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Hu: China to facilitate EU investment
Updated: 2011-05-17 07:01
President of the European Council Herman van Rompuy (L) shakes hands with Chinese President Hu Jintao in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing May 16, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]
BEIJING - Chinese President Hu Jintao said Monday that China will continue to provide convenience of investment for European Union (EU) firms, while urging the EU to expand export of high-tech products and recognize China's market economy status.
Hu made the remarks during talks with visiting European Council President Herman Van Rompuy in Beijing.
"China will continue to provide convenience for investments from EU firms," said Hu, adding that "the EU should take proactive measures to expand export of high-tech products to China, recognize China's market economy status and create a loose policy environment for Chinese firms to invest in EU countries."
The 27-member bloc is now China's largest trading partner and second largest export market while China is the EU's second-largest trading partner.
Hu said, to push advancement of China-EU relations, the two sides should keep high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic dialogues and policy communication, deepen coordination and cooperation on bilateral and multilateral affairs and work to develop an equal partnership featuring mutual respect, friendship and mutual trust.
Hu called for enhanced cooperation in the fields of trade, finance, innovation, environmental protection and new energy, and efforts to foster new growth areas and to advance the cooperative partnership that features reciprocity, win-win situations and common development.
He also called for increased cooperation and exchanges in the cultural and education sectors to deepen understanding and friendship between the two sides.
"China always treats China-EU relations in accordance with the development of the times and from a strategic perspective," Hu said. "We will work with the EU to further outline the overall development of China-EU relations and lift China-EU comprehensive and strategic partnership to a new level."
Hu said China welcomes the EU to play a more positive and constructive role in international affairs, adding that "an economically stable and prosperous Europe is good for both the world and China."
"Whetherin the past, at present or in the future, China will always be a reliable cooperative partner of Europe," Hu said.
Van Rompuy said the EU would like to work with China to boost bilateral ties and the global economy as a whole in the spirit of cooperation, mutual trust and mutual respect.
He said the EU and China, both economic and political partners, have a lot in common despite differences in terms of development stage and level.
He said the EU will work with China to strengthen cooperation in various fields, jointly keep markets open, avoid protectionism and push the Doha round of World Trade Organization negotiations to produce outcomes as soon as possible.
Van Rompuy also expressed his appreciation for China's contribution to helping maintain stability in the euro zone and promoting economic recovery in Europe.
Van Rompuy's China tour followed the second round of China-EU high-level strategic dialogues, which were co-chaired by Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Catherine Ashton, high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy, in Hungary.
There are MORE THAN 300 types of Chinese operas but two POPULAR varieties are major standouts
China and the US hold the third round of the Strategic and Economic Dialogue from May 9-10 in Washington.
American architect John Portman and his company have developed more than 30 projects across China.


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Based on data from over 30 mobile operators, our Mobile Video Index will inform you of what's really happening in mobile networks today
And the results may surprise you!
The challenge to mobile network operators to drive data revenues and manage subscriber Quality of Experience (QoE) has never been greater. And yet many operators are building out infrastructure based on an incomplete picture of the mobile data trends that are actually taking place.
- Is it true that Facebook Video is set to overtake YouTube?
- Mobile video could increase 9-fold, and HD on mobile is driving growth faster and further than predictions suggested.
- The onslaught of QUIC threatens to outpace anything the industry has seen.
- Levels of encrypted traffic continue to soar – how can mobile operators manage what they can’t see?
- And what are subscribers actually DOING with mobile video - just how picky are they when it comes to quality of experience?
All of these topics are discussed in the Mobile Video Index. Discussion is based on data obtained from Openwave Mobility Traffic Management Solutions running in-network, and an exclusive consumer survey carried out by Censuswide. The MVI includes views by experts from ABI Research and Analysis Mason.
What’s in each edition of the MVI?
MVI Fall 2017
MVI Spring 2018
In the Fall 2017 edition of MVI we shared data on mobile video trends from over 30 operators worldwide. This included new trends in encrypted traffic, video resolution, and the rise of QUIC. In our Spring 2018 edition we focus on subscriber behavior, reporting on:
- A surprising turn of events regarding Facebook versus YouTube when it comes to mobile video
- The latest QOE parameters such as average video stall-time and average playback time
- The results of a new consumer survey covering 3,000 subscribers, their habits and preferences
Request both editions with a single form below!

