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Containers labeled with ZIH from Chinese city of Zhengzhou are seen at DUSS Hamburg-Billwerder intermodal terminal in Hamburg, Germany, on Jan. 21, 2019. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)
by Xinhua writer Shen Zhonghao
FRANKFURT, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Anastasiya Sizikova, a young woman who lives in Germany's western city of Dusseldorf, could have hardly imagined a few years ago that her career and life would be so closely linked to China.
Speaking three languages including English and Russian, she is now a director of logistics and business development at DBO Bahnoperator company, a firm established against the backdrop of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to handle container shipments from the European Union (EU) to China using block trains.
"I'm a happy person, because I truly love my job and enjoy doing it," Sizikova told Xinhua. "Through the example of China Rail Express, we can see how fast the cooperation between China and Europe is growing, we are proud to be part of this process," Sizikova said.
Following the principle of consultation and collaboration for shared benefits, the BRI is increasingly embraced by European countries and people, who have already benefited from the development opportunities the initiative offers.
In the meantime, the BRI cooperation has been playing an increasingly important role in deepening China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, which has come a long way since its establishment in 2003.
Since it was proposed in 2013, the BRI has been bringing tangible benefits to both Europe and China.
Gradually growing into an iconic brand in Europe, China Railway Express, which connects 59 Chinese cities with 49 European cities in 15 countries, made 6,363 trips in 2018, surging 73 percent from 2017, according to the China Railway Corporation.
Those freight trains have rumbled along the routes, taking garments, auto parts, chemicals and other Chinese goods to European consumers, while taking back European food, machinery, equipment and timber.
For Spain, China Railway Express not only connects Madrid with China's eastern city of Yiwu, but also provides a better opportunity for the two countries to access and explore each others' markets.
"Yiwu is a great global bazaar, and for the enterprises in the community of Madrid, it's also a big door to enter the huge Chinese market," Francisco Aranda, vice president and spokesman of Business Confederation of Madrid, told Xinhua.
The Foundation for the Exchange between Yiwu and Spain, a non-profit organization founded in 2016, recently announced that it will invite some 70 Spanish entrepreneurs to present their products at the Yiwu Imported Commodities Fair in late May this year, in which Spain will be the guest country.
For Poland, one of the largest agricultural countries in Europe, the China Railway Express is a good alternative for sea transportation as it helps Polish companies bring more competitive products to the Chinese market.
"That would be a great opportunity to start with fresh, short shelf life products that currently can't be delivered to the Chinese clients. It could also improve the frequency and efficiency of deliveries," said Malgorzata Cebelinska, trade director of Poland's leading dairy company Mlekpol.
Seeing robust growth in the Chinese market in 2018, Mlekpol is now one of the leading players in the sector of imported milk to China.
She noted that her company is considering expanding business activities and range of products in the Chinese market.
"The freight train service between China and Europe is a powerful example of how the Belt and Road cooperation can drive common development and prosperity of China and Europe with enhanced connectivity," Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said at the 55th Munich Security Conference in February.
INVESTMENTS & JOBS
While guiding European companies' to growing businesses in China, the BRI also directly leads to new investments and jobs in Europe.
The Piraeus port, where China's COSCO Shipping has investment, is an exemplary case of win-win partnership between Greece and China within the framework of the BRI.
The port started to take a new look and achieved impressive results a few years after the Chinese investment came, in the wake of the debt crisis that hit Greece hard, Vassilis Korkidis, president of Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry told Xinhua.
"It was an investment for more than 3.5 billion euros (4 billion U.S. dollars). There are a lot of activities around the port that were activated by the port development. So that means new jobs, better-pay jobs than the rest of the workers' salaries in Greece," he explained.
The Peljesac Bridge, one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Croatia's history, is another example of win-win cooperation under the BRI. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said China Road and Bridge Corporation's active participation in the construction of the projects "is a concrete economic contribution."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also highly valued the presence of Chinese companies in the country, saying that they have contributed to the full employment and the long-term economic growth of Hungary.
As an important global public goods by China, the BRI keeps winning more and more positive feedback throughout Europe.
Michel Kempeneers, chief operating officer of overseas export and investment department at Wallonia Export-Investment Agency, told Xinhua that Belgium is very open to Chinese partners in terms of the BRI cooperation.
"We can have win-win partnerships together, talking with our Chinese colleagues with the same language of openness," said Kempeneers, adding that Belgium is not an ending point of the BRI, but a new starting point for the rest of Europe and "we welcome these flights and trains from China with a lot of happiness."
Thilo Ketterer, a public auditor and partner at the German professional service firm Roedl & Partner, has followed the BRI from the very beginning in 2013 and took part in the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2017.
The initiative, which brings everybody together, is "really fantastic," said Ketterer. He was deeply impressed and encouraged by the fact that the initiative has turned from vision into reality.
In fact, the BRI cooperation is extensively accepted as a major part of bilateral relations between China and the European countries.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that Spain will actively take part in the construction of the Belt and Road, which is of historic significance as China and Spain reached consensus last November to jointly push forward the construction of the Belt and Road to strengthen Asia-Europe connectivity and boost global trade.
In addition, Greek Foreign Minister George Katrougalos said Greece will actively participate in the BRI and play a constructive role in promoting the bilateral relations and Europe-China cooperation.
From the perspective of the EU as a whole, there is growing synergy between the BRI and the Juncker Plan, a 315-billion-euro (357 billion dollar) investment scheme championed by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in 2014 to boost private investment in European infrastructure projects.
"I would like to witness the further development of success stories of the Belt and Road Initiative, to see more countries getting involved, to see new infrastructure development along the route, and to see growing cooperation between China and Europe," said Sizikova.
(Xinhua reporters Zhu Sheng in Berlin, Guo Qiuda in Madrid, Zhang Zhang in Warsaw, Yu Shuaishuai in Athens, Gao Lei in Zagreb, Yuan Liang in Budapest, Pan Geping in Brussels, Wang Huijuan in Belgrade also contributed to this report.)


