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TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) – Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva was in Nogales to present a check for $750,000 to Nogales Community Development, an organization that tries to jump-start business development and the innovation in its city center.
Nogales has been hit hard economically in recent years by hostile border politics followed by the pandemic.
A once vibrant town center buoyed by cross-border trade has essentially dried up and business along a once-bustling Morley Avenue has slowed to a trickle.
“I saw that the stores, some only now, were closed, but they had removed everything, all the merchandise,” said the mayor of Nogales, Art Garino. “These are the ones I feared wouldn’t come back.”
Downtown Nogales is one of the poorest areas in the state that relies on customers from Sonora to cross the border to get their groceries.
But now, rather than completely relying on cross-border trade, the city is looking to become more independent.
“Investing in the life, the businesses, the culture, the art, the history of this unique and special place,” Grijalva said. “The frontier lands, of which Nogales is an intimate part.”
The money will go to an organization that has been working for years trying to attract businesses and industries to the city center with little success, Nogales Community Development.
“So I think it’s a turning point, a community reinventing itself,” said former NCD chief executive Yvonne Delgadillo. “So it’s great to be a part of it.”
The charity will use the dollars to build a section of a once-abandoned warehouse for commercial development and an economic incubator, where people can pitch and work on ideas for downtown revitalization.
“We sent letters from my office to attract businesses to Nogales.” said Mayor Garino. “We haven’t caught anyone with a hook yet, but hopefully we can.”
The hope is that the city can revitalize its downtown to the point where it can better absorb unexpected issues created by Washington politicians or things like the pandemic and not rely solely on cross-border commerce.
“This place will never be as safe as we believe it is unless you have a vibrant economy where families are safe and the economy is doing well and people are working,” Grijalva said. “And it’s a drop, a drop in that direction.”
But for the folks here, the $750,000 is a pretty big drop.
Copyright 2022 KOLD News 13. All rights reserved.


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West Bengal residents rejoice, King Cobra is here. Molson Coors Cobra India on Wednesday launched its premium beer King Cobra in West Bengal. In Aug’13, the company had rolled out its plan expand the brewing capacity in Bihar plant and further wanted to expand their presence in Punjab, Haryana and West Bengal.
In a statement, the company said this summer the beer would be available in key cities in the State in 650 ml bottles and 500 ml cans.
King Cobra uses the same quality ingredients that made Cobra Premium so popular. The difference is the process in which we brew it. King Cobra is one of the popular beer brands in strong segment with alcoholic strength of 7.5% V/V.
Cobra Beer was launched on 15th March 2002, and Cobra has been exported back to India since then, initially from the UK. Cobra’s marketing focus was on brand building and educating the Indian consumer about Cobra beer.
Molson Coors Cobra India is the Joint Venture between Molson Coors of the US & Cobra Indian Beer Pvt. Ltd. Company brewsCobra Premium, King Cobra, and Iceberg 9000 from brewery located in Bihar..

domain: news


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services to keep our attention.
Fintech | Digital Transformation
Tel: +254 713 601113
Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely
mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the
organizations that I work with.
On Wed, Feb 15, 2023 at 5:02 PM Mwendwa Kivuva via KICTANet <
> After introduction of Bank to M-pesa charges; ATMs got heir grove back.
> More people started withdrawing to pay cash
> to reduce their transaction costs.
> Now, I&M Bank has permanently dropped levy fees
> for transferring cash between its platform and mobile wallets, bucking the
> trend in the sector that has been reinstating the charges since January
> amid customer outcry. The move will save I&M customers between Sh10 and
> Sh65, the range the lender was charging after the Central Bank of Kenya
> (CBK) announced a return of charges on transactions between banks and
> mobile money wallets.
> Is the market adopting to consumer behaviour and correcting itself? What
> will the future look like on the cost of digital cash transfer charges?
> Best Regards,
> Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya


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The Tata carmaker company has given a range of updates for the 2020 model of Tata Harrier including the BS6 version of its 2.0-liter diesel engine and an automatic transmission. It also gets a new top-end variant with more features priced at Rs 20.15 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Talking about the new features, the biggest addition to the car is the new panoramic sunroof. It now gets bigger 18-inch machine-finished alloy wheels that look more appropriate on an SUV of its size. The remaining features of the car are the same, including its 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 7-inch LED display in the instrument cluster and xenon HID projector headlamps. There is also an added feature like Tata’s connected car technology.
In terms of engine, the BS6 engine is still the same as the one found in the Jeep Compass and MG Hector and now produces 170PS of power and 350Nm. It also gets the option of an automatic transmission alongside the 6-speed manual. Until now, the Fiat-sourced 2.0-liter diesel engine in the Harrier was detuned to an output of 140PS and 350Nm.
The Harrier will still compete with mid-size suv’s such as MG Hector, Jeep Compass, Hyundai Tucson and Hyundai Creta and Kia Altos.


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Curry House CoCo Ichibanya, the Japanese curry empire with over 1,200 locations back in Japan and local stores in both Torrance and Rowland Heights, is coming to Brentwood. CoCo will replace a shuttered Rubio’s on Wilshire with its proprietary curries made with seventeen spices, available on cuts as wide-ranging as hamburger, sausage, spinach, clams, and Chinese dumplings, and customizable by size, heat level, and toppings like natto, squid, and fried chicken.
The chain is also known for its thin take on Indian-influenced keema curries, offered in variations involving omelets, as well as naan pizza, udon, and salads. Last week, we predicted a landslide of dish-specific Japanese imports coming our way this year, with this fast food giant the first new sighting of 2013. Check out the menu online and expect an opening sometime within the next month.
Curry House CoCo Ichibanya, 12007 Wilshire Blvd. Brentwood.


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Google has recently unveiled its game-changing Gemini AI model, a significant milestone in the field of artificial intelligence. Led by Demis Hassabis, this cutting-edge technology has the potential to revolutionize robotics and various other projects. In this article, we will explore the exciting features of Gemini Pro, its availability in the Bard chatbot, and the future prospects of this remarkable AI model.
Introducing Gemini: Google’s Groundbreaking AI Model
Discover the innovative Gemini AI model developed by Google and led by Demis Hassabis. Learn about its potential to revolutionize various projects and industries.
Google has recently introduced its revolutionary AI model called Gemini, which has been spearheaded by Demis Hassabis. This groundbreaking technology has the potential to transform a wide range of projects and industries, pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence.
Gemini represents a significant leap forward in AI capabilities, offering a versatile and powerful model that can handle complex tasks across text, images, audio, video, and code. Its multimodal capabilities open up new possibilities for chatbots and other applications, enabling them to process multiple forms of input and generate outputs in various ways.
With Gemini, Google aims to push the boundaries of AI even further, paving the way for advancements in robotics, natural language processing, and more. This article delves into the exciting features of Gemini and its potential impact on the future of technology.
Gemini Pro: Accessible AI Model for Everyone
Explore Gemini Pro, the version of the AI model available in the Bard chatbot. Learn how users can access Gemini Pro and the benefits it offers for free.
Gemini Pro, the version of the AI model available in the Bard chatbot, brings the power of Gemini to users worldwide. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a content creator, or simply curious about AI, Gemini Pro offers a valuable tool for generating high-quality content.
One of the remarkable aspects of Gemini Pro is that it is accessible to everyone for free. Unlike some AI models that require a subscription, Gemini Pro can be used without any cost. This democratization of AI opens up new possibilities for individuals and businesses alike, enabling them to harness the power of advanced language models.
By incorporating Gemini Pro into the Bard chatbot, Google provides users with a seamless and user-friendly interface to experience the capabilities of this remarkable AI model. Whether you’re looking for assistance in writing, content generation, or exploring new ideas, Gemini Pro offers a wealth of possibilities.
Gemini’s Multimodal Capabilities: A Glimpse into the Future
Learn about the future releases of Gemini, which are expected to include multimodal capabilities. Discover how this advancement can revolutionize chatbots and other applications.
While Gemini Pro is already an impressive AI model, Google has exciting plans for its future releases. One of the key advancements on the horizon is the inclusion of multimodal capabilities. This means that Gemini will be able to process various forms of input, such as text, images, audio, and video, and generate outputs in different ways.
Imagine a chatbot that not only understands your text-based queries but also analyzes images or listens to audio inputs to provide even more accurate and personalized responses. Gemini’s multimodal capabilities have the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with AI-powered systems, opening up new avenues for creativity and problem-solving.
By incorporating multimodal capabilities into Gemini, Google is pushing the boundaries of AI and paving the way for more immersive and interactive experiences. The future of chatbots and other applications powered by Gemini is incredibly promising, and we can’t wait to see what possibilities it unlocks.
Gemini Ultra: The Most Capable AI Model
Explore Gemini Ultra, the future release of the AI model that promises to be the most capable version yet. Discover its potential applications and the exciting features it brings.
Gemini Ultra, the highly anticipated future release of the AI model, is set to redefine the boundaries of AI capabilities. Designed to handle complex tasks across various domains, including text, images, audio, video, and code, Gemini Ultra represents the pinnacle of AI innovation.
With Gemini Ultra, users can expect a truly versatile and powerful AI model that opens up new possibilities in fields such as robotics, natural language processing, and more. This advanced model will enable developers, researchers, and enthusiasts to tackle complex challenges and drive innovation in their respective domains.
While the exact release date of Gemini Ultra is yet to be announced, the future looks incredibly promising. As Google continues to push the boundaries of AI technology, we can anticipate a new era of possibilities and advancements that will shape the future of various industries.


