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LIVERPOOL Food and Drink Festival is to return for a sixth year with a huge open-air culinary celebration in September.
As well as the usual weekend feast in the heart of Sefton Park on September 7 and 8, the festival will include a week- long programme of food and drink festivities at bars, restaurants and arts venues around the city.
More than 60 producers and 100 chefs from the city’s bars, cafes and restaurants have already committed to taking part. Those already signed up include regulars like The Ship & Mitre, Lunya, Bistro Qui and Alma de Cuba, as well as newcomers like Viva Brasil, Vinea and Urban Gastro Pubs (The Dovey, Bier and The Lodge).
Around 40,000 people from across the region are expected to attend the Sefton Park event, which will feature a programme of masterclasses, where visitors can pick up tips on everything from cheesemaking to wine tasting.
There will also be demonstrations from talented local chefs, as well as top celebrity food stars.
In previous years, Liverpool Food & Drink Festival has attracted a number of high- profile stars like Paul Hollywood, John Torode, Marco Pierre White and Simon Rimmer.
Denise Harris, managing director of organisers SK Events, said: “Liverpool Food & Drink Festival offers an excellent opportunity for people to celebrate and enjoy great food and drink in a fantastic atmosphere, all in the heart of one of the city’s most beautiful parks.
“We’re delighted that we have already received so much interest from local and regional producers, cafes, bars and restaurants, all wanting to be a part of Liverpool Food & Drink Festival.
“Although many have been with us since the beginning, we have a whole host of new exhibitors coming on board every year.
“The event has grown significantly in recent years and it has become a firm favourite on the calendar for many in the Merseyside area.”


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The Ford Mustang has been an iconic staple of American roads
since 1964. It has been thrilling us all with its sharp styling and incredible
performance for over 50 years. Now, the Mustang is meeting the future in the
form of the electric Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 prototype.
When electric cars were first introduced into the mainstream
market, they were somewhat boring and slow. Now, however, as electric
technology has gotten more sophisticated, electric cars have the potential to
be the fastest vehicles on the road. In fact, this Mustang Cobra Jet concept may
be the most powerful Mustang ever.
Just look at the electric Mustang Cobra specs. Its electric
powertrain is rated at 1,400 horsepower and 1,100 lb-ft of torque, which gives
it a quarter-mile top speed of 170 mph.
Dave Pericak, Global Director, Ford Icons, said, “Electric powertrains give us a completely new kind of performance and the all-electric Cobra Jet 1400 is one example of pushing new technology to the absolute limit. We’re excited to showcase what’s possible in an exciting year when we also have the all-electric Mustang Mach-E joining the Mustang family.”
This electric Mustang is the latest addition to the lineup of Ford electric vehicles that includes the 2021 Mach-E, 2020 Fusion Hybrid, 2020 Escape Plug-in Hybrid, and others. If you’d like to learn more about the Mustang or any other Ford, contact us at Tropical Ford in Orlando.
Drivers in 19 states, including Michigan, New Mexico, Texas, Wisconsin, New Mexico and Arkansas cannot wait for the reveal of the 2021 Ford Bronco. A study conducted by PartCatalog shows the Bronco leading the charge as the Most Anticipated Vehicle of 2020 based on Google search data.
The Bronco isn’t the only Ford model drivers are eager to learn more about, though, according to the study. The most-searched-for new car for drivers in the Gem State (Idaho) is the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. With the Bronco and Mustang, Ford is the only automaker to have two models in the study.
“It’s something both our fans love and our staff [loves],” said Alan Marek, the owner of PartCatalog. “We started doing [trends
maps] a few months ago when the Cybertruck was announced and have
continued to do them, with a different spin each month.”
The 2021 Ford Bronco’s original debut was set for
March 17, 2020, but it was delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. As of now,
Ford has not released a new date for the Bronco’s official debut.
We at Tropical Ford are eager to see the new
Bronco, too, along with all the new Ford models. Until then, we are here to
talk about the current lineup and answer any vehicle inquiries you have.
The iconic Mustang is the latest well-known
model to get a hybrid variant, but it plans to leave preconceived notions of
what a “hybrid” is in the past by delivering fast, fun thrills. Much about the
new Ford Mustang Hybrid is still shrouded in secret, save for the brief glance
of what might be the new car during the recent “Future is Built” commercial.
Still, there is one place we can look for more information about what might be
coming from Ford — the company’s patents.
Ford recently filed a patent for a hybrid vehicle twin motor system, in which twin electric motors would power the front wheels while a more traditional engine powers the rear wheels. Though not specified in the patent itself, the illustration that goes along with the patent depicts a V8 engine.
That’s where speculation around the
aforementioned commercial comes in – if you pause the video at just the right
moment, viewers get a glimpse of what’s under the hood, which looks
suspiciously like the diagram in the patent.
Experts are wondering if more information on
the new Ford Mustang Hybrid will come out on the muscle car’s 55th anniversary
this April. Until then, only rumors and patents can give us any insight to what
the 2020 hybrid variant will offer.
While the new hybrid Mustang isn’t released yet, check out the rest of the Ford lineup here at Tropical Ford.
Modern hybrids are often more powerful than their gasoline-only counterparts, thanks to the additional torque gained from the electric motors. This benefit is why Ford is planning to release a 2020 Ford Mustang Hybrid.
While we don’t know much about this planned Mustang hybrid, it is fun to imagine the power you could get from the combination of the 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a pair of electric motors. With this powertrain blend, we will likely see an output of at least 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.
It is possible that Ford will utilize the same hybrid technology it is planning for the next-generation Ford Focus RS. Industry reports indicate that the Focus RS Hybrid will use a 48-volt starter system that will boost its output to around 400 horsepower and cut about 0.4 seconds off of its current 0-60 mph time.
Along with its improved output, the Mustang Hybrid should see a boost in efficiency, too. While fuel economy isn’t expected to go up significantly, it should at least boast a better rating than the gasoline-only models.
Stop by Tropical Ford to find out more information about the upcoming 2020 Mustang Hybrid. You can also take your favorite Ford model for a test drive.
The Ford Mustang has caught fire in the Chinese automotive market to become the bestselling sports car. In an effort to keep up with the success, Ford has introduced a new version of the already-advanced SYNC 3 infotainment system. Designed for the specifically for the Chinese market, the new Ford Mustang can read Chinese handwriting.
Just when you thought Ford couldn’t outdo themselves, they did.
The Ford Mustang now boasts the technology and software to read Chinese handwriting. The latest infotainment system update is a major improvement over the old version of SYNC 3. Before the update, Chinese drivers would have to spell out each word individually then pick from a list of possible meanings. As you can imagine, that made doing routine activities, like entering an address, time consuming.
The new SYNC 3 update uses swipe technology and handwriting recognition to allow drivers to write their commands on a touchscreen. The system can read more than 2,500 characters, making the Mustang even more appealing than ever before.
Now, SYNC 3 understands both what Chinese drivers are saying and what they actually mean, making voice commands, a major selling point of the system, more viable.
We here at Tropical Ford are pumped to see the new Mustang leading the charge in innovation!

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Wilo acquires US pump manufacturer American-Marsh Pumps
The acquisition was announced at American-Marsh Pumps headquarters in Collierville, Tennessee
Cedarburg, WI — WILO USA LLC, a subsidiary of WILO SE, through its newly-established subsidiary, American-Marsh Pumps LLC., has acquired the assets of US manufacturer J-Line Pump Co. d/b/a American-Marsh Pumps. Headquartered in Collierville, Tennessee, American-Marsh Pumps currently employs 55 people.
“The acquisition of American-Marsh Pumps strengthens our strategic market position in the US, and expands the product portfolio for our customers in the Water Management, Industry and Building Services segments”, explains Oliver Hermes, President and CEO of the Wilo Group. “This acquisition marks another important milestone in the execution of our growth strategy, following the successful acquisition and integration of the Cedarburg pump manufacturers Weil Pump & Scot Pump in 2017.”
American-Marsh Pumps has a history dating back to 1873, and is a leading manufacturer of centrifugal pumps, vertical turbines, and fire protection equipment. The acquired production facilities in Tennessee will not only enable Wilo and American-Marsh to meet customer requirements in the US market quickly and efficiently, but also to offer a wider range of high quality products serving the Commercial, Industrial, Municipal, AG, and Fire Protection markets, that are made in the USA.
“We are excited to have American-Marsh Pumps join the Wilo USA family. Their experience and expertise aligns extremely well with our organization, and accelerates our strategy for long-term growth in the US” says Jeff Plaster, CEO of WILO USA. Mathias Weyers, Chief Financial Officer, and Executive Board Member at WILO SE, adds: “We are very pleased to have succeeded in completing this acquisition, and very much look forward to our collaboration with the acquired company and its integration into the Wilo Group.”
Further information: www.wilo-usa.com.
Follow us on: www.facebook.com/wilousa
About WILO USA:
WILO USA LLC, a subsidiary of WILO SE, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pumps and pump systems for building services, the entire water management chain and industry. The company, whose sales reached more than 1.4 billion euros 2018, has its eyes fixed on the future and is heavily involved in research and development. Based in Dortmund, WILO SE is increasingly moving away from being just a supplier of components and moving towards being a system supplier. The Wilo name is internationally recognized as being synonymous with high-tech in the pump industry. Wilo employs around 7,800 employees in over 70 subsidiaries around the world.


