text:
The industry responsible for cannabinoids from cannabis plants is highly growing. Cannabinoid extraction industries are responsible for making, edibles, portable vape cartridges, and all kinds of products possible. The extraction of cannabinoids from the cannabis plant requires several different methods. However, all these processes are resource-intensive and need large quantities of raw cannabis.
However, is it possible to extract cannabinoids without using cannabis plants? That’s the exact concept behind a groundbreaking innovation from the bioengineering firm Intrexon Corporation. The company recently announced that it had made significant upgrades in its project to produce cannabinoids with yeast.
Intrexon Corporation is a Hungarian bioengineering giant located in Budapest. By using a synthetic biology technique known as “Better DNA,” Intrexon manufactures biologically-based products for industries. They collaborate with companies to build and create technical biological systems that enhance the quality and functionality of living cells. Moreover, the company aims to develop technologies to manufacture cannabinoids for the medical marijuana industry.
However, the goal of Intrexon isn’t to develop a new cannabis strain or a new method of extracting cannabinoids from marijuana plants. They will instead use the single-cell microorganisms of the genus Saccharomyces, or yeast.
According to Intrexon, they have bioengineered a strain of yeast that generates cannabinoids for medical uses, such as CBD, THCV, and more. This means the company is utilizing the little microbes to produce cannabinoids, instead of extracting them from the cannabis plants.
The process includes fermentation. Thus, Intrexon is “brewing” cannabinoids based on a proprietary strain of microbes it created. Moreover, according to Intrexon, their DNA-engineered yeast strain is useful enough to generate different cannabinoids. These involve cannabinoids with high therapeutic indexes, but that can only be found in little amounts in the plant; therefore, this makes their commercial extraction very expensive. Plus, the process could integrate new, “designer” cannabinoids.
According to Intrexon, their cannabinoid-producing yeast has numerous benefits beyond plant-based extraction. The cannabinoid-producing yeast will reduce cost and resource consumption; furthermore, Intrexon says their microbial system can be adjusted to produce specific target cannabinoids. Chris Savile, Ph.D., Executive Director of Commercial Operations at Intrexon said through their abilities and experience; they want to optimize [yeast] strains to develop specific cannabinoids that may be commercialized in the future.
The company recently celebrated a significant milestone on the path toward that goal. A press release says that Intrexon is about to reach its goal of generating pure cannabinoids at under $1,000 per kilogram. The declaration has skyrocketed the shares of Intrexon (NYSE: XON) to about 30 percent.
The bioengineering process of cannabinoids can seem like speculative fiction, but more biotech firms are studying means to create the value of cannabis without growing the plants. Recently, the Boston-based biotech firm Gingko Bioworks, Inc. declared its ambitions to develop rare cannabinoids directly from plant DNA.
Like many cannabis cultivators, severe weather events, fires, regulatory changes, and different elements can affect the bottom line of cannabis farmers. Moreover, the medical cannabis industry constantly demands more exacting standards from cannabis products. Thus, removing the need to cultivate cannabis plants is revolutionizing the industry.


text:
Consultant posts a 16% jump in turnover from to £185.5m
Consultant Faber Maunsell has posted a 16% jump in turnover from £159.7m to £185.5m in the year ended 28 September 2007.
Pre-tax profit rose 8% from £10.5m to £11.4m.
The company said: “We have achieved considerable growth in the past few years. To meet current demands, a new senior management structure has been implemented.”
While UK turnover was £171m, Europe contributed £12.2m and the Middle East, £153,400. The highest paid director’s salary rose 6% from to £214,300. The average staff pay was £41,400.
The results don’t include the £2m purchase of Belfast engineer Mulholland and Doherty in November.

domain: news


text:
Over 100 million users in India with 5G-ready smartphones want to upgrade to 5G network in 2023 and many of them are willing to pay up to 45 percent premium, a study by Ericsson said on Wednesday.
The survey assumes significance as the countdown for 5G services availability has begun in India, the world's second-biggest smartphone market after China. The study by Ericsson has indicated a lucrative monetisation and "extremely good" ARPU (average revenue per user) uplift potential for telcos in the country.
That said, 5G network performance will be a driver for loyalty, and among those who plan to upgrade to 5G, about 36 percent plan to churn to the best provider of the 5G network when it is available.
About 60 percent of early adopters who already have a 5G-capable phone expect new innovative applications, which are considered more appealing than better coverage.
"These users are even willing to pay a 45 per cent premium for plan bundled with novel experiences provided their expectations are met," the survey revealed.
The report 'Promise of 5G' in India by Ericsson ConsumerLab, was carried out in the second quarter this year and reflects the views of 300 million daily smartphone users in urban India. The report highlights key insights that will drive the uptake of 5G in India.
5G adoption is expected to start with consumers and then move to enterprises. The consumer 5G readiness is high in India, the report noted.
Notably, the intention to upgrade to 5G in urban India is two times higher than their counterparts in markets like the UK and US where 5G has already been launched.
"Over the past two years, India has witnessed three times increase in smartphone users who own a 5G handset. The study reveals that 100 million-plus users with 5G-ready smartphones wish to upgrade to a 5G subscription in 2023 while more than half of them are open to upgrading to a higher data tier plan in the next 12 months," the report by the Swedish telecom gear maker said.
Jasmeet Sethi, Head of Ericsson ConsumerLab, during a virtual briefing, said the transition to 5G provides an opportunity for service providers in India to strengthen their position in the consumer market, with a focus on 5G quality and availability.
"More innovative experiences need to be bundled to meet the expectations of early adopters to successfully monetise 5G," Sethi said.
Many consumers who were surveyed indicated willingness to pay about 10 percent premium for 5G connectivity, but a bigger uplift on the premium will come in when at least three different services are bundled on top of a 5G plan, according to Ericsson.
"That uplifts the premium by another 35 percent resulting in total premium of about 45 per cent, which is extremely good sort of an ARPU uplift, and we don't think this is impossible," Sethi said citing global average 5G premiums that tend to range between 20-40 percent.
Buying an affordable 5G smartphone today usually means you will end up paying a "5G tax". What does that mean for those looking to get access to 5G networks as soon as they launch? Find out on this week's episode. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts. Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2024 hub.


text:
It’s almost certain the US Federal Reserve will hike interest rates again on Wednesday, with most forecasters predicting a 75-basis-point increase.
The rationale for the abnormally large hike, according to comments from several Fed officials, is to squash inflation, which remains near record highs despite the central bank’s tightening efforts.
But while it’s easy to remember prices are still rising—a trip to the grocery store will take care of that—it’s harder to keep track of all the other indicators policymakers are watching to gauge where the economy is heading.
We’ve put together a short emoji guide to help you visualize what parts of the economy are heating up or cooling off. Our scale goes from boiling to freezing, and in between: 😡🥵😰🥶
🥵 Overall consumer prices
Consumer prices rose by 8.3% in August compared with the same period last year. That rate is just under a 40-year high, but slower than in the previous two months. Meanwhile, CPI was flat on the month in July and moved up by 0.1% in August, mostly because of declining gas prices.
The labor market is not as strong as it was over the summer, but it’s still hot. The US added 315,000 jobs in August, while US employers posted 200,000 more job openings in the same month. Meanwhile, a survey put together by executive outplacement firm Challenger, Grey, & Christmas shows that job cuts slowed down in August, while employers’ plans to hire increased by 65%.
Rents have been increasing at a slower pace for the past few months and even declined by one measure. As home values slip further and mortgage rates climb higher, more sellers are likely to put up their homes to rent. Unfortunately, it’s going to take a while for these declines to show up in the CPI.
😰 Import prices
Declining oil prices along with a stronger dollar pushed down import prices for the second month in a row in August. Food commodity prices also dropped for the fifth month in a row in September, which should eventually show up in lower while grocery store prices.
😰 Retail sales
Americans are cutting back on spending. In July retail sales dropped, while sales in August rose by just 0.3%.
🥶 Labor force participation rate
The unemployment rate moved up to 3.7% from 3.5% in August as more people started looking for work. This lowered average wages in the US because workers entering the workforce generally get paid less than those who have been working for a long time.
That should help with inflation. The more people who have a job, the more goods and services the US can produce, and the cheaper those items will cost.
Manufacturing measures show the sector is headed for a contraction, while input prices for factories are decreasing.


