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TechCrunch
6 days ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
Rivr's dog-like robots join Veho vans to solve ‘last-100-yards' parcel delivery in Austin
Most delivery automation stops at the curb. But for Veho and Zurich-based robotics startup Rivr, the real challenge — and opportunity — lies in those final 100 yards from van to doorstep. In a pilot program launching Tuesday in Austin, Rivr's four-wheeled, stair-climbing delivery robot, which CEO and founder Marko Bjelonic describes as 'a dog on rollerskates,' will ferry packages from Veho's vans directly to customers' front doors. The companies are starting small, they told TechCrunch exclusively. Just one highly supervised robot will perform daily, five-to-six-hour runs over the span of a couple of weeks throughout Austin. But both companies see it as a critical step towards solving a unique slice of the end-to-end autonomous delivery journey. Bjelonic says that in last-mile delivery, 'robotics makes an impact by actually solving these very challenging problems that are actually quite easy for humans but hard for robots. And we see [Rivr] as a differentiator, almost as the next evolutionary step from the sidewalk robots.' Aside from its U.S. debut, the partnership with Veho – which delivers across 50 U.S. markets for brands like Sephora, Saks, HelloFresh, and more – also gives Rivr an opportunity to both test its technology and accumulate data necessary to build a general physical AI framework. 'What we have seen in the robotic space is that there's a data barrier, because ChatGPT and other chatbots have the internet as training data, and autonomous cars have thousands of cars on the street that they can attach sensors to and start collecting data,' Bjelonic told TechCrunch. 'But in the robotics world, that kind of dataset is missing, so you need to find the meaningful use case where you can solve a real problem, and then you can start collecting all of the data to make these robots more intelligent.' For Veho, this partnership is a chance to test what automation looks like from the van to the customer's door and potentially allows for more deliveries to take place at once, particularly in dense urban areas where both the driver and the robot can tag team a particular street simultaneously. Bjelonic says Rivr's 'robot helpers' can also 'reduce the workload on these drivers' by taking over the physically demanding task of walking door to door. Techcrunch event Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot for our leading AI industry event with speakers from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere. For a limited time, tickets are just $292 for an entire day of expert talks, workshops, and potent networking. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | REGISTER NOW During the Austin trial, a Rivr employee will accompany the bot to ensure safety and delivery quality. Bjelonic told TechCrunch the bots can operate autonomously but remote operators will be able to tap in if they get stuck. The Austin pilot will start in the more residential area of northwest Austin before expanding to denser areas of town, according to Fred Cook, Veho's co-founder and CTO. In the future, Cook says he could imagine pairing the vehicles with certain types of vehicles with charging stations for the bots to keep them going for a full day of work. Rivr hopes to use the learnings from its partnership with Veho to scale to 100 bots by next year and thousands in 2027. The startup is currently operating in the U.K. through a partnership with delivery platform Evri. Rivr has raised more than $25 million, including from a Jeff Bezos-led round that valued the company at $100 million.
