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The second report in DSM's Global Insight Series, focusing on sugar reduction, looked at consumer perceptions around sugar in dairy products and revealed a disparity between health and weight concerns and consumers' buying behavior.
The report was generated from the results of an international survey conducted among more than 5,000 adults across five countries.
Although 62 percent of consumers surveyed were concerned about the sugar content in their dairy, they still preferred sugared dairy over sugar-reduced or no-added-sugar varieties.
DSM’s survey shows that 34 percent of consumers and 53 percent of their children have increased their consumption of sugared dairy products during the last three years. Respondents living in China (49 percent adults, 68 percent children) and the U.S. (32 percent adults, 54 percent children) expect consumption to continue to increase.
Although nearly two-thirds of respondents (64 percent) said they care about their sugar intake in general — and 62 percent agree that its content in dairy is a concern — the consumption of sugared dairy products remains robust. However, food manufacturers could grow the sugar-reduced dairy market, which is not only driven by the World Health Organization guidelines on sugar intake but also by consumers. Eighty percent of the respondents agree that dairy foods with low or reduced sugar are better for their health.
The findings support the relevance for new product developments, as products available do not entice consumers to change their buying behavior. The report offers important insights for those working in marketing and innovation of dairy foods to see what is driving consumers regarding sugar-reduced dairy.
With additional enzymes, more of dairy's natural sweetness can be enhanced, creating a preferred sweet taste with less or no added sugar. Although it already offers a collection of lactose-free dairy enzymes, DSM is working on a fermentative sweetener platform to bring flexible, reliable and sustainable Stevia to the food and beverage industry.
The results of the consumer survey will be highlighted during this week's IDF World Dairy Summit in Lithuania.


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Classic Car Articles
Find articles and information about Classic, Exotic, Collector and Antique Cars.
2013 Mercedes SL65 AMG: New York Auto Show
The new Mercedes SL65 AMG features the same monstrous engine as its near-supercar predecessor.
2013 Porsche 918 Spyder Closer To Production
Hybrid super sports car is becoming a reality.
2013 Porsche Boxster: New York Auto Show
Porsche's most affordable sports car, now lighter and more powerful, has arrived on U.S. turf.
2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II: New York Auto Show
Updates to the ultra-premium Phantom line focus largely on bringing new technology to a brand steeped in tradition.
2013 SRT Viper: New York Auto Show
Chrysler released the latest version of its high-performance Viper sports car at this year's New York Auto Show.
2014 COPO Camaro Races On!
Chevrolet keeps on rolling into a third year with their factory-built race car program.
2014 Corvette Stingray Revealed!
Chevrolet revives the Stingray name with a wild new look and 450 horsepower!
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Revealed!
Chevrolet builds a fire breathing 6.2L supercharged 625hp track beast!
2015 Ford Mustang Revealed!
Ford rolls out the all-new 2015 Mustang with an EcoBoost turbo engine and an updated V8.
2015 Ford Mustang Specifications
All the nuts and bolts details for the new 2015 Ford Mustang!

domain: news


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Germans join 'War on Christmas' – pre-Christmas commercialism, that is
Christmas sales and carols started popping up in Germany's stores in September this year. And for Christmas-loving Germans, it's too much.
lt is autumn, children are back in school, the leaves are starting to turn, and something that I have never seen before has happened in Germany. Literally overnight, gingerbread cookies and chocolate Santa Clauses have popped up on supermarket shelves, and Christmas carols have started filling the air – in September.
And now, long before the beginning of Advent, the four-week lead-in to Christmas, Germans are rebelling.
Tired of what they see as the creeping encroachment of American-style commercialism into old Europe, they want the government to step in and say no to selling Christmas items before it is time. At least that’s what most Germans said in an online survey released last week.
According to the survey, done by the polling institute YouGov for the news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 1 in 3 Germans want the government to regulate when stores can start selling Christmas gingerbread cakes and other Christmas goodies. Most of the survey's 1,000 respondents say that that date should be Nov. 30. Half say the early display of Christmas commercialism erodes the meaning of Christmas.
In most of the world, shopping has become a Sunday pastime. Not in Germany. In fact, its Constitution protects Sundays as days of rest.
The country also clearly defines its Christmas season as starting with Advent, a celebration that Germans take seriously – perhaps more so than most of their European neighbors.
On the First Sunday of Advent, families set up an advent wreath and begin carving out time to bake spiced cakes and cookies, including Christbaumgebäcke (Christmas tree pastry), which decorate the tree. On Dec. 6, children leave letters on their windowsills for the Christkind, a figure dressed in white robes and a golden crown who distributes gifts, à la St. Nikolas. Throughout Advent, they make gingerbread houses and other goodies, and families invite each other for coffees on each of the four Sundays.
The march of tradition is reassuring, especially for someone like myself, who grew up in France and never got invited to an Advent coffee nor baked special cookies ahead of Christmas. I never experienced the thrill of waiting for the Christkind to fill my stocking with nuts and mandarin oranges on Dec. 6.
No Sunday shopping
But even as Germans push back against commercialism, it is threatening the traditions of yore. Witness the attempts by cities from Frankfurt to Berlin to turn Advent Sundays into Christmas shopping days.
To be sure, some of Germany's 16 states have successfully begun chipping away at the sacrosanct no-shopping-on-Sunday law, allowing stores to hold a certain number of Verkaufsoffene Sonntage, or "open-sale Sundays," per year. Some cities even allow shopping on one or two Advent Sundays.
But when the German capital moved to allow stores to open on all four Advent Sundays a few years ago, churches, backed by labor unions, fought back, taking their case all the way to the Supreme Court. They won. The highest court, ruling that Sundays had to remain days of rest and "spiritual elevation," overturned the Berlin law in 2009.
Still, "Christmas in September" is poking at Germans' resolve, even as it's clear that most want to keep Christmas at bay – at least, until its special time.


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Social Security benefits are set to rise by 8.7% in 2023, the biggest bump in four decades as stubbornly high inflation erodes the buying power of retired Americans, the Social Security Administration said on Thursday.
The increase, known as a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), is the biggest since 1981, when recipients saw an 11.2% jump. It will increase the average monthly benefit by about $140.
More than 64 million Americans collecting Social Security will receive the bigger payments beginning in January, the administration said.
The higher payments come in response to the hottest inflation in four decades: Prices paid by U.S. consumers surged 8.2% in September from the previous year, the Labor Department reported on Thursday, despite an aggressive campaign by the Federal Reserve to cool inflation. ... Read More: FOX Business


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Described as a “superwatch,” the A-10 was fully funded in just 8 minutes, and parent company Aventi says they’re already working on the next model.
Now let’s see what this “supercar” for your wrist is all about.
Basically, the A-10 comes in two different versions, Titanium and Pure Sapphire, both promising state-of-the-art build quality.
Both models are powered by a tourbillion engine, which the team that designed the watch compared with a V12 unit.
“Made in partnership with PTS Resources Hong Kong,” they say about it. “Like the precious and power of a V12 engine, the Aventi A-10 tourbillion movement holds its own against the world’s most expensive watches.”
The titanium used for the case is “the same high grade as used in supercars,” while the ceramic-based finish is once again inspired by the automotive industry. And there’s more.
“We recreated the experience of sitting in a supercar at night by using the highest grade Swiss Super-LumiNova to illuminate not only the dial but the case too.”
Like some supercars out there, every watch is specifically created for each customer, the parent company guarantees.
And now, the thing that everybody is looking for: the price. The Aventi A-10 Titanium can be yours for $1,999, while the Pure Sapphire is obviously a bit more expensive and costs $4,999.
The first units should ship later this year, as most watch parts have already been sent to Japan for the cerakote application, while the final assembly and quality check are projected to take place next month. If everything goes according to the plan, customers who already ordered the watch should get them in November this year.


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Over at The Register is a look at a completely different conference involving HP's CTO and his companies upcoming projects. The most interesting by far is the news about memristors, the new type of memory which uses changes in local resistance to store data at a much faster pace than current technology, which has become viable as of this year and is expected to hit the market by 2016 with the technology hitting its stride by 2018. He also sees the current software-defined fad as being exactly that, a fad, and that advances in the performance and power usage of technology will quickly eclipse it as a viable solution, also pointing out the incredibly low adoption rate amongst enterprise. Check out the full list of his announcements here.
"Martin Fink, the company's chief technology officer, presented HP's views at an investor conference last week and analyst haus Stifel Nicolaus' Aaron Rakers noted down what he said."
Here is some more Tech News from around the web:
- Lenovo Thinkpad Helix hands-on @ The Inquirer
- Unbricking a BluRay Drive @ Hack a Day
- Graphene drum could make good motion sensor and memory chip @ Nanotechweb
- Paypal Jumps Into Bitcoin With Both Feet @ Slashdot
- Dodgy Norton update borks UNDEAD XP systems @ The Register
- You can already buy a 24ct gold-plated iPhone 6 for £2,400 @ The Inquirer
- Rack-mount 24TB RAID 5 disk array for $5,000. Let's just check the label here. Uh, it's TiVo @ The Register


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Reindeer industry braces for downturn as export orders slump
90% of agriculture in Russia's Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous district is based on reindeer breeding, making it the main source of income for the indigenous Nenets people. But the industry is being hit by the economic crisis.
At a Nenets reindeer breeders community, they pitched their chooms at this pasture just two days ago. But soon they will gather their herd to hit the snowy road again.
Nomadic lifestyle is their nature and it’s something they don’t want to change – Reindeer is the main source of their income. Most of them are privately owned and only 28% belong to agricultural cooperatives. Maksim Khudi, a reindeer breeder, is typical of a hardy people.
“Half of our herd is state owned the rest is private. We breed reindeer and hand them over to sovkhos or to the factory. We receive a salary twice a year, but we don’t spend it – we buy necessary food and save the rest of the money.”
A meat processing plant was built nearby five years ago. At the time, there was no demand for reindeer meat outside the Yamalo-Nents Autonomous district at all. Now the factory has five shops and is receiving orders from other regions.
But sales have dropped 30% in the financial crisis. And expansion into the western as well as Russian markets is hindered by other difficulties according to Evgeny Amaltsev, Director of the Yamal Reindeers Plant.
“We have orders from Germany, Italy, Greece and Latvia. But to provide supplies we can only use helicopters and winter roads. Soon the ice will melt and we won’t be able to work for a month. Logistics is one of our major problems.”
But manufacturers remain confident of the future for their products, with the “Yamal reindeer” brand guaranteeing a unique and high quality product.