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In March of last year, when the coronavirus pandemic’s stark reality came into focus, not only did stocks plunge, we started to see businesses shut down due to orders from local governments. This had a tremendous impact on retail stores…
Aside from the top big box stores with e-commerce capabilities already in place, like Walmart (WMT – Get Rating) and Target (TGT – Get Rating), many iconic retailers that relied on foot-traffic to sell their goods saw their fortunes plummet. Companies that had been around for decades, like J.C. Penney, Brooks Brothers, and Lord & Taylor, fell into bankruptcy.
Though much of the population already used e-commerce to buy some of their purchases, COVID-19 pushed consumers to become even more reliant on online retailers. One of the biggest beneficiaries of this was Amazon.com (AMZN), whose stock doubled between March and September 2020.
Beginning in November 2020, when Pfizer (PFE) and BioNTech (BNTX) announced their vaccine candidate results, the stocks of stores that heavily rely on in-store customers, like Macy’s (M) and Nordstrom (JWN), started to rally. As a result, the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) has significantly outperformed the broader market and technology stocks.
As more people receive the vaccine, a full reopening of the economy is likely to benefit both physical and online retail stores. The Business Research Company forecasts the global retail market is expected to grow from $20.29 trillion in 2020 to $22.43 trillion in 2021, making the retail industry one to watch in 2021.
What is the Retail Industry?
The retail industry is composed of companies that sell final products to end-user consumers. The industry is part of both the consumer staples and consumer discretionary sectors and includes everything from clothing and department stores to home improvement and auto parts stores. On the consumer staples side, retail companies include discount stores such as Dollar General (DG – Get Rating), grocery stores like Albertsons (ACI), and wholesale clubs like Costco (COST – Get Rating). The cyclical sector includes stores that sell apparel, luxury goods, and specialty products such as electronics and home furnishings.
A Changing Industry
The retail industry has seen its share of changes over the past few decades. Sixty years ago, there were many mom-and-pop stores and just a few department stores in major cities. Then came big box stores, such as Walmart (WMT), that made it harder for small stores to compete. We also saw large specialty chains such as Home Depot (HD) and Lowes (LOW) that put small specialty stores out of business.
Many department stores, that were successful for decades, were located in malls, which were very popular when I was young, but malls have seen less foot traffic over the past ten years. Many of these stores, like Sears, didn’t successfully transition to growing their online presence quickly enough, and are struggling now.
Traditionally, if you wanted to purchase a product, you would go to the store, pick it up and pay for it. But now, online shopping has changed retail. All you need to do is select a product on a store’s website, pay for it, and it’s shipped to your home. You never have to leave your house.
Not only is the ease of e-commerce beneficial for the consumers but the retailers benefit as well. Stores don’t need to pay the overhead costs of maintaining as many, or any, physical stores.
Impact of COVID and the Future of Retail
While the switch to e-commerce started years before the pandemic, it only accelerated during it. According to Digital Commerce 360, in 2020 consumers spent $861.12 billion online with U.S. merchants, up an incredible 44.0% year over year.
However, as more people are vaccinated in 2021, and venture out of their homes, physical retailers are expected to benefit. eMarketer predicts that worldwide ecommerce growth will fall by 14.3% in 2021. That’s because of a brick-and-mortar rebound and so much growth was pulled forward to 2020.
Stores with both a physical and an online presence, like Target (TGT – Get Rating) and CVS Health (CVS – Get Rating), survived and even thrived during the past year, due to their omnichannel capabilities, such as order online and curbside pickup. Stores like these should continue to see gains even after the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us.
That’s because we live in a society where people want things right away and aren’t willing to wait a day(s) to have them shipped. For example, if you have a bad headache and need some Tylenol, chances are you’ll probably drive to a store, such as Rite Aid (RAD), and get it right away.
Also, people enjoy the experience of going to stores, walking down the aisles, and looking/touching the products they’re considering buying. This is simply something that e-commerce-only companies cannot match.
Which is why I’m highlighting five retail stocks with physical storefronts below that are likely to see gains in 2021.
Retail Stocks to Buy
TGT is one of the largest discount retailers in the country, with about 1,900 stores in the U.S. While the company is reporting its latest earnings results next week, its previous quarter was strong as earnings and revenues outperformed estimates. During the quarter, online and in-store sales rose 20.7%, while digital sales surged 155%. The company’s curbside pickup was very popular, increasing by more than 500%. Furthermore, its home delivery service, Shipt, increased by nearly 280%.
The company is benefiting from a trend in consumers shopping at discount stores that should continue for the foreseeable future. Its same-day services such as Drive Up & Pick Up are bringing more customers to their stores. Its partnerships should further enhance its product offerings, such as its latest partnership with Ulta. TGT is also increasing its private label products and its Food & Beverage business, which should aid growth.
TGT has a Strong Buy Rating in our POWR Ratings system. The company has a Growth Grade and Value Grade of B, indicating that its growth prospects are not only strong, but it’s trading at an attractive valuation. Plus, analysts love the stock with a Sentiment Grade of B. If you want to know its Quality, Momentum, and Stability Grades, you can find them here.
The company is also ranked #1 in an A-rated industry, Grocery/Big Box Retailers. For more top stocks in that industry, click here.
While TGT is large, WMT is the world’s largest retailer. It operates Walmart Stores, Supercenters, and Sam’s Club locations in the United States. It also has a fast-growing e-commerce business, which includes Walmart.com and Jet.com. In fact, WMT is even gaining steam on AMZN in the e-commerce space. The retailer offers two-day shipping on many items to any customers, something that requires membership on AMZN.
Like TGT, WMT’s omni channel platform will keep bringing in customers. The company launched its Walmart+ subscription delivery service in September, which is priced at $98/year. While you don’t need the membership to get free two-day shipping, the membership provides free next-day and two-day shipping with no order minimum. It also offers free delivery from your store. Plus, WMT now also provides…
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Movie theaters return; Matty’s Hot Chicken plans a pop-up; IHOP is moving to Goleta; and Santa Barbara’s transient occupancy taxes are down 39%
Sara Gehris has opened the Santa Barbara Urban Flea Market for vendors of vintage items.
Longtime entrepreneur Sara Gehris still packs a punch.
Her latest endeavor opened a few days ago downtown — the Santa Barbara Urban Flea Market. It’s a home for vendors of vintage items, including jackets, T-shirts, records, furnishings and countless other eclectic items.
“I just kind of wanted to have a platform for them to be able to sell their merchandise,” Gehris said. “It’s kind of like their own little business within a business.”
She said there’s a community of dealers looking for a spot to sell their items after getting displaced from the COVID-19 pandemic. Gehris said there’s strength in numbers, and everyone coming together can share a space that’s affordable yet high quality.
The shop, at 729 State St., once housed Pascucci Restaurant, which since has moved to the 500 block. Gehris, an interior designer, painted some of the walls and the floor to give the store its own vintage vibe.
“We really have something for all ages and all prices,” she said, adding from $1 to $1,000. “Everybody is so excited about it.”
About 20 vendors share the space.
“I am grateful to have the opportunity, just to bring business back to State Street,” Gehris said.
She used to own vintage store Punch, also on State Street. She sold it in 2015. Before that, she was also a dealer. At one point, she bought a shuttle bus and turned it into a shop in the Funk Zone.
“I really wanted to do a collective again,” she said. “I am just really good with spaces and turning it into a cool vibe.”
She said she eventually plans to hold pop-up bars once a month so people can enjoy beer and wine.
“I just love creating an interesting space,” she said. “Every little thing here has its own personality and its own story behind it.”
By Joshua Molina, Noozhawk Staff Writer | @JECMolina
Original Story HERE


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A Weston woman who reportedly wasn’t overly concerned where some of the jewelry she bought at a flea market came from was taken into custody.
Two Hialeah men have been arrested in connection with the heist of 625-thousand dollars in gold bars from Miami International Airport.
The FBI in Miami is investigating the theft of 625-thousand dollars in gold bars stolen at Miami International Airport.
The Broward Sheriffs Office is targeting what it describes as “unscrupulous vendors” who knowingly buy stolen gold jewelry. It follows an incredible spike in thefts of the jewelry from countless victims in Broward County.


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Long Branch, NJ (PRWEB) February 26, 2013
We all understand how frustrating it can be having to hold a phone while trying to get other things done, but the new itFits smartphone accessory’s patent-pending technology gives users an extra set of hands to cook, work, drive, multitask and more.
itFits’ thermoplastic, rubber arms flex to fit around almost every smartphone, creating more opportunities for users to stand, recline and hook their smartphones just about anywhere. Here are the top 10 ways to use the new smartphone accessory:
1. Stand your phone up on the kitchen counter to reference recipes while cooking
2. Turn smartphones into an alarm clock, and prop your phone to landscape mode on a nightstand
3. Hold a smartphone in portrait mode while Skyping for FaceTiming with friends or family
4. Monitor emails and messages on your desk
5. Use your phone as a camera tripod, and avoid having to ask an innocent bystander to take a group photo
6. Watch movies during a flight by propping your smartphone up on a tray table
7. Hook your phone to a car’s sun visor, and use your smartphone as a hands-free GPS
8. Attach your phone to the back of a car seat, so kids can stay entertained and watch a movies during a long drive
9. Snap your phone to a child’s stroller and keep them entertained for hours
10. Clip your phone to a computer monitor and have a second screen to reference calendars or send text messages
Smartphones have become an important part of our daily lives, and itFits allows smartphone owners to create brand new opportunities to use their device in ways that were previously difficult or impossible.
For more information on itFits, visit http://bit.ly/itFitsKS before the end of its crowdfunding campaign on March 6 at 3:57pm EST.
itFits is a new startup dedicated to making your life easier with tech accessories. Their latest product, itFits, is a smartphone accessory which serves as a stand, recliner and hook for almost any phone on the market today. For more information on itFits, visit http://www.itfitsyourlife.com, Like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itfitsyourlife and Follow them on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/itfitsyou.


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2018 First half: Top 10 News ⑤ One year has passed, Amazon's Whole Foods are Creating a Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow
It has been a year since Amazon's surprising acquisitions. Everyone in the US, how are you getting along? Acquisition amount of 1.5 trillion! Everyone was surprised when Amazon had bought Whole Foods. Well, what about a year later? It seems Amazon prime members get a discount program. Are some even using the Amazon Echo for their orders? Naturally, even at Amazon, you can develop a wholesale that sells private brand products online. Seems like the service integration is going well. Guess Japan will have to wait a little bit longer until Whole Foods appears. Until that time, prepare yourselves.


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It’s a year to the day since the birth of the iPad, and while that might be something worthy of rejoicing to Apple (AAPL) fanboys, those of us paying attention have a question — what now? Sure, we’ve been hearing rumors about the iPad 2 and, realistically, it isn’t that impressive. Most of the features […]
It’s a year to the day since the birth of the iPad, and while that might be something worthy of rejoicing to Apple (AAPL) fanboys, those of us paying attention have a question — what now?
Sure, we’ve been hearing rumors about the iPad 2 and, realistically, it isn’t that impressive. Most of the features that the most prominent rumors threw around about Apple’s follow-up to its massively popular tab seem like forgone conclusions. Front- and rear-facing cameras? Of course — the iPhone 4 has it, so why wouldn’t the iPad 2? In fact, front and back cameras are so standard today, it feels like Apple is lagging behind the times with the iPad’s single forward-facing offering.
Don’t get me wrong: the iPad’s first year has been quite an impressive one. Apple’s machine has become a household name (remember when everyone made fun of it for being dumb?), it has more or less single-handedly revived the tablet computing market, and it has sold 14.8 million units. That’s nothing to sneer at.
As Mashable mentioned and OnSwipe showed with a great infographic, the iPad has a laundry list of achievements for being so young. It dominates the tablet landscape with 90 percent of the marketshare — an insane amount for a single computer, and it only has 3G support from a single carrier, to boot. Analysts expect 15.1 million tablet devices to be shipped in 2011, and by 2014, they’re putting the number at 115 million. The entire tablet world has been inexorably altered.
But here’s the thing: while Apple is planning an iPad sequel that has a better display, better speakers and two cameras. The iPad 2 and the next iPhone are going to be Apple’s supersoldiers in its war for operating system dominance with Google and its Android. But the troops rallying for Google (GOOG) seem beefier and more creative.
Today, on the one-year birthday of the iPad, Sony (SNE) announced something huge for Android owners and video gamers: a service called PlayStation Suite — an Android-based gaming platform that will include emulated ports of old PlayStation games, as well as Sony-screened new games from developers. PlayStation Suite will be available for Android devices, allowing the massive casual mobile gaming audience to access PlayStation and Sony content, and it’ll also be available on the NGP, Sony’s newest, super-powerful gaming system.
Sony’s fired the second warning shot, and the reverberating declaration is, if you’re serious about gaming, you’ll be needing an Android.
The first shot in the upcoming gaming war was fired by Verizon (VZ) at CES 2011 in Las Vegas a few weeks ago. During the show, the company announced excitedly, and at length, all kinds of new stuff related to the rollout of its 4G LTE network — but one of the biggest was the ability of 4G LTE customers to play games on Android tablets and phones against players in the same game on PCs and PlayStation 3s. Cross-platform compatibility is happening on Android devices within the year, if not already, and it could have the potential to create a nebulous gaming community that has never been achieved before.
Where it’s not happening: the iPhone, the iPad, or any device with an ‘i’ in front of its name.
Google’s pushing non-gaming technology forward with its operating system a lot more quickly than Apple as well. We’ve been hearing about Android 2.3 Gingerbread’s Near Field Communication (NFC) support for a few months now. That’s the technology that allows your phone to communicate with other devices at close range, to gather specific information or even complete in-store transactions: it has the potential to be a really big deal, and Google has been pursuing it for a while now.
Rumors are just now going around that Apple is checking into NFC technology for iPhone 5, speculated to be forthcoming this summer. But it feels a little late.
The point is this: in Tokyo today, the iPad’s birthday, Sony rolled out some big technological innovations in a community that has come up huge for smartphones and for both iOS and Android.
Time for Apple to start showing us how it plans to start sharpening up the cutting edge and getting into the game. Right now, it certainly feels like Google and Android are holding most of the cards.


