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The apparel chain filed for bankruptcy in January and closed its e-commerce site and stores.
A survey by shopping engine Shopzilla finds that 11% of consumers surveyed report increasing online purchases substantially and 23% somewhat more in response to rising gas prices.
Fuel prices stand to figure into consumers’ holiday shopping plans this year, with data from a survey conducted by shopping engine Shopzilla in late July showing that despite rising gas costs, many consumers won’t travel far to find cheaper fuel. Nearly one fifth of online shoppers queried in late July-18%-said they would not travel out of their way to buy cheap gas, 20% said they’d travel only up to one mile to find cheaper fuel.
If shoppers won’t travel to find less costly gas, that could spell opportunity for online shopping in Q4 by increasing the rate of online shopping among consumers. Shopzilla found that 34% of online shoppers surveyed have shopped online more in order to save gas costs associated with going out to shop retail stores. That includes 11% who have shopped online “a lot more” in efforts to save on fuel costs, and 23% who say they’ve shopped online “somewhat more” for the same reason.
Shopzilla`s survey found that rising gas costs are not affecting the shopping behavior of about two-thirds of online shoppers surveyed, with 66% reporting that their online versus offline shopping habits are “about the same” as when gas prices are lower.


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As in the past, large majorities in both houses of Congress are likely to pass a bill providing new protection for the textile industry. Such votes suggest widespread popularity for tighter textile restrictions, but it seems unlikely that most legislators -- not to mention the American public -- have carefully considered the massive costs and minimal benefits of this protection.
Existing tariffs and quotas raise import prices by 25 percent for textiles and 50 percent or more for apparel, and drive up prices of domestically produced apparel by an estimated 23 percent. As a result, consumers pay $20 billion annually (conservatively estimated) in added costs. Yet few if any jobs are created for the economy overall, because macro-economic policy determines total employment opportunities. Instead, protection earmarks for textiles and apparel approximately 200,000 jobs (at a cost of some $100,000 each) that would otherwise shift to alternative industries -- an expensive reshuffling the public would seem unlikely to underwrite consciously.
The burden of this protection is borne disproportionately by the poor. The poorest 20 percent of households pay an estimated 3.6 percent of their income for protection costs in textiles and apparel, while those in the 20 percent to 80 percent brackets pay approximately 1 percent. Because protection increases profits of firms and their owners, it increases income of the top 20 percent of families by 0.3 percent. Thus the impact on income distribution is clearly regressive.
Textiles and apparel are actually in much better economic health than might be expected from the debate. Unlike such industries as steel and footwear, textiles and apparel have not experienced major declines in production. Profits relative to capital have been consistently high in apparel, and profit rates were above the manufacturing average in textiles in 1986 as well. While the number of jobs has declined from its 1973 peak by 31.8 percent in textiles and 19.1 percent in apparel, growth in labor productivity rather than imports has been the main cause. And although imports have risen rapidly in the past four years, the increase was closely associated with the overvalued dollar, and the decline of the dollar should bring a major deceleration in import growth.
The textile sector had a trade surplus in 1980, and even today the ratio of imports to consumption remains at only 9.5 percent. The capital- and technology-intensive nature of textiles makes the sector internationally competitive at an appropriate exchange rate. In contrast, apparel is labor intensive and difficult to mechanize, and the United States does not have a natural comparative advantage. Even so, the import/consumption ratio correctly measured is still only 31.1 percent in apparel, rather than 50 percent or higher as suggested by some.
Textiles and apparel have enjoyed special protection since the early 1960s on the justification that they would adjust during temporary import restrictions. While the textile industry has made major progress, it still receives special protection. The apparel sector has failed even to reach the manufacturing average in productivity growth, and its cutbacks in employment -- adjustment through downsizing -- have been far more limited than those in Europe and Japan (in the range of 50 percent) or in other U.S. sectors such as steel and footwear (up to 60 percent).
Critics have charged that the Reagan administration failed to implement restrictions appropriately during the import rise of 1980-86, but the administration actually took several tightening measures. In 1986 especially it closed off much of the remaining flexibility by extending coverage to excluded materials, negotiating bilateral agreements with the big three Far Eastern suppliers that permitted only 1 percent or lower annual growth, and replacing surveillance treatment with explicit quotas.
The proposed Textile and Apparel Trade Bill of 1987 would replace "voluntary" export quotas with global import quotas and permit annual quota growth of only 1 percent. This measure would close off the existing flexibility for import growth through geographic diversification. For the first time, it would restrict imports from Europe and Canada, ensuring retaliation. Over the next decade, the average cost of the new protection to consumers would be $7 billion annually (at 1986 prices).
It would be far better to reverse trade policy toward liberalization. Even with gradual elimination of special protection over the next 15 years, the resulting pace of employment reduction would be well below the rate of natural attrition from retirement and voluntary quits. Adjustment assistance could cushion the transition for existing workers. Trade policy should protect people, not positions.
To encourage reciprocal liberalization by foreign suppliers, as well as parallel liberalization of markets in Europe, it would be possible to limit the benefits of liberalization to members of a new Agreement for Open Trade in Textiles and Apparel. Countries such as Korea and Taiwan would only become members (and thus eligible for U.S. liberalization) if they pledged liberalization of their own markets, in the first instance in textiles and apparel but also more broadly. A longer timetable for liberalization would be permitted for lesser-developed countries and those with severe debt problems. Developing countries, in turn, would make their own import liberalization available to exports from European and other industrial countries only if these countries also joined the program and liberalized their own textile and apparel imports. Such a program should be negotiated in the new Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations.
The writer is a senior fellow at the Institute for International Economics.

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The team behind CBR London 2016 is proud to announce 2015’s beer, music and street food festival will be bigger and better than ever, as it increases capacity for both exhibitors and consumers to include 150 of the finest domestic and foreign brewers and producers.
The event will completely take over The Truman Brewery and for the first time include a dedicated cider area called ‘Lost In Cyder Space’, that will showcase some of the markets best drinks in ample buying time for the summer season ahead.
The event will once again be part of London Beer Week 22 – 28 February, acting as the finale to its week of beer exploration around London’s best beer bars and breweries. The epicentre of the festival – the London Beer Week Hub – will also be based at The Old Truman Brewery, and will be a week-long hive of pop-up beer bars and immersive beer experiences for those wearing a London Beer Week wristband.
Director and founder of CBR London 2016, Daniel Rowntree said: “CBR has become the highlight of the industries beer trade calendar particularly for those interested in discovering new breweries, new product launches, and sharing industry information and contacts. We are proud to provide a platform for brands to launch new beers and in 2015 that included, Adnams, Fourpure, Hiver, Ilkley, and Beavertown. We also saw the launch of breweries and producers including Bedlam, Mondo and Hawkes Urban Cider.”
In 2014 over 1300 industry people attended the event’s trade day with many breweries leaving with positive leads and new business. CBR London 2016 will continue to grow in capacity for its Trade Day, although the event will be split over two sessions. Invite only first, followed by general application.
Friday trade times will be invite only – 12pm – 2pm / general application 1.30pm – 5.00pm. General application tickets will be available from November 5th 2015.
With over 380 different beers on offer in 2015 and with the next event looking to top the 600 mark now in its fourth year CBR London 2016 has garnered a reputation as THE show to launch new beers or even a brewery!


