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Claranor will be present at CFIA 2022. The opportunity for dairy sector manufacturers to discover our new decontamination equipment and our partnerships. Innovative collaborations for even more efficient industrial solutions. Without chemicals and with very low energy consumption, Claranor pulsed light has more than one advantage for your production lines!
Claranor will be at the Pack Expo in Las Vegas SU 7157 to showcase its latest clean packaging sterilization solutions using pulsed light. In preview, discover the collaboration with Primoreels for the supply and sterilization of lids online, the FULLCAP® machine for the ESL 90 days and the solution for the metal or alu Cans and Can-ends' sterilization for the infant milk or beverages markets.
The international China Brew and China Beverage processing technology equipment exhibition will take place in Shangai, from the 13th to the 16th of October 2020. Take the chance to discover with Jack Xu, our exclusive Sales representative in China, our chemical-free packaging sterilization solutions at Claranor stand W1-1B18
How to reconcile ecology and economy: sterilize your packaging with Claranor! FoodTech, Northern Europe's largest trade fair for the food industry will take place from the 29th of September to the 1st October in Herning, Denmark Bo Dalskov, Sales and Marketing Manager at EB Teknik, our exclusive agent in Scandinavia, and Benjamin Guerin, Area Sales Manager at Claranor will be pleased to welcome you to the EB Teknik booth. L9322
Nous serons présents au CFIA 2020 Hall 10, stand A12 pour présenter nos dernières innovations de stérilisation d’emballages par lumière pulsée dédiées ...
We will be present at CFIA 2020 Hall 10, stand A12 to present our latest innovations in sterilization of packaging by pulsed light dedicated to dairy products:
Reduce your carbone footprint & make savings Choose the Claranor pulsed light for your packaging decontamination This year again, Claranor will be at the annual meeting for the Brau Beviale


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With most of the carmakers experimenting with their respective hybrid technologies, luxury car manufacturer Bentley has also come up with its first ever hybrid vehicle. The luxury market is one of the most demanding segments of the market and Bentley is soon going to introduce a hybrid luxury saloon for the same.
For the time being, the British major has unveiled Bentley Hybrid Concept which happens to be its first plug-in hybrid so far. The hybrid model will be based on the flagship Bentley Mulsanne and will officially debut at the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition which begins on 20th April.
With the introduction of Bentley’s plug-in hybrid technology, customers will get more powertrain choices which will not only be powerful but efficient as well. As per the claims made by Bentley, its hybrid drivetrains will offers an up to 25 % increase in power while reducing CO2 emissions by 70 %. All these improvements will come without compromising refinement or exquisite luxury. Also, these plug-in hybrid models will be able to cover nearly 50 km on electric power alone, hence giving out nothing but water vapor.
Talking about the Mulsanne Hybrid concept, the car will feature copper accents on the exterior as well as interior that will highlight the car’s hybrid nature. Copper has also been used on the headlamps, brake calipers, badges and radiator shell bezel. On the inside, various Copper inserts have been used for the instrument cluster, switch bezels etc. The same color has also been used for contrast stitching as well.
The Bentley Hybrid Concept will debut on April 20 at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition and will share the stage with three other members from the Bentley family. Also making its Chinese debut at the exhibition is the new Flying Spur V8 as well as the new Continental GT Speed.

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The 2017 MCE British Superbike season well and truly kicked off for the Honda Racing squad today as they took delivery of the all-new Fireblade SP2 Dan Linfoot and Jason O’Halloran will campaign in this year’s series.
Six, brand new road-going CBR1000RR SP2s were delivered to the squad’s Louth headquarters this morning, with the team now turning their attention to transforming the road-going machines into BSB weapons.
The machines are the first new Fireblades to come to the UK, with further SP2 machinery not expected to hit British soil until later this Spring.
“We were expecting the new bikes in December, but we’re now into the 16th January and time is not on our side,” said team boss Havier Beltran. “What we have been doing is trying to establish which components do cross over, where our development line can continue and where we have to re-think and re-design.
“Even after only getting the bikes this morning, we have a lot of bikes out there in various states, stripped down and ready for evaluation! Straight away, you see the bodywork is different so that’s something we have to address and get on with straight away and that’s how this works. We’ve got to establish what can cross over from swinging arms, to exhausts etc and we are confident that some of the components we developed for the 2016 machine can cross over to the 2017 bike.
“The most exciting part for us is the electronics, and that we can use fly by wire and a blipper as per the other manufacturers. We’ve already had extensive dyno work in December on our 2016 engine, with a view to understanding where we can push that and what we can do with a fly-by-wire. We’ve a lot of data at the moment and now it’s about making that work with the new bikes.”
The team’s riders will get their first run out on the new Fireblade in stock trim at this weekend’s press launch in Portimao, before the team’s superbike test schedule gets underway at the Monteblanco circuit in Spain in March.
Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN'sBikes For Sale App.


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Judge denies Apple's request for temporary suspension of eBook antitrust ruling
Things keep going from bad to worse for Apple in the courts these days. First Judge Denise Cote of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled that the company violated antitrust laws and conspired to artificially inflate the prices of e-books across the entire market, and now Judge Cote has today denied Apple’s request for a temporary suspension of her ruling. The Department of Justice is demanding that Apple terminate and renegotiate deals with all publishers currently represented on the iBookstore, while also requiring Apple to allow competitors, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo, to link to their online bookstores within their applications. In the decision, Apple is also barred from attempting to influence pricing for eBooks for a length of five years. Apple has begun the process of appealing the court’s ruling and had hoped to avoid the repercussions of the ruling while the appeals process took place.
Apple has long argued for their innocence, and the company has been seeing a growing amount of support from the rest of the industry since the ruling a month ago. Prominent US publishers HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Penguin have all issued a legal brief arguing against the restrictions, claiming that the court’s decision harms not only Apple but also the US publishing market as a whole.
Unfortunately for Apple, it looks like the courts are refusing to budge on their ruling for the time being, and the appeals process could take quite some time before a resolution is reached. There is of course no guarantee that Apple and the eBook publishing world will get the resolution they’re hoping for anyways, so Apple would be best served by reaching peace with the ruling for the time being while the battle to declare their innocence rages on.
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HP's ill-fated TouchPad may be a hot commodity now that it's being offered at fire-sale prices, but those lucky enough to get their hands on one could soon find themselves with more choices than they ever imagined.
WebOS is the operating system that comes preloaded on the device, of course, and I maintain hope that that Linux-based operating system will be picked up and continued] by another company, preferably in open source form.
For those concerned about WebOS's fate or even just its relative paucity of apps, however, two new possibilities have just emerged. First, it's already possible to get Ubuntu Linux up and running on the device, and second, a project is now in the works to port Android over as well.
The Ubuntu Option
On the Ubuntu side, instructions have already been posted on Liliputing for installing Ubuntu Linux on the TouchPad alongside its existing WebOS operating system. Basically, it sounds like you're creating a dual-boot scenario so that you can choose which to run.
PreWare, Palm Novacom, Xecutah and Ubuntu 11.04 CHroot are all part of the process, which is reportedly not for the faint of heart. Nevertheless, the end result is a command-line version of Ubuntu Linux that can be used with apt-get install to install various Ubuntu software packages.
An Android Alternative
Aiming to get Android up and running on HP's device, meanwhile, are several hacker efforts, including the nascent Touchdroid project on RootzWiki.
Developers involved in Touchdroid plan first to use Android 2.3 Gingerbread and be AOSP-based; once they're able to successfully boot Android, they plan to move to a CM7 base. Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich versions will follow from there, the developers explained.
Still unclear on this end is whether Android will replace WebOS or be a dual-boot option as in the Ubuntu solution.
Meanwhile, at least one bounty has been separately offered up to the developer who gets Android working on the HP TouchPad.
Manufacturers, Take Note
However these two alternate platforms for the TouchPad play out, it's exciting to see three Linux-based operating systems vying to run on HP's discontinued hardware.
I really hope other tablet manufacturers are paying attention. If ever there was proof that there's plenty of demand for an inexpensive, Linux-based tablet option, this is it.
Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.


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We are excited to be a part of this project and look forward to bringing value to our attendees and to the industry as a whole with this important benchmarking initiative. Alicia Whalen, Co-Founder, A Couple of Chicks e-Marketing and Online Revealed
Toronto, ON (PRWEB) March 16, 2012
The 7th Annual tourism marketing conference Online Revealed Canada, held in conjunction with the Hotel Association of Canada Conference and the Canadian Tourism Marketing Summit held last week in Toronto, brought together over 500 delegates, 50 presenters and 40 sponsors from across Canada and the US to highlight the changing trends in marketing tourism online to the Canadian hospitality industry.
New to the conference this year was the Canadian Online Benchmarking Report for Tourism Destinations, an innovative new project that will enable participating Canadian tourism organizations including; Visitor and Convention Bureau’s, Provincial Marketing organizations and small to mid-sized tourism marketing organizations (DMO’s) to benchmark their online success against each other, and against other international tourism destinations.
The initiative was brought together by Miles Media, A Couple of Chicks e-Marketing and Tripadvisor as a pilot project mirrored after similar reports done in New Zealand and the US. “We are excited to be a part of this project and look forward to bringing value to our attendees and to the industry as a whole with this important benchmarking initiative.” says Alicia Whalen, Co-Founder of A Couple of Chicks e-Marketing and Online Revealed. The initial report generated 14 participating Canadian DMO’s and will be the first report of its kind in Canada. Initial results were presented at the conference in a session “Benchmarking Canadian Destinations to Each Other & The World” with subsequent reports and a broader program to follow.
The conference agenda featured keynotes from Facebook Canada’s Steve Irvine, Google Canada’s Nikki Germany, Leonard Brody of Clarity Digital Group and Jowi Taylor’s “Six String Nation Guitar” presentation. Cutting-edge online marketing workshops included “The LGBT $7 Billion Travel Marketing”, “Choosing a Digital Agency", and “Exploration of Digital Marketing Trends in Travel”, to name a few. The Canadian e-Tourism Awards were held at a special luncheon presented by the Canadian e-Tourism Council and Online Revealed Canada.
Attendees and sponsors of Online Revealed include hotels, hotel brands, hospitality management companies, travel suppliers, destination marketing organizations, attractions, marketing agencies, web developers, media companies and travel intermediaries from across North America.
About Online Revealed Canada
In just 7 years, Online Revealed Canada and A Couple of Chicks have produced 7 online marketing conferences with an agenda that includes educational workshops, keynotes and panel discussions, all driven by the industry for the industry. The event is produced by leading online marketing firm, A Couple of Chicks e-Marketing, http://www.acoupleofchicks.com in association with Big Picture Conferences. Online Revealed Canada is an annual Canadian conference with a mission to educate the tourism industry to be successful on the World Wide Web. Visit http://www.onlinerevealed.com for more information.


