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WASHINGTON, May 18, 2016 - A landmark study of genetically engineered crops provides some timely assurance to the public about the crops’ safety. But the report released Tuesday by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine also cast doubt on some of the loftiest claims and predictions for the technology.
The study, conducted by a panel of 20 scientists over two years, had a mixed message on the issue of biotech labeling. While there is no safety justification for labeling, the panel said there may be other societal concerns for doing so. “There clearly are strong non-safety arguments and considerable public support for mandatory labeling of products containing GE material,” the study said.
But the 408-page report also warned that mandatory labeling is likely to encourage food companies to stop using GMOs.
The study affirmed the safety of biotech crops that are now on the market based on an extensive review of animal studies and allergenicity testing – and by comparing health data between North America, where genetically engineered (GE) foods have been eaten since the 1990s, and Europe, where they aren’t officiallyconsumed. The scientists said they found no differences in cancer and rates of other health problems between North America and Europe.
The chapter on health effects had more than 200 references to various studies. “We really looked at that as carefully as we could,” said the panel chairman, Fred Gould, professor of entomology and co-director of the Genetic Engineering and Society Center at North Carolina State University
A NAS “study stating that foods and ingredients made from GM crops don’t have any health risks or impacts associated with them is clearly an important finding that I hope will alleviate concerns that members of the public may have,” said Greg Jaffe, director of biotechnology for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer advocacy group.
Brian Baenig, executive vice president of food and agriculture for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, said the study “reiterates what the world’s scientific authorities have repeatedly concluded over the years: that agricultural biotechnology has many demonstrated benefits to farmers, consumers, and the environment.”
But the study also will provide ammunition to critics of biotechnology who question whether it is needed, safe or not. The scientists reviewed USDA data and found no evidence that biotech varieties had substantially increased the rate of U.S. yield growth, which Gould said came as a surprise to the scientists.
Traits that could have a significant impact on yields in the future, including nitrogen efficiency and enhanced photosynthesis, were very difficult to develop and were a long way from getting to the market, the study said.
“There is great uncertainty regarding whether traits developed with emerging genetic-engineering technologies will increase crop potential yield by improving photosynthesis and increasing nutrient use. Including such GE traits in policy planning as major contributors to feeding the world must be accompanied by strong caveats,” the study said.
The two main existing traits that have been commercialized so far, pest resistance and herbicide tolerance, will likely be added to new crops, said Gould.
Scott Faber, vice president of government affairs for the Environmental Working Group and a leading lobbyist for mandatory biotech labeling, said the finding that biotechnology hasn’t increased crop yields “flies in the face of popular perceptions of GMO crops.”
Still, the scientists said there was evidence that Bt crops had decreased yield losses as well as the use of synthetic insecticides. In fact, the Bt toxin has been so successful in fighting the European corn borer in parts of the Midwest that it no longer makes economic sense for farmers to use the trait, the study said.
The report said herbicide tolerances offer different benefits to farmers, including savings in labor and herbicide costs. The study said that planting of herbicide-tolerant soybeans had increased at the same time as no-till conservation practices had spread, but the scientists said it was not clear that one caused the other.
The most immediate impact of the study may be on the GMO labeling issue. Consumers Union immediately seized on the report to support its push for mandatory labeling. “When it comes to GMO labels, the NAS report points out that there are value choices that consumers want to make when they shop for food. We’re pleased to see that the report cites the wealth of polling data showing consumers want GMO labeling,” stated Michael Hansen, senior scientist for the group, which publishes Consumer Reports.
The study warned that the short-term cost of labeling biotech products would be small, but the long-term impact could be significant, because companies would be forced to ensure that ensure that their supply chains keep non-biotech commodities separate from GMO versions.
Panel member Michael Rodemeyer, a science policy specialist who founded the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology after serving as a science adviser in Congress and the Clinton administration, told Agri-Pulse that the researchers couldn’t find good estimates of the cost.
“The cost of just putting a label on a can is trivial. That’s not the issue. The issue is if the label is viewed as a warning label by consumers, companies are going to want to reformulate their products as they have in Europe to get rid of GM ingredients so they don’t have to label,” Rodemeyer said. “If they do that, they also have to monitor the supplies coming in.… The result of that is that there is this pressure downstream to say, ‘Let’s just get rid of GM content entirely.’”
Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said he remains optimistic that he can reach an agreement on the biotech disclosure issue amid signs that companies will reformulate products to avoid GMO labeling.
Roberts told Agri-Pulse that an executive with Coca-Cola warned him that the company could change its sweetener so it didn’t have to label. High fructose corn syrup and beet sugar are both genetically engineered. “Reformulation is happening, which is what I’ve been saying for a long time,” Roberts said.
A spokesman for Coca-Cola would only say that a senior executive from the company had recently visited Senate offices. The company’s official statement is that it supports national labeling standards. “Until Congress adopts the best uniform approach for consumers, we will continue to comply with all applicable labeling requirements,” the statement says.
USDA said Tuesday that it was increasing imports of cane sugar to deal with U.S. demand for non-GMO sweetener.
The latest compromise proposed by the committee’s ranking Democrat, Debbie Stabenow, includes some provisions that are still “problematic,” Roberts said. He didn’t specify what they were, but he did provide one detail of what is likely to be in a final agreement: USDA will be assigned to decide what language or symbols should appear on food labels.
For more news, go to: www.Agri-Pulse.com


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House Commerce Cmte. FDA reform mark-up delayed by negotiations with Administration.
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
HOUSE FDA REFORM MARKUP DELAYED TO ALLOW NEGOTIATIONS WITH ADMINISTRATION in a final effort to forge consensus legislation. House Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Thomas Bliley (R-Va.) already has met with HHS Secretary Shalala, and congressional and HHS staff began discussion of the Administration's concerns July 17. Mark-up of the legislation, which had been scheduled to begin during the week of July 15, has been delayed for two weeks until the last week of July, the Commerce Committee indicated.
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Everyday there are new reasons that it is important to know where your food comes from. This phrase is generally used to encourage people to buy locally and directly from the farmer. It helps everyone. It helps small farmers make money. It helps consumers become aware of the impact their food decisions can have. It is becoming less and less socially acceptable for consumers to turn a blind eye to companies that treat their animals inhumanely. Pretending like you don’t know that your chicken came from a farm that stored thousands of chickens in a room with poor ventilation, no sunlight and barely enough room for the birds to touch the ground is not okay. Ignorance is not an excuse.
Buying locally helps local farmers and the economy and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation. But there are other issues at hand. Maybe the environment is not your issue. If that’s the case I am not sure how you got to my blog- but welcome. Knowing where your food is coming from can also help support farmers that pay a living wage and hire legal employees and do not hire children under the age of 12.
“The Department of Labor levied fines totaling more than $36,000 against eight growers in Michigan for violations of migrant housing and child labor laws — including an allegation of a 6-year-old picking blueberries — and retailers have already discontinued doing business with some of the companies.”
Hiring young children to work in the fields is not just a problem in other parts of the world. This is happening today, in the United States. According to the article, Tony Marr, general manager for Adkin Blue Ribbon, said that Adkin Blue Ribbon has policies in place to protect young children so he does not know how this happened. Marr also said that with the weakened US economy and the hire unemployment rate Adkin Blue Robbin is not experiencing a labor shortage. He also said that the schools that most of these child should have been attending were closed this week because of swine flu.
But even if these children were supposed to be in school and since school was closed had no where to go while their parents worked that does not explain why they were carrying buckets and seen picking blueberries in the field. They were not running around and playing in the fields.
By going to farmers markets and talking to farmers or joining a CSA you are helping prevent children from having to work until 9 p.m. in the fields picking berries. Even if you don’t think the environment is worth the extra money, maybe a kids childhood is worth it.


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Just over five months after being introduced at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the first Dodge Dart has rolled off the assembly line and is ready to go on sale to the public.
Read This Article
Whether your idea of celebrating Independence Day this weekend is tailgating with your buddies or blowing stuff up in the name of freedom, there are some very good vehicles sold by U.S.
Dodge has created a digital ringtone featuring the new Challenger Hellcat's engine roar.
In the drag race for muscle car sales supremacy, the Ford Mustang is trailing the Chevrolet Camaro more than it has in a long time.


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The Tuscaloosa-based Westervelt Co. today announced it will build a new lumber mill in Thomasville, which is expected to employ 125.
It’s the second sawmill for the company and will product Southern yellow pine lumber. The company’s other mill has been operating in Moundville since 1997.
Construction is expected to begin in mid-2019, with operations beginning in late 2020. When completed, the mill is projected to produce 250 million board feet of lumber each year.
Westervelt President and CEO Brian Luoma, in a statement, said south Alabama had always been the company’s preferred location. By building in Clarke County, the company hopes to take advantage of the location’s proximity to its timberland and existing customer bases.
State officials said the announcement was good news for the state’s rural sector.
“This manufacturing facility is going to have a major impact on this area and give dozens of people a chance to earn a living from a trusted company,” Gov. Kay Ivey said.
Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said he was pleased to see a long-time Alabama company continue to invest and grow here.
“The company’s new lumber production facility in Clarke County represents an important job-creating project for a rural area, and it will provide a boost for the forest products industry throughout the region,” Canfield said.


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DHL Express builds new state-of-the-art hub at Copenhagen Airport
The hub will be able to handle five times as many packages as today, it should be ready in 2023.
- DKK 1 billion (approximately EUR 134 million) investment raises DHL operations to new heights
- Hub will be ready in 2023 and able to handle five times as many packages as today
Vallensbæk - DHL Express will make its largest ever investment in Denmark and the Nordic countries with a new hub at Copenhagen Airport. The hub will significantly improve the speed and quality of DHL Express' activities in the region. With new state-of-the-art automated systems, DHL will be able to handle nearly 37,000 packages per hour, 24 hours a day, in the 26,172 m2 building, which also includes offices. The company, which was voted Denmark's best workplace in November 2018, therefore expects to add 100 new jobs.


