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Despite the fact that they prevent over $22 billion in cybertheft annually, financial institutions (FIs) are seeing fraud attack volumes soar as cyberthieves look for new ways to invade. From account takeovers (ATOs) — which have been staggeringly popular with crooks during the pandemic — to brute-force attacks, it’s a cyber jungle out there … and companies need protection. “FIs are turning to advanced technology to arm themselves against fraudsters’ seemingly endless supply of stolen data,” according to PYMNTS’ new Preventing Financial Crimes Playbook done in collaboration with NICE Actimize.“Some of the most promising solutions come in the form of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), which can analyze thousands of ongoing transactions and applications every second and pinpoint telltale signs of fraud, like uncharacteristically large transactions or login attempts from multiple devices in different regions.”The new Playbook states that “banks have reported increased fraud detection rates of up to 50 percent through the use of these technologies, but the tools are still used by only a minority of FIs around the world.” Increasing the adoption of crime-fighting solutions in a world of “digital everything” is the next step.A ‘Holistic Response’ to Customer SecurityWith phishing scams now more convincing than ever, leaders in the cybersecurity field believe this is a time to redefine online crime, and to adopt new tools and technology to defeat it.“We are starting to see the need for fusion between ‘cyber’ and ‘fraud.’ By bringing elements of each discipline together as part of a holistic response to customer security and fraud prevention, we can see important improvements in detection and prevention,” Yuval Marco, general manager of fraud and authentication at NICE Actimize, told PYMNTS.He noted that this starts with company-wide password policy review, along with the integration of authentication and fraud profiling, to score enrollments and logins as well as payments.“By feeding in all the relevant events, normal customer patterns and profiles can be built. This allows for more friction weighted to the risk of the event at hand, and MFA [multifactor authentication] can be directly linked to the level of risk, increasing security while allowing genuine customers through,” Marco said. “Once that’s complete, enrich your fraud profiling system with data and intelligence, including credentials from internal and external sources.” This approach is often lethal to bad attack types like credential stuffing, but actually lessens frictions for known entities and individuals. That’s how FinServ friction should work.Superpowers for Financial Crime FightersTeams of humans have been ferreting out financial crime for decades. Now, a bit like the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., they have superpowers to help them in the fight. “Banks are deploying AI-based systems in record numbers, with more than $217 billion spent on AI’s applications for middle-office use cases like fraud prevention and risk assessment. These investments are paying off,” according to the new Preventing Financial Crimes Playbook.Some 80 percent of experts report that AI reduces payments fraud and almost 64 percent of FIs say AI is vital to stopping fraud in action. “These systems are commonplace at large FIs that have more than $100 billion in assets — 72.7 percent of which leverage AI — but only 5.5 percent of all FIs reportedly have an AI-based system in place.” That leaves plenty of room for improvement. The good news is that FIs are making these investments as the post-pandemic business world slowly reorganizes around speed and safety.——————————
LIVE PYMNTS AND AMAZON PAY CONVERSATION: POWERING THE DIGITAL SHIFT – CONSUMER TRUST
From tiny Main Street shops to the tech giants of Silicon Valley, companies are working fervently to revive and reinvent the economy. With a digital shift clearly dominating post-pandemic commerce, tune in to this three-day series to hear directly from Amazon Pay about new digital priorities, nurturing trust in virtual relationships, and the delicate balance of technology and tenderness that keeps humanity first in ever more digital lives.
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Express Information Systems, a leading provider of business software solutions and support, is celebrating 30 years in the industry. Launched in 1989 as one of San Antonio’s early technology companies, Express Information Systems has grown to serve more than 300 mid-market clients.
Founder Iris Schimke first became enamored with computers while working in regional sales, recognizing how the right software could help make her weekly reports much faster and easier to compile. She launched Express Information Systems at both a pivotal and opportune time in San Antonio history: When computers were just emerging as a day to day resource for most business operations, and when the local tech industry was dominated by men.
“Times change because people pioneer through them,” said Schimke. “San Antonio was not a technology town in 1989, now it is. Women did not have a visible presence in the technology industry, there was only a handful of us. Shifts like this don’t just happen, we worked to make them happen.”
Today, Express Information Systems is a trusted local partner for CFOs who need to leverage technology and automate processes to deliver real-time information. As a result, they have a 96 percent customer retention rate—a feat as important as their successful employee retention and tenure. This has helped them serve more than 500 customers, delivering customized software solutions for over 30 years.
“We’re proud of who we’ve become as an organization, but more than that, we’re proud of what we’ve contributed to San Antonio’s identity and the growth of women in the technology industry,” said Iris Schimke, founder, and CEO of Express Information Systems.
Enterprises like Express Information Systems are what laid the foundation for the technology industry in San Antonio. They succeeded in the dawning of a new age of technology and continually evolving to provide customers with tailored business solutions. It is because of this dedication to client satisfaction that Express Information Systems is celebrating their 30th anniversary and looking forward to welcoming many more.
“We have fun doing what we’re doing,” said Iris. “So, we’ll keep doing it and doing it well.”
Leslie Komet Ausburn, (210) 326- 8992
About Express Information Systems:
Express information Systems helps mid-market companies at all stages find more time in their day by creating customized software solutions. Their diverse clientele spans the industries of manufacturing and distribution, healthcare, hospitality, nonprofits, and more.

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Competition in video games is a huge deal. It’s progressing to the point that millions upon millions of dollars are involved. That includes deals with Disney, ESPN, and the NBA among other large companies. To that end, developers go to great lengths to build their multiplayer components around serious, professional, and broadcast-friendly competition, and tons of resources are poured into balancing. That includes flying out pro gamers just for multiple rounds of testing and feedback. It also includes making huge adjustments to games, sometimes on the fly, when a big problem arises. There are several, recent examples that demonstrate just how important balance is, what lengths devs will go to in order to preserve it, and also how problems can have an impact on the community as well.
Let’s start with Star Wars . EA’s Star Wars: Battlefront II has some issues, as we all know. But it’s not just loot boxes. A certain Emperor Palpatine has been a huge issue for the game’s competitive balance, and the team at DICE has struggled to address the problem. See, Palpatine’s Force Lightning ability is just far too strong. It’s an important part of his character of course, so it has to be in the game. Otherwise, what would he do? He didn’t do anything else in the movies but yell and shoot lightning.
In an attempt to fix the lightning, the team so far only managed to make the problem worse, and Palpatine was straight-up breaking the Star Wars: Battlefront II metagame. So without any indication of a plan or timeline, the villain was just completely removed from the pool of playable characters. The situation was so desperate, for an already struggling game, that the developers had to torpedo content from the game in order to bandage a gaping wound. Sure, the matter will be resolved eventually, but it cannot be understated how drastic of an action that is, considering how violently angry gaming communities can get over removed content.
Similar stuff happens in Fortnite as well. Remember all the fun Twitch videos of people riding rockets around, sniping from them, and all other kinds of shenanigans? That’s not a thing anymore, because the guided missile launcher is out of the game. Being able to control a missile with the properties they have in Fortnite totally broke the already shaky balance of Fortnite , so it had to go. Epic Games is still working out balance kinks, and even plans to put limits on building, something that has long been the core gimmick of Fortnite , even before Battle Royale. The pursuit of balance is dire in that game, as so much money is roped into the rising competitive scene.
Finally, let’s take a look at Mario Tennis Aces . Nintendo wants to be an esports-friendly company, but that’s still in the early stages. Nintendo obviously does things differently, and has been more fun-centric with its competition instead of worrying about money and sponsorships. Regardless, Mario Tennis Aces is yet another competition-friendly game, with intense mechanics that have made people compare it to a fighting game. But unfortunately, before the competitive Mario Tennis scene can even get going, there’s a huge roadblock in the form of Bowser Jr.
Bowser Jr. is just too good. He’s a defensive character that Camelot accidentally forgot to give flaws. He build meter fast, doesn’t lose much speed when he charges shots, and has long reach. He’s similar in style to Waluigi, but Waluigi has some disadvantages that make him a fair character. Because of this, the competitive scene is in turmoil, with tons of people complaining about Bowser Jr. and even refusing to participate in matches against players who use him. Tournament runners are looking into banning the character, and there’s just a whole big thing happening that’s made everyone involved upset.
These are just a few examples from the past year of how crucial keeping a game balanced can be. If games are meant to be enjoyed over a long period of time, with sustainable competitive ecosystems surrounding them, people expect a certain level of polish. If a game can be “solved,” with tournaments having the same results over and over, and specific problems that never get patched or updated, the player base will shrink, and the game will die. Developers know this, and that’s why they’ll go to great lengths to change things that emerge as problematic. If they go ignored, like Bowser Jr. so far, that leads to community in-fighting and dropped games, which is the worst cast scenario.


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A Sunday newspaper says a Scottish council has staged initial discussions with an Australian firm about building a facility to produce medicinal cannabis.
Australian firm LeafCann is said to be discussing the plan with North Ayrshire Council, with a view to launch a base in Irvine - although the council has said “there is nothing imminent or close to being agreed”.
However the exploratory move has been welcomed by Scottish Labour health spokesperon Monica Lennon, who said news of the talks was “encouraging” and could lead to improved availability of medicinal cannabis through the NHS.
While cannabis-based medicines have been legalised it has been illegal to cultivate cannabis in the UK, and the NHS supplies are imported.
However in what has been sees as a test case a facility in Wiltshire gained planning permission, creating an apparent breakthrough for UK-based cultivation for medicinal purposes.
When produced in this way the drug lacks the active ingredient which produces intoxication - as in the illegal “cannabis farms” regularly uncovered by police.
In a highly-publicised recent case a Scots mum smuggled a cannabis product into Scotland from the Netherlands to help her epileptic son, and is said to have spent thousands of pounds ensuring he has a sufficient supply to alleviate his condition.


