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Flyers should avoid eating beans, bread and broccoli before a trip. These foods, among others, are known to produce Jet Bloating because they cause stomach gasses to expand.
The excess gas isn't just uncomfortable and embarrassing, it can also be a travel hazard. In fact, TheDailyTelegraph.com reports that in 2006, a flight in the United States was forced to divert from its path and make a landing because passengers noticed a suspicious smell in a bathroom that turned out to be a used match. Another passenger lit the match to cover up an even more unfortunate smell.
Singapore Airlines has released a guide on how to prevent common travel issues such as bloating, jet lag, indigestion and fatigue. It mentions that deep fried foods slow indigestion, carbonated beverages and peaches bring on gas, and salty snacks lead to water retention. In the days leading up to the flight, it's recommended not to eat these foods.
Conversely, green tea stimulates digestive enzymes and helps detoxify the body, alleviating gas. Onions, bananas, berries, and garlic are also helpful. Potatoes, pineapple, and turmeric mitigate indigestion so the airline recommends filling up on those items.
For anxious fliers, a few celery sticks before boarding can calm the central nervous system. Vitamin B, found in leafy green vegetables and whole cereal grains, can reduce stress. Since ginger reduces the severity of travel sickness, the airline suggests ordering a ginger ale -- the flatter the better, to avoid gassiness caused by carbonation -- or a dish featuring the root.
In addition to ginger ale, it's wise to drink a lot of water or juice because dehydration can cause headaches, stress and a general feeling of wooziness.


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Bitcoin Tshirt Ladies Buy Bitcoin T-Shirt: Shop top fashion brands T-Shirts at Amazon.com ✓ FREE. Department: Womens; Manufacturer: Bitcoin; Package Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 1. . Crypto Hats – Bitcoin Hoodies – Crypto Shirts – Bitcoin T Shirts – Crypto Fashion – Ethereum Shirts. Shop Women's. #1 Bitcoin Shirts And Clothing Store. Bitcoin T-shirts bij Spreadshirt ✓
Bestselling author of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" Robert Kiyosaki has announced that the dollar is dying out fast, and its time to buy BTC.
Bitcoin and gold would be the biggest contenders for best-performing commodities in 2020 – Bloomberg report. The Fed chair Jerome Powell endorses an Ethereum-based reference rate project for financial.
Losses from cryptocurrency thefts, hacks, and frauds netted $1.4 billion in the first five months of 2020, Chinese-based.
Consumers are warned to be on the alert to investment scams being carried out by false companies offering fake investment.

domain: news


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Supermarket chain $SVU said it appointed Mark Gross as its CEO and President, effective Feb. 5. Gross will succeed Sam Duncan who has previously announced he will be retiring. Gross will be appointed to the Board effective March 1.
$WFC agreed to hike its payout in a class-action settlement over unauthorized accounts by $32 million to $142 million for its retail sales practices. The settlement will now include customers who were impacted as early as May 2002.
$TSTR's average loans were up 4.3% in 1Q17 over 1Q16. Average
deposits were up 1.8% over the same period a year earlier. For 1Q17, return on
average assets and return on average equity were 0.91% and 10.17%,
respectively, compared to 0.89% and 9.98% for 1Q16.
$TSTR reported a 5.2% increase in 1Q17 earnings. Net income was
$10.9MM or $0.114 per share compared to $10.4MM or $0.109 per share in 1Q16. Net
interest income was $37.4MM compared to $36.1MM in 1Q16.
$MAN sees good opportunities for its Solutions business in the US,
as well as in permanent placement. $MAN has been applying strong pricing discipline
and has been careful in terms of acquiring businesses and segmenting its
business. Despite revenue declines, client segmentation and pricing discipline
have helped in gross profit expansion.
$BEL announced the nomination of a new independent director, Demetra Pinsent, CEO of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Ltd., for election to its board of directors at the company’s 2017 AGM to be held on June 1, 2017.
$MAN is starting to see some companies make decisions in
anticipation of a different business environment and this could partly be related
to Brexit. The company added that the UK market is getting softer in a number
of areas and $MAN is starting to see its clients react to this situation.


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Ubisoft has begun promoting Watch Dogs in Canada, starting with a small area on the campus of Toronto’s Ryerson University. A big compartment with the words ‘Watch Dogs’ written in white spray paint had university students flocking to see what was going on.
The promotion actually involves a reward system made through the Watch Dogs Android and iPhone app. By using the app on the compartment, users are entered to win various prizes including headsets and other gear.
There also will be more promotions than just today, so be sure to check your Watch Dogs app regularly.
Speaking of the app, you can pick it up here for your Android.
Watch Dogs comes out worldwide on May 27th for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. There is also a Wii U version, but its release date has yet to be released.


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Puerto Banus - Sotogrande, Costa del Sol (PRWEB UK) 6 April 2016
Yacht Computer Service, a leader in on-board repair of laptops, PCs, smartphones, and any other devices, has announced an extension of its 24/7 service for vessels traveling the waters of Spain and France.
Company CEO Ralph Ehlers says the company is able to extend its peerless services by having invested in state of the art monitoring systems, additional IT staff, and by pursuing its mission of becoming the world’s number one provider of on-board IT services. Recent service contracts with leading charter companies and manufacturers alike, the company is on target to achieve that goal.
“From day one, our vision of YCS has never changed,” Ehlers says. “We continue to lead the industry in terms of scope, service, and affordability, and we are excited to offer clients on the Spanish and French coasts the same level of treatment as vessels in the US or the Caribbean receive.”
Since launching in 2013, YCS has become a trusted partner for more than 300 superyachts sailing the Mediterranean and the Atlantics. The company offers virtually every type of IT service imaginable, including screen repair, software repair, virus removal, disaster recovery, liquid damage, hardware repair, and more. The company primarily services clients in the region between Marbella and Gibraltar, but also serves clients globally through its YCS Remote Repair System.
Those interested in learning more about the company or its top-notch services should visit its website at https://yachtcomputerservice.com/.
The company also maintains a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/yachtcomputerservice/
The company prides itself on unbeatable customer service, accessible around the clock, and has earned a reputation as a trusted partner for any vessel in need of help.
“To know that we are there for you when you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere and are completely cut off help, it can be so reassuring to know we are ready to jump in and assist with whatever the issue might be,” Ehlers says. “We understand the importance of staying connected in the digital age, and we are experts in keeping you connected any time of day.”


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|Tyndale distributes student Bibles in Ghana|
|Written by Eric Tiansay|
|Friday, 22 March 2013 10:35 AM America/New_York|
Tyndale House Publishers has joined forces with Christian retail chains and independent retailers to distribute more than 200,000 Bibles to students in Ghana.
In a partnership with Scripture Union, Family Christian Stores, Mardel Christian & Education and a number of independent stores in the U.S., Tyndale launched the Ghana Student Edition Bible project in the spring 2012, aiming to see 500,000 special editions presented to high school students in Ghana. The project was the brainchild of the country's former president, Dr. John Evans Atta Mills and First Lady Dr. Ernestina Naadu Mills, who penned an introductory letter that was included in the Bible.
With a glossy, faux leather cover featuring the Ghanian national colors of red, yellow and green, the Bible was offered to stores with a display case inviting customers to donate a copy for $5.99 and sign their name on a book plate.
Fifty percent of Ghana's population of 17 million is under 18. Schools in the West African nation are allowed to read and teach the Bible as well as share the gospel with students.
"While the door of opportunity remains open to the gospel in Ghana, we must act," said Mary Chapman, brand and product director at Tyndale, who recently traveled to Ghana to kick off the Bible distribution with Scripture Union. "We cannot take this open door for granted. Seeing the faces of the young people who were anxious and excited about receiving the Word of God was truly a sight to behold."
In the past five years, Tyndale's Christian retail channel exclusives have distributed nearly 2 million Bibles to those in the military, prison and crisis pregnancy centers through various Bible campaigns.


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28K businesses register for two-year business permit
CEBU CITY, Philippines — As of mid-January 2020, the Cebu City Business Processing and Licensing Permit Office (BPLO) has recorded 28,000 businesses in the city to have availed of the two-year business permit.
This is more than half of the total number of registered businesses in the city which is at 40,000.
Lawyer Jared Limquiaco, the head of the BPLO, told CDN Digital that the one-stop shop at the third floor of the SM City Cebu helped in the easy processing of the requirements for these businesses.
With this, the one-stop shop will extend until February 21, 2020, or until the opening of the financial center across the Cebu City Hall.
However, the BPLO office at SM City Cebu will continue on in a smaller different area inside the mall since the business sector has expressed a liking to a mall-satellite office.
“The new satellite office will be smaller than what it is now, but it will be enough for those who want convenience,” he said.
The main office at the financial center will also be able to accommodate more clients for the BPLO including new time registrants at a more conducive place for transaction.
Limquiaco still cannot reveal how much the city has earned for the registrants, but has expressed satisfaction with the turnout.
For the satellite offices, the BPLO is also looking into establishing four more offices aside from the one at the SM City Cebu.
They are targetting the malls including the Ayala Central Bloc because it is in the heart of the business center of the city.
Limquiaco hopes they can bring closer the services of the city to the business sector for a more business-friendly Cebu City. /dbs
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.


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Kroger recalls ground beef, ribeye steaks
CINCINNATI, Ohio (FOX19) - Check your freezer: Kroger has recalled ground beef and ribeye steaks sold between April 23 and June 7 at stores in the entire Tri-State, according to its website.
The recall, issued Friday, is for bone-in ribeye steaks, boneless ribeye steaks and in-store produced ground beef due to a risk of E Coli contamination, the company says.
The recall impacts stores in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Southeastern Indiana and Dayton.
If the meat is consumed, it could result in severe illness, Kroger warns.
So far, there have been no confirmed reports of illness, according to the company’s website.
Customers are urged to return these products to the store for a full refund.
This is the second recall issued Friday of Kroger products.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalled Kroger brand frozen blackberries for possible Hepatitis A virus contamination.
Copyright 2019 WXIX. All rights reserved.