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U.S. homebuilders lowered their confidence for sales prospects as lumber prices rise amid the threat of potentially costly tariffs.
The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released June 18 fell two points to 68 in June. That’s down from a reading of 70 in May that snapped a four-month slide in builder confidence.
Any reading above 50 indicates more builders see sales conditions as good rather than poor. The index has remained above 60 since September 2016.
Builders’ view of current sales conditions fell one point, to 75 this month. The outlook for sales over the next six months fell one point to 76. A measure of buyer traffic fell one point to 50.


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Maybe it’s suddenly time for subscription services and big-box discount stores to be pals. After yesterday’s report that Walmart may be in talks with beauty products subscription service Birchbox, today we learned Bark, a pet supplies company best known for its Barkbox subscription service, has mage a deal with Target to put its products in stores.From subscription boxes …
NYS Entity Status
NYS Filing Date
JANUARY 28, 2013
NYS DOS ID#
NYS Entity Type
DOMESTIC BUSINESS CORPORATION
2013 - CLASSY SUPPLIES & SERVICES INC.
AROUND THE WEB
- Target To Partner With Online Dog Supplies Retailer Bark, Carry Items In Stores
By Laura Northrup - Thursday Aug 10, 2017
- New York Today: New York Today: New Subway Clocks
By JONATHAN WOLFE - Monday Aug 7, 2017
Monday: Rolling out new subway clocks, the Corkscrew Theater Festival, and National Lighthouse Day.
- Neighborhoods That Play Hard to Get
By STEFANOS CHEN - Friday Aug 11, 2017
In some New York neighborhoods, the housing stock is great, but turnover is so low, word of mouth is the best search engine.
- Pivoting To A New Supply Chain: 4 Steps Forward
Friday Jun 30, 2017
Targeted promotions, clever branding and innovative social media campaigns are no longer enough to guarantee brand loyalty in CPG. Consumer expectations have been raised by brands that offer anomni-channel experience and anytime-anywhere delivery-and shoppers increasingly demand fast, flexible and personalized service as standard.
- Dollar Stores Go Corporate As Big Chains Put Indie Discounters Out Of Business
By Laura Northrup - Thursday Jul 13, 2017
Across the country, the Dollar Store Wars mean that the national chains Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Dollar Express are fighting it out across the country for customers’ affection and brand loyalty. National chains have taken over just about every other retail category, so will independent dollar stores be able to survive?The New York Times looked into …
- In a Move Away From Tradition, Cremations Increase
By JAMES BARRON - Thursday Aug 10, 2017
Cremation is becoming the choice for more families. Nationally, the cremation rate exceeded 50 percent for the first time last year.


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The company is dedicated to making strong combination, utilizing the advantages of each shareholder .
The second floor is a user co-creation experience area, offering diverse spaces such as an open and adaptable art gallery, a relaxed ZEEKR Lounge, and a quiet and independent reading space. This floor exudes a strong traditional Chinese cultural ambiance, employing a large area of vibrant Chinese red to create visually striking effects. The home decor also highlights an elegant and vintage charm.
As the ZEEKR Center opens its doors, ZEEKR's sales have also achieved a new breakthrough. In June, ZEEKR delivered 10,620 new vehicles, representing a year-on-year increase of nearly 147% and a month-on-month growth of over 22%. This marks the fifth consecutive month of growth in both year-on-year and month-on-month deliveries. In the first half of this year, ZEEKR delivered a total of 42,633 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 124%. Within two years of its brand establishment, ZEEKR has launched three new models and delivered over 120,000 vehicles.
To date, ZEEKR has set up over 300 direct-sales stores in 75 cities nationwide.
Simultaneously, ZEEKR's globalization process is also accelerating. ZEEKR 001 and ZEEKR X have already been available for presale in the European market and are expected to begin deliveries later this year. The first batch of ZEEKR's overseas offline direct-sale stores will also be established in Sweden and the Netherlands within this year. ZEEKR plans to put its products into most of Western European countries through direct sales by 2026.


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By Sanjeevi Jayasuriya
The Information and Communication Technology
Agency (ICTA) with Intel, a soft ware company launched e -Sri
Lanka PC at a ceremony held in Colombo this week.
The objective of this launch was in keeping with
the government’s efforts in creating an awareness and to
increase the rate of the knowledge on Information Technology
The Minister of Science and technology Prof.
Tissa Vithara said that though the country has a high literacy
rate IT literacy level and computer penetration is low.
"We had 20 years of war and we are trying to
emerge from effects from Tsunami. However we need to increase
our competence in English as to receive the benefit of the
latest developments. It is essential to fill the poverty gap and
there should not a digital gap", he said.
The e Sri Lanka PC programme is focused on
digital inclusion aiming to drive awareness and adoption of the
benefits of owing and using PCs. Through the programme, ICTA and
Intel aim to increase the accessibility and use of PCs and the
internet and pave the way for Sri Lanka to become a Knowledge
Built by local resellers for ICTA, the e Sri
Lanka PC is based on Intel technology and will be installed with
educational tools and applications. The programme is expected to
further enhances the economic growth and job creation.


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Game Group, the UK computer games retailer, yesterday said takeover talks with a mystery suitor had ended. Shares slumped by a quarter on the news. Shareholder speculation about a bid flushed out a statement by Game Group on 31 confirming talks.
A Californian judge has thrown out a class action suit brought against Microsoft. A group of public bodies in the state were seeking compensation for being overcharged for Windows software.
Microsoft has promoted Alison Dodd to be director of customer and partner experience.
John Swainson, chief exec of CA, has admitted it will take the company four years to regain customers' trust after clearing up its accounting scandals.
Texas Instruments yesterday posted Q1 FY2005 results in line with the revised forecast it issued last month.
Celtic chairman Brian Quinn has been forced to publicly apologise after leaving an angry voicemail message on the wrong phone during an ongoing row with manager Martin O'Neill. Quinn risked inflaming a dispute with O'Neill over player's wages after leaving his rant on a mobile belonging to 18-year-old Kayley Elkington from the Midlands, instead of a PR minion.
ATI will ship its next-generation AMD and Intel-oriented chipsets before the end of the quarter, according to the latest claims coming out of Taiwan.
BladeLogic has signed up Computacenter to resell and install its data automation software throughout Europe.
Scientists at Michigan State University have succeeded in recreating an isotope of nickel they say is a "missing link" in the process by which precious metals are formed in supernovae.
AMD's dual-core Opteron processors, due to be launched on Thursday, will cost more than their single-core equivalents.
CommentIn the early 90s I attended a Seybold-sponsored debate between Adobe co-founder John Warnock and Yuri Rubinsky, principal of SGML and HTML tools company SoftQuad. Acrobat and its associated Portable Document Format (PDF) had recently been launched and were still little known or understood. The good-natured Rubinsky argued convincingly that structured information - then SGML, now XML - was the way forward, and that Adobe's unstructured PDFs were a dead end.
A new variant of the Sober email worm series is spreading rapidly across the net. Like previous variants, Sober-N spreads as an infected ZIP attachment to messages written in either German or English.
Handheld games console maker Gizmondo is apparently planning to offer a pocket MPEG 4 recorder in a bid to make it easier for owners to get video content onto their gadgets.
Microsoft is readying two stripped-down versions of Windows for thin client computers. The idea is that people will use the new versions to resurrect older PCs, according to reports.
A couple of years ago we reported on the Jamaican mobile phone thief who got herself into a bit of a sticky situation in Negril when "a cellular phone which was stolen from a female shopper was found after it rang from within another shopper's vagina".
It may seem pretty obvious, but scientists have confirmed that happy, smiley people are generally healthier and less at risk from dropping down dead than their miserable counterparts.
Opera Software moved back into the limelight today with the release of the final version of Opera 8 for Windows and Linux, and a beta of 8 for Mac also available. Version 8 is described by Opera as a substantial upgrade, with quite a bit of tidying of the UI and menu structure, voice control, extra security features and improvements to graphics and page sizing.
Amazon.co.uk still lists the UK debut of the Sony PlayStation as 24 June 2005, but that date was called into question today. If High Street retailer Dixons' PSP pre-order service is anything to go by, the eagerly anticipated handheld console will not appear here until August.
The Mozilla Foundation has released updated versions of its popular Firefox (version 1.0.3) and Mozilla (version 1.7.7) web browsers to correct a number of recently discovered security flaws. The updates fix a trio of critical vulnerabilities, two of which have become the subject of proof-of-concept hacker exploits.
Leading academics and researchers have called for the licensing of Ultra Wide Band (UWB) to be given the green light as soon as possible, warning that the UK could miss out on huge economic gains if it continues to drag its feet.
Motorola has knocked its MPx Windows Mobile-based handset on the head, a company spokesman has confirmed.
Britain's Inland Revenue has a remarkable number of powers but until this week no-one suspected they included time-travel.
Many of the world's largest organisations are turning their backs on outsourcing and one in four are actively bringing services back in-house.
More than five and a quarter million songs have been downloaded from legal online music services in the UK so far this year, it emerged this week.
Some companies have a knack for generating headlines, whilst others go about their business with an astonishing lack of noise but with an abundance of quality. Over the years, Fujitsu Siemens has quietly managed to build itself a reputation for constructing excellent Enterprise servers, particularly with the PRIMEPOWER Sparc64 systems and, to a slightly lesser degree, its PRIMERGY X-Architecture machines.
High-school students have a message for their parents: Trust us with technology. Security and privacy? We have it covered.
After dismally failing to deliver the much-anticipated apocalypse provoked by the impact of a giant meteorite/asteroid/comet upon our fragile sphere, scientists have decided to "tone down" the wording of the original ten-step Torino Scale - designed to assign a appropriate threat level to any approaching galactic body of death.
The boss of London's NHS IT programme has been suspended from his job while an investigation into "certain allegations" is carried out.
ReviewI was so disappointed when I first tried Neuros' MPEG 4 Recorder (NMR). I knew this amazingly compact PVR's size came at the cost of a hard drive, dropped in favour of memory cards, but I figured I could easily copy the files to a computer for archiving.
FSP Group is prepping for the EU's upcoming recycling regime, with Green Power. The Taiwanese vendor says the power supply unit is lighter and more energy-efficient than traditional rivals and it is low on hazardous substances.
Webroot, the anti-spyware software firm, has hired a Computer Associates staffer as its first UK channel manager.
Chipmaker ARM Holdings has rustled up a profit for the quarter, thanks in part at least to Apple's iPod.
Cisco Tuesday announced the introduction of a new series of routers, the XR 12000, geared towards helping service providers deliver more secure, reliable and faster services to their customers.
It's official: ChoicePoint, LexisNexis rooted many times
A British judge today ordered five ISPs to name another 33 music file sharers. The individuals concerned had uploaded more than 72,000 music files to the internet, according to a statement by the BPI (British Phonographic Industry), which sought the court order as part of its broader legal offensive against illegal downloading on P2P networks.
EMC secured double-digit revenue growth in its first quarter on the back of strong software sales and well above average hardware shipments.
Intel rumbled to a strong first quarter, posting a surge in revenue on higher than expected mobile processor sales, the company said today.


