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Following increased demand in the last year, the company’s sales and marketing director, Helen Bradshaw, told betterRetailing the recent investment is to help retailers meet post-pandemic trends. “Many of our convenience customers had completely overhauled their stores during the pandemic and have broadened their businesses,” she said.
“We hold monthly surveys with them, and this helped shape our understanding about what they wanted from us in terms of service and ranging. We invested in more infrastructure to help us deliver more to our customer base.”
Bradshaw added Hancocks is looking to personalise its offering to independent retailers. “We’re taking a much more tailored approach and a big piece of the work is how we alter our message to suit different customers, such as convenience stores,” said Bradshaw.
“For example, we’ve changed the layout of our depots so they can find the products they want more easily and ensured there are experts on hand.”
The company, which operates a delivered wholesale service, has also invested in improving the navigation, customer service and checkout process through its online website.
Customer trends towards larger shops during the pandemic saw a drop in impulse sales throughout convenience, but Bradshaw claimed Hancocks bucked this decline. “Confectionery was still seen as an affordable treat and it still does really well. Where we’ve seen growth is through premium American imports,” she said.
“We’ve got exclusive partnerships with a range of global brands, such as Pez and Tootsie, and customers often ask whether we can do more with these brands. We’ve also taken on dedicated staff with a purpose of developing this area and securing more supplier relationships.
“Customers tell us they love finding a treasure trove of products they can’t find elsewhere.”
Bradshaw added the company had also seen demand increase for prepacked products as the public stays more conscious of hygiene. “I do think pic’n’mix will come back, but customers will still be cautious for a period of time due to worries about contamination,” she said. “What we’ve done is quickly developed some prepacked pic’n’mix solutions, such as cups and large pouches.”
The investment comes as Hancocks opened a distribution centre in Worksop at the end of last year. Commenting on how it would benefit customers, Bradshaw said: “We’ve got 25,000 independent customers and more than 50,000 users a week online.
“There’s lots of opportunity, and the distribution site will improve our capacity by a third.”
Read more Hancocks Cash & Carry news


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2022 has been a challenging year for technology investors, given that inflation fears are slamming the sector with volatility. However, for the long-term growth horizon, financial technology, or simply fintech, is still a solid bet.
Fintech was one of the hot sectors amid the height of the pandemic, but it’s fallen asunder since then. With inflation bringing down the tech sector as a whole, fintech was dragged down as well, but a study recently showed that despite the recent weakness, fintech showed resilience over the past couple of years.
“The Global COVID-19 Fintech Impact and Resilience Study, published by the Cambridge Centre of Alterative Finance (CCAF), the World Bank Group, and the World Economic Forum, has concluded that the fintech industry was more resilient to the pandemic than previously stated in an earlier report from December 2020,” a Finextra article noted.
While stock market indexes may fall, innovation continues. That’s exactly what fintech firms are accomplishing as disruptive technology continues to take hold of the financial sector, changing the way businesses and individuals process financial transactions.
“Fintech firms are transforming the financial sector by driving innovation, introducing more competition and expanding access to financial services; the survey indicated that fintech firms have served women, SMEs and low-income households—people who have traditionally faced challenges in accessing financial services," the article added.
Getting Fintech Exposure for Growth
With the growth potential of the fintech industry, it opens opportunities for exchange traded funds (ETFs) that focus squarely on this technology sub-sector. As such, one fund to consider is the Global X FinTech ETF (FINX ).
FINX seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the Indxx Global Fintech Thematic Index. The index is designed to provide exposure to exchange-listed companies in developed markets that provide financial technology products and services, including companies involved in mobile payments, peer-to-peer (P2P) and marketplace lending, financial analytics software, and alternative currencies, as defined by the index provider.
The fund gives investors exposure to:
- High growth potential: FINX enables investors to access high growth potential through companies that are applying technological innovations to disrupt and improve the delivery of financial services.
- An unconstrained approach: The fund’s composition transcends classic sector, industry, and geographic classifications by tracking an emerging theme.
- ETF efficiency: In a single trade, FINX offers access to dozens of companies with high exposure to the fintech theme.
Overall, FINX offers exposure to an area of tech that should continue to see more investor interest.
For more news, information, and strategy, visit the Thematic Investing Channel.

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If this Redmi smartphone is announced before Realme, Samsung brands smartphones, then it will be the world’s first 64MP camera smartphone.
The smartphone comes loaded with a new design language coupled with some top-of-the-line specifications.
Vivo Y90 will come in two colour variants - Black and Gold.
Vivo Z5 will be equipped with an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Huawei Y9 Prime 2019 has a triple rear camera setup with 16-megapixel primary sensor with an f/1.8 lens, a 2-megapixel secondary sensor, and an 8-megapixel ultra wide-angle lens.
The Redmi K20 Pro and Redmi K20 come in three different colour options including Flame Red, Glacier Blue, and Carbon Black.
The Huawei Mate 30 Lite will be part of the flagship Mate series, which is expected to be launched in October. On the other hand, Huawei’s sub-brand Honor will launch Honor 9X and Honor 9X Pro on July 23 in China.
Black Shark 2 Pro will be the third smartphone model after Black Shark 2 and Black Shark 2.
Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 was launched last year in April for starting Rs 10,999
The Oppo K3 was first launched in China back in May and features a full-screen AMOLED display, a pop-up selfie camera, and an in-display fingerprint scanner.


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In a technical world consumer information is a commodity; anonymity is one of the most powerful concepts. In today’s world be it online shopping and social media costs not only money but also access to our personal information. It is very important to know who we are sending our personal information to.
Facebook is now working on a new technology that will allow its users to access one of its services anonymously. According to recent reports, the new Facebook messenger is including a new facility in its video chat features, which allows the users to make video calls without signing up for an account. This feature would give its users more control over their personal information and can serve as a bridge between services in a more convincing and fragmented video calling world.
This feature will also enable callers to use the social media giant’s platform without becoming a member. The anonymous calling also has a more concrete benefit. It will also allow people to meet without having to share a common subscription pattern. Facebook potentially is joining the highest ranks of the anonymous video calling hub and crowd and henceforth, is making the online social life a lot more easy as well as flexible without having to compromise.


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The GAMES 13 expo is currently underway in Dubai. It is the largest annual gaming event of the year, and MCV India is in attendance.
Exhibitors this year include Sony and Microsoft, with both the PS4 and Xbox One made available to consumers for the first time in the region.
Publishers such as Warner Bros, EA, Konami, Activision, Square Enix and Ubisoft had also set up booths, with visitors able to get their hands on upcoming games such as Batman: Arkham Origins, The Crew, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Driveclub, Ryse, Forza Motorsport 5, and more.
GAMES 13 is also the venue for the PES 2013 World Finals, which sees around 40 top PES players from around the world competing for a cash prize of 10,000 Euros.
Two Indian players were also part of the world finals, but both Nishant Mittal and Santanu Basu were eliminated in the group stage itself.
Here are some pictures from the GAMES 13 show floor. We’ll have more focussed coverage on the PES 2013 World Finals very soon.
Sign up for the free MCV India newsletterhere.


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Skoda has huge plans for 2017. They have a long list of models that they will be launching in the country this year. Among them is the all-new Octavia, which got its facelift late last year. The vehicle was spotted on Indian roads for the first time.
What else do we know?
First thing, let’s clear out the fact that this is just a minor facelift and not a major update. So things have mainly been changed in the looks department up front. Where the current Octavia gets a single headlamp unit, this one features a split unit, like on the previous gen Mercedes vehicles. Both the lamps feature LED DRLs at the bottom and like the Superb, also feature the 3D effect on the light. The grill has also been changed and now sports a split in the middle.
There is a new bumper on offer with a smaller fog lamp housing as opposed to the one that is currently present in the Indian variant. The bonnet too receives minor updates with 2 strong crease lines coming around the bonnet edge. The side profile remains the same and at the back too, the only change is in the tail lamp cluster, that too a very minor change which most people might just miss.
On the inside the changes are very minimal. People familiar with the Octavia will notice that there is an all new 9.2″ touch screen system as opposed to the smaller one that we get currently. The car also features ambient lighting, something that has been introduced on the new Superb as well.
Under the hood, we expect Skoda to continue with the 1.4 liter TSI engine, which is currently on offer. What the company will do is add a DSG to that as well. Sad news for enthusiasts since the company will most likely kill the 1.8 liter TSI engine that is currently on offer, like Audi did with the A3 and A4. The same 2.0 liter TDI engine will be on offer though, in both manaul and automatic guise. While the 1.4 is disappointing, the company will bring in the 2.0 liter TSI in the vRS, which gives us a huge reason to be happy.
The company will launch the car in the next few months, ahead of the launch of the new vRS.


