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After a grand show in Ludhiana the 14th edition of the Yarn, Fabric and Accessories Trade Show concluded on 23rd Aug 2019 at Dana Mandi on Bahadurke Road in Ludhiana. The trade show proved to be a great help for knitters, weavers and garment manufacturers who were able to get a glimpse of the various yarn, fabric & trims all under one roof. On the whole, the exhibition was the hub of innovation over the three days with more than 6,000 people visiting the trade show.
The Chief Guests on the first day of the trade show were Bahadur ke Road Textile and Knitwear Association head Tarun Jain Bawa, FICO Textile Division President Ajit Lakra and SHAWL CLUB President Mridula Jain. “This trade show will certainly give a boost to the local industry of Ludhiana as they will get exposure to trends in the national and international circuits,” said Ajit Lakra.
The YFA exhibition was a platform where yarn manufacturers showcased their world class and qualitative products at the trade show. Manufactures displayed polyester yarns, cotton yarns, melange yarns, indigo yarns, recycled polyester staple fibre, cellulosic fibres, lycra, knitted fabrics, cotton fabrics, Athleisure, woven fabrics, shawls, labels, crystals, embroidered fabrics, laces, buttons, elastics, reflective tapes, embroidery and sewing threads, dyes and chemicals, dyers, trade magazines etc.
Manufacturers put a lot of stress on recycled yarn which is fast gaining popularity. This trade show has proved that the future of textiles is man-made fibre. An exclusive fashion show which enthralled the buyers was organised by Reliance Industries Limited with its 4 channel partners (Neva Garments, Rihanna Industries, Versatile Enterprises, and Parasram). The fashion show was a delight for those who are obsessed with the quality of the clothes that they wear. Among the products that were featured in the fashion show was the recycled polyester that is made with the intent to recycle in order to save the environment. Products made with the latest nano technology were showcased too. To say the least the fashion show was a roaring success. The purpose of the show was to generate interest in the latest technology that is available in the market and the stuff that can be done with it.
This show was supported by FICO (Textile Division), Bahadur K Road Textile and Knitwear Association (BKTK), Ludhiana Woollen Manufacturers Association, Shawl club, Kamal, Knitwear and Textile Club, United Knits Association, Punjab dyers association, AEPC, and NITMA.
“In spite of the slump that the industry has been facing, it has been very encouraging to see that people have come out and supported the exhibition with all their heart,” said organizer duo Abhishek Sharma and Ankur Goel. “It has always been our endeavour to take the message of progress and prosperity far and wide through our trade show that brings such vibrant variety to manufacturers and buyers of the cities where we hold the exhibition.”
“Sustainability is a major focus of the manufacturers of yarn which is why we have dope dyed yarns during the process of which the consumption of water is reduced,” said Mumbai’s Sanathan Textiles Pvt Ltd President Raj Kapadia. “In a place like Ludhiana where pollution is a major concern, products like the dope dyed yarn will help conserve water. We got very good response this year and met quality buyers at the show, he added.”
Bhilwara’s RSWM Ltd’s Luv Jain said, “We showcased natural fibres, yarns and garments that would help people understand how sustainability works. In these times when the cost of everything has gone up businesses may skip on exploring new items. So I think this platform is very good for those who want to come out and see what the market is offering. In the three days of the exhibition we got visitors not only from Ludhiana but from Amritsar, Panipat, Surat and all parts of India.”
With the aim to give the manufacturers and buyers of Ludhiana exposure of what there is outside the limits of the city the trade show had brought an entire range and more right to the doorstep of the city. “We had different type of polyester yarns on display and all the three days we were full of buyers,” said Filatex India Ltd Senior President Marketing Rajiv Kasturiar.
Grasim Industries Ltd (LIVA) displayed fabric and garments of five channel partners (Ashvira Fabrics, Swami Textiles, Monika Stoles, Vandan Silk Mills and Prisma Leggings). GM Marketing Sanjeev Pathadia said, “We had different kinds of yarn on display and we’ve tried to showcase fabrics with different blends. Our display was very beneficial for manufacturers as we had came up with our five channel partners, so manufacturers came and see the range of what we have in store for them for the next season.”
“Exhibitions have always boosted business as it gives the different parties a chance to interact in a stress free environment, which is why the yarn, fabric and accessories trade show was so necessary for everyone in the industry. It is good to see that the trade show has got such a good response from not only the visitors, but also the participants,” said Wellknown Polyesters Ltd Head Marketing Ashok Modi. “The exhibition has been quite super and the experience has been great. We’re looking forward to the next edition,” he added.
On the same note Ludhiana based Kudu Knit Process Pvt. Ltd. Director Varun Mittal said, “This is the second year that this tradeshow is happening in Ludhiana and it is definitely becoming a strong platform for those who benefit from it. These are tough times for the manufacturers and this platform is a very good opportunity for interactions which will definitely boost business.”
One of the things that caught the eye of the visitors was the large variety of recycled polyester yarn. Ludhiana based Longowalia Yarns Ltd Executive Director Sanjay Garg said, “We displayed wide range of yarn and fabric on display at our stall. About 80 per cent of the yarn that we manufacture is recycled. When we make recycled yarn we help remove plastic from the environment and put it to further use.”
“The demand for recycled yarn is growing,” said Surat based Tribeni Group of Companies’ Director Abhinav Garg. “Recycled polyester yarn is made from PET bottles and European fabric manufacturers insist on using this yarn because it helps sustain the environment. With the popularity of recycled polyester yarn we also see the demand for virgin yarn going down.”
Participants at the Yarn, Fabric and Accessories Trade Show also said that Ludhiana being a hosiery manufacturing hub is a great place for yarn manufacturers to come and display their wares. Coimbatore based Sarmangal Synthetics PvtLtd’s Director Nirmal Jain said, “We had displayed value added fancy yarns which are used in the hosiery industry. It is good to come to Ludhiana and get a feel of the industry here since the city is a hosiery manufacturing hub.”
Mumbai based Texperts’ Asit Parikh too had the same opinion. “We had displayed speciality yarn. This yarn is used for various purposed and since Ludhiana is home to the garment industry there is no doubt that they will benefit greatly from being able to sample the various options available in the market,” he said.
Among the other things that were also on display at the trade show were reflective products Gurgaon based DM Reflective India Pvt. Ltd.’s Sandeep said, “We work with safety products especially reflective products. Reflective products work at night when light falls on it they reflect the light preventing accidents on roads. Reflective sheets that we manufacture are used for sinages which makes them easier to see during the night. We even make reflective yarn which is used to stitch clothes.”
The theme of the exhibition was called ‘Pavilion’ and was designed by NIIFT. The organisers are now gearing up to hold another grand exhibition at Bhiwandi in November 2019. The 14th edition of the Yarn, Fabric and Accessories (YFA) Trade Show was held in Ludhiana while previous editions were held in New Delhi, Panipat in Haryana and Ichalkaranji in Maharashtra.


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Sales of alcohol are set to be back on at McColl's from tonight (Thursday), it's being reported. The stores have been unable to offer booze to customers since Monday (May 9).
Booze sales were stopped after Morrisons inked a deal to take over the ailing chain. McColl's had to transfer the alcohol license of each store following the takeover.
The transition meant that alcohol could not be sold, reports GloucestershireLive. But now Morrisons has said it is working "at pace" to apply for all the correct licences.
The supermarket chain beat EG Group in a takeover battle for McColl’s. All McColl’s jobs have been guaranteed by bosses as the firm’s shops transfer to the new owner, while Morrisons will take over the company’s two pension schemes.
The convenience chain fell into administration on Friday (May 6), plunging the future of its 1,160 shops and 16,000 staff into doubt. It came after the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket chain and forecourt giant EG Group both tabled final offers on Sunday to secure a rescue deal for McColl’s.
EG – whose owners also run supermarket giant Asda – had initially been favourites to complete a rescue deal for McColl’s. Morrisons’ early approaches had reportedly been rejected by lenders who preferred EG’s offer to instantly repay more than £160 million in debts from McColl’s.
However, it is understood that Morrisons’ successful move will also repay the lenders in cash. In a statement after the deal was announced, it said that “the secured lenders and preferential creditors will be paid in full with a distribution also expected to unsecured creditors”.
Morrisons had also originally proposed to only save the “vast majority” of jobs and stores, but improved this offer during the bidding process. “All McColl’s colleagues will be transferred with the McColl’s business to Morrisons,” the supermarket said on Monday.
Morrisons chief executive David Potts said: “Although we are disappointed that the business was put into administration, we believe this is a good outcome for McColl’s and all its stakeholders. This transaction offers stability and continuity for the McColl’s business and, in particular, a better outcome for its colleagues and pensioners."
Morrisons is currently McColl’s wholesale supply partner and was expected to immediately terminate its deal with the convenience chain if the takeover move proved unsuccessful. McColl’s also runs around 270 stores under the Morrisons Daily brand.

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New Intel chairman Brian Krzhanich made during the Intel Developer Forum 2013 in San Francisco and has shared the company’s plans for the near future. First, he assured everyone that in December the market will tablets with processors Intel, the value of which does not exceed $ 100.
Krzhanich sure that in this case, the devices are in the category of so-called “impulse purchases” – when the consumer does not think about whether it is worth it to purchase this gadget.
The head of Intel, however, did not specify that this will be the devices. We have already seen Windows-good quality tablets that cost less than $ 400, but here we are talking about a much smaller amount.
In addition, the head of Intel did not name the platform on which the plates will work. But, obviously, it would be Android, not Windows, especially since the Intel Atom chips can work with both systems.
The second important part of performance – energy-efficient chips for laptops. Intel Haswell processors have proved that laptops can run on a single charge from morning to evening.
The new generation of chips built on the 14-nanometer process, according to Brian Krzhanicha, will increase the battery life of gadgets by another third. This is the case of the prototype, the final samples can be even more energy efficient, said a top manager.
To confirm his words, he showed a laptop HP, which is due to the low heat generation processor works fine without a built-in fan. It is expected that the new processors Intel Broadwell arrive on the market in the second half of next year.
Read another very interesting article about alternative energy of the Sun, water and air.


