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Israel allowing cannabis that are medical under revised export plan
The Israeli case is set to vote in the next couple of days on a bill permitting the export of medical cannabis. This might be following the Interior (Public Safety) Ministry, Finance Ministry, and wellness Ministry reached an understanding concerning the safety of cannabis items during export.
Public protection Minister Gilad Erdan has offered his consent to a revised export plan. Underneath the revised plan, extra funds is going to be allocated by the Finance Ministry for policing cannabis exports once the time comes.
Erdan’s opposition towards the initial export plan was in fact an important barrier to the exportation regarding the medication.
Global CBD Exchange
Prime Minister freezes export plan
The government that is israeli authorized the medical cannabis reform in 2016 and established an idea to export cannabis services and products to many other nations. This exportation system had been authorized by the Ministries of health insurance and Finance in 2017 august.
Nonetheless, the export plan was in fact wear hold early in the day this current year.
It could be recalled that in February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suddenly froze the country’s medical cannabis export system at the request of usa President Donald Trump.
A pioneer in cannabis research and biotechnology, Israel was planning to begin with exporting cannabis that are medical other nations, like cbd oilexpert site the U.S. Israel’s cannabis export system is anticipated to create its economy as much as $1.14 billion per year.
Prime Minister Netanyahu stated which he didn’t desire Israel to become a medical cannabis export pioneer if it implied President Trump’s that is drawing ire. Netanyahu froze the export plan inspite of the proven fact that Israel’s Finance, Agriculture, and wellness ministries supported it.
Cannabis security agreement
People safety Minister had earlier demanded NIS200 million to help you to firmly keep the medical cannabis in traditions facilities in the Ben-Gurion Airport.
Beneath the contract joined into because of the ministries, the Public protection Ministry can get more money that could allow it observe exports and to stop medical cannabis items from dropping in to the black colored market. In addition to that, the contract additionally offers the work of 25 police officers observe as much as 50 cannabis growers full-time.
Which means that just 50 cannabis growers will undoubtedly be awarded licenses to export cannabis services and products for medical purposes. The reason being not limiting the quantity of authorized growers would boost the chance of infiltration to the market that is black.
In accordance with Erdan, he supports the utilization of medical cannabis, in addition to its export to other parts of the global globe, particularly considering that Israel comes with advanced level knowledge in the region. But, he explained it is their duty to ensure that growers and exporters never cause cannabis become illegally employed by Israelis, particularly the youth.
Erdan stated he could be happy he plus the Finance Minister reach a comprehending that will pave the method for the approval of medical cannabis exports.
The contract additionally stipulates that exports is only going to add medical-use cannabis items like oil and capsules, and never marijuana that is raw which comes in the shape of flowers, seeds, and stems. This really is in purchase in order to avoid abuse or create a crackdown easier.
Advocates aren’t delighted in regards to the brand new contract
Advocates for medical cannabis have presented a few problems pertaining to the contract. One of these simple may be the known undeniable fact that the us government will permit just 50 operating cannabis farms in the united states.
Around 300 farmers, organizations, and manufacturers had already formerly been awarded short-term licenses for growing cannabis, and several of them had spent hundreds of thousands of shekels into the construction of secure greenhouses plus in the procurement of fertilizers.
Based on Oren Lebovitch, the mind of Ale Yarok, Israel’s pro-legalization party, as well as the a person who oversees the country’s first medical cannabis cooperative, this contract seems quite good, but “what will the company that is 51st?” He said that when the national federal federal government will simply select 50, which means that one other 250 remaining businesses will need to visitthe courts preventing the process once again.


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U.S. users will be able to subscribe right on their iOS device or Apple TV device without a pay TV plan.
After four years and almost $100 million, Star Trek's famous ship is alive and well in a coastal Chinese town.
Showtime parent company CBS said a streaming version of the premium channel will arrive "in the coming months."
From North Korea's hacking denial to Microsoft's Cortana expansion, here's what you missed over the weekend.
CBS All Access offers thousands of episodes of current and classic shows on demand for $5.99 a month.
The sound of loud motor noises during drive-along footage of the ultra-quiet Tesla Model S raised eyebrows.
The 24-hour online news channel will consist of repurposed CBS news videos.
Following last week's breakup between Time Warner Cable and CBS, the broadcast station's piracy rates skyrocketed as fans turn to unauthorized downloads to get their fix.
Over the past couple of months, I've heard many key executives of networks and cable companies speaking about how they are navigating the changes in video content and delivery, from over-the-top services to the growth in Internet video.
Netflix and CBS on Monday inked a deal to extend a multiyear licensing agreement for streaming content.
CBS this week said it too would pull broadcast stations from the airwaves in New York should streaming startup Aereo be allowed to continue operations.
Amazon has inked a deal with CBS to offer online access its new show, Under the Dome, which is based on the Stephen King novel of the same name.
A big, honking HDTV, lots of cold beer and hot grub, and some football knowledge to drop on fools--these are the things you need on Super Bowl Sunday. We're here to help.
'Hawaii Five-O' fans will have a chance next week to play detective during a CBS/Twitter choose-your-own-adventure experiment.
Tech site CNET was forced to remove the Dish Hopper with Sling from its "Best of CES" awards due to ongoing litigation between its parent company, CBS, and Dish.

domain: news


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MacBooks are the laptop of choice for college students, according to new info from Student Monitor (http://www.studentmonitor.com), which provides syndicated and custom market research services focused exclusively on the college student market.
Research from the company shows that 95% of college students interviewed this spring owned at least one computer, with 83% owning a laptop, 24% a desktop, and 15% both. Among laptop owners, 27% MacBooks; among desktop owners 45% owned a Dell or HP, and 14% a Mac. Among those who planned to purchase a new computer, 87% planned to buy a laptop — and 47% of these planned to buy a Mac.
Student Monitor interviews 1,200 students for 55 minutes each at 100 representative campuses twice a year and sells the results to Fortune 500, as reported by “Fortune” (http://macosg.me/2/o6).


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The 10 most desirable careers of the future revealed
Dream jobs revealed in new Samsung UK report showing goal-oriented roles inspire Gen Z
• Virologist, sustainable fashion designer and accessible architects top list of jobs that today’s young people are excited about, according to new research
• Purpose-driven careers rise to the top as the world of work evolves, with majority of Gen Z turning their backs on high-paying jobs
• 81% of Gen Zers want to dedicate their future profession to solving environmental and societal issues, and 95% admit they are concerned about the future world
• Two-thirds (67%) of young Britons say they would choose a goal over salary in their career and more than a third would never work for a company that doesn’t have a goal at its heart
• Results revealed in a new study to launch Samsung UK’s Solve for Tomorrow competition for 2023 with an event at Samsung KX on Wednesday 19 October 2022
• The Solve for Tomorrow UK competition aims to inspire young people aged 16-25 to use technology creatively to help improve social issues
LONDON, UK – 6e October 2022 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd today revealed research showing that young UK adults are increasingly turning to purpose-driven professions that aim to solve the world’s biggest societal and environmental problems.
Research reveals that new and emerging roles such as virologist (48%), sustainable fashion designer (40%) and accessible architect (35%) are among the roles that turn Gen-Z people on when they turn away from the roles that their parents aimed in favor of jobs that help improve the world.
The research study of 2,000 young people aged 16-25 was commissioned by Samsung UK to mark the relaunch of its Solve for Tomorrow initiative for 2023. The program aims to champion young people and their ideas about using technology to solve society’s problems. questions around four pillars: sustainability, education, diversity, equality and inclusion, and social isolation.
Top 10 careers of the future:
Virologist/Immunologist – 48%
Researches global disease outbreaks by assessing their impact and developing treatments
Sustainable fashion designer – 40%
Develops sustainable textiles and materials to reduce the use of plastics and consumables
Accessible Design/Architecture – 36%
Develops technologies and software systems to support people with physical and mental disabilities in education, daily life and work
Wave producers – 35%
Wavemakers are engineers who create technologies to harness the energy generated by the tides.
Cyber Threat Hunter – 28%
Experts in using threat intelligence to identify attackers who may have evaded broader detection mechanisms
Body Parts Engineer – 27%
Will create living body parts for wounded soldiers and civilians in torn conflicts
Cultivated Meat Engineer – 27%
Research and develop new ways to create lab meat with the goal of reducing animal meat consumption
Vaccine developer – 26%
Develops vaccines against new and emerging disease threats
Nanotechnologist – 21%
A nanotechnologist designs, creates and manipulates materials on a small scale
Forest firefighter and prevention specialist – 20%
Forest firefighting is the prevention, control and suppression of fires in the forest
The results shed new light on the changing outlook of today’s young people towards their future career goals. The consequences of the pandemic have been considered in job choices with careers such as virologist and vaccine developer appearing on the list.
Eight in 10 respondents (81%) were keen to work in a profession that could help solve environmental and societal problems. Indeed, environmentally-focused jobs top the list as young people worry about the future of the planet, with 95% admitting to being concerned about global warming and sustainability.
The research comes as Samsung UK continues to raise awareness of key issues facing our world through its Solve for Tomorrow competition, a global initiative that celebrates young people who have unique and extraordinary ideas on how to use technology to solve problems. society’s biggest problems.
More than a third (38%) of participants surveyed said they would not consider working for a company that had no purpose, with 88% revealing that they would quit their job if the company did not match their values.
Additionally, eight in 10 (81%) young people aged 16-25 spend some of their free time researching societal and environmental issues, with 86% looking into technology that could solve these problems. .
The pandemic and recent global events have highlighted the need to address societal issues, which is why 94% of young Britons believe UK businesses should do more to address global issues, and 91% would like to be actively involved to try to help through a lens. -motivated careers.
The majority (97%) of respondents also felt they wanted to become an individual inspiration to future generations along their future career path.
Speaking about the survey results, Sophie Edgerley Harris, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Samsung UK, said: “Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow initiative aims to champion the voices of our younger generation and highlight how, by as a society, we can use technology for good. solve social problems. We’re excited to see what’s to come with the 2023 competition and the innovative ideas shared by entrants.
The research results foreshadow Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow 2023 launch event, which is expected to inspire the next generation of contestants.
The event, which will take place at Samsung KX on Wednesday 19e October will see inspirational talks from Reggie Yates, Harnaam Kaur and Jordan Stephens who join former Solve for Tomorrow winner Ramneek Kaur Ahluwalia. Ramneek’s MyVision invention aims to help the visually impaired with a state-of-the-art mobility aid.
For more information on Solve for Tomorrow visit: https://www.samsung.com/uk/solvefortomorrow/competition/
The 10 most wanted jobs of the future:
- Virologist/ Immunologist – 48%
- Researches global disease outbreaks by assessing their impact and developing treatments
- Sustainable fashion designer – 40%
- Develops sustainable textiles and materials to reduce the use of plastics and consumables
- Accessible design + architecture – 36%
- Develops technologies and software systems to support people with physical and mental disabilities in education, daily life and work
- Wave producers – 35%
- Wavemakers are engineers who create technologies to harness the energy generated by the tides.
- Cyber Threat Hunter – 28%
- Experts in using threat intelligence to identify attackers who may have evaded broader detection mechanisms
- Body Parts Engineer – 27%
- Will create living body parts for wounded soldiers and civilians in torn conflicts
- Cultivated Meat Engineer – 27%
- Research and develop new ways to create lab meat with the goal of reducing animal meat consumption
- Vaccine developer – 26%
- Develops vaccines against new and emerging disease threats
- Nanotechnologist – 21%
- A nanotechnologist designs, creates and manipulates materials on a small scale
- Forest firefighter and prevention specialist – 20%
- Forest firefighting is the prevention, control and suppression of fires in the forest