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First Post
6 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Explained: How FIFA has tackled the issue of expiring contracts during expanded Club World Cup
FIFA is set to host the biggest edition of the Club World Cup ever with 32 teams set to take part in the United States from 14 June to 13 July. With the tournament coinciding with the summer transfer window, here's how FIFA has tackled the issue of expiring contracts. read more The trophy that will be presented to the winner of the FIFA Club World Cup is put on display at Times Square in New York City. Reuters The 2024-25 football season is on the verge of reaching its conclusion; while the Premier League, LaLiga and other top leagues are done with their matches, less than a week remains for the UEFA Champions League final in which Paris Saint-Germain, eyeing their maiden title, face Inter Milan in Munich. The next couple of months will be dominated by the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which is set to be the biggest in the tournament's history with 32 teams participating in the tournament that takes place in the United States from 14 June to 13 July. The tournament will be taking place around the time the summer transfer window gets underway, with player contracts set to expire on 30 June. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD FIFA, however, has also got an exceptional registration period in place ahead of the World Cup in order to ensure this year's edition, which is set to be the biggest in the tournament's history, runs as smoothly as possible. The Zurich-based world governing body for football has created the window – which runs from 1 to 10 June – in order to ensure clubs get to sign their players on time in order to maximise their chances of going the distance in the tournament. More from Football 'Member associations of clubs participating in the competition shall have the possibility to establish an exceptional additional registration period from June 1-10, 2025. For the avoidance of doubt, no member association is obliged to establish such an exceptional additional registration period,' read a statement from FIFA. FIFA rules, however, allows transfer business to take place for 16 weeks in a year – 12 in the summer and four in the middle of the season. And to ensure the window remains open till 1 September, the window will remain shut for a few days and will reopen on the 16th. What is the mid-tournament registration window during the Club World Cup? FIFA will allow clubs to register new players for a week in the middle of the tournament – from 27 June to 3 July to be precise. This is to allow them to replace out-of-contract players or those who have been bought by other clubs during the exceptional registration period. Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup after making his final appearance for Liverpool. Reuters Trent Alexander-Arnold is among the players who is expected to sign a new contract during this exceptional registration period during. After making his last appearance for Liverpool in their 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Sunday, the English defender is expected to sign with Real Madrid, who are taking part in the Club World Cup. Similarly, Kevin de Bruyne has parted ways with Manchester City, making his final appearance for Pep Guardiola's side in their 2-0 away win against Fulham. City, however, could require the Belgian's services in the Club World Cup and might end up signing him on a short-term basis.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Rise and shine! 10 iconic breakfasts from around the world
Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but what that looks like varies wildly depending on where you are. From Malaysia's rich, fragrant rice dishes to a full Turkish spread, morning meals offer a delicious glimpse into local culture. These 10 breakfasts from around the world tell stories far beyond the plate. Turkey: Simit Simit is part of a full Turkish spread at breakfast – Photo courtesy of GoTürkiye Kahvalti is the name of a full Turkish breakfast, an assortment of breads, cheeses, meats, jams, spreads, olives, sliced tomato and cucumbers, and egg dishes. It also includes simit, a ring-shaped bread covered with sesame seeds with a chewy texture and crunchy exterior. Simit also is a common street food in Istanbul and is often sold at snack bars on ferries. Switzerland: Muesli Muesli is one of the most well-known breakfasts around the world – Photo courtesy of Jucker Farm AG A Swiss breakfast encompasses yogurt, cheese, meats, boiled eggs, braided bread called zopf, and a buttery crescent-shaped gipfeli pastry. Another standard offering is muesli, a cold dish of soaked rolled oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. Advertisement Muesli was created around 1900 by Swiss physician Dr. Maximilian Bircher-Benner for patients at his Zurich-based sanatorium, promoting it as a meal to support overall wellness and natural healing. The dish grew in popularity beyond the clinic, and over the decades, variations with fresh fruit, yogurt, and seeds evolved. Singapore: Kaya toast Kaya toast is often served with eggs and coffee in Singapore – Photo courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board In Singapore, kaya toast is a breakfast specialty and an afternoon snack. It's made with two slices of toasted bread filled with butter and