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A consumer alert tonight on something the NewsChannel 5 investigators have been digging into for months. And it’s something that's probably in your bathroom right now.
A new study has scientists calling for a ban on microbeads.
They're those little beads that are in your soaps and toothpastes. A NewsChannel 5 investigation revealed that they don't dissolve when they go down the drain.
They end up in the great lakes and the fish then eat them. And we then ingest the chemicals when we eat the fish.
The new study found that up to 8 trillion of those microbeads wind up in United States waters every day.
Those behind the study say cleaning the beads out of the water isn't an effective solution and microbeads should be taken out of products altogether.
An app called "Beat the Microbead," which can be downloaded on Apple mobile devices, can help determine if their are microbeads in your products.
According to ecowatch.com the app, developed by North Sea Foundation and the Plastic Soup Foundation, allows consumers to scan the barcode of their products and it will alert them if there are microbeads in the product.
To learn more about the app, visit ecowatch.com.


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China’s Beijing Automotive Industry Corp (BAIC) is looking to purchase Italian design firm Pininfarina. The Chinese automaker is currently in works with Pininfarina and their collaboration will produce works that are based on Saabs older models.
The 81 year old company, come 22nd May 2011, has been looking for a majority stake-holder for the company that was established by Battista “Pinin” Farina thereby sparking several Asian Automakers including Brilliance and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile as well as Mahindra, Bajaj Auto and a Canadian parts supplier Magna Internaltional.
However, BAIC has recently managed to clinche and seal the deal with the Italian design firm who have had their hands in the likes of Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, Volvo, Alfa Romeo, Cadillac, Jaguar and Lancia to name a few; with an unnamed executive at BAIC who said: “I just come back from Italy last week and have communicated with the technical staff at Pininfarina about the design proposal of the Saab models. Pininfarina is the most successful overseas car design company in China. BAIC has been collaborating with it on development of models based on the Saab technology and will display an all-new concept car with the Saab DNA at next year’s Shanghai auto show, while Pininfarina will be responsible for the contour design of the car.”
So lets hope their collaborated works will produce something that will pique our interests by then, instead of redesigning Saab’s pretty outdated vehicles.

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GoPro’s new app Quik allows photography lovers to get the most out of their favourite photos and videos not matter what phone or camera they’re using.
We’ve all been through the tedious process of trying to find a photo within the dark hole of our phone’s camera roll. Luckily, Quik ensure’s you’ll never lose track of your special pictures again, allowing users to share photos to the app, which will be added to their own private “Mural” feed.
Multiple photos and videos that have been uploaded at once will be grouped together as an event, which Quik will turn into a compilation highlight video synced to music. App users can share images that already exist within their camera roll, text threads, or wherever else their images may be.
In this day and age we all love to give our photos a cheeky edit, which is why Go Pro has made sure Quik has the simple editing tools to do so.
GoPro founder CEO Nicholas Woodman says helping people get the most out of their personal content represents an enormous long-term opportunity for the Go Pro brand.
“You don’t even have to open the Quik app to organize your images, simply share your favorite shots directly to Quik from your camera roll, text threads or wherever your best shots may be. We named it Quik because that’s what it is!”
Quik features and benefits include:
- Unlimited importing of your favourite photos and videos
- Unlimited cloud backup
- Automatic video creation
- New GoPro original music
- Powerful editing tools
- New video speed tool
- GoPro-exclusive filters
- Premium themes
- Frame grabbing
- Easy social sharing
Quik is available for iOS and Android and supports photos and videos from any modern phone or camera, including GoPros and DSLRs.
To celebrate Quik’s launch, GoPro is kicking off the Make It #Quik Awards Challenge to award the best Quik edits. To participate, submit your best edit made with the Quik app to GoPro.com/Awards.


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Granules India to get Rs 318 crore from IFC to set up new plant in Vishakhapatnam
International Finance Corporation (IFC), an arm of world Band is planning to invest 47.5 million dollars (Rs 318 crore) to Granules India Limited, an Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing company based in Hyderabad.
The investment fund will help the Granules India to set up a plant in Vishakhapatnam, expanding existing capacities and investing in R&D to improve its product mix in favour of higher value-added products. This will be the fourth investment made by IFC in Granules India.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be 84 million dollars, of which International Finance Corp (IFC) will invest 47.5 million dollars and the remaining will come through through equity and internal accruals.
Granules has factories near Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam, along with an R&D and manufacturing facility in Virginia, US. The company, through its joint ventures, also has one plant in China and another plant in Vishakhapatnam.
The Company manufactures tablets, Pharmaceutical Formulation Intermediates (PFIs) and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) which are distributed in over 50 countries.
Earlier in 2007, IFC had made an equity investment of Rs 24.3 crore in Granules, Reports VCCircle.
IFC has an active direct private equity-style investment practice in India. It also lends to firms and has an active limited partner, or LP, portfolio in India where it backs Private equity (PE) and Venture capital (VC) funds.
Except Granules India, IFC has invested in Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Jubilant Pharma and Vivimed Labs, among others.


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Germany’s retail sales declined unexpectedly in January, figures from Destatis showed Friday.
Retail sales decreased 0.7 percent month-on-month in January, confounding expectations for an increase of 0.7 percent. Sales had fallen 1.1 percent in December.
On a yearly basis, retail sales grew 2.3 percent, slower than the expected 3.3 percent increase. Nonetheless, the expansion reversed December’s 0.2 percent fall.
Sale of food, beverages and tobacco climbed 1 percent and that of non-food products advanced 3 percent.
In a separate communique, the statistical office said wholesale turnover rebounded 3 percent in the whole year of 2017 following a 0.2 percent drop in 2016.
In the fourth quarter, wholesale turnover rose 2.1 percent from the same period of last year. Turnover in December was down by 1 percent annually compared to 4.1 percent increase in November.
Source: RTT News


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Irvine Company Apartment Communities (ICAC) has won the “Best Real Estate Application” in the Web Marketing Association’s 9th Internet Advertising Competition for an iPhone application (app) that delivers a host of services to residents, officials announced today.
The honor underscores ICAC’s goal of keeping clients connected to their homes while on the go, said Nicole Conniff, vice president of marketing for ICAC.
“Mobile is global,” she says. “Our residents choose to use mobile devices for many of their daily business and lifestyle activities and we want to make those activities as easy as possible. We are thrilled that our efforts are being recognized by the Web Marketing Association, but are even more excited by the response we’ve received from residents. They say the technology enhances their ‘on-the-go’ lifestyle.”
The company now offers four different ways for residents to connect with MyRental-Living.com – the website, the mobile website and its award-winning iPhone and Android apps.
The company launched the mobile-friendly version of its website last week, an Android app earlier in March and the award-winning iPhone app in June of 2010.
Using the mobile friendly site and apps allow busy residents an easier user experience to accomplish tasks such as:
• Maintenance service requests
• Up-to-date community news postings and event calendar
• Exclusive coupons from local businesses
• Classified ads
Residents can already pay rent and accomplish a number of other tasks via the website.
“It’s a very exciting time in the world of technology, and an equally exciting time for us to make sure we are as accessible to our residents as possible,” said Conniff. ICAC is also buildings relationships with current and future residents on Twitter (@Rental_Living).
A recent Morgan Stanley report predicts that within five years, the number of people accessing the mobile Internet is expected to overtake the PC as the most popular way to get on the Web. The number of mobile web users in the U.S. grew 22 percent from December 2009 to December 2010, to 101.9 million users, according to comScore Inc.
“Pew Research Center reports that 83% of the Gen Y segment keeps their mobile devices next to them even while they sleep,” said Conniff. “With an average resident age of 33, it is imperative to our customer-service philosophy and forward-thinking mindset to use the latest technology to set us apart.”
About the award
The Internet Advertising Competition Awards are produced by the Web Marketing Association to honor excellence in online advertising, recognize the individuals and organizations responsible, and showcase the best in award-winning Internet advertising.
About Irvine Company Apartment Communities
Irvine Company Apartment Communities owns and operates approximately 115 apartment communities in Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego Counties, as well as Silicon Valley, California. It is also the exclusive builder of new multi-family rental projects in its master-planned communities on the Irvine Ranch.
About the Irvine Company
Founded in 1864, the Irvine Company is an internationally renowned real estate development company known for its award-winning master-planned communities, its vast portfolio of high-quality investment properties, and its leadership in conservation and natural resource management. The real estate portfolio encompasses office, apartment, retail and resort holdings located throughout California’s premier markets, including assets in San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles Counties and Northern California. As a steward of some of America’s most beautiful and scientifically important open space and parklands, the company has donated to Orange County more than half of the historic 93,000-acre Irvine Ranch in Orange County — 50,000 acres — to permanently preserve lands. The U.S. Department of Interior and the State of California have designated these parklands as “Natural Landmarks,” one of the most prestigious land preservation designations.