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Intel’s New “Medfield” Atom Z2460 Chip Makes Smartphones “Fastest Ever”!
Recently, at CES in Las Vegas, Intel announced to make its first ever mobile phone deals and Lenovo would be the first company to sell a device, K800 in China, equipped with Intel’s new Medfield Atom Z2460 chip. Moreover, Motorola had signed a long term contract with the company releasing its new breed of Intel’s powered phones in second half of 2012.
The results of benchmarking test on new “Medfield” Atom Z2460 chip endorse the Intel’s claims for their highly improved technology. Intel also claims that the phones powered by their new Atom chips would also have more battery life as these chips have only one ‘core’, while other phone use twin or even quadcore processors.
Anandtech notes the specs of Intel’s Atom Z2460;
Since I know the measurements of the package I could estimate the dimensions of the silicon itself. My math worked out to be around 62mm^2. That’s larger than a Tegra 2-class SoC, but smaller than Tegra 3 or Apple’s A5. The diagram of its high level architecture above helps explain why.
There’s only a single version of Medfield being announced today: the Intel Atom Z2460. The Z2460 features a single Atom core with a 512KB L2 cache, a PowerVR SGX 540 GPU and a dual-channel LPDDR2 memory interface. In a world where talking about four Cortex A9s and PowerVR SGX 544MP2s isn’t uncommon, Medfield starts out almost sounding a bit…tame. But then you see its performance:
Dave Whalen, vice-president of Intel’s architecture group, proudly expressed;
“We don’t frankly see the need for dual core. Our single core with hyperthreading allows simultaneous applications – so we get much greater power efficiency. We believe we are at par if not better than our competitors.”
Intel has been showing its interest to step into highly profitable smartphone market; the company was first going to launch an LG phone with Intel’s processor but unfortunately the deal was terminated. Last week, however, it highlighted its commitment to the new form factor by disclosing that it is negotiating with Apple for using their new Atom chips for the iPhone, Also, next Windows Phone devices would come with Intel processors too.
” Intel appears to deliver better CPU performance than anything on the market, despite only having a single core. GPU (graphics processing unit) performance is still not as fast as what’s in the A5 but it’s competitive with much of the competition today, and I fully expect the dual-core version of Medfield to rectify this problem.”
On the other hand, Apple and Texas Instruments, have new faster processors those will be incorporated in new devices. However, Intel is also plans to boost up their processors’ performance with the release of a new processor codenamed “Clover Trail”.
- intel atom n 2460


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IDC names Ricoh a leader in print, cites data-driven evolution
"Over the past 10+ years, Ricoh has evolved from a document-centric organisation focused on office equipment, document management, and related services, to a data-centric company."
Video: 10 Minute IT Jams - An update from Ricoh Australia
Yasu Takahashi, who is the Managing Director of Ricoh Australia, joins us today to tell us more about Ricoh Australia and their solutions for the APAC market.
Ricoh Australia releases latest flagship printer, Ricoh Pro C9500
This printer provides a range of improvements, designed to strengthen and future-proof commercial printing businesses.
Ricoh releases new range of A3 colour multifunction printers
Ricoh affirms environmental sustainability and security standards with its new range of A3 colour multifunction printers.
Ricoh launch IP CW2200 and IM CW2200 digital printers
CAD and Large Document users are expected to benefit from the launch of Ricoh IP CW2200 and IM CW2200 Digital Colour Large Format Printers.
Ricoh partners with Powell to aid digital workplace adoption
With this partnership, Ricoh aims to enhance its ability to provide innovative, modern workplace solutions to its clients and help them stay ahead.
Ricoh announces Interactive Whiteboard rollout in Australia
Ricoh has announced the Australian launch of its new Android-based A-Series Interactive Whiteboards (IWB) (also known as Interactive Flat Panel Displays (IFPD).
IVE Group selects Ricoh as a preferred print partner
“Choosing Ricoh was large decision for us at IVE Group, to bring in a new print vendor. The first in many years,” says McCulloch.
Ricoh Australia appointed a Medius cloud partner
The partnership extends a successful working relationship between the two organisations in New Zealand, where Ricoh has been a Medius cloud partner since 2016.
Ricoh provides Cheque-Mates with enhanced printing service opportunities
Ricoh has announced they have supplied trade-only print production and communication company Cheque-Mates with a new high-capacity digital printer.
Ricoh and NZ tech company Tether initiate new reseller partnership
A new reseller partnership between Ricoh and NZ tech company Tether will focus on monitoring, hybrid work and air quality solutions.
Ricoh, Cisco optimise hybrid workplace with cloud service
Ricoh and Cisco have partnered in a bid to optimise hybrid workplaces with a premier cloud service and leading IT equipment.
RICOH Australia announces new IM 4000 A3 printer for SMBs
RICOH has announced the launch of its new IM 4000 A3 Monochrome Black and White Printer for the Australian SMB Market.
Nintex brings on Ricoh New Zealand as latest reseller
The agreement is designed to support growing customer demand for intelligent digital business solutions that can transform operations.
RICOH Australia named Nintex Premier Partner, targets key verticals
Appointed a Nintex Partner in early 2020, RICOH has created customised process automation solutions for key industry markets over the past 18 months, including aged care, education, financial services and manufacturing.
Ricoh launches new cloud-based print management solution
"We've helped our customers move many of their day-to-day business processes to the cloud already and being able to take print with them offers a host of advantages."
Ricoh claims most nbn channel certifications
As a business nbn accredited adviser, Ricoh can deliver services and support for customers looking to transition to the nbn network.
Ricoh interactive hub brings collaboration to NGO
Latrobe Valley Enterprises (LVE) is a not-for-profit organisation with a network of businesses providing employment for people with disabilities.
Ricoh, Provoke Solutions amongst finalists at Nintex partner awards
Nintex has unveiled the finalists of the 2020 Nintex Partner Awards across three regions APAC, AMER and EMEA.
Ricoh named worldwide leader in high-speed inkjet by IDC MarketScape
Continuing to invest more than $1 billion dollars annually in R&D, these innovations in response to real-world pain points and customer goals are the norm at Ricoh.
Ricoh launches Always Current Technology platform in Australia
"Decision makers can invest with confidence in Ricoh technology, knowing that its functionality and value will grow over time."
Ricoh debuts new range of A4 colour multi-function devices for the digital workplace
"Digital workplaces deploying the new Ricoh devices can scale their capabilities based on their latest needs, while also keeping security features and software completely up to date."
Report: Budget, staff and cybersecurity a barrier to Australian innovation
Concerns over cybersecurity has been named as one of the main barriers to innovation in Australian companies, according to new research from Ricoh.
Australian business leaders need to up their innovation game
Innovation in Australia is falling, however there is still an opportunity for enterprises to take decisive action and improve business and economic outcomes.


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For those in the pet, pet accessories, and pet services businesses, here's a heads-up for your "behavioral targeting" strategies. According to a study of pet owners by BizRate Research for Shopzilla, pampered pets are becoming women's priority vs. their partners.
According to the current RAB report, grand total combined spot and non-spot Radio revenues for February 2005 remained flat compared to February of 2004 (28 days vs. 29 days), as the burgeoning industry positions itself for long-tem growth and expansion in the evolving media marketplace.
President Bush's campaign for social security reform has moved the debate to center stage. There is evidence that young adults are taking more of an interest than ever before. According to Hitwise, young adults are the fastest growing audience segment to the official government Web site for the Social Security Administration.
A new study conducted by NOP World among Hispanic Americans shows that Wal-Mart was far and away their favorite retail store with 36% of the respondents. The Hispanic Omnitel Retail Study revealed that JCPenney, Sears and Target tied for second place at a distant 4%.
According to the The Media Audit, local newspapers have the leading websites in 74 of the 81 metropolitan markets regularly surveyed. TV station websites have the largest audience in five markets and websites operated by a combination of TV station and local newspaper lead in two markets.
According to Hitwise, women comprised 40 percent of visits to automotive Web sites for the four weeks ending March 19, 2005. Though Automotive Web sites often are thought of as a man's domain, women are the majority to several sites delivering information about automotive finance, registration and vehicle insurance.
According to the Marx Promotion Intelligence 2004 FSI Trend Report, the average face value of Free Standing Inserts (FSIs), distributed within newspapers, hit $1.03, in comparison to $.95 in 2003, representing an 8.1% increase or an extra $.08 per coupon. In 2004 the average face value of coupons reached beyond the $1.00 mark for the first time.
Nielsen//NetRatings reports that e-greeting card sites jumped 63 percent week-over-week from home, driven by well-wishers who sent online St. Patrick's day greetings during the week ending March 20.
According to the latest BIGresearch survey, consumers look at gas prices and 30-year conventional mortgage rates and conclude refinance and buy a new car.
Nielsen//NetRatings reported that the United States, along with Brazil, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and United Kingdom, have shown minimal to flat growth in Internet users' time spent online at-home. Global research from Nielsen//NetRatings tracks the Web usage behavior of 12 countries worldwide, which accounts for more than 70 percent of the world's Internet usage.


