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Manage your crypto-portfolio online
Trade gold, silver & platinum for major fiat and cryptocurrencies
Store and transfer funds offline
Advanced trade execution
Customizable cold storage solutions
Borrow fiat against crypto or vice-versa
Earn rewards on your stored cryptocurrency
Bitcoin Suisse makes it easy, and safe to accept cryptocurrencies.
Launch, tokenize & invest within the ecosystem
The Swiss Franc on the blockchain
Founded in 2013, Bitcoin Suisse AG pioneered crypto-financial services. It has helped to shape the crypto- and blockchain-ecosystem in Switzerland and has been a driving force in the development of the 'Crypto Valley' and 'Crypto Nation Switzerland'.
Bitcoin Suisse's Board Members and Employees
Job Openings at Bitcoin Suisse
Latest News About Bitcoin Suisse
Media Contact and Company Facts
Information for existing shareholders and potential investors
Bitcoin Navigates Choppy Waters
The S&P 500 trades firmly above 3,000 and the stock market experienced another version of crypto-style hype in the form of Beyond Meat (BYND), a meat substitute producer whose stock price has risen to almost 10 times the IPO price in just under three months – reminiscent of the 2017 crypto altcoin market. In the meantime, Bitcoin has given back some of the recent gains and was range-trading between $9k and $11k.
The Bitcoin price has seen some sharp moves since our last report on July 15,  most notably a 9.6% rise within one hour on July 18 after a second test of support in the low $9k area – just above the CME Bitcoin Futures gap lurking between $8.5k and $9k. The bullish impulsion ultimately failed around $11k, from where the price continued to head lower. After a brief consolidation around $9.7k to $10.2k, price rapidly fell from $10k to $9.5k (-5.7% in one hour) and then inched towards $9.6k, where Bitcoin currently trades.
The total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies currently sits at $266 billion, with Bitcoin responsible for $171 billion of it. The most valuable altcoins (by market cap) are Ethereum ($23 billion), Ripple ($13 billion), and Litecoin as well as Bitcoin Cash ($5.5 billion each). Altcoins have recently been able to slightly increase their market share, with Bitcoin dominance dropping from 68.6% to 67.2%.
Bakkt Tests Physically Settled Bitcoin Futures
Intercontinental Exchange’s Bakkt has recently announced  that the company would conduct initial user acceptance tests on their physically settled Bitcoin futures starting July 22. Both daily and monthly margined futures will be supported, and Bakkt has taken steps to include regulated custody as part of the package. Competitors in the space include LedgerX, ErisX and Seed CX – LedgerX has received its own designated contract market license from the CFTC in June 2019.
The sentiment on the launch of physically settled Bitcoin futures is positive in the cryptocurrency community, even though the launch of cash settled futures in late 2017 marked the top of Bitcoin’s last parabola. The physically settled futures will not only simplify operations for businesses such as mining companies or retail stores accepting Bitcoin, but will also effectively allow the purchase of actual Bitcoin through regulated financial infrastructure. The lack of properly regulated means to buy Bitcoin is often seen as a hurdle for institutional investors – as such, Bakkt’s procedures to ensure the comfort and safety of traditional exchanges (e.g. a $35M risk waterfall by ICE Clear US to minimize counterparty risk) are a welcome addition to the crypto markets.
 https://medium.com/bakkt-blog/putting-bakks-bitcoin-futures-to-the-test-47e381b7dda1 [22/07/2019]
 https://www.tradersinsight.news/traders-insight/securities/crypto/bitcoin-and-gold-stores-of-value-for-the-future/ [15/07/2019]
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On its latest M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro, Apple surprisingly introduced an iPhone-like notch with an upgraded 1080p webcam and no Face ID. It is the first time that Apple has added a notch to the MacBook Pro, and so, following the launch event, users on Twitter and Reddit have been wondering — how does it affect the user interface of macOS Monterey? How does the cursor interact with the notch on MacBook Pro? Well, we have answered just that in this article.
Now, as users started to question how the mouse pointer in macOS 12 Monterey would handle the notch, a Redditor created and shared a concept video showing the various ways the pointer could interact with the notch on the latest MacBook Pro models. Check out the concept video right below. Now, before you move ahead and learn what Apple has confirmed, tell us the cursor functionality you would want on your Mac (1, 2, 3, or 4) in the comments below.
Now, the various iterations shown in the video above are speculations and there’s no way to confirm them as Apple has not started shipping the new MacBook Pro models to customers yet. However, Apple designer Linda Dong has confirmed on Twitter that the mouse pointer will actually pass through the notch, going underneath it, and then come out from the other end.
So, owners of the new MacBook Pro models will have a nifty spot to hide their cursor while using their device. Moreover, while watching videos in full-screen mode, Apple will put a black bar on top to hide the notch to provide users with an uninterrupted viewing experience.
However, app developers have all the freedom to design their apps to take advantage of the entire screen of the new MacBook Pro models, including the notched area of the screen. And if you were wondering whether the notch on the MacBook Pro models come with Face ID or not, check out our dedicated story on the same to find out.

domain: news


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TCEB Launches Road Show in Myanmar
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) recently organised its first road show in Myanmar to promote business and networking opportunities for the exhibition industry between the two countries.
The road show was held in Yangon in collaboration with the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and supported by The Royal Thai Embassy, Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and Myanmar Tourism Federation. Thailand’s exhibition industry is ranked among the highest of the ASEAN countries as TCEB aims to help Myanmar benefit from the trading and commerce opportunities resulting from Thailand’s exhibition platform.
U Win Aung, president of UMFCCI, was quoted, “As ASEAN is moving towards a full integration in 2015, a lot more opportunities are waiting for us. We fully hope that this road show would be a good beginning of a brighter future for Thailand and Myanmar bilateral trade and exhibition industry. The collaboration with TCEB will help bridge Myanmar businessmen and members of UMFCCI to explore more regional business opportunities as well as to network and get first-handed information with trade show organisers through the business matching sessions.”


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Phoenix yoga studios are offering free virtual classes. Here's how to take part
Gyms and fitness studios are closed across Arizona and many people are self-quarantining to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. But that doesn't have to mean the end of your fitness journey.
Yoga studios in metro Phoenix are getting creative and taking their classes online as their brick-and-mortar locations are closed. While some virtual sessions are exclusive to paying members, others can be found on studios' social media pages in recorded videos and daily live streams.
From gentle practices to flow sequences, every day there is a variety of ways for Phoenix's yoga community to meditate, strengthen and restore from home.
Free online yoga from Phoenix-area studios
Details: 602-374-3055, instagram.com/thebiltmorestudiocamelback.
Details: 602-526-5608, facebook.com/ironwoodyogastudios.
Kula Yoga: Instructors host flows and gentle practices on Facebook Live every other day. The studio offers regular live streams and its full library of videos to members, who can join the private Facebook group.
Details: 623-336-5852, facebook.com/kulayogaaz.
Details: 602-888-2288, facebook.com/radi8hotyoga.
Revitalize Bodywork: Revitalize has several videos available on its Facebook page.
Details: 602-283-5536, facebook.com/RevitalizeBodywork.
Details: 602-540-6763, facebook.com/totemyoga.
Details: 602-277-9642, facebook.com/urbanyogaphx.
Yoga Pura: Multiple live streams take place every day on Yoga Pura's Facebook page.
Details: 602-843-7872, facebook.com/yogapura.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.


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Months of job declines in department and specialty stores continued in August.
Apparel and accessories speciality stores cut another 2,400 jobs last month, after shedding 10,000 positions in July, bringing the sector’s total employee count to about 1.33 million, according to new seasonally adjusted data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Department stores also cut 600 jobs in August after adding 3,000 in July, leaving it with about 1.28 million employees.
Meanwhile, non-store or online retailers continued to grow their employee ranks, adding another 700 workers during the month.
Employment in the retail trade as a whole grew, albeit moderately, adding 800 jobs in August, leaving 15.83 million retail workers. Growth is primarily coming from automotive parts dealers, furniture stores and building and materials retailers, which added 4,500 jobs during the month.
Overall, non-farm work continued to grow as well, with the entire sector gaining 156,000 jobs, aided by manufacturing and construction jobs, but the unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.4 percent.
The NRF recently contended that retail jobs have been growing steadily since 2010 and said the government’s reporting fails to give a full economic picture of the retail job market. In an effort to rectify this, the NRF is pushing the BLS to change the way it counts retail jobs to include those who may work in less traditional roles for retailers.
Hurricane Harvey, which rocked Texas for the last week, did not affect the numbers for the month, as the survey was completed before the weather event began, the bureau said.
It’s possible that after-effects of the storm, which flooded at least 100,000 houses and caused an estimated tens of billions in total economic damage, will have an impact on the September jobs report.
A Macy’s spokeswoman said all company stores in the Houston area are now open with modified hours, as is a distribution center in the area, but that its two Bluemercury beauty stores remain closed.
The retailer is also operating a shop for employees in the area to “receive necessities without charge,” and the spokeswoman said this, along with donations the company has made to relief efforts “is only the start.”
For More, See:


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The lawsuit is filed in Los Angeles Superior Court which lists 83 wines that have high levels of arsenic than what is considered safe for consumption. The suit names two dozen California wine producers.
Some of the brands are Sutter Home, Beringer, Fetzer, Korbel and the popular Two-Buck Chuck.
What is arsenic? It is a known carcinogen. Some researchers speculated that arsenic could have entered during filtration process which gives the beer and wine their sparkly look. Others believe pesticide is behind this.
This isn’t the first time how arsenic had ended up in wine but few years ago the arsenic wine connection was pointed out in a study where it revealed how arsenic ends ups in our system.
Statements were issued by the winemakers saying that they intend to challenge the allegations in response to the lawsuit.
“While we do not comment on pending litigation, we are investigating the matter with several of our wine-producing suppliers,” said Trader Joe’s Charles Shaw White Zinfandel popularly known as Two-Buck Chuck spokeswoman Rachel Broderick in a statement. “We will not offer any product we feel is unsafe. Ever. We have no reason to believe the wines we offer are unsafe, including Charles Shaw white zinfandel.”