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China Toy Association Publishes Survey on Toy Consumption in China
5 July 2011
The China Toy Association (CTA)surveyed 5,000 consumers from first, second and third tier cities across the nation to assess the purchasing habits of its population over a period of three months in 2010.
The extensive survey examined the age, gender, educational background and income of respondents, as well as reasons for purchasing, profiles of children purchased for, types of toys purchased, and toy prices, among other elements that had an impact on consumption.
General survey findings included:
More than 40% of respondents indicated that safety was their top priority when purchasing toys. Other considerations included functionality, price and quality;
Male consumers were interested in more expensive toys than females overall;
Compared to 2009, consumers were more drawn to middle-priced toys;
Higher priced toys were purchased in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou compared to second and third tier cities;
Expensive gifts were more likely to be purchased at department stores; those seeking discounted prices shopped online (e-shopping, most popular in first tier cities, increased to 13% from 11% in 2009);
82% of consumers could recall the brand of their last toy purchase, compared to 78% in 2009.
To obtain a copy of the full survey, which includes findings on the most frequently bought and recognized brands across all toy categories, please email the China Toy Association (No. 101 Fu Xing Men Nei Street, Beijing 100031, China).
More News >


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As if Whole Foods’ proposed acquisition of Wild Oats weren’t already in enough trouble, the Wall Street Journal reports today that Whole Foods chief executive John Mackey pseudonymously posted messages on Yahoo discussion groups about the wonderfulness of Whole Foods, the lagging fortunes of Wild Oats and his own all-around genius.
Using the name “Rahodeb” (“Deborah,” his wife’s name, backwards jumbled up), Mackey apparently tried to drive down Wild Oats’ stock price in 2005 when it was $8 a share. Journal reporters David Kesmodel and John R. Wilke write:
“Would Whole Foods buy OATS?” Rahodeb asked, using Wild Oats’ stock symbol. “Almost surely not at current prices. What would they gain? OATS locations are too small.” Rahodeb speculated that Wild Oats eventually would be sold after sliding into bankruptcy or when its stock fell below $5. A month later, Rahodeb wrote that Wild Oats management “clearly doesn’t know what it is doing …. OATS has no value and no future.”
No wonder the Federal Trade Commission is all over this — there’s no way the agency could ignore such behavior. And Mackey’s contention that he was engaging in meaningless “macho posturing” is ridiculous.
Update: The New York Times account is worth a read, too.
5 thoughts on “A weird twist in the Whole Foods saga”
That’s pretty bizarre – what kind of exec has time for this?That being said, when Wild Oat’s bought the Nature’s markets, the service, quality, and employee relations all went down.
One more reason not to shop there.Does anyone else think that at this very minute the Trader Joe’s marketing department is polishing a “Our CEO only uses the internet to post karaoke videos on YouTube” campaign?
Whatever else is true about this weird saga, we can agree on this: Rahodeb is not Deborah spelled backwards.
Ha, ha! And I’m not even dyslexic. Now fixed.
Via The Telegraph: Former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Harvey Pitt, said it depended on whether any disclosure rules had been breached. He added that “at a minimum, it’s bizarre and ill-advised, even if it isn’t illegal”.How isn’t this illegal? You’ve got a CEO making “forward-looking statements,” the kind that always come with disclaimers, while posting under an anonymous name and cheerleading the stock, also known as pumping.If this isn’t illegal, I’d hope it would be by next week. Instead of honesty and integrity, we get anonymity?
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Ford is taking its EcoBoost turbocharged engine to China. It's among the 20 new engines and transmissions that Ford says it will bring to China by 2015 in a bid to upgrade its entire powertrain portfolio in the world's largest auto market
The new engines are needed to power 15 new vehicles to China by 2015.
It's not just about turbocharging. Ford is also bringing direct-injection, twin independent variable camshaft timing and six-speed transmissions to China to deliver more than 20% in fuel economy in China by 2015.
"Ford is committed to be a fuel-economy leader in every segment that we compete by utilizing advanced powertrain technologies. These technologies represent a core part of our near-term sustainability goals in China," said Kumar Galhotra, vice president, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa.
The move is significant because it's easy to forget that China is still an emerging market where most cars sell for far less than their corresponding models in the U.S. That forces automakers to scrimp every way they can to cut costs to hold down sticker prices.
At the same time, the Chinese government has indicated that it will be serious about trying to reduce its dependence on imported oil and will try to clean up its dirty air. Ford says its moves will reduce tailpipe carbon-dioxide emissions by 20%.
Ford will make its small 1-liter EcoBoost engine for China. It sounds as if the engine won't make its way to the U.S.
Chris Woodyard is an auto writer for USA TODAY who covers all aspects of motoring. He revels in the exhaust note of a Maserati and the sharp creases of a Cadillac CTS. Chris strives to live a Porsche life on a Scion budget. More about Chris


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Motorola is reportedly working on a new build (LMY47E) of Android 5.1 Lollipop stock firmware for Nexus 6, as suggested by a recent tweet from the company.
Although Google had recently rolled out the factory images as well as the OTA update for the previous build of Android 5.1 (aka LMY47D), there seems to be a newer build of Android 5.1 in the works for Verizon-based devices.
The term "VRZ" in the leaked firmware's title reaffirms that the new build LMY47E is specifically meant for the Nexus 6 Verizon model, while the mobile carrier is yet to announce the release or confirm the existence of this new firmware.
According to Android Police, the new VRZ stock firmware seems to hold some historical significance, as past builds such as GRI54 (Nexus S), GTJ61 (Nexus S), IMM30B (Galaxy Nexus), JRO03S (Nexus 7 2012 Wi-Fi), JOP40F (Nexus 10), JDQ39B (Nexus 7 2012 Wi-Fi/LTE), and JDQ39E (Nexus 4) were preinstalled firmware being shipped with newer Nexus devices, while they were never released for older devices via OTA or factory images.
Folks at Android Police have confirmed that the new Android 5.1 build is accessible as RSD images only via RSD Lite tool, which works the same way that Odin does for Samsung devices.
As a word of caution, users are advised to be careful while using the RSD Lite tool as one wrong move could inadvertently damage your device.
Though details are sparse about the LMY47E, it is ascertained that this build features a newer radio without any major feature benefits over the previous build LMY47D.
Nevertheless, interested users can go ahead and try flashing the new Android 5.1 LMY47E stock firmware by heading over to the XDA Developers forum, where the download link is available.


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RealmeBook pricing, specifications, and images allegedly leaked ahead of its official China launch on August 18, revealing many details regarding the device.
The upcoming laptop series from a Chinese manufacturer will launch simultaneously in both China and India, with some of its features teased before the launch. Now, live images have leaked online, revealing the device’s aesthetics.
Industry insider familiar with the eastern market, Abhishek Yadav, has revealed live images of the upcoming Realme laptop sitting on an office desk.
From what we’ve seen on his images, the upcoming RealmeBook features a stunning 14” display surrounded by reasonably thin bezels encased in what seems as a brush-finished blue metal casing.
And while it’s evident that the company drew its inspiration from Apple, Realme is targeting the mid-range section of the price/performance spectrum.
According to the tipster’s information, the RealmeBook’s display will feature an FHD resolution, backed by Intel Iris Xe Graphics embedded into the laptop’s 11th Gen of Intel Core i5 processor (Intel Tiger Lake, the very same spotted inside Surface Laptop 4).
The laptop will also feature 8 GB of RAM, a fingerprint scanner, two USB Type C ports, and a pre-installed copy of Windows 10. All are priced at approximately ₹40,000, or roughly $540.
However, more recent price leaks suggest that China’s RealmeBook will launch with a price tag of ₹54,000 – roughly equivalent to $730. But that’s not the only thing recent leaks have revealed.
Realme initially planned to unveil RelameBook in China, and RealmeBook Slim in India on the very same date, with both models featuring the very same hardware – or so it was announced and expected.
However, the initial reports have changed; RealmeBook and RealmeBook Slim will now release as devices sporting different hardware specs – with RealmeBook Slim being the more affordable laptop model.
Hardware-wise, the RealmeBook laptop, set to release to the Chinese market, might get a hardware upgrade, with its RAM upgraded to 16 GB.
It will also feature 512 GB of storage, though it’s still unclear whether it’s an SSD or HDD drive, and a 65W power delivery will power the entirety of its hardware.
This puts the device on the lower-mid-range of the performance spectrum, given how gaming laptops, which are mighty machines, consume roughly 130-185 watts of power.
The RealmeBook Slim, aimed at the Indian market, is set to release with an 11th Gen Intel Core i3 processor and possibly less RAM and less storage, justifying its more accessible price of ₹40,000 (approx. $540).
Of course, both models will probably feature different options in terms of RAM size, storage capacity, and type, which could affect the end price for the users.
Both laptops are set to launch alongside Realme GT 5G and Realme GT Master Edition smartphones on the very same day.
These devices make use of Realme’s proprietary PC Connect feature, which allows RealmeBook users to connect with their Realme smartphones.
Though the exact function of this feature hasn’t been disclosed yet, it will most likely enable users to get notifications, reply to messages, and perhaps answer phone calls from their Realme smartphone through their RealmeBook laptop.
In the end, Realme seeks to compete with other laptop manufacturers, going against the RedmiBook and Mi NoteBook devices. As such, it emerges as a brand that offers premium features at a more reasonable price. However, you can’t really have one without the other, at least when it comes to performance.
Despite sporting the 11th Generation of i5 processors, backed up by a power supply that offers only 65 watts, the Realme series lacks dedicated graphics chips that would make it a true powerhouse.
As such, its best applications are limited to education, communication, entertainment in the form of audio and video, and perhaps some limited video or photo editing.
Its integrated graphics might prove effective for light gaming sessions, but they can’t compare to modern laptops with dedicated GPUs sporting over 700% more rendering power than Intel Iris Xe Graphics.
With that said, non-gaming-oriented users will enjoy the premium feel and overall good features announced on both models of RealmeBook when it launches on August 18.


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January 22, 2023 | Tags: LIBERTY LOFT
In 2019, 29.7 million people went on a cruise vacation, according to Statista. The question is why? There are occasionally rough seas (imagine a whole day of air turbulence), lackluster ports of call (Royal Caribbean touts the "pristine sands" of Labadee, which happens to be in HAITI), and outbreaks like norovirus, not to mention the considerable expense (that excursion to Machu Picchu could cost an additional $4,000). The post Cruise Control appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.