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RICHMOND, Va. – Police are asking for the public’s help to identify two women who were captured on surveillance video filling four bags full of stolen merchandise at the Victoria’s Secret store in Stoney Point Fashion Park.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Monday, November 12, according to police.
The women are accused of entering the store and pulling out orange-colored Nike bags from their clothing and “brazenly” filling them with stolen items from racks and shelves, before walking out of the store.
Detectives ask anyone who can identify the women to call Third Precinct Detective E. Sandlin at (804) 646-1010 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000, online at http://www.7801000.com or by downloading and using the P3 Tips app on Apple and Android devices. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.


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Shoppers top up Keynsham Foodbank
Published on: 09 Sep 2013
Generous shoppers have helped Keynsham Foodbank fill its shelves during its first solo collection.
Volunteers from the charity spent Saturday, August 31, outside the town’s Co-op supermarket handing out leaflets to customers about donating to the cause.
And it wasn't long before the crates started filling up with tins, tea bags, cereal and more as customers added a few extra items to their shop to go to people in need.
Co-ordinator Alan Hale said: “Right from the outset the response has been unbelievable, I know the community in Keynsham is extremely generous. It’s a desperate shame that we have to do this but it’s absolutely heart-warming to see the response and I would liketo say thank you to Co-op for their support too.”
The donated food was sorted by volunteers before being taken to the group’s store at Broadlands School.
One shopper who donated some items on the day said: “It’s about awareness that many people find it difficult to cover the basics, and if those that can contribute a small amount do so, it can make a big difference. It’s very sad that here we are in what we consider to be an affluent part of the world yet there are still people who are struggling.”
Keynsham Foodbank will hand out its first food parcels to those referred by a health worker or other professional at the end of September, with weekly distribution on Mondays at Victoria Methodist Church and Thursdays at St Francis’ Church.


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Softricity this week said it is gaining traction with an unexpected audience: ASPs.
Connect Computer Corp. and IntelliSuite Technologies, two systems integrators that also offer hosted applications, are among the first Softricity partners to utilize the vendor's SoftGrid for Terminal Servers management product to support their ASP businesses.
With SoftGrid, applications are centrally housed on the SoftGrid server and sent to the client device on demand in bits and pieces to be executed locally. It's SystemGuard technology keeps the applications from altering the registry of the server's operating system, eliminating software conflicts and enabling applications to sit on the same server where previously they could not co-exist.
Thus far Softricity has most commonly targeted its application delivery and management platform at enterprise clients using Citrix MetaFrame in a server-based computing environment, said David Greschler, co-founder and executive vice president of Softricity, Boston.
Softricity partners with Microsoft and Citrix Systems, recruiting Citrix Gold, Platinum and Certified Consulting Partners (CCPs) to sell its products through its channel-only sales strategy.
However, systems integrators using MetaFrame to host applications have approached Softricity about using its technology to make their ASP infrastructure more efficient, Greschler said.
"Ultimately we've been able to reduce the number of servers we use in our environment, thereby reducing cost," said Peter Ayedun, president of IntelliSuite, Schaumburg, Ill. "We had three Dell servers dedicated to two or three key applications. Now we've rolled them into a shared environment," he said.
IntelliSuite saw ROI from Softricity within about three months and is currently supporting about 450 clients with the technology, Ayedun said.
The integrator now is also able to support applications that are not built to run in the Terminal Services environment, such as Peachtree 2000, Ayedun said.
"Essentially it's about saving time and money and increasing performance to the customer," said Dan Delventhal, CEO of Connect Computer, Fairfield, Conn.
When provisioning new accounts, SoftGrid saves Connect Computer the time formerly spent in regression testing to ensure that new applications or application versions did not conflict with software already on the servers, Delventhal said.
"We believe SoftGrid saves 50 percent to 75 percent of the time associated with turning on new accounts," he said.
Softricity is currently in discussions with four other partners interested in using SoftGrid in their ASP infrastructure, Greschler said.
Connect Computer and IntelliSuite are also reselling SoftGrid to enterprise clients, he said.


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Japan’s shipments of electronic components continue to decline
According to the latest statistics released by Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), due to the shrinking of the Chinese market, the global shipments of Japanese electronic component manufacturers in February 2019 fell 4.7% from the same month last year to 278.7 billion yen, the lowest since February 2014.
In terms of regional shipments, domestic shipments of electronic components fell 2% to 73 billion yen in the same month last year; shipments to the Americas were 31.6 billion yen, unchanged from the same month last year; shipments to Europe grew 3% To 35.5 billion yen; shipments to the Chinese market shrank 8% to 78.5 billion yen; shipments to other parts of Asia fell 11% to 60.4 billion yen.
In terms of major products, capacitor shipments grew 13% to 87.2 billion yen in the same month last year; resistor shipments fell 1% to 11.7 billion yen; transformer shipments fell 2% to 3.4 billion yen; inductors shipments fell 14% to 16.2 billion yen; connector shipments fell 18% to 38.9 billion yen; switch component shipments fell 13% to 32.2 billion yen; actuator shipments shrank 4% to 16 billion yen; audio parts shipments fell 18% to 11.7 billion yen; shipments of radio frequency (RF) parts fell 1% to 21 billion yen.
In addition, according to the Nikkei News, due to the weak global demand for smart phones and the impact of China's economic slowdown, Japan's six major electronic component manufacturers’ (Murata, TDK, Kyocera, Nidec, Alps Alpine and Nitto Denko) first quarter orders fell 7% from the same period last year to about 1.32 trillion yen, which was the second consecutive quarter of shrinking.


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After TCL’s Micro-LED debut at IFA 2019, where it featured a 132-inch Cinema Wall, TCL is now cementing its Mini-LED credentials at CES with its newest display advancements across multiple categories.
Mini-LED refers to LED diodes that are around a fifth the size of standard LED, while Micro-LED diodes are about a quarter the size of the Mini. The big difference, for now, is that Mini-LED units tend to be similarly priced as regular OLED TVs, while Micro-LED adds a massive additional cost.
“As one of the leading consumer electronics brands in the world, and second largest TV brand in America, it is our mission to make life intelligent with innovative technology through our AIxIoT strategy,” says Kevin Wang, CEO of TCL Industrial Holdings and TCL Electronics.”
The field is led by Samsung, which first demonstrated a 146″ Micro-LED display called The Wall at CES 2018. At CES 2019, it unveiled both 75″ 4K Micro-LED and 219″ 6K microLED displays, and in June announced the commercial launch of The Wall Luxury Micro-LED display – with panels configurable from 73” in 2K to 292” in 8K.
However, TCL has made a bigger impact with Mini-LED, having launched the 8-Series Roku TV as far back as 2019. TCL will join multiple sessions at CES 2021, including a global press announcement (GPA), and share its newest technologies for displays as well as presenting a full range of smart home appliances. TCL is best known for Mini-LED and QLED TVs, soundbars, smart home appliances and mobile devices. These all form part of an ongoing strategy called AIxIoT, which aims to push the boundaries of possibilities for display and audio technology.
TCL will showcase its innovations in Mini-LED and future display technologies on 11 January at the CES 2021 GPA.


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If you’ve ever eaten meat in your life, chances are you’ve had, or run into, SPAM… the meat in the blue can. The product, which has been around since 1937, has made itself a mainstay in the food market and is, arguably, one of the pride and joys of the brand behind it, Hormel. In a move away from meat, at a recent third-quarter analysis conference, the CEO of Hormel, James Snee, revealed that the company is investing in plant-based foods in the coming years.
The brand, which has traditionally not been a brand of vegan and plant-based products, is hoping to diversify its holdings with things like, for example, non-meat proteins.
Back in May, Hormel purchased Justin’s Nut Butters for $286 million — a pretty big investment. “We’ve acquired some great non-meat protein items that have really rounded out our portfolio,” Snee said. “It’s really this rounding out of our business in the protein space, the non-meat protein, and then flavor enhancers that will allow us to evolve to become a broader food company,” he added.
Snee’s plan is to ensure that 15 percent of all of Hormel’s net sales in 2020 come from new products that they develop in the five years prior to this (2015 – 2020). Snee’s goal in all of this is to make Hormel a more versatile and innovative brand.
They’re not the first meat-selling company to invest in vegan and plant-based brands. Earlier this year, huge chicken producers Tyson bought a 5% stake in the Beyond Meat brand. Business is — almost always — exclusively focused on making money, so these big conglomerates investing in plant-based products shows that the market is indeed growing.
So vegans and the veg-curious can rejoice, as more and more products become easily available all over the world.
Image credit: freezelight


