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Thursday, July 31, 2008
Alec van Gelder, Network Director of International Policy Network, says "reforms to simplify customs procedures and remove other administrative barriers can be even more beneficial to growth and prosperity: Africans must seize these opportunities in spite of the failure to reach an agreement through the WTO."
Since 2000, global trade flows have increased by 70% to US$14 trillion, according to the WTO. Annual foreign direct investment flows are up 25%, to US$1.5 trillion. And the global economy has expanded by 30%, to US$54.4 trillion.
"Dropping the tariffs that were being discussed at the WTO is an important way to boost trade but, crucially, countries can move quickly on these important reforms on their own accord without waiting for more complicated negotiations in Geneva," van Gelder adds.
A 2004 World Bank study of 75 countries found that if "below average" performers on key trade facilitation metrics could raise their scores "halfway to the average" score, world trade would increase by US$377 billion, or about 9% a year. By comparison, the World Bank’s most optimistic estimate of the impact of Doha was US$277 bn per year. In other words, such unilateral measures have the potential to achieve more than even the most optimistic estimates of what Doha would have achieved.
In the past three years, 55 countries have implemented 68 reforms to help streamline trading procedures. For instance, Rwanda partially privatised its customs bonded warehouse facilities, which sparked construction of new warehouses and a 40% reduction in storage fees. If the time it takes for imports and exports to pass customs and other administrative obstacles in South Africa could be reduced to average OECD levels, South African trade with the rest of the world could increase by US$36 billion annually.
But there is still room for improvement: in developing countries the average customs transaction involves 20 to 30 parties and requires 40 separate documents to complete, a 2004 UN study showed.
Alec van Gelder adds, "Cutting tariffs would boost trade and is desirable, but there are clearly other things that can be done that would increase trade flows and encourage entrepreneurs everywhere to produce better, cheaper goods and services, thereby improving the lives of billions of people. Removing these non-tariff barriers to trade is a priority now that multilateral negotiations have been put on ice."
Click here to download a copy of "While Doha Sleeps: Securing Economic Growth Through Trade Facilitation", by Daniel Ikenson
International Policy Network is a London-based charity and think-tank which promotes markets and their underlying institutions in global policy debates


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A weekly payment store which was recently criticised by MPs is holding a family fun day to celebrate its new outlet in Hale Leys.
BrightHouse, the UK’s largest rent-to-own company opens on Thursday and on Friday and Saturday it is putting on a range of family activities and discounts on products from brands including Microsoft and Sony.
BrightHouse has so far received more than 60 applications from people wanting to work at the store, which will employ six staff.
Aylesbury store manager Paul Sanders said: “It’s been exciting to get to know our chosen colleagues after so many applications.
“We’ve got a great team in place who I’m confident will provide first class customer service to the Aylesbury community.”
Zamir Hussain, the newly recruited deputy manager at the store added: “I couldn’t believe how tough the competition was for the positions, and I’m really pleased to be joining the new store at the heart of the community I live in.”
BrightHouse has more than 270 stores across the country.
The chain was criticised in a report by MPs last month for the ‘high’ interest rates charged to customers, making the overall cost much higher than buying the product outright.
Yvonne Fovargue MP said: “Rent-to-own stores like BrightHouse charge inflated prices to some of the poorest people in the country.”
BrightHouse chief executive Leo McKee said the chain offered competitive rates, adding: “Our customers carefully manage their limited resources and appreciate the peace of mind they get from BrightHouse.”
Hale Leys Shopping Centre is owned by Aylesbury Vale District Council.

domain: news


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Sometimes mail shows up ripped, twisted, soaked through, or otherwise damaged and you think, “Man, this is a bummer.” But residents of one New York town found their mail had been altered in a more disturbing way: it was smeared with blood. [More]
They look like drugs, they’re regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, but Frontline‘s new investigation found that supplements are very, very different. [More]
There are a few businesses where customers might expect to witness employees performing grooming rituals, of course. But because a restaurant is definitely not a salon, two Arkansas Waffle House workers were fired after customers filmed them doing stuff with hair in the kitchen. [More]
Most of us have been there: You push a cart full of healthy food up to the supermarket checkout line only to cave to sugary temptation when running that final gauntlet lined with chocolate, candy, and other snacks. But that may soon be a thing of the past for Aldi shoppers. [More]
A University of Maryland program that “promotes the development and commercialization of products and processes through industry/university research partnerships,” is being criticized for not just declaring that a particular brand of chocolate milk can improve cognitive skills of athletes who suffered a concussion, but for making that declaration without releasing any data to back it up. [More]
It’s safe to say that Chipotle’s year is off to a rough start. Today, the company announced that it had received a subpoena from a grand jury looking into the circumstances surrounding a norovirus outbreak in California, and then it disclosed another bit of not-so-great news to investors: sales this quarter are down even more than analysts predicted in November. [More]
After Chipotle CEO Steve Ells pledged that new safety standards would be going into effect at the chain’s restaurants across the U.S., promising it would soon be “the safest place to eat,” some customers might have wondered whether the cost of that initiative would hit them right where it hurts most, the wallet. But Ells says customers don’t need to worry about the price of their (hopefully) E. coli-free burritos and tacos going up. [More]
Whenever you take a swig of Gatorade, you’re probably not thinking about the Riptide Rush tree that bore fruit and provided your drink with flavor. But Pepsi wants to change how customers view Gatorade with a flying leap onto the healthy trend bandwagon, by introducing an organic version of the sports beverage next year. [More]
Chipotle Has Been Making Customers Sick Since The Summer, Company Says “There Really Wasn’t A Pattern”
Although Chipotle CEO and co-founder Steve Ells apologized yesterday to customers who have gotten sick from eating at the chain recently — whether from E. Coli or norovirus — it’s worth remembering that there are some folks who’ve had to wait a bit longer for that mea culpa. [More]
After Chipotle customers all over the country have fallen ill from eating at the chain’s restaurants, founder and co-CEO Steve Ells says he’s sorry the restaurant has caused so many to become sick, and promised to implement new food safety guidelines to help prevent such outbreaks from happening in the future.
Of all the places one would expect to see a flock of birds settled down for a group snack, the meat display at your local grocery store is probably pretty far down on the list. To that end, Walmart shoppers in Massachusetts were understandably surprised over the weekend, when at least two customers snapped video footage of a group of live fowl pecking away at packages of red meat.
Living by yourself can be great — it means you have the option of never wearing real pants at home, guilt-free Netflix binges on sunny days and the ability to eat your meals in front of the open refrigerator by picking through whatever it is you happen to have in there. On that last note, researchers say living solo has a downside: it means you eat like crap.
Anthem Blue Cross Will Pay $8.3M To Customers To Settle Class-Action Suit Over Mid-Year Policy Changes
When you sign up for an insurance policy, you’re given a price for that plan for the year. So when California consumers discovered changes to their Anthem Blue Cross policies in the middle of the year that came with extra out-of-pocket costs, two policyholders filed a class-action lawsuit against the insurance provider in 2011. Anthem Blue Cross has now agreed to a settlement that includes reimbursing about 50,000 customers in California almost $8.3 million.
You might want to put down your daily hot dog snack while you read this one: a new report from the World Health Organization says bacon, ham and other sausages are a major cause of cancer, putting processed meats in the same category as carcinogens like tobacco, arsenic, asbestos and alcohol. [More]


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LONDON (MarketWatch) -- First-round bids for Iceland Foods are due at the end of October, people familiar with the situation told Dow Jones Newswires on Monday.
A 77% stake in the U.K. frozen-food retailer is being prepared for sale by the resolution committee acting for failed Icelandic banks Landsbanki and Glitner, which own 67% and 10%, respectively.
Industry experts say that bids for the whole company will be limited and the only likely candidates are grocer Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC (MRW.LN) and Iceland's Chief Executive Malcolm Walker, who has a 23% stake in the company and a pre-emptive right to buy it in the event of a bid from a third party.
Deutsche Bank AG
Morrison, the U.K.'s fourth-largest supermarket chain, has appointed Credit Suisse Group
Tesco PLC (TSCO.LN), the country's largest supermarket chain, is expected to submit a bid for some stores, but would face regulatory issues if it launched a bid for the whole company.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.-owned
(Kathy Gordon contributed to this article.)


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On Twitter, Facebook blamed the outage on a "server configuration change".
From about noon NY time Wednesday, global users encountered only partially loaded pages or no content at all on Facebook's main social network and its related services, including photo-sharing site Instagram and messaging tools Messenger and WhatsApp.
However, the latest Facebook service outage shows the issues that arise when attempting to consolidate a number of online services and apps together.
In 2008, Facebook was knocked offline by a bug that affected many of its 80 million users. The hashtag #FacebookDown was a popular theme on Twitter.More news: 'Children trapped' after school building collapses in Nigeria
More news: Get 4 months of YouTube Premium free with the Galaxy S10
More news: Jussie Smollett Makes Court Appearance as Judge Allows Cameras for Next Hearing
Argentina-based designer Rebecca Brooker told the BBC that Facebook's outage severely affected her work.
Facebook took to its Twitter account Wednesday to assure users that the outage wasn't due to a "distributed denial of service" attack, or DDoS, meaning the disturbance wasn't the result of hacker attacks.
"Instagram is down, so I have no choice but to post this picture of Watson on a grassy hillside here instead", wrote another user, posting a picture of a pet dog. Facebook's ad platform, Facebook Ad Manager, was also down.
Shares declined 1.8 percent in NY, and have jumped 32 percent this year through Wednesday's close.
According to the report, a grand jury in NY has subpoenaed information from at least two major smartphone makers about such arrangements with Facebook.
Over the past year, the social network has announced a series of moves to tighten handling of data, including eliminating most of its data-sharing partnerships with outside companies. And Spotify and Netflix reportedly were allowed to see user private message information.


