plates are coming to Redfern in spring, courtesy of La Salut.
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By Troy Wolverton, San Jose Mercury News –
A new version of Microsoft’s Windows operating system, dubbed Windows 8, hits store shelves this week — but it’s no ordinary update.
The new software looks completely different from its predecessors. There’s a variation of it that won’t run any programs designed for previous versions of Windows. And because the software was designed to be used on touch-screen devices, Windows 8 will take Microsoft’s operating system to places it hasn’t been before, including on tablets comparable to the iPad and new types of computers that blur the lines between tablets and laptops.
“This is definitely the biggest change in the user experience of Windows since Windows 95,” said Steve Kleynhans, an analyst for technology research firm Gartner.
Even before the final version of the software has been released, its big changes have drawn skepticism from analysts and customers and criticism from tech reviewers, including this reporter. Some analysts have gone so far as to compare it to Windows Vista, the much-pilloried version of the operating system that came before Windows 7 and was largely ignored by corporate users.
“If you have Windows 7 today on a non-touch-enabled PC, I would say there’s not an overwhelmingly compelling reason to upgrade to Windows 8,” said Al Gillen, an analyst with tech research firm IDC. “I think lot of business users will see it that way.”
The biggest difference for users is Windows’ new interface. Gone are the familiar start button, start menu and — at least at first glance — the traditional Windows desktop. They’ve all been replaced with a new interface designed around application “tiles” arranged on a plain background.
The tiles work like program icons: you click — or tap — them to launch a program. But unlike traditional Windows program icons, the tiles can work like widgets, displaying small tidbits of updated information. For example, the email tile might display your latest message, or the calendar might show your next appointment.
But the interface — which Microsoft formerly called “Metro” — has other differences from the traditional Windows desktop. Unlike the traditional Windows interface, the new one doesn’t support overlapping windows or the ability to view more than two programs on the screen at one time.
And the only programs that will work with the new interface are ones that either come preinstalled or that users download from Microsoft’s new online Windows Store.
On most editions of Windows 8, users will still be able to access a traditional desktop and run older Windows programs. They can even launch those programs from the new interface, but when they do, they’ll be taken to a version of the old desktop, in which they can see more than two applications and have overlapping windows. And they can’t configure Windows so they see the desktop when they start it up; instead, they’ll have to go through the Metro interface.
The new interface “is a huge change,” said Mike Cherry, an analyst with Directions on Microsoft, an independent analyst firm. “It takes away things that have been in Windows almost since the beginning.”
On one edition of Windows 8, called Windows RT, the break from the past is even more pronounced. This edition of the software was built to run on devices using ARM processors. These are the low-power chips that come from a variety of manufacturers and underlay the iPad and most other tablets and smartphones on the market.
Windows RT has the same Metro interface and will run the same Metro programs that are available for other editions of Windows 8. But it can’t run any older Windows programs. Also, unlike other versions of Windows, the only way to get Windows RT is to buy it preinstalled on a tablet or PC; Microsoft won’t be selling a separate version that users can install themselves on machines they already own.
Windows RT will include a version of Microsoft’s Office suite of productivity programs. But that version won’t include Outlook, the email program that is among the most popular applications in Office.
Given its limitations and differences with other editions of Windows 8, calling this edition of the operating system “Windows” has the potential to confuse and frustrate customers, analysts have warned.
Traditional Windows PC users who buy a Windows RT device will have a computer or tablet “that has no direct compatibility with the older devices that (they) used to own,” noted IDC’s Gillen. “There’s a potential for disappointment with consumers, isn’t there?”
(EDITORS: STORY CAN END HERE)
With Windows 8, consumers will notice one other big difference from the past: the types of machines they can run it on. The new software is the first version of Windows to be designed to be used with a fingertip. As such, it’s going to show up in a wide range of touch-screen devices.
Some will be tablets that look and act a lot like the iPad. Others will be hybrid devices of one sort or another that can act like both tablets or traditional PCs.
In some cases, these will be tablets that can run traditional Windows desktop applications. In other cases, they will be laptops whose screens can detach or fold back so that they can be used as tablets.
“There’s a lot of interesting experimentation going on with new types of devices,” said Kleynhans. “Frankly, I don’t think we know exactly how people are going to use these things or which is the best way to actually build them.”
