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At first, the Galaxy Z Flip was believed to have the name Galaxy Fold 2. However, at a closed conference at CES 2020, it was learned that the latest HP folding from Samsung was named Galaxy Bloom – which was later believed to be codename only, not an official name. Shortly after, a tweet from one of the famous ‘leakers’ – Ice Universe, revealed that the next folding cell from Samsung would be called Galaxy Z Flip. It is believed that this “Z” will be the official naming pattern for Samsung mobile phones in the future. As the name suggests, the Galaxy Z Flip will carry a vertical folding design, rather than horizontally like the Galaxy Fold. The screen – based on leaked photos from Weibo, uses a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel. Furthermore, punch-holes are also included in the top center, along with a thin bezel and a small 1-inch screen next to the rear camera. The new mini screen will be activated when the main screen is folded, known to display the clock and info about the battery. For others, the Galaxy Z Flip is also rumored to only be equipped with a side fingerprint sensor, rather than on the screen. Apart from its premium appearance, it is believed that the Galaxy Z Flip will not carry such premium specifications. First, a report from MySmartPrice claims that the Galaxy Z Flip will only be powered by Snapdragon 855 – which in 2020 is in the old category. Secondly, rumors from various sources say that the battery carried will not be more than 4000mAh (around 3,300-3,500mAh). For RAM and storage so far not yet known, but the lowest possible model will carry 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Although not equipped with the latest specifications, the Galaxy Z Flip will not leave features that are generally present in HP flagship.
Some of the most likely to be present are fast-charging, complete with wireless-charging and reverse wireless-charging. For photography, the Galaxy Z Flip is rumored not to be as superior as the Galaxy S20 Series which is said to be equipped with a 108MP main camera. Galaxy Z Flip will be more ‘calm’ with two rear cameras, each of which is the main camera 12MP and ultra-wide 10MP. As for the front camera, it is not yet known which resolution will be the MP. Turning to prices, a Bloomberg report said that Samsung wants to make a new folding cellphone that is cheaper than Galaxy Fold. Considering that Galaxy Fold has a price of around US $ 2000, that is not a difficult thing. Finally there is availability. Galaxy Z Flip itself passed the FCC test on January 24 yesterday, which indicates that the release time will not be long. Reporting from Yonhap News, Galaxy Z Flip will soon be released to the market shortly after it was launched at Galaxy Unpacked 2020 early February. South Korea and the United States will be the first two countries that can taste the Galaxy Z Flip, followed by other countries shortly after. For Indonesia itself, considering that last year Galaxy Fold was officially sold in Indonesia, there is no reason for Galaxy Z Flip not to be like that.


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Back in early October, insiders announced plans for Xiaomi to introduce a new generation of smartwatches Watch Color. Since then, the key features and some technical characteristics of the device have become known, and right at the end of the year, the company announced the start date of sales of the new gadget.
Xiaomi Watch Color will go on sale on January 3. The main emphasis in this accessory manufacturer made on the possibility of changing the straps and a wide range of colors of the case, which, according to the company, will fit any occasion, regardless of age and gender of the owner.
Officially, Xiaomi did not disclose the technical characteristics of the new product, but, according to insiders, Watch Color will receive a similar set of characteristics Huami Amazfit GTR. It is expected that the watch will be equipped with a round 1.39-inch display with a resolution of 454x454 pixels. The model will come with an impressive set of sensors: a heart rate monitor, barometers and accelerometer.
A feature of the model will also be compliance with the IP68 protection class - informants assure that the model will withstand water pressure up to 5 atmospheres. The estimated cost of new items has not yet been disclosed.

domain: news


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Users on iOS 6, iOS 7, and Macs are having issues connecting FaceTime video calls on Thursday.
Many complaints have rung across Twitter and Apple Support communities. Even some of our devices here at iDownloadBlog are unable to connect for unknown reasons.
Apple hasn’t officially acknowledged the issue on its Support website, but a discussion on Apple support forum has several users complaining of connectivity issues – predominantly on iOS 6 devices.
Forum user DaymanJC writes:
Yesterday all 3 of my Apple devices stopped communicating via FaceTime. Some family members were still able to use theirs, but my iPhone 4, iPad 2, and wife’s iPhone 4 (different user ID/Account) gets a “connection failed” message everytime we try. Definitely noticing a trend over the past two days on Apple forums.
Apple services have issues connecting from time-to-time – and this seems to be the case. Interestingly, Sebastien and I were able to get through just fine on Thursday afternoon from our iPhone’s, but not on our iPad out in California. It could be server related, rather than software.
What are you experiencing?


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Android Moving Forward
Google's acquisition of Motorola Mobility finally received China's approval. As part of the agreement Google has agreed to keep Android open and free for at least the next five years, in arrangement they had stated would be the case back with the deal was announced last summer. Which means as it stands Google still needs to address fragmentation, and gaining tablet market share. With Motorola as their hardware arm, there are a few keys moves that they could take in order to sure up a number of Android's weaknesses moving forward.
Google appears to be addressing the problem of fragmentation head on, with the rumored five Nexus device launch planned for later this year with Android 5.0 Jelly Bean. This a departure from their one Nexus one partner ways of the past and signals they know that their is a need to get their updated OS out to a much larger group of consumers. With each manufacturer having a Nexus model their will be an option for all of the consumer needs and for each of the different carriers world wide, and available in the Google Play Store. This move will also show carriers that consumers do indeed want the latest version of Android when they opt for Nexus model instead of the skinned option with older Android versions.
Whether or not they decide to get rid of the Moto skin over Android, Google can make Motorola the manufacturer that gets updates out to all their devices in the timeliest of manners. With all manufacturers being a part of Nexus program they will not be able to call foul saying Moto had early access and will only have themselves to blame for their prolonged update process. With ICS released last November and still only running on 5% of Android devices updates are a major issue and Moto could light a fire under other manufacturers if they are known for having quick and consistent updates.
Would you consider getting a non Nexus Moto device if you knew they had updates, under control and timely? Do you think it would cause other OEMs to get more serious about their app updates and help the Android fragmentation issues?


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The Electronic Entertainment Expo looks set to continue this year. A spokesperson for the organizer confirms that “new E3 experiences for 2021” are being worked on. It would be a digital event, where developers can make their announcements.
The Entertainment Software Association, the organization behind E3, is said to have already outlined its plans for E3 2021. The organization is said to have pitched E3 2021 to various game publishers. The pitch documents have been viewed by Video Game Chronicle, which is publishing the plans. It would be a three-day event with live streams, to be held between June 15 and 17, as the ESA previously announced.
According to VGC, the organization plans to hold several keynotes, each lasting approximately two hours. An award show, a ‘preview evening’ on June 14 and several smaller streams from game publishers, influencers and other partners are also planned. Preview sessions for the press would be held a week in advance. Demos of certain shown are also being released on consumer platforms, something that Steam has been doing for some time with its Game Festivals.
The plans have yet to be approved by members of the ESA, which includes major developers and publishers such as Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, Epic Games, and EA. Console manufacturers Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony are also members of the Entertainment Software Association. Previously, E3 was one of the largest game shows in the world, but last year the event was canceled due to concerns about the Covid-19 outbreak. Several members of the ESA, in turn, held standalone live streams to announce their upcoming games. In previous years, some members also chose to organize their own events, including Sony.
The ESA has not yet officially disclosed its plans, although a spokesperson for the organization confirmed to The Verge that the company is indeed working on a new E3 for 2021. “We can confirm that we are transforming the E3 experiences for 2021.” The organization says it will share more details about its plans “soon”.
Former E3 contributor Geoff Keighley also confirms to VGC that the fair will return this year, although he is not involved in the event himself. Keighley dropped out of E3 last year due to a disagreement over the stock price. He, in turn, has set up another digital event called Summer Game Fest.


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For retailers planning the year ahead, sustainability has never been such an important consideration. With more than five million Australian households shopping online each month, sales in Australia’s e-commerce and retail industries will continue to soar this year and without intervention in fulfilment, emissions could reach 25 million tons of CO2 by 2030.
As our Prime Minister has recently committed to building practical international partnerships to drive the development of low-emission technologies, it is a timely reminder for businesses across the country to consider the already-existing, proven technologies and processes that could significantly assist their sustainability efforts.
Australia Post has worked hard to meet its target to reduce CO2 emissions by 25 percent in 2020, and Doddle’s partnership with Australia Post to create Australia’s largest Collect & Return network is driving their sustainability commitments even further.
While diversified fulfilment options like Pick Up / Drop Off (PUDO) offer retailers the chance to improve their cost control and enable convenience for consumers, they also make ecommerce deliveries more sustainable. A recent study in the Netherlands has found that parcels delivered to pick up points generate 33% less carbon emissions than those delivered to homes.
Delivering parcels in bulk to pick up points allows delivery workers to drive fewer kilometres, therefore reducing the CO2 emitted per parcel delivered. Driving fewer kilometres has other benefits too; reducing congestion and noise pollution in neighborhoods where traffic is becoming an increasing issue.
Increasing consolidation through the use of pickup points like those in Australia Post’s Collect & Return network has the potential to drive down emissions in the last mile. However, retailer investment and engagement with PUDO promotion and messaging to consumers will be a key to maximising its impact on emissions reduction.
Cost remains king for shoppers in Australia, with our research finding that 73 percent of shoppers are not willing to pay a premium for next day delivery. While this goes some way to explaining why the likes of Amazon Prime have struggled in the market, it also means that retailers need to offer clear incentives for shoppers to change their behaviour.
It’s no surprise that with cost a driving factor for consumers to commit to a purchase, being rewarded for shopping sustainably is something a third (30%) of Australians favour. Retailers could look to incorporate sustainable delivery choices into a loyalty program – over in the UK, parcel carrier DPD encourages shoppers who receive deliveries from its electric vehicle fleet by planting trees for every 50 deliveries, which users can track within the app.
These pickup points offer consumers convenient local options and give them the option to decide when and where they pick up a parcel. Retailers can take convenience one step further by reducing the amount of waste and steps it takes to sort out a return – our research found that more than half of Australians find printer-less (55%) and package-less (65%) returns appealing, as it simplifies the process and makes consumers feel as though they are doing their part to improve the environment.
Giving shoppers feel-good moments
With the convenience online shopping provides consumers, it is inevitable that parcel volumes will only continue to grow. Online retailers don’t have to convince their customers that they’re doing something wrong by shopping online – but they can highlight the opportunities to save some trees or reduce some emissions when it comes to their delivery options at the checkout.
For example, highlighting the reduced CO2 emissions of PUDO deliveries will encourage some shoppers to pick the more sustainable option without any cost to the retailer. There are already examples of this – European online grocer Ocado uses green highlights to show when a van will already be delivering in the area when customers are booking a delivery slot, encouraging customers to make a green (and cost-saving) decision. Making these opportunities clearer helps shoppers feel happier about their shopping – and that can’t be bad for customer loyalty.
Justin Dery is CEO for Asia Pacific at Doddle.


