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Tesla is going to Texas.
The electric car company will move its headquarters from Palo Alto, Calif. to the Lone Star State, company CEO Elon Musk announced Thursday.
“I’m excited to announce that we’re moving our headquarters to Austin, Texas,” Musk said during the shareholders meeting.
“Just to be clear, we will continue to expand our activities in California,” Musk said. “So that’s not the case, Tesla leaving California.”
The quirky billionaire said the company is still looking to increase production by 50 percent at its Fremont, California plant and Nevada plant. But expansion opportunities in the Golden State are limited and cost of living is a constraint, he said.
“It’s hard for people to buy a house and a lot of people have to come from far away,” Musk said. “We’re taking it as far as possible but there’s a limit to how big you can make it in the Bay Area.”
The Austin factory will be five minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from downtown, he said.
Musk, also the leader of SpaceX, recently moved himself from California to Texas. His announcement of the headquarters move comes a year after he first threatened to move Tesla to Texas or Nevada amid a fight with state health officials over COVID-19 restrictions.
The company was told it could not reopen its factory last year, when coronavirus shutdown measures were still in effect.
“Frankly, this is the last straw,” Musk said on Twitter at the time. “Tesla will now immediately move its headquarters and future programs to Texas/Nevada. If we also keep Fremont manufacturing activity intact, it will depend on how Tesla is treated in the future.”
He then defied lockdown orders and ordered a resumption of production in California until officials agreed to reopen the company’s facilities with safety measures in place.


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High energy efficiency on organic farms
Describing the differences in energy consumption between organic and conventional farms, a study by Professor Dalgaard of Aarhus University concludes that conversion to organic from conventional farming typically results in lower total fossil energy use. Although the research also found reduced production per area of agricultural land in organic systems, these reductions were outweighed by the decrease in energy use, meaning that even when yield is taken into account, organic production is less energy intensive than conventional production. The energy efficiency of organic farming was summed up by the author, who stated that “the energy efficiencies…are typically higher in organic compared to conventional farming examples.” The study goes on to point out that not only do organic farms use less energy than their conventional counterparts but they also emit less greenhouse gasses. The report also discusses alternative energy sources such as wind, sun, and biofuel.

domain: news


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Adweek's annual #Brandweek summit will explore the ideas behind breakthrough successes, discuss solutions to pressing challenges and explore new opportunities in the Metaverse. Join leaders from Alo Yoga, Hyundai Motor America, Frito-Lay and more, Sept. 12–16 in Miami. Sign up early to save.
One of the biggest challenges facing businesses on social media today is growing their audiences. According to a report by The Manifest, building their follower and influencer bases is one of the top challenges facing 24 percent of social media marketers today.


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After recently going live in Denmark with a range of its most popular slots, New York City-based, High 5 Games, (H5G) has entered into a partnership agreement with Stockholm-headquartered online gambling company, Betsson AB, that will see it launch a series of new gaming titles.
Included in the freshly-inked agreement is the exclusive release of Way Out Wilds, which will be the first to be released prior to a multi-game, worldwide launch, to be announced next month. The early roll-out will serve as a teaser of the industry’s leading independent casino games provider’s next-generation products.
According to the official press release…
The deal with the Swedish group will additionally showcase H5G’s streamlined UI, with ‘built-for-mobile features’ including enhanced floating buttons and portrait mode, with full-screens of the developer’s impeccable artwork.
Commenting on the collaboration, Product Director Games of Chance for Betsson Group, Ciara Nic Liam, said…
“High 5 Games is renowned for its popular land-based smash hits and the quality of their fresh and innovative gaming content will bring something different to the marketplace while matching up to the standards set by the likes of all-time casino classics Golden Goddess and Da Vinci Diamonds.
“We are thrilled to have the world exclusive on the launch of High 5’s first next generation game, Way Out Wilds, with its brand new ‘memory’ feature, and look forward to bolstering our portfolio with future releases,” added Nic Liam.
Growth in market:
Liam joined the online betting and gaming group from William Hill, where she was head of gaming, with responsibility for all Gibraltar-based gaming products.
Also commenting on the new partnership, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of H5G, Anthony Singer, added…
“Betsson is a massive brand in the Scandinavian market and beyond, which will significantly add to the global footprint of our games. They are a fantastic partner for us to debut the first of our next generation games.”
The land-based casino industry’s largest independent game developer recently had a range of its slots certified by the Danish Gambling Authority, further strengthening its presence within the Scandinavian iGaming market.
More warnings and fines:
In related news, Betsson’s NGG Nordic Ltd. has received a warning from Sweden’s gaming regulator, Spelinspektionen, and must pay a fine of approximately $2 million for offering “weekly surprises, cash prize draws, travel and free spins, bonuses, rewards [and] free games to loyal players.”
According to the recent report, Spelinspektionen added that the activity has been offered by NGG Nordic for the past four months, despite the fact that the country’s new gaming laws were implemented some six months ago.
Also fined was Malta-based provider of white label and full turnkey casino software solutions, SkillOnNet, for offering “daily bonuses, monthly rewards, free spins, cashback and VIP packages.” The operator also reportedly organized an online lottery, for which it was not licensed for, and was subsequently issued a warning and fined more than $1.5 million.


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Last Tuesday, New Jersey Federal prosecutors charged three men in a $2 million identity theft scheme to hack corporate computer systems and send spam messages to more than 60 million employees.
The three men, (Tomasz Chmielarz , Devin James McArthur , Timothy Edward Livingston ) were charged with conspiracy to commit fraud in connection with computers as well as conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Chmielarz and Livingston were additionally charged with fraud and related activity in connection with electronic mail.
The defendants face a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines on wire fraud charges as well as up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines on the email and computer conspiracy charges.
Livingston has almost $300,000 in his Wells Fargo bank account in both his name and the corporate name, both of which are subject to forfeiture, and his 2006 Ferrari F430 Spider Convertible and 2009 Cadillac Escalade have both been seized.
No one has yet pleaded guilty, and Chmielarz’ attorney has informed the press that Chmielarz plans to plead not guilty.
According to prosecutors, Livingston and others started a company called “A Whole Lot of Nothing” in 2011. The company sent spam email on behalf of its clients.
A Whole Lot of Nothing was a successful enterprise and worked with clients ranging from legitimate businesses to illegal pharmacies that sold narcotics without a prescription. The company made money by charging from $5 to $9 for every email that led to a successful transaction.
The victims of this service included unnamed telecommunications firms and technology and consulting firms in New York, Texas and Pennsylvania.
When the ISPs started using software to block the spam messages, prosecutors said that Livingston paid Chmielarz to write computer programs that allowed for the identity of the sender to be concealed and thus for the emails to bypass the software.
According to prosecutors, the two mean are accused of using proxy servers to send out spam and using botnets to avoid spam blockers. They’re also accused of hacking into individual accounts and using them to send more spam emails.
The third defendant enters the picture when the three teamed up to steal confidential information of corporate victims, including databases containing the personally identifiable information of millions of Americans. McArthur allegedly provided Livingston with access to a remote administration tool that allowed him to steal data and contact information from that company.
Unfortunately for internet users, spam messages are among the most prevalent and effective ways of accessing personal data. An average of 1.5 million deceptive emails are sent on a daily basis, especially to business users.
According to GreatHorn CEO Kevin O’Brien, “This problem isn’t only pervasive; it’s also incredibly effective… Over 90 percent of all known data breaches start with this kind of attack.”
The attacks can cost companies millions of dollars, especially if the chief financial officer is targeted.
The country’s growing frustration with these cyberattacks does not bode well for these three accused hackers; if they are found guilty, the judge and jury are likely to make them pay for their spam emails.


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A class-action suit filed in a California court late last month seeks to reverse Sony's forced prevention of class-action suits, which the company buried in a mandatory PSN update, following the PSN security breach earlier this year.
Gamespot reports the suit claims Sony engaged in unfair business practices by forcing consumers to choose between giving up access to PSN or the right to a class-action lawsuit over hardware they purchased. The suit also calls out Sony for only allowing consumers to opt-out of the class action provision by snail mail, rather than any modern communication method.
We've contacted Sony for an official statement about the suit.
Update: A Sony representative informed us, "We don't comment on pending litigation."


