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This is not an article about New York's hotels, per se; their glitz and glam. Rather, it's about their declining revenue-per-available-room performance, which begs the question: Why? And: Is there a solution?
New York is the most-visited U.S. city, receiving more than 60 million visitors in 2016, according to NYC & Company, besting Chicago by more than 5 million visitors. To accommodate all these travelers, New York needs a superfluity of lodging. In its current census, Lodging Econometrics reports that New York City, which includes Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and The Bronx, has 590 hotels with 114,325 rooms.
High visitor numbers should equate into pricing power for hotels. Or one would think. According to STR, New York posted the highest absolute values across the three key performance metrics in the third quarter 2017: occupancy (90.4 percent), ADR ($258.90) and RevPAR ($234.10). Strong numbers to be sure, but not strong enough to make up for overall declines. The Big Apple, it turns out, is performing more like mushy apple sauce.
That's the sense from PwC's Manhattan lodging index for the third quarter 2017, which shows continual RevPAR declines exacerbated by room-rate dips. According to the data, demand growth during the quarter of 3.4 percent outdid an increase in supply of 2.2 percent, resulting in occupancy being up 1.2 percent. Still, a positive boost in occupancy could not produce a simultaneous bump in rate, as a continued lack of pricing power resulted in a 2.3-percent drop in ADR. As a result, RevPAR declined 1.1 percent and through the first nine months of this year, RevPAR is down 1.3 percent.
Segment wise, New York's luxury hotels actually had RevPAR growth of 1.5 percent—the only segment that reported positive gains. The lassitude was in the upscale and upper-midscale segments, with RevPAR decreases of 3.5 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively. Similarly, for both the full-service and limited-service segments, occupancy levels increased while ADR decreased, resulting in declining RevPAR levels. Full-service hotels reported a 1.1-percent drop in RevPAR, while limited-service hotels saw a 0.8-percent decline. Through the first three quarters of the year, limited-service hotels increased RevPAR by 0.3 percent, while full-service hotels experienced a decline of 1.6 percent.
Why the shoddy results? For one, supply. New supply that is, which petrifies hotel operators, who think that if they raise rates too much, they will be undercut by competing hotels who will siphon off their guests. It's Psych 101. According to NYC & Company's quarterly development fact sheet, since the beginning of 2017, New York has had 30 new hotel openings accounting for a total of approximately 5,500 rooms. Twelve more properties are slated to open before year end with another 2,300 rooms in the pipeline.
|Hotel Development-NYC||Total||Manhattan||Brooklyn||Bronx||Queens||Staten Island|
|Hotels opened 2015-Sept. 2017||89||55||17||4||12||1|
|Hotels opened Jan.-Oct. 2017||30||16||5||2||7||NA|
|Hotels in 2017 Pipeline & Beyond||140||65||25||8||39||3|
|Rooms in Current Pipeline
(estimates based upon available data)
|27,000 est.||16,800 est.||3,000 est.||475 est.||5,200 est.||475 est.|
It's More Than Just New Hotels
Still, supply growth is not the sole reason for declining RevPAR. In fact, new supply in New York has actually reached an apex and is idling. According to STR, new room supply rose an average of 4.8 percent YOY from 2014 to 2016. Supply growth for New York this year is forecast at 3.7 percent and 3.3 percent next year. Total U.S. supply forecasts are set for 2.0 percent and 2.1 percent for 2017 and 2018, respectively.
"Everyone's been saying that new supply has been the Achilles' heel for the Manhattan lodging market. I'm not so sure that's really the case anymore," said Warren Marr, managing director at PwC. According to Marr, a year ago, just over 7,000 new rooms were scheduled to open in Manhattan during 2017. "Today, we expect less than 2,500 of those will actually have come online before the ball drops in Times Square."
Although supply growth may no longer be the utmost threat to the Manhattan lodging market, there are several other factors, as PwC points out, that are, including perceived political uncertainty and international travel restrictions, as well as a profound shift in demand segmentation. Of that last concern, Marr said, "The root of everyone's angst is the lack of pricing power and a big component of this is a profound shift in the sources of demand. Strength in hotel occupancy continues to be driven by the leisure customer, as opposed to the individual business traveler or group/meeting attendee. Of these three primary segments of lodging demand, the leisure traveler has always been the most price sensitive and most willing to shop around."
On international travel restrictions, Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott International, earlier this year called the so-called travel ban "not good" and "frustrating." He said that bookings from the Middle East and North Africa were down up to 30 percent in February, many of this lost business focused on New York.
There is little argument against Airbnb impacting hotel rates and revenue in New York. As of July, there were a reported 30,215 active listings in the city with an ADR around $160. And while Albany is doing its best to curb Airbnb sprawl, there doesn't appear to be any let up. Consider Thanksgiving: Airbnb provided the New York Business Journal with numbers showing a burst of activity throughout the city over the holiday week. Some 41,286 people booked with Airbnb throughout the five boroughs from November 22 through November 26, a 29-percent increase from 2015. (2016 data were not available.)
New York hotels have their challenges, but buoyed by plus-90-percent occupancy citywide is still not enough to push RevPAR into the positive. Jan Freitag, SVP of lodging insights at STR, is not optimistic this will change for a number of reasons. Regardless of an abatement in supply, New York is and will continue to woo hotel development. This has a profound impact on those charged with running hotels. "It's psychology more than anything," he said. "They see a crane and worry about competition."
This leads hotels to focus on maximizing occupancy at the sake of rate. According to Freitag, there is also another, more overlooked reason New York hotels concentrate on occupancy rather than rate: loyalty programs.
New York, as Freitag puts it, is a "burn" town, meaning that members of a hotel company's loyalty or rewards program typically cash in their points on stays at New York hotels. A business traveler may "earn" points over time on travel to a certain U.S. city, say Denver, then take his or her family to New York, thereby burning the accumulated points. This is a great benefit to travelers, not optimal for hotels.
Here's the hitch, according to Freitag: If a hotel's occupancy at the time of the rewards redemption is less than 95 percent, typically, the hotel, which is reimbursed by the hotel company for the booking, is reimbursed off a pre-negotiated rate. If, however, said hotel's occupancy is at or above 95 percent, they are reimbursed at whatever the ADR of the hotel is on that given night. It, then, behooves and incentivizes New York hotels to keep their occupancy rates as high as possible.
How to Cope
What can be done to accelerate RevPAR is something Daniel Lesser, president and CEO of LW Hospitality Advisors, knows about. He advises hotels in New York to key in on three areas: 1) Focus on direct-booking campaigns to win back control of the guest. "OTAs are not partners with the hotel industry and their existence and use by the traveling public suppresses rates," he said. 2) Hang on until 2021. "After then, there will be minimal new hotel development for three to five years allowing for above-inflationary rate increases," he said. 3) Keep pressure on Airbnb and regulation. "Competitive capitalism is based upon a level playing field," he said.


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Over the next six months women from across the RV industry will take an RV from drab to fab using some of the best RV accessories and RV products on the market today. The project created and executed by the RV Women’s Alliance, is taking place at the RV Technical Institute, the industry’s leading training center located in the heart of Elkhart, Indiana.
“The Drab to Fab project is going to unite our membership and industry around a shared goal, inspire women to get out of their comfort zone and literally break down walls, recruit new women into the RV industry, and develop new skills in project volunteers,” said Susan Carpenter, RV Women’s Alliance President. “Our first week of demo was so fun! Everyone who participated came away with not only a sense of accomplishment but also excitement for the transformation that will take place over the next six months.”
View the video from the first demolition weekend!
“The support from the RV industry so far has been unbelievable,” said Jordyn Foos, RV Women’s Alliance Vice President. “From product sponsors and team sponsors to our Gold Sponsor Airxcel and Silver Sponsor Patrick Industries, this support is going to allow us to redesign and rebuild this RV into a travel trailer everyone will want.”
The complete renovation and redesign will be accomplished by female RV Women’s Alliance members during select Wednesdays and Saturdays through February 2021. All female members of the RV Women’s Alliance are encouraged to sign up to participate in one of the builds.
On March 3, 2021, the finished RV will be unveiled at a VIP Reveal Event taking place at the RV Hall of Fame. The fully renovated and redesigned RV will be raffled off to one lucky winner.
Visit www.drabtofab.org to learn more.
About the RV Women’s Alliance
Founded in 2019, the RV Women’s Alliance mission is to unite, inspire, recruit, and develop a more diverse workforce by supporting women with education, resources, and opportunities. We accomplish this by bringing together a diverse group of extraordinary women and men from across the RV Industry who, through social and educational programs, mentorship and networking opportunities, are inspired and empowered to realize their individual potential, enhance their career experiences, and create opportunities for the next generation of women leaders. The Alliance is headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, with leadership based across the United States. Learn more at www.rvwa.org.

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SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) - All across the Bay Area, people and businesses were stepping up to help each other out during the stay-at-home order, but a plumbing company delivering medicine from the pharmacy was likely a first.
Discount Plumbers has been in business for more than 30 years and has a fleet of nearly 50 trucks.
"This is a crazy time for all of us!" says CEO Kevin Griffin .
While business is down 40 percent, Griffin says he is still grateful and is giving back.
"If you don't want to go out, go out to the pharmacy, which not a lot of people do right now, we'll go pickup your prescriptions and drop them on your door," he says.
Griffin first made the unusual announcement to his client list, then expanded it to anyone.
They get a call or email, and if a truck is available, it goes to the correct pharmacy.
Inside, after an exchange of signatures and I.D., the medicine is delivered to the client.
Alyssa Broduer was staying safe at home. She asked Plumbing Service to pick up and deliver her pharmaceuticals.
"I did. I did," says Broduer. "It's going to be such a service that's really going to be used. It's for people who really could use the help."
"If we have a unit in your area, we just assign them at the end of the day or in the middle of the day, depending on how busy we are," Griffin explains.
The idea that even with the downturn in business, Griffin is helping those in need.
for more features.