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Dara Khosrowshahi, who took the reins of Uber one year ago, presents it as a kinder, gentler ride-hail giant than the one predecessor Travis Kalanick made infamous. On Wednesday in Manhattan the company continued its makeover with a rollout of new safety features that aim to benefit riders and drivers.
While addressing long-standing concerns among users and possibly helping to recruit drivers, the safety features also show that the Silicon Valley company is just as competitive as ever.
The features, which follow others announced in April, use technology that only a company valued north of $70 billion might be able to build. More importantly, they're features that No. 2 ride-hail operator Lyft doesn't have. (IPOs are expected from both firms next year—which would extend their face-off to a battle for investors and bankers.)
"We want Uber to be the safest transportation platform on the planet," Khosrowshahi said in his introduction Wednesday. "We think the combination of the features we've already announced and the ones [being announced] today are unrivaled in the transportation industry."
They include hands-free, voice-activated operation of the driver's app—which is still in the trial phase—and a crash-detection capability that lets the company pick up on irregularities in a vehicle's motion. Uber can send messages to the rider and the driver almost immediately, find out if indeed there was a crash, and offer assistance. The aid would include a new, free ride for the passenger, and insurance information for the driver.
Riders also could hit the in-app emergency-call button that is part of a safety tool kit introduced in April.
Uber debuted new ways to protect anonymity as well. It now clears the driver's trip history of each rider's exact destination, leaving only the street name with no building number. Drivers and riders also can phone each other without seeing each other's number.


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AT&T Inc (NYSE:T)’s “Street Charge” charges-in to power phones in the Big Apple
AT&T Inc (NYSE:T) is charging the market, and how! The company has launched “Street Charge” Solar Mobile Charging Stations. Come summer and these stations will dot outdoor venues across the Big Apple. You walk through the city, you stop, charge your phone and walk- simple and easy. This is AT&T’s way of showing that it wishes New Yorkers to stay connected no matter where they are. This is a pilot initiative from the company and free solar mobile charging stations will be installed in locations spanning all five boroughs where New Yorkers can charge their tablets, phones or any other mobile devices.
The simple Street Charge concept
“Street Charge” is AT&T’s carry-forward on its answer to the crisis situation that city folk faced when Superstorm Sandy hit the city. At that time, AT&T had powered the New York’s distribution centers with pop-up cellular service and commercial generators. Those who had literally been in the dark for days flooded the centers seeking to charge their mobile devices and also to communicate with those on the outside. AT&T will now team-up with Pensa, the design firm that is based in Brooklyn and Goal Zero, the solar technology company to develop this latest initiative and bring it to the city that never sleeps.
By the end of summer, approximately 25, AT&T “Street Charge” solar mobile charging units will be deployed by the company across five boroughs, in addition to the 2 solar mobile charging units that have now gone now live at the FortGreenePark.
Hardworking mobile devices
Today’s tablets and smartphones work hard and play harder and so do the people who use them. This tends to drain their battery power at a very fast pace and the battery will conk-off at the most opportune moment, just when you are expecting that critical call to seal a business deal. AT&T’s solar mobile charging units work as well after dark as they work during the day. The solar panels gather the sun’s energy which charges its powerful internal batteries and stores it for use. This means that users can charge their phones when they are strolling through the city at night. With this launch, AT&T Inc (NYSE:T) gives connectivity a whole new meaning.


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Updated on 16 January 2015
2014 witnessed a total of 96 M&As in medtech industry
Singapore: Medical device industry witnessed an all-time record high in terms of deal valuations in 2014, with a total of 96 mergers and acquisitions announced, representing an increase of 18.5 percent from 2013, according to an analysis firm, GlobalData.
Ms Niharika Midha, analyst, GlobalData stated that the unusually high amount of M&A activity in 2014 highlights a trend that goes beyond mega-mergers and into the expansion of product portfolios.
Ms Midha said, "A considerable number of deals in 2014 involved larger companies swallowing up smaller ones with novel technologies that were clinically proven to be superior to existing devices.
"This definitely sets the tone for the coming year, as the medical device industry consolidates into fewer prominent players that directly compete with each other and innovation is fueled by heightened demand."
The largest deal of 2014 was Medtronic's $42.9 billion acquisition of Covidien, creating the world's largest medical device company. Despite criticism that the move was rooted in tax inversion, GlobalData's analyst believes there were a number of strategic motives behind the deal.


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The tyre trade will be out in force at the Auto Trade Exp 2014, which takes place at the Citywest Conference Centre in Dublin on Saturday / Sunday 8/9 November.
More than 100 stands have now been booked and a waiting list has been put in place for exhibitors still hoping to exhibit. “We are now going through the process of collecting deposits, and some stand may become available, if companies pull out for one or another ,” John Loughran of Automotive Publications confirmed.
The tyre industry will be well represented at the Auto Trade Expo with leading manufacturers, Bridgestone and Goodyear Dunlop exhibiting. Leading wholesalers Kevin Burke Tyres and Kings Road Tyres will also be exhibiting at the two-day trade only event.
Meanwhile, a number of leading workshop equipment specialists, including Apaseal, JB Garage Garage Equipment, PJ Fallon & Son, Redmount International, Techplus, Tyrecare and Wheelcare have also confirmed their participation.
In addition to www.AutoTradeExpo.ie Automotive Publications will use its suite of trade focussed websites including: AutoTrade,ie; Bodyshop.ie; FactorFocus.ie; TransportParts.ie; TyreTrade.ie and TechTalk.ie to promote the two-day event.
For more information contact Automotive Publications on 090 66 25 676.


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Maple Open House Weekend is celebrating its 16th year by expanding the weekend’s offerings and activities to include local partnering businesses who specialize in their own craft and support Vermont’s maple industry by including maple in their ingredients, on their menus, and offered for sale at their locations.
Sugarmakers throughout the state will open the doors of their sugarhouses on March 25 and 26 to educate and share with the public the process of making maple syrup from sap. Examples of activities offered at participating sugarhouses include sampling of syrup; tours of the sugarhouse and woods; traditional sugar-on-snow parties; and plenty of maple products to taste including maple donuts, maple cotton candy and maple creemees.
In efforts to include maple supporting businesses and collectively market maple’s expanding uses in beverages and dishes beyond the breakfast table, Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association invited Vermont companies to demonstrate how they uniquely feature maple and showcase its diversity as an ingredient. From sweet to savory, in richly dark beers to elegant cocktails, maple is highlighted as a key component of recipes and menus appearing throughout the weekend.
At the heart of the event, sugarhouses will continue to provide free and fun family entertainment and educational opportunities, giving visitors an inside view of the hard work Vermont sugarmakers put in each year as the leading maple syrup producing state in the nation.
The partnering businesses are working to bolster the draw of both a local crowd and tourists by expanding the appeal to a broader market of visitors who are interested in seeing how maple has found its way into Vermont craft breweries and distilleries, and as a revered ingredient inspiring chefs throughout the state.
For more info about the weekend and to see a listing of participating sugarhouses and partnering businesses, visit vermontmaple.org/openhouse.
Photo courtesy of vermontmaple.org
A Vermont sugarer pours harvested sap from a bucket into a vat aboard a horse-drawn wagon.


