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When the consumption tax finally hits 10 percent next month, the government plans to seize the opportunity to dramatically accelerate Japan’s shift to cashless payments through a rebate program.
But with Japan’s roughly 20 percent rate for cashless payments lagging other countries, is it possible to persuade mom-and-pop shops, backstreet pubs and cozy, decades-old coffee shops to invest in the infrastructure and let processing fees erode their profits?
Yoko Watanabe, who runs a cash-only dry cleaner in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, is one of the small-business owners inclined to offer a digital payment option. While conceding more customers are likely to patronize stores with cashless options when the tax hike and rebates start on Oct. 1, she’s taking a wait-and-see attitude.
“Compared to the old days, it’s becoming a cashless era,” she said. “We’ll look at various conditions and if we think we can get a great deal, we’ll introduce cashless.”
Since the tax hike to 10 percent from 8 percent is expected to dampen the economy, the government devised a nine-month digital rebate program to offset the impact and promote cashless payments at the same time. The ¥279.8 billion program, which rewards people who make purchases at small stores, is intended not only to provide economic relief but also to drive digital payments more widely throughout Japan.
For nine months, consumers will receive 5 percent rebates for purchases made at small establishments by credit card, debit card or smartphone. The rebates will be limited to 2 percent for purchases at stores franchised by big companies, including convenience stores. The rebates will take the form of reward points or simple discounts, depending on the payment platform.
Stores must register with the government to join the temporary campaign. As of Thursday, about 510,000 had filed requests and the number is growing quickly, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. About 2 million stores are reportedly eligible.
According to METI, to become a rebate-ready store from Oct. 1, shop owners should apply by Friday, though they can actually apply anytime before April. Consumers won’t have to do anything as the rebates will be awarded instantly.
To promote the rebate program, the government is hosting seminars for small businesses in the nation’s struggling shōtengai (shopping arcades), pushing the message that going cashless will increase efficiency.
Watanabe, the dry cleaner, attended one of the seminars in Tokorozawa on July 31. She said business is getting quite busy and “from that perspective, I’m thinking that cashless may help.”
Other factors motivating the government to push cashless include more efficient record-keeping for taxation purposes, a chance to reduce cash-handling costs, and easier shopping for travelers who prefer credit cards.
METI’s goal is to double Japan’s rate for cashless payments to 40 percent of all transactions by 2025 versus 20 percent in 2016.
Government estimates based on 2015 data from the World Bank, the Bank for International Settlements and other organizations show Japan’s cashless rate was 18.4 percent, versus 60 percent in China and 89.1 percent in South Korea.
To achieve METI’s goal, officials believe the key is to make noncash payments customary at small stores that traditionally shun credit cards because of their processing fees, which roughly range between 3 percent and 5 percent of each payment.
These days, more cashless options are available thanks to smartphone apps based on QR codes or barcodes, as well as to commuter cards that can be loaded with electronic money to make small purchases.
Apps have lowered the barrier for small stores and added momentum to the cashless push, with some offering lower fees or waiving them temporarily. For instance, PayPay, the platform of the SoftBank Group, is scratching fees for one of its two QR-code payment options until September 2021.
To lure more shops, the government is asking the payment firms to cap their processing fees at 3.25 percent during the rebate campaign and subsidize the cost of credit card readers and other infrastructure so shops can effectively join it for free.


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Binance, at present the world’s third biggest cryptocurrency trade by bitcoin exchanging volume, is including support for them as of late propelled stablecoin, USD Coin (USDC).
Binance declared Thursday that it will open exchanging sets for the managed, U.S. dollar-pegged token against its very own token Binance coin (BNB) and bitcoin (BTC) on Nov. 17, including that it has just begun tolerating stores for USDC in anticipation of the beginning of exchanging.
Crypto back firm Circle, which was associated with the token’s advancement, additionally affirmed the news with CoinDesk on Thursday.
USDC was propelled in September by Center consortium as an approach to tokenize U.S. dollars and effectively exchange an incentive on open blockchains.
The help for USDC comes soon after Wei Zhou, Binance’s CFO, told CoinDesk in October that the firm is hoping to list more stablecoins. The news implies Binance will bolster four stablecoins, with the tie (USDT), Paxos Standard (PAX) and TrueUSD (TUSD) as of now on the books.
A month ago, U.S.- based crypto trade Coinbase likewise reported it was including USDC as its first stablecoin advertising. Coinbase is one of the establishing individuals from the Center consortium, alongside Circle.
Different trades including South Korea-based Korbit and Japan’s Liquid have additionally as of late made USDC accessible for exchanging on their stages, as per a blog entry by Circle on Tuesday.
In excess of 50 trades, conventions, stages, applications and wallets presently bolster the token, Circle stated, including that its coursing supply is right now at more than 148 million.

domain: news


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Misr Oil & Soap said its normalized net income for the fiscal third quarter ended March 31 was a loss of 14,900 pounds, compared with a loss of 3.4 million pounds in the prior-year period.
Normalized net income excludes unusual gains or losses on a pre- and after-tax basis.
The normalized profit margin increased to negative 0.0% from negative 4.5% in the year-earlier period.
Total revenue rose 69.1% year over year to 128.1 million pounds from 75.7 million pounds, and total operating expenses grew 57.8% from the prior-year period to 129.0 million pounds from 81.7 million pounds.
Reported net income came to 141,040 pounds, or 2 piastres per share, compared to a loss of 5.4 million pounds, or a loss of 90 piastres per share, in the prior-year period.
As of May 11, US$1 was equivalent to 8.88 Egyptian pounds.


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Narrow your search
Bye-bye Razr, Samsung has announced what it claims to be the world's thinnest phone, the X820, complete with a 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth and an MP3 player.
Samsung brings slim to the slider phone
Note to thin-phone makers: Just stop already!
Canon hopes to win your hi-def loving heart with the HV10, the smallest HDV camcorder we've seen
New Moto Fones and CDMA Slvr
New phones from Singapore
Two new MP3 players from the world's motherboard king. Will they fight a dirty war like toxins dispatched from a stuffed bunny? Or flounder and vanish in a puff of smoke?
Really, really tiny image stabilization systems for camera phones
Motorola and Verizon officially announce Q


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The highly anticipated Samsung SyncMaster XL2370 arrives, slim and trim.
Megawhat.tv posted a video of what is, according to them, a 23-inch Samsung OLED prototype computer monitor, but we have our doubts.
Today we finally received our P2370 review unit and aesthetically it's even more beautiful than I remember. The monitor is a 23-inch, 16:9 display with a native resolution of 1920x1080. That's slightly disappointing considering the Dell SP2309W--also a 16
The Samsung LED monitor has sparkling purple crystals.


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A permanent fresh food market will open on South Street this summer, as part of the long-term redevelopment plans for Pier 17 and the Seaport. The 16-stall market is the first of General Growth Properties' plans, which call for a 495-foot tower, hotels and condos, retail buildings, and the relocation of the landmark-protected Tin Building. A community center and a public plaza are also in the works. Read the entire story here.
The soaring price of food has complicated efforts by Whole Foods, the nation's largest natural and organic grocery store, to move toward provide "more sustainable" products, a company official said on Friday.
Here's more on how Whole Foods & Wal-Mart are coping with high food costs.
Ed Ott, the executive director of the New York City Central Labor Council, an umbrella group for the city’s labor unions, has an unexpected and unnerving warning for New York’s more than one million union members.
There already are vending machines outside most so-called big-box stores that dispense soda cans. But similar machines may soon be collecting them. A bill that cleared the state Senate last week and is now before the Assembly for a vote will, if it passes, require large retail stores such Costco, Sam's Club, BJ's Wholesale Club and Wal-Mart to install reverse vending machines, or RVMs.
Francis H. Powers, a retired Wall Street executive who was recently selected by Republican leaders on Staten Island as their candidate for the Congressional seat being vacated by Representative Vito J. Fossella, died on Saturday at his home on Staten Island.
When the numbers were finally and officially tallied a little over a week ago, Anthony Como had won a special election for a City Council seat by a mere 41 votes. Mr. Como’s razor-thin victory in a four-candidate race is not only a triumph for him, but also a victory that brings bragging rights for the Queens County Republican Party’s leadership.
Rep. Anthony Weiner has sworn off special interest money for his mayoral campaign next year - but he's raking it in for his congressional reelection bid this fall, federal records show.
Brooklyn community activists are putting up candidates for the borough's Democratic county committee.
Community Board 2 is set to vote on the Hunts Point new mega-development.
Hillary Clinton made her first major public appearance in New York yesterday.
In addition to Obama and McCain, Clinton will speak at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials


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Bitcoin is all the rage these days, but have you heard of the MacCoin? The Big Mac has been a McDonald’s staple for 50 years now, and to celebrate the iconic sandwich’s golden anniversary, the chain wants to share one with the world. Starting August 2, customers will receive a cool limited-edition collectible metal coin with the purchase of every Big Mac while supplies last.
Then, from August 3 through the end of the year, diners can redeem each coin for one free Big Mac. The coins come in five different designs featuring the art, music, and pop culture elements that represent each decade of the Big Mac’s life. This includes ‘70s flower power, ‘80s pop art, ‘90s bold and abstract shapes, early 00’s millennium tech, and ’10s evolution of communication (hello, emojis).
McDonald’s worldwide presence is so broad that the price of a Big Mac is sometimes used to compare currency values between countries. To illustrate this global reach, the coins feature seven different languages: Arabic, English, Indonesian, Mandarin, Portuguese, French, and Spanish. More than 6.2 million tokens will be distributed in the U.S. and 50 other countries.
“When my great-grandfather Jim Delligatti invented the Big Mac at his grill in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, he just wanted to make his local customers happy,” fourth-generation McDonald’s owner-operator Nick Delligatti said in a release. “August 2 would have been his 100th birthday, and I believe he would be very proud knowing his humble sandwich has made such a lasting impression that people all around the world can enjoy it wherever they find a McDonald’s.”
For more on the fast food giant famous for its two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame bun that inspired one man to eat two every day for 46 years, here are 12 things you didn’t know about McDonald’s.


