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In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Bee Gees-led soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever, which spent a whopping 24 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earned the pop trio the Grammy Award for album of the year, the act was honored by the Recording Academy on April 16 in their own Grammy Salute.
Overall, Bee Gees’ catalog of albums and digital songs sold a combined 83,000 in the week ending April 20 – up 669 percent compared to the week previous (11,000). Of the 83,000, traditional album sales comprised 20,000 (up 568 percent compared to 3,000 in the previous frame), while digital song sales equaled 63,000 (up 708 percent compared to just 8,000 in the previous week).
Further, the group’s songs scored a 71 percent gain in on-demand streams (audio and video combined), rising to 10 million for the week (up from 5.9 million).
The group’s classic hit “Stayin’ Alive,” which spent four weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1978, collected the most downloads among Bee Gees songs with 7,000 downloads in the tracking week ending April 22, a 300 percent increase from the week prior, according to Nielsen Music.
Demi Lovato, Tori Kelly, Little Big Town and Andra Day first performed “Stayin’ Alive” in their opening medley at the salute, along with “Tragedy,” “How Deep Is Your Love” and “Night Fever.” Barry Gibb, the last surviving member of the Bee Gees, also performed the song at the end of the show (the other members of the group, Barry’s brothers Maurice and Robin, died in 2003 and 2012, respectively). Other performers on the show included Ed Sheeran and Panic! at the Disco, among many others
Thanks toDion’s performance of “Immortality” on the show, her earlier released recording of the track (with the Bee Gees) saw the biggest sales bump among Bee Gees songs. The track vaulted 9,000 percent in the tracking week after the performance aired, earning 6,000 digital downloads. The song was featured on Dion’s 1997 album Let’s Talk About Love, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Additionally, the Bee Gees’ No. 1 Hot 100 hit “How Deep Is Your Love” earned the second-most digital downloads among the act’s songs with 6,000 in the tracking week ending April 22 -- a 600 percent bump from the week prior, thanks to a performance from Little Big Town.
Further, four Bee Gees compilation albums debut or re-enter on Billboard’s charts. Their 2004 compilation Number Ones re-enters the Billboard 200 at No. 57, earning 9,000 equivalent album units the week ending May 6, according to Nielsen Music (up 1,120 percent). The album originally peaked at No. 5 in August 2012. Number Ones also re-enters the Top Album Sales chart at No. 67 (with 3,000 sold -- up 333 percent).
The Ultimate Bee Gees compilation also re-enters the Top Album Sales chart at No. 68 and debuts at No. 62 thanks to identical versions of the album being available on two different labels. The title at No. 68 is the 2009 version of the set released on Rhino/Reprise/Warner Bros. Records. The version at No. 62 is a newly released edition from Capitol Records. The Warner set is no longer available through digital retailers, and Warner has stopped producing physical copies of the set. However, there are still enough copies of the CD in the marketplace for it to sell a little more than 3,000 copies in the week ending April 20. As for the Capitol version of the album, it also sold a little more than 3,000 copies, but with nearly 2,000 of that sum in downloads of the album. The 2009 version also re-entered the Billboard 200 at No. 139.
Plus, 1979’s Bee Gees Greatest re-entered the Top Album Sales chart at No. 160. The album spent a week atop the Billboard 200 in January 1980.


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Intralox | July, 2021. Richard Brouillette was named the recipient of the 2021 International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Sanitarian Award. Brouillette, Food Safety Director of Commercial Food Sanitation, an Intralox company, received the award at the annual IAFP meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.
Intralox | July 2021. As the need for food safety education and training grows, Commercial Food Sanitation announced expanded services to food processors in Brazil with the addition of two new employees. The newest members of the CFS team will provide sanitation and hygienic design consulting and in-plant training sessions in Brazil.
Food Process Vakblad | April 30, 2021 | by Karin Blacow. A clean production environment is the first step towards food safety. Cleaning is key. When sanitation is not executed well, the base is unstable. The ultimate goals is to produce safe food for consumers and this should always be top of mind when […]
Food Safety Magazine | April 16, 2021 | by Richard Brouillette and Tom Haley With the appearance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), there was a renewed interest in sanitizers and disinfectants. Most food safety professionals in the U.S. are aware that sanitizers and disinfectants are not the same and must be […]
Bakingandsnack.com | February 22, 2021 | by Charlotte Atchley. KANSAS CITY — The importance of training became no clearer than in 2020 as bakeries tried to adapt to new protocols and communication methods to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. With advances in training methods, Cari Rasmussen, food safety specialist, Commercial Food Sanitation, explained […]
Commercial Baking | 19 February, 2021 | by Joanie Spencer. KANSAS CITY, MO — In bakery manufacturing, training is essential. Capital investments are made with things like efficiency and ROI top of mind, but it’s important to remain cognizant of the workers who are not only running the equipment but also have the […]
ProFood World | December 22, 2020 | by Aaron Hand. Cleaning and sanitation in the food processing environment has always been about food safety. But the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic—bringing with it changing requirements in distancing, personal protective equipment (PPE), and levels of sanitation—turned much of that focus increasingly toward worker safety as […]
Intralox.com | December 21, 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic may have stopped Commercial Food Sanitation (CFS), an Intralox company, from holding in-person training, but the team’s commitment to food safety education never wavered. For the first time, the company released digital short courses available to everyone.
International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) 2020 Award Recognition Presentation | October 2020 | by Ruth Petran, IAFP Vice President. The IAFP Food Safety award, sponsored by the Consumer Brands Association, honors an individual or organization for outstanding contributions to the field of food safety. Joe Stout received the award in recognition of his long […]
Food Process Vakblad | October 6, 2020 | by Karin Blacow. The Corona virus as been making headlines. Although the virus itself remains separate from food safety, related measures do have direct consequences in the food industry. A number of plants has been confronted with high numbers of infections, resulting in temporary closures. New […]

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Alexander Dennis (ADL) has appointed Martin Brailey (pictured) to lead the company’s UK sales team following a restructure which it says will “ensure continued customer focus and responsiveness”.
As Sales Director UK and Ireland Martin brings 30 years of coach and bus industry experience to the role. For the last 13 years he has been ADL Sales Director for London. He takes over from Arthur Whiteside, who retired in 2019.
Martin will be supported by Richard Matthews, who continues to lead the company’s retail sales team, and Keith Watson, who continues in a sales development role, aligning technology developments with customer requirements while overseeing key accounts.
Billy McFie is to play a lead role in the sales team, providing financial and commercial packages to customers.
“This is an exciting development for Martin and the team as we refocus following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our industry,” says ADL President and Managing Director Paul Davies. “I am confident we have the right team in place to support our customers and partners to build back the bus industry, encourage passengers on board and help the nation to get moving again.”


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If you need some advice on how to make your Christmas decorations really stand out then take a look at our blog to find out how you can do just that…
American Express will soon be releasing a special edition rose gold credit card but it won’t be around for long.
Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai has created the ultimate in extravagant coffees which has 100% arabica beans & is blended with gold!
Lilian Von Trapp, a Berlin-based jewellery designer, has been explaining her passion to provide ethical jewellery to the masses.
Computing giant Dell has worked with a jewellery firm to create a stunning collection of jewellery made from gold recycled from computers.
A recent survey has found that millennials are more organised when it comes to buying Christmas presents.
A collection of gold items found on a Danish farm is the second-largest known haul of Viking gold ever discovered.
The new OnePlus 5 will be made available in gold, with the Android model set to be released in a “soft gold” according to the manufacturer.
Wimbledon is renowned for its strict dress code for players, but that hasn’t stopped some players adding a bit of individuality to their kit.
While golds popularity could receive a further boost following the news that Prince Harry has given girlfriend Meghan Markle a special gift.


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TIJUANA.- Tijuana Innovadora, an event that takes place every other year with the goal of putting Tijuana on the map as an innovation hub not only in Mexico but on a global scale is kicking-off today. The ten-day long event highlights all things innovation, from arts and technology, to fashion and gastronomy.
The line-up of conferences and presenters is impressive. There are more than 200 key-note speakers scheduled, including artists, company executives, scientists, former presidential candidates, and politicians including San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giulani, and Tijuana Mayor Jorge Astiazaran. Some of the events are free, and others can be purchased for specific conferences or for blocks of conferences. The event is taking place at the Tijuana Cultural Center (CECUT), which is most easily recognized by its large IMAX dome, just a five minute drive across the border.
One of the most unique aspects of this years Tijuana Innovadora is its partnership with UBER, a service that launched a little over two months ago and is already on the path to drastically transforming the citys public transportation problem, and transportation in general. If you are interested in attending any of the events at Tijuana Innovadora, you can easily cross the border on foot and hitch a ride with UBER. UBER, the app-driven ridesharing service, just launched their more economical version called uberX just last week and (as if that werent enough), they are even offering free rides.
UBER is one of several sponsors of the event, including Coca-Cola, Sears, Qualcomm, Canada Air, Southwestern Community College, UCSD, Baker & McKenzie, and many other companies and government agencies on both sides of the border. Dozens of companies will also set up exposition booths which visitors can check out for free, and where they can reach out to companies and learn more about their capabilities. This is a great way for visitors to possibly set up strategic partnerships or foster new business relationships.
There will also be many interesting workshops to check out, discussing topics such as Hydroponics, Creative Communication, Art Therapy, Mixed Martial Arts, Laughter Therapy, Social Media Marketing, and even how Lucha Libre can be Emotional Therapy.
One sector that is of especial interest, and which has great potential in Tijuana, is the startup community. In Tijuana, startups with little financial backing can easily put together a team at a significant economic advantage when compared to what that would cost in the United States. Many co-working spaces have been developed specifically to harness and foster the creative startup community, including HubStn and MIND Hub, both of which will be participating in the event.
According to Miguel Marshall, Co-Founder of HUB STN, they will be hosting the sixth edition of Tijuana Startup Weekend, October 24th through October 26th. Startup Weekend is a 52 hour event, where programmers, designers, marketers, and business specialists are invited to pitch and develop a startup idea. After a weekend of developing the ideas, the teams present their pitch to a panel of judges that will decide the winners.
Marshall will be one of the judges on the panel, and will also speak at a conference on behalf of SV Latam, the first venture capital firm out of Silicon Valley to focus on Latin America, and specifically for technology industries. Tijuana is a city that can either be a platform or launch pad for companies that want to do business in Latin America.
Tijuana Innovadora also demonstrates that the city is betting its future on the service sector, more than manufacturing or maquiladoras. This is something that has also materialized in its growing gastronomic sector, and visitors of the Tijuana Innovadora would be amiss they didnt take the time to visit any one of the citys incredible culinary offerings (check out our The Real Baja Section for ideas).
The fact that an innovative service like UBER, for example, has decided to choose Tijuana as one of only three markets in Mexico (Guadalajara and Mexico City being the other two), and ahead of more progressive cities like Monterrey is a sign that large companies are confident in the potential that the city has. On Sunday, October 19th, UBERs Chief Operating Officer, Ryan Graves will talk about how the company, which was founded in 2009, was created and how it has managed to expand to 45 countries in just five years.
For more information about Tijuana Innovadora, and for a complete schedule of events, and to purchase tickets, visit here.