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IFA President IFA, Eddie Downey said EU measures proposed last Monday in Brussels were insufficient to address the income crisis facing farm families.
He warned that the EU food chain is broken, with below-cost selling by retailers, and cartels controlling the cost of inputs such as fertilisers which farmers have to buy.
He said, “It is critically important that the Commission step up with a strong declaration that Europe will ban below-cost selling of food and address the excessive input costs imposed on farmers.
“It is vital that Farm Ministers take action to ensure the EU Single Market is working properly”.
“Grain farmers across Europe are experiencing their third successive year of prices below the cost of production.
“The political establishment needs to wake up. Their failure to rein in speculative investment in agricultural commodities and tackle fertiliser price cartels is compounding the situation.
“Farm families cannot ride out the boom/bust cycles resulting from speculative investment.”
The President of ICMSA, John Comer, said that the very least that milk suppliers needed from the Farm Council meeting was immediate introduction of an intervention price equivalent to 28 cents per litre of milk for farmers.
He said the agriculture minister also dodged a real confrontation over margin-grabbing by corporate retailers, and the current ‘do-nothing’ attitude still reigns, with no sign of EU policy proportionate to the serious threat Europe’s dairy farmers face.
© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved


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What to Expect if Amazon HQ2 Comes to D.C.
October 1, 2018
It’s been one year since Amazon first announced it’s proposed HQ2 plans – and, as we all know by now, D.C. is reportedly a serious contender in the race. There are so many compelling reasons why the D.C. metro area is the perfect place to grow and scale a tech company – I would know, I’ve grown and scaled three companies here myself. While we continue to play the waiting game here, I’ve had a moment to reflect on the broader impact and implications Amazon’s final decision will have on local entrepreneurs and startups, as well as our city overall.
As a D.C. native and fellow entrepreneur, here’s my take:
More than the backbone to the online world
The impact Amazon will bring to D.C. is more than just an influx of jobs and capital investment – we have some of the brightest tech minds, and yet we rank 10th for venture capital investments only receiving 1.6 percent of total funding. With Amazon in our backyard, the nation’s capital will be known as much more than just a data center corridor (70 percent of the world’s internet traffic passes through the D.C. area now). HQ2 will bring valuable attention to our region as one of the top places to work and live, and could be the springboard for additional capital investment and a cycle of growth for startups in the region.


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NEW DELHI: The Finance Ministry is likely to come out with details of the Rajiv Gandhi equity scheme, which is aimed at boosting retail investments in capital market, by the last week of July.
"RGESS norms will come out by last week of July," a senior finance ministry official said.
In order to encourage savings and improve investment in capital markets, former Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in 2012-13 Budget had announced Rajiv Gandhi Equity Scheme, under which 50 per cent tax deduction would be allowed to retail investors with annual income less than Rs 10 lakh, for investment up to Rs 50,000, with a lock-in period of 3 years.
A retail investor can avail the scheme only once in a life time. This was the first-ever tax benefit scheme announced by the government to encourage retail investors participation in the equity market.
By offering this scheme, the government aims at channelising household savings into stock markets.
To make the scheme more attractive for retail investors, the ministry is also considering reduction in the lock-in period under the scheme to one year from the proposed three years.
Recently, market regulator Sebi has asked the government to route tax-saving Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme ( RGESS) through MF to minimise risk associated with direct stock investment for new investors.


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After a tenacious protestor stormed Louis Vuitton’s turn on the runway during Paris Fashion Week’s finale event, certain topics and questions started to arise.
Why was Louis Vuitton targeted? Was it a shot fired at the brand, or the fashion industry as a whole? Further, how far has high fashion actually come in sustainability efforts?
26-year-old Marie Cohuet emerged as the impromptu model on the Lourve museum’s stage. She boasted a white banner with black words that yelled “overconsumption = extinction”.
The fashion world may once upon a time have rolled its eyes, however, times have changed and eye-rolling subsided. Sustainable fashion is in vogue, and it’s far from trendy to ignore environmental impact. Fashion housesaround the world are becoming more concerned with branding themselves around environmental pillars, and as a result, a message like Cohuet’s isn’t exactly taken lightly.
Extinction Rebellion and Amis de la Terre, or Friends of the Earth and Youth For Climate activists, had other messages that “infiltrated the podium”. These included :
“No fashion on a dead planet”, “Fashion change not climate change” and “Climate is a fashion victim” as per Totally Vegan Buzz.
Thirty people were involved in the protest’s planning. Cohuet didn’t spend long on the runway before security guards ushered her away, and two protestors were arrested. All that for a message?
Considering how intensely many fashion houses are focusing on eco-fashion and sustainable fashion, Marie Cohuet’s performance was no small feat. Here’s the break down behind the stunt.
Targeting LV was symbolic
“We chose LVMH symbolically because it is one of the most influential houses” Ms Cohuet expressed as per The New York Times.
She referred to Louis Vuitton’s parent organisation, LVMH which is the world’s largest luxury goods company by revenue.
“LVMH makes their frantic declarations about being the most advanced in the sector in terms of limiting their impacts, but we see that in reality it is not true.”
The luxury brand has not issued a statement on the storming.
The message was targeted at the government too
The government was called upon to enforce cutting production levels in the fashion sector. The activists called for an immediate reduction in production levels, and brought to light that 42 items of clothing were sold per person in France in 2019 alone, which has proven to be a counter-productive trend in terms of up-cycling.
What is Louis Vuitton actually doing for sustainable fashion?
In 2018, a study revealed that luxury fashion was the fastest-growing retail sector of that year. LV had a lot of responsibility from then onwards to control its impact on the environment. They’ve also been tracking its carbon footprint since 2004.
Some strides have been present over the years. Its shopping bags have been 100% recyclable since 2012, perfume bottles are refillable, and 96% of materials used for main events/installations in 2019 were recycled, according to Impakter.
However, its main sources of greenhouse gases naturally come from production. Impakter notes that they still don’t have a concrete policy within these areas to mitigate their climate impact.
Critics deem this approach to sustainability as greenwashing, and challenge that the problem of consumption simply isn’t being faced head-on.
On sustainability, the LVMH group express that it is a journey that takes a long-term commitment and humility.
Some pillars its committed to including renewable energy in production, green architecture and responsible sourcing (the plan is 100% responsibly sourced raw materials by 2025, and 0% single-use plastic by 2030).
However, production is the real crux of the matter according to the protestors, and it’s not just on LV, but all of us.
Picture: Valerio Mezzanotti


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New reports on Apple are pointing to in the direction of iPhone SE 2, and is likely to be launched later this year. The iPhone SE was a marvellous phone with its small 4-inch screen and mesmerised a lot of owners back in the day. There were no relevant signs from Apple if they will even considering renewing this device, which now seems to be turning into reality.
The iPhone SE 2, which is a cheaper variant, could be a part of the three new iPhones that the Apple is planning to launch in 2019. So, in addition to working on the expensive iPhones, the company could be focussing more on these cheaper variants for the budget conscious buyers. It’s an ideal buy in the lower priced smartphone segment with the device having all the top-notch hardware packed into a small 4-inch device which also makes it very convenient to operate and carry.
The demand for an iPhone SE won’t be like how it used to be before but if it comes with all the latest functionalities and good specifications, the company can possibly generate decent revenue. Apple has been focussing more on the camera in their flagship iPhones, so one can also expect a better camera on iPhone SE 2 compared to the previous model.
Speaking about the cheaper models, the iPhone XR is doing great against iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max and this could also be a reason why Apple is looking to invest more time and effort on iPhone SE 2. The launch could take place at Apple’s Annual September event in September 2019 alongside the new variants of iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.


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Taking tips, chasing leads, and solving problems
Cell phone customers more likely to switch providers after long, repeated service calls
More and more consumers are finding themselves making multiple calls to their cell phone carrier in order to solve their wireless problems, according to a new customer satisfaction survey by J.D. Power and Associates released Thursday.
In 2011, 17% had to call their provider more than once to get their problem resolved. That number rose to 23% in 2013, according to the J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Wireless Customer Care full-service performance study.
Not surprisingly, the survey shows that cell phone carriers who manage to solve their customers' problems quickly and with one phone call are likely to reap rewards in the form of more loyal customers.
Carriers who took more than 15 minutes to solve a customer's problems were nearly twice as likely to lose the subscriber (30%) than those who took less than five minutes (16%,) the survey found.
On a maximum 1,000-point scale, customers rated their wireless carrier 881 when the problem was resolved in less than five minutes. It declined to 604 when calls took more than 25 minutes.
Sadly, a quick resolution isn't the norm: Only 17% of customers said their most recent customer service inquiry was solved in five minutes or less. For 1/5, resolution took 25 minutes or more.
The customer satisfaction survey showed that of the contract carriers, AT&T's customers were the most satisfied (793 points), closely followed by Verizon at 788 and T-Mobile at 778. Sprint Nextel was last at 757.
The survey is based on responses from nearly 7,200 cell phone customers who contacted their cell phone carrier's customer service department within six months of the survey, which took place between July 2013 December 2013.
A separate J.D. Power survey of more than 2,900 cell phone customers without a contract showed they were generally less satisfied than those with contracts. In that survey, MetroPCS ranked highest at 758. Virgin Mobile was second at 751 and Boost Mobile at 742. Net10 and Straight Talk Wireless came in last at 669 and 685, respectively. Cricket and TracFone ranked in the middle.


