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CONTAINER PORTS: Boxed in or Busting Out?
Benchmarking the Nation’s top container ports in 2018 and looking ahead to what comes next.The nation’s major ports finished 2018 and began 2019 setting monthly and yearly container volume records, but agitated trade activity in the White House raised questions about what corrections would be permanent and which would not.President Donald Trump said on Febuary 24 he is delaying the scheduled March 1 increase in the tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports. The president said on Twitter he wants to give negotiators more time to reach a comprehensive trade deal with Beijing.
New Savannah-Central America Route
The Port of Savannah welcomed its first Seaboard Marine vessel Wednesday. The new shipping line customer supports Savannah's cold chain logistics system with one new service to Central America, and a second to Latin America and the Caribbean.The ocean carrier's first service to Savannah links the Southeastern U.S. to northern Central America, with Georgia exports centered on frozen poultry and imports composed largely of perishables and apparel produced in Guatemala, El Salvador…
Shipping Firm Fined $4M for Pollution Violation
$1 Million Will Go to Projects that Support Cleanup of Marine Pollution, Preservation of Aquatic Life, and Restoration of Shorelines around Newark Bay.A shipping company based in Italy today admitted discharging oily waste and other pollutants into the sea and then lying about it, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito and Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark announced.The company, d’Amico Shipping Italia S.p.A., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court to an information charging it with violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships.
US Navy's MSC Opens Center for Excellence
Military Sealift Command hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to signify the opening of its new Center for Excellence located on Joint Base Langley-Eustis, March 25.The Military Sealift Command Center for Excellence provides MSC-centric basic training for newly employed civil service mariners (CIVMAR).“Ultimately, the new Military Sealift Command Center for Excellence is replacing the MSC training center in Earl, New Jersey,” said Military Sealift Command Total Force Management Director Mike Morris, who co-officiated the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Senate EPW Committee Hearing Testimony for AAPA CEO Nagle
The hearing will be in Room 406 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. Its purpose is to consider the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) of 2019, and to hear input from stakeholders about implementation of the DERA program.In his prepared remarks, Kurt Nagle shares examples of several ports that have received DERA grants, including the latest one last month in which the EPA awarded a DERA grant of $400,000 to the Alabama State Port Authority to replace a 1982 locomotive with a Tier IV locomotive engine.
Imports at Annual Low on Seasonal Lull, Tariff Worries
With the retail industry in its annual lull between seasons and plans for a tariff increase on hold, imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to drop to their lowest level in almost a year this month, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.“Now that the holiday season is over and summer has yet to crank up, this is the quiet time of year for retail supply chains,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.
Seafarers’ House to Honor AMO's Doell
Paul Doell, National President of the American Maritime Officers (AMO), has been selected as the recipient of Seafarers’ House International Golden Compass Award for 2019.The award is given each year to those who have achieved distinction in the maritime world, those whose vocation or avocation has been the sea, or those who have ministered to or otherwise assisted seafarers.Doell, who heads the nation’s largest union of licensed seagoing professionals, has served the organization for 47 years.
U.S. Army Corps Selects 10 Beneficial Use Pilot Projects
At the end of December, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) announced its selection of ten dredging projects that will form the core of a pilot program to advance the beneficial use of dredged material.The recent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ announcement culminated a program required by Congress, established within the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016, specifically Section 1122. Congress directed that the ten pilot projects selected were required to present environmental…
Maersk, PBF Logistics in Low Sulfur Fuel Deal
Maersk and PBF Logistics LP announce agreement for production and storage of 0.5% sulphur fuel on the U.S. East CoastPBF Logistics terminal facility in New Jersey to deliver approx. 10% of A.P. Moller – Maersk’s annual fuel demand as Maersk continues preparations for the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2020 global sulfur regulation.A.P. Moller - Maersk and PBF Logistics LP announced an agreement for Maersk to source and PBFX to process crude oil at CPI Operations LLC…
Maersk Acquires Customs Broker Vandegrift
Danish shipping giant A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S has acquired Vandegrift, a US-based customs house broker, as the ocean container line pushes further into land-based logistics services and operations. This is the first acquisition of the year in the fast-growing logistics sector.“Vandegrift’s expertise and reputation enables us to place a trusted advisor in front of our customers to design and build individualized Customs Brokerage and Compliance programs that identify risk and provide solutions.
BIMCO: US Box Imports Break Records Despite Uncertainty Ahead
Container imports on both the US East Coast (USEC) and West Coast (USWC) had a strong year in 2018, growing 3.7% and 8% respectively in the first 11 months of the year compared to the same period in 2017.Record high levels of inbound laden containers were experienced on both coasts in October with the USWC at 1.09 million TEU and the USEC at 0.91 million TEU according to BIMCO’s own data.The first two months of 2018 saw the USWC coast’s laden imports increase 11.7% from the start of 2017, with the accumulated growth rate then stabilising to around 4% for the rest of the year.
NY-NJ Port to be First to Use Electric Straddle Carrier in the US
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will conduct the first test at a U.S. port of an electric vehicle to move cargo containers by the end of this year.According to a press release from the port authority, this initiative is to meet aggressive targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions set forth in the Paris Climate Agreement.A straddle carrier is a piece of terminal yard handling equipment that is used to move cargo containers by first straddling the container and then lifting it up and driving over the back of a truck to place the container on the chassis…
Kalmar to Deliver Straddle Carriers to Maher Terminals
The marine industry equipment manufacturer Kalmar is to deliver a further order of straddle carriers to Maher Terminals LLC for use at their marine container terminal located in the Port of New York and New Jersey.According to a press release from Kalmar, part of Cargotec, the order of 26 straddle carriers was booked in Cargotec's 2018 second quarter order intake, and delivery is scheduled to take place during Q1 of 2019.Maher Terminals is one of the largest privately held, multi-user container terminal operators in the world.
14 Port-related Projects Awarded BUILD Grants
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao has (Dec. 11) announced $1.5 billion in discretionary grant funding to 91 projects in 49 states and the District of Columbia. The grants, 14 of which will go to port-related projects, are made through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Grants program and support road, rail, transit, and port infrastructure projects across the country.Port-related projects will receive a total of $229.23 million…
NRF: Retail Imports Slowing but Remain Strong For Now
Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports have slowed down from their pre-holiday peak but remain at unusually high levels as retailers continue bringing in merchandise before tariffs increase in January, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.“Imports have usually dropped off significantly by this time of year but we’re still seeing numbers that could have set records in the past,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.
Seabury Maritime Expands Executive Team
The global maritime and transportation investment bank and industry advisory Seabury Maritime PFRA (SMPFRA), a division of Seabury Capital Group, announced the appointment of Fernando Lehrer as Executive Director, Head of Marine Services, and Nikos Petrakakos as Vice President, Head of Maritime Environmental Innovation.Lehrer and Petrakakos are joining the SMPFRA’s leadership to further advance the company’s strategy to provide an integrated platform to its clients that delivers…
TRAC Intermodal Named a Best Chassis Provider
The Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers has recognized TRAC Intermodal as both the Best Overall Chassis Provider in the Port of New York-New Jersey and for Outstanding Customer Service for the third consecutive year. James Bowe, TRAC Intermodal’s Senior VP and Chief Commercial Officer, also received the Dick Jones Award for Outstanding Assistance and Customer Service.When presenting the award, Bi-State Motor Carriers President Jeff Bader acknowledged that, "providing drivers with reliable…
Port Everglades Names Jenkins Port Security Manager
Port Everglades has appointed Robert “Rob” Jenkins to the position of Port Security Manager, a promotion from Security Compliance Manager.In his new position, Jenkins will be responsible for overseeing security and fire rescue operations and management for the Port, as well as facilitating related contracts, grants and funding. Additionally, he will interface with federal, state and local regulatory agencies that operate in Port Everglades.Jenkins joined the Port staff in 2013.
American P&I Club Manager Prepares for Further Growth
Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc. (SCB), the Manager of the American P&I Club, has recently announced a series of appointments designed to service the Club’s growing membership and help fulfil longer-term goals of continued expansion. The American Club has grown its membership substantially over recent years, tonnage having increased by some 25 percent over the past 24 months, and these appointments are intended to consolidate the Club’s continuing service capabilities in the future.The…
GCT Bayonne Welcomes the ONE Stork
GCT USA has welcomed the Ocean Network Express’ (ONE) first magenta ship on its first dual call to the most advanced terminal in the Port of New York and New Jersey, GCT Bayonne.Following the merger of NYK Line, Mitsui OSK, and “K” Line on April 1, 2018, ultra large container ship (ULCS) ONE STORK joined the Transport High Efficiency (“THE”) Alliance’s EC4 Asia-North America all-water Suez service on its maiden voyage to the East Coast.THE Alliance chose to host all of its Far East all water services at semi-automated GCT Bayonne, due to its award-winning high marine and landside productivity.
Maritime College to Host 'Marine Highways' Conference
Roads around the New York metro area, and up and down many parts of the East Coast, are increasingly congested. The congestion increases air pollution, leads to poor roads, and slows the flow of people and goods throughout the region.On September 27, SUNY Maritime College will host a conference to discuss ways to move cargo transport off land and onto the water, thereby reducing road congestion and air pollution.Other nations and regions around the world are increasingly seeking to move cargo traffic off the roads and onto ships.
Singapore Tops World's Shipping Centre Rankings in 2018
Singapore has emerged as the world's top maritime center for the fourth consecutive time in the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Center Development Index. "Singapore remains unmoved at the top of the International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index for the fifth successive year, following a benchmark report published today (10 July 2018) by the Baltic Exchange and Xinhua, China’s news agency," said a press release. The index covers 43 of the world’s largest ports and…
OP/ED: How Growth Can Benefit the Environment
You might call 2017 a banner year for California ports. San Pedro Bay, home to the nation's leading twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach exceeded their pre-recession peaks. Collectively, San Pedro Bay was up 7.2% from its 2006 peak. It took a decade to get there and while you wouldn't want that sort of annualized growth going forward, it did arguably mark the end of San Pedro Bay's recession dip. More importantly, growth looks to continue in 2018. As of the end of May, year to date container volumes are 3.7% higher over the same period in 2017.
Ports America Names Surett CFO
New Jersey-headquartered marine terminal operator and stevedore Ports America Group, Inc. has named Richard Surett as its new chief financial officer.Surett has been with Ports America since 2010 and most recently held the position of senior vice president, FP&A and treasury. He is a financial professional with more than 20 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings and financial planning and analysis.
Montgomery Named CEO of Ports America
New Jersey-headquartered marine terminal operator and stevedore Ports America Group, Inc. has appointed Mark Montgomery as president and CEO. He replaces former president and CEO, Michael Hassing.Montgomery was previously president and CEO of Ports America Chesapeake (PAC) from 2010 to 2014, and currently serves as a senior advisor and operating partner to the Infrastructure Investing strategy of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (Oaktree), where he brings more than 30 years of…
TRAC Intermodal Adds Chassis with Gensets
TRAC Intermodal has introduced a new product that combines a new Carrier underslung genset with a premium 40-foot marine chassis.These pre-mounted genset-chassis are available through the TRAC Select pool at a convenient location in the New York/New Jersey port complex. The genset-chassis product will be expanded to the Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex in June.The new genset-chassis is focused on improving efficiency by providing a one-stop solution for motor carriers to pick up a chassis already equipped with a genset…


