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In New York’s Hudson Valley, farm-to-table food is no longer limited to upscale restaurants like Blue Hill Stone Barns. Because of mom Sandy McKelvey, fresh food grown on local farms is now bettering the fare in school cafeterias.
The Farm-to-School movement took off in this rural, scenic region north of New York City in 2009, shortly after McKelvey and her family moved to Cold Spring. At Haldane Elementary, her daughter’s new school, she volunteered to introduce a new curriculum centered on a new vegetable each month. For each lesson, kids plant or harvest the produce themselves from a garden, and with instruction from a local chef (often a student from the Culinary Institute of America in nearby Hyde Park), they prepare a hands-on recipe like asparagus and cheese tarts or Delicata squash salad, to be served in the cafeteria that week.
“Over the years, I’ve sensed a disconnect between kids and their understanding of where food comes from. When it’s prepackaged in boxes, they do not realize that everything comes from farms,” says McKelvey, a longtime CSA customer, in which she received weekly shipments of crops from a local farm. “Farm-to-School helps them better understand where food comes from, and it also really encourages healthier eating.” She adds, “It’s making cooking and growing food part of their life.”
If you asked any child in the country to recall the last food advertisement they saw, there’s a 97.8 percent chance that it was for a product high in fat, sugar or sodium. The fast food industry as a whole spends $12.6 million every single day marketing what public health advocates call “calorie-dense, low-nutrient” foods. The Farm-to-School lessons try to undo these commercials by getting kids interested in how fresh produce grows and tastes. McKelvey acknowledges that sugar occasionally slips into the menu, as in her pumpkin bread or strawberry-rhubarb parfait, but she says it’s all a part of getting kids to try something they wouldn’t normally eat, “whether it’s sweet or savory or kind of hidden.”
Happy to spend a day outside, the kids are enthused about the project; some of their teachers, on the other hand, have been harder to convince, as they worried it would take away from precious class time. But after seeing the program work, McKelvey says, even these naysayers relented. One crafty teacher even turned the recipes into a math lesson by changing each ingredient’s amount to a complex fraction.
A chance to learn while cooking? Sure beats mystery meat.


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The manufacturing quantity of the electrical car was not offered, however authorities claimed this was an unique version, and also not meant for enormous sales
A brand-new electrical vehicle business that combines 2 heavyweights in Japanese company, Honda and also Sony, formally started on Thursday, with both sides worrying their typical worths of using up difficulties and also offering individuals’s requirements.
The electrical car from Sony Honda Flexibility Inc will certainly take place sale in 2025, with shipments preceding in the United States in very early 2026, and also in Japan later on that year, President Yasuhide Mizuno informed press reporters. Pre-orders begin in 2025.
In March, Sony Team Corp and also Honda accepted establish the 50-50 joint endeavor, with the suggestion of combining Honda’s competence in vehicles, wheelchair innovation and also sale, s with Sony’s imaging, network, sensing unit and also enjoyment competence.
Manufacturing will certainly occur at a Honda plant in the United States, however information such as prices, system and also the type of battery to be utilized were not revealed. Manufacturing quantity was likewise not offered, however authorities claimed this was an unique version, and also not meant for enormous sales.
Mizuno, that is from Honda Electric motor Carbon monoxide, claimed the partnership combines software and hardware to supply an emotionally-satisfying experience on the relocation.
” It was essential to take an entirely brand-new method,” Mizuno informed press reporters in Tokyo.
” We wish to make this totally brand-new.”
The United States was picked for the launch due to the fact that electrical cars were currently prominent there, Japan came 2nd as Honda’s residence market, after which various other markets, consisting of Europe, will certainly adhere to, however no days were established, he claimed.
Izumi Kawanishi, the Sony exec that ended up being Principal Operating Policeman at Sony Honda Flexibility claimed that companions will certainly be contributed to the job.
Need for “zero-emission” cars is anticipated to expand worldwide, amidst worries concerning environment modification and also sustainability.
Sony, that makes PlayStation video-game gaming consoles and also has film and also songs organizations, revealed an electrical vehicle principle at the CES device program in Las Las vega 2 years earlier, and also has actually aspired to locate a vehicle companion.
Honda has electrical cars in its schedule, although not as abundant as do some opponents, like Ford or Nissan. Tokyo-based Honda has actually joined General Motors to share systems for EVs in The United States And Canada, however the items are not yet for sale.

domain: news


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Playson’s LatAm Expansion: Partnership with Betconnection
One of the leading game developers in the market, Playson will fulfill its goal to further strengthen the company’s position in the LatAm region through the new agreement with Betconnections. Playson will provide Betconnections with its products and content.
According to the contract, Betconnections and its partner iGaming operators will be able to offer their customers slot games developed by Malta-based Playson.
Partnership with Betconnections isn’t Playson’s first step to enhance its presence in Latin America. The studio has already signed a number of strategic deals that will contribute to the above-mentioned goal.
Playson’s expansion is not only territorial – they have been releasing game after game and providing innovative solutions. The company’s latest novelty is Reel of Fortune, where cash and in-game money are used hand in hand.
Playson’s Sales Director Ms. Blanka Homor notes the developer’s success in the targeted region and says that success is not without help if their partners. Moreover, the new user interface along with payment-related revolutionary approaches assisted in enriching their portfolio even more.
Playson has partnered with different players in the iGaming industry, among them are such prominent names as Pixel.bet, Sisal, Solbet, and many more.


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Passenger vehicle industry growth forecast downgraded to 8-11% for FY22: ICRA
Ratings agency ICRA has downgraded the growth forecast for the domestic passenger vehicles industry to 8-11 per cent for the ongoing fiscal year from the earlier estimate of 14-17 per cent. This has been attributed to the ongoing shortage of semiconductors.
Various automakers in the passenger vehicles segment have lost around five lakh units of production due to the semiconductor shortage, ICRA said, adding that the earnings loss for the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) could be around ₹1,800 crore to ₹2,000 crore for the ongoing fiscal.
Also Read : Domestic two-wheeler volume to dip 1-4% YoY this fiscal due to price rise: ICRA
Similarly, the volumes in the two-wheeler segment are expected to contract by 1-4 per cent in FY22 against an earlier prediction of 6-8 per cent growth. This has been attributed to the fact that affordability and demand sentiments of customers was sharply hit by the second wave of coronavirus pandemic.
Also check these Vehicles
Separately, the ratings agency mentioned about the electric mobility traction in the country, highlighting that a total investment of around ₹20,000 crore has been announced in the auto components and electric two-wheeler segments by various companies over the next three to seven years.
While electrification has been the buzzword, demand in the two-wheeler industry has been the most impacted by the pandemic, ICRA Vice President and Sector Head, Rohan Kanwar Gupta, said in a webinar while talking about some of the key trends of the auto industry. He added that demand recovery hasn't happened for the segment.
Also Read : Automobile retail sales remain in slow lane in Nov: FADA
Elaborating on the factors that led to subdued demand, Gupta said that reduced discretionary income due to job-losses, salary cuts and Covid-induced medical expenses, coupled with relentless increase in two-wheeler prices, record high petrol rates, uneven monsoons and delayed harvest, have significantly impacted the industry's prospects.
On the other hand, he added that demand for the passenger vehicle segment has remained robust thanks to the preference for personal mobility. However, the segment has been the worst impacted by the semiconductor chip shortage, impacting wholesale dispatches of various OEMs.
Speaking of the overall auto industry, ICRA Vice President and Group Head - Corporate Ratings, Shamsher Dewan, said that the sudden and severe onset of the second wave of the pandemic derailed the recovery momentum of automobile OEMs and auto-ancillaries.
(with inputs from PTI)


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A RETAIL jobs boost is on the cards for Elgin with the opening of a new store and restaurant.
Mountain Warehouse has confirmed it plans to open a new outlet in the Moray capital at the end of April.
The UK-wide outdoor clothing and equipment specialist has branches in Dumfries, Livingston, Galashiels and Gretna.
It is understood the new store will be opening in the St Giles Centre; however, it is not clear how many jobs will be created.
And KFC will open a new restaurant on the eastern edge of the town in late May.
A spokesperson for the franchise that operates KFC in Scotland said: “We are delighted to confirm that we will be opening a new drive–thru in Elgin in late May, creating approximately 40 career opportunities in the area.”
The restaurant will be built close to the Alan Milne car showroom.
KFC had hoped to open last summer but work on the Elgin Flood Alleviation Scheme has delayed the move.
“We’d like to thank local residents for their patience,” added the spokeswoman, “and we’re looking forward to being part of the community and welcoming them into the restaurant.”
The new openings come as a welcome boost following a number of closures and job threats in recent months, including the Comet electrical store and Millets outdoor store in the St Giles Centre both closing, and a redundancy threat to 25 staff at four branches of DE Shoes in Moray.
Gill Neill, Elgin Business Improvement District manager, welcomed the announcements.
“That is fantastic news. Hopefully, this will show that Elgin is a really positive place to locate to,” she said.


