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UK retail sales fall less than forecast, clothing weak
[LONDON] British retail sales fell less than expected in February after a bumper performance the month before, suggesting consumer demand remains relatively robust, official figures showed on Thursday.
Retail sales volumes dropped 0.4 per cent last month after a 2.3 per cent rise in January, partly reflecting weak demand for new season's clothes, the Office for National Statistics said.
Economists in a Reuters poll had forecast they would decline by 0.7 per cent.
Compared with a year earlier, sales in February are up 3.8 per cent, in line with economists' expectations for them to slow from a growth rate of 5.4 per cent in January.
"Retailers had another strong month in February compared with last year, with the exception of clothing and footwear,"ONS statistician Melanie Richard said. "Some of those stores have been telling us that sales of their new spring and summer collections were hit by the cold and wet weather last month."
British consumer demand has been robust and has driven economic growth over the past couple of years, buoyed by record employment, modestly rising wages and near-zero inflation, all of which have given households more disposable income.
Last month the BoE forecast household consumption would rise by 2.75 per cent this year, the same as in 2015 and faster than the economy as a whole would grow.
But there have been some signs of a slowdown. Figures earlier this month from the British Retail Consortium showed year-on-year growth in retail spending dropped to 1.1 per cent in February from 3.3 per cent in January.
Similar ONS figures showed the value of retail sales rose by 1.4 per cent on the year in February.
The ONS said sales in the three months to February had suffered due to the sharpest drop in clothing sales since December 1990, which fell by 3.4 per cent.
Milder than normal weather in December had dented demand for winter clothing, while an unusually wet February had hurt appetite for spring clothes.
Retail sales volumes overall in the three months to February rose by 0.8 per cent, the weakest increase since August.
British supermarkets Sainsbury's reported its first quarterly rise in sales in more than two years this month, but conditions for food retailers overall remain challenging, with prices flat or falling and strong competition from discounters Aldi and Lidl.
The ONS's measure of retail sales inflation fell by 2.5 per cent in February, the smallest decline since December 2014.


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MUJI U.S.A., a division of the Japanese retailer, announced Friday it had filed for bankruptcy group. It blamed falling income due to retail store closures for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
The chain has one Portland area, an 11,000-square-foot shop downtown in the old Meier & Frank Creating. The company stated it would continue being “fully operational” through the bankruptcy restructuring. Its 19 outlets throughout the place are in a variety of levels of reopening.
Bloomberg reported that the U.S. division had been running at a loss for the past three fiscal a long time. Past yr, Bloomberg said, it had a loss of about $10 million, according to its individual bankruptcy statement.
MUJI is a Japanese life style manufacturer recognised for its minimalism and a broad variety of goods ranging from stationery to gel pens to a comprehensive cleansing method to baggage to rice cookers to sweaters to snacks, as The Oregonian/OregonLive observed when the downtown retailer opened in November 2018. The store continues to be open day-to-day.
The retail division submitted for Chapter 11 personal bankruptcy reorganization Thursday in Delaware.
“MUJI has felt the devastating results of the COVID-19 pandemic on in-retail store retail, and as a end result will acquire this possibility to refocus our attempts in the United States on vital regional markets and e-commerce,” reported CEO Satoshi Okazaki.
The filing will come on the heels of two other retail bankruptcies: Brooks Brothers and Sur La Desk.
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April 6th, 2016
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Victoria Herbst, Director of PR
Chipotle to hold “adventurrito” contest
LAWRENCE, Kan.—Chipotle Mexican Grill will be hosting a burrito making contest this June in Kansas City, Kansas called “What’s your adventurrito?” The event is part of their efforts to reinforce that their ingredients are as fresh and as safe as ever.
The contest will be a competition between 15 participants to see who can make the most tasty and innovative “adventurrito” using only Chipotle ingredients. The winning burrito will win a cash prize of 500 dollars and will also be promoted at Chipotle chains across America for a limited time.
“I think this will be a great way to get a new perspective on our ingredients and how they can be used, as well as eat some delicious food,” says co-CEO of Chipotle, Steve Ells.
Ells will be acting as one of the judges for the contest and will be alongside Kansas City food critic Lisa Murphey, Royals player Wade Davis, and the mayor of Kansas City, Sly James.
Registration for this event began last week, and there have already been more than 50 applicants wanting to submit their tasty creations.
The event will take place in the Plaza in Kansas City on Saturday, June 11th. For more information about guidelines or to register go to www.adventurrito.com.


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Every year TIME Magazine pays tribute to the innovators, pioneers, thought leaders and creatives who have pushed culture forward by way of their TIME100 Most Influential People list. Over the years, the publication has celebrated the likes of dignitaries, politicians, entertainers and even educators who have inspired us to change the way we live, view the world and treat one another. This year, TIME has shown love to a few of our favs and, as is their protocol, allowed some of their peers to take over the job of giving them their roses. Among the honorees are fashion designer Aurora James, visionary writer and creator Shonda Rhimes, actress and style icon Tracee Ellis Ross, social and political leader Stacey Abrams, the ladies of Red Table Talk, The 1619 Project creator Nikole Hannah-Jones and Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles and Allyson Felix. Each trailblazer has been immortalized in this issue by other heavy-hitters in their own respect.
About Aurora James, the designer of AOC’s “Tax The Rich” MET Gala dress, British VOGUE editor-in-chief Edward Enniful had this to say, “When I think of the designer Aurora James...I see a woman who has not only shifted the culture in fashion but also rethought its economic power structures. These past two years have been a time of great upheaval for our industry, and have brought immense pain for the Black community. Yet James—a gifted designer and passionate activist—has risen up to take major retailers to task with her 15 Percent Pledge initiative, asking them to finally reflect the makeup of the U.S. population by stocking products from a proportionate number of Black-owned businesses on their shelves.”
TIME chose actress and comedian, Tiffany Haddish, to pay tribute to Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith and Adrienne Banfield Norris (aka Gammy) who make up Red Table Talk. The show has become somewhat of a saving grace during hard times for all of us and the actress spoke glowingly about Jada, her mother and her daughter “…Those communication skills—the way she can connect with people so genuinely—are on full display on Red Table Talk, the Facebook Watch talk show that Jada hosts with Willow and her mom Adrienne, a.k.a. Gammy. Willow and Gammy each brings something unique. Willow: she’s the voice of today, and not afraid to speak. She checked me once for judging people who chew their nails, and I respected that. Gammy: she’s old-school, but open to change. When I went on the show, it was the first time I met her, and I felt like we were born at different times but at the same vibration.
Allyson Felix received her love from former figure skater and Olympic gold medalist, Michelle Kwan. "She’s thoughtful, generous and knows she has the responsibility of being a role model for girls and boys who look up to her," she wrote. "I think Allyson sets an extraordinary example as a mother, as a woman and as an athlete. She has already paved the way in so many areas, including fighting for new maternity policies that will help the next generation of mothers and athletes. That will have a ripple effect that goes on forever."
The magazine has subsequently released several covers including one covered by Simone Biles, who is profiled by Serena Williams. "What she embodies truly reflects the endless potential of Black women," Williams says about Biles. "I wish I had her to look up to when I was younger and trying to realize my dreams."
We cannot wait to get our hands on a copy of this prolific issue of TIME.


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This year’s Oktoberfest will be the first time San Miguel Beer goes beyond the typical one month celebration, now with 120 days of fiesta that goes on and on all over the country. Coinciding with the festival, San Miguel is coming out with a limited edition San Miguel Oktoberfest Beer — a new beer that’s
full flavored yet lite bodied — sweetish in taste and smooth to the finish, as Juned would put it.
A few things on the Oktoberfest: two Guinness world record attempts, a Third Eye Blind concert, and the Oktoberfest Beer. Of course Juned could tell you more about it, I’ve only got photos from press launch.


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We’re half way through 2023 and new business trends have already emerged. Since the start of the pandemic, many SMEs have had to adapt and change the way they do business. Though they have faced countless challenges, many small businesses are thriving. To see how small businesses have navigated the changing times, here the top 6 small business trends from 2023.
A Greater Emphasis on Employee Happiness
Modern business owners understand that employee happiness should come first. “Quiet quitting” was an emerging trend last year, and in order to combat it, small businesses are offering their employees more benefits and are becoming hybrid workplaces. Employees are becoming a part of a more flexible work environment where they can choose which hours work best for them and are being offered 4-day workweeks.
Small businesses are acknowledging the importance of mental health in the workplace and are offering mental health days in addition to paid sick leave. Small businesses are offering longer maternity and paternity leave to employees and are offering childcare benefits for parents, such as having a childcare facility onsite or offering childcare vouchers.
There has also been a rise in ongoing training programmes and improved communication in the workplace. These employee benefits are kickstarting a rise in productivity.
Closing Physical Stores and Selling Online
The pandemic has led to an increase in online shopping, so many small businesses have shut up shop in favour of e-commerce. Many consumers enjoy the convenience of being able to shop at any time of the day, having multiple payment options, and having their purchases delivered to their door.
Smaller businesses have closed their physical locations to lower their overhead costs, energy consumption, and carbon emissions. Having an online presence has expanded the number of sales they make, since they have a farther reach. In order to remain competitive, small businesses have turned to selling their products on online marketplaces and having digital marketing companies like Ignite Digital to build them e-commerce websites.
Many small businesses are incorporating sustainable business practices. This includes going paperless to reduce waste, redesigning packaging to make it smaller, and using more ethical suppliers. They are also partnering with local businesses to ensure that their products are locally sourced.
Small businesses are becoming more transparent about their environmental impact and social responsibility because customers want to buy from businesses that share their values. They’re even sharing their long-term goals and are opening up to suggestions from their customers and the local community about how they can improve their sustainability.
Marketing takes considerable time that small businesses can’t spare, so marketing campaigns are being outsourced. For some small businesses, it’s not economical to hire an in-house marketing team full time; it’s more cost-effective to outsource it. Small businesses are choosing to focus on digital marketing as opposed to traditional marketing, and outsourcing it to an expert means that they are more likely to get a return on investment.
If you’re a small business in need of marketing help, look up “SEO Toronto” online to find the right SEO agency for you.
Personalised Customer Service
Customers have come to expect personalised customer service. Small businesses are improving user experience on their sites by making them more accessible and providing personalised recommendations based on their customers browsing history. Businesses are doing more keyword research to gain insight into what their clients want. For example, if a moving businesses sees that potential customers are looking up “orange county movers”, they can target them with personalised ads and emails.
Expanding Their Range of Products and Services
Small businesses are trying to appeal to more customers and retain their existing ones by expanding their range of products and services. By offering new products, they can create multiple revenue streams and one-up their competitors. Small businesses are trying to diversify their products to satisfy their customer’s needs and are bundling their old and new products to increase their average order value (AOV).
Not all small businesses have implemented these changes in 2023, but the ones that have are seeing the benefits already. If you’re a small business owner looking to follow these trends, take your time and make the changes gradually.
Image Credits: Tim Mossholder