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‘Pokémon Go’ Anniversary 2017: Trainers share their favorite PoGo memories on Twitter and Reddit
Thursday marked Pokémon Go’s first birthday, and Niantic celebrated the day by announcing a new Anniversary event — complete with Pikachu wearing a familiar hat — while continuing to promote the live event coming to Chicago later in July.
A year is a long time in mobile game lifespans and players have taken to social media to reminisce about the good and not-so-good in Pokémon Go’s first 365 days.
Pokémon Go anniversary event: 12 months of memories
It all started when the official Pokémon Go Twitter account asked players for their favorite moments in the game’s first year.
Some of the results were amusing, like a player who found a Dragonair in a very interesting location.
Others were snarky, like Pokémon Go Malaysia reminding us that not everyone got to play Pokémon Go when it was first released.
Some just made jokes at the expense of Team Instinct:
On popular Pokémon Go subreddit, the Silph Road, players also sharedmemories from early in the game’s history. Some reminisced about using unusual Pokémon like Slowbro to hold gyms, or the early days when a 1500 CP Exeggutor holding a gym was an impressive sight.
A lot of people said they missed the sense of community many felt in the during the game’s first few months. Trainers recalled seeing hundreds of people heading to the park and catch Pokémon, or how a bug in your settings when the game was released would alert everyone that you were playing when you logged out.
“The game was so different when it first released to where it is now,” wrote Silph Road user cb325 wrote. “I remember that literally everyone was playing. Cars randomly stopping on the street and you knew they were catching Pokémon. Our local hot spot would have hundreds of people even after midnight grinding stops and catching ... We have come a long way and I still love this game!”
Hopefully, the upcoming live events will continue to foster a sense of community for the game as it heads into its second year. For right now, it’s amazing how far the game has come in such a short time.
More Pokémon Go news, updates, tips and tricks
Raids are here! See why they may be the key to legendary Pokémon. Find out how to determine how long it will take you to reach level 40, and see what we think of the Gen 2 Pokémon added to the game. Here are the kinds of Pokémon you get from 10-kilometer eggs, and here’s where you can check out what you missed during the Water Festival and Solstice events. Find out more about the upcoming Chicago event and why you’ll probably be able to catch Unown while you’re there — if you’re not busy searching for rare evolutionary items, that is.


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RIM’s Not a Takeover Target if No One Wants It
Hard to fathom that Research In Motion was once an $83 billion company. But back in 2008 it was. These days it’s significantly less than that — a $15 billion company. And the ugly decline in shareholder value between those two figures, coupled with RIM’s strategic missteps, has some folks wondering if the company might be a takeover target.
Thing is, implicit in the phrase “takeover target” is the idea that someone actually desires the target in question. And in RIM’s case, I’m not quite sure that’s true.
Could anyone buy RIM? Sure. Microsoft and Dell have both been rumored as potential acquirers in the past, and the latest speculation singles them out again.
But why would they?
RIM’s hopeless downward spiral is the result of missteps and flaws that go way beyond its inability to meet guidance. RIM has failed to innovate. It has failed to execute. It has failed to understand the consumer market, which is increasingly informing enterprise support and purchasing decisions. And its comedy-of-errors management has consistently refused to take responsibility for those failures, because it doesn’t seem to see them as a problem.
Is there anyone willing to spend $15 billion plus premium on that? The chance to turn around RIM’s foundering business? The chance to arrive late-to-market with another ill-conceived BlackBerry? To make sense of the BlackBerry OS-to-QNX transition? And then to go head-to-head with Apple and Google, which have been wiping the floor with newcomers and pioneers both?
Seems highly unlikely.
Perhaps someone will buy it for parts further down the line when they won’t have to pay such a premium. It’s getting cheaper every day …
[Image credit: The Joy of Tech]


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LG will announce the LG V30 today, its third flagship phone in the V-series. The unveiling will take place during the company’s IFA 2017 press conference on August 31 in Berlin.
As of now, we pretty much know a lot more about the LG V30 officially, as the company had been gradually announcing V30 features prior to the official unveiling. Therefore, there’s slightly less chances of getting any surprises today. Well, pricing could be a factor, though.
The LG V30 will come equipped with f/1.6 dual camera setup with Crystal Clear lens, 6-inch SuperAMOLED FullVision display atop LG’s in-house UX 6.0+ skin with floating bar (and not a secondary display). It’ll also feature a Quad DAC.
The live stream will begin at 12AM PT/3AM ET, and will be available to watch over at LG’s YouTube channel.


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Amazon Japan has started taking international pre-orders for a special issue of Chara Parfait, featuring Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
The special issue contains 48 pages of Animal Crossing: New Horizons content. It also comes with a stand set and a handy schedule notebook:
Pre-order here via Amazon Japan (ships worldwide). The magazine will be released on March 18, 2020.


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BY AGNES TEEK
Machu Picchu is Peru’s most iconic tourist destination. With an average of 2,500 visitors per day, the site generates tens of millions of dollars a year, with thousands of locals dependent on this income.
Ollantaytambo is a pitstop for tourists travelling from Cusco to Macchu Picchu. Nestled in the foothill of the Andes, Ollantaytambo, like the rest of Peru, is in lockdown. A town once heaving with tourists is now quiet.
Hugo Cornejo Nordt owns a tourist bar in the small town. It is normally full each night but restrictions have forced him close his doors.
“I don't have any income because my business is shut… the quarantine doesn't allows me to sell or to open to the public,” he said.
Peru has been in locked down since mid March and has seen some of the toughest restrictions in the world. President Martin Vizcarra suspended all flights and closed land borders. Tourists were given 24 hours to leave the country and 10,000 reservist troops were deployed on the streets to enforce restrictions.
Hugo Cornejo Nordt owns a bar in the tourist town Ollantaytambo. His business is in ruins because of COVID-19.
Only one person from each household is allowed out at one time. Just the simple visit to the food market for Hugo and his wife Jessica has become an ordeal. Armed military enforce social distancing and hand-washing stations line the streets.
Jessica tries to protect herself and her family as she shops by exchanging money with stall owners in plastic bags.
Though concerned about her family’s health, Jessica is even more concerned her town won’t survive. Their local economy depends on tourists.
“They all live off the tourism, stores, hotels, restaurants. Country people who used to bring their products to the restaurants or hotels. Now, they will not be able to do it,” she said.
Peru's military is enforcing their restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.
This extreme and rapid lockdown happened early on in Peru when there were just 71 confirmed COVID-19 cases. This hard-line approach was taken because Peru’s healthcare system is not equipped to deal with a pandemic. The local doctor and director of Ollantaytambo Health Centre, Dr Luis Acurio Luna is grateful for the President’s swift action.
“If, like in the US, people had been left free to run around... if the president hadn’t taken a firm and hard stance, we would now be collapsing. Lots of dead, lots of fatalities. We would now be living a tragedy,” he said.
Going shopping is an ordeal in Peru.
With only seven beds, no ventilators and only a handful of Eucalyptus leaves to assist breathing, local hospitals like the Ollantaytambo Health Centre, simply could not cope with an outbreak.
Peru has increased testing and continues to enforce a strict lock down. Numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to rise and President Vizcarra has extended the ban of movement across the country. Containing the virus and keeping infected people out Ollantaytambo will be key to the locals survival.
The post about “What happens to Machu Picchu when the tourists disappear?" appeared first on the SBS Australia website.
To engage in the latest trends, developments, and opportunities in the promotion of the tourism industry, travel, and culture across Australia and Latin America, join our community at Tourism Group.
Not yet a member? Get connected and be inspired by more incredible Latin American and Australian professionals. Join the growing Somos21 Community.