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Did you know that some companies spend thousands of dollars on search engine optimization, yet only 20-30% of web users will pay attention to the advertising in which those companies have invested? Even though that might make paid advertising seem like a dubious investment for businesses that are looking to improve their Google rankings, PPC and other sponsored results still remain fundamental to effective internet marketing.
Although more than 40% of web users will select the organic result with the highest ranking — and generally prefer organic content over paid ads, anyway — the fact is that the most successful businesses utilize diverse approaches to SEO marketing. This requires these businesses to invest in a range of SEO tools that might include social media marketing, Continue Reading No Comments
About three fourths of all internet searches never make it past the search results on page one. That means that your likelihood of being found online is dictated by your search rankings. Your search engine ranking is governed by the importance given to your site by search engine optimization techniques.
SEO news evolves quickly in response to Google rankings guidance and Seo marketing techniques. In fact, when Google makes any kind of statement in regards to search engine optimization, it immediately triggers updates to SEO news and related blogs. They serve


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COPS are closing in on the killers of prescription drug kingpin Barry Sherman and his wife, Honey, and sources told The National ENQUIRER the billionaire couple was murdered in a professional hit orchestrated by greedy Chinese pharmaceutical giants!
Sources claimed Canadian tycoon and beloved philanthropist Barry enraged Chinese drugmakers by planning to flood the market with low-priced generic medications through his company, Apotex, according to Dr. Jim Garrow, an expert on Chinese spy and terror tactics.
“China had just invested heavily in name brand and generic drugs, and the Shermans were creating generic products at affordable prices,” Garrow told The ENQUIRER. “I believe they sent their agents over to eliminate the Shermans and disrupt their plans.”
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Another drool-worthy phone has gone on sale in Singapore: the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1. The bad news: its hefty price tag of S$1,298 without operator contract.
The quad-band X1’s calling card lists three notable features: a 3-inch WVGA (that’s 800×480 pixels!) touch screen display, slide-out qwerty keyboard and customisable home screen. It fights, therefore, in the same arena as the HTC Touch Pro – joining the latter as one of the few touch phones to incorporate qwerty goodness in the market today. The camera resolution of 3.2 megapixel ain’t bad, but is nothing to shout at.
LIke HTC, Sony Ericsson has wisely chosen to bury the phone’s engine – Windows Mobile 6.1 – with its own snazzy shell software. It also includes the Opera web browser (yay!) in addition to Windows own Internet Explorer Mobile. And with its Sony heritage, it should shine as a music playing device.
Let’s hope the phone’s performance doesn’t get bogged down by the oodles of goodies that have been included.


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'Surging energy prices keep me awake at night': Entrepreneurs reveal how soaring costs could have 'disastrous consequences'
- Energy prices are soaring for businesses as well as households
- Many are concerned they will not be able to afford the price hikes
- Experts are worried it might mean closure for some companies
- Business owner worried about energy costs? firstname.lastname@example.org
Soaring energy costs are leaving some small businesses 'terrified' about the future with the potential for bills to rocket by thousands of pounds this year.
While households have been the large focus of the ongoing energy crisis, an army of entrepreneurs are worried about spiraling costs crippling their business as they are not protected by a price cap.
Adam Bamford, chief executive of Colleague Box, told This is Money: 'The surge in energy prices is keeping me awake at night.
'It isn't a case of changing supplier to save money or reducing what we are doing it is simply an inescapable truth that prices will rise dramatically so we'll need to save money elsewhere to cover the basics of energy usage.'
He is not alone in voicing his concern.
Gillian Ferguson, owner of Twisted Empire Bakes, said: 'I am genuinely terrified about rising energy bills.'
'My provider went bust recently and we were moved to Shell and they have just suggested we increase our monthly direct debit by £90 a month.'
This is £1,080 that will have to be baked into her overheads. She adds: 'I'm a wholesale baker working from home with several ovens on the go. I'm not sure how long will I be able to keep going on swallowing the increases.'
HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP
Huge rises will be crushing for many small and medium-sized firms who are still trying to get back on their feet after the pandemic and get their heads around a raft of Brexit red tape.
Business energy is different to domestic, with fixed-price contracts commonly in place for one, two or three years.
However, when this period comes to an end, most will face soaring prices for whatever tariff they choose.
Business energy tariffs do not come with a price cap like standard variable deals do, meaning the prices can be huge.
The price hikes are coming at a time when other bills, such as food and National Insurance contributions, are also increasing.
Eddie Whittingham, boss of Go Founder, which provides guidance to start-ups, is in the process of converting a dilapidated church to a co-working space.
With energy prices soaring, he is now concerned about how he will afford to heat the space.
Whittingham said: 'The situation with the energy prices is of concern across the board. Given the size of the building we're renovating, it'll naturally consume a lot of energy so the more prices go up, the more of a problem this could become for the sustainability of the project.
'For me personally, it also means the extra money that would be spent on energy could result in less money being spent on being able to support small start-ups, which is the whole purpose of the project, so it's quite deflating.'
As a result he has decided to make the space as energy efficient and green as possible, to help the environment but also to cut down on costs.
'We've applied to have air source heat pumps, together with solar panels for the project, which will essentially help to make the building 'off grid' by producing enough of our own energy, we shouldn't need much, if any, electricity from the grid.
'In that sense, it can massively help reduce our long term energy costs, as well as providing a more eco-friendly workplace.
'Obviously this comes with a downside of significant upfront costs in order to fit heat pumps and solar panels but given the instability of the energy prices, I think this will be a sound investment.'
Adam Bamford, of Colleague Box, a corporate gifting company with a team of nine adds: 'We are concerned about rising costs across a range of products and services,
'The concern is very real. We very recently purchased an electric forklift truck with the idea of changing our diesel van in the New Year but as the cost of the van was significant along with the cost of actually charging it now shooting through the roof we are holding off this purchase too.
This could well be the straw that breaks the backs of a number of small businesses. Adam Bamford - Colleague Box
'In general I feel that businesses are seen as a blank cheque book with endless cashflow so it really wouldn't surprise me if businesses are given a different price cap to residential and rates spiral out of control.
'The squeeze on SMEs is already frightening with many of us putting a stop to investments because a majority of suppliers are sending weekly price increase emails.
'This could well be the straw that breaks the backs of a number of small businesses.'
Other firms are concerned that rising costs could put a pause on their plans for expansion.
Craig Bunting, co-founder of BEAR coffee, an independent coffee brand with five stores in the Midlands, said: 'The process involved in securing energy prices and being "approved" by credit is prolonged.
'You can suddenly find yourself in a situation where you are out of contract quite quickly - even when proactively trying to re-contract the site months in advance.
'We have a number of other sites that will be due in the next 12 to 18 months. My concern is that the prices will be high, and it's more pressure on our recovery as a business in the hospitality sector.
'Worries include the rising cost of goods, rising energy, increased wages (which we support), VAT going back up to 20 per cent, work from home impacting sales and staff isolation. The list goes on.'
Meanwhile, some owners have even had to relocate their business as a result of the surge.
Nicola Wordsworth, Studio Manager at Whybrow Pedrola, is working from a studio in Margate.
She said: 'We lease a property in Old Margate, we moved there early in the lockdown from Somerset House London out to the coast.
'This was due to the high rent at Somerset House and the fact they weren't suspending it due to Covid. We couldn't pay for a studio we weren't allowed to use.
'We are paying an extortionate amount in energy costs in Margate, approximately £4,000 a year, for a small small studio and a tiny flat above.
'Energy prices going up are an unbelievable stress and worry, and may make us have end the lease and all work from home permanently. Not ideal for a team of creatives.'
Industry experts are also warning of the 'disastrous' impact on manufacturers in the UK.
Lucinda O'Reilly, director at The International Trade Consultancy, added: 'The rate at which energy prices are rising is going to have a disastrous impact on British manufacturers who already pay much higher prices than competitors in Europe and the rest of the world.'
Martin McTague, the Federation of Small Business' National Vice Chair, said: 'The Government and Ofgem need to understand that micro businesses face many of the same challenges as consumers when it comes to negotiating energy deals but without the same protections.
'Big corporates can use their sizeable purchasing power and large headcounts to secure favourable terms. Small business owners don't enjoy that luxury.
'As things stand, you have the smallest business being hit by surging fees but with no price cap, no protection of credit balances and no support from the Redress Fund for households impacted by supplier failure to fall back on.
'That's on top of all the other pressures facing firms, not least continuing consumer Covid anxiety, widespread isolation of staff and spiralling inflation in the round.
'The Government should redress the balance by extending more consumer protections to microbusinesses. Equally, a Help to Green scheme – modelled on Help to Grow – would enable firms to invest in on site generation and becoming more self-sufficient where energy is concerned.'
What can businesses do to cut costs?
Whilst there will be much less choice on the market than previous years, businesses are still encouraged to use a broker or price comparison sites to find the best deal.
If firms are struggling to pay their bills, they are advised to contact their supplier as soon as possible and see if they can arrange a payment plan.
Many energy companies also offer schemes or grants to help improve business energy efficiency, which can reduce costs, for example, subsidies on the upfront costs for more energy-efficient equipment.
They may also offer business hardship funds.
It is also important to ensure you are being billed accurately so take regular meter readings and send them to your supplier.
If you become in debt to your supplier, it is important to act quickly as your energy supply could be disconnected within 30 days if you don't make arrangements to deal with the money owed.
If you're disconnected, you will normally have a disconnection fee added to the money you owe and will often need to pay another fee to be reconnected.
Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.
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It’s been a while since we last caught spy photos of the upcoming BMW 3-Series GT model, but the German automaker will be heading to this year’s Paris Motor Show with a concept to show off. Continue Reading...
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When it came to launching its newest tire, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Season, Goodyear decided to think outside the box in order to prove just how well this tire performed. Continue Reading...
BMW has announced its all-new ActiveHybrid 3 model, featuring a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-six mated to an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, combined with an electric motor to deliver 335-hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Continue Reading...
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BMW gave its popular 3-Series a revamp for the 2013 model year with the sedan model revealed back in October. We knew the 3 Series wagon variant wouldn’t be far behind, having seen spy photos back in February and now the German automaker has made it official for the European market. Continue Reading...
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Image Source: The Verge
Today, Microsoft announced some fairly compelling new options for Windows Phone today. Unsurprisingly, Windows Phone 8.1 was announced, alongside the long-rumored Cortana–Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s Siri and Google’s Google Now voice assistant software found on their smartphones. One of the major complaints Windows Phone users have dealt with since the launch of the first Windows Phone was the lack of a truly useful voice assistant. Apple’s voice assistant, Siri, has been found on the iPhone since the introduction of the iPhone 4S way back in 2011, while Google has used its own voice assistant baked into Android since 2012. This is technology that has been around quite a while, so Microsoft has some catching up to do.
While it is certainly a nice feature for Windows Phone to finally have some sort of voice assistant software, one could argue that Microsoft should have had this software ready to go two years ago in order to remain competitive with both Apple and Google. Apple’s Siri, although very sluggish at the early stages of its release to the public, has become a very nice way for one to interact with his phone in a way that was never before possible with smartphones in the past. The same goes for Google Now. Google Now has its own set of compelling features, such as cards for nearby attractions, sports scores, traffic information, and others. On devices such as the Moto X, the phone is always listening for the user to interact with Google Now. One can simply say, “Ok Google”, and Google Now will automatically launch and be at the user’s disposal.
Only time will tell how useful Cortana will turn out to be. It is definitely something to keep an eye on when the Windows Phone 8.1 becomes available to the public. (Especially for all you Star Trek fans out there).
The question is, however, is Microsoft too late to the game with the announcement of Cortana alongside WP 8.1? Android and iOS have had voice controls for years. No doubt, at launch Cortana will be full of bugs, as Siri and Google Now were. Keep in mind, also, that Cortana is still has a beta tag at the end of its name. Sure, Microsoft has the opportunity to build a truly great feature set to promote its WP 8.1 hardware, but is it enough to draw users away from iOS or Android? In my opinion, no. I do not see many people at all being willing to abandon Android or iOS in order to make the transition to the third-most popular operating system for the length of their two-year contract.
Another crucial part of smartphone software that is present in most platforms is some sort of a notification center. Often found on the top edge of smartphones, one will see no such thing in WP 8 or earlier versions. Well, Microsoft finally has a solution. Say hello to Action Center, their take on what a notification shade should be. This is a big improvement over previous WP versions because Action Center can be one central place the user can see all the notifications that need attention without being forced to scroll through all the Live Tiles in order to find notification information. If implemented correctly, this could be an excellent feature on WP 8.1.
Overall, this update was a good one. Nothing that was not expected from the numerous leaks tracing back months, but nonetheless, Microsoft has addressed many of the complaints that users have made known. Nothing truly innovative was announced, but it is a solid upgrade for the WP platform. But is it too little, too late? After waiting all this time to implement some of the critical features that other platforms have been using (with great success, by the way), will Windows Phone gain popularity in a smartphone market that is hotter than ever?
Windows Phone has a long way to go in order to knock off either Android or iOS for one of the top two slots in the smartphone market, but it is certainly going in the right direction. What do you think? Were you pleased with this new version of WP, or were you a bit disappointed as I was? Let me know what your thoughts are.