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Bandsintown Adds Apple Music Integration, Shares Impressive Concert Discovery Stats
The app update also allows Bandsintown users who are not currently Apple Music subscribers to more easily sign up for the service. The Apple MusicKit is now live in the latest version of the Bandsintown Concerts App, available now on the App Store.
“We’re thrilled to offer fans this new enhanced experience“ said Fabrice Sergent, Bandsintown Managing Partner. “Promoting artist discovery is very important to us, and Apple Music subscribers can now browse and listen to an artist’s catalog without having to switch between apps.”
Powering Concert Discovery At An Impressive Rate
Bandsintown also shared some new stats:
- 50% of Bandsintown users RSVP to attend events of artists they discovered on the platform.
- In a recent user survey 78% of Bandsintown users said that it’s their most trusted source of concert recommendations.


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Main Street American partners with American Express to create Inclusive Banking
Exciting news Atmore!!
To back underrepresented small business owners as they navigate the pandemic and plan for long-term success and resilience, American Express is partnering with Main Street America to launch a $1.65M year-round grant program called inclusive Backing.
To learn more visit: https://www.mainstreet.org/howwecanhelp/inclusivebacking
Main Street Atmore is a proud affiliate of Main Street America, and we strive to help our local business and property owners. #discoverlocal #supportsmall #shoplocal #discoveratmore


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We know that BlackBerry has never devices that they have planned for the year, as well as devices that they have planned for the future. So far this year alone, BlackBerry has more or less confirmed two devices in an official capacity: the BlackBerry Classic and the BlackBerry Z3. However it seems that behind closed doors during a BlackBerry Experience Event in London, BlackBerry showed off a couple of new phones that have yet to be officially announced. Those invited to attend the event were under NDA, but apparently someone had leaked what was shown off, but like we said due to the secrecy of the event, we can’t confirm if the reports are true, so be sure to take it with a grain of salt for now.
BlackBerry recently held an Experience Event in London. Most of the invited members of the press were supposedly then held under a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for the remainder of the event. What were they going to be shown? BlackBerry apparently showed three to four unreleased devices, which where: Windermere, Classic, Porsche P’9983, and a mysterious all-touch. The Windermere being the unofficially dubbed “Q30″ and the Classic is the device we probably won’t actually call the “Q20″. Porsche Design will finally soon introduce a QWERTY BlackBerry 10 smartphone called the P’9983. Currently, they only have the Z10 remake called the P’9982. Furthermore, BlackBerry allegedly showed off an all-touch device. This device might be the “Manitoba” we’ve been hearing so much about? Our editor James Nieves recently discussed the Manitoba all-touch device in length onour latest N4BB Live webcast. The device reportedly looked like a second iteration of the Z30. It will be interesting to see if more information begins to trickle out about these devices. Perhaps, we’ll see that64-bit BlackBerry device with 1080p resolution quite soon after all.


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Facebook has rolled out its redesigned website for desktop with dark mode for the majority of users around the world. The social-media giant first announced the redesign in the F8 conference this year.
It later tested the redesign in October last year. This year, in March, Facebook even let select users switch between Classic mode and Dark mode for desktop. To activate the dark mode, the Facebook desktop user had to go to the Settings option and select Activate Dark Mode from the drop down option.
Now, New Facebook is rolling out for all desktop users globally.
"Facebook has now launched its new redesign for all users. This week we introduced the new Facebook.com. It’s faster, easier to use and gives your eyes a break with Dark Mode," Facebook’s blogpost noted.
Facebook had stated that its redesign would offer dark mode, tabbed home screen and a cleaner profile when it was made available to select users.
True to its word, Facebook’s redesign has all those features.
The most prominent feature of redesign of the desktop is the Dark Mode. The dark mode helps users reduce the glare, Facebook noted. The low brightness will be easier on the eyes with contrast and vibrancy. The dark mode proves advantageous to desktop users using Facebook in low light. In addition to this, the layout has been tweaked, too, to get better watching experience.
Some other features that Facebook has highlighted in its new desktop version like finding things faster. Facebook has noted that the new redesign will bring with it features that will help its users find or navigate things conveniently. Be it groups, games , people or pages, the redesign will help users discover things in a jiffy. It also noted that the pages will load faster and that the desktop experience will be close to using facebook on mobile.
The layout is cleaner with streamlined navigation through tabs and this will be on top of a home screen. The site will be decluttered as the fonts are likely bigger with neater layouts.
Facebook has also added a Preview option wherein users can see what a group or a page would look like before actually creating it.


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Already available in Germany, Austria and elsewhere, the US-based streaming-video service says it will expand to Spain, Portugal and Italy later this year.
On today's episode of the 404, the exceptionally witty and talented Caitlin Petrakovitz discusses Jack Bauer, James Bond, and Marvel's newest Netflix series. Also Iyaz is there.
The Nvidia Shield is the most potent Android TV device yet, bringing 4K video, solid gaming and plenty of horsepower to the streaming platform. But it's still a niche product.
A twice-yearly Internet traffic report provides a peek at how the season premiere of the hit fantasy series boosted viewership of HBO's online services.
You can plan your holiday viewing early this year. Netflix announces its very own Christmas special -- with a mopey Bill Murray playing himself.
Netflix adds 58 titles, including the new season of "Orange Is The New Black," while dropping 55. Amazon Prime picks up 26 new titles including one of the worst movies ever made, "Troll 2."
Sci-fi, fantasy and superhero fans have lots to look forward to this summer and beyond. Our heroes tackle the best, and some others, too.
Click it, turn it, or swipe Nuimo to manipulate all of your connected Bluetooth devices.
Which films and TV shows should you go for when you're done bingeing on the man without fear?
The acclaimed director follows "House of Cards" with an HBO show based on the music video industry that spawned the likes of Michael Bay and Zack Snyder.
The streaming service is teaming with Ellen DeGeneres for a "cutting edge" animation based on the classic "Green Eggs and Ham." It's even written a poem.
UK broadcaster Sky reckons viewers still want television the old-fashioned way, as opposed to Netflix's data-driven commissioning.
Smosh tells CNET what it took to make it big online
Internet sensations Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla discuss how YouTube has changed and why among all their goals, "real TV" isn't an ambition.


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New Chesterfield firm’s workers visit
May 21, 2009 http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/business/local/article/B-SABR21_20090520-213410/268925/
One of the Richmond area's newest manufacturing companies is starting to acquaint itself with the region.
Sabra Dipping Co., a food products company that is building a factory in Chesterfield County, brought about 30 employees from its U.S. sales, marketing and executive team to Richmond this week for a three-day meeting.
Based in Astoria, N.Y., Sabra makes kosher, vegetarian foods. The company announced in November that it would open a plant in the Ruffin Mill Industrial Park in Chesterfield County to make refrigerated dips and spreads, including hummus.
The employees visited the site, where work has started on the plant. The factory is expected to create 260 jobs when it opens by mid-2010.
"Our plans are moving forward," said Meiky Tollman, the company's general manager and executive vice president
Yesterday, the employees took the afternoon to do some community service, helping with cleanup and repairs at the A.P. Hill Community Center in Petersburg.
"We see our future as being part of the community," Tollman said. "We wanted to learn about the community, and to be of service, and to start out the relationship the right way."
Sabra is a joint venture between Strauss Group, Israel's second-largest food company, and Purchase, N.Y.-based beverage company PepsiCo., which owns snack maker Frito-Lay. -- John Reid Blackwell


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FRANKFURT -- DaimlerChrysler wants to sell its diesel motors unit MTU Friedrichshafen to an industrial buyer, the German-American carmaker said again on Friday, but it gave no schedule for any disposal.
A spokesman declined to name any prospective buyers other than truck maker and industrial group MAN AG, which has publicly expressed its interest in the maker of diesel motors for heavy vehicles, construction equipment, ships and locomotives. "We have confirmed that we want to sell it to strategic investors. We have said that we will hold talks with MAN, but I cannot say anything more about additional interested parties or a timeline," the spokesman said.
Andreas Renschler, the head of DaimlerChrysler's commercial vehicles division, told reporters in Berlin on Thursday that the group was holding talks with several potential buyers but it was under no time pressure to divest the business.
MAN has said it is interested in MTU Friedrichshafen, but not at the 1.5 billion-euro ($1.83 billion) price floated in the media. The business employs nearly 6,700 staff and had 2004 sales of 1.35 billion euros.
Germany's Handelsblatt paper said that MAN still had the inside track to win the deal. Citing financial sources, it said that the MTU Friedrichshafen founding families Maybach and Zeppelin preferred to see a sale to an industrial partner.
Although they have only around 12 percent of the unit, they have a right of veto in important issues such as a sale, it said, which knocks out potential financial investors such as Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
The newspaper also cited financial and company sources as saying German piston maker Mahle GmbH was interested in MTU Friedrichshafen, but added that Mahle had denied it. Mahle could not be reached for comment immediately.
Revenue from selling MTU Friedrichshafen could help DaimlerChrylser offset up to 1.2 billion euros in charges it will take this year to restructure its loss-making Smart minicar business.