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BRASÍLIA, April 1 (Reuters) - Brazilian Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said on Wednesday the government will spend about 98 billion reais ($18.71 billion) to help 54 million informal workers affected by nationwide lockdowns to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Overall, the government will disburse an estimated 200 billion reais to help companies and people to deal with fallout from the pandemic. Brazilian informal workers will receive 600 reais per month for three months, Guedes said. ($1 = 5.2384 reais) (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu Writing by Ana Mano Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.


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Planet Coaster Magnificent Rides Collection Coming December 18
Frontier Developments announced today that the Planet Coaster Magnificent Rides Collection, which will feature nine new rides, will come out on December 18.
Included in this update is the inverted coaster known as “The Mind Melt,” the community favorite “The Grand Carousel,” and the 3D mover known as “The Tracker.”
You can get a sneak preview of the Mind Melt below:
Magnificent Rides Collection | Mind Melt
One variant ride will also be included. Those looking for more information can find exclusive reveals of each of the Magnificent Rides Collection rides each day on the Planet Coaster Twitter feed here.
Activision and FromSoftware have released a new trailer for Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice that takes a look at Lady Butterfly
Bandai Namco has released a new trailer for One Piece World Seeker that takes a closer look at its karma system


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One of the most common complaints from gamers this generation is how publishers are constantly shoehorning multiplayer modes into games that never really needed them (Dead Space, BioShock 2, Tomb Raider, etc.) That hasn’t stopped WB Games from announcing a brand new competitive multiplayer mode for the upcoming Batman: Arkham Origins.
Arkham Origins’ multiplayer is a three-way battle between Joker’s henchmen, Bane’s gang, and Batman and Robin. Bane and Joker’s gangs are made up of three players each, who are tasked with the usual multiplayer shooter goals of capturing territory and killing the other team. Meanwhile, two players are given the honor of suiting up as Batman and Robin, and they can earn points by knocking out the criminal players one by one. Batman and Robin will have access to their trademark assortment of wacky (and non-lethal) gadgets to work with, while the criminals will be able to equip a variety of different guns.
The multiplayer mode is being developed by Splash Damage, the team behind Enemy Territory: Quake Wars and the underrated Brink.
I know that when a company adds a multiplayer mode into a previously single-player-only series it usually turns out badly, but Arkham Origin’s multiplayer looks interesting — it almost seems like an evolution of the old Spies vs. Mercs multiplayer from the last gen Splinter Cell games. The Assassin’s Creed series has proven that “shoehorned” multiplayer modes don’t always have to feel like an afterthought, so I’m cautiously optimistic about Arkham Origins. I’m usually pretty cynical about these things, but at least they’re trying something different with their multiplayer and they aren’t simply slapping in some half-assed deathmatch or capture the flag mode.
Batman: Arkham Origins will be released for the Xbox 360, PS3, PC, and Wii U on October 25th.
UPDATE – WB Games has announced that the multiplayer mode will not be coming to the Wii U version of the game. “Multiplayerwill be available for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC,” a spokesperson for WB Games said. “The team is focusing development efforts on platforms with the largest MP audience.”
Third party support for the Wii U has become increasingly (understandably, some would say) half assed as the system continues to perform poorly at retail. Nintendo announced today that they’ve only sold 160,000 Wii U consoles in the last three months.


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|Iphone 6 Screen Protector 9h|
iphone 6 screen protector 9h
iphone 6 screen protector 9h
"I would describe that charitably as insane," said Avi Greengart, who covers consumer electronic products for Current Analysis. Granted, there are a lot of factors that go into deciding the price of a phone. The carriers may not deem the two Bolds worthy of a larger subsidy, and would rather take the risk on selling the pricier devices. Or RIM may be selling a more expensive product to the carrier. Generally, carriers will set the ultimate price, but there are a lot of unknown variables to consider.
We discuss whether Samsung should give loyal customers additional incentives, as well as a new Amazon initiative and "The Walking Dead."People who bought the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 ended up with a raw deal, having to give up a phone they really liked for something less impressive (though obviously much safer), Considering that situation, shouldn't Samsung offer incentives to past Note 7 owners for their iphone 6 screen protector 9h purchase of the Note 8, which is expected to be revealed next week?, Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic, We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read, Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion..
This article was originally published May 17 at 11:18 a.m. PT and was updated May 19 at 3:33 p.m. PT and August 21 at 9:40pm PT. Go could help make Android bearable on the phone you give your kid, your overseas friends or throw in the car for emergencies. Supercheap phones are great to give to kids as their first devices or have on hand for backup. But the low-end components that make them cheap typically also make them slow and frustrating to use. Android Go, Google's new, light version of Android Oreo (and beyond) promises to work smoothly on extremely inexpensive, ultra-entry-level phones. Specifically, those that have 512MB to 1GB of memory (RAM).
A cover that clips securely into place is one indication that the S5 has met IP67 standard for water- and dust-resistance, A rubberized gasket behind the back cover is another clue, Feedback about the waterproof Galaxy S4 Active prompted Samsung to send the Galaxy S5 down its waterproof path, which means that it can take a bath for up to 30 minutes at about 3 feet down, It also means: time to break out the supersoakers, Navigation is one other alteration you should know about: the capacitive button to the left of the physical button no longer calls up the menu, Now, it manages multitasking, The target area is a little big if you ask me; I accidentally pressed it more times than I wanted, interrupting iphone 6 screen protector 9h myself..
"Our underlying business performance was even stronger than our reported results imply," Chief Executive Tim Cook said during a conference call with analysts. The Cupertino, Calif., tech giant said it sold 43.7 million iPhones, much higher than the expected 38 million and a record for the March quarter. The company also reported a surprise return to earnings growth -- its highest rate in the past six quarters -- and better revenue and gross margins than analysts and Apple had anticipated. That the iPhone -- Apple's biggest moneymaker -- accounted for much of the growth came as a relief to investors who worried that demand was waning ahead of the iPhone 6 later this year.


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That’s all for Sir Paul, folks.
Paul McCartney’s second Edmonton show was announced and sold out in a matter of hours Friday, just moments after tickets for the first show were snapped up.
The McCartney mayhem swelled to epic proportions in the city with the announcement of a second show — fans took to Twitter and Facebook around 10:40 a.m. Friday to celebrate as the news rolled out.
By 11 a.m. it was official. Live Nation and Northlands tweeted a second Edmonton date — Nov. 29 — would be added to the former Beatles On The Run tour.
The announcement sparked a panicked lunch break for many McCartney fans — especially for those who couldn’t seal the deal for the Nov. 28 show.
Tickets went on sale at noon – and amid rampant complaints of ticket process issues – managed to sell out completely by 12:35 p.m.
“I failed to get Macca tix because conveniently the Rogers Wireless Box Office wouldn’t take my Debit Visa,” said longtime fan Richard Guibault. “Was so close too!”
To add insult to injury for Guilbault — and the many others who closed their Tickemaster windows with disappointment — concert tickets went up almost immediately on third-party seller websites, some at quadruple the price.
Still, he’s looking for tickets; he’s not ready to give up on seeing the Macca live just yet.
“I may consider StubHub, however I am not a fan of scalpers,” he said. “Trying to poke around on Twitter otherwise.”
He wasn’t alone in voicing his dislike for scalping — the practice of buying tickets and reselling them for a profit — and others weren’t quite as diplomatic about it.
“Dear scalpers: I hope it’s -40 and you are standing outside Rexall still trying to get rid of your $500 Paul McCartney tix. A**holes,” tweeted one angry fan Friday, after several Nov. 29 tickets popped up on an array of websites after the sale.
“About 1400 tix for Paul McCartney’s #yeg show are currently for sale at scalper rates on StubHub, but fans were shut out of legit presales,” wrote disappointed Edmonton writer Randy Williams, on his Twitter feed.
Though many were frustrated, some left angry, a few fans kept their sense of humour through it all.
“Can’t Buy Me Tickets #NewPaulMcCartneySongs,” tweeted Edmonton resident Courtney Theriault.
“My Seat is Far Back in the USSR #NewPaulMcCartney Songs,” wrote the McCartney bound Marty Chan.
Meanwhile, one fan is so desperate to see Sir Paul play, he’s offering up an organ for trade — and we’re not talking about the piano like musical instrument.
A Kijiji advertisement posted Friday reads “Will trade kidney for Paul McCartney tickets.”
“I am offering a great, healthy kidney for 2 tickets to the show on November 28th,” the ad goes on to say.
The owner of the Kijiji ad does not identify himself, or documentation on whether it is, in fact, a healthy kidney.
Follow me on Twitter @SunAngeliqueR
tap here to see other videos from our team.