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Twitter Inc. (NYSE:TWTR)’s ambition to expand its offerings in emerging markets has seen it seal a deal to acquire India-based ZipDial. The startup allows people to make phone calls to special phone numbers before incurring any charge. A deal of between $30 and $40 million had been mooted last week by TechCrunch, but Twitter has not yet confirmed the actual agreed fees.
The acquisition of ZipDial, according to Twitter’s blog post is in line with the company’s ambition of ensuring people in emerging markets are accorded an opportunity of experiencing the true value of the internet through affordable services. The platform combines SMS, voice and mobile web services that are always at hand to ensure the interconnection of both online and offline users on mobile devices.
The marketing platform has continued to gain traction in India through its unique business model of allowing people to access content for free. The agreement does not come as a surprise as Twitter Inc. (NYSE:TWTR) had already partnered ZipDial on a number of campaigns including Bollywood film promotions.
ZipDial has already taken three rounds of funding since inception in 2010 notably from Mumbai Angels, 500 Startups, Jungle Ventures as well as Times Internet. Twitter Inc. (NYSE:TWTR) affirms that it was not only attracted by the startups missed call connection businesses, but other use cases such as according users access to great content including audio programming as well as cricket scores.
ZipDial should be a great addition to Twitter Inc. (NYSE:TWTR) on the marketing front as the startup comes with a tool that allows marketers to measure the success of their advertising campaigns. The giant social network will look to use the tool to build a firm relationship with advertisers sure to be of great benefit in the push for more ad revenue, having failed to monetize advertisers in developed markets.
The acquisition increases Twitter Inc. (NYSE:TWTR)’s investment in emerging markets where it expects to attain future growth having stagnated in developed markets.
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Diversification and the search for new segments and business niches is one of the main factors in the development and growth of the tourism industry, both in Spain and worldwide. Among the areas that are experiencing the highest growth are business, music, health, cinema and LGBT tourism, all of which are widely represented at the International Tourism Fair, FITUR 2020.
As stated recently by the president and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Gloria Guevara, MICE tourism (focusing on the business world and its requirements) is the segment with the largest potential for growth in Spain. Live popular music had one of its best years in 2018, according to the Anuario de la Música en Vivo, a phenomenon that was notably boosted by the success of the large festivals, which attract increasingly more tourists.
Cinema tourism is also experiencing a boom. According to a recent TCI Research study, no less than 80 million international travellers visited locations of movies, series or commercials around the world in 2017, double the number from 5 years ago. Health and wellbeing are moving an increasingly larger number of people in Spain, which in 2018 was in the fifth place in the worldwide ranking, and second in Europe, behind Germany, according to the Global Wellness Institute. Gay tourism is also on the rise, and is the centre of over 10% of tourism around the planet, with a growth that is steadily above the average.


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Retail giant Tesco is to launch its own-brand smartphone this year following the success of its Hudl tablet in 2013. It is also planning to launch an updated Hudl 2 tablet computer, which will be released...
Huawei hardware embedded in BT's 21st Century Network a risk to UK national infrastructure
CEO Satya Nadella hails "incredible year" for Microsoft
Computing celebrates some of the female pioneers who found huge success despite male dominated environments
The government has proposed ways to attract new professionals to security, increase diversity and ensure leadership


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Liquor merchant attracts public ire
An under-fire east Christchurch liquor store owner who lost his previous business in the earthquakes says he would never have opened his new shop had he known the trouble it would cause.
Thirsty Liquor opened its doors in Aranui before Christmas, sparking outrage from many in the community that the store would prey on the vulnerable.
A petition has since been started to prompt public debate on the matter, before the business' temporary licence expires in March.
Store owner Sabu Joseph did not want people to think he was "taking advantage of the community" as he had opened the business to get back on his feet.
He purchased the Pages Rd space after being approached by the previous business owner in December, having lost "a few hundred thousand dollars" when his dairy was badly damaged in the February 2011 quake.
The liquor store was "smashed up" and required "a lot of money" to be spent on repairs and renovations.
Joseph had not been aware of the controversy until a couple days ago.
"I don't want to go against people in the community," he said.
"If I knew there were objections I would not have taken it."
Joseph said he ran a strict business and closely monitored his customers. The father-of-three said he knew it was not the "most positive business", but he needed to "get back up" after the quakes.
"I don't want to do nothing and get help from the Government. I want to do something in the community and give a good lesson to my kids."
Karen Carpenter, who is spearheading the campaign for the store's relocation, has gained more than 600 signatures for the petition, which she planned to take to the Burwood-Pegasus Community Board.
The area already had high rates of alcohol and drug dependency and family violence, she said.
"There's a pub not even 20 metres away, and there's a cashflow machine 10 metres away.
"We're a vulnerable area and we can't let people come in here and put more pressures on us."
There was likely to be a public meeting "to discuss the implications" of the store gaining a permanent licence, Carpenter said.


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|HEMPOLOGY.ORG: THE STUDY OF HEMP
HEMP HEADLINES - SEPTEMBER, 1999
Compiled and edited by John E. Dvorak, Hempologist
USA HEMP UPDATE
Vermont, Hawaii, North Dakota and Minnesota have now passed industrial hemp legislation. Illinois has formed a Task Force to look at hemp's potential, while Virginia, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Maryland, Iowa, Tennessee and Montana are debating whether they should legalize marijuana's "misunderstood cousin." The California Democratic National Party adopted a resolution supporting hemp, the first time in recent history that a major political party has embraced hemp.
Alterna Applied Research Laboratories, maker of hemp hair care products, donated $200,000 to the University of Hawaii to sponsor America's first hemp test plot in over 50 years. Alterna's hemp leaf billboards can be seen around the Boston area.
NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR BLASTS THE DRUG WAR
The conservative Republican governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson, recently answered the drug question honestly by saying that he had used (and even enjoyed!) marijuana and cocaine. Clean and sober for 12 years, Johnson now runs 10 miles a day and competes in triathlons. "Personally, doing drugs is a bad choice. Don't do drugs," said the governor, a self-made millionaire who was re-elected last year. "But I think a majority of people would agree with the following statement: I don't think people should go to jail for smoking marijuana." Governor Johnson calls the war on drugs "a miserable failure" and has enlisted the League of Women Voters to hold town meetings throughout New Mexico to discuss the drug war and its impact on society.
Mr. Johnson said he opened the debate because he considers the drug problem the biggest issue facing America. "Too many people are being imprisoned, too few addicts are receiving treatment, and children are being fed too much anti-drug propaganda masquerading as education," he added. Johnson's honesty contrasts starkly with the hypocritical mumblings of Texas Governor, and presidential candidate, George W. Bush.
BUMPER CROP OF CANADIAN HEMP EXPECTED
This past spring, Health Canada announced that they would grant over 600 licenses to grow industrial hemp in 1999. Acreage is estimated to be over 20,000 acres, a considerable jump in production from 1998. Of particular note is the fact that up to 1,500 acres of certified organic hemp will be grown this year.
FEDERAL JUDGE DISREGARDS PROP 215: SENTENCES PATIENT TO 27 MONTHS
Vietnam veteran B.E. Smith, the first medical marijuana patient and caregiver to face federal criminal prosecution for growing medical marijuana after the passage of the California Compassionate Use Act of 1996, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison. Smith was convicted in May of the manufacture and possession of marijuana. His trial was marked by a decision by U.S. District Court Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. to ban all defenses relating to medical marijuana, caregiving, or Proposition 215. Hollywood hempman Woody Harrelson almost landed in jail for contempt by asking Judge Burrell "I'm just wondering why you're keeping the truth from the jury.... How can you sleep at night?" Check out www.besmith.org for the full story.
HEMP FOODS AND COSMETICS MAY BECOME ILLEGAL!!
If the authors of an unreleased study get their way, the above headline may mark the latest chapter in the saga of Reefer Madness. A risk assessment done for Health Canada concludes that hemp products may not be safe because even small amounts of THC may cause developmental problems. Those most at risk, the study says, are children exposed in the womb or through breast milk, or teenagers whose reproductive systems are developing. However, the study has had no peer review or scientific assessment to confirm its conclusions.
HEMPBROKERS.COM TAKES A BITE OUT OF HEMP PRICES
In March, HEMPTECH, a California based Industrial Hemp Information Network, launched HEMPBROKERS.COM with a mission to expand markets for hemp seed products. Their market research indicated that the high price for hulled hemp seeds (hemp nut) was prohibitive and that lower prices would encourage greater use. HEMPBROKERS.COM set up a refrigerated distribution center in Los Angeles County and stocked a range of hemp seed products including hemp nut, hemp oil, hemp meal and roasted hemp seeds.
2 NEW VIDEOS SHOWCASE HEMP
Who says there's nothing good on TV? Two recently released (and reasonably priced) one hour videos, "Emperor of Hemp" and "Hemp, Hemp, Hooray" allow you to learn about hemp in the comfort of your own home.
In "Emperor of Hemp", you'll see how Jack Herer transformed from a closed minded conservative in the Military Police to a free thinker who helped launch America's hemp revival. It is only being sold online, so go to: www.emperorofhemp.com and order your copy.
Another excellent new video, "Hemp Hemp Hooray!" documents the expanding industrial hemp market. This fast paced, fun, and educational glimpse into the burgeoning industrial hemp market contains interviews with several industry leaders. To order "Hemp Hemp Hooray!" contact LB Johnson at: 831-688-0162 or firstname.lastname@example.org.
HEMP NEWS ON THE NET
You don't have to wait until next year's Boston Phoenix Freedom Rally special to catch up on the latest hemp news. You can get all the news you can handle on the net at: MARIJUANANEWS.COM, MAPINC.ORG, and THEHIA.ORG. Educate yourself and then educate others!!