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CB Richard Ellis Group Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate brokerage, reported a return to the black in the second quarter as revenue rose in nearly all its business lines around the world.
Although much of the local commercial property market remains depressed, improving global conditions allowed the Los Angeles company to report a profit of $54.8 million, or 17 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $6.6 million, or 2 cents, in the second quarter of 2009.
The company posted adjusted earnings of 18 cents a share after deducting select charges, well ahead of Wall Street analysts’ prediction of 9 cents.
Revenue increased 23% to $1.2 billion.
Chief Executive Brett White said the real estate business was showing signs of improvement.
“We are mindful about the pace of economic recovery,” he said, “but the rebound in commercial real estate activity is progressing.”
Last year, after two quarters in the red as the international economic meltdown brought the real estate business to its knees, CB Richard Ellis turned a profit in the second half of 2009, fueled by internal cuts and a rebound in Asia. It reported another loss in the first quarter of this year, but said the business of selling and leasing buildings such as offices, warehouses and shopping centers was picking up.
Momentum continued in the second quarter as revenue rose at a double-digit rate in all of the company’s major business lines except development services. (With vacancy rates high in most markets, little development has been taking place.)
“In the U.S., we saw a very strong pickup in property sales and leasing, reflecting recovering market conditions,” White said.
Europe produced robust growth, he said, the result of a recovery of the property sales markets in Britain, Germany and France.
Most commercial real estate markets in the U.S. have been weak for about two years as property values and rents fell. About 52.5 million square feet of office space is vacant in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, almost 20% of the total in those areas.
Bargain-hunting investors are combing the market for deals, but sales activity is still far off the pace of the boom of the mid-2000s.
Some companies are feeling financially safe enough to rent or buy more commercial space, creating some forward movement in real estate, said analyst Craig Silvers, president of Bricks & Mortar Capital.
“There was stagnation, which caused pent-up demand,” Silvers said. “Now companies realize the world hasn’t come to end and can start carefully adding space.”
Silvers, who owns CB Richard Ellis stock, also credited the company’s second-quarter gains to previous cuts in overhead. During the downturn the company cut more than $600 million in expenses, in part by eliminating more than 1,000 positions.
(Credit r. vincent latimes)


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The full-size Dodge Ram, introduced three
years ago, brought big-rig styling and a host of innovative features and
design details to the...
We're not too far into the 2013 model year, but the 2013 Dodge Durango has already gotten its first recall.
Read This Article
Just over five months after being introduced at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the first Dodge Dart has rolled off the assembly line and is ready to go on sale to the public.
Chrysler Group announced this morning that it has turned in another strong quarter of sales.
Dodge reveals its redesigned police car.


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Audi has announced that the company will be working with Alta Devices, a subsidiary of China based Hanergy on the development of solar cells which will be integrated into the glass of panoramic roofs for generating energy. The concept is slated to be ready for testing and installation on a test vehicle by the end of this year and may possibly be deployed on a future Audi model.
One limitation of electric vehicles is that given the time needed for charging a single vehicle, when electric vehicles become more prevalent, the charging infrastructure will not be adequate to meet the demand.
If Audi has its way, the solar cells installed in the panoramic roof will supplement the electricity needed to run accessories like the headlights and airconditioning so that there is less strain on the powertrain.
Alta Devices makes thin-film solar cells and these will be used to almost cover the entire roof surface. The electricity they produce will flow into the vehicle’s electrical system and can be harnessed effectively to reduce the burden when it comes to recharging. These innovative solar cells are very thin and flexible and have an efficiency of more than 25 percent. They also perform very well even in adverse conditions like low light and high temperature. The solar cells are produced by Alta Devices in California.
Both Audi and Volkswagen are planning to launch at least eight fully electric models by 2022. Audi is also planning to venture into the development of cells for providing sufficient power to its powertrain.
Commenting on the agreement with Alta Devices, Dr. Bernd Martens, a member of Audi’s Board of Management, stated that powering “would be a milestone along the way to achieving sustainable, emission-free mobility”.
Dr. Ding Jian, senior vice-president of Hanergy Thin Film Power Group, CEO of Alta Devices, Inc and co-leader of the Audi/Hanergy Thin Film Solar Cell Research and Development Project said that the agreement with Audi is Alta Devices’ first cooperation with a high-end auto brand. He expressed his hope that the two companies would be able to develop the solar car of the future by leveraging Alta’s continuing breakthroughs in solar technology and Audi’s drive toward a sustainable mobility of the future.
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NIPTON, Calif. (AP) — Now that one of the nation’s largest cannabis companies has bought the entire California desert town of Nipton, a question remains: Will the new owners rename the place Potsylvania?
The name Weed already belongs to an old mill town in Northern California.
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In addition to AMD’s new Ryzen 5 processors, the company has announced a new lineup of graphic cards called Radeon RX 500-series. In accordance to Radeon RX 400-series which was released by AMD 2016, RX 500-series comprises a new low-end GPU which focuses essentially on e-sports as well as home theater PCs, aspiring to justify the tagline, “Polaris refined and evolved.”
Refresh Issues Addressed
Refresh rate has been a cause of concern for enthusiasts since long, and AMD made striking progress with RX 400-series, and has made further improvements with RX 500-series, which is a reflection of combat issues addressed by the original cards. Radeon RX 480 was very well received by the enthusiasts, but its limitation was reached at a maximum of 1,266MHz boost speed. RX 400-series and now RX 500-series are two steps in positive direction, overcoming power-draw controversy that emerged during the launch, which was later readily fixed by AMD.
AMD has powered the Radeon RX 500-series with its third generation 14nm process, capable of achieving much higher clock speeds managed by its predecessors. Besides a 1,340MHz boost clock in addition to 1,257MHz base clock, AMD has included a new power state in the Radeon RX 500-series, which allows it run at significantly reduced power when idle, using multi-monitor setups, and while watching video. With Radeon, AMD aspire considerable temperature and power gains in games that support the Radeon Chill.
While Radeon RX 580 can crank up clocks from 150W to 185W, Radeon RX 560 provides notable increment over the RX 460, reaching 1,175MHz base and 1,275MHz boost speeds. On the other hand, Radeon RX 550 is an entirely fresh model targeting home theater PC aficionados and e-sports gamers, with 2GB memory, running over a 128-bit bus. A limited number of models are also expected to offer 4GB capacity.
Contactless payment is such a relief in countries such as India where strategic government moves such as demonetization are in the run. And for developed nations, this not-so-new but hot payments concept is an escalation in the world of commerce that tellingly widens up the customer service portfolio. Falling on similar lines, Samsung Pay is currently making the news columns with its “revolutionary way to pay” mobile payment setup. However, tech newbies might find it surprising to know that contactless payment has always been around, since two to three years.
Contactless payment is just what it reads, meaning you can complete cashless payments without even swiping or inserting your card into a point of sales (PoS) device. All you need to do is wave your smartphone at a PoS machine.
Contactless Payment Works on Three Types of Technology Platforms
Magnetic secure transmission (MST) is a cost-effective technology that allows merchants to process contactless payments without the need to make a new hardware investment. It simply emits a magnetic signal from customer’s smartphone which can be read by a conventional PoS terminal magnetic strip card reader.
Contactless payment on ICICI’s Pockets app is a perfect instance of the host card emulation (HCE) technology. You need an Android operating system on your mobile phone to use HCE at any near-field communication (NFC)-enabled terminal. It converts physical debit or credit cards into virtual cards.
The NFC technology is the most average of all as it mandates both merchant’s PoS terminal and customer’s card to be NFC compliant. However, transactions can be completed even using stickers and tags besides cards. The Tap & Go Debit Card of the State Bank of India is a practical example of the NFC technology.
Every innovation primarily makes the World a better place, but also brings about the end to certain aspects in things as we know them. Autonomous or driverless car or robotic driving is coming, and promises to revolutionize the concept of transportation with exceptional safety, added comfort, and reduced travel-time. All prominent automotive brands are currently developing their prototype of autonomous cars but will this innovation also mean an end to sports cars? The human element to driving is at the backbone of sports cars, exploring the sheer abilities of an individual behind the steering wheel, something autonomous driving is challenging head-on. Two brands, Porsche and Mazda, have decided not to indulge in the driverless car frenzy just yet, foreseeing a different future.
Mazda Remains Focused on Driving and Racing
Mazda is aiming to apply the driverless technology uniquely, reiterating its tagline “Driving Matters.” According to the CEO of Mazda, Masahiro Moro, the company remains completely focused on niche consumers who love driving and promises to maintain a human-centric approach. The technology being developed by Mazda aspires to override the controls in case of a misshapen or human error, and bring the car to a safe place.
Porsche Asserts Autonomous Driving Not a New Concept
Porsche’s CEO, Klaus Zellmer, agrees with the bandwagon but refuses to jump on it, asserting that autonomous driving began decades ago with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Though the engineers at Porsche are also working toward a press-the-button-and-reach-home concept, customers will always be able to choose between autonomy and manual shifting. Zellmer insists that autonomous driving is more of a feature of stability management, like brake assist, and the frenzy behind it is mostly overhyped!
As Microsoft sends out the invitation for its Spring Event on May 2 in New York, rumors suggest that CloudBook with Windows 10 Cloud could be unveiled. Since the company’s invitation was supported by a hashtag “#MicrosoftEDU”, it’s likely that the event will be focused on the education sector, which has long been a Google stronghold.
Windows 10 Cloud is expected to be Microsoft’s answer to Google’s Chromebook, which is earning credits with its low cost. Industrial experts believe that Microsoft may have learned a good lesson from the old Windows RT OS, which was a grand failure a few years back. With Windows 10 Cloud, users will only be able to download apps from the Windows Online Store, both Universal Windows Platform apps and Win32 apps.
The story behind the name “CloudBook”?
Recently, Microsoft released a collection of educational apps in its store under the ID of “cloudbook”, which made ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley first speculate that the new device might be called “CloudBook”. Rumors also suggest that the new device will utilize an ARM processor, possibly the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835. The processor will reduce costs and offer a machine that will be long-lasting and complement the working environment in a classroom.
These are all just conjectures, of course. However, numerous questions have started popping up from all directions regarding battery life, storage, and cost. Another prominent question is whether this device will be as advanced as Surface Book. We’ll have to wait for the answers to such questions until the event to see what Microsoft actually has to offer us from its bag of tricks.