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Bokf who had been investing in Amazon Com Inc for a number of months, seems to be less bullish one the $692.66 billion market cap company. The stock decreased 1.36% or $0.4 during the last trading session, reaching $29.1. About 95,247 shares traded.
Leon Shaulov decreased its stake in Amazon Com Inc (Call) (AMZN) by 7.5% based on its latest 2017Q4 regulatory filing with the SEC. Vestor Capital LLC now owns 109 shares of the e-commerce giant's stock valued at $106,000 after buying an additional 10 shares during the period. The consumer services company announced $14.03 million value for the 2017Q4. Montag A & Incorporated owns 0.46% invested in Amazon.com, Inc. The stock increased 1.50% or $21.45 during the last trading session, reaching $1448.5. AMZN has also 3.31 million shares volume. Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) has risen 76.78% since April 14, 2017 and is uptrending. It has outperformed by 65.23% the S&P500. (NASDAQ:AMZN) was sold by Blackburn Jeffrey M on Thursday, February 15. They expect $1.19 EPS, down 19.59 % or $0.29 from last year's $1.48 per share. The profit will be $576.09 million for AMZN if $1.19 earnings per share becomes true. After $2.20 actual earnings per share reported by Facebook, Inc. for the previous quarter, Wall Street now forecasts -36.36% negative EPS growth.
CWG: Aggressive Saina clinches women's singles gold; Srikanth settles for silver
She came in with a game plan that required her to not allow Sindhu to control the proceedings and perfectly executed that plan. Saina had forced the lead right at the start of the first game and continued to increase the advantage at a steady pace.
Ally Financial Inc, which manages about $517.83M US Long portfolio, decreased its stake in General Mills Inc (NYSE:GIS) by 95,000 shares to 20,000 shares, valued at $1.19 million in 2017Q4, according to the filing. It also reduced its holding in Logmein Inc (NASDAQ:LOGM) by 406,481 shares in the quarter, leaving it with 181,439 shares, and cut its stake in Marvell Technology Group Ltd (NASDAQ:MRVL). (NASDAQ:AMZN) on Monday, October 24 with "Buy" rating. On Monday, October 16 Loop Capital Markets maintained Amazon.com, Inc. Goldman Sachs maintained the stock with "Buy" rating in Thursday, April 28 report. On Thursday, October 26 the stock rating was maintained by Piper Jaffray with "Buy". (NASDAQ:AMZN) has "Buy" rating given on Friday, July 29 by UBS. The firm has "Hold" rating by Robert W. Baird given on Monday, October 23. Ally Financial Inc bought 150,000 shares as the company's stock declined 13.12% with the market. (NASDAQ:SBGI) has declined 20.99% since April 14, 2017 and is downtrending. Its down 0.27, from 1.35 in 2017Q3. (NASDAQ:SBGI). Pinnacle Assoc Limited reported 0.97% in Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. 10,508 were reported by Choate Investment Advisors. First Republic has invested 0.86% in Amazon.com, Inc. Marvin And Palmer Assocs holds 0.05% or 40 shares. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 6,533 shares in the company, valued at $9,553,336.56. Moreover, Zurcher Kantonalbank (Zurich Cantonalbank) has 0% invested in Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Cullinan Assocs Inc holds 0.03% or 300 shares in its portfolio. (NASDAQ:AMZN). Private Wealth reported 1.58% stake. Macquarie Grp Limited reported 105,356 shares.
DKSH HOLDING LTD ORDINDARY SHARES SWITZ (OTCMKTS:DKSHF) had a decrease of 38.54% in short interest. Matthew 25 Corporation invested in 125,000 shares. The e-commerce giant reported $2.16 EPS for the quarter, beating the Thomson Reuters' consensus estimate of $1.85 by $0.31. Signaturefd Lc stated it has 0.03% in Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK). Inc. raised its position in shares of Amazon.com by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Reliance Tru Of Delaware holds 0.05% or 2,291 shares in its portfolio.