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The most active age group for downloading music, whether it be from online music stores or through file-sharing networks, are young adults and teenagers, according to several studies on digital music downloading. While older adults are also downloading music online, they are more likely to get their favourite music by purchasing CDs, studies show. Both purchasing digital downloads and sharing music files online drops steadily with age, according to research by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
The Pew Project's "Generations Online in 2009" study found that the age group that is the most active downloading music is the youngest. Fifty-nine per cent of so-called "Online Teens," those aged 12 to 17 at the time of the study, download music. In addition, 58 per cent of "Generation Y," those aged 18 to 32, download music. "Generation X," who are between the ages of 33 to 44, are active downloaders, but less so than their younger counterparts, with 46 per cent saying they download music. Twenty-two per cent of "Younger Boomers" (aged 45 to 54) download music, as do 21 per cent of "Older Boomers" (aged 55 to 63). Just 16 per cent of the "Silent Generation" (aged 64 to 72) downloads music, along with just 5 per cent of the "G.I. Generation" (aged 73 and older).
Downloading Vs. CDs
According to the Pew Internet Project research published in June 2008, younger people obtain a greater share of their music from digital files rather than CDs. Among people aged 18 to 35, 43 per cent said they get their music only from CDs, with another 26 per cent saying "most" of their music comes from CDs. Eleven per cent in this age group said they get their music only from digital files, with another 12 per cent saying "most" come from digital files. Four per cent said their music comes from about half of each type. By comparison, among those in the age 36 to 50 bracket, 65 per cent get their music only from CDs, and 20 per cent get most of their music from CDs. Another 10 per cent in this age group get all or most of their music from digital files. Among those 51 and older, 77 per cent get music only from CDs and 13 per cent mostly from CDs, with another 5 per cent getting all or most of their music from digital files.
The population that shares files online, through a peer-to-peer network, is slightly different than the population that downloads music from online stores -- though some people get their music both ways, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Thirty-one per cent of young adults, those aged 18 to 29, have done file-sharing according to the Pew project. By comparison, just 18 per cent of those age 30 to 49, and 15 per cent of those 50 and older, share files.
According to the Pew study, 82 per cent of the file-sharers aged 18 to 29 said they don't care whether or not the files they share are copyrighted. By comparison, about 40 per cent of those aged 30 and older who share files said they are concerned about copyright.
- 20 of the funniest online reviews ever
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- Pew Internet & American Life Project: Generations Online in 2009; Sydney Jones and Susannah Fox; January 2009
- Pew Internet & American Life Project: Music Downloading, File-sharing and Copyright; Amanda Lenhart and Mary Madden; July 2003
- ZDNet: Demographics of an online music buyer; June 2008
- Pew Internet & American Life Project: The State of Music Online: Ten Years After Napster; Mary Madden; June 2009


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These are the regional brands to look out for in 2021.
6 brands to watch in 2021
The London-based brand by Saudi designer Talal Hizami offers a blend of sports-inspired silhouettes and a refined approach to tailoring. The emerging label, which debuted its Fall 2020 collection “Higher Power” at its first-ever London Fashion Week Men’s show last year, has just dropped its latest array of formal streetwear-inspired garments.
Tunisian designer Riad Trabelsi is building his sustainable, Paris-based label by recycling, upcycling, and sourcing deadstock. He will be presenting his new collection during Paris Men's Fashion Week this month.
Born in Exile
Spearheaded by Libyan designer Ibrahim Shebani, the womenswear label is an embodiment of Libya’s rich history of exceptional craftsmanship. Think intricate embroidery on denim, Italian calfskin leather and French silk jacquard.
One and Four
The sustainable, Dubai-based label is the brainchild of Egyptian designer Engy Mahdy, who recently launched a new line of comfy essentials made out of recycled cotton.
The Giving Movement
Helmed by Dubai-based Dominic Nowell-Barnes, the active and leisurewear label donates proceeds from every sale to fund projects that are dedicated to improving the wellbeing of those who are impoverished.
The Gaza-based designer, who was born in Saudi Arabia, is known for her 1980’s-inspired silhouettes and romantic tailoring.


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- Samsung Galaxy A53 5G was announced globally last week
- Samsung Galaxy A53 5G features a 32-megapixel selfie camera
- The smartphone is offered in four colour options.
|Samsung Galaxy A53 5G sale in India begins March 25|
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G has been launched in India and the smartphone will go on sale in the country starting March 25. The new Galaxy A-series phone is now available for pre-orders in the country via the official Samsung India website. Samsung unveiled Galaxy A53 5G globally last week alongside the Galaxy A33 5G. It features a 120Hz refresh rate display and is powered by an octa-core Exynos 1280 SoC, along with up to 8GB of RAM. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G carries a quad rear camera setup headlined by a 64-megapixel primary sensor. It will be offered in four different colours in India. Besides, Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is dust- and water-resistant with an IP67 rating.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G price in India, pre-order details
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G price in India is set at Rs. 34,499 for the 6GB RAM + 128GB storage variant. The top-of-the-line 8GB RAM + 128GB storage model costs Rs. 35,999. The new Samsung Galaxy A-series smartphone is currently available for pre-orders via the company website with deliveries starting from March 27. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is available in Awesome Black, Awesome Blue, Awesome Peach, and Awesome White colour options.
Samsung is offering the smartphone's 6GB RAM model with an EMI option starting at Rs. 4,312, while the 8GB RAM variant can be purchased on EMI starting at Rs. 4,499. The company is also offering an instant cashback of Rs. 3,000 for Galaxy A53 5G purchases using ICICI bank credit cards during the pre-order period.
To recall, Samsung introduced Galaxy A53 5G globally last week with a starting price of EUR 449 (roughly Rs. 37,800). The handset comes in 6GB RAM + 128GB storage, 8GB + 128GB, and 8GB + 256GB configurations in global markets.


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Tadashi Yanai, founder and chief executive officer of Fast Retailing Co., which wholly owns Uniqlo, has expressed his preference for a female successor on Tuesday saying that the job is simply more suitable for a woman.
“The job is more suitable for a woman,” the 70-year-old — whose net worth is $24.8 billion, making him Japan’s richest man — told Bloomberg Japan. “They are persevering, detail-oriented and have an aesthetic sense.”
Yanai also acknowledged the possibility that this successor will be Maki Akaida, who was appointed to run Uniqlo Japan — the company’s most profitable unit — this year.
Additionally, he expressed his intent to increase the ratio of female senior executives to more than half the total — Fast Retailing has six women in such roles at present.
Akaida, 40, joined Fast Retailing in 2001. Aside from managing Uniqlo stores in Japan and China, she has also worked in sales and human resources.
However, Yanai pointed out that many women are reluctant to become managers because they are worried about changing their lifestyle. “I don’t think there’s a glass ceiling,” he said.
Many people might not know this, but despite our large and loyal following which we are immensely grateful for, NextShark is still a small bootstrapped startup that runs on no outside funding or loans.
Everything you see today is built on the backs of warriors who have sacrificed opportunities to help give Asians all over the world a bigger voice.
However, we still face many trials and tribulations in our industry, from figuring out the most sustainable business model for independent media companies to facing the current COVID-19 pandemic decimating advertising revenues across the board.
We hope you consider making a contribution so we can continue to provide you with quality content that informs, educates and inspires the Asian community.
Even a $1 contribution goes a long way. Thank you for everyone’s support. We love you all and can’t appreciate you guys enough.