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Vegetable supplier Produce World has reported a £6.8m loss for the 2016 financial year caused by the costs of exiting a brassica JV and an aphid infestation that devastated brassica crops.
In a statement outlining a turnaround plan that includes restructured business units, investment in automation and planning permission for housing development, the company said it expects profits to exceed £7m for 2017 thanks to “decisive action” and substantially reducing costs.
Chairman William Burgess said: “The losses related to issues around the brassica business, and the costs of leaving the joint venture. Like many companies in fresh produce, we were also hit by exceptional aphid infestations in 2015, which affected both our roots and brassica businesses.
“During that period there has been considerable investment in automation across the group, but particularly at the Isleham site, which is now one of the most up-to-date facilities in the UK for processing and packing roots.
“We also believe that the restructuring of the company into discrete business units has already made us more responsive to changes in the marketplace, and to the needs of our customers.”
During 2017, Produce World said it will continue to reduce its debt through the ongoing disposal of surplus properties at Butterwick, and a 20-acre site at Swinderby with planning permission for housing, plus other development opportunities.
The company continues to operate across four sites as well as its farming operations, supplying organic and conventional roots, onions and potatoes to retail, foodservice and manufacturing. Management now operates at site level, reflecting the needs of each site and category.
Burgess added: “The Burgess family is once again taking a leading role in running Produce World, and we are concentrating our efforts on the key categories of the business where we have a huge amount of experience.
“We are now a fit and lean business, focused on our core areas and ready to confront the challenges of this brutally competitive marketplace.”


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Well, despite the insane number of PS3s available on eBay, it appears that sellers of Sony's new machine made an average of $600 profit. The early eBay numbers are in, courtesy of Next-Gen , and the stats are pretty impressive.
The console went for an average of $1,186 for the week of November 17 – November 24, which is significantly lower than the high three and four thousand-dollar prices we were seeing early on. Obviously, while the supply didn't exactly meet demand, it did bring the price down somewhat.
According to eBay's Marketplace Research, a grand total of 14,675 PS3s were sold online during the one-week period, and that's one hell of a staggering number. However, there were an estimated 32,000 PS3s on sale at one time, which can mean only one thing- there are plenty left.
With the retail price of the lower-end PS3 sitting at $499 and the high-end model at $599, it's clear that most PS3 sellers made about twice what the system's worth. But the longer they stay online and the more they become available in retail stores, the less profit they stand to make. So see if you can hold out just a little longer, would-be PS3 owners!


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Whether you’re a lazy orange cat or a grouchy old Dwarf, we can all pretty much agree that Mondays are terrible. In that spirit, we found a new shirt featuring Grumpy from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” that might speak to you.
Grumpy “I Don’t Dig Mondays” T-Shirt – $24.99
The shirt features Grouchy making an upset face while leaning on a pickaxe. Below is written “I don’t dig Mondays”.
We found this amusing new shirt at Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure. Will you be adding this to your park wear repertoire? Let us know in the comments below!
For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.


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U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk are visiting the Memphis, Tenn. area this week to meet with local businesses and discuss the opportunities and challenges of exporting. Locke and Kirk toured the FedEx Express Super Hub on Tuesday night where each day, millions of packages are moved through the hub to reach over 220 countries and territories around the world. They also held a rountable discussion on exports and the economy with small- and medium-sized businesses today to discuss President Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI) and how it can help U.S. companies sell more of their goods and services overseas and support the creation of American jobs.
The NEI aims to double U.S. exports over the next five years while supporting two million American jobs. It will provide more funding, more focus and more Cabinet-level coordination to grow U.S. exports, and represents the first time the United States will have a government-wide export-promotion strategy with focused attention from the president and his Cabinet.


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Milwaukee located Roundy’s supermarket chain filed a statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday for a potential float as an IPO. The parent of “Rainbow Foods” is looking to raise over $200 million with the offering of shares.
Willis Stein & Partners, located in Chicago, has owned Roundy’s since 2002 and from their 158 stores scattered around the Midwest they generate $4 billion in revenue. They have recently moved into Chicago with a few stores, and now the company employs a 17,700 strong workforce.
What brings Willis Stein & Partners to this offering? Well possibly the unsuccessful attempt to sell the company in 2007. Tougher competition from the larger chains such as Wal-Mart, plus a general trend for less spending probably made the company unattractive to buyers at that time.
Roundy’s had huge market share in the Milwaukee area around a decade ago, but since those days the company has only been able to hold onto around 12% of the market. Commentators are stating that the company could be offering an IPO to try and stop further debt. Last year borrowing was increased to $876 million as they took a further $150 million in loan, with some reports stating it paid it as cash dividends to owners.
Raising $230 million from IPO would only represent a small portion of the company, for which it was being touted for sale at $2 billion a few years ago. The likelihood is they are looking to benefit from improving stock markets to inject some cash into the business.
Maybe the cash will come at the right time as markets improve and the company can once again increase its market share to compete. Certainly one to watch when it floats.Previous Post » Merck & Co, Boeing & McDonald’s remained under Pressure Despite Positive DJIA


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Israel’s reputation as the Startup Nation is being continually cemented at a time of brand new emphasis on healthcare technology. In Q1 of 2021, no less than nine startups achieved unicorn status, with Israel showing that it can be a tech leader in an array of industries – proving that it’s an adaptable place for entrepreneurs to come to.
With an approximate population of nine million and some 6,500 startups, Israel has the largest volume of startups per capita in the world.
In the past five years, Israel has even shown its ability to scale up as well as startup, with large scale investments accelerating the number of unicorns – that is companies achieving a valuation of $1 billion or more – being produced within the country.
The term ‘unicorn’ was coined by venture capitalist Aileen Lee in 2013 as a way of signifying the rarity of startups hitting such an astronomical valuation. However, in the years that followed, there have been over 600 unicorns produced globally – with an astounding 60 being founded by Israelis.
Furthermore, nine Israeli-founded private companies have joined this exclusive-but-widening unicorn club since the start of the year – further underlining Israeli’s emergence as a leader in the world of technology. For an indicator of scale, 15 Israeli startups became unicorns throughout 2020 and 12 reached the same status across 2019.
Israel’s repertoire of unicorn companies is growing at a rapid rate, and has shown no signs of slowing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, as the health crisis was disrupting business across the world in the first half of 2020, Israel saw 11 new unicorns pop up – almost double that of its nearest competitor in the UK.
Striking a Chord With Advanced Healthcare
Although Israel still leads the way in cybersecurity, and many of the country’s latest unicorns emanate from this industry alongside advanced payment processors as well as other startups specialising in emerging tech, one of the company’s can be looked upon as the startup nation’s adaptability in aiding the development of healthcare.
One of Israel’s brightest new unicorns of 2021 comes in the form of K Health, an AI-powered telemedicine health platform, which announced a $132 million Series E round at a total valuation of $1.4 billion.
Founded back in 2016 by former Wix CEO Allon Bloch, K Health utilises AI and anonymous reporting to accurately diagnose health issues. Coming in the form of a free app, K Health relies on a unique database that can include physician notes, laboratory results, treatments, medical histories and prescriptions to offer accurate, data-driven information regarding the symptoms and general health of a patient.
K Health stands as a successful example of how Israeli innovation is taking centre stage in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As more businesses look for solutions to cater to remote health and more secure, holistic health insights for patients, it’s likely that we’ll see the startup nation produce more prospective unicorns in the field of health-focused tech.


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Indonesian stocks continued to climb strongly after the market opened on Tuesday (31/03). The country’s benchmark Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) surged nearly one percent. Several external and internal factors are at play here. Firstly, the US Federal Reserve indicated over the past week that it may not raise its key interest rate too soon, leading to investors’ appetite for emerging market assets. Secondly, Chinese policymakers provided room for increased infrastructure spending and monetary stimulus.
After having seen China’s economic growth figure decline to a 25-year low, Chinese policymakers are eager to reverse this trend. The government of the world’s second-largest economy unveiled an ambitious plan to construct a modern Silk Road to Europe and Africa (which requires investments worth between USD $48-64 billion). Moreover, Governor of the People’s Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan added that the central bank may have room to act (combating deflation) through policies involving interest rates and quantitative measures. This has triggered expectation of further monetary stimulus measures. China’s central bank has already cut its interest rates twice since November 2014, and it loosened regulations on the amount of money lenders must have in reserve.
Expectation of infrastructure spending and further monetary stimulus pushed Chinese stocks to a seven-year high on Monday (30/03), and supported stock markets in the whole Asian region, offsetting concern about the Greek debt situation. The government of Greece is currently presenting its reform programs to its Eurozone creditors.
Internally, Indonesian companies’ 2014 corporate earnings reports have boosted investors’ confidence. For example, Unilever Indonesia (one of the country’s largest consumer goods producers) recorded good earnings in 2014 according to a statement released on Monday (30/03). The company’s net profit rose 7.2 percent (y/y) to IDR 5.7 trillion (USD $438 million), while sales climbed 12 percent (y/y) to IDR 34.5 trillion (USD $2.7 billion), indicating that consumer spending remained strong in 2014 (domestic consumption accounts for about 55 percent of Indonesia’s total economic growth).
Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG):
However, the Indonesian rupiah continued to depreciate against the US dollar on Tuesday (31/03). Based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index, the rupiah was down 0.19 percent to IDR 13,100 per US dollar at 11:48 am local Jakarta time. Most emerging Asian currencies are depreciating against the greenback on today’s trading day after the US National Association of Realtors announced that its seasonally adjusted pending home sales index increased 3.1 percent to 106.9 in February, the highest reading since June 2013. Separately, the US government reported that consumer spending in the world’s largest economy edged up in February following two months of declines.
Meanwhile, market participants are waiting for Indonesia’s March inflation figure, to be released on Wednesday (01/04). After the Indonesian government decided to raise subsidized fuel prices for April, inflation may rise slightly higher than initially expected. In February Indonesian inflation had eased to 6.29 percent (y/y).
However, Bank Indonesia's benchmark rupiah rate (Jakarta Interbank Spot Dollar Rate, abbreviated JISDOR) appreciated 0.01 percent to IDR 13,084 per US dollar on Tuesday (31/03).
Indonesian Rupiah versus US Dollar (JISDOR):| Source: Bank Indonesia
Contrary to the good performance of Indonesian stocks, the performance of the country’s local-currency bonds have changed from being among Asia’s best performers to being the worst amid severe rupiah depreciation (and the region’s lowest real yields harm returns). Indonesia’s sovereign notes have dropped 2 percent in March.


