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Match.com Founder Gary Kremen to Headline Entrepreneurship Conference
Kremen and Adaptly co-founder Nikhil Sethi to present at Entrepreneur@NU
Entrepreneur@NU, Northwestern University’s third annual entrepreneurship conference, will bring together hundreds of business leaders and budding entrepreneurs on Wednesday, May 8. Two notable Northwestern alumni, Match.com founder Gary Kremen and Adaptly co-founder Nikhil Sethi, will give keynote speeches. This year’s conference will focus on the theme, “Pivot to Success.”
The conference, hosted by Northwestern’s Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive, on the Evanston campus.
The event is open to the public, but advance registration is requested.
The goal of Entrepreneur@NU is to connect and facilitate the growth of the startup ecosystem in Chicago, both for university and non-university entrepreneurs. In addition to the Northwestern Venture Challenge — where startups compete for a cash prize — the event will include panels on topics related to starting a business and the business model canvas. Among these topics are developing customer relationships; building key partnerships; and discovering your customer segment.
Participants may also sign up for free legal and career management clinics as well as lunch with venture capitalists.
The conference will also include a remembrance of James Farley (McCormick '50), an electrical engineering alumnus whose generous donation to Northwestern endowed the Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in 2008. Born a farm boy in Kansas, Farley spent his career building a small manufacturing company into an international corporation. He passed away in August 2012, leaving behind his wife Nancy, five children, and 16 grandchildren.
Keynote speaker Kremen (McCormick ’85) is an entrepreneur, inventor, executive, and investor with more than 25 years of experience with emerging growth companies and developing information technology. In addition to Match.com, Kremen founded the consumer finance business Clean Power Finance and other companies, including Sociogramics and Grant Media Management.
Sethi (McCormick ’10) founded Adaptly, a service that allows businesses to buy ads simultaneously on multiple social network ad platforms. Described as a “social media advertising megaphone,” the company has grown into a multi-million-dollar enterprise with customers like Kraft Foods, Showtime, and PepsiCo. Sethi and his partner first conceived of the idea for Adaptly in Northwestern’s NUvention: Web course.
In addition to the Farley Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneur@NU is sponsored by Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, Kellogg School of Management, Innovation and New Ventures Office, Harvey Kapnick Business Institutions Program, NUCATS Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Northwestern Alumni Association, NUventure Challenge, and InNUvation.
For more information or to register, visit entrepreneur.northwestern.edu/conference/2013.


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Following in Verizon’s footsteps, AT&T Inc. said Wednesday that it will introduce wireless plans that let subscribers connect up to 10 phones or other devices.
Connected phones get unlimited calling and texting, and all devices get wireless data access. The devices tap into a limited pool of data usage, which gets renewed each month.
Verizon introduced its “Share Everything” plans on June 28, replacing nearly all of its traditional phone plans. AT&T says its “Mobile Share” plans will begin in late August, but it is keeping its current individual and family plans.
AT&T’s prices will track closely with those of Verizon. One smartphone with 1 gigabyte of data will cost $85 per month with AT&T, compared with $90 with Verizon. Two smartphones and a tablet computer with 6 gigabytes of shared data will cost $170 on either carrier.
AT&T is the country’s second-largest cellphone company, behind Verizon. AT&T, based in Dallas, has 76.8 million direct wireless customers, and millions more through wholesale arrangements.
AT&T’s and Verizon’s shared-data plans are intended to stimulate the adoption of non-phone devices such as tablet computers and USB modems for laptops by making monthly service cheaper. Analysts think Verizon’s plan will reduce its service revenue in the short term but pay off in the long term as families add more devices.
Sprint Nextel, the nation’s third-largest wireless company, said in a statement that “current competitor data pricing on smartphones is already complex, driving customer worries about incurring data overage. The concept of sharing a monthly data allowance across a family of devices significantly increases the potential of a surprise monthly bill due to data overage charges and driving greater customer dissatisfaction.”
The Overland Park-based company said it offers customers “data plans on smartphones providing an unlimited data experience while on the Sprint network that eliminates the worry of any data overage charges.”

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Last week, I saw for the first time a desktop 3D printer, the machine that President Barack Obama recently said will “revolutionize the way we make almost everything,” and that experts say could change the world as much as the steam engine did in the 19th century, or the Internet at the end of the 20th century.
A Miami distributor showed me the new technology — actually, it was invented nearly three decades ago, but it has only taken off now — and explained to me how it works.
His machine was not bigger than a desktop computer, and looked like a cross between a home sewing machine and a dentists’ drill. I can’t say it left me flabbergasted, but I felt like I was looking at a slow-moving and rudimentary version of a machine that will soon be as essential as computers, or smart phones.
Many economists agree that 3D printers will bring about a new industrial revolution, and will change the world economy. The new machines can produce almost any object, much like your current 2D printer prints a text on paper.
You call up a design of a product on your computer screen, type the measurements and colors you want, press “enter” on your computer keyboard and — bingo — the printer starts making that product. The machine’s moving needle begins injecting plastic, or whatever other material, into a small surface, and starts building the product, one layer at a time.
Abraham Reichental, the CEO of 3D Systems, one of the world’s largest companies of 3D printers, told me in an interview that these machines are already being used extensively in the aerospace industry to make aircraft parts, and by physicians to make patient-specific knee or hip implants, or hearing devices.
Also, 3D printers can already make shoes, fashion accessories, toys and several other consumer goods, he said.
“This is only the beginning,” Reichental told me. Over the next 12 months, we will see 3D printers producing chocolates, and all kinds of foods with custom-made nutritional values. NASA has already commissioned a 3D printer that will be able to make pizzas in space.
As 3D printers become cheaper, and as it becomes easier to download complex designs onto your computer screen, you will see more sophisticated components and machines being 3D printed, he said.
“The same technology that today is only accessible to deep-pocketed corporations is all of a sudden accessible to anybody via the cloud,” Reichental said. “That is leveling the playing field, and allowing the relocalization of manufacturing, as opposed to making things in far-away countries.”
In other words, consumers across the world will be able to use 3D printers to produce goods at home, or a printing shop near home, and there will be less of a need to import goods from China or Mexico.
According to Reichental, neither China nor Mexico’s economies will suffer devastating blows, because the changes in industrial manufacturing will not be sudden, nor absolute. But many economists believe that some countries will win, and others will lose.
Vivek Wadhwa, a Singularity University and Duke University professor and one of the leading U.S. innovation gurus, told me in a separate interview that the global shift toward more individualized and domestic production with 3D printers “will create havoc in China.”
As for Latin America, Wadhwa says that the move toward 3D printing will benefit importing countries, and hurt exporting ones. But the 3D printing revolution will take place alongside an increased use of robotics in manufacturing, and some manufacturing countries like Mexico will have a big opportunity by teaming up with robotics-intensive U.S. companies thanks to their proximity to the U.S. market, he said.
My opinion: Most of the world hasn’t even heard about it, but 3D printing will indeed bring about a new industrial revolution that will have a huge impact on which countries will prosper, and which won’t.
We are moving deeper into the knowledge economy. In the not so distant future, countries will not export goods, but designs of goods, which other countries will import via the Internet and produce locally with 3D printers.
The countries with good universities and schools that teach entrepreneurship will be able to export their designs via the Internet, and collect royalties. And countries with bad education systems will have to either pirate these designs — and risk becoming pariah states — or pay big royalties for their virtual imports. Quality education will be, as it is now, the name of the game.


