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A family from DeWitt is trying to help those who are trying to adopt a child.
Adoption fees may cost thousand of dollars, and the Berrie family knows that struggle first hand with an adopted daughter.
They decided to open a resale store called The Adopted Closet, with part of the proceeds going to families who are in the process of adopting.
Brittany Berrie started The Adopted Closet as a mission to help people with legal fees that come with the adoption process. It all started when a family member helped the Berries pay for fees when adopting their daughter.
“My cousin was asking about her and we got to talking and the adoption had not been finalized and she said when you get home go hire an attorney I’m paying for everything,” Berrie said.
Brittany wanted to find a way to help others since she knows what families go through while adopting.
“I had the idea of paying for someone else’s adoption because I know what that blessing feels like,” Berrie said.
What started as a yard sale turned into something more. “We were just going to do an end of the summer sale and then sell the rest and what didn’t sell, sell the rest online and it turned into a store,” Berrie said. “I know what that feels like to hear the words of it’s going to be taken care of and so the fact that I can do that for somebody else, it’s the purpose of everything; it’s the purpose of the whole store.”
When word got out about the store, the community rallied behind it. “I came out one day and the whole front of my house was just full of clothing and almost everyday at least 5 times a week we have at least a bag or box of clothing,” Berrie said.
Soon, The Adopted Closet will help a family from Davenport. “Our first family that we’re going to help their adoption is finalized next month, and they’re going to send us the balance,” Berrie said.
Brittany says one of her goals is to share the adoption stories of families they’ve been able to help.


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Food crime: the NFCU is on the case
In worrying times, Darren Davies, Head of the Food Standards Agency’s National Food Crime Unit, offers reassurance that food in the UK remains safe and legitimate.
If this year has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a unique set of challenges for all of those working in the food system. Protecting the integrity of the food supply chain has been one of the key priorities for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and I am pleased to say that this has been maintained – even in the most difficult of circumstances.
While access to food has been a concern for the public during this pandemic, we have been clear that a lack of trust in the food they are buying should not add to their worries.
This trust was severely tested in 2013 when it was discovered that several meat products being sold in the UK and Ireland contained horse meat which was not mentioned on the label. The horse meat incident shocked the country as we questioned how this had been allowed to happen and wondered how long it had been going on for. The public was outraged – and for good reason – they, along with legitimate food businesses, had been the victims of a crime.
Following the horse meat incident, Professor Chris Elliott undertook a review of food crime in the UK and outlined a food crime prevention framework. One of the recommendations of the report was to create a new unit within the FSA that would lead on food crime. As a result, in 2015, the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) was formed.
Shortly after our inception, we worked with Food Standards Scotland’s Food Crime and Incidents Unit (SFCIU) to produce the first strategic assessment of food crime in the UK. A lot has changed since then, not least the EU exit and an increase in the prevalence of selling food online. Together with the SFCIU, we have revisited the assessment and updated it to reflect the new challenges and opportunities we are seeing in 2020. However, the fundamental assessment remains the same: the UK has some of the safest and most trusted food in the world and the vast majority of food businesses in this country operate legitimately and honestly. Nevertheless, we need to remain vigilant against a small minority of criminals and unscrupulous businesses whose activity risks undermining our trust in food.
The 2020 Food Crime Strategic Assessment, due to be published soon, has identified a number of parts of the industry, or types of food products, that could be vulnerable to food crime. This could be illegally harvested shellfish entering the food chain, or fraudsters imitating a legitimate business to acquire a food product and not paying for it at significant financial impact to food businesses, as well as serious risk to consumers.
Vulnerability can exist at any place along the route from farm through to fork, both in the UK or overseas. In general, food criminals generally try to do one of two things: either make a passable product appear of higher value than it is or enter unsuitable food or ingredients into the food chain and profit from selling them as fit for consumption.
Food fraud is not a victimless crime. If you have bought a product with a premium quality, you deserve to know that the characteristic you paid for is there. A legitimate food business should not have to worry about going bust because a criminal one is undercutting it. There can also be devastating consequences when corners are cut – replacing almond powder with cheaper peanut powder and not declaring it could result in a serious allergic reaction and even death.
Identifying these vulnerable areas does not mean a whole section of the food industry is criminal or complicit. Instead, it means that we need to work closely with legitimate businesses to identify potential weaknesses in the food chain and pursue those who are trying to exploit them. The more knowledge that we have about food crime methods, the better we will be able to combat them.
The NFCU works closely with local authorities, the police and other crime agencies to pursue those who seek to profit from food crime. In the last year, we have conducted many joint operations with key partners, including an investigation into animal by-products being used in kebab meat in the West Midlands, and the recovery of stolen meat acquired through fraud in the North West. We are also continuing to disrupt the supply to the harmful chemical DNP, which is sometimes dangerously advertised as a weight-loss aid and in recent years has been linked to over 30 deaths in the UK.
We must continue to remain vigilant to the threat from food crime and the risk it poses to businesses and consumers. No single assessment can ever capture every risk to the UK’s food industry which is why we want to encourage food businesses to collaborate with us, to share their intelligence and expertise, and help us to tackle any unscrupulous parts of the industry. We encourage food businesses to get in touch and work with us to improve their understanding of, and test responses to, vulnerabilities to crime within their supply chain.
Whatever the next few months have in store, whether you will be perfecting your baking recipes or ordering from your favourite takeaway, you can do so knowing that the NFCU and its partners are working to ensure we can all be confident that the food we are enjoying is safe and what it says it is.
Anyone with information about a suspected food crime can report it to the National Food Crime Unit at [email protected] or on 02072768787.
About the author
Darren Davies is head of the Food Standards Agency’s National Food Crime Unit. Prior to this, he was in law enforcement for more than three decades.

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Singapore has over 200,000 millionaires, with over 1,000 of them considered to be ultra high networth individuals worth over $68.9 million. With films like Crazy Rich Asians giving us an idealised version of high-income spending, imagining the spending habits of the ultra-rich can make the mind wander. While there are plenty of articles about how the rich spend their money, we were interested in the hard figures of their expenditures. Using the most recent Household Expenditure Survey, we analysed the spending of upper-income households to see how they really spend their money. KEY FINDINGS: High-income households spend more money on cultural experiences and travel Households in the 91st-100th income decile spend the least on children's pocket allowances High-income households spend the least on tobacco products Despite differences on a granular level, there are many similarities between high-income and mid-income household expenses WHAT DO HIGH-INCOME SINGAPOREANS SPEND MONEY ON? … [Read more...] about What do Singapore’s rich spend their money on?
Estimating money worksheets
Business Amazon.com Inc fell short of second-quarter profit estimates on Thursday as the world's biggest online retailer faces fierce competition from Walmart and other e-commerce players globally and invested more in marketing and faster delivery. 26 Jul 2019 04:16AM (Updated: 26 Jul 2019 04:26AM) Bookmark REUTERS: Amazon.com Inc on Thursday reported second-quarter profit below analysts' estimates, as the world's biggest online retailer spent more money on faster delivery of packages to Prime members.Shares of the company were down nearly 2per cent at US$1939.05 in extended trading.Amazon's operating expenses surged about 21per cent in the quarter to US$60.32 billion as it invested US$800 million in the second quarter for its one-day delivery program.The company forecast net sales in the range of US$66 billion and US$70 billion for the third quarter. Analysts were expecting revenue of US$67.27 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.Net sales in North America, its … [Read more...] about Amazon misses second-quarter profit estimates on higher costs
This is unsettling: all the talk of money being distributed to the nation’s legislators in exchange for their votes in the heated speakership race. A few weeks ago, people expressed disgust at the rampant vote buying that happened on the eve of elections. It was the only way electoral contestants could go around the instant counting enabled by the automated system. The speakership contest, it seems, opens an opportunity for the winning politicians to recover the money they had so freely distributed in the streets. This time, it is their votes as congressmen that are on the bidding block. Pantaleon Alvarez first broke the news about the money on offer in the mad contest for Speakership. He quoted estimates ranging from P500,000 to a million being distributed to win support from legislators. Alvarez, who is lamely posturing for the post, has the credentials to speak on the role of money in winning support in the House. During his shortened term as Speaker, public works projects … [Read more...] about Money
SAN FRANCISCO: The underwriters of Uber Technologies' initial public offering on Tuesday overwhelmingly recommended the company's shares, even as they estimated deeper losses than previously expected for the ride-hailing service this year.With the end of a quiet period related to Uber's disastrous IPO last month, at least 15 banks involved in the public listing initiated analyst coverage of the company, all of them positive except for Citi's "neutral" rating."Uber is a transformational company that should benefit from secular shifts to the sharing economy (Rides), time saving services (Eats), and more efficient marketplace evolution (Freight)," Bank of America analyst Justin Post wrote in his report, setting a US$53 price target.Uber's stock was up 2.4per cent at US$42.22. Still, shares have dropped 6per cent from the price set in the May 9 IPO amid investor worries over whether the company is able to make money.About US$5 billion of Uber’s stock market value has evaporated since … [Read more...] about Uber’s IPO underwriters recommend buying, estimate deep losses
caption “Avengers: Endgame.” source Disney Disney updated its box-office figures on Monday for “Avengers: Endgame.” It made $6 million more domestically on Sunday than originally projected. That brings its domestic total to $356 million. The movie’s international box office also increased. Now its global total is $1.222 billion. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories. Throw more money into the Disney vault. “Avengers: Endgame” had a better Sunday than what was originally projected by the studio. On Monday, Disney updated the weekend box-office take for its record-breaking Marvel movie. The movie was originally projected to bring in $84.3 million on Sunday, but it actually took in $90.3 million. That brings its total domestic gross to $356 million. The movie also upped its international gross to $866 million. The up-to-date global gross for “Endgame” is $1.222 billion over five … [Read more...] about Disney was off with its box-office estimates — and it turns out ‘Avengers: Endgame’ made even more money