text:
Google takes free trade online in Ghana
INTERNET| Dec. 5, 2010, 6:44 a.m.
Whether you’ re in the market for a chicken-shaped coffin or next season’ s watermelon crop, or anything in between, you can now find it online at Google Trader, an online marketplace rolled out for users in Ghana.
Google Trader is a free online classifieds service that users can access via PC or mobile phone to advertise or find goods, services, jobs and just about anything else.
Already on offer are thousands of products, including agricultural tools, produce, vehicles, clothing, electronics and furniture.
The service is already available and increasingly popular in Uganda.
Google says in a statement that Trader can be used by anyone in Ghana, but is expected to have the biggest uptake in major towns and cities across the country.
Individuals can post short ads to buy and sell items and services, whilst businesses of any size can also use the site to reach more customers and increase their sales.
To make sure that Trader is easily accessible to users across Ghana, Google has partnered with AIRTEL and TIGO to offer a FREE SMS option. Users can subscribe by texting START to 6007 on any Airtel or Tigo phone and can start posting and selling straight away.
Estelle Akofio-Sowah, Country Lead for Google Ghana said:“ We are excited about Trader because its free, easy to use, and locally relevant. Having a web version, a mobile web version and an SMS option means that Trader is accessible to everyone, no matter where you are.”
MORE INTERNET NEWS
Vodafone Internet Fair leads the way in Internet education in GhanaRawlings Park traders have had the opportunity to experience 3G internet as part of Vodafone’s Internet Fair. Read More
Facebook opens first African officeFacebook has opened its first office in Africa to further the company’s commitment to help businesses connect with people and grow locally and regionally. Read More
Phase 3 Telecom upgrades networkPhase 3 Telecom has embarked on an upgrade of its network to enhance optimal performance. Read More
Jasco activates redundant fibre link between NewTelco data centre and TeracoJasco has announced the activation of a dedicated fibre link between its NewTelco data centre located in Midrand and the Teraco data centre in Isando, Johannesburg. Read More
Orange sets optical transmission recordOrange has achieved a new record, transmitting 38.4 Terabits-per-second over a distance of 762 km. Read More
SEACOM announces DE-CIX peeringSEACOM has added the Deutscher Commercial Internet Exchange in Germany to the list of European Internet exchange points at which it peers. Read More
A4AI appoints former NCC chairThe Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) has appointed the former CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe to serve as its National Coordinator. Read More
Tigo Ghana leads NCA data subscriptions for Q1 2015According to records provided by the National Communications Authority, Tigo Ghana has made impressive data subscriber gains to the end of the first quarter of 2015. Read More
Smile boosts First Consultants’ telemedicine with SMiFiSmile Communications Nigeria Limited has provided First Consultants Medical Center (FCMC), Obalende, Lagos, with SMiFi routers. Read More
Nigeria needs $200b to develop broadband infrastructureFor Nigeria to develop the broadband infrastructure needed to take the country to the next level, the government needs some $200 billion between 2015 and 2019. Read More
FEATURED STORYIHS plans to inject fresh $500m to grow capacity
Mohammed Darwish, managing director of IHS Towers, says the firm will soon inject another $500million into the business after raising some $2.5billion to finance expansion drives. Darwish spoke with biztecafrica.com in Lagos.
BEST READ NEWS
IN DEPTHAs curtain falls on MDGs, what next?
Dr. Bjorn Lomborg, president of the Copenhagen Consensus Centre, speaks to Biztechafrica about setting smart targets.
COMPANY NEWSMTN Business expands partnership with Samsung to offer enterprise customers increased security
Samsung Electronics South Africa has announced that MTN Business has been appointed as a reseller of Samsung’s KNOX licenses to its customers.


text:
Re: Samsung Sales drop
Market is saturated and likely new sales are mostly replacements due to age or change of carriers. If government made another major change in requirements such as the analog to digital change with snooping feature requirement on new phones then sales would increase.
There is no Hope. She left last week.


text:
New technologies and innovation are helping to bring the insurance industry into the 21st century.
One big move in the space took place when Allstate announced its plans to purchase disruptive online protection plan provider SquareTrade.
Allstate agreed to acquire SquareTrade for approximately $1.4 billion in a deal that’s expected to close in Jan. 2017.
“Allstate’s consumer-focused strategy of providing unique products will be further enhanced with the acquisition of SquareTrade,” Tom Wilson, chairman and CEO of Allstate, said in a statement.
“This acquisition expands Allstate’s customer relationships with 25 million protection plans for consumer electronics and connected devices. SquareTrade’s exceptional customer service, innovative product design, analytics and supply-chain logistics have led to a fourfold increase in revenue over the last five years and are consistent with Allstate’s history of product innovation. The SquareTrade team under Ahmed Khaishgi has built strong relationships with major retailers, including Amazon, Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, Staples, Office Depot and Toys“R”Us, and further expands our customer reach,” Wilson concluded.
Ahmed Khaishgi, cofounder and CEO of SquareTrade, added that, by joining Allstate, SquareTrade will be able to expand into new markets and product offerings.
“We put customers first and provide them the peace of mind that, if their television, cell phone or computer breaks, SquareTrade can get them back to normal so they can stay connected with the world. With Allstate, we will gain a broad set of capabilities, enabling us to further leverage our distribution, brand and team, while retaining our entrepreneurial spirit,” Khaishgi said.
Last year, Allstate made another strategic move by taking insurance claims mobile.
The company launched Fast Mobile e-Payment, a part of the new Allstate ExpressPay portfolio, which allows customers to have the insurer send payment directly to a bank account. Allstate said the service is the first of its kind in the U.S., and it shows how insurers are stepping up efforts to meet the demands of consumers who are growing increasingly comfortable with using mobile devices for important matters, including insurance claims.


text:
Did you Know?
Check out the following Drone News – rising fast!
With Dangerous Misuse of Drones on the Rise, Drone Defend Quickly Becoming Counter-Drone Security Leader
LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) APRIL 23, 2019
“Drones are quickly becoming a massive concern for many people which will certainly grow in the coming days or years, and a large scale catastrophe may very well be on the horizon. We are dealing with this today. We have a solution that works, that’s affordable, and proven.”
With greater numbers comes greater threats to Personal Privacy and Security
A scary statistic: well over 1.1 Million Drones currently however only a fraction of those operators are licensed to fly. Most have little or no formal training or understand the danger drones can pose when flying in public settings. Drone Defend offers comprehensive solutions to Detect, Monitor and Deter unauthorized drone flights. Give us a call today to learn more!
Government taking notice!
You know when the U.S. government considers Drones to be a major security threat that it is no longer a laughing matter. The sophistication in attacks has escalated dramatically and the recent attack on the Venezuelan President became world wide news. It is no longer a question of “if” drones will be misused again for nefarious purposes but WHEN. Drone Defend is closely monitoring the progress of these efforts to update regulations and is helping clients to be as prepared as possible for the any misuse of Drone technology.
Drone Market Increasing Rapidly
Drones are readily available online and in electronic stores nation wide. Sales now predicted to surpass $12 Billion by 2021!
All content used with permission.


text:
The three original Jaguar E-Type launch cars which revolutionized the automotive industry when they debuted in Switzerland in 1961, have been reunited for the first time at the home of their maker, Sir William Lyons, in a celebration of the car’s 60th anniversary.
Combining Sir William Lyon’s ideal of svelte styling with Malcolm Sayer’s aerodynamic design, the cats from Coventry embodied the glamour and innovation of the age. The cars utilized a number of novel racing design principles, taken from Jaguar’s D-Type racing car which had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in three consecutive years. With a claimed top speed of 150mph and a starting list price of £2,097, which was around half the price of its more exotic rivals, the E-Type was a firm favorite among racing drivers and celebrities alike.
Now, six decades later, the famous 9600HP, 77RW – which were used for the Geneva Motor Show press drives, and chassis number 885005 – the original static car displayed on the Motor Show stand, have been photographed in a series of stunning commemorative images at the long-time home of Jaguar’s founder Sir William Lyons, almost 120 years to the day since his birth on 4th September.
The E-Type is without doubt one of the most iconic and loved classic cars in the world. A big part of our business is to curate car collections for some of the biggest car collectors, many of which are conducted under the radar, and as a result we have access to classic vehicles with significant provenance as well as some famous locations, such as Wappenbury Hall. We wanted to have some fun and create some images of the vehicles reunited at this brilliant home to give something back to the owners of the three cars, as well as something to make E-Type fans all over the globe smile.James Mitchell – founder of Pendine Historic Cars
In the 60 years following the launch, the three vehicles have had various owners and formed part of prestigious car collections making it almost impossible to bring them all together. However, to mark the 60th anniversary of the car’s launch and the 120th anniversary of Lyons’ birth, Pendine Historic Cars set about bringing the cars together again in their spiritual home, something that nobody in the world has ever managed to achieve before now.
Mitchell added: “When 9600HP arrived at the Geneva Motor Show, Sir William Lyons famously said to his executive Bob Berry ‘Good God, Berry. I thought you were never going to get here!’, and I would like to think Lyons would say the same now as 9600HP reunites with 77RW and Chassis 005 at his former estate, and I’d like to thank the owner of the Hall and the owners of the vehicles for making this all possible.”
Lyons’ words refer to the tale of Bob driving 9600HP at high speed from Coventry to Geneva, only just arriving 20 minutes before the Motor Show started. On arrival, demand for test drives of the 9600HP were so high that Jaguar test driver, Norman Dewis – a man who needs little introduction, was instructed to ‘drop everything’ to deliver another E-Type, this time a British Racing Green roadster – 77RW. He drove through the night and delivered the car the very next day.
Today, 77RW is owned by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, 9600HP by Jaguar expert and founder of the International E-Type Club, Phillip Porter, and Chassis 005 by the renowned Jaguar collector from Zurich, Dr Christian Jenny.
The photoshoot took place in secret a couple of weeks ago at Wappenbury Hall, which was bought by Jaguar enthusiast and collector, Scott Shearman, and was shot by award-winning automotive photographer Jayson Fong.
Based at Bicester Heritage in the UK, Pendine Historic Cars is a young company that has a fast-growing reputation for specializing in the most important historic cars in the world. It predominantly sells historically significant post-war British cars, including Jaguar, Aston Martin, Frazer Nash, Lister, and AC Cobra. Whilst focusing specifically on the immediate post-war period through to the 1970s, its experience ranges from Edwardian racers through to the supercars of the 1990s.
Pendine Historic Cars aims to help both aspiring and established collectors and is committed to carrying out a discreet, personal service whilst negotiating the best result for buyers and sellers.
Note: Press release courtesy of Pendine Historic Cars.