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Fake Reviews, Woos & News: The Internet as a Vapid Wasteland
BY: KATE HARVESTON
Fake News, Woos and Reviews: How Close Are We to the Internet Becoming a Completely Vapid Wasteland?
The Internet may have its beginnings in military communications and university experiments, but the ‘net as we know it today is a social experiment. With next to zero ability to enforce rules governing who can post what, cyberspace is giving us a firsthand look at what humans do when left to their own devices.
While the Internet is an invaluable source of information, we’d be better off without most of what people post online. Sure, we’ve created a great forum for self-expression, but the misinformation people access online spreads like wildfire. Sometimes, that can have real consequences.
The Oldest Trick in the Paper
Let’s start with the most basic of misinformation: real fake news. Mind you, our current president — and wannabe dictator — likes to hear himself talk about how prominent media organizations are “fake news,” but we aren’t talking about CNN or Fox in this case.
As long as there has been journalism, people have been making up news for profit. In fact, it may surprise you to learn that “yellow journalism” — a form of reporting that valued sensationalism and eye-catching headlines over factual information — started in the late 19th century. And if you think that sounds awfully close to what plagues us today, join the club.
Anyone with a background in the media will remind you how important it is to check facts, verify sources and — even when you’re sure you’ve got your story straight — have multiple bases of information. Online, however, you can pretty much create your reality by typing a search query into Google. Type in that the government is building weather-controlling satellites, and someone’s page about the dangers of a top-secret superweapon will almost certainly appear in your browser in fractions of a second. The web has become a haven for flat-Earth believers, Bigfoot hunters and people who think Neil Armstrong’s moon landing was filmed in a Hollywood studio.
These things might sound innocent, but when you combine that potential with the reach of a social media tool like Facebook, things get scary. Millions of users, many very young, are inundated with material that they can’t confirm is legitimate. It’s enough to force the social-media powerhouse to implement new filtering technologies.
“It Really Works!” — Fake Reviews
One thing the Internet is great for is researching a new product, or finding out if a model you’re getting ready to purchase stacks up well against the competition.
Just about every print publication in circulation has a web presence, but in addition to these, there are thousands of small, grassroots sites that claim to be the authority on everything from single-malt scotch to citronella candles.
While this wealth of information can be advantageous to the consumers of the world, it can also mislead people. Spreading false information about a product is illegal, no matter the medium. In a recent settlement, the FTC found a trampoline manufacturer had planted fake online reviews of its products to drive sales. The manufacturer created and disseminated its own review sites. The matter was settled but there’s no doubt people fall for these types of online scams every day.
Part of why this strategy is popular is the blurred lines vendors take advantage of. While the FTC was able to step in to right the trampoline case, a savvy Internet marketer can find welcome forums for half-truths that spread over social media with little encouragement. Always double-check product claims you read online.
The Dangers of Online Dating
You may want to think twice before swiping right — and not just because you can’t totally tell if that picture of your prospective Tinder match is photoshopped.
There is perhaps no more frightening venue for fakeness on the Internet than the world of online dating sites, where the entire point of the site is to arrange for real-life interactions. These sites do take precautions to protect the identities of those who log on, but in many instances, people willingly put themselves in danger without even knowing it, encouraged by the prospect of a new friend or significant other.
The anonymity that surrounds these sites as a protective measure for users is also a form of obfuscation for predators, and while it may be discomforting to think about, you can be certain not everyone on your dating app is who they say they are.
Often, fake accounts come in the form of bots trying to steer traffic to shady websites. There are, however, cases of rape and even murder that have taken place after people initially came into contact online. The relatively recent prominence of online dating as a forum has made gathering data difficult, but there has been a quantifiable increase in the number of cases reported where people have used apps to leverage nefarious ends since the birth of sites like Tinder and Grindr.
Don’t Expect Things to Change
Unfortunately, there’s no going back. The Internet provides far too many valuable services even to consider a world where we didn’t enjoy life connected to the Web, and online policing is still in its embryonic stages. The only way to ensure your protection online is to be smart about it.
Young people, in particular, are remarkably trusting of things they access online. Perhaps growing up with technology has desensitized them to the dangers that lurk on the other end of that fiber-optic cable.
Remember, the Internet is nothing more than a bunch of computers wired together. Would you walk into the home of someone you’d never met and take every document on their computer to be a work of fact? Not likely. Do your homework, check your sources and when in doubt, just remember the old adage: Don’t believe everything you read — especially when you’re reading it on a screen.


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Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza, Secret Cheese Caves, & A Comic’s Bid For The Broncos
“GOOD BAD FOOD”: In her quest for new and delicious not-so-nutritious junk food AND in continuing her search for the best Ranch, Kathleen samples Wise salt & vinegar potato chips which she LOVES because they have a ton of flavor and are crunchier than Lays. She then tastes Oreo’s 110-year anniversary Confetti Cake cookies and Kraft Classic Catalina Dressing, both of which she thinks are way too sweet, and finishes with Cains Mayonnaise, which is the official mayo of New England.
QUEEN’S COURT: Kathleen is excited to report that Queen Dolly is campaigning Taco Bell to bring back their Mexican Pizza. Queen Stevie will be performing at the brand-new Sound On Sound music festival in Connecticut, and Queen Tanya is celebrating the 50th anniversary of her hit “Delta Dawn”April 10th at the Ryman.
UPDATES: Kathleen gives updates on Meta’s $90M settlement over Facebook’s tracking of users online activity, Virgin Galactic begins to take reservations for SpaceFlights, a new Silversea’s cruise ship will sail around South American in 71 days.
NIKKI HALEY vs “THE CHILDREN”: Kathleen laughs out loud reading a recent article where former UN ambassador Nikki Haley slams US-born Olympic skier Eileen Gu, who opted to ski for China in the 2022 Winter Olympics instead of the US. Haley denounced Gu for her flag alliance, stating that Gu was “standing for freedom, or you’re standing for human rights abuses. There is no in-between.” Eileen, who is an 18-year-old Zoomer, (or what Kathleen refers to as “the children”) dismissed Haley’s comments, stating that she’s “just trying to have fun” which THOROUGHLY amused Kathleen ☺
WOMAN USED PPP LOAN TO HIRE HITMAN: Kathleen laughs as she reads an arrest article about a woman in Florida who used her COVID-19 Pandemic relief load to pay for a hitman to gun down a Miami TSA agent who was set to testify against her in an upcoming trial.
KRAFT’S SECRET CHEESE CAVE: Kathleen is thrilled to read that Kraft foods has been leasing a 400K square-foot limestone cheese cave under Springfield, MO since 2008 called Springfield Underground. The cave houses 680-pound, Velveeta-bright barrels of Oscar Meyer meats, Philadelphia cream cheese, Velveeta pasteurized processed cheeses, Jell-O, and Lunchables.
MELANIA BUYS HER OWN NFT: Kathleen is amused reading an article detailing that the source of funds for the winning bid in Melania Trump’s first NFT auction appears to be the creators of the project themselves.
A series of blockchain transactions show that the cryptocurrency used to purchase Trump’s nonfungible token came from a wallet that belongs to the entity that originally listed the project for sale.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT COFFEE POT NINJA: In continuing with Kathleen’s ongoing coverage of post-pandemic inflight incidences, she reads a recent report of an American Airlines’ flight attendant who used a coffee pot to hit and overcome an unruly passenger who was attempting to open the plane’s exit door while flying over Kansas City.
COMIC BIDS ON NFL OWNERSHIP: Kathleen is thrilled to read an article announcing that comedian and business mogul Bryon Allen has formally entered the bidding war to purchase the Denver Broncos. Allen is a 60-year-old veteran of the media landscape and former comedian, founding Allen Media which includes one of Kathleen’s favorite channels: The Weather Channel, in its portfolio.
KATHLEEN’S OFFICIAL SOCIAL MEDIA: Kathleen reminds all Termites who want to receive the latest news, tour info, and engage other Termites to follow her official Facebook page, Instagram page, Twitter account, and YouTube channel.


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Still Ill: Puppy Mills Continue to Make People Sick
Pet store puppies continue to make people really sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating an outbreak of an antibiotic resistant infection linked to pet stores that has infected at least 30 people across 13 states. This is the second outbreak reported by the CDC of the same illness. Evidence indicates that the largest surviving pet store chain in the U.S., Petland, is again likely the source of the outbreak. But there’s more to this tragic story.
Why are these puppies sick?
Pet stores sell dogs who come from commercial breeding facilities (a.k.a. puppy mills). These facilities prioritize volume over welfare. Dogs at these federally regulated operations live almost continuously in crowded cages. They do not have a separate area to eat and are not taken outside of their cages to relieve themselves. This type of unsanitary environment encourages disease to spread quickly.
Dog brokers or transporters round up the puppies from different commercial breeders to sell and ship them to pet stores. Since puppies can be on trucks for many hours or days, there is plenty of time for a puppy to be exposed to an infected dog. By the time a puppy is placed with other dogs in a pet store, they’ve been exposed to many dogs, people and conditions that could make them sick.
Instead of improving the conditions that lead to the spread of disease, or providing regular veterinary care, dogs are given antibiotics—which, instead of improving health, can actually cause bacteria to become more resistant to treatment.
Perhaps worst of all, nothing is being done to stop this terrible cycle of suffering puppies and sick people. Petland and the commercial industry it is a part of doesn’t appear to be taking any voluntary actions to protect staff and customers from getting sick. And the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the federal agency that regulates the breeders, brokers and transporters who handle these dogs, hasn’t proposed any new guidance or policies to protect the dogs or the families that are exposed to these puppies at pet stores or in their homes.
It is clear new regulations are needed to restrict the breeding and sale of commercially bred puppies.
You can help: If you live in an area that still has puppy-selling pet stores, support legislation to shut down the puppy mill pipeline and keep the industry from profiting off animal cruelty. Join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade for updates when we need help in your state!
And finally, if you or someone you know is looking to add a dog to their family, know that adopting from shelters or rescues, or visiting responsible breeders, can help put an end to these practices.