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Google Assistant may be vulnerable to attacks via subsonic commands
- A new study claims that Google Assistant, and other voice command-based AI services like Alexa and Siri,may be vulnerable to subsonic commands.
- The study says that while these commands cannot be heard by humans, they can be detected by Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa.
- In theory, cybercriminals could use these commands to order these services to purchase products, launch websites and more.
We have already seen that voice-based AI services like Google Assistant can accidentally be turned on just by listening to a TV commercial. Now a new study claims that Google Assistant, along with its rivals like Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, could be vulnerable to sound commands that can’t even be heard by humans.
According to The New York Times, the research was conducted by teams at Berkeley and Princeton University in the US, along with China’s Zhejiang University. They say that they have created a way to get rid of sounds that would normally be heard by Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa, and replace them with audio files that cannot be heard by the human ear. However, they can be heard and used by the machine learning software that’s used to power these digital assistants.
So what does that mean? In theory, the researchers claim that cybercriminals could use these subsonic commands to cause all sort of havoc. They could put in audio in a YouTube video or website that could cause Google Assistant to order products online without your consent, launch malicious sites and more. If a speaker like Google Home is connected to smart home devices, these kinds of stealth commands could possibly order your security cameras to shut down, your lights to go off and your door to unlock.
The good news is that there is no evidence that these kinds of subsonic commands are being used outside the university research facilities that found them in the first place. When asked to comment, Google claims that Assistant already has ways to defeat these kinds of commands. Apple and Amazon have also commented, claiming they have taken steps to address these concerns. Hopefully, these companies will continue to develop security measures to defeat these kinds of threats.


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The deal cleared two big regulatory approvals this week, and is set to close Monday.
Meanwhile, many traditional brick-and-mortar stores are scrambling. There are no other United States antitrust approvals needed.
Whole Foods has also been working to diversify its offerings.
President Donald Trump heightened the stakes for the merger review after repeatedly criticizing Amazon and its Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos. In the past, Trump repeatedly criticized Amazon.
Because of Amazon's digital roots, there's a new paradigm here for retail that hasn't been fully explored in the marketplace. German discount grocers like Lidl and Aldi are expanding in the USA and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has been investing in more discounts too. Trump wrote in a tweet.
Majority of Americans think having neo-Nazi views is unacceptable, poll finds
Perhaps most notable is the gender gap in Trump's overall approval rating, 46 percent among men vs. 28 percent among women. Asked if the USA president equated white supremacists with counter-protesters, 42% said he did, while 23% said he did not.
"I'm guessing [Amazon] didn't buy Whole Foods to be a natural organic grocer", Schlotman said, alluding to the rumors that were circulating then about Amazon planning job cuts and price reductions at Whole Foods.
It's important to note that approvals don't necessarily have to do with the size of the companies involved, explained Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of MI.
This proven stock-picking system is grounded on a single big idea that can be fortune shaping and life changing. And the Federal Trade Commission said in a brief statement that it had looked into competition concerns and would not block the deal. A Morgan Stanley survey earlier this month found that Whole Foods prices were down slightly from a year ago, but that they still averaged roughly 15% higher than regional supermarkets.
The FTC said in its statement that it "always has the ability to investigate anticompetitive conduct should such action be warranted".
"This is already trending in the U.S., as we are seeing with large supermarkets Kroger and Aldi teaming up with Instacart [an online grocery company] to offer home delivery services".


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Before he helped bail out Chrysler, President Obama drove one. The 2005 Chrysler 300C once leased by the future president is now for sale on eBay—for the not-too-shabby starting bid of $1 million, reports the New York Times. (Note to Chrysler: If you could have made this business model work, you wouldn't have needed the bailout.) Seems Obama traded in the V-8 300C at the start of his 2008 campaign, after taking heat for driving one of Detroit's gas-guzzling specialties. He then bought a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid.
The Chrysler had 19,000 miles on it when Obama traded it, most of which are thought to have been highway miles. It currently has 20,800 miles. A rep for the seller, who says the car is "heavily insured," dismisses those eyebrows that might be raised over the hefty price tag, noting that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 1977 Peugeot 504 fetched $1.5 million at auction last year. But, notes the Times, a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee also thought to have been owned by Obama fetched a relatively pedestrian $26,438 in 2010. The eBay listing will expire Wednesday night. (More Barack Obama stories.)


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Energid Technologies announced a partnership with Perceptron, Inc. to utilize Energid’s Actin software in Perceptron’s new in-line and near-line robotic inspection systems for the automotive industry. The Actin software development kit (SDK) offers significant advantages to companies looking to improve their time to market for robotics solutions in time-sensitive and competitive markets.
Perceptron is a global provider of 3D automated metrology solutions and coordinate measuring machines. Energid develops industry robotics control and simulation software that are known for stability, high performance and portability for industrial deployments.
“Companies around the world rely on Perceptron’s metrology solutions to improve quality, shorten product launch times and reduce costs in complex manufacturing processes,” said Neil Tardella, Energid CEO. “Our development partnership with Perceptron is a perfect example of how Actin’s SDK can help system developers in a wide range of markets and applications develop products quicker and with greater functionality.”
Robotic system developers can gain significant competitive advantages by integrating Actin directly into their proprietary solutions. The flexibility of the Actin SDK allows customers to create their own proprietary products.
“Developers are facing significant new challenges as their customers demand more complex and precise robotic applications,” Tardella said. “These design challenges are impacting their ability to quickly bring new products to market. We’re especially seeing this in the very fast-growing market of vision-guided robotics applications, such as bin-picking, where Actin can provide significant time-to-market, cost and feature advantages for robotic system manufacturers.”


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The HRCA will soon have three archery ranges:
- The Wildcat Mountain Archery Range; opened in 2010
- The new Backcountry Outdoor Center Archery Range; opens June 2018
- The new 3-D Range; opens June 2018
The new range is four times larger than the current Wildcat Mountain Range and will include the 3-D Archery Range with 20 targets. Archery passes are on sale now at any recreation center (season passes) or online (day passes). Buy a season pass and get April and May at the Wildcat Range for free!


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WEST AFRICA – Senegal-based agribusiness firm Agro Boye, has received a US$1.1 million co-investment grant from the USAID-funded West Africa Trade & Investment Hub (Trade Hub), to increase its production capacity of horticultural products, helping to reduce food insecurity and import-dependency in the country.
The investment comes three years after its partnership with the Trade Hub on building a successful pilot project that the agribusiness implemented in 2019 to boost its potato cultivation using 30 hectares of land.
At that time, Agro Boye first invested around US$260,000 and produced 900 metric tons of potato, generating US$314,000 in revenue.
The company will now leverage its Trade Hub grant and approximately US$5 million of private capital to further increase its potato production, as well as the production of onions and tomatoes, through preparing and cultivating 240 hectares of virgin land.
“This partnership with the Trade Hub will help us solidify our role as an import-substitute of agricultural products and contribute to a national strategy of nutritional self-reliance,” said Birane Boye, CEO of Agro Boye.
By the project’s end in April 2024, Agro Boye expects this investment to bring its total production levels to 8,610 metric tons of potatoes, 720 metric tons of tomatoes, and 5,120 metric tons of onions.
Approximately 1,466 local jobs will be created through the increased production of Agro Boye’s crops, including for agricultural technicians, irrigators, farm machinery operators, and field workers.
The majority of the positions will be allocated to women and youth, in line with both Agro Boye’s and the Trade Hub’s commitment to ensuring these two groups have increased access to agricultural opportunities.
The grant will also help Agro Boye double its storage capacity to 6,000 tons to minimize losses and waste from over-production, and help stabilize prices as the availability of produce is leveled throughout the year.
To further support food security, Agro Boye, in partnership with local governments, will construct an eight-kilometer road to facilitate customers’ access to its production site and products.
Sixteen neighboring communities will also benefit from this road’s construction, as it will make it easier for them to access local markets.
“Reducing West African countries’ dependence on agricultural imports is crucial to ensuring food security.
“We are excited to partner with Agro Boye to boost both crop production in Senegal and communities’ access to horticultural products grown in the country,” said Karl Littlejohn, Trade Hub’s Acting Chief of Party.
Trade hub supports Guinea’s La Petite Damba in construction of modern fonio processing facility
Meanwhile in Guinea, Trade Hub recently awarded a food processing and packaging company, La Petite Damba, with US$258,000 co-investment grant.
The investment is aimed to fulfill the company’s objectives of scaling up and automating its fonio processing, as well as increasing its storage capacity in the rural Fouta Djallon region of Guinea.
Founded in 2016 and based in Conakry, La Petite Damba specializes in the transformation and commercialization of local Guinean products for the African, European and North American markets.
La Petite Damba’s most successful and profitable product is fonio. This nutrient-packed, gluten-free cereal is commonly used in dishes as a healthy replacement for rice or quinoa.
“La Petite Damba is pleased to receive this grant award and put it towards the construction of a brand-new production facility and the purchase of modern equipment to create meaningful impact for 2,400 individuals in the Fouta Djallon region of Guinea,” said Fode Youla, Co-founder and CEO of La Petite Damba.
The new facility valued at over US$1.2m will boost La Petite Damba’s production to 250 tons of fonio per year from the current 60 tons per year. Sales of fonio are expected to surpass US$1.4M during the life of the 2-year project.
Guinea produces 75% of the world’s stock of fonio, however, the processing techniques of this ancient grain have seen very little progress over the past thousand years.
The grant funds will assist in improving the company’s processing of this high-value crop, which will in turn reduce the burden of the majority female population that grows fonio, create high-paying jobs, and boost export potential for Guinea.
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Krispy Kreme Filled Doughnuts with Cake Batter to Celebrate Its Birthday
Krispy Kreme always finds a reason to celebrate: The doughnut brand runs so many new and limited-time menu items that even the team over at Oreo is like, “Hey, you guys might want to slow things down.” (Not really, but you get my point.) They’ve released new doughnuts in honor of summer, in honor of ugly Christmas sweaters, in honor of National Doughnut Day (which I don’t see on my calendar…) So you know Krispy Kreme has big plans for its birthday — even if it’s only their not-particularly-ceremonious 82nd one — and in this case, it’s one new doughnut and one special deal.
On Monday, July 15, for one week only, Krispy Kreme will be introducing the new Original Filled Birthday Batter Doughnut — billed as being “festively filled with delicious birthday cake batter, dipped in strawberry icing and topped with party sprinkles.” Or if one doughnut is not enough for you (or if that birthday doughnut sounds a bit pompous for your tastes), for one day only, on Friday, July 19, the chain will be offering a different sort of deal: buy one dozen and get a second dozen of Original Glazed Doughnuts for just $1 at participating shops in the U.S.
“Krispy Kreme fans love to celebrate our birthday. They really make it their party, which is good with us,” Dave Skena, chief marketing officer for Krispy Kreme, said in the announcement. “We’re continuing our birthday tradition of the $1 dozen deal, which is great. But this year for the first time we are filling an Original Glazed doughnut with birthday cake batter … and that’s even better.”
Of course, it’d be a pretty boring week if Krispy Kreme only had two announcements so, luckily, yesterday, they tossed in a third. The brand posted on Twitter that “#ChocolateGlazed doughnuts are BACK this Friday, July 12th!” Yes, as we’ve seen pretty much monthly throughout 2019, Krispy Kreme has once again chosen to roll out its popular Chocolate Glazed Doughnuts for a single day only on a somewhat random Friday. It’s all part of the brand’s “Chocolate Glaze Days.” I told you Krispy Kreme always find a reason to celebrate.
Source: Read Full Article