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The confirmed dates for the 2016 Indian Auto Expo has been announced. The largest motor show of Asia and the second largest of the world, Indian... ...http://www.gaadi.com/news/2016-indian-auto-expo-dates-announced-81351
Honda has unveiled sketches of the BR-V 9 (Bold Runabout Vehicle) SUV which will be based on the Brio platform. The India bound Honda SUV will have... ...http://www.zigwheels.com/news-features/news/honda-brv-7seat-suv-sketches-released/22359/
Maruti Suzuki's upcoming compact SUV, internally called YBA, has been spotted testing in India. Expected to be called Vitara Brezza, this... ...http://www.carwale.com/news/19249-maruti-suzuki-yba-spotted-testing-again.html
DB Realty (ET) Co in talks with Piramal Realty to sell 2.2 acre plot in Marine Lines (Mumbai) Sea facing land parcel valued at `1000 cr IDFC... ...http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/stocksnews/stocksnews-db-realty-pvr-mcx-pnc-infra-lt-finance_1404020.html
Bajaj RE 60 quadricycle was first shown at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. Ever since, the proposed public transport medium has often been discussed.... ...http://www.rushlane.com/bajaj-re-60-ceylon-motor-show-2015-12154065.html
Ford EcoSport has unbelievable fuel...


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He already wears his glasses with pride – and now James Blakey from Eckington is in with a chance of national prize.
James is in the running for Specsavers’ title of Spectacle Wearer of the Year – and told The Star he is delighted to have been shortlisted as a finalist, from hundreds of entrants, for the national awards.
“I started wearing glasses last year because I need them for reading and working on the computer,” the 20-year-old said.
“But I have recently started wearing them more because they suit me and make a bit of a fashion statement!
“I entered the competition with my girlfriend, who also wears glasses, and I’m the lucky one who got through – I promise to share my Champagne with her, though!”
The awards were launched by Spice Girl Mel C, who James is hoping to meet at the awards ceremony on September 10, held at London’s Royal Opera House.
Prizes will be handed to winners in four age categories – 15 to 24, 25 to 39, 40 to 59 and 60-plus. One overall winner will take the grand prize – a two-week luxury holiday in St Lucia.
Mel C said: “Glasses wearing is fun now because there are so many styles – for going out, for chilling out, for wearing with jeans or for going somewhere special.”


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McDonald’s recent success with McCafe’s $2 menu items may be the reason why Dunkin’ Donuts was recently downgraded by a financial firm from a price target of $55.00 to $52.00.
According to “Business Insider,” Jeremy Scott, a Mizuho analyst, published a report explaining why the Dunkin’ brand was downgraded.
“We expect [McCafe] coffee products will be featured prominently in each pricing layer of its upcoming national value plan,” Scott’s report read, according to “Business Insider.”
The upcoming national value plan would be replacing the “dollar menu” the company retired in 2014. This new plan will include items priced between the $1 and $3 price points, in hopes to attract bargain shoppers.
The popular burger chain announced in September the addition of new espresso-based beverages to its McCafe menu, including flavors and styles like: caramel macchiato, vanilla cappuccino and americano.
Despite some push back from franchisees who complained about the time-consuming coffee drinks, it looks like the McCafe initiatives are starting to pay off already.
A “Business Insider” article quotes “sales at stores open in the US for at least one year rose 4.1%, marking the chain’s third consecutive quarter of increasing sales,” as reported by McD's executives.
The brand hopes to use McCafe, their new value plan, and additional quality improvements to staple menu items to catapult the brand forward.
When there is a brand like McDonald’s that can afford to compete with the likes of Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts at significantly lower price points, competitors should be concerned.
Yes, profit will be thin at first, but the business will have the opportunity to gain new loyal customers.
At the end of the day, loyalty helps grow businesses... propelling them into success in the long-run.


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Image credit: techrepublic
With technology advancing at a lightning-fast pace, the line between our physical lives, and the ones we lead digitally, grows thinner by the day. With the number of smartphone users in the world amassing to a staggering 3.5 billion by 2020, it is quite safe to say that we’ve grown increasingly accustomed to the benefits offered by smartphones, without ever taking into consideration the dire security concerns that they pose.
To put it quite bluntly, smartphones might just be the most intrusive devices ever created. Having said that, however, owing to our dependency on our smartphones – which we use for everything from sending a work-related email to communicating with our loved ones – we’ve started to blindly value the convenience offered by smartphones, or even smart devices for that matter, while actively ignoring the fact that our smartphones provide tech companies and other third-parties the perfect medium to snoop in, and collect confidential data.
With that being said, if you’re an individual who believes that data privacy is a fundamental human right, you might already know that Google, and consequently Android, aren’t exactly considered as beacons of upholding their user’s privacy. If you’re an Android user, chances are you’re already aware of the fact that Google services collect a monumental amount of data – including everything from the locations that they’ve visited to what their voice sounds like, to something as menial as the last place that they had lunch.
Despite Google claiming that it collects all this data to provide to their users a “highly customized” experience, there are many people who still have their qualms about the massive scale of data collection that you sign up for with the purchase of an Android smartphone. Fortunately, however, there are still certain measures that Android users can take to amp up their phone’s privacy, simply by significantly limiting the amount of data being collected on them.
In an attempt to do our part in upholding the notion of data privacy as much as we can, we’ve compiled an article that delves deep into some of the ways through which users can exercise Android security, and ensure that the private contents of their phones are kept private.
How can Android users stay private on their smartphones?
Before we can get into the specific steps that Android users can take to boost data and user privacy, we’d like to mention a simple, yet highly effective solution to the privacy threats faced by Android users- turn off all the connectivity and services that you’re not using!
Although to some of the more cynical readers, this may sound as “too simple” of a solution, you might be surprised to know how well it actually works. Furthermore, once you’ve turned off all the features that you aren’t using, such as Bluetooth (which is prone to several vulnerabilities), you completely eradicate the risk of a cybercriminal exploiting certain features on your phone.
With that out of the way, some steps that you can take to secure your Android phone, consist of the following:
#1 – Using a PIN
A rather basic security step that users can take to boost their privacy and security while using Android smartphones is to lock their phones through a personal identification number, which is simply abbreviated as a PIN.
Not only does a PIN ensure that the contents of your phone are secured from falling into the hands of a stranger, or even a friend who has borrowed your phone, it works better at securing your confidential data than the other locking methods that Android provides – including fingerprint or facial recognition.
Although turning to biometric security might seem like the more “modern” step for users to take, by using these locking methods, you are actually consenting to having your highly confidential biometric information to be stored and linked with your Google account.
#2 – Limiting the amount of data that Google collects:
As we’ve already mentioned above, tech giant, Google collects a massive amount of user data for “customization” purposes, which, in turn, also serves a means for the company to collect personal data about millions of users, which is later used to bombard users with targeted advertisements.
To limit the amount of data being collected about you, and to avoid facing the nuisance of targeted advertising and filtered search results, avoid Google’s data collection at all costs. In order to do this, you need to go to your Settings, and then “Activity Controls,” and limit the data being collected on you.
Image credit: medium.com
If you really want to be safe, then avoid using Google services altogether. Yes, that includes Gmail, Google Docs, Sheets, and Drive. There are plenty of other cloud storage services worth comparing, many of which put a stronger emphasis on user privacy and security.
#3 – Frequently updating your software:
A rather well-known security measure that you’ve probably heard of, also comes in extremely handy in securing your phone is ensuring that your software is up-to-date. Despite many of us realizing the dire consequence of having outdated software, even the most security conscious people often tend to ignore the software update notification.
Having said that, it is crucial for an Android phone’s security that the software is kept up-to-date to prevent cybercriminals leveraging any vulnerabilities to steal your data. In Android phones, users can update their software simply by going to the System Update option via their Settings.
#4 – Encrypting the contents of your smartphone:
Image credit: lynda.com
Another highly effective, yet simple security measure that users can follow is to encrypt all the contents of their Android phones. In the unfortunate instance that your Android smartphone is hacked or breached, encryption ensures that all the data stored on your phone is rendered into gibberish- making it unreadable, and therefore unusable to cybercriminals.
In order to encrypt their Android phones, users need only visit the “Security” menu, enter their PIN and plug their phones in. Another way to encrypt your traffic while using your smartphone is to use a no-logging virtual private network application, i.e. a VPN app designed for Android OS devices (one that does not track your data). Having said that, however, it is crucial that users remember their PINs, otherwise they might have to deal with having their data lost forever.
#5- Analyze all app permissions:
Similar to many of the security steps that we’ve included on this list, you might have heard about checking app permissions before. With that being said, however, a majority of Android users tend to forego these permissions while installing an app, and blindly accept whatever it is that the app permissions require.
With Android apps, the situation over app permissions has undergone a drastic change – with a majority of applications now asking for almost all of the permissions that they need. With that being said, some default permissions are granted to all security apps without the user’s interference, such as the permission to connect to the internet.
In order to uphold security and privacy within your Android smartphone, we’d highly suggest that you scrutinize app permissions before you install any application onto your phone. Moreover, users should also frequently audit their apps to ensure that they’re not utilizing any more permissions than what you’ve granted them.
#6 – Stay cautious of downloads from unknown sources:
Perhaps the most fatal mistake that users can make while configuring their Android phone’s settings, is to leave the option for downloads from “unknown sources” enabled. Fortunately, however, by default, Android only allows downloads from verified sources, but users still have the option to enable downloads from unverified sources.
To prevent running the risk of having your confidential information compromised, we’d suggest that Android users go to the “unknown sources” tab via settings, and ensure that the box is unchecked.
#7 – Avoid sharing unnecessary information with applications:
As a general rule of thumb, try to protect your data privacy by preventing any applications from gaining access to any information that they don’t need. Perhaps the most frequently encountered example of this is when Android applications require that you share your location with them.
To disable applications from gaining access to your location, all you need to do is follow the following path: Settings > Apps > ⚙ icon > App permissions > Location.
Image credit: Greenbot
#8 – Try using a non-Google version of Android:
Although we’ve grown increasingly accustomed to the convenience offered by Google and Android, if you wish to secure your data privacy to the maximum of your potential, we’d suggest that you resort to a non-Google version of Android.
Despite most device manufacturers utilizing the core functionality of Google in their own brand of Android, you can still find alternatives, such as the LineageOS. Based on the CyanogenMod, the LineageOS limits the collection of data by third-parties by setting boundaries on what they can access.
Hopefully, by the end of the article, we’ve equipped our readers with the ability to amp up their Android phone’s security. Having said that, it is worth mentioning that most of these security issues arise from Android, rather than the invention of smartphones. Quite on the contrary to popular belief, if used securely, smartphones can prove to be an extremely lucrative tool!