text:
When the business is music, it’s a fine line between good times and work. Produced by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the NAMM Show provided the most effective platform across four jam-packed days filled with new product debuts, networking, and educational opportunities set to the soundtrack of live music and conversation among friends old and new. From January 24-27, every aspect of the music instrument and products industry including retailers, corporate buyers, artists and sound and lighting professionals did business with nearly 5000 unique brands in Anaheim, CA.
“Our industry, like many others, is in the midst of rapid change,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. “And I believe NAMM Members who came to Anaheim to see the latest product innovations, attend NAMM University sessions, and network with friends and peers will be uniquely positioned to take advantage of the business opportunities in the year ahead.”
Based on member feedback, NAMM made a concerted effort to increase buyer (blue) badges and decrease guest (yellow) badges to create the most business-friendly event in years. Buyers increased 4 percent over 2012, while non-industry guests decreased 16 percent. The important increase in buyers was attributed to more retail music stores, corporate buyers including houses of worship, live event venues and touring professionals, casinos, and studios sending buyers to shop the NAMM Show. The mix of industry professionals resulted in an incredibly business-focused, yet vibrant show made up of 93,908 total registrants.
“We were approached by many potential new business partners, so it became an even broader type of business show,” said Tony Moscal, general manager of business development for Peavey. “We’re glad to see that NAMM’s provided with a full representation of an industry business show in addition to traditional retailers. This has been one of the most exciting, rewarding show’s that I’ve been involved with since my first NAMM Show in 1981.”
“I attend for the latest, greatest and best our industry has to offer. This show was rich with industry trends, the latest in gear and top notch sessions at the Idea Center,” said Billy Cuthrell, owner of Progressive Music Center in North Carolina. “I consider my time at NAMM a major part of my business success throughout the year.”
For the first time, a Mayor led the NAMM Show. NAMM president and CEO Joe Lamond proclaimed world-renowned musician and humanitarian Stevie Wonder as Mayor of the NAMM Show with a lifetime, all-access badge to NAMM. “My goal is before it’s my time, I hope to be able to make music accessible to everybody, children and adults,” said His Honor (Wonder). “It’s a whole new world of music and instrument discovery at the show every year.” Wonder, one of hundreds of major artists at the NAMM Show, walked the show trying out new products and meeting with friends.
While live music played and celebrities visited, the resounding sentiment on the show floor was that the industry was getting down to business. “Roland Corporation U.S. is very pleased with the 2013 NAMM Show and activity on our new booth and location,” Kim Nunney, president of Roland. “Traffic was steady throughout the show and dealers responded very positively to our new products, Content Checkpoints and media stage. A great show, we’re looking forward to a strong 2013.”
The opening of the 2013 NAMM Show marked not only the start of the world’s premier gathering for the music instrument and product industry, but also the debut of the Anaheim Convention Center’s new outdoor venue, The Anaheim Grand Plaza. The Grand Plaza features 100,000 square feet of outdoor meeting and event space, and during the NAMM Show an outdoor stage for live performances.
NAMM Show-goers enjoyed a series of spectacular live performances all day, every day throughout the four-day show. Tower of Power, The Living Legends Jam (with band members from The Eagles, Black Sabbath, and Fleetwood Mac, among others), and CTA (California Transit Authority) rocked the Grand Plaza hard and gave the energetic nighttime crowds plenty of authentic rock and roll. “There’s great talent with Tower of Power and a community feeling [on the Grand Plaza]. It’s great to wind down out here after the day, while enjoying some music with good friends and business partners,” said Jerry Loos, owner, Jerry Loos Guitar Training, Westerville, OH.
The industry quickly adapted to the new show perimeter that reached the convention center’s exterior walls, effectively adding to the show’s footprint. By moving registration to the hotels, NAMM created an easier to navigate show with fewer ID checks.
While many NAMM Show veterans come to enjoy the musical spectacle and do business with old and new friends, the 2013 NAMM Show was rich in new faces, with 289 new exhibitors representing about 700 unique brands spread out over the sprawling Convention Center. Enthusiasm ran high among NAMM Show first-timers. Apps and software, new technologies for acoustic guitars, and performance accessories – all found a solid toehold on success at the show.
“I’m freaking out,” said Mike Miltimore, founder of Riversong Guitars in British Columbia. Miltimore’s business card also bills him as ‘Passion Igniter,’ and with his incandescent grin it is easy to see why. Miltmore brought his patent-pending guitar design to the show for the first time, unsure if he would meet his goals of finding more international distribution. “At the show, we’ve seen big-time interest from countries I did not even know existed,” he said. “I also wanted to connect with my current dealers, and NAMM is the place to do that.” Serenely regarding the brisk business at his booth and his smiling, upbeat crew, Miltimore seemed satisfied. “This is beyond my wildest expectations,” he said.
New exhibitors accounted for 20 percent of the exhibiting companies this year, with another 118 companies returning to NAMM after a year or more off. The increase is a subtle indicator that the music products industry is stealthily creeping back onto terra firma. Not so subtle is the vibrant, positive feeling among new exhibitors, some of whom are at NAMM because they felt the time was right to expand their businesses and gather input from the music-making world.
“We came to NAMM to network, to meet new retailers, and to get reaction from the music professionals out there,” said Helen Georgopoulos, director of sales and marketing for Wave DNA of Toronto. Her company develops a drum- and beat-creation software instrument designed for music producers, remix artists and songwriters. “We’ve hit every one of those goals. People see the demo and they immediately get the value and the uniqueness of what our product offers. Music and merchants. That’s NAMM.”
Buyers make a point to find new products at the show. “Coming to NAMM is my mental catalog for the rest of the year,” said Clark Baker, owner of Clark Baker Music in El Centro, CA. “I always walk every row and see everything I can because you never know. You could be out there, and Wow! That’s a new thing! I’m so glad I saw that.”
Music-product pros also found that NAMM’s international clout is great for business. NAMM traditionally attracts a vast international crowd of manufacturers, exhibitors and buyers from 94 countries from around the world. A true international show, 492 of the exhibiting companies were from beyond U.S. borders.
Mike Kairys, president of Ac-cetera, of Luxor, PA, came to NAMM for the first time, intent on acquiring international distributors for his EZClamp and Mic-Eze products, which securely clamp a variety of accessories from smart phones to tuners on microphones and instruments. “The response has been just excellent,” Kairys said. “We have a low-key approach, but we were looking for possible distributions into China, Germany, Denmark and others. I’d say just the first day of the show our investment paid off in spades. We are getting what we came for.”
A little more than 10 years ago, Indiana-based Rees Harps did five percent of its business internationally. Currently, they do 85 percent of their business internationally. “We began coming to NAMM in 2004 and it has obviously made a huge difference for us,” said Melissa Irwin-Rees. “We love NAMM and it truly has helped our business grow. We come here to find new dealers and new distributors, and people know our brand name. It all started for us here at NAMM.”
Bringing products to an entirely new potential cadre of distribution channels is part of the NAMM Show’s enduring cachet. Bethany Pryor of Blocki Flute Method of Gibsonia, PA said the NAMM Show represents more effective international opportunities than flute conventions. “NAMM Show is the best place we have found to make contact with people from all over the world,” she said.
PRO-LIGHT AND SOUND/VENUE
Products in the growing pro light and sound, and performance-tech segment of the industry provided some of the splashiest displays and demonstrations at the 2013 NAMM Show, as well as some vigorous commerce. The show’s new, dedicated pro lighting and staging area, The Venue, was filled with exhibitors such as SmithsonMartin, Mr. DJ, OmniSistem, Carvin Corp., NSI Audio and Performance Truss.
The Venue exhibitors enjoyed raised ceilings and dimmed lighting in an arena-style setting appropriate to the lasers and other lighting effects, and tall scaffolding and trusses being demonstrated by vendors here. Mike Weiner, president of Performance Group is a first-time exhibitor at NAMM and in The Venue. “Some people said this show wasn’t for us, but I’m getting a great reaction to lights and our LED screens,” he said. “There’s a lot of people – retailers, people who do church installations, which surprised me — and event production people. All aspects of the industry are here. We’ve seen South and Central American and Mexico buyers with our biggest lead from Brazil.”
As the pro light and sound segment of the market grows at NAMM, some buyers are prowling the exhibits to educate themselves, and their customers, about the industry as a means for expansion. Buyer Bryon Low of Annex Pro in Vancouver deals in audio systems for universities, high schools and other educational outlets. But he sees a day when his customer base will need the related light and production products. “I’m here to educate myself and get a handle on what’s out there so I can be helpful to my clients perhaps some time in the future,” he said. “It’s better to talk to the manufacturer here and have them explain it and demonstrate it. Now I know what’s out there and we can move forward.”


text:
A village shop in Carmarthenshire is making WKD slushes after people couldn't get enough of their Strongbow Dark Fruit recipe last Summer.
Owners of Cynwyl Elfed shop and post office, Wayne Phillips and Daniel Sturrock, emptied their slush machine after a busy day at a school sports day last year.
They had been thinking about trying an alcoholic slush for some time, and decided to give it a go by pouring some cans of Strongbow Dark Fruit into the machine and letting it freeze.
The pair planned to trial the flavour to see if it worked, but were not expecting the response they received online.
A post featuring a video on their Facebook page became an internet sensation, attracting more than 3,000 comments, along with 367,000 views.
With people from far and wide going along and try it for themselves, the store is this year making WKD slushes.
Mr Sturrock said they started selling them a couple of weeks ago, thinking it would be a good idea to try a new flavour.
He continued: "Since the weather has picked up, it has been selling very well.
"The one last year was a big success."
Mr Phillips has previously said their slushes brought a lot of attention to the store and the small little village, adding there had been talk of people travelling from places like Merthyr Tydfil to try them out.
He continued: "It's been a great response from the people who have come in to try it, some people have posted pictures of themselves with the drink online which we've shared to our own Facebook page.
"Some people have come from Cross Hands to try it, that's about a 20, 25 mile drive from here.
"It's been a big boost for us, people coming in to try it has really helped our sales."
The store is also making slushes using locally sourced Teifi coffee (£1.50 for half a pint) this year.
How much are the slushes and how can I get one?
The slush drinks cost £2 for a half pint and £3.50 for a full pint. Due to their alcoholic content, are sold to over 18s only.
Cynwyl Elfed Shop and Post Office is a Premier store, and can be found at Cynwyl Elfed, Carmarthen , SA33 6TL