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Being a worldwide firm has its perks. There’s some huge cash to be made abroad. However the greatest US tech corporations are discovering out that there’s additionally a draw back: Each nation the place you make cash is a rustic that would attempt to regulate you.
It’s onerous to maintain observe of all of the tech-related antitrust motion occurring all over the world, partially as a result of it doesn’t at all times appear to be price paying shut consideration to. In Europe, which has lengthy been dwelling to the world’s most aggressive regulators, Google alone was hit with a $2.7 billion nice in 2017, a $5 billion nice in 2018, and a $1.7 billion nice in 2019. These sums can be devastating for many corporations, however they’re little greater than rounding errors for an organization that reported $61.9 billion in income final quarter.
More and more, nevertheless, overseas international locations are going past slap-on-the-wrist fines. As a substitute, they’re forcing tech corporations to alter how they do enterprise. In February, Australia handed a regulation giving information publishers the fitting to barter funds from dominant web platforms—successfully, Fb and Google. In August, South Korea grew to become the first nation to go a regulation forcing Apple and Google to open their cellular app shops to alternate fee programs, threatening their grip on the 30 % fee they cost builders. And in a case with probably big ramifications, Google will quickly have to answer the Turkish competitors authority’s demand to cease favoring its personal properties in native search outcomes.
The results of circumstances like these can ripple far past the borders of the nation imposing the brand new rule, creating pure experiments that regulators in different international locations would possibly emulate. The truth that Google and Fb have acquiesced to Australia’s media bargaining code, for instance, would possibly speed up comparable efforts in different international locations, together with Taiwan, Canada, and even the US. Luther Lowe, who as Yelp’s senior vice chairman of public coverage has spent greater than a decade lobbying for antitrust motion towards Google, refers to this phenomenon, approvingly, as “treatment creep.”
In different circumstances, the businesses being pressured to alter their enterprise mannequin overseas would possibly determine to undertake the shift globally earlier than they’re pressured to. After settling an investigation by Japan’s Honest Commerce Fee, Apple determined to implement the answer—permitting audio, video, and studying apps to hyperlink to their very own web sites to just accept fee—globally.
“Typically it’s the market driving it: The businesses determine it’s too pricey to make completely different compliance methods in numerous markets,” stated Anu Bradford, a professor of worldwide and antitrust regulation at Columbia College. “Or, typically, it’s in anticipation of copycat regulation: They understand it’s on the market, they usually’re not going look ahead to the Russians or Turkish to do their very own case.”
Whereas it hasn’t gotten fairly the identical stage of media consideration as Australia and South Korea, the case in Turkey may find yourself being the largest deal. That’s as a result of it cuts to the guts of how Google makes use of its energy because the gatekeeper for many web visitors.
The case is about what’s known as native search, like while you search for “eating places close to me” or “ironmongery shop.” It is a big class of search visitors—practically half of all Google searches, in response to some analysts. Google’s critics and rivals have lengthy complained that Google unfairly makes use of its dominance to steer native search outcomes to its personal choices, even when which may not be essentially the most useful consequence. Take into consideration how, should you search on Google for “Chinese language restaurant,” the highest of the outcomes web page will most likely function a widget that Google calls the OneBox. It’ll embrace part of Google Maps and some Google evaluations of Chinese language eating places close to you. You’ll should scroll down to seek out the highest natural outcomes, which can be from Yelp or TripAdvisor.
This dynamic has exasperated Google critics and rivals for years. A type of aggrieved rivals, Yelp, initiated the case in Turkey by lodging a grievance with the nation’s competitors authority. Google argues that its native search outcomes are designed to be maximally useful for customers, to not pad its personal backside line. However the Turkish regulators disagreed, concluding that Google “has violated Article 6 of the Turkish Competitors Legislation by abusing its dominant place within the normal search companies market to advertise its native search and lodging value comparability companies in a approach to exclude its rivals.” (I’m quoting a translation supplied by a Turkish lawyer.) In April they imposed a nice of about $36 million. That’s lower than Google earned each two hours, on common, in 2020. However whereas the nice was trivial, the remainder of the choice was not. The authority issued a preliminary ruling ordering Google to provide you with a means of displaying native search outcomes that doesn’t favor itself over rivals.


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Morrisons is removing locks from its trolleys in a bid to improve the shopper experience.
The Bradford-based grocer said it is removing 150,000 trolley locks from 279 of its supermarkets “because many customers find them inconvenient and time-consuming”.
Morrisons’ own research has identified that 43% of consumers that use trollies find locks inconvenient.
Morrisons will keep trolley locks in its city centre stores and shops that are located on hills.
Morrisons chief executive Dalton Philips said: “Our nation is getting busier. We have less free time than previous generations and customers have told us that they want a quicker shop. The removal of trolley locks is just one of the many improvements we are making to our store – to make for a faster and easier shopping trip.”
The grocer said the move forms part of an investment programme to “make shopping trips easier for customers”. Morrisons is redesigning stores, refurbishing cafes, and extending store opening hours.


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A pet owner has urged shoppers to stop feeding her cat.
Sarah Sloan is making the plea before her moggy XL becomes XXL.
Mum of two Sarah, of Dumfries, said customers of a nearby supermarket are “killing him with kindness” by showering him with treats.
She said: “We live across from Tesco at Cuckoo Bridge and XL has been spending his days there for the past few months because people keep feeding him.
“I know people won’t think they are doing anything wrong but he is now really overweight and he soon won’t be able to fit through his own cat flap.
“He has a home where he is loved and fed, so it needs to stop. They’re killing him with kindness.”
XL has become something of a celebrity with Tesco customers, along with another cat called Fudge, thanks to their regular visits to the shop.
Sarah added: “I’m over there about three times a day to bring him back and so is Fudge’s owner but it’s impossible to tell a cat
what to do. At least they come home at night.
“XL loves attention and being fed but if people want to feed a cat, I’m asking them to donate the food to an animal charity.”


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Decrypt’s Art, Fashion, and Entertainment Hub.
The company’s contract guidelines are presently under regulatory review, so as long as all goes well, CME’s Bitcoin options product is set to launch in the new year and will give traders a new way to hedge against their exposure in spot and futures markets.
“We’re very excited to confirm that date for the marketplace,” Tim McCourt, global head of Equity Index and Alternative Investment Products at CME Group, told Decrypt. “Options has been a product that’s been in high demand from customers ever since we launched the futures back in December 2017.”
“We’re certainly excited to see what happens,” McCourt said. “The feedback this morning has been great from customers. Folks are excited about it and we’re happy to bring this new risk management tool to the market.”
CME launched its Bitcoin futures product at the height of the crypto market as Bitcoin approached an all-time high of nearly $20,000 per coin. Other firms like CBOE and Cantor Exchange were also quick to follow in CME’s footsteps and undergo a self-certification process that allowed them to offer bitcoin futures contracts of their own.
At the time, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) chairman J. Christopher Giancarlo explained to CNBC that bitcoin was unlike any other commodity the organization had ever dealt with, but that they were comfortable with the steps CME Group and its competitors had taken to ensure their customers’ safety would be maintained.
“We have had extensive discussions with the exchanges regarding the proposed contracts,” he said. “And CME, CFE and Cantor have agreed to significant enhancements to protect customers and maintain orderly markets.”
According to a statement from CME, the average daily volume for Bitcoin futures contracts on its platform in 2019 is up to 6,500—the equivalent of roughly 32,500 bitcoin, or $285 million at today’s prices.
Additional reporting by Tim Copeland.


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1951 Chevrolet 3100 Deluxe Pickup Truck.
Designed especially for the classic truck market, Wheel Vintiques unveiled new original equipment-style steel wheels at the SEMA Show.
While we are in the middle of Scottsdale Auction Week and surrounded by all sorts of Ferrari’s and other rare expensive cars, its nice to see something simple.
A good old pickup truck seems like just the thing for a relaxed Labor Day weekend, so for today’s Pick of the Week, we have a sweet-looking 1954 Chevrolet 3100 that’s for sale.
Pick of the Day was delivered new to Colombia but moved to Miami and was recently restored
Silver-colored cars featured on Hollywood’s golden shopping street
It was an immersive weekend of vintage moto-culture
The Pick of the Day is a rare and luxurious touring car with a brawny American engine
The Fast & the Furious would have been a very different movie if not for Craig Lieberman
In other museum news, Bicester Heritage stages an inaugural event, The Great Race launches in Buffalo and heads for Nova Scotia


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U.K. consumer price inflation decelerates unexpectedly in December, BoE likely to cut rate in January
Swedish inflation rises slightly below expectations in December, energy prices to weigh in on inflation going forward
FxWirePro: The Day Ahead-22nd July 2019
Not many economic data and events scheduled for today, and all with low to medium volatility risks associated.
Tesla Cybertruck update: Is Elon Musk's futuristic pickup truck joining the 'Cyberpunk 2077' vehicle lineup?