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"Essential oils are currently become the new excellent, demanded by the community and farmers. Essential oil is one of the raw materials for sterilization in anticipation of a COVID-19 pandemic," said Head of the W Sumatra Provincial Industry and Trade Office, Asben Hendri in Padang, on Monday (7/13).
This was conveyed on the technical guidance of products for small-scale oil palm derivatives entrepreneurs affected by COVID-19.
According to him, essential oil from Solok City has the potential to be sold in better form and packaging. Including creating derivative products so that the price is more expensive and competitive.
"Essential oil derivatives can be used as disinfectants, hand sanitizers, perfumes and cosmetics," he said.
He added that it needed seriousness to develop this essential oil. Do not let the essential oil farmers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Previously, Emilham Harshad reported, the bimtek participants consisted of 16 Small and Medium Industries (SMI) producing essential oils, with details from Padang City of eight SMI, Solok City of two SMI, Solok District of two SMI, Sawahlunto City of two SMI, Kabupalen Sijunjung is obe SMI, and Mentawai Islands Regency one SMI
While Deputy Mayor Solok Reinier expressed his appreciation for the W Sumatra Provincial Industry and Trade Office who had scheduled this bimtek activity.
"We believe that the existence of these essential oil derivatives can increase employment and improve the economy of farmers," he said.
According to him, this activity is an effort to help the government improved the economy and reducing poverty.
The activity was held for four days, July 13 to 16 2020 with training material total of 31 hours.
The event was also attended by the Head of the W Sumatra Provincial Industry and Trade Office Asben Hendri, Chief of GOW of Solok City, Elfia Reinier, Chif of the TP. PKK Sijunjung District En Yuswir, Head of the Health Office of W Sumatra Province, Head of the Agriculture Office of the Solok City aIkhvan Marosa.
In addition, invited speaker Fauzan from CV. Equator Aromatherapy Bogor and Gita Triyantika from Rumah Aromawangi Bogor.
Transleted by; Mutiara Ramadhani


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Even as wearables and connected environments gain popularity, smartphones will play an increasingly important role in people’s lives. Fjord CEO Olof Schybergson explains why the smartphone is not going away anytime soon.
A handful of mobile operating systems have struggled to challenge Android and iOS due to saturated smartphone markets and a lack of carrier enthusiasm. But while the internet of things will complicate matters, emerging markets still provide hope for the newcomers.
A wide variety of devices and services are quickly becoming connected to the internet all the time, almost anywhere. That massive trend will eventually make terms like “the internet of things” and “mobile” obsolete.
Attending a concert or any live performance is already an immersive event. You are in the same room or arena as the artist, but what if you hooked the artist and stage up with sensors?
In case you missed the GigaOm weekly podcasts, here’s a second chance. Two of our shows had special guests to explain new technologies and our wrap-up show is fully dedicated to understanding all of the news out of Google I/O.
Max Levchin, who in his past life started PayPal and Slide is back at it again. He has started a new hybrid R& D Lab/Incubator (HVF) and his focusing on opportunities created by the digitization of our physical world and explosion of data.
When Supermechanical turned to Kickstarter to crowdsource funding of its Internet of Things project, it’s doubtful even company co-founders would have thought that they’d reap nearly a half a million dollars — more than 1,000 percent of goal — with time to spare.
An Internet-connected, sensor-based and iPad-managed terrarium — a micro ecosystem — by London-based product designer Samuel Wilkinson is an artful marriage of physical living and digital worlds and it could be a precursor for what home and gardens could become in the age of connectedness.
Web-enabling all manner of non-computery things — parking meters, pill bottles, umbrellas — means that people can be reminded to do something: feed the meter, take the meds, grab the bumbershoot. But designing the alerts — in addition to the devices themselves — is a key consideration.
From the moment Peek debuted on the market, skeptics have wondered what the future was for a dedicated e-mail and text device in the era of smartphones. CEO Amol Sarva spoke with me about the company’s plans for the future.


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HOLLY SPRING, NC — OFM, a family-owned office and school furniture manufacturer, distributor and wholesaler, recently announced its own “stimulus plan” — a new product line of low-priced, high-quality faux leather office chairs called the Stimulus Series, named for the efforts to restart the U.S. economy. Though the chairs are inexpensive, they still have the high-quality standards for commercial use that customers have learned to expect, according to the company.
“We created this new series because we felt in a down economy people should be able to still sit in style and have the value and level of quality that they are used to,” said Blake Zalcberg, COO of OFM, who was behind the launch of the new product line. “A few years ago we introduced three similar models that were well-received so we saw this as an opportunity to expand our product line with the latest stylish designs.”
When the first three chairs proved popular, the company expanded the line to eight chairs and named it after the economic recovery efforts. The chairs are made using a material without animal byproducts to simulate the look and feel of real leather.
To learn more about the OFM stimulus plan, click here.
Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.


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Anti-counterfeiting features were added to the $50 bill during a redesign in 2004, such as the yellow "50"s printed on the face of the bill.
SAGINAW TOWNSHIP, MI —
Police have found another counterfeit bill in Saginaw Township that they believe came from a different source than several other counterfeit bills found about a month ago in the township.
An employee of A-M Church Supply, 3535 Bay, told police that a customer came to the store on Wednesday, Feb. 6, and asked for change for a $50 bill.
When the customer was told he had to purchase something to get change, he bought a $2 item and received $48 before leaving the store, Saginaw Township Police Department Lt. Gary Grauf said.
The $50 bill was later found to be counterfeit and the incident was reported to police, Grauf said.
Saginaw Township police have contacted the U.S. Secret Service to investigate the counterfeit money. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Saginaw Township police at 791-7224.


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In April 2018, Tunisia became the first African country to pass legislation known as the Startup Act.
The Tunisian Startup Act was passed into law by the country’s parliament after two years of deliberations and consultations with the leaders of the local startup ecosystem.
The legislation, which was the first and only one of its kind in Africa (up until last year when Senegal passed a similar law), is touted to set the country on the path to becoming a startup nation and a digital hub.
Although the Startup Act did not officially take effect in Tunisia until October 2018, it’s now been two years since it became part of the country’s laws. And now is as good a time as any to do some checks and balances along the lines of what has changed since then and what other nations can learn.
WeeTracker got in touch with some of the leaders of the Tunisian startup ecosystem who were instrumental to the formulation of the Startup Act, as well as a number of startups that have benefitted from some of the provisions of the legislation. And they shared their thoughts on how things have changed since the Startup Act came to life.
Ali Mnif is the co-founder of event creation and project company, MAZAM. He was also one of the main designers/lobbyists of the legislation and a member of the Tunisian Startup Act Taskforce. To him, the Startup Act is more than just a bunch of laws on paper but a recognition of the entrepreneurial efforts of young Tunisians.
“The law itself is recognition to the generation of entrepreneurs who were brave enough to start something in the absence of a dedicated framework, he tells WeeTracker.
“I think every founder, every startup, every investor has a different angle and a different story that would be impacted differently by the Startup Act.”
And of course, the stories are different but the general theme is similar: they all speak of progress. But first, what is the Tunisian Startup Act really about?
A combination of socio-political and economic turmoil had Tunisia on the ropes for large parts of the last decade. The country has had to contend with sluggish economic growth since 2011, as well as staggering unemployment rates.
In Tunisia, about one-third of young adults are unemployed. The situation has, thus, triggered a development in which an increasing number of young nationals are taking matters into their own hands, becoming entrepreneurs and setting up tech and non-tech businesses.
Tunisian entrepreneurs had long lobbied for changes to a system which they said curbed competitiveness, and members of the local startup scene played a key role in drafting the new legislation that is being praised as an example of “bottom-up policymaking”.
As stated on the official website, the Startup Act is an unprecedented legal framework dedicated to startups and supported by the Tunisian Government.
It was developed in a participatory and collaborative way by all stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Tunisia under the supervision of the Ministry of Communication Technologies and Digital Economy.
The legislation offers a number of advantages and incentives to the different stakeholders of a startup: entrepreneurs, investors and the startup itself.
Entrepreneurs, startups, and investors in Tunisia are encouraged to go through a seamless online application process so as to obtain the ‘Startup Label’, and by extension, unlock the full benefits of the Startup Act universe. The latest application window opened on April 1, 2020.
In Tunisia, regular employees who have interests in entrepreneurship can take a year off their job and still get paid by the government while pursuing a startup venture. And even if they don’t succeed, a return to their old job is guaranteed.
That is just one of the perks of the country’s new pro-startup legislation. Part of a wider plan to turn the country into a digital hub and to foster entrepreneurship, the Startup Act provides many eye-catching incentives.
These include a state-funded salary for up to three founders per company during the first year of operations, tax breaks and a one-year leave period for public- and private-sector employees to set up a new business with the right to return to their old jobs.
As had been earlier stated, the Tunisian Startup Act has incentives for the entrepreneur, the investor, and the startup itself. And below is a summary of the perks.
It is a series of incentives to encourage potential entrepreneurs (young professionals, researchers, young graduates, etc.) to dare to undertake and launch their startups.
The startup grant: It is an allowance given to the co-founder and shareholder of a startup being launched to cover living expenses for 1 year. Its amount is indexed to the previous remuneration during the last 12 months for an employee and takes the form of a fixed allowance for the self-employed.
The maximum amount of the scholarship is DT 5 K (around USD 1.7 K) net per month and the minimum amount is DT 1 K (about USD 345.00) net per month. (“DT” is the abbreviation for the Tunisian Dinar.)
Leave for creation of startups: It is a leave of 1-year renewable once, granted to the co-founder of a startup so that he/she dedicates himself full-time to the launch and development of his/her startup.
The employer, public or private, cannot oppose the departure of the beneficiary of the Leave (except in the case of a private employer employing less than 100 employees). The beneficiary of this leave may end it at any time and return to their original job subject to notice.
Licenses: Support by the State of the procedures and costs of registering startup patents at the national and international levels.
The SIVP and employment programs: Any young graduate eligible for employment programs including the Stage d’initiation à la vie professionnelle (SIVP) which creates his/her startup or joins a startup as an employee can keep this advantage and take advantage of it at the end of its relationship with said startup and this within 3 years.
The good failure: The Startup Act encourages good failure by promoting the amicable liquidation of startups through the combination of measures such as the Guarantee Fund for Startups, exemption from corporate tax and State support for salary costs and employers.
You can learn about the Startup Act’s advantages for startups and the benefits to investors here.
“We clearly saw a substantial increase in the number of founders across the country. We also saw different representatives of the public and private sector engaged in supporting entrepreneurs because of the hype the law created,” Mnif tells us.
“It pushed some to make a jump they wouldn’t have done. It empowered some others. It inspired many more.”
According to him, the ecosystem has definitely seen a growth in the number of seed-stage startups across the country. He also says startup programs are organizing their graduation every other week.
It’s a sentiment shared by Tarek Chelaifa, Programme Manager at Flat6Labs Tunis, a well-known regional accelerator that provides technology companies with seed capital and mentorship.
As he explained,
“There has been increased interest in founders and talent to launch their companies, public sector involvement and input in the startup scene, more pipeline for investment funds to invest, as well as the launch of the startup fund of funds in Tunisia to feed dedicated VC investment.”
Indeed, data from the official website of Entrepreneurs of Tunisia (EOT) which Mnif cited suggests that Tunisia went from 38 coworking spaces in 2018 to 62 in one year
As per funding, Mnif said he is not sure the law by itself could be leveraged to explain or prove any growth in funding.
He, however, adds that Tunisia is seeing more individuals interested to invest as BAs. We are hoping for the fund of funds to create the expected wave in terms of funding.
Looking further into the data at hand, no less than 169 Tunisian startups have gotten the Startup Label since the legislation took effect.
The startups are drawn from various sectors including e-commerce/marketplace, fintech/insurtech/blockchain, health/biotech, software/big data/analytics, edtech, cleantech, transport/logistics, Agritech, AI, robotics, media, gaming, and other creative content.
Other interesting data points show that 21.9 percent of the “labelised startups” have female founders and USD 18.5 Mn have been raised by the startups combined.
“The law has encouraged investment/funding in many ways,” claims Chelaifa. “There is now a PR boost and visibility for Tunisia as a viable tech scene. Also, more startups being created or are in the pipeline due to the advantages of acquiring the label.”
Makrem Hermassi is the co-founder of Tunisian travel-tech startup, Wantotrip. Although the startup has been hit by blow the travel industry, in general, has suffered since COVID-19 went from viral outbreak to pandemic, he acknowledges that the Tunisian Act has had a positive effect.
“We had the opportunity to establish and incorporate Wantotrip in other countries but we decided to start from Tunisia. So for sure, the Startup Act had a positive effect,” he tells WeeTracker.
“Each entrepreneur will normally have many challenges when he/she decides to start a business in the legal aspect, general ecosystem, funding and investors, as well as product-market fit.
“But I believe that with the Startup Act, Tunisian entrepreneurs are able to focus more on their main tasks (product development and creating the right team) since we have more visibility about all other actors on the ecosystem and all other challenges were solved by the new legislation,” he adds.
For Sofiane Mabrouk who co-founded talent company, Fabskill, with his business partner, Bechir Afifi, the provisions of the Startup Act that have been of the most benefit to the startup are the tax holiday, the one-year salary grant for co-founders, and the Special Currency Account.
Mabrouk also told us that several seniors from the Tunisian diaspora are coming back to launch startups and there have been more initiatives, especially among young people, even as the funding bit hasn’t been figured out completely.
“The mechanism for guaranteeing the participation of investment funds and other regulated investment organisations in startups is not 100 percent operational but once started it will undoubtedly encourage the creation of startups,” Mabrouk emphasizes.
On the whole, he says it’s been a positive, especially because the tax exemptions give smaller startups a leg up in a country where the general tax structure would ordinarily crush small businesses.
But it’s not entirely smooth-sailing, though, because there’s a whole lot more that needs to be done even as the Startup Act is a great start in its own right.
For Hermassi of Wantotrip, the biggest new challenge for his startup, besides COVID-19, is the international payment process since they still face some restrictions from the Central Bank of Tunisia. As he put it, “A more flexible international payment system will help to the scale-up step.”
Mabrouk finds shortcomings in the funding part while calling for more funding and more access to international markets since, according to him, the Tunisian market is quite limited.
Featured Image Courtesy: The Guardian