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Enjoy the Eclipse Without Hurting Your Eyes
Today the solar eclipse sweeps across North America, and there is much talk about how to enjoy the eclipse safely without hurting your eyes. Since viewing a partial eclipse can fry your naked eyes, as reported by many news channels, be sure to watch safely. Here are some ways:
Wear safe solar eclipse glasses. It is never safe to look directly a partial eclipse (what most of the U.S. will experience) without special glasses or filters, reports NPR, who quotes optometrist Ralph Chou who says he has seen patients over the years with distinct crescent-shaped scars from looking at a solar eclipse.
Many reports have flooded the news of unsafe, counterfeit eclipse viewing glasses. The American Astronomical Society (AAS) provides a list of “solar viewer” brands whose glasses have been verified by an accredited testing laboratory to meet international safety standards.
The society explains that if a supplier doesn’t appear on their list, that doesn’t necessarily mean its products are unsafe, “only that we have no knowledge of them or that we haven’t convinced ourselves they are safe.”
The lenses of solar eclipse glasses should be dark. If you can see ordinary household lights through the lenses, that is no good, according to AAS. “Safe solar filters produce a view of the sun that is comfortably bright (like the full moon), in focus and surrounded by black sky. If you glance at the sun through your solar filter and find it uncomfortably bright, out of focus and surrounded by a murky haze, [the filter] is no good.”
Use a pinhole projector. If you don’t have approved solar eclipse glasses, you can make a pinhole projector using common items found around the house, such as a cereal box. This project will allow you to see a reflected image of the event, rather than looking directly at the eclipse itself. ABC News provides step-by-step directions on creating the pinhole projector by cutting a tiny hole into tinfoil adhered to a cereal box, and attaching white paper to another part of the box. During the eclipse, you will see the sun projected onto the paper inside the box.
The AAS also provides information and directions for viewing the eclipse using pinhole projection, as well as viewing the eclipse using optical projection, sun funnels, and other means.


text: European firms wasting millions procuring marketing products and services, a new report has claimed. According to a forthcoming study from marketing production specialists Charterhouse, Europe’s top-500 companies are wasting an average of €716m on inefficient marketing procurement. The vast majority (88%) say that current procurement practices are ineffective, while four fifths (79%) claim it could be more efficient. David Fincham, director at Charterhouse, said, “There is a huge opportunity for big businesses to make significant savings on their marketing. Driving purchasing efficiencies will be vital in an uncertain economic environment and in light of shrinking marketing budgets.” The yet-to-be-released study entitled, The Marketing Maturity Matrix is based on the responses of 200 procurement professionals from across Europe’s 500 largest businesses. It reported that such savings could be a lifeline for companies, many of which have exhausted traditional procurement savings. According to the research, two thirds (65%) of procurement professionals agree that traditional procurement categories are yielding fewer savings than ever before. Likewise, the vast majority (88%) say their existing procurement practices are becoming less effective. Almost four fifths (79%) of procurement professionals polled claim that marketing products and services could be purchased more efficiently in their organisations. Over a third (39%) agree that these potential efficiency savings are a significant opportunity for their businesses. A similar proportion (35%) describe marketing as the last real opportunity for procurement to drive significant new savings. Fincham said, “The potential to identify new savings in an already squeezed environment is great news. But marketing procurement must be approached intelligently to avoid reducing its effectiveness. We believe a closer relationship between the two disciplines can drive real savings, without sacrificing the vital creativity and innovation that effective marketing demands.” However, only a fifth (21%) claim their organisations are already as lean as possible. “Most large businesses have been furiously driving out inefficiencies since the start of the recession. As a result, procurement professionals are having to seek out savings in new areas. These professionals rightly have their sights set on marketing procurement. Working with marketers to identify potential savings could help marketing budgets go further and create efficiencies for the organisation as a whole,” Fincham said.


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A Colorado-based company has purchased Brach’s Storage and its three locations in Grand Junction.
Advantage Self Storage acquired in the transaction Brach’s Self Storage, Brach’s Mini Storage and Brach’s Interior Storage.
Dave and Ann Brach opened the first Brach’s Storage location in 1995. Their facilities are located on part of the land Dave’s parents purchased 60 years ago along Broadway.
The couple constructed an interior, climate-controlled storage facility in 2019 in a nearly 19,000-square-foot, two-story building.
“We are confident Advantage Self Storage will continue the quality customer service and storage our customers have grown accustomed to over the years,” Dave said.
Ann said the couple is grateful for the community’s support and trust over the years. “Providing clean, secure, accessible and affordable storage options to customers has been our passion for nearly three decades. It’s now time to pass the torch.”
Advantage Self Storage operates two locations in Arvada as well as locations in Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.
Brach’s Storage customers who have questions should call 241-9012.


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A report from Web researcher Experian Hitwise says Google+ vaulted to the eighth-most-visited site in their Social Networking and Forums category. The week before, it ranked 54th.
Last week, Google revealed it was opening access to the social network to all users. Since then, the site received 15 million total visits in the U.S. and jumped 1,269% in market share growth, according to Experian.
Along with opening to public access, Google also rolled out several new features such as search, support for smartphones and changes to the popular Hangouts option.
Facebook has been equally busy, unveiling revamped profiles last week called Timelines.
Technology Live covers computers, electronics, and the Internet, with a focus on cutting-edge technology that has a real impact on your life. Our reporters and editors -- based in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, and Washington – offer news and tips to help you make the most of your digital domain. More about the team
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“If you haven’t already been bitten by the urge for a digital audio player, don’t be surprised if you give in soon. The Consumer Electronics Association says digital players will be one of this year’s hottest sellers, with many people buying them this month as back-to-school gifts,” Heather Newman writes for The Cincinnati Enquirer. “Not so long ago, Apple’s iPod was pretty much the only major brand shoppers could choose. Now, more and more electronics makers are getting into the act, and it’s not as easy to decide which model to buy.”
“Once you’ve answered these questions, consider [physical size, storage space, price, software compatibility, supported formats, and number of accessories avaialbe] when choosing a digital audio player,” Newman writes. “You’re going to want to choose a device that supports the music download services, such as the iTunes Music Store or Napster, you plan to use…. Because it dominates the market, Apple’s iPod probably has the most accessories available at the moment. However, despite its awesome controls and sleek design, it is far and away more expensive than some other players with similar features. If you’re on a budget, shop around.”
Full article here.


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Business and Professional
February 29, 2016
Team members from Avanti Senior Living at Towne Lake and Vision Park recently visited local coffee shops on February 17th to buy patrons coffee in recognition of National Random Acts of Kindness Day. Avanti Senior Living at Towne Lake team members, Michele Craig, community relations director, and Andrya Caeser, resident and family advocate, came to Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee House to purchase the first thirty people they met a coffee of their choice. Residents from the community accompanied the team and were treated to coffee and pastries as well. Avanti Senior Living at Vision Park team members, Joy Wilson, community relations director, and Jeanette McMackin, resident and family advocate, provided coffee to the first thirty people they met at Starbucks at Hughes Landing.
Team members passed out coupons for one complimentary coffee per person, provided by Avanti Senior Living, as well as a cute card reminding them to pay it forward and do their own random act of kindness to celebrate the day. By showing appreciation for residents and by giving to the outside community, Avanti hoped to start many peoples' day off in the right kind of way, with kindness.
The two senior living communities were eager to make a difference in the lives of people in the surrounding community. To kick start their outreach, they decided to participate in Random Acts of Kindness Day by providing coffees to people in the surrounding areas.