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Joan Johnson gave black women a face in the national beauty market
By Melissa Magsaysay
Sep 23, 2019 | 12:45 PM
The 1970s continuously inform the runways, red carpet and global beauty trends and the reference would not be as potent with visual inspiration, glamour and empowerment if it were not for Chicago-based Johnson Products, and the vision of its co-founder Joan Johnson, who died Sept. 6 at 89.
As the leader of the groundbreaking beauty empire and one of the nation’s largest black-owned businesses, Johnson, along with her husband, George, created not just elevated and easy-to-use products that served the African American community, Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen among the most popular, but also actively encouraged representation of black culture within mainstream media. Through all of this, she gave black women a face in the national beauty market.
From the product line to full-page print ads in magazine like Ebony and Jet, and television advertisements, Johnson imbued a celebration of black culture and provided the tools and inspiration to honor wearing natural hair with a strong sense of pride.
“Naturally beautiful, radiant, she is black essence and her beautiful, natural hair is her crowning glory. Today’s beautiful queen also uses Afro Sheen.” Reads the voiceover for one television ad while the camera pans to a regal woman sitting in a gold throne. The image is positive, progressive and empowering. Johnson and her company set a tone of positivity and inclusivity not just within the beauty community but in society as a whole.
“Afro Sheen, a beautiful product for a beautiful people,” continues the voiceover.
These ads would eventually run during the popular music variety show Soul Train. Johnson Products was the first company to advertise on Soul Train, which was arguably a catalyst for further representation of African American style, culture and music at the time.
“The impact (Joan Johnson) had on the industry and contributions she made are unrivaled,” says Lisa Price, the founder of Carol’s Daughter, a popular hair care company catering to natural African American hair. “When I started my brand over 26 years ago, there were very few role models I had to follow. I could count them on one hand and have fingers to spare. Joan Johnson was one of those role models.”
Today, brands like Carol’s Daughter, Miss Jessie’s, Fenty, Mented, Shea Moisture and Alaffia are all massively successful and ubiquitous lines serving and celebrating African American hair and beauty due in part to the trail blazed by Johnson and her company.
Representation and possibility are no doubt a large part of Johnson’s legacy and what will continue to make the beauty industry a more diverse and inclusive landscape celebrating African American culture and style.


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In an exclusive ceremony held at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Dublin on Monday 5th February, 11 Irish organisations were selected out of a list of 77 companies to represent Ireland in the upcoming European Business Awards in Poland in May.
The winners spanned a wide range of industry sectors from healthcare to telecommunications and were chosen for their specific category by a panel of independent judges including senior business leaders, politicians and academics.
The European Business Awards is now in its 11th year and is Europe’s largest business competition. Its primary purpose is to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe. Last year it engaged with over 33,000 businesses from 34 countries. Sponsors and partners include RSM, ELITE, Germany Trade & Invest and PR Newswire.
British Ambassador, Robin Barnett CMG said “I was delighted to host this event to celebrate the success of the 11 organisations selected to represent Ireland as National Winners in the European Business Awards. Their determination to succeed is a role model to others.”
Founding and Managing Partner of RSM Ireland John Glennon said: “As a champion of middle market businesses, we are continually impressed with the standard and diversity of the businesses operating in Ireland and, through the global RSM network, we are very well positioned to support and drive their international growth plans.”
Established in 2004 by Managing Director Paul Collins, DesignPro has continued to expand and develop since it’s relocation in 2015 to Rathkeale, Co. Limerick. In 2017 the organisation secured €1.9 million in European Funding for its innovative Horizon 2020 River Turbine Project and more recently celebrated a 2 year successful strategic partnerships with one of the world’s leading robotics manufacturers, KUKA.
Roisin McCormack, DesignPro’s Sales & Marketing Manager had the following to say “We’re thrilled to have won the award. It’s always great to receive recognition for your hard work from your peers but to receive it on a European platform makes it all the more special.”
As a National Winner DesignPro will now face further judging in their chosen category, and the final category winners will be announced at the European Business Awards Gala Final in Warsaw, Poland in May 2018.
Source: Limerick.ie – Business


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The publishing world was awash in seeming hysteria last week when Amazon issued yet another press release designed to promote the Kindle. The release stated:
“Amazon.com customers now purchase more Kindle books than hardcover books…”
Of course, those in the industry recognize that “hardcover” means just that – a hardcover / hardback book; not a paperback. When you look at the “news” in those terms, the impact is far less dramatic. In fact, it’s pretty ho-hum.
In response to Amazon’s latest press release, people not in the industry (and even some that are), may have automatically assumed, and some even announced, that Amazon’s Kindle ebook sales had surpassed ALL PRINT BOOK SALES (ahem). I haven’t yet seen Amazon clarify the facts but, gee, why should they? Their press release, of course, didn’t mention that paperback sales are still higher than Kindle ebook sales and their release got them the attention they were seeking.
Here are some blurbs taken from those who unwittingly misled the public when they used headlines that misquoted Amazon’s press release:
E-books outselling real books | Print is dead
eBooks Outsell Print Books, Amazon Kindles Celebrate
Amazon: E-books Outselling Print
E-Books to Outsell Print Books at Amazon
“…for the first time in Amazon.com history, e-books have officially outsold those in a printed format.”
Amazon: Digital books outselling hard copies
Kindle Books Outsell Hard Copies
Here are some who caught onto the facts and published the news for what it really was:
What Amazon didn’t say about e-books
“It was one of those great self-serving press releases that had a terrific headline and all the blogs and major newspapers jumped on it. Well played, Amazon. ”
Sorry Amazon, The Fact That Kindle E-Books Are Outselling Hardcovers Isn’t That Impressive
“According to Nielsen Bookscan, only 23% of total dead-tree book sales this year come from hardcover books. The rest are from paperback books.”
E-books Already Outselling P-Books?
“From this one could mistakenly assume that e-books were outselling printed books everywhere. Particularly if one misinterpreted the word ‘hardcover’ to mean ‘printed.'”
Ebooks outselling hard covers? Where’s the news?
“…I despise news that is manufactured out of nothing or next to nothing.”
eBooks outsell inky pulp – or not
“So although the implications in Amazon’s press release are that ebooks are outselling print versions, that’s not really the case. ”
Journalists should always remember that press releases are just that – released to generate press. If you use press releases to find or write stories, remember to look for the story behind the story, and never accept a press release at face value without thoroughly researching the statements therein. And, finally, take care to never (ever!) write a headline that may mislead readers into believing something that is simply not true.


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Does the sharp drop in Apple stock make the iPhone maker a screaming buy? That’s what Wall Street analysts and market strategists are mainly claiming after its shares tumbled around 5% by mid-morning on Wednesday, erasing $38 billion in market value. Apple’s fans ardently believe that the tech colossus will keep making magic for years to come. Hence, these episodic sell-offs amount to nothing more than buying opportunities. And so far, they’ve been right.
This time, it was slightly disappointing sales of the new iPhone, and a forecast of fiscal 2015 revenues that fell below consensus estimates, that riled investors. Still, Apple bulls cited plenty of good numbers to bolster their case, including $10.7 billion in earnings for the June quarter, a 38% jump from over the comparable three months in 2014.
To be sure, nothing about this quarter indicates that Apple’s sorcerous performance is waning. Here’s the concern for long-term investors: Starting with earnings at extremely high levels — both versus its own history and compared to any company its size — Apple (AAPL) must deliver constantly rising profits far into the future. That will require both a continuation of strong revenue growth and gigantic operating margins. This isn’t impossible. But a close, sober look at the numbers shows just how far Apple must climb, from already lofty heights, to deliver good, but hardly spectacular, Apple-worthy, gains.
Let’s assume that investors want 10% yearly returns on their Apple shares — let’s face it, Apple is a relatively risky investment, as shown by today’s action. So how high must earnings rise over the next six years to deliver that 10%? On Tuesday, the day before the selloff, Apple boasted a market cap of $753 billion. That was 14.8 times its trailing 12 months of profits of $50.8 billion. A PE ratio of around 15 may sound cheap, but it still requires significant profit increases to deliver our 10% target.
The necessary numbers flow from two sources: cash returned to investors via dividends and buybacks, and capital gains. We’ll assume for now that Apple’s PE ratio remains constant, since once again, its multiple already foresees good profit growth from already staggering levels. In the past 12 months, Apple paid $11 billion in dividends. Its buybacks, less the value of shares issued to employees, are running at $26 billion a year. That’s a total of $37 billion. So on that $753 billion market cap, it’s been yielding, measured by cash returned to investors, around 5% annually.
To get to our 10% target, the share price must rise 5% a year. At a constant multiple, profits must wax at the same 5% to lift the stock by a like percentage. So by 2021, Apple would need to post net profits of $68 billion. That’s twice what the second biggest earner in the Fortune 500 (Apple was first), Exxon Mobil (XOM), made in 2014. Its three times the profits of numbers three and four, Wells Fargo (WFC) and Microsoft (MSFT). Profits approaching $70 billion would propel Apple to a $1 trillion dollar valuation, likely making it first on the planet to reach that milestone.
Of course, the 5% drop early Wednesday lowered the bar a bit. Apple would need to raise earnings a little over 4.8%, instead of 5%, to deliver 10% annual returns. But by 2021, Apple would still fall short without reaching $950 billion in market value, and posting annual profit increases of $3.4 billion a year, and rising, pretty much forever.
Apple enthusiasts will doubtless say that 5% profit growth will be a breeze. But just look at the size of these numbers. It will require bigger and bigger groundbreaking, wildly popular blockbusters to grow into them. Only an Apple could do it — if indeed it’s really doable.


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All eyes on Paris. Women's Wear Daily goes into the studio (Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Isabel Marant, Dries Van Noten, Giles Deacon) to photograph designers as they apply the finishing touches to their collections.
The Hussein Chalayan fall 2010 runway show will be streamed live online at Vogue Turkey on Sunday March 7 at 10AM EST.
ShopStyle and Revolve Clothing are giving away a Rebecca Minkoff handbag filled with covetable beauty products and accessories—Ray-Ban Wayfarers, House of Harlow jewelry, Love Quotes scarf, and Stila cosmetics.
Meet 19-year old model Tati Cotliar from Buenos Aires, who opened Marc Jacobs' fall show in New York last month.
Naomi Campbell will not be charged in the accused assault of her driver.
Ice cream? Perfume? The Daily is on the street asking, "What is a Coco Rocha"?


