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The upcoming mid-sized Pulsar could be the production version of the CS400 concept revealed over two years ago. Bajaj Auto plans to consolidate... ...http://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/bajaj-auto-plots-375cc-pulsar-rollout-diwali-20113
The government towards the end of 2015 launched the Gold Monetisation Scheme. "India has no reason to be described as a poor country, as it has... ...http://www.sify.com/finance/gold-monetisation-what-it-offers-and-how-to-enrol-news-gold-qfzma7eijdjic.html
Akshaya Tritiya is the second-biggest gold-buying festival in India after Dhanteras around October-November, but jewellers failed to draw buyers... ...http://www.financialexpress.com/article/markets/commodities/akshaya-tritiya-high-prices-drought-keep-gold-buyers-away/251811
12:05 am New Delhi : High gold prices dampened sales today on Akshaya Tritiya, considered auspicious to buy yellow metal, with a section of... ...http://www.freepressjournal.in/high-prices-dampen-akshaya-tritiya-sales/844189
In continuation with its strategy of expanding services, ecommerce platform Snapdeal has tied-up with the services marketplace, UrbanClap . The... ...http://www.medianama.com/2016/05/223-snapdeal-urbanclap-tie-up/
Dhanteras is the great festival for...
People celebrate Diwali, the festival...
Gold has top of the head, with...


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That is that even despite rising gas prices, when the 'luster' of alternative-fuel vehicles has been taken-off, GM isn't backing away from betting on electric vehicles.
GM isn't slowing down its approad, instead, it is announcing that the Bolt EV will be built at the Orion assembly plant near Detroit.
Michigan Gov. Rick Scott welcomed the decision to build the car in his state and predicted the automaker won't be disappointed in the outcome.
“Michigan unquestionably remains the global automotive leader,” Scott said. “Chevrolet is tapping a skilled workforce that includes some of the most talented and hard-working people in the world for this cutting-edge vehicle. Chevrolet is an important part of our state’s automotive history, and Michigan-made products like the Bolt EV point to a bright future as well.”

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SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Viejas Outlets kicks off the holiday season a little earlier this year with the October 31st opening of the popular Viejas Ice Rink – the largest outdoor ice rink in Southern California.
That means you can skate in costume, Trick-or-Treat at Viejas Outlets stores … and, of course, scare up some great deals at San Diego County’s premier outlet center. The Viejas ice rink will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on October 31st, and the store Trick-or-Treat hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Viejas Outlets ice rink, which is larger than the world-famous Rockefeller Square rink, has quickly grown to become one the most popular holiday traditions in Southern California, with more than 33,000 visitors lacing up their skates on the nearly 10,000 square foot rink last season.
There is reduced pricing for groups, seniors and military. There’s also reduced pricing through December 5 if you bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Viejas Holiday Toy Drive, which benefits the local Salvation Army.
For more information on Viejas ice rink hours, prices and other information, call (619) 659-2070 or visit http://viejas.com/ice-rink.
About Viejas Outlets
Located at I-8 and Willows Road, directly across from the Viejas Casino & Resort east of San Diego, Viejas Outlets features more than 40 of America’s favorite brand name stores, and is set on 37 scenic acres in the east San Diego County foothills, providing shoppers with a unique peaceful ambiance that draws upon the natural beauty of the surrounding environment, with meandering paths of lush landscaping and plant life, natural water features and massive rock formations. Viejas Outlets also feature a variety of great eateries and the award-winning 12-lane Viejas Bowl, recently voted San Diego’s Best Bowling Center by readers of the U-T San Diego.


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The United States is the largest economy in the world. Its national pride is shaped by ideals of honest, hard-working people who pull themselves up by their bootstraps. As the story goes, this hard work pays off in returns on investment and growth in the marketplace, as capitalism does what it is intended to do. But undercutting this national pride is a dangerous trend of opportunism, dishonesty, and fraud in the marketplace that pits businesses against each other to see who among them can be the most unethical and unfair without getting caught. This term the Supreme Court is considering how far these bad actors can go under the guise of fair business.
Before the Court are two now-consolidated cases, U.S. ex rel. Schutte v. Supervalu, Inc. and U.S. ex rel. Proctor v. Safeway, Inc., in which the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit held that an individual’s or corporation’s subjective belief that what they are doing when they are doing it violates legal requirements is irrelevant to whether they committed fraud, as long as their lawyers can point to some ambiguity in the legal requirements after the fact, and create a so-called “objectively reasonable” (but wrong) interpretation of those requirements that permits the questionable conduct.
If there is such a way to parse and recast the legal requirements to permit their conduct—even if it is not what they actually believed at the time—the alleged bad actor escapes liability unless a Court of Appeals or the regulatory agency has already issued specifically on-point guidance stating that the conduct is impermissible. This is a tall order given the infinite kinds of conduct that give rise to fraud, not to mention the timeline required to hear from a circuit court on appeal, the lengthy duration of federal agencies’ notice-and-comment rulemaking, and the ingenuity of well-paid Defense lawyers to create new and innovative interpretations of their clients’ conduct to avoid application of whatever guidance exists.
Last week, 33 state Attorneys General, Senator Chuck Grassley, the United States, Taxpayers Against Fraud Education Fund (TAFEF), and the National Whistleblower Center filed amicus briefs in the Supreme Court illustrating the legal and practical consequences of the Seventh Circuit’s decisions. The petitioners and amici illustrate how the Seventh Circuit’s interpretation of the False Claims Act’s knowledge requirement diverges from the statutory text, centuries-long understandings of fraud, and the practicalities of public-private contracting to provide necessary goods and services to taxpayers.
But legal and practical arguments aside, these cases turn upside down the notion of fair business play. In addition to taxpayers and government programs, other businesses seeking to do right by the government and the public are also victimized by their competitors’ fraudulent conduct. Those honest businesses are at a significant competitive disadvantage for playing by the rules when other businesses game the system. Under the upside-down logic of the Seventh Circuit’s decisions, rather than reward honesty, businesses are instead encouraged to ignore legal requirements, “put on blinders, take the public’s money, and ask questions (or seek forgiveness) later,” as noted by the state Attorneys General.
The implications of these holdings are especially pertinent for the products the government was buying in these cases – drugs for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The government spends billions of dollars on drugs and biologics every year. According to the Government Accountability Office, both civilian and defense agencies spend more on drugs and biologics than any other product, totaling $48.4 billion in fiscal year 2021. Fraud has been an ongoing problem in the government’s efforts to provide these life-saving products to our most vulnerable citizens.
There have been numerous examples of successful anti-fraud enforcement against pharmaceutical companies engaging in drug pricing fraud over the years. But the makers of the drugs are not the only ones who engage in fraud when providing drugs to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Government contractors all along the supply chain have reaped excessive profits by bilking the government. For example, a supplier of pharmaceutical ingredients agreed to pay $22.05 million to resolve allegations that it falsely inflated its ingredients’ Average Wholesale Prices, causing pharmacies to receive greater government reimbursements for compound prescriptions based on the inflated ingredient prices. Then there was McKesson Corporation, a wholesaler, that agreed to return $190 million to resolve allegations it inflated drug prices in prescription drugs paid for by the government. At the other end of the supply chain, drug retailer Walgreens agreed to pay $60 million to resolve allegations that it overbilled the government by failing to disclose the lower drug prices it offered to customers through a discount program, implicating the same “usual and customary” price regulations at issue before the Supreme Court.
On its face the Seventh Circuit’s holdings give the two drug retailers a “get-out-of-liability-free card” even though those companies believed or understood their conduct violated legal requirements when they made claims for payment to the government. But worse, these holdings, if affirmed by the Supreme Court, would normalize fraudulent conduct in every kind of product sold to the government. This is the exact opposite message to send to government contractors given the scope of fraud on the government that already exists.
Fraud is rampant in healthcare, including Medicare Advantage, defense, and other government spending. President Biden recently acknowledged “a historic degree of outright fraud” also exists in the COVID-19 relief programs meant to help small businesses and unemployed individuals. The Government Accountability Office estimated that federal agencies made an estimated $281 billion in improper payments, including fraudulent payments, in fiscal year 2021.
If incentives and opportunities for fraud increase across the board, which is the green light the Seventh Circuit’s decision would give, anticompetitive and unfair business conduct will undermine the ability of honest businesses to provide goods at reasonable prices to the government. In a year when the federal government faces unprecedented debt and increasingly urgent alarms to avoid bankrupting the Medicare program, it is more urgent than ever that honest businesses that provide their products at appropriate prices are promoted and celebrated, and fraudsters don’t take more than their fair share because they can hire lawyers after-the-fact to help them get away with it.
The United States will embark on a new, unfortunate reality if the Supreme Court turns on its head the legal processes and accountability mechanisms designed to thwart and deter fraud on the government. The Seventh Circuit’s holdings recast False Claims Act enforcement as rewarding those who ignore legal requirements, avoid seeking clarification, and subjectively believe they are harming the government and the public. Allowing this to stand undermines the very ideals that shaped our country in the first place and made it the largest economy in the world.
Jaclyn Tayabji is a Fellow at Tycko & Zavareei LLP
 Safeway, 30 F.4th 649 (7th Cir. 2022); Supervalu, 9 F.4th 455 (7th Cir. 2021).