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Just in time for this year’s IFA Conference in Berlin, Chinese smartphone player ZTE have launched their low-end Warp 7 handset.The Warp 7 bears on 5.5-inch Gorilla Glass 3-coated HD display on the front and a 13-megapixel camera on the back.
Meanwhile, under the hood, it’s packing a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor and 2GB or RAM.
At an affordable pricepoint of US$99, the package is rounded out
nicely by a 5-megapixel camera on the front and 16GB of internal memory
(with support for up to 64GB expansion via SD cards).
Unfortunately, an Australian release for the Warp 7 seems like an uncertain possibility..
ChannelNews reached out and spoke to ZTE Australia, who indicated
that a variant of the device could come to Australian customers but, at
this time, it’s not something that’s on the cards.
They said their focus is currently on the higher-specced Axon 7.


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(IANS) Tech giant Apple could offer its ProMotion display technology, which allows for a higher 120Hz refresh rate, across all models of the 2022 iPhone lineup.
It’s been widely reported that Apple plans to include a 120Hz refresh rate in this year’s iPhone 13 lineup, but exclusive to only the high-end iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The lower-end iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini are not expected to include ProMotion technology. For the iPhone 13 lineup, Apple is enlisting two separate suppliers for its displays, AppleInsider reported.
For the LTPO displays on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, Apple will use panels produced by Samsung, which reportedly began production in May.
On the other hand, for the lower-end iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, which will feature LTPS displays, Apple will rely on LG.
For the 2022 iPhones, Apple is switching up the structure of its mobile lineup.
Unlike the iPhone 12 and upcoming iPhone 13, which feature one 5.4-inch, two 6.1-inch, and one 6.7-inch models, the tentatively named “iPhone 14” series in 2022 will consist of two 6.1-inch and two 6.7-inch models, the report said.
With that new lineup, a new report from The Elec offers some colour as to the state of Apple’s display suppliers next year.
The report said that LG, which currently only produces LTPS displays for Apple’s low-end iPhones, will convert its production lines to supply Apple with displays capable of a 120Hz refresh rate.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, some models of the 2022 iPhone series won’t feature a notch but instead a “punch-hole display design” that’s similar to some of Samsung’s high-end Galaxy smartphones.
Kuo said the new design will debut in the high-end models at a minimum, possibly meaning the lower-end devices will retain the same notch-based design.
In the iPhone 13 lineup, Apple will likely market the ProMotion display technology as the reason the higher-end iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max deserve their “Pro” nomenclature.


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Liquor and Rice Cake Festival in Shilla-ChonThis year's annual event showcasing traditional liquor and rice cakes will be held in Shilla-chon at the Kyongju Pomun Lake Resort from March 24 to April 2.
Over 30 kinds of liquor and rice cakes will be on display along with the utensils and ingredients needed to make these delicious refreshments. While observing the creation process, attendees will have the opportunity to sample the many different kinds of traditional liquor and rice cakes on offer.
by Hwang Sung-yun
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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The demand for truck drivers has now reached boiling point – 50,000 are still needed to keep the supply chain running smoothly. Many food and beverage retailers are dependent on truck deliveries, and missed deliveries means missed sales opportunities. The lack of dockworkers and truck drivers has directly affected the freight market, creating even more logistical problems such as port congestion and soaring freight rates. According to The New York Times, global supply chains have been rocked by pandemic-related challenges such as labor shortages, limited containers and shipping delays.
Not only are the cost of freights rising, but many sellers are now leaving the costs in contracts open-ended or adjusting them monthly or quarterly because of continuous rate changes and supply availability. For example, the price of corn sweeteners are surging at least 20% with higher freight costs being cited as the reason. One West Coast sugar importer said he could not lock in supply for 2022 because the seller could not guarantee ocean freight.
The supply chain issues created by the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) show that many companies are not fully aware of the threats that can arise to their relationships with partners as a result of large-scale international turmoil. Fortunately, many modern technologies are emerging that can significantly increase the transparency of operations throughout the supply chain and help organizations withstand such upheaval.
Technologies that can help the supply chain crisis
Lessons learned from the pandemic’s effect on the supply chain may lead to increased use of information technology to speed up the supply chain process. In terms of technology for food safety, this includes e-certifications, blockchain data and increased use of electronic documentation. By using data processing, companies can minimize costs, reduce inventory and accelerate asset disposal. Additionally, they can eliminate any surplus and increase the flexibility needed to resolve disruptions.
The traditional linear supply chain model has evolved over time into a digital supply chain (DSN) model. DSN models break down cross-functional barriers and empower organizations to leverage the full potential of the supply chain, as well as provide end-to-end visibility into its operations, facilitating collaboration, increasing flexibility and streamline processes. DSN employs cutting-edge technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, 5G, cloud computing, predictive analytics and machine learning to anticipate and address future challenges. These tools are the solution to maximizing resource efficiency.
What can businesses do to mitigate the driver shortage?
The solution is to recruit quality candidates and build driver loyalty. To find quality candidates and make the hiring process run smoothly businesses can use an applicant tracking system (ATS), which saves candidate information across all touchpoints within an organization. This way, between the phone screen and an in-person interview, whoever is leading the discussion with the candidate already knows what’s been discussed and has all background information at their fingertips.
Businesses must also be transparent with their workers to build driver loyalty. The pandemic has shown that in order for businesses to thrive in these unprecedented times, they must not forget the human aspect of their business, particularly in the case of the trucking industry. The pandemic caused a worker shortage, but many businesses are holding their tongues on revealing that sickness from the disease was a huge factor. COVID-19 ravaged the workforce, leaving people to quarantine or recover in a hospital. And unfortunately, many people never recovered. To build worker loyalty, businesses must care about their workers’ health and safety. Businesses could consider supplying COVID-19 tests when needed or compensating drivers for working in hazardous conditions as they brave the pandemic to get their jobs done.
Click here to hear what else is happening in the food industry:
How businesses can adapt to changing consumer behavior in the food industry
Shifts in the food supply chain that started during the pandemic such as online ordering, third-party delivery and e-commerce are likely to continue after the pandemic as well. This shift will bring about new food safety risks and challenges that require careful analysis and optimal solutions. Traceability, information exchange, data collection and analysis are critical tools that must be used in the food supply chain and health industries.
In addition to selling more food online, food operators may continue to adapt or even change their business models. It is also likely that groups of volunteers will emerge to create new food-related activities. As restrictive measures ease, the food sector will recover and adapt, and the introduction of physical distance measures and improved sanitation to protect the health of staff will become part of daily activities.
Governments must support measures that ensure the supply chain runs smoothly so people have access to safe and nutritious food during a pandemic (and after). This includes helping countries assess the short and medium-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing policy advice for agri-food systems with a focus on food safety, organizing thematic webinars and promoting peer learning and the exchange of best practices.
In conclusion, utilizing modern technologies and solutions can significantly increase the transparency of operations throughout the supply chain and help organizations withstand the upheaval brought on by the pandemic.


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Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort Report Record Results
for The 25th Anniversary of The Sandestin Wine Festival
Destin, FL – Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and Sandestin Wine Festival organizers today announced record results for this year’s 25th anniversary event, held this past weekend at the scenic Village of Baytowne Wharf.
The Sandestin Wine Festival is the oldest, continuously running event of its kind in Florida. With the pouring of more than 600 wines at the #1 resort on the Emerald Coast, it is a picture perfect festival complete with more flowing wine, gourmet food and live music.
Sandestin reported record occupancy for a spring weekend, and record sales at the retail wine tent. Event organizers also announced more event tickets were sold and more people were in attendance than any other wine fest in the past 25 years.
Record results were attributed to good weather, the event’s longstanding tradition, group attendance, the number of wines, sponsor participation including Coastal Living Magazine, and special features such as seminars and the Culinary Pavilion.
One of the major benefits of the Sandestin Wine Festival is that attendees have a rare opportunity to learn about the finest appellations from all major producing countries in all varieties, styles and price ranges. Details are available at www.sandestinwinefestival.com.
It was also announced that the 2012 Sandestin Wine Festival will be held on April 26-29, 2012.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort was rated the #1 resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast and offers the most complete resort experience for all seasons and all ages. Sandestin invites guests to enter a world of 2,400 acres including 30 charming neighborhoods with 1,400 condominiums, villas, town homes and the best in Destin hotel accommodations and vacation rentals. A member of Beaches of South Walton, Sandestin offers more than seven miles of sugar white sand beaches and pristine bay front, four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, 19 swimming pools, a 98-slip marina, certified children's programs, a fitness center and spa, 65,000 square feet of meeting space and the Village of Baytowne Wharf, a pedestrian village with shops, dining restaurants and nightlife.