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Even though news about COVID-19 changes every time we refresh our feeds, there’s one thing that’s for sure right now: Most experiential businesses will have to change the way they operate until a vaccine becomes readily available to the public. Some of these changes are so genius, though, that we might be better off if they become permanent.
Since crowded spaces pose an immediate risk to patrons, venues like restaurants and offices will have to get creative in how they serve customers. Most solutions involve either giving customers more space (which unfortunately will decrease sales and net profit — something *hopefully* the federal government will take into serious consideration as it attempts in rebuilding and rebooting the economy) or creating entirely new business models. While some workarounds aren’t ideal for most business owners, there is a potential upside for everyone involved: A safer, potentially even more enjoyable environment or experience for everyone.
Here are some examples that show what the world of restaurants, shops, and even office spaces may look like moving forward in this brave new world.
1. Closed-off streets for outdoor seating
Back in late April, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio stated that he’d close up to 100 miles of streets within the city so that people could easily distance themselves from others. Some restaurants are using that space for more outdoor seating, which would create a safer environment for customers. Berkeley and parts of Los Angeles are either doing the same thing or are pushing for similar practices. It wouldn’t be surprising if “open-air restaurants” became the new norm, which honestly isn’t super unpleasant given the beautiful weather we’ll have for the next few months (let’s just hope there’s plenty of shade). Obviously, we’ll have to think of other solutions for winter. One day at a time, y’all.
2. More digital options for hard-to-find items
Although it’s only available in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, there’s no way this resource won’t expand. Asian-veggies.com is a new delivery service that gives customers a more convenient way to shop for not only Asian produce but pantry items that might be harder to find at a non-Asian market. You *most likely* won’t find items like king mushrooms, Lao Gan Ma chili oil, and salted duck eggs at your local Kroger grocery store. In an interview with Grub Street, the creator of Asian-veggies.com, Joe Boo, explained that most Asian markets don’t deliver, and this poses a big risk to shoppers, especially those averse to doing their shopping online.
“Our parents and relatives are still going to supermarkets and waiting 45 minutes to check out inside. They’re putting themselves at risk. So this is another way people of our generation can order fresh vegetables for their parents, or ourselves, without risking contact,” Joe said.
3. Drive-thru experiences
You may have heard the devastating news: The iconic Ohio State Fair announced that it has officially “gone on hiatus” due to the pandemic. America’s summer fairs are basically the fabric of what holds this great nation together in the summertime. What kind of citizens are we if we don’t consume at least *one* deep-fried Oreo or paper plate of funnel cake generously embraced by whipped cream and berry sauce per year? Are we true Americans if we don’t subject ourselves to a rickety rollercoaster ride assembled the night before?
Although it’s maybe for the best that we skip the rides this summer (for many reasons), there is a way to get some fried fair food into our bellies: Some state fairs have turned into mini drive-thrus. Spots in New York, California, Missouri, Florida, and Ohio are popping up, so if you’re fretting about missing out on your yearly corndog, google your nearest drive-thru state fair, and you might be surprised that it’s pretty close by.
4. Restaurants going back to their carhop service roots
Sure, the fast-food chain Sonic already does this, but you might start noticing more local diners revert back to this dining trend. Mel’s Drive-In, a popular LA restaurant with multiple locations all over the city (which actually opened its first location in San Francisco in 1947!), has gone back to being a carhop drive-in. When you drive up to the restaurant, you order your food, and a server comes out and (safely) hands you your meal so you can eat it in your car. Owner Steven Weiss (Mel Weiss’s son) told LA Mag, “You drive up, park the car, and instead of using a speaker on a pole like the old days, you just call inside and order whatever you want. They can sit in their car and play music, enjoy the neon, and have fun.”
In-N-Out already offers a service like this, and it won’t be surprising if other restaurants will adopt this old-timey way of doing things. TBH, I hope they bring back the roller skates, too.
5. Capped delivery service fees for restaurants
This change benefits restaurant owners more than customers, but it does impact us in the long run. Los Angeles has voted to put a cap on how much third-party delivery services like Uber, Doordash, and Postmates can charge restaurants to utilize their tech. According to LA Mag, the proposal “would cap fees charged by apps to 15 percent for delivery orders or 5 percent on services other than delivery, such as curbside pickup.” It also requires the services to give drivers 100 percent of the tips (which is pretty crazy that this wasn’t a requirement before). Of course, it’s better for the restaurants themselves if you order directly from them for pickup or delivery.
This way, restaurants that are already struggling aren’t spending even more money working with third-party services to help them distribute their food (which is a necessity these days). Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell told the LA Times back in April, “We want to do all we can to help improve their [restaurants’] chances of survival, and the worst thing we could do is not lean in when we see these cases look a lot like price gouging.” Saving restaurants that money means owners are able to hire their employees back, pay them more, and in some cases, just make it through these times.
6. Redesigned (or totally virtual) offices
Business Insider pointed out how offices could be redesigned to offer employees a safer place in which to work. Since it’s most likely that won’t happen right away, a lot of business (like Facebook and Twitter) have decided to let their employees work remotely for as long as they want. Think about how huge that is — especially since Silicon Valley (and really the entire Bay Area) and other cities like New York and Los Angeles have completely priced out most folks, offering remote positions is a game-changer. You could be a programmer for a big tech company and own a mansion in North Carolina if you wanted. Or if you live in South Dakota and don’t necessarily want (or can afford) to move out to a big city for a job with a company like Google, you won’t have to relocate. Although this move will most likely come with a pay cut (Mark Zuckerberg said it himself) it could be the first step in breaking free from absurdly expensive but industry-dense cities.
Gina Vaynshteyn is an editor and writer who lives in LA. You can find more of her words on Refinery29, Apartment Therapy, HelloGiggles, Distractify, and others. If you wanna, you can follow her on Instagram or Twitter.
Image via Pexels

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When it comes to keeping a community clean, it’s up to everyone.
That’s why the Environmentally Minded People of Minot, a Facebook group of people who share similar goals to be environmentally friendly, has organized a community-wide cleanup.
They can’t do it alone, though. That’s why they’re looking for volunteers to sign up or just show up for two hours this Saturday.
The short-term goal is, of course, to pick up litter. But the group has a long-term goal, too.
“As we’re cleaning up the streets, we’re also taking note of certain types of trash, waste, and litter than were finding,” said Tim Baumann, a group organizer. “If it’s coming from a certain restaurant or certain grocery store or a certain retail outlet, then we know that that store has a problem managing their trash and we need to help guide them in the right direction so we can have a clean and positive looking community.”
Environmentally Minded People of Minot partnered with the Minot State University sustainability and biology clubs to coordinate pick up locations, as well.
It’s happening Saturday, September 26 from 10 am to 12 pm. Click here to view the locations or signup.


