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Anheuser-Busch filed a trademark application for “Bud Light Seltzer” on October 28, 2019. The application, filed on a 1B basis, suggests that the beer maker has an intent to offer Bud Light Seltzer in the near future.
This is not the first seltzer application filed by Anheuser-Busch this year. As a matter of fact, Bud Light Seltzer is the 25th trademark application Anheuser-Busch has filed for a seltzer product in 2019. It’s also not the first time they have taken a beer and made it into a seltzer. For example, AB filed a Natural Light trademark for hard seltzer back in June.
Anheuser-Busch is quickly taking some of its flagship products, like Bud Light, and expanding them to include an array of hard seltzer options. It’s likely you will have to choose between your Bud Light Beer and your Bud Light Seltzer sometime soon.


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The Samsung Continuum has sure been the focus of the internet lately. With us knowing almost all details of the upcoming device, we are only short an official announcement- which will be happening tomorrow in NYC.
According to a leak sent to AndroidCentral, the dual touchscreen device will be hitting Verizon for $299.99 on a 2-year contract, and $369.99 on a 3-year contract. Each will come with a $100 rebate which will bring them down to $199 and $269 respectively.
Expect more official details tomorrow around 6 PM Eastern, we’ll be there for the event and will definitely keep you posted!

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Nestlé registered the shape as far back as 2006 but Cadbury won an appeal against the move. However an appeal at the Community Trade Mark Office has ruled that the four-fingered, three-dimensional shape of the bar can be trademarked.
The ruling is the latest legal showdown between the confectionery giants. In October last year, Cadbury won a battle over its unique purple colour on its packaging. The High Court ruled in favour of Cadbury and stopped Nestlé from using the Pantone 2865c tint on its products.


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The much-awaited Ubisoft event is right around the corner, with exciting new updates on their new and existing titles. Ubisoft forward is part of E3, a platform for developers, manufacturers, and publishers to showcase their products for the following year. The event will take place on June 12. Like last year, Ubisoft is planning to keep this year’s Ubisoft forward online.
Let's get together for #UbiForward! Tune-in this June 12:
✨ https://t.co/J57PvO5eiX pic.twitter.com/sghuPkt5sj
— Ubisoft (@Ubisoft) June 3, 2021
Also read: Summer Game Fest is Returning this June – Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Quick recap of Ubisoft Forward 2020
Ubisoft Forward 2020 was an online event that went for 3 hours. It included updates for existing titles like Tom Clancy’s Division 2 Warlords of New York expansion, where the unpacking of the Summit update took place. In this update, a new mode added where the player could play solo or co-op and have to clear out the enemies from each floor of 100 floors, including other updates like new gears, rewards, and new manhunt targets.
Far Cry VR: Dive Into Insanity, developed in partnership with Zero Latency VR, helped the Gamers to dive right into Rook Island Gamers got the freedom to explore the island while trying to survive from Vaas and his sidekicks.
The other few games that were announced or got an update are:
- Roller Champions
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint
- the Crew 2
- Just Dance 2021
- Watch Dogs Legion
Also Read: https://www.sportsmanor.com/early-access-to-unreal-engine-5-is-currently-available-new-features-compatibility-and-more/
The Pre, Main and Post-event
like last year, Ubisoft forward 2021 will be consisting of three parts: the pre-show is to take place at 2 PM EST, featuring updates on existing titles like The Crew 2, Brawlhalla, Watch Dogs: legion and other titles.
The main show will start at 3 PM EST, Featuring updates about their upcoming AAA title games such as Far Cry 6, an action-packed adventure game. The story revolves around a Nation under dictatorship.
The main event will also cover the addition of Rainbow Six Parasite to the Rainbow six franchise. Viewers will receive updates on live titles like Assasin’s Creed Valhalla and Rainbow Six Siege.
Wait for the post-Show at 4 PM EST, to receive insights from the developers from siege regarding the operation rooster, Operation North Star’s Thunderbird, also providing reveals, such as the Y6S2 Streamer Charms, Community Artist Bundle, and Sixth Guardian Charity bundle partnerships.
So don’t forget to tune in for exciting new updates and news on live and upcoming titles.


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New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): Travelling on the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor between Meerut and Delhi is expected to be an easy affair. The commuters would be able to use their smartphone, credit or debit card and travel smart card of any Metro system in the country to pay for the ticket.
RRTS would also be the first transit system where “Premium Class” passengers would have to validate their tickets or cards a second time to board the high-speed train.
A spokesperson for National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) which is executing the project, said a state-of-the-art Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system would be installed. “The contactless way of entry and exit will be seamless, easy, comfortable and quick,” he added.
There would be a fully “Open Loop” system from day one of operations, which would allow different types of smart cards and QR code-based tickets to be used for travelling. This would include credit or debit cards supported by payment networks like RuPay, Mastercard and Visa, which follow National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) standards. “In addition, the smart card issued by NCRTC for travel in RRTS can also be used for retail transactions,” said the spokesperson.
A mobile app, apart from NCRTC’s website, would help commuters generate QR code-based tickets. “Paper QR tickets will be available via vending machines at stations for single journeys. NCRTC’s mobile app will also help commuters in recharging their cards, among other functions,” said the official.
Each RRTS train on the 82km corridor will have a separate business class coach called “Premium Class”, which would be more spacious and have bigger seats, apart from free on-board Wi-Fi and other facilities like a lounge at stations.
NCRTC will be the first to implement two levels of AFC media validation, one at the concourse level and the second at the platform level. Platform level AFC gates will be provided for access to the Premium Lounge for boarding the Premium Class coach,” said the spokesperson.
The installation of the AFC system has been initiated under Make-In-India guidelines of the Union government through Public Private Partnership based on hybrid annuity model. “This is the first of its kind in the country for installation of AFC systems,” the spokesperson said.
Currently, it takes about three and a half to four hours to travel by road from Begum Pul in Meerut to Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi. When RRTS becomes operational, passengers would be able to cover the same distance within an hour.
“RRTS will improve the overall quality of life of the people of NCR by providing fast, reliable, safe, comfortable and sustainable mobility solution. Construction work is in full swing and the corridor is expected to become operational by 2025,” said the official


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January 11, 2021
Consumer use and purchase patterns that were once fairly predictable have now become subject to uncertainty and change. While U.S. consumers are known to be resourceful or patient when dry pantry items aren’t available — when it comes to the meat case — shoppers will go elsewhere if you don’t have what they’re looking for.
Right now, it’s hard to know exactly what the future holds for the food supply chain, but it’s likely that case-ready food packaging may hold the key to helping processors and retailers prepare for what may come next.
It’s not just about being ready for e-commerce. It’s about being ready for whatever channel your customers choose — from e-commerce to in-store to third party collection and delivery. Case-ready packaging helps you tackle the challenge of changes of shopper behavior, because a single platform works across all channels.
Case-ready packaging allows for information such as sell-by dates, portion size, and price to be easily communicated on the package, which makes for a better experience when customers shop online or request a third party to “search the shelf” on their behalf.
Consumers appreciate the fact that clear trays or vacuum skin packs allow improved product visibility, as well as the convenience of going from the case to the freezer with no repackaging needed. And because case-ready packaging also helps minimize touchpoints in the meat case, shelves can be stocked faster and food safety concerns can be alleviated.
Experts are now predicting that changes in grocery shopping behavior could be here to stay, with numbers far greater for online shopping than what was predicted just a few months ago. While a combined online/offline shopping model is the pattern most likely to survive in the long term, the rise of e-commerce engagement with an older demographic has elevated safety as a primary driver and reason for shopping online.
Case-ready packaging offers retailers the ease and convenience of a single format that is consumer-friendly for shoppers who shop in person, by click-and-collect, or through a third-party, online resource.
Some experts predict the trend to include or even prefer online grocery shopping may continue even after pandemic social restrictions have ended.


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Mansfield could end up with two Lidl grocery stores, both on the east side of town.
On Monday, the City Council advanced the zoning change for a Lidl on East Debbie Lane near Matlock Road and got its first look at a site on East Broad Street across from Mansfield High School.
The German grocery store is making a big push into North Texas and across the United States, said Kevin Gaskey, an engineer with Kimley Horn who represented Lidl. He compared the stores to Trader Joe’s.
Neither location requires a variance to sell beer and wine.
Mansfield has a plethora of grocery stores on the east side already with more coming. Both Lidl sites will have four competitors in close proximity.
The Lidl on East Debbie Lane will join Kroger, Walmart Neighborhood Market, Aldi and Sprouts. The proposed site on East Broad Street would be near the existing Kroger Marketplace and the future Market Street, just east of MHS, the Natural Grocers, at Texas 360 and East Broad Street, and H-E-B, planned at U.S. 287 and East Broad Street.
Councilman Larry Broseh questioned if this was a smart business decision.
"I’m trying to figure out in my mind why Mansfield needs another store, albeit a specialty store, so close to a multitude of other stores," Broseh said.
Lidl did market research before it picked these sites, Gaskey said.
"They like to be near other grocery stores," Gaskey said. "They do not want to open a store and then have to close it so they believe the market is here."
The 36,000-square-foot store on East Debbie Lane is proposed on land once owned by the Community of Hope United Methodist Church. The church’s worship center is just to the east.
The City Council voted 4-1 Monday to approve the store on East Debbie Lane on second reading. The third and final vote is set for July 24. Councilman Terry Moore voted against the zoning change.
Council members Brent Newsom and Stephen Lindsey were absent.
The 36,000-square-foot site on East Broad Street would have much the same look as the other store. The council voted 4-1 to approve the zoning change for the East Broad Street store on first reading with Moore voting no. The project will return for the second of three votes July 24.
The brick store would face west with the majority of the parking on that side facing Mary Orr Intermediate School.
The developer is also negotiating with Mansfield ISD for use of the driveway at Mary Orr. The store would also share an entrance with Fire Station #3.
Townhomes need more work
The proposal for 77 townhomes on South Main Street failed 3-2 with Broseh and Moore voting no. The council ultimately decided to table the zoning change to the July 24 meeting where they could have the full council.
The biggest concern is that the council wants more airtight language to discourage the townhomes from becoming rental units.
Despite the concerns, Hoffman said the Main Street Village project is important because it brings residents to downtown.
"We’re talking about a stirp of land here that’s gone undeveloped for a very, very long time," Hoffman said. "I can’t think of any appropriate use for this sliver of land. I really don’t want to see this project die on the vine. It’s something that could be a great asset for downtown Mansfield."
Main Street Village will be owner occupied with strict rules on renting, according to the covenants, conditions and restrictions presented to council. Rentals will be limited to between six months and 12 months and the home must be occupied by the parties named on the lease.
Overnight, daily or short-term rentals, such as those offered by Airbnb, will not be allowed. Also, no unit can be rented for the first year after it was purchased.
And no owner can lease more than one property within Main Street Village.
The townhomes will start at $250,000 for the smallest units with a projected size of 1,650 square feet. The larger townhomes could be up to 2,100 square feet.
Councilman Cory Hoffman has concerns about the lack of articulation on some of the renderings that were shown, especially for homes that will back up to South Main Street.
The developer, Skorburg Company, still hasn’t decided what to do with the dog park. Mayor David Cook said he’d like for it to be a public park maintained by the city.
Wendy’s is back again
Wendy’s will try again to build a restaurant next to Vernon Newsom Stadium.
The council voted 5-0 to approve the zoning change on first reading.
The zoning change returns for a second vote July 24.
The revised plan has the Wendy’s perpendicular to East Broad Street at the southwest corner of Holland Road. The zoning change also includes a 5,200-square-foot sit-down restaurant.
The developer originally proposed a mix of retail and restaurant uses in the other building but the council only wanted restaurant uses.
Last year, the zoning change for Wendy’s was denied by the council because of the layout of the fast-food restaurant and drive thru.
As a condition of the new proposal, the developer, GP Holland Xing, agreed to nix plans for a Schlotzky’s just down the street.
The developer is buying the land from Mansfield ISD.