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U.S. retail stocks took a beating in trading Tuesday (November 20), with the group losing around $50 billion in value as a lackluster earnings season raised more concerns about the impact Amazon is having on traditional retailers.
According to a report in the Financial Times, concerns are emerging that strong consumer spending could be hiding more structural challenges facing the traditional retailers as we head into the holiday shopping season. The Financial Times noted the S&P Retail Index was down 3.4 percent Tuesday (November 20). The bloodletting of a day ended with Gap announcing it could engage in hundreds of store closures. Lowering its earnings guidance for the year, Gap chief executive Art Peck said about half of Gap’s 775 specialty stores are hurting the brand. The Financial Times quoted him as saying there are “hundreds” of stores that “likely don’t fit our vision for the future.” The executive wouldn’t say which stores would be closed but that action will be taken quickly, noted the report.
At the same time that Gap is struggling, Target has been able to hold its own in the face of Amazon — but there are concerns about pressure on its profits because of eCommerce increasing logistics and shipping costs and driving in-store prices lower. The decline in shares of retail stocks also underscores the fact that investors remain concerned about retailers’ prospects, even if the holiday shopping season is predicted to be a strong one. The Financial Times pointed to the National Retail Federation, which expects consumers in the U.S. to spend 4 percent more than last year on holiday purchases. Consumers appear to be spending ahead of Black Friday, with executives from Target and Kohl’s expressing optimism about how holiday shopping will fare. Nevertheless, Target’s stock closed down 11 percent while Kohl’s was off 9 percent Tuesday (November 20). Best Buy was among one of the few exceptions, with the stock gaining 2.1 percent as investors expressed confidence that it can successfully take on Amazon in electronics.


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CREST, a global not-for-profit membership organization representing the cyber security industry, has announced significant discounts for small businesses in lower-income countries to enhance standards and bolster capacity. This initiative follows a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2021 and entails a 50% discount on membership and accreditation fees across all disciplines. The offer applies to eligible new applicants and renewals for current CREST members.
The discounted membership is available to companies operating in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda, complementing CREST’s ongoing efforts in these regions. To qualify for the discount, applicant organizations must be headquartered in a country classified as a ‘lower middle’ or ‘low-income economy’ by the World Bank. Additionally, the company’s annual income should be less than $6.1 million.
CREST provides internationally recognized accreditations for organizations offering services such as penetration testing, STAR certification, cyber incident response, threat intelligence, vulnerability assessment, and Security Operations Centre services.
This initiative is a vital element of our ongoing mission to grow global capability, capacity, consistency and community in the cyber security industry. We recognise the importance of driving cyber standards across the globe regardless of wealth, and this discount will give many companies in lower-income countries access to the myriad benefits of CREST membership for the first time.Nick Benson, CEO, CREST
This discount offer comes at a time when businesses worldwide are facing challenges in hiring and retaining cybersecurity talent. By making their services more accessible and affordable, CREST aims to support small businesses in improving their cyber security standards and capabilities.


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At today’s Sony event in New York City, there was more news besides the announcement of the Xperia Z3v for Verizon. In addition to the new smartphone set to hit Verizon’s network, Sony also announced that the Smartwatch 3 would be available from Big Red, but no other time frame besides “soon” was teased.
The Smartwatch 3 runs Google’s Android Wear OS, capable of syncing with Android devices, displaying Google Now cards and notifications.
Neither Verizon or Sony have announced specifics on availability or pricing, but we will be sure to keep you posted.
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The mainstays of diabetes treatment are ripe for disruption.
Some pharmaceutical companies are developing new formulations of older medications to create new possibilities.
Diabetes treatment is one area ripe for such disruption, as the incidence of diabetes will only increase in the coming years and prove to be a fruitful health care market. Taking that into consideration, diabetes treatments such as metformin and insulin are being targeted for innovation by certain players looking to capitalize on this trend.
Pharmacists recognize that metformin is often a first-line agent for diabetes management, but its commonly experienced gastrointestinal (GI) side effects may discourage patient adherence. In light of this, several compounding pharmacies across the United States have started to create transdermal metformin products for their patients.
Although transdermal metformin therapy is not necessarily a new invention, it has been generating some buzz for its potential large-scale application because it reduces GI side effects in patients by bypassing the GI tract.
Westchase Compounding Pharmacy in Tampa, Florida, has actually patented the transdermal delivery of metformin therapy (US20120283332). The selling point is that patients only use approximately 10% of the usual dosage of metformin and apply anywhere from 50 mg to 200 mg topically to the inner wrists twice daily.
Although a patent exists for transdermal metformin and other companies are exploring its use, the FDA has not approved the product, so we can’t expect it to show up on our shelves anytime soon.
An even larger market at play is insulin. Many pharmacists are familiar with patients’ fears of starting insulin therapy, which commonly stems from their fear of injecting it. With that in mind, several companies are looking to create an oral formulation of insulin to curb those fears and simplify administration.
The issue with trying to bring oral insulin to the market is the physiological barrier to delivering insulin through an oral route, which is that insulin will be broken down in the stomach. To bypass this problem, researchers have been experimenting with different capsules and alternative delivery mechanisms.
One team at the University of California Santa Barbara has created capsules housing micro-patches that can survive the acidity of the stomach and attach to the intestinal walls to release insulin.
Oramed Pharmaceuticals recently made big news in a $50 million plus royalties deal with China’s leading insulin manufacturer Hefei. Oramed recently made advances on its proprietary oral insulin product in a phase 2b trial, but it’s not the only company involved in this competitive market, as Novo Nordisk, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and India-based Biocon are also looking to capitalize on it with their own oral insulin solutions.
While we are seeing new diabetes therapies such as SGLT2 inhibitors come to market, we may see some attention turn to old drugs with new delivery pathways. Stay on the lookout for upcoming news about diabetes treatments.


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Scientists have designed a first-of-its-kind 3D-printed device that can produce electricity from falling snow. The device designed by researchersAdidas Boost Supernova ST Women's Athletic Running shoes US Size 8 bluee orange,.
"The deviceNEW Women's Adidas Campus shoes color Purple Size 6,Richard Kaner, senior author of the research published in the journal Nano Energy. "It's a very clever device -- a weather stationPuma 191585 01 Defy Sparkle Quarry Puma Silver Women's shoes,.
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ASICS GEL LYTE III 3 BOSTON TEA PARTY CONCEPTS USA BOSTON 11.5 12.5 DS LIMITED,UCLA postdoctoral researcher. "While snow likes to give up electrons, the performance of the device depends on the efficiency of the other material at extracting these electrons," he added.
After testing a large number of materials including aluminium foils and Teflon, the researchers found that silicone produces more charge than any other material.Nike Free RN 2018 Run Grey bluee White Men Running shoes Sneakers 942836-008,.
VANS SK8-HI (Classic Tumble) True White VN-0A38GEUBD Men's size 6.5,. The new device could be integrated into solar panels to provide a continuous power supply when it snows, he said.
The device can also send signals, indicating whether a person is moving. It can tell when a person is walking, running, jumping or marching, they said. The team used 3D printing to design the device, which has a layer of silicone and an electrode to capture the charge. The researchers believe the deviceCLASSIC SLIP ON unisex VANS (VN000EYEBWW1 blk&whtchckerboard),.
(With inputs from agencies.)


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FromSoftware’s developers have issued an official statement confirming rumors and leaks that the online servers for the PC version of the iconic Dark Souls will be restored.
This story started a few months ago, when serious security issues were discovered, prompting the game’s creators to turn off the PvP server for all parts of Dark Souls (we’re talking about the PC version) as a precaution.
At the same time, the developers promised to fix the problem after Elden Ring was released, but the last one was released, and the servers remained down for months.
Now, FromSoftware has officially announced plans to return the servers – all lost data for all three parts, including the third, which experienced a critical error, will be gradually restored. The authors are not yet ready to say when everything will work again, but they are already working on a schedule.


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Open Wheel is Coming!
An historic week for Forza fans only gets better with tonight’s announcement that open wheel cars are finally (FINALLY!) coming to the Forza Motorsport series. After teasing this news on Monday, we made it official earlier this evening by unveiling a number of the open wheel race cars that will be drivable in Forza Motorsport when it launches on Xbox One later this year. Want to know which cars you’ll be driving? Well, read on!
For the first time, “Forza Motorsport 5” will feature historic grand prix racing cars, including the 1976 McLaren M23 and the 1976 Ferrari 312-2 cars driven by James Hunt and Niki Lauda, respectively, during the 1976 season. These models are the same cars featured in the upcoming Universal Pictures film “Rush", directed by Ron Howard, and will be available in Forza Motorsport 5 at launch. In addition, IndyCar race cars will be making their series debut in Forza Motorsport 5. The game will feature cars representing four of the top teams in the IZOD IndyCar Series: Andretti Autosport, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Target Chip Ganassi Racing, and Team Penske.
“Including open-wheel cars in ‘Forza Motorsport 5’ brings Forza fans a whole new world of racing action,” said Alan Hartman, studio manager for Turn 10 Studios. “Players will be able to drive these incredible cars on a collection of world-famous race circuits as well as our Prague city track, which we debuted this week at E3. In addition, the brand new graphics engine in Forza Motorsport 5, powered by the Xbox One, will let Forza players get closer than ever to these amazing cars and to really build an appreciation for these masterpieces of race engineering.”
Today’s open-wheel announcement was made during the “Forza Motorsport 5” Showcase in Los Angeles as part of E3 2013, an event celebrating the upcoming release of “Forza Motorsport 5”. The exclusive showcase event featured numerous celebrity appearances, including 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan, two-time IndyCar Series Champion Scott Dixon, 2011 Firestone Indy Lights Champion Josef Newgarden, and more. In addition, showcase attendees were treated to an exclusive look at “Rush”, featuring never-before-seen footage of the film, which will make its U.S. debut on September 20, 2013.
Look for more open-wheel car announcements, as well as more news on “Forza Motorsport 5”, throughout the summer.