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The high-speed depositing system of TREIF`s industrial slicer DIVIDER 880 that allows continuous slicing of products like ham, sausage or salami was awarded with first prize in the SUCCESS innovation competition.
The Department of Trade and Industry of Rhineland-Palatinate and the ISB (Investment and Economic Development Bank of the state) annually award this prize to medium-sized companies for developing and launching pioneering, innovative products and technologies which are already being used on the market successfully. TREIF was nominated this year and won the first place.
From left: Eveline Lemke (Secretary of State for Trade and Industry of Rhineland-Palatinate), Uwe Reifenhaeuser (Managing Director), Thomas Kuehr, Juergen Melles, Uwe Ragnit (all TREIF), Dr. Ulrich Link (ISB board of directors).
The official appraisal stated: “TREIF has made a machine marketable that was brought into series production due to its performance and the resulting increase in productivity. It has already been supplied to several renowned companies in the food industry. The new generation of machines underlines the technological leadership of the company.”
The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry of Rhineland-Palatinate, Eveline Lemke, and Dr Ulrich Link (ISB board of directors) handed over the award to Uwe Reifenhaeuser, owner and CEO. He accepted the award together with Thomas Kuehr, Juergen Melles and Uwe Ragnit who are part of the team that developed the high speed depositing system.
The high speed depositing system features a technology which is used for continuous high speed slicing of food products in industrial systems.
Slicing continues while sliced packages are taken directly underneath the blade and transported safely. This allows a continuous product flow without so-called blank cuts – blade revolutions where the product is not sliced. On other systems, these blank cuts provide the time required to transport the sliced packages.
The high speed depositing system requires no blank cuts which waste precious time. That means that fewer blade revolutions are required for the same output. There is less wear on the product and it is possible to slice at higher product temperatures. Slicing at higher product temperatures is a great advantage particularly with regard to energy costs. Costs for cooling the products can be reduced significantly. Costs for working steps which would otherwise be required are also omitted. Slicing at higher product temperatures is also beneficial to product quality. After all, freezing products can change their flavour as well as their appearance and texture. Omitting the expensive blank cut head technology also results in lower maintenance costs.
“We are very proud of the award for a technology that is based on an intensive research and development work,” Reifenhaeuser says. The managing director explains: “For us, this innovation award is a very special incentive which also recognises that the innovation is already being used on the market successfully.”


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Stay on target
Bright orange “Garfield” phones have been mysteriously washing up on the French coast for more than 30 years and now, local beach cleaners have found out why they’ve appeared there.
The retro landline phones, which have been showing up on French beaches for decades, were suspected to be from a lost shipping container that spilled at sea, however, no one knew for sure what happened, AFP reported. However, a local resident revealed that he discovered the shipping container after a storm in the ’80s and local beach cleaners were finally able to find it in a partially-submerged cave.
GARFIELD PHONE MYSTERY: “Garfield” phones have been mysteriously washing up on French beaches for decades. No one knew where they came from — until now. https://t.co/t7sGLyfVBM pic.twitter.com/wjm4NZq0sn
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 29, 2019
“He told us where it was… it was very, very dangerous,” Claire Simonin, the head of local beach cleaning group Ar Viltansou in Brittany, told AFP. “We found this incredible fissure that is 100 feet deep and at the very bottom, there were the remains of a container. Under the boulders in front of the entrance, we found 23 complete handsets with electronics and wires.”
Local beach cleaners might have finally discovered where the “Garfield” phones came from, however, there are details missing on what happened to the shipping container, why it became wedged in the partially-submerged cave, and if many containers of “Garfield” phones ended up in the water and traveled to other locations.
“We have no idea what happened at the time: we do not know where it came from, what boat,” Fabien Boileau, director of the Iroise Marine Nature Park in Finistere, told AFP. “And, we don’t know if several containers fell into the water, or only one.”
For now, local beach cleaners will continue to pick up the “Garfield” phones from France’s beaches and keep an eye out for any other quirky plastic novelties that might wash up on the nation’s coast.
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Barnes & Noble, Microsoft end Nook deal
NEW YORK (AP) – Bookseller Barnes & Noble said Thursday it is ending its commercial agreement with Microsoft for its Nook e-book reader ahead of its planned Nook spinoff.
The news came as the largest U.S. traditional bookseller reported second-quarter net income that missed expectations.
Barnes & Noble, beset by tough competition from online retailers like Amazon and discount stores like Wal-Mart, said in June that it plans to split off its money-losing Nook e-reader division as it looks to boost shareholder value.
In 2012 Microsoft paid $300 million for a 17.6-percent stake in Barnes & Noble’s college bookstores and Nook business. The investment helped support the Nook business and Barnes & Noble supplied Nook content and apps for Microsoft’s Windows products. On Thursday Barnes & Noble said it will buy out Microsoft’s stake in the business for $125 million.
The company also said the spinoff could occur by the end of August 2015.
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Virgin Orbit pausing all work, reportedly furloughs staff
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US sues to block JetBlue from buying Spirit Airlines


text: According to an alleged T-Mobile inventory slide, we can expect the magenta carrier to launch the BlackBerry Armstrong. What is the Armstrong and when will it release? The ‘Armstrong’ is the codename for the BlackBerry Curve 9320. According to the slide, it is expected to release on September 26th. Any of you T-Mobile users plan on picking up this well-priced Curve?


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The group, which is owned by Jacqueline and David Johnson, has bought Park Wood Day Nursery in Bidston, the Wirral.
The 61-place nursery was formerly owned by husband and wife team, Mr and Mrs Witherspoon.
Since last autumn, Just Childcare has more than doubled its number of nurseries, growing from a chain of six to 15.
The acquisition brings the total number of nurseries owned by Just Childcare to 15, offering 816 places, which would make it the 25th largest nursery chain in the UK, according to data from Nursery World’s Nursery Chains 2014.
The group's other nurseries, which are all rated good and outstanding, are based in Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside and Cheshire.
Mr and Mrs Witherspoon said, ‘After 15 years of running our nursery business the time was right for us to bow out and explore pastures new.
‘We wish the new owners Just Childcare all the very best for the future.’
Nick Brown, associate director at Christie and Co, which brokered the same, said, ‘This was a highly confidential sale where we approached a handful of active buyers which resulted a deal being agreed within days of marketing commencing, a price was agreed with the buyer and all parties have worked together to make this deal happen in a short time frame.’


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The Division of Environmental Quality under the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality will no longer accept 12 d-CON products as legal for importation into the CNMI after March 31, 2015. All retailers are advised to discontinue the purchase of any of the 12 d-CON products on the list and will only have up to May 31, 2015, to sell existing inventory. Retailers are encouraged to phase out all existing inventory before the deadline to avoid violation notices and penalties.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached an agreement with the manufacturer, Reckitt Benckiser, to cancel these 12 d-CON rat and mouse poison products, which will help prevent risks to children, pets, and wildlife. Based on the agreement, Reckitt Benckiser will begin to phase out production of the 12 d-CON rat and mouse poison products in June 2014. Production of these products will stop by Dec. 31, 2014 and distribution to retailers will end by March 31, 2015.
The 12 d-CON products being canceled do not meet U.S. EPA’s current safety standards. All 12 of the products are sold without a protective bait station. Bait stations are required for consumer products to protect children and pets from contact with bait pellets. Also, eight of the 12 products contain second generation anticoagulants pesticides that pose unacceptable risks to non-target wildlife.