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FTC Nixes Blockbuster-Hollywood Pact
A Little Wine to Go With That DVD?
Francis Ford Coppola wants to make you an offer you can't refuse: the five-time Academy Award-winning writer/director and winemaker says he is now turning his creative talents to the Internet and e-commerce. His Napa Valley winery, Niebaum-Coppola, has recently launched a new website that proffers videos, food, and wine, along with contests for movie items from Coppola films.
DVD Software Breaks Greatest Weekly Sales Record
Last week, we announced the stats on DVD players, which have proven to be one of the hottest format launches in consumer-electronics history. This week, we follow up with recent numbers on DVD software. The results show that, four weeks before the all-important Christmas holiday shopping season, shoppers spiked DVD software sales as they snapped up movies and music videos over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Actress Madeline Kahn Dies in New York
Madeline Kahn, the comic actress whom Mel Brooks described as "one of the most talented people that ever lived," died in Manhattan on Friday, December 3, of ovarian cancer. She was 57.
The Best and Worst Cult Movies of All Time Exposed
In addition to the predictable numbers generated by megabuck-grossing films like The Matrix and Titanic (see related story), we figure that SGHT readers might also be interested in what's at the opposite end of the list. After rummaging around, we discovered the website for The Amazing World of Cult Movies, self-described as "the Internet's definitive reference source for the celebration of alternative cinema."
HDTV Rollout Not Slowing Big-Screen TV Sales
The popularity of DVD and home theater is driving sales of big-screen television sets to new heights—despite the fact that the rollout of digital television may make them obsolete in the near future. Sales of big-screen sets are up 13% over 1998, according to the latest statistics from the Consumer Electronics Association. Ninety percent of the approximately 1 million units sold in 1990 were equipped to display only NTSC analog signals—or "legacy video," as industry insiders call it.
Sharp Ups the Ante with $50k LCD Rear Projector
The video-display war got a lot hotter on December 3. That day, Sharp Electronics debuted its SharpVision LC-R60HDU CG-Silicon rear projector, the first such display to incorporate the company's revolutionary continuous-grain silicon (CG-Silicon) LCD technology. The 60"-diagonal display has more than 3.93 million pixels, and is said to offer unprecedented brightness, clarity, and color accuracy from any viewing angle. Perfection doesn't come cheap, however. The new projector costs a cool $50k.
A New Era in Television?
A recently released study has found that the high price of digital television sets, high capital investment costs, lack of advertising support, and scant offerings from broadcasters have restrained the penetration of digital television since its rollout in November 1998. But the report concludes that "despite its anti-climactic beginning, digital television still represents an important and potentially lucrative market in the consumer television industry."
DirecTV Gives Thumbs Up to Satellite Home Viewer Act
The Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999, recently passed by Congress and expected to be signed into law by President Clinton, will usher in a new level of competition to the television broadcasting industry—and a new era of service for viewers, according to direct-broadcast satellite service DirecTV. The bill allows DBS companies to provide signals from local TV stations, just as cable companies have always done.
Pioneer Planning to Release DVD Recorder
Last week, Pioneer announced that next year it will be the first to offer DVD recorder/players and recordable DVDs to consumers in North America and Europe. According to Pioneer, the new machines will allow recording times of up to six hours, indicating that the recorder will compress the video beyond the MPEG-2 compression found on commercially released DVDs.


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EVs Made Up Nearly Two-Thirds of All New Car Sales in Norway Last Year
In just three years, Norway will ban the sale of new gas and diesel cars altogether.
Electric vehicle sales are booming worldwide but nowhere's going in on them as hard as Norway. Tesla delivered a record number of EVs in 2021 and also became the number one car brand there, taking 11.6 percent of the market, shoving Volkswagen off the top spot after 11 years of dominance. In all, this contributed to nearly two-thirds of new car sales in Norway being accounted for by EVs.
Norway is relatively small in the global car market; 65 percent of 176,276 cars sold there in 2021 is obviously nowhere near the numbers that you'd see in, say, Germany or the U.S. But 114,580 electric vehicles being bought up is still a pretty substantial number, and over 20,000 of them were Teslas.
It also shows that EVs are steadily increasing their share, having accounted for 54 percent of sales in Norway the year prior. Just three years ago, we were reporting that nearly one third of cars sold there in 2018 were electric and they've now seized another 33 percent of overall sales.
There are some good reasons for that, of course. Firstly, Norway's a pretty affluent country, so people can afford to buy EVs. The most typical salary there is $77,000 a year, which really opens up your options for vehicle purchasing. Then you've gotta factor in that the government also makes EV purchases exempt from the 25 percent VAT before sweetening the deal further with discounts on toll roads, ferries, and parking.
Then there's the fact that the government is completely banning the sale of gas and diesel passenger cars from 2025, which is now really soon. Norway will be the first country to do it, with Belgium following in a partial, area-specific ban from 2026, while most countries are aiming for 2030 or 2035. So just three years from now, this isn't going to be a news story because, well, 100 percent of new cars sold there will be electric by default.
What makes it kinda funny, maybe, is that the reason Norway is so rich is because it's an oil state. Frigid Scandinavia might not quite fit your imagination of what one of those looks like, but the oil and gas sector contributed 18 percent of Norway's entire national income in 2018.
Got a story tip? Mail it in on firstname.lastname@example.org


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Visual Search and Local: A Match Made in Mountain View
This post is the latest in our “Visualizing Local” series. It’s our editorial focus for the month of May, including topics like artificial intelligence and marketing automation. See the rest of the series here.
One of our top picks for potential augmented reality killer apps is visual search. Its utility and frequency mirror that of search and hit several marks for potential killer-app status. It’s also monetizable, it’s a natural fit for local discovery, and Google is highly motivated to make it happen.
But first let’s step back and explain what we mean by “visual search,” as it can take a number of forms, such as Google image search. Conversely, what we’re talking about here is pointing your phone at an item to get info about it, à la Google Lens. It’s just one of many flavors of AR that are developing.
Google is keen on visual search as a corollary to its core search business. This includes building an “Internet of Places,” which will be accessible through a visual front end like Google Lens. This works toward boosting Google search volume by creating additional inputs and modes, just like voice search.
“One way we think about Lens is we’re indexing the physical world — billions of places and products … much like search indexes the billions of pages on the web,”said Google’s Aparna Chennapragada at last week’s I/O event. “Sometimes the things you’re interested in are difficult to describe in a search box.”
New Lens features announced last week include real-time language translations by pointing your phone at signage (think public transit). There’s also the ability to calculate restaurant tips — sort of like Snap’s new feature — and getting more information on restaurant menu items (see above).
This creates a nice local search and discovery use case for Google Lens. It already recognized storefronts, where Google uses Street View imagery for object recognition. But now the experience gets more granular in searching for specific menu items using Google My Business data.
“To pull this off, Lens first has to identify all the dishes on the menu, looking for things like the font, style, size, and color to differentiate dishes from descriptions,” said Chennapragada. “Next, it matches the dish names with relevant photos and reviews for that restaurant in Google Maps.”
Other use cases like language translation likewise tap into Google assets and knowledge graph: “What you’re seeing here is text-to-speech, computer vision, the power of translate, and 20 years of language understanding from search, all coming together,” said Chennapragada.
These existing assets — along with its motivation make visual search happen — make Google a clear front runner in the race to deploy visual search. We’re seeing others such as Pinterest make a logical play in the same arena. Snapchat is also joining the race through a partnership with Amazon to identify products in the real world.
Though these visual search challengers could shine in niche use cases such as fashion items, Google will rule as the best all-around utility for visual search. It has the deepest tech stack, and the substance (knowledge graph) to be useful beyond just a flashy novelty for identifying things visually.
The name of the game now is to get users to adopt it. Google Lens won’t be a silver bullet and will shine in a few areas where Google is directing users, such as pets and flowers. But it will really shine in product search, which happens to be where monetization will eventually come into the picture.
But the first step is to accelerate adoption, and Google has shown that this is a priority. Over the past year, it’s taken several steps to place Google Lens front and center in users’ search experiences so they can find it. It wants to acclimate users to this new way to search and develop the habit.
This includes last fall’s addition of a Google Lens button right within the iOS Google app. A small Lens icon now joins the voice search icon at the right side of the search bar (see above). And last week’s I/O event included several moves to “incubate” Google Lens in search so people can find it easier.
“We’re excited to bring the camera to search, adding a new dimension to your search results,” said Google’s Aparna Chennapragada on stage. “With computer vision and AR, the camera in our hands is turning into a powerful visual tool to help you understand the world around you.”
Google’s move to make visual search a thing already appears to be working. According to consumer survey data from ARtillery Intelligence (disclosure: a firm with which I’m affiliated) and Thrive Analytics, 24% of AR users already engage visual search. We believe this will grow as Google pushes Lens as a common use case in the next era of search.
Panning back, AR aligns with other initiatives already underway at Google like voice search and the knowledge graph. These are part of a longstanding smartphone-era trend to bring Google from the “10 blue links” paradigm to answering questions and solving problems directly, as in the knowledge panel.
“It all begins with our mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful,” said Google CEO Sundar Pichai about visual search during the I/O keynote. “Today, our mission feels as relevant as ever. But the way we approach it is constantly evolving. We’re moving from a company that helps you find answers to a company that helps you get things done.”