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The average cost of a traditional Thanksgiving meal is going to cost Virginians more than last year.
The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation says it will cost about $40.74 for a traditional meal for 10 adults. That's up about five percent from 2006.
The Farm Bureau surveyed the price of basic items found on Thanksgiving tables. The menu includes turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.
The higher prices are due in part to a rise in the cost of turkey, which has risen more than $2 for the average bird. Other prices are higher because of a rise in fuel costs.


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ARTICLES ABOUT ORGANIC FOODS AND PRODUCTS
Faced with unrelenting malaria, Uganda teamed up with the United States to use chemical insecticide sprays, but the effort has threatened the livelihood of some farmers.May 19, 2011, Thursday
Not even organic ingredients can guarantee an absence of allergic reactions.April 28, 2011, Thursday
The only producers of certified-organic lamb in New Mexico still graze sheep on wild land.April 20, 2011, Wednesday
Any business or brand can claim to be socially responsible, but now there's a way to prove it.April 11, 2011, Monday
In “This Life Is in Your Hands,” Melissa Coleman recalls a back-to-the-land childhood in Maine.April 7, 2011, Thursday
The Disney Channel cable channel is among the media properties owned by the Walt Disney Company that are carrying a campaign for milk sold by Horizon Organic.March 22, 2011, Tuesday
An alternative to the Farmhouse, the Barn at Bedford Post serves dinner on Mondays and Tuesdays, and breakfast and lunch every day.March 20, 2011, Sunday
Michelle Obama will write a book about the organic garden she planted on the South Lawn of the White House and the virtues of eating fresh, locally grown food.March 17, 2011, Thursday
With a new food culture whetting interest in agriculture, more people under 40 are choosing farming as a career.March 6, 2011, Sunday
With a new food culture whetting interest in agriculture, more people under 40 are choosing farming as a career.March 06, 2011, Sunday
An environmental scientist and an environmental campaigner make the green case for intensified agriculture.March 03, 2011, Thursday
A dairy co-operative in coastal Maine that produces slow-pasteurized organic milk is struggling to find enough customers to stay in business.February 19, 2011, Saturday
Four questions about genetically engineered food.February 15, 2011, Tuesday
A novel boot camp in California is among several programs whose goal is to bring the energy of young soldiers re-entering civilian life to the aging farm population of rural America.February 06, 2011, Sunday
A Twitter feed and a blog, livingmaxwell.com, help Max Goldberg spread his message.February 03, 2011, Thursday
More owners are making home-cooked food for their pets, replacing mystery meat with pasture-raised chicken necks and giblets.January 19, 2011, Wednesday
A trademarked version of something that’s been available at farmers’ markets for years, Pet Salad is wheatgrass for pets, including iguanas, tortoises and especially cats.January 19, 2011, Wednesday
The shift in strategy is an indication of hope for agriculture in this part of South India. It is a sign that farmers are trying to adjust to accommodate what has in many respects been a painful decade.December 17, 2010, Friday
While conventional farmers have a quiver full of chemical arrows to battle the invasion of weeds and pests, the organic farmer has a tougher row to hoe.November 30, 2010, Tuesday
Alan’s Orchard in downtown Westfield caters to consumers who want to know who grows their food. It focuses on organic produce and local meats and dairy products.October 24, 2010, Sunday
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When the photographer Henk Wildschut set out to study the food industry in the Netherlands, he found a “clean world of rules and protocols,” not a dishonest and unethical industry that he expected.
At Tara Firma Farms, pigs, cattle and chickens thrive without relying on fertilizers, pharmaceuticals or hormones.
Tara Smith, a California business woman, traded in her plush city life for the hard work of starting a farm from scratch.
Leases for 114,932 acres of federal land across Colorado are being auctioned off next month as a historic effort to increase domestic natural-gas production.
Business Day Live: Food companies, even those that make healthy products, fight consumers in California over a ballot initiative to label products with genetically modified ingredients.
Business Day Live: California ballot initiative has national implications for food labels. | Standard Chartered prepares to settle in money laundering case. | Controversy over movie about Nina Simone.
The Op-Ed columnist Nicholas D. Kristof visits the dairy of his childhood friend Bob Bansen, who has names for every cow in his herd and treats “his girls” like co-workers, not widgets.
July 6, 2012 - How the food industry turned a niche product into Big Organic.
Many consumers may not realize the extent to which giant corporations have come to dominate organic food. How much do you know about the fast-growing organic industry?
What a lackluster jobs report means for the economy. | How the food industry turned a niche product into Big Organic.
- The Upshot: The American Middle Class Is No Longer the World’s Richest
- Raw Data: An Apple a Day, and Other Myths
- Op-Ed Columnist: How to Get a Job at Google, Part 2
- Op-Ed Columnist: Autism and the Agitator
- Well: The Lure of Forbidden Food
- Science Times: Brain Control in a Flash of Light
- Well: The Trouble With Rice
- Op-Ed Columnist: The Leadership Emotions
- Court Backs Michigan on Affirmative Action
- Upsetting the Gentility That the South Lays Claim To


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The back-to school shopping season is now at full-throttle and as crucial as ever to retail revenues. Historically, the months between August and January account for more than 50 percent of full-year sales and this year the period will hit a staggering $72.5 billion in consumer spending, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). Only the Christmas holidays trump the frenetic sales bonanza that stretches over the late summer.
And as a testament to the significance of the back-to-school season, and an anemic economy, retailers are now expanding the period to include July as well. Especially since the NRF anticipates that families will spend 7 percent less than they did last year, every day counts. Teen oriented retailers like Abercrombie and Fitch (ANF) and American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) have experienced some success with the protracted season offering seep discounts on virtually all their product lines.
AEO is a paradigmatic example of an apparel retailer that customizes its entire business strategy around the back-to-school season. They typically suffer from a laggard spring which accounts for approximately 20 percent of their yearly sales. This year has been particularly underwhelming with revenue dragging 4 percent behind Wall Street’s already modest estimates. However, the back-to-school season could account for as much as 60 percent of their total year’s haul and, if brisk enough, could propel them into a successful winter holiday push. Still, AEO needs to generate about an extra $1 million a week for the remainder of the year just to satisfy the meager earnings estimates analysts have tagged them with.
Since the stakes are so high, the competition among retailers is particularly fierce and every one of them has adopted their own, idiosyncratic strategy to squeeze the season for everything its worth. For some, a profitable late summer might be the last fence between their assets and bankruptcy proceedings.
Take JC Penney as an example. The numbers for the last fiscal year were dim; Penney lost $985 million, or $4.49 per share, compared with a loss of $152 million, or 70 cents per share, in the year ended January 28, 2012. The company’s revenue fell 25 percent, to $12.98 billion, from the previous year’s $17.26 billion.
JC Penny’s stock has plummeted more than 60 percent, and credit agencies downgraded the company, once a benchmark of retail success, to junk status. After only eighteen months on the job, once heralded CEO Ron Johnson was given his walking papers. Now the retail behemoth is taking a massive gamble that the launch of a new line, Joe Fresh Kids, will revitalize their business heading into the new school year. Betsy Schumacher, senior vice president of children’s apparel noted optimistically, “I think it’s a great story and a great new fashion. I think we’re going to see really exciting traffic from this.”
After several years of bleeding formerly loyal customers, JC Penney is returning to its old strategy of courting shoppers with bargain basement discounts and showy promotions. The emphasis on more exclusive brands and higher price points in an attempt to woo higher income consumers went out the door with Johnson.
Macy’s, however, is continuing its emphasis on millennial shoppers, consumers aged thirteen to thirty. The millennial consumer group is increasingly targeted by retailers worldwide since the demographic spends more than $65 billion a year. More than other age groups, they are keenly interested in new trends but also sensitive to value as well.
Molly Langenstein, executive vice president of millennial and new business development, said, “Throughout 2013, Macy’s has continued to invest in exclusive brands to engage millennial shoppers who are looking for diverse, current and trend-forward fashion.”
To this end, Macy’s is launching two new brands. One brand, “Maison Jules,” is aesthetically inspired by Parisian street fashion and will distinguish itself with “unique patterns and modern prints” that feature colors like peach and yellow paired with more subdued tones like navy and burgundy.The other brand, “QMack,” takes its stylistic bearings by youthful American fashion trends, and will include preppier items like cardigans, blazers and roll-sleeve blouses.
Like JC Penney, Sears needs a good back-to-school season as a tonic to its persistent underperformance. The once dominant retail dynasty has been suffering since the 90’s, and profitability has plummeted since the beginning of Lampert’s reign, with sales down $10 billion and stock devalued by 64 percent. Sears’ cash reserves have been depleted to an historic low. Rumors of massive asset sales to avoid bankruptcy persistently haunt the company. Sears’ most recent financial report disclosed a 9 percent dip in revenues with a $279 million loss, with same-store sales down 3 percent this quarter.
Sears’ strategy hinges on exploiting its full range of omnichannel capabilities, seamlessly integrating its traditional brick-and-mortar business model with online click-and-order efficiency. For the first time ever, Sears will be offering its patrons “eCoupons,” or electronically issued coupons that are redeemable in stores. They’re also trying to incentive customers by streamlining the whole shopping experience, allowing them to buy merchandise online and pick it up in the store, or even text their location in the parking lot to Sears and have them bring their product right to the car. A recent Consumer Report study showed that 86 percent of Sears’ customers complained of a unsatisfying shopping experience. Maybe Sears can turn it around with drive-thru service.
Normally, the season’s fiscal results wouldn’t be available until the November earnings reports but since this year’s back-to-school season has been extended to include July, prior to the quarter’s end, everyone should know who the winners and losers are well before that.
Also, the season is absolutely central to each company’s attractiveness to potential investors. Those who bet on a robust back-to-school season are often rewarded handsomely but don’t stick around for the duration. The inherent cyclicality of the retail fiscal year has a tendency to discourage long-term holdings, making it that much harder for retailers to raise capital. Given an unforgiving economy, wary consumers and a few successive years of uninspiring returns, it’s no longer good enough to just have a strong back-to-school season. Ailing retailers like JC Penney and Sears need big enough scores that they can generate momentum heading into Christmas, transforming their currently gloomy future prospects. Otherwise, back-to-school ends with back-to-the-drawing board.