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All In CTA
After going all-digital in 2021, the Consumer Technology Association has decided on a hybrid in-person and digital show for 2022 in Las Vegas.
CE Pro Editors · April 28, 2021
As longtime COO and SVP Mike Fasulo retires, Sony has appointed Neal Manowitz as the new COO and president of Sony Electronics North America.
CE Pro Editors · March 30, 2021
The history behind how Sony first created its DST AV distribution system may not be simple, but it is worth remembering on the heels of the technology’s 30th anniversary.
CE Pro Editors · March 03, 2021
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), television manufacturers and other stakeholders began work on revolutionizing CTA’s standard for measuring TV power consumption. The new power consumption standard will include the first-ever measurement of average screen luminance – rewarding manufacturers whose products produce a brighter picture while using less energy than competitors’ products. “We hope this will […]
Robert Archer · March 01, 2021
Are you doing enough to forge collaborative relationships with designers? George Harrison of Harrison Home Systems offers integrators some tips from his time in the field.
Jason Knott · February 04, 2021
Major categories like 8K TVs, video game consoles, wireless headphones, and wellness technology are all poised for a big 2021.
CE Pro Editors · February 02, 2021
Robert Heiblim has been honored by the CTA for his work on the association’s Small Business Council and for his continued success within the electronics industry.
Robert Archer · January 28, 2021
Harrison Home Systems, one of the nation’s leading custom residential integration companies, receives CTA’s most prestigious award.
Jason Knott · January 19, 2021
The winners of the 2021 Smart Home Division Mark of Excellence Awards for both manufacturers and projects were just announced. Check out who won!
CE Pro Editors · January 13, 2021
Consumer Technology Association’s Smart Home Division has recognized CE Pro editor Jason Knott as its 2021 Leadership Award recipient.
CE Pro Editors · January 12, 2021


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New website CyberFreight International
Recently CyberFreight assigned Pebbler – an online agency – for creating our new website due to the latest developments and standards.
Developments on the internet are changing frequently. Globally The Netherlands is one of the leaders when it comes to the frequency and length of time that people are online. Mobile users – when it comes to internet visits – count in our country already at 60% of the total in comparison with desktop usage.
So many websites have yet to be adapted for mobile use. In the meantime, Google rewards responsive (or screen-independent) websites with a higher indexation then conventional websites.
The new website is now live as you may have noticed!


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Saturday, March 01, 2014
By Bonnie Adler
The red carpet was laid out tonight at Mitchells of Westport for the Near & Far Aid gala, one of Westport’s most glamorous annual fundraisers.
Guests arrived in black tie and haute couture to celebrate the Oscar-themed night and to raise funds for the 65-year old all-volunteer organization that works to end poverty in Fairfield County.
Glitz, glamor and giving abounded, with gold-hued Oscars standing proudly among silent and live auction items amidst a crowd of several hundred supporters.
Event co-chairs Sarah Hale of Norwalk and Mary Thornton of Fairfield offered guests a new technology this year, geared to simplify and enhance fundraising.
Bidders were offered a hand-held device similar to a cell phone known as a BidPal, which alerts donors when items they bid on receive a competitive bid.
Kara Yass, new to the concept, declared it was “terrific,” but added, “It’s also a great thing that they have lots of young people around to help just in case you need it.”
In an evening highlighted by elegant cuisine, a resplendent bar, and live dancing to the music of the Hal Prince Band, the cutting edge fashion show was, as always, a clear standout.
Several Near & Far Aid board members joined professional models and strutted their way down the long runway wearing glamorous designer clothing and drawing cheers and whistles from the audience.
Masters of Ceremony for the evening were Tony Dovolani, of “Dancing With The Stars” and Alisyn Camerota of the Fox News Channel..
The live auction featured deluxe items such as tickets to the Wimbledon ladies finals in England and a dress by British designer Victoria Beckam, a shopping spree at Mitchells, a three-day stay at a luxury hotel in the Amalfi Coast in Italy, and a tour of Istanbul and Cappadocia, among several others.
A rare wine auction ended the auction portion of the evening, with guests invited to dance the night away “until the credits roll.”
Near and Far Aid has given more than $13 million to charities in Fairfield County since 2000. Said Bill Mitchell, whose family-owned store has sponsored this event for 19 years, “It’s a wonderful night.”
Posted 03/01/14 at 03:24 AM Permalink


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Mercedes is launching a new generation of Sprinter in 2018. A few weeks ago, a prototype hit our lens. And now Mercedes has shed light on the vision for the new Transporter and has taken a first look at the cockpit.
With the change of the Mercedes Sprinter model, the cooperation between the company from Stuttgart and VW also ends. The all-new Crafter-Transporter has long been in development in Stuttgart and will roll off the assembly line with its sister MAN model in Poland. Shortly before the 20th anniversary of the Sprinter series, the Germans believe that the released capacity in production could be put to good use.
From 2019 Mercedes Sprinter also on electricity
The current Sprinter W906 series debuted in 2006 and was updated in 2013 with a major facelift and was recently also updated with a new 5.5 ton variant. In fact, the Sprinter, with its current Euro 6 engines, is at the top, so to speak. From 2019, the Sprinter will also be available with a pure electric drive.
Therefore, the upcoming successor to the Mercedes Sprinter will continue to develop in a similar form and, as after the last major model change, will remain unmistakably a Sprinter. At North America's first commercial vehicle show (NACV), Mercedes has already unveiled its first design sketch and given the first information about the Sprinter, which will hit the market in the first half of 2018.
Sprinter is important for the US market
Starting from the A-pillar, the prototype is revealed in the current generation Sprinter clothing, of course the front is still hidden. A sketch of the new design confirms that the face will resemble the V-Class with flatter and more swept-back headlights. The hood is similar to the current version, but the front apron is new. Other innovations include new assistance systems and communications services combined with new telematics systems. According to Mercedes, they are designed to provide maximum efficiency in driving and crew. “In addition, the new Sprinter, thanks to a significantly expanded range of options, can be adapted even more accurately and precisely to the needs of individual transport in the industry.”
Cabin with large display
Accordingly, the cabin has been completely redesigned. The centerpiece is now a large screen that divides the space with two air vents. Through this touch screen, the Sprinter connects to the Internet and the latest telematics solutions. Easier operation and optimized communication between the fleet manager and the driver are among the innovations that make everyday work easier and more efficient. Of course, a modern infotainment system is also hiding here.
The new three-spoke steering wheel in the style of a passenger car has many controls. Between the round instruments on the dashboard is another large digital display. Power seats borrowed from passenger models. In the case of a manual transmission, the gear lever is located on the instrument panel.
In the future, Mercedes will build the Sprinter at a new US plant in North Charleston, South Carolina, not only to avoid heavy import duties, but also because the US is currently the second largest single market for large vans. So far, the Mercedes Sprinter has been imported to the US as a CKD "kit". In Germany, the new generation will be produced not only at the Düsseldorf plant, but also at the Transporter plant near Berlin. The world premiere of the new Sprinter will take place in February 2018.
http://www.mercedesman.ru/en/another/Sprinter-903_d — Manuals and manuals for the maintenance of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter W903.


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LEXINGTON, Ky. — KCA submitted comments on USDA’s Build Back Better Initiative funds through the American Rescue Plan to support new competitive entrants in meat and poultry processing. USDA will provide grants, loans, and technical assistance to address concentration within the meat and poultry sectors and relieve supply chain bottlenecks by supporting new meat and poultry processing facilities. USDA issued a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit public input into its strategy to improve meat and poultry processing infrastructure and will hold targeted stakeholder meetings and other public engagement to better understand the needs, gaps, and barriers to fair and competitive meat processing markets.
In its comments, KCA highlighted the need for food safety and the technical assistance in food safety that would facilitate processing expansion.
— Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association
For more news from Kentucky, click here.


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of California Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force (UCETF) recently announced progress on its “active” fight against the illegal cannabis market.
The UCETF announced a 43% increase in the number of plants exterminated between January 1 and March 30 (52,529 in Q1 2023 compared to Q4 2022). 29,687 for the quarter). The agency also said he executed 21 warrants in the first quarter of this year, compared to 30 in the previous quarter (a 30% decrease).
The agency eliminated 31,912 pounds of cannabis. 43% increase We removed 29,687 plants in the fourth quarter. During his last two quarters, retail prices of seized cannabis products he increased 39% ($32 million vs. $52.6 million). The UCETF’s most recent seizure earlier this year also saw an 87% increase in the amount seized during searches by size, from just $12,602 in Q4 2022 to $95,646 in Q1 2023.
Law Enforcement Director Bill Jones said in a press statement that working with the Cannabis Control Commission (DCC) has improved success and seizure rates. “The DCC Law Enforcement Division’s focus on illegal indoor cultivation, unlicensed pharmacies, and unlicensed manufacturing and distribution operations has prompted UCETF’s multi-agency, cross-jurisdictional approach to We can leverage our expertise to stop a wider range of crimes: Illegal Business.” jones said. “The significantly improved results speak to our effectiveness and help support the legal cannabis market.”
David Beth, executive director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said overall numbers will continue to rise. “This multi-agency task force is now in full swing, providing an opportunity for partners to contribute to their respective areas of expertise. doing.” Beth said. “The benefits and successes delivered by the Task Force speak directly to the efficiency and dedication of this multi-agency collaboration, and we look forward to seeing UCEFT grow throughout the year as it enters its outdoor cultivation phase. We look forward to seeing continued success of this kind.”
UCETF was established by California Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2022-2023 budget to target illegal cannabis businesses through a multi-sectoral effort. We work closely with the DCC, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Homeland Security Division of the California Department of Emergency Services. We also work with numerous California agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, the Department of Justice, the Department of Public Health, and the Workforce Development Agency.
UCETF will start its activities from the summer of 2022. October 2022 announced the first major crackdown at the San Fernando Valley site. “California is taking immediate and aggressive action to curb illegal cannabis and strengthen the burgeoning legal market across the state,” Newsom said in a press statement at the time. “We are committed to curbing the criminal gangs that are encroaching on California’s regulated cannabis market by shutting down illegal cultivation sites and imposing severe sanctions on violators.”
Since last year, the UCETF has so far seized $84,652,875 worth of unauthorized cannabis products, eradicated 82,216 plants, and executed 51 search warrants.
In August 2022, the DCC announced that state law enforcement seized more than $1 billion worth of illegal cannabis products in 2021-2022. “This important milestone is achieved through close collaboration with local, state and federal partners to prevent activities that harm communities and the environment, such as water theft, threats of violence, elder abuse and human trafficking. It furthers California’s efforts to pursue,” the DCC wrote. “These businesses and the products they produce threaten consumer safety and the vitality of legal and compliant licensees.”
Some government agencies target illegal activities, while others consider the ramifications of the war on drugs. Recently, the Compensation Task Force released a detailed report on compensation, ultimately stating that “compensation for damages to communities is limited to the intended recipient’s period of damage in California (e.g., overage housing). It should be offered as a flat payment based on residence, etc.” Communities cracked down by the police during the “war on drugs” from 1971 to 2020). The task force will convene again before submitting its final report on June 29.