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Heroes of the Storm Hanamura Overview
Heroes of the Storm introduces a new map to the Nexus: Hanamura from Overwatch.
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NASHVILLE -- Tennessee grocers served notice Monday they're pressing ahead with legislative efforts to allow the sale of wine in Tennessee grocery stores.
They plan to push the issue through local referendums despite opposition by liquor wholesalers and liquor store owners.
The effort suffered a setback last week when no Senate sponsor signed onto a new House bill filed by Rep. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, to let residents of cities and counties petition for a local referendum on grocery wine sales. Because bills must have sponsors in both chambers, that bill died with last week's deadline for new Senate bills.
But at least three bills filed last year on the issue are still alive and pending in committees in both the House and Senate, including one grocery-wine referendum bill that is almost identical to the Lundberg bill.
Thirty-three states allow grocery stores to sell wine, but heavy opposition by Tennessee's liquor wholesalers and retailers has blocked legislation over the last five years to legalize wine sales in grocery stores. As a result, the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association launched a public relations campaign four years ago called Red White and Food to build public support.
Jarron Springer, the association's executive director, acknowledged Monday that winning approval of a bill this year will be difficult. But he's not giving up.
"Overall it's a battle, but I would say we've made progress over these past five years," he said. "We continue to make progress. ... The liquor industry will press hard to hold their stronghold on this product and their monopoly on how the statutes are written for their benefit and against the consumers."
The group posted a new message Monday night on its blog, redwhiteandfood blog.com urging consumers to contact members of the Senate State and Local Government committee "and demand that they listen to the 69 percent of Tennesseans who support wine in retail food stores."
It was the House State and Local Government Subcommittee where the issue was blocked last year. Rep. Curry Todd, R-Collierville, argued against the referendum bill with Lundberg in the subcommittee last April just before the subcommittee voted to delay action on the bill to July 4, 2012. It was a parliamentary move to kill the bill because the legislature will likely be adjourned for the year by then.
While the Lundberg bill is dead, at least three others remain alive and pending in the State and Local Government Committees of both legislative chambers: Senate Bills 317, 318 and 319.
When the effort began six years ago, the legislation would have allowed grocery stores in jurisdictions that have retail liquor stores to also sell wine. Last year, in an effort to gain votes, supporters added a provision requiring voter approval in local referendums.
David McMahan, lobbyist for the Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Association, told The Knoxville News Sentinel that liquor retailers will continue to oppose the measure. He said the referendum provision makes the bills "worse than the original" because it would mean "the Wal-Marts, Costcos and other big box stores" would spend large sums of money in local campaigns to "spread misinformation."
Contact Nashville Bureau chief Richard Locker at (615) 255-4923.
Need Help? Call us at 1-888-789-0831.
Monday-Friday: 6am-5pm / Saturday: 6:30am-11:30am / Sunday: 6am-1pm


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Handheld games consoles like the Nintendo 3DS and the Sony PlayStation Vita have long been suffering at the hands of smartphones and tablets. But the latest data from IDC and App Annie should give handheld game developers — including Nintendo — something to really think about.
While consumer spending on Android and iOS continued to rise during the first quarter of 2013, it fell considerably on handhelds.
$50 for another controller in the TV hutch. Great.
The darling of the current gaming scene, Ouya, had some drama today when it was originally reported that the diminutive and open Android-based gaming console would not have online multiplayer functionality on launch, either for the initial distribution to Kickstarter backers, or even the retail launch, scheduled for June.
The updated reports, though, are now saying that there will, indeed, be online multiplayer included in shipping Ouya devices, just that it hasn’t been implemented by any developers for the tiny boxes as yet.
Microsoft has beaten Apple and Google to the acquisition of R2 Studios, a small home entertainment technology startup from the founder of Sling Media. R2 is famous for an Android app that allows users to control things like lighting and appliances throughout their homes, and its thought the company’s technology will help Microsoft push its Xbox console even further into home entertainment.


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Tesla announced a number of new hires today, including Stuart Bowers, who is joining as VP of engineering. Bowers is joining Tesla from Snap, where he worked as VP of monetization engineering. Other new hires include Neeraj Manrao, who left Apple to become Tesla’s director of energy manufacturing, and Kevin Mukai, who is now director of product engineering at Tesla’s Gigafactory.
“We’re excited to welcome a group of such talented people as we continue to ramp Model 3 and accelerate towards a more sustainable future,” Tesla wrote on its blog. “We’ll be announcing more hires in the coming days, so stay tuned.”
These new hires come following a couple of departures. In April, Tesla VP of Autopilot Jim Keller left for Intel, with Pete Bannon serving as Keller’s replacement. Bannon is a former Apple chip engineer who helped design Apple’s A5-AP chips. Earlier this month, Sameer Qureshi left a senior manager Autopilot role at Tesla to lead Lyft’s autonomous driving efforts.
Here’s the full list of new hires, via Tesla’s blog:
- Stuart Bowers is joining as VP of Engineering, responsible for a broad range of Tesla’s software and hardware engineering. Stuart has 12 years of software experience and a background in applied mathematics, and is joining Tesla from Snap. There, he was most recently VP of Monetization Engineering, leading the team with a focus on machine learning and ad infrastructure. Prior to Snap, Stuart was the eighth engineer hired at Facebook’s Seattle office where he worked on data infrastructure and machine learning for search.
- Neeraj Manrao has joined Tesla as Director of Energy Manufacturing. Neeraj comes from Apple, where he led the technical operations team.
- Kevin Mukai has started as Director of Production Engineering at Gigafactory. Kevin was most recently at ThinFilm Electronics, where he served as Senior Director of Process Engineering, and before that at SunPower as Director of Process & Equipment Engineering. Kevin has extensive experience in advanced factory design and development.
James Zhou started last month as CFO, China. James previously served as CFO for Asia Pacific and India for Ingersoll Rand, and prior to that held a number of financial leadership positions at General Electric and General Motors.
- Alexandra Veitch joined last month as Senior Director for North American Government Relations and Policy. Alexandra comes to Tesla from CSRA. Before that, she served as Special Assistant to the President and Legislative Affairs Liaison in the White House under the Obama Administration. Her government service also includes time at the Department of Homeland Security and as a staff member in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
- Kate Pearson is our new Director of Field Delivery Operations. She previously worked as VP of Digital Acceleration at Walmart eCommerce, where she led online grocery and last-mile delivery.
- Mark Mastandrea started earlier this month as Director, Vehicle Delivery Operations. He comes from Amazon, where he was their Director of Logistics Operations, leading last-mile delivery in North America and working on the design and development of AmazonFresh pickup.
- Myriam Attou recently started as Regional Sales Director in EMEA. Coming from La Perla, and before that Burberry, she has a long track record of delivering strong results in sales, customer experience and service excellence.


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Foyles has announced a 10-fold increase in its profits last year, marking the second consecutive year of profitable trading and a successful turnaround.
The bookseller saw turnover rise to 2.75 per cent to £25 million in the 12 months to June 30, 2016.
Meanwhile pre-tax profits skyrocketed from just £11,108 in 2015 to £131,447 a year later, remaining cash positive with a EBITDA of £631,541, compares to 2015‘s £397,055.
Company profitability was improved by measures like digital ordering system Foyles Lite, the launch of a summer children‘s festival, and the turnaround of its previously loss-making ecommerce arm.
Last year‘s adult colouring craze was a key sales driver, alongside best sellers like Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee, SPQR by Mary Beard, the Foyles exclusive edition of Slade House by David Mitchell and Penguin‘s Little Black Classics series.
In autumn 2015 the retailer continued its regional expansion with its first shop in the Midlands, opening in Birmingham‘s Grand Central development.
In the same period Foyles relaunched its Bristol shop with a cafÃ© concept, moving to a new, higher-footfall location in Cabot Circus.
“It‘s very encouraging to see such a positive increase in our profitability and sales, a testament to the work being done across the business to enhance our customer service, modernise the business, manage our costs and engage with readers,” chief executive Paul Currie said.
“Foyles is 114 years old, but everything we do is in that enterprising and innovative spirit of our founders.
“While the announcement that we‘ve made a profit for the second year in a row is undoubtedly good news, we are aware we still have a lot of work to do to ensure sustainable growth for the business in the long term.
“In such a low margin business as books, the support of our publishing partners will be essential in this process.”


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Toyota Motor Corporations recall woes have continued into 2015. While 2014 was a record-setting year in terms of recalls for the auto industry across the board, Toyota seems to still be struggling in 2015.
The company has been forced to recall several vehicles for various defects in the first four months of the year.
The vehicles were found to be defective in a number of different areas that include the suspension system, the propulsion functions and even loss of power when driving.
Toyota's 2015 Recalls
In 2015, Toyota has recalled five vehicles, including:
- Camry (2015)
- Camry Hybrid (2015)
- Highlander Hybrid (2015)
- Rav4 (2014-15)
- Scion tC Release (2015)
Despite these large recalls, which number more than 100,000, the company is moving ahead with its construction of new auto manufacturing plants located in China and Mexico.
As demand for vehicles continues to grow in these emerging markets, automotive companies are building their expansions in these two countries.
It is not surprising that companies like Toyota are still expanding after the record year of recalls in 2014. In fact, despite the automotive industry recalling more than 60 million vehicles, automotive dealerships posted record profits unseen since the 2008 global recession.
If dealerships are posting record profits and manufacturers are expanding their facilities, who is representing individuals injured by safety defects?
Legal advocates all across America are working to ensure that someone speaks for drivers and passengers who are injured in auto accidents.
If you own a Toyota vehicle and would like to know whether your car has been recalled, consult the Toyota Safety Recall website.
Your Local Accident Law Firm
Greg Coleman Laws experienced auto accident attorneys in Knoxville will guide you and your family through the personal injury process.
After a severe injury, contact our Knoxville injury attorneys for assistance. Call (865) 247-0080 or use the Free Case Evaluation form today.


