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Mothers to belt up on special day
Purported aid for slimmers proving to be a popular gift
The controversial massage belts that makers claim make you slim have been one of the hottest sellers ahead of Mother's Day - despite questions about their safety and effectiveness.
OSIM said sales of its u-Zap have been up more than 10 per cent over the past two weeks.
OTO, which sells the Trimax 2 slimming belt, said recent criticism of the product by doctors had little impact on sales.
'Sales have been strong. Many customers came with their mothers to buy the belt,' said a spokeswoman for OTO.
A spokeswoman for OSIM said many young customers had chosen to give the belt as a Mother's Day present because of its affordability.
Doctors have questioned whether the belts can help wearers lose weight and warned that pregnant users may be at a higher risk of miscarriage.
Addressing their criticism, OTO said: 'In our manuals, we clearly state that the belt is not suitable for use by people with certain conditions, such as pregnant women.'
Meanwhile, the city's restaurants reported healthy bookings for Mother's Day.
'People began coming to celebrate Mother's Day last weekend. The average spending per head is between $220 and $300, 20 per cent up from last year,' said Vincent Lee Wing-king, manager of The Graces Garden restaurant at Times Square in Causeway Bay.
'More young people, like students, are chipping in to buy their mothers dinner. Probably it's [a result of] peer pressure to treat their mother on Mother's Day,' Mr Lee added.
One western restaurant said people were being more adventurous in their choice of menus for family gatherings.
A spokeswoman for The Quarterdeck Kowloon at Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, said while Chinese families traditionally choose buffets for special occasions, they had become more receptive towards western set menus.
The restaurant expects its diners to spend an average $375 per head.


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Haters will hate Apple but Tim Cook’s ‘hall of fame’ performance will drive stock higher: Dan Ives
Wedbush Securities managing director forecasts Apple stock to break through $200 and continue to head north on ‘Varney & Co.’
A group of Apple employees is pushing back against the tech giant's return to the office plans with a new petition.
Known as Apple Together, the group of workers argues that the company's formerly office-based staff have performed "exceptional work, flexibly, both outside and inside traditional office environments" over the past two years and that the "uniform mandate from senior leadership does not consider the unique demands of each job role nor the diversity of individuals."
"We believe that Apple should encourage, not prohibit, flexible work to build a more diverse and successful company where we can feel comfortable to ‘think different’ together," the petition states.
Last week, Apple reportedly informed corporate staff that they would be required to return to the office three times per week starting the week of Sept. 5. The employees will be required to work in person on Tuesday, Thursday and a third day that will vary based on each individual team, according to Bloomberg.
APPLE SECURITY ISSUE: HOW TO UPDATE YOUR IPHONE, IPAD, MAC
Apple Together, which previously claimed that the return to office policy would make Apple's workforce "younger, whiter, [and] more male-dominated," is demanding that the company's leadership allow each employee to work directly with their manager to figure out the best possible flexible work arrangement.
"These work arrangements should not require higher level approvals, complex procedures, or providing private information," the workers said.
According to Apple Together, the company has more than 100,000 direct employees in the U.S., including retail workers.
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Apple's return to office announcement follows a series of delays due to the emergence of new COVID-19 variants that each spurred a flare-up in cases.
It also comes after a group of Apple retail workers in Maryland voted in June to become the company's first unionized location.
An Apple spokesperson did not immediately return FOX Business' request for comment on the petition.
Source: Read Full Article

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Google Smarter Digital City 2.0-Getting Ahead with Google
How Eats365 can help push Hong Kong toward a digital future
Eats365 is always seeking to push the envelope of the tech we can offer to customers. Since Google is a pioneer in the technology sphere, we decided to attended the Smarter Digital City 2.0 event to try and glean what trends are set to hit Hong Kong's retail space in the coming years.
Hong Kong's Relationship with Tech
We were surprised to learn that in terms of being a smart city Hong Kong people, themselves, view Hong Kong to be lagging behind cities like Tokyo and Singapore while cities like Shanghai and Seoul are rapidly catching up. Where many cities rely on government-funded initiatives to boost the adoption of tech in a city, only "14 percent of the public surveyed think the government is significantly investing in making Hong Kong a smarter city."
This statistic is surprising given that Hong Kong is well-equipped to begin its digital revolution. A staggering "79% of Hong Kongers have smartphones, and 98 percent of them go online once per day." This statistic shows just how primed the Hong Kong market really is for businesses to take advantage of the opportunities that technology provides. Indeed, given the density of shops, be it F&B-related or otherwise, SMBs are more concerned with competing against companies a few doors down rather than going online. This is a long-term mistake, according to the boffins at Google.
With all this gloom and doom in mind, what exactly can Eats365 do to help? Well, there are a few things we are doing that is actively combating Hong Kong's reluctance to go online and digitize the future.
The average Hong Kong consumer no longer shops solely by visiting stores. If a shop has a digital gateway, be it a website or app, customers will visit that first to get a better idea of what a business has to offer. This then leads to interest in visiting a business' physical location and can lead to sales. Indeed, Google even says that "to entice Hong Kong consumers, SMBs must be present where their customers are-offline and online." This refers to the concept of 020 as 020 is literally defined as "online to offline." Eats365's User App prepares restaurants for this new trend by allowing users to find any registered F&B business online. From there, customers can see food menus, line up in advance, book tables in advance and find out the location of businesses they are interested in. This strong online presence will undoubtedly lead to more sales and greater turnover. Let's not forget that "for Hong Kong, online to offline (020)…is of a particular significance and is well suited to leverage the city's retail density…and world-leading smartphone penetration."
Data is becoming an increasingly important talking point when it comes to understanding customers. The more data a business has about their customers, the better they can follow trends and offer better products that are in-line with what is 'popular' and 'profitable'. Indeed, "the foundation of smarter retail is a nuanced and continuously updated understanding of the customer and their needs." To further bolster this case, a speaker at the Smarter Digital City event, Jelly Zhou, a managing director for HKTVMall, spoke of how having customer data helped her company improve customer experience and become more efficient.
Eats365's POS system provides a detailed CRM (customer relationship management) system that lets F&B businesses keep track of important customer information like spending habits, popularly ordered dishes, frequency of visits and more. This is the sort of data that can be regularly reviewed to provide a better experience for customers and improve the satisfaction rating of your business. Simply by analysing data, your business can "deliver value by engaging consumers at the right time and right place with offers and an experience tailored to them."
3. Partnering with Tech Pioneers
To ensure that the tech we offer is cutting-edge, we work with pioneers of both hardware and software providers from around the globe. This ensures that we can pick and choose from the cream of the crop while increasing versatility, usability and convenience of our products for our customers. It also ensures we stay on top of the latest tech so that our POS system and its various modules are able to work in tandem to help F&B businesses of shapes, sizes and geographic locations.


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The food and drink industry has called the government to act on the dwindling supplies of CO2 that could result in shortages in the run-up to Christmas.
The shortage of CO2 stems from the two UK fertiliser factories, located in Teesside and Cheshire, stopping production due to rising costs, creating a knock-on effect in the food and drink industry, particularly in carbonated drinks and the meat sector.
The British Soft Drinks Association said there were only days of CO2 reserves left.
“Some soft drinks manufacturers have only a few days of CO2 supply left in reserve. As it stands, most CO2 suppliers are currently not scheduling beyond 24 hours in advance, meaning there is no visibility as to UK stocks and no certainty around deliveries. If soft drinks manufacturers cannot get hold of CO2 supplies after their reserves have run out, production of certain products will have to cease.
“The Government must add the wider food and drink sector to the priority CO2 supply list on the grounds of maintaining product supply to consumers and protecting British jobs. We urge the Government to support the operation of UK fertiliser plants through to the end of the year to stop this issue from rearing its head at Christmas.”
Earlier this month, CEO of the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) Nick Allen warned that the CO2 shortage could be worse than the one the food industry faced in 2018.
“CO2 gas plays a critical and irreplaceable role in the food and drink manufacturing process and businesses can grind to a halt if they cannot secure an adequate supply. This means that, once their current stocks of the gas run out (estimated to be in less than 14 days) some companies will have to stop taking animals and close production lines, leading to a logjam of animals back to the farms. We already have this situation in the pig industry which is now facing the imminent prospect of a humane cull on farms.”
He outlined the impact on retail. “For other companies producing beef and lamb they could continue producing retail packs of meat, but without CO2 used in the vacuum packing process, up to five days shelf life would be lost. Given the current food chain disruption caused by a lack of HGV drivers, this could pose an additional problem for retailers.”
Allen added that the BMPA is lobbying the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for Government support to help prop up UK CO2 production short-term and for the government to take a firmer stance with the UK CO2 producers. He said: “This time, we’ve had zero warning of the planned closure of the fertilizer plants in Ince and Stockton-on-Tees and, as a result, it’s plunged the industry into chaos. We urgently need the Secretary of State for Business to convene the big CO2 manufacturers to demand that they coordinate to minimise disruption, and provide information to Britain’s businesses so contingency plans can be made.”
In statement on the situation, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Work is ongoing across departments in Whitehall, across government to ensure that those sectors impacted and affected by this announcement have appropriate contingency plans in place to ensure that there is indeed minimal disruption. To maintain our domestic supplies of CO2, we are in constant contact with relevant companies who produce and supply CO2 and we are monitoring the situation minute by minute.”