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Apple Posts First iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c Product Videos
Apple has released three new videos for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c on its YouTube channel. The videos first debuted earlier today during the company's iPhone media event in Cupertino, where the new iPhones were announced.
The first of the three videos introduces the colorful, lower-cost iPhone 5c, with Jony Ive explaining that Apple believes the iPhone "is an experience" the company is continuing to refine.
The second video features Apple SVPs Dan Riccio and Craig Federighi detailing the improvements in both the hardware and software of the iPhone 5s' new iSight camera, including Burst Mode, Slo-Mo video recording, and True Tone flash.
The final video depicts Ive and Riccio explaining the innovation behind the new Touch ID fingerprint sensor, detailing not only how much "care" and "consideration" Apple put into adding the sensor, but also the technology behind it.
Both the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c will be available to consumers on September 20. Apple will begin accepting pre-orders for the iPhone 5c on September 13, but will not accept pre-orders for the iPhone 5s. The 16Gb iPhone 5c will be available for $99 on a two-year contract while the 16GB iPhone 5s will be available for $199 on a two-year contract.
Top Rated Comments
Why cave in next year? iPhone 7S will be even better.
The iPhone 5c is the distillation ?!?!
Hah alrighty then


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The pandemic and horizontal marketplaces cementing their presence have given the online furniture market a boost
Online furniture platforms have been on an upward curve, and have managed to shield themselves from the harmful impact of the pandemic. In CY20, the online furniture market grew to $400 million, from $275 million in CY19, according to a report by RedSeer Management Consulting. Although furniture has traditionally been an unorganised category, the entry of horizontal players such as Flipkart and Amazon four years ago, has given a boost to the industry.
Further, the online furniture market is expected to clock in 40% growth in the next five years, according to Wazir Advisors. After the lockdown last year, owing to pent-up demand, the online furniture market saw an uptick in sales of both general and work from home (WFH) furniture. This year, too, a similar trend is expected. Brands are now enhancing their online presence to create a real-time shopping experience.
Making WFH work
Lokendra Ranawat, co-founder and CEO of WoodenStreet, says his company is witnessing 80% sales of the pre-Covid period. To improve the customer experience, the company has launched virtual reality solutions to give customers a feel of the store while shopping from home. It has introduced a range of hydraulic designs, wall-mounted study tables and sofa-cum-expandable-beds. In line with its omnichannel strategy, WoodenStreet plans to also launch 20 new experience studios across the country in the next six months, Ranawat adds.
Pepperfry, a big player in the online furniture market, has seen business revive 50% of pre-Covid level. “However, currently, we are seeing a 20-25% spike in our business through video consultations and virtual walkthroughs,” says Kashyap Vadapalli, CMO of Pepperfry. The company plans to expand its physical stores to 150 locations by the end of the year.
“Consumers are preferring comfort over cost, and opting for furniture which is ergonomically aligned to provide maximum cushion for long working hours,” says Nishant Gupta, senior director, BGMH and furniture, Flipkart. “We have seen a significant rise in demand for WFH furniture such as study tables, chairs and laptop tables since last year, and the demand is visible across metros and non-metros.” Cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Gurugram, where a significant number of the working population resides, are among the top regions witnessing an increase in demand for WFH essentials.
With a focus on user experience, Godrej Interio has launched a visual search option on its platform. “Initiatives such as video calls have helped us transition 60% of our customers online,” says Subodh Mehta, senior vice president (B2C), Godrej Interio. In FY22, the company expects a 40-45% increase in revenue from online channels, compared to FY21. “Currently, we are delivering in 50 cities through our online platform. This year, we plan to double our reach through unified commerce and omnichannel strategy,” he adds.
Sofa, so good
The pandemic has given an impetus to online furniture companies. Earlier, the market was largely dominated by vertical platforms, but has now shifted in favour of horizontal platforms, observes Chachan from RedSeer. For a long time, vertical players were focussed on premium offerings such as furniture made from teak wood and sandalwood, priced at the higher end. Horizontal players, however, have been offering a wide range of products at affordable prices, including high-quality engineered wood and teak wood furniture.
Analysts say that the entry of horizontal players has led to democratisation in the category, with multiple sizes focussing on affordability, something vertical players may have found difficult to do. Currently, horizontal players like Flipkart and Amazon have 60% of the market share, vertical players Pepperfry, WoodenStreet, among others, hold 20-30% share, while direct-to-consumer brands like Ikea and Godrej Interio command 10% share of the online furniture market.
Increasing online adoption is slated to further boost this market. “However, with local furniture stores moving online, independent of Amazon or Flipkart, we will see larger but fewer showrooms of furniture, offering delivery across the country,” says Harminder Sahni, founder and MD, Wazir Advisors.
New users coming on board, a dedicated focus on supply chain management, expansion in tier II markets and consumer spending in more categories will be crucial for the growth of this industry. To that end, Amazon and Flipkart have already set up supply chains with a focus on tier II markets.


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As we get closer to September speculation of the release of the next iPhone models heats up. Expected to be iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models and possibly more. Because September has been the month in which Apple typically announced iPhone (and Apple Watch) models.
However, this year has been like no other with the ongoing global pandemic of COVID-19. Which disrupts a range of things from the development of products, manufacturing, delivery, and so on. Therefore, there has been speculation lately of the timeline of the next iPhone models. Even speculation that Apple may not release new models at all during 2020.
“Last year we started selling new iPhones in late September, this year we expect supply to be available a few weeks later,”
Luca Maestri, Apple CFO
Apple has already proven that it can release a new iPhone model in 2020 with the release of the new iPhone SE. The most affordable iPhone in the iPhone range. As for future iPhone models? Apple has confirmed they are delayed.
During its recent earnings call with investors, Apple CFO Luca Maestri went on to say “Last year we started selling new iPhones in late September, this year we expect supply to be available a few weeks later,”.
So there you have it – Apple does expect to release new models this year, just don’t expect them until at least October. As for what will be new, nothing has been announced. This year, however, is expected to see the first 5G-enabled iPhone unveiled.


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The video games publisher behind Grand Theft Auto has struck a $13bn (£9.6bn) deal for FarmVille owner Zynga in a huge bet on the future of mobile gaming. Take-Two has paved the way for smartphone spin-offs of its biggest console hits by creating one of the industry’s largest mobile game publishers with sales of just over $6bn. The move marries titles from Take-Two’s most popular console and PC series, including GTA, Red Dead Redemption and Civilisation, with Zynga’s mobile games spanning Empires & Puzzles, Golf Rival and Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells. The cash-and-shares deal is a 64pc premium of Zynga’s closing price on Friday. Telegraph
I guess “Road Rage Mode” didn’t fit on the screen pic.twitter.com/6pJNFvrJXA
— David Zipper (@DavidZipper) January 9, 2022
Tesla’s automated driver-assist feature has added an assertive driving mode. The setting will follow other cars more closely, change lanes more frequently, not leave the overtaking lane, and perform rolling stops. Such driver behaviour by humans is often discouraged by safety groups. However, it could sometimes be safer for an automated system to be more assertive, like a human driver, rather than being overly cautious, one motor safety expert said. The three driving profiles – chill, average, and assertive – were first added in Tesla’s October update. That update, however, was quickly pulled because of other issues, but the driving profiles feature has now been restored. BBC
After teasing its first foldable smartphone in December, Honor has unveiled the Magic V. Honor is joining the likes of Huawei, which is its former parent company, and Xiaomi by stepping into the foldable marketplace. Like Samsung’s Z Fold devices, this is a dual-screen smartphone. It has a 6.45-inch, 431 PPI external display with a resolution of 2560 x 1080, 120Hz refresh rate and 21:9 aspect ratio. Open it up, and users can access a 7.9-inch, 381 PPI display, which has a 2272 x 1984 resolution, 90Hz refresh rate and 10:9 aspect ratio. Both OLED screens are a little larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s respective displays and support a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. Engadget
Apple is not planning to get involved in the “metaverse”, despite its widely reported plans to launch augmented and virtual reality headsets, according to a new report. The metaverse has become a key point of focus for many technology companies looking to promote their future plans in recent months. Facebook renamed itself to Meta to try and associate itself with the idea, as well as revealing its plans to move social interaction into virtual reality worlds, and has been joined by many others. But Apple is unlikely to mention the word at all when it introduces its rumoured virtual reality headset, according to reliable Apple journalist Mark German. Independent
Apple’s iMessage introduced free messages between iPhone users a decade ago has been discriminating against Google users, and that has been affecting mental health of Android users, a recent report from The Wall Street Journal revealed. Hiroshi Lockheimer, Senior VP at Google then took it to Twitter to address Apple. He stated that using peer pressure and bullying as a way to sell products is “disingenuous for a company that has humanity and equity as a core part of its marketing”. Android’s own account chimed in, saying texting should bring us closer together and there is a solution.
Users of iMessage on iPhone have other iMessage users’ chat bubbles in blue, while messages from Android users appear green, and it has been like that since they were able to use their native messaging app on the Google OS back in 2016. According to WSJ, teens and college students “dread the ostracism that comes with a green text”. GSM Arena


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J.C. Penney Co. said in its annual filing Wednesday that “it may take longer than expected or planned to recover” from its declining sales trends. The Plano-based department store chain also said that changes to its current strategy could result in “significant additional costs.”
Penney said its future “operating results, and actual results may be materially less than planned.”
During the transition period in 2012, “changes to our pricing and marketing strategies have resulted in a prolonged decline in sales and our results of operations have been significantly below our expectations.” Penney posted a 25 percent decline in sales last year to $13 billion from $17 billion the prior year.
“Any changes to our strategies could be substantial, and if implemented, could result in significant additional costs,” Penney said in the report that was filed after the market closed. “Adjustments may also create confusion among our customers, divert management and employees’ attention from other business concerns or otherwise disrupt our business.
“There is no assurance that our pricing, branding, store layout, marketing and merchandising strategies, or any future adjustments to our strategies, will improve our operating results,” Penney said.
We may need to adjust any one or more of these strategic initiatives depending upon our customers’ reactions to and acceptance of these initiatives.
New shops and streets are being built in Penney’s largest stores and those efforts “may not have the same impact on all of our stores.”