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Hawaii retailers feel the urge to donate this year’s vacation
HONOLULU (KHON2) – Many local businesses say they feel more than just the holiday spirit. With foot traffic and sales picking up, they expect to do better than last year’s vacation.
Whether in person or online, the spirit of generosity is felt at local retailers.
Receive news wherever you are with KHON 2GO, KHON’s morning podcast, every morning at 8 a.m.
Eden in Love owner Tanna Dang said she started ordering inventory months in advance to have enough merchandise as the pandemic has affected supply chains and the way people shop.
âWe were actually a little nervous about this year because we weren’t sure if we were going to have that many people shopping online now that you could go back to the store,â Dang said. “But honestly this year we’re tracking as well as last year, and I think after today or maybe tomorrow our numbers – we’re just going to reverse last year’s numbers.”
After 15 years of operating as a physical store, Eden in Love will be operating fully online early next year – Dang said business was better than ever.
âWe knew through the pandemic, once we pivoted online, and performed so well online, we didn’t know there was a world out there that had Eden in Love on it. World Wide Web, âDang said.
With the easing of COVID restrictions, Retail Merchants of Hawaii President Tina Yamaki said small businesses were on the verge of surpassing last year’s holiday sales.
âWe are seeing an increase in foot traffic in stores. In the malls, people are actually buying, âYamaki said. âWe saw a lot of people start their holiday shopping earlier this year as well.â
Some of Hawaii’s local favorites, like Matsumoto Shave Ice, also feel the love. General manager Remy Matsumoto said their online retail business sells t-shirts and other items in some of the coldest places on the continent.
âI am always surprised to see someone buy in a state other than Hawaii. I’m just like, how do they know about us? You know, because it can go all the way up like the east coast, âMatsumoto said. âAnd that always surprises me. And I’m really thankful for, you know, every customer that supports us from all over the United States.
Even companies like Hoala Salon and Spa are benefiting from the vacation bump.
âWe will see, usually Christmas week, that the spa gets very busy,â said Letitia Thomas, owner of Hoala Salon and Spa. “And then the next week it’s flooded, and we are able to take care of everyone through their hard work of shopping and taking care of each other.”
Find out what’s happening in the country on our national news page
Retailers recommend that gifts be shipped as early as possible so that they arrive on time.


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Handmade goodies on offer at second Beccles station craft market
- Credit: Eastern Daily Press © 2016
Following the success of the first craft market at Beccles railway station last year, a second market is being held this weekend.
The event will run from 10am to 3pm at the station community rooms on Saturday, November 18, and Sunday, November 19.
This year’s market will feature new stalls including soap, ceramics, wood turning, jewellery, cards and pet hampers just to name a few, and there will be lots of ideas for Christmas presents to buy.
One of the organisers said: “Goods are all local and handmade by local people so please come along and support the amazing talent we have in our local community.”
Refreshments and Christmas goodies will also be on offer at the station cafe next door.
You may also want to watch:
Admission is free and proceeds from the raffle will be donated to Beccles and District War Memorial Hospital.
- 1 New Toolstation store opens in Beccles
- 2 Tyres slashed on parked cars with damage caused overnight in Beccles
- 3 Quarry restoration to take six more years after delays
- 4 Transport pilot launched to help isolated communities around Bungay
- 5 Man dies in industrial incident at plastics factory
- 6 Honda motorbike stolen in overnight theft in Bungay
- 7 Creator of mystery Covehithe statue reveals where it went
- 8 Life sentence for convicted rapist who attempted to murder Norfolk woman
- 9 Toolstation opens new store in Beccles
- 10 Graduation worth the wait for East Coast College's class of 2020


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Keeping up with the growing competition, Maruti Suzuki has launched the 2016 Alto 800 facelift in the country with prices starting at ₹ 2.49 lakh for the STD trim, going up to ₹ 3.76 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the range-topping LXI CNG (O) trim. The updated model was spotted completely undisguised a few days ago and gets minor cosmetic and mechanical changes compared to the outgoing model.
The new generation Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 arrived in the market in 2012 and the latest updated brings mild tweaks to the styling. The exterior update includes what the automaker calls new Aero Edge Design and lends a slimmer and longer grille, and a larger lower grille that is now trapezoidal shaped. The headlamp cluster have been tweaked and the hood gets new character lines for a more toned appearance. The bumper is now 35mm longer measuring at 3430mm, as compared to the outgoing model's 3395mm. You also get provisions for fog lamps in the bumper.
Updates to the cabin include new fabric upholstery for the seats and and door pads. Interestingly, the new Maruti Alto 800 now gets a passenger side ORVM as standard and the base and mid variants get safety child lock and additional storage space at the rear. The hatchback is available with a driver side airbag as an option from the base variant onwards. Also now standard are a rear spoiler, full wheel covers, front power windows and central locking system. Furthermore, the automaker has added two new colours - Mojito Green and Cerulean Blue, in addition to four existing shades.
The 2016 Maruti Alto 800 facelift gets several interesting features upgrades like remote keyless entry, smart storage spaces like rear bottle holder and co-driver side map pocket. Power continues to come from the same 0.8-litre three-cylinder petrol engine tuned to produce 47bhp at 6000rpm and 69Nm of torque available at 3500rpm. The motor is paired to a 5-speed gearbox.
Maruti claims that its engineers have developed an improved engine architecture tuned for enhanced driving pleasure and excellent fuel economy, which makes the Alto 800 facelift 9 per cent more fuel efficient helping return an ARAI certified 24.7 km/l. Essentially, the engine provides more torque at low rpms, allowing lesser gear changes. There are specially coated piston and ring set that reduce frictional losses and increases engine life.
Mr. R S Kalsi, Executive Director Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India said, "The new Alto 800 is technologically advanced with latest convenience and class leading safety features. The new stylish looks, fresh classy interiors and addition of two new colours make it trendy and vibrant. Above all it comes with improved mileage and assurance of Maruti Suzuki's unmatched service network, guaranteed performance and lower maintenance cost. All these make Alto 800 a preferred choice of the value conscious customers across India."


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Sony is no stranger to the practice of teasing gamers with a fancy trailer and promises of a big announcement only to reveal another trailer (in fact, they did it yesterday). But the consolemaker has announced that their next big announcement will be revealed to the world on February 20 at 6 PM (Eastern Time). The teaser trailer above, dubbed “See the future,” includes a lot of pretty colors and four familiar shapes (a Circle, a Triangle, an X, and an O).
So what future should we be on the lookout for, Sony? Is it the PlayStation 4/Orbis? A Vita refresh? A new entry in a long-running series for the PS3?
Or is it just another stupid commercial for a commercial? As they say, “once burned, twice shy,” so you’ll forgive me if I’m not jumping up and down over yet another teaser trailer… yet.


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Export bans, increased demand for equipment, and a global shipping crisis has created a perfect storm for Australian tyre recycling. JDM Aust is helping weather the storm by increasing the manufacturing capacity of its Queensland facilities.
Lucas Stewart, Group General Manager, JDM Aust says in-house mechanical engineers have spent the past year working on designs for various machines that will cater to the market. He says the shift is an opportunity to help shore up local companies, reduce wait time for equipment and promote Australian-made.
“Getting supplies and certain components from anywhere in the world is difficult at the moment,” Lucas says. “The lead time for some of our partner suppliers from overseas has blown out to more than 12 months. No business can survive without cash flow for 12 months.
“We own and operate manufacturing facilities in Queensland so we’ve tried to produce as much as we can locally, for our piece of mind and that of our customers.”
JDM Aust was founded in 2004 after identifying a need for recycling and material handling equipment for the waste, mining, and quarry industries.
The company prides itself on being an Australian manufacturer, providing cost-effective solutions including shredders, sorting technology, screens, grinders, and compactors. It has also sought out internationally recognized manufacturers of machinery to complement its range and expertise and is the Australian agent for principal suppliers of recycling and materials handling equipment manufactured in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and the USA.
Lucas says JDM Aust identified tyre recycling as a growing market several years ago and began research and development into the equipment that would be required. Part of that research included learning from overseas markets.
“European tyre recycling is a lot further advanced than ours,” he says.
JDM Aust partnered with long-time American tyre processing company Eagle International about five years ago. Apart from Eagle International’s global reputation, it has a proven process for recycling large off-the-road (OTR) tyres.
“Being able to process OTR tyres made them stand out,” Lucas says. “With Australia being so resource heavy, there’s a need to be able to process larger mining tyres.”
JDM Aust’s offerings have grown over the years to cover all aspects of the tyre recycling process. Sidewall cutters have been in demand since an export ban on whole-baled tyres was introduced in 2021.
The side wall of a tyre contains embedded cords that give the tyre its strength. They’re generally cut away to allow the remainder of the tyre to be shredded for recycling.
The Eagle International side wall can cut through a truck tyre within 11 seconds; seven seconds for a car tyre. The cutter is available as a portable or stationary piece of equipment.
“If you can cut away the side wall you can flatten the tyres and bale them,” Lucas says. “About 50 percent of transport costs for a tyre is air.
“By cutting the side wall you can start to reduce your free volume in a truck or landfill because the tyres are compressed into smaller bits.”
Lucas describes the current tyre recycling market as “positive and desperate”.
While a lot of recyclers are changing their operations to work within new guidelines, a global shortage of shipping containers and supply chain issues are challenging.
“There’s a lot of desperation to have a solution and have it now,” Lucas says. “But these things obviously take time.”
Helping provide a short turnaround is one of the reasons JDM Aust has expanded its capabilities for manufacturing recycling equipment. A JDM Aust product is generally available within three months.
Lucas says JDM Aust has adapted some of its machine designs to be able to process materials more efficiently.
“There’s a lot involved in making sure machines are capable of shredding and processing tyres,” he says.
“Processing of tyres requires an extreme amount of energy. Machinery has to be beefed up to be able to handle them.”
While reduced wait time is an obvious advantage, local producing equipment has other benefits. JDM Aust provides full backup services such as technical support, spare parts, and servicing carried out by a network of agents and contractors Australia-wide.
For more information, visit: www.jdmaust.net.au