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MIKE FULJENZ ON COLORIZED COINS
|Published: Wednesday, 04 November 2009 00:00|
coin and bullion expert Mike Fuljenz says colorization is not always a good thing. Technicolor movies transformed the “silver screen” into a visual rainbow and brought new vibrancy to American pop culture. Color TV consigned black-and-white “boob tubes” to the fringes of national life and soon became a universal presence in Americans’ living rooms. Color photographs now enliven most leading newspapers; many, in fact, reserve the front page for the splashiest full-color photo every day. Color, in short, can be a powerful tool for enhancing the appeal of a product.
There’s a very big exception to this rule. Adding color to a coin could reduce – if not erase – any value it might have had as a collectible. Mike Fuljenz, a leading expert and author on coin and bullion values, cautions collectors about offerings of “colorized” coins for sale through TV commercials and newspaper and magazine advertisements. Typically, he says, some businesses add eye-catching colors to 50-state quarters and other special coins produced by the U.S. Mint, then peddle the debatably “enhanced” coins for prices many times their small face value, to the young and elderly alike.
The average man and woman in the street might find these coins’ bright red, green, blue and gold colors attractive – even artistic. But, Mr. Fuljenz cautions, collectors typically view such coins as damaged goods. One of the first rules new collectors learn, he says, is: Never touch the surfaces of a coin. That means no contact, no cleaning – and no colorizing, especially outside the manufacturing mint.
Selling coins that have been colorized outside a mint might not be illegal, Mr. Fuljenz says, but any sales spiels suggesting that the colorizing process adds substantial value would be misleading if the claims become too outrageous. At the very least, he says, buying quantities of them for high prices over the coin’s face value should only be done after careful research and consideration.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; those who buy colorized coins because they find them “pretty” might think they’re getting their money’s worth and truly enjoy them. But those who buy them in hopes of making money are probably doomed to disappointment.
Mr. Fuljenz states, “Simply stated, colorized coins in most cases will never be worth a pretty penny.
Check out Mike Fuljenz 2009 award winning report on rare coins and bullion as seen on Fox 4 KBMT.


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With the success of other mini consoles, Sega are now about to try and get a piece of the pie. Sega will be launching the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis mini, which will launch globally on September 19 with 40 built-in games
10 games have so far been announced including Sonic the Hedgehog, Ecco the Dolphin, Castlevania: Bloodlines, Space Harrier 2, Altered Beast, Gunstar Heroes, Shining Force, Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Machine, ToeJam & Earl and Comix Zone.
The Sega Mega Drive Mini is ready to plug-and-play right out of the box and includes
- Mega Drive Mini Console
- 2 Wired Control Pads
- Power Cable
- HDMI Cable
For more information, head on over to Sega to check it out.


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In the industrial context, by launching AI for Operations Intelligence using Azure IoT, Capgemini is helping manufacturers to create an integrated AI-powered data and insights foundation
Politicians and financial regulators across the world have called for scrutiny of Facebook’s Libra coin, with concerns ranging from consumer protection and privacy to its potential systemic risks given the social media giant’s global reach
All Bitpoint services were suspended following the hack, including trading, deposits and withdrawals, but its parent company Remixpoint has said it would compensate customers for the losses.
Facebook has been working extremely hard to market Libra as a solution for the world’s unbanked and under-banked populations, ‘virtually all’ of whom live in developing countries according to World Bank research in 2017
What is most surprising is that just over a year ago, the UAE didn't even make it on this list, thus proving that the onset of this recent crypto wave throughout the Middle East is somewhat of a recent phenomenon.


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Truly Hard Seltzer Drops Hot Wing Sauce Flavor
The Super Bowl brings out the creativity of many companies. Truly Hard Seltzer is now one of them with their recent launch. The brand announced the limited-edition release of its Hot Wing Sauce-flavored seltzer.
The bad news is that it sold out the moment it was released. However, Truly said an “immediate restock is on its way.”
When sharing the news on their website, Truly wrote, “Want to take your big game watch party to the next level without shelling out $10,000 on tickets? Truly has you covered with their weirdest, wildest, ‘who’s ready for some damn football’ -est flavor to date: Hot Wing Sauce!”
What to know.
The exclusive flavor is sold in a pack of four 16-ounce cans and is available on GiveThemBeer.com. Each four-pack sells for $24 and can only be delivered to customers 21 and up in five states. These states include California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.
Truly posted about the release on Instagram, and, of course, it was met with mixed reviews. One commenter wrote that they were “checking the calendar to see if it’s [April Fool’s Day].” Meanwhile, another enthusiastic fan wrote in all-caps, “I’M GONNA DRINK THIS WITH A SIDE OF RANCH.”
Some people were more concerned by their distribution list. “Worst states to sell this in; bring it to the Midwest where we have taste buds and drink St Elmo’s cocktail sauce for fun,” someone wrote.
Truly isn’t the first to experiment with unusual flavor combinations. Last year, Doritos teamed up with Empirical to launch a nacho cheese flavor liquor. The nacho cheese spirit was made using real Doritos chips. Recently, Burt’s Bees partnered with Hidden Valley to create a ranch-flavored lip balm. Also, spotted at some Dollar Tree locations are chip and cereal-inspired bath bombs with Cheetos, Doritos, Froot Loops, and Lucky Charms.


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When it’s time to toast, there’s no better option than popping open a bottle of bubbly — and sparkling wine is more popular than ever.
The worldwide sparkling wine market is expected to reach $32.6 billion by 2026, an annual growth rate of 7.1%, according to an industry report issued earlier this month. And you don’t have to look to Europe to find good options for your holiday celebrations.
Local vineyards are producing sparkling wine and owners say they are making and selling more these days.
Mark Wenzel, the founder and winemaker at Illinois Sparkling Company in North Utica, said the Chicago market has embraced sparkling wine. He’d even go so far as to describe the last five years as a sparkling wine craze.
While people’s idea of sparkling wine is usually confined to champagne from France or prosecco from Italy, Wenzel said there are many other varieties and flavors of sparkling wine. ISC sells 10 different wines but all use grapes grown in Illinois.
Christina Anderson-Heller of Lynwood Winery in Roselle said both their sparkling and still wine business has been brisk since the pandemic lockdowns.
“During COVID the one thing people didn’t give up on was wine consumption,” Anderson-Heller said.
Anderson-Heller, the winery’s marketing director, said the winery hosted wine appreciation and wine-tasting events over Zoom including ones featuring sparkling wines when people weren’t able to go out.
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Susanne Bullock, Wenzel’s sister and the marketing manager at ISC, said customers seek them out because they want to do a better job of supporting local businesses.
“When people find something that is good and local, that’s twice as nice for them,” Bullock said.
Anderson-Heller said while more people are coming around to the idea, many are still shocked when they learn wine is made in the suburbs.
“I’ve been at the winery for 23 years and when I started people would learn the great wine they just had was from Roselle and their mouths would drop,” Anderson-Heller said. “Great wine can come from anywhere.”
Anderson-Heller said she’s glad bubbly wines are getting more popular and that she often pops open a bottle of sparkling wine at her house at around 4 p.m.
“I am the queen of bubbles,” Anderson-Heller said. “Every day is a day to celebrate.”