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AA Labels, in Wainman Road, Orton Longueville, has also announced a trio of senior appointments as it bolsters its management team.
The manufacturer, which currently has 35 employees, is looking to take on new staff for its product team.
The move comnes as it announces that Kiran Sethi, who has held a variety of roles within the company, has been appointed as managing director and company secretary.
A spokesperson said: “Kiran’s passion for customer service has been instrumental in helping the company to achieve commendable ISO 9001 and 14001 quality and environmental ratings and working toward further process driven accreditations.
In addition, Nazmin Magumder has been appointed general manager while Umer Anwar has been named operations and IT manager.
The promotions have been made ahead of a planned expansion to AA labels’ services, which will launch by the end of the year.
Kiran said: “This is an exciting time to be taking up the role of managing director, as we continue to provide an innovative approach to labelling and packaging.
“My aim is to continue building our reputation within a range of industries, with a key focus on customer service and further developing our environmental standards.”
Ian Axelsen, business development manager, said: “We are experiencing an increase in demand for our services and these appointments will ensure our operation remains agile as we expand.”
Following the recent launch of two new services, Express Print and Click & Collect, production times have increased to 12 hours per day, up from eight, due to the introduction of split shifts.


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The seitan-based slices are flavored with a range of herbs and contain wheat and tofu – making them high in protein. They are wrapped in a recyclable paper container with a peelable film lid.
According to the brand, the slices are aimed at ‘flexitarians looking to reduce their meat intake – whether for health, environment or animal welfare concerns’ as well as vegans and vegetarians.
It cites a survey from the British Sandwich Association which discovered that chicken is the nation’s top sandwich filling. This results in more than 43,000 tonnes of chicken being consumed every year in the sandwich market alone.
The brand believes its new product – which has a ‘realistic and succulent texture which is sure to cause a flutter among consumers’ – will help reduce the number of chickens consumed.
In a statement sent to Plant Based News, Sarah Augustine, Squeaky Bean co-creator, said: “Squeaky Bean is your sidekick in the kitchen, with these wonderfully versatile and flavourful Roast Chicken Flavour Slices that are sure to challenge negative perceptions of vegan food.
“Adding a deliciously moreish filling to sandwiches has never been easier – that’s if you can resist eating the Slices straight from the pack!”
Squeaky Bean Roast Chicken Slices has a recommended retail price of £2.50 per 90g pack.


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Twitter, who has been fighting to protect an Occupy Wall Street protester's details from the government has surrendered the details after being forced into a metaphorical corner.
Hands on with the Microsoft Band
The Galaxy Alpha: Samsung's answer to the iPhone 6
Samsung Galaxy Alpha
All the latest on Windows 10
Windows 10 promo img
Office next expected in 2H 2015


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DLV had a successful ICE London
(London, SoloAzar Exclusive).- Alisa Racina Marketing Manager, DLV; spoke exclusively with SoloAzar. “We expect the clients’ interest in our products and I would like to note that the results of the first two days have already made us happy,” she said.
What are you exhibiting in this edition of ICE?
This year for the first time, we provide with a new Slant Top type machine – Diamond X, which is a compact solution for casinos, but has an option to add the third screen. Additionally we show a new Nectar’s Treasury Jackpot with new and updated games. Among others, we offer some cabinets and multigames, which have already made a name of themselves on the different world markets.
As for the online developments, we show them at this exhibition for the second time, but now it is the 200 games portfolio. A novelty of the online this year is a possibility to play with one of our three jackpots or without it. In future, the option will be completed and players will have an opportunity to choose any of our jackpots to play.
What are the expectations and goals with which you come to the London show each year?
We expect the clients’ interest in our products and I would like to note that the results of the first two days have already made us happy. One of the aims was the new products’ highlight, which we have achieved - the Diamond X cabinet has received a positive response and our clients from Latin-American market have already ordered the Nectar’s Treasury Jackpot.
How important is for the company to exhibit here?
One of the most important ones because the scale of clients at this exhibition is almost limitless. Here are presented many different products for the most operation kinds. Each year we watch more new companies, which mostly don’t participate at other big shows, but exactly at this exhibition, they have an opportunity to receive a step up for their business. That’s why the exhibition is one of the obligatory for visiting.
How do you see this year's edition?
I have visited the ICE London for the first time and my colleagues told me that it is the biggest one, but I didn’t expect that it will be so impressive. Two large halls, many different gaming operators and a big number of the clients at the DLV stand – all has given me a bunch of impression, which I think will be enough until the next visit.
What are the results of the company from ICE?
As mentioned, we have already received the orders for some products and the positive response about our new developments. By returning home, we will immediately start to work with the orders and with a new product. It will be a new Zooshenk Jackpot, which we announced in a new product catalogue and intrigued the clients. We hope that nothing will prevent us to show it at the exhibition PGS Lima 2019.
The online games are being strengthened thanks to the fact that several countries continue to regulate. Do you think it can be a competition or complement to the land based casino?
We think that the online games don’t prevent the land based casinos’ development. It can be possible to develop in two or more directions that we do now. New tendencies of the industry give a possibility to create new ideas and to improve that should not gone unnoticed by the clients and competitors.


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John Lewis commits to support British manufactured products
The John Lewis Partnership, an employee-owned UK partnership which operates John Lewis department stores, Waitrose supermarkets and some other services. aims to increase sales of UK manufactured goods by 15% over the next two years.
John Lewis sold £480m worth of UK-sourced products in 2012, which is an increase of 9% on the retailer's 2011 baseline.
Under the two-year plan aimed at encouraging UK's design and quality, John Lewis will use 'Made in UK' identifier to easily identify UK manufactured products. Currently, 10,500 products feature John Lewis's 'Made in UK' identifier.
The commitment comes on the 60th anniversary of John Lewis's manufacturing arm, Herbert Parkinson in Lancashire.
Herbert Parkinson managing director Stuart McDonald said that introduction of the target is on the back of company's prime focus on UK manufacturing and underlines the retailer's commitment to boost UK businesses.
"At Herbert Parkinson we strive to set ourselves apart by delivering innovative products to our customers, along with quality, service and design which is why we hope the new target, as well as the Made in UK identifier, will allow us to generate awareness and further support UK manufacturing," added McDonald.
John Lewis has also increased its number of UK suppliers to 207 from 132 in 2012.


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Tech-savvy millennials prefer internet shopping over thronging crowded malls. Here are a few tips to be a smart e-shopper.
Singer Courtney Love says she doesn't like to physically shop, so she buys fashion items from popular online shopping destination Net-A-Porter.
Customers at the Coloroso sari store were in for a surprise when Vidya Balan stepped in with her entourage. The actress, who was in town on Saturday , stopped her car on way to the airport to do some sari shopping.
Abhishek Bachchan, owner of the Jaipur Pink Panthers in the Pro Kabaddi League, is trying to be as involved in his team's preparations as possible.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who is to leave for Singapore on Sunday, will tap the island nation for investments in IT, information technology enabled service (ITES), logistics, city infrastructure and amusement parks — all areas in which it has made a global mark.
Actor Robert Downey Jr. wants to take out time to shop for his unborn baby girl.
Hollywood couple - actor Ian Somerhalder and actress Nikki Reed - reportedly spent approximately $1,000 at a sex shop in Toronto, Canada.
Asus has advised its customers to be cautious while purchasing devices from e-commerce platforms and online shopping sites.
AIADMK MLA A Anbalagan and his supporters locked a fair price shop in his constituency to register their protest against the government for providing substandard rice. He charged that the government distributes good quality rice through shops in the constituencies of the ruling party MLAs while distributing substandard rice in shops in constituencies of the MLAs of the opposition parties. Territorial officials held peace talks with the protestors and assured them to provide good quality rice following which they dispersed.
Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court adjourned the hearing on PIL against commercial establishments at popular Telangkhedi promenade till Wednesday. The hearing was adjourned after NIT's counsel SK Mishra sought time to come up with a concrete policy on running the shops. The PIL was filed by city-based NGO People Against Corruption through its president Sanjay Agrawal, who alleged rampant illegal construction on the sides of lake by shop owners while grossly flouting the norms.
Unidentified suspects broke open a meat shop on Jawahar Hussain First Street in Ice House and escaped with Rs35,000 from the safe and the weighing machine on Thursday. The owner Mohammad Bilal has complained.
Unidentified suspects broke into a tea shop and decamped with Rs10,400. Police slapped a case based on the complaint of the tea shop owner Unnikrishnan.
Two new fair price medicine shops will be opened at Digha and Egra, said chief minister Mamata Banerjee at a public meeting at Kolaghat.
Minister for Social Justice and panchayats Dr M K Muneer to launch sixteen e-shops in the Kozhikode corporation limit.
Thanks to scorching heat, shopping trends of Indian consumers have witnessed significant change this summer, a whopping 155% rise in online trends over regular shopping compared to last year (85%), reveals latest survey by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India.
Owner of a popular sweet shop in Ghumar Mandi received multiple injuries after he was allegedly attacked by a group of assailants over a property dispute in Division Number three police station area on Friday.
Some unidentified thieves struck in four shops in Dharampura area near Shingaar cinema on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday and took away more than fifteen thousand rupees from there.
Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim has instructed the department of food and civil supplies to undertake repeated inspection of fair price shops in the district.
Madras high court says thatched roof at Tasmac shops and bars impermissible. It orders inspection of a shop near Chinthamani in Anna Nagar.
Residents along with Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha protested against the liquor shop close to temple in Sanjay Setu bridge area on Tuesday.
In a major theft, jewellery worth about Rs 60 lakh was stolen from a jewellery shop at Sattupalli in Khammam district. The thieves tied silver ornaments in a cloth but left it as it weighed about 160 kgs.
Unknown thieves broke into five shops at Ramdev Paradise in Indralok, Bhayander (east).
Second round of auction for liquor shops in Indore will take place tomorrow. It is happening after excise department received a lukewarm response to auction of liquor shops on January 31. Now department, which is already under pressure to finish job, has pinned its hope for tomorrow's auction. Also, it may not be able to earn revenue to the tune of Rs 589 crore during next fiscal 2014-15, which is more than 20% of the revenue of Rs 490 crore.