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One of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry, the global cruise market is expected to reach demand of more than 27 million by 2020. The Pacific region—a rich source of exotic destinations and eco-friendly experiences—is positioned to become the new cruise playground in this emerging market. To capture that demand, Blue Lagoon Cruises, a Fiji-owned boutique island cruise specialist offering its guests unique cruising vacations and a first-hand experience of Fiji’s pristine Yasawa Islands, has selected TRAVELCLICK® to be its outsourced ecommerce partner. Blue Lagoon Cruises will use a combination of TRAVELCLICK’s online marketing solutions—including the iHotelier® Central Reservation System (CRS) and Digital Agency services—and proven revenue optimisation expertise to increase its web presence and grow online bookings share of this high-potential market.
“In these tough economic times, we have been focused increasingly on generating business directly from our website,” said Tim Stonhill, CEO of Blue Lagoon Cruises. “We needed a partner with the tools and experience to manage all aspects of that initiative for us—in a holistic way. Plus, because of the competitiveness of our business, we wanted a booking engine that could rapidly convert online shoppers to onboard cruisers. TRAVELCLICK has an excellent track record of high conversions, and its business model has made it possible for us to get immediate results without making a large upfront investment.”
Blue Lagoon Cruises will use TRAVELCLICK’s iHotelier CRS, with its award-winning booking engine, iStay®, to generate high-value direct web bookings. It will also leverage TRAVELCLICK’s search engine optimisation solution to improve search rankings, email marketing to manage communications with guests, pay-per-click advertising to move more traffic to its website, and social media optimisation to grow awareness and build community worldwide.
With over 60 years of experience in cruising in the Fiji islands, Blue Lagoon Cruises sports a fleet of four boutique cruise ships and six unique itineraries—providing the opportunity to cruise, swim, and snorkel in some of the world’s most pristine waters as well as to visit remote Fijian villages and experience island culture firsthand. The company also supports the Yasawa Islands community financially and assists with the vitally important island children’s education and development projects, including the construction of schools around the islands; school fees, books, and uniforms; and medical clinics.
“We are a company that truly stands out from others in our market space by offering an intimate cruise experience that is unparalleled in the industry. TRAVELCLICK’s Digital Agency will help us showcase our uniqueness, feature exotic destinations, enhance the online customer experience, and develop a direct client business base,” added Mr. Stonhill.
p>“The addition of Blue Lagoon to our customer base represents a major milestone and a new high-growth market opportunity for TRAVELCLICK,” said Paul Southey, TRAVELCLICK’s Vice President, Asia Pacific. “Through consulting closely with Blue Lagoon, we have custom-tailored our software to better meet the distinct needs of this important segment of the travel industry. Now cruise lines can leverage the same ecommerce solutions that have empowered our hotel customers for over a decade.”


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BC-US--Business Features Digest, US
The business news enterprise package planned through Sept. 15. For comments or questions, call 212-621-1680. For questions about photos, call ext. 1900. For questions about graphics, call ext. 7636. Repeats of stories are available from http://apexchange.com or the Service Desk, 1-800-838-4616.
Eds: Adds REGIONAL AIRLINES-BROKEN SYSTEM upcoming Wednesday, adds APPLE-APPLE WATCH upcoming Wednesday, adds AUTOS-5 SMART THINGS sent Wednesday, adds AUTOS-5 SMART THINGS sent Wednesday, adds BOURBON'S ELDER STATESMAN sent Wednesday.
REGIONAL AIRLINES-BROKEN SYSTEM
DALLAS — The major airlines for years have contracted out shorter flights from small cities to regional airlines. Once a mutually beneficial arrangement, it no longer works for the smaller carriers, whose profits are shrinking. Consumers should be concerned. Aviation experts predict some regional airlines may fail while others merge, potentially leading to higher fares and reduced service for smaller airports around the country. An airline industry group says 86 communities — from former hubs such as Cleveland and Memphis to small cities like Dickinson, North Dakota, and Hollis, Alaska — have lost at least 10 percent of their flights since last year, and experts say the trend will continue. By David Koenig. UPCOMING: Wednesday, 850 words by 2 p.m., photos.
NEW YORK — Apple is a party crasher. The technology company was a late entrant in many of its most prominent categories: the iPod wasn't the first digital music player and the iPad wasn't the first tablet. But in most cases, the innovation the company infused into the category ignited previously dormant markets — and Apple products became the "must have" device. Smartwatches have been around for a few years, but makers such as Samsung and Sony have failed to make them a runaway hit. Can Apple work its magic with the Apple Watch, as it has in the past — or will this time be different? By Mae Anderson. UPCOMING: Wednesday, 800 words by 4 p.m.
AUTOS-5 SMART THINGS
DETROIT — Cellphones that warn drivers when people are crossing the street in front of them. Bicycles and cars that communicate with traffic lights. Sensors in cars that quickly warn other drivers of black ice, potholes or other hazards. A low-priced camera system that brings high-tech automatic braking to the masses. Cameras that catch HOV lane cheaters. All of these technologies could be saving time, or lives, in just a few years. By Tom Krisher. SENT: Wednesday, 740 words, photo.
NEW YORK — Small business owners are reporting better earnings and are reinvesting in their businesses and that's translating into a rebound in loan demand, says Keri Gohman, the head of small business banking at Capital One. But there's still caution out there. When it comes to reinvesting, many small business owners are taking advantage of cash that they set aside. And Capital One is being careful about who it lends to. By Joyce M. Rosenberg. SENT: Wednesday, 770 words, photo, bio box.
BOURBON'S ELDER STATESMAN
LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. — Jimmy Russell strolled into a roomful of tourists, and soon the patriarch of Kentucky bourbon was surrounded by fans, posing for pictures and autographing bottles. The man behind Wild Turkey even took a turn as barkeeper, pouring samples of amber whiskey at the distillery's visitors' center. In a business where age is valued, Russell is seen as a special vintage. Known among his peers as the "Buddha of Bourbon," Russell is the longest-tenured master distiller in the tradition-filled industry. By Bruce Schreiner. SENT: Wednesday, 800 words, photos.
SAN FRANCISCO — Apple unveils two new smartphones, an electronic payment system and a smartwatch — marking its first major entry in a new product category since the iPad's debut in 2010. The new iPhones have bigger screens, and will allow developers to design apps that can be viewed differently when the phone is held horizontally. By Michael Liedtke and Anick Jesdanun. SENT: Tuesday, 1,090 words, photo.
NEW YORK — In the world of currencies, the dollar is starting to look like a safe home in a tough neighborhood. A strengthening U.S. economy, combined with a gloomy outlook for growth elsewhere in the world, is pushing the U.S. currency sharply higher. The dollar is up 6.4 percent against a group of major currencies since the start of May and has risen in three of the past four months. The U.S. currency climbs to its highest level in six years against the Japanese yen, and it's trading at its highest level in 14 months against the euro. A continued run-up could mean lower prices for imported cars and crude oil. On the other hand, it could also crimp profits for U.S. companies as their goods become pricier overseas. By Steve Rothwell. SENT: Tuesday, 890 words, photos.
DETROIT — With a thumb swipe on a smart phone, your car soon will be able to drive into a parking deck, find an open spot and back into a space — all by itself. The fully-automated system is still about a decade away, so valet jobs are safe for now. But the benefits are plenty. Drivers will save time searching through vast decks for open spaces, and parking lots can squeeze more vehicles into limited space, raising more revenue. By Tom Krisher. SENT: Tuesday, 620 words, photos, video.
DETROIT — In July, two scary notices arrived in Amaris McGee's mailbox. They came from General Motors, and told her the gray 2005 Chevy Malibu she drives to work every day is being recalled for safety problems. Neither problem can be fixed yet because the parts aren't ready. Like millions of others caught in GM's massive recall crisis, McGee faces a tough question: keep driving and hope the safety problems don't affect her, or rent a car until the dealer gets parts, which can take months or even a year? Tips on how to handle an auto recall when parts aren't ready. By Tom Krisher. SENT: Tuesday, 820 words, photos, glance.
BERWICK-UPON-TWEED, England — All Gavin Jones has to do is scan the shelves of his impossibly quaint shop on England's border with Scotland to know he'll have a big problem if the Scots declare independence next week. There are teddy bears in Campbell clan tartans and shelves of shortbread from Scotland — just above the red jams made in England. After independence, the Scottish goods would be subject to import duties, and customers would likely pay in two different currencies. Business in Berwick-upon-Tweed, England's northernmost town, could soon be crushed by bank transaction costs. "If Scotland chooses independence, it changes our concept of local," he said. "There are then barriers put in place." By Martin Benedyk and Danica Kirka. SENT: Tuesday, 1,030 words, photos.
PAY-ECONOMY'S WEAK LINK
WASHINGTON — The U.S. job market has steadily improved by pretty much every gauge except the one Americans probably care about most: Pay. The unemployment rate has sunk to a nearly normal 6.1 percent. Employers have added a robust 2.5 million jobs the past 12 months. Layoffs have tumbled. Yet most people are still waiting for a decent raise. Friday's August jobs report confirmed that average hourly pay has crept up only about 2 percent a year since the recession ended five years ago — barely above inflation and far below the gains in most recoveries. Just why pay has been so weak and when it might strengthen are key issues for the Federal Reserve in deciding when to raise interest rates. The trend has mystified analysts. By Christopher S. Rugaber. SENT: 1,060 words by 3 p.m.
GENERAL ELECTRIC-LEAVING HOME
General Electric, a household name for more than a century in part for making households easier to run, is leaving the home. The company is selling the division that invented the toaster in 1905 and now sells refrigerators, stoves and laundry machines. The move is part of GE's focus on building industrial machines such as aircraft engines, locomotives, gas-fired turbines and medical imaging equipment. The hope is that GE, once revered for its outsized financial performance, can get back on investors' good side after a decade of lackluster returns. By Jonathan Fahey. SENT: 860 words, photos.
THE NEXT $9 BILLION
In the not-too-distant future, a football fan might be able to take a seat at the stadium, punch up any game on a seatback monitor, keep tabs on the real-time stats of a fantasy team, order up a hot dog and beer and even have a brand-new jacket brought to the seat if the wind kicks up. This is the future of the NFL — the $9 billion league that kicked off the 2014 season this week and has plans on going bigger over the next decade. By Eddie Pells. SENT: 1,020 words, photos.
DIGITAL LIFE-A CLOSER LOOK-DOUBLE-LAYER PASSWORDS
NEW YORK — Recent hackings have increased calls for adding a second layer of security to Google, Apple and other accounts. Here's a look at what those services offer and how to turn the security features on. By Anick Jesdanun. SENT: 1,130 words, photos.