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Lean revenue management (RMS) software provider Atomize is seeing exceptional demand in the Middle East as hoteliers seek to boost revenue and grow market share amid the post-pandemic recovery of the ‘industry.
In the past three months alone, Atomize has expanded its presence in the Middle East with the addition of three leading hotel groups.
Earlier this month, the 270-room Gulf Court Hotel Business Bay became the first of seven Gulf Court Hotel properties to choose Atomize, with ambitions to proceed with a planned full rollout across the group’s portfolio.
This follows Dubai-based SUHA Hospitality’s announcement in March to roll out Atomize across its four luxury hotel apartment properties in Dubai, with several more in the pipeline. Earlier this year, JA Resorts & Hotels appointed Atomize as its exclusive revenue management software partner for its 10 luxury properties representing 1,500 rooms in Dubai, the Maldives and the Seychelles.
“We are delighted with the outstanding response we have received upon entering the market here in the Middle East and are grateful to have had the opportunity to welcome so many fantastic hotel partners across the region,” said Alexander. Edström, CEO of Atomize. “At Atomize, we help hoteliers increase revenue and maximize profitability by automatically setting optimal rates for hotel rooms with our simplified, sophisticated, yet very easy-to-use RMS solution.”
Hotels are increasingly being asked to do more with less, they need to protect their cost base while maximizing their revenue potential. This is no easy task given that the hospitality industry, like many others, is facing understaffing issues, especially post-pandemic. On the bright side, revenue management is one of the key hotel functions that can benefit significantly from automation.


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Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc (NYSE:SPB) Expected to Post Quarterly Sales of $994.69 Million
Brokerages expect that Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc (NYSE:SPB) will announce $994.69 million in sales for the current fiscal quarter, according to Zacks. Three analysts have provided estimates for Spectrum Brands’ earnings. The highest sales estimate is $999.10 million and the lowest is $986.70 million. Spectrum Brands posted sales of $787.80 million in the same quarter last year, which would indicate a positive year over year growth rate of 26.3%. The firm is scheduled to report its next earnings report on Monday, November 18th.
On average, analysts expect that Spectrum Brands will report full-year sales of $3.80 billion for the current fiscal year, with estimates ranging from $3.78 billion to $3.81 billion. For the next fiscal year, analysts anticipate that the business will report sales of $3.86 billion, with estimates ranging from $3.85 billion to $3.88 billion. Zacks’ sales averages are a mean average based on a survey of sell-side analysts that cover Spectrum Brands.
Spectrum Brands (NYSE:SPB) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $1.35 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the Zacks’ consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $1.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1 billion. Spectrum Brands had a return on equity of 6.36% and a net margin of 13.21%. The business’s quarterly revenue was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.76 EPS.
NYSE SPB traded up $1.61 during trading on Friday, reaching $60.19. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 391,366 shares, compared to its average volume of 479,893. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.81 billion, a PE ratio of 17.00, a PEG ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 1.74. Spectrum Brands has a 1-year low of $40.54 and a 1-year high of $84.07. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $52.14 and a 200-day moving average price of $55.97.
The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 19th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 22nd will be given a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.79%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 21st. Spectrum Brands’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.46%.
In other news, insider David M. Maura purchased 20,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, August 9th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $50.43 per share, with a total value of $1,008,600.00. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 1.40% of the company’s stock.
Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Citizens Financial Group Inc RI acquired a new stake in shares of Spectrum Brands during the 1st quarter valued at about $99,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC acquired a new position in Spectrum Brands in the second quarter worth about $123,000. Hancock Whitney Corp bought a new position in Spectrum Brands during the second quarter worth about $230,000. Teza Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Spectrum Brands during the second quarter worth about $263,000. Finally, Keybank National Association OH acquired a new stake in Spectrum Brands during the second quarter valued at approximately $283,000.
Spectrum Brands Company Profile
Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc operates as a branded consumer products company worldwide. The company's Hardware & Home Improvement segment offers hardware products under the National Hardware, Stanley, and FANAL brands; locksets and door hardware under the Kwikset, Weiser, Baldwin, EZSET, and Tell brands; and plumbing products under the Pfister brand.
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Although protests in Ukraine continue to monopolize international media, similar instability has come to a head in Venezuela. The Latin American country has suffered for decades at the helm of ruinous policies that seek to regulate, restrict, and control its economy and those who must endure this suffering have had enough.
Following Hugo Chavez’s death last year, Nicholas Maduro resumed Venezuela’s presidency and subsequently defeated Henrique Capriles by narrow 1.5 per cent margin in the ensuing presidential election. Since then, however, there have been mass protests regarding a number of issues that plague the Latin American country, to which President Maduro has responded with lethal military action.
In Caracas, the protests have resulted from government expropriations and price controls on everything from electronics, toilet paper, and, most importantly, food–not to mention runaway inflation and government corruption, both of which exacerbate the conflict. The government tightened price controls recently through the so-called “Fair Price Law,” for instance, that criminalizes stocking large inventories, reselling food and other goods, and gives state officials power to arrest business owners based on subjective decisions regarding “overpricing.” These “offences” are punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Along with price controls, state-controlled food agencies, such as Mercal, exist to sell food at subsidized prices. However, corrupt bureaucrats often intercept this food and sell it for themselves on the black market, which is thriving because of the government’s restrictive policies. As a result, food is less available at state-owned stores than at the few remaining privately owned food markets, according to some surveys. In addition, the Venezuelan government is notoriously incompetent when it comes to managing the country’s food supply. Last year, it imported massive amounts of food and was unable to coordinate distribution, admitting finally that the majority of it rotted in government supply yards.
Locally, many farmers have abandoned their fields, as profitability seems a hope too far: some food prices are being set at ten times less than the market rate. Meanwhile, Venezuelans, particularly in urban areas, are struggling to find food. Many have to make their way to Colombian border towns routinely to find their daily bread. The quest for milk, oil, and sugar can involve several days of travel and waiting. In these Colombian border towns, Venezuelans will often find what they are looking for, including food that has left their country via the black market. For many, though, the time and effort is simply not an option.
The next time you make an impromptu late-night grocery trip to buy a loaf of bread, consider what an immense luxury it is to have the bread sitting there waiting for you. This is what Venezuela is missing, as the national government distorts the market for food without any semblance of sanity. Tragically, it seems lessons from previous agricultural collectivization have not thrived. The only way to reliably ensure a stable food supply in Venezuela is to return to the basics of private property and the reliable enforcement of contracts. Market prices will ensure the production of the food that Venezuelans need to survive, not the government.
Michael Craig is a 2013-2014 Atlantic Institute for Market Studies’ Student Fellow. The views expressed are the opinion of the author and not necessarily the Institute


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Offshoring: Will 25 percent of U.S. jobs end up overseas?
Many analysts were quick to point out that "could" is miles away from "will," and have noted that Blinder's depressing conclusion doesn't automatically translate into a massive outflux of jobs. While this is certainly true, it ignores the devastating effect that offshoring has already had and minimizes the attraction that the program holds for business owners. Under the circumstances, the fact that 25 percent of jobs can go overseas suggests that -- if current trends continue -- a large percentage will eventually do so.
Back in the 1950's, when American businesses began moving manufacturing to other countries, the process seemed like a win-win situation. For business owners, moving factory jobs out of the country translated into cheaper labor costs and higher profits. For customers, it meant less expensive finished products and more presents under the Christmas tree. Even displaced workers, arguably the biggest losers in the process, could fall back on a robust job market filled with plenty of high-paying manufacturing jobs that required minimal retraining. In the ensuing decades, as the offshoring trend picked up, it was still easy to quell worries about disappearing jobs with the notion that the country was transforming into a service economy that was no longer reliant on low-paying, low-skill industrial work.
In the 1990's, the debate -- and the dynamics of offshoring -- began to shift, as telecommunication expansion and Internet growth meant that jobs in the service economy could also leave the country. Over time, it became clear that neither a college degree nor a white collar was sufficient to guarantee job security and high wages. As offshored call centers and data processing positions were followed by programming jobs, the term "Bangalored" gained currency as a way of explaining what happens when someone is laid off and his job is moved to India.
In America, education-intensive careers in engineering, medicine, and the legal profession have traditionally been perceived as secure and lucrative. However, "innovation offshoring" is making it possible to move research and development overseas, while health tourism and legal offshoring are making medical procedures and legal grunt work much cheaper. In the process, they are also crushing the lingering notion that offshoring is something that happens to other people, or that education is a hedge against losing one's job to a cheaper worker in another country.
On a purely economic basis, offshoring will always make sense. After all, regardless of one's profession, there is probably someone somewhere else in the world who is willing to do it for less. In India, for example, more than half of the country subsists on less than $2 per day, indicating an economy where even college-educated workers can low-ball a labor bid.
If, as Blinder indicates, 25 percent of American jobs can be offshored, the impetus for not doing so has to be more than merely economic. Blinder suggests that the government needs to adopt long-term policy moves that would limit the impact or extensiveness of offshoring. On a broader scale, however, it might be time to seriously consider the ultimate conclusion of this trend.
As offshoring has gained momentum, the wages of American workers have more or less frozen. From 1948 to 1973, the median income of single-earner families had a significant year-over-year growth, ultimately cresting at $44,368 in 2008 dollars. Since then, however, it has remained relatively stagnant; in 2008, it was pegged at $42,103. While this 36-year flatline may not seem all that impressive, it is crushing when compared with the gross domestic product, which grew seven fold in the same period, or the consumer price index, which grew more than five fold between 1973 and 2008.
It isn't hard to see why this has happened: if laborers have demanded a significant increase in their paychecks, companies have simply moved their operations to countries with cheaper workers. The trouble is, this emphasis on inexpensive consumer goods, services and workers has missed a key part of the equation: consumers. While India, China, Mexico and Bangladesh have proven themselves to be outstanding producers, they are not outstanding consumers and the American workers that they are undermining have recently had to sharply cut back on their expenditures.
While Henry Ford is often lionized for his role in spurring assembly-line manufacturing, his greatest contribution lay in his social vision. In 1914, he famously raised the minimum salary in his factory to $5 per day, more than twice the previous base pay. In addition to immediately spurring employee satisfaction, he also created a built-in consumer base for his product. Suddenly, Ford (F) workers could buy Ford cars; as they did so, the company's profits rose accordingly. Meanwhile, the American economy had a new model for business success: turn workers into consumers.
All this begs the question of who, exactly, will be buying the products that American companies are now producing overseas. While Walmart (WMT) is making a fortune by catering to the needs of an ever-increasing population of people who are living from paycheck to paycheck, it is also demonstrating the final step in the offshoring business strategy: poorly-constructed products made by subsistence workers in undemocratic countries are being sold on credit to subsistence workers in America. Meanwhile, the profits of this disaster, which Ford once famously shared with his workers, are finding their way into the pockets of a precious few superrich investors and business owners.
As the current economic malaise demonstrates, this process may be ultimately unsustainable; record profits inevitably come with a record price.


