text:
BlackBerry Warning: BBM service users being watched
It is quite apparent that there are some Middle Eastern Countries that have a kind of love hate relationship with BlackBerry handsets as reported over on itp.net
There are some people in the region that do simply love their BlackBerry mobiles and wouldn’t want to change. Recent research carried out by Motally has stated that most people in the middle east browse the internet using their BlackBerry 8520 handset.
This means it is one of the few regions in the world where BlackBerry has the advantage over the Apple iPhone. For some reason there seems to be an obsession in monitoring what people text or email on their devices.
It emerged just last week that Saudi Arabia’s Communication and Information Technology Commission otherwise known as CITC had asked Canada based RIM to allow the telecoms regulator to monitor messages sent on the BBM service. When using this messaging service it allows BlackBerry owners to share their messages with other BlackBerry owners.


text:
Ramesh Lamsal, KATHMANDU: The government has denied there is shortage of daily consumer goods in the market and warned of maximum action against anyone found indulging in black-marketeering and hoarding.
Stating the government was working on a war-footing level to keep the market supply regular, it has made it clear that there is a pressure to meet the demand for sanitary mask and sanitiser only when the coronavirus has posed a global health threat.
The Minister for Commerce and Supplies, Lekhraj Bhatta said, “There is no issue in the supply of foodstuffs, cooking gas, salt, grains and edible oil. There is no situation of panicking anywhere.”
The Minister today organised a meeting with journalists to brief about status of market stock following a growing public complaint that traders are charging iodized salt Rs 40 per packet against the market price of Rs 20, consumers are being forced to stay in long queue to pick up cooking gas cylinders and they are subjected to black-marketeering for foodstuffs. ”It is time for supporting with each other and on the contrary, if suppliers are found making money through unethical practice, they may face time in jail, ” he warned.
In case of Kathmandu Valley, there is an immense pressure for meeting the demand for Nepal Gas cooking cylinders and the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has directed around a double supply than its demand, but consumers are believed to have been keeping extra stock bearing in mind of a possible crisis and refilling has been hampered due to the short supply of empty cylinders in the market. The Nepal Oil Cooperation has exceeded the import volume to cope up with the situation.
The NOC is supplying cooking gas even in Holi period. The NOC has further urged all not to store more cylinders than required as it could be risky to store more cylinders at home. The corporation has been supplying 44,000 cylinders daily in the capital as only 30,000 cylinders used to be supplied daily in the Valley before this. Minister further committed not to let occur any kind of shortage in the market.
Dial 1137 if anyone found indulging in black-marketing
Minister Bhatta has urged one and all to call 1137 if black-marketing is witnessed. He said, “Call on the free call number if anybody is found charging additional rate on the tagged price.”
He further shared that the government was planning to begin hotline service at the Salt Trading Corporation to expedite monitoring. The Supplies Minister said that there was no shortage of edible goods in the market as required deposit is enough to last a few more months and therefore no one should be worried.
There was no shortage of salt as the corporation has a stock for 10 months. “Government is all prepared to begin effective monitoring of the market,” Minister Bhatta asserted.
He said that the government has been effectively running health check desks in 37 border points in order to check possible outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection, hence there was no situation to panic as it is not confirmed to have infected anyone so far in the country.
On the occasion, secretary at the Ministry BaikunthaAryal shared that the market monitoring was continuous even on government holidays. He asked public support to control the black marketing adding that they should raise question if they were charged high price. RSS
Comment here !
KATHMANDU: The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), a state owned trading enterprise of Nepal that imports, stores and distributes petroleum products
KATHMANDU:- Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has once again increased the price of petroleum products to be effective from Sunday midnight.
KATHMANDU:- The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index that suffered a bit in the past couple of days gained a double
KATHMANDU: With the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC)’s decision to hike the price of aviation turbine fuel, airline companies have increased

domain: news


text:
Fashion Scout will showcase Masaba Gupta's designs at London Fashion Week
India Day at London Fashion Week, which will run from the 15th to the 19th of September, will see a showcase of designers supported by the International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD) and it is at that showcase that Masaba Gupta will present her collection alongside others. House of Masaba, Gupta’s fashion label, has taken the theme of Madagascar for its upcoming collection. Gupta recently stated that she has stopped naming her collections and now focuses on moods.
Gupta has taken this opportunity to showcase her designs in London as a catalyst to tailor her designs to a different audience. Gupta stated that she tailored her design process to suit the potential customers in London and said, “We realised that the client overseas may not always want bold striking colours that we do a lot of, so decided to work with a classic palette of tans and ochres around this line. You will see a lot of monochrome and we will style our separates in way that is more appealing to the sensibilities there.”
Before the showcase, a pop-up shop will also be opened in London to allow Gupta to connect with her potential British customers. Gupta is also bringing this concept to Singapore as she will also hose a trunk show there for the next few months.
Gupta will also show at Lakmé Fashion Week in Mumbai, which runs from the 16th to the 20th August, with another Madagascar themed collection but one tailored more to Indian tastes. Moreover, Gupta is continuing to add products to her affordably priced line and items now start at rs 299. Gupta said that she wanted to make her brand accessible to younger girls who follow her label but may not be able to afford her clothes.
Copyright © 2021 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.


text:
Maximilian Padilla-Rodriguez, Florida Atlantic University
After years of decline culminated in numerous closures after 2020, many question whether the industry will ever recover from its recent losses.
Illusion Ventura, Whittier College
The Japanese role-playing game series is more popular than ever and, while this may be good news in most circumstances, the game’s servers cannot keep up with this influx of players.
Janella Tibbetts, Framingham State University
The classic franchise encounters a few changes — including an altered storyline.
© 2022 Study Breaks


text:
GUEST: When we talk about the geography of esports, many names spring to our mind: big supporting countries like South Korea, USA, Sweden and competitive titles with big international recognition like Counter-Strike: Go, Dota 2, and League of Legends. With increasing revenues, exciting new games, and institutions starting to adopt pro gaming in scholarships and courses, […]
From modelling to the airline industry, here are some interesting ways blockchain tech can touch our lives It seems like every day in the news, all eyes are on Southeast Asia. With GDP and GNI exploding, economies like Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar are driving global consumption and increasingly catching the attention of Western companies and […]
The post From ordinary to unlikely, here are 3 blockchain ideas about to take Southeast Asia by storm appeared first on e27.


text:
Northern Ireland updates
Sign up to myFT Daily Digest to be the first to know about Northern Ireland news.
Brussels has paused legal action against the UK government in an attempt to de-escalate tensions over customs rules on goods entering Northern Ireland.
The European Commission said on Tuesday that it would freeze an infringement process triggered in March over the UK’s breaching of the terms of the post-Brexit Northern Ireland protocol, which requires checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from the UK mainland.
Brussels’ decision to pause legal action comes amid rising EU-UK tensions over rules designed to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland.
The British government last week demanded the removal of the role of the EU’s highest court in interpreting the protocol as part of a wholesale overhaul of the treaty agreed between the two sides in 2019.
The UK has argued the customs checks are causing trade frictions and societal instability for businesses and citizens in Northern Ireland. “We cannot go on as we are, Lord David Frost, the EU minister, told the UK parliament last week.
Brussels has firmly rejected a renegotiation of the protocol but has opted to put the infringement process on hold to avoid inflaming tensions with London.
The commission said the pause would help “provide the necessary space to reflect on these issues and find durable solutions to the implementation of the protocol”.
An EU diplomat said the decision was designed to prevent a further deterioration in relations before a series of grace periods on checks for goods entering Northern Ireland are due to expire in September.
The commission has told EU diplomats that the UK continues to threaten to use a mechanism under the Brexit withdrawal treaty, known as Article 16, that allows either side unilaterally to suspend checks on goods if it deems them to be causing serious economic and social harm in the region.
Frost said last week that the government had stepped back from triggering Article 16 after previously saying it would consider “all options”.
The FT has revamped Trade Secrets, its must-read daily briefing on the changing face of international trade and globalisation.
Sign up here to understand which countries, companies and technologies are shaping the new global economy.
“Anything could provide Frost the match he seeks to light the fire — including the infringement process,” said an EU diplomat.
The UK’s “command paper” sets out a series of demands such as removing the role of the European Court of Justice, a suspension of customs checks on goods where businesses can ensure the end destination is Northern Ireland rather than the EU’s single market, and an overhaul of a state-aid subsidy regime.
Brussels has balked at the demands and chided the UK for reneging on an internationally binding agreement struck with Boris Johnson’s government that has only been in force since the start of the year.
The commission has told EU diplomats that the UK’s demands for a dual regulatory regime to operate in Northern Ireland and the removal of the role of the ECJ are non-starters. An EU official said the British demands to forgo customs checks “requires trust, and all trust has gone”.