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It's no secret that Meghan Markle has been getting the bulk of the royal attention recently, and that's only going to increase ahead of her and Prince Harry's May 19 nuptials. But other members of the extended Windsor family are doing things, too! Like, Kate Middleton, who is pregnant, and who hung with fashion people at a London Fashion Week reception at Buckingham Palace on Monday.
The royals are leaning heavily into LFW this season, it seems, because even Queen Elizabeth II is getting in on the action. On the final day of LFW on Tuesday, the 91-year-old monarch made a surprise appearance in the front-row of Richard Quinn's Fall 2018 presentation, seated between Anna Wintour and Caroline Rush, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council. The Queen picked a great show to attend in Quinn's: The Central Saint Martins graduate won the 2016 H&M Design Award competition and remains heavily committed to sustainability in his own line.
This being a rare, unannounced visit, the internet swiftly lost its collective mind. Showgoers flooded Twitter with images of the Queen in her light blue Angela Kelly tweed skirt and jacket set, chatting with Wintour while seated in her own padded chair, presumably brought in for the occasion.
Be it because of her excellent front-row view or because of Wintour's company (cute!), it certainly seems like the Queen enjoyed herself.
Perhaps we can expect to see more of her in the fashion space going forward.


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During a press conference Saturday at Far Niente Winery preceding the Bella Italia! tribute, a writer attempted to engage honoree Sophia Loren in her feelings about fashion. Though the actress was sheathed in a discreetly glamorous Armani gown ...San Francisco Chronicle, 1 day ago Francis Ford Coppola, Whoopi Goldberg… Variety, 2 days ago
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A BEVY of beauties took to the Australian Sheep and Wool Show runway at the weekend to showcase the country’s finest woolen fashion and wearable “woolcraft” art.
A number of big names in fashion paired up with students and independent designers from Eltham to Buronga to present a cross section of accessible and high fashion garments, with Camilla & Marc and Collette Dinnigan among them.
Structured lines, tailoring, layered textures and recycled materials dominated the line-up at the woolcraft parades held over Friday, Saturday and yesterday.
Commercial parades featured items available for purchase from store holders, which were set up at the showgrounds over the course of the show.
This year marks Melbourne-based stylist Franco Schifilliti’s second stint behind the reigns at the fashion show.
“We loved it so I came back but I think this one has even topped that again,” he said.
Mr Schifilliti said he was proud of the diversity and creative use of wool demonstrated in the parade, and hoped it would serve as inspiration for guests.
“With one garment the designer had used scraps of different sort of yarn and put all those together to create this piece,” he said.
“It’s embracing this sort of philosophy of re-using things.
“I tried to pick out the garments that were more spectacular, even down to the kids’ wear, but there was also a man who makes beanies so we had a real cross-section on show.
“I think it’s just wonderful to see the great creativity, all these wonderful designs and ideas out there.”
The fashion event attracted people both young and old from across Australia.
Canberra resident Robyn Fetter said she made the annual journey to Bendigo especially for the parades and this year’s showcase did not disappoint.
“It was just wonderful, always inspiring – I loved it!” she said.
Closer to home, Bendigo’s Lorraine Kelly, Jill Cauldwell, Lorraine Beattie and Ouida Marchingo, who were seated front row, said the garment titled the “Shearer’s wedding dress” was their favourite.
Mrs Cauldwell said the wool and silk spun gown was created for the daughter of a poor sheep farmer who could only offer her “the wool off the sheep’s back”.
“It was absolutely beautiful,” she said.
Mrs Cauldwell, a regular at the Sheep and Wool Show, said the 134-year-old event seemed more popular than ever.
“I’ve been around for 70 of those and I can’t remember it ever being as popular as what it’s been for the last 10 years,” she said.
“We come every year, we love it.”
TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Eaglehawk student Shardae Sharp showed off her culinary prowess in a Bendigo Festival of Lamb cook-off on Saturday, defeating ABC radio personality Corey Hague.
The two were pitted against each other in Bendigo’s own Junior MasterChef competition, as part of the Australian Sheep and Wool Show program.
Shardae was crowned Bendigo’s top Junior MasterChef after winning a similar cook-off with her grade 6 classmates at Eaglehawk Primary School earlier this year.
Both chefs were required to create a lamb cutlet dish during competition on Saturday.
The youngster created dukkha lamb with chickpeas and homemade bread patties, which was selected over her counterpart’s lemon lamb and cucumber, and goat’s cheese salad combo.
Shardae told the Bendigo Advertiser she was quietly confident going into the showdown and was happy with her performance.
Meanwhile Corey was graceful in defeat, commending Shardae for her skill in the kitchen.
“I’m happy to have lost to such a worthy opponent,” he said.
Watching on was Shardae’s proud teacher, Eaglehawk Primary kitchen specialist Helen McCutcheon, who runs the school’s Stephanie Alexander kitchen garden.
Eaglehawk Primary is one of five regional schools to offer the program, which encourages children to grow, harvest and cook using fresh foods. Other schools to offer the initiative include St Patrick’s Pyramid Hill, Inglewood Primary, Dayleford Primary and most recently Heathcote Primary.
“It really is wonderful. The program provides a different way of learning that translates back into the curriculum,” Ms McCutcheon said.
A host of Bendigo and visiting chefs also took to the Sheep and Wool Show stage at the weekend to serve up meals using local lamb, including Channel Ten’s Junior MasterChef finalist Lucy Bonanno and Bob “The Butcher” Dewar.
Participating businesses included Whirrakee, Dispensary Enoteca, Masons of Bendigo, Wine Bank on View, The Golden Vine, Goldmines, Mt Edgecombe, Pratty’s Patch, Erindale Farm and Bendigo Wholefoods.