United Kingdom decision on Syria must be made carefully, based on evidence -minister
Pentagon chief Jim Mattis says there are no reports of US losses in what he describes as a heavy but carefully limited assault. Putin added that the strike had a "destructive influence on the entire system of worldwide relations".
Since January 1, 0001, it had 0 insider purchases, and 13 sales for $45.88 million activity. On Thursday, December 7 the insider WILKE JEFFREY A sold $3.25 million.
In other Amazon.com news, VP Shelley Reynolds sold 544 shares of Amazon.com stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. Olsavsky Brian T had sold 2,333 shs worth $3.42M. Owen Katherine Ann had sold 3,700 shares worth $598,131 on Monday, March 5. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,462.32, for a total transaction of $795,502.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.76. It is positive, as 69 investors sold AMZN shares while 578 reduced holdings. Regis Management CO LLC raised its position in shares of Amazon.com by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Funds hold 280.02 million shares thus 0.09% more from 2017Q3's 279.77 million shares. Wells Fargo raised their price objective on Amazon.com to $1,525.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Barclays Capital maintained Amazon.com, Inc. Another trade for 2,285 shares valued at $3.35 million was sold by ALBERG TOM A. $18.50 million worth of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), up to $1.8 billion more per year: Credit Suisse. Amazon.com now has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $1,504.81. (NASDAQ:AMZN). Federated Inc Pa accumulated 0.53% or 159,846 shares. Hayek Kallen Invest Management invested in 0.53% or 694 shares. Amazon.com had a return on equity of 13.87% and a net margin of 1.74%. 53,890 are owned by Valiant Capital Limited Partnership. 567 are held by Violich Cap. 1,092 are owned by Parallax Volatility Advisers Lp. Axiom Capital maintained Amazon.com, Inc. Shaker Ltd Limited Liability Company Oh accumulated 525 shares. Malaga Cove Limited Co stated it has 1,920 shares. Foundry Prtnrs Ltd Company, Minnesota-based fund reported 626 shares. Friess Ltd Company holds 2.92% of its portfolio in Amazon.com, Inc. Carroll Associate holds 1,026 shs or 0.13% of its capital. Therefore 97% are positive. Amazon.com had 282 analyst reports since July 21, 2015 according to SRatingsIntel. (NASDAQ:AMZN). Noesis Cap Mangement holds 643 shares. Oppenheimer Holdings, Inc.'s price objective would suggest a potential upside of 14.78% from the company's previous close. (NASDAQ:AMZN) earned "Buy" rating by J.P. Morgan on Wednesday, January 10. The firm has "Overweight" rating given on Friday, July 29 by Pacific Crest. The firm has "Buy" rating given on Friday, February 2 by Canaccord Genuity.
Oklahoma Insurance Department prepared to work with wildfire victims
Clarification: There is one fire in Dewey County , Oklahoma, where the town of Vici is located. Governor Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency for 52 Oklahoma counties due to wildfires.


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Logitec bring a new 500GB Slim external HDD LHD-PBG500U2WBy Jayita, Gaea News Network
Monday, January 31, 2011
Yet another HDD from Logitec is out in the market. Logitec’s new LHD-PBG500U2W comes with a slim 13mm case and with a noise level of just 18dm.ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW
The new device supports Sony’s PS3 Torne as well as the USB Video recoding mode found on most TVs nowadays.
Price & Availability
The LHD-PBG500U2W will be available within February in Japan and you can grab it at 9,000 Yen.


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Cracker Barrel, coming to a grocery near you
- Staff Cincinnati Business Courier
Cracker Barrel is going to try to expand its reach outside its restaurants for a third time, USA Today reported.
The Lebanon, Tenn.-based company is expanding its lineup of Cracker Barrel-branded food products and offering them at grocers and other outside retail outlets for the first time.
Analysts said it’s a low-risk way to expand brand awareness, appeal and revenues.
Cracker Barrel already sells products such as pancake and corn muffin mix and cobbler filling under its name, but only in its stores and through its website. In a multiyear licensing agreement with John Morrell Food Group, which has its corporate office in Cincinnati, the company will make various food products, including ham, bacon, lunch meats, and summer sausage under the Cracker Barrel names and sell them through grocers, mass merchandisers and other retailers.
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A lot happened during Mayor John Cranley's first few days in office. How would you rate the week?