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On the heels of yesterday's news that The Grilled Cheeserie will be opening their first brick and mortar location in the former Sunset Grill property in Hillsboro Village, there is now some official confirmation out today that popular Gulch breakfast and lunch eatery Biscuit Love is also eyeing space at the same location.
Biscuit Love co-owner Sarah Worley tells the Nashville Business Journal that while there is currently no lease in place, they're taking a hard look at Hillsboro Village, with their 'top target' being the former Sunset Grill space. Which makes sense, since property owner Fresh Hospitality backs both Biscuit Love and now The Grilled Cheeserie.
Since Fresh's purchase of the building in April 2015, the general talk has been that three restaurants could end up in the new retail project. And it appears that the third will be Juice Bar, Vui and John Hunt's rapidly expanding healthy juice and smoothie concept. When news broke yesterday regarding The Grilled Cheeserie's plans, the Juice Bar Twitter account responded with "@GrlldCheeserie looks like we are going to be neighbors! Can't wait!!"


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Microsoft had a big showing at their E3 press conference today, and one of the games present was of course Minecraft. In a new update called “The Friendly Update,” Minecraft will now be playable across different platforms with the new Minecraft: Realms.
Realms allows players to create their own dedicated servers, that others can visit even when the creator is offline. Friends can even build in any realm that you create. This will allow the more than 100 million players on iOS, Xbox, Windows Tablets and more to interact with each other.
In addition to Realms, Microsoft also announced new city texture packs releasing on Windows 10 and Pocket Edition versions of the game. The Friendly Update is available today on Windows 10, iOS, Android and Gear VR devices allowing you to try out the new Realms feature. Realms will be coming to consoles later, within the next year. More details will be provided at Minecon in September.
Are you excited to build Realms and play with friends across different platforms in Minecraft? How will you make use of this new feature? Leave a comment below and let us know.


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AMAZON is set to slash the price of thousands of items on July 15 for Amazon Prime Day.
The annual event has been dubbed the online giant's version of Black Friday, and this year Amazon has confirmed it will last two days.
Amazon ran its first Prime Day in 2015, for its 20th anniversary, and it was so successful that the company decided to make it an annual affair.
Unlike Black Friday, all the deals are online – so thankfully there's no chance of a brawl breaking out.
When is Amazon Prime Day 2019?
Amazon has confirmed that the event will start on 00:01 on Monday July 15.
This year, it is running for two days, meaning deals will be available until midnight on July 16.
When Amazon Prime Day first started it just lasted 24 hours but over the years this has steadily increased to 30 hours, then 36 hours in 2018, and now 48 hours in 2019.
How can I get the best Amazon Prime Day deals?
We don't yet know what will be included in the sale, but Amazon bosses have promised discounts on thousands of products across TVs, smart home, kitchen, grocery, toys, furniture, fashion and outdoor items.
Also new for Prime Day this year are "Lightning Deals".
These deals will have limited quantities, which means once they're gone they're gone – so you need to get in quick to nab them.
Amazon says they will be launched regularly throughout the 48-hour event, and it's hinted that this year will see the biggest Prime Day deals ever on Alexa-enabled devices.
For instance, one deal we've spotted will be a 1st generation Amazon Echo for £79.99 – discounted from £179.99.
Our tips for finding the best deals this Amazon Prime Day
IT might be tempting to dive in and snap up LOADS of items, but here’s how you can guarantee you’re getting a good deal on Amazon.
PREPARE Research the items you want to buy and find out the cheapest price. Websites like PriceSpy, PriceHistory and CamelCamelCamel will give you historical data on prices so you can see how much you should pay. You can also set up price alerts to let you know when the cost drops.
CHECK CAREFULLY Use FakeSpot to check whether the item is genuine or not. The site scans the reviews to see if they're "reliable" or not so you can decide whther you trust the seller.
TRIAL IT FIRST Sign up to the 30 day Amazon Prime trial to take advantage of the Lightning Deals and free delivery. But remember to cancel the subscription before the trial is up or you'll be charged the full £79.
SHOP NOW TO SAVE TIME Put the items you want in your basket ahead of Black Friday so that when the deals drop on November 24, all you'll have to do is pay.
To kick things off, a selection of early deals have also gone live on Amazon.co.uk/primeday, and more will be announced in the run up to Prime Day.
There are also going to be lots of brand new product launches through Amazon including Jabra Elite 85h copper and black headphones for £279.99 and a Bissell cordless, three-in-one, multi-surface floor cleaner for £329.99.
Lots of the launches are already showing on the website and you can even pre-order some of them now here.
On top of the sale itself, Amazon has also promised to introduce some great bargains for Prime Music and Prime TV customers.
From June 28 to July 18, Prime members can rent or buy blockbuster movies, such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Bumblebee, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and Venom, for up to 50 per cent off.
How can I get involved in Amazon Prime Day 2019?
If you're looking to bag a bargain, we're afraid you have to be an Amazon Prime member.
The premium membership also gets customers free next day delivery and access to Prime TV shows, eBooks and even live music events.
It costs £79 per year or £7.99 per month – depending on the payment plan you choose. There's also a plan for students.
But, Amazon also offers a free 30-day trial to anyone wanting to try out the service.
Just don't forget to cancel your membership before the end of the month.
Last year, there were deals on everything from inflatable spas, televisions and homeware, to toys, alcohol and beauty products.
But before you start ordering bear in mind that one in five toys sold on sites such as Amazon and eBay have "serious safety issues".
If you prefer to shop in store check out Amazon's pop-up store.
Source: Read Full Article


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Eastern Maine Town to Consider Marijuana Ban
SURRY, Maine (AP) — An eastern Maine town is proposing to prohibit marijuana retail stores and pot social clubs.
The town of Surry is set to hold a public hearing Sept. 20 to discuss the ordinance. A special town meeting is scheduled for Oct. 2.
Maine voters last year approved legalizing the possession, sale and use of recreational marijuana by persons over 21 years of age. Possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana became legal earlier this year but lawmakers pushed back legalization of marijuana sales to next year.
Surry voted 526-477 against the marijuana legalization referendum.
A legislative committee is determining a regulatory framework for recreational marijuana sales and licensing.
The voter-approved law gave municipalities different options. Municipalities can prohibit retail marijuana establishments outright and they can also require separate local licensing.


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DETROIT -- General Motors says its November U.S. sales rose just 3 percent from a year earlier, but sales of the Lordstown-built Chevrolet Cruz were up 27 percent.
The nation's largest automaker says it sold more than 186,000 cars and trucks, led by the Buick and Cadillac brands.
Cadillac sales rose 30 percent from a year earlier, while Buick sales were up 22 percent. But sales from GM's top-selling Chevrolet brand were flat and GMC sales fell 1 percent.
But there were 16,807 Cruzes sold in November, the fourth consecutive month for strong sales of the vehicle.
Sales of the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck - GM's biggest seller - fell 10.4 percent. Cadillac SRX crossover SUV sales rose 13 percent.
GM's car sales rose 19 percent in November, while trucks were down 11 percent.


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Announced in September 2020, DC Unvierse Infinite will now be a reality for all comic book fans. DC’s online comic book reading platform has set a new leap in its presence in January. To keep pace with the times, the new two-letter publisher site will introduce a mobile app. News that should satisfy the biggest fan of DC in the US, but also the entire world in the near future.
DC Universe redirect
DC Universe Infinite isn’t really a new site. In fact, the platform was born from a re-orientation of the DC Universe work. Prior to its disbandment in September 2021, the latter served as a digital comic reading and movie streaming site from the DC Universe. So I combined DC Comics and DCEU productions. But now, Warner was introduced to HBO Max a few months ago. All DC visual content (movies, anime, series …) has moved to the new streaming platform. So DC Universe was restricted to digital comic books, which led to his name being changed in the process to DC Universe Infinite.
Despite the removal of video content, DC Universe Infinite is enjoying huge success. Indeed, he can boast having a rich catalog of no less than 25,000 episodes of comics. Better yet, it has seen a revival of interest from internet users during the lockdowns that followed in 2020. Yes, comics and comics in general have benefited well from the crisis despite the library closures that led to being discussed in France as in Anywhere else.
A mobile app will download soon
To attract more and more subscribers and make its platform more accessible, DC Comics announced the upcoming launch of the DC Universe Infinite mobile app. This application will allow easy access to all the services and functions of the platform via a smartphone. Among other things, it will be possible to access the DC Universe Infinite catalog and manage subscriptions from this mobile app. The monthly subscription is $ 7.99 for $ 74.99 for annual access.
The show is a bit tempting when we know that DC Infinite Universe has a long list of comic books including releases published during the Vertigo, Digital First, or DC Black Label eras. The publisher can download titles from the Milestone Media era during the year. Note, however, that the new titles will not be available directly on the platform. It will be published online six months after the release of the print edition.
Currently, DC Universe Infinite and its mobile app are only available to US readers. The publisher has already announced that opening up to other countries, including France, should take place during this year 2021 without providing a specific date. So you’ll have to wait a few more months to read DC Comics titles on your smartphone, unless you’re using a VPN and interacting with Shakespeare.
“Devoted gamer. Webaholic. Infuriatingly humble social media trailblazer. Lifelong internet expert.”