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Greek cosmetics firms are expected to show an 11% decline in turnover at the end of the year, ending a growth run that itself had followed seven lean years during the financial crisis.
According to data by market research firm ICAP, total turnover for Greek cosmetics firms will reach 772 million euros, in wholesale prices, from €867 million in 2019.
The reasons for this decline are: the lower income earned by consumers amid the coronavirus pandemic restrictions; the drop in tourism arrivals, which especially hurt small shops inside hotels, pharmacies, especially outside Athens, specialty tourist shops and so-called mono-brand stores.
Cosmetics shops that were also forced to close in spring will contribute to the decline in sales.
This drop will only be partially offset by gains in sales at supermarkets, pharmacies, and, especially, online; the e-shops of large retail players, such as Attica Beauty of the Attica superstores have posted triple-digit growth numbers so far this year. Cosmetics firm Sarantis, one of the strongest players in the domestic market, brought forward the launch of its Scarlet Beauty online sales platform.


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Page management platform developer Vitrue recently announced a partnership with ecommerce app developer Milyoni. The alliance will bring improved shopping and Facebook Credits payment functionality to Page tabs apps available in Vitrue’s app suite.
The partnership continues the growing trend of consolidation between the Page management and ecommerce spaces as brands demand ways to drive direct return on their social media investment. Below, Vitrue CEO Reggie Bradford tells us why the partnership primes his company to sign the next wave of brands joining Facebook.
Over the last few years, brands have concentrated on gaining Likes, but now they’re looking to monetize these fans. This has increased demand for ecommerce apps that permit fans to make purchases without the added friction of being directed away from Facebook to a traditional company website.
Page management companies, previously more focused on publishing, engagement apps, and analytics are now looking for ecommerce partnership and acquisition targets, in lieu of trying to build things they’re less familiar with.
Milyoni is a strong choice for Vitrue, as the San Francisco-based ecommerce developer has been behind some highly innovative Facebook commerce campaigns this year. It powered the movie rental app used by Warner Bros to sell temporary access to The Dark Knight, Inception and other films in exchange for Facebook Credits. It also allowed the Austin City Limits music festival to charge users Credits to stream pay-per-view concerts.
Milyoni raised a $3 million Series A round from ATA ventures and Thomvest Ventures in May to improve its social commerce products. The company has over 50 brands representing over 60 million fans, including the NBA, the clothing label French Connection, and beverage brand Guayaki.
The partnership will strengthen Vitrue’s offering allowing it to attract clients. Vitrue CEO Reggie Bradford tells us Milyoni’s technology will enable it to offer social shopping tab apps such as “flash sales and group discounts” as well as a “full shopping experience within Facebook.” Milyoni will gain distribution to a large set of clients, including some of the world’s biggest brands such as AT&T, Ford, Proctor & Gamble, and McDonalds.
Vitrue has been a major driver of consolidation recently, in part thanks to a $17 million funding round closed in May which helped provide money for acquisitions and partnerships. It bought GamesThatGive so its client Pages can offering games where user’s earn money for charity through their engagement. Last year it partnered with Ads API tool and service provider TBG Digital, sharing clients looking for each other’s advertising or Page management solutions.
Bradford tells us that in the coming year, “you’re going to see substantial consolidation”. He believes this will be centered around Page management companies “as their relationship with brands becomes a key component of a brand or agency’s plan to manage social. Once you have the Page management relationship, you can roll out new features such as commerce, games, Sponsored Stories” by partnering with or acquiring those that develop them.
Virtue’s goal now is to grow through consolidation to offer a “turnkey solution”. Bradford predicts that “every major brand is going to be using one of these platforms by 2012. Those platforms in the lead now are going to have 100s and 1000s more marketers using their platform.” The partnership with Miyoni for ecommerce is a strong step in this direction.


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CNG hydraulic hybrid refuse truck in the Technology Parade – Click above for high-res image gallery
The name John DeLorean is synonymous with the automotive industry. From his days at General Motors, where he turned Pontiac into the automaker's de facto performance division with the creation of the GTO, and, therefore, the muscle car genre in general, to his days running his eponymous car company that gave us the classic stainless steel gullwing wedge that became an iconic time machine through the magic of the movies, DeLorean was at the forefront of the industry for three decades.
The New York sanitation department has just started a year-long evaluation of a hydrostatic regenerative braking (HRB) system on garbage trucks. The system provided by Bosch Rexroth is a hydraulic launch assist system. This is basically a hydraulic mild hybrid system. During braking, a hydraulic pump is driven off the gearbox to pressurize an accumulator. When the vehicle accelerates, the hydraulic pressure is used to drive a hydraulic motor that provides a mechanical assist to the transmission.
Ah, fire. One of humanity's oldest ways to generate energy. Technically, you could generate energy by burning brake pads, as seen in the picture above (thanks, Flickr!), but automotive engineers have managed to come up with a way to use brakes to generate energy without going up in flames. The technology is called regenerative braking and it's the subject of this week's Greenlings.
The Denver International Auto Show opens today and Lightning Hybrids is planning on being there to display their biodiesel hydraulic hybrid prototype, the LH4. If you happen happen to be attending the opening this afternoon, don't be surprised if the slick gray sportster smells a bit like wet paint, since the family-of-engineers-run company was rushing to complete work on the vehicle mere hours before the start. Aside from the hydraulic hybrid system, which they estimate can achieve 100 mpg, the
A small startup company in Loveland, Colorado is working on what it hopes will be the keys to the Automotive X-Prize. Lightning Hybrids is building a pair of vehicles, one with three wheels and the other with four, that use a biodiesel-fueled hydraulic hybrid powertrain. Not a lot of details are available right now, but from what can be gleaned on the website, it appears to be a series hybrid system with a compact 90 hp two-stroke diesel engine paired with a hydraulic drive system. The site list
The California Air Resources Board this week approved $700,000 in grants for demonstration projects to evaluate clean air technology. Advanced Transit Dynamics, Eaton and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District will each receive over $200,000 for projects. Eaton will build a package delivery van using a hydraulic series hybrid system it has developed. Similar systems have also been developed and tested by several other companies. UPS has been running several series hybrid vans for more than tw
The concept of a hydraulic hybrid powertrain is not a new one, and a number of companies have developed prototypes. The latest to show off a vehicle so equipped is Artemis Intelligent Power in the UK. The company has put together a BMW 530i demonstrator using its Digital Displacement pump/motor technology. The layout is very similar, in principal, to that used by FEV on its experimental UPS delivery vans. In this configuration, there is no direct connection between the engine and drive wheels. I
Eaton, a company primarily known for making superchargers that make your vehicle go like stink, but guzzle even more gas, is also in the series hydraulic hybrid (SHH) business. The drive system in a hydraulic hybrid replaces the conventional drivetrain; the engine is effectively rendered a "pump" for the hydraulics, and energy is stored in two different accumulators that then power the wheels. Fuel savings of 50-70% are achieved by the system being much lighter than a traditional drivetrain, alo
Waste Management, the garbage-collecting giant, is adding 4 hydraulic hybrids to its Fort Worth fleet for a bit of field testing. The trucks, which were launched about 6 months ago, are from Peterbilt and use the Eaton Hydraulic Launch Assist (HLA) system to store much of the energy used in braking to help launch the vehicle forward when its time to go again. Not only can the truck reduce its fuel use up to 30 percent, according to William Jackson of Peterbilt, but the hydraulic innovation can d
While UPS is one of the companies that will test a hydraulic hybrid vehicle (HHV) from Hybra-Drive sometime next year, it has already done testing with a similar type truck from Eaton. The initial 18-month trial saw upwards of 50 percent less fuel burned and was positive enough for the delivery giant to order up seven of the HHVs. UPS calculates they see could a 30 percent reduction in CO2 emissions under actual working conditions. The first two trucks will be delivered in early 2009 for the Mi
Score one for the little guys. Hybra-Drive Systems, developers of a hybrid drivetrain for medium and light trucks that uses hydraulics instead of batteries and electric motors, has landed a nice chunk of change from the Michigan 21st Century Jobs Fund. The $3.4 million prize was the largest of 17 handed out and will help the company achieve some of its near-term goals. Earlier this year, they beat out a raft of competitors for the opportunity to build three trucks for UPS, FedEx Ground and Purol
It's not often that a Hummer is pictured here on AutoblogGreen but this particular brute, owned by hydraulic hose and belt supplier Gates, is being converted to a hydraulic hybrid using a system developed by Hybra-Drive. We introduced them to you in '07 and now that they're making some news, we wanted to bring them back. Their set-up, you'll remember, uses a conventional engine to pressurize a hydraulic system to send power to the wheels which is said by the company to reduce fuel consumption by
Many modern vehicles already use hydraulic power for certain functions, namely power steering and brakes. Companies such as UPS, though, see potential in using hydraulic systems as part of a hybrid drivetrain. While nobody is expecting a hybrid hydraulic system to be able to store enough energy to achieve miles-upon-miles of driving distance, the frequent stopping and restarting of some vehicles - delivery trucks, to name just one obvious example - make them excellent candidates for possible hy
Hydraulic hybrids have been on the drawing boards for a few years now, with company's such as FedEx and UPS testing systems as we speak. Even Ford has dabbled in hydraulic technology for their line of mainstream F-Series trucks. One benefit to using hydraulics as opposed to electric hybrids is that more energy can potentially be recaptured when braking, which is then re-used to start the vehicle moving forward again. This idea is put to good use in this concept as well, which was created in just
At the SAE World Congress, FEV is displaying a number of vehicles that they have contributed to recently including a diesel powered version of the new Chrysler Sebring and the Lincoln MKR concept. Perhaps the most interesting vehicle is a large brown UPS delivery van. This is no ordinary UPS truck though. This one has a series hybrid drivetrain, but even that is different. Unlike the Chevy Volt or the Ford Airstream/HySeries Edge, this van has no batteries for energy storage or electric motors.
A diesel-hydraulic passenger car that gets 80 mpg? A hybrid garbage truck? These are two vehicles built and tested by the EPA in recent years, and it is finally time for one of their prototypes to make it to the streets. The first will be the garbage truck, which is 30 percent more fuel efficient. The hydraulic-hybrid-transmission system will be made and sold by Eaton Corp. and will be installed in garbage trucks by Peterbilt. Peterbilt has already begun trying to line up sales of the trucks and