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Brian Murphy and Terri Seligman, partners at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC, and Tiffany Hall, counsel at Pernod Ricard USA, discussed the legal and business risks for companies which use social media.
Marc Kaufman, partner at Reed Smith LLP, moderated a panel discussion with participants Tom Finneran, executive vice president, agency management services at 4A’s, Joshua Goodman, general counsel at Digitas, and Allen Yee, counsel for intellectual property litigation at The Coca-Cola Company, on ways in which the advertising industry can become a player in the patent marketplace to reduce the ability of Non-Practicing Entities (NPEs) to arbitrage patents that could be asserted against advertisers and agencies.
Doug Wood, partner at Reed Smith LLP, and Stacy Marcus, associate at Reed Smith LLP, provided updates on the SAG-AFTRA negotiations and how they may change the future of commercial production.
A panel of lawyers took turns discussing strategies they use to manage their brands in situations involving online privacy, celebrity endorsements, and class action lawsuits, among other topics.
Martin Frost, Shareholder, Polsinelli Shughart PC and Kenny Hulshof, Shareholder, Polsinelli Shughart PC, offered their insights into how tax reform, and the forthcoming debate over spending reductions is likely to evolve and impact advertising.
George Ivie, executive director and chief executive officer at Media Rating Council, Inc., discussed MRC’s efforts around ad verification, viewable impressions, mobile measurement, and cross-media GFPs.
Scott Hess, SVP of human intelligence, Spark Communications, provided an overview of Millennials, the largest living generation and the most coveted consumer group since the Baby Boom.
Brad Feinberg, media group manager at MillerCoors LLC, discussed how the brand has leveraged sports to engage and entertain consumers, especially Hispanic consumers
Joseph Jaffe, founder and partner of Evol8tion, LLC, discussed how brands can benefit from technology-based innovation and partnering with startups.
Gerhard Louw, senior manager, international media management atDeutsche Telekom, discussed the “complexity tsunami” affecting media managers, and shared two campaigns from T-Mobile Europethat demonstrate the company’s media management strategy.
Jon Suarez-Davis, vice president, global digital strategy and North America media at Kellogg Co., discussed the core capabilities Kellogg identifies as essential to sustain a competitive media advantage in the digital age.
In this video, Jennifer Kasper, group vice president, digital media and multicultural marketing, Macy’s, discussed how mobile fits into Macy’s business strategy.
Bob Liodice, president and chief executive officer ofANA, discussed what actions need to be taken by advertisers, agencies, and media to improve measurement, build transparency, and demonstrate that self-regulation, not government regulation, is the answer.
Tony Pace, chief marketing officer of Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust, discussed the importance of content and media for Subway.
2013 ANA Media Leadership Conference: Gerhard Louw, senior manager of international media management at Deutsche Telekom, speaks with Ken Beaulieu, senior director of marketing and communications at the ANA, about why innovation through collaboration is one of the keys to media success.
Tara Walpert Levy, managing director of ad market development for Google and YouTube, discusses the most pressing challenges marketers face today, as well as her definition of "customer engagement."
In the video below, Ron Potesky, senior vice president and general manager at Pantone, explains why making mistakes and taking risks is the key to building a creative culture. Potesky was among the featured speakers at the 2012 ANA Creativity Conference, presented by Ogilvy.
A panel of publishers and experts at the Alliance for Audited Media’s annual conference discussed how to use content marketing to develop audiences and increase engagement.
A panel of professionals, who both use and produce consumer data, shared their fresh perspectives on big data at the Alliance for Audited Media’s annual conference.
A panel of social media experts at the Alliance for Audited Media’s annual conference discussed how brands and publishers can use social media to create engagement.


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Norwood man claims McD’s ‘Filet-O-Fish’ ad is a ripoff
Man says ad parodies contest submission from 2008
A Norwood man claims he was ripped off by the ad agency that produced the catchy McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish ad, UniversalHub.com reported.
Daniel Thomas Calden filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Boston. The lawsuit contends that the ad created by Arnold Worldwide is a parody of a music video he posted on Myspace for a McDonald’s contest in 2008.
In Calden’s Myspace video, shown on UniversalHub.com, he is seen sitting stock still in front of a camera with a shaggy goatee, sunglasses and a sock puppet. He and the sock puppet take turns singing to a recorded song about Big Macs.
In the McDonald’s ad, a bearded man grooves to a novelty singing fish trophy singing a song about Filet-O-Fish sandwiches.
According to UniversalHub.com, Calden said it’s obvious that Arnold took his work and parodied it. He is suing for $20 million in damages.


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Kirby 30th Anniversary Music Fest. announced
Posted on March 14, 2022 by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News
It’s just been announced that the Kirby 30th Anniversary Music Fest. will be taking place this summer.
According to the official website, this is “a one-time-only music festival will be held featuring a large big band-style ensemble of 35 musicians performing in a variety of genres”. The venue will even feature a large LED monitor with a moving Kirby.
The Kirby 30th Anniversary Music Fest. will be held in-person on August 11, 2022 at the Tokyo Garden Theater. There’s good news for fans outside of Japan though as a live stream is planned. Further information will be shared at a later date, but the video will be available in most regions.
Here’s a video promoting the Kirby 30th Anniversary Music Fest.:
Nintendo previously said that various plans were in the works for Kirby’s big celebration. On March 25, Kirby and the Forgotten Land will release on Switch. Other activities and promotions could be revealed in the months to come.
The first Kirby game, Kirby’s Dream Land, originally released in 1992 for the Game Boy. Nintendo and HAL Laboratory have launched many mainline and spinoff titles since then across various platforms.
The official website for the upcoming music festival can be found here.


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Michigan wine industry is crushing it with more than $5 billion in economic impact
WGVU's Food, Wine & All That Jazz takes place Friday, October 27th @ 7:30 inside the Grand Rapids Public Museum where you can enjoy samples from over 400 of the finest domestic wines and beers. A number of the wines are Michigan selections.
A new economic impact study reveals Michigan’s wine industry contributes more than $5 billion in economic impact.
WGVU spoke with the head of the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry. “The last time we did a full-on economic impact study was in 2005.”
Karel Bush who’s the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council executive director says that back then the state wine industry was a $300 million industry.
“We’ve kind of been using really old numbers for a long time even as the industry has grown dramatically.” Fast forward 12 years and it delivers a dramatic $5.4 billion worth of impact creating 28,000 jobs that the council says “pays $773 million in direct wages.”
We asked what kind of expansion has been seen over the last 12 years when it comes to the number of wineries and expansion?
“In the last 10 years more than 80 new wineries open in the state. This study includes the cideries in Michigan, too. Even though there are fewer, it also is a growing industry, but they’re also wine, and so they’re included in these figures. So there’s been an increase in hard cider production. There’s been a great increase in the number of wineries. Those are new wineries. The existing wineries also are investing in their businesses and putting more capital, putting more money, back into purchasing additional land, clearing off more land, putting more vines in. They’re expanding their production areas, buying new equipment, adding larger tasting rooms, outside spaces, just trying to respond to the needs of the travelers that are visiting their tasting rooms.”
How do we stack up against other wine producing states?
“Depends on which month you take a look? We get our data from TTB, from the Alcohol, Tobacco, Tax and Trade Bureau. They collect information from all of the wineries across the country. So using that data we are about sixth or seventh in the country in wine production.”
The survey was conducted by John Dunham & Associates.
Patrick Center, WGVU News.


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The increase in NCCD announced in the Union Budget 2020-21 and the resulting escalation in cigarette taxation leading to higher tax arbitrage will serve as a huge incentive to illegal cigarette trade operators, who target India as a preferred destination for smuggled cigarettes.
The debilitating and relentless increases in tax rates in the years between 2012 and 2017 and the imposition of GST levy at a higher than Revenue Neutral Rate in July 2017 provided continued rise in tax arbitrage to smuggling syndicates severely undermining the legal cigarette industry and adversely impacting tobacco farmers and the revenue objective of the Government.
Illegal cigarettes have grown consistently in the country and now account for 1/4th of the Indian cigarette market. According to Euromonitor International India is now the 4th largest illegal cigarette market in the world with illicit cigarettes more than doubling from a level of 11.1 billion sticks in 2004 to 25.6 billion sticks in 2018, resulting in an annual Revenue loss of Rs 13,000 crores to the Government.
The increase in taxation over the years and the resultant drop in legal cigarettes has had a debilitating impact on the Indian FCV tobacco farmers who are under severe pressure due to the fall in demand for tobaccos grown by them as smuggled cigarettes do not use locally grown tobaccos.
NCCD was introduced in 2001 as a levy of a special surcharge on Central taxes for a limited period. However, while almost all Cesses and Surcharges were discontinued in the GST regime, levy of NCCD on tobacco products continues. TII had also requested the Government for the abolition of NCCD on the ground that this levy is against the principles of GST which, inter alia, seeks to eliminate cascading of taxes.
In the current economic environment the proposed increase announced in the Union Budget on NCCD will aggravate the pressure on the legal cigarette Industry, encourage illegal cigarette trade and adversely impact tobacco farmer earnings whose livelihood is intrinsically connected with the legal cigarette value-chain.
Enforcement machinery of the Government is seizing illegal cigarette consignments across India on almost a daily basis. The proposed tax increase will further strengthen the illicit supply chain and lead to long-term irreversible implications.
In the interest of the FCV tobacco farming community and the Legal Cigarette industry which is reeling under huge pressure we appeal to the Finance Minister to reconsider the proposal and withdraw the NCCD levy.