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New Delhi [India], Oct. 12 (ANI): With the aim of providing a faster and more intuitive AdWords for advertisers to reach their business goals, Google India has announced launch of an all new AdWords experience.
Helping businesses reach their customers in a more effective and faster way, the new AdWords experience will load pages, on average, faster by 20 percent, so that the information needed is accessed instantly.
"This rise in complexity has created the need to re-imagine AdWords, and over the past year, our product teams have been thinking hard about how we can make AdWords as relevant for the next 15 years as the first 15. With the new AdWords, there is less clutter and more intuitive workflows, allowing advertisers to now quickly make the changes that will move their business forward," said Jerry Dischler, vice president of product management, AdWords.
Aiming to remove clutter, making navigation a breeze and giving more reasons for people to click, Google also launched three other features, namely extensions, call bid adjustments and the Landing pages page built exclusively for the new experience.
'Extensions' enhances valuable information such as links, phone numbers or promotions. Globally, with new design and layout, customers like iProspect North have saved 30 percent more time on average when completing everyday tasks.
'Call bid adjustments' allow advertisers to control how often the call option appears with your search ads. Call bid adjustments, available exclusively in the new AdWords experience, can be used to increase bids on campaigns that drive valuable phone calls.
'Landing pages' page is designed to help users see how their landing pages are performing. On this new page, advertisers will be able to identify which URLs in their account are mobile-friendly, which ones drive the most sales, and which ones may require attention. (ANI)


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Want to buy a military-grade drone? That won’t be easy, unless you’ve got a good relationship with Beijing. A new market has emerged for inexpensive Chinese weapons, changing the regulatory calculus.
The recent Paris air show highlighted the trouble with the burgeoning drone economy: While the technology is better than ever, there still aren’t many people who can legally buy unmanned vehicles. Civilian buyers still face restrictions on usage. U.S. and European regulators are still mulling rules for drones to share airspace with planes and helicopters. And strict trade restrictions make it difficult for the traditional leaders in the field, U.S. and Israeli defense contractors, to export their drone technology. Just months after the first sale of U.S. drones to a non-NATO country, Germany cancelled the purchase of four Eurohawk drones after delays in certifying them for flight in Europe.
All the better for Chinese aerospace companies, which aren’t hindered by such rules. As a result, China could become a drones “proliferator” to developing countries, according to a report released on June 13 by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission:
“Chinese companies seem to be positioning themselves to become key suppliers of UAVs in the global market …Chinese UAVs are likely to be attractive to developing countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, particularly given their price points.”
China is developing UAV technology for widespread use in surveillance and combat. Almost every large manufacturer for the Chinese military hosts a research center dedicated to drone technology. The government proudly displays new designs at air shows and military parades. Last year, Chinese officials considered using a drone to kill a drug trafficker in Myanmar who had murdered 13 Chinese sailors.
The portability and low-cost of drones produced in China makes them more attractive, according to the report. An example: China’s Wing Loong, a drone that is sometimes compared to the U.S.’s Reaper, costs $1 million; the Reaper goes for around $30 million or more.
China’s drone technology is, according to some, about two decades behind that of the U.S. But China’s technology could be alluring enough to strengthen its ties to other emerging markets. China has already used its satellite technology for this purpose: Nigeria, Brazil, Venezuela and Pakistan have all bought or received Chinese satellites in exchange for Chinese access to their natural resources. In this way, drones become a kind of soft power currency for China, especially if no one else is willing to sell them.Source: theatlantic.com – China’s Latest Discount Product: Drones Related articles:
- First Chinese stealth drone ‘ready’ for test flight (chinadailymail.com)
- China Set To Grab UAV Market While US Restricts Sales (stratrisks.com)
- China Set To Grab UAV Market While U.S. Restricts Sales (fortunascorner.wordpress.com)
- Ewatt to Build China’s biggest civil drone base for US$81m (wantchinatimes.com)
- China emerging as new force in drone warfare (stripes.com)
- A drone of my own: China’s civilian UAV industry (wantchinatimes.com)
- China Emerging as New Force in Drone Warfare (world.time.com)
- China’s rise as a force in drone warfare could affect regional power balance, arms exports (vancouverdesi.com)
Categories: Defence & Aerospace


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Summit County Fair results 2015
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Blazin’ Stuffed Peppers
More than 3.7 million people have visited the Defend America Web site (www.defendamerica.mil) and signed its online thank-you note.
Gordon Whittington of North American Whitetails magazine keynotes the spring meeting of the Whitetail Deer Farmers of Ohio.
Ohio’s fruit and vegetable associations honored outstanding industry leaders earlier this year in Toledo.
A Purdue economist predicts more corn and fewer soybean acres in 2003.
The ninth annual Buckeye Tool Expo will be Feb. 14-15 in downtown Kidron, Ohio.
Nearly $3.5 billion of the president’s record-level proposal will be used for financial assistance or other direct payments to farmers.
Aside from farmland, conservation and recreation projects statewide will receive funds.
The Olde Stark Antique Faire will be Feb. 8-9 at the Stark County Fairground in Canton, Ohio.
Figures are up more than 20 percent from 2001 and up 45 percent from 1999 data.
James R. Kiko, of Russ Kiko Associates, Auctioneers and Realtors, Canton, Ohio, was inducted into the Ohio Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame.
Farm and Agriculture News, Local Market Prices and Crop Reports, Columns and Commentary.
Hundreds of Auction Advertisements for Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Featuring Specialty Antique Auctions, Stores and Shows
Hundreds of Classifieds, Autos & Real Estate Listings


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Jordan Spieth just signed an endorsement with Coca-Cola.
The world’s No. 1 golfer is just coming off his 7th PGA tour win in Hawaii. He and Tiger Woods are the only two golfers to have logged that many wins before age 23 in decades.
Coca-Cola said the “multi-year partnership” will feature Spieth in TV, digital and social media advertising. He’ll also promote the company’s Dasani water brand.
The company did not provide a dollar amount for the endorsement deal.
It’s the latest win for Spieth, who won The Masters last year and the U.S. Open Championship. He has the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking.
The young golfer has had a meteoric rise, picking up endorsement deals with UnderArmour, AT&T, Rolex and the golf club company Titleist just last year.
He has a net worth of $30 million, according to celebritynetworth.com.


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Large internet platforms might declare a commitment to prevent the spread of fake news, but in practice many of them rake in large amounts of money in advertising revenue from such sites, according to a study by Israeli company Adverifai, which specializes in spotting disinformation online.
According to the study, Google leads the pack and is responsible for most ads appearing on sites promoting coronavirus denial and other lies.
The study found that Google Ads and Google's DoubleClick internet advertising company were responsible for 69% of the ads that appeared on fake news sites during January and February of this year, followed by the Revcontent platform with 7%, OpenX with 4% and Israel's Taboola with 2%.
Google said in response that the company has a strict policy of blocking dangerous and misleading content about the coronavirus.
"We remove such content and block these sites' ability to create revenue. Our enforcement can extend all the way to a single page with such content that violates our policy," Google said.
Taboola CEO Adam Singolda said his company does not support fake news (Disclaimer: Ynetnews uses the Taboola platform).
"We are one of the world's leading companies for content moderation, with a team that works manually according to our public policy. We also work with other companies that assist us in our efforts," he said.
Adverifai CEO Or Levi told Ynet his company has scanned thousands of sites that promote misinformation.
"We found many of them shared platforms with companies like Google, who we estimate generate $100,000,000 in revenue each year. Some of the largest advertisers actually finance these sites, although they may be doing so unknowingly due to lack of transparency from advertising platforms.
The study by Adverifai, which specializes in using AI technology to identify fake news, found that 2,500 companies had promoted their products with platforms that placed their ads on fake new sites.
These companies, Adverifai said, included Bentley Motors, AsusTek Computer Inc. and T-Mobile.
The study did not cover ads placed by Facebook due to the difficulty in obtaining the data. But according to Levi, Adverifai is planning further research that will focus on that social media giant.
"You see many Facebook ads on coronavirus denial websites and although we have many such examples, we cannot at this point say whether we are seeing a method in action or just a random coincidence," Levi said.
Advertising platforms are the mediators between advertisers and content websites around the world. These platforms place ads on various websites and share revenue with the site owners. In fact, fake news sites finance their activity through ad revenue, which often makes them very profitable.
Adverifai can identify fake news using AI technology that monitors hundreds of thousands of texts and locates key words prevalent in such items. It also tracks manipulative language through the use of semantic and psycholinguistic models.
The company identifies the most common false narratives being promoted online. This includes claims about alleged dangers of the coronavirus vaccine, conspiracy theories on the source of the virus, Bill Gates' purported connections to the vaccines, accusations against big pharmaceutical companies and governments and the promotion of products to "cure" COVID-19.
The American Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) said in October 2020 that it estimated anti-vaxxers had made a total of one billion dollars last year, mostly by posting on Facebook and its Instagram subsidiary. These groups also increased their followers by 20% and now reach about 40,000,000 people in all.
Fake news has been found to cause serious damage to health and the economy; studies have shown that the refusal to wear masks during the pandemic has led to increased deaths and placed a greater financial burden on healthcare systems.
Facebook, Google and Twitter all say they are committed to fighting fake news, by blocking some publications and preventing the promotion of others.
In February, the Biden administration began promoting a joint initiative with the social media companies to fight fake news.
But this latest study shows that while the big tech companies prevent such content from appearing on their own platforms, they still enable and finance sites that do propagate it.


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Correction: This story has been updated to accurately reflect the views of Alaska Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan. The updated story clarifies that neither senator has taken an official stance on the subject of a net neutrality repeal and are currently monitoring the actions of the FCC before taking an official position on the matter.
FAIRBANKS — Alaska’s two senators and one congressman are on the fence about a potential repeal of Obama-era net neutrality rules, as announced in late November by Federal Communications Commission Chairperson Ajit Pai.
These rules, put in place during former President Barack Obama’s presidency, were designed to equalize access to the internet and prevent broadband providers from favoring their own apps and services.
If passed, Pai’s proposed repeal would allow providers such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon to charge internet companies such as Netflix and Amazon, for speedier access to consumers and to block outside services they don’t like. The change also axes a host of consumer protections, including privacy requirements and rules barring unfair practices that gave consumers an avenue to pursue complaints about price gouging.
Matt Shuckerow, a spokesman for Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, said the senator supports preserving a “free and open internet.”
“(Sen. Sullivan) believes that consumers should be protected against discriminatory practices such as blocking, throttling and paid prioritization,” Shuckerow said.
Shuckerow noted that Sullivan supports keeping internet affordable and accessible to all consumers but was not a fan of the 2015 rules, however.
“The 2015 Open Internet Order used Title II authority to subject Internet Service Providers or ISPs to an 80-year- old regulatory scheme designed to regulate telephones,” Shuckerow said. “Additionally, this was done as a result of the previous Administration exceeding its authority by encouraging an independent agency, the FCC, to perform a specific action.”
Sullivan said he will continue to work with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and others to ensure open internet access but has not officially declared a position on the issue.
Alaska Republican Rep. Don Young echoed many of Sullivan’s sentiments on the matter, emphasizing Alaska’s need for continued open and accessible internet.
“Congressman Young is committed to ensuring Alaskans have fair and open access to broadband and the many benefits — telehealth, distance education, among others — that high speed connectivity provides,” Pamela Day, a spokesperson for Young, said. “Although many have highlighted this particular issue in recent months and years, the congressman continues to underscore the fact that Alaska remains unserved or underserved by high-speed broadband.”
A spokesperson for Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said the senator is monitoring the FCC’s progress of the issue and remains undecided on her stance.
Murkowski’s office noted that in 2015 the senator “opposed the FCC’s actions to adopt the net neutrality rule because it threatened the free flow of information over the internet by choosing to regulate it under an antiquated 1934 utility law.”
Murkowski’s spokesperson said the senator “strongly supports a robust and strong internet given the vital role it plays in education, information sharing and innovation.”
The FCC is set to vote on this issue Dec 14.
Contact staff writer Erin Granger at 459-7544. Follow her on Twitter: @FDNMPolitics. The
Associated Press contributed to this report.