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Jewellery associations from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala are in talks with Ankurhati Gem & Jewellery Park in Howrah, which imparts training in jewellery making, to hire skilled artisans, a top executive of the park said.
“Jewellers across India are keen to procure artisans from Bengal and we get continuous enquiries,” said Ashok Bengani, president of Ankurhati Gem & Jewellery Park.
“Jewellers from different states are keen to set up jewellery parks in their respective regions so as to bring all facilities under one umbrella,” he said. “With hallmarking made mandatory, the trade is getting more organised.”
The park is imparting training to youths to make them industry ready “so that they can get a decent salary”, Bengani said, adding that skilled artisans at Ankurhati get Rs 16,000–17,000 monthly salary.
He said the younger generation is not eager to enter this profession as they feel that making jewellery from gold may cause health hazard.
“But at Ankurhati, we gave taken all precautions to protect the health of artisans,” Bengani said. “This is what the jewellery associations across India want to replicate in their jewellery parks.”
Most of the artisans, or karigars, who work at the jewellery manufacturing hubs in the country hail from West Bengal.
There are around 650,000 Bengali artisans in gold trade working at major hubs such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Rajkot, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, Thrissur, Junagadh, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi.
Artisans skilled in jadau jewellery – a kind of gemstones-embedded gold jewellery – come mainly from Rajasthan.
Some of the country’s top jewellers including Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, and Senco Gold & Diamonds have their manufacturing facilities at the Ankurhati park, which is some eight kilometres away from Nabanna, the administrative headquarter of Mamata Banerjee government.
Officials from India Gold Policy Centre of IIM-Ahmedabad have also visited the jewellery park to see how it performs.
Demand for gold jewellery is expected to pick over the next two to three months as a number of weddings are lined up. Also, gold prices have come down Rs 48,000 per 10 gm from Rs 49,500 last week, spurring demand, trade insiders said.
- Front Page
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- Sumitomo Mitsui, 4 Others Sought Info on IDBI Sale
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and one other global bank are among five potential investors that have sought information from the Centre about the sale of state equity in IDBI Bank through a formal query process that closed on November 10, people familiar with the matter told ET.Flipkart may go in for $700m Esop Buyback
Walmart-owned homegrown ecommerce marketplace Flipkart is likely to facilitate a $700 million employee stock buyback as part of digital payments platform PhonePe’s new financing round, multiple sources briefed on the matter told ET.Falling Input Costs may Cool Prices of Essentials, Apparel
Prices of groceries, daily essentials and apparel are likely to fall over the next two quarters as input costs are expected to decline, spurring sales in the process, according to consumer goods makers.
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text: PETALING JAYA: Malaysians looking to boost their social status are willing to spend thousands of ringgit to be awarded with fake honorary titles. Utusan Malaysia reported that several 'raja' and 'sultan' from neighbouring countries have been known to award titles such as Datuk and Datuk Seri to those willing to spend a fortune. Although the 'rulers' were not recognised in Malaysia, many people are prepared to pay RM40,000 to be 'conferred' the title Datuk, and a whopping RM100,000 for Datuk Seri, just to improve their public image. It is understood that although the government does not recognise such titles and thus they cannot be used here, weaknesses in the law allow these individuals to do so. According to the report, the conferment ceremony is held during the birthday of the 'raja' and 'sultan' involved, with almost all recipients of the 'titles' coming from Malaysia. It added the ceremony could be held either in Malaysia or in the 'rulers' own country, depending on the timing and requirements of the recipients. It is believed that those interested to receive the titles need to contact an intermediary from the 'palace' who would arrange the payment method and date of conferment. The payments also did not end after receiving the a'ward' as the recipient later had to present a 'reward' to the 'raja' and 'sultan' which involved thousands or ringgit, said the report. Those 'conferred' with the 'Datuk and Datuk Seri' titles would include them in their namecards to convince the public of their position. The Malay daily also quoted Minister in Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim as saying the matter of the awarding of fake honorary titles would be brought to the Cabinet.


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Simple is best when it comes to the nutrition rating systems and symbols on the front of food packages, a new Institute of Medicine report says.
That means those systems — created by manufacturers (General Mills’ Nutrition Highlights), retailers (Guiding Stars, from Hannaford Bros.), nonprofit groups (the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check), governments (the UK’s “Traffic light” system) and others — should highlight only four things: calories, saturated fat, trans fat and sodium, the report says.
The committee says it chose those nutrients because they’re most strongly associated with “the diet-related health risks affecting the greatest number of Americans.”
The amount of cholesterol, fiber, added sugars or vitamins aren’t “crucial” to include in a symbol or ratings system, the report says. Some of that information is in the nutrition facts label on the back of the package. Companies can also include those components in the claims they make about the food’s health benefits. (The IOM issued a separate report on those claims in May, recommending they be subject to the same scrutiny as claims made about drugs or devices.)
These are just recommendations — Congress or the FDA would have to actually put them into action — and represent only the first part of a broader effort to assess the front-of-package nutritional symbols and ratings. A second report, which will take about a year to complete, will review research on how consumers actually understand and use the symbols, both on their own and in the context of the other claims and information that can clutter up the front of food packages. It will also include an assessment of the pros and cons of a single, standardized front-label food guidance system regulated by the FDA.
These ratings systems have proliferated over the last few years but aren’t consistent in how they gauge whether a food qualifies as healthful. Some highlight products that meet a certain nutritional bar, while others assess and rate all the foods in the supermarket.
One high-profile labeling program, Smart Choices, was supported by food industry biggies such as Kellogg, Pepsi and ConAgra, but ended last year almost as soon as it began. The program featured a green check symbol on the front of products meeting certain nutritional standards — but those standards, which allowed for the inclusion of Froot Loops and other cereals containing roughly 40% sugar, got a drubbing from independent nutrition experts.
The program “postponed operations” after the FDA said it would develop standards for the ratings systems.
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Photo: Associated Press


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Lack of supply and strong demand is driving prices for forecourt property, according to a market update published by specialist business property adviser Christie & Co.
In its report covering the first half of 2016 it says demand is being driven by a number of acquisitive operators and lenders looking to lend into the sector.
In its report it says: "It is clear that both operators and lenders see the petrol filling station market as an exciting, secure investment driven by needs based on fuel demand and the opportunity for an increased convenience offering, takeaway coffee and hot food sales which run alongside fuel sales.
"We expect the market to remain buoyant through the middle of the year. While the EU referendum may well take the country’s mind off day-to-day matters, once the result is known there is nothing to suggest that either outcome will have any material effect on petrol retailers.
"We expect to see further demand from group operators looking to expand their estates many of whom have new financial partners keen to support further growth. We also expect to see further development moves towards a modern convenience offer with more and more emphasis on associated sales like coffee and hot food."
The report said buyers were particularly looking for sites with potential to improve the shop, either through extension or complete knock down and re-build.


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California-based toy maker Mattel has reported its 2010 first quarter financial results showing profits backed by strong performance of its core brands and newest properties World Wrestling Entertainment, Thomas and Friends, and Toy Story. The company reported a net income of US$24.8 million for the quarter, compared to last year’s first quarter net loss of US$51 million. Net sales for the period reached US$800.1 million, up 12% from last year’s US$785.6 for the period.
Mattel Girls and Boys Brands worldwide gross sales were US$573.1 million, up 14% from last year’s period. Sales for Other Girls Brands (excluding Barbie, who saw a worldwide gross sales growth of 5%) were up 21%, driven by the success of the Disney Princess doll line.
Worldwide gross sales for the Entertainment business, which includes Radica and Games and Puzzles, were up 35% for the quarter, primarily driven by growth in the World Wrestling Entertainment and Toy Story properties, as well as core games.
American Girl Brands, which offers branded products directly to consumers, saw gross sales of US$70.2 million, up 6 percent versus last year, primarily driven by strong sales of Lanie, the 2010 Girl of the Year.
First quarter worldwide gross sales for the Fisher-Price Brands business unit, which includes the Fisher-Price Core, Fisher-Price Friends and Power Wheels brands, were US$316.2 million, up 11 percent versus the prior year. This gain is primarily derived from sales of products supporting the evergreen entertainment property, Thomas and Friends, added to the portfolio in 2010, and growth in Fisher-Price Core.


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Total consumer credit outstanding rose by $35.3 billion to $4,279.3 billion in May (see top of first chart), a 0.8 percent increase from the prior month. From a year ago, total consumer credit is up 3.7 percent (see bottom of first chart).
Within the total, revolving credit, primarily credit cards, added $9.2 billion (see second chart) to $974.6 billion, a 1.0 percent gain for the month but still a 2.2 percent decline over the past year. Nonrevolving credit added $26.1 billion (see second chart) to come in at $3,304.7 billion, a 0.8 percent gain for the month and a 5.6 percent gain from a year ago. Revolving credit made up 22.8 percent of total consumer credit while nonrevolving accounted for 77.2 percent.
Nonrevolving credit has been growing rapidly over the past decade and a half, driven primarily by student loans and motor vehicle loans. As of the end of the first quarter, student loans totaled $1,730.0 billion, or 53.1 percent of nonrevolving credit, and auto loans totaled $1,236.3 billion, or 38.0 percent of nonrevolving debt. Together, they account for 91.1 percent of nonrevolving debt outstanding and 70.2 percent of total consumer credit. Revolving consumer credit was just 22.8 percent of total consumer credit as of May 2021.
Total consumer credit jumped in May on gains in revolving credit and nonrevolving credit. The gain in revolving credit goes against the recent trend while nonrevolving credit continued a strong growth trend.


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Dalek Dai's shopping centre invasion
HEADS were spinning like Dalek turrets when Dai Leek arrived in Llanelli.
Thought to be one of the three original Daleks from the Day of the Daleks 1972, Dai Leek, as he is now known, has taken up residence in Llanelli.
He called in at the Town Hall this weekend demanding "take me to your leader", but Councillor Kevin Madge was not home.
The next port of call was Burry Port Harbour, before heading back to the St Elli Shopping Centre, where he checked out Asda ahead of his public premier tomorrow at 10am.
He caused quite a stir attracting children, and was rounded up by six mobility scooter drivers who all wanted their picture taken with him.
Eddie Shepherd, of Pugh Buildings, said: "This has made my day. I am Dr Who and the Dalek's biggest fan.
"It's great to get so close and personal to one."