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How Aussies are spending an extra $1924 a year more on groceries as the soaring cost of living bites… but here’s how you can save at the supermarket
- Research finds Aussies are spending far more on groceries
- Households are paying $1924 more compared to last year
- It equates to $37 extra per week or a 25 per cent increase
Australian families are spending $1924 more on their groceries compared to last year as the country’s cost of living crisis continues to spiral.
The steep increase was revealed in a recent survey of more than 1000 households by the comparison website Finder.
The average household now spends $185 per week on groceries, which was $37 more than in February 2022.
That figure equates to a 25 per cent increase in the weekly grocery shop, totally $18.8billion nationally.
The Project’s Steve Price said on Monday night’s episode that everyday Aussies are feeling the pinch.
‘I just don’t know how families who’ve got three or four kids are actually coping,’ he said.
Australian households are spending almost $2000 a year more on groceries on average compared to last year (stock image)
‘Everything’s gone up. I guess people are buying cheaper cuts of meat or using leftovers to serve up for lunch the next day.’
He added that it was ‘very hard for people’ when you factor in increases in mortgage repayments, rates, power bills and petrol.
Co-host Waleed Aly referred to a recent report that explained how supermarkets were among a list of businesses contributing to inflation through ‘price gouging’.
‘They’re taking advantage of the inflationary environment to charge more than they do because of the extra costs they’re getting,’ he said.
‘I think the government needs to form a view on that.’
Exactly 43 per cent of households listed groceries as one of their top three most stressful expenses, Finder survey found.
Research from Finder discovered that households were coughing up $37 more on their weekly groceries, which is a 25 per cent increase from February 2022 (stock image)
Almost half of all households surveyed listed groceries as one of their top three most stressful expenses (stock image)
The report also reveals millennials are spending more than other generations. Their weekly spend is $197, compared with $149 for baby boomers, $187 for gen Xers and $186 for generation Z.
Money expert at Finder, Sarah Megginson, said households are facing some ‘very tough times’ as escalating grocery costs become a massive extra burden.
‘Aussies are having to change how and where they shop just to keep food on the table,’ she said.
Those living in Western Australia have witnessed the sharpest jump in their weekly grocery bills, which have risen by more than a third, while NSW residents are coughing up more than any other state.
Money expert at Finder, Sarah Megginson, recommended families stick to a shopping list, shop late at night and stock up on staple items when they’re on sale to save money (stock image)
But there are several ways families can save money on their weekly grocery shop.
Ms Megginson recommended sticking to a shopping list so you’re not ‘wasting money on unplanned purchases’, shopping late at night when meat and poultry is discounted by up to 80 per cent and signing up to a supermarket’s rewards program.
She suggested households also ‘stock up on staples when they’re on sale and compare prices of big-ticket items like washing detergent and pet food online’.
Other ways households can save could be through buying frozen or tinned food, buying store brands and avoiding speciality ingredients.
The price for groceries has increased by almost 10 per cent over the past year.
Australia’s National Food Supply Chain Alliance forecasts an 8 per cent increase throughout 2023.
How to save money at the supermarket amid cost of living crisis
1. Shop at night
2. Buy in bulk
3. Buy frozen or tinned
4. Find a co-op or farmer’s market
5. Go to specialty stores as they are closer with suppliers, typically
6. Choose imperfect foods
7. Buy store brands
8. Buy based on the season
9. Cut back on meat
10. Avoid specialty ingredients
11. If you don’t like it, return it
12. Get discounted supermarket gift cards


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China is pushing forward with its experiment in creating a digital version of the Yuan. It will give foreign athletes and visitors a chance to use digital yuan at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. It could be the first test for china’s digital currency with International users.
“For the upcoming 2022 Beijing winter Olympics, we were trying to make e-CNY available not only to domestic users but also to international athletes and like visitors,” Li Bo, the Chinese Central bank vice governor, said on Sunday at the Boao Forum, APAC-focused finance, and business summit.
Li Said the Chinese Central bank will include “more scenarios and more cities” to test the digital Yuan.
Li Bo, deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), said the aim of digital Yuan or e-CNY (electronic Chinese Yuan) does not replace US dollar dominance on the international stage.
China broadly recognises itself as one of the leaders in the development of Central bank-backed digital currency. It has been developing digital Yuan since 2014. It first major economy to trail such a project. Smaller nations, including the Bahamas, have launched digital currencies.
The CBDCs aim to reduce the payment in cash and make the payment system more reliable and ease international transactions.
“For the Internationalization of renminbi, we have said many times that it’s a natural process, and our goal is not to replace the US dollar or any other international currency,” Li said. The market would be responsible for the impact on global investment and trade.
Li also said that the Chinese Central bank collaborated with potential partners to find cross-border solutions for trading and transaction. The PBOC is also working with other banks, including Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong.
“Our main focus is that we want to establish a very solid domestic e-CNY first, and build up a healthy eco-system. At the same time, working with our international partners,” Li said.


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TORIA Nichole, Miss Universe Bahamas, has been partying with the world’s best footballer Ronaldo at the premiere of his new film ‘Ronaldo’.
Ms Nichole, 27 from Nassau, was hard to miss at the London event, with her white satin sash marking her out as this year’s beauty pageant champion.
She told the UK newspaper The Daily Mail that it was the first time she had met the Real Madrid and Portuguese star. “We were introduced via a friend,” she said. “The film’s excellent and meeting Ronaldo was a bonus.”
The 6ft 1in Ms Nichole, who has ambitions to be a fashion designer and considers herself a perfectionist, was crowned in September. She will compete at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant in Las Vegas on December 20.


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Plastc launched in 2014 with the promise of shipping a single card that could digitally hold 20 credit or debit cards that a user could switch between. The company raised more than $9 million through preorders, and today, after shipping to no backers, the company said it’s planning to file for bankruptcy and will shut down.
With that, all backers’ money is lost, and no Plastc cards will ship. Plastc announced the news on its website today along with the fact that all its employees have been laid off. Its customer care and social media channels have also been shut down.
The team writes that it’s, “disappointed and emotionally distraught, and while we know this is extremely disappointing for you, we want our backers to know that we did everything we could to make Plastc Card a reality.”
The company explains that it thought it would close $3.5 million in funding in February this year, but that fell through. Another possible investment deal of $6.75 million fell through, too. What’s not clear is how more than $9 million wasn’t sufficient to get backers their orders. Backers will likely have questions and want their money back, but with no one to turn to from Plastc, they’ll likely be out the cash.
My current phone does not have a headphone jack. My favorite headphones need one. After being fed up with losing and forgetting dongles, I thought there must be a better way. Despite a plethora of excellent wireless options currently available, my favorite portable headphones are a pair of in-ear monitors (IEMs) from a little known company outside of audiophilia, the VSonic GR07. I keep on returning to them despite dozens of other headphones I’ve reviewed over the years, but the inconvenience of dongle life soured the experience. Then I realized I could easily add Bluetooth to the GR07 – and… This story continues at The Next Web
iQiyi, the Baidu-owned video streaming service known as China’s version of Netflix, has announced that it will release the world’s first 4K VR headset with 8K panoramic video playback capabilities. The headset will apparently be called VR II, and is scheduled to launch in May. Having previously partnered with Qualcomm on VR technology, iQiyi says […]


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Besieged car shop hangs on
EXETER — Among large dirt piles, heavy machinery, cranes, a construction crew, metal fencing and the assembly of a 65,000-square-foot building, a little auto clinic is trying to survive.
The state motto, "Live Free or Die," rings true for Rabih Abounaja, owner of Herb and Rob's Auto Clinic on Portsmouth Avenue. His shop has been in business for 11 years at the location on the corner of Portsmouth Avenue and Holland Way, in front of the 9.5-acre building lot where a Super Stop & Shop is being constructed.
Abounaja has about nine years left in his 20-year lease and has no plans to move or close shop until his lease runs out.
"I've been in this town for 18-years; I just cannot go anywhere else," he said Wednesday morning at his shop.
Abounaja has refused to give up his building and location despite efforts to buy out his lease by Kevin King - who owns Abounaja's building and much of the land where the grocery store is being built - and the Richmond Company, which is developing the site.
"It's very hard," Abounaja said about maintaining business with all the construction going on around his shop. "Customers can't get in as much as they used to; there used to be four entrances, now there are two partial entrances."
King did not respond to calls from the News-Letter.
A chain-link perimeter fence has been erected in front and at the side of the auto shop. During recent weeks bulldozers have been piling up large mounds of dirt toward the front of the building, and construction crews have been parking their vehicles behind his shop, cutting parking for customers and employees of the auto clinic in half.
When the wind picks up, dust blows through the shop, leaving layers of grit on all the cars. Abounaja said before he returns any cars after they have been repaired, he has to clean them because they get so dirty.
On Abounaja's 44th birthday on Sept. — he was in the bathroom of his shop when the ceiling fell down on him. He said construction workers were tearing down walls at the old Mama Lena's restaurant next to his shop, when the ceiling and several foot-long nails fell on him.
"They've had no explanation for me yet," he said about the incident. He said he contacted the police after the ceiling fell and was told all he could do was take them to court.
During the interview on Wednesday, two workers with a paving company that's contracted for the building site came into his shop, one shirtless, asking if his building was being torn down like the others. Abounaja, clearly irritated said, "You see what they do," pointing to the two young workers. "No, I'm not going anywhere," he told the workers. He said just about every day somebody from the construction company comes in and asks when the store is getting torn down.
Although Abounaja, who moved to the United States from Lebanon about 25 years ago, said he doesn't want to point fingers, he said since construction has begun around his shop, he's lost phone service 10 times, sometimes all day; he's lost power, and is currently without heat.
"Everything they promised me, they broke it," the Stratham resident said.
Before work began at the site he said the shop was servicing about 40 vehicles a day. Currently he said he's lucky if it gets 10 to 15 vehicles. But that's hard to tell if you drive by the shop. The front parking lot is always filled with vehicles, and driving through the parking lot is sometimes difficult because the cars are parked so close together. Just about all the customers are return customers to the shop, and attracting new business is difficult because most people are drawn away by all the construction work and the next door building cut in half, he said.
Finding an entrance to the shop has become difficult as the rear entrance off Holland Way has been closed, and the two small entrances on Portsmouth Avenue are only partially open.
Despite the business not having the same clientele as years past, Abounaja hasn't laid anyone off. He said he'd rather take the loss than put someone out of a job.
Peter Hamilton, spokesman for Stop & Shop, said the store is expected to be opened in early November.
When asked if the auto clinic staying at the site will affect business at Stop & Shop, he said in an e-mail, "Stop & Shop is in numerous shopping center locations where it coexists in harmony with many other retail (establishments)."