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Peugeot’s all-new 208 supermini — spied here in summer testing for the first time — will be smaller and lighter than the 207 it replaces when it is launched next year.
Peugeot insiders say the 208’s smaller exterior dimensions will not impact on interior space and it could even grow in size inside. Up to 100kg could be shed compared with the current heavyweight 207.
The 208’s styling will be influenced by the firm’s SR1 sports car concept. The new car will ditch the 207’s oversize nose and grille in favour of the SR1’s sleeker, more elegant look. Indeed, the spy shots reveal a car with a lower nose and more elegant proportions despite the disguise.
Interior quality will also be greatly improved, with the focus on simple style and high-quality materials.
Engine development has centred on downsized turbocharged powerplants, with the star being a near-200bhp 1.6 unit powering a GTI model that Peugeot hopes will reclaim iconic status for the badge. A warmer — and cheaper to insure — GT version is also planned to appeal to younger drivers.


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The Automotive Fine Arts Society will celebrate its 24th annual show at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 16, 2009, with the most impressive exhibit in the group’s history.
Sponsored by the Lincoln Division of Ford Motor Company, the exhibit will include paintings and sculptures by the world’s premier automotive fine artists on the Concours field of cars on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. The AFAS is an international association of automotive artists who create pieces in mediums including watercolors, acrylics, oils, wood and various metals.
“The Pebble Beach Concours has become the world’s celebration of the wonderful, rich heritage of the automobile,” said AFAS president, Ken Eberts. “AFAS has been an important part of that celebration for the past 24 years and we’re looking forward to being part of this historic occasion. We’ll have the largest group of members exhibiting there over the past decade and the number of originals to be debuted is amazing. This may be our best exhibit at the Concours to date.”
Additionally, Automotive Fine Arts Society Member and award winning artist, Barry Rowe, has been commissioned for the fourth time by the Pebble Beach Company to create the official poster for the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The 48″ x 36″ acrylic on canvas painting, which pays homage to European icons Bentley and Bugatti, will be unveiled during the Concours. Rowe’s poster art will also be displayed during the AFAS Pebble Beach Concours exhibit, alongside masterpieces by fellow AFAS members.
“I’m honored to be chosen again to create the Pebble Beach poster artwork,” said Rowe. “The Pebble Beach Concours has developed into the brightest, most elegant stage in the world of classic automobiles. This year’s task was to capture the style and beauty of two of Europe’s most sought after marques, Bentley and Bugatti. I believe I accomplished that by staging some of the most legendary models in front of the beautiful Lodge at Pebble Beach.”
Rowe’s poster art showcases a 1930 Bentley 8-Litre Vanden Plas Tourer in front of The Lodge at Pebble Beach, with a Bentley Continental R and a Bugatti Type 57C Atalante in the background. Each classic automobile has an impressive history, including the Bentley 8-Litre, which has a personal connection to a former Bentley chief.
“This Bentley Vanden Plas is quite interesting visually, with subtle differences in gray on the body and wings,” noted Rowe. “And from a historical perspective, this car was driven by former Bentley Motors owner Woolf Barnato on his honeymoon.”
In order to perfect the color of the Bentley Vanden Plas, Rowe received paint samples from Graham Moss, who is restoring the car. The poster also features several onlookers admiring the beauty of the British giant beneath a crisp California sky.
“Barry Rowe is one of the most respected automotive artists in the world and we’re pleased that he could once again create the official Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance poster,” said Concours Chairman Sandra Button. “Great automobiles are art on wheels, and Barry and his peers in the AFAS have captured their magnificence for many years.”
A native of England, Rowe studied graphic design at the College of Art in Coventry. He worked for several years as an art director in the advertising field before becoming a freelance artist in 1966 in order to pursue his passion for painting automobiles.
His career as a painter began when he won the Sotheby’s Art Award for his portrait of Juan Fangio. This led to commissions from Louis Vuitton of Paris, Royal Mail, Royal Doulton and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Rowe’s Pebble Beach credentials include eight Tour posters, four official Concours posters, six Awards of Excellence and the Lincoln Award in 2006.
This will be the AFAS’ 24th consecutive year to present the work of its members on the lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Each member artist who participates in the exhibit must show work not previously displayed at Pebble Beach, plus debut at least three new works (one for sculptors) that have never before been exhibited. The art presentation is, therefore, always fresh and highly anticipated.
“While the world’s greatest cars grace the field at Pebble Beach, the world’s greatest works of automotive fine art debuts each year in the AFAS tent,” added Bill Motta, vice-president of the AFAS. “Our members capture the beauty and passion of the automobile for the pleasure of those who attend the Concours. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share our pieces and draw inspiration from the Concours for future works.”
AFAS members will display and sell original artwork and limited edition prints during the Concours, as well as signed copies of the AFAS book, “AFAS: A Celebration of Automotive Art,” that was debuted at the Pebble Beach Concours in 2005. It records the history, artists and pieces created by AFAS members since the organization’s inception in 1983.


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Microsoft is finally all set to unveil its web browser Microsoft edge on IOS & Android OS platforms. Today the tech giant launched Edge for iOS in preview stage, while promised to launch Edge for Android systems very soon. Besides, the company also re-branded the popular ‘arrow launcher’ to ‘Microsoft Launcher’ and released it in public preview today.
Edge for iOS preview is available through Apple’s Test Flight but will be limited to only first 10,000 users. Android users can also sign through same link, but they will have to wait until the preview hits the Google Play Store in the coming weeks. Microsoft hopes to launch Edge for Android and iOS on full scale basis later this year.
The biggest USP in Microsoft Edge for IOS and Android is the “continue on PC” functionality feature. Thanks to this feature, users can push webpages from their mobiles to PC and resume browsing from where they had left off. The “PC continuity” feature seems to be aimed at Microsoft’s much talked about strategy to bring Windows 10 PCs closer to Android and iOS devices. Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president in Microsoft’s operating systems group, had spoken extensively about this earlier this year at Microsoft’s Build 2017 developer conference.
Interestingly, ‘arrow launcher’ (now known as Microsoft launcher) also aims to bridge this gap between mobile & windows 10 PC.
Meanwhile, some experts feel that Microsoft edge embracing IOS and Android system clearly signifies that the company is losing hope on Windows Mobile, since over the years it has failed to grab market share from Android & IOS. A recent survey had claimed that more than 90% of smartphones across the world operate either on Android or IOS, while Windows is still struggling to leave a mark in the market.


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Plaza Vea, one of Peru’s largest and most popular supermarket chains, is hoping to make recycling easier for its customers with a new national recycling campaign. The campaign is called #ReciclaConsciente and it’s designed to both educate about recycling in Peru as well as facilitate it. O-I is among the partners.
There are two parts to the campaign. The first is a concentration on education. #ReciclaConsciente is communicating with consumers using tactics such as publishing environmental awareness on social media and launching a digital environmental volunteer initiative.
In-store messaging reminds shoppers which packaging is recyclable. Through the partnership, O-I created signs located near three glass containers — a juice bottle, a red sauce jar, and a yogurt container – to remind people that glass is fully and infinitely recyclable.
The campaign also seeks to make recycling easy. Plaza Vea has placed recycling stations in more than 50 of its stores. The stations feature bins for different materials, including one reserved for glass bottles and jars.
The education focus of the #ReciclaConsciente campaign runs through October. Plaza Vea says the recycling stations will remain in place long-term.
ReciclaConsciente is an expansion of an existing sustainability program Plaza Vea developed in 2020, which yielded 47 tons of recyclable materials collected in 49 of Plaza Vea’s stores. In addition, through the brand’s use of social media and other digital communications, this vital environmental messaging reached more than six million people in 2020, and more than 81,500 surveys were collected. Plaza Vea expects increased numbers across the 2021 campaign.
Glass is 100% recyclable and infinitely recyclable, making it the perfect packaging material to support a circular economy. Partnering with Plaza Vea on the #ReciclaConsciente campaign is one way we demonstrate our commitment to educating consumers globally about the benefits of glass packaging, and working with valuable partners who share our values to build a stronger, low-waste, circular economy.


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HP Q1 profit beats forecasts
Computer maker?s stock has climbed 46% since $8.8 billion writedown of software company Autonomy.
Hewlett-Packard, the largest personal-computer maker, forecast second-quarter profit that exceeded analysts' estimates, helped by cost-cutting measures and a smaller-than-projected drop in service sales.
Profit, excluding some items, will be 80 cents to 82 cents a share for the current quarter, which ends in April, the California-based company said a statement yesterday.
Shares surged in late trading. Hewlett-Packard is using job cuts to bolster profit as demand for printers and personal computers slumps and companies curtail purchases of higher-margin hardware and software.
Hewlett-Packard chief executive officer Meg Whitman said she feels "pretty good" about fiscal 2013 and reaffirmed a prediction that the company will resume growth next year, evidence of progress on a five- year turnaround plan even as competitive pressures linger.
Fiscal first-quarter revenue fell 5.6 per cent to $28.4 billion (€21.4 billion), compared with analysts' average estimate of $27.8 billion. Profit, excluding amortization, restructuring and other charges, was 82 cents a share, compared with the 71-cent prediction.
Net income fell 16 per cent to $1.23 billion, or 63 cents a share, from $1.47 billion, or 73 cents, a year earlier.
"I feel pretty good about the rest of the year," Whitman said in an interview. "I think we are beyond the announcements about the writedowns and restructuring."
The shares rose as much as 8.1 per cent in extended trading. Hewlett-Packard had advanced almost 2 per cent in the last hour to close at $17.10 in New York yesterday.
Almost 4.29 million shares traded in that timeframe, three times the average volume seen during the same period in the past five trading days.
The stock has climbed 46 per cent since November 20, when the company disclosed an $8.8 billion writedown on the value of software company Autonomy, which it agreed to buy for $10.3 billion in 2011.