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With Labor Day weekend approaching, San Diego gasoline prices are at their lowest in seven months.
A gallon of regular gasoline sold Wednesday for $3.84 on average, down from $4.05 a month ago and $4.12 a year ago, according to the AAA daily fuel gauge report. Prices under $3.70 could be found at scattered stations across San Diego County.
The last time Southern California gas prices fell so low was in late January, before a series of unplanned refinery disruptions in the region.
Analysts say steady crude oil prices and smooth refining operations are at last filtering down to the consumers.
Stocks of gasoline blends that meet California's stringent air quality requirements are up about 11 percent from a year ago at 5.8 million barrels, according to the California Energy Commission.
Best gas prices?
"Most of the price decline is due to supplies of gasoline, pretty pure and simple," said Patrick DeHaan, a senior petroleum analyst for Gasbuddy.com.
Crude oil prices, the biggest component in gasoline prices, have risen this week on speculation that the U.S. might take military action against Syria in response to reports of chemical weapons attacks, though the impact on retail sales was unclear.
Trilby Lundberg, president of Lundberg Survey in Camarillo, also has highlighted plentiful gasoline supplies.
“We have tremendous gasoline production occurring here and American refiners are running at very high rates of capacity,” Lundberg told Bloomberg News. “There is no tightness in supply; if anything we have an oversupply of gasoline in the United States.”
Last year's wild swings in gasoline prices were set off by a fire at a major refinery in Richmond. Over the course of 2012, gasoline prices in San Diego averaged $4.04, driven up by all-time high prices in October ($4.73).
So far this year's average price is just below $4, according to calculations by Marie Montgomery of the Southern California Auto Club.
"If you didn't count that October (2012) spike, we were pretty much paying higher prices throughout the year" in 2013, Montgomery said. In addition, state gasoline taxes began taking a bigger bite out of each gallon on July 1.
She said recent price declines are obviously good news for consumers and could signal less volatility.
"We're retreating from prices that were higher because of fears" about supply issues, she said. "They're kind of returning to a level that more reflects what's really going."
Los Angeles gas prices were even with San Diego. In San Francisco, the average price was $3.90.
In Arizona., the average prices was $3.40. For Nevada, it was $3.57.
Nationwide, gasoline prices are down 22 cents from a year ago to $3.55, according to a weekly price survey by the statistical arm of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Meanwhile, Californians have been using steadily less gasoline, a reflection of changing commuter habits, better vehicle mileage and modest economic growth. Last year marked the seventh consecutive year of decreased motor fuel consumption in the state.
Californians pay an average of 72 cents in federal and state excise and sales taxes on a gallon of gas, the highest in the country and well above the 49 cent average. The sales tax went up by 3.5 cents in July to restore revenues from declining fuel sales.


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Drug maker Mylan (MYL), mainly focused on the production of generic drugs, reported yet another quarter of declining sales, a trend the company has been seeing for the last couple of quarters. The sales decline was marred by increased competition and the continuing declining sales of the company’s allergy drug EpiPen, which in turn resulted in a 19% decline in sales in its North America sales. Revenue declined 1.2% to $2.68 billion from $2.71 billion a year ago.
Mylan reported a profit increase of 31% for the quarter to $87.1 million or $0.17 per share, mainly influenced by an income tax benefit of $76.6 million. On an adjusted basis, the drug maker reported a 3.22% increase in its earnings per share to $0.96.
“Mylan’s first quarter demonstrates continued execution of our long-term plan. Our diversity and durability are what allow us to absorb evolving industry dynamics and natural market volatility, while at the same time accelerate our mission of providing access to high-quality medicine”, said Heather Bresch, CEO.
On a segment basis, Mylan is continuing to see softness in its North America markets as the volatility continues to flow into 2018. The performance in the area was mainly hurt by the loss of exclusivity on the olmesartan products, declining branded product sales and the effect of the adoption of new accounting standards. However, the company reported strong sales results for its Europe and Rest of World regions, with Europe sales jumping 16.3% and Rest of World sales increasing 7.9%.
Though the future looks bleak for US markets, but Mylan’s strong product pipeline and its big line of product pending approval could offset the declining sales of EpiPen. Mylan is also looking forward to a tentative approval of generic Restasis with the action date expected in July of this year.
The generic drug maker has also been proactive in keeping its R&D costs low. Recently, the company adopted a partnership approach with Indian pharmaceutical companies to support this plan. In line with expectations, R&D expense declined 5.7% for the quarter to $204.9 million, helped by these initiatives and the reprioritization of global programs.
Over the last one year, Mylan stock had declined more than 7%, with the stock declining as much as 12% in the last one month. Post earnings, however, the stock gained 1% pre-market trading, despite reporting a miss on revenue and earnings estimates.
For fiscal 2018, Mylan reaffirmed its guidance and business outlook, including total revenue range of $11.75 billion to $13.25 billion, adjusted earnings per share in the range of $5.20 to $5.60 and adjusted free cash flow in the range of $2.1 billion to $2.5 billion.
The semiconductor industry is a rapidly growing business segment that currently thrives on the digital transformation wave. The demand for memory chips and other semiconductor products increased over the years,
Shares of Bed Bath & Beyond (NASDAQ: BBBY) were up on Friday, a day after the company delivered disappointing results for the second quarter of 2022. The company reported a
Nike, Inc. (NYSE: NKE) has reported a decrease in net profit for the first quarter of 2023, despite a modest increase in revenues. The company's stock suffered a big loss


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The owner of Center Parcs has reportedly started new discussions with investors about selling a stake in the company.
Brookfield Property Partners, which has owned the chain since 2015, is seeking to sell the company.
A stake in the holiday giant could be sold, according to reports Sky News.
According to the report, the talks are at an early stage and may not lead to an agreement.
Brookfield, a Canadian private equity group, has sought to sell the entire company at a price of £5 billion as it considers the future of Center Parcs UK and Ireland.
Bidders reportedly interested in sites include CVC Capital Partners, Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC and real estate specialist KSL Capital Partners.
The latest news about a possible sale of just part of the company suggests that potential buyers are not willing to pay that price.
Brookfield was approached by The Sun Online but declined to comment.
Center Parcs has five locations across the country.
The leisure resort confirmed it intends to build a new site elsewhere in the south east of England.
Proposals for a new 900 cottage site near Crawley in West Sussex were previously abandoned.
The Crawley plans were scrapped in February after environmental studies concluded the site was “not a suitable location” for a resort.
Center Parcs was founded in the Netherlands in 1968 and attracts millions of visitors every year.
There are sites in Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, Whinfell Forest, the Lake District of Cumbria, Longleat Forest in Wiltshire, Elveden Forest in Suffolk and Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire.
There is also a Center Parcs resort near Ballymahon in Ireland, which last opened in 2019.
Center Parcs UK is a separate company from Center Parcs Europe, which operates holiday villages in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France.
The European business is owned by Blackstone Group, which sold the UK part of the business to Brookfield in 2015 for £2.4 billion.


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Witness the rise of the Fintech industry with numbers
Technology has always reinvented industries. For instance, Amazon, Inc. reinvented how retail is done and introduced a completely new category called e-commerce two decades earlier. While Amazon started offering its service selling only books to a then tiny group of internet users in the United States, they now are the largest e-commerce company in the world.
Similarly, there are a lot of companies who are redefining the banking industry with new technology during the last few years. While banks have in fact adapted to new technologies to provide a better service to its customers, experts believe that they have been too late to catch up. Due to their large size and monopolistic position in the markets that they operate in, banks have found it difficult to adapt to new technologies continuously.
A slew of new startups have taken this as an opportunity and started offering technology-oriented finance services to their customers. These are called financial technology companies, or Fintech for short, due to their focus on technology.
The people at DealSunny have devised a nice infographic explaining the recent growth of the Fintech sector as shown below.
Here are a few facts we gathered from this infographic
- Fintech might be a new industry but it already exists in over fifty countries around the world. While most of the companies dealing with financial technology are startups, there are 1362 companies in total across 54 countries. These companies have also attracted a lot of private and public funding totalling $25.8 billion. That is a staggering $44 million per company on average which is one of the largest for any industry.
- Many governments have understood the importance of hosting financial technology companies in their country and are offering attractive regulations and incentives for the industry. The countries that offer the most government support for the fintech industry are the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong and Luxembourg in order.
- The United Kingdom offers the most incentives by way of a £860 million funding through its Cyber Security Programme and collaborative tax incentives for fintech startups. Singapore, Hong Kong and Luxembourg offer similar incentives for financial technology companies like special government financing incentives, connecting startups to investors in the country, providing a good IT infrastructure, etc.
- The top Fintech investments went to companies dealing with Lending, Payment processing and Mobile wallets with 19%, 14% and 10% of the total investments made respectively. The other popular categories that received the most investment are financials security & fraud analysis, international remittance and peer to peer payments which received more than 5% of the total investment each.
- Financial Technology might be a relatively new industry but it already has a number of companies with more than a billion dollars in valuation, which clearly shows their huge potential in the finance industry. Some of the companies with the highest valuation in the world are Lufax, a finance marketplace based in China with $10 billion valuation, Stripe, payment processor based in the United States with $5 billion valuation and Zenefits, an Insurance startup based in San Francisco, CA with $4.5 in valuation.
It is important to note that these companies reached this valuation before even considering an IPO. Social Finance, Credit Karma, Powa, Adyen and Klarna are other examples of Fintech companies with more than $2 billion in valuations.
While conventional banks should be looking at this huge growth in the Fintech industry with a keen eye, a number of banking groups have understood their inevitability and have started investing in the fintech startups. What the future holds for Fintech startups is yet to be told, however, with the recent advancements in technology and a trend towards cloud based applications and banking, there is no reason to believe that Fintech is going anywhere any time soon.
About the Author
This post is written by Robert Hendriks on behalf of Dealsunny


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The show may not have even started yet but CES 2012 is already off to a roaring start and we?re got a few people nosing around. The latest bit of information we?ve received is a quick peak inside of MSI?s suite, a location that held a few surprises including Ivy Bridge motherboards and Thunderbolt-equipped external graphics solutions."
A quick patch update to Windows can extend the useful life of a PC. To take the fear out of Upgrading Windows 98 to Windows XP, rely on this guide. - PCSTATS Tips


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24 Feb 2014:
Microsoft’s UK marketing head Harvey Eagle concedes that aspects of the Xbox One haven’t gone as planned, but says a system update and big E3 announcements will help in the battle against PlayStation 4. By Keith Stuart
20 Feb 2014:
The studio behind the critically acclaimed Bioshock series has shut, laying off most of its staff. Is this about the crazy economics of Triple A game development or one man’s restlessness?
From pictures showing a 'five-star jihad' to identifying the most influential sheikhs helping to radicalise foreign fighters, three researchers in a basement at Kings College, London, have tracked and analysed the torrent of social media posts coming from Syria.