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Police officers out on patrol are constantly multi-tasking in their parked cars – talking on the radio, entering data into on-board computer systems or keeping their eyes locked straight ahead for imminent danger.
It’s all part of the job, and a time when they’re most vulnerable to ambush from behind.
Now they’ll have an extra layer of protection in cars equipped with a new product from InterMotive Inc., an Auburn company that specializes in vehicle control systems. If it senses someone approaching the car from behind, the Surveillance Mode system beeps, locks all doors, raises the driver’s window and flashes back-up lights.
The potentially life-saving device is one of dozens made by InterMotive, which has carved out a niche in the growing automotive technology sector.
InterMotive is one of those classic stories of a California tech company, evolving from a garage operation 17 years ago to its current 15,000-square-foot facility adjacent to Auburn Municipal Airport. The company designs and manufactures electronic control systems that can be installed in work trucks, commercial/school transit vehicles, paratransit vehicles, emergency response vehicles and recreational/everyday transporters.
Many devices can be held in one hand. Most communicate with a vehicle chassis via a specialized internal communications network. They can be plugged in quickly, with little or no disruption of a vehicle’s factory wiring. Depending on the need, InterMotive systems can control vehicle speeds (in forward and reverse), enhance towing power, disable a vehicle under certain conditions, control interior temperatures, manage idle time, initiate audio/visual warnings and store vehicle operations data.
The company started out doing accident investigations and broad-based consulting work but later narrowed its focus. Today, it’s a player in North America’s vehicle interlock systems industry.
“I’m familiar with them, and really, I don’t know of any other independent company doing everything that they’re doing,” said Chuck Ellis, an Atlanta-based security expert. “A lot of automakers are developing security systems or contracting out a specific task or component to subcontractors, and I know DUI interlock systems have been making some waves.
“But (InterMotive) seems to have a very broad range of on-board systems that do a lot of different things.”
Family-owned InterMotive won’t release data on revenues or profits, but company said product sales and development have steadily increased, prompting more hires, including a new engineer. President Greg Schafer expects continued growth, and he said the company is continually looking to develop new systems.
“Seventeen years ago, we were jacks of all trades and master of none,” Schafer said. “That led to a lack of focus. Twelve years ago, we started to focus on transit and paratransit … So, it sure wasn’t by design in the beginning. That’s just where the market took us.”
The company’s timing was fortunate. It was forming in the 1990s, when automakers were increasingly turning to computerized, in-car data systems and sophisticated electronic systems to manage everything from braking to rearview cameras. Builders of police and emergency vehicles were likewise looking for high-tech systems.
InterMotive’s recently introduced Surveillance Mode system, developed in cooperation with Ford Motor Co., made national headlines for the Auburn firm.
“It does give the officer a few extra seconds of warning, and that could make the difference between life and death, depending on the situation,” said Marc Ellison, InterMotive’s vice president of operations. “You hope it never comes to that, but the feeling is that if it saves even one life, it’s more than worth it.”
Surveillance Mode was developed at the urging of Randy Freiburger, a Ford engineer who conceived of the idea after an unnerving ride-along experience with a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy.
At first, however, Schafer was not inclined to pursue it.
“I initially declined,” Schafer said. “I didn’t want to take on more than we could chew and wasn’t sure I wanted to get that deep into the police market.”
But Freiburger was persistent, and Schafer and Ellison had a soft spot: both previously had worked for Ford.
Now, Surveillance Mode is a potential bonanza for InterMotive and the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker, which manufactures specially made “Interceptor” cars and sport-utility vehicles for police departments. Surveillance Mode goes for about $250 as a stand-alone device, but it’s cheaper when packaged with other electronic options.
Schafer, speaking by phone from a police vehicle show in Charlotte, N.C., where Surveillance Mode was named the most innovative device on display, said Ford has about 42 percent of the current police vehicle market and expects to up that to 45 percent by the end of the year, translating to thousands of police vehicles.
“It’s somewhere in the 20,000-unit vicinity,” Schafer said. “We’re hopeful. Looking at the indicators right now, this should work out.”
Ellison noted that, because of the past ties with Ford, InterMotive continues to do a lot of business with the automaker and Ford-made vehicles. However, he added that the company also offers products for General Motors, Chrysler, Freightliner, Nissan, and International vehicles.
He said InterMotive has a six-month exclusivity contract with Ford for Surveillance Mode, but the device ultimately might be offered by other vehicle manufacturers, and perhaps someday be installed in mainstream passenger cars.
Police security devices are an exotic aspect of InterMotive’s business, but Ellison said the paratransit market remains the firm’s bread and butter.
InterMotive makes numerous systems for paratransit buses, vans and other vehicles, including speed limiters, interior temperature controls, door-ajar warning systems, engine-disablers (when an emergency exit door is closed/unlocked), automatic wheelchair lifts and back-up-assist systems.
‘‘It’s pretty much a certainty that just about every paratransit vehicle you see has something on it made by us,’’ Ellison said.
InterMotive’s Auburn facility is a mix of traditional offices, storage space and surprisingly quiet work areas where employers test electronic boards, prepare shipments and assemble devices. Myriad components are carefully numbered and labeled. The place seems to have hundreds of miles of wires. In the center of the production area, a $100,000 machine made by Artos Engineering Co. of Wisconsin cuts and crimps wires, saving hours of painstaking wire work that was previously done by hand.
While its products are used internationally, InterMotive takes pride in its California roots.
Twenty-seven of its 30 employees are in Auburn – three others work in the Midwest and Northeast – and the company concentrates its recruiting efforts in California, despite the U.S. auto industry’s significant presence in and around Detroit and Midwest hotbeds of engineering education, such as Purdue University in Indiana and the University of Michigan, where Schafer earned his master’s degree in engineering.
InterMotive Corporate Executive Officer Linda Schafer, co-owner of the company with husband Greg, explained that the company’s California focus dates back to the couple’s California upbringing and the days when they both attended Sierra College in Rocklin. Greg Schafer went on to receive his undergraduate degree in engineering from California State University, Sacramento, and Linda Schafer received her marketing degree from the University of the Pacific.
‘‘With both of us being California natives and having so strong a background in California, it’s very important for us to be here and bring in (employees) who are also (Californians). It’s one of the ways we feel that we can give back,’’ Linda Schafer said.
‘‘We believe in hiring locally and buying locally whenever we can,’’ added Greg Schafer.
Source: Sacramento Bee


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For the New York Auto Show, Nissan showed off the 370Z Heritage Edition, which celebrates the 240Z's 50th birthday two years early. The Heritage Edition is little more than an appearance package for the aging 370Z, and it doesn't sound like Nissan has any greater ambitions for the Z. In fact, Nissan apparently doesn't have definitive plans for a successor.
"The 370Z is not a priority for us," Meunier told AutoGuide. He added that he "[hopes] we can make a successor," but that certainly doesn't sound like Nissan is committed to building it. This runs contrary to previous reports from 2015 that said Nissan was seriously working on a new Z.
Nissan isn't giving up on performance cars entirely, though. "The GT-R is a halo car, so we need to continue to develop that vehicle," Meunier said.
On one hand, abandoning the Z makes sense for Nissan, since affordable rear-wheel drive sports coupes don't sell too well–just look at the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ and Hyundai Genesis Coupe for proof. On the other, the original Datsun 240Z and its successors helped establish Nissan as a serious player in the US market back in the 1970s. By neglecting the Z, Nissan is turning its back on an important chapter in its history.
Oh well, at least we'll have the GT-R for the foreseeable future.


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posted on June 23, 2016
Squad is proud to be part of the Steam 2016 Summer Sale, and will be available at a 25% discount from regular retail price, which is US$30 or regional equivalent.
Gamers on average have 22 hours of gameplay in Squad, and that’s just the current infantry-only Alpha 6. This is the one and only chance to buy on sale before vehicles are released in Alpha 7 this summer. This is also the first time Squad has been discounted since winning the 2015 IndieDB.com Editors Choice Award for Best Upcoming Game.
And to answer the often asked question, yes this Steam Sale price is a Buy once, own forever purchase, with continued content updates over the next year and a half as both Squad and the Unreal Engine 4 continue to add content and features.
In conjunction with Epic Games, Inc., the developers at Offworld Industries are proud to announce the release of the official Squad SDK, you can download it today by clicking the Get Unreal button at unrealengine.com.
The core of Offworld Industries were members of the Project Reality Mod for Battlefield 2, as well as RoyAwesome being the Lead Developer for Empires Mod for Half-Life 2. We are where we are today because of the access to mod the files of our favorite games years ago. The team has had a goal since the first days of this company to Pay It Forward and release a full SDK to the public to open up Squad to modding and assist the next generation of realism FPS modders bring about the next iteration of tactical teamwork based, paced and strategic FPS. Several founders will devote substantial amounts of their time bridging between the modding community and the official branch.
To celebrate Squad gaining a SDK tab next to Ark and Paragon, RoyAwesome is a guest on the Unreal Engines official Twitch channel, on Thursday June 23rd 2PM Eastern, 6PM GMT HERE live, you can watch the replay video here later this week to learn more about the future of Squad modding and the nearly 1500 member Modding community that has grown on Discord.
Substitute Lada for Squad in-game vehicles. Substitute climbing hill for 9 months of developer coding. Remember to maintain discipline and not skyline your vehicle in game or the ATGMs and RPGs will get you. The good news, you will be able to drive a vehicle to the top of a ridgeline in Squad by the end of July.
Squad has a learning curve. The learning curve is Squad cost of entry to this world of tactical gameplay, as actions, reactions, and inactions all have round changing consequences.
We ask veterans to adopt a new player, and we ask new players to speak up and let people know you’re learning the ropes, we come from a 10 year strong modding community where communication, camaraderie and sportsmanship are the cornerstones of our success, to help get your feet wet we have several places to start:
Itching for some competitive and special event Squad? Check out the following:
On Monday June 27, at 2 PM Eastern, 16:00 GMT, RoyAwesome and SgtRoss will be guests on the EFusion livestream on the frontpage of Hitbox.tv. You can check them out here: http://www.hitbox.tv/nationfusion. EFusion will be kicking off Monday, and will run all week with video game industry developers and celebrities dropping in for livestream events.