So after years of stability, Windows is embracing change with a new interface running on new devices that in some cases completely breaks ties with the past. It may be only the latest in a long line of Windows, but in many ways, it’s completely new.
Microsoft is releasing a new version of its flagship Windows operating system this week. Here are the key details you need to know:
—Release date: Friday, Oct. 26
—Number of editions: Four: Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Enterprise and Windows RT
—Distinctions: Windows 8 Enterprise is only available to corporate customers. Windows RT is only available preinstalled on devices that run on ARM-based chips. Windows 8 Pro allows users to log onto corporate networks and access their computer remotely, things they can’t do with regular Windows 8.
—Price: $15 for the Pro version of Windows 8 for those who bought a Windows 7 computer on or after June 2. For other consumers, the downloadable Pro edition of Windows 8 will cost $40, while the version sold in stores on DVD will cost $70. Microsoft hasn’t announced pricing for the regular and Enterprise editions of Windows 8. Windows RT will only be offered as the included operating system on certain tablets and computers; Microsoft won’t be offering it separately.
SOURCE: Microsoft Corp., San Jose Mercury News research
WINDOWS 8 VS. WINDOWS 7:
The new version of Windows, dubbed Windows 8, is considered to be the biggest makeover of the operating system in more than a decade. Here are some of the differences:
—Interface: Windows 7 was built around the traditional desktop interface. By contrast, the main screen in Windows 8 is Microsoft’s “Metro” interface that eschews the desktop for application “tiles” arrayed on a plain background. In Metro, there’s no start button, no overlapping windows and no ability to view more than two applications at once.
—Touch: Windows has supported touch-based interaction for years, but generally through the use of a penlike stylus. The Metro interface was designed to be used and navigated with fingertips.
—Devices: Windows 7 was available primarily on traditional desktop and laptop computers. By contrast, Windows 8 will be available on iPad-like tablets and hybrid devices that can switch between tablet and laptop modes.
—Versions: Microsoft has streamlined the number of editions of Windows 8 to just four, down from six with Windows 7.
—Chips: Windows 7 only ran on computers using x86 chips, generally made by Intel and AMD. Windows 8 will also run on those types of computers, but a version of it — called Windows RT — will run on chips designed by ARM. ARM chips power the iPad and most smartphones.
—Software stores: Users could acquire programs for Windows 7 from retail stores or download them from numerous sites and services on the Web. Users can get traditional desktop programs for Windows 8 the same way. But Metro apps can only be obtained from Microsoft via its new online Windows Store.
—Compatibility: Computers running Windows 8 on x86 chips will generally be able to run traditional Windows programs in a desktop mode. But computers and tablets running Windows RT on ARM chips won’t be able to run any non-Metro Windows applications.
SOURCE: San Jose Mercury News research
GETTING READY FOR WINDOWS 8:
Here’s what you’ll need to run Windows 8 on your computer.
—Processor speed: 1 GHz or faster
—Memory (RAM): 1GB for 32-bit systems, 2GB for 64-bit ones
—Hard disk space: 16GB for 32-bit systems, 20GB for 64-bit
—Graphics card: Needs to be compatible with Microsoft DirectX 9 and include a Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) driver
—Optional: Multi-touch display or trackpad for touch interaction, a screen resolution of 1024×768 to access the Windows Store and download and run Metro apps, a screen resolution of 1366×768 to view two programs at once under the Metro interface.
SOURCE: Microsoft Corp.


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The NFL has become obnoxiously political over the past few years.
Leftists have attempted to infuse their ideology into the sport, most notably with the anti-American anthem protests that started in 2016.
And now, one liberal fad could be responsible for ruining one star player’s career.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has won the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award, and came close to winning Super Bowl 50.
But Newton’s current season has been derailed by injuries, and experts believe it could be related to his diet.
Newton has opted for a vegan diet, which bars him from eating meat and animal products.
Making up for lost protein can be very difficult on a vegan diet, and some believe that’s what has led to Newton’s increased and prolonged injuries.
The vegan diet has become incredibly popular among leftists because they believe entirely in the climate change hysteria, which says eating meat increases global warming.
For example, the communist fever dream known as the “Green New Deal” that so many on the Left have openly endorsed wants to eventually eliminate meat altogether.
But the vegan diet consequences for Cam Newton have experts concerned.