text:
2024 Maruti Suzuki eVX
In a strategic pivot, Maruti has wholly redirected its attention toward SUVs. Over the past few years, the automotive giant has launched a slew of SUVs, including the Grand Vitara, Jimny, and Fronx. Given the escalating demand for SUVs, Maruti shows no intention of decelerating with the promise of additional SUV unveilings. The year 2024 will be the year for the introduction of Maruti’s latest SUV and it comes with an electrifying twist – the eVX concept. Here are the top features you should know about the upcoming Maruti Suzuki eVX.
2024 Maruti Suzuki eVX Specifications
The eVX, alongside its Toyota counterpart, finds its foundation in Toyota’s EV platform, the 27PL. Maruti has yet to fully unveil the specifications, but the eVX is projected to offer two distinct powertrain options. A robust 60kWh battery pack that promises a real-world range of 400 km. Meanwhile, a slightly smaller 48-kWh battery pack will boast a commendable real-world range ranging from 350-400 km. As for the motors, expect a selection between single and dual motor configurations adding another layer of versatility to the eVX driving experience.
|Maruti Suzuki eVX
|Rs. 25 Lakh
Maruti Suzuki eVX Features
Recent sightings of the eVX undergoing testing in India provide a sneak peek beneath the camouflage. Despite the heavy disguise, discernible design cues echo the conceptual model paraded in Tokyo. The LED headlamps, seemingly production-ready, affirm the electric SUV’s progress. While Maruti has unveiled the concept’s interiors, expectations lean toward select elements making the transition to the production model, it will be a glimpse of the dual floating systems and touch-based HVAC controls. Additional anticipated features encompass a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, ambient lighting, a rotary dial, and a plethora of other enhancements.
Maruti has substantiated its commitment to ushering in an electric SUV (eSUV) within the fiscal year 2024-2025. This electric SUV takes the form of the eVX model, a concept initially showcased at the Auto Expo 2023 and subsequently at the Tokyo Motor Show. Emerging reports suggest a potential unveiling of the production version of the eVX by the close of 2024 with pricing details set to unfold in the inaugural half of 2025. Notably, Toyota will follow suit with its iteration which is likely to come after the launch of the eVX.


text:
- Subscribe NowLimited Time Offer
Sign Up for the TechFlash Newsletter
Send this story to a friend
Big Fish Games builds real-money casino game
Big Fish Games appears to be betting on, well, betting.
The Seattle-based game maker has unveiled a casino game for the iPhone in the United Kingdom, according to a report by TechCrunch.
What’s different about this casino game? You can bet real money.
While it is still illegal to sell games like this to American users, game makers have been lobbying in Washington D.C. to change the laws, and recent changes to regulations could mean states might be able to legalize online gambling.
Currently, game makers can develop casino games that involve in-game currency, but not real cash.
But if that changes, the companies that already have working games would be one step ahead.
Big Fish appears to already be planning for that. In addition to building casino games, the company acquired casino platform developer Self Aware Games back in March.
At the time, Big Fish CEO Paul Thelen said the company was excited to “extend our mainstream consumer reach to include the booming market of casino games.”
Big Fish has not yet responded to a request for comment, but we will update this story if and when it does.
Emily Parkhurst oversees all digital content for the Puget Sound Business Journal.
- Most popular
- President Obama will fundraise in Seattle's Madrona neighborhood
- Microsoft places tight restrictions on vendors
- Caterer Lisa Dupar prepares $25,000 dinner for Obama visit
- Just like that, 9 office buildings are for sale in Seattle area
- Really rich Washington families: Five make Forbes' list of top 185
- Life after Microsoft can be amazing, too: Ex-Microsofties offer advice
- Former DEA agent's company plans huge pot facility in Lacey
- Medina plans to bill host for Obama visit
- Analyst: Boeing Dreamliner's barely ahead of A330neo on fuel burn
- Deal between Catholic system PeaceHealth and 2 hospitals falls apart
Stay on top of the latest tech news from Seattle and beyond.
Director of Finance Business Operations Vulcan | Seattle, WA
Real Estate Acquisition and Permitting Supervisor King County | Seattle, WA
Information Security Manager Vulcan | Seattle, WA
Account Executive Puget Sound Business Journal | Seattle, WA
Director, Donor Services and Logistics Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region | Tacoma, WA


text:
Sunchine Inspection is approved and recognized officially by BOBS to issue CoC for regulated goods shipped to Botswana from worldwide!
August 23 2021, Sunchine Inspection received very good news from Botswana. The company was finally…
Warmly congratulated that Sunchine Inspection has been officially incorporated into the China Inspection and Quarantine Association(CIQA)!
We are improving everyday!
Sunchine inspection was officially admitted as member of China Inspection and Quarantine Association (CIQA) on January 12th, 2018.


text:
Customer experience is ‘tipping point’ for choosing a brand
One bad experience can turn off a customer.
Sixty-four percent of consumers said they have avoided a brand because of a bad experience they had within the last year, according to a global survey by customer experience management firm Medallia. The findings reveal that customer experience is the top reason consumers cite for choosing a particular brand when making a purchase.
According to the “Customer Experience Tipping Point” survey, the demand for a positive customer experience is especially high in the United States, and while loyalty is on the decline, expectations are on the rise, particularly among younger groups of consumers. For example, 30% of Gen Z and 22% of Millennials surveyed indicated that their expectations of customer experience in online retail are higher today than they were two years ago.
Also, U.S. respondents reported significantly higher expectations than European consumers for personalized experiences, real-time response, and ability to chat with a live agent.
"They [consumers] expect to have a seamless and positive experience and if those aren't met, consumers know they have options," said Rachel Lane, solution principal, Medallia. "For companies looking to create a competitive edge, having a strong brand recognition, or even stellar product isn't enough. Customer experience is the tipping point, and without a strong plan to create and maintain a positive experience, businesses will lose out."
The study also revealed that:
• A single bad experience can cost a brand a customer. Forty-six percent of U.S. mobile network customers said they are likely to switch brands after having one bad experience.
• Every touch-point matters. Customers expect their experience to be seamless and efficient on and offline. For instance, 56% of online retail shoppers and 49% of retail offline shoppers expect consistent levels of service across physical and digital channels.
• Customers don't want to be responsible for fixing a company's mistake. According to the study, 70% of consumers report that they expect an immediate response when they submit a complaint.
Further, when customers believe they have put in more effort than a company to resolve an issue, they are twice as likely to tell friends, family or colleagues about the bad experience, and four times more likely to stop purchasing from the company, switch brands, or use the company less frequently.
• Consumers expect a personalized experience. Thirty percent of customers expect call center agents to be instantly familiar with their contact history, and 40%, on average, expect to be offered personalized experiences based on their interests, buying behavior, demographics and psychographics.
• Brands may be forgetting an important group of buyers. Many companies tailor to younger generations, but the 55+ age group is the fastest growing adult demographic in the US. This group of consumers indicated their expectations were exceeded in the last 12 months at a lower rate than any other group surveyed.
• Women and younger generations are more likely to avoid a brand because of a bad experience. Sixty-six percent of women (vs. 62% of men) globally have avoided a brand because of a bad experience (with 64% being the global average for both men and women). In addition, this behavior is even more pronounced for Millennials and Gen Z.


text:
Not only are M&M’s getting a makeover for all their chocolate pieces, but the now 81-year-old brand is pivoting towards ‘more inclusive’ marketing.
M&M, as part of the Mars Wirgley brand, is debuting a new look for the pieces by pledging to fans that the new brand aesthetic revamp will try to increase a sense of belonging for all of its consumers.
There will be an enhanced focus on the iconic colour palette and the use of different shapes and sizes of M&M’s lentils. All the candies, which have already been previously given human characteristics, will be assigned a fresh personality and look similar to that of a TV drama.
The two female characters – Ms. Green and Ms. Brown – will be dropping the title to de-emphasise gender and will be teaming up as a ‘force supporting women, together throwing shine and not shade.’
Two of the other mascots will embody the modern age’s emotions, with yellow being the optimist and changing from the punchline of the joke in commercials to a wise candy.
On the other hand, orange is bearing all our collective anxieties. His makeover has one of the saddest lines to come out of a marketing department as he is described as ‘one of the most relatable characters with Gen-Z, which is also the most anxious generation.’
Red, who was the team’s ‘alpha candy’ will be sharing the spotlight with the rest of the cast. M&Ms also plans on changing the overall vibe to the commercials. The brand promised ‘an updated tone of voice that is more inclusive, welcoming, and unifying, while remaining rooted in our signature jester wit and humour.’
Of course, as with any such rebrand, people’s reactions were very mixed. Despite some welcoming the new rendition of the candies, some took the time to jab at the change.
Others however did some meta-criticism, stating that they cannot wait to see the internet obsess over M&M’s subtle changes to their characters. And the rest?… Well, they just want to enjoy some M&M’s.