text:
Dell has officially announced its Inspiron Mini 10 netbook, which is set to be available in the UK from 26 February.
The Mini 10, the third model in Dell's netbook line, comes with a 10.1in widescreen display and weighs about 1.3kg. The company has yet to confirm a price for the new model, but this is likely to be somewhere around the £299 mark that the original Inspiron Mini 9 cost when it launched last year.
As with many other netbook models, the new Inspiron is based on Intel's Atom mobile processor and has 1GB of memory, with a choice of 120GB or 160GB hard drive and Windows XP Home edition. For connectivity it has 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, while Bluetooth is optional.
However, Dell said it will make available later this year options such as 2GB of memory and a 250GB hard drive, built-in mobile broadband, GPS module, digital TV tuner, and Ubuntu Linux 8.04 instead of Windows.
At launch, the Inspiron Mini 10 will be available in a variety of colours including Obsidian Black, Alpine White, Cherry Red, Pretty Pink, Ice Blue and Jade Green.
Dell also includes free access to 2GB of online storage with each Inspiron Mini 10 purchase, which customers can expand up to 100GB for an extra payment.
UPDATE: Dell has now confirmed that the starting price for the Inspiron Mini 10 is £299 including VAT & shipping.
Microsoft receives a 30 per cent cut of all purchases on the Xbox digital store
Credit card thieves used Apple ID accounts to buy and sell virtual currency for Clash of Clans and Clash Royale and Marvel Contest of Champions
$5.1bn fine further evidence that the EU is anti-US, claims Trump
New cable will connect Virginia to France


text:
Vodafone has responded to UK telecoms watchdog Ofcom's plans to stop mid-contract price hikes. The carrier said Ofcom's proposal actually risks increasing the cost of getting a mobile phone contract for millions. Vodafone said that Ofcom needs to understand the difference between the prices set by mobile companies and the prices the phone companies have no control over.
"We simply do not control many of the charges faced by consumers," Vodafone said in a statement. "They are set by third parties and mobile phone companies have to pass those costs on or they will be subsidising other companies. Prices set by third parties such as BT, include those for directory enquiry services, premium rate and 08 numbers," the carrier continued.
Vodafone goes on to say that it cannot be held accountable should one of its suppliers raise their prices and argues that it should not have to swallow the price increase. The network says customers could end up paying different prices for different services depending on which third party has recently increased its prices. Additionally, Vodafone claims the up-front cost of using a mobile phone may actually increase as operators try to guess upcoming price increases.
As it stands, customers wishing to break free from their contract are subject to hefty cancellation fees if they're cancelling their agreement before it expires. Ofcom is hoping to protect consumers from price rises that occur during fixed contracts for landline, broadband and mobile services by allowing consumers to leave their contract with no penalty if their provider introduces any price increase during their contract. In addition, Ofcom would require providers to be clear about potential price increases and the consumer's right to cancel should a price increase be introduced during their contract.
Consultation on the proposal will run through until March, and Ofcom will announce a decision on the issue in June.


text:
WCPO-TV channel 9 recently interviewed OnSite Retail Group’s Josh Rothstein about the new Goodfellas Pizza and Wiseguy Lounge heading to Pleasant Ridge. The new location at 6099 Montgomery Road will be at the northwest corner of Montgomery Road and Ridge Avenue in the heart of the Pleasant Ridge neighborhood. OnSite Retail Group’s Josh Rothstein brokered the deal on behalf of Cincinnati Premier Realty, the property owner. The new restaurant and lounge is expected to open by the end of the 2018.
Check out the feature story below and hear about the buzz happening now in Pleasant Ridge!


text:
Quantic Dream has plans to announce something real soon. No one is sure what it is.
Target has begun adding a new way to pass the time, Foot Pong. However, this is in direct violation of Atari’s trademark of the classic game.
Adam McKay, known for his work on Anchorman, wants to one day make a Silver Surfer film.
Policemen responded to a noise complaint and who would have guessed it would end in them playing Smash Bros. with a group of gamers?


text:
Google's App Crackdown Results In Indie Developer Smackdown
from the threatening-innocent-bystanders dept
Wired tells the story of the Cory and Andrew Trese, two brothers who are the very epitome of indie developers, and how they have found themselves under attack by Google as a result of this crackdown. Let's be clear in saying that these guys are not pirates, they're not some mega-corporation, and they don't have time to fend off unnecessary attacks resulting from an overreaction to a non-problem:
"The Trese brothers are so indie, they don't even know it. Their games are marketed through a simple Blogspot blog and unpretentious older brother Cory Trese routes all of his regular email correspondence through the address of his wedding photography business. Trese Brothers titles like Star Traders and Templar Assault might not feature cutting-edge graphics or revolutionary gameplay, but the ambitious scope of their games and steadfast dedication to constantly improving them has won them a small but loyal following. With a growing reputation for floating above the needs and desires of everyday people, Google's relationship with salt-of-the-earth devs like the the Trese Brothers are exactly the sort they ought to be cultivating. Instead, Google is about to chase the Treses off of their platform."
These are the good guys. The small-business types working overtime everyone likes to talk about. But when Google recently brought their app store under more strict control, allowing them to be more heavy-handed in what they allow on the platform, the Trese brothers began getting messages saying that they were somehow in violation and their apps would be dropped from the store.
"Cory Trese started receiving seemingly-automated emails from Google last week, informing him that he and his brother's games were violating the spam provisions of the new developer terms and conditions. Trese was dumbstruck.
"I was terrified, frankly," Trese told me. "I started trying to figure out how we got flagged. Maybe we update too often.""
It should be pointed out that the notion that frequent updates triggered the spam notice from Google is pure speculation...because as Google is now tasked with aggressively policing their app store, they're finding less time to respond to app developers questions via email or the support message board. The Trese brothers have been trying to get a response to no avail as of the time of this writing.
And this is the problem with a shotgun approach in responding to perceived issues with piracy on platforms: you end up taking out innocent bystanders in the process. We saw it with Megaupload, where artists and users used the service legitimately but were caught in the DOJ's ocean-spanning shotgun attack. We see it every time bit torrent technology is attacked, despite artists and users that also use it legitimately. Actions taken against perceived piracy problems need a scalpel approach, so that innocents like the Trese brothers don't have their creative output stifled.
Update: Commentors and Cory Trese himself stepped into the comments section to add some further clarification. It appears that the issue had to do with keywords in the description of Trese's games that still coincide with Google's tightening the ropes on their app store (thanks for the comments, guys!). Bottom line, it would appear that there is still some heavy-handedness and a lack of communication with app developers in this case, though Cory did say that Google reached out to them once news of this had got out.