Boston-area nutritionist Nancy Clark insisted that it is certainly possible for an athlete to do well on a vegan diet, but, she added, it takes extremely careful planning and even extensive overcompensating.
. . .
“The concern is: Is [Newton] consuming enough protein and enough calories? When you’re in calorie deficit, which he obviously has been because he’s been losing weight, some of the protein that you eat gets burned for gas in the car instead of getting used to build muscle.”
Other experts agreed that veganism is a hard sell for athletes. Former bodybuilder John Howie noted that it can be hard to keep a balance between losing fat but also losing muscle mass at the same time. The lack of protein is the hardest thing to figure since everyone’s body reacts differently to diets.
Proponents of the vegan diet have tried to make the argument that eating meat is ultimately bad for your health.
But the advantages of meat protein are undeniable.
In fact, many people — like noted psychologist Jordan Peterson — even thrive on the carnivore diet, which consists of eating nothing but meat.
Do you think it was a mistake for Cam Newton to go on a vegan diet at the peak of his career?
Let us know in the comment section.


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The Senate overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan bill Tuesday that aims to boost American tech research and development to counter competition from China and other nations.
Senators voted 68-32 to pass the US Innovation and Competition Act, with 31 of the 32 “no” votes coming from Republicans. The other “no” was from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
At the heart of the bill is a $50 billion emergency allotment to the Commerce Department to stand up semiconductor development and manufacturing through research and incentive programs previously authorized by Congress. The funding is a response to America’s share of global semiconductor manufacturing dropping from 37% in 1990 to about 12% now, as well as a chip shortage that has exposed vulnerabilities in the US supply chain.
An Intel Tiger Lake chip is displayed at an Intel news conference during the 2020 CES in Las Vegas, Nevada.REUTERS/Steve Marcus/File Photo
The legislation would also create a new directorate focused on artificial intelligence and quantum


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At 84 years old, Florence Dittmer could be retired; possibly relaxing on a beach, taking up hobbies she's always wanted to try or simply spending free time with family and friends.
Instead, Dittmer works at Burger King in Waterloo on LaPorte Rd, and has been doing so for the past 24 years.
"I've enjoyed it. They've treated me wonderfully, and given me parties for my birthday," Dittmer said.
People that have worked with Florence call her the hostess of the fast food restaurant. Dittmer checks on customers, wipes down tables and picks up food trays to make sure each and every customer has an enjoyable experience.
Dittmer also always has mints on hand, offering them to tables as they wrap up their meals. One would also find Tootsie Rolls in Dittmer's pockets, for the youngsters at the Burger King.
Years ago, Dittmer used to come to Burger King with her husband. She said one day he asked her, "If you love it so much, why not just work here?"
So, she decided to fill out an employment application.
"I said I like the food, I like the people, so they put me out here. It's just been wonderful," Dittmer said.
Co-workers say it's one big family at the Burger King on LaPorte Rd., and Dittmer is part of that family.
"The customers really love her. People come in here asking for her when she's not here. They're looking for her every day," Eveyette Hall said, who has worked with Dittmer for roughly four years.
As for retiring anytime soon - Dittmer says she has no such plans.
"I'd like to make it to 25 years, and just take one day at a time. That's all we've got."
Dittmer will reach her 25th anniversary at Burger King this upcoming January.


text:
Twitter not going to ban Trump
Twitter says it will
not ban Trump or other world leaders on its platform because “censoring
them would hid important information people should be able to see and
debate”, argued the company.
Big tech firms join lawsuit against FCC
Association, representing tech companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Google and
Twitter and other major players, joined an existing lawsuit against FCC to
restore net neutrality as an intervening group.
VCs cashing out Uber shares
are cashing in their stakes at Uber. Benchmark Capital, one of Uber’s round a
investors, will sell 14.5% of its holdings, bagging $900 million; Google
Ventures, the VC under Alphabet will also take home around $350 million for its
14.5% of their stock; Menlo Ventures and First round will join the wave and
cashing out significant percentage of their shares. These sales will be part of
SoftBank’s deal to invest in Uber at a lowered valuation of $48 billion of the
Uber scored 4 billion rides in 2017
Uber had a pretty
good report card in a turbulent year, powering over 4 billion rides worldwide
10 defining moments of CES history
CES 2018 is just
around the corner. Engadget takes you through some of the most defining moments
of CES history. Click to find out the 10 years that forever changed tech’s
biggest trade show. here for details.