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Today is going to be all about whatever Apple has to present to us at their big “see and touch” event starting at 10AM PST, and we’ll be showing it all off via our liveblog at live.slashgear.com/ as well as in our brand new Apple Portal. Will we see a fantastically high definition iPad HD, an iPad 3rd generation also known as iPad 3, complete with Verizon’s LTE and the newest tip for the elusive device, Haptic texture? We’ll see very, very soon! Meanwhile there’s still a whole lot of news coming down from the mountain this morning, so have a look!
Also on the rather important side of news bits, Higgs boson “God particle” may have been detected, and not at CERN, right here locally in Chicago! Then there’s that fantastical 41 megapixel camera we saw with PureView tech from Nokia at MWC 2012: more updates abound! Bring it to the USA as fast as you possibly can! There’s a brand new Thermaltake gaming mouse in town, Anonymous has hit Panda Security, and Acer has tipped Ultrabook price drops galore.
I’d like to encourage you also to take a peek at our collection of device reviews stacking up this week, starting with the newest in the Sony Xperia S, an Android smartphone with punch! Then there’s the undeniable Dell XPS 13 Ultraportable with power beyond your wildest dreams and an ultimate war between celebrity endorsed headphones. Both of these are actually surprisingly high quality considering the stigma surrounding this genre of devices – believe it! There’s Sync by 50 wireless bluetooth over-ear headphones and Redemption Song by House of Marley on-ear headphones. Try them both out!


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We helped raise £165,000 for Julia’s House Hospice promoting its Swindogs in The Big Dog Art Trail via PR, social media and influencer relations
Moose Toys appoints Highlight for creative campaigns
What do you get when you cross one of the world’s most popular social media platforms and QVC-style home shopping?
One thing that’s made itself apparent over the past few months is that TikTok is a phenomenal space for changing people’s lives.
Spielwarenmesse TrendCommittee – the organisation behind Nuremberg Toy Fair (Europe’s largest trade event) – recently talked to international experts, trend scouts, market researchers and the media to identify the big three global trends for 2023. Here’s what you need to know…
Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) was back with a bang this year, and Highlight’s consumer team were on-the-ground checking out what will be hot (and not) next year…
Miffy’s first UK food pop-up launches this summer at Westfield White City when Dick Bruna’s classic character takes over Ichiba, Europe’s largest food hall from 11th July (until 30th September 2022).
Instagramable-themed afternoon teas are all over the menus of London’s top eateries this Spring.
If you’re a new parent, you may have heard of Charlotte Stirling-Reed.
Last week’s NPD report on the UK toy industry in 2020 was welcome news at Highlight.
Highlight PR celebrates two Gold wins at the PRCA Awards 2020.


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Maserati, the Italian luxury car manufacturer has finally confirmed the plans to make electric cars. Of course, some new petroleum-based luxury offerings will still be there.The new cars will be built at the plants in Modena, Cassino, and Turin (Mirafiori and Grugliasco). So, everything will continue to be manufactured in Italy – including the new lineup of electric cars.This announcement follows after the 5 million euro investment program of their […]
A major fire at the port of Savona, Liguria ended up destroying hundreds of expensive Maserati cars that were parked there for export. The fire erupted at the port when sea waters rose and caused flooding. Local media reports mention that the sea water caused the car batteries to explode and catch fire early in the morning.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the company that owns Maserati, has confirmed that all Maserati cars will feature electric drive from 2019. This doesn’t mean that all Maserati cars are going full electric. It’s going to take a long time before that happen. What this means is that the cars will feature some form of electrified propulsion from 2019.
Maserati has previously confirmed that it’s looking to get into the electric car game as well but you can’t quite imagine the luxury car manufacturer to make an all-electric hatchback. You can be sure that it’s offering is going to be premium and it’s going to be expensive. Maserati has now confirmed that its first electric production car is going to be an all-electric version of its Alfieri sports car […]
Conventional car manufacturers are now getting serious about competing in the electric car market. Several manufacturers have recently confirmed plans of properly competing in the electric car segment and now Maserati is jumping on the bandwagon as well. A division of Fiat Chrysler, Maserati has confirmed that its electric car is going to arrive by 2020.
Maserati is known for making high-performance cars that gulp down fuel by the gallon but it appears that the Italian manufacturer could be looking to cleaner and cheaper options. Parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has said that it’s considering the merits of coming out with a Maserati electric car, it would be the first such car from the Italian luxury car maker.


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Some Strathcona County seniors have been targeted of a new scam is making the rounds on Facebook.
RCMP are warning about a social media hoodwink that attempts to trick users into sending money in the form of gift cards.
Investigators explained that the scam starts with a message through Facebook messenger from what appears to be someone in your friend’s list. The message talks about a federal government grant for seniors and asks victims to respond with their full name, address, age, and other personal information. It also asks victims to pay a fee of $1,500 or more, which the scammers claim will give victims access to a grant of between $100,000 and $200,000.
“This summer we have had two people who have reported this scam the Strathcona County RCMP,” explained Const. Chantelle Kelly with Strathcona County RCMP.
The scammers asked for the residents to send the fee payment through Amazon, Apple, Steam or Google Gift cards.
“No legitimate government agency, business or financial institution will ever ask you to make a payment with gift cards,” Kelly said. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Police note it is unclear at this point whether the scam message is the result of a victim’s friend being hacked or if it is just an elaborate fake account but advises residents to watch for any suspicious activity online and in the real world.
“We have seen other Facebook scams such as buy and sell scams and also prize scams where an individual is contacted stating they won a prize,” Kelly said. “In order to receive the prize they must pay money or purchase gift cards before they receive the money.”
If you’ve received any messages that sound like these, you’re asked to report them immediately to RCMP.
“If you have lost money or have given personal information then we ask that you call the Strathcona County RCMP or local police,” Kelly added.
You can also report tips on scams to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), on the Crime Stoppers app or at p3tips.com. You can also report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.


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For the first time, trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan has begun via Afghanistan. It is being hailed as an important step towards economic development in the region.
This trade is currently taking place under an international convention, according to officials. The two countries are expected to sign a formal agreement soon.
In May, Pakistan sent a truck from the Karachi port to Tashkent via the Torkham border crossing. The truck carrying medicine and other medical supplies reached Tashkent in 48 hours.
It returned to Faisalabad after two days, carrying leather products.
Bilateral trade between the two countries is aimed at promoting trade between regional states.
The project has been under consideration for the past several decades. It has been delayed because of the uncertain situation in Afghanistan.
Pakistan PM’s aide on trade Abdul Razzak Dawood said last month that trade ties with partnering countries are critical to sustainable business relationships.
To promote international trade, he said, Pakistan will benefit from its geographical position. “The present state of its relations with Uzbekistan and Afghanistan is an important development in this regard,” he said.
The government aims to make the country a hub for trade, transit and mobility, according to Dawood.
In March, the Uzbek foreign minister met Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad. The two leaders agreed to expand bilateral trade.
Pakistan offered to provide Uzbekistan trade facilities in Karachi and Gwadar. The joint communique mentioned Pakistan as a gateway for the Central Asian states.
By Siraj Khan


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Nashville small-business activity declines, Kauffman report says
While small-business activity is increasing nationally and in most metro areas, Nashville is experiencing a decline, according to a 2016 Kauffman Index of Main Street Entrepreneurship report.
Nashville and San Jose, Calif., were the only two cities out of 40 large metro areas in which small-business activity decreased, according to the report released by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
"The bigger drop was in the rate of business owners," said Jason Wiens, a Kauffman policy director. "That was the reason why, largely, Nashville dropped."
The index examines the percentage of adults who own businesses as their main job, the percentage of businesses that operate past five years and the number of small established businesses to the total number of firms.
Nashville business officials often tout the city’s entrepreneurial strength. Last year’s report, which ranked the city as No. 11, reflected that, while this year the city fell to No. 20. The percentage of business owners in Nashville fell to 7.3 percent from 8.1 percent in 2015.
Wiens emphasized that the report examines just one aspect of entrepreneurship and in a separate Kauffman report on startup activity, Nashville was among the fastest-growing markets for startup activity. Nashville ranked No. 16 among metropolitan areas in that category, up from 23rd in 2015.
"Because it dropped a few spots down from 2015 to 2016 in one of the indices is probably not a big deal because this Main Street index, while important, is only one aspect of this big picture of entrepreneurship," Wiens said.
The city stood out concerning the youth of its entrepreneurs. Nashville was among the top three cities for having younger business owners, ages 20 to 34, along with Miami and Austin, Texas, according to the report.
Tennessee’s ranking fell to 18 from 21 and its rate of business owners fell from 5.4 to 5.2. Before 2000, 8 percent of Tennessee adults were business owners.
Since 1999, the gap between rates of male- and female-owned Tennessee business owners has narrowed, as the rate of male-owned businesses has declined. Male business owners had a 12 percent rate in 1999, a rate that has since declined to close to 8 percent. Female business owners have had close to a 4 percent rate during the past 16 years.
Reach Jamie McGee at 615-259-8071 and on Twitter @JamieMcGee_.


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Apple public relations director Lynn Fox says that the Wi-Fi exploit demonstrated by David Maynor and Jon Ellch two weeks ago in a video shown at the Black Hat 2006 conference does not represent a flaw in Apple’s software or device firmware (see “Wireless Driver Hack Could Target Macs and Windows”, 07-Aug-06). Apple told Macworld and many other media outlets that the demonstrated exploit uses a third-party wireless driver for a Wi-Fi USB adapter. Neither the driver nor the chips are the same as those used by Apple in Mac OS X on a MacBook.
Further, Fox said that Apple has received neither code nor a demonstration that shows a flaw in shipping hardware and software. The researchers have changed the message on the page at SecureWorks, the consulting site at which they provide services, to clarify that Apple code wasn’t involved in their demonstration. Chipmaker Atheros also issued a statement – to Brian Krebs at Security Fix – that their products apparently aren’t at risk, either, based on what they knew at the time that they issued that statement.
The two researchers who presented the hack say that a flaw in the way in which wireless drivers from several manufacturers hand off data to the operating system can allow exploits in which a machine can be compromised to execute arbitrary code. That arbitrary code could then allow an affected system to grant root, or system ownership, access to the computer. In July, Intel released a patch for their Centrino Wi-Fi adapters found in laptops from many manufacturers that fixes such a problem, although Maynor and Ellch said that this fix wasn’t a result of their work.
With that level of access, a cracker could install “bot” software that’s used to turn affected computers into remotely activated warriors in the spam or denial-of-service wars. Bots are now considered the biggest single problem on the Internet because millions of computers can be activated, like sleeper cells, whenever an attack is desired.
A small firestorm of responses have appeared since Apple’s denial, hinging on two factors: some writers and bloggers have been presented with information by Maynor and Ellch that is not yet in the public sphere of knowledge, and Apple’s denial of the exploit is extremely carefully crafted.
My take at the moment is that it’s highly possible that Maynor and Ellch have found a security flaw in the built-in MacBook and MacBook Pro Wi-Fi drivers that, at the point that Apple made their statement about not seeing any “evidence” of an exploit, they had not yet presented to Apple. In this scenario, Maynor and Ellch accidentally provided details to Brian Krebs before they meant to, and are remaining mum until Apple responds. We’ll see.
You can read many takes on this subject: George Ou at ZDNet (who has received private information), John Gruber at Daring Fireball (who has not), security expert Rich Mogull’s personal blog (he has been disclosed), Wi-Fi expert Jim Thompson (who tears the exploit apart limb by limb, fingernail by fingernail) and John Moltz at Crazy Apple Rumors Site (who makes stuff up).


