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AFTER luxury goods like petrol and LPG, its the turn of the common mans staple dietwheat. While ration shop prices have remained steady for almost three years now, market prices of wheat and wheat products like atta, maida, sooji and bread/cake are soaring. From Rs 6-7 per kg three months ago, atta is now ruling at Rs 9-10 and a pound of bread now costs Rs 6-8. More important is the question: Is this the end of the price spiral, or will atta and bread become dearer still? "Were really worried about the rise in food prices, especially wheat prices which have gone up by more than 25 per cent," admits Y.K. Alagh, Minister for Planning.
From all available indications, the price trend may be rolling on. The food and civil supplies ministry has few answers to give about a situation which is largely of its own makinga trend of rising procurement prices, coupled with a hike in open market prices in September. Restricting himself to the obvious, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Devendra Prasad Yadav lists two reasons for the sudden price rise: a sharp drop in wheat output last year and the resultant hoarding of wheat grain by traders with an eye on shortage and therefore price hike. At his meeting with the Delhi Food Minister on December 4, the first of the meetings planned with states to discuss ways to check the price rise, Yadav came down strongly on hoarders and blackmarketeers, threatening action under the Essential Commodities Act.
The ham-handed way in which the Agriculture Ministry dealt with the 1995-96 output figures, ultimately causing a scaledown of GDP growth estimates, may have contributed much to the price situation. It was only in September that it came out with the final figures, which revealed that rice output was 1.7 million tonnes (mt) less than the figure of 81.1 mt in 1994-95 and wheat production, 62.6 mt, a good 3 mt lower. This was a major letdown from preliminary estimates of 65.2 mt for wheat in February and even the first revised estimate of 64 mt in July. At that time, wheat was already ruling dearer because of the sharp hike in petrogoods prices.
A smaller crop has led to an even lower procurement, a loss of almost 3.5 mt. (The marketing season for wheat begins in the next fiscal yearfrom April to March, with stocks procured over April-June). Senior sources in the ministry admit to a tight stock position at present. The current stocks with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) fall short of the minimum buffer norm of 10.6 mt for October-December by about one mt as on November 1, compared to 11 mt a month ago. Ironically, the total foodgrain buffer is at a plentiful 21.2 mt, with record rice procured this year.
Both ministry and FCI sources insist that the stock is enough to meet demands up to March 1997. The FCI argues that the lower offtake of 5 mt over April-October, compared to allocation of 6 mt, is proof enough. It has even decided to publish weekly stock and offtake figures for consumers. But doubts persist. For one, the ministrys own decision to raise open market sales of wheat to depress prices, from four lakh tonnes (lt) till September, to five lt in October and six lt from November onwards will cause an even bigger drain on the depleting reserves. And thats the only measure its taking, whose success is yet to be proved, with experts considering it as the sole cause of foodgrains reaching unscrupulous hands.
Secondly, raising sales after the open market prices were raised in September by a uniform Rs 35, (resulting in prices ranging from Rs 490 per quintal in Delhi and Rs 560 in Belgaum) can only mean costlier grain for the consumer. Those in the south will fare even worse. Ministry sources attribute this to transport bottlenecks, which only strengthen the blackmarketeers hands. The Public Distribution System (PDS) has ceased to be a viable option. Ration shop supplies are like a colandervery little of the meagre offtake reaches the targeted. With the central issue price of wheat at Rs 402 per quintal since February 1, 1994, a diversion of PDS grain to the open market is lucrative.
Last year marked a record procurement after the minimum support price was sharply hiked from Rs 305 in 1993-94 to Rs 350 in 1994-95, and the FCIs inability to hold stocks beyond a certain point had forced a staggering 6.5 mt of open sales. This led to a small fall in market prices. The hike in procurement prices was smaller the next year, leading to a fall in output. For 1996-97, again, the output is expected to be bumper, with support prices raised by 15 per cent to Rs 415 a quintal. And the wheel of fortune will turn for the consumer and hoarders alike.


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UTICA, NY(WUTR)— Utica Club has been around for decades, but it didn’t start out as the beer we know today.
“What a lot of people don’t know about Utica Club, is that it originally started out as a soft drink line,” Kevin Sullivan, F.X. Matt Brewery Tour Center Manager stated.
Utica Club was originally a brand of soda with flavors such as lime and lemon rickey, ginger ale, and even lime and lithia— better known today as lithium.
“And we also started making something known as malt and tonic and also “near beers,” which is pretty much everything in the line of it being a beer with the exception of fermentation,” Sullivan explained. “We would sell it and it used to be sold at the time with warnings on the bottle that said, ‘do not use this amount of yeast, don’t leave it in a dark cool place for this amount of time,’ and it said all this stuff on the bottle. That’s what got us through the prohibition.”
When prohibition ended in 1933, Utica Club was the first legal beer sold in the United States.
“We had beer going out almost immediately, as soon as we possibly could after the repeal of the prohibition amendment,” Sullivan said.
85 years later, the beer is still being brewed and takes 4 weeks to make.
From the time after prohibition throughout the 1960s, Utica Club was in high demand. The Schultz and Dooley advertisements helped make Utica Club a household name. As time went on, the beer became less popular.
“Utica Club became a forgoten about beer throughout the ’80s and ’90s,” Sullivan said. “With the exception of here locally— we have always remained strong.”
Within the last decade, Utica Club has been making a comeback without any major advertising campaigns.
“It’s a real point of pride to see a resurgence and that staying power in an industry where trends tend to come and go pretty quickly.” Sullivan said. “Utica Club stands the test of time and we are really proud of that.”

domain: news


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Christmas is just a month away, and like every year, the festive spirit is slowly starting to take over the daily grind of work and responsibilities. While decorations may still be a few weeks away, many Christmas enthusiasts are already excited about the gifts and souvenirs that may come their way or the ones they plan to give to their friends and family.
This year, however, there is something very exciting for beard lovers around the world.
If you are blessed with good facial hair, you could gift yourself beard fairy lights from Firebox that flash like LED lights and cost just $14 (Rs 1000).
According to a report by LadBible, the lights are battery powered and is small enough to be clipped onto someone’s facial hair. It also has a switch that is meant to be positioned at the center of the chin.
That’s not all.
The lights also change colour and come in a set of 18 nano LED lights that are suspended on a 90m cable.
Firebox, the company that manufactures the lights, issued a warning and said that it should be avoided if your beard is wet.
The lights have received an overwhelming response on social media. Many are even thinking of gifting it to their loved ones.
One user wrote, "Absolutely hysterical and was one of the main talking points during Christmas in our house. Lovely bright LED's, good functions and apparently the clips were comfortable!"
"Brilliant product bought for my hairy son. Lit up his night shift!" wrote another.


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Retailers and processors have failed to heed NFU Scotland’s
warnings that low farmgate prices will result in a drop in production
and a loss of their supply of milk.
The Union made its comments on the day that the UK’s largest
milk co-operative announced it is unable to honour its original
contracts and supply the necessary milk to its customers.
First Milk today announced that it has invoked ‘force majeur’ on
its August milk supplies due to a marked reduction in the milk supplied
by its farmer-members.
NFUS has pointed to this as a further sign of the dramatic turnaround
in the milk industry, with retailers in particular now losing their ability
to dictate prices to suppliers. However, despite the strengthened hand
of milk suppliers, there remains considerable frustration amongst farmers
that the current market situation, in particular the dramatic rise in
prices for dairy products, is failing to translate into a significantly
higher farmgate price. This is leading some farmers to question their
current supply contracts with milk buyers. From further discussions NFUS
has had with the major players in the market, all the signals are indicating
a major rise in the farmgate price is imminent. Therefore, the Union
is reminding individuals to weigh up their options carefully before switching
buyers and, crucially, to work collectively.
NFUS Milk Committee Chairman Willie Lamont said:
“We have been telling the major supermarkets in particular that
the ridiculously low price paid to farmers supplying their milk, at a
time of spiralling costs, will jeopardise future supply. They have largely
chosen to ignore that message and, as a result, are now facing the consequences.
“We are witnessing a major shift in the balance of power in the
milk market. It is now a sellers’ market. Supplies are extremely
tight as a result of low farmgate prices, which have driven producers
out of the industry. These have been exacerbated by spiralling costs
and bad weather. On top of that, with huge rises in the prices of dairy
commodities, the supermarkets can kiss goodbye to the days of guaranteed
supplies of milk at prices which are unsustainable for farmers.
“Power is coming back into the hands of producers and for that
reason it is vital that we act together. I share the frustration of individual
farmers who are thinking of tearing up their current supply contracts
because improved returns are not coming through. I would, however, urge
anyone thinking of that to weigh up all the consequences and to contact
their current milk buyer with their views, preferably through the producer
“From the discussions we are having on an almost daily basis with
processors and retailers, I believe we are on the verge of a dramatic
uplift in prices and farmers need to ensure their have a reliable route
RABDF Calls for Milk Prices to Reflect Production Costs
Tenant Farming Forum Leads Way for Tenanted Sector
Environment Agency Should Rethink Priorities Over Flooding