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Looking to expand its presence in the Florida market, flooring distributor J.J. Haines & Co. has purchased distributor Wheeler Inc. of Orlando. A leading company in the area, the 32-year-old Wheeler posts annual sales of approximately $50 million and has a dedicated staff of more than 70 professionals, according to the company. Haines, founded in 1874, brings in approximately $350 million in gross shipping volume annually and has more than 400 employees.
Bruce Zwicker, president and CEO of
Haines, said the two companies are a good match. “Wheeler’s customer focus and
care for their people make their culture very compatible with ours,” he said.
“Plus, their fast growth in an attractive market is very appealing. We are very
pleased that Wheeler is joining the Haines family.”
Scott Wheeler, president of Wheeler,
added, “We are excited about the opportunities and capabilities that a leading
company like Haines can provide. In partnership with Haines, we can accelerate
our growth in the Florida market and provide even greater service to our
Plans call for Wheeler to keep its
name and operate as a division of Haines. Additionally, the company will keep
its staff including Wheeler and Bonnie Davis, vp and COO of the new division,
according to Haines.
Davis said the partnership will
provide new opportunities for both companies. “There are many ways we can help
each other,” she said. “We can teach Haines about how to grow in Florida and we
can benefit from their expertise in areas such as logistics, information
technology, human resources and other programs for our customers and our
Wheeler operates a 120,000 sq.
ft. warehouse in Orlando as well as a customer call center. The company carries
a full product line including wood, vinyl and laminate flooring. Haines, which
covers a wide swath of territories from Pennsylvania through South Carolina,
operates six distributor centers with a total 400,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space.
Haines buys Wheeler; Fla. distributor now a separate division
August 31, 2007


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Inflation continues to bite in Switzerland
The cost of goods and services in Switzerland rose 3.5% in August compared to the same month last year, but the inflation rate still remains below that of many other countries.
Prices for imported goods leapt 8.6%, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), while domestic products went up 1.8%.
Rising energy and fuel costs are the main drivers of inflation – the annual rate of inflation was 2% in August when these factors are stripped out.
But the increased cost of hospital care and welfare, along with rental hikes, also contributed to the burden, said the FSOExternal link.
The Swiss National Bank, which raised interest rates by 0.5%External link in June, predicts inflation to dampen to 2.9%External link by the end of the year.
Consumers in Switzerland have been impacted less by inflation than other countries, such as the European Union, Britain and the United States, where rates are currently between 8% and 9% and may go into double digits this year.
Switzerland is protected by the strong purchasing power of the highly sought after Swiss franc.
Forecasting group BAK Economics said in the summer that moderate salary increases and an easing of the supply logjams could also bring prices more under control.
But the Swiss electricity regulator has warned households to expect large hikes in billsExternal link next year and some industries are warning that they will have to pass on cost increases to consumers.
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Almond Board of California’s (ABC’s) Jenny Heap spends a great deal of her time, as Almond Board’s manager of Global Health and Nutrition Communications, preaching the gospel of the health benefits of eating almonds. As the “registered dietitian face” of ABC, Heap regularly speaks at events for nutrition professionals in the U.S., and forges relationships with working dietitians and health/nutrition influencers. Almond Board has funded more than two decades of research showing the benefits of almond consumption, from supporting heart health to providing a healthy alternative for curbing between-meal cravings. In the process, that research has been instrumental in turning around consumer misconceptions that all fat is bad.
Shift in Understanding Fats
“There has been a huge shift in consumer understanding about the different types of fats and that some, like the monounsaturated fat found in almonds, are beneficial to health,” Heap said. “It’s exciting that our research contributed to the body of evidence that has helped remove this barrier to consumption for nutritious foods like nuts.”
Heap completed her masters program in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Utah, and took a position with the American Egg Board’s Egg Nutrition Center. She brought her skills connecting production agriculture and nutrition to Almond Board seven years ago, attracted, she remarked, by ABC’s solid reputation among health professionals and the excellent nutrition story to be told about almonds.
Registered Dietitians as Influencers
Since that time, Heap has built strong ties with registered dietitians and other influencers in the nutrition arena, sharing information about almond nutrition research, snacking trends and almond industry sustainability efforts. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and several practice groups within the professional association for registered dietitians in the U.S.
ABC Interaction with Influencers
“ABC does quite a lot to interact with this savvy group of influencers,” Heap said. “We sponsor a booth, sessions and other events surrounding the annual meeting and also work with several of the practice groups, including Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutrition professionals as well as Food and Culinary Professionals, throughout the year to provide more customized information to the groups most likely to use it.”
Two years ago, she cofounded the Agriculture subgroup within the Food and Culinary Professionals practice group, to help bridge the gap between nutrition professionals and agriculture. While conducting outreach on behalf of California Almonds, Heap also stays involved as a practicing dietitian through the American Society for Nutrition to stay current on nutrition research beyond almonds.
Almond Board of California maintains involvement with the Indian Dietetic Association, Korea Nutrition Society, China Nutrition Society and several European associations.
“It’s important that we understand what’s going on globally to ensure that our health and nutrition messages are aligned with the current state of regulatory and consumer affairs in all of our markets around the world,” Heap stressed.
She brings this understanding home to her interactions with Almond Board staff and the Global Market Development and Nutrition Research Committees to help drive the future of research, marketing and communications in her area of expertise.
“I regularly review communications being developed for various global audiences to ensure the materials are communicating our messages clearly and that they are in compliance with local regulations,” Heap said. “I also spend a good deal of time ensuring our global marketing teams are aware of what is coming in the nutrition research pipeline. I want them to be ready to share in the great news we are learning with each publication.”


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Oh, Facebook. Not again.
The New York Times has reportedly uncovered hundreds of pages of internal documents from Facebook that detail special arrangements carved out for many other tech companies. These include far greater access to personal user data than the social network has ever previously disclosed.
“Facebook allowed Microsoft’s Bing search engine to see the names of virtually all Facebook users’ friends without consent, the records show, and gave Netflix and Spotify the ability to read Facebook users’ private messages.”
The documents also show that Facebook gave Amazon permission to grab “users’ names and contact information through their friends.” These kinds of permissions, without user consent, were extended across the board to over 100 other companies.
It’s unclear how many of those companies took advantage of these loosely defined permissions. Spotify and Netflix, for their part, both said they weren’t aware that messaging data was exposed to them. Still, it’s a scary thought and certainly not a good look for Facebook.
As for Apple’s involvement, the New York Times says that “Facebook empowered Apple to hide from Facebook users all indicators that its devices were asking for data.” Apple famously retains control over all aspects of its operating system and closely monitors apps delivered through its App Store, so what power Facebook could grant them exactly is a mystery. But for the record, Apple officials have said they “were not aware that Facebook had granted its devices any special access.”
It’s not been a good year for Facebook. First, there was the Cambridge Analytica scandal, then another data breach was discovered, and then we found out the company sometimes ignores your security preferences. The full exposé from NYT is worth a read if you want all the gory details on this latest misstep.


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Protecting Your Vision During Upcoming Solar Eclipse
Local libraries giving out free eclipse glasses
4 apps that will make Solar Eclipse 2017 epic
Montana astronomy group travels to Idaho to view eclipse
HomePod display specs and RAM details found in pre-release firmware
31 July 2017, 11:24 | Anita Wise
iPhone 8 front design, support for infrared face unlock revealed in HomePod firmware
The developer Steve Troughton Smith is the first to confirm the presence of "Pearl ID" in BiometricKit, an infra-red (IR) unlocking feature based on facial recognition, which has been rumoured to be featured in the next-gen iPhone.
The firmware of Apple'shomepod (Apple's answer to Alexa) released to developers has a few surprises in it about iPhone, all revealed by developers themselves.
iPhone 8leaks have become so popular that even Apple appears to be getting in on the action, seemingly confirming two rumored features. Some have seen the virtual home button being a part of a Touch Bar for iPhone, bringing over one of the defining features of the new MacBook Pro. We have already been seeing a lot of leaks rolling out of the rumor-mill.
When Apple put out the firmware for its upcoming HomePod smart speaker, people quickly began to poke around, looking for more information about what to expect from Apple's response to the Amazon Echo and Google Home. A photo of the likely device was found in the HomePod code under the area dealing with authentication for Apple Pay.
As per earlier reports, Apple is reported to introduce the iPhone 8 with an OLED display. Moreover, he also hints that the high-end model will incorporate a bezel-less screen with a camera notch at the top.
IPhone 8: launched in October 2017 at less than $ 1,000? This, again, suggests that Apple will use different means for locking and unlocking the device, such as the infrared facial recognition system mentioned above.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to be elected as interim PM of Pakistan
The allegations against Sharif centred around the ownership of four apartments in London's posh Park Lane neighbourhood. The assets were not declared on his family's wealth statement, but the Panama Papers leak in April 2016 revealed them.
Priebus gone, can Kelly bring discipline to the White House?
House Speaker Paul Ryan, a longtime friend of Priebus', said he "left it all out on the field, for our party and our country". When pressed by Blitzer on why he resigned from the role, Priebus responded, "I'm not going to get into that personal stuff".
Allow special counsel to finish essential job
If Mueller is fired, Republicans will quickly distance themselves from Trump , something they should have done long ago. Trump told The New York Times that if Mueller looks at anything involving his business dealings, "that's a violation ".
Donald Trump replaced Reince Priebus with John Kelly
Robert Kelly, was leading his platoon while on patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan on November 9, 2010 when he stepped on an explosive. Trump tweeted Friday that retired Marine Corps general Kelly had "done a spectacular job at Homeland Security ".
Senate rejects slimmed-down Affordable Care Act repeal
During roll call, when senators names are read out loud in alphabetical order, McCain wasn't there when his name was called. There is, of course, a lot of disagreement about whether Obamacare is really on its way to imploding.