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Apple plans to launch the service packs, called “apple one,” as soon as October, along with the next-generation iPhone, in an effort to encourage consumers to order more of Apple’s services, thereby boosting recurrent revenue, according to people familiar with the matter.
people familiar with the matter said that the service includes different levels; since the plan has not been made public, people familiar with the matter asked for anonymity. The basic level includes Apple Music and Apple TV +, and the higher price package includes Apple arcade game service in addition to the above two services. The next level includes apple news +, followed by the addition of additional icloud storage for storing files and photos.
Apple’s plans and packages may change. But the aim is to make the package price lower than the total price of the services ordered separately. An apple spokesman declined to comment.


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ZTE is planning to come up with its own smartbooks which will be based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor. Presently ZTE offers netbooks based on Atom processors.
MySpace has acquired “certain assets” of struggling music streaming service imeem for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 2003, imeem claims 16 million users for its ad-supported service. imeem CEO Dalton, CTO Bryan Berg, COO Ali Aydar and VP of sales David Wade have been brought on "as consultants to help manage this transition
After raising the offer twice, Cisco has finally secured over 90% of the shares of videoconferencing firm Tandberg, and will soon make a compulsory acquisition offer.
Around four in five Facebook users give away too much personal identity to complete strangers when asked, according to a survey by security firm Sophos.
The US FTC is investigating Google's purchase of Admob, and may block the sale if the acquisition is found to violate antitrust laws.
Shipments of portable electronics devices are expected to grow 10% in 2009, to more than 400 million units, according to In-Stat.


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Fortnum & Mason, the luxury department store, has hired a new retail director and is hunting for a new chief executive.
Tim Fisher, who had previously worked at Marks & Spencer, joined the 305-year-old emporium last month. Fortnum, which made a £1.1m profit last year, is understood to be close to hiring a chief executive, following the exit of Beverley Aspinall in May.
Mr Fisher is thought to have been placed by the executive search firm Anthony Gregg Partnership.
- More about:
- Isla Fisher


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Jodie Meschuk, a blogger who is a proud member of the anti-vax community, recently went viral after sharing a video of herself going around a grocery store licking everything in sight.
In the video, which was originally shared on Instagram but has since been deleted, Meschuk has her son, Lincoln, film her as she attempts to prove a point regarding microbes and bacteria.
The clip starts off with mother and son smiling as they walk into the store, which is yet to be identified, without a mask on because, according to Meschuk, “germs fortify your immune system.”
BUILDING UP YOUR DEFENSES
Not only that, but she also says that “exposure to germs builds defenses against asthma and allergies.” The first thing the mother-of-one licks is a plastic bag from the produce section.
While it is normal for one to lick a finger to help open those stubborn bags, Meschuk goes above and beyond and licks not only all her fingers but also the bag itself.
Next, viewers can see the blogger licking the handle of a refrigerator door, followed by the handle of the shopping cart she is pushing around the store.
An alleged anti-vaxxer like Meshuck was caught on video vaping inside a laboratory in Pasadena.
The video comes to an end as mother and son are seen leaving the store with their groceries and a few red and black balloons while encouraging viewers to “be free” and to choose “love over fear.”
As aforementioned, the video was quickly taken down, but it has been shared on Reddit as well. However, despite Meshuck’s views, grocery stores haven’t been impressed by these types of stunts.
A PUBLIC HAZARD
Last year, a Gerrity’s Supermarket in Hanover Township was forced to throw away $35,000 worth of food after a woman named Margaret Cirko “intentionally contaminated” it by coughing on it.
Joe Fasula, co-owner of the grocery store chain, said that the woman just walked in and started coughing on produce, meat, bakery products, and several other items on the shelves.
BEING A NUISANCE
More recently, an alleged anti-vaxxer like Meshuck was caught on video vaping inside a laboratory in Pasadena, Califonia, in the presence of a cancer patient.
Erin Brennan, the patient, was at Quest Diagnostics for a blood draw when she saw the woman sitting in the waiting room without a mask. When she politely asked her to put a mask on, the woman refused to do so.
Not only that, but she got up and started smoking in front of an employee while demanding to speak to someone because she had been waiting for over an hour despite not having an appointment.