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As a customer shipping a container of shoes or overalls, it might seem strange that the shipping companies competing for the job are also having meetings in which they work out the general price. It would be completely unheard of if, for instance, airlines were to sit down and come up with a price level for flights between London and Copenhagen.
For the same reason, the EU has banned the so-called conferences, at which the shipping companies would sit down to figure out, not least, the price of shipping a container from Asia to Europe. But in other places in the world, e.g. the Pacific routes, these meetings – or conferences – still exist. The most recent meeting was held in May, where container shipping companies such as Maersk Line, MSC, CMA CGM, and others, agreed on an indicative price for shipping containers between USA and Asia. At this meeting, the members decided to introduce a peak season surcharge on the routes between Asia and USA of USD 600 per forty foot container, effective this past Sunday.
Shippers: distorts competition
Global Shippers Forum, a guild for customers of the shipping industry, based in Britain, says that the fact that the major shipping companies are unanimously agreeing on shipping prices is a massive competitive distortion.
“It’s very abnormal that we still have agreements in which the shipping companies determine the prices. No other industrial sector has that kind of exception from the rules of competition. It is a 1900th Century way of doing business,” said Secretary General of GSF, Chris Welsh, to ShippingWatch, when the latest agreement was made.
Maersk Line left the cooperation in 2004, but reentered the TSA in 2009. According to the shipping company's longtime head of the Pacific, Lars Mikael Jensen, the criticism of the TSA’s activities is misguided.
“The TSA is not a conference that establishes prices that the members must follow. TSA cannot issue fines, and the individual shipping company decides its own prices. All discussions are voluntary, and we are dealing only with general discussions about price structures. In the end, the price is agreed upon between the shipping company and the customer alone. It is a fairly loose trade association,” says Lars Mikael Jensen, currently head of Maersk Line Asia-Europe.
According to Lars Mikael Jensen, this was also one of the reasons the shipping company decided to leave the TSA in 2004 – because the structure was too loose and discussions were rarely fruitful.
Then why did you decide to reenter the TSA in 2009?
“One, customers were asking us why we weren’t part of it, and why we were acting contrary to the rest of the industry, and two, we could see that discussions and market analyses that could be interesting for us were starting to happen. But there were customers who felt that we shouldn’t cooperate with an organization such as the TSA, along with our competitors. On the other hand, the cooperation helps keep prices manageable for the customers, as it does provide a certain stabilizing factor,” says Lars Mikael Jensen.
Spokesman for customers
He says that the rules for the work today are different from when Maersk Line decided to leave the TSA. A Shippers’ Advisory Board has been established, a kind of spokesman body for the American customers. In addition to this, the American authorities must be notified about all agreements and meetings.
“I do, to a certain extent, understand those skeptical toward the TSA. But the truth is that the prices fluctuate just as much on the Pacific as they do on Europe-Asia,” says Lars Mikael Jensen.
The new agreement is just the latest one in a long line of agreements that the shipping companies make every year on the Pacific.
Global Shippers Forum is working on a major campaign to get rid of agreements such as the TSA.
“The agreements have great significance – both in the short and long term - for the customers of the shipping industry. That the shipping companies have the opportunity to discuss and agree on prices puts the customer at a disadvantage,” says Chris Welsh.
The major members of the TSA are, among others, Maersk Line, APL, China Shipping Container Lines, CMA CGM, Cosco Container Lines, and Hanjin Shipping.


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Saturday meets Bloody Marys and a good cause – what’s not to love?
PEOPLE in Scotland have been invited to the first ever Bloody Big Brunch this weekend in a bid to raise awareness of period poverty with some style.
Bloody Mary drinks will be available to attendees, but instead of paying with cash, organisers have asked people to bring along a box of tampons or sanitary towels instead.
The party will feature DJ sets from Glasgow indie club night Pretty Ugly and spoken work from award-winning writer Cat Hepburn, and it has been organised to coincide with a multitude of events this week marking International Women’s Day, which fall on Thursday 8 March.
“Taxed as a non-essential luxury item, the reality is that sanitary products should be a basic essential available to all women. So we’re using an actual luxury – brunching with a Bloody Mary in hand – to shine a light on this massive issue.” Lee Beattie
Organisers hope it wil encourage people to speak openly about menstruation, and all tampons and pads received will be donated to the Trussell Trust to help women who can’t afford to buy sanitary products.
Lee Beattie, Director of Wire, the creative agency behind the event, said: “Aunt Flo, the blob, on the rag – we all have our nicknames for that time of the month. But it’s time to remove the taboo of talking about periods so we can talk about period poverty.”
“Taxed as a non-essential luxury item, the reality is that sanitary products should be a basic essential available to all women. So we’re using an actual luxury – brunching with a Bloody Mary in hand – to shine a light on this massive issue that lots of people – women and men – don’t know much about.
“Nobody should feel shame about menstruation, nor should they have to resort to uncomfortable substitutes or no sanitary products at all. By getting bloody talking over a Bloody Mary, we can start helping those in need – and putting pressure on the government for change.”
The Trussell Trust has reported that women attend foodbanks seeking sanitary products due to financial difficulties, with those affected having often reverted to using old clothes, toilet paper and newspapers as alternative solutions.
“These donations will help make sure women can preserve their dignity in times of crisis – thank you.” Garry Lemon
In Scotland there has been strong grassroots and political campaigning in recent times in a bid to end period poverty for women by providing free sanitary products.
Garry Lemon, head of external affairs at the Trussel Trust said: “We know that people coming to foodbanks haven’t got money for food, so it’s unlikely they’ll have money to buy essentials like sanitary products. These donations will help make sure women can preserve their dignity in times of crisis – thank you.”
The event will take place in The Wee Guy’s Café in Glasgow (51 Cochrane Street) between 12pm and 4pm – non-alcoholic Virgin Bloody Marys will also be available – and those who cannot attend are being encouraged to host their Bloody Big Brunch at home.
Picture courtesy of Wear Wire
Look at how important CommonSpace has become, and how vital it is for the future #SupportAReporter


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Starbucks to Open Its First Location in Italy. 3 Things to Know Today.
Stay in the know in 60 seconds.
1 min read
- Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said he was originally inspired by Milan's cafes. Tomorrow, the company will open a location in the city, the first in Italy. The day also marks the 36th-anniversary of Schultz joining the coffee company, which he famously led to becoming the giant it is today.
- For the past seven years, Sweden has allowed ordinary citizens to run the country's official Twitter account to give people around the world a look into everyday life in the country. After 356 Swedes posted 200,000 tweets, the project will come to its end at the end of the month. No reason was given.
- A video game company has just been valued at $2.5 billion, and no, it has nothing to do Fortnite. Roblox, which went live in 2006, is an online community where people both play and create their own games. The company makes money by selling virtual item.
Watch yesterday's video: Amazon Surges to $1 Trillion. 3 Things to Know Today.


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9, Feb 2023
PhonePe becomes India’s first fintech platform to enable cross-border UPI payments
Bengaluru, 2023: PhonePe, India’s largest digital payment company, today announced that it has launched support for ‘UPI international’ payments. This feature allows PhonePe’s Indian users traveling abroad to instantly pay foreign merchants using UPI. The current launch supports all international merchant outlets in UAE, Singapore, Nepal, and Bhutan that have a local QR code. Users will be able to make payments in foreign currency directly from their Indian bank- just like they do with international debit cards. PhonePe is the first fintech app to launch this feature in India.
UPI International is designed to facilitate safe and easy transactions for millions of Indians traveling overseas. Historically, Indian customers needed to use a foreign currency, or their credit or forex cards to pay at international merchant outlets. With this feature, they can now use their Indian Bank account to pay using UPI. Over the course of this year, NPCI in collaboration with NIPL (NPCI International Payments Limited) plans to roll out UPI International to more countries, while also enabling greater merchant acceptance in the regions where this feature is currently live.
Speaking on the development, Rahul Chari, CTO and Co-Founder of PhonePe said, “Over the past six years, all over India we have been lucky to experience the UPI payments revolution transforming our daily lives. UPI International is the first major step in letting the rest of the world experience UPI too. I am sure this launch will prove to be a game-changer and will completely transform the way Indians traveling overseas pay at merchant outlets abroad. PhonePe has always prided itself in being the first TPAP to take new UPI features to the market, and this time is no different. We are glad that PhonePe is leading this change. The entire world needs to experience UPI!”
PhonePe users can activate their UPI-linked bank account for UPI international at the merchant location, or prior to their international trip, via the PhonePe App. The flow is secure and will require the customer to enter their UPI pin in order to activate the service.


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www.TiendaGPS.com.mx features wide range of Garmin GPS products including PNDs CHICAGO, May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data that enables navigation and location-based platforms around the world, announced its collaboration with SIGSA (Sistemas de Informacion Geografica S.A.
FREMONT, Calif. May 13 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Mio, a leading maker of PNDs (Portable Navigation Devices), announced they are introducing two new S-series models for the U.S. market in June.
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Cutting-edge software improves user experience with intuitive, fast interface LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Mio Technology announced that its "Mio Spirit" navigation software will be the new software platform for Mio's North American product line.
LAS VEGAS, Jan.
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Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, announced today the GPSMAP(R) 695 and GPSMAP 696, a new series of portable aviation navigation devices.
MISSOULA, Mont., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- iCloseBy.com has announced the release of iMarkMySpot(TM), a new App for the Apple iPhone(TM) which is used to "one-touch" Geotag and Geocode digital photos with exact GPS locations.
By The Associated Press Like millions of motorists, Eric Hanson used a GPS unit in his Chevrolet TrailBlazer to find his way around. He probably didn't expect that prosecutors would eventually use it too - to help convict him of killing four family members.
By Mitch Stacy Associated Press Like millions of motorists, Eric Hanson used a GPS unit in his Chevrolet TrailBlazer to find his way around. He probably didn't expect that prosecutors would eventually use it, too -- to help convict him of killing four family members.
- A young chicken: also used as a pet name for children.