text:
Ultra-wealthy travelers are growing in number, and many are willing to pay for expertise in fulfilling their champagne wishes and caviar dreams. However, serving these clients, especially the newly rich, can put advisors to the test.
The growing ranks of newly minted billionaires and others of extreme wealth is testing the ingenuity of travel advisors and turning the traditional idea of deluxe travel on its head.
For Michael Albanese, co-founder of Los Angeles-based Element Lifestyle, serving the requests of ultra-affluent clients has meant arranging for a private magic show with Penn & Teller in Las Vegas for just eight people and delivering penguins to a hotel room for a birthday surprise.
Catherine Heald, CEO of Remote Lands, a New York-based agency specializing in high-end travel to Asia, has arranged for clients to trek to the Everest Base Camp with Tashi Tenzing, grandson of Sherpa Tenzing who made the historic first climb to the summit with Edmund Hillary in 1952. She also had the clients transported by helicopter to Mustang to spend a night with the Nepalese royal family before returning to Kathmandu.
Who are these newly affluent clients, and how do their demands differ from their counterparts with fortunes that have older origins? Travel advisors who focus on the highest earners say the newcomers are usually younger and more flamboyant in their preferences.
“Some old-money European clients have been raised in an environment where one must not flaunt one’s wealth, whereas new American money is often happy to post their extravagant travel on Facebook ” Heald said. “Bragging rights are not important to old money, but new money is often obsessed with dining at the ‘right’ restaurants such as Jiro and Ultraviolet just for that reason.”
George Morgan-Grenville, CEO of UK-based Red Savannah, said his clients with newly made fortunes, especially in tech, tend to be inexperienced with travel, especially to exotic destinations.
“They’ve worked hard and been very focused, so there’s been less time to travel the world,” he said. “They may be less sophisticated and have less knowledge of the world. Another tendency is that newer money wants things very organized for every minute of the day. There’s a greater need for instant gratification and seeing multiple things at a rapid pace.”
Albanese said that “new money, especially tech, has an almost arrested development and concept of travel and experience,” but added that these clients can be especially rewarding to work with.
“The older and more well-traveled client is in a way more challenging to surprise and delight as they have seen it all,” he said. “The younger, less experienced client is more malleable and fun to serve because there is a lot of the world they have not yet seen.”
While “authentic” experiences have become increasingly popular with many travelers, pleasing ultra-wealthy travelers can mean turning the volume up a few notches.
“It’s very important to give them an exclusive experience that lets them get under the skin of a place,” said Morgan-Grenville, adding that this can mean anything from access to the Sistine Chapel before it’s open to the public to finding a little-known museum not listed on TripAdvisor or in guidebooks.
Helping clients “get under the skin” of a place also means giving clients insight into the current political or cultural scene, he added.
“A lot of travel focuses on 2,000 years ago, but our clients also want to know about contemporary society,” he said. “Some of our connections on the ground are with journalists who can share insight on what’s going on. In Egypt this could mean going to a backstreet café to talk with a journalist who covered the uprisings. Clients can feel they understand not only Cleopatra, but what’s happening now.”
Forming relationships with suppliers and others who can facilitate exclusive experiences is essential for serving top-level clients, according to Heald.
“Knowing the right people in each place who can unlock the keys in each place is paramount,” she said. “Traveling frequently around Asia to form these bonds is a big part of my work.”
Multigenerational travel is especially popular among the ultra-wealthy, according to Morgan-Grenville.
“We’re seeing more people take six-month sabbaticals with their whole families, children included,” he said. “They will take a nanny and tutor along with them. The idea is to let their kids see the world before they have serious demands with school and exams.”
Often these kinds of extended family trips will have a serious side, involving opportunities for volunteer work in various destinations, Morgan-Grenville noted.
“They want their kids to see that not everyone has it so good and to give them a sense of proportion and balance,” he said. “It can be one of the most challenging aspects to arrange. For example, in Africa, the NGOs don’t always want volunteers for only a few days, so you have to find the ones who do.”
Virtuoso, a travel agency consortium specializing in luxury travel, has found that the growing ranks of ultra-rich clients is driving a trend for multi-generational family trips and villa rentals, according to Cheryl Cheney Bunker, vice president of global member partnerships.
She also noted that multigenerational travel is the top trend for 2019, according to the latest Virtuoso Luxe Report.
“As one example, we’ve seen demand for villas reach new heights with a 40 percent year-over-year growth in bookings,” Cheney Bunker said, adding that villas are not only suited for families, but also offer the “privacy and exclusivity” ultra-rich clients prefer.
To help members serve the burgeoning top end of the market, Virtuoso recently launched Ultraluxe Community, which offers specialized training and dedicated marketing assistance, including a catalog highlighting rare travel experiences. Advisors must qualify for membership with annual sales of $1 million and a minimum of two of Virtuoso’s highest-spending clients.
Value Still Counts
While the ultra-rich may be willing to spring for extraordinary service and experiences, advisors say that doesn’t necessarily mean free reign on spending.
“We don’t assume that just because you’re a billionaire we have carte blanche with your credit card,” said Albanese. “People still want value and they have their quirks. One client spent $25,000 on a suite but chose Uber over a private car service because he thought that was wasteful. Another insisted that she get free breakfast included in the room rate.”
While it can take a tremendous amount of detail work to serve an ultra-rich client, Albanese said his clients are willing to pay for what’s involved. Element Lifestyle charges most clients an annual $36,000 membership fee, which covers nearly all of the travel services they provide, excluding special events such as the Penn & Teller show.
Heald noted that while her clients are accustomed to top-level service and accommodations, they don’t mind roughing it in order to enjoy a “priceless” experience.
“That could mean sleeping in a Buddhist temple in Korea and getting up at 4:30 a.m. to pray with the monks or staying with a Mongolian nomad family in a far-flung area of the Gobi Desert where no camps exist,” she said.
The Daily Newsletter
Our daily coverage of the global travel industry. Written by editors and analysts from across Skift’s brands.
Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch
Photo credit: The very wealthy are seeking VIP tours of everything from the Sistine Chapel to invitation-only wine cellars. Pictured is Saskia de Rothschild, chairwoman of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), and her father, Baron Eric de Rothschild, in the wine cellar at Le Bernardin Privé in New York. Elin McCoy / Bloomberg


text:
Car design company Kahn Design has enlisted the help of overseas trade specialist Chamber International as the firm looks to create new sales partnerships in China.
The Bradford-based design firm has also opened a new showroom in Kensington with the aim of targeting aspirational customers looking for a different motoring experience.
Kahn Design, a group of four brands working with well-known car marques, was established in 1996 by Afzal Kahn.
The business is now active in all the major continents but wants to build a network of partner businesses in China after gaining an initial foothold in the country.
Alexander Feather, business development executive at Kahn Design, said: “We are expanding through peoples’ desire to express themselves by adding personalised style to their vehicle.
“This is particularly true in nations with a strong emphasis on a uniform traditional dress as, through us, drivers apply their individuality via their vehicle rather than their clothing.
“We already have a presence in China but it is a huge country and we wish to develop a network of Kahn Design partners to serve a wealthy elite who love British goods and design.
“We also want help with marketing and promoting our company there to attract business.
“Accessing the Chinese market could have a major impact on our global sales during the next five years and this is why we have sought help from specialists at Chamber International.”
The firm currently achieves about 60 per cent of sales through exporting.
Matthew Grandage, Chamber International China affairs specialist, said: “China’s car market is now the most valuable in the world. More new cars were bought there than in any other country in 2016 – more than 20 million – and Chinese consumers are also willing to pay much more for their cars than drivers in the UK, especially to own something unique, that reflects the owner’s personal style.”
Overseas partner businesses can either buy the vehicles locally and source the required upgrade package through Kahn Design or buy the vehicle already styled to the customer’s requirements from the firm, which will then export the vehicle for delivery to the customer. Kahn Design, which has a £20m turnover and 60 staff, is also opening its third store in the UK. The new boutique located on Kensington High Street will feature vehicles alongside an exclusive collection of wheels and accessories.
“Kensington is an epicentre for luxury and fashion,” automotive designer Afzal Khan said. “We are thrilled to be opening our second free-standing boutique in London.”
He added: “We have many clients in London and customers across the globe and now will be able to provide an exceptional atmosphere to those who share similar aspirations to us.
“I could not have imagined a better location for our second London store which will complement our Chelsea showroom which is located on the Kings Road.”


text:
2022-07-27 02:23:39 BdST
Goods worth $83.68b imported through LCs in FY’22
Goods worth $83.68 billion were imported into Bangladesh through letters of credit (LCs) in the last fiscal year, according to recent import data released by Bangladesh Bank.
The central bank data shows the amount is a massive 46 percent jump from the previous fiscal year.
Importers in Bangladesh had opened LCs worth $92.23 billion to import goods in the fiscal year 2021-22, which is 37.59 percent more than the previous fiscal year.
In the financial year 2020-21, $67 billion worth of LCs were opened, while products worth $57.25 billion were imported.
LC settlement rate has increased by 7.52 percent in the last fiscal year compared to the previous year.
It takes up to 45 days for the goods to arrive in the country after opening the LC for import. After the arrival of the goods, the importer makes the payment in foreign currency through the concerned bank, which is called LC settlement.
Some importers also directly bring in products without an LC. Bangladesh Bank has yet to release the data.
As a result, the complete picture of how much goods were imported in the last fiscal year is yet to be made public.
Unauthorized use or reproduction of The Finance Today content for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.