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While many clothing brands and fashion retailers took a hit this year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, one inclusive and adaptive fashion brand is celebrating making it to its first birthday.
A year ago today on the International Day of People with Disabilities, online marketplace EveryHuman launched as a source of fashion for disabled people.
Think magnetic shirts and buttons, zip-up shoes and even easy to put on button-up and clip-on underwear.
The brand has worked with an impressive series of ambassadors over the last year, including Paralympic gold medalist Nikita Howarth.
EveryHuman founder 26-year-old Matthew Skerritt said his passion is driven by the feedback from individuals "that they can finally put a shoe on themselves or wear clothing that is cool and fashionable".
"Since we have been involved in the adaptive clothing industry, we have seen the landscape change quite quickly. We are now seeing adaptive clothing and footwear become fashion rather than a medical solution," Skerrit told Newshub.
"EveryHuman was the first one to pioneer the adaptive clothing industry here locally for the Australian and New Zealand market. Since launching, we have now seen a few local brands pop up since launching, which is fantastic to see."
Earlier this year, Tommy Hilfiger launched its adaptive range, selecting EveryHuman as its AU/NZ retailer.


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Google Android 4.1 Jelly Bean at Risk from Heartbleed Flaw
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While Websites around the world have scrambled to implement a patch for the Heartbleed flaw, it's also a vulnerability that impacts Google's Android mobile users. While Google has issued some patches for its products and services, Android 4.1 remains at risk.
The Android 4.1 "Jelly Bean" mobile operating system was released back in 2012, though it is still widely deployed today, with as many as 50 million users worldwide.


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The need to go green
Throughout next week, Green GB Week – an initiative of the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) – will showcase the benefits clean growth will bring to all parts of society. According to Bristol City Council, air quality in the city is currently breaching legal standards for NO2, and with around 300 deaths a year linked to air pollution there is no better time to think about investing in cleaner car technology.
Bringing the best plug-in cars to Bristol
As part of the BEIS campaign, a brand new Electric Vehicle (EV) Roadshow will tour the country next week, visiting Bristol’s Harbourside Amphitheatre on Friday 19th October. Showcasing the very latest in electric and plug-in vehicle technology to local businesses and consumers, everyone can learn more about the world’s leading models.
The Amphitheatre will be transformed into a ‘Mini Motorshow’, with test drive opportunities allowing the public to experience the technology first-hand. The top EV manufacturers will be present, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Mini, LDV, Renault, Kia, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Toyota and Volkswagen (list will be edited once confirmed).
Demonstrating the benefits to businesses
In addition to the public motorshow, Bristol City County will be sharing with the city’s businesses the benefits of switching their fleets to EVs through an exclusive seminar on the morning of 19 October at We The Curious (formerly At-Bristol).
According to the Green Alliance, a half of all new vehicle sales are made up of private fleets and plug-in cars could save drivers up to £7,400 over three years. A recent EON/GreenFleet poll also suggests that nine in 10 fleet owners are actively looking at EVs as a viable option for their businesses.
“Clean electric transport is critical to improving air qualityand the health of residents and visitors. With funding from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles the local Council’s are doubling the number of public electric charging points right across the region so people can be confident of being able to charge up their car.
Local councils are purchasing 100 new electric vehicles to provide a wide range of services from meals on wheels to carpenters – showing that they are a practical business tool. Electric vehicles are rapidly becoming an important part of our transport system, whilst offering drivers cheaper motoring and reducing pollution.
I am excited that this roadshow is coming to Bristol so that people and businesses from across the West of England will be able to see which electric vehicle would be best for them and to test drive a range of them.”
Cllr Kye Dudd
The GB Green Week EV Roadshow will take place in four major UK cities, for more information please visit http://www.evroadshow.co.uk/.


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Jakarta. The market for online grocery shopping in Indonesia and other Asian countries could see a double-digit growth in market turnover to be worth S$19 billion ($13 billion) by 2020, driven by the rise of the young, working class population in urban areas across the region, according to Jakarta-based grocery shopping smartphone app HappyFresh.
In a statement received by the Jakarta Globe on Monday (1/2), HappyFresh projected that middle and upper class consumers in Indonesia are set to drive the trend of online grocery shopping ahead.
“We are seeing an 'uberization' of the retail industry in Asia. The outlook has never been more promising," Markus Bihler, chief executive officer of HappyFresh, said in a statement on Monday, referring to the on-demand ride-sharing app Uber.
"Opportunities abound in this region with its sophisticated food-loving consumers, growing wealth and rapid urbanisation. The continued increase in mobile adoption and broadband penetration has helped boost our online grocery sales."
Traffic congestion, a phenomenon that's notorious in Jakarta and Surabaya, is also a big factor for people to start shopping for their grocery online, according to HappyFresh.
The smartphone app noted that working mothers currently outnumber all other customers in terms of online grocery shopping, with dairy products and produces, such as milk and eggs among the top purchases.
Young professionals and expatriates followed with top buys in tomatoes, spaghetti and chicken breast, according to a statement.
The startup, which secured a $12 million funding led by Singapore's Vertex Venture and Sinar Mas Digital Venture last year, allows users in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand to shop for groceries through a smartphone app. In Indonesia, HappyFresh partners with Ranch Market and Lotte Mart.
"As a differentiator, HappyFresh partners with supermarket retailers, particularly the [small and medium-sized enterprises] who do not have the capacity or ability to invest in technology, to go digital and reach out to new set of customers," Bihler said.


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By David Cuppett, National Sales Manager, Harbortouch
You recently joined Harbortouch as National Sales Manager after many years in the industry. What made you choose Harbortouch?
The POS industry is going through a period of dramatic change, and Harbortouch is at the forefront of this transition. I have been in the industry for over 25 years, holding a number of leadership roles at large companies as well as running my own dealer office. I have seen this changing landscape first-hand and believe that Harbortouch offers resellers a way to get out ahead and secure their business. As tablet POS systems have begun to saturate the market and reduce margins for resellers, Harbortouch has pioneered the “as-a-Service” business model that offers VARs a chance to regain profitability and stability in their portfolios.


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Shoppers have been seeing a slightly different shade of green lately when they pass the lettuce displays in the supermarket.
Boston, romaine and red and green leaf lettuce are looking more like the color of money. Since mid-December, prices for this salad bowl staple have hovered around $2 a head.
Two factors are responsible for this price increase, says Heather Flowers, a spokeswoman for the Western Growers Association in Irvine, Calif.
Damaging rainstorms hit the Salinas and Santa Maria areas in California just as the lettuce farms were closing down production in November. At the same time, the weather was unusually cold in Arizona, where production was just beginning.
These areas -- Salinas and Santa Maria, both coastal communities between Los Angeles and San Francisco; and Yuma, a city in Arizona close to the border of California and Mexico -- produce more than 50 percent of the nation's produce, Flowers says.
Right now, Yuma's farms are up to speed and harvesting lettuce, she says. "Supplies and quality have not been affected [in Arizona]," Flowers says, adding that there might be some price relief within the next two weeks. "Chances are you'll see a drop in prices to retailers, and they'll pass on the savings to shoppers."
The worst may be over. At Stop & Shop, prices for leaf lettuce had dropped from $1.99 to $1.49. Iceberg lettuce was on special for 69 cents, a drop from the usual 99 cents.
At Cheese & Stuff grocery store in Hartford, where produce prices are usually slightly higher than supermarket prices, lettuce heads were still $1.99 each last week.
"Only recently have prices come down," says Mary Jo Anderson, a spokeswoman for Stop & Shop Supermarkets in Boston. "We can't speculate too far into the future.