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New Fort Worth boutique has designs on helping women around the world
A new boutique is bringing more than great style to Fort Worth's Magnolia Avenue. Tribe Alive is on a mission to help women around the world.
The brand recently opened its first brick-and-mortar store, though Tribe Alive has had a robust e-commerce presence since 2014.
It all started with Carly Burson, who, after years of international volunteer work and the adoption of her own daughter, Elie, from Ethiopia, became aware of the economic insecurity facing women in the developing world and sought to create change.
Taking what she'd gleaned from more than a decade working in the fashion industry, Burson launched Tribe Alive (the name nods to Burson's desire to build a movement) as a jewelry line produced by a group of women in Honduras.
Eventually, the line grew into a full lifestyle collection featuring textiles, leather goods, and apparel crafted by female artisans from around the world.
By partnering with international nonprofits, Tribe Alive has equipped more than 120 women from Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, India — and now Fort Worth — with the tools and the support needed to provide for their families and create better lives for themselves.
Everything is designed and made by women, with the mission of empowering women to raise themselves out of poverty.
"We believe women are the key to our future," says Burson. "When we invest in women, then women reinvest in the health and well-being of their communities. When you reach one woman, you reach 100 more. We're interested in positively affecting generations to come, which is why we choose to invest in women. Women pay it forward."
Sharing Burson's passion for uplifting other women, Katie Samson joined Tribe Alive in 2016. As lead designer, she drives the creative voice of the brand, designing seasonal collections and working closely with partners around the world.
"They are smart, driven, and talented but are not taught that they can dream about a career for themselves," says Samson. "We step in to help bridge that gap in opportunity and invest in these women, who have so much to offer."
As Tribe Alive grows, Burson will remain focused on employing more women internationally while also making an impact locally. Last year, the brand began working with resettled refugee women in Fort Worth on small-batch capsule collections.
"There's so much we hope to achieve, but our main objective always remains rooted in the desire to empower women living in extreme poverty," says Burson. "It's easy to get lost in the note of the industry and the intricate layers of growing a brand. But, when we take a minute to dial back on why we began, the reason is very clear. We just want to employ more women."
Tribe Alive is at 1455 W. Magnolia Ave., Suite 109. Hours are 10 am-6 pm Tuesday-Thursday; 10 am-7 pm Friday-Saturday; 12 pm-4 pm Sunday; and closed Monday.


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Singapore Airlines is hatching plans for a low fare long haul carrier to compete with Far East rivals such as Air Asia and Qantas offshoot Jetstar.
SIA said it intends to establish the new no-frills, low-fare airline operating wide-body aircraft on medium and long-haul routes.
Go ahead for the new subsidiary, which is expected to launch within a year, follows “extensive review and analysis”.
“It will enable the SIA Group to serve a largely untapped new market and cater to the growing demand among consumers for low-fare travel,” SIA said.
The airline will be wholly owned by SIA, but will be operated independently and managed separately.
The airline’s CEO Goh Choon Phong said: “We are very excited about what our new low-fare subsidiary will offer to consumers. We are seeing a new market segment being created and this will provide another growth opportunity for the SIA Group.
“As we have observed on short-haul routes within Asia, low-fare airlines help stimulate demand for travel, and we expect this will also prove true for longer flights.”
Goh added: “At the same time we remain fully committed to the further growth of SIA, which will continue to offer the highest-quality products and services to our customers.”
More details will be announced by the new airline’s management team “in due course,” including its branding, products and services, and route network.
SIA already owns Silkair, which operates short-haul flights across Asia. Its prices are more expensive than budget airlines such as Jetstar Asia and Tiger Airways, but are cheaper than flights on SIA.
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via Bedroom Producers Blog:
New Loops has announced the launch of their annual summer sale, offering up to 60% OFF a variety of top selling items in their online store. The company is also offering an additional 20% OFF discount on all orders over £29 (the added discount is applied automatically). Some of the highlight deals of the sale are […]
The post New Loops 60% OFF Summer Sale Launched Until July 31st! appeared first on Bedroom Producers Blog.


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Natalia Corobco in Baku -
Young fashionistas in Baku often complain there's nowhere to shop. They go on biannual pilgrimages to Dubai and Istanbul to hunt for the latest affordable fast fashion reproductions of designer pieces. Now they no longer have to go that far: on May 28, Baku Plaza, a company of Azersun Holding, will open the doors of Park Bulvar - Azerbaijan's first modern shopping mall.
This is the first of three projects designed to introduce Western shopping values and bury old Soviet models, such as the TSUM (central general store). For appearance and status-conscious Bakuvians, Park Bulvar's offering of 17,000 square metres (sqm) of retail and leisure space on the seaside promenade is like their very own Jumeirah Beach (Dubai).
The market for consumer goods in Azerbaijan has been fairly stagnant over the past five years, constituting AZN3.8bn (about $4.8bn) in 2008. It grew by a meagre 1.9% to 35.6% as a proportion of total consumer spending. This is significantly below the pre-independence days of the late 1980s when people spent only about half of their budget on food. Companies in the apparel industry are still either playing it by ear or choosing to safeguard market information.
Overall, there is a sense of optimism in the capital as spending per capita there has reached AZN2,585 ($3,231), nearly double the country average. In the foreseeable future, competition will be concentrated in Baku, which is home to nearly 68% of the total number of shops. There are few constants for clothes retailers to fall back on in this time of change and previously unknown industry rivalry.
Until recently, the market was split among a few brand investors, such as Sinteks (Mango and top luxury brands) and Novco (Benetton, Lacoste). When Baku Plaza commenced the construction of the mall in 2007, new players saw an opportunity. Today there are plenty of international brands in distress as their European customers, hurt by the crisis, stopped shopping. Thus countries like Azerbaijan that were relatively unaffected by the financial crisis are prized new markets. Infinity is one example of a recent entrant that quickly established its position. It signed up Debenhams, one of the oldest multi-brand retailers in Europe. According to its head of marketing, Murad Tahirov, Infinity negotiated with some 15 different brands before striking a deal.
Most retailers operate on a franchise agreement with local brand investors, getting a cut on the profits. Infinity had to pay up front for merchandising and for establishing the 1,200 sqm anchor store at Park Bulvar (at a going refurbishment rate of AZN1,200 per sqm). Considering that shopping malls are a novelty in Azerbaijan the risks are high, but a stand-alone multi-brand store would cost more to maintain. Tahirov comments that Debenhams is a strategy to fill a market gap. There are many luxury and mass-market brands in Baku, but little of anything to cater to the mid-market. If the pilot project is successful, Infinity will open two additional stores as new shopping malls are completed.
So much more than shopping
Pioneering a whole sector is no easy task, but Park Bulvar has assembled a formidable team of nearly 200 people to run the mall. General Manager of Baku Plaza, Kadir Ozbey, believes that, "over time people will understand the meaning of shopping."
Along with a plethora of international brands, Park Bulvar is introducing an entertainment and dining-out culture to Azerbaijan. The mall houses a planetarium, cinema and art gallery, among other things. The concept (which cost about $60m to complete) leaves older and much smaller shopping centres such Nargiz and AF Mall far behind.
Park Bulvar's success will depend on consumer education and the adoption of new leisure habits. Park Bulvar's business development manager, Zarifa Mirzoyeva, believes that "low-quality street stores will close" as people opt for a comprehensive shopping experience. The share of non-registered trade (markets, fairs or private owners) has been increasing and is now at an all-time high of over 80%, but new shopping centres could absorb some of the workers in non-registered trade and bring spending out of the grey. Park Bulvar's current estimate is that it will take approximately eight years to breakeven; normally, it should not take more than four or five for a project of this size.
At present, Park Bulvar is reaping the rewards of its first-mover advantage. Occupancy is at 100% and being one of a kind allows for premium rates. Rental agreements start at roughly AZN60 per sqm and increase by 5-10% annually on three-year contracts. Meanwhile, New Life City - a new shopping mall which will open within a year - is advertising at only AZN10 per sqm. Further pressure on prices might come when Baku's third mall, the Flame Towers, is completed by the end of 2011. Fortunately for Park Bulvar this project has also been given to Baku Plaza for development.
The success of shopping malls in Azerbaijan will depend on the ability of retailers to cultivate a consumerist society. In terms of industry vision, both Tahirov and Ozbey want to see the development of local apparel brands, as has happened in Central and Eastern Europe. How this will happen is a bit unclear, though. First, entrepreneurship is almost non-existent in Azerbaijan and the current treatment of small businesses will continue to dampen initiative. Second, there are no popular fashion, design or tailoring schools. An effort by the author to locate one or two young designers brought no results. As such, for the foreseeable future the new malls will be populated by a few international and many more affordable Turkish brands.
Henry Kirby in London - Ukraine and Russia’s latest “Despair Index” scores suggest that the two struggling economies could finally be turning the corner, following nearly two years of steady ... more
bne IntelliNews - That President Ilham Aliyev's party, the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), won the November 1 parliamentary elections by a landslide took no-one by surprise: YAP has not lost a single ... more
Gary Kleiman of Kleiman International - Islamic finance, once hailed in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis as an answer to the speculative excesses of Western banking, ... more


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As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Some letters are not posted for public view until weeks or months after they are sent. Business owners have 15 days to respond to FDA warning letters. Warning letters often are not issued until a company has been given months to years to correct problems. The FDA frequently redacts parts of warning letters posted for public view.
MnM Spices Corp.
An import company in Illinois is on notice from the FDA for not having FSVPs for a number of
Continue Reading FDA sends warning letters to Illinois, Texas companies about import violations