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Small-fleet owners had been among subjects off provider payday loans you to either hack customers and leave her or him trapped inside the growing loans.
Yellowstone Funding, a number one merchant out-of a type of quick-business money who has got caused problems for brief motor providers, will pay more than $nine.8 million to settle Government Change Commission swindle fees, announced brand new FTC. Most of one sum could well be provided into the refunds so you can inspired businesses.
This new company told you Yellowstone “got money from businesses’ bank accounts as opposed to permission and you may ount out-of capital business owners do located or any other attributes of the money activities.”
The fresh FTC said Yellowstone Investment “took funds from businesses’ bank accounts in the place of permission and fooled them about” most other areas of paying off their funds enhances
Particular MCA company was basically extensively criticized to have misrepresenting items, evaluating too much charges and you will ensnaring readers into the a cycle out-of easily increasing debt. It’s believed that 1000s of fleets, agents and other trucking-associated agencies purchased MCAs lately.
The payment needs Yellowstone, Fundry Inc., Yitzhak (Isaac) Tight, and https://www.tennesseepaydayloans.net/cities/paris/ you will Jeffrey Reece in order to give up $nine,837,one hundred thousand towards the FTC getting refunds to affected businesses. Information on how the brand new agencies covers refunds exists on line.
The brand new You.S. Finest Court told you Thursday one a good 1973 legislation supplying the FTC the authority to stop fraudulent industrial interest doesn’t plus grant new expert to seek financial judgments. Although not, the FTC submitted its Yellowstone payment someday before that governing, therefore its redress terms remain in effect, told you FTC spokesman Jay Mayfield. FTC keeps granted particularly judgments for decades, refunding vast amounts of cash.
Inside the a situation focused on transportation, in 2018 brand new FTC compensated which have James Mutton, a member and organizations pertaining to them, also DOTauthority. The latest defendants accessible to pay $900,one hundred thousand having cheating holder-workers out of vast amounts. Lamb, lead of the Small company within the Transportation Coalition, declined one his things had been deceptive, stating he settled to cease then legal will cost you.
Nearly fifteen,000 quick trucking companies that repaid DOTAuthority or relevant defendants having commercial automobile registrations received monitors totaling $758,100000 regarding the FTC.
From inside the Yellowstone’s case, this new FTC alleged that the business and its own people “proceeded withdrawing funds from businesses’ bank accounts for days after their harmony is reduced. New grievance so-called why these unauthorized withdrawals remaining people in the place of requisite cash and that any refunds on the organization might take months otherwise months.”
The ailment as well as alleged that Yellowstone fooled some businesses towards quantity of funding they’d receive and you will defendants’ conditions you to customers vow equity and then make individual promises.
New agency submitted the recommended acquisition, finalized by Percentage and defendants, April 21 regarding the U.S. District Courtroom into South Area of the latest York.
The fresh new Yellowstone settlement together with forbids new defendants off misleading customers regarding the financial support conditions, as well as perhaps the customers would-be really responsible for the financing. The fresh new defendants will in addition be blocked away from making unauthorized withdrawals off consumers’ bank account. Defenders are needed “so you can clearly and you may plainly divulge any fees and that is paid of the consumers toward money, therefore the real amount of money you to definitely a customers will have following the charges try energized,” said this new FTC.
Countless agencies that have U.S. Dot amounts, most of them fleets, agents or other transportation-related organizations, used MCAs over the last five years, according to studies out-of firms that produced consistent commercial code filings, which are part of nearly all MCA application. UCC filings was liens one a collector uses to determine one it’s got a desire for an effective debtor’s possessions which was pledged so you can safe funding. The official-based filings had been reviewed by RigDig, a data subsidiary regarding Overdrive’s publisher, Randall-Reilly.
An enthusiastic MCA seller gives a customer, always a small business with a dismal credit score, a cash advance in exchange for a much bigger matter paid off owing to every single day automatic payments
Particular brief-collection people just who got out MCAs had been questioned this past year for the Overdrive’s Dollars-Flow Drama show, and therefore browsed financing challenges faced from the short fleets and you will manager-operators during the and until the pandemic.
The latest FTC recorded the same grievance inside the Summer against a team from businesses as well as their officials, all related to the previous Richmond Investment Classification. An equivalent lawsuit was filed of the state of the latest York resistant to the same events. The fresh new allegations up against the Richmond businesses are the same as the individuals facing Yellowstone.
The latest Overdrive show, pointing out good 2018 investigative series by the Bloomberg Businessweek, detailed one Yellowstone produced brand new MCA model if it are formed last year of the David Mug and you can a pal. “One of the hustlers and you can con boys who work the base rungs out-of Wall Street, Cup try good legend,” composed Bloomberg. “Prior to he was 29, however inspired brand new 2000 inventory-scam film ‘Boiler Room’ and you will is actually “later damaged of the FBI having insider trading.”
Past year’s FTC complaint up against Yellowstone told you the latest defendants field their circumstances “due to a massive, everchanging community from representatives.” One of them is actually Green Investment Financial support LLC, West Coastline Company Money, LLC, Community Globally Investment LLC, Fast Capital LLC, Thryve Capital Investment LLC, and you may Mason Funding LLC.


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While US President Trump and Chinese President Xi agreed to a “truce” in their year-long trade war at the recent G20 Summit, the war is far from over. In this post, we will look at the impact on the U.S. global trade management, retail sourcing and the global supply chain, our next post will focus on the impact and implications of the trade war on China trade management, retail product development and CPG exports.
On the plus side, the US and China avoided further tariffs threatened by Trump on an additional US$ 300 billion worth of goods. As both sides get some breathing room to plan their next move, what is becoming clearer is what many pundits have threatened, that protectionism does not work in the long term.
Impact of the Trade War on the US
In the initial stages of the trade war, it seemed there was negligible impact to the United States. The USD dollar remained strong, stock markets continued to perform well, and consumer retail spending remained buoyant. In recent months some of these dynamics have changed. Some highlights:
S. Steel has lost almost 70% of its stock market value, or $5.5 billion. Shares in Nucor, another large publicly traded steelmaker have dropped by around 20%, with new projects on hold.
Soybean prices fell to the lowest point in 10 years, $8 a bushel, hurting American farmers who rely on China for their exports. Other American produced commodities have also been hit. Brazilian soybean producers have benefited by picking up new orders.
Prices for goods hit by tariffs have increased in the range of 20-30%, almost in line with the new tariffs. While US customs is raking in more revenue, consumers are paying more as importers pass the costs down the supply chain.
American companies such as Costco and Walmart have said they are raising prices due to tariffs
Higher duties on imports of metals and Chinese products, have increased production costs for companies such as Caterpillar by more than US$100 million resulting in the heavy-duty equipment maker increasing prices for its products.
Like Caterpillar, tractor manufacturer Deere & Co estimated they will have increased costs of US$100 million due to tariffs on Chinese imports, resulting in the company cutting costs and raising prices to protect profits
On a small level Trump has been successful in reducing the $400 billion plus US trade deficit with China by approximately $15-20 billion.
On the other hand, the US trade deficit with the rest of the world has grown by at least $15 billion, so the overall US trade deficit is not getting any lower.
The US federal reserve is expected to make two more interest rate cuts this year to stimulate the US economy and offset the impact of the trade war.
Following the G20 Summit where the US and China agreed to a “tariff ceasefire”, China’s Ministry of Trade spokesperson, Gao Feng noted correctly that there are still many issues to be resolved to end the conflict. So far, aside from China and the US, a few other countries such as Vietnam and Brazil have benefitted from the trade war by picking up orders that have been diverted from the US and China.
In our next post we will look at the impact of the trade war to this point on China and how the rest of the world’s largest retailers are handling their global trade management.


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LAST UPDATED : Jul 17, 2019, 12:46 PM IST
- Delhi hospital told to pay Rs 20 lakh for death due to negligence
Hospitals need to show a human touch — a duty ought to be followed and implemented — Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission said while granting compensation to a man, who had lost his pregnant wife and unborn child to medical negligence a decade ago.
- Consumer durable makers mull pre-festive price hike amid rupee fall
"The rupee crossing 70 per dollar is putting a lot of pressure on us in terms of input costs. We are evaluating the impact on us, and if it remains like this, we would have to go for a price hike in the near future," Godrej Appliances Business Head and Executive VP Kamal Nandi said.
- Wipro Consumer Care continues to explore organic, inorganic growth strategy
New Delhi, Jun 9 () Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting, a USD one billion dollar plus firm, will continue to scout for acquisitions in the FMCG sector in domestic and South Asian markets besides growing organically as part of its growth strategy, a top company official said.
- Samsung tops the list of consumer-focused brands in India
"Samsung showed an upward movement of eight ranks to secure the top position on this year's list. The South Korean conglomerate dominates the Indian market by displaying its determined supremacy through complete consumer focus, thus dominating their mind and perception," TRA said in a statement.