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Every day should really be Mother’s Day, but Sunday, 27th March this year is the day to show your mum what she means to you. We have rounded up this year’s gifts that will bring
Confusion in vernacular names considered to be the main reason for adulteration of eleuthero root
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Nokia's new Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 smartphones, introduced in New York City Sept. 5 without pricing or carrier information, have a penciled release date of Nov. 2, The Verge reported Sept. 7, the same date that TechRadar suggested two days earlier.
The Verge cites "multiple sources familiar with Nokia's plans" and says the company is working feverishly with Microsoft and AT&T to complete a number of necessary tests to be able to sign off on the devices in time to make the Nov. 2 date. Microsoft's release to manufacturing date-the day when it makes the OS available to its hardware partners-is next week, the report added.
Even if Nokia makes its deadline, the phones will initially be available in limited numbers, Nokia has said-a point that has analysts further concerned for the brand's prospects.
Analysts with Canaccord Genuity told investors in a Sept. 5 research note that, with the phones not launching until late in the fourth quarter, and with launches "potentially more limited than consensus expectations, "we are lowering our Lumia smartphone estimates."
Lead note author T. Michael Walkley added that, "while we are impressed with many of the new features, we believe the Microsoft ecosystem still faces an uphill battle to win customers and create a viable long-term third mobile ecosystem after Android and Apple's iOS."
Ahead of Nokia and AT&T's plans, Microsoft is planning its own launch party for the mobile OS Oct. 25 in New York, according to ZDnet's Mary Jo Foley. An indiscreet source shared the date of the party with Foley, as well as added that the OS will "officially 'launch'" Oct. 29 on the West Coast.
While Nokia is Microsoft's primary partner, a number of other handset makers also have designs for the OS. At the IFA 2012 trade show in Berlin last month, Samsung introduced the Ativ S, a Windows Phone 8-running smartphone that complements a new line of Ativ devices (in the United States, Samsung will drop the Ativ brand name).
The Ativ S features a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of onboard RAM, a 1.9-megapixel camera up front, an 8-megapixel on the back, a 2300mAh battery, a microSD card slot and the option of 16 or 32GB models.
The Windows Phone blog calls it "impossibly thin." From the front, judging by photos posted by the blog, the Ativ S looks a bit like the Apple iPhone 3G.
HTC, an early Android backer, is said to also be planning to get behind Windows Phone 8. Jason Mackenzie, HTC's president of sales and marketing, has said, "Our plan is to go big on Windows 8," Reuters reported Sept. 6.
While Android currently dominates the global market, with a 66.6 percent market share during the second quarter, according to an Aug. 5 report from Canaccord, the firm believes Windows Phone has the potential to be a viable third ecosystem and to finish out 2013 with 10 percent of the smartphone market. By Canaccord's figures, Microsoft now controls a 5.9 percent share.
"In fact," wrote Walkley, "we believe the Windows 8 launch for PCs and tablets combined with the Apollo OS launch for smartphones in Q4/12 should result in Windows emerging as a more compelling option for consumers."


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By JOHN T. WARD
There’s the Safe Routes Red Bank initiative, which aims to make it easier for kids to bike and walk to school, and beyond that, to improve safety for all riders and pedestrians.
There are scads of bike commuters, local road racing groups and triathloners.
But since the departure of the Peddler from White Street half a decade ago, there hasn’t been a bike shop in town.
Jonathan Erdelyi, a 30-year-old national racing champion, has a fix for that.
Next week, Erdelyi plans to roll out the Red Bicycle Studio at 27 West Front Street. The 975-square-foot storefront was last occupied by Down to the Felt, a retailer of parlor games now operating out of 182 West Front, according to its website.
While painting the interior of the store with his father, Ken, on Saturday, Erdelyi told redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn that his background and passion for two-wheeling fuel his belief that he can make a go of things.
Erdelyi says he “has tons of experience” in retail, having worked at Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap and, most pertinently, Cycles 54 in Wall Township. Red Bicycle is his first venture out on his own.
He’s also an avid cyclist, having won a national championship for 19-and-20-year-olds.
Red Bank’s a good fit, he said, because “the cycling community is heavy here,” and the town is clearly signaling an interest in human-powered transportation.
The studio will carry bikes priced from $200 to $12,000 everything from children’s bikes to beach cruisers to fine racing machines. Brands include Scott, De Rosa, Wilier and HBBC, names not available elsewhere within 30 miles, or in the case of HBBC, anywhere else in New Jersey, Erdelyi, says.
“It’s for the general public,” not just racing enthusiasts, Erdelyi says of his stock.
Erdelyi, aided by a bike mechanic, plans to open Monday.


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Plum trees at Nanshan Mountain park in Yantai, East China's Shandong province, are in full bloom as spring approaches.
The Yantai-Middle East International Trade and Procurement Conference of Shandong Week kicks off at the Expo 2020 Dubai via online channels on March 23.
Yantai, in East China's Shandong province, beefs up efforts to accelerate its pace in intelligent transformation.
Yantai, a coastal city in East China's Shandong province, is beefing up efforts to promote talent-driven and innovation-driven economic development.
Longkou fensi, a type of vermicelli made from bean starch, is a traditional cuisine that’s famous throughout China.
Stricter control and prevention measures have been introduced to fight COVID-19 in Yantai, East China's Shandong province.


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Stamford furniture restorer to set table at new city location
The owner of a long-established Stamford furniture restoration shop is keeping his business in the city but soon will be plying his craft in another location.
Mark DeVito, owner of Raphael's Furniture Restoration, is moving the business from 255 Atlantic St., where his father, Ralph, opened the shop in 1959, to Glenbrook Industrial Park at 652 Glenbrook Road.
"My dad bought this building in 1983. Prior to that, we were on Manhattan Street. The building had to be sold for estate purposes, and there was too much overhead," said DeVito, 54, who expects to close on the sale of the building by the end of May and to re-open in 2,300 square feet of space by the end of June.
Declining to disclose the name of the buyer of the 3,800-square-foot property, DeVito said the new space is better suited for his work. He is eliminating the furniture-stripping vat and expects focus on refurbishing antique furniture that needs a gentle touch, as well as gold leaf work.
In the meantime, DeVito is finishing projects prior to accepting new ones when he opens at his new location, where he is looking forward to transplanting his memorabilia culled from nearly four decades of saving collectable furniture for his anxious customers.
"There aren't many restoration shops, but there are more stripping shops. There's plenty of work out there for everyone," said DeVito, who has started to carve out some time to work behind the scenes on Home & Garden TV's "Flea Market Flip," hosted by Greenwich resident Lara Spencer.
Spencer, one of DeVito's customers, encouraged him to join the show, where he occasionally makes a fleeting appearance in front of the cameras.
Impressed by DeVito's resume, John Distler, property manager of Glenbrook Road, said he was happy to welcome the business to the former Phillips' Milk of Magnesia manufacturing plant.
"The space is perfect for what he's doing. You don't see many of these businesses nowadays. It's a throw-away society," Distler said, adding that G.M. Tool & Die moved from the space to Waterbury about a year ago. "It was the last space we had available. The building is fully occupied -- about 200,000 square feet. We have printers, photographers, artists and some light manufacturing."
DeVito is a niche business owner who fills a need in the region where antique furniture is highly valued, said Jack Condlin, president and CEO of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce and an amateur furniture restorer.
Small businesses like Raphael's were hit hard by the slow economy, Condlin said, impressed by his ability to survive and move forward.
"It (`Flea Market Flip') builds strong credibility," Condlin said. "I'm sure his passion is led by his family connection to the business."