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SPRINGDALE, ARK. (Sept. 1, 2015) – NOWDiagnostics Inc., based in Springdale, Ark., recently completed its acquisition of ZBx Corporation of Canada, a move that brings the company closer to its vision of a world where people have greater access to information concerning their health.
NOWDiagnostics manufactures and sells a line of unique blood-based rapid tests that allow health care providers to conduct simple-to-use, highly accurate tests for a variety of ailments and diseases. ZBx Corporation, a Toronto-based diagnostic company founded in 2002, develops and manufactures rapid format, point-of-care diagnostic products in both the human and veterinary fields. ZBx’s customer base includes Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and Mexico.
“We are excited about the growth of NOWDiagnostics and what this means for point-of-care testing and the healthcare industry in general. Our acquisition of ZBx, with its deep product portfolio, experienced personnel and broad capabilities, will help us increase the speed at which we are currently developing our tests,” said Kevin Clark, chief executive officer of NOWDiagnostics. “The tests we are creating have the potential to revolutionize current medical test protocols and to lower costs to insurance companies and, ultimately, consumers.”
NOWDiagnostics is currently developing its ADEXUSDx™ product pipeline consisting of tests in a variety of categories, including food intolerance, common infectious disease, STDs, cardiology, toxicology and screening (from thyroid dysfunction to pregnancy). In addition to human tests, ZBx offers veterinary tests aimed at quickly diagnosing a variety of health conditions.
NOWDiagnostics’ tests allow for a one-step process that provides results in five to 15 minutes using only a single drop of whole or capillary blood with no laboratory needed. The company’s Springdale, Ark., facility was officially registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2014 and is currently manufacturing the ADEXUSDx™ hCG test for distribution in the United States and five additional tests for distribution in Europe.
“This acquisition of ZBx is a major milestone for NOWDiagnostics and will provide us a strategic roadmap to faster, more efficient market entry,” said Jeremy Wilson, chairman of NOWDiagnostics. “Our technology is revolutionary and will change the diagnostics industry for the better. We’re excited to bring ZBx’s innovative thinking to our team.”
ABOUT NOWDIAGNOSTICS INC.
NOWDiagnostics Inc., based in Springdale, Ark., is a leader in innovative diagnostics testing. Its ADEXUSDx™ product line features a lab at your fingertip, using only a single drop of blood to test for a variety of common conditions, illnesses and diseases with results in a matter of minutes. By eliminating the need to send tests to off-site laboratories, NOWDiagnostics has the potential to decrease by days the waiting period to determine test results. The company is currently offering an hCG (pregnancy) test in the United States and Europe, and two cardiac (heart attack) tests and three toxicology tests in Europe. Additional tests are in the development pipeline, including sexually transmitted diseases, more cardiac (heart attack), food intolerances, common infectious diseases and a variety of screening tests. NOWDiagnostics is funded by Bentonville, Ark.-based NewRoad Ventures, a company investing in emerging companies in a variety of growing industries, including retail, consumer packaged goods, health and wellness, data, e-commerce, environmental water quality and logistics. For more information about NOWDiagnostics, visit www.nowdx.com. For more information about the ADEXUSDx™ hCG test, including, among other things, its intended use, features, benefits and limitations, and directions for use, visit https://nowdx.com/products/hcg.
ZBx, based in Ontario, is a private biomedical company that was founded in 2002 to develop and manufacture rapid format, laboratory and point of care diagnostic products in the human and veterinary fields. The company has created the platform development and licensing of two test cartridge designs for serum, plasma or whole blood – the ZAP™ and ZAP Micro™ brands. Visit www.zbx.ca for more information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Natalie Ghidotti, APR


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NAGOYA, Japan/ TOKYO, Aug 24- When a Japanese carmaker issued a tender for shock absorbers a few years ago for a model it planned to sell in Indonesia, two suppliers came back with bids that were "so obviously coordinated," said an executive at the automaker.» Read More
Car and truck sales are jumping, as new models catch on, and market share is inching up.
The big three automakers sold more than 6 million vehicles last year, so what's the outlook for the auto industry in 2012? CNBC's Phil LeBeau and Chris Ceraso, Credit Suisse, discuss.
A funny thing happened on the road to globalization. It became a two-way street, not a one-way trade superhighway for the developed economies.
The President makes a triumphant return to Ground Zero, Wall Street anticipates strong GM earnings and retail sales, while the dollar may fall further on Euro policy. Here's what we're watching…
The 14th annual Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition features 2,000 carmakers and parts suppliers from 20 countries. Check out the highlights!
Surging prices for many REMs and the possibility of hoarding have companies on the offensive, spurring a new effort to reclaim valuable elements from mountains of e-waste.
Here's what you should be watching Thursday, March 30.
Here's what you should be watching Thursday, March 24.


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Great British Rail Sale 2022: where can I travel to from Liverpool with half price train tickets?
The ‘Great British Rail Sale’ begins on today, with ticket prices slashed in half in response to the cost-of-living crisis.
Ticket prices have been discounted by up to 50% on journeys, including some of the most popular routes from Liverpool.
With over half a million tickets now at a bargain price, here’s everything you need to know about the Rail Sale.
What is the National Rail Sale?
The Great British Rail Sale has been announced by the UK Government to help take pressure off those hit by the cost-of-living crisis.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps has said that more than one million rail tickets will be reduced in price over April and May by as much as half.
He added: “We’ve had two years of living life virtually. It is time to get real and visit our beautiful country.
“For the first time ever, operators across the rail industry are coming together to help passengers facing rising costs of living by offering up to 50% off more than a million tickets on journeys across Britain.
“There’s no better time to visit friends, family or just explore our great country, so book your tickets today.”
How long does the sale last?
Tickets included in the sale will be valid off-peak from April 25 until May 27.
Which Liverpool routes are included in the rail-sale?
Here are a selection of destinations. More are available on National Rail’s website.
- Liverpool – Manchester stations - £1.50
- Liverpool – Blackpool - £1.50
- Liverpool South Parkway - The Lakes - £5.20
- Liverpool South Parkway - Birmingham - £5.20
- Liverpool – Sheffield - £5.70
- Liverpool to London Euston - £6.50
- Liverpool - Newark Castle - £8.00
- Liverpool – Nottingham - £8.50
How to book discounted tickets
According to the Government website about the Great Rail Sale, tickets can be purchased online from “participating retailers with the up to half-price rate applying to a huge range of off-peak tickets spreading the length and breadth of the country”.
Tickets are set to go on sale around 10am on Monday, 19 April, and you can look up whether you could save some money on National Rail’s website.


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With the FBI shutdown of the underground online drug marketplace Silk Road this week, its customers will have to shop elsewhere for their fix.
Cocaine was a lot cheaper on Silk Road, according to an analysis of drug prices on the site and on the street by ThePriceGeek.
But marijuana, the most popular drug on the street and on the Silk Road, was actually more expensive on the online marketplace.
Prices varied widely depending on the location of the drug sellers. Marijuana was the most expensive in Germany, priced at 0.18 BTC/gram (bitcoins), or $25/gram, almost five times its price in the Philippines, just 0.04 BTC/gram, or $5.41/gram.
Cocaine was the most expensive in Australia -- 3.05 BTC/gram, or $426/gram -- more than twice the price in the second-most-expensive country. In the U.K., cocaine was selling for 1.5 BTC/gram, or $209/gram.
In Peru, where cocaine is the cheapest, the drug cost just 0.6 BTC/gram, or $83/gram.
Note: Bitcoin to USD conversions are based on the Oct. 2 conversion rate of $140 USD to 1 BTC, the last day Silk Road was still active.
Here are charts that compare the average price of the two drugs on the street and on Silk Road, as well as prices in different countries and purchasing behaviors:


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Thanks to an update released today, the AT&T Pantech Discover is making the jump to Android 4.1.2. It may be two versions behind at this point, but it still gives users access to Google Now, which is perhaps the biggest advancement that Jelly Bean has to offer. Now you would be forgiven for seeing this phone's brand and rolling your eyes, but the Discover is actually a competent device. Read More
If the phones that Pantech has released in America thus far have been your sole exposure to the South Korean manufacturer, you might be surprised to learn that the company has some legitimately awesome hardware in its home territory. The Pantech Perception... isn't. While it competes with the likes of the Galaxy S III on paper, at least in some respects, a combination of old software and expensive hardware makes this new Verizon phone a hard sell to anyone who wants a high-powered device. Read More
If you've ever wondered what a small city made entirely of smartphones would look like, wonder no more. Pantech created just such a city using 500 Vega Number 6 smartphones - appropriately enough, they call it Vega City.
Now that you know the setting, let's talk about why the company made this little place: for its new stop motion animated movie. Basically, the phones make up the entire city; walls, "streets," buildings – the whole nine yards. Read More
You know, for an underdog, Pantech has been proving it knows how to put out some pretty decent, affordable hardware as of late. Just two days ago, it unearthed the upcoming Discover for AT&T, and now a leak of what appears to be the VZW equivalent – the Perception – just showed up in a leak over at Unwired View.
Much like it's Big Blue-powered cousin, the Perception is said to be packing a 720p display and 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4. Read More
Pantech hasn't been going after the bigger manufacturers in the "superphone" category, at least outside of its home turf of South Korea. Until today, that is - at its CES press conference, AT&T announced the Pantech Discover, a flagship-class device that meets and in some cases beats the best that Samsung, HTC and Motorola have to offer. In addition to somewhat typical high-end specs like a 4.8-inch 720p screen, 1.5Ghz dual-core processor and 16GB of on-board memory, the Discover boasts a best-in-class camera (at least on paper) of 12.6 megapixels. Read More
Listen up, Pantech Breakout owners – Verizon has just announced an update to build S8995VWCA55F.BB that brings with it a laundry list of tweaks and enhancements. While it's not a bump to the next version of Android, the update is still refreshing, given the Breakout's debut on Verizon is now more than a year behind us.
The update, which should be rolling out to Breakout owners any time now, comes with improved SMS delivery, memory management fixes, enhancements for data connectivity, and improvements made "to reduce SD Card issues" among other things. Read More
PantechUSA announced via Twitter this morning that its Burst budget phone will finally be receiving an Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade, in a little less than a week. Curiously, it won't be available over the air. Details haven't been released yet, but the update will be made available on the company's website here.
South Korean manufacturer Pantech still hasn't made it big in the U.S. market, but their partnership with AT&T has proven to be a steady one so far. The Magnus, AKA the P9090 that we spotted earlier this week, would seem to be Pantech's first high-end device for AT&T, and the first photos of the device have now hit the Internet. It looks like a pretty standard slate phone, with the interesting addition of an asymmetrical duo-tone plastic back. Read More
While the name Pantech may not bring about thoughts of high-end superphones right now, it looks like the company may be about to change that with an upcoming P9090 "Magnus." This mysterious device first hit the FCC back at the beginning of August sporting AT&T bands, NFC, and Bluetooth 4.0, but now a couple of benchmarks have made their way to Righware, giving us a closer look at what the device's potential innards. Read More
We don't normally make a fuss over budget phones, and we definitely don't readily recommend that people buy them (even when they're free). For the Pantech Marauder on Verizon Wireless, however, we'll make an exception. Its Snapdragon S4 processor, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and 4G LTE connectivity make this a budget device that stands out from the pack.
For the unfamiliar, the Marauder is a new offering from Verizon, packing some very respectable hardware (for the most part, anyway):
- Processor: 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4
- RAM: 1GB
- Storage: 4GB
- Display: 3.8" 480x800
- Battery: 1680mAh
- OS: Android 4.0
- Dimensions: 5.07" (H) x 2.57" (W) x 0.46" (D)
- Camera: 5MP rear, VGA front
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11b/g/n, WiFi Direct
The clear downside of the Marauder is its smaller-ish 3.8" display, but if you loved the OG Droid and no other phone has been able to fill that void since, the Marauder is your best choice. Read More