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Global consultancy firm Accenture has released its Fjord Trends 2018 report. Its 11th annual report examines seven emergent trends expected to impact business, technology and design in the year ahead.
Rapid technological advancements are altering the world we live in today, provoking both wonder and angst about the possibilities. Whether it’s artificial intelligence, computer vision or blockchain, emerging technologies are uprooting the digital and physical experiences of our everyday lives. These joint forces are simultaneously creating optimism and concern about the unprecedented wave of change that is unfolding.
“Each of our 2018 trends is born out of a fundamental tension — be it a shift, a collision or a parting of ways,” said Mark Curtis, co-founder and chief client officer at Fjord. “Digital versus physical, human versus machine, centralised versus decentralised, speed versus craft, automation versus control, traceability versus anonymity. Winners in 2018 will be those who best navigate these tensions and seize the opportunity to collectively design the world we’ll be living in.”
According to this year’s study, these will be the seven emerging trends for 2018:
1) Physical Fights Back: Digital has had the limelight long enough – there are two brand experience headliners now. The time has come to blend the digital with the physical.
2) Computers Have Eyes: As well as comprehending our words, computers now understand images without any help from us. Imagine the exciting possibilities for next-generation digital services.
3) Slaves to the Algorithm: How do you design a marketing strategy to win over the algorithms – immune to conventional branding efforts – that sit between brands and their customers?
4) A Machine’s Search for Meaning: AI might change our jobs, but need not eliminate them. We can – and should – design our collaboration with the machines that will help us develop.
5) In Transparency We Trust: Blockchain has the potential to create transparency that will clear the fog of Internet ambiguity, regain lost trust, and repair relationships with the public.
6) The Ethics Economy: Organisations are feeling the heat to take stands on political and societal hot button issues, whether they want to or not. And consumers are speaking with their dollars, choosing brands that align with their core beliefs.
7) Design Outside the Lines: Design’s rapid ascendency and newfound respect within organisations is a win for all. But, in a world in which everyone thinks they’re a designer, today’s practitioners need to evolve – how they work, learn and differentiate themselves – if they are to continue having impact.
Commenting on the study, Fjord General Manager of Asia Pacific, Brownyn van der Merwe, said: “We believe this edition of Trends will provoke and inspire but, above all, provide actionable advice for organisations to prepare for the opportunities ahead.
“Many of the thorny questions ahead of us revolve around human-machine interactions, the consequences of which will be profound for individuals, society and organisations of all kinds.
“As digital fades from being stand-alone to being embedded in our physical world, our relationships with everything around us will be redefined.”
Fjord Trends 2018 draws upon the collective thinking of Fjord’s 1,000+ designers and developers around the world. The annual report is based on first-hand observations, evidenced-based research and client work. This year, for the first time, it also drew upon the individual insights and perspectives from 85 clients across five continents, whose views inspired the report.
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In a year where ‘business as usual’ is anything but, AFR BOSS reveals six of Australia’s most inspirational and outstanding young leaders who excelled during the pandemic. The six have been crowned the 2021 BOSS Young Executives in the prestigious awards program, now in its 18th year. Run in conjunction with global leadership consulting firm […]
HUMAN Security (formerly White Ops) today announced two new founding Human Collective members: Index Exchange and MediaMath. Together they participated in thought-provoking panel discussions during the recent IAB Tech Lab CTV & Video Advertising: Growing with Standards virtual event where they emphasized how important it is to work together in the fight against fraud on […]
SCA has announced the appointment of Cathrine McVeigh to head of audio production and operations. She will be part of the content leadership team. In the newly created role, McVeigh will oversee the creation of SCA’s new audio production and content operations hub and lead a combined team across the country to deliver a rapidly […]


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Hewlett-Packard this summer will bring new applications to its Sprout immersive computing system that will include stop motion, video capture and real-time measuring capabilities.
The seven new applications, which will be available in the online Sprout Marketplace store, include Crayola Color Alive—which enables users to apply animated effects by using such colors as Fire-Breath and Ice-Blast, and to save characters and use them in 4D environments—and Origami Apprentice, through which customers can learn the art of folding origami models via project instructions on Sprout’s mat and animated and verbal instructions on the system’s screen.
Mobile5 SizeUp enables users to measure objects in real time by using Sprout’s camera—with the measurements projected on the system’s Touch Mat—while Mischief for Sprout offers a sketching tool for drawing, whiteboard or artwork and Sprout Stop Motion lets users create stop-motion videos. Using Sprout Stencil, customers can trace, etch or stencil on physical objects using an image or design they create, while Sprout Video Capture enables them to record video content from multiple cameras on Sprout and the live screen content simultaneously.
HP officials also said that the Sprout is being used at the Crayola Experience theme park in Easton, Pa., for a Color Magic attraction.
The tech vendor launched Sprout in October 2014, saying the system was a cornerstone of HP’s Blended Reality immersive computing initiative that radically changes the user experience. Sprout integrates such components as a projector, 3D camera, scanner, keyboard and mouse, and a canvas with touch capabilities into a single system. It also includes a 23-inch full-HD touch-screen, and is designed to enable users to merge physical objects into a digital workspace. It’s powered by an Intel Core i7 chip, runs Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 operating system and HP’s Workspace—a software platform designed for the system—and includes 8GB of DDR3 memory.
Earlier this month, HP introduced new 3D technologies that will enable Sprout users to quickly scan 3D images into the system, manipulate and share the images, and then print the images with a connected 3D printer. Included in the list of new features is the 3D Capture Stage, which is a turntable that can be used as a platform for objects that are being scanned.
Sprout is a significant departure from traditional PCs, which have seen worldwide shipments fall since 2011 as more dollars are spent on alternative devices, such as tablets. HP is aiming Sprout at creative professionals and consumers, and is looking to build out its portfolio of applications in hopes of accelerating adoption of the system.
“These new applications continue to expand HP’s immersive computing ecosystem,” Eric Monsef, vice president of HP’s Highly Immersive Systems unit, said in a statement. “Both small and industry-leading app developers are drawn to the platform as it unlocks unique, immersive experiences for both consumers and professionals.”
HP also offers a Sprout software development kit.
Dell is working on a system similar to Sprout. The company last year demonstrated what officials called the “smart desk” concept, which includes multi-touch LCD screens, a digital touch-enabled workspace and a stylus.


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An Instant New York Wedding. CBS2’s New York Jennifer Kastner reports.
A new study is casting doubt on the need for many heart procedures.CBS New York News video. Please follow and […]
Geoff Sheasby about this year’s potential busts when it comes to fantasy football running back options. CBS New York news […]
New sexting scam that’s targeting men and their private information. CBS New York Video news/ Please follow and like us:
Last 2015 year, more than 30,000 people died from opioid overdoses, which cause almost two-thirds of all […]
Home Depot Co-Founder Bernie Marcus explains why the home improvement supply retailer could not have started in the current business […]
Comedian Cory Kahaney visits The Late Show and treats the audience to tales from the dark side of life […]


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|Due to Covid event protocols, seating is limited at this Summit and we have no more space available. Registered attendees need a negative Covid test result to enter the Summit. On-site Rapid Covid Testing is available at no charge at 7:00am. If you have questions or need additional information, contact the AmCham office (84) 24 3934 2790.
You may view the Summit livestream at no cost starting at 8:00am on March 8. Click HERE to register for the free live stream link.
President Biden will host Prime Minister Chinh and other ASEAN leaders for an in-person Summit later this month in Washington. This will be the first face-to-face meeting between President Biden and ASEAN leaders since he took office early last year, and it follows a virtual Summit held last October emphasizing the United States’ commitment to the region. We also anticipate a trip to the region by President Biden later this year.
In the lead up to these high-level visits, AmCham, in cooperation with VCCI and the US Chamber of Commerce, will hold our fifth US-Vietnam Business Summit on Tuesday, March 8 in Hanoi to discuss the future of the bilateral commercial relationship. We are honored and excited to have His Excellency Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh deliver the keynote address at the event. In addition, public and private sector leaders from the United States, Vietnam and across the region will participate.
There is an opportunity to elevate and intensify the engagement between our two countries on trade issues. Recognizing Vietnam’s economic dynamism and commercial and strategic significance, the United States hopes to enhance bilateral trade relations and promote fair and reciprocal trade. At the same time, Vietnam sees an opportunity to benefit from shifts in regional supply chains and attract more American investment to help fuel economic recovery after Covid-19.
Key discussion topics include:
- Promoting Sustainable Investment and Stable Policies to Energize Economic Recovery
- Driving Future Growth and Innovation through the Digital and Creative Economy
- Addressing Energy Development Needs to Fuel Vietnam’s Future Growth
Click HERE to view the agenda in English and click HERE to view the agenda in Vietnamese. This is our most important advocacy event of the year and we hope you will join us on March 8 to promote enhanced trade and investment between our two countries.