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Hungama Mobile has joined hands with UK-based Friend Media Technology Systems (FMTS) to provide solutions to curb piracy. With a latest technological innovation ‘eXposé’, the two companies will offer customised software solutions for the media and entertainment industries, thus empowering them to identify and control the use and misuse of their intellectual properties and brands.
Speaking on the initiative, Neeraj Roy, MD and CEO, Hungama Mobile, said, “The Indian film and television industry has been facing a daunting task of growing piracy and the infringement of intellectual properties as movies, serials, songs, etc. are illegally downloaded through the Internet. With the advent of growing piracy, there is an urgent need for stronger and foolproof solutions to curb the ever-growing menace. With the launch of eXposé software, digital world will have a more vigilant approach towards piracy. ”
Roy added that Hungama would cover the music and video segment in the online space initially, and would the next platform to be targeted would be mobile segment.
“Friend Media provides companies with a unique data analysis algorithm solution that monitors a vast array of sources on the Internet, from peer-to-peer networks to discussion forums and newsgroups. The solution works at three levels. Firstly, FMTS provides monitoring services and identifies the starting point. Secondly, it removes content from the site and sends infringement notices to the people concerned, and lastly uses the data in a positive way to understand how specific content is accepted,” added Jonathan Friend, Director of Engineering, FMTS.
eXposé leverages data analysis algorithms that monitor a vast array of sources on the Internet. This helps in tracking across the World Wide Web the exact source: be it an individual or a community, from where a company’s intellectual properties and brands are pirated and distributed. eXposé encompasses various advantages like accurate real-time monitoring, C&D notices, competitor and market awareness, monitor public profile and global dissemination.


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Here are the nine things most likely to affect your business this year.
The EU referendum
The recent Brexit vote will have an impact on the global economy, but it will hit UK businesses that trade cross-border especially hard. Shipping costs may increase, payment release could stall and border patrolling could slow processes. Many businesses could also face a skills shortage thanks to stricter controls on EU workers entering the UK. Finally, the uncertainty caused by the vote - such as the turmoil in political party leadership and unsettled markets - could constitute a challenging climate in which to do business.
Economic uncertainty surrounding the EU referendum vote has been one of the factors in causing the pound to fall against the US dollar. While a falling pound may make exports comparatively cheaper, costs will increase for any business that has its products made abroad.
Businesses that are unable to pass on price increases to customers will have to absorb the higher costs.
Interest rate rise
Although an imminent interest rate rise in the UK isn’t likely, it is a possibility in the US. Either could increase the cost of borrowing for international businesses. A hike in US interest rates could mean higher debt repayments for companies who do business in dollars.
The skills gap – the disconnect between the needs of employers and the current skills of our nation’s workers – has worsened over the past few years. Not being able to find staff with the necessary skills, attitudes and aptitudes limits businesses’ ability to grow.
An obvious solution to the skills shortage is to bring in staff from abroad – but new rules make this more difficult for businesses to do. Skilled workers from outside the EU now need to earn at least £35,000 a year to settle permanently in the UK. The previous figure was £24,000. As well as increasing the skills gap, increasingly tightened migration will also create more upward pressure on salaries.
The UK living wage increased from £6.70 per hour to £7.20 from April 2016. The Resolution Foundation has warned the policy will push up the total wage bill by £1.5bn this year. The wage hike has already seen several firms reduce staff perks such as paid breaks, staff lunches, bonuses and overtime.
As well as tightened migration, international businesses are also dealing with a continuing talent drain. Those with offices in London are finding the capital has become too expensive to afford on a first-jobber’s wages. As a result, many are moving to more affordable EU destinations.
Businesses active in the US are growing increasingly uneasy about the outcome of the presidential election. Any general election creates uncertainty, but the possibility of Republican Donald Trump becoming president has caused increased uncertainty about future business policies.
Research from Grant Thornton last year revealed cyber attacks are taking a serious toll on business. With high-profile security breaches and hacks becoming more prevalent, the accountancy firm estimated the total cost of attacks globally to be at least $315bn (£216bn) over the past 12 months.
Find out about Western Union's business solutions


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This June marked the first time since records began in 1976 that IC sales in a June slumped from May of the same year, according to IC Insights.
The market analysts drew on available data from WEMA, SIA and WSTS. Typically, the semiconductor market has regularly boasted high single-digit or even double-digit year-over-year growth in June. Even in 1985, the worst semiconductor year since 1976, June sales were up a modest 1 percent.
This year's sales slump is surprising for two reasons: first, the June quarter-end fell on a five-week month. The extra week in June would normally have been enough for growth over May. Second, June is usually one of the strongest months of the year. That's because OEMs buy the semiconductors that go into the systems offered in the pre-Christmas and year-end sales promotions during this month.
The biggest contributor to the June 2022 sales crash was the sudden and deep drop in memory IC prices. In the second-quarter results, this plunge is not evident at leading manufacturers such as Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, as revenue gains in April and May offset the June decline. However, Micron is predicting a drop in sales of no less than 17 percent for its fourth quarter (ending August). Samsung and SK Hynix do not provide forecasts, but it is reasonable to assume they would be similar to Micron's, according to IC Insights.
The second and third quarters of each year are historically the strongest. Since 1984, sales have grown an average of 2.4 percent in the second quarter and 6.1 percent in the third quarter. Depending on whether the industry is in an upswing or a downturn, the current numbers swing up or down from the average.
In the second quarter of this year, sales were flat and fell below the long-term average. Based on IC Insights' analysis of companies' sales expectations, all indications are that sales in the third and fourth quarters will also fall short of average growth rates.
Rising inflation and ongoing supply chain disruptions are to blame for the current weakness in the IC mart, he said. In addition, chipmakers and OEMs are busy reducing inventories. lnflation is taking purchasing power away from consumers. This is impacting the number of PCs, smartphones, televisions, game consoles and other electronic devices sold.
Currently, IC Insights is revising its quarterly and its annual forecasts for 2022 and will publish the results at the end of the third quarter.


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A report says Papua New Guinea's coffee production over the past eight months to August this year has dropped by 30%.
The Coffee Industry Corporation report says the drop is due to the low coffee prices and only a slight appreciation of the kina against the US dollar.
The report says the total number of bags for the last eight months to August was only 783,989 bags, compared to over a million for the same period last year.
The National newspaper reports total coffee exports were down 11% on the previous year, to under 1 million bags.
As a result, coffee export earnings for 2005/ 2006 fell by 11% to 135 million US dollars, the lowest in 12 years.


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The survival of quality journalism in the face of digital giants such as Facebook and Google is crucial and a defining issue of our age, the competition regulator, Rod Sims, has told an international conference.
The chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, who is conducting an inquiry into into the impact of digital platforms, said quality investigative journalism was highly valued in Australian society.
Sims is in the midst of the ACCC’s 18-month inquiry into the impact on the state of competition in media and advertising in Australia of search engines such as Google, content aggregators such as Apple News and social media platforms such as Facebook.
“Journalism is a highly valued profession and crucial to our lives,” Sims told the International Institute of Communications’ telecommunications and media forum. “Just like we are well advised not to rely on amateur doctors, perhaps we should not rely on amateur journalists.”
Governments should examine whether policies are needed to curb the pursuit of profit by the digital giants “given the problems such pursuit will cause”.
“The question of the impact of digital platforms on society is a vital one, for both Australia and the world,” he said.
The inquiry is looking at whether the reduction in advertising revenue from the disruption caused by tech giants prevents publishers and broadcasters from delivering quality journalism.
It is also examining the vast data gathering and how much the public understands about the value of their data.
“The way that data can be used can have profound consequences, as the Cambridge Analytica case has highlighted in the United States,” Sims said. “It is little exaggeration, however, to say that the proliferation of digital platforms has been as cataclysmic an event as Gutenberg’s introduction of the printing press. Like the printing press, the advent of data-driven analytics has fundamentally changed the world and how we consume media.
“The digital platforms are clear competitors to media companies in the case of attracting advertising spend but the relationship on the content side is more complicated and there are a number of important questions: ‘Are the platforms subject to defamation law or journalism’s codes of conduct?’ ‘Should they be, and how practical is this?’ ‘How does copyright law apply to the digital platforms?’.”
The inquiry was triggered by the concerns of the former senator Nick Xenophon that tech giants were damaging the viability of Australian media companies, such as Fairfax Media and News Corp, which have lost print advertising dollars since the digital disruption.
According to figures cited in the issues paper, from 2011 to 2015 Australian newspaper and magazine publishers lost $1.5bn and $349m respectively in physical print advertising revenue but only gained $54m and $44m in digital advertising.
“The question of the impact of digital platforms on society is a vital one, for both Australia and the world,” Sims said. “The question of how we approach the proliferation of digital platforms, and how they collect and manage our data, is one of the defining questions of our age.”