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1 Min Read
BRUSSELS, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Belgian holding company GBL swung to a nine-month net profit of almost one billion euros as it benefited from the sale of its stake in chemicals group Arkema and a stake in spirits maker Pernod-Ricard .
GBL said on Friday its 9-month consolidated net profit was 962 million euros ($1.22 billion), compared to a loss of 12 million euros in the same period last year.
In March GBL sold its 10.01 percent stake in Arkema . ($1 = 0.7868 euros) (Reporting By Ben Deighton; editing by Robin Emmott)


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Robert E. Scott
Senior Economist and Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Research
By Area of Research:
September 8, 2016 | By Robert E. Scott | Economic SnapshotThe White House is making one last push for passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. However, growing imports of goods from low-wage, less-developed countries, which nearly tripled from 2.9 percent of GDP in 1989 to 8.4 percent in 2011, reduced the wages of the typical non-college educated worker in 2011 by “5.5 percent, or by roughly $1,800—for a full-time, full year worker earning the average wage for workers without a four-year college degree,” as shown by my colleague Josh Bivens.
September 2, 2016 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogThe single largest cause of the growing manufacturing trade deficit is malign neglect of currency manipulation over the past 20 years by the U.S. government.
August 23, 2016 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogGiven the modestly of net benefits and the large, regressive redistribution of income created by growing trade flows, it is puzzling why TPP is such a priority for the Obama administration—especially when it, like trade agreements before, is quite likely to do disproportionate harm to the people who make up his and his party’s political base.
August 2, 2016 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogIn a story in the Wall Street Journal last Friday, reporter Eric Morath notes that the recovery from the Great Recession has been historically slow.
Currency manipulation and manufacturing job loss: Why negotiating “great trade deals” is not the answer
July 21, 2016 | By Robert E. Scott | Policy MemoDonald Trump’s hubristic pledge to save American workers and manufacturing by negotiating “great trade deals” and imposing tariffs on Chinese imports will fail. Here’s what will work.
June 28, 2016 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogBrexit is a moment of crisis for the global economy, one which demands a fundamental re-examination of our core values. It is time to develop alternatives to the current model of globalization, which benefits only those who are most well-off in our society.
May 19, 2016 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogYesterday, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) released a long-awaited report on the projected economic impacts of the TPP agreement. The report is remarkable for its frank estimates of the costs of the agreement, and the minimal benefits it identifies.
May 5, 2016 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogWhen the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) was passed just over four years ago, President Obama said that the agreement would support 70,000 U.S. jobs. Things are not turning out as predicted.
Lagging recovery of construction and manufacturing sectors is one more reason wage growth is suffering for most workers
February 25, 2016 | By Robert E. Scott | Economic SnapshotThe economy has added nearly 5 million jobs in the private sector since the Great Recession began in December 2007, but construction and manufacturing—two key sectors that provide good jobs and high wages, particularly for workers without 4-year college degrees—continue to lag behind the recovery.
Despite seemingly stable U.S. trade balance, rapidly growing trade deficits in non-oil goods could lead to American job losses
February 5, 2016 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogMost U.S. goods trade consists of manufactured products. In 2015, manufacturing constituted 86.9 percent of total U.S. goods trade, and 94.3 percent of total trade in non-oil goods. Because manufacturing is such a large employer, rapidly growing trade deficits in non-oil goods are a threat to future employment in this sector.
January 13, 2016 | By Robert E. Scott | ReportThe Trans-Pacific Partnership will likely result in growing trade deficits, trade-related job losses, and downward pressure on wages of the majority of U.S. workers.
A Conservative Estimate of ‘The Wal-Mart Effect’: Wal-Mart’s growing trade deficit with China has displaced more than 400,000 U.S. jobs
December 9, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | Briefing PaperU.S.-based Wal-Mart is a key conduit of Chinese imports into the American market, and its trade deficit with China eliminated or displaced over 400,000 U.S. jobs between 2001 and 2013.
December 3, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | Economic SnapshotIf high wages hurt manufacturing competitiveness, Germany's manufacturing sector would be doing worse than the United States.
December 2, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | Briefing PaperThe strategy of pushing manufacturing into low-wage, nonunion states is a race-to-the-bottom strategy that should be rejected in favor of high-road strategies: fighting currency manipulation and doing more to rebuild American manufacturing.
November 20, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogThe 21st Century Buy American Act is smart manufacturing policy and a good first step towards rebuilding American manufacturing.
October 9, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogU.S. jobs and the recovery are threatened by a growing trade deficit in manufactured products, which is on pace to reach $633.9 billion in 2015.
October 5, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | Press ReleasesStatement from EPI Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Research Robert E. Scott on the announcement that the United States and other countries reached an agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Congress Must Act to Save the 190,000 to 640,000 U.S. Jobs at Risk Due to Chinese Currency Devaluation
August 17, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogCongress should take advantage of the groundswell of bipartisan concern about the negative impacts of the devaluation of the yuan to pass new laws and resolutions.
August 12, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogBy choosing to devalue its currency, Chinese officials are trying to solve their domestic economic problems by exporting unemployment to the rest of the world. The United States will be hardest hit by the devaluation of the yuan.
August 11, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | Issue BriefThe United States lost 5 million manufacturing jobs between January 2000 and December 2014 due to growing trade deficits in manufacturing products prior to the Great Recession and then the massive output collapse during the Great Recession.
June 23, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogFast-track trade legislation is the first step in the process of greasing the skids for the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and any other trade deal proposed by this president or any other for the next six years. Last month, the 13 democrats listed in the table below voted to end debate on fast track (Trade Promotion Authority, or TPA), allowing a final vote to take pace. There are strong arguments against the TPP, which will increase inequality and hurt the middle class.
June 18, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogIn a jointly authored statement, former EPI board members and U.S. Labor Secretaries F. Ray Marshall and Robert Reich called on Congress to reject Trade Promotion Authority and the Trans-Pacific Partnership because that deal will “harm America’s working people.” Despite this statement, the House today approved a truncated version of Fast Track (TPA) that excludes funding for Trade Adjustment Assistance for displaced workers.
June 10, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogThe House is expected to vote this week on fast track authority to negotiate two massive trade deals, including the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP).
May 13, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | AudioEPI’s Rob Scott joined NPR’s “On Point” to discuss the debate over trade, globalization, and the TPP. Watch the video
May 12, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | Policy MemoIt would be unconscionable for the administration to negotiate, or for Congress to approve, a trade agreement that does not include strong and enforceable tools to end currency manipulation.
April 29, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | AudioEPI’s Rob Scott spoke with NPR’s “Morning Edition” about potential U.S. jobs lost due to rising imports from the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership.
April 28, 2015 | By Robert E. Scott | BlogLast week, the president claimed that critics who say that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) “is bad for working families… don’t know what they are talking about.” But the truth is, there is an emerging consensus that globalization has put downward pressure on the wages of most working Americans, and has redistributed income from the bottom to the top.


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The deals continue to happen in the cannabis space with lab company EVIO’s expansion in Oregon and CLS Holdings closing on its Oasis acquisition.
EVIO Inc. (EVIO) entered into an asset purchase agreement with Oregon-based MRX Labs. The company said that it has also formed a strategic alliance with MRX Xtractors which will develop and expand growth in existing and new markets.
According to the company statement, EVIO Inc. will acquire 100% of the assets of MRX Labs, LLC including equipment, real estate, customer lists, customer contracts, rental agreements, and equipment leases. EVIO Labs Portland will relocate its personnel and license to the Tigard facility. The transaction is expected to close on or before July 11, 2018.
“We are excited about the opportunity to further expand our reach and solidify our position as the dominant testing lab in Oregon,” said William Waldrop, CEO of EVIO. “As the Oregon market matures, there is a consolidation of the marketplace occurring, and this alliance is a win-win for both of our companies and our customers.”
MRX Labs, LLC, and MRX Xtractors, founded by Paul Tomaso, CEO and CTO, and Jonah Barber, President, have been research and development, design and engineering pioneers in both analytical testing and extraction technologies. “This relationship with EVIO affords MRX Xtractors an opportunity for us to focus on the global expansion of our extraction technologies, and to unite our testing lab with a company of scientists and professionals whom we trust will take great care of our loyal lab customers and employees,” said Barber. “We are thrilled with our newly formed alliance that gives us great confidence to refer our extraction customers, across the US and Canada, to EVIO’s network of labs and vice-versa.”
EVIO’s Lori Glauser spoke to Green Market Report not long ago about the company’s expansion plans in this video.
CLS Holdings USA, Inc
According to the company statement, Oasis Cannabis had its best month ever last month in generating $200,000 in gross revenues. Due to increased demand and the additional capital that was just raised, CLS plans to triple the grow production capacity over the remainder of 2018. On the retail dispensary side, Oasis has steadily witnessed increased traffic over the past few months, is now up to 400 daily visitors, and is currently generating $650,000 of gross monthly revenue.


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Tech Wrap: Redmi Go, AirPods 2 launched, Google Stadia gaming service announced, and more
Tech this week witnessed product launches, security blunders, gaming developments and some YouTube battle.
This week in technology can be described as a mixed bag of events. There were product launches, a security goof up, YouTube battle and also some big news for gaming.
Xiaomi launched yet another smartphone, and this time the company made its Android Go debut. The next day Google announced its gaming streaming service called "Stadia". Apple quietly launched its second-generation AirPods, two years after the first product. Finally, the ongoing YouTube battle between PewDiePie and T-series stretched throughout the week with wins and losses.
Here's a breakdown of all things that made headlines in tech this week.
Redmi Go launch
Redmi Go is Xiaomi's first Android Go smartphone. Priced at ₹4,499, Redmi Go comes with a 5-inch HD display, Snapdragon 425 SoC, a 3,000mAh battery and runs Android Oreo (Go edition). The smartphone also offers some India-centric features such as support for over 20 regional languages and Google Assistant in Hindi.
At its Gaming Developers Conference keynote, Google took the wraps off its ambitious gaming service, Stadia. Based on cloud, Google Stadia will let users stream games on their phones, laptops, TVs without the need for expensive consoles or gaming PCs. Google Stadia will be available through YouTube where users will be able to press play directly from a game trailer.
Apple AirPods 2
Apple finally launched its updated AirPods with a new wireless charging case. AirPods 2 is priced at ₹14,900 with the normal charging case. Users in India can get the AirPods 2 with the wireless charging case at ₹18,900. Separately, the wireless charging case will be available at ₹7,500.
Facebook storing passwords
Facebook revealed yet another security lapse from the social media giant's end. Facebook discovered that millions of user passwords were exposed in plain text format on the company's internal servers. The security issue has now been fixed and Facebook will alert users who were affected. It also advised all users to change their Facebook and Instagram passwords immediately.
PewDiePie vs T-Series
The internet's most popular and very long running battle between PewDiePie and T-Series saw some interesting changes this week. T-Series managed to pass PewDiePie multiple times and once even maintained a gap of over 30,000 subscribers. While PewDiePie managed to get back on the top spot, it also created possibly the biggest threat for the Swedish YouTuber.