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We are delighted to announce the completion of our crowdfunding this summer with resounding success. We originally planned to raise £100,000 from small investors via the equity crowdfunding platform Seedrs over a month – but due to the huge interest in our company, we reached our goal within two weeks, and ended the crowdfunding process with a whopping £150,000 invested in Flexyfoot!
We will use the new funds for co-invest in a country-specific marketing plan agreed with selected overseas distributors. In Germany we will work with our distributor, Ossenberg on co-funding marketing, and we aim to follow a similar plan in Japan with Abilities, a significant organisation in the Japanese mobility aids market.
Our company is growing which means our founder and managing director David Goodwin embarked on a worldwide tour: he has been exhibiting our products — including the new feet — at Rehacare International in Dusseldorf in September. Then he flew out to Japan where Flexyfoot was successfully launched at a major Japanese trade show in October, organized by our Japanese partner, Abilities. Looking closer to home, we recently exhibited at Trade Days in Birmingham where both our walking sticks and the new feet got quite a lot of interest.
“Launch at HCR 2016 Tokyo was excellent” — says David — “Great feedback from private customers and distributors alike. Our local partner, Abilities are 100% committed to building the Flexyfoot brand in Japan and will be perusing several channels to market including retailers, hospitals, professional and direct sales. Abilities have over 1000 people and several sales offices throughout Japan and understand that our vison is a similar one to Dyson, which is very big in Japan.”
We haven’t stopped improving our products: our portfolio now consists of Flexyfoot ferrules (feet), crutches, walking sticks and hiking poles. If you need to pack a walking aid in a small space, our folding and telescopic walking sticks are just the thing for you. But our biggest news is our new ‘wet grip’ ferrule, about which we are, frankly, quite excited!
The new enhanced “wet grip” feet are now available to purchase online. Specifically designed to provide more grip and security on those tricky wet or smooth surfaces, the new foot has been shown in tests to provide up to 250% more grip than our previous version! Given that the previous version is already superior to simple rubber feet in grip, as well as in shock absorption and stability, the updated feet are truly amazing – give them a try!


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SOUTHINGTON — A Starbucks location across from the Queen Street highway exit will close while the coffee chain opens another location farther up the road, according to the land owners.
Late last year, the town approved a drive-through for the 613 Queen St. property across from Exit 32, but not before the coffee shop chain had made the decision to move into a former bank at 812 Queen St.
David DeCroce, an owner of the 613 Queen St., said Starbucks has a lease until the end of the year. He’s not sure why the company decided to move.
DeCroce and his partner built the store for Starbucks more than a decade ago.
“They begged us for a drive-through,” he said. “We couldn’t get one approved.”
Starbucks didn’t return a request for comment on the move Tuesday.
West Street location underway
Mark Lovley, a local developer, said there’s another Starbucks location planned on West Street near the Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen. He’s got a lease signed with the company and is hoping to apply for building permits in the next week or so.
“We’re hoping to have it done by October, November, just before the holidays,” Lovley said.
It will be a freestanding building with an outdoor patio and drive-through. Lovley wasn’t surprised that the Queen Street location without a drive-through was closing.
“They’re trying to get rid of their locations that don’t have drive-throughs,” he said.
John Senese, a local developer, announced last month that Starbucks and a Jersey Mike’s Subs would move into the former People’s Bank location at 812 Queen St. across from the Outback Steakhouse restaurant.
Senese owns property on both sides of Queen Street near the West Queen Street intersection and has done extensive development across Queen Street from the former bank building. Senese has built an Aldi grocery store, an AAA center, restaurants and an urgent care center on land that used to be a factory, a small restaurant and some houses.
He’s working to renovate the former bank for both restaurants and reuse the drive-through for Starbucks, an amenity that DeCroce’s property doesn’t have.
In October, DeCroce’s representatives argued that trends within the food industry made a drive-through a necessity. The pandemic accelerated the trend toward people preferring drive-through service he told town planners.
Some Planning and Zoning Commission members were concerned about the unconventional layout of the property and the possibility of cars tying up traffic on the access road leading to Starbucks and possibly even Queen Street. Only one commission member voted against the plan in October when DeCroce got approval.
An access road directly in front of the highway exit brings drivers to Starbucks as well as other businesses. Sev Bovino, an engineer representing the property owners, proposed a dine-in or pickup entrance off that access road and a dedicated drive-through entrance as well, which he said would leave plenty of space on the property for cars to wait in the drive-through line without backing up onto the access road or Queen Street.
DeCroce expressed confidence that his property being directly across from Exit 32 off Interstate 84 would attract another business, particularly now that a drive-through has been approved. He said tens of thousands of cars a day pass by the location, a major draw for business tenants. DeCroce is sifting through those interested to get the best fit for the property.
“It’s a very desireable location,” he said. “People have been calling us since people have heard (that Starbucks is leaving).”
Reporter Jesse Buchanan can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described Michael Riccio as an owner of 613 Queen St.


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March 8, 2016
Fix a Leak Week in Murphy set for March 14 to 20
MURPHY (March 8, 2016) The City of Murphy is encouraging residents to actively participate in Fix a Leak Week by monitoring their homes for water waste from March 14 through 20, says Candy McQuiston, Customer Service Manager and Chair of the Murphy Green Team.
“Fix a Leak Week is a national effort to help stop the wasting of water due to those small, easily-ignored leaks,” she said. “If everyone took the time to fix the leaks around their homes, we could save a trillion gallons of water nationwide every year. It’s an enormous amount of water that we lose.”
One highlight of the weeklong campaign is the Fix a Leak Workshops put on by Home Depot stores across the nation on Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to noon.
“All of the Home Depot stores in the North Texas area are offering the free workshops on the same day at the same time,” she said. “Anyone who has a leak or who suspects they have a leak should attend.”
Fix a Leak Weeks is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® program.
“Studies have shown that about ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day,” added McQuiston. “Those leaks not only waste precious water, they also cost the consumer money, sometimes quite a bit of money.”
Leaks are not confined to any one part of the house as dripping faucets, showerheads, sprinklers, and other fixtures can all be in need of repair. Toilets with silent leaks can be detected by adding a few drops of food coloring into the tank, waiting 10 minutes, and seeing if color appears in the bowl. Sprinkler heads and sprinkler valves, often installed below ground level, can be significant water wasters.
“When looking to replace fixtures, consumers should look for WaterSense-labeled faucets, showerheads and toilets,” she said. “These are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.”
The Home Depot Fix a Leak Workshops will provide information on fixing leaks and replacing fixtures with more efficient models. From 10 a.m. to 10:40 a.m., the workshops will cover repairing or replacing leaking faucets; from 10:40 a.m. to 11:20 a.m., the topic will be repairing or replacing problem toilets; and from 11:20 a.m. to noon, the repair or replacement of faulty sprinkler heads will close the workshops.
For more information on the Fix a Leak Week Workshops, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.


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Latest news (Bills)
GREEN LIGHT FOR BOURNEMOUTH WATER’S ‘NEW DEAL’
Plans to improve services for Bournemouth Water customers today got the thumbs up from industry regulator Ofwat, who said the plan “set a new standard for the sector”. Customers can look forward to lower water bills, extra investment, a unique share offering and more control, under a 2020-25 business plan developed by South West...
Social Market Foundation Report on cost of water nationalisation – Bournemouth Water statement
A spokesperson for South West Water, which owns Bournemouth Water, said: “This is the second authoritative report from a respected think tank highlighting the massive cost to the taxpayer if the water industry was to be nationalised. It questions whether the necessary future investment in water infrastructure would be publicly and...
Bills confirm Sembcorp Bournemouth Water's price freeze
THOUSANDS of water bills start hitting doormats from this week with Sembcorp Bournemouth Water (SBW) confirming prices have been frozen for household and business customers until April 2015.This means that customers will pay the same charges for their water supply as they did last year.