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Privacy matters to us
This year’s Data Privacy Day and Safer Internet Day are back-to-back, and as part of our efforts to support both events, we are launching this new website aimed at helping families take better care of their online privacy.
Activate Privacy provides you with a number of small, actionable steps that you can follow that will help you take control of your online data and privacy, and help your children or elderly parents better protect themselves online.
From installing anti-tracking extensions in your favourite browsers and using a private search engine like Findx, through to using privacy-aware online services for chat and file-sharing, we promise that you’ll find a quick activity that you can do yourself, or help your family members complete on Activate Privacy!
Findx is a Champion of Data Privacy Day
Data Privacy Day is on 28 January 2018, and aims to raise awareness about the issues surrounding data privacy online. This year, there is a strong focus on protecting children and the elderly who are new to the internet. We hope you will join in and chat with your family members about protecting their data online, and encourage them to use services that respect their privacy.
Findx is a Safer Internet Day Supporter
Safer Internet Day 2018 is on 6 February and aims to raise awareness of a wide range of online issues from cyberbullying all the way through to identity theft. Each year has a different theme, and this year’s theme is “Create, connect and share respect: A better internet starts with you.” If you have younger children, please do talk with them about how they can create a better space online for themselves and their friends and schoolmates, and also how they can protect themselves from the shadier aspects of the web!
Why we think Privacy is good for business
Personal informationn may be valuable to business, but at Findx, we made it our very core not to collected it, and belive we can create value in other ways.
According to the Eurobarometer report on ePrivacy Europeans already act to keep their secrets and actively considers how to activate privacy features.
- 60% respondents have already changed the privacy settings on their Internet browser
- 37% use software that protects them from seeing online adverts
- 27% use software that prevents their online activities from being monitored.
- 65% of respondents have taken at least one of these actions.
- 69% totally agree the default settings of their browser should stop their information from being shared.
- 65% totally agree they should be able to encrypt their messages and calls, so they are only read by the recipient.
Nearly 75 percent of Americans feel it is “extremely” or “very” important that companies have “easy-to-understand, accessible information about what personal data is collected about them, how it is used and with whom it is shared.
We’ve taken the following actions to create a culture of respecting privacy, safeguarding data and enabling trust.
Findx does not collect any personal information about people
Findx has zero tracking of people and value privacy and independence. Read our Privacy by design principles
We value transparency in our algorithms, and build open source software
We are a small team and very privacy aware
We all take a role whether it is talking about privacy at international events like the DataEthics Forum, or setting the right level of privacy and security for our friends and family to respect and protect their personal information.
As an employee at Findx it comes natural – it is the core of our business to put peoples privacy first.
In addition to our privacy practices, we set new standards for our partners
we cannot take responsibility for every companies privacy policies, but we can make a set of strict requirements for our partners, and it is fundamental to us that we can’t sell or distribute personal identifiable data about people to any partners.
Privacore is a champion and supporter of the National Cyber Security Alliance


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INDIA: Maruti Suzuki’s nine-month net profit rises 15.8%
Maruti Suzuki India sales rose 45.6% year on year to INR109.57bn (US$2.03bn) for the fiscal third quarter to 31 December 2012 due to higher volumes, favourable model mix and more exports. Net profit rose almost 144% to INR5.01bn.
The growth in net profit was primarily due to higher sales and a good response from the domestic market to new models like the Ertiga and Swift DZire. Cost reductions also boosted Q3 profit.
During the third quarter, the automaker sold 268,957 units in India, up 27% and exported 32,496 units, up 17.2%.
For the nine months to 31 December, sales rose 27.3% to INR295.56bn and net profit was up 15.8% to INR11.53bn.
Sales in India were up 8.4% to 742,175 units but exports slipped to 85,550 units from 88,469.
New Delhi: The Board of Directors of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, approved the financial results for the quarter ending December, 2012.
The Company registered Net Sales (net of excise) of Rs. 109,570 million, an increase of 45.6 per cent over the same period in the previous year.
The growth in Net Sales was on account of higher volumes, favourable model mix and enhanced export realisation.
Net Profit during the quarter stood at Rs. 5,013 million, a growth of 143.8 per cent.
The growth in Net Profit was primarily due to higher sales and good response to new models like Ertiga and Swift DZire. The Company’s continued cost reduction efforts helped to drive profit in the quarter.
During the quarter, the Company sold 268,957 units in the domestic market, compared to 211,803 units, reflecting a growth of 27 per cent. The Company exported 32,496 units during the quarter, up 17.2 per cent.
9 Months: Apr-Dec (2012-13 Vs 2011-12)
In nine months of 2012-13, the Company’s Net Sales (net of excise) stood at Rs. 295,563 million, an increase of 27.3 per cent over same period in the previous year.
Net Profit during nine months (2012-13) stood at Rs. 11,525 million, a growth of 15.8 per cent.
During the nine month period, the Company sold 742,175 units in the domestic market, reflecting a growth of 8.4 per cent. Exports during April-Dec 2012 stood at 85,550 units against 88,469 units in April-Dec 2011.
Original source: Maruti
The media days for the 2013 Frankfurt Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) are 10 & 11 September. Each of the following vehicles is a world premiere at the show....
Sales growth of 34% in the first half of this year has catapulted Suzuki into the UK top 20, ahead of Volvo and Mazda and nibbling at the heels of Renault....
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, India's biggest carmaker, aims to sell more cars overseas to offset slowing demand at home, where it expects sales to grow 5% or less in the current financial year....
Maruti Suzuki boosted net profit for its first fiscal quarter 49% to INR6,316m, citing cost reduction, favourable foreign exchange rates and a benefit from merging Suzuki Powertrain India last fiscal ...
Flush with the success of its recently launched entry-level Amaze sedan, Honda's Indian unit has fast tracked plans to launch a seven-seater multi purpose vehicle (MPV) to compete with Maruti Suzuki's...
Suzuki expects car sales in Russia flat year on year at 33,000 units in 2013, Koichi Takakura, general director of Suzuki Motor Rus, told reporters....
Maruti Suzuki sales in India shrank 7.8% in June from the previous year to 77,002 units, the company said. This followed a 14.4% drop in May....
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Internet search giant Google has started testing a new feature on the Chrome app for iPhone users that will allow them to add a security layer for accessing the Incognito mode.
As per a report by 9to5Google, Google Chrome will let users “Lock Incognito tabs” making them blurred in the tab switcher. Later when users confirm that their identity, using Touch or Face ID, then the app will open the Incognito mode.
The report adds that this feature is listed in the release notes, however, it is not yet available to all beta users. “There appears to be a server-side component, while the public launch of Chrome 89 is expected next month — assuming Google’s iOS update situation gets resolved by then,” added the report.
Once the feature is live, users will be able to control it through Settings > Privacy > Lock Incognito tabs when you close Chrome.
Last week, Google rolled out a Chrome browser feature for Android users that solved users’ problem of too many tabs by organising them in groups.
Once these groups of tabs are created, users will be able to see a bar at the bottom for quick access. This bar offers access to each group at a time with options like New Tab within the same group and removing of tabs from a group.


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The UAE Covid-19 rules on everything starting from entertainment sectors, tourism, economic facilities and events will ease out from the mid of February. However, the rules of mask-wearing continue to remain the same. With the drop in infection rates, the authorities have decided to ease out all the restrictions except the rules of face masks.… Continue reading UAE Covid-19 restrictions ease but face mask rules to stay in place
Ever since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, masks have been made as an essential tool that is used to save lives and stop the virus spread. However, if you thought you can stay safe from Covid-19 only by wearing a mask, then you have to re-consider. Several other safety precautions like staying indoors during… Continue reading When and How to Use Masks: WHO
That face mask Dubai has been suggested to work as a powerful tool throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in curbing the virus spread is well-known by all. And as the infectious COVID-19 variant like Omicron continues to rule and make people fall sick rampantly. You must take face masks seriously and do the research on which… Continue reading What are Some of the Proven COVID-19 Face Masks to Buy?
Not only vaccines, but a face mask online can also keep you safe from the spread of the COVID-19 virus. For as long as the contagious coronavirus variants, like Omicron, stay amidst to grapple everyone in fear and sickness. The masks will continue to stay as the most crucial means of staying safe. So before… Continue reading Coronavirus Face Masks: What You Should Know
There’s no denying that one of the striking changes that emerged from the global health crisis is the compulsory use of online face masks in public. This means one must not keep their mouth uncovered when amidst public spaces such as restaurants, grocery stores and medical facilities. According to medical experts, face masks can essentially… Continue reading Omicron and Masking: Is it time to update your mask collection?
Face mask online if worn in the proper way along with other preventative measures like getting jabbed, frequent hand sanitizing can prove effective in curbing the spread of the deadly virus. The U.S. Centre’s for Disease Control and Prevention have mandated the use of face masks when in public, like restaurants, malls, markets, etc. They… Continue reading Why Face Mask is Important in this Pandemic?
After the scientific community notified the world of the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, a debate has arisen on the efficacy of travel bans and international communication about the virus. While we might not have wished for the return of face masks post the ease of stringent lockdown rules, it did come back… Continue reading What mask is best for the Omicron variant?
The spread of COVID-19 is getting increased day by day, and people need to be extremely careful. To prevent COVID-19, this is important to wear a protective face mask. Many online stores are available in recent times that sell face masks to customers, but choosing the best one is important. When it is about shopping… Continue reading Why face mask is trending?
From the starting days of Covid-19, one of the mandatory lifestyle changes that people face is surgical masks. To stay protected from COVID 19, the usages of a face mask is very much important. You will be able to look for plenty of protective masks in recent days but choosing the best one is very… Continue reading How do masks help in protecting from COVID-19?
· Excellent breathability and comfortable breathing. . Stylish design perfect for all occasions. · BBL mask maintains semi-permanent function, not disposable (can be washed and used).