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Sling TV announced today that subscribers with an OTA antenna can now watch local broadcasts on LG Smart TVs without leaving the Sling TV app. The new OTA channel integration brings free local channels from the antenna directly to the Sling TV guide.
The feature is available on 2020 LG Smart TVs with webOS 5.0, including LG OLED and LG NanoCell 4K and 8K TVs.
“The best value in TV today is SLING TV plus free live locals,” said Jon Lin, vice president of product, SLING TV. “We’re making it easier than ever to watch free local channels directly within the SLING TV app, making 2020 LG Smart televisions an amazing value for those who appreciate a quality viewing experience, live local programming and OTT content from SLING TV.”
Once enabled, Sling TV subscribers can access their local networks which may include ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and PBS, directly from the guide. To find out which locals are available in your area, use the local channel finder tool. Just type in your street name and zip code, and click “View My Locals” to see list of available channels.
Did you know we now have a FREE app for iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire? Click HERE to download our app.
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Jess Barnes attended Edinboro University and spent years working in nonprofit before taking up freelance writing in 2012. Jess has been working for Cord Cutters News since 2017.


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[Photo Credit: www.Trendland.com]
New month, new industry happenings! The Trendland Calendar digitally tracks the most important events taking place in fashion every month. This month, we’re looking forward to shopping at the Rose Bowl Flea Market and to viewing the looks that will hit the runway at Stockholm Fashion Week. CLICK below now to view the full August Trendland Calendar!


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Abu Dhabi, 6 September 2018: The UAE-Ghana Business and Investment Forum was held in Ghanaian capital of Accra recently, in the presence of representatives of several government agencies, investment entities, economic officials and businessmen from both countries. The forum, which represented an important step in furthering ties between the UAE and Ghana, discussed ways to strengthen existing relations and expand cooperation in key economic sectors of mutual interest.
H.E. Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy for Foreign Trade Affairs, who led the UAE delegation, said at the forum that the UAE-Africa bilateral relation is a crucial one, linked to development across constructive economic indicators and affirmed the UAE’s keenness to enhance economic relations with other countries in the world, consolidate channels of business partnership and collaborate with other nations for important projects.
H.E noted that the UAE seeks to strengthen economic relations with the Republic of Ghana and take them to greater heights, in the context of the rapid developments across Ghana, which is one of the most developed economies in West Africa.
H.E Al Saleh said that trade between Ghana and the UAE has grown rapidly over the years, driven mainly by various investment projects. He added that the total volume of trade exchange between both countries stood at USD 1.2 billion in 2017 and today, Ghana is fast emerging as a key market for the UAE. Several UAE companies are investing in Ghana, especially in sectors like infrastructure, communications and tourism, which reflects the Ghana Government’s efforts to strengthen its economy, attract investors and establish strong partnerships with the private sector.
UAE’s proximity with the African continent makes it a convenient trade partner, H.E said, adding that UAE’s international recognition as a global node for trade and re-export and its important role in the Belt and Road Initiative, would pave the way for stronger partnership with Ghana and other West African countries in future.
He pointed out that the UAE had attained top ranks in several regional and global indicators, such as occupying the top spot in the Middle East region and 30th in the world in terms of its ability to attract foreign direct investment. He also said that Net inflows of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the UAE rose to USD 10.4 per cent, which made it the top Arab country, accounting for 36 percent of the total FDI inflow of Arab countries. It was also ranked 21st globally and 1st among the Arab countries in outbound FDI flows, accounting for 42 per cent of FDI flows from the Arab region to the world, for 2017.
Bilateral meeting with the Ministry of Trade of Ghana
H.E. Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al Saleh met with H.E Hon Robot Ahomica, Minister of Trade and Industry of Ghana, in the presence of H.E Khalifa Yousif Mohammed Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Ghana, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation, strengthen investment opportunities and boost trade exchange between the UAE and the Republic of Ghana.
The meeting reviewed the latest milestones in the bilateral relationship between both countries, and ways to enhance mutual collaboration to achieve the development goals of both nations.
H.E. Al Saleh said that both the UAE and Ghana have benefitted from a market-based economy powered by a liberalized foreign trade policy and that the UAE is working diligently to penetrate newer markets within Ghana, especially in key sectors of mutual interest, like aviation and transportation, technology, agriculture, mining, water resources, renewable energy, export and import and investment. He added that some of the other vital areas of partnership included participation in trade fairs and expos and enhancing bilateral visits in order to exchange experiences. H.E also called for the establishment of a representative office of Ghana in the UAE, to promote greater ties.
H.E Hon Robot Ahomica, Minister of Trade and Industry of Ghana welcomed the UAE delegation, and said that Ghana was keen to strengthen mutual ties and encourage deeper cooperation, in the light of the remarkable successes achieved by the UAE and the strong ties that existed between the two countries.
He reviewed the latest developments in Ghana since the presidential elections in 2017 and said that the Ghana Government aims to enhance its attractiveness to foreign investments by 2020 and take a qualitative leap forward on the strength of many development components available in Ghana, and by focusing on partnership, empowerment and support. The minister also highlighted the opportunities available for UAE investments, particularly in the petrochemical industry, as well as investment opportunities in the aluminum and Iron and Steel sectors, while discussing other channels of partnership between the two countries.
The UAE delegation comprised Mohammed Nasser Hamdan Al Zaabi, Director of Commercial Promotion at the Ministry of Economy; Tariq Al Hashemi, representatives from the External Relations and Partnerships department at the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, and many high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Ghana.
The two-day business and investment forum between the UAE and Ghana included several workshops and showcase the experiences of business entities in both countries to discover the best partnership opportunities. More than 80 meetings were held between businessmen from both sides.
The UAE’s delegation includes many of representatives of The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, DP World, Sharaf Group, Al Kendi Group, Sawaeed, and many of companies and business entities in the country.


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Realogy is the parent company of several real estate brands, including Century 21.
Amazon and Realogy have partnered on an exciting new real estate program called Turnkey. The new program gives buyers that participate in the program between $1,000 and $5,000 dollars in Amazon Services and products for their new home.
“Customers can be overwhelmed when moving, and we’re excited to be working with Realogy to offer homebuyers a simplified way to settle into a new home,” said Pat Bigatel, Director Amazon Home Services. “The Amazon Move-In Benefit will enable homebuyers to adapt the offering to their needs – from help assembling furniture, to assisting with smart home device set up, to a deep clean, and more.”
To participate in the program, buyers will sign onto the Amazon program and then be partnered up with a Realogy real estate agent in their area. Upon a successful close of their new home, buyers will receive a credit for Amazon services and products.
Turnkey is currently available in 15 markets across the United States including Washington, D.C.. Want to know when this exciting program will be available in the Howard County area? Fill out the form below.


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On this day in history, Virgil Abloh was born.
In 2021 alone, Highsnobiety wrote over 40 articles about Abloh — a pretty staggering sum, if you think about it.
It's easy to justify our continued coverage of Abloh, considering the sheer volume of projects he takes on. Among some of the designer's achievements this year: he released a slew of new Off-White™ x Nike sneakers, dropped an opulent collab with crystal maker Baccarat, and wore a hilariously literal outfit to the Met Gala. Just a few days ago, he released a line of merchandise with The Met — where some of his designs are currently on display.
To properly celebrate Abloh's birth, we've rounded up every single article we wrote about him in 2021. Virgil, if you're reading this: here's to many more.


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Printex - Stand 1224
On the back of receiving its first Australian order, Screen GP Australia has made a late tactical switch to its PrintEx presentation and will feature a working Truepress Jet L350UV digital label press on its stand, which it is sharing with the L350 reseller Jet Technologies.
Peter Scott, Screen Managing Director says: “The installation for Australia’s first L350UV machine is underway now and the customer’s name and location will be announced very shortly. The customer has been running live jobs on the Technologies’ demonstration
|Screen's Truepress Jet L350UV digital label press|
L350UV for several weeks and is totally satisfied with the results, including white ink. I was in Japan last week and the decision was made, since the label market is buoyant and we now have our first customer; we will exhibit the L350UV instead of the planned Truepress Jet520 inkjet web machine.”
In order to make the PrintEx build-up deadline; Screen is shipping the L350UV together with an engineer. The inkjet UV label press features a 350mm maximum web (322mm print width) width and speed up to 50 metres per minute. As with all Screen equipment, it is designed for high uptime demanding productivity with up to 16.1 sq/m per minute (966 sq/m per hour) of full colour printed labelstock delivering industry-leading throughput. Images are rendered as photo-realistic with very smooth gradations and fine detail.
Screen will be showing a roll-to-roll machine at PrintEx but both inline and near-line label finishing systems will be available; either Screen’s JetConverter line or Jet Technologies’ Smag solutions from Gulmen Engineering.
“It’s an exciting time,” says Scott “for the first time a high volume Australian label producer has chosen an inkjet solution over electrophotographic/toner. It’s the start of a whole new trend, which label printers will be able to see close-up at PrintEx.
Screen GP Australia


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While we have seen many unique innovations in the mobile phone space, it’s the camera that has seen the bulk of these technological upgrades. Cameras that come with a phone these days are one of the most important features that buyers look for when considering different models, and the more lenses it has and the better the quality of the images it produces, the better the chance the device has of finding success. Xiaomi is looking to buck the trend on the number of cameras it places in its devices though, as the Chinese handset manufacturer is working on a phone that will feature just one rear-camera with a liquid lens setup.
The idea behind this new lens is that it will include a layer of liquid that can adjust focus length and image sharpness based on electrical signals. This will allow one camera lens to serve multiple roles, everything from telephoto to macro shots, offering reliable autofocus across these ranges. As Xiaomi explains in a new video, the lens will be featured in its new Mi Mix device:
A liquid lens makes a lot of sense for the mobile space where the usable area is crucial and if it can create a device that needs less space for all of its imaging equipment, it means Xiaomi has more room to potentially add more hardware batteries are even just create a smaller handset. It’s the sort of creativity that is needed in the mobile space where handset manufacturers are constantly copying one another and the different brands available don’t often have much to separate them, outside of operating systems and prices.
The new Mi Mix handset is expected to be unveiled later this afternoon on March 29 and while it expected to showcase a nice boost in overall specs and new features, it’s the quality of the camera that will likely receive most of the interest. If the experiment turns out to be as effective as existing cameras from a quality standpoint, then expect other manufacturers to quickly hop on this new technological bandwagon.
Last Updated: March 29, 2021