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Tap to Phone “liberated us from dedicated and expensive hardware terminals”
App makes small-business selling easier by enabling payments on any NFC-enabled Android mobile device
Research shows that nine out of ten small business owners in developing markets don’t take electronic payments1. Why? Going digital is not always easy and can require expensive hardware, accessories and setup to process payments.
That’s about to change. Visa’s Tap to Phone turns any NFC-enabled Android mobile device into a working point of sale or acceptance device. No additional tech needed. Sellers simply download an app and they can instantly accept contactless payments in a secure, touchless and convenient experience for customers.
The technology is already available in 15 countries with plans to expand to the U.S. in 2021. These entrepreneurs are already putting it to good use.
Frankie Chen is owner and stylist of Senze Studio, a Hong Leong Bank Malaysia merchant. “Tap to Phone has not only addressed all our customers’ concerns about safe hygiene practices, including payments, but has also liberated us from dedicated and expensive hardware terminals and reduced our cost of operation,” he says.
Lucía Ramirez from Lucy Make Up in Trujillo, Perú, says “now, my clients just use their contactless cards with my mobile application, no need for a POS. Furthermore, my clients feel safe using this transaction technology, cash is avoided. By using this payment method we can all be safe."
“Customers are always curious and impressed when we process their payment using nothing but our mobile phone,” says Karla Avila, founder of Extenclip, which takes Tap to Phone in Costa Rica.
“Not only has Tap to Phone been helpful for our in-store sales, but we also use it for our contactless product deliveries, helping customers stay at home and pay with their cards until they receive their order, which makes them gain confidence in our brand,” she adds.
“Ready” to light up two billion devices
With two billion Android devices globally2 and 180 million micro and small merchants around the world, Tap to Phone has a big opportunity to support commerce in a “new normal” where touchless payments are accelerating and less cash is changing hands.
Visa also is making it easier for device manufacturers, software developers, payment service providers, sellers and acquirers to build solutions that support Tap to Phone user experiences that comply with Visa’s high security standards. The Visa Ready for Tap to Phone certification program gives these players guidance and documentation to launch and scale the technology in a few hours.
Visa is seeing strong interest in Tap to Phone around the globe with many launches in markets with high contactless penetration, including Canada, UK, Poland, Ukraine, Turkey, Belarus, Romania, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Malaysia and others.
With 200% growth of the number of Tap to Phone sellers over the past year and the potential to support millions of businesses around the globe, sellers, partners and consumers alike are tapping into the potential of digital payments like never before.
1 “Small Merchants, Big Opportunity, The Forgotten Path to Financial Inclusion,” Dalberg
2 IHS Markit cited by NFC Forum; December 2019


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The company, which manufactures stainless steel products, has hired Robin Payne to cover key growth areas across the country.
Payne has spent the last seven years selling in the cycling industry, but has also been a professional musician for 35 years. He will be reporting to Gary West, Head of Sales at Pland Stainless.
Payne said: “I’m really enjoying working for such a caring company. Pland has a fantastic heritage and is highly respected in the market place. They make great products here in the UK and they are often better and more cost effective than competitors. I’m enjoying spreading that word and seeing the delight from customers when we exceed their expectations.”


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I didn’t know this before. Didn’t even suspect it. But I found out, when grazing the Food & Wine magazine web-page this morning… Some common confections and bevs we enjoy over here are banned in the UK. Seems they contain ‘illegal’ ingredients…
The Scotsman explains in detail what’s banned and why. It’s interesting to note that British Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) blames the upsurge in recent years of banned foods over social media coverage. The Internet knows no boundaries. (Unless you’re in China…) And the CTSI says one of their biggest problem areas is ‘American Candy’, which is increasingly being imported illegally into the UK to feed a ballooning demand.
“The American imported items that have been seized contained unauthorised additives not manufactured for the UK market,” The Scotsman says. “[I]ncluding [such common ingredients] as brominated vegetable oil, mineral oil – which carries the risk of contamination with other compounds, which in turn are capable of forming cancers – and bleached flour. Erythrosine, or E127, which is shown on US products as Red 3 and can contribute to hyperactivity, is allowed in cocktail cherries in the UK, but not in sweets.”
Products banned in the UK which we in North America consider innocent and harmless include: Mountain Dew, Sunny D, Dubble Bubble, Jolly Rancher (gummies and hard candy), Hot Tamales, Twizzlers and Lemonheads.
A major problem
Over the past year, the CTSA says it’s raided hundreds of small shops (which we would call ‘corner stores’) and even some High Street confectionery purveyors.
A CTSA spokesperson reported that last year, £25 million ($31 million) worth of American candies — many of which are illegal to sell in the UK — were, nevertheless, imported.
A storm over sprinkles
And it’s not just over-the-counter candy and beverages that are involved. Bakery owner Mitch Myers reports his shop got busted for using candy sprinkles that were on the banned list.
“”[The Trading Standards inspector] said they’d had reports of us using illegal sprinkles, and I actually laughed by mistake, then realized he was being serious,” Myers told the BBC at the time.
“It is HIGHLY unlikely that we will find any legal sprinkles that we will use as a replacement,” Myers wrote on Facebook. “British sprinkles just aren’t the same. They’re totally [crap] and I hate them. I am extremely passionate about sprinkles.”
Won’t be bowed
But those Brits won’t be bowed. The folks entrusted with protecting their countrymen from dietary danger take a high road and maintain a strict attitude to enforcement of the UK’s food rules.
CTSI chief executive, John Herriman, said: “The UK prides itself on high food standards but this very much relies on Trading Standards ensuring that what is on sale complies with the law. It’s therefore extremely worrying to learn that, as we approach Christmas, confectionery that we know will appeal to children is on sale in UK high streets, and that it could be linked to hyperactivity in kids, and even cancer.”
The CTSA notes that the Christmas season is when sales of confections traditionally peak.
“We ask that all persons placing these [illegal] products on the market, including the suppliers and retailers, take their responsibilities seriously in this matter and urgently remove items from sale that contain unauthorised ingredients,” Herriman added. “We also urge parents to be aware.”
I have to wonder how serious a threat a few candies, a bottle of soda or – God forbid! – a shower of sprinkles over a doughnut might constitute to anyone’s health.
Okay. We get the point, CTSI. And I’m sure Brits do, too. The vast majority of us are reasonably- to exceptionally-well-educated people. We’re grown-ups who expect to take responsibility for our own decisions, and weigh our own risks versus benefits.
It struck me, writing this post, that this is a prime example of what the Brits call ‘The Nanny State’.
And I hasten remind readers that the ingredients over which the Brits are seizing ‘American’ products are considered safe and perfectly legal in the US and many other countries.
So, relax – and have another Mountain Dew…
~ Maggie J.


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Dave Olson, Published June 01 2012
Trade Talk: North Dakota exports cross milestone
Like the fact North Dakota’s first-quarter export figures exceeded $1 billion for the first time and the fact exports in the first quarter represent a 35 percent increase over the same period last year.
Dean Gorder, NDTO executive director, called crossing the
$1 billion export threshold a milestone.
“Local businesses continue to boost their bottom line and diversify their customer base by pursuing new sales abroad,” he said. “An over 400 percent increase in exports since 2000 shows that the benefits of exporting are becoming known throughout North Dakota.”
For North Dakota, top export products include front-end shovel loaders, agricultural tractors, soil-related ag equipment, wheat, legumes, crude oil and tractor parts.
Carving out a niche
Heart O’Lakes Quality Meats recently celebrated a grand opening in Pelican Rapids, Minn., and business has been sizzling, said Jason Stetz, who runs the business with his wife, Nicki.
The butcher shop slaughters and processes livestock for customers and offers a retail counter to sell steaks, chops and roasts, as well as specialty items such as 15 types of brats and its own cottage bacon.
The business is at 14 Industrial Park Drive on the north side of Pelican Rapids.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday.
For more information, call (218) 863-6328.
Rotary has added a fifth club to the Fargo-Moorhead area.
The new club meets every first and third Tuesday of each month at 5:15 p.m. at Lucky’s 13, Fargo.
The group volunteers at the Great Plains Food Bank in Fargo every second Tuesday of the month and holds a new club orientation every fourth Tuesday of the month.
Club officers are Pam Perleberg, president; Bobbi Bricker, president elect; Kriss Burns, vice president; Tina Baker, secretary; Laura Slicer, treasurer; Holly Anderson Battocchi, foundation; Darcy Putnam, administration; Andrew Hanson, membership; and Katie Wohlman, public relations.
Deek’s Pizza has opened at 702 N. University Drive in Fargo.
The carry-out and delivery pizzeria is open from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily, said Jeff Roswick, manager.
The business is owned by brothers Derrick and Tyler Kuenzel of Grand Forks, where the original Deek’s Pizza is located, Roswick said.
The phone number for the Fargo business is (701) 235-0708.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555.
Dianna Baumann of The Forum newsroom contributed to this article.


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The EPA rates Apple Computer highest amongst producers of notebook computers, and fairly well compared to producers of desktop computers and LCD displays. ArsTechnica noted Saturday that Apple was given a "Silver" rating in its Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), and met 17 of 23 "optional points" as set by the EPA. In comparison, Dell was also given a "Silver" rating, but met only 15 optional points (read the ArsTechnica story for a deeper breakdown of Appleis EPA ratings).
This comes in contrast to Greenpeace, an environmental activist non-profit that has cited Apple as being at the bottom of its own list of major electronics manufacturers. Greenpeace has claimed that Apple doesnit disclose all of its regulated materials used in production, and hasnit provided a time table for eliminating toxic polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
For those interested in this issue, it should be noted that other environmental groups have targeted Apple in the past specifically because the company was so high profile. At the same time, the current EPA has a strong history of favoring corporations and turning a blind eye to many polluters. As is the case with any particular issue, the truth is more likely to lie in the middle.
Apple has invested resources into being environmentally responsible, including recycling programs. Its EPA ranking ahead of companies like Dell very likely represents the reality relative to the rest of the industry. The sad truth, though, is that no matter who is better than whom, the business of producing computers is not an environmentally friendly process, and almost all of Appleis production takes place overseas.
Accordingly, have a bag of salt on hand when hearing most reports on this issue.