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NEW YORK – Children will soon have to wait until school's out to pop the top on sugary soft drinks blamed for much of the rise in childhood obesity.
Nondiet sodas will be yanked from schools, and other drinks will be downsized under a deal announced yesterday by former President Clinton and the nation's largest beverage distributors.
“This is a truly bold step forward in the struggle to help 35 million young people lead healthier lives,” said Clinton, whose foundation has targeted obesity in children for the past year. “This one policy can add years and years and years to the lives of a very large number of young people.”
DANNY JOHNSTON / Associated Press
Vending machines at the University of Arkansas Clinton School for Public Service in Little Rock, Ark., are stocked with healthier snacks, bottled water, fruit juice and sugar-free drinks.
Most elementary schools are already soda-free. But under the new deal, beverage companies agreed to sell only water, unsweetened juice and low-fat and nonfat milk to elementary and middle schools. Diet sodas and sports drinks will remain in high schools.
The agreement, to be phased in over the next three years, was brokered by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a collaboration between the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation and the American Heart Association.
It involves industry leaders Cadbury Schweppes PLC, Coca-Cola Co. and Pepsico Inc. as well as the American Beverage Association, which together control 87 percent of the public-and private-school drink market. Officials said they hoped the other 13 percent would follow suit.
“I don't think anyone should underestimate the influence this agreement will have,” said Susan Neely, president and CEO of the American Beverage Association. “I think other people are going to want to follow this agreement because it just makes sense.”
Soda critics applauded the move but said it doesn't go far enough because of allowances for sugary sports drinks and flavored milk.
Ann Cooper, an advocate for healthy school lunches who directs the food program for public schools in Berkeley, called the deal a good first step.
“Any agreement that limits high-fructose corn syrup and sugar and non-nutrient foods that are served in schools is good, but I don't think it goes far enough,” Cooper said, citing the calories in sports drinks and some flavored milks.
Richard Daynard, a law professor at Northeastern University, said he had been negotiating a similar deal on behalf of public-health and consumer groups that were preparing to sue beverage makers.
The move follows a mounting wave of regulation by school boards and legislators alarmed by the health problems that can follow childhood obesity. Soda has been a particular target because of its high calories and popularity among children.
Daynard said that in recent years the 10 largest cities had banned soda sales in schools. In San Diego County, restrictions on soft-drink sales vary among school districts.
Oceanside Unified has eliminated soda sales, regular and diet, from its middle schools, and decided to do the same at the high schools starting this summer.
All soda sales are banned from Vista Unified's schools.
In Carlsbad Unified, the high school cafeterias don't sell sodas, and the district has eliminated soft drinks, regular and diet, from vending machines as well. There are no soda sales at the middle schools, either.
The Poway Unified School District began banning soda sales by its food-service department in 2005.
Escondido high schools stopped selling soda after the Thanksgiving vacation break.
The Cajon Valley Union School District doesn't allow sodas to be sold during school hours.
The San Diego Unified School District began scaling back soda sales in 2003. The district stopped selling carbonated beverages last month in favor of water, sports drinks and juices.
The district prohibits the sale of carbonated drinks at elementary and middle schools.
Anne Bryant, executive director of the National School Boards Association, said she welcomed the agreement. “We're pleased that the parties have decided that there is no need for litigation, because litigation is a terrible waste of time and money,” she said.
John Sicher, editor and publisher of Beverage Digest, said the deal would have no effect on the $63 billion beverage industry's bottom line.
“The sale of sugar-carbonated sodas in schools is a tiny, tiny part of their overall volume,” Sicher said. “Financially, on the big companies, it will have virtually no impact.”
Staff writer David E. Graham contributed to this report.


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The Pakistan Ministry of Commerce has decided to continue with the Textile and Apparel Policy 2020-25 and the Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies (DLTL) scheme to enhance export of value-added textile, says Abdul RazakDawood, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce.
At a meeting arranged by the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), the adviser assured businessmen that their problems would be taken up with Prime Minister Imran Khan and in the federal cabinet.
Highlighting the positive outcome of the “Make in Pakistan” strategy, the adviser pointed out that investment of billions of rupees was in the pipeline and new textile units were expected to be established.
The government has reversed the de-industrialization process. In August 2020, it announced the “Make in Pakistan” policy to promote export-oriented industrialization in the country
Under the policy, the government has reduced duties on hundreds of tariff lines including the raw material for industries to make their products competitive.


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EU countries agree on common stance on new rules for U.S. tech giants
Frustrated by the slow pace of antitrust investigations, EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager has proposed two sets of rules known as the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act targeting Amazon, Apple, Alphabet unit Google and Facebook.
The DMA has a list of dos and don'ts for online gatekeepers - companies that control data and access to their platforms - reinforced by fines of up to 10% of global turnover.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) forces the tech giants to do more to tackle illegal content on their platforms, with fines of up to 6% of global turnover for non-compliance.
The common position adopted by EU countries follows the main points proposed by Vestager, with some tweaks, with the European Commission as the main enforcer of the new rules despite an initial French proposal to give national watchdogs more power.
Negotiations are expected to start next year, with the rules likely to be adopted in 2023.
"The proposed DMA shows our willingness and ambition to regulate big tech and will hopefully set a trend worldwide," Zdravko PočivalSek, Slovenian Minister for Economic Development and Technology, said in a statement.
The changes agreed by the EU countries include a new obligation on tech companies that enhances the right of end users to unsubscribe from core platform services and shortens the deadlines and improves the criteria for designating gatekeepers.
Luxembourg, where Amazon has its European headquarters, welcomed the agreement which designates national watchdogs as the lead DSA enforcer for companies based in their countries.
"Luxembourg is pleased that in general the country in which the intermediary is established remains responsible for the enforcement of the harmonised rules of the DSA, in particular thanks to closer cooperation with the other Member States and the Commission - apart from when it comes to the very big players," it said in a statement.
The equipment, developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics along with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), has already been tested to handle 10 million calls simultaneously on a static network. After successful testing on the live network, the broader roll-out will commence, a senior company official said on condition of anonymity.
According to WABetaInfo, the company will bring the new feature to a future update of the app as it is in the developing stage. With this feature, users will be able to transfer chat history to a new device by scanning the QR code.


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THE BONES OF WHAT YOU BELIEVE will be released in the UK on 23 September via Virgin Records / Goodbye Records. It is available for physical pre-order now, with more details to be announced shortly.
The album will feature new single GUN, released on 15 July in a digital bundle and on 12-inch heavyweight pink vinyl, backed with a full suite of remixes across the formats by Groundislava, DJ Helix, Auntie Flo, Jamie Isaac and KDA. The single comes hot on the heels of the RECOVER EP, the band’s first release on their own Goodbye Records imprint of Virgin Records.
In little more than twelve months CHVRCHES have come out of nowhere to be everywhere. There’s a lot to catch up on since they posted their first song, LIES, online last May – a place in the top five of the BBC Sound of 2013, sell out headline tours in the UK and US (the most recent US tour playing to almost 20,000 people over 18 shows), a triumphant, award-winning appearance at SXSW and a string of stadium dates with Depeche Mode, to name but a few.
“Very much the sound of now” - The Guardian
“CHVRCHES stand out in a crowded field” - Pitchfork
“Robyn-like synth bliss” - Sunday Times Culture
“CHVRCHES are effortless and close to svblime” - NME