text:
Electric vehicles (EVs) have come a long way in the past 10 years. They’ve gone from niche to mainstream within the market and on the streets — and it doesn’t look like EV sales are slowing down anytime soon. More and more consumers and companies have invested not only in the vehicles themselves, but also in the infrastructure it takes to run them. With advancements in technology, owning an EV is cheaper, easier and more accessible than ever before.
Over the next 10 years, it’s likely that innovations in charging, battery technology and ridesharing will increase and provide new advances for these eco-friendly vehicles.
More Power Availability and Longer Ranges Make for Easier Driving
In most places in the U.S., it’s now easy to access charging for longer-range EVs. In fact, it’s possible to drive coast to coast on electric power alone, making “range anxiety” a thing of the past.
The Tesla charging network is a well-known piece of infrastructure in the EV world, but it isn’t the only one. GM and Volkswagen are starting to invest in charging networks as well. Increased access to charging means that one of the biggest fears around EVs is one step closer to extinction.
Advances in technology could also make it easier to charge. BMW announced this May that they would start adding a wireless charging option on their 530e iPerformance PHEV. With this wireless system, you could essentially drive onto a pad and let your car charge through induction. If this technology works as predicted, it could open up copious possibilities and locations for charging, from roads to parking garages.
In fact, some of that is already in the works. The Swedish Transport Administration created a road that could charge an EV while driving, called eRoad Arlanda. This road works through conduction, providing power to the vehicle even while in motion.
Designs suited better to the needs of an electric drivetrain are also helping to increase the range and efficiency of EVs. With weight reduction and aerodynamic optimization, it’s easier than ever to drive longer ranges. For every 10 percent that drag is reduced by aerodynamics, the car’s range can increase by 5 percent.
Lower Costs Lead to Greater Accessibility
Over time, electric vehicles have become less expensive. There are a few reasons for this. One reason is the simple economics of supply and demand. Competition has brought down the prices of these vehicles, which were once out of the price range of the average car buyer. Options like the Chevrolet Bolt (which has an impressive 238-mile range, longer than the range of the standard Tesla) and the Nissan Leaf have reasonable price tags attached. By now, there are also more pre-owned options on the market.
Another factor in the drop in EV costs is lower battery costs. Batteries are the most expensive parts of these vehicles, but the prices are being driven down by advances in technology and also by investments by auto manufacturers as they start to make their own batteries.
Daimler has opened a factory in Europe for self-sufficient battery production, and Tesla’s Gigafactory has driven down their battery prices significantly as well. As more and more car brands cut out the middleman on battery production, the prices of the most expensive component will drop. Then, competition will continue to make these cars even more affordable.
It’s a New Era for Cars
Many consumers have come to see the detrimental effect that driving a gasoline-powered car has on the environment. With no tailpipe emissions, an EV doesn’t directly contribute the same air pollution that an internal combustion engine would. Because of this, drivers have begun making the switch to electric.
Others have decided to give up car ownership altogether, opting for ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft rather than owning or leasing a vehicle—and as predicted in a recent Esurance report, this trend will only continue in the future. Because of that, there’s been a greater interest in making those services sustainable and cost-effective. Driverless cars are a key to doing this. Many of these driverless cars have been created using an EV as a platform. If ridesharing companies plan to go driverless, there’s a good chance that they’ll also be going electric in the process.
Then, there’s the changing overall opinion on EVs. Many thought their batteries to be unreliable, but they’ve actually got fewer moving parts that can malfunction, and there’s less routine maintenance required. There also used to be an unfounded stereotype that EVs weren’t good for performance and had sluggish acceleration. It seems that cars like the BMW i8 and the Tesla Roadster are kicking that stereotype to the curb, as EVs actually have more torque and better acceleration than most internal combustion cars. More and more people are coming to understand how electric cars truly work and seeing the benefits of owning them.
There’s no doubt that EVs have a place on our future roads. As more investments are made in both these vehicles and the clean, sustainable power grids to run them, there’s a better chance they can have a huge impact on the environment. As individuals and businesses start to see the advantages of driving on electric, more and more innovations will come with the demand.
Haden Kirkpatrick is the head of marketing strategy and innovation at Esurance. Haden is an innovator who is constantly thinking about how IoT, electric vehicles and machine learning will impact the auto insurance industry. You can learn more about Esurance’s car insurance options on their website.
All MOTHER EARTH NEWS community bloggers have agreed to follow our Blogging Guidelines, and they are responsible for the accuracy of their posts. To learn more about the author of this post, click on their byline link at the top of the page.


text:
Authors: Ravi Madapati,
ICMR (IBS Center for Management Research).
In fall 2002, Reuters lost out after a bitter contest with Thomson to replace Merrill Lynch's (Merrill) archaic in-house market-data services in a contract valued at $ 1 bn. The terms were not disclosed but industry experts speculated that Thomson had undercut Reuters by as much as $50 mn a year. Reuters alleged that Thomson appeared to be desperate to save its business and hence such heavy undercutting. But many industry specialists felt that the loss of the contract was symbolic of the reversal of fortunes at Reuters. With cost-cutting a priority among its customers, Reuters had been fighting to maintain market share in a highly competitive business. Reuters seemed to be increasingly squeezed between the premium data service operation of Bloomberg LP, which charged customers with multiple terminals $1,350 a month, and the lower-priced services of providers such as Thomson Financial, whose services cost about $500 a month.
The loss of the Merrill Lynch contract was one more setback for the company. More than 90% of Reuters' revenue came from sales to the financial services industry, either directly or through its stake in Instinet. The rest came from sales of the company's news services to other news organizations. Though Reuters remained relatively strong in the news and equities businesses, Bloomberg had redefined the rules of the game. Reuters' terminals were packed with information but left users to draw their own conclusions from the data. Bloomberg believed users wanted tools for applications such as calculating the return on securities and comparing investment options.
So Bloomberg established a new business to supply terminal concept to his ex-colleagues in Wall Street and abroad. By combining real-time prices with the tools that Reuters lacked, he met an unfulfilled customer need. Like Reuters a century earlier, Bloomberg rolled his core product out to a broad base before adding text-based news whose quality rivaled what Reuters and others offered.
Reuters meanwhile, was feeling the negative impact of size and success. The company had missed market trends like instant messaging, which Bloomberg added to create another industry standard. In trying to become everything to everybody in the information-services game, Reuters had found itself caught between players like Bloomberg focused on the premium segment and Thomson, who used price as its lead weapon.
3] Analytics are the equations allowing traders to get customized portraits of a given security.


text:
- Twitter just launched its ‘Hide Replies’ feature 5 Years Ago
- How to turn off image metadata before it snitches on you 5 Years Ago
- The ‘Breaking Bad’ movie is coming to theaters—for one weekend only Today 1:04 PM
- Teens recorded, shared videos of mall fight that ended in fatal stabbing Today 12:44 PM
- How to stream Giants vs. Buccaneers in Week 3 Today 12:31 PM
- Report: Ben Carson made transphobic comments at HUD meeting Today 12:30 PM
- Where to buy the Switch Lite and everything else you need to know Today 12:28 PM
- Facebook is experimenting with apps targeting teens Today 12:21 PM
- #LiveFromTheArea51Raid: Memes and highlights from the desert Today 12:06 PM
- Ready for Dark Mode? Here’s how to get it, and everything else in iOS 13 Today 11:41 AM
- Students across the world are walking out to protest inaction on climate change Today 11:08 AM
- YouTubers are exploiting Area 51 mania for content Today 10:29 AM
- Veterans confront Dan Crenshaw over his support for Trump Today 10:29 AM
- Google Maps may soon come with an Incognito Mode Today 10:13 AM
- Right-wing Beto O’Rourke ‘pissy pants’ meme actually features indie rock star Today 10:11 AM
Artist paints over ‘Hunger Games’ Barbie with gorgeous, high-dollar results
It’s a fashion makeover even Cinna would appreciate.
You might not think the art of repainting simple toy-department dolls would be make for a sustainable career, but this gorgeously repainted Katniss doll by artist Noel Cruz shows that there’s much more to doll art than most people ever realize.
Cruz shared the before and after photo of his makeover for the Hunger Games Katniss Barbie doll over the weekend. The before image actually comes from a version of the doll wearing a different outfit; you can see the made over model in this review blog.
In a word: Wow.
The community surrounding collectible dolls is eclectic and quick to act. Many collectors are fierce when it comes to pouncing on limited editions; others are obsessive about BJDs (ball-jointed dolls), nendoroids, and other adorable collectibles from Japan and other countries. Doll repainting is one of the finer aspects of doll collecting, popularized in part by Cruz himself. His dolls have sold for thousands of dollars on eBay and in private commissions.
On his website, Instagram, and deviantART, Cruz often documents his painstaking and detailed transformations of glassy-eyed toy department dolls into eerily life-like creatures. In Katniss’s case, the process involved rolling and re-dyeing her store-bought hair to be closer to its dark brunette shade in the film, and completely repainting her eyes:
On eBay, the one-of-a-kind doll is bidding for $800 in a three-day auction that ends today. Here’s the finished product in action:
We have a feeling the feud over who gets to take this Katniss home will be a battle fit for the Arena.
Photo via Noel Cruz
Aja Romano is a geek culture reporter and fandom expert. Their reporting at the Daily Dot covered everything from Harry Potter and anime to Tumblr and Gamergate. Romano joined Vox as a staff reporter in 2016.