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Stay in the know and receive the latest international franchising news, insight and investment opportunities
In her role, Branham will advance the boutique brand’s franchise network.
Keep up to date with the latest Global Franchise News sent straight to your inbox. Sign up here.
9Round Franchising LLC, the franchisor of almost 750 9Round locations in 19 countries and 41 states, has announced that Janice Branham will assume the role of vice president of operations. In this position, she will advance the support programs and tools behind the growing organization.
“Janice brings years of franchise experience to the table that will help ensure the future growth of 9Round,” said Shannon Hudson, founder and CEO of 9Round Franchising. “As the brand weathers the effects of the pandemic, we have not had to permanently let go of a single person at our corporate office, but instead have hired Janice to help support the franchise network now and on the road ahead. Now is not the time to shrink an organization, but instead to fight forward and prepare to come out of the pandemic stronger than ever.”
Before joining 9Round, Brahmam worked for several household franchise brands including Pizza Hut, Quizno’s, and Teriyaki Madness. In these organizations, she designed and delivered operations and franchisee support programs and tools, as well as developing classroom and online training programs.
“This is an exciting time to join 9Round and build on the incredible track record and solid foundation that Shannon, Heather, and the team have started,” said Branam. “Franchising at its core is about support, and now more than ever with the effects of the pandemic, we are focusing on helping franchisees run healthy, profitable businesses to benefit them, their families, and their communities.”
An aggressive expansion strategy has seen the brand set the goal of signing 50 deals for new locations across seven states by 202521 Sep 2021 | Read Article >
India will get four new Jamie Oliver’s Pizzeria branches this year21 Sep 2021 | Read Article >
The dog care franchise has signed three agreements to expand its offering across Texas21 Sep 2021 | Read Article >
The strategic deal will further cement Scorpion’s position in the franchise marketing space17 Sep 2021 | Read Article >
The president gets candid about how to modernize established franchise brands17 Sep 2021 | Read Article >
°CRYO is accelerating this ice-cool segment16 Sep 2021 | Read Article >
For further information on the Tiger Bills franchise please submit your details below.


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Update on January 16, 2015: According to Dpreview, the D750 has been disappearing from store shelves. Nikon released an official statement, saying, “Nikon is working with retailers to replenish stock with cameras to which measures to address this issue have been applied. In late January, Nikon will announce details to service cameras from users, free of charge.”
Earlier this month it emerged that some owners of Nikon’s new D750 camera have been experiencing an issue where a black band appears at the top of the frame in shots that include lens flare.
The full-frame DSLR has been receiving stellar reviews since its release in September, so the issue will come as a disappointment to users who’ve shelled out $2,300 for the shooter.
Keen to reassure D750 owners that it’s investigating the issue, Nikon this week issued a statement on the matter.
The Japanese camera maker said it’d heard from a number of users that when photographing scenes involving an extremely bright light source, “flare with an unnatural shape caused by the reflection of the light may sometimes occur” in the image.
Apparently eager to show it can respond swiftly to such situations following its disappointingly slow acknowledgement of an issue with the D600 a couple of years back, the company added, “As we at Nikon are constantly striving to ensure the satisfaction of our customers, we have released this announcement to inform users that we are already working on measures to address this issue and will, of course, keep you advised of these as they occur.”
D750 owners who’d like to speak to a Nikon representative about the problem are advised to call the company’s customer relations number at 1-800-645-6687 between 9am and 8pm ET, Monday to Friday (closed certain holidays), or visit Nikon’s online page here.
As pointed out by photography specialist site PetaPixel, the issue can in most cases be overcome by sticking a hood on the end of the lens, but for photographers who use flare artistically in their work, this is obviously no solution at all.
The cause of the problem isn’t known for sure, though it’s been suggested it’s connected with the D750’s autofocus sensor module located at the base of the camera’s mirror box.
“On cameras in which this issue is occurring, the sensor unit protrudes from the bottom more than it does on cameras that are fine. It appears the protruding sensor affects how the light reaches the sensor,” PetaPixel says in its report.
It is of course not unusual for technical issues to be uncovered with new cameras, though it’s vital that the maker responds in a helpful and timely manner. Nikon came under fire for its slow response to a problem with the D600 that came to light shortly after the camera’s release in September 2012.