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Wisconsin home sales rose in September after lagging last year’s figures during the peak homebuying months.
The latest report from the Wisconsin Realtors Association found 7,368 sales of existing homes last month, up 5.2 percent from September 2018.
This year’s sales mostly lagged last year’s numbers during the key period between May and August, in part because the number of homes for sale has long been in decline.
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But economist David Clark of Marquette University said the market saw “a nice jump in new listings” in September. “Those jumped 5.1 percent,” he said.
The September sales gains put total sales for the first nine months of the year just 2 percent behind 2018’s figures.
Clark said the fourth quarter of the year doesn’t usually see enough activity to make up that difference, though he said the last three months of 2018 were busier than usual.
“And so if that’s the case (this year), it may well be that we can close a bit more of the gap,” he said. “It’s just going to be difficult to close it all.”
The median price of a home rose 5.4 percent in September to $195,000.


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For the week of February 8 – February 14, 2016, U.S. brands captured 84.4 million Complete Actions (likes and retweets) from tweets published on Twitter. Powered by using Shareablee knowledge, the highest brand on Twitter for every respective business is shown within the Rating beneath. NBA (Sports Activities) used to be the highest brand within the Ranking with virtually 1.1 million Twitter Movements, adopted through Bleacher File (Media Writer) with virtually 884,000 Actions. NBA’s High tweets were highlights from the dunk contest right through the NBA All-Superstar weekend. Bleacher Report additionally captured the most Twitter engagement from NBA All-Megastar highlights, as well as from a post about Peyton Manning making Tremendous Bowl history. Esurance (Monetary Services And Products) got here in an in depth 1/3 with greater than 826,000 Actions due to a 216% raise in likes and retweets on Twitter, driven by its #EsuranceSweepstakes Super Bowl marketing campaign.
Pepsi (Consumer Goods), a newcomer to the Ranking, saw the best increase of any Top Ten model in comparison with the previous week at 396%, due to its posts featuring sweepstakes surrounding the Super Bowl #PepsiHalftime convey. Of the highest performing manufacturers, Malan Breton (Fashion), captured the very best Movements per tweet, pushed by using tweets featuring its NYFW Fall/Wintry Weather 2016 Assortment.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (Presidential Candidate) was once essentially the most socially engaged presidential candidate on Twitter throughout the week of February 8 – February 14, capturing One Hundred Thirty Five% extra Twitter likes and retweets than the next very best performing candidate, Ted Cruz. Bernie Sanders’ Top content material was led via tweets on school tuition and local weather alternate.
i Whole Movements include all put up-level likes and retweets.
ii Whole tweets includes all tweets published by using every brand across Twitter.
iii Movements per tweet is a calculation of the average choice of put up-level Moves got, each time content material is printed.
iv Whole followers contains the choice of Twitter followers for each and every model as of February 14, 2016.