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WASHINGTON—The sharp surge in coronavirus cases nationwide and revived restrictions on businesses haven’t jolted stimulus talks back to life, with Democratic and Republican lawmakers now looking toward must-pass spending bills as their best chance to approve relief this year.
Top Republicans and Democrats remained at odds about the price tag of a new agreement. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), who is taking over from the Trump administration to represent Republicans in the discussions, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) have no current plans to talk. President-elect Joe Biden has said he would like to see a deal as soon as possible, while President Trump hasn’t weighed in.
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Mura are delighted today to announce that construction has started on the world’s first commercial-scale plant to use our revolutionary HydroPRSTM process, able to recycle all forms of plastic waste and provide the raw ingredients for a sustainable circular plastic economy. HydroPRS™ (Hydrothermal Plastic Recycling Solution) is a revolutionary advanced recycling process designed to tackle plastic that cannot currently be recycled and instead ends up polluting the natural environment.
The first plant to use the technology has begun construction in Teesside, UK, to be operational in 2022 and able to process 80,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year. It will form the blueprint for a rapid global rollout that will see one million tonnes of capacity in development worldwide by 2025 – equivalent to nearly half the plastic packaging waste produced in the UK each year. Sites are planned in Germany, the US and Asia.
Plastic waste is an urgent environmental challenge; 350m tonnes of plastic is produced worldwide annually, with half becoming waste in less than a year. The UK alone produces 2.4m tonnes of plastic packaging – the second highest per capita in the world. Yet globally only 9% of plastic has ever been recycled – the vast majority (79%) currently ends up in landfill or the environment and 8m tonnes enters the oceans every year, predicted to increase tenfold by 2025 if solutions aren’t found. This ‘lost resource’ of plastic waste is a huge economic opportunity – valued at up to $120bn per year according to the World Economic Forum.
Mura’s proprietary HydroPRS™ process, utilising Cat-HTRTM technology, uses supercritical steam to convert plastics back into the oils and chemicals they were made from, ready to be used for new virgin-grade plastic products. It can recycle all forms of plastic – including ‘unrecyclable’ products such as multi-layer, flexible plastics used in packaging – with no limit to the number of times the same material can be recycled. This means it has the potential to eliminate single use plastic and make the raw ingredients for a circular plastics economy, creating value, not waste.
Global plastic production also creates an estimated 390m tonnes of CO2 every year – equivalent to over 172m cars. It accounts for 6% of global oil consumption today and is set to increase to 20% by 2050. Advanced recycling processes reduce the need for fossil fuel extraction for virgin plastics. In addition, they can save approximately 1.5 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of plastic recycled compared to incineration. On completion, the Teesside plant has the potential to eliminate up to 120,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, compared to incineration of the same plastic waste.
Dr Steve Mahon, CEO of Mura Technology, said: “We are at the tipping point of an environmental catastrophe – it’s time to seize the initiative and put an end to plastic pollution across the world. HydroPRS™ represents a win-win for the environment, economy and society, helping keep our environment free from plastic and oil where it belongs – in the ground.
“We need to act now and that’s why we’re taking a global–first approach – to scale fast and meet the challenge head on. We’re working with global partners to deploy our unique HydroPRS™ process where it’s needed, today, to create a sustainable future and eliminate plastic pollution.”
To support its rapid global deployment, Mura has announced a series of global strategic partnerships. In January, the company signed an agreement with KBR Inc. to license the technology to its clients worldwide. KBR has also invested in the company. Igus GmbH. has partnered with Mura via a strategic investment to support the world-first plant in Teesside. Wood has been appointed as the EPC contractor for the Teesside project, the first site to use Mura’s HydroPRS™ process. The Teesside project is being developed by ReNew ELP, the UK subsidiary of Mura Technology.
Doug Kelly, KBR President, Technology, said:“Mura has the potential to propel the growth of the plastic circular economy. We’re extremely excited to be offering Mura’s process for license to our clients so they can efficiently convert end-of-life waste plastic into a valuable and reusable feedstock for new plastics and other valuable materials.”
Frank Blase, CEO of Igus, said: “This could be the solution the plastics industry has been crying out for. Plastic, as a material, has many great properties and applications which make modern life possible – but it must be sustainable. We’re proud to be partnering with Mura to pioneer truly recycled plastic that doesn’t compromise on quality, ultimately resulting in a cleaner, greener and thriving natural environment.”
Craig Shanaghey, President of Operations for Europe, Middle East & Africa at Wood, said: “The circular economy represents a critical and growing industry in our collective quest for a more sustainable future. As such, we are delighted that ReNew ELP has selected Wood to join them on their journey to bring Mura’s innovative process to life. Our shared commitment to unlocking solutions to the world’s most critical challenges makes for a perfect partnership.”
In recognition of its potential, in October 2020, the Teesside project was awarded £4.42m by the UK Government via the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund’s Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging programme. Earlier this month, advanced recycling was for the first time recognised as contributing to government targets for recycled plastics and supporting measures such as the proposed plastic tax for recycled content in packaging.
Paul Davidson, Challenge Director at Innovate UK said: “Plastic waste is one of the biggest threats to our environment, which is why UK government is supporting innovative technologies that can drive towards a more sustainable and circular economy for plastic recycling. Following UKRI’s Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Demonstrator programme grant to the ReNew ELP advanced recycling project at Teesside, we are delighted that the project is developing partnerships with other major investors, helping to make the pilot-to-commercial scale development a reality. Government and private investment working together in technology development is great for skills and jobs in Teesside, the UK economy, and critically, delivering important benefits for a low-carbon, globally sustainable future.”
Rebecca Pow MP, Under-Secretary of State for Defra said: “The Government is committed to both clamping down on the unacceptable plastic waste that harms our environment and ensuring more materials can be reused instead of being thrown away. By investing in these truly ground-breaking technologies, we will help to drive these efforts even further, and I look forward to seeing them develop and deliver real results.”
The concept has also been backed by environmental groups campaigning to tackle the plastic waste crisis.
Jo Ruxton, Founder of Ocean Generation and producer of Netflix documentary ‘A Plastic Ocean’, said: “More than eight million tonnes of plastic enters our oceans each and every year. It’s paramount that we live more sustainably with plastic, reducing our need for it and finding ways to stop it entering our precious environment. Technologies like this are a big piece of that jigsaw.”
Hydrothermal technology offers the scale to solve the plastic crisis
Mura’s HydroPRS™ process, utilising at its core the Cat-HTR™ technology, developed and owned by Licella Holdings Limited, breaks down plastics using water in the form of supercritical steam (water at elevated pressure and temperature). The steam acts like molecular scissors, cutting longer-chain hydrocarbon bonds in plastics to produce the valuable chemicals and oils from which the plastic was originally made – in as little as 25 minutes.
These oils – equivalent to the original fossil products – are then used to produce new, virgin-grade plastic with no limit to the number of times the same material can be processed, creating a true circular economy for waste plastic. Importantly, the products may be suitable for use in food-contact packaging, unlike conventional recycling processes.
Most recycling today uses mechanical methods that can degrade the quality of the plastics – a process often referred to as ‘down-cycling’. They are also unable to recycle various common forms of waste plastic. Mura’s process can recycle all waste plastics, including those considered ‘unrecyclable’, such as films, pots, tubs and trays, that can currently only be incinerated or sent to landfill. The process is designed to work alongside conventional recycling and wider initiatives to reduce and reuse plastic.
Using supercritical steam means the technology is also inherently scalable. Unlike other methods, which heat waste from the outside, the steam imparts energy from the inside, providing far more efficient conversion of plastic waste; a process which can be maintained regardless of scale.
Dr Len Humpheys, CEO of Licella Holdings Limited, said: “Licella have spent 13 years and US$80m developing the Cat-HTRTM technology platform, at the core of the Mura HydroPRS™ process. We are delighted to see the first commercial-scale project proceed in the UK with our partner Mura. With a shared vision for a more sustainable future, we are confident that Mura will establish themselves as leaders in the advanced recycling of plastic globally.”
A solution for global brands to eliminate plastic waste
In the face of rising consumer pressure, the world’s largest brands are urgently looking to tackle their plastic problem. Unilever has committed to halve the amount of virgin plastic in its packaging by 2025 and increase recycled content by a quarter. Nestlé has committed to 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025 and reducing virgin plastic by a third. However, meeting these targets needs technologies capable of recycling all plastics to create infinitely recyclable products.
Mura is in advanced discussions with global brands and investors to fund and deploy HydroPRS™ and use the raw ingredients it creates to eliminate the need for new virgin plastic, meeting consumer demand for action.
“The problem isn’t plastic, it’s where it ends up. We want to change the way the world thinks about plastics – not as something to throw away, but as a valuable resource that can be reused over and over without harming our natural world,” concluded Dr Mahon.
Shell to build one of Europe’s biggest biofuels facilities in Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Shell announced to build an 820,000-tonnes-a-year biofuels facility that will be among the biggest in Europe to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel made from waste.
Cooperation Uniper and Port of Rotterdam Authority in production green hydrogen
The companies have entered into an agreement for developing the production of green hydrogen at the Uniper location on Maasvlakte.
Huntsman Increases Polyurethane Catalyst and Specialty Amine Capacity in Petfurdo, Hungary
The additional capacity builds upon our previous expansions to further improve our capability and expand our product range of polyurethane catalysts and specialty amines
CIECH begins next stage of production capacity expansion in silicates segment in Żary, Poland
The new investment, valued at approximately PLN 80 million (approx. €18 mln), will increase its production capacity by 30% and strengthen the chemical group's position as the leading supplier of so...