text:
Handango study dubs BlackBerry top smartphone
In a recent study by Handango, BlackBerry displaced Windows Mobile to become the dominant platform within the smartphone content catalog.
According to the Handango Yardstick report, BlackBerry constituted 44 percent of all applications sold in Handango's applications catalog during the first half of 2009. This number is up from a 31 percent share in 2008.
?BlackBerry has emerged as a dominant force in our catalog,? said Kelly Mulroney, vice president of consumer experience at Handango, Las Colinas, TX. ?We were definitely pleased to see the growth of the games catalog year-over-year, but that has been something anticipated in the eco-system generally speaking.
?We are really pleased to see Blackberry downloads doing as well as they are,? she said.
Handango is a provider of smartphone applications for the BlackBerry, Palm, Windows Mobile, Symbian OS, and Android platforms. The company has more than 140,000 applications and a network of over 23,000 content partners.
The Handango Yardstick compiles and analyzes consumer activity from these channels and creates an industry index of smartphone content trends across platforms.
Ms. Mulroney said she was surprised to see how quickly BlackBerry emerged as the dominant platform for paid downloads.
?I think the next two to three quarters will be really interesting to observe ? especially in light of the upcoming operating system releases for WindowsMobile,? Ms. Mulroney said. ?I expect a very dynamic and exciting environment for mobile app developers.?
According to the Handango findings, Ms. Mulroney suggests marketers should turn their attention from the iPhone to other platforms.
?Many marketers have been focused on the iPhone,? Ms. Mulroney said. ?I think it?s important to understand, respond to and build for the consumer group that uses BlackBerry. It?s clearly a consumer group that is engaged with their devices, uses applications, consumes mobile content, and will seek many types of information services via an application or mobile search.?
Ms. Mulroney credits BlackBerry?s OS improvements, device releases and multichannel consumer marketing for its strong showing in her company?s report.
?BlackBerry?s device launches have been driving app downloads,? she said. ?BlackBerry?s also been very active in the social media space, and I think that helps drive engagement with the device, the use of applications to communicate, and with that BlackBerry cultivates a great deal of brand affinity."
Based on the Yardstick findings, Ms. Mulroney had some key advice for marketers.
?The strong showing this year by BlackBerry in the Yardstick is a reminder that things change very quickly in the mobile space,? Ms. Mulroney said. ?That means marketers who are addressing mobile subscribers need to be especially watchful for changes in consumer behavior and interest. Don?t get locked into a single device or operating system.
?BlackBerry?s coming on very strong, but I also think WindowsMobile is a force to be reckoned with,? she said. ?At the same time, Nokia has a very important content strategy, and we continue to watch for what that will become for Symbian.
?To use the old adage, don?t put all your eggs in one basket.?


text:
Female-Led Travel Company Successfully Navigates Pandemic and Leads to Growth
The pandemic has been tough on many travel-related businesses, but some outliers in the industry have gone beyond survival to thrive. Squaremouth.com is one such success story.
Like most businesses, Squaremouth’s sales have declined as borders closed and travel bans halted travelers around the world. Sales fell 90% in April 2020.
However, the management team is committed to maintaining all staff on full salary.
“We’ve always operated with transparency,” said Squaremouth CEO Jessica Burns.
And Burns means transparency. Employees know each other’s salaries, everyone has a vote on company decisions (including new hires and hours of operation). In 2020, transparency even meant knowing how much money was left in the bank.
“Sales weren’t coming in and refunds were coming out of canceled trips,” Burns added. “But it was important to us that everyone saw the steps we were taking to set aside funds and knew that their salaries weren’t on the chopping block.”
The company ramped up its efforts with current customers due to the changing travel climate and also started to think about what travel would look like when the world starts to open up. Squaremouth began targeting new markets with new products and reaching out to new customers.
“Navigating the pandemic from a marketing perspective can be difficult, it’s such a sensitive topic,” said Squaremouth CMO Megan Moncrief. “We’ve always approached our marketing from a ‘downsell’ perspective. So for us, it was no different. In most cases, we’ve explained why you shouldn’t buy travel insurance. »
Now, having survived the toughest part of the pandemic, Squaremouth is in an admirable position with sales expected to replace pre-pandemic numbers by more than 200%.
The company is also an outlier with a management team 50% led by women. Having worked their way up the multi-million dollar corporate ladder, women in leadership positions feel fully prepared for the change their industry has seen.
Burns started in customer service and is now CEO. She thinks her connection to Squaremouth’s clientele gives her an edge.
“These are unknown customers, and they have new and very real concerns,” Burns said. “People used to buy travel insurance for ‘what-if’ scenarios. Now they buy it because they’ve been affected before and want to be protected if it happens again.
Moncrief, now chief marketing officer, joined the company as a mid-level marketing manager with no insurance experience.
“At the start of the pandemic, we found new sources of income that depended heavily on our technical capabilities. Because we retained all of our staff, we were able to dedicate all of our resources to supporting these new partnerships,” Moncrief said. “We’ve always operated as a software company rather than an insurance company, and that ultimately allowed us to survive through the pandemic.”
Squaremouth is a small business with 44 employees. 64% are women, including half of the management team. The company more than tripled its sales this year compared to the same period of 2021, up 272%, and surpassed pre-pandemic sales levels in the summer of 2021, ending the year up 49% compared to 2019.
The company also offers a number of graduated benefits to its employees, including bereavement leave in the event of a miscarriage and 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all employees, including for adoptions. Employees have unlimited vacation, medical coverage for employees and dependents, and mandatory birthdays.


text:
Kim Kardashian is about to launch a new makeup line. If you can imagine this, the line is expected to make $14.4 million in the first few minutes after launch.
Kim previously did a capsule lip collection with her sister Kylie for KKW x Kylie Lip Kits, and those 300,000 products sold out within minutes to the tune of $13.5 million. Kim’s own contouring line launches this week and they cost $3 more a pop than the lip kits did, which is where the higher number comes in.
Kim has made it clear that she and Kylie aren’t competing.
“A lot of my stuff is going to be for skin.…[I’m] trying to mirror skin care with makeup. It’s going to be a different vibe; it’s not going to be a full color cosmetics [range] with shadows and all of that to start. I will probably do some kits here and there of specific [makeup] looks I’ve done and keep it within the looks.”
If you’re going to get Kim’s contouring kit you’ll need a good contour brush as well.
More in News
Sophie Turner Quitting Acting
The Game of Thrones actress has been done filming Season 8 since last summer, and apparently she’s been on a hiatus...April 17, 2019
Hoda Kotb Adopts Her Second Child
Following Tuesday morning’s episode of Today, the co-anchor announced via phone that she has adopted a second child, a daughter named...April 16, 2019
Wendy Williams Files for Divorce
Yesterday, it was confirmed that the daytime talk show host has officially filed for divorce from her husband of over two...April 12, 2019
Nipsey Hussle Memorial Service Draws Thousands
The late rapper’s ‘Celebration of Life’ is taking place at the Staples Center today, and TMZ is live streaming what’s expected...April 11, 2019
Charles Van Doren Dead at 93
Charles Van Doren, one of the most infamous TV game show contestants of all time, has passed away. According to...April 10, 2019
Kim Kardashian Taking Bar Exam in 2022
The reality star has plans to follow in her father Robert Kardashian’s footsteps by becoming an attorney, and she’s aiming to...April 10, 2019


text:
The budtenders at the River North location of Modern Cannabis in Chicago, Illinois announced last week that they have voted “overwhelmingly” to join Teamsters Local 777, which they said makes them “the first group of cannabis workers to do so.”
Modern Cannabis has two locations in Chicago—one in River North that only sells recreational marijuana products, and another in Logan Square that sells both recreational and medical.
Jason Blumstein and Sydney Charles, two budtenders at the River North branch in Chicago, said in a press release that they hoped their efforts to join the Teamsters could have an impact on all other workers in the industry.
“We are proud to be joining Local 777, a union with a deep history of defending and advocating for workers’ rights,” Blumstein and Charles said in their statement. “We are excited about the future and quality of life we can create for all cannabis workers.”
Jim Glimco, President of Teamsters Local 777, said in a statement of his own that his organization will be a viable option for those working in an ever-expanding industry.
“Congratulations to our newest members,” said Glimco. “As more and more states legalize recreational cannabis and the industry expands exponentially, workers are realizing that the Teamsters are the best union to ensure that the people who make these businesses succeed aren’t left out of the prosperity associated with this growth.”
In their press release last week, the Teamsters noted that the recreational marijuana business in Illinois has emerged as “one of the state’s fastest-growing industries.” They aren’t kidding.
Chicago’s Marijuana Boom Has Only Begun
Last year marked the inaugural year for the state’s recreational marijuana market, after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill approving the reform in 2019.
Earlier this year, the Illinois Department of Revenue reported that the state generated $582,226,511.45 in revenue from recreational marijuana sales from January 2020 through November 2020. Signs were promising from the beginning, with the first day of marijuana sales alone generating more than $3 million. Several dispensaries throughout Illinois reported that they had run out of product due to the extreme demand in the opening days of sales.
While there are already many dispensaries operating throughout Chicago and other cities in the state of Illinois, it is only the beginning. The intense demand for cannabis in the state prompted Illinois lawmakers to pass a bill late last month that will significantly expand the number of cannabis licenses issued by the state. Under the legislation, more than 100 new dispensaries will be opened in Illinois.
The legislation also aimed to make the cannabis market in Illinois a more equitable one.
“As a state that values making our laws reflective of our diverse communities, we must ensure that social justice is at the center of everything we do—and today, that means building upon our work of passing the most equity-centric cannabis law in the nation,” Pritzker said after the legislation was passed.
That’s in keeping with the legalization efforts championed by Pritzker and implemented in the state. Along with legalizing recreational pot use and paving the way for a lucrative new industry, Illinois’ new law has been heavily focused on undoing the damage caused by prohibition. Under the law, thousands of previous low level marijuana offenders have seen their records expunged.
By the end of 2020, the state had expunged nearly 500,000 previous low level convictions.
Pritzker noted at the time that those tarnished records were a “burden disproportionately shouldered by communities of color.”
“We will never be able to fully remedy the depth of that damage. But we can govern with the courage to admit the mistakes of our past—and the decency to set a better path forward. I applaud the Prisoner Review Board, the Illinois State Police, and our partners across the state for their extraordinary efforts that allowed these pardons and expungements to become a reality,” Pritzker said.