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Over the past two weeks, students have taken to the Facebook “USF Class of …” groups using the hashtag #FreshIsSketch to air their frustration with the Fresh Food Company dining hall.
Complaints range from small portions and a lack of food to having a hard time finding clean silverware and discovering inedible objects in their food.
Furthermore, students have reservations about the quality of their experience at Fresh Foods proportionate to the cost of a meal plan, which ranges from $749 – $1,780 per semester.
“Since arriving on campus, I’ve learned to dread walking into Fresh Foods,” Emily Hickman, a freshman majoring in civil engineering, said.
“The food is often the same and undercooked. There’s always a struggle to not only find silverware but to find clean silverware. Normally, you’ll find a fork with some dried food on it.”
She recalled one specific incident where the only silverware she could find was covered in “rotten eggs” and “what appeared to be puke.” She proceeded to inform one of the managers.
Aramark, a food service company, provides the food for USF Dining.
After multiple attempts to reach Aramark, Simone Martin, Aramark’s marketing manager, said in a statement that health and safety are the company’s first priority.
“Nothing is more important to USF Dining than food safety and the customer experience we deliver,” she said.
But students, including Hickman, have still expressed concerns about what goes into the food.
“Another unsettling experience I’ve had at Fresh was when they were serving some sort of prison-like mystery meat,” Hickman said. “I asked the man serving it ‘What is in this meat sauce?’ I was told ‘beef, turkey, and pork.’
“The next man (in line after me) asked ‘Is there pork in this? I cannot eat pork because of my religion’ and was told that there was no pork in it, seconds after (the worker) telling me otherwise.”
Emily Peterson, a junior majoring in public health, expressed similar concerns and many others, including mislabeled food, shortage of food, an overall lack of cleanliness and the presence a moth in her salad.
On another occasion, she said a friend of hers found a contact lens on a grape.
In addition to too-small portion sizes, students including Skylar Vandebogart, a freshman majoring in studio art, have said there are not enough options for students trying to eat healthy.
“All of this stuff is made just a little bit worse due to the fact that when there is food, it’s honestly pretty unappetizing,” Peterson said.
However, Martin said the complaints made by students are not falling on deaf ears at Aramark.
“USF Dining responded to two customer concerns posted on social media last weekend; they were not brought to a manager or staff member so we cannot validate them, but we took them very seriously,” she said. “We reached out to the students directly and met with them to address their concerns.”
Like other restaurants, dining halls have to go through regular inspections by the Florida Department of Health. Fresh Foods was inspected the beginning of September and the department didn’t find any health violations.
In fact, according to inspection reports, the last violation the dining hall received in March 2015 had to do with the temperature of some of the food being served.
“We take all customers concerns about food quality very seriously, and investigate every concern that is brought to our attention,” Martin said. “We encourage anyone with a concern about their dining experience to contact any of our managers on duty in the dining location, or one of our associates, so that we can provide immediate attention to any concerns, comments or suggestions on the spot.”
Despite Martin’s assurance, however, some students remain apprehensive about the cost of the services rendered by Fresh Food.
“I am paying thousands of dollars to eat here and it’s not safe,” Hickman said. “None of the food is appetizing and I feel like everything coming out of there is a risk to students’ health and safety.”
In the print edition of this story, Emily Peterson was incorrectly identified as a freshman majoring in civil engineering. Emily Hickman is a freshman majoring in civil engineering. Peterson is a junior majoring in public health.


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Cairo ICT 2015 was a launch pad for several cooperation agreements between all official and private institutions working in the field of ICT.
One of the most important agreements was the one between the electronics research institute that is affiliated with the ministry of scientific research and technology on one side and several ICT companies and institutes on the other, one of which was Eitisal.
The agreement covers the development of 7 new products that are 100% Egyptian design as a first stage.
The cooperation includes also Zuweil city for science and technology, the Arab academy for science, technology and maritime transport, Cairo University, the American University in Cairo, the petrol research academy along with many others.
The revenues from the electronics industry now reach up to 2 million dollars and is expected to reach 10 billion dollars by the year 2020, creating 30,000 job opportunities directly and 120,000 indirectly.


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Finally: A laptop for gaming
Gamers rejoice! Razer computer company came out with the first gaming laptop in 2011 and recently announced its latest lineup of super fast, great picture gaming computers that are sure to have electronic geeks everywhere psyched up. According to Freshness magazine, the Razer Blade Pro is not only futuristic, it's the thinnest gaming laptop to date and comes in sleek all-black colorway with green accents that further emphasize the out-of-this-world vibes.
Though some fans might be nervous a slimmer laptop will mean slower, less advanced hardware, the opposite is actually true. The Razer Blade Pro boasts a 17.3 inch full HD screen, Intel-powered Core i7 processor and plenty of storage space.
Fans of playing games on the road might be even more interested in the all new 14-inch Razer Blade. This option weighs just 4.13 pounds and comes with the Intel Core i7 processor as well as multiple USB ports and a trackpad made specifically for on-the-go gaming, PC magazine reports.
"This is years ahead of everyone else," Min-Liang Tan, co-founder and CEO of Razer, told the news outlet.
Are you interested in either models of the Razer Blade Pro gaming computers?


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Families who avoid BA this summer face paying up to £1000 more in hidden fees
Travellers looking to escape this summer could face paying up to 25 per cent more on flight costs by not flying BA.
A raft of hidden charges from other airlines including extra charges for adjacent seats and carrying more than one bag per passenger could cost as much as £480 per family each way.
Fond farewell: Avoiding the British Airways strike could hit your holiday funds
The exclusive research for Money Mail by Travelsupermarket.com shows how the cost of booking a holiday quickly stacks up for families.
They are faced with a dilemma this summer. British Airways is the only airline that does not charge extras on an ordinary booking - though anyone paying by credit card faces a £4.50 charge per ticket.
So families uncertain over future disruption from BA strikes are turning to the budget airlines. The last scheduled strike of 20 days is due to finish today. But the Unite trade union has said it could ballot members again for further strikes.
To capitalise on this, last week Ryanair announced it was hiking the cost of putting baggage in the hold on its flights by a third.
Anyone travelling in July and August and wanting to put a bag in the hold on one of its flights will pay £20 instead of the current £15.
And it is Ryanair that has the highest hidden charges. For flights to Malaga in Spain, a family of two adults and two children under 12 would pay £80 to put one item each of luggage in the hold, £40 to check in online, and £32 for priority boarding to ensure that mums and dads can sit next to their children. They would also pay £40 for the pleasure of booking - a grand total of £192. The cost of the flights, though, is just £792.
Next most expensive is Jet2 with hidden charges of £205.88. Bmibaby added an extra £191.96, and easyJet £174. British Airways had no hidden charges, but there is the credit card fee.
Bob Atkinson, travel expert with Travelsupermarket, says: 'These airlines rely on you being sucked in by the headline price.
'But the price on the front of their website is often a lot different to what you will get once all the costs have been added up. Woe betide anyone who forgets to check a bag in online or tick one of the boxes for these airlines, as your costs will soon stack up. It can place a real dent in your holiday budget.'
The way budget airlines charge travellers for basic services is increasingly baffling.
Ryanair and Jet2 both charge for online booking - and then double for checking in at the airport or through a call centre. Bmibaby does not levy a charge for checking in online, but does at the airport.
Priority boarding and seat reservations are also lucrative. For families with young children, this is a must, as they fear being separated on the plane during the rush for boarding.
BA does not charge, but the others, such as easyJet, levy a fee of up to £9 per passenger each way - a massive £72 for return flights for four people.
And travellers that make a mistake and fail to check-in in online, book hold luggage or take an extra bag will be hit with increasingly high charges.
The new Ryanair fees mean checking in a second bag at the airport costs £80 each way.
Ryanair claims the higher fees are designed to incentivise people to take as little luggage as possible.
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Holy ship! There’s a new shipping option now available to help Canadian small businesses tap into the U.S. ecommerce market, cut parcel delivery costs, and grow. Based on customer feedback about the unfair shipping rates from Canada Post, Sendle, the most affordable delivery service built specifically for small business, now offers the cheapest tracked, door-to-door solution for shipping to the U.S. from Canada. Starting at $7.98, Sendle’s service for shipping to the U.S. provides free pick-up from the shipper’s door and every eligible shipment is automatically covered for $100, giving Canadian small businesses even less to worry about. Plus, every delivery is 100% carbon neutral at no extra cost. Free pick-up is available from 99% of Canadian addresses, across all provinces and territories with delivery to anywhere in the U.S.
Sendle helping small businesses tap into the U.S. market
For too long, high shipping costs have put Canadian small businesses at a disadvantage. According to Statistics Canada, the unreasonably high cost of parcel delivery is the biggest challenge facing Canadian businesses when it comes to selling online, with 39% reporting the problem. In September 2022, Sendle launched in Canada to give small businesses across the country the first national shipping option that is actually built for them and provides a door-to-door service that’s affordable, reliable, and good for the planet. However, the problem of expensive shipping for Canadian small businesses isn't limited to shipments across Canada; it is also an obstacle for those who want to grow by tapping into the U.S. ecommerce market, which is forecasted to exceed $1.7 trillion by 2027. In fact, one-in-five Canadian small businesses that use Sendle said they need cheaper shipping to the U.S. and as a result, requested to participate in Sendle’s beta program for shipping to the U.S ahead of the service launch.
“From the day Sendle launched, we’ve been committed to challenging the functional postal monopoly in Canada in the name of small business. High parcel delivery prices are holding Canadian online retailers back from competing in the U.S., which is the second biggest ecommerce market in the world, and that’s not right. Given the U.S. is our neighbour, it should be the easiest market for Canadian small businesses to expand into compared to any other country, and that’s why we are making shipping to the U.S. easier, cheaper, and better for them,” says Lauren Helstab, Sendle’s country manager in Canada. “We are confident that they won’t find a better rate for door-to-door shipping to the U.S. Plus, small businesses and their customers can feel good that their shipments are 100% carbon-neutral, and tracked, at no extra charge.”
Cheap shipping creates U.S. opportunities for Canadian online retailers
High delivery prices can cost Canadian online retailers sales to U.S. customers. For example, research finds that almost eight out of 10 (79%) Americans would not pay more than US$8 for delivery of a product purchased online. Right out of the gate, Canada’s functional postal monopoly puts Canadian small businesses at a disadvantage as it costs over CAD$13 (~US$9.47) to ship to the U.S. with Canada Post’s tracked service. But Sendle’s new shipping service levels the playing field for Canadian small businesses by providing the cheapest door-to-door shipping service from Canada to the U.S. that is reliable, speedy, and tracked.
Sendle offers low courier pricing with no hidden fees or nasty surprises. Sendle taps into its network of regional and national shipping partners to bring Canadian small businesses the very best rates with pricing starting as low as CAD$7.98 (~US$5.82). Now, small Canadian online retailers can compete more effectively in the U.S. market by offering shipping rates that are comparable to U.S. retailers. Plus, every Sendle shipment comes with free tracking, so businesses and their customers in the U.S. can keep up with the delivery status of their package.
“Our U.S. customers expect really fast and cheap shipping. As a Canadian company, we couldn't match our U.S. competitors’ shipping options because it doesn’t cost them anywhere near as much as what we pay here in Canada. But Sendle’s door-to-door shipping service to the U.S. is a game changer for us since it helps us better compete in the U.S. and grow our business beyond Canadian borders,” says Anisa Musmary, founder of Vancouver-based Wanderruff.
Saving time with less to worry about
With Sendle’s shipping to the U.S. solution, Canadian small businesses no longer have to drive to the post office and wait in line to ship a parcel to the U.S. or fill their car up with packages and drive over the border themselves. Just like Sendle’s national delivery service in Canada, Canadian small businesses receive free package pick-ups from their door, saving them time. Every Sendle shipment also includes up to $100 of coverage for loss, giving small business peace of mind when sending packages across the border.
How it works
Sendle handles the end-to-end journey of every parcel shipped and offers customer service by real people. Customers can access Sendle’s shipping to the U.S. service via their Sendle Dashboard, a powerful online resource where they can track, reschedule deliveries, and pull in their orders from major platforms like Shopify, eBay, and Etsy, and more.
“With inflation driving up the cost of doing business on pretty much every front, Canadian small businesses deserve a shipping partner that provides services built with their needs in mind, including affordable shipping so they can grow their business. That’s what we are committed to doing,” adds Helstab.
Sendle is the first shipping carrier specifically designed to serve the needs of small eCommerce businesses. Sendle levels the playing field for small businesses by offering affordable, flat-rate shipping, with no hidden fees, subscriptions, or warehousing required. Merchants simply purchase a label and schedule a pickup from Sendle, and their package is picked up from their front door. Sendle is the first 100% carbon neutral shipping carrier in Australia, the U.S., and Canada, and is also a Certified B-Corporation and Climate Neutral Certified. The company was founded in Australia in 2014 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia; Seattle, Washington; and Toronto, Canada.