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Wells Fargo Securities: Is Retail Demand Sustainable?
The retail sector is reinventing itself with ‘experiential’ tenants such as restaurants, movie theaters, fitness centers and art galleries to counter slowing brick-and-mortar sales, reported Wells Fargo Securities, Charlotte, N.C.
But will changing tenant mixes be enough to sustain the sector?
In a special commentary, Is CRE Retail Demand Sustainable?, Wells Fargo Securities Senior Economist Anika Khan said the retail vacancy rate fell to 5.7 percent in the second quarter and asking rent advanced 2.5 percent year-over-year. “Demand has outpaced supply for 16 quarters, a run that is unprecedented based on CoStar Portfolio Strategy data,” she said. “Supply is muted with completions as a percentage of inventory low relative to previous cycles, and the pipeline of construction projects expected to remain subdued in the coming years.”
Growing e-commerce has slowed the retail sector–especially malls and neighborhood shopping centers–but retail operating fundamentals remain positive, the report said. It noted that mall asking rent growth notched a double-digit gain in Q2 and neighborhood center activity also improved. “Much of the surprising sector resilience can be traced to landlords shifting the tenant mix from traditional anchors to experiential anchors like restaurants,” it said.
But the report noted that food and drinking establishment sales, shopping center foot traffic, same-store sales and its Restaurant Performance Index all softened in recent quarters, raising the question of whether slowing experiential demand could slow overall retail demand. Wells Fargo Securities modeled the components that make up more than 80 percent of retail demand variance including the savings rate, retail net operating income change, same-store sales, real retail asking rent and revolving credit.
Khan said a “confluence of factors” including leisure and hospitality sector wage gains and an increase in consumers’ preference to eat at home drove a downshift in experiential activity. “[But] using the long-run trend, we expect the modest pace of retail demand growth since 2014 to persist in the coming quarters,” she said.


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Eight short months ago, hemp was the fastest growing crop in US agriculture. As of August, US farmers have reported slashing the planted acreage of the crop by 67%, from 137,000 acres in 2019 to 45,000 acres, according to newly released data from the US Department of Agriculture. This drop follows four consecutive years of US farmers more than doubling their hemp acreage annually.
Blame the CBD boom. Hemp is a source of cannabidiol, also known as CBD, the cannabis-derived compound that consumers use for relief from muscle and joint pain, anxiety, and insomnia.
“We saw CBD production explode in 2019,” says Erica Stark, the executive director of the National Hemp Association, which represents hemp farmers, processors, researchers, and manufacturers. “The demand didn’t increase at the same pace…There’s still a lot of farmers who are still looking to find buyers for their 2019 crop.”
And the price they can expect for it, says Stark, isn’t what it used to be. “Prices dropped dramatically from, say an average of $35 a pound, down to $10 or less,” says Stark, adding that over-saturation is to blame, along with an ever-changing regulatory framework. The US cannabis industry at large saw a similar dive in 2019.
“It’s sort of like the perfect storm of circumstances,” she says.
For most US farmers, hemp is still a relatively new crop. It was illegal for anyone without a permit to grow it in the US until the 2014 Farm Bill opened up industrial hemp cultivation to state-controlled pilot programs. The 2018 Farm Bill removed industrial hemp—defined as cannabis plants with less than 0.3% THC by dry weight—and its extracts from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, where it might have been interpreted as marijuana.
Stark says she encourages farmers to start small when it comes to hemp. Although the plant can be used for a multitude of end-products, including rope, sweatpants, and culinary oil and seeds, US processing capabilities are still catching up, leaving farmers with a complex regulatory framework when it comes to farming, harvesting, and selling their crops. The plants must be tested for the legal percentage of THC (the plant’s intoxicating compound, or cannabinoid) and then sold according to how much CBD is present—and new rules mandate that plants must be tested for these cannabinoids within 15 days of harvest.
Stark says she sees this year’s dive as a bump—or a divot—in US hemp farming’s road to equilibrium. She emphasizes that the learning curve is steep, and farmers should do their homework before investing too heavily.
“I’ve seen way too many people jump in without the level of experience that’s really required,” she says. “I know we call it weed, but having it grow and having it be commercially successful are not the same thing”


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The same pricing across console models, as well as the sheer number of game listings suggested that these were speculative, rather than informed listings from Amazon, and Amazon UK PR has now confirmed that. "This was an error," said an Amazon UK spokesperson to IGN. Speaking specifically to the PS5 console listing, it "was priced as a dummy product with a dummy price."Amazon will often create dummy listings ahead of announcement events, which can be filled out if and when those announcements are made - that goes some way towards explaining the scattershot approach to what was included in this swathe of listings. There's some discussion to be had over how Amazon UK arrived at those dummy prices, but it's unlikely that, if it did have privileged information, it would be posting it publicly before any potential announcements at today's PS5 event.
PS5's price has been a constant talking point since its initial reveal. We don't know any specific retail numbers, but reports have said that it's running at a $450 manufacturing cost, that stock could be 'limited' in its first year, in part due to a hugher-than-expected price, but that COVID-19 hasn't affected its RRP.
Speaking of that PS5 event, you can stay here with us for all the info, live from the show - here's how to watch Sony's PS5 reveal event on IGN. Before that, there's the matter of IGN Expo Day 2, where we've got more exclusive reveals, gameplay and trailers for you - here's how to watch that (and if you want, you can add the whole schedule to your digital calendar). Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Activist investor Elliott Management has prompted Alcoa to add three directors earlier this year, pushed for the recent sale of Cabela’s by Bass Pro Shops, and is now suggesting Samsung shuffle its deck after recent troubles.
Feeling a little intimidated by the Internet of Things? Here's a straightforward and pragmatic process for taking on IoT.
Nothing is beyond our control, given the proper corporate culture and mentality. It’s a matter of how organizations operate and how they challenge their employees to think.


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New Lin-gang area reforms simplify market licenses
The Pudong New Area and the Lin-gang Special Area – both located in East China's Shanghai city – started piloting approvals on Nov 23 for market licenses that are markedly simpler, based on the various commitments of the market operators.
The initiative is understood to be part of wider efforts to delegate power, streamline administration and optimize government services.
The first four companies were granted their licenses on Nov 23 under the new system, which compared with the previous administration has reportedly shortened the processing time by about four weeks.
"In the past, when we wanted to open a new cinema, we needed to apply for screening license, health license, food safety license and other licenses, which needed at least one month," said Yu Bin, manager of the Shanghai Wanda Lin-gang branch.
"Now through the new mode, after signing and submitting the commitment letter, we can get an industry license covering all the license functions on the same day," Yu added
Altogether, 10 sectors – including convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, coffee shops, cinemas and retail bookstores – have spearheaded the reform.
Enterprises participating in the pilot reform are mostly said to be large businesses or chain stores with good credit and their qualifications are judged according to the public credit and industry credit system.
Each commitment letter is divided into two parts – a notice by the administrative examination and approval authority and the applicant's commitment.
The notice lists the examinations and approval content, examinations and approval basis, approval conditions, time limits and effectiveness of the commitment – as well as supervision and legal responsibilities – which are easy for companies to comprehend.
Within five working days before the opening of a business, the examinations and approval authorities check whether the enterprise's commitments are compliant. If details are inconsistent, the authorities ask them to rectify them within a time limit.
If the enterprise refuses to do so within the time limit or fails to meet the requirements after the response, the approval is revoked.
In addition, when the administrative examination and approval authorities carry out follow-up supervision, enterprises that violate their commitments will be punished according to the law.
"In the letter of commitment, we promise that the information we fill in is true and accurate… and that we believe we can meet these conditions, standards and requirements," said Xu Wei, manager of Shanghai Belencre, a company that will open a bookstore in Lin-gang this week.
This is the first time the company is adding catering services to one of its outlets, which requires approval for food operations and liquor sales. The relevant standards are specified in the promise book, saving a lot of effort.
Xu said that in the past the company would have handled the process through an intermediary, but now they could do it themselves by submitting materials at one time and obtaining licenses quickly – which not only saved a lot of time and energy, but also saved on costs.
The first group of four companies have their licenses issued under the new measures. [Photo/WeChat account: shlgguanweihui]
- Address No 200 Shengang Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China
- Zip Code 201306
- TEL +86-21-68283063
- FAX +86-21-68283000


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The FSA previously committed to publish data on the levels of campylobacter found in shops on a quarterly basis, following calls from Which? to enable consumers to make an informed choice. We are disappointed to see that the FSA have today confirmed, in the release of their board papers, that they are under increasing pressure from the industry to withhold this vital information on a bacteria which is responsible for thousands of cases of food poisoning a year.
Our response: Richard Lloyd, Which? executive director, said:
“The Food Standards Agency must not bow to industry pressure but should keep their commitment to putting consumers’ interests first by naming the worst performing shops for levels of campylobacter. Campylobacter is responsible for thousands of cases of food poisoning, and even deaths, each year so people have a right to know these results and which retailers are not performing well.”
Notes to editors:
From the FSA board paper, released today (http://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/fsa141103.pdf):
“It is disappointing that the British Retail Consortium, which speaks on behalf of retailers, has written to us again pressing us not to release the results of the retail survey and seeking to call into question the validity of the sampling plan, which they were consulted about before the survey commenced.”


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Toyota Ireland has announced details of its summer scrappage campaign that allows customers to drive away in a brand new Toyota, from prices starting at €7,995.
The campaign began on July 12 and runs through to the end of August, giving customers an opportunity to buy two award-winning models from the Toyota range.
Customers can choose either a new Toyota Aygo from €7,995, offering a saving of €2,350, or a Toyota Yaris from €10,495, which gives a saving of €3,900.
Commenting on the announcement, David Shannon, managing director of Toyota Ireland, said: “Our summer scrappage campaign shows Irish customers that there is remarkable value on offer at their local Toyota dealer. It undoubtedly makes now the time to buy a Toyota.”
He added: “This latest offer highlights yet again that Toyota is committed to offering customers quality vehicles, real value for money and a top class sales and after sales experience. We feel this will be a popular incentive for customers and we will be extending the offer to other models in our range.”