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|By PR Newswire||
|April 18, 2014 09:00 AM EDT||
ARMONK, N.Y., April 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that it is launching a series of initiatives to make it easier and more profitable for Business Partners of SoftLayer, an IBM Company to develop, market and sell cloud services to their customers.
Cloud computing is transforming the way that IT services are consumed and delivered and will account for the bulk of new IT spending by 2016*. For Business Partners who specialize in streamlining integration and delivering value-added solutions, cloud presents an unprecedented opportunity to capture new revenue and enter new markets. In fact, Business Partners who have transitioned to cloud are experiencing more than twice as much revenue growth as Business Partners who have not**.
With the new sales incentives, marketing programs and training courses it is announcing today, IBM is building on its industry-leading support for SoftLayer and IBM Business Partners to help them capture the growing cloud market opportunity. It is also combining best practices from the SoftLayer partner program and IBM PartnerWorld to enable Business Partners to improve margins, build skills and drive demand.
As part of today's news IBM is:
- Offering improved margin opportunities with richer earned-volume discounts for SoftLayer Business Partners without requiring a prior commitment.
- Creating a new SoftLayer Services & Solution Provider program, which streamlines the SoftLayer hosting reseller and strategic partners program to improve clarity of eligibility requirement and benefits of the program.
- Launching a co-marketing initiative as part of PartnerWorld to help SoftLayer Business Partners that join the program build their brands, generate demand for their services and grow their marketing skills. Partners who join PartnerWorld, and existing IBM Business Partners who join the SoftLayer partner program will have access to campaign design and creation tools as well as customizable campaign templates to minimize upfront work and deliver consistent messaging.
- Expanding the technical training courses for both SoftLayer and IBM Business Partners to build skills that meet clients' plans to use outside resources for delivering high-value cloud solutions. The free two-day courses introduce SoftLayer solutions through hands-on activities delivered by Global Knowledge, one of IBM global training providers. Classes are held in 21 locations including markets where IBM is expanding its global network of cloud hubs in addition to several other key markets around the world, including: Japan, India, China, England and several locations across the United States.
"Supporting our partners as they transition from selling traditional on-premise cloud solutions to hybrid and off-premise cloud solutions is a priority for Avnet Technology Solutions," said Fred Cuen, senior vice president and general manager, IBM Solutions Group, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. "With these new enhancements, and with IBM's plans to expand its global cloud footprint globally, SoftLayer has assembled the right components for a winning partner program and we're looking forward to leveraging it to grow cloud market share for Avnet and our partner base."
SoftLayer, an IBM company, provides a high performance, enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure that can expand to accommodate any workload and offers a unique network architecture that optimizes global performance using a high-speed private network. Offering services on SoftLayer's high-performance cloud enables Business Partners to take advantage of IBM's considerable investments in building out its cloud portfolio, including a recent $1.2 billion investment to expand its global cloud footprint and its $1 billion investment to develop a unique platform-as-a-service offering, codenamed BlueMix™.
ClipCard is a SoftLayer partner that provides a big data discovery platform built on SoftLayer's cloud infrastructure. ClipCard renders big data discoverable for end users by driving new insights and context to support business decisions. "As a lean company selling to large enterprise customers, we really appreciate what SoftLayer has to offer," said Ryan Cunningham, product vice president, ClipCard. "Our customers like the security, reliability, and control that comes from a cloud provider who really 'gets' enterprise. We love that we have a real partner in the SoftLayer team, not just a website to go to when we need a hand. IBM is clearly invested in helping us be successful, which is a great boost for a company like ClipCard."
Today's offerings build on IBM PartnerWorld's existing cloud-related resources, including: Cloud services mark, an IBM ingredient brand mark for cloud solutions and service to allow eligible PartnerWorld members to promote cloud services that run on IBM technologies, including SoftLayer; PartnerWorld Cloud Benefit Guide, a catalog of resources connecting PartnerWorld members with benefits for building, selling and deploying cloud solutions; PartnerWorld SatScor, a free client satisfaction survey for promoting referral marketing; Cloud-based Program Criteria to make it easier for cloud-based PartnerWorld members to achieve advance participation levels in the PartnerWorld program.
"Cloud computing is transforming the relationship between Business Partners and their clients, creating unprecedented opportunities to enter new markets and sell new services," said Tom Blair, Senior Vice President, Global Sales, SoftLayer, an IBM Company. "SoftLayer recognizes that our Business Partners are evolving to meet the needs of their customers and we are committed to building a world class support program for them to tap into as they transition to this new era of computing."
About IBM Cloud Computing
IBM has helped more than 30,000 clients around the world with 40,000 industry experts. Since its acquisition in 2013, IBM SoftLayer has served 4,500 new cloud clients. Today, IBM has 100+ cloud SaaS solutions, thousands of experts with deep industry knowledge helping clients transform and a network of 40 data centers worldwide. Since 2007, IBM has invested more than $7 billion in 17 acquisitions to accelerate its cloud initiatives and build a high value cloud portfolio. IBM holds 1,560 cloud patents focused on driving innovation. In fact, IBM for the 21st consecutive year topped the annual list of US patent leaders. IBM processes more the 5.5M client transactions daily through IBM's public cloud. For more information about cloud offerings from IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com/cloud. Follow us on Twitter at @IBMcloud and on our blog at http://www.thoughtsoncloud.com. Join the conversation #ibmcloud.
*Source: Gartner Press Release: Gartner Says Cloud Computing Will Become the Bulk of New IT Spend by 2016
**Source: IDC: Worldwide channel and alliances 2013 top 10 predictions, January 2013
IBM External Relations
For IoT to grow as quickly as analyst firms’ project, a lot is going to fall on developers to quickly bring applications to market. But the lack of a standard development platform threatens to slow growth and make application development more time consuming and costly, much like we’ve seen in the mobile space. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Mike Weiner, Product Manager of the Omega DevCloud with KORE Telematics Inc., discussed the evolving requirements for developers as IoT matures and conducted a live demonstration of how quickly application development can happen when the need to comply wit...
Jul. 31, 2015 08:45 AM EDT Reads: 301
Explosive growth in connected devices. Enormous amounts of data for collection and analysis. Critical use of data for split-second decision making and actionable information. All three are factors in making the Internet of Things a reality. Yet, any one factor would have an IT organization pondering its infrastructure strategy. How should your organization enhance its IT framework to enable an Internet of Things implementation? In his session at @ThingsExpo, James Kirkland, Red Hat's Chief Architect for the Internet of Things and Intelligent Systems, described how to revolutionize your archit...
Jul. 30, 2015 07:30 PM EDT Reads: 1,400
SYS-CON Events announced today that HPM Networks will exhibit at the 17th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on November 3–5, 2015, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. For 20 years, HPM Networks has been integrating technology solutions that solve complex business challenges. HPM Networks has designed solutions for both SMB and enterprise customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Jul. 30, 2015 03:45 PM EDT Reads: 452
MuleSoft has announced the findings of its 2015 Connectivity Benchmark Report on the adoption and business impact of APIs. The findings suggest traditional businesses are quickly evolving into "composable enterprises" built out of hundreds of connected software services, applications and devices. Most are embracing the Internet of Things (IoT) and microservices technologies like Docker. A majority are integrating wearables, like smart watches, and more than half plan to generate revenue with APIs within the next year.
Jul. 30, 2015 02:30 PM EDT Reads: 101
The Internet of Everything (IoE) brings together people, process, data and things to make networked connections more relevant and valuable than ever before – transforming information into knowledge and knowledge into wisdom. IoE creates new capabilities, richer experiences, and unprecedented opportunities to improve business and government operations, decision making and mission support capabilities.
Jul. 30, 2015 01:45 PM EDT Reads: 267
Growth hacking is common for startups to make unheard-of progress in building their business. Career Hacks can help Geek Girls and those who support them (yes, that's you too, Dad!) to excel in this typically male-dominated world. Get ready to learn the facts: Is there a bias against women in the tech / developer communities? Why are women 50% of the workforce, but hold only 24% of the STEM or IT positions? Some beginnings of what to do about it! In her Opening Keynote at 16th Cloud Expo, Sandy Carter, IBM General Manager Cloud Ecosystem and Developers, and a Social Business Evangelist, d...
Jul. 30, 2015 12:00 PM EDT Reads: 2,056
In his keynote at 16th Cloud Expo, Rodney Rogers, CEO of Virtustream, discussed the evolution of the company from inception to its recent acquisition by EMC – including personal insights, lessons learned (and some WTF moments) along the way. Learn how Virtustream’s unique approach of combining the economics and elasticity of the consumer cloud model with proper performance, application automation and security into a platform became a breakout success with enterprise customers and a natural fit for the EMC Federation.
Jul. 30, 2015 09:00 AM EDT Reads: 2,160
The Internet of Things is not only adding billions of sensors and billions of terabytes to the Internet. It is also forcing a fundamental change in the way we envision Information Technology. For the first time, more data is being created by devices at the edge of the Internet rather than from centralized systems. What does this mean for today's IT professional? In this Power Panel at @ThingsExpo, moderated by Conference Chair Roger Strukhoff, panelists addressed this very serious issue of profound change in the industry.
Jul. 29, 2015 03:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,272
Discussions about cloud computing are evolving into discussions about enterprise IT in general. As enterprises increasingly migrate toward their own unique clouds, new issues such as the use of containers and microservices emerge to keep things interesting. In this Power Panel at 16th Cloud Expo, moderated by Conference Chair Roger Strukhoff, panelists addressed the state of cloud computing today, and what enterprise IT professionals need to know about how the latest topics and trends affect their organization.
Jul. 29, 2015 02:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,185
It is one thing to build single industrial IoT applications, but what will it take to build the Smart Cities and truly society-changing applications of the future? The technology won’t be the problem, it will be the number of parties that need to work together and be aligned in their motivation to succeed. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Jason Mondanaro, Director, Product Management at Metanga, discussed how you can plan to cooperate, partner, and form lasting all-star teams to change the world and it starts with business models and monetization strategies.
Jul. 28, 2015 04:30 PM EDT Reads: 1,763
Converging digital disruptions is creating a major sea change - Cisco calls this the Internet of Everything (IoE). IoE is the network connection of People, Process, Data and Things, fueled by Cloud, Mobile, Social, Analytics and Security, and it represents a $19Trillion value-at-stake over the next 10 years. In her keynote at @ThingsExpo, Manjula Talreja, VP of Cisco Consulting Services, discussed IoE and the enormous opportunities it provides to public and private firms alike. She will share what businesses must do to thrive in the IoE economy, citing examples from several industry sectors.
Jul. 28, 2015 11:00 AM EDT Reads: 2,042
There will be 150 billion connected devices by 2020. New digital businesses have already disrupted value chains across every industry. APIs are at the center of the digital business. You need to understand what assets you have that can be exposed digitally, what their digital value chain is, and how to create an effective business model around that value chain to compete in this economy. No enterprise can be complacent and not engage in the digital economy. Learn how to be the disruptor and not the disruptee.
Jul. 27, 2015 10:00 AM EDT Reads: 2,029
Akana has released Envision, an enhanced API analytics platform that helps enterprises mine critical insights across their digital eco-systems, understand their customers and partners and offer value-added personalized services. “In today’s digital economy, data-driven insights are proving to be a key differentiator for businesses. Understanding the data that is being tunneled through their APIs and how it can be used to optimize their business and operations is of paramount importance,” said Alistair Farquharson, CTO of Akana.
Jul. 27, 2015 09:00 AM EDT Reads: 324
Business as usual for IT is evolving into a "Make or Buy" decision on a service-by-service conversation with input from the LOBs. How does your organization move forward with cloud? In his general session at 16th Cloud Expo, Paul Maravei, Regional Sales Manager, Hybrid Cloud and Managed Services at Cisco, discusses how Cisco and its partners offer a market-leading portfolio and ecosystem of cloud infrastructure and application services that allow you to uniquely and securely combine cloud business applications and services across multiple cloud delivery models.
Jul. 27, 2015 08:00 AM EDT Reads: 1,903
The enterprise market will drive IoT device adoption over the next five years. In his session at @ThingsExpo, John Greenough, an analyst at BI Intelligence, division of Business Insider, analyzed how companies will adopt IoT products and the associated cost of adopting those products. John Greenough is the lead analyst covering the Internet of Things for BI Intelligence- Business Insider’s paid research service. Numerous IoT companies have cited his analysis of the IoT. Prior to joining BI Intelligence, he worked analyzing bank technology for Corporate Insight and The Clearing House Payment...
Jul. 26, 2015 09:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,573
"Optimal Design is a technology integration and product development firm that specializes in connecting devices to the cloud," stated Joe Wascow, Co-Founder & CMO of Optimal Design, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at @ThingsExpo, held June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City.
Jul. 25, 2015 02:00 PM EDT Reads: 390
SYS-CON Events announced today that CommVault has been named “Bronze Sponsor” of SYS-CON's 17th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on November 3–5, 2015, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. A singular vision – a belief in a better way to address current and future data management needs – guides CommVault in the development of Singular Information Management® solutions for high-performance data protection, universal availability and simplified management of data on complex storage networks. CommVault's exclusive single-platform architecture gives companies unp...
Jul. 25, 2015 01:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,957
Electric Cloud and Arynga have announced a product integration partnership that will bring Continuous Delivery solutions to the automotive Internet-of-Things (IoT) market. The joint solution will help automotive manufacturers, OEMs and system integrators adopt DevOps automation and Continuous Delivery practices that reduce software build and release cycle times within the complex and specific parameters of embedded and IoT software systems.
Jul. 25, 2015 12:15 PM EDT Reads: 460
"ciqada is a combined platform of hardware modules and server products that lets people take their existing devices or new devices and lets them be accessible over the Internet for their users," noted Geoff Engelstein of ciqada, a division of Mars International, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at @ThingsExpo, held June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City.
Jul. 25, 2015 12:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,536
Internet of Things is moving from being a hype to a reality. Experts estimate that internet connected cars will grow to 152 million, while over 100 million internet connected wireless light bulbs and lamps will be operational by 2020. These and many other intriguing statistics highlight the importance of Internet powered devices and how market penetration is going to multiply many times over in the next few years.
Jul. 25, 2015 09:00 AM EDT Reads: 1,487