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Multiple former CD Projekt Red developers opened a new gaming studio as they revealed their name to be Blank. The company will be based out of Warsaw, Poland, as the studio has ten members, and is looking for a new capacity of nearly 60 people. They are looking for support for an unannounced project, which they gave no details of but they’re anticipating the release of this project by year. We have a few quotes from the team below about this new company, but it is not expected for them to see what they had planned.
“We’re thrilled to announce Blank and to build our incredible team,” said Mateusz Kanik, Co-Founder and Game Director of Blank. After working for years in an increasingly conservative industry, we’re ready to make bold and impactful projects that share our unique creativity and values. The industry champions a creative genius, so we want to let the team in. Where the industry shaves down on crunch culture, we prefer working-life balance. Where the industry says bigger is better, we’re working hard on highly polished games with a focus on emotion, story, and craftsmanship.
“As a long-awaited interview on the formation of Blank Marcin Jefimow, the Co-Founder and Executive Producer of Blank said: “The philosophy of the game development was brought from our experiences and experiences.” With Blank, we want to build a space where we can honor our history but also be playful and open to new ideas as we cowork. We’re going up an excellent new project that we can’t wait to share with players and craft with new team members.”
With clear ideas, a strong team and realistic budget, the team’s founder and executive director told me how it will entail the development of games and the scaling up of the studio. “Over the many years we’ve seen our success, we’ve seen the importance of a rich experience and a well-rounded approach. We’re committed to quality craftsmanship and sustainable planning; we plan to expand the scope of our projects as we expand our team and its capabilities.”


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A Mexican telenovela star was arrested for shoplifting on Friday in Texas.
According to Fox News:
Danielle Stefani Arellano, the star of a Mexican telenovela, was arrested Friday for allegedly stealing from a Texas designer store.
Arellano, who also goes by the name Daniela Castro, stole between $100 and $750 worth of items from a Saks OFF 5th store in San Antonio, police said. She was charged with theft, according to KSAT-TV.
The 52-year-old star of “Me Declaro Culpable” (which translates to “I Plead Guilty”) was caught taking clothes off the hanger and shoving it into her purse, according to KSAT-TV. The loss prevention officer who caught Arellano said he saw the actress paying for some items at a register, but she made no attempt to pay for the things she allegedly stole.
Arellano was confronted in the parking lot and escorted back to the loss prevention office where police later placed her under arrest, the station reported.
The clothing that was stolen was recovered from Arellano’s person.


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Over 80% of exhibitors plan to return for next year's China International Consumer Products Expo
May 11, 2021, 09:55 ET
HAIKOU, China, May 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 10, the first China International Consumer Products Expo came to a close in Haikou, the capital city of China's southernmost province Hainan. Exhibitors from 70 countries and regions (including China) participated, including 1,505 companies and 2,628 premium consumer brands, attracting over 240,000 visitors to the Expo, reported by Hainan International Media Center (HIMC).
The Expo played host to over 130 related activities, including the Global Consumption Innovation & Duty Free and Travel Retail Conference, 93 new product debuts, 12 supplier-purchaser matchmaking activities, and 23 marketing events. There were 83 new product debuts from international brands, and 10 regional premium product promotions, with a total of 550 new product announcements.
The Guest Country of Honor at the first CICPE was Switzerland, and a total of 21 countries including the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and France sent nearly 50 diplomatic envoys to take part in the Expo. Corporate purchasers and other professional attendees numbered over 30,000, and a total of over 160 news media organizations sent nearly 1,000 reporters to cover this historic event.
As China's first national-level premium consumer products expo, the first China International Consumer Products Expo has created a global premium product exhibition business platform, bringing together leading brands from around the world and creating global business opportunities for Chinese and international premium consumer products. During the Expo period, participating companies welcomed a large number of buyers and professional attendees from around the world, reaching a large number of new cooperative agreements.
In addition, according to early numbers, over 80% of participating companies plan to attend again next year, including L'Oréal, Shiseidō, Tapestry, De Beers, Chow Tai Fook, Chow Sang Sang, KPMG, Ernst & Young, the Irish Chamber of Commerce, and other companies and organizations. The plan to create a global premium consumer product center was also promoted at the Expo, and will be closely followed by a wide range of domestic and international corporations.
SOURCE Hainan International Media Center (HIMC)
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NEW DELHI: Suspecting some trade bodies of serving as conduit for companies to get access to key business details of their rivals, anti-trust watchdog CCI has warned such bodies of becoming party to any act of cartelisation.
"Rather than being party to a cartel, the trade associations should encourage their members and constituents to follow competition compliance norms at the corporate level," Competition Commission of India (CCI) Chairman Ashok Chawla told PTI in an interview here.
"If trade associations, as we saw in one or two cases, get into areas where they serve as conduit to know what others are producing, at what price and so on, then they whether knowingly or unknowingly become party to cartel and that is an absolute no when it comes to the Competition Act," he said.
The CCI, which is mandated to ensure fair play across all industries and act against any form of cartelisation, held deliberations last month with representatives of 20 trade associations.
During the meeting, the fair trade regulator had emphasised on the need for better awareness about competition rules and their benefits for the overall economy.
In recent times, CCI has slapped penalties on some retailers' associations in pharmaceutical sector, while its investigation into cartelisation in cement market also found industry body Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA) guilty of anti-competitive practices, besides individual companies.
Chawla said that CCI will meed chief executives of the country's 100 most valued companies on January 24 as part of its efforts to sensitise the big corporates about fair trade practices and competition compliance norms.
There have been numerous cases in the recent past about companies abusing their dominant positions or entering into anti-competitive pacts. While orders have been already passed in some cases, including those related to real estate, cement and entertainment sectors, CCI's investigations are continuing in various other cases.
"CEOs will be able to ensure that big companies which could be, or which have the potential to be dominant players in their sectors and segments because of their size are fully sensitised to the Competition Act," Chawla said.
"Information, once it flows from the top, they can internalise the processes and procedures and can probably ask their boards to review, as they review various compliances, even this compliance on a periodic basis," Chawla said.
"We have taken 100 biggest companies by way of market capitalisation, which includes about 25 public sector companies," Chawla said.


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MACON, Ga. — If you're looking to pick out a pumpkin this week, some very special ones are available with no carving required!
Stratford Academy in north Bibb County is hosting its seventh annual Celebrating Art event.
The highlight is their glass pumpkin patch. It features more than a thousand glass pumpkins created by glassblowers from across the southeast.
Starting Thursday, you can buy your favorite or just admire.
Prices run from $20 to $200.
Kathleen Medlin with Stratford says the event celebrates all types of art.
"We love to take this time and really dedicate it to celebrating the visual arts which, I think, everybody agrees is very important in our society," Medlin said.
The event also features pop-up shops, glassblowing workshops, and more.
It all runs runs through Saturday at Stratford Academy on Peake Road.


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As was recently reported
it came as no big surprise that the European Parliament rejected the
Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. However, according to Canadian academic Michael
, in addition to referring the question of ACTA's compatibility with
fundamental rights to the CJEU, there are also plans to use the Canada - EU
Trade Agreement (CETA) to implement ACTA.
CETA is a free trade agreement currently in the final stages of
negotiation. It aims to eliminate most tariffs between Canada and the EU in
addition to changing non-trade related government policies that affect business
profits, including differences in intellectual property laws.
The intellectual property chapter of CETA
apparently directly reproduces ACTA, and many of ACTA's enforcement provisions
will also be included in CETA. It is also possible that the criminal
enforcement and co-operation provisions found in ACTA could find their way into
CETA. The idea seems to be that once CETA is agreed there will be an argument
that ACTA should be passed as the principles in ACTA which have proved so
unpopular will already have been approved.
Michael Geist has said that "The
backdoor ACTA approach creates enormous risks for Canada's trade ambitions.
Given the huge anti-ACTA movement, the Canada – EU trade deal could face
widespread European opposition with CETA becoming swept up in similar protests."
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To date, North American retail sales have reached 700,000. In addition, sales of Nintendo DS in Japan exceeded half a million systems in just four days after launch on Dec. 2, meaning more than 1.2 million Nintendo DS systems have sold through worldwide.
"Nintendo is doing everything it can to make Nintendo DS attainable for the holidays," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "The enthusiastic response from shoppers has made Nintendo DS 'must-have' -- and we're determined to make it 'will have.'"
With its touch screen, wireless communication and voice recognition abilities, the dual-screened Nintendo DS offers video game fans innovative new ways to play. Each unit, available now at an MSRP of $149.99, comes with an embedded communication program called PictoChat(TM), as well as a demo version of Metroid(R) Prime Hunters that features both single- and multiplayer action.