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VTB and Rostelecom join forces to create big data solutions
A new big data platform will enable businesses to improve client services
Moscow, Russia – November 20, 2019 - Rostelecom PJSC (MOEX: RTKM, RTKMP; OTCQX: ROSYY), announces that it has signed a strategic partnership memorandum with VTB to facilitate cooperation in the area of big data. The document was signed by the President and Chairman of VTB Bank Andrey Kostin and Mikhail Oseevsky, President of Rostelecom, at the 11th annual VTB Capital “RUSSIA CALLING!” investment forum.
Rostelecom and VTB will set up a joint venture (JV) to focus on creating new products to meet customers’ needs based on big data analysis and processing, including with AI technologies. The provisional investment by both parties will amount to RUB 1 billion.
The JV will be based on a technology platform available to clients operating in the telecommunications, financial services, retail and development sectors as well as state organisations. All data sets will be verified for legality and quality prior to use and they will be depersonalised and coded. Data will be stored by companies participating in the project.
“VTB Bank is pleased with the prospect of expanding our cooperation with Rostelecom in high-technology projects. The new platform will help structure large sets of big data accumulated in various economy sectors and use them to create digital products that will meet markets’ needs and increase efficiencies. I believe that better data quality and accessibility are critical success factors for the development of Russia’s digital economy.”
“Rostelecom sees the development of AI technologies for big data analysis as our top priority area. We have already made good progress on this front with a number of our own proprietary tools and partner technologies that are helping us to rethink and improve the user experience. By joining our forces, Rostelecom and VTB will be able empower both the business and state sectors with digital solutions that will significantly increase their productivity.”
The JV will serve small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as large corporations, and state companies. The new platform will integrate systems for big data processing, storage, analysis and exchange. The AI-optimized platform will also help process depersonalised and coded data thanks to its data stock exchange features, while also managing companies’ advertising campaigns using intelligence systems.
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VTB Bank and its subsidiaries form a leading Russian financial group – VTB Group, offering a wide range of banking services and products in Russia, CIS, Western Europe, Asia and Africa.
VTB Group is a global provider of financial services, operating across all key areas of the financial markets. Its subsidiary financial organisations offer insurance, leasing, factoring, and other financial services.
As of 30 June 2019, the Group was the second largest financial group in Russia by assets (RUB 15.055 trillion) and by customer accounts (RUB 10.738 trillion).
The Government of the Russian Federation is VTB


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More info on CBD oil business is booming in Kentucky
CBD oil business is booming in Kentucky - BingNews Search results
Monumental Demand: CBD Market on Course to Grow 400% in Europe Alone
Palm Beach, FL - February 24, 2020 — Over the next five years, the global CBD market is expected to accelerate to $23.6 billion, according to Grand View Research. All thanks to the growing adoption of ...
Mota Ventures Announces Transition After Definitive Close of First Class CBD Acquisition
The Company intends to continue its roll up strategy of acquiring profitable, well-known CBD brands globally. Mr. Hoggan brings more than 18 years of leadership, global business development and ...
Former ITG CEO to lead Triad hemp, CBD oil distributor
GREENSBORO, N.C. — A Greensboro-based hemp and CBD oil producer bolstered its position in the growing industry with the naming of a new CEO ... To read more about the position and the CBD oil market ...
Mota Ventures Announces Transition After Definitive Close of First Class CBD Acquisition; Ryan Hoggan is New CEO
The Company intends to continue its roll up strategy of acquiring profitable, well-known CBD brands globally. Mr. Hoggan brings more than 18 years of leadership, global business development ... LLC ...
A List of the Best CBD Oil Companies in 2020
What are the Best CBD oil companies on the market right now? 2018 saw the legalization of hemp in all 50 states and subsequently there was a huge boom in the CBD oil market ... Spruce is a family-run ...
Rich Lister's cannabis dream launches in Australia
has launched Australia's first business importing medicinal cannabis from the United States. The company says its goal with cannabidiol (CBD) products is to provide patients with greater access to ...
From Hemp To CBD
He attended Clemson, earning a degree in biochemistry with a minor in business administration and ... densely planted and harvested for fiber and oil seed. Many tobacco farmers in Kentucky have ...
Mota Ventures reveals tie-up with e-commerce firm Unified Funding to expand Sativida brand in the US
The move comes after last month, Mota revealed it had bought online retail business First Class CBD for a total of US$32 million. First Class offers a wide range of products, including CBD oil drops .
Where you should Purchase CBD in Ohio
It is perhaps not well well worth the chance to place any such thing within you from the ongoing business you ... for stores to provide CBD items inside their stores and would develop a course to help ...
Vext Science's Kentucky CBD Extraction Facility Begins Production in February 2020
Vapen-Kentucky has begun processing hemp biomass supplied by Emerald Pointe at the new Fulton facility. The Hemp Processing Center will produce high-quality, THC free CBD oil and isolate, which will ...
25 Best CBD Oil Brands to Check Out
CBD oil can be found all over the place these days ... then you could always try their unflavored Pure Good Vibes variant. Kentucky has a rich 200-year history when it comes to hemp cultivation. Due ...
Leading Kentucky hemp processor files for bankruptcy
"We are taking this action in order to position our business for success in a highly ... Hemp-derived cannabidiol, or CBD oil, as a health product has gained an increasingly large market. In Kentucky, ...


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Red Sox will put up billboards above Wall
BOSTON — The space above Fenway Park's famed left-field wall, known as the Green Monster, used to be reserved for home run balls. But two billboards will soon take over the spot.
Local Volvo dealerships and The Sports Authority will put signs in the netting above the Green Monster as part of larger advertising deals with the Red Sox.
Advertising won't appear on the 37-foot-high wall itself.
The new Red Sox owners have been trying to squeeze as much revenue as they can out of the old park, built in 1912 and the smallest in the majors.
"This is the closest you can get to a naming rights deal," Marc Ganis, a sports business expert and owner of Sports Corp. in Chicago told the Boston Herald. "The Green Monster is the signature of the ballpark."
Red Sox executives say the ads are up on a trial basis for the rest of the season. The first ads from Sports Authority will go up July 23. The Volvo ads will be displayed starting Aug. 8. Later this year, Sox executives will decide whether to keep the ads on top of the wall or possibly add seats there.
Red Sox spokesman Charles Steinberg said the team is moving cautiously to avoid angering traditionalists.
"We want to do two things - to increase our revenue so we can keep up with the Yankees, and we want to protect the ambience of Fenway Park," he said.
Under the three-year New England Volvo Retailers deal, Volvo will lease 70 cars to the Red Sox and will refer to itself in its advertising as the official car of the Boston Red Sox.
Local Volvo dealers have also agreed to contribute $500 to the Jimmy Fund every time a home run hits their Green Monster ad. Ganis estimates the team could earn $3 million to $5 million on the Volvo deal.


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Banks promise to support Carillion subcontractors and suppliers
This post has already been read 3358 times!
Representatives for HSBC,Barclays, Lloyds, Santander, RBS, Shawbrook and Aldermore met with MPs on Wednesday to discuss Carillion’s demise and how they can help contractors.
Business Secretary Greg Clark commented saying: “It is essential that small businesses exposed to the Carillion insolvency are given the support they need by their lenders.”
UK Finance issued at statement which said: “UK banks and the Government are working closely to make sure the impact of the Carillion liquidation on SMEs in the supply chain is understood and managed in a way that best supports those in need of assistance.
“Lenders are contacting customers and, where appropriate, are putting in place emergency measures, including overdraft extensions, payment holidays and fee waivers to ensure those facing short term issues can be helped to stay on track.”


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Mazda is bringing the rotary back, not in a screaming banshee of a rear-wheel drive coupe but as a range extender for electric vehicles.
“As part of multi-electrification technologies, the rotary engine will be employed in Mazda’s small-segment products and be introduced into the market in the first half of 2022,” Mazda CEO Akira Marumoto said at the launch of the MX-30 in Japan this week.
The remarks were made to Automotive News, and the Hiroshima-based automaker has confirmed the MX-30’s third variant will feature an electric motor driving the wheels, while an on-board rotary engine is capable of recharging the batteries when required.
Since the discontinuation of the RX-8 in 2012, the company has continued working on rotaries and hinted the engine type will make a return, albeit not in the form which would excite enthusiasts the most.
In Japan, the MX-30 will initially be availably only with a 24V mild hybrid drivetrain.
This setup has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 115kW of power and 199Nm of torque, a six-speed automatic, and a starter-generator capable of adding 5kW and 49Nm to the mix.
It’s unclear if the mild-hybrid system will be made available in MX-30s sold in export markets.
In contrast, the MX-30 is offered in Europe solely as an electric vehicle. It’s fitted with an electric motor, rated at 107kW of power and 270Nm of torque, driving the front wheels.
Hooked up to a 35.5kWh battery, the MX-30 is said to have a driving range of 200km using the WLTP standard.
The MX-30 has yet to be confirmed for Australia. In August, a Mazda Australia spokesperson told CarExpert “a decision will be made before the end of 2020”.