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YouTube doubles down on original series, creator outreach
YouTube knows that the stars that emerged on its platform are key to its success.
On Thursday, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki announced a series of new tools and investments in those stars.
Speaking at VidCon, the annual event that attracts thousands of fans as well as a large chunk of the online video industry, YouTube rolled out new community tools, mobile live streaming and a slate of new and renewed original series.
SEE ALSO: YouTube unveils mobile live streaming at VidCon
Wojcicki acknowledged that YouTube faces growing competition, stopping short of calling out Facebook and Snapchat in particular. Read more…
More about Streaming Video, Vidcon 2016,


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Keith Richards has signed a new worldwide deal to bring his solo catalog to BMG. The agreement now brings together Richards’ 1978 debut solo single and four solo albums from 1988-2010 with his publishing that BMG has represented since 2013.
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Richards’ debut solo release, a 1978 recording of the Christmas classic “Run Rudolph Run,” BMG will release a limited edition 45rpm 12” on red vinyl as a Nov. 23 North American Record Store Day exclusive. Remixed and remastered by longtime collaborator Steve Jordan, the package includes a cover of Jimmy Cliff’s “The Harder They Come,” a version of “Pressure Drop” featuring Toots & The Maytals, and a “Santa Keith” holiday card featuring a greeting from Richards himself.
The Record Store Day exclusive follows BMG’s recent digital re-release of Richards’ solo albums Talk Is Cheap, Main Offender, and the studio/live compilation Vintage Vinos on all streaming platforms. Upcoming physical reissues will include deluxe and expanded CDs and LPs, extensive box sets, and additional special projects to be announced soon, including the first ever digital release of Live at the Hollywood Palladium, December 15, 1998.
“It has been a pleasure to build a relationship with Keith and his exceptional team over the past five years,” said BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch. “It is a real honor now to extend that relationship even further to work with his classic solo releases.”
“This agreement paves the way for a reappraisal and repositioning of the solo work of one of rock ‘n’ roll’s true originals and arguably its most pre-eminent guitarist,” said BMG EVP Global Catalogue Recordings Peter Stack. “Fans can expect a program of releases which truly does justice to these great recordings.”
“Looking forward to working with Hartwig Masuch and everyone at BMG,” added Richards.
- CMA Songwriters Series & Spotlight Stage To Return To C2C Festival In March - December 1, 2023
- Kenny Chesney Adds Three Soccer Stadiums To ‘Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour’ - December 1, 2023
- Crowd Surf Accepting Applications For New Music Apprenticeship Program - December 1, 2023


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Amazon.com's (NASDAQ:AMZN) revenue continues to climb, jumping 22% in the most recent quarter to $12.8 billion. But the company lost money, and the biggest reasons were a 35% rise in fulfillment costs and a 47% jump in technology and content. Both of these costs are due to Amazon's Prime service, and while Prime is fueling growth, it's also killing profits. Long-term, that poses a challenge for investors, who have to begin wondering when Amazon will make a profit.
- Aug 6, 2013 at 6:10PM
- Consumer Goods


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Pure and Natural Pet was recently recognized for its products. The Norwalk, Conn.-based company received the International Lux Award from Lux magazine for Best All-Natural Pet Wellness Products Provider—USA. The Lux Award encompasses more than 170 countries and recognizes companies "who help the pet industry see exponential growth and strive to produce products that benefit the health and well-being of man’s best friend," according to company officials, adding that this is the third time Pure and Natural Pet has been recognized by Lux magazine.
"Getting recognition globally for our brand is amazing," said Beth Sommers, president and chief merchandising officer. "We are thrilled to have our full line of products once again receive a Lux Award for our grooming and wellness products. It's exciting to see that more countries are turning to organic and natural products for their family pets."
Pure and Natural Pet was also honored with a Hot Diggity Award for the new Stain & Odor Eliminator spray that allows owners to quickly tackle tough pet stains and odors, with an all-natural, nontoxic and environmentally safe spray. The spray eliminates stains and fights odors at the molecular level, eliminating problematic pet smells on hard or soft surfaces.
Hot Diggity is a national seal-of-approval program that evaluates hundreds of family pet products yearly, awarding the best in innovation, quality, value and a commitment to excellence, officials added.
"Our customers have been requesting a natural stain and odor remover for some time now. We diligently pushed for added certifications and received a Seal of Approval from the Rug and Carpet Institute for our Fragrance-free Stain & Odor Eliminator," Sommers added. "Having a product that is not only safe for your carpets, but ultimately safe for your pets and the environment has always been our goal."


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Volvo’s boxy sedans and station wagons were an American symbol in the ’80s of safe suburban yuppiedom, but the Swedish car maker hasn’t done so well here since. Its sales in the United States, once its largest market, have been cut in half over the last decade, slipping last year for the first time ever below Chinese buyers. Ford Motor, the Detroit powerhouse that bought Volvo for $6 billion in 1999, opted to offload it for just $1.8 billion in 2010.
But in an attempt to rescue the company’s presence stateside, the car maker on Tuesday unveiled something completely different: a bulkier, pricier seven-seat SUV that will take on rivals Lexus and BMW in the high-end crossover market. Its most distinctive feature: the T-shaped “Thor’s Hammer” running lights, which the car maker says will “add to the entirely new, distinctive and confident face for Volvo’s forthcoming car generation.”
The XC90, which will begin selling in April, is the first new showing for Volvo under its new ownership, Chinese car conglomerate Zhejiang Geely, which has invested $11 billion in the years since toward redesigning the SUV and its ultra-efficient engine. The strength of that investment, and Volvo’s success, could depend heavily on whether buyers flock to the SUV’s big build.
“This is one of the most important days in our history,” Hakan Samuelsson, Volvo’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. “We are not just launching a car, but relaunching our brand.”
The XC90 is a relaunch of the crossover SUV first debuted in 2002, and it’s marked by a handful of high-profile touches more likely to be seen in something like a Cadillac Escalade: a big tablet-esque dashboard touchscreen, a chunky chrome grille, wheels that can stretch up to 22 inches. “Volvo wanted to give the new model a more macho look, but it didn’t want the SUV to appear overly aggressive,” a Car & Driver reviewer said.
But Volvo — which is Latin for “I roll” — is still touting it as a safety vehicle, in line with the company’s stated goal that no one dies or gets seriously injured in a new Volvo by 2020. It’s also, as one executive called it, Volvo’s “first step towards self-driving cars”: it follows the next vehicle up in stop-and-go traffic, and brakes if the driver turns in front of an oncoming car.
A limited run of 1,927 first-edition models will go on sale next week for $66,000, about $25,000 more than the average Volvo sold for in July, Edmunds.com data show. That’s a huge leap of faith for Volvo, which was one of the few big car makers to sell fewer cars last month than the year before.
“It’ll be the first chapter of the new Volvo. … and they’re launching into one of the hottest segments on the market: SUVs,” said Mike Tyndall, a London-based auto analyst for Barclays Capital Group. But “it’s too rash to say success is guaranteed. One would hope they’ve got a nice tailwind, let’s put it that way.”


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December 20, 2021
A world in which people lived in isolation at home during the pandemic is now opening up, and there's a strong demand for the consumption of goods.
In the last 18 months, output had been reduced and manufacturing was in survival mode and focused on supplying essential goods. Increasing the local performance of plants is important because it can contribute to solving demand problems and easing inflation risks. Inventories in the chemical industry are rising, but they're far from what they used to be prior to Covid-19.
These survival mode problems don’t occur due to a single issue but rather materialize like a whack-a-mole game — a problem pops up, gets sorted and then something else occurs. The lack of raw materials and supplies is not only impacting the chemical industry but those that rely on chemicals, such as automotive, electronics, healthcare and even food. Material shortages in this supply chain can be incredibly detrimental, not only causing delivery delays for essential goods and medicines but also inflating prices and heightening the need to speed production.
Opportunities For Manufacturing Companies
Building new plants to curtail shortages isn't the solution because it can take years to construct them. In most instances, the better choice is to have machines, equipment and the workforce operate at maximum capacity. In such instances, small and medium-sized improvement projects provide an opportunity to respond more quickly to increased demand. Changing parameters such as raw material costs or prices of manufactured products can ignite new opportunities such as innovative production methods, alternative materials, new initiatives and lucrative supply chain partnerships.


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Is Ecover ethical?
Our research highlights several ethical issues with Ecover, mainly with Ecover's parent company SC Johnson. The company has therefore been marked down in our rating system in a number of categories, including pollutions and toxics, human rights, supply chain management, animal testing, anti-social finance, and political activities.
Below we outline of some of these issues. To see the full detailed stories, and Ecover's overall ethical rating, please sign in or subscribe.
Overall, Ecover received Ethical Consumer's middle rating for Pollution and Toxics as it had effectively banned the use of triclosan and phthalates from its products but still used parabens in some.
However parent company SC Johnson still used all three types of chemicals in many of its other branded products.
Ecover previously lost no marks under the human rights category. However, SC Johnson has subsidiaries that operate in a number of oppressive regimes. This included China, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Venezuela and Vietnam. Therefore SC Johnson and Ecover lost half a mark under Human Rights.
SC Johnson still openly tests on animals.
The Naturewatch Foundation is now calling on Ecover and Method to use their new position of influence with SC Johnson to convince their parent company to stop all commissioning or conducting of animal tests across their entire range of products.
Until then, Naturewatch is asking consumers to boycott all SC Johnson brands, including Ecover and Method, until the entire company is cruelty-free.
Ecover pick up marks from their parent company for political donations.
In January 2019, Ethical Consumer viewed the Open Secrets website, which stated that SC Johnson & Son Inc had made $440,732 in political donations over the 2017 to 2018 election cycle.
Money was donated to both the Republican and Democrat parties, but the vast majority of donations were made to the Republican party:
- Republicans: $386,950
- Democrats: $53,767
As a result, the company received Ethical Consumer's worst rating for Political Activity and lost a whole mark under the category.
The Final Ethical Score
Ecover now scores 7 out of 14 (as of 9/1/20). Before its takeover by SC Johnson it scored 11 out of 14.