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Facebook founder in need of business leadership
December 10, 2007 —
In an ironic twist of fate, Mark Zuckerberg would like some privacy. The 23-year-old founder of the social networking Web site Facebook recently lost a case in federal court after suing the magazine 02138 for some documents that didn't exactly portray him as a halo-clad Internet pioneer. It seems that Zuckerberg may have looted both the idea and the source code for Facebook while working with three other Harvard students before he dropped out of the college. That lawsuit, filed in 2004, claimed that while he was working with Harvard students on a social networking Web site called ConnectU, he literally stole the creative vision, source codes, and business plan and went off into the sunset to create Facebook. That move, illegal or not, made Zuckerberg a billionaire.
After a judge ordered all the information in the 2004 lawsuit to be sealed, a clerk error gave Luke O'Brien, a reporter for 02138, more information that he bargained for, and the controversial article was born. What is ironic is that Zuckerberg has long been on the blacklists of many privacy advocates, organizations, and even Facebook users. It all started in 2006 when Facebook introduced its Newsfeed program, a program that tracks users' every move and posts them for all to see. Immediately, uproar ensued, and the web site found itself tip-toeing around a public relations disaster.
I found it hypocritical that Facebook user groups popped up after the implementation of Newsfeed declaring such an intrusion an inexcusable breach of online ethics. How dare a Web site post the information that users themselves provide! For those that complained about Newsfeed, why post the information in the first place if you do not want it to be distributed? Trust me, there's way more to life than Tommy breaking up with Suzie, and knowing when Tiffany has uploaded her latest photo album.
It hasn't been the best of weeks for Zuckerberg. The Facebook privacy issue will not go away, and it's his fault. A new advertising platform on the site, Beacon, tracks users' purchases and then promptly displays those purchases for others to view. Needless to say, Facebook found itself in the same bind as last year. On Wednesday, Zuckerberg posted a blog admitting to not responding soon enough to user demands that they be allowed to disable Beacon, if desired.
The online mea-culpa didn't help to fix Zuckerberg's now-tattered reputation, however. The series of mistakes that have plagued Facebook over the years are the result of a failed chief executive. With his track record, it's clear he has no business or leadership skills. In fact, the only thing keeping him in his position is the fact that he created, or stole, the Web site. There have been reports lately advising Zuckerberg to be more like Microsoft's Bill Gates, to be more charitable to enhance his reputation. It's a step; however, it's only superficial.
Zuckerberg needs to look at another internet company to end his woes: Google. Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page had a unique and successful formula for operating the search engine giant. When Google became successful, Brin and Page brought in a seasoned businessman, Eric Schmidt, to serve as chief executive officer. With Schmidt's business planning, both Brin and Page took important roles in the company, allowing Google to grow from their vision. Facebook is a great success, but unless Zuckerberg either hands the ropes over to a worthy successor, or educates himself quickly in minimizing his business mistakes, his days are numbered.


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Nepal is a great destination area for tourists around the world. Among the significant tourists, Chinese tourists are ranked 2nd in number to visit Nepal. With so many numbers of tourists from China entering Nepal, a lot of restaurants and hotels in Nepal have started to accommodate their necessities. The use of Digital payment gateways like Wechat and Alipay has grown exponentially with the rise in Chinese tourists. Although the increase in expenditure of tourists is a good sign for Nepal, the method they’re currently using doesn’t benefit Nepal at all.
Wechat and Alipay are two of the most famous digital payment gateways in China. The citizens living there are used to these services and look for the same in Nepal as well. Shops, restaurants, and even hotels have started using this method of payment by providing a QR code that the tourist can scan using their phones and quickly pay the money. Also, through using such digital gateways is a positive sign towards technological growth, the use of unauthorized apps to spend money doesn’t help Nepal’s economy. The authorities can’t charge taxes on these payments since they aren’t trackable. This is a significant issue since almost every Chinese tourist use one of these apps to pay their expenses. Keeping this in mind, Nepal Rastra Bank(NRB) has supposedly banned the use of Wechat and Alipay since these apps are hampering the foreign income on which Nepal relies heavily.
These wallets allow the peer-to-peer fund transfer, meaning that, if the users are both Chinese, then the laws of the government of Nepal won’t matter, they could quickly transfer fund by bypassing the laws. The only solution to this is blocking the use of these apps outside China. However, this can only be done by the digital wallet’s themselves.
Even though the use of Wechat and Alipay have been termed illegal by NRB, there’s no appeal made by the authorities to block the transaction from these gateways. The use of Esewa, Khalti, and similar digital wallets have grown immensely over the years, and the inclusion of these unauthorized apps like Wechat and Alipay hasn’t aided to Nepal’s foreign income. The only real solution to this enormous issue would be to legalize the use of these apps by registering them here in Nepal. That way, the payment made by these apps would be open for taxes and hence can be considered as foreign income.


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We cannot deny that we live in an era of subscription services. That if Netflix, Spotify, Amazon … there is less money a user can spend at the end of the month. Surprisingly, we talked about this a few weeks ago in our weekly podcasting and finally realized that signed up for a lot of resources we really don't need.
For all of this we need to add newer platforms such as Google Stadia, Xbox Game Pass, Apple Arcade or GeForce Now. Multiplayer subscription services that allow us to enjoy big titles pay very little and even though they are very popular with users, they give developers a headache.
Video game developers are worried about the increase in subscription services
We re ad it in Business Insider digital medium and can't deny that industries like cinema or videogames do not focus on subscription services
Now, what is a rewarding goal for the consumer seems to be not so much for developers and managers. In the case of video games obviously,Why do I pay 60 euros for a video game if I pay 10 euros for a subscription service that I can play with another 100 titles?
The developers say that these kinds of new policies will end the sale of traditional videos, which also means fewer benefits for creators. In addition, the developer who wanted to remain anonymous, told Buster Insider directly that while content platforms initially required video game companies to attract customers, and once they are loved they will no longer be needed
And the worst comes later, because if a consumer already pays for a subscription service they won't pay for a video game, so the developer expires because he's on the platform and they cannot sell their articles in the traditional way. Of course all of this is happening to computers and computers already happening with platforms like Apple Arcade and we have no doubt that it is disappearing with Google Stadia and Android.
In any case, engineers are aware that times are changing and that they must adapt. They say that they have to make sure that they get the benefits otherwise. It certainly does not taste good for everyone. While we as end consumers appreciate being able to enjoy such a great videogame – and film – thanks to these subscription services, Content creators look like they have to adapt to the environment … or disappear.
And you, prefer to buy in the traditional way or choose to pay for a subscription service?


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UPM-Kymmene has posted an "unsatisfactory" profit for its Q3, due to pricing pressures, but a marked improvement on its Q3 of 2003.
Net profit for the quarter was at 1168 million ($215 million), up from 157 million in the same period in 2003. But the figure was down from Q2 of 2004, which posted a net profit of 1297 million.
Sales during Q3 stood at 12.449 billion, up from 12.4 billion in Q3 of 2003, but down from 12.497 in Q2 of 2004. President and CEO Jussi Pesonen said: "Because of low prices and cost pressures, profitability was again unsatisfactory, but improved year-on-year."
In separate news, UPM-Kymmene has signed a deal with Aranna Oy under which UPM will acquire Aranna’s wood procurement operations in Russia, which import wood from Finland.