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NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The Nasdaq-100 index will be rebalanced to reduce the weight of Apple's stock by about 40%, Nasdaq OMX announced Tuesday.
The changes will bring Apple in line with Nasdaq rules that require a rebalancing whenever a single stock makes up more than 20% of the index.
Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500) currently represents 20.5% of the index, even though there are 99 other stocks in the index. When this change goes into effect on May 2, Apple's weight will be reduced to 12.3%.
The rebalancing will increase the weight of other tech stocks, including Microsoft and Google. Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500) will make up 8.3% of the index, more than double the current 3.4%. Google (GOOG, Fortune 500)'s weight in the index will rise to 5.8% from 4.2%.
Most of the other stocks make up less than 1%.
|Overnight Avg Rate||Latest||Change||Last Week|
|30 yr fixed||3.94%||4.13%|
|15 yr fixed||3.04%||3.08%|
|30 yr refi||4.02%||4.17%|
|15 yr refi||3.10%||3.14%|
Today's featured rates:
American companies are ramping up investment in Juarez, Mexico, after years of drug violence. More
Yahoo was in the spotlight Tuesday as it released its third-quarter results, its first earnings release since the Alibaba IPO. More
Foreign workers, lured by false promises of good jobs and benefits in America, soon find themselves enslaved in plain sight as victims of labor trafficking, a report from the Urban Institute finds. Here's how it can happen. More


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* Due to the ongoing trade tensions that Washington initiated with Beijing more than a year ago, Mortillaro is now back to where he was by losing his promising Chinese business as the U.S. lobster industry is bogged down by extra tariffs.
* "We're in a situation as all other American companies are. We are all looking for alternative buyers and we are beating ourselves to death...Who's ever going to get the business is the cheaper price."
* Maine's lobster exports to China have subsequently plunged 84 percent since China was forced to impose retaliatory tariffs, data released by the Maine International Trade Center earlier this year showed.
*While the short-term impact is already difficult to endure, many U.S. lobster dealers, including Mortillaro, are worried that their former Chinese customers have forged new business relationships with Canadian lobster dealers and that they would lose their business with China in the long term if not permanently.
by Xinhua writers Sun Ding, Hu Yousong
GLOUCESTER, the United States, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Good wine needs no bush. If you have good lobsters, buyers -- even from the other side of the planet -- will find ways reaching out to you.
This was the case for U.S. lobster dealer Vince Mortillaro as Chinese buyers were easily impressed by the fine quality of his live lobsters. The Gloucester, Massachusetts-based family business experienced a strong boost in sales when it started conducting business with China, one of the world's largest lobster markets.
However, due to the ongoing trade tensions that Washington initiated with Beijing more than a year ago, Mortillaro is now back to where he was by losing his promising Chinese business as the U.S. lobster industry is bogged down by extra tariffs.
As U.S. and Chinese trade officials are returning back to the negotiation table on Tuesday, Mortillaro is eager to see an early end to the trade tensions and his business with China go "back to normal."
A worker sorts lobsters by size at Maine Coast Lobster Company in York, Maine, the United States, June 26, 2018. (Xinhua/Zhang Mocheng)
In July 2018, the United States unilaterally imposed additional tariffs on a group of Chinese imports, initiating widely-unexpected trade disputes with China, and jeopardizing a wide range of industries which have been nourished by trade contacts between the world's two largest economies.
"In China, we can't get any business," Mortillaro told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Mortillaro used to ship lobsters regularly to major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in the past five years but hasn't been able to in 2019 because Canadian shippers are gaining more price advantages in the competition to woo Chinese customers.
"Canada only has a 7-percent tariff," he said, adding that it is very hard to compete with Canadian exporters under this circumstance since the tariff on U.S. lobsters has been raised to 32 percent due to the U.S. tariff tensions with China.
The hit was painful: For Mortillaro, who ships approximately 5 million pounds (2.3 million kg) of lobster a year, sales have gone down some 6 million U.S. dollars for the first six months this year, an equivalent of a reduction of 500,000 pounds (226,796 kg) in exports. Meanwhile, jobs were also affected.
"My employees used to work 60 plus hours a week and they now only work 35-40 hours. They couldn't pay their bills. We lost employees because of it. They had to leave for other jobs. We had to lay some people off too because there just wasn't enough hours," Mortillaro said.
Finding alternative buyers overseas to offset losses in the Chinese market is not that easy, as European Union nations, traditional importers of U.S. lobsters, are imposing an 8-percent tariff on them, while they have none on Canadian lobsters, leaving Mortillaro no choice but to try expanding his domestic distribution.
"We're in a situation as all other American companies are. We are all looking for alternative buyers and we are beating ourselves to death," he said. "Who's ever going to get the business is the cheaper price."
A worker unloads lobsters at the Stonington Harbor, Maine, the United States, June 23, 2018. (Xinhua/Zhang Mocheng)
WHOLE INDUSTRY FEELING PINCH
Massachusetts is the second largest U.S. state in terms of lobster harvest, falling only behind neighboring Maine, which has been hit harder by the trade tensions.
Prior to the trade disputes, China had become the second largest importer of Maine's lobsters. During 2017 -- the last full year before the tariffs went into effect -- Chinese customers purchased 128.5 million dollars' worth of lobsters from Maine, and during the first half of 2018, U.S. lobster exports to China increased by 169 percent, according to a letter signed by all four members of the state's U.S. Congressional delegation.
As U.S. lobster dealers were encouraged by the trend, the tariff hikes kicked in. Maine's lobster exports to China have subsequently plunged 84 percent since China was forced to impose retaliatory tariffs, data released by the Maine International Trade Center earlier this year showed.
"Maine's lobster industry has worked hard to establish markets in China, which they've lost through no fault of their own. Lobsters are a major piece of Maine's economy -- when this industry hurts, Maine people do, too," Senator Angus King of Maine, an Independent, said on Twitter this month.
While the short-term impact is already difficult to endure, many U.S. lobster dealers, including Mortillaro, are worried that their former Chinese customers have forged new business relationships with Canadian lobster dealers and that they would lose their business with China in the long term if not permanently.
"The longer these tariffs go, the more infrastructure they will be putting (up) in Canada, and then it becomes difficult to get the business back," Mortillaro said. "It took a while to develop it, (so) to get it back is gonna take just as long."
He spoke frankly that he had thought a lot about setting up facilities in Canada, but his age, uncertainties in making investments in another country, and difficulties in finding employees and running an overseas business urged him to call it off.
Photo taken on June 22, 2018 shows a lobster in Portland, Maine, the United States. (Xinhua/Zhang Mocheng)
WE NEED EACH OTHER
Ed Smith, a commercial lobsterman in Gloucester, told Xinhua that he believes that the trade tensions between the United States and China are detrimental to both sides.
"I think China's economy is dependent on us and I think our economy is dependent on China," Smith said. "For both economies to grow, I think we need each other."
Speaking of the trade negotiations between the two sides, he said that "it would be mutually beneficial to find some common ground and move forward instead of putting up a fence."
Beijing announced last week that the 12th round of China-U.S. high-level economic and trade consultations will be held on July 30-31 in Shanghai, nearly two months after the last talks in Washington D.C.
Chief trade negotiators of both sides will meet to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in Osaka, Japan, and hold a new round of consultations on the basis of equality and mutual respect, said Gao Feng, spokesman for China's Ministry of Commerce.
Mortillaro, who has followed the trade talks very closely and keeps track of relevant news almost every day, said that his message is that he would like to see an early end to the trade tensions and his business with China go "back to normal," as the Chinese market is too valuable to lose for him and the rest of the U.S. lobster industry.
"Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries 40 years ago, the two economies have become closely intertwined and highly integrated, benefiting the people of both countries and the world," Gao said.
The so-called "decoupling" of the two economies is hard to imagine, and is something that people from all walks of life in the United States do not want to see, said the spokesman, urging Washington to do more that is truly beneficial to the two countries and their people.
(Video editor: Ma Ruxuan)


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SouthTrade International is proud to announce that two whiskeys produced by the Sazerac Company, Stagg Jr. (128.4 proof) and Paul John Mithuna, have been named the second and third finest whiskeys in the world.
Tag: Southtrade International
Today is Canada Day – July 1st, 2020 – and to mark the occasion SouthTrade International has launched Seagram’s VO Canadian Whisky – part of Seagram’s Finest Spirits since 1857.
The Buffalo Trace Distillery was just named Tasting Panel Magazine’s Distillery of the Year at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Southtrade International, one of Australia’s leading importers of premium alcoholic beverages, has announced that it is looking to appoint two new roles to assist with the company’s ever growing portfolio.
The Patron Spirits Company have decided to take on the luxury vodka market with the release of Ultimat Vodka. Produced in Poland, Ultimat uses a trio of grains (wheat, rye and potato) to create this unique luxury spirit. The wheat is utilised to create a smooth texture, the rye to yield complexity and the potato for richness.
Bartender magazine and 4bars.com.au got the chance to meet Morgan Guerra-Heuwetter brand ambassador for the Anchor Brewing and Distilling Company at a tasting held Goldfish in November.
The votes are in for Bartender magazine’s Most Influential List in association with Diageo’s Alchemy. Read on to find out the who made the Top 50 based on your trade votes…


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Shoppers at a Civic Center Walgreens in San Francisco witnessed a bold daylight robbery on Sunday, as a group of thieves ransacked the store, clearing shelves of goods while employees and customers looked on in dismay. The brazen act of retail theft occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Easter Sunday, at the Walgreens location on 9th and Market Streets, as reported by CBS San Francisco.
According to the station, at least seven individuals decked in hoodies and masks were filmed by a CBS producer, who was shopping with his girlfriend at the moment the incident unfurled. The producer expressed his shock to the station, stating, "End of the day on Easter Sunday should have been pleasant. Instead I was shocked to see looters taking what they pleased with no regard for the law, or those around them, real-life smash and grab." Despite the clear evidence of the crime, San Francisco Police Department's response lagged, arriving approximately four hours later at 8:38 p.m. only to find a shuttered store, as SFist noted.
Community members have voiced their alarm at the deteriorating security within the neighborhood. Dina Miller, a local resident, lamented to CBS San Francisco about the scarcity of shopping options due to repeated incidents: "It's really sad because we don't really have any places to go shop anymore. Everything is closing down… Walgreens are closing down all over the place too." A local security guard, Eric Beverly, also recognized the severity of the situation, attributing store closures to rampant theft. These concerns arise in the context of multiple Walgreens closures in the city since 2019.
Supervisor Matt Dorsey, representative for the district that includes the Civic Center, highlighted the police staffing crisis during an interview with CBS San Francisco. "If we had a fully staffed police department, we could have a robbery unit that was doing more enforcement in places where retail theft plays out, holding more people accountable and doing more to go after the fencing operations that make this lucrative," Dorsey said. He has called for reform and pointed to the need for tougher penalties to deter such crimes, suggesting revisions to Prop 47.
The incident is part of a troubling pattern affecting multiple Bay Area cities, raising the stakes for upcoming public safety hearings by state lawmakers. These hearings will discuss a slew of bills aimed at curtailing retail theft and tackling the fentanyl crisis as part of a legislative effort named "Working Together for a Safer California." One bill specifically targets organized retail crime, proposing heftier penalties for large-scale reselling operations.