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News by admin on Wednesday September 16, 2015.
|Sponsored links, if any, appear in green.|
Lin Bin, the co-founder of Chinese giant Xiaomi confirmed that the company will announced the new Mi 4c, with the device set to launch on September 22nd. While in the giving mood he also revealed that the handset will be launched in two variants, something that is becoming increasingly common in the industry.One will be a 2GB of RAM model with 16GB of native storage, while there will also be a better 3GB of RAM with 32GB storage option. The handsets will be available to ship on October 2nd and rumor suggests Xiaomi will only make 100,000 units available at first. Considering how many devices the company sells we think that amount of smartphones will sell out very quickly. Especially when the company is reportedly selling the Mi 4c for a reasonable $235.


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Boost Mobile signs 10-year network deal with Telstra to offer even more services
Leading telco brand Boost Mobile today announced it has signed a new 10-year network agreement with Telstra which sets the stage for the platform to expand and offer postpaid, NBN and mobile broadband.
Boost Mobile celebrated its 20th anniversary last year as an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) with significant growth in recent years thanks to attractive and more affordable plans and options that has more than doubled its customer base.
The new 10-year agreement to expand the longstanding relationship with Telstra will be the foundation for even further growth for Boost Mobile.
The company plans to offer postpaid plans, NBN plans and mobile broadband plans in the near future which will increase its Australian footprint.
“This is a major moment in Boost Mobile’s history as we further expand our longstanding relationship with Telstra,” says Peter Adderton, Founder of Boost Mobile.
“For more than 20 years now, ever since we started the company on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, we have been all about fighting for the consumer, making sure everyday Aussies get a great deal and a great service.
“It is recognition by Telstra of the value that Boost Mobile brings to their business and the importance of our role in the market more broadly.
“It has never been more important to have fighting brands like Boost Mobile in the industry, and today’s renewal and new benefits of this agreement will allow us to fight for the consumer on a whole new level.
“It will enable us to offer consumers more choice in more areas of the market than ever before.
“It is also a major endorsement from Telstra about the value of the Boost brand and the important role we play in the market, which is why they have agreed to extend the partnership for 10 years.”
Telstra’s group executive for consumer and small business Michael Ackland said: “We’re delighted to be extending our partnership with Boost Mobile as we think the new deal complements the growth aspirations and strength of both brands.
“We’re both passionate about our customers and Boost has a very important part to play in our multi-brand strategy.”


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Amazon, perhaps is feeling some heat from a certain recently-revealed Apple device, has recently purchased Touchco, a New York-based start-up specializing in touch-screen technology, according to the NYTimes. The company will relocate the 6-person startup to exotic Cupertino, California, home of Lab126, Amazon’s Kindle Hardware Division.
Touchco, which began as a project at New York University
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That's the new plan.
Tesla is expected to reveal its highly anticipated Model 3 at an event in Los Angeles, CA at the end of this month. An official invitation to the event was leaked onto the Tesla Motors Club's forum where the automaker revealed that it would indeed finally show off its most affordable vehicle. The third vehicle in the lineup will be an all-electric vehicle to take on the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series. Apparently, the reveal is supposed to resemble that of an Apple-style product launch.
Production of the Model 3 will begin in 2017, so the vehicle that will be unveiled will surely be a pre-production model. Elon Musk recently tweeted that online orders for the electric car will be taken from April 1 and stores will be taking orders for the vehicle from March 31. The Model 3 is expected to have a range of between 220 and 300 miles, but that's contingent on weather, battery condition, charge, options and other factors. Pricing for the Model 3 is supposed to start at $35,000, but could dip into the mid $25,000 mark with tax rebates. Keep a look out on March 31 to see the Model 3 being revealed.


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On East 117th Street, a place for riblets.Photo: Hugh Merwin
The "no place like the neighborhood" chain has found its newest New York neighborhood to colonize: Applebee's will open its fourth Manhattan location on East 117th Street, near Pleasant Avenue, this fall. The future home of riblets and sizzling chicken fundito is currently an empty and dusty lot adjacent to the big-box retail hub that is the East River Plaza, but don't be fooled — northern Manhattan is ceding rapidly to big franchises. Earlier this month, blogger Harlem Bespoke noticed that Red Lobster, set to open next to the Apollo, has already initiated its liquor license application process though almost no construction has occurred on-site. Similarly, while no building exists yet at the future Applebee's, at 509-513 East 117th Street, its future operators have already initiated their own licensing process.
An under-served neighborhood.


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According to a blog post by Matomo¹, the Austrian Data Protection Authority (DPA) has ruled that Austrian website providers using Google Analytics are in violation of the GDPR. This ruling stems from a decision made in 2020 by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) that stated that cloud services hosted in the US are incapable of complying with the GDPR and that data transfers to such services are illegal¹ ³.
It means specifically that the DPA has deemed the use of Google Analytics to be illegal, meaning Austrian businesses are left seeking EU or UK-based equivalent suppliers².
As of now, Google Analytics is still legal in the UK. However, according to iubenda, several European data protection authorities have found that Google Analytics’ processing of European user data could result in illegally transferring data outside of Europe. It’s best to keep an eye on this space as European countries are banning Google Analytics at an alarming rate.
Thinking it’s time to switch? Here are some European alternatives to Google Analytics that respect the GDPR:
- Kissmetrics: Named as the popular European alternative to Google Analytics. It provides insights into visitor behaviour, such as retention rates, conversion rates, and user activity after logging in. It also offers powerful segmentation tools so you can analyze your data by gender, age group, location, and page type.
- Matomo: One of the best privacy-friendly alternatives for Google Analytics. It’s also one of the most popular ones with over 1 million websites in over 190 countries using it–even world-known companies and organizations like the United Nations, NASA, and European Commission prefer Matomo.
- Piwik PRO: A privacy-friendly alternative to Google Analytics. It’s ideal for sectors that handle sensitive customer data like government, healthcare, or finance.
- Mouseflow: A GDPR-compliant alternative to Google Analytics.
(1) Google Analytics Now Illegal in Austria; Other EU Member States …. https://matomo.org/blog/2022/01/google-analytics-gdpr-violation
(2) Europe’s Move Against Google Analytics Is Just the Beginning. https://www.wired.com/story/google-analytics-europe-austria-privacy-shield
(3) Google Analytics Illegal In Austria: Will The UK Be Next? – Force24. https://force24.co.uk/blog/2022/01/google-analytics-illegal-in-austria-will-the-uk-be-next


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It now seems that the battery jinx is still plaguing the South Korean giant Samsung. Last year, the company was the butt of jokes from around the world after the Samsung Galaxy 7 units started exploding. So much was the problem that we even published a guide detailing how to spot if you had an explosion-prone Samsung Galaxy Note 7.
A similar battery problem, if not so harmful, has been observed on the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 devices as well. Some users have complained that as soon as the battery charge reaches zero, the charging feature refuses to function. In other words, once the battery has been drained, you will not be able to recharge the battery again. Samsung has yet to respond to this issue.
The report also mentions that the problem is not restricted to a specific carrier or a specific batch of the devices. Customers from different carriers, including Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile, have identified similar problems. The report was first published by Piunikaweb.
In a report published by The Mobile Indian, a user pointed out the issue succinctly. The user said, and we quote, “Just bought a brand new Galaxy Note 8 from my Verizon retailer 2 months ago. Last night I let the battery die completely, and figured I’d just charge it later. (Not like this is the first time it has ever died completely.) So I plugged it in and it showed a circle with a lightning bolt, but the red charging LED did not light up. I figured since it was dead completely, it would just take a few minutes to power up. It never did. It won’t charge. I talked to Samsung customer support who told me to press different button combinations to reboot it/hard reset it– nothing worked because none of the buttons is responsive either. The whole phone is completely unresponsive to EVERYTHING. It has never been dropped, put near water, NOTHING– it is in perfect condition.”
No official response from Samsung has been forthcoming.


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In just 3 days of boycotting Coke is down 8% and McDonalds is down 10%! Keep boycotting!
Here is a link of big brands to also boycott that support and aid illegal Israel: http://m.mic.com/articles/81363/9-brands-you-can-boycott-to-hold-israel-accountable-for-its-violation-of-international-law
Two women in other parts of the country wanted to pay an overdue bill for someone in Detroit. This is their project.
I cant help right now, but hopefully some of y’all can.


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More than a dozen small businesses to participate
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 22, 2015) — More than a dozen Kentucky small businesses will connect with key liaisons in the international marketplace next week.
Gov. Steve Beshear will lead a Kentucky Export Initiative (KEI) trade mission to Canada starting Monday. The companies, which represent a variety of industries throughout the Commonwealth, will be personally matched with Canadian businesses and distribution networks. These meetings will allow the companies to form partnerships and begin selling products to Kentucky’s largest trade partner.
“The trade mission will help Kentucky companies establish relationships and lay the groundwork for potential deals that will help them take their products and services global,” said Beshear. “Not only is this a great opportunity for these small businesses, but the trade mission also will allow the state to highlight the many advantages Kentucky has to offer.”
The KEI delegation, which will return to Kentucky May 30, will make stops in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.
Canada is home to one of the world’s largest economies. The commonwealth exported more than $7.6 billion in products and services to Canada last year. Top exports include motor vehicles, auto parts and aerospace products.
Earlier this week, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development announced that Kentucky’s exports for the first three months of 2015 were 11 percent higher compared to the same time last year. Nationally, exports were down 5 percent during that time.