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Last week, we attended one of the most anticipated trade shows in the retail industry, hosted by The National Retail Federation (NRF) at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. NRF 2023 featured a large number of sessions, speakers, and networking opportunities, to discuss the latest trends in the retail industry across a variety of topics, focusing on digital transformation and the omnichannel customer experience. Here are our key takeaways:
We had a blast sharing our DX insights at our annual Developer Conference last week – after all, problem-solving is at the heart of what we do here at CoreMedia. We really enjoyed taking this opportunity to put our thinking caps on, dive deeper into our projects, and explore all things related to effective digital experience implementation.
Last month, for the first time in two years, we finally got to meet in-person to talk about the latest trends in digital experience and content management. It was so much fun and it was all thanks to you!
CoreMedia CEO and co-founder Sören Stamer shared his wisdom on creating iconic digital experiences with marketers and merchandisers at the Online Marketing Rockstars (OMR) festival in Hamburg on May 17.
For CoreMedia, March means Vegas. Specifically the two major trade shows that take place there: Shoptalk and IBM Think. For our impressions of Shoptalk, see the post here. For impressions of IBM Think, read on!
Last month we attended the annual retail supershow known as NRF. (Officially it’s the “National Retail Federation’s Big Show” but everyone just uses the acronym.) Held in Manhattan, it is indeed big – with more than 600 exhibitors vying for the attention of some 35,000 attendees.It’s tough to stand out, particularly if you’re not a top sponsor or aren’t dropping big bucks on a huge booth.


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The crypto market is still not doing well, as is the stock market. Investments have been under pressure recently, but that is mostly due to factors outside of investments. For example, much of the declines seem to be explained by rising interest rates.
In the case of cryptocurrencies, nothing has fundamentally changed. In fact, there is still plenty of ongoing development on most projects. So there is certainly a possibility that the crypto market will recover strongly if the macro-economic situation improves.
That development is in full swing is clear to see. In the crypto news of the past week (June 24, 2022 to July 1), we see, among other things, the two giants Solana (SOL)
and Cardano (ADA)
making great developments. Also, the two big companies Breitling and HTC are entering the crypto market. So read along for the most important news of the week!
Solana bets on smartphones
During a Solana event on June 24 in New York, Solana Labs, the company behind Solana, announced that it has been working on a platform for mobile software for several months. In addition, they have also recently started building their own smartphone, i.e., the hardware.
The event where these announcements were made went by the name of SMS, which stands for Solana Mobile Stack. SMS is a toolkit for developers to develop mobile applications for within the Solana ecosystem. It also includes a decentralized
app store where developers can offer their apps.
The Solana Saga smartphone, the new smartphone being developed by Solana, is likely to be released in 2023 and will cost around €1000. Other than that, not much is known about this smartphone.
Coincidentally, the smartphone company HTC also came up with crypto-related news this week. The company announced the HTC Desire Pro 22, or metaverse
smartphone. The once great smartphone company, is now focusing more on virtual-reality and this smartphone should be an extension for their virtual-reality goggles.
Cardano Vasil hard fork comes close
Cardano is a proof-of-stake
blockchain platform based on the peer-reviewed secure blockchain protocol. The secure blockchain network is what enables Cardano to be a decentralized network.
The blockchain protocol is called Ouroboros, it provides blockchain scalability without hindering or compromising security.
The Vasil upgrade on the blockchain will help to increase and improve the performance capabilities of Ouroboros-based proof-of-stake (PoS).
The launch of the Vasil Hard Fork was scheduled for late June, but minor bugs pushed the upgrade to a later date. According to the current schedule, the Hard Fork
should now take place by the end of next month.
Watch brand Breitling now accepts crypto payments
Breitling, one of the world's most renowned watchmakers, has begun accepting digital currencies as a form of payment as the use of cryptocurrencies increases worldwide.
The Swiss watchmaker has teamed up with cryptocurrency payment services company BitPay to accept Ethereum, Shiba Inu, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in its online store.
Breitling joins a multitude of luxury companies that have been at the forefront of cryptocurrency adoption in recent months, as the general acceptance of Bitcoin continues to play out.
MicroStrategy makes another big Bitcoin purchase
Business intelligence company MicroStrategy announced it has purchased nearly 480 Bitcoin for nearly $10.0 million. The purchase was made at an average price of about $20,817 per Bitcoin, including fees and expenses.
The official blog reveals that the company made the purchase in the period between May 3, 2022 and June 28, 2022.
As of June 28, 2022, MicroStrategy and its subsidiaries owned a total of 129,699 Bitcoin, which were purchased for a combined purchase price of approximately $3.98 billion and an average purchase price of approximately $30,664 per Bitcoin, including fees and expenses.
Recently, there was speculation that MicroStrategy might be forced to sell its Bitcoin, due to the large losses, but CEO Michael Saylor reassured everyone and only promised to buy more Bitcoin.
This was again the most important crypto news of the week. Earlier this week we also wrote about new European crypto regulations. More on that in the article "New European crypto laws are being finalized


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Winners of 2014 East African AABLA announced
The winners of the East African round of the 2014 CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards Presented By Johnnie Walker Blue Label, were announced on Saturday, 20 September...
Loeries 2014: All the winners (Sunday & Saturday)
The winners of the 2014 Loeries Awards have been announced. A total of 256 awards were handed out, four of which being the prestigious Grand Prix awards. Congratulations to all the winners.
Loeries 2014: All the winners (Saturday)
The 36th ceremony that annually awards SA's finest creative advertising was held at Cape Town's CTICC on 20 September 2014.


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|Secondhand car imports are expected to grow by 80 per cent within six months under the new tax regime, importers have said, signaling rebound of used car business in the country.
This follows the proposed amendment of the Excise Duty Act 2015 by Treasury Cabinet secretary Henry Rotich, which has introduced an ad valorem 20 per cent tax based on the value of the vehicle, repealing the specific duty rate he introduced in 2015-16 financial year.
Monthly imports are expected to rise to an average 9,000 units from between 3,000-5,000 units a month currently.
“We expect volumes to grow in the next six months. This will also be a plus for the government as it will get more revenue,” Car Importers Association of Kenya chairman Peter Otieno told the Star yesterday. “We expect the monthly imports to go as high as 12,000 units.”
The new tax regime is a reprieve for importers and car dealers who had decried the specific rate effected on December 1 last year where vehicles aged less than three years paid Sh150,000 excise duty.
Vehicles more than three years old were taxed Sh200,000 per unit, while motor cycles attracted an excise tax of Sh10,000 a unit exclusive of other clearance and registration fees.
“Last year I introduced excise duty on motor vehicles based on the age of the vehicles at a specific rate. This has been perceived to be unfair, inequitable and punitive to importers of vehicles commonly imported by low-income earners, but beneficial to importers of luxurious vehicles,” Rotich said in his 2016-17 budget statement on June 8.
Under the new regime, importers will also pay 25 per cent of the customs value of the vehicle (invoice value, insurance and freight charges). Imports are also charged 16 per cent VAT of (customs value, import duty and excise duty).
An import declaration fee of 2.25 per cent of the customs value is also charged subject to a minimum of Sh5,000 payable in advance on application, and a 1.5 per cent railway development levy. Cars are also charged a merchant shipping levy of $0.05 (Sh5) per cubic metres.
Otieno said though the ad valorem has been welcomed, duty on commercial vehicles has not been reviewed. “Commercial vehicles are bound to advance tax every year which is still a challenge,” he said.