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We all know that Sony Ericsson aren’t great at keeping their upcoming handsets a secret. We saw photos of the Xperia X10 before an official announcement came from Sony Ericsson and even the more recently announced Xperia Arc, we’d seen a while before Sony Ericsson officially announced the handset, in the form of the Anzu. More photos have been leaked of an Xperia handset, this time round it’s the “Xperia Duo”. The Duo appears to be a successor to the Xperia X10 Mini or Mini Pro, which we’ve already seen a photo of before and it’s benchmark. Here are some more photos to whet your appetite.
We also have a list of rumored specs for the handset now, which includes a 3 inch display, which could also make this a successor to the Xperia X8 handset. The photos show that the Duo has a slide out QWERTY keyboard like the Mini Pro, so it’s possible this successor may come in Duo and Duo Pro models. The Duo will most likely feature Android 2.3 when released, like the recently announced Xperia Arc. Other rumored specs point to an 8 megapixel camera on the back, as well as a front facing second camera, something that we haven’t yet seen on the Xperia. The HD symbol on the back of the handset indicates that it may be capable of recording HD video, most probably 720p. With regards to the processor, it’s assumed to be a MSM7230 Snapdragon 800 MHz processor.


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Apple has added an extremely-broad lens on both the iPhone eleven Pro and the iPhone 11 Pro Max, which is shown within the Camera app as a zero.5x button. You can zoom out to see extra and take wider photographs, from 0.5x to 2x. The extremely-wide has an f/2.four aperture with a 120-diploma subject of view. The iPhone 11 Pro also options the identical “Deep Fusion” technology as the iPhone 11, in addition to the same upgraded front-facing digicam. One of the most important differences between the iPhone eleven and the iPhone 11 Pro is the display.
The iPhone 11 and eleven Pro were unveiled in a press event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California on September 10, 2019; that was the first Apple event livestreamed on Youtube. The occasion featured various other services apart from the iPhone, including a brand new Apple Watch, a brand new iPad, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade. Pre-orders started on September 13, with the iPhone 11 Pro starting from a base price of $999, and the larger display screen Pro Max starting from $1,099. The iPhone eleven Pro and iPhone eleven Pro Max are smartphones designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc.
Similar to the iPhone XS, there’s a show cutout at the front that includes the 12 MP TrueDepth digicam system and speaker. There can also be a new rear digicam design with three lenses and a flash in a bigger, sq.-shaped bump, which is essentially the most visible difference compared to the iPhone XS. The Apple logo is now centered on the back of the system with no textual content, and the glass has a frosted matte end, not like the glossy end found on different glass-backed iPhones.
All different resolutions/frame charges assist the complete zoom set. The phone also options an audio zoom feature which focuses audio on the world that is being zoomed in on.
They are the 13th-generation flagships of the iPhone, succeeding the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, respectively. Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the gadgets alongside a decrease-finish mannequin, the iPhone 11, on September 10, 2019, on the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park. Pre-orders began on September 13, 2019, and went on sale on September 20. The iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max function the identical A13 Bionic processor because the iPhone 11, and offer stellar improvements in battery life. The iPhone eleven Pro presents up to four hours longer battery life than the iPhone XS.
All of the cameras help video although only the wide and telephoto come with optical image stabilization. Video can be captured with a number of cameras at the same time, through the multi camera recording characteristic. The iPhone 11 Pro is out there in Gold, Silver, Space Gray, and Midnight Green, a brand new color beforehand not out there on iPhones.
That means you stand up to 18 hours of video playback, 11 hours of streaming, and sixty five hours of audio playback. The biggest differentiator between the iPhone 11 and the iPhone eleven Pro is the camera expertise.


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As more and more elected officials tell their citizens to stay home in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus, game hardware and software makers are making a mint during the global pandemic, with sales indicating many are turning to all consoles and all types of games to keep themselves busy.
An analysis by GamesIndustry.biz across more than 50 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East indicates both physical and digital releases are benefiting from the lockdown. Some of that can be credited to the launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Doom: Eternal, but even discounting those two major launches, physical software sales were up almost 11 percent versus the same period a year ago. In digital, the YOY jump is almost 53 percent, not even including the launch of those two titles.
Hardware sales are also seeing a sizeable increase. On average, hardware sales rose 155 percent compared to the same period in the middle of March last year. The UK saw jumps of 250% in the same period. Australia jumped over 285%.
The report notes there is some evidence to suggest a full lockdown on normal life will impact physical sales going forward. Spain and Italy, two countries with the most severe outbreaks and the most restrictions in place, software sales fell dramatically. In Spain, physical software sales were down by half when the new Animal Crossing is factored out. In Italy, the drop was similar.
No clear data is yet available in the United States, which is seeing a fragmented, piecemeal approach state-by-state to social distancing and lockdowns. Many major chains, like Gamestop and Best Buy, have trimmed service to curbside pickup or online ordering.


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PlantX Life Inc announces plans to expand the Company’s e-commerce platform into the State of Israel. The Company’s Israeli expansion will also include establishing a future brick and mortar PlantX location in the country. Brick and mortar locations will also open in San Diego, and British Columbia.
Today’s announcement follows yesterday’s announcement of Psagot Investment House Ltd., an Israeli investment firm and Israel’s largest pension fund manager, leading the Company’s recently closed non-brokered $11.5 million private placement.
“Israel overall has a strong leaning towards plant-based products due both to emerging trends and dietary laws that many Israeli Jews follow that prohibit meat or dairy following eating one or the other,” said Mr. Blicher, PlantX VP of Global Expansion. “We are thrilled and excited to expand our e-commerce platform to another international market, to provide Israeli consumers with enhanced choice, widen our product offerings with Israeli brands, and offer the unique PlantX shopping and customer service experience to Israel.”
The Company owns the domain www.PlantX.co.il and will be launching it with the flagship brick and mortar location. PlantX Israel customers will receive the same PlantX online experience and services as its North American customers, including plant-based meal delivery, indoor plant delivery, access to plant-based products, updated weekly recipes, a plant-based restaurant locator and informational articles regarding plant-based trends. The Israeli plant-based offerings will include an assortment of products including pantry essentials, groceries, vitamins, cosmetics and pet food.
PlantX’s Israeli expansion plans include the establishment of franchise locations across the country. The expansion of turnkey retail solutions and franchises in Israel will be led by Israeli-founded Iris Construction Management. This partnership with Iris will allow PlantX to continue in its pursuit of becoming a one-stop shop for everything plant-based and a digital leader in the plant-based community.
“An advantage of working with Iris Construction Management is that our expertise has been proven across the world,” said Scott Kurz, Iris Construction Management Development Manager. “We can help franchises grow their business on a global scale and we are proud to help PlantX bring their innovative brand to Israel.”
North American Expansion
PlantX continues to advance its plans to open its first brick and mortar locations in San Diego, California and Squamish, British Columbia, with plans for future franchises across North America.
Once complete, PlantX’s location in Israel will be the Company’s first overseas brick and mortar location and will feature a shop with a wide-variety of plant-based products, a plant-based café, a restaurant with plant-based pre-made meals and an education center for consumers to learn more about plant-based living. PlantX plans to continue to expand its e-commerce platform to other countries with new and exciting partnerships, acquisitions and verticals in the plant-based industry.
“Seeing our company grow around the world so quickly is very exciting and we could not be more pleased with our expansion,” said Sean Dollinger, PlantX founder. “When we have two incredible people like Michael and Mili on the ground in Israel and Iris Construction Management from Israel, it just makes a lot of sense.”


