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Twenty years ago, the Federal Trade Commission launched a monopolization investigation of Microsoft that, a few years later after the agency deadlocked, led to a landmark Justice Department antitrust prosecution and settlement. Now the FTC is faced with a radically restructured technology market in which smartphones and tablets—and thus Apple, by far the platform leader in that space with its iPhone, iOS operating system, iPad and App Store—have all but replaced desktop PCs. But despite a nine-month review, the federal competition regulator has done nothing to reign in Apple’s anticompetitive use of the iOS platform, especially Apple’s newest and controversial foray into streaming music services.
The Microsoft case was based on the company’ monopoly power arising from its then-dominant Windows OS platform. Apple’s ubiquitous smartphones and tablets are instead today the critical platform for U.S. consumers to engage in mobile computing and to consume digital media. Apple realizes some 80 percent of all smartphone revenues worldwide, enjoys a huge and by-far leading market share in music downloads, and sells more digital smartphone apps than anyone else worldwide. That’s the stuff of what all antitrust lawyers and courts recognize as monopoly power, particularly since scale, entry barriers and so-called “network effects” reinforce Apple’s platform dominance to prevent new competition.
U.S. antitrust law, of course, condemns exclusionary use of a monopoly. No one questions that Apple obtained its iOS platform monopoly power other than by creating “insanely great” products. What is and should be of antitrust concern is how Apple has used that power in anticompetitive ways, methods which go far beyond even what Microsoft was lambasted for doing to Netscape and other emerging competitors in the now-ancient 1990s.
Take a few examples. Just as it did to Amazon.com when it introduced iBooks in 2010, Apple is now targeting the likes of Spotify, Pandora, Rhapsody and iHeartRadio while at the same time introducing its own streaming music service, Apple Music. Apple’s iBooks conduct was judged illegal as price fixing, a verdict upheld on appeal, because it tried (with success) to increase retail prices to consumers for e-books. Not content with taking a whopping 30 percent of all subscription revenues that Pandora and other app developers earn from iOS sales, Apple’s App Store terms actually prevent competitors from allowing users to sign up, inside their own apps, for a lower-priced service directly from themselves—or even informing customers of those cheaper deals!
That’s not an isolated example. Apple uses secret, undocumented interfaces to to give its music service exclusive access to features on iOS like the popular Siri. (Microsoft was forced to open its Windows programming interfaces as part of the 2002 antitrust settlement.) Apple has leveraged its market power by bundling Apple Music into the current iOS version and preventing its removal. (Microsoft was found liable in large part for bundling its Internet Explorer browser into Windows.) And Apple steers iOS users to the new Apple Music service by automatically returning links to songs in their library to its own streaming versions. This last practice is basically indistinguishable from American Express’s policy of precluding merchants accepting their credit cards from recommending other—and lower-priced—options like MasterCard and VISA, for which Amex was found to have violated the Sherman Act in 2013 and required by the courts to rescind.
Even worse, Apple’s close relationship with record labels puts Apple in the driver’s seat, just as with e-books, to “orchestrate a conspiracy among the publishers to raise prices,” as the court of appeals held. The recording industry has consolidated to the point that there are only a small handful of players left. This too happened on the FTC’s watch; while the Clinton Administration’s FTC held a hard line on consolidation (for instance blocking Time Warner/EMI), the Obama FTC has allowed the industry to merge into just three players—the latest being the Commission’s unconditional approval of the Universal/EMI deal. The record labels, and thus Apple, are openly hostile to a mobile free tier, which is a critical marketing funnel for streaming entrants and necessary to compete in that fast-growing market. Is Apple now in cahoots with the record labels like it was with book publishers? Seems so, indeed.
Apple gained significant power over the record labels as the most important outlet for legal music downloads. New services such as Pandora, Spotify and the like threaten to undermine Apple’s historic dominance and its now-cozy relationship with the recording industry. These competing music streamers offer cross-platform services that ease switching between iOS and Android, which threatens Apple’s platform monopoly. As part of the e-books decision, the courts ordered Apple to submit to monitoring to ensure compliance with the antitrust laws. Apple refused to provide the court-appointed monitor sufficient access to information necessary to enforce compliance, and has refused all requests for information about Apple Music.
Remarkably, the same executives responsible for Apple’s illegal e-books price-fixing scheme are spearheading the company’s streaming music strategy, including Eddy Cue, head of Apple’s software and Internet services. Cue was quoted saying “If I had it to do all over again, I’d do it again…. I’d just take better notes.” Those are fighting words the FTC should not accept. It is time for the agency finally to conclude its investigation and bring a monopolization case against Apple. The writing is on the wall, all the agency has to do is read it.
Manishin is a Washington, DC antitrust attorney who served as counsel for competitors in both the US v. AT&T and US v. Microsoft monopolization cases.


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Sales have also grown dramatically in recent months, with revenues up by 51% in the current fiscal year to $243 million through Sept. 26, as the chain bounces back from pandemic-influenced sales declines in 2020. It has lost $87 million so far this year, according to its filing.
Sweetgreen stated it sees “significant market opportunity” for brands aligned with changing consumer preferences, including an increased focus on health and wellness; a shift to plant-based diets; rapid adoption of digital and delivery; and stronger consumer connections to purpose-driven brands.
Sweetgreen stated it plans to build on its momentum at the intersection of these trends in part by using newly built restaurants as “strategic foundations to attract new customers and expand the reach of our brand.” Sweetgreen intends to enter two to three new markets a year and will add 30 new stores this year. The company will also “densify” existing markets through additions of drive-throughs and pickup-only locations, it said.
The company will also look to foster new collaborations with cultural influencers. “To date, we have told bold stories with some of the largest celebrities across food, music, and sports, including Naomi Osaka, David Chang, and others,” the filing stated “We are confident that that these collaborations will continue to drive increased engagement with our community and put Sweetgreen in a rare class of culturally minded companies.”
Sweetgreen is also looking to build upon a social-media following of about 500,000 currently “which we believe is a core strength given the size of our current physical footprint,” it stated. “Social media allows us to tell deeper stories around our supply chain and our recipe development and connect with influential creators that speak to our mission. We intend to continue to leverage our social communities to amplify our voice and engage the next generation of healthy eaters who are aligned with our values.”
Sweetgreen’s creative director is Thomas Wilder who leads an in-house agency. Its chief brand officer is Nathaniel Ru, who is also one of the company’s three co-founders.
CEO Jonathan Neman, another co-founder, drew public ire earlier this year for now-deleted LinkedIn comments on the coronavirus, mask mandates and public health. In the post, Neman said the majority of hospitalizations due to COVID are obese and overweight people and called for health mandates over mask and vaccine requirements.

domain: news


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A Chinese yoke-back chair that made its television debut on the set of the ABC sitcom "Ugly Betty" now makes frequent cameo appearances: It has appeared in a $6.2 million Midtown Manhattan condo and a $10 million Chelsea triplex.
The former prop—it was located in the office of the show's villainous Wilhelmina Slater—is now used in staging ultraluxury properties for sale. It belongs to a select group of home furnishings—iconic seating and eyebrow-raising art—found in some of the most exclusive properties on the market.
"They look like they're from Architectural Digest instead of a staged apartment," said Cheryl Eisen about her eclectic collection of furnishings. Ms. Eisen, president of New York-based home-staging company Interior Marketing Group, said she buys most of the furnishings at a fraction of their retail cost through websites like Craigslist and secondhand stores. In turn, she charges anywhere from $20,000 to stage a one-bedroom apartment to $100,000 for a 6,000-square-foot condo.
The distinctive yoke-back chair, which stands 8 feet high, seemingly contradicts advice given to homeowners to avoid showy pieces that appeal to certain tastes. In high-end real estate, many stagers use unique furnishings and designer pieces to add cachet and make each room memorable.
"If you go too neutral and bland, it's just boring," said Hadas Dembo, principal at Mise en Scène Design, a luxury staging company based in New York.
At the Mark Hotel on New York's Upper East Side, developer Izak Senbahar, president of Alexico Group, likes to use art to add impact. His relationship with local galleries has allowed him to borrow works from interesting artists, he said. For example, Rachel Lee Hovnanian's piece "LA Lights," part of a series of full-length mirrors with a pointed sense of humor, has appeared in a model apartment used to show off the units' amenities. When a preening guest approaches the mirror, the surface illuminates to reveal tiny, iridescent Botox bottles with preserved narcissus flowers. Ten units went up for sale in April, and in the six months since the item was staged in the apartment, he said, three units have sold—including the model, which sold for $6.9 million in January.
Since then, the mirror has sold to a private collector. The artist said it was priced at $48,000.
But luxury doesn't have to cost a small fortune. Ms. Eisen first found the "Ugly Betty" chairs, as she calls them, on a secondhand furniture website. She bought two of the chairs for under $100 each two years ago, she said, to furnish a triplex apartment on West 23rd Street. The unit sold for $8.2 million shortly after the staging. After that, one of the chairs made its way to Central Park West, where it stands handsomely near the fireplace in the nearly $12 million listing of late actress Celeste Holm. Its twin is currently in the $8 million penthouse at 1212 Fifth Ave., the same building in which it helped sell another unit listed for $6.2 million in November.
Elsewhere, another chair holds court. Oozing "Mad Men" chic, the classic Eames chair has been all over metro New York, including the office of an Upper West Side townhouse listed for about $3.7 million. In November, the black-leather status symbol helped sell a condo in Gramercy for roughly $2.3 million. Another appearance, in a 1920s manor in Mount Kisco, N.Y., helped seal the deal on a long-term lease.
"It smacks of modernity," said Barbara Brock, a principal at New York-based staging company Sold with Style.
The company purchased the chair for $1,250 in March 2011, and it has been leased out for 654 of the past 690 days, said Jay Hart, a principal at Sold with Style. Considering they typically recoup the value of an item within 270 days, he said they've made back their investment in spades.
In Miami, Jason Atkins, founder and CEO of Tui Lifestyle, buys furniture in bulk at wholesale prices. Unlike some competitors, Tui Lifestyle only sells its furniture instead of leasing it. Most pieces are used for staging, but consumers can buy directly from the company as well. The average invoice for a complete staging ranges from $23,000 to $32,000. One recent project includes a 1,128-square-foot unit in Miami's Paramount Bay, which sold for $758,000—one of the highest prices per square foot in the building. The listing agent then sold the furnishings to the buyer for over $90,000, Mr. Atkins said.
As for why staging works, Mr. Atkins cites an example from a different industry. Yacht advertisements might show pretty people in bathing suits partying on the deck, he said, yet "you get the boat—none of the other stuff. But you buy into that dream anyway."
Corrections & Amplifications
In an earlier version of this article, Tui Lifestyle was incorrectly identified as Tui Lifestyles.