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As purveyors of alternative platforms, we are all too aware of the dominance of TikTok on the social media scene. Lemon8, the latest creation of ByteDance, the firm that is also its parent, is causing a stir. While the popularity of this new app has skyrocketed across the U.S. and the U.K., some skeptics wonder whether this unexpected growth is actually real or merely a performance marketing firm’s cunning marketing scheme. Join us as we reveal Lemon8’s many facets and examine what is causing its meteoric rise.
In 2020, Lemon8 made its debut in Japan before moving on to the U.S., the U.K., and other nations. In a remarkably short time, it has climbed to the top spot in the Apple App Store’s free lifestyle apps category. According to data.ai, Lemon8’s rapid rise suggests a significant “acquisition push” by ByteDance, while some TikTok users, like Andrea Brumfield, can’t help but wonder if it’s all just a “conspiracy” amidst TikTok’s recent tussle with Congress.
By focusing on well-known celebrities with sizable TikTok followings, ByteDance was able to push the #lemon8 hashtag to an astounding 2.4 billion views. Influencers are compensated to post on Lemon8 as part of a well-executed content marketing campaign, providing that they adhere to certain rules, such as publishing 10 articles per month with captions that are at least 150 words long and a carousel of three to ten images.
Lemon8’s Canva-like visual design components and emphasis on interests like beauty, fashion, food, travel, wellness, and pets help it stand out from TikTok in terms of aesthetics. This emphasis on user interests and the ability to toggle between different feeds of creators and posts has attracted users seeking a more curated experience.
However, Lemon8 appears to be playing it safe when it comes to video content, with users only reposting their TikTok videos. As a result, Lemon8’s most popular material frequently contains gym programs, clothing specifics, and nail art inspiration.
It’s tough to ignore the part ByteDance’s performance marketing services and growth marketing agency have had in Lemon8’s unexpected rise to fame. Its quick rise has surely been aided by the strategic use of influencers, content marketing agencies, and targeted marketing initiatives.
Nevertheless, it is evident that Lemon8 has appealed to a huge audience looking for a novel social media experience given its estimated 16 million downloads and 4.25 million active users in the United States.
While skepticism is justified, as other performance marketing blogs have recently noted, Lemon8’s success story should be seen as a case study. But the query still stands…is Lemon8 the new platform that’s able to maintain the momentum similar to it’s bigger sister of what social can do to empower brands?
Whatever your opinion on Lemon8, it’s clear that ByteDance’s most recent release has generated a lot of buzz in the social media sphere.
It will be intriguing to watch if Lemon8 can sustain its momentum and carve out a long-lasting niche in the ever-evolving social media world as the app gets traction.


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Singapore-based startup Silicon Box opened its US$2 billion advanced manufacturing facility in the Republic to provide special semiconductor design and device integration services.
The two-year-old Silicon Box seeks to broaden the adoption of chiplet technology. It is focussed on the shortest chiplet-to-chiplet interconnection technology to achieve high-performance integration. Chiplets are tiny components with special features that can be built into larger semiconductor chips.
It looking to create up to 1,200 professionals with computer science, engineering and digital design backgrounds with the help of the Economic Development Board (EDB)
Silicon Box was started by the founders of US chipmaker Marvell Technology , Sehat Sutardja and wife Weili Dai, along with current chief executive BJ Han.
The factory which is the size of more than 10 football fields, was opened today by Png Cheong Boon, EDB chairman and the three Silicon Box co-founders.
Singapore’s reputation as a global innovation hub and skilled talent pool led Silicon Box to build its factory in Singapore, said CEO Han on Thursday.
“Our proprietary technology will not only shorten the design cycle of chips but also lower new device costs, reduce power consumption and enable faster time-to-market for industry partners like artificial intelligence, data centres, and electronic vehicles,” he said at the opening.
According to the company, Silicon Box is on track to revolutionise the advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry with its proprietary technology.
By 2027 the narrowest definition of chiplets will find a market for chiplet-based processors of more than US$135 billion, said the company. With the acceleration of chiplet adoption in consumer and automotive markets, it expects the total available market expand to more than US$205 billion by 2032.
Silicon Box has raised US$208 million in Series A funding from the founders and venture capital firms such as BRV Capital and Ignite Foundation Fund. Series B is currently ongoing.


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New Deus Ex: Mankind Divided PC Patch Addresses Mouse Sensitivity Issues
The 2nd Deus Ex: Mankind Divided PC patch has been released by developer Nixxes, and should fix mouse sensitivity issues alongside other bugs.
The first patch for Mankind Divided was released last week, and was released to address the crashes that users were reporting after watching the game’s intro sequences.
While this new patch doesn’t seem to offer performance improvements, it does address apparent mouse sensitivity issues, and fixes the annoying “Unmark All” bug that players have been reporting. Additionally, the new update fixes “various issues with 21:9 setups”. Check out the patch notes from Nixxes down below:
The patch will be downloaded automatically when a user next starts the game.
The following fixes are in this patch:
- Adjustments to the Mouse Sensitivity settings, which mean that you can now set sensitivity for the X and Y axis separately.
- Increased range of Mouse Sensitivity settings.
- Fixed an issue that could cause missing geometry in the Dubai level.
- Fixed an issue with player movement and running on stairs and sloped surfaces.
- Fixed various issues with 21:9 setups.
- Fixed an issue where the “Unmark All” prompt would stay on screen.
- Field of view setting now displays the angle used.
While we expect this patch to be an improvement for everyone, if you do have trouble with this patch and prefer to stay on older versions, we have made a Beta available on Steam, v1.0_build 524.6 and v2.0_build 524.7, that can be used to switch back to previous versions.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided was officially announced by Square Enix and Eidos Montreal last year, and is set in 2029, two years after the events of Human Revolution and the infamous ‘Aug Incident’ in Panchaea that resulted in the death of millions at the hands of those who had installed augmentations.
Mankind Divided is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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BBC: Samba’s advert-supported 3G data service launches in UK
However, Guillermo Escofet, senior analyst at research group Informa Telecoms and Media, said a previous attempt to make this business model work had gone awry.
“This is very reminiscent of Blyk – an ad supported network offering free mobile calls and SMS messages targeted at students about five years ago,” he told the BBC.
“It had big ambitions to spread to other countries but never took off in the way organisers had hoped.
“They managed to get a fair amount of users but essentially they didn’t raise enough advertising revenue from enough brands. While I don’t know exactly how Samba’s model works I fear there’s the risk this might face the same fate.”


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Volocopter's drone taxi is one step closer to entering service. The German firm has revealed that its four-seat electric VTOL aircraft, the VoloConnect, completed its first flight in May.
PayPal is finally allowing users to move their cryptocurrency to other wallets Web Story
Game studio HiDef partners with Snap to develop a Bitmoji dance social mobile game Web Story
Gantry launches out of stealth to help data scientists keep AI models fresh Web Story
Waymo Via and Uber Freight partner up for the long haul Web Story
Take Blip lands $70M to grow its omnichannel messaging service Web Story
As investors focus more on profitability, product-led startups may be sitting pretty Web Story
Landed founder is connecting blue-collar workers to better jobs while helping employers decrease turnover Web Story
iOS 16 brings shared family library, duplication removal, and new editing tools to Photos Web Story
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eBay has confirmed that, early on the morning of March 8 EST, an alleged Romanian hacker calling himself "Born_To_Scam_American_Guys" posted records for 15 eBay users on an eBay forum for between 40-60 minutes before the...
A week of Windows 10 news, Apple allegations and Sony's week of hell
Nest Learning Thermostat: The Next Generation, review
Microsoft's low end smartphone strategy needs a reboot
The latest table for Pinball FX2, Venom, reviewed
Hands On: Preview of HP's new $200 laptop
Latest deals in the Steam Holiday Sale 2014
Steam Holiday Sale 2014
A Romanian hacker has been charged with running amok on more than 150 US government computers. Victor Faur, 26, of Arad, Romania, allegedly launched attacks that disrupted the systems of NASA, the Energy Department, and...


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In September 2021, Sony announced that they were acquiring Firesprite Games who was perhaps best known as the time for their work on The Playroom, which was bundled with the PlayStation camera and gave us the Bot characters that have become a popular mascot for the Platform. Shortly after they were acquired they announced that they were hard at work on several titles, including one that would tie into a popular Sony franchise, at that the game would be in VR.
Only a few short days into 2022, Firesprite has given us our first look at that tie-in, which is based in the Horizon universe. Entitled Horizon VR: Call of The Mountain, it will see the players getting a lot closer to the robot dinosaurs that populate that would than ever before.
The trailer only shows a very, VERY brief look at gameplay with most of it serving as a reminder that the sequel to Horizon: Zero Dawn, entitled Horizon: Forbidden West is only a few weeks away as it is currently slated to release on February 18, 2022. At the end we see a sequence of the player floating along a river in a boat with a companion when a Tall Neck passes overhead. While it looks awesome even as is, it will undoubtedly look better in VR.
Fans also got more news to be excited about during a Sony event ahead of CES 2022, which officially runs between January 5th and January 8th. During this event, we received our first look at the PSVR 2 which was announced alongside the PlayStation 5, though has remained quiet since then.
This definitely looks like a great first showing for the PSVR 2 and hopefully there will be even more to see in the future, with industry insiders suggesting the PSVR 2 will aim for a Holiday 2022 release, though no release date or window was offered during the actual event.


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Coffee lovers, rejoice! Drinking moderate amounts of coffee may have more benefits than risks in adults, a new study has found. Researchers from Ulster University in the UK reviewed 1,277 studies from 1970 till date on coffee’s effect on human health.
They found the general scientific consensus is that regular, moderate coffee drinking (defined as 3-4 cups per day) essentially has a neutral effect on health, or can be mildly beneficial.
The review was used to create a list of the potential health benefits and risks of coffee consumption on total mortality, cardiovascular disease, cancer, metabolic health, neurological disorders, gastrointestinal conditions and other miscellaneous health outcomes.
Researchers found that the potential benefits of moderate coffee drinking outweighed the risks in adult consumers for the majority of major health outcomes considered.
The findings were published in the journal Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety.


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An Advertising tax bill (House Bill HB-1193) will be proposed in the Colorado legislature this week. If this bill is passed by the Colorado legislature, affiliate marketing will become almost dead in Colorado. A number of companies will rather cut their ties with Colorado affiliates than to collect sales tax. A number of states are targeting affiliate marketers in a bid to bring in more income in the wake of budget shortfalls.
You can show your support for Colorado affiliate marketers by registering on the Performance Marketing Association’s website. PMA will keep you informed about the actions to be taken to squash this bill. You can also email your local legislators asking them to vote against the bill.
If you do not know what advertising tax is, please read this page on the PMA website.