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Do you want 999.9 parts per thousand, LBMA-certified gold? Head over to our website at https://utopianglobal.com/ to invest!
Germany, used to importing cheap Russian energy, now struggles to keep its economy running smoothly after recent U.S and G7 sanctions.
The low-priced supply of energy combined with unions integrated in management boards to control wages allowed the European country to cheaply produce and export more goods than it imported.
According to the International Energy Agency, Germany relied on Russia for about 46% of its natural gas consumption in 2020.
Germany is now turning to more expensive alternatives to keep its companies and homes running.
Four separate instances in Germany show the same trend of energy impoverishment.
Manufacturing company Siempelkamp Giesserei faces problems on two fronts: high precious metals prices and high energy prices.
Siempelkamp’s foundry burns enough energy to power a town of 20,000 people.
The company paid between $43 and $53 per megawatt hour of electricity before the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Average prices in March were set at $267 per megawatt hour.
Instead of cutting production, Siempelkamp Giesserei has chosen to pass these high costs onto their clients with the expectation that it will be passed onto consumers.
Energy Supplier Uniper has been receiving 40% of its contractually guaranteed gas from Russia’s Gazprom.
To procure the rest of its energy, Uniper had to pay higher prices on the world market.
The company has asked for state help and there may be a $9 billion dollar subsidy on the table.
Uniper filed a bailout application on the 8th of July.
According to Uniper’s statement, the company is seeking stabilization measures to cease its current accumulation of losses, cover its liquidity needs and protect Unipers investment grade credit rating.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz comments during a visit to a trade fair in Munich may provide assurance to Unipers management and employees, “This is a company that is of great importance to large parts of the economy and to many consumers … Everyone can be sure: we will play our part to save Uniper.”
A housing company in Berlin has announced a 100% increase in heating prices for apartments heated with gas or oil.
Germany’s largest residential company to reduce heating
Vonovia, Germany’s largest residential company, plans to cut its heating to a level of 170 Celsius between 11 am and 6 pm for its apartments.
The company’s cost cutting measure is expected to save 8% on heating costs.
Vonovia is heavily dependent on gas which supplies 55% of its heating system.
The company said it is currently informing consumers that high energy prices will require increased payments in the future.
This article is sourced from the following links:


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Relaxnews is reporting that Marion Cotillard will be unveiling the Christmas Window Display at the Parisian Department Store Printemps on November 9. This year, Dior is responsible for the decoration of the store’s windows. It will be inspired by the City of Light and is thus called ‘Inspirations parisiennes’ (Parisian Inspirations).
Passers-by can admire 11 different “fashion” windows during the Holiday Season. Emblematic places of Paris, such as Avenue Montaigne (where Dior is situated) and the Opera, will be staged. The display includes 74 dolls, especially created by the Dior workshops. “There are 12 different models, each faithfully representing iconic collections of Dior Haute Couture, from tailor Bar 1947 to AH Collection 2012 by Raf Simons,” explains the fashion house.
- Lady Dior Web Documentary – Episode 2: Up and Up, posted on September 25, 2012
- Dolls for Children in Darfur, posted on November 8, 2010
- Dolls for Children in Darfur, posted on December 9, 2010
- Marion Cotillard: From New York to Paris, posted on November 9, 2012
- Lady Dior Web Documentary – Episode 7: Lady for a Day, posted on March 21, 2013


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Gregor Elliott, 28, from Greenwich, is a physics graduate, who has recently finished a PhD but he is still unemployed after six months searching for work.
In previous years he would have been guaranteed a technology or finance role, his recruitment agency said. But the economic downturn has shrunk the number of graduate jobs available.
Mr Elliott, a Bristol University graduate, felt that keenly when his dream job of working on technology for derivative pricing for an investment bank was snatched away at the 11th hour.
He said: "The day I had my final interview the bank introduced a recruitment freeze. They sent me an email saying they would have offered me the job but they were no longer in a position to do so."
He says he might look for less skilled work to pay the bills. "I'm spending all day sending out CVs and going for interviews — it's a full-time job looking for work. I'm staying positive but it's tough."
The Restaurant: We are tightening our belts
Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia opened Urban Turban last February to create a "new concept" in modern, casual Indian dining.
But less than one year on, the restaurant in Westbourne Grove is struggling to stay open and his plans to open a second branch in Richmond have been scrapped.
Mr Bhatia's wife, Rashima, who runs the business with him said that after a promising start, Urban Turban's bookings had dropped dramatically. Mrs Bhatia said: "Urban Turban has been hit by the downturn. Unfortunately we had just about three months of trading before the credit crunch hit the sector.
"The rent and lease on the property is high and so we are having to tighten our belts with manpower. Staffing stays the same but we have cut shifts.
"My last resort is bringing in a private investor to bail it out.
"We still have plans to expand but not in London. In March we are opening the Saffron Lounge in Doha [Qatar] and later in the year, India by Vineet Bhatia will open in Libya."
The Supermarket: Cheap offers leave rivals in the shade
Supermarket Morrisons' sales rose by 8.2 per cent over Christmas compared with a month earlier, making it the biggest riser among its competitors — in the same period Tesco posted an increase of 2.5 per cent and Sainsbury's one of 4.5 per cent.
Morrisons chief executive Marc Bolland said the chain attracted 2.2 million customers away from rivals.
Alex Soares, 37, a languages teacher from South Kensington, said he saves £8 a week shopping in Morrisons instead of Waitrose and added: "The value is so good."
Michelle Walmsley, 32, a fashion designer from Acton, said: "For a big shop, Tesco would probably be cheaper but I think the fresh produce is better in Morrisons."
Helen Kitsos, 59, a landlady from Shepherd's Bush, said special offers attracted her to Morrisons. She said: "I also go to Tesco but it can be more expensive."Reuse content


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Is your food math fuzzy? People underestimate how much they eat by 175 calories, finds a new study in the British Medical Journal.
And it gets worse. When researchers asked folks at fast-food joints to ballpark their meal's calorie content, almost 25 percent of them missed by at least 500 calories.
“It's difficult to estimate calorie content by looking at an item,” says lead study author Jason P. Block, M.D., because fast food contains complex ingredients that may be packed with calories.
Another reason: Nutrition information isn’t easily accessible. And if it is—on wrappers, napkins, or online—once it's out of sight, it's out of mind. In the study, more than 20 percent of people said they saw calorie info posted somewhere in the restaurant, but only 5 percent used that info when ordering food.
Instead of playing a guessing game—or falling victim to a fat-loaded sandwich—track what you’re really eating with the Eat This, Not That! app, which includes nutrition stats for more than 23,000 menu and grocery items.
If you liked this story, you'll love these:
- The 10 Worst Fast Food Meals
- The Best and Worst Kids' Fast Food Meals
- The 7 Rules of Healthy Fast Food


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Agri Malaysia is once again, to be held on 21-23 September 2023 at Setia City Convention Centre (SCCC), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Today, Agri Malaysia is a regional well-recognized platform to increase trade opportunities, and strengthen the multilateral relationships between stakeholders from Malaysia and overseas.
Agriculture is the main economic engine and source of livelihood for the country. Since it strives to give plantation solutions and the potential for improving production efficiency, maximising yield, lowering costs, and safeguarding the environment, the development of agricultural technology has emerged as a major trend in the expansion of global agriculture.
The theme of ‘Agriculture Innovates Future’ is to enhance industry stakeholders' awareness of and readiness for the digitalization of agriculture so that they can pursue the newest trends and agricultural technology to revolutionise their operations and the future of agriculture.
Agri Malaysia will be at the forefront to offer a unique breadth of insights and business opportunities across the elements of the agriculture sector and its related value chain.
No.11-19-1, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 15,
Arked Esplanad, Bukit Jalil
57000 Kuala Lumpur,


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Apple is doing a better job of inspiring loyalty among customers than its rivals in the mobile marketplace, according to a report.
The figure for current Android users who said they would pick Android ahead of another mobile OS was 60 percent, GfK said. For RIM's BlackBerry handsets, the figure was just 48 percent.
"The scope for brands to lure customers from rivals has diminished and the richest rewards will go to those providers that can create the most harmonious user experience and develop this brand loyalty," GfK said.
Around 4500 people in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Brazil, China, the United States, and Japan were questioned in GfK's survey.
This story, "iPhone Customers 'Most Loyal' Smartphone Buyers" was originally published by Macworld U.K..