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This week the folks at Apple are continuing their assault on Samsung in the courtroom with further legal action against the manufacturer, attempting here early in the week to have 8 Android devices banned from the USA. These devices are all smartphones and the majority of them come from the Samsung Galaxy S II generation of Samsung smartphones. Along with that set of devices there’s also a 4G iteration of the original Samsung Galaxy S as well as a few other oddities.
The full list includes the Galaxy S 4G, each of the Galaxy S II devices that’ve been released in the USA over the past year, and the Droid Charge, Galaxy Prevail, and Galaxy S Showcase. These devices were each found “guilty” so to speak of patent infringement in one way or another in the 3-week court case that had its verdict read at the end of last week. This Apple vs Samsung trial has been what many have labeled the most important technology-related legal trial of the year as both sides of the battle are major players in the ever-growing mobile gadget market.
We’ve had hands-on looks and reviews done of many of the devices you see above, each of their linked names leading to a post containing said material. These devices appeared in the full Amended verdict that was released over the weekend as well. The Samsung Galaxy S II line has been on the market for over a year with the international version of the original device not appearing here as it’s not sold inside the states. Similar trials are happening currently in several countries around the world.
A similar case in Korea recently results in not only Samsung smartphone bans, but the banning of Apple products as well. This South Korean case banned the iPhone, the iPad, and the Samsung Galaxy S II from being sold inside the country until further notice. Back in the USA, only one device is currently banned from Samsung’s sales lineup, and it’s about to be on appeal since it was not found to infringe on Apple’s patents in the case at hand: the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.
Have a peek at our timeline below to see other key points in this trial and stay tuned to the main news feed to see if Apple does indeed get a court order on Samsung to stop the sales of their best-selling smartphones. Note also that the Galaxy S II lineup is still in stores as the Galaxy S III is now Samsung’s hero lineup – also available in stores across the USA right this minute.


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Dozens of Chicago street vendors are pooling their funds to open a commercial kitchen near the Little Village neighborhood that will permit them to meet new sanitation requirements imposed by the mayor's office to regulate street food.
In February, the City Council amended the ordinance regulating street vendors and changes went into effect July 1, prohibiting vendors from preparing fresh food in the open, for instance by cutting fruit on a cart.
Vendors also can no longer boil corn or prepare tamales at home, as has been traditionally done for decades.
In addition, carts must be covered, be easily washable, control the food’s temperature with thermometers and provide a menu of their offerings.
That's why the Street Vendors Association of Chicago (SVAC), which has a membership of 60 vendors, was organized: to help eloteros, tamaleros and others operate “as legally as possible”, said SVAC director Vicky Lugo.
To advocate for their rights as entrepreneurs, SVAC members partnered with the University of Chicago's Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship with the goals of becoming a non-profit organization and acquiring an appropriate site for the shared kitchen.
After lobbying from the group, the city recently reduced the cost of individual street vending licenses from $350 to $100 for a two-year term, according to Beth Kregor, IJ Clinic director.
That was a relief for people like Pascuala Santamaria, a vendor who sets up her stand near 26th St. and Avers Ave., in Little Village, who inspectors had previously fined for not having a license, she said.
The ordinance also stated that each vendor must obtain a second permit to use the commercial kitchen, which originally cost $330 for two years, but was eliminated earlier this year, after street vendors lobbied City Council with the support of aldermen, SVAC and the Clinic.
Santamaria got her permits with the help of her SVAC colleagues, and has already begun to use the commercial kitchen to chop her fruit as part of her daily routine, before going out to sell.
The businesswoman added that she's just waiting for the rest of the kitchen equipment to arrive to begin making her tamales there, too.
Immigrant eloteros are leading the movement to organize street vendors locally and nationally, Kregor said.
The kitchen was inaugurated last month in the North Lawndale neighborhood with a celebration featuring street vendors, Alderman Roberto Maldonado (D-26), who sponsored the measure to legalize street food, and representatives of the IJ Clinic.
"Our work has paid off," Maldonado said when the kitchen opened. “It was an honor to work with the Illinois Policy Institute, street vendors, and the Institute for Justice to pass legislation that removes nearly $600 from each food cart vendor (in the form of permits and payments required to do business)."
Before the amendments to lower the costs of operating were approved, only five businesses throughout the city operated with the necessary licenses.
Advocates hope the cost reduction will increase the number of vendors working under city regulations.
Some 1,500 food carts operate in Chicago, according to the Illinois Policy Institute. A study by that organization found that 55% of vendors are women –the majority of them minorities, mainly Latinos– and 95% of sellers support at least one dependent with their income.


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Bee populations devastated
MARCH 17, 2008: Britain's honeybees are being decimated by a mystery disease, and most could be wiped out in 10 years,say experts.
They say the collapse of the population would be disastrous, and could cost the economy £165 million a year.Now beekeepers are launching a campaign to persuade the Government to fund an £8 million research project to save the industry.Tim Lovett, the president of the British Beekeeping Association, said: 'Beekeeping is still reeling from the varroa mite, which carries a number of viruses and which devastated thousands of hives across the country when it reached Britain 10 years ago."Now there is a real danger that colony collapse disease, which has wiped out 80 per cent of bees in parts of the US, will appear in this country."Unless we develop effective protection, there could then be massive losses of bees across the country." There are around 250,000 honeybee hives in Britain. A recent estimate by Defra revealed that bees contribute £165 million a year to the economy through their pollination of fruit trees, field beans and other crops. In addition, sales of 5,000 tons of British honey generate a further £12 million.


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As we head into the colder months, health officials across the country continue to warn about an uptick in COVID-19 cases. This is especially concerning as we approach the holiday season, which is normally a time for family gatherings, quality time and shared meals.
This Thanksgiving is already shaping up to be an interesting one. The beloved Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which normally draws around 3.5 million people to the streets of Manhattan, will not allow any spectators this year. Big retailers like Walmart, Target and Best Buy are closing their doors on Thursday to prevent early Black Friday crowds.
Dr. Anthony Fauci told CBS Evening News that big Thanksgiving gatherings should be avoided this year. He said his own children, who live in three different states, will not be coming home this year in an effort to help protect his health.
Dr. Fauci advised Americans to evaluate the status of cases across the country and to consider members of the family that may be at risk due to their age or an underlying condition.
In Pennsylvania, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine is recommending residents keep their Thanksgiving celebrations to just those in their household. “That’s a tremendous sacrifice that we’re asking people to make, but it is absolutely necessary at this challenging time,” she said in late October.
If the weather is bearable, you could do an outdoor Thanksgiving gathering (Lancaster County Magazine explored the idea of a scaled-down, outdoor meal back in 2006).
Regardless of how you end up celebrating, local restaurants across the county are taking orders for Thanksgiving feasts. If you rather leave the cooking – and dishes – to someone else, support one of these local restaurants.
John Wright Restaurant is offering 4-person and 8-person dinners for pickup on Wednesday, November 25, from 3-6 p.m. The meal includes roast turkey, all of the fixings and pumpkin pie. Orders must be placed and paid in full by November 20. Call 717-252-1103 to order.
Hess’s BBQ & Catering has a take-out holiday menu. Choose two meats, three salads and two hot sides from their holiday menu for $18.65 per person. The meal also includes rolls, desserts, beverages and tableware. Call 717-464-3374 to order.
Eat in-person or order take-out from The Log Cabin Restaurant. Visit from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to dine from their special Thanksgiving menu. For take-out, choose from their various-sized turkeys and sides, including stuffing, yams, Brussels sprouts, autumn vegetables and more. To order, contact Peg Bragg at 717-626-9999 or email@example.com. Orders must be placed three days before Thanksgiving.
Cork and Cap Restaurant will also be hosting a dine-in Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will also have a take-out option. Order your “Turkey To Go” before 9 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, for pickup on November 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 717-735-2025 to order or reserve your table.
Cameron Estate Inn & Restaurant will host a Thanksgiving brunch and dinner. Brunch will begin at noon and their last seating for dinner will be at 5 p.m. The dinner includes a four-course meal with the choice between four different entrées. Be sure to make a reservation by calling 717-492-0111.
Lititz Family Cupboard Restaurant & Buffet is offering a family-style Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meals are priced at $23.99 for adults and $11.99 for children under the age of 11. Seating is limited so be sure to make a reservation by calling 717-626-9102. Take-out is also available.
Join The Fireside Tavern for a Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu is also available for take-out; they will take orders from November 5-20. For in-person dining, be sure to make a reservation by calling 717-687-7979 ext. 1.
Lititz Springs Inn & Spa will be hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner buffet. Tables will be spread across their ballroom, dining room and Bulls Head Public House to ensure social distancing. The buffet includes dinner and dessert. Meals are priced at $38.95 for adults and $12.95 for children. To reserve your table, call 717-626-2115.
Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord is offering Family Meal Packs for take-out. Order online and pick up your meal pack on Wednesday, November 25 (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) or Thursday, November 26 (11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.). Their smorgasbord will also be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Call 717-768-1500 to make a reservation.
Shady Maple Smorgasbord will also have Thanksgiving meals to go. The meals are $12.99 per person and include turkey, filling, mashed potatoes, vegetable, roll, cranberry relish and a choice of pie. Pickup will be from November 23-25 (11 a.m.-8 p.m.). To order, call 717-354-8222 ext. 698 or visit their customer service desk.
Iron Hill Brewery is offering a take-out meal for families of four for $50. Place your order by Saturday, November 21 and pick it up on Wednesday, November 25. Then, just warm and serve. Call 717-291-9800 to place your order.
The Greenfield Restaurant will be open for Thanksgiving from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They will be serving a special, a la carte menu, which they will announce in the coming weeks. They will also offer take-out. Make your reservation at 717-393-0668.
Let Wegmans do most of the cooking this year with their take-out Thanksgiving dinners. The food comes chilled with heating instructions provided. Choose from their menu of fully cooked turkeys, sides, appetizers, desserts and more while supplies last. Place your order online no later than noon on November 24. You can also call the Lancaster location at 717-358-9445. Meals will be available for pickup between November 21-26.
Hershey Farm Restaurant & Inn is offering breakfast, a family-style Thanksgiving dinner and their smorgasbord. Reservations are required. Call 717-687-8635 ext. 716 to make a reservation.
Decades has a special Thanksgiving menu, with vegan options available. Order through Friday, November 20 by filling out this form. Once you place your order, they will follow up with you about payment details and pickup times. Pickup days include November 25 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and November 26 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
If you are looking to spoil your dog this Thanksgiving, order a holiday meal from Basset & Lab. The dinners include a Waldorf salad, roasted turkey and gravy, whole grain cranberry stuffing balls, cauliflower mashed potatoes, maple-glazed carrots, pumpkin pie and two cookies. The meals are $16.99 each. To order, call 717-288-1200 or email firstname.lastname@example.org. They will be taking orders until November 18. Pick up your order on November 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where to get dessert
The Bake Shoppe at Country Table
Good ‘N Plenty (Be sure to order at least two days before Thanksgiving.)
Click here to see United Way of Lancaster County’s list of free Thanksgiving meals.