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Motorway services and large petrol retailers will have to install chargepoints for electric cars under plans announced in Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill.
There were more than 1.35 million traffic jams on the UK’s major roads in the past year, costing drivers an estimated £9bn, new research from Inrix suggests.
Office will target the near-term development of smart mobility technologies while focusing on the specific requirements of European cities.
Manufacturer discounts of up to 35% on some new cars have called into question the relevance of the P11D price in company car tax calculations.
IAM RoadSmart warns that the threat of jail alone is unlikely to make people drive in a less dangerous way.
Fleet boss Maurice Elford made software a priority when joining L&Q. He is now a double Fleet News Award winner.
Research and development is essential in the hunt for longer tyre life, but further savings on price remain elusive, John Lewis reports.
Switching to digital is the first step to Earned Recognition, and operators that comply with KPI requirements will reduce time-consuming roadside checks.
It’s best known for its roadside assistance, but The AA is well aware that to prosper it needs to be valued for a whole lot more.
CitySprint has announced that it’s looking to hire more than 1000 additional couriers in preparation for the Christmas rush.


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- Deck13 narrates 14 minutes of gameplay from The Surge
- Halo Wars 2: Ultimate Edition launches through early access
- Sea of Thieves alpha getting gravity, islands, more in next update
- Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy to be released this June for PS4
- Knights, vikings, samurai, oh my! For Honor out for console, PC
Fancy A Date?
Developer- and Publisher-specific Articles: Wheels of Fury
Wei Shen returns to Hong Kong’s mean streets today with the launch of Wheels of Fury. The mission-based pack includes the game’s first weaponized vehicle, an upgradeable supercar sporting the latest in drug-running technology, roof-mounted machine guns and an EMP pulse weapon. New weapons will become available after each of the five missions, with the ultimate goal being to give the 18K gang the boot from your territory.
Square Enix has announced that United Front Games plans on releasing a series of add-on packs over the next six months for their open-world action title Sleeping Dogs. The first five drops, detailed below, are scheduled to launch over the next three months. The first set will add new missions, new outfits, new cars, and new weapons. And to top it off, the Monkey King Pack will have Wei adopt the form of Sun Wukong.


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When looking closely at international facts and figures it is clearly noticeable that the global fashion industry is created by men and consumed by women. Even though all big names and major tycoons are originally men, women are by far the dominating force.
Women have over 50 fashion weeks around the globe, which act as events to discuss and analyse the latest trends and directions. Men, on the other hand, get only a handful of specialised events.
With that said, London Collections Men (LCM) is a pioneer in men’s fashion. Last week, the seasonal event returned for a round of modern statement and extreme art. The four-day event showcased the latest creations of more than 45 international designers.
“London continues to confirm its place as the home of menswear, a hub of creativity showing the very best designers to a global audience. The menswear market showing in London incorporates not only internationally acclaimed brands but also luxury tailoring and emerging talent. This array of designers makes London one of the most exciting fashion cities in the world,” said LCM Chairperson Dylan Jones.
Designer Nigel Cabourn created a vintage collection that reminds one of the labour force during the 1950s. From denim overalls to chequered shirts, the designer created a modern and wearable version of one history’s most iconic looks.
Coach showcased a daring red collection that had bold prints and leather. While E. Tautz presented a new set of fashion staples with a collection full of smart separates, shorts, and everyone’s favourite 1990s suits.
Chester Barrie showed off his impeccable tailoring skills with a collection that spoke retro elegance and classic simplicity. House of Holland depends on comfort and youth with a casual collection that highly embraces modern pop culture.
Craig Green took a tribal and artistic detour with his collection as each and every look proved the designers keenness on experimenting with colours and silhouettes. Green is also the winner of this year’s BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund supported by Vertu.
The British Fashion Council (BFC) made a significant announcement during the event’s opening day as they declared the latest Value of Fashion report. According to BFC, the UK fashion industry directly contributed £28bn to the UK economy in 2015. The report also mentioned that 880,000 people are currently employed by the fashion industry in roles varying from manufacture to retail.
As for the menswear market, the report confirmed that it is currently 25% of the clothing market, and continues to grow.
“The creative industries are one of the UK’s greatest success stories, contributing almost £9m per hour to our economy. UK fashion plays a key role in that success, with the unique spirit and energy of the industry capturing the attention of the world. From high street to haute couture, our thriving fashion industry continues to make its mark,” said British culture minister Ed Vaizey.
The Value of Fashion report was created and financed by the BFC in 2009. The report aims to shed light on the British fashion industry and analyse its economic value.
BFC was created in 1983 to support and promote the local industry through seasonal fashion weeks and events. Today the entity continues to organise events such as London Fashion Week as well as various awards that identify and sponsor upcoming talents.


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Wednesday August 6, 2014 0 comments
BOULDER - Rapt Media, a producer of interactive video, today announced it closed on a $3.1 million round of venture financing led by Boulder Ventures Ltd.
The company said it will use the funding to build out a presence in New York and Los Angeles to be where brands, agencies and production companies thrive.
The new funding round brings Rapt Media's total funding to $7.5 million.
"Video is the fastest-growing format in branding and advertising, and mobile is the fastest-growing form factor in the consumption of content," said Peter Roshko, general partner at Boulder Ventures Ltd.
"Rapt Media's interactive video platform enables content creation for the next generation of mobile video and has captured mindshare among leading consumer brands."
"The concept of mere 'brand awareness' is dead," said Erika Trautman, Rapt Media CEO and co-founder. "We as consumers are so inundated with content and brand messaging that the half-life on brand awareness is just seconds.
"Companies talk about the number of views a video gets as if it's a real economic commodity, but it's fool's gold. If viewers aren't engaging in a real way, they're not going to remember your brand."
The company also announced the launch of its integration with marketing automation system Eloqua. Rapt Media said enterprise-level customers can now collect more valuable information about leads by using Eloqua's marketing automation suite to capture user interactions within an interactive video experience.
"As more brands and agencies invest in interactive video as a tool for engaging viewers, they've come to recognize the value of the intelligence that can be captured from those interactions," said Caleb Hanson, Rapt Media VP of product.


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The global 5G rollout has begun, with providers in the US and UK loudly announcing the first limited service availability. With many more countries expected to follow in 2020, it looks like it will be the technology’s breakthrough year across the major domestic markets in North America, Europe and Asia.
Cellular connectivity is a powerful force in the African economy and the future for its mobile industry is bright. MTN and Ericsson recently completed South Africa’s first demonstration of 5G technology – a live feed from a car in Pretoria. At long last, the continent is on the road to 5G. And despite national variations in readiness and progress, 5G is a global technology movement and we’re all on a pathway to general availability – sooner or later. Africa may be at the very start of this journey, but businesses can still use today’s mobile technologies to benefit from high-speed wireless connectivity.
To find out more about this article please visit: https://africa.businesschief.com/technology/4580/Where-is-mobile-connectivity-heading-in-Africa


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Being launched only as a “small pilot” run, Novi will allow users to send and receive money using the Paxos stablecoin, developed in partnership with Coinbase. According to Facebook’s David Marcus, the head of F2 (Facebook Financial), the pilot is meant to “test core feature functions, and operational capabilities in customer care and compliance.”
Interestingly, Novi has been launched without its accompanying cryptocurrency, Diem (formerly known as Libra), which has yet to receive regulatory approval following major criticism. Nonetheless, Facebook still intends for Novi to function as a payments super app that will be connected to all of its products, including Whatsapp and Instagram.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
TrendHunter.com – New Ventures and Start Ups


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Ha to star in fashion biopicIt seems like actor Ha Jung-woo is the busiest figure in the Korean film scene this year. According to local media reports yesterday, the actor, painter and filmmaker will team up with director Son Young-sung, whom he worked with in his 2011 film “The Client.”
The project is based on the life of pioneering Korean designer Andre Kim (1935-2010), who paved the way in the local fashion industry in 20th-century Korea.
In order to appreciate the late Kim’s contributions, Ha and Son plan to depict the challenges he faced as the first male fashion designer in the country.
In the meantime, Ha is readying the release of the film “Kundo: Age of the Rampant,” in which he plays a butcher who takes revenge against corrupt government officials of 19th-century Joseon Dynasty.
By Kim Hee-eun, contributing writer