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January 22, 2009
By: Joseph R. Holstead, Associate Analyst
You asked for information on recent bills to ban the sale of raw milk that the legislature has considered, including the legislative history of such proposals, as it is your understanding that pending legislation this Session looks to ban raw milk sales.
BAN ON SALE OF RAW MILK
In 2002, SB 80, An Act Concerning the Sale of Raw Milk, proposed to ban anyone from selling or giving away unpasteurized (raw) milk. It was the only bill we found going back to 1988 proposing a raw milk sales ban and was not reported out of committee with the ban in tact.
On February 15, 2002, the Environment Committee held a public hearing on SB 80 as a sales ban. Proponents of the ban argued that raw milk is a potential threat to public health. The Department of Agriculture requested the bill and its commissioner's testimony best sums up the support for it. At a February 15, 2002 public hearing, then Agriculture Commissioner Bruce Gresczyk said:
“We took this information of the department [a series of cases in which people were sickened by raw milk] to the State Milk Regulation Board and within about a few seconds the farmers on that Board voted to request the department or ask the department to go forward for a ban on the sale. And they had the health concerns, and they also had the concerns of what it does to the industry as a whole and a black eye on dairy products. But in either case, I'm here today with this legislation and we're asking you to move it forward.”
Opponents of the ban argued for the natural health benefits of raw milk. Dorothea DiCecco, Associate Professor of Biology, University of Connecticut at Waterbury's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, stated that she, “believe[s] that [raw milk dairy farmers'] product poses no more threat to human health than any other foods.” She also noted that most infection outbreaks from food sources, according to her research, are the result of “…improper handling not from…the raw dairy farm.”
On March 11, 2002, the committee favorably reported to the Senate a substitute that replaced the ban with a mandatory warning label on raw milk containers that stated: “WARNING: Raw milk has not been pasteurized and, therefore, may contain harmful bacteria.” On April 3 the Senate referred the bill to the General Law Committee, which favorably reported it on April 10.
On April 17, the Senate passed the bill. On April 24, the House amended the bill to specify that it did not cover the production of macaroni and passed it, sending it back to the Senate. On May 1, the Senate rejected the amendment and passed the bill, sending it back to the House. The bill subsequently died on the House Calendar.
Although SB 80 did not become law, On October 1, 2005 the Department of Agriculture adopted regulations that require raw milk producers to inform consumers of the “…risks involved with the consumption of raw or undercooked animal food by conspicuously labeling each container with the following advisory statement 'Raw milk is not pasteurized, pasteurization destroys organisms that may be harmful to human health,'” (Regs. Conn. State Agencies § 22-133-132).


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"Siri, play the top song from 1982." Apple Music's silliest element sets the new $10 subscription service apart from the pack -- but will it get you to pay?
Finally, people born in 1980 have something amazing over those young'ins who came into the world in the year 2000 or on a Leap Day.
The venerable comic book maker has inspired movies, television shows and video games. Now, for the first time, the trend is working in reverse.
Technically Incorrect: He couldn't resist. He has a new show to sell. Colbert posts his reaction to the Supreme Court decision within hours of its announcement.
San Francisco is both the home of the tech industry and the epicenter of the gay rights movement. Now the city is throwing its biggest party of the year, just after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage.
These Bluetooth headphones sold out fast last time, and may do so again now that they're even cheaper. Plus: three bonus deals!
CNET's Marguerite Reardon explains to an AT&T unlimited-data customer what the FCC's historic fine against the company for misleading customers really means.
In projectors designed for both the cinema and at home, lasers are starting to replace traditional lamps as the light source of choice. This is potentially awesome. Here's why.
The first official set photo from the new "Trek" movie appears on Twitter, giving fans a glimpse at what's to come for "Star Trek Beyond."
Which has the most apps? Which has the coolest features? Which one is the best? The most popular streamers all have their merits, so we'll help you decide which box is right for you.


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Local food sales were expected to reach $20 billion in 2019, up from $5 billion in 2008, according to food industry research firm Packaged Facts. It’s easy to see why. Buying local food cuts down on waste, allowing people to get food at its freshest with no need for it to be trucked elsewhere for purchase. Add that to the benefits for your local economy and it’s a win-win. We cover the trend and how readers can find all the local bounty their communities have to offer.
The media is available in InDesign pages, ready-to-print PDFs, text and photos so you can re-arrange it for your market. It includes seven pages of content, plus tab and broadsheet covers.


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Apple recently went past the $370 billion in revenue and the company has definitely hushed many of its competitors and haters. We just thought we would share the infographics on what companies are smaller than Apple. While the infographic does make this look as if Apple is some Greek god and that no one has ever been so highly valued, it sums to be interesting overall. Especially when you have a country’s budget to compare with.
Following is the infographic on What Companies are smaller than Apple with thanks to Visual.ly.


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According to data compiled by industry tracker DRAMeXchange, Samsung Electronics accounted for 61.5 percent of the mobile DRAM market in the April-June period, up 1.1 percentage point from the previous quarter.
Samsung sold US$2.42 billion worth of mobile DRAM in the second quarter, also up 19.4 percent from three months earlier, the data showed.
Fellow South Korean chipmaker SK hynix followed with a market share of 25.1 percent in the second quarter, with sales of $988 million, trailed by the U.S.’ Micron with 11.4 percent.
The data showed that global mobile DRAM revenue grew 17.2 percent in the second quarter, benefiting the top three DRAM suppliers. Expanding Chinese-branded smartphone shipments, driven by Huawei, OPPO and Vivo, as well as bit supply growth in the mobile DRAM market, attributed to the revenue increase, DRAMeXchange said.


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The model's style knows no bounds
Bella Hadid can wear absolutely anything and still look a billion bucks -- it's her job! Even a highlighter yellow, Lara Croft-style vest over a white shirt, sans pants, looks amazing on the 22-year-old model.
Spotted at the Louis Vuitton x Chrome Hearts opening party for the men's collection showcase in New York City, this week, her highlighter yellow knit vest with military-style pockets (from the Louis Vuitton Spring 2019 men's range) was paired with an oversized shirt and a pair of LV Archlight sneakers.
But it's not the first time the former 'Model of the Year' has wowed fans. She often makes a point of having fun with fashion and just one look at her most recent street style photos and it’s clear she loves to push the limits.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at Bella's iconic style.


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Lexus has officially taken the wraps off the 2014 Lexus IS F Sport, which showcases a bold and radical update for the IS that successfully builds upon the themes that defined the current generation model and also sharpens its focus in the marketplace as it looks to take on competitors such as the Mercedes C -Class, Cadillac, ATS, and BMW 3 Series.
While the model featured here is the top of the line F Sport model, the basic elements of the new exterior styling will trickle their way down to lesser IS models and should please buyers looking for more personality from their IS purchase. A new front fascia design features a new twin spindle grille that adds a dash of aggression to the car versus the rather plain face that adorns the current IS. The headlight design on the 2014 IS retains many of the cues and features seen on the current generation model, with the only major change being reworked LED daytime running lamps that are mounted separately from the headlight assembly. The rear styling of the car has also been reworked and is highlighted by an all new tail light design which stretches to the rear wheels and comes equipped with new L shaped LED accents.
The interior of the 2014 IS has also been heavily reworked and it appears to draw some inspiration from the recently axed LFA supercar, especially in the design of the instrument cluster. Lexus claims that the overall steering position of the IS has been re-imagined by Lexus engineers, and is now much more performance oriented than before, with a lowered steering and seat angle as well as an increase in steering wheel adjustment. Lexus was also quick to announce that the 2014 IS will arrive with standard subscription-free real-time traffic and weather information, made possible thanks to an agreement between the company and iBiguity Digital Corporation the creators of modern HD radio. F Sport models stand out from their lesser siblings by offering several model-exclusive details such as black stitching, unique interior hues, perforated leather accents, and special “3D effect” metal trim.
Expect more details such as fuel economy and pricing to be revealed closer to the vehicle’s formal debut at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.


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Customers browsing Amazon will begin to see helpline phone numbers when they search for suicide-related keywords, the e-commerce company said.
Amazon Addresses Concerning Search Results
The new feature, which was announced on Thursday, Aug. 29, comes after the company received criticism after its U.S. marketplace showed suicide kits and nooses to customers who searched for the word "suicide." On its Indian website, search results included pesticides, sleeping pills, and a book titled "How To Commit Suicide."
After learning about the concerning products being sold on its platform, the company immediately took down the listings. Amazon prohibits the sale of non-media products that promote or glorify suicide.
According to Reuters, the new feature will inform customers that free and confidential support is available through the National Prevention Lifeline. Information about the suicide helpline will be added to the details page of certain products.
Over the years, social media sites have added similar features that direct consumers who may be considering to harm themselves to helplines. Instagram, for example, displays a message warning about graphic content and linking to platforms that offer mental help support to users who search for certain keywords.
Amazon will roll out the feature to customers who search for related keywords in the coming weeks. The helpline information will be added to relevant book product detail pages in the United States and United Kingdom starting next week.
Amazon Caught Selling Thousands Of Unsafe Products
This is not the first time that the trillion-dollar company landed in hot waters this month for selling harmful products. The Wall Street Journal, in a report this week, found over 4,000 items that are mislabeled, banned, or declared unsafe by federal agencies on the online shopping site.
In a statement, Amazon explained that merchants are required to comply with "relevant laws and regulations." The company also uses automated tools to detect unsafe products and employ a global team of compliance specialists to review safety documentations.
However, these efforts are not enough. Three Democratic Senators sent a letter addressed to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos urging him to take action and stop the sale of unsafe products.
"We call on you to immediately remove from the platform all the problematic products examined in the recent WSJ report; explain how you are going about this process; conduct a sweeping internal investigation of your enforcement and consumer safety policies; and institute changes that will continue to keep unsafe products off your platform," the senators wrote.