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Marriott Follows Starbucks In Dropping Plastic Straws
The days of plastic straws are drawing shorter.
Marriott International on Wednesday became the latest big company to announce it will stop using plastic straws, saying it would remove them from its more than 6,500 properties by next July. The giant hotel chain said it will stop offering plastic stirrers, too.
It said the environmentally friendly move could eliminate the use of more than 1 billion plastic straws and about 250 million stirrers per year. Marriott said its hotels will "offer alternative straws upon request."
Earlier this month, Starbucks said it would drop plastic straws from its 28,000 stores worldwide by 2020. McDonald's is phasing out plastic straws at about 1,300 restaurants in the United Kingdom and Ireland. And Alaska Air said in May that it's replacing plastic straws on its flights with "sustainable, marine-friendly alternatives."
As an alternative to plastic straws, Starbucks has said it developed a strawless lid, which some on social media dubbed "an adult sippy cup." And this week, Starbucks and McDonald's said they're working together to develop a recyclable or compostable cup.
The project has a futuristic name — the NextGen Cup Consortium and Challenge. It invites "innovators, entrepreneurs, industry experts, and recyclers to submit their ideas for the next generation of recyclable and/or compostable cups," the companies said.
"McDonald's is committed to using our scale for good to make positive changes that impact our planet and the communities we serve," Marion Gross, senior vice president and chief supply chain officer for McDonald's USA, said in a news release.
Starbucks said it wants other companies to join the project, which is being coordinated with Closed Loop Partners — a group that invests in sustainable consumer goods and advanced recycling technologies.
"A better cup will benefit the entire industry and we invite others to join us as we move these efforts forward," said Colleen Chapman, vice president of global social impact for Starbucks.
Copyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.


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Former BHP Billiton staffer, David Epstein, has been announced as the new Optus director of corporate and regulatory affairs.
He will join the telco on April 23 and take charge of Optus’ “legal, media, government, and regulatory functions”.
Epstein takes over from Maha Krishnapillai, who left in November last year for a role at Australia Post.
He was previously the BHP Billiton group head of public affairs.
Prior to working with the multinational mining company in 2011, Epstein worked for Qantas in a similar role. He has also held senior roles in three Federal Governments, an industry association, and in the private sector.
Epstein also has experience working for the telecommunications sector.
“I’m looking forward to rejoining the telco industry and working with a competitive consumer brand like Optus which places a high value on its external relationships," he said in a statement.
Epstein will be reporting to Optus consumer CEO, Kevin Russell.


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“As a brand born at the beach and deeply connected with nature, Corona has a responsibility to do all it can to be an ally to our environment and our oceans.”
Corona, Mexico's world-famous beer brand, said it has achieved a net-zero plastic footprint. The company, part of the AB InBev Group, certifies that the amount of plastic it produces and releases into the environment through its products and business practices is smaller than the amount the company collects and recycles. The result, attested to by South Pole's compliance with the 3RI Corporate Plastic Stewardship Guidelines, is a record in the beverage industry. South Pole is a company specialized in assessing the environmental impact of clients, by looking at specific emission types throughout the supply chain and the product life cycle. Corona focuses on eco-sustainability as a fundamental building block of the company's vision.
One of the projects Corona is working on for sustainability is called Protect Our Beaches. Their goal is to clean up one hundred beaches and eliminate one million pounds of plastic from their business and beaches by 2025. The initiative is possible thanks to the Mexican company's collaboration with Oceanic Global, a leading ocean conservation nonprofit. This project for environmental sustainability is part of the company’s goal to fully eliminate plastic waste from its business operations.
To mark World Oceans Day, an event that falls on June 8, and thus recently passed, Corona launched an augmented reality app called Plastic Reality, which shows users an estimate of the amount of plastic waste they produce by displaying the waste right inside the room. The user inputs into the app some data about their buying habits and generally about their behaviors related to the environment, and the app shows them directly how much this has an impact on the amount of plastic waste they produce or on their plastic footprint.
Referring to the company’s environmental commitment, Felipe Ambra, global vice president of Corona’s marketing, stated “As a brand born at the beach and deeply connected with nature, Corona has a responsibility to do all it can to be an ally to our environment and our oceans. [...] Becoming the first global beverage brand with a net zero plastic footprint is the latest in Corona's broader ambition to help protect the world's oceans and beaches from plastic pollution. But we can't do it alone. That's why Corona created Plastic Reality, an augmented reality experience that allows people to see their annual plastic footprint in their own home. Seeing your full years' worth of plastic in your living room is truly eye-opening, and hopefully will inspire people to reduce their personal plastic use and their impact on the environment.”
These are not the only initiatives of Corona towards the environmental issue. In March of this year, the brand launched circular packaging for its six-packs, the result of years of research, made from barley and recycled wood fibers. Turning barley straw into paper fiber uses much less water during manufacturing, along with less energy and fewer harsh chemicals.


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Fuji Xerox Philippines ushered in 2021 with 21 new multifunction devices and printers, which are designed to adapt to the new normal with contactless technology, cloud services, and state-of-the-art security to protect users from risks and threats.
With 78 percent of cloud-based workers stating that the most important capability in devices used for work is the ability to fix issues without losing productivity, the new models includes digital conversion for document automation of business process and advancements in user-friendly interface.
Fuji Xerox said the new devices are anchored on four pillars:
- 360° Data Security — The new products encompass measures to ensure protection: from secure scanning to ceasing unauthorized access, as well as audit trails to monitor devices in real-time.
- Carefree Management — In addition to Fuji Xerox’s service teams and remote support, the new ApeosPort series offer Remote Device Health Check providing predictive device management using data obtained from devices to anticipate and mitigate probable faults, to improve overall device effectiveness and lower unplanned downtime.
- End-to-End Automated Workflow — By seamlessly connecting with a host of solutions, the new Fuji Xerox ApeosPort series support business process automation from archiving digitalized documents to simple distribution.
- Borderless Workspace — Fuji Xerox’s mobile solutions and cloud connectivity to be used with the new ApeosPort and DocuPrint series support workstyle changes, providing prints on-the-go while promoting remote working and collaboration.
“For businesses to thrive, workflow efficiency is key,” said Mutsuki Tomono, president and CEO of Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. “The launch of the new models highlights Fuji Xerox’s commitment to constantly challenge ourselves to innovate and address the evolving needs of businesses, especially during the unprecedented pandemic, to support them for the new norm of working.”