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10,000 Workplace EV Chargers Now In USA — Boom In 2021
Well, we just have data through the first quarter of 2021 so far, but the first quarter did see a notable boom in workplace EV charging stations across the USA, with around 1,000 chargers in the quarter. That brought the US total to nearly 10,000.
If the results were replicated in the remainder of 2021, that would mean nearly 13,000 workplace EV chargers rather than the ~9,000 we started the year with. Even if trends dropped to ~500 additional chargers each quarter, that would bring us to ~11,500 by the end of the year.
Clarifying what we are talking about here, the US Department of Energy (DOE) writes, “Workplace charging stations are private charging stations that are designated for employees only.”
The DOE also discusses the trends from the end of 2019 to the beginning of 2021. “From the last quarter of 2019 to the first quarter of 2021, the number of workplace chargers increased by 28% to a total of 9,894 chargers. The vast majority of workplace chargers, nearly 95%, were Level 2 as of the first quarter of 2021. In that same quarter, Level 1 chargers accounted for about 4% and DC fast chargers accounted for less than 1%.”
Data come from a National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) report, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Trends from the Alternative Fueling Station Locator: First Quarter 2021.
The report also shares data on growth of private EV charging ports compared to public EV charging ports, trends in EV fast charging power capacity, growth of fast chargers by connector type, and much more. Below are charts on those three matters and a few others, but dive into the full report for a closer look.
One interesting thing to note in this first chart (Figure 4) is the great growth in private EV charging ports in Q1 2021 (23.8%), by far its biggest in the time period displayed here.
On the flip side, public EV fast charger growth nearly stopped in Q1 2021. I’m not certain of the reason for that, but my hunch would be that everyone in that sector saw the potential for government subsidies from the Biden administration — which is keen to fund a lot of EV charging infrastructure and accelerate the EV revolution — and decided to delay projects until they could win some government funding for them.
The takeaway from this one is obvious: the big growth in EV fast charging infrastructure in the first quarter came from fast chargers with a power capacity of 51–299 kW, breaking the long-term trend up until then of fast chargers with a power capacity of <51 kW dominating the DC fast charging market.
I have to admit that the biggest surprise for me in Figure 7 was not Tesla’s continued leadership and growth (well known) or how solidly CCS is growing, but was the fact that CHAdeMO fast chargers continue to grow! Though, despite the standard being all but dead and I think completely dead when it comes to new EV models, many new stations continue to include CHAdeMO ports. For how much longer? …
Tesla has some fairly big bars here, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that ChargePoint dominates the existing Level 2 EV charger landscape. (Note that this is about all installed chargers, not new chargers/charging station growth.)
When it comes to EV fast chargers, though, Tesla is indeed king, with 56.7% of installed EV fast charging ports. Electrify America has taken the silver-medal position, with 14.4% of ports, and then ChargePoint barely holds the bronze-medal position, with 8%, over EVgo (7.8%).
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Realme C65 has been officially teased which seems to indicate that the phone will enter the market with a completely new design in Realme’s C series and the design looks similar to the exciting Samsung Galaxy phones. Its back panel includes a textured finish with a glossy design.
Additionally, Realme C65 is expected to come with a 5,000 mAh battery, 50 MP primary camera, and Android 14 operating system. Its camera island is exactly like Samsung’s which has dual camera and LED flash while the edges are curved. Its power button and volume rocker are present on the right edge while the fingerprint sensor can be embedded in the power button.
This handset has also been seen on many ratings websites. As per the FCC listing, it is expected to come with Android 14-based Realme UI 5.0 and it has also been spotted on ECC, TUV, and FV-5 which revealed that it may have a 50 MP primary camera and an 8 MP camera for the selfies while TUV listing revealed about the 45W SUPERVOOC fast charger. Its moniker was confirmed by the TDRA certifications.
Additionally, the Relame C65 may measure 165.66 x 76.1 x 7.64 mm and weigh 185 gems while it may have a boxy chassis at the back and a polycarbonate body. The display would be 6.72 inches, FHD+, IPS LCD, 120 Hz refresh rate, and the chipset houses MediaTek Dimensity 6020 MT6833.
The price is expected to be Rs.12,999 but the company will not reveal the official confirmation. This device can be seen in the market in blue and black colors. However, according to rumors, we expect that this device will be launched on April 4.


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Photo-Me launches PhotoPlanet
Photo-Me International, a photo booth operator turned Internet company, said on Wednesday it had seen the 'very positive trend' in trading of recent years maintained in the first 11 months of its financial year.
Photo-Me issued the trading update at the same time as it announced the launch of PhotoPlanet, its Internet-enabled photo booths operation with British Telecommunications.
'I am confident that PhotoPlanet will prove to be a lucrative venture for BT and PMI as well as a successful start to a wdie ranging collaboration between the two firms in Internet-related business,' Photo-Me's Chief Executive Serge Crasnianski said in a statement. The PhotoPlanet rollout began on Wednesday with the initial installation of 10 booths in and around London, and about 1,000 booths are set to be installed in the UK by the end of the year.
The booths would allow customers to send and receive e-mail, create web pages, surf the Internet, use e-commerce services, as well as Photo-Me's photographic products.
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Imphal, Aug. 7:
The directorate of Handloom and Textiles celebrated the 6th National Handloom Day today at the Conference Hall, Manipur Secretariat with Textiles, Commerce and Industry Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh as the chief guest..
The National Handloom Day is being is celebrated in commemoration of the formal proclamation of the Swadeshi Movement and passage of the Boycott Resolution to boycott the Manchester cloth and Liverpool salt on August 7, 1905 in a massive meeting held in the Calcutta Town Hall. The Ministry of Textiles considers this occasion as a symbolic date for celebration of the National Handloom Day.
As part of the celebration the State Award for Handloom and Handicrafts were also distributed. And a coffee table book on Manipur Handloom & Handicrafts and a guideline book for Exports of textile Materials were also released.
Addressing the celebration, Biswajit said that celebrating the day alone is not enough and that we should also understand the essence of the day being celebrated today. The main objective of this celebration is to create awareness on handloom, its importance, usage and the employment generation.
The Minister also said that the Directorate of Handloom and Textiles has already introduced a Buy Back Scheme for weavers through which weavers can contact the directorate through a toll free number and receive yarn at cheaper rates. The scheme has also buy back provision for the finished products.
Biswajit, who is also the government spokesperson, also said that the state cabinet had yesterday decided to extend the lockdown with some relaxation. He appealed to the people to follow the guidelines for relaxation.
He said we cannot predict when COVID will end and so we have to fight it by properly following the SOP issued by the government so as to not only protect ourselves but also our own family and society.
Biswajit continued that COVID doesn’t discriminate; however, we should not panic and also ensure that we don’t discriminate against anyone during this pandemic.
He continued that it is really unfortunate that some of our frontline workers like the doctors and police have been affected by COVID and we should also pray for their safe recovery and well-being.
He urged all to follow the SOP and wear mask, wash hands frequently, etc. The government, he said, needs the cooperation of all sections of the society in the fight against the pandemic.
Shri Biswajit also said that the Coffee table book released today as part of the celebration showcase the beauty of the state before the entire world by highlighting the traditions, culture, handloom and handicraft products of various ethnic groups of the State.
The coffee table book published in association with the Indian Express Group has photographs with brief history on traditional dresses and costumes of different communities of the State.
Further continuing that we should create our own platform to showcase and highlight our culture, tradition, beauty, he said that we should pledge to promote and use our local products.
Elaborating on the responsibility of every individual towards the development of the society, Shri Biswajit said that our contribution in the development of the society is our own achievement and will bring recognition to us that no one take away.
In his speech, Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd Chairman Shri S.Rajen Singh said the day is being observed throughout the country since 2015 with the main aim to promote our own products.
The celebration of the National Handloom Day will promote our weavers, artisans and craftsmen, he said adding that we can achieve a self-sufficient society only when we promote and start using our own products.
State Awards to outstanding three weavers and five artisans were conferred with cash award of Rs. 1 lakh each for 2019-20. Merit awards to three weavers and 15 artisans with cash award of Rs. 50,000 each were also conferred. Consolation Awards of Rs. 10,000 each were also conferred. Under the Scheme for Awardees, financial assistance at Rs. 4.40 lakh each were also distributed to two State Awardees of 2018-19 for producing their award winning products on commercial scale.
Commissioner cum Secretary Textiles, Commerce and Industry Devesh Deval, director Handloom and Textiles, K.Lamlee Kamei and other officials of the directorate also attended the celebration.


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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command in Lagos, said it processed export goods worth N86.426 billion, equivalent to free-on-board value (FOB) of $204.656 million within the first quarter of 2023.
Babandede Mohammed, the Customs Area Controller of the Command told journalists in Lagos that the command processed non-oil export with a total tonnage of 118,184.96 within the period under review.
He said the items processed include agricultural produce like cocoa beans, cashew nuts, sesame seeds, hibiscus flowers, soya beans and ginger.
Other export items processed at the terminal were lithium ore, manganese ore, and zircon sand while manufactured goods exported are instant noodles, cosmetics, cigarettes and beverages.
“Lilypond Export Command despite being a new command has recorded some achievements. The command has drastically reduced delays in export processing, making the business of export effective and efficient since all agencies are domiciled in one place as a one-stop shop.
“It has reduced congestion along the access roads to the port and also inside the port terminals, giving space for import containers; it has reduced the cost of export business; it has reduced the issue of contract cancellation. The issue of pilfering of cargo has been eliminated and released containers can access the port within 48 hours for loading on to awaiting vessel,” he said.