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WASHINGTON, D.C. вЂ“ Today, OregonвЂ™s Senator Jeff Merkley, along side Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-MD), introduced the Stopping Abuse and Fraud in Electronic (SECURE) Lending Act. The SAFE Lending Act would split straight down on a number of the worst abuses regarding the payday financing industry, especially in online payday lending, and protect customers from deceptive and predatory practices that strip wide range from working families.
Under Trump management leadership, the customer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reversed program on nationwide guidelines slated to get into impact this present year instituting customer defenses from pay day loan predators. Without strong CFPB protections at a nationwide degree, state laws and regulations protecting customers should be much more crucial.
I saw up close how payday lenders trapped families in my blue collar neighborhood in an inescapable vortex of debt,вЂќ said MerkleyвЂњBefore we kicked the payday lenders out of Oregon. вЂњThe customer Financial Protection BureauвЂ™s work would be to protect customers, to not protect i was reading this payday that is predatory. We must stop the Trump AdministrationвЂ™s plot to strip consumer that is away important, protect state guidelines like OregonвЂ™s, and create guardrails to avoid consumers from stepping into a cycle of never-ending debt.вЂќ


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In recognition of a significant impact in terms of new market entry or growth by a company active within the tyre retreading or recycling sector.
The voting process is open to all, but requires registration as a voter.
To register, please fill out the form below.
Only administrators can add new users.
Black Star is a French passenger car and 4×4 tyre retreader. Today, under new management, the company has become extremely proactive in the French market, signing a deal with Mobivia to produce passenger retreads at the former Bridgestone plant in Béthune, France. The first tyres manufactured at the plant were launched earlier this year under the brand name Leonard.
Contec actively works at the forefront of the tyre pyrolysis industry and has now secured its mid-term plans in terms of both capacity expansions (existing production facility plus 4 more locations within the EU), as well as technology improvements and quality control.
Italmatic, based in Milan, Italy, is a family-owned business with a long tradition in the retreading industry. With operations in the US as well as in Europe, the company has a global presence as well as being able to offer a full range of equipment for the retreading sector. This year the company has made significant progress in the development of robotics for the retreading industry as well as the acquisition f the rights to the Intact sheargraphy technology from Zeiss.
Germany-based Pyrum Innovations in the only tyre pyrolysis company with a continuous process running 24/7 for over one year producing high quality products for BASF and prestigious tyre producers. Their technology is innovative and shows multiple advantages compared to classic rotary kiln reactors or batch reactors. They are also a key partner in the EU-funded Blackcycle Project, which represents a turning point for the tyre industry.
In the past year, Tyromer has opened up two new commercial facilities, one in Windsor, Canada, and one in Arnhem, the Netherlands. The company has also signed additional licensee to be set up in Canada and India. Last November, Tyromer had public statements of support and partnership announcements from both Continental Tire and Apollo Tyres.
The Canada-based cleantech company has made significant progress in 2021 including the green light for commencement of production at its Hawkesbury facility and the completion of a multi-year tyre feedstock contract with Recyc-Quebec.


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Premiums for gold bars were barely changed in Asia after jewellers turned their back on the physical market due to volatile prices, but weddings in main consumer India were expected to stir up trade in coming days.
Updates from three of Britain's biggest clothing retailers should shed a little more light next week on whether consumers are starting to spend more freely ahead of the key Christmas trading period. Mid-market players Marks & Spencer (MKS).
John Lewis, the employee-owned group seen as a barometer of British retailing, posted a sixth consecutive week of rising department store sales, but said it was still too early to talk of a sustained consumer recovery.
From Facebook to Twitter to YouTube, retailers and food chains plan to use social media this holiday season to get their brands in front of consumers and possibly win a bigger piece of their limited shopping budgets.
Pantaloon Retail Ltd, India's largest listed retailer, said its board had approved spinning off its Big Bazaar and Food Bazaar operations and related formats into a wholly-owned subsidiary to raise funds.


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Some steel products were reported to have increased 40-50% in the last three-month period, with surcharges skyrocketing as well. Certain steel producers reportedly are refusing to quote prices except at delivery time. Lead times are stretching to months and shortages loom. Adding to the problem are significant freight increases due to demand pressure on global shipping and, domestically, new “hours of service” regulations that will diminish truck driver productivity.
“Mills are receiving major increases almost weekly with no apparent end in sight … Domestic steel lead times have moved out to 12 weeks and prices from the mills are forecasted to increase 15% to 20% from today's prices as a result of global demand,” stated the February edition of ASA's Industrial Piping Div. Commodity Reports. “Increased demand, higher raw material and energy costs and the limited amounts of imported steel available are being blamed for the increases,” the IPD report continued.
The price run-up is a classic example of supply-demand market dynamics. Although caused by an interplay of global forces, most observers point a finger at China as the main culprit for absorbing a disproportionate amount of the world's raw materials and scrap metals.
“China is growing by leaps and bounds building its infrastructure and gobbling up much of the world's supply,” said Dove Matz, president of Matco-Norca, a PVF importer and master distributor. “So demand is up for all these metal-based products. Yet, we've just passed through a period when prices were going down and down, so production has been shut down in a lot of the world because it was not economically feasible. Now, demand is up and prices are up, but you can't get all the producers back on line overnight, so demand is exceeding supply by quite a lot,” Matz explained.
The imbalance is threatening unmistakable signs of recovery in the beleaguered manufacturing sector that is so important to PVF industry fortunes. The Institute for Supply Management's March Report on Manufacturing Business determined economic activity in the manufacturing sector to have grown for the ninth month in a row during February, with increasingly optimistic comments from purchasing and supply managers. Yet, just when U.S. manufacturers are boosting production and on the verge of greater capital investment, they may be forced to pull back because of economic and supply uncertainties.
IPD ReportFebruary's IPD Commodity Reports amount to a litany of astonishment. Here are some excerpts from the outlook for key product sectors:
Carbon Steel ERW Pipe - “Inventory levels at the mills are short to nonexistent, which results in problems for the distributor to maintain a workable level of product at a favorable cost, ever fearful of having excessive levels of high priced inventory on the ground while facing uncertainty as to future resale prices.”
Carbon Steel CW Pipe - “Increases were implemented at the end of September '03 and the beginning of January '04 with future increases announced for February and March, with no assurances of any firmness in the market.”
Carbon Steel Seamless Pipe - “The shortage of scrap coupled with other normal increases in operating costs are likely to make prices very volatile. Some mills are receiving letters of increase almost weekly and recently are being hit with surcharges with no apparent end in sight. This could last anywhere from 90 days to nine months.”
Carbon Steel Weld Fittings and Flanges - “Pricing is changing dramatically (as this report is being written). Announced increases by domestic flange manufacturers ranging from 20-40% are being justified by the cost of scrap and raw material increases.”
Forged Carbon Steel Fittings - “Demand in 2004 is anticipated to increase. A 5% increase has been initiated, but the future is uncertain. Imported product is also being affected by the world demand and overall increase in steel prices.”
Malleable Iron and Cast Iron Pipe Fittings - “The issue of concern for 2004 will be the cost and availability of raw materials, which are not only affecting metal casting companies but also the steel industry in general. Due to the decrease in manufacturing companies in the USA, the source of steel scrap generated by U.S. manufacturing has dried up. This is causing a shortage situation as well as driving the price of steel to all-time highs. This condition will remain unless and until our iron mines are reopened.”
Grooved Fittings - This product sector generated a relatively optimistic review from the IPD committee responsible for the Commodity Reports. However, that may merely be a function of early completion before prices began accelerating full bore.
“Demand for grooved fittings in early to mid-2004 is expected to continue at late 2003 single-digit rates. This increasing demand is in response to the rebound in the U.S. economy, and the anticipated uptick in the nonresidential building market. Modest price increases were reported in late 2003 as prices for global scrap steel continue to rise.”
Stainless WoesStainless steel prices were driven dramatically upward by steep increases in nickel, which has risen faster than any other metal. Explains the IPD Report: “History has shown the pricing of stainless closely follows the cost of nickel. This is due to the fact that while nickel may make up a small percentage of stainless in mass (8%), it contributes upwards of 60% of the cost. (Two-thirds of all nickel mined and produced in the world will make its way into stainless steel.)
“With the United States currently not mining any nickel or ferrochrome, and the U.S. Defense Logistical Agency selling off its strategic stockpile of nickel in 1999, the U.S. is now 100% dependent on foreign imports for these two key ingredients of stainless steel,” reports the IPD.
IPD's stainless product sector reports also reflected pricing shellshock:
Stainless Steel Pipe - “Increases of 10-12% on basic prices, plus a 50%+ increase in surcharges … fill rates are running at 50-60% with lead times out 10-12 weeks on commodity materials. Non-stock specials are quoting 12-16 weeks on standard grades and 16-20 weeks on special grades. With nickel already reaching historical highs and moly staying at higher levels than last year, the surcharges will likely reach 60-70% of the transaction price for pipe.”
Stainless Steel Weld Fittings - “One manufacturer has recently withdrawn all published discount schedules from its price list. Until further notice, they are quoting prices on a net basis with raw material subject to prior sale. They also note that prices are not considered firm until time of order placement.”
Stainless 150 and High-Pressure Fittings - “Foreign product in the U.S. will continue to decline, according to manufacturers, as foreign producers focus on the market in China.”
Stainless Steel Flanges - “… fill rates of 50-80% and lead times from 3-6 weeks. Non-stock specials are running 6-8 weeks and this will continue to get longer. Some exotics are already out to 12-14 weeks …”
“Due to the number of projects outside of the U.S., manufacturers feel that foreign material coming into the U.S. will be shrinking. Foreign manufacturers can make more by staying out of the U.S. … All manufacturers (U.S. and foreign) will be forced to continue with these rising prices.”
Valves, PlasticsValve manufacturers reacted in somewhat more sanguine fashion than the pipe and fittings producers in responding to the metal price surge. “Surcharges or price-in-effect at time of shipment from a valve manufacturer seem less likely than changes in discounts or other adjustments,” according to February's IPD Commodity Reports. “We expect this to be orderly and within the normal notice periods in keeping with the intent of honoring contracts.”
One other sector tracked by the IPD Commodity Reports is industrial thermoplastics, whose producers may be in prime position to steal more market share while the metals markets are in turmoil. Industrial plastic piping products have been growing at a 5-6% annual rate since the late 1990s.
“Although industrial construction has been down by as much as 30% to 40% during the last two years, plastics continue to take share from metal in industrial applications. While resin prices have risen in this period along with the cost to produce (fuel), the price of PVC fittings has not increased since spring of 2001,” reads the IPD report. “The use of large diameter plastic pipe in industrial and commercial applications is expected to see increased growth,” it concludes.
The IPD publishes its Commodity Reports twice a year. They are released to members about a month before being given to SUPPLY HOUSE TIMES. For membership information, contact the ASA/IPD office at 312-464-0090.