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Jaguar Adds New Entry-Level Engine Option to Model Lineup
Three of Jaguar’s models can now be had with a 247-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The Jaguar XE, XF and F-Pace have all been updated for the 2018 model year with the addition of the new Ingenium 2.0-liter engine. The powerplant will be the entry-level motor for each of the 2018 models and marks the first time a four-cylinder engine is available on the F-Pace and the latest generation XF. That also means the 2018 Jaguar XF’s entry price has been lowered to $48,770 including destination.
Other enhancements to the models include the addition of an optional Powered Gesture Trunk Lid for the XF and XE sedan models for the first time, Forward Traffic Detection, Forward Vehicle Guidance, and a virtual 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster with full-screen 3D navigation.
Jaguar is also the first automaker in the U.K. to allow customers to pay for gas at a Shell station using the touchscreen of their car. Ford announced a similar feature earlier this year for the U.S. The automaker expects to roll out the feature globally later this year.
While the Jaguar XF gains a more affordable, entry-level model, the Jaguar XE has a new variant sitting at the top of its range. The Jaguar XE S is powered by a 340-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine and will start from $53,270. The entry-level XE 25t has a starting price of $34,730.
As for the Jaguar F-Pace, it will start at $43,060 for the 2018 model year with the 2.0-liter turbo-four engine. Those wanting the 340-hp model will have to shell out $49,970 minimum.
The 2018 Jaguar models will be heading to U.S. dealerships starting May 2017.
Discuss this story on our Jaguar XE Forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
More by Jason Siu


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Market opens in the green to start the final month of the year, though gains are mild and not looking broad based at the open. December begins the way November ended, with stocks catching a bid, no matter what the news flow. Signs that a trade deal with China is hitting some rocks isn’t dragging stocks lower. It’s been a one-way trade since Summer ended and it’s straight up to new highs. Last year saw a brutal end to the year. This year seems like it’s the opposite where stocks will drift higher to 2020 as sellers sit on their hands. We shall see. It wouldn’t take much to derail this rally, but thus far, so many of the negative issues and risks have been absorbed and the Standard & Poor’s index of 500 kept marching on. Today marks what used to be called “Cyber Monday,” because back in the ’90s and early 2000s, customers had to wait to come to work to access the web and purchase goods on sale online. It follows Black Friday, which earned its name decades ago as the date that retailers first turned a profit for the year, putting them in the black. This year’s Black Friday brought in $7.4 Billion in sales, the second largest ever. 69 Million Americans are expected to shop on Cyber Monday. $9.4 Billion is expected to be spent today, which would represent a 19% increase over last year. The US officially became a net Oil exporter in September, something that seemed darn near impossible a decade ago. President Trump said the US will immediately restore steel and aluminum tariffs on Brazil and Argentina, arguing that those countries have presided over a massive devaluation of their currencies. Trump added that the Fed should “Lower Rates and Loosen” so other countries can no longer take advantage of the strong Dollar, which makes it hard for US manufacturers and farmers to fairly export their goods. International markets were mixed overnight, with gains in Asia followed by losses in Europe. Stocks are now lower in the US, Bonds are lower too as interest rates jump. Gold is flat. The Dollar is weaker while Crude Oil is catching a bid. The VIX is up 12%, now above 14, after spending the last couple of sessions below 12. The last time this occurred, it preempted a large stock selloff. There are 20 ½ trading days left in 2019. Hang on for the ride.
Have a great morning,


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Eureka FEST, the Microsoft powered networking event and conference known for highlighting those making waves within the entrepreneurship, business and tech industries, is thrilled to announce their 3rd annual festival, Eureka FEST that celebrates the growth and successes of Orange County’s booming tech and startup scene on April 8th at the Eureka Building in Irvine, CA.
Since 2015 Eureka FEST has attracted some of the biggest and brightest names in the startup and tech community. With a special focus on helping others to overcome the barriers to success for tech start-ups, Eureka FEST intends to connect entrepreneurs with the in-person resources to help them attain their goals.
“Eureka is going above and beyond with this year’s event. Multiple stages, multiple speakers and an after party featuring an incredibly talented chart-topping artist” Special programming like product demonstrations, expert panel discussions, pitch opportunities and an awards ceremony give attendees real-world experience of the fast-paced and ever-changing start-up world. Eureka FEST is not only an open invitation for attendees to come together to collaborate and share their ideas with like-minded peers, but also encourages them to learn, launch and grow their businesses with the advice of successful colleagues.
Last year’s Eureka FEST included prominent speakers such as Paul Spiller, former President & COO, Acorns and Marc Averitt, Managing Director of Okapi Venture Capital . This year, Eureka FEST is pulling out all the stops with Christopher Gavigan: Co-Founder & CPO of The Honest Company, Nicholas Reed; Oscar-Winning Producer & Co-Founder of Shareability, Tony Lacavera; Chairman of Globalive Capital, Peter Economides; Founder & President of Felix BNI, Andrew Norris; Co-Founder & COO of Taplytics, Damien Steel; Managing Director of OMERS Ventures, Jenny Ta; Co-Founder & CEO, VCNetwork.Co, Mikhail Alfon; Co-Founder & CEO of 7Twelve Media, Ash Kumra; Co-Founder of Youngry and Peter Polydor; Eureka FEST Founder & CEO of ERGO Capital as confirmed speakers withmore notable speakers to be announced.
This year’s Eureka FEST will culminate with an after-party with food, drinks and a live performance from the multi-platinum recording artist VASSY. Interested parties in the Eureka FEST 2017 schedule, registration or sponsorship information please visit: Eureka . For more information about Eureka Building visit Eureka Building


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An increasing amount of experts warn Colombia for the Dutch disease, claiming its growing export of natural resources is appreciating the country’s currency and negatively affecting other export sectors. While there are alarming signs, it’s too early to diagnose the economic illness.
The term Dutch Disease was born in the 1960s when immense underground deposits of natural gas were discovered in the Netherlands. This resulted in a large economic boom for the tiny European nation, but this increase in wealth and foreign capital caused the Dutch guilder to rise in value eventually leading to a decline in most other exports as they became relatively more expensive on world markets.
The decrease in non-oil and gas exports led to deindustrialization or a contraction in the manufacturing sector of the economy.
Thus, Dutch Disease was born.
Britain was afflicted in the 1970s as the price of oil quadrupled making it profitable to drill in the North Sea off the coast of Scotland. The economy eventually fell into recession as non-oil exports declined and workers demanded higher wages.
In the late 1970s Colombia suffered from Dutch Disease as coffee production and sales doubled from their 1967 levels. The government waited until 1986 but successfully combated the economic ailment with a windfall tax on coffee receipts. Is Colombia suffering from Dutch Disease again and, if so, will the government act accordingly?
Some have recently cited this economic ailment claiming that Colombia is showing symptoms or that the onset of Dutch Disease has once again taken place in the Andean nation.
Is it a false alarm or should Colombia be taking measures to stave off this economic malady?
To begin with, it’s important to note that Dutch Disease is not only caused by the exploitation of natural resources but it can also be caused by large inflows of foreign capital, although the two tend to be related as foreign companies invest heavily in natural-resource rich nations that allow them to do so.
Colombia has seen a large influx of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) over the past 10 years with FDI reaching a record $10 billion U.S. dollars in 2008 and it is expected to be near $10 billion again in 2010.
The recent rise in FDI is without a doubt helping to bolster the Colombian peso as it has soared in value nearly 13% against the dollar this year.
Colombian exporters are feeling the pressure as their sales are suffering and, as a whole, Colombian exports of non-traditional products (everything besides natural resources) have taken a hit causing some to sound the alarm bells and diagnose the current predicament as Dutch Disease.
According to an August 2010 report by Colombia’s Administrative Department of National Statistics (DANE), exports of non-traditional products between January and August actually decreased by 7% when compared to the same period in 2009 while exports of traditional products (natural resources) increased by 48%.
Looking closer at the statistics reveals even clearer symptoms of Dutch Disease as the 48% increase in traditional products was driven by an 80% increase in oil exports while textile shipments (non-traditional product) abroad decreased by an eye-opening 53%.
These are classic symptoms but are they enough for a diagnosis?
It is clear that Colombia has experienced both large increases in FDI and exports of natural resources over the past few years which has led to unprecedented strength in the peso but is this the cause of the decline in non-traditional exports?
A major factor in the 7% drop in non-traditional exports was the 82% drop in exports of live animals and animal products. This can largely be explained by a diplomatic dispute with Venezuela in late 2009 which eventually led to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez announcing a complete freeze of economic relations with Colombia.
The DANE report notes that exports to Venezuela, once Colombia’s second-largest trading partner, dropped by 71.5% between January and August.
This significant plunge in trade with a key commercial partner accounted for a considerable part of the overall drop in exports of non-traditional products.
Nonetheless, as long as the peso continues to soar against the dollar, improved relations with Venezuela won’t be able to save Colombian manufacturers and they will continue to see their bottom lines shrink as their products become increasingly expensive on world markets. If this trend continues, it will inevitably lead to a decline in the overall manufacturing sector of the economy or full onset of Dutch Disease.
If we look at which sectors of the economy foreigners are investing in we only build a stronger case for those who are diagnosing Colombia with this economic infection. According to statistics from Colombia’s central bank, FDI in the nation’s oil and mining industries in 2002 accounted for less than 43% of total FDI while in 2009, FDI in Colombia’s oil and mining industries accounted for more than 77% of total foreign investment in Colombia.
This means foreigners are looking less towards Colombia’s manufacturing and service industries and are focusing instead on the extraction of natural resources – a classic symptom of Dutch Disease.
So what should the government do?
Heavily depending on commodities and non-renewable resources is a precarious situation to be in as prices for these tend to be volatile.
That being said, it is not “bad” to be a net exporter of raw materials. What is important is how the money that is earned from selling these products is spent in the country.
Take Chile for example. The Economist reports that this nation was able to accumulate $20 billion dollars (equivalent to 12% of GDP) in a stabilization fund by the end of 2008 due to high copper prices. It then used those funds to pay for a large fiscal stimulus package equivalent to 3% of GDP during the height of the global economic recession.
The Economist also notes that Brazil is considering new legislation which will require a portion of revenues generated from new deep-sea oil production to be placed in a special social welfare fund.
While a diagnosis for Colombia might be premature, the Colombian government will certainly need to decide how it is going to deal with these new large inflows of foreign capital and a stronger peso.
It must make sure that a portion of the money generated from the exploitation of natural resources is allocated to areas that will help the long-run competitiveness of the Colombian economy. The Santos administration should take note of what other countries like Chile and Brazil are doing in order to insure that the country doesn’t cripple itself by becoming too dependent on commodity exports.
Immediate relief for exporters that are suffering from a stronger peso could come in the form of tax cuts which would allow them to trim down their prices. This is only a temporary solution though as the peso is likely to maintain its strengthening trend over the long run.
Improved trade relations with Venezuela and new free trade agreements will surely help to alleviate some of the suffering from Dutch Disease but, in the end, sound policy from Bogotá is the only way to eradicate this economic ill in Colombia.
It will be important for the government to pay close attention to the behavior of the manufacturing sector of the economy over the next few years and to not let it die out in order to boost commodities exports. Colombia’s manufacturing sector still has much room to grow and it can play an important part in the economic development of the nation.
Dutch Disease or not, changes are certain to come and shifts in the industrial structure of the economy are to be expected. How the government deals with these changes and shifts will make all the difference to future generations of Colombians.
Author Matthew Helm is an American who moved to Colombia where he started the website relocationcolombia.com, specialized in information for potential expats and investors.