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The price increase takes effect immediately for new members, and on February 19 for existing members.
Customers who pay for Amazon Prime in monthly installments will see a pretty significant jump in costs.
Amazonsaid Friday that the cost of a monthly Prime membership will go from $10.99 to to $12.99, up 18%.
Prices for annual Prime memberships remain unchanged, at $99 per year for regular customers, and $49 per year for students.
WSU community mourns the loss of Tyler Hilinski
The public vigil will begin at 7 p.m.in front of the Cougar Pride statue outside of Martin Stadium on Washington State's campus. Hilinski, the expected starter for the Cougars in 2018, was found dead from an apparent suicide on Tuesday afternoon.
Amazon said it has invested in making Prime more valuable to its members, making more items eligible for Primeshipping and increasing the video offerings. They are highly lucrative for the company because free shipping and the other perks that come with membership mean Prime members spend more on the platform. That plan also includes Amazon Prime free two-day shipping, video and music streaming services, Prime Reading and unlimited photo storage with Prime Photos.
Amazon is raising its Prime prices again, this time by almost 20 percent. We also continue to introduce new, popular and award-winning Prime Originals...
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is getting set to raise the price of its wildly popular Prime service for certain US customers, according to a new report.
According to Variety, the tech company is upping its price from $10.99 per month to $12.99 per month, an 18 percent increase.
Putin takes an icy plunge on Epiphany
Water blessed by a priest during Epiphany week is considered holy and pure according to Orthodox Christian tradition. He was then seen dunking himself in the icy water and crossing himself.
If you subscribe to Amazon Prime on a monthly basis, get ready to pay more for the convenience of two-day delivery and watching the new sci-fi anthology series "Electric Dreams". The report says Prime customers tend to be loyal, with 95 percent of current subscribers saying they'll either "definitely" or "probably" renew their membership.
Amazon did not offer details regarding their reasoning behind this change but it's probably fair to assume the company is attempting to push more customers towards their annual subscription instead.
After yesterday's news that Amazon Business now has more than 90,000 customers in the United Kingdom, the company has issued a similar press release for its operations in Germany.
Amazon boasted of record holiday sales, putting a spotlight on Prime subscribers with its "Best of Prime 2017".
Two more flu deaths reported in ND
Still, the hospital opened a special "flu zone" on Monday where nurses can quickly treat patients with mild influenza symptoms. Like every flu season, some die from the flu, but the season hasn't proved more deadly than past years.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry statement said the government was not in need of USA dollars "stained with the blood of Syrians". The U.S. has at least 2,000 troops in Syria , according to figures the Pentagon released in December.
South Korea announced a few days that they were seeking out ways to regulate cryptocurrencies, with rumors of an outright ban. "What we're seeing is part of the evolution of bitcoin ", he said . "About half of my friends trade cryptocurrencies".
A payment of that size would likely be the largest of its kind ever made, the Silicon Valley based company said in a statement . Reuters Breakingviews estimated that Apple could have increased usa headcount by 24,000 in the last five years.
Facebook has been struggling with how to handle its distribution of news in an era of fake news and claims of media bias. To do so, he said, Facebook chose to rely on member surveys as the most "objective" way to rank trust in news sources.
The 50-year-old Big Little Lies star was spotted on set in full costume on Wednesday (January 17) in Los Angeles. Kristen Wiig is not only going to be starring in the show, but will also be an executive producer.
Business Profiles: Help customers with useful information such as a business description, email or store addresses, and website. After creating a " Business account ", companies can access a host of additional features meant for them.
His 41-year-old wife, Janelle Marquez Monroy, an American citizen, faces life in prison if she is found guilty of assisting him. If the death penalty didn't work out, his maximum sentence would be life imprisonment.
Speaking to the club's official website, Flores said: "He is with us since his youth". "The result is not good for us". Barcelona had Suarez on the bench and Denis Suarez with Aleix Vidal on either side of Messi in the attack.
Morgan Stanley's tax adjustment payment totalled just under $1.0 billion, once the tax change benefits were also factored in. Trading revenue, which is traditionally Morgan Stanley's biggest source of income, fell 19.5 percent to $2.25 billion.
Responding to this, foreign ministry spokesperson HE Lulua al-Khater had told QNA that Qatar was closely monitoring the situation. The Ministry denounced the current escalation by Qatar, and called upon the country to abide by worldwide law and customs.
Kelly: WH Did Not Tell Bannon to Invoke Executive Privilege
The New York Times said Mr Mueller had summoned Mr Bannon last week, citing a person with direct knowledge of the matter. Bannon is the most recent Trump associate to be questioned as part of the ongoing Russian Federation investigation.
Performance updates from Intel chip fix
Another test that replicated online transactions at a stock brokerage disclosed a 4 percent slowdown . Intel has also followed up its initial desktop performance metrics with benchmarks for data center .
Larry Nassar accuses choose of operating a 'media circus'
That brings the total number testifying to 105 but judge Aquilina said there's no cap to the number of victims who can testify. A prosecutor read a statement from McKayla Maroney , who won gold and silver medals at the 2012 Olympics.
Map shows projected path of MI meteor through Livingston Co
Reports have come in from across the Great Lakes region, but so far, there no one can say where the possible meteor landed. Usually, during annual meteor showers, stargazers only see smaller dust particles burning up in the upper atmosphere.
C$ rallies as BoC hikes rates despite NAFTA cloud
Consumption and residential investment have been stronger than anticipated, reflecting strong employment growth. Up until a couple of weeks ago, many forecasters still had doubts that Poloz would raise the rate Wednesday.


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Through the retail turmoil, grocery stores have been viewed as a sector considerably unaffected by the threat of e-commerce. Consumers want to visually see the products they are buying. People want to pick out the individual items they personally like best. Buying groceries in person has been ingrained in American consumerism. But that model may be changing.
Until now, only about one percent of the roughly $1.5 trillion grocery industry has moved online. However, a number of grocery retailers are adopting what has come to be known as a “click-and-collect” model, or “click-and-ship” model. Click-and-collect being where consumers select their groceries online and then go pick them up, and click-and-ship being where shoppers select their groceries online and have them delivered.
According to Progressive Grocer's annual survey, nearly 25% of food retailers now offer “click-and-collect” programs, compared with 15% last year. Additionally, online grocery shopping is predicted to grow five-fold, with consumers spending more than $100 billion online by 2025, according to a report by Food Marketing Institute and Nielsen. The same report noted that 71% of those grocers are working on integrating physical with digital, and offering “click-and-collect” programs.
These trends are why companies such as Kroger have announced plans to increase investment in digital and e-commerce initiatives. The company uses online-ordering platforms called ClickList and Express Lane, platforms of which Kroger has grown by more than 50 percent in fiscal 2017. Other major brick-and-mortar retailers such as Walmart, Safeway and Sam’s Club are getting heavily involved in the grocery e-commerce business.
Walmart, in particular, has made notable strides to be a major e-commerce grocer. Most recently they’ve introduced a new 24-hour self-service kiosk in the parking lot of a supercenter in Warr Acres, Oklahoma. This is a 20-foot by 80-foot kiosk in which customers can pick up their online orders without interacting with employees, by simply entering a designated code and having their groceries appear within a minute.
Their expansion into the online grocery sector is due in large part to the aggressive expansion of online retail giant Amazon, whose grocery sales outpaced that of the total market 15-fold. According to a recent Cowen research report, Amazon’s growth in grocery will allow the company to vault from the ninth-largest U.S. grocery retailer in 2017 to the third-largest by 2021.
Additionally, Amazon’s move to purchase Whole Foods will transform the online retail giant into a major offline presence. Amazon will now gain 460 physical retail stores that will now double as food distribution centers and online order pickup spots. This is a move that is a game-changer for Whole Foods.
"I think we’re gonna get a lot of those innovations in our stores,” says Whole Foods CEO John Mackey. “I think we’re gonna see a lotta technology. I think you’re gonna see Whole Foods Market evolve in leaps and bounds."
For the grocery industry as a whole, the deal creates even more necessity for companies to evolve their business models.
“They [other grocers] know that Amazon and other players like Jet.com have been encroaching on their business,” says Matthew Harding, president of retail real estate services firm Levin Management, in a recent NREI article. “If anything, [the Amazon-Whole Foods deal] will increase the need to modernize and evolve.”
This push from Amazon, the shift in market share, and the overall transformation of grocery buying will play a significant role in the future of a sector that already sees thin profit margins due to the number of fixed costs.
Fulfillment costs for the evolving “click-and-collect” and “click-and-deliver” models are important factors to keep in mind. The “click and collect” model from a brick-and-mortar store uses an in-store employee to navigate and collect items for an order. In comparison, strictly online grocers, are essentially pulling from a warehouse, in many cases those may be robotically manned. The labor model is much more expensive in the “click-and-collect” method.
But we may expect to see a significant change in the fulfillment process for brick-and-mortar stores moving forward. There may be a shift towards reduced inventory on a store’s floor space, and more stocked backrooms tailored for “click-and-collect” operations. The future will mean evolution for many grocers.
As a recent report from Food Marketing Institute and Nielsen notes, the rise of grocery e-commerce doesn’t mean the end of brick-and-mortar grocery stores. Just as we’ve seen with many others in the retail world, grocers will need to reconfigure their approach to business. By adding in-store amenities such as wine bars, sushi stations, or small dining sections, grocers can make themselves less susceptible to some of the negative impacts of grocery e-commerce. Between altering the brick-and-mortar experience and adapting to the growing e-commerce segment, the grocery sector is in for some historic changes in the coming years.