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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. Temperatures are only continuing to rise in the coming weeks and there are ways to ensure swamp coolers actually cool houses down.
Upgrading the size of the pump to get more water to the cooling pads and trading out weak engines for a higher horse-powered engine will make the fan move faster.
Improving the swamp cooler itself could bring the cooling index down further than the usual 10-20 degrees and it's still cheaper than running an air conditioner.
"You can get adequate cooling at a much lower cost," the actually refrigerated air ones are more expensive to purchase and they're more expensive to operate," said Bill Arcieri, of Home Depot.
Starting the pump a few minutes before starting the fan will ensure the air coming out of the swamp cooler is cold enough.
"If you turn it on sooner all you're doing is spreading more hot air around the house, so suffer a few minutes, get the pads soaked and then get the fan blowing," Arcieri said.
Keeping windows open is also a must to get hot air out of the room and fans will help circulate the cool air throughout the house.


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BMW praises UK staff as it invests £500m in Minis
The "outstanding" quality of its British workforce was a major factor in BMW's decision to invest a further £500m in its Mini assembly plant in Oxford and other operations, the group's chairman Norbert Reithofer said yesterday.
Product quality and productivity at its UK operations was "absolutely at the same level" as its other European and US plants, Mr Reithofer added.
He confirmed that the next generation of the Mini will be built at Oxford and may develop into a "brand family" of as many as 10 different variants.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to its other UK operations – the engine plant at Hams Hall, Birmingham; a pressings division at Swindon; and the Rolls-Royce factory at Goodwood, West Sussex.
Mr Reithofer hinted that the new generation of small BMW-badged cars could also be built at Oxford.
Last year 216,000 Minis were made in Oxford – 80 per cent of them for export markets in 90 countries. In all, BMW exported £2.4bn worth of cars and engines from Britain last year. The latest move takes the company's investment in the UK to more than £1.5bn since 2000, when it abandoned its Rover business at Longbridge, Birmingham.
The BMW announcement, which will help safeguard 5,000 jobs at Oxford, follows news from Nissan that it will spend £192m on developing and producing the next generation of the highly successful Qashqai at its Sunderland plant.
However, senior figures at BMW warned that the UK component industry was still not strong enough to be able to take full advantage of the expansion that they plan.
Of the British supply chain, Ian Robertson, head of sales and marketing and a BMW board member, said: "There are some exceptionally good companies but there are not enough of them. The supply industry in the UK has reduced in significance in the last few decades. The Germans make a lot of stuff." Mr Reithofer met the Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the Business Secretary, Vince Cable, at a gathering of leaders of the European auto industry in London.
Dieter Zetsche – head of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association and also chairman of Daimler – makers of Mercedes-Benz vehicles – called for the EU to ensure a "level playing field" and for the abolition of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade with emerging producers such as India.
He called on European governments to invest in green technology and to try to standardise some elements of electric cars, such as plugs and sockets.
- 1 Stamford Hill council removes 'unacceptable' posters telling women which side of the road to walk down
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- 3 Scottish referendum 'English question': Tory MPs call on David Cameron to create an English first minister in wake of No vote
- 4 Iranian blogger found guilty of insulting Prophet Mohammad on Facebook sentenced to death
- 5 Free U2 album: How the most generous giveaway in music history turned into a PR disaster
Stamford Hill council removes 'unacceptable' posters telling women which side of the road to walk down
Kim Kardashian 'nude pictures' leaked on 4chan weeks after Jennifer Lawrence 'The Fappening' scandal
Iranian blogger found guilty of insulting Prophet Mohammad on Facebook sentenced to death
Hitler’s former food taster reveals the horrors of the Wolf’s Lair
Jennifer Lawrence 'naked sex video' will be leaked next, threatens 4Chan celebrity photo hacker
Scottish independence referendum: A nation divided against itself
Scottish referendum results: Cross-party consensus collapses amid Tory-Labour spat on the 'English question'
Scottish independence: David Cameron is becoming the 'George Bush of Britain'
Russia freezes Ukraine into submission: Kiev admits country doesn't have enough fuel for winter
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The big future should belong to the Metaverse, billions are currently being stuffed into development. Even before the hype, Dirk Lueth started Upland – and is already making money with it.
Dirk Lueth still has to make a quick phone call. Tall, lanky, longer blond hair, sunglasses as a hair band – the German somehow catches the eye here in front of The Grove restaurant right next to the Moscone Center in San Francisco, where Steve Jobs once held his famous keynotes. The backpack hangs diagonally over one shoulder and bears the brightly colored company logo – Upland.me says on it. Lueth fulfills all other Valley founder characteristics: Tesla, iPhone, Airpods and a latent inner restlessness. Maybe that’s the wrong word, but the Californian by choice seems driven.
In Silicon Valley you probably have to call Dirk Lueth an old hand. Already in 2009 he founded in Palo Alto, it was his third company after he had participated in the establishment of the Financial Times Germany in Hamburg and started a software company in Frankfurt am Main. In the American heart of the tech world, then again a software company: a platform for company data. It had to be California back then, says Lueth, because it was much easier and more money to get there than in sleepy Germany. And he was curious about the Valley Spirit, the magical attraction that companies like Apple, Google or Facebook emanate from.
He built up the company for two and a half years before selling it to a German supplier. In number four, Lueth combined media and software: sports and entertainment providers should be able to earn money with their fans. The business is attracting the attention of neighboring blockchain company API Market and Lueth is selling, in part because he didn’t feel like he was at the end of his founding journey. However, he recognized that cryprotechnology was “his thing”. After all, he had already completed his doctorate on the subject of currencies.
Already worth $300 million
So now it’s about something else, but somehow also about the same thing: Lueth has built what Valley icon and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg proclaimed as the solution to saving his giant corporation: a metaverse. Upland.me, he already gave the name to his backpack, Lueth has been working on it for some time now, around four years, “long before the topic was hyped”, as he says in an interview with Gründerszene. And with success, Upland has a little more than three million registered users. His company, which employs 125 people, was valued at more than $300 million in the first round of financing a few months ago. 18 million dollars came from Hong Kong-based VC firm Animoca, among others.
“We were inspired by Monopoly, the idea came up at game night,” says Lueth. It’s similar in Upland: “Buying, selling, swapping virtual properties is the core. But you can also take part in treasure hunts or virtual car races or run metaventures.” What Lueth means by this: shops that list certain goods. In order to provide this, Lueth has entered into a cooperation with Fifa, among other things, and digital merchandise will be offered in the form of NFTs as part of the ongoing World Cup in Qatar. “Soon we will also introduce our NFT portal for importing and exporting your own tokens”.
What Upland aims to do differently than many existing Metaverse approaches: Not just crypto and blockchain experts, but everyone should be able to buy a piece of land in the Metaverse and use it to build a startup career. Despite everything, Lueth and his co-founder Idan Zuckerman – the third in the league, Mani Honigstein, sits on the startup’s board – want to stay close to real life. Traveling from one city to another not only costs money but also time – albeit a little less than in real life. “We want the same challenges to exist that we have to worry about in reality,” says Lueth.
There is already a business model
Upland earns money like this: The Metaverse operator takes a share of five percent for every transaction between players. Their volume varies enormously. The largest transaction so far: “The address where Rockefeller Center is in real life in Manhattan was sold for 40 million UPX.” That corresponds to around 40,000 US dollars. However, the many small transactions are at least as important, in 2021 Upland made more than 20 million dollars in sales, but Lueth does not want to give current figures.
Is Lueth also aiming for the advertising business, which large corporations like Meta are certainly aiming for? “We don’t have it yet and are basically very cautious, but I also see classic advertising in Upland in the future, such as posters along the car racetracks. However, this will be largely managed and monetized by the players.”
Analysts estimate that the market volume for the parallel worlds could reach up to 1.5 trillion dollars by 2030 – especially in the areas of entertainment and games.
Lueth’s goal is to create an open market economy governed by the forces of supply and demand, says Lueth. The blockchain is intended to ensure that the Uplanders have a claim to “real property”. And that should not only exist in the Upland.
For one, Lueth has given its Metaverse currency UPX a fixed exchange rate to the US dollar, 1,000 UPX earned equals one dollar. The player with the highest ‘net worth’ in Upland currently has around three billion UPX – which corresponds to a considerable three million dollars, at least in theory. “He – like other Uplanders – can sell his digital goods to other players for US dollars. The users here are the entrepreneurs running this business with the aim of generating income.”
Open meta world
On the other hand, Lueth also advocates that the virtual persons – avatars – can be moved from one metaverse to another. The Upland founder is also involved in the Open Metaverse Alliance for Web3, of which he has just been elected chairman. Its members are committed to open interoperability between the platforms. However, large providers such as Meta or the Microsoft subsidiary Activision have not yet joined the initiative.
In the California sun, Lueth has to move on. Fix paying for the meal with the platinum Amex in the cell phone case, the sunglasses on your face, the shop calls. He still has one of his books in the trunk of his Tesla, which he definitely wants to give away. It’s called “Navigating the Metaverse”, a guide to the endless possibilities in a Web 3.0 world. Signed with a dedication, Lueth looks at his watch, he has to make a call again soon.