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By ELI MEIXLER 10:52 PM EST
If good design is about creating a seamless experience, there are few who understand this better than Samsung’s (SAMSUNG-CT) executive vice president Don-Tae Lee, who spoke with Time Inc. executive editor Clay Chandler at the Brainstorm Design conference in Singapore Wednesday.
“We always think of how we can create sense of seamlessness and cohesiveness across our products so we can deliver a singular experience to consumers,” Lee said. As the head of Samsung’s seven corporate design center studios (only his second job, Chandler noted), Lee oversees a staff of over 1,500 designers working to harmonize Samsung’s diverse family of products — from smartphones and TVs to home appliances and computing devices. When a customer is using a Samsung product, Lee said, the experience must be identifiable as one that flows from a Samsung product. “That’s the kind of seamless experience we try to achieve,” he told Brainstorm Design.
Focusing on user experience helps Samsung’s global design teams “coordinate” their efforts in markets across the world and create “products in the home environment to work together”.
Lee joined Samsung in 2015 from London-based design firm Tangerine, his first stop in the design world. The company also famously produced Apple (AAPL, -0.09%) design mastermind Jony Ive.
Samsung was then reeling, battling smartphone rivals Apple (AAPL, -0.09%) in a costly lawsuit and seeing off competition from Chinese upstarts Xiaomi (XIAOMI, +0.00%), and Huawei (HUAWEI, +0.00%). The South Korean tech and electronics giant’s last quarter profits dropped 37% in 2014, while reviews found its flagship Galaxy S5 smartphone a lackluster reboot of the S4.
Lee has since overseen a reinvention of Samsung’s design identity by helping “move the brand of Samsung” from being a technology-driven company to being “a user-and life-style centric brand.” The company is also stepping up to competitors Apple and Google in the next major tech battlegrounds: smart home appliances like the Frame TV, a new television that’s “designed as a beautiful object, whether turned on or off,” Lee said, after Samsung learned that most consumers spend four hours per day watching TV — meaning 20 hours per day, the television was turned off. “We realized that the TV needs to be branded into the home environment,” Lee said, by allowing users to customize their “off” display with famous pieces of art, or family photos.
Another product, Family Hub, promises to “change the pattern with the kitchen environment,” often the heart of a family home. With a smart refridgerator at its core, Family Hub aims “to combine different products in the home environment” with an interactive screen that will help simplify domestic tasks, Lee said.
Lee also oversaw the reimagining of Samsung’s Galaxy Note smartphone series, adding real metal and glass to improve the feel of phones while also boosting cutting-edge hardware, like a revamped high-speed camera and facial and iris recognition software. The New Galaxy Note also incorporates pioneering features, like a writing stylus that aids rapid communication between teams, Lee said.
Samsung also presented a slew of new digital Smart apps at CES 2018 that connect users in their cars to all of their SmartThings-enabled home appliances via a “digital cockpit,” Lee said. Users can turn on lights, or turn up their heating before even entering the house.
In fact, combining new digital opportunities with the experience of driving a traditional car is “one of the biggest challenges” facing designers today, Lee said. That’s where seamlessness comes in again. Focusing on user experience helps Samsung’s global design teams “coordinate” their efforts in markets across the world and create “products in the home environment to work together,” Lee said.
This article was originally published on
Fortune on 6 Mar 2018


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Yoo-Il Lee reflected on strong performance of 2013, the way ahead and the consideration to undertake a major brand rehauling & conquer the next frontier US market.
The Korean SUV maker on Thursday announced a record revenue growth for the year 2013 ofRs 20,200 crore and a marginal loss of Rs 13.93 crore.
Mahindra's sole compact SUV, Quanto, has seen a hard time in terms of volumes since its launch. M&M hopes to take on the likes of a Ford EcoSport, and Renault Duster.
Mahindra South Africa has had its best annual sales in a decade of operating in the country during 2013.
M&M will come up with 3 completely new vehicle platforms, including 1 for a compact sports utility vehicle, between 2015 & 2017 as part of its programme to strengthen products range.
All variants of the new Santa Fe are powered by a four-cylinder, 2.0-litre CRDI engine capable of producing 197 PS at 3,800 rpm.
Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) is working on a new mass-market SUV and plans to position it as the lowest-price vehicle in this segment.
Most of these firms are keen on foreign expansion, largely through acquisitions, and would also expand domestically through both organic and inorganic routes.


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US: Tastybaby launches frozen organic baby food
Tastybaby, the organic baby food company, has launched its tenth organic frozen food, "Corn in the USA", made from 100% organic American sweet corn.
The line will be available from the end of March in 75 select grocery and natural foods stores nationwide.
In the six months since the brand was launched, Tastybaby has secured national distribution will soon announce expansion into the rocky mountain region, the southwest and southeast.
"We take our mission to create pure and healthy foods for babies and toddlers very seriously, but our attitude is playful and parents are responding really positively," said Shannon Swanson, co-founder of Tastybaby.
The new products include two ranges, "Life's a Peach" and "Peas on Earth," and come in boxes containing three 3.5oz individual, re-sealable cups and retail for about US$5.50.
Health concerns in the US are driving up sales of organic baby food and drinks.
A survey by Mintel in November reported that over 60% of American mothers place a high value on "all natural" food despite its higher price.
Disney Consumer Products UK is launching a range of frozen foods for children using cartoon character Mickey Mouse....
UK frozen food firm Birds Eye has launched a range of upmarket frozen vegetables....
UK frozen food firm Birds Eye has made an addition to its range....
Polish food group Agros Nova is preparing to enter the frozen food category, with new product launches under its Lowicz brand planned for this autumn....
SunOpta, which operates in the natural and organic food sector, has announced that its SunOpta Global Organic Ingredients (SGOI) division has secured a raft of supply deals, primarily in Central Ameri...
US pasta-to-cheese maker Monterey Gourmet Foods has appointed Mark Frandsen to its board of directors....
Two of Japan's top convenience store operators are expanding their lines of JPY100 (US$0.93) store-brand frozen foods....
The confidence that private equity has in the food sector came to the fore again this week with Lion Capital's move to buy two household names - Young's and Findus....
- 2017: three major drivers of M&A strategy
- just-food 2017 Survey - your thoughts on growth
- Food market in 2017: need-to-know US trends
- 2017 - what will shape the UK food sector?
- Could BRF's Turkey move pave way for OneFoods IPO?
- Premier Foods issues profit warning
- UK's Bakkavor plays down IPO "speculation"
- Ferrero insists Nutella not pulled from shelves
- Lindt sees FY sales acceleration on Europe growth
- Unilever sets packaging target


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- Market Capitalization, $K 6,528,288
- Shares Outstanding, K 284,457
- Annual Sales, $ 870,460 K
- Annual Income, $ -430,920 K
- 60-Month Beta 3.04
- Price/Sales 7.75
- Price/Cash Flow N/A
- Price/Book 2.72
|Period||Period Low||Period High||Performance|
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-9.95 (-28.28%)since 04/14/22
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-12.43 (-33.00%)since 02/17/22
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-25.36 (-50.12%)since 05/17/21
Despite posting a stable earnings report in the last quarter, the shares of Fintech company Affirm Holdings (AFRM) are down 76.4% in price year-to-date. So, let's evaluate if it is worth betting on the...
The cost of chip manufacturing is expected to go up in 2022.
Companies in The News Are: TWTR,EQRX,AFRM,EDR
A blockbuster partnership could help to turbocharge the e-commerce leader's growth.
The payments companies all generated solid results for the quarter ending March 31.
Morning Markets June S&P 500 futures (ESM22 ) this morning are currently up by +1.45% as they rebound from Thursday’s 13-1/2 month low. An easing of rate-hike worries sparked a rally in stock indexes...
Wall Street appeared to be in a better mood on Friday.
AFRM earnings call for the period ending March 31, 2022.
Affirm Holdings (AFRM) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of 57.78% and 5.21%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 2022. Do the numbers hold clues to what lies ahead for the stock?
Affirm (NASDAQ: AFRM), the payment network that empowers consumers and helps merchants drive growth, announced today a multi-year extension of its partnership in the U.S. with Shopify, a provider of essential...
|3rd Resistance Point||28.23|
|2nd Resistance Point||26.88|
|1st Resistance Point||24.91|
|1st Support Level||21.59|
|2nd Support Level||20.24|
|3rd Support Level||18.27|