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Real Food Works is a healthy meal subscription service.
The venture-backed company was founded by seasoned entrepreneur and health food fanatic Lucinda Duncalfe.
In October 2013, the Chinatown-based startup landed the first investment from the city-backed StartUp PHL seed fund.
In August 2014, Duncalfe became chairman of the Real Food Works board, after being named CEO of Monetate.
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2017 Honda Civic Type R Black Edition
There’s been a lot of excitement surrounding the new Honda Civic Type R, largely because it’s finally coming to the U.S. But what’s gotten lost in the understandable hype surrounding the new Civic hot hatch is the fact that it isn’t scheduled to hit dealerships at least until the latter half of 2017. For now, the predecessor to the 2017 model is still holding court, or at least just finished doing so since the last of current Civic Type R models has just come off the production line. And like most models that pull at our emotional heart strings, Honda has decided to commemorate the end of the current Civic Type R by launching a special edition version called the Black Edition.
The model is formally known as the Civic Type R Black Edition, but let’s not get into any debates about that. The important thing is that it’s limited to just 100 units and with the how the hot hatch Civic is trending up in the eyes of collectors, it has the potential to be a diamond in the rough and turn into a sought-after car years from now.
For now though, the Civic Type R Black Edition is what it is. It has a number of extra upgrades and features that sets it apart from all other Civic Type Rs that came before it. It also has features the same power and performance credentials, thanks in large part to a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that packs an incredible 310 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, enough to propel it from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds before peaking at a top speed of 167 mph. That kind of performance even took the Civic Type R to the top of lap time records for front-wheel drive cars at the Nurburgring before it was usurped by the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S.
It’s safe to say that the Honda Civic Type R is one of the purest performance cars on the road today. Now it’s getting its own special edition model? Evidently, Honda knows how to end the production of the model on a high note.
Continue after the jump to read more about the Honda Civic Type R Black Edition.
2017 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition
The 2017 Honda Accord just hit showrooms on June 20, 2016, and with it came a new trim level dubbed the Sport Special Edition. As such, the new trim sits on the lower side of the spectrum, taking up the spot between the entry-level Accord LX and the Accord EX, so it’s not a trim you’re going to have to pay a fortune to position yourself in either. With that said, the Sport SE comes in three different versions – the first and cheapest comes with a six-speed manual, the mid-level includes a CVT transmission, and the third comes with a CVT and the Honda Sensing Safety Package. Don’t let its position in the Accord hierarchy fool you; this lower trim level actually comes pretty well-equipped.
Jeff Conrad, the Vice President for Honda division, said, “ [The] Accord continues to set the bar in its class with customers making it the top retail selling car in America for three years running. We’re proud to offer an expanded lineup with the new Sport Special Edition and the 2017 Accord Hybrid as we continue to advance Accord’s position as a true benchmark in its class, offering an unbeatable combination of style, efficiency, fun-to-drive performance and connectivity in the midsize sedan segment.”
With that said, don’t get your hopes up thinking there are any drastic differences to the body or anything. On the outside, the general look remains the same, but that just means it has a good foundation. And, with the Accord’s 2.4-liter engine, it has decent power blended with decent fuel economy. There are eight exterior colors to choose from but just one interior color. So, let’s take a closer look at the new Accord Sport SE and see what all the hype is about.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition.
2016 Honda CR-Z Alpha Final Label
The Honda CR-Z came to be in 2010, when it joined the Insight model in the company’s hybrid lineup. Developed on a similar recipe and powered by a small-displacement gasoline engine and an electric motor, the CR-Z essentially replaced the first-gen Insight, which had lost its three-door configuration when its replacement arrived in 2009. The CR-Z was also marketed as a spiritual successor to the CR-X, a sport compact that Honda sold between 1983 and 1991. Although it was received with great enthusiasm, the CR-Z soon began to struggle on various markets and dwindling sales prompted Honda to halt production at the end of 2016 without developing a successor.
With the hybrid sports coupe set to get the axe in a few months, Honda is now offering one last iteration of the CR-Z. Dubbed Alpha Final Label, the last limited-edition to leave the Suzuka factory will be sold in Japan only. Far from featuring any significant upgrades, the Final Label is just a slightly polished CR-Z with two new exterior paints, bespoke wheels, and minor touches inside the cabin. The limited-edition vehicle will be sold in Japan only, which is yet another sign that the CR-Z is struggling to meet its global targets.
A replacement is rumored to arrive sometime in 2018, but until that happens, let’s have a closer look at the model set to put an end to the first-generation CR-Z.
Continue reading to learn more about the Honda CR-Z Final Label.
The new S660 kei car is slated to hit Japanese dealerships early this April, and to commemorate the occasion, Honda is launching the limited-run Concept Edition, which brings with it enhanced exterior styling and upgraded cabin equipment. Only 660 units will be produced, all of which are destined for the Japanese market.
The two-door roadster was originally seen at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, and is essentially a spiritual successor to the 90s-era Beat, featuring an exceptionally low curb weight and very compact dimensions. Honda designed the vehicle around the philosophy of “Heart Beat Sport,” promising a driving experience in line with full-fledged sports cars.
It’s unfortunate that those of us residing stateside won’t get a chance to take the wheel of this simple, fun drop-top, but for anyone living in the Land of the Rising Sun, the S660 should deliver plenty of cheap thrills. While not extensive, the upgrades seen on the Concept Edition do provide some incentive to get in on Honda’s new project. But the question is, are they worth the bumped-up price tag?
Continue reading to learn more about the Honda S660 Concept Edition.
The current-generation Honda Civic is enjoying great success in the United States, where it is offered in both sedan and coupe body styles, which are powered by gasoline, natural gas, or even a hybrid powertrain. On the other side of the Atlantic, however, the hatchback version of the Civic, which Honda has yet to bring Stateside, just had its cool factor enhanced by means of a menacing special-edition model.
Dubbed Black Edition and wrapped in a triple black exterior that would make a 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner burst with anger, the new addition to Honda’s U.K. lineup is restricted to Great Britain, where it joins similar special-edition versions of the CR-V crossover and the Jazz hatchback (sold as Fit in the United States). Suddenly, it seems like the United Kingdom is a great place to be if you’re a Honda enthusiast.
But before we start feeling sorry for not getting it in the United States, let’s have a closer look and find out what the Civic Black Edition is all about.
Click past the jump to read more about the Honda Civic Black Edition.
Facelifted for the 2012 model year, the Honda Pilot SUV remained basically unchanged for 2014, keeping its boring, highly criticized exterior looks. Now if you were hoping that will change for 2015, then you’d better start relaxing those fingers, because the boxy, three-row SUV is holding onto its current specifications for one more year.
There is a notable change in the Pilot lineup, however, coming in the shape of a brand-new Special Edition trim. Sounds familiar? It should, because we’re talking about the same strategy Honda pushed with the aging Ridgeline pickup truck last year.
Essentially a well-equipped model fitted with a couple of exclusive features, the Pilot SE resides between the EX and the EX-L trims and can be had in both two-wheel and four-wheel-drive configurations. The Special Edition benefits from the same 3.5-liter V-6 engine as the rest of the Pilot lineup, meaning it can carry up to eight people and tow up to 4,500 pounds with input from 250 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque.
In charge with transferring the power to the wheels is a five-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control. The unit can be paired with Honda’s VTM four-wheel-drive system for AWD capability. Helping the SUV cope with tougher terrain is a fully independent suspension with a MacPherson strut at the front and a multi-link unit with trailing arm to the rear.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Honda Pilot Special Edition.
We told you that Honda and Forza Motorsports had teamed up to create a unique car based on a design that was submitted in the game, and now we have seen the fruits of their labor. The winning entry for the Forza Motorsport Civic Si Design Contest has been built and was displayed at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show last week. This represents one of the first times that Forza has ever created a real car based on an in-game design.
The winning design was created by Tiffany Labedez from Phoenix, Arizona and features a fairly striking black on red color scheme. Both the hood and the trunk lid are painted black, and the underside of the spoiler is also black, but the outside is red. It’s a cool effect.
There is a trio i-VTEC logos down each side as well as a collection of graphics that include flames, mud splatters and tire tread. It sounds busy, but somehow it works.
If you are the proud owner of an Xbox One and Forza Motorsports 5, you can grab the free Honda Legends Car Pack today. The pack features the new 2014 Civic Si Coupe as well as the Mugen-tuned 1984 Honda CRX and the 1994 Prelude.
Today, Honda announced a special-edition Ridgeline that completes the 2014 Ridgeline lineup that hit the market back in September. The model is priced from $37,505 and includes leather trimming and navigation as standard features.
The new Ridgeline Special Edition is offered with exclusive 18-inch, aluminum alloy wheels with black-trimmed spokes and it is distinguished by a black exterior trim package that includes black headlight and taillight housings, black tailgate and black honeycomb grille with black surround. It also gets "Special Edition" badges on the tailgate to let folks know that this is any regular old Ridgeline.
As standard, the new Ridgeline Special Edition comes with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice recognition and Zagat Survey restaurant information. It also includes XM Radio, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and a multi-information display.
Buyers can order the 2014 Ridgeline Special Edition in three exterior colors — Taffeta White, Crystal Black and Alabaster Silver — and they all come with black leather interior.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Honda Ridgeline.
The 2013 Honda Civic Tour will start in less than a month, and it looks like this year Honda fans will have one more reason to wait for it. Honda in cooperation with Maroon 5 will offer fans the chance to win a Honda Civic Si Coupe and Honda CBR250R motorcycle, both of them customized by Maroon 5.
The Civic Si by Maroon 5 is distinguished by a race-inspired exterior look and a body kit developed by Honda Factory Performance. The passenger door is signed by Maroon 5 members, Adam Levine and James Valentine, and the hood features a large "5" graphic. The Civic sits on special wheels designed by Honda Factory Performance and offered in a shade of red and black. The motorcycle also features custom graphics and wheels.
All you have to do to enter the contest is visiting Honda.us/M5Civic or Honda.us/M5Bike.
Click past the jump to read more about the Honda Civic SI.
The 2013 Honda Accord Coupe made its official debut just three months ago and it looks like Honda has already decided to amaze us with the car’s incredible updating possibilities. One of the limited editions prepared by the company for the 2012 SEMA Show is a very cool limited edition Coupe HFP (Honda Factory Performance). The model will be limited to only 500 units and will add another $4,650 over the Accord’s standard price of $23,350. Sales will begin in the spring of 2013.
The new HFP package will add a series of impressive updates that will enhance the exclusive appeal of the 2013 Accord Coupe. It will include HFP front, side, and rear underbody spoilers and a decklid spoiler. The car will sit on a new set of 19" HFP alloy wheels combined with a new HFP sport suspension that lowers the car’s height by 15 mm and enhances handling.
The interior will receive red illumination, HFP floor mats and HFP badges for each side and the trunk.
That didn’t take long, did it?
Only days after Honda unveiled an updated version of their sports hybrid model, the CR-Z, the Japanese automaker has already enlisted the help of their in-house aftermarket company to give it added flair.
Mugen took the task and the result is a more aggressive and more powerful car that definitely gives the face lifted model some serious attitude.
Aesthetically, Mugen went and added new exterior components to the CR-Z, including a new carbon fiber bonnet, more aggressive fog lamps, a new carbon wing mirror, a large rear spoiler, modified bumpers and skirts, and a new set of 17" dark matte grey finished wheels.
Inside, the CR-Z was treated to new sports seats, new trim materials with blue accents and a boost gauge for the supercharger...
Wait, there’s a supercharger? Thanks to Mugen, there is!
So what happens when a supercharger kit is added to a 1.5-liter engine that produces 136 horsepower? Customers will be able to benefit from 40 extra ponies, netting them a total of 176 horsepower.
This Mugen-tuned CR-Z will only have 300 models built with each priced at £33,000, which is around $55,000 based on current exchange rates. Sales are expected to begin in November in Japan.
The 2012 Honda CR-Z Mugen is beginning to take shape with at least one special edition model already being announced. The 2012 CR-Z iCF Mugen is being prepared by Honda U.K., promising the kind of performance capabilities that are befitting of Mugen’s fine-tuning.
For now, the only details that have surfaced regarding the CR-Z iCF Mugen is that it will carry a modified 1.5-liter engine that comes with an added centrifugal forced air induction system and a remapped ECU that takes the output of the hot hatch to an impressive 173 horsepower. This improved powertrain system allows the car to hit 0-62 mph in just 6.1 seconds while boasting of a top speed of 130 mph.
There doesn’t appear to be any final declarations as to how many of these cars will be sold by Honda UK Mugen dealers in the coming future. But for those interested to know how much a piece will sell for, Honda has announced that one model will carry a price tag of £24,000, which is around $37,200 based on current exchange rates.
Honda has launched a special edition CR-Z "α · Black label (Alpha Black Label)" on the Japanese market. This model comes equipped with alloy wheels and a black interior, among other improvements. It will be offered in seven different exterior colors and will be priced from 2,510,000 yen or about $32,000 at the current exchange rates.
Honda has opted for a black interior in order to create a sense of deep calm and advanced quality black-themed coordination (front seats, door linings, meter visor and the shift boot). The model is also equipped with 16" lightweight aluminum-coated wheels painted in metallic pewter gray.
Nothing has changed under the hood so the hybrid CR-Z will still come with an IMA hybrid system made up of a 1.5 Liter gas burning engine combined with an electric motor. The electric motor provides an additional 14 HP for a grand total of 124 HP and 131 lb-ft of torque.
The British market is once again receiving a pretty cool car: a limited edition Honda Civic TI. There will only be 500 units built, with sales beginning in March 2011 at a price of £15,995 for the 1.4 i-VTEC and £16,995 for the 1.8 variant.
The new Civic TI is inspired by this season’s Honda Racing British Touring Car challenger and comes painted in Premium White Pearl contrasting with matte black wheels and ‘GP’ body kit finished in Crystal Black. The body kit includes: front spoiler, rear spoiler (finished in white), side skirt inserts and rear body skirts.
For the interior, the new Ti model is offering Pioneer Navigation Multimedia System, which offers full-scale sat nav, entertainment and communication with a 3D graphic touch screen. The navigation system includes a map database covering 44 countries, multiple sensors to ensure more accurate positioning, a traffic message channel receiver to avoid traffic jams and a hands free telephone system. It also plays CD, DVD, iPod, iPhone and USB devices, with on-screen controls.
Getting an award is quite an honor, but getting the title of Japanese Car of the Year is apparently something that warrants a little more than a simple thank you. The Honda CR-Z’s success on the Japanese market has led it to this prestigious award, and has led Honda to unveil a special edition to celebrate the event. Appropriately named the Memorial Award Edition, this special edition will only be available in Japan in a limited run of 1000 units. Honda sure seems excited about this title, huh?
The CR-Z Memorial Award Edition will be offered exclusively in Pearl Deep Sapphire Blue exterior paint with Dark Pewter Gray 16" wheels in a five double-spoke design. Onlookers will know exactly what this car is all about thanks to a sticker affixed on the driver’s side quarter glass that lists all of its options.
For the interior, the new CR-Z Memorial Award Edition adds a medium gray finish, sporty aluminum pedals, and a standard navigation system. Other than that, you get the standard 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine with 122 HP and 123 lb.-ft. of torque.
The price for the special CR-Z Memorial Award Edition is JPY 2,794,000 (or about $34,200 at the current exchange rates). So basically, customers interested in the Award model will get to spend almost twice the amount of the standard CR-Z for less upgrades than we can count on one hand. Doesn’t seem smart, does it?
Our friends over at Honda Malaysia understand the market’s inclination and preference for dressed up white vehicles. So instead of letting these customers worry about how to dress up their Hondas, Honda Malaysia decided to do the dressing up for them.
Honda Malaysia President and COO Rohime Shafie explained that through a survey conducted by the company, they discovered that a number of their customers preferred the addition of extra accessories to further establish sportiness and exclusivity to the cars.
“With this finding, and in view of the increasing trend of preference for white shaded vehicles in Malaysia market, we have created a fleet of white-coloured Concept M special edition models to fulfill customers’ demand,” he said.
With the introduction of the Concept M models, Honda Malaysia has given three of its models – the Accord, the Civic, and the Jazz – kitted-out, special edition variants. Named in honor of Honda’s two official accessories partners Mugen and Modulo, the Concept M models are taken to a whole new dressed up variant, all while sporting the increasingly popular white finish. The results are three dressed up Honda vehicles that will have customers tripping over each other in an effort to get one of these limited edition models for themselves.
Details after the jump
In Japanese the word Mugen means unlimited, it is also the name of Honda’s in house racing branch that brought us the ultimate Mugen Type RR. Doing what they do best, the factory backed tuners are taking their big winged Civic Type R a bit further to create the special edition Honda Civic Type R Mugen 200 in celebration of their 2010 (BTCC) British Touring Car Championship racing efforts and will compete with vehicles like the Ford Focus RS and the Renault Mégane R26R off the track.
Destined exclusively for the British isles when it goes on sale this April, all 200 examples of the limited edition Civic Type R are covered in a Championship White finish accented with gloss black mirror covers and features exclusive Mugen equipment like bespoke front and rear bumpers with lower hanging side skirts, 19 inch alloy wheels, Mugen badges and Limited Edition number plaque and the all important (LSD) Limited Slip Differential.
Press release after the jump.
On Monday Honda announced the 2009 will be the final year for the S2000 roadster. To commemorate the high-revver’s final year the event the company will reveal a special edition S2000 for Europe. It’s called the Ultimate Edition, and we’ll see first in it Geneva right before it hits the showrooms.
The Ultimate Edition S200 is painted in a Grand Prix White exterior color and comes with graphite colored alloy wheels. Inside gets red leather furnishings and red stitching on the accessories. Ultimate Editions will be marked out by their unique numbered plaques on the kickplates, denoting their position in the series.
It will be powered by the same 2.0-liter 9000 rpm VTEC engine that delivers 240 hp. There has been not special edition marked for the U.S. yet, but we’d be perfectly happy even if Honda would drop a few regular S2000s on our doorstep on its way out of town.
For those folks who like motorcycles but also cars, Honda, the Japanese manufacturer unveiled special edition of a 3-door Civic Type S inspired by CBR1000RR Fireblade motorcycle. Special built for the Italian market, the Honda Civic Type S Fireblade Replica features a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine capable do develop 140 hp and 340 Nm. Fitted with a 6-speed manual gearbox, the vehicle hits 100 hp in just 8.6 seconds and has a top speed of 205 km/h with an average fuel consumption of 5.2 liters/ 100 km.
The car will be available in three colors, Black, Red and Silver and will feature a re-designed front bumper, new side skirts and a new rear bumper with integrated exhaust system. What is really special about this edition is the graphite color for all this parts of the body kit, color found also on the 18 inch alloy wheels. Price of the car: €25,000 or approximately $40,000.