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Ford to Cut One in Ten Salaried Workers in North America, Asia
May 20 2017 by Larry Hoffman
Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday it aims to reduce its salaried workforce in North America and Asia by 10%, a cost-cutting move aimed at shoring up profits amid cooling sales in the once-booming USA and Chinese auto markets.
The Dearborn automaker Ford said workers eligible for a voluntary reduction program, will be offered early retirement and special separation packages through the end of September. The cuts are said to largely target salaried employees.
Ford Motor Co. said it's making an "accelerated attack on costs" by offering voluntary buyout packages to salaried workers in North America and Asia, as Chief Executive Officer Mark Fields faces pressure to improve profit and boost the carmaker's stock price. Ford's share price has fallen almost 40 percent over the past three years.
Ford will cut up to 10 per cent of its global workforce in an effort to cut $3 billion in costs in the midst of falling vehicle sales and increased spending on advanced technologies.
Certain areas of the business won't be targeted, including Ford's product development and credit divisions.
General Motors Co GM.N has cut more than 4,000 U.S.jobs since November, and moved to conserve capital by shedding its European operations and closing unprofitable operations in Asia.
Ford also isn't likely to cut jobs in its emerging businesses, such as its research center in Palo Alto, California.
Ryan says no rush to judgment on Comey firing
The White House disputed Comey's account of the February conversation concerning Flynn, but did not offer specifics. Speaking at a Coast Guard graduating ceremony in Connecticut, President Trump took a swipe at the media.
Qualcomm can charge EVs while they're moving
The primary goal, however, is to organize feasibility analysis of wireless DEVC as a means of EV range extension. It has cost €9 million ($9.9 million) and is partially funded by the European Union.


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When Paramount released “The Truman Show” in 1998, the studio thought it was releasing a satire of how far America’s obsession with celebrity could go.
But two Italian entrepreneurs think Paramount gave them a business plan.
Arturo Artom and Luca Ferrero are beta-testing a Web site, set to launch in May, called YourTrumanShow.com.
Site takes self-revelatory blogs and YouTube videos to the next level by encouraging users to submit videos of their personal lives for public display and judgment.
“Your life can be rated by others, and it might be highlighted as the ‘life of the day,’ ” says Artom.
Exec says the site’s name was in the clear, since trademarks for the film filed by Paramount expired in June; a search of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Web site confirms that.
Paramount reps declined to comment on the transformation of satire into reality in less than a decade.


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FLORAL PARK, Nassau County (WABC) -- Several restaurant and shop owners are cleaning up after their businesses were destroyed by a fire Sunday morning.
The fire broke out on Covert Avenue around 8 a.m.
The fire destroyed at least five businesses and damaged four others.
A man who happened to be walking by on Sunday morning saw the fire and ran into the deli across the street, where Michelle Moreno works.
"I know every single person, help them every day, so it's kind of hard for me to see them go through this pain," said Moreno.
The fire appears to have started in the back of two businesses at the corner, right where a coffee shop was.
Charlie Alberici and his wife own the coffee shop - it just opened two years ago.
"A lot of long hours, typically any business, a start up, takes 2-5 years to just make a profit," said Alberici.
Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin said it was a heartbreaking morning after the fire:
"Truly a heartbreaking morning in Floral Park as many restaurant and shop owners along Covert Avenue found their businesses and livelihoods destroyed by a devastating fire."
He went on to say that after a trying year due to COVID-19, the town of Hempstead is ready to assist the businesses in any way possible as they rebuild.
Many of the businesses on Covert Ave. took a hit, but stayed open, feeding doctors and nurses, and were here for people to get their morning coffee. They were just getting their footing back when the fire devastated the block.
"I used to get my hair cut here, go to Capo every Friday night - it's sad to see people you know them like family, really," says Floral Park resident Doug Spring.
And like family, they vow to stick together and rebuild.
Submit a News Tip


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According to data from local retailers, Microsoft sold 80,000 units of its new console in the UK in its first week.
Offering a streaming game option could be less about domination but more about parity.
Bing Map users will now be able to toggle a setting that enables colored mapping of traffic along routes destinations.
The Windows 10 October 2018 Update added a new convenience feature which lets you synchronise your clipboard across all your devices. It works seamlessly with the existing Ctrl+C/Ctrl+X/Ctrl+V keyboard shortcuts, while adding another layer of advanced functionality. First,
Microsoft has, with the help of researchers from the University of Washington, successfully created its very first automated system for storing data within DNA strands.
Specifically, advertisers will get access to Lookalike Audiences dashboards, Audience tenplates and Interest Targeting.
Microsoft Support uses Safe Mode in Windows 10 for troubleshooting issues you might be having with Windows 10. By starting your PC in Safe Mode, you start Windows 10 in a bare-bones state, often limiting the number of files and drivers available to you.
Microsoft has already pushed its first patch which includes the popup informing users of the deadline on January 14th, 2020.
Check out our weekly Xbox news recap series, where we go over the top stories of the past week in the world of Xbox.
Welcome back to our Windows 10 news recap. We are continuing the trend of our weekly “Windows 10 news recap” series where we go over the top stories of the past week in the world of Microsoft’s flagship operating system.
Microsoft (MSFT) news recap is a weekly feature highlighting the top Microsoft news stories of the past week. Sit back, grab some coffee, and enjoy the read! Microsoft Rewards adds Starbucks, Pizza Express, Debenhams and more gift cards in the UK To please Microsoft Rewards’ UK members,
John Oliver wants news networks to change the way they present climate change debates.Despite scientific reports about climate change impacting daily life, one in four Americans are still skepticalOn Sunday night's episode of Last Week Tonight,
[核心提示] 面对热门事件，搜索引擎应该怎样做来满足甚至超过用户的预期呢？有时候，搜索会超出你的预期，给你惊 […]
dcblogs writes: Nicholas Carr, who stirred up the tech world with his 2003 essay, IT Doesn't Matter in the Harvard Business Review, has published a new book, The Glass Cage, Automation and Us, that looks at the impact of automation of higher-level jobs.
根据市场调查机构Citrix公布的一份最新报告，使用iPhone 6 Plus的用户消耗的数据远远超过iPhone 6，达到了后者的两倍。这也意味着，如果不是在WIFI环境下，iPhone 6 Plus可能会让用户的运营商账单增加更多数字。
Monoprice is currently taking 15% off almost any order of $1,000 or less. Pair that with Monoprice's already low prices, and you can create some terrific deals. Here are a few suggestions to get you started. [Get 15% Off Your Order at Monoprice with Code MARCH15]Read more...
No matter how old you are, no matter how clear your conscious, there is a penis hiding amongst the innocentPenis-shaped objects are hidden among the real world like hidden Mickeys are scattered across Disney World. They're everywhere: in our pet's fur, in corporate logos, on mushrooms.
Today on Amazon, if you pick up the X version of your favorite headphones for a $135 (about $34 less than usual), and you'll also get a free hard carrying case. Just be sure you choose Amazing Deals Online as the seller, and note the promo code.


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Agriculture and food business company Bunge Ltd.
warned Tuesday that full-year adjusted EBIT, or earnings before interest and taxes, will fall short of the previously disclosed $1.045 billion low end of its guidance range, due to shortfalls in in its agribusiness and sugar and bioenergy businesses. The company is expecting a shortfall of $90 million to $100 million for the agribusiness company and of $60 million to $70 million in its sugar and bioenergy business. "The Agribusiness shortfall was largely due to the reduction in value of the Company's Brazilian soybean ownership as factors related to China trade and demand caused Brazilian prices to converge with U.S. prices," the company said. "The Sugar and Bioenergy shortfall was primarily due to lower Brazilian ethanol prices, and a weather-related reduction in yields as a poor crop year came to a close." The company also named Gregory Heckman as acting CEO, replacing Soren Schroder, who has already said he was stepping down. Heckman joined the Bunge board in 2018 and has more than 30 years experience in the agribusiness. Shares fell 1.5% premarket, and have fallen 35.4% in the last 12 months, while the S&P 500
has fallen 5.7%.