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Furniture manufacturing in Mexico has been a significant industry in the country for decades. Mexico's furniture exports to the United States exceed USD $1 billion a year. Bolstered by ballooning wages in China beginning in 2014, the Mexican furniture manufacturing industry has rapidly drawn companies to the country for its affordable yet highly-skilled labor.
Companies that choose to manufacture furniture in Mexico range from international brands like La-Z-Boy, domestic favorites like Quetzal, and specialists like Richter Design, which has produced furniture for Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Z Gallerie, and Restoration Hardware. Swedish manufacturer IKEA is also choosing to produce furniture in Mexico with its first North American manufacturing plant. The 100,000-square-meter furniture plant, which will eventually expand to 200,000 square meters, will be located in Saltillo, Coahuila, and is expected to be completed in 2021.
Mexico's furniture production is spread across its northern and central states, with certain tasks concentrated more heavily in specific areas. Much of the country's furniture manufacturing occurs in Jalisco, Sonora, the State of Mexico, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Chihuahua, Baja California, Puebla and Monterrey.Contact Us
in United States imports of furniture from Mexico
Mexico is the second-largest exporter of goods to the U.S., and furniture is no exception. According to the United States Foreign Trade Census Bureau, the U.S. imported over USD $2.5 billion in furniture and household goods at the end of 2019.
furniture manufacturing companies
Whether located on the border or in the country’s interior, Mexico’s furniture production industry is host to over 675 companies that range from international furniture powerhouses to domestic brand players.


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Complete Communications, Integra, and Comcast Business lead the list of top Telarus performers of 2012. Sandy, Utah (PRWEB) July 17, 2013 Telarus, Inc.
Event draws record number of exhibitors and sales partners to Telarus' annual convention in Deer Valley, Utah on June 18, 2013. Sandy, UT (PRWEB) July 09,
- Monstrous in size or character; huge; prodigious; monstrously perverse, savage, cruel, etc.


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However, not all businesses are quick to celebrate the return of dine-in customers.
As the owner of The Refinery, Colin Chen points out, there are multiple considerations to keep in mind. For one, the limit on dining groups and social distancing rules means that his restaurant’s original capacity is essentially halved.
“For me, running a service for 30 pax or 70 pax is pretty much the same in terms of my manpower cost,” says Colin. Moreover, the restaurant has taken time in the past two months to set up its delivery system – from workflow to manpower arrangements. Tables that used to seat customers are now used as cashier and pick-up points for delivery riders.
“We are now more optimised for delivery,” he shares. “But when you can only operate at 30 to 50 percent capacity, suddenly we need to have that conversation again to see if it would be worth it to offer dine-in.”
He adds: “Suddenly, dining-in doesn’t seem like a feasible option for us in the short run.”
For restaurants that offer a communal dining experience, the cap of having no more than five people at a table is also a factor to consider.
“We feel that customers might continue to opt for delivery of takeaway options,” notes a spokesperson from the Crystal Jade Group. With all the rules in place, eating out in restaurants can become almost functional, rather than convivial. The spokesperson says: “Customers may likely dine in their own homes instead since the duration of dining in restaurants will be kept to a minimum.”
Pang Seng Meng, the co-founder of New Ubin Seafood, echoes a similar sentiment.
“Communal dining will be severely restricted as part of the new normal,” he says. Instead, the local zi char chain is focusing its efforts on UbinEats, a special menu that caters to solo diners.
“Phase 2 will be challenging for us as we are a communal dining operation,” he adds. “And we will need to decide whether we should open for dine-in or continue to focus our efforts on delivery.”


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Workers at Vauxhall’s Luton and Ellesmere Port plants have accepted a two year pay freeze as part of cost restructuring initiatives by the marques recovering US owner General Motors.
The deal was agreed between GM and the union Unite. It will save the car maker 26.5m euros (£23.1m) – a tenth of the overall 265m euros the auto maker wants to save in Europe overall. The freeze has been backdated to the beginning of this year.
A similar arrangement has been made in Germany, home of Vauxhall’s sister marque Opel. This, couple with 4,000 redundancies, will save a further 177m euros.
No redundancies are to be made at the 3,500 employee Ellesmere Port – home of the Astra – though 500 have already lost their jobs at the van-making Luton plant. That brings total numbers there to just over 1,000.
Discussing Ellesmere Port when announcing the cuts at Luton last year, General Motors’ then boss Fritz Henderson said: “We feel very good about the (Ellesmere Port) plant. Ellesmere Port is the lead plant building our new Astra. If that’s not a better signal about the future of the plant, I don’t know what is.”
Henderson has since been replaced by former chairman Ed Whitacre.


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Jason Liesenfeld's Maaco location in Burnsville, MN, grew its sales nearly 40% in the past year.
Jason Liesenfeld, owner of Maaco Burnsville in Minnesota, was announced the winner of this year's Maaco Cup award, announced at the 2023 Maaco Convention held Nov. 7-10 in Cancun, Mexico, themed “The Future of Better."
On the first night of the convention, Maaco celebrated the successes of the year with Maaco franchise partners, corporate team members, valued vendors, industry leaders and special guests, and honored those franchise partners who excelled in key performance categories.
The coveted Maaco Cup award recognizes an operator who not only displays high sales achievement, but also exudes excellence in production and overall performance. This year, the award was sponsored by devoted Diamond Plus vendor, Sherwin Williams. A Maaco Cup recipient is an individual who is steadfast in their commitment to the Maaco operating system and is an active leader in supporting the network.
“I am so grateful to receive this honor from Maaco alongside my family,” said Liesenfeld. “I am optimistically looking forward to what the future holds.”
“Congratulations to Jason Liesenfeld and his family for their accomplishments over the years and their receipt of the Maaco Cup award,” said Daryl Hurst, president of Maaco. “Jason is a strong second-generation operator and his location proudly maintains a 4.5 Google rating based on nearly 300 reviews. After growing their sales nearly 40% in the past year, I am incredibly proud to honor the Liesenfeld family with this honor.”


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New Zealand comedy sketch show, Funny Girls, has set its sights on hyper-masculine car advertising in its latest skit.
In the mock TV commercial comedian Rose Matafeo drives a Holden ute. As rock music plays, a burly bloke voiceover is heard describing the truck as ‘the ultimate workhouse’. As the car pulls over and a woman steps out: “With a powerful 2.8 litre Duramax diesel engine, it’s built tough, just like y… woah, what the f**k! Sorry love, just didn’t expect to see a woman.”
Check out the spot:
Holden NZ’s general manager of corporate affairs, Ed Finn, told Stuff NZ “We’re going through something of a brand rejuvenation at the moment.”
“Holden is moving away from that gender stereotyping. We’re moving toward a (broader market). I think it’s about moving with the times, we’re much more than just utes, we do a lot of small cars.”


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Beetnik Foods, a brand which specializes in organic beef and chicken entrees, has announced it has revamped its packaging in a bid to showcase the product in a more appealing format.
Certified USDA Organic and gluten-free, Beetnik’s meals will continue to feature the same clean ingredients that the company has always used. The new packaging will be on shelves starting this September.
With the new look, Beetnik aims to improve on-shelf presence and enhance overall appetite appeal while leveraging the USDA Organic label in a more prominent space. What’s more, Beetnik continues its commitment to sustainability with the introduction of a new fully recyclable paperboard tray. The sleeve will continue to be designed to use less material than conventional frozen food packaging.
“Our new packaging has been a work in progress for our team for quite a while. We wanted to share the authenticity of our products in an appetizing, sustainable and eye-catching way and we’re eager to see our new packaging on shelf,” noted founder and CEO, David Perkins


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Increased aid to developing countries for sustainable fisheries could increase food security worldwide, says a recent article in the Feb. 12 issue of Science.
Still, a lack of policy coordination on the issue among nations is threatening seafood supplies, it says.
While the paper looks at trade policies and private incentives as possible options to make the seafood industry more sustainable, it concludes that increased aid for infrastructure in developing countries is the best option, since it wouldn't cause short-term problems for consumers or producers.
However, to ensure the sustainability of seafood, such as the Atlantic bluefin tuna, may require a more stringent approach — in the form of an international trade ban.
The U.N.’s Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora will vote during this month’s meeting in Doha, Qatar on implementing a ban on the tuna, reports the BBC.
"The goal is not to ban trade indefinitely, but to suspend international trade until the species recovers sufficiently to enable international trade to resume," says Sue Lieberman, director of international policy with the Pew Environment Group.