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The most anticipated part of summer is finally here — the New York Fashion Week preliminary calendar for Spring 2024 shows — and in it, some interesting sights to keep an eye out for are revealed.
Things are looking different this time around. With shows from Friday, Sept. 8 to Wednesday, Sept. 13, this season is missing a few notable regulars that have either opted to show off-calendar or ditch the city entirely — Marc Jacobs, Thom Browne, Rodarte, and Tom Ford, to name a few — making a huge cut in the official NYFW calendar. But there’s still a bevy of must-see designer presentations that will be too good to miss, including Peter Do’s debut collection as the Helmut Lang creative director, and Ralph Lauren’s long-awaited return to New York.
Like every season, we’re looking forward to newer names in fashion hosting their first-ever solo runway shows and presentations. When it comes to emerging brands debuting in New York, you can expect to see some familiar names on the schedule this season, like rising designers Sami Miró and Grace Ling. There are more buzzy newcomers straight from the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists — Diotima, Kozaburo, and Melitta Baumeister. Labels Sho Konishi and Chan Chit Lo are also must-watch collections, and after graduating from their respective fashion programs in the last few years, they’re finally getting their start in the city.
With the Spring 2024 showcases right around the corner, check out the seven emerging designers debuting at New York Fashion Week this season that you should be paying attention to, below.
Melitta Baumeister is not only a designer, she’s also a self-proclaimed sculptor — and we can see why. The former Parsons MFA student who graduated in 2013 has had her eponymous label for a decade; she first gained visibility after debuting her fall collection with VFiles in 2014, and has since garnered a celebrity fanbase among the likes of Rihanna and Lady Gaga.
Now as a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, the German creator may not be new to the industry, but she is to the official NYFW calendar. On Sept. 13, she plans to release images of her collection digitally, and we can expect to see the upcoming line be true to her beloved, voluminous silhouettes.
“I would love for my customers to include the pieces they get into their lives. I’m loving the idea of wearing the garments for a long time, living with them through different situations, enjoying moments,” the designer told 1 Granary in 2021 about her designs. “Garments can shape you as much as they can impact moments and interactions, they are like a language on their own. For all this to be possible, we always try to design with an aspect of timelessness and elegance in mind. Avoiding temporary trends and short-term satisfaction.”
Chan Chit Lo
Founded by Venus Lo in 2019, Chan Chit Lo is a fashion brand with home bases in both New York and Shanghai. After her studies at Nottingham Trent University and Parsons School of Design, the Hong Kong designer has a knack for all things knitwear. Through her experience working in Hong Kong and New York with major brands such as Alexander Wang and Jason Wu, Lo has mastered her craft of flowy, breezy knitted pieces. For Spring 2024, she’ll be showcasing her conceptual works in person via appointments on Sept. 9.
Diotima, founded by Rachel Scott, is joining the list of buzzy names hosting an IRL show on Sept.11.
Scott first launched her beloved womenswear label in May 2020, and her designs, mainly rooted in crochet, encapsulate all facets of Scott’s life and career. After studying French and art at Colgate University in upstate New York, followed by time spent at Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Scott told The Zoe Report that she’s always thought of launching a brand.
Keeping Jamaican and Caribbean artisans top of mind, her clothing speaks volumes through intentionally laced macramé that has attracted a growing fanbase. If there’s anything she focuses on, it’s avoiding being too nostalgic. “I think it’s really important to work trans-historically. I want to try to look forward,” she told TZR.
An alum of Central Saint Martins and Parsons School of Design, New York-based Singaporean designer Grace Ling is a superstar creator in the making. She worked with top brands Thom Browne and The Row before launching her eponymous label in 2020.
Since then, Ling has curated a collection of subversive styles adorned with metallic motifs that speak to a futuristic lens. Her pieces are also a celebrity favorite, sourced and worn by the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Karlie Kloss, and Emma Chamberlain.
Despite a growing following, the designer explained to TZR that she’s more focused on her craft than popularity. “I don't think I really cared about whether people would want to wear it,” she says. “I just think that as long as the work is authentic, people can appreciate it.” Her runway show is set to debut on the first day of NYFW on Sept. 8.
Born and raised in Tokyo, Kozaburo Akasaka’s fashion ambitions led him to London to study fashion design at Central Saint Martins before heading to New York to gain professional experience with the likes of Thom Browne and joining Parsons’ MFA program.
There’s a reason Akasaka’s work has caught the eye of top fashion houses: his edgy designs are heavily inspired by the Japanese subcultures and street style he was exposed to during his childhood in the ‘90s. Since launching his namesake label in 2015, it’s been a priority to make timeless men’s apparel that still pushes the envelope. His keen attention to detail won him a slot at VFiles’ Spring 2016 runway show, and years later, he’s in New York to release his latest collection on Sept. 12.
Sami Miró Vintage
Sami Miró, founder of Sami Miró Vintage, has been leading the vintage fashion charge for quite some time — but it wasn’t the path she expected to have. The San Francisco native tells the CFDA that she was making strides at a successful tech startup, but Miró relocated to Los Angeles for a new opportunity. Little did she know that through working on a custom patchwork denim bomber jacket for a client, she’d create her own brand just 10 days later.
Soon after launching, Miró’s patchwork and upcycled designs have enlisted a celebrity fanbase of regulars: Selena Gomez, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid are just some of many who regularly sport Miró’s designs. Her rapid growth led to her Paris Fashion Week debut via a collaboration with designer Heron Preston for Spring 2020, and now, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist is set to have her very own NYFW runway debut on Sept. 9.
Sho Konishi, a New York-based fashion and costume creator, has tapped a design philosophy that transcends his work into meaningful reflections of human existence. The Japanese creative attended Parsons, Paris College of Art, and Tokyo Mode Gakuen College of Fashion and Design; his work has been spotted on top stars like Saweetie, Chloe & Halle, and even the performers for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. With his first-ever NYFW show scheduled for Sept. 13, we can expect to see the multifaceted designer stay in touch with his roots.
“I made my own definition of fashion. Fashion is basically creating, collaborating with someone’s life, in order to celebrate that life and then respecting the materials,” Konishi says of his work. “Fashion is not just a movement, fashion is about people’s lives. I don’t need to make just garments. I don’t need to make just clothes, fashion for me is more like performance art.”


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Newsletter – June 16, 2022
OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES
Indian shippers brace for higher rates as GRIs and peak surcharges loom
Indian exporters and freight forwarders should not expect freight rate levels to plateau or slide any time soon, as fresh general rate increases (GRI) are on the way.
MSC will impose a $1,500 per container GRI for Indian shipments to the US and San Juan (Puerto Rico) from 4 July, as well as a peak season surcharge (PSS) of $500 per box on its India-US connections, sending current average rates further northwards as the supply side looks set to tighten in … Read more here (login required).
Los Angeles port: Peak season coming soon, strong imports ahead
Despite surging inflation and waning consumer confidence, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka sees America’s import boom persisting in the months ahead.
“While we’re all cost-minded and we feel it at the pump and at the grocery store, we’re going to continue to buy,” he predicted at a press conference Tuesday, pointing to Americans’ more than $2 trillion in savings and $1.2 trillion in revolving credit. Read more here.
Ever Given insurance claims to top $2bn
French reinsurer SCOR has estimated claims relating to the 2021 grounding of the Ever Given containership in the Suez Canal will top $2bn.
The six-day blocking of the canal in March last year was shipping’s most high profile accident this century. Read more here.
Antwerp braces for further strike action on Monday
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, one of Europe’s largest ports, is braced for another strike, coming at a time where the Belgian facility is suffering from unseasonably high congestion.
A national strike has been scheduled for Monday by many trade unions demanding better pay, better social dialogue and investment in the public sector. Read more here.
GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES
CN employees threaten to strike starting Saturday
Some 750 Canadian National Railway (CN) employees are threatening to walk off the job beginning on Saturday.
The company announced Wednesday evening that it received a 72-hour strike notice from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), which represents about 750 employees in Canada. Read more here.
Korean truckers end strike – but supply chains remain seriously disrupted
Following an eight-day strike, South Korean truckers went back to work today after hammering out an agreement with the government just before midnight.
The source of the discontent was the Safe Trucking Freight Rates System, which is due to expire in December, but citing rising fuel costs, the truck drivers wanted it to be extended. Read more here.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES
New federal bill would compel key industries to bolster cyber security — or pay a price
The federal government has tabled a bill that would allow it to compel companies in the finance, telecommunications, energy and transportation sectors to either shore up their cyber systems against attacks or face expensive penalties.
If passed, the Act Respecting Cyber Security would give the federal government more control over how private companies in critical industries respond to potential attacks. Read more here.
Order lead times plummet as inventories grow and demand uncertainty soars
Order lead times — the time between order placement and expected ship date for containerized imports — have dropped 23% since late April as supply chain managers are forced to change their strategy in an economic environment that is once again in a transitional state.
Last week, Target reported that it had essentially too much inventory on hand and needed to “right-size” its stock. This was an inevitability for many retailers who are struggling to accurately predict what the consumer will do in the post-pandemic environment. Read more here.


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Dynamics ePlate launches nationally
Consumers are finally able to get their hands on the latest high-tech payment card developed by Cheswick-based Dynamics Inc.
The company launched the card, called Dynamics ePlate, Tuesday evening at an event in Las Vegas. Consumers can sign up for the Visa branded card at the company’s website. The card, which carries a $99 annual fee, is issued by Missouri-based UMB Financial Corp.
Dynamics first announced the ePlate and early partners in the product back in April when the company presented at DEMO conference in California. Last summer, the company moved its headquarters to Cheswick, purchasing a 115,000-square-foot building.
Malia Spencer covers energy and technology. Contact her at firstname.lastname@example.org or 412-208-3829. You can also follow her on Twitter.
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The die-cast car from Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s final race as a full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver was the best-selling paint scheme for Lionel Racing in 2017.
Lionel Racing released its top 10 list Thursday. Earnhardt paint schemes take up five of the 10 spots. The Axalta/Last Ride car at Homestead-Miami Speedway consisted of a design Earnhardt drove early in his career.
Not only was it this year’s top seller, Lionel Racing says the car is now the best-selling die-cast in the company’s history.
“The demand for this car has been simply astounding,” said Lionel Racing president Howard Hitchcock. “The fan response to this die-cast is a true measure of how much Earnhardt has meant to both casual NASCAR fans and serious die-cast collectors.”
MORE: Dale Jr. die-cast deals
The 2017 top 10 best-selling cars:
1.Dale Earnhardt Jr. Axalta/Last Ride Chevrolet SS
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Nationwide Darlington Chevrolet SS
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Nationwide Chevrolet SS
4. Chase Elliott NAPA Chevrolet SS | SHOP: Elliott’s new number
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Axalta/Ducks Unlimited Chevrolet SS
6. Ryan Blaney Motorcraft/Pocono win Ford Fusion | SHOP: New look for Blaney
7. Kyle Busch M&M’s Caramel/Bristol Win Toyota Camry
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Axalta Chevrolet SS
9. Chase Elliott Hooters Chevrolet SS
10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Mountain Dew/Talladega raced version Chevrolet SS