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The independent coffee and doughnut chain has opened a fifth site in the heart of the capital’s West End.
Crosstown Doughnuts opened the doors of its new doughnut and coffee bar at 35 Piccadilly last week.
The brand started life as a market stall on Piccadilly’s Leather Lane back in 2014 before opening its first permanent site in Soho in May 2015.
Since then, Crosstown has launched four further stores in Shoreditch, Camden, Victoria and now Piccadilly.
The business also has an online store, delivering daily to offices, events and functions across London, with same-day delivery available.
Co-founder JP Then said: “Piccadilly was where we learned the retail ropes and made the transition from a market stall to a fully-fledged doughnut and coffee bar.
“We can’t wait to return to Piccadilly and look forward to seeing our old regulars, as well as getting our new neighbours hooked on our doughnuts.”
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Agriculture growth drops to five year low
VietNamNet Bridge – The agricultural sector is expected to grow 2.21 per cent in 2015, a drop of 1.4 per cent since 2014 and the lowest rise in five years, said Nguyen Thi Hong, head of the agriculture and rural development ministry's Planning Department.
A field is left barren due to drought in Thuan Nam District in the southern province of Ninh Thuan. The impacts of the El Nino phenomenon have seriously affected cultivation and fishery, two areas that contribute greatly to the agriculture sector's growth – Photo: VNA/VNS
However, its average growth in 2011-15 is likely to reach 3.1 per cent, exceeding its target of 2.6-3 per cent, she noted during a conference last week.
Meanwhile, the 2015 agro-forestry and fishery export turnover is estimated at US$30 billion, equivalent to 96.7 per cent of the set target. Products that enjoy over $1 billion in export value include rice, coffee, rubber, peppercorn, cashew, cassava, fruit, wood and wooden products, shrimp and tra fish.
According to Hong, two main difficulties facing the sector are weather and the market. Impacts of the El Nino phenomenon have seriously affected cultivation and fishery, two areas contributing greatly to the whole sector's growth.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the weather in 2015 has been harsh, impacting the lives of people throughout the country.
Flooding and flash floods in the north, severe droughts in some south central provinces, and high levels of salt water in Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta have had a negative impact on crop production and the lives of local residents.
Statistics indicate that the total area of both winter and summer-autumn rice crops in the north has declined, as compared to last year, due to unfavourable weather conditions. Further, this year's rice harvest is expected to reach 5.84 million tonnes, a drop of 1 per cent against 2014, while the cultivation area for other winter crops reached only 86.4 per cent, as compared to last year.
Additionally, tra (cat) fish breeding areas in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta are smaller, whereas the price of fresh-water prawns continue to fall.
Pham Khanh Ly, deputy head of MARD's Portal Directorate of Fisheries, said this year's harvest suffered due to increased heat and sea water salinity, and the directorate has instructed localities to begin breeding shrimps and prawns one month earlier than usual, in a bid to avoid the heat.
At the same time, recent fluctuations of the US dollar exchange rate in many countries have influenced agro-forestry-fishery exports because the US dollar is the main means of payment, Hong from the Planning Department said.
"It made Viet Nam's goods more expensive and unable to compete with goods from other countries such as Thailand and China," said Hong.
Although the State Bank of Viet Nam has depreciated the Viet Nam dong against the US dollar, the adjustment still failed to keep pace with the devaluation of other currencies, especially the Chinese yuan and euro, making Vietnamese agricultural products less competitive in terms of prices in foreign markets.
In addition, many markets have increased technical barriers, including food safety regulations and non-tariff barriers, creating more difficulties for Vietnamese farm produce, she added.
Between now and the year's end, a number of measures will be rolled out to expand the market and remove difficulties for production and exports, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The steering committee for the agricultural market will evaluate the supply and demand of key products to propose measures to develop the rice market in the rest of the year.
Nguyen Nhu Tiep, director of the National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department under the MARD, predicted that the demand of agricultural products could continue to decrease until the middle of next year.
Experts at the conference agreed that in the last two months of this year, the MARD should join associations and enterprises to assess the real situation of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products to propose suitable measures.
The MARD would check the process of manufacturing and then set up necessary policies to raise the products' value.
Ministry to grant Golden Rice Awards
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) will give out Viet Nam's Golden Rice Awards for a second time tomorrow in Ha Noi.
The awards will be given to 80 outstanding enterprises and individuals this year.
At the ceremony, the MARD will also give the title "Enterprises for Farmers" for 100 enterprises that have made a large contribution in developing the agricultural sector.
Viet Nam's Golden Rice Awards are given every three years for individuals and enterprises having products that meet the MARD's quality norms.


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Despite refusing to say anything on the record before Thursday's big "unveiling," Facebook certainly isn't going for the whole hush-hush, leak-proof reveal pioneered by Steve Jobs at Apple (and then copied by Samsung, obviously). In fact, tech reporters have known about this HTC Facebook phone for years, and now they're getting the early word really early. Which is a bit surprising, considering how many phone makers have upped the sex appeal of their new gadgets by holding their new secrets behind the curtain — or at least waiting until some executive takes a stage. But maybe this is a smart move for Facebook, a novice to partnering with the phone industry that hasn't exactly had the best experience as a publicly traded company and doesn't want to risk spooking investors with too many surprises. Now the Wall Street people already know what to expect. And so far that's working just fine. The analysts think the HTC OS sounds like a decent idea: "A phone, even an Android phone, makes sense," one analyst told Computer World.
RELATED: So What's Facebook Big Reveal Today?
Plus the last thing Facebook needs is for its rumor economy to turn against it.


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MVNO says the bundle is up to 99.7 per cent cheaper than roaming rates offered by major operators
MVNO Tru has added an international iPad data bundle to its offering which it claims will “dramatically” cut consumers roaming tariffs.
Tru which, through its GSM service allows its customers to be charged local rates instead of roaming rates when abroad, will offer the bundle to its UK business customers travelling to the US and Australia where it has agreements with local operators.
It says the bundle which costs £20 per month on a 12 month contract and provides users with 1GB of data will provide customers travelling to the US or Australia with a minimum saving of 95 per cent when using their iPad abroad.
In some cases this rises to as much as 99.7 per cent saving compared to some operators current roaming prices.
The bundle can also be used in a further 220 countries where its full service cannot be accessed.
Tru will launch full services in Spain, Hong Kong and the Netherlands later this year and says it expects to announce a further 20 more countries next year.
Tru chief executive Geraldine Wilson (pictured) said:“If you have an iPad and travel, this product is an absolute must have. There are no comparable rates or data allowances anywhere in the market place.”


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12 Oct 2018
Diesel is replaced by petrol and the updated 500X remains a pleasing drive
5 Jan 2018
While the 500X might look like a steroid-enhanced version of the Fiat 500 city car, the two have far less in common than you might think.
15 Aug 2017
The Fiat Tipo 1.6 MultiJet Lounge proves that the old adage ‘Fix It Again Tomorrow’ no longer applies.
9 Jan 2020
Fiat has announced a new three-cylinder mild-hybrid engine for the 500 and Panda.
28 May 2019
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles proposal would save €5 billion a year by sharing development costs on technology such as electric vehicles and self-driving cars.
8 Apr 2019
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has entered into an emissions pooling agreement with Tesla in order to avoid fines for violating new European Union emissions rules.
Fleet News offers a range of reports, whitepapers, in-depth features and manufacturer brochures to enhance fleet decision-makers' understanding of key issues and products.
Fleet News is published monthly, in print and digital formats.
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3M Co (NYSE: MMM), General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) and Pandora Media Inc (NYSE: P) are gearing up to announce quarterly results on Thursday. Here’s what investors can expect:
3M Co (NYSE:MMM)
3M is scheduled to report first-quarter earnings before the open of trade on Thursday. Wall Street is projecting earnings per share of $1.93, up from $1.79 in the same period last year. Sales will likely be in the region of $7.84 billion, up marginally from $7.83 billion a year ago. Although the company did not provide current quarter estimates, for full-year 2015, it expects EPS of $8 to $8.30 per share, up from $7.49 in 2014.
The recent slowdown in the U.S. economy and weakness in Europe should keep 3M Co (NYSE:MMM)’s organic sales growth at low single digits. One silver lining could be the spectacular drop in oil prices that could lower certain input costs.
However on the currency front, the strong dollar would hurt 3M Co (NYSE:MMM)’s margins. The company exports large amounts of raw materials from the U.S. to its factories around the world. As such, the strength in dollar should make those goods less competitive.
General Motors Company (NYSE:GM)
The average analysts’ estimate is for General Motors to post first-quarter earnings of 96 cents per share, which is more than triple of last year’s 29 cents per share. Sales growth is projected to be modest, largely on the strong demand for light trucks.
In the first 3 months, General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) sold almost twice as many Cadillac Escalades and Chevrolet Suburbans than it did in the corresponding period last year. But that was not enough to prevent the Detroit car maker from losing U.S. market share during the period.
In its second largest market, China, General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) is trying to boost its mix of pricier vehicles, to better cope with the fast maturing market. The first quarter numbers should provide some valuable insight into how GM is going about this strategic shift.
Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX)
Starbucks will report its second-quarter earnings after the close of trading on Thursday. The consensus on Street is for the company to post earnings of 33 cents per share. Starbucks carried out a 2-for-1 stock split in April. Adjusted for the split, EPS should come in at 40 cents. The coffee chain had set guidance at 32 cents to 33 cents per share.
Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) is expected to record sales of $4.53 billion for the second quarter. That would be up from the $3.8 billion a year earlier, but $272 million less than the first quarter’s $4.80 billion. Barring last quarter, Starbucks has missed the consensus revenue estimate in 7 of the last 10 quarters. Same store sales gain should be around 5 percent. Growth in same-store sales has been flat at 5 percent over the last two quarters.
Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) has a healthy free cash flow. Analysts expect the company to increase its returns to shareholders in the coming few quarters. Watch out for any news on that front.
Pandora Media Inc (NYSE:P)
Analysts expect Pandora to announce earnings of $0.17 per share on revenue of $224.38 million for the quarter. Investors will also be interested in looking at Pandora’s growth in active listeners, which increased about 7 percent y-o-y to 81.5 million at the end of 2014. The company has been insisting for long that it can easily grow to at least 100 million users in the U.S., helped by the rapid penetration of Internet-connected devices.
Pandora Media Inc (NYSE:P) is expected to benefit from its gradual move into automobiles, where more than 50 percent of all radio listening occurs in the United States. Investors will also look for data on user and local ad growth.
The fourth quarter of last year saw local ad revenue soar 90 percent y-o-y to $49.9 million, but still only represented about 20 percent of Pandora Media Inc (NYSE:P)’s total revenue. Meanwhile, mobile sales jumped 43 percent last quarter, representing 78 percent of the company’s total revenue.