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Affärsvärlden today writes (subscription req.) about how the new cosmetics company EasyLooks approached blogs like Legally Blonde and Sofiaovärlden to market their make up concept. Fashion bloggers were invited to the first press breakfast and goodie bags have been sent to bloggers. The company also link to fashion bloggers from their site (no negative quotes though).
The founder, Caroline Barthon, says (my translation):
– Blogs are very important, really. They are influential.
She also says that they try to limit the number of freebies because there are bloggers who do not want to be “bought”. (Which is interesting considering the current debate in Sweden regarding the independence of bloggers.)
– We have realized that many [bloggers] don’t like when you give them stuff for promotion, they want to keep that independent feeling, Barthon says.
A number of bloggers also show up before the company site in a Google search for “Easy Looks”.


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Kourtney Kardashian Says Baby Weight Isn’t Gone, OK Picture Was Photoshop’d
Seems that Kourtney Kardashian is a little upset over a recent cover of herself while holding baby Mason Disick on OK! Magazine which reads with the headline “My Diet Secrets, Lose 10 Pounds In 10 Days.” So what’s the problem?
Kourtney Kardashian is upset that the picture was photoshopped to make it look like she has lost all the baby weight. According to E!, the “Keeping Up With The Kardashian” and new mother told WWD they doctored and photoshopped her body.
“…make it look like I have already lost all the weight, which I have not,” the celebrity star is quoted as saying.
On Twitter, Kourtney Kardashian also made sure to alert of her followers that her picture in the weekly magazine is not her actual physhique and it wasn’t an exclusive with her.
“I gained 40 pounds while pregs, not 26…But thanks,” says Kourtney Kardashian.


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Alcatel's One Touch Idol X made a half-decent impression on us when it was announced at Mobile World Congress the best part of half a year ago now, but we haven't had sight or sound of it since then – until now, that is.
That's because the French firm has finally decided to get the thing out into the wild, and it's promising we'll be seeing the full HD “zero bezel” handset here in the UK too.
That zero bezel claim is a bit of a stretch, if we're honest: the front surface doesn't seem any more bezel-free than the LG G2, for instance, which isn't making the same claim. But it's certainly a near-zero bezel handset, for what that's worth. In fact, throw in a 6.9mm-thin chassis and 120g overall weight and you've got a seriously lean bit of mobile technology on your hands.
A quick glance through the main specs will make for familiar reading for any circa-2013 smartphone watcher: 5in full HD IPS display? Check; quad-core 1.5GHz processor? Check; 2GB of RAM? Check.
There's also a 13.1MP camera around the back and a 2MP job on the front, while you'll be needing the microSD card slot as there's just 8GB of internal storage to play with.
The one major downside seems to be the battery, which has just 2,000mAh of life in it.
All told, though, it's an attractive looking piece of kit with a half-decent spec sheet. But it's nowhere near as impressive as it was six months ago – a lesson Alcatel would do well to take on board before announcing its next flagship.
The Alcatel One Touch Idol X will be landing in the UK soon, we're told, though a specific on-sale date and price have yet to be finalised.


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Future has unveiled its latest gaming title, an unofficial Nintendo magazine.
is the first publication in the UK to focus on the Wii and the
million-selling DS handheld and is said by the company to complement
its official Nintendo Magazine.
Published by James Binns,
NGamer is led by Edge editor-in-chief Tony Mott. With over 25 years of
games magazine experience, the team is further bolstered by the
appointment of editor Mark Green (formerly of N64 Magazine, NGC and
Nintendo Europe) and designer Dylan Channon.
The first issue of NGamer goes on sale 13 July with a cover price of £4.99.


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Is broadcast the answer to declines in readership?
Tom Dougherty, CEO – Stealing Share
03 April 2009
Newspapers are losing readership
Newspapers are losing readership. So all the newspapers are worried about the loss of readership and resulting advertising revenue.
Check out how this is affecting Detroit.
But here is the real story. Rumor has it that we don’t need newspapers anymore because we all get our news online or from 24-hour news networks like CNN.
Newspapers are losing readership is broadcast the answer?
Right. When was the last time you saw anything resembling news from CNN, Fox or MSNBC? Maybe I’m a curmudgeon, but they’ve got nothing on what CBS News used to be in the Cronkite days.
As someone who believes brands should strive to represent their reality, CNN should changes its name to CGN — Cable Gossip Network. Fox should change its name to FAUX and MSNBC just needs to reverse a few letters to BSNBC.
Video Advertising Bureau Tom Dougherty, CEO - Stealing Share 18 October 2018 The Video Advertising Bureau recommends crap Can you sing the Wayfair jingle? The Video Advertising Bureau wants you to believe it’s so important. "Is the future uncertain? Nope. It’s...
Target brand Tom Dougherty, CEO - Stealing Share 17 October 2018 The Target brand takes advantage of an opportunity The Target brand is planning to create a new toy initiative in stores and online as the retailer enters into the Christmas selling season. Spurred...
Palm device Tom Dougherty, CEO - Stealing Share 16 October 2018 A Palm device is back. Yay. Here is a novel idea. How about all these aging tech companies — you know, those unwilling to give up the ghost — just send me their extra cash. That way, they won’t need...


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It's Only Soft Drinks at Coca-Cola
By ANTHONY RAMIREZ, Special to The New York Times
Published: May 21, 1990
ATLANTA— The Coca-Cola Company's new plant in Dunkirk, France, which opened Saturday, is its largest and most efficient canning operation in Europe.
Producing three and a half cases of soft drinks a second - about 1.2 billion cans a year - Coca-Cola will be able to deliver the plant's products in hours to any point in Western or Eastern Europe.
Like the new plant, Coca-Cola itself is streamlined and efficient these days. Gone are its coffee, tea, wine and bottled water businesses. Gone are its businesses that made steam boilers and pasta. And gone is Columbia Pictures Entertainment Inc., the movie and television studio that Coca-Cola bought in 1982 and sold to the Sony Corporation last year. Only a slightly profitable food subsidiary, the maker of Minute Maid orange juice, is left of what once was a range of diversified interests, and analysts are clamoring for Coke to sell that vestige.
After years of diversification, Coke is evolving into something that its chairman, Roberto C. Goizueta, and his predecessors vowed it would never become - a one-product company. That is, a soft-drink company. 19 Versions of Soft Drinks The company now offers 19 versions of soft drinks, including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Sprite. Last year, Coca-Cola derived more than 80 percent of its $9 billion in revenues from this one business and all of its $1.7 billion in operating income.
''Securities analysts ask me, 'Would you buy such and such?' '' Mr. Goizueta said in an interview at the company headquarters here. ''And I say, 'Tell me something that gives me the return or the growth potential of soft drinks?' ''
It is difficult to calculate the financial return from the Columbia pictures operations, because of Coca-Cola's series of stock swaps in the studio three years before it sold its remaining 49 percent to Sony. But the studio's return, as well as the returns of all the other divested businesses, was clearly less than that of soft drinks. At a time when many corporations announce an ambitious financial goal of a 20-cent return on a dollar's worth of assets, and fail to meet it, Coca-Cola earned double that return last year - 41.2 cents.
It is clear where much of the money is coming from. In the United States, the company got less than 22 cents on the dollar on soft-drink sales, but abroad, the return was more than 54 cents, and overseas activity accounted for more than half the company's revenue.
Stalemated in its domestic profitability by its fierce competition with Pepsico Inc., Coca-Cola is looking more than ever to the rest of the world for its growth.
The no-diversification strategy is a turnabout from the approach pursued by Mr. Goizueta when he became president 10 years ago and then chairman and chief executive in 1981. The change of strategy reflects changing circumstances, Mr. Goizueta said.
When he took over, Coca-Cola essentially sold one product through independent bottlers over which the company had little control, Mr. Goizueta said. And those sales were made to a public that was growing increasingly indifferent.
Coca-Cola's flagship soft drink had been losing market share in the United States since 1965, as younger consumers increasingly preferred the sweeter taste of Pepsi. And the world-famous brand name was not competing in the booming low-calorie market because the company's only diet product was Tab.
Mr. Goizueta's solution was to diversify the company in a big way. He spent $690 million to enter the movie business, then used Columbia's earnings - and the increased cash from a lowered dividend rate - to buy more control of the bottling network in the United States and abroad.
Product Line Expanded
In the most radical action, he changed the product line itself. One move led to the successful introduction of Diet Coke in 1982. Another was the lucky blunder in 1985 of bringing out New Coke. That inadvertently raised the company's market share when outraged consumers demanded the return of what is now called Coke Classic.
In Mr. Goizueta's view, diversification served its purpose, which was to provide money while he went about the expensive tasks of buying control of the bottler network and revamping the product line. But analysts say it was simply a mistake.
Whoever is right, there is little to dispute about Coca-Cola's financial results. In 1989 and the first quarter of this year, the company posted record earnings. Return on equity exceeded 37 percent in 1989, in part because of an aggressive share-repurchase program. And the stock is a star performer on Wall Street, with the highest appreciation last year among 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones industrial average. It closed Friday on the New York Stock Exchange at $42.50 a share, near its 52-week high of $43.
Most analysts recommend Coca-Cola stock. A few do not. Roy D. Burry of Kidder, Peabody & Company said he considers Coke shares to be overpriced. He said the stock is selling at a nearly 40 percent premium to the average of the stocks in the Standard & Poor's 500 index, while historically it has traded at about a 16 percent premium. ''It's not a good value,'' he said, ''but it's a well-managed company.''
While analysts may dispute elements of Mr. Goizueta's strategy, they laud his international approach.
For one thing, 95 percent of the world's people live outside the United States. Many of them are young, and they do not drink much Coke.
Lower Consumption Overseas


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The United States commercial agent has announced tariffs for 1,150 million euros for French products in retaliation for the so-called “Google Rate”, which affects American multinationals such as Facebook, Apple, Google and Amazon.
Washington believes that this is an unfair tax that is specifically directed against these American companies. Products such as bags, cosmetics and soaps are therefore taxed in response. This measure is applied after a six-month moratorium.
“The measure passed today is a strong message against discriminatory taxes against American companies that don’t modernize the global tax system,” said Matt Schruers, president of the Association of the Computer and Communication Industry. , as reported by the American news portal Politico.
“Tax changes must be negotiated in good faith through a consensus approach in the OECD that copes with changes in the global digital economy,” he added, referring to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.