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The latest major 'Star Wars' game finally dropped its most controversial aspect - but it may be too late
* Nearly six months after launch, "Star Wars Battlefront 2" is finally addressing its controversial "loot box" system.
* After an update scheduled for March 21, virtual prize boxes in "Battlefront 2" will only contain "credits or cosmetic items, such as emotes or victory poses, but nothing that impacts gameplay."
* When it launched in late 2017, "Battlefront 2" became the most egregious example of an ongoing trend where paid video games charged players extra money for so-called "loot boxes."
19th March 2018


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WarTales, the iturn-based tactics RPG from Shiro Games, has recently announced a significant milestone in its sales, having sold over 600,000 copies. The game, initially released in December 2021, has quickly gained a loyal following among RPG enthusiasts who appreciate its challenging gameplay and immersive storyline.
Shiro Games, the studio behind popular titles such as Northgard and Evoland, has once again proven their expertise in creating engaging and unique gaming experiences. WarTales is set in a medieval world plagued by war, famine, and disease, where players must navigate through its harsh environments to survive and thrive. The game boasts a rich and diverse open world, offering players the opportunity to explore, trade, and engage in thrilling battles against various foes.
Furthermore, WarTales stands out with its tactical turn-based combat system, which requires players to think strategically and make the most of their mercenaries' unique abilities. Personalizing your band of mercenaries, managing their attributes, and upgrading their equipment are crucial elements of the game. Additionally, the game ensures that each playthrough is distinct through its procedurally generated content, making the experience fresh and exciting for players every time.
The sale of over 600,000 copies of WarTales is a testament to the game's success and the growing interest in challenging and immersive RPGs. As Shiro Games continues to develop and expand the world of WarTales through regular updates, it is expected that the game's popularity will only continue to rise. For fans of the RPG genre seeking a fresh and engaging experience, WarTales is undoubtedly a must-play title.