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Arriving in the city this Friday and Saturday is the Birmingham Beer Bash: a brand new festival celebrating great beer and the craft of the brewer.
The event is taking place at the Bond Company, a former canalside warehouse on Fazeley Street, in the resurgent Digbeth area of the city, and will showcase some of the best beers that local, national and international brewing has to offer.
Over 100 cask and keg beers will be available across three bars, including special releases, new launches, local exclusives and rare imports. Catering during the event will be courtesy of a number of local streetfood providers, demonstrating the best the area has to offer.
A truly independent event, the Birmingham Beer Bash concept was created by local beer bloggers and enthusiasts, who met via Twitter with the shared goal of bringing the very best beers to Birmingham. Organisers are proud that proceeds from the event will be put to good use locally, supporting the excellent work of Birmingham Children’s Hospital – a great cause which is also support by Hotel La Tour Birmingham as our own charity of the year.
In addition to the beer and streetfood, there will also be the opportunity to take part in ‘fringe’ events including talks and tastings. Of particular note are the two five-course beer and food matching events which will be curated by Michelin-starred Simpsons Restaurant and Carters of Moseley, with each course expertly paired with beers selected by Purity. There will also be a range of other talks and tastings to provide an educational element to the event.
For more information go to www.birminghambeerbash.co.uk


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March 2, 2020
U.S. factory manufacturing activity slowed in February as new orders contracted, reflecting worries about supply chain disruptions related to the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak, which has revived financial market fears of a recession.
While other data on Monday showed construction spending increased by the most in nearly two years, hitting a record high in January, the upbeat news was likely to be overshadowed by the coronavirus epidemic.
U.S. stock indexes suffered their worst week since the 2008 global financial crisis last week as investors sold equities and bought U.S. Treasuries, and the yield on the two-year Treasury note fell below 1% for the first time since 2016.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday described the economy’s fundamentals as “strong,” but acknowledged that “the coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity,” and said the U.S. central bank would “use our tools and act as appropriate to support the economy.”
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said its index of national factory activity fell to a reading of 50.1 last month from 50.9 in January. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the index would slip to 50.5 in February.
A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the manufacturing sector, which accounts for 11% of the U.S. economy. The ISM index pulled above the 50 threshold in January for the first time in five months, as trade tensions between the United States and China eased following the signing of a partial deal that month.
But the coronavirus epidemic, which has killed at least 3,000 people and infected more than 80,000, most of them in China, is a new threat for factories. Data and some regional Fed factory surveys had hinted at some stabilization in manufacturing after it slumped last year.
The ISM said “comments from the panel were generally positive, with sentiment cautious compared to January,” but also noted that “global supply chains are impacting most, if not all, of the manufacturing industry sectors.”
About six industries, including computers and electronics, fabricated metal and chemical producers, reported the coronavirus outbreak was impacting their businesses.
Reports from around the world on Monday also showed factories taking a beating from the coronavirus outbreak, with activity in China shrinking at a record pace. Japan’s PMI showed its factory activity was hit by the sharpest contraction in nearly four years in February.
In South Korea, factory activity also shrank faster in February. Activity in Vietnam and Taiwan, two key economies in the global technology supply chain, slipped into contraction from growth the month earlier.
In addition to fracturing the supply chain and undercutting exports, the outbreak has led to a slowdown in travel plans that is also seen hampering the services industry.
Apple <AAPL.O> last month warned investors it was unlikely to meet revenue targets for the first quarter of 2020 and that global iPhone supplies would be limited as manufacturing sites in China were not ramping up production as quickly as expected.
Financial markets are worried the coronavirus could derail the longest U.S. economic expansion on record, now in its 11th year.
The ISM’s forward-looking new orders sub-index dropped to a reading of 49.8 in February from 52.0 in January. A measure of exports orders fell last month after accelerating to its highest level since September 2018 in January.
Manufacturers also reported paying less for raw materials and other inputs. The ISM’s factory employment index fell to 46.9 last month from 46.6 in January, suggesting manufacturing payrolls could remain weak after declining in December and January.
A separate report on Monday from the data firm IHS Markit showed its final U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index slid to 50.7 in February from 51.9 in January.
The pullback in the ISM’s closely watched national index and the IHS Markit PMI bucked a series of fairly upbeat readings on the manufacturing sector at the regional level. A purchasing manager survey tracking the Chicago region rose to a six-month high in February. There was a rebound in factory activity in the district that covers Texas. Manufacturing activity in areas watched by the Philadelphia Fed and New York Fed also picked up.
U.S. stock indexes held gains after the release of the data, as investors’ focus turned to assurances of central bank stimulus to counter the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak. Prices of U.S. Treasuries were trading higher while the dollar <.DXY>was weaker against a basket of currencies.
February 12, 2020
The Small Business Optimism Index improved to 104.3 in January from 102.7 in December and came in better than the market expectation of 103.4, the National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB) monthly publication showed on Tuesday.
Commenting on the data, “2020 is off to an explosive start for the small business economy, with owners expecting increased sales, earnings, and higher wages for employees,” said NFIB Chief Economist William Dunkelberg. “Smallbusinesses continue to build on the solid foundation of supportive federal tax policies and a deregulatory environment that allows owners to put an increased focus on operating and growing their businesses.”
The US Dollar Index largelyignored this data and was last seen at 98.80, where it was down 0.05% on a daily basis. Investors are waiting for FOMC Chairman Powell to testify before the Committee on Financial Services of the Congress at 15:00 GMT.
February 4, 2020
U.S. factory activity unexpectedly rebounded in January after contracting for five straight months amid a surge in new orders, offering hope that a prolonged slump in business investment has probably bottomed out.
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said on Monday its index of national factory activity increased to a reading of 50.9 last month, the highest level since July, from an upwardly revised 47.8 in December.
The improvement in the ISM data likely reflects ebbing trade tensions between the United States and China. Washington and Beijing signed a Phase 1 trade deal last month. The deal, however, left in place U.S. tariffs on $360 billion of Chinese imports, about two-thirds of the total, which economists say will remain a constraint on manufacturing.
The ISM’s forward-looking new orders sub-index jumped to a reading of 52.0 last month, the highest since May, from a revised 47.6 in December. Manufacturers also reported paying more for raw materials and other inputs. The survey’s measure of prices paid hit its highest level in 10 months, suggesting some building up of inflation pressures at the factory level.
The ISM’s factory employment index rose to 46.6 last month from a revised reading of 45.2 in December, suggesting manufacturing payrolls could remain weak. Factory employment increased by 46,000 jobs in 2019 after rising 264,000 in 2018.
The improvement in ISMs closely watched national survey follows a series of mixed readings on the manufacturing sector at the regional level.
A purchasing manager survey tracking the Chicago region slumped to a four-year low in January, and manufacturing indexes from the Federal Reserve banks of Richmond and Dallas continued to show contraction in those districts. But factory activity in areas tracked by the Philadelphia and Richmond Feds both showed significant improvement in January, tracking more closely with ISMs findings.
October 16, 2019
October 2, 2019
Global trade is forecast to weaken this year to its slowest pace since the depths of the Great Recession due to the U.S.-China trade war, the World Trade Organization said Tuesday.
WTO said it expects volumes of traded goods to rise 1.2% in 2019, well below the 2.6% estimate it issued in April and the weakest growth rate for world trade since 2009.
The organization said estimates for 2020 show growth dropping to 2.7% from 3.0%, but it warned that still depends on resolving trade disputes.
The United States and China are in a wide-ranging dispute that has led to new tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of traded goods. There is little expectation of an imminent resolution to the disagreement, which continues to sap economic growth.
“The darkening outlook for trade is discouraging but not unexpected,” said WTO chief Roberto Azevêdo.
The WTO sees continued risks from the trade wars, saying that “further rounds of tariffs and retaliation could produce a destructive cycle of recrimination.”
The organization noted that some economies are slowing anyway while other outstanding trade issues, such as Britain’s exit from the European Union, are adding to the uncertainty for businesses trading goods.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country is heading toward recession, said the friction around Brexit showed why Europe had no reason to be haughty about the U.S-China trade dispute.
“We’ve been negotiating for three years over Britain’s orderly exit, and this is causing us great uncertainty, too,” Merkel she said after a meeting Tuesday in Berlin with WTO’s Azevêdo and the heads of four other international economic organizations.
“This exit is meant to happen on Oct. 31, and many businesspeople still don’t know today what their supply chain is going to look like in the future,” said Merkel.
October 2, 2019
September 18, 2019
March 20, 2019
March 8, 2019
The great American jobs machine is still roaring. Slowing global growth and trade friction may cloud the economic horizon, but U.S. small businesses in February went on an historic hiring binge. That’s according to the latest employment report from the National Federation of Independent Business, due out later today.
NFIB has been conducting this monthly survey for decades. The organization’s chief economist William Dunkelberg reports that they’ve never seen results like these:
Job creation broke the 45-year record in February with a net addition of 0.52 workers per firm (including those making no change in employment), up from 0.25 in December and 0.33 in January. The previous record was 0.51 reached in May 1998.
NFIB also found a historic low in the percentage of business owners reducing employment—just 3% of survey respondents. “Owners are trying to hold on to the employees they have,” says Mr. Dunkelberg.
Readers can be forgiven for thinking that the economy is headed back down to the slow-growth new normal of the past decade. That’s certainly the consensus in the media industry. But across all industries, the owners of small firms don’t seem to share that view. After the February hiring spree, the survey finds plans for future job creation remain robust and the main obstacle is not lack of business opportunities, but a lack of workers to take advantage of them.
Mr. Dunkelberg shares more results from the survey of firm owners:
Fifty-seven percent reported hiring or trying to hire (up 1 point), but 49 percent (86 percent of those hiring or trying to hire) reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill… Twenty-two percent of owners cited the difficulty of finding qualified workers as their Single Most Important Business Problem, only 3 points below the record high. Ten percent of owners find labor costs as their biggest problem, a record high for the 45-year survey.
It may be a problem for owners but of course rising wages represent welcome news for workers. A net 31% of firms reported raising compensation in February—below January’s 36% surge but still historically strong.
Small firms in the U.S. are reporting record job creation, higher wages and robust expansion plans.
All of this may have U.S. workers raising a toast to the new abnormal.
January 13, 2019
Small Business Optimism Virtually Unchanged as Demand for Workers Remains a Constraint
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index remained basically unchanged in December, drifting down 0.4 points to 104.4, according to the report released today. Unfilled jobs and the lack of qualified applicants continue to be a primary driver, with job openings setting a record high and job creation plans strengthening. Reports of higher worker compensation remained near record levels and inventory investment plans surged. Expected real sales growth and expected business conditions in the next six months, however, accounted for the modest decline in the Index.
“Optimism among small business owners continues to push record highs, but they need workers to generate more sales, provide services, and complete projects, said NFIB President and CEO Juanita D. Duggan. “Two of every three of these new jobs are historically created by the small business half of the economy, so it will be Main Street that will continue to drive economic growth.”
A recent historical perspective:
- Actual hiring strengthened to the highest reading in six months, job openings are at a record high levels, and plans to create new jobs are down only three points from August’s record high.
- The net percent of owners expecting better business conditions in six months and the percent viewing the current period as a good time to expand have both tapered off since the record high Index reading in August but still remain well above their historical averages.
- Actual capital outlays are five percentage points higher than in August, although plans for outlays are eight points below the high for this expansion.
- Plans to invest in inventories are only two points below August, the record high. Satisfaction with inventories is two points better.
Last week’s NFIB Jobs Report noted that job creation remained solid with a net addition of 0.25 workers per firm, up from 0.19 in November and the best reading since July. A seasonally-adjusted net 23 percent plan to create new jobs, up one point from November’s reading. Not seasonally adjusted, 23 percent plan to increase total employment at their firm (up one point), and five percent plan reductions (down two points).
A record 39 percent of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period. Sixty percent of owners reported hiring or trying to hire, but 90 percent of those reported few or no qualified applicants for the position. Twenty-three percent of owners cited the difficulty in finding qualified workers as their Single Most Important Business Problem.
“Recently, we’ve seen two themes promoted in the public discourse: first, the economy is going to overheat and cause inflation and second, the economy is slowing and the Federal Reserve should not raise interest rates,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “However, the NFIB surveys of the small business half of the economy have shown no signs of an inflation threat, and in real terms Main Street remains very strong, setting record levels of hiring along the way.”
The percent of business owners reporting that they increased employee compensation continued at 45-year record high levels. In December, a net 35 percent reported increasing compensation and a net 24 percent reported planned increases in the next few months.
The net percent of owners reporting inventory increases fell three points to a net three percent (seasonally adjusted), following November’s strong showing, the second-best since 2005.
A net four percent of all owners (seasonally adjusted) reported higher nominal sales in the past three months, down five points from very strong readings. The net percent reporting higher sales averaged two percent in 2017 but nine percent in 2018, with a peak value of 15 percent. The net percent of owners expecting higher real sales volumes fell one point to a net 23 percent of owners. Consumer spending has remained steady and small manufacturing and construction firms cannot find enough employees to fill their open positions, selling all they can produce without more workers.
Unchanged from last month, 61 percent of owners reported capital outlays. Of those making expenditures, 42 percent reported buying new equipment, 25 percent acquired vehicles, and 15 percent improved or expanded facilities. Six percent acquired new buildings or land for expansion and 15 percent spend money for new fixtures and furniture.
Thirty-two percent of owners reported all credit needs met (unchanged), and 50 percent said they were not interested in a loan, up three points. By comparison, only three percent reported financing was their top business problem (up one point), while 13 percent cited taxes (down six points), 14 percent citing regulations and red tape, and 23 percent the availability of qualified labor.