text:
Today we’re releasing version 1.5 of Gliph for iOS, which makes it easier than ever to get started and offers the world’s first instant Bitcoin wallet creation via Coinbase. Update: Gliph now also supports BIPS wallet.
In this new release we’ve made Gliph account creation and Bitcoin wallet creation an amazingly near-instantaneous experience.
Changes to Signup
We now streamline the Gliph signup process. The app automatically selects a gliph (username) for you, yet allows you to customize your gliph as an option if you want.
Previously, we forced every new person to immediately choose the Artifacts (symbols) for their gliph. While some folks picked up on the idea of building a gliph out of Artifacts, some found it confusing. Gliph has a lot of new ideas in it. This change represents a step toward streamlining the process of getting started using the Gliph identity platform.
Instant Bitcoin Wallet Creation
Another big change in 1.5 is the “instant” creation of Coinbase accounts. If you’ve never used Bitcoin before, you will be prepared to receive Bitcoin immediately after accepting Coinbase’s Terms of Service.
Gliph magically creates a Coinbase account using a free Gliph Cloaked Email address, offering you a strong level of privacy in your Bitcoin transactions.
We believe signing up for Gliph on iOS is now the fastest and easiest way to get started with a Bitcoin wallet on the planet earth.
We continue to believe that Bitcoin is a very important part of Gliph’s future and are making changes to pave the way for this now. The team is excited about the further integration of Bitcoin into Gliph’s core experience.
This isn’t exactly a part of the iOS release, however Gliph should be speedier for people across the globe. We’ve re-architected the infrastructure Gliph runs on, and now have servers in San Francisco, Ireland and Tokyo. No matter where you live, Gliph should be three to four times faster than it used to be.
Moving the Gliph Store and the New Profile View
You will also notice a new menu item directly below Activity called Profile. It features a steampunk-tastic icon. The Profile View is a new place where you can store and set the basic privacy settings of your facet information (personal data).
Previously, Gliph let you manage your personal data from the Settings view. There was an option called “Edit your Facets and Sharing.” This method of editing your personal information wasn’t obvious for a lot of people, both because they didn’t know what “facets” were and also because the option was buried in a Settings View.
Another change we made to the menu is the removal the Gliph Store. You can still reach the Cloaked Email upgrade options via the “Get More Cloaks” menu option.
You can still use Gliph without entering a name or phone number. You can still choose not to share information you’ve stored on Gliph with anyone. This new view does not change any aspect of how your personal data is shared with other people.
Storing personal data has always been an important part of Gliph. We want people to be able to share exactly what they want, when they want, with who they want. We always lean toward privacy.
We’re excited about the changes we’re introducing to Gliph as we continue to bend it toward a more perfect digital identity. We continue to iterate, including some recent updates to the Gliph Android app. Thanks to all the folks who have supported Gliph up through today.


text:
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Democrat wing of congressional Joint Economic Committee releases report on "The National Cannabis Economy"
This week the Democrats of the US Congress' Joint Economic Committee released this interesting short report titled simply "The National Cannabis Economy." Here is how it gets started and its final passages:
The National Cannabis Economy
Cannabis, or marijuana, is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. Though illegal at the federal level, states are taking action to legalize cannabis — from recreational use in states like Colorado and Maine to medical use in New Mexico and Florida. A record 66 percent of Americans now support legalizing cannabis, a dramatic increase from just 12 percent in 1969.
The legalization of cannabis has significant implications for state economies, as well as the national economy. The industry totaled more than $8 billion in sales in 2017, with sales estimated to reach $11 billion this year and $23 billion by 2022. There were more than 9,000 active licenses for cannabis businesses in the U.S. in 2017, with the industry employing more than 120,000 people.
As more states move to legalize cannabis, these numbers will only continue to rise, potentially providing a new stream of revenue and jobs to local economies. But to realize these benefits, policymakers must address conflicts between state and federal regulations that impede the growth of the cannabis economy....
There are a variety of proposals to fix the conflicts between state and federal cannabis laws. Of these proposals, the bipartisan STATES Act has drawn support from President Trump and the cannabis industry. The STATES Act would amend the Controlled Substances Act so that its provisions no longer apply to individuals acting in accordance with state laws. Importantly, the bill would also clarify that financial transactions with state-legal cannabis businesses are not drug-trafficking, creating a solution for financial institutions and the cannabis industry. Several states could be next to legalize cannabis. A bill to legalize cannabis is progressing through the New Jersey legislature, while New York lawmakers are preparing to consider similar legislation this year. Similarly, newly elected governors in New Mexico, Minnesota, Illinois, and Connecticut have all voiced support for legal cannabis, positioning their states to consider the issue.
The growth of the cannabis economy presents opportunities for greater job creation, more tax revenue, and better patient care. But current conflicts between state and federal law threaten to impede social and economic growth. Going forward, lawmakers and regulators should prioritize solutions that promote greater research into the health effects of cannabis and reduce regulations that restrict the industry’s ability to conduct business.
Great Article about cannabis economy!
Posted by: Weedium | Jan 22, 2019 11:50:27 AM


text:
After more than a year of dormancy, the vacant 8,750-square-foot retail space at Town and Country Plaza on Route 20 East will soon be occupied by a Sears Hometown Store.
Local property developer David Muraco recently struck a deal with Steve Seitz, general manager of Sears Hometown/ SR & Development Inc., who hopes to open the new location by June.
“The best thing that [a Sears Hometown Store] provides to a small community is competitive pricing. All the products are priced by Sears Corporate,” Seitz said. “We chose Cazenovia to be the first store we open based on the different demographics and the unique market that exists … We’re not setting up shop in a smaller community and raising prices. Customers can drive into a Sears store in Syracuse and pay the same amount. It’s a good feeling to be part of the growth that’s happening in Cazenovia.”
Continue reading at Cazenovia Republican


text:
Have you been drinking more or less since the pandemic? If you’re a cannabis consumer, there’s a poll that says you’re probably drinking less, by a lot. In the poll, which involved a healthy sample of 2,000 respondents, 45% said they had either replaced or reduced alcohol use with marijuana. For dispensaries, it is a boom time. Not just because of increasing liberalization around cannabis laws, but because the pandemic has also seen new buyers. In the same poll, 42% say they increased their consumption of cannabis or started consuming for the first time. Is this related to stress? Boredom? In fact, over half of the respondents were using cannabis to help stress or get to sleep — so it does seem that these stressful times were a factor.
Also in the poll, a third of the respondents say they prefer cannabis over alcohol. It’s likely that years of alcohol awareness programs have made an impact on kids who have grown up in a world where marijuana is increasingly legal. However, alcohol use is actually up in the U.S., as the LA Times reported in 2020: “Americans are drinking more now than when Prohibition was enacted — a trend that’s been rising for two decades with no clear end in sight.” Yep, Americans are drinking more than they have in a generation and it seems to be going up.
This isn’t a zero sum game, and the poll, conducted by Harris Polls on behalf of Curaleaf, shows that people are still quite willing to drink and smoke if the mood strikes them. As marijuana has become legal in more jurisdictions, that has opened up more legal smokers, which seems to have had an effect on the data we track for cannabis consumption.
Marijuana use is up, and some say by quite a bit. A 2019 “World Drug Report” says that cannabis use is up 60% around the world. We already knew it was the most popular recreational drug, but that’s a surprising number. On a local basis, there have been studies that have shown a negligible rise in overall consumption, indicating not so much that a higher percentage of people are trying pot, but that now that it’s legal, more people are willing to admit to trying it. It can be difficult to track, because years of prohibition may have tainted the voluntary surveys of years past. Even so, cannabis use globally is largely up because of changing cultural norms and increasing legalization overall.
Back to drinking during the pandemic, it’s also possible that drinking loses its charm at home. It’s a lot more fun to drink at a bar with friends, but in the U.S. the coronavirus is lingering on, and more lockdowns are happening, and more bars are shutting down — some forever. Drinking is largely a social event, and without social gatherings it’s natural to see a decline in general use. That’s opposed to the decades of increasing use, which is probably more about marketing and choice (think of how many craft beers exist now versus 20 years ago).
Hopefully the pandemic won’t be around much longer, but it is likely these patterns will continue. Cannabis is here to stay, and social smoking is on the rise.


text:
The Washington Post's executive editor, Martin Baron, is firing back at President Trump for linking -- and attacking -- the paper and online shopping and shipping titan Amazon. The Post was purchased by Amazon's founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos in 2013.
"It's completely made up," Baron said in a phone interview with The New York Times, referring to Mr. Trump's attacks on the paper that have included claims that Amazon uses the Post as a "lobbyist."
"I don't even know how to describe what goes through my mind," Baron said.
Last week alone,and failing to pay enough in state and local taxes.
The White House has since insisted Mr. Trump's criticisms of Amazon are strictly policy-related. But Mr. Trump expanded that attack on Saturday morning, claiming, without offering any evidence, that Amazon is using The Washington Post as a "lobbyist." Mr. Trump said the newspaper should "REGISTER."
It's unclear what set off the president's most recent string of tweets, which seemed to impact Amazon. Their stock on Monday fell 5.2 percent, a day when the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index dropped 2.2 percent.
But Baron told the Times he will not be perturbed by the president's social media rants. "We cover him the way that we feel any president should be covered," he said.
The long-time editor flatly denied the president's claims that his paper acts as a lobbyist for Amazon. "There isn't anybody here who is paid by Amazon," he said. "Not one penny."
Baron also rebuffed Mr. Trump's assertions that Bezos has a hand in leading the Post's coverage. "I can't say more emphatically he's never suggested a story to anybody here, he's never critiqued a story, he's never suppressed a story," he said.
"If he had been involved in our news coverage, you can be sure that you would have heard about it by now," Baron added. "It hasn't happened. Period."