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Horry Telephone Cooperative announced Friday the company reached a deal with the parent company of WBTW, the CBS affiliate for the Myrtle Beach area.
The announcement comes after a June 30 deadline passed for Nexstar Media Group and HTC to reach an agreement on a rate fee for the rights to broadcast WBTW and MyNetworkTV. Both channels are back and no bill increases are planned as of July 6, according to Nicole Hyman, HTC senior marketing coordinator.
HTC officials previously said Nexstar was asking the cable, phone and internet provider to pay double the existing fee rate for the rights to broadcast those two channels, which HTC said it was not willing to meet.
"While we can’t discuss the specifics due to confidentiality clauses, our members can feel confident that after rigorous negotiations, HTC was able to reach a more favorable agreement with Nexstar than originally proposed," said Mike Hagg, HTC chief executive officer, in a news release.
Cable companies pay the monthly fees, called retransmission fees, to station owners for the right to broadcast certain channels. It's a monthly fee calculated by taking the fee amount and multiplying it by the number of cable customers a company has, HTC Marketing Supervisor Sandy Hendrick said.
“Thank you to our members for their patience and understanding during these most intense negotiations. We especially appreciate all who took the time to voice their support and provide feedback,” Hagg added. "We want the membership to remain informed and feel confident that HTC will not stop battling against unprecedented rate increases."
Michaela Broyles: 843-626-0281, @MichaelaBroyles


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Vendor harassment of cruise passengers has long been an issue on Caribbean islands where ports play a major role in the tourism economy. But that has been changing recently as island hosts respond to growing numbers of unhappy passengers and pressure from cruise lines to clean up their act.
Most recently, vendor harassment came into focus immediately following the opening of the multimillion-dollar Port of Falmouth, a collaborative joint venture of the government of Jamaica and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., whose brands include Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises and Pullmantur.
Jamaica wasted no time responding to complaints from cruise passengers about street vendors in the new port. Issuing a stern warning, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said any vendors caught harassing tourists with aggressive tactics would face heavy penalties. Moreover, he said, the penalties "should be uniform for the entire country."
In Falmouth, the new regulations took effect immediately. In meetings with town officials, vendors were informed that henceforth they must register with the Trelawny Parish Council to sell their wares when ships are in port.
Because outsiders from neighboring parishes had been able to infiltrate the territory, registration will be restricted to Trelawny-based vendors. Each must pay between $23 and $28 to register and must carry a valid ID.
In addition, the number of vendors is limited to 75 on the cruise pier and between 20 and 25 at the City of Falmouth's Water Square when a ship is in port. Vendors are rotated on a regular basis.
Bartlett warned that harassing tourists could destroy Falmouth "as potentially the best cruise port in the Caribbean."
"Harassment against tourists is the single most debilitating disease in tourism, as it fuels a feeling of insecurity among visitors," Bartlett said. "Even if hard crimes are not around, it is the problem of harassment that will destroy the industry."
Royal Caribbean weighed in, as well. John Tercek, vice president of commercial development, said the cruise company was "very supportive of government initiatives that help make our guests' port experience more organized and stress-free."
He pointed out that Royal Caribbean has a financial stake in Falmouth and that the port's creation, as well as the redevelopment of the area around the port, was undertaken jointly by the government of Jamaica and RCCL.
"The port was constructed to enable Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, our two largest ships, to dock in Falmouth," Tercek said. "The ships carry 5,400 passengers, and during their first few weeks of port calls, hundreds of vendors filled the port and surrounding streets. The aggressive nature of some vendors prompted complaints from passengers."
The recent government initiatives he said, "will help ensure a very positive greeting for guests."
Henry Colella, owner of Captain Cruise & Vacations in Everett, Mass., said a crackdown in Jamaica was overdue. While aggressive vendors are rampant throughout the Caribbean, he said, "the only place, I think, that has a really serious problem is Jamaica."
He described Jamaican vendors as "rude" and "pushy," adding, "and there's a lot of them." Colella said he warns clients that when they get off a ship, they are likely to be inundated by souvenir vendors.
Colella said he liked the idea of governments requiring vendors to register and limiting their numbers in ports.
Agent Tom Kleefisch of Cruise Planners/American Express in Dallas said he had not heard any recent complaints from clients about vendors, adding, "I think some of the more experienced cruisers know it is just part of the background noise."
Bartlett's warning and Jamaica's actions are in line with moves other big-port islands have been making recently.
The Cayman Islands, for example, requires all vendors, including transportation and watersports operators, to apply for permission to operate at the port in George Town, Grand Cayman. Those who get permission must prominently display a port ID.
Premier and Minister of Tourism McKeeva Bush meets regularly with vendors and operators to address concerns, and the Department of Tourism plans to increase the frequency of its visitor satisfaction surveys from annually to twice a year to keep closer tabs on tourist issues.
Puerto Rico, meanwhile, restricts access to the docks and piers in San Juan to "essential personnel," according to the Puerto Rico Tourism Co.
PRTC-certified vendors and providers, such as taxi drivers, tour guides and others who operate beyond the dock area, have to follow an organized system that limits numbers and prevents congestion in the area.
Beverly Nicholson-Doty, commissioner of tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands, said the government has laws prohibiting hassling and harassment of tourists in historical areas and along the beaches.
"These laws are not specific to cruise passengers but to all individuals in specified areas," Nicholson-Doty said.
All vendors in the USVI must be licensed with Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs and are regulated through operational permits, as well.
Prior to the inaugural calls in St. Thomas of the Oasis of the Seas in December 2009 and the Allure of the Seas a year later, plans were well under way to regulate traffic, security and port entertainment, the commissioner said.
"We increased the number of greeters and approved vendor sites near the ports, as well," Nicholson-Doty said.
The Department of Tourism conducts online surveys to assess cruise and overnight visitor experiences as well as exit surveys, "and we are considering more interactive measures for assessing surveys, such as point of sale at the cruise ports and airports," she said.
Bermuda has three cruise ship ports. Front Street in Hamilton Harbour is in the capital city in the center of town. King's Wharf, known as the Royal Dockyard on the western tip of the island, has two berths. The original pier is Kings Wharf, and the second, called Heritage Wharf, was added in May 2009.
Ordinance Pier is in front of the main square in St. George's Harbour at the far eastern tip of Bermuda.
Vendors at all three ports are required to have a peddler's license issued by the government and administered by the magistrates courts to sell goods on the streets at the terminals.
"The closest and only people that can approach cruise passengers are the transportation providers, such as taxis and minibus drivers," said a Bermuda Department of Tourism spokesman.
There are three shops close to the Royal Naval Dockyard piers, and these are regulated by the West End Development Corp.
"At the piers, there is no harassment, no begging and no other wares sold in that area, which is gated and monitored by a security guard and a wooden barrier gate," the spokesman said.
Ports in Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas operate on a Code of Conduct established by the Ministry of Tourism. The code forbids solicitation of cruise passengers outside of designated shops in the terminal area. (See story below for more on Nassau's port.)
"Shouting at guests in order to acquire sales or to get the attention of visitors" also is a violation of the Code of Conduct.
St. Kitts has taken a proactive approach, as well. "Vendors of services and merchandise sometimes are overly aggressive toward visitors in their anxiety to make a sale, and can spoil the visitor experience in the process," said Minister of Tourism Ricky Skerritt.
In 2009, St. Kitts passed the Licensing of Vendors Act and the Prescribed Areas Act, both of which work to regulate the operations of all vendors in the tourist areas, including Port Zante.
The government also developed its Ambassadors program to train and certify taxi drivers and bus operators. It plans to roll out training and certification programs for vendors, as well.
This spring, St. Kitts distributed cruise passenger surveys during peak cruise season to determine customer satisfaction levels.
Cruise passengers arriving in Aruba dock at the port in the capital of Oranjestad, within walking distance of shops and restaurants.
"Our passengers pass through the cruise terminal, which has some retail stores and an information booth manned by Aruba Tourism Authority personnel," said Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, the organization's CEO. "It's all very organized."
Hassling tourists is not permitted anywhere in Aruba, including in the port, on the beaches or at attractions or stores.
"We do not want that to be part of the visitor experience," Asjoe-Croes said. "We have a special force called the Visibility Team that patrols the streets to make sure that all is safe and secure at all times."
St. John's, Antigua, another high-volume cruise port, imposed regulations for Heritage Quay, its port area, last November as a means of registering and controlling vendors and taxi drivers in the port.
The police, who enforce the regulations, can arrest unauthorized vendors and seize their wares as well as remove vehicles not lawfully parked in the port area.
The St. John's Development Corp. recognizes the St. John's Taxi Association as the sole authorized taxi operator at the port and limits the number of taxis in the area at any given time.
The government also stepped up the police presence at Heritage Quay, at both the port and the nearby shopping center.
Legislation at Port Seraphine at Castries, St. Lucia, prohibits solicitation by vendors, said Anne-Margaret Xavier, director of product development for the Ministry of Tourism.
"Bona fide shopkeepers who lease space at the port can sell to visitors," she said. "Harassment is at a minimum ... because of the presence of port police."
Within certain areas of the port, there is a no-harassment policy enforced by the St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority. A second policy now being considered would prohibit vendors from operating within certain distances of the port.
Ryan Blackett, director of cruise tourism for the Barbados Tourism Authority, said "very few cases of harassment" had been reported at the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal. He said the recent Business Research & Economic Advisors Report found that cruise visitor satisfaction at the terminal is among the highest in the Caribbean, at 7.7 out of an index of 10.
Cozumel, which has three terminals for cruise lines, has policies in place to protect passengers when they disembark, according to the Cozumel Municipal Tourism Board.
The number of vendors allowed at one time at each pier is controlled, and vendors are required to carry a permit or license that indicates the kind of products they can sell and the times they are allowed to be at the terminals.
The Tourism Board keeps tab on customer satisfaction through regular surveys of cruise and land-based tourists.