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In the second episode of his eponymous Apple TV+ series, Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) brings his new boss a box of cookies. It's a tiny gesture (literally, since the box is barely bigger than a Twinkie), and one that the deeply skeptical Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) declines at first. But she's curious, so she tries one. Then another. And another. Turns out they're incredible.
By the middle of the episode, "Biscuits With the Boss" has become an established daily ritual, a regular dose of sweetness that Rebecca gets to look forward to, no matter how sour the rest of her life has become. And ...more
In collaboration with Gravity Industries, the Great North Air Ambulance Service has created a jetsuit that could help deploy paramedics in search and rescue missions, particularly in difficult terrains. Read more...More about Marvel, Rescue Mission, Tony Stark, Jetsuit, and Tech
Researchers poring over archives from previous missions to Venus claim that NASA may have first detected phosphine signatures (indicating potential microbial life) back in 1978, and they just went unnoticed for the past 42 years.
On September 14, the world was rocked by the announcement that phosphine, a toxic gas that might indicate microbial life, had been detected in the clouds above Venus. There are no known natural processes that might explain the volume of the gas found.
While it’s still too early to definitively state there is life on Venus producing th...more
Mafia: Definitive Edition - Life of a Gangster Trailer
Get another look at Mafia: Definitive Edition in this latest trailer. The game will be available on September 25, 2020 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
The changes range from norms for payment of income tax, driving licence, health insurance, credit cards and food products, which affect all the consumers.


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Finland Attracts Game Studios and Talent With It’s World’s Top Mobile Game Development Expertise.
November 23rd 2021, Helsinki, Finland
Icelandic game studio 1939 Games announced today that it has opened a subsidiary in Helsinki, Finland, which will concentrate on mobile game development. The company, founded in 2015, launched its first successful game KARDS on Steam in 2020 and is currently developing a mobile version of the game, aimed for launch in summer 2022. In September the studio announced its recent $5,3M funding round, which will be used for the KARDS mobile game development. The studio investors also include a Finnish venture capital fund Sisu Game Ventures.Read more


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Guns, the twisted mutant dead, and dancing. If you are a fan of any of the aforementioned, then today is your Woodstock because Nether has received a full release on Steam. Graduating from early access, the game is now fully available for $14.99.
Surviving in the ruins of Nether is no easy task, and now players have new choices thanks to a feature update for the first-person urban survival game that includes crafting and a creature mode. Check out the new trailer!
Looking for something to do tomorrow in between bobbing for apples and filling the sacks of trick or treaters? How about playing Phosphor Games' survival horror MMO Nether, which now has early access on Steam? And it's 10 percent off to boot!
A new trailer has arrived for Phosphor Games' upcoming survival horror MMO Nether, and they have also announced that if you pre-order it, you will receive early access on October 31, 72-hour guest game keys for friends, as well as other in-game perks.
The first details are here for Nether, an upcoming survival-horror game. A persistent-world, massively multiplayer online game based entirely in an urban setting, Nether challenges players to survive day-to-day while trying to uncover the truth behind the apocalyptic event that has changed mankind forever.
A proper DVD release is on its way for co-writers Scooter Downey and Sean Elliot's It's in the Blood starring horror icon Lance Henriksen, and we have a look at the artwork and more! Dig it!
We've been talking about horror survival thriller Killing Brooke for months now, and finally we have some DVD release info for you. The flick is available now - just in time for your Halloween festivities!
Things have been going great for filmmakers Scooter Downey and Sean Elliot as their It's In The Blood, starring horror icon Lance Henriksen, has acquired worldwide distribution. Read on for the details.
It's been a while since last we reported on the creature feature It's in the Blood, but finally an official one-sheet has slipped online and we're there to make the catch for ya. Check it out while exploring the wonders of Lance Henriksen's craggy face!
Thomas Szczepanski's survival horror film The Hunt is now available on DVD and VOD in the US and Canada courtesy of Philadelphia-based distributor Music Video Distribution, and we have all the details you need right here!
Some new images have come our way for the Lance Henriksen survival horror flick, It's in the Blood, and we have 'em for you right here, hot, fresh, and nasty! Those offended by maggots need not click.
Just in time for the film's April 6th world premiere, a new one-sheet for horror survival thriller Killing Brooke has landed in our inbox. Now that's how we like to kick off the weekend!
Mad Z Productions has announced that the world premiere of its horror survival thriller Killing Brooke will take place on Friday, April 6th, at 8:00 PM at the historic 800-seat Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main Street, in Northampton, Massachusetts.


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It will not come as any surprise that competitive access services providers argue incumbent telcos still have market power. That is the argument that motivates the Federal Communications Commission to protect wholesale access for firms with little to no willingness or ability to build their own access facilities.
Since roughly 2002, though, the FCC has made clear its preference for facilities-based competition in the local loop, something cable TV companies, Google Fiber and now a growing number of independent Internet service providers are doing, especially in the arguably harder business case of consumer customers.
Some ISPs serving enterprise customers in urban cores use wireless access rather than digging trenches, so that provides yet another model for investment in access facilities.
Some have estimated that Google Fiber’s first gigabit access network in Kansas City (Missouri and Kansas) cost about $563 per location. With more experience, Google Fiber undoubtedly will drive those costs lower.
Customer acquisition and customer premises add more costs, but you get the point: building gigabit Internet access plant using fiber to the location does not cost as much as it used to.
Not every service provider--in fact, very few, historically--wants to build such plant. There are many reasons, among them the danger of creating stranded assets if a customer disconnects. In cases where a customer account lifecycle is three years, that is a problem.
In other cases, capital cannot easily be raised to do so. And while enterprises often are very happy to buy gigabit IP connections, many smaller businesses still buy legacy T1 and DS3 connections.
In fact, cable TV operators are gearing up for a major assault on enterprise and mid-size business customers, proving that a facilities-based approach is possible. It just is not possible for every contender in a market.
Cable TV firms have been aggressively targeting the small and medium-sized business with growing success, and generating at least $10 billion in revenue annually and growing in excess of 20 percent annually.
Enterprise services are the next big evolution.
Not all business models, consumer or business-focused, work forever. The FCC wants facilities-based competition. Not every contestant will benefit. But a growing number of initiatives by facilities-based providers show what can be done.


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Featuring the latest news on the coffee industry and business insight from senior members of the Bennetts team.
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Welcome to the new Bennetts website! It’s been a long time coming but we’re finally here and excited to share with you the new Bennetts Online...
We're excited to announce that our new Colombia Granja La Esperanza micro lots have arrived.
The recent leaf rust or Roya in Spanish, outbreak throughout Central and South America has remained a prevalent topic in the industry this week, with output estimates from affected origins for 2013/14 crop beginning to appear.
An update on the Central and South American leaf rust epidemic and the latest production expectations from PNG, Brazil and India.