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News that the DOJ had approved the merger of Random House and Penguin yesterday was easy to miss… Read more »
- Dave Eggers’ new hardcover will be available in indie bookstores only
- "BoxedOut" campaign to warn customers of costs of shopping on Amazon this season
- What are the other options for those who think GoodReads “sucks” and is “just shy of unbearable”?
- California and Washington enter Amazon investigation


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UK ’s Advertising Standards Authority gets power to monitor website textBy ANI
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
LONDON - Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has been given the power to monitor claims made by companies on various websites and social networks from March 1.
Earlier, the ASA had the power to monitor only paid-for ads online, but now, with its new powers it will tackle complaints about the way companies sell themselves on the web.
The new rules will cover statements on sites that can be interpreted as marketing, even if they are not in an advert.
ASA has received over 4,500 complaints since 2008, concerning text on websites.
ASA chief executive Guy Parker told the BBC: “These are claims that are very similar to the claims that [the public] are used to seeing in adverts that appear in media like TV, radio, posters and print,”
The extension of the UK advertising code will ensure that ads are legal and decent and not harming or offending anyone.
The ASA will primarily aim at sites that use the ‘.co.uk’ domain suffix and could also cover ‘.com’ sites such as Facebook, if a UK firm controls the online space used by the websites.
According to Vincent-Wayne Mitchell, a professor of consumer marketing at London’s Cass Business School, the transient nature of the online content may become a problem in implementing the rules.
He said: “I could have an advert up on the internet for a week or for an hour, cause widespread confusion, get sales from that, and then withdraw it.”
He further added, “The only punishment that the ASA has is withdrawal, but I can have that as part of my own marketing strategy.”
The comments made by the customers and other user generated content on the website will not be included under the new rules.
However, the ASA said that such content could be examined if a company adopted it and used positive endorsements to advertise.
The ASA also said that it would extend a name-and-shame policy to expose the firms that make unsupportable claim.
It further said that it might also take out adverts to warn people about companies that do not comply with the advertising code.
The ASA has also increased the number of staff in its complaints and investigations unit by 10 percent. (ANI)


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The troubled Freedom Foods Group is seeking to have thrown out a $US16 million ($21 million) lawsuit in California brought against it by major supplier Blue Diamond Growers.
Lawyers for the Australian manufacturer are trying to dismiss or stay the court action lodged in late September before a hearing that is set down for February 5.
This latest headache follows the news on Friday that Freedom Foods had failed to reach an agreement with possible investor Oaktree Capital, leaving the company to scramble to reach a Plan B with its wealthy major shareholder, the Perichs.
The billionaire family pledged to invest up to $200 million in the milk and plant-based foods manufacturer after Freedom Foods confirmed The Australian Financial Review report that talks were over with Oaktree and its senior lenders, calling the development “unexpected and disappointing”.
The group is also facing an investor class action launched by Slater and Gordon in December.
According to court documents lodged in the state capital, Sacramento, and obtained by the Financial Review, Freedom Foods outlined several reasons to support its bid for dismissal, ranging from the Californian court’s lack of personal jurisdiction, to litigation being inconvenient and expensive given Freedom Foods is based in Australia, and Blue Diamond failing to properly plead its fraud claims.
It also claims that Australia is a better forum for the case, and Freedom Foods would suffer “oppression and vexation” if the case were to continue in California.
Former Freedom Foods chief executive Rory Macleod was named as complicit in the alleged fraud and breach of contract by its key supplier of Almond Breeze milk products last year.
Freedom Foods ‘desperate to avoid litigation’
According to the court documents, Freedom Foods was “aggressively working to undermine Blue Diamond’s market share for its own financial gain” after it started using the purchased almond base from Blue Diamond to make its own competing products.
Lawyers for Blue Diamond – a group made up of nearly 3000 independent almond growers that filed the lawsuit in the Eastern District Court of California – said in the court documents Freedom Foods was “desperate to avoid litigation” since it was facing severe financial and other challenges, given its former “CEO and CFO abruptly resigned in the wake of an Enron-like accounting fraud scandal”.
Blue Diamond and Freedom Foods allegedly resolved their dispute at a meeting in Los Angeles in June 2019. The pair came to a forbearance agreement, which was allegedly not adhered to as promised by Freedom Foods’ representatives once they returned to Australia.
The US court action lodged on September 25 mirrors the claims made with the American Arbitration Association, and was five days ahead of Freedom’s own legal claims lodged by Arnold Bloch Leibler in Australia against Blue Diamond, which makes the Almond Breeze milk range.
Freedom Foods’ claim centres on misleading and deceptive conduct by Blue Diamond, that it had not acted in good faith under the franchising code, and it had engaged in unconscionable conduct in breach of Australian consumer law.
A source close to Blue Diamond said it was stunned that Freedom Food’s recent market update outlined that its almond drink, MilkLab, the same product at the centre of court actions in the United States and Australia, would be central to its recovery.
“How can you call out a product that you are in dispute with one of your key suppliers about as an important part of your future turnaround,” he said.
Freedom Foods is the largest supplier of almond milk to supermarkets. Plant-based milk alternatives are a fast growing food category in Australia and around the world. Blue Diamond makes the top-selling almond milk in the US and Australia.
Freedom Foods shares have been suspended from trade since late June, and will remain so until April 30 after its senior lenders agreed to extend its standstill agreement to enable the finalisation of the recapitalisation plans, including the completion of the issuing of notes to Arrovest, a Perich family investment vehicle.
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South Africa: Minister Ebrahim Patel Signs MOU to Boost Social Economy Sector With Government of Flanders, 30 Jan.
Minister Ebrahim Patel to sign MOU with the Government of Flanders, and the International Labour Organisation to boost the social economy sector
Economic Development Minister, Ebrahim Patel, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Flanders and the International Labour Organisation to help boost job creation in the social economy.
The Government of Flanders has committed Euros 1 324 367 (around R19 million) towards the initiative which is aimed at creating and supporting decent jobs in a sustainable and inclusive social economy. EDD’s in-kind contribution is R4.8 million bringing the total project cost to around R23.7 million. The International Labour Organisation will give technical support to the Economic Development Department in the implementation of this project. The initiative is aimed at supporting the development of policies and practices to grow the social economy and create jobs.
Issued by: Economic Development Department


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The last-minute decision has meant several vendors in a dilemma. The china advising people not to board on trips suggested by a health emergency.
Chang’s Automobile company, which is exploring local manufacturing in India, is expecting to send a large team to study the Indian market more closely.
A Great Wall Motors vendor meet on February 5 canceled. “Till last night, the meeting with partners was open for discussion,” said one of the persons. “But the decision taken on Monday.
In China, the company executives advised to work from home and not to go out. The absence of company executives understandable because of the situations caused by a dangerous coronavirus, but Auto Expo will go on as per schedule.”
The number of deaths reached 362, with more than 17,459 infected by a dangerous coronavirus, the Guardian reported on Monday.
Chinese companies such as MG Motor, Great Wall, FAW Haima and BYD are decided to take a part in the show for the first time. where the major multinational companies like Toyota, Honda, Ford, and Nissan have decided not to attend for the expo.
The Great Wall, china’s largest SUV maker, and MG Motor have booked 3,000 sq ft of space
and will be showcasing more than 15 models each, including electric vehicles.
Great Wall will display models like:
- Haval Concept H SUV
- Concept Vehicle Vision 2025
- H6 and H9 SUVs
The great wall has already set a brand name in India as Haval. Last month this company was acquired by General Motors India.