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Virtual reality has (justifiably) been the biggest story in the tech world over the past few weeks. Oculus launched the Rift, HTC launched the Vive and gamers are finally getting the chance to see how much potential VR has. But you don’t have to spend $600 on a headset to digitally alter the world around you.
More than 8% of the earth’s adult population has diabetes, which means close to 390 million need to check their glucose levels on a regular basis. Checking sugar levels can be an annoying and rather invasive process, as it most often requires the use of needles to draw actual blood, which then gets tested on a special device. Many researchers are looking into more user-friendly ways of measuring glucose, including temporary tattoos that can be applied to the skin and accurately take sugar measurements without once breaching the protective skin layer. More →
Here’s what we know: we’ve been told the Google Nexus 1 (yes, the Google phone Arrington nailed) will be sold by Google online directly. But that’s also the “first retail channel” and it will be sold by a carrier/s. Apparently the Wall Street Journal is running a story tomorrow saying what we just told you. And heck, we don’t charge subscription fees…
UPDATE: So, we’re hearing Best Buy should sell this as well when it launches.
Look out, Motorola, because HTC has just fired a major salvo at your lines just two days before you officially enter into the Android arms race. HTC, the world’s largest manufacturer of smartphones with Google’s open OS has come out and announced its ultra-affordable offering in the Tattoo (aka HTC Click). According to HTC’s literature, the Tattoo is all about customization thanks not only to the Sense UI but also customizable covers from HTC. Just because it’s affordable doesn’t mean HTC is looking to sell people yesterday’s garbage as the Tattoo has specs that rival higher end offerings from other companies with specs. Examples include the following: 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen display, 3.2 megapixel camera, 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth, accelerometer, digital compass, microSD slot, Wi-Fi, GPS, and dual-band (900/2100MHz) 7.2Mbps UMTS/HSDPA alongside quad-band EDGE. As for the brains of the device, the Tattoo has 512MB RAM/256MB ROM and a 528MHz processor which should be enough power to keep up with most users demands. The HTC Tattoo will be available abroad starting at $0 on contract in early October. Hit the jump for two more official press photos.
Ahhhhh marketing agencies. Buy your clients dinner at the right restaurant and you can convince them to do almost anything. Case in point: The Mister Cartoon-branded Samsung r450 on its way to MetroPCS. On the back of marketing firm SA Studios Global, Samsung and MetroPCS have teamed with famed tattoo artist Mark Machado a.k.a. Mister Cartoon to release a limited edition SCH-r450. The handset will feature tattoo-centric wallpapers, ringtones and animations beneath a re-colored case complete with Mister Cartoon-designed graphics on the battery cover. We hope you’re ready to pounce on this bad boy, MetroPCS fans — only 30,010 of these gems will be assembled, with the first 10 to be signed by Mister Cartoon and auctioned off for charity.
Hooray for non-information! Hunting for trademarks is the latest trend in terms of ongoing efforts to prowl on handset manufacturers and dig up any possible bit of minutiae related to unannounced handsets. It’s a double-edged sword, really — awesome, so now we know that some day HTC may release handsets dubbed Vigor, Dawn, Imagio, Interlude and/or Tattoo. We still know nothing about any of these potential powerhouses beyond a few assumptions: A) Based on DigiTimes’ assertion, two and a half of these five handsets will run Android. B) The like-named audio snippet peddler IMAGIO will likely be unhappy if HTC releases a handset called Imagio because its Google cred will tank. C) The Tattoo will probably have some kind of atrocious pattern covering its case, or at least its battery cover. D) Many, many people with too much time on their hands will use these potential handset names as keywords when trying to dig up info on unannounced HTC kit. E) Interlude is a terrible name for a handset — unless it runs Windows Mobile 6.5 because then it will in fact just be an interlude.


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DETROIT — Perched at the top of McLaren Automotive's product lineup is the Ultimate Series, an elite group of hypercars built in scarce production runs with prices that start in the high six figures.
That's far out of reach for most of the North American vehicle market, but McLaren is expanding the segment rapidly — to tantalize buyers who can reach them.
Last month, McLaren took the wraps off the Elva roadster, a $1.82 million nameplate that will have a run of only 399 vehicles.
The Elva marks the third Ultimate Series nameplate the brand has introduced since the P1 gas-electric hybrid launched in 2013 with a production run of 375 cars.
"P1s were about $1 million, $1.1 million in the U.S.," recalled McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt during a stop in Detroit. "And we thought at that point, 'Hey, you know, we might come back into the segment every 10 years.' "
But the reception for the P1 prompted McLaren to speed up that timeline.
"The Ultimate segment, which is a several-million-pound segment, is much stronger, much healthier," Flewitt told Automotive News. "McLaren has gained much stronger credibility in that segment, and more quickly than we had planned."
McLaren followed up the P1 with the P1 GTR, a track-only variant with a sold-out run of just 58 vehicles. In 2018, production began on the Senna, which had a starting price of nearly $1 million. At the time, it was McLaren's most-powerful road-legal car, and also its lightest. The production run of 500 vehicles was sold out as soon as McLaren announced it in late 2017. The company then added a GTR variant, limited to just 75 cars, which also sold out.
"You've got to seduce people," Flewitt said. "People really have to want it to spend a million pounds ($1.29 million) on a motor car. You've got to produce something that is not just technically special, but it's emotionally appealing. And if you do, and your brand is trusted, that credibility builds."
The company's new Ultimate Series Speedtail may be the strongest test of that philosophy to date.
The futuristic Speedtail, with a three-seat layout paying homage to the iconic McLaren F1 of the 1990s, carries the highest starting price in McLaren's portfolio, at around $2.3 million.
Its production is limited to 106 vehicles, which mirrors the number of F1s built.
Speedtail deliveries begin in January, but the model was sold out before it was even officially announced in late 2016, before it had been given an official name.
The high-end sensation isn't lost on Flewitt.
"It's wonderful that customers have the confidence in McLaren that they basically signed up for that car two and a half years before we were even putting it into production," he said.
The addition of Ultimate Series models takes place as the British exotic brand records substantial sales growth. McLaren sold 4,806 vehicles globally in 2018, up from 1,654 in 2015.
Such numbers are almost rounding errors for some automotive brands. And the Ultimate Series totals are even smaller. But Flewitt said that McLaren is benefiting from something else.
"We're playing in a market segment that's all about exclusivity," Flewitt said. "I come from a traditional automotive background, and volume was the defining thing. How many cars you made defined your success."
But volume, he said, "is almost an irrelevant measure for us."
Exclusivity and volume work against each other. McLaren could've sold more P1s and Sennas had it built more, he said, but larger production runs might have had an adverse impact on demand.
"We announce a limited-run car like Speedtail, 106 cars, and they sell out. And you think, 'Should have I done 150?'
"But the reality is that you could pick too high a number and it would dampen demand. People wouldn't want it because it wasn't exclusive," said Flewitt. "It's a bit of an art form.
"The high price, the low volume and the exclusivity [are] part of the appeal for people, without a doubt."
Each Ultimate Series model was developed to serve a different purpose.
The Senna is seen as a track car that happens to be road legal. The 1,035-hp gasoline-electric hybrid Speedtail, with luxurious interior materials and room for three inside, along with precision aerodynamics, is viewed as a hypercar and grand tourer built into one.
The most recent addition, the Elva, is the most extreme yet. It has a carbon-fiber chassis and body but has no roof, windscreen, side windows or even an audio system — all in an effort to be McLaren's lightest car to date.
"We're very often pushing boundaries. We're very often setting targets for ourselves that we don't actually know how to meet yet," Flewitt said.
"We're going to meet that target through the development of the car, which keeps our cars at the edge in terms of performance."


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I was interested to read that East Sussex County Council has substantially reduced car parking charges on many parts of Eastbourne seafront this winter.
We had visitors staying this week who wanted to buy gifts from the RNLI Museum and shop in the Wish Tower car park to support this very worthwhile cause. The RNLI is currently operating in a portacabin while the museum is refurbished).
However our visitors were dismayed to see that the Wish Tower car park operated by Eastbourne Borough Council was showing charges as a minimum of £1.60 for an hour, with a notice actually on the RNLI portacabin saying “Don’t forget to pay & display”.
Why hasn’t Eastbourne Borough Council reduced its charges in line with ESCC on seafront car parks for the winter?
We were able to advise our visitors to park on the seafront rather than in the Wish Tower car park to take advantage of the reduced charges, but many visitors may not be aware of this, and pay the higher rate.


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"Face Book" Brand Food Not Coming Soon, Says Chinese Court
Don’t look out for it.
You can't access Facebook in China, and now a court says you won't be able to buy canned vegetables that fraudulently imply association with the social network.
The Zhongshan Pearl River company wanted to register "face book" as a trademark to sell a variety of food and drink items including canned goods, potato chips and coffee. After a challenge from an American company with a remarkably similar name, a Chinese court ruled that the company “violated moral principles” with “obvious intention to duplicate and copy from another high-profile trademark.”
We're no experts on product marketing in China, but we don't actually understand why "face book" food would appeal to anyone. Perhaps this is not a major loss for the Zhongshan Pearl River company.


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Help & support
Commonwealth Bank today announced a range of measures to help dairy producers struggling with the current fall in milk prices.
Commonwealth Bank Regional and Agribusiness Banking Executive General Manager, Geoff Wearne, said: “We know some of our dairy farming customers have been hit hard by the current pricing issues.
“We know this is a very tough time for those affected and we are concerned for their welfare. We have already started to contact our customers to let them know that we are here to listen and help them through this difficult time.”
We have a number of options for our agribusiness customers that we can consider on a case by case basis. These include:
Commonwealth Bank always seeks to engage customers early to discuss options and work through any difficulties that may arise.
Those customers experiencing hardship can also contact the CBA Business Service Centre on 1300 772 968 or their Relationship Manager.
In addition, we encourage customers to contact the Department of Agriculture who provide free rural financial counselling for hardship cases: Rural Financial Counselling Service on 1800 686 175.


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Majestic Wines has given its staff an extra day of holiday today to kick off 2020, as a thank you for their hard work throughout 2019.
The gesture also reflects the company’s gratitude for staff patience during a “turbulent year” for the retailer.
The nationwide network of 195 stores is now closed until January 3, with more than 1,000 members of staff given an extra day of paid leave (on January 2) to kickstart the year.
Newly-appointed executive chairman and chief executive officer, John Colley, said: “If you speak to anyone about Majestic, it is usually our people, their local store teams, that come up in conversation first. That is because Majestic is a business which is built on our people – they are at the core of everything we stand for. They have had a difficult year with a lot of uncertainty, so I am delighted that we were able to give each of them an extra day to relax, and to raise a glass to the next chapter of Majestic’s history.”
Colley said it is too early to comment on Christmas trading but he indicated he was proud of the early signs under new private ownership.
“We will crunch the numbers when we get back into work, but I have been out on the shop floor right the way through December and the energy, enthusiasm and sheer hard work from our teams is there to see. I hope they enjoy a thoroughly well deserved extra day off in January – and I can’t wait to get cracking again in the New Year.”