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Olympus has announced the new OM-D E-M1 micro four thirds camera. Olympus OM-D E-M1 sample photos and a captured video are now available at PhotographyBlog.
Along with the 12-40mm f/2.8 lens, they have also used the 45mm f/1.8 and 300mm lenses for a few of the images.
See More : Olympus OM-D E-M1 Sample Images
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Sample Photos and Video
You can also download the Olympus RAW (ORF) samples of the OM-D E-M1 micro four thirds camera. Sample movie recored 1920×1080 at 30 frames per second is 22 seconds long.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 MFT Camera Price
Olympus OM-D E-M1 micro four thirds camera body only price is $1,399.00. The new Olympus OM-D E-M1 is available to buy from the camera stores below. The OM-D E-M1 starts shipping from October 14, 2013.
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO Lens Price
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Jhon McAfee calls bitcoin ‘worthless’ but promotes other cryptocurrencies
Wed, 08 Apr 2020, 13:37 pm UTC
British-American computer programmer and businessman John McAfee predicted that bitcoin will reach $1 million at the end of the year, but he seemed to lost interest in the cryptocurrency. In fact, just recently, he called it “worthless.”
One of McAfee’s followers wrote that he believed people only followed the McAfee Antivirus founder due to bitcoin. McAfee responded with “I have no clue” and added, “Bitcoin is worthless.”
I have no clue— John McAfee (@officialmcafee) April 4, 2020
Bitcoin is worthless.
McAfee’s statement has triggered reactions from the netizens. Many chose to believe in his previous statements that bitcoin's value will reach $1 million by the end of the year. One even said that bitcoin is not worthless. In fact, it is the only cryptocurrency that has value.
Bitcoin its not wothless, its the only cryptocurrency that really has value everything else its garbage.— Viejonazo [BTC] (@Viejonazo89) April 6, 2020
Although McAfee called bitcoin worthless, he promoted other cryptocurrencies. In another tweet, he wrote that Monero is being used by tens of thousands of those who no longer use banks, credit cards or paper currency including him. He added that there is nothing one can’t buy through Dai, Monero or Ethereum.
It's widely used among tens of thousands of us who no longer use banks, credit cards or paper currency.— John McAfee (@officialmcafee) April 4, 2020
There is nothing that you need that can't be bought through DAI, Monero or Ethereum.
Homes, cars, hotels, air travel, food etc.
Back in November 2017, McAfee made a bold prediction about bitcoin. He even made a surprising dare.
“When I predicted Bitcoin at $500,000 by the end of 2020, it used a model that predicted $5,000 at the end of 2017. BTC has accelerated much faster than my model assumptions. I now predict Bircoin [sic] at $1 million by the end of 2020. I will still eat my dick if wrong,” McAfee wrote.
When I predicted Bitcoin at $500,000 by the end of 2020, it used a model that predicted $5,000 at the end of 2017. BTC has accelerated much faster than my model assumptions. I now predict Bircoin at $1 million by the end of 2020. I will still eat my dick if wrong. pic.twitter.com/WVx3E71nyD— John McAfee (@officialmcafee) November 29, 2017
Meanwhile, Berkshire Hathaway CEO and Chairman Warren Buffett also said earlier that “cryptocurrencies basically have no value and they don’t produce anything.” He insisted that it has zero value and he doesn’t have any cryptocurrency and has no intention to have one.
<Copyright © TokenPost. All Rights Reserved. >


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President Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order in a prescient move to defend America’s national security against Chinese cyber espionage. Invoking his powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the president gave the Commerce Department 150 days to devise methods of implementing new rules for American companies that wish to trade with “foreign adversaries” designated as an “unacceptable risk” to U.S. national security.
While not specifically named in the president’s order, the Communist Chinese telecommunications company, Huawei, and some 70 affiliates are expected to be on the Commerce Department’s risk list.
The Trump Administration earlier precluded the U.S. government and its contractors from using Huawei products, for a host of reasons. The Justice Department has issued criminal charges against a top Huawei executive, the company, and several of its many subsidiaries for stealing trade secrets, as well as misleading banks in order to violate U.S. sanctions on Iran. The government further alleges that Huawei stole trade secrets from U.S. companies and competitors. Overall, Huawei is widely believed to engage economic espionage.
No wonder that in 2012, the House Intelligence Committee reported that Huawei and ZTE (China’s second-largest telecommunications company) facilitate the regime’s cyberespionage and should be banned from partnering and trading with American companies.
Given this congressional history, in a rare instance of bipartisanship in Washington, Democrats such as U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) have hailed the president’s executive order as “a needed step,” due to the law in Communist China that mandates such companies must “act as an agent of the state.”
Critically, this cyber espionage threat stems from the potential of “backdoor” technologies being implanted in Huawei products and, hence, being used as a tool of intelligence gathering and cyberware by the Chinese; and it has spurred the United States to urge its allies to not partner with Huawei in developing their 5G infrastructures.
Huawei Fights Back
In light of President Trump’s executive order, Huawei continues to maintain its innocence of all allegations. The company has even gone to U.S. federal court to overturn the administration’s previous ban on the federal government and its contractors dealing with the company.
In particular, Huawei strenuously objects to the claim that their product has been found to have such a “backdoor” to aid Beijing’s cyber espionage in America or anywhere else. Further, the company is incensed CFO Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada on the outstanding U.S. warrant, and is currently fighting extradition. Indeed, Huawei is almost as incensed as the Communist Chinese government that has detained two Canadians (though, of course, the Beijing regime swears the two matters are unrelated).
Moreover, Huawei contends President Trump’s executive order hinders the development of “next-generation” technologies; “will not make the U.S. more secure or stronger”; and, will result in “inferior yet more expensive alternatives” that will hurt companies and customers and retard the implementation of 5G infrastructure in rural America.
Huawei does have a point here, as there will be an impact on the American economy—Huawei spends about $11 billion on purchases from numerous American companies. Yet the economic damage to Huawei will be greater, because in a poignant irony the Communist Chinese telecommunications juggernaut cannot potentially bestride and “backdoor” the world’s 5G infrastructure without U.S. technologies. No wonder, Huawei soothingly assures Washington, “We are ready and willing to engage with the U.S. government and come up with effective measures to ensure product security.”
Fortunately, the Trump Administration and the increasing bipartisan congressional consensus are unassuaged, for they understand such assurances are meaningless the minute the Beijing regime instructs Huawei otherwise—if it hasn’t already.
A cursory understanding of Communist ideology reveals that, no matter what “market reforms” are implemented, the party owns the means of production in a command and control economy. Should the Beijing regime decide to nationalize Huawei, the company would have no recourse but to submit.
Hard to imagine, then, Huawei refusing to comply with a directive to engage in cyber espionage at the insistence of a Communist regime that ignores international laws, treaties, and norms unless, of course, they are willfully and deliberately violating them.
Honestly, what kind of fools would swallow such risible assurances?
As it has in the instance of sanctioning the barbarous Iranian regime, Europe, however, resolutely vows to not “backing down” to the United States’ importuning to ban Huawei from their 5G infrastructure; and, as is its wont, promises to continue routinely bending over backwards for China, its second-largest trading partner. (Guess who is Europe’s largest trading partner?) Citing their fear of escalating the U.S.-China trade war and their own economic interests, the British, German, and French governments are poised to use Huawei.
As for potential risks to their own nations’ security interests, as well as those of their American ally?
Speaking at the Viva Technology conference in Paris, and knowing his audience, Vincent Pang, Huawei’s head of Western European business, noted that “in past 30 years, Huawei hasn’t had any cyber security issues”; and, in an intriguing, ironic echo of the “Open Door Policy,” said “closed doors doesn’t make it better for anybody.”
Neither do “backdoors” on telecommunications products to cyber spy on free peoples at the fiat of a nuclear-armed Communist dictatorship.
Such a Manichean Cold War-era mindset is pooh-poohed by the nuanced European diplomats and policymakers whose sophisticated 20th-century résumés include two world wars. Cue French President Emmanuel Macron:
Our perspective is not to block Huawei or any company . . . France and Europe are pragmatic and realistic. We do believe in cooperation and multilateralism. At the same time, we are extremely careful about access to good technology and to preserve our national security and all the safety rules . . . I think launching a trade or tech war vis-a-vis any country is not appropriate. First, it’s not best way to defend national security, second it’s not best way to defend the ecosystem.
First, I have no idea why he’s dragged the ecosystem into this argument. Communist China is one of the most polluted countries on earth. But, OK.
Second, as history teeters on the abyss of repeating itself, if European governments want to solely concern themselves with “practical” economic concerns, they need to recall the predatory economic policies of the Beijing regime that have never ceased and are only intensifying.
And, yes, again realize that an imperiled nation is an impoverished nation—as is a continent. No person can be secure or prosperous if Communist China has a backdoor to the communications of free nations.
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Agriculture is an important productive sector for Guyana, but with the country still importing about 40 percent of its food, President Dr. Irfaan Ali says that the government hopes Guyana can be self- sufficient.
While addressing a Harvard Business School forum on Monday, President Ali highlighted that agriculture is one of the main sectors that will help to diversify Guyana’s economy. Beyond its economic benefit, however, he believes the sector can do much more.
The goal, he said, is to first become self-sufficient. That means producing enough food locally to satisfy the demands of people living in Guyana.
Currently, the country still imports about 40 percent of the food consumed. That means, however, that 60 percent of the food demands are satisfied with local production. Guyana is already self-sufficient in poultry, for example.
And so President Ali believes that the country has the potential to feed itself. Even so, he said that the country also has the ability to satisfy the food demands of the wider Caribbean.
“CARICOM has an ambitious target- reducing its food import bill by 25 percent by 2025 through food substitution and increased production regionally and Guyana has an important role to play in that,” Dr. Ali emphasised.
CARICOM’s food import bill is more than US$4 billion annually, but if the region is able to cut down that bill by 25 percent, the region would save US$1 billion. Guyana’s food import bill itself is quite hefty.
Guyana is among the very few Caribbean countries that have the available land to engage in large-scale agricultural production.
Importantly, though, lands in Guyana are being made available for large-scale agricultural investments from stakeholders across CARICOM, as part of the country’s efforts to guarantee that the Caribbean region has enough food for its people.
In order for Guyana to increase its production and subsequently, its agricultural exports, President Ali says that the necessary investments must be made.
These would include improving drainage and irrigation, building better farm-to-market roads, reducing the costs of transporting raw materials, guaranteeing adequate and stable electricity and ensuring that there are quality standards in place.