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If you get a call that looks like it’s from the Social Security Administration (SSA), think twice. Scammers are spoofing SSA’s 1-800 customer service number to try to get your personal information. Spoofing means that scammers can call from anywhere, but they make your caller ID show a different number – often one that looks legit. Here are few things you should know about these so-called SSA calls. See more information.
Fake checks drive many types of scams - like those involving phony prize wins, fake jobs, mystery shoppers, online classified ad sales, and others. See more information.
Members are being targeted in a vishing (phone-based phishing) scam in which fraudsters spoof phone numbers making the calls appear to originate from the credit union. The members are duped into providing CVV2/CVC2 codes and expiration dates for their debit cards. The fraudsters, already possessing the counterfeit mag stripe debit cards, use the information to change the PINs through voice response units. Then, they use the counterfeit cards to make ATM withdrawals, as well as purchases at Wal-Mart in Florida and Georgia. Credit unions in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia have been impacted by the scam.
As a reminder, your financial institution will never ask for the CVV or CVC code on your debit card or credit card. Please do not give out any personal information over the phone and monitor your debit card and credit card transactions online and in your monthly statements for discrepancies.
by Andrew Johnson, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC
Scammers pretending to be with the FTC or with FTC refund administrators are calling, asking for remote access to your computer. It's been reported that the scammers are calling specifically about the FTC's Advanced Tech Support refund program.
Our Fraud Blog
Over the last five years, data breaches have become a constant news story. Whether they’re happening in retail stores, restaurants, insurance companies, universities, or the federal government, the outcome is likely the same. The chances your personal information has been exposed are high. You may not know it or feel the effects of it today, but at some point in time, you will. So, what should you be doing? Read more below.
Once your personal information has been obtained, the amount of damage an identity thief can do ranges from draining your bank account to filing a tax refund in your name. Find out how to spot the clues that someone has stolen your information: Warning Signs of Identity Theft
If you are a victim of identity theft, don't panic! Receive a tailored recovery plan from the Federal Trade Commission that highlights the steps you will need to take to help get your life back on track.
To help reduce the potential risk of identity theft, follow these 5 routine steps.
From disposing of your computers to oversharing on social media, there are numerous ways that someone could potentially steal your personal information. Find out how to help protect yourself online.
Make it even more difficult for an identity thief by amping up your passwords!
IRS Scams are on the rise! Find out the warning signs and what to do if it happens to you.
Money Wiring Scams can happen to anyone. Here's a quick overview of some of the more common scams and how it could potentially affect you.
Scammers may pose as a relative or friend needing money desperately with the hopes you'll send money before realizing its a scam. Learn how to verify an emergency and the tricks scammers use.
How To Spot A Tech Support Scam
Scammers have been taking advantage of people who care about computer security. They run operations in the US and overseas that use pop-up messages and phone calls to convince people that their computers need fixing. Find out how to protect yourself below:
Fraud and Your Responsibilities
Fraud is everybody's problem but it's your job to educate yourself, be aware, and avoid fraud.
Your Account Security
Take some simple precautions to protect your account. Guard your passwords, be wary of inquiries for confidential information, and take precautions whenever you access your account online.
Protect Your Identity
Although money can sometimes be recovered, damage to a stolen identity is difficult to repair. Learn to protect your identity from online and real-world thieves.
Keep Secure Online and On The Phone
We are constantly working to make your online transactions even safer and to protect your identity and account security.
Because we take your online security seriously, we have implemented Multi-Factor Authentication for our online CU@Home and Bill Payer systems.


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Sandy Andy in the Dragons Den asking for £100k investment.
With the intention to build robots and an interactive TV platform the BBC have cut out 80% of this actual pitch. This is what they missed out…
£38k for TV production company equipment
£50k for Tech and robotic development
“I only asked for about £22k for a pop up venue selling food / drinks but they made it look like I wanted to spend £100k on a beach bar,” said Sandy.


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'Destiny 2' Latest News, Release Date & Update: Bungie Working on Sequel Arriving After 'Rise of Iron' [VIDEO}
"Destiny: Rise of Iron" is going to be available just in time for Christmas with its September release, but fans are already speculating what's next for the Bungie game series, namely "Destiny 2." The sequel was promised to players by publisher Activision earlier this year, and is the follow up to the 2014 BAFTA Award-winning Bungie game.
Speaking of Bungie, it seems that the developers are already hard at work for "Destiny 2," as they should be close to completing the exciting, huge new expansion for "Destiny," titled "Rise of Iron." The expansion is scheduled to arrive on September 20. In a recent Bungie blog post, Bungie shared that they celebrated "Bungie Day" on July 7, wherein they "come together as a team to unify around a vision for the future," a future with "Destiny 2" in sight.
The developers teased that they are indeed looking forward to new content they are creating for players "on a long enough timeline," and this may imply that they have already laid the groundwork for "Destiny 2" following the September launch of "Rise of Iron." Meanwhile, fans can head over to Bungie to check out a cryptic photo they posted along with the blog entry, in which the screen was blurred out to hide any possible ("Destiny 2"-related?) spoilers. Earlier this year, Activision said that the game should be out in 2017.
Meanwhile, for those who cannot wait to get their hands on the newest "Destiny" expansion "Rise of Iron," VG247 reports that they can now get a glimpse of what the new Cosmodrome looks like, compared to the current one, in a cool new video. Check it out below.
Bungie is also reminding fans that they can get the Iron Gjallarwing Sparrow vehicle for their own when they pre-order the "Rise of Iron" DLC ahead of its September release. Moreover, they are also cooking up something special during this year's Gamescom, so watch out for that as well. Head over to bungie.net to check out their full blog.