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By David Vranicar TechNewsWorld 12/04/12 8:36 AM PT
Today in international tech news: iTunes doubles its coverage with 56 new countries, including Russia. Also: Dropbox, like so many U.S. Internet companies before it, is setting up an international office in Ireland; the iPhone 5 is primed for huge expansions; and the U.S. Ambassador reaffirms the stance that the UN Conference on International Telecommunications shouldn’t meddle with the Internet.
The iTunes store has opened up in Russia and a slew of other countries that were previously left off its coverage map.
According to Cnet, the 56-country expansion nearly doubles the number of countries in which iTunes is now available. Turkey, India and South Africa were also part of the launch, which Apple says will feature local and international music targeted at specific audiences.
Cnet pegs Russia as one of the greatest challenges to Apple’s music sector. Russia not only boasts a handful of legitimate downloading services, but is also one of the world’s hotbeds for piracy.
Dropbox Eyes Dublin for Second Office
Online storage and syncing provider Dropbox plans to open its first international office in Dublin, Ireland, according to AllThingsD.
The international push for Dropbox makes sense. The majority of its 100 million users are from abroad, and one-third are from Europe, CEO Drew Houston said. Getting into a different time zone helps the company as well, as the Dublin office will handle myriad tasks — sales account management, user operations, support, etc. — that are best carried out during the workday. Ireland is eight hours ahead of California.
AllThingsD doesn’t quote Houston discussing Ireland’s tax rates, but that, too, could be an incentive for Dropbox. A handful of U.S.-based Internet companies have also set up shop in Ireland, which has a more palatable corporate tax rate than most other western European countries.
Ireland has a 12.5 percent corporate tax rate, compared to 35 percent in the U.S. and somewhere between 20 to 30 percent in the UK.
Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Apple are among the companies that save billions in taxes each year by using Irish subsidiaries. Government officials in the UK and Australia, among other places, have called out U.S. companies that skirt taxes, albeit legally, by operating out of Ireland.


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Pucci Design District
The Prince of Prints — Emilio Pucci — is now open for business in the Design District.
155 NE 40th Street, Design District
The Prince of Prints — Emilio Pucci — just joined the luxurious lineup in the Design District. Located in the former Kartell space and nestled between Christian Louboutin and Cartier, the shop opened last week.
The new store collaborated with renowned French architect Joseph Dirand where the boutique's ambiance boasts an keen eye for design — in keeping with the Design District’s original roots.
The goods? The store is currently brimming with pieces from Pucci Creative Director Peter Dundas’ Pre-Fall Collection which is heavily influenced by the '60s — think modern silhouttes, monochromatic tints and A-line shifts.
A former Bal Harbour Shops mainstay, Pucci now calls the Design District and Aventura Mall home.
- VINCE Opens at Village of Merrick Park
- Vanity Projects Brings Luxury Nail Art to the 305
- Jason of Beverly Hills Dazzles the Design District
- Wynwood Letterpress Opens with Handmade Charm
- Warby Parker Annex Finds New Home in Wynwood
- Designer Casa
- The Hub Stores Brings European Glamour to the 305
- Interview with OMEGA VP Raynald Aeschlimann
- Lost Boy Dry Goods
- Market Boutique in SoMi


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According to Autonews, the carmaker announced it is currently building a facility to accommodate production of future Saab-based vehicles. The annual capacity of the facility is expected to be around 300,000 units a year.
Late last year, when Saab's fate was still in the balance, BAIC purchased from GM rights to three vehicle platforms, two engine technologies and two transmission systems. The technologies sold to BAIC refer to Saab 9-3 and 9-5 models, as well as tooling.
In addition to using these technologies in building a new line of vehicles, the Chinese also plan to integrate the Saab know-how into what it currently manufacturers. The start of production of models based on the old Saab's is expected to take place next year.
The production plan calls for Saab engineers to assist BAIC in its efforts to create its own model.
"This arrangement is excellent for both parties, now and for the future. We have developed a good relationship with BAIC and look forward to working with them to integrate this Saab technology into their future vehicles," Jan Ake Jonsson, Managing Director of Saab Automobile said back in December 2009, when the decision to shed old technologies was made.


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J.J. Watt is seeking out answers from the Buffalo payments after their playoff sport towards the Pittsburgh Steelers became postponed earlier of a chief winter storm.
the big apple Governor Kathy Hochul announced on January thirteen that the playoff game scheduled for Sunday afternoon might be moved to Monday at four:30 p.m., permitting the Buffalo region to awareness on the hurricane anticipated to hit starting on Saturday.
After the assertion, Watt took to social media to impeach why the payments could flow the game once they made plans for a brand new stadium without a dome.
As some payments lovers explained to Watt, the game became moved as a protection precaution and not due to any effect the typhoon could have had on playing conditions.
“It’s being moved as it’s risky for gamers, workforce, & enthusiasts to get to the stadium. That wouldn’t alternate if there was a roof at the stadium.”
Buffalo beneath travel Ban ahead of hurricane Had Sunday’s game no longer been postponed, the payments and Steelers could have performed amid dangerous riding conditions.
the brand new sport time might be tremendous to the payments and their skip-heavy offense, as the authentic game time would were performed with winds anticipated to reach as much as 60 miles in keeping with hour.


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Zellers is making its return to St. Catharines, and while the lowest price may no longer be the law, the reopening of a brick-and-mortar store is bringing a sense of nostalgia and excitement back to Niagara.
The revived discount chain may also no longer be what it was –– with Zeddy bears, french fries and gravy, and Mossimo pants –– but reality is doing little to dampen spirits.
At least not Jacob Bergsma’s spirit.
“It’s this company that’s super aligned with Canadiana … you walk into Zellers and it’s red and white and there’s Canadian flags everywhere,” said Bergsma, lead singer of Niagara-based band My Son the Hurricane.
“To see it come back is exciting. I know, of course, it’s still owned by a corporate giant but it almost makes it seem like old-world department stores are coming back — and that’s cool.”
As a teenager, Bergsma’s first job was at Zellers at The Pen Centre. He remembers the talk about shutting down the retailer.
“I didn’t work right up until the end, but I got pretty darn close. So there was always this sort of doom and gloom between those four walls, and seeing it coming back — and I’m not alone in this — is just super exciting,” he said.
On Wednesday, nearly a decade after closing its doors, the retailer announced its return will start with 25 planned locations across the country, including at St. Catharines’ Pen Centre.
A media release said “store experiences” will be housed within Zellers signature red and white, and will feature a selection of products across home decor, toys, baby items, apparel and pets.
The locations will open within Hudson’s Bay stores, and are expected to be between 740 and 930 square metres in size.
All stores will open simultaneously this spring, alongside the first-ever Zellers e-commerce site, zellers.ca.
Both The Pen Centre and HBC were unable to provide additional details about the local store. The mall said it is still having preliminary discussions with Hudson’s Bay Co.
Zellers was founded in 1931 and acquired by HBC in 1978. At its peak, the discount retail store had 350 locations, including a spot at The Pen Centre.
Bergsma last August at the Peterborough Folks Festival wore a Zellers smock to commemorate the announcement the Canadian company would be returning.
Earlier this month, he began posting videos on social media, sharing his experiences working at Zellers –– the good, the bad and the fun.
Including escalator adventures.
“That was always a point of entertainment. We had both an intercom system and the escalators so we were a popular spot for badass teenagers. We’d see kids slide down the escalator and get hurt and then we’d have to both school them and see if maybe we could help them,” recalled Bergsma.
As Zellers is rebranded and relaunched, he said it has been nice, alongside the “sprinkle of nostalgia,” to share “true stories about working in retail in the early 2000s.”
His online posts grabbed the attention of Hudson’s Bay, which retweeted Bergsma’s stories on Twitter.
“I have no association with Zellers. It’s just something I’m doing because that business and that time in my life was such a significant and informative time in my life that I feel the need to share it,” he said.
“I’m speaking to a very niche demographic there, but their reactions have all been very good.”
Michelle Wasylyshen, national spokesperson for Retail Council of Canada, said it is “always exciting” to see a well-recognized brand from the past return.
“Retail is one of the most interesting, dynamic and competitive industries in Canada and so we expect to see additional retail banners enter, or re-establish themselves, within the Canadian market,” she said.


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2020 was an unprecedented year in countless ways. With millions of people sheltering at home, adapting to new ways of work, and discovering how to stay connected with loved ones and friends, it is no wonder that the internet exploded even more in popularity and utility. This infographic, compiled and visualized with insider data from Semrush.com, explores the amount of traffic the 50 most profitable internet companies received in 2020. Amazon received a staggering 277 visitors per second, but this pales in comparison to Google’s (Alphabet) 1,264.9 visitors per second. Zillow enjoyed a major burst of popularity at 30.7 visitors per second – with so many people spending more time at home than ever before, it is no wonder that finding a more ideal place to live became a top priority. This also explains Wayfair’s 21.6 visits per second as people undoubtedly shopped to improve their living environments. Overall, the data reveals changes and patterns in how humans approached the internet when the world flipped upside down.
Infographic by: semrush