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- Year in Review: Top transportation stories of 2013
- Crews start work on $3M medical building in Butler County
- Kroger insider sells stock, Fifth Third director buys
- Bengals make last-minute sales push to keep sellout streak alive
- Could Todd Portune run for governor?
- Year in Review 2013: Cincinnati health care news, by the numbers
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital gets grant to battle brain cancer
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A look at the day's business stories from media outlets around Cincinnati


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University of the People is moving into Haiti and it’s a big hit. Story from ReadWriteWeb.
Twitsper is an android app that allows you to tweet only to a Twitter list. I expect it to be popular–it’s definitely useful–and make its way to other app stores as well. Or maybe into Twitter itself as the developers are hoping.
Dijit is a library of widgets that can be used with HTML5 elements to make them more accessible in assistive technology devices.


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DC Comics' decision to spoil key elements of Batman #50 — the issue featuring the much-anticipated wedding of Batman and Catwoman — in the pages of The New York Times just days before the comic's release has been generating discussion and backlash since the story broke over the weekend.
Discussion of one of the most hyped single issues of a comic book in recent memory has now been dominated by the response to the spoiler rather than the story of the issue itself, and most readers won't even get their hands on it until Wednesday. In light of this, the writer of the issue — Tom King — has offered a brief response, the writer of the Times piece has offered a lengthier one, but we haven't heard anything from DC itself. Not publicly, anyway.
**Spoiler warning: There are spoilers for Batman #50 below**
SYFY WIRE has confirmed that John Cunningham, DC’s senior vice president of sales, has issued a response in a Facebook post on a private DC retailer page (the post was first reported by ComicBook.com) that was later leaked.
In the post, Cunningham lays out five key points of response to retailers, attempting to explain why DC made the decision to spoil the issue, and offering some reassurance. Here's the response:
“1. DC Sales strongly advocated getting the news out ahead of the OSD [on sale date], so that the Moment of Realization did not occur hours before events began. We even did our level best to try and spoil it here on this page over and over again (and failed). The NY Times article was posted here at 630 a.m. PST not out of 'Pride' — please — but to get you the information as soon as we could.
2. In the abstract, we believed the news would break on Monday morning, given the arrival time of physical copies in store and the reality that a copy or a scan would end up being passed to uncontrolled comic book outlets (much like Marvel’s wedding issue last week and every other major comic book event in the [last] decade).
3. As mentioned here before, any discussion about financial remedies for problematic DC product must occur after the product is on sale.
4. While The Times piece is more fulsome [than] some might like, it does not spoil the shock ending of the book for fans. We’re working on getting this posted here for you.
5. I stand by my belief that BATMAN #50 is one of the best single issue periodicals of the last decade, that it is a special moment in comic book history, and that if it’s not the book we (think) we want, it’s the book we need.”
So, Cunningham's response indicates a couple of key things, one of which is that DC was concerned that spoilers would come out anyway, even if the Times had been more mysterious with its reporting. That's not an unfounded concern at all.
Second, the DC response notes that the wedding, while central to the issue's plot, is not the only thing readers should be coming to the issue for. There are other reveals to be had here that will continue to propel the story in the Batman title forward. A writer like King doesn't spent a year building to a special 50th issue only to then undercut everything it was building to.
Much of the rest of the statement is crafted specifically to address retailer concerns, as it was only aimed at them in the first place, but if you're a fan now wondering if you wasted your pre-order, you might find a little reassurance here as well.
This response, while thorough, isn't going to end the controversy. Some fans and retailers are still going to be angry, and some of them will still wonder if it was all worth it after the issue arrives Wednesday. We're getting a good look at the complexities that come with balancing storytelling, publicity, and sales all at the same time in the comic book industry. That's often a frustrating process. The good news is that readers will still be able to figure it all out for themselves when Batman #50 goes on sale July 4.


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Every day is a good day to celebrate women. Fact. However International Women’s Day is extra momentous. March 8 is not only an opportunity to reflect on the phenomenal social, economic, cultural, and political milestones we’ve reached, but also a date for us to recognise how far we still have to go.