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A minimalist, gender-neutral line is set to mark Greg Alterman’s fourth act.
The serial entrepreneur — founder of Gagwear Inc., Alternative Apparel and Juice Served Here — on Friday launches the lifestyle brand M/F People. The line is nearly 90 styles out of the gate, ranging from a tracksuit-style jacket and sweatpants to hats and body wash sold direct through the M/F web site. Beauty is priced from $10 to $40, while the apparel runs from $18 to $125.
“We’re really a lifestyle brand that isn’t pigeonholed into a category,” Alterman said of why he’s launching with multiple categories. “If I were to launch into a category, [the brand] would start to be known for that so I think this is a much bigger idea and needed additional category extension to tell the full story of what this lifestyle is.”
The company was born out of a need to rid the clutter of multiple branded products sitting around Alterman’s home.
The entrepreneur about a year and a half ago was recuperating from a brain hemorrhage, largely recovering at home when he began analyzing his daily routine.
“We all do the same things. We have our coffee, go to the bathroom, take a shower,” he said. “You get from the bathroom to the closet and you’ve touched probably 30 or 40 items by the time you’ve left your house. I have my items; my wife has her items. We’re sitting in Malibu overlooking this ocean, spa-like setting and I’m sitting with lots of different labels and bottles just ruining the aesthetic of my bathroom.”
M/F perhaps best reflects where Alterman is in life with what he described as a more mature brand in line with general consumer tastes at the moment that favor simplicity in product rather than pieces teeming with brand logos.
The company’s name is representative of male and female with the forward-slash symbolic of what Alterman said is the thin line separating the two genders.
M/F will start out direct to consumer online, although Alterman is open to the idea of eventually having some bricks-and-mortar flagships in locations such as Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Miami. He believes in a showroom model where people can see and touch the product but ultimately place orders online.
“I see [direct] being where we stay for a period. We want to own the experience and not only that but learn who our customers are. That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to do this [brand] in the first place,” he said, pointing to all the layers and baggage that can come with wholesale. “I want to just alleviate all that and play it the way I want to play it, which is my full experience online as well as directly talking to customers socially and really engaging with the brand.”
Alterman is rolling more than 30 years of apparel experience into the venture, beginning with selling T-shirts out of the trunk of his car in 1988. A University of Florida student who was accepted on a golf scholarship, he quit the team his sophomore year and began selling T-shirts in the dorms. He was issued a license from the university at the age of 19 to sell products, which eventually evolved into Alternative Apparel. Fast-forward to about five years ago when Alterman cofounded Juice Served Here with Alex Matthews of G-Star.
The growth strategy for M/F is already being plotted with plans to launch additional categories that could include items for the kitchen, laundry, bathroom and nearly anything else — right down to possibly coffee — found within a home.
That he’s founded now both an apparel company and a food business, the idea of creating synergies among the brands is plausible, but ultimately M/F stands on its own without the need for cross-pollination.
“As far as the crossover between any of the brands, I’ve just learned a lot in the past and I feel like we’re well positioned now. It has a real story behind it and it’s different than the Alternative Apparel story. It’s different than the Juice story. It’s got its own DNA but it definitely resonates with all those customers in that it’s still me.”
For More West Coast News in WWD:


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Tasty News: It Looks Like Killeen, Texas IS Getting A Shaq Big Chicken Afterall
Get excited for some finger-licking news in Killeen, Texas ! Our prayers have definitely been answered. Recently I wrote an article on Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal's Big Chicken restaurant opening its first Texas location. In the piece, I questioned (with tongue firmly in cheek) why we weren't getting some Shaq chicken here in Killeen. Well, it turns out we are.
Yes, Shaq's Big Chicken Is Headed to Killeen, Texas
My article attracted the attention of Peyton Harvey with All Points PR, who sent me an email with information about a Central Texas entrepreneur who's bringing the NBA legend's chicken franchise to not just Killeen, but also Waco and College Station.
Austin Man With Ties to Crumbl Cookies Is Making It Happen
Austin-based Entrepreneur Jace Mattinson has signed an agreement to bring three locations to Central Texas: Killeen, College Station, and Waco.
“With its rapid expansion, Big Chicken is making a major splash in the fast casual restaurant space, and I knew that now was the time to get in on the action,” Mattinson was quoted as saying. “It’s a fantastic brand with an awesome product, plus, the team is incredible to work with. I can’t wait to bring Big Chicken’s BIG flavors, BIG food and BIG fun to central and eastern Texas.”
Yes, big things are happening for Central Texas right now, and I could not be more excited. What I love about Jace Mattinson is he’s such an optimistic entrepreneur who isn’t scared to take big chances, and I feel he truly appreciates the people here in the great state of Texas.
Jace's business mantra is "let’s go BIG Texas”, so you know there's some Lone Star energy behind this project.
Good Things Come To Those Who Ask
This just goes to show that if you wish hard enough or even write an open letter, your dreams of more delicious food can come true. Ok, I can't take all the credit. After all, Central Texas has been booming in recent years, so it makes sense for big franchises to eye our area.
Killeen, get ready for some Big Chicken!
LOOK: Food history from the year you were born
50 Most Popular Chain Restaurants in America
KEEP READING: 3-ingredient recipes you can make right now


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MALAYSIA, Kuala Lumpur (3 February 2014) At the forefront of technology and fashion integrations, and following successful collaborations with Hewlett Packard, Square and Monster, Vivienne Tam is proud to announce its partnership with WeChat, bringing the world’s fastest growing and innovative social communications app with over 100 million registered users internationally, to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
At Vivienne Tam’s Fall 2014 runway show, guests who download the free WeChat app and add VTAMFASHION as a contact, will be privy to exclusive updates, can participate in a real-time group chat during the show and have access to other exciting opportunities. “We are excited to partner with the iconic Vivienne Tam brand to provide a new interactive experience for the New York Fashion Week audience,” says Jameson Hsu, GM of WeChat USA. “By adding Vivienne Tam’s official account on WeChat, users can step into her world of fashion and receive exclusive photos, video and audio messages directly on their smart phones.”
To celebrate the partnership, Tam has designed four sets of customizable chat wallpapers that WeChat users can choose from to decorate and accessorize any of their chat conversations, as well as a limited edition iPhone 5/5S case inspired by her Fall 2014 collection, which will be gifted to guests at the upcoming show on February 9th at Lincoln Center, which will be live streamed at newyork.mbfashionweek.com/live. Those not at the show also can participate by downloading WeChat and adding VTAMFASHION as a contact, to receive behind-the-scenes photos and audio messages from Vivienne Tam herself as well as close ups of the collection. Moreover, all WeChat users are eligible to win 2 highly coveted VVIP front row seats with pre- and post- show backstage access and aspiring models can compete for an unprecedented chance to walk the runway in the show itself. Submissions for the model contest will close on February 5, 2014 and the VVIP seats promotion will end February 6, 2014. Winners will be notified February 6, 2014.
“In the fast-paced fashion world, WeChat with its all-inclusive platform, allows me to reach a global audience and provides instantaneous feedback,” remarks Tam. “We are always looking for innovative ways to grow with technology and WeChat lets me bring the fashion week experience from a designer’s lens to a wider audience – from the touch of my fingertip to yours!” To download WeChat gratis, go to www.wechat.com.


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LONDON (CBS.MW) -- Credit Suisse First Boston overnight upped its rating on radio chipmaker RF Micro Devices rfmd to neutral from underperform, citing "Polaris momentum and Nokia strength." RFMD is a supplier to mobile phone maker Nokia NOK, +0.68% CSFB upped its price target on the stock to $7 from $6.50. "We believe RFMD's stock is not reflecting the strength of its top customer (40 percent of revenue). Since the Nokia report, Nokia and Texas Instruments have appreciated 15 percent... and RFMD is down 3 percent."
RF Micro upped to neutral at CFSB, Nokia strength cited


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(Bloomberg) — McDonald’s Corp.’s Japan business predicted a $157 million net loss this year after its chicken supplier said it mislabeled expired meat.
Sales will probably drop 15 percent from a year earlier to 221 billion yen, McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan Ltd. said today in a statement. The company in July withdrew its forecast for 250 billion yen in annual revenue.
Japan’s biggest restaurant chain took chicken products that used meat from China off its menu in July after Illinois-based OSI Group LLC, which provides the chain with meat, acknowledged that its Shanghai Husi Food Co. unit had changed sell-by dates on chicken and beef.
• Joe Cahill: How much longer does McDonald's CEO have?


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Once upon a time getting ‘takeaway’ meant taking a pot down to your local food shop where they would fill it for you to eat later at home.
Now, you don’t even have to get up from your couch to have hot, restaurant-quality meals delivered right to your door. Convenient? Certainly. Innovative? Absolutely.
And what about those real game changers for small business? Bluetooth-enabled devices and apps, conferencing software such as Skype and FaceTime, drones … the list goes on.
Innovation, while in itself nothing new, is moving at a rapid pace. So what innovations exist that make life easier for small business owners, and what’s coming down the line in future?
Here we get some answers from innovation specialist, founder of business consultancy Inventium and co-creator of the Australian Financial Review’s Most Innovative Companies list Dr Amantha Imber.
Dr Imber, who is also the author of The Innovation Formula, says that to be a part of the innovation revolution, small business must first understand what it is.
“Innovation is simply change that adds value,” Dr Imber says.
“How it’s making our lives better is really about organisations understanding their customers, and creating changes that are going to add value to customers’ lives.”
Innovation in small business can mean many things – it can be as simple as switching to solar energy to significantly reduce business operating costs and, in turn, boosting your bottom line.
Innovation could also mean looking into robotics which enable staff to telecommute, cutting down on physical time in the office or to streamline assembly and manufacturing businesses.
Dr Imber says 3D printing is a perfect innovation for small businesses that need to make prototypes or customise products without increasing labour costs.
“In the past, getting a prototype of a tangible product was expensive and very time consuming,” she says.
“3D printing is opening up new possibilities for small business. I think it’s a real game-changer.”
Simple changes can be powerful
But Dr Imber says innovation doesn’t have to be a massive investment in technology or equipment. It could be as simple as using an app to save time and money and ultimately change the way you do business.
Businesses are increasingly utilising mobile phones whether it is to access a cloud-based invoicing and accounting system, payment devices such as Square Reader to collect money on the go, online document and data storage options such as Dropbox and Google Drive or communication apps such as Slack to minimise confusion between staff and time lost searching through emails for information.
There are also innovative tools to help small business owners restore their precious work-life balance.
“An innovation that I’ve been playing around with is a mobile app called Moment, which tracks your mobile phone and iPad usage and reports back with insights into what you’re spending the most time on,” she says.
“A lot of people recognise that they’re tied to their phone, it’s addictive. But an app like Moment is really great because it actually gives you tangible data on what you are doing and from there, you can better manage your time and change some fundamental habits.”
Embrace a different future
She says the agile workplace is definitely the workplace of the future, and those who aren’t open to change will become redundant.
“That mentality is really dangerous,” Dr Imber says. “It increases your chance of being disrupted at some stage.
“One thing I recommend small business owners do is to think about the work they’re doing now, pinpoint what isn’t challenging or rewarding and outsource those tasks to a cheaper economy or automated them with software that already exists.
“Time is the one thing we cannot get more of. The more time we can save doing things that can be outsourced in some way sets you up at a huge advantage to focus on what you’re good at.
“It will also allow you to explore new and different opportunities that could be the next big thing that drives growth for your business.”
AGL is dedicated to supporting Australian small businesses. We have a number of packages that can be tailored to your business’ specific needs. Visit us at agl.com.au/business to find out more.