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TORONTO, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Wescast Industries WCSa.TO said on Tuesday its fourth-quarter loss widened sharply due to a one-time contingent loss for potential income taxes and interest, and said it would suspend its dividend payments.
Wescast reported a net loss of C$13.5 million, or C$1.03 a share, in the three months ended Dec. 30, compared with a net loss of C$3.6 million, or 27 Canadian cents a share, a year earlier.
Wescast, which manufactures exhaust manifolds, said the loss included a C$9.8 million contingent loss over possible taxes and interest due to income tax reassessments it received that denied deductions of some costs from 2002 to 2006.
The company said it would suspend dividend payments in light of its latest results and “the difficult automotive market conditions.” The Board of Directors will review the dividend policy on a periodic basis, the company said.
Brantford, Ontario-based Wescast said it had consolidated sales of C$90.9 million in the quarter, up 7.4 percent from a year earlier amid higher sales volumes in North America.
Wescast said its production volumes in North America in 2008 wouldn’t reach 2007 levels due to lower output levels expected for its primary customer base, but it expects output in Europe to be higher than last year. The company cited industry estimates for this year as projecting a 3.7 percent decline in vehicle production from 2007.
The company said its results were sensitive to raw material prices for scrap steel and moly, which have been impacted by global demand. Wescast said it expected average prices to be higher in 2008 than the averages seen last year.
$1=$0.99 Canadian Reporting by Leah Schnurr; Editing by Bernadette Baum


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I’ve become somewhat more conservative on this issue.
Over the past year, I have repeatedly seen shortages and price increases at the pump and in the grocery store. I have seen restaurants which are desperate to find workers and which are closing early because no one is willing to work. This isn’t a conservative meme. It is actually happening.
There was one memorable incident that I saw at a Whataburger north of Birmingham when the poor manager was doing everything herself while her black employees were in their car outside in the parking lot smoking marijuana. She pleaded with them to come back to work. They laughed at her and drove off. There was another when I was out walking and the manager of an Arby’s was explaining to the franchise owner that she had to close early because no one was coming to work at 1 PM.
Even I see this and I don’t go out much. It is impossible not to notice this combination of high prices, help wanted signs everywhere, shortages and small businesses struggling to find workers.
“Data released on Wednesday show that inflation for December rose 7 percent, the highest rate since 1982. The bad news is that this is likely to continue for some time. The good news is that at least some experts are finally grasping why inflation is so high: excessive pandemic relief spending.
Prices have spiked over the past year in virtually every major category of consumer spending. News reports have focused on large items such as gasoline (up 50 percent) and used vehicles (up 38 percent).
But the recent price report shows inflation is pervasive: Food is up 6.3 percent, topped by a 12.5 percent hike in meat and poultry prices. Furniture and bedding is up 13.8 percent while clothing has increased by 5.8 percent. Going on vacation? The price of hotels and motels is up 27.6 percent and rental cars are up 36 percent. Moving? That rental van will be 9.2 percent more expensive than a year ago. Staying home? It costs 6.3 percent more to turn on your lights than it did a year ago. Prices are rising fast no matter what you do. …”
Government spending has been excessive.
The Democrats are also unwilling to raise taxes now to pay for it.


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FIAL Connecting Aussie Suppliers with International Markets
FIAL recently led an Australian delegation of 35+ attendees from industry and government to Food and Hotel China (FHC), the largest specialist trade show for imported food and wines in China. At close to 100sqm, FIAL delivered the largest stand at the FHC 2017 Australian Pavilion, making a big impact during the exhibition.
FHC 2017 welcomed 91,301 trade visitors over three days, representing a record-breaking 40% increase in attendees in comparison to 2016. With 85,000sqm of space and 2,450 international exhibitors from more than 69 countries, FHC has become one of the leading tradeshows for international companies looking to introduce their products into the Chinese market. FHC is also designed to capitalise on the growing China food service industry.
We are delighted with the results of this year’s show - not only was there an increase in companies participating, but there was also an increase in the number of leads generated during the exhibition.
All samples were delivered in full and on time to the stand in Shanghai. Products included beer, chilled, frozen and ambient products that were shipped from all over Australia. This was the largest Australian food delegation that FIAL has hosted to date, with a total of 23 companies sampling their products at the exhibition and 34 companies showcasing their products on the stand.
The ‘Taste Australia’ FHC 2017 stand was a tremendous success. There was a total of 75 brands being represented on the stand, which included a mix of FMCG companies & SME’s. Some Australian companies at the exhibition successfully negotiated and secured first orders into China as a direct result of participating at the tradeshow.
Additionally, FIAL managed all freighting of samples and custom documentation for the show. FIAL also arranged the following activities in the FHC program:
- A welcome dinner with Austrade’s China trade commissioner
- A networking event with state government China representatives located in Shanghai
- An insights & retail tour of top three premium supermarkets including a concept store.
We look forward to returning to Shanghai to showcase Australian suppliers at FHC’18. Participant numbers are limited and with a number of Australian exporters keen to secure a space, early registration is essential.


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By Syma Chowdhry
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Attention shoppers!READ MORE: Arson Suspect Arrested In Connection To Building Collapse That Killed Lt. Sean Williamson Extradited Back To Philadelphia
Two stores opening this week will breathe new life into Center City’s retail landscape.
New York-based department store Century 21 will open in the Gallery on 8th and Market Thursday.
Nordstrom Rack is set to open Friday on the corner of 17th and Chestnut.
Casandra Dominguez says, “Center City retail is well and booming and there is more to come.”
Casandra is with the Center City district and says both store openings will help make Philadelphia a shopping destination.
“Because of Nordstrom Rack coming in for example, some of their competitors are also starting to look for space in the city.”
Both retailers are “setting up shop” in buildings that used to house other department stores.
Even though Century 21 signs are up, the ghost of shopping past can be seen.
Strawbridges used to be here for more than 130 years until it closed in 2006.READ MORE: Man Wanted For Shooting Woman While Asleep In Her Apartment In Germantown, Philadelphia Police Say
And Nordstrom Rack is taking up three floors of the former eight-floor Daffy’s, which closed two years ago.
Casandra adds, “It’s going to cause excitement for what’s to come in Center City.”
Retail experts say the newest shopping trend revolves around discount luxury brands.
Linda Shein of the Wharton School says, “Nordstrom and Century 21 spotted this at the same time so that sort of tells us something. It’s not one company doing it in isolation, so that would probably indicate that everybody thinks that’s the direction.”
Linda Shein is an expert in brick and mortar retail and says a grand opening in Fall is a smart move.
“It’s perfect timing, just in time for the holidays.”
And shoppers have been counting down to the grand openings.
Toni Harris says, “Now that Nordstrom is down here I’m so happy! Ahh! And Century 21 because you have the best!”
And with excitement like this, how can companies not cater to Philly shoppers?MORE NEWS: Amazon Partners With Grubhub To Give Prime Customers Free Meal Deliveries For 1 Year
You may also be interested in these stories:
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The pursuit of eternal youth has become a global preoccupation with consumers spending more and more money—and some even going to extreme lengths—in effort to turn back the clock on maturing skin. Once only found in the medicine chests of women in their 50s and 60s, anti-agers are increasingly appealing to a younger audience keen to put the brakes on the aging process. And not even men are immune to the promise of eternal youth, as anti-aging creams have become an important contributor to growth in the burgeoning $1.5 billion men’s skin care segment.
Asia-Pacific lags behind
While the anti-aging trend is a global phenomenon, the drive to maintain a youthful appearance is strongest in the affluent Western markets of North America, Western Europe and Australasia, which spent a combined $7.7 billion on wrinkle-reducing facial creams in 2007, according to Euromonitor International’s new 2008 cosmetics and toiletries database. Anti-aging facial creams are also enjoying a booming demand in Latin America, where consumers put a high priority on looks, and the market saw growth of 15% in 2007 to $5.5 billion. In Brazil, more than one in every three U.S. dollars spent on skin care goes toward a facial anti-ager.
Eastern Europe has a relatively underdeveloped anti-aging market, but as economic fortunes in the region rise, so does interest in age-delaying beauty care. Sales of facial anti-agers nearly tripled from 2002–2007 to $3.9 billion, according to new Euromonitor International figures.
While skin care is a beauty priority in many Asian markets—four of the six biggest per capita spenders on skin care are in this region—anti-aging is seen as less important than skin whitening and standard cleansing, toning and moisturizing products. At $13.1 billion, Japan is the largest skin care market in the world, but less than 10% of that spending is accounted for by anti-agers. In the United States and the United Kingdom, the figure is closer to 30%. However, China, India, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia are seen as important new growth areas for the anti-aging market as international beauty trends filter into these booming new economies.
Youthfulness: A beauty priority
A growing appearance-consciousness among consumers is fueling dynamism in the global anti-aging market. People are under a great deal of pressure to look good all the time, something being instigated by a mass media that often promotes an unrealistic archetype of beauty. Healthier lifestyles, too, mean that, as they grow older, consumers are increasingly feeling more youthful than their actual age would suggest, and anti-agers are seen as a way to ensure one’s outer appearance reflects this inner youthfulness.
The market is also benefiting from manufacturers’ attempts to broaden the consumer base for anti-agers. The growth in products designed to prevent the skin from aging, rather than those that claim to turn back the clock on more mature skin, has attracted consumers in their 30s and 40s to the market. Men’s anti-agers have also become a small but vibrant segment.
It is not only volume sales that are on the rise, however; value sales are also achieving strong growth. Efficacy is of prime importance in this market, and price is seen as a key determinant of quality. Premium brands do well in the anti-aging segment, and five of the 10 leading global brands are prestige labels. Increasingly, too, consumers are trading up to exclusive, niche anti-aging brands. And even mass brands are contributing to unit price rises, with labels offering products at a price not far below those of premium alternatives.
The emergence of advanced cosmeceutical brands is one of the key developments to come out of the demand for progressively more efficacious anti-agers. A cosmeceutical is a product that is marketed as a cosmetic but reputedly contains biologically active ingredients and claims to have drug-like benefits. Some of the ingredients that have become big sellers in the anti-aging market as a result of this trend include retinoids, which can be so powerful that products containing them are actually classified as medicines; alpha hydroxy acids, which strip the skin of the dead outer layers to reveal fresher skin underneath; and collagen-promoting peptides. As cosmeceuticals gain momentum in the anti-aging market, the variety of ingredients used and range of skin aging problems they claim to solve are multiplying fast.
Anti-agers that purportedly offer transdermal delivery of skin-plumping ingredients, such as collagen, are among the more recent developments in the cosmeceuticals market. Other products claim to replicate the effects of professional antiwrinkle products.
The most advanced—and controversial—anti-aging cosmeceutical to come onto the market to date uses stem cell technology. The resulting products claim to transform aging skin from the inside by stimulating the generation of new skin cells while repairing DNA, and it has not taken long for other brands to pick up on the technology, with more stem cell wrinkle creams appearing in the marketplace.
Another trend in cosmeceutical anti-agers brings beauty treatments to the at-home market, notably in the form of laser skin rejuvenating devices. Large manufacturers have announced plans to develop light-based anti-aging devices, and other companies have begun joining forces in an effort to sell skin care products to be used in conjunction with proprietary intense pulsed light technology direct to the consumer. The trend is even attracting manufacturers from beyond the cosmetics market, and some companies outside the beauty industry are said to be developing their own versions of electric anti-aging products.
Other brands seek to complement the cosmetic surgery market by offering postoperative formulations. One company, for example, aims to relieve the redness and tightness often experienced after surgery, while another is teaming up with Botox* creator Allergan to offer a range of skin care products that complement in-office esthetic procedures and are to be sold exclusively through U.S. physicians’ offices.
As growing numbers of consumers resort to cosmetic surgery and treatments in the pursuit of younger-looking skin, this approach is expected to gain momentum going forward. Estimates suggest plastic surgery will rise to be an approximately $3.5 billion business in the United Kingdom alone by 2011.
At the same time that anti-aging ingredients are becoming more technologically advanced, the popularity of natural and organic cosmetics are also on the rise. The latter trend is arguably the most significant in shaping cosmetic innovation today and has now inevitably started to impact cosmeceutical formulations as manufacturers look for natural answers to the question of treating aging skin.
Among the natural ingredients that are finding their way into the anti-aging market are food and drinks such as chocolate, coffee, wine and rice; botanicals including hibiscus, garden cress and exotic plants harvested from remote locales such as the Amazon; and ingredients used in traditional Eastern medicine. Several brands have also begun offering antiwrinkle products that attempt to straddle the divide between science and nature.
Growing product scrutiny
With so much innovation going on, keeping the spotlight on facial anti-agers, and maintaining consumer interest, it is little wonder that new Euromonitor International forecasts point to growth of almost 8% per year from 2007–2012, more than twice the predicted gains in the cosmetics and toiletries market overall. And those figures only include dedicated facial anti-agers. It is worth noting that anti-aging properties have found their way into other beauty products, too, helping to inject new vitality into sales. Brands in sectors as disparate as color cosmetics, hair care, bath and shower products, oral hygiene and deodorants have begun positioning their products as tools in the fight against aging. There even exists a fragrance claiming to shave up to six years off the wearer’s looks.
However, going forward, anti-aging brands may have to work harder to attract sales. Increasingly, it is how a product’s benefits are communicated, rather than how the product is formulated, that is the key to winning consumers. The past year has seen increased media attention on the question of whether anti-agers actually work, and consumers have become more skeptical of marketing claims. In late 2007, U.K. pharmacists lashed out against top-selling anti-aging brands, describing claims about their rejuvenating properties as scientifically incomprehensible. Regulators in several countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom, have also begun scrutinizing claims more closely, and one company has even had to pull advertisements that claimed one of its anti-aging brands was an “alternative option to a facelift.”
This growing skepticism has meant consumers are increasingly being persuaded by independent studies on choice products—and not by manufacturers themselves. In early 2007, a U.K. documentary found a scientific backing for the anti-aging claims made by one particular brand’s beauty serum. The program led to a shopping frenzy in which the beauty retailer sold out an entire year’s supply of the product within two weeks of the broadcast.
Of course, another effect of rising cosmeceutical and anti-aging product demand is possible growing legislation regarding them. The increased scrutiny of product claims could mean greater regulation of the cosmeceuticals market and a subsequent slowdown in product innovation. Anti-agers found to live up to their claims by causing physiological changes to the skin could be reclassified as medicines and are subject to far more stringent regulations than a pure cosmetic.