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The next operating system update for the iPhone will bring subscription-based applications to the platform for the first time, rumours suggest.
Speculation about the update stems from an article in the Guardian in which it details its plans to pull its hugely successful current app from the App Store and replace it with one priced £2.99 for six months and £3.99 for a year’s access.
Subscription apps are not a feature of the current version of the operating system, suggesting that the Guardian has inadvertently let slip at least something of what we can expect from the next Apple system update.
The newspaper also said it is preparing to launch the app before Christmas, which is being interpreted as a sign that iOS 4.3 could land in the next few weeks – perhaps even at the mooted Apple press event expected to happen on December 9th.
"We'll be launching the new app globally for the first time and although we can't confirm exactly when it will be available, we're working towards a pre-Christmas release," the official blog post stated.
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Nationwide, food spending increased 10.6% overall from November 2021 to last month, and grocery increased 12%, according to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Attendance at food pantries and other food agencies, according to Dawn DiFiore, director of community partnerships for The Good Shepherd Food Bank, a statewide organization that serves as a source of bulk food purchases for more than 600 agencies in Maine. Rates have remained high since the pandemic began.
A representative for the Lincoln County Pantry said the number of patrons has been declining since 2020, though some have seen a slight increase in recent months, suggesting rising heating costs could be a factor. I suspect it’s putting pressure on my personal budget.
“There is still a need, but the focus on this issue is waning,” DiFiore said.
According to DiFiore, charitable food organizations rely on three types of support to meet their needs: monetary donations, food donations, and volunteer time.
DiFiore said that since 2020, “giving has declined across the board.” “We hear it from our agents and partners.”
Many Lincoln County food pantries have been operating for decades, and their organizers say they’ve learned to prepare for uncertainty. Order food in bulk in advance, use substitutions when needed, and manage your budget.
Still, they all increased in price, and some adjusted their prices.
For the first time this year, the Jefferson Area Community Food Pantry offered a $10 Hannaford gift card instead of turkey or ham for Christmas pickup, according to organizer Alison Brooks.
“This pantry was the most expensive pantry we’ve ever installed,” Brooks said of the Christmas pantry on Wednesday, Dec. 14.
Brooks said donations to the Jefferson Pantry declined in 2022 as donors’ own savings were affected.
The Jefferson pantry typically serves 90 residents, Brooks said. Attendance he has doubled every year since 2020 and has doubled again in the last four months.
Christmas pickups typically include gift stockings for visitors to choose from, but that was also not in the budget this year. Last minute donations of Christmas items from residents and First National Bank allowed visitors to choose their gifts.
Brooks began planning for Christmas in October and double-ordered on Thanksgiving. We are replenishing the ingredients of
Big budget pantries, such as the Boothbay Region Food Pantry, are planning as well.
Co-president Fleet Davies said the organization has been inundated with donations but may struggle to find items it wants to buy in large enough quantities, but availability has declined in the past six months. Improved. He orders through Hannaford in addition to Good Shepherd.
In 2020, The Pantry has decided to switch to financial vouchers that families can use to purchase vacations. This was due to the challenge of providing the same food in sufficient quantities for everyone.
“Usually, we estimate that when you order, you get an average of 85% of what you order,” says Davies. “I know that someday I will come across a situation where I cannot afford to buy, so I try to buy more than I need to many times.”
Other pantries found what they needed and had the money to buy it, but they were still feeling the pinch.
Wiscasset’s Help Yourself Shelf organizers have spent about 50% more this year than they did in 2021 to serve the 80-90 families who are coming over Thanksgiving and Christmas. Donations from other programs and local businesses allowed us to provide everything they normally offer for the holidays, including a small gift from Big Al.
At the United Methodist Church’s New Harbor Food Pantry, organizer Kevin Adams said he was able to supply the Christmas food baskets delivered each year by the Bristol Area Lions Club, even as prices rose.
“Our community continues to raise funds,” Brooks said.
She said she has a limited budget but has all the volunteers she needs.
“People come in all of a sudden and that’s what keeps us going,” she said.
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Huawei is reportedly anticipating a 20 p.c drop in smartphone gross sales this 12 months as a result of U.S. ban’s influence on its partnerships.
The Information stories that the ban, which led to Huawei shedding partnerships with Google different companies, goes to influence the Chinese language firm’s gross sales in 2020.
As an example, in 2019, the corporate bought over 240 million telephones. It now reportedly expects to promote between 190 million to 200 million this 12 months.
The corporate’s telephones are usually not allowed to incorporate Google Play, and are as an alternative being shipped with Huawei’s AppGallery. The P40 Professional is being unveiled on March 26th, but it surely might be a tough promote contemplating the shortage of Google apps.
The U.S. authorities believes that the Chinese language authorities is ready to use Huawei’s units to spy, which is why it desires to restrict its progress within the nation.
Canada has but to decide on whether or not Huawei will likely be allowed to take part within the rollout of 5G throughout the nation. The U.S. is urging Canada to ban the corporate, and says that it will jeopardize intelligence-sharing between the 2 nations if it didn’t.
Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains recently said that Canada “won’t get bullied” by different jurisdictions in making a call about Huawei and 5G networks.
More from my site
- Huawei offered extra telephones than Apple in 2019, second solely to Samsung
- U.S. grants Huawei 45-day extension from ban
- Sands of Salzaar is a Chinese language indie Steam top-seller, English model on the best way
- Google is preparing for the Oscars with Search and Assistant
- Bell says that Crave now has 2.6 million subscribers
- What Huawei plans to do with its AppGallery


text: Food Prices Edge Down 0.1 percent in the Fourth Week of Ramadan, Reports SCAD General August 18, 20120 Abu Dhabi: Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi issued today its fourth weekly report on food prices in the month of Ramadan. This issue of the report monitors changes in food prices during the fourth week of Ramadan compared with prices levels in the first and third weeks as well as with the week preceding the holy month. SCAD explained that the sales outlets that served as sources of price movements are closed sources adopting fixed prices. Should the open market be accounted for as well, prices would no longer be fixed price. Instead the price of the goods supplied to the latter market in fact represent wholesale prices and as such do not reflect the prices collected from closed markets as the consumer price index need to be based on the retail price per Kilogram. Food prices in week 4 compared with week 3 of Ramadan: SCAD’s report indicates a drop of 0.1 percent week over week in the prices of food commodities during the fourth week of the month of Ramadan, due to falls in the prices some expenditure groups including the fruits which retreated by 1.3 percent, followed by “Food products not elsewhere classified” (down 1.0 percent) and “Milk, cheese and eggs” (down 0.8 percent). On the other hand the same period of comparison saw the prices of the “Fish and seafood” and “Vegetables” advance by 1.3 percent 0.7 percent, respectively. Food prices in week 4 compared with week 1 of Ramadan: The Ramadan food prices weekly report also revealed an overall increase of 0.7 percent in the prices of food commodities during the fourth week of the month of Ramada, compared with the first week of the holy month, reflecting rises in the prices several expenditure subgroups including meat, which increased 4.0 percent, followed by “Sugar, jam, honey, chocolate, and confectionery” (up 0.9 percent), “Fish and seafood” (up 0.8 percent) and “Oils and fats” (up 0.7 percent). By contrast, a range of other food products displayed lower prices during the aforesaid comparison period, including “Fruits” (down 3.1 percent), “Food products not elsewhere classified” (down 1.6 percent) and “Bread and cereals” (down 1.2 percent). Food prices in week4 of Ramadan compared with the week preceding Ramadan: SCAD also reported a rise of 3.3 percent in food prices during the fourth week of Ramadan compared with the week preceding Ramadan, reflecting increases of: 9.6 percent in the price of “Fish and seafood”, 7.0 percent in vegetables, 6.6 percent in the “Meat” group and 6.0 percent in the “Coffee, tea and cocoa” group.


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Furniture and homewares retailer Cargo has revealed that its website is no longer active and that its Barnstaple store will remain open as a ‘Harveys’ clearance outlet.
The Cargo Clearance Outlet, which will remain under the Cargo brand, sells discontinued furniture and is part of the Steinhoff International group – which also owns Harveys and Bensons for Beds.
Earlier this year, Cargo confirmed that all its 41 stores would close by the end of January 2016 and would remain trading solely online. However, with the recent development indicating that Cargo homeware products are no longer available online, it appears that an outlet store dedicated to furniture is an option moving forward.
Commenting to local press, Kieran Kidd, manager of the Barnstaple store, said: “Cargo has closed as a homeware store and website, although we are still selling the discontinued stock. The store will still be branded as Cargo, but we will have furniture coming in to replace the homeware.
“Essentially we are a Harvey’s clearance store. We are happy to be keeping the shop open here in Barnstaple so we can continue to be a part the community for many years to come.”


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Ibec warns reopening delay could damage wider economic recovery
The chief executive of the employers’ group Ibec has warned that a lack of clarity on plans for a further reopening of the economy could materially impact the economic recovery.
Danny McCoy also called for certainty for the hospitality sector and the broader business community.
“We are very concerned for the many businesses and people working in the Experience Economy, especially those most impacted by the decision not to go ahead with the next phase of planned reopening due to start on 5 July,” he said.
“We support the restaurants and vintners’ associations who have been placed in an impossible position by the lateness in the decision and the lack of clarity within it.”
On Tuesday the Government said the reopening of indoor dining and drinking was to be postponed, amid concern about the threat posed by the Covid-19 Delta variant.
Pubs and restaurants were due to be allowed to let customers back inside their premises this Monday.
“We all need certainty on a reopening plan as quickly as possible and additional financial support for the extra costs that the mishandling of events in the past week has caused,” Mr McCoy said.
He added that while the Government’s “disappointing” decisions directly impacted hospitality firms, they have also had a wider effect on the business community and the stability of Ireland’s economy.
“Confidence amongst consumers and businesses generally in the Government’s wider reopening plan has been damaged. This could materially impact Ireland’s economic recovery,” Mr McCoy warned.
The Government met yesterday with representatives of the hospitality community to try to chart a way forward for the reopening of the remaining sectors that are still closed.
It has proposed the introduction of a digital vaccination cert or “corona pass” that could be used to allow vaccinated customers indoors again, but the sector is opposed to such a move.
“Much greater certainty and information is needed for all businesses on the Government’s modelling data, timelines and milestones for the revised vaccine rollout, the use of antigen testing, and the GDPR issues for employers generally on requesting and holding information in relation to vaccination status,” Danny McCoy said.
“The Government must improve its communications to business. The events of this week clearly illustrate that a more effective stakeholder engagement model is badly required.”
Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, Mr McCoy was critical of what he called “the delay” in implementing antigen testing.
“It’s scandalous at this stage when the chief science officer was given a task by the Government and came back very strongly for the use of antigen testing,” he said.