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- Startups to Watch at SXSWi 2014
Another year, another crop of upstart startups looking to use South by Southwest as a springboard to success.
No Longer Clashing, Wearable Tech Embraces Fashion
Wearable electronics have been stuck in a design rut. Bulky watches, bright wristbands and Roman-gladiator-meets-the-Jetsons arm straps have been the go-to look for manufacturers like Nike and Jawbone.
- A Look At The iBeacon Store Of The Future With Retail Startup Thirdshelf
Montreal-based Thirdshelf had a fully functional demonstration retail store with iBeacon proximity based shopper customization in place.
- South Korea Gets the Startup Bug
Tech geeks submitted hundreds of mobile apps last year to New York City’s first-ever “GapApp” competition.
- This Bluetooth Ring Is Like a Magic Wand on Your Finger
We’ve seen interactive rings that receive alerts from your smartphone and even rings that will give you the current time in a unique way, but a new ring leapfrogs the rest by acting as a full-on control mechanism.
- Digital Innovation: Next Big Thing in Retail?
Department store chain John Lewis is backing a Silicon Roundabout-style technology incubator – to be called “JLab” – to develop the next big thing for its stores.
- Kickstarter Hits $1 Billion in Donations
Kickstarter has been used to raise money for everything from a Zach Braff film to smart light bulbs. How much money? More than $1 billion, the company announced on Monday.
- App System Turns a Phone Into a Fetal Monitor
For years, pregnant moms have pumped music into the womb with headphones. Now parents are piping sounds from the inside out.
As London Fashion Week draws to a close, we took a moment to check out some of the tech that made the headlines for us.
Livestreaming enables us to watch the shows anywhere we choose, or in the case of Topshop through a shop window. This season Topshop made this illusion come to life, collaborating with 3D agency Inition to create a virtual front row in the windows of their flagship store on Oxford street. Five Topshop fans had the opportunity to wear Oculus Rift virtual reality headsets & headphones, giving them a front row ticket to watch the vibrant A/W14 collection walk down the runway sitting in the window of Topshop.
Next up, Fyodor Golan’s collaboration with Nokia, his collection consisted of a piece that still has us reminiscing about his show: a £68,000 skirt that was made up of 80 Nokia Lumia 1520 Smartphones. Whatever happened to the classic pencil skirt? Golan has clearly tossed that trend out the window. The bell-shaped mini-skirt was broadcasting snaps of colored visuals, which looking like butterfly wings that were beating away.
Milan Fashion Pitch finalists Wowcracy made their mark, with their online fashion platform that enables you to purchase high quality fashion before it lands on the market. They pre-sold a new collection live from LFW, launching Milan based designer, Flavia La Rocca’s A/W14 collection on the opening day of LFW. Flavia La Rocca’s collection is a combination of sustainable materials and exquisite design, made available to buy through Wowcracy before hitting the stores in Autumn.
And finally, the “Twitter Mirror” made a debut at LFW, with Matthew Williamson giving it some serious showtime. The “mirror” was set-up like a photo booth backstage for celebrities, models, make-up artists, and a whole lot more to snap their selfies. All could be spied upon Matthew Williamson’s Twitter feed and under the ever evolving #OhMW.
Reported by Anisa Sojka
- Marty McFly’s Self-Tying Laces a Reality of the Not-Too-Distant Future
Nike shoe designer Tinker Hatfield has whipped up excitement with his revelation that trainers with self-tying laces, like those worn by Michael J. Fox in Back To The Future II, will be unveiled in 2015
Israeli Start-Ups Make Online Shopping Easier
Apps that bring together fashion and technology are the focus of a competitive pitch night on Google’s Tel Aviv campus.
- Cuff Blends Jewelry With a Wearable Alert System
For some fashionistas wearables can be clunky and don’t aesthetically combine well with the other jewelry that women and men may have on their wrists such as bracelets, or a watch but Cuff is hoping to change this.
- Siemens Closes New $100M Fund For Innovation in Manufacturing Tech
The venture arm of European engineering company Siemens, Siemens Venture Capital, has launched a new $100 million “Industry of the Future” fund for early-stage startups, the firm announced today.
- Fendi Partners With Google to Livestream Runway Show
Fendi and Google have teamed up to create a new catwalk experience and are installing cameras on drones, powered by Parrot.
- What Happens When Data Geeks Run a Fashion Label?
Business intelligence and data analytics are not words you usually hear uttered at a fashion label. But for Andrew Wolf and Gonçalo Reis, founders of Singapore-based fashion company Lift12, these terms are bread and butter.
- Photos Become Ads With New Technology
A new technology starting to catch the attention of publishers, especially outside the United States, could further feed the debate over native advertising by turning any visual element on a web page, including editorial photographs and videos, into advertisements.
- U.S. Speed Skaters Struggle: Are High-Tech Suits to Blame?
The U.S. speed skating team is desperately trying to make sense of its miserable performance during the first week of the Winter Olympics – and much of the speculation has turned to a new high-tech skin suit.
On the first day of London Fashion Week, Lyst announced a new partnership with top iconic British fashion designer, Mary Katrantzou. Lyst are exclusively retailing a selection of the brand’s limited edition Spring 2014 resort collection, these pieces are only available on Lyst.com in the USA.
Launching on Valentine’s Day at the start of LFW, the collection comprises of ten garments, including the iconic Lanta & Nevis dresses. It is hugely exciting to see two innovative brands coming together, but also importantly marks Lyst’s first exclusive retail partnership (a sign of things to come).
This partnership comes shortly after Lyst announced an impressive $14 million round of investment and the launch of Mary Katrantzou’s own ecommerce site, back in November 2013. The collaboration is likely to give the designer a much further reach in the states and it is an exciting new proposition from the Lyst team.
Check out the cute Instagram video and spread the love #Lyst Loves Mary Katranzou.
Reported by Anisa Sojka
- Why This Year Will Be Huge For Wearable Tech
Shipments of smart wearable bands – currently a relatively small sector in the technology industry – are set to grow by mammoth proportions this year, according to independent analyst Canalys.
- Nokia designs ‘smart skirt’ for London Fashion Week
Technology is in for fall, right? Nokia’s new skirt is made from 35 Nokia Lumina 1520 smartphones and changes with the model’s movements. It debuts at London Fashion Week, which kicked off Friday.
- The 10 Best Startup Websites
When it comes to startups, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of new ones every year here are some that caught our eye.
- Marigay McKee Is the New Master of Saks Fifth Avenue
When Marigay McKee needed to recharge between top gigs at Harrods and Saks Fifth Avenue, where she recently took over as president, she did something unusual: She climbed more than 17,000 feet, to Mount Everest’s base camp.
Screaming girls and Sherlock Holmes, what a way to open our Apple Store Meetup. If you arrived on time, you would’ve been met with an outpour of Benedict Cumberbatch fans, as we did a swift turn around to get ready for our event.
With a full house, it was time for us to reveal our 2014 Calendar and a special opportunity for founder Liz Bacelar to tell the story behind Decoded Fashion. We unveiled our plans for SXSW and the launch of the Fashion Hackathon and Summit for London this May. Not only that, but this year we have expanded our Meetup to create a global community to uncover the best tech in fashion. January saw us head to Toronto, whilst in March we will be in Dublin, Berlin and Singapore.
Up next fit solutions go to war Fits.me and Metail- let battle commence!! With the CEO’s of both discussing different approaches to the problem of fit and how they are bringing return rates down. There is no doubt the tech is great but do customers use it? With the key issues across fit solutions being 3D representation, digitising clothes cheaply and size/shape of people against size/shape of clothing. It’s also about understanding consumer mindset and behaviour, do they need to learn to use a fit tool? And the bigger question to be asked to the retailers, do they prefer conversion sells vs reduced return? With both solutions collecting a huge database of “body shapes”, it’s clear that there is further potential in this data, yet to be put into practise. With Metail CEO Tom Adeyoola closing with “the past 5 years have been about putting infinite things on the internet, the next 5 will be about making choices”.
Diffusing the debate, CEO, Runar Reistrup introduces Depop, a mobile shopping app, that could be described as a little like Instagram with a buy button. Yes, it is another social shopping app but what stands out is it’s network of influential sellers and it’s clever use of high profile social figures to help onboard users. It’s a great way for emerging designers to sell directly to the consumer, with Designer Katie Eary using Depop to sell her designs straight from the runway.
And finally, what a breath of fresh air when ShuffleHub’s two young founders took to the stage. With a dramatic intro and a book on the floor here is Shufflehub “taking away the work and bringing the feel good” to shopping. Taking us through the UX golden rules and introducing us to a humorous testing regime on hungover friends. “We get out friends drunk, and make them sleep over” just to prove it’s easy to use. Aiming for the purest and simplest browsing on the internet, one big button, easy shopping for when you don’t know what you want and also for when you do. We have a good feeling about these boys!
The podcast is now available for download on itunes.
- Social Media Fuels 21st Century Fashion Revolution
The explosion of social media is perhaps the greatest revolution in fashion since Mary Quant’s mini skirt, transforming the industry’s branding and fan base.
- How Shoptiques is Helping Independent Boutiques Tackle E-Commerce
Olga Vidisheva of Shoptiques introduces them to the world-and brings a world of new shoppers to them.
- 3D Printshow New York: Fashion and Technology Coverage in Live Catwalk Show Dedicated to Wearable Tech
3D Printshow New York will feature a live catwalk show to showcase the latest 3D printed fashion designs and wearable tech.
- Disrupting the Fashion Industry
How Israeli technology is changing the way you shop for fashion online.
- Peter Pilotto: With Help From Cara Delevingne and Target Our Bright Prints Hit the Sartorial Sweet Spot
The label has partnered with the budget US retailer on an affordable line, causing a frenzy in the process.
- Zooey Deschanel Teams with Tommy Hilfiger
To Tommy, From Zooey is the name of the new capsule collection designed by Tommy Hilfiger and Zooey Deschanel.
- Pebble Debuts a Smartwatch-Only App Store
The maker of the wearable device has just launched a one-stop shop for its users.
- Eye on E-Commerce: SnobSwap
SnobSwap is an online marketplace where users can shop, sell and swap luxury clothing, handbags and accessories.