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NEW YORK—Coca-Cola announced a jump in fourth-quarter profits Tuesday on higher volumes and prices and said it would fully re-franchise bottling operations in North America and China in a cost-cutting move.
Net income for the 2015 fourth quarter was $1.2 billion, up 60.6% compared with the year-ago period.
Revenues fell 8% to $10 billion.
Coca-Cola's global volume grew 3% in the quarter, driven especially by gains in still products such as bottled water, juice and sports drinks. Volumes for still products jumped six percent globally, as well as in the key North American market.
Volumes in sparkling beverages grew two percent, with Coke soda gaining one percent and Coke Zero seven percent, partially offset by a 5% drop in Diet Coke volumes.
Earnings were also boosted by a 9.2% drop in expenses to $3.9 billion and a 2% increase in pricing; those improvements helped to offset the negative effects of the strong dollar.
For the year, Coca-Cola reported net income of $7.3 billion, up 3.6% from the year-ago period. Revenues dropped 3.7% to $44.3 billion.
Coca-Cola said it has reached agreements to sell bottler facilities accounting for more than 40 percent of its volume in the United States. It plans to re-franchise the entire North American region by the end of 2017.
Coca-Cola also has entered into a preliminary agreement to re-franchise its company-owned bottling operations in China to its partners China Foods Limited and Swire Beverage Holdings Limited.
"The acceleration of our global refranchising marks a step change in our efforts to refocus the Coca-Cola Company on its core business of building strong, valuable brands and leading a system of strong bottling partners," said chief executive Muhtar Kent.
Shares of Coca-Cola rose 0.5% to $42.75 in opening trade.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2016


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China’s latest food scandal involves decades-old meat from the 1970s. Authorities arrested meat smugglers in 14 provinces who were attempting to sell 1970s meat. The rancid beef, duck, chicken, and pork was reportedly worth about $500,000 and weighed 110,241 tons.
Some of the 1970s meat seized during the sting had partially thawed and was rotting, according to Chinese health officials. The decades-old meat was reportedly smuggled into the country from Hong Kong and Vietnam. According to Chinese officials, meat imported into Hong Kong is subject to surveillance but not typically tested if the meat is for “re-export.” The smuggled meat was reportedly transported into China via non-refrigerated vehicles. Investigators believe the vastly outdated meat was thawed and refrozen repeatedly during the journey to market.
“It was smelly. There was a whole truck of it. I nearly threw up when I opened the door,” Zhang Tao, an official that helped with the operation in Hunan province, said.
An “extensive supply chain” in the meat smuggling black market has generated substantial profits for Chinese gangs, according to Changsha province customs officials. The smugglers are believed to purchase meat at rock bottom prices from foreign countries and then have it shipped in refrigerated containers to Hong Kong.
The 1970s meat and other illegally shipped products are then reportedly moved to the Chinese mainland via a route through Vietnam. In order to keep costs down, the smugglers hire local residents in the border regions to move the decades-old meat from town to town. Exactly where the seemingly steady supply of 40-year-old meat is coming from remains unknown.
“To save costs, smugglers often hire ordinary vehicles instead of refrigerated ones. So the meat has often thawed out several times before reaching customers,” the deputy director of the anti-smuggling bureau in China told the media.
Over the course of the past year, meat smugglers from the United States, Finland, and Brazil have been arrested by Chinese officials. Earlier this spring, a meat smuggling ring was busted with $33 million worth of U.S. beef. Last fall, another group of smugglers were caught with multiple tons of Brazilian beef.
Food safety concerns in China have prompted increased demand for foreign meat by citizens. Chinese shoppers reportedly prefer buying meat stemming from the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The demand for meat in China has reportedly tripled over the last 30 years. The increased demand for meat in China, coupled with a U.S. beef ban, has sparked a growing meat smuggling industry, government officials said.
Mad cow disease concerns prompted the ban on beef raised in America. In 2014, China said that U.S. officials had to submit more data about mad cow disease prevention steps before the beef ban could possibly be lifted.
What do you think about the decades-old meat from the 1970s being seized in China?


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The Union Carbide Corporation, which is being acquired by the Dow Chemical Company, said today that its third-quarter profit fell 62 percent, hurt by rising costs of energy and raw materials, but it still beat revised expectations.
Despite the decline in earnings, shares of Union Carbide rose 13 percent on investor optimism that the company will complete its planned $9.3 billion sale to Dow Chemical. Union Carbide shares rose $4.81, to $41.56.
Union Carbide, based in Danbury, said net income fell to $29 million, or 22 cents a share, compared with $77 million, or 58 cents a share, in the quarter a year earlier. The 1999 period included a gain of 21 cents a share from a litigation settlement.
Revenue rose 9.2 percent, to $1.64 billion from $1.5 billion.
The company warned earlier this month that its earnings would be in the range of 20 cents a share, while analysts had at the time been expecting 57 cents a share. Since then, analysts have lowered their estimates to 20 cents a share, according to First Call/Thomson Financial.
Union Carbide, along with other chemical companies, has been hard hit by rising prices for crude oil and natural gas, which are major raw materials in the chemicals industry.
Lower selling prices for polyethylene and ethylene glycol compared with prior quarters also hurt profit margins and earnings, Union Carbide said. Those products are used in plastics manufacturing.
William Joyce, the chairman and chief executive of Union Carbide, said in a statement that he was confident that capacity additions and infrastructure improvements made over the last five years would add to future earnings and the success of the combined Dow Chemical and Union Carbide.Continue reading the main story
The acquisition, announced more than a year ago, has taken longer than expected as Dow continues to negotiate with the Federal Trade Commission, which is concerned about the amount of plastics-making technology Dow will have if it buys Union Carbide.Continue reading the main story


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SCOTTSDALE Ariz. Paul Fleming has teamed up with private-equity investors and the management of 10-unit Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill to buy the upscale-casual chain from concept co-creators Guy Villavaso and Larry Foles. The price was not disclosed.
Fleming, one of the industry's most successful concept developers, is participating in the acquisition through his Paul Fleming Restaurants LLC, whose business plan calls for investing in growth chains and launching new ventures.
The deal marks a step-up in Fleming's involvement with the southwestern chain, which is based here. Founder or co-founder of such brands as P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Pei Wei Asian Diner, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Blue Coral Seafood and Spirits, Fleming was an original investor in Z’Teja and had retained a small stake.
Fleming is joined in the acquisition by Allan Karp and Chris Reilly, private-equity investors who were formerly with the equity firms Saunders, Karp & Megrue and Apax Partners. Karp and Reilly have been involved in several restaurant investments, including Mimi’s Café, Elephant Bar Restaurants, Café Rio and Ale House.
Z’Tejas had up to 14 units at one point, but four have been sold over the past several years. The new ownership team plans to open a new Z’Tejas in Austin, Texas, this year, the first new unit to open in five years and the third in Austin. The existing restaurants are located primarily in Arizona and Texas, with single units in southern California, Nevada and Washington State.
Ed Bartholemy, president of Phoenix-based Paul Fleming Restaurants, said the partners were impressed with the turnaround of Z’Tejas under chief executive Steven Micheletti, who will remain in that position and also retains equity as part of the deal. “It’s a brand that has had some difficulty but is now performing very well and is growing again,” he said.
The move also marks a first acquisition for Paul Fleming Restaurants, which Bartholemy said is looking for opportunities to invest in small growth companies, in addition to new concept development. Paul Fleming Restaurants is scheduled to launch the new Paul Martin’s American Bistro in the Sacramento, Calif., area later this year.


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Google's growing influence in the mobile industry is clearly proving worrisome to some established device makers and operators, a few of whom put up a united front against the search giant during a round table at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on...
When Intel CEO Paul Otellini received a call from Nokia chief Stephen Elop about Nokia's move to Microsoft, he used a word that Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz "has often used."
Some people may yet debate the value of femtocells, but the tide has turned: in 2010, the number of femtocells around the world exceeded the number of macrocells, according to the Femto Forum.
Apple held on to its huge lead in global mobile phone applications last year due to its simple billing system but will give up much of that ground by 2014, market research firm IHS Screen Digest said in a report.
Sony will soon begin selling a professional monitor that contains the largest commercial organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen yet produced.
A little-known Taiwanese semiconductor firm's ambitious plan to grow mobile phone semiconductor sales in China this year foreshadows what analysts see as boom in low-end handsets not only in the world's largest market but also in other countries wher...
Smartphone makers, not personal computer firms, are best positioned to make tablet PCs because of close links between external design and operating systems, a researcher in Taiwan said on Wednesday.
Chinese handset manufacturer ZTE plans to launch its first smartphone in the U.S. this year, a move that follows the company's latest success in securing a bigger hold of the mobile phone market.
The latest Apple iPhone 5 rumor centers on the anticipated smartphone featuring a 4-inch screen, about 14% bigger than the standard 3.5-inch display of current iPhones and more in line with what Google Android phone makers have been offering.
Well, it looks like Apple isn't going to go smaller without going a little bigger, too. We just heard that Apple's working on a smaller iPhone (an iPhone 'nano' if you will), and now new reports suggest Apple's working on an iPhone with a larger disp...
The HTC Droid Incredible was a huge success in the United States when it launched on Verizon. Does the next generation Incredible S measure up? Pretty much. The Incredible S isn't a huge overhaul in design or specs from the original Incredible, but t...
The HTC Wildfire S proves that lower-end Android phones don't necessarily have to be attractive too. The original Wildfire is one of the many budget Android phones we saw in 2010. The Wildfire S is no super phone; in fact, the specs are pretty unthri...
I got a close up look at the new HTC Flyer tablet at an HTC event here at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
HTC's entrant into the tablet wars, the 7-inch Flyer, was definitely the belle of Tawainese handset manufacturer's press conference this morning, but there was still some exciting phone news. HTC announced updates to three popular Android phones incl...
Google CEO Eric Schmidt took to the stage at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Tuesday to talk up the Android OS for tablets and phones, in addition to giving nods to Chrome, search and YouTube.
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First impression on unpacking the Q702 test unit was the solid feel and clean, minimalist styling.