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New England Soundproofing is in the field to reduce noise to satisfy customers, homeowners, and neighbors! After years of successfully stopping noise in homes and offices, New England Soundproofing is now getting recognized on the specialization on acoustical work within restaurants. Our acoustic panels had such great success throughout the years that New England Soundproofing was featured in The Boston Globe’s article “What I Cant Hear You!” an article about how loud restaurants are today and how we can reduce the noise. Two featured restaurants that New England Soundproofing has successfully reduced the noise, The Painted Burro, and The Lobster Trap, both made a great impact in the article showing the great outcome and customization that New England Soundproofing takes pride in. To see the article, pick up The Boston Globe April 23, 2014 issue and see the full article, or visit the online article by clicking HERE.
New England Soundproofing specializes in all areas of soundproofing, from home wall and ceiling soundproofing, to commercial and restaurant acoustics. The family based company offers installations along with sales of the products for the DIY-ers. For a complete assessment, information, and pricing, contact New England Soundproofing at (781) 710-1261 or email us at ADrago@NewEnglandSoundproofing.com


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Rosario Dawson, Thebe Magugu, and More Join Vogue’s Virtual Forces of Fashion Summit
On July 7 and 8, 2021, Vogue will host its fifth annual Forces of Fashion summit. The virtual series will feature candid conversations between industry leaders including designer John Galliano, makeup artist Pat McGrath, stylist Zerina Ackers, and Vogue’s Anna Wintour. And today comes the announcement of a new panel spotlighting five important new voices in fashion from across the globe.
Thebe Magugu, Priya Ahluwalia, Yueqi Qi, Abrima Erwiah, and Rosario Dawson will join Vogue.com editor Chioma Nnadi for a discussion about what it means to build a brand with impeccable authenticity. Each brings a strong point of view and entirely fresh perspective. Magugu recently won the coveted LVMH prize for his South African-based clothing line of the same name. Ahluwalia has made waves with her eco-friendly menswear on the London fashion scene and beyond. Qi’s eponymous, Shanghai-based label features otherworldly beading with a modern sensibility (No surprise, as Qi previously worked as an embroidery designer for Chanel). Finally, Erwiah and Dawson’s brand Studio One Eighty Nine showcases the beauty of African design while prioritizing artisanal craftsmanship and ethical business practices; the New York design duo were also recently nominated for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund 2021.
More details and tickets are available on the Forces of Fashion website. Check back for updates ahead of the event, which will take place on July 7 and 8.


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Grass Proving Green in U.S. For Kiwi Mower Brand
Posted by Fleur Revell
Grass Proving Green in U.S. For Kiwi Mower Brand- Masport has increased its New Zealand and Australian-based Sales.
A high profile New Zealand outdoor power equipment and lifestyle products brand has cracked the United States market in a period of unprecedented global growth. Masport has increased its New Zealand and Australia-based Sales, Engineering & Administrative staff numbers by almost 50% to more than 90 in the last five years to cope with growing overseas demand for high-end lawnmowers.
Entering the US market has been no mean feat for the century-old business but it should be a lucrative one the US comprises 60 per cent of the world’s outdoor power equipment market. Masport sold over a thousand walk-behind lawnmowers, in its first season trading in the US and 150,000 lawnmowers in 42 countries throughout the world in the last financial year. General manager Steve Hughes is expecting sales to jump by a further 30,000 mowers in the next four years thanks to demand generated partly by being recognised as a quality and reliable New Zealand brand. He visited the US recently to assess the company’s entry in a market where three manufacturers alone each produce more than a million mowers a year.
“We’ve found a niche in America by designing and engineering a range of high-end lawnmowers specifically for their market conditions. We’re also doing tremendously well in Australia where we’ve trebled sales in the last five years,” he says.
“Being designed and engineered in New Zealand is one factor allowing us to enjoy continued growth. Our two distributors in the US tell us being a Kiwi brand sets us apart,” says Hughes. Masport’s agility in meeting the specific demands of unique markets in the US, Europe and Australasia has also given the company a leading edge. “Americans cut their grass longer, Australasians shorter and the Europeans are somewhere in the middle. Each market also has a completely different set of safety standards. This means we’ve had to create three entirely different product ranges and over 200 different models of machines, to sell into world market” Steve said. Masport predominantly services high-end US customers wanting “beautifully landscaped lawns”, says Hughes. “We spent years planning how we would enter the US because we like to take a long-term approach and the lawnmower market is extremely competitive globally, especially because of the growing emergence of the low wage economy countries influence. Masport competes on quality.”
The company’s range of cylinder mowers and tillers is also being sold in the US on a smaller scale. Masport’s commitment to research and development and growing engineering division forms a backbone of the company, says Hughes. Masport’s Mt Wellington headquarters employs 70 staff with more than 20 staff working in Australia. The company, started as a family-owned business in 1900s Auckland, is a household named in New Zealand. After establishing a solid base in the farming industry the company produced its first hand mowers in 1930 and New Zealand’s first petrol powered lawnmower in 1938.
Since then the Masport brand has become a symbol for quality, reliable outdoor power equipment and lifestyle products for generations of New Zealanders, says Hughes. “In recent years we have repositioned the company to better service New Zealanders and now the world.” For more information about Masport visit www.masport.co.nz


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Five of ten Roar Betting outlets have been acquired by Paddy Power, from administrators Neil Bennett and Michael Healey of Leonard Curtis.
Another two have been sold to Ladbrokes, and one of Roar's former directors is taking on two of the shops, leaving a tenth shop to be shut down.
The deals will save 31 jobs out of 41.
Roar had £59 million of turnover for year end 31 December 2009, but losses in some of the shops saw the businesses enter administration.
"This has been an excellent outcome in terms of numbers of jobs saved," said Bennett.
Source: InfoPowa News


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RX Vega 64 this week, RX Vega 56 in December
Powercolor has now announced its two custom Radeon RX Vega graphics cards which will be a part of its Red Devil series and both feature a custom design with a triple-fan cooler.
Part of Gaming OC series with Windforce 2X cooler
It appears that the AMD AIB-partners have finally started to come up with custom RX Vega graphics cards and Gigabyte has just announced its own custom RX Vega 64 and RX Vega 56 graphics cards, with a custom PCB and Windforce 2X cooler.
Waiting for the final driver
According to our sources, the performances of AMD's upcoming RX Vega 64 and RX Vega 56 graphics cards are close to Nvidia Geforce GTX 1080 and GTX 1070.


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The mobile phone remains one of the most sought after items on the Ugandan market, and because of the rising demanding several mobile phone shops have sprouted in different parts of the country. Up until recently, phone dealers were selling brands from UK, Finland and Dubai. But all is not rosy now. The emergency of Chinese phones on Uganda's mobile phone market has come with a knock off effect for dealers in genuine brands. James Ssalongo, owner of Small World Telecom dealing in phones and their accessories says 7 years when he joined the business, England, and Dubai were the major suppliers of mobile phones. He recalls that the market was stable because all the imported phone products were of standard quality. Today Salongo says that the advent of substandard products from China has had a severe effect on the country's phone business. // Cue in: iWe have a Cue out: #out of businessi Ssalongo is not alone in the phone business. Ismail Sserugo, of Dembe Phone Dealers along William Street, expresses a similar view. He says the fake mobile phones have choked the profits of phone dealers and killing the booming mobile phone market in Uganda. Serugo blames the Chinese investors for dealing in refurbished phone head sets at the expense of the genuine standard phones. Ssalongo cites a Nokia 1100, which he sells at 70,000 yet a similar refurbished type is offered at 50,000 at the Chinese shops. But Silas Mubanda, a manager with V- Two a Chinese mobile phone shop along William street says he is also in business like any other phone dealer. He says they sell at a more relative cheaper price, to attract the market. Mubanda says they have unique services which allow their clients to return back the phones in case they don't suit their intended purposes. China is one of the giant manufacturers of mobile phones world wide. Never the less, Ruth Nabiryo of Giant Eagle, one of the Big Mobile phone dealers in Kampala says people still have not taken phone ownership as a priority. Nabiryo however says that phone buyers can be cetegoried into the older persons who don't care about the extra functions a mobile phone can offer, the teenagers who are so crazy about the MP3, Video and camera functions and the corporate guys who want to buy the flashy phones. Nabiryo explains that the Sumsang which costs between 600,000 shillings and 2.5 million shillings is usually bought by the educated class, because it has varying functions including the internet and the blue tooth. Whatever the price or market of the mobile phones, the potential buyers have their own reasons for owning a mobile phone. Josephe Walakira has bought his Nokia 6300 at 330,000 because of the multi- functions. // Cue in "It has Cue out: good phone." Teenagers on the other hand have come up as one of the biggest group of phone buyers. Most of them are attracted to the unique functions like games. // Cue in. "I wanted ... Cue out:. And others."
Updated: 25 May, 16:4516:45
Tagged with: telecommunications


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…or to be more precise, against a hurricane. First, we have this situation:
The trifecta of coronavirus fears, George Floyd protests, and the push to defund the police has resulted in surging gun sales in Minnesota.
The number of background checks conducted in Minnesota in March represented a 20-year high.
Then came the May 25 death of George Floyd and the subsequent riots, after which Frontiersman Sports owner Kory Krouse said the demand for guns went through the roof.
Krouse said, “People are really scared coming in here. We had a three, four hour wait just to get up to the counter during the height of … the rioting.”
As a result of the surge, gun store inventories are down and ammunition is scarce.
So one would think that a savvy politician would read the tea leaves (or, the actual statistics), and say, “Hmmm… this is probably not the right time to be pushing for gun control.”
Step forward, Minneso-duh! senator Tina Smith:
Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) is pushing an “assault weapons” ban, a “high capacity” magazine ban, and an expansion of background checks that would outlaw private gun sales.
According to her campaign website, Smith cosponsored the “Assault Weapons Ban of 2019,” which would have banned 205 commonly-owned semiautomatic firearms and all ammunition magazines holding more than ten rounds.
Smith also cosponsored the Background Check Expansion Act (BCEA). The BCEA was a push to expand retail background checks to private sales as well. In doing that, BCEA would have criminalized private sales, making it illegal for a neighbor to sell a five-shot revolver to a lifelong neighbor without first finding a Federal Firearms License holder and having a background check performed.
You have to be in the grip of a special kind of stupid to do this kind of thing in the current circumstances. But that’s the deal with doctrinaire Socialists: it’s all about the intentions, never about the outcomes and consequences. And never mind what the proles think: the Party is always right, comrades.
Even when they’re horribly, hopelessly wrong.