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In the coming years, while the global automotive landscape shifts towards adopting modern tech-driven alternatives, the Middle Eastern industry will have a sizeable impact on the regional aftermarket with big data and analytics playing a pivotal role in how the automakers and other players of the market optimise their value chain.
Speaking at the Automechanika Network in Riyadh, Project Manager for Automotive and Transportation at research advisory firm Aranca, Vishal Sanghavi said that future megatrends such as shared mobility, electrification, connectivity and self-driving vehicles will lead to a big shift in the redistribution of profits across the value chain.
Manufacturers could benefit by focusing on developing more connected car solutions, as connectivity is expected to be the fastest growing mobility trend in the region.
“The global automotive industry is undergoing massive transformation and the Middle East is no exception to this change,” said Sanghavi. “Big data and analytics will enable aftermarket players to optimise the value chain end-to-end based on predictive maintenance while new technology providers will become an integral part of the automotive value chain.”
Higher demand for shared mobility will call for higher vehicle utilisation which is expected to drive aftermarket revenues to spare parts and repairs. Sanghavi also explained how manufacturers could benefit by focussing on developing more connected car solutions, adding that connectivity is expected to be the fastest growing mobility trend in the region.
Major automakers around the world are tweaking their traditional platforms or creating new ones to accommodate an electrified powetrain.
“Advanced telematics solutions, vehicle-to-vehicle connectivity technologies and infotainment solutions are some of the most sought after innovations in the Middle East,” said Sanghavi.
On a similar note, General Manager of YallaMotor.com, Jorge Bialde who also spoke at the expo explained how the aftermarket businesses can leverage online tools to better engage with customers. “It’s clear that digitalisation and e-commerce will reduce the current frictions and bring more transparency to the purchase phase,” he said.
In Dubai, the exhibition is expected to open its doors this June and more than 1,800 exhibitors from 61 countries are expected to be part of the show. The event will cover six product sections including Parts & Components; Electronics & Systems; Accessories & Customizing; Repair & Maintenance; Car Wash, Care & Reconditioning; and Tyres & Batteries. In addition to this, this year’s edition will also feature four new sub-sections of Agricultural Parts and Equipment; Body & Paint; Motorcycle Parts & Components; and Oils & Lubricants.


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Fosun Pharma to launch up to $600 million Hong Kong offer Tuesday: source
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co Ltd (600196.SS) is set to launch an up to $600 million Hong Kong stock offering on Tuesday, a source with direct knowledge of the plans said, the biggest share sale in three months to hit the once-booming Asian equity capital market.
The deal was originally set to be launched last Thursday, the first major stock sale in Hong Kong after a drought of nearly three months in offerings. It would be the largest offering in Hong Kong since Shanghai-listed Inner Mongolia Yitai Coal Co Ltd (900948.SS) (3948.HK) raised about $900 million in early July.
Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical is set to price the offering on October 22 or 23, said the source, who was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
Equity markets in Hong Kong, which led the world in issuance for two years in a row in 2009 and 2010, have dwindled with new stock offerings down by more than 80 percent so far this year.
The company is offering shares at an indicative range of HK$11.08 to HK$13.68 each, the source said. At the low end of the range, the price would be equivalent to 14.5 times Fosun Pharmaceutical's estimated 2012 earnings and 12.1 times its 2013 earnings.
Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical is a subsidiary of Fosun International (0656.HK), one of China's largest conglomerates. The company has secured $75 million in cornerstone investments from Prudential Financial (PRU.N) and the World Bank's private investment arm, International Finance Corp (IFC), Thomson Reuters publication IFR reported.
China International Capital Corp (CICC), Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE), JPMorgan (JPM.N) and UBS (UBSN.VX) are handling the offering.
NEW YORK - Earnings season shifts into high gear next week, and with nearly one-third of S&P 500 names set to post results, investors hope the news provides a catalyst to buy stocks and leave the market's recent weakness in the dust.
- The troubles at BlackBerry Ltd, which fired more than half its staff and lost more than 90 percent of its market value as consumers shunned its smart phones, might have spelled disaster for the company's hometown of Waterloo, Ontario. Instead, there are hot sports cars in the streets and new companies filling the refurbished office buildings. | Video
BEIJING/HONG KONG - China reiterated its opposition on Thursday to a European Union plan to limit airline carbon dioxide emissions and called for talks to resolve the issue a day after its major airlines refused to pay any carbon costs under the new law.


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Adron Homes and Properties Ltd, a renowned real estate company, has officially announced the dates for its highly anticipated annual sports fiesta, Adron Games 2023. This year marks the 7th edition of the event, which will take place from November 16 to 19, 2023, in the vibrant city of Ibadan, Nigeria. With the theme “The Strongest is the Unstoppable,” Adron Games 2023 promises to deliver an exhilarating experience packed with intense competitions in various sports disciplines.
Athletes and sports enthusiasts from across the country are eagerly awaiting the event, which will feature a wide range of sports including Football, Basketball, Athletics, Table Tennis, and more. Adron Games 2023 continues its tradition of greatness, providing participants with an unmatched platform to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level.
The Corporate Games segment of Adron Games 2023 will bring together teams from prominent companies across diverse industries. These organizations will engage in friendly yet fiercely competitive matches, fostering camaraderie and team spirit among their employees. This segment serves as an excellent opportunity for professionals to come together, bond, and showcase their sporting prowess.
Moreover, the Adron Games 2023 will showcase the immense talent and passion within the Adron family. Recognizing the importance of promoting an active and healthy lifestyle among its staff members, Adron Homes encourages employees to participate and excel in their favorite sports. This internal competition serves as a platform for Adron staff to demonstrate their skills and compete in a friendly and supportive environment.
Throughout the event, participating teams in Football, Basketball, Athletics, Table Tennis, and other sports will engage in exhilarating matches, displaying their skills and determination to claim victory for their respective teams. The competition is expected to be intense, as athletes from different backgrounds strive to showcase their abilities and compete at the highest level.
One of the highlights of Adron Games 2023 is the substantial cash prizes awaiting the winning teams. The event aims to recognize excellence and dedication by rewarding participants with generous incentives that acknowledge their hard work and talent.
“We are thrilled to announce the official event date for Adron Games 2023,” expressed Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, the Group Managing Director/Chairman of Adron Group. “This year’s edition promises to be an exceptional showcase of talent, teamwork, and sportsmanship. We invite participants and spectators alike to join us in Ibadan for an unforgettable sporting experience.”
Adron Games 2023 is dedicated to creating an inclusive and memorable event that brings together participants, sponsors, and spectators from all walks of life. The event serves as a platform to celebrate athleticism, promote healthy competition, and encourage a vibrant sports culture within the community.
To stay updated on the latest news and announcements regarding Adron Games 2023, participants and spectators can visit the official websites of Adron Sports Foundation (www.adronsportsfoundation.org) and Adron Homes and Properties Ltd (www.adronhomesproperties.com).
With Adron Games 2023 just around the corner, sports enthusiasts and athletes alike are eagerly counting down the days to this exciting and prestigious event.


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Orchid is now available for desktop on MacOSJul 22, 2020
The Orchid app is now available for desktop on MacOS. This release will allow the operating system's 100 million users to browse the Internet in privacy using Orchid's unique, decentralized VPN marketplace.
Orchid uses a robust system of incentives to match supply with demand and ensure ample bandwidth is available. People can use OXT, the Orchid digital currency, to fund their account, and can then purchase VPN service on a pay-as-you-go basis. In-app purchases -- currently available for iOS -- will be available for MacOS starting immediately. In-app purchases let people buy a pre-filled Orchid account and use the service without the need to acquire or transfer OXT.
Dr. Steven Waterhouse, Orchid's Co-Founder and CEO said: "Many more people are now at home and surfing the Internet from a desktop, so it's essential that we expand the places where Orchid is available in order to meet their needs. Orchid is committed to offering the best possible Internet privacy across operating systems and devices, and the MacOS release is a big step in that direction."
In March, Orchid outlined its decision to prioritize desktop clients in order to support increased numbers of people accessing the Internet from their desktops at home. With the coronavirus pandemic likely to keep remote work commonplace for the foreseeable future, access to strong Internet privacy tools is more important than ever.
Further updates, including announcements regarding in-app purchases for MacOS, will be shared in the coming months.
Download the Orchid app to start exploring the Internet freely.