On Saturday February 27, the new beauty-wellness-lifestyle e-commerce destination vtnstore.com (the VTN stands for Veritas Tempus Naturae just FYI) brought together the who’s who of Sydney for its International Women’s Day event: Through Her Eyes – Celebrating Visionary Women. The glittering affair that took place at the Museum of Contemporary Art was a celebration of women past, present, and future and those who work towards a brighter and more inclusive tomorrow for all.
The lineup of speakers included fashion-design powerhouse Bianca Spender who reflected on how nature inspires her creative journey; Access Corporate Group chief brand officer and co-founder Livia Wang who shared sage career advice learnt from her experiences as an entrepreneur running a business that now employs 2,000 staff after just four short years; while accredited nutritionist/author/wellness guru Jacqueline Alwill encouraged us all to rethink self-care. “Stop thinking of it as an indulgence and rebrand it in your brain as a necessity,” she implored the crowd.
Yet to discover VTN? Let us bring you up to speed. If you’re obsessed with high-performance skincare, cult makeup buys and the best in health and wellness from top brands, this new way to shop online has the names you know, love and trust. Think Vida Glow, Napoleon Perdis, Amilera, Bean Body, Bee +, Beeotic, eimele, Invisible Zinc, Lovekins, Minenssey, Savar – and many more to join shortly.
Add to your favourites toolbar now…
Guests at Through Her Eyes – Celebrating Visionary Women were given the opportunity to test and learn about the site’s must-have hero products: Vida Glow Hyaluronic Complex, Minenssey Nutritious Skin Treatment Mask, eimele Metabolism Plus Coffee, Lovekins Ultra Thin Pads and Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre-foundation Skin Primer.
Sponsored by VTN.


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“The 2018 variants of the Galaxy A7 and Galaxy A9 prices in India start at Rs 18,990 and Rs 33,990, respectively”
Last year, Samsung released its latest Galaxy A series smartphones called the Galaxy A7 (2018) (review) and Galaxy A9 (2018) (review) in the Indian market. The Galaxy A7 (2018) arrived in September at a starting price of Rs 23,990, but soon after the launch, its price was dropped by up to Rs 3,000. Now, the company has reduced the pricing of the new Galaxy A7 once again by Rs 3,000. In addition, the South Korean tech giant’s first four rear camera-toting smartphone, the Galaxy A9 (2018), has also received a price drop of Rs 3,000 in the country.
Retail sources have informed 91mobiles that the 2018 Samsung Galaxy A7 and Galaxy A9 are now available at the reduced pricing via major brick-and-mortar stores across the country. The Galaxy A7’s 4GB RAM and 64GB storage variant is now being sold for Rs 18,990, while its higher-end 6GB RAM + 128GB is retailing for Rs 22,990. As for the Galaxy A9, the phone’s 6GB RAM and 8GB RAM variants are now available for Rs 33,990 and Rs 36,990, respectively. Earlier, these models had Rs 36,990 and Rs 39,990 as the respective price tags.
To recap the specifications, the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) sports a 6-inch full HD+ Super AMOLED display, and boots Android 8.0 Oreo. The phone is powered by a 2.2GHz octa-core Exynos 7885 SoC, aided by a 3,300mAh battery that supports fast charging. At the rear, the handset has three cameras comprising of a 24-megapixel main sensor, an 8MP secondary shooter, and a 5-megapixel third snapper. For selfies, there’s a 24-megapixel camera on the front with an LED flash unit.
Talking about the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018), the phone flaunts a four-camera module at the rear that consists of a 24-megapixel main snapper, a 10-megapixel telephoto sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 5-megapixel depth camera. On the front, there’s a 24-megapixel camera with HDR. As for the other specs, the Galaxy A9 (2018) gets a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED screen with an aspect ratio of 18.5:9. Powering the handset is a Snapdragon 660 SoC. The other specs include Android Oreo, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and a 3,800mAh fast charging battery.
|Octa core (2.2 GHz, Dual Core + 1.6 GHz, Hexa Core)|
|Samsung Exynos 7 Octa|
|4 GB RAM|
|6.0 inches (15.24 cm)|
|1080x2220 px, 411 PPI|
|24 MP + 5 MP + 8 MP Triple Primary Cameras|
|24 MP Front Camera|
|No Quick Charging|


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For years, people have been encouraged to “go local” when they travel. Guidebook guru Rick Steves designed his entire Europe Through the Back Door brand around the concept of eating where residents eat, shopping where residents shop, and being where residents are.