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Heywood, Lancashire based logistics service provider Yearsley Group has taken delivery of two urban semi-trailers for controlled temperature operations that it says will help ease deliveries into urban environments and reduce its carbon footprint. The new trailers – one of which is from Gray & Adams and the other from Solomon Commercials – will carry four extra pallets compared to previous rigid vehicle configurations and are also more manoeuvrable, a spokeswoman for the logistics operator said. They will be tested […]
Christmas 2012 was another record-breaking year for parcel carriers, with many reporting volumes that made 2011’s peak seem a simple task. With year-on-year volumes rising every Christmas and the online retail boom not showing any signs of slowing down, how are carriers ensuring they are well prepared for 2013’s peak? Retailers again reported record-breaking internet sales over the festive period. Web sales were up 44% for City Link customer John Lewis, and 11% for Hermes customer Next. Debenhams also saw […]
Members of the FTA’s Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme (LCRS) are on track to meet their target of an 8% reduction in the carbon intensity of their operations between 2011 and 2015, an FTA conference, Cutting Carbon, Cutting Costs, heard last week (21 May).
Tyre maker Bridgestone has become the first commercial organisation to financially back the Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme (LCRS). The partnership agreement will enable the FTA, which manages the scheme, to develop a series of annual low carbon awards and a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the business benefits for operators who join the scheme. As part of the agreement, Bridgestone will sponsor an LCRS fuel efficiency award at the FTA’s annual logistics carbon reduction conference in May 2013. Rachael […]


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Gucci Will Return To Milan Fashion Week This February
Gucci Makes A Momentous Decision To Return To Milan Fashion Week This February
On stage at the 26th Pambianco Fashion Summit, Chief Executive Officer Marco Bizzarri announced the significant news that Gucci will show at Milan Fashion Week this February. This will be the first time in the past two years that the house will present as part of the industry-organized fashion week. The executive also announced that this new chapter for Gucci will include two additional shows, one this spring and another in the autumn.
Kering Group’s Balenciaga and Saint Laurent have already returned to Paris fashion week, but both Gucci and Bottega Veneta hosted destination shows in the United States, and the house’s Alexander McQueen showed in London. Gucci’s recent show was monumental, as it took Hollywood boulevard by storm, it surely left us all waiting for what Gucci has in store next.
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It’s no secret that most social media platforms aren’t cannabis-friendly.
Despite receiving full legalization in 18 states and multiple countries around the world, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter will routinely limit the reach of or remove cannabis content. Posting about the plant too many times can even get you kicked off the platform entirely.
So what’s a cannabis enthusiast to do to connect with other plant lovers?
Find new platforms where cannabis content is not only allowed, it’s celebrated.
High There is an inclusive community of cannabis lovers ready to talk about the plant and all things weed. It’s a platform in two parts: a website and an app. The website is full of cannabis content – including content from The Cannigma! – from breaking news and trends to interviews and recipes. The app is a community forum where you can discuss cannabis openly, sharing your favorite product, a photo of a well-rolled joint, or polling the community’s expertise with a question. And of course, you can share as many photos of dank nugs as you want.
The app continues to evolve as more people join. “We are always working to create a fun, exciting environment for users to come together and create a friendly environment without the fear of censorship or having an account removed or suspended simply because of talking about cannabis,” Hannah Izer, Community Manager at High There, told The Cannigma.
Let’s Talk Weed
Location: Boston, MA
Let’s Talk Weed is a Boston-based cannabis company that holds in-person meets up to… talk weed. The group is run by entrepreneur Derrell Black, who wanted to create educational events in inner-city Boston to bring cannabis lovers together. Let’s Talk Weed events are free, open to the public, and feature cannabis industry experts from across the country. Discussions cover cannabis-related news from around the world, as well as scientific and business perspectives.
Black started this community to share cannabis knowledge with people in areas that are typically left out of the conversation. He hosts events on weeknights to give attendees an opportunity to connect and network, outside of typical business hours.
Can’t make it in person? You can still access all of the expert content on Let’s Talk Weed’s Patreon.
Hi-Curious is the antidote to modern social media, a place where the “comparison-itis” disappears and all you have to worry about is making friends.
Hi-Curious welcomes people in all stages of their cannabis journey, from the experts to the curious to join and share their questions, concerns, and joys. But it’s more than a forum or a discussion board – it’s also a social media platform where cannabis creators, coaches, and entrepreneurs can monetize their expertise without fear of being banned or removed.
“At Hi-Curious, we envision a future where cannabis is a widely accepted wellness supplement,” Lauren Mundell, founder of Hi-Curious, told The Cannigma. “When you download the app, you can experience a place where that future already exists.”
The Cannigma Ask Dr. Codi & Patreon
Of course, you know the Cannigma is a resource for all this cannabis, proofed by industry experts. But did you know you can get your questions answered directly by a pharmacist?
The Cannigma’s “Ask Dr. Codi” series is where our Chief Science Officer, Dr. Codi Peterson, answers real questions sent in by readers like you. There’s no topic too big or too small, and no such thing as a silly question. Just drop your question here, and you’ll hear back from our scientific experts in no time.
Believe it or not, the world’s favorite professional networking platform is actually cannabis-friendly (usually). As the cannabis industry continues to grow, thousands of professionals are turning to LinkedIn to build a network with colleagues and like-minded professionals from around the country, and the world. LinkedIn is more tolerant of cannabis posts, photos included, than most other platforms.
LinkedIn works best if you’re looking to build a professional cannabis network, but if you’re canna-curious, you may still enjoy seeing a daily dose of weed on your feed.
That being said, it is still a mainstream social media network, and posts are occasionally subject to censorship. But compared to a platform like Facebook, LinkedIn is 420-friendly.


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Belize Tourism Board hands brief to Brighter Group
Posted: Saturday, April 2, 2016. 12:15 p.m. CST
By BBN Staff: Belize has a new representative for tourism public relations and marketing in Europe. The Belize Tourism Board awarded the contract to The Brighter Group, one of the biggest independent travel & tourism PR and marketing consultancies in the UK, established in 1995.
The main focus of the initial campaign will centre on the UK, with secondary markets including France and Germany. As Belize grows its presence internationally as a destination, the Brighter Group has been brought on board to leverage the country’s brand and presence in Europe with a fully-rounded Representation, Marketing and PR campaign.
The Board says that The Brighter Group’s main focus will be highlighting Belize’s credentials as a leading sustainable tourism destination, promoting the huge range of attractions, from Mayan Temples, lush rainforest, rare wildlife and stunning beaches to vibrant cities, unique food offerings and dreamy islands.
Diving is also a huge draw for visitors to Belize, who are attracted by the world’s second largest barrier reef, as well as by the Great Blue Hole, which the Discovery Channel recently ranked number one on its list of “The 10 Most Amazing Places on Earth”. As an entirely chain-free destination, authenticity truly is at the heart of Belize’s ethos.
Looking for Internet marketing, social media presence and direct email exposure to a Belizean oriented market of over 500,000 individuals every month? Breaking Belize News is able to offer a marketing package that uses internet, social media and email to reach over 500,000 Belizean-centric potential customers each month.
Email us at firstname.lastname@example.org for more information.


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They announced that they are closing all bars and restaurants. There still will be drive-thru service and carry out allowed.
In addition, public places like movie theaters, gyms and bowling alleys will be closed in Huron. Grocery stores will remain open, however officials want to remind people to use social distancing. Convenience stores, pharmacies, drug stores, and food pantries will also remain open. Officials say they are following recommendations from the CDC and Gov. Noem to limit social gatherings and businesses to no more than 10 people. Officials also told people to limit trips to purchase essential items and to stagger work schedules. All city and county offices in Huron will also be closed to the public.


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Mumbai, October 31: Indian retail banks are struggling in an era when rising consumer expectations have challenged such financial institutions to offer a consistent experience across all segments. This is apparent from the fact that as much as 14 per cent Indian banks’ payments revenue or $9 Billion is expected to be displaced by the growth of digital payments and rising competition from non-banks, as payments become more instant, invisible and free, states a report published by multinational professional services company Accenture.
“With the digital boom, as payments become more instant, invisible and free, banks need to reinvent themselves to grow customer loyalty, revenues and profitability,” says Rishi Arora, MD at Accenture, who leads its financial services practice in India. “To succeed in the post digital era, banks need to redefine innovation strategies around scaling technology and adding value to address the payments challenges,” mentioned Arora.
The report titled Banking Pulse Survey: Two Ways To Win is based on a revenue-risk analysis model that the company has developed, which measures trends on how consumers pay and the projected changes in merchant behaviour, technology and regulation that are expected to shape the sector going further. The research findings were based on a survey of 240 payments executives at banks across 22 countries to determine their plans on how to capitalise on the disruption in payments to grow customer loyalty, revenues and profitability.
“Over the next six years, banks will face further pressure on income from card transactions and fees, with free payments putting 8.4 per cent of payment revenue at risk in India. In addition, competition from non-banks in invisible payments — where payments are completed in a ‘virtual wallet’ on a mobile app or device — will put 3.6 per cent of bank revenues at risk,” highlights the report.