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Companies in this segment leased more than 6 million square feet of office space, or over 35% of the total, according to property research firm Knight Frank. Flipkart leased 3 million sq. ft. in Bengaluru with Embassy Office Parks, Amazon took 1.3 million sq. ft. in Bengaluru, Snapdeal 5 lakh sq. ft. in Gurgaon, Housing.com 1.5 lakh sq. ft. in Mumbai and Zomato recently leased 1.2 lakh sq. ft. in Gurgaon.
"The difference between startups of 1999-2000 dotcom boom and now is that this time these startups have raised large sums and business is actually happening. This is propping up the commercial office space market in India at the moment," said Viral Desai, national director – office agency at Knight Frank India.
The ecommerce industry has attracted large amounts of funding over the past few years. Funding in the sector increased to $4.3 billion in 2014 from $800 million in 2013. In the January-June 2015 period, investors have already put in $1.8 billion in ecommerce companies.
Flipkart has so far raised $3.4 billion in the eight years since it was formed, with the latest $700 million infusion valuing it at $15 billion. Amazon is readying a $5 billion war chest for its Indian operations.
Desai said Bengaluru and Gurgaon are where the most action is from these ecommerce and tech startups. The money raised by ecommerce companies has been deployed essentially in two places—marketing and backend infrastructure, which includes people, said Devangshu Datta, chief executive officer of retail consultancy Third Eyesight.
"A lot of them have widened their product portfolio and deepened the markets access and their businesses have grown tremendously. So while we may say it is a technology-based business, the execution of the business is dependent on people to a large extent in terms of product sourcing and in terms of vendor management, supply chain, customer support, etc. With that growth in the team, it is very natural and it is also an indication of what they expect in future growth," he said.
- Front Page
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- Learn more about our print editionMore
- Investors Want Bloomberg Barclays to Bond with India
Top US funds have urged managers of the Bloomberg Barclays Emerging Markets bond index to advance a scheduled review to early October so that a decision on India, now featuring on the competing JP Morgan gauge, can be brought forward by a quarter to give bulge-bracket investors tracking the benchmark an option to incrementally buy about $25 billion of bonds issued by one of the least indebted major economies.Gold Buyers Take a Shine to Monthly Schemes
Consumers might be buying less gold amid record-high prices, but top retail chains are seeing a surge in jewellery purchased through deferred or monthly payment schemes. Some of the big jewellery retailers saw over a 50% rise in purchases through monthly schemes.NSE Plans Longer F&O Trading Hours
The National Stock Exchange, India’s largest bourse, is finalizing plans to extend trading hours for equity derivatives, said three people with knowledge of the matter.
ETPrime stories of the day
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On Tuesday night, hackers defaced the Australian website of Pizza Hut and made off with customers' personal data, including names, email addresses and other contact information.
"It has come to my attention that we have absolutely ripped apart your internal security systems," the hackers (using the names 0-day and Pyknic) posted on the Pizza Hut site as part of their defacement. The defacement also included a claim that over 240,000 credit card numbers had been stolen, and the personal details of 60,000 customers registered on the site. To add insult to injury, the defacement also included a link to the website of Domino's Australia, Pizza Hut's competitor.
Pyknic was also a tag used in the defacement of NBC's sites and of the Gaga Daily fan page on November 4, which exploited a recently-discovered security flaw in Invision Power's IP.Board software. On November 6, Invision Power issued an updated patch for that flaw.
In a statement to Gizmodo Australia, Pizza Hut's Australian general manager Graeme Houston confirmed the breach and loss of customer data, but claimed no credit card data had been intercepted. "We would like to reassure all of our customers that absolutely no credit card information was stolen and there is no need for concern regarding credit cards," Houston said. "The security of our online ordering system has not been compromised in any way and our customers can continue to order online in the knowledge the ordering system is secure."


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The Android operating system has long holds the reputation of being the most filled with viruses the mobile platform, ahead of iOS and Windows. Google is trying to counter the “malware”, but this is not so simple. Often experts talk about the need to install software only from trusted sources, but what to do if viruses are on a mobile device too? These smartphones found research the company Check Point.
Usually malware will activate the users themselves when they lose vigilance, but this time experts have identified a different approach to the spread of malware. The experts found in 38 different Android devices pre-installed Trojans that were able to obtain full access to the smartphone and to monitor any user activity. In the area of risk models Samsung, LG, Xiaomi, Asus, Nexus, Oppo and Lenovo, and Trojans installed on them before you buy them.
Attackers could steal passwords and payment information, to install on smartphones any program. Pre-installed malware allows you to remotely track the location of the camera, activate the camera, send SMS to premium numbers.
According to experts, the virus is downloaded to the smartphone at the final stage of distribution. Special at risk are those users who buy gadgets in small shops or selects the device on the Internet.
Among the models that have been sold to buyers with virus experts have called the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, 3, 4 and 5, Galaxy S7, LG G4, Xiaomi Mi 4i, the entire line of Xiaomi Redmi note, ZTE x500, Lenovo A850 and other.


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Thursday, August 11, 2011
Crimson Asian restaurant will bring pho to West Village in Dallas
Opening across from Pinkberry at end of August.
DALLAS We will have more pho in Dallas thanks to Crimson Asian Cuisine, a new pan-Asian restaurant from a pair of friends, one of whom has ties to the Yumilicious frozen-yogurt chain.
Tran describes the restaurant as pan-Asian with a special emphasis on Vietnamese.
"We'll do pho, and rice dishes, noodles, stir-fries, and spring rolls, but we're giving it a more modern twist," she says. "Not Asian fusion, which is kindof played out, just fine Vietnamese food."
That means a full-service restaurant with a "good dining experience." The recipes come from their family members including Pham's fiancé, a partner at Yumilicious whose family has long been in the restaurant industry in California.
"We have about 30 items on the menu, including Vietnamese desserts and some dishes that Dallas doesn't have yet -- stuff you'll find on the West and East coast," she says.
Example? Garlic noodles.
"Garlic noodles are a hit in San Fran right now, so we're trying to bring that here," Tran says. "It's so simple but so delicious. We have a dish that's a butter garlic black pepper crusted crab over garlic noodles."
Assuming all goes well with construction and inspection, they're planning a soft opening the last weekend in August.
- Good timing: Ice skating rink opens Friday at Klyde Warren Park
- UPDATED: Austin's Houndstooth Coffee heads to
- Joule Hotel expansion brings cocktails, fashion, food to downtown Dallas
- Omni Hotel in Dallas becomes drive-in movie theater for one night
- Photos: Ever seen a bedroom closet with a coffee bar and refrigerator?


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The bankruptcy court estate for Reagor Dykes, the Texas dealership group toppled by claims it defrauded lenders in an elaborate Ponzi-like scheme, is suing Ford Motor Credit Co. for $315 million, alleging that the captive lender knowingly turned a blind eye to its illegal dealings.
The estate filed the suit in federal court in Lubbock, Texas, on Wednesday, alleging that Ford’s captive arm could not have acted in good faith, as the lender “unquestionably knew or should have known” about the fraud schemes.
The $315 million sought in the suit is the same amount in interest payments the dealership group made to Ford Credit from August 2016 to August 2018. During the scheme, Ford Credit “racked up millions in profits from interest” that the dealership and its customers paid on vehicle deals originated at the stores, the suit also claims.
The Lubbock group imploded in 2018 after Ford Credit and other lenders sued it for floorplan fraud. Ford Credit in particular said Reagor Dykes, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy the day after the initial suit, sold more than 1,100 vehicles without repaying $41 million to fund their acquisition.
At the time, the group had 12 used-only rooftops in addition to its nine franchised dealerships selling Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Lincoln, Mitsubishi and Toyota vehicles. The lender has said it is owed more than $112 million.
‘Obvious red flags’
Reagor Dykes could never sell enough cars to pay its debts because of its out-of-control cost structure, according to the lawsuit, as it was crushed by debt stemming from an “aggressive growth strategy, above-market employee compensation, and unnecessary overhead.”
Long before the group filed for bankruptcy in 2018, “obvious red flags” should have appeared in Ford Credit’s quarterly audits of Reagor-Dykes’ inventory and financials, the suit claims. An example of egregious fraud includes a claim that one Reagor-Dykes store sold 45 percent of its inventory in one week.
By continuing to accept payments from the group, Ford Credit facilitated the “Ponzi or Ponzi-like” scheme of fake floorplanning loans and kited checks, which involves checks cross-deposited between two or more accounts to artificially inflate account balances.
The FBI investigated former Reagor Dykes CFO Shane Smith, who pleaded guilty last June to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and posted $20,000 bond. Smith, who faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, still has not been sentenced.
“Reagor-Dykes knew that its creditors would ultimately be left holding the bag when its scheme finally collapsed,” the suit said. “FMCC knew or should have known the same thing.”
The group ranked No. 131 on Automotive News’ 2017 list of the top 150 dealership groups based in the U.S.