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U.S. to Place Tariffs on Solar Panels From China
The United States Commerce Department said Tuesday it would impose tariffs on solar panels imported from China after concluding that the Chinese government provided illegal export subsidies to manufacturers there.
The tariffs were smaller than some American industry executives had hoped for — 2.9 percent to 4.73 percent — which could blunt their effect on the market. But additional tariffs could be imposed in May, when the Commerce Department is scheduled to decide whether China is “dumping” solar panels into the United States at prices below their actual cost. A finding of dumping would result in additional tariffs that could be far larger than the anti-subsidy tariffs.
But whatever the size of the penalties, Tuesday’s ruling is likely to further heighten trade tensions with China, while holding implications for renewable energy policy in this country.
Although the ruling is the result of a quasi-judicial review process by civil servants in the Commerce Department, the imposition of tariffs by an arm of the Obama administration seems certain to enter the partisan fray.
The president’s backers might point to it as evidence that he continues to play tough with Beijing. But opponents, including the Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who are already criticizing Mr. Obama for what they say is the low level of attention to China trade issues, might call the small penalties insufficient.
Whatever political spin proponents or critics might want to put on the tariff decision, there is no question that solar panels from China now control about half the American market, while panel makers based in the United States hold less than one-third. American imports of Chinese solar panels have soared to $2.65 billion last year from $21.3 million in 2005.
But while American manufacturers oppose the imports and filed the trade case against China, users of solar energy have benefited from low-cost Chinese solar panels. In fact, an American industry group composed of companies that sell and install solar panels said Tuesday they were pleased with the relatively small size of the tariffs, having braced for higher ones.
“This is a huge victory for the U.S. solar industry and our 100,000 employees,” said Jigar Shah, president of the Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy. “Given all our expectations, this is really good news.”


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Carphone getting the right numbers
CARPHONE Warehouse, which was widely dismissed as one of the more transitory products of the dotcom mania, is in fact turning into one of its finds. It has weighed in with a quite remarkable trading update given what has happened to the mobile phones market over the past 12 months. Founder and chief executive Charles Dunstone has confounded those who were ready to write him off.
What sets this businesss apart from other phone outlets and other retailers is the contractual relationship it maintains with many of its customers. This means Carphone gets a payment from the mobile operator as long as the customer continues to use the phone and therefore has an interest in providing good after-sales service.
It keeps its customers on this basis for eight to 10 years and 85% of them come back to buy their next phone. One-off sales are important, of course but less so. Indeed, the business is evolving so fast with the provision of things like billing services for operators that next year half its revenues will be recurring. No other retailer has that quality of business.
Sales of handsets are down but nothing like as much as figures from manufacturers led us to expect and the damage to revenues overall is slight, margins have improved and like-for-like volumes are healthy. Other chains seem to have been hit much harder.
Nokia said last autumn it expected the number of retail outlets Europewide to drop from 130,000 to 80,000 and that seems to be under way. In bad times market leaders do well and Carphone has added significantly to its market share, claiming 20% at Christmas and 24% now against only 12% a year ago.
Today's results are not enough to deliver the heady £85m profit for the year analysts initially thought possible, but they may well conclude that £72m to £76m is most probable.
THE trio whose task it is to save Britain's railways were meeting today on a platform at the Queen Elizabeth Centre - a conference venue not a station. Transport Secretary Stephen Byers, Strategic Rail Authority boss Richard Bowker and rail regulator Tom Winsor were delivering their vision for the railways.
Winsor has been largely invisible since he stuck the knife into Byers before a Select Committee of MPs but remarks attributed to him this week suggest he could make life very difficult because he plans to be as tough on the accountants now running Railtrack as he was on its previous management.
The fact that the rail network is in administration does not give it immunity from persecution by the regulator. This means, theoretically at least, that Winsor could soon start levying fines for lateness or failure to hit targets and be as nasty to the administrators as he was to Railtrack management.
This has reportedly come as a shock to the administrators, who had half assumed Winsor would make their life easier by slipping through an 'interim review' easing the more-onerous targets and penalties imposed on the network. But Winsor is telling friends he is not going to do anyone any favours.
Given that the network is fast crumbling under the accountants' untutored hands and delays are mounting at an alarming rate, there is much for Winsor to get his teeth into.
The prospects for farce now loom large. When the hapless accountants are fined buckets of money by the regulator, they will no doubt pass the charge on to Byers. It will be an interesting test to see if he is more willing to waste tax payers' money on these fines than he is to use it to bail out Railtrack shareholders - many of whom are the company's employees who had invested in its shares.
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Credit: Getty Images
At CES 2015, Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering (CSNE) is going to unveil their new virtual rehabilitation product called vHAB.
International CES 2015 is a platform that allows people to display their consumer based products and services. The center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering is going to launch their new product called vHAB at CES 2015. vHAB is designed and engineered while keeping in mind the needs of neurologically injured people. This virtual rehabilitation system helps to stroke patients through rehabilitation in a tailored manner.
Besides helping neurologically injured people, vHAB is also useful for other injuries. The best part about vHAB is that it is cost effective. More than 795, 000 people in the United States of America are facing neurological problems and they are getting various therapies done.
Because of these problems these people are missing out on their professional and social life. The medical treatment for conditions like stroke is very expensive. Almost $36.5 billion is the annual expense of the medical treatments of these situations. These conditions include medications, missed days of work and health care services.
vHAB is supported by the National Science Foundation, an Engineering Research center. The National Science Foundation (NFS) is among the 17 leading Engineering Research centers and its headquarters is located at the University of Washington in Seattle. The National Science Foundation has funded many other projects, but this is the first time they will be introducing one of their products at CES 2015 international.
The main objective of NFS is to collaborate with other industry partners and develop technology which is useful. Since the research center mainly offer neural engineering and neuroscience lesson, thus most of its products and services belong to these particular domains.
vHAB was first developed out of a tech Sandbox competition course. This competition was created by a researcher at the University of Washington and the education manager for CSNE, Dr.Lise Johson. Under Johson supervision his students, Brain Mogen, Tyler Libey and Dimitrios Gklezakos along with Lars Crawford, the technology commercialization fellow created vHAB.
According to conventional medical treatment of stroke, a person undergoes various therapy treatments, but the problem with this orthodox method is he is not able to track his progress rate. vHAB, on the other hand, is very helpful for people who do therapy as a part of their treatment plan as it allows them to monitor their progress rate.
Patients who are using vHAB wear a sleeve that has a muscle activity sensing armband attached to it. The information that is generated through the sleeve can be used to check whether or not the home exercise is helping.
Read More Hot News About CES 2015.
CES 2015 International is going to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. The event is going to start on the 6th of January and it will end on the 9th of January. More than 3500 exhibitor will unveil their unique consumer based products and services. It is a platform for young entrepreneurs to introduce their innovative ideas and for established technology giants to launch their upcoming products.


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Need for data protection law
After Facebook’s (FB) Cambridge Analytica data leak scandal, US and UK lawmakers are putting pressure on data-extracting companies such as Amazon (AMZN), Twitter, Facebook, and Alphabet’s (GOOGL) Google amid heightened data privacy concerns. The European Union has enacted a new General Data Protection Regulation (or GDPR) for data protection and privacy to give users more control over their online data.
Since India is increasingly moving toward digitalization, the need for data-protection for users is growing. The country has thus proposed a new data-protection law in which foreign companies are not allowed to hold e-commerce inventory in India. The new proposed policy, which is currently in draft stage, also requires foreign companies to store their data on local servers.
India’s proposed law and the impact on US companies
Since India’s new proposed legislation will allow only Indian-based companies to store inventory, it would pose a challenge to the operating models of US companies such as Amazon and Walmart (WMT) that capitalize on their logistics operations. Both Amazon and Walmart have invested more than $21 billion in India, mostly from Walmart’s acquisition of a majority stake in Flipkart.
The Indian central bank has directed foreign payment firms Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal to keep their local data exclusively in the country by October 2018.
The new stringent policy could also hurt social media company Facebook, which has its largest user base in India. Search engine Google has also expanded in the country with its UPI[1. Unified Payments Interface]-based Tez payments app, smart speaker Google Home, and low-cost Android Oreo (Go edition) smartphones. Netflix (NFLX) and Amazon are also trying to benefit from India’s streaming market but are lagging behind the local players.