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Melbourne, Australia (PRWEB) June 15, 2012
When global gym chain Fitness First announced it was slimming down its operations and selling a quarter of its franchises in Australia due to huge debts, most fitness insiders didn’t see this as a huge surprise. For the past quarters, fitness clubs have been hurting over a significant decrease in new enrolees and a rise in cancelled memberships, that most businesses have turned to desperate promos and marketing gimmicks just to break even.
While recent statistics from the Fitness in Australia Industry Report showcased a 4.9% revenue growth in the fitness industry over the next five years, the news that the biggest gym and health club conglomerate in the world, with its one-million membership count, is facing an $890-million debt shows another side of the story.
For fitness Melbourne expert Olivia Smith, this seeming contradiction in numbers is in fact, highlighting a new trend: there is indeed a growing number of people who are seeking to invest in more fitness services — only they’re not looking for it inside the gym.
“These developments herald the death of the traditional gym contract model,” Smith, director of Fit Ticket, boldly declares. “The tyranny of the treadmill has ended. People are now leaning towards proactive fitness programmes that allow them the freedom to tailor-fit their workouts to their schedule, lifestyle and fitness level.”
One of the innovations from Fit Ticket that answers this demand is their online matching services, which provides an easy and convenient platform for individuals to find their preferred professionally-guided fitness group. Users can click on links such as Bootcamp Melbourne, Bootcamp Sydney, or Boot Camp Adelaide to search for a training group that gathers nearest to their location, is aligned to their preferred training style, and offers the pace and intensity suited to their personal fitness degree.
This initiative-driven, community-powered approach of bootcamp and group fitness sessions has always been at the forefront of the Fit Ticket fitness principle. Compared to lock-in gym memberships that offer low value for money, fixed training structures, and confining indoor environments, the fitness solutions offered at Fit Ticket are geared to inspire energy and motivation for long-term results.
Likewise, the Fit Ticket principle advocates fitness solutions that incorporate other factors, such as medical, social and cultural, for a comprehensive approach to wellness.
“We are now seeing an extraordinary shift from gyms to the great outdoors,” Smith says, citing university studies that show how exercising outdoors leads to greater physical, mental and emotional well-being. “Also, there’s the proven belief that a positive culture of belonging fosters the support and commitment needed to reach fitness goals. People are now thinking in terms of teams, not contract memberships; tribes, not clubs.”
“Fitness is now a lifestyle and you either live it or you don’t. As a result, choosing what training to engage and invest in is now a big lifestyle decision; we’re talking about introducing something meaningful into your daily routine. It’s got to be pretty special to stick,” says Smith. “This is where Fit Ticket’s matching services become so valuable, to get people into exactly the right program for their fitness and personality type.”
Fit Ticket is a group fitness search engine that offers a discounted introductory rate to start training with any of their listed fitness providers from all over the country. The site matches people with a training programme that suits their personal fitness level, location, preferred training style and lifestyle. Endorsed by the Australian Institute of Fitness, the website presents other services such as health and wellness information and email alerts for deals on fitness gear and services.


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That a BMW M6 Gran Coupe is coming is no surprise. Afterall, we’ve posted several rounds of spy photos and videos of the soon-to-be flagship M model.
However, BMW has now finally officially acknowledged the model to be coming next year. It will likely arrive as a 2014 model year and see its auto show debut at the 2013 NAIAS in Detroit or the 2013 Geneva show. Expect the first details of the car to be announced online by the end of this year.
As the M6 Gran … CONTINUED
The F32 4 Series Coupe and F33 4 Series Convertible have finally shown one of its most important signature design elements (and on any BMW) – the kidney grilles!
As expected, the kidney grilles of the coupe are sportier (thinner, shapelier and wider) than that of the F30 3 Series sedan. A close look reveals a different number of slats and differing designs for the grilles on each side – 11 flatter slats on the driver side versus 9 ‘kinked’ slats on the passenger side. We are … CONTINUED
A couple of 2014 X5 (F15) prototypes flashed their grilles for the first time during one recent test run and our quick acting spies managed to capture it before their camouflage were reattached.
As we’ve reported previously, the grilles are indeed larger, wider, and bolder than those on the current X5. It retains the 7 slat design, but the grilles now dominate more of the front fascia and has a much thicker grille surround than the current X5 – see the comparison image below.
The hoodline has been … CONTINUED
Ever since the introduction of the first M Performance cars (the new BMW model lineup slotting between the M models and regular series cars) earlier this year, we’ve been hearing and BMW has been hinting at such cars for the North American market.
Now that the first petrol model, the M135i (official info | reviews), has debuted, Autoweek reports that the M235i coupe will be the first M Performance model to arrive in the U.S. and Canada. The report states that the M235i coupe will start sales … CONTINUED
The press drives of the BMW M135i are underway and with that come the first reviews, and they are very positive. See inside for more.
We have posted the newest photo gallery and videos for the M135i and 1 Series 3-door hatchback (F21). Please see inside at our official M135i / F21 thread.
We’ve just spied the next generation BMW X5 M prototype beginning its testing! Although still clad in full camouflage, signature M features leave no doubt that we are looking at the next X5 M.
The most conspicuous items are the quad M exhausts, active differential and blue brake calipers, which have become the signature color for M model brakes (i.e. F10 M5 and F12/F13 M6). Seen behind the blue M brakes are drilled rotors, the first for any X5 model. Hiding behind the front end camouflage are … CONTINUED
A mystery BMW model appeared at the BMW Museum a bit over a month ago, shrouded under a big blue tarp. It’s yet to be positively identified, but could this possibly be the next generation F80 M3 sedan or F82 M4 coupe?
There’s not much to go off of by way of the sparse photos, but the one part of the car that can be partially seen – the wheels, happen to match the wheels that have been spotted on the F80 M3 sedan prototypes from our … CONTINUED
We bring you the first video of the F34 3 Series Gran Turismo (GT) in action. 335i prototypes were spotted on and around the Nurburgring as it recently began its performance testing at the Ring.
The 3 Series GT is being tested concurrently with the other future F3x variants – the F32 coupe and F33 convertible.
The overall apperance of the 3 series GT will follow the 5 Series GT in having some independent styling from the other 3 series variants. Unlike the 5 Series GT however, it … CONTINUED
We spotted the upcoming 3 series GT (Gran Turismo) out on the highway recently. As you can see, it had its retractable spoiler extended while at speed.
Expect the 3 Series Gran Turismo F34 to debut sometime in 2013 and in both gasoline and diesel models.
Catch more spy photos @ http://www.bimmerpost.com/spyshots/
We recently posted the first photos of the F32 4 Series Coupe hitting the Nurburgring for high performance testing, and we’ve now also added a live video of the prototypes in action.
The recently revealed 2013 F31 3 Series touring is set to make its world public debut this week at the 2012 AMI (Auto Mobil International) auto show in Leipzig, Germany 2012.
And although we’ve already posted some great looks at the F31 M Sport test mules, we’re hoping to see the M Sport model fully revealed at the AMI show. Whether it does or not however, here is a first look at a beautiful fully revealed production F31 3 Series touring with M Sport package, in Estoril … CONTINUED
We first began spying the next generation BMW X5 (F15) in January during its cold climate testing. BMW has now ratcheted up testing of the F15 X5 and moved to the Nurburgring to begin some serious track testing.
The F15 X5 is expected to weigh less than the current E70 X5 and ride on a modified version of the F10 5 series chassis. Expect both diesel and gasoline 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder engine options. It should be introduced in late 2013 – early 2014 as a 2014 model … CONTINUED
We previously reported on a possible four-door 2 series sedan / gran coupe. Autocar has now joined the rumormill on such a potential 4 door model.
The report claims that BMW has plans for or is discussing a RWD sedan based off the current 1 Series platform that will target the US and China markets in particular. Autocar calls it a 1 Series, but in all likelihood it would be called a 2 Series. If you remember, only the hatchbacks and upcoming FWD models are likely to … CONTINUED
We’ve just spied today the 2014 F32 4 Series Coupe hitting the Nürburgring for the first time. Set to debut in Autumn 2013, the new F32 4 series coupe will combine an evolutionary progress from the current E92 3 series coupe with some new styling cues found in the F30 3 series Sedan and F31 3 series Touring. The general shape is sportier and sleeker than the F30 while the nose/front end design sits just as low (also check out these renders). Also adding to the … CONTINUED
The F32 4 Series coupe was spotted at the Nurburgring for the first time today, and not content to have the coupe model have all the fun, the F33 4 series convertible is also running at the Ring today.
As previously covered, the convertible will likely be joined by the coupe and any rumored Gran Coupe model in being re-badged as a 4 Series.
While this prototype remains heavily camouflaged, we recently spotted the F33 convertible top down for the first time, with its folding hardtop roof … CONTINUED
Its now official, after all the speculation and spyshots, BMW makes the touring (thats wagon to you and I in the US) official. Based on the already successful 5th generation 3-Series, this car successfully merges the beauty and cutting edge style of the F30 3-Series in a new touring package. Click to read more and see all our wallpapers now
We bring you the first ever look at the F33 3 Series convertible (or 4 Series as it may be called when released) in testing with its hardtop roof retracted. The F33 largely shares the same proportions with the current E93 3 series convertible, although like the rest of the new F3x 3 series generation of cars, it will have slightly shorter overhangs, a longer wheelbase, and a bit more rear legroom.
These photos also represent the first clear look at the interior of the F33 convertible, … CONTINUED