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Paula Deen is ready to come back, y'all
The celebrity chef has formed a new company and received a whopping investment. She's now looking to make some deals.
A recently formed new company, Paula Deen Ventures, said it has received an investment of between $75 million and $100 million from Najafi Cos., a private-equity company led by Jahm Najafi, who owns BMG Music Service and the Book-of-the-Month Club.
Phoenix-based Najafi Cos. said the cash infusion will be used to help Deen establish new deals and move away from a pure licensing model, in which she sells her likeness and expertise to others. Instead, she hopes to take more ownership and control in partnerships with retailers and other companies.
Steven Nanula, a food-industry veteran brought in to be chief executive of Paula Deen Ventures, said the company is in talks with TV networks, retail chains and other possible partners, but has yet to announce a television contract or a major deal. The company declined to name the TV networks and potential partners it has contacted.
A Food Network spokeswoman said the cable-TV channel hasn't had any talks with Deen about re-appearing on the network.
With her homey Southern drawl and her decadent fried foods, Deen became one of the best known in the crop of television celebrity chefs. But she fell from popular grace last year over her admitted use of racially controversial language. She soon lost dozens of products endorsements and her high-profile perch on the Food Network last June.
By its own description, Najafi Cos. often invests in business that are "out of popular favor." Najafi said he doesn't see investing in Deen to be an extraordinary risk. Despite the controversy, he said, her brand has strong, broad support from core fans across the U.S.
"Our investment allows the Paula Deen brand to expand their relationships and the partnerships that are already in place, and support those partnerships on a go-forward basis," said Najafi, who is also a part owner of the Phoenix Suns NBA franchise.
In an interview over e-mail, Ms. Deen said the deal with Najafi Cos. came together after she and Najafi were introduced through a mutual friend.
She said she draws confidence from the "hundreds of thousands of folks who signed up on Facebook's 'We Support Paula Deen' page," adding that "hundreds of thousands of my fans sent me messages of love and support."
In the coming months, she said, she will work on expanding from that base of support. "I hope one day that everyone can have the opportunity to know who I am, as my family, friends and fans do," she said.
In addition to Ms. Deen being booted from the Food Network in the wake of a controversy over her past use of racial slurs, Smithfield Foods Inc. dropped her, while discounters Wal-Mart (WMT) and Target (TGT) stopped selling Paula Deen products.
Ballantine Books, an imprint of Bertelsmann SE & Co.'s Random House Inc. publishing arm, cancelled the publication of "Paula Deen's New Testament: 250 Recipes, All Lightened Up."
Other high-profile personalities have rebounded after being marred by a crisis, including pro football player Michael Vick, and media personality Don Imus.
Najafi and Nanula said Deen has managed to build her social-media presence and to hold on to relationships with other major companies, including cookware distributor Meyer Foods, furniture manufacturer Universal Furniture and poultry producer Springer Mountain Chickens. Springer Mountain said sales of Deen's products have grown by 35% in the past two quarters.
Deen's in-store appearances in Dallas, Houston and Buffalo have drawn "standing room only crowds," Nanula said.
Her company adds that subscriptions to Paula Deen Magazine have risen more than 40 percent in the past year.
"The important thing to remember is that her fan base is rabid. Her Facebook fan base has more than doubled in the past year," Najafi said. "The Paula Deen brand is alive and well."
More from The Wall Street Journal
I wish you all the luck in the world. I find it cowardly with the so called friends who judge you before the Judge ruled the case against you was without merit.
I'm looking forward to your return to the public.
Paula Dean is no racist. I worked at an inner city non-profit and hardly a week went by that I did not hear African-Americans calling each other the N word. I also read a comment that was posted by an African American woman during the Paula Dean fiasco. The woman said she only allowed white people to use the N word if she gave them permission to do so. That is absolutely ridiculous. There are still racists around
Al Sharpton, Rev. Wright. and Jesse Jackson to name a few. It is time for those of us who can live together in harmony, no matter what color our skin, to tell the race baiters to get lost.
Come on honey, bring me some butter and add a little cinnamon.
What she said was insensitive "back in the day". Acceptable for those from the south--does not make it right. So , lets forgive her and learn from all this and move on. She has "done her time". Lets all move on....
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[BRIEFING.COM] Equity indices closed out the month of August on a modestly higher note. The Russell 2000 (+0.6%) and Nasdaq Composite (+0.5%) finished ahead of the S&P 500 (+0.3%), which extended its August gain to 3.8%. Blue chips lagged with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (+0.1%) spending the bulk of the session in the red.
The final week of August represented one of the quietest stretches for the stock market so far this year. The first four sessions of the week produced the ... More
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Its a love/hate relationship with the Chainsmokers but it’s undeniable that they are one of the most dominating artists in the music industry today. From their top hits, numerous music awards/nominations, and epic festival closeouts, they seem to always be hustling for more. 2019 is the perfect example of this as seen from their recent activity. With a little more than a month into the new year, they have already announced an upcoming song with Blink 182 and teased a collab with Juice WRLD. And now they have announced their collab with 5 Seconds of Summer titled ‘Who Do You Love‘ will be coming out tomorrow.
A quick clip of the 5SOS collab has been shared on Chainsmoker’s twitter account. Unfortunately, it is a short 14 seconds so fans will have to wait for the official drop tomorrow at 8AM EST.
— THE CHAINSMOKERS (@TheChainsmokers) February 6, 2019
5SOS have also released a video teaser showing the band walking through a rocky landscape. They surprisingly find a wild Amazon Alexa and proceed to follow the Chainsmokers on Amazon Music. Clearly, the song will be using Amazon Music as a streaming platform.
— 5 Seconds Of Summer (@5SOS) February 4, 2019


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PlayStation 3 owners will get a chance to experience one of last year’s zanier titles, Overlord, sometime this summer.
The game was released for the PC and Xbox 360 last summer at a $40 price point. It won high marks for dry humor, colorful environments and the general ability to run around rampaging with a horde of minions to wreak havoc.
Dubbed Overlord: Raising Hell, the PS3 version will have a leg up on the other platforms.
Improved visuals, 7.1 audio support, a minimap and other tweaks will be made available, as well as the three downloadable packs already released for the 360 version.


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To Alaina Mahoney – painter, blacksmith and welder of steel – few tropes are staler than the “starving artist.”
“Almost everyone I went to school with has a job in their field,” said Mahoney, who graduated with a painting degree from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2010. Rather than painting, she pursued metal fabrication, working for another shop before going solo and founding her own business, A.M. Design & Fabrication LLC, in Providence.
But even for the most-enterprising designers, there’s usually no quick and easy way to amass the knowledge and resources needed to grow. Mahoney, for instance, has run her design business for nearly five years, but until a few months ago she was still unsure how to execute an effective business strategy.
“I didn’t understand the impact to plan exactly what you want, to create actual steps with measurable metrics,” Mahoney said.
She understands now, having graduated from the 2020 Providence Design Catalyst. The program, run by nonprofit DESIGNxRI, offers competitive grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 to Providence-based design businesses with five or fewer employees. Winning designers spend a marathon five months together, attending a semester’s worth of classes and workshops on topics such as customer relations and branding. They also connect with business mentors.
“The initial draw is, ‘OK, there’s money, great,’ ” Mahoney said candidly. Case in point: the grant bought her a shiny new air hammer, which has helped drive and develop the blacksmithing side of A.M. Design – a departure from the studio’s typical fabrication work, such as indoor and outdoor railings or ornamental work.
But Mahoney said that, “Over time, the more helpful side of the grant [is the education].”
The program offered a critical lifeline to its 2020 cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic, including funding to keep their small businesses going. It’s one of a host of local resources available to artists and others looking to make a career in design, including several college-based programs.
DESIGNxRI co-founder and Executive Director Lisa Carnevale said Rhode Island College offers a graphic design program and a jewelry design program, which supports industrial design backgrounds. Roger Williams University also offers an architectural design program, she said. The Bristol-based campus also recently opened a new engineering, computing and construction-management facility.
Rhode Island School of Design’s continuing-education program offers certificates in three design fields – graphic design, interactive design and interior design.
And DESIGNxRI offers a high school program, called Explore Design!, in which students ages 14 to 18 work with experienced designers to take on various design projects while also learning design software.
Carnevale says hiring throughout the industry has been slowed during the pandemic, but demand for design skills and designers remains strong, albeit shifting with consumer demand.
“Architecture, interior design and landscape [design] are seeing some renewed interest in the residential space,” she said, “while activity in the graphic design and digital realm – including app development – has been noticeably active, given the move to virtual and brands recognizing they need to have a stronger digital presence, or better accessibility with their clients.”
Carnevale added companies outside the design sectors are also recognizing the value of having designers on staff. She’s seen local companies advertising for graphic designers, along with jobs requiring product and digital-design skills.
Mahoney said she came away from the Providence Design Catalyst program with lots of ideas to help turn A.M. Design into “a shop that also functions as a studio … the type of shop where people come to us for our creativity.” For Mahoney, that means releasing a line of interior products as early as next year, while intensifying her efforts at smithed metal and customization. Mahoney called custom metalwork “inherently expensive.” Why not take advantage of her studio’s new capacity for smithing and make the customs even more artistic and high-end?
Mahoney exemplifies what the program is about, says Carnevale.
“The goal,” she said, “is to help design business owners make smart business decisions … that will set a catalyzing course for growth.”
Marge Hinge, a jewelry designer and another member of the 2020 cohort, has already “catalyzed” a clearer path and identity for her Providence-based jewelry studio, Hinge Designs.
A jewelry maker since childhood, Hinge joined the jewelry and metalsmithing program at RISD. After graduation, she worked for local shops and other artists, observing and gathering ideas for her own business along the way.
After leaving a full-time job to focus on building the Hinge Designs brand, she applied to the catalyst program.
“It pushed me to do a lot of things I wouldn’t do normally,” Hinge said.
It also opened a new universe of options for branding, such as using video content to detail her creative process for customers – an ideal visual aid to accompany her bright, earthy line of rings and earrings that are cut from brilliant minerals such as Dalmatian jasper or Herkimer diamonds.
Each designer must set three “milestones” for their business at the program’s start. The milestones help make the designers’ goals more explicit, and therefore more attainable. But they also serve as guidelines for the grant payments.
“This program is one of the only opportunities available in the state that is highly structured for success and accountability,” Carnevale said.
The 2020 cohort’s 11 members counted a photographer, a toymaker and even a small-business branding specialist (The Bureau of Tactical Imagination) among their ranks.
“Along with funds from Real Jobs RI (for the trainings and mentorship), we have invested over a $1 million in … 50 businesses (with $864,000 being direct grants) in the four program years we’ve been able to run,” Carnevale said.
The pandemic has provided designers with an example of what Carnevale called “thriving in the undefined.
The designer’s process is to break down and iterate solutions, so many are engaged in this kind of thinking today, and already adapting to new ways of doing business,” she said. “Throughout COVID-19, many designers have faced a slowdown, while some others have seen a surge in new business.”
Kelly Taylor, who operates Kelly Taylor Interior Design, said her Providence-based business has been unexpectedly booming – enough that she had to hire another designer. She said with people being home during the pandemic, they were thinking more about their homes. Clients – including existing ones – reached out to Taylor’s firm because they were spending more time home, including working from home.
Designers of all types had to learn quickly to pivot their operations to a more-digital platform in 2020. But some see silver linings in meeting the challenges.
Hinge said learning about social media tools and different ways to interact with customers online during her time in the catalyst program was vital in continuing to showcase her work during the pandemic. She said she had done a digital craft fair that brought in customers from across the country.
“I feel I can [now] talk with more customers through email and video chat, Instagram and different ways of communicating,” Hinge said. “My base was primarily in Los Angeles, and a lot of my customer base is on the West Coast. Being able to communicate with them in different ways … broadened my horizons.”
Libby Slader, owner of Libby Slader Interior Design, traveled constantly for years before starting her firm in Providence. She now says that while visiting job sites is still needed, technology makes it easier to connect and work with out-of-state clients.
“Nothing replaces [in-person work], truly. But, if we chose to expand and work in other locations to pursue projects somewhere else, I think my team would be more comfortable doing that and knowing that it’s possible,” she said.
Jeanette Numbers, Providence-based Loft LLC’s co-founder, sees the pandemic as a reminder of the value of every business having designers on staff, because they are trained “to look at things differently and look for opportunities.
“Don’t let the pursuit of perfection get in the way of … opportunities,” Numbers said. “You’re never going to achieve perfection and [trying to achieve it] will block you from getting opportunities that are there.”
(PBN Special Projects Editor James Bessette contributed to this report.)