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- Saks Off 5th plans seven new stores
- Saks’ Chicago flagship to devote two floors to new in-store men’s format, The Fifth Man
- Hudson’s Bay appoints Harrod’s exec to run Saks
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New York City Saks plans to open new prototype stores as a part of an effort to grow its OFF 5th businesses, Saks chairman and CEO Stephen I. Sadove said during the company’s fourth-quarter conference call.
Sadove said that the first prototype will open in Orlando, Fla. in April. Saks plans to open other new locations later in the year.
The company also expects to expand its 10022-SHOE concept to its Beverly Hills, Houston, Phoenix, Costa Mesa, Calif., San Francisco and Miami locations by the end of 2008.
The company’s flagship store will also be getting some attention this year. According to Sadove, the company will add new vendors and expand existing, productive categories like handbags and women's designer apparel.


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Bitcoin (BTC) will have “zero value” in 2019: Bitcoin SV’s Calvin Ayre
One of the well-known figures in the cryptocurrency industry, Calvin Ayre, recently shared his view about the top crypto, Bitcoin [BTC].
In a recent interview with Express.co.uk, Ayre stated that BTC will almost become non-existent by next year. Ayre told the media outlet, “I’m afraid I am predicting it to go to zero value as it has no utility, it does not do anything and they intentionally are anti-scaling. “Bitcoin, the technology and economic model, are alive and well with Bitcoin SV (Satoshi Vision) and is going to have an amazing year.”
This statement comes after the Bitcoin Cash (BCH) hard fork that took place last month, resulting in two chains – BitcoinABC & Bitcoin Satoshi Vision (BitcoinSV). BitcoinABC led by Roger Ver and Jihan Wu, co-founder of Bitcoin mining giant Bitmain. While, BitcoinSV is backed by Australian entrepreneur, Craig Wright, and Calvin Ayre, owner of CoinGeek – the largest Bitcoin Cash mining pool.
According to him, “Bitcoin — the technology and economic model — are alive and well with BitcoinSV, and it’s going to have an amazing year.” Though Bitcoin Cash is actually a derivative of Bitcoin, Ayre insists that BitcoinSV is the “real bitcoin” and says, “[BTC] is a sham bitcoin.” Wright told Express UK, “SV is what bitcoin was, and is the only way it works.”
Bitcoin Cash hard fork & bear market
After the BCH hard fork, BTC price went down and brought the market down along with it. When Ayre was asked about the same, he denied any link. In fact, he said, “The hard fork was a distraction, but the downturn is because the SegWit coin that’s erroneously still called ‘Bitcoin’ now follows the old-fashioned financial trends.”
Moreover, Ayre blames BitcoinABC for the current market woes. Ayre explained, “There is no question that the hash dumping that the ABC conspirators did — in violation of the Nakamoto Consensus Rules that run Bitcoin — destabilized the markets even more.”
Image via Shutterstock


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Chances are, if you bought a Windows Phone 7 (s msft) handset prior to this month, you’re waiting for the first software update, codenamed “NoDo.” Phones that initially launched this month on Microsoft’s platform come pre-loaded with the update, which adds a few new features and performance improvements. After missing its first self-imposed deadline of mid-March, Microsoft pushed the update to the last half of this month, but only a few phones have seen the update so far. Most handset owners have been in the dark as to when they’ll see the promised software. As a result, Microsoft is now posting a status page where handset owners can learn when to expect the NoDo update on their phone.
This last step actually should have been the first one, because it would have avoided some of the negative attention the company has earned through a series of update mishaps. For starters, the NoDo update is relatively limited in what it brings to Windows Phone 7 devices, which still have yet offer core features found in competing handset platforms. The final version of Microsoft’s mobile operating system was completed late last summer, so some, including myself, expected to see more progress with Windows Phone 7’s feature set by now.
Last month, speaking at the Mobile World Congress event, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said this first software update would be available for all Windows Phone 7 devices in the first two weeks of March. That effort first stumbled with reports of a preparatory update causing particular phone models to be inoperable. The right thing to do was to pull back the software for additional testing, which Microsoft did. At that time, the new target date was set for the end of March, and some handsets are now starting to receive it.
With the new status page, handset owners can see what progress is being made with the update for their particular handset. Based on the phone model, the update could be in one of three stages: testing, scheduling and delivering. The testing phase is self-explanatory, as handset makers and carriers want to ensure the new software doesn’t negatively impact the customer, although I expect the timeframe for such efforts is largely out of Microsoft’s control. Scheduling means that Microsoft is preparing the software release, which it says typically takes 10 days or less. Finally, the delivering phase is when Microsoft is sending updates notifications to handsets, at which time, customers need to connect their phone to a computer for update download and installation.
While Windows Phone 7 handset owners now have a clearer understanding of the update’s status — which Microsoft says it will refresh on a weekly basis — I’m still questioning one aspect: delivery. Even after a handset enters the delivering phase, Microsoft says the update may not appear for weeks because it stages the update in batches. If the software has to be downloaded from Microsoft’s servers, can’t they handle an upgrade en masse? The only reason I can think of requiring such staging is in case of implementation issues, which is smart from a safety perspective, but shoots the entire self-imposed deadline in the foot. My HD7, for example, still hasn’t received the update from February, although it’s now in the scheduling phase.
In some ways, the situation is better in the Microsoft world than in the Google Android space, which faces version fragmentation, but these are different scenarios. Google develops Android with added features in each release that developers can take advantage of. But Google simply makes the updated platform available; it doesn’t push the system updates out to phones, with one notable exception in the Nexus line of handsets. By comparison, Microsoft is taking responsibility for getting phones up to date, which is a positive sign. It’s also easier, at least in theory, because the company set minimum hardware requirements for Windows Phone 7 handsets, so the few different models share many of the same internals.
I fully sympathize with Microsoft on the complexity of software updates for smartphones, because there are many players involved: consumers, handset makers, and numerous network operators. But I keep coming back to one point in all of this: other companies have proven that they can better manage such updates in a fast-moving and complex environment. If Microsoft can’t do the same, what does that say about its ability to become the third mobile platform behind iOS (s aapl) and Android (s goog)?


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Humans have an incredible ability to adapt. Over the past several months, life has been upended. Entire cities have shut down, people have lost their jobs, and most of us are staying inside. For brands, these months have not been business as usual either. Many have performed great feats in pivoting their production, marketing strategies, and more, to account for changing times. But a recent study has shown that consumers don’t want reminders of our collective challenges; they want brands to help them feel normal again.
It’s important to note that, per the article, “a huge 93% of respondents agreed that the tone needs to change, which means that as brands we need to find a way to operate in this new atmosphere.” Some items that came up are supporting front-line staff, supporting vulnerable people, providing accurate information, and showing acts of kindness.
While events are on hold, brands that had designed activations throughout 2020 are either rethinking or recreating what they had planned. For those that moved to digital events, many have struggled with maintaining engagement or driving attendee participation. Yet, some have not only stepped up to the virtual challenge they have proven that clever thinking can overcome any obstacle.
One recent virtual activation was delivered in partnership between online spirits community Flaviar and Whistlepig Whiskey. The brands created a ‘blend your own whiskey kit’ that community members received at home. The collaboration featured a YouTube live stream that invited fans to blend and taste alongside experts, wherein they would then vote for their favorite via a live poll. The event allowed the brand to enjoy direct engagement with its fans while utilizing a digitally native platform. Check out the full details of the event here.
As July continues to march forward, most of us are nearing 3 months at home. Like a lot of people, we too have become restless. While our team has stayed connected and collaborative with the help of video platforms and digital tools, the need to return to life “as normal” is strong. The isolation has also given us a renewed appreciation for face to face interactions, and we know we are not alone. So even as stay-at-home mandates ebb and wane, event marketers are planning for the future, complete with a laundry list of new must-haves that maintain public health.
With guidance laid out by governments and experts, reducing transmission will be at the forefront. And while mask-wearing, social distancing, and the use of health and safety staff will be key, there are other tactics that brands can use to help. For example, as Department Zero points out, an emphasis on visual (versus tactile) event components keeps things touch-free and event attendees feeling safer.
For some cities, the pandemic rages on; for others, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Regardless of the current moment, we all know that health and safety precautions will be required moving forward for any event. It’s interesting to see how the ‘new normal’ that many (including us) have speculated about will be coming to fruition. And while we have explored what live events might look like in the immediate future, FGPG is musing about what the wider industry might encounter when it’s time for the event world to go back to work.
This post explores how companies will return to the office and the different scenarios that may be at play. For those returning to a physical office, this might mean physical distancing and limited shared spaces. And some people may never return, preferring to telecommute even when it’s safe to get back in the office. Check out the full post here.


text: 7-Vodka writes "Xcel Energy customers who have their own solar panels are worried about a new fee being proposed by the company. A monthly fee to pay for transmission and distribution of energy would be charged to customers who have solar panels, irrespective of their energy use for the month. An Xcel Energy spokesman said the fee is to ensure that regular customers don't subsidize the 'connectivity fees' for the solar panel customers who don't pay when they generate as much as they use. When pressed, the spokesman admitted that nobody actually pays a 'connectivity fee,' yet they wanted to prevent the mooching from occurring in the future (presumably when they hit everyone with such a fee). He also called the absence of a connectivity fee for solar customers a 'double subsidy' because many solar customers receive rebates to install the panels."