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Unilever has developed a new genetically modified protein that it
says will serve up low-fat ice cream without compromising on taste,
as ice cream firms step up the race to please health conscious
Anglo-Dutch consumer giant Unilever is set to overhaul its
management structure - a move which it claims will help restore
top-line sales growth and allow it to draw a line under what it
called an "unsatisfactory" 2004 performance,...
A Tetra Pak subsidiary has found a dipping and coating solution for
novelty ice creams, which it hopes will eliminate sub-standard ice
cream coatings - welcome news for ice cream manufacturers seeking
to satisfy the quality-conscious...
A UK firm has come up with an innovative packaging and processing
solution that will allow smaller retailers to create their own
branded ice-cream products at the point of sale (POS), giving them
the opportunity to penetrate the highly-consolidated...
A new ice cream product enriched with iodine is to be launched in
the New Year by Russian dairy group MiasoMolTorg JSC, the first
product of its kind on the Russian market and the latest to play on
the health credentials of dairy...
Confectionery manufacturers are increasingly turning to other food
categories to drive growth, building on the strong brand awareness
of their products to garner additional profits, suggest market
Dairy products remain an important growth driver for Swiss food and
beverages group Nestlé, despite the disposal of a number of assets
and poor weather conditions which affected sales during the first
half. But organic growth was...
Millions of dollars in investment poured into a new technology may
pay off for US food manufacturer Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream Holdings.
Targeting the low-fat market, the company said that it has
developed a revolutionary "slow...
When onlookers of the food ingredients industry claim that
consolidation will be a key trend in coming years they are
generally referring to mergers and acquisitions. But could it be
that consolidation in this increasingly competitive...
Cerestar Food & Pharma Specialties Europe has added a new grade
of bio-organic glucose syrup to its C*BioSweet product portfolio.
The new product meets demand as the bio-organic food market
continues to grow.
The latest visit to Mintel's Global New Products Database shows
that there is no risk of any slowdown in the number of innovative
and unusual food products being launched across the world, with
cheesy ice cream just one of the...
The post-Christmas period is often one of reflection, not least
regarding all those extra kilos we put on from eating too much. But
as the Mintel Global New Product Database shows, there is little
chance to lose some weight with a...
Finland's Raisio group has sold its Swedish ice cream business
Carlshamn to Ingman Foods, another Finnish dairy producer, for an
undisclosed sum. Raisio is selling off non-core businesses to raise
cash for its more important...


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Is your IKEA furniture made in Cuba?
I never thought I'd say this but, despite my hate for his politics, I finally agree with Marco Rubio about something. The Florida senator has just issued a letter to IKEA after a German newspaper uncovered that some of the home furnishing giant's items may have been made in Cuba in the 1980s. Not only that but it seems that the IKEA furniture may have actually been made in Cuban prisons. Um WHAT?!
Read more ¿Qué más? The Mexican Presidential debate was a total JOKE!
Although I think the US's Cuban embargo needs to end after a pointless 50 years, I absolutely do not agree with using prisoners to make cheap furniture. Especially not in a repressive government like Cuba where, for all we know, half of the prisoners may have only been jailed for opposing the Castro regime. How is that any kind of fair?
But that's the point: it's not fair. It's inhumane. And I completely 100% agree with Marco Rubio, and five other Cuban-American politicians, who wrote in a letter to Mike Ward, head of IKEA North America, when they say:
It is the responsibility of every company to ensure that its products and their respective components are derived from responsible labor practices. They certainly should not derive from the dark prisons of authoritarian regimes that repress their own populations, including the denial of basic workers' rights.
Want to find other moms como tú? "Like" MamásLatinas on Facebook!
I agree with Marco that it IS the responsibility of every company to make sure that their products are made with the best labor practices possible. And I think anyone in my Cuban family can tell you that Cuba, especially in the 1980s, was definitely not the place that was treating their workers right. I'm astounded by this new revelation and am anxiously waiting for IKEA to do something about it. They need to apologize and they need to do it NOW. No excuses.
What do you think of the revelation that IKEA furniture may have been made in the prisons of Cuba? What do you hope they will do about it? Share with us in the comments below!
Image via markhoekstra/flickr


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Maud Emmanuel A new Super Mario 64 mod has been released that can be played as a miniature version of GameCube's Super Mario Sunshine. The project's trailer has been released [above], which contains a super mix of the Super Mario theme and the "I Want You Back" of The Jackson 5. Didn't you expect it?
You can see the mod in action in the video below. Emanuar led us through the project, showing Super Mario Sunshine's early familiar position-who can forget the scenery of Delfino Plaza? -And the way the world looks and behaves in the style of Mario 64. It may not be as refined as the official version, but it's still interesting to see the two games merge like this.
When we discuss this topic, where is Nintendo's Super Mario Sunshine 2?
Thanks for the CM30 for the tip!


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"Our first customers to sign up saw initial savings on their up-front pricing and are now reaping the benefit of the 50 percent discount in effect,” said Michael Roberts, Chief Operations Officer at AIT.
Fayetteville, NC (PRWEB) October 17, 2013
Advanced Internet Technologies, a Fayetteville, N.C.-based Web-hosting firm, recognizes the importance of providing its customers savings and value when it comes to dedicated server hosting plans. AIT offers the industry’s only customer loyalty and reward program that slashes the cost of all of its Dedicated Server Hosting plans by 50 percent after the first six months. To learn more, you may visit http://www.ait.com/servers/dedicated/.
“Our 50 percent discount customer loyalty and reward program was launched in the Spring of this year for our Dedicated Server hosting plans. Our first customers to sign up saw initial savings on their up-front pricing and are now reaping the benefit of the 50 percent discount in effect,” said Michael Roberts, Chief Operations Officer at AIT. “This has also had a more favorable impact on referral sales than we anticipated as businesses looking to find savings for their partners and customers on dedicated hosting solutions are telling them about AIT,” added Roberts.
Dedicated Servers offer consistent performance and capability and can flex as resources change and a business grows. “We understand that businesses can choose from a variety of providers and we want to reward our customers for having chosen AIT for their Dedicated Hosting services. Dedicated Servers are a tangible solution that can meet the needs of our customers. We want our customers to know that we are working every day to win their business," said Business Development Manager, Michael Noble.
Clarence E. Briggs III, the founder and CEO of AIT and a service-disabled veteran, launched the company in 1995. It has since grown into a multimillion dollar business that has been named twice to the Inc. 500 list of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. Mr. Briggs is the recipient of several local and national awards for economic achievement as an entrepreneur to include Entrepreneur of the Year for the state of North Carolina.
To learn more about Advanced Internet Technologies, Inc., contact Michael Noble, at mnoble(at)ait(dot)com.


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Mild autumn weather has pushed European gas prices down
Esince then Russia tightened the valves on natural gas shipments to Europe, markets fear that the continent could suffer a shortage of energy this winter. But Western Europe now has so much gas that the price has gone negative last month. Although the recent price crash does not provide full protection against an energy crisis, it does make for less of a crisis.
Before Russia invaded Ukraine, it supplied almost 40% of Europe’s gas. After he said he would cut off gas to the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in August, the benchmark ttf price went up above €300 ($305) each Msh, 13 times the average in 2018-21. Against uncertain provision, the them setting a target for members to fill 80% of their gas storage by 1 November. Many countries replaced Russian pipeline imports with liquefied natural gas (lng). Germany, having no renewable resources, began building terminals and bought whatever gas was available.
By mid-autumn, the weather in much of Europe is usually cold enough for consumers to turn on the heat. This year, however, has been very balmy: the six largest economies on the continent enjoyed the warmest October in at least ten years. As a result, the them has exceeded its storage target, with stores now averaging 95% full.
Some Eastern European countries still have storage. However, most of the continent lng there are ports in Western Europe. With nearby storage sites full, lng the tankers had no place to load them. according to ice cream, consult, about 30 are distributed in European waters. With lng vessels raising $400,000 a day, traders have been willing to pay for someone to take gas off their hands, pushing prices below zero at one point.
The winter is still coming, and it is unlikely that the glut will last. Gas costs €35 each Msh for delivery today, but €110 for a guaranteed shipment in December and €142 for one in February, once the heaters are switched on.
But even €142 represents a decline from the €232 traders were paid in August for delivery in February. With the themand 1,000 twh of storage – enough for about seven weeks of winter – almost full, policymakers are now aiming to replenish stores by the winter of 2023-24. Although Europe managed to fill them once, a similar supply may not be available next year at any price. In a long energy war with Russia, this winter is only the first round.■
Chart sources: EIU; ENTSOG; Copernicus AE; Redundant data stream; The Economist


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The Nissan Heisman House is back with a brand-new campaign that features influencer collaborations and digital experiences connecting college football fans with their favorite players. Nissan is giving the Heisman House the reality show treatment to celebrate the 13th season of the campaign. It provides fans with an exclusive inside look at what goes on when the cameras are not rolling.
Nissan welcomes USC sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, this season into the house. It also includes 2021 winner and No.1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Bryce Young, and former Heisman Trophy winners representing five decades of college football greatness.
The Japanese automobile manufacturer’s latest campaign also stars some of Nissan’s most thrilling vehicles – Frontier, Rogue, Sentra, the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO, and the all-electric Nissan Ariya SUV. Marisstella Marinkovic, vice president and chief marketing officer, of Nissan US, said there is no better way to open the new college football season than inviting fans to come together at the Nissan Heisman House. “In addition to all the hijinks with the Heisman winners, we’re expanding the Heisman House excitement with digital collaborations to bring fans closer to the action.”
Nissan has also teamed up with Caleb Simpson, who is known for his tours of real people’s homes and apartments on TikTok and Instagram, to take viewers on a visit around the House with the help of a few Heisman winners and mascots.
This season will be different as fans will experience an immersive virtual recreation of the famed House. They will get to interact with their favorite athletes from the campaign, test their football knowledge, and compete for prizes.