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With over 4 million views, a video of a little child selling coffee on the streets of Iraq has gone popular online. His grin will undoubtedly brighten your day.
Do you have the Monday blahs? We do, however, have a film that will undoubtedly heal them. Additionally, you’ll smile as a result of it. As a result, a video online of a little child serving coffee in Iraq has gone viral. Your day will be made by the young boy’s grin and coffee service.
Doug Barnard posted the now-famous video to Instagram. American travel blogger Doug is now in Iraq. He posted a little video of a young child serving coffee in Basra, Iraq. He even declined to accept payment for the coffee while doing so with a smile. Doug persuaded him to accept the cash, nevertheless.
After being posted online, the video received more than 4 million views. The adorable young child captured the hearts of internet users, who lavished him with praise in the comments area.
One user said, “The kind young guy was saying: it’s one me, he didn’t want to take the money at first.”
This actually brought tears to my eyes because of his contagious smile, said another user.


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in the Picanto is that the car has 1 fog lamp that replaces the second reverse light much like the Toyota
which was a Triton Athlete.Also read: Mitsubishi Motors Thailands 6 millionth unit is this strikingly orange
When it comes to pick-up trucks, practically everyone’s answer is the Toyota Hilux, thanks to a
The lucky car to get this honour is this strikingly-orange Mitsubishi Triton Athlete.Mr.
that, there are also rumours that the updated Iriz will gain 2 new colours, Passion Red and Citric Orange
Here’s a hit of nostalgia for you, the famous Toyota Supra featured in the first Fast and Furious
UMW Toyota Motor has quietly discontinued the slow-selling Toyota Sienta in Malaysia just as a new facelifted
Flame Orange Peal Metallic is a new body colour available on all variants of the new Swift.Starting with
and unique LED headlights which makes the whole car look very modern, especially when paired with the orange
informed buying decision.2020 Mitsubishi Triton 2.4 Adventure XComing in with an eye-catching Sun Flare Orange
A number of of SUVs currently sold in Thailand, including the Toyota Corolla Cross, Toyota C-HR, and
Shortly after prices for the 2021 Toyota Vios facelift were announced, we heard you ask: Whats new?
Painted in orange here and paired with chunky fenders, you see shadows of the Jeep Wrangler and Ford
Let’s take a closer look and see how much the DN Trec evolved from a concept car into the Toyota
time is 6.2 seconds, which is in the ballpark of the Volkswagen Golf GTI.Outside, there’s a new orange
Equipment at a police roadblock were damaged a beautician rammed her Toyota Harrier into a roadblock
Toyota unveiled the facelifted 2021 Toyota Vios a couple of months ago in the Philippines, followed by
The Ranger will be competing against the recently updated Toyota Hilux, the facelifted Nissan Navara,
that, the updated Swift also gets the option of a black roof, in addition to two new colours – orange
symbol means that you’ve only turned on the front fog lamps.Only when the fog lamp symbol turns orange
The McLaren F1 team will bring the iconic powder-blue neon orange stripe Gulf livery back to the sport
is offering six colours on the X50, namely Snow White, Armour Silver, Jet Grey, Ocean Blue, Citric Orange
same price as the standard Captur, at RM 107,980.It’s easily recognisable thanks to the Vibrant Orange
Barely a day after UMW Toyota Malaysia (UMWT) teased the 2021 Toyota Vios facelift, weve now got the
And to stand out even more, there is the bright Sunrise Orange colour option.
There are 3 colour options available – White Diamond, Jet Black Diamond, and Sunflare Orange.
"Just get a Toyota Vios lah!
In its Wildtrak guise, the Rangers interior is also a nice place to be in, as it gets orange stitching
introduces a brand-new colour option of the 2019 Mitsubishi Triton Adventure X is known as Sunflare Orange
Finishing off the look are RS exclusive colours, Phoenix Orange Pearl and this Platinum White Pearl.
toyota chr orange-toyota chr new-toyota chr nz-toyota chr berlin-toyota chr nightshade-toyota chr motability-toyota chr modified-toyota chr models-toyota chr manual-toyota chr mpg-toyota chr malaysia-toyota chr le-toyota chr length-toyota chr limited-toyota chr leasing-toyota chr key-toyota chr koba-toyota chr kaufen-toyota chr jamaica-toyota chr jiji-toyota chr jbl-toyota chr jdm-toyota chr ikman.lk-toyota chr inside-toyota chr images-toyota chr installment-toyota chr icon-toyota chr india-toyota chr interior-toyota chr gr-toyota chr germany-toyota chr fiyat-toyota chr ev-toyota chr electric-toyota chr excel-toyota chr engine-toyota chr dashboard-toyota chr deals-toyota chr design-toyota chr dynamic-toyota chr demo-toyota chr dimensions-toyota chr car-toyota chr cc-toyota chr cost-toyota chr colours-toyota chr carsales-toyota chr colors-toyota chr boot-toyota chr battery-toyota chr blue-toyota chr black-toyota chr automatic-toyota chr autotrader-toyota chr awd-toyota chr adac-toyota chr accessories-2019 Toyota C-HR 1.8L Review Malaysia, Why Is It So Expensive?
Here are the Length*Width*Heigh(mm) and variants of Toyota C-HR:Read More
No, Toyota C-HR isn't available in Rear Entertainment.Read More
Yes, Toyota C-HR is available in Rear Airbags. The available Rear Airbags variants are: 2019 Toyot…Read More