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We're not too far into the 2013 model year, but the 2013 Dodge Durango has already gotten its first recall.
Read This Article
When college campuses across the nation are being bombarded by leggy short-shorts-wearing girls in Uggs, you know summer is officially over.
Dodge has announced today that for every Journey sold in the month of March, the Detroit-based automaker will throw in a third row of seating and a fuel sipping engine free of charge.
We don't mean to pour salt in the wound of America, but we've been facing a bit of a weather dilemma here in SoCal lately: Rain.


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Thus, major PC manufacturers are expected to demonstrate devices compatible with this standard in CES this year.
Any company that uses the technology can decide how to best hide the display when its off.
The proprietary LG OLED technology is designed to deliver perfect blacks thanks to its ability to turn each pixel on or completely off
Flexible televisions are just one unusual screen technology on display at the Consumer Electronics Show, as several big TV makers use the Las Vegas event to gamble on what the future of home entertainment will look like. The Wall is possibly the first large television from this or any brand to, supposedly, come equipped with a technology called modular Micro LED, in which LEDs on the display can be lit up individually with colors appearing more vibrant than ever before and with ideal infinite contrast due to a complete lack of backlight technology. Yet the company keeps investing in microLED TV R&D in parallel, which has the potential for much brighter displays with a higher luminous efficiency, while still offering the pure blacks from OLEDs as it is too a self-emitting technology. MicroLED, on the other hand, is a modular technology - meaning panels are made up of a series of smaller ones, "knitted together" to make one larger whole.
HS Kim, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics America, announced that previous technologies created to link its devices into useful networks, Samsung Connect, Smart Home and Smart View would be deprecated and replaced with a new SmartThings app, available in the third quarter of 2018. Samsung says it will be commercially available this year. Hisense was really pushing these, and especially its Laser TV line that uses laser lights and TI's DLP technology. That's primarily because Samsung has designed this huge TV to be completely modular. Other vendors touting 4K projectors included Sony, LG, and Chinese vendor Changhong. The first incredible model has a screen that literally rolls up into the TV's base when switched off. It was an operating system for budget TVs which served up all the usual TV stuff - a program guide, picture and sound settings - and a way to quickly get to Amazon's Prime Video content.
Samsung's new security solution for its TVs has already earned the approval of the industry. It's probably still a niche technology, but it is interesting.
Chelsea Manning To Run For US Senate In Maryland
Democratic Senator Ben Cardin was elected in 2006 to that seat and is expected to run for re-election this year. Manning was convicted of leaking classified information and spent more than six years behind bars.


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FOSTORIA - The former Fostoria Food Pantry, now Pantry Plus of Seneca County, now owns a building in downtown Fostoria and a used Ford van, thanks to American Red Cross donations.
John Sherer, coordinator for Pantry Plus of Seneca County called the acquisitions "a real windfall."
The building cost Pantry Plus $48.50 to have the deed recorded and the van cost $16.07 to be transferred into the Pantry Plus name.
Part of the agreement specifies Pantry Plus will provide Red Cross with an office within the building. It will receive free rent and utilities and pay for its phone and computer expenses.
Fostoria Food Pantry was formed in 1983. In 2011, the food bank changed its name to Pantry Plus of Seneca County and will provide food for anyone who lives in Seneca County.
The food pantry is open 9:30-11:30 a.m. Fridays with office hours 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.
To learn more, call Pantry Plus at (419) 619-0183.


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mark’ennovy packaging update
Contact lens manufacturer mark’ennovy has updated the packaging for its Blu:kidz silicone hydrogel contact lens with a new aesthetic aimed at the younger contact lens wearer.
‘In a market dominated by homogeneity and ever increasing commoditisation, mark’ennovy constantly looks to go the other way,’ says group marketing director Chris Carter.
‘We believe that the little things can make a difference to the patient experience, and bringing simple innovation in packaging design keeps Blu:kidz exciting and fresh for children every time they receive a new box. And a happy patient is almost certainly a loyal patient.’


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The Internet naming authority ICANN has signed an historic Affirmation Agreement with the US Department of Commerce that confirms the effectiveness of the ICANN model of international multi-stakeholder and bottom-up governance of the global Internet addressing system.
“This means that there can no longer be any doubt that the Internet belongs to the world and is not under the control of any single government or special interest group,” says Mike Silber, a member of ICANN’s board of directors.
“The very fact that I, as a citizen of South Africa serve on ICANN’s board, along with representatives from around the world speaks to the international diversity of this very unique organisation.”
Rod Beckstrom, ICANN CEO, adds: “This new Affirmation marks an exciting new stage in ICANN’s development as a truly international entity and it confirms once and for all, that the ICANN model of public participation works, and works effectively. It endorses a truly unique form of Internet governance, which is critical since every voice on the Internet is unique.”
Peter Dengate Thrush, a New Zealander who serves as ICANN’s chairman, comments: “The Internet is global and it is critical that its governance reflect its international nature. Now we can clearly say that a new era of the internationalisation of the Internet has begun.”
“This historic agreement is only one part of this internationalisation process,” says Mike Silber. “Soon, because of ICANN’s Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) program, all portions of an Internet domain name may be made up of characters from almost any language. This will lead to a huge increase in Internet users from regions in the world, such as the Middle East or Asia, where people may not be using computer keyboards with Latin-based characters.”


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This week: A congressman’s pet rabbit flies at taxpayer expense, Smucker recalls some cat food, and a big, red dog gets a reboot.
This week: A new veterinary school is coming in the fall, a new Purdue scholarship promotes DE&I, and the top obesity-related pet insurance claims.
This week: This year’s oddest pet insurance claim gets paranormal, animals who can navigate by the stars, and a list of all the animals who’ve ever been launched into space.
Bravo Packing, Inc., has expanded a voluntary recall of two frozen raw pet food products after samples tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes .
A veterinarian writes an imaginary "memo to clients," inspired by the incredible patience, indomitable good cheer, and flat-out fortitude of her veterinay team during the coronavirus crisis.
What’s it like working a pet poison hotline during a pandemic, when people are cleaning like crazy and calls are up 100%? Even crazier than you might think.
This week: The world’s oldest living pet celebrates another birthday, Japanese scientists get the green light to grow human organs in animals, and you might want to rethink posting pet photos online.
Calls to the Pet Poison Helpline continue to rise as the pandemic goes on. And the toxins reflect how owners' lives have changed.
Americans aren’t limiting their Fourth of July fireworks to the holiday weekend. And that’s a real problem for pets.
Up until last weekend, there were only four reported cases of dogs and cats testing positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus anywhere in the world: two dogs and a cat in Hong Kong, and another cat in Belgium. Then along came a tiger


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UN envoy slams anti-Russian sanctions imposed over North KoreaRussian Politics & Diplomacy August 23, 21:29
Criminal case over Ukraine's map without Crimea and Donbass opened in KievWorld August 23, 21:17
Netanyahu says every encounter with Putin benefits Israel’s securityWorld August 23, 19:15
Netanyahu determined to prevent Iran from strengthening positions in SyriaWorld August 23, 18:21
Russia's military might on display at Army-2017 forumMilitary & Defense August 23, 18:20
Russian defense minister examines weapons seized from terrorists in SyriaMilitary & Defense August 23, 18:12
Grand Russian art exhibition to be held in Vatican in 2018Society & Culture August 23, 17:47
Argentinian footballer Emiliano Rigoni signs contract with Russia’s Zenit FCSport August 23, 17:36
German chancellor suggests exerting diplomatic pressure on North KoreaWorld August 23, 17:01
MOSCOW, May 27, /ITAR-TASS/. Ice cream sales in Russian may go up by 10 to 13% this summer on the summer of 2013 because of hot weather, Valery Yelkhov, the head of Russia’s Union of Ice Cream Makers, told ITAR-TASS on Tuesday.
In general, ice cream sales in 2014 may increase by three to five percent on the year 2013, he noted. “We hope this summer will be warmer than usual and ice cream will be in big demand,” he said, citing weather forecasts of Russian meteorological services.
According to Yelkhov, May’s spell of heat has already triggered sales growth at retail outlets. “January-April saw a minor growth of 0.5% on the last year. But in May as the season of active sales began, our positions have considerably improved,” he said.
Meanwhile, Agnessa Osipova, the directo general of the BRPI company, which promotes Baskin Robbins in Russia, said that sales in the entire sector in the first quarter of 2014 had been less than forecasted because of the cold winter. “The good thing is that there were no slumps and we expect to see a growth in sales from May till the end of October,” she noted.
According to the Russian Union of Ice Cream Makers, ice cream sales traditionally go up two-to three-fold in warmer seasons. In high demand are ice creams with low fat content, fruit ice and sherbet.


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Esports and entertainment production company Epulze and sponsorship analytics firm Shikenso Analytics announced Thursday a sponsorship data partnership for the Dota 2 Bali Major, the last official Valve Major event on the competitive calendar until The International.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Using its AI-driven sponsorship analytics technology, Shikenso will monitor partnerships across streaming and social channels during the event to help Epulze determine the value and effectiveness of brand placement, exposure to audience, and more.
Earlier this week international clothing retailer and fashion company H&M was announced as a sponsor of the event; H&M will provide outfits for key on-screen talent, and engage in pre-event giveaways and activations. Financial terms of that deal were not disclosed.
The Dota 2 Bali Major tournament will see 16 teams competing for a piece of the $500K USD prize pool and 3,500 DPC points. The group stage runs from June 29 – July 3, with playoffs running from July 5 – 9.
The event is being run by Southeast Asian esports event management solutions company IO Esports in conjunction with Epulze. The International will take place in Seattle, Washington, at the Climate Pledge Arena from Oct. 27 – 29.