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- Honda's (HMC) FQ2 net profit jumped 46% to ¥120.3B ($1.225B), although it missed forecasts of ¥134.9B.
- Revenues climbed 27.3% to ¥2.89T, mainly due to "increased revenue in automobile and motorcycle business operations," as well as due to the weaker yen.
- Operating profit +70% to ¥171.4B, helped by an increase in sales volume and an improved model mix.
- Forecasts that FY 2014 net profit will rise 58% to ¥580B - below consensus of ¥610.8B - and that revenues will grow 22.5% to ¥12.1T. (PR)
- Meanwhile, Honda has agreed to sell its its Elesys electronic parts subsidiary to Japan's Nidec (NJ), with a report putting the price at ¥50B. (PR)


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Sony are dropping their latest PlayStation 3 colorway - the Scarlet Red Chassis. This is currently only available in Europe and hasn't made it to North America yet.
The 320GB Scarlet Red PS3 comes with two matching Dualshock3 controllers and will retail at Â£239.99 / â¬299.
Purtty, ain't she?
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 - 1:30pmRemember back in the day when game publishers couldn't ship broken games and then patch them later on over the Internet? While that practice is pretty annoying, what's even worse is a permanently messed up game.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 - 3:47pmESC-Toy, headed by Erick Scarecrow, has just announced that they will be creating collectibles based on one of 2013's biggest hits in gaming, The Last of Us.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - 10:46amOK so E3 kicked off in LA yesterday and being very into my video games at the moment, i'm all over the info coming out of there at the moment, so long as it has nothing to do with the Wii U.


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2021 Ford Bronco Sold Out
Automotive jul 14 2020.
2021 ford bronco sold out. By eric brain. The bronco first edition has already sold out or at least the. Introducing the new 2021 ford bronco. It looks like few if any did because ford has confirmed that the second batch of reservations is already sold out which represents at least 212 800 000 in.
In early 2021 your ford dealer will be able to provide an approximate date for the delivery of your bronco. Take a look here. 32 899 hypes 23 comments. 2021 ford bronco sold out.
2021 ford bronco revealed. Leveraging the soul and design dna of the 1st generation today s bronco delivers on the bronco promise of capability durability and 55 years of off road credibility. Demand for ford s born again bronco has been so high that the off roader is sold out until 2022. Oprah sends 500 ceos and leaders copies of isabel wilkerson s caste popeyes parent s revenue falls 25 despite chicken chain s.
Early reservation holders will still get the suv in 2021. Initial bronco 2 and 4 door deliveries are targeted to begin in june 2021. On the same night the 2021 ford bronco was revealed and the reservation site launched the one year only first edition sold out that was 3 500 vehicles reserved in one evening. 2021 ford bronco first edition is sold out 3 500 units were snapped up very quickly.
All 3 500 reservation slots for the most expensive version of the 2021 ford nyse f bronco have already been taken the 2 door model starts at 59 305 nearly double the base bronco s price while.
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Platinum and gold numbers fall, while palladium 500 increases.
The total number of articles hallmarked by the four UK Assay Offices last month was 20.3 percent down, with a total of 893,362 items hallmarked – 227,852 fewer items than March 2010.
All metals (with the exception of palladium which was flat compared to last year) showed a reduction in volumes hallmarked, including silver which was 21.8 percent down but still representing 54 percent of the total units hallmarked in the UK in the month.
The total number of gold items hallmarked fell from 463,221 in March 2010, to 373,940. Nine carat gold held fast with the most number of items marked, while 14ct gold jumped 19 percent in number of items sent for hallmarking compared to March last year.
The amount of silver items hallmarked stood at 481,774, with an 87.3 percent rise in the number of 999 parts silver items marked.
Platinum fell from 28,690 items in March 2010 to 24,468 last month, a difference of 14.7 percent. Palladium of 950 parts saw a small drop to 11,873 items hallmarked, a drop of 8.8 percent for last year, while 500 parts palladium continued its trend seen last month, with a rise in figures to 801 pieces hallmarked, a massive 540.8 percent increase compared to March 2010.


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The Bridgerton star, 27, opened up about her appreciation for her dark skin and curly hair in her December 2022 cover story for Vogue UK. In the interview, which was published online on Tuesday, November 1, Ashley shared that while her appearance can at times present challenges, she’s always proud of her culture and background.
“I’m sure it was restrictive,” the Sex Education actress, who was born to Indian Tamil parents, said of her brown complexion. “Things have taken me longer than other young actors who maybe don’t have the same restrictions. But I never surrendered to it. I remember being a kid and people saying certain things that make you really aware of the color of your skin.”
She continued: “I remember seeing those Fair & Lovely [lightening] creams — they smelt so good, like baby powder, but I didn’t understand what they were. Now I’m like, ‘Wow. That’s messed up.’ But I adore the color of my skin. I always have.”
Ashley feels even more grateful to work with a glam team that helps enhance her natural beauty. “I get emotional talking about this. They understand my skin and the texture of my hair, and when getting ready for events, we find the joy within it,” the Sister star told the fashion publication of her makeup artist, Alex Babsky, and hairstylist Peter Lux. “And it’s not a superficial thing — it’s about normalizing dark skin and curly hair for girls who need to see that normalized.”
Ashley added that she hopes to help make other Black and brown girls feel the same. “I want them to be like, ‘Yes, I’ve got exactly the right products for me,’” she said, teasing the idea of launching her own beauty label.
In addition to her breakout roles on Netflix and in the upcoming film The Little Mermaid, Ashley has made a name for herself as a rising fashion star. The British actress attended both the Valentino and Chanel spring/summer 2023 shows during Paris Fashion Week in October. She was also invited to the Burberry presentation during London Fashion Week, playing it cool in an oversized collared shirt and over-the-knee boots.
In May, she made her Met Gala debut at the annual soiree in New York City, dazzling in a corset top and a silk skirt by Moschino. “It’s golden and gilded. It’s a very modern take. Jeremy [Scott] was inspired by the romance in Bridgerton,” she told Emma Chamberlain on the red carpet, per Vogue.
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New Haven, Conn., September 9, 2008 - Whether deciding to buy a new iPhone or a new car, consumers often do not consider that the initial thrill of a new purchase will wear off over time, according to new research from the Yale Center for Customer Insights at the Yale School of Management.
This finding may help explain why people overspend on frivolous items or expensive extra product features whose enjoyment will be short-lived. In a series of experiments, the authors, Yale SOM professors Nathan Novemsky and Ravi Dhar, and doctoral candidate Jing Wang, asked participants to predict their enjoyment from products including cars, plasma TVs, stereos, and digital cameras at different points in time.
They found that even when people believe they will enjoy a product less in the future as they use and adapt to it, they fail to apply that belief when making a purchase decision. "People don't automatically think about how their enjoyment from an item they are purchasing might change over an extended period of time," said Novemsky. "They may judge the enjoyment of having a product by considering what it's like to acquire that product."
When the researchers prompted participants to pay attention to time passage and the duration of using a product, it cued their beliefs about how their enjoyment from a product would diminish in the future. Those who were not prompted overestimated their long-term enjoyment.
In one experiment, participants were asked to consider two cars to buy: a base model sedan and the same car with a sunroof for an additional $900. Before choosing a car, one group predicted how much they would enjoy the sunroof several months after purchase, while another predicted enjoyment at two points, both immediately after purchase and several months later, to simulate the progression of time. The two-prediction group accurately expected their enjoyment of the sunroof to diminish over time. The single-prediction group overestimated; their enjoyment level for the sunroof several months after purchase matched that of the two-prediction group immediately after purchase.
Once people think about how they will enjoy a product less in the future, it shifts their product preferences away from higher priced choices with extra features whose enjoyment will quickly dissipate to cheaper, simpler options. Only 26% of participants in the double-prediction group would buy the car with the sunroof compared to 61% in the single-prediction group.
"Ironically, our results suggest that marketers who highlight the duration of owning or using a product by emphasizing a positive attribute, such as durability or a 5-year warranty, might actually dampen consumer interest because consumers may think about how they will adapt to it over time," said Novemsky.


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Suzuki Mehran was launched in the market in 1989 and there are many people, who love and hate this model of Suzuki Company. It is low price car and has the low maintenance cost but it never evolved. Pak Suzuki sold total 42,985 units in 2017 and made it the top selling hatchback in previous year. Mehran car is provided in the market in two variants like VX and VXR and now this company has discontinued this model.
The Suzuki Company has finally made the decision to stop the production of the Mehran and it has been replced by the new Alto with the engine capacity of 800cc. it was also said that maybe this car is not discountied and Alto will be named as Mehran. At the start of the year, it was disclosed by the some unofficial told that Mehran is neither discontinued nor it will be replaced by another car and it will remain in the market despite of the severe criticism.
It is necessary to mention that the company managed to sell 4324 units in January 2018 and we can compare the sale of the car with December 2017 and Pak Suzuki has vended 934 more units during the month of January 2018. The clients can watch the sale figures of Suzuki WagonR as it was sold in 24247 units in 2017 and it made it the second most selling hatchback in 2017. The company offers WagonR in two variants like VXR and VXL.
Suzuki company also shopped 19404 units of Suzuki Cultus in 2017 and it is to be noted that Suzuki Pakistan also launched all new 2018 Cultus AGS in December last year. There are total 4237 units of Suzuki Swift, which were sold in the previous year. The Chinese hatchback FAW V2 has become popular in local market and you can get Al-Haj FAW to get the sales figures of 2017. The company has sold total 1508 u8nits of FAW V2 in 2016 and 2555 units in 2017 of this car.