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Two Belgian companies confirmed interest in investing in Macedonia
The CEO of the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion of the Republic of Macedonia Visar Fida had an official visit to Belgium recently.
Visar Fida had a discussion with a few local companies on the topic of realizing their investments in Macedonia. Fida also took a part in the Business Forum in Antwerp, which was organized by the Office of the Foreign Investment Agency in Brussels and was attended by more than 100 companies from the region of Flanders.
The visitors represented different sectors including the automotive industry, logistics, IT, food industry, textile industry and others.
As a result from these negotiations, two of the companies – one operating in the textile sector and another from the logistics field, have confirmed their intention to invest in Macedonia.
LATEST issue 4/2020
The majority of Bulgarian companies engaged in sheet metal processing use high-tech CNC machine tools, allowing them to achieve the desired levels of quality, precision and characteristics of the finished product. Learn more about the sector here!
RAIS and Fagor Automation are involved in several joint industrial and educational projects and are developing customized solutions together for the new market demands related to high productivity and Industry 4.0
"Plastic and Rubber processing machinery in Turkey" is the cover story in the latest issue 1/2020 of the magazine. The whole article, dedicated to the development of this industry, you will find here...


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"Within an hour [after posting], Atari called to have the review pulled off, claiming there was an embargo till Friday," Bergervoet said in a comment to Shacknews. "Our review copy was sent directly to us by Atari and [was] not a pirated copy. They explicitly told [Gamer.nl] that they only let high scoring reviews break the post-release embargo date."
Original Story: Atari has filed suit against German gaming website 4Players for publishing a negative pre-release review of Alone in the Dark, alleging that it was written based on an illegally obtained copy of the game.
According to a 4Players editorial spotted by Game|Life, Atari's lawsuit claims that the publication date of the review—which scored Xbox 360 version of the game at 68%—implies that it was written based upon a pirated or preview version of the title. Consequently, Atari seeks an undisclosed amount in restitution.
The Xbox 360 version of Alone in the Dark began appearing on file sharing websites earlier this week, prior to the publication of any online reviews. However, 4Players argued in its editorial that it procured a copy through a retail connection who sold them a copy of Eden Games' horror shooter before the game's European June 20 street date.
Though Atari's suit against 4Players marks the company's first legal action regarding early reviews of the game, the company has also leveled complaints at several other European gaming sites.
Going by a Kotaku report, a 3/10 review of the game on Scandinavian games site GameReactor was pulled shortly after it hit the website. Atari accused the site of pirating the game, stating that press copies had only been sent out a day previously.
Norwegian gaming site Gamer.no also claims that it was asked to remove its 3/10 review of the title based on a copy purchased at a retailer earlier this week.
"Atari contacted us just minutes after it was published, claiming that our review is probably based on a preview or pirated copy, and requested it to be removed," said Gamer.no's Tor-Steinar Nastad Tangedal. "We never removed it, of course."
The PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360 and Wii editions of Alone in the Dark hit North American retailers on June 24. A PlayStation 3 version is expected this fall.
This just in, piracy to blame for negative reviews.
I wonder what they'll blame on piracy next?
Seizure of ships passing through Somalian waters?
decline of the ninja population


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[ecis2016.org] The number of co-working spaces in Delhi NCR, which was over 30 in 2016, could cross 40 in 2017. We examine the reasons for their rising demand and how it will affect the commercial real estate segment in the country
With a thriving start-up ecosystem aided by the Modi Government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs across the country, demand for co-working spaces has been rising in recent times. Among the main drivers of this phenomenon are the increasing number of freelance professionals and consultants in today’s globalised workforce. Also, co-working business centres are in great demand with corporates looking for flexibility in work locations.
The Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) is definitely among the more prominent regions witnessing this global trend. In 2016, the number of co-working spaces in Delhi NCR was more than 30. This year, it is expected to go over 40. There are currently more than 2,500 seats available across different micro-markets in the NCR. The average occupancy share of co-working office spaces across NCR is about 70%-75%, but will go up once the recent seat additions in most micro-markets are leased out. Of all micro-markets, CBD Delhi has the lowest vacancy in this segment, at 8%-10%. All other micro-markets have vacancy levels in a range from 20%-35%.
[ecis2016.org] Co-working office spaces: Can Mumbai match the mounting demand?
The number of co-working seats is expected to range between:
- 200 and 250 in Delhi CBD (central business district).
- 450-500 in Delhi SBD (secondary business district).
- 250-300 in Gurgaon CBD.
- 500-550 in Gurgaon SBD.
- 400-450 in Noida’s CBD and SBD together.
The cost per seat per month is in the range of:
- Rs 10,000-15,000 in CBD Delhi.
- Rs 8,000-15,000 in SBD Delhi.
- Rs 13,000-15,000 in CBD Gurgaon.
- Rs 7,500-12,000 in SBD Gurgaon.
- Rs 7,000-10,000 in both CBD and SBD-Noida.
What makes co-working spaces tick?
Co-working spaces are rapidly popping up across Indian metros and tier-2 cities.
Through these, start-ups get flexible working options at affordable rents. These spaces offer desks at cheaper rentals in an office-like environment. Business nomads, expats or those travelling to the country for a few months, also prefer such options, instead of working out of coffee shops. For co-working operators, small and medium enterprises, along with start-ups, are the biggest target clientele.
The number of players specialising in co-working office spaces across India, is expected to surpass 100, soon. Some of the major co-working spaces in Delhi NCR are run by firms like 91 Springboard, Awfis, Investopad, Innov8 and Alt F, among others. The biggest benefit these spaces offer to their clients, is a cohesive and synergised environment, along with business networking opportunities. Moreover, co-working players organise many corporate events for their clients to socialise formally.
Apart from freelancers and consultants, some corporates offer flexible working options to their staff, by leasing a few desks in some of these establishments. To reduce their financial burden and simultaneously motivate and retain talent, more corporates could turn towards co-working spaces in the future.
Some companies also decide to base their project teams out of co-working places to let them remain close to their clients.
Developers, too, are now starting their own co-working offices to provide incubation spaces, or divide large floor plates for smaller occupants. There is currently very limited supply of co-working spaces. However, once this situation improves, the demand for them will skyrocket. As bigger co-working players enter India and more such facilities crop up across cities, this category can prove to be a major disruptor on India’s commercial real estate market.
(The writer is managing director – markets, JLL India)
Copyright belongs to: ecis2016.org


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health-tech startup Navia raises Rs 67 lakh Fund from Evalueserve ex-COO’s investment firm
Health-tech startup Navia Life Care Pvt. Ltd has raised a bridge round of $100,000 (Rs 67 lakh) from existing investor Benori Ventures LLP, which is led by research major Evalueserve’s former chief operating officer Ashish Gupta.
According to the startup, that angel investors including Dr Rahul Verma and Sorabh Agarwal had also participated in the round.
“We are planning to use the funds towards growth and working capital, along with fuelling expansion in business development and technology,” Navia co-founder Kunal Kishore Dhawan told VCCircle.
He added that the firm also plans to launch a few products over the next three to four months.
Navia had in April last year raised angel funding from Benori Ventures.
Benori Ventures focuses on incubating and investing in startups in India. It mostly invests in early-stage startups based in Delhi/NCR. The company focuses on sectors such as education, food, fintech, healthcare and agriculture. The startups in its portfolio include ConveGenius, Dibz and KleverMind.
Navia was founded in 2015 by Dhawan, Shourjo Banerjee and Gaurav Gupta. The digital health management platform offers customised mobile apps for doctors, clinics, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies for patient monitoring, engagement and compliance.
The firm also runs a business-to-consumer app that acts as a health manager for patients, helping them monitor the progress of their treatment. The startup charges its enterprise customers through a yearly, quarterly and monthly subscription model.
Navia is currently working with around 25 clinic chains and hospitals, along with one pharmaceutical company, and is targeting 200 clients in this financial year.
Ritesh Malik, founder of co-working space provider Innov8, and former PwC India chairman Deepak Kapoor serve as mentors to the startup.


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In a popular European country, a tourist boom has unexpectedly occurred, with the number of visitors increasing by 73%. France is losing ground
Tourism in European countries has not yet fully recovered from the coronavirus pandemic. The number of trips to Europe decreased by 19% compared to 2019. In contrast, Turkey is currently experiencing a significant tourism boom, with the number of visitors increasing by more than 70%.
Turkey is on track to reach its target of 50 million travelers by 2023 and is expected to surpass France next year to become the second most visited country in Europe after Spain.
In France and Spain, the number of visitors has grown by 33% and 31%, respectively, compared to the pre-pandemic period, while in Turkey, the increase is even more substantial at 73%.
Croatia, the tenth-largest market in Europe, is also showing strong performance; in 2023, it is expected to exceed the pre-pandemic level by 51%.
What is behind Turkey's tourism boom?
The depreciation of the Turkish lira has made vacations in the country more affordable for many travelers. Europeans are drawn not only to budget resorts but also to shopping. Cheap clothing, shoes, souvenirs, and even medicines have become reasons for millions of tourists to visit Turkey. The devaluation of the local currency against foreign currencies has made it much more profitable to purchase these items in Turkey.
Tourists in Turkey spent $4.9 billion on clothing and footwear, while souvenirs and healthcare expenses amounted to $1.1 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively.
Regarding the actual vacation experience, the Turkish coast, with its crystal-clear waters and upscale resorts, has become a more affordable alternative to the Italian Riviera or the French Riviera.
Istanbul attracts visitors with its bustling neighborhoods and impressive Ottoman architecture, while Ephesus on the west coast is an ancient wonder with stunning historical monuments.
In the heart of Turkey, tourists can explore the otherworldly rocky landscape of Cappadocia with hot air balloons and unique cave hotels.
As OBOZ.UA previously reported, every year InterNations, a global community of people living and working abroad, conducts the Expat Insider survey to determine which cities are best suited for relocation. This time, the organization interviewed more than 12,000 expats who shared their insights on living, working, and leisure in 49 cities around the world. You can see the ranking of the best and worst cities here.