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March 17, 2021
In the middle of July 2020, Jordan Duenckel packed up his Volkswagen Passat, hopped on I-80 and drove nearly 2,000 miles from Columbia to Napa, California. Duenckel, a senior food science and finance double major, landed an internship at E. & J. Gallo Winery, the largest U.S. winery, which would allow him to see how award-winning wines — and successful businesses — are made.
When COVID-19 arrived in Columbia and classes moved to remote learning, Duenckel started working 40 hours per week at the Mizzou Meat Market, a full-service student-run butcher shop. He saved his schoolwork for the evenings and looked for internships in his spare time.
An internship in E. & J. Gallo Winery’s Grower Relations Department sounded like the perfect opportunity. The stunning landscapes and near-perfect weather wouldn’t hurt, either.
As a grower relations intern, Duenckel spent a lot of time driving from vineyard to vineyard talking with local growers, checking the quality of their grapes and maintaining reports to track yield estimation and grape maturity. After an eight-hour day at the winery, he’d head home to watch a prerecorded lecture or post on a discussion board.
Duenckel supported many different areas of the winery during his nearly four-month internship. He helped negotiate contracts, perform pest and disease scouting, and assisted with harvest scheduling and delivery coordination. “It was really valuable to see all the parts of the business work together,” he said.
Duenckel arrived back in Columbia a week before Thanksgiving and has been able to put his hands-on learning to work. “Now, when they talk about something in my classes, I can say, ‘Oh, this is how it really works.’” he said.
For now, Duenckel is still making wine and beer for his roommates and his fiancée. He’s also offering tips for wine connoisseurs online: “If you’ve ever wanted to know what an unripe Chardonnay grape tastes like,” he wrote on Twitter, “I’ll save you a trip: A green apple Warhead is nearly identical.”


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The sale of designer clothing, luxury jewelry and pricey art from missing con artist Melissa Caddick came to a close this week, raising a whopping $806,000.
Court-appointed trustees in charge of the con artist’s estate were granted permission to sell her valuable belongings in November.
The first items went up for auction Tuesday night, though two of the best-known pieces weren’t available until Wednesday.
An 18-karat white gold necklace with 13 black sapphires surrounded by diamonds, made by Stefano Canturi and named ‘Stella’, sold for $130,000.
Melissa Caddick’s 18-carat Stefano Canturi black sapphire and diamond necklace sold for $130k
Con artist Melissa Caddick in iconic Oscar De La Renta gown and Canturi necklace with husband Anthony Koletti
Investigators found a staggering collection of diamond and sapphire rings (above) at Melissa Caddick’s home during a raid.
Oscar De La Renta’s Ball Gown from Caddick
Your Christian Dior Limited Edition Burcak Bingol Lady Dior bag
Ms Caddick wore the necklace, which she bought for $370,000 in 2015, with an Oscar De La Renta she also sold this week in a photo with her husband Anthony Koletti that became famous.
Smith & Singer auctioned off another 53 pieces of jewelry on Wednesday night.
Caddick originally purchased the ‘Stella’ necklace for $370,000 in 2015.
The matching Stella ring sold for $14,000, while the accompanying earrings sold for $7,500.
Her 18-karat gold, diamond and emerald ‘Geometric Lace’ earrings, valued between $2,500 and $3,400, sold for $10,000.
Another pair of white gold Canturi ‘Cubism’ earrings sold for $8,500, despite an asking price of $2,000.
A matching bracelet, valued at $7,000, sold for $24,000.
Caddick’s collection of twelve bags sold for almost triple its estimated price of $35,000.
A limited-edition white leather Lady Dior bag by Turkish designer Burcak Bingol sold for $7,364.
The proceeds will be used to pay off the dozens of clients who claim Ms. Caddick defrauded them out of approximately $23 million while acting as their financial adviser.
Auctioneers listed 58 items of designer clothing, expensive accessories and luxury items for sale.
Items include limited-edition handbags from brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton and expensive dresses from red-carpet designers like Christian Dior and Oscar De La Renta.
“The sale of these items is another important step in the completion of Ms. Caddick’s bankruptcy estate,” said Bruce Gleeson of Jones Partners.
A silk Collette Dinnigan gown owned by Melissa Caddick
“As previously anticipated, with the support of our auctioneers, we are pleased to make these luxury items available for sale before Christmas 2022 and look forward to the best possible results.”
Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of luxury items owned by the scammer will be up for auction over the next month.
The auctions come two years after the con artist mysteriously disappeared.
Ms Caddick disappeared the day after the Australian Federal Police raided her home in Dover Heights in connection with allegations of financial fraud.
Caddick Chanel Sheer Silk Blouse
She was not seen again until her foot washed up on a beach on the south coast of New South Wales in February 2021.
The fraudulent financial adviser is understood to have funneled millions of dollars from his client’s accounts into his own bank accounts to finance his lavish lifestyle.
The auctions of Ms Caddick’s belongings come after her Dover Heights property sold last month for an undisclosed amount.
“We are very pleased with the outcome of the sales campaign and the interest received from potential buyers,” said Mr Gleeson.
Four works of art owned by Ms. Caddick went up for auction earlier this year, with a total of $48,000 made from the works.
The highest-priced artwork was a work by John Olsen, fetching $24,000.
Caddick Christian Dior ombre snakeskin wallet sold for $2577
Her LV Flame Twist MM bag sold for $4909
That was below the $25,000 to $35,000 price guide.
A unique hand-painted aluminum cutout by artist David Gerstein sold for $11,000, double the $4000-$6000 guide price.
Other items already sold include a painting by Luke Sciberras of Gallipoli for $7,000 and a totem pole for $6,000.


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Naza group executive chairman and CEO has been appointed as MFCCI chairman.Read the full news from Businesstimes by Kamarul Yunus below.
NAZA CEO TO CHAIR MALAYSIAN-FRENCH COMMERCE CHAMBER
NAZA Group of Companies executive chairman and chief executive officer SM Nasaruddin SM Nasimuddin has been appointed as chairman of the Malaysian-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MFCCI).
In his maiden speech as MFCCI chairman, Nasaruddin said he will do his utmost through the chamber, to assist French and Malaysian companies to take full advantage of the business opportunities available.
“Looking at what we have done with automobiles Peugeot in such a short time, I believe the potential for further business between France and Malaysia is huge,” he said at a luncheon organised by MFCCI in conjunction with the presentation of the appointment letter in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Naza has been automobiles Peugeot’s partner here since 2006.
Meanwhile, Mukhriz said French companies should seize the opportunities of Malaysia’s recent policy of liberalising 27 sub-sectors in the services sector.
“We hope with the help from the French services companies, they can help us upgrade in capacity and quality so that we can export our services up to mark of the international standards,” he said.


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Three tools that put the power of predictive analytics into the hands of consumers
Experts in alternative finance need to keep abreast of current trends in personal finance technology in order to stay competitive.
Tech innovations shape consumer financial decisions, ultimately affecting everyone in the industry. There’s no doubt that predictive analytics, powered by big data and increasingly advanced artificial intelligence, is forming the foundation for the future of fintech.
The smart use of A.I. is integral to alternative finance. Predictive analytics consists of using A.I. with massive data sets to make predictions about the likelihood of specific outcomes. Technological innovators are transforming the fundamental nature of personal finance by providing consumers with a wide range of tools to put the power of predictive analytics into their hands:
Getting personal finance advice
Many consumers can’t afford the cost of regularly contacting a personal finance assistant. When it comes to making major financial decisions, creating a monthly budget, or finding ways to be more thrifty, individuals are often left to their own devices. In the past couple years, however, apps featuring A.I. personal finance assistants have begun to dramatically improve consumer access to financial advice.
As noted by Salon, these apps “use cloud-based artificial intelligence, predictive analysis and human-like messages to track consumers’ purchases … and update people in real time about their spending habits.” With each purchase, users can receive detailed information about how that transaction affects their monthly budget. If they have any questions, they can communicate with an AI assistant for personalized advice.
Some critics note that some A.I. personal assistant apps may not be sophisticated enough to provide trustworthy advice — or, worse, that such apps may have biases when it comes to referring consumers to specific financial products or services. Analysts with the University of Alabama at Birmingham point out that “ … (w)ith many new and novel ways for consumers and small businesses alike to acquire and manage financing, the question remains of how — and if — these digital, disruptive transactions and services should be regulated and monitored.” Until stringent regulations are in place, consumers should exercise caution when selecting a personal finance A.I. assistant app.
Predicting healthcare costs
Healthcare costs are a stress-inducing component of personal finances. Predictive analytics played a major role in healthcare in 2017, but perhaps more notable is how they have begun to affect individuals looking to predict (and even prevent) healthcare costs. As wearable health sensors, such as the Fitbit, grow in popularity, the public is gaining unprecedented regular insight into how their exercise and dietary choices can affect their health.
Huawei and Philips are taking this concept to the next level with a cloud-based healthcare solution for consumers in China. Using biosensors, cloud A.I. will be able to process a vast amount of data about consumers’ health. While this technology is still in development, the companies aim to provide users with impressive insights.
For example, they can use “voice analysis technology to identify stress, heart disease, or Alzheimer’s based on your vocal patterns; your steering wheel may be able to pick up on the onset of Parkinson’s disease from small tremors in your hands; or your shower or bath might be scanning you for tumors on a daily basis.” GPS-enabled wearables can even be used to protect those with specific illnesses, including dementia.
Not only can this inform consumers about worsening chronic conditions and help them anticipate medical costs, it can spur users to take preventative health measures, reducing related expenses. Wearable technology from RBC Medical, in combination with predictive analytics, can give consumers medical advice with unparalleled speed and accuracy.
Stabilizing cryptocurrency markets
While the vast majority of the population are currently kicking themselves for missing out on profiting from the meteoric rise of the value of Bitcoin, you can hardly blame yourself; if there were reasons to feel confident about investing in the popular cryptocurrency, they sure weren’t obvious. How can consumers make informed decisions when it comes to cryptocurrency investments? How do you even value a cryptocurrency to begin with?
Again, predictive analytics may provide the answer. MIT Professor Alex Pentland, co-founder of the company Endor, is looking to leverage it to make cryptocurrency markets more accessible to consumers. The goal of his venture is to make these markets more predictable — and more profitable.
He aims to do this through “social physics,” which are, in his words, “ … the science of using statistics to find ‘laws’ or ‘universals’ in human crowd behaviour.”
A.I. can be used to analyze data about cryptocurrency trading, blockchain transactions data, as well as other variables, to provide users with data about the projected growth of specific cryptocurrencies. Armed with this information, more consumers will be able to enter this burgeoning world of investments with confidence.
As alternative finance leaders move forward, they need to keep the influence of these innovations in mind. Big data and A.I. are opening new doors for consumers every day, helping them make better financial decisions through predictive analytics. As A.I. transforms personal finance, savvy consumers and investors will need to take advantage of these cutting-edge innovations to maintain stability and achieve financial growth.