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In the past week, GIGABYTE has introduced two new high-end motherboards for AMD FX microprocessors. The new platforms belong to GIGABYTE’s premium Gaming G1 product lineup and include the latest storage/IO technologies like USB 3.1 and M.2, but also upgraded components and advanced overclocking capabilities. Despite formal positioning, the new mainboards are pretty affordable. AMD introduced the 32nm AMD FX processors, code-named Vishera and based on the Piledriver microarchitecture, back in late 2012. In 2013, the company released its FX 9000-series CPUs with increased clock-rates and TDP of up to 220 W designed for overclockers. To support the launch of ultra-high-end processors from AMD, makers of motherboards released their new platforms featuring enthusiast-class feature-set as well as robust voltage regulating modules (VRMs). Since then, AMD’s...
Over the past two years we’ve reviewed almost every AMD Kaveri desktop processor to have been released – the A10-7850K, the A8-7600, the A10-7800, the A8-7650K, the A4-7400K, the...18 by Ian Cutress on 2/2/2016
AMD plans to improve performance of its desktop computing platforms by launching a new accelerated processing unit as well as another generation of AM3+ and FM2+ motherboards with USB...47 by Anton Shilov on 1/9/2016
Both AMD and Intel bundle cooling solutions with their microprocessors. Such coolers are inexpensive, they are rather reliable and they do their job. They are not supposed to enable...54 by Anton Shilov on 1/8/2016
Despite the age of AMD's Vishera CPU architecture, we recently saw the release of two new lower powered 95W quad-module processors. The lower of the two, the FX-8320E, was...37 by Ian Cutress on 1/22/2015
While AMD’s FX-9590 CPU has been in systems for over a year, it suddenly comes to market as a retail package for end-users to buy with a bundled liquid...149 by Ian Cutress on 8/9/2014


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The panel will include Calif. industry member, advise the Federal Maritime Commission on issues related to ocean freight.
Various international factors could make or break future corn prices.
Diversified buyers help offer lower volumes with higher prices for U.S. soybean farmers.
Max Armstrong reports on Mexico's import of avocados into the U.S. and how it has helped the market
Max Armstrong offers insight on China ag commodity purchases from an ag trade authority Gregg Doud
Terry Branstad talked with Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts at a recent summit in Kearney.
China will keep driving commodity prices with its ongoing strong demand for protein and feed to feed its animals.
Extension protects U.S. dairy exports for now, questions still linger
Avocados from Mexico and Argentine lemons are having mixed results for growers like Chris Sayer.
Ag stakeholders able to share about the importance of building proactive trade agenda.


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According to a holiday survey conducted by Cars.com, travelers are still on the move amid the pandemic, but remaining closer to home. The digital automotive marketplace study revealed nearly half of Americans (46 percent) planned December travel for the holidays, while the majority (66 percent) planned to use personal vehicles as transport. The study also concluded the number of Americans planning New Year’s Eve travel is on the decline.
“Many people are staying home for the holidays as suspected, and those who are traveling will continue to rely on their personal vehicle. For most holiday travelers, the decision to drive is no longer primarily influenced by cost or convenience, but safety and security,” said Jenni Newman, editor-in-chief, Cars.com. “Cars.com has been tracking travel plans since October and has steadily seen the number of New Year’s travelers dwindle. This could mean that people are unwilling to give up time with family but more likely to pass on this year’s New Year’s party.”
Cars.com’s survey determined 2020 December holiday travel trends, including travelers choosing cars over trains; New Year’s celebrations held at home; and major cities seeing an uptick in holiday travel.
“When it comes to important decisions like whether to celebrate the holidays in person or virtually this year, we recommend following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and staying up to date with local COVID-19 rules and restrictions to make the best decision for you and your loved ones,” said Newman.
A couple of my friends and I decided to rent a house in the Camelback Mountain area of Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains for New Year’s Eve. To find the perfect place, we used Vrbo.com; there were a bunch of properties to choose from, but, in the end, we decided to rent a place in The Village at Camelback.
Though air travel slowed as airports temporarily closed and borders shuttered to stifle the spread of coronavirus, the airline industry — led by oneworld alliance member airlines — enacted enhanced protective measures to reduce risk and protect passengers.
andBeyond launched an online Dream Board to encourage travelers to start envisioning and planning upcoming trips. The Dream Board, on andBeyond’s website, features an array of experiences, itineraries and accommodations from the three continents where the company operates. It showcases andBeyond’s lodges and camps, but also the choices offered by its tour operating branch.
Aloft Tulum opens in February, with 140 loft-style guestrooms and suites and several lively spaces for socialization and music, as well as a venue for corporate meetings. This marks the first Marriott International property in Tulum, Mexico.
Step right up to the greatest show on Earth as FXExpress Publications, Global Traveler, trazeetravel.com and whereverfamily.com celebrate their 2020 award winners! Join the big top on Dec. 14 as we virtually award the winners of the 17th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards, including the Airline and Hotel of the Year; the 17th annual Wines on the Wing Airline Wine Survey; the eighth annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards; the sixth annual The Trazees; and the third annual Wherever Awards.
With the United States, United Kingdom and Canada now requiring a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test for airline passengers, select hotels in Saint Lucia are offering complimentary testing for guests who qualify. Multiple testing options are available for departing visitors, citizens and residents. Tests are available at select hotels or local testing facilities, with results within 72 hours. Travelers can make appointments for tests when they arrive on the island or through COVID-certified hotels, and pricing varies.
Members of TAP Air Portugal’s TAP Miles&Go loyalty program now have new benefits with Miles4Extras. Mileage points can be used to purchase upgrades, extra baggage or sports equipment; access lounges; or FastTrack services. Customers who travel less frequently or haven’t accumulated enough miles to book flights are also able to choose benefits tailored to their miles.
Custom order your Volvo through the Overseas Delivery Program and receive round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, and a personalized delivery at the Volvo Factory Delivery Experience in Gothenburg, Sweden. Your experience begins in Sweden with insurance and registration included, enabling you to drive your new Volvo throughout Scandinavia and Europe. Create the adventure of a lifetime with the program named Best Overseas Delivery four years running, and return home with the ultimate souvenir.
Cordis Hangzhou, Sci-Tech City opened, joining sister properties in Shanghai, Beijing, Dongqian Lake, Hong Kong and Auckland. Located in Hangzhou Future Sci-Tech City, the luxury hotel features 186 rooms and suites, three restaurants and bar, a 24-hour gym and a range of meeting and event spaces. It is also nearby a subway station.


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The COVID-19 pandemic completely shut down business operations in downtown Sonora for some time, but a handful of new projects suggest commerce is alive and well.
Three soon-to-open businesses in downtown Sonora are in various states of construction, with all set to be opened in the coming months and into 2022.
The Bract House
The second recreational cannabis dispensary in the City of Sonora, located at 10 Calaveras Way, is seeking to open its doors to the public by the end of the year.
"There's a lot of bad apples out there. We're not one of them," said Tom Calmese, director of operations.
Calmese is a co-owner of the site with other investors, which include Raphael “Ralph” Calderon, of Valley Springs, who owns several cannabis businesses in Calaveras County and Northern California.
Calmese is an owner at Green Gold Calaveras in San Andreas, a recreational and medical dispensary.
The work has taken many months to complete on the building, which is over 100 years old and once operated as a machine shop and foundry.
Calmese said equipment inside, including refrigerators, freezers and a school bus, were removed before renovations such as painting and flooring.
In the next two weeks, they plan to install 30 security cameras and move in office supplies and other infrastructure.
The building is about 4,500 square feet, though the dispensary only plans to operate about 2,000 square feet at this time, he said.
The building will have to be signed off by the police and fire departments, he said.
The next, and pending step, he said, was approval of their license by the state Department of Cannabis Control.
The Bract House may have its name updated to include the known brand of Green Gold, Calmese said.
They were approved by the Sonora City Council in May following a torrent of opposition from the public directed at recreational cannabis sales within the city limits.
The city's original pilot program allowed for up to two medical-only dispensaries in the city limits, but late last year the council approved changing the rules of the program to allow for recreational sales at up to three cannabis dispensaries within the city.
The recreational sites must pay a community benefit fee of $10,000 per month or 7.5% of sales if they exceed that amount.
Calmese confirmed that The Bract House had been paying the fee monthly to maintain its development agreement before the opening. He said at least $500,000 was invested in the purchase of the property and the renovation.
"It's all hands go. It's going with the faith that it's going to be a success," he said.
Bank of Stockton
The Sonora branch of the Bank of Stockton has been at its leased location at 242 S. Washington Street since March 2009, but plans to expand into a newly constructed building on its own property by the first quarter of 2022.
"We have such a great team of bankers that look forward to serving our established customers and new customers alike in Tuolumne County," said Angela Brusa, VP director of marketing with the Bank of Stockton. "We are so excited to have a permanent location that we can call our own in Sonora, and we cannot wait to welcome the community into the new branch."
The new branch is about 3,100 square feet, complete with a drive-thru and 24-hour outdoor ATM. The design is intended to "pay tribute to the Mother Lode" with primary building materials of field stone, stucco, cobblestone, natural wood and rustic materials and Victorian details, Brusa said.
The walls will also be lined with large historical photographs reflective of Sonora and a gold-mining heritage.
"The bank uses photos from the Bank of Stockton’s Historical Archives to decorate, celebrating the history of the communities we service and bringing the past to the present in an interesting and educational way that reflects our strong brand," she said.
The bank employs seven people, and all will relocate to the new branch, she said. It is considered a branch relocation, not a fully new branch.
The bank will be at 549 South Washington Street.
She described Bank of Stockton as the oldest bank in California still operating under its original charter, with the first branch opened two years after the Civil war.
Bank of Stockton has 20 branches in 16 cities spanning nine contiguous counties, with $4.3 billion in assets, she said.
Flappy's Pizza Co.
A new downtown pizza restaurant and full bar occupying the building once inhabited by the Intake Grill already caused an excited stir last week at its soft-opening.
"People came in and said, ‘It's almost like they're taken out of Sonora,' " said Marketing Manager Cassie Stevenson-Husong. "It's because there's nothing like it downtown."
At a grand opening scheduled for Saturday, they hope to officially debut the modern, quirky and cosmopolitan restaurant — Flappy's Pizza Co. at 123 S. Washington Street — to the downtown eating and drinking scene.
Wings are a common theme at Flappy's — on each of The Beatles on an Abbey Road print, on Neil Armstrong on the moon, on a neon sign and painted into a trio-chromatic pizza and beer wall art.
Stevenson-Husong said the design was inspired by restaurants "we know and enjoy" and would be a "cool new look that would be comfortable for everyone."
The menu includes appetizers like wings, "Flapperoni Bites" (sauceless, but dippable pizza rolls) and deep fried ravioli. For entrees there are salads, burgers, sandwiches and, of course, pizza, which is served by the pie or by the slice.
The menu includes a list of "Flappy Styles" which can be applied to a pizza, a burger, fries or a calzone.
The restaurant is also a full-service bar with beer and cocktails.
Flappy's is a family run business:Iit is owned by Jonathan Hailey and his two sons, Mitchell Husong and Zak Hailey. The family also owns Foxy Roxy's Dogge Shoppe, another downtown Sonora business mostly managed by Jonathan's wife, Jill Hailey.
Jonathan and Jill Hailey were Modesto residents until about three years ago, whenl they moved to Sonora.
The business will be open from 11 a.m. to midnight Mondays through Thursdays, until 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.
Contact Giuseppe Ricapito at firstname.lastname@example.org or (209) 588-4526.