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The president of a Chinese honey company pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to illegally import honey into the United States, part of a case that has cast a spotlight on "honey laundering," the importation of falsely-labeled honey.
Yong Xiang Yan, 60, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to illegally smuggle 15 container loads of Chinese honey and, in doing so, avoiding U.S. anti-dumping duties of about $635,515. Yan also acknowledged he authorized an additional 21 shipments of Chinese honey through the Philippines and Thailand, avoiding $3.3 million in anti-dumping fees.
Yan was charged in U.S. federal court in Chicago in May with conspiring to import honey from China that was falsely labeled as originating from the Philippines, a tactic that federal authorities say allowed his company, Changge City Jixiang Bee Product Co., to avoid anti-dumping duties on Chinese honey.
Also, some of the Chinese honey that Yan shipped to the U.S. was adulterated with antibiotics that are banned in foods in this country, according to the U.S. attorney's office.
Yan's arrest was the latest development in the investigation of an allegedly illegal honey-importing effort operated out of the Chicago office of Hamburg, Germany-based Alfred L. Wolff. In 2008, two Wolff executives in Chicago were accused by federal authorities off conspiring to illegally import honey from China.
The Philippines was one of several countries that Wolff allegedly used to transship or "launder" Chinese honey in order to avoid anti-dumping tariffs. The U.S. government has slapped steep tariffs on Chinese honey, claiming it's being dumped here at unfairly low prices.
Yan faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.


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1 in 4 mobile users plan to up their use of mobile payments in 2013
Mobile devices are working their way into every aspect of daily life. Research from Prosper Mobile Insights found that mobile devices are also helping users make life changes.
According to Prosper Mobile Insights' latest analysis, more than a quarter (26.6%) of mobile users plan to use their device to help them stick at New Year's resolutions.
More women (29.4%) than men (23.6%) plan to use their smartphone or tablet to keep them on track, whether they are attempting to quit smoking, shift some weight or make more of an effort to connect with relatives.
The most common resolutions being tracked by mobile are being on time (74.9%), keeping in touch with people (64.6%) and budgeting (48.6%).
Overall, a third (33.7%) of mobile users said they planned to use their device more in 2013 than they did last year. Less than 6% intend to use their device less. Furthermore, mobile users have plans to use their devices for more online shopping in 2013 and 23% want to up their use of mobile payments.
"Fresh off a holiday season which saw record numbers of consumers headed online, it's interesting to note that nearly a quarter of Mobile Users are resolving to use their devices more often for shopping and payments," said Pam Goodfellow, Consumer Insights Director, BIGinsight. "Clearly, the line between e-commerce and m-commerce will continue to blur into the New Year as the term 'online shopping' evolves."
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In this ebook, we define each of those five principles, and show you what an engagement marketing strategy truly looks...


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Being as we’ve already shown you the 2014 Chevrolet Impala at midnight, you can already half-expect what the Bowtie will be rolling out during its 9:00 ET press conference at the 2012 New York International Auto Show. But along with the new full sizer, expect Chevy to show off the new 2013 Camaro 1LE, and updated 2013 Traverse.
Who knows, there might be another surprise or two. We’ll just have to watch!
Check out the latest forum discussions at the GM Authority forums!


text: Today is not only Election day, but it’s a huge day for music as well. Plenty of new albums, both hip-hop and R&B, are hitting the shelves. Included in the mix is E-40 and Too Short’s long awaited double-disc album, History. Buy both of them on iTunes or head out to stores to pick them up separately. To commemorate today, they drop a video for track two off the Function Music side.


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The Chinese Communist Party announced on Sunday that it will take “necessary steps” in response to the U.S. Commerce Department’s announcement that 19 Chinese companies would be added to an economic blacklist. This comes after it was revealed that the companies had been involved in human rights violations in China.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that the sanctioning of the companies was a serious breach of international economic rules and trade regulations and that it was an unjustified form of suppression.
It is clear that China relies on trade with the United States, and other free countries, to sustain its insane economic system.
Where would China be if the rest of the world didn’t rely on the country to provide cheaply made goods?
The Commerce Department of the United States Bureau of Industry and Security released a press release explaining how 14 of 19 companies on the blacklist had taken part in a campaign of “repression, mass detention, and high-technology surveillance” against various ethnic minorities in China, including Kazakhs and Uyghurs.
Five additional companies were created after supporting military modernization programs for China. This is an ongoing effort of the Chinese Communist Party in order to develop superior military personnel and better military technology.
The companies placed on this blacklist will now face more scrutiny from the United States if they ask to purchase goods from U.S. suppliers, and may be required to apply for various licenses.
China denied the existence of Uyghur concentration camps. We don’t know what China will do in retaliation.