kaya, a sweet coconut jam, and often served with coffee and soft-boiled eggs. It's believed that Hainanese immigrants created the dish, adapting British-style toast with local ingredients, while working on colonial ships during the Straits Settlements era. After settling in Singapore, many Hainanese opened kopitiams — coffee shops that began flourishing after World War II — where kaya toast became a signature offering. Advertisement United States: Eggs Benedict Eggs Benedict is a breakfast and brunch staple – Photo courtesy of Waldorf Astoria New York Found on many hotel and restaurant menus across America, this classic dish consists of two halves of an English muffin topped with Canadian bacon or sliced ham, a poached egg, and hollandaise sauce. This dish has two origin stories, both beginning in New York City. Storied steakhouse Delmonico's lays claim to creating the dish in 1894, when Delmonico's chef Charles Ranhofer named the dish after Mrs. LeGrand Benedict, a longtime customer who once asked the kitchen to make her something new. Another story involves stockbroker Lemuel Benedict, who claimed it was invented for him at the original Waldorf Astoria in 1894. Being hungover, Benedict ordered eggs, bacon, buttered toast, and a pitcher of hollandaise sauce. Wherever it came from, it's still one of the most essential breakfast and brunch staples today. Scotland: Haggis A typical Scottish breakfast often includes haggis – Photo courtesy of VisitScotland A proper Scottish breakfast contains similar foods served in Great Britain and Ireland, but includes specialties such as Lorne sausage, Tattie scones, and black pudding. Then there's haggis, a savory pudding made by blending sheep's heart, lungs, and liver with a medley of grains and spices, then stuffed into the sheep's stomach to be cooked. Today, it's mostly cooked in a synthetic sausage casing. However, its origins in Scotland go back to ancient times. Advertisement Malaysia: Nasi lemak Malaysians kick of their day with this coconut and pandan-flavored rice – Photo courtesy of Tourism Malaysia / Los Angeles A typical Malaysian breakfast includes nasi lemak, rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan, making it richly flavorful and fragrant. It comes with a spicy chili condiment, sambal belachan, and other accompaniments like roasted nuts, a wedge of a hard-boiled egg, dried and salted anchovies, and sliced cucumbers. Peru: Pan con chicharrón Pan con chicharrón fuels many weekend mornings in Peru – Photo courtesy of PROMPERÚ A beloved sandwich and a traditional weekend breakfast item in Peru, the pan con chicharrón features marinated and crispy pork belly accompanied by slices of fried sweet potato known as camote. It's topped with zarza criolla — a refreshing salsa made with red onions, lime juice, cilantro, and a touch of rocoto chili. Served on crusty bread, it's often paired with coffee or fresh juice. While the exact origins of pan con chicharrón in Peru remain uncertain, it's believed to have become popular during the colonial era, influenced by Spanish culinary traditions that favored pork. Regional variations of pan con chicharrón reflect Peru's diverse geography and cultural traditions. Jamaica: Ackee and saltfish Ackee and saltfish, a breakfast favorite, is Jamaica's national dish – Photo courtesy of The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel This traditional meal combines salted codfish with ackee and is considered Jamaica's national dish. When cooked, ackee, a creamy yellow fruit, resembles scrambled eggs in texture. Advertisement It's typically sautéed with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and Scotch bonnet peppers, creating a savory and slightly spicy flavor profile. Ackee and saltfish usually comes with sides such as festival (a traditional type of fried dough), boiled green bananas, or breadfruit. Saltfish is also part of signature meals in other Caribbean destinations, including Saint Lucia's green figs (green bananas) and saltfish. Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Gallo pinto Gallo pinto, a savory rice and beans dish, is the star player in Costa Rican breakfasts – Photo courtesy of Hotel Three Sixty Consumed mainly in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, this nourishing breakfast dish involves a mix of rice, beans (commonly black in Costa Rica and red in Nicaragua), and chopped up bits of onion and bell peppers. Enhanced with garlic and cilantro, this mixture gets plated with fried and scrambled eggs or avocado. In Costa Rica, it comes with a popular bottled condiment called Lizano Salsa Sauce, whose taste is similar to Worcestershire sauce. Advertisement Mexico: Chilaquiles Red or green chilaquiles is a staple breakfast dish in Mexico – Photo courtesy of bonchan / iStock Via Getty Images
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
England fans face paying THOUSANDS per World Cup 2026 match as Fifa consider controversial Oasis-style ticketing system