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- Contact Us
Beacon technology, first introduced by Apple in 2013 at a national developer’s conference, has been a buzzworthy item ever since it hit the scene. Since the technology’s debut three years ago, marketers have been jumping onto the beacon boom with retailers and businesses both small and large adapting the technology. But what does this tech mean for SEO? Specifically local SEO?
With the release of the new Instagram Stories feature, users can now publish photos and videos for a twenty-four hour time frame. Almost identical to Snapchat, Instagram Stories is intended for users to be able to post more frequent and relaxed posts without having these posts live on their main Instagram feed.
With all the buzz around Snapchat, we’ve decided this would be a great platform for us to engage with our client community, giving them an inside look at Direct Agents. We will be regularly posting exclusive snapchats, revealing our latest events, works, and any other updates about the industry.
Increase your digital campaign results.


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USA: Federated To Buy Hawaiian Chain
Federated Department Stores is soon to sign a deal to buy Liberty House Inc, a department store chain based in Hawaii which has recently emerged from bankruptcy court proceedings, the Wall Street Journal reported. The chain, around 150-years-old, could possibly become a part of the Macy's West division, a subsidiary of FDS. The move would open up a new market territory for Federated, whose sales have been hit by the US economic slowdown.
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Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac dealers launch new online shopping site
- · Combines convenience of the Internet with personal service
- · Enables consumers to choose how to get their next GM vehicle
DETROIT – Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac dealers in the U.S. now have a new online retailing tool available for the growing number of new car buyers who want to use the Internet to shop for their next vehicle.
The new service, called “Shop-Click-Drive,” enables consumers to choose a specific vehicle, get estimated pricing, review available incentives, learn about and choose financing and insurance products, get information about their trade-in and apply for financing, all online. The application is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Every General Motors dealer in the U.S. now has the opportunity to feature “Shop-Click-Drive” on his or her dealership’s website. GM began piloting the program earlier this year, expanding the pilot over time to include dealers in eight states. Based on collaboration and dealer and consumer feedback during the pilot phase, GM has continued to evolve the opt-in program and is now offering the tool to all of its approximately 4,300 U.S. dealers.
“We want to make it easier and simpler for dealers to connect with customers who are looking to combine the convenience of online shopping with the personal service of a neighborhood dealership,” said GM’s Kurt McNeil, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. “We engaged dealers to help us develop ‘Shop-Click-Drive’ to address this need.”
“’Shop-Click-Drive’ is a cutting-edge digital service that no other automaker has today,” said Todd DeNooyer, general manager of DeNooyer Chevrolet in Kalamazoo, Mich., and a participant in the pilot phase. “It’s been a good partnership and has given us a tool to grow our business and reach out to new customers.”
General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world’s largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com


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District health boards say a new medicine centre in Christchurch will ensure hospitals meet the growing demand for cancer treatments.
Pharmaceutical company Baxter Healthcare is spending $3 million on the purpose-built centre, where it will make medicines used during chemotherapy.
Managing director David Akeroyd says construction has started on the centre. It will supply all six South Island DHBs by next April and employ more than 20 people.
Mr Akeroyd says the company has similar centres in Auckland and Hamilton. It will sign an agreement on Tuesday to supply products to the South Island DHBs for the next 10 years.
Canterbury DHB pharmacy services manager Paul Barrett says at present, half of the products it will source from the new centre are made at Christchurch Hospital. However, he says, growth in demand for treatments over the past 20 years means it no longer makes sense to keep making them onsite.
Mrl Barrett says that once the centre opens, staff who currently produce the medicines will not lose their jobs but will be freed up to concentrate on clinical work. He says that will result in more efficient treatment of patients who need intravenous drugs or chemotherapy.
Otago DHB group manager Sonja Dillion says the establishment of the centre will guarantee the supply of medicines for patients.


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In his latest article, writer, blogger, and entrepreneur Stanislav Kondrashov delves into the profound influence of modern convenience on our eating habits. Titled “How Modern Convenience Is Changing Our Eating Habits” Kondrashov’s thought-provoking piece examines the transformative effects of food delivery services and their impact on both individuals and the food industry.
Kondrashov’s article sheds light on the power of convenience as a driving force behind the food delivery revolution. With today’s fast-paced lifestyles and the desire for immediate satisfaction, food delivery has become an irresistible option for many. By simply tapping a few buttons on a smartphone, individuals can have restaurant-quality meals effortlessly delivered to their doorsteps. Kondrashov emphasises that this newfound convenience has fundamentally reshaped our approach to meal planning and consumption.
“The ease and accessibility of ordering food online or through an app have revolutionised our perception of daily meals,” explains Kondrashov. “It saves us precious time and effort that would have otherwise been spent cooking or dining out. The convenience offered by food delivery has become a significant driver in shaping our eating habits.”
In his article, Kondrashov also highlights how food delivery services have expanded our culinary horizons. With a wide array of cuisines and dining options available, individuals are now more inclined to explore new dishes and flavors. This increased exposure to diverse cuisines has broadened our palates and fostered a greater appreciation for different food cultures.
However, Kondrashov cautions that the convenience of food delivery also has its downsides, particularly in terms of health and nutrition. While it can provide healthier options for those with limited time or resources to cook, the ease of ordering calorie-dense and nutrient-poor fast food can contribute to unhealthy eating patterns and potential weight gain. Kondrashov emphasises the importance of maintaining a balance and making mindful choices when utilising food delivery services.
Furthermore, Kondrashov underscores the positive impact food delivery services can have on supporting local restaurants and the economy. During challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, partnering with food delivery platforms has become a lifeline for many small eateries. By expanding their reach, attracting new customers, and generating additional revenue, local restaurants can thrive, bolster the local economy, and preserve the rich culinary culture within communities.
In his comprehensive analysis, Kondrashov also addresses the environmental and social implications of the food delivery revolution. The surge in food delivery has led to an increase in single-use packaging waste and carbon emissions from delivery vehicles. Additionally, concerns about the working conditions and compensation for delivery drivers have emerged. Kondrashov urges consumers to be aware of these implications and supports businesses and initiatives that prioritize environmentally friendly practices and fair labor standards.
Kondrashov concludes by stating, “Food delivery has revolutionised our eating habits, providing unparalleled convenience and access to diverse dining options. However, it is crucial to consider the impacts on our health, local economies, and the environment. By making mindful choices and supporting sustainable and ethical practices, we can continue enjoying the benefits of food delivery while minimising its negative effects.”
For more insightful articles and content, visit Stanislav Kondrashov’s blog at www.stanislavkondrashov.co.uk.


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Drone strikes attacked an oil processing facility at Abqaiq and the nearby Khurais oil field on Saturday.Marketsread more
The trucking industry is worth hundreds of billions of dollars per year. Uber is going after this market with Uber Freight, an online platform that matches truckers with...Technologyread more
Trump said oil would be released if needed to keep the market well supplied and he would expedite the approval of pipelines in Texas and other states.Marketsread more
Saudi Aramco is aiming to restore by Monday about a third of its crude output that was disrupted after drone attacks on two key oil facilities, The Wall Street Journal...Marketsread more
Apple's new iPhones can still send texts, download apps, and make video calls, but the company spends a lot of time and effort marketing its new phones as powerful photography...Technologyread more
Some U.S. manufacturers say tariffs, if targeted, will help address longstanding unfair trade practices like intellectual property theft.Traderead more
Supporters of a $15 minimum wage ballot initiative in Florida argue the state's inflation-tied pay hikes have not gone far enough.2020 Electionsread more
Saudi Arabia shut down half its oil production Saturday after drone strikes hit the world's largest oil processing facility in an attack claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels.Politicsread more
Trusii's hydrogen water machines were supposed to help users with their health problems, but customers claim the company is involved in a giant scam.Technologyread more
The decoupling of the world's two weightiest economies seems as inescapable as its extent and global impact remains incalculable.Politicsread more
BlackBerry has reinvented itself to become a leader in securing mobile communications and in embedded communications. Next year it plans to roll out new products. CEO John...Evolveread more
2018 is coming to a close on Monday, ending a tough year for stock pickers. Many of the year's big winners took a beating in the final quarter of the year.
The is set to end the year down nearly 6 percent. Stocks lost much of this year's gains beginning in early October before accelerating this month, in what is likely to be the worst December performance for the S&P 500 since 1931.
Here's where the best and worst S&P 500 stocks were before the final day of trading this year. Stocks are ranked by year to date performance, with quarter to date performance included for context on the recent widespread sell-off.
Advanced Micro Devices ripped higher by more than 85 percent until mid-September, peaking at $34.14 a share. AMD was riding high on gains in the computer chip market until the company gave a weaker-than-expected outlook for the fourth quarter of this year.
TripAdvisor and Red Hat were the only two 2018 winners to also buck the recent trend, gaining 4.9 percent and 28.1 percent this quarter, respectively. TripAdvisor reported consistently improving earnings throughout the year, boosted by its growing non-hotel business. IBM announced plans in October to acquire Red Hat in cash at $190 a share, a 60 percent premium from Red Hat's stock price when the deal was revealed.
Cosmetics giant Coty is on pace to be this year's worst performer, cratering more than 67 percent. The stock has sold off nearly ever month of 2018. Coty replaced both its chief executive and chairman in November, as the company has struggled to fine benefit from the 41 brands it acquired from Procter & Gamble in 2016.
General Electric is set to finish a tumultuous year down over 57 percent. This year, GE revealed federal investigations into its accounting practices, was kicked off the Dow index, replaced its CEO with outsider Larry Culp, split up its struggling power business, slashed its long-beloved dividend to a token amount and is fighting to keep its bonds from becoming junk-rated. But the stock has rebounded since touching $6.66, the lowest close of the financial crisis. Two widely-followed Wall Street analysts upgraded GE's stock in December, pointing to opportunity amid the company's


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John Roberts, the Biddeford coat manufacturer, which has been struggling with fi
John Roberts, the Biddeford coat manufacturer, which has been struggling with financial problems for years, shut down the factory on August 11 after it was unable to make its payroll. The Finance Authority of Maine, in the past one of the company's staunchest supporters, is refusing to lend any more support. Presidential Finance Co. of Atlanta has agreed to loan the firm money, and lead investor Apparel Management Group has asked FAME to make some concessions so the deal can go through. A critical court hearing is set for Friday, and FAME and AMG are trying to resolve their differences before then. Details.
John Roberts Inc -- Biddeford
"John Roberts, the Biddeford coat manufacturer, which has been struggling with fi" (1994). Maine News Index – Portland Press Herald. 14612.