text:
Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOG) announced the addition of PayPal, the payment service of eBay Inc (NASDAQ:EBAY) as a payment method on Google Play to boost its sales growth and to make it more convenient and easier for people worldwide to purchase apps, books, devices, games, magazines, movies, and music.
Google Pay product manager, Ibrahim Elbouchikhi, product manager of Google said consumers in 12 countries including Canada, Germany and the United States have the option to pay using their PayPal accounts.
“When you make a purchase on Google Play in these countries, you’ll find PayPal as an option in your Google Wallet; just enter your PayPal account login and you’ll easily be able to make purchases. Our goal is to provide users with a frictionless payment experience, and this new integration is another example of how we work with partners from across the payments industry to deliver this to the user,” said Elbouchikhi in a blog post.
Driving sales growth momentum
According to him, the sales of apps and games of Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) on Google Play increase more than 300% over the past year, and the search engine giant is hoping that adding PayPal as an option could drive that momentum.
The search engine giant said carrier billing, which allows people to directly charge their purchases on Google Play to their phone bill remains popular among consumers. Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOG) expanded the service in seven more countries including Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan. Carrier billing is now available in 24 countries. Google Play gifts cards are now available in 13 countries including Germany and Japan. Its buyer currency support was also expanded to 28 new countries and its support for local developers to sell apps on Google is now available in 45 countries.
Google acquires Quest Visual
Separately, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) acquired Quest Visual, the developer of Word Lens app to improve Google Translate. The app translates printed words it sees from a smartphone came from one language to another.
The acquisition was announced by Quest Visual in a blog post today. The Word Lens app developer wrote, “With Word Lens, we’ve seen the beginnings of what’s possible when we harness the power of mobile devices to “see the world in your language. By joining Google, we can incorporate Quest Visual’s technology into Google Translate’s broad language coverage and translation capabilities in the future.”
Quest Visual did not disclose the terms of the deal. According to the startup, it will make Word Lens app free to download for a limited time as a way to express its appreciation to everybody who supported their journey and as it transition to Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL). Word Lens is available for devices powered by the Android operating system and iOS.


text:
Genevieve has spent more than 17 years working across Europe in the media, ecommerce and mobile industries.
Prior to joining Popsugar, she served as the UK director of supply and merchandising for Thomas Cook Online and held multiple digital roles at Amazon, including head of business development - digital media for Amazon Europe, rolling out its Look Inside product and launching Kindle internationally. Other positions in Europe included roles at T-Mobile, Bertelsmann and the start-up Vitago.
Genevieve started her career in the her native U.S. working for her family's textile business, Fabri-Quilt, in addition to Westdeutsche Landesbank and A.T. Kearney. Genevieve holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in International Studies from The Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania.
Genevieve will speak at the 41st FIPP World Congress, 9-11 October 2017 in London, the UK. Meet her there.
More like this
Francesco Marconi is the strategy manager and automation co-lead at the Associated Press in USA. He'll be speaking at the 41st FIPP World Congress, taking place from 9-11 October in London.18th Sep 2017 FIPP News
Ma-li Yang is president and editor-in-chief of Global Views Magazine in Chinese Taipei. She'll be speaking at the 41st FIPP World Congress, taking place from 9-11 October in London.18th Sep 2017 FIPP News
Mike Federle is president and chief operating officer of Forbes Media. He'll be speaking at the 41st FIPP World Congress, taking place from 9-11 October in London.11th Sep 2017 FIPP News
Alice Zimmermann is responsible for business development at Google in the UK. She'll be speaking at the 41st FIPP World Congress, taking place from 9-11 October in London.11th Sep 2017 FIPP News
As Forbes celebrates its 100th birthday on 15 September, president and chief operating officer Michael Federle talks to us about the brand’s legacy and values and how they play into what they plan for the future.11th Sep 2017 Features
Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data strategies throughout the entire value chain should already be central for every media company, warns Martha L. Stone, author, consultant and CEO of the World Newsmedia Network.11th Sep 2017 Features
While the rise of digital has led many publishers to reduce their print offering, Dennis Publishing has continued to invest. Kerin O’Connor, chief executive of The Week at Dennis, explains how it’s found success with a print version of The Week for children – and what it can teach the industry about the future of print…18th Sep 2017 Features
As one of Europe’s leading publishing houses, Gruner + Jahr has been through a period of major transition. Julia Jäkel, CEO, sets out how the business has managed that, and outlines the path for the future…18th Sep 2017 Features
Respect should be the overarching principle when publishers create native content, says Carla Faria, director of content at The Foundry, Time Inc. UK’s dedicated unit to deliver content-led marketing solutions on behalf of their commercial partners.13th Sep 2017 Features
Visit our Youtube channelFIND OUT MORE
FIPP newsletters allow you to keep up with industry trends, research, training and events across the worldFIND OUT MORE
Get global coverage of your launches, company news and innovationsFIND OUT MORE
What’s happening now, what’s coming next


text:
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 20, 2017 / Today, the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada), a non-profit organization focusing on constructive engagement with investment and social Fintech stakeholders across the country, seeks the participation of all companies, investors, and online funding platforms to help define the future of alternative finance crowdfunding in Canada by sharing their voice in the 2017 survey before June 30.
This is a vital time for the alternative finance crowdfunding sector in Canada. While market volumes grew 48% from 2013-2015, and are predicted to reach CA$ 190 Million in 2016, many industry experts believe that Canadian markets continue to fall behind international competitors, such as the US, who have achieved industry volumes in the same period reaching US $34.5 Billion, due to non-uniform rules and market stifling regulations.
Your feedback is paramount to fill a void in Canadian Alternative Finance. “Capital allocation, especially in the exempt market, is largely opaque. The information gap is worse for small businesses because there are limited or no reporting requirements and financing sources are highly fragmented.” (Jun 15 Ontario Exempt Market Report, OSC Staff Notice 45-715).
With this data, NCFA Canada seeks to inform government, industry, and the general public of emerging online funding platform characteristics, while also capturing the sentiment of both prospective companies and investors relying on the new crowdfunding regime in Canada, with the results to be published later this year in the annual NCFA 2017 industry report. There is an overarching need to build a stronger effort for improved regulations, encourage nationwide acceptance, and adapt/catch-up to international comparators that are leaving Canada behind in an all too familiar story.
The crowdfunding sector in Canada offers tremendous potential to innovate and improve capital formation, storage, and the distribution of resources by leveraging technology to unlock transactional inefficiencies, provide more liquidity, and help small businesses, the backbone of the Canadian economy, to commercialize and globally compete in modern digital times. Increased advocacy for Alternative Finance will channel more opportunity for small businesses in Canada.
On the cusp of Canada’s 150th birthday, now is the time to rally support for Canada’s Alternative Finance Industry by participating in NCFA Canada’s 2017 Alternative Finance Survey. All responses will be kept strictly confidential and shared only on an aggregate basis. All responders will be entered into a draw to receive $150 value gift card incentive for their time.
Please take 5 minutes and show support for capital innovation, SME growth, and new investment opportunities in alternative finance markets and Have Your Voice Become a Momentum Changer for Canada.
About the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada
The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with both social and investment crowdfunding stakeholders across the country. NCFA Canada provides education, research, leadership, support, and networking opportunities to over 1500+ members and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding industry in Canada. For more information please visit www.ncfacanada.org.
p. (416) 618-0254
e. [email protected]
SOURCE: National Crowdfunding Association of Canada


text:
As per Bloomberg Quint, three state-run processors including Indian Oil Corp, the nation’s top refiner, are currently functioning at close to 100% capacity or higher, as disclosed by people with knowledge of the matter. The strong demand for gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas has pushed this speedy recovery as many are choosing to drive their own cars overtaking public transport and cooking at home to avoid restaurant delivery.
The situation in the world’s No. 2 oil market is in lieu with a massive boomerang in top consumer China and underscores how Asian markets are leading crude’s rally even as vaccines offer hope for a wider revival. The uneven distribution of India’s recovery is similar to its neighbour’s revival — gasoline usage in both nations shot up when people returned to work — while demand for diesel in the still-faltering Asian economy delayed that of China.
In the first half of this month, Indian gasoline and LPG sales stepped up 10% than the same time last year, according to preliminary data compiled by the nation’s top three fuel retailers. The sale of diesel, the country’s most popular fuel, dropped down in comparison with year-ago figures by 5% while the use of aviation fuel was halved.
The strong gasoline demand and seemingly “endless” thirst for LPG have prompted the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited to run its plant in southern India at close to 100%, with runs expected to rise above-installed capacity in January and through the first quarter, Managing Director M. Venkatesh said. The Mangalore plant will increase intake to about 1.3 million tons of crude in December, up from 1 million in November, he said. Crude runs are predicted to rise to 1.4 million in January and February.
Many Indian refiners can hike processing rates above capacity due to debottlenecking and expansion projects. Strong automobile sales and a boost in industrial and construction activity are also expected to heave up demand, said Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Chairman Mukesh Kumar Surana. Refinery runs at HPCL are currently at over 100%, with petrol sales escalating at a pace of about 5%.
At Indian oil, crude throughput soared to 100% of designed capacity in November from 88% a month before and 55% in early-May, the company said in a statement. Overall consumption of petroleum products was almost at pre-COVID-19 levels last month with gasoline and LPG sales reporting a year-on-year increase.
Unlike China, where the demand recovery resulted from a near-complete eradication of COVID-19, India’s plants are returning to full capacity before the disease is driven out. While daily cases are declining, restrictions on public transport and travel continue.