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Korean Auto Makers to Benefit From Canada FTA
kpopluv, Sept. 23, 2014, 7:29 a.m.
Korean automakers stand to be the key beneficiaries of the free trade agreement between Korea and Canada signed on Monday. The two sides agreed to abolish tariffs on 99 percent of their traded goods within the next 10 years, which includes Canada's 6.1-percent tariff on Korean cars, which is to go within two years.
Cars were Korea's No. 1 export to Canada last year, accounting for 43 percent of total shipments. A Hyundai spokesman said, "When tariffs are abolished, Korean carmakers will gain a bigger share of the Canadian market thanks to greater cost competitiveness."
The average Korean car exported to Canada costs US$16,800, and that should drop by around $1,025 once tariffs are abolished. Tariffs on car parts and tires will also be abolished within three to five years.
Park Cheon-il at the Korea International Trade Association said, "We also expect Korean home appliances like washing machines and refrigerators to get more competitive against Chinese and Japanese products."
The eight-percent tariff on Korean washing machines will be scrapped immediately after the FTA goes into effect, while the eight-percent tariff on refrigerators will be scrapped within three years.
But rising imports of Canadian agricultural products are expected to impact Korean farmers. Korea imported 43,398 tons of Canadian pork last year, second only after U.S. beef, and will start importing Canadian beef in 2030. The government will allocate W2.1 trillion (US$1=W1,043) over the next 10 years to help farmers cope.


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The Salesforce Winter 21 Release Notes are finally here! You can find the release notes here where you can spend hours pouring over them to find out your favourite additions and new features.
There is a lot to unpack this release including:
I know lots of people have already been sharing their favourite features on Twitter, what are you most looking forward to?
In Other News…
LinkedIn Salesforce Architects
A new Audience on LinkedIn for Salesforce Architects – head over now to make sure you see this great content.
The world’s first Salesforce Einstein Analytics focussed virtual conference is now open for registration! We caught up with one of the organisers, Einstein Analytics Senior Solution Architect Rikke Hovgaard to get a quick view of the event:
“Tickets for DataDreamin September 19th, 2020 is now live! DataDreamin is a new virtual conference organized by the DataTribe for the Einstein Analytics and data interested. There will be a good mix of different data and analytics topics for all skill levels to learn from and be inspired by. Check out the details and register on their website http://www.datadreamin.com”
I’ve already signed up as have a few of the Galacticos team, make sure you do too!


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Is this the price we pay for sending jobs and entire industries overseas?
In the first quarter of this year, business slashed investment by the steepest amount since the Great Recession, according to MarketWatch.
“Gross domestic product, the sum of a nation’s economy, slowed to a 0.5% annual growth rate in the first three months of 2016, the government said Thursday. The U.S. had grown 1.4%, 2% and 3.9% in the prior three quarters.”
MarketWatch said manufacturers faced a tougher global sales environment on exports, energy companies are affected by the cheaper oil prices, and many companies cut spending and investments on new equipment. Companies are slowing down on production to get inventories back in line… partly impacted by the fact that many consumers are making an effort to increase their savings instead of splurging.
The only boost in spending by consumers was on utilities and healthcare. Big-ticket purchases, such as new cars, TV’s and appliances, fell by 1.6%.
It is doubtful that business investment will grow much in 2016, due to a “tepid global economic scene and a tumultuous U.S. presidential election,” according to the report.
To see more stories like this, sign up below for Dennis Michael Lynch’s email newsletter.
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THE OBAMA ECONOMY IS FALLING LIKE APPLE’S STOCK


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Pro Cycling Manager 2015 Launch Trailer
Pro Cycling Manager 2015 on PC and Tour de France 2015 is available today on PS4, PS3 and Xbox ONE.
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Retailers are turning to generative AI to power search engines and chatbots in a push to make digital experience more helpful and convenient.
As generative AI lays the foundations for the next generation of web experiences, retailers are developing use cases with customers in mind. Companies are rolling out the technology in ways that can improve existing journeys, rather than create entirely new ones.
Walmart, one of retail’s leaders in this area, announced generative AI-powered search tools designed to enhance its app in the days before the National Retail Federation’s Big Show conference, held Jan. 14-15 in New York City. The retailer discussed its plans in greater detail during the event.
“On average, customers spend six hours per week searching for items, tapping on pages, deciding whether this is what they want or not, going back and searching, and ultimately adding something to their cart,” said Anshu Bhardwaj, SVP and COO at Walmart Global Technology and Walmart Commerce Technologies, in an interview with CX Dive at NRF. “I think we can reduce that manyfold.”
Imagine planning a unicorn-themed party with Walmart’s GenAI search feature, Bhardwaj said. Previously, shoppers needed to search for unicorn paper plates, favors and a cake individually.
Now, querying “unicorn birthday party” will return a curated list with all those and any other relevant products, she said.
While generative AI can somewhat replicate the experience of connecting with an associate online, that isn’t necessarily the goal, according to Bhardwaj.
“To me, that's not the use case that a customer is coming online for as the default,” she said. “The customer online is looking to make sure that they have the right set of items, and then if they’re not sure, have somebody else validate them.”
AI-led experiences will still put people first
Companies’ understanding of how their customers prefer to interact will shape how they implement generative AI solutions. Some efforts will focus on personalization, while others will automate customer service.
Canadian Tire is using generative AI to assist the browsing experience through a chatbot shopping assistant that will be released sometime in the coming months, and convenience will be top of mind, according to Cari Covent, head of AI and emerging technology at Canadian Tire.
“The value that we expect to create is really by giving our customers an opportunity to interact with us in a very different way and get the information that they're looking for much quicker,” Covent said during a Sunday panel discussion at NRF.
While generative AI has opened new avenues to improve the customer experience, it remains essential to keep humans at the center of any new developments, according to Covent.
Any new benefits should still focus on retail’s traditional stakeholders: customers and associates.
“We take a human-centered approach to how we solve our problems,” Covent said. “We believe that AI is the opportunity, whether it's generative AI or traditional AI, to solve these problems in a different way.”
Some retailers are taking implementation slow
Not all retailers are rushing into generative AI. Target confirmed in December that it is exploring the possibilities generative AI offers, but the company is not rushing to be at the forefront of implementation, according to Melissa Ludack, VP of data science at Target.
"The way that we think about it is really kind of on a spectrum,” Ludack said during a Sunday session at the conference. “If you think about it from a strategy standpoint, we can be a visionary leader in front, we can be a fast follower on the flip side, or we can wait somewhere in the middle."
Target has chosen to wait in the middle as what Ludack called a “strategic planner.” The retailer aims to ensure any generative AI implementation keeps its business objectives in mind while being grounded in humanity.
This approach will also help the company better understand the business impact of any steps it might take, according to Ludack. It will also enable generative AI to fit in alongside the existing AI already powering Target’s customer experience, such as its last-mile efforts.
"We will, as part of our strategy, continue to refine [older AI models],” Ludack said. “We will continue to build new ones where it's the right technique for solving the problem that's in front of us. Generative AI is another tool that we have in our AI toolkit for how we want to solve our problems.”


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iOS 11.3 Update Crippled Microphones On Some iPhone 7 Units According To Leaked Apple Doc
An internal Apple document appears to confirm another issue that has popped up with iOS 11.3 and pertains to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus smartphones. On those devices, the update has created a microphone issue on what Apple says is a limited number of devices. Affected users may see a grayed-out speaker button during phone calls. The issue can also prevent some users of affected devices from being heard during phone calls and FaceTime video chats.
An internal document cited by
If the smartphone is affected by the issue, the diagnostic tools will show "device could not detect dock" or "accessory not supported". If either of those messages
When Apple first started to talk up the iOS 11.3 update there was a lot in it that folks were excited about. This is the update that was to bring with it better battery health information so that iPhone users could tell if their device was being throttled. That was a good thing, but when the update landed it was quickly discovered that it was also bricking iPhone 8 devices that had third-party screen repairs by disabling touch functionality. Apple later promised that it would roll back that change with iOS 11.3.1.


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The all new Toyota supra 2018 is coming out with the new shape in 2018. It will come with both A coupe and convertible. Toyota Supra 2018 will be a product of a Toyota-BMW partnership. Both of the companies are famous for their robust body manufacturing and powerful engine. So the Toyota supra 2018 will be one of the compelling projects.
Talking about the engine, we are going to have V-6 and V-8 engines. We are expecting a BMW turbo power, of both the four and six cylinder variety.
The upcoming Toyota supra will have a competition with Audi TT, Nissan 370z, Mercedes- Benz SLK.
The speed of Toyota Supra is expected to be pretty impressive. The est. top speed upcoming Toyota supra is 186 mph (miles per hour). Which accelerates 0mph to 60mph in 5.5 secs.
Toyota supra will be priced from £40,000 to £50000 (expected). And Toyota may reveal the completed model at 2017 Tokyo motor show.


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The Nashville Sounds have had some changes in the last few years—new stadium at First Tennessee Park, a new affiliation with the Texas Rangers and now a whole new look.
The Sounds unveiled its new logo Thursday night with an event at First Tennessee Park.
“We’ve been keeping it a secret for over a year now, so it’s been a long work-in-progress but we couldn’t be more excited about it,” Sounds General Manager Adam Nuse told News 2.
Nuse said the reaction they have received so far has been positive.
“We’ve had a lot of great reaction, the word NASH across the board really showcases our city and is something that everybody is really proud of,” added Nuse.
The new merchandise is on sale in the pro shop at First Tennessee Park.