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Top 10 countries in terms of transit cargo transshipment via Turkish ports
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec. 27
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
In November 2019, most of the transit cargo through Turkish ports was transported from Italy, China, Spain, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Romania, Greece, Egypt and Portugal, Trend reports on Dec. 27 referring to Turkey's Transport and Infrastructure Ministry.
In November 2019, the volume of transit transshipment from Italy through Turkish ports amounted to over 36.8 million tons.
China ranked second in terms of transit transshipment through Turkish ports with a total volume of over 2.5 million tons.
Meanwhile, Spain ranked third with a total volume of over 2 million tons.
In November 2019, over 2 million tons of transit cargo were shipped from Ukraine, over 1.9 million tons from Russia and over 1.8 million tons from Georgia through Turkish ports.
Moreover, in November 2019, over 1.5 million tons of transit cargo were shipped from Romania, over 1.5 million tons from Greece, over 1.4 million tons from Egypt and over 1.2 million tons from Portugal through Turkish ports.
In November 2019, the total volume of transit cargo shipped through Turkish ports amounted to over 64.4 million tons.
Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu


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Toronto-headquartered cannabis retail chain Fire & Flower Holdings reported declining sequential retail revenue for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year, citing heightened retail competition.
Revenue for the quarter ended Jan. 29 was 42.7 million Canadian dollars ($33.3 million), down 6% from the previous quarter and 1.2% from the same quarter the previous year.
The company attributed its quarter-over-quarter revenue decline “to increasing competition from new (retail) licenses issued and pricing pressures in the retail market.”
Fire & Flower’s quarterly net loss was CA$19.5 million, with an annual net loss of CA$63.6 million.
The company opened 32 stores during the fiscal year, with 105 locations operating as of the end of January.
Fire & Flower also acquired Canadian cannabis delivery service Pineapple Express as well as marijuana websites PotGuide and Wikileaf.
More than 420,000 Canadians are signed up for the Fire & Flower loyalty program, the company said in a presentation to investors.
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Get the facts and stay ahead of the curve.
Major Fire & Flower investor Alimentation Couche-Tard recently announced plans to increase its stake in the retailer to 35%.


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Gasoline prices remain far above 2010 levels
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Retail gasoline prices are falling, but at rates that are difficult to notice, especially in California. Perhaps even worse for consumers during a weak economic recovery, the pump pain remains locked in far above the cost of filling up a tank a year ago.
The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in California dropped just 1.6 cents a gallon in the past week, to $3.93, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report. A year ago, a gallon of regular would have cost $3.008. Nationally, prices were falling at a faster pace, down 6.1 cents to an average of $3.588 a gallon. But a year ago, the national average for regular gasoline was $2.731 a gallon.
The AAA Fuel Gauge Report gets its averages from credit-card receipts compiled from more than 100,000 retail outlets around the U.S. by the Oil Price Information Service and by Wright Express.
Some analysts chose to view the price declines in the best possible light. Patrick DeHaan, a senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy.com, where members report the highest and lowest prices they see, said, ‘It took the end of summer for a drop in retail gasoline prices, but I’m sure motorists won’t complain that we’re finally seeing some drops.’
DeHaan added: ‘As we enter October we’ll see markets slowly quiet down, with retail gasoline prices falling to $3.35-$3.55 on average by Thanksgiving, with the exception being typical hotspots on the West Coast.’
But other experts noted that the price drops won’t be enough to boost the confidence of consumers who remember what they were paying for fuel last year.
Under the heading ‘EXPENSIVE GAS,’ Monday’s Jacob Gold newsletter for investors said: ‘American consumers spent $44.9 billion at gas stations in August 2011, up $7.7 billion from the $37.2 billion spent at gas stations in August 2010.’ Gold is president and chief executive of Jacob Gold and Associates, a wealth-management firm in Arizona.
In other energy news, crude oil prices were driven lower in early trading on fears that the European debt crisis would weaken demand for the commodity. The U.S. benchmark crude, West Texas Intermediate, was down $2.46 to $85.50 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil prices are down 6.4% so far for the year.
The European benchmark, Brent North Sea crude, fell $2.56 to $109.66 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Exchange.
-- Ronald D. White
Graphic: The AAA Fuel Gauge Report’s 12-month rolling average for the price of regular gasoline in California and around the nation. Credit: AAA


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When a company builds loads of large, low-rise buildings they have an overabundance of unused rooftop space.
But a new 90,000 square-foot Walmart in North Portland will put its roof to good use. Construction started this week on the Walmart store which will be home to a new 40,600 square foot green roof. Not only will it be the largest green roof in Portland (by 10,000 square feet) but it will also be the largest in the state, DCJ Oregon reports.
Other than the obvious benefit of slowing rainwater runoff, the green roof could be a learning tool for the city:
The difference is significant in regard to measurement of water runoff, according to officials with the Bureau of Environmental Services; it will use the roof to conduct a three-year performance study. Tom Liptan, a landscape architect with the BES and an eco-roof expert, admitted that he was surprised when the company contacted the city about the project. However, he believes it presents a big opportunity.
“If it is indeed this big, it would give us an opportunity to measure stormwater management performance on something we really don’t have,” he said. “We don’t have anything near it.”
The green roof will have three sections with different soil levels to test the most effective green roof practices for building owners and environmental purposes.
From an environmental standpoint it's encouraging to see the retailer adding high-level green building features to their stores. But when you look at the project through an urban design lens it's more of the same from Walmart: a massive single-use store, not connected to transit, with a huge parking lot at the edge of the city. It's not the mixed-use, renovated stores that would do more to add to the retailer's green cred.
The store is expected to open in the fall of 2013.
Walmart’s new store will have Portland’s largest green roof [DJC Oregon]
Photo courtesy of Walmart via DJC Oregon
Related on Smartplanet:
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com


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Is Record Store Day Bad For Record Stores?
Record Store Day, a biannual event in which labels release limited edition product exclusively to independent record shops, is supposed to be a guaranteed win for the shops. It definitely succeeds in driving business; when I interviewed a local record store owner for Columbus Alive last year, he said the event basically keeps his doors open. But apparently there are ways Record Store Day can burn a business too. A new blog post by Washington, D.C. NPR affiliate WAMU 88.5 raises the question of whether Record Store Day benefits labels more than the mom-and-pop shops it’s designed to serve. With a whopping 438 releases on tap for this year’s first Record Store Day observance on 4/19 (the second is Black Friday), WAMU wonders if shop owners can afford to order so much product and whether prices for RSD releases have gotten too expensive. The story paints a picture of a catch-22 in which stores feel like they have to order as much RSD stock as possible to keep up but risk ending up with lots of leftovers depreciating on their shelves. Here’s an excerpt:
“It’s out of control,” says Neal Becton, who owns D.C. shop Som Records. Some business owners say Record Store Day records are too expensive and too numerous, and stores risk losing a lot of money on records that don’t sell.
This wasn’t how Record Store Day was supposed to be. The twice-annual event, which takes place April 19 this year and on Black Friday, was started to help support record shops. It makes special records exclusively available to independent brick-and-mortar stores to drum up business, and it’s been quite a hit, at least judging from the lines that form outside of stores on the big day.
But in a Washington Post story about the event last year, Red Onion Records owner Josh Harkavy was quoted as calling the event “Record Label Day” because of a perception that labels are its true beneficiaries. That sentiment hasn’t changed. Crooked Beat shop owner Bill Daly says some of the vinyl slabs are so costly, no one is buying. “Customers balk at a certain price,” he says. He cites a 2013 Nick Drake release that, at nearly $40 retail, barely moved from his shelves—even though Drake is a reliable seller at his store. “It stiffed, basically,” Daly says. He bought 40 copies at $27 a pop, and still has two dozen left.
Read the full story here. What do you guys think? Are shop owners right to be concerned, or is this just a matter of knowing your customers and making smart business decisions?


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Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 11:34am PST by Anonymous (not verified)
Interesting assessment on Slate today (here
) of the Disney-developed planned community Celebration. It's from their architecture critic, the always-readable Witold Rybczynski, who likes the town more than a cynic might expect (though he does go for the inevitable Main-Street-at-Disneyland lead). His main complaint: it's too damn popular:
Like all American real-estate ventures since colonial days, it's a mixture of vision, business, and blarney. The design and planning are an order of magnitude better than what is usual in planned communities. If there is a trickle-down effectâ€"and the financial success of Celebration has not gone unnoticed by commercial homebuildersâ€"Celebration may push developers in the direction of denser, more varied, and better designed suburban communities, which will be a good thing. But Celebration is hardly the model for the future that Disney intended. A four-bedroom house on a small lotâ€"like the relatively modest Craftsman-style Bungalow pictured here, hardly a McMansionâ€"now sells for $450,000. This is more than three times the average selling price of houses in metropolitan areas nationwide, which is currently $140,000, making Celebration the residential equivalent of a Lexus. The truth is that despite its best efforts, the populist Disney Co. has produced an elitist product.