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In today’s society, the term NFT would no longer be considered strange or alien as a vast majority of people are already aware of what it is or have heard of the huge potentials it wields in the crypto world. NFT adoption is going on almost on a daily basis, and celebrities and other public figures are fast spreading its popularity and creating NFTs of their own.
What are NFTs?
NFTs stand for Non-fungible tokens and are tokens that are assigned to real-world assets in order to move them to the blockchain world with improved security, interoperability, and monetary prospects. NFTs could be anything from music, digital arts, or any other item. Although digital arts have proven to be more popular and lucrative, musicians, models, and other celebrities have joined the train.
NFTs have found a home in the Asian country, India, as several of its leading celebrities, including singers and actors, have adopted NFTs and created theirs. Stars like Amitabh Bachan, a famous Bollywood actor, and producer launched his NFT collection alongside actress Sunny Leone.
Suman Chellani’s NFT
The most recent star to announce her NFT is Suman Chellani, a popular beauty queen in India who won thousands to herself after clinching the top prize and was crowned Miss India Intercontinental. Chellani became the first Indian leading model to launch an NFT when she revealed via her Instagram that she had launched her NFT on the popular NFT marketplace, OpenSea.
Chellani is one of the most promising young and influential Indians, and her NFT is a rare but promising NFT that would make a good addition for any collector. The stunning model’s NFT featured an image of her with a microphone in front and a background that looked like she was in space.
The actress’s NFT is symbolic for many reasons. Chellani is a talented storyteller, who weaves tales through shayaris, and connects accurately with the heart of her audiences. There is no better time for the human story to be told than now as the world battles the pandemic alongside heart-wrenching economic failures and environmental hazards.
Chellani’s smile depicts her humility which for many is her greatest charm. With her NFT, the talented model has presented her love for the stage and the spotlight in the alluring backdrop of her Mona Lisa smile.
Nothing excites Chellani than connecting with people via her platform and work and in these tumultuous times of isolation and disconnect, connecting with people is no longer a luxury. She stands as a voice to remind everyone to handle the difficulties of life with grace and cheerfulness. Her NFT is indeed a remarkable offering to her fans.


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Not too long ago (well, maybe generations ago in computer years), software developers announced a breakthrough: They had come up with a way to let users of word processing programs see on screen exactly what the end result, the printed document, would look like. "What you see is what you get," or WYSIWYG, they called it.
Wouldn't it be a relief if the same were true of inventory reports: that what your computer screen told you was available in the DC, or in transit to the DC, or on its way to customers, was dead-on accurate?
In fact, many of the tools needed to make that happen are already available. Warehouse and transportation management systems, carrier trace and track systems, global positioning systems and the like allow managers to view their inventory in transit from sources in the world's hinterlands to the final customer in the suburbs. And today, any consumer with an Internet connection can follow the progress of an online order from DC to truck to sort center to truck to doorstep in close to real time.
The value of supply chain visibility, however, goes beyond customer satisfaction, as important as that may be. It also enables managers to shift their inventory and transportation modes if needed to respond to changing circumstances.
And more tools are coming. Senior Editor John Johnson, in this month's cover story, looks at how carriers are starting to make use of RFID technology to manage trucks, trailers and their all-important contents.
Unfortunately, as Special Projects Editor Dave Maloney reports in his story on visibility tools, too many companies are failing to take full advantage of what's available, partly out of a close-to-the-vest mentality that leaves them reluctant to share data with vendors and customers. And it has only been recently that visibility tools—other than those supplied to customers by carriers—have become widely available to smaller companies. Integration also remains a big issue. But businesses that don't invest in those tools—and don't work with vendors and customers to extend visibility across networks—are bound to find themselves at a competitive disadvantage.
Some years ago, Yossi Sheffi, director of MIT's Center for Transportation and Logistics, told me that he envisioned the day when a manager of a global supply chain would be able to see his inventory as clearly as a foreman in an old job-shop, who could view a job's progress through his office window. That day is close at hand—but first, you have to open the window.


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As the pandemic continues to have a hold on the world, businesses are looking for unique ways to evolve their marketing strategies in order to survive this disruption.
Especially during this time when executives might be tempted to slash budgets and programs, it’s imperative to stand up for why consumer communications is more important now than ever.
Despite the temporary disarray, several brands are stepping to the forefront to find fresh perspectives and come up with innovative digital solutions to overcome obstacles and reach goals.
Here are four impactful ways brands are shifting how they communicate with customers through content.
Rethinking customer service
The entire concept of customer service is changing dramatically in the coronavirus world. Every sector is being impacted in a different way and is facing its own unique challenges.
As for essential businesses, many have had to rethink how to deliver their services.
For example, Superior Propane, the leading supplier of propane products and services in Canada, needed a way to show their customers how to conduct self-inspections on their individual propane tanks, as having Superior’s inspectors visit customers’ homes isn’t a safe option during social distancing protocol.
The propane distribution giant partnered with Fifth Story to create a customer-focused digital solution for their clients in their time of need.
The solution was creating a custom, live-action, how-to video showing clients how to inspect their own tanks, spot issues, and contact customer support when it came to their propane tank problems.
The video provided key messaging that helped stabilize the situation, so that customers could rest easy knowing they had support until the propane provider reopened their public-facing operations.
Mental health has been a huge concern during this crisis as feelings of stress, sadness, and anxiousness from self-isolation has taken a toll on thousands of people’s lives.
MindBeacon, a Toronto-based startup, launched a special COVID-19 digital program called Stronger Minds, where the extensive MindBeacon team of clinical psychologists offer free online support to Canadians who need assistance with their emotional well-being.
Through the BEACON digital platform, Stronger Minds participants gain access to short expert Q&A videos, quick reads and resilience-building activities to assist with their mental care. This program is supported by Manulife and Green Shield Canada and partnered with the Government of Ontario.
Providing help to members in financial distress
The current crisis has brought a new economic and financial reality for the world, and according to TransUnion, 59% of Canadian consumers are currently financially affected by COVID-19.
The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) decided to step up to the plate for HVAC professional members by securing financial support from the federal government to deliver all of its core technical, in-person training in a virtual, online setting.
Additionally, the non-profit created a COVID-19 online resource centre on their website featuring industry-relevant webinars, handy guides and up-to-date news and information for their members related to the crisis.
Delight customers through humour
As digital consumption continues to rise, the social video app Tik Tok, recently crossed two billion downloads globally amid the pandemic.
While the app has grown its influence across different age and regional demographics, Joe’s No Frills used the opportunity to connect with its customers in a creative way.
The Whitby, Ontario supermarket created a wholesome and upbeat video, highlighting their dedicated essential workers.
In less than a week, the video has accumulated over 800,000 views on the app, while the grocery store’s frontline workers are having some fun and getting to help their local community operate as normally as possible.
As consumers’ needs increasingly turn digital, companies can provide flexible virtual solutions through their content to give customers hope and a reason to believe that they’ll get through this crisis.
The examples above demonstrate that a little creativity and flexibility will go a long way toward making digital transformation happen.
If you need help with your content marketing strategy, feel free to contact us at email@example.com.


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The BikeBiz Awards 2019 will take place this week, and tickets are on sale now.
The 2019 BikeBiz Awards winners, as decided by the online vote, will be revealed at this year’s ceremony taking place on 12th September following the opening day of the Cycle Show at the NEC Birmingham.
The ceremony will be an opportunity to not only celebrate the collective successes of the UK cycling scene, but also a chance to rub shoulders with the sector’s finest and network with peers, colleagues, friends and even rivals.
Price: £28 (+ VAT)
6.00pm: Drinks reception and food
7.00pm: Awards ceremony
7.30pm: Post-ceremony drinks and networking
Tickets are available to purchase here.
The 11th annual ceremony is returning to the Cycle Show at the NEC Birmingham on 12th September, in conjunction with the exhibitor after-party.
V12 Retail Finance has been confirmed as the drinks reception sponsor for this year’s Awards, and it will also be sponsoring the Best Omnichannel Retailer Award for 2019.
Citrus-Lime has been confirmed as an event partner. The EPOS and e-commerce specialist will also be sponsoring the Best Independent Bike Dealer Award for 2019.
For sponsorship and promotion opportunities, please contact Richard Setters.


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The Federal Reserve is “self-destructing” through of its efforts to jump-start the US economy with more monetary easing, Rep. Ron Paul, (R-Texas), told CNBC Monday.
Paul said the Fed’s decision last Wednesday to spend an additional $600 billion in quantitative easing—buying Treasurys to lower interest rates—won't work and will destroy the dollar's value around the world.
“They (the Fed) can’t manage a dollar like this,” said Paul. “People are going to desert the dollar. I think the Chinese are hinting that already: They’re not wanting our dollars as much as they want raw materials and other things."
Paul, a frequent critic of the Fed, is likely to become chairman of a subcommittee that oversees monetary policywhen the new Congress takes over in January.
In an interview last week with CNBC.com's NetNet, Paul said his first priority will be to open up the books of the Fed.