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From labour shortages to spiraling energy costs, the horticulture sector continues to face significant challenges, but Hutchinsons’s new Horticultural technical sales specialist Darren Tongue is confident there are good opportunities for domestic growers.
Mr Tongue has more than 30 years of experience in the horticulture supply trade, having worked for a number of leading companies in southeast England, so is well aware of how the sector has changed and the support that growers will need going forward.
“Across the board, we’ve seen large-scale producers – many linked to the sheds and garden centre chains – getting even larger, while more medium-sized and smaller independent businesses struggle. It’s evident in most sectors, but particularly so for protected monocrops, such as protected salad crops.”
However, disruption to trade caused by both Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the risks of the UK being too reliant on foreign imports and could present opportunities for more domestic producers that are able to ensure consistency of supply to end markets, he says.
Emergence of small niche growers
The pandemic has also sparked the emergence of numerous small-scale niche growers in the past two to three years, serving local markets that have been boosted by an upsurge in home gardening and “grow your own”, he adds.
“Even once things return to normal, I believe there is a place for these niche growers serving a certain type of customer longer-term. The industry needs a good mix of large and small-scale producers to bring innovation and new skills to the market.”
Indeed, sourcing skilled staff that understand the job, technology and processes involved, has been an ongoing issue for many businesses, although difficulties have been accelerated by Brexit, Mr Tongue notes.
He therefore recognises the significance of the excellent training offered by Hutchinsons, in developing new people with technical excellence and links to the market.
“As the sector has changed, so we’ve seen that a lot of the key skills training is now done by organisations like ourselves. As a family-run business, Hutchinsons’s whole ethos has been to put their customers and staff first. They really understand people and the market, with strong links to key manufacturers at home and abroad, so are well placed to ensure continuity of supply.”
From advanced heating, lighting and irrigation systems to crop monitoring and recording, technology will continue to drive future change, so it is essential that new entrants are equipped with the skills and knowledge to understand this, he adds.
“As with all sectors of agriculture and horticulture, there’s now a wealth of data available to growers, so the key is to understand what the information means and how it can be used to improve cropping efficiencies.”


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While music is often referred to as the “universal language,” that label could also easily apply to food.
From perfectly spiced bowls of curry to airy focaccia, topped with fresh sprigs of rosemary, and sweet lobster rolls, culinary offerings have the ability to stir intoxicating memories of home, loved ones and travels.
First Bite — the Front Range’s multi-day celebration of cuisine — returns for its 17th year, kicking off Friday and stretching to Oct. 9.
Delivering a variety of menus from over 30 eateries, this upcoming 10-day event truly offers something for every — discerning — palate.
“We are truly honored to produce this event for the 17th year, particularly after the past few years,” said Jessica Benjamin, director of First Bite. “It’s been a wild ride these past two years — helping restaurants stay afloat and meeting so many new faces that have opened up in the last year.”
First Bite organizers have retired the term “restaurant week” and have abolished any particular price point allowing for creativity and inclusivity to flourish.
“This freedom allows chefs to serve whatever they are excited about in whatever way makes sense for their restaurant — and at the price the market demands,” Benjamin said. “It’s been very interesting to see what restaurants have embraced this freedom.”
The Sink, The Hill’s beloved burger joint that has been serving up crispy fries since the early 1920s, has crafted meals and deals specifically for First Bite.
“It’s been quite a while since we’ve participated, and we’re looking forward to inviting Boulder locals back to The Sink — and also introducing our famous Sinkburgers and signature pizzas to a new audience,” said owner Mark Heinritz. “Diners can expect to get the whole Sink experience during First Bite. They’ll be sure to find something their date, friends and the entire family will enjoy at an affordable price.”
The Sink is offering a “Burger Date Night” with two signature Sinkburgers, any two sides and two drinks — either alcoholic of non — for $42 ($21 per person.)
A family-style dinner for four includes a large signature pizza, large mac and cheese and large garden or Caesar salad for $50, which breaks down to $12.50 per person.
First Bite is also a time when restaurateurs can show love to others in their industry.
“We’re thrilled our friends and neighbors next door at Café Aion are also participating,” Heinritz said. “I am looking forward to supporting them by trying their special brunch and dinner menu offerings. We hope Boulder locals will make The Hill a new stop on their regular culinary adventures.”
From Boulder’s oldest neighborhood restaurant to Gemini — a Spanish eatery that opened on the Pearl Street Mall in November 2021 — the variety of establishments curating special menus for First Bite remains diverse.
“We are excited about First Bite because we get a chance to make new friends and we also get to eat a bunch of great new food around town,” said Michael Mehiel, one of the owners of Gemini. “If it’s as much fun as First Sip, it is sure to be a good time.”
Back in late April, Gemini participated in the inaugural First Sip — a cocktail-focused event put on by First Bite.
Gemini continues to receive praise for its evolving wine selection and contemporary Spanish food.
From savory Spanish omelets to thin slices of dry-cured jamon and house-made pickled vegetables that grace perfectly balanced charcuterie boards, the dishes remain crowd-pleasers.
For First Bite, Chef Brian Pierce has created a menu of croquette de chorizo, burrata and heirloom tomato crostini, a salad made with arugula, kohlrabi, manchego, walnuts and rose vinegar.
For the main course, diners can pick either the prawns a la plancha with arroz negro, chorizo, squid ink and chili crisp or grilled leg of lamb with pearl couscous and pine nut gremolata.
Ending with a seasonal sorbet, this meal is available for $38 for lunch or dinner.
“Brand new items on the menu include the kohlrabi salad and the leg of lamb,” Mehiel said. “We are loving the break in the weather and the produce that comes with it.”
A few First Bite restaurants can be found outside of Boulder. The newly opened Marigold, in Lyons, 740 Front, in Louisville, and Busey Brews Smokehouse & Brewery, in Nederland, are all participating.
Farow, located in Niwot, has been serving up fare rich with a local essence since last September.
At the restaurant, located in the space that once housed Lucky Pie, 90% of ingredients used are sourced within a 10-mile radius.
“It takes a lot of extra work to source from farms and to only rely on what we can get within 10 miles of the restaurant, especially in the cooler months,” said Lisa Balcom, owner and pastry chef who runs the restaurant with her husband Chef Patrick Balcom. “Colorado’s climate can be so fickle, and you never really know when you’re going to have certain ingredients from one week to the next — and sometimes one day to the next.”
While the “buy local” commitment remains one that can present certain challenges, the Balcoms are fully onboard with sticking with the top-notch goods of regional ranches and farmers.
“We don’t have accounts with any of the big food purveyors, so there’s really no straying from our mission,” Balcom said. “At the end of the day, what’s seasonal and only travelling a few short miles to the restaurant is such a higher quality than something shipped from California or Mexico.”
Farow was recently voted Boulder County’s best new restaurant by Boulder Weekly.
“I think the freshness really shines through in all of our dishes,” Balcom said. “It’s a joy knowing the face, name and having a personal relationship with everyone we purchase our ingredients from. It fosters a real sense of community, and that’s what we really set out to achieve.”
For First Bite, Farow is offering warm cabbage salad with cilantro vinaigrette, dukkah and whipped chevre, as well as pork belly with caraway-roasted carrots, smoked apple, sweet pepper relish and crispy wheat berries.
No meal would be complete without a tantalizing sweet, and Balcom will offer a delicious baked good that is perfect for the autumnal season.
Apple-cider doughnuts with baharat anglaise, bourbon hard sauce and cider gastrique will certainly rival the ones found at Dunkin’.
“We have a very talented culinary team to bring you the tastiest dishes, a stellar wine list and pairings to complement that and an amazing service team excited to make our three-course tasting menu fun,” Balcom said.
The three-course tasting menu is $45. Optional wine pairings are $20.
“We’ll also have a special Coravin wine menu with flights available for those who love wine and want to try some really cool allocated wines,” Balcom said.
Balcom hopes the First Bite menu entices people to visit her and her husband’s eatery that also boasts a lovely tree-laden patio with blooms.
“I’m really hoping to introduce more of our community to our food, concept and team and to showcase some special dishes and wines to our current fans too,” Balcom said.
From traditional American fare to exotic creations, there is no limit to what one can expect on a First Bite menu.
“Corrida is featuring a brunch menu this year, as well as a tapas flight and wine pairing instead of an expected multi-course menu,” Benjamin said. “Japango also is serving up two ways to enjoy a chef-trio selection of sushi that will only be available during First Bite.”
While First Bite doesn’t officially kick off until Friday, foodies have already been getting a delicious sampling of what to expect during tasting tours.
“Each establishment we visited served a small dish and a half-a-drink, so it was a great way to explore several places and taste a bunch of different dishes in one night,” Benjamin said.
The tasting tour participants were Spruce Farm & Fish, Savory Spice Shop, Gemini and Rooted Craft Kitchen at Avanti F&B.
“They all really put on a show,” Benjamin said. “It’s also such a special way to meet new people. We had diners from Boulder, Louisville, Denver, Thornton, Arvada and Longmont with us, all with interesting stories on where they are from and what they enjoy in our community.”
Although First Bite is traditionally thought of as an evening outing, this year’s offerings make it possible to enjoy menus at other points in the day.
“With now having brunch and lunch options, as well as dinner, the options are bountiful and the real question just comes down to, ‘What do you feel like eating?’” Benjamin said.
During the pandemic, Benjamin penned “A Bite of Boulder” cookbook that featured recipes from Front Range restaurants, with proceeds from sales going back to those eateries.
With the upcoming First Bite, she continues to shine a light on eateries that have been Boulder staples and those that are just now emerging.
“This year’s lineup is a fantastic mix of brand new restaurants and pillars of Boulder’s dining scene for the last 10 years,” Benjamin said. “The Boulder Cork and The Greenbriar Inn have participated in First Bite every year we’ve hosted our event, and both underwent a big change this past year with getting a new head chef. This is a great opportunity to go visit these iconic restaurants again.”
New this year is the Industry Icon Award that will honor front-of-house and back-of-house staff members from a 2022 First Bite restaurant.
“First Bite is dedicated to recognizing all the parts of what make our vibrant restaurant scene incredible, and a large part of that is the people,” Benjamin said. “Boulder is full of restaurant workers who consistently provide genuine hospitality, delicious food and hard work night in and night out.”
The 10 days of grazing allow folks to experience one of Colorado’s most sought-out dining scenes in a new way. Best of all, no tickets are necessary to get in on the culinary adventure. Restaurants are accepting reservations.
“We hope diners will come explore, taste and celebrate these incredible restaurants of Boulder County,” Benjamin said. “We hope there are new memories made, a new-to-you restaurant discovered and absolutely the desire to come back to dine again.”
Click the restaurant below to view its First Bite menu:
Brasserie Boulder (Café Aion’s Ghost Kitchen)
Busey Brews Smokehouse & Brewery
The Corner Bar
The Greenbriar Inn
Jill’s Restaurant & Bistro
OAK at Fourteenth
River and Woods
Spruce Farm & Fish
Steakhouse No. 316
Süti & Co.