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Crime, Not the Economy, Concerns Kiwis
Crime, Not the Economy, Concerns Kiwis
ACNielsen Asia Pacific Survey Shows New Zealanders Least Concerned in Region about Worsening Economy
As last month’s election made clear, it’s crime, not the economy, that keeps us Kiwis awake at night, according to a recent ACNielsen Online omnibus survey.
The ACNielsen Online Omnibus polled nearly 8,000 Internet users between 13 - 31 July across 13 markets in the Asia Pacific region, including New Zealand, Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.
Asked what their biggest concerns during the next six months would be, just 16 percent of New Zealanders said a worsening economy – a regional low. Even Australians were less confident about the economy: 20 percent cited it as their biggest concern. And on average, throughout the region, 33 percent of respondents regarded a worsening economy as their number one concern (see Table 1).
What did concern Kiwis? Crime: 17 percent cited it as their primary concern. We worry more about it than people any other country in the region, and twice as much as the regional average (six percent).
While 17 percent of Kiwis rated job security as their number one worry, that’s well down on the survey average (27 percent), which made this the second most pressing concern in the region. Indeed, only Indonesians (11 percent) are less concerned about job security than Kiwis.
To cap off this record of relative comfort, 10 percent of Kiwis said that they had no major concerns. While that’s not quite at the stratospheric levels of unconcern expressed by the Chinese, it’s easily above the regional average (7 percent).
“Although New Zealanders appear relatively unconcerned about major issues, our confidence in the global economy appears to have slipped since we last conducted the survey in November 2001, shortly after the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center,” says Jocelyn Hong, Group Marketing Director, ACNielsen New Zealand. “Only 42 percent of us are now confident we will recover from a global recession within the next year, compared to 49 percent in November 2001.
“New Zealanders and their Australian counterparts, however, aren’t as pessimistic as consumers in Asia Pacific overall, where 99 percent consider themselves in the grips of a global recession, up from 85 percent in November 2001,” Hong adds.
“Compared to the rest of the region, crime rather than the threat of terrorism appears to be weighing heavily on our minds,” says Hong. “No doubt this has been influenced by the strong campaigning for action on ‘crime and punishment’ in the recent election. Widespread and frequent reportage on recent high profile crimes committed locally has also struck a resonant chord.”
A third security issue, the possibility of a war between India and Pakistan, concerned six percent of Kiwis, ahead of all other countries except Australia and India.
Health was a major concern for 13 percent of New Zealanders, compared to the regional average of 10 percent.
“This isn’t really surprising when you consider the recent focus on medical insurance premiums, the elections, and the continued challenge of meeting healthcare requirements balanced with resources and funding,” adds Hong.
Confidence in our local economy appears to be stronger than the rest of the Asia Pacific region. New Zealand recorded the lowest percent (34 percent) claiming deferral of any major investment or purchase in the last 6 months, compared to the regional average of 51 percent. Hong Kong, which registered the highest levels of concern about job security (39 percent) also had the region’s highest record of purchase deferrals (60 percent).
Of those New Zealanders (34 percent) that have deferred purchases and investments in the last 6 months, 29 percent have deferred purchasing property – the same as the November study; 20 percent have deferred buying stocks and shares – down from 26 percent in the November, and 24 percent have deferred an extended holiday down from 34 percent in November.
Table 1: Biggest concern in next six months,
Asia Pacific July 2002
Low Mean High Australia New Zealand
Hong Kong 6% 17%
NZ 8% 17%
Job security 11%
Indonesia 27% 39%
Hong Kong 26% 17%
Worsening of the economy 16%
NZ 33% 50%
Indonesia 20% 16%
Philippines 10% 15%
S. Korea 12% 13%
S. Korea 7% 11%
India 10% 7%
Impending War between India & Pakistan 1
Taiwan 3% 12%
India 7% 6%
No concerns 2%
Philippines 7% 19%
China 7% 10%
Source: ACNielsen Online Omnibus
About the ACNielsen Online
The ACNielsen Online Omnibus is a quarterly syndicated online survey, gathering information from regular users of the Internet across Asia Pacific on their attitudes and preferences and consumption of media, products and services across different markets. Clients can insert specific questions as required. For more information, or to purchase a copy of the latest report, go to www.acnielsen.com/asiapacific.
ACNielsen, a VNU company, is the world’s leading marketing information company. Offering services in more than 100 countries, the company provides measurement and analysis of marketplace dynamics and consumer attitudes and behaviour. Clients rely on ACNielsen’s market research, proprietary products, analytical tools and professional service to understand competitive performance, to uncover new opportunities and to raise the profitability of their marketing and sales campaigns.


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Apeel Sciences Joins Forces with Houweling's Group to Deliver Plastic-Free Produce
SANTA BARBARA, CA - Apeel Sciences announced that an agreement with Houweling’s Group has been made. Houweling’s Group will have access to Apeel’s plant-based technology to replace the single-use plastic wraps on its English cucumbers, reducing food and plastic waste at the same time. The partnership comes after Apeel's news that U.S. retailers will soon have year-round access to Apeel fruits and vegetables that stay fresh up to two to three times longer than untreated produce.
"We are so excited to partner with Houweling’s Group knowing that sustainability is built into the fabric of their organization and we have the same mission of reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills every year,” said Gordon Robertson, Apeel Sciences’ Chief Revenue Officer. “Our growing network of suppliers is committed to using our technology to deliver longer-lasting produce, but we are incredibly proud to see Houweling’s utilize our technology as a way to replace the use of plastic wrap which will ultimately eliminate thousands of pounds of plastic waste per year.”
According to the press release, this partnership comes at a time when approximately 18 billion pounds of plastic waste enters the oceans annually. According to the UN Environment, only 9 percent of all plastic waste produced has been recycled, revealing the crucial need to reduce plastic use at the source.
“We have a rich history of investing in green business practices, leading the industry to a more sustainable future, which is why Apeel is the perfect partner to help achieve our goals in protecting the planet,” said David Bell, CMO of the Houweling’s Group. “We saw an opportunity with Apeel’s unique plant-derived solution that has proven to reduce food waste, but when we recognized Apeel could be used as a complete replacement for the functional plastic wrap on cucumbers, we became really excited. With the launch of Apeel-treated Houweling’s cucumbers, we will be addressing a significant pain point for environmentally-conscious consumers. This enables us to bring sustainable solutions to our retail partners and create a pathway to significantly reduce plastic from the supply chain.”
With more partnerships being made toward sustainability, will the time for zero-plastic wrapping become the norm? Keep reading ANUK as we uncover more in the produce industry.


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The new Xbox will not be released this year, Microsoft has confirmed.
Microsoft France's Cedrick Delmas said that he is certain nothing new will be released in 2012, suggesting that Microsoft is in no position to release anything to counter Nintendo.
"We're in an industry that talks a lot, that likes telling stories. I am not convinced that things will happen this year. The Xbox 360's cycle is not over at all. The proof is that we haven't price cut this year," Delmas told LePoint.fr (via Eurogamer).
"Afterward, what will happen at E3, it's still too early to say. What's certain is that there will be nothing new in 2012. If we wanted to counter Nintendo, we would have to be in a position to release something immediately, and that is not at all the case.
"We're not here to counter Nintendo and they're not here to fight the other manufacturers. Nintendo has put itself in a different cycle, it's going forward to its own rhythm, with success as we have seen with the Wii, and now it's their turn to present their innovation," he concluded.
Previous reports have said that Microsoft's next console will launch in two different editions.
One of the rumoured editions, codenamed 'Loop', will be "far cheaper" and more focused on the Kinect system.
The new Xbox is expected to be announced at E3 in June.
Watch a video of the Xbox's latest dashboard update below:


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Having released new builds of iOS 10.3.2 and macOS 10.12.5 Sierra to its developer beta program earlier this week, Apple has now rolled out both of those versions to public beta users too. The incremental rise in the version numbers from previous releases shows that these are minor updates, and unsurprisingly, they bring no new user-facing features.
The iOS update does include two fixes, resolving issues with SiriKit car commands, as well as for third-party VPN apps. This latest build also supports 32-bit devices - including the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, and fourth-generation iPad - whereas the earlier betas did not.
Unfortunately, there are no release notes for macOS 10.12.5 yet, but it seems likely to focus solely on bug fixes and other minor improvements.
Apple also released new developer betas of watchOS 3.2.2 and tvOS 10.2.1 this week.