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With the opening of its newly rebuilt location in Walton, Kentucky, TravelCenters of America celebrates reaching the milestone of 300 travel centers.
“Celebrating this achievement is very exciting for both our team members and guests, and we are committed to continued growth and innovation to provide an outstanding experience for all travelers who visit us,” said Debi Boffa, CEO of TravelCenters of America.
TA also announced that it plans to open 20 new locations this year and will donate $2,500 to a local food bank with each opening. Other 2024 strategic initiatives the company announced include:
- Adding 1,600 new truck parking spaces.
- The installation of biodiesel blending infrastructure and BP Pulse EV charging stations at select sites throughout the country.
- Improving guest touchpoints through enhanced store layouts and new benefits to its loyalty program.
- Upgrading TA Truck Service mobile maintenance and emergency roadside assistance vehicles to better serve its fleet customers and professional drivers.
Earlier this month, a new TA Express opened in Hosston, Louisiana. The new travel center is a franchised site offering fueling, convenience items, dining options and other services for professional drivers and motorists. Other features on the site include RV services, laundry facilities, a driver’s lounge, four showers and a pet area.
Valor Oil announced that it would be expanding the Hop Shops brand with its acquisition of Jumpin’ Jacks Travel Plaza in Lewisport, Kentucky. The main building on the property houses a gas station, convenience store, restaurant, and bank. With the acquisition, Valor Oil now operates 15 Hop Shops locations throughout Kentucky and Ohio.
The Lewisport location is the second of three Hop Shops coming to the Owensboro area, with the first being the HawesWay 60 Travel Plaza purchased in 2023. The third location is expected to be finalized this year and will be in Reo, Indiana.
In New York, Mirabito Convenience Stores opened a new travel center location. Located in Parish, New York, the location offers a variety of food and fuel offerings, as well as a lounge area, high-top table seating and a tech corner for charging devices.


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Wii U will support free-to-play games, Nintendo has confirmed.
During an E3 Q&A session, president Satoru Iwata told an audience of analysts that the Wii U's online structure will support a variety of payment models at launch.
"With respect to the Wii U system, when we began working on it, one of our goals was to have a variety of purchase options and additional e-commerce options available at its launch," Iwata said.
"And because of that, we have prepared a Digital Rights Management system. We have designed the system from a technical standpoint to allow developers to freely take advantage of things like free to play and micro transactions."
Adoption of the free-to-play model has grown in video games in recent years, especially among PC games.
Fewer free-to-play games have been released on home consoles because not all systems support the model in their online infrastructure. Currently, only the PlayStation 3 has released and maintains free-to-play titles, such as Free Realms and DC Universe Online.
Wii U support was first suspected when PC free-to-play game Ghost Recon Online was announced for the new system at E3 2011. However, Nintendo had previously refused to talk about the Wii U's online features, so it was unclear whether the title would follow the same structure as its PC version.
Nintendo UK managing director David Yarnton recently told Digital Spy that further features will be announced for the Wii U, and that it has learned lessons from the 3DS launch.
The Wii U received a full specs and launch game list at E3 2012, and showed off a revamped Gamepad with analogue sticks and near-field technology.
> Digital Spy goes hands-on with Nintendo's Wii U launch lineup
> Read our full Wii U interview with Nintendo UK
Watch a video of the Wii U Gamepad at E3 below:


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- Wingstop launched a virtual restaurant brand called Thighstop on Monday through the brand's exclusive delivery partner, DoorDash, the company said in press release emailed to Restaurant Dive.
- The concept will operate inside 1,400 Wingstop locations and customers can order via Thighstop.com or DoorDash. Its menu offers bone-in and breaded boneless thighs tossed with Wingstop's 11 different flavors alongside the QSR's existing sides.
- As wing prices increase and competition in the wings space grows, Wingstop is using the virtual brand to encourage guests to try thighs. This strategy could cut down on food costs and potentially avoid wing supply issues amid a nationwide chicken shortage.
This virtual brand plays into Wingstop's digital strategy. In 2020, the company surpassed $1 billion in digital sales and has been finding innovative ways to reach customers, such as the addition of ghost kitchens. The company has over a dozen ghost kitchens across the globe with plans to eventually expand this model into key markets in the U.S. A chicken thigh brand could also help differentiate it from the plethora of digital chicken wing brands that chains like Bloomin', Brinker and Applebee's have launched in the last 18 months.
Instead of adding thighs to Wingstop's menu, the chain took the virtual restaurant route to better highlight the new item, the company said, adding that guests also appreciate the convenience of online ordering.
"As a tech-focused, platform brand, Wingstop is always focused on growing its fan base and increasing digital transactions," the company said in an email. "Thighstop will help the brand carry the digital momentum it experienced during the pandemic into the future."
Increased competition and demand has exacerbated the wings shortage, pushing many restaurants to rethink their menus. Even though Wingstop has formed a price mitigation strategy with its largest poultry suppliers, it still reported a year-over-year increase in prices of wings by 25.8%, CFO Michael Skipworth said during the company's Q1 2021 earnings call. Skipworth said the company expects wing prices to remain high during 2021 and anticipates food costs at its company-owned restaurants to be about 42% of its costs.
This is relatively low compared to what other operators are experiencing. One restaurant owner in New York said chicken wing prices at one supplier went up 99% since the farm is having trouble finding labor. A devastating winter storm in Texas and nearby states impacted major chicken production and contributed to the current chicken shortage as well. Demand for chicken wings has also risen among consumers during the pandemic, increasing 7%, according to Vox. Wings proved to be pandemic proof since they are easy to transport via takeout or delivery, according to USA Today.


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Sandvik has signed an agreement to acquire privately-owned Summerill Tube Corporation, based in Pennsylvania, USA. Summerill Tube Corporation is a manufacturer of high precision tubes and since 1892 it has delivered seamless and welded tubing in stainless steels and nickel alloys to various high demanding industries including aerospace, transportation and petrochemical.
Summerill Tube Corporation will be part of the business unit Specialized within the Tube division.
In 2018, Summerill Tube Corporation generated revenues of about SEK 100M, with 45 employees.
The deal has a limited impact on earnings per share from the start. The transaction is expected to close in early January 2020 and is subject to regulatory approval.


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Here's a look at some amazing space images from 2019
The world’s most valuable technology company has plans to revamp its sprawling office campus in Cupertino, Calif. Here are the renderings that the firm submitted to the city as it seeks approval to build.
Apple recently submitted site plans and renderings for a proposed renovation of the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, Calif. The project is called Apple Campus 2 and is meant to “provide a serene and secure environment reflecting Apple’s values of innovation, ease of use and beauty,” according to the project overview Apple submitted to the City of Cupertino.Apple
The couple, who have a boy named Archie, announced on Jan. 8 that they would step back from being royals, become financially independent, and split their time between North America and the United Kingdom.


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Korea, UK sign continuity free trade agreement in London 2019-08-23
Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee (right) signed a continuity FTA with the UK’s Secretary of State for International Trade Elizabeth Truss in London, Aug 22.The agreement focuses on maintaining the bilateral trade relations at the same level as the existing Korea-EU FTA, allowing businesses to trade freely in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
- Vice Minister Cheong attends MOU signing ceremony for nuclear energy cooperation 2019-09-11
- Minister Sung meets with Governor of Indiana 2019-09-06
- Trade Minister attends Korea-Myanmar MOU signing ceremony 2019-09-05
- Minister Sung visits a leading fiber optic cable manufacturing company in Ansan 2019-09-05


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Construction in Leipzig has already begun and will end in mid-2013. Then the production will start. In fact, the new plant will be an extension to the premises where the BMW 1 Series is already being assembled. It is still unknown how many electric cars will be produced, but there are already suggestions that it will be tens of thousands of cars a year. The company has already invested 400 million euros.
Thus bmw added to the list of manufacturers whose plans include mass production of electric vehicles. This has been reported before General Motors и Nissan. However, the Bavarian company has one major advantage - cars bmw are acquired mainly by wealthy people who are more willing to go for such experiments and are not afraid of such radical changes. Many of them will purchase an electric car as a second car for traveling around the city.
bmw has not yet presented a single prototype of its electric car. We only know that it will be a small car, ideal for use in a metropolis. It is expected that more detailed information will become available only in a few months.