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The Humble Indie Bundle has grossed $1 million in six day, according to the site’s counter. Earlier this morning, the total stood at $922,444. Minecraft’s Markus Persson stands is second-highest contributor with $4,048 donated, while bitcoin site MTGox has donated $4,096. Linux users have donated and average of $11.63 each, and Windows and OS users have donated and average of $3.80 and $6.60, respectively. So far, 218,240 bundles have been sold. Thanks, IndustryGamers.
A $50,000 PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds tournament will be hosted through G:loot’s Global Loot League.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake concept art from Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Exhibition makes its way online
Concept art of Final Fantasy 7 Remake is currently on display at Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Exhibition in Japan. Images of the exhibit have been posted online.
Latest Xbox One Preview update adds additional inactivity shutdown options, fixes various issues, more
Members of the Xbox One Preview Update Alpha ring will can now download the latest Xbox One system update.
Humble Indie Bundle
Humble Bundles come and go, but some are more worthwhile than others. This is one of the good ones.
Humble Bundle offers its 16th collection of all cross-platform, all DRM-free, all the time indie projects.
Humble Indie Bundle 3
The third Humble Indie Bundle just keeps getting bigger.


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Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
A lot of M.E.N.A (Middle East, North Africa) and elsewhere representation. Good for folks who live in these regions.
PC Game Pass Preview is Available for Insiders in 40 New Countries - Xbox Wire
We’re excited to welcome new community members from around the world to PC Game Pass as the service expands.
Beginning on February 28, gamers in these new markets can sign up for PC Game Pass Preview program giving them immediate access to a library of hundreds of high-quality PC games on Windows including new Xbox Game Studios releases on day one, iconic Bethesda games, an EA Play membership, and member-only benefits in Riot Games. It only takes a few minutes to download the Xbox Insider Hub app and sign up to join the Insider Program. Once registered, players can join the preview of PC Game Pass for a special testing price for the first month.
In the coming months, PC Game Pass will launch in these countries for all players to experience. This means that Game Pass community members from 86 countries around the world can play hundreds of games together with their friends and family.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Costa Rica
- El Salvador
- North Macedonia


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Eggs may appear to be a rare commodity these days, judging by their scarcity at grocery stores, but there are plenty for everyone.
“While it seems like there is a shortage of eggs, actually the supply is pretty good,” said Gregory Martin, a poultry specialist with Penn State Extension. “What is the problem? It’s a distribution issue.”
It’s a distribution issue exacerbated by panic buying.
Martin talks to suppliers, so he’s confident that there’s no shortage. But, he said, stores aren’t ordering enough to keep up with heightened demand.
Chris Pierce, owner of Heritage Poultry Management Services in Annville, Pennsylvania, agrees.
“Before we went into the pandemic, we were in an oversupply,” he said.
Then egg suppliers quickly cleaned out any excess as demand increased rapidly.
“Everything being produced was going out the doors to the demand at the retail market,” he said.
But eggs aren’t always the highest priority at distribution centers.
Eggs typically go from the producer to the distributor, and then from the distributor to the retail outlets. As people panic shop at grocery stores, distributors fill their trucks with toilet paper and hand sanitizer, leaving little room for eggs.
“It’s a domino effect,” Martin said. “There’s a run on the store for eggs, and all the eggs are sold. It takes a while for them to get back up to speed again.”
Multiple weeks of panic buying is what’s causing the disparity between supply and demand.
“People need to stop hoarding,” Martin said. “That’s really an important thing to say. They need to stop hoarding. Only buy what you need to have.”
On top of people hoarding eggs because of the pandemic, this is the biggest time of year for egg farmers — Easter.
“Easter for an egg farmer is kind of like Christmas for everybody else,” Martin said. “It’s the time to shine.”
Easter egg hunts and decorating eggs are popular activities this time of year, and Pierce said they might even be more popular now since many families are staying home and looking for activities to do.
Eggs are also a traditional part of the Passover Seder.
In addition to panic buying and holiday traditions, many people are cooking and baking more now that they are staying home.
“The in-home consumption of eggs is very high for all families across the United States,” Pierce said. “I think we saw more people buying larger quantities of eggs to prepare for being home 24 hours a day. They’re going to be cooking all their meals and baking.”
Because stores are struggling with egg inventory, Martin said people are buying different-sized eggs than what they would typically get. Most recipes call for large eggs, which are hard to find, so medium and jumbo eggs are moving just as fast.
Pierce said all types of eggs, regardless of size or production method, have seen an increase in demand.
It appears the panic spree might be slowing. Pierce said demand has already come down since people first started panic buying, but it is still higher than pre-pandemic levels.
He’s hopeful that after the pandemic starts to wind down, egg demand will still be high.
“Being a producer, I’m actually very confident that we’re going to see an increase of per capita consumption post-pandemic.” he said.
He feels that since families are now getting used to cooking and baking more at home, they will maintain some of those habits after the pandemic subsides.
Higher demand for eggs has brought higher retail prices. Martin said eggs have been going for $2.30 at the store, which he said is high for this time of year.
Pierce said it’s important for consumers to know that even though egg prices are up, farmers are not price gouging. Eggs are sold at a daily market quotation, and the higher pricing is just following the market quotation.
As for the farmers themselves, Martin said that for the most part, it’s business as usual, with extra safety precautions thrown in.
“It’s more of a people problem than a bird problem,” Martin said. “The COVID-19 doesn’t affect birds.”
There is a type of coronavirus that does affect chickens, but not the COVID-19 that is spreading now.
Martin said that any time a farmer is within 6 feet of someone, like an employee or a delivery person, they should be wearing a mask.
“If they’re working alone on the farm, they should be OK with just normal biosecurity that they have in place,” he said.
With farmers still working just as hard — or harder — than ever, Pierce is hopeful that consumers will take notice.
“I’m very optimistic and hopeful that the non-farming community — the 98% that’s out there — is going to have a deeper respect and appreciation for America’s farmers (who) have continued to work as hard today as they were before the pandemic to feed our nation,” he said.


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- State Rep. Martin Daniel to be booked on assault charge after election
- Criminally insane killer David Cloar to go free after 26 years
- What’s it really like to live in a tiny house? A Minnesota family tells all
- Crossword Puzzle
- Bernie Sanders calls Donald Trump ‘most dangerous candidate to run for president’ in modern history
NEW YORK (AP) - Software mogul Larry Ellison once famously mocked cloud computing as a fad. Now his company, Oracle, will spend $9.3 billion to acquire cloud upstart NetSuite.
- AP Newsbreak: US oil, gas applications could drop 40 percent
- Germany's Merkel: US trade deal 'absolutely' in EU interest
- EU calls Turkey's crackdown on media "worrying"
- Chipotle says it plans to open burger restaurant
In the heart of Knoxville, a group of women from Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, and other countries are working to facilitate communication between cultures through Spanish Language Solutions, a language services company.
A Ruby Tuesday franchise operator has closed all 11 of its locations in Illinois, prompting a statement today from the Maryville-based parent organization that it will look for ways to return to that market.
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) - Ford Motor Co.'s net income fell 9 percent to $2.0 billion in the second quarter as the company struggled with flattening U.S. sales and a tougher market in China.
WASHINGTON (AP) - More Americans sought unemployment aid last week, but the number of applications was still at a low level that suggested hiring is healthy.
SAN FRANCISCO — Facebook crushed earnings again on Wednesday, delivering the fastest rate of revenue growth in two years, a whopping 59%.
Get prepared for the tax free holiday, which will begin at 12:01 a.m. Friday and end at 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Downtown redevelopment will have "jumped the tracks" on its way north when the proposed Regas Square development on Depot Avenue is completed, says the developer and a city official.
The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged Wednesday but sounded a positive note: Near-term risks to the economy, the Fed said, have diminished.
Long before women's liberation, there were women forging careers in male-dominated fields, including construction.
Americans bought new homes in June at the fastest pace in more than eight years, a sign that a solid job market and low mortgage rates are bolstering the broader U.S. economy. (1)
After Joe and Ama Pease opened their small grocery store on Martin Mill Pike in the Vestal community in 1929, they soon began stocking a few pieces of furniture, too, to see how that might work out with their budding new business. (1)
A nearly $15 billion settlement over Volkswagen's emissions cheating scandal cleared a key hurdle Tuesday, with a federal judge giving preliminary approval to the deal that includes an option for owners to have the carmaker buy back their vehicles.
Conversion Properties on Wednesday plans to kick off its $36 million Regas Square residential/commercial project, as downtown development expands to the north.
A company that does environmental cleanup is keeping its headquarters in Oak Ridge in the Tech 2020 building, which it has purchased. (1)
A Miami judge ruled Monday that Bitcoin is not really money in a closely-watched decision that dismissed charges against a local man for illegally selling and laundering the virtual currency.
“Our country is getting ripped off.” That’s the sub-headline on Donald Trump’s campaign website for his position on trade. A vote for Trump is a vote for standing up to trade manipulators.
On Tuesday, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer unveiled a cost-cutting initiative that includes trimming 15% of its workforce. It's the latest chapter in Yahoo's recent drama, as the company continues to weigh how to handle its Internet businesses amid shareholder scrutiny.
With Verizon's $4.8 billion acquisition of Yahoo, the telecommunications giant hopes to merge it with fellow Web portal pioneer AOL to create a new mobile and online powerhouse.
Across the table your adversary is quietly asking you questions, but it's hard to concentrate. Your heart races, palms sweat, and you want to hit the door at full speed to escape, hoping against hope never again to find yourself in such a place.
The demographics of income inequality
The growing wealth and income gap between the wealthiest and poorest Americans is real, and, according to a recent study, responsible for higher levels of social ills and unrest in the U.S. (2)
Tennessee's sales tax holiday is coming up, and retail giants like Walmart and Best Buy, plus a host of smaller retailers, are ready for the extra shoppers.