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Only a year ago, bitcoin was trading for 40% more than it was today, and other cryptocurrencies have seen price increases of up to 18%. It may be a golden opportunity, but is it a bubble in imminent danger of collapsing? What are the environmental costs of crypto? Nick Green writes.
You’d be forgiven for wondering if the world has lost its mind if you step into a growing Bitcoin bubble mining factory, the size of an IKEA superstore, stacked with glowing banks of computers stretching far and wide, pumping out heat, roaring loud as a jet plane. A single shed can house over 20,000 mining “rigs” – each a computer a thousand times more powerful than a good laptop – and one factory in Iceland consumes more energy than all its residents combined. Bitcoin consumes more electricity than the Netherlands or Argentina combined, and that’s before you include the hundreds (if not thousands) of other cryptocurrencies in existence.
How does growing Bitcoin bubble work? The concept of cryptocurrency is simpler than most people imagine. It operates on the same principle as buying gold. The two main reasons gold has been used as money for so long are its rarity and its difficulty in counterfeiting. These characteristics make gold an extremely reliable medium of exchange. Similarly, crypto coins are ‘mined’ by solving complex sums that can only be solved by vast computers (see above). When you have a coin, you and the rest of the world know it’s real. You could not forge such a coin, as it would cost as much as the real thing (and would in fact be the real thing).
That’s why cryptocurrency can be used as money. Cryptocurrency is digital gold. Cryptocurrency isn’t just used for spending, it is also used for investing. The value of growing Bitcoin bubble soared by hundreds of percentage points in just a few months, followed by sharp declines. With a 200% price surge over 2020, the pandemic ushered in one of the strongest price spikes in history. Additionally, some more junior cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum and Dogecoin are currently offering returns of up to 18,000.
Many have become evangelical converts to the Bitcoin cause after seeing these surreal growth figures (there’s even a name for them – Bitcoiners – while ‘Nocoiners’ are those who don’t believe the hype). Is there anyone who would not want to invest their money in a way that can multiply it exponentially? Unfortunately, investment products rarely do this. It is bubbles that do it.
Its worst kept secret is that all cryptocurrencies are just bubbles. Massive price rises are solely the result of investors investing their money, hoping to ride the surge. Ponzi schemes, which generate returns by investing investors’ money alone, are known by this name. It may be that cryptocurrency investments are a voluntary version of one, but otherwise, the description fits very well.
According to the governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, “Cryptocurrencies have no intrinsic value, so buy them only if you’re prepared to lose everything.”.
Investing in cryptocurrencies comes with a high price tag
Craig E of Lincolnshire is one of many investors who have learned this lesson the hard way. As he could not afford growing Bitcoin bubble, Craig invested several thousand pounds into the reassuringly-named SafeMoon cryptocurrency. SafeMoon does not differ from any other crypto in terms of its price volatility, though it does have some slightly different rules designed to reward those who hold the coins for longer. Despite its current low price – a fraction of a dollar – many investors may believe it’s a low-risk investment. A purchase that costs far less than a penny might seem to have no downside. People don’t simply buy one.
In the beginning, Craig’s purchases performed well, so he increased his holding to £4,000 (borrowing on his credit card), only to see the SafeMoon price crash. The losses left him financially strapped. He was able to understand how the currency generated its returns after he experienced this eye-opener. The price increases as more people invest, leading to more investment. However, when the previous investors sell their coins, the price falls again, leaving the new investors out of pocket. Craig admits it almost feels like a Ponzi scheme. “I should have known better than to lose money I didn’t have, and I should have been more cautious.”.
Craig partly blames his loss on picking a small cryptocurrency, but it is clear this can happen with any cryptocurrency, even major ones like growing Bitcoin bubble and Ethereum. Ethereum has recently reached an all-time high in price, while Dogecoin – a currency created as a joke – has drawn real interest due to support from Elon Musk, who has said his company will accept payments in it.
Currently, the combined value of all these cryptocurrencies is over £2.5 trillion – which is nearly twice the value of Amazon. These currencies don’t produce anything and don’t have any assets backing them up. Only one thing accounts for all that value: investors’ conviction that the price will rise even further. These are based largely on brand hype and evocative names.
Even major banks have succumbed to the Bitcoin frenzy. Goldman Sachs, which set up its Bitcoin desk just before a huge price drop in 2018, has reinstated the desk to trade Bitcoin-linked derivatives. The price of growing Bitcoin bubble has soared at the moment, so it must have been difficult to resist, but history suggests that this move will be repeated. Bank of England has even proposed issuing a central cryptocurrency – dubbed, with crushing inevitability, ‘Bitcoin’ – and has discussed with other central banks the economic merits of digital currencies.
Digital currencies should gradually replace traditional ones, as there is a strong case to be made. However, when they are seen as a way to generate wealth out of thin air (or rather, out of terawatts of electricity and hundreds of tonnes of computers), there is a lot more reason to be skeptical.
What is the value of Bitcoin?
Is investing in cryptocurrencies a good way to get rich? You can get rich by playing the casino and betting on horses, just as you can by playing in a casino. It is the same principle: you can only make money because other people, elsewhere, are sending it to you. In the case of crypto, the person may simply be you in the future. Hence, there is no winner. The game also appears to be very niche – at least for now. According to a 2022 survey of UK adults, only 4% considered themselves to be somewhat or very likely to buy a cryptocurrency in the coming year. Cryptocurrency is estimated to be owned by less than 2% of the world’s population.
It’s a soberingly low figure, considering the sheer amount of resources and capital being invested in crypto. Miners’ efforts increase over time, as the sums grow harder and the computing power required to crack them spirals ever upward. As demand outstrips supply, processors, hard disc drives, and graphics cards – all key equipment in crypto factories – are suffering shortages. The computing power of the growing Bitcoin bubble network alone is now ten times greater than that of the 500 largest supercomputers in the world put together. Computer power of this magnitude could be used in countless practical ways, from scientific research to tackling climate change, but instead, it is being used to mine bitcoins. Some respected commentators still claim that it’s worth the cost – and for a select few, it may be. Nobody really knows what will happen if (when?) the bubble finally bursts.
A financial adviser would be hard-pressed to give you advice about cryptocurrencies – and even then they’d likely say, ‘If you do it, you’re on your own.’ Nonetheless, given that some banks are considering trading in growing Bitcoin bubble derivatives, there may be a case for adding some form of crypto to the highest-risk sliver of a well-balanced portfolio. Make sure you understand the risks and potential rewards by talking to your financial advisor.
You might also find this guide to tax on cryptocurrency informative if you found the article useful.


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2021 BMW M4 coupe spied, GT3 teased
The road-going BMW M4 GT3 coupe is confirmed to have over 373kW of power from its twin-turbocharged straight-six engine.
The design of the next-generation BMW M4 has become a little clearer thanks to the first spy photos of the high-performance coupe, as well as a teaser for the new 2022 M4 GT3 race car.
Compared to the regular 4 Series coupe, the M4 seems to have wider wheel arches and side sills, as well as lower suspension, a subtle boot-lip spoiler and four exhaust tips.
The company has confirmed the M4 will use a version of the S58 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six engine with over 373kW of power, or 500hp in the old money.
Both the M3 and M4 will be available with either rear- and all-wheel drive, as well as the option of a manual transmission, at least in key overseas markets.
Unfortunately the global launch of the new M3 and M4 has been pushed back to late 2020 at the earliest.
Just hours after we received spy photos of the new M4 coupe, BMW issued a teaser of its 2022 M4 GT3 race car.
From the rendering we can see the M4 GT3 will feature an angular and tall set of kidney grilles, very similar to the set which caused such controversy when it debuted on the Concept 4 at this year's Frankfurt motor show.
The new M4 GT3 will begin racing during the 2022 season when new regulations take effect, and the car will replace the M6 GT3.


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More than 10 percent of emergency room visits by people age 12 or older for problems involving energy drinks are serious enough to result in hospitalization, the federal government warned this week.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said that 20,783 people visited emergency rooms in 2011 for difficulties involving the high-caffeine drinks, which are heavily marketed to youths and young adults. Eleven percent of them were hospitalized.
The data showed that 12 percent of people who had consumed only the energy drinks were hospitalized, while eight percent of those who had consumed an energy drink in combination with alcohol or drugs needed in-patient care. The total number of emergency room visits involving the beverages doubled between 2007 and 2011.
The flavored drinks — which include the brands Red Bull, Monster Energy and the smaller 5-Hour Energy shots — can contain as much as 500 milligrams of caffeine, which is five times as much as a typical cup of coffee and 10 times as much as a 12-ounce cola, according to SAMHSA. Ingesting that amount can cause health problems such as insomnia, racing heartbeat and increased blood pressure, the agency said in a bulletin issued March 13.
Even as their sales have soared, the drinks have been linked to “marijuana use, sexual risk taking, fighting, smoking, drinking and prescription drug misuse” among college students, the agency reported in 2013.
In 2012, the New York Times reported that the Food and Drug Administration had received 13 reports of deaths over the previous four years that cited the possible involvement of 5-Hour Energy and five fatalities that mentioned the possibility of Monster Energy being involved. A year ago, a group of physicians, researchers and public health experts urged the Food and Drug Administration to protect children and teens by restricting the amount of caffeine in energy drinks.
Energy drink companies have said that their products contain about the same amount of caffeine as strongly brewed coffee. Energy drinks and shots are usually sold as dietary supplements or food products, which don’t have caffeine limits. Other ingredients in energy drinks, such as taurine and ginseng, aren’t regulated by the FDA.
Studies have set different limits for the amount of caffeine an adult can safely consume, ranging from 2oo to 400 milligrams a day. More than 200 milligrams can be dangerous for children and adolescents, and the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against giving energy drinks to children.
Thanks to Pete Cuomo for bringing this to the attention of the It’s Interesting community.