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Across the world, plastic waste is an eyesore in big cities, small towns and stings the firms whose brands are boldly emblazoned on the bottles.
Although plastic is tough enough to store products including chemicals for decades without breaking down, its durability makes it nearly indestructible without intervention.
Some analysts say recycling could be the answer to the ballooning plastics problem but the process remains a complex undertaking.
There are at least half a dozen categories of plastics that are made of different molecular composition and for that reason they have to be carefully sorted when recycling.
Of the many categories of plastics, only two are easily recycled, providing a ready market. The rest, unfortunately, end up in landfills.
In Kenya, Chemolex, a five-year-old startup is one of the few companies stepping out to address plastic pollution problem in close collaboration with the Coca-Cola company.
To help free city rivers of plastic menace, the Kariobangi-based firm engages the youth and communities to mop up plastic bottles from Nairobi, Ngong and Mathare rivers.
Read also: Plastic firms under pressure to do more
It has also installed capture devices along Athi River and its tributaries to pick up plastics from the water.
In 2020, Chemolex rolled out Wajibika, a plastic waste clean-up exercise that has seen a number of youth in Kibera, Kariobangi and Tassia areas within Nairobi benefit from the programme.
“Coca-Cola’s clear Sprite bottle will make for easy processing, turnaround in our work while increasing our revenue as it is 100 per cent recyclable,” said Chemolex Communications Director Robert Achoge.
Studies show that it takes about 10 grams of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to make half-liter of drink bottle container but that plastic can take hundreds of years to completely disintegrate under the elements.
Chemolex trains community-based organizations, as well as women and youth groups to develop valuable products from different types of waste thereby enhancing resource recovery from plastic and other waste that often end up in rivers or landfills.
Chemolex, which was founded by three friends Cliford Okoth, Malcolm Buluku and Robert Achoge while at the university, seeks to offer sustainable waste management programmes for households.
A 2018 survey by the Urban Africa Risk Knowledge shows that up to 80 per cent of plastic waste generated by slum dwellers in Kenya is disposed poorly in rivers and illegal dumpsites.
Nairobi generates about 2500 tonnes of waste daily out of which about half is poorly disposed ending up in urban river systems.
In July soft drinks giant Coca-Cola rebranded Sprite from the iconic green bottle that has been in use since 1960 to align with Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste vision that aims at collecting and recycling the equivalent of every bottle or can it sells by 2030, as well as use 50 per cent recycled content in all their packaging.
“This is a plus in our joint efforts to grow our business while contributing towards more sustainable environmental practices,” said Xavi Selga, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa–Kenya.
Clear PET can be recycled into a wide range of products such as pillow and duvet inners, making it more valuable than the green PET, which has limited use.
Kenya is the fourth market in Africa where Coca-Cola is rolling out Sprite clear PET after South Africa, Nigeria and neighbouring Ethiopia, a country of 112 million people.
In Europe, the Netherlands and Norway markets have already announced full transitions to PET for their entire local plastic packaging systems.
Coca-Cola is a member of PETCO Kenya (PET Recycling Company Ltd), an industry-led PET recycling scheme that brings together 16 industry players from different sectors.
PETCO seeks to coordinate initiatives to collect, sort and recycle plastic bottles, with broader focus on sustainable management of PET material after their initial use.
With such a collective effort, the sight of marine animals dodging plastics as they wallow in the turbid waters, chocked storm drains and tributaries could be a thing of the past.


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A 24-year-old single mum is seeing her business go up in the world – after expanding into the balloons market.
Naomi Spencer, from Nechells, last year launched Candy Bubbles in a bid to clean up in the novelty soaps market after ending 12 months of unemployment.
As the business grew she looked for areas in which to diversify her product range and, after floating the idea of balloon decorations, she decided to have a pop at it.
Ms Spencer launched Candy Bubbles with support from Birmingham-based employment experts Pertemps People Development Group and The Prince’s Trust who each provided grants of £1,000 along with vital advice and guidance.
The entrepreneur started with a stall at The Pallasades shopping centre in Birmingham where she sold novelty soaps including many in the shape of sweets and cakes, along with bath bombs, floral fizzes, and gift baskets for occasions such as Mother’s Day and weddings.
She said: “During my time at The Pallasades I met so many people and found new things in the market that customers would be interested in, such as home fragrance, baby gifts, nappy cakes, wedding gifts and balloons for all occasions.
“I had my son christened and paid a balloon specialist a lot of money to create my room into a balloon paradise – sadly, this was not the case as when I turned up at the venue the balloons were awful. This made me think that I could provide the service better, so I went on a balloon course and passed with flying colours. Since then I’ve attended more courses dedicated to weddings, christenings and birthdays.”
Ms Spencer is now planning to open a new shop in City Arcade, Birmingham, in July.
She has decorated halls at Midland venues including Great Barr Hotel, The Elbow Room, the Alexandra Theatre, The Drum and the Apollo Hotel.


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MADISON HEIGHTS — DME Company, a global provider of mold technologies, has named a new director of sales, and two new territory managers.
Todd Castile, far left, with 35 years within the metal forming and plastics industries, is the new director of sales for the Americas. Jim Mogan, center, a nearly 30-year veteran in the plastics industry, is the territory manager for California and Nevada, and Eric Jakobowicz, a 25-year plastics professional, is the territory manager for the New England region.
Previously, Castile spent nearly 30 years with Anchor Lamina in progressive sales and marketing roles, including the position of vice president, sales and marketing. Castile now oversees an expanding DME direct sales force of more than 25 sales professionals, including a Mexican sales team that sells directly to plastics companies located throughout the country’s major industrial areas.
Mogan has a tremendous track record of success in technical sales and account management in the western U.S. for a diverse array of plastics industry companies. Most recently he was western region business development manager for Phillips-Medisize. Prior to that role, Mogan served as regional sales manager for LyondellBasell for nearly 20 years before becoming western regional sales manager for Synventive Molding Solutions.
Jakobowicz brings a background of plastics industry accomplishments in the New England area to DME. Before directing sales and business development efforts for Modern Mold & Tool Inc., he was vice president of sales for Mayfield Plastics, a role he was appointed to after having served as vice president of business development for AGI Polymatrix, Inc.


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Armor Inn Tap Room Has New Beginning With New Owners
Yesterday the announcement came on their facebook page that said the owners of the Armor Inn in Orchard Park had decided to sell the business.
The building that brought so many country nights, bike nights, and more will now be under new ownership.
The new owners have taken over immediately and it looks like no immediate changes will be taking place. They said they will still be honoring old gift cards and drink chips and invite everyone to stop out for dinner or drinks.
While there are no names mentioned in the posts as to who could be taking over, we will wait to see what changes ultimately will take place.


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16 May 2017 – South African Tourism has used INDABA as a platform to launch I Do Tourism (IDT) – an initiative that seeks to remind South Africans of the importance of the tourism industry and the role they can play as advocates for South Africa and for tourism.
The purpose of the campaign, according to SA Tourism CEO, Sisa Ntshona, is to show the economic and social value of tourism in South Africa. “Tourism has a ripple effect,” Ntshona notes. “Each direct permanent tourism job opportunity that is created can have multiple spin-offs for transport, agriculture and other sectors.
I Do Tourism will bring this message to the attention of the South African public by reminding them of tourism’s impact on the economy. The campaign will also showcase members of the industry, and provide a space for them to share their stories. However, it is not only potential domestic tourists (and tourism advocates) who will be inspired by the campaign. SA Tourism is also aiming to motivate industry members to keep up their good work, and to remind government and other stakeholders of the importance of supporting the industry.
This is crucial, because although tourism contributes 3% to the nation’s economy and has created around 500 000 jobs, the majority of South Africans remain unaware of how their lives are affected when international travellers decide to visit the country; or even how their own holiday may help to better the lives of other South Africans. In fact, for many South Africans, tourism remains inaccessible. It remains something that is “for other people” and therefore has little bearing on their day-to-day lives.
“This is precisely the attitude we hope to change through I Do Tourism,” Ntshona explains. We aim to remind South Africans that tourism is everyone’s business because all South Africans benefit through and from tourism. Tourism adds value to the lives of all South Africans in a range of ways. As South Africans we all have something to gain from the growth and development of our tourism industry that is why our involvement in rallying behind tourism is vitally important. The continued success of tourism benefits us all.
Linked to this, the campaign draws attention to the fact that the impact of tourism is not industry-specific. Almost every sector within the South African economy is positively affected when people travel, from agriculture (which is required to increase output in order to feed visitors) to transport (as visitors need a means of getting around the country). Finally, we need to emphasise that, this being the case, tourism is integral to the growth and development of the country. It is therefore the duty of every South African to do what they can to support tourism. By doing so, they are contributing to the country’s economy.
“Ultimately, I Do Tourism seeks to make South Africans want to get behind tourism by seizing the economic opportunities within the tourism industry or by simply playing their part by making visitors feel welcome and providing assistance where necessary, whether that’s by giving directions or recommending a local attraction. If tourism wins, we all win,” Ntshona concludes.