In recent years, apps, tour companies, and destinations have echoed this message, much to the disappointment of locals themselves. As travelers rushed in, eager for the “local” experience, residents retreated from their favorite bars, cafes, and parks as prices skyrocketed and they were forced to share their favorite coffee nooks with influencers who only cared about taking selfies with their cappuccinos.
Leading up to the coronavirus outbreak, local residents in many popular European cities, in particular, had maxed out their tolerance for travelers.
They will travel like locals because they are locals.
And then the pandemic hit.
As devastating as this crisis has been for the tourism industry, its silver lining is obvious: Urban centers overrun by tourists have been given the chance to breathe. People in Amsterdam and Barcelona can actually walk along their own streets without jockeying for space.
Over the last couple months, countless articles, webinars, and virtual presentations have attempted to conceptualize the “new normal” for tourism. One of the anticipated trends is that people will “travel like a local” for a while. But instead of just being a buzzword, this time, people are actually more likely to stay and explore their own backyards.
They will travel like locals because they are locals.
Riding the Community Wave
Almost overnight, the world’s perspective went from widely global to highly local. With few places to turn for help, people turned to their own communities.
As the coronavirus pandemic unleashed a surge of local pride and support, an unprecedented wave of collaboration and cooperation swept across individual neighborhoods. People found common ground as they lifted each other up, starting with their own local business owners and cultural institutions.
This is a trend that can and should be continued as destinations begin to recover from the tourism crash.
So many destinations have long sacrificed their own residents in lieu of inbound travelers, but it’s likely travel will focus heavily on domestic tourism for at least the next several months. Even then, the number of inbound travelers will likely be only a fraction of what they were pre-pandemic. Now is the time for destinations to reconsider their marketing efforts and turn their attention to the very people who give destinations that “local vibe” that other people want to experience.
Beyond just “keeping their industry alive,” though, destinations have a chance to recognize and appreciate the value locals can offer.
As noted in a recent article by Skift, “a number of (destination) organizations have completely dropped out of all paid marketing visitor-targeted efforts, reinvesting all available resources to build awareness locally in order to help keep their industry alive.” Beyond just “keeping their industry alive,” though, destinations have a chance to recognize and appreciate the value locals can offer when they’re encouraged to enjoy and support the very attractions that previously catered to outsiders.
A few particularly thoughtful examples of destinations putting locals — and domestic tourism — first include:
- Denver’s Love This City campaign encourages active participation by its residents. This includes a quiz where locals can win gift cards, experiences, and staycations from local businesses.
- Public spaces and roads in Paris, Vilnius, and Milan that were closed during the pandemic are likely to remain closed, creating healthier, more enjoyable spaces for locals and visitors.
- Portland, Oregon, has a community-specific page with information and access to local retailers and restaurants offering a variety of services. While currently COVID-19 focused, this has an opportunity to fill an ongoing domestic niche.
Looking Toward the Future
Undoubtedly, tomorrow’s travel will look markedly different from yesterday’s. But eventually borders will open and people will begin to travel freely again.
And when they do, destinations need to remember how their local community pulled through in a crisis. Despite the desire to attract foreign travelers quickly and pump money back into the economy through inbound tourism, destination representatives must continue to prioritize locals above travelers.
That “local vibe” that attracts people? Let it actually be defined by the locals who create it. Here’s how:
- Involve residents in every stage of the tourism development process. Instead of developing parallel worlds within a destination — one for locals and one for tourists — ask residents what they want. What were their pain points prior to the pandemic? How do they want visitors to enjoy and support their neighborhoods?
When local community members are invested in a destination, they serve as environmental and cultural ambassadors. The 2020 European capitals of smart tourism, Gothenburg, Sweden, and Málaga, Spain, both put a heavy emphasis on community involvement. Other destinations can learn from their examples.
- Establish visitor guidelines and expectations, clearly communicate them, and re-enforce them with consequences for violators. Historically, tourism pledges have addressed the first two of these things, but enforcement has been lax.