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Federal regulators approved a controversial plan Wednesday to expand the prestigious Russian River Valley vineyard appellation south to Cotati, a change that was fought by some Russian River grape growers.
The move was sought by wine giant E&J Gallo, which owns 350 acres of vineyards flanking Highway 101 on the Cotati Grade.
The decision, published Wednesday by the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, will add more than 14,000 acres to the Russian River Valley viticultural region, which currently covers about 155,000 acres.
It will allow more vintners to use "Russian River Valley" and "Northern Sonoma" appellations on their wine labels. Such designations "allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and allow consumers to better identify wines they purchase," the bureau said.
The expansion was opposed by a regional trade group, the Russian River Valley Winegrowers, which said the added territory is too far away from the Russian River Valley and has little in common with it.
On Wednesday, the group's president said he's prepared to move on.
"Every day, regulations are passed that are beyond our control," said Fulton grape grower Nick Leras. "When something like this happens, we have to accept it."
A majority of the group's members voted in 2008 to oppose the request. But Gallo said Wednesday there was support from others in the industry.
"The expansion petition had broad support from local farmers, winery owners, consumers and agricultural organizations," Gallo spokeswoman Susan Hensley said in a statement.
The new boundaries are effective Dec. 16.
Russian River Valley is a cool-weather appellation known for its prized pinot noir and chardonnay winegrapes. It has about 15,000 acres of vineyards and includes two smaller viticultural areas, Chalk Hill and Green Valley.
Gallo's petition asked for an extension to the south and east, to the western boundaries of Rohnert Park and Cotati.
Gallo argued that the new territory is part of the Russian River watershed and shares similar climate, soil and grape-growing history with the Russian River Valley appellation.
"The expansion area shares the same coastal fog intrusion, climate, topography, soil and growing conditions," Hensley said Wednesday.
But opponents said the proposed southeastern addition has different weather and a later harvest than Russian River Valley.
They said the expansion would confuse consumers and hurt the reputation of Russian River Valley wines, resulting in lower grape prices.
The federal agency disagreed, saying Gallo's 350-acre vineyard will have little impact on the market.
The bureau also said it found backing for the expansion from grape growers and wineries other than Gallo.


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Sunday, March 10, 2019
Photos: Kylie Jenner Celebrates Billionaire Status With Dad, Caitlyn Jenner
Caitlyn Jenner hugged it out with her daughter Friday night outside Nobu. We're guessing they hooked up to raise a glass to Kylie for officially reaching billionaire status, according to Forbes ... at just 21 years old.
Yes, she's also the world's youngest self-made billionaire ever.
The father-daughter dinner came complete with a third wheel -- Caitlyn's partner, Sophia Hutchins. Happy celebration!


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Microsoft has confirmed that windows 8 work is in progress. Windows 7’s next brother is going to be released some where around 2012. But no information regarding windows 8 GUI or features has been out at the time of writing this.
Windows fans has started dreaming of new ideas and features for Windows 8. Here is a pack made by one of the windows fans to Transform Windows 7 To Windows 8.
The pack comes with new boot screen, login screen, new redesigned wallpapers and a redesigned taskbar. The developer name this as Windows 8 Professional Transformation Pack.
Though these new changes in this pack are imaginary, at least you can give a new look to your desktop.
Also you can use tune up utilities to apply the new visual styles, login screens and boot screens in windows vista and windows 7.


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(UnitedVoice.com) – Airbags are supposed to help protect drivers and passengers involved in serious accidents. However, the devices in one manufacturer’s cars could actually cause serious harm. Now, the company has issued a sweeping recall.
Volvo recently recalled 195,000 vehicles in the United States because the airbags on the front driver’s side could explode, sending shrapnel into the car’s cabin. That shrapnel could maim or even kill the occupants of the vehicle. The issue occurs when high heat and humidity cause the airbag inflators to break down, leading to the creation of shrapnel.
The airbags in question were made by supplier ZF/TRW. The latest recall was in addition to two others that stemmed from the death of an American driver. In total, the company says 768,000 vehicles are potentially dangerous.
The most recent recall is of Volvo XC70 wagons from 2001 through 2007.
🚨 Recall Alert 🚨
Volvo is recalling 194,546 V70 and XC70 wagons from the 2001 through 2007 model years because a part in the driver’s-side airbag might rupture and launch metal fragments toward occupants if the airbag deploys. https://t.co/PoO9rP7Rls
— Consumer Reports (@ConsumerReports) October 21, 2021
The Japanese airbag maker, Takata, had a similar problem. It reportedly used ammonium nitrate as a means to inflate the bags after a vehicle is in an accident. However, over time, the chemical breaks down and can cause the metal canister it’s in to break apart, sending shrapnel into cars. At least 19 people in the US died as a result of that defect and more than 400 others suffered injuries.
Consumers can see if there’s a recall on their vehicle by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website HERE. Volvo will also be sending letters to car owners.
Copyright 2021, UnitedVoice.com


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Demi Moore’s credit card was allegedly stolen by a man back in March, and he went on quite the shopping spree – spending $169,000 of the actress’ money.
Entertainment Tonight has obtained criminal court documents which claim that a man named David Matthew Read stole the actress’ credit card between March 8 and March 27 of this year.
After noticing suspicious transactions on her statement, the 55-year-old’s personal assistant called the credit card company to report that the card has been used for fraudulent transactions.
After contacting the credit card company, they discovered that someone had reported the card lost and requested a replacement card.
The court documents read, “D.M.’s personal assistant stated that neither she nor D.M. made this report or request.”
After making a complaint, a surveillance video allegedly showed David Matthew Read making purchases from Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue stores in Los Angeles at the same dates and times that her card was used.
The documents report that the man in question was arrested on April 5 outside of a storage unit he had rented in Hollywood, and he later confessed.
The man is currently in jail.


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Association of Polish Distributors Fruit and Vegetables “Unia Owocowa” is pleased to announce that the second year of the promotional campaign “The power of taste, vitamins and colors – get to know the quality of Apples from Europe”, implementing in the United Arab Emirates, has started. “We hope that it will be a fruitful year both in terms of promotional activities and in terms of a successful harvest of European apples and increasing our exports to the United Arab Emirates.
The world is now in a difficult position due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, which also left its mark on our campaign. Some of our activities have been postponed, but not canceled. The study tour of the Emirati fruit importers and the media will take place as soon as the world situation normalizes and it is possible to fly normally. We also plan to promote European apples in Emirati shopping centers, which will probably take place this winter”, states the Association’s press release.
The promotional campaign “The power of taste, vitamins and colors – discover the quality of apples from Europe” aims to promote European apples, increase their competitiveness and consumption on the United Arab Emirates market and the re-export markets from the UAE.


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By ET Bureau - February 04, 2019 2 Mins Read
Robert Swan has become the full-time CEO of Intel, six months after being named the interim CEO. He takes over the position as the seventh CEO in Intel’s 50-year history. He will also be joining the chipmaker’s board of directors.
Prior to this, Swan had been Intel’s CFO since late-2016. He has also held positions at eBay and Electronic Data Systems Corp. Swan got the interim CEO role as word emerged of then-CEO Brian Krzanich’s “past consensual relationship” with an employee.
“In my role as interim CEO, I’ve developed an even deeper understanding of Intel’s opportunities and challenges, our people and our customers,” Swan said in a release to give the news. “When the board approached me to take on the role permanently, I jumped at the chance to lead this special company. This is an exciting time for Intel: 2018 was an outstanding year and we are in the midst of transforming the company to pursue our biggest market opportunity ever.”
The interim CFO position is being filled by Todd Underwood, the company’s VP of Finance. Intel is also looking to permanently fill the interim CEO position. It took six months for Swan to accept the CEO position because he was reportedly not interested in it.
Swan has a huge task ahead- that of getting Intel back into the reckoning. The company has been struggling to adapt to a changing environment, after missing out on the mobile revolution. In the chip industry as well, last year Samsung overtook Intel for the title of the world’s largest chipmaker. Trying to get back on the line, Intel has started planning to focus on 5G revolution, but the slowdown in the smartphone market may make that also difficult.
The Enterprise talk Bureau has five well-trained writers and journalists, well versed in B2B enterprise technology industry, and constantly in touch with industry leaders for the latest trends, opinions, and other inputs- to bring you the best and latest in the domain.
A Peer Knowledge Resource – By the CXO, For the CXO.
Expert inputs on challenges, triumphs and innovative solutions from corporate Movers and Shakers in global Leadership space to add value to business decision email@example.com