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As Christmas day fast approaches, people are starting to buy all the bits they need to make a delicious roast dinner.
But in a battle to be the cheapest supermarket, Sainsbury's, Aldi and Lidl have slashed the price of one popular ingredient to just 19p. Budget retailer Aldi was the first to announce the bargain with Sainsbury's and Lidl quickly joining in and Tesco, Asda, and Morrisons set to follow.
Supermarkets battle to offer the cheapest veg to go with your Christmas dinner each year and this year looks like it is no exception to the tradition. In the fight to be the cheapest, Lidl slashed the prices of British Carrots (1kg), British Parsnips (500g) British Mini Roasts (1.5kg), British Swede and the all-important British Brussels Sprouts (500g) to 19p.
Ryan McDonnell, Chief Executive Officer at Lidl GB, said: “This year, like always, we want to help shoppers enjoy the highest quality products for the best value.
"We know everyone wants to enjoy a special Christmas meal together, which is why we’re offering Christmas roast dinner for less than £2.75 per head. As we look ahead to next year, we remain committed to offering the best value to customers up and down the country."
From December 18 right through to December 24, shoppers who prefer Aldi can benefit from a whole host of deals. This will include 1kg of carrots, 2kg of white potatoes and a 500g bag of parsnips.
Aldi has also slashed the price of red and white cabbages, brussels sprouts sold in 500g packs, and Swedes. All these goodies will cost a customer just 19p each.
Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, said: “At Aldi, we believe that access to fresh, high-quality food is a right, not a privilege – and Christmas dinner is no exception. Christmas is an expensive time for many families up and down the UK, but customers can rest assured that Aldi will always offer the very best value groceries.”
Sainsbury's has also announced they plan to cut the price of veg to 19p for deliveries between December 20 and December 24. The discounted deals are also available in-store from December 18.
Included in the deal will be items like a 1kg bag of carrots, 500g of parsnips and 2.5kg bags of white potatoes for 19p, and more. A Sainsbury's spokesperson confirmed that further veg lines will be included.
As in previous years, it is expected that Tesco, Asda and Morrisons will follow suit.
- 'I blind taste tested Marks and Spencer and Aldi's luxury mince pies and there was a firm favourite'
- Issa Brothers' £100m food chain Leon ranked among best for breakfasts on Just Eat
- 'Religion is not important, we all bleed red' - readers react to fall in number of Christians


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Epic Games CEO Talks About the 'Crooked' Deal Offered by Google, All You Need to Know
Google's proposed deals "which seemed designed to convince Epic not to compete against them.”
The Epic vs Google Legal Battle continues on as we have just heard new statements from Epic CEO, Tim Sweeney and this time he has more shots to fire at Google. Recently, Sweeney spoke about how Google has “de facto control” over Android apps. Now, he has come out to speak about how Google once offered them a “crooked deal”.
To get you up to speed super fast on why this Trial is going on, Epic Games was asked to give a 30% commission on all in-app purchases. Epic wasn’t happy about that and figured out their own payment process which was in clear violation of Google’s policies. In retaliation, Google nuked Fortnite from the Play Store and here we are.
Epic Games CEO: Google offer a 'crooked arrangement' to bring Epic back on Google Play Store
According to a report by AP (via Eurogamer), Tim Sweeney took to the stand recently during the trial and had some choice of words to say about Google. Through his statements, Sweeney revealed a conversation with Google that would allow Fortnite back on the Play Store. However, he wasn’t too happy about how Google approached it.
Sweeny stated, “it seemed like a crooked arrangement, Google was proposing a series of side deals, which seemed designed to convince Epic not to compete against them.” We do not know what kind of deal was offered, but Epic rejected it and tried to fly solo, by allowing players to download Fortnite on Android devices directly through a website, and not through the Play Store.
However, this plan didn’t work in their favor, Sweeney explained that it became a “depressing process”. So they returned to Play Store, with a plan in mind however to oppose Google. This Is where Project Liberty entered the situation, which was essentially an alternate payment option for Fortnite. This is why the application was removed from Play Store in 2020 and Epic ended up filing anti-trust lawsuits against Google.


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Etihad codeshare boost for Lebanese
Etihad Airways is providing Lebanon based air travellers with greater access to its expanding global network, following the signing of a new code share agreement with Beirut based carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA).
The deal, which comes into effect on 14 January this year, gives air travellers a choice of 14 weekly services between the Lebanese and United Arab Emirates capitals to supplement Etihad’s nine weekly flights with the five currently flown by MEA. Seat bookings will be available from the end of November.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive officer, said, “This agreement will be warmly welcomed within the local market, increasing substantially as it does the choice of travel options available between Beirut and Abu Dhabi.
He added, “Code share agreements like this one are part of Etihad’s continuing strategy to attract more air travellers onto our network and offer our customers a growing global network.”


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Chinese tech giant Xiaomi is giving away US$22.7m worth of rewards to customers beginning Tuesday, December 19 after the company managed to turn around its smartphone sales in October. Now, Xiaomi is expecting to hit 90 million units in sales before 2017 wraps up.
From December 19 until 26, Xiaomi will be distributing one million vouchers of 100 yuan each and one million vouchers of 50 yuan each which consumers can use to buy hardware products available on Xiaomi's website. If consumers will not be able to secure cash vouchers, they can still get gift coupons to redeem products and accessories.
On Chinese social media Weibo, Xiaomi chief executive Lei Jun said they want to extend their gratitude to their consumers through the giveaway after the new milestone. During the second quarter of 2017, the company was able to make a U-turn in sales, selling a record-breaking 23 million smartphones within three months. This figure is 70 per cent higher from the first quarter sales.
At the end of the third quarter, Xiaomi was able to sell 70 million smartphones worth US$151m by the end of October. Xiaomi previously targeted to reach this number in November. By the end of 2017, Lei said they are expecting to sell a total of 90 million smartphone units.
After the company became the world's most valuable start-up in 2014, it became a rough road for Xiaomi since due to the stiff competition in China.
Market research firm IDC reported in November that Xiaomi is now the fourth largest smartphone vendor in China with a market share of 13.7 per cent in the third quarter. Huawei consistently led the pack, followed by Vivo and Oppo. In India, Xiaomi is currently giving Samsung Electronics Co Ltd a run for their money.


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Amazon needs to act now to stop hate speech
Hate speech should have no place in our society, and especially online. With social media platforms, their membership and audience growing exponentially, the monitoring of hate speech and cyber bullying has fallen behind. Onenewsoutletrevealedhow hats which read ‘black lives don’t matter’ were being sold on Amazon. The conglomerate firm apologised and claimed the hats were being sold by a third party.
In this day and age, that is no excuse for allowing hate speech to be projected from their website.
Closer to home, the Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association (PDSA) has joined the #NoPlaceForHate campaign which is urging the same company, Amazon, to do more to prevent T-shirts promoting Down Syndrome hate speech.
As one of the biggest websites in the world which many people use on a regular basis, it is extremely damaging for them to allow this type of bullying to occur.
PDSA chair, Rachael Ross, whose son Max has Down Syndrome, told ‘The T-shirts are extremely offensive and say things like “let’s make Down Syndrome extinct”.
‘The slogans are damaging and offensive to families and people with Down Syndrome because that would mean they aren’t here which is a very upsetting thing to say and have on a T-shirt.’
However this is not the first time such T-shirts have been sold on the website and they were found as early as March this year.
An online petition has collected 60,000 signatures calling on Amazon to put an end to the items once and for all.
But it should not take a petition to remove such items, it should be common sense and decency.
If they Amazon continue to fail to monitor what sellers are putting up and promoting on their website, they are treading a dangerous path.


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Latest NIL service aimed to connect Hokie student-athletes and businesses
From Virginia Tech Athletics:
Through its enhanced partnership with INFLCR, Virginia Tech Athletics is proud to announce another addition to its Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) efforts with Hokies Exchange. This complimentary service will offer a platform for student-athletes and businesses to interact and arrange a variety of NIL endorsement deals.
All businesses will be able to register beginning on March 3 at HokieSports.com/Exchange. Once Tech student-athletes have opted in to participate and businesses are registered, Hokies Exchange will begin to facilitate NIL transactions.
“This platform represents a great development for both Virginia Tech student-athletes and businesses across the nation,” Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock said. “The Virginia Tech brand resonates so strongly across our region, and we’re pleased to provide this opportunity for our student-athletes to leverage that brand along with their own unique personalities in partnership with various companies and business interests. This is just another example of Virginia Tech helping position our student-athletes for sustained success.”
Once a business, collective or individual has registered and been approved for Hokies Exchange, it will be put into a database where student-athletes and the entity can connect for potential NIL deals. Businesses can filter through the index of student-athletes and narrow down selections using different criteria.
Virginia Tech and INFLCR will not be involved in the negotiations.
Upon finalization of an NIL deal, a customized reporting form that is compliant with Commonwealth of Virginia statute and Virginia Tech Athletics Name, Image and Likeness guidelines, will be forwarded to the institution. The platform also includes a payment processing tool for the business to securely pay the student-athlete. Any payments processed using this tool will be reported on a consolidated 1099 that lives in the student-athlete’s INFLCR app for more efficient tax reporting.
“The Hokies joined INFLCR at the beginning of 2020, and have continually provided their student-athletes with the best when it comes to enhancing their NIL,” said INFLCR President Jim Cavale. “With the Hokies Exchange, they’re bringing local monetization opportunities, payments, and reporting all under the same roof. Consolidating their NIL strategy makes it abundantly easier for local businesses and Hokies student-athletes to participate in NIL activities, and gives compliance a simpler way to monitor it all.”
This arrangement is another step in Virginia Tech’s endeavor to bolster student-athletes’ opportunities and capitalize on their name, image and likeness while competing for the Hokies. On June 1, 2021, Virginia Tech announced JumpStart, a comprehensive NIL program for student-athletes. This initiative looks to empower its participants with knowledge and resources in building its personal brand. More recently, Virginia Tech football, along with Fanatics and OneTeam, announced a partnership that will allow fans to buy customized jerseys that student-athletes will be compensated for.
What Hokies Coaches Are Saying
“In this new NIL era of hype we wanted to make sure Virginia Tech possessed a concrete system capable of bringing immediate value to our student-athletes. This is exactly what the Hokies Exchange does. Local, state, regional and national businesses who desire to work directly with our student-athletes can find them through this app. Hokies Exchange streamlines communication, payment and automates all NCAA compliance and tax reporting to allow all legitimate parties to easily transact with our student-athletes. The more businesses and individuals who utilize Hokies Exchange the better, because this is going to maximize the financial possibilities for our student-athletes. We couldn’t be more excited about this rollout. Our student-athletes deserve all businesses, alums and fans to get involved with the Hokies Exchange.”
Brent Pry, Virginia Tech football head coach
“This is a tremendous opportunity for our student-athletes and streamlines the process for them to capitalize on their name, image and likeness. Hokies Exchange is another example of the commitment our administration has made to enhancing the NIL program we have in place at Virginia Tech.”
Mike Young, Virginia Tech men’s basketball head coach
“I believe there’s unlimited potential for our student-athletes to grow their brand with the launch of Hokies Exchange. Our young ladies are very marketable because of their talent, high character and engaging personalities. I appreciate our administration continuing to enhance our NIL program at Virginia Tech and embrace the importance it has in recruiting.”
Kenny Brooks, Virginia Tech women’s basketball head coach
“The introduction of NIL allows student athletes to be able to capitalize on their own brand and have control over how they want their name, image and likeness to be portrayed. Additional NIL resources, like Hokies Exchange, can only enhance our student-athletes’ ability to pick and choose what their names get partnered with. I think it’s a great asset that our athletics department recognizes the importance of NIL to our student-athletes and provides them with another platform that will be helpful in the expansion of their brand.”
Marci Byers, Virginia Tech volleyball head coach
Want to know more about INFLCR? See what products we offer here!