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GREENOCK CREEK ROENNFELDT ROAD VINEYARD AT HARVEST: BUGGER-ALL IRRIGATION; NEVER MORE THAN A TONNE PER ACRE; HAND-MADE; ONE OR TWO BARRELS A YEAR; $190 A BOTTLE; HUNDREDS OF PARKER POINTS; ALWAYS SELLS OUT - SUSTAINABLE? INDUSTRIAL? LEO DAVIS PHOTO
Australian Wine Industry Goes Off In Summer Break
Sudden Sicko Revelations On New Year's Eve
by PHILIP WHITE
“Wine industry grapples for new hook” croaked the Sydney Morning Herald on December 31.
Precisely who it was that decided to run this piece of deep misery on the last day of the year, when most readers are too full of the fruits of the wine biz to remember anything, let alone read, remains to be seen.
I’m sure it was dumped, like the unseemly crock it is, by somebody who hoped it would just sort of gradually break down and dribble through the many levels of the business nice and easy over the summer holidays, so’s not to cause too much of a stink all at once.
Reminds me of John writing in The Holy Bible, King James Version, in chapter 3, verse 13 of his gospel: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
Good enough reason to keep the stink under a tin until dark falls on New Year’s Eve and the whole nation gets maggoted, eh?
Having sat watching this nefarious business for thirty years, I feel vaguely qualified to respond to this article, bit by bit.
The wine industry was exposed to some unpalatable truths this year, as the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation acknowledged that vineyards and winemakers would need to make major changes if they are to survive an ever growing plethora of challenges.
Well, yes. This is the body that has overseen the dumbest broadscale rooting of the Australian countryside, local economies, public health, families, environment and water during the last decades. Its board includes nobody who grows grapes; nobody with actual investment in the wine industry; nobody I would call a particularly talented hands-on winemaker. (There is one winemaking director who is on the board for his marketing skills, according to the original press statements). Two of its small number work for huge transnational companies (Pernod-Ricard; Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey) which are direct rivals of the Australian wine business. Its members change in about one quarter the time it takes a responsible winemaker to decide upon a flavour, find the land, prepare it, plant it, harvest it, convert it from primary to secondary product in the winery, mature it, package it as something gastronomically attractive, market it, promote it, sell it, distribute it, and see it winning respect.
Major changes indeed.
With the preceding "boom time" party now well and truly over, 2009 could prove to be a major turning point for the consortium as small and large operations alike look for innovative measures to help the Australian wine industry recover from what has been a long-running hangover.
Yes. As I have consistently written for thirty years, there is no point in the driest country on Earth buggering arid land and wasting precious water to make cheap rotgut bladder pack quality wine which is two or three times the strength of your average beer for sale to the world at the price of imported water.
2009 IS the major turning point. Things have already changed, and admitting this on New Year’s Eve will not make the facts go away.
This industry is cactus whether these geniuses look for innovative measures or not.
The confronting reality for Australia's wine industry is actually a cautionary tale for all producing countries, says the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation.
Well, yes. The Australian wine industry should immediately advise the world to drop the Australian winemaking recipe immediately. It is Australia’s duty. Through its great publicly-funded halls of academe, like the University of Adelaide, this industry trained thousands of winemakers and sent them out like apostles around the world to advise our rivals how to do things our way. We never seemed to realise that because they had the equivalent of slave labour, no environmental restrictions, and either plenty of water or plenty of water which could be procured illicitly, we never seemed to realise that these countries would be able to make cheaper wine than Australia could.
So before their environments fail like Australia’s, before their water dries out, before their communities drink themselves to oblivion and ruin, of course we should be out there, telling them to stop.
The University of Adelaide should quickly knock a course together, offering a doctorate in how to undo what we’ve just taught these hapless copyists to do.
The people who have encouraged the Australian wine industry to develop to this sickening delusion should all be on the road, at their own expense, apologising, and helping put things right. In Georgia, Romania, China, India, Argentina, Chile ... wherever it’s necessary.
The corporation's market development manager, Paul Henry, says the industry will in all likelihood face production without profit and diminishing bargaining power in the face of attritional retail dynamics caused by the global financial crisis.
Well, yes, and all the above. Has anybody sat down and considered precisely how much wine the world should be expected to drink? That would a handy number to have before we encounter tricky difficulties like the global financial crisis, which wasn’t really much of a surprise to those of us who live moderately and watch.
Despite the ongoing drought, wine production went up this year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), but lower domestic sales and a drop in exports led to a surplus in wine stocks.
Yes. But this was no surprise. The whole business was looking forward to a bumper harvest until the Lord smote the grapeyards with withering heat. The heat was the surprise. The export slump was predicted; the increase in yields per acre and total tonnes harvested was exactly what the University of Adelaide and the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation have been struggling for decades to achieve. This oversupply – two billion litres in tank at the moment, and another good vintage looming – is the direct result of everything everyone’s struggled for. Just how this industry could justify the use of the extra water required to achieve these enormous increases should confound and enrage the entire community.
"Global financial crisis aside, Australia has manoeuvred itself into a situation where innovation and efficiency in production has outstripped the sector's own ability to manage that capacity," Mr Henry said.
What did I just say?
Exports of Australian wine fell by nine per cent to 715 million litres and the United Kingdom remained the largest importer of Australian wine, taking 268 million litres valued at $895 million. However, Mr Henry says Australia's competitors should be mindful of being hubris.
I think that should be hubristic.
I’ve only met Paul Henry once, and on that short occasion he impressed me. He seemed to understand that he was on his donkey, riding into a seething Jerusalem. But I got the feeling that the only eternal life he could see was the history he’d leave behind. There are not many successful liquidators remembered down through the years.
"These current market and structural challenges are not exclusive to Australia ... they are common to the development cycle of all wine producing countries," he said.
Well, yes, apart from the fact that this country seems to be withering, bleaching and cracking rather faster than those with snow-peaked mountains providing them with ongoing life.
There are no environmental scientists on the board of the Australian Wine And Brandy Corporation, either.
Remaining optimistic the industry will return to its former days of glory, Mr Henry said the real judgment call should not be based on how Australian viniculturists got themselves into such a difficult supply and demand situation, but rather, how and when the industry will get itself out.
Yes, of course. Savoury though the notion be, there is little point in stringing the whole roadside with crucifixes. But what should happen immediately is the old guard, who got this amazing industry into this decrepitude, should never, ever be given another chance. They should take their money and the remnants of their glossy gastroporn fame, and retire, planting native vegetation as they go. They should have no further influence over our own great public institutions, like the University of Adelaide. They should never be permitted to represent or influence this country anywhere, ever.
Which brings us to the question: is there sufficient hot young blood hiding in the hallways and annexes of the Universities and the great glimmering refineries of this country to come out and lead? Have we trained any? If we did, would we recognise them? Are they brave enough to speak? Do they have the intellectual and moral exactitude to do this awful job?
If we haven’t trained any such leaders, then those in charge should in fact be crucified on the roadsides after all.
"The stated aim of the industry is to identify a credible premium to be paid for Australian wine and to move our production and marketing platform towards a quality vision that celebrates sustainable value above unprofitable volume growth," he says.
Doesn’t that mean make better wine at better prices if indeed the environment permits, the market desires, and government tolerates?
Although at the end of 2007 there was concern there would be a mass exodus from viniculture in Australia, experts now say the removal of several vineyards is necessary if the industry is to remain on a sustainable footing.
Several vineyards? The whole mentality of the current “industry” – and that’s it’s own word – is to continue planting enormous broadacre monocultural grapeyards the like of which continue to be planted, lickety-split, right up the Murray darling Basin into Queensland, and all over the bits of the south-western corner of Western Australia which aren’t already dying under intensive bluegum plantations.
The whole mentality of the current “industry” is to keep the grape prices down by forcing out of business the specialist families who’ve hand-worked environmentally-responsible vineyards with modest expectations through drought, bushfire and flood, for generations.
The Australian wine “industry” is about as smart as the American corn industry, which must over-produce to succeed. There are no fences anymore, no plants, no insects, no shops, no townships, nobody with dirt on their hands. Plenty of petrochemicals; plenty of poison. But no flavour.
Despite earlier gloomy predictions, ABS statistics show the total area of grape vines this year was slightly higher than last year at 166,000 hectares and, with production up, yield rose from 9.3 to 11.8 tonnes per hectare.
See? From whence came that water? Eh?
Winemakers Federation of Australia chief executive Stephen Strachan says it is because of the success of the industry in recent years that so many challenges have arisen.
Exactly. We’re so goddam clever – remember hubris? – that we fucked it completely. Greed comes into mind, too.
"We saw a lot of people come into the industry expecting the phenomenal growth to continue and we've got a job to do to try to keep that market share, rather than continue to grow," he says. "Australia, I think, is now the fourth largest wine producer in the world."
There’s a lot of stuff in that par.
The likes of Strachan talked the business up for years, encouraging increased investment. Every extra tonne of grapes grown in Australia sees the Wine And Brandy Corporation budget swell. The money comes from a levy on tonnes harvested.
Which has nothing to do with market share. Share of what? The biggest wine oversupply in history? The biggest recreational drug racket fiasco ever? Share of what?
The ABS says the total grape crush for the 2007-08 vintage came in at 1.8 million tonnes, up by about 30 per cent on last year, and produced 1.2 billion litres of wine.
Giving us two billion litres of very ordinary plonk to sell into a world market that’s already overflowing.
Australia's largest winemakers accounted for 71 per cent of the total crush, while the smaller winemakers averaged 97 tonnes each. Mr Strachan said although the drought continued to ravage the country, the high quality and size of the 2008 vintage surprised a lot of people.
And delighted those big four companies with the 71 per cent, as their costs were delightfully low. Two of those four, half, of course, are not Australian companies, and you needn’t be a cynic to realise Foster’s won’t be Australian for very much longer.
"It was a very challenging vintage because of the size of it and if we have another vintage of that magnitude, then there is a fairly high likelihood that a significant amount of fruit won't be processed," he said. "The bottom line is there needs to be an adjustment downwards in terms of our vineyard capacity in Australia and that will probably happen at a greater pace now because grape prices are going to be very low this year. From an industry perspective we need to see some vineyards removed so we get back on to more stable footing in terms of sustainability."
Okay, Mr. Strachan, we get your drift. We need to lose a quarter of our vineyards. If you like, I can make available thirty years of tasting notes, with say, two to six thousand wines assessed each year. Let’s say we sort them in ascending order of scores, and tell the producers of the bottom quarter that they obviously don’t know what they’re doing and should simply eff off.
That would provide this industry with its biggest ever international marketing message.
If we also locked in a ratio of water used per dollars profit per tonne of grapes, and native vegetation planted to counterbalance the environmental damage inevitably incurred, that would be another incredible marketing message that would be of enormous assistance in notifying the world that we’ve been leading them in the wrong direction, too.
In fact, their drinkers might even forgive us. People might begin to trust us again.
Mr Henry agrees there is an urgent need for rationalisation and downsizing required within the industry. "But there was little consensus about where and who that corrective measure would come from," he said.
Try my suggestion above, Paul.
And while some might expect a limited amount of water to restrict the number of hectares covered in vines, the corporation reports that the physical availability of water is not likely to be a serious constraint on the size of the 2009 harvest. The ABS says nearly all vineyards in Australia were forced to irrigate this season, bringing the average water consumption to 3.2 megalitres per hectare, with drip and micro spray the most common forms of watering.
"About 65 per cent of all wine grapes are grown in South Australia's Murray Darling Basin and even if drought breaks, the issue is not so much how much rain we have but more so how much irrigation there is," Mr Strachan said. "The river is going to take a number of years to fill up after the drought breaks, so the water outlook is not terribly promising."
Does that mean growers should steal water? How does he know this is a drought and that it will break?
He said federal reform was needed in regards to water trading allowed between irrigators and universal allocations.
Oh. Gotcha. Put him in charge of the River.
Wine consumers are proving to be "unforgivingly Darwinian", says the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation. The peak industry body says the market place is showing "little or no interest in any attribute other than volume at low cost".
"The most likely effect of the credit crisis is more conservative spending by consumers and gravitation to lower price points," the corporation's information and analysis manager, Lawrie Stanford said. And Mr Strachan agrees.
"We've got a global financial crisis that's leading to either a reduction in demand or consumers trading down to lower priced wines," Mr Strachan said.
Right. Let me think aloud. Forget most of our export. It’s neither profitable nor sustainable. Half the wine Australia drinks is in bladder packs, right? Mothers’ little helper. The silver pillow; the chrome handbag. Then we have, say, Greenock Creek, or Wendouree, which never makes more than fifty tonnes and never sells a bottle below, say $50.
The chrome is begat by chrome. The glittering refineries; the monoculture; the efficiency; the reliability; the science; the University of Adelaide; the salination; the alcoholism; the health costs; the full jails across the outback.
Wendouree is begat by Wendouree: by its hard dirt; its meagre climate; its humble expectations; its honesty with its customers; the way it decided against releasing any wine this year because it wasn’t good enough.
What do these businesses have in common?
So why are they lumped into one big cuddly “wine industry”?
Because the refineries need some modest honesty to ride upon, that’s why. Some quality, some reality, some gastronomic achievement. Some nuts and berries.
With domestic sales dropping by five per cent, Mr Strachan predicted the figure would continue to grow, particularly if the government introduced a tax on all alcoholic beverages in the new year.
I think he means “continue to fall”.
And the tax issue? Easy. Tax all alcoholic beverages on the amount of alcohol they contain.
Combine the resultant effect with that – cheaper, stronger, higher-volume packs will increase in price; winemakers will be encouraged to make wines of lower alcohol – with the results of my culling process above, and you have a happy, sensible, profitable, sustainable business.
Currently undertaking a review of Australia's tax system, and having already introduced a tax on pre-mixed alcoholic drinks, the government says "it is sometimes possible to improve overall welfare by taxing the consumption of particular commodities that cause social harm".
If government didn’t find these geniuses so easy to shove around then the twisted and arcane tax system the industry has already earned itself would never have been imposed in the first place.
As for pre-mixed alcoholic drinks? All the biggest wine companies have them. The wine industry invented them. In the ’sixties and ’seventies they were called Vin Spa or Pineapple Pearl, in the eighties they were West Coast Cooler and the like. Orlando (Pernod-Ricard) even had one called “e”, obviously hoping that a fair few bit of e would be dropped by the kiddies. The wine industry has always been in the business of selling alcohol any way it can. That is its nature.
But Mr Strachan says he is yet to see evidence that wine plays a big part in Australia's problem with alcohol abuse.
Then Mr. Strachan has never stood in the bed of the Todd River with his eyes open. What began with the gun is being finished by complacency.
With the government having signed an agreement with the European Union last week conceding the use of region-specific names such as champagne, Mr Strachan said Australian consumers might also steer away from their favourite drop for a short period once it was given a new classification.
Boo hoo. No more passing off.
He said wine lovers might be frustrated initially due to products formerly known as champagne, port, sherry and tokay being more difficult to locate on bottle shop shelves.
"It's just more a matter of working through a process where people become aware of a different set of descriptors," he said.
Mr Strachan said the new deal conceding the use of European names would mean less constraints on the way wine was made in Australia, allowing it to be more easily exported.
A different set of descriptors? Has Mr. Strachan ever read the claptrap, codswallop and balderdash that’s written on Australian wine bottles?
Mr Strachan said he expected large scale exporters would survive the economic downturn as a result of the deal, but that he was worried how the smaller-scale premium vineyards would fare.
"Consumers tend to trade down in a time of uncertainty, so they still continue to consume as much wine, but they tend to trade down, so those who are selling premium products are going to find the going pretty tough until we work through all the economic uncertainty."
This suits perfectly the perpetrators of the whole racket, right from the beginning. Trade down, and you support the refineries that have buggered the Murray and the Todd, and their inhabitants, you support the mentality of continual oversupply regardless of its effects, and you will need desperately to maintain status quo, with its morality, its experienced players, and its utter, overwhelming destruction.