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At the moment, Bitcoin goes by one of many harshest bear markets ever. As that is being written, Bitcoin costs have fallen under the essential psychological threshold of $20,000. There may be loads of forwards and backwards motion between the 78.60 Fib retracement degree and the place the worth now’s.
This implies that sellers and consumers are engaged in a fierce tug of conflict, leading to a large worth swing over the intraday time-frame. However a market researcher predicts that the Bitcoin bear market is nearing its finish. Perhaps Bitcoin can extricate itself out of this mess?
Bear Market Assessments BTC Resilience
A analysis from Cryptoquant detailing Bitcoin’s present bear market scenario was simply launched. Current analysis means that a rise in Bitcoin holders might sign the tip of the bear market.
There’s a statistic referred to as “change influx – spent output age bands” that can be utilized to find out the typical age of cash bought in the marketplace.
In line with the info offered, most cash in the marketplace now have been bought between six and18 months in the past. The value of Bitcoin peaked between $30,000 and $60,000 throughout this time-frame.
“Some of the beneficial variables for analyzing capitulations is Trade Influx SOAB. Observing the graph, it’s obvious that cash minted between six and 18 months in the past have been actively bought lately,” Edris, the writer of the report, mentioned.
He claimed that these cash have been bought for greater than $30,000 between April 2021 and April 2022. This sign signifies that many buyers who entered the market throughout the 2021 bull market and over the $30K threshold have simply capitulated and exited at a lack of practically half.
In line with the graph, even long-term Bitcoin holders liquidated their shares at a lack of about 50 %. Edris identified that one of these mentality may be witnessed when the market is ready to backside out and rebound.
Has Bitcoin Hit Backside?
A current Twitter submit by Willy Woo demonstrated as soon as once more that the underside has but to be reached. That is just like a tweet he additionally made on September 14, a day after Bitcoin and the broader monetary market fell 12.8% following the announcement of CPI information by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
In that tweet, Woo said that solely 52 % of all BTC in the marketplace has bottomed, however the earlier lows reached 60 %. The crypto might or might not have reached its backside, however buyers and merchants are presently cautious of a short-term rise.
BTC whole market cap at $368 billion on the every day chart | Supply: TradingView.com Featured picture from GOBankingRates, chart from TradingView.com


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(CNN) – When you want a McFlurry, one of the worst things to hear is that the McDonald’s ice cream machine is broken.
The fast food giant has teamed up with a company called Kytch, which developed technology that can help employees manage the ice cream machines easier.
Kytch devices correct mechanical issues caused by human error and make sure the automated cleaning cycle happens on time. People magazine also reports that Kytch technology could anticipate when the ice cream machines are about to break and alert employees of the exact problem.
Kytch first introduced the devices in May.
McDonald’s has not confirmed whether any of their locations are using the device yet.


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NEW YORK —
Starbucks opened a similar tea shop last year near its headquarters under its Tazo brand. Next month, that store will be converted into a Teavana tea bar as well.
The idea of a tea shop isn't new, of course. Jenny Ko, a part owner of the Culture Tea Bar in New York's Harlem neighborhood, notes that they're more prevalent on the West Coast, but that they've been popping up on the East Coast more recently as well.
Ko said she welcomes Starbucks' push into tea shops, even though the company has put many put many smaller coffee chains out of business. She said she thinks her tea shop has enough unique offerings to withstand the competition. Besides, she said Starbucks' push should lead to greater awareness about teas in general.
"That's how everyone got into coffee, after Starbucks opened," Ko said.
Already, Ko noted people are more knowledgeable about tea, with customers increasingly familiar with different varieties such as oolong and Darjeeling.


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It used to be known as the Chocolate Show. But this year, the local festival — to be held at Burlington’s Doubletree Hotel this weekend — is expanding: It’s now known as the Festival of Sweets. “The vendors reflect the artistry of Vermont confectionery,” says co-organizer Darrick Pitstick.
In addition to exhibitors such as Nutty Steph’s, Liz Lovely and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, the event will feature lots of cooking demos and a pair of cake contests for NECI students: One will focus on wedding cakes, the other on “novelty” versions. “There will be really crazy-looking ones,” Pitstick promises. “That’s where they really get to go outside of the box.”
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Find more info at www.festivalofsweets.com.
Dinky Donuts has closed its brick-and-mortar location in Middlebury. According to co-owner Nick Cavalli, “We just never made enough money to make it worthwhile in that location.”
But fans shouldn’t despair. Nick and his wife, Alex, will still be selling the goodies at the Burlington Winter Farmers Market, and next year at the summer version.


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Pebble Launches Official Evernote Integration at SXSW
Pebble announced an integration with Evernote today. The popular device that is fueling the smart watch ecosystem, along with the popular productivity app, has given enthusiasts the abilty to access checklists, reminders and notebooks, with more rolling out in the near future. According to Evernote:
“With this app, Pebblers can easily check off items on their grocery list without taking out their smartphone, view upcoming reminders, bring up notes about a new restaurant recommendation, and more!”
Pebble is a customizable smartwatch that delivers information from your iOS or Android smartphone right to your wrist. Pebble is lightweight, waterproof, has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to seven days (depending on usage intensity), and is available in two different styles.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… Being smart about your integrations is one of the easiest ways to increase your user base and engagement. Evernote’s growing community of 80 million users makes this integration a win for Pebble.


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Fashion Designer Anifa Mvuemba, imagined a virtual fashion show for our post-pandemic world.
She released the latest collection of her brand Hanifa on Instagram live last Friday.
During the show, the digital models sashayed down the runway with the designer’s outfits draped on headless, three-dimensional bodies.
The Pink Label Congo collection featured pants and dresses in vibrant colours and was described as the future of runway fashion by spectators.
Using 3D models is a natural next step for Mvuemba, who told Teen Vogue, “designing content using 3D models and now an entire collection has been a complete game changer for me.” And making the launch entirely digital has only been positive for the brand, as the designer revealed, “My decision to keep going could impact our customers for the better in ways I never imagined. That’s when I knew it was time.”
Instagram is also the great leveler when it comes to fashion, as Mvuemba explained, “We know that some people may never experience a fashion week or Hanifa showcase, so we wanted to show up for our audience where they show up for us on a daily basis. That’s when Instagram became the obvious choice.”
Congo is the leading producer of cobalt (60% of the world’s production). Cobalt is a chemical element used in producing smartphones, tablets and electric vehicles. With her designs, the artist’s goal is to celebrate the beauty of Congo, while drawing attention to the issues faced by people in the country such as illegal mining.
“I am so intentional about everything I do with this collection,” she said. “If you’re African then you know about African seamstresses and how detail is so important and the color is so important and prints are so important. I really just wanted to use that in this collection, just to give tribute to African seamstresses,” Mvuemba said during the launch on her Instagram page on Friday.
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Kolkata-based Pawan Ruia Group is on an acquisition drive, striking its fourth deal in less than a year. The group has struck twin deals in the automotive rubber sealings business by acquiring Germany-based Meteor Gummiwerke and Turkish company Standard Profil AS for an undisclosed sum.
The Turkish firm is acquired from a consortium of private investors, led by Bancroft Private Equity – a PE firm investing in Central and Eastern Europe and Turkey.
The latest deals will add to the group’s manufacturing capabilities, especially in Europe.
Meteor has three facilities in Germany, besides one in the Czech Republic and two units in the USA. Standard Profil has manufacturing locations in Turkey, Bulgaria, South Africa and China, and has a fast growing, tier-one rubber profile and weather-strip producer for global automotive OEMs. It had revenues of €180 million ($258 million) in 2010. The transaction is subject to standard antitrust approvals and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2011.
Pawan Ruia, chairman of the Ruia Group said, “We are very excited to have signed a deal to acquire such a rapidly growing company. This acquisition is in line with the Ruia Group’s strategy to consolidate the automotive sealing industry and its plan to emerge as a global leader in the automotive ancillary industry.”
“My management team and I are very excited to continue the successful growth of our sealing business under the umbrella of the Ruia Group and expand the services for our customers into new regions,” said Andreas Engel, CEO of Standard Profil.
Inorganic Growth Strategy
Pawan Ruia, the man who has acquired distressed local assets like Dunlop India and railway wagon manufacturer Jessop & Co in the past one decade, has been quietly building the group’s presence in Europe over the past three years.
He has followed the same strategy of buying assets of bankrupt firms or companies with stressed balance sheets, but just moved geographies, and instead of striking local deals, has started acquiring abroad.
The Ruia Group, which has interests in infrastructure equipment, automotive ancillaries and tyres, acquired the assets of two companies in Germany over the past one year, even as it lost out in the race for South Korean automotive group SsaangYong Motors, finally acquired by M&M.
Last August, it acquired the operating assets of Gumasol-Werke Dr Mayer GmbH & Co. KG, a specialist in elastomer technology and products. And in February this year, it snapped automotive fasteners maker Acument from bankrupt firm Acument Global Technologies Inc.
These moves came after the group had struck two deals during the slowdown years of 2008 and 2009 in the same automotive-sealing business. It acquired the assets of Germany’s Henniges Automotive Grefrath and renamed it as Draftex, and snapped the UK-based Schlegel Automotive that makes sealing systems for auto brands such as Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Honda, Jaguar and Aston Martin.
With the deals in its kitty, the group is close to the $1 billion annual revenues mark.