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Jewel-Osco Honors Latino Leaders
Jewel-Osco, Supervalu Inc.’s Chicago-area supermarket chain, will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with its fourth annual VIP reception to honor the culture and significant achievements of the Hispanic community.
“The importance of the growing Hispanic community can be found everywhere in our society,” said Brian Huff, Jewel-Osco president. “This community event is a way for Jewel-Osco to honor Hispanic business and community leaders for the work they have done. In this way, we are all connected and our future success is linked to one another.”
The signature invitation-only event – “Sabor de la Herencia Hispana,” of Taste of Hispanic Heritage – is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Chicago’s National Museum of Mexican Art. This event is dedicated to recognizing the continuous efforts and contributions made by leaders from the business and non-profit sectors of the Latino community. The event will also highlight Latin cuisine by showcasing exclusive dishes developed by culinary students from Chicago’s St. Augustine College, along with major local Hispanic brands.
During the reception, Jewel-Osco will honor three social service agencies for their efforts and commitment to enriching the Hispanic communities they serve. The retailer will award a total of $15,000 in grants to Alivio Medical Center, Immaculate Conception Food Pantry and Aspira of Illinois. The work of these organizations reflects Jewel-Osco’s pledge to support initiatives that mirror the company’s charitable giving strategy, which focuses on three areas: hunger relief, nutrition education and environmental stewardship.
The reception will also serve as an opportunity for Jewel-Osco to underscore its long-term business relationship with Latino vendors, by recognizing V&V Supremo as its 2011 Vendor of the Year.
Jewel-Osco will further celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of in-store culinary events featuring authentic Latin American recipes, prizes and family activities at four Chicago-area stores.
For additional information, please visit www.sabordejewelosco.com.


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Consumer spending rose more than expected in January—but only because prices did so as well, Bloomberg reports. Adjusted for inflation, spending remained flat for the second straight month. With fuel costs rising, banks restricting loans, and property values falling, “consumers are clearly hard-pressed to maintain their standard of living and are cutting back,” says an analyst.
“The big issue is the fact that inflation is accelerating, and it's taxing consumer spending,” says another economist. “The first half is not going to look all that good.” The Fed saw a 4-month-high rise in inflation of 0.3%. One homebuilder warned of a self-fulfilling prophecy, noting that “ceaseless talk of a recession” could be a culprit in falling consumer confidence. (Read more consumer spending stories.)


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Residents were so eager for the Columbus Fall Line Trace to open, they started trying to use it while still under construction, says Rick Jones, planning director for the city of Columbus. Happily, the 11-mile rail-trail in southwest Georgia opened for official use late last fall and was immediately popular.
"We have a rest stop on the trail with 90 spaces for parking, and it's completely full on the weekends," Jones says.
That rest stop, along with one other along the trail, features new buildings that house restrooms, drinking fountains, benches and retail space for bike shops and other services useful to trail-goers.
Extending from downtown Columbus to Psalmond Road in Midland, the trail offers an eclectic cross-section of the community: busy shopping areas, business districts, a medical complex, neighborhoods, the Columbus State University campus and other schools. At the northern end, a completely serene stretch under a heavy canopy of trees makes you forget you're in the city.
A connection to the beautiful and historical 15-mile Chattahoochee Riverwalk at the trail's southern end adds to its appeal. At the river, outdoor enthusiasts will soon be able to enjoy the city's whitewater course, expected to be a major tourist draw for the area.
So whether by foot, wheels or paddles, the trail is definitely one to explore.


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After enough drama on Twitter till yesterday, PayTM concludes saying its postpaid services aren’t stopped and operational.
In it’s yesterday’s blog post, the article titled “Paytm Postpaid is Active & In Use” by the company clarified the doubts regarding the suspension of its postpaid services.
It said, “We thank our users for their faith in our services. We would like to inform that your Paytm Postpaid service is active and operational.
Paytm Postpaid is issued by Clix Capital which is India’s leading digital lending NBFC. They have been managing huge requests for pending KYCs because of which you may not have been able to access your Paytm Postpaid account. Once KYC is completed, you will be able to use it as before.
Many of our users who have completed their KYC are already enjoying the benefits of Paytm Postpaid. Your Paytm Postpaid will soon come up with an increased spending limit basis for your payment behavior.”
After few users posting screenshots of their blocked Postpaid account on Twitter, “Paytm Care“, the official account of the company’s grievance handler has responded to one of them saying Paytm “Postpaid service is entirely discontinued.” And that’s when the matter has gained concern. Tagging Paytm Care, everyone started asking questions of their data security and postpaid account’s status.
To which, the company took its Medium platform to clarify all at once.
The company has already been under litigations from a PIL asking how come a Payments Bank is allowed to issue a credit to users. As it was not allowed to do so under its general Payments Bank license.
Yet, the company is doing so by putting Clix Capital in front as the actual lender and PayTM just being a “Processor” or a “Facilitator“. Under this scheme, users can avail a credit balance of up to Rs.60,000 with no internet charged and payable within 37days.


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Kochi, Apr 29: The Rs 112 crore turnover Ozone Group is targeting an additional Rs 100 crore turnover this year, driven by the sales of its newly launched no marks anti-acne cream 'Zap n Clear', company CMD S C Sehgal said today.
Addressing a press conference here to announce the launch of 'Zap n Clear', Mr Sehgal said the company was targeting a turnover of Rs 40 crore through the sale of 'Zap n Clear' itself. Claiming that his company was responsible for creating the anti-marks category in India with its product 'NoMarks', Mr Sehgal said the Ozone Group, which was started with an investment of Rs three crore in 1992, had achieved a turnover of Rs 112 crore during 2006-07.
He said 'Zap n Clear', an ayurvedic formulation, consists of a twin tube pack which treats and cures pimples and works on the marks as well. An anti-acne face wash was also being launched along with 'Zap n Clear' while anti-acne cream, face pack and scrub were in the pipeline.
Mr Sehgal said the anti-acne products market in India had a relatively modest turnover of Rs 65 crore and the sector was waiting for a breakthrough product to boost sales. The entire skincare market in the country was worth Rs 12,000 crore and was growing at 20 per cent per annum.
Describing the Ozone Group as a 'speciality neutral' company, he said it was manufacturing both allopathic and ayurvedic products.
Among its prescription allopathic drugs are antibiotics, antifungal, cardiac and diabetes management medicines.
Its manufacturing facilities are located in Assam and Himachal Pradesh.


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How One Woman is Shaping the Future of the CBD Industryabsolutelyrelieved
Forget spring break and March Madness, the month of March is all about honoring and celebrating the women in our lives who inspire and motivate us every day. This week we have decided to turn our focus to one of Green Roads’ most inspiring figures – our co-founder and president Laura Baldwin Fuentes.
Laura’s mission throughout her life has been to help those in need with effective, accessible, and easy-to-use solutions. A South Florida native, Laura was driven to help her community. This led her to an interest in pharmacology and eventually led her to pursue a career in the field.
After graduating from Nova Southeastern University, Laura quickly gained a reputation as a promising professional due to her innovative way of thinking and strong determination to make a positive impact in the world. As Laura continued to gain experience in the industry, she saw that the fields of medicine and pharmaceuticals are not exactly flawless. Laura realized that flaws in the system often led to overpriced medications for those in need. She also saw how some pharmaceuticals like opioids could be harmful to patients due to their side effects and high-risk of addiction.
Her passion for medicine and commitment to finding a better alternative for her patients prompted Laura to explore safer, more accessible treatments for health problems. In 2012, her years of hard work and commitment came to fruition when she founded Green Roads alongside co-founder and friend Arby Barroso.
Laura had recently helped Arby with the use of hemp-derived CBD products formulated by Laura herself. Together, Laura and Arby realized they could use their experience to create a new, natural alternative that could help people improve their quality of life.
In just a few years, Green Roads and Laura became household names in the industry thanks to their high-quality CBD products formulated under the supervision of Laura and her team. Fast forward a couple years and Green Roads is now one of the leading brands spearheading the booming CBD market.
Last year, Laura was featured in the October edition of Boca Life Magazine, a local magazine with a reputation as a prestigious authority for health, culture, education, and more. Laura was given the tremendous honor of being named one of the top Medical Experts in South Florida by the magazine which filled the entire Green Roads family with great pride.
Her most significant achievement as president of Green Roads, however, came late last year at the Cannabis Business Awards. During the December ceremony, Green Roads won the “Best CBD Product” award, beating out every major competitor in the CBD industry. Additionally, Arby went home with the “Advocate of the Year” award, proving Green Roads is comprised of an all-star team.
As our president and head pharmacist, Laura continues to be the innovative visionary and expert voice behind each of our products. Most importantly, she continues to be a source of inspiration for those around her thanks to her passion and commitment which remain as strong as ever after all these years.
The post How One Woman is Shaping the Future of the CBD Industry appeared first on Green Roads.