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PANAJI: Force Motors plans to invest around Rs 1,000 crore over the next four years on various activities, including product development and setting up of a dedicated facility for assembling engines for BMW vehicles.
"We are looking to invest around Rs 1,000 crore in the next four years on technology advancement, new vehicle development and also on a dedicated engine assembly facility for BMW in Chennai," Force Motors Managing Director Prasan Firodia told here.
This investment would be in addition to the Rs 1,000 crore that the company had announced in 2012, he added.
The Pune-based firm, which markets a range of vehicles, is in the process of developing an all new light commercial vehicle, which would add to the already popular Traveller portfolio.
"We are working on a completely new van which will come out in the next few years," Firodia said.
The company currently produces the Traveller range of passenger carriers from its Pithampur facility in Madhya Pradesh.
When asked about the proposed facility in Chennai for BMW, Firodia said: "We plan to invest around Rs 100 crore on this dedicated engine facility for BMW in Chennai. It should come onstream by January next year."
There would be significant investment by BMW also on the plant for some of the dedicated equiThe company currently assembles engines for various Mercedes Benz models and also plans to assemble engines for GLA and CLA models, Firodia said.
The company currently assembles engines for various Mercedes Benz models and also plans to assemble engines for GLA and CLA models, Firodia said. The company sells a range of vehicles, including small commercial vehicles, multi-utility vehicles (MUVs), light commercial vehicles, sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and agricultural tractors
Earlier this year, Force Motors had announced to invest about Rs 100 crore to set up an engine assembling and testing plant in Tamil Nadu, which will become operational by January next year.
The proposed facility would come up at Anjur village in Tamil Nadu's Kancheepuram district. The plant will also produce gearbox and other aggregates.
Force Motors currently has two plants in India. Its small commercial vehicles and tractors are rolled out from the facility at Pune, while others such as SUVs, MUVs and other commercial vehicles are produced from Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh.
The company sells a range of vehicles, including small commercial vehicles, multi-utility vehicles (MUVs), light commercial vehicles, sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and agricultural tractors.
Copyright © 2009 - 2024 Franchise India Holdings Ltd


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Teardown s Project Is Full
Good information for followers of the chaotic physics sandbox Teardown, as the second fifty percent of the video game’s campaign has actually just been released and also releases much more mayhem with brand-new places, objective types, devices, characters, and also robotics armed with flamethrowers.
Modding performance has actually also been added, with developer Tuxedo Labs clarifying that there will certainly be assistance for integrated pathfinding and for molders to produce their own robots of death. While this update brings the game up to its 0.9 version in Early Access, Tuxedo Labs says that it will initially concentrate on responses to the brand-new web content and after that begin functioning towards the last release that relocates Teardown out of Early Access.
Tuxedo Labs had previously estimated that Teardown would require at the very least a year in Early Access before it would certainly await a full release, however the programmer did promise that the game’s $20 cost would certainly stay fixed even when it was completed.
If you’re a fan of games like Garry’s Mod, Teardown deserves taking a look at as it plays like the inverse of Minecraft. It’s much less about development, as well as more concentrated on giving you the devices to ruin every little thing around you instead. Simply keep an eye out for the robots that are absolutely and also legally distinguishable from Robocop’s ED-209.


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A playable demo for Princess Peach Showtime could be on the way.
Reliable Nintendo leaker Pyoro previously tweeted the name of the game in Japanese back in September 2023, five days before Nintendo actually revealed it.
Now they’ve quoted that tweet with another Japanese message, teasing: “Will there be a trial version?”
Pyoro previously stated that news on Luigi’s Mansion HD and the Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remake will likely be revealed this weekend as part of Nintendo’s Mario Day celebrations on March 10 (MAR10).
Princess Peach Showtime is set to be released on March 22, so if a demo is planned it may also be a Mario Day announcement.


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PayPal to launch crypto payment in 2021. The firm announced its entry into the crypto arena, according to reports on Wednesday. The company said that PayPal customers will be able to use cryptocurrencies to shop at any merchant in its large network starting early 2021. The payments will be settled through fiat currencies, similar to many existing crypto merchant solutions like BitPay.
The initially supported coins would include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin. The payment giant collaborated with Paxos to provide the service, as well as receiving from the New York State Department of Financial Services a conditional cryptocurrency licence, also referred to as the BitLicense.
In addition to cryptocurrency payments, PayPal users will also be able to purchase crypto directly through the app. PayPal will thus feature a cryptocurrency wallet, letting users buy, sell and hold crypto via the PayPal apps.


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It’s hard to have a genuine mystery in the age of the internet, when seemingly infinite information is available whenever we want it.
has managed it, though, thanks to PokÃ©mon the recent introduction of Meltan. The mysterious new creature was first discovered by data miners in PokÃ©mon GOÂ before Nintendo officially unveiled it.Â By now, we know its name and what it looks like, but really, that’s about it. However, Nintendo has shared a pair of new videos on Wednesday that reveal more about the enigmatic PokÃ©mon. What do you think the next Meltan secret is? Does it actually have an evolved form, or can multiple Meltans fuse into something greater, or is there something else afoot that I’m not thinking of? Share your speculations down in the comments below! VIDEO
Most interestingly, it appears that Meltan can only actually be caught in
, according to a press release, as the language suggests that it will have to be transferred from that game to the upcoming
PokÃ©mon: Let’s Go
games in order to use them in the latter. This would make it the first PokÃ©mon that can be caught only in
Â The press release also reveals how players will finally be able to catch Meltan: “The first time players send a PokÃ©mon from
PokÃ©mon: Letâ€™s Go, Pikachu!
PokÃ©mon: Letâ€™s Go, Eevee!
, they can receive a very special item â€” a Mystery Box. Once the Mystery Box is opened in
, Meltan will begin to appear in the game, and players can attempt to catch it in the same way as any other PokÃ©mon.”It also looks like Meltan might be able to evolve into something else. Near the end of the video below, there’s a brief shot that shows a silhouette of what appears to be either an evolved form of Meltan or multiple Meltans fused together, followed by a title card that reads, “I think Meltan still holds a greater secret to be uncovered.”
Featured image: The Official PokÃ©mon YouTube Channel


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Power is one of the major problem small, medium and large corporations face in Nigeria. It is a major constraint on ease of doing business in Nigeria with about $12 billion spent annually by businesses and individuals on generators.
According to a global policy and advisory firm in June 2019, households owned about 22 million small petrol generators, as a research by NOI Polls and referenced by Bloomberg disclosed that an average power supply of only 9.2 hours a day was provided to households as of first half of 2019.
The yearly cost of powering these generators, which is estimated at $12 billion, is said to be twice the country’s annual infrastructure budget. The lack of access to electricity and unreliable power supply causes an annual economic loss of about $29 billion, according to the International Monetary Fund.
This means that the more dependent Nigerian households and businesses are on generators, the more holes it drills into the pocket of businesses, households and the economy.
The best solution for Nigeria is a hybrid system where you integrate your solar panel with your generator set and reduce your diesel consumption by 50%.


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During March 1-4, 2015, the 16th annual conference of the Association of Test Publishers (ATP) was held in Palm Springs, California. As the core member of ATP and the founding member of its Asia Division(A-ATP), ATA, the leading testing and assessment service provider in China, was invited to attend the event.
Themed on “Innovations in Testing”, this annual conference received a record breaking number of attendees from over 15 countries; , over 1,000 professionals from the testing industry including global leaders in testing and assessment, measurement experts and industry application managers. During the 4-day event, a total of 16 seminars, 93 workshops, 7 breakout sessions, 8 product exhibitions, 12 innovation showcases and 7 open discussions were conducted, covering topics such as test deployment and delivery mode, business strategy and operation, data management, test security, and psychometric analysis.
As China’s largest computer-based test service provider, ATA focused in the event on the display of its latest testing technologies, products and services, particularly the application of MTS (Mobile Testing System) in testing and education scenarios, arousing wide attention from LinkedIn, Pearson, CFA, NBME and a host of other participants who came to the company’s exhibition booth to inquire about the products and exchanged views. Besides, ATA’s efforts in promoting test/assessment innovation in China were highly recognized by ATP: Dr. William G. Harris, CEO of ATP, met with ATA’s delegation in person; the conference set up two sessions for ATA, in which Mr. Alex Tong, Vice President of ATA, and Ms. Wang Qiushi, Vice Dean of Assessment and Research Institute of ATA delivered speeches on related subjects.
Starting with mobile technologies becoming the industry trend, Mr. Tang gave a speech entitled “Leveraging Mobile Technologies to Enable Secure and Quick Deployment of Test Delivery –with Global Case Studies”; and Ms. Wang Qiushi introduced the application of scenario-based testing in large-scale campus recruitments. Thanks to their exciting and thought-provoking speeches, ATA’s technologies, products and services were again in the spotlight of global practitioners in the testing and assessment industry.
ATP annual conference
ATA’s Vice President Mr. Alex Tong is introducing MTS technology to a conference attendee
ATA’s Vice President Mr. Alex Tong speaks in his session
(If there is any inconsistency or conflict between the English and Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.)