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15 Nov How you can enjoy a calmer shopping environment at the supermarket!
Coles Supermarkets is making grocery shopping more inclusive for parents and customers with sensory sensitivities by expanding its popular “Quiet Hour” initiative. Now, customers can enjoy reduced noise levels and a calmer shopping environment from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Quiet Hour, originally introduced in 2017, has been a resounding success in select stores, with sound and lighting reduced between 10:30 am and 11:30 am on Tuesdays. Building on this success, Coles aims to better accommodate the diverse needs of its customers, particularly those with sensory challenges.
During Quiet Hour, Coles minimizes disruptions by lowering Coles Radio volume, reducing register and scanner noise, and refraining from non-emergency announcements over the PA system.
This adjustment caters to the one in 70 Australians on the autism spectrum and others who may find high-sensory environments challenging.
Recognizing the significance of accessibility, Coles has not only expanded Quiet Hour but has also invested in various initiatives. The supermarket chain has increased representation in its workforce, with 7.6% of team members identifying as having a disability.
Coles has also collaborated with Amaze, a not-for-profit autism organization, to enhance the store environment’s accessibility for a diverse range of customers.
According to Katie Wyatt, Coles Head of Diversity and Inclusion, the supermarket is committed to meeting the needs of all customers. Up to 70% of autistic individuals experience sensitivity to sounds, and Quiet Hour provides a more comfortable shopping experience for thousands of customers, especially those dealing with stress and anxiety.
Coles nominated for the Corporate App of the Year at the Centre for Accessibility Awards 2023
Moreover, Coles has extended its commitment to accessibility to its digital platforms. The Coles mobile app, nominated for Corporate App of the Year at the Centre for Accessibility Awards 2023, now features best-in-class accessibility features. These include tailored text sizes, the ability to enlarge content, and customizable actions to simplify navigation for those using assistive technologies.
In addition to digital improvements, Coles has partnered with Get Skilled Access to enhance the accessibility of its Own Brand products. Recommendations from focus groups, comprised of individuals with disabilities, led to improvements in 45 Coles Own Brand products. Notably, the ease of opening was enhanced for six seed oil products by significantly reducing the force required to open the bottles.
As a result of these initiatives, Coles continues to be an integral part of Australian families’ lives, striving to create an inclusive shopping experience for all customers, including parents with diverse needs.


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MoviePass, the subscription-based ticket remedy that declared bankruptcy in 2019, has really launched a magical countdown clock on the web website.
The MoviePass net website relaunches with the homepage offering a countdown clock. Parented by Helios & Matheson Analytics, MoviePass launched in 2011 nonetheless didn’t rob the mainstream till 2018, when they lowered options to $9.95/month. At an appearance, MoviePass was created to allow MoviePass consumers the gold opportunity to see one flick daily in theater at a decreased normal month-to-month cost.
Founded by house amusement company owner Stacy Spikes as well as likewise Hamet Watt, MoviePass was at first maintained in over 91% of theater throughout the nation. However, MoviePass problem began to blend when the remedy decreased its expenses in 2017, creating a client increase. Reportedly, the unequaled amount of signups developed the MoviePass net website to collapse as well as likewise created a competitors with AMC theater. Shortly after, MoviePass continued to be to sink in boiling water as it took care of numerous disputes. These include blacked-out viewings for hits motion pictures, being recorded trying to un-cancel people’ accounts, as well as likewise an info leak that exposed consumers' credit card details. Now, it turns up MoviePass is attempting an unforeseen return.
Today, the net website MoviePass.Ventures launched a countdown clock that upright Monday, March 22, along with the engraving, “the movie will certainly start.” At this moment about, the preliminary MoviePass net website, Moviepass.com, remains to be unmodified from the closure notice that was released after the company made an application for bankruptcy on September 14, 2019. MoviePass has yet to subject what the magical countdown clock is for.
Understandably, the countdown clock on the MoviePass net website has really developed the guesswork that the remedy is clothing for a relaunch. As the elaborate change of MoviePass stays to be a popular topic of discussion, the designers of the company have really remained to be non-active considered that 2019. However, Spikes as well as likewise Watt continued to be to pepper in their interest in bringing MoviePass back. As it stands, the countdown clock turned up a month after it was presented that Mark Wahlberg's company prepares to create a MoviePass docuseries, as well as likewise happens to coincidence with the returning to of countless cinema chains in substantial cities.
Of training program, MoviePass was prepared to be the Netflix of cinema ticket subscription options. However, organization variation strayed a lot from its preliminary purposes. Riddled with disagreement, error, as well as likewise laxity, the MoviePass system relatively created even more damage than great as well as likewise created a displeasure with cinema chains. Perhaps the year of shut theater throughout the globe has actually permitted the initial creators time to reformulate the MoviePass solution. Indeed, individuals will certainly need to wait as well as likewise see what MoviePass presents when the countdown clock upright March 22.


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During the first week of 2017, global financial markets retained optimistic moods accumulated at the end of the previous year. Growth was registered at both the European market, and the US trading platforms.
Inflation indicators in the euro-area and the US give hope that economic growth in 2017 can accelerate. In December 2016, consumer prices in the euro-area grew 1.1% in annual terms. Thus, inflation accelerated swiftly compared to 0.6% registered in November and turned out to be recordhigh since September 2013.
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Electronic Arts Inc.  has released a brand new trailer for SSX Deadly Descents  featuring ‘It’s Tricky’ by RUN-D.M.C. The fan-favourite and anthem of the EA SportsTM SSXTM franchise has been remixed by the artist Pretty Lights for the SSX in-gamesoundtrack. The track will be triggered dynamically in-game as players achieve ‘tricky’ state by linking tricks together.
‘It’s Tricky’ made its iconic appearance in the aptly-titled, SSX Tricky on the PlayStation® 2. Synonymous with SSX Tricky, fans of the franchise flocked to the song as that title became arguably the most beloved in the franchise. SSX hits shelves February 14 in North America and February 17 in the rest of the world on the PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360®.
“Music has always been an important element of the SSX franchise. ‘It’s Tricky’ had such a monumental impact on fans of SSX Tricky that we wanted to pay tribute to the song by introducing it to a whole new generation of SSX and musicfans,” said Freddy Ouano, Audio Producer, SSX. “ We chose Pretty Lights to remix the track because he’s a phenomenal artist whose style fits well with the tone and direction of this rebirth of SSX.”
Remixed by Pretty Lights, the musical vision of the ultra-versatile Colorado based producer Derek Vincent Smith, the track features Pretty Lights cutting-edge party rocking beats, while staying true to the original version. Pretty Lights remixed ‘It’s Tricky’ in his mobile studio while on tour and debuted it at a live, sold out performance in Atlanta, Georgia.
“I’ve always loved hip-hop, video games and snowboarding, so it was truly an honor to put my twist on such a classic song for such a dope game. Can’t wait to play it!” said Derek Vincent Smith a.k.a. Pretty Lights.
A modern day reinvention of one of the most critically acclaimed arcade franchises of all-time, SSX will allow players to experience the franchise’s signature fun and adrenaline-packed gameplay across iconic regions all over the world. Using NASA topographical satellite data, SSX has a massive world for players to explore. Throughout nine expansive regions, SSX packs reality-defying gameplay into every run letting players Race, Trick, and Survive as they descend huge open mountains. In addition, Explore, Global Events and RiderNet – SSX’s recommendation engine – headline an online feature set that will revolutionize social competition for gamers, making it fun and easy to compete with friends with no lobbies or wait times.


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To help you get the most out of your mac!
Last month, AT&T announced that it would join Verizon in offering shared data plans including unlimited talk and text on phone while allowing users to share their monthly data allotments across multiple devices. The plans are structured with two basic components: a monthly cost for a data allotment and a per-device charge that varies from $10 to $45 depending on the type of device and the data plan selected.
AT&T has just announced that the new plans will be launching on August 23, and while current users will not have to switch to the new plans, they may do so without adding on to their contract term. And unlike Verizon, AT&T will continue to offer its existing plans alongside the new Mobile Share plans, giving users several options to help fit their device and service needs.
Full details on the new plans are available on AT&T’s website.
Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
• Sketchy Photos of Claimed 'iPad Mini' Rear Shell Show No Camera Hole
• Firemonkeys Previews Real Racing 3 for iPhone and iPad
• Evernote Adds Account Switching in Update to Mac Version
• Apple Store iOS App Updated With 'Performance Enhancements' and iWork Preinstall Option
• Key Apple Chip Designer Jim Keller Returns to AMD
The outside of the box said "Windows base machine or better", so I bought a Mac.