text:
InfoTrends' latest study indicates that 11% of bills and statements are delivered exclusively through electronic means in North America, with that percentage increasing to 22% by 2014.
Over the last decade, the transaction presentment and payment markets have been in a state of change due to advances in technology, changing consumer preference, and biller's focus on cost reduction. The Future of Electronic Bill Presentment & Payment in North America provides an understanding of where electronic bill presentment and payment (EBPP) is being adopted; what the obstacles are to faster adoption; and what billers, service providers, and technology vendors will need to do to better target their strategies.
According to this research, the biggest challenge for billers relative to driving electronic adoption is that most consumers still prefer printed mail. Consumers value that bills received by mail are easy to review, provide a physical back-up, and serve as a reminder to pay. Top benefits for electronic delivery include being good for the environment, convenience, and that the service is free.
Top Three Benefits of Receiving Mail versus Electronic Bills
"As billers drive forward with electronic presentment and payment initiatives, it is imperative that they address core consumer concerns," stated Matt Swain, Senior Consultant at InfoTrends. "We discovered noted differences in the rate of adoption and attitude towards electronic presentment based on age, region, access to technology, and bill type. There is no 'one size fits all' approach to driving adoption, especially given that consumer preference also varies by vertical market."
The Future of Electronic Bill Presentment & Payment in North America provides answers to questions surrounding the EBPP market from the perspective of consumers, transaction document outsourcing services providers, vendors, and corporate enterprises.
InfoTrends engaged in 1,032 consumer interviews, 123 interviews with billers from the Banking, Financial, Healthcare, Insurance, Telecommunications, and Utilities markets, as well as 15 in-depth interviews with key stakeholders in the electronic bill and presentment and payment market.


text:
10 December 2020
WINNING HILUX 'LIKE LOTTO' FOR LUCKY TOYOTA FORKLIFT CUSTOMER
Luck smiled on Glen Gangemi when his name was pulled out of a hat to win a new Toyota HiLux SR5 worth more than $60,000, after being entered in Toyota Material Handling Australia's Get More Sales Event.
30 November 2020
ZIP WATER ON THE BOIL WITH TOYOTA MATERIAL HANDLING
Iconic Australian brand, Zip Water, recently acquired a substantial fleet of new Toyota Material Handling equipment to support its large investment in an expanded production line that greatly increases output for its flagship HydroTap range.
12 November 2020
NEW TOYOTA FORKLIFTS A 'CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK' FOR FROZEN FOOD SUPPLIER
A thriving business specialising in the distribution of frozen food and supplies to fish and chip shops has recently added another new piece of Toyota Material Handling equipment to its fleet - an 8 Series gas-powered 2.5-tonne 32-8FG25 counterbalance forklift - after first-buying a Toyota forklift, 25 years ago.


text:
Posted November 30, 2004: Findings from an Internet
survey indicate future farm success will involve farmers
and ranchers and their cooperatives knowing how to effectively
manage the Internet for marketing. That was the sentiment
registered by 86 percent of individuals responding to
an online survey conducted by National Farmers Union,
a general farm organization representing more than a quarter
of a million farm families nationwide and headquartered
in metro Denver.
“The purpose of this survey
was to find out from farmers, ranchers and rural citizens
ways they may be using the Internet and its relevance
to their farm business and local cooperatives,”
said Jeff Moser, project manager and NFU director of
economic and co-op development.
Perhaps the most significant finding in the survey
was 58 percent of the responding farmers said they used
the Internet for doing farm business for buying and
“From that key result Farmers Union is encouraged
by helping farmers and ranchers and their co-ops to
use the Internet for marketing and selling niche services
and goods like specialty cheeses, par-baked breads,
premium pasta, organic soybeans, and natural meats,”
The survey also found that:
- 80 percent use the Internet daily,
- 51 percent made a purchase over the Internet
within the past six months,
- 47 percent are interested in marketing the products
of their own farm or co-op over the Internet,
- 44 percent declared they were presently members
of a co-op and/or credit union, and
- 43 percent said their farm or the cooperative
that they are associated with had a website.
According to other recent statistics, online retailing
in the United States accounts for 2.3 percent of all
retail sales or approximately $100 billion annually.
In the NFU survey, security was the No. 1 Internet concern
of 50 percent of all respondents, followed in order
by privacy, reliability of service, affordability of
service, and easy to learn.
The NFU survey is part of a larger project to enhance
rural business from an existing online learning center
created two years ago by NFU. The Web site, www.e-cooperatives.com,
was created to tie Internet education with online retailing
so the specialty products of farms and farm cooperatives
become more readily available to consumers, said Moser.
“We seek to increase value to consumers, raise
farm profits and add to the quality of rural life.”
“E-cooperatives.com educates and helps family
farmers and ranchers carve out a niche, add value to
their products and enhance their bottom line,”
said Missouri Farmers Union President Russ Kremer. “It
also helps create authentic relationships between producers
“I feel that consumers want convenience, and
like the producers who supply the food, also focus on
value, taste and health,” said Sue Beitlich, a
dairy farmer from Wisconsin and that state’s Farmers
Union president. Beitlich is a member of the NFU e-commerce
team of farmers, cooperative specialists and Internet
developers guiding the project.
Forester Research, an independent technology research
company, projects that by the year 2009, half of U.S.
households will have broadband at home. During this
year’s holiday season, Beitlich and her client
team at the NFU hope to launch the retail component
to www.e-cooperatives.com. Then family farmers and co-ops
will have a new venue on the Internet for reaching online
shoppers seeking better produce from local farms.
National Farmers Union fielded the online survey between
Aug. 10 and Sept. 6 and motivated 827 respondents by
entering them in a random drawing for a laptop computer,
held Oct. 13. The survey was also provided offline to
attendees at various state and local fairs around the
country including in California, Colorado, and Missouri.
Specifically, 408 farmers, ages 17-87 and from 24 states
took part in the survey, representing 49 percent or
near half of all individuals participating. Of the farmers,
78 percent indicated they had been farming at least
10 years or more. The NFU survey was similar to one
conducted in March 2004 by the NFU when 268 persons
responded from 23 states. Seventeen percent of the survey
participants identified themselves as current Farmers


text:
"Just because a new platform is out there, doesn't mean you need
to be on it," said Tyler Brule, Monocle's editor in chief.
It's perhaps an attitude permissible mostly because Monocle is
such a targeted product, aimed at a relatively small audience of
jet-setting readers or those who aspire to join them. But Mr.
Brule's skeptical view of social media permeates Monocle's
business. The magazine is not present on any social platform, nor
does it employ a social media editor. And, unlike most websites,
you won't find a single social media logo on monocle.com. Your best
bet to keep up with it on Twitter is an unverified account,
seemed to post Monocle stories as they were published... until it
stopped tweeting this summer.
"I would love to see numbers about how many people read the
tweet and then actually go to the main article," said Mr. Brule,
articulating one of a series of reasons he's skeptical about
social. People like news flashes and tickers, he said, arguing that
the main Twitter experience is satisfying enough, and that few
click through to the actual publisher content itself.
When asked whether it was a mistake to forsake engaging
potential readers online, Mr. Brule said he prefers the quality of
in-person engagement with readers. It's like a dinner at a well-set
table, he said, as opposed to trying to speak to an audience in a
"Why break with that?" Mr. Brule asked. "Why distract ourselves
with other things?"
Mr. Brule, for his part, is practicing what he preaches. He
picked up the phone after a dinner in Singapore, in the midst of a
book tour that will hit four continents. "We certainly see that
when you roll into town, it often pays dividends in the
slipstream," Mr. Brule said, noting that at each promotional stop
the magazine sees a surge in subscriptions, newsstand sales and
A rejection of social media, Mr. Bruel said, also helps preserve
the mystique of Monocle's brand. "Being on all the time, I think
there's something a little bit cheap about it," he said. "Being
available all the time, in courtship just like in consumerism is
probably not such a good idea."
Rafat Ali, the founder of PaidContent, business travel website
Skift, and self-professed Monocle "fanboy," said Monocle's approach
can't work for just any publisher. "If you have a robust online
strategy, you cannot not have a robust social strategy." he said.
"You can't exist assuming people will discover you through just
search or maybe email. Social has to be a part of it."
But, Mr. Ali added, "his strategy is working for him, so who are
we to say that he is wrong and we are right?"