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Speakers after speakers, the coast seems now clear that the creator economy of Nigeria has the potentials to stifle
the dependence of Government at level on oil revenue, a trend that has kept most states in the country in the backdoor of development.
At the ongoing AfricaNXT in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria in one of session hosted by strategic communications and events consultancy, AT3 Resources, and with the theme: “The Creator Economy: What Next After Social Media?” industry experts, tech creators, and digital specialists, revealed how technology can create prosperity highlighting the numerous opportunities for creators to develop alternate sources of income.
Moderating the session, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AT3 Resources, Tosin Adefeko said, “Before the advent of the creator economy, many of today’s creators would have been unemployed; creators for many years just engaged in their passions; now people can unlock their creative potential and give it value. As the country seeks to diversify its economy away from the dependency on oil revenues, we are simply excited to be able to bring this conversation to the frontburner at AfricaNXT 2023”.
Chief Economist, Coronation Merchant Bank, Chinwe Egwin, described the creator economy asan evolving concept that will assist to boost job creation in Nigeria and if properly harnessed will likely compete with the oil industry.
“The creator economy is borderless and creators need to seize the opportunities out there to promote their craft. However, to avail themselves of the opportunities, creators must ensure that they build the right structures required for their business to thrive”, Egwin said.
According to the Creative Director of Frank iTom Creatives, Frank iTom, creators need to explore new tools, carve a niche that sets them apart and remain consistent in their craft.
Similarly, a Tech Creator, Oluwatobi Ayeni, noted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is beginning to contribute significantly to the creator economy by helping creators create, edit and distribute content online.
“The possibilities are endless and looking at what the future holds, there will be an increase in competition and strict regulations, so the best time to start creating is now”, she said.
Highlighting the myriad of opportunities that abound for potential and existing creators across Africa, Oluwasola Obagbemi, Corporate Communications Manager, Anglophone West Africa, Meta, said “The digital space is constantly changing and as such content creators must also evolve.”
She noted that the Metaverse is one platform that creators can explore to create amazing content and it opens doors to several opportunities for creators to learn and collaborate. Also, Meta has created resources that will enable creators to improve and monetise their content online.
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New electric vans have been added to the fleet of DPD Croatia. The new vehicles are eclectic Nissan e-NV200 XL Voltia vans that will do delivery services.
The E-NV200 XL Voltia model is a conversion of the standard Nissan e-NV200 and has been added to Nissan’s official European model range since 2020. Voltia, Europe’s leading e-mobility company, has transformed the base model into an 8 m3 cargo space vehicle. It has a range between 167 and 236 km depending on various factors.
According to the company, the goal is to have more than 20 electric vehicles by the end of 2022 in Croatia.
This is another step by DPD towards making delivery carbon neutral after they added previously electric bicycles to the fleet that provide delivery services in the center of Zagreb.
The vision of DPDgroup, of which the Croatian company is a member, is to deliver packages to more than 225 major European cities across 20 countries by 2025, exclusively with zero or very low emissions vehicles. This means similar developments are being announced in other countries for example recently in Poland as well.
Source and more info: poslovni.hr
Cover picture: dpd.com


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I sent out a press release on October 14th, the day Fortsy Kickstarter launched. We had two Utah news stations, KSL and Good4Utah, follow up and feature us in their morning shows.
Good Things Utah
When 6 Reason’s Forty’s Forts will Inflate Your Kid’s Imagination aired we saw immediate results to our campaign. We had 1,015 visitors to our website (50 percent more than the previous day) and we had a 3.15 percent e-commerce. conversion rate (compared to 2.83 percent from the previous day).
Made 4 Utah
When Made 4 Utah: Fortsy aired we didn’t see as big as a jump in visitors to our website. However, we saw a big difference in conversion that day; going from 2.18 percent to 2.97 percent.
KSL’s “Test It Tuesday” featured three days before the Kickstarter ended. While there wasn’t as big of jumps in visitors and conversions, they helped keep the momentum going in the end.


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Alaska has enough workers to fill the jobs; they don't need us
Published 10:00 pm, Thursday, April 12, 2001
The Alaskan economy may thrive, but that prosperity likely won't draw legions of Washington state workers eager for high-paying oil work as it once did, according to a leading Seattle economist.
In the 1970s, blue-collar workers headed to Alaska's North Slope energy fields, leaving behind a local economy reeling from Boeing job cuts and a recession.
Today though, unemployment rates in Alaska and Washington state are similar. In February, Alaska recorded a seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 5.8 percent, Washington posted a 5.6 percent rate and the national rate hit 4.2 percent, according to state Department of Employment Security economist Roberta Pauer.
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The jobless figures mean Alaska has a good labor supply and local workers won't need to travel north to make money, Pauer said.
"They are going to have sufficient labor to supply their own needs," she said. Seattle workers "are not going to feel forced to go to Alaska in order to find employment." Washington's economy may be softening, Pauer said, but state unemployment still remains relatively low.
Technology workers in the state have been hard hit by the recent downturn, with some 7,900 people laid off this year, according to figures tracked by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. And the number grows when thousands of cutbacks at lumber mills and in the aluminum industry are included.
A fresh view of the state's job picture is due out on Tuesday, when the Washington State Employment Security Department releases its March joblessness report.


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EcoWaste Coalition Makes a Pitch for Healthy “Baon” to Combat Obesity among Children
In a bid to prevent the health consequences of being overweight and obese among children, the EcoWaste Coalition today organized an event showcasing “baon” with good nutritional value that are within ordinary people’s reach and budget.
The “back-to-school” event dubbed as “Healthy Baon, Healthy Bata, Healthy Eswela” was held at the Sto. Cristo Elementary School in Quezon City and featured healthful snacks and drinks prepared by the Edukasyong Pangtahanan at Pangkabuhayan teachers of the said public school.
Among their snack creations were burger patty made of shredded banana heart, grated carrots and chopped malunggay leaves; pancake batter with mashed squash, coconut milk and malunggay water on it; and spring roll with crushed camote and malunggay as fillings.
For healthier beverage options, the teachers concocted “Pinoy” drinks such as the malunggay, kalamansi and tanglad juice, guava juice and talbos ng kamote (camote tops) juice.
“We have staged this event to stir up interest and support for healthy school snacks and drinks as a way of reducing children’s consumption of junk food that are high in fat, sugar and salt, which can lead to overweight and obesity problems at an early age,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition.
“Obese children are likely to stay obese later in life and are likely to suffer from related non-communicable diseases, hence the need to actively promote healthier foods, as well as regular physical activities, among our kids,” she pointed out.
As confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO), “c
Citing data from the 8th National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), the EcoWaste Coalition expressed concern over the rise of overweight and obese Filipinos from 16.6% in 1993 to 31.1% in 2013. The overweight and obesity prevalence was 5% among children aged five to 10 and 8.3% for teenagers aged 10 to 19.
The FNRI cited physical inactivity, changing dietary patterns, child under-nutrition, and poor breastfeeding practices as possible reasons for the steady rise of obesity in the country.
As stated by the FNRI, “creating a healthy food environment starts at home and school as they remain the largest sources of food access for children.”
Towards a healthy food environment, particularly in schools, the EcoWaste Coalition urged school administrators to strengthen their implementation of the Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 8, Series of 2007, which states that “school canteens shall serve as a venue for developing desirable eating habits of pupils/ students.”
The DepEd guidelines also states that “only nutrient-rich foods such as root crops, noodles, rice and corn products in native preparation, fruits and vegetables in season, and fortified food products labeled rich in protein, energy, vitamins and minerals shall be sold in the school canteen. Beverages shall include milk, shakes and juices prepared from fruits and vegetables in season.”
The guidelines also prohibit “the sale of carbonated drinks, sugar-based synthetic or artificially flavored juices, junk foods and any food product that may be detrimental to the child’s health and that do not bear the Sangkap Pinoy seal and/or did not pass BFAD approval.” BFAD is now known as the Food and Drugs Administration.


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Microsoft Surface coming to Singapore on April 5
The Microsoft Surface RT tablet will officially be launched in Singapore on April 5.
Users can experience the 10-inch tablet, which will run on the Windows RT operating system, from 5.30pm at the Funan DigitaLife Mall's Challenger store and the device will officially go on sale at 7pm.
Singapore will be the first country in Southeast Asia to launch the product and both the 32GB and 64GB versions will be available here.
Pricing details have yet to be revealed, but stay tuned for updates.


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0154 GMT October 15, 2019
The measures will be aimed at boosting consumption, tourism and helping low-income earners, and will be submitted to cabinet within two weeks, Apisak Tantivorawong told reporters, Reuters reported.
Thailand's economic growth is expected to slow to about three percent in the first and second quarters of the year, Apisak said, cooling from 3.7 percent in the last quarter of 2018.
Official first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) will be released on May 21.
Thailand's trade-dependent economy has been affected by slowing global demand, while the country is waiting for the next government to be formed after a March 24 general election.