ENGLAND fans heading to next summer's World Cup could be fleeced for THOUSANDS per match under Fifa plans to use a "dynamic pricing" strategy. Average costs of around £305 per match had previously been reported. Advertisement 3 Fifa are set to use dynamic ticket pricing at the World Cup Credit: AP 3 Prices could sky-rocket for the biggest games like the final at the MetLife Stadium Credit: Getty But now world chiefs are looking at the same demand-based pricing arrangements that saw this summer's Oasis reunion concerts plunged into controversy. And that could see ticket prices for the biggest games sky-rocketing with supply not being able to keep up with demand despite stadiums having A similar system being used in the Club World Cup, including But that is unlikely to be the situation at the World Cup, despite the expansion to a 48-team tournament which will see a record 104 games played. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL The Fifa model will NOT apply to fans supporting the three host countries - the USA, Canada and Mexico. But visiting supporters will be exposed to the system, which could see Official fan groups supplied with tickets by their home associations are also likely to pay a lower price, although allocations are unlikely to exceed 6,000 for any matches. The measure, if confirmed, is likely to see Fifa accused of exploiting fans and seeking to maximise their own income. Advertisement Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Unlike previous World Cups, which have been overseen by a Fifa-delegated local organising committee, 2026 will be run by the Zurich-based body. The greater the revenue from the estimated 6.5m tickets available, the more Fifa will make from the tournament. Fifa confirm 12 stadiums for new-look Club World Cup including TWO £1.2BILLION NFL grounds and 88,500-seat Olympic venue Fifa's argument is that Advertisement The successful three-country bid, which won the right in 2018 to stage the World Cup, suggested that a projected £1.35bn in ticket sales would be a 'conservative' estimate. That appears to be an understatement, although a Fifa spokesman declined to confirm the plans. The spokesman said: 'Ticket sales for the Fifa World Cup 2026 are expected to begin in Q3 of 2025 via the Fifa website. Further details will follow in due course.' 3 Fifa are projected to make £1.35bn in ticket sales Credit: AFP Advertisement
Business Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Julius Baer faces US$156 million loan loss charge
[ZURICH] Julius Baer Group said it's booking another large loss from property developments it helped finance, just as the Swiss wealth manager is emerging from a crisis triggered by its exposure to Rene Benko's Signa real estate empire. The Zurich-based bank disclosed late Tuesday (May 20) that it's taking a loan-loss charge of US$156 million related to its private debt business and selected positions in its mortgage operation. As part of a review of its credit portfolio, Baer is discussing writing down a loan related to a real estate project in the German city of Hanover that's on the cusp of default and is also facing a loss from another development, Bloomberg reported earlier on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The report prompted the company to release an interim management statement ahead of schedule. That report showed assets under management of 467 billion Swiss francs (S$731.7 billion), a 6 per cent decrease from the end of 2024, according to a statement, as the strong Swiss franc had a currency impact of 28 billion francs. The bank posted net new money of 4.2 billion francs for the same period, coming from clients in Asia and Western Europe, it said. The bank also said it was on track to achieve the additional 110 million francs in cost savings it announced in February, and that this was expected to start benefiting profitability later this year. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up 'We expect investors to react negatively to disappointing net new money,' Citigroup analyst Nicholas Herman wrote in a note to clients, adding that the loan loss is also 'disappointing on several levels.' 'This follows a series of mis-steps prior to the arrival of CEO Stefan Bollinger,' he said, citing the Signa loss, the attempt to acquire Swiss rival EFG, flows and interest margins. Chief risk officer Oliver Bartholet will retire, the bank added, in another departure from the executive board since loans to defunct property tycoon Rene Benko helped cut 2023 profit in half. Bartholet will hand over his responsibilities on July 1 to Ivan Ivanic, who joined Julius Baer in February as chief credit officer. The executive board, which was slashed to five from 15 following the arrival of newly appointed chief executive officer Stefan Bollinger, will be expanded to include a chief compliance officer, with an announcement 'in due course.' Bollinger and chairman Noel Quinn, HSBC Holdings' former CEO, are seeking to clean up the balance sheet and set the firm back on a growth path. The two are expected to present a strategy update in June as they look to shore up investor confidence. Baer, Switzerland's second-largest listed wealth manager, wrote off US$700 million in loans and shut down its private-debt business after Benko's conglomerate unravelled in late 2023. The wealth manager said it has made progress on the wind-down of its private-debt loan book, with the remaining notional exposure now well below 0.2 billion Swiss francs, a more than 50 per cent reduction since the end of 2024, it said. The remaining book stands at 0.4 per cent of the total loan book, according to the statement. Last week, it emerged that Julius Baer has been ordered to hand over 4.4 million Swiss francs because of alleged failings in money-laundering controls. The previously undisclosed 'enforcement proceeding' is separate from an existing Finma probe into the Benko fallout. BLOOMBERG