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Tesla Motors Inc. may fully repay a loan taken from the United States Department of Energy early as Wednesday, chief executive Elon Musk said in a message on Twitter. Musk also tweeted that Tesla would postpone an announcement about its charging station network to next week. Musk’s tweet says “Given govt loan repayment this week (prob Wed), Supercharger update will be next week."
A Tesla spokeswoman confirmed to Reuters that Musk was referring to a full repayment of its DOE loan.
Tesla said last week that it would use $452.4 million from a bond and stock offering to repay the remainder of the loan with interest. Tesla received the loan in June 2009 to finance the development and production of its Model S electric car, which has a starting price of $70,000 before a federal tax credit.
Tesla was given until December 2022 to fully repay the loan.
The advance payment is what differentiates Tesla from Fisker Automotive Inc. and other large carmakers which availed of the DOE loan. Ford Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. were given a standard of 10 years to fully repay their loans, which amounts to $5.9 billion and $1.4 billion loan respectively.
Fisker, on the other hand, has missed a loan payment and is at the brink of financial collapse after stopping production in 2012 and sending off most of its employees in April 2013. Tesla completed drawing down its loan funds as of Aug. 31, 2012, and has made at least $25 million in payments to the DOE, according to company filings.
Tesla Model S is equipped with two motors – one at the front and the other at the rear – enabling the car to independently and digitally control torque to both front and rear wheels. This results to unparalleled traction control given any road condition. Moreover, the Tesla Electric AWD or All-Wheel Drive system improves the car’s efficiency, unlike conventional AWD vehicles that deliver increased traction at the expense of fuel efficiency.
What’s more, the Model S is the fastest 4-door sedan to ever be built, reaching 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds.
The car boasts impressively low center of gravity, which results to optimal and superior handling. This low center of gravity is mainly due to the battery pack’s position along the car’s floor pan, right in the middle of the axles. This ideal placement of mass is unrivaled by any other production car.
Furthermore, Tesla Model S has no internal combustion engine, allowing for a spacious cabin that can accommodate five adults and two kids, as well as additional cargo space.
In addition, the Model S features a 17-inch center touchscreen that seamlessly integrates navigation, cabin control, communications, media, and vehicle data into a single intuitive interface. There are also many other functions incorporated on the instrument panel, and these are voice-activated in order to keep the driver's focus on the road ahead.
With the Model S, you can travel anywhere without needing even a drop of gasoline. The car’s efficiency has received an EPA rating of 90 mpg.


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Costa Mesa, CA (RestaurantNews.com) As its appeal among both consumers and the franchise community continues to strengthen and flourish, Nékter Juice Bar, the leading 100% authentic juice bar experience with 170 locations across the U.S., reports that the company signed 18 agreements in the first quarter of 2022 representing 37 locations in new and existing markets as it plans to grow its national footprint from 19 to 25 states by 2023. Those markets include Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Montana, Minnesota , Missouri, New Jersey, and Texas.
These achievements underscore Nékter Juice Bar’s prevailing popularity among entrepreneurially minded franchisees, who want to work with a stable and strong health and wellness brand that continues to succeed in any climate. In fact, Nékter enjoyed a rapid rebound at the start of the pandemic with comp stores showing positive results year over year as early as April 2020, and that success continues today with an exceptional 28% revenue increase in 2021 versus 2020.
“Nékter Juice Bar’s brand interest and stability is a narrative that is not commonplace in today’s new retail environment and that’s why franchisees interested in a wellness brand continue to turn to us,” said Steve Schulze, CEO and co-founder, Nékter Juice Bar. “Our approach to franchising begins with giving our franchise partners ownership in the success of the brand by incorporating their on-the-ground insights into our R&D efforts and development plans. We also don’t leave our new partners on an island, assigning significant amounts of resources to new markets in terms of human capital, advertising and promotion.”
Nékter’s low initial investment, its top quintile average store sales of $908,906*, competitive franchisee fees, and its intensifying appeal among a broad consumer base that only continues to grow are also attractive to its franchisees. “As health and wellness continues to be a priority among consumers across the country, Nékter Juice Bar is experiencing record growth and brand loyalty, and that translates into financial success and growth opportunities for our franchise partners,” said Schulze.
“Nékter Juice Bar has been building one of the largest nutrition-focused brands in the United States for over a decade,” said Sean Sehgal, president, CVM Inc., and a Nékter franchise partner. “I have been a franchisee with five locations throughout the greater metropolitan Los Angeles area – with two more on the way — and have been blessed to be supported by an incredible Nékter development team. Our success has been built on simple ingredients: healthier food, great experiences for families, strong community ties, and franchisee satisfaction. Our brand includes an innovative and unique menu which empowers us to grow into multi-unit franchisees and be competitive. We continue to invest in new sites and are driven by the success we have enjoyed with the brand, which goes above and beyond to support us with our business model.”
About Nékter Juice Bar
As the pioneer of the modern juice bar experience and the champion of menu transparency and ingredient-integrity, Nékter Juice Bar was founded in 2010 to nourish America’s increasing appetite for plant-based, healthy food options that promote and support various lifestyles and diet preferences. With a steady eye on innovation, the health and wellness brand offers a delicious menu of freshly made, clean and nutrient-rich juices, superfood smoothies, acai bowls, wellness shots, cold-pressed “Grab N’ Go” juices, healthy snacks, and several natural cleanse options to help guests “Keep It Real.” At its core, Nékter believes that “healthy” can taste great, be easily accessible, and be affordable too.
Now with 170 locations in the U.S. and 150+ more in development, Nékter is an industry leader in the truly healthy juice bar category. Recent industry recognition includes being named to the Entrepreneur 2021 Top Food Franchises list and earning a spot on the Inc. 5000 Honor Roll, reserved only for companies named to the Inc. 500 at least five times. Since opening its first location in 2010, Nékter has received tremendous recognition from multiple leading business and restaurant industry authorities such as Franchise Times, Nation’s Restaurant News, Newsweek, QSR Magazine, Restaurant Business, and more.
*Please see item 19 of our 2021 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for additional information. FRANCHISE OFFER This information is not intended as an attempt to sell, or the solicitation of buy, a franchise. It is for informational purposes only. Currently, the following states regulate the sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin. If you are a resident in one of these states, we will not franchise until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration disclosure requirements in your jurisdiction. Offerings made by Document © 2022 All Rights Reserved.
- More from Nékter Juice Bar


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Xbox and Remedy Games are preparing for big day of Quantum Break news this Thursday.
Since it was announced along with the Xbox One in the spring of 2013, gamers have seen little of Remedy Games’ next game Quantum Break. Scheduled to launch in just under two months, Xbox and Remedy are nearly ready to show gamers what they have in store.
This afternoon, the official Xbox Twitter shared this tantalizing tease.
— Xbox (@Xbox) February 10, 2016
Remedy Games’ Creative Director Sam Lake also took to Twitter today to say there was more than just a new trailer coming tomorrow.
There will be a LOT more stuff on #QuantumBreak coming out tomorrow! Can’t wait to hear what you think.
— Sam Lake (@SamLakeRMD) February 10, 2016
Though details are sparse, Remedy hosted a week long play session with gaming journalists a few weeks back to give them plenty of hands-on time with the Quantum Break. It’s likely that plenty of first impressions of the game will hit the web tomorrow afternoon.
Are you excited for more Quantum Break news? Are you hoping Remedy reveals more about the game’s story, or are you hoping the plot stays a mystery until launch? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!
Quantum Break launches on Xbox One April 5, 2016.


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Coronavirus has crushed the hotel and meeting industries, but it hasn’t stopped some travel tech companies from growing.
Groups360, a booking engine for meeting space that a year ago received a 50 million USD investment from Marriott International, InterContinental Hotels Group, Accor, and Hilton, is expanding to Asia Pacific. It has bought IDEM Hospitality, a Singapore-based events tech firm.
The companies didn’t disclose the terms of the deal. All four hotel groups remain invested in Nashville-based Groups360.
“This is the first investment in a long-term commitment to the region,” said Kemp Gallineau, CEO of Groups360.
Groups360 gains a sales and product development office in Singapore with this deal. IDEM’s staff are now a part of Groups360, bringing the firm’s staff count to about 70 employees, up 20 from a year ago. IDEM branding will go away as the parent company integrates its tech, a spokesperson said.
Groups360’s software lets hotels and event planners arrange events, such as corporate meetings, conferences, and trade shows, more efficiently. It lists more than 200,000 properties, up by 30,000 from a year ago.
Groups360’s signature product, GroupSync Supplier Solutions, aims to help hoteliers boost their bottom lines by allocating group inventory through many distribution channels at a low cost.
IDEM’s software strove to help hoteliers boost direct bookings, food and beverage revenue, and loyalty program memberships through smarter digital interactions with event attendees.
Already the company, which has offices in Nashville and London, is advertising for developers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.