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The U.S. Cannabis Conference and Expo (USCC Expo) will bring hundreds of cannabis industry business leaders, celebrities and professionals to the Phoenix Convention Center from Oct 5 – 6, 2018.
The Expo is open to the general public and runs from 11am – 5pm on Friday and Saturday.
Tommy Chong will make an appearance at the Expo on Oct 5, as will other cannabis industry celebrities.
Speaker presentations and discussions from industry professionals will be held throughout Friday and Saturday, and will entertain and enlighten attendees on topics ranging from cultivation and laws to marketing and extraction.
Hear from pioneers that changed the future of marijuana in America.
Veterans with a valid military ID can get a free Expo pass by using the code VETERAN2018 (must show ID at registration).
Use the code AZMJ2018 to get 50% off tickets.


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Yesterday OK supermarket was forced to write a memo to its various branches in the wake of SI 127 of 2021. The internal memorandum instructed all branches to stop accepting USD and other foreign currency at its tills. The company and many others were forced to make the move because their systems cannot issue receipts in other currencies. Their Point of Sale software only prints receipts in ZWL. Prior to the new law, the businesses would simply use the prevailing rate to convert USD to ZWL and issue a ZWL receipt.
OK can now start accepting USD again
The RBZ was forced to issue a statement allowing businesses to start accepting USD again late last night following two days of absolute chaos in the market. This came after OK and other businesses stopped accepting foreign currency so as to comply with the new law that requires them to issue receipts in foreign currency when they receive payment in foreign currency.
The statement by the RBZ essentially means that businesses can continue to accept foreign currency while they upgrade their systems. They have two weeks in order to complete these upgrades. Why the RBZ and the government had not thought of this is a mystery and reflects the dangers of legislating using Statutory Instruments instead of amending and passing laws via parliament.
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Contract negotiations between Qwest and its leading union, the Communications Workers of America, District 7 are set to begin today. Roughly 55 percent of Qwest employees, about 20,075, are represented by the union. A few hundred workers are represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
More in Business
As a March deadline approaches for Denver and 19 other finalists hoping to land Amazon’s second headquarters, the debate over whether cities should incentivize the Seattle retail behemoth has not abated. Some cities are offering billions of dollars worth in economic incentives. Colorado’s is estimated to be in the $100 million range. But few finalists, including Denver, have revealed exactly how much...
United and Delta join growing list of companies in backlash against NRA.
Samsung unveiled new smartphones with largely unchanged designs and incremental improvements such as a better camera — accompanied by a second annual price increase for many customers.
One promise of ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft was fewer cars clogging city streets. But studies suggest the opposite: that ride-hailing companies are pulling riders off buses, subways, bicycles and their own feet and putting them in cars instead.


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Google is now starting to sell domain names. This means that Google is now competing against NameCheap.com and GoDaddy.com, which just filed for an initial public offering. Google has launched a small private beta for a domain registration service that is called Google Domains.
Here is what Google Domains, includes:
– Free private registration, allowing you to mask your name/address/etc. from Whois searches without having to pay a third-party service
– Free email forwarding from firstname.lastname@example.org to your personal Gmail inbox
– Free domain forwarding
– Support for up to 100 sub-domains
– Plans to support all of the crazy new domain endings that will roll out over the next few years (like .guru and .club)
Google is also promising full phone support for Google Domain customers. Google Domains is by invite only right now. You will have to visit the Google Domains website, click the “Manage my domains” button, login, and then hit the “Request an invite” button.
The catch: as mentioned, this is a tiny private beta for now. Want to try to get in? Go to Google Domains, click the ?Manage my domains? button, log in, then hit the ?Request an invite? button.
Stock Tag: Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)


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Luno app installs rise 60% in one month as crypto customers hit 7m
London-based cryptocurrency exchange, Luno said app installs rose 60 percent in January 2021 the same month the price of bitcoin went over the roof. The company also reaped an additional one million users to take its customers tally to a whopping 7 million in just seven weeks of reaching 6 million.
The growth in mobile app installs represents a 300 percent growth year-on-year when compared to January 2020. Unsurprisingly, the company said it has seen exponential growth in the cryptocurrency business in 2021 as prices of the top cryptocurrencies – five of which plus a stablecoin are listed on Luno – continue to replace previous all-time highs at record speed.
The price of bitcoin as of Wednesday morning, April 14, was $64,615, the most it has ever recorded. Ethereum also set a new record at $2,389, while Ripple’s XRP is less than $2 away from canceling an all-time high set in 2018. Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash are both experiencing wild growth swings at $276 and $819 respectively.
Africa contributed the most customers in 2020 to the global cryptocurrency exchange. Luno’s customer base grew by 2.3 million to 4.7 million between January 2020 and January 2021. App installs across the continent also rose by 271 percent alongside trading volume which grew over 12x from $555 million to $7 billion.
Marcus Swanepoel, CEO and co-founder of Luno says generally the cryptocurrency market has seen tremendous adoption in the past seven years. While the media has focused mainly on institutional investors trooping to the market, retail adoption has also increased at a fanatical pace.
“The pandemic has exacerbated the need for digital currencies, and here at Luno, our mission is not only to help educate people about cryptocurrencies and how to use them today but in the long run leverage the power of this technology to upgrade the world to a better financial system,” Swanepoel said.
Luno’s growth has also been aided by the acquisition in September 2020 by Digital Currency Group (DCG). Since then, the company has seen the number of active users grow by 167 percent, whilst the number of app installs has increased 119 percent. By 25 January, the average Luno user held over $7,000 in their wallet, up 56 percent from 30 December 2020. Luno was ranked in the top six cryptocurrency exchanges worldwide in the latest CryptoCompare Exchange Benchmark, whilst also receiving the top tier AA rating.
“We want to make cryptocurrencies accessible in a secure and compliant way to everyone, regardless of who they are or where they are located. In 2021, we expect to continue this exponential growth, on track to reaching our goal of 1 billion customers by 2030,“ Swanepoel said.
Founded in 2013 by Marcus Swanepoel, a former investment banker, and Timothy Stranex, Luno has embarked on an expansion mission establishing a presence in Malaysia and other markets in the emerging world. Today the company is headquartered in London and has nearly 400 employees across offices in London, South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Singapore with customers in 40 countries globally, with over 10 percent growth in staff numbers since March 2020.
It wouldn’t have chosen a better time to push into new markets as more institutional investors declare their loyalty to bitcoin as a store of value. The likes of Tesla are investing in Bitcoin, US Bank BNY Mellon setting up a Crypto Unit, and Mastercard accepting crypto payments.
Often classified as digital gold, bitcoin has become more attractive to investors amidst inflation concerns as a result of increased fiscal and monetary stimulus.
The 2020 spike bitcoin experienced was also accelerated by its growth in global adoption as the number of global cryptocurrency users surpassed 100 million in Q3 2020.
Over the last few years, infrastructure in parts of the world that could not previously support the crypto market has improved substantially. Luno has played an essential role in these developments, particularly in major African economies and Asia-Pacific, where it has enabled efficient markets for customers to trade crypto in a safe and secure way through local currency. In 2020 alone, Luno provided 1.1 million Asians access to the crypto markets, growing its Asian customer base by 300,000.
“Luno has seen phenomenal growth over the past 12 months and is one of the fastest-growing companies in the DCG family. We are proud to be part of this success and will continue to make significant investments to support Luno’s commitment to driving global economic and social change through the transformation of traditional financial services,” Barry Silbert, CEO, Digital Currency Group said.


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LINCOLN, Neb. — A popular car wash that has been in Lincoln for over four decades is closing up shop at the end of the month.
Randolph Car Wash, in a post on Facebook Tuesday, said June 30 will be its last day, or until its inventory is depleted.
In the post, the owners thanked all of their loyal customers and wrote, "It's true, after 41 years and millions of clean vehicles later, we are shutting the garage doors for the last time."
The owners said they accepted an offer to sell the lot and regret giving such short notice.
"We have enjoyed serving you, which has made our life full and meaningful," they wrote in the post.
You can read the full post below.