text:
YouTube celebrated its tenth birthday the other day, almost nine of those years being as a property of Google (GOOG). It would seem like a raging success: Some stars of the medium make significant amounts of money, companies use it as a powerful marketing tool, and Google harvests enormous amounts of user data that become marketing gold. YouTube is the top video site in the world, with more than a billion users and $4 billion in annual revenue.
What it isn't: Profitable, according to the Wall Street Journal. Some unnamed person at Google reportedly said that the site is "roughly break-even."
That is an astounding assertion. After so many years, all that investment, and widespread acceptance by consumers, even Google, which knows as well as anyone how to operate massive computing for consumers, hasn't been able to turn it into a money-maker.
So, why isn't YouTube making money? And, if it can't, what other high-flying tech names might one day leave investors with the realization that the happy expectation of massive financial success will never come?
Significant portions of the tech industry, stemming from the dot com days, are built on the assumption that you can start a business, trade revenue for users at the start, and eventually become large enough to find a way to make money from all that traffic.
It was the theory behind Facebook (FB), which does make money now. But it was also the rationale for Twitter (TWTR), which still loses money, as does Box (BOX), and continues to be for companies like Snapchat and its recent $15 billion valuation.
The approach doesn't always work. The reason is that having a big audience isn't enough on its own to make money. There has to be an efficient monetization system and ways of leveraging infrastructure investment so that additional traffic comes in at next to no cost while still offering the chance for revenue that exceeds the expense.
To understand how things veer off the approved grow-and-eventually-become-rich business plan, here are some of the reasons why YouTube has remained break-even at best:
- User entitlement -- A key to the plan of scaling up and eventually figuring out how to make money is free services for users. The minute you charge people, most walk off, particularly when they've been trained to assume that services should be free. YouTube has clearly told people that they should expect free video streaming, even if it has considered an ad-free paid subscription service. Getting consumers to change their behavior after they've become used to not paying is next to impossible.
- Infrastructure costs -- The concept of free user services and scaling to eventually make them pay depends on the negligible price of adding additional consumers. But video is demanding of bandwidth and storage. Even if those are cheap in general, once you're handling as much material as the service does, it means big expenses for infrastructure. Although those costs won't scale linearly with the increased number of users, they do grow.
- Advertising rates -- Online media in general has had major problems with ad revenue. Even though video ads pay better than banners or other text ads, advertisers only want to be charged for people who actually see the ads. The question of verifying the actual audience that saw an ad is a thorny one. Older media like print and television were hugely profitable in their heydays because they never had to show that the audiences they claimed were ever truly realized by advertisers.
- Link economics -- For years, people in media and tech proclaimed the link economy. The idea was that you'd give away material, welcome people to link to it, and those links would bring new audiences that you could then turn into customers. But there is a basic problem, in that very few people actually click links that require them to go to other sites. As the Journal pointed out, many people simply watch a video hosted on YouTube and embedded elsewhere and don't actually visit Google's site, reducing the ability to display ads.
The tech conceit of starting with nothing and growing a business into being profitable sounds appealing. Who wouldn't like to minimize initial investment? But the successes have typically required hundreds of millions, if not a billion or more, of investment to ultimately succeed. And there are many ways in which the grand concept can fall short the way theory sometimes does when faced with the reality of application.
What will happen if one of the high rollers collapses under its own weight?
for more features.


text:
- En Español
- About us
- Sign In
- For Members
Along with changing leaves and a refreshing chill to the air, November also brings with it a noticeable hum of excitement in the global whole grain community as International Whole Grain Day approaches!
The eﬀects of climate change have spurred serious global discussions focused on how we can adapt to decrease human impact on the planet in almost every aspect of our lives. Particularly against the backdrop of a pandemic, the impact of our diet and food systems on the health of both ourselves and our planet have been topics ever more front-of-mind. This year, the WGI International Whole Grain Day celebration focuses on why choosing whole grains is good for you, and for the planet.
Whole grains and environmental challenges
Roughly one third of global greenhouse gas emissions originate from our food system – the system that produces, manufactures, and distributes the food that we eat. Food systems are complex and include all facets of what it takes to not only grow food, but to get it to your table. Despite the complexity, positive impacts can be made on the overall environment by thinking about what we grow and what we eat.
Whole grains play an important role in these conversations. Agriculturally, grains are less resource intensive than other foods. It takes less water to produce one calorie of whole grains than it takes to cultivate a calorie of beans or vegetables – and approximately 20x less water to produce a calorie of grains than to product a calorie of meat. Grains, especially ancient grains such as millets and ancient wheats, are known for their drought tolerance, an important factor as we face a warming world. Grains are not only more eﬃcient in water use per calorie grown, but they are also more eﬃcient in use of land. 75% of global agricultural land is used for animal products, which only contribute 17% of our global calorie intake. Approximately 42% of daily calories come from the three largest cereal crops – maize (corn), wheat, and rice — while only 15% of agricultural land is used for cereal production.
Whole grain and plant-based diets
The idea of a sustainable diet has been a growing in popularity for some time. According to the EAT-Lancet Commission, an ideal diet is one that is sustainably produced and meets basic nutritional needs. Unsurprisingly, it turns out this diet is mostly plant-based. The Commission found that an ideal diet should include about 8 servings of whole grains (the current US dietary guidelines recommend 3-5 servings for an adult), along with vegetables, dairy foods, fruit, legumes, and nuts, with animal foods (like eggs, poultry, and meat) eaten only in very small amounts.
It is clear from the WGC’s 2021 Consumer Insights Survey, that whole grains also factor strongly in consumers’ ideas of what a sustainable diet looks like. Two-thirds of consumers consider whole grains to be sustainable and environmentally friendly, and a growing number of consumers cite sustainability as a motivating factor when purchasing whole grains. Moving toward a more plant-based diet does means a partial or full departure from animal products, which are a main source of protein for many. Although whole grains are primarily a source of carbohydrates in the diet, they also contain protein and healthy fats. In fact, whole grains have protein content that would surprise most people. By making the switch to whole grains, you can get a protein boost at each and every meal of the day.
Role of WG in ﬁghting chronic diseases
We’ve known for a long time that eating more whole grain is linked to better health. Whole grain intake reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, obesity, and certain cancers. Compared to people who eat the least whole grains, people who eat the most whole grains have a 16-18% lower risk of death from all causes, 18% lower risk of death from heart disease, and 12% lower risk of death from cancer.
Not only does our diet play a role in promoting and maintaining healthy systems, but it also impacts our ability to actively ﬁght oﬀ illness and pathogens that exist in the world around us, ever important as the impact of COVID-19 continues to make itself known across the globe. New scientiﬁc focus has found that the health of our digestive system directly impacts functions related to digestion, as well as our health overall, including immune strength and reduced inﬂammation in our body. To maintain a healthy gut, eating a balanced diet full of prebiotic foods is the best path – with whole grain ﬁber being particularly beneﬁcial.
The health beneﬁts of consuming a diet rich in whole grain are fairly well-recognized, but what about the economic beneﬁts? In celebration of International Whole Grain Day, the Whole Grains Council and General Mills Bell Institute for Health and Nutrition will be hosting a webinar diving into some of the health care cost savings that switching to a diet rich in whole grains can yield. Please join us!
Join experts from the FAO, the WHO and the WGC for the International Whole Grains Day webinar on November 16 (9:30-11am ET) to learn more about the impact whole grains can make. Like last year, we invite you to celebrate whole grains with us all month long! Check out the WGI media toolkit for graphics, videos, and animations you can share on social media. Follow along on Instagram and Twitter @eatwholegrains and @wholegrains_council, and participate in the WGI photography challenge (running November 8-16) by tagging #Ichoosewholegrains in a post of a whole grain dish for a chance to win a whole grain prize. And remember to choose whole grains for a healthier planet and a healthier you! (Abby)