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Maltesers rolled out the series of ads in October as part of Channel 4’s Superhumans Wanted competition, all of which were inspired by real-life stories from disabled people, celebrating universally awkward situations. At launch the chocolate brand set itself a number of targets, including a 4% growth in sales and a 10% uplift in brand affinity. Maltesers’ expectations were more than exceeded – sales grew by 8.1% and brand affinity grew by 20%, which Mars VP marketing Michele Oliver told The Drum means the push is the “best, most effective for 10 years on Maltesers which means it has an excellent ROI”.
The theme of diversity and inclusion was so effective for Mars UK, that other markets interests including the US and Australia have been piqued and Maltesers is now in the midst of planning its next campaign, which will again play on the “awkwardness of difference”.
“Maltesers is going to continue to work in the space of looking on the light side of the awkwardness that difference brings so not necessarily just disability but whatever that difference might be so we are working on some stuff on that.
“We are talking to the US about it [rolling out more diverse advertising campaigns] and Australia, but there are markets that it is more difficult in and the culture is just less accepting. There are so many opportunities but focus on the ones you think you can win first, there is no need to go out and challenge the really big ones, start with something that could be impactful and effective first.”
Following the success of Maltesers, Mars UK recently launched a campaign for Snickers which has seen the brand team up with Gay Star News to empower LGBT+ people in a campaign that encourages them to ‘be who you are”. For Galaxy, the brand is about to begin work on a new campaign and given its female positioning is hiring women to work on the new advert.
“What we are thinking about for Galaxy is that this is a brand that has a feminine bias, so we should make sure our directors are women, we should think about who is behind the camera, and we should think about how we can make sure it is genuinely seen through the eyes of women,” said Oliver. “So, across all brands we are looking at our casting, and the short list for directors etc. However, my learning is that you can’t be heavy handed with this, it has to be authentic across the board.”
The legitimacy of an advertiser playing the role of a change agent isn’t easy, and consumer research and authenticity is key to representing people in a diverse light that resonates with consumers. Just today Pepsi has received a huge amount of backlash for its new ad that shows supermodel/reality TV star Kendall Jenner walking off a modelling shoot to hand a police officer a can of its fizzy drink, leading some critics to accuse the brand of undermining the Black Lives Matter movement in the US.
“We don’t want to be political, our brands are for everybody and by definition we need to be inclusive and inclusive of all points of view. It’s more about representing a voice that is true and an opinion that is true to the majority of people who buy our products. If you do your research, you understand your consumer base you are in a good place to check that you are going to say something appropriate that is not misconstrued as inappropriate. At the end of the day good marketing is about knowing your consumer.”
When it comes to diversity in the agencies that it works with, Oliver said that they are “getting better on gender” and that Mars is pushing them to bring more diversity in to the room.
“They are getting much better on gender, but yes we do [have that conversation] about putting diverse people on the account,” she said. “So if you are going to be writing a script about disability, have someone disabled on the account, if you are writing a script about life as a same sex couple family bring that diversity in to the room. I think we all [need to do that] not just the agency but we keep trying to force that agenda with the influence that we can have with the agencies.”


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When Amazon launched what would be the market’s first smart display, it seemed to be a perfect device for watching videos. Of course, its real purpose was for giving some visual feedback to Alexa’s responses but Amazon did give the line access to some, but definitely not all, video streaming services. As it promised back in September, Amazon is now flipping the switch to allow Netflix into the fold, making the absence of Google’s services now even more pronounced.
Of course, it was only expected that Amazon would favor its own VOD and streaming service when it launched the Echo Show and subsequent iterations. It wouldn’t be the only one in due time and would be joined by the likes of Hulu and even Tubi. Now Netflix joins the pack and, given the streaming service’s popularity, could make the Echo Show even more attractive to those who don’t have one yet.
Starting Netflix on Amazon’s smart display is as simple as saying “Alexa, open Netflix.” AFTVnews, however, warns that if your Echo Show is linked to a Fire TV, things might not work so smoothly. In that case, you’ll have to tell it open video home to navigate to the hub for all supported video services, Netflix now included.
Netflix support is available for all generations of Echo Show devices, from the first-gen down to the most recent Echo Show 8. The lone exception is the Echo Spot which does have a screen but one that’s too small for comfortable watching, especially considering the angle it’s on.
That pretty much leaves out YouTube as the one major VOD and video streaming service that’s still unavailable on the Echo Show and there doesn’t seem to be any chance of it coming any time soon. The situation between Amazon and Google is still too complicated in that regard and owners will have to make do with Firefox or Amazon’s Silk web browser if they do need to access YouTube.


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The new smartphone Oppo Reno 8T, which is rumoured to be expanding the Reno 8 series, is expected to launch soon in India. A tipster has shared a detailed spec sheet for the Oppo Reno 8T, revealing some of the handset's key features and specifications.
The smartphone is likely to have an under-display fingerprint scanner, a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, and a refresh rate of 90Hz.
SnoopyTech, recently made public the specifications sheet for the upcoming Oppo phone. The Oppo Reno 8T is expected to have three rear cameras, the primary of which will have a resolution of 100 megapixels. A 2-megapixel "micro" lens and a 2-megapixel black-and-white mono lens will be attached to the main camera. Additionally, the handset will have a 32-megapixel front camera for video calls and selfies.
An in-display fingerprint reader and a 6.43-inch AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution are likely features of the Oppo Reno 8T. Additionally, it will feature visual protection. The phone will have support for SUPERVOOC 33W charging and a 5,000 mAh battery. It will be water-resistant with an IPX54 rating. In addition, the tipster has revealed the Oppo Reno 8T's operating system, which is said to be ColorOS 13, based on Android 13.
Tipster Mukul Sharma also leaked the Oppo Reno 8T's price and launch date a few days ago. In India, the upcoming smartphone is probably going to be released in the first week of February. Additionally, the phone's anticipated retail price of around Rs. 32,000. The phone may be powered by a Snapdragon 695 SoC, and its RAM and storage capacity are likely to be 8GB and 256GB, respectively.
Q1. Who is Oppo's chief executive officer?
The stage is taken by Mr. Charles Wong, CEO of OPPO India and President of OPPO South Asia.
Q2. Is Oppo a reputable company?
OPPO rose to third place in India in terms of smartphone brand trust.


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Building giant Persimmon reports 33 per cent surge in sales – but insists there is no bubble in property market
Building giant Persimmon yesterday reported a 33 per cent surge in sales – but insisted there was no bubble in the property market.
The FTSE 100 company said half-year revenues jumped from £900m to £1.2bn as it continued to revel in solid demand for housing.
It sold 6,408 new homes in the first six months of the year – up 28 per cent on the same period in 2013 – and the average selling price rose 4 per cent to £186,000.
Building boom: Persimmon sold 6,408 new homes in the first six months of the year - up 28 per cent on the same period in 2013
But chief executive Jeff Fairburn dismissed talk of a bubble, adding: ‘We don’t see that. Not outside London. Prices are not racing away. They are very affordable.
‘We position our houses to make sure we cater for as much of the market as we can. We have seen good first-time buyer interest.’
Fairburn said the company was ‘running hard’ to keep up with demand and warned that delays in the planning system and a shortage of skilled workers were holding back supply.
‘We are doing whatever we can to meet the demand that we see,’ he said. ‘We need to make sure the planning system works. It is improving, but it is still difficult for us to increase the number of sites we are working off.’
Persimmon shares, which sank as low as 162p in the recession, fell 8p to 1290p yesterday.
Shares in housebuilding stocks have fluctuated wildly in recent weeks as politicians and regulators debate what action is required to stop the property market spiralling out of control.
The industry received a boost last week when restrictions unveiled by the Bank of England to curb risky mortgage lending were not as tough as they had feared.
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US indices had a mixed performance on Thursday at the back of mixed corporate results. Positive earnings from giant tech companies were offset by disappointing results from the industrial sector which ultimately led the Dow Index 0.51% lower to end at 26262. Moreover, economic data was mixed as US durable goods order rose 2.7% in March while initial jobless came well above expectations after having hit a record low in the previous week. . Apart from earnings , traders will look to US Q1 GDP data to impact sentiment and price action as it reflects the health of the US economy and in turn the Fed’s outlook on monetary policy.
The Dow Index extended losses on Thursday as it broke through the rising trend line support from March and traded through 26440 before finding support at the 20-day MA around 26260. Should the Index decline below 26260, price would drift lower to meet support at 26150. However sustaining price action above 26300 would leave price ranging with a move above 26500 required to indicate buying pressure.
Support: 26260/ 26150
Resistance: 26500/ 26590


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As with the original flagship, Samsung is counting on the midrange phone's fingerprint scanner, heart-rate monitor, and extra apps to stand out.
Pricing not available
The PS4 is selling better than the Xbox One, a Sony exec has said, but it's still nowhere near enough.
The company's Quad HD resolution camcorder comes with a a pro body and price, but Sony wants to sell it to consumers.
Every night, 140 of the shipping giant's planes land in Memphis, Tenn., at FedEx's World Hub. CNET Road Trip 2014 watches as things get sorted out.
The device will reportedly come with a 20.7-megapixel camera and run a 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor.
Sony's bringing out a new waterproof Xperia just in time for summer -- the Xperia ZR can survive up to half an hour in the wet stuff.
This free app puts all your receipts in one place and notifies you of price drops, package delivery, and more.
While it doesn't play as loud when it's on battery power, the Sony SRS-X5 holds its own against the top Bluetooth speakers in its size and price class.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the classic monster film, one Japanese jeweller has crafted a tribute to Godzilla out of solid 24-karat gold.
Every night, the shipping giant processes 1.5 million packages through its World Hub. CNET Road Trip 2014 stayed up late to see how it all works.