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Netflix kicked off entertainment industry earnings season with a bang and a lot of news late Tuesday, with Wall Street analysts dissecting its second-quarter results, outlook and commentary overnight.
After its shock first-quarter subscriber loss, the fact that the global streaming giant lost 970,000 subscribers instead of the predicted 2 million in the second quarter — which included the launch of season 4 of original hit show Stranger Things — drew much focus. The same was true for its forecast for a third-quarter return to growth to the tune of 1 million subscribers.
The company, led by co-CEOs Reed Hastings and Ted Sarandos, now has 220.67 million subscribers, and still leads the race among all streaming giants. But details about content spending — which execs said would stay around the annual $17 billion level — and an announcement that Netflix would release its advertising-supported, cheaper subscription tier “around the early part of 2023” attracted much interest and debate across Wall Street.
Overall, investors initially seemed to give Netflix’s results, forecasts and commentary a positive reception, with the stock gaining in after-hours and early in Wednesday pre-market activity. But in early trading, as of 9:35 a.m. ET, the stock was only up 1.4 percent at $204.41.
However, analysts response was more mixed. Some financial observers expressed relief about the results and argued that management was taking control of the company’s narrative again. Others warned that new business initiatives would take time to bear fruit and underlined the challenges for reaccelerating subscriber growth in mature and maturing markets — such as the U.S., Canada and Europe — meaning that investors should for now stay on the sidelines.
After many analysts cut their stock price targets, along with subscriber and financial forecasts, on Netflix after the company’s first-quarter earnings report, this time, most stuck to their current ratings and targets though.
Credit Suisse analyst Douglas Mitchelson broke that mold. While he maintained his “neutral” rating on Netflix, he cut his price target from $360 to $263 “due to a more conservative long-term forecast.” “Uncertainty remains elevated for Netflix with subscriber growth stalled post-pandemic and (management) focusing on improving monetization via charging for password sharing and broadening the service’s value proposition through lower-priced ad tiers,” he explained. While he sees “some promise” in the new strategic initiatives, he emphasized that they “will take at least well into 2023 to prove out (and perhaps into 2024 to drive meaningful revenue reaccelerating).”
Many others also noted both the positive and the challenging in their notes to investors. Case in point was Macquarie analyst Tim Nollen’s report with the title “A Little Light Relief.” “Some stability in subs is good, and management’s tone sounded much more reassured this time than the last two; so, Netflix stock could enjoy a short relief rally,” he argued. “But there is still some way to go to turn numbers around, while sub adds are only tracking to flat through the third quarter, and we don’t know what the effect of a recession may be on subs.”
He also highlighted management comments that content spending would likely stabilize at the current annual $17 billion level. “This could be good for earnings and free cash flow, but will compare with rising spending on all other streaming services that will bring a flood of even more content competition,” Nollen warned.
Others were similarly torn between the bullish and the sobering in Netflix’s results and commentary. “Still Recovering But Now Pain Free,” summarized Wells Fargo analyst Steven Cahall the state of Netflix and maintained his $300 price target and “equal weight” rating. He slightly raised his 2022 subscriber growth estimate from 2.4 million to 2.5 million, while leaving his 2023 forecast unchanged at 7.8 million.
“Content is always the heart of the stock,” he highlighted in digging deeper into the streamer’s user trends, as well as content spending and strategy. “We think Netflix scaling its content spend so quickly and widely, with impressive velocity in deliveries globally, may have meant that the quality suffered. From here, the company is notably looking to improve efficiency and efficacy. Cash content spend should stay in the $17-$18 billion zip code per year, while we think Netflix is looking to improve how it gets spent. This improves free cash flow, but potentially creates some risk against competitors with growing content war chests.”
Cahall also argued that the worst could be over for the stock for now, if all goes well. “We think Netflix has found a bottom assuming sub growth doesn’t hit any new cliffs. Next year, new initiatives will start to contribute, and it’s reasonable to expect that the Netflix of 2024 and beyond will have very healthy top- and bottom-line growth and better free cash flow. There’s enough risk and wood to chop between here and there that we don’t want to step in amidst a lot of execution risk. But, for long-term GARP (growth at a reasonable price) investors, we think downside risk is now much more limited.”
In fact, Cahall said the company’s “transition gaining momentum” and noted stock gains in after hours. “We think this quarter will mark the beginning of a new GARPy Netflix taking shape and bucked the recent trend,” he concluded. “Fourth-quarter 2021 results abruptly showed cracks in the armor of sub growth, while the first quarter of 2022 was worrisome as new strategies were just emerging. Now those initiatives are starting to take shape, and while it’s too early to visualize the company’s longer-term financial complexion, which keeps us happier on the sidelines, we think the recent pain is over. We see the positive earnings reaction as indicating a bottoming in sentiment.”
Evercore ISI analyst Mark Mahaney, who has an “in line” rating and $245 price target on the streaming giants’ stock, also shared this take on the company and investors’ approach following its recent challenges. “Netflix is a great company and a great service. And this management team has demonstrated both extraordinary industry vision and the ability to pivot successfully,” he wrote, noting that “there are a lot of positives here for the global streaming leader.” But he also highlighted: “We believe the market will need to see real success from the ad-supported and password-sharing initiatives before ascribing a sustainably premium multiple to Netflix.”
Others joined him in addressing the theme of investor sentiment. “The market compressed Netflix’s multiple last quarter in part because its strategy evolution seemed rushed,” wrote BMO Capital Markets analyst Daniel Salmon. “This quarter, management delivered a much better explanation of its new points of focus, including advertising and password sharing/’add a home.’ But first and foremost, both second-quarter actual and third-quarter guidance for subs/members were good enough.”
Guggenheim’s Michael Morris echoed that sentiment. In his report, entitled “Management Regains Footing, Pitches Position Strength and Initiative Progress,” he wrote: “Key opportunities in advertising and password sharing are taking shape, though still early. Notably, the company’s ambitious pursuit comes with spend discipline, with annual cash content spend of around $17 billion in ‘the right ZIP code’ for the next several years.”
Maintaining his “buy” rating and $265 price target on the stock, while increasing his free cash flow forecast, Morris concluded: “We continue to see attractive value and optionality in Netflix shares.”
Salmon also discussed Netflix’s free cash flow trajectory, lauding that “the free cash flow outlook had more color added: from ‘consistently free cash flow’ positive to $1 billion in 2022 and ‘substantial growth in 2023.’ Street free cash flow consensus of $1.7 billion in 2023 seems likely to move higher,” Salmon concluded in reiterating his “outperform” rating with a $365 target price.
Neil Begley, analyst at Moody’s Investors Service, also expressed confidence in free cash flow trends. Netflix’s better-than-expected second-quarter subscriber momentum “provides confidence that Netflix will grow net subs and generate solid free cash flow in 2022 despite the post-COVID slowdown and continuing foreign exchange headwinds, respectively,” he said. “The strong content slate and solid engagement in 2022 should position the company well to ramp up its alternative revenue drivers, including password sharing fees and advertising in 2023 and beyond.”
Meanwhile, Cowen’s John Blackledge stuck to his “outperform” rating and $325 price target, but discussed the sub trends in more details. “The third-quarter sub guide of 1.00 million net adds was below our and consensus net adds of 3.32 million and 1.81 million, but came in above a conservative buyside bogey and amid relatively low expectations,” he wrote in a report. “We believe a likely return to growth will be viewed favorably, particularly if the trend continues through year-end (Netflix should be helped in the fourth quarter by strong seasonal trends and a robust content slate.”
PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore also shared his read of Netflix’s sub momentum and how the planned ad tier would affect it. “While the last set of results was a bombshell, this quarter was much better than expected with lower subs losses. However, (there are) still concerns with lower subs growth for the third quarter compared to the same period last year,” which saw the addition of 4.4 million users, he said. “This comes at a crucial time given the cost of living crisis having a profound impact on all companies; no one is immune, with consumers all feeling the pinch and tightening their belts.”
With Netflix adding its ad tier, Pescatore warned: “Netflix needs to tread carefully not to cannibalize its own base, while working closely with brands to serve relevant ads. This is all based on Netflix taking a more open approach to the wealth of data its has built on customer behavioral patterns.”
Meanwhile, in one of the most pessimistic reports, Pivotal Research Group analyst Jeff Wlodarczak reiterated his “sell” rating on Netflix and cut his target price by $60 to $175. “In our view, the most prudent move for Netflix management is actually to look to sell the company, with recent advertising partner Microsoft (which lacks a streaming product) the most logical partner.”
He argued latest results were “mostly disappointing,” noting that the lower-than-feared second-quarter sub loss “appears mostly driven by higher than forecast low average revenue per user (low-value) India subscriber growth.” He also pointed out “worse than expected third-quarter subscriber guidance of +1.0 million (even with the ‘benefit’ of low-value India subs) versus our 1.8 million forecast.”
Wlodarczak is also bearish on the planned ad-supported subscription tier. “The entrance into ad-supported Netflix is likely to not increase subscriber growth in core markets (given increased competition and what appears to be full U.S./Canada penetration) and could actually push down average revenue per user (as certain core subscribers churn down to what we believe will be lower ad-supported average revenue per user) exacerbated by a likely competitive response.”


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Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a $2.35 million multistate settlement with AdoreMe, Inc., an online lingerie retailer. The settlement resolves claims that the company deceptively marketed its VIP Membership Program to consumers and made it difficult for consumers to cancel their memberships.
“I am pleased with the settlement to hold Adore Me, Inc. accountable for engaging in alleged deceptive marketing to its consumers,” Raoul said. “I will continue to work to ensure that Illinois consumers are treated fairly.”
AdoreMe offered consumers discounted pricing if they enrolled in its VIP Membership Program. Once enrolled in the program, consumers were charged $39.95 a month. Consumers could only avoid this automatic charge if they made a purchase before the sixth day of each month or logged into their AdoreMe accounts to decline the charge. The monthly charges accrued in the consumers’ accounts in the form of store credits, which could be used on future purchases.
The coalition’s settlement alleges that AdoreMe failed to properly disclose the terms of its VIP Membership program to consumers or make clear that AdoreMe’s discounted prices were time-limited. The settlement also alleges AdoreMe made it difficult for consumers to cancel their VIP Memberships and improperly forfeited consumers’ VIP Membership store credits upon cancellation.
Under the terms of the settlement, AdoreMe is required to notify all consumers with active VIP Memberships of their ability to obtain a refund of any unused store credits. In addition, AdoreMe has agreed to make changes to its business practices and is prohibited from engaging in any of the prior misconduct alleged in the settlement agreement.
Joining Attorney General Raoul in this settlement are attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.


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FIFA 20 career mode changes were detailed Wednesday by EA Sports as fans continue to get excited for the franchise's next iteration.
FIFA 20 is set to introduce new changes player and manager career modes to freshen them up.
"We have heard the feedback coming from our players in the past years and we wanted to ensure that FIFA 20 will mark an important milestone not only for FIFA in general but especially for Career Mode fans. We strive to evolve and create experiences in FIFA that give our users more diversity and choice each year," EA Sports wrote in the patch notes.
Here's a list of new changes coming to FIFA 20's career mode.
FIFA 20 Career Mode Changes
Press conferences will now influence a manager career mode. Press conferences will influence how team morale changes, how players grow and more over the course of a career mode.
If press conferences are the main attraction, then player conversations are the sideshow feature. Managers can have one-on-one conversations with their players to talk about important team moments and what needs to be accomplished.
Player Morale System
Player morale is a new feature tied into both Press Conferences and Player Conversations. "Morale will be influenced by a multitude of different factors, ranging from play time and wage expectations to a player’s performance on the pitch and how well the team is doing," EA Sports said in the notes.
For a list of more changes coming to FIFA 20 Career Mode, check out the Pitch Notes.
FIFA 20 releases Sept. 27 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Photo courtesy of EA Sports


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Tim Cook Says Apple 'Must Do More' to Combat Racism
The CEO's BLM statement dominates the Apple.com homepage.
Following Apple Music's participation in Black Out Tuesday this week, Apple CEO Tim Cook has released an official statement confirming the company's stance on the Black Lives Matter demonstrations taking place around the world. In a post titled "Speaking up on racism," Cook decries the inequalities of America's justice system and notes that while "we've seen progress since the America I grew up in … communities of color continue to endure discrimination and trauma."
Cook goes on to say that it is Apple's mission to create technology that empowers people to change the world for the better, "But we must do more." He touches briefly on the work being done to help underserved school systems and the environment, and says that Apple is donating to organizations including the Equal Justice Initiative, which challenge racial injustice and mass incarceration.
He doesn't commit to further donations or specific action explicitly. However, the statement has been given significant prominence on the Apple.com homepage. Brands around the world are in the process of releasing statements on the Black Lives Matter cause, and some are putting more weight behind it than others. Apple's statement may be condemned as virtue signaling by some, but it's made its position clear in a way that means it's prepared to be held accountable in the future.
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Employees Were Demanded to Go Home. Here's How We Invite Them to Come Back.