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11:32, 13 MAR 2013
Iron brew: Stockport brewery Robinsons creates real ale for heavy metal legends Iron Maiden
The iconic British rock band have teamed up with Robinsons to compose the new cask and bottle ale Trooper
Drinks firms stick by merger deal
Robinsons squash maker Britvic and Irn-Bru owner AG Barr today vowed to fight a watchdog's claims their merger will reduce competition in the drinks industry.
Robinsons toasts new £2m centre
Oliver Robinson raises a glass to the potential benefits of a new £2m visitor centre and conference facility at the landmark Unicorn brewery in Stockport.
Britvic and AG Barr deal uncertain
A proposed £1.4bn merger between the maker of Robinsons and the owner of Irn-Bru was facing uncertainty today after a key investor reportedly hit out at the terms of the deal. Britvic, whose brands include Robinsons and Tango, has been in talks with AG Barr, the maker of Irn-Bru, to create a soft drinks powerhouse.
Stockport County toasts deal with Robinsons
Stockport County is toasting a refreshing deal with home town brewer Robinsons.
Britvic sales hit by Fruit Shoot drink recall
Robinsons parent company Britvic today said UK sales of its squash and fruit juices plunged 14 per cent over the summer following the recall of newly-designed bottles of its Fruit Shoot drink.
Inaugural Stockport Business Awards a big success
From a brewery to a building firm and a web retailer to a toddlers' soccer school franchise, 10 businesses picked up prizes at an inaugural awards ceremony.
News in brief
Housebuilder Morris Homes enjoyed an 11 per cent increase in revenues for the year to March 31.
AG Barr stresses increased performance in Britvic merger talks
The maker of fizzy drink Irn-Bru put the focus on its own "market-beating" performance today as it gears up for a potential merger with Britvic.
Key appointments made throughout Greater Manchester
Hazel Grove parade to go on despite bad weather causing cancellation of field events
Hazel Grove Carnival parade will go ahead this weekend – but all other events have been postponed because of the wet weather. Crowds are expected to line the route of the parade, which leaves Highfield Road at 1pm on Saturday. But events at Torkington Park on both Saturday and Sunday – have been postponed until a later date because of continued heavy rains.
Fruit Shoot recall to cost Britvic £25m
The maker of Robinsons Fruit Shoot today warned the profit impact of recalling packs with a new cap design is set to rise to up to £25m.
Wednesday morning markets round-up
Jitters over the outcome of corporate results in the United States spilled over into Europe today as the FTSE 100 Index struggled for momentum.
Huge fire closes Lower Hillgate in Stockport town centre
Greater Manchester Fire Service
A huge fire turned the centre of Stockport into a no-go zone today.
Cheers to thirst family of pulling pints in same pub for 80 years
A family is celebrating pulling pints at the same pub for more than 80 years – with their own ale. Four generations of the Hallworth family have run the Davenport Arms pub in Woodford, Stockport, since 1932 – and the fifth generation is now in training behind the bar.
Elbow serve up a treat for charity
Rock band Elbow has helped to raise thousands of pounds for charity through sales of their specially-brewed beer. The ale, created by Robinsons Brewery, was released on limited edition in September 2011.
Business ‘Pick of The Day’ - Make sure you've seen the day's ‘most-read’ stories
Make sure you've read:
Sixth generation takes over at Robinsons
The sixth generation of one of the region's most famous brewing families is taking the helm at Frederic Robinsons.
Drinker's 20-year pub crawl
A dedicated real ale fan has completed the ultimate pub crawl – a 20-year tour of 300 pubs. Mark McConachie started his odyssey of Robinsons pubs back in 1991 and reached the milestone at The Sycamore – a pub-cum-village shop in Birch Vale, Derbyshire.
Stockport's £153k bill for Christmas lights
The council was one of the biggest spenders on festive lights out of the Greater Manchester authorities, which forked out a of total £90,000 more than in 2010. Stockport spent around £153,000 to cover lights in the town centre, district centres, smaller shopping centres and other locations. The costs included lights, Christmas trees and the electricity used.
Robinsons won't be caught on the hop with £5m investment
Brewer Robinsons is set to add an extra dimension to its beers after investing £5m.
Enterprise news in brief
Enterprise news in brief from throughout Greater Manchester
Manchester enjoying real ale revolution that’s nothing to be bitter about
The new edition of the Campaign For Real Ale’s guide to the city says there are as many boozers as five years ago – despite an overall fall in beer sales. It credits the news to a cultural shift away from lager and a huge increase in modern bars offering local ales.
Thursday morning markets round-up
Investors were quick to ditch risky stocks today as uncertainty mounted over the success of plans to tackle the eurozone debt crisis.


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Survey: Should You Pay More to Drive a Gas Guzzler?
Jeremy asked that question in his post yesterday, discussing a California proposal to hit up hummers with a $2,500 registration fee and give rebates to purchasers of super-efficient cars. According to early estimates, 25% would be unaffected by the bill, while 35% would be charged a fee and 40% would receive rebates (paid for by the fees).
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If you haven’t heard already, the future of wearables is going to get under your skin – literally. Implantable technology trackers may still be a distant future, but Chaotic Moon is presenting an interim option in the form of Tech Tats. These removable biosensor wearables put complicated circuitry into the form of a temporary tattoo. Before you know it, you could be wearing a Tech Tat to get diagnostics when you’re feeling ill, to monitor your fitness during a workout, or even to check in for an annual physical from the comfort of your home.
The Tech Tat circuitry is extremely thin, but it is basically laying a circuit board full of chips and sensors on your skin. Still, Tech Tats stick out less than a lot of popular wearable gadgets and fitness trackers. And since the temporary adhesive affixes to the skin, it could easily be placed under clothing or at least away from the wrist for the sake of discretion.
Tech Tats feature an ATiny85 microcontroller that serves as the brains connecting any sensors implanted in the tattoo’s circuitry. Current prototypes already include temperature sensors and ambient light sensors. In the future, Tech Tats could add on more biosensors to record vital signs like heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Electroconductive paint transmits information to the microcontroller, which stores the resulting data.
In the world of health and medicine, a Tech Tat could transmit data to an app on your mobile device over a Bluetooth Low Energy connection. Professional settings like hospitals and doctors’ offices could use Tech Tats to triage patients and get faster diagnostics. Chaotic Moon is even suggesting the Tech Tat as a possibility in the world of finance, where mobile payment solutions are creeping towards more wearable options.
Chaotic Moon is presenting society with an interim step from wearable trackers to implantable ones, but for these proposed applications, Tech Tats are a solution in themselves. The studio hasn’t announced when you can actually get a Tech Tat, but its focus on individual applications and inexpensive microcontroller suggests that Tech Tats will fall within a reasonable price range. Some day you might even buy them in bulk packages, like that box of Band-Aids that has been in your medicine cabinet for years.
- The big PC trends from CES: Intel befriends AMD, monitors get massive, and more
- HTC Vive owners can now get social with Oculus Rift friends in Facebook Spaces
- Uber is getting into the bike-sharing game
- The NFL is getting into bed with Sleep Number, hoping to get some better rest
- Workout playlist: Get pumped about pumping iron


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42 Disney apps secretly watching out on your kids, said the lawsuit filed at California
Washington/United States, August 8: According to a lawsuit filed last week in California, the Walt Disney Company secretly collected personal information on some of their youngest customers and shared that illegal data with advertisers without the consent of parents.
The lawsuit targeted Disney, Upsight, Unity and Kochava and affirmed that the users of mobile applications, those under the age of 13, promoted financial exploitation. The litigant disagreed that Disney and its partners disrupted the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, the law which is designed to safeguard the privacy of children on the internet. The lawsuit investigated an order to exclude the
The lawsuit investigated an order to exclude the companies from gathering and sharing the data without the consent of parents. It also alleged that Disney granted permission to other companies to fix the trackers in applications like “Disney Princess Palace Pets” and “Where’s My Water? 2.” According to the lawsuit, “After it is installed, the tracking software would eliminate the information from the smart device for advertising and other commercial purposes.”
The Walt Disney Company should not use the software development companies, according to Jeffrey Chester, the Executive Director of the Center for Digital Democracy. Jeffrey Chester said that ” these technologies should not be available in little children’s applications.” The company said the lawsuit is misleading and meant to defend in the court.
On Monday, the Walt Disney Company said in a statement that “Disney has a powerful Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act program, and we maintain strict data collection and would use policies for Disney applications devised for children and families. The complaint established due to the misinterpretation of the principles of Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, and we would definitely look forward to defending this action in Court.”
The companies Kochava, Upsight and Unity decided to keep quiet and did not comment on the lawsuit. Many of the gaming applications by the Walt Disney Company are very famous. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Amanda Rushing and her child L.L, a San Francisco woman said that “as a class action, the case also follows to represent customers from 35 states.
The full list of affected apps named in the complaint are AvengersNet, Beauty and the Beast, Perfect MatchCars, Lightning League, Club Penguin Island, Color by Disney, Disney Color and Play, Disney Crossy Road, Disney Dream Treats, Disney Emoji Blitz, Disney Gif, Disney Jigsaw Puzzle!, Disney LOL, Disney Princess: Story Theater, Disney Store Become, Disney Story Central, Disney’s Magic Timer by Oral-B, Disney Princess: Charmed Adventures, Dodo Pop, Disney Build It Frozen, DuckTales: Remastered, Frozen Free Fall, Frozen Free Fall: Icy Shot, Good Dinosaur Storybook Deluxe, Inside Out Thought Bubbles, Maleficent Free Fall, Miles from Tomorrowland: Missions, Moana Island Life, Olaf’s Adventures, Palace Pets in Whisker Haven, Sofia the First Color and Play, Sofia the First Secret Library, Star Wars: Puzzle DroidsTM, Star WarsTM: Commander, Temple Run: Oz, Temple Run: Brave, The Lion Guard, Toy Story: Story Theater, Where’s My Water?, Where’s My Mickey?, Where’s My Water? 2,Where’s My Water? Lite/Where’s My Water? Free, Zootopia Crime Files: Hidden Object.