text:
The Grants – up to £3,500 for a zero emission car and £8,000 for a plug-in van could be axed at the end of March.
Now, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association has called on recently appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak to confirm in the Budget on March 11 the long-term continuation of the Plug-in Car and Van Grants as the UK transitions to a zero-emission future.
To safeguard the Grants, which help bridge the price gap between electric vehicles and their petrol or diesel counterparts, the BVRLA has called on stakeholders from across the industry, including fleet managers, to write to their local MP and has set up a campaign page on its website to speed up the process – https://www.bvrla.co.uk/resource/taking-action-on-picg.html.
The Government has said that only new 100% electric and hydrogen cars will be on sale from 2035 – and possibly earlier subject to consultation – as it ends the sale of petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, prompting BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney to say: “By setting these new decarbonisation targets, the Government is in danger of writing a cheque that the fleet sector cannot cash.
“Businesses are being asked to invest billions of pounds in new electric vehicles and infrastructure over a short timescale. Tax incentives are vital, but so are the Plug-in Grants. They need to be maintained in some form until at least 2025 if we are to deliver the transition that is required.”
The Plug-In Car Grant is calculated to reduces the cost of a typical leased electric vehicle by around 25% or £100 per month.


text:
Intel RealSense ID price starts at $99 (roughly Rs. 7,300) and will start shipping in March.
Intel RealSense ID has been introduced as a facial recognition system that will let users unlock things with a glance. Intel RealSense ID combines an active depth sensor with a specialised neural network that the company says is designed to deliver secure, accurate, and user-aware facial authentication. The Face ID-like system works with smart locks, ATMs, gate access control, and more. Intel RealSense ID will be available at the end of Q1 2021 and can be shipped to most countries, including India.
Intel RealSense ID price, availability
Intel RealSense ID F455 Peripheral is priced at $99 (roughly Rs. 7,300). Intel RealSense ID F450 Module, on the other hand, is available in a 10-pack and is priced at $750 (roughly Rs. 55,100). Intel RealSense ID can be pre-ordered right now but will be shipped in the first week of March. The credit-card sized product can be shipped to most countries, including India, as per the official website.
Intel RealSense ID features
Intel RealSense ID uses two camera lenses and sensors that can capture depth. As per Intel, traditional authentication methods tend to leave users vulnerable to ID theft and security breaches, which is why companies and individuals are turning to face-authentication technology.
Intel RealSense ID has inbuilt anti-spoofing technology to protect against false entry attempts using photographs, videos, or masks, as per the company. It claims to provide a one-in-a-million false acceptance rate.
The Face ID-like technology adapts to users over time as they change physical features, such as facial hair and glasses, as per Intel. The company says that RealSense ID combines depth with a specialised neural network, a dedicated system-on-chip (SoC), and embedded secure element to encrypt and process user data quickly and safely.
According to Intel, RealSense ID has an easy enrolment process and doesn’t require any network setup. Intel stresses on privacy and says that the solution is only activated through user awareness and will not authenticate unless prompted by a pre-registered user. The company claims that the solution is privacy driven and that the ID processes all facial images locally and encrypts all data.


text:
tech2 News StaffDec 01, 2017 07:54:58 IST
Christmas might have just arrived early, as Amazon India today announced the start of its 'iPhone fest' with discounts being offered across older as well as newer iPhones. The fest begins at 2 pm on 30 November and will go on until 9 December.
As per a statement by Amazon, customers can avail discounts on all iPhone variants beginning with the iPhone SE up to the new iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. To spice things further, lucky customers can also pick up the flagship iPhone X which goes on sale at 2 PM today. Stocks, however, will we limited and Amazon has already warned users ahead about it.
In addition, customers can get discounts of up to Rs.9500 on exchange of old iPhones, No Cost EMI up to 6 months on HDFC credit card along with Rs.2,000 instant discount on HDFC Bank Debit and Credit Card transactions.
To bring the discounts into perspective, the 32 GB Space Grey variant of the Apple iPhone 6 will be available for Rs. 25,990, down by Rs 3,510. The iPhone SE on the other hand which sells for Rs. 26,000 is being sold for Rs. 19,000. The iPhone 7 also sees a discount worth Rs. 7,000 for the 32 GB Jet Black variant, selling at Rs 41,999. The 128 GB and 256 GB variants of the iPhone 7 have been priced at Rs. 51,999 and Rs. 53,999.
The newly launched iPhone 8 and the 8 Plus which retail for Rs 64,000 and Rs. 73,000 for the base 64 GB variant, are now selling for Rs. 59,350 and Rs. 69,685 respectively.
Tech2 is now on WhatsApp. For all the buzz on the latest tech and science, sign up for our WhatsApp services. Just go to Tech2.com/Whatsapp and hit the Subscribe button.


text:
The best palates of the world were brought together by Vinexpo Fair (June 14 to 18 in Bordeaux, France) and Decanter magazine to judge wines from all over the globe.
Now in its 12th year, the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) is the world’s largest and most influential wine competition. The Decanter World Wine Awards is trusted internationally for its rigorous judging process. The world’s most renowned wine authorities fly in from over 20 countries to be part of the judging panel, which includes over 60 Masters of Wine, over 15 Master Sommeliers and previous winners of the World’s Best Sommelier title.
International trophies are the highest accolade a wine can achieve at the DWWA. Wines that have already been awarded regional trophies – themselves all gold medal winners – are pitted against each other according to their style in lengthy blind tasting sessions, conducted by a select team of experts at Decanter’s purpose- built tasting room in London.
This year’s awards saw 35 international trophies awarded from a total 15,929 wines tasted at the beginning of the judging process, including eight for France, six for Australia and five for South Africa and four for Spain.
Spain has boosted its reputation as a rising force in fine wine at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2015, taking the international trophy for Red Bordeaux varietals over £15, in a year that produced several surprises and also saw Australian, French and South African wines prosper.
In results announced on the first day of Vinexpo 2015, Spain’s Miguel Torres scooped the international trophy for Red Bordeaux varietals over £15 for its Reserva Real 2010 vintage from Penedes in Catalonia. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes and was created in the 1990s, following a visit of Spain’s King Don Juan Carlos to the winery.
Torres’ victory in a Bordeaux category is a further example of Spain’s growing reputation for quality. Sarah Jane Evans MW, regional chair for Spain and Sherry at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2015, has said that Spain is ‘the most exciting thing happening in European wine right now’.
Other Spanish wines taking international trophies at this year’s awards include Gonzalez Byass’ Cuatro Palmas, an Amontillado Sherry, which won Dry fortified over £15.
Among the international trophy winners was Bay of Fires‘ Sauvignon Blanc 2014 vintage from Tasmania – produced by Hardys owner Accolade Wines – which won Sauvignon Blanc over £15.
Back in Europe, Slovenia won the international trophy for Sweet wine over £15 thanks to Ptujska Klet Pullus’ Laski Rizling 2012 vintage.
There were also signs of Bordeaux recouping greater recognition for dry white wines – as featured in Anson on Thursday – after Chateau Brown won White blend over £15 for its 2013 vintage.
Elsewhere, UK retailer Marks & Spencer proved that good quality white Burgundy doesn’t have to cost a fortune by winning the international trophy for Chardonnay under £15 for its own-label Macon Villages, Cote Maconnais 2014 vintage.
DWWA chairman Steven Spurrier said, ‘Our standards are high, and so are our expectations. We only award medals to wines in which consumers can have the utmost confidence.’