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Is this the 2015 Corvette Z06?
Chevrolet recently teased that the 2015 Z06 performance Corvette will be making a debut next month at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. Now this very convincing photo has surfaced of what could be the Z06.
We had reported earlier this year that the performance Stingray could receive the Z07 moniker, as the newest Corvette codename is the C7. Turns out, it won’t be.
We had also reported that the next iteration of the Z06 could be powered by a 600+ horsepower version of the twin-turbocharged 4.5-liter V8 under the skin of the Cadillac Elmiraj concept.
I asked chief Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter about it this week at the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible drive in Palm Springs, California. He put it plainly, “That engine doesn’t exist.”
So this admission, coupled with this spy photo found on Autoblog of what could be the motor of the Z06 tells us that Chevy is sticking with the 6.2-liter pushrod LT4 V8 to power the next vicious ‘Vette. Expect it to make upwards of 600 horsepower thanks to help from a supercharger.
If the grainy image above that originally appeared on Craig Darling’s Google+ page really is the Z06, we love the extra carbon fiber lip in the front and rear and the skirting along the side. This images looks like the supercar version of the C7 Corvette that we American muscle car fans have been waiting for.
Luckily, we won’t have to wait too long to find out whether this is the Z06 or not, as the Z06 debuts on January 13th.
We’ll likely have more info soon so be sure to check back often.
- 2018 Chevrolet Corvette: release dates, prices, specs, and features
- Smoke the tires with the top 10 American muscle cars
- 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is already proving it’s the real deal
- BMW’s Munich-brewed answer to the Porsche Panamera takes shape
- These performance cars prove you don’t have to spend much for speed


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News tagged ‘MacBook’
Apple and some other companies will soon have to explain to the Australian Parliament why content from iTunes is more expensive for Australian consumers that for consumers in U.S.
Ming-Chi Kuo, research analyst from KGI Securities, has issued a new report saying that Apple may discontinue the 17-inch MacBook Pro due to weak sales.
Also he expects that Apple will introduce new MacBook models that will combine power of the MacBook Pro and portability of MacBook Air models and dropping of 17-inch model will be part of this revamp.
According to AppleInsider, Apple is working on a new power management technology for the next-generation Macs. Such technology will allow devices to be more efficient and run even longer on battery power.
Apple's plans were revealed in a newly published job application discovered by AppleInsider. The advertised job describes the role as "an excellent opportunity to work on the forefront of new power management technologies." The new hire will join a team that will innovate in power use from concept investigation and design through product implementation.
Last month CPU World reported that Ivy Bridge CPUs would launch between April 22 and April 29. Today
New rumors claim that the updated versions of Apple’s iMacs will be launched in the June or July timeframe. The June-July timeframe for new iMacs is plausible, as Intel is expected to launch its new Ivy Bridge line of processors at the end of this month.
The updated iMacs will be powered by Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors, How To Arena reported on Wednesday, citing a "reliable tipster" from the Chinese supply chain. The new desktops will reportedly be powered by Intel's 22-nanometer Ivy Bridge processors.
Digitimes reports that Apple's iMacs due for release later this year will not only arrive noticeably slimmer than existing models but may also be the first of the company's desktops to feature anti-reflective displays.
G-Tech is ramping up its production capacity of cover glass from 1.8 million units a month currently to three million units in 2012 as the company is likely to take up 25-30% of total cover glass orders for Apple's iPads in the year, according to an industry estimate.
Digitimes now reports that Apple has already started production of slimmer models of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro. As the report claims, the MacBook Pro line will remain distinct from the MacBook Air line; of course, the first ones will remain more advanced, but will reportedly lose their optical drivers.
The MacBook Pro will no longer have an optical drive enabling thinner designs, the sources indicated. Despite the slim profile, the new devices will feature more advanced specs than the MacBook Air in terms of CPU performance and storage capacity, the sources said.
A Mac accessory maker this week indicated that Apple is "likely" to launch its 15-inch MacBook Air in April. The anonymous source said the thin-and-light notebook would be similar to current MacBook Air models with ports on both sides, no optical drive and no ethernet cable.
The vendor reportedly speculated that the new 15-inch MacBook Air would "effectively (kill) the (MacBook) Pro for the average consumer." They suggested that the new MacBook Air could even replace the 15-inch MacBook Pro, leaving the "Pro" moniker only to Apple's high-end 17-inch model.
Citing an anonymous Samsung executive, The Korea Times has recently reported that Apple indeed plans to launch the 7.85-inch iPad model. The unknown Samsung’s executive revealed that Apple has committed a purchase at least $9.7 billion worth of components from the company, and if the demand for is strong, Apple’s expenditures will reach as much as $11 billion. The executive claims that the demand will be driven partly by the recently-released iPad, MacBook Air and a smaller iPad.
''The contract is expected to rise to $11 billion by the end of this year as Apple is planning to release a smaller iPad, probably with a 7.85-inch screen, and to sell more of its MacBook Air PCs using Samsung's faster solid state drive (SSD) storage,'' the official said.
In a new report IDG News claims that Intel is currently working on shifting its Thunderbolt standard to the PCI-Express 3.0 protocol. Such move means that the company could double data transfer speeds comparing with the existing implementations based on PCIe 2.0 protocol.
Intel in the future will support the PCI-Express 3.0 protocol to shuttle data faster between host devices and peripherals, an Intel spokesman said in an email. Computers with Thunderbolt interconnect currently communicate with external devices using the older PCI-Express 2.0 technology.
The company will incorporate PCI-Express 3.0 in Thunderbolt, but could not provide a time frame for when it will be accomplished.
A new rumor suggests that Apple could develop a new 14-inch MacBook Air model specifically for the Asian PC market. DigiTimes reported that mass production of the 14-inch thin-and-light notebook may begin soon. Apple is said to be considering the 14-inch screen size for the notebook because it is a popular form factor unique to the region.
Apple currently sells MacBook Air in screen sizes of 11.6 inches and 13.3 inches. But in the Asia market 14-inch notebooks account for as much as 40 percent of sales that is why Apple is said to be considering a screen size specifically for that region.
Sources in Apple's upstream supply chain indicated to DigiTimes that new 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros with a thinner and lighter design are expected to launch in April "at the soonest," with an initial shipment of just under a million units. A redesigned version of the 17-inch MacBook Pro is apparently not expected at launch.
Apple's upgraded MacBook Pro lineup along with new MacBook Airs and the forthcoming OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Mac operating system upgrade are expected in the industry to pose a "significant threat" to notebooks. Moreover, earlier this week Intel indicated that the company's next-generation Ivy Bridge chips are expected to debut eight to 10 weeks later than previously planned.


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As a wrap-up to the year, our prolific blogger looks at 2017 in the rear view mirror
In the age of big data, small data is the foundation for breakthrough ideas or transformative ways of turning around brands, Martin Lindstrom tells delegates at AdAsia 2017
He will be joining the company as a director
The author draws parallels between Team GB's cycling team and big data...
Day one of the conference saw discussions ranging from brands leveraging digital media, big data, to measurement in the digital era.
The head of media and digital, AMAP, Millward Brown shares his prediction about how marketing is likely to change in the next 12 months
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Today's 25bp rate hike from Sweden's Riksbank, which took the repo rate up to 2.25%, had been flagged for the better part of two months. Like the previous hikes in January and February, it was triggered by concerns about the inflation outlook. With the economy growing at a healthy clip, there had been some debate about whether there would be two more rate hikes this year, or three (the Riksbank's six-member Executive Board only holds eight policy meetings a year). After today, there is little doubt that - unless the economy suddenly changes direction - it will be three, starting in August.
The Riksbank targets underlying inflation (UND1X, ex-indirect taxes and interest rates) of 2.0% over a two-year forecast horizon. UND1X rose 1.6% on the year in May, up from 1.5% in April.
Although inflation is currently on an upward trajectory, it hardly seems worrisome. However, as we've noted before, the Riksbank is concerned with where inflation is headed over the next two years. According to its own revised outlook (also released today), underlying inflation will hit 1.9% in June 2009, "based on the assumption that monetary policy will gradually become less expansionary." The bank noted that domestic inflation is expected to rise relatively quickly in the future as economic activity improves and the labor market continues to strengthen. It also noted that household indebtedness and house prices "are continuing to rise rapidly."
The economy certainly surprised on the upside in Q1, with real GDP growth (expenditure basis) of 1.1% on the quarter and 5.6% on the year, up from 0.8% and 2.9%, respectively, in Q4 2005. The Riksbank has revised its forecast for 2006 GDP growth upward, from 3.5% to 3.7%.
The manufacturing sector has been particularly robust, boosted by exports. And, the unemployment rate is finally responding to the economy's resurgence, with the AMS labor board reporting a jobless rate of 4.2% last month, down from 4.6% in April and the lowest level in four years. Statistics Office employment data is due tomorrow, and will likely show an improvement from the 5.5% rate recorded in March and April.
After its February rate hike, the Riksbank sounded fairly sanguine about the outlook, and even hinted that it might be able to slow the pace of tightening. The slew of strong data since then, however, seems to have changed its mind. Today, the bank stated that "it is reasonable to assume that the repo rate will need to be increased further. It is possible that there will be a need for slightly more rate increases over the coming year than the recent market expectations have implied." (Our emphasis.)
Translation: If the economy continues on this trajectory, we'll probably be hiking again in August (29-30), as well as in October (25-26) and December (14-15), and may well hike once or twice more in the first half of next year, too. However, it looks like 25bp each time will be sufficient. (The minutes of yesterday's policy meeting deliberations will be released on July 3rd.)
Meanwhile, the crown jumped from a close of 7.39/US$ and 9.29/€ yesterday to around 7.34/US$ and 9.22/€ this morning. With today's more hawkish comments from the Riksbank, the prognosis for the crown in the second half of this year looks good, particularly against the US$.