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According to preliminary results by Gartner, Inc. Worldwide PC shipments totaled 84.1 million units in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of one percent from the third quarter of 2020. As COVID-19 vaccines become more widely available, consumer and educational spending began to shift away from PCs to other priorities, which slowed momentum in the PC marketplace.
“As many schools worldwide reopened, there was no longer an immediate need for PCs and Chromebooks to support at-home education,” said Mikako Kitagawa, research director at Gartner. “Business PC demand remained strong, led by economic recovery in key regions and the return of some workers to offices,” added Kitagawa. “However, business PC growth was concentrated in the desktop segment as semiconductor shortages continued to constrain laptop shipments. These component shortages are expected to persist into the first half of 2022.”
Major PC vendors with a commercial focus saw improved results
Dell Technologies recorded strong results in the third quarter of 2021, notching its fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, and reaching over 15 million shipments for the first time ever. Dell’s limited focus in the consumer market helped the company to be less impacted by slowed consumer PC demand.
HP experienced its second consecutive quarter of year-over-year decline, driven by a 30 percent decrease in shipments in the U.S. due to the weakening Chromebook demand in the education segment. HP also continued to face supply chain issues this quarter. A major backlog of unfilled orders led HP to potentially miss out on opportunities that competitors capitalized upon.
After five consecutive quarters of double-digit growth, Lenovo’s growth was tempered in the third quarter of 2021. Lenovo’s shipments were adversely affected by the slowdown in the consumer market and supply shortages in the enterprise market. At this same time, Lenovo benefited from stable business PC demands and was able to be more flexible in responding to component shortages due to a higher mix of in-house manufacturing.
Slower consumer demand in the U.S. PC marketplace offset increased commercial PC demand
After five consecutive quarters of double-digit growth, the U.S. PC market declined 8.8 percent overall in the third quarter of 2021. Desktop shipments increased by eight percent driven by upward demands in the business market, but weakness in the consumer PC market continued. Despite back-to-school sales and replenished retail inventories, both laptop and Chromebook shipments decreased around 10 percent year-over-year in the U.S.
“The device-per-student ratio in the U.S. education market is beginning to approach 1:1, which has slowed down the pace of incremental growth,” said Kitagawa.
Dell secured the top spot in the U.S. PC market based on shipments with 26.1 percent market share. HP followed with 24.5 percent of the U.S. PC market.
Looking ahead, the fourth quarter of 2021 will see the global rollout of Microsoft Windows 11. This is the first major operating system upgrade from Microsoft since 2015. The Windows 11 rollout is expected to have a limited immediate impact for the business market as enterprise-class PCs will likely continue to be available with Windows 10 until 2023. Gartner predicts that by early 2023, less than 10 percent of new enterprise PCs will be deployed with Windows 11. Overall, Gartner data indicates that PC shipments in the coming holiday season will be weaker than a year ago, with demand driven largely by replacements rather than net-new purchases.


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Coffee maker Nescafe has reported a 50% drop in sales of their instant coffee product which they believe is a result of the recent controversy surrounding cricketer Hardik Pandya on Koffee with Karan.
Karan Johar’s eponymous show received widespread condemnation for the sexist, crude and misogynistic nature of the content and sales of Nescafe had to bear the brunt of the criticism that the show received.
The company is now asking Karan Johar to compensate for the losses that amount to crores. “He (Karan Johar) has committed a Jauhar of our coffee sales target. Our products are lying on retail shelves and no one is buying it thanks to all the negative publicity his show has received. Who is going to pay for the losses,” questioned the Sales Head of Nescafe.
“It seems like no one wants to be associated with Coffee anymore. If Karan would not have prompted Hardik with those stupid questions, there wouldn’t have been this collateral damage,” he added.
The company now fears that more people are shifting towards tea and this may further hurt their sales in the coming months. Their fears are not unfounded if market experts are to be believed. “Not just beverages, even coffee flavored candies have taken a hit,” said an expert.
Coffee chain Starbucks has also taken a hit but refused to divulge details. An insider however revealed that the chain may have to exit India if the situation doesn’t improve.
Karan Johar, who was apologetic of the entire fiasco, agreed to make amends.
In a leaked letter addressed to the top management of Nescafe he wrote, “I am sorry for your loss. I will do everything possible to rectify it. If you have a son or a daughter then I take full responsibility of launching them in my next movie.”


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HONOLULU (KHON2) — It’s the end of an era for Pali Florist and Gift Shop, which has been serving Windward Oahu since 1958. After 64 years, they’re closing shop at 312 Kuulei Rd.
The shop is holding a liquidation sale this weekend. After moving out and liquidating the location, Pali Florist will deliver from a warehouse with plans to resume delivery service later this summer.
Get Hawaii’s latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You
Beginning Friday, July 15, through Sunday, July 17, mostly everything will be at least 50% off. Customers can choose from baskets, flower vases, plush animals, supplies and more — everything must go! Visit between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
“We really appreciate the loyalty of our customers for the last 35 years and for trusting us with your weddings and family funerals. Our customers have become our family,” said Bob Ciaccio, who has owned the business since 1987.
Call (808) 261-1818 if you would still like to purchase items but need to come another day. Ciaccio can make an appointment with you.
After moving a warehouse location, Pali Florist will keep the same number and website.
Their delivery range covers Waimanalo, Kailua, Marine Corps Base Hawaii and most of Kaneohe.


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Baku, Azerbaijan. November 29, 2023 / Mediamark Digital /
The InMerge Innovation Summit 2023, set to take place in the vibrant city of Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 30 – December 1, promises to be a dynamic gathering of visionaries, startups, corporates, and thought leaders from various industries. With an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, panel discussions, matchmaking sessions, and networking opportunities, the summit aims to catalyze innovation, foster collaboration, and elevate the global standing of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Keynote Speakers and Panelists
The event boasts an illustrious lineup of speakers, including iconic figures who have played pivotal roles in shaping the tech and innovation landscape. Among them are Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, renowned for his revolutionary contributions to personal computing; Lisa Bodell, CEO of FutureThink, a thought leader in innovation strategy; Chris Barton, the creator of Shazam and a seasoned entrepreneur and investor; and JB Straubel, the Chief Technology Officer of Tesla Inc, a driving force behind the electric vehicle revolution.
In addition to these global luminaries, the summit will also feature influential figures from the host country, Azerbaijan, including Shahmar Movsumov, Assistant to the President, and Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport, both instrumental in shaping Azerbaijan’s innovation policies. The presence of Mikayil Jabbarov, the Minister of Economy, highlights the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth through innovation.
Representing the business sector, Çağlayan Çetin, President of Trendyol Group, and Jalal Gasimov, CEO of PASHA Holding, contribute insights from the e-commerce and conglomerate sectors, respectively.
The InMerge Innovation Summit 2023 will focus on key verticals that are driving the future of technology and business. These include:
- E-COMM: Exploring the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the ever-evolving world of e-commerce.
- FINTECH: Unveiling the latest innovations in financial technology and discussing how fintech is reshaping the global financial landscape.
- TELECOM: Examining the transformative role of telecommunications in connecting the world and enabling digital transformation.
- DATA/AI: Delving into the power of data and artificial intelligence, showcasing breakthroughs and discussing ethical considerations.
- DIGITALIZATION: Exploring the ongoing digital transformation across industries and its impact on business models and customer experiences.
The InMerge Innovation Summit 2023 in Baku is poised to be a melting pot of ideas, collaboration, and inspiration. As the global community comes together to explore the forefront of innovation, the summit is expected to leave a lasting impact on the trajectory of technology and business, fostering a culture of innovation that transcends borders and propels the world into a new era of possibilities.


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12-30-2009, 03:10 AM #1
OK Boy find X-Rated surprise in Christmas gift
Oklahoma Boy Finds X-Rated Surprise in Christmas Gift
YUKON, OK -- What was meant to be a nice gift for a 9-year-old Yukon boy turned out to be an X-rated present. Two Yukon parents had no idea what types of pictures their son was about to find on his new digital camera, Christmas morning.
"I have no clue what to think, especially that my boy had to go through this," said concerned parent Andrew Graham.
Stored on the camera were a series of pornographic photos and the 9-year-old boy discovered them on his own. Full story at link
It's sick that whoever returned the camera with their x-rated photos on it, knew good and darn well that a child would end up getting that camera. Shame on them!
12-30-2009, 08:30 AM #2
Since Wal-Mart doesn't have a return history on this item, it makes me wonder if a store employee used the camera for his thrill, saved the pics to a disc or flashdrive, and then put the camera back so it could never be traced to him.
I would be totally POed, but if that's what happened I don't know how the store could have prevented it. Maybe we ALL need a policy of checking cameras/phones/games for their history before buying or selling. I know GameStop is supposed to wipe the drive before they sell a new gaming system, and I'll bet this is why.
12-30-2009, 08:44 AM #3
Since the store package had obviously been opened, I think someone did this intentionally. I think someone swapped their camera with the images with the camera in the box knowing that someone would see those images once the camera was purchased. It's a sick world, isn't it.
01-04-2010, 11:11 PM #4
Wow, poor kid. What a way to ruin a Christimas. Who would think this would happen. I would never think of checking the camera after I got it home and before I gave it away as a gift.
01-05-2010, 10:43 AM #5In constant need of a nap
- Join Date
- Apr 2008


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MONTESA SURPRISES – THE NEW 4RIDE!
Celebrating its 70th year the iconic Spanish brand Montesa has made a bold move with the introduction of the new fourstroke 4Ride model. The new Montesa 4RIDE was showcased in November to the media at Honda’s headquarters in Spain, in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda (Barcelona). With the inclusion the new 300RR and the 4Ride Montesa will now be offering a total of four different models, as the Cota 4RT260 and the Race Replica will continue to be produced in the Spanish production plant. With the new 4RIDE Montesa is hoping to reach a wider range of clients, not just the usual trials fans, by reinventing the concept of off-road. This new model was made to enjoy the environment in a fun and easy way.
The 4RIDE can still be identified by Montesa’s classical traits: advanced four-stroke technology, the quality of its components, and its uttermost respect for the environment. In fact, the model has been designed completely by the technical team at Montesa Honda’s production plant in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda. The development team of the 4RIDE took the basis of the Cota 4RT260 to create a motorcycle for adventure riding. It features a completely revised gear ratio, offering the rider more comfort at a steady speed and improved performance on long rides. With the same objective in mind the ergonomics have also been revised, incorporating a seat and elevating the height of the suspension system including both the front fork and the shock absorber. The model is expected to be available for sale in February 2016.