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- The state-run Global Times claims the image of a Chinese person with “slanted eyes,” as well as braids, is a Western stereotype of the Chinese from the 19th century. The outlet further explains that the stereotype is not “an objective description… but a label for East Asians” predicated on Western supremacy.
- “The premise is that Chinese cannot let the West shape our aesthetics. For those malicious slander, we should maintain sufficient vigilance and counter-attack,” one Weibo user wrote, as per Global Times.
- Mercedes Benz, which published the video on Weibo on Dec. 25, appears to have deleted it in the wake of backlash. The company has not released a statement in relation to the matter as of this writing.
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- Three Squirrels was forced to apologize; however, the model in question pushed back against the vitriol by asking, “Am I disqualified to be Chinese just because I have small eyes?”
- Dior found itself in a similar controversy in November when a Chinese photographer whose work was featured in the brand’s Shanghai exhibition provoked accusations that her work perpetuated a “Western aesthetic.”
- Other international brands that have faced scrutiny in China include H&M, Nike and Zara. One of the largest cases to date involved Dolce & Gabbana, which most recently faced a $660 million defamation lawsuit.


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Durable goods data are as noisy as midnight on New Year’s Day. The problem is that big-ticket items such as defense and aircraft can cause large swings. That was evident in the August report. Because of fluctuating aircraft demand, new orders edged up just 0.1% last month following a huge 8.1% drop in July.
Ignoring the top-line volatility, the durables report is important for information on business investment on equipment. The latest numbers show a split in current and future capital expenditures. Shipments of nondefense capex goods excluding aircraft—an input into gross domestic product estimates—have been struggling this summer. That suggests business equipment investment is not adding much to third-quarter GDP growth.
Future business investment looks more promising, as new orders have stayed at a high level. Alan Levenson, chief economist at T. Rowe Price says fundamental supports “including strong profitability and apparent replacement demand, point to a resumption of growth.” That offers hope for overall fourth-quarter GDP strength.
A government shutdown in October, however, could put capex spending back on hold.
Data scheduled for the upcoming week will cover a variety of economic topics, but the most important reports will cover how consumers feel about the September economy, demand for durable goods and sales of new homes.
Economists expect some giveback in the two readings of consumer economic sentiment on tap for the week ending Sept. 27, perhaps reflecting higher mortgage rates, stock-market volatility and still lackluster job growth.
The Conference Board‘s confidence index, out Tuesday, is expected to ease a bit this month. The median forecast of economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires has the index falling to 79.8 in September, from 81.5 in August.
A plunge in aircraft orders triggered the larger-than-expected 7.3% drop July durable goods. New orders for nondefense, nonaircraft capital goods also looked weak, falling 3.3% last month. But the longer-run trend in capex orders—a leading indicator for business spending—still looks healthy. The three-month moving average, which smooths out swings in big-ticket orders, has reversed its decline in the summer of 2012 and grew in the first half of 2013.
Further gains in capex demand, however, may be held back by rising interest rates. Just as higher mortgage rates may stop some households from buying a home, higher corporate borrowing costs may cause companies to rethink some capital projects.
Business investment is slowing. Shipments of core capital goods, a measure that excludes the volatile defense and aircraft sectors, fell in June from May and were nearly unchanged from a year earlier. Thursday’s report was the latest evidence that economic growth slowed in the second quarter. But new orders rose in June, suggesting investment could pick up in coming months.
Economy watchers focused on the housing recovery will get new data on home demand this week.
Sales of existing homes will be reported on Monday of the trading week ending July 26. The median forecast of economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires expect resales increased 1.9% to an annual rate of 5.28 million in June. The rise is suggested by past increases in the pending home-sales index that tracks contracts signed but not yet closed to buy an existing home.
New-home sales are scheduled to be reported Wednesday. New homes are projected to have sold at an annual rate of 484,000 last month, up 1.9% from May.
Durable-goods orders rose 3.6% in May, largely on brisk demand for airplanes. New orders for nondefense aircraft and parts surged 51% last month from April. Inside the report, the details were solid but not stellar. Orders for nondefense capital goods, excluding aircraft, which is a proxy for business spending, rose 1.1% to a seasonally adjusted value of $68.29 billion.
Durable goods orders came in slightly higher than expected during May. The Wall Street Journal’s Dan Loney talks with Wells Fargo economist Tim Quinlan about the report.
If you don’t like the latest durable goods number, just wait a month.
On Friday, the Commerce Department said new orders increased 3.3% in April, better than economists had expected. But the gain followed a 5.9% plunge in March. Compared to a year ago, new bookings are up only 0.7%.
The volatility is vexing. Peter D’Antonio, economist at Citigroup, had this take on durable goods orders, “Here’s the string of data: December +5.1%, January -6.4%, February +6.4%, March -5.9%, and April +3.3%. Where is the trend in this?”
The problem is that durable goods, especially aircraft, carry large sticker prices, so the dollar value of new orders are quite volatile.
The reading on durable goods orders surprised to the upside but Bob Brusca, chief economist at Fact & Opinion Economics, tells the Journal’s Mathew Passy that he sees manufacturing slowing down.
Capital spending inched up in March. New orders for nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft, a proxy for business investment, rose 0.2% to a seasonally adjusted $64.5 billion after falling 4.8% in February. Overall orders for durable goods — big-ticket items such as cars and appliances designed to last three years or more — fell 5.7% to $216.3 billion, with a reversal in aircraft orders.
Real Time Economics offers exclusive news, analysis and commentary on the economy, Federal Reserve policy and economics. The Wall Street Journal’s Phil Izzo is the lead editor, with contributions from other Journal reporters and editors. Send news items, comments and questions to firstname.lastname@example.org.
Read more Economics coverage.


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Mastercard has agreed to acquire Aiia, an open banking technology provider offering a direct connection to banks through a single API.
“The value of open banking comes through empowering consumers and businesses to use their own data to obtain financial services solutions simply, securely and quickly. The addition of Aiia anchors our European open banking efforts and allows us to continue to meet our customers where they are,” said Craig Vosburg, Chief Product Officer, Mastercard.
Aiia’s open banking platform and expertise, including API connectivity and payment capabilities, has shown significant growth. Its customer-centric approach and ambition to create open banking that complements Mastercard’s existing distribution channels, technology and data practices.
Mastercard in 2019 launched its first open banking connectivity offering in the UK and Poland through a partnership with Token. Mastercard acquired Finicity in 2020.
Aiia’s expertise in providing safe and secure data access complements Mastercard’s data responsibility principles. This relationship reinforces work led by Mastercard’s Finicity team to extend data-related best practices across multiple industries.
The connectivity of Aiia in Europe will enable Mastercard to deliver the credit decisioning and credit scoring applications of Finicity to European clients. Similarly, the connectivity of Finicity in the U.S. will help deliver the account information services and payment applications of Aiia to U.S. clients – giving customers globally easier, faster and safer access to open banking services.


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Source: Chiltern Railways
Chiltern Railways has announced that innovative travel technology company SilverRail Technologies will be its partner in the development and pilot of a new approach to rail travel removing the need to buy and carry a ticket on the day – “ticket free travel”.
Chiltern Railways, an Arriva UK Trains company, conceived the idea in 2015 as part of a long term focus on improving the customer experience with the aim of making travelling as simple and frictionless as possible. Arriva UK Trains submitted a proposal through the RSSB Future Railway competition and was awarded funding for six projects of which this pilot scheme is one.
This partnership between SilverRail and the train operator will allow passengers to use their smartphones to detect commencement of travel and use Bluetooth to open ticket gates, automatically charging the customer the best price for their journey at the end of the day. At ungated stations geolocation tools are used to locate the customer and the trains travelled on.
Dave Penney, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways commented, “Customers want to travel easily with assurance that they have paid the best price; this app-based concept eliminates the need to purchase a ticket instead using Bluetooth and geolocation tracking to determine journeys taken charging the best value fare at the end of the day. We chose to work with SilverRail as they share our drive for innovation and are an incredibly agile and innovative, rail focused organisation with a wide range of experience.”
In addition to the new way of paying for travel, the app will also offer personalised, real-time travel updates, commuter advice and multi-modal journey options. “Our goal is to remove uncertainty and frustration to create a relaxed, stress-free journey for Chiltern’s commuters" says Carmel Roche, Head of Mobile at SilverRail Technologies. “We are extremely excited that Chiltern is embracing this opportunity to make door-to-door travel simple, seamless and cost effective.”
The pilot will be conducted on Chiltern’s newly built route between Oxford Parkway, Bicester Village station, Bicester North and London Marylebone. Customers will use an app to travel which will also provide a history of journeys, prices and how the best value fare has been calculated.
Aaron Gowell, CEO of SilverRail said: “This partnership marks a breakthrough for rail customers, allowing them to seamlessly travel through stations without having to stop at a ticket machine while being charged the best priced ticket for on the day travel. We are thrilled that Chiltern see investment in customer facing technology as the way forward, making rail travel much more efficient for travellers, whilst helping the entire network to work better.”