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The pandemic put a halt not only on a lot of people’s wedding plans but also on their honeymoons. In fact, a whopping 97 percent of couples were forced to cancel, downsize, or scrap their post-nuptial trips over the last two years, according to a new survey by Expedia. But as COVID-19 restrictions lift and countries open up to travellers again, 2022 is projected to be a big year for both weddings and honeymoons. In fact, make that “mega-moons,” because according to Expedia, 53 percent of couples plan on spending more on their honeymoons than they originally budgeted, and an impressive 83 percent are planning multiple honeymoons. By
This destination is the top choice of newlyweds for their honeymoon
The online travel booking site also polled couples on their top honeymoon destinations, and the big winner was none other than the United Kingdom.
Most couples said they are hoping to plan a trip to the UK that includes a mix of urban and countryside experiences in Scotland and England. Expedia offers a dream itinerary that’s gaining popularity on their site. It starts with a tour of Edinburg’s medieval Old Town and a train ride along the majestic Glenfinnan Viaduct built 100 feet above the ground (the landmark also served as a filming location for the Harry Potter movies).
Then, your romantic adventure continues through the Scottish Highlands with landmarks like Urquhart Castle at Loch Ness, St. Andrews Cathedral, Culloden Battlefield, and Clava Cairns. Your honeymoon would end in London, where Expedia recommends checking out Kensington Gardens as well as some of the English capital’s trendy restaurants and The Connaught Bar, crowned the World’s Best Bar several times. Visits to Bath, Windsor Castle, and Stonehenge are also part of the itinerary.
Expedia’s list of top honeymoon destinations also includes Dubai, which ranked second, and Paris at No. 3. According to the poll, almost half of respondents, or 48 percent, said they wanted to visit museums, art galleries, and shows, and 42 percent prioritised restaurants, bars, and clubs on their honeymoon itineraries. Multi-destination honeymoons are also trending among newlyweds, with 18 percent saying they hoped to check out more than one destination.
You can read Expedia’s full honeymoon trends report here.
(This story first appeared on www.travelandleisure.com)


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Just last week, bombshell news dropped that the United Airlines terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport was getting a major culinary upgrade, with concepts forthcoming from the likes of Alain Ducasse, Paul Liebrandt, Dan Kluger, and Mario Carbone. And now, United Airlines is offering an additional perk: Its frequent flyers can now pay for food purchased in-terminal using their airline miles. USA Today reports the program rolled out last week at a few "select" restaurants in Terminal C, marking the first such partnership between an airline's rewards program and terminal shops and restaurants.
Diners can either enter their frequent-flyer numbers or scan their boarding pass at an iPad ordering station, where they're presented with two pricing options: One giving the cost in airline miles and the other in dollars. According to the CEO of OTG Management, which is overseeing the terminal's renovation, all purchases, whether bottled water, magazines, or food, will be available through the frequent flyer option by 2016. The USA Today story also hints at a menu item that Alain Ducasse's announced airport restaurant Saison: "Trout amandine at the Alain Ducasse-created restaurant Saison, will be $25 or 3,580 miles."


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The new year is off to a dynamic start with a confluence of macroeconomic factors at play, much hullabaloo at major tech companies, and, now, the emergence of new generative AI tools that we could have used to write this blog post (but didn't, we promise).
There’s much to distract publishers of late. Misinformation, disinformation, and a rash of related and serious current events abound. Third-party cookie deprecation looms, as ever. Leadership, privacy, and measurement-and-reach changes in the big tech platforms have disrupted both advertising and publishing to a large degree.
A new report from the International News Media Association (INMA) highlights how publishers are using artificial intelligence and automation to grow both their editorial coverage AND their revenue.
The Elon Musk era at Twitter is officially upon us, and the newly self-proclaimed "Chief Twit" has wasted no time in making a number of high-profile moves and announcements designed to shake things up.
Each new day, it seems, brings with it another round of bleak warnings about the global economic situation. A global recession, according to the doomsayers, is inevitable and may only be months, weeks, or even days away from starting officially. Some are saying that the recession has already begun. While we all wait to see what exactly the future holds, all indications point to some bumpiness ahead.
Gen Z, born roughly between 1997 and 2012, possesses an estimated $150 billion in collective buying power. They have now surpassed millennials as the largest generation, and there are many characteristics that make them unique.
Last week we published a post on Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter for $44 billion. The deal has opened up wide-ranging conversations about where Twitter’s strategy on moderation and free speech might be headed once Musk is officially at the helm of the social media platform. Let’s explore the possible directions in which the Elon Musk Twitter era might take us, and how publishers can plan to navigate them and come out ahead.
Much like we saw at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many brands are currently demonstrating a natural reflex to avoid any and all content related to the war in Ukraine.


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WASHINGTON, April 17 - The Senate today voted 74-22 to take up legislation to modernize the U.S. Postal Service. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) led a group of more than two dozen senators who pressed to make the bill stronger.
"Today's vote clears the first of many hurdles that we face in our effort to save rural post offices, mail processing plants and the jobs of tens of thousands of postal workers," Sanders said. "It's a step forward but we have a very long way to go."
The managers' amendment that Sanders helped write strengthens the original bill by including the creation of a blue-ribbon commission to help the Postal Service develop a more entrepreneurial business model which could substantially increase revenue. A "chief innovation officer" would be created to oversee the development of new postal products and services to improve the Postal Service's financial position.
"I hope we can agree that the Postal Service needs to change and become more entrepreneurial. I hope we can also agree that in the midst of a terrible recession it makes no sense to downsize the Postal Service by tens of thousands of workers, slow mail delivery service and devastate rural communities by closing their post offices," Sanders said.
Under the managers' amendment, the Postal Service would be required to maintain regional overnight delivery standards. As a result, the Postal Service would be required to keep at least 100 mail sorting centers open that are now scheduled for closure.
The Senate bill also was reworked at Sanders' request to make it harder to shut down rural post offices. Before closing a post office, the Postal Service would have to take into account the lack of access to the Internet, broadband, and cell phone service, among other factors, and it could not shut down a post office if the Postal Regulatory Commission, an independent body, disagreed with its decision.
Saturday mail delivery would be maintained for at least two years. At that point the Postal Service could end Saturday delivery if it can demonstrate that cutting service would be the only way to achieve long-term financial stability.


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Wanda opens $6.9b tourism park in Hefei
DALIAN Wanda Group, the Chinese entertainment giant owned by the country's richest man, opened the first phase of a sprawling 34 billion yuan (S$6.9 billion) tourism park in the eastern city of Hefei on Saturday.
Wanda is building similar projects around the country, betting that China's rising incomes will drive more domestic tourism.
In an interview with Reuters last month, chairman Wang Jianlin said that Wanda would look to build at least 20 such complexes in China.
The 160ha first phase of Hefei Wanda City includes a theme park, hotels and a shopping mall.
The second phase will be an "indoor recreation project", according to a statement from the company.
Wanda intends to extend the park into a third phase, which is still in the planning stages, it said.
Mr Wang has been open about his rivalry with Walt Disney, which opened a US$5.5 billion (S$7.5 billion) resort in Shanghai in June.
But China's slowing economy has taken a toll on some areas of consumer spending.
Outbound tourism numbers - which rose 16 per cent in 2015 - are set to flatline this year, according to China National Tourism Administration data.
The company has been investing heavily as it seeks to triple revenues from its cultural division - which includes entertainment, sports and tourism - to 150 billion yuan by 2020.


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The Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund (ERF) opened for applications yesterday but the row continues over the impact of post-Christmas rules.
A surge in Covid numbers in December due to the Omicron variant badly hit the hospitality and leisure sectors but operators, industry chiefs and opposition politicians say the tightening of the rules from Boxing Day added to the financial pain.
The Welsh Beer and Pub Association estimates pubs lost on average £16,000 each due to restrictions like the rule of six and social distancing - while nightclubs had to close altogether.
Critics of the rules to control cases say England - which didn’t implement extra measures - has also seen cases fall although Welsh Government has pointed to ONS figures showing lower infection rates in Wales compared to over the border.
In Wales the hit to businesses has seen the launch of the £120 million ERF where firms can apply for grants of between £2,500 to £25,000, dependent on their size and number of employees.
Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies yesterday called on Mark Drakeford to apologise to business owners across the country for the impact of the rules and increase financial support to help them survive.
The current extra restrictions on hospitality and events are due to be lifted by January 28 but Mr Davies also asked for a timetable to remove other measures like vaccine passports and masks.
In response the First Minister said: “The impact on Welsh businesses was caused by coronavirus."
He said businesses were seeing the impact of the Omicron variant “well before any change in the alert level measures” in Wales.
He added: “Welsh citizens were already making choices themselves because they recognised the new risks.”
Mr Drakeford said this was the “root cause” of the difficulties facing businesses and he had “nothing to apologise for”.
He added “We put in measures that ensured lives were saved and businesses could go on trading” and that pubs hit by a £16,000 loss could potentially get that back in Wales through the rates linked and ERF funds that was not available in England.
On the removal of rules over vaccine passes and masks he said they would take advice from the chief medical officer and others ahead of the review on February 10. “As soon as it is safe to, we will make changes to reflect the situation,” he added.
Mr Davies MS, said: “The First Minister’s refusal to apologise for the damage his overzealous restrictions have done to companies across Wales will feel like a massive slap in the face for business owners.”
Meanwhile Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders highlighted the lack of support for self-catering accommodation properties in the fund and secured a “review” on the criteria from the First Minister.
The ERF fund will now be open for two weeks, with Welsh Government saying payments will start to reach businesses within days.
Economy Minister Vaughan Gething, said: “Following positive engagement with businesses, trades unions and other partners, we recently changed the eligibility criteria for the ERF support.
“The ERF grant is a Wales-only top up payment that currently supports eligible businesses who have seen a 60% drop in their income between December and February compared with the same period two years ago.
“The new criteria means that businesses in these sectors who have seen a 50% reduction in their turnover will now also be able to access the ERF.
“This means more businesses will receive more support from the Welsh Government.”
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German software company Nextcloud made public today that it had filed complaints against the US company with the European Commission and the German competition authority and was planning further action with the French regulator, reported Politico.
Nextcloud complained that Microsoft “pushes” its file-hosting service OneDrive in Windows, including by pre-installing the software, giving users free storage and nudging them with pop-up alerts to start using the service.
Nextcloud presents itself as a privacy-friendly alternative to OneDrive and other US rivals such as Dropbox and Google Drive, which allow users to store files and access them from different devices.
A coalition of 30 smaller EU tech companies and associations has come out in support of Nextcloud in a campaign that extends to other services Microsoft allegedly pushes such as Teams.
“The problem is that Microsoft is bundling their services with Windows where they have a dominant position,” Nextcloud founder Frank Karlitschek told Politico.
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.