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THE announcement of Penneys' founder Arthur Ryan's death yesterday came just one week after the discount fashion chain celebrated 50 years since it first opened its doors.
Dublin-born Ryan, who stepped down from his chief executive duties just ten years ago, had been suffering from a short illness.
The popular fashion retailer offers a diverse range of products - from clothing, to accessories and homeware at a trademark low price.
Known as Primark outside of Ireland, the company which is now controlled by shareholders Associated British Foods (ABF) has over 372 flagship stores across 12 countries.
The company currently has more than 75,000 employees and over 15 million square feet of retail space.
Ryan opened the first Penneys store on Mary Street in Dublin in June 1969 on behalf of the late Garfield Weston.
Weston, whose descendants now reign from parent company ABF, gave Ryan a start-up fund of £50,000
Within a year, four more stores were opened across the capital.
Success in the South, prompted Ryan to expand to the UK and open a large store in Belfast City Centre in 1971.
As a result of sharing such a similar name to US firm JC Penneys, the store became known as Primark outside of the Republic.
The now rapidly expanding store then opened its first flag-ship outlet outside of Ireland in Derby in 1973.
Primark began to capitalise on the new fast-fashion trend that started in the 1990s and the ability to produce clothes cheaply in Asia where garment prices dropped dramatically.
The first continental store opened in Madrid in 2006, followed by Rotterdam in 2008 and Lisbon, Bremen and Belgium city Liege in 2009.
Primark open its first US outlet in Boston in September 2015 and now has eight store in operation across the America.
The retail giant will also open its first store outside of the North Eastern Corridor, in Sawgrass Mills, Miami in 2020.
In August 2018, a report from the National Retail Federation's Stores magazine dubbed Primark as the fastest growing retailer in the US.
To date the largest store that Primark operates worldwide is on Birmingham High Street, which occupies a retail space of 160,000 sq ft (14,800 m2) spread over five floors.
This unique store features three dining experiences including the first Primark Cafe, a beauty studio and barbers - as well as Harry Potter and Disney areas.
The brand also opened concessions with UK brand Selfridges in November 2011.
TIMELINE OF FLAGSHIP STORES
The international retailer operates in twelve countries across Europe and the US
1969 - Dublin (37 stores now operate in Ireland)
1971 - Belfast
1973 - Derby, England (188 stores now operate in the UK)
2006 - Madrid (45 stores now operate in Spain)
2008 - Rotterdam (20 stores now operate in the Netherlands)
2009 - Lisbon (10 stores now operate in Portugal)
2009 - Bremen (28 stores now operate in Germany)
2009 - Liege (6 stores now operate in Belgium)
2015 - Boston (9 stores no operate in the US)
2016 - Arese (4 stores now operate in Italy)
2019 - Ljubljana, Slovenia (first Primark store in Central Eastern Europe)
RYAN STEPS DOWN
In September 2009, Ryan stepped down as CEO of the company after a 40 year reign, however, he continued to stay on as chairman.
His position was succeeded by Paul Marchant who remains in the position today.
In a tribute statement to Mr Ryan yesterday, Marchant said: “We are greatly saddened by the passing of our founder and Chairman Arthur Ryan.
“On behalf of everyone at Primark, we want to extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Alma and his family at this difficult time.
“Arthur was a truly gifted retailer and a visionary leader.
“I was fortunate to work closely with him and experience first-hand his sharp mind and innovative thinking.
“Over the years we developed a very strong friendship, which I will always value and cherish.
“The company’s directors and employees, as well as those that worked with him over the years are deeply saddened by his loss.
“Arthur Ryan was a retail pioneer and a man of remarkable business acumen.
“At Primark, we feel very fortunate to have experienced up close his drive and passion for the business as well as his integrity, warmth and wonderful sense of humour.
“He was very generous in so many ways. He devoted a lot of his time to advise and connect people and he quietly supported people in the background in times of need.
“Despite his many talents and successes in life, Arthur always modelled great humility.
“He said that we should “remember who we are, challenge ourselves to be the best we can be, push the boundaries all the time and never be complacent or satisfied.”
“His words remain guiding principles at Primark today.
“Throughout his entire career he remained strongly connected to the customer and regularly visited the stores and walked the shop floors.
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“Equally, he placed great importance on talent development and influenced so many careers, which remains instilled in Primark’s culture today.
“Arthur Ryan’s legacy will continue to live on in the business that he founded and built. He will be hugely missed by his Primark family.”
Earlier this year, Penneys was confirmed as Ireland's third most valuable brand, beating Ryanair and Jameson to the chase.


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App lets residents report issues to city hall
Residents in Lake Worth are asking city leaders to use an smartphone app that allows residents to report complaints directly to the city.
Lake releases suspended due to algae blooms
An unwanted sight of bright green, possibly toxic algae blooms has returned to the Treasure Coast.
Delray Beach detectives are looking into another case involving a suspicious person lurking around school children.
Man accused of fraudulent clothing scheme
Boca Raton police say that a store employee at the Town Center Mall was fraudulently taking items from his employer.


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CALHOUN, Ga. (AP) -- Flooring maker Mohawk Industries Inc. said Thursday that second-quarter net income rose 15.6 percent as it benefited from strong sales and acquisitions.
The company earned $84.6 million, or $1.16 per share, for the quarter that ended June 29. That was up from $73.2 million, or $1.06 per share, during the same period last year.
Excluding special items it would have earned $134 million, or $1.84 per share.
Revenue rose 34.4 percent to $1.98 billion.
Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected profit of $1.66 per share on revenue of $1.96 billion.
The company said both its core businesses and acquisitions performed better than expected.
Sales in its older tile and carpet businesses rose 6 percent, with the rest of its growth coming from its purchases of Pergo, Marazzi, and Spano.
Ceramic sales rose 88 percent to $760 million because of its Marazzi acquisition, as well as its older Dal-Tile business.
Mohawk expects a third-quarter profit of $1.81 to $1.91 per share, not counting restructuring or acquisition expenses. Analysts estimated $1.67 per share.
Mohawk shares rose $2.30 to close at $121.29 before its results were released. They jumped another $9.71, or 8 percent, to $131 in after-hours trading.