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“APEC remains an incubator of ideas, an engine for innovation and a driver for regional economic growth and integration,” Viet Nam’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Bui Thanh Son, exhorted APEC Senior Officials when they convened this week with its private sector advisory body in Bangkok.
Meeting amid fragile global economic growth, stagnant trade and subdued investment, the APEC Business Advisory Council recognized the costs of globalization, including its effects on reducing employment, excess pressure on social services and that multinational corporations may sometimes game the tax system.
Weighed against those concerns, ABAC members acknowledged that there is much more to gain from globalization, which results in increased productivity and innovation, access to more varieties of products, lower consumer prices and help to reduce environmental degradation.
“Protectionism and globalization skepticism are on the rise in different corners of the globe,” exclaimed Bui who is the 2017 Chair of APEC Senior Officials. “But this is not a time for despair.”
“The world and the Asia-Pacific region is being challenged by lethargy in the multilateral trading system,” said Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Virasakdi Futrakul.
At the same time that global economic growth figures remain relatively low and protectionist trends have emerged to challenge free and open trade, APEC must demonstrate its vitality, dynamism and responsiveness.
“APEC’s policy actions are sorely needed for businesses to tap more effectively into the Asia-Pacific region’s robust multi-billion dollar markets in services, logistics, health care, digital trade as well as renewable energy to name a few, thus creating jobs and prosperity for societies,” continued Bui who will chair the year’s first policy development meeting of APEC Senior Officials in Nha Trang, Viet Nam on 2-3 March.
Futrakul explained that such movements have been seen before and any attempts to turn back or shy away from free and open trade will have even worse consequences.
“We have to ensure that the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific is an inclusive and comprehensive trade agreement that truly addresses the needs of its users - businesspeople and the general public,” he continued.
Futrakul added that nurturing the competitiveness and internationalization of micro, small and medium-size enterprises is key to achieving quality growth that leaves no one behind. For example, economies can offer lending support like Thailand’s strategy to help villages and cooperatives gain access to the global market.
After winning APEC’s “One Village One Brand award for geographical indications in 2011 and finding success in foreign markets, Doi Chaang Coffee began selling its branded products in Thailand. This has resulted in greater domestic demand, factory expansion, and the creation of jobs throughout Thailand and the global markets it serves.
Known for its organically grown, fine quality coffee, Doi Chaang Coffee, a public-private partnership, sources its beans from the hill tribe people who previously cultivated opium. This has also played a part in eliminating “slash and burn” farming methods in Chiangrai, a province in northern Thailand.
“Governments in the APEC region are now addressing issues such as structural and regulatory reform, public and corporate governance, fair trade and better functioning markets” stated Futrakul.
# # #
For further details, or to arrange possible media interviews, please contact:
David Hendrickson +65 9137 3886 at firstname.lastname@example.org
Michael Chapnick (in Bangkok) +65 9647 4847 at email@example.com


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Radio P4 Stockholm has learn that Volvo is selling so many cars that it will start a third shift in the Torslunda factory, in the first quarter of 2015.
Nine out of ten of the new hires will be on permanent contracts. The others will be employed via temp agencies.
This will bring the total number of staff at the factory to 4,600 – a leap of 40 per cent.
Most of the new employees will be car makers and fitters, with some maintence staff and 50 office workers.
This is a rebound from 2008, when Volvo laid off 2,500 workers and scrapped its night shift.
During the first nine months of 2014 Volvo sales rose by over 9 per cent, and it is expected to break records by selling a predicted 470,000. The company is in acute need of more skilled workers.
“We’ll start right away, because it takes a while to find 1,300. We’re starting now and will be done by April, we need the new capacity,” says Volvo CEO to Swedish Radio P4 Gothenburg.


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Microsoft CEO: Data Privacy as a Human Right
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called on tech companies to protect users from cyber threats and voiced his support for privacy as a human right.
Big technology leaders like Satya Nadella and Tim Cook have been showing their concerns and their support for regulation amid ongoing data privacy concerns.
Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/01/microsoft-ceo-tech-companies-need-to-defend-privacy-as-a-human-right.html
For other news please visit the Cybertide Blog


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iOS apps crash more than Android, says recent data
Based on data collected in November and December of last year, iOS apps crashed at a significantly higher rate than Android apps – more than three times as much for top selling apps. Don't panic, Apple faithful, just keep repeating this soothing chant ...
Do iOS Apps Crash More Than Android Apps? A Data DiveForbes
iOS apps crash more than Android apps, study showsBGR
iPhone Apps Crash More Than Android Apps, Study ShowsMinyanville.com
Article by apps - Google News (c) apps - Google News - Read full story here.


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You have searched for Lenskart
LAST UPDATED : 7 Sep 2016, 04:00 IST
- Premji backs Lenskart as IDG makes part-exit
Bengaluru/Mumbai: Eyewear retailer Lenskart has completed a $30-million, or Rs 200-crore, financing round, majority of which is a secondary transaction, led by PremjiInvest, the family office of IT czar and Wipro chairman Azim Premji. The latest funding values the e-tailer at about Rs 2,000 crore. The company did not disclose the funding amount in a prepared statement sent out Tuesday. Sources told TOI that the online retailer’s first institutional investor IDG Ventures has made a partial exit from Lenskart, clocking a handsome return and taking home about $20 million, while $10 million will come into the company as primary infusion. Lenskart’s founder and CEO Peyush Bansal did not confirm IDG Ventures’ part-exit but said, “An investor like PremjiInvest will give us huge expertise in our retail business as they have invested in retail companies, both online and offline”. PremjiInvest has backed retail ventures including Myntra, Snapdeal and FabIndia. Prior to this round, the New Delhi-based Lenskart has raised about Rs 714 crore from a clutch of investors, including a Rs 400 crore-round in May led by International Finance Corp — the private sector investment arm of the World Bank. Ronnie Screwvala-led Unilazer Ventures, TPG Growth and Adveq are the other existing investors in the online retailer. “We already have a significant offline retail presence. We manufacture the lenses but frames are outsourced, and are now planning to control the manufacturing of frames as well,” Bansal told TOI. Lenskart will invest $1 million to set up the manufacturing facility.
- PremjiInvest is eyeing a stake in Lenskart now
The transaction is set to value Lenskart at about Rs 2,000 crore, and comes three months after it mopped up Rs 400 crore, at a valuation of Rs 1,600-1,700 crore, in a round led by International Finance Corp, the private sector investment arm of the World Bank.
- IFC leads Series D investment in Lenskart for quality eyewear expansion
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is investing Rs. 171 Crores in Indian eyewear company Lenskart, to help the company expand access to high-quality and affordable eye-care products in tier-III, tier-IV cities. IFC was the lead investor for the Rs.


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The Trans Pacific Partnership, or TPP, has been getting a lot of discussion time lately at conferences, in offices and in government agencies. But what are the implications to global trade? The following is a brief summary of the TPP and resources that can be used to find out more information.
The TPP was signed in 2005 and went into force in 2006 in the original member countries, which were Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore. According to the SICE website, the goal is to “create a platform for economic integration across the Asia Pacific region.” Six other countries, Australia, Malaysia, Peru, Japan, United States and Vietnam, are still negotiating their participation in the TPP. It was the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held last November 2011 in Honolulu, U.S.A, that negotiations were again discussed for these six additional countries.
According to the Office of the United States President, the 2011 APEC meeting discussions resulted in “the broad outlines of an ambitious, 21st-century Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that will enhance trade and investment among the TPP partner countries, promote innovation, economic growth and development, and support the creation and retention of jobs.” It was also decided at the November 2011 meeting that an eleventh round of negotiations would take place March 1 – 9, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia.
As we wait to see what these negotiations will bring for the TPP and those six countries looking to join, there are several resources that can be used to gain a better understanding of the TPP.


