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When you come up with a lemon, hand out oranges.
That, in so many words, inspired Palm Beach County tourism promoters Tuesday to dispense free fruit to tourists arriving from Cleveland -- all to apologize for a proposed advertisement that poked fun at the Ohio city last year.
"Heavens, yes, this is good will," said Linda Mayer, stepping off a plane at Palm Beach International Airport.
Leaving Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, 44 passengers arrived at 1:30 p.m. on the first flight to benefit from a sweet deal worked out between tourism promoters from each area.
Before departing the Ohio city, each family got a certificate for a quarter- bushel of oranges from Cushman Fruit Co., a South Florida firm that agreed to help the good-will project.
"Now they have a good feeling about being here and they haven't even gotten their bags yet," said Dean Skylar, Cushman's marketing director.
One thousand Clevelanders on flights bound for West Palm Beach will receive certificates for quarter-bushels, about 20 pieces of fruit. They will be handed an orange upon arrival to tempt their taste buds until they cash in their certificates.
"This is great!" said 9-year-old Jared Maloof, clutching a big orange. "I wasn't expecting it but I knew Florida had oranges."
He was excited. So was his sister, Hilarie, 8. The controversy over the ad that left many Clevelanders miffed was lost on them.
Even the grandfather the youngsters were visiting, Donald Dodson of Atlantis, was delighted.
"I thought the whole thing over the ad was kind of funny actually," said Dodson, a retired glass retailer. "I'm from Cleveland and people were always saying funny things about it."
Cleveland officials, however, were not amused by the proposed ad.
Recommended last October by the county's tourism ad agency, it juxtaposed a sun-drenched beach scene with a gloomy picture of factories and warehouses, labeled "Cleveland."
A caption asked: "Given the fact that they cost the same, where would you rather hold your business meeting?"
The ad concept, reported in national news stories, produced a tidal wave of harsh reactions from Clevelanders at home and in this area.
The ad was killed. Since then, tourism promoters here have been devising various ploys to make amends. In January, they visited the Ohio city and declared Cuyahoga County and this area sister counties.


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IBM and MineHub Technologies have recently announced a partnership in an effort to bring new solutions to global mining and metals supply chain. The two companies will utilize blockchain technology to improve logistics, financing, operational efficiencies, and reduce cost for mineral supply chain from the mine to end buyer.
The global mining and metal market have been estimated to be worth $1.8 trillion. The market has been known for suffering several insufficiencies due to manual and paper-based processes. The supply chain also suffering issues from the lack of transparency.
Founder and CEO of MineHub, Vince Sorace says,
“By digitizing the supply chain, we can increase the level of automation, reduce reliance on intermediaries and increase the speed at which goods are transferred from miners to end buyers. This creates the opportunity for transformative efficiencies and cost reductions throughout all aspects of operations.”
He further explains that this solution would be a major advancement for the industry as it works to use and integrate data in all sorts of new ways. The first case of the blockchain solution being used will be during the management for Goldcorp’s Penasquito Mine right through its path to market. This solution will be developed on the MineHub Platform.
The mining company plans to upload data, which include ethical practices and sustainability, to the blockchain, which will then be verified independently by regulators and end users.

domain: news


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Watch these videos where celebrity chefs teach you how to cook the best turkey.
Cleveland police released this video of the fatal police shooting of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy holding a toy gun.
After a big meal of turkey and potatoes, why not have one of Amazon’s great Black Friday deals for dessert?
Here are twenty great jobs, along with their salaries, that are actively looking for former American service-members.
The tragedy of Bailey O’Neill is becoming a symbol for the anti-bullying movement.
A lock screen bug found on the Samsung Galaxy S III will open personal information to intruders.
The attack happened early this afternoon.
Volvo and Spotify have teamed up to launch the Sensus Connected Touch.
It’s believed around 20 UN Peackeepers have been taken hostage.
Doesn’t the 50K that Columbia costs include Nutella fees?
Que Cameron Diaz jokes…
Nicholas Maduro may be Venezuela’s next president
The latest versions of Android 4.0 and up, have surpassed Gingerbread.
No Paul Blarts allowed.


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- May 07, 2012
Managing goods on the go can give workers a real-time view of stock and supplies, both in the warehouse and into retail spaces.
- May 02, 2012
In this podcast excerpt, China Martens explains how to choose an ERP system that meets the unique needs of midmarket manufacturers.
- April 30, 2012
A consultant outlines criteria for midmarket manufacturers to consider before deciding whether to stick with on-site ERP or venture out to the cloud.
- April 25, 2012
Expert columnist: Open source computing creates new opportunities to collaborate across enterprise processes and integrate with proprietary applications.
- April 23, 2012
When preparing for the transition, companies should review existing processes, involve end users and clean up the data.
- April 23, 2012
An expert in ERP upgrades explains why having a firm grip on five critical issues can ensure a strong return on investment.
- April 20, 2012
Foundational technologies like barcodes, RFID, and mobile computers are fueling next-generation SCM systems, helping manufacturers mitigate risk and achieve end-to-end visibility.
- April 18, 2012
Choosing between on-premises and SaaS delivery models or niche and integrated SCM suites eventually boils down to what’s best for the business, industry watchers say.
- April 16, 2012
No minor update, the new release has an overhauled user interface and more flexibility in configurable dimensions.
- April 09, 2012
SAS is the clear leader in the warranty analytics market, with SAP and Teradata at comparable market shares and scrappy players like PTC nipping at their heels.
- April 06, 2012
SCM has evolved from related but disconnected applications into a tightly woven tool set focused on planning, execution and analytics.
- April 04, 2012
IBM, Oracle and SAP topped Gartner's latest Magic Quadrant for CPM software, which shows a move toward SaaS and financial governance.
- April 02, 2012
Training is the step everyone loves to skip, but doing that could imperil the whole BI implementation, proponents say.
- March 30, 2012
Follow these best practices to ensure success for your BI implementation.
- March 28, 2012
In-memory computing could be the game changer that transforms finance organizations from accounting managers to forward-looking leaders in corporate planning.