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GM’s luxury brand continues with its lineup expansion and the newest vehicle to come will be called the 2019 Cadillac XT6. According to the latest reports, this crossover will have its premiere already in January, at the Detroit Auto Show. Experts have big expectations from a model that is about to walk on a fine line between mid- and full-size crossover. Besides plenty of interior space, the new model will have to offer an attractive look, based on the brand’s newest design language, as well as on lots of latest tech features and powerful engines. Once we see it on a premiere, sales should start a few months later.
2019 Cadillac XT6 Design
The 2019 Cadillac XT6 will be an all-new model. By looking at the brand’s new designation, you can easily guess it will be slotted above the mid-size XT5. Still, it definitely won’t be as big as models like Mercedes-Benz GLS. Expect proportions similar to Chevy Traverse, which means a mid-size SUV with an extended wheelbase. Overall length will probably go somewhere around 200 inches. Of course, count on a familiar C1XX platform, with FWD layout. Those would be some of the most basic 2019 Cadillac XT6 specs. In terms of space, we count on the brand’s latest design language, based on the Cadillac Escala concept. Although a sedan, this concept bring styling solutions that will characterize pretty much all upcoming SUVs of the brand. This means a shape that is similar to models like XT4 and XT5, just in a bigger package.
One thing we can definitely count on when it comes to the 2019 Cadillac XT6 interior is plenty of space. As we already mentioned, the new model will ride on the GM’s familiar C1 platform. More precisely, it will ride on the extended version of this architecture, the same that characterize models like Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave. In practice, this means a lot of space. We can count on three spacious rows of seating. Even the last row should feature enough space to accommodate adult passengers.
When it comes to a max seating capacity, it will go up to 8 people. Higher trim could reduce it to 7, due to captain’s chairs in the second row. Besides plenty of space and practicality, we expect to see a pretty upscale cabin, full of top-notch quality materials. This especially refers to the dashboard, which will also come with a long list of latest tech features. Among them, you can expect to see Super Cruise as well.
What is Cadillac Super Cruise?
This feature is already available in some Cadillac models. It is one of the most advanced semi-autonomous driving systems, which allows completely hands-free operation on freeways, at all speeds.
2019 Cadillac XT6 Engines
Two engines should be available in the 2019 Cadillac XT6 SUV. Base models should come with a familiar 3.6-liter V6 unit, which is good for about 310 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Still, the real deal will be the new-generation twin-turbo V6, which already powers several models under Cadillac’s badge. It features a displacement of 3.0 liters and a max power that goes around 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. Both engines will come paired with a new 9-speed automatic transmission.
2019 Cadillac XT6 Release Date
When it comes to the 2019 Cadillac XT6 release date, latest reports suggest its premiere at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show in January. Sales should start a few months later.
How much is 2019 Cadillac XT6 going to cost?
In terms of 2019 Cadillac XT6 price, it is still early for some more precise figures. At this point, we can make a rough estimation that goes between 45.000 and 50.000 dollars for base models.


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On September 1, 2008, the minimum wage for New Hampshire employers will increase the second time in a matter of weeks. On July 23, 2008 the state minimum wage was $6.50 per hour. The federal minimum wage increase on July 24 meant that most New Hampshire employers had to pay $6.55 per hour.
Think you’re having a bad day? It could be much, much worse. Wal-Mart recently agreed to pay more than $33 million to some 86,680 employees for violations of the overtime provisions of federal and New Hampshire overtime laws. The company uncovered the violations during an internal audit, and voluntarily disclosed them to the US Dept. of Labor.
As part of the settlement, the retail giant has agreed to pay interest on the back wages, and to correct its payroll accounting in the future. Wal-Mart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas and is the nation’s largest retailer. The corporation operates almost 4,000 stores in the country, including Wal-Mart Discount Stores, Neighborhood Markets, Sam’s Club warehouse stores and Wal-Mart Super Centers.
The world’s largest private-sector employer was founded by Sam Walton, a billionaire famous for his homespun wisdom and unassuming manner. In recent years, however, the company has faced a number of legal woes including allegations that some managers locked employees in the stores at night to prevent theft.
To finalize the agreement, the Labor Department filed a complaint in U.S. District Court against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The complaint alleges violations of the FLSA overtime provisions as well as state minimum wage laws. A consent judgment ordering the company to pay back wages and enjoining it from further violations was filed at the same time. The consent judgment was promptly approved by the court.
The company employs about 1.8 million workers world-wide, including about 1.3 million in the US. Wal-Mart, which is the largest private sector employer in the world, has come under pressure from labor groups and political figures that demand higher wages and better benefit plans. Wal-Mart has defended its employment policies, saying the company creates jobs and has reduced health-care costs for all Americans by selling prescription drugs at discounts.
Beleaguered retail giant Wal-Mart, Inc. recently settled a suit with the US Dept. of Labor regarding violations of federal and New Hampshire minimum wage laws. Under this agreement, Wal-Mart agreed to pay $33 million in back wages and interest to nearly 87,000 employees in New Hampshire and throughout the country.
This is just the latest in a round of payroll issues for the giant retailer. According to sources, this agreement resolves only the specific violations identified in the consent judgment. It does not affect any ongoing private litigation or workers’ ability to file complaints with the Labor Department.
Wal-Mart is certainly not the first employer to try to avoid overtime in this way. In the early 1980s, hospitality giant Howard Johnson’s was found guilty of a similar tactic. The chain would hire “assistant managers” for their restaurants, who then worked 80 or more hours per week washing dishes, busing tables and taking customer’s orders. Fortunately for employees, that tactic didn’t work then, and it won’t work now.
The US Dept. of Labor ruled that these employees, who were often required to work long hours for little money, were in fact “non-exempt salaried” employees. That means that they were salaried employees who are entitled to overtime pay.
Many workers assume that anyone who is paid on a salaried basis is exempt from overtime under the federal and New Hampshire minimum wage laws, but they are mistaken. Within the past few years, new guidelines have been issued that require anyone earning less than $455 per week ($23,660 per year) to be paid overtime when they work more than 40 hours per week.
The argument in this case is that the manager trainees were required to work long hours, but had little decision-making power and didn’t supervise any employees. In some cases, they were paid much less than $23,660 per year or $455 per week.
New Hampshire is a pretty standard state when it comes to overtime. It does have it’s own “quirks” when it comes to how it governs the payment of overtime. For the most part, though, it follows the general guidelines put out by the federal overtime laws in the Fair Labor Standards Act.
A key differentiator, however, for New Hampshire that we should be certain about is the fact that it provides overtime for most all employees in the state who are entitled to it. Federal law, on the other hand, only covers employees for certain larger companies and companies that do business across states.
By business across states, I’m talking about interstate companies that either have offices in states outside of New Hampshire, and/or businesses that conduct business or sales, or try to, outside of New Hampshire. Another qualification to make a company have to follow the federal law is if it pulls in more than $500,000 per year in revenue.
Also, certain types of businesses are automatically required to follow the federal overtime guidelines, no matter how big they are. These include hospitals, schools of all kinds, and all types of local, state, and federal government offices.
That being said, New Hampshire law covers overtime for nearly everyone else. It requires that employers pay time and a half to all employees who work more than 40 hours in a week.
Then again, not all employees get overtime pay. Some are excluded from the New Hampshire overtime law, including people who work for amusement, entertainment, or seasonal recreational businesses that are not open for more than seven months out of the 12, or those that earn more than two-thirds of their income in a six-month period in the year.
New Hampshire law also makes it clear that anyone excluded in the FLSA, or federal laws, does not get overtime in the state either.