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Several potential free trade agreements have been discussed or negotiated in the past between Australia and India.
This time, the federal government claims that the “ground-breaking” agreement will save Australian exporters around $2 billion in tariffs per year.
The trade agreement between India and Australia was signed on April 2, but it was not until November 29 that the two countries completed all necessary formalities and ratified the agreement through their respective legislatures. The documents were then exchanged, marking the official implementation of the agreement.
Australia and India have signed a free trade agreement that aims to eliminate tariffs on 85 per cent of Australian goods exported to India. The items include Australian lamb, wool, cotton, oats, critical minerals, and cosmetics.
Tariffs on a further five per cent of goods will be tapered down to zero over the next six years.
The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) is an organization that promotes and supports the export of goods and services from India. The organization’s vice-president, Khalid Khan, has stated that the Australia-India Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect on December 29th, will provide significant opportunities for Indian exporters.
Under the terms of the agreement, Australia has been offering zero-duty access to India for almost 96.4 per cent of exports (by value) from the start of the agreement.
This covers many products that previously attracted customs duties of 4-5 per cent in Australia. In the 2021-2022 fiscal year, India’s goods exports to Australia were valued at $8.3 billion, while imports from Australia were valued at $16.75 billion.
The India-Australia FTA is intended to provide new opportunities for businesses in both countries by reducing barriers to trade and increasing economic cooperation. It is also expected to lead to increased competition and potentially lower consumer prices.
In general, free trade agreements are intended to reduce barriers to trade and increase economic cooperation between countries.
This can be achieved through various means, including eliminating or reducing tariffs (taxes on imported goods), removing non-tariff barriers (such as quotas or other trade restrictions), and improving the business environment for companies operating in the countries involved.
For businesses, a free trade agreement with India could potentially provide new opportunities for export and expansion into the Indian market. It could also make it easier for businesses to source goods and materials from India, potentially reducing costs and increasing competitiveness.
A welcome move
The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) is the peak body representing independent skills training and higher education providers.
ITECA looks forward to the opportunities that the IA-ECTA presents for its members in the skills training and higher education sectors.
“There are strong economic and societal benefits for Australia through improved access to the adult Indian education sector, and ITECA members look forward to developing the collaborative relationships in India to bring these to fruition,” said Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive.
Data in the 2022 ITECA State Of The Sector Report highlights the importance of the Indian education market to the Australian independent tertiary education sector.
India is currently the largest source of enrolments for independent skills training providers, with 70,616 student enrolments (99.2% of total Indian skills training student enrolments), according to data in the 2022 ITECA State Of The Sector Report.
Similarly, for independent higher education providers, India is currently the largest single source of enrolments, with 18,121 student enrolments (32.0% of total Indian higher education student enrolments) according to data in the 2022 ITECA State Of The Sector Report.
“ITECA looks forward to working with both the Australian and Indian Governments to ensure that the benefits of IA-ECTA deliver the outcomes for both Indian students and Australian independent tertiary education providers,” Mr Williams said
Reflecting on IA-ECTA, Mr Williams said it was one of many important initiatives to help Australia’s international education sector recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Some providers continue to do it tough, and student visa processing issues continue. We’re hopeful that IA-ECTA will help in the rebuilding phase and leverage Australia’s world-class education system, our liveable cities, multicultural society and student protection mechanisms,” Mr Williams said.


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Australia’s leather industry is at an all-time low as consumers opt for vegan alternatives.
Denis King, executive officer of the Australian Hide Skin and Leather Exporters Association, told ABC Australia: “The leather industry is in one of the worst depressions it’s been in in living memory. Talking with people who have been in the industry for 40 or 50 years, they’ve never seen the industry in as bad a shape as it is.”
The nation exports animal skins to other countries, where the tanning process is carried out. Skins are then shipped back to Australia to be made into goods such as shoes, bags, and jackets. According to King, the cost of prepping and shipping untanned hides outweighs the sale price.
King also points the blame at new materials for vegan shoes and clothing as well as the high price of wool. He explained that sheep are arriving already shorn while in the past, there would be at least an inch of wool “that would have gone into the sheepskin side of things for warm jackets.”
What’s Wrong With Leather?
Many have opted to ditch leather due to ethical conflict with killing an animal for clothing. But, the industry also has a negative impact on the environment beyond carbon emissions from cattle. Animal skins are treated with chemicals in order to prevent rot.
Leftover substances are dumped, typically in regions of the world with few environmental regulations like India, China, and Bangladesh, per Gizmodo. Hides may be treated with chemicals a second time as well as pesticides to prevent mold growth during transportation. Seventy percent of untreated hide is discarded. Chromium, one of the chemicals used to treat leather, often makes its way into water and is a huge health hazard to leather industry workers.
New Innovations in Synthetic Leather
The vegan leather market is set to reach $85 billion by 2025, according to marking consultancy Grand View Research. Fossil fuel-derived PU leather may still be the king of faux, but the tide is turning. Jocelyn Thornton, senior vice president of creative services at the retail and fashion advisory firm Doneger Group, told Bloomberg that consumers want options that “are better for the environment, better for the future.”
More sustainable vegan leathers have come to the forefront in recent years. British designer Stella McCartney makes vegan leather from recycled polyester. Piñatex is made from pineapple leaf fibers leftover from the fruit industry, saving 1.3 million tonnes of waste each year. Its sustainable faux leather has been used by HUGO BOSS, H&M, and Po-Zu. Other brands making use of waste include Apeel, which uses apple peels; Malai, which uses coconut water; and corn leather — French brand Veja launched a sneaker featuring a faux leather made from 50 percent corn industry waste.


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Namibia’s prolonged financial crisis has eaten away at yet another popular hangout spot Sumi which is now up for sale as its owners who relocated cannot afford to run it from a distance.
Sumi the Japanese restaurant which is situated opposite the City of Windhoek, walking distance from the Hilton and Avani hotels in the heart of the capital, has been put up for sale this week.
Martin Bosman, one of the owners told unwrap.online that it became extremely difficult running such a fast pace restaurant from far.
“We relocated out of Windhoek and the last ten months was just really difficult. In the process, we were losing a lot of money. We have also been hit hard by the recession,” he said.
Many Namibians will be sad to see Sumi closed as it has become a darling of hangouts for socialites in the last three years of its existence. It has hosted a number of corporate launches and events as well as just catered for the thirsty young professionals. These events included the uber-popular Windhoek Fashion Week, a number of meets and greets for international entertainers.


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From 10 – 12 September the Long Live Summer Festival took place in Luxembourg City. This festival was an in- and outdoors event and the programm was offering many “sustainable options” to choose from, for example a big plant fair, vintage clothing, organic products and a vegan brunch to name just a few of the attractions.
Project Partner Differdange presented FUSILLI and visitors were showing great interest in the project and asked when the first workshops would take place. It was a great opportunity to interact with citizens and other stakeholders from the food sector about the project and the upcoming living lab!
Picture: FUSILLI information stand at Long Live Summer Festival in Luxembourg. Credits: City of Differdange


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Could this Mediterranean takeout brand named for an Arabic Israeli TV show be the restaurant of the future?
July 24, 2020
(JTA) - As a child in Israel, Amir Nathan dined at Sami VeSusu, an innovative restaurant in Beersheba named after a popular children's television show from the 1960s and '70s.
So when it came time for Nathan, now a restaurateur in New York City, to name his latest venture, he replicated the name - and an atypical approach to serving food.
Sami and Susu opened two weeks ago as a takeout and delivery service operating out of a Brooklyn bar. Nathan and his executive chef and business partner, Jordan Anderson, sling Jewish-influenced Mediterranean food in a model designed to keep locals well-f...


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On October 16 and 17, the fifth edition of the ftalks Food Summit will be held in Valencia, an initiative of KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub that brings together the main experts in the sector to talk about innovation and the most disruptive trends in food, as well as about the main challenges facing the sector and the different proposals, for the present and for the future.
Iñigo Charola, CEO of BioTech Foods, will participate in a panel about new proteins, in which different issues around cultivated meat will be addressed: scale, regulation and consumer acceptance.
It will take place on the 17th from 4:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
You can get tickets to attend the event HERE.
You can also follow it in streaming.


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Changes coming soon to Google Play’s Terms of Service could leave some app developers with a little less money in their pockets. Well, the ones who weren’t already paying Value-Added Tax for apps sold in the European Union.
Starting January 1st, Google will make things “easier” on developers by automatically deducting VAT (which can be as much as 25%) for any and all applications sold to the EU. Previously left up to app developers to pay on their own, this is, in addition to the 30% “transaction fee” Google already takes for purchases in the Google Play Store. The changes will be reflected in the Google Play Developer Console, with Google recommending developers head there to adjust pricing accordingly.
This post was more of a PSA than anything, so developers aren’t blindsided when they see smaller revenues from apps sold to their European customers. It’s just part of doing business internationally, we suppose.