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An "amazing" last-of-line Mini is being put up for sale next month at a new classic motor auction house's inaugural auction.
Enthusiasts buying a car from the Rover Mini Cooper's range looking for something big on history and low on mileage need look no further.
Despite being 14 years old, this featured car at CCA's Silverstone circuit auction on March 3 only has 182 miles on the clock.
It was the final original new Mini ever sold in Scotland and is expected to fetch £14,500 to £16,500.
A Scotland-based private collector bought the Longbridge-crafted Mini and took it to Orkney. Here it was kept in a warm garage over 12 years.
The "as-new" car is still in an "untouched" and "amazing" condition, according to Joe Watts, CCA auction manager.
The model still bears many of its novel original features, such as its inaugural key fob and tax disc. It has never even had to take advantage of the original dealer's complementary service offer.
The Mini will be one of over 80 classics in the CCA lots in an event which will be attended by Quentin Willson, the classic car specialist.
Copyright Press Association 2015


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The move comes as Sky announces plans to make its Anytime+ service available to customers regardless of their internet connection - currently the Anytime+ service is only open to Sky customers who subscribe to both Sky TV and Sky broadband. At present Sky Anytime+ lets qualifying customers access on demand entertainment and Sky movies content via their internet connection at no extra cost.
Sky's Chief Executive, Jeremy Darroch said: “Sky Anytime+ will go from strength to strength in 2012 and we are delighted that the addition of BBC iPlayer will allow Sky customers to enjoy the best of the BBC whenever they want.”
The new partnership with Sky is the latest of many deals that have been struck over the last few years. BBC iPlayer is currently available on Virgin Media, BT Vision, FreeSat, Freeview, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo Wii platforms as well as on countless other smartphones and tablets.
Mark Thompson, BBC's Director-General said this about the new partnership: “Having the BBC and Sky work together to further build on the BBC iPlayer success story can only be fantastic news for audiences. Making BBC iPlayer available on all platforms is key to our commitment to universal access and this agreement takes us one step further towards that goal. I’m delighted to take this first step on a story of innovation for both organisations.”


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The coronavirus pandemic has revealed the true heroes of our society: first responders and healthcare workers. To help celebrate them, Starbucks is offering free coffee.
Starting Wednesday, March 25th, all firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses, medical researchers, and hospital staff can stop by Starbucks nationwide to get a free tall hot or iced coffee until May 3rd. They'll have to get their free coffee in the drive thru, as Starbucks has closed its dining rooms to help stop the spread of the virus.
Furthermore, The Starbucks Foundation is donating $500,000 to organizations delivering coronavirus care packages to emergency rooms.
You can get updates on how Starbucks is dealing with COVID-19 here.
Photo: Getty Images


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Video: Gucci Mane – “Back On”
Fresh off the heels of his star-studded wedding to Keyshia Ka'oir, Gucci Mane has released a new visual for "Back On" from his second album of 2017, Mr. Davis.
Video: Gucci Mane – “Met Gala” ft. Offset
Gucci Mane's last project Droptopwop peaked with "Met Gala," which featured the triplet acrobatics of Migos' Offset in peak form. Today, Gucci dropped the Be El Be-directed video, where they skip…
Gucci Mane – “Curve” ft. The Weeknd
Gucci Mane is busier than he has ever been, even through he's been the most notoriously prolific rappers in hip-hop since the mid-'00s. Currently, he's…
Gucci Mane Got a New Pool Float
Looks vaguely familiar…
This article originally appeared on Stereogum.


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Ted Baker saw group revenue increase by 24.2% for the 18-week period to June 6, with retail sales up by 18.9% and wholesale sales up by 41.2%.
The lifestyle brand opened its first street-level store in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay and a store for its licensed products called Ted Baker & Moore in Spitalfields, east London during the period. It added concessions in the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, North America, China and Japan.
Online sales increased 49.5%, reflecting growth in the UK and a strong performance from the US site, which moved to a new platform in July last year. There was an “encouraging” contribution from its Canadian site, which opened at the end of 2014.
Wholesale sales are strong in both the UK and North America, with the latter in particular benefitting from a strong start to the season and changes to buying patterns, which brought forward some orders. Ted Baker expects full-year wholesale growth of 18%.
Both retail and wholesale gross margins were in line with expectations, broadly in line with last year.
Licensed stores opened in Azerbaijan, Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Taiwan during the 18-week period.
Founder and chief executive Ray Kelvin said: “The Ted Baker brand continues to perform very well and we have delivered further progress across our global markets and distribution channels.We are pleased with the performance of our spring/summer collections both in the UK and internationally, which is a testament to our skilled and passionate team.”


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Mumbai: The Madras high court has asked Procter and Gamble Home Products Ltd (P&G) to modify its Tide Natural advertisement as it is misleading consumers with the claim that the detergent contains natural ingredients.
The court passed the order on 1 March in response to a suit filed by Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), challenging Tide’s claim. The Tide advertisement had made incorrect and misleading claims that the product contains natural ingredients such as lemon and ‘chandan’ (sandalwood) while merely fragrances have been used, which don’t provide the claimed benefits of whiteness in cleaning or softness to hands, the HUL suit said.
New twist: The Madras high court has passed the order in response to a suit filed by Hindustan Unilever. Abhijit Bhatlekar / Mint
The court has given P&G 72 hours to modify its advertisement saying this “does not contain lemon and ‘chandan’”.
A P&G spokeswoman said: “Tide Naturals promises great cleaning while keeping your hands soft, because it has the goodness and freshness like that of lemon and sandalwood. This claim does not in anyway lead the consumers to believe that any natural ingredients are present in the detergent.”
“Tide Naturals is not off air. We have actioned modifications,” added the spokeswoman.
HUL, the maker of Rin, Surf and Wheel detergents, is battling P&G on three fronts.
In January, HUL reduced the prices of its Rin and Surf brands by 10-30%.
On 25 February, it moved the Madras high court against P&G’s “natural” pitch and followed it up by launching an advertisement that took on the Tide brand’s claim on better whiteness, a key selling point in India and also used by HUL to sell its products.


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Published on Feb. 10 by Fundecitrus and its cooperators, the third 2021–2022 orange crop forecast update for the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt remains at 264.14 million boxes. Should this forecast hold true until harvest ends, Brazil’s orange crop will be 30 million boxes less than the initial forecast for the season.
“The arid landscape of groves prevailing at the beginning of this crop season, caused by the most severe drought in history and frosts of rare intensity, started to change when rains resumed as of October last year,” states the Fundecitrus crop forecast report. “Rainfall volume increased in January 2022, although
the accumulated amount since May 2021 is still far from the historical average … The atypical drought in the citrus belt and the milder temperatures observed in this crop season result from the La Niña phenomenon that should last until May.”
Brazil’s orange growth this season was affected as a consequence of the adverse climate. Average fruit weight was reduced to 142.2 grams (287 fruits per box) in the previous forecast update, which is 15.9% lower than in the last five crop
seasons. Survey data shows that the average weight of fruits harvested by January 2022 is slightly lower than the projected weight, although fruits to be harvested in February and March this year should be somewhat larger, since that is a rainier period.
Rainfall, combined with the advanced fruit maturation stage, will contribute to reaching the projected premature fruit drop rate of 20.9%.
Thus, projected fruit size and fruit drop rates remain the same as in the December crop forecast report. Figures will be final only after the harvest ends in April. As of mid-January, harvest had reached 82% of total production.
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October 22, 2018
A recent blog entry by Andrew Stephen, the L’Oreal professor of Marketing and Associate Dean of Research at Oxford University’s Said Business School has touched on some crucial points on how marketing strategies may work in future, and how AI may fit in all this. Highlighted below are some of the more interesting findings from the post.
It’s high time to pause and reflect on the AI-revolution in Marketing
When Dr. Stephen Hawking made the sensational comment on AI at the opening of the Leverhulme Center for the Future of Intelligence, it rocked the world. After all, this wasn’t some fantasy enthusiast making unfounded remarks, this was the most famous scientist since Einstein. He then went on to make the chilling statement that AI is “either the best, or the worst, thing ever to happen to humanity.” after he evaluated and predicted the effects of the AI and its applications. We can already see the dichotomy that this technology has created in the field of marketing alone.
We have seen how the incredible power of the technology has enabled marketers to process all the valuable data to present better insight for running marketing campaigns. However, the very same technology has somehow created a barrier in innovative thinking. Andrew explains that AI has been on the top layer of discussion and it has basically changed the format of marketing from outbound to inbound for improved results and ROI. However, AI has remained the ‘shiny new toy’ for way too long, and he suggests we take a more bullish point of view and exploit the full potential of Artificial Intelligence to create more efficient and less scattered marketing plans. Start using AI as a Tool, not Authority.
In his own words, “Realize that AI is a means to an end. Nothing more, nothing less.” It all comes down to asking the right questions from this tool. Lately, the effectiveness of AI applications seem to have made people start to rely more heavily on the insights, never taking the trouble to put the human insight to it. After all it is still humans the sales and marketing efforts are being made for. To overcome this perception, Andrew suggests following what he calls the HIAI approach.
The Human Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence Hybrid
Marketing experts, especially the ones using analytics tools have started to use AI tools as their end strategies. This is the case specifically with the new marketers, who never had the opportunity to apply the manual strategies. This is why it has now become extremely important to bring human intuition back to the industry to keep the scale in a more balanced position. The effectiveness of the HIAI approach has already been proven in the case study of Sony Music, wherein they have used the combination of data science and human judgment based on experience and taste to create the most effective marketing strategies for themselves.
In a nutshell, whilst it has become more important to create more data-driven strategies, we cannot afford to lose the scope of human intervention. That is if we want to keep the future marketing models from collapsing altogether.
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