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The Sunday News
ACCORDING to experts, “exhibiting at trade shows offers several benefits to your business. Unlike other marketing activities, exhibitions and trade shows offer a wide platform for brands to showcase their products, services and communicate their key message to a more receptive audience. Exhibition participation can help you meet with customers who are pro-actively looking for a deal, which will result in you being able to collect more leads.”
Furthermore, “exhibitions are usually targeted at business and people concerned about a particular industry and welcome a diverse range of professionals. Participating in an exhibition will enable you to market your brand to a broader crowd and make them aware of your product and service. According to the type of industry, exhibitors can carry out shows and gain business or general feedback about their offering before they release it to the general public. You get a reliable pool of interested customers that you can reach out to after the show.”
With Bulawayo set to host the Sanganai/Hlanganani Tourism expo next month, it is important for local industry players to take advantage of the event to market themselves and their products. It is also important that local businesses also prepare for business opportunities that might arise, when thousands of local and foreign tourism players descend on the city.
The city is home to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, which is always a crowd puller, and a high turnout is also expected for the tourism expo, a move that will rejuvenate local businesses.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) last week said preparations for the Expo have engaged into high gear with 100 buyers and 250 exhibitors from regional and international markets, registering to be part of the premier business exchange platform. The Expo, taking place at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo from 13 to 15 October, will be the first in-person meeting since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The authority’s spokesperson Mr Godfrey Koti said: “We are ready to welcome all our partners from across Africa and beyond to register to attend Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo to #MeetInZim, #VisitZimbabwe and indulge with international hosted buyers and media from key source markets on yet another physical business-to-business (B2B) event.”
The Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ), President Mr Farai Chimba encouraged businesses to promote Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism related activities. He urged businesses to showcase their tourism products and services on the industry’s biggest stage while also acquiring knowledge about different source markets.
“We are super excited of the return of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Bulawayo, we look forward to the tourism flagship expo giving us the opportunity to showcase the best of warm hospitality and products,” said Mr Chimba.


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The Launch Pad in Fortnite: Battle Royale is arguably one of the game’s more exciting features, as it allows players to travel quickly or launch assaults on enemy bases. Sadly, it has a very low drop rate.
Each piece of floor loot has a 2.8 percent chance of being a trap, according to Storm Shield One. From that point, there’s a 9.1 percent chance of the trap being a Launch Pad. That same percentage is also the chance to get a Launch Pad from a supply drop.
A tweet posted over the weekend by Epic Games designer Eric Williamson makes it seem like the developer will be upping the drop rate of the Launch Pad, as a poll had two “yes” options and nothing else.
Most Fortnite players would probably agree that the drop rate should increase, as the Launch Pad adds more flexibility into playstyles and also creates many highlight-worthy plays.
It’s possible that this potential change could come with the upcoming 3.3 update later this week, which will also feature the addition of llamas and the retirement of the Smoke Grenade.


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Chris Crouch is nominated in the Leicester Mercury Business Awards as Crouch Logistics continues its double-digit annual growth
Crouch Logistics Ltd are pleased to sponsor European Senior Tour professional and multiple event winner, Gary Wolstenholme MBE. We are delighted to be sponsoring one of the greatest amateur golfers in the world and now one of the most prolific winners on the European Senior Tour.
We have close links with Kirby Muxloe Golf Club where Gary spent many years as an amateur himself, reinforcing the Leicestershire connection.
Crouch Logistics has won a contract with UPS – In conjunction with Indesit. Our van fleet has subsequently been increased to an additional 30 vehicles.
Crouch Logistics are pleased to announce the sponsorship of Jason Palmer from Kirby Muxloe Golf Club, with a brand new Mercedes C250 AMG for the current season.
The new Mercedes-Benz Actros 44 Tonne joins the Crouch Logistics vehicle fleet.


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This prom season, high schools are getting serious about prom dress codes.
For example: We’ve been reading about some schools that are putting up posters in the hallways, or distributing catalogs full of photos, showing what’s forbidden at the prom. For girls, the “forbidden” list usually includes dresses with plunging necklines, low-slung backs, thigh-high slits, or any gown that shows skin around the rib cage. For guys, the bans include wearing jeans or pants that sag.
Why the crackdown on prom dress codes? Experts say it comes from the fact that today’s proms tend to be full of girls wearing skintight, or “barely there” outfits! As one student in Georgia put it: “The more you show, the better it is,” which helps explain why a-third of the prom dresses sold by today’s mall retailers are dresses with low backs, or midriff-baring cutouts.
So, to fight back, school officials say they want to make it crystal clear in advance what will and won’t be allowed at the prom. Some schools are promising to have rulers on hand, to help verify that dresses are no shorter than 3 inches above the knees. Others are making students sign a contract, promising they’ll abide by the rules or be sent home! That’s a big deal when you consider the average high-school student will spend about $800 on prom this year - including clothing, transportation, and pictures.
The good news is that the dress code crackdowns are working: For example, the website PromGirl.com is reporting a spike in returned dresses, from girls claiming they broke the rules, and now want to buy a more appropriate dress.


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For Stills, I'm sure Canon may still have the edge, but in terms of DSLR video, Canon is about to get completely blown out of the water by Sony. Canon needs to stop being lazy and start updating their ancient Camera bodies. Sony's cameras are also the future by using mirrorless EVF designs.
This is good for everyone, because Canon will now be forced to compete.
The article from EOS HD:
Sony have officially joined the DSLR video scene.
The A77, NEX7 and VG20 will support AVCHD 2.0, with full HD 1080p at 60/50/25/24p and full manual control in P,A,S,M modes according to ++++++++Rumors.com
This is brilliant news and just what we needed from Sony.
The cameras will offer better image quality than our current video capable DSLRs, certainly better than the 7D and GH2, better low light performance than the 5DMkII, much improved resolution and of course 1080/60p for the first time on a DSLR.
Thereâ€™s also a rumour that the new Sony image processor removes rolling shutter electronically in real-time and has been developed from scratch with video performance in mind. The cameras and lenses are video optimised and will not have the artefacts of old DSLRs like moire and aliasing.
ISO on the Sony A77 and NEX7 will go all the way to 102,800 and early indications are that noise is substantially reduced despite the sensor being 24MP.
Canikon now have some serious issues, if they do not replace their dated DSLRs soon theyâ€™ll lose huge market share to Sony. The 5DMkII will be 3 years old in November. WHERE are the new Canons?
I can now say for certain what my next DSLR is going to be. Roll on August 24th!