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Ritz-Carlton has signed an agreement to open the highest hotel in Australia.
The 250-room Ritz-Carlton Melbourne will be located on the 64th to 77th floors of a mixed-use development, also including residential apartments and retail space, in the city's central business district.
Construction on the hotel at 250 Spencer Street will begin next year. A scheduled opening date has not been announced.
Herve Humler, Ritz-Carlton's president and CCO, said: "We look forward to welcoming Ritz-Carlton guests from around the world to a sensational high-rise hotel in Melbourne, a rich and intriguing city."
The Melbourne property is the second Ritz-Carlton scheduled to open in Australia. A hotel in Perth, again a mixed development that also contains residential apartments, is due to open in 2018 (see news, March 2014).
Ritz-Carlton is developing both forthcoming hotels with Fast Consortium.


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Vilsack trumpets investments in rural economy, supply chain
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last week underscored several new investments aimed at strengthening the supply chain and boosting rural economies during a roundtable discussion hosted by Landus Cooperative in Des Moines.
During the event, Vilsack highlighted grants under three programs to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand fertilizer production and expand the availability of higher-blend biofuels in Iowa. He said the USDA grants are part of the Biden administration’s overarching goal to help middle class Americans and small businesses.
“While American farmers and ranchers have been responding to the demand to produce more, their communities have struggled to see their share of the benefits,” said Vilsack. “This is the new model of additional...
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Earlier in the week the online 3D printing community got some bad news in the form of 3D model marketplace PInshape announcing that they would be shutting down operations at the end of March. Pinshape had been one of the better alternative marketplaces to the big two, Thingiverse and MyMiniFactory, and had a growing and stable community of designers. While designers regularly multi-share models and upload them to more than one marketplace, Pinshape had a growing collection of designers who were exclusively using their service. So when news broke that they would be shutting down, there were plenty of people who were upset and sad at the impending loss of a quality content distribution platform.
The actual reason for the closure is probably quite complex, but the official company line was that with the recent constriction of the desktop 3D printer market and the uncertainty of the market they could no longer keep the doors open. There is no question that it is hard to monetize a product that other companies give away for free, and clearly Pinshape was feeling this pinch. In their farewell letter they mentioned that 99.5% of their transactions are free ones, and while that is good for consumers it isn’t so good for the company that hosts the content, or those that create it.
But late last night Pinshape sent out an email announcing that they have had a last minute reprieve from the chopping block. It seems that the outpouring of support from the 3D printing community has given them some new options that will allow them to keep the site running, and the growing community of designers will be able to keep their models online. While there were no specific details given, and no timeframe put in place, for now Pinshape is still open for business. Here is their update in its entirety:
We’ve had an overwhelming amount of interest and support from the 3DP community and we’re hopeful that we’ve found a company that shares our vision of Pinshape to take over. As a result, there will be no interruption in service! Yay!
Thanks to everyone for your outpouring of support the last few days. There have been so many kind words!
We look forward to keeping you updated with a more formal announcement in the days to come!
This is unquestionably good news; the more diverse options 3D creators have for distributing their product is always a good thing, and is often the only thing that keeps 3D model marketplaces from imposing draconian content restrictions. Additionally, I actually rather liked Pinshape and their UI, which I found more intuitive and readable than most. Unfortunately it isn’t clear how long they will be able to keep running. Their message mentions that they are only “hopeful” that they have found someone to keep the place running, meaning no deals have been made. And sadly, the flaws in the business model of 3D model marketplaces themselves didn’t go away.
Still, the details that were given have been pretty thin, so we don’t know what kind of deal they might be hammering out, and it could include alternate forms of revenue generation. Or perhaps the deal is with a partner that will see the platform the way that MakerBot sees Thingiverse or iMakr sees MyMiniFactory. I’m sure more details will emerge in the coming days and weeks, so for now I’m just glad that the industry lost one less company today. What do you think of this latest development? Discuss in the Pinshape Still in Business forum over at 3DPB.com.
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Logicalis has kicked off an internal campaign encouraging its sales staff to use financing to close more business.
Having been hived off from Logicalis as a separate entity towards the end of 2015, Logicalis Financial Services this week announced a trio of senior appointments, including former Cisco Capital executive Paul Tweehuysen as commercial director based in the UK. Its aim is to provide financial solutions to end users of Logicalis to "drive incremental business and profitability".
Christian Roelofs, managing director of Logicalis Financial Services, said Logicalis' internal employees will be his first stop as he looks to grow the Cisco, HP and IBM partner's use of finance and leasing amid the shift to as-a-service models.
"Now we've got the strategy and go-to-market and are trying to grow exponentially across the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand," Roelofs told CRN.
"This is the start of a much larger internal marketing campaign we will run and our first port of call is Logicalis' internal salespeople. The bottom line is, we are providing [Logicalis sales staff] with a product that can enhance their ability to close and grow deals."
Rigby Group, the parent of rival reseller and systems integrator SCC, launched its own finance arm in 2015 with the aim of competing with captive vendor financing arms. However, Roelofs stressed that Logicalis Financial Services will work in partnership with the likes of Cisco Capital, HP Financial Services and IBM Global Financing, as well as other finance providers.
"We are the link between Logicalis, the customer and the funding markets," he said. "A lot of the time we will just be enabling a deal provided through Cisco Capital or the other captive providers, or – if it's a different structure and it's more beneficial to the customer – we can enable other solutions."
According to the Finance and Leasing Association, the UK IT equipment finance market was worth £2.3bn in the 12 months ending 30 June 2016, a 17 per cent year-on-year rise.
Roelofs claimed financing can play an increasingly pivotal role in IT projects.
"The world is moving away from traditional purchasing of hardware towards equipment-as-a-service and that different way of purchasing makes a financing solution something that's even more important than it has been historically," Roelofs said.
"By using Logicalis Financial Services, you still get access to traditional funding partners. The captives, independents and the banks – we know those guys. But you also get the skills and expertise within my business to make sure you're getting the right solution. I'd like to ask every FD of the customer base where on the spectrum of buy-with-cash to buy-on-a-utility consumption model they are today and tell them we're here to take them from where they are to further down that route, because in my view that's where the market is going."
Roelofs argued that financing works wherever there is an upfront cost.
"The only place where asset finance hasn't quite grown enough yet is where there is a performance risk on a service provider, and that's the next step for the industry – we're probably not quite there yet," he added.
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In the last few weeks, Bitcoin (BTC), the most popular cryptocurrency, traded below $30,000 per Bitcoin. This is after Bitcoin traded as high as $64,000 back in mid-April and as low as $32,000 at the start of this year. This is definitely a highly volatile financial security.
There is much speculation on the future of cryptocurrencies given that a mere “tweet” can send the price of Bitcoin (or some other cryptocurrency) soaring to the skies or plummeting to the ground. Add in the fact that the focus has shifted to the environmental impact of bitcoin mining and it becomes a mystery whether cryptocurrency is the next big thing or a mere one-hit wonder in the world of investment.
Regardless of the fate of cryptocurrency, it is prudent to at least have a general understanding of this innovative asset class.
A cryptocurrency is a digital currency that can be used to pay for goods and services. Now unlike fiat money (the paper money we use everyday), you can’t physically hold a cryptocurrency; this currency is 100 per cent electronic.
The main feature of cryptocurrencies is the decentralised technology that they are based on. This decentralised technology, specifically Blockchain technology, is not controlled by a bank or the government like fiat money is. With blockchain technology, each transaction is recorded in a very transparent way. Each new transaction is added to a databank called a block, and new blocks are linked to the block before it, creating a chain link of data blocks that contain every transaction that’s ever taken place. This provides a secure alternative to fiat currencies which are controlled by the Central Bank and its associated regulations.
Cryptocurrencies have been around for about 12 years now but have recently become really popular. This is largely due to the fact that blockchain technology is being adopted by big-name global banks and payment processors. Companies like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Paypal, Mastercard and Visa have all made public announcements on their research on the adoption of blockchain technology in their businesses.
Bitcoin is the largest and most popular cryptocurrency. However, there have also been a host of new cryptocurrencies that have sparked the interest of the global investing community. Cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Dogecoin, XRP, Binance coin and Tether have been all over investment blogs, podcasts and the news. It appears these days that if you are not invested in the latest and hottest cryptocurrencies that you are missing out on the opportunity to own a part of what may or may not be the future of currencies.
Some of the advantages of cryptocurrency over other traditional methods of payment include:
- Faster processing of transactions with lower fees
- Easily purchased online for immediate access
- Impossible to be counterfeited
- Can’t be altered or destroyed
- Allows for direct transfer that can be completed very quickly
Cryptocurrency holds up better than fiat currencies in all the areas above except for utility. There is not yet widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies in every-day life. The prices of goods and services are not yet quoted in cryptocurrencies and many people are uncomfortable with the notion of using cryptocurrency as a substitute for fiat money in their daily lives.
While investing in Bitcoin has its fair share of advantages, there are some disadvantages anyone who plans to be involved with it or other cryptocurrencies should be fully aware of.
Notwithstanding that blockchain technology has proven to be very secure, exchanges and sites that deal with cryptocurrencies have loopholes that are often exploited. When we think about the ugly side of cryptocurrencies, immediately the high possibility of hacking becomes top of mind. Exchanges like Mt. Gox and Crytopia have been hacked, costing users all of their cryptocurrencies. Other exchanges like COSS have been involved in exit scams, stealing all of the cryptocurrencies stored on their exchange and leaving investors devastated and broke.
Nevertheless, the advantages of investing in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can significantly outweigh the disadvantages when you do your independent research and make educated investment decisions that are right for you and your financial goals. Before investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, be sure to do your research on whether they are legitimate or not.
Can also be seen on: https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/heres-what-yo…