text: McDonald’s announced yesterday that it will phase out gestation crates in its food supply chain. Gestation crates are essentially small cages pregnant sows spend their entire pregnancy, and sometimes lives, in. Whole Foods and Chipolte already buy pork from suppliers who raise pigs in a group environment versus the cages. And, I suspect McDonald’s move comes as a the Zeitgeist shifts even more as a result of Chipolte’s effective commercial/short film detailing the evils of big agra farming practices. People want to know that the cows, pigs, and chickens that they eat are being treated fairly. It’s odd to be sure–we are after all killing these animals as a food source–yet I’m more likely to buy free range chicken than not. Those Tyson chicken trucks going up 540 freak me out.


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Amazon Uses Keynote to Highlight Launch of Merch Collab by Amazon
At the Keynote session at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas yesterday, Amazon launched Merch Collab by Amazon, bringing together brands and a group of about 150 artists to produce licensed apparel and other products.
The program, in development for about a year and in testing for six months with CBS Consumer Products, Cartoon Network, Hybrid Apparel and YouTube influencer Shane Dawson, is designed to speed the process of bringing licensed items to market and making them for sale through a brand’s Amazon storefront.
In crafting a program, brand owners and Amazon create style guidelines for the IP, which are submitted to the artists, who decide whether to create a design. Once a design is developed, it is submitted to the IP owners for approval. If approved, a product could be posted in the online store in as little as an hour. Brand owners decide how many or how few artists to work with. Dawson, for example, is working with two artists on his line of apparel, jewelry and other products, says Erin Stover of United Talent Agency, which represents him. Under the agreement, royalties are split with one-third going to artist and two-thirds to the brand, which pays Amazon for the service.
The decision to launch Merch by Collab was largely tied to Amazon customers seeking a broad selection of products, Amazon VP Nicholas Dennisen said during the keynote presentation. While brick and mortar retailers typically may carry 2-3 variations of a t-shirt design, Amazon customers may seek 100. For example, the best-selling shirt licensed from Cartoon Network’s “Rick and Morty” via the program features a character that appeared only during the show’s 2013 debut season. There are hundreds “Rick and Morty” designs on Amazon, 84% of which sell, Dennisen said. Eighteen percent of the 84% generate the bulk of sales, he said. The service also builds on Amazon’s Brand Registry, which was launched a year ago in an effort to combat counterfeiting. About 60,000 brands have registered for the registry, Dennisen said.
“The physical constraints of off-line retail can restrict the types of brands and the number of branded products consumers can purchase and ecommerce removes these constraints,” Dennisen said. ‘The most successful brands online aren’t necessarily those on retail shelves.”
For brand owners, the motivation behind joining Merch Collab is driven by the need to monetize the peak of a show’s popularity, said Veronica Hart of CBS, which launched with Merch Collab with “Star Trek”, “Twin Peaks” and “American Vandal.” In addition, the new service will allow brand owns to test new IP and use sales data to help guide product distribution.
“It is an opportunity to give a wide array of products to our audience and fans,” said Peter Yoder of Cartoon Network. “With all the designs and characters that are in ‘Rick and Morty,’ each resonates differently with each fan and we aren’t able to provide as much we would like to to brick and mortar.”
With Amazon having the ability to print on demand, “it gives us a chance to do a lot more time-sensitive products so if a new episode comes out we have something in the marketplace the same day,” said Yoder “We can that take advantage of the fans wanting to be able to live that moment.”
Cartoon Network, Peter Yoder, VP, 212-275-6535, email@example.com
CBS Consumer Products, Veronica Hart, VP Licensing, 212-975-6894, firstname.lastname@example.org
United Talent Agency, Erin Stover, 310-776-6229, email@example.com.


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The new offer levels are €40/t higher than the last available quotes
ArcelorMittal Corporation, one of the largest steel producers in the world, announces price increases for the entire segment of rolled steel in Europe. In this way, the company is trying to partially cover the loss of margins caused by the summer price increase for scrap and energy carriers. Kallanish reports about it with the reference to market sources.
The new offer levels are reported to be €40/t higher than the last available quotes, covering the entire rebar segment, as well as new monthly and quarterly contracts.
At the same time, European demand for long rolled steel remains relatively low. However, steel producers are optimistic because they believe that the supply chain has been depleted. Market sources note that low demand for these products has been observed for several quarters in a row, a similar trend has not been seen since the crisis of 2008-2009. According to Kallanish, rebar prices in Northern Europe and Italy have remained relatively stable since early June. As of September 1, 2023, they were €570-620/t and €610-630/t, respectively.
As GMK Center reported earlier, ArcelorMittal in July announced its intentions to raise prices for graded steel in the EU at €30/t, the new pricing policy was to apply to July and August orders. The corresponding decision was made amid almost continuous negative adjustment of long steel prices from April 2022.
Also, IREPAS notes, that producers of rolled products are pressured by the slowdown of the global market, and the demand for rebar and wire rod remains low. In addition, there is fierce competition from new exporters – Algeria, Egypt, UAE and Saudi Arabia. The European market for these products slowed down due to the summer holiday season, and excess capacity in the EU prevented companies from raising prices.