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Bank of Canada appoints Ron Morrow as Executive Director – Retail Payments Supervision
The Bank of Canada today announced the appointment of Ron Morrow as Executive Director – Retail Payments Supervision, effective August 9, 2021.
This executive-level position has been created, with endorsement from the Bank’s Board of Directors, to support the Bank’s new mandate to supervise retail payment service providers (PSPs), as per the Retail Payment Activities Act. Under this Act, which was approved by Parliament on June 29, 2021, the Bank will be responsible for supervising PSPs to protect end users and help ensure the safety and reliability of PSP services. As per the Act, the Bank will maintain a public registry of all regulated payment service providers and a regular reporting framework. Bank of Canada supervision will also ensure that PSPs mitigate their operational risk and safeguard end-user funds.
Reporting directly to the Governor, Mr. Morrow will lead the design and implementation of the Retail Payments Supervision (RPS) Framework, including ongoing consultations on the Bank’s supervisory role as regulations are developed. He will build the leadership team tasked with fulfilling this new mandate and oversee planning and execution of risk monitoring of PSPs. The Executive Director role will also act as an independent reviewer of enforcement actions initiated by RPS staff and advise the Governor of the Bank of Canada on the evolution of risks related to PSPs and the retail payments landscape.
“This new mandate for the Bank is an important responsibility,” said Governor Macklem. “The payments eco-system in Canada and globally is evolving rapidly, with innovative new options and many new participants. Ron’s expertise, experience and leadership will ensure that we undertake this new role on behalf of Canadians with the same rigour, dedication and professionalism that the Bank applies to all its mandated responsibilities.”
Born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Mr. Morrow first joined the Bank in 1992 and has worked in several different areas across the Bank’s monetary policy, financial stability, and funds management functions. In 2010, he became Managing Director of the Funds Management and Banking Department, then Managing Director of the Financial Stability Department in 2013. Mr. Morrow became an Advisor to the Governor in 2018, focusing on advancing the Bank’s strategic objectives related to retail payments, financial market infrastructure issues, and the efficiency of the Canadian financial system. Mr. Morrow also represented the Bank on the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and chairs the Bank’s Pension Fund Investment Committee.
Mr. Morrow holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in economics, with a minor in mathematics, from the University of Waterloo and a Master’s degree in economics from Queen’s University.


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More Kenyans are buying very expensive smartphones and television sets than ever before, a shift that has seen the dealers stock them.
A spot-check by the Business Daily at various Samsung and Apple stores in Nairobi shows that demand is high. Some of the popular brands are Samsung QLED which retails at Sh749,995, Samsung Z flip 4 (Sh143,000), and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 which goes for Sh257,000.
An employee at one of the Samsung stores who sought anonymity says that high-end products are selling like hotcakes. This is despite the harsh economic times first caused by the Covid-19 pandemic that saw millions lose their jobs and firms shut down and lately by the fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war, signalling that the upper-income brackets may have been least affected.
Charles Kimari, the director of Samsung Electronics East Africa Mobile Experience Division says demand for the high-end devices is especially high among businessmen and those occupying C-suite positions.
He, however, says that most purchases are from companies and businesses.
“We recently launched our latest foldable series; Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 and having just concluded our preorders ahead of the official launch in the market. The uptake has been very positive. Our preorder target was achieved by week two,” he says.
Social media influence has also played a role as younger wealthy Kenyans desire what is new in the global market.
“Galaxy Z Flip 4 is a device that has seen a lot of demand from Generation Z [buyers in their mid-20s] who are content creators. This is a generation that uses smartphones to express their personalities and the Galaxy Z Flip series is perfect for that due to the versatility of the accessories,” he says, adding that the smartphone has recorded over 50 percent more sales compared to last year.
“Due to the smartphone’s ability to flip into different positions, it becomes the content creators’ device of choice. With a Galaxy Z Flip 4, a content creator does not need a tripod because the phone folds. One does not also need a secondary party to take their photos; they simply fold the phone, place it on a surface and use the in-built smart timer to take photos or record videos.”
While millennials [buyers in their 30s and early 40s] love TV and home appliances, Mr Kimari says, Generation Z is into trendy smartphones.
Mobile phone brands such as Samsung's Galaxy series and Apple's iPhone are premium products associated with influential and wealthy individuals. Not only have orders for smartphones gone up but also for the expensive TVs and home appliances.
Since people started working from home, a trend occasioned the pandemic, Mr Kimari says purchases of home appliances also went up.
“This started with the purchase of modern washing machines, followed by TVs because people who were not spending time at home soon realised that what they have in their homes was quite outdated. The recent weather changes in Kenya have also contributed to an increase in washing machine sales. Kenyans are now upgrading to washer-dryers because clothes were taking longer to dry due to the cold weather,” he says.
Consumers keen on shifting with technological advancements have also boosted the sale of pricey smartphones and home appliances.
“There has been a great evolution in terms of technology, we have moved from LED TVs to smart TVs and now to Neo QLED TVs that integrate your viewing experience with your washing machine and smartphone. Kenyans are what we call “early adopters” they embrace new things quickly and new technology is just one of these things,” Mr Kimari says.
“Internet connectivity is also another reason why people are willing to purchase high-end products. Home internet connectivity now allows Kenyans to subscribe to content-streaming service providers like Showmax, Netflix, and HBO. To enjoy the quality of the content on these platforms, one needs a high-end TV and this has dictated purchase decisions made by Kenyans,” he adds.
Companies have also made the acquisition of these products easier by allowing customers to buy products in installments. This enables them to pay monthly or weekly while using them.
Samsung, for instance, has partnered with companies like Badili Africa and Aspira Kenya to enable customers to buy TVs and smartphones.
“For instance, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 which retails at Sh257,000, and the Z Flip 4 which goes for Sh143,000 are available through the Samsung trade-in process. Badili Africa takes in the customer’s used smartphones, assigns a value to it and the customer has the choice to top up and get any of the above phones,” he says.
Foldable phones, which were common in early 2000, have also made a comeback, but in the luxury segment.
“No one has launched a foldable smartphone in the world with the high success rate that Samsung has. This has taken extensive research and development,” he says.


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Wayne Zink, ceo of Indianapolis-based Endangered Species Chocolate (ESC), has announced that he will transition from company operations to become president of the Endangered Species Chocolate Foundation (www.escfoundation.org), the non-profit arm of the company. Zink also will serve as chairperson of ESC’s board of directors. Curt Vander Meer will take over as ceo of ESC.
Zink’s focused involvement will serve to further Endangered Species Chocolate Foundation’s on-the-ground commitment to cacao farmers in Ecuador and the Ivory Coast. The foundation’s projects allow the company to work directly with individuals in cacao farming communities, creating sustainable solutions for the planet and promoting ethical trade practices that empower communities.
Zink speaks highly of his ceo successor.
“Curt and I have worked closely together for five years now, and he has been a huge part of making ESC a success,” Zink says. “I’m proud that our brand is the No. 1-selling chocolate in the natural organic category.”
Vander Meer joined Endangered Species Chocolate in 2005 and has served the company in various positions, most recently as coo.
“I am excited to move into this leadership position,” Vander Meer says. “Wayne will continue to do what he loves by being able to use his philanthropic skills to expand the reach of Endangered Species Chocolate Foundation.”
For more information visitwww.chocolatebar.com.