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Embedded finance refers to non-financial companies offering customers access to financial services through a tech platform. For instance, if you’ve ever bought groceries on a website or through an app and paid through electronic means, that was made possible by an embedded finance provider.
The sector ballooned in 2021, and its global aggregate revenue is set to increase to USD 230 billion by 2025, up 922% than 2021’s USD 22.5 billion, according to data from US-headquartered private equity firm Lightyear Capital. This massive growth is taking place on the back of payments, insurance, lending, and a host of other financial services integrating with other commercial channels.
In the Asia Pacific, 18 of the region’s 46 largest banks have launched their own venture funds to invest in early-stage fintech startups. Most of these funds began making investments in 2016, per research by S&P Global. This mirrors broader developments around the world. As of September 2021, investors have channeled USD 4.25 billion into embedded finance startups globally, a nearly 300% increase from 2020, according to data provided to Reuters by PitchBook.
One company operating in embedded finance is Payoneer, a New York-headquartered company that gained a ticker symbol on the Nasdaq on June 28, 2021, after merging with FTAC Olympus Acquisition Corp, a special purpose acquisition company. “Businesses and consumers are demanding a level of innovation. They’re looking for how they can scale their business more effectively and globally, and how embedded finance players are going to create those connections for businesses to connect and access different markets,” Nagesh Devata, Payoneer’s vice president in the APAC region, told KrASIA.
Despite its popularity, embedded finance is under regulatory scrutiny. The Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM) is set to enact the Consumer Credit Act in 2022 to tighten regulatory requirements for all consumer credit activities, including popular offerings such as “buy now, pay later” (BNPL). And, the Monetary Authority of Singapore is reviewing the regulatory approach to BNPL amid concerns about mounting consumer debt.
“These schemes have been on the rise, not just in Malaysia, but also in other countries. There are legitimate concerns that such offerings may encourage consumers to spend beyond their means, with expensive debt that they may not be able to repay. Most BNPL schemes in Malaysia are offered by non-banks,” BNM governor Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus said during a press conference on November 12.
While the embedded finance industry continues to evolve, KrASIA spoke to Devata, who offered his outlook for the embedded finance industry in Southeast Asia.
This interview has been edited and consolidated for clarity and brevity.
KrASIA (Kr): How developed is embedded finance in Southeast Asia?
Nagesh Devata (ND): We’re seeing significant integration of financial services into non-financial platforms. The idea of embedded finance connects back into the global e-commerce boom, in which not just traditional payment providers—financial institutions—offer services. Consumers expect a seamless checkout experience when shopping online, while businesses see demand for an integrated payment experience.
Southeast Asia’s embedded finance industry is clearly on a tremendous growth curve. For example, in Singapore, there’s been a huge push to advance fintech and drive adoption. Although the region’s legacy infrastructure is not as mature as in countries like Japan and Korea, it provides space for creativity and innovation, enabling businesses to build new models.
Kr: What are the top use cases in the region?
ND: “Buy now, pay later” is a very popular theme. E-wallets are exceptionally popular in the region.
Kr: What’s an important strategy for firms that offer embedded finance solutions?
ND: Step back and look at the needs of businesses and consumers. For example, if you were a Vietnamese enterprise that wanted to sell products cross-border, you would need working capital, as well as the ability to move money between point A and point B. This requires a range of services, including payment acceptance solutions, cards, and other financial products.
It is really about bundling all of these offerings, so consumers and businesses do not need to go to separate providers for different services.
Kr: Does consumers’ financial and tech literacy stay in step with the development of embedded finance?
ND: We’ve seen a broad level of abilities when it comes to financial literacy. Many new internet users are figuring out where to go for information, while the region’s fintech players have been trying to address the challenge of low financial literacy.
Kr: What challenges will hinder growth for the embedded finance sector?
ND: It’s a challenge to know who the customers are, and being able to do this differentiates a service from others. Industry players will need to figure out how to serve a diverse group of customers.
Another challenge is to create the right customer experience. We can think about the user interface design—how can service providers present this in a way that makes sense to a consumer or seller?
We also need to think about what problems we are trying to solve. Are we trying to address something that only happens in Southeast Asia, in the Asia Pacific, or across the world? Being aware of these nuances is important.
Kr: What can we expect from Payoneer in the next two to three years?
ND: Payoneer will continue to expand our reach. Cross-border commerce continues to accelerate. We have already inked strategic partnerships with some e-wallets across the region and in other parts of the world.


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Like a car accident that everyone rubbernecks as they drive by, there's something about a big, looming format war in entertainment electronics that everyone says they don't want, yet there's a secret delight in watching it play out. For journalists, there's always a bit of hypocrisy in decrying format wars, as they provide a steady supply of grist for the mill.
The news this week that Paramount Studios will be releasing movies in BOTH Blu-ray and HD DVD formats pretty much seals the deal here -- there really IS going to be a good old-fashioned format war for high def DVD.
Perhaps not since the classic VHS-Beta battle of the 70s have the stakes been so high. Currently, the battle lines are drawn with Warner Brothers and Universal in Toshiba's HD DVD camp, and Sony, Disney, Fox, and Lion's Gate in Sony's Blu-ray column. Paramount, previously on the HD DVD side, said they'll offer both because they think Sony's PlayStation 3 with built-in Blue-ray player will make the format hard to ignore.
Of course, there's already a low-level format war in recordable DVD, between the "plus" and "dash" formats, but I think everyone sees these as interim technologies, until high def DVD recording kicks in.
Perhaps the current Recordable DVD space has something to teach us about future high def DVD players, too. Rather than "play ball" with the format war mongers, so to speak (the companies that insist on "taking sides"), many DVD recorder manufacturers have chosen a third way, which is to offer compatibility with both systems in the same machine.
We all know that a format war requiring consumers to buy different pieces of equipment to play different software is not going to advance things very quickly. But if compatibility with both systems can be built-in -- peaceful co-existence -- then there may be room for a format war without a lot of pain.
That engineering challenge is now clearly at hand.
-- V/IDL --


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“Google Editions” of popular smartphones appear to be all the rage as Android Senior Vice President Sundar Pichai announced the HTC One, running stock Android software, at the D11 conference on Thursday.
The HTC One Google Edition will be available at the Google Play store for $599 starting June 26, which is the same day that the Google Edition Samsung Galaxy S4 will be released. Samsung and Google surprised everyone at the I/O conference keynote on May 15 when Hugo Barra, vice president of Android Product Management at Google, announced the stock Android Galaxy S4. This quickly sparked speculation that HTC would release a stock Android version of its new flagship smartphone.
It appears that HTC employee Leigh Momii’s hint on Twitter was right on the money, despite damage control from Senior Global Online Communications Manager Jeff Gordon that indicated there would be no ‘Nexus Edition’ of the HTC One.
According to Pichai, developing Google Edition devices is a priority for the Android, which may suggest that even more popular smartphones many be outfitted with the “Nexus experience” of stock Android systems in the future. Devices running pure Android not only have the benefit of shipping without their manufacturers UI (in this case HTC Sense 5) but also automatically receive system updates directly from Google.
“We’re making Android the operating system that is consistent across all of these devices,” Pichai said at D11.
The Google Edition HTC One will sell with 32GB of internal storage. While this HTC One will work on GSM cellular networks, possibly indicating availability on carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T, it will initially be available only in the U.S. The device will also run Android 4.2.2, which partially confirms another rumor as many fans have been anxious for a system update from the HTC One’s native Android 4.1.2.


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LeBron first started wearing a terry headband during basketball, before it was a fashion statement. He simply wanted to keep the sweat out of his eyes.
Today, headbands in basketball are as common as high-tops and jerseys. Players wear them more for the look than to stop sweat. Off the court, they have become a part of urban fashion. And they are often a nice souvenir for fans lucky enough to catch one when a player throws his into the stands after a game.
Most people seem to remember the former N.B.A. star Wilt Chamberlain as one of the first players to wear a headband. But the man who made a fashion statement out of it — albeit an unintentional one — was Donald Earl Watts, better known as Slick.
Watts spent six seasons in the N.B.A., from 1974 to ’79, most of them with the Seattle SuperSonics. And like Robinson, when Watts started wearing a headband, he was not in search of a modeling contract.
“I had sweat everywhere,” Watts said by telephone from Seattle, where he lives. “I could hardly see sometimes because I played so hard.”
Watts attempted to solve his perspiration problems as a sophomore at Xavier University of Louisiana with a primitive approach. He stuck duct tape around his bald head, producing an inevitable result after games.
“My skin came with the tape,” he said. “So that was pretty horrifying.”
But after seeing Chamberlain wearing a headband, Watts said, he searched for one. He found a black one in the women’s section of a small sporting goods store in New Orleans.
The result was better than Watts could have expected.
He said he first wore it in a game against Alabama State and scored 40 points, and “the rest is history.”
The big question is will LeBron ever wear a headband again and could it be a Grand Headband?


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'Southern Charm' star Kathryn Dennis exudes confidence on Instagram
April 5, 2021
Kathryn Dennis recently posted her first bikini photos on Instagram. The “Southern Charm” star is embracing her new blonde hair and her newfound confidence. The former redhead is no stranger to rocking risqué poses and taking sexy selfies. Her love of fashion and her adventurous spirit make her even sexier.


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TELF AG attended a conference that gathered major battery players, e.g., automakers, battery makers, material processors, raw material suppliers, and investors.
— TELF AG’s CEO
LUGANO, TICINO, SWITZERLAND, June 28, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — A TELF AG delegation attended Benchmark’s Battery Gigafactories Europe 2023 conference in Budapest. The annual conference gathered leading lithium-ion battery supply chain players, including automakers, battery makers, material processors, raw material suppliers, and financial investors.
Lithium-ion batteries are in the middle of the geopolitical battle between the US, China, and Europe to secure global leadership in energy transition for years to come. The ambitious plans of regulators and automakers to phase out internal-combustion engines and transition to clean electric vehicles require billions of dollars in the battery supply chain from minerals processing to car plants. And we see a growing demand to localize the battery supply chain to reduce supply risks. According to Benchmark Minerals, today, China controls 79% of global critical minerals refining, 85% in cathode and anode materials, and 79% in batteries. The Inflation Reduction Act in the US and the recently announced Critical Raw Material Act in the EU recognize the critical importance of securing access to raw materials and targeting to stimulate local investment in the battery supply chains. With more than $12 billion in committed investments, Hungary, the host country for the conference, is one of the great examples of proactive engagement and facilitation of building local battery ecosystems.
Much attention at the conference was pointed to a slow pace of investment in the mineral resource base needed to produce batteries required to achieve the announced targets. Lithium-ion battery growth needs to more than double its pace to 2040 for net zero. All major components of li-on batteries, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite, face a looming deficit in the coming years if not enough investments in mining and processing are made already today. Moreover, higher commodity prices might be required to support private investments in the new mining projects, especially in light of the growing cost of financing due to the global fight against inflation.
As one of the largest suppliers of responsibly sourced cobalt hydroxide, a key ingredient of the most advanced lithium-ion batteries, TELF AG is proud to be part of this once-in-a-century global transformation. We strive to facilitate the growth of the battery sector and supply critical raw materials.
While at the conference, the CEO of TELF AG said, “We are pleased to see the growing understanding of the global regulators and the downstream players about the complexity of the battery supply chain and the importance that the raw materials play in delivering the energy transition targets. We will continue working closely with our customers and partners across the battery supply chain to help them achieve their energy transition targets.”
About Telf AG
TELF AG is a full-service international physical commodities trader with 30 years of experience in the industry. Headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, the company operates globally, serving customers and providing solutions for commodities producers worldwide. TELF AG works in close partnership with producers to provide effective marketing, as well as financing and logistics solutions, which enable suppliers to focus on their core activities and to access far-reaching markets wherever they may be.
Its flexible, customer-focused approach allows TELF AG to create tailor-made solutions for each producer, thereby facilitating long-term partnerships. Additionally, consumers widely recognize them for their operational excellence and reliability.
TELF AG Green metals are important in producing renewable energy technologies. These metals include lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements.