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Apple’s App Store is in many ways the lynch-pin that helps the iPhone maintain its status as the top smartphone on the market. While competitors continue to mimic the iPhone’s UI, one area where companies like Google, RIM, and Palm have struggled is in creating an app store comparable to the massively successful iTunes App Store.
Recently, though, Android has emerged as the most potent threat to the iPhone. With overall sales of Android handsets increasing, some have suggested that Apple’s lead in the mobile app market will wither away as developers begin porting their apps over to the Android Marketplace.
But not so fast there, chief. Even if the number of Android users continues to rise, developers may very well stick with the iPhone platform because it allows them to scale more efficiently across various hardware devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) with minimal cost.
Smule is one such example.
Smule is the development house behind some of the more popular iPhone apps ever made, such as Ocarina and I Am T-Pain. In 2009 alone, Smule’s I Am T-Pain and Leaf Trombone 2 comprised two of the top 10 selling iPhone apps. Ocarina, meanwhile, was arguably the first iPhone app whose name started popping up in the mainstream media due to its popularity, and not app store related controversy. To date, Smule has sold over 4 million apps and over 500,000 songs via in-app purchases.
Put simply, Smule is a big time mobile developer, yet when All Things D caught up with Smule co-founder and CEO Jeff Smith for a video interview, Smith articulated why Smule isn’t planning to port their popular iPhone apps to the growing Android platform.
“Android is not in the plans for Smule,” Smith stated, “We just don’t see an opportunity for us to make money short term with Android.”
“The challenges with Android,” Smith continued, “is that the retail distribution is not clear for us and we don’t see how we can monetize through their current distribution. It’s not one platform, they’ve worked with handset manufacturers, the carriers, and so from a developers standpoint, its expensive to get with Android because we’re gonna have to test across all those platforms and develop across all those platforms. It’s not a clear return on investment for us right now. So we’re gonna wait and see. What’s strategic for us and what’s always been strategic for us this the inception the company is Apple.”
So while Smule will be ignoring Android for now, one platform they’re really excited about is the iPad. Smule CEO Jeff Smith said without hesitation that the “iPad is perhaps the most significant thing that’s happened to [Smule] since the launch of the iPhone.”
Smith went on to say that the iPad will not only redefine home computing, but home entertainment as well, and that Smule sees endless opportunities to leverage many of the iPad’s unique features to create even more compelling, entertaining, and exciting apps.
Tellingly, Smith said that the development cost to port an iPhone app over to Android is significantly higher than it is to port the same app over to the iPad. “Our incremental costs to go to Android is probably about 2x-3x the first time out,” Smith noted, “To build for Android, that’s substantial.”
In contrast, Smith said that porting an iPhone app to the iPad only results in a “2, 3, or 4%” increase in development costs as it’s the same OS wrapped a different form factor, which Smith notes is something they can factor into their code and ultimately have just 1 app for both platforms.
And if you’re one of the few people not familiar with “I Am T-Pain”, check out the video below.


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The partnership aims to include millions of consumers and thousands of merchants to the formal financial sector by 2020
February 1st, 2017 – Atlas Mara (LON: ATMA) and Mastercard have signed three strategic business agreements, which aim to build a stronger digital payment ecosystem with a focus on accelerating financial inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa.
The strategic alliance will pave the way for up to 20 million consumers and 100,000 merchants across Africa to be digitally and financially included in the formal financial sector by 2020. By leveraging the Mastercard worldwide network and other processing assets, including the host of Mastercard secure digital payment platforms, such as HomeSend, Masterpass QR and Mastercard Payment Gateway Services, this partnership will enable Atlas Mara’s operating banks in Africa to build stronger payment ecosystems and expand access to fast and secure remittance, e-Commerce, and mobile payment solutions.
“These Mastercard assets will position Atlas Mara to lead ongoing industry efforts to create cash-lite payments ecosystems, entrench financial independence, promote intra-Africa trade and remittances thus fast tracking attainment of scale as an Africa focused bank,” says Chidi Okpala, Chief Digital Officer at Atlas Mara.
“The digital payment solutions developed by the Mastercard Lab for Financial Inclusion in collaboration with Atlas Mara will help create a highly efficient society and facilitate true inclusive growth in Africa while reducing transaction costs across the continent.”
According to Daniel Monehin, Division President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Mastercard: “Sub-Saharan Africa requires innovative solutions and strong collaborations across sectors to help drive economic growth. Mobile subscriptions in the region is steadily increasing and it is clear that mobile based solutions are relevant to the needs of people on the continent, and will help to develop an Africa that is less dependent on cash.”
“Africa’s remittance market has opened up a number of opportunities for driving financial inclusion due to the lack of legacy issues. According to research by the World Bank, the Sub-Saharan Africa region had an inward remittance flow of over US$34 billion, with outward remittance flows of approximately US$4 billion,” continued Monehin.
Masterpass QR, the Mastercard mobile-driven, Person-to-Merchant (P2M) payment solution, will also be rolled-out as part of the partnership, thus facilitating access to an affordable alternative to traditional point-of-sale (POS) terminals for merchants to accept electronic payments from their customers, benefiting the entire economy.
Added to this ecosystem, merchants and consumers will have access to the Mastercard suite of digital and traditional payment solutions, including prepaid, debit, and credit Mastercard cards, widely accepted at millions of locations worldwide. These payment cards offer EMV chip and pin technology, ensuring that all transactions are safe and secure.
“Our partnership with Mastercard will help to accelerate Atlas Mara’s vision to become a positive disruptive force in Sub-Saharan Africa by leveraging technology to provide innovative and differentiated product offerings that will better meet the diverse needs of people in the markets we currently operate, and as we expand across Africa. After all, Africa’s success, is our success,” concluded Chidi Okpala.
Atlas Mara Limited (LON: ATMA) is a financial services institution listed on the London Stock Exchange. Its vision is to create sub-Saharan Africa’s premier financial services institution through organic and inorganic growth by combining the best of global institutional knowledge with extensive local insights. With a presence in seven sub-Saharan countries, Atlas Mara aims to be a positive disruptive force in the markets in which we operate by leveraging technology to provide innovative and differentiated product offerings, excellent customer service and accelerate financial inclusion in the countries in which the Company operates.
Mastercard , is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone.


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Crowds of liquor stores in Delhi, India, do not seem to be the world’s second-largest corona sufferer. They have proved the truth of the seven-day lockdown after the social distance and no masks in the reckless line of the liquor store.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced a week-long lockdown in Delhi. “There will be a lockdown in Delhi from 10 pm on Monday (April 19) to 5 am on the following Monday,” he said. But during this time, medical and food emergency services will continue.
In Delhi’s Khan Market, in areas like Gole Market, crowds of hundreds of shoppers line up in front of one liquor store after another. Pictures of long lines of buyers breaking the Corona Rules to buy alcohol have gone viral on social media.
“I have been drinking for 35 years,” one woman told reporters. Medication is not required. There will be no benefit in vaccination. The comments made in front of the camera have now gone viral in India.
Click here to watch the video
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has canceled his visit to India. He was scheduled to visit on April 25.
According to Reuters, British Prime Minister Johnson said on Monday that it was “prudent” to cancel his visit to India due to the “increasing number of Covid-19 infections in India”.
Johnson told reporters, “Narendra Modi (Prime Minister of India) and I have basically come to the conclusion that, sadly, I cannot go ahead with this tour.”
The second wave of Corona is now underway in India. The situation is dire. The number of corona cases in the country has exceeded 15 million. India is second only to the United States in terms of transmission. Under such circumstances, the lockdown in Delhi is expected to start from Monday night.
According to World Meter, 1 crore 50 lakh 61 thousand 919 people have been affected by corona in India so far. Of these, 1 lakh 8 thousand 693 people died. A total of 1 crore 29 lakh 53 thousand 721 people have recovered.


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Toyota Is Tackling Potentially Flammable Fabric Issues
Toyota is issuing a temporary halt on sales for six of its models being sold in the U.S. due to issues with the fabric used in the seats equipped with heaters that reportedly doesn’t meet federal requirements regarding flammability. The pause on sales affects 36,000 individual vehicles, ranging from the 2013-2014 model year Avalon to the Avalon Hybrid, the Camry and Camry Hybrid, the Sienna, the Tacoma, and the 2014 Corolla and Tundra, according to Toyota spokesman John Hanson, who spoke to the Detroit News.
To be clear, Toyota has not yet issued a recall for the affected vehicles, nor has the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered Toyota to take action — at least, so far. The company alerted the NHTSA of the non-compliance via a formal report on Wednesday and will be filing a petition asking the government to label the issue “inconsequential,” which would allow the vehicles to be sold without repair and thus avoid a recall, the Detroit News reports.
Notably, the company would not be selling the potentially hazardous products until it found a replacement fabric and the dealers had made the necessary repairs. While recalls are usually spurred by customer complaints or reports of problems, this particular problem was discovered during testing by the South Korean government. Toyota had previously tested the seat as a whole and determined it met the requirements, according to the Detroit News.
Toyota is currently developing a new fabric with which to make the switch, but the NHTSA could take weeks — or maybe months — before issuing a decision on the petition. No fires have been reported as a result just yet, so Toyota’s move to replace the fabric is so far a precautionary measure.
The 36,000 vehicles do not include vehicles that have been sold and models not mentioned previously (the Prius, for example) are exempt from Toyota’s latest product quality issue. It is also only pertinent to cars and trucks manufactured in the United States and those models of which were exported into Canada.
Hanson confirmed to Autoblog that no Lexus models are affected by the issue.


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Apple iPhone 7 release timing may be hindered with Taiwan earthquake
Apple iPhone 7 is anticipated to be released in 2016 as expected by the company. But the recent earthquake in Taiwan may be constraining the production which will possibly delay the release of Apple’s next smartphone flagship.
Digitimes reports that the magnitude of the earthquake hitting the southern Taiwan in the early hours of February 6 as caused greater damage than assessed to TSMC manufacturing machines. TSMC is one of Apple’s Ax processor suppliers which will be used in iPhone 7.
Apple iPhone 7 possible picture
iPhone 7 is said to be launched in September, but nothing is official yet until the company officially releases the iPhone 7, Apple iPhone 7 is said to have the same body shape with the iPhone 6, but it will ditch the camera bump the iPhone 6 has and a better design of the antenna.