- Done right, domestic tourism can be economically viable, and it also leaves a lighter environmental footprint. Show appreciation for residents with discounts at area attractions, offer incentives like free parking in traditionally touristy areas, and host special locals-only hours or experiences.
- Invest in community-specific infrastructure like public parks and libraries as well as attractions that draw inbound visitors.
- Include locals in the destination’s story. The “local vibe” arises from historical and cultural context; celebrate and share it, even if it is complicated and maybe even controversial.
Endorse a wide variety of storytellers to both domestic and inbound travelers. Good examples include Invisible Cities, Secret Street Tours, and Salaam Baalak Trust’s City Walk Programme, all of which employ homeless or formerly homeless people as tour guides; Courageous Kitchen, which offers food tours and cooking classes that support local people in need; and Breaking Borders, street tours in Bogotá, Colombia, led by former gang members. All economic incentives should benefit local community members and initiatives.
- Design a destination built on community. That feel-good vibe that the pandemic has sparked will go out if its not stoked. Destination representatives should support local businesses and the people who own them even — and especially — when international brands consider entering the market, promising even more tourism income for a city. Destinations have been moving away from the mass tourism model; now is the time to double down on the effort to encourage quality over quantity.
- Look out for local interests in the face of peer-to-peer platforms like Airbnb. Encourage locals to speak out on tourism-related injustices, and ask them to be a part of building a blueprint that doesn’t price them out of their own neighborhoods.
- Help local tourism businesses align with B Corps and similar certifications. Travelers are increasingly interested in responsible travel experiences. Offering assistance to local tourism businesses so they are positioned for success attracts the kind of inbound travelers that will responsibly support a destination.
- Encourage inbound travelers to stay for longer durations of time. Longer, slower stays aren’t about ticking off attractions from a list but instead nudge travelers to explore overlooked neighborhoods and attractions, and they spread economic resources across more businesses.
- Instead of hosting far-flung influencers and travel writers for flyby visits, destination representatives should foster relationships with local content creators who champion the awesomeness of their own backyard. Reach out now, and help them become a trusted voice in sharing all that your destination has to offer.
Likewise, content creators should turn an eye toward the neighborhoods in which they live. Get to know local tourism representatives, changemakers, and business owners on a deeper level. As residents in the city, you’re already one step ahead of telling a more interesting story flavored by your own personal experiences.
The “local vibe” arises from historical and cultural context; celebrate and share it, even if it is complicated and maybe even controversial.
Offering assistance to local tourism businesses so they are positioned for success attracts the kind of inbound travelers that will responsibly support a destination.
The grossly over-quoted Winston Churchill saying “never waste a good crisis” has been thrown around far too often during the pandemic. But the sentiment when it comes to the tourism industry is clear: There is a golden opportunity to hold onto what has emerged from this situation.
It’s always been worthwhile to promote the “travel like a local” mindset. Now it’s time to step up and actually support travel for locals, by locals.


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[Canada] The 2015 laureates for the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame are Colin MacDonald, Michael Duck and Louis E. and Jean-Paul (J.P.) Deveau.
Some of the laureates were beaming Tuesday after the joint announcement by Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia and the Hall of Fame.
“Where was I when I was 17? Off someplace hitchhiking across Canada,” MacDonald said, referencing the typical age of a Junior Achievement member.
These days, MacDonald is chairman and co-founder of Clearwater Seafoods Inc. and co-owner and director of Clearwater Fine Foods Inc.
Duck, founder of SureShot Solutions Inc., invented the first portion-controlled cream dispenser.
He currently resides part of the year outside Nova Scotia and did not attend the announcement.
His innovative equipment from about 30 years ago would eventually become the industry standard for the largest restaurant chains in North America.
Louis Deveau and son Jean-Paul are part of the Acadian Seaplants Ltd. success story. The company was founded in 1980 and helped establish the Canadian seaweed industry.
The leaders of Acadian Seaplants at Cornwallis are being portrayed as business superheroes by Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia in a tongue in cheek video posted on YouTube
“I went to university but did not see myself as an entrepreneur at that time,” Louis Deveau said.
The company provides employment to over 300 people in eight countries and work for over 500 seasonal harvesters.