text:
Following the recently announced cut in excise duty in the interim budget, Volkswagen has reduced prices of all its cars in the Indian market. Prices for the Volkswagen Polo have been reduced by Rs 18,000-Rs 31,000. For the Vento, prices have been reduced by Rs 14,500-Rs 27,000. Jetta prices have been reduced by Rs 38,000-Rs 51,000.
“We welcome the Government’s decision to reduce excise duty on cars and we at Volkswagen have decided to pass on the entire benefit to our customers. We hope this move will help improve the market sentiment in the automotive industry,” said Mr. Arvind Saxena, Managing Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars.
Excise benefits will be applicable with immediate effect.


text:
Microsoft is always looking into different solutions to improve the hinge mechanism of its 2-in-1 Surface Pro and Surface Book devices. A recently discovered patent revealed that Microsoft is considering revolutionary touchpad for the Surface Pro 7 and now another patent has revealed that the firm wants to improve the hinge mechanism of its Surface Book.
Spotted by us, a Microsoft patent titled ‘Locking mechanism’ was published by USPTO on June 25, 2019. In the filing, Microsoft has discussed a secure connection that would offer a minimal gap between the first portion and second portion of a device.
“The gap may be dependent on the type of locking mechanism used and/or the tolerances (e.g., the differences in the actual dimensions from the desired dimensions of the design) designed into the locking components of the locking mechanism,” the patent reads.
The patent also points to free play movements of the device:
“For example, when a user pushes on the top of the first portion with a small force (e.g., 1 Newton), the free play of the entire computing device is the amount of angular displacement about the hinge,” the filing reads.
It’s worth noting that patents aren’t necessarily predictors of what a final device from the Redmond firm will look like. Also, the date when the patent was published does not mean that a new Microsoft Surface device is around the corners. However, it does confirm that Microsoft is exploring various solutions to 2-in-1 device challenges.
Multiple patents for foldable Microsoft devices were published in the past few months, including a patent that aims to improve the durability of a complex dual-screen device.
On paper, foldable smartphones and dual-screen 2-in-1s seem like the perfect idea, but in reality, such designs come with quite a few challenges.
A recently-published Microsoft patent suggests that foldable displays are at risk of damage when the two parts of the device come in contact. Microsoft, however, appears to have a solution to durability concerns.
Spotted by us, a Microsoft patent titled ‘Hinged device’ was published by USPTO on July 30, 2019. In the filing, the Redmond firm says the first and second portions of dual-screen devices might contact one another at ‘certain angles of rotation’. When two portions are brought near each other, the possibility of display or mechanism damage is higher.
The patent goes on to say that Microsoft could prevent the device from sustaining damage by implementing ‘determinative hinge assemblies’ that would rotationally secure first and second device portions relative to a first hinge axis.
More recently, a patent for wireless charging support on a dual-screen device was also published by the USPTO.


text:
Get your motor running – Head out on the highway.
Posts by Author
Hydrogen fuel cells have long been seen as a potentially perfect way to power a car: They generate electricity and emit only water vapor. While a few cars have been tested, Toyota Motor Corp. (7203) is about ready to roll. The automaker that defied skeptics in the ’90s with its Prius gasoline-electric hybrid cars is [Read More]
I had thought about it and dismissed it, but it still left a nagging afterthought. The final tip-off came when my neighbor, Brian, saw the red five-door hatchback in my driveway and asked if it wasn’t the same car I had last week. For two weeks, it’s been a blur of red cars that, to [Read More]
If there’s any news attached to the Palo Alto Concours this year, it’s the fact that it’s been moved from a Stanford University field, where it had held sway for 38 years, to the San Mateo County Event Center in the city of San Mateo. The simple explanation is that Stanford wanted its field back. [Read More]
The old air-cooled Volkswagen Bug — or Beetle, if you prefer — was launched just over 76 years ago and many of them are still on the road. The company was founded by Ferdinand Porsche (name sound familiar?) in Germany in 1937 and since then and 2003, when production was shut down, more than 21 [Read More]
Ford introduced its iconic Mustang brand in 1964, but the original concept car didn’t look too much like the finished product. The concept car, which was dubbed Mustang 1, debuted in 1962. It had quite a few technical and styling cues that were different from the model that rolled off the assembly line in 1964. [Read More]
Ordinarily, we think of plug-in hybrids as those gas-sipping, range-extending cars like a Toyota Prius or Ford Fusion Energi. The general idea is to get even more miles per gallon, eke out that image of sipping, rather than gulping gas. Now we have Aston Martin linking up with Bosch to make a plug-in version of [Read More]


text:
PETALING JAYA: Roti canai is now the “new king” of Malaysian delights, dethroning the all-time favourite nasi lemak, on the food delivery list.
This Indian-influenced flatbread snack, which is a popular dish in mamak and Indian restaurants, is ranked No. 1 on the GrabFood and FoodPanda list during this movement control order (MCO) period.
Before the first day of the MCO on March 18, roti canai was not even ranked on the list.
FoodPanda Malaysia managing director Sayantan Das said roti canai and roti telur were now its main items for breakfast and snacks.
Next on the list are nasi goreng kampung, nasi goreng ayam and nasi ayam penyet.
Nasi Lemak has dropped to sixth spot, followed by satay ayam, chicken rice, nasi goreng Pattaya and nasi kukus ayam berempah.
He said there was also increasing orders for pizza and coffee in their delivery service nationwide.
Fried chicken continues to dominate the “comfort food” segment. This is followed by pizza and bubble tea (popular among the young), mushroom soup, ice cream,
chicken burger, tea, roast chicken, nuggets and coffee.
Second on Grab’s list is satay, followed by egg tart, roti telur, tau foo fah (a Chinese dessert made with soft tofu), and siew pau.
Nasi lemak is listed seventh in its top 10 list, followed by nasi impit, telur dadar (omelette) and nasi goreng kampung. Teh tarik is ranked 11th.
Malaysia Grab country head Sean Goh said many of the food items which made it to the GrabFood order list during this MCO were relatively new entries.
“It’s quite clear that many of us are missing the mamak and local street food during this stay-at-home period, ” he added.
Goh said there was an increasing demand for “comfort food” among Malaysians, with cakes, apple pie, ice cream and caffe latte topping its list.
Before the MCO, he said its data showed that the people indulged more in fast food items like fried chicken, burgers, pizza, fries and bubble tea.
For online delivery orders from local mini-marts, the trend showed that Malaysians were health conscious.
High demand for carbonated drinks and snack items such as coke, 100 plus, milo, caramel popcorn and instant curry noodles have been superseded by health-based items such as wet wipes, hand sanitisers, face masks, fruits and bottled water instead.
Goh said GrabFood would like small local eateries, including hawkers, to participate in e-business to boost their visibility.
“They can participate in GrabFood’s Local Heroes campaign to create awareness of their offerings.
“Under the campaign, during the MCO, participating retailers need not have to pay any commission to Grab when using its e-payment getaway to market their food and products via WhatsApp, Facebook, phone orders or voluntary self pick-ups, ” he said.


text:
11/19/2007 5:34 PM ET
Morning show focuses on negative Christmas shopping predictions as indicator of economic health, despite strong job growth.
11/7/2007 2:29 PM ET
Annual worries over 'weak' holiday spending hit the airwaves when it's barely November.
12/27/2006 11:20 AM ET
An increase of 6.5 percent leaves networks unsatisfied.
11/22/2006 12:30 PM ET
USA Today takes stores to task for advertising toys to kids.
10/6/2006 9:51 AM ET
One analyst said of robust sales figures that 'everything came together' in September.
9/19/2006 5:51 PM ET
Post downbeat about Christmas shopping while NY Times has positive outlook.


text:
‘Less than 50 years ago, women could be turned down for a credit card based solely on their gender’: Behind the launch of The Card by Seneca Women
- The card will reward shoppers for making purchases at women-owned businesses.
- The move could especially appeal to Gen Z consumers, who place extra weight on companies’ ESG initiatives.
Earlier this month, Seneca Women, a global media and leadership company focused on advancing women, announced the upcoming release of The Card by Seneca Women this Spring.
This credit card will be the first card to award shoppers for shopping at women-owned businesses and is powered by Deserve and Mastercard. Deserve provides credit as a service to financial service and consumer brands like Sallie Mae.
Card holders will receive 3% cash back for shopping at women-owned businesses included in the Seneca Women Marketplace — a collection of companies that have gotten the Seneca Women stamp of approval for being owned by women. By the time this card is released, Seneca Women expects one million companies in the marketplace.
This content is available exclusively to Tearsheet Outlier members.
Missing out? Subscribe today and you’ll receive unlimited access to all Tearsheet content, original research, exclusive webinars and events, member-only newsletters from Tearsheet editors and reporters and much more. Join Outlier now — only $49/mo. Already an Outlier member? Sign in to your account