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additionally locations extreme restrictions on the advertising of e-cigarettes. The Lung Association, Cancer Society, Surgeon General, and each credible scientific body acknowledges the risks of smoking.
Erika Sward Of American Lung Affiliation Reveals The Hazards Of Vaping And Iqos
Previously, diacetyl, which is utilized in meals production as a butter substitute, causes popcorn lung. As a result, many reported that e-cigs might be potentially harmful. But thus far, no one is understood to have contracted popcorn lung from vaping. There are thousands of personal testimonials about that however the FDA ecigarette regulations usually are not but prepared to officially declare that e-cigs help individuals stop smoking. In addition, the FDA has declared that e-cigarettes are tobacco products underneath the meals drug and beauty act.
A group assigned to e-cigarettes as a combustible tobacco replacement were extra prone to stay abstinent at one yr in contrast with a group utilizing nicotine alternative merchandise (18% vs. 9.9%). However, a majority of e-cigarette customers have been still using e-cigarettes on the one-yr follow-up. Researchers noted the research was primarily based on a center-aged adult population actively seeking to stop smoking and receiving at least four weeks of behavioral help.


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Jet Label celebrates 20 years with Mosaic showcase
Anniversary bash features unique beverage cans commemorating two decades of labelling
July 6, 2018 By PrintAction Staff
Jet Label & Packaging Ltd. recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary with uniquely labelled refreshments, showcasing two decades of labelling evolution. The feat was accomplished with HP SmartStream Mosaic printing, creating unique-to-unit labels from a finite number of original designs.
Jet Label explains Mosaic printing has a two-fold function of “uniquifying” products to make consumers feel special while differentiating a brand’s product from competitors, while staying true to overall brand consistency.
“The Mosaic beverages represent our commitment to prioritizing innovation and customer satisfaction along parallel lines,” said Darrell Friesen, President and CEO. “Forward-thinking capabilities like Mosaic are what differentiate Jet as a company, and have allowed us to be a leader in the industry for 20 years – and hopefully many more to come.”
Beginning as a single-press, single-client startup in 1998, in a space so small that the owner/operator’s office was literally a closet, the company has grown into a label manufacturer with over 80 employees and $25 million in annual revenue. The label manufacturer says digital printing, precision colour-matching capabilities and a commitment to total platform redundancy have all been key factors to gain and retain customers.
With manufacturing facilities in Edmonton, Alta., and Vancouver, B.C., Jet Label produces labels and printed tape for a range of customers, including grocery stores, international forest product companies, consumer product companies, and industrial application companies. It also supplies parking and boarding passes and baggage tags to the Toronto, Calgary, and Edmonton International Airports.
Jet Label’s growth has been largely investment-driven through the years. As the company extended its capabilities to service a broadening set of sectors, its equipment and technological evolved accordingly. Last year, Jet Label acquired United Label Company of Coquitlam, B.C. – a move that secured additional space and production capacity by means of a second facility in Vancouver.
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Technicolor has signed theatrical digital intermediate colorist Steve Scott away from Deluxe's eFilm.
DreamWorks Animation and Technicolor are backing a new entrant into the crowded category of digital content sellers.
PARIS -- U.S. private equity firm Vector Capital is set to inject €191 million ($240 million) into Technicolor for a 30% stake in the Paris-based company.
French judicial authorities have begun an investigation into the business affairs of Technicolor, as part of a civil lawsuit lodged by Tarak Ben Ammar against the post-production company, its former…
PARIS -- Technicolor, which emerged from bankruptcy protection two years ago, has found its white knight: U.S. investment firm JPMorgan Chase & Co. will inject up to €158 million ($195.4 million) for…
PARIS -- Technicolor has acquired Duboi, a leading Gallic post-production company specializing in colorization, from Tarak Ben Ammar's Quinta Industries, which went bankrupt in December.
PARIS -- Technicolor is aiming to become a key player in France's post-production and film distribution biz with the acquisition of a number of the bankrupt Quinta Industries' subsidiaries.
In another sign of the decline of release prints, Technicolor and Deluxe have struck a pact by which Technicolor Europe will subcontract all 35mm bulk release printing to Deluxe Europe.
While shoring up its d-cinema distribution business with its pact with Cinedigm, Technicolor was also busy rejiggering its post-production offerings, acquiring LaserPacific and selling its post…
Technicolor's new post facility on the Paramount lot has begun to lure top sound talent.
Domestic Film WEEKEND OF
PROVIDED BY: Box Office
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Captain America: The Winter Soldier1Weekend:$26.6M Disney
Rio 22Weekend:$22.5M Fox
Heaven is for Real
Heaven is for Real3Weekend:$21.5M Sony / TriStar


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Honda City to target younger buyers
Honda Australia believes the fourth-generation City light sedan will attract new and younger buyers to brand.
Honda Australia director Stephen Collins said the old City always had a younger-than-average buyer demographic for the brand, with an average age of about 47 years, though he said the brand was hopeful of wiping a decade off that figure.
“For the new one we’re looking at more like 35- to 40-year-old [average],” Collins said.
“Generally speaking City has always been a younger buyer, and we just think that in that light sedan segment we can attract 30 to 35 year olds.
“We think with this new model … it can bring younger buyers to the brand, and that’s the role of the car.”
Collins said the buyer demographic for the City and the new Jazz hatchback (pictured below), which arrives in July, would be very similar.
“I think it just gets down to the practicalities of what they want in a car. I think City buyers are wanting a bit more space, particularly with rear space and the boot in particular, but I think in terms of age and profile they’re very similar.”
Another feature directly targeting younger buyers is the City’s new Display Audio system, which features ‘mirroring’ technology that allows owners to connect compatible smartphones and use selected applications as they would on their phones on the car’s 7.0-inch colour touchscreen.
For $49.99, customers can download the Honda Satellite Navigation app on their phones and purchase a three-year subscription to its mapping and navigation data. Honda believes the introduction of smartphone-linked sat-nav heralds the end of manufacturers being able to charge $2500 or more for in-car navigation units.
Display Audio also incorporates Bluetooth phone connectivity with audio streaming, while the City features two USB ports for connecting or recharging smartphones or other portable tech items.
The brand is aiming for 250 City sales per month (3000 per year) – a figure Honda hasn’t achieved since the car’s first year on sale in 2009, and up dramatically on last year’s 679-unit total, though a target Collins describes as “conservative”.
Sedans make up only a fraction of the overall light segment (approximately 10 per cent), though Honda hopes to reach roughly half of the 6000 private buyers of light sedans with the City.
“It’s a relatively small niche now but I think we’ll be doing 250-300 cars that we wouldn’t be doing otherwise,” Collins said.
“The whole downsizing thing is a major issue for the whole industry I feel and I believe that those small sedans and micro hatches are going to grow in the next five to 10 years, so we’ve got to persevere.”
Honda expects an even sales split between the entry-level City VTi ($15,990 manual, $17,990 CVT) and the top-spec CVT-only $21,390 VTi-L – the former $500 cheaper than before, the latter $100 sharper. That pricing puts it close to the likes of competitor city sedans such as the Nissan Almera (from $16,990), Hyundai Accent (from $16,990) and Holden Barina sedan (from $15,490)
Collins says the manual will contribute “very modest volume” to the total, but says it’s an important variant to retain for its low price point.


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Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the newest addition to The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand: downtown Los Angeles' iconic 95-year-old Hotel Figueroa—a one-of-a-kind urban oasis and award-winning boutique hotel deeply rooted in L.
Following openings in Bordeaux, Lille and Biot (Sophia-Antipolis), the Moxy brand is continuing its expansion, and opening a new hotel at Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport.
The leading budget hotel group B&B HOTELS has taken over the operation of an existing hotel in Zaandam, near Amsterdam, as of June 17, 2021. The hotel will open its doors to guests on June 21, 2021. B&B Hotel Amsterdam-Zaandam is the group's first Dutch location, expanding the portfolio of B&B HOTELS to a total of 13 countries.
Millennium Broadway Times Square is pleased to announce that the hotel will be transitioning back into Millennium Hotels and Resorts' (MHR) portfolio of brands. Owned by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Limited, this 52-storey landmark hotel is located in Midtown Manhattan on 145 West 44th Street with Broadway and Times Square right outside its door.
Scarlett Hotel Group (SHG) announced today that the company has purchased the former Wyndham San Antonio River Walk, located at 111 East Pecan Street in San Antonio, as part of a joint venture with Trailbreak Partners.
Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a nationally recognized owner and management company and division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), today announced that it will assume management of The Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville, Iowa, effective August 18, 2021.
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced the signing of Mangrove Beach Corendon Curaçao Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, adding to the hospitality company's impressive all-inclusive expansion. Owned by Corendon Group, the resort is expected to convert in September 2021 and will re-establish Hilton's presence on the island of Curaçao.
Building will bring company's hospitality-infused flexible living experience to the property.
Development is growing once again with its fifth waterfront location, the purchase of the South Bay Inn & Suites in Myrtle Beach.
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, proudly announces the signing of InterContinental Grand Ankara, in partnership with one of Turkey's prime energy and construction groups, Çelikler Holding.