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Lenovo received a lot of flak when it launched the Z5 smartphone, which was heavily marketed to have a truly bezel-less display without a notch or a chin. But the Lenovo Z5 turned out to be just another smartphone with a $200 price tag. Now the Chinese smartphone company is teasing another smartphone launch that may well be everything Lenovo Z5 was supposed to be.
At a press briefing conference in Beijing, Lenovo VP Chang Chen was seen showcasing the notch-less Lenovo Z5 Pro, which one of the company executives shared on Weibo saying it will officially be launched on National Day in China, which falls on October 1.
"There are surprises on National Day, and that he will take care of the old Liu in the future," the executive wrote on Weibo hinting at the earlier claims made by Cheng earlier this year. The post also added that the Z5 smartphone sold very well in China, despite what many saw it as "deceptive marketing." The Z5 never made it out of China and there's no word on whether Z5 Pro will change that.
Lenovo Z5 Pro briefly shown at the company's Tech World 2018 event in China, enough to get an idea of what the smartphone might offer. It's clear that the Z5 Pro will feature a bezel-less display without the notch, an in-display fingerprint scanner and a pop-up selfie camera as seen in Vivo Nex and Oppo Find X.
A leaked hands-on video of Lenovo Z5 Pro showed a camera slider just like the one we've seen in Oppo Find X, which will house the camera sensors. The slider is a manual one unlike the motorized one in the Oppo Find X. Just look at it as the good old days of slider phones.
Before launching the Z5, Chen had teased other aspects of the phone, such as 4TB storage and a battery with 45 days standby. It's hard to guess if these features will actually make the cut in the Z5 Pro. But it's best to keep the expectations in check and wait for the official reveal in just a few more days.


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It is an undoubted fact that India still rules the global outsourcing industry and the new trend of global ad agencies outsourcing advertising functions to India, will definitely add to its charm. The upcoming buzz in the industry is that global advertising agencies are outsourcing their various activities either to their in-house subsidiaries or to partner firms in India. What attracts ad agencies to outsource their operations are the cost and operational efficiencies offered by the Indian market.
As per the Industry estimates the size of advertising outsourcing, i.e. including the outsourcing of services like creative, planning, digital creation and execution, data analysis, production and animation would be around Rs 1000 crore. It also suggests that, digital and search engine marketing holds the major share i.e. 70-80%, and this is expected to grow further. The industry experts foresee a growth rate of 80-90% in the future.
The ad agencies found that they were able to save up to 30-40% by outsourcing their various activities to India. Thanks to the factors like expertise in information technology, English speaking skills of people in India, ability to scale up operations, low cost and high turn around model of Indian outsourcing market have helped them to achieve considerable savings.
FMG, a New York based media agency specialized in print, digital and marketing services claimed that by outsourcing activities to their in-house hub in Chennai and Bangalore they can now enable clients to experiment with ideas at much lesser cost structures. According to various sources, FMG was able to bill their clients 20-30% less for the works done in India when compared to the same amount of work done in their home location.
Creative outsourcing like generating original idea for the campaigns, original print and television media campaigns or digital campaigns have not found enough space in the outsourcing market like the back end works of the campaigns. This means that creative works are still being done outside India. However, a trend is seen where a campaign developed for Indian market is getting acceptance from for global clients for global markets too. Minute Maid campaign developed by Leo Burnett for Indian market can be cited as an example. The ad for the juice brand owned by Coca-Cola was adapted for the US market, which was recognition for the agency’s Indian team.
Further, it is also seen that, ads originally created by Indian teams find their space in the global market when parent Ad Company sends a brief description of the creative work required for its partners spread across different geographic locations. This helps the agency to make the best out of their talented resources and an opportunity to get their work recognized globally.
The Indian advertising and outsourcing industry are very much optimistic that the days are not far away when the global clients will recognize and acknowledge the creative expertise of Indians too. It is expected that more players will come forward to set up their creative headquarters in India like Lenovo, which has set up its headquarters of marketing services in Bangalore.


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Pagani touched new heights last year. However, McLaren didn’t experience an up-rising market whereas Porsche crossovers were been sold out quickly. Moreover, there were certain automakers that remained low due to their design or nature. But Porsche showed what it was capable of doing as it marked new standard with its vehicles. However, Pagani declined to disclose any facts on the sale of their seven-figure exotics. Hence we don’t have the exact figure of exotics builds or sell last year. But the automaker stated that they have a record turnover in the year 2017.
However, in 2016, Pagani sell was 29 percent less than the year 2017. Hence the manufacturer is hopeful that 2018 will be even better than 2017. Hence Horacio Pagani stated that they assume 2018 to be the year that will make them busier and will also be a rewarding year for the company. However, he also stated that the company had to transport 40 latest cars to the owner keeping them busy. Moreover, Horacio Pagani also stated that they are not thinking of enhancing the production capacity of their latest car. Hence they will limit their production to 40 units only. But at the same time, he also added that the automaker will also try to bring out more services for loyal member customers of Pagani family.
However, Pagani will surface with two cars at the next month’s Geneva Motor Show. The first one is the Huayra Roadster, a US spec and the second one being the Zonda HP Barchetta. However, the later one been already unveiled at last summer’s Pebble Beach. Moreover, the main motive of showcasing the two cars is to reveal the possibilities for the prosperous clientele of the company. However other companies like Lamborghini and McLaren also experienced a high result last year. Their sale was much more than before. However, Aston Martin claims to achieve a high of nine years in this 2017. Moreover, the figures are been counted in thousands but Pagani’s figures are been in a dozen. However, Bugatti Chiron, produced in 2017 at France’s Molsheim, was 70 units. Moreover, Koenigsegg wrapped their production to 20-25 every year so as to maintain balance in shorting weighting times and demand.


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Medical cannabis company Zelda Therapeutics announced a new distribution deal with UK-based Health House Holdings for its line of HOPE products and other items.
An Australian medical cannabis company will see its products distributed in the United Kingdom thanks to its partner.
On Thursday (November 21), Zelda Therapeutics (ASX:ZLD,OTCQB:ZLDAF) confirmed a new non-exclusive agreement with Health House Holdings to start the distribution for its HOPE line of medical cannabis products in the UK market.
“Health House has an extensive network of medicinal healthcare professionals that support and assist doctors to gain with information relating to Zelda-products,” the Australian firm told investors.
Zelda Managing Director Richard Hopkins said the deal represents a critical advancement for his company in the lead-up to the launch of other medical cannabis products in 2020.
Hopkins and fellow Zelda Director Jason Peterson together own a combined 25 percent stake in Health House.
Zelda is set to obtain the full rights to the HOPE line of products as part of its merger plan with privately held Ilera Therapeutics.
“We’re excited by the potential of their Insomnia formulation as there is a significant market for products that can improve sleep,” said Tony Samios, CEO of Health House. “We’re also looking forward to distributing HOPE which has successfully established itself in the American market and has the potential to address a major unmet need for medicines targeting autism.”
Shares of Zelda bumped up 1.52 percent after the distribution announcement during Thursday’s trading session to AU$0.06.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Bryan Mc Govern, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.


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Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale today praised the contribution of Scotland’s small firms ahead of this year’s Small Business Saturday.
Kez encouraged Scots to ‘shop small’ and celebrate the contribution of entrepreneurs and family firms this weekend.
The Scottish Labour leader visited Wonderland Models in Edinburgh, where she got behind the controls of a drone - one of the most popular Christmas presents this year.
Launched in 2013, Small Business Saturday has brought a boost to local high streets across the country.
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said:
“I’m backing our local small shops and independent businesses on Small Business Saturday. We should do all we can to thank them for the vital contribution they make to the local economy, adding to the local community and boosting diversity on the high street.
“It will be fantastic to build on the success we achieved with Small Business Saturday in the last two years, which is why I’m getting fully behind the campaign again and giving my support to local businesses. There are lots of great businesses in Edinburgh and across Scotland and the campaign is a great way of raising awareness and helping boost trade.”
Jackie Baillie MSP, Scottish Labour’s economy spokesperson said:
“Small Business Saturday is growing bigger and better every year, it’s such an important day because it puts small businesses in the spotlight and encourages people to shop locally, not only on one of the busiest shopping days of the year but also to encourage a long-term commitment. It provides a great opportunity to thank those who run Britain’s small firms.
“Scottish Labour backs those who run or want to start their own business. They help generate the wealth we need to invest in the services which are important to us. Our economy faces challenges in the years ahead so we want to see more done to help our risk takers and wealth creators, by helping businesses with the challenges they face. That’s why the Scottish Labour manifesto committed to a government minister for micro businesses, small businesses and entrepreneurs. We’ll continue to work in partnership with businesses, entrepreneurs and workers to create a stronger economy.”