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Heilongjiang’s Free Trade Zone attracted RMB 228 bln
Feb 23, 2021 (China Knowledge) - As at the end of 2020, the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in northeast China's of Heilongjiang Province has attracted 196 projects with a total investment of RMB 228.2 bln. The province's total foreign trade had reached RMB 153.7 bln with exports growing 3.2% YoY to RMB 36.09 bln. Since is inauguration in 2019, the FTZ has seen the establishment 7,378 enterprises.
To attract investments, the FTZ has taken measures including improving the business environment, lowering operating costs for foreign enterprises, and promoting online registration.
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Just when Harlem-native ASAP Bari revealed his VLONE collaboration with Nike, another Harlem great, Cam’ron, preview his second joint release with Reebok.
A shoe that Cam mentioned on his sneaker shopping episode, the Cam’ron x Reebok Ventilator “Fleebok 2” highlights pink pigskin suede and adjoining camouflage accents. The shoe also scripts Dipset across the heel to ensure the entire crew is represented.
No release details for the “Fleebok 2” are known at this time. Stay tuned to Nice Kicks as the drop will likely be soon.


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BRISTOL – Renaissance downtown’s marketing arm took a very defensive move on Facebook this week. The page is mostly used as a public relations tool with positive comments. That wasn’t the case in a recent post. The Council recently gave the developer more time to figure thing out. Here is the post in its entirety.
“We keep hearing about a “scaling back of the downtown plans” and that all Renaissance wants to build now is a 100+ unit apartment building as if there is nothing else they want to build. This is not factual, nor the case, at all.
The downtown plan is still intact as you remember it – mix-use, retail, piazza, residential, the whole nine. However, the potential order in which the buildings are to be built will likely need to change, due to certain economic realities. Investors want to see a “market prover” that shows Bristol is ready to support the product, and they feel more confident with the mostly residential building going up first. Even with that, there has been talk of needing assistance to jumpstart that building. We are confident from the response we have heard, that this first building will demonstrate success, and when that happens it will open up conventional financing for subsequent buildings that investors are skeptical on, but we’re boldly confident exists. We have a chance to prove something. After Barley Vine was rejected for their initial loan because of skepticism over whether the product would be supported, they came back and proved it successful.
So while this scenario is a potential economic reality we face, it does NOT mean the plan is being scaled down as has been misreported and misinterpreted.
And while the building is mostly residential, with some small retail, this is a brand spanking new apartment building the likes Bristol has never seen with amenities like in-apartment washer/driers, a fitness center, community & events room, and amenities that will appeal to a class of person that WILL still get to experience the great places right within walking distance like Barley Vine, Firefly Hollow Brewing, Artist Tree Tea House, 457 Mason Jar, Parkside Cafe, Milestone Restaurant, Razzleberries, Crystals Diner, Vivaldi’s, a Grocery Store, Bracket and Memorial Blvd and essentials like a bank, dry cleaner, and salon right across the street, and more.
Also, lost in this discussion is that there are other investors waiting in the wings to potentially take up and occupy vacant space on Main St in anticipation of people moving into new apartments. This would be new retail that pops up because of a new critical mass of folks living downtown (residential building), that currently doesn’t exist. On top of that there are game plans in motion to recruit retailers into these spaces as well, specifically in response to the prospects of the mostly residential building going up first. We cannot discount and devalue the great things around the area that exist now with just an empty parking lot as Depot Square, and so much more will naturally be invested into the surrounding area if we can stimulate those desolate Depot Square grounds. This is the very nature of urban economic development.
Here’s another point we’ve seen of concern in building residential first. Our response is that one of the leading urban retail economic development experts in this country, Kennedy Smith, whom Renaissance has worked with, and her colleagues have a saying. “Retail ALWAYS follows rooftops (housing, apartments, etc), and NOT the other way around.” Meaning retailers set up where there is a critical mass of people because that is opportunity to them. Remember when we tried to lead retail first with the Mall without a critical mass?
And when the first building is developed, and it fills up, we can prove Bristol is ready for a boom, and everything else in the plan can blossom into fruition from there. We are confident this will happen, and when it does downtown Bristol will get on the track to Rising like never before! Your passion and energy will continue to inspire this transformation and we look forward to seeing things move forward in a fashion that works for all!”


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Gov't aims to usher in 'golden age' of PH coconut sector
MANILA, Philippines – The government is calling for more investments in coconut-based businesses to help usher in a "golden age" for the Philippine coconut industry.
In the first investor's summit for coconut-based enterprises held on Thursday, February 26, Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis Pangilinan said now is the time for the country to develop one of its most promising industries.
Key to this is improving the lives of coconut farmers and their capability to produce globally-competitive coconut products, Pangilinan said.
"This summit aims to bring together the various stakeholders in the coconut industry, both government and private sector, and convince all not just to invest in the coconut industry per se but more precisely to invest in the industry's number one resource: the coconut farmer," he said.
The event featured an exhibit of Philippine-made coconut products including coconut water, coconut sugar, coconut-based beauty and health products, liqueurs, and more.
Potential not yet maximized
Philippine Coconut Authority Administrator Romulo Arancon said the potential of the coconut industry to improve the country's economy and lift coconut farmers from poverty has not yet been fully maximized.
Though the Philippines is the world's second largest coconut producer and 68 out of 81 provinces are engaged in coconut production, 60% of Filipino coconut farmers live below the poverty line.
According to the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), coconut farmers earn an average of only P25,000 a year.
But new demand for coconut-based products could turn the tide.
Coconut water, for example, a low-calorie drink gaining popularity among health buffs, could potentially earn the country $450 million a year, given that the country produces 15 billion nuts annually, said Arancon.
"Our highest export so far of coconut water was in 2012 worth $18.5 million, only 4% of the potential," he added.
Virgin coconut oil, a "world class" commodity that can be used to make massage oil, lotions, hair treatment products, among others, also holds great promise.
Philippine coconut product exports grew by 1,000% in the last 7 years, from 1,600 metric tons in 2008 to 22,681 metric tons in the middle of 2014.
There may also be a bright future for farmers and processors of potassium-rich coconut sugar.
"One day, all the sugar in Starbucks, hotels and airlines will be coconut sugar," promised Arancon.
The Philippines and its farmers can also profit from the projected global demand of 4 million square meters of coconut nets per year, used for securing river beds from erosion.
The goal, he added, was for the Philippine coconut industry to "go beyond copra."
Copra, aged coconut meat, has brought only poverty for a majority of coconut farmers. In most cases, copra farmers earn only P40 to P50 a day.
In contrast, one liter of coconut water is sold for $5 to $7 in American groceries. One nut harvested by a farmer holds 300 milliliters of coconut water.
Best practices in farming can also help lift farmers from poverty. Farmers who plant other crops and raise livestock on the side can bring in as much as P50,000 a month per hectare.
To be globally competitive, the challenge for the Philippine coconut industry is to ensure quality, volume and reliability of supply, said Arancon.
The fruits of a bountiful coconut sector will only trickle down to farmers if everyone would introduce "new forms of business engagement" with them, said Rafael Lopa, Executive Director of Philippine Businesses for Social Progress.
There are more than 3.5 million coconut farmers in the country while around 25 million Filipinos are employed directly and indirectly by the sector.
To improve their productivity and quality of living, they should move beyond merely harvesting to owning or partly owning enterprises, said Lopa.
The government says it has this base covered.
The Department of Agriculture aims to establish 34 village-based agro-industrial hubs in coconut-producing provinces until 2016, said Agriculture Undersecretary for Special Concerns Bernadette Puyat.
These hubs are centers located in coconut farmer villages equipped with facilities for processing products like coconut water, coconut sugar, and virgin coconut oil.
The idea is to make these facilities accessible to farmers so they can make products from the coconuts they harvest. This would allow them to sell products at higher prices and eventually make more money from coconuts.
Puyat said they have already started, with a virgin coconut oil processing center in Mindanao and a coconut water facility in Camarines Sur.
Farmer cooperatives can also reap benefits from responsible public-private partnerships or joint ventures with establishments like restaurants, souvenir shops, or supermarkets.
But Lopa underscored the need for basic facilities which to this day are sorely lacking in many parts of the Philippines – facilities like irrigation, farm-to-market roads, and the provision of high-yielding coconut seeds.
Senator Cynthia Villar, meanwhile, said the coconut industry must also be protected from pests like the coconut scale insect which ravaged millions of coconut trees in Calabarzon and Basilan last year.
Villar, chairperson of the Senate committee on agriculture, said a task force should be automatically activated and given funds once an infestation is detected. –Rappler.com