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Harvest Time by Jim Sorbie Hour Detroit shared a pretty amazing looking recipe from Zingerman’s Roadhouse for Bacon Fried Apple Cobbler that looks pretty darned incredible. I thought I’d share the link here in case anyone wants to join me in a little gratuitous assault on your arteries. Have a great weekend folks! Jim took … Continue reading An apple a day … plus bacon
The Apple Tree in Winter by Allan L McFarlane Today would have been my dad’s 83rd birthday. Though he’s been gone more of my life than he was in it, I still miss him every day. He was a hell of a photographer who sparked my lifelong passion for photography. While my scan of this … Continue reading The Apple Tree in Winter
apples, photo by Diane Greene Lent A Healthier Michigan is a pretty cool blog with some state-specific tips for better health. Their post on the annual Michigan’s Apple Crunch Day (Thursday, October 13) says that every October, schools, organizations, and businesses bite into Michigan apples on the same day, setting records for apples eaten. It’s a … Continue reading Today’s the Day for the Michigan Apple Crunch!
Apple Island Aerial, photo via MSU Michigan History Student Publication I was fascinated with the Farmer’s Almanac weather history tool this morning, so I went looking for notable Michigan happenings on June 18th… Wikipedia’s Apple Island entry says that this 35-acre island was formed during the region’s last ice age (10,000 to 12,000 years ago) and lies … Continue reading #TBT: Apple Island in Orchard Lake
The Rotten Apples, photo by Joel Dinda If you’re a Detroit Lions fan, you’re probably more than a bit dazed by yesterday’s game which had the Lions on the verge of winning their first playoff game in 23 years. Mitch Albom has a column that details the stunning turn of events as the door closed on … Continue reading Rotten Apples: 2014 Detroit Lions Playoff Edition
Bounty, photo by Bob Gudas The Freep reports that Michigan is forecasting a crop of almost 29 million bushels of apples in 2014: This year’s estimate is just under the record 30 million bushels that were picked last year. The yield in 2013 was so robust that some of the state’s growers and packers, most of … Continue reading Rosy 2014 Michigan Apple Forecast!
Red McIntosh apples, photo by vostok71 The Detroit Free Press writes that Michigan apples are back – and in a big way. This year’s harvest could be one of the largest Michigan has ever seen, the Michigan Apple Committee said Friday after the U.S. Apple Association released its estimate for Michigan’s 2013 apple crop. The … Continue reading Michigan Apples Bounce Back!
empire apple tree blossoming, photo by Alissa Holland NPR’s Noah Adams visited “The Ridge” to see how the apple crop was faring in 2013 after the devastation of 2012. The engaging 4 minute piece looks at methods they use to battle frost and how last year’s 99% wipeout hurt farmers. It’s well worth your time, … Continue reading Apples on the Ridge push through Mothers Day frost
Biggest apple in Michigan. Wolf River apple. 1996, photo by vostok71 Orange Pippin says that the Wolf River apple (first discovered along the river of the same name in Wisconsin) is: A well-known American cooking apple, notable for its large size. Wolf River is mainly used for cooking, and it keeps its shape when cooked. … Continue reading The biggest apple in Michigan … and the smallest crop
MMMMMMM-Michigan Apples….., photo by rowrlm. While our cool fall has been rough on some farmers, it has produced one of the best years for apples in Michigan history! Michigan apples, not only delicious but prized on Absolute Michigan has a ton of apple information (including a new Honeycrisp apple hybrid). You can also check out … Continue reading MMMMMMM-Michigan Apples!


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The latest leaked images and details were all incorporated into this new vision of the hotly anticipated SUV.
The last month of 2019 provided us with an interesting though not entirely surprising design detail about the upcoming reborn 2021 Ford Bronco. Leaked images revealed a round Bronco headlight that, while not completely retro, draws design inspiration directly from the classic Bronco SUV. With modern touches like slender, vertical orange turn signals and another svelte horizontal lens (likely the daytime running light) flanking each side of the round headlight, it's clear the new Bronco's front end won't look like anything else in the current Ford lineup.
And now a member of the Bronco6G forum has created what are perhaps the most accurate rendered images of the new Bronco to date, complete with that headlight design incorporated.
These 3D models made by forum member TopRecon are of the hopeful two-door version. We're not entirely sure whether the Bronco will be a four-door only or, like the Jeep Wrangler, come in two-door guise as well, though these renderings make the latter awfully attractive. These images show those leaked headlights combined with a huge grille with the Bronco name placed in between. Previously leaked patent images prove Ford will offer removable doors and roof sections, and some of these images show that.
What we're seeing here is quite possibly the most serious threat the Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited will have to date. Also, notice the absence of the Ford blue oval emblem, just as was done with the new Mustang Mach-E.
Underneath this retro yet still modern body lies the same platform underpinning the Ford Ranger midsize pickup truck, which rides on front and rear solid rear axles. Chances are power will come from the also familiar 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder which, in the Ranger, provides 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed transmission will likely be the only gearbox available.
Pricing? Still too early to know for certain, but somewhere around $30,000 to $35,000 sounds about right. The 2021 Ford Bronco will officially debut at a so-far unannounced date this coming spring.


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Afghanistan isn't known for its appeal to foreign investors, but one London-based private equity firm has seen its potential and poured money into a pharmaceutical company there.
InFrontier, which was set up specifically to look for investment opportunities in pre-emerging markets, has paid several hundred thousand pounds for a 40 per cent stake in 786 Pharmacy, a pharmaceutical chain which currently has eight stores in the capital Kabul.
According to the FT, the investors hope to increase this to 50 stores across the country by 2020, and turn it into the first western-style Afghan pharmacy chain offering high-quality medicines.
With a population of around 30m, Afghanistan has an estimated annual medicine consumption of £254m, but only two per cent of its medicines are produces domestically, with the majority being imported from India, China, and Korea.
InFrontier's decision to invest indicates the country's pharmaceutical industry could be on the brink of opening up more broadly for foreign investment after years of of economic decline and violence.
The firm's two founders, Felix von Schubert and Benj Conway, say this is possible because most of the violence we hear about is aimed at political targets and armed forces, rarely affecting the day to day life of ordinary citizens and business-owners.
They believe Afghanistan's market as “fertile” for foreign investment, with lots of young local entrepreneurs ready to take on tasks, and that this has been obscured by political unrest in the country.
“We want to show that Afghanistan is not a basket case,” said Von Schubert. “We’re aiming for a return on investment but we also want to make a social impact.”
It is the pair's second investment in the country, and comes after years of travelling to Afghanistan and holding discussions with entrepreneurs. 786 Pharmacy was founded by Zabu Ullah Hidayat, who is 29 with a family background in pharmaceuticals.


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Cocoberry targets 50 retail outlets by FY-end
Cocoberry, India’s first premium frozen yogurt chain is eyeing 50 retail outlets across India by the end of fiscal 2010-11. The company, which at present has about 11 operational outlets in Dehi NCR a
April 05, 2010 | comments ( 0 ) |
Cocoberry, India’s first premium frozen yogurt chain is eyeing 50 retail outlets across India by the end of fiscal 2010-11. The company, which at present has about 11 operational outlets in Dehi NCR and Mumbai plans to expand its reach in cities like Chandigarh, Bangalore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata etc in the next one year.
New stores are likely to be launched in Jaipur and Bangalore within the first quarter of next fiscal and about two-three outlets are in the pipeline for launch in Chandigarh.
Cocoberry, which, launched its first store in February 2009 in Delhi has earmarked an investment close to Rs 120 crore for expansion in the next two years. The company will be launching two more outlets in Delhi and plan to take the figure to 18-20 outlets in Delhi NCR by October this year. It aims to touch the 50 outlets mark by end of next fiscal. It has set a target to grow to about 100-150 outlets over the next three years.
- Trek Bicycles plans to expand retail stores across India
- Vision Express starts its 16th store in New Delhi
- BlueStone launches its first store in Mumbai
- Splash Fashions to expand its digital presence
- Toonz Retail opens store in Dwarka
- Mufti expands into footwear category
- Fashion e-tailer Craftsvilla plans to open 1,000 outlets in 2019
- Taneira to launch 50 stores in 5 years
- Saakshi launches new store in Forum Esplanade Mall
- RP Sanjiv Goenka Group targets Rs 1,000 cr annualised revenue from FMCG


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Read more about the LSI Symposium in the December issue of Woodall’s Campground Management.
Rob Schutter Jr., president and COO of Leisure Systems Inc. (LSI), promised an upbeat message for LSI’s franchisees at their annual Symposium held Nov. 5-8 in Covington, Ky., and he delivered.
During his annual LSI Updates presentation on Nov. 6, Schutter reported to a record gathering of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort operators that LSI’s 78 franchisees outperformed the RV park and campground industry in general as well as many American businesses in 2012.
“There wasn’t one down area in occupancy or revenue numbers in our franchise system from last year; every possible scenario we studied was up. Not many people out there in our industry can say that,” he said.
- System revenue totaled $71.4 million, up 12% from 2011 and up 8% for same parks from 2011.
- Camper nights (general sites) rose 9%.
- Rental unit revenue rose 17%.
- Extended stays were up 2%.
- Online reservations rose 13%.
- Deposits increased 15%.
- Store sales were up 9%.
- Ancillary products sales up 12%.
“This is great,” Schutter said, stating that the fine performance was due in large part to franchisees’ perseverance and dedication to improving customer satisfaction.
The revenue performance was well above industry average of flat to up to 4%, he noted, and the rental unit uptick exceeded the industry figure of 15%.
Rental units are a growing phenomenon for not only LSI franchisees but the entire industry as well, Schutter continued. Rental units with full service typically attract “non-campers” who want niceties they can’t find in a tent or a travel trailer and yet want a unique camping experience. Double-digit growth has been recorded the last three years. “Some people (parks) are not really taking advantage of this. This is an area that we can exploit for many years. We have not maxed out.”
In a reference to “The Field of Dreams,” Schutter concluded, “Build it and they will come.”
On the other hand, Schutter noted that “transient” or overnight traffic continues a steady decline. He estimated that 40% of this market has been erased in recent years. “This is a market that’s not going to come back,” he warned. “This market will fall to a certain level and then stay there. It’s not because more people aren’t traveling, but that travelers are keeping to a limit of 150 miles. “It’s almost becoming an industry standard,” he said. “If you’re banking on that part of your business, you better look elsewhere.”
However, that trend in modern-day camping plays into the hand of LSI franchisees, who have evolved into destination parks with strong activities programs for families. This focus has separated Jellystone parks from many other parks, he added. In general, Schutter encouraged franchisees to “focus on what you have done extremely well in the past.”
Among his observation of other factors that affect the campground industry, Schutter said bank financing for park expansions remains very tight. He said owners need to educate potential lenders about the RV park and campground business so they will become more likely to loan money.
He also noted that gasoline prices in 2012 were 25% higher than they were in 2012. “We have been programmed to pay the price. It will fluctuate a little bit but it’s not going down.”
In general, Schutter encouraged franchisees to “focus on what you have done extremely well in the past.”
A record crowd of 240 attended the annual awards banquet where the Jellystone park in Warrens, Wis., was named Camp Resort of the Year, the system’s highest honor. The park is owned by Bruce Bryant Management.
The theme of this year’s Symposium was “Rising to the Challenge.”
This year’s Symposium was a day shorter than in years past, and it seemed to work out well for everyone. Schutter suspects the shorter time commitment was appealing to franchisees and will become standard for the event.