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Media Technology Marketing.
Every week, a recap of the latest news in media,
new technology and marketing.
week 25 – 2016
EVEN SHORTER THAN FIVE TO SEVEN
The daily talk show did not find its audience, with only a 9% share from 17h to 18h, forcing TF1 to cut the program hosted by Arthur earlier than expected. The last episode will air on Friday, July 1st instead of the 8th. Will TF1 find the right fit for its pre-access?
LET’S BET ON FOOTBALL… RATINGS: A RECAP OF THE 1st WEEK
The Euro 2016 started a little over a week ago: between bad weather and an uneasy social climate, it wasn’t the usual atmosphere surrounding the start of a World Cup or Euro… But when looking at the ratings it does seem that football has set its rythm on French life:
THE TRANSFER SEASON STARTS FOR RADIO
After the many movements on TV, there is also some news for radio stations, which are also impacted by the arrival of the French presidential election next spring. At RTL, the 7h50 political interview goes to the chief political editor Elizabeth Martichoux, replacing Olivier Mazerolle, who will nonetheless be staying at the station to host the “Grand Jury RTL” live on Sunday at noon. On Europe 1, Jean-Michel Apathie should, according to Télérama, leave « Europe 1 Midi », with the 12h-14h timeslot going most likely to Maxime Switek and Anne Roumanoff, who would be coming back on air after leaving suddenly in 2014.
Digital & Business
AMAZON PRIME NOW : RIGHT NOW IN PARIS
After the US, the UK and Italy, Amazon launched its 1h express delivery service, dubbed Prime Now, on Thursday, June 16th in Paris, reserved for Amazon Premium members. The deal: for a minimum basket of 20€, 1h delivery costs 5.90€, while 2h delivery costs… nothing! The service is available 7 days a week from 8h to 22h. With this move, Amazon is flexing its muscles, especially on the food and produce market, which it started in September 2015. To find out more, click here.
THE 26.2 BILLION DOLLAR ACQUISITION: MICROSOFT SWALLOWS LINKEDIN
In a transaction worthy of the web’s early bubble years, Microsoft announced last week that it was acquiring LinkedIn for $26 bn! The acquisition is strategic for Microsoft’s move from office software to become even more unavoidable in the B2B world by adding the professional social network, and especially its trove of data, to its services. Check out LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on the operation here.
LA REDOUTE INTERIEUR LAUNCHES A COLLABORATION WITH PINTEREST
Getting inspired and communicating with pictures is what makes us addicted to Instagram (the 3rd social network in the world with 400 million users in August 2015) or Pinterest (100 million users in August 2015, 9th place). For certain subjects, like cooking or decoration, these networks are particularly useful… La Redoute Intérieurs (the home decoration arm of La Redoute) got that and is proposing a collection following a collaboration with Pinterest, where after a challenge to create a mood board using products from La Redoute Intérieurs, the winning Pinterest user got the chance to create a capsule collection.
GOLD LIONS 2016, AND THE NOMINEES ARE…
The Cannes Lions run from June 18th to 25th. Three categories (innovation, entertainment and health) will bring together the ideas from creatives, communication and advertising from around the world. The yearly get-together is also an opportunity to see many conferences, giving a week of brainstorming on all things advertising. For all things Lions, click here, and you can even bet on the winners here, all for a good cause. Finally, to know more about the French players in advertising, check out the FrenchCampCannes.
“I’LL TEACH YOU MANNERS YOU LITTLE BRAT!”: REMEMBER THAT?
It probably happened to you at some point in your childhood. However, not everyone remembers their lessons, notably on common courtesy in public transportation around pregnant women. Obviously it would be nice to give them your seat… To remind users of this, South Korea just launched the « Pink light », which every pregnant woman can clip onto her things… It’s sad it’s come to this! To understand the system, click here.


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According to media paperblog reported, recently, 30 trucks loaded with 5-cent coins arrived at Apple headquarters in California. At the beginning, Apple security said that the trucks were parked in the wrong place, a few minutes later, Tim Cook got a call from Samsung president, who says that this is the $1 billion compensation Samsung pays to Appl[......]
According to some media, Intel’s next generation Core graphics processor Haswell models will not continue the HD definition method, but to use the GT1, GT2 and GT3. The specific performance rank is GT3 the strongest, GT1 the weakest.
We can see from this list that the desktop level Haswell’s dual-core and quad-core versions are only equipped wit[......]
Following the Falcon Northwest company announced full subsidy of $14.99 for upgrading Windows 7 PC to Windows 8, the world’s largest PC manufacturer Hewlett-Packard also announced that from today on to November 17 they help those who buy the HP Windows 7 computer upgrade.
This privilege is limited to residents of the United States and Canada who[......]
There are reports that the developers found that OS X 10.8.1 will extend battery life. But after the test of the MacBook users, the OS X 10.8.1 disappointed us in improving battery life.
Although the developers confirmed the battery life is greatly enhanced after the mountain lion is updated, the test results are completely different in real lif[......]
According to media reports, Apple submitted new patent application to the U.S. Patent and USPTO, including Thunderbolt ultra-high-speed transmission interface, tactile feedback, etc..
Thunderbolt ultra-high-speed transmission interface: According to the patent application documents, this technology makes the Thunderbolt interface able to deliver[......]
According to media reports, Amazon today issued invitations to the media, and claimed that the company will hold a press conference in Santa Monica, California on September 6.
Amazon’s invitation did not disclose any information about the content of the news conference. The body of the invitation is only one sentence: “We invite you to participa[......]
Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman, said on a analysts callconference today, in additopn to the Windows 8 business Tablet PC, HP will also launch two new consumer-oriented notebook-Tablet PC hybrid devices.
When asked about the PC business by the analyst, Whitman said: “We are facing a very strong competitive pressure, and we will take action.”[......]
Earlier the Microsoft released the message that Windows 8 system upgrading tolls, but there has been no news of the original boxing retail price. However, according to the sources, Windows 8 Pro price is $199, but it will be on sale as $69.99 before January 31, 2013.
The previously announced Windows 8 Pro upgrade program fits for existing Wi[......]
According to media reports, South Korea Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology has developed a new technology, which will significantly reduce the charging time of the rechargeable battery. If the product launches to the market successfully, then the future laptops charging time will be shortened to 1 minute.
Samsung said recently in an interview, in May and June this year, Tablet PC sales in Taiwan has gone beyond notebook computers. Above remarks is from Taiwan general manager of Samsung Mobile Communications Du Weiyu.
Duwei Yu believes that currently in the Taiwan notebook computer popularizing rate is already very high. Recently, th[......]


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The World Electronic Sports Games (WESG) will be back this year, and it’s happening in Chongqing, China. As one of the region’s biggest esports tourneys, WESG will no doubt be filled with exciting esports action across several major titles.
If you’re looking to watch the games happening at WESG 2019, you’ll be able to see them live on Nimo TV as it was recently announced that the platform has partnered with Alisports to become the official broadcasting partner of WESG.
“We are excited of brining WESG 2019 to everyone via Nimo TV” said Henry Zhao, Nimo TV Overseas Executive. “Nimo TV and Alisports share a common goal of bringing esports closer to the world, and we believe that this partnership made us achieve our goal,” Zhao added.
In case you haven’t followed WESG in the recent years, the tourney was established by Alisports back in 2016. WESG follows an “Olympic-style” tournament, meaning teams must consist of players from one nationality. It currently holds the highest prize pool of any third-party competition across multiple titles amounting to $5.5 million.
WESG 2019 begins today! Watch the games live by downloading the Nimo TV app at the Apple app store and Google Play store here: https://nimotv.onelink.me/B6cW/25ba46b7