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In June, the electronic cigarette industry crossed the threshold of $6 billion in annual sales worldwide – a huge milestone for the relatively new trade. As more and more smokers eschew the use of traditional cigarettes in favour of safer, cheaper methods such as e-cigs, the tobacco industry is slowly realising that this is a problem that will not go away any time soon.
Many in Europe believe that certain aspects of the Tobacco Products Directive were actively lobbied for by those looking to stifle sales of e-cigs and prevent vapers from being able to quit traditional cigarettes completely. The strength of public opinion is working against them, however, with nicotine replacement therapies dropping for the first time since 2008, as vaping devices continue to grow in popularity. And thanks to a new study recently conducted by Infiniti Research, the outlook is great.
Focusing on the growth of the e-cig industry from 2016 to 2020, Infiniti believes that its Compound Annual Growth Rate will increase by 24.33% by the start of the next decade. The report believes that a big reason for the increase is the prevalence of vapers around the world, and the recommendations they make to friends, family and co-workers who are in a similar situation.
Tobacco companies starting to respond
Of course, most tobacco companies have faced increasing disdain over the last few decades, yet still manage to present a sustainable business model that reaps hundreds of millions in profits each year. However, with the purchase of ‘blu’ e-cigs by Lorillard (a large tobacco company recently acquired by Reynolds American), are we beginning to see the tobacco industry taking advantage of the vaping uprising?
Many commerce experts believe that tobacco companies who adopt their business model to include the provision of e-cigs now will prosper greatly in the future, with some going as far as to claim that they will eventually outsell the global sales of traditional cigarettes.
With new technologies emerging almost every month in the world of vaporisers, the quality of devices and e-liquids are only going to improve in quality and efficiency. Furthermore, as more and more research gets published in support of the use of e-cigarettes versus traditional cigarettes, the societal acceptance of the practice by the public and governments alike will ultimately increase.
There are over 500 e-cigarette manufacturers globally and plenty of support for the practice of vaping – and with an increasingly vocal number of users around the world, it is clear that the vaping revolution is in full swing.


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Following discussions with industry leaders, scientists and in consultation with Premiers, the South African Cabinet has decided to ease restrictions on the following economic activities, said the President. Imposing excise on vapour products in a country like South Africa could prove detrimental, instead encouraging the kind of illicit trade that was seen for contraband cigarettes during the COVID-19 hard lockdown, Vapour Products Association of South Africa … “A third of our guests said that they wouldn’t have come if it weren’t for Airbnb,” says Velma Corcoran, Airbnb’s Regional Lead for the Middle East and Africa region. Among the country's 35,000 listings are some true gems, including treehouses, tiny houses, and massive mansions. Velma Corcoran, Airbnb's country manager for Sub Saharan Africa, detailed the impact of not excluding Airbnb as an accommodation operator during level 3 lockdown. When President Ramaphosa announced the impending lockdown in South Africa, I was in Cape Town.We had been staying with family for the past few days, and the following day we were leaving on a road trip where we would be doing media reviews at four amazing hotels and lodges in the Western Cape that had been on my local bucket list for a long time. Reduced rates specially for post-Lockdown. Aside from South Africa, Nigeria was experiencing substantial growth until the country went into lockdown in March, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Government finally lifted its ban on Airbnb hosting in South Africa on Monday – two months after other accommodation establishments were allowed to operate. Magoebaskloof is among South Africa’s most beautiful regions and this guided hike allows you to take in the beauty without getting lost. Homes in the UK can still be booked on Airbnb despite the country being under a Government-ordered lockdown, with property owners forced to … Squeeky clean. JOHANNESBURG - South Africa enters the first day of Level 2 of the national lockdown on Tuesday as new regulations come into effect. Airbnb has revealed it will join forces with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and Wesgro, a tourism, trade and investment agency in the Western Cape, to promote domestic travel as lockdown … South Africa is poised to enter a new phase of normality as President Ramaphosa tonight announced the easing of restrictions on certain business industries in the country. Great long stay discounts. In addition to providing dedicated sanitisation and hospitality protocols training for SweepStars, our online platform has been upgraded to make booking a dedicated option for Airbnb hosts. South Africa– Blue Sky Publications (Pty) Ltd T/A TheSouthAfrican Number: 2005/028472/07. 15 minutes to Lanseria airport. Great long stay discounts. The San Francisco-based company said it will extend its virus-related cancellation policy to every country in the world, allowing hosts and guests to cancel reservations with no charge or penalty. Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett, advises that each party take some time to clearly understand their rights and responsibilities over this period.. The partnership came about because of an increased need for sanitisation and cleaning solutions. Like hotels and guest houses, Airbnb had to close its operations at the start of the lockdown on March 27 th. While in self-isolation, a national 21 day lockdown was declared but fortunately our original booking coincided with the end of the lockdown. Squeeky clean. Corcoran said the amended by-law announcement highlights Cape Town’s support of the home-sharing community. Airbnb is now allowed under South Africa's lockdown Level 2 conditions. Going into lockdown in South Africa. Online Mask-Making Experience in South Africa: Airbnb recently launched its #GetBehindTheMask campaign in partnership with the Western Cape Government’s Maskathon and Afrika Tikkun.The initiative kicked off with an Online Experience on how to create face masks, alongside a South African call to action – still ongoing – to donate 50,000 cloth face masks. “The long-awaited reopening of South Africa’s hospitality industry comes with unique challenges that SweepSouth has been preparing for months. Private room in Sandton, South Africa. The lockdown was tightened from an adjusted level 1 to an adjusted level 3 starting on 29 December 2020. There is a Indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi. The partnership works to ensure Airbnb hosts meet the requirements and standards of cleaning protocol for hosts in South Africa. The announcement came during level two of lockdown which allowed the hospitality and tourism industry to open for business. Squeeky clean. [imagesource: Chris Clinton/Getty] Airbnb rentals are back up and running under alert level 2 in South Africa. 15 minutes to Lanseria airport. Airbnb has rolled out a full refund policy for reservations across the globe, including South Africa, in light of the coronavirus pandemic.. South Africans can now legally have 10 … Reduced rates specially for post-Lockdown. Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and South Africa’s resultant lockdown, there was an ongoing battle between traditional guest house … Ruan will take you past the world’s tallest planets tree on this adventure through the mountain forest. Private room in Vanstadensrus, South Africa. Rentals range from R200 per night for a "vegan" campsite, right up to R130,000 for a Clifton mansion. We booked an Airbnb for the purpose of self-isolation as required by the South African regulations for residents returning from high-risk countries. Developed as part of Airbnb’s $1 million commitment to inclusive tourism in Africa, the Airbnb Africa Academy has provided training for 220 people ‒ with 70% of participants being women. As of January 2021, South Africa has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa and the sixteenth highest number of confirmed infections worldwide, with a relatively low death rate. Airbnb has supported the equivalent of 22,000 jobs across South Africa. […] 15 minutes to Lanseria airport. Reduced rates specially for post-Lockdown. Private room in Sandton, South Africa. The Minister passed a Government Gazette that places a moratorium on eviction orders for the duration of the 21-day lockdown. Look out for birds among the lush greenery as you make your way along this 13km trail. The lifting of restrictions on interprovincial travel also means that the affordable alternative to accommodation in guesthouses or hotels will once again be an option for those travelling across the country. Bloemfontein Farm is situated halfway between Wepener & Zastron in the south-eastern Free State, 6km from Van Stadensrus. The lockdown situation has left many tenants and landlords in precarious positions..
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Giant coffee cup bins invade Manchester in an attempt to recycle 20,000 paper cups
Thanks to the efforts of a host of retailers including Caffé Nero, Costa and McDonald's, the streets of Manchester will soon be inundated with giant coffee cup bins, as charity Hubbub attempts to save 20,000 paper cups from ending up in landfill.
On Wednesday (12 October), Hubbub will team up with the aforementioned companies – as well as Greggs, KFC, Nestlé, Pret and Waitrose and local authorities – to launch the #1MoreShot social experiment campaign. For the next three months, eleven giant coffee cup bins will be placed down Oxford Road in Manchester to solely collect paper coffee cups.
Hubbub’s co-founder Gavin Ellis said: “This new initiative will test an innovative new technology and discover whether the public will separate out their coffee cups if specialist bins are provided. We urgently need to change the way we dispose of the 2.5 billion paper cups that are thrown away every year, as currently only 1 in 400 cups are being recycled. If this is successful, it can be extended to other cities across the UK as a number of local authorities have already put their name forward.”
The initiative will aim to collect 20,000 paper cups, which will be recycled into 15,000 plastic flower pot holders to be used in community gardens around the area. The design process will be overseen by polymer experts Nextek and ashortwalk – which specialise in turning coffee cups into a unique polymer.
While the issues surrounding paper cups have been brought to light on a national level by the War on Waste series, Manchester is feeling the brunt of the issue. On average 272,602 disposable paper cups are used daily in Manchester, and litter, fly-tipping and street cleaning is costing the City Council £7.5m annually.
The fallout from the War on Waste series has already led to Starbucks launching a trial partnership with FrugalPac, which will see the coffee shop chain trial a recyclable coffee cup made from 100% paper. Elsewhere, Costa Coffee has removed the recycling symbol from all of its paper cups and is now trialling in-store recycling systems at 50 of its UK stores.
The campaign will finish in December and if deemed a success will be rolled out to a number of areas which have already signed up to expand the scheme. At the heart of the campaign is a behavioral drive, but consumers will also be educated on the recyclability of paper cups, which are often difficult to recycle because they are sealed with a polyethylene (plastic) lining on the interior.
Coffee cups form just one part of the UK’s ongoing litter issues. Innovative bins – including a litter lounge – have already been used to help reduce the amount of cigarette butts appearing on the streets. Wrigley and Keep Britain Tidy have also slashed litter rates by 30% through informative charity bin trials.
With litter costing the UK an estimated £800m annually in clean-up, the Environmental Services Association (ESA) has today (11 October) launched a new report calling on brands and the Government to adopt an Extended Produce Responsibility (EPR) scheme.
The EPR approach would place a 0.5p levy on all cigarettes and pieces of chewing gum produced by brands, with the ESA claiming that it could generate around £300m for “cash-strapped” local authorities.