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Earlier this year, there were reports that Geely Holding Group, a Chinese manufacturer, is working something out with Proton, a Malaysian automaker. Proton once owned the British sports car manufacturer Lotus. This month, it has finally been revealed what both companies were setting out to achieve - a $65 million (£51 million) transaction, that is Geely’s acquisition of a controlling stake of 51 percent in Lotus, scheduled to be finalized by the end of September.
Lotus has been around for 65 years already, and that whole time, the small company had a pretty wobbly existence. But the deep-pocketed Chinese might actually be the future of the company, according to specialists.
Back in 2010, Geely’s founder Li Shufu decided to acquire Volvo. And when it did, it provided the Swedish company the necessary investment, but at the same time, it retained the engineering and the same team that was behind the company, that specialized in what they do. This is exactly what Geely should do as they acquire Lotus.
This means that Lotus should retain its team and continue what they are doing, by providing technologies and engineering conceptions that will help Geely’s brands. These will include the lightweight chassis and body designs, and electric powertrains they have been developing. The British company specialized in helping larger companies lose weight, tune suspensions, and improve aerodynamics.
What Lotus should focus on developing next would be the introduction of electric cars, and electric sports cars I must say. And this will not be an issue for them as their engineers have been working with EV technologies. In fact, they even helped Tesla build and produce the Roadster from 2008.
Back in June, Jean Marc Gales, chief executive officer of Lotus since 2014, says that Geely’s plan is probably the best thing that has happened to the company so far. He also said in an interview with Bloomberg that it would be awesome if they are the first company to develop an electric car that is also extra light in weight. Gales then added that two to three years from now, battery-powered cars will be able to perform much better, as technology improves.
However, before this falls into place, the British automaker must deal with Brexit first. This means that the company must expand its market range outside the European Union, where already half of its production goes.
Let us hope that when the Chinese billionaire Geely finally takes over Lotus, the British specialty car maker will be rescued, after years of trying to revive the company’s 55-acre factory complex located in eastern England.


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Over 165,000 pounds of ground beef recalled amid E. coli outbreak
Fox News Flash top headlines for April 25
Fox News Flash top headlines for April 25 are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com
A meat producer in Georgia has recalled more than 56 tons of raw ground beef products — and another in Illinois is recalling more than 26 tons— over concerns of E. coli contamination amid an outbreak affecting 10 states across the country, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.
K2D Foods, doing business as Colorado Premium Foods and operating out of Carrolton, has issued the recall for approximately 113,424 pounds of ground meat products, specifically vacuum-sealed packages of products labeled “ground beef puck” that had been shipped to distributors in Port Orange, Fla. and Norcross, Ga., to be sent out to restaurants via those distributors.
A package of ground beef from K2D foods, which was collected by investigators at a Tennessee restaurant where people with reported cases of E. coli infection had dined, had tested positive for Escherichia coli O103, the USDA confirmed.
Grant Park Packing, of Franklin Park, Ill, has also recalled around 53,200 pounds of specific raw ground beef products shipped with labels including “North Star Imports & Sales” and “for institutional use only.” These products had been shipped to Minnesota for distribution, as well as Kentucky for institutional use, per a USDA news release.
Unopened packages of the ground beef also tested positive for E. Coli, though the USDA did not specify where it was collected.
The current outbreak linked to tainted ground beef has spread to 10 states, with 156 people testing positive for infection, according to the latest investigation notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Of the 156 people with reported cases, 20 had been hospitalized. There have been no deaths linked to this E. coli outbreak.
The investigation into the spread of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections began on March 28, after health officials in both Kentucky and Georgia reported outbreaks to the CDC. So far, there have been 65 reported cases and 33 reported cases in Kentucky and Georgia, respectively.
Additional cases of E. coli infection were later reported in Florida (3 as of Tuesday), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Minnesota (1), Mississippi (1), Ohio (8), Tennessee (41) and Virginia (2).
The FSIS and the CDC, along with public health departments in Kentucky and Georgia, are conducting ongoing investigations into the source of the contaminated beef. As of Tuesday, the CDC has not recommended that people refrain from eating ground beef, but instead stressed that “consumers and restaurants should handle ground beef safely and cook it thoroughly to avoid foodborne illness.”
While most strains of E. coli are harmless, some are pathogenic and can cause illness, which typically includes stomach cramps and diarrhea, according to the CDC. The bacteria can be transmitted through contaminated water or food and sometimes through contact with other people and animals.
Many of those infected recover after several days, although some E. coli infection cases can be life-threatening. This is especially true for pregnant women, newborns, older or elderly adults and those with weakened immune systems.
The CDC recommends thorough handwashing, washing fruits and vegetables, cooking meat thoroughly and avoiding cross-contamination in food preparation areas as ways to prevent E. coli illness.
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Alexandria Hein and Madeline Farber contributed to this report.
Source: Read Full Article


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Ice — in exotically shaped cubes, boozy popsicles or suffusing your coffee — is having its moment in the zeitgeist.
Why it matters: During a record hot summer when icebound places are melting rapidly, it makes sense that ice — a commodity we take for granted until it grows scarce — has turned chic.
Driving the news: Ice is popping up everywhere, all at once:
What they’re saying: “Cold has kind of taken over,” former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said in an earnings call last November.
By the numbers: More than 60% of Gen Z consumers ordered a cold coffee drink from a food service location in the first half of 2022, compared with 33% who ordered a hot coffee drink, says Mintel, the trend-spotting consultancy.
Yes, but: Martha Stewart, on a Greenland cruise last month, caught heat for boasting on social media that someone had “captured a small iceberg for our cocktails tonight.”
Ice, ice baby: Housewares makers have cottoned to the craze, with new products like the Avanti countertop nugget ice maker (“enjoy the restaurant-quality nugget ice you crave”) and Oggi large-sphere ice cube molds. (Nuggets appeal to people who like to chew ice.)
Flashback: Before electric refrigerators became widely available in the 1930s, ice (in drinks and home iceboxes) was a status symbol for the wealthy — it was harvested from frozen lakes by horses pulling plow-like ice cutters.
In 2019, LG became the first refrigerator maker to produce those big round ice balls in its ice-making trays — something no other manufacturer is doing, according to William Kwon, senior product manager of refrigeration in LG’s home appliances division.
Meanwhile, ice is also making a strong showing in new food products, particularly those that cater to our growing taste for fun foods.
Where it stands: Designer ice has become “the height of domestic luxury,” per The New York Times.


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The U.S. dairy industry continues to play a strong role in the U.S., supporting 3.3 million total jobs and $41.6 billion in direct wages. The International Dairy Foods Association released the findings in an economic impact report this week. IDFA’s 2021 Economic Impact Study, which measures the combined impact of the dairy products industry, showed the U.S. dairy industry’s economic impact totaled $752.9 billion. IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes says, “American dairy companies contribute significantly to the U.S. economy, and their impact continues to grow year after year.” The newly released figures indicate the U.S. dairy industry now contributes 3.5 percent of U.S. GDP, and $67.1 billion in federal, State and local taxes. For the first time, the total value of exports was included in the study, revealing the U.S. dairy industry is responsible for a total of $6.5 billion in exported goods and reinforces the importance of fair international trade agreements for the industry.
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A surge of fresh ideas, a different way of thinking and young leaders unafraid to dive in head-first are converging to fuel transformation in the retail industry. In two sessions at the NRF Foundation’s Student Program at NRF 2018: Retail’s Big Show, over 800 students heard from entrepreneurs who revolutionized established retail concepts.
Michael Lastoria, CEO and co-founder of &pizza (second left, above), Alexa Buckley, co-founder of Margaux (far right, above), Kavita Shukla, founder and CEO of Fenugreen (second right, above), Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker, and Rachel Shechtman, founder and CEO of STORY, all shared how they started businesses from simple ideas they were passionate about.
The common theme in the origin stories: spotting a problem, pondering a unique solution and always asking ‘how.’ The entrepreneurs focused on building a new solution instead of fretting about where it could go wrong. “I’m so glad we jumped in fast,” Buckley said about starting made-to-order footwear brand Margaux fresh out of college. “By taking that leap of faith, you’re all in.” Lastoria added that it comes down to a feeling that “to not put forth that idea that you have would be a greater risk than the possible failure of what happens.”
The speakers all agreed on the importance of mentorship and constantly working to push harder and smarter. “Who you surround yourself with is really critical,” said Lastoria. This goes for business partnerships and people hired to help with moving a vision forward. Blumenthal believes that over-communicating is better when it comes to maintaining good relationships — “provide feedback to each other,” he said, especially to partners.
Shukla, whose company Fenugreen creates FreshPaper, a product that helps extend the shelf life of produce, advised budding entrepreneurs not to underestimate their own ability. When uncertainty sets in, “just try to take one little step forward every day,” she said. A ‘life hack’ from Buckley could be valuable in the daily grind: She sets three personal and three professional goals every morning so no matter how the day turns out, she does something to progress personally and professionally.