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- The US East Coast is still as popular as last year, despite a bit of shifting away from it because of the release in Covid-related port congestion on the US West Coast. Prices have gone down a bit, but they reached the same level before the pandemic for Europe-USEC trips and more than that for Asia-USWC trips.
- Earthquake in Turkey and Syria Prompts Shipping Disruption
The recent 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria has caused significant damage and is anticipated to cause disruptions in shipping and supply chains on a global scale, as reported by The Loadstar. The Iskenderun Port in Turkey has suffered extensive damage, including the collapse of its docks, and experts in the industry predict that power outages will likely impact operations in other ports as well.
- The Port of Los Angeles still has chance for a comeback in the second half
As per FreightWaves, Gene Seroka, the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, forecasts that the port’s volumes will continue to be low for the remainder of the first quarter and all through the second quarter. He expects the second half of 2023 to be stronger as a result of labor negotiations and a shift from East Coast to West Coast ports that will compensate for the reduced volume. According to Loadstar, the ten largest container ports in the United States experienced a decline of 17.9% in January import volumes compared to the record throughput of January last year, with the most significant decreases occurring at the west coast ports.
- Starting from March 18, 2023, the U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) is introducing a new requirement that a “postal code” and the “manufacturer identification code” (MID) be included on entries from China. The CBP will perform three new validations when the country of origin is China, and it will include an automated UFLPA detention system with a new public site for trade to upload documentation and submit for CBP review. If you import from China, it’s important to work with your suppliers to ensure that the full name and address (with Chinese postal code) of the actual Chinese manufacturer is shown on shipping documents. Source: JDSUPRA
Ocean Freight Market Update
The current status of the global shipping sector is complex, as contract rates approach spot rates and container rates decline significantly. Several regions exhibit this pattern, including China and Southeast Asia. Despite the reduction in container rates, shipping demand remains low due to worldwide inflation and restricted demand, resulting in a significant decline in freight prices. The global shipping industry is coping with a difficult situation characterized by falling container prices, weak demand, and a shift in trade routes. Although a revival of the shipping industry is possible in the future, the current picture remains dubious.
The primary headline in the ocean industry for February 2023 is the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, which has had an impact on the industry’s network. Since the Port of Iskenderun has halted operations, we are not accepting any bookings at the terminal until further notice. Additionally, there is an anticipation that supply chains in Europe will be reconfigured through near-shoring and diversification of sourcing this year.
- Descartes Datamyne says that the knock-on effect from China is still causing cargo volumes at US ports to go down. In December 2022, just under 2 million 20-foot containers came into the ports. This was 1.3% less than in November. The volume in December dropped by 19.3% compared to the same month last year. This is about the same as the volume in December 2019, when the COVID-19 lockdowns were just starting. During the pandemic, it was hard for supply chain planners to change network schedules during times of high activity because the networks were already at full capacity. Now, though, things are different.
- The reduced cargo volumes have resulted in lower congestion and shorter container dwell times at major depots and terminals in US ports. We have observed some shortfall locations in Ohio Valley and Houston, but we are actively working on repositioning empty containers within the US and Canada to meet the demand. The existing rail and truck networks are showing lower congestion, enabling us to easily reposition the empties. Consequently, waiting times at some major North American ports are minimal or non-existent, with many terminals now operating at zero waiting time.
Air Freight Update
The air freight industry is experiencing a decline in growth due to the global rise in inflation rates and decreased consumer demand. Given the continued unpredictability, we anticipate that the volume of the European market will remain stagnant in the upcoming weeks. According to reports, there will certainly be more strikes around Europe in February, especially in France and Spain. It is anticipated that the elimination of COVID-19 travel restrictions in China, refinery outages in the United States, and a European Union prohibition on Russian-refined products will all contribute to an increase in jet fuel prices. Nonetheless, given current capacity levels and demand, we do not anticipate large rate increases.
After an apparent uptick during the Lunar New Year, the situation in North China looks to be leveling down. Cross-border travel, however, has resumed when mainland China loosened restrictions on Covids in the south. After the holidays, the demand for cargo going east in the Korean market has increased, whereas the demand for cargo going west has not yet recovered. At the moment, demand is low and capacity is plenty in Southeast Asia, with the exception of Hanoi, where there was a rush towards the end of last month.
In general, the US market is stable, with airports operating as usual and even expanding their capacity, particularly in Europe. Prices appear to be stabilizing week after week. Nonetheless, there is a growing surplus of capacity, especially in Europe.
Amazon News About Freight Market
Over the past five years, Amazon’s share of the money that sellers make has increased significantly, now accounting for more than half. This is due to a rise in fulfillment fees and the introduction of advertising fees, which means that sellers are now paying more to use the platform. A typical Amazon seller can expect to pay a 15% transaction fee (referred to as a referral fee by Amazon) as well as Fulfillment by Amazon fees of between 20-35%, which cover storage and other costs. On top of this, sellers may also pay up to 15% for advertising and promotions on the platform. The exact fees will depend on factors such as the product category, price, size, weight, and how the seller chooses to operate their business on Amazon.
Amazon FBA fulfillment accounts for 30% of Amazon FBA sellers’ revenue.
Please keep in mind that the information in our publications has been assembled from a number of sources and is based on the information we had at the time. This content is provided to our community and partners for informational purposes only, and we don’t expect them to rely on it or hold us accountable if they do.
Forceget Digital Freight Forwarder is a leading NVOCC licensed global logistics company that specializes in parcel, air and ocean shipping. With offices in key locations such as the USA, China, Hong Kong, Turkey and Colombia, we are well-positioned to assist you with all your logistics and brokerage needs, no matter where you are located. We take care of all the complexities of international shipping, allowing you to focus on what you do best – competing in your local market. Additionally, we pride ourselves on being the number one Amazon FBA focused freight forwarder, ensuring that your products are delivered to Amazon warehouses in a timely and cost-effective manner. With Forceget, you can have peace of mind knowing that your global logistics needs are in expert hands.


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The total throughput of Port of Antwerp decreased by 5.1% in 2020 compared with the first 8 months of the previous year. The port has recorded a decline in the throughput of all goods flows, but is able to limit the damage thanks to container handling, which maintains the status quo. Compared to most other ports in the Hamburg-Le Havre range, Port of Antwerp is holding up very well. Despite the impact of the coronavirus crisis on global production and logistics chains, and a pandemic-driven drop in demand, the port remains 100% operational.
After a few less favourable months in May and June, container handling recorded stronger volumes in August. Thus, the container traffic remained almost unchanged on an annual basis, with -0.6% in TEU compared to last year. The number of blank sailings has been declining since August. Shipping companies are also organising extra runs outside the regular sailing schedules, which is partly compensating for the effect of the blank sailings.
For breakbulk, with steel as the main product, the impact of global trade issues has been felt since 2019 and the shutdown of some industries due to the coronavirus crisis has led to a sharp drop of 24% by 2020. After a few better months in June and July, there was another relapse in August. Conventional throughput of fruit did grow, but these volumes are rather limited. The total throughput of new vehicles decreased by 32%, and that of second-hand vehicles by 25%, in 2020 compared to last year.
For dry bulk, the picture is varied. Kaolin, scrap and fertilisers are relatively stable, while the other product groups, such as coal, are under pressure and in decline. In the liquid bulk segment, throughput has been falling by 7.2% in 2020. In the case of oil derivatives, we are seeing a recovery shift mainly on the discharge side, because the supply side always held up relatively well. Throughput of chemical products in the first eight months of this year was down 6.2% compared to the same period in 2019.
Further extension of payment terms
In order to continue supporting the shipping companies, inland navigation operators concessionaires at the port of Antwerp in these difficult circumstances, the Port Authority, in consultation with Alfaport Voka and MLSO, has decided to grant a further postponement of payment for domain concessions and for shipping and inland navigation dues.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp: “The impact of the shutdown of the global supply chain due to the coronavirus crisis has been felt from the second quarter onwards and will affect the total throughput of goods this year. At the same time, we are seeing the first signs of recovery and both the global and European economies are picking up.”
Annick De Ridder, Port Alderman: “In times of crisis, Port of Antwerp has shown its world class time and again. Our port is showing its resilience and agility in this crisis and is holding up better than most other comparable ports in the Hamburg-Le Havre range. The Port of Antwerp is a robust port that has been fulfilling its role as the largest engine of our economy for decades. This is thanks to the expertise and commitment of all employers and employees that make this port run. Day after day, they are making every effort to continue to ensure the efficient functioning of the port in complete safety.”


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This year will mark the 14th season the Rangers will wear a commemorative jersey.
Fans will be able to place bids to purchase the special jerseys through a silent auction during the game on November 9th, commencing at 6pm in the Wright Auto Sales Lounge. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the 78th Fraser Highlanders Fort Conestoga Garrison and the Kitchener-Waterloo Poppy Fund.
The 2018 Commemorative Remembrance Day Jersey is inspired by the 100th anniversary of the armistice ending World War I. On November 11, 1918 the ringing of church bells erupted spontaneously as an outpouring of relief that the war had come to an end. The front crest features the Dove, a symbol of peace, with a bell adorning the right shoulder of the jersey.
Paying tribute to all of those who have been a part of the Canadian Forces.
The team will also wear the jersey’s on November 11th in London at 2pm.
Tickets: BUY NOW


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Along with the announcement of two new EV platforms during a presentation to investors back in May—one for RWD and AWD vehicles, another for large pickups—Ford confirmed the upcoming launch of an electric Explorer and Lincoln Aviator.
However, don’t hold your breath if you’re waiting for either one: the start of production has just been postponed by about a year and a half.
- Also: Ford is Building More Electric Mustangs Than Gas-powered Models
- Also: Ford Says 40 Percent of Sales to be Electric Vehicles by 2030
According to Automotive News, a memo sent to suppliers last week said that the vehicles are now scheduled to hit the assembly line in December 2024. What’s more, they are being moved from the Cuautitlan, Mexico plant to a location that has yet to be determined.
To be clear, Ford has not officially detailed its plans for the electric Explorer and Aviator. However, COO Lisa Drake recently mentioned that the Mexican factory will be fully dedicated to the Mustang Mach-E in the future. Production will ramp up in 2022 and reach an annual capacity of about 200,000 units in 2023.
Ford’s first all-electric crossover is enjoying a lot of success right now, even outselling the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Granted, the latter has been affected by a major battery problem that prompted GM to recall every unit ever made. Production is currently on halt and expected to resume in late January.
Ford is on pace to end the year with approximately 60,000 Mustang Mach-Es sold globally. China recently started building its own units.
For those who prefer more conventional trucks, the postponement of the Explorer EV is not the only bad news. As we reported a few days ago, Ford is no longer accepting reservations for the F-150 Lightning after getting around 200,000 deposits from potential buyers. Even if just three quarters of those reservations turn into actual sales, that would mean production of the electric pickup is already booked for the first three years.
Over at Lincoln, the reveal of the Aviator EV is planned for sometime in 2022 as the luxury brand celebrates the 100th anniversary of its acquisition by Ford. By mid-decade, Lincoln expects half of its global volume will be zero-emission vehicles and plans to electrify its entire portfolio by 2030.