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July 11, 2016
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Enterprises rarely move as quickly as the rest of the web. Many, including us at ProgrammableWeb, have been saying for some time that big companies will embrace the open API movement. It appears this may be happening in earnest now, as our directory hits the milestone of 8,000 APIs. And it makes sense, because APIs are helping companies do business, with the tradeoff between adding an external dependency being out-shined by the ability to move faster building upon someone else's expertise.
NoSQL databases are all the rage these days. We recently discussed moving from MySQL to MongoDB within hours. The rise of NoSQL is often associated with the need to not just store large amounts of data but also to visualize relationships between the various objects in the database. InfiniteGraph has released its InfiniteGraph API to Java developers to use its NoSQL graph database. The company also launched a developer contest.
Our API directory now includes 32 postal APIs. The newest is the Stamps.com API. The most popular, in terms of mashups, is the GeoNames API. We list 84 GeoNames mashups. Below you'll find some more stats from the directory, including the entire list of postal APIs.


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BERKELEY, NJ — Some grocery stores around Berkeley are offering special shopping hours for senior citizens during the novel-coronavirus outbreak.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults 65 years or older have a higher risk of developing severe symptoms from COVID-19.
Some grocery stores around New Jersey have begun to offer special, early-morning shopping hours for senior citizens and other at-risk populations. Here's where you can find them around Berkeley.
New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.
Walmart, Manahawkin and Lacey: 6-7 a.m. Tuesdays, right before the store opens to the public.
Stop & Shop: all stores open from 6-7:30 a.m. daily for shoppers 60 and older.
ALDI: ALDI USA stores will reserve 8:30-9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays for senior citizens, expectant mothers and others with health concerns.
If you know about other services or you're willing to help people in need, feel free to leave a comment below.
Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Berkeley Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email email@example.com.


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Mittal declares: I want to be the Ford of steel
Published: 4 September 2005
BRITAIN’s richest man, Lakshmi Mittal, has laid out ambitious plans to turn his fledgling quoted company, Mittal Steel, into a family dynasty to rival Ford.
He said Ford was a good model for the company, which listed last year and is the world’s biggest steel group. “The Ford brand still exists after 100 years and it is a professionally run company. And if any family member has an interest in running the company, he has an opportunity to do it.”
But Mittal’s tight grip — he and his family control 88% of the shares — could put off some investors. Goldman Sachs said last week family involvement and other corporate-governance concerns meant its value should be discounted by 15%.
In a research note, Goldman cited majority family ownership, “super” voting rights in a class of shares owned only by Mittal, the balance of the board and the position of Aditya Mittal, Lakshmi’s


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VAN NUYS, Calif. — Pure Play Media and Immoral Productions have released “Love Doctor,” a new series dedicated to “gorgeous girls getting examined from the inside out.”
Starring in the film are Aimee Black, Janice Griffith, Lilith Lust and Tory Lane.
“My guys and I came up with this series as a result of us sitting around drinking beer and busting each other’s balls for making love to the models instead of fucking them with fury when we film with them,” Immoral founder Dan “Porno Dan” Leal said. “We decided why not embrace the fact that we all like it in different ways…after all, who said there is no kissing in porno?”
“Variety is the spice of DVD life and Immoral Productions works hard to give our customers enough to keep shoppers of all lifestyles happy and hungry for more,” added Mike L, Pure Play Media sales representative. “’Love Doctor’ gives fans sexy scenes that showcase the softer side of porn and perfectly balances the rest of the studio’s hardcore catalog.”
Immoral Productions is available exclusively in the U.S. through Pure Play Media.
To order the movie, email firstname.lastname@example.org, or call (954) 903-3347, ext. 2224.


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PFFS 2019 PARTNERS
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is proud to be partnering with Pacific Fusion Fashion Show to bring Pacific Islands designers to this industry leading event in Auckland. The event is an exciting opportunity to showcase Pacific talent and innovation in the region and deepen our engagement and understanding of Pasifika culture and creativity.
MFAT are proud to sponsor four fashion designers on their first international film, Lava Grosssmith and Elaine Maepio from the Solomon Islands, Anna Amos from Papua New Guinea and Leiola Finau Rakau from Vanuatu.
Pacific Media Network (PMN) is a unique public broadcasting provider focusing on ‘Delivering the best in Pacific Media”.
We operate three premium brands; PMN News, Radio 531 PI, and Niu FM. We are the largest Radio Network for Pacific Peoples in the world and broadcasts in more than nine Pacific languages as well as English.
As a trusted source of information, news and entertainment it means that PMN is embedded in Pacific communities by way of our On-Air and digital content which is complemented by community events.
Our digital platforms are constantly growing and providing effective opportunities to connect with Pacific audiences. PMN has two android mobile apps, three websites and more than nine social media platforms.
PMN’s key strength is that we are #inclusivelyPacific and we are the only Pacific Media organisation that is able to engage with our wider Pacific community in Aotearoa, New Zealand and globally 24 hours a day.
Bright Sunday is proud to return as a partner for the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show as its official Marketing, PR, Social Media and Media Relations partner.
Bright Sunday is a full-service Pacific and Maori marketing communications agency fanatical about backing people, companies, and communities to unleash their greatness! With roots firmly planted in South Auckland, Bright Sunday is passionate about helping the game changers we work with to take advantage of technology and digital marketing solutions. We bring positive energy to the projects we work on. You could say, we always look on the bright side.
Nora Swann Ltd is founded by Nora Swann who is a leading creative entrepreneur in the Pacific region’s fashion industry with headquarters in South Auckland, New Zealand.
Nora Swann Ltd offers a wide range of services, events and activities:
● Auckland’s signature Pacific Fusion Fashion Show bringing Pacific designers and models for fashion lovers to celebrate not only the cutting edge but the horizon of fashion
● Personal Styling services for personal grooming and image consulting
● Dressed in Confidence Wellness Program encouraging and empowering self-love for female youth
● The Swann Modelling Agency advocating for diversity in the fashion industry
Nora Swann is Leadership New Zealand – Mana Moana Alumni, Pacific Woman Leader for the US Embassy to NZ Leadership programme, recipient of the Pursuit of Excellence Award awarded by Otara Papatoetoe Local Board and newly appointed Duffy Books Ambassador.
Nora Swann Ltd was a finalist in two categories in the Samoa Business Network Awards in 2018 for Excellence in Innovation and SUGA Business Woman of the Year. Nora Swann is now an executive board member of Samoa Business Network
Nora Swann was recently selected to accompany NZ Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters along with other Pacific leaders on the Melanesia Mission 2019 project to Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to strengthen relationships within the Pacific.


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An artificial intelligence doll called Luvabella is ready to hit the shelves in October. The Luvabella doll reportedly responds to affection, giggles, falls asleep, and also talks. However, some parents feel there is a fine line between cute and creepy, and this has crossed the line.
UK Company Spin Master has manufactured the doll. The company had sold out Hatchimals last year in Christmas. The Hatchimals had proved so popular last year that some paid four times the price on eBay in order to get one for their child.
The 'must-have' wide-eyed doll seems to be similar to horror movie doll Annabelle, which is freaking out parents.
In a post about it on Facebook, several parents cited their doubts. One woman commented saying, "This doll looks like Annabelle's little sister! Who in their right mind is going to give this creepy looking doll to their child. I know 3 kids who will start crying and hit their parents with this thing."
Someone commented, "Looks like an infant Annabelle!" While another woman said, "It's a must if you want to scare your kids from playing with dolls..."
Another facebook user said, "Too evil looking." While some claimed that it resembled another famous doll Chucky and one of them commented saying, "Hello, child of Chucky."
The senior vice president at Spin Master, James Martin, told HuffPost UK: "Through careful research and development, Spin Master perfected Luvabella over three years to create the most interactive and lifelike doll ever. We are thrilled that Luvabella is predicted to be in hot demand even before her October launch, and this clearly suggests the toy industry's confidence in this unique new doll.
If your child is brave enough and would like a doll which would respond to him/her, you can get it in most retailers, including Argos and ToysRUs. On the other hand, there is a pre-order service in Smyths at £99.99 per doll, The Sun reported.
Also, the doll has already been featured in Argos' top prediction list for 2017.