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India's Tata Nano, other smalls cars fail crash tests
NCAP also tested the cars in a crash simulation according to United Nations standards.
NEW DELHI (AFP) - The Tata Nano, billed as the world s cheapest car, and a host of other top-selling small models from India have failed their first independent crash tests, a global safety group said Friday.
The five entry-level vehicles -- including the country s best-selling small car the Suzuki-Maruti Alto 800, as well as the Ford Figo, the Hyundai i10 and the Volkswagen Polo -- scored no stars out of five for protection.
The tests, carried out by the New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), saw the basic models, all without airbags, driven at 64 kilometres an hour (40 miles) into a block simulating a head-on collision.
All would leave the driver facing life-threatening injuries.
"It s worrying to see levels of safety that are 20 years behind the five-star standards now common in Europe and North America," said the head of NCAP Global, Max Mosley, the former chief of international motorsport.
NCAP also tested the cars in a crash simulation according to United Nations standards -- a frontal collision at the slightly slower speed of 56 kilometres an hour -- and none of them passed.
Small vehicles are the biggest segment of the price-sensitive Indian car market, which is coveted by global brands and domestic manufacturers as working-class consumers upgrade from two- to four-wheelers.
The NCAP said the five vehicles it tested accounted for about 20 percent of all new cars sold in India annually.
The Tata Nano was the brainchild of the former boss of the Tata conglomerate Ratan Tata who wanted a cheap car for the masses. But it has flopped since its launch in 2009, partly due to poor marketing.
The NCAP tested only the basic models of the cars in question and it said the Figo and Polo would provide much better protection if fitted with airbags, which were an optional extra.
But the Nano, the i10 and the Alto had "inadequate" structures that meant that even air bags would "not be effective in reducing the risk of serious injury".
As a result of the tests, Volkswagen has withdrawn its Polo model without airbags, NCAP said.
The models tested were bought locally and any exports from Hyundai, Ford and Volkswagen, which have factories in India, would be subject to safety regulations in their final market.
Tata has said it would like to export the Nano but has previously raised safety problems as an impediment.


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‘Project Runway’ Finalist Dead After Battle With IBS
Mychael Knight, a fashion designer and finalist on Season 3 of Project Runway — during which he won the fan-favorite award — has died after a battle with IBS, which led to a weakening of his immune system, according to The Washington Post.
The Post reported Knight died outside of Atlanta while surrounded by family and friends. Obvious editor and friend Jerris Madison said Knight was constantly fulfilled by his work, and was actively pushing fashion to be a more inclusive place.
“He died doing what he loved,” Madison said. “And you can see that in his final collection presented (last month) at New York Fashion Week. It was amazing. The industry has lost a true innovator. Mychael was just getting to that point where people were saying ‘Hey, I remember this guy.’ He was about to be huge and really wanted to capitalize on affordable sportswear for women of all sizes.”
"He made sure that anybody who was in his core circle, his family, his friends, didn’t have to want for anything. He was just an amazing man," Madison added.
Lifetime spokeswoman Dee Perez also offered condolences to Knight's family for the loss of a true artist.
“We are saddened to hear about the passing of a member of the Project Runway family,” Perez said. “It’s a loss of a great talent and we wish his family peace and solace during this difficult time.”
Stars We Lost in 2017:


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St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets has announced that shoppers can now redeem rewards points and buy gift cards using self-checkout at most of its Schnucks and Eatwell Market stores. They could previously do so only at traditional checkout lanes.
“We continue to listen to our customers’ feedback and work to bring them more efficient shopping experiences in our stores,” said Michael Wait, IT director.
“Shoppers who prefer the convenience of self-checkout can now enjoy the same perks and products as those who use our traditional check lanes.”
To redeem Schnucks Rewards Points at self-checkout, customers tap the “Schnucks Rewards” button on the terminal when ready to pay, select “My Rewards” on the app’s home screen and scan the barcode provided.
When buying Schnucks and other retailer gift cards at self-checkout, customers will be limited to $200 per gift card and $1,000 per customer, per day.
Founded in 1939, Schnucks Markets is a third and fourth generation, family-owned grocery retailer operating 115 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
According to Forbes’ 2022 rankings, Schnucks is the 178th largest privately-owned company in the United States and the 14th largest privately-owned grocer. Schnucks annually donates more than $14 million in food to pantries in need.
Read more grocery equipment store news from The Shelby Report.


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Please note that tax, investment, pension and ISA rules can change and the information and any views contained in this article may now be inaccurate.
Asia Dragon Trust goes shopping for stocks amid market sell-off
Asia Dragon Trust (DGN) 413p
Loss to date: 19.3%
Original entry point: Buy at 512p, 24 June 2021
Ten months ago, we flagged an opportunity at Asia Dragon Trust (DGN) which invests in market-leading companies.
Since then, the trust has faced considerable headwinds as sentiment soured towards Chinese stocks. Last year regulatory clampdown hurt equities in this part of Asia. Now, resurgence of Covid and associated lockdown measures have clouded the country’s economic outlook.
These factors have weighed on Asia-focused funds in general and Asia Dragon Trust has been caught up in the storm, resulting in the share price trading nearly a fifth lower than when we said to buy last June.
Its latest set of half-year results showed the trust outperformed its benchmark although both fell in absolute terms. The trust’s net asset value declined by 7.7% while the MSCI All-Country Asia ex-Japan index fell by 8.1%.
The two fund managers believe the current market weakness is a good time to buy decent companies at more attractive levels. The trust has also increased its exposure to India with stakes in e-commerce and online insurance companies.
SHARES SAYS: Even though recent share price weakness is frustrating the trust’s quality focus remains attractive. Be patient.


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Cameroon, Chad, Niger to patronise Kano dry port
The Nation | The presidents of the Niger Republic, Cameroon, Chad, and Central Africa have shown an interest in fully patronizing the multi-billion naira Kano dry port, which is set to open soon, according to reports on Saturday. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the governor of Kano State, hinted that the multi-billion naira project would be commissioned shortly. He was also pleased with the project's progress and commitment from the contractors and consultants involved.
"The Kano Dry Port is going to be commissioned," the governor said during a visit to the facility for an assessment. The governor's Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Abba Anwar, said in a statement to The Nation on Saturday that Ganduje was toured around the project site by the Chairman of Dala Inland Dry Port, Sahabo Abubakar Bawuro, and the Managing Director, Ahmed Rabi'u. "All of the presidents of the Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, and Central Africa have expressed their desire to use Kano Dry Port for their import and export trade."
"All the presidents have agreed to travel to Kano and send their representatives to meet with authorities to review the new Dry Port's operating procedures before it begins operations." And, as you may be aware, the Kano Dry Port is the country's largest," Ganduje remarked. President Muhammadu Buhari's dedication to establishing an enabling climate for businesses to grow in the state was praised by the governor.
"President Buhari's devotion and earnestness demonstrate his affection for Kano state and his wish for it to re-establish itself as a commercial hub for Northern Nigeria and neighboring African countries," he said. He asked the port's future managers to make sure "everything is digital." "We live in a digital world," he continued, "therefore make sure you comply with digital demand and operate inside the scope of global best practice."