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ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GigLabs, a blockchain company that empowers brands such as CNN and Turner Sports to bring their IP to life through non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, today announced a $4.5 million seed round led by Dapper Labs and Panoramic Ventures. Other investors participating in the round include Collab+Currency, Red Beard Ventures, Eterna Capital, Alumni Venture Group, Gaingels, and Amino Capital. The caliber and variety of investors participating in this round demonstrates broad support for GigLabs to be the leading provider of infrastructure for brands, creators and collectors to build memorable experiences through NFTs.
“At GigLabs, we firmly believe that every brand will have an NFT strategy in the future,” said Douglas Dimola, CEO and co-founder of GigLabs. “This funding enables us to expand the talent of our team to continue expanding our offerings to meet current and future demand, while also working with the best and brightest partners to continue to push this new innovation forward.”
NFTs have increased in popularity with the market reaching billions in trading and sales volume. As NFTs continue to rapidly see mainstream adoption, with major sports leagues, media outlets and prestige auction houses participating in projects, brands are increasingly seeking to get involved—but they need reliable partners to navigate the significant technical complexities when integrating NFT projects into enterprise level organizations. GigLabs’ technology is championed by some of the biggest names in entertainment, giving customers access to emergent Web3 innovations. GigLabs’ solutions enable brands and creators to launch new NFT projects, with customizable branded storefronts and marketplaces, as well as metaverse experiences for their communities. In addition, GigLabs has pioneered transferring NFTs to fans while at live events, all through a QR code.
GigLabs’ platform allows enterprise brands to build lasting relationships with consumers and create customized and personalized experiences through NFTs that live on the Flow blockchain. Major brand partners supported by the GigLabs platform include CNN, Turner Sports, Bleacher Report, Speedway Motorsports’ RaceDay NFT—the first-ever NASCAR-related NFT, University of Miami’s Canes Vault, Athletes Unlimited and others. This funding round will allow the company to build out its team and scale to accelerate customer growth.
“GigLabs continues to impress through the team’s ability to develop the technology solutions needed for any brand to build a powerful NFT experience,” said Roham Gharegozlou, CEO of Dapper Labs. “It’s awesome to see the world’s leading brands building on Flow and supercharging their connection to consumers.”
“Sometimes the magic is making it simple to do something complex. GigLabs takes a transformative technology and makes it accessible to companies, organizations and brands of all sizes,” said Paul Judge, Managing Partner of Panoramic Ventures. “We believe in the power of NFTs to combine content, culture, and community and we’re enthusiastic to back GigLabs on this journey.”
GigLabs has built multiple solutions to not only bring brands into the world of NFTs but also to provide onramps into the much broader metaverse. These include NFT Bridge, which is the company’s whitelabeled solution for brands and creators to launch customizable NFT marketplaces directly on their own websites. The platform also includes a solution that allows for frictionless claiming of NFTs via a QR code while attending live events, a novel way to blend fandom in the physical and virtual worlds. GigLabs has also built RareRooms, a 3D/VR enabled metaverse that allows collectors to curate and showcase their NFTs as well as allow brands to have amazing virtual storefronts and customizable spaces that allow their fans to truly experience their NFTs. Nearly 10,000 RareRooms have been created to display unique, curated sets of NFTs by collectors.
Founded in 2017, GigLabs is on a mission to empower brands, creators and collectors to create defining and memorable NFT experiences. The company partners with brands, agencies and creators to provide easy-to-use products for generating, minting, and selling NFTs that can be presented within fully customizable brand experiences, both on the web and in VR. Built by the GigLabs’ team of experienced blockchain developers and NFT enthusiasts, the API-driven NFT Bridge platform delivers flexible and scalable NFT tools that allow any brand to build any NFT experience imaginable.
RareRooms is GigLabs’ customizable 3D immersive metaverse for showcasing NFTs, including digital collectibles, art and more, integrated across multiple blockchains.
For more information, visit https://www.giglabs.io/.
About Dapper Labs
Dapper Labs, the company behind NBA Top Shot and the original developers behind the Flow blockchain, uses blockchain technology to bring NFTs and new forms of digital engagement to fans around the world. Since it was founded in 2018, Dapper Labs has given consumer enthusiasts a real stake in the game by bringing them closer to the brands they love, enabling engaged and exciting communities for them to contribute to, and powering new pathways for them to become creators themselves. Dapper Labs' current studio partners include the NBA, NBPA, WNBA, WNBPA, LaLiga, Warner Music Group, Ubisoft, Genies and UFC. Notable investors in Dapper Labs include Andreessen Horowitz, Coatue, Union Square Ventures, Venrock, BOND, GIC, Google Ventures (GV), Samsung, and the founders of Dreamworks, Reddit, Coinbase, Zynga, and AngelList, among others. For more about Dapper Labs' products and mission, visit dapperlabs.com.
About Panoramic Ventures
Panoramic Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Atlanta that takes a "wider-view" approach to investing by targeting the Southeast and Midwest and placing a focus on diverse founders and university startups. Panoramic opens new doors for overlooked founders, giving more entrepreneurs access to capital to build leading tech companies. For more information, visit www.panoramic.vc or follow Panoramic Ventures on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter @panoramicvc.


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Eating out can lead to weight gain and increase people's risk for heart disease, diabetes and other serious health issues because popular menu items often have more fat, kilojoules and saturated fat than meals typically prepared at home.
That's according to an expert from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and it's particularly worrisome since a LivingSocial Dining Out Survey revealed Americans eat out, on average, four to five times each week.
"When you combine weight gain and the poor eating habits that can come along with dining out, it could be a recipe for disaster for your heart health," Jody Gilchrist, nurse practitioner at the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic at Acton Road, said in a university news release.
"If you eat out enough and are not careful about what you eat, you could be looking at metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that raises your risk for heart disease and other health problems, including high cholesterol and diabetes," Gilchrist added.
Eating out tied to weight gain
One additional meal eaten away from home each week can add roughly two extra pounds a year, according to the US. Department of Agriculture. There are ways people can avoid extra calories and protect their heart health when dining out, Gilchrist pointed out. She offered the following tips on how to make healthier choices at restaurants:
- Be prepared. "If you know you're eating out, conserve calories ahead of time," Gilchrist recommended. "Also, investigate where you are going if you can. Use the Internet to look up healthy menu options, or download a smart phone app that lists calorie counts for specific restaurants. See what healthy menu options they have, and choose one of those instead of something with more calories or fat."
- Limit portion size. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that eating meals in restaurants where portions are large is linked to obesity. "If you have to eat fast food, choose something from the kids' menu," Gilchrist said. "In a restaurant, pick an appetiser instead of a full meal, or split an entree with someone to save calories."
- Consider how food is prepared. "Don't be shy about asking how something is cooked or for substitutions," noted Gilchrist. "Key words to avoid include 'fried,' 'batter,' 'creamy' and 'cheesy.' Stick with foods that are baked, broiled, grilled, steamed or stir-fried." Replace high-fat dressings with balsamic vinegar dressing on the side, or skip dressing entirely. Opt for a vegetable or baked potato instead of french fries.
- Lighten up. "Try to get 'lite' cheese on pizza, and then load it with veggies," Gilchrist advised. "Add as many vegetables to a meal as you can, and eat them first. They will help you feel full more quickly, and you get the bonus of added nutrition."
The American Heart Association provides more tips on how to eat healthy when dining out.


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CHICAGO — Frito Wow! had the most successful CPG product debut of the past decade, according to a new Information Resources Inc. Times & Trends report.
Offering consumers the taste of traditional Lay's, Ruffles and Doritos but with less fat and up to half the calories, it brought in $347.2 million in first-year sales. Vanilla Coke, with $292.1 million in sales, and Pepsi One with $225.3 million, followed in popularity.
The items are among the less than 3% of new products that exceed $50 million in year-one sales, according to IRI. Fewer than eight in 10 pass the $7.5 million mark. Brand extensions are more common than entirely new brand introductions since they require less investment and shorter lead times. The drawback is an average 13% less in year-one sales across food and beverage categories and 49% less across non-foods.
About one in ten successful new products are also new brands. Swiffer, introduced in 2000, and Febreeze in 1998, are examples of these, according to the report, which also highlighted crossover success stories like Dunkin' Donuts coffee, which made its CPG debut in 2008, and Iams pet food in 2001.
Read More of Today's Headlines


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Volvo has revealed the first images of the R-Design version of the all new XC90. Aimed at buyers looking for a performance-focussed full-size SUV, the XC90 R-Design will go on sale with the entire new XC90 range.
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Looking to lock horns with Volkswagen and Toyota, Fiat India is set to launch the new Avventura compact crossover during this festive season. Shown first during the 2014 Auto Expo earlier this year, the Avventura will take on other hatchback-based crossovers such as the Volkswagen Cross Polo and the Toyota Etios Cross.
While Mercedes-Benz India is busy bracing itself for the launch of the GLA premium compact crossover, World Car Fans has managed to snag a new set of spy shots of the very important next-generation E-Class. Very important because the prototype has been spied featuring its own body shell.
Volkswagen has taken the covers off the new Polo GTI, ahead of the car’s public debut at the Paris Motor Show, next month. Basically a facelifted version, the new Polo GTI benefits from a more powerful engine and subtle styling updates.
Making it worth the wait, Honda has released the first images of the Jazz (Fit for Japan) prototype. It is set to debut at the Paris Motor Show next month and this dekko in advance has certainly been the right step to generate interest in the car.
Although there is quite some time before the all-new Volvo S90 gets a green light for production, Auto Express has released an exclusive image, showing how the Swedish automaker’s new mid-size luxury sedan could look like.
Jaguar has launched a 2.0-litre variant of its flagship sedan – the XJ at Rs 93.24 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai). The XJ L, with the smallest engine, will now be locally assembled alongside its smaller sibling, the XF, at its plant in Pune. This is the second locally assembled XJ after the 3.0-litre V6 diesel variant.
Mitsubishi has launched a limited edition model of the Pajero Sport at Rs 23.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). It gets a few cosmetic changes and some additions inside.
According to a source, Maruti Suzuki has received 5,000 bookings for its new sedan - the Ciaz. It has been a couple of weeks since bookings commenced on September 3 and the numbers are impressive.
India’s largest carmaker - Maruti Suzuki, has declared that its manufacturing facility in Manesar has churned out more than 25 lakh units of vehicles. This figure was achieved in a span of 7 years and 8 months and the milestone marking car was a Swift Zxi rolling out of the production line.


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Press Release from Neath Port Talbot Council
Proposed Christmas Car Parking in Neath
This year it is proposed to offer free parking from Saturday, 13th December 2014 up to and including Wednesday 24th December in all of the Council’s pay and display car parks, as well as the pay on exit car park at Milland Road.
The council is committed to supporting businesses in Neath Port Talbot and wants to encourage shoppers into the towns.
Council Leader, Ali Thomas OBE said, "It is important, especially in difficult trading times, that the Council does all it can to help attract Christmas shoppers to Neath Port Talbot.
"Free parking will improve business for traders and also help shoppers with the cost of their Christmas shopping.
"This practice has been successful in the past and I am sure it will be welcomed by both shoppers and traders again this year."