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Vancouver’s sky-high real estate prices are changing the shape of its retail districts – with pricey neighbourhoods feeling some pain, and formerly neglected pockets of the city getting a boost.
Several long-time businesses on the city’s expensive west side are either closing down or moving as retail strips transform under the pressures of rent and tax increases, redevelopment and a shifting demographic. The shopping strip along West Broadway, in the once-trendy heart of Upper Kitsilano, suddenly has vacant storefronts. Long-time shops are moving or shutting down.
“There is something wrong with West Broadway – an unprecedented number of businesses are closing their doors,” said Marion Jamieson, director of the Upper Kitsilano Residents Association. “I think the kinds of issues we’re facing in the residential areas of gentrification are also having an impact on commercial areas.”
Dunbar Lumber, at Dunbar Street and West 16th Avenue on Vancouver’s west side, has been operating at the location since 1935. Shafique Shivji ’s father took over the business in 1972 and paid $100,000 for the property. Today, the family is paying nearly that same amount in annual property taxes, which, Mr. Shivji said, is part of the reason they decided to sell to a developer, who plans on building a 19-unit residential building, with commercial space.
His climbing taxes coincide with Vancouver’s skyrocketing residential market over the last two to three years. Meanwhile, Mr. Shivji said his customer base has dropped off.
“I employ 40 people in that one location, and I’m not gaining any business, so when my taxes jumped up to almost $100,000, we had to ask, ‘What are we doing this for?’ We can’t keep going like this.”
To put it in context, a tiny house nearby at 3538 W. 29th Ave. was recently listed for $5.5-million, and it was marketed as a tear-down.
As a result, Mr. Shivji said his lumberyard in nearby Ladner, B.C., is doing double the business.
“My weekend customer base has changed. It used to be chockablock full of people renovating and doing stuff on their houses,” he said. “That’s not the clientele living in this neighbourhood any more. They all either own new houses, or they don’t spend a penny on them.”
As a result, Mr. Shivji is relocating and downsizing from the 186-by-120 square-foot lumberyard to a location at West 13th Avenue and Arbutus Street. He’s trying out a new business model: a lumber store without the lumberyard. Instead, customers can place orders from a smaller retail store, and their supplies will be delivered. It means lower overhead without having to move far from his customer base.
“It’s the new Vancouver,” Mr. Shivji said, adding he has seen many other Dunbar shop owners move out. “I’ve seen changes around here since I was 12, and I don’t know if this is good.”
East side on the rise
But over on Vancouver’s more affordable east side, retail strips are experiencing a boost. Hipster restaurants, video production offices, and immigrant-driven beauty salons are just some of the startups creating vibrancy in gentrifying east-side neighbourhoods. A report by commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield recently named the east side’s Main Street as one of the 15 coolest streets in North America. The only other Canadian street to place on the list was Toronto’s Queen Street West.
A study for The Globe and Mail by BTAworks analysts Mark Heeney and Andy Yan showed that the number of west-side businesses is dropping. For example, the number of Dunbar businesses fell by 8 per cent between 2011 and 2016. And retail businesses on West Broadway, between Alma Street and MacDonald Street, dropped by 10 per cent. However, moving east, businesses were on the rise, with an increase of 11 per cent in the heart of Cambie Street and 13 per cent on East Hastings Street, east of Nanaimo.
The reasons for the west-side’s decline are a combination of shop closings and the consolidation of retail spaces due to redevelopment, Mr. Yan said.
Generally, the total gross rent for a typical 1,000-square-foot space on West Broadway is about $75 per square foot, versus $45 per square foot for a space of the same size on the east side (for example, East Hastings), according to Tony Letvinchuk, managing director at Macdonald Commercial. Of that amount, about 18 to 22 per cent is for property tax.
Greater affordability on the east side is a huge draw for independent, new-concept retailers, and the young demographic they attract, he said. “It makes it more manageable for independent retailers to open up shop in those areas.”
West-side retail areas are under pressure from speculative market demand, similar to housing in the area. Nu Stream Realty, which specializes in marketing to clients from China, recently distributed flyers throughout the west side that said it has “lots of prospective buyers interested to invest in commercial properties.”
Mr. Letvinchuk has seen the pressures of real estate investment on retail. “Property taxes paid by Vancouver’s street-front retailers are definitely on the rise. Developers and investors often bid up the value of these properties, which, in many instances, are now effectively development sites with retail holding income.”
Adrian Beruschi, vice-president of the retail properties group for CBRE Ltd., said that “property taxes are ruthless” and “squeezing the mom-and-pop businesses.”
Migration to the city’s east side is taking away from the formerly youthful and now pricey west side, he said. Historically, the west side’s lush Point Grey area was the place to be for a retailer. A street like West 10th Avenue, close to the University of British Columbia, would have been desirable.
“I haven’t had a tenant say they want to be on West 10th Avenue in the last five years,” he said.
“When young families are moving [east], young entrepreneurs pounce on those new retail nodes and improve them. And if young families can’t afford to be in Point Grey, and populations there are not growing – and in fact are going the opposite direction – it’s inevitable that there’s going to be a shift,” Mr. Beruschi said.
“Retailers are following the population and the youthful neighbourhoods.”
Mom-and-pop shops on the move
Changing density and demographics are also transforming the character of shopping precincts.
On East Hastings, which saw the biggest increase out of all the study areas, the new businesses fell into the categories of quick-service restaurants, health-related stores (such as chiropractors), beauty shops (such as nail and hair salons), full-service restaurants and production companies.
Mr. Mussatto eventually found another location in a new development nearby, but his space is smaller and his rent about 20-per-cent higher.
“Redevelopment is not easy for independent retail businesses,” he said.
He attributed some of his challenge to increased online shopping, as well as higher overhead.
“We’ve seen lots of people and close friends with businesses who were well established move out at the end of their lease, because the new rents weren’t sustainable for them. So they chose to either close or relocate.”
After 45 years, he said he couldn’t abandon his regular customers.
“The little shops are disappearing because the city is charging way too much for taxes. That’s what was happening to me, but fortunately I had enough of a client base that would sustain me and keep me going and prospering, really,” Mr. McDougall said.
“You’ve got to do more business to pay way more overhead,” he said. “It’s getting tougher and tougher on the small guy.”
The article was originally posted on The Globe and Mail, July 9th, 2015. Written by Kerry Gold.


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Snap Inc. stated that users can select lenses such as a basic Ramadan greeting, a countdown to the month, or sending iftar greetings to their loved ones.
They can also use the new Snapchat Bitmojis, which contain new Ramadan themes and regional greetings, to spice things up with their family and friends.
Finally, users can send stickers to their Muslim friends and family or use them to decorate their iftar photos.
Wish everyone Happy Ramadhan with Ramadhan Lenses!
With new Snapchat Lenses, you can celebrate the start of Ramadan and wish your loved ones. You can send a basic Ramadan greeting, a countdown to the holy month, or even an Iftar greeting to your friends and family using the lenses available.
Send Bitmojis to Spice Up your greetings
Snapchatters can now send greetings to their friends and family using their favourite Bitmojis, which now include new Ramadan themes and regional greetings.
How to active the lenses?
Snapcode can be used to activate the lenses by accessing Snapchat and pointing the camera at a Snapcode.
After that, scan the Snapcode on the screen by pressing and holding it.
Users can download Bitmoji on iOS and Android and flip between the ‘Avatar’ and ‘Fashion’ icons at the bottom of the screen to build or access their own 3D Bitmoji.
After that, tap the Gear icon, scroll down to ‘Link to Snapchat’, then tap ‘Continue’ to link your account.
Users can view their 3D Bitmoji and alter its stance and background by tapping the Bitmoji symbol on Snapchat.