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68% of Paper Consumed in the United States Was Recycled
WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), today, announced 68% of all paper consumed in the United States was recycled in 2021 – a rate on par with the highest rate previously achieved.
Additionally, the recycling rate for old corrugated containers (OCC), commonly known as cardboard, increased. The rate was 91.4% in 2021, up from the 2020 rate of 88.8%, and overall, a three-year average of 90.5%.
“Paper recycling is stronger than ever and remains an environmental success story," said AF&PA President & CEO Heidi Brock. “In 2021, U.S. paper recycling reached a high rate of achievement. Further evidence that our industry’s investment and public participation in recycling programs are proven and effective.”
Paper recycling extends the life of fiber and advances the circular economy. It allows for the creation of new, sustainable paper-based packaging and products.
“Our industry is a leader in sustainability and understands what it means to be a responsible producer,” Brock said. “We are investing nearly $5 billion in projects from 2019 through 2024 to use approximately 8 million additional tons of recovered fiber. This reflects a longstanding commitment to invest in manufacturing infrastructure using recycled paper and improve the circular nature of our industry."
For more information about U.S. paper recycling statistics, paper recycling and AF&PA’s commitment to sustainability, visit: https://www.afandpa.org/priorities/recycling
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. The forest products industry is circular by nature. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recycle resources, generate renewable bioenergy and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative—Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future. The forest products industry accounts for approximately four percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures nearly $300 billion in products annually and employs approximately 950,000 people. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $60 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 45 states. Visit AF&PA online at afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper.


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16 Jun 2022 The future of dairy and non-dairy drinks
The next five years will be pivotal for the dairy and non-dairy drink sectors. Some insights from Mintel…
Dairy drinks have sought to reassure consumers about health with added functionality, and environmental claims are becoming more detailed.
And with the cost of living crisis, brands will need to keep prices in check to reaffirm their role in providing affordable nutrition for the masses.
Meanwhile, non-dairy drinks have sought to target a wider audience by using plant-based claims instead of vegan.
However, they also face challenges with price and taste as two major barriers putting people off purchases.
And how will both industries react to the disruption that will be caused when lab-grown milk becomes more established?
Watch this new video to find out more about the future of dairy and non-dairy in the next two years, five years and beyond.
Where we are now:
- EMEA: functionality and indulgence; ethics and nutrition
- APAC: reassure over safety and organic growth; diversify occasions, proteins and flavours
- Americas: usage of cartons and preventative health; animal-free products and new ingredients
In the next two years:
- Reinventing old staples
- Gut health and immunity
- Make farmers your greatest asset
In five years and beyond:
- Seize the opportunities from regenerative farming
- Technology for safety and affordable nutrition
- Functionality for the future: eye/mental health


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In a compensation deal unique to the videogaming industry, Sam and Dan Houser, the brothers responsible for Grand Theft Auto, will get most of an expected US$538mil (RM2.24bil) in royalties this year, thanks to their latest, Red Dead Redemption II, due Oct 26.
The British-born brothers and a few key insiders share half the profits of Rockstar Games Inc, the Take-Two Interactive Software Inc subsidiary that makes both titles, according to a lawsuit filed by a former employee. Last year, Take-Two distributed US$383mil (RM1.59bil) in what it called internal royalties.
Take-Two said its compensation programmes allow employees to join in the success of software they help develop. The company declined to say how much of it went to the Housers. Gerrick Johnson of BMO Capital Markets estimated the brothers received the bulk.
“As long as Grand Theft Auto is chugging along, no one seems to care,” Johnson said.
The Housers’ haul shows just how far videogames have come since the days of Pong and Space Invaders. The industry is expected to bring in US$138bil (RM575.29bil) this year, according to market researcher Newzoo. Red Dead II will sell at least 15 million copies by the end of the year, analysts said, at a retail price starting at US$60 (RM250) for the base package.
Grand Theft Auto V, the latest instalment of the shoot-’em-up gangster series, has sold nearly 100 million copies and generated over US$6bil (RM25.01bil) in revenue. That’s more than the last 10 James Bond films combined. It was one of the first major games in which heroes were bad guys who could murder and thieve at will. Last year, the online version brought Take-Two US$758mil (RM3.15bil) in revenue, according to an estimate by Piper Jaffray Cos.
Sam, 46, and Dan, 44, grew up with a love of movies and pop culture, according to David Kushner’s 2012 book, Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto. Their father, Walter Houser, ran Ronnie Scott’s, a famous jazz club in London. Their mother, Geraldine Moffat, is a former actress who appeared with Michael Caine in the 1971 crime drama Get Carter. Some gamers say the movie’s style and ethos permeates the Grand Theft Auto franchise.
Sam Houser in particular was infatuated with American rap music and the gritty New York of the early 1980s, which are also influences on Grand Theft Auto. He focuses on game play and the look of the games. Dan, who studied literature at Oxford University, plots the stories.
The brothers, who joined Take-Two in 1998, are known to be workaholics who drive their employees hard. In 2006, workers sued for unpaid overtime in a case later settled. In 2010, a letter, published by the website Gamasutra, complained of staffers working on the Red Dead series being driven to depression and physical illness due to extended hours, cancelled vacations and modest pay raises. A Rockstar spokesman said the brothers have a “very dedicated work ethic”.
Leslie Benzies, a former Rockstar executive, said in a 2016 lawsuit that he was squeezed out of a royalty pool that may have generated US$843mil (RM3.51bil) for the Housers.
While analysts and industry insiders said it’s not unusual for game designers to share in the profits, the Housers’ take is extraordinary. By comparison, Michael Morhaime, the former president of Activision Blizzard Inc’s Blizzard Entertainment division, earned US$12.3mil (RM51.27mil) last year, according to a public filing.
Benzies, through a lawyer, declined to comment. His case is expected to go to trial next year.
Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter said he wondered why the Housers’ pay isn’t disclosed. Take-Two has a narrower profit margin than rivals Activision and Electronic Arts, partly due to the royalty structure, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Matthew Kanterman. But since revenue has doubled and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation have nearly quadrupled since 2012, Take-Two shareholders haven’t complained. The stock is up more than 10-fold since then.
Take-Two chief executive officer Strauss Zelnick gives the Housers leeway in running their business, analysts and former employees said. A spokesman for Take-Two said it’s in the best interests of shareholders for Take-Two management to leave marketing and other decisions to the Rockstar team.
Red Dead Redemption II is much anticipated, in part, because of its level of detail. In the Old West, characters traverse snow-capped mountains and dusty plains. They rob stagecoaches, chat up ladies of the evening and blast every bounty hunter or US marshal who gets in their way. Arthur Morgan, the main character, gets his outfit dirty over time, and players can clean his clothes once he gets to town. Over 190 pieces of original music were composed for the game. Following the model set by Grand Theft Auto online, the web version of Red Dead, due in November, is expected to include opportunities to spend real money to purchase gear.
Unlike Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead II creates a reward system for doing good. The better a character cares for his horse, for example, the more likely the animal will respond quickly to facilitate a getaway.
“What really makes those games is the freedom to run around and do what you want,” Kushner said. “What’s made Red Dead a success is that freedom. It’s the brothers’ greatest contribution to videogames.”
Michael Hickey, an analyst with Benchmark Co, said the Housers make the “highest-quality game software in the world” and could easily venture out on their own.
The brothers, both naturalised US citizens, may be too busy cashing checks. In 2012, the New York Observer reported that Dan Houser spent US$12.5mil (RM52.10mil) on Truman Capote’s former townhouse in Brooklyn, New York. The brothers also keep homes on Long Island and in upstate New York, according to public records.
Sam Houser seemed to encapsulate his life philosophy in an August 2007 email to Benvies, mentioned in Benzies’s lawsuit.
“Let’s make some cool (expletives), enjoy doing it, change the world, have some time off – then dominate the planet,” he wrote. “We can. So why not?” – Bloomberg


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Microsoft has updated its Surface app on Windows 11 and 10, adding a host of new features. It brings support for maps to help you find your device. It has other important capabilities in tow too.
All our coverage of the Windows 11 2022 update which is rolling out worldwide
windows 11 2022 update
Windows 11 Beta Channel includes fix for Dual SIM calling, and more
windows 11 insider preview
Find my device RSS
Google may be working on its own version of Apple's Find My network to let an Android device locate other Android phones through crowdsourcing that leverages the Google Play Services.
Today, Microsoft released a new build of Windows 10 for those on the Fast ring. Build 17115 will include a new privacy screen settings menu, adding settings for Inking & Typing and Find my device.
Google introduced the Android Device Manager in 2013. Now, the company is updating it with a new name, 'Find My Device', and making it part of the new Google Play Protect tools it announced this week.