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A $100 investment in Amazon.com when it debuted on the stock market is worth about $60,000 now. If you missed that particular bandwagon, it’s worth considering the companies that could one day see similar growth.
Wayfair, he writes, is the “Amazon of Home.” The company, which sells furniture and other home goods online, is in the process of making big investments in logistics, technology, and international growth. Devitt thinks that will better insulate Wayfair from competitive pressure from Amazon.com or smaller players. The home goods market could be worth $400 billion in North America and Western Europe, but only a small fraction of that comes from online purchases, giving Wayfair ample room to grow. Devitt thinks the stock will rise 14%, to $78.
He also likes Zalando, dubbing the company “The Amazon of European Fashion.” It recently launched a membership program in Germany that will give shoppers access to perks like same-day shipping, advice from stylists, and early sale access. The company has a high return rate but remains profitable. Zalando is in the midst of signing on new brand partners, and Devitt thinks its shares could rise 12%, to €45.
Finally, he’s a fan of MercadoLibre, “The Amazon of Latin America.” The company operates e-commerce sites and is getting serious about free shipping and loyalty perks for its customers. E-commerce represents a smaller portion of overall retail sales in Latin America than it does in the U.S., meaning there’s strong growth potential. MercadoLibre has impressive market share. Devitt has a $275 price target on the stock, implying 12% upside from current levels.
Big Picture: An analyst upgraded the stocks of three companies he thinks are miniature Amazons.


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At the ongoing Huawei Developer Conference 2021 (Together) keynote speech, Huawei’s executive director, consumer business CEO, and smart car solutions BU CEO Yu Chengdong announced that the number of HarmonyOS devices exceeded 150 million. Become the fastest growing terminal operating system in history.
150 million mobile phones in addition to digital, screen and other equipment also include wisdom, Yu Chengdong said, according to this schedule obscurity OS users will reach 200 million this year. In addition, the global distribution of Hongmeng software applications reached 5.1 million+ developers, 170+ countries and regions, and the cumulative distribution of applications reached 332.2 billion (January-September 2021).
HarmonyOS already has 4000+ intelligent ecological products and 1800+ ecological partners. In 2021, the shipment volume of new ecological equipment will reach 60 million+. It has provided pre-integrated solutions, covering 28 chips and 20 modules. In addition, Huawei has cooperated with 17 + authorized universities and 436 + university teachers to help cultivate Hongmeng OS talents.


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France’s La Fete Nationale will be celebrated in Covington during the sixth annual Bastille Day Celebration. The free event, which is sponsored by the St. Tammany Art Association and the City of Covington, along with area galleries and businesses, will be held on July 21 from 6 to 9 p.m., on Lee Lane and Walker Alley, Boston Street, Columbia Street, East Lockwood, Rutland Street and North Florida.
Columbia Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 5:30-9:30 p.m. The festivities include can-can dancers, live music, art demonstrations and exhibits, wine and food tasting and extended shopping hours.
“Our Bastille Day celebration, while commemorating our French roots, also helps to fulfill our mission to quality programming and cultural enrichment to the community, to support established artists, promote emerging artists and produce educational arts-related activities for adults and children and in doing so enhance life in St. Tammany Parish,” said Mary Monk, Art House coordinator.
Programs listing locations for each participating shop will be available at the Art House, 320 North Columbia St.
Suzanne King has designed the fans for the event again this year. They feature a French café scene with a woman holding a fan and a waiter in the background. The title for the painting upon which the fan design is based is “Diva: Paris Bistro, 1935.” King will be in front of the Art House, selling limited edition signed and numbered posters featuring the Diva for $15.
Southeastern Louisiana University will be doing a clay demonstration, a printmaking silkscreen demonstration and woodcut demonstration in front of the Art House.
Musicians who will be playing during the evening include “The Creole Man” on Lee Lane and the Acadien Cajun Band, as well as Tyler Kinchen and the Right Pieces, both on Columbia Street. Can Can dancers from Dancescape Studio will perform in front of the Art House throughout the night. And juggling stilt walkers are sure to keep spirits high.
The Bastille Day Celebration also will feature a Waiters’ Race on Columbia Street at 7 p.m., followed by the awards presentation at 7:15 p.m. The winners of the My Eiffel Tower Contest will be announced at 8 p.m. on Lee Lane. Those attending the celebration will be able to cast one vote for their favorite.
The event also will include wine and food tastings, as well as beer, soft drinks and water*.** Participating restaurants will offer special menu items. The Bastille Day event is free, however, there is a charge for food and drinks.
The art association will have their 47th annual summer Show on display through Aug. 11 . The next show will feature a DIVA Exhibition of beaded bustiers from Aug. 20 through 31. The bustiers will be sold to help raise money for the STAA.
The St. Tammany Art Association is open from Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 892.8650 for information, to sponsor or to volunteer, or visit the website at www.sttammanyartassociation.org or email email@example.com


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Tag "android 4g"
MetroPCS jumps ahead of the competition, releasing the first commercially available 4G LTE Android smart phone. Folks looking to pick up the no-contract handset can do so later this week at a suggested $399.99 price.
VoIP and Convergence company HelloSoft has announced that they are releasing a 4G tri-band “reference” phone for deployment in WiMAX markets. A $100 4G Android phone? Hard to believe, right?


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SANDUSKY, OH (WTOL) –
More than 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts are currently riding into Northern Ohio for Ohio Bike week in Sandusky.
For the 14th year, thousand of bikers will converge for the Memorial Day Weekend in Sandusky.
When Ohio Bike Week began in 2005, the previous years rally only drew 4,000 to 10,000. This year, organizers are expecting more than 150,000.
It’s not just the vendors or concerts that is the draw for these bikers, but the beautiful northern Ohio landscape.
"Five months out of the year, this area is as good as anywhere on earth. When you get weather like this, you’ve got the water, the neat things to see, everything from the lighthouse to the area attractions like Cedar Point and the Islands, it’s amazing," said Steven Ernst, event organizer for Ohio Bike Week.
For local businesses, Ohio Bike Week acts as an early injection of tourism dollars before the full tourism season kicks off, like local business Mad River Harley-Davidson, which has been a primary vendor of the event for 10 years now.
"It’s huge for us. We heavily rely on Bike Week. It’s a lot going on in a short amount of time, but it is really good for the whole community," said Jolene Krizan, general manager of mad River Harley-Davidson
Though the rumbling of motorcycles is only in town for a handful of days, the impact these visitors have on this community have changed the minds of many about motorcycle culture.
"It used to be that a lot of people thought they were scary sometimes, but when you actually get involved in it, you’d be surprised everyone is welcoming," said Krizan.
On Memorial Day, Mad River Harley-Davidson will be attempting to break the Guinness World Record for largest motorcycle ride. They only need 1,500 people to participate, and registration is still open.
As thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts flock to our area for Ohio Bike Week, they are also injecting thousands of dollars into our local economy.
Because Ohio Bike Week has grown over the years into a powerhouse event, it brings a larger economic impact.
This year’s estimated 150,000 visitors are expected to stay an average of three nights. Therefore local hotels, restaurants and attractions will see there first round of tourist dollars spent.
But the biggest impact is the exposure of the region.
Last year Ohio Bike Week brought in visitors from all counties in Ohio and 26 other states, which grows the potential for a return visit from the bikers.
"People will come to this area for bike week, and and hopefully they’ll find something they want to do a little bit more of. And they’ll plan their own personal trips and they’ll come back several times throughout the season," said Jill Bauer with Lake Erie Shores and Islands.
With the forecast of summer-like weather this weekend, Jill says that the estimated 150,000 visitors to Ohio Bike Week could grow to around 200,000.
Copyright 2018 WTOL. All rights reserved