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This Cute Robot Gave Birth To The AI Revolution
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become ubiquitous these days. It is in self-driving cars, in-home devices and even in mobile phones and their applications. There are even robotics companies developing bots that are injected with the capability to think like a human being. These new-fangled innovations are very sophisticated, but for all their sophistication, they still owe little Shakey for what they are today.
Who, or what is Shakey? Well, it was a cute little robot created by roboticists in Silicon Valley. The mobile robot came into being in 1966, Wired writes. It was about a decade after computer scientists started throwing around the AI buzzword. It may not look anything like the sleek robots of today but it was the first ever moving robot that had autonomous and reasoning capabilities.
When Shakey was created, it was meant for military reconnaissance. Someone wanted to drop it in the middle of China and have it count how many tanks the Sleeping Giant had. It did not to that, but what it did was propel AI research forward. Because of Stanford Research Institute researchers' pioneering work, the world today have smart thinking systems right in their hands.
That is why the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) honored Shakey. It is now regarded as an institute milestone and even has a plaque dedicated to it. The armless robot was made up of numerous algorithms and architectures, but the totality of it is what a former project member considered its lasting legacy. Thanks to the robot, more people became inspired to pour time and effort in researching AI technology.
Yet, although a robot gave birth to the AI revolution, smart systems nowadays are more focused on software. There are robots that can move around and do a lot of things, sure. But they do not think. And they only do what they are programmed for.
Nevertheless, there are still a number of companies that are working for better AI systems. Whether or not they could create robots to uproot humans from jobs and such remains to be seen.
The Headphone Jack Is Risen: Lenovo Resurrects Feature In Moto Z2 Force
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New Leak Shows HTC U Ocean Probable Features
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Intel's Frenetic AI Will Rule In The Next 5 Years
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Netflix is Raising Prices, Here’s How it Now Compares to Other Streaming Services
Once a brand gains the trust and loyalty of its market, it is only logical that it attempts to flex its dominant muscle. Such is the tale that fits the recent price hike coming from the stable of Netflix. Having baited consumers into believing that streaming, and not cable subscription, is the right way to go, Netflix has now decided to drop its own form of a bombshell on consumers in the form of price increment. The news, which was announced earlier this year, detailed that Netflix would be raising prices across all of its plans by 13 to 18 percent.


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Finnish company Jolla and its CEO Marc Dillon are hoping to convince consumers that buying a new smartphone isn't just about the number of cores available and the size of the screen when the company later this year releases the first smartphone based...
App.net, the social networking platform that launched as an ad-free alternative to Twitter, is looking to expand its user base by offering a free account option.
Hewlett-Packard has sold some of the rights to its webOS mobile operating system to LG Electronics for use in smart television sets made by the South Korean electronics firm.
Nokia has expanded its Lumia portfolio with the 520 and 720. The Lumia 520 is the company's cheapest Windows phone to date at €139 (US$184), and comes as the company is under pressure to increase sales volumes.
PayPal will introduce a mobile chip-and-PIN version of its payments service in Europe, starting with a selection of U.K. businesses over the coming months.
ZTE smartphones based on Firefox OS along with Nokia's new Windows Phone-based devices will share the spotlight at this year's Mobile World Congress with next-generation network technologies that offer higher download speeds and help operators combat...
Tizen, the open-source project backed by Intel and Samsung Electronics, has released to software developers and device makers the software development kit and source code for a new version of its operating system.
Google is rolling out some enhancements to Google Now, a mobile app that gives Android users personalized information on the fly. The changes could help make the tool a bigger part of people's daily lives.
BlackBerry is getting closer to shipping a red, limited edition version of the Z10 to selected developers who have created applications for its new BlackBerry 10 OS.
Nokia said Tuesday it filed letters of objection in India to protest actions by the country's income tax authorities, including a raid on its factory, which it claimed ran counter to domestic laws and international standards.
Multiple users on Apple's iPhone support forum are reporting big drops in battery life after upgrading their handsets to version 6.1 of the iOS operating system.
Using a smartphone to pay for purchases in lieu of a physical debit or credit card may become a $US1 trillion business by 2015, and some ancillary technologies for consumer engagement could help to make that happen.
BlackBerry says launch sales of its new BlackBerry 10 handsets in Canada and the UK have beaten previous company records, but it isn't releasing actual sales figures.
BlackBerry and Unity are working together on an add-on for BlackBerry 10 smartphones that should make it easier for developers to create games for the new OS.
Hailo, the U.K.-based developer of taxi-hailing mobile apps, has landed fresh investment from KDDI, one of Japan's largest mobile operators.
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GGG Evaluation Team
First impression on unpacking the Q702 test unit was the solid feel and clean, minimalist styling.
For work use, Microsoft Word and Excel programs pre-installed on the device are adequate for preparing short documents.
The Fujitsu LifeBook UH574 allowed for great mobility without being obnoxiously heavy or clunky. Its twelve hours of battery life did not disappoint.
The screen was particularly good. It is bright and visible from most angles, however heat is an issue, particularly around the Windows button on the front, and on the back where the battery housing is located.
My first impression after unboxing the Q702 is that it is a nice looking unit. Styling is somewhat minimalist but very effective. The tablet part, once detached, has a nice weight, and no buttons or switches are located in awkward or intrusive positions.


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With the joint efforts of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and İzmir Chamber of Commerce, cruise ships were provided to make regular flights to İzmir again.
Tunç Soyer, the Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, and Oğuz Özkardeş, a member of the Board of Directors of İzmir Chamber of Commerce, held a long-term cooperation agreement with the Costa company in Genoa, Italy.
The first time in December 2020
May Cruise ships that haven't been to Izmir since 2017 will anchor in Izmir Port again at December 2020. Cruise ships will continue to arrive in Izmir Bay after 2021.
It will also contribute to Izmir artisans
Approximately 3 thousand people travel in each cruise ship and this way, it is aimed to reach nearly one million additional tourists to İzmir starting from 2023. Saying that the Gulf is a great value for the development of İzmir's tourism, Mayor Soyer said, “I am very pleased that our election promise will be realized in a short time. The revival of cruise tourism will also contribute to Izmir tradesmen. ”
Mahmut Özgener, President of Izmir Chamber of Commerce; Olumlu It is a source of pride for all of us that the work of the chamber of commerce has been positive for more than a year. The revival of the port is of great importance for the development of İzmir's economy. ”
Joint work will continue
The return of cruise ships to İzmir was one of Tunç Soyer's election promises. The Izmir Chamber of Commerce has been working extensively since April 2018. The joint efforts of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and Izmir Chamber of Commerce to support cruise tourism will continue increasingly.


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Poultry meat consumption is growing at an exceptional rate. According to FAO, it will overtake pork meat before 2020.
Main supplier of poultry meat in the world is reported to be coming from Thailand. [i]
This was not always the case, and when we look back to tipping points in the industry, we see that the market transformed since 1980 from rural production for domestic use, to industrial scale for export to international markets with the EU being its top importer.
Quick growth, without regulatory or industry ethics to keep it in check, has unfortunately seen an increase in environmental and people-ethics impacts.
High demand of the poultry farming has indicated a shortage of domestic labourers. Subsequently, it is reported that millions of migrant workers from mainly Cambodia and Myanmar have been attracted to work opportunities, however fallen victim to poor working environments, low wages and corrupt officials. [ii]
Migrant workers state that personal documents such as passports or work permits have been confiscated by their employers or recruitment agencies and placed in debt bondage. This is a very challenging market situation, which we have also personally seen a lot of in the cacao industry.
Research has shown that the companies are exempt themselves from ensuring that recruitment agencies act responsible, and do not take social responsibility themselves. Stakeholders (like international buyers or traders) involved in the import of poultry products from Thailand have been accused of not conducting meaningful due diligence on potential adverse human rights impacts in the industry.
ChangeMakers like us wonder where the tipping point for change needs to come from? Consumers need a campaign to demand transparency like we start to see in fashion? Or do consumers need to adjust their tastes for chicken? And what of the domestic markets for poultry production – how does it impact them? Finally, given the poor working conditions for workers, what do we know of the welfare of the animals involved?
Something, we will be following up on during our next visit to Thailand and the region.


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Indiana's fifth Amazon distribution center is now open in Jeffersonville, bringing with it new jobs, but also increased traffic.
Right now, Amazon is operating two shifts with 600 to 800 employees on each.
That means hundreds of additional vehicles will be headed to the area daily on Highway 62, as wells as more trucks that will be coming in and out.
In anticipation, Jeffersonville has made some traffic changes.
"(I'm) definitely excited about all of this," said Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore.
The new $150 million Amazon distribution center is officially in business.
Wednesday morning, workers began stocking the shelves for the upcoming holiday season.
As they do, Jeffersonville officials are keeping an eye on traffic outside the facility.
"The traffic count out here on 62 is obviously a big issue, not only for employees coming into work, but the residents who live along 62 here," said Moore.
To compensate, there's now a new traffic signal on 62 at Charlestown Pike at Amazon's main entrance.


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China southwestern municipality Chongqing recorded 288 million yuan (US$43 million) in total digital yuan trading volume across 1.576 million transactions as of May 15, the People’s Bank of China’s local branch reported at a Thursday press conference.
See related article: China southeastern city tops US$3mln digital yuan transactions in pilot month
- Chongqing is roughly the size of Austria, with a population of over 32 million in 2020.
- About 1.1 million digital yuan wallets have been opened in Chongqing, with the number of wallets for individuals reaching 1.06 million, and the number of cooperate wallets for business transactions reaching 42,400, the PBoC Chongqing branch said.
- Chongqing’s average digital yuan, or e-CNY, transaction was 182 yuan, which is enough to purchase at least four Big Mac meals in China.
- Digital yuan pilot city Jinhua recently reported its e-CNY performance, where the average transaction was not enough to purchase a single Big Mac meal.
- Chongqing and Jinhua joined China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilots on April 4, now being trialed in 23 cities since October 2020.
See related article: Covid-19, postponed Asian Games to push digital yuan into the slow lane?