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Several recent news reports have suggested that things are heating up with the next Windows version, code-named Vienna (aka Windows 7). However, despite a few off-the-cuff remarks by Microsoft executives, no new information has been revealed about Windows Vista's successor.
Here's what we do know. Upcoming client versions of Windows are now being developed by a team run by Steven Sinofsky, senior vice president of Windows and Windows Live Engineering. Formerly in charge of Microsoft Office, Sinofsky is well known for his calculating manner and a proven ability to ship products on time and is expected to deliver Vienna and future Windows versions in-line with Microsoft's new internal schedules.
Make no mistake, Vista isn't the final Windows version; it's not even the final major Windows release. Vienna, due in about two years, is expected to include several features that didn't make it into Vista, as well as a new shell that's being developed by the people who created the Ribbon UI for the Microsoft Office 2007 system. However, Vienna will be a minor upgrade compared to Vista. A future Windows update, due about two years after Vienna, is expected to be the next major Windows release.
You can expect Vienna to include some features that will debut in the next version of Windows Server (code-named Longhorn Server), which is due in late 2007. (The Longhorn Hypervisor has been mentioned as a possible Vienna feature.) But Vienna isn't even the next deliverable from the Windows client group: Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), code-named Fiji, will precede Vienna. I've been told that Vista SP1 will ship alongside Longhorn Server and will include a new kernel version that will bring Vista up-to-date with the kernel in Longhorn Server. Vista SP1 will also include several other new features, although Microsoft has remained closemouthed about those features. (Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has even publicly denied that the company is working on Vista SP1, although it most definitely is.)
Here's a bit of speculation about Vista SP1 that you probably haven't heard elsewhere: The Media Center team at Microsoft has admitted that it will complete Vista's version of Media Center in the future, and they told me that it's logical to assume that such an update might arrive in time for the 2007 holiday season. Including that update with Vista SP1 makes a lot of sense, given the timing and the fact that Vista's Media Center UI is only partially complete.
So what does all this mean? Although Vista was just recently released, it's only natural for enthusiasts and news sites to be clamoring for information about future Windows versions. After all, Vista slogged through a five-year development process that was full of public mishaps and delays. Microsoft, meanwhile, has promised that future Windows versions will be delivered more quickly. And that, indeed, is the plan. But don't be confused by any news reports you might have seen online or elsewhere. There's been absolutely no new information released about Vienna, Fiji, or any other upcoming Windows version recently. Instead, we're just seeing a Windows community champing at the bit for the next big thing.


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New Orleans – The family of an American teenager, who was killed during a shooting, wanted their son to honor in a special way. This has been successful. Matthews felt during his funeral, no doubt at home.
Archive photo for illustration. Check out the photo below.
The 18-year-old Renard Matthews was posthumously laid in state in a basketbalshirt, with a PlayStation controller in hand and a bag of Doritos chips within easy reach (see photo below). “He was a boy that much was at home,” said mother Temeka Matthews against the local WGNO.
Matthews was fatally hit during a shooting on June 25, when he his walking the dog. The boy was brought to the cathedral by a company that specializes in special funerals – and also Matthews got a distinctive pose.
He played the game NBA2K, wore a shirt of a basketball player Kyrie Irving, including matching socks, and had a snazzy pair of sunglasses on. On the table was a bag of chips and a beer.
Earlier bore the same company, the 53-year-old Miriam “Mae Mae” Burbank in a similar position, with a beer and a glass of wine. She was a ’partygirl’, as was explained. “When I saw it, it seemed like I was at d” r was at home. When did the less pain,” said her sister at the time.
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A number of Chinese social media users have been discussing the use of mini bags in China.
Some of the comments on Chinese social sites are, in Chinese, similar to the ones in a YouTube video from 2014: “Mini bag is really good for the environment,” “China is the biggest country in the world with the least pollution, so it should have the smallest environmental impact.”
This is similar to comments made by Chinese commentators in 2014 on the use and environmental impact of micro-dots.
“The idea of microdots is to make a little bit of pollution go away, but not so much that you will need to pay a tax,” one commenter wrote.
“You could also use it to put a little more air into the air, as a result of which you could reduce the amount of pollution in your hometown,” said another commenter.
In a 2014 article on micro-dot technology, one blogger suggested that it could be used to reduce pollution in Shanghai, and said it could even be used as an alternative to electric cars.
“Micro-dotes are being used for environmental protection by people in Shanghai who are trying to get rid of the smog, pollution, and other air pollution,” said one commenter.
Another commenter commented that it is better to wear a micro-dress for the climate, rather than just a mini-bag.
“This will keep you warm in the winter,” another commenter said.
(Photo by Benoit Tessier/AFP via Getty Images) China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on its official micro-blog on Wednesday that it would “provide a detailed study of the use” of micro devices in China’s cities.
Micro devices, a growing market in China, are typically made of plastic or glass and have a battery life of about 15 to 25 hours, depending on the size and type of device.
The Ministry of Industrial and Information Technologies, or IMIT, said it would provide a detailed report on the “use and environmental benefits” of the micro devices.
In the past, China has been criticized for using pollution to drive economic growth.
But a recent study from the University of Southern California’s Center for Global Development found that China’s emissions from power generation, manufacturing and transport rose by almost 3 percent between 2012 and 2014, a significant increase over the previous five years.
China has seen its economy slow, and many analysts are concerned that it may not be able to achieve growth in the long term.
(Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)The ministry also said it will set up a fund to “invest in the development of the technology and development of new products” to help build a more sustainable economy.


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- For Immediate Release:
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency:
- Today, the FDA issued a safety communication warning people not to use the Celltrion DiaTrust COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test that is in green and white packaging. The test has not been authorized, cleared or approved by the FDA for distribution or use in the United States. The FDA is concerned about the risk of false results when using this unauthorized test.
- Today, the FDA issued a safety communication warning people not to use the SD Biosensor STANDARD Q COVID-19 Ag Home Test. This test is packaged in a white and magenta box and has not been authorized, cleared or approved by the FDA for distribution or use in the United States. The FDA is concerned about the risk of false results when using this unauthorized test.
- Today, the FDA issued a safety communication warning people not to use the ACON Laboratories “Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test (Self-Testing).” This test is packaged in a dark blue box and has not been authorized, cleared or approved by the FDA for distribution or use in the United States. The FDA is concerned about the risk of false results when using this unauthorized test.
- On Feb. 28 the FDA posted a new Consumer Update, Infant Formula Recall: What to Know, reminding consumers not to use the recalled powdered infant formulas (Similac, Alimentum, EleCare, and one lot of Similac PM 60/40) produced at the Abbott Nutrition facilities in Sturgis, Michigan. The Consumer Update is based on the latest FDA Advisory, FDA Investigation of Cronobacter and Salmonella Complaints: Powdered Infant Formula (February 2022).
- On Feb. 28, the FDA published the FDA Voices, “Sharing Experiences in Rare Diseases Together,” bylined by Janet Woodcock, M.D., Principal Deputy Commissioner, and Sandra Retzky, D.O., J.D., M.P.H., director of the FDA’s Office of Orphan Products Development. This year, the FDA is part of the worldwide community observing Rare Disease Week—Feb. 28-March 4, including hosting FDA’s Rare Disease Day on March 4. The theme is: “Sharing Experiences in Rare Diseases Together.”
- On Feb. 28, the FDA announced the availability of “Responsible and Prudent Use of Anthelmintic Chemicals to Help Control Anthelmintic Resistance in Grazing Livestock Species,” a resource drafted in part by FDA experts and published by the World Organisation for Animal Health, an independent global organization dedicated to promoting and protecting animal health.
- COVID-19 testing updates:
- As of today, 420 tests and sample collection devices are authorized by the FDA under emergency use authorizations (EUAs). These include 290 molecular tests and sample collection devices, 85 antibody and other immune response tests and 45 antigen tests. There are 70 molecular authorizations and 1 antibody authorization that can be used with home-collected samples. There is 1 EUA for a molecular prescription at-home test, 2 EUAs for antigen prescription at-home tests, 14 EUAs for antigen over-the-counter (OTC) at-home tests, and 3 for molecular OTC at-home tests.
- The FDA has authorized 25 antigen tests and 9 molecular tests for serial screening programs. The FDA has also authorized 850 revisions to EUA authorizations.
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.
- FDA Office of Media Affairs


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THE BIG MAC
The Big Mac is more than just a burger – it’s an icon. When people hear the name McDonald’s, it’s fair to say that many of them immediately think of the Big Mac. While it might be the restaurant’s most famous item, a lot of people don’t know its history. In 2018, McDonald’s celebrated the Big Mac’s 50th anniversary. To mark the event, the company shared some interesting tidbits about the sandwich on its website. As it turns out, the Big Mac has a history as rich as the burger is thick. For those who don’t know the jingle, the McDonald’s Big Mac contains two beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions on a sesame seed bun.
According to McDonalds, the burger’s story begins in 1967 when Jim Delligatti, a franchisee from Pittsburgh, believed McDonald’s should have a larger burger “geared towards adults.” Seeking to fill that void on the menu, he created a “double burger” he dubbed the Big Mac and debuted the sandwich in Uniontown, Pa, on April 22, 1967. In 1968, the Big Mac would be added to McDonald’s menu nationwide, and even debuted in Canada that same year. Originally sold for 45 cents, the sandwich was advertised with a tagline claiming the Big Mac was “a meal disguised as a sandwich,” to emphasize the burger’s then-larger-than-average size.
Since then, the Big Mac has gone on to become one of McDonald’s most popular items. According to the fast-food chain, McDonald’s had sold over 1.3 billion Big Macs in 2017. The company’s website also claims that Irwindale, Calif., is known as the “Big Mac capital America” because the residents there reportedly eat “337 Big Mac sandwiches per capita per year.”
Michael Hollan, Fox News
The Deplorable Infidel can remember when, in 1962, a McDonald’s hamburger was only 15 cents and a Krystal burger was only a dime. I’m giving away my age now.
AN OPINION FROM THE DEPLORABLE INFIDEL
With the outbreak of the coronavirus, you would think the moron American hating Democrats would realize the importance of closing the southern border and building the wall. However in doing so, they would have to admit President Trump was right all along. This my friend will never happen.
A SIMPLE TRUTH FOR TODAY
“There are two kinds of people – those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group, there is less competition there.”