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All companies have a vested interest in being seen to do good. They also work within the framework of society and that framework is shifting. In order to find their space, they need to show a flexibility few have previously demonstrated.
If we call this framework capitalism, and what supports it consumerism, then the framework’s biggest challenge is, without doubt, the climate crisis.
As the environmentalist, George Monbiot says; in a system, where oil companies who have produced 35% of the the carbon dioxide and methane released by human activities since 1965, intend to increase production ad infinitum, with little or no governmental control, individual choices are lost. Consumerism renders us powerless, trapped in a narrow circle of decision-making; it is a brilliant con.
The system needs to be changed and people must act as citizens rather than consumers, because the choices we make when buying sustainable packaging rather than plastic, long-lasting clothes rather than disposable, will have no discernible effect.
You don’t have to be Greta to suffer from ‘flygskam’, because flying shame has become a thing, people are becoming wary of ‘fast fashion’, people are shunning the eating of animal products and young consumers are beginning to exert pressure on big companies and government, who had all been busy planning unhindered growth for decades ahead.
And it is not just in the west; concern for the environment is gaining momentum in places like China. There have been campaigns against fur and plastics and it is fanned by investors looking for the next big thing. And it is disrupting big business.
UBS recently released a study showing 37% of respondents, in eight big countries, have reduced their flying because of flight shame. And Chinese flyers were among the most concerned. The airline industry is going to take a massive hit.
Both fashion and food manufacturers produce more carbon emissions than aviation; they use huge amounts of water and pollute soils and rivers. Fast-fashion has vastly increased the number of collections sold each year. The throwaway culture has drawn the ire of western activists.
This summer, 32 of the world’s clothes-makers, including Gap, Nike, H&M and Zara, made a pact to make fashion less dirty. They are worried alternatives to fast-fashion, such as resale and rental clothing, might become popular. They can’t help it if their promos for this look like a spoof of Zoolander.
Vegans have made the trend towards meat-free food obvious enough for McDonalds and Burger King to inflict their own plant-based burgers on the world. Sweden has an actual ‘milk war’ between Oatly, an oat-based drink maker and Arla, a huge dairy manufacturer. You may have seen Oatley’s campaign; ‘It’s like milk but made for humans’. Clever.
Just before Christmas, Peleton, the fitness company, beloved of celebs, lost billions on the stock market because of a cheesy Christmas advert deemed to be sexist. Not clever.
Not everyone will want to join Extinction Rebellion, but these types of movements will proliferate until some seismic economic shift occurs and, in the meantime, business needs to prepare for a rapidly approaching new world order.
Survival is our strongest instinct and companies will have to be part of the climate solution to survive. We want to keep alive and companies, rather than inventing pine-scented variants of cleaning products, must come up with products that help the world’s survival. A bit of white vinegar will suffice.
We are going to demand this and companies are going to have to respond. Make no mistake, it is going to be huge, the backdrop to everything we do.
If you want to sell your products, you will have to be green. If you want to employ people, you will have to be green. Greenwashing will not cut it anymore.
Companies face huge challenges, but there are also massive opportunities for firms and employers that confront these issues head on, with transparency and honesty.
Most of them will fall, irrelevant, by the wayside.


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Last updated on May 5th, 2021 at 08:27 am
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SystemSpecs, the Nigeria’s fintech giant behind the successful money payment service provider Remita, has partnered with Paga to expand digital payments in Nigeria.
The partnership comes during this period of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, that the Central bank of Nigeria is encouraging digital payments and other alternative means of payments to avoid the spread of coronavirus in the country.
According to the, the first phase of the partnership would enable Paga customers to easily initiate payment to all Remita billers and merchants through Paga’s website – paga.com.
Additionally, Paga’s agents nationwide would be able to initiate and process end-to-end transactions through their own platform to all Remita customers.
“In our commitment to make payments easier for all Nigerians and businesses, we are pleased to collaborate with SystemSpecs. Our goal is to always provide an improved experience to our customers everywhere, by leveraging digital technology. This collaboration would further help us meet the needs of individuals who seek to make various bill payments, including those in emerging markets.”
Jay Alabraba, Co-founder and Director of Business Development at Paga.
The collaboration will make the process of generating Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) and payments into the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account easier.
This service is commonly used by Remita billers including state governments and tertiary institutions. Paga customers and agents will also utilize the service directly through Paga platforms.
Paga was founded in 2009 to help over one billion people to access and process money payments with ease. Paga is currently one of the largest digital wallet operator in Nigeria.
Paga has over 23,000 agents nationwide including bakery, fastfoods, pharmaceutical and grocery stores where people always visit to attend to most of their day-to-day needs.


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As the digital currency industry begins its recovery from the Christmas-time slump, bearish news emerges from Poland, suggesting that the central bank and top financial regulator are backing an online campaign designed to deter citizens from investing in cryptocurrencies.
A website, the domain name of which translates to “watch out for cryptocurrencies”, is acting as a dedicated portal for issuing warnings about cryptocurrencies. Divided into several sections, the website emphasizes that cryptocurrencies operate within a legal grey area:
“Cryptocurrencies, virtual currencies, digital currencies are not ‘electronic money’ within the meaning of the law.”
It then goes on to expound on the exact nature of digital currencies:
“It [cryptocurrency] is a digital representation of a contractual value among its users, which is not issued and guaranteed by any central bank in the world (e.g. Polish zloty is issued by the National Bank of Poland). Virtual currency is used as an imitation of money if the two sides of the transaction agree with each other. However, it is not a currency (such as the zloty).”
In addition to providing information on the nature of cryptocurrencies, the website outlines 5 key risks investors should take into account before putting their money into crypto. These include the risks of losing money due to theft, the lack of guarantees, the lack of universal acceptability, the possibility of fraud, and high price volatility.
The contact details provided on the website list the Narodowy Bank Polski (or National Bank of Poland) and the Polish Financial Supervision Authority KNF (which also carries a warning against investing in cryptocurrencies on its official website).
As the popularity of the crypto market skyrockets, Poland’s central bank is one among many issuing warnings against cryptocurrencies. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has urged citizens to “act with extreme caution” and “understand the significant risks” of investing in cryptocurrencies, as they are not legal tender, unregulated, and driven by speculation.
South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has also emphasized that cryptocurrencies are not legitimate currencies, and therefore not subject to regulation at present.
Recent reports also suggest that Australian banks are freezing customer accounts and blocking transfers to crypto exchanges.


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The seafood noodles in East China’s coastal city Zhoushan. [Photo/Douban.com]
As winter arrives, getting out of bed in the morning has become so much more challenging.
Yet, with Breakfast in China, a food documentary directed by Wang Shengzhi recently dropping its third season on streaming site Tencent Video, many viewers say they’ve become more motivated to wake up early so as to grab a hearty breakfast before kicking off the day.
Just like the first two seasons, viewers can journey across the country to taste as many as 30 types of popular breakfasts, ranging from the seafood noodles in East China’s coastal city Zhoushan and the beef small rice in Zhangye, Northwest China’s Gansu, to the pork chop sandwich and charcoal brewing coffee in Macao and the tofu pudding, or tofu brains in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang.
All dishes are sold by humble breakfast shops and stands around street corners.
Though each episode is about eight minutes long, it is widely praised for doing a great job in pairing mouthwatering scenes of a breakfast with heartwarming stories.


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The End of Diamond Theft
Leanne Kemp has set herself an ambitious goal: Stamping out diamond fraud and theft.
She’s the founder and CEO of Everledger, a startup launched in 2015 which took part in the Barclays Techstars accelerator ending in June. It has built a global digital ledger — the first of its kind — that collects dozens of cross-reference-able data points on each recorded diamond in an attempt to inject transparency into the market and eliminate associated criminal activity. And that’s just the beginning.
Ian Gallachers Blog
Diamond Jewellery News
Contact Info & Opening Hours7 Murray Place, Stirling, FK8 1DQ
Tel: 01786 473696
Monday > Saturday : 08.45 > 17:00


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Just in case you missed the news, there's a new toy store in town called Scooter & Jinx who opened their doors in sunny (?) Hastings. What's more they've just unveiled their online store which means everyone who doesn't live in that neck of the woods can get their hands on their stock!
They've got Kidrobot, Lunartik in a Cup of Tea, Span of Sunset Cheshire Cats, Ludvig van Beethoven busts, Mad*ls, Toy2R, Dunnys, Teddy Troops, Ugly Dolls and a whole lot more! A real plethora of stock!
Even better Scooter and Jinx have just announced that they're stocking the recently released Vannen Watches featuring designs by Buff Monster, Chris Ryniak, Brian Morris and Damon Soule and even have one of the Dirty Donny ones for you to win in their Halloween competition!
Scooter & Jinx
23 High Street, Hastings, TN34 3EY
Thursday, August 9, 2012 - 12:50pmAmidst freak thunderstorms and hot weather, Clutter is cruising along with the latest news, tips and curated goodness! Soon it'll be back to school and autumn breezes, but for now we're rolling in the humidity and keeping cool.
Thursday, December 24, 2009 - 11:01am
Friday, November 7, 2008 - 11:09am