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Dairy Farmers of America
Irish dairy group Glanbia has confirmed it is in "advanced" talks with three US dairy suppliers, including Dairy Farmers of America, over the formation of a stand-alone joint venture in the country.
Dairy product consumers in 15 US states are able to share in a US$52m settlement following an antitrust lawsuit brought against some of the country's biggest dairy producers, who allegedly artificially inflated the price of milk and other dairy products by killing hundreds of thousands of cows.
Arla Foods has announced it is entering into a joint venture with Dairy Farmers of America for the production of cheddar cheese.
The end of Muller Quaker Dairy, the US yoghurt joint venture between PepsiCo and Muller, will result in the loss of 66 jobs.
German dairy Muller and PepsiCo are ending their US yoghurt joint venture, Muller Quaker Dairy.
Dairy Farmers of America has announced plants to build a dairy plant in Garden City, Kansas.
Outmoded technology and infrastructure have forced US co-op Dairy Farmers of America to shut down its Plymouth, Wisconsin manufacturing plant from January.
Dairy Farmers of America, the US dairy co-operative, has launched a milk-based "energy drink" range in selected parts of its domestic market.
Lactalis has moved ahead of French rival Danone into second place in the list of the world's top ten dairy companies by sales, according to new data from Rabobank.
US fruit group Tree Top has named Dairy Farmers of America executive Keith Gomes its new CEO.
A court in Missouri has given the go-ahead for a class action lawsuit against Dairy Farmers of America.
Dairy Farmers of America, the US dairy co-op, and Chinese dairy giant Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co. have agreed to set up a milk powder joint venture.
US co-op Dairy Farmers of America has decided to settle a 2009 lawsuit that claimed it and Dean Foods had worked together to push down prices for raw milk in the north east of the country.
Chinese dairy company Yili Group has opened a research and development centre in the Netherlands in partnership with Wageningen University.
Dairy Farmers of America has acquired Maine-based milk processor Oakhurst for an undisclosed sum.
US co-op Dairy Farmers of America has broken ground on a new plant in Michigan that will produce ingredients.
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has acquired milk-to-juice producer Dairy Maid Dairy in a bid to grow its fluid milk business.
For a second week, China's probe into infant formula prices - which it emerged is part of a wider investigation into the dairy sector in the country - grabbed your attention. And the US food retail scene saw the biggest M&A story of the week when Kroger struck a deal to buy regional chain Harris Teeter for US$2.4bn.
China's investigation into the alleged fixing of infant formula prices rumbled on this week as Beijing claimed companies at the centre of the investigation were knowingly breaking the law. More firms moved to lower prices, including Mead Johnson, Meiji and FrieslandCampina. Elsewhere, Kroger struck a deal to buy regional supermarket chain Harris Teeter, while just-food spoke with the CEO of Walkers Shortbread's US arm and the newly-appointed managing director of Futura Foods following the sale of a stake in the company to Danish dairy firm Nordex.
Chinese dairy giant Yili Group has teamed up with US co-op Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) in a venture that will serve China's fast-growing dairy market.
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has settled a class action lawsuit accusing the cooperative of conspiring to control the raw milk market in the southeastern US.
US dairy co-op Dairy Farmers of America is to begin the construction of a dairy ingredients plant in Nevada.
CAGNY, the annual conference where leading US food makers face Wall Street analysts, saw the likes of General Mills, ConAgra Foods and Heinz this week reflect on the trading challenges facing the industry. Elsewhere, Pfizer tried to cool fresh speculation around the sale of its baby food business, Kerry Group said it would slow its rate of acquisitions this year and there were rumours a French state fund was in talks to invest in poultry giant Groupe Doux.
Dairy Farmers of America has acquired New England-based dairy group Guida's Milk and Ice Cream for an undisclosed sum.
Dean Foods has agreed to pay a US$140m settlement to farmers in the US who accused the dairy giant of conspiring with competitors to keep prices low.
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has taken sides against Dean Foods with the farmers that over a year ago filed a lawsuit against it over dairy prices in the state of Vermont.
US dairy co-op Dairy Farmers of America has bought Hispanic cheese business Castro Cheese Co. in its first move into the "ethnic" dairy category.
China's Yili Group has become the latest non-Western dairy processor to join the ranks of the world's top 20 firms in the sector, according to data published today (16 June).
DairiConcepts, a US venture between New Zealand's Fonterra and Dairy Farmers of America, has acquired the US-based Italian hard cheese business of Swiss Valley Farms.
Dairy farmers in north-eastern US states have filed a class action lawsuit accusing Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and Dean Foods of monopolising a level of distribution in the region.
Rabobank's annual league table of the world's largest dairy companies has been released - and the data underlines what a challenging market it has been in recent months.
This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Dairy Products in US$ Million by the following Product Segments: Fluid Milk, Milk Powder, Butter, Cheese, Ice Cream and Related Products, Yogurt and Rela...
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Gupta’s appointment comes a few months after Paytm said Renu Satti had stepped down as the CEO of Paytm Payments Bank to head the new retail segment at the company as chief operating officer
New Delhi: Paytm Payments Bank, a unit of One97 Communications Ltd., had appointed Satish Kumar Gupta as managing director and chief executive officer of the digital bank, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
Gupta, who has over 35 years of leadership experience, previously had stints as the chief product officer at National Payments Corporation of India and State Bank of India.
Gupta’s appointment comes a few months after Paytm said Renu Satti had stepped down as the CEO of Paytm Payments Bank to head the new retail segment at the company as chief operating officer.
This is the third CEO appointment at Paytm Payments Bank in two years after former Central Bank executive Shinjini Kumar left Paytm in May 2017.
The post of Payment Bank CEO remained vacant since August.
“Having been a part of the banking and payments industry for close to four decades, I’ve been fortunate to experience the disruption and growth that the Indian economy has witnessed in promoting digital payments," said Gupta. “I look forward to leveraging my understanding of banking and payments at Paytm Payments Bank and aligning myself to its vision of bringing financial inclusion through digital payments."
Paytm Payments Bank offers zero balance accounts and charges on digital transactions and aims to build a new business model that caters to 500 million underserved consumers in the country.
“His (Gupta’s) expertise will help us realize the vision that we have set out for our payments bank," said Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder and chief executive officer at Paytm.
Paytm Payments Bank launched in May last year was under scrutiny after the Reserve Bank of India directed the bank to stop enrolling new customers following audit observations.
Paytm is still not onboarding new customers, according to a Paytm spokesperson. “Paytm bank is awaiting RBI confirmation on enrolling new customers," the spokesperson added.
Other payments banks in the country include Fino Payments Bank, Airtel Payments Bank and India Post Post Payments Bank among others.
NCR-based Paytm Payments Bank is a separate entity, 51% owned by Sharma and the rest held by One97 Communications.
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J.D. Power and LMC Automotive have forecasted a decline in new-vehicle retail sales for February 2022, compared to February 2021.
Retail sales for last month are expected to reach 922,100 units, a decrease of 5.7% from February of last year, a statement from J.D. Power states.
Total new-vehicle sales for last month, including retail and non-retail, are projected to reach 1,057,300 units, an 11.1% decrease from the same month last year.
“What we’re seeing in February — sales being constrained by available inventory — is expected to continue in March,” said Thomas King, J.D. Power president of the data and analytics division. “The underlying question is which manufacturers will have the ability to produce enough vehicles to increase inventory levels. Ongoing supply chain disruptions, along with near-term announcements of production outages by several manufacturers, mean that the aggregate inventory situation is unlikely to change in March. For some manufacturers, the situation may deteriorate. This likely means that prices and per-unit profitability for retailers and manufacturers will likely remain healthy.”
King adds that retail inventory pacing below 900,000 units and nine consecutive months below one million units means “the new-vehicle supply situation is not displaying signs of near-term improvement.” Therefore, February sales were determined not by actual consumer demand but by the number of vehicles delivered to dealerships.
“Vehicles continue to sell quickly and a growing number of those vehicles have been ordered by buyers. This month, nearly 53% of vehicles will be sold within 10 days of arriving at a dealership, while the average number of days a new vehicle is in a dealer’s possession before being sold is on pace to be 20 days—down from 54 days a year ago,” King says in the statement.
Higher new-vehicle prices “mean that retail consumers are on track to spend a healthy $41.0 billion on new vehicles” in February, which is the highest on record for the month of February and 12.4% above February 2021.


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Car-hailing companies are trying to aggregate the auto-rickshaw business and, according to estimates, around 200,000 drivers have signed up with them. But auto companies say this has made no impact on their sales, which are expected to see a huge growth rate of more than 40 per cent, from 241,241 in FY17 to 337,827 by FY18.
Bajaj Auto says unlike taxis, auto-rickshaws, which are primarily for intra-city transport, are greater in number, making their availability easier. So aggregation is not very attractive.
In contrast, in the case of taxis, a large part of the fleet has all-India permits and are used substantially for inter-city travel and only partly for intra-city movements. Only black-and-yellow cabs in places such as Delhi and Mumbai run within the city. So their viability on the roads is limited and aggregation attractive.
Drivers, who have to fork out about 20 per cent of their fares to mobility platform companies, say automobile
companies do not get any additional business that will justify the move to be registered with mobility platforms towards them.
Also, at an average of Rs 9-10 per km, auto-rickshaws are much cheaper to travel in and even the upfront fare is much lower. In contrast, the average for mobility platform company cars is Rs 12 a km and you also face surge prices.
An auto-driver typically runs 100-200 km a day, says Bajaj Auto, and has a lower initial investment as well as a lower running cost. However, auto companies say, an app-based taxi runs 200-300 km a day. Higher initial investment and higher running costs cannot generate decent net earnings at 100-150 km and hence he has to work a minimum of 12 hours a day for a sustainable income.
Mobility services companies say they account for 25-30 per cent of all registered taxis, which are around 2.8 million in number. To achieve that level of penetration, they have pushed their services in more than 100 cities of the country.
But experts say their growth will slow because they are reducing driver incentives. Ride-hailing companies, however, say the penetration is still low and there is a huge upside to grow the market and make owning a car passé. In the auto-rickshaw segment also, even assuming that each driver owns his vehicle, the penetration of ride-hailing companies is more than 6 per cent of the 3 million registered auto-rickshaws.