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Our Latest Online Backup Reviews:Vembu SyncBlaze
Industry LinksTools and Graphs
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – August 05, 2015 — /BackupReview.info/ –
Today, Axcient announced that it was selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s “technology pioneers”, representing the world’s most innovative companies. Axcient addresses one of the biggest challenges businesses face today — keeping their IT infrastructures resilient and managing the explosion of non-production IT infrastructure. Axcient consolidates legacy solutions like backup, business continuity, disaster recovery, archive and test/dev under a single hyper-converged cloud designed for businesses of all sizes.
Axcient is one of 49 selected companies chosen by a professional jury from submissions by hundreds of candidates. As one of the WEF’s Technology Pioneers, Axcient will have access to the most influential and sought-after business and political network in the world, and included in the World Economic Forum’s “Summer Davos” in Dalian, China, this September, as well as the WEF’s Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2016.
“Cloud based solutions are dramatically changing the architecture of modern IT and providing businesses of all sizes with technology historically only available to large enterprises,” says Justin Moore, CEO of Axcient. “Axcient’s cloud platform not only enables every business to run with enterprise levels of resiliency, but it also significantly reduces the overhead of non-production IT, allows organizations to be more efficient, and provides over-taxed IT departments with the freedom to be strategic. We are on a mission to protect business worldwide from over $40 billion in lost revenue and opportunity. I am thrilled that our vision of re-architecting IT and bringing enterprise capabilities to every business is recognized on such a global scale by the World Economic Forum.”
“We’re glad to see a cloud-based company make it to the selection,” says Fulvia Montresor, Head of Technology Pioneers at the World Economic Forum. “Axcient is part of a group of entrepreneurs who are more aware of the crucial challenges of the world around them, and who are determined to do their part to solve those challenges with their company.”
As in previous years, American-based entrepreneurs continue to dominate the list of technology pioneers: they account for more than two-thirds of the recipients, followed by the United Kingdom (4), Israel and the Netherlands (2), and individual recipients of Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden and Taiwan, China. France and Spain were among the countries not counting a recipient.
The Technology Pioneers were selected from among hundreds of applicants by a selection committee of 68 academics, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and corporate executives. Notable members of the committee include Arianna Huffington (founder, Huffington Post) and Henry Blodget (editor-in-chief, Business Insider). The committee based its decisions on criteria including innovation, potential impact, working prototype, viability and leadership.
Past recipients include Google (2001), Wikimedia (2007), Mozilla (2007), Kickstarter (2011) and Dropbox (2011). More information on past winners can be found here.
For more information regarding this press release, please contact Christina Sarracino, PR Lead at Axcient at firstname.lastname@example.org or 415-298-0165.
The World Economic Forum
Incorporated as a not-for-profit foundation in 1971 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Forum is independent, impartial and not tied to any interests. It cooperates closely with all leading international organizations (www.weforum.org).
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The last quarter of 2023 is quickly approaching and several smartphones have already been released in the past year. However, we expect a lot of great new models in recent months. You will find what to look forward to in this article!
Read more after the announcement.
Smartphones in the fourth quarter of 2023
You can now choose from hundreds of types of smartphones, but perhaps there is no model that is right for you or you just want to get the latest models. Many manufacturers will launch new devices in the last quarter of 2023. We still expect a lot from manufacturers like Google, Oppo, and OnePlus. We look forward to these phones the most.
1. Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro
Just wait a week or two and then it’s time to showcase Google’s new flagship products. Two devices from the search giant will be on display on Wednesday, October 4. We’re talking, of course, about the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
The smartphones have a new processor, improved cameras and a slightly modified design. We already know what the devices look like, because Google itself has already posted several teasers online. We again see the distinctive camera strip on the back, which houses two or three cameras.
According to rumors, the devices will be much more expensive compared to their predecessors. Is this correct? We’ll hear it all in early October!
2. OnePlus is unlocked
We expect the former foldable From OnePlus it will also be seen soon, because rumors about this foldable device have been circulating for a while. The smartphone will be relatively compact and therefore somewhat similar to the current Oppo Find N2 Flip. It is not surprising that both companies fall under the same parent company.
The device can already be admired in several renders, where it is also somewhat reminiscent of the Google Pixel Fold. According to the leaked specifications, it will be a very powerful device equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, among other things.
There is also talk of an advanced camera system, a relatively large battery, and large working memory and storage. With this device, OnePlus is competing with the established system, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. In addition to the specifications, appearance and features, we are especially looking forward to the price, because it is certainly not cheap.
3. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Samsung has already released several smartphones in recent months, but we are still waiting for one of them. According to rumours, the device was supposed to be released a long time ago, but nothing could be further from the truth. We are talking about the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, but the question is whether it will be marketed in Europe at all.
The device will be an affordable version of the current Galaxy S23, but there are still many rumors about this device. So be sure to check out our overview in which we tell you everything we already know (or think we know) about the smartphone.
The S23 FE once again features a gorgeous, colorful AMOLED display with a high refresh rate and a powerful processor on board. Or will this be from MediaTek or Qualcomm? The device appears in four new colors and in the render we see three excellent camera lenses on the back. This has now become a hallmark of branded devices regardless of the price range.
4. Oppo Find N3 Flip
The OPPO Find N3 Flip has already been introduced, so we already know everything about the foldable smartphone. However, you will find it in this article, because it has not yet been sold outside its native China. However, according to an Oppo executive, this is about to change, as the global release is coming.
It’s the first Flip the phone With three cameras on the front. You can take photos with the 50MP main camera or zoom in a bit with the 32MP lens. There’s also a wide-angle lens and of course an in-display selfie camera. On the outside you’ll find a second, smaller screen that you use for notifications, controlling music, checking the weather forecast, or other information.
There is a 4300 mAh battery and wired charging is possible at a maximum of 44 watts. The internal display measures 6.8 inches and is also a smooth, colorful AMOLED display. The drive is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9200 chipset and the device is available in four colours.
The question remains when we will see the Find N3 Flip here. It is also still unknown what it will cost here. In China, the “entry-level” model with 256GB storage costs €860 without VAT. As for the 512 GB version, you pay the equivalent of 960 euros.
5. Xiaomi 13T series
Circle it on your calendar, Tuesday, September 26! Then it’s time for the official unveiling of the Xiaomi 13T and Xiaomi 13T Pro. Xiaomi is investing heavily in the cameras of its devices (among other things), as predicted by the company’s online teaser with the tagline: “A masterpiece in sight.”
Xiaomi has also already announced that both devices are part of the enhanced update policy. Both the smartphones will launch with Android 13 and will receive four major Android updates. This means you can start using the latest functionality up to Android 17. In addition, security patches will be rolled out for five years.
We secretly know almost everything about smartphones thanks to a major leak. The 13Ts phone shares many specifications, including a 6.67-inch screen. It has a smooth, high-resolution AMOLED panel. In terms of cameras, we see the same setup on both devices. The primary camera takes photos at up to 50MP, and the zoom camera has the same resolution. A wide-angle lens and optical image stabilization are also available, and you can take 20-megapixel photos with the selfie camera.
We see differences, among other things, in the processors used, working and storage memory, battery capacity and charging speed. know more? He carries Planet robot Stay tuned on September 26, because then you can read all about these new flagship phones.
6. OnePlus 12
It won’t launch here until the first quarter of 2024, but will be introduced in China this year. We are talking about the upcoming OnePlus 12 and it is also a device that we are looking forward to.
According to rumors, the device will feature a periscope lens for zoom, which is a unique feature for OnePlus. There’s also a good regular camera and a wide-angle lens, developed in collaboration with lens manufacturer Hasselblad. Manufacturer Qualcomm will soon introduce its latest mobile processors and this will be the beating heart of the OnePlus 12. This is the all-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
There is also enough RAM and you can store photos, videos or documents on the large internal memory. The battery will be noticeably large (5400 mAh) and can be charged at a maximum of 100W, meaning the device will be fully charged again quickly.
Finally, there is the screen, which will be about 6.7 inches in size and has a high resolution and refresh rate. This top model also has an AMOLED panel that splashes out the colors. There’s also LTPO technology, which is more power efficient and adapts to the content you’re watching. When you view a website, the screen refreshes less frequently than when you play an optimized game.
You can stay updated via Android Planet
Of course, these are certainly not all the smartphones that will be presented in the fourth quarter of 2023! Don’t want to miss any news from Android Planet? Then follow us easily and quickly via Google Newssign up for our free newsletter or of course download Planet Android application. Which device are you looking forward to the most?
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Saving your biggest meal for dinner ensures your body will store more calories.
Clothing was one of nine growing sectors that produced the fifth consecutive month of expansion for the nation’s manufacturing sector.
The results indicated a lower rate of out-of-service violations and citations for drivers and vehicles.
The seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 2.7 percent in November.
It appears that trucking and the economy will be slouching toward health and stability during 2010. Here are forecasts from three sources.
The cleaner air is due to better technology, not from a slowdown in cargo.
The CSA 2010 webcast assaulted listeners with more acronyms per square inch than is legal under EPA or OSHA regs.
Manufacturing monitor ISM issued a good news, bad news report today, but the good outweighs the bad. The sector expanded in November for the fourth consecutive month, says the Institute for Supply Management. The downside ...
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FAIRMONT – Louis and Deloris Spatafore have lived much of their lives at 205 Adams St.
Their kids practically grew up in the crowded halls of souvenirs, art pieces and keepsakes that compose the bread and butter of the business of Arts and Antiques Marketplace since 1978.
Now, after more than 40 years of ownership, the Spatafores have sold the business and the building to Claudio Corporation.
“You spend how much time of your life in one place, you get attached,” Louis said. “We’ve been walking around the building and it’s time to move on and it’s time to turn this over to somebody.”
The Claudio Corporation took ownership of all the building’s assets, vendors and customer contracts effective July 1, according to a press release from the holding company. Despite the change of ownership, Dominick Claudio, founder and CEO of Claudio Corporation, said the transition will not be a move away from the mission of Arts and Antiques Marketplace.
“We believe in downtown redevelopment, reurbanization, reuse and we see that for small businesses, the best opportunity is to start downtown,” Claudio said.
According to Claudio, the purchase of the business and building is in line with the corporation’s own goal of small business development. The company already owns businesses in several other disciplines, ranging from consignment to rentals.
So aside from the opportunity to add another type of business to the corporation’s portfolio, Claudio said his appreciation for the business and the building itself spurred an even greater interest for him.
“The main reason for really coming to that area was a good opportunity in the downtown,” Claudio said. “I think that building is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen and it deserves to be preserved and protected for generations to come.”
Claudio also believes that looking at the building’s past can give insight about its future potential. After hearing that downtown Fairmont has been on the decline for so many years, this sentiment is not echoed by what Claudio himself has observed, in fact it’s quite the opposite.
A trip downtown to watch the Independence Day fireworks showed that in one night.
“I’ve owned property in downtown Fairmont for about a year now, and that entire time, everybody wants to tell me how dead downtown is,” he said. “So I go (July 4) and it’s alive, it’s vibrant, it’s packed with people and it’s a wonderful sign for me for things to come downtown, because for the last 140 years, people gave been gathering in these downtown districts even if there wasn’t much to attend.
“The opportunity is now to work with our downtowns.”
Louis said that the creation of an antique shop in downtown Fairmont came about in an organic way. He said the business seemed to be what people in the area were looking for.
“Our whole plan was really not to be in the antique business,” Louis said. “We had a furniture store, closed the furniture store, had to do something with the building. We felt this was the highest and best use of the building which it turned out, actually is.”
The three floors of the Arts and Antiques Marketplace are packed with items dating back decades, from toys to jewelry, making every trip to the store resemble a treasure hunt.
Claudio said this aspect of the building will likely not be impacted to a massive extent, because of its familiarity to customers. Instead, the changes to the building and business will be more in utilizing its space. Claudio said that he could implement his rental business here.
“There will be changes, but they’re all going to be for the betterment,” said Tim Liebrecht, director of operations for Claudio Corporation. “We’re going to take the foundation that Louis and Deloris put into this and we’re going to grow it and make it better for the community.
“We want to keep utilizing more of the building.”
In utilizing more of the building, Claudio said there is potential to add storefronts to the fourth floor and even create a living space on the top fifth floor of the structure.
While the Arts and Antiques Marketplace is already in the hands of the Claudio Corporation, Louis and Deloris are still helping the new ownership make a smooth transition. Louis himself is anticipating the evolutions to come from the building, and said he thinks the changes will help move Fairmont forward with new potential.
“This has been the retail anchor of downtown Fairmont,” Louis said. “Now it’s going to become not just an anchor but a magnet. It’s going to really draw people from the whole region to this area, not just for antiques and collectibles but newer type furniture that has a lot of use left.”