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Farmers market workshop coming to Salisbury
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will offer a workshop for farmers markets on March 14 in Salisbury.
“North Carolina is home to more than 250 farmers markets,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “This workshop is a great opportunity for farmers markets of all sizes to learn marketing information and best practices that can be applied to their locations year-round.”
The annual workshop is tailored for market managers, board members and vendors. Topics will include market promotions, licensing and regulations, and customer service. In addition, there will be networking opportunities with other market managers and lunch.
The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the Rowan County Fairgrounds at 1560 Julian Road in Salisbury. Cost for the workshop is $20, which covers materials and lunch. Pre-registration is required. The deadline to register is March 7.
For more information and to register, contact Kevin Hardison at 919-707-3123 or firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Get your daily summary of news related to cryptocurrencies and blockchains by researching the stories that pass under the radar of today’s cryptographic news.
- Cryptographic proofreader Digital travel reduced its daily withdrawal limit to $ 10,000 from $ 25,000 after detailing its exposure to the distressed hedge fund Capital of three arrows earlier this week. The withdrawal limit update was made at 23:00 UTC on Wednesday, according to the website.
- Hold on, a UK-based platform that offers cryptographic credit cards and digital assets, is closing its operation in Venezuela due to “the increasing complexity of complying with U.S. sanctions,” the company said. Commercial services in the country will be available until July 31 and accounts will be fully restricted from September 30.
- of Canada Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) announced that a panel of the Capital Market Court approved a settlement agreement between the CSO and the cryptographic exchange Bybit for breaching Ontario securities law. In addition, the panel ordered monetary sanctions and a permanent ban on market share against cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin for the same reason.
- Decentralized exchange dYdX announced dYdX V4, a new version of the protocol that will be developed as an autonomous blockchain based on Cosmos (ATOM), and which marks the total decentralization of the dYdX protocol. They added that they are planning the open source version later this year and will publish more information over the next year.
- Binance announced a multi-year NFT partnership with Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, through which the platform will launch a global promotion with the aim of giving Ronaldo fans an introduction to the web3 and an entry point to the NFT. Binance and Ronaldo will create a series of NFT collections for sale exclusively on the Binance NFT platform, being the first to be launched later this year.
- Online shopping giant Shopify is release Showcases with NFT closure as a new feature for brands looking to make their stores more exclusive. The store is currently in beta, and only those with existing NFT collections can request early access.
- Luxury brand Gucci inaugurated the gallery Vault Art Space in partnership with NFT marketplace Superraro. The debut exhibition, The next 100 years of Guccipresents a selection of NFT artwork, each a collectible fragment of Gucci’s heritage, which will be displayed and auctioned directly on Vault’s website in three installments between June 23 and July 29.
- Decentralized lending and participation protocol Parallel finance announced the release of his Omni NFT money market at Ethereum (ETH), which is intended to provide loan and borrowing services for various Ethereum blockchain assets.
- USA National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA), o National Hockey League (NHL), o National Hockey League Alumni Association (NHLAA) and NFT platform Candy announced a multi-year partnership that named Sweet the NFT’s Official Digital Collectibles Market and an official NFT partner for the NHL, NHLPA and NHLAA. With a release scheduled for the start of the 2022-23 NHL season, the standalone NHL platform will feature NFTs related to the history of the sport.
- The Avalanche Bridge, which enables asset transfers between the Ethereum and Avalanche (AVAX) blockchain networks, has announced BTC Bridge, which offers support for connecting native bitcoins (BTC) to Avalanche via the Avalanche bridge. They also warn that the BTC bridge with Avalanche Bridge is not compatible Metamask or any other wallet.
- O Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is partnering with nearly a dozen lenders in the country to run a blockchain-based pilot project focused on commercial financing and aimed at preventing loan fraud, according to Economic Times.
- Singapore will be “brutal and relentlessly tough” with misbehavior in the crypto industry, according to Sopnendu Mohanty, head of Fintech at Singapore Monetary Authority (MAS), according to the Financial Times. To the allegation that the watchman was not friendly, he said, “My answer was: friendly for what? Friendly for a real economy or friendly for some unreal economy?
- Two U.S. senators, Wyoming Republican Cynthia Lummis and New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, are seeking comment on new bipartisan cryptocurrency legislation calling for a set of standards for determining whether a digital asset is a commodity or a security, as well as other currency provisions. stable. as tasks the Commodity Futures Trading Commission with more authority to regulate currencies. The full content of the invoice is available on the hosting platform GitHub.
- Chen Boliang, former senior director of crypto exchange Huobi, is being prosecuted in Hong Kong following allegations that he earned $ 5 million by secretly trading against an account of the company he controlled, according to the Financial Times. He allegedly set up a Huobi retail account in his father’s name and gave him a $ 20 million line of credit from the stock exchange, then proceeded to trade against a Huobi corporate account that he also controlled, which he reported to the benefits.
- Cryptographic mining company Compass sued your facility provider, 2K dynamicsin Delaware Chancery Court, arguing that the hosting company is “hostage equipment” and has not been maintaining the facilities properly, under Act 360. They say the hosting company did not allow them access to one of its Maine facilities and you may even be using the local equipment for your own purposes.
- Blockchain of games Oasys announced a strategic partnership with blockchain technology company ConsenSys to build a better network infrastructure for blockchain-based games. As part of the partnership, ConsenSys will provide infrastructure support as the Oasys network expands, while Oasys will encourage new players to use the network owned by Consensys. MataMask portfolio as the preferred portfolio solution, they said.
- from India Ministry of Finance issued guidelines to clarify the 1% withholding tax (TDS) tax return mechanism, stating that a transaction must be notified to the government within 30 days from the end of the month in which the transaction is made and that any amount deducted must be paid to the government within the same period. TDS is a liability imposed on stock exchanges that deposit taxes on behalf of sellers on their platform.
- Bitcoin mining Digital bit mined BTC 194.48 and ETH 189.26 in the first quarter of 2022, which resulted in revenue of $ 8.6 million, a decrease of $ 43.95 million in the same period in 2021, according to its unaudited quarterly earnings report submitted to the US. Stock and Securities Commission. The company also observed a net overall loss of $ 10.18 million for the first quarter of 2022, compared to a profit of $ 35.79 million in the same period last year.
- Blockchain and cryptographic company DMG Blockchain Solutions announced the launch of Terra Pool, a renewable energy bitcoin mining pool, which is the result of a partnership between DMG and the crypto miner. Argo Blockchain.


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In Germany, slitting machinery specialist Rotocontrol has acquired LeoMat, supplier of processing machines for adhesive labels, foils and paper for an undisclosed sum.
Rotocontrol managing director Marco Aengenvoort comments “With this acquisition we have significantly increased our manufacturing and engineering capabilities which would be difficult to do so quickly organically. The company is now even more strongly positioned to offer converters around the world a well-rounded product portfolio based on German design and manufacturing.”
Peer Gronkowsky, the former plant manager of Leomat, has been appointed operations manager, to oversee the Rotocontrol service and support, R&D, engineering, manufacturing and purchasing departments. Leomat’s purchasing, manufacturing and engineering employees have also joined the new owner’s team in Ahrensburg.
The acquisition expands Rotocontrol’s product portfolio to include digital and booklet finishing machines. The existing Leomat branded finishing machines will still be available, and service for all installed Leomat product is now available through Rotocontrol.
External weblinksConverting Today is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.Rotocontrol


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Following the General Motors (GM) announcement to invest over $1 Billion in its Flint Assembly Plant to build future gas-powered heavy-duty trucks, GM plans to invest $632 million in its Fort Wayne, Indiana plant to prepare for future gas-powered full-size light duty trucks.
In a recent announcement, GM revealed its strategic plan to inject $632 million into its assembly plant located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The objective of this significant investment is to facilitate the seamless integration of future internal combustion engine (ICE) full-size light duty trucks into the manufacturing process.
The substantial funding will primarily be allocated towards enhancing the plant’s infrastructure. This includes the implementation of new conveyors, tooling, and equipment in both the body and general assembly areas. The Fort Wayne assembly plant is renowned for producing GM’s esteemed Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks.
By channeling resources into the facility’s core production systems, General Motors aims to bolster its capabilities in meeting the evolving demands of the market for light duty trucks. The incorporation of cutting-edge conveyors, tooling, and equipment will streamline the manufacturing processes, enabling the plant to achieve greater efficiency, productivity, and quality.
This strategic investment is a testament to General Motors’ commitment to remaining at the forefront of the automotive industry. By preparing the Fort Wayne assembly plant for future ICE full-size light duty trucks, the company is poised to capitalize on emerging opportunities and cater to the evolving needs of customers. As the automotive landscape continues to evolve, General Motors is proactively positioning itself to maintain its competitive edge and meet the demands of an ever-changing market.


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UK: Smirnoff to get ‘Signature’ global promo push
The campaign, entitled 'Signature', began its run yesterday (9 April) in Ireland, with a global roll-out in July, and includes a television advert, outdoor ads and a website.
"The 'Signature' campaign celebrates one of the most fascinating stories in our industry," said Philip Gladman, Smirnoff global brand director. "Smirnoff vodka is still made in the tradition of the process used by Vladimir Smirnoff's father, Piotr Arseneyevich Smirnoff, almost 150 years ago - and yet it has undergone a truly dramatic journey since its birth. By telling this extraordinary story through Vladimir Smirnoff's eyes, we are able to bring to life the brand's Imperial Russian heritage and highlight the great lengths to which we go to achieve such an exceptional vodka.
"We wanted to engage people with the brand by illustrating the dramatic journey it has undergone - most people know Smirnoff as one of the biggest brands in the world, but few people know the epic story behind the brand."
The television commercial will air as two 30-second spots, with a 60-second version airing in cinemas.
The super-premium vodka brand Akvinta is being launched in the UK market through the drinks firm Wine & Spirit International....
Constellation Brands has posted a healthy rise in Q2 profits, despite a marked dip in sales....
Russian Standard is investing EUR4m (US$5.6m) in launching its vodka brands in France....
The Swedish government is keen to progress with its privatisation of state-owned Vin & Sprit, despite the resignation of two key officials in the process earlier this week....
Diageo has been granted approval by Europe's highest court to continue selling its spirits in bottles using UK measurements....
Diageo has lined up a fresh advertising campaign in the US for its Guinness beer brand....
Blavod Extreme Spirits has extended the deadline for the proposed sale of its US unit....
Russian Standard is to be the subject of a major promotional push on its recent launch in the UK....
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HopCat is officially back in Royal Oak! At 10 a.m. this Saturday, the renowned gastropub will reopen in the city at a new location. It’s the first time HopCat will have a location in Royal Oak since 2020 when it shuttered its previous location over a landlord dispute.
The new 11,300-sqaure-foot space at 430 S. Main St. can accommodate up to 266 guests in three indoor dining areas, two private event spaces that can be combined into one space, and 30 seats at the bar.
An additional 98 seats will become available in the warmer months as they roll up three garage doors to unveil an open-air dining space and an outdoor dog-friendly patio along Main St. and Fifth Ave.
The widely recognized menu filled with comfort food featured at its nine other locations in Michigan, Illinois and Nebraska will also be available in Royal Oak, as well as 60 taps of curated local craft beer.
The new location will also feature two kitchens: one that cooks for dine-in guests, and the other to service carry-out, third party delivery orders, and catering, which will allow for more timely service for all guests. This is the first HopCat location in company history to have a second kitchen for this purpose.
“We’re thrilled to be back in the vibrancy of Royal Oak, and we’re very excited to be a growth company again. We continue to focus on craft beer, music, good times and ‘food your mom would make if she loved craft beer’,” Ned Lidvall, the CEO of Project BarFly, the parent company of HopCat, said in a press release.
HopCat will be marking its return to Royal Oak by hosting a Grand Opening celebration that runs concurrently with its opening on Saturday. The first 100 guests in line will get free Cosmik Fries for a year, and other guests will receive special promotions throughout the day.
As part of that celebration, HopCat will raise funds in support of its charity partner, the Detroit Zoological Society. It will also participate in Royal Oak’s social district, which allows establishments to sell to-go beverages from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. every day in select areas of the city.
HopCat will open at 430 S. Main St., Royal Oak at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. Regular hours at this location are 10 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday and Sunday, and 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.