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LumaFusion, a popular video editing app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, is finally making its way to Android and Chrome OS devices. Shortly after winning Best iPad App of the Year in 2021, thanks to its ability to make complex video editing easy to do with just one finger, LumaFusion made its Android debut on Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 devices. According android font, its developer, LumaTouch, promised to make it available for download on the Galaxy Store at the time while also working on a version for Chrome OS. It took a while for that to happen, but now LumaTouch is rolling out an early access version of the app to the Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store.
The features that iOS users enjoy should also be on the Android and Chrome OS versions. LumaFusion allows users to create up to 12 tracks, six of which can be videos, which they can link and unlink. They can use preset transitions or create their own, import media from various sources or edit directly from USB drives, as well as choose from a library of music, sound effects, videos and backgrounds. royalty free. PA says LumaTouch formed a team of Chrome OS developers to make this release, so the app was likely optimized for the platform instead of a low-grade iOS port.
LumaFusion usually costs $30, but users will be able to purchase it from the Galaxy Store and Play Store for $20 during its early access period. The list for both platforms is not yet available, from what we can see, but it will probably appear soon enough.


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LOWVILLE — Many small businesses evolve from a product or service idea, but only a few are born of a mixture of philosophical shift, a drive t…
For a Jefferson County dairy and a Lewis County creamery, the slow build of their business relationship fast-tracked just in time.
The only obstacle between Grimshaw Dairy Farm’s milk and Black River Valley Natural creamery’s bottling service was a label in need of state approval that was applied for back in January. But before that was received, the COVID-19 crisis caused another blow to the already staggering dairy industry.
Patrick Grimshaw, owner of the Adams-based farm, said the first time they had to dump milk was two weeks ago Saturday. Since then he has had to drop 250,000 pounds of it down the drain.
On Monday, however, label approval for the dairy’s own milk brand came through from the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, putting bottling plans with Black River Valley Natural in Lyons Falls for the Grimshaw’s Next Generation Creamery milk on the fast track to fruition.
By Friday, Mr. Grimshaw had his first 300 gallons of Next Generation Creamery milk bottled. It was labeled and ready to be offered in three stores by the weekend, including Fargo’s Family Market in Henderson, Sharp’s Bulk Foods in Belleville and Farm Pride in Adams. Mr. Grimshaw also will sell Next Generation milk on his own property, although that can be surprisingly hard to do according to James Munn, co-owner of Black River Valley Natural, although he loves the idea. “Isn’t that great, though?” Mr. Munn said, “That somebody can go to the farm and buy the milk that was made right at that farm? I just think that’s so cool.” Mr. Munn trucked 300 gallons of Grimshaw’s A2/A2 milk to his processing plant on Wednesday and completed bottling the milk on Thursday.
This type of milk is created by cows that have the A2 gene and produce milk with a protein of the same name that is believed to be easier to digest than typical milk with A1 proteins, making it a “niche,” or specialty, product, Mr. Grimshaw said.
About one third of the Grimshaw herd has the A2 gene. If their bottled milk takes off, Mr. Grimshaw hopes to convert the entire herd to A2 cows within the next three years.
Bottling his own milk has been on Mr. Grimshaw’s mind for years, but in December, after Jefferson County Bulk Milk Cooperative lost its contract with Kraft, he and his son Alex took action.
Reaching out to Cornell Cooperative Extension led to a tour of Cornell University’s dairy processing plant and insight into how it would work if they took the leap into bottling or processing other “value-added” dairy products like yogurt and cheese.
Those connections ultimately led the Grimshaws to the Munns and Black River Valley Natural.
Mr. Munn and his wife and business partner Bethany started their dairy processing business about 18 months ago and moved into the only salvageable section of the former Lyons Falls paper mill in March 2019 to try their hands at making butter, including flavors like garlic herb, honey sriracha, lemon zest and cinnamon sugar.
With corporate backgrounds in manufacturing and marketing, the Munns decided to return to Lewis County where Mr. Munn was born and raised because they realized they wanted to do more than work for their paychecks.
They wanted to make a difference.
“We did this because we wanted to do something good,” Mrs. Munn said, “We could go back to our corporate jobs at any time.”
As their outreach into the agriculture community continues to grow, however, “going back” is unimaginable for the couple and their children.
After mastering butter, the Munns began bottling whole, cream-line milk that is pasteurized but not homogenized, and flavored versions including chocolate, maple and maple coffee.
Similarly, Grimashaw’s Next Generation cream-line milk varieties include regular and chocolate, although the recipes are slightly different according to Alex Grimshaw.
“We don’t see this as being about competition. It’s a niche product but for our business model, we’re not so worried about flooding the market,” Mrs. Munn said, “That just means we have to reinvent ourselves and we’re only just beginning.”
Mr. Munn added, “I’d say it’s a bigger win for us because this was the goal — helping farmers find their way to new options.”
In the near future, the Grimshaws hope to add other flavored version of their milk, including maple, made with locally produced maple syrup, strawberry, mint chocolate chip, and mocha among others. Cheese, cheese curd and drinkable yogurt are also on the horizon if the market grows for the Grimshaw’s new products.
Ultimately, Mr. Grimshaw envisions building his own processing plant.
“We feel we have to do it this way because, what’s the point of putting the cart before the horse?” Mr. Grimshaw said. “We’re trying to get our markets established first before we spend a million dollars to build a processing plant.”
When that happens, though, the Munns have said Black River Valley Natural will help the Grimshaws in any way they can.
Another north country farm that got its start bottling its milk with Black River Valley is now in the process of building its own creamery, Mrs. Munn said.
“That’s a success story for us and we are very happy for them,” she said, “Part of our mission was to get people to build their own creameries. We are excited that what we set out to do is happening in small steps.”
Grimshaw Farm’s milk brand was created when Patrick Grimshaw’s son Alex — a senior at Belleville Henderson Central School and dairy farmer with his dad — took multiple possible names to school and asked students to vote on it. Next Generation Creamery was the winner, besting Mr. Grimshaw’s own submission, “Grimshaw’s Utter Perfection.” Julia Dodge, Alex Grimshaw’s girlfriend, helps on the farm and was a key player in developing the Next Generation Creamery label and display posters.
Mr. Grimshaw said they will continue to work with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s regional dairy processing and marketing specialist for its Harvest New York program, Anika Gianforte, to achieve their goals.
Mr. Grimshaw hopes to eventually get to 1,000 gallons bottled weekly, but even that is a fraction of the 4,275 gallons of A2/A2 milk his cows produce daily and the excess will continue to be dumped, although they have also given away about 400 pounds of milk to people who stopped.
“If the demand was more we could move more,” Mr. Grimshaw said. “But we’ve gotta walk before we run.”


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NATIONAL Microfinance Bank (NMB) has offered 50m/- sponsorship to Maisha Plus, a reality television show that will this year include Female Food Hero (FFH).
NMB's Chief executive Officer, Mark Wiessing said on Wednesday that the sponsorship that specifically focuses on the Oxfam run FFH was appropriate for small-scale agriculture investment in the fight against poverty, hunger and joblessness among women. "Women grow, process, market and prepare much of the household's food," Mr Wiessing said. "In many places, women are also the keepers of seeds and protectors of water."
He said the bank believes in investment in productivity, resilience and sustainability of small-scale food producers particularly women. This year's edition of Maisha Plus, apart from housing FFH, will also accommodate youth who will intermingle with food heroes to instill in the young generation an interest to participate in agricultural activities at a tender age.
Oxfam Country Director, Monica Gorman said this year's FFH in Maisha Plus would bring together producers and consumers to debate on issues around the nature of food system. "By profiling the individual food producers and modelling the best small scale producer investment needed, we highlight what we mean by food justice," she said.
Maisha Plus CEO Ali Masoud said the edition will house 15 FFH's finalists for two weeks and in the last three days 30 youths will join them to get first hand experience on food cultivation. "What we want is to start planting seeds for the youth to like and love agro-activities, inspiring them to become farmers in the future," Mr Masoud said.
The winner of this year FFH, according to Mwanahamisi Salim, Oxfam's Campaign and Advocacy Manager for Economic Justice, will be announced at world food day in October 16. "The winners will take prizes that enable them to increase productivity," she said.


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The World Dairy Expo is coming to Madison, and set-up for the event is in full swing. The area sees a $50 million boost from the event, making the "Super Bowl" of the dairy industry a success for both dairy farmers and the state's economy.
Preparing for big cows, big bucks at World Dairy Expo
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- Minn. farm wins court case, power companies to buy 138 acres
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- Jersey Island chooses direction 6 years after 250-year import ban


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L'Oréal, EPA Collaborate to Build Animal-alternative Test Methods
Posted: March 13, 2012
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Regarding L'Oréal's commitment to reduce animal testing, Pineau noted, "It is not the [EU] regulation that is making us look into this. We started this 14 years before the animal testing ban." She added that the company was already committed to investing in new science and technology. "We have invested roughly $800 million thus far to look for [alternative] methods to validate tests in Europe, and have produced reconstructive tissues to make them available to chemical companies." She finds the ToxCast program to be "something really powerful" for the requirement by industry to replace animal tests.
Blumenfeld added, "Today’s announcement is big because the EPA will be able to review an additional 20 chemicals to add to the current 1,000+ chemicals currently in database." He commented that the current U.S. administration has made it a priority to get a handle on the more than 80,000 chemicals introduced to the environment. Furthermore, according to Blumenfeld, "The Toxic Substances Control Act is outdated, and the goal is to tell the public that the chemicals and constituents we use are safe."
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GREENVILLE, NC (WNCT) — New information from Candy Store shows that North Carolina’s top favorite Valentine’s candy is also a favorite of other states.
The favorite candy listed in the report is conversation hearts. Production of the heart-shaped sweets starts 11 months in advance to supply the 6-week peak of sales, during which the majority of the candies are bought across the country.
Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are the state’s second favorite candy of North Carolinians with the third favorite being Cupid Corn, Valentine’s version of Halloween Candy Corn.
Candy Store also broke down all of the Valentine’s Day candy statistics, collected over 15 years of business, through an interactive map of the United States.