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Grapevine-based funding agency NewcrestImage has invested in a ghost kitchen startup referred to as TiffinLabs that it believes has the potential to completely alter the resort trade within the U.S.
The whole funding determine was not disclosed, however NewcrestImage stated it’s now the second-largest shareholder within the Singapore-based meals tech startup.
TiffinLabs launched in 2019 simply earlier than the pandemic set in and accelerated eating places’ transition to supply and digital apps. TiffinLabs began out working with with restaurant homeowners to create a number of ghost kitchen manufacturers utilizing their current kitchens and workforces, and it generates its personal income by way of income share agreements with the businesses it companions with.
Ghost kitchens, or “cloud kitchens,” are a burgeoning meals service phase that’s anticipated to develop right into a $1 trillion trade globally by 2030. The time period refers to a standalone kitchen that does supply by way of supply apps like Uber Eats, usually working below a number of restaurant names. North Texas is brimming with new ghost kitchen ideas. Even Kroger introduced not too long ago that it could roll out its personal ghost kitchens at shops in Texas by the top of January.
As a part of its funding, NewcrestImage is now working with TiffinLabs on its enlargement within the U.S. market — and serving to it join with the hospitality trade particularly, NewcrestImage managing accomplice Mital Patel instructed The Dallas Morning Information.
Patel stated he sees room for the hospitality trade to create ghost kitchens as they seek for new streams of income after the 2020 COVID-19 downturn. And he stated TiffinLabs can begin up a ghost kitchen idea in simply 30 days. The startup boasts it may possibly enhance total revenue by greater than 30% with no extra funding.
“Inns sometimes have all the time struggled with [their] eating places,” Patel stated. “What was type of a useless funding, we’re in a position to begin producing further earnings now.”
In a resort setting, the ghost kitchens serve meals that may be delivered to visitors or folks in surrounding neighborhoods.
Patel stated NewcrestImage noticed success when it applied TiffinLabs’ providers throughout 27 of its resort properties in 2021.
TiffinLabs gives the analysis, menu and branding to assist the kitchen idea acquire larger rating on supply apps like Uber Eats and Doordash within the restaurant’s particular market.
“You’re serving a greater answer for the resort proprietor and even the patron that now has three or 4 different choices as a substitute of simply that one,” he stated.
TiffinLabs developed and launched new meals supply model each month in its first 12 months of operation earlier than increasing into the U.S. in 2021, the place it partnered with pasta producer Barilla on an Italian meals supply idea referred to as Pasta Desk. The startup has 200 kitchens throughout southeastern Asia and is rising within the U.S., Patel stated. TiffinLabs anticipates opening 1,000 kitchens by the top of 2022.
NewcrestImage has historically targeted its investments within the lodging and hospitality trade, however that technique is shifting, Patel stated.
Trying ahead, NewcrestImage is diversifying its portfolio. It offered 27 of its motels in 2021 to Austin-based Summit Lodge Properties in a deal price $822 million. The funding agency has maintained two of its flagship motels and is constructing extra. However Patel stated NewcrestImage is leaning additional into enterprise investments like its funding in TiffinLabs.
“We need to concentrate on funding areas in tech the place we are able to additionally complement our different verticals — whether or not it’s within the building area or whether or not it’s in hospitality operations,” Patel stated.
NewcrestImage made a splash in North Texas again in 2013 with its dual-branded motels that permit homeowners to chop prices by leaning on a shared employees to supply two experiences to prospects — a enterprise mannequin that emerged after the monetary hardship of the 2008 recession. Principals of NewcrestImage, together with Mital Patel, additionally bought North Dallas’ American Financial institution in 2019. Patel instructed The Information that American Financial institution has opened a second department in North Texas and grown its property below administration from $55 million to $240 million because the buy.


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Promega’s Linton fights back
Responding to disgruntled Promega shareholders who filed suit in July charging that CEO and founder Bill Linton manipulated his way to majority control of the company’s stock, Linton and his attorneys have filed a motion to dismiss the case.
According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Linton’s attorneys are charging the shareholders, led by Nathan Brand and Ted Kellner, with greenmailing, or purchasing enough shares to threaten a takeover, thereby forcing the company and other shareholders to pay an inflated price to retain control.
Promega’s stock sold for 36 cents per share in 1984, and last fall the company offered to buy back the stock at $383 per share. The disgruntled shareholders offered to purchase the company's stock for $625 per share (about $1.2 billion) at one point last year.


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If you are a fan of President Donald Trump and want to show your support, you may consider buying a Trump coin. Despite the fact that the president has not yet minted a new coin, the US Mint is presently issuing $1 gold coins to celebrate the president.
It’s possible that you’re not knowledgeable about this fact, so let’s have a look at some of the facts about Trump’s presidential dollar coins.
The former first lady of the United States, Melania Trump, has announced the launch of a brand-new non-fungible token (NFT) endeavor. This NFT platform will consist of a series of digital antiques. It will likewise feature physical artwork and an one-of-a-kind accessory.
According to a statement provided by her workplace, the collection is designed to highlight “iconic minutes” from the administration of President Donald Trump. In addition to the collection of NFTs, the previous first lady stated the profits will be used to help children aging out of foster care. She will contribute an undefined total up to the effort.
The NFT will be offered through a payment platform called MoonPay. Credit card payments will be accepted. Payments utilizing the SOL cryptocurrency will likewise be accepted.
The collection will be cost a price of $50 per token. Each NFT will include a picture of the former first lady’s blue eyes. An audio recording of her voice will accompany the images. They will be offered for purchase in between Dec. 16 and Dec. 31.
In December, the previous first lady revealed that she would be selling NFTs on her new platform. While the sale went smoothly, the job has faced criticism. Some have actually called it a scam while others questioned her motives.
Melania Trump started her modeling profession at age sixteen. She has appeared in numerous high-profile advertising campaign. Her newest NFT endeavor is her very first publicly revealed venture because leaving the White House.
She has actually stated that she was “motivated” by the American spirit. She believes that the NFT is a method to return to children aging out of foster care. However, her press contact has not reacted to questions about contributions.
In addition to releasing NFTs on her website, the previous first lady is also creating a series of advertising campaign. She mentions the Be Best effort as the factor for producing her NFTs. As part of the project, she will be contributing a part of the profits to the National Foster Care Association.
Aside from her brand-new NFT venture, the former first lady has actually released a line of handcrafted Christmas accessories.
The LGBcoin has actually been in the news for a while now, but among its most noteworthy champions is its tycoon developer, Madison Cawthorn.
For all of his defects, Cawthorn has proven to be a gentleman of the greatest order. He’s been a great sport in the media and has supposedly even rolled the dice on the task in the past.
One of his more significant accomplishments is the reality that he’s been called to your house of Representatives as one of the most qualified men in the land. That means, as the old stating goes, there’s no informing what he’ll be carrying out in the next 4 years.
If he’s fortunate, Cawthorn could be relegated to the minors for the rest of the decade. Not a bad deal for a man with a studful of trophies to his name. Besides, a bit of hyphy is never ever a bad thing.
When it comes to the rest of us, we’re a little concerned with the prospect of a lil ditty like Cawthorn in our midst. Fortunately for us, he’s not the only shady congressional alumno on the loose.
Presidential Gold Coins
The United States Mint began releasing Presidential $1 coins in 2007. This series honors former United States presidents. They are golden colored and include a picture of the former president on the obverse and an image of the Statue of Liberty on the reverse. A motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST”, is inscribed on the edge of these coins.
These coins are suggested to be utilized in vending makers, parking meters, and other locations where they can be acquired. The Federal Reserve Banks distribute the coins to their members, banks, and credit unions.
A group of authorities consulted with the United States Mint to go over production, product packaging, distribution, and other problems. Based upon this feedback, the Federal Reserve developed techniques for future issuance and management of the coins. In the past, celebratory flowing coin programs have encountered difficulties. To avoid comparable problems, the Federal Reserve has performed market research and has actually met the Mint to develop a program.
The Federal Reserve has actually incorporated feedback from other celebratory flowing coin programs into its technique for the Presidential $1 Coin Program. It has likewise implemented modifications to its circulation practices, which include automated messages for depository organizations. Ultimately, the Federal Reserve will identify the level of need for the coins prior to figuring out how to manage them.
The first coin to be released under the Presidential $1 Coin Act was the George Washington coin. It was launched two weeks before the John Adams coin was provided.
This was the first in a series of four one dollar coins to be provided each year. The styles on these coins have actually altered with time. Some of the previous coins have included the motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST,” on the obverse. Given that 2009, the motto has been transferred to the obverse of all presidential dollar coins.
The Presidential $1 Coin Program has released a number of marketing products. It has actually conducted outreach to regional organizations, schools, and customer groups. There are free academic products available for anyone thinking about the coins.
However, it will be up to the Mint to deal with these companies and schools to ensure that these brand-new coins get the general public attention and media protection that they should have.


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Customs expert warns of 'no deal' Brexit chaos
"Nobody is prepared" for the massive increase in transactions and paperwork which will follow if the UK crashes out of the EU, a customs expert has warned.
Stuart Napier, a customs worker who owns part of a freight-forwarding company based in Dover, said port authorities would have neither the capacity nor the skills required for the massive increase in customs and regulatory controls when the UK leaves the customs union and single market.
He said it was not possible to prepare for changes afoot because "there's no clarity or idea what to expect regarding the new relationship with the EU".
"At the moment the quickest customs clearance is seven minutes with paperwork, but the clearance facility in Dover is based on 5pc of the trucks needing clearance," he said.
If the UK was outside the single market and customs union, that would increase to over 90pc.
Mr Napier, who has been working in Dover Port for over 30 years, said the single market fundamentally reformed for the better the ease at which trade was conducted.
"I've worked on the ports since pre-Maastricht; but most of my colleagues are younger and I can tell you we don't have the skill-set; you'll have to employ over 20 times the staff to try to manage the chaos, he said.
"We'll see shipments of fresh fruit, lettuce having to stay refrigerated for delays of up to 17 or 18 hours while they try to get through to or from Dublin.
"Last week I arranged a shipment from Dublin to go to Zagreb in Croatia. All I have to do is physically move the goods; arrange for them to be picked up in Dublin [and] go through here in Dover. There are no controls, no customs issues so they are put on a truck here and straight to Zagreb.
"If that was going to Serbia, which is not in the EU, we'd have to arrange for that to be picked up locally in Dublin with new customs documents prepared in Dublin. Then shipped across to Croatia and then new documents would have to be prepared to take it to Serbia.
"There's extra costs because of the documentation and there's extra costs because of the time factor."
"Nobody's prepared for it. We sit and have meetings in work and we sit around and shrug our shoulders because we've no idea what to prepare for."