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The new miner has a hash rate of 140 TH / S and is embedded with a 5nm chip.
In design, the S19 XP is very similar to its previous version, introduced more than a year ago.
They announced it and did it. This Wednesday, Chinese bitcoin (BTC) mining hardware manufacturer Bitmain officially unveiled its new device, the Antminer S19 XP.
During the event World Digital Mining Summit 2021, which is being held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the company showed for the first time what the miner’s apparatus will be like, which is a new installment, more than a year after the arrival of the S19 Pro.
In design, both are very similar. As we reported in CriptoNoticias this week, the new device has a mining capacity of 140 terahashes per second (TH / S), which would be 36% more efficient than its previous version. At first it was said that the hash rate was 150 TH / S.
In addition, it is known to have a power consumption of 3.1 kilowatt hours (kWh) and an energy efficiency of 21.5 joules per terahash (J / TH). Not enough, it will come integrated with a 5 nanometer chip, which is faster.
Thus, the most powerful and powerful miner in the cryptocurrency market is becoming official, which can be reserved, for example, through the platform Minerset, as indicated via Twitter on the morning of November 10.
News in development …


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Chevrolet today announced pricing for its all-new 2008 Malibu midsize sedan lineup, with MSRPs starting at $19,995 for the base LS and for the first time, a hybrid for $22,790. The Malibu continues to drive home Chevy’s commitment to dependable, fun-to-drive cars packed with value.
The Chevrolet Malibu is General Motors mid-size automobile. Currently in its seventh generation with an eight generation on the horizon, the Malibu is the most successful Chevy sedan, which is illustrated in the many awards received by the vehicle. This Toyota Camry and Honda Accord competitor is powered by a few different options. The first is a 2.4L I-4 electric/hybrid engine producing 164hp and 159 lb-ft of torque. The second choice is a 2.4L I-4 engine with 169hp and 160lb-ft of torque, and the third is a 3.6L V6 cranking out 252hp and 251 lb-ft of torque. Engines are mated to either a 4- or 6-speed automatic, continuously variable transmission. The hybrid model adds 4mpg to the standard Malibu, leaving the figures at 17-26 city and 26-34 highway.
The all new Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid made its debut today in the All-Star Fan Zone. The first-ever Malibu Hybrid equipped with a 36-volt electric motor/generator mated to GM Powertrain’s 167Hp 2.4L four-cylinder engine will go on sale starting October 2007.
General Motors officials are stepping up their game by focusing on the interior design of their cars, and it was definitely a crowd pleaser at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. The highlight of the GM model cars were the new 2008 Cadillac CTS and Chevy Malibu
The all-new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu delivers great performance, fuel economy and refinement, wrapped in a clean, tailored design that carries the new face of Chevrolet. The new Malibu will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show. It arrives at Chevrolet dealerships later this year.
Chevrolet today released an advance image of the exterior of the all-new 2008 Malibu, which will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January and will arrive at Chevrolet dealerships later in 2007. The photo was released in conjunction with the announcement of a $208 million investment in the Fairfax, Kansas Assembly plant to prepare for production of the car.


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Kata Group, Phuket’s oldest hotel group, is launching its eighth resort, the Pamookkoo Resort. The cost of the investment is 1.75 billion baht. The new resort is in the heart of Kata.
Kata Group opened its first hotel on Phuket 40 years ago and was a pioneer in attracting the early tourists to the island’s southwest coast.
The new hotel will be managed by the son and heir to Kata Group’s founder Pramook Achariyachai, and will focus on “fun-and-sun loving family groups”, according to the press release. Pariyawit “Benz” Achariyachai says that all of the hotels by Kata Group have their own distinctions, and are trusted by existing and new customers.
According to the media release, Pamookkoo will be a themed hotel, designed as an adventure into the past, with a “Mesopotamian concept and a décor of golden earth tones”. The resort will target Thai and international visitors, from countries such as Scandinavia, Russia, China, and India.
Like other recent new and re-branded resorts in Phuket, the new hotel is aiming at family vacations with special facilities for kids.


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No matter what is the outcome of the 2020 Presidential election, November 3 may indeed mark the start of the New Year – and a new era — for real estate investors.
Because of the uncertainty over how much longer COVID-19 will play havoc on the economy, now may be the time to sell retail stores and shopping centers, in particular. The September issue of The Real Deal, a real estate trade publication, reports “While e-commerce sales have soared during the pandemic, overall retail spending in the U.S. is expected to drop by more than 10% with in-store sales falling by 14%, according to a recent report by e-Marketer…The retail industry has been rocked to its core by the seemingly inexorable rise of internet shopping. Americans spent $523 billion on online purchases in 2018, just under 10% of retail sales…This year that number is projected to reach $709 billion, or nearly 15% of sales.”
Elsewhere in this same issue is a comparison between President Trump’s desire to eliminate 1031 exchanges, the longstanding IRS code that allows deferring capital gains taxes on the sale – or “exchange” – of one real estate investment property for another, to Vice President Biden’s preference to limit the tax deferral to individuals earning less than $400,000 annually.
But every sector of the real estate market is cyclical and I have clients looking to buy retail properties.
Looking to sell? Contact me: reseitz@tsquareproperties.


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The Finnish health technology field is booming like never before. In 2017, health tech exports broke new records as their value rose more than 5% to over €2.2 billion. These numbers make Finland one of the few European countries that export more health technology than they import. The fact that the Finnish health tech field… Read more »
Nine years ago, a small group of visionaries managed to get 40 local startups together and they called it Slush – an event for startups by startups, and the rest is history. A couple of weeks ago, the world’s leading startup and technology conference was sold out, gathering up to 20 000 attendees from over… Read more »
“No one in their right mind would come to Helsinki in November”, stated this year’s catch line for the start-up event Slush – and yet they did. Last week, the sold-out conference gathered over 17,000 people from 124 countries under the same roof for two days. Slush started in 2008 as an insider meeting for… Read more »
The Finnish health-tech industry continues to hit new records year after year. With €1.92 billion in exports last year, it is now the largest high-tech export segment, and its growth seems to be limitless. But what is actually behind the health-tech hype, and what does it take for a new company to break into the… Read more »
Startup is the new black in Finland.
As a cyclist there are many things I could do to make my life easier: pay a mechanic to tune my bike; switch to an electric-assist model; order a sleek and ready-made model from the internet.


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Dark Web Drug Markets
US Marines load onto a CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopter during an Integrated Training Exercise June 20, 2013 at Marine Corps Base Twentynine Palms, California. Tor2door claims that security and usability are it’s main priorities. He also allegedly promoted Wall Street Market on prominent websites such as Reddit, the Justice Department said. Most state they’re willing to walk first-time buyers 2024 Darknet Market through the process to mitigate the risks of shipping. Governments, 2024 Darknet Market terrorists, law enforcement, and criminals are amongst the biggest users of darknet communications. It’s not clear who is behind the attack and whether it is ongoing. Alles wird angeboten, solange man mit dem Angebotenen noch auf Dread oder Dark.
“FE) 2024 Darknet Market privileges, allowing them to bypass the escrow holding period during a purchase.”
Dark Web Link
Calling for online ecommerce platforms to be held accountable for flaws in their seller feedback systems that allow dishonest vendors to pull the wool over buyers’ eyes, Head of Home Products and Services at Which? After writing the codes, I need to run them and wait until the data is collected, which may also take some time. You can redistribute or modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation. QAnoners are also big 2024 Darknet Market fans of comparing flattering and unflattering photos of celebrities. Protect your privacy by only using your true identity when absolutely necessary. When monero noticed a low in mid-June, there was the next proportion of litecoin ( LTC) on the time. Police said evidence points to Mr Cazes having taking his own life. Amazon S3 utilizes the same storage architecture as its global e-commerce enterprise, and can be leveraged to store nearly any type of object like internet applications, data archives, backup and recovery, disaster recovery, analytics, hybrid cloud storage, and more. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. French listing for cannabis on the dark web marketplace Cannazon, urging buyers to stock up quickly due to the Covid-19 lockdown.


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“Being the CEO of a company that discovers bribery is very lonely; it would have been good to meet someone like myself who had that experience,” said Christopher Potts, who led Güralp to a foreign bribery settlement in 2019.
03 February 2022
Two executives at Korean infrastructure company Daewoo Engineering and Construction have pleaded guilty in Singapore over a scheme to bribe a high-ranking transport official.
07 May 2021
Dutch prosecutors are investigating PwC and executives in connection with a vast alleged bribery scheme orchestrated by subsidiaries of Dutch trading firm SHV Holdings.
29 April 2021
26 February 2021
A US trade body has banned electric battery maker SK Innovation from importing certain products into the US in connection with a trade secret theft dispute with a South Korean rival.
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The teardrop-like shaped AeroMobil Flying Car is ready for pre-orders with first deliveries expected by 2020.
Apple is expanding the capabilities of its Maps app to help users charge their cars or find bike rental hubs.
Virtually every brand in the auto industry is bragging about its autonomous driving capabilities.
If the slingback two-door from the Italian prestige brand doesn’t seem to shine, you’re not looking hard enough.
The Fate of the Furious is on track to be the biggest global movie opening of all time, helped by opening in China in its first weekend.
Tesla's plans to pad its lineup of electric vehicles are taking shape, as Elon Musk has sketched out a timeline for new models.
A gyro stabiliser keeps the new 60-foot Whitehaven 6000 Flybridge on a surprisingly even keel.
You'll need a lot of spare change to buy one of these highly sought-after exotic cars.
Tesla grabbed headlines this week, but it's Ferrari that's been rewarding shareholders the most lately.
The latest offering from Tesla is far more Silicon Valley than Detroit, Stuttgart or Tokyo.
Even Elon Musk has admitted that his so-called story stock is "absurdly overvalued if based on the past".


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Technology | Media | Telecommunications
Saturday, July 10, 2010
eMarketer reports that while most mainstream U.S. consumers may not care much about the broadband access speed that they have at home, they are very interested in continuing to gain access to the vast array of video content that's readily available to them via the public Internet.
The number of online video viewers continues to grow, while the number of videos viewed skyrockets. Nearly 183 million U.S. internet users watched an average of 186 videos per viewer during the month of May, for a total of 34 billion videos, according to comScore.
U.S. households are also becoming more networked, as consumers buy more and more internet-enabled consumer electronics (CE) devices. A joint report from In-Stat and Capgemini predicts that by 2013, nearly 57 million U.S. households will own these devices.
All that multimedia traffic requires an adequate broadband speed -- an area where the U.S. lags behind many other countries. According to a 2009 report from the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, the U.S. does not make the top 10 list of broadband leaders -- when measuring household penetration and quality of connection.
However, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) determined that most adult broadband users are "fairly satisfied" with the speed of their home internet connections -- though four out of five could not say what that speed was exactly.
The FCC offers a free test for internet users to measure their connection speed at the broadband.gov website. Men apparently professed to be more knowledgeable: Just 71 percent admitted ignorance, compared with 90 percent of women.
Another survey from the Leichtman Research Group shows these findings are not a fluke: 77 percent of adults could not say what their home broadband connection speed was, or what it was supposed to be.
Yet 71 percent of respondents agreed they were "very satisfied" with whatever speed they were getting. In contrast, the FCC survey uncovered that only 50 percent were satisfied.
Clearly, a sudden rise in over-the-top video streaming demand could shift consumer perception, from passive acceptance to active indignation. As U.S. consumers view more and more HD-quality video -- and create their own video on HD camcorders -- they may quickly discover that their Internet service provider's current access speed is totally unacceptable.