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Overview video discusses abilities and required cards.
Take control of a ranger fish and his giant sentry.
Rising budgets, and a desire to connect to the community directly, caused the shift.
This beta will run from April 28 to May 1.
Fire is the recipe for combat with this duo.
Plus the PS4 version runs at 900p.
It's an Epic game, so...
Development "moving ahead full-speed" according to Tim Sweeney.
Plus a brand new trailer.
All heroes will be free with no pay to win items.
Muriel and her powers are introduced in the new video.
A MOBA by any other name...
And it'll be Cross Play with the PC version, too.
Check out the newest update to arrive for the MOBA's closed alpha
Rampage is our favorite so far.
Yep, it's a MOBA.
Volumetric lighting will take a back seat.
This was Sony's capping announcement at PSX.


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US SMALL/MIDCAPS-Stocks decline as results disappoint
NEW YORK Oct 18 (Reuters) - Small- and mid-capitalization companies fell on Thursday as corporate earnings results from companies including Cypress Semiconductor disappointed investors.
Cypress shares declined 8.2 percent to $10.07 while shares of Reinsurance Group of America dropped 10.8 percent to $53.51. Reinsurance reported results late Wednesday and a number of brokerages including Barclays cut their price target on the company.
Also falling sharply were shares of dental products maker Align Technology, which forecast fourth-quarter earnings well below Wall Street estimates as sales of its trademark invisible braces, Invisalign, fell short of expectations.
Align Technology shares dropped 20.4 percent to $28.18.
The S&P MidCap 400 index was down 0.06 percent while the S&P SmallCap 600 index was down 0.5 percent. In comparison, the benchmark S&P 500 ended down 0.2 percent.
- Housing, jobs data weaken, but overall economic picture still upbeat
- U.S. diplomats, but not prosecutors, seek to quell India dispute |
- Last-minute Obamacare exemption for those with canceled plans
- Target cyber breach hits 40 million payment cards at holiday peak |
- New York Mayor-elect's reputation for lateness parodied on Twitter


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The type of opportunities available to accredited investors are now available to the masses. The reason is Title III of the federal Jobs Act went into effect on Monday, May 16.
Previous crowdfunding relied on being a high net worth, accredited investor or investing in a concept, such as with Kickstarter, just for the opportunity to get a product at a discount. For example, there was no equity for the Kickstarter investors in Occulus, when it was acquired by Facebook.
Here’s a few paragraphs about the new rules from Ryan M. Feit, CEO & Co-founder of SeedInvest, who spoke at eMerge Americas in 2015.
Today is a historic day for entrepreneurs and investors everywhere. Four years ago, SeedInvest embarked on a journey with a clear mission – to transform the broken private company fundraising process in order to make it easier for entrepreneurs to raise capital. Furthermore, one of our founding core beliefs was that everyone should have the right to invest in private companies. Now, after four long years of working with the SEC, FINRA and other policymakers, we are happy to announce that Title III of the JOBS Act, which is truly Kickstarter with equity, kicks in today.
What Changes Today?
In a nutshell this means that early stage startups and small businesses will be able to raise up to $1 million through investments as low $100 per person.This is not a fit for every company and the rules are far from perfect, but it is enough to get started and has the potential to be transformational for entrepreneurs. Larger, more established companies will continue to utilize Regulation A+ to raise $5-$50 million through small investments from lots of people, but today the door opens for earlier-stage startups and small businesses.
Why Does it Matter?
For most founders, no matter how successful they are, fundraising tends to be the worst and most distracting part of starting a company. Equity crowdfunding is important because it has the potential to allow founders to spend less time fundraising and more time building their businesses, which is what really matters. And for investors, historically investing in startups has been reserved only for venture capitalists and highly-connected angel investors. Now anyone can access investment opportunities in startups through equity crowdfunding. Unlike investing in public stocks, by backing startups which are addressing big problems, you can make a real difference.
As you can tell from Feit’s comments, Title III might be far from perfect. There are some skeptics out there, such as a contributor to Forbe’s.


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Aluminum Fees in Japan Seen Near Record in First Quarter on AbeAya Takada
Aluminum premiums in Japan probably will hold near record levels in the first quarter as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe continues economic stimulus and supply is disrupted, according to four executives who are scheduled to start price negotiations next week.
Surcharges for the three months starting in January are likely to be set around this quarter’s $245 to $246 a metric ton over the London Metal Exchange cash price, said the Tokyo-based executives, who represent buyers and sellers and asked not to be identified because they aren’t authorized to speak to the media. Premiums in Asia’s biggest importer of the metal reached a record $255 in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Shipments of rolled-aluminum products by Japanese fabricators expanded for a third month in September as the Bank of Japan’s record stimulus and Abe’s plan to raise sales taxes boosted orders for houses and motor vehicles, increasing demand for the metal. Supply has been crimped by a partial shutdown at a Saudi Arabian smelter and the end of a pact with an Indonesian supplier, the executives said.
“Growth in demand will accelerate this quarter and next as construction work picks up and car sales gather pace before the tax increase in April,” said Koji Iida, the head of statistics at the Japan Aluminium Association.
Premiums in Japan more than doubled last year as fees in the U.S. and Europe rallied. While the surcharge declined this quarter from the three months ended Sept. 30 as the London bourse decided to change rules to speed up withdrawals from warehouses, it has remained above $240 throughout 2013.
Spot aluminum on the LME, which rose 0.2 percent to $1,738.75 a metric ton yesterday, dropped 15 percent this year. The metal for delivery in three months climbed 0.2 percent to $1,786.75 at 1:23 p.m. in Tokyo.
Premiums add to costs for fabricators including Tokyo-based UACJ Corp., the third-largest after Alcoa Inc. and Novelis Inc., with production capacity exceeding 1 million tons a year.
UACJ, which was created by the merger of Furukawa-Sky Aluminum Corp. and Sumitomo Light Metal Industries Ltd., had no comment on the fees, said Ryu Sawachi, a spokesman for the company.
Japan’s economy expanded for a fourth quarter in the three months through September, led by government spending. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development raised its outlook for the nation’s growth for 2013 and 2014. Aluminum-product shipments by Japanese fabricators probably will reach the highest level in three years in the 12 months to March 31, according to Iida.
Imports from PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium ended with the expiration of a joint venture in October with the government set to take control of the stake owned by Japan’s Nippon Asahan Aluminium.
Supply from the Middle East was restricted after production at one of two potlines was halted at a smelter jointly owned by Alcoa and Saudi Arabian Mining Co.


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With all ski resorts limited to only making revenue half of the year, many have come up with ways to become not just ski resorts but year-round resorts, offering activities and attractions to draw people no matter what time of year. Traditionally, many ski resorts will turn to mountain biking, hiking, and golfing, but the Suicide Six ski area in Vermont has something different in mind.
In a proposal that will be shown to the Vermont Natural Resources Board, the Woodstock Inn at Suicide Six would be partnering with Adventure ORX and Ford to run an exclusive Ford Bronco only off-roading course as a “complimentary one-and-a-half-day experience to familiarize themselves with the vehicles and its off-pavement capabilities.”
The proposal outlines using currently logging and ski trails that would make a two-mile loop around Suicide Six. It also requests permission to build two new structures for vehicle storage and a wash pad area.
The program, which is part of an initiative to promote the new Ford Broncos, is called the Bronco Off-Roadeo and is offered in four places across the US, one being Vermont. It hopes to draw 50 to 75 people per day, with a maximum of 100.
The local community has mixed opinions on the idea as some realize the much-needed income for the area in the skiing off-season. In contrast, others know that it will turn this rural community into a loud and buzzing area.
Suicide Six already offers mountain biking in the summer, although pedal access to the trails is free. Off-roading could certainly be a profitable addition for the community.
It will be interesting to see if the state of Vermont approves the proposal and, if so, how successful an off-road venture could be. Maybe there is an untapped market of consumers that ski resorts have yet to consider marketing towards.


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18th Feb 2021
When you think of fashion brands extending beyond their usual offering of clothing and accessories, you may think of fragrance or cosmetics lines, or possibly even homewear. But over the past few years, fashion brands have moved into much more unconventional spaces.
19th Jun 2020
With Covid-19 taking over 2020, fashion brands are having to come up with new and innovative ways to let the world know about their upcoming designs while adhering to social distancing rules due to the pandemic. Last Friday kicked off London Fashion Week’s first ever digital event, which includes live streams, visual lookbooks, interactive timelines and 360 degree photos and videos to show designers’ upcoming collections.So, has digital become the new normal for fashion brands to debut their new collections?
4th Mar 2020
Last month we noted that Harry and Meghan were bringing trade marks to the attention of the general public, with their SUSSEX ROYAL trade mark making headlines in the mainstream press. We’re pleased to see that trade marks continue to be big news at the moment. So far this month, it’s a comedian who has captured the public imagination in a surprising way in connection with a trade mark dispute. While filming an episode of the Channel 4 show “Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back”, the eponymous comedian became aware that Welsh craft brewery Boss Brewing had been sent a cease and desist letter by the German fashion house Hugo Boss.
5th Feb 2020
Harry and Meghan have had the spotlight of the world’s media on them in the last few weeks. But for us, it is great to see the level of interest that has been paid to their trade mark applications. It’s not just the IP blogs and trade journals that have been commenting on their efforts to secure legal protection for their brand – the SUSSEX ROYAL trade mark has been making headlines across the mainstream press as well, which is not surprising given the challenges ahead for the Sussexes’ applications.
8th Oct 2019
Hot off their memorable 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League Final this summer, Liverpool FC thought it wise to bolster their brand protection to stop others from also benefiting from their success by selling imitation products. And rightly so, but it seems Liverpool FC might have been a little too ambitious in what they thought they could protect as their ‘brand’.
29th Mar 2019
Lorraine Kelly hit headlines last week when she emerged successful in a court case brought by HMRC over a £1.2 million tax bill. However, the tax law underlying the decision has been overshadowed by Judge Dean’s assessment of the Lorraine presenter as a “theatrical artist” who “presents herself as a brand”.