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More renders and images leak on Nokia C1
As we reported earlier last week, specifications and renders of the flagship Nokia C1 smartphone have leaked. Nokia exited the smartphone market in 2013 with the sale of its mobile division to Microsoft, but the manufacturer will officially re-enter the market by next year. While the manufacturer has yet to announce any details on what its comeback smartphone may be, the C1 is expected to be Nokia's first step back into the business.
When the Nokia N1 tablet was making headlines last year, there were also rumors of smartphone render images and new design drafts suggesting that Nokia would eventually launch a new smartphone. Today's render leaks come from a Chinese social media source and appear to be the same design and chassis as the leaks from last week. This time, however, the edges of the smartphone show a USB Type-C port alongside the pre-requisite 3.5 mm audio port on top. The rounded edges have an iPhone appearance including its matte back and surfaces.
Whether or not these are official designs from Nokia remain to be seen. The Nokia C1 is expected to come in 5- and 5.5-inch variants with FHD displays and both Android and Windows 10 options.


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Grand Caravan hangs on for top seller
The Windsor-built Dodge Grand Caravan remains the top-selling minivan in Canada despite falling minivan sales, according to figures compiled by GoodCarBadCar.net.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Canada’s minivan market was down 13.2 per cent in June compared to the same period last year. The Caravan’s share of the minivan market last month stood at 46.6 per cent last month compared to 57.8 per cent during the same period last year. The top-five selling minivans are Grand Caravan, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Kia Rondo and Chrysler Town and Country.
Chrysler sold 23,741 Grand Caravans during the first six months of the year.
Car, motorcycle show in its 10th year
The Verdi Club in Amherstburg is holding its 10th annual Classic Car and Motorcycle Show on Saturday, July 20, as part of the weekend Verdi Club festival. Registration is from 9 a.m. to noon. The show runs until 4 p.m. rain or shine. Vehicle or bike entry is $10 with the first 150 entries receiving a free dash plaque, according to show co-ordinator Vince Muoio. Public admission is free. There will be entertainment provided by DJ Muff Martin, awards for different categories, door prizes, 50/50 draw with proceeds going to the charity group Harmony In Action, Muoio said. For more information, contact the Verdi Club at 519-736-4382 or Muoio at 519-736-7233.


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The FINANCIAL -- In April 2018 the Producer Price Index (PPI) for Industrial Products decreased by 0.1 percent over March 2018, while the index increased by 7.8 percent compared to April 2017.
In April prices for manufactured products decreased by 0.1 percent compared to the previous month, which resulted in a -0.06 percentage point contribution to the overall monthly PPI change,according to GeoStat.
There was a decrease in the prices for food products, beverages and tobacco (-1.0 percent), while the prices increased for basic metals and fabricated metal products (2.1 percent).
The prices decreased for the group of electrical energy, gas, steam and hot water (-0.2 percent).
The annual PPI rate was mainly affected by price changes for the following products:
• Manufactured products: prices increased by 6.8 percent, contributing 5.52 percentage points to the overall annual index growth. There was an increase in the prices for food products, beverages and tobacco (5.1 percent), also for basic metals and fabricated metal products (19.7 percent);
• Electrical energy, gas, steam and hot water: prices increased by 13.2 percent and contributed 1.84 percentage points to the overall PPI change.


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Cost-of-living crisis changing people's buying habits
Changing buying habits, brought about by the rising cost-of-living, are being reflected in the cuts of meat chosen by Manx shoppers.
That's the view of a Ramsey butcher who has told Manx Radio his customers are opting for cheaper cuts to fit their budgets.
Mark Matthews runs W.E Teare's butchers in Parliament Street.
He says concerns over rising costs are forcing people to be more innovative:


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For the third time, the annual Carib Style Week returns to Westfield Broward mall June 24 to 26, with fashion shows, dining events and pop-up shops.
We saw there was a real need for this platform in this region…from a runway perspective and a retail space,” says executive producer Asa Sealy. “We have 19 designers…and they are on par with the current designers you see everywhere. It’s just that these designers are not heard of or in the limelight. We want to give them that limelight.”
Staged during Caribbean American Heritage Month, the events at the mall are free and open to the public.
Sealy went on to explain, “Our main day is Saturday. We have an [expo] from 11 to 6. And then at 1 p.m., we are starting the cultural performance with the entertainment. At 4 p.m., the actual fashion show starts. Also, there’s a pop up store going June 19th through 30th, where we’re selling the actual designer clothing you see in the fashion shows.”
There are also some ticketed events, including:
Carnival Rocks The Runway at Revolution Live, 100 S.W. 3rd Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Friday, June 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.
Epicurean By Design at the Warehouse, 3500 N.W. 15th St., Lauderhill, Saturday, June 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $65.
Bikinis and Brunch at the W Hotel, 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. (A1A), Fort Lauderdale, Sunday, June 26 at noon. Tickets are $75-$250.
For more information or to order tickets, go to CaribStyleWeek.com.


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With the first models rolling off the Marysville, Ohio assembly line today, the all-new 2014 Accord Hybrid will carry an EPA fuel economy1 rating of 50 mpg in city driving, making it the new leader in gasoline fuel-economy ratings among 4-door sedans. Set to go on sale at Honda dealerships nationwide later this year, the 2014 Accord Hybrid’s city fuel-economy rating is three miles per gallon higher than the closest segment competitor and its calculated driving range of 673 miles is more than 46 miles3 farther than any vehicle in its segment. Continue reading Meet the 50 MPG Rated Honda Accord Hybrid
Honda today exhibited the world premiere of the Concept M, a concept model of a mass-production vehicle to go on sale next year, at Auto Shanghai 2013 Continue reading Honda at Auto Shanghai 2013
2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite® Makes World Debut in New York with Host of Safety Upgrades and Innovations Including HondaVAC™, the First In-Car Vacuum
The segment’s benchmark minivan cleans up with bevy of safety improvements, sleek new styling and intuitive, family-friendly technologies Continue reading 2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite
Honda will apply what it learned in its fuel cell pilot programs to a mass-market vehicle powered by hydrogen.
Hydrogen fuel cells were once touted as the path to zero-emission motoring, but advances in battery technology made hybrids and battery-powered electric vehicles more practical. Still Honda, which has built two fuel cell vehicles in the past, isn’t giving up on the universe’s most abundant element. It will launch a new fuel cell car in 2015.
Honda recently informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it would recall about 50,000 of its 2012 Civics because the vehicles might suddenly lose power.
In a report filed early Wednesday on the safety agency’s Web site, the automaker said the driver’s side driveshaft could become loose while the vehicle was in motion. This could cause a loss of propulsion or, for a model fitted with an automatic transmission, cause a roll-away even when the gear selector was in Park.


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Management’s latest (and second such) earnings guidance for the recently closed June quarter and fiscal year 2019 gives testimony to that, and the numbers are just beautiful.
Here’s what you need to know about the company’s upcoming earnings report in September and why you should care.
Strong revenue growth
Net revenue for the last quarter is expected in the range of $100-107 million, representing a strong 54-64% sequential growth from a previous quarter and a massive 424-460% increase from comparable quarterly sales last yaer.
Most noteworthy, the majority of this quarterly revenue, at $90-95 million, is pure cannabis net revenue from internal operations, unlike at Aphria, where about 78% of net sales were lower-margin distribution revenues from externally purchased products in the recently reported quarter.
Annual net revenues are expected to be within the $246-256 million range.
Company exceeded production targets
Prior guidance was for the company to produce and have available for sale about 25,000 kilograms of cannabis during the recently closed quarter. Management expects to report a better number that is close to the upper end of the 25,000-30,000 kilogram range as inventory available for sale during the quarter. This would be much better than the earlier guidance.
The company has potentially benefited significantly from the recent full licensing at flagship Aurora Sky facility.
Growth in all revenue-generating segments
While other leading industry players like Canopy Growth have seen medical cannabis sales trending lower before and after recreational legalization, Aurora is still growing this segment, and it expects to report positive growth all segments, including exports and adult use sales.
The company commenced higher-margin oil sales to Germany pharmacies in March.
Margin expansions loading
Aurora may report sequentially better quarterly adjusted gross margins, lower cash costs per gram produced, and higher kilograms of cannabis sold during the quarter.
If average selling prices didn’t soften during the quarter, and if operating costs were contained, operating margins could improve too, and that would be wonderful news, as the company targets positive adjusted EBITDA in the near term. This brings us to the last matter.
A lukewarm comment on adjusted EBITDA
An earlier management guidance in May was that the company was “on track to deliver positive EBITDA beginning in fiscal Q4 2019,” and that statement was made midway into the quarter (the fiscal Q4 2019), but the latest guidance is that “the company continues to track toward positive adjusted EBITDA, and in particular adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations.”
Could it be possible that the positive adjusted EBITDA target was missed for the recently closed quarter, or else the company intends to surprise the market come September?
Aurora stock traded over 6% higher after delivering an earnings guidance, and the numbers promise to be exciting in September, but I have a keen interest in the adjusted EBITDA figure, specifically from cannabis operations. And I still expect recreational sales to take the lead.
The stock could be on track to a strong price recovery if all boxes tick in the next earnings release.
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Fool contributor Brian Paradza has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.