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Hyundai To Launch 22 New Models By 2017
Hyundai Motor Company is about to make a renewed push into Europe, with the first of 22 new vehicles set to lead the charge.
This is coming at a time when other automakers are withdrawing from the region, with many doing so because of the gains made there by Hyundai and Kia.
Hyundai and Kia have been stealing market share in Europe for quite some time, even as the demand for new vehicles has declined.
Companies like Fiat and Peugeot are feeling the pressure from the competitively priced vehicles that the Koreans are delivering to Europe.
In just 5 short years, Hyundai and Kia have seen their combined market share double to the 6.2% they saw during the first part of 2013.
This comes in the face of a slowing of demand for new vehicles in Europe, where even perennial favorites like Volkswagen are seeing their numbers begin to seriously diminish.
All of this has led the South Koreans to believe they can grab an even larger market share in the region.
They have taken a close look at how automakers like Fiat, Peugeot and GM’s Opel have shifted away from mass-market cars in favor of high-margin premium models, leaving a gap that Hyundai and Kia believe they can exploit.
New Hyundai i10 Is Just A Beginning
Allan Rushforth, Hyundai’s chief operating officer for Europe, firmly believes that they can grab a hold of Europe, starting with the release of the new i10 city car.
This will be the first of 22 new models that will hit the market by 2017.
Mr, Rushworth revealed that the goal is to sell 500,000 units by that 2017 date, as well as to grab a 5% market share by 2020. Last year saw Hyundai sell 432,240 units for a 3.5% share.
Kia will use the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show as a platform to show off three updated models and a concept SUV.
Kia’s chief operational officer for Europe, Michael Cole, said that Kia didn’t feel the time was right to do this 5 years ago, but that recent changes in the European car market make now the perfect opportunity to renew their push into the region.
He believes that a 3% share of the market and 400,000 plus unit sales is a realistic goal by 2017 at the latest.
The last 5 years has seen Hyundai and Kia increase their efforts to increase brand awareness and move away from cheap and friendly to well-designed, quality vehicles that are still affordable.
& something for fun…
How people mistype Hyundai name (according to Google):


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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Norwegian Cruise Line announced Wednesday it plans to resume operations from additional US and international ports this fall.
Guests will once again set sail aboard the Norwegian Breakaway, Encore, Escape, Pearl, Jewel, Sun, Spirit and Norwegian’s Pride of America to explore Hawaii, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Asia and much more.
Earlier this week, NCL also announced it will return to Seattle for the Alaska cruise season, starting Aug. 7.
Below are the ships being redeployed by Norwegian:
- Norwegian Joy will cruise from Miami beginning Oct. 19 with five to 11-day Caribbean voyages.
- Norwegian Breakaway will cruise seven-day itineraries to Bermuda from New York beginning Oct. 24
- Pride of America will offer seven-day Hawaii interisland voyages from Honolulu beginning Nov. 6
- Norwegian Bliss will cruise from Los Angeles for seven-day Mexican Riviera voyages beginning Nov. 7
- Norwegian Encore will offer seven-night itineraries from Miami to the Caribbean beginning Nov. 14
- Beginning Nov. 20, Norwegian Escape will cruise for the first time from Orlando (Port Canaveral), offering seven-day itineraries to the Caribbean.
- Norwegian Pearl will sail from Miami offering Panama Canal, Bahamas and Caribbean cruises beginning Dec. 23
- Beginning Jan. 20, 2022, Norwegian Jewel will be the first ship in the fleet to offer roundtrip Panama Canal cruises from Panama City (Colón and Fuerte Amador).
- Norwegian Sun will sail for the first time in Asia beginning Jan. 28, 2022, offering a five-day Japan itinerary from Hong Kong, before sailing a variety of 11-day cruises from Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok.
- Norwegian Spirit will cruise 12-day Australia and New Zealand voyages from Sydney, and Auckland, New Zealand beginning Feb. 9, 2022.
Voyages operating out of the United States are contingent upon the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issuing its Conditional Sailing Certificate.
“When we first welcome our guests aboard Norwegian Jade this July, it will be exactly 500 days since our ships last sailed,” said Harry Sommer, the president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “I am so happy that we’re finally getting back to what we love the most, and I’m very proud that we continue to redeploy our fleet methodically.”
Additionally, the following cruises have been canceled:
- Pride of America through Oct. 30
- Norwegian Escape through Nov. 2
- Norwegian Jewel through Jan. 9, 2022
- Norwegian Pearl through Dec. 7
- Norwegian Spirit through Jan. 28, 2022
- Norwegian Sun through Jan. 18, 2022
- Oct. 24, 2021 itinerary aboard Norwegian Bliss
Norwegian’s Peace of Mind cancelation policy remains in effect for guests on cruises with embarkation dates through Oct. 31.
These guests have the flexibility to cancel their cruise 15 days prior to departure. Those who take advantage of the Peace of Mind policy will receive a full refund in the form of a future cruise credit which may be applied to any sailing through Dec. 31, 2022.


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Apple backtracks on the EPEAT environmental certification withdrawal, says it was a "mistake"
In a somewhat untypical move Apple issued a statement that it regrets the voluntary withdrawal from the industry's EPEAT environmental certification scheme.
While not that big of a deal, considering that the company meets and exceeds the somewhat anachronistic EPEAT requirements, its withdrawal from the scheme certainly caused a backlash, with the city of San Francisco threatening to forbid its departments to buy Apple products. Bob Mansfield, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, had the following statement to make:
We’ve recently heard from many loyal Apple customers who were disappointed to learn that we had removed our products from the EPEAT rating system. I recognize that this was a mistake. Starting today, all eligible Apple products are back on EPEAT.
Could this have happened under SJ? Maybe yes, maybe not, depending on what side of the bed he woke up to, but it is certainly a sign that times they are a-changin' over there in Cupertino under Tim Cook. Is it a move to prevent some sales from happening, considering you are already about a $100 billion ahead?
It might very well be, but the fact that the iPad Mini rumors have reached a crescendo, while just a year ago it would have been unthinkable to go against SJ's grain about smaller slates, has to be a sign of the more listening and adaptable Apple, not unwilling to get down and dirty with the times.


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WASHINGTON — Georgia-Pacific Professional
is proud to announce its SofPull™ Centerpull Tissue Dispenser and the Green by Design®
- Dispenser Recycle, Refurbish, Repair Program as entries for ISSA/INTERCLEAN’s 2010 ISSA Innovation Award
, according to a press release.
This award program recognizes notable products and services developed by manufacturers in the sanitation industry, the release noted.
"ISSA/INTERCLEAN is one of Georgia-Pacific Professional''s most highly-respected industry resources and partners," said Bill Sleeper, president of Georgia-Pacific Professional.
"We are proud to support the organization''s efforts to highlight the cleaning and sanitation industry''s recent innovations. Our company takes great pride in our product development process and is honored to have our new initiatives in this year''s competition," Sleeper added.


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One vehicle that was championed for turning around a brand's reliability was the Lamborghini Gallardo.
That's because of two factors: Lambos formerly were built like kit cars and Audi had a lot of handiwork when it came to the Gallardo.
Although many have said that its reliability had made leaps and bounds, maybe that should be investigated again since one owner in China went extremely far to send a message.
Now I have owned a car where I angrily muttered "I want to kill this thing," but I never would have done so for real. This guy took it to a whole new level.
**To see the before and after pictures, click "Read Article"
Workers hold hammers as they prepare to destroy a Lamborghini Gallardo L140 luxury sports car to mark World Consumer Rights Day in Qingdao city, eastern Shandong province, China on March 15. The car's owner hired people to publicly destroy the vehicle when it failed to function after a service by an official Lamborghini service station. The protest was made to provoke public support and goad the manufacturer to respect his consumer rights...
2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe Photo Gallery
2011 Geneva Motor Show Photo Gallery
Lamborghini Showcase Photo Gallery
Audi Lightweight Tech Showcase Photo Gallery
2011 Geneva Motor Show Preview Photo Gallery


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Yahoo Inc. has announced that it is combining both major pieces of its U.S. advertising business under one sales executive, David Karnestedt. Both search and display ad sales teams will be under the same umbrella with the hopes of catering to the needs of Yahoo’s customers.
The company also declared that advertising sales executive Wenda Harris-Millard has officially left the company and gone to Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to be president of media as of July 16th. Millard, who was on the team that developed the reorganized plan, knew of the decision to place Karnstedt in charge of the merged divisions and opted to go to MSLO rather than take the role for global ad sales for Yahoo.
According to Roger Barnette, president of SearchIgnite, sister company to 360i and media management platform specializing in auction-based media, Yahoo is aligning itself to materialize as a leading force in auction-based media. This comes after the acquisition of Right Media and lends itself to more attention as to what Yahoo’s future plans may be. “This new structure further solidifies marketers’ instincts to plan their search and display campaigns together,” said Barnette.
It will take about two quarters before the merger is complete which initially started in February. This past monday Yahoo claimed its second-quarter revenues would land in the lower half of its previously stated outlook which, excluding the cost of payments to advertising partners, was projected in April between $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion. This is a result of slower growth in display advertising offsetting the high performing, recently upgraded search advertising operations.
Gregory Coleman, executive vice president of global sales believes that this new plan will eventually take the company to a new of level of advertising. “By taking a more holistic approach to advertising sales, Yahoo will become a more consultative seller, which should make buying complete solutions easier for our customers across Yahoo and our partner sites,” he said.
Yahoo is also searching to add to advertising business on partner media sites. They are already supplying display and search advertising for eBay and recently signed a deal with Comcast.
The announcement has been said to have nothing to do with Millard’s exit, however industry experts are keeping their eyes on Yahoo, waiting to see who is the next to leave and what is going to be the next move for the company.