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Decoding Bangladesh’s “India Out” movement and resilience strategies amid a looming global recession.
Recently, Bangladesh has found itself at the intersection of economic challenges, grappling with a dollar crisis and a global economic meltdown. Against this backdrop, the “India Out” movement has gained momentum, advocating for reduced dependence on Indian imports. This movement, coupled with the success of the “Boycott Indian Products” campaign, reflects a growing sentiment in Bangladesh to foster economic self-sufficiency. As we delve into the intricacies of these economic dynamics, it is essential to consider the facts and figures that underpin Bangladesh’s current predicament concerning India.
The trade imbalance between India and Bangladesh continues to be a central concern, as it leans significantly in favour of India. In 2022, approximately US$13.83bn worth of goods were exported from India to Bangladesh, as reported by the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Bangladesh faces challenges in accessing the Indian market, with its products often subjected to high taxes or outright bans. This restrictive environment resulted in only around $1.72bn worth of exports from Bangladesh to India in 2021.
India’s approach towards Bangladesh has been marked by controversial policies, exemplified by initiatives such as the Farakka Barrage and the proposed Tipaimukh dam. These projects raise concerns about the violation of international laws, as they are undertaken without the downstream nation’s consent and have the potential to inflict environmental damage. The Farakka Barrage—dubbed the “Barrage of death” for Bangladesh—serves as a poignant example of India’s unilateral decisions affecting its neighbour’s water resources. The proposed Tipaimukh dam is anticipated to follow a similar trajectory, holding significantly more water during crucial months for Bangladesh’s agriculture and fisheries.
Additionally, the continuous border killings of Bangladeshi citizens by Indian border guards, along with allegations of aiding illegal immigrants, involvement in armed dacoity, counterfeit money transfers, and illegal drug trades by individuals from both nations, contribute to the strain in bilateral relations. These issues underscore the complex challenges faced in maintaining a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship between Bangladesh and India.
These various challenges contribute to the apprehension regarding India’s influence and suspicions about its intentions concerning Bangladesh’s domestic markets. Speculation has arisen regarding India’s interference in Bangladeshi domestic political affairs. These factors further intensify the momentum behind the “India Out” movement, aligning with the resistance seen in countries like Maldives and Sri Lanka against India’s endeavours to establish hegemony in the South Asian region.
The dollar crisis and global recession
At the heart of Bangladesh’s economic concerns lies a persistent dollar crisis. The country faces an imbalance between imports and exports, with a dwindling flow of dollars affecting its ability to meet international trade obligations. Recent figures indicate a decline in the export of crucial goods, particularly in the garment sector, which has been a key contributor to Bangladesh’s foreign exchange earnings.
According to recent reports, the garment sector, accounting for a substantial portion of Bangladesh’s exports, has witnessed a 25% decrease in its exports to the US. This sharp decline underscores the vulnerability of Bangladesh’s economy to global economic downturns, especially in major export destinations.
Adding to Bangladesh’s economic challenges is the official announcement that the UK is entering a recession. The UK stands as one of Bangladesh’s top export destinations, alongside the US. The repercussions of the UK’s economic downturn are expected to reverberate through Bangladesh’s economy, affecting its balance of payments and potentially leading to a decreased inflow of dollars.
Figures released by mainstream media like CNN indicate that the UK has fallen into a recession, with its GDP experiencing its worst performance in years. This economic downturn in major export destinations amplifies the hurdles faced by Bangladeshi exporters and accentuates the need for strategic economic management.
The interconnected nature of global economies means that economic downturns in key export destinations have a direct impact on Bangladesh’s balance of payments. As the demand for Bangladeshi products decreases in recession-hit markets, the flow of dollars into the country can be significantly affected. This, in turn, poses challenges in meeting payment obligations and maintaining economic stability.
It is crucial to recognise the intricate web of economic relationships that dictate Bangladesh’s economic landscape. The country’s heavy reliance on a few key export destinations makes it susceptible to the ebb and flow of global economic trends.
The “India Out” movement and the “Boycott Indian Products” campaign
Amid these economic challenges, the “India Out” movement has emerged as a response to the need for economic self-sufficiency. The movement advocates for reducing imports from India and encourages the local production of goods that were previously sourced from India. This shift aims to decrease Bangladesh’s dependency on foreign goods and, in turn, reduce the demand for dollars.
Figures on Bangladesh’s trade with India reveal the scale of economic interdependence between the two nations. The trade balance tips in favour of India, with Bangladesh importing goods worth billions of dollars annually. The “India Out” movement seeks to address this trade imbalance and foster domestic production.
Complementing the “India Out” movement is the “Boycott Indian Products” campaign, which urges consumers to refrain from purchasing Indian goods. The success of this campaign relies on altering consumer behaviour and promoting the consumption of locally produced alternatives. By doing so, Bangladesh aims to stimulate its domestic industries, reduce imports, and alleviate the pressure on its foreign exchange reserves.
Strategic economic management
While the “India Out” movement and the “Boycott Indian Products” campaign reflect a grassroots desire for economic autonomy, strategic economic management is crucial to navigating the current challenges effectively. Bangladesh must address the root causes of the dollar crisis and explore avenues for diversifying its export markets.
Figures from past years highlight the persistent shortage of dollars, impacting essential imports such as fuel. This shortage poses a threat to the functioning of Bangladesh’s industries, hindering economic growth. A multifaceted approach is required, combining domestic production initiatives with diplomatic efforts to explore new export markets.
Moreover, the once positive aspect of Bangladesh’s robust export industry, reflected in its rapidly growing national reserves, is now facing a concerning trend toward depletion. This decline can be attributed to various factors, such as economic downturns, reduced demand in key export markets, and challenges in the garment sector. Additionally, the reliance on debt financing has added to the strain on the national reserves. In navigating these challenges, careful and strategic management of the national reserves becomes imperative for ensuring sustainable growth in the Bangladeshi economy. This calls for a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of the decline while formulating effective strategies to enhance the country’s economic resilience.
In conclusion, Bangladesh finds itself at a critical juncture, navigating economic challenges exacerbated by a global recession and a dollar crisis. The “India Out” movement and the “Boycott Indian Products” campaign represent grassroots efforts to foster economic self-sufficiency. However, addressing the root causes of the dollar crisis and diversifying export markets are essential for long-term resilience.
Figures and facts underscore the urgency of strategic economic management. Bangladesh’s reliance on a few key export destinations amplifies the impact of global economic downturns. The government must formulate and implement policies that promote domestic production, enhance economic resilience, and pave the way for a sustainable and self-reliant future.
MSc in International Management, University of Exeter (2019). Specialised focus on Political Economy, Development in the Global South, and the Gulf region. BA in International Business and International Relations (Dual Honours at Keele University, 2018) with Interests in International affairs, history and economics. Editor and founder of qutnyti.wordpress.com


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Love's thanks customers, employees, reporters for CMN Hospitals record
Love's Travel Stops just wrapped up its 18th annual companywide campaign to raise funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. From August 26 through September 30, stores sold paper balloons for donations and raised money through organizing various events, like bake sales, golf tournaments, 5K runs and more.
Every year, the CMN Hospitals campaign is a huge undertaking. Preparation begins in the spring when stores start organizing fundraising events, Love's corporate office begins sending out communications about the fundraiser and plans on how to inform our Customers start to take shape. Part of that last point includes reaching out to news outlets nationwide to ask them to help spread the word to their readers and viewers. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it. The beauty of CMN Hospitals is that all of the money raised locally stays in that community to help sick and injured children.
With the help of our Customers and employees at more than 390 stores in 40 states, Love's raised a record $2.53 million for CMN Hospitals during the 2016 campaign. While we couldn't have done it without the hard work of our employees, and the generosity of our Customers, we also want to thank the dozens of news outlets who helped us get the word out about our campaign!
A favorite came later in the campaign from The Oklahoman. Reporter Lama Agha's story, Love's annual fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network ends Friday, features Love's national Miracle child, Samantha Lancaster. Samantha is an inspiration and she's helped motivate Love's employees through sharing her personal story with them.
Another favorite came from the Albany (New York) Times Union. Shannon Fromma included Love's in her story about promotions for National Coffee Day, Today is National Coffee Day: Deals at Dunkin' Stewart's, Cumberland, McDonald's and more. This year, Love's participated in National Coffee day by donating $1 of every 24 oz. coffee or cappuccino to CMN Hospitals. It was great to see Love's promotion mentioned alongside several other ones.
Overdrive Magazine's, Matt Cole posted Love's to raise money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals just before the start of the campaign. Matt embedded a video highlighting the story of Bernie Burns, the general manager at Love's 346 in Columbia, Tennessee, whose daughter was treated at a CMN Hospital. By the way, Bernie's store raised nearly $80,000 this year, which was more than any other Love's location!
Karen Blackledge with The Danville (Pennsylvania) News wrote a great story about one of our more creative fundraising events, Pro wrestlers coming to Danville to fight for miracle. Love's 324 in Mifflinville, Pennsylvania, organized a professional wrestling tournament.
KODE-TV out of Joplin, Missouri, had a touching interview with the general manager of Love's 282 in Joplin, Love's in Joplin raises money for CMN. Bob Davis shares a personal story that drives his passion for raising money.
Andrew Freeman with KXII-TV did a great report on events taking place at Love's 266 in Ardmore, Oklahoma, Local travel stop seeks to raise money for kids. A local Miracle Child who receives treatment at OU Children's Hospital, the local CMN Hospitals affiliate, shared her story with Customers, and the reporter, that helped bring in donations.