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Should I Buy Johnson And Johnson Stock – You’re reading a free article with a possibly different opinion from Motley Premium Investment Services. Become a Motley Fool today for instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investment resources and more. Study again
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ 0.35%) isn’t a new name to most people. The company’s stability and resilience in various market conditions has shown its true strength to buy and hold long-term investors. in this segment
Should I Buy Johnson And Johnson Stock
, Posted September 20, 2021 Contributor and new investor Rachel Warren shares why she chose Johnson & Johnson as one of her first 10 stocks to buy.
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When our award-winning team of analysts has a stock tip, it’s worth listening. After all, the newsletter they’ve been publishing for over a decade
They just revealed the top ten stocks investors can buy right now… and Johnson & Johnson isn’t one of them! That’s right – they believe these 10 stocks are a better buy.
Rachel Warren: Another great health promotion that I write about a lot. For me, it’s like any other big pharmaceutical company. J&J is one of the oldest pharmaceutical companies. He is already about 135 years old. And this is not one of those companies that will replenish your portfolio overnight.
But what I love, and I think a lot of investors love, is delivering slow, steady, consistent growth across markets. This is something you can really count on. It also pays good dividends, and qualifies as dividend king having increased its dividend every year in a row for more than 50 years. Its current dividend yield is around 2.6% last I checked.
Johnson & Johnson And A New War On Consumer Protection
Also, above the S&P 500 average. I think people know J&J is mostly for consumer health products. You have brands that are in everyone’s house: Johnson’s, Aveeno, Tylenol, Motrin. But I think that really makes the company really attractive when you look at it from the perspective of the customer as a potential investor. Do you know if it is a company like people who use their product every day or if there is a constant demand for their product?
This can be a very good indicator of whether the companies in your portfolio will have any real staying power. Companies usually do not report very high annual revenue growth.
Generally, it is slow and steady growth. Sales growth was just under 1% in 2020 and then continued in 2021.
Rachel Warren owns Johnson & Johnson stock. The Motley Fool recommends Johnson & Johnson. The Motley Fool has a Disclosure Policy.
Johnson & Johnson Rebounds Below ‘reversion To The Mean’
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Why did AbbVie’s stock crash today? If you invested $5,000 in the S&P 500 ten years ago, this is how much you would own today 3 Common Stocks You Can Buy Now for $300 3 Stocks That May Be Worth More Than Berkshire Hathaway 2030
Invest better with Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio recommendations and more from The Motley Fool’s premium service. Like any investor, I try to beat the market. To do this, I aim to trade below fair value companies with fair and credible growth prospects. However, I also lean toward companies with increased dividend payouts, low risk, and market dominance.
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) meets many of my criteria. JNJ is the world’s largest pharmaceutical company and the world’s third largest pharmaceutical company. It is one of two stocks with an AAA credit rating.
Johnson & Johnson Buys Danvers Medical Device Firm Abiomed For $16.6 Billion
While the company owns the most popular medicines, it also dominates orthopedics and is present in the rapidly growing field of digital robotic surgery. Its consumer segment provides investors with a slow but steady stream of income.
Costs for switching product line devices, patents, and intellectual property attached to the drug group and, to a lesser extent, the various brands within the consumer group, provide a concentrated moat to JNJ. Its effectiveness is evidenced by the price generating gross margins of over 70% for the last four years and the growth of adjusted operating profit for 35 consecutive years.
The company’s research and development efforts are booming, with a vaccine for Covid-19 and other promising drugs in development.
However, the company faced difficulties related to Covid and became the target of lawsuits from various quarters. Although fiscal 2020 revenue increased 8.3%, net profit decreased 2.7% due to $5.1 million in litigation costs. In addition, the size of the business means strong growth is unlikely.
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At the end of last month, Q4 results reported revenue of around $22.48 billion, up 8% year over year, while non-GAAP (adjusted) net income fell 1% to around $4.97 billion, or $1.86 per share.
Both numbers were good enough to beat analysts’ average estimates of $21.67 billion in revenue and $1.82 in earnings per share.
Pharmaceutical companies were big winners with a 16.3% increase in revenue. However, adjusted for acquisitions and divestments, organic growth for this segment will be 8.4%.
The consumer health segment posted 1.4% growth, while medical product revenue fell 0.7%. Overall, revenue increased by 8.3%.
Ready To Buy The Dip? Johnson & Johnson Stock Is A Smart Buy
Management’s guidance for fiscal 2021 EPS of $9.40 to $9.60 is above the analyst consensus of $9.00. The same goes for management’s earnings forecast of $90.5 billion to $91.7 billion, compared to analyst consensus of $88.58 billion.
During the Q4 earnings call, management reported a 7.5% drop in full year earnings per share, largely due to COVID-related headwinds. The containment of the epidemic has had a significant impact on elective procedures, which has weakened sales in the medical device segment. This resulted in a 6% drop in revenue outside the US. Global orthopedics grew 5.3% year-over-year, while total device sales fell 2%. Sales of over-the-counter drugs fell 1.5%.
However, recent news about the company’s vaccine efforts should give investors hope. Late last month, JNJ published the results of its vaccine trial against Covid-19.
Based on 43,783 participants on three continents, the overall effectiveness of the vaccine was 66% in preventing moderate to severe COVID-19 and 85% in preventing severe disease.
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Up to 28 days after administration, the vaccine provides full protection against hospitalization and death from Covid-19. The vaccine was well tolerated by study participants, with no major safety concerns.
Opponents point to the lower effectiveness rates of JNJ’s vaccine compared to Moderna (MRNA) and Pfizer (PFE) (94.1% and 95%, respectively). However, JNJ’s research came after various variants of Covid emerged. There is also some concern about the effectiveness of Moderna’s and Pfizer’s vaccines against the new strain of coronavirus.
In addition, the JNJ vaccine has several advantages over competing vaccines. A single dose costs $10, compared to $19.50 from Pfizer and $32 from Moderna. Note that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two injections, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the one-shot method. The Pfizer vaccine requires very low temperature storage, while the JNJ vaccine can be stored for up to three months in a regular refrigerator. In fact, the loss of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines due to improper storage is common.
Another investor concern is that JNJ’s vaccine is “not for profit”. However, this condition does not last forever. The AstraZeneca (AZN) deal includes a clause that allows the company to sell the vaccine for a profit starting July 1, 2021. Johnson & Johnson may follow suit, but in a worst-case scenario, the company could increase the price of vaccines when the pandemic ends.
Johnson & Johnson Net Worth 2023: Assets Income Revenue
Multiple sources, from WebMD to government agencies, predict that the Covid-19 shot will become an annual ritual, not unlike the flu shot. If so, that means the JNJ vaccine can increase recurring revenue.
Bernstein analyst Ronnie Gale estimates that J&J will generate $3 billion in sales of its vaccines in 2021 and predicts that the COVID vaccination market will reach $20 billion in 2021. Analysts at Morgan Stanley (MS) and Credit Suisse estimate the annual market size for vaccines against COVID-19 in developed countries alone is $10 billion or more.
The bottom line is that these developments often lead to new products that will generate billions in revenue. However, for a company the size of Johnson & Johnson, the huge profits it can generate could be a game changer.
JNJ ranks fourth among prescription drug companies. EvaluatePharma estimates a CAGR of 2.8% for the company’s drug sales from 2018 to 2024.
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Two of the company’s biggest blockbusters are Imbruvica and Stelara. Imbruvica sales are expected to more than double from $4.45 billion to $9.51 billion between 2018 and 2024. Stelara’s revenue will increase from approximately $5.3 billion to approx.
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- Valve has reportedly released the alpha version of the Steam Client for China with multiple modifications.
- Some additional features have been added in accordance with the Chinese government's rules to regulate gaming.
- This is not the final product and Valve is still actively working on the game client.
Since officially being announced for China in November 2018 during an esports event being held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, Valve has reportedly released the alpha version of Steam China. According to the recent Steam Client update, Valve is not only working on the Chinese version of the Steam Client but has also moved the project onto the alpha stage, according to a report by win.gg.
While we might not have the whole picture in front of us, we do know that Steam China will be heavily monitored by the Chinese Government, and will be following a lot of national policies which have been enforced by the government to regulate gaming.
[Also Read: China Allegedly Region Locking All Online Games]
The three big features of Steam China which differentiate it from the original version are as follows,
- As part of the game client and in line with the Chinese administrative division DPRC (District of the People’s Republic of China), a five-second ‘Healthy Gaming Advisory’ message will be played for every user when they launch a game.
- The second feature seems to be the biggest of the three, as all profile information including ‘Profile Picture’ and ‘Profile Name’ will be replaced by the default steam question mark and the user’s Steam ID number respectively, unless and until the information is not verified and approved by the Chinese authorities.
Default Steam Question Mark
- The final feature seems to be yet another change that Valve has implemented to keep in line with the rules and regulation being employed by the Chinese government, as Steam China has an in-built setting to restrict users from playing games between certain hours of the day. Something which was implemented by SAPP (State Administration of Press and Publication) last year in November, with the guidelines (for minors only) stating the following:
“Limiting the number of gaming hours to 1.5 per day and restricting it between 8 am and 10 pm. For holidays, 3 hours of game time was decided and on top of all this, 400 yuan or 57 USD was set as the limit for the maximum amount of money that could be spent in a game per month.”
Edit: An addition has been made to clarify that the quote above only stands true for Chinese minors.
This might be just the start, as Valve is certainly working fast to release it’s Steam Client in China, in accordance with various Chinese authorities, welcoming changes as they come along to suit their needs and demands. Valve has shown that they are ready to customise and adapt their universal game client, so as to tap into China’s massive gaming market.


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LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) - A recent study found Kauai's timeshare industry in 2016 generated about $1 billion in economic output and about $5.3 billion in consumer and business spending.
The Garden Island reported Sunday that the study was conducted by the timeshare industry's primary researcher, nonprofit ARDA International Foundation.
The Kauai Visitors Bureau states that in 2016 on Kauai, timeshare units made up 31.1 percent of the total 8,444 visitor units on the island.
Timeshares were narrowly behind hotels in that category, with hotels making up 31.4 percent of Kauai visitor units.
Vacation rental units and condo units each made up about 18 percent of the island's visitor units.
Julie Black, real estate agent with Kauai Dreams Realty, says timeshare travelers are considered stabilizing to the economy, even during a recession.


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Users installing Windows 10 Build 17063 won’t have a choice: they’re going to be required to enter a mobile number in order to continue with the installation. The skip button is no longer available, making this move quite controversial when it comes to respecting users’ privacy.
Microsoft collects these numbers in order to link the PC with the phone through SMS. By doing this, certain functions such as “Continue on PC” become available. Even though this is not the first time that Microsoft has done this, users have had the option of skipping this step in the past.
Back in 2017, Microsoft made some announcements in which it was revealed they’re planning to bring the Android and iOS platforms closer to the PC, thus allowing the data that rests on these phones to be shared more freely. One of the new features associated with this would be the new universal clipboard, through which you’ll be able to copy and paste content between them.
Historically speaking, Microsoft Windows 10 has had a bit of a problematic record in terms of invading the privacy of its users. It appears that Microsoft is jumping on the Apple and Google bandwagon in terms of collecting an increasing amount of user information.
Still, the fact that this is only an Insider build needs to be taken into consideration, and it’s not a given that all future builds will require this level of user information going forward.


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SEOUL – The Asean-Korea Center’s Secretary General Kim Hae-yong will participate in the “2022 Korea Auto Industry & Global TransporTech Show” (KOAA-GTT SHOW) at KINTEX, Ilsan from October 5 to 7.
As the biggest exhibition related to automotive and transport industries in Korea, the show will be a chance for the 12 participating companies from six Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member states (Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand) to showcase various items related to automotive and e-mobility industries.
The companies will also seek partnerships with their Korean counterparts through the 1:1 online business meeting during the event.
Companies taking part in the exhibition, including a vehicle battery company from Indonesia; a drone and robotics company from Malaysia; a battery production company from Myanmar; an electronics provider for vehicles from the Philippines; a vehicle leasing and trading company from Singapore; and the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand, will pursue diverse partnerships with their Korean counterparts through the exhibition and meetings.
According to a report released by McKinsey & Company in June 2022, the production rate of electric vehicles (EV) in four Southeast Asian countries is expected to grow by 57 percent by 2030 (Indonesia by 94 percent, Malaysia by 51 percent, Thailand by 34 percent, and Vietnam by 51 percent), projecting significant growth in the EV market.
Recognizing such potential in the automotive market, the Center will actively participate in the exhibition and introduce Asean companies with potential as an effort to expand cooperation in innovative sectors and promote the positive prospects of Asean’s mobility sector to the Korean public and investors.
The Center hopes not only to strengthen cooperation and establish Asean-Korea partnerships in the mobility sector but also provide networking opportunities for stakeholders and potential investors. (PR)