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Rabat - Morocco ranked fourteenth among the world's cheapest countries, according to a statistic comparing the cost of living at several countries to that in New York City.
Rabat – Morocco ranked fourteenth among the world’s cheapest countries, according to a statistic comparing the cost of living at several countries to that in New York City.
Morocco is preceded in the ranking by Georgia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Colombia, Syria, Macedonia, Egypt, Moldova, Algeria, Tunisia, Pakistan, Nepal and in first place India as the world’s cheapest country.
The statistic shows the difference in living costs around the world using figures from the world’s largest database of user contributed data about cities and countries worldwide.
“The Consumer Price Index, used to determine the difference in the living costs between countries takes into account the prices of groceries, transportation, restaurants and utilities,” according to movehub.com, an expat guide website.
The Consumer Price Index takes into account the cost of groceries, transportation, restaurants and utilities, each containing a number of variables.
The cost of groceries, for instance, is made up of the price for meat, bread, rice, eggs, fruits, vegetables and alcohol.
The transportation cost includes one-way tickets, monthly passes, taxi fares, petrol prices as well as the prices of a Volkswagen Golf.
The restaurant costs comprise of prices for meals in expensive, mid-range and inexpensive restaurants, as well as the prices for coffee products, alcohol and water in restaurants.
The utilities costs are determined by the prices for electricity, heating, water and Internet, among the few.
Switzerland is listed as the most expensive.
Movehub.com said it relied on data provided by “Numebo, the world’s largest database of user-contributed data on costs and prices around the world.


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Claiming there are too many commercial breaks in Italo shows, the European Commission has taken legal action against the country in a move Silvio Berlusconi’s Mediaset TV group has blasted.
“Broadcasters need advertising and advertisers need broadcasters; but we must also have effective consumer protection,” said EU media commissioner Viviane Reding in a missive kicking off an infringement procedure against the Italian government.
According to the EC, Italy’s practice of telesales within gameshows, five-second minispots during sports events, as well as a barrage of breaks during movies, together breach the European Union limit on TV advertising set at 12 minutes of ad spots per hour.
Italy has two months to respond. The country could be fined by the European Court of Justice if it fails to take satisfactory action.
Mediaset, Italy’s top commercial broadcaster, which has been hard hit by a recent advertising downturn, is up in arms, claiming that “Europe has made a blunder.”
Meanwhile, Italy’s Telecommunications Authority has slapped fines on pubcaster RAI and Mediaset — e230,000 ($337,000) and $30,000, respectively — for violating the current rules.
Communications Minister Paolo Gentiloni is also drafting legislation to bring Italo TV spot rules in line with EU parameters.


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Reddit now has an official iOS app again. The company has acquired the Alien Blue app along with its creator Jase Morrissey. Despite having its own official app, Reddit says that it is still committed to third-party apps that tap into its community and discussions. The Alien Blue app will continue to keep its name and Reddit will make the iPhone and iPad versions free.
What do you think about Alien Blue? Are you happy Reddit bought it?


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The defrosting has officially begun! This comes from the queen of Christmas herself, the iconic Mariah Carey. Carey just announced a 13-city holiday tour. ‘Merry Christmas One And All’ tour will kick off on Nov. 15 in Highland, California, before reaching cities including Los Angeles, Montreal, Chicago, and of course, Philadelphia.
All I Want For Christmas Is Mariah Carey
Indeed the holidays would not be complete without the sounds of “All I Want For Christmas”. In fact, the tune has become somewhat the official signal that the holidays are finally here– time to play Christmas music all day long, pull out those decorations and get into the spirit.
In fact, since its 1994 release, this festive classic has been a favorite. Furthermore, it has been named the most popular Christmas song of all time based on Spotify plays and social media users.
So, if all you want for Christmas is to see Mariah Carey in concert during the holidays and right here in Philly, here’s your chance!
How To Get Tickets
Don’t miss your chance to attend winter’s hottest concert! Mariah Carey’s ‘Merry Christmas One And All Tour’ will stop in Philadelphia December 13th, 2023 at The Wells Fargo Center.
Presale tickets go on sale beginning Wednesday, October 4 at 10AM local time.
General public tickets go on sale beginning Friday, October 6th at 10AM local time. To purchase tickets you can visit here.
Fans can also purchase VIP Packages, which may include premium tickets, invitation to a pre-show reception, exclusive merchandise & more. For more information, visit vipnation.com.
A Must See
Produced by Live Nation, Carey’s latest string of shows are her “exclusive Christmas concerts for this holiday season,” per a press release.
Organizers stated, “This festive event is a celebration of the global superstar’s timeless collection of holiday classics including the record-breaking mega-hit, ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You,‘ and fan favorite chart toppers.”


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Mercedes-Benz Vision Gran Turismo Concept
While it’s unlikely to ever be a real car, Mercedes-Benz has certainly put plenty of thought into the design of their impressive AMG Vision Gran Turismo concept.
The most curvaceous Mercedes-Benz we’ve ever seen, this gullwing supercar concept would have a 577 hp AMG V8, capable of pushing out 590 lb-ft. of torque. Body weight is spec’d at 3,053 pounds, all of which is brought to a swift stop by carbon composite brakes. And if you thought quad exhaust maxed things out, think again. The Vision GT has eight, count ’em, eight exhaust pipes. And how about that grille? It’s got a bigger mouth than an Infiniti Q50. Oh, and those aren’t louvers – they’re LEDs, so the grille can put on a light show. Viewed from the side, the car looks so low to the ground that you’d need to be a gymnast to get into it. But that’s the price you pay for some supercars.
At this point, Benz has only built a 1:1 scale model of the car which will take up residence at their new Research & Development Center in Sunnyvale, California. For now, the only place it will be driving is in Sony’s upcoming Gran Turismo 6, due out on the PlayStation 3 on December 6, 2013.


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The North American International Auto Show has been held in Detroit annually for over 30 years. Aside from a few others, conferences or events that attract a large national audience hadn’t been very common in Detroit—until recently.
According to a report in Crain’s Detroit Business, that trend is changing significantly. Conferences in 2019 are expected to bring in hundreds of thousands of visitors who will stay at Detroit hotels and shop at local businesses.
Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, which handles many requests from convention organizers, said it received 13 percent more such requests in 2018.
Some of these events bring not just people, but cache. CityLab hosted its conference in Detroit last year, which saw former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg give the opening address. Other well-known city builders from around the country attended and spoke on a number of substantial topics.
Many of the conferences downtown have been and will be hosted at the Cobo Center, which got an expensive green redesign in 2015. The center also recently announced that it will no longer be called the Cobo Center, and is selling the naming rights to Chemical Bank for $1.5 million annually.
These trends coincide with a general uptick in tourism in Detroit and the construction of many new hotels downtown.
Even so, according to Crain’s, there’s a shortage of rooms in the city. Downtown can accommodate over 5,000 guests, but some of the conventions on the docket expect tens of thousands of visitors.


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In past Black Friday sales, some of the best deals offered by Boots were: Back to top Home News U. The shop is a British catalogue retailer, which operates in the United Kingdom and in Ireland with over stores in the UK. Black Friday Women's Clothing Deals.
Some shops have given us a sneak preview of what's going to be on offer, but we aren't allowed to release any details of the promotions until they go live. Of course, Black Friday is more of a recent occurrence at Debenhams given that it only came to the UK within the past 5 years, but has steadily increased in popularity.
Jump directly to the content.


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Groupon prices IPO as executives see hope in parallels to Amazon.
DeBeers now controlled by Anglo American.
MF Global Holdings CEO Jon Corzine resigns amid firm's implosion.
AMD to cut 1,400 jobs.
Apple fights discounts tooth and nail.
Church's Chicken focuses on family in new ads.
Columbia Sportswear uses outerwear "anti-spokesperson."
FOX to push envelope (and advertisers' buttons) with Glee episode featuring sex between gay teens.
Full Tilt Poker nears settlement with U.S.
Glamour wins advertisers "likes" by marrying Facebook and 2-D bar codes.
Google to index Facebook comments in search results as it ponders pay TV.
Kodak pictures tightening squeeze.
LinkedIn plans to offer more shares.
Nintendo's Wii is the strongest tech brand among teens, according to new study.
Novartis parodies headaches for Excedrin campaign.
Qantas reassures lawmakers it will remain Australian as carrier deals with grounding fallout.
RediClinic kicks off holiday weight-loss promotion with free-grocery offer.
Samsung uses gaming techniques online.
Sears Holdings CMO to depart.
Target drives sales despite leadership uncertainty.
U.S. unemployment rate declines to 9 percent though hiring remains sluggish.