This time it’s acknowledged the D750’s issue rather more promptly, though users experiencing it will be understandably keen for Nikon to resolve it soon.
- Nikon D750 vs. D780: 5 years in the making, Nikon’s newest proves its worth
- The Nikon D780 is finally here, with 4K video and insane battery life
- Nikon gives us our first look at its upcoming D6 professional DSLR
- 45.7 megapixels of full-frame glory: This is the Nikon D850
- The Nikon D750 recall has been updated (again) to include more affected cameras


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Manila, Philippines | February 2013—If you think you’ve seen it all, think again. It’s the year 2023 and it’s hardly ever surprising when new tech arises, but GoTyme Bank went all out for their “Rewards Boosted” launch event held at Palacio de Memoria in Paranaque on February 9, 2023. Let’s just say they went big—which […]
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BSP, DILG, GCash expand Paleng-QR Ph in ...
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) continue to expand their Paleng-QR Ph initiative as they roll out the program in South Luzon, piloting in Naga City, in partnership with the country’s leading e-wallet, GCash. With the launch, vendors, and tricycle drivers in the Naga City People’s […]
ASUS Philippines launches all-new ASUS E...
Pasig City, Philippines, February 17, 2023 — Designed to meet the needs of the AEC sector, ASUS Philippines releases World’s first flippable mobile workstation, the ASUS ExpertBook B6 Flip (B6602F).This new ExpertBook delivers exceptional performance designed specifically to complement the workflowin Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector that runs 3D and CAD applications and industry-leading […]
Holcim La Union was recently recognized...
Leading building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc.’s La Union plant was recently recognized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for excellence in health and safety. Holcim’s plant in Bacnotan, La Union was recognized for its Safety Control Program by Region 1 office of the DOLE during the 12th Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (GKK) Best Practice Award […]
Find out which narzo smartphone fits you...
February 13, 2023. Manila, Philippines. narzo Philippines is here to help you celebrate the month of love with its lineup of quality sulit devices. Read on below to figure out which of the Five Love Languages you and your partner have in common, and make sure to head over to Shopee or Lazadaso you can add to cart your dream narzo model at […]
ASUS reveals a new class of 16-inch lapt...
Pasig City, Philippines, February 10, 2023 — ASUS today announced its new class of 16-inch devices designed for everyday content creation, productivity, and entertainment consumption. The Vivobook Pro 16 OLED (K6602), Vivobook 16X (M1603), and Vivobook 16 (X1605) are feature-packed multiuse laptops that offer stunning displays with larger screen real estate. Perfect for on-the-go use, […]
SM Supermalls rolls out PH’s biggest cha
Never worry about running out of juice while exploring the country because traveling sustainably has now been made possible and much more convenient as SM Supermalls rolls out additional Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations in multiple locations nationwide. From an initial rollout in 2022 of 15 EV charging stations in Metro Manila alone and one […]
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Whether you’re single but not going solo, in a committed relationship, or just happy and in love with the fam, SM Supermalls will give you the sweetest Valentine’s Day ever! SM Supermalls has got a slew of activities coming up for you from February 1 to 14. So if you are looking for ways to […]


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It's well-documented that YouTube has had a profit problem (although the company says they're just fine). In order to generate more revenue, YouTube has experimented with multiple advertising formats (i.e. brand sponsors and user-generated hompage ads).
However, there is one place where YouTube has been drawing the line: third-party ads. In May, YouTube put a halt to brand placement advertising in YouTube videos, as they were advertisements that didn't bring YouTube any revenue. The company promised, however, to launch their own process for integrating ads and brand placement within videos. It looks like today, YouTube delivered. Sort of. The company has announced a beta trial test with FreeWheel, a company that specializes in online video advertising. According to YouTube, this "will allow some partners who sell their own ads to serve those ads directly into their videos on YouTube." Previously, these ads would have to be served by YouTube.
Giving its partners more options for their advertising distribution isn't a minor issue. From the perspective of the content generator, it gives them more freedom to choose the ideal ad format and platform - making monetization easier. From the perspective of YouTube, it frees up manpower and resources previously spent on ad-serving while making more money from increased use of third-party ad formats. Not a bad deal for either side, so we're hoping the tests perform well