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Public Health England (PHE) has begun discussions that include operators having to reduce calories in pizza to 928 and pies to 695, in a bid to help tackle childhood obesity.
UKHospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls outlined how, while the trade is in favour of promoting healthy eating and operators are already taking steps to do this, consumers should also be able to make decisions on what they eat for themselves.
She said: “We are supportive of efforts to promote healthier eating habits and the sector is already taking decisive, proactive action to reformulate menus to reduce calories, increase transparency and offer healthier dishes for customers.
“But freedom of choice must remain key to the consumer experience and it is reasonable for people to treat themselves when dining out, while still controlling their calorific intake.”
UKH also reiterated its warning from earlier this year (September) that mandatory calorie labelling could also have a significant impact on the trade.
Nicholls added: “As we stated earlier this year, the introduction of mandatory calorie labelling on menus would likely have a damaging effect, resulting in prices going up for customers and investment in businesses going down, inevitably negatively impacting the overall consumer experience.
“The new proposal to shrink the size of dishes and cap calories will be yet another burden for operators, and a measure that will ultimately lead to additional costs for many hospitality businesses, as acknowledged by the Treasury.
“This new proposal arrives at a time when not only is the eating out dining sector experiencing turbulent times, but our high streets are suffering.
“Hospitality businesses like pubs and restaurants are saddled with excessive and increasing taxation and regulatory costs, which is why our sector needs targeted support in the Budget.”
One pub group that prides itself on its pies is Fuller’s. The company has a dedicated part of its estate for pies with its Ale and Pie pubs.
Fuller’s director of food Paul Dickinson said: “We are firm believers in consumer choice so we try to offer something for everyone.
“Currently all our gravy-based pies already fall within the new recommended limit although some of our more luxurious pies, those with a contemporary twist on the traditional like pepper steak and Stilton, do have a slightly higher calorie count.
“In addition, our new ale and pie menu includes mini pies as an alternative, so if customers really want to watch those calories but still enjoy a delicious pie, they could have one of those instead.”
Childhood obesity is due to modern day living and a fast-food society, according to the British Pie Association.
Founder member Howard Fielding said: “Our view as a totally independent association is that pies have been around since the 14th century (and probably before if records were better).
“Childhood obesity hasn’t been a building or sustained problem over the centuries and it is not something that has slowly crept up on us. It is interesting to note that looking at several establishments, there are no pies on children’s menus.
“People have a choice, more choices now than ever in human history, and those choices need to be balanced – everything in moderation.
“A standard pie is typically between 400 and 600 calories, about one third of an average adult calorie requirement.”
Don't just eat pies
However, Fielding didn’t think the calorie limit would solve the issue of childhood obesity because pies are not popular with children.
He added: “As members of the British Pie Association, we don’t just eat pies. That would be foolish and somewhat limiting from a nutritional point of view.
“We, like everyone else, have choices, and we like to promote good living, a wide and varied choice, and we enable that choice by publishing our good pie findings.
“Childhood obesity is a very serious issue and we believe everyone should be encouraged to reduce the problem.
“We are not convinced a calorie limit on pies will solve child obesity or make a significant dent in it as the reality is that pies are not a primary ‘go to’ food for children.”
However, he was for calorie labelling on foods and claimed limiting calories stifles creativity when making the pies.
Fielding said: “The British Pie Association is all for clarity and openness, we welcome initiatives such as documenting nutritional details on menus.
“That is a great initiative and it is helping people make a more informed choice. We also support new ideas, new recipes, new ways of creating pie masterpieces and have seen quite a change over the years, introducing vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free pies, so reduced calorie pies would just be, in our opinion, another type of pie.
“Enforcing a limit however, would stifle creativity, reduce choice and have a negative impact on the UK pie industry.”


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Consumer NZ, the Environmental Law Initiative and Lawyers for Climate Action NZ are doubling down on claims that Z Energy is greenwashing New Zealanders.
According to Z Energy’s latest annual report, released on 29 February 2024, its total emissions are continuing to increase.
“Z Energy continues to claim it is ‘in the business of getting out of the petrol business’, while at the same time the emissions from its fossil fuel sales are increasing,” said Jon Duffy, chief executive of Consumer NZ.
The fuel sold by Z Energy counts for about 14% of New Zealand’s total emissions budget.
Z Energy’s latest greenhouse gas inventory report shows that its fuel sales over 2023 were the highest they have been over the past 5 years.
“While Z Energy talks about having ‘ambitious emissions reduction targets’, it is actually talking about its own operational emissions, things like its company cars and electricity use.
“Its reduction targets do not include the emissions from the fuel it sells, which let’s face it, is the biggest source of its emissions,” said Duffy.
“To find out the truth behind the marketing, Z customers would need to sift through the company’s annual reports – should they have to?”
Consumer’s sentiment tracking has consistently found that nine in ten New Zealanders are mindful of where they spend their money, and about half of us will change brands if we think another brand’s products are more sustainable.
“Z’s marketing is clearly designed to promote its brand as a greener choice and increase sales. This means the company’s climate-conscious messaging could be having the converse effect of driving up its fossil fuel sales, and consequently its emissions too.”
Advocates seek court action
Late last year, Consumer, the Environmental Law Initiative and Lawyers for Climate Action NZ lodged a claim with the High Court seeking declarations that Z Energy has breached the Fair Trading Act by misleading New Zealanders with its public messaging. The case is currently going through the court process.
The trio say that Z Energy’s public statements and advertising have created the impression that the fuel giant was making bold changes to reduce its emissions and working at pace to mitigate its contribution to the climate crisis, while in fact, Z Energy’s actions do not line up with this impression.
“The allegations of misleading conduct are particularly concerning because people trust Z more than any other fuel brand in New Zealand.
“Even though Z’s stated intent may be to ‘get out of the petrol business’, so far, its actions do not live up to that intent. As far as we are concerned, this is a prime example of greenwashing.”
Consumer’s latest research found that one in five New Zealanders have a high level of trust in Z Energy, and over a quarter of New Zealanders agree that Z Energy is making genuine efforts to operate in a more sustainable way. This surpasses the results for other fuel retailers.
“Z’s customers are choosing a brand that self-proclaims an intent to become ‘part of the [climate change] solution’. What we’re saying is, if Z’s total emissions are increasing, where’s the evidence to back up the green glow?
“We are hoping to get the case to the High Court as soon as possible. It’s vital that a precedent is set to protect New Zealanders from greenwashing, and to support businesses who are carefully considering the claims they are making through their marketing and doing their best to protect our people and our planet.”


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Android 2.3 Gingerbread Update for Chinese Meizu M9
There may be many of you out there not aware of the Chinese Meizu M9. Well just to let you know, this device is now receiving an Android 2.3 Gingerbread update.
It would appear that the guys over at Meizu are certainly on top of things when it comes to their successful M9, many people were just wondering what the owners of this device could expect for the future. Well now, we can reveal that users of the Meizu M9 received their first taste of Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
Users received their Android enhancement in the form of a downloadable update, which rather than waiting for a carrier to push out an OTA, is a much quicker way of getting an update out to users and perhaps this method should be adopted by more companies.
However, according to an article by Engadget coming to us via Phandroid, some users that have downloaded the update on to their smartphone have experienced small annoyances such as, display and power issues. However, I’m sure that given Meizu’s new track record, they will soon offer a new update to deal with these issues.
For those that are not too familiar with the Chinese Meizu M9, why not check out the YouTube video below, which shows some of the unique UI elements in action.


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A slew of changes to business travel in the last few months means fleet managers need to review their vehicle lease contracts to make them suitable for the “new normal”, according to software specialists FleetCheck. It said that the coronavirus pandemic had caused “a wide range of potentially quite dramatic changes” to key variables. Peter Golding, FleetCheck MD said: “Current car and van lease arrangements used by most fleets were essentially created for a world of business travel that no […]
The DfT has launched a website of motorway services to help ease hauliers’ journeys as they deliver vital supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Owens Road Services has won a two year contract with Kimberly Clark for transport out of its sites in Chorley and Northfleet.
Ballyvesey Holdings saw a fourfold profits fall in 2019 in what the company described as a “difficult” year in an intensely competitive market.


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An investor has sold a 40,000-square-foot office building along Route 73 in Burlington County, in a newly announced deal by Wolf Commercial Real Estate.
A pizza chain is expanding to southern New Jersey after leasing space at a Burlington County shopping center, under a deal arranged by Vantage Commercial.
A popular Jersey Shore restaurant is expanding to Burlington County after taking more than 9,000 square feet at a new mixed-use development along Route 70.
Wolf Commercial Real Estate has made another key hire, seeking to grow both its facilities services platform and its team of retail brokers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Velocity Venture Partners has signed three new leases at a recently acquired, 160,000-square-foot flex industrial park in Burlington County, in a series of deals by NAI Mertz.
A human resources and payroll firm has opened a new headquarters in Evesham, under a lease arranged by brokers with Vantage Commercial.
A partnership has purchased a fully leased, 55,000-square-foot office building in Evesham, according to a brokerage team with Wolf Commercial Real Estate.
National Integrity Title Agency has hired Victoria Zabala, whose focus will be on building relationships through networking, signing new accounts with realtors and fostering agent alliances with marketing assistance.
The new owner of more than 250,000 square feet of light industrial space in South Jersey and suburban Philadelphia has landed some $22 million in acquisition financing.


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New Delhi: Here is some good news for all those in India who love to chat. Internet search giant Google has rolled out a free SMS chat service for its Gmail and paid email service Google Apps customers in India.
With the introduction of this new service, users will be allowed to send text messages or SMSes to mobile phones using Gmail chat. Google initially provides a user with a free SMS credit of 50 messages. This credit is increased by five every time someone responds to the text message by sending a return message.
According to the company’s website, when the SMS credit limit slashes down to zero, one credit will increase automatically after 24 hours.
In India, this feature is available with nearly eight cellular operators except Airtel, including Vodafone, Reliance, MTS, Tata, Idea and Aircel.
This feature was launched for Indian users on October 10.