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JCA Voting Guide
Have a look at the entire Pearls 2018 Supplement here.
The winner this year of the InStore design competition for pearl jewelry featured an amazing mabe cultured pearl, said to have been responsibly grown in the Sea of Cortez. Does JCK have any information on where to purchase these, or is the pearl supplement just for vendors with ads in JCK. Will the source be at the upcoming JCK show?
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On February 4, 2015, the Supreme Court in New Delhi directed internet search engines such as Google, Bing, Yandex and Baidu to take action against companies which were “misusing” the search engines.
It has been widely speculated that this decision will have an impact on Google and Bing, and this was the first time that the courts have addressed this question.
Search engines are currently able to serve all kinds of websites that are not part of their business models.
For example, in India, it is possible to find information on a website that is not an official government website, which is a very big loophole for search engines because it allows users to search for the information without actually paying the site the costs of providing the search.
For a company that operates on a shoestring, such as the Indian search engine Baidus, this loophole has allowed it to have a market share that it can’t match in the market.
Search engine companies have been forced to play by the rules of the game.
But how have search engines managed to maintain this monopoly while they are forced to compete with a number of other search engines that have entered the market?
Is the search engine monopoly still the best way for a company to compete against a number that is much bigger?
For example: A large number of internet search sites offer free data storage, while Google and other search companies are selling data to advertisers.
These two entities, Google and Bitt, are the two biggest players in the data storage market, and the internet search companies that they control are often reluctant to compete.
Search technology companies have developed their own data management tools and algorithms that they are now able to monetise.
They are able to build a very sophisticated data structure that allows them to monetize their traffic in the same way that an advertising firm would do.
These tools are used by companies like Google and Facebook to make money from the users that use their products.
Google and others have become very successful by selling users a service that is used for a long time.
Baidushas is a huge company with a very large amount of money invested in the search technology and data storage space.
It can get very lucrative from these revenue streams.
But these companies do not want to compete because they have so much money invested, and these revenue sources are in a very precarious position.
Bitt is an online market for search and analytics companies.
It is a giant company that controls the data that is uploaded to Google, and its revenues come from its ad-serving and ad-buying businesses.
Bids and deals for data storage have been one of the most lucrative opportunities in the history of the internet.
It makes sense for Baidurashan, which owns the company, to be a big player in this space, as it has a lot of money, but also the ability to monetised traffic, so Baidurs revenues will fall in the long run.
Bays, the other big player, is a private company that runs a data storage service called Digital Media Networks (DMN).
Its revenues come largely from its data business, and Bays has a monopoly in the space.
The big companies like Baidurus and Bites, however, are very concerned about this possibility of an encroachment of their dominance in the digital space.
This is because these companies have built sophisticated data structures to monetisation, and it has been clear that the internet has become very profitable in this sphere.
Google, BaidUs and Bets have been able to get very wealthy from their data business in a matter of years, but Bets revenues will be in a much worse position if it loses its internet-search monopoly.
So they are going to have to compete in this sector.
But what will Bays profit from this competition?
What will it sell to its customers?
There are two main types of data storage: digital and physical.
In digital storage, data is stored on a computer.
There are no intermediaries involved in the transaction.
It’s stored on computers.
The data is never lost, unlike physical storage, where the data is destroyed when the computer dies.
This has made it a very lucrative business.
Physical storage has been the traditional way of storing information, and now, with digital storage available in the form of smart phones and tablets, it’s becoming the way of the future.
For this reason, there are a number different ways of storing data.
The best way of storage is usually physical, because it has the lowest costs.
But some people have decided that data is better stored in digital form.
The technology behind the digital storage is called Big Data.
Big Data can be defined as the amount of data that can be stored on any device at any time.
Big data is now being used in the world of social networking, so that it is very valuable in this world.
In the digital world, Big Data has become a very powerful tool.
There is no way that it


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While the F&B industry faced insurmountable challenges in the last two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic and resultant lockdowns and other social distancing norms, as a Coffee chain, Barista, therefore, more or less remained steady on the growth and expansion path.
“Between March 2020 and now, we opened 95 new stores. Today we have 325 stores in 97 cities across 24 states in the country,” he said. The count includes a few stores in the neighbouring Sri Lanka as well. “We have seen growth with real intensity in the last two years,” he said without denying the fact that they also suffered in terms of business losses due to Covid related lockdowns.
Currently, Barista ‘diners’ are operating in Chandigarh, Kapurthala and Noida.
Agrawal said that the company has been able to penetrate into new and emerging locations like National Highways in a big way in the last couple of years. Also, tap into many Tier II and III cities and towns in the country where coffee culture is still in its nascent stage.
Even during the height of the global pandemic, Agrawal said, the digital strategy of the company paid off well in terms of capturing the online market from the time of the first lockdown. They also designed a “robust packaging” to deliver almost 95 percent of the experience of a cafe dining to the customers. The FMCG strategy of the company also helped the company weather the Covid stress relatively well, he said.
Agarwal also added that with the F&B market back to normal, the company is quite confident of maintaining the growth momentum going forward as well. “We are adding an average of six new outlets every month. The aim is to add at least 60 outlets to the portfolio in a year,” he said. He said that the company has a robust franchise strategy in place for expansion into regional markets in the south, east and west of India.


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4 - 6 minute read
The gaming industry has been rapidly growing and diversifying in recent years, with blockchain technology paving the way for a new era of gaming. According to a recent report by DappRadar, Asia, with its majority share of gamers and revenue, plays a crucial role in the adoption and domination of blockchain gaming. In this article, we will delve into the importance of the Asian market for Web3 gaming and what it means for the future of the industry.
Asia currently has over 1.7 billion video game players, which accounts for 55% of the world’s gamers. The region also boasts over half of the global gaming revenue and is home to 62 of the top 100 gaming companies, making it the driving force behind the industry. China, Japan, and South Korea dominate the gaming industry in Asia and have a high interest in blockchain technology. Japan and South Korea, in particular, are leading the way in the adoption of blockchain technology in gaming.
According to DappRadar, Asia’s market share and interest in blockchain technology make it “crucial” to the adoption and domination of blockchain gaming. However, China’s ban on crypto and prohibition on integrating blockchain technology into games may pose a challenge to the industry’s growth in the region. In contrast, Japan and South Korea’s willingness to embrace blockchain technology and implement it into their games is a promising sign for the future of the industry. Sony’s recent NFT-related patents and Sega’s announcement of an upcoming blockchain game showcase the potential for innovation and the incorporation of blockchain technology in games.
The report also revealed that over 40% of Japanese respondents surveyed were familiar with blockchain games and had a favorable impression of them. This statistic highlights the potential for growth and increased adoption of blockchain gaming in the region. The report also emphasized the importance of airdrops to incentivize gamers to try out new games, which are considered an essential factor in the Asian market.
Based on the analysis and interpretation of the article, traders can expect the introduction and adoption of blockchain technology in gaming in the Asian market to have positive implications for the industry’s growth and development. Japan and South Korea’s willingness to embrace blockchain technology and innovation demonstrates potential opportunities for investors in these markets. However, China’s ban on crypto and prohibition on integrating blockchain technology into games may pose risks for industry growth in the region. Additionally, investors should pay attention to the significance of airdrops in motivating gamers to try out new games, which can impact the success and growth of the industry.
The Bottom Line
The Asian market’s majority share of gamers and gaming revenue make it crucial to the adoption and domination of blockchain gaming. However, China’s ban on crypto and Japan and South Korea’s willingness to embrace blockchain technology pose opportunities and risks for investors. The significance of airdrops in incentivizing gamers to try out new games cannot be overlooked, as it can impact industry growth and development. Overall, traders should pay close attention to the introduction and adoption of blockchain technology in the gaming industry in the Asian market.