text:
Are Trump’s Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Good for America?
President Donald Trump's proposed tariff on imported steel and aluminum, at 25 percent and 10 percent, is much more than a shot across the bow. Indeed, this could be the official kickoff of the trade war we all anticipated.
President Donald Trump’s proposed tariff on imported steel and aluminum, at 25 percent and 10 percent, is much more than a shot across the bow. Indeed, this could be the official kickoff of the trade war we all anticipated. The protectionist trade policy, announced last week as the president met with metals executives, raised fresh inflation worries and had an immediate impact on capital markets.
As expected, the winners were domestic steelmakers. AK Steel, the only manufacturer in North America that produces carbon, stainless and electrical steels, rose as much as 9.5 percent Thursday.
AK Steel CEO Roger Newport praised Trump’s decision, saying he fully supports “the actions he plans to take to stem the tide of unfairly traded steel imports that threaten the national security of our country.”
Newport wasn’t alone. Drew Wilcox, vice president of steel giant Nucor, called the tariffs “a clear message to foreign competitors that dumping steel products into our market will no longer be tolerated.”
Among the biggest losers from the news were automakers, which account for a little more than a quarter of steel demand in the U.S., according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). That makes the industry the second-largest consumer following construction. Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler all fell more than 2 percent Thursday, and losses extended into Friday.
Get Ready for Higher Consumer Prices
To be clear, this is a huge deal, with serious inflationary implications. The U.S. is the world’s largest steel importer, so it’s very possible we could see retaliation from multiple trading partners on exports ranging from Florida orange juice to Kentucky bourbon to Wisconsin cheese. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where this is not passed on to consumers.
Trump was reportedly advised to exempt select allies, but it appears he’s chosen a no-exemptions option. Canada, the top supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S., was spared in 2002 when former President George W. Bush imposed tariffs as high as 30 percent on steel.
When a country (USA) is losing many billions of dollars on trade with virtually every country it does business with, trade wars are good, and easy to win, President Trump tweeted Friday morning.
When a country (USA) is losing many billions of dollars on trade with virtually every country it does business with, trade wars are good, and easy to win. Example, when we are down $100 billion with a certain country and they get cute, don’t trade anymore-we win big. It’s easy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 2, 2018
The country with which the U.S. has the biggest trade deficit is China. In 2017, the deficit stood at $375 billion, which accounts for about 65 percent of the total U.S. trade deficit. The tariff on steel and aluminum should have a negligible impact, however, as the U.S. imports a relatively small percent of those metals from China.
Gold Has Done Well in Times of High Inflation
As I’ve explained numerous times before, one of the most prudent ways investors have positioned their portfolios in times of rising inflation is by adding to their gold exposure.
The chart below, courtesy of the World Gold Council (WGC), shows that annual gold returns were around 15 percent on average in years when inflation was 3 percent or higher year-over-year, between 1970 and 2017. In real, or inflation-adjusted, terms, returns were closer to 8 percent. This is still higher, though, than average returns in years when inflation was lower.
According to the WGC, "gold returns have outpaced the U.S. consumer price index (CPI) over the long run, due to its many sources of demand. Gold has not just preserved capital, it has helped it grow."
The most recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that consumer prices rose 2.1 percent year-over-year in January, but as I said earlier, real inflation could be grossly understated.
My Journey Through the Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies
Gold and metals were definitely top of mind last week at BMO Capital Markets Global Metals & Mining Conference, held in sunny Hollywood, Florida. I had the pleasure to be on a panel at the four-day event, which was attended by more than 1,500 curious investors and advisors, representing approximately 500 different organizations from 35 countries.
The panel I was on focused on blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, which are reshaping how transactions are made and how companies raise funds across the globe. Startups raised more than $1.5 billion in February, the third straight month for initial coin offerings (ICOs) to generate over $1 billion.
Last year, $6.5 billion was raised through ICOs, according to Token Report, and it looks as if that amount will be exceeded in just the first few months of 2018. As I wrote back in October, more and more companies are opting to raise funds through ICOs instead of going public to bypass many of the restrictive rules and costs associated with getting listed on an exchange. And unlike with private equity, smaller retail investors can participate, though I must stress that this is a very speculative trade.
The head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Jay Clayton, strongly agrees with that last point. In December, he issued a statement explaining why he believes certain ICOs should fall under the jurisdiction of federal securities law and, as such, be filed beforehand.
Up until this point, the agency has taken few actions, but it appears it’s ready to start getting more aggressive against fraud. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the SEC has issued “dozens” of subpoenas and information requests to cryptocurrency firms and advisors.
You might think this would hurt cryptocurrencies, but the prices of a number of them were up following the news. Bitcoin jumped nearly 6 percent on Thursday, as the token has often been seen as a "safe haven" in the cryptocurrency market.
HIVE Involved in Minting Virgin Coins
As many of you reading this know, U.S. Global Investors made a strategic investment in HIVE Blockchain Technologies in September, and as of today, it remains the only publicly-listed company that’s engaged in the mining of virgin tokens. HIVE and its partner Genesis Mining—the world’s largest cloud bitcoin mining company—are the leading miners and owners of Ether, the “crypto-fuel” for the Ethereum network. None of these assets has been used in any transaction, just as a newly-minted U.S. dollar, hot off the press, has never been used.
I continue to be optimistic about cryptocurrencies and see a very bright future for blockchain technology. The sentiment was similarly good among many of the attendees of last week’s conference. It’s only just the beginning.
For timely, expert commentary on metals and mining, gold, cryptocurrencies and more, subscribe to our award-winning Investor Alert by clicking here!
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is one of the most widely recognized price measures for tracking the price of a market basket of goods and services purchased by individuals. The weights of components are based on consumer spending patterns.
The S&P 500 Stock Index is a widely recognized capitalization-weighted index of 500 common stock prices in U.S. companies.
Frank Holmes has been appointed non-executive chairman of the Board of Directors ofHIVE Blockchain Technologies. Both Mr. Holmes and U.S. Global Investors own shares of HIVE, directly and indirectly.
Holdings may change daily. Holdings are reported as of the most recent quarter-end. None of the securities mentioned in the article were held by any accounts managed by U.S. Global Investors as of 12/31/2017.


text:
The American Banker carries an opinion column today from marketplace lenders, hoping to receive the same consideration as bank cards issued by financial institutions. The article cites well-known Fed data.
The Fed has projected an even worse second quarter as it holds short-term interest rates near zero to help ease the downward economic spiral. But investor concern about the uncertain future economy has severely tightened consumer credit funding, and the one-time payments of up to $1,200 included in the coronavirus relief aid, while necessary, likely won’t be sufficient to bolster consumers’ financial wellbeing into the summer
And then, the article cites installment loan data, which indicates plummeting demand.
New loans for credit-worthy consumers — even those who have steady jobs and a demonstrable an ability to repay — are scarce. While the demand for loans at comparison sites like CreditKarma has remained relatively steady, new loan production from the most affordable online lenders, April is down by as much as 90% in the second quarter.
In Mercator’s recent Viewpoint on installment lending, Credit Card Lenders: Hone Strategies and Do Not Let Fintechs Scare You, we noted the importance of sticking to bank-grade lending. There is a certain discipline in lending which is time tested. Our advice fell into three categories:
- Maintain lending quality and rely on FICO scores, an industry standard
- Market the flexibility in revolving lending rather than the confinement of installment lending
- Keep a watchful eye on emerging products, but do not rush into a market that will cannibalize a successful card operation
One of the marketplace lending industry issues is that they are excluded from TALF, the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility which will help the bank card industry. It is unclear if marketplace lending has enough underwriting clarity or protections found in the highly regulated credit card business. The article mentions expansion is under consideration by the Fed.
Fortunately, it appears that the Fed is considering another round of TALF expansions that could include personal loan asset-backed securities. Any support from the Fed will immediately start helping bring down interest rates for installment-loan borrowers. If Treasury even assigned less than 1% of the $454 billion coronavirus relief aid to consumer credit, that would support the Fed expanding the TALF program to include all investment grade personal loan collateral, reopening the market.
A second key action could be to set aside a portion of the Fed’s Main Street Business Lending Program, with modified terms, that would support nonbank lenders to help keep credit flowing.
But, the logical argument falls off the grid with the last consideration:
Finally, Congress could design a consumer loan forgiveness fund to provide a backstop for lenders that give the neediest borrowers full debt forgiveness.
Banks pay a price for their lending standards. Regulators look at operational risk, fair lending, interest rate risks, and other factors. With new wave installment lending, there is a promise of “better” lending. Perhaps it is not that much better afterall. Should Stress Testing be considered for the installment loan industry? Does lending look for ways to make profitable investor loans? Should the installment loan industry carry more loans on their books to share in risk?
Overview provided by Brian Riley, Director, Credit Advisory Service at Mercator Advisory Group.


text:
Beijing-based Chinese fresh food and drinks e-commerce platform Womai.com is in the process of raising series B financing, according to Chinese media reports.
The negotiations are still in early stages, and it’s not clear how much capital the company will raise, or from which investors.
Womai.com, which means "I buy" in Chinese, plans to use the proceeds on building storage facilities, logistic centers, IT systems, as well as improving customer experience.
The platform, which operates under Chinese state-owned food conglomerate COFCO (China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation), received series A funding from SAIF Partners in 2012.
That round valued the e-commerce platform at RMB500 million (US$80.2 million), and SAIF took a stake of around 30%, according to the media reports.
Founded in 2009, Womai.com has registered users of 1.5 million. It had total transaction value of RMB1 billion (US$160 million) in 2013.


text:
Latest Tire Stories
AKRON, Ohio, May 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Memorial Day Weekend is the proverbial kick-off to the summer travel season.
Goodyear Transforms NASCAR Tires for Memorial Day Race Weekend, Launches Charity Auction to Benefit Support Our Troops® Organization AKRON, Ohio, May 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- For
AAMCO Expert Technicians Jump-Start Spring Cleaning Season with 10 Tips For a Fresh Vehicle HORSHAM, Pa., May 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As annual spring cleaning rituals get underway,
National Tire Safety Week is May 24-30 WASHINGTON, May 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 33 million Americans will hit the road this Memorial Day weekend to kick-off the summer driving season;
Giant tire constructed for 1964-65 World's Fair in New York DETROIT, May 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Uniroyal Tires today marked the 50(th) anniversary of its famous giant tire landmark in Detroit
BETHESDA, Md., May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- If you are hitting the road this Memorial Day weekend, you will have lots of company.
AKRON, Ohio, May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) has announced that Chevrolet's full line of 2016 Camaro models will roll exclusively on Goodyear
New Campaign by Leo Burnett Chicago Promotes Firestone Tires and Firestone Complete Auto Care Brands CHICAGO, May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgestone Americas is sending a message
The nation's ninth largest independent tire retailer is moving its headquarters to downtown Cincinnati, adding a new distribution facility and opening new stores CINCINNATI, May 15,
LONDON, May 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Key Highlights of 2014Global automotive parts and service suppliers enjoyed a year of steady growth in 2014, thanks
- A handkerchief.
- In general, any miraculous portrait of Christ.


text:
Quick reminder: We’re teaching a cooking class about making soup at the Philadelphia Free Library’s Center for Culinary Literacy on February 22 at 6 pm. Tickets are $15 and you can get them here.
In food news this week we talked about an NPR report that revealed Americans don’t care what scientists think about GMOs.
In our What’s for Dinner segment, Marisa shares a new favorite recipe for cabbage pad thai.
We talked about the kind of things that a good to make for brand new parents and a pretty neat online tool for organizing the process–Meal Train.
Valentine’s Day is coming up next week. What will you be eating?
And finally, at the market we are buying Brussels sprouts.