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n95 mask producer
Mar 27, 2020 · "A mask machine is a real cash printer," said Shi Xinghui, sales manager of an N95 mask machine company in Dongguan city, southeastern Guangdong province. "The profit of a mask now is at least several cents compared to less than one in the past. "Printing 60,000 or 70,000 masks a day is equivalent to printing money." 3M Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Mask 3M Healthcare N95 Respirator 1860, 1860S, 1870 Instructions Sheet (PDF, 180.9KB) Common Questions - 3M N95 Particulate Respirator/SurgMask (PDF, 18.0KB) Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Mask 1860/1860S User Instructions (PDF, 232.2KB)
Feb 28, 2020 · From the streets of Beijing to Milan Fashion Week, people around the world are turning to protective masks and respirators to try and reduce the risk of infection amid the global outbreak of 3M:We'll make more N95 masks for the US but we need to Apr 03, 2020 · 3M, the world's largest maker of respirator masks, said Friday it is willing to comply with President Trump's order to manufacture and supply more critically needed N95 masks Coronavirus US Update:Trump Administration Turned The Trump administration refused to heed an offer made in late January by Prestige Ameritech, the largest surgical face mask producer in the U.S., to produce N95 respirators before the COVID-19
Nov 24, 2020 · Mask producer expanding into Black Belt, to hire 300 Updated Nov 24, 2020; Posted Nov 23, 2020 HomTex will establish a Dallas County operation to produce masks, including N95 masks. Mike Bowen:US medical mask maker says 'I've been ignored May 14, 2020 · An executive for a US mask producer bemoaned, in heated and emotional testimony Thursday to Congress, how his warnings of insufficient domestic medical mask production had been ignored by the N95 Face Mask Makers Ramp Up Production to Meet U.S. The reinvented supply chain means that producers of the machines and materials required to assemble N95 masks, which are designed to block out 95% of very small particles, are ramping up U.S
The reinvented supply chain means that producers of the machines and materials required to assemble N95 masks, which are designed to block out 95% of very small particles, are ramping up U.S The US was offered millions of masks in January. The Trump May 10, 2020 · And a tactical training company with no history of producing medical equipment was given $55 million to make N95 masks for $5.50 each a price around seven to nine times greater than other Top Surgical Masks Suppliers - ThomasnetJan 31, 2021 · In Middleboro, MA, Louis M. Gerson Company offers disposable N95 respirators as molded and cupped disposable masks. The company also offers respirators and filters for welding, painting, silica and concrete, mold remediation and vapor. Makrite, based out of Taiwan, has the most private label options on the list.
Jan 31, 2021 · The company offers NIOSH regulation N95 and N99 masks as well as medical and other masks and goggles. Aero Pro Company supplies molded and flat-folding disposable N95 surgical masks, folding N95 disposable respirators, and non N95 surgical masks in adult and childrens sizes. The company is based out of Changhua City, Taiwan. Why Can't America Make Enough N95 Masks? 6 Months Sep 17, 2020 · The White House worked with some big companies, including 3M and Honeywell, to ramp up domestic production of respirator masks. That was Windsor manufacturer says producing thousands of N95 masks The N95 designation specifically refers to the masks' ability to filter out 95 per cent of particulate and the most well-known manufacturer of the masks is U.S. multinational conglomerate 3M.
A Jan. 15 report from the Wall Street Journal details a collaboration between dozens of major manufacturers and distributors of N95 masks and other critical COVID-19 protective equipment to coordinate the production and distribution of such products which are still in short supply for various health care providers across the United States despite a broad-based effort to ramp up their production


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APS : Tuesday, 02 October 2018
WASHINGTON-Algeria and the United States held the 6th round of talks Tuesday in Washington on the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).
The agenda of the meeting includes many trade-related matters, access to markets, the protection of intellectual property rights and business environment.
The meeting will focus on a roadmap on trade and investment which will involve five key sectors, namely industry, energy, agriculture, trade and tourism.
Talks will be led by an Algerian multisectoral delegation chaired by Cherif Omari, Secretary General at the Trade Ministry, and officials of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), which is the executive body of the U.S. federal government responsible for trade policy at the bilateral and multilateral levels.
Inked in 2001 by the two countries, the TIFA agreement aims to establish an annual economic dialogue and enhance business and trade between both countries’ companies.
In 2016, Algeria has become once again eligible for the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), a mechanism facilitating access of beneficiary countries’ products to the US market free of customs duties.
This preferential regime, from which Algeria benefited for the first time in 2004, includes manufactured products, semi-finished products and certain agricultural, fisheries and craft products.
However, very few Algerian products have marketed in the US under this advantageous tariff system.
- Croatia’s FM hails Algeria’s peacemaking efforts in region
- President Tebboune receives Croatian Foreign Minister
- Croatian FM dubs Algeria as key partner, commends its role in region’s stability
- Benabderrahmane received by Tunisian president
- President Tebboune receives president of State of Palestine


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Video games achieved better results in July 2010 after a lackluster June month. Improving hardware sales were partially offset by sluggish software sales in the month.
According to the research firm NPD, U.S. retail sales of hardware, software and accessories decreased 0.5% year over year to $846.5 million in July. However, this excludes Activision Blizzard’s (ATVI) most recent release, StarCraft II, for personal computers (PC). NPD does not include sales from PC games in its monthly game sales data.
For the month of June, retail sales of hardware, software and accessories in the U.S. decreased 6.0% year over year to $1.1 billion.
According to Activision, within 48 hours of its release, StarCraft II sold more than 1.5 million. Including the game, industry sales almost increased 4.0%, according to NPD.
Hardware sales were $313.8 million in July, up 12.0% year over year, attributable to robust sales of Xbox 360 from Microsoft Corp. (MSFT). The new slim format of Xbox 360 has gained immense popularity among video game players.
We expect further transition from old systems to the new one as the holiday season sets in, and major publishers such as Activision and Electronic Arts (ERTS) release their new titles in the latter half of 2010.
Xbox 360 sold more than 443,000 units in July whereas Nintendo sold approximately 254,000 Wiis. Sony Corp. (SNE) sold more than 214,500 units of PlayStation 3 (PS3).
However, software sales remained weak year over year. Despite an easier year-over- year comparison, software sales fell 8.0% to $531.3 million, excluding StarCraft II, primarily due to a lack of significant new releases. However, it was in line with the analysts’ expectations for a drop of 7.5% to 15%.
Electronic Arts’ NCAA Football 11 release was the top-selling title with over 666,000 units sold on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Microsoft’s Crackdown 2 held the number two position with approximately 209,000 units sold in the month of July.
The other two games in the top 4 list were Nintendo’s Super Mario Galaxy 2 (193,000 copies) and Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.’s (TTWO) Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 (142,000 copies).
Sales of video game accessories decreased 2.0% year over year to $129.3 million.
Total industry sales year to date fell 8.0% year over year to $7.51 billion.
Second Half Video Game Sales
Although most industry analysts expect flat to negative growth for 2010, we tend to differ on the basis of a plethora of new releases in the second half of 2010 and strong hardware sales on the backdrop of the upcoming holiday season, which could boost sales in the second half.
We believe third party publishers such as Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard enjoy a healthy product portfolio. Electronic Arts is scheduled to release new Medal of Honor in October and Activision Blizzard will release its new Call of Duty: Black Ops in November. Both the games are in the action genre with a strong fan following and have received satisfactory pre-release reviews.
Moreover, Microsoft is scheduled to release Halo: Reach in September. We also believe game sales in the second half should benefit from the launch of motion control devices — Natal from Microsoft and Playstation Move from Sony.
The video game industry continues to thrive on evolving technologies, as the major players are keen to grab market share with new quality releases, making the video game industry highly competitive. Leading companies such as Sony Corp, Microsoft Corp, Nintendo, Activision Blizzard, Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. and Ubisoft actively compete in this market.
Diversified media companies such as Walt Disney (DIS), Time Warner (TWX) and Viacom, Inc. (VIA.B) are also augmenting their software game publishing efforts, which are expected to intensify further competition going forward, in our view.
With the advent of smartphones, iPad, iPhone and PDAs, buying and installing games and applications have become quite simple for gamers. According to research firm DFC Intelligence, the mobile gaming industry is expected to grow to $11.7 billion by 2014.
We believe the success of online and social gaming will have a major impact on gaming companies, as they finally make a switch to Internet-based gaming from the more conventional gaming. These new avenues will likely boost earnings growth of the video gaming companies over the long run.
We therefore remain positive for the video game sales next year with a slight pick up in the second half of 2010 on the backdrop of strong new releases, contract ramp ups, and increased new gamers. However, intense competition and a weak industry trend may act as headwinds for the entire industry in the near term.


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According to ezCater, a corporate catering platform, healthy eating goes right out the window as soon as tax season hits.1 They surveyed 600 tax pros to see how busy season affects their diet and found:
- 96% reported skipping meals they would have normally eaten;
- 81% said they don’t eat as healthy during tax season as they usually do; and
- Gen X tax pros (born between 1965 and 1980) were 86% more likely than Gen Z (born 1997 to 2013) to indulge in comfort food during busy season.
But it’s not all bad news. Office-provided meals can offer a way to take a quick break and recharge before heading back for that 6:00 to midnight shift:
- 82% of those surveyed say meals provided by the office allowed them to take a break from their work;
- 75% noted being able to interact with other employees;
- 72% said office meals allowed them to be able to work extra hours.
Maybe you can have your cake and eat it, too
So a huge order of McDonald’s for the entire office is probably off the table, right? Not so fast. Dinner in the conference room might not have to always be green goddess salads and lettuce wraps.
McDonald’s has partnered with Beyond Meat and began selling the McPlant burger in 2021, which is currently available in Texas and Northern California.2 (The burger is permanently on the menu in several countries in Europe.) McDonald’s also just announced the rollout of their next plant-based product: McPlant Nuggets, which are made from peas, corn, and wheat, enrobed in a tempura batter.3 No pink foam in sight.
Chick-fil-A is also expanding its menu to offer plant-based options: After four years of R&E, starting February 13 it released a breaded cauliflower sandwich that is currently available at locations in Denver, Colorado; Charleston, South Carolina; and Greensboro, North Carolina.4


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IRVINE Calif. Diedrich Coffee Inc. has agreed to sell the domestic franchise operations for the Gloria Jeanâ€™s Coffees brand for $3.1 million to Praise International North America Inc., the U.S. master franchisee for the brand. The company said Monday that the transaction is expected to close within 60 days. It is part of an ongoing strategy by Diedrich Coffee to focus exclusively on the expansion of its specialty coffee wholesale business, officials with the Irvine, Calif.-based ...
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Contact: Desiree Torres Desiree.Torres@penton.com