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12 Aug 2022 at 15:38 I Paid content
Both Norway and Germany are gateways.
Until recently, there was no interest in Chinese cars in Europe. However, the situation is changing. They no longer have to beg large dealer networks, but choose themselves through which to enter the market.
This is due to the declining volume of new car sales in Europe. The reason is not only the supply crisis, but also the limitation of the production of cars with combustion engines and the transition to more expensive electric cars. Interest in them is growing, but in significantly smaller numbers.
Dealers are starving, so to speak, and at the same time looking for a way to ensure the supply of new cars to customers. As it seems, they found the solution in Chinese electric cars.
Of the 1.2 million new electric cars in Europe last year, 16 percent were imported from China. It is estimated that the share will double this year.
The union of two big players
A few days ago, the Chinese automobile giant Great Wall Motor announced its arrival in Europe.
He entered into cooperation with the largest European dealer, the Swiss group Emil Frey, which has also been operating in Slovakia since 2016 and covers the sale of cars of the Stellantis concern. The information was brought by the German weekly Automobilwoche.
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Food trucks pop up in Panama City after hurricane
PANAMA CITY — Food trucks from anywhere were welcome sights in Hurricane Michael's immediate aftermath — not just for foodies, but for survival. And four months after the hurricane, several out-of-town trucks and mobile units have continued to claim their stake in parking lots around the city.
Local food trucks — such as Dovalina's Wood-Fired Pizza, I Roll Lumpia, The Prime Rib Guy, and Temperley's British Eatery — have continued to thrive with their quality gourmet offerings and familiar faces in a community that has grown even stronger since the hurricane. Many of these, also including Back Porch BBQ Concession Trailer, have even served free food to those in need.
Food trucks also have filled the void for local restaurants. Pepper's Food Truck has been set up in the restaurant parking lot till the building reopens mid-March, Finns Island Style Grub Express food truck rolled out in December with Christmas lights, and the Back Beach Barbecue food truck catered at Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center in January. The food truck from Son's 1936 Smokehouse also was spotted on 23rd Street this week.
Coming soon: Tracey Sharp Strachan's Curbside Bistro is in the works after Sharp Kitchen's store front on 23rd Street was destroyed in October. And Ernie Hall has been working on installing instant hot water supply lines on his new Just the Cook food boat, which he hopes to have open by next weekend. Hall plans to leave the boat on the trailer — and not at a marina — and pull it around to different locations to start.
Check out local and regional gourmet food truck favorites in one place at this weekend's Panama City Beach Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival.
While I have gotten to know the owners of local food trucks over the years, I have wondered: Are the out-of-town visitors — serving everything from tacos to hot dogs — following food truck regulations?
"Food trucks operating in Panama City are required to have a business license, which can be obtained by visiting City Hall," said Panama City Public Information Officer Caitlin Lawrence. "They are regulated by the Florida Dept. of Business & Professional Regulations (DBPR) - Division of Hotels & Restaurants."
According to Al Hester, chief license inspector for the City of Panama City, food trucks are inspected prior to being approved to operate as a regular restaurant and subject to the same criteria.
"This process protects our citizens and ensures food truck operators are inspected by DBPR for health and safety," added Jared Jones, Assistant City Manager.
Both the City Business License and Hotels & Restaurants License, an active business registration on Sunbiz.org, are good for one year.
"The food truck situation has been a double-edged sword since the hurricane," Hester said. "On the one hand they have been a blessing in the absence of many of our regular brick-and-mortar restaurants that have been so heavily damaged that they are inoperable, but, on the other hand is the very difficult task of regulating them and ensuring they have the proper licenses. While our 'business license' is very important to us, as a municipality, the public should be on the lookout for the state license from the Florida Dept. of Business and Professional Regulations - Division of Hotels & Restaurants. One thing the citizens of Panama City can be sure about is, if the truck has a City of Panama City Business License, we have already ensured that they have a state license before issuing ours."
Code Enforcement is on the lookout for food trucks operating in the city limits without a license.
"As the Business Tax Department (License) Inspectors are out in the city, if we see a truck that we don't recognize, we call back to the office to verify if they have a license or not," Hester explained. "If not, we immediately call Code Enforcement to file an official complaint and have them checked out. I have not had any complaints about people getting sick from any food trucks, but if I did I would contact the Hotels & Restaurants Inspectors office located on Richard Jackson Boulevard."
And go with your gut instinct when trying a new eating place.
"My advice for someone visiting an unfamiliar food truck is to look for the obvious — cleanliness," Hester said. "If any citizen encounters a truck in our city limits that they are suspect about, they can call us at the Business Tax Department at 850-872-3033 and we will be happy to check on it for them. Also, a legit food truck will proudly have any current licenses displayed for the public to see. The license(s) will most likely be inside the truck, but within view when ordering."
Though the licensed Dawg House Concessions LLC mobile trailer out of Brooksville has been popular while parked at Lowe's, they recently said good-bye to Panama City — for now — on their Facebook page: "Time away from our kids, and the challenges of securing reasonable long-term housing has proven to be too difficult. We will, however, be back in Bay County in May of 2019 to serve at the multi-day Panama City Beach Jeep Beach Jam. We are excited about the event, and hope to see many of the wonderful people we have met and friends we have made in Bay County at the festival. Thank you for your support and business these past few months, and we wish you, yours, and all of Bay County residents, all the best through these difficult times."


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Chelsea F.C. sale becomes latest record-setting deal at $3.1B
Now that Todd Boehly's €2.5 billion purchase of English soccer club Chelsea F.C. has been approved by the U.K. government, it will go down as the most expensive purchase of a sports franchise in history.
Why it matters: The sale is part of a recent trend of sports teams going for north of $2 billion.
- Along with the price to buy the team from Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, the Boehly-led group is pledging an additional €1.75 billion ($1.87 billion) for "further investment for benefit of the club."
- Boehly also owns the Los Angeles Dodgers and has ownership stakes in the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Sparks.
What's next: Nobody is happier about the sale price than the NFL's Denver Broncos, which have been up for sale since February and are eyeing a $4 billion price tag, which would even further shatter records.


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A Fine Idea
New Austin company launches luxury CBD-infused wellness products and cannabis oil
Austin welcomed many CBD cannabis oil brands over the past year, but a new company is hoping its high-end brand will differentiate it from the rest. Fine Healing Goods officially launches on April 23 with a line of luxury CBD tinctures and CBD-infused wellness products available online and an area boutique.
Fine Healing Goods is the brainchild of Rachel Daugherty, a former corporate exec turned cannabis evangelist. Following a 12-year struggle with infertility, Daughtery was encouraged to try CBD products as a way to manage the stress, pain, and anxiety that accompanied multiple surgeries and IVF treatments.
Initially Daugherty refused, but eventually tested out a CBD bath bomb and found herself stunned by the results. "When you’re getting into the CBD business, the first question you hear industry peers ask is, ‘What was your pain?’ The assumption is that you were struggling with depression, anxiety, muscle pain, insomnia, you name it, and CBD provided such an amazing relief, that you felt it was your mission to share it with others. Well, that’s exactly what happened with me,” said Daugherty in a release.
Also known as cannabinoid, CBD is a naturally occurring oil in hemp, and has reached near-cult status over the past few years. Like marijuana, hemp comes from the cannabis plant, but is high in CBD, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Though marijuana also has CBD, it has higher amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the chemical that makes users feel high. (Plus, CBD is legal in Texas whereas marijuana is not.)
Like her initial foray in CBD, Daugherty is easing into entrepreneurship, launching with just five products (though the press releases teases a few more rollouts this summer). Fine Healing Goods range in price from $35-$115, and currently include CBD wellness drops in lemon and original flavor, exfoliant, bath soak, and body cream, all crafted from organic, Colorado-grown, full spectrum hemp extract.
Daugherty, who formerly worked in marketing, paid special attention to packaging design, using earth-friendly products and branding that looks at home among high-end beauty salves and potions.
"By offering a website that educates consumers on CBD benefits and best practices as well as creating attractive, earth-friendly packaging, my hope is to create a brand that is approachable for all types of consumers," said the founder. In addition to the website, Austinites can purchase Fine Healing Goods at Sentrel Natural Beauty in Northwest Austin.
In honor of the launch, the brand is hosting three celebratory events this May, including a yoga class May 4 at 9:30 am at The Riveter; a pop-up at Limbo Jewelry on May 9 from 5-8 pm; and June & January's Mother’s Day Margarita Celebration, also at The Riveter, on May 11 from 1-3 pm.


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Poland’s Internet penetration rate reached 42 percent in Q2 2007, according to a report from the Polish publication “The Internet Standard.”
In a country with a population of 38 million, SMG/KRC’s NetTrack research places the Internet population at 12.8 million Internet users ages 15 years or older. Another research provider, Gemius/PBI, estimated almost 14.1 million Internet users in May 2007.
Poland’s broadband penetration rate is 3.9 percent, compared to the European Union’s 16.9 percent. In 2006, Poland had 6.9 broadband subscribers per 100 inhabitants, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
The Interactive Advertising Bureau in Poland estimated the Internet advertising market in 2006 to be worth 60 million euros, or $95 million. Internet advertising was an estimated 5 percent of the total media ad spend in Poland that year. In 2007, Internet advertising was expected to reach 115 million euros, or $182 million. The report states, “Online market grows dynamically at a pace of 50 percent per year and is the fastest growing sector among all media.”
The report compiles data from multiple sources, research organizations, and ISPs in Poland.
According to a survey conducted as part of OnBrand Magazine's State of Branding Report 2017, marketers are well aware of the new technologies that are expected to be important to their brands in coming years, but the majority aren't rushing to invest in them before they're fully-baked.
The rise of YouTube and digital video generally has a lot to do with the rise of the internet and the abundance of digital video content. But YouTube's ascendency is also the result of Google's savvy use of algorithms.
In January, following U.S. President Donald Trump's temporary immigration ban, Starbucks announced that it would hire 10,000 refugees over the next five years.
According to data gathered for the report,‘Communications Infrastructure: The Backbone of Digital,’ 88% of IT professionals and 61% of marketers ranked their company’s current communication infrastructure as 'cutting-edge' or 'good.'


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MAC x Ellie Goulding Collection for Holiday 2015
Friday, June 05, 2015 • 59 comments
Exciting news you guys! MAC has announced earlier this week that singer Ellie Goulding will be debuting her own makeup collection with the brand this coming holiday. The announcement was released on Instagram, with a caption saying "Rise up, sing out and shine! Our upcoming collaboration with pop’s most radiant singer-songwriter, @elliegoulding, makes its debut later this year! #MACEllieGoulding".
The limited-edition collection will feature a total of six products including a dreamy nude gloss and lipstick, neutral eyeshadow quad, a bronzer and blush duo as well as a set of wispy false lashes — all perfect for your upcoming holiday events. Are you guys already excited to get you hands on the items from this collaboration?