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In the wake of what French officials called a “catastrophic” spring tourist season resulting from coronavirus lockdowns, the country’s travel industry has rebounded this summer thanks to a smaller-than-expected drop in tourist numbers.
According to a new report from Tourism DNA, the national federation that represents tourism offices and government agencies in France, only 53% of French people traveled for vacations in July and August, up from 71% in 2019. But 94% of those who traveled made their trips in France, which a boost to the travel industry.
As a result, some jurisdictions report that their overall visitor count was higher than in 2019. Indeed, in some cases, the number of visitors for July and August has increased by 10% or more.
These figures are preliminary and come from a mix of DNA surveys of its members as well as mobile phone data. The regions studied included Aix Marseille Provence, Ardèche, the Drôme Valley, Charente-Maritime, the coastal areas around Hérault, the mountain areas of Isère and the coastal areas of Var. More definitive figures will probably arrive in several weeks when the French statistical agency, Insee, publishes its seasonal report.
Still, this snapshot offered a glimpse of how that country’s essential tourism industry had adapted to the pandemic.
This summer season was generally marked by an absence of international tourists. Although the report noted that in July, the country saw a surge of visitors from Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland. But there has been a sharp drop in visitors from Italy, Spain, Germany and the UK. The latter was particularly disturbed by the British government to impose a 14-day quarantine on people returning from France.
The study found that French tourists are increasingly choosing vacation rentals that offer greater privacy and appear safer in terms of sanitation. Hotels and campgrounds with shared facilities were less popular.
As many had predicted, activities such as biking, hiking, and other outdoor pursuits surged. Indeed, parts of Normandy and the Southern Alps have said the season may have been one of the strongest ever. The cycle routes of the Loire Valley, famous for its many castles, saw an increase in the number of cyclists by 34% in July compared to the previous year, and by 9% during the first 15 days of August.
While 30% of French tourists stayed in the countryside, urban areas saw larger declines. In addition, if 37% of French tourists have chosen coastal areas, these same regions still suffer from the lack of international visitors.
Other trends uncovered by the study:
- More travelers visiting nearby destinations.
- No more “ultra-last minute” bookings.
- Shorter overall stays.
The results would indicate that a national campaign to get French citizens to explore their own country to support the struggling tourist economy has had some success. In addition to advertising local destinations, many regions offered various packages and discounts to attract visitors.
Despite these somewhat positive indicators, the industry remains worried for the weeks to come. Even with the reopening of schools, weekends in September are traditionally popular times for tourists. And at the end of October, schools have a two-week vacation which also remains an economically important tourist period.
But with the resurgence of coronavirus cases in France and the re-imposition of new health measures such as the compulsory wearing of masks, tourism officials fear that the French will decide to stay at home rather than expose themselves to the risk.


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Thieves broke into a beer shop store in the Hatkesh area of Kashimira and decamped with cash and cartons of beer amounting to more than Rs 1.1 lakh on Sunday night.
According to police, the incident was reported from Singh Beer Shop located in the Gaurav Excellency Building. The theft came to light when the nephew of the owner - Ajay Dayashankar Singh (50) - spotted the shutter of the shop open on Monday morning.
The unidentified thieves who had gained access by bending open the shutter of the shop, decamped with Rs 94,000 kept in the cash counter, silver coins and five cartons of beer.
The total value of the stolen is pegged at Rs 1,10,704.
Based on the complaint registered by Singh, the police have registered an offence under sections 454, 457 and 380 of the IPC against the unidentified thieves.
Footage captured by CCTV cameras installed in and around the crime scene and possible getaway routes were being checked for clues. The state government has allowed home delivery of liquor barring containment zones.


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Etihad to start daily Perth flights
Etihad Airways has said it will commence daily flights to Perth, Western Australia on 15 July 2014 with A330-200 aircraft and aims to tap outbound freight opportunities.
January 20, 2014
Etihad Airways has said it will commence daily flights to Perth, Western Australia on 15 July 2014 with A330-200 aircraft and aims to tap outbound freight opportunities. The non-stop service between the airline’s hub and its fourth Australian gateway bring to 351 the number of weekly flights which Etihad Airways operates between Australia and Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Airways’ president and chief executive James Hogan said the new flights would be the first non-stop services between Western Australia and Abu Dhabi. “The new services will build the first ever commercial air bridge between Perth and Abu Dhabi and will cater to the growing demand for travel between these two points and beyond to Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Hogan highlighted the importance of the airline’s partnership with Virgin Australia to the success of the route and also identified a significant new opportunity for revenue growth from the business travel segment and from freight.
“Eighty of the top 300 Australian companies have their headquarters in Perth and many of these have commercial interests in Africa and the Middle East. Equally, many UAE businesses have a strong presence in Australia, particularly in the agribusiness, resources and tourism sectors. We anticipate that this will translate to strong demand for our new services.


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Bitcoin Records Biggest Fall In Three Months
Gatekeepers News reports that the cryptocurrency market has fallen as the price of Bitcoin dived to $34,000 (£24,030) for the first time in three months after China imposed fresh curbs.
The fall which was recorded on Wednesday followed China’s regulation on the use of digital currencies.
On Tuesday, Beijing banned banks and payment firms from providing services related to crypto-currency transactions and also warned investors against speculative crypto trading.
Gatekeepers News reports that this development has therefore sent Bitcoin down at $38,193 losing 11% on Wednesday, bringing it down by more than 30% in a week.
Similarly, other digital currencies such as Ether, which acts as the fuel for the Ethereum blockchain network lost 22% while Dogecoin lost 24%.
Gatekeepers News traced the threats to Bitcoin to the series of tweets from the Chief Executive Officer of Tesla, Elon Musk.
Musk had announced that Tesla will no longer accept Bitcoin as a form of transaction.
However, Tesla shares have also fallen by more than 3% on Wall Street, possibly because of the electric carmaker’s exposure to Bitcoin.
The recent sell-off has, therefore, sent market capitalisation of all cryptocurrencies to $1.7 trillion, compared to the $2.5 trillion it recorded earlier this month.


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Google has launched a new project to get web citizens thinking about and protecting the open internet.
The push comes ahead of a meeting of the International Telecommunication Union on December 3, where Google reckons "some governments want to use this meeting… to increase censorship and regulate the internet".
The web giant's Take Action microsite explains. "A free and open world depends on a free and open Internet.
"Governments alone, working behind closed doors, should not direct its future. The billions of people around the globe who use the Internet should have a voice."
Regulate the net
Google has long championed the open internet, free of too much legal regulation as well as speaking out against "walled gardens" championed by the likes of Apple.
Back in April, Google co-founder Sergey Brin explained that the open web is the reason Google became the gigantic web behemoth that it is today.
"The kind of environment that we developed Google in, the reason that we were able to develop a search engine, is the web was so open. Once you get too many rules, that will stifle innovation," he said.
The microsite serves more to educate the average web user than do anything else, but you can add a pledge of support that might one day become useful in some way, who knows.
You'll be joining other stalwarts of the open web like web-father Sir Tim Berners-Lee, UK prime minister David Cameron and the Internet Association comprised of Facebook, Amazon, eBay and more major web companies.


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Quantitative asset manager TOBAM has made its multi-asset offering available to distributors and retail investors for the first time.
Paris-based TOBAM, which founded the proprietary Maximum Diversification approach, is making its Anti-Benchmark Multi-Asset strategy available to the retail market. Initially launched in 2016, the strategy...
Bought plans in 1988 and 1989
To be added to model portfolio service
Launched 25 September


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South Africa systems integrator Dimension Data launched a wide array of cloudy infrastructure services back in February, and now it is enlisting a service providers to help push the products. Dimension Data, which sports around $5.8bn a year in annual revenues, was acquired for $3.2bn by Nippon Telephone & Telegraph in July 2010 …
These are the arseholes who are literally stealing cash out of the government coughers to provide schools with badly setup, incorrectly configured and generally awful networks.
Won't someone think of the children! No seriously, the kids are unable to read and write...
It would be nice once in a while when you read of the billions these companies make they actually put some of their profits back into the sector to push things forward. Not just sell 5-10year old kit at 2-3year old prices and pocket the cash.
Evil, evil, bastards!
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COVID-19 has really changed the way we do things like grocery shopping like Click & Collect and Home Deliveries with contactless service, but Woolworths is hoping to go one step further with their changes.
Woolworths is planning to offer an Amazon-style (Amazon Go) checkout-free self-service in their stores plus they want to encourage combined online and real world buying,
Woolworths says that since COVID-19, customers have embraced a digital way to shop for groceries.
Some customers have already started trialling contactless shopping.
It's where you scan the items with an app on your smartphone as you shop through the store, then you can pay for the groceries without interacting with the checkouts, you simply tap off at a kiosk in the self-serve area or dedicated Scan&Go lane.
The only thing, you must be a Woolworths Rewards members and you must upload an accepted credit or debit card within the app.
Right now, Scan&Go is only available at 15 of Woolworths’ 1000 Australian stores, with plans to roll it out to more stores at some stage.
Just note that it doesn't replace physically paying with cash or card at a check-out or interacting face-to-face with staff.
So what happens if your phone goes flat while shopping?
For more on the story, click HERE


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CLIVE, Iowa- The Iowa Pork Producers have their own form of March Madness this year. The organization is running a contest to find the best pulled pork in Iowa.
The contest is called “Pulled Pork Madness.” They will use a bracket style competition for restaurants to compete for the best in Iowa.
The first year of the competition, in 2018,Moo’s in Newton was named the best pulled pork in Iowa.
“Just meant a lot, it’s a lot of hard work to have barbecue restaurant in a small town,” said Moo’s owner Jeremy Biondi. “It increased our business, about 30 per cent.”
“Pulled Pork Madness is our way of finding the best pulled pork in the state of Iowa,” said Kelsey Byrnes of the Iowa Pork Producers. “We are letting our followers on social media make that decision for us.”
Nominations are open until midnight Monday. There will be bracket style competition over the next few weeks, with the winner being crowned on March 29.
Jeff and Jodi Arment of Lynnville are competing this year to make the Sweet 16 and higher with their Smoking’ J’s BBQ.
“I love college basketball, March madness, this is the second year, our customers have an input on who gets to be nominated be in the pool, for the sweet 16, elite eight final four,” said Arment.
Arment knows last years winner Jeremy Biondi.
“Jeremy at Moos is a great guy, he puts out some good product,” said Arment. “He is actually the one that beat us last year we’re going to try to step up our game this year.”
The competition is done purely by popular vote over the Pork Producers Website. Last year’s competitions drew 1500 entries.