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Starbucks is being sued by two California residents who claim the coffee chain knowingly underfills its lattes. Siera Strumlauf and Benjamin Robles have filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of Starbucks lattes stating that the beverages are “approximately 25% underfilled” based on the sizes listed on the company’s menu, reports Eater.
The complaint alleges that Starbucks’ standardized latte recipe results in beverages that are smaller than the size customers are purchasing. It also says the cups themselves aren’t large enough to contain the number of fluid ounces promised. “By underfilling its lattes, thereby shortchanging its customers, Starbucks has saved countless millions of dollars in the cost of goods sold and was unjustly enriched by taking payment for more product than it delivers,” the suit says.
A Starbucks spokesperson told Eater that the claims are unjustified: “We are aware of the plaintiffs’ claims, which we fully believe to be without merit. We are proud to serve our customers high-quality, handcrafted and customized beverages, and we inform customers of the likelihood of variations.”
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Rueters reports on major unrest at the source of the world’s baubles:
About 2,000 Chinese employees of an iPhone assembly company fought a pitched battle into the early hours of Monday, forcing the huge electronics plant where they work to be shut down.
Authorities in the northern city of Taiyuan sent 5,000 police to restore order. On Monday evening, paramilitary police with riot shields, helmets and batons guarded one entrance of the massive factory complex, while an announcement over loudspeakers said there had been a criminal incident the night before and urged people to respect the law.
Employees and people posting messages online accused factory guards of provoking the trouble by beating up workers at the factory, which is owned by the world’s largest contract maker of electronic goods.
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Pitt St. Skatepark, an undercover skatepark project, is the city’s first sheltered wheeled sports facility.
Ahead of its official opening next year, the team behind the project is hosting a ‘Winter Wonderland on Wheels’ event to let Portsmouth’s skating community experience everything the facility has to offer.
The wintry event kicked off yesterday with a soft launch and will run until Christmas Eve, showcasing lots of small businesses from around the city.
Project co-founders, Jenna Boyson and Jacob Skinner, are hosting the event as part of fundaising efforts to allow them to turn a former Sainsbury’s store supermarket into the covered skatepark and centre for wheeled sports.
Jacob said: ‘It was really successful, I’d say. About 130 people came along.
‘About £1,000 went through the till, which was the cost of skate hire and we had food and drink as well.
‘Where it was a soft launch, we weren’t sure on how many people would come along. A massive success.
‘I managed to have a little skate - where we were running the event we didn’t have much time.’
The Winter Wonderland on Wheels event features the pop-up skate park and roller disco, as well as DJ sets, market stalls and more.
Jacob said: ‘It’s a very weather-dependent sport, we wanted to give the people of Portsmouth a taster of what is to come.’
People of all skating abilities are welcome to come along and skates are available to hire.
The event is free to visit and entry to the skate park and roller disco is £5 per person.
It is open to the general public from 5pm until 10pm from Monday, December 20 until Thursday, December 23 and is open from 12pm until 6pm on Christmas Eve.
Jacob added: ‘Shout out to Victorious Festival, there’s so much that they do. New Land Solutions, they help us with a lot of stuff. Croxton’s of Southsea, Bored of Southsea, ilovedust. And the city of Portsmouth, because we’ve got the people back in this project and it’s amazing.’
Find out more about Pitt St Skatepark by visiting the facility’s instagram page @undercoverskateparkproject.


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QUINCY, Wash. — Cold Train, a refrigerated rail service from Quincy and Portland to Chicago and points east, has gone out of business, blaming a reduction in services by BNSF Railway.
Cold Train, owned by Rail Logistics of Overland Park, Kan., issued a news release Aug. 7 announcing the service suspension. Curt Morris, a commissioner at the Port of Quincy, said the company is not just suspending service but going out of business. A Cold Train official verified that in response to an email from Capital Press and said service is ending in Quincy and Portland.
The Port of Quincy leased its yard, facilities and rail car loading equipment to Cold Train based on usage. Lease payments averaged $75,000 per month. The port hopes to find a new tenant, Morris said.
A surge of oil and coal shipments on BNSF’s northern line late last fall increased rail congestion and caused the railway to fall from a 90 percent on-time record for Cold Train to 5 percent on-time, according to Cold Train’s news release.
On April 24, BNSF told Cold Train it would reduce intermodal train service from Washington to one train per day, which nearly doubled Cold Train’s rail transit time and caused its costs to double, the news release said.
As a result, Cold Train lost most of its fresh produce business, including apples, onions, pears, potatoes, carrots and cherries, which was more than 70 percent of the company’s business, the news release said. BNSF’s scheduling changes affected many retailers and wholesalers in the Midwest and East Coast that purchase fresh produce and frozen foods from Washington, the news release said.
Most all of the fresh produce business shifted from Cold Train to long-haul trucks in April and Cold Train’s last frozen food shipment left Quincy Aug. 6, Morris said. Incoming product from the East will be handled for another week, he said.
In a July 15 letter to Morris, Charles Pomianek, manager of the Wenatchee Valley Traffic Association, said over 4,000 containers of tree fruit, mostly apples, were shipped east on Cold Train in 2013. He wrote that shippers expected to double that with the 2014 crop and that loss of service would put more pressure on trucks that are already in short supply.
A similar letter from Kirk Mayer, manager of the Washington Growers Clearing House Association, noted Washington ships 97 percent of its apples out of state.
Cold Train began service in April 2010 and grew to about 700 refrigerated containers per month in 2013 from Quincy and Portland, the news release said.
To keep up with growth, Cold Train expanded its Washington-based fleet of refrigerated containers to more than 400 state-of-the-art, 53-foot units that could be temperature controlled in transit and added East Coast destinations.
By late 2013, Cold Train provided service six days a week from Quincy to 24 states and Ontario. It was based on three-day service to and from Chicago. Six-day service caused “millions of dollars in operating losses and millions of dollars in capital investment losses, both of which were simply unsustainable,” the news release said.
“For the past three months, we have worked with BNSF and our customers to accommodate these service changes. Our efforts have been unsuccessful,” the news release said.
In March, Cold Train announced its acquisition by Federated Railways, Farmington Hills, Mich., and said Cold Train’s fleet of refrigerated containers would be expanded to 1,000 in five years. But the sale was never completed, Morris said.
Meanwhile, the port of Quincy is continuing to seek a $16.2 million federal grant to lengthen its spur line and add another one at its yard, Morris said. Losing its tenant doesn’t do anything to help its chances, he said.


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State-run hospitals and clinics in Qatar will stop selling junk food in their cafeterias, restaurants and vending machines, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has announced.
Discussions are currently underway with nutritionists and dietitians to determine healthier options, MOPH’s director of Health Protection and Non-communicable Diseases told reporters yesterday.
Dr. Sheikha Al Anoud bint Mohamed Al Thani added that a pilot phase to test out a healthy food plan will be rolled out soon, according to the Qatar Tribune.
Currently, chips, cookies, chocolate and sugary beverages are among the many items sold in Hamad Medical Corp. (HMC) hospitals and healthcare centers.
Offering patients and visitors a convenient healthy alternative is one way officials are trying to tackle Qatar’s growing obesity and diabetes problems.
Some 42.3 percent of adults in Qatar are obese – the highest rate in the Gulf (which has an average of 36.7 percent).
Because many people are living longer but with more costly illnesses such as diabetes, Qatar will be contending with a larger, older and sicker population in the coming years, according to analysts.
In part due to this, the nation’s health spending is projected to double to US$8.8 billion by 2020, Alpen Capital’s GCC Healthcare Industry report 2016 said in February.
MOPH has also announced a new contest asking residents to submit their healthy recipes for traditional foods:
— وزارة الصحة العامة (@MOPHQatar) May 1, 2016
Entries should be submitted via email to [email protected] by May 20.


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Have you heard about the research that recently caused havoc on the internet? Apparently some researchers suggested that mobile phones may be causing hornline features to erupt in human skulls. The story was a big shocking bump for people to face.
Recent headlines have played into these fears, announcing across the world that mobile phones aren’t just a great way to play Angry Birds on the train, they’re actually making young people grow “hornlike” protrusions at the base of their skulls. While many millennials would probably welcome devil horns – I mean, who wouldn’t – these are apparently the result of painful spinal contortions that are a major problem for human health.
Fortunately for those of us who spend every waking moment on a device, the evidence isn’t nearly as clear as some have said. Mobile phones probably aren’t turning young people into literal demons from hell just yet.
We love to fear mobile phones, because they are new and difficult to understand, but the reality is much more mundane. It’s possible that they’re causing neck problems, but currently it’s hard to know if it’s the phones or another element of our lives that is to blame. There’s definitely no reason to believe that using a phone is going to make you sprout devil horns.
Thankfully there is no conclusive evidence that mobile phones might be turning us into a horned creatures. At least parents cannot use this research to deter their children from using the phone. There is no need for anyone to grow anxious due to this shady research. Read more about this at the Guardian
Image Credit: Unsplash


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Take advantage of free shipping day
Updated On: Dec 15 2013 12:00:00 AM EST
Now in its sixth year, Free Shipping Day is helping online shoppers by delivering all their purchases on Christmas Eve for free.
As of 12:01 a.m. EST Wednesday morning, 930 retailers kicked off the shopping holiday that makes punctual delivery actually attainable.
Thanks to creator Luke Knowles, who founded FreeShipping.org just two weeks before Christmas in 2007, Free Shipping Day has surpassed Black Friday profits two years in a row by more than $250 million.
With just the click of button, online shoppers can make one of the only stress-free decisions during the holiday shopping season.
For more information on which retailers are participating this year visit FreeShippingDay.com
Check out just some of the more popular retailers that made the list.
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Digital economy and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are growth sectors in Benin, but the country still lags behind its African contemporaries in the video game sector. However, with an estimated population of 12.9 million comprising mostly of younger population (less than 25 years) which makes up about 65.9% of the population, the games industry is likely to experience some growth in the coming years.
The Investor Perspective
. Government Support
At the behest of the government a tech hub was launched in 2020 designed to boost technological adoption locally. A project that President Patrice Talon hopes will help turn his small West African country into a regional tech hotspot like Kenya or Rwanda.
Voice of the Developer
There is not yet a key event that shines the spotlight on the game locally. Everything is still toIsdine Ibrahima Gnorra, CEO Malaika Games
be built in Benin when it comes to video games.
The scene is slow, but progressing with the country registering its first game jam in 2021. Most of the initiatives are being championed by Andounian Africa Lab, which has consistently been the driving force to spark game creativity in the country.