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After a two-and-a-half-year absence, Viacom channels will return to the Suddenlink Communications program guide.
FuboTV has added a new “Lookback” feature that will allow its subscribers to go back and watch programming from the previous three days.
As Twitter accelerates its original programming plans, the social media platform is also apparently adding Apple TV support to its iOS app.
NBC and CBS can both lay claim to victories for the 2016-2017 television season.
Facebook has reportedly signed deals for video content with a number of publishers including BuzzFeed, Vox, Discovery’s Group Nine Media, ATTN and others.
The revival of “Twin Peaks,” which premiered last Sunday, has helped Showtime dramatically boost signups for its OTT streaming service.
Hulu CTO Tian Lim says taking on all the challenges associated with live TV and redesigning Hulu’s platform has been extremely challenging.
Amazon has reportedly put off plans to launch a livestreamed, virtual pay TV service and is instead focusing on its aggregated “Channels” platform.
AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said chopping down “Game of Thrones” episodes to 20 minutes would make them easier to consume on mobile.
Amazon today announced the launch of Amazon Channels in the U.K. and Germany.


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Jan. 23, 2020 | Issue 230
The Latest News
Government Affairs and Practice Advocacy
PAFP reviews proposed electronic prescribing regulations
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the PAFP had the opportunity to review proposed regulations for Act 96 of 2018, which amends the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act. Act 96 provides for electronic prescribing of scheduled drugs and allows for exceptions under certain circumstances. PAFP Government and Practice Advocacy Committee Vice Chair Dr. Perry Meadows, alongside the PAFP team, provided feedback on the proposed regulations to the state Department of Health during an in-person session ahead of the regulations being made public. PAFP members will have an opportunity to provide additional feedback during a public comment period before the regulations are promulgated. The PAFP will alert members once the proposed regulations are made public.
Online store now open for a limited time
Use your remaining membership reward points to save 10% on your next PAFP apparel purchase. You must contact Lindsey Killian to verify your current point balance and she will provide you with a promo code to save on your purchase. The online store is available now through Feb. 14. First-time customers will need to create an account before being able to preview available items - polo shirts, fleece jackets, sweaters, soft-shell jackets, kid shirts, and sherpa blankets! Step-by-step directions are available online to help with your purchase.
Free online session on Maternal Health Awareness Day
In recognition of Pennsylvania's Maternal Health Awareness Day on Jan. 23, the Pennsylvania Section of the American College of Obstetricians is sponsoring a live online presentation on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7:30 a.m. The link for the session titled “Using Innovative Approaches to Optimize Care and Outcomes in the 4th Trimester” is available here.
Residents and Students
Call for teaching award nominations and research abstracts!
Seeking nominations: PAFP Exemplary Teaching Award 2020
Nominate that role model faculty mentor who has supported you along your path to becoming the family physician you’ve always wanted to be. We’ve made it easy for residents and students to submit nominations from any device with our new online form!
Nominations deadline: Jan. 24, 2020.
Join us in Hershey in March 2020: Call for research abstracts open!
PAFP Research Day 2020 comes to Hershey Saturday, March 7 with original research posters and oral presentations by residents, students, fellows and faculty. Join the fun and win cash prizes! Researchers must also register for the Hershey CME Conference.
Submission deadline: Jan. 24, 2020.
Med students: Apply for IRETA Summer Fellowship
The IRETA Scaife Medical Student Fellowship offers a three-week summer intensive fellowship program in substance use disorders and treatment. U.S. medical students eligible to apply; 16 openings available. Fellowship includes stipend and transportation allowance. Details and online application.
Welcome New PAFP Members!
- David McBride, MD
- Michael Rosenthal, MD
- Carlton Baer, MD
- Denise Ann Webb, MD
- Raina Gazurian, MD
- Janet Cruz, MD
- Salwa Ahsan, MD
- Khyati Vijay Kadia, MD
- Mohammed Zakiul Islam, MD
- Princy Koshy, MD
View All Jobs


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Mario Tama/Getty Illustrations or photos
Netflix is laying off approximately 300 additional of its staff members.
The choice comes soon immediately after the enterprise laid off 150 workforce in Could.
“These days we unfortunately allow go of about 300 workers,” a spokesperson explained in a statement Thursday.
“When we continue on to devote significantly in the small business, we created these changes so that our fees are escalating in line with our slower revenue expansion. We are so grateful for every little thing they have carried out for Netflix and are doing work hard to assistance them as a result of this hard changeover.”
Netflix’s to start with-quarter revenue phone in April revealed slowing profits growth. The business shed 200,000 U.S. subscribers in that quarter, marking its to start with decrease in consumers in more than a 10 years.
Netflix attributed component of the drop in subscribers to password sharing and believed that 100 million households employed an additional person’s account.


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Ripple Labs Joins Euro 2024 Digital Conference as Gold Sponsor
- Ripple Labs strengthens its position as a key influencer by sponsoring the Euro 2024 Digital Conference, cementing strategic connections.
- The DEA highlights Ripple’s leading contribution in technical reports and pilot projects, supporting digital currency innovation.
Ripple Labs strengthens its position as a key influencer by sponsoring the Digital Euro Conference 2024, solidifying strategic connections. The Digital Euro Association (DEA) enthusiastically announces Ripple Labs as the main sponsor for the #DEC24 event.
The DEA celebrates Ripple’s participation, expressing joy by stating, “We are thrilled to have Ripple on board as the gold sponsor for the Digital Euro Conference (#DEC24)! Join us on February 29, 2024, and meet industry leaders.”
This new partnership places the fintech company alongside Ernst & Young, one of the “Big 4” and a prominent entity in global auditing, as the exclusive main sponsors of the event. The presence of Anthony Ralphs, Ripple’s Lead Product Manager for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC), who spoke at last year’s conference, further underscores Ripple’s commitment to this prominent event.
Ripple Takes Center Stage at the Digital Euro Conference 2024
Scheduled for February 29, 2024, at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, the conference will delve into various aspects of digital money, addressing topics such as CBDCs, stablecoins, and commercial bank money tokens (CBMTs). The event aims to explore the future of money as economies and payment systems shift towards digital platforms.
The conference’s schedule will address crucial topics, encompassing the present status and blueprint of the digital euro, legal aspects, cross-border transactions involving Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), and the intricate relationships among CBDCs, stablecoins, and Cryptocurrency Business Models and Tokens (CBMTs).
Distinguished speakers headlining the event comprise Basak Toprak (Onyx by JP Morgan), Tao Sun (IMF), Alexandre Stervinou (Banque de France), Sonja Davidovic (BIS Innovation Hub), Anikó Szombati (Central Bank of Hungary), Miguel Fernández Ordóñez (Former Governor of the Bank of Spain), Joachim Schwerin (EU Commission), Kai Leichsenring (Citi Bank), along with other representatives from noteworthy financial institutions and regulatory bodies.
Ripple will be on board as a GOLD sponsor for the Digital Euro Conference on February 29, 2024
The symposium is custom-designed to cater to a broad spectrum of participants, encompassing bankers, investors, emerging businesses, financial institutions, and professionals specializing in law, regulatory affairs, and digitization. Attendees are presented with a distinct opportunity to glean valuable insights from trailblazing figures in the industry and influential policymakers leading the charge in the realm of digital currency innovation.
Functioning as a thought hub with a focus on crypto assets, stablecoins, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and various manifestations of digital currency, the Digital Economy Association (DEA) assumes a pivotal role in fostering the exchange of knowledge and promoting a deeper public comprehension within the digital money landscape. Ripple’s active participation as a prominent member of the DEA stands as a clear affirmation of its dedication to shaping the trajectory of digital currencies for the future.
Ripple’s notable contribution to a DEA whitepaper on CBDCs and privacy was highlighted in March 2023. Additionally, Ripple’s active participation in the National Bank of Georgia’s digital Lari pilot project was acknowledged by the DEA in November 2023.
By aligning with key financial players and making substantial contributions to fundamental discussions about the future of money, Ripple solidifies its influential role in the world of digital finance today.


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The coming 12 months is being hailed as the “year of the cruise” by Traveltek in expectation of further increased demand for holidays at sea and on rivers.
The specialist is making further enhancements to its cruise technology as travel companies in all of its key markets – the UK, North America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East – look to capitalise on the booming sector.
The company is working closely with the trade to tailor its offering according to their individual requirements.
This will include refining its next-generation cruise booking platform CruiseNX, released last year which introduced several new user experience enhancements,
The specific industry needs of each region will also be addressed following a global expansion drive.
Group sales director Peter Whittle said: “With Clia projecting 27.2 million cruise passengers this year, sourced from established markets such as the US and UK, but increasingly, new ones including Asia and the Middle East, Traveltek is calling 2018 the ‘year of the cruise’ and making product and business development in this sector a key priority.
“As the number of first-time sea and river cruisers swells, spurred by new ships and experiences, there has never been a better time to sell cruise and by leveraging our cruise packaging technology, unrivalled content and B2C booking platform, the travel trade can drive more sales through multiple channels.”
He added: “To ensure leisure bookers and cruise agents make the most of this all-time-high demand for cruise, we are collaborating with our key agency and cruise line partners to make further enhancements to what we offer, while factoring in the nuances of each market in which we now operate.”
North America and Europe, including the UK, remain the largest cruise source markets accounting for 50% and 27% of all passengers respectively, according to Clia.
The UK generated 1.9 million ocean cruise passengers in 2016, up 5.6% on 2015, and is Europe’s second largest source market with a 28.3% share. It is also the fourth largest cruise market globally.
“With the volume of ocean cruise passengers expected to top two million by 2020 and demand for river cruising growing at an even more rapid rate, Traveltek is making technology upgrades to help the UK travel trade keep pace,” said Whittle.
Clia is predicting several trends, including an increase in the number of millennials booking river cruises, more ‘skip-gen’ cruising – grandparents travelling with their grandchildren – plus more demand for cruises to colder climates, as well as wellness- and fitness-focused itineraries.
“Add to the mix the trade’s improved understanding of the vast range of cruise experiences and products now on offer, and the potential to bring on board more cruisers in 2018 is significant,” said Whittle.
“If savvy agents use their know-how and our technology, the results could be mind-blowing.”