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May 24, 2013 |
NEW DELHI: Confectionery major Britannia Industries today posted 65.66 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 87.85 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31. The company had reported net profit of Rs 53.03 crore during the January-March quarter of 2011-12 fiscal. Net sales rose to Rs 1,486.63 crore during Q4, 2012-13, as against Rs 1,309.57 crore in the same period of 2011-12 fiscal, Britannia Industries said in a statement. "Our results are a reflection of our focus on driving consumer off-take and operational efficiencies to generate sustainable and profitable growth," Britannia Industries Managing Director Vinita Bali said.
January 9, 2014 |
NEW DELHI: Even though small- and mid-cap stocks languished in 2013 as compared to their large-cap peers, buying activity picked up in the last three months starting October. The S&P BSE mid- and small-cap indices have rallied as much as 20 per cent since October, as compared to a modest 5 per cent gain on the BSE Sensex, as of data collected on January 8. Stocks such as PI Industries, Tech Mahindra, MindTree, Divi's Laboratories rallied over 20 per cent in the same period. Other stocks which are there on the radar of MFs such as Britannia Industries, AmaraRaja Batteries, Vardhman Textiles and Page Industries gave 9-18 per cent returns since October.
March 14, 2011 |
Unibic Biscuits India has Indian firm Marico and some multinational food giants hovering over its cookie jar. The Indian arm of Australian cookie maker Unibic is scouting for a partner, either strategic or financial, to stoke its growth ambitions in the country, says Unibic Biscuits India MD Nikhil Sen . Bangalore-based Unibic now targets revenues of $100 million in India in 4-5 years. Sen knows what it takes. He started out as a management trainee in Britannia Industries and by 2003 was the second in command.
December 19, 2011 |
MUMBAI | BANGALORE: Britannia Industries has merged the sales team of its dairy portfolio with that of the more established biscuits business to tap new towns and achieve greater bargaining clout with retailers. Rivals see it as a move to cut costs when margins are under pressure. The Wadia Group company has also started using cycle-rickshaws to sell bread in Delhi neighbourhoods as part of a drive to increase the reach and speed of marketing. "We realised that requirements of trade are evolving," Britannia Industries MD Vinita Bali told ET. The integration of sales force — Britannia's third in four years — will help the firm gain from synergies in distribution and replenishment, and expand the reach of its dairy products manifold.
March 15, 2007 |
MUMBAI: Foreign fund Arisaig Partners Asia has consolidated its stake in Wadia group-controlled Britannia Industries to over 5% by acquiring an additional 1.85 lakh shares for Rs 24 crore through open market transactions. In a deal on March 12, Arisaig Partners acquired 1.85 lakh shares representing 0.78% in the biscuit maker, a regulatory filing on the Bombay Stock Exchange shows. Going by the intra-day high of Britannia on March 12 at Rs 1,300 per share, Arisaig Partners could have bought the additional shares for Rs 24.05 crore.
August 5, 2007 |
Wadias are likely to flash 'preemptive rights' to block any move by the French-based Groupe Danone to sell its 25.1% stake in biscuit major Britannia Industries to an undesirable partner. Wadias' private shareholder agreement with Danone in an offshore entity ABIH, which is an equal JV controlling about 51% stake in Britannia, has provision for a preemptive clause in the wake of either stakeholder wanting to exit.
January 25, 2005 |
MUMBAI: Britannia Industries has posted a net profit of Rs 29.7 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 as compared to Rs 26.8 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2003. The company informed BSE that total income (net of excise) has increased from Rs 364.7 crore in Q3-03 to Rs 385.8 crore for quarter ended December 31, 2004.
May 20, 2002 |
MUMBAI: The board of Britannia Industries would consider a second buy back proposal of equity share capital at meeting scheduled on June 4. The directors would also consider accounts and recommend dividend for the year 2001-02, the company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange on Monday. In June last year, the company had similarly decided to buy back a maximum of ten lakh shares at a price not exceeding Rs 750 per share.
July 19, 2004 |
MUMBAI: Britannia Industries has closed its offer to buyback the company shares after it purchased shares worth Rs 77.81 crore. The buyback panel of board at its meeting held on July 15 decided to close the offer from that date, the company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange on Monday. The company bought back 12.21 lakh shares with investment of Rs 77.81 crore.
July 21, 2004 |
MUMBAI: Britannia Industries has posted a net profit of Rs 60 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 as compared to Rs 28.6 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2003. Total income has increased from Rs 345.5 crore in the Q-03 to Rs 435.8 crore in the quarter ended June 30, 2004.


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Eric Silver and company at Amalgamated continue to push their vodka client Ultimat, which is housed under the Patron Spirits umbrella. After taking its “Social Life Audit” several months ago, Amalgamated has now provided us with this interesting outdoor effort aimed at white collar pros in NYC and Chicago who apparently work nonstop and could use a booze break. The parties behind the campaign employed actual window-washers (hence the name) and snazzed them up to a bit in order to relate, we suppose, to the corporate workforce and send them a message in the process. How’s that for selling a happy hour. At least it looks like mission accomplished. Credits after the jump.
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Finally, the Milan EICMA 2010 Bike and Motorcycle Show welcomes visitors after two action-packed days dedicated exclusively to the motorcycle industry and press representatives.
Thousands of people are expected to crowd the Italian motorcycle show pavilions and it is projected that a new attendance record might be set.
Women are poised to benefit from a special promotion that provides all with a free-entry-pass for Friday. Also, all Friday motorcycle fans will enjoy the MotoLive racing program held on the EICMA outdoor course, with spectacular exhibitions by stuntmen Chris Pfeiffer an Kevin Carmichael.
Motorcycle fans also are getting ready for the celebration of the 1960 Rome Olympic Champions as well as the historical exposition dedicated to Fiorenzo Magni whose special 90th birthday will cause all motorcycling guests to toast.
A new EICMA 2010 area is devoted to motorcycle tourism that warmly appeals all those who like to ride with a special feeling for discovery and adventure. Lots of escape routes, in Italy or abroad, are ready to be explored.
Promising EICMA 2010 start-up projects have allowed EICMA to look forward with new, ambitious international motorcycle shows: EICMA President Corrado Capelli, General Director Costantino Ruggiero and their Chinese partners disclosed the new EICMA China edition scheduled from July 2-4 in 2011.
On the wake of the successful 2010 event in Beijing, running cooperation with China is bound to improve further on.
Meanwhile, Milan remains a no-limits laboratory of new ideas as “Young Designers For Mobility” exposition seems to confirm, with the better opportunity given to raising creative designers to launch innovative solutions for sustainable mobility.
Major motorcycle brands remain in the spotlight with their new jewels, competing for prestigious awards such as the GP della Pubblicita (Advertising Grand Prix): 2010 winner was BMW for sport and tourism motorbikes, while Yamaha, Ducati and Suzuki prevailed in the other categories.
Last but not least, below is a list of new 2011 motorcycles of interest that are on the display at this year’s EICMA; courtesy of Eric Putter (Putter Power Media) who is on the ground and reporting from Milan.
Dorsoduro 750 factory
RSV4 Factory APRC Special Edition
Concept 3 prototype scooter
Monster 1100 EVO
1190 RC8R Track
Crosstourer V4 prototype
Mid Concept prototype
CBR600F (Euro only)
CBR125R (Euro only)
Hornet 600 (Euro only)
600cc maxiscooter (Euro only)
300cc maxiscooter (Euro only)
Mille 3 Prototype
Tiger 800 XC
Lorenzo’s Yamaha M1
Stoner’s Ducati GP10
For most of the bike previews, please see the 2011 motorcycles landing page here at Ultimate Motorcycling.