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XUV and BE are the two brands under which Mahindra will now sell electric cars
Mahindra is preparing to bring 5 leading electric vehicle models to the Indian electric vehicle market. Tata Motors is bringing new electric vehicles which will be a big competitor to Mahindra. Not only Tata, but several foreign electric car companies such as Kia, MG, and Mercedes are also preparing to introduce their upcoming electric car models to the Indian market. As we know, Tata Motors and Mahindra are the leading electric vehicle manufacturers in the Indian market. And both societies tried to defeat each other. While competition and racing are going on, how can Mahindra sit still?
According to reviews and published reports, there is no reliable electric car in Mahindra’s portfolio except one. And that is the Mahindra XUV400. at the top 5 upcoming electric car models from will be tough opponents for Tata and other major electric car manufacturers.
75th National Day, Mahindra introduced 5 SUV models under 2 brands: “XUV” and “Born Electric” or “BE”. Before we dive into the upcoming electric cars from Mahindra, let me inform you that Mahindra will now sell its electric cars under two brands – XUV and BE. And the next 5 electric car models will be SUVs.
Now let’s start with the list of upcoming top 5 e-cars
- XUV E8 (XUV700)
- XUV E9
- BE 05
- BE 07
- BE 09
Mahindra has announced two SUVs as part of its ‘XUV’ lineup, namely the XUV.e8 and XUV.e9. The XUV.e8 model is Mahindra’s first all-electric vehicle, which is expected to be released in December 2024. It shares the same exterior design as the XUV.e9 and its interior looks similar to the latter, with the addition of third display screen. featuring the INGLO platform. This platform can hold 60kWh and 80kWh battery packs, with fast-charging capabilities of up to 175kW and a driving range of approximately 450 kilometers. It also offers rear-wheel and all-wheel drivetrain up to 394PS. Components such as battery packs and motors for these models will be shared with the VW MEB platform.
The Mahindra XUV e9 is set to be launched in June 2026 exclusively in electric versions. This electric SUV will compete with other models such as the MG ZS EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Toyota Innova Crysta. The XUV.e9 is a coupe-styled and version of the e8, built on the INGLO platform. This platform two battery pack sizes – 60kWh and 80kWh, providing a range of up to 450 kilometers. It can also support both rear-wheel and all-wheel drivetrain options, delivering up to 285PS respectively. The XUV e9 is scheduled to debut in April is expected to include advanced features such as level-2 ADAS, AdrenoX-connected car tech, and a large touchscreen infotainment system. The coupe-style electric SUV will likely compete with midsize SUVs and have a starting price of Rs. 25 Lakh in India. All Mahindra EVs will
The Mahindra BE.05 ranks third on the list and the production version of its electric SUV has been teased. The demo photo was revealed at the Futurescape event in Cape Town, South Mahindra showcased their new Global Pick-up and the all-electric Thar.e. This SUV was first introduced as a concept a year ago and will be the first in the company’s Beyond Electric lineup. The teaser photo gives us a glimpse of the car and reveals some details. The production version looks more aggressive than the concept model from last year. While not much else is known about the electric SUV, it is expected to compete with the upcoming Tata and may come in a single- or dual-engine version.
The Mahindra BE.07 is a premium electric the Harrier. It has a sleek, sporty look thanks to its roofline. The dashboard is integrated with a display that spans the entire width of the vehicle and features three screens. The set to launch in October 2026 and will be based on Mahindra’s INGLO platform. The vehicle will come equipped with either a 60kWh or 80kWh battery pack, with the latter offering a range of up to 450 kilometers. The platform will also offer rear-wheel and all-wheel drivetrain options, with the latter delivering up to 394PS. All Mahindra EVs will including battery packs and motors. Rs. 25 Lakh – Rs. 30 depending on the selected variant. This model will be positioned between the BE.05 and BE.09 electric SUVs. Currently,
Mahindra’s latest electric SUV, the BE.09, is set to become the flagship ‘BE’ model and may even become their global EV with the largest battery, top performance, and latest technology. Using Mahindra’s new INGLO platform, the BE.09 is expected to have a WLTP-rated range of up to 450 kilometers. This larger SUV will join the BE 05 and BE 07 models and offer both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive with power outputs ranging from 227 to 389 bhp. The BE.09 is expected to be priced between Rs 25 and Rs 30 lakh and available for sale soon. Although its features have not been disclosed, it may include an all-digital instrument cluster, an infotainment screen, a head-up display, a rotary knob, and a center console lever.
The imminent release of Mahindra’s electric cars is poised to cause a stir among the top players in the industry. With a dedicated and enthusiastic following eagerly anticipating their debut, these vehicles are expected to set a high bar for performance and innovation. a force to be reckoned with.
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While Europe and the United States have been proactive in their governmental thrusts for the electric vehicle revolution, other smaller countries have also jumped in the bandwagon so to speak. One such country is the Philippines, with new legislation to support the importation and use of electric vehicles.
House Bill No. 5460 was filed in the House of Representatives seeking to provide incentives for the manufacture, assembly, conversion and importation of electric, hybrid and other alternative fuel vehicles. This is designed to push for the use of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles to lower the dependence on imported fossil fuels.
The current cost of a liter of premium gasoline is currently pegged at Php 59.90, where the current exchange rate is at US$1 to Php 42.50. The price of gasoline and other fuel products, such as diesel and liquefied petroleum gas has been on a continuous upward spiral, with price increases occurring weekly at the least.
There have been protests from transport and other cause oriented groups, calling for the removal of the current Oil Deregulation Law and lowering the value added tax for fuel products.
On the other hand, there are many groups, both within and outside of the Philippine government that has embraced the electric vehicle revolution. The city government of Makati has a number of electric vehicles called “eJeepneys”. These are ubiquitous public transport vehicles in the country that are powered by batteries instead of the environmentally damaging internal combustion engine. Still others have developed, built and even use electricity as fuel for vehicles, the most infamous being the water-fueled car of Dr. Dingle.
The bill aims to protect the environment through mitigation of the harmful effects of carbon monoxide emissions into the air. It further defines electric vehicles as a vehicle that uses electric motors for propulsion, while a hybrid vehicle is any vehicle that uses a combination of electricity and internal combustion to propel the vehicle.
One of the benefits provided under the proposed legislation is the exemption from the payment of excise taxes and duties for nine years from the effectivity of the law. Furthermore, the measure, manufacture, assembly, conversion, and importation of electric and hybrid cars using completely knocked down (CKD) parts of electric, hybrid and other alternative fuel vehicles would also be covered under these benefits. It further expands coverage to vehicle conversions from internal combustion into electric, hybrid or other alternative fuel vehicles.
Another benefit of the law would be the payment of value-added taxes for nine (9) years from the effectivity of the law for importation of raw materials, spare parts, components and other capital equipment that would be used for the manufacture, assembly and/or conversion of electric, hybrid and other alternative fuel vehicles.


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Restoration Cafe opens in Nicholas Conservatory
ROCKFORD — A cafe that provides vocational training to the men and women of the Rockford Rescue Mission’s Life Recovery Program has opened inside Nicholas Conservatory.
It is the second location for Restoration Cafe, the Rescue Mission’s soup, sandwich and coffee shop. The original Restoration Cafe, 625 W. State St., has been open since June 2009.
“The original location has been open since June 2009 and continually gets great reviews from our patrons. The opportunity to be part of this great new addition in our community is very exciting for us,” said Sherry Pitney, executive director of the Rescue Mission.
The cafe provides the men and women in desperate circumstances with hands-on training in food service and preparation, food sanitation, customer service and other skills needed to get a job in the food service industry.
Restoration Cafe inside the Nicholas Conservatory will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.
Menu items include coffee, tea, soft drinks, muffins, yogurt parfaits, sandwiches, salads, soups and cookies. The West State location is open Mondays through Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.