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chimebat3 posted an update 5 months, 1 week ago
The intersection of politics and technology often results in noteworthy moments that capture our planet’s attention. One particular event occurred recently when former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a vacation to the Tesla factory, a renowned symbol of cutting-edge innovation inside the electric vehicle (EV) industry. This visit held symbolic significance and offered insights into the future of both electric vehicles and international partnerships. In the following paragraphs, we explore the implications and information on Netanyahu meets Elon Musk.
A gathering of Innovation and Politics
The Tesla factory visit by Benjamin Netanyahu underscores several tips:
Acknowledgment of Technological Leadership: Tesla’s leadership in electric vehicles is globally recognized. By going to the factory, Netanyahu acknowledged the function of innovation and technology in addressing critical issues for example climate change, sustainability, and energy efficiency.
Commitment to Environmental Sustainability: The electric vehicle industry plays a pivotal role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. Netanyahu’s visit to Tesla’s factory demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and signifies the value of transitioning to cleaner transportation alternatives.
International Collaboration: The visit also symbolizes the potential for international collaboration in advancing technology and addressing global challenges. Tesla’s influence extends beyond the United States, showcasing how innovation transcends borders.
The Tesla Factory: A Hub of Technological Advancement
The Tesla factory, sometimes called the Gigafactory, is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that represents the future of EV production. Key popular features of the factory include:
Mass Manufacture of Electric Vehicles: Tesla’s factory can be a hub for the mass manufacture of electric vehicles, like the Model 3, Model Y, and forthcoming models. It exemplifies their commitment to making EVs offered to a broader audience.
Battery Technology Innovation: The factory are at the forefront of battery technology innovation, with Tesla investing heavily in development and research to increase energy density and lower the cost of batteries, which is critical for the widespread adoption of EVs.
Sustainable Practices: Tesla’s factory incorporates sustainable practices, including renewable energy generation through solar power panels and energy-efficient manufacturing processes, aligning with global efforts to lessen carbon emissions.
Employment and Economic Impact: The factory includes a significant economic influence on the region where it’s located, creating jobs which stimulates economic growth. This underscores the role of advanced manufacturing in boosting local economies.
Future Possibilities and Collaboration
Benjamin Netanyahu’s stop by at the Tesla factory paves the way to potential collaborations between Israel and Tesla inside the realm of electric vehicles and clean energy. Israel continues to be proactive in promoting EV adoption and purchasing related technologies. This visit could pave the way for partnerships on battery technology, charging infrastructure, as well as other aspects of the EV ecosystem.
Moreover, the symbolic nature of the visit highlights the value of political leaders embracing technological advancements as a way to address global challenges. It underscores the opportunity of government-industry cooperation to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources and reduce environmentally friendly impact of transportation.
The visit of former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu towards the Tesla factory signifies the convergence of technology, politics, and sustainability. It underscores the worldwide recognition of Tesla’s leadership in electric vehicles as well as the importance of innovation in addressing environmental challenges. This visit offers the potential for future collaborations between Israel and Tesla, further advancing the electric vehicle industry and adding to a more sustainable future.


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Cyber Security Webinars with Jim Stickley
On Tuesday, March 23, 2021, Ideal CU held two live Q&A webinars hosted by Chief Marketing and Sales Officer Alisha Johnson featuring nationally recognized speaker Jim Stickley, CEO of Stickley on Security. During the webinars, Jim discussed the latest scams to be aware of during the COVID-19 pandemic. To accommodate both consumer and commercial members, one webinar focused on personal security and the other explored the more advanced measures business owners need to take to keep employee and customer information secure.
You can view recordings of both webinars below. Please also check out Ideal's new Cyber Security Feed. Read through hundreds of articles updated daily with the latest security news and receive weekly email updates. Learn more
Cyber Security: Personal Security
Event Topics Included:
- Attacks through browser extensions
- Detecting malicious websites
- The main types of phishing attacks and who is most at risk
- How criminals use the Dark Web regarding stolen data
- Working from home: Biggest risks and how organizations can protect themselves from remote attacks
- Keeping your mobile device safe from cyber threats
About the Speaker:
Jim Stickley, CEO of Stickley on Security
Jim Stickley is a cybersecurity expert with over 20 years in the industry. He is a published author and a frequent guest on NBC’s Today Show. Stickley can be seen throughout the United States and other countries where he speaks at corporate events and security related conferences and has been involved in thousands of security services for financial institutions, Fortune 100 corporations, healthcare facilities, legal firms, and insurance companies.
New Cyber Security Resources:
Stay up-to-date with the latest cyber security news by visiting our new Cyber Security Resources page. Better yet, sign up for our weekly Fraud News & Alerts newsletter and get the latest cyber security news, tips and breach notifications sent right to your inbox!


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Red plastic Solo cups get classy
Red Cup Living, the makers of those ubiquitous plastic cups you see at every barbecue and tailgate party, is giving its iconic red cups an upgrade.
Forget about the boring old 16 oz. Now there's a 12oz coffee mug, a 14oz wine glass, a 15oz margarita cup, a 2oz shot glass and even the 18oz iconic cup for those extra-sized margaritas.
But this classy drink waremay cost you a bit more. Products vary from $6-$10, as opposed to the classic which runs about $8 for pack of 50. But they are reusable and dishwasher safe.
Michael Romley , CEO and founder of Red Cup Living, said in a release that the cups are "all about grabbing a moment in our busy lives to have fun and connect with others."
Can a cup do that?


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News and Publications
We have had to live the most important disruptive global impact event in a hundred years. Globalization allowed the virus to spread around the world in a few weeks, but at the same time the same globalization and current levels of development, have allowed technology to communicate and enable us to work with many of the world’s inhabitants, as well as find reliable means of detecting and diagnosing the disease and developing the vaccines we look forward to today. I wonder what would have been ours if the pandemic had occurred just twenty-five years ago when we were traveling through a mainly analog world.
The flow of money into the UK’s retail logistics sector hit a record high of £4.7bn during 2020, as investors shifted cash from office properties and shopping centres to e-commerce. Real estate advisor Knight Frank forecasts that for every additional £1 billion pounds of online retail sales in the UK, another 126,000 sqm of warehouse space will be necessary.
Revelations – Pilot Project
On March 25, 2021 IASB proposed a new approach to pave the way for better communication in the notes to the financial statements.
IASB is asking the stakeholders for public comment to develop the IFRS disclosure requirements.


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Burlington County Times
Greg and Anne Chletsos from Easton, Pa., couldn’t believe they had won a brand new 2014 Buick Verano two-year lease from Star Buick GMC in Easton when General Manager Keith Muir called to give them the great news. It didn’t take them long, however, to make the trip to Star to claim their prize.
Star is giving away two vehicles this year. Star Buick GMC in Easton gave away the first car, the Buick Verano and Star Buick GMC Cadillac in Quakertown is now giving away a new 2014 GMC Terrain. There’s no purchase necessary, just stop by any of Star’s three locations in Easton, Quakertown or their pre-owned store in Bethlehem and enter to win or go to starcar.com for more details.


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A meeting has been called next week to try to prevent a repeat of the problems that beset the English stone fruit sector last season.
Growers, retailers and marketers are invited to the meeting on 24 January at the East Malling Research conference centre in Kent, to develop a marketing action plan ahead of the 2012 English plum and cherry season.
English Apples & Pears has co-organised the event with the NFU. According to the promoter's chief executive Adrian Barlow: "We need to get better results for English stone fruit growers in 2012.
"Last season, some growers had good sales and returns, but many others were not happy with returns or found they couldn't sell their crop. This is ludicrous at a time when there is such demand for local produce."
Barlow explained that his organisation was happy to perform a similar role for the stone fruit sector as it does for apples and pears, but would wait to be asked.
"The industry has been very fragmented, which has infuriated the multiples," he said. "We would be delighted to help draw it together, but we can't do it unless we have the support of everyone.
"Without such an move, we won't have the full sales figures that are essential for creating forecasting accurately and spotting the strengths and weaknesses in supply."
An NFU representative commented: "We are keen to see measures put in place that will prevent a repeat of events in 2011, and we look forward to a constructive session."
English cherries have a "terrific" reputation for taste and the cherry hectarage is increasing quite considerably, according to English Apples & Pears chief executive Adrian Barlow.
"New dwarf rooting stocks give you trees that are small enough to be protected from rain, which causes splitting, as well as from frost and from birds. That removes some of the vagaries of production," he pointed out.


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Inox To Add 850 Screens, Plans All-Kids Theaters
Inox Leisure Ltd. said it will add around 850 screens across India and bring in new formats including an all-kids theatre in the coming years, as the country’s second-largest multiplex chain plans expansion.
“Going forward, we have got a slate of about 850 screens, which are already signed,” Inox Leisure’s Chief Executive Officer Alok Tandon told BloombergQuint, adding that the company is looking at various new formats like Insignia—its premium luxury multiplex screens—and a special kids theatre.
Tandon said that Inox’s expansion plans are not region-centric and that the company is looking to tap the markets pan-India, from Tier-1 to Tier-4 cities. The special screen formats would depend upon the requirement and the demand pertaining to the location, he said.
“It depends on where we are, ... (the need for its special programs) will keep on changing from city to city and even within a city, from multiplex to multiplex,” Tandon said.
Tandon showed confidence in the company’s balance sheet, noting that the results so far have been robust in all segments. He said he expect Inox to reflect similar growth in the upcoming earnings as well.
- Results are improving in all three segments—box office sales, food and beverages, advertisement revenue.
- Pricing on-point with the property cost structure and paying propensity of the customers.
- Says Inox has a strong balance sheet, with paltry amount of debt—a part of which has been taken care of.
- Focussing on enhancing customer experience.