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Steinhoff takes over UK single-price player
Steinhoff’s £597m acquisition of single-price player Poundland is a smart strategic move, although it will face considerable challenges in making it a real success, according to Greg Bromley, senior analyst at Verdict Retail.
Steinhoff signalled its intention to buy Poundland before the Brexit vote was cast, with the acquisition now looking an even savvier move, said Bromley. “Discount retailers have continued to thrive in the UK over the past few years, and any downturn in consumer confidence off the back of Brexit is only likely to further play in to their hands.”
However, there will likely be some significant challenges ahead for Steinhoff despite having some experience operating in UK retail, in the furniture market through its Bensons for Beds and Harveys fascias.
“Trading in the furniture market is far removed from the expertise needed in terms of product sourcing and supply chains required to maintain a successful single-price business like Poundland, where profit margins are wafer thin.
“Where Steinhoff does benefit is from its knowledge of the discount market globally – it operates discount chains, Pep, in southern Africa and Pepco in eastern Europe. This should help guide its strategy, but also to overcome any currency issues that it might face from the weakening of the pound.”
With a weaker pound set to increase overseas sourcing costs, Poundland’s adherence to its rigid price points could come under threat.
“A move to open more multi price stores seems likely and Steinhoff may well be keen to pursue the growth of the Poundland & More format, the retailer’s first foray into multi-price retailing launched as part of a trial earlier this year,” said Bromley.
“As well as presenting an opportunity for Steinhoff to safeguard its margins through greater flexibility on price, it also allows the retailer to tap into the fast growing multi-price discount sector, a move that will set it on a collision course with the rapidly expanding B&M and Home Bargains.”
Poundland is currently undergoing something of a period of transition in the UK since its acquisition of 99p Stores. This has left it with a huge portfolio of over 900 outlets and Steinhoff will have to ensure each of these trades successfully, especially as competition in discount retail intensifies and the market becomes ever more saturated.
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New York-based private equity firm Apollo Global Management is acquiring both Shutterfly and Snapfish, and plans to merge the rival online photo services company.
Apollo will pay $1.7 billion for Shutterfly, plus assume $900 million in Shutterfly debt. It will pay a reported $300 million for Snapfish.
Once the paid of acquisitions are complete, District Photo will be a significant minority owner of the combined company.
“The Apollo Funds bring substantial financial resources as we continue to invest in innovation, as well as valuable strategic perspectives to drive growth over the coming years,” said District Photo CEO Neil Cohen.
“We are committed to supporting the company and continuing our relationship as a fulfillment partner,” he said, without elaborating on the size of District Photo’s role in the merged companies’ online photo processing services.
“We are excited to work with Neil and the Snapfish team in this transaction, and to benefit from their market expertise after three generations in the photo product business,” said David Sambur, senior partner at Apollo.
San Francisco-based Snapfish is owned by Beltsville, Maryland-based District Photo, a company that has been in the photo processing business since 1949.
It acquired Snapfish in 2001, then sold it to Hewlett-Packard in 2005, before reacquiring Snapfish in 2015.
Apollo’s acquisitions of both Shutterfly and Snapfish are expected to close in the fourth quarter, subject to regulatory approval.


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As workers return to full-capacity office life across the country, some uncertainties still lay ahead for strategically tackling cleaning and safety precautions. The pandemic made us take cleaning more seriously and that trend continues. With coronavirus variants spreading across the U.S., the COVID-19 conversation is far from over.
On the commercial cleaning side, the mentality has shifted from cleaning for the sake of appearance to cleaning for health. During the pandemic, office space aesthetics were sidelined while germ neutralization became essential. Businesses will continue to closely monitor the cleanliness of their buildings with this focus on cleaning for health for the foreseeable future.
This presents an opportunity for commercial cleaning franchises to inform and educate their clients on the value of cleaning services to keep their employees safe and healthy and to grow and sustain their business.
Here are three opportunities for commercial cleaning franchises as we move past the pandemic.
1. Educate your clients on cleaning for health
Commercial cleaning franchises are in a unique position to educate communities about the changing standards and expectations for health and hygiene.
Marketing messages on how a professional cleaning service helps companies maintain a clean, vibrant office may not be enough in the current climate. You will need to show how this service plays a crucial role in infection control and how it can help people feel more confident about the safety of their workplace.
One lesson that comes to mind is how the NBA changed its health and cleaning precautions after basketball player Magic Johnson announced he was HIV-positive in the early 1990s. These precautions are still in place today. If there is a trace of blood on a player, they stop play. If it is on the court, they use bleach disinfectant to clean it. Now, organizations like the NBA have learned to be much more proactive. Cleaning organizations should be too.
When it comes to our industry, think about the additional cleaning precautions, such as electrostatic spraying, that have gained popularity during the pandemic. It is likely many of these new services will endure.
Cleaning for health is now a mantra for organizations, and franchises would do well to embrace it and figure out how to ensure their system is on the-cutting edge of this shift toward health-first cleaning solutions.
2. Share the positives of a thriving industry
According to Business Formation Statistics tracked by the U.S. Census Bureau, monthly business applications (high-propensity and otherwise) have doubled on average since March 2020. Many people turned to entrepreneurial work during the pandemic when they were either laid off or quit their jobs.
Because the COVID-19 pandemic shook up the job market and occupational stability to a great extent, many people were and still are looking for recession-resistant business models. Commercial cleaning franchises are a perfect example of this, especially during a pandemic.
Working in a health-related industry is also desirable, which is why the commercial cleaning industry has done well over the past year.
People have also come to trust franchising because it allows franchisees a great amount of business freedom while still allowing for a certain degree of safety within the larger business.
Franchises allow business owners to avoid the headaches that come with starting a business from scratch. When franchise systems have a proven track record of serving customers or accounts—and strong reviews and great reputations to back that up—it makes the job of a new owner opening a franchise in a given market easier than if they were starting a brand on their own. It’s a lot less intimidating to walk into a sales meeting with a potential client when you can point to the company’s years of experience, the number of franchise locations it has, and the clients the brand has serviced.
3. Expand reach and grow territories to meet demand
There has already been (and will continue to be) an uptick from owners of small cleaning businesses inquiring about best practices and keeping up with demand for facility cleaning. The reason is simple. Business owners themselves are asking how they can best serve their customers and employees to make everyone feel safe. As times are changing, commercial cleaning franchise systems that embrace cleaning for health and encourage businesses and organizations to do the same will be positioned for expansion.
COVID-19 disrupted a lot of businesses and jobs, which ultimately may present an opportunity for commercial cleaning franchises to award units to former managers or business leaders who were laid off, or those who are currently employed but realize that they want more flexibility and freedom when it comes to how they make a living.
The franchise model fits well in commercial cleaning because it allows for expansion into new communities run by local professionals who know their community yet have the support of a home office that knows the ins and outs of commercial cleaning.
In our franchise, we’re witnessing an increase in inquiries from people with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. I suspect others in the industry are experiencing this too and are encouraged by the fact that people are viewing commercial cleaning services as a strong option to advance their professional and business ownership dreams.


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When will it be AAA for the bulls? It is minus BB right now. We have not recovered from the recent shock?
We have spoken about this before. There has been some bounce at some point. All the recession fears have developed over the last few weeks. We have been talking about it for sometime but I think the market took the optimistic view again that because of this potential recession, the Fed might not be as aggressive and under pressure, the rate hike could be lower than 75 bps in July. I doubt it because politically it is going to be difficult to do a 50 bps hike. So probably, they are still going to press ahead with 75 bps and then maybe try to hint at a 50 bps hike later in the year.
But I still think that we have not seen the tightening or interest rate impacts playing out yet. We are going to hear more negative views from companies and we are seeing a ruboff very quickly in terms of consumer spending in Europe and the UK. That’s what we are going to start seeing in the US. Many unintended consequences of tightening could happen in the next few months.
Yes, it seems that way the market is probably a little bit disappointed. We will see how it plays out but I think the market is probably expecting more from this move but the good news for autos generally is that with commodity prices falling, it will be a good tailwind going forward. It may not happen this quarter but certainly later in the year.
So I am not overly negative on the auto sector per se but I do not think this buyback is probably as good as the market was hoping for.
What is your take regarding Zomato? The Rs 4,450-crore Blinkit deal does not seem to have been taken well by the Street. There are questions being raised regarding the path to profitability for some of these platform companies. How are you viewing the likes of Paytm, Zomato etc.?
All these companies are going to play by what is happening with Nasdaq. At the moment, whether it is a good acquisition or bad acquisition, I have not looked into the details but the view is whether these companies are going to be here in the next four to five years.
The market is trying to work out who is going to be doing well given the headwinds that we are seeing in these markets. So the market is trying to work out how to price at the moment. It does not necessarily have to be about acquisitions. It is really about pricing these companies going forward. That is where the market is struggling because a lot of them do not have profitability or great cash levels.
Paytm has become a household brand but it is a company where I do not know what the path to profitability is?
That is what the market is struggling with. Globally, they are seeing similar types of problems and unfortunately whichever company it is, when the listing has been not very successful and the company has taken a big hit in the share price, it takes a long time to build that confidence back with shareholders. So it is not just the technology related companies; there are many companies which were listed and soon the share price falls. So it goes to the fundamentals of how you value these companies and as you rightly said, it is all about profitability and cash flow.
I think that is what the market is still grappling with. It has not got into grips with how to look at some of these companies. That is going to continue like this as long as the markets remain volatile. These problems could be out of the US and other areas within the tech industry overall.
It is easy to kind of think prices have fallen so much but as an investor, you have to be confident that in the next five years this is the path to profitability, this is the path to cash flows and this is how the company is going to make money and I as a shareholder will make money from that. I do not think we are there yet.
What would be the risk reward ratio according to you – 1:3, 50:50?
I do not think it is unreasonable. We have been talking about this in terms of the lowest for the Nifty at 15,000. It is a good time to be buying on the basis that by the end of the year, the risk on trade will come and India will stand out. So whether it is 1:3 or 1:4 is difficult to say but I do not disagree with it completely. It sounds fine to me.
There are two points. I do not think we have gone 20% below our highs. So, I am not sure we are in a bear market anyway. And two, I just want to throw this at you. Many times, apart from the pandemic, there have been financial hits on the market when the central bankers always jumped in and did something about it.
Now this is an economic downturn and I just wonder if a lot of people remember what an economic downturn really looks like and the last time we faced it because it was a long time ago. It has really been a financial hit on the market with lower GDP. But because of the money thrown back into it, there has been a quick V-shape recovery.
So, an economic recession is a slightly different kettle of fish than the normal kind of financial problems. If an economic downturn comes, I do not think the central banks could be your big supporters in the short term and that is really what I am trying to point out here.
When we talk about bear markets, we need to think about what an economic recession really is.
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- DB, Cerberus to Lead $1.7-b Credit Raise by SP Promoters
Deutsche Bank (DB) and Cerberus Capital Management, a special situations specialist, are leading the $1.7 billion credit raise by the promoters of Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Group, the Mistry family. Deutsche Bank is also book runner and lead arranger of the capital raise along with Standard Chartered Bank (SCB).Markets Rally for 2nd Day on US Debt Deal Hopes
India’s stock market witnessed a broad-based rally Friday, helping local shares regain their positive momentum, on expectations of the US government edging closer to a deal to raise the national debt ceiling.Tata Motors and M&M Apply Brakes on EV Fundraise Plans
Plans by Tata Motors and Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) to sell stakes in their respective electric vehicle (EV) units have stalled over valuation mismatches, causing both to suspend the process, said people aware of the development.
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Apple Inc is gearing up to sell audio ads on a music-streaming
service it intends to unveil at its developers conference next
week, according to people familiar with the plan, going up against
Google Inc and Pandora Media Inc in the increasingly competitive
market for mobile tunes.
So Google’s streaming music is a paid service, and Apple’s is going to be free with ads. Got it. Wait, what?