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Apple is bringing back its Swift Student Challenge next year in February 2024. First started in 2020, students can participate in the challenge to create apps using Swift, a programming language developed by Apple itself.
For the upcoming Swift Student Challenge next year, Apple will be introducing a new category dubbed Distinguished Winners, which will include 50 standout submissions. The 50 Distinguished Winners will even be invited to Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California next year to connect with each other and the Apple team.
“At Apple, we believe that everyone can learn to code and build apps, and we’re proud to support and recognise aspiring student developers with the Swift Student Challenge each year,” said Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations and Education & Enterprise Marketing, Susan Prescott.
“Apple is releasing new coding resources for students and educators, working with our community partners on dedicated Swift programming, and sharing advance notice of the Swift Student Challenge timeline for 2024. We can’t wait to see the app playgrounds students submit next year,” she added.
To recap, Apple’s Swift Student Challenge will be returning next year for a three-week window in February 2024. Students can submit their app playgrounds then, and they can also sign up over here to be notified when the challenge is open. 350 winners will be chosen – including the 50 Distinguished Winners – and all of them will receive a one-year membership into the Apple Developer Programme.


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Exalt Communications, a provider of next-generation microwave backhaul systems, last week announced that Coast Radio Company, Inc. has selected Exalt microwave backhaul systems to replace leased T1 connections among its multiple FM radio stations, main broadcast sites, and transmission booster sites located throughout the San Francisco Bay area.
The wireless backhaul network built using Exalt microwave systems will also extend IP communications to all sites, add advanced management features, and provide increased bandwidth, says Exalt (Campbell, Calif., USA).
The UK Government is preparing for the task of replacing the country’s 53 million gas and electric meters with smart meters.
On Tuesday, Southwest Airlines Cargo announced Cargo Companion, an asset tracking service that allows its customers complete visibility regarding the location and environmental status of high-value and time/temperature-sensitive items shipped via Southwest Airlines Cargo.
Designed for freight forwarders, couriers, perishable commodity Shippers, and Shippers of time-critical and high-value items, Cargo Companion features wireless asset tracking devices that monitor the location, shock, light, temperature, pressure, and humidity of cargo during transit.
By 2016, 40% of enterprises will require prospective cloud providers to submit proof of independent security testing before they’ll sign up for service, Gartner predicts.
Juniper Networks, a network systems provider, on Wednesday announced that Telefonica Digital has selected Juniper Networks Junos Pulse Mobile Security Suite to create a branded mobile security service for its consumer customer base across Europe.
As the global economy emerges from recession into a new period of growth, market data and analysis will become even more essential to companies seeking to compete on the global stage. According to a recent report by Global Information Inc., an information service company, telemedicine, teleradiology, and telemonitoring systems are poised for tremendous growth through the middle part of the decade.<?xml:namespace prefix = o />
Last week both Visa and MasterCard announced European mobile payments partnerships. On Monday, MasterCard announced that it has entered into a mobile payments partnership with Deutsche Telekom, while Visa announced on Friday that it had joined forces with Telefonica Digital to offer a similar service.
Worldwide IT spending is on pace to reach $3.6 trillion in 2012, a 3% increase from 2011 spending of $3.5 trillion, according to the latest outlook by Gartner, Inc.
According to a new report my Machina Research, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication in Smart Cities & Public Transport represents a sizeable opportunity for market players, and predicts the market will grow from 59 million connections in 2011 to 512 million in 2020.


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WELCOME TO The entertainment REPORT
Best game streaming services of 2020
| March 12, 2020
We are a boutique production house in Los Angeles, CA. Services include production, broadcasting, post-production, social & digital media marketing.
Article | February 20, 2020
Sony’s PlayStation team and Facebook, including Oculus VR, have withdrawn from this year’s Game Developers Conference, citing health concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.“Out of concern for the health and safety of our employees, our dev partners, and the GDC community, Facebook will not be attending this year’s Game Developer Conference due to the evolving public health risks related to COVID-19,” a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement emailed to Polygon. “We still plan to share the exciting announcements we had planned for the show through videos, online Q&As, and more, and will plan to host GDC partner meetings remotely in the coming weeks.”
Article | February 17, 2020
It is very well-known to everyone how important entertainment is in your day to day life. If there is no entertainment, there is no way to relax your mind, which affects you in many ways. With the change in time and technologies, the meaning of entertainment for different age groups have also changed. You cannot ignore the fact that the thing which used to be entertaining for people a few years back is no longer considered entertaining. Today, the meaning of entertainment has become something else. Similarly, there are many ways how different people are consuming entertainment in the current time.
Article | February 19, 2020
Sometimes the statistics around how many people are streaming music – and how many are paying for it – can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Recently, for example, we’ve seen one story suggesting that Amazon was “on course to overtake Apple Music” based on comparing an Amazon figure from January 2020 with one from Apple that hadn’t been updated since June 2019. Another story claimed that “Pandora has overtaken Apple for second spot” in subscriber rankings, which mistakenly compared the former’s number of active listeners (most of whom don’t pay) to the latter’s paid subscriber count.
Article | March 29, 2020
We’ve already seen a boom in smart speakers. This and the unleashing of sound experiences from any sort of tether are fuelling the audio revolution. Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music mean sound is no longer dependent on a carrier medium or dedicated device. Instead, listening has become mobile and on-demand. Like an invisible companion, sound accompanies us wherever we go, without interruption. In the future, I believe that the distance between listener and sound will shrink even more. How so?
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UATP Partners with Nuvei to Offer Payment Services
The partnership gives UATP’s network of airlines full stack, modular payment solutions
Washington D.C., 17 March 2021 – UATP is proud to announce its new partnership with Nuvei (TSX: NVEI and NVEI.U), the global payment technology partner of thriving brands, to begin offering full payment service provider (PSP) services. As part of its ongoing effort to expand its offerings to airlines, UATP partnered with Nuvei to help airlines optimize payment processing, enrich the client experience and help lower transaction costs.
“UATP’s primary goal has always been to increase acceptance rates while reducing the costs for our network, and to solve the airline industry’s diverse payment needs. Offering a comprehensive fintech stack will help meet the airlines’ requirements, all within the UATP framework,” said Ralph Kaiser, president and CEO, UATP. “The industry has changed tremendously in the past year and UATP will continue to seek out the best solutions for airlines. This new partnership makes it easier for airlines to fulfill their payment strategies, with UATP as their trusted provider.”
The partnership enables UATP to provide such products as payment gateway services, acquiring connectivity, local and alternative payment methods, transaction optimization, reconciliation, and other flexible and effective services to protect cash flow for UATP’s network of global airlines.
“We are excited to join forces with UATP in order to fuel its growth ambitions and to provide its network of airlines with a powerful technology stack, enabling them to meet customer demands while maximizing every payment opportunity,” said Philip Fayer, Nuvei’s chairman and CEO. “We’re confident for the future of the travel industry and are looking forward to our partnership with such an influential organization to help lead the rebound.”
For more information, visit UATP.com.
To view the press release, click here.


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ST. CLAIR, MO - Steelweld Equipment Company has added the MidBox product to its lineup. With this latest addition, Steelweld expands its operations to include Shreveport, La.
Steelweld has been providing commercial service bodies, upfitted commercial vans, and pickup trucks to the nation's fleet industry for more than 78 years, servicing industries such as telecommunication, public utility, cable TV, and construction.
The company is now also certified in the installation of compressed natural gas systems (CNG).
Originally posted on Automotive Fleet


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(Jan Uddenfeldt Ericsson’s…)
Jan Uddenfeldt, Ericsson's senior vice-president and technology strategist, feels that 3G has changed the rule of telecom game. Though commercial launch of the fourth generation mobile technology LTE is round the corner, Mr Uddenfeldt argues that 3G will remain in the market for several more years. While talking to Shantanu Nandan Sharma at Ericsson's headqaurters in Stockholm, he said voice per se won't disappear though 3G or LTE will make data much more important than voice. Excerpts:
How has been the global experience of 3G so far?
Once 3G came, the entire multimedia space exploded. You buy a laptop, you have the entire mobility. When it was discovered that the 3G technology could be applied to laptops, the response was were very good. Experiences in the US and European markets were more or less similar. Then came iphone which was more convenient because you could put it in your pocket. Initially, iphone did not have 3G, but once 3G was applied, the market just exploded.
As the next generation mobile technology LTE, or 4G is scheduled to be commercially launched next year, how will it be a game changer around the world?
It has much higher speed, but will initially be costly as compared to 3G. But the cost may fall in the next five years or so, as more people would begin to use it. It's about economy of scale.
But will 3G and LTE be used simultaneously for a few years?
Yes. Both the technologies will be used simultaneously for a few years. The cost will remain a factor as many subscribers would prefer to remain in 3G. There are around 350 to 400 million 3G customers in the world today. The current projection says we will have 1 billion 3G subscribers in the world by 2012.
What do you think about India going for 3G now?
It's excellent. It will make India bigger and better. But availability of spectrum has always been a big challenge as it's a scarce resource. How efficiently can it be used?
It needs to be used as efficiently as possible. There could be differences in quality depending on what kind of frequencies you use.
Will voice finally disappear as an important communication tool?
No, voice will always remain important. All devices used for 3G or LTE have provisions of voice. But yes, in 3G and LTE, data is more important than voice.


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Okamura and BW Furniture kicked off their partnership at the BW showroom on Thursday 7 June with more than 100 guests from the interior design industry. The event was marked by a traditional Japanese sake ceremony called Kagami-wari.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
An owner-occupier client with a program more diverse than most and a need for information sharing in a constantly evolving sector – led to an uplifting and pragmatic design outcome that supports healthcare professionals to ‘walk the walk.’