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China to Reduce Tariffs on Imported Hydrogen Fuel Cell Components to Boost Development of the Technology
【Summary】China will lower tariffs on fuel cell-related components imported to the country in 2021 to promote development of the technology. The tariffs on imported fuel cell-related compressors, circulating pump and carbon electrodes will be cut to 5%, 2% and 5% respectively, from the current tariffs of 7%, 7% and 10%, according to a document the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council issued this month.
China will lower tariffs on fuel cell-related components imported to the country in 2021, which will spur the development of hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), Chinese news outlet Gasgoo reports.
In the new year, the tariffs on the imported fuel cell-related compressors, circulating pump and carbon electrodes will be cut to 5%, 2% and 5% respectively, from the current tariffs of 7%, 7% and 10%, according to a document the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council issued earlier this month.
The authority said it will lower the tariffs on 883 imported items to better coordinate domestic and overseas market resources and improve the supply quality.
Although fuel cell powered vehicles make up just a small fraction of vehicles on the road right now, the world's automakers including Japan's Toyota and South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Co are investing heavily in the technology as an alternative to purely electric vehicles.
Both Toyota and Hyundai have plans to launch new fuel cell powered vehicles in China.
Fuel cell technology is also viable for larger Class-8 trucks which are capable of carrying more hydrogen to meet the range and emission requirements of commercial vehicles.
China plans to boost the development of the technological and industrial chains of FCVs, and move faster on developing technical facilities of hydrogen production, storage and application, according to a white paper released by the State Council Information Office earlier this month.
A fuel cell works by combining hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity through a pair of redox reactions. The primary components of a fuel cell stack include a membrane of electrode assemblies, conductive plates. The electricity produced in the fuel cell is used to charge the battery pack, which in turn powers a fuel cell vehicle's electric motor(s).
Fuel cells are classified based on their operating temperature, electrolyte and the corresponding conductive ions. They are five primary fuel cell categories—AFC (alkaline fuel cell), MCFC (molten carbonate fuel cell), PAFC (phosphoric acid fuel cell), SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) and PEMFC (proton-exchange membrane fuel cell).
In China, the PEMFC design is used in new energy vehicles (NEVs) due to its high power density and power-to-weight ratio. The Chinese government classifies NEVs as electric, plug-in hybrid or fuel cell vehicles. However, fuel cell vehicles make up just a small number of NEVs on the road in China.
From 2015 to 2019, China's annual fuel cell vehicle (FCV) sales were 10,629, 1,275, 1,527 and 2,737 units respectively, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).
The CAAM's data show that FCV production and sales volumes for the first eleven months fell 34.4% and 29.1% year on year to 935 units and 948 units respectively. The decline was attributed to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic this year.
In September, Chinese government said it will offer subsidies to companies developing core fuel cell technology in a bid to boost the country's competitiveness in producing hydrogen-powered vehicles.
The new program replaces existing incentives and is slated to last for four years. The central government will select development proposals submitted by local governments, which will use the subsidies to fund FCV technology developers in their areas.
Local governments will need to prove their joint projects are able to lower the price of hydrogen fuel, increase the number of hydrogen-charging stations, enlarge hydrogen fuel cell vehicle fleets and improve related technologies, according to the document.
China's electric vehicle manufacturers are facing growing competition from foreign rivals, including U.S. automaker Tesla. The Chinese government views FCVs as a strategic next-generation technology on par with electric vehicles. Beijing aims to become a leader in the global development of electric and fuel cell vehicles.
The new incentives will encourage the development of the core components eligible for the reduced tariffs, including electrodes and fuel cell stacks, in order to establish a supply chain.
The program will prioritize buses and other commercial vehicles, according to a September report from Japan's business news outlet Nikkei Asia.
The new incentives are expected to be a boon for Toyota. The Japanese automaker owns a 65% stake in a Chinese joint venture named United Fuel Cell System R&D (Beijing) Co Ltd, that develops fuel cell systems with local partners. China's new energy vehicle market is open to foreign capital, and the subsidy program contains no explicit language excluding foreign-owned entities.
"There is no other automobile market with such a sense of speed and I am extremely confident that we will gain partners we can work with toward the shared target of expanding the use of FCEVs in China," said Toyota operating officer Shigeki Terashi earlier this year.
Chinese domestic automakers like Dongfeng Fengshen, Changan Auto, GAC Aion and Geely have already rolled out new fuel cell passenger vehicle models.
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Stellantis to Idle its Illinois Assembly Plant Indefinitely, Citing the High Costs of Electric Vehicles
Apple Delays its Long Rumored Electric ‘Apple Car’ Until 2026, According to Sources
The World’s First Level-4 Automated Parking Feature Developed by Mercedes-Benz and Bosch is Approved for Commercial Use
Hyundai Motor Group Signs MoU with SK On Co. to Secure Batteries for EVs Built in the U.S.
- EV Startup VinFast Simultaneously Opens Six Retail Stores in California as it Prepares to Enter the U.S. Market
- Qualcomm Technologies and Renault Group to Jointly Develop a Centralized, Software-Defined Vehicle Architecture for the Automaker’s Future Electric Models
- Volkswagen CEO Believes It Will Overtake Tesla in EV Sales by 2025
- Volkswagen’s Software Unit CARIAD to Co-Develop a System-on-Chip With STMicroelectronics for the Automaker’s Future Software-defined Vehicles
- The World’s Biggest Battery Producer CATL Signs MoU with EV Startup VinFast to Develop a ‘Skateboard’ Electric Vehicle Platform
- $12,500 Federal EV Tax Credit Proposal Reportedly Dropped
- Hyundai Motor Group Signs MoU with SK On Co. to Secure Batteries for EVs Built in the U.S.
- EV Startup Fisker Announces ‘Fisker Finance’ a Digital Financing Platform for Purchasing the Electric Ocean SUV
- Elon Musk Wants to Cut Around 10% of Tesla’s Global Workforce, Blames Economic Uncertainty
- Stellantis to Idle its Illinois Assembly Plant Indefinitely, Citing the High Costs of Electric Vehicles


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It was perhaps predictable that the global Covid-19 crisis would drive people towards blockchain solutions and the use of cryptocurrency as they search for alternative solutions in a range of scenarios.
The crypto world is fast moving and we have already seen China surge ahead with its digital yuan (DCEP). As Cointelegraph says, “Instead of wallowing in a swamp of regulatory uncertainty, the Chinese government shifted its attention to benefits.” Indeed, China has used the impact of Covid-19 on its economy to accelerate blockchain tech development. Furthermore, we have learnt “McDonald’s and Starbucks are among a group of 19 restaurants, retail shops and entertainment companies taking part in a trial of China’s digital yuan.”
While this is happening in China, “the world is starving for digital cash and fintech apps,” Cointelegraph says. Due to the virus, people, and especially retailers, are looking for alternatives to cash, which could carry the virus. Some say that BTC and ETH will not be the most popular solutions in this case, but that stablecoins and CBDSs “could save the day.”
It does seem that China’s digital yuan has already overtaken Facebook’s Libra stablecoin in terms of major technical features such as the option to process transactions offline on mobile devices. Furthermore, its appears that the People’s Bank of China “is to promote the internationalization of the yuan as a way to make cross-border payments without the need to involve intermediaries that charge a huge fee and take a considerable amount of time to process such transactions.”
However, other banks are following China, such as the Bank of France, which has officially launched an experimental program for a digital euro, and South Korea has similar plans.
Undoubtedly, fast and cheaper payment methods are in high demand, resulting in a boom in payment apps, such as an app developed by the Switzerland-based company Aximetria enables users to make transactions in crypto and traditional currencies in one app while enjoying zero commissions. Plus, Clients can use the app regardless of citizenship and place of residence.
Our world has changed immensely over the last few months, so expect to see blockchain solutions become much more widely used, in the same way that home working has become widely accepted and likely to play a big part in the new normal.


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The cattle market held up despite tough seasonal conditions at the annual Southern Slopes Angus Female Cattle Sale at the Boorowa Saleyards Wednesday May 1.
Vendors from throughout the southern slopes brought a total of 1000 Angus cattle from districts including Crookwell, Goulburn, Yass, Young, Harden and Cootamundra.
Dermot McGrath of Elders Rural Services said the sale was an outstanding quality yarding of Angus cattle.
“It attracted buyers from around NSW and interstate,” he said.
Although the sale was not as strong as last year’s, vendors were happy with the result considering seasonal conditions.
Young cows and calves sold to a market top of $1 300 and were purchased by Victorians.
Preg tested heifers sold to a market top of $820, and preg tested young cows made to $800 with the older cows realising up to $740.
Angus heifer weaners made to a top of $450.
Aaron Seaman, Elders Rural Services branch manager in Young, with Dermot McGrath, branch manager for Boorowa, at the annual Southern Slopes Angus Female Cattle Sale.
This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on 苏州美睫培训.


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By Jano Gibson Urban Affairs Reporter
SYDNEY is in the grip of a flat-pack revolution. Every Saturday, up to 15,000 people wander through Ikea's maze-like megastore in Rhodes, filling oversized trolleys with products bearing unpronounceable names. Then they go home and scratch their heads trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
The city's love affair with the Swedish homeware giant saw almost 3 million people converge on its only Sydney store last year. Sales leapt 37 per cent, making it the fastest growing Ikea store in the world.
"It's like a big sports event every Saturday," said the company's Australian boss, Kent Nordin.
Recognising that the shopping experience at Rhodes could soon become an overcrowded nightmare, and keen to attract people who feel Rhodes is too far from home, Mr Nordin is planning a huge expansion program.
He wants Sydney eventually to have four Ikea stores, all bigger than the 25,500 square metres at Rhodes.
The next store will be built in the city's south-east, possibly on the site of the old Tempe tip, on the Princes Highway. The company is also considering areas around St Leonards, in the city's north, and, Liverpool, in the south-west.
"Our rule of thumb, roughly, is one store per million people and, of course in Sydney, with 4 million people, one store is never going to be good enough," Mr Nordin said.
Ikea's global success came down to a simple three-point formula, he said.
"You come out here and you see solutions. We try to show you how your home can work. Then, when you look at the price tag for that shelf or hook, you say, 'I can actually afford to do that.' The third is that you can pick it up and have it today."
Despite Marrickville Council documents revealing that a new store at the remediated tip site could cost $250 million, Mr Nordin rejected suggestions that an expansion would lead to a rise in prices.
The council was briefed in September on a preliminary proposal by the developer Valad Property Group to transform the 10-hectare site of the former tip into a retail showroom and warehouse for Ikea measuring 33,000 square metres.
If approved, the site will also house the company's Australian headquarters and have parking for 1700 cars.


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Clearing house Voca and cash machine network operator Link have won a contract to supply a new near-real-time e-payments clearing system for the UK banking industry.
In May, the Office of Fair Trading's (OFT) payment systems task force gave UK banks six months to agree on a technology platform to speed up processing of payments made via the Internet or by telephone, and for standing orders.
Payment clearing times in the UK are longer than in almost any other G10 country. On average it takes three days to process e-payments but some banks take up to five days.
The new system, which will be introduced in 2007, will cut clearing times to just hours, regardless of when the payment is made.
Paul Smee, chief executive of umbrella payments body Apacs, says: "The service will also be available all day, every day and means that customers will have the flexibility and convenience of moving money between accounts or paying bills on the same day within a few hours and on any day of the week."
Although Internet, phone and standing order payments currently account for just seven per cent of automated payment volumes, Apacs says the new system is being constructed to cater for the large volume increases projected for the future.
So far 11 institutions, accounting for over 95% of today's existing automated payments, are committed to the new service. Other institutions will be able to join or to access the system through agency arrangements with a founding member.
John Fingleton, OFT chief executive, welcomed the move. "This is really good news for both personal and business bank customers. The banking industry has met all the criteria set for it," he says. "The near real time service, available 24/7, to be introduced by the end of 2007, goes even further than the task force recommended."
A joint venture has been created by Voca and Link to build, deliver and manage the new infrastructure.
Marion King, CEO, Voca, says: "Our new, industry leading, technology infrastructure for payments processing, is complementary to Link's real-time payments processing services. Together we offer a robust, cost effective and low risk solution."