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WASHINGTON—A group of Senate Republicans outlined their roughly $618 billion coronavirus-relief offer Monday, including a round of $1,000 direct checks for many adults, as Democrats began a process that would allow them to pass President Biden’s $1.9 trillion plan along party lines.
The 10 Republican senators met with Mr. Biden Monday evening to discuss their proposal, which would provide $300 a week in enhanced federal unemployment benefits through June, versus the $400 a week through September in the Biden plan. The GOP proposal also outlines $20 billion each for child care and schools—both lower than the Biden proposal—as well as $50 billion for small-business relief and $160 billion for vaccines, testing and protective equipment, according to a summary released Monday morning.
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Talent Alliance in Morristown, NJ launched ResJet and JobJet, two new services that automate the process of posting job ads and resumes online.
The offerings are part of Talent Alliance’s Talent@Work service, an online database with state of the art job-applicant matching capabilities.
The new services enable Talent Alliance member companies and their employees in transition to submit job listings and resumes electronically to multiple job banks without reformatting. AT&T will be the first member company to use the services, Talent Alliance said.
Other member companies, including DuPont, Johnson & Johnson, MetLife, TRW, Lucent Technologies, Unisys, GTE, Ceridian, UPS, Kelly Services, and CBSI, are expected to follow AT&T’s lead.
“JobJet will significantly reduce the time hiring managers spend posting job opportunities online,” said John McMorrow, president and CEO of Talent Alliance. “Now, using a simple Web form, a job advertisement is entered once, electronically formatted, and listed on the most frequently used career sites.”
Similarly, ResJet enables member company employees to post resumes to five online job boards through a single entry to the Talent@Work system.
Despite the fact that it faces growing competition from Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, Google-owned YouTube is still one of the most popular ... read more
Amazon prides itself on being the most “customer-centric” company in the world, but according to investigative journalism non-profit ProPublica, Amazon’s algorithms are often anything but ... read more


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Following reports of attempted vehicle break-ins in the Graniteville area of the city, the North Bay Police Service is reminding the public to lock their vehicles at night.
“It’s not new information, but it’s a consistent reminder,” said Cst. John Schultz, community safety coordinator for the NBPS.
Schultz says police receive reports of theft from vehicles a “couple of times a week.”
“Most of these are crimes of opportunity. Very seldom has a vehicle suffered a broken window to have something stolen from it and if that’s the fact, then it’s been a targeted smash and grab,” he explained, adding theft from vehicles isn’t relegated to a certain area of the city.
In addition to locking the doors, police also recommend taking valuable items out of your vehicle.
Schultz says when wallets are stolen out of vehicles, the thief will use the “tap” feature on credit and debit cards to make purchases. This can lead to a theft investigation turning into a fraud investigation while also creating more headaches for the victim.
“[The victims] have to contact their financial institution, they have to cancel their credit cards and get new cards,” Schultz notes. “That could be a financial hardship on them because if you rely on your debit card and you don’t have one for a few days, then how are you going to buy things?”
Schultz also recommends reporting any theft from your vehicle regardless of what was taken. He says the more information police have on crimes in the community, the higher the odds they will catch the criminals.
“That’s how we catch these guys. We lay charges in relation to this consistently. But we need the community’s support and help,” he said.