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Not long ago mistress announced they would be getting a new look, well, last night it happened. I for one think the new outfits look pretty awesome. They also announced the release date for their mini-album, April 18, 2017. I hope to be able to get my hands on one.
The tweet included details on the costume designer, Kinkopink, who was also the designer on Alloy’s costumes among others.
Details on one of the songs was announced by the songs writer.
Official Website: http://mistress.radcreation.jp


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A new 3G iPhone Unlock software is launched by UK entrepreneur Mark Scott and his team of software developers. It gives iPhone customers the chance to use their handsets with any network provider worldwide and also enabling the use of third party applications.
The main reason of development of this software comes after complaints from prospective customers regarding the handset being exclusively available on the o2 and AT&T networks, depending on the country of origin, and disappointment came over finding that the phone lacked standard features such as MMS, video recording and instant messaging amongst others.
According to the PRWEB, the contemporary 3G iPhone unlocking software also enables all of these features and comes with full 24 hour customer support via Email, Live Chat and by Phone.
"The Apple iPhone is a fantastic piece of technology, but that doesn't mean it's perfect." Mark Scott, Company Director of iPhone unlocking Ltd. "Using our 2G and 3G iPhone unlock software, the iPhone becomes compatible with all GSM network providers worldwide and enables the use of thousands of great 3rd party applications, therefore making the iPhone arguably the best mobile handset available on the market today."
Originally posted on Blogvasion.com


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Never miss a wine delivery – customers now able to ship wine to more than 2,000 FedEx office locations nationwide
San Francisco, CA, September 21, 2014 – Wine.com, the nation’s leading online wine retailer, today announced its new service, Wine.com Local Pickup. In an effort to eliminate the inconvenience of the adult signature requirement on wine, Wine.com has dramatically simplified the wine shipping process, ensuring you never miss a wine delivery again.
Local Pickup offers the same convenience of Wine.com online shopping and date-specific delivery, with the added benefit of allowing customers to select one of over 2,000 FedEx office locations as their delivery address. Since wine deliveries require signatures from an adult over 21, this added feature, the first of its kind, benefits customers who are unable to wait at home to sign for wine. Instead, they specify a date of delivery to their preferred FedEx office location. Customers then receive a call and e-mail when the wine arrives, and will have up to five days to retrieve. With a multitude of FedEx office locations offering evening and weekend hours, the new program only adds to the convenience of shopping with Wine.com.
“The days of the missed delivery note on your front door are over,” said Rich Bergsund, Wine.com CEO. “With FedEx’s help, we’ve just opened up 2,000 stores so you can shop online and pick up at a FedEx office location, with no more missed deliveries. It’s the next big step in creating a seamless wine buying process from start to finish.”
Local Pickup is just the latest innovation to enhance the customer experience. The majority of Wine.com customers receive their wine within 1-2 days thanks to the company’s network of fulfillment centers. In addition, Wine.com offers customers the unique opportunity to select their delivery date. Now, with Local Pickup, customers will have even more control in the wine shipping process.
Wine.com is the nation’s leading online wine retailer, according to Internet Retailer magazine’s annual ranking of websites by revenue. The company’s mission is to promote the wine lifestyle through innovation, which it does by providing its customers with selection, guidance, convenience and value not common in stores. Unique in its industry, Wine.com owns a proprietary network of wine fulfillment centers which delivers in 1 or 2 days to most of the country. The company’s Steward-Ship program, unlimited wine delivery for $49 per year, is a customer favorite. Wine.com is majority owned by Baker Capital. For more information, visit the company’s website at http://www.wine.com.
About Baker Capital
Baker Capital is a New York-based private equity firm that has raised over $1.5 billion in committed capital. Founded in 1995, Baker Capital invests globally in digital communications, media and technology at all stages of development. The partners of Baker Capital have extensive private equity and operational experience and deep industry relationships, allowing the firm to provide its portfolio companies with not only capital but also valuable strategic thinking and relationships. The firm’s portfolio includes companies such as Wine.com and Interxion (NYSE: INXN) among others.
Press Contact: Gwendolyn Osborn


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Partygoers who spent hundreds of euros on tickets, accommodation, and flights to attend the Drumcode techno festival in Malta in September were left disappointed earlier this month as Drumcode, a techno music agency, announced the event was being cancelled following “an accumulation of problems” with Pollen – the UK company responsible for organising the event.
A fortnight later, customers’ demands to the latter are being met with silence and the company has entered administration.
According to Drumcode – which is pushing frustrated customers to communicate their demands with Pollen directly – it is unable to issue refunds to customers as the agency is not in possession of customers’ money or contact details, and does not have the power to obtain them.
“We will continue to push Pollen to fulfil refunds,” it pledged, in a comment on Instagram. Drumcode’s inability to contact customers via email – justified by the lack of access to customers’ contact details – has also raised eyebrows among customers.
Soon after the cancellation of the festival, Pollen’s parent company, London-based owner Streatteam Software Ltd. announced that it hired Kroll LLC to handle a breakup and sale of its disparate businesses, entering administration. In its announcement, it pointed to Covid-19 restrictions, the global economic downturn and bearish sentiment among venture investors, which combined to “put too much pressure on the business whilst at a critical stage of a start-up’s maturity.”
Meanwhile questions on the losses of customers in the hundreds, if not thousands of euro, are being met with silence from the travel and luxury event start-up, ticket-buyers confirmed to The Shift, and frustrations voiced on social media channels.
‘There goes €600 that I’ll never get back’
One ticket buyer told this newsroom that he has “no hope” of getting refunded, in light of Pollen’s situation. “There goes €600 that I’ll never get back,” another woman wrote in a comment reacting to Drumcode’s post this week. The agency’s announcement remains one of the only pieces of evidence that the event has actually been cancelled, as it remains promoted on Pollen’s website.
“Pollen does not respond to requests for tickets refunds, I sent two emails and via the contact form on the homepage. There is no answer,” a customer said. “Altogether I’ve lost on 2k as I’ve booked for me and 2 other people for my own birthday,” another revealed with dismay.
Tickets for the four-day festival were selling at some €129 for party passes and from €299 up to €569 for packages including accommodation, according to Pollen’s website. The packages did not include flight costs.
Customers who had similar experiences from other events cancelled by Pollen indicated that they were either still waiting for their refund months later, or spoke about having finally received the refund, but not without a struggle.
“It took me four months, 19 emails, four telephone calls and social media grievance to get a full refund for WeAreFestival (Mexico). I’d suggest anyone who bought packages to report them to Trading Standards – they’ve never delivered what they say they would irrespective of actually going ahead with something, what they advertise and what they hold themselves accountable for are worlds apart,” one customer advised.
Meanwhile, media reports by Bloomberg throughout August have painted a picture of a company that has, in recent months, struggled to pay wages to its employees and issue refunds to its customers, leaving behind it a trail of complaints. In recent months, customer complaints about Pollen poured in so quickly that staffers couldn’t keep up, one in-depth report reveals. So much so that the company resorted to a “slapdash triage system” to handle refund requests: a spreadsheet that prioritized people who “complained the loudest on social media”.
On Tuesday, Bloomberg announced that the US Department of Labor is questioning former employees of the troubled startup in order to compile information about unpaid wages.
The Shift had reported earlier this month that 356 Entertainment, connected to events in Malta such as Summer Daze, Lost and Found and ABODE on the Rock, which is one of the event companies favoured by Malta Tourism Authority’s head of events Lionel Gerada, is an official partner of Pollen, according to Pollen’s website.
The Shift has sent questions to both Drumcode and Pollen, but no reply was received at the time of writing.


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Honda Rebel 500
Kia Sonet Kia QYI
2020 Hyundai i20
Royal Enfield Meteor 350
Information on the Rolls-Royce Wraith, and its future derivatives can be found on this page.
Rolls-Royce Wraith Inspired by Music - Auto China 2016
26/05/2016 - 14:32
Follows the Wraith ‘Inspired by Film’ and Wraith ‘Inspired by Fashion’ to complete the bespoke trilogy. Revealed in August last year, the Rolls-Royce Wraith Inspired by Music had its Chinese debut..
Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge edition, Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge edition – Geneva Motor Show Live
02/03/2016 - 19:26
Both bespoke models have technical changes also. Rolls-Royce is presenting two bespoke models at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show: the Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge edition and Rolls-Royce Wraith Black..
Rolls-Royce Wraith Series II (facelift) spied for the first time - IAB Exclusive
21/01/2016 - 13:53
New styling will be similar to the RR Ghost Series II and RR Dawn. The Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II (facelift) debuted at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show and two years hence, its coupe version - the..
Rolls Royce Wraith ‘Inspired by Music' - 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show Live
Ashwin Ram N P
17/09/2015 - 17:17
Following the launch last month, the Rolls Royce Wraith ‘Inspired by Music' has been unveiled at the 66th Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA 2015). The exclusive variant of the company's flagship coupe..
Report - Rolls Royce poised to breach 4,000 units sales this year
30/09/2014 - 17:19
Will set a new record if achieved. For 2014, Rolls Royce Motor Cars is on the verge of setting a record annual sales figure under the BMW ownership. Analysts predict that the British brand will..
IAB Report - Rolls-Royce confirms development of a new convertible for a mid-2016 launch
06/08/2014 - 21:06
The new Roller could be the Wraith Drophead Coupe. Rolls-Royce Cars announced yesterday that it is developing a new Drophead tourer which is slated to be launched in mid-2016. Without revealing..
[Images Updated] Rolls Royce Wraith launched in India at 4.6 crores
19/08/2013 - 13:01
Following its international premieres in Geneva, New York and Shanghai, the Rolls Royce Wraith, termed by Rolls Royce as the "ultimate gentlemen’s gran turismo" has just launched today in India at..
Official: Rolls Royce Wraith to be launched in India on August 19
13/08/2013 - 16:37
The Rolls Royce Wraith will be launched in India on August 19. The most powerful and dynamic Rolls ever made was world premiered at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in early March this year. Following an..
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