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After two consecutive quarters of more than 3.0% real GDP growth in 2017, you could be forgiven for starting to believe the hype of the administration’s 3.0 or 4.0% annual growth forecasts for the coming years.
Unfortunately, the period of 3% GDP growth appears to already be in our rear-view mirror.
For more on this, see highlights of my report below, followed by a link to the full U.S. Outlook, delivered on Feb. 16.Key observations:
- After a surge in spending in September, October, and November, consumers have grown stingy in December and January.
- Bad weather in January could have contributed to the weakness in sales that month, but that isn’t the whole story, in our opinion.
- In all fairness, we are probably not seeing the impact of the personal tax cuts passed in December in these retail sales numbers.
- We’ve revised our real GDP forecast for the first quarter of 2018 down to 2.1%.
Read More ›
December retail sales came in at a robust pace, and November sales were revised higher, cementing a decent increase in real consumer spending for the fourth quarter.Read More ›
Retail sales gains have been impressive over the last three months.Read More ›
The Bloomberg economic surprise index is at its highest level since March, as U.S. economic indicators have been generally surpassing economists’ forecasts over the past month.Read More ›
Black Friday, the cornerstone of the domestic retail calendar, has amalgamated into a black weekend, Thursday night, or even an online experience that allows consumers to avoid the annual pilgrimage to the brick and mortar shopping mall. The question is whether this year’s sales will be bigger, better, and more extravagant than last year or will fickle spenders force stores to reverse course; close earlier, open later, and/or push shoppers to seek online deals.Read More ›


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Coffee may be precious to you, or indeed a necessity for your daily functioning, but really it’s just information.
Legions of genes code for the aroma when you roast and brew the beans, for the flavor when you drink, and for the buzz that gives you the motivation to not just drive straight past the office every morning.
Genes are the future of coffee. Not nitro cold brewing or beans pooped out by civets, but genes.
And coffee’s gene-fueled future just drew nearer, now that scientists have sequenced the genome of the Coffea arabica coffee plant—the species that makes up the vast majority of global production—and made the data public.
That means the world is in for a coffee renaissance, as breeders use the information to develop new plant varieties—think new flavors and better resistance to cold and disease. That means more coffee grown in more places, a big deal as global warming throws local climates into chaos.
Oddly enough, the University of California, Davis researchers got the plant material from Good Land Organics coffee farm in Southern California, a full 19 degrees north of any other commercial coffee plantation. (Coffee prefers the tropics, but will also thrive in certain microclimates.)
They grow the geisha variety of coffee plant—likely a bastardization of Gesha, in Ethiopia, where the variety originated. It’s crazy-flavorful and highly coveted and highly expensive. Like, over $600 a pound in some places.
So researchers at UC Davis (full disclosure: my alma mater—also, I prefer tea to coffee) took the leaves of the geisha plant and ground them up.
“We use some detergents and a few chemicals like ethanol, and the key is to extract the DNA as intact as possible,” says plant breeder Allen Van Deynze, director of the university’s Seed Biotechnology Center. “The more intact the DNA, the better quality genome sequence that we get.”
After running the DNA through a sequencer, the scientists were able to tease out the genome in pieces—in total 90 percent of over a billion base pairs—which is a third that of the human genome.
With this information in hand, producers can begin to more accurately breed coffee varieties, as opposed to traditional selective breeding where you see a trait you like and breed for it.
As scientists work their way through the genome, those traits may at some point have a known genetic basis.
“The genome is really the blueprint for what the genes are doing, and trying to understand why is coffee good, and why some coffee tastes better than other coffee,” says Van Deynze. “Why some coffee might grow well in, say, California and Mexico and Africa.”
The order of the genes, or genome, within the different varieties of Coffea arabica—geisha or caturra or java—remains the same, but what differs are which variants of those genes arise. Hence you get different productivity and flavors between varietals.
And that’s increasingly important given the climate chaos spreading across the world. Global warming isn’t just about a generally warmer earth, but regions enduring dramatically different climates.
Coffee will start doing better in some places and worse in others, as erratic temperatures and weather make life difficult for farmers.


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Finally, one of the most anticipated court cases in the recent history is over with Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) victory against Samsung (OTC:SSNLF). While many people will agree with the jury's decision, many will not; however, regardless of whether one agrees with the decision or not, the decision will have ramifications across the entire mobile device industry. In response to the court's decision, many technology stocks moved sharply in either direction on Monday. One of the companies that saw the sharpest rally on Monday was Nokia (NYSE:NOK). In the morning trading, Nokia was up by as much as 11%, and the company's share price closed the day up by nearly 6%. As a result, Nokia saw a price range it hadn't seen since May.
Nokia holds one of the most valuable patent portfolios in the mobile device industry. The company has spent nearly $50 billion in the last 20 years to build its patent portfolio consisting of 30,000 patents. Currently there are 40 companies around the world (including Apple) that pay license fees to Nokia. So far, Nokia's management has been very friendly to other companies about licensing its patents, and it didn't resort to the court as long as it didn't have to. Currently, the license and royalty fees bring Nokia additional revenue of nearly $1 billion per year.
As Samsung and Apple battle it out, many consumers might get tired of both companies and look for a third alternative, namely Nokia and its big brother Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT). In the coming weeks, Microsoft will be heavily marketing the Windows 8 and the Windows Phone 8 all over the place as the company will invest a massive amount of money for the marketing efforts. While marketing its products, Microsoft would be well served to remind the customers that the Windows 8 ecosystem is free of any drama or even a possible product cancellation due to the legal issues. Currently Microsoft has ongoing cross-licensing agreements with Apple, and the two companies will not be suing each other anytime soon.
Remember when Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) acquired Motorola in order to save itself from some legal headache due to Apple's patents? Well, most of Motorola's patents are related to the hardware design and Google's hand is weak against Apple when it comes to the patents regarding the designing of the software and the operating system. In this case, Nokia is in safe hands as it continues to outsource its software and operating system to Microsoft. Nokia and Microsoft should definitely use this angle for marketing the new phones running on Windows 8 during the holiday season.
Here is what Carolina Milanesi from Gartner Inc. thinks of the issue:
"I am sure that vendors in the Android ecosystem are wondering how long it will be before they become Apple's target. This might sway some vendors to look at Windows Phone 8 as an alternative, and for the ones like HTC and even Samsung, who have already announced plans to bring to market a WP8 device, how much stronger their investment should be."
In addition, the court ruling might limit, delay or alter some of the production capacities of Nokia's competitors as these companies (including but not limited to Samsung) will be looking for a way around Apple's patent portfolio in order to avoid further legal action. I am not arguing whether Apple's claims in the court are justified or not; however, the recent developments will cause many companies to think twice before launching their next product. At the least, the marketing efforts of Android phone producers will be hurt a little bit.
At the end of the day, Nokia's phones are as good as the phones of the competition if not superior in many ways. If only Nokia's marketing efforts were as good as Apple's or Samsung's, it could have sold many more phones. Marketing is the biggest issue in front of Nokia right now as it doesn't get as much visibility in the media unlike some other companies. The Microsoft - Nokia partnership should definitely leverage the legal battle between Apple and Samsung to market their products effectively.
Furthermore, if certain Samsung products get a banned in the US, this will also help boost the sale of Nokia products. Apple will attempt to get at least 8 Samsung devices banned, and if Apple is successful in its attempt, this will encourage the company to pursue the other Android phone producers more aggressively. Back in the day, Steve Jobs announced that he was ready to spend no less than $40 billion on a "thermonuclear war" with the Android phone. Basically, Apple's war with Android is not over; in fact it is just starting.
Of course, many Android phone makers might simply switch to Microsoft. Currently, phone makers don't have to pay anything to Google in order to build an Android phone, whereas Microsoft charges phone makers license fees to use its operating system. On the other hand, Microsoft's cross-licensing with Apple protects phone makers from a possible lawsuit while Google doesn't offer such protection. If a number of phone makers jump to Windows, this might hurt Nokia's profitability even though Nokia claims 59% of the market share in Windows phones.
Of course, there is no such thing as safe investment. Nokia also has challenges of its own as we speak. The company will have to work hard to return to profitability. If Android ends up losing some market share, Nokia will still have to fight with Apple and the other Windows phone producers for the market share. Nokia's road to recovery will not be easy as it will have to gain a lot of visibility before and during the holiday season. Because Nokia has been cutting costs aggressively, the company will probably need help of its partners to fund some of the marketing efforts. While AT&T (NYSE:T) hasn't been very helpful with Nokia's marketing efforts, Microsoft might be able to make things happen. I believe that Nokia's biggest problem in the smart phone market is the visibility and marketing at this point.
In conclusion, Apple's legal victory over Samsung might be beneficial for Nokia as Nokia can use this opportunity to market its products for being "drama-free"; many consumers might switch to a Windows phone from Android; and Nokia's competitors might see disruptions in their production capacity due to the legal battles. Only time will tell how this will turn out to be. I believe that if Nokia and Microsoft market the next line of Nokia phones effectively, the company can make a huge impact in the smartphone market.
Disclosure: I am long NOK, GOOG, MSFT, AAPL, T. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.


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Back to News >
The UK’s objectives in trade negotiations with India.
This explains the UK government’s:
- strategic rationale for pursuing a free trade agreement with India
- negotiating objectives for a free trade agreement between the UK and India
- response to our consultation on a trade agreement between the UK and India, including how the consultation informed the UK’s negotiating objectives
- initial assessment of the potential long-term impacts of a trade agreement between the UK and India
By Department for International Trade


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Home prices will rise in Dominican Republic due to increases in construction materials
The presidents of the Dominican Association of Home Builders and Promoters (Acoprovi), Susy Gatón, and of the Dominican Confederation of Micro, Small and Medium Construction Companies (Copymecon), Eliseo Cristopher, said yesterday that housing prices they will rise in the country due to the increase in construction materials and plots.
Gatón said that the prices of cement, concrete, and imported materials have risen, which will affect the price of homes by 18%.
As a result of these increases, the Direct Cost of Construction Index has increased by 7.5%.
He expressed that the plots’ prices have also risen and gave as an example in the Ensanche Piantini, where a square meter (10.7 sq ft) is at US $ 2,400.
“We are with our necks to the top,” said Gatón, who pointed out that his construction company has been selling because it has not raised prices.
Meanwhile, the president of Copymecon said that there are construction materials that have risen to 22%, which has influenced the increase in housing prices. He gave as an example that houses sold for RD $ 1.8 million and that building it today exceeds that amount, which will hit the construction sector hard.
“Homes are already rising in prices due to the rise in construction materials,” he said.
He pointed out that the dilemma that builders have is how to adjust the prices of a house that was sold for RD $ 1.7 million without affecting the legal aspect.
He also said that the plots’ prices have increased, but it does not affect him significantly.
He expressed that among the materials that have risen the most are rebar, cement, and blocks.