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|By Business Wire||
|June 25, 2014 07:00 AM EDT||
Spurred by a recent groundswell of entrepreneurial activity in Arkansas, the Arkansas Secretary of State has partnered with the Information Network of Arkansas and created a website that helps first-time entrepreneurs find out how to open a business in the state.
DreamItDoItArkansas.com officially launched today with a feature that asks aspiring entrepreneurs five simple questions about their business. Based on the answers, the site presents a curated summary of the federal, state and local government requirements for opening a business, including licenses, permits, tax obligations and other documents. Finding and figuring out what forms are necessary has been a huge hurdle for many first-time entrepreneurs.
“I know firsthand that navigating layers of government can be frustrating,” Secretary of State Mark Martin said. “Our goal with this website is to make the process easier for anyone who is thinking of starting a business in Arkansas. Our vision for DreamItDoItArkansas.com is to streamline interactions between all Arkansas businesses and government agencies.”
The site’s modern design and inspirational message to first-time entrepreneurs is a delightful contrast to traditional government websites. Bold colors, video, adaptive photography, single-page responsive layout, and social media features are wrapped in the motivating theme “Dream It Do It.” The concept celebrates successful Arkansas small business owners and encourages site visitors to follow their dreams. The result is a stunning website that sounds like a mentor – someone a first-time entrepreneur would seek out for advice when starting a business.
In the spirit of mentorship, Arkansas.gov is running a social media “Share Your Startup Advice” Photo Challenge from June 26 through July 9 to help promote the site launch. Arkansas entrepreneurs can write down their startup advice, snap a selfie with their words of wisdom, and post the photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #DreamItDoItArkansas for a chance to win an Arkansas Venture Center membership. Official details are available at DreamItDoItArkansas.com/PhotoChallenge.
About Information Network of Arkansas
The Information Network of Arkansas (INA) is a public-private partnership between the state of Arkansas and the Arkansas Information Consortium that helps state government entities Web-enable their information services. INA operates Arkansas.gov, the official website of the state of Arkansas that offers more than 1,200 state and local online services. Little Rock-based AIC is part of eGovernment firm NIC’s (NASDAQ: EGOV) family of companies.
Founded in 1992, NIC (NASDAQ: EGOV) is the nation's leading provider of official government websites, online services, and secure payment processing solutions. The company's innovative eGovernment services help make government more accessible to everyone through technology. The family of NIC companies provides eGovernment solutions for more than 3,500 federal, state, and local agencies in the United States. Forbes has named NIC as one of the “100 Best Small Companies in America” five times, most recently ranked at No.11 (2013), and the company has been included three times on the Barron’s 400 Index. Additional information is available at http://www.egov.com.
With all the incredible momentum behind the Internet of Things (IoT) industry, it is easy to forget that not a single CEO wakes up and wonders if “my IoT is broken.” What they wonder is if they are making the right decisions to do all they can to increase revenue, decrease costs, and improve customer experience – effectively the same challenges they have always had in growing their business. The exciting thing about the IoT industry is now these decisions can be better, faster, and smarter. Now ...
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We all know that data growth is exploding and storage budgets are shrinking. Instead of showing you charts on about how much data there is, in his General Session at 17th Cloud Expo, Scott Cleland, Senior Director of Product Marketing at HGST, showed how to capture all of your data in one place. After you have your data under control, you can then analyze it in one place, saving time and resources.
Nov. 24, 2015 01:30 PM EST
With major technology companies and startups seriously embracing IoT strategies, now is the perfect time to attend @ThingsExpo 2016 in New York and Silicon Valley. Learn what is going on, contribute to the discussions, and ensure that your enterprise is as "IoT-Ready" as it can be! Internet of @ThingsExpo, taking place Nov 3-5, 2015, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA, is co-located with 17th Cloud Expo and will feature technical sessions from a rock star conference faculty ...
Nov. 24, 2015 01:30 PM EST Reads: 479


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The acquisition to strengthen OYO’s presence in Europe and Croatia specifically, where it already has nearly 1,800 vacation homes
Hospitality unicorn OYO has acquired Europe-based vacation rental company Direct Booker for $5.5 million.
Direct Booker said it has over 3,200 homes and has serviced 2 million customers. It was started in 2010 by Nikola Grubelic and Nino Dubretic from Dubrovnik, a key tourist destination in Croatia.
In Europe, OYO also owns and operates brands such as Belvilla (Belvilla by OYO), DanCenter, Traum Ferienwohnungen, among others. Direct Booker’s inventory will be available on Belvilla.com (Belvilla by OYO) and over time on its other platforms. This acquisition is said to strengthen OYO’s presence in Europe and Croatia specifically, where it already has nearly 1800 vacation homes on its Belvilla platform and over 7000 homes on its Traum Ferienwohnungen platform.
OYO has in the recent past declared its intent of actively scouting for ‘tuck-in’ acquisitions, especially in the European market, as a strategic growth lever. OYO already has a strong footprint in The Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Austria etc.
Commenting on the acquisition, Ankit Tandon, Global Chief Business Officer, OYO, said, “Homes continue to be an important strategic segment for OYO. With our leading Operating System, Dynamic Pricing capability, and other data science-enabled features, we have been able to add value to our over 140,000 Home Storefronts globally and I am excited to welcome Nino, Nikola and the team at Direct Booker under the OYO umbrella. I am sure OYO’s cutting-edge technology, distribution systems, and data sciences will add more value to their current 3,200 homes and enhance our collective growth in Europe. We continue to focus on going deep in Europe and delivering the best Vacation Home experiences to our customers.”
Adding to this, Nino Dubretic, CEO & Co-Founder of Direct Booker said, “We are happy to join forces with a global travel tech company like OYO. We strongly believe that by merging our technologies and expertise, this partnership will positively impact the Croatian tourism economy, further driving demand through OYO’s existing platforms spread across Europe. Being a part of OYO’s network will also increase visibility for the homes listed on our platform, especially across Scandinavian, Benelux and surrounding countries. The next couple of months will be truly exciting as we work towards building our business together.”
OYO is a global platform that connects hotels and homestay owners to customers with the help of technology products and services. OYO said it offers 40+ integrated products and services to patrons who operate over 157,000 hotel and home storefronts in more than 35 countries, including India and those in Europe, and Southeast Asia, as of March 31, 2021. With the acquisition of Direct Booker, the Dubrovnik-headquartered company will become a part of the OYO platform with a presence across Europe.


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Min Min from the ARMS series is joining Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on June 29, 2020. We'll likely see the release of version 8.0 and balance...
The end of WWDC marks the end of Big Tech’s conference season. What did this virtual experiment reveal about the meaning of community?
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Make sure to wait for the second race.
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Email service Hey is no longer invite-only following battle with Apple
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Your next MacBook Pro could feature a retractable keyboard
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PYONGYANG, North Korea — After a hard day of contributing to the cult of personality around the only Communist dynasty in Asia and vexing the world with a nuclear arms program, there is no better way for a North Korean cadre to relax than with a cold beer.
The impoverished state has quietly been brewing one of the highest quality beers on the peninsula for several years.
But because of poor infrastructure, limited trading links and minimal skills in the capitalist world, North Korean Taedonggang beer is likely to remain a little-known product.
The North Korean quest to produce decent beer began in earnest in 2000 when it began talks with Ushers brewery of Britain about acquiring Usher's plant in Trowbridge, England, which had shut down.
The North Koreans took apart the brewery, which had been producing country ales for about 180 years, shipped it piece by piece to Pyongyang and reassembled it under the banner of its Taedonggang Beer Factory.Continue reading the main story
By April 2002, the brewery was running again. In June 2002, the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Il, whose fondness for expensive brandy and wines was well known, took a brewery tour.
"Watching good-quality beer coming out in an uninterrupted flow for a long while, he noted with great pleasure that it has now become possible to supply more fresh beer to people in all seasons," the North Korean state-run news agency, KCNA, said of Kim's tour.
Taedonggang beer, named for a river that runs through Pyongyang, is a full-bodied lager a little on the sweet side, with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
A few critics who have sampled it in Pyongyang say it is a highly respectable but not award-winning brew. It was available in Seoul until last year, and outsiders say the beer is far superior to the mass-marketed beers in South Korea.
At a Pyongyang hotel for foreigners, where goods are overpriced across the board, a small bottle of Taedonggang sells for half a euro, or 75 U.S. cents. On tap, the beer is a golden orange color with a clean, white foam.
Taedonggang is one of several brews in North Korea and it has quickly become the top brand, according to expatriates living in the reclusive country.
Park Myung Jin, an executive for the South Korean distributor Vintage Korea, which used to sell the beer in the South, said that Kim wanted his country to have a showpiece brewery.
"They used the best quality material without thinking of the production cost," Park said. He said he stopped selling the beer in 2007 because of a sudden price increase.
The North taps into overseas markets for ingredients, Park said. It has abundant supplies of fresh water because its hobbled factories do not produce enough of anything to cause pollution problems.
Beer is not the drink of choice for most North Koreans, who prefer cheaper and stronger rice-based liquor.
Choi Soo Young, an expert on the North at the South's Korea Institute for National Unification, said the brewery was a favorite project of the ruling Communist Party, whose members can afford beer and make sure that the factory receives the necessary ingredients.
A North Korean defector, Jong Su Ban, who came to South Korea in 2000, said that impoverished farmers would scrounge for anything they could find to concoct their own home brews.
"We found corn flower and hops and made something that came out a weird milky color," he said. "At least it was fizzy like beer."
North Korea may have solved the riddle of making a robust beer, but it has not completely solved the problem of bottling it.
The brewery has occasional trouble sealing bottles properly and the glass it uses is fragile.
The transport system in North Korea is also a mess, making it unlikely that the beer can become one of the few legitimate exports from a country shunned by the developed world for its defiant pursuit of nuclear weapons and a human rights record cited by the United States as one of the world's worst.
Park, the distributor, said that he had to print labels in South Korea and send bottles from China to package his beer for export.
Even though he no longer sells the beer, he is still a fan.
"The taste is superb," Park said.Continue reading the main story