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(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following this week’s announcement by the Georgia Public Service Commission warning of higher natural gas bills, consumers are accessing Allconnect.com to evaluate rate plans and ensure they pay the lowest price possible.
“The Commission noted that the cold weather is expected to continue”
The Commission noted that December 2009 was 30% colder than the previous year resulting in consumers using more gas and receiving higher bills. Consequently, Georgia consumers are visiting Allconnect.com for an easy way to review natural gas providers and plans, including the option to compare variable versus fixed rate plans.
By entering their home address at Allconnect.com, consumers find a one-stop resource to find the lowest price and most convenient plan for their household. This free, online service not only shows current rates, but also highlights any special promotions, such as gift cards or bill credits for new customers. One-time fees, contract terms, and other specifics are clearly spelled out, and there is a best-price guarantee.
Allconnect.com is a free online resource to review and compare costs and choices for natural gas, and other essential home services including high speed Internet, phone, cable TV, satellite TV, home security systems, and electricity. Consumers also have the option to call 1-800-ALLCONNECT to reach a Home Services Consultant who will review the different rates and plans specific to the caller’s address.
“The Commission noted that the cold weather is expected to continue,” says Mark Miller, Allconnect CEO. “Even in Georgia, winter is not going to be over anytime soon. By reviewing their natural gas plans and rates at Allconnect, consumers could find savings immediately.”
Fayette Front Page
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage


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Android now holds 75% share of the smartphone market, according to new numbers from IDC, while Apple in the most recent quarter had 15% share. That means Android is outselling Apple five to one. Last quarter Android was outselling Apple only (only!) four-to-one, when they had 68% and 17% share, respectively.
Android Is No Longer The Plucky Underdog
You know what blows my mind? Despite these numbers, tech bloggers keep talking about Apple as a market leader and portraying Android as a plucky underdog that’s trying to catch up.
Are you kidding me? Look, when three out of four phones sold worldwide run your operating system, I think it’s safe to declare victory.
The lack of respect must drive Andy Rubin nuts. He’s the co-creator of Android, the guy who runs the Android business inside Google. His relatively tiny team of developers has done something truly amazing. They’ve come of out nowhere and created a smash-hit product in a market (mobile computing) that represents the biggest and most important opportunity in our lifetime.
Android sales grew 91% last quarter, nearly double the rate of the overall smartphone market.
This is an incredible feat. The folks on the Android team should be taking a victory lap. They should be hailed as heroes.
But here in the U.S., at least, people still talk about Apple as the market leader.
Apple Is Now Stuck Trying To Catch Up
Sure, there was a time when Apple was the top dog in smartphones, and Android was way behind both in terms of market share and in technology.
But those days are over. Apple now is trying to keep up with Android, and not always with much success. With Maps and with Siri, Apple now lags way behind Google’s maps and voice applications.
The user interface on iOS looks dated and tired compared to the latest version of Android. (Which may partly explain why Apple just booted the guy who was in charge of running iOS development.) And the iPad Mini was a follower in the small-tablet space, not the leader.
In terms of market share… at this point, Apple is a niche player. I’m sorry, but that’s what you call it when you have one-fifth the share of your main rival. And does anyone really expect that Apple’s share of the smartphone market will ever be substantially better than it is today? Of course not.
From PCs To Smart Phones – Deja Vu?
If this sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve seen this movie before, only in the original version Apple was losing out to Microsoft in personal computers. Now Google is using the same game plan in smartphones: Come in late with an alternative product and gobble up market share by licensing the OS to loads of hardware makers instead of trying to do everything yourself.
Apple fanboys used to swear up and down that this would never happen. By some kind of magical thinking these people convinced themselves that somehow the smartphone market was different, or Apple was different – or something.
But consider this: Apple’s 15% share in smartphones is only a little bit better than the 12.5% share IDC says Apple holds in U.S. PC market.
That’s right. Apple’s share of the worldwide smartphone market has fallen almost as low as its share of the U.S. personal computer market.
Nobody considers Apple a market leader in PCs. So why do they view Apple as a leader in smarphones?
You could almost argue that Apple is better positioned in PCs than in smartphones, since in the U.S. PC market Apple’s share isn’t that far behind the two market leaders – HP, which has 26%, and Dell, which has 20.7%,
– whereas in smartphones Apple is getting smoked. (Ever wondered why Apple is suing everybody in sight? Yeah. That’s why.)
To be sure, Apple is one company selling a few smartphone models, while Android runs on hundreds of devices from dozens of handset makers. So maybe it’s not a fair fight.
And yes, Apple still rules in the tablet market. But even there its share has slipped dramatically over the past year, from 81% to 52%, according to the Pew Research Center.
From Market Share To Profit Share?
Most important, Apple still grabs the lion’s share of the profits in the mobile phone market, but here too Apple’s share has declined since last year, according to analyst Horace Dediu of Asymco, who tracks this statistic.
Thing is, Google with Android isn’t trying to make a profit in smartphones. It’s just trying to get as many handsets into the world as possible.
Apple and Google are playing different games – one about profit, one about market share. A generous description would be that both companies are winning.
Nevertheless: Android has 75% market share. That’s up from 4.7% in 2009, and less than 1% in 2008.
Three years ago, in November 2009, when I wrote an article about Android for Newsweek, Gartner was predicting that by 2012 Android would have slightly more market share than Apple.
A year later, in October, 2010, when I wrote a Newsweek cover story about Android, I cited IDC predictions that Android would have 25% share by 2014.
Back then those predictions seemed pretty daring. Now here we are, in 2012, and Android has 75% share.
Andy Rubin seems like a pretty low-key guy. Nevertheless, if you see him out spinning donuts in a parking lot at the Googleplex, cut him some slack. He’s earned it.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock.


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The hosts of BBC hit series “Top Gear” will return next year with a new car show, but this time it will be hosted on video streaming platform Amazon Prime Instant Video. The deal was made a few weeks ago, people familiar with the matter said.
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May will all return to the programme, set to air in 2016 with three series already penned. Amazon outbid regular TV broadcasters and Netflix (opens in new tab) in one of the fiercest bidding wars for a TV show in recent times.
The BBC sacked Jeremy Clarkson a few months ago for punching a producer, after a heated argument at the hotel near where Top Gear was filmed. It isn’t the first time Clarkson has been in trouble however, with several incidents forcing the BBC and Clarkson to apologise to countries or organisations.
Amazon does not seem at all troubled by Clarkson’s potential to cause trouble. The 350 million viewers for Top Gear worldwide seem to be more valuable than the inevitable apologies Amazon will have to issue to countries, if Clarkson intends to take the show on the road.
Top Gear on Prime Instant Video will be a different show, less scripted and focusing more on cars. We don’t know if segments where celebrities appear on the show will be added into the new format. The three Top Gear hosts created a new production studio, W. Chump & Sons, along with executive producer Andy Wilman, to produce the show.
It is another big exclusive for the streaming world and shows the amount of money both Amazon and Netflix are prepared to spend to win over customers. Instead of buying licensed content from other broadcasters, both want their own TV shows and movies.
Amazon recently announced it has plans to release a new movie every month on Prime Instant Video (opens in new tab), surpassing Netflix’s current rate for original content. Netflix, on the other hand, will continue to work with Marvel on new comic series, alongside its Emmy award-winning series’ Orange is the New Black and House of Cards.
Prime Instant Video is part of Amazon Prime, the £79 per year free shipping service with additional services, like music streaming, video streaming, cloud storage, hourly shipping in London and other benefits. Instant Video is available on its own for £5.99 per month.
Having Top Gear under its belt should draw a few million viewers to Prime Instant Video. It might even propel the service higher than Netflix, which currently holds prime position in the streaming market with over 40 per cent of prime time viewership (opens in new tab).
Top Gear will be available in Austria, Germany, the US and the UK when it launches on Prime Instant Video. Amazon also has the option of licensing the content in countries where it isn’t available.
Update: Amazon has confirmed the news, Top Gear will be coming to Prime Instant Video in 2016. (opens in new tab)


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What is identity theft? These are the basics you need to know about this increasingly widespread crime.
As the world spends more and more of its time online each day, an increasing number of people fall victim to identity theft – a serious and sometimes life-altering crime that can happen to anyone at any time. According to Credit.com, most people will face identity theft at one point in their lives.
But what exactly is identity theft?
The United States Department of Justice says, “The short answer is that identity theft is a crime. Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.”
What personal information is vulnerable to identity theft?
All of your personal data is vulnerable when it comes to identity theft. Your social security number, bank account number, credit card numbers, driver’s licenses, passports and any other unique identifying numbers can be used to steal your identity.
How does it happen?
Identity theft can be very high tech or very low tech. Some cyber criminals use high tech tricks to steal personal information online, but other identity thieves use simpler methods. For instance, Credit.com says a majority of identity theft crimes stem from check forgery, credit card misuse and information stolen from the trash or what’s known as “dumpster diving.” Identity thieves also steal purses or wallets to obtain personal information like driver’s license numbers, credit card numbers, etc.
Identity theft can happen in a lot of ways, and thieves can do different things with your personal information once they obtain it. For instance, the Social Security Administration says someone illegally using your Social Security number and assuming your identity can cause a lot of problems:
“Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. A dishonest person who has your Social Security number can use it to get other personal information about you. Identity thieves can use your number and your good credit to apply for more credit in your name. Then, they use the credit cards and do not pay the bills. You may not find out that someone is using your number until you are turned down for credit or you begin to get call from unknown creditors demanding payment for items your never bought.”
Identity theft is something that every American should be aware of. Stay tuned for more posts about identity theft, including what’s happening now in the news, and a breakdown of new trends like phishing, pharming, skimming, and more.