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As the Omicron variant’s emergence spiked COVID-19 cases in January, the U.S. government began mailing at-home COVID-19 tests directly to consumers and indirectly providing N95 masks through retailers. Although history tells us that the private sector is generally more efficient than government and we will never know how many infections these freebies prevented, the ills associated with these different distribution methods – and their benefits – warrant scrutiny in order to guide future programs.
Direct Distribution of Tests
Amidst reports of test shortages and price gouging, the Biden administration launched a program allowing consumers to order four at-home COVID-19 tests per home, free of charge, in mid-January. Consumers are urged to “order your tests now so you have them when you need them,” and orders are supposed to be shipped via the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) within 7-12 days.
Perhaps the greatest strength of this direct distribution approach is that it allows those who may have COVID-19 to avoid potentially infecting others at public testing sites and other gathering spots. But while more at-home testing should reduce transmission rates, it also generates less data to guide epidemiologists and policymakers.
The direct distribution approach allows the government to limit households to four tests, but this puts larger families at a disadvantage and allows single people to order more than they need. Tying the number of tests provided to household size would have been a commonsense move.
Though the Internet-based ordering process is convenient for most, it creates roadblocks for at-risk groups such as the elderly and those without Internet access. For example, a 2019 Pew Research Center study found that 17.9 million American adults — 13.5 million of them over 65 — never use the Internet.
Direct distribution is convenient for most consumers, but it is an imperfect solution. Distributing millions of tests burdens the already-beleaguered USPS, which has struggled to keep pace with demand spiked by the pandemic. By mid-February, consumers had received 200 million tests, but many orders from a month earlier still were unfulfilled. Moreover, the accuracy of tests that sit outdoors in mail trucks and mailboxes during the winter degrades, especially if administered before warming to room temperature.
Indirect Distribution of Masks
While once-scarce N95 masks were widely available when the Omicron variant hit, prices soared in January as case numbers rose and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly touted N95s. The U.S. government outsourced mask distribution to private-sector retailers and community health centers days after launching the at-home COVID-19 test website. A total of 400 million masks were promised, with a limit of four per person.
One major benefit of this indirect distribution is that N95 masks can be acquired in real time as needed, assuming that they are in stock. But this fulfillment plan burdens retailers and community health centers with new responsibilities. There is also no way to ensure that locations charged with distributing masks will do so effectively or abide by the four-per-person limit.
Whereas the direct distribution of at-home COVID-19 tests allows for easy tracking of tests per household, indirect distribution of makes it difficult to prevent consumers from going from location to location collecting free masks. However, the widespread availability of free N95s should limit the profitability of any attempts to resell ill-gotten masks.
Which Distribution Approach is Best?
No doubt at least some COVID-19 cases were prevented by these two programs, but whether the benefits justify the costs to taxpayers is questionable. The giveaways may have happened too late in the pandemic to have much impact. Case numbers started falling before consumers received the freebies, and plans to end mask mandates emerged by the time N95s were available for pick-up.
Some epidemiologists believe the Omicron variant was the final step toward COVID-19 becoming an endemic disease much like influenza. But if they are wrong and the government chooses to provide more freebies, how should such products be distributed? Indirect distribution through retailers seems to be the best option for the U.S. government, assuming that participating firms are compensated for the added responsibilities. The approach could leverage existing supply chains while also ensuring access for people without Internet and avoiding arbitrary limits that harm large households.


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Chevrolet Tavera, one of the oldest MUV (multi-utility Vehicle) in General Motors' India portfolio, is all set to be launched in the Indian market with a new 2.0-liter common-rail diesel engine. It needs to be mentioned here that the previous model of Chevrolet Tavera has been discontinued by the company in 13 major Indian cities where the new BS-IV emission norms have been in application since April 2010.
The new Tavera 2.0 is expected to hit the Indian roads by the end of this year and will be compatible to the new BS-IV emission norms. Previously, it was expected that the company may decide to roll-out an upgraded version of Chevrolet Tavera 2.5L in India but the company had decided to phase-out this model at that time.
According to industry reports, the engine of this new Tavera 2.0 L will be sourced from an emerging domestic car maker Sonalika. News reports say that the engine will be the same as the one in the Rhino model. The price of this new Chevrolet Tavera is expected to be a bit higher as compared to its predecessor in the Indian market.
General Motors India is currently one of the fastest growing auto maker in the country and has its presence in almost every volume-driven segment of cars. The Indian portfolio of the company currently consists of some of the most popular cars including Small hatchbacks like Chevrolet Beat and Spark, entry-level sedans - Chevrolet Aveo and Optra Magnum and premium sedan -Chevrolet Cruze.
Read More on : Chevrolet Tavera in India