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Spanish Tourism Has Best Summer in a Decade
October 13 th, 2015
According to data published last week by the tourism companies association, Exceltur, it would seem that Spanish tourism is taking advantage of the favourable macroeconomic environment in order to grow. The fall in the value of the euro, allowing British and American visitors to to pay less for the same services, as well as the fall in oil prices, have led to Spanish tourism GDP growing by 3.7% in the three months of summer, making it the best summer in the last decade.
Exceltur’s data show the tourism sector growing above the average of the Spanish economy, and expect it to continue to grow until end of year, with the tourism GDP estimated to improve by 3.6% in the whole of 2015 versus the 3.1% growth the IMF predicted for the Spanish economy. The sector has gained an additional 72,762 social security contributors in the last 12 months, most of them in the restaurant industry (58,890 additional contributors).
Three of every four Spanish tourism companies say their sales have increased between June and September, and 71.1% said that their profits have improved. Overnight stays also increased, by 5%, driven by the improvement in domestic demand. Tourists visiting Spain from Portugal (18.2%), the Netherlands (15.9%) and the United States (14.9%) most increased the demand for hotel rooms, while the British, French and Dutch tourists made most reservations.
In contrast, El Paìs reported that bookings from Scandinavian tourists have declined and more so those of Russian tourists. The number of overnight stays by Russian visitors dropped by half in July and August compared to the same period of last year, due to the devaluation of the ruble and the resulting loss of purchasing power, in addition to the damaging effect on the Russian economy of the falling oil prices, which has affected destinations such as the Costa Dorada.
The Executive Vice-President of Exceltur, José Luis Zoreda, said that there is no guarantee that growth will continue in 2016 and 2017, and acknowledged that their expectations are lower for the final stretch of the year, when they predict a slight slowdown in tourism GDP.


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"13th International Trade Fair for Furniture Production Technologies, Woodworking Machinery, Tools, Fittings, Accessories, Raw Materials and Products"
Ease of Doing Business for MSMEs: “During 2021-22, the total exports of Indian handicrafts was valued at $4.35 billion, which was 25.7 per cent more from the previous year,” said a senior official.
India has 3,000 handicrafts and other traditional craft forms, according to the official data.
Ease of Doing Business for MSMEs: India has become one of the largest exporters of handicraft due to the increasing demand for traditional and tribal handicraft products, said a report by The New Indian Express.
Tribal handicraft products are seeing a lot of traction due to their aesthetics and sustainable nature, the report said, citing a senior official from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The total handicraft export from India rose to $120.06 million in May 2022, an increase of one per cent from April this year.
“During 2021-22, the total exports of Indian handicrafts were valued at $4.35 billion, which was a 25.7 per cent increase from the previous year,” said the senior official.
Handicraft products such as India’s shawls, painting, wooden items, earthen pots, bags, traditional jewellery, baskets and other handmade woodenware are seeing a lot of interest in overseas markets, including the United States.
The initiative that started globalising tribal products is now showing results not only in international but also in the domestic market, the official added.
“Within the country, the marketing of tribal and traditional handicraft products is done through wider networks of 140 Trifed (Tribal Co-operatives Marketing Development Federation of India) outlets. This initiative has also generated employment for 10.5 lakh artisans in the last six years. And notably, a half of them (benefited with employment) are women artisans”, said the official, adding that handicrafts and handlooms have established India’s identity in the global markets.
Further, the demand for handicraft products made by India’s traditional and tribal communities such as traditional jewellery, embroidery, hand printed textiles, wood wares, art metal wares, and agarbatti and attars is also gaining momentum, according to the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts.
India has 3,000 handicrafts and other traditional craft forms according to the official data such as papier-mache of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh’s thangka paintings, Bihar’s Madhubani paintings, Punjab’s phulkari and bagh textiles, Haryana’s brassware and UP’s zardosi work among others.
Source: Financial Express


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Tips & deadlines for shipping gifts for the holiday
Rochester, N.Y. - It's the mad dash to get those Christmas gifts shipped off just in time for the holiday.
"I had to mail out a lot of Christmas presents," said Elizabeth Staffieri. "I was just checking my P.O. box, turns out they were open."
Regional post offices have extended its hours on Saturday by two hours to ensure customer’s holiday packages make to their destination by Christmas.
Rochester’s main office on Jefferson Road opens for four hours on Sunday.
“The extra hours are great,” Staffieri said. “Actually thought I missed them and I made it just in time.”
So Staffieri took advantage of the opportunity at the Jefferson Road office.
“I sent two boxes to two bird rescues,” she said. “So I sent them toys and treats for the birds for the holidays."
For those getting ready to ship packages, one tip is to make sure the zip code is correct, or it could get lost or delayed.
Secondly, the drop-dead date for your gifts making it to that friend or loved one's doorstep by Christmas is December 20 for priority mail.
The extra hours give customers more time to get their presents and cards shipped and on their way.
and they arrive on time for the holiday.
“Definitely helps with the working moms who can't out of the office during the week,” said Kelly Darby, shipping off a gift to a friend in NYC. “And can get things taken care of on the weekends."
Getting a jump on shipping gifts and beating the crowds is what Judy Wambach enjoys.
“So this is my third trip to the post office to ship things out,” she said. “I'm delighted that I’m able to do this today because I figured by Monday it's going to be more expensive and take longer to get there."
There are 250 seasonal postal sorters on hand at regional processing facilities.
"This is my last box to go,” Wambach said. “So I’m hoping for a Merry Christmas. That they get their gifts!"
Rochester’s main postal office opens on Sunday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Send-by dates for expected delivery before Dec. 25th (Actual delivery date may vary and is based on origin, destination, Post Office acceptance time, and other conditions).
• December 14 — USPS Retail Ground®
• December 19 — First-Class Mail®
• December 20 — Priority Mail®
• December 22 — Priority Mail Express®
For Priority Mail Express® shipments mailed December 23 through December 25, the money-back guarantee applies only if the shipment was not delivered, or delivery was not attempted, within two (2) business days.


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UNUSUAL LOOK: The Zero electric bike is said to be perfect for South Africans. Image: Supplied.
• Commute on a battery bike
• Out-drag a superbike
• No more petrol bills
Cayenne World is marketing the first generally available battery bikes in South Africa and says they're great for commuting.
Zero Electric motorcycles come for the US and, says sales director and co-owner of the group Craig Langton, Cayenne is now the official importer.
He's been working on the concept for two years, hoping to make motorcycle commuting affordable for South Africans who could use their cars in adverse weather, normal motocycles for weekend outrides but a battery bike for commuting.
Langton said thousands of rands could be saved by commuting on a Zero - "they're powerful enough to out-accelerate anything on the road today".
"Yes, any car or superbike would struggle to beat a Zero off the mark, or 0-80 km/h," he said, "and the bike can reach 165km/h. The Zero has a range of up to 250km per charge and can be charged through a domestic socket - an an overnight charge is recommended."
REMEMBER PIETER DE WAAL?
The new MD of Zero Motorcycles USA is the legendary Pieter de Waal, ex-CEO of BMW Motorcycles America and the same guy who turned BMW motorcycles around in South Africa many years ago. He retired recently from BMW USA and was then offered the post at Zero.”
Cayenne World will have three models - DS Dual Sport; S Street Fighter and high-performance SR. The DS and S models will be offered at R1950 per month over 72 months that's (R140 000) with a three-year guaranteed buyback, a five-year or 160 000km warranty and a free service plan.
A check with Cayenne revealed that the bikes, right now (March 10 2015), were not yet in the country and the salesperson Wheels24 spoke to could not volunteer a cash price.
We did find prices for four models on Zero's German website and the prices there (converted from euros) were...
Zero S - R176 988
Zero SR - R227 500
Zero DS - R176 988
Zero FX - R129 756
...which is far from the apparent R140 000 SA price. Maybe there's a bargain to be had?
Zero SA, a division of Cayenne World, can be contacted on (011) 244-1900.


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Urban Outfitters has come under fire for selling a line of Nazi-reminiscent tapestries resembling garments worn by gay men in Hitler’s concentration camps.
“Whether intentional or not, this gray and white striped pattern and pink triangle combination is deeply offensive and should not be mainstreamed into popular culture,” said Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League, a nonprofit organization fighting anti-Semitism.
“We urge Urban Outfitters to immediately remove the product eerily reminiscent of clothing forced upon the victims of the Holocaust from their stores and online,” said Foxman, in a statement.
In 2014, the retailer apologized for selling a Kent State University sweatshirt decorated with pink splotches. Critics charged it was reminiscent of the 1970 confrontation on the campus between the National Guard and protesters that left four students dead.
Urban Outfitters has not immediately responded to the criticism.
While there had been rumors that about 700 jobs were coming to RVA because of NC’s HB 2, new documents FOIA’d by the The Charlotte Observer show the city and the real estate company fought over the discriminatory law. “It is my understanding that we lost the project. I have selected the following reason for this status change: [...]