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CNBC Transcript: CNBC's Carl Quintanilla Interviews Visa Chairman and CEO Albert Kelly from the CNBC Evolve Summit Today
WHEN: Today, Tuesday, November 10
WHERE: The CNBC Evolve Summit
Following is the unofficial transcript of a CNBC interview with Visa Chairman and CEO Alfred Kelly live from the CNBC Evolve Summit on Tuesday, November 10th.
Mandatory credit: CNBC Evolve Summit.
CARL QUINTANILLA: It's great to be with everybody today. Thanks, of course, for coming to Evolve. You know, the payments business is one of those industries right now in this uncertain year that people are looking to judge about the recovery of global growth, recovery of the consumer, and it's on that note that we are very pleased to welcome Al Kelly today, the Chairman and CEO of Visa. Al, it is great to see you. Thanks for the time.
ALFRED KELLY: Carl, good to be with you. I'm not going to be doing any singing, but I look forward to talking with you.
CARL QUINTANILLA: I want to talk about the business, obviously, internally and externally. But let's just begin with what this incredible week has brought us, and that's positive news on the vaccine, a growing sense that maybe the world is changing this week. And if that's true, we're going to be looking for areas in which payments would recovery the quickest. I wonder if you could just set us up on your take of the news this weekend and how you're going to be looking for changes from within.
ALFRED KELLY: Well, look, I think, Carl, the reality is that uncertainty is never a good thing in most businesses, ours included. And the fact that it looks like there's a resolution to the presidential race, that there's some hope on the vaccine front, I think have people excited and hopeful. And I think after seven and a half or eight months of people being locked down or having their lives disrupted, people are anxious to get out and be able to do things. Obviously, right now we still have to be very careful and follow all the guidelines that medical experts are asking us to follow. The virus has been very interesting for payments. On one hand, it's suppressing cash usage as people are worried about germs being spread via currency and so more people, even for small ticket items where they might have used cash in the past, are looking to use a debit card or a credit card. E-commerce has exploded as people are now sitting home and working on their tablets or their computers or their mobile devices and wanting to continue to be able to shop. And we've seen an incredible increase in the number of people who, for the first time, are shopping in an e-commerce situation. We're seeing governments become more interested in digital payments, and that's a good thing. Governments distribute a lot of funds. We work with the U.S. government and about 15 others on the distribution of everything from unemployment funds to emergency funds to stimulus funds. And obviously the one negative in this has been the impact on travel, Carl. The reality is that you really almost can't travel right now. It's very inconvenient, if you can. There are so many restrictions that I really think of travel as being, for all intents and purposes, not a real option for consumers or business people. But I think the hope of a vaccine can change that. I think that the world is an exciting place, and people still want to get out there and travel and knock things off their bucket list, etc. So I'm very hopeful that at some point we will get back traveling and people will be able to enjoy seeing the world, and that will be good for payments, as well.
CARL QUINTANILLA: Yeah. What do you think the bull case is on pent-up demand for leisure, but really more importantly on corporate travel? What argument can be made that we get back to corporate travel habits that we were used to before this pandemic began?
ALFRED KELLY: Well, let me take the consumer part first, because I think it's the easiest. The bulk of Visa's travel spend is consumers. I do think consumers are going to want to go back to travel, see family, see friends, see the world. And there's just so many people who love to travel and love the adventure of it, so I do see the consumer travel when these various inconveniences are lifted. I see consumer travel coming back pretty quickly. Business travel is another story. You know, you and I realize -- I haven't traveled in eight months, and I'm a guy who traveled 80 percent of the time. And I feel like as much as I feel a bit locked down from time to time, I feel like I've been pretty efficient. And I think all of us, as business leaders, have realized that perhaps we had people taking trips that might not have been necessary, or we sent too many people on a trip, or we sent somebody to give a presentation for an hour and a half and sent them around the world, and that cost money and it cost time, which is money, and now realize that, boy, a lot of that stuff can be done on any one of these video platforms that work darned well. So I do think there is going to be at least a medium-term adjustment in the amount of business travel. How much remains to be seen. I still think it's critically important to get out there and see clients and talk to your employees, etc. So I know I expect my travel to come back as soon as the restrictions are lifted, but I do think that, in general, it's going to be a much slower recovery, Carl, on the business side than on the consumer side.
CARL QUINTANILLA: So when you think now about opportunities, as we start to envision a world post COVID, talk to me about where the white space is for Visa. Is this about -- is it going to be a story of chasing millennials? Is it going to be trying to take share from cash? How much of this is about M&A? And I'll ask you about Plaid in a moment, but I guess where will the battles be fought, do you think, post COVID?
ALFRED KELLY: Well, look, you know, every single day, in every corner of the earth, people have a choice on how to spend. They can spend on cash or they can spend writing a check or they can use a Visa card or a MasterCard or an AmEx card or some local scheme card. So the battleground always is out in the local market every day, and we operate in 230 countries and territories around the world, and we want to win as many transactions as we can. When I look ahead and say where is the white space, it's in several areas. There's still $18 trillion spent in the world on cash and checks. So that remains an enormous opportunity for us, and one that I think accelerates because of some concerns about viruses and germs and cash. We have great opportunities geographically. I'm in the midst of a virtual trip to Africa, and yesterday I talked to the vice president of Nigeria; today I talked to the head of the Central Bank in Nigeria. And I look at the continent of Africa as an example of really fertile ground for growth as we look forward. We're also going to get a lot of growth by operating our network in the opposite way that people generally think about our network. People generally think about Visa as a network where you go and buy goods and services from somebody, and your money gets pulled from your bank account and gets paid to the seller or the merchant. We're increasingly having our network work the other way, where we are supporting use cases where money goes back in your bank account. So, for example, after an insurance claim is adjudicated, we will send -- the insurance company, instead of mailing you a claims check, will send it directly to your bank account via Visa rails. An Uber driver, at the end of a shift, can go on to their app and have their profits or pay from that day sent to them directly and immediately to their bank account using Visa. We power all the big P2P players in the U.S., and in other countries as well, but Venmo, Zelle, Apple Cash, Square Cash, etc. When you and I, or one of my children and I move money between each other, that movement is happening on Visa Rails. And we call that capability "Visa Direct." It's our push platform, where we're pushing money to people. And I think there's still -- even though we have 3.5 billion Visa cards in the world, used at over 70 million locations, I think both those numbers are still way too small, Carl. I think there's a tremendous opportunity to grow the number of credentials, and I think there's a huge opportunity to grow the number of places where people can use their cards. One of the exciting areas we're very focused on, although right now it's obviously being impacted by COVID, is mass transportation. I'm hugely bullish on mass transportation. If we can create the -- it could be habit-forming. If we can get people to use their credit card or their debit card on their ten commutes in the course of a week, it really starts to break them into the habit of using their card, and they'll use it to buy their coffee in the morning and their lunch and maybe a snack in the afternoon, etc, and all of a sudden you're getting a lot of transactions that heretofore you might not have gotten. So I see that as an enormous growth opportunity for us as well. The reality is, and the exciting part is, I come to work every day figuring out how to grow the pie. It's a very unique part of our industry, and makes it very, very exciting. Sure, we focus and nudge -- get into skirmishes with our competitors over various corners of the pie. But, in general, my job every day is to come and figure out how to grow that pie. And that's a very unique aspect of the payment and money movement space.
CARL QUINTANILLA: Interesting. I mentioned Plaid just briefly, but what does it say -- what is your motivation behind Plaid and is the pushback from regulators a sign that that growth will come with some friction?
ALFRED KELLY: Well, we weren't -- we've known Plaid for a while. We were an investor in Plaid, and we're very impressed with the management team there and what they're doing. We're a network. Increasingly, we're trying to become a network of networks. And Plaid is a network like we're a network. They sit between -- in the United States, between about 11,000 financial institutions, banks, brokerage houses, etc, and about 2700 Fintech developers. They facilitate the movement of data. We facilitate the movement of funds or money. So when you go to sign up for Venmo, Carl, you are actually presented with a set of screens that ask you where you bank, what your bank account is, etc. Those screens are provided by Plaid, and Plaid facilitates the movement of information for those Fintech developers to be able to deliver the great experiences they deliver. So Plaid is just, at its most simple level, it's another network that we believe fits into our desire to have multiple networks on which we move information and money around the world. We continue to be very excited about them. I truly think that the government really doesn't fully understand the differences here. And it's, you know, disappointing, but we will fight this vigorously. And I believe we will prevail, because this is a very pro-consumer play and I think people will recognize that as we get into it a little bit more.
CARL QUINTANILLA: You mentioned Fintech in general, Al. And we did get one viewer question from Christopher, who says: What is Visa doing in the crypto-asset space? I guess it's an inevitable question that you must be fielding all the time.
ALFRED KELLY: Well, in crypto, you know, crypto is a developing part of payments in the world. t's in the very nascent state right now. And we're very interested in cryptocurrencies. We're not as interested in crypto that is more of a commodity-based play. So we're interested in crypto that ultimately becomes fiat based so there's a clear understanding of the value when there's an exchange of crypto for the purchase of a good or a service. We're working with about 25 crypto players already in the world today, Carl, where we're facilitating putting a Visa credential into their system, where you can convert your crypto based on fiat currency and put the funds in a wallet where you can use them at anywhere Visa is accepted. It's a way of making those funds valuable and usable across our network. The other thing that's happening is central banks around the world are looking at central bank digital currencies. They are in early stages, probably China is the furthest advanced. But we expect to be working -- continue to work with central banks around the world in how we can help those central banks as they develop a digital currency for the future. Ultimately, I can see digital currencies running on our Visa network on a more regular basis. I think it's a number of years out, but we're certainly open to any vehicle that helps facilitate the movement of money around the world. We want to be in the middle of it. And I think crypto can play a role, especially in countries that are emerging markets where there's a lot of underbanked and unbanked people in the world. And we think that number is about 1.7 billion people on the face of the earth that are not banked in the mainstream banking system, in whatever country they happen to live in, including some here in the United States.
CARL QUINTANILLA: All right. Speaking of moving money around, there's still hope out there that we get an infrastructure bill, that we get small business aid, that there's something to be done to mitigate unemployment in this country. I know you've got some thoughts on that.
ALFRED KELLY: Well and I said this to the head of Central Bank in Nigeria today, 50 percent of the small businesses in Africa are in Nigeria. And I believe wherever you look around the world, and I've had the opportunity to travel much of it, the reality is that small businesses are the engine of growth. And they're not only the engine of growth for the economy, Carl, they play a very important role in communities. If you live in a community that has a Main Street, these small businesses bring some energy to that community. Nobody wants to live on a Main Street that just has bank branches and a gas station and a couple of restaurants. They want a variety. They want to be able to walk on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and poke their head in all kinds of different shops. So we're deep believers in the importance of small businesses, and we've got to get them back to work. They really suffered in this COVID-19 pandemic, and we've got to make sure we're doing everything we can to help them get back to work. And I think some of the initial bills were focused on asking these small businesses to keep their payroll going, which was really hard for them. Most of them had to get rid of or furlough their people early on, and their costs were really about rent, insurance, and those kinds of things. So I think we have to be a little bit more flexible in how any kind of emergency or stimulus funds are allowed to be utilized by small business owners. And I think something like an infrastructure bill that you alluded to is very important in the United States. Our infrastructure is not as good as it needs to be. It's crumbling in some cases. And this is a win, win, win where we can create an awful lot of jobs and, at the same time, improve the infrastructure of this country for the next generation. And I certainly hope that the next Congress can see the value of it, and we can get an infrastructure bill done and we can make sure that we're taking care of small business owners. We're certainly trying to do everything we can on our part to help small business owners.
CARL QUINTANILLA: We've only got a couple minutes left, Al, but you mentioned cities and walking down the sidewalk and wanting to see a rich display of small businesses and retailers. Just your thoughts on cities right now in general, and how that plays into return to the office, what you're doing internally, what concerns employees have, and whether or not you see Visa using your corporate real estate footprint at 100 percent again someday.
ALFRED KELLY: Well, a lot of questions there. It's really amazing how the world can change very, very quickly. The whole world pre-COVID was moving to cities, you know? Everywhere I go in the world, it's impossible to get from the airport into these cities. It takes 2 or 3 hours, especially if you are trying to do it during the rush hour. And the whole push was people getting to cities, living in cities, and urbanization was a big deal. You know, the virus has pushed people away from cities. Now, I personally do not think that's a long-term change. I think it's going to cause some people to think, but I think our cities have so much culture and life to them, and convenience to them, etc, that I think cities will come back. And they'll come back as businesses start to open again, as well. That said, look, the virus has shown all of us, even naysayers, about flexible work. And I'll put my hand up and say I was a bit of a naysayer. But our company has, for eight months now, operated pretty efficiently with 95 percent of our employees working from home, and I fully expect that, as we look forward, we're going to have an awful lot of people operating under a more hybrid, flexible work model; couple days in the office, couple days at home. I personally believe that everybody's got to get to the office for certain numbers of days a month. It's critical for orientation of new employees. It's important for culture. I think it's very important for inclusion, so that people in minority populations are not left behind or left out. I think it's important for brainstorming and creativity. I think it's important for training. So I expect us to be a company that has a lot more flexible work models, but the way I've been talking internally about it, Carl, is I want a flexible, flexible work model; meaning, employees can have a baseline understanding with the company of, for instance, how many days they might be at home and how many they might be in the office, but it's critical that shareholders and other key constituents come first. And if you're supposed to be home on a Tuesday and we need you in the office for whatever reason we need you, you've got to be flexible, the employee -- you, the employee, have to be flexible as well and come to the office on that day. And likewise, by the way, if you're supposed to be in the office one day and all you're doing is meetings by phone or video, there's no reason why that day can't be a day you end up working from home. I do think, therefore, to your last point, our real estate will have to be reconfigured a bit to accommodate a situation where we have some employees who want to work full-time in the office, some who need to because of the nature of their job; and then we have to be able to have the flexible space for people who are coming in and out for team meetings, for brainstorming, for cultural types of events, for town hall kinds of meetings. And that's something I have a whole task force looking at, that whole return to work and our real estate footprint, and what that means for us all around the world, because we have offices ranging from 10 people to 4,000 people. So they each have -- come with their idiosyncrasies and their own challenges.
CARL QUINTANILLA: Well, normally, you know, you and I might have been doing this chat on stage in front of a huge audience. Instead, we're doing it on this interface. But it would be nice to have the option one day. That's certainly the take-away from a lot of this. Al, we're so grateful.
ALFRED KELLY: Yeah, and I think it's important. Well, Carl, it's great to see you, great to be with you and your audience.
CARL QUINTANILLA: Our thanks, too.
ALFRED KELLY: Stay safe. Thank you.
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Digital marketplaces like Silk Road, Sheep Marketplace, Atlantis, Agora, and Black Market Reloaded once offered hundreds of vendors selling everything from. The fixed official exchange rate of 1,500 Lebanese pounds to darknet market prices 1 had endured for 23 years, rewarding the people of Lebanon with stable purchasing. By B Goldman 1998 Cited by 25 Before approaching potential participants, the authors conducted a pilot study at local methadone and walk-in clinics to determine the approximate street value. India Today Exposes Black Market Of Covid Drugs, Remdesivir Sold 6 Times The Retail Price Exclusive. 5. Now, she says the price tag will eat up her entire wage and that of her black market) to 730,000 pounds meaning it now costs more than. The costs of black market hormones vary widely. People will charge anywhere from 50 to 350 for a single shot of estrogen, Goldstein told ABC.
In the darknet market oz past year, the black market in medicines grew by more than prescription-only medicines without a prescription at a low price.. A black market for an antiviral drug used to treat coronavirus has emerged Gilead has set the sale price of the drug for governments of. In practice, the global scale of illegal drug marketslargely white people to be arrested for marijuana, despite similar usage rates. Cannabis resin was one of the cheapest on the market, with a gram costing about six euros. Read more. Average price of selected illicit drugs in. From the founders of The Everygirl, The Everymom is a space where stylish mothers of all ages can come to seek guidance on topics big and small. Now, she says the price tag will eat up her entire wage and that of her black market) to 730,000 pounds meaning it now costs more than. How to Start Selling Weed as a Black Market Marijuana Dealer Prior to the Compare prescription drug prices and find coupons at more than 70,000 US.
In practice, the global scale of illegal drug marketslargely white people to be arrested for marijuana, despite similar usage rates. Now, darknet market onion links she says the price tag will eat up her entire wage and that of her at the official rate or about 8 on the black market) to 730,000. By K Moeller 2020 Cited by 2 Illicit drug prices and quantity discounts: A comparison between a smaller than what we see in studies of illegal markets, and supports the. 14 people have been sentenced or indicted in a Miami case detailing a 78 million black market operation in high-priced prescription drugs. From the founders of The Everygirl, The Everymom is a space where stylish mothers of all ages can come to seek guidance on topics big and small.
Q : All right then, presumably the price of the drugs available for sale at the Federal Drugstore will be low enough to discourage black - market activity. By S Flix 2015 Cited by 33 the illicit drug darknet market noobs market by studying its impact on the price of illicit drugs. higher prices and, therefore, with lower consumption of illegal drugs. By M Sosnowski 2020 Cited by 4 Papers included on the trade in illicit narcotics include those directly analysing market drug prices that may lend to methodological. BT is offering half price on all TV packages and it is good news for sport and cinema fans. Indians are turning to the black market for drugs like Remdesivir, which has inflated to 1,000 a vial, 20 times its real value.
Best Darknet Market Reddit
Torrez Market Dark Web Considering I’ve been a deep web enthusiast for nearly. The analytics company determined the total by reviewing Joker's Stash apparent revenue and fees. However, a closer look reveals the different shapes of Wikipedia page visits, tweets, and DWM active listings price of black market drugs curves. People spreading phishing links on Reddit and other forums made a lot of money. The Restore scenario is a story of institutional survival focused on reclaiming the institution's pre-pandemic financial health. Arden McCann, 32, of Quebec, Canada, was charged with conspiring to import drugs into the United States and money laundering conspiracy, in a four-count indictment returned by a grand jury in Atlanta, Georgia.
But anyway, I took all the other necessary measures price of black market drugs to feel safe. Both of these layers are not independent from each other. Cybercriminals also enjoy gambling and all sorts of strange things are in the pot at dark web online poker games.