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What’s trending on Twitter in the UK today? CBeebies premieres its new show Rastamouse, and the Molson Coors beer company adds Doom Bar, a brand popular in London, to its roster.
Everyone seems to be talking about the new CBeebies show Rastamouse, which premiered on Monday. Based on the book series by Genevieve Webster and Michael De Souza, the show tells the story of Rastamouse and his friends Scratchy and Zoomer as they solve crimes. The mice speak with Caribbean accents, play in a reggae band, and, of course, have a fondness for cheese.
@callmeyashawtyy: Rastamouse is toooooooooooooo funny
@NathanCaton: Rastamouse is trending… Dat plan dere sound wicked!
@KeeveBC: RastaMouse is actually amazing. “We gonna spin nuff ruff riddims!”
The big news in the beer world today is Molson Coors purchase of Sharp’s Brewery, famous for its Doom Bar brand beer, which has become one of the most popular cask brands in the Greater London area. The £20 million ($32.3 million) deal is a big move for the North America-based company and will certainly add to its diverse portfolio. Nick Baker, Sharp’s managing director, is very optimistic about the deal, saying, “It was important to us to know how Molson Coors will manage Sharp’s and its plan to invest in developing the brewery and the Doom Bar brand is spot on.” However, the response on Twitter has been mixed.
David Molofsky is the writer of the blog, A Place To Hang Your Cape.Read More


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A tailor in Yorkshire has launched a new stain and perspiration resistant range of bespoke shirts following two years of research by a leading European institute.
Leeds-based Hemingway Tailors has been chosen as the first UK supplier by the team behind the patented INDUO fabric, which is the product of two years of intensive research at the European Center of Innovative Technology (ECTI).
The INDUO fabric simultaneously offers repellency and breathability, ensuring liquids aren’t absorbed by the fabric, while the cotton disperses perspiration to prevent underarm rings or odours.
Despite the different fabric, it manages to maintain the look and feel of a traditional fabric, making it ideal for everyday businesswear.
Toby Luper, master tailor and owner of Hemingway Tailors, said: “Certainly, especially in the weather we’ve experienced lately, it can be difficult to keep cool and fresh whilst in business attire.
“Similarly, it’s wedding season, and groomsmen and guests can end up feeling a bit hot under the collar in a full suit.
“There was a real need for a product which genuinely helped people keep cool, even when the temperature soars.”
Hemingway is currently the only tailor in the UK to be offering made to measure and bespoke shirts using the fabric.
Mr Luper added: “The INDUO fabric really is a first, in that it repels liquids and odours – whether it be perspiration or a spilt drink – yet it looks and feels like an ordinary shirt.
“As a tailor, the quality of the material we use is key, so it was vital that it still felt luxurious, wore well and, of course, looked the part.
“We were delighted to be chosen as INDUO’s first UK outlet, and we’ve already had a high amount of interest from both new and existing customers.
“Feeling embarrassed taking off your jacket on a hot day is something everyone has experienced at some point, along with the inevitable spilled coffee or red wine, so it’s no surprise to me how popular it is proving.”
He added that it gives the business a unique selling point with customers already warming to the fabric.
“All my normal bespoke clients have shown an interest,” Mr Luper said. “A lot of them have already ordered the fabric and they’re very happy with it.”
The master tailor was introduced to the fabric after INDUO approached him with some samples.
Mr Luper said: “It was old technology for knitted fabric so for instance t-shirts but it’s never been used for woven fabrics until INDUO mastered this technique.
“That helped greatly because in the past if it was done on a woven fabric it would be quite stiff and would have a plastic feel whereas this is really soft and you can’t even tell it’s there.”
Hemingway was established in 2005 by Mr Luper, whose family has a long heritage in fashion and tailoring in Yorkshire.
He started working from a very young age in his father’s factory on Kirkstall Road, Norman Black, which made garments for brands across the country.
The firm uses traditional tailoring methods to produce a range of bespoke and made to measure garments, including suits, waistcoats, overcoats and shirts.
Hemingway Tailors has its headquarters in Leeds and also has a base in London. The firm employs four staff.
On the lookout for tailors
Toby Luper established Hemingway Tailors in 2005.
Mr Luper is looking to expand the business by adding more tailors. The firm currently employs one member of staff in London and three in Leeds.
He said: “I would like to employ more tailors by finding the right tailors to cover more parts of the country because at the moment I’m covering a 50-mile radius around London and Leeds. In between, if I can find more tailors that live in different areas and work with them, that would be great.”
Tailoring isn’t as prevalent as years gone by, says Mr Luper, but there are still colleges teaching the craft.


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Mar 2, 2015 Business leaders say the region's cold weather creates a climate for innovation.
Feb 24, 2015 This winter's record snowfall has hobbled the city's mass-transit system.
Feb 17, 2015 Chinese companies need more of the kinds of skilled labor available in the U.S.
Feb 10, 2015 It now has a pile of cash for things like stock buybacks or to pay off other debt.
Jan 22, 2015 Microsoft is in virtual reality market now thanks to a headset called HoloLens.
Dec 30, 2014 And the danger of heralding the return of manufacturing to the U.S.
Dec 26, 2014 As cyber attacks increase, more firms seek insurance against them.
Dec 26, 2014 A hacker group takes credit for attacks on PlayStation and Xbox Live networks.
Dec 12, 2014 Being laid off in manufacturing 4 times in 3 years


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Tesco to Launch Smartphone by the end of the Year
After the success of its Hudl tablet launched in 2013, the UK's biggest retailer is to release a Smartphone later this year. The plans were confirmed this month for the own-brand Smartphone. The model would also be pre-installed with Tesco services, including Tesco Bank and online shopping apps. Although the price is yet to be disclosed, the Smartphone is aimed at building on the success of the Hudl, which was priced at £119. Tesco has sold more than 500,000 of the budget tablets, with plans to launch a second version later in 2014. The supermarket giant's tech product range is part of a wider turnaround strategy implemented around two years ago by the firm's Chief Executive, Philip Clarke. The core supermarket business had suffered against a backdrop of a lack of investment, whilst competitors have been eating into its dominant market share. Mr Clarke vowed to win back shoppers with millions of pounds of price cuts, after the store posted a second year of falling profits in April. Full-year group trading profit fell 6 per cent in Tesco's last financial year to £3.3 billion with its market share standing at a 10-year low of 28.6 per cent. The supermarket's focus on securing growth, in addition to tech-based product lines – has result in a return to the United States with its F&F clothing business.


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We have all been led to believe that the next iPhone will be called the iPhone 8. After all, it’s the next numeric value after 7. But even this reasoning is not that plausible since if we are going to follow the naming scheme used by Apple for its iPhone models, what we should be expecting is the iPhone 7s and the iPhone 7s Plus. In any case, the iPhone 8 name is not the fault of anyone, least of all Apple. After all, nothing has been said by Apple regarding the new iPhone and if anyone is to be faulted for the Apple 8 name, it should be the internet and all articles that say the next iPhone is the iPhone 8.
A report as recently surfaced that the next iPhone could be named the iPhone X, not the iPhone 8. The iPhone renders that we see with bezel-less screen and with vertically aligned rear cameras could be called the iPhone X. It will be silly to dismiss this rumor outright since it could be true. After all, the next iPhone is the 10th anniversary iPhone, and X is 10, but you already know that.
The source of the rumor is a site called iCulture, a Dutch site that features things Apple. The site also previously outed the 10.5-inch iPad Pro name and it could once again be right. The report says that the iPhone X name was announced at an Apple meeting recently but this cannot be corroborated by anyone.
Some sources say Apple could go with iPhone Edition but iPhone X sounds good to me. Apple used the X on the Mac OS X so an iPhone X could not be that impossible to imagine.
In any case, we will all know the name of the next iPhone by September 12, which is the day Apple will announce the new phone, along with some other products. According to reports, iPhone pre-orders will begin on September 15 and deliveries will start on September 22.


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The UK Farming Roundtable, made up of 19 farming bodies from across the United Kingdom, has agreed on five principles that are of crucial importance to UK food and farming. These negotiating principles are:
- Upholding our high standards of production and positioning the UK as a global leader in sustainable farming and in tackling climate change
- Recognising the specific sensitivities of some UK farming sectors, such as beef and sheep, in the current negotiations
- Balancing improved access and lower tariffs for agricultural imports with quotas and other safeguards to avoid irreversible damage to UK farming
- Ensuring any trade deal is genuinely reciprocal and that the benefits properly reflect how valuable UK market access is for foreign exporters
- Acknowledging that these deals will establish precedents that will be reflected in all our trade deals
"If Government does not back British farmers in these negotiations then producers run the risk of being undercut by cheaper imports produced to much lower standards. This would be unacceptable.”
Country Land and Business Association President Mark Bridgeman said:
“A free trade deal with Australia provides many opportunities for the British agri-food sector. British food is produced to some of the highest environmental and animal welfare standards in the world and there is every reason why our friends in Australia would want to buy British.
“Whilst many British consumers might look forward to cheaper Australian goods too, we owe it to them to ensure any food we import under this – or any other - trade deal meets the same high standards as is expected of UK producers.
“Herein lies the risk. If Government does not back British farmers in these negotiations then producers run the risk of being undercut by cheaper imports produced to much lower standards. This would be unacceptable.”
The Department for International Trade has promised to “include protections for the agriculture industry and will not undercut UK farmers or compromise our high standards.”
Some reports suggest that British and Australian negotiators are ‘in the tunnel’ – a term used to describe the final phase of negotiations, suggesting that the deal could be finalised within weeks.


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Shopping centre car parks were packed for the Boxing Day sales yesterday, but there are still some ominous signs for the Australian economy.
After seeing his son struggling to find a job, one dad reached out.
Australia Post braces for ‘record Christmas’ with scores of casual positions.
They've been bitten on the crotch and come close to death
The vacancy was posted on recruitment website Indeed
How to stand out from the crowd in a competitive labour market.
“I don’t believe it. I don’t believe it. Is this a trick?”
Meet Amazon's toilet cleaning robot
The NSW government is trying to spark interest in electric cars
Man appeals after losing high paying contract.