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CALGARY, Alberta — Doug Haugh, president of Parkland USA, has been selected as the 2022 Retailer Executive of the Year by Convenience Store News' blue-chip panel of convenience retail leaders.
Parkland USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Parkland Corp., Canada's and the Caribbean's largest — and one of America's fastest-growing — independent suppliers and marketers of fuel and petroleum products and a leading convenience store operator. The division has revenues of more than $3.8 billion annually and employs 2,800 team members across 15 states in the retail c-store, commercial fuels, wholesale fuels, industrial fuels, propane, lubricants and marine businesses.
The Retailer Executive of the Year award recognizes a retailer executive who exemplifies leadership, business acumen, dedication to the convenience channel, and commitment to community service. Last year's Retailer Executive of the Year was Kevin Smartt, CEO of Texas Born (TXB), previously known as Kwik Chek Food Stores Inc.
Haugh, along with the 2022 inductees into the CSNews Hall of Fame — Brian Hannasch, president and CEO of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., and Brent Cotten, vice president of customer and industry affairs at The Hershey Co. — will be honored at a gala dinner this fall. The Hall of Fame recognizes pioneers and innovators for a lifetime of service to the convenience store industry, while the Retailer Executive of the Year award recognizes a current leader for recent accomplishments.
Haugh was named president of Parkland USA in November 2017. Under his leadership, the U.S. business has grown tenfold by acquiring 20 companies, creating the platform for one national enterprise resource planning system, establishing one national sales methodology, leading the strategy for organic growth, and creating a U.S. energy trading and supply division, all while building a genuine corporate culture of growth, innovation and teamwork.
He has over 25 years of experience working in the energy and technology industries, building businesses organically and working with both buyers and sellers on dozens of M&A transactions. He has led growth strategies in the retail convenience store, fuels marketing, supply and trading, renewable products, lubricants, technology and distribution sectors.
A passionate supporter of his industry, he serves on the board of directors of NACS.
Haugh, who began his career with Exxon where he served in marketing and business development, also currently serves as a board director for BioBlend Renewable Resources, a renewable bio-based products company that now has over 50 fully commercialized bio-based products. In addition, he serves as board chairman for TRUX, the first marketplace connecting haulers with local contractors and material producers through a modern mobile app.
Dedicated to building a strong sense of community and continuous education, Haugh created Engineering Leadership, a nonprofit foundation focused on educating and engineering future leaders.
Haugh graduated Magna Cum Laude from Clemson University in chemical engineering and holds an MBA in technology management.
He was born overseas in Scotland. He and his wife of 24 years, Athena, have lived all over the United States, from Charleston, S.C., to San Francisco, and have two children, Asa and Gavin.


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Pizza Express: Full list of 73 restaurants set to close
Pizza Express has said it will push forward with plans to close 73 restaurants and cut around 1,100 jobs after restructuring plans were approved by creditors.
It has become the latest dining chain to shut sites after revenues dived following the enforced closure of its restaurants in March.
The group currently has 355 sites open, with more than 30 other sites set to reopen in the coming weeks.
The following sites have been earmarked for permanent closure:
Aberdeen – Belmont StAylesburyBarnstaple – Three TunsBiggleswadeBillericayBirmingham – Corporation StBirmingham – MailboxBournemouth – Post Office RdBramhallBristol – Berkeley SqBristol – Regent StBromsgroveBruton PlaceCharlotte StChippenhamDalton ParkDarlingtonDudley – Merry HillEarls Court – Earls Ct RdEdinburgh – HolyroodFormbyFulham Palace RoadGlasgow – Princes SquareGlossopGosforthGranthamHalifaxHampsteadHatch EndHerefordHeswallIpswich – Lloyds AveLeeds – Crown StLeeds – HorsforthLudlowLymingtonMelton MowbrayMidhurstMilton Keynes – HubMoseleyNew BrightonNewcastleNewport – Isle of WightNewport – South WalesNorthallertonNottingham – GoosegateO2 FinchleyOrpingtonOxford – Oxford CastlePoolePort SolentRamsgateReading – St Mary’s ButtsScarboroughSheffield – Devonshire StSheffield The MoorShirleySouthport – Old BankStaffordStainesStokeStourbridgeSudburyTorquayUxbridgeWakefieldWalsallWappingWardour StWeston-super-MareWhiteley VillageWhitstableWrexham
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The UK has announced it has waived import duties on the medical products necessary to fight coronavirus in a bid to ensure equipment gets to frontline healthcare staff more quickly.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the rule change means NHS suppliers will no longer have to pay customs duty and import VAT of up to 12 per cent on products including ventilators, protective clothing and tests for the virus.
This should mean a more rapid and steady flow of supplies into Britain as the number of cases continues to spike, with the figure for those having tested positive now having passed the 30,000 mark.
Mr Sunak said: "We are taking decisive action to ensure our NHS has everything it needs to fight this outbreak. Dealing with coronavirus is a collective national effort and I will do everything I can to help us win this battle."
The new measures will be in place until July 31st 2020.
It comes after the Eurasian Economic Commission also announced last month that it will lower import duties on a range of products needed to treat coronavirus infection.


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Markham Napa Valley Vineyards has released a new wine, “The Altruist,” a Bordeaux-style red blend dedicated to honoring our nation’s veterans, first responders and community heroes who courageously defend and preserve our freedoms and security 365 days a year.
The release of “The Altruist” launches with Markham’s charitable donation to, and partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation, whose mission is to serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.
“The Altruist” is a Merlot-based red blend of Napa Valley grapes predominantly from Markham’s estate vineyards from the 2017 vintage and releases in June nationally at $29.99 retail.
Crafted by Markham Winemaker Kimberley Nicholls, “The Altruist” label features the Markham Cannoneer, a symbol that stands for the people, land and values that make up Markham’s past and present. As a US Navy veteran, founder Bruce Markham depicted a cannoneer from a treasured bronze sculpture on his first Markham Vineyards label in 1978. “The Altruist” new package is part of a full overhaul of the winery’s packaging including new lightweight glass bottles as part of the winery’s overall sustainability efforts.
Beyond making great wine, Markham Vineyards gives back to the community through many charitable organizations, is certified sustainable through Fish Friendly Farming and has been dual certified under both Napa Green programs through the Napa Valley Vintners. Only 10 percent of Napa Valley wineries have achieved dual certification. Purchase 2017 Markham Napa Valley Vineyards The Altruist online here, and learn more or visit Markham Vineyards’ historic 1879 stone winery in Napa Valley at www.markhamvineyards.com or call 707-963-5292.


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Unsurprisingly, the cost of living has skyrocketed due to rising energy, fuel and consumer goods prices. However, the impact of price hikes on B2B businesses is often not considered. Development, production, logistics and general operational costs have risen. This is all happening after the unprecedented events of the last two years, which have already taken a toll on many organisations. Despite the volatile situation, companies that do not pass the burden of additional costs onto their customers usually do so to offer continued stability and security. Telecommunications specialist, Snom Technology, is one such company.
In recent years, Snom's prices have remained consistent compared to its competition, with its last price increase in November 2021. In addition, Snom has continued to invest in its partner program, meaning that registered silver or gold partners can depend on financial bonuses from sold Snom devices and receive direct support from local Snom contacts for technical or sales queries.
Snom has also invested time and money into optimising its diverse range of products, making new improvements during this time. These include the continued expansion of UC solution functions for Snom's new and existing technology partners as part of its interoperability program.
Notably, audio quality and noise cancellation have been improved, in addition to developing a more user-friendly operator interface, increased user comfort, higher speed of LDAP services and an increase in the size of local address books from 1,000 to 5,000 entries for the Snom D3xx and D7xx series. The latter benefits organisations such as banks and insurance companies using switchboards that store corporate address books locally on individual devices.
Failover functionality in case of device failure and the Snom Secure Redirection and Provisioning Service (SRAPS) for remote configuration and provisioning of all Snom phones have also been optimised. As a result, customers can expect to benefit from these extensions for years to come without incurring additional costs and having to purchase new hardware.
“Specialist retailers see Snom as a reliable partner, which offers incredible value for money compared to its competition. This is also confirmed time and again in our regular customer satisfaction surveys," says Mark Wiegleb, head of customer success at Snom.
Snom’s reputation also stems from the stability and quality of its products developed in Germany. As long as the range of functions meets user requirements, Snom products will prove to be a worthwhile investment for the future. Many first-generation Snom phones are still in operation globally. In addition, the company offers a three-year warranty and continuous free updates throughout the entire lifespan of its products. These updates ensure that the functionality and quality of these devices remain second to none for years to come.
“While newer phones will always be the most secure option for businesses, we take pride in knowing that some of our devices are still being used 20 years after they were first released. This is proof of the indestructability of our hardware,” adds Wiegleb.


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Health-care shares fell after weak earnings reports.
The world's biggest seller of generic drugs, Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, cut its full-year outlook for the second time this year, blaming price pressure in its U.S. business and greater competition for its blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug.
Insys Therapeutics missed analysts' estimates in its latest quarter and set aside roughly $150 million to cover potential settlement costs, following news that its co-founder and former chief executive had been charged with conspiracy.
Altria Group has developed ways of producing reduced-nicotine cigarettes as the Marlboro maker attempts to get ahead of potential federal requirements for tobacco companies to change their products.
Write to Amy Pessetto at email@example.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 02, 2017 17:41 ET (21:41 GMT)


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U.S. stock index futures were slightly higher Tuesday morning, following a volatile session on Wall Street as an intensifying trade dispute exacerbated concerns about global growth.
At around 01:45 a.m. ET, Dow futures rose 9 points, indicating a positive open of more than 52 points. Futures on the S&P and Nasdaq were both seen slightly higher.
Market focus has shifted to monetary policy this week, with a flurry of central banks across the world set to announce whether to adjust interest rate settings.
Meanwhile, comments from the Federal Reserve on Monday raised expectations that the U.S. central bank is moving closer to a rate cut.
St. Louis Federal Reserve president James Bullard said a U.S. interest rate cut “may be warranted soon ” given the rising risk to economic growth posed by global trade tensions as well as weak U.S. inflation.
On the data front, factory orders for April will be expected at around 10:00 a.m. ET.
In corporate news, Donaldson, Tiffany and Cracker Barrel were among some of the companies set to report their latest quarterly results before the opening bell.
Salesforce.com, Ambarella and Pivotal Software were among the companies expected to report earnings after market close.
On Monday, the Nasdaq fell into correction territory, amid reports the U.S. government is planning to target a host of big companies in the industry with antitrust and business practice probes.
Shares of Alphabet, Amazon, Facebook and Apple all weighed on the market in the previous session.