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Bumpa – a Nigerian digital e-commerce firm has secured $200,000 in a pre-seed funding round. Participants in the funding round include Greencap Equity, HOAQ Club, Whogohost Venture Arm, Rizq Investment Group, Microtraction, DFS Labs, Aidi Ventures, Prosper Otemuyiwa, OO Nwoye, Perfect Makanju, and other angel investors.
Kelvin Umechukwu and Adetunji Opaleye founded Bumpa in February 2021, it is an e-commerce solution startup that helps African merchants move, manage and grow their businesses online, right from their mobile phones. With Bumpa, merchants who do not possess any form of programming or digital skills can set up their e-commerce store using just their smartphones. Businesses are helped to promote and sell on social media platforms such as Instagram, Whatsapp, and Facebook, as well as offline.
Bumpa, formerly known as Scalescabal, provides an opportunity for merchants to take advantage of technology tools to promote their businesses. The lockdowns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on all businesses, but especially on those that ran in-store, and the realization of the importance of having an online store dawned on many merchants. Founded in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, Bumpa serves the critical need of providing e-commerce solutions needed by African informal businesses to thrive.
The young e-commerce company says it has taken on over 7,000 merchants on its platform since its launch, including retail businesses like The Ajala Store and Lash Ng. It also claims to have recorded a 50 percent month-on-month growth rate. According to the company, over 30,000 products have been listed on its platform by merchants, and over $500,000 in recorded transactions have been completed.
Bumpa, however, is not satisfied with this achievement. According to co-founder and CEO, Kelvin Umechukwu, the company has set a target to reach 200,000 merchants before the end of 2021. He added that the new funds will be targeted at expanding Bumpa’s team to better empower more small business owners with the tools to grow their businesses.
“Building the operating system for MSMEs in Africa can be daunting but having the right team, very supportive investors, and the best community of customers makes the work fun to do and a lot easier. I believe that a lot of small businesses will thrive as they begin to take advantage of technology for their growth and I’m very excited about the future of commerce in Africa because of what we are building at Bumpa,” Kelvin Umechukwu said.
Bumpa enables customers to get a list of products, place orders, and request logistics services to help them deliver physical products with their smartphones- who knows, the company might just be on its way to become the “Shopify of Africa”.
Merchants can accept online and offline payments, handle bookkeeping, and engage customers easily, all from the ease and comfort of their smartphones. They are also able to analyze the performance of their business across multiple channels, both online and offline.
Bumpa is primarily based in Nigeria but has active users from other African and European countries. The startup was recently admitted into the Microsoft for Startups program which gives free technical consultations and access to corporate partnerships to growth-stage startups.


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Kris Jenner is bringing the sexy in a big way lately. The 58-year-old Grandma has been sporting some revealing ensembles and in true Kardashian fashion, has posted the pics online for all of us to see.
Over the weekend, the Kardashian matriarch brought the sexy to...Easter services?
Maybe she was trying to show Bruce Jenner what he's missing. In fact, Bruce was there, but he seemed more interested in actually attending the services than oogling his ex.
Kris has worn this ensemble before--last year--in Las Vegas, which made a heck of a lot more sense than wearing it to church. While Kris' outfit is not exactly ideal for Easter, it doesn't hold a candle to the thigh-high boots and skin-tight dress that Britney Spears wore to Sunday services back in August.


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Posted by Dale Buss on October 23, 2014 09:15 AM
Chevrolet celebrates pitching sensation Mo'ne Davis in longform commercial.
Amazon still finds profit elusive.
Macy's links with Google to show shoppers what's in stock nearby.
P&G ousts North American head in executive shuffle as CEO Lafley re-sets succession plan.
Pandora opens listener data to let musicians target fans.Continue reading...
Posted by Dale Buss on October 14, 2014 08:35 AM
Mulberry issues profit warning as Burberry sees markets getting tougher as first-half revenues increase, breaking one billion pounds in sales.
Google expands same-day delivery service to Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C., intensifying battle with Amazon.
Heineken scores four-year, $40 million US soccer deal.
Jimmy Choo is valued at up to $1 billion ahead of IPO.
Fidelity names Abby Johnson CEO, succeeding her father.Continue reading...
Posted by Dale Buss on October 13, 2014 09:02 AM
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) debuts on NYSE today as Marchionne begins last lap at helm.
JCPenney taps next CEO, Marv Ellison, from The Home Depot.
Kmart is dragging down parent Sears and gives free credit monitoring after credit-card data was stolen.
Katy Perry will headline Super Bowl halftime show.
McDonald's tests customized build-your-own burger kiosks in Australia.Continue reading...
Posted by Dale Buss on September 2, 2014 09:34 AM
Uber is banned across Germany by Frankfurt court.
Aston Martin hires new CEO, Andy Palmer, from Nissan.
McDonald's boosts food-safety efforts in China.
RadioShack and shareholder talk about saving company from bankruptcy.
Apple fixes bug but denies iCloud link to celebrity nude photos leak following internal investigatiion.
MORE BRAND NEWS
1-800-FLOWERS acquires Harry & David.
Aflac ties campaign to college football.
Alfa Romeo sets return to US after 20 years.
American Apparel ads banned in the UK.
AOL brand CEO Susan Lyne steps down to attract women-led startups to venture arm.
Arthur Andersen name returns to tax consulting.
Buick launches new campaign to build on success of "Hmmm" spot. (More in our Q&A.)
Burger King sees tax history come under scrutiny.Continue reading...
Posted by Sheila Shayon on May 1, 2014 10:45 AM
The world's biggest e-tailer is now in the wearable tech business. That's right: Amazon, that bellwether of all things retail/e-tail, just opened a Wearable Technology store this week, devoted exclusively to selling smartwatches, activity trackers, healthcare devices, wearable cameras—even trackers for your pet.
From top brands like Samsung, Jawbone, LeapFrog (yes, there are kid wearables) and GoPro, to brands-to-watch like Basis and Misfit, "Wearable technology is an exciting category with rapid innovation and our customers are increasingly coming to Amazon to shop and learn about these devices," says John Nemeth, Amazon's director of Wireless and Mobile Electronics.
Facebook just paid a staggering two billion dollars to acquire Oculus VR, the virtual reality startup whose Oculus Rift gaming headset resembles a scuba mask with a metal plate on the front, while Intel acquired smartwatch-maker Basis Science for $100 million and insiders say that Apple will bring its highly anticipated iWatch to market this year.
As the New Yorker observes, “Companies love the idea of wearable technology because that constant data stream would be a bonanza for marketers, measuring what people are doing every second, even while they’re asleep.” Consumers, however, are not flocking to bulky, strap-on devices as proven by hundreds of Samsung's Galaxy Gear smartwatches that popped up on eBay a mere six months after launch.Continue reading...
Posted by Dale Buss on July 31, 2013 09:20 AM
Tata is ranked No. 1 in Interbrand's Best Indian Brands 2013 report.
Yahoo and NBC team up to develop cross-platform sports shows.
Facebook plans to sell TV-style ads for $2.5 million each, as it moves into mobile games publishing.
Ford and Toby Keith ride again, as automaker announces plans to offer F-150 that rides on natural gas.
ABC leads rival networks in summer ratings.
Accenture is in talks about acquiring Booz & Co.
Air Products & Chemicals sees activist investor Bill Ackman take nearly a 10 percent stake in company.
BP fund for Gulf spill is running out.
Candia, a French milk brand, plans to set up shop in China to take advantage of consumer concerns.
CBS continues to court boomers.
Coach shuffles management after weak results.Continue reading...
Posted by Barry Silverstein on April 24, 2013 01:41 PM
Sometimes a brand blazes a trail, only to find itself outrun by the competition.
Back in 2006, entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie, who made his name and a small fortune as a contestant on reality TV show, The Amazing Race, came up with a unique proposition for a new brand, TOMS Shoes. The business model: TOMS would donate a pair of shoes to a child who lived in poverty for every pair of shoes sold. The philanthropic concept quickly became a sensation that catapulted the company's brand awareness to superstar status.
Not surprisingly, other companies started to knock off the idea. The most egregious copycat has been a line of shoes called "BOBS" that Skechers introduced in 2010. BOBS not only look exactly like TOMS signature shoe, right down to the logo stitched on a visible exterior label, but Skechers also shamelessly followed TOMS' "one-for-one" model of giving away a pair of shoes for every pair sold.Continue reading...
Posted by Dale Buss on April 21, 2011 09:00 AM
Amazon, Costco and Kohls top US brand-loyalty ranking as Amazon’s Kindle expands to offer e-books from libraries.
BP includes Halliburton in round of lawsuits on one-year anniversary of Gulf disaster.
Boeing to fight order to move some 787 production.
Chesapeake Energy suffers blowout on anniversary of BP oil spill.
DirecTV plan for early viewing of new movies at home draws criticism from filmmakers.
Fiat moves to raise Chrysler ownership to near half.Continue reading...