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Luxurious Explorers has houses like Villa Botanica in the special Emirates Hills, usually referred to as the “Beverly Hills” of the UAE.
Luxury Explorers’ Assortment
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — In the Center East, a new breed of high-finish holiday vacation rental companies are scrambling to meet up with the demands of today’s traveler — who has pretty diverse tastes article-pandemic.
The worldwide holiday rental marketplace — valued at $22.7 billion in 2020 — will surpass a whopping $111.2 billion by 2030, in accordance to a Precedence Research analyze late final year. The analysis spoke of a “revenge tourism” craze with millennials and the young generations driving development all through the 1st couple a long time following the coronavirus pandemic.
In accordance to the analysts, this is mainly driven by the growing recognition among the tourists on the added area and consolation available by trip rentals, not to point out, in some intense circumstances, the “extras” like significant-tech fitness centers, private cinema screens, clever home appliances, as properly the services of private attendants, butlers, and even chefs.
A single business on the lookout to money in on this is Dubai-based vacation agency Luxury Explorers. In the course of the pandemic, the organization noticed which way the wind was blowing and took a leap into the high quality getaway houses business, developing the Luxury Explorers’ Collection in mid-2020.
The firm has qualities like Villa Botanica in the unique Emirates Hills, typically referred to as the “Beverly Hills” of the UAE. Luxury Explorers’ Selection CEO Mohammed Sultan told CNBC: “The thought seriously begun in 2018 when we discovered out some of our VIP shoppers operating with our company had been eager to shell out their holidays in luxury vacation residences and villas when they travel all over the globe.”
“At that time Dubai failed to have the level of premium holiday rentals that these clients ended up encountering in Southern France, Italy, and Los Angeles — spots which are properly made in terms of short-remain lettings.”
“It was then we made the decision to established our sights on groundbreaking the local market’s evolution by presenting high-conclusion homes that are not only visually spectacular but at the very same time wealthy with special perks and customized concierge companies.”
The corporation is a notable UAE good results story. It has 20 attributes in Dubai — generally big villas in key destinations or swanky apartments in legendary structures like the soaring Burj Khalifa — and is growing fast with 5 homes set to open up in Mecca in Saudi Arabia, and a person in Abu Dhabi. Its well-heeled customers include the pretty rich, celebrities, sporting activities personalities, and politicians.
In the meantime, rentals business Maison Privee has received recognition in the Center East with its portfolio of luxurious villas, penthouses and apartments. Dubai’s Deluxe Getaway Households also described a 150% maximize in its house portfolio past calendar year, regardless of the pandemic travel lull, and brief-expression rental operator Kennedy Towers has spoken of sound demand from customers in the region.
The examine coated 27 global marketplaces and observed that whilst desire for each resorts and limited-phrase rentals was terribly affected by the health disaster, rentals weathered the pandemic much better, mainly since of preferences for much larger living spaces, complete-company features, and the need to have for social distancing.
Major getaway dwelling providers confirm they have without a doubt found continuously large occupancy due to the fact the beginning of the pandemic. “We have been averaging 92% due to the fact our inception in August 2020,” Harrison Moore, controlling director at Key Check out Getaway Households Rental in Dubai, informed CNBC.
He included: “So significantly in 2022 we have observed a yr-on-calendar year increase of 33% on our regular day by day charge. A single of the major drivers for this has been Dubai staying just one of foremost innovators when it will come to protection protocols connected to Covid-19.”
Enter lodge brands
Unsurprisingly, significant lodge models have gotten into the holiday vacation rental game. A single this kind of enterprise is Marriott’s rental service referred to as Residences & Villas by Marriott International, which now offers rental residences in around 100 locations.
Marriott’s enlargement into this area started after its 2018 pilot job on home rentals, identified as Tribute Portfolio Homes, unveiled that the typical guest remain was far more than triple that of the usual resort keep.
On the far more finances-helpful side of things, Airbnb has also been doing brisk company in the Middle East for numerous many years, with some Insta-prepared houses for lease. These involve everything from an ancient riad in Marrakesh — with a courtyard that includes an emerald green pool — to a conventional wood chalet in the mythic mountains of Lebanon.


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MacRumors reports that when MobileMe comes back from downtime at midnight it will return with several enhancements. Arguably the biggest will be the new mail interface coming out of beta. This new mail site will also bring push mail delivery to customers checking their e-mail on the web.
Another new feature will be the expansion of the Find my iPhone service to the App Store. Apple recently opened up Find my iPhone to the iOS browser, and now there will be a universal application. This universal application is built to work across all devices, without pixel doubling on the iPad, and will be a much quicker gateway to locating your lost device.
Another enhancement will be a redesign of the MobileMe toolbar. The toolbar pictured above will become obsolete, and will be replaced with a single application-switching button.


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The 2023 edition of the Global Digital Quality of Life Index, compiled by the information technology company Surf Shark, highlights the African countries that provide the best digital quality of life to their citizens. This ranking takes into account various indicators, including the cost of internet access, connection quality, digital infrastructure, and electronic governance.
South Africa, Morocco, and Kenya are the countries that offer the best digital quality of life to their citizens in Africa. This revelation comes from the 2023 edition of the “Digital Quality of Life Index” (DQL), compiled by Surf Shark, an Amsterdam-based IT company.
Morocco has moved up one spot in the continental ranking compared to the previous edition. The top 10 also include Mauritius, Tunisia, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, Ghana, and Benin.
To create this annual ranking, the company evaluated 121 countries, including 25 African nations, using five main indicators, electronic security (cybersecurity and data management), internet access cost, connection quality, digital infrastructure, and electronic governance.
Fourteen sub-indicators, such as connection speed, mobile internet cost, and high-speed internet cost, were also considered. Data for these indicators was sourced from organizations like the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
When analyzing the continental performance by indicator, Morocco leads in electronic security, holding the 40th position globally (up from 42nd in 2022 and 87th in 2021). South Africa excels in online services and adaptability to Artificial Intelligence (AI), while Kenya takes the lead in digital infrastructure. Nigeria stands out in terms of connection quality, and Angola offers the most affordable internet access cost.
Globally, the ranking is dominated by France, Finland, Denmark, Germany, and Luxembourg. The leading trio in Africa occupies the 72nd, 75th, and 76th positions, respectively.
This index sheds light on the African countries that are making significant strides in providing a high-quality digital environment for their citizens, reflecting the growing importance of digital access and infrastructure in today’s interconnected world.


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Marvel held a Retailer's Only panel on Thursday during New York Comic Con and for the most part, it was a by the numbers event. Retailers asked if there was going to be a Secret Empire Omega #2 (no) and asked about not including an issue number #1 on future one-shots (maybe?). Marvel executive editor Tom Brevoort explained how Avengers: No Surrender, the weekly event starting in January, already had six of sixteen issues completed.
Then near the end one retailer got lots of applause for objecting to the ordering process for the Marvel Lenticular covers. Then he objected to the fact that Marvel now had female versions of characters instead of the males. Two other retailers than voiced their opinions that diversity doesn't work. The words "black", "homo" and "freaking females" were thrown around, at which point other retailers started to boo those retailers and the room started to turn on itself.
Marvel editor Nick Lowe tried to ease the situation by saying that Marvel try and they tell stories for everyone and that there is room for old and new characters. The panel then abruptly ended with Marvel's Senior Vice President of Sales David Gabriel offering his email to retailers with any more questions.
Meanwhile, other comics news outlets who rely on Marvel's ad dollars downplayed the events by stating, "Lowe closed the panel by responding to complaints about replacement characters or characters being changed saying that there will continue to be characters that appeal to all readers of Marvel Comics, and that they are committed to both their new and returning characters."


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PORT LOUIS, Feb 16 (Reuters) - New Mauritius Hotels (NMH) posted a 0.7 percent increase in first-quarter pretax profit helped by an increase in tourist arrivals, it said on Thursday.
Among the Indian Ocean island nation’s most-traded stocks, NMH said pre-tax profit rose to 650 million rupees ($18.34 million) for the quarter to December 31.
It said average occupancy rate in its hotels increased to 78 from 73 percent a year ago, with improvement in Mauritius and Morocco.
Revenue fell to 3.04 billion rupees from 3.26 billion due to lower villas sales in Marrakech.
“Forward bookings for the second quarter of the financial year are lagging slightly behind with the peak Easter period expected in April as compared to March last year,” NHM said.
The tourism sector is a key driver of the Indian Ocean island’s $10 billion economy.
Earnings per share remained unchanged at 1.07 rupees.
$1 = 35.4500 Mauritius rupees Reporting by Jean Paul Arouff; editing by Clement Uwiringiyimana and Jason Neely