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Blockbuster Posts Loss Ahead of Auction
For the period ended Feb. 27, Blockbuster posted a loss of $68.4 million, while generating $274.8 million in revenue, according to a filing.
Gross profit totaled $154 million, but this was offset by $183.5 million in general and administrative costs, $11 million in depreciation expenses and $3.2 million in advertising costs. The company also spent $16 million related to its bankruptcy and restructuring.
The release comes as Blockbuster's auction is set for April 4. Reports surfaced earlier this week that Blockbuster may receive an unexpected bid from a South Korean wireless communication company.The news generated excitement, providing a sign that there may still be interest in the struggling movie rental chain. Last week, the company said it is looking to terminate the leases on 187 locations. --Written by Jeanine Poggi in New York.
>To contact the writer of this article, click here: Jeanine Poggi. >To follow the writer on Twitter, go to http://twitter.com/jpoggi. >To submit a news tip, send an email to: email@example.com.
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LUXOR + FINCH BLOG
STAY UP-TO-DATE ON EVERYTHING FIT TECH
Listen to our BTSPodcast episode on Fit technology, Luxor + Finch Consulting and why I love what I do!
With consumer apparel purchasing increasingly moving online, the subject of apparel fit is at the heart of fashion e-commerce. In this article, four industry insiders come together to merge their differing viewpoints.
It all sounds good, but how can we really ensure these words turn to action?
Fit is not as simple as we think!
We’ve got something to say about Fashion Tech! Be apart of our initiative launching March 2019 on the SXSW stage.
Fit Technology User Personas
My Size, Inc. Comments on Successful September 2018 Promotional Activities
Company showcases its MySizeID™ smart measurement technology at premier fashion and retail events across the country and launches new iOS consumer app to more than 700 million iPhone users worldwide
We’re thrilled to announce that FTSY is among 11 startups that have been selected to join Dream Assembly for a 12-week program starting the 7th of September
On September 9th 2018 Luxor + Finch, G.I.F.T. and Geek of Chic came together for the first ever WOC Fashion Tech Brunch
Amazon purchased Bodylabs last year. Based on the past, I predict that Amazon is going to attempt to solve the fit problem through private label creation. If you’re skeptical, watch the video and consider that history often repeats itself and the fashion industry is overdue for another shake up!


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The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370, despite receiving a lot of attention worldwide and boosting the audience for the mass media, has however had an adverse impact on advertising revenue.
MH370, which was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members, departed Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 12:41 a.m. on March 8 and disappeared from radar screens within a couple of hours later while over the South China Sea. It was to have landed in Beijing at 6:30 a.m. that same day.
This incident almost immediately resulted in ads being cut or reduced and campaigns being either pulled out or put on hold.
“Almost all airline advertisers put their ads on hold, including MAS, Firefly, Singapore Airlines, AirAsia and Malindo. Most of them resumed their ads after a week, except for MAS,” says a source from a local Chinese daily.
“Some retained the frequency of advertising after the postponement, but some reduced.”
He adds that some campaigns that were supposed to be held during that period were either cancelled or postponed, such as the case with fast-food giant McDonald’s Malaysia, which was supposed to kick-off its “National Breakfast Day” promotion on March 17.
In a statement on its Malaysian Facebook page, McDonald’s Malaysia said it had decided to postpone the campaign in light of “developments surround Flight MH370.”
“This decision is made as a mark of respect for those affected by this event, and we also extend our hope and prayers for the safety and well-being of the passengers and cabin crew involved.
“We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused due to this postponement. Rest assured that we will announce the new date of the National Breakfast Day at a more suitable time.”
The fast-food giant added, however, that promotions would continue as planned in other countries across Asia-Pacific.
The source adds that some advertisers also moved their ads to the back-half of the main section of the newspaper to avoid the “negative editorial environment.”
“This resulted in losses in premium page surcharges,” he says.
Star Publications (M) Bhd. chief advertising officer Lim Bee Leng confirms that ad spend was affected following the disappearance of flight MH370.
“We saw seven-digits worth of ad spend being pulled from aviation and travel-related companies,” she says, adding however that ad support has since picked up.
“When news broke that the plane had disappeared, some companies pulled out ads in a sign of respect for the family and friends of the victims on board the aircraft,” says Lim.
The source from a local Chinese daily also confirms the drop in ad spend.
“There was a dip in aviation and travel ads. Overall, it was a moderate level drop in advertising sales, especially in the first half of March. But things have since improved.”
Local Malay daily Berita Harian also postponed its annual Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2013, which was scheduled to take place on April 6 at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands.
The postponement was a mark of respect for flight MH370.
“The decision is supported by its management and partners, including Media Prima, TV3, Resorts World Genting, sponsors and artistes who are involved in the event,” Berita Harian group editor Mahfar Ali was quoted as saying at a press conference last month.
A major event cancelled in relation to the MH370 tragedy was a Petronas-sponsored two-day concert, Twin Towers Alive, featuring the likes of Christina Aguilera and Rain.
The concert was among the entertainment events to be held in conjunction with the 2014 Petronas Formula 1 Malaysia Grand Prix.
Despite the negative impact, the events surrounding the disappearance of MH370 did create a lot of eyeballs for the media. The Star Online, Malaysia’s top daily news portal, registered its highest ever number of page views in March — surpassing even interest generated during the general election in May last year.
Star Online recorded 7.07 million unique visitors in the month of March, double the 3.56 million registered in May of 2013.
The number of page views in March 2014 stood at 59.99 million, compared with 41.60 million for May 2013.
Interestingly, the recent Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair also did not experience any slowdown in visitors — quite the opposite actually. According to reports, the event, which was held from March 14 to 16, recorded 90,273 visitors — its highest number of visitors.
In September last year, the fair recorded over 83,000 visitors.
Organizing chairman Judy Cheah says: “There was no impact, only change of destination, from Beijing to other locations.”
Given the sensitivities surrounding the event, it is not considered unusual for companies to pull their ads or postpone campaigns, says creative agency Initiative global chief executive officer Jim Elms, who believes that such a move is in fact “the right thing to do.”
“Even during the 9/11 tragedy in New York, ad spend dipped a little. Some pulled back more than others. When the general mood is down, you can still be pitching things, but there still has to be a level of integrity in what you do. It’s also a level of respect.
“In an era when brands become more people-centric, issues like dignity have to be honored. It’s our obligation to hold back also. But more importantly, it’s the right thing to do.”
Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) president Datuk Johnny Mun says it is not unexpected to experience a slowdown in ad spend after a tragedy involving an airline crash.
“It’s usual for other airlines to have a sort of unwritten moratorium on ads immediately after events like that.”
According to Nielsen, year-to-date (YTD) February 2014 advertising expenditure in Malaysia rose 15.8 percent to 1.96 billion ringgit from 1.70 billion ringgit (US$605 million to US$525 million) in the previous corresponding period.
Omnicom Media Group Malaysia chief executive officer Andreas Vogiatzakis was quoted by StarBiz last month as saying that the MH370 crisis had, to an extent, affected spending, with many advertisers postponing their March spending till later.
“I personally think it is to show solidarity and respect to the families of all the people affected,” he said.