The laureates will be formally inducted at a gala event on May 28 in Halifax.
Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame annually honour individuals with records of unparallelled lifetime achievement in their businesses and communities, organizers said in a news release.
Three featured achievers — Kyle Houghton, 17, from Millwood High School; Alexa Bordage, 16, from Sir John A. Macdonald High School; and Julie Veno, 17, from Cole Harbour High School — will be enlisted to participate in the production of multimedia presentations on the accomplishments of the laureates.
The productions will be presented at the gala event, hosted by the Hall of Fame governors. It will be held at the World Trade and Convention Centre, with a reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner and ceremony starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame was initiated in 1993 to recognize the contributions made by successful leaders and entrepreneurs.
“Over the last 20-plus years, the Business Hall of Fame has become an institution of unmatched significance to the business community of Nova Scotia,” said the organizers’ release.
“Laureates exemplify growth, courage, success and leadership.”
Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia provides hands-on experiential learning in the classroom and through extra-curricular activities. Programs focus on financial literacy, workplace readiness and entrepreneurship.
“Junior Achievement recruits volunteers from the business community to collaborate on the delivery of programs, which exposes students to real world business perspectives and ideas,” said the release.
View original article at: Nova Scotia Business Hall of fame winners revealed


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Friday, September 8, 2017
Urban Decay brand ambassador
Nicole Richie is the newest ambassador for Urban Decay.
She is the face of their new Troublemaker mascara.
"So excited to be the new @urbandecaycosmetics brand ambassador representing the new "Troublemaker" mascara", she wrote on her
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Newport News company is in an expansive mood
Newport News-based Perfect Commerce is having a near perfect year, thanks to an expansion in operations. The software company added four data centers in Chicago, England, Australia and Germany as well as four operation centers in England, Germany, New Zealand, and India. It also launched satellite offices in Malaysia, the Philippines and China.
“In the first half of this year we brought on over 30 new customers and increased our user count in Europe and Asia-Pacific by over 50 percent,” says Hampton Wall, the company’s president and CEO. “The additions of the new data and operation centers come as a direct result of this growth and are necessary to support our ability to provide the high levels of service and customer care that Perfect is known for.”
The company provides procurement, sourcing and supplier network software and services. Its software is available in 12 languages.
When Wall and other investors bought the company in 2007, it had eight locations around the globe but was losing customers. Wall closed all five of the company’s U.S. offices and opened an office in Newport News that would serve as the company’s headquarters. He consolidated the three offices overseas into a European headquarters in Paris. “It took three years,” he says, noting that the company had a 99 percent renewal rate in 2010. “We were smaller, leaner and good at taking care of our customers. We were dependable and focused on customer care and retention.”
Perfect Commerce has a direct sales force and also works with partners/resellers around the globe. “You have to have local people who speak the local language and have a footprint in those countries,” Wall says, adding that part of the company’s growth can be attributed to the absorption of partnerships. “We absorbed partners in New Zealand, Australia and Germany.”
The company now has operations in seven countries — the U.S., England, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, France and India. Revenues rose 40 percent the first eight months of 2013 compared with the same time period in 2012.
Wall is already eyeing further expansions. “Asia is the next frontier,” he says.


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The Federation Against Software Theft (Fast) has welcomed government moves to clamp down on copyright piracy.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has established the Creative Industries IPR Forum to provide a national strategy for dealing with intellectual property (IP) crime.
The DTI's strategy, to be unveiled later in the summer, is expected to set out priorities, combine the activities of various agencies and improve the processing of information to support enforcement processes.
A copyright strategy group, to be chaired by the science minister Lord Sainsbury and arts minister Estelle Morris is also to be established.
Geoff Webster, chief executive of Fast, said in a statement: "Without IP protection the software sector, indeed the whole content industry, could not exist, let alone prosper.
"In today's digital world IP is the key to our future, and in an increasingly competitive global economy any attack on our intellectual capital is an attack on the economy itself. We look forward to working with this new group."
According to the DTI, creative industries employ nearly two million people and produce almost £1 in every £12 of UK total gross domestic product, a higher proportion than in any other country.
These industries contribute £11.4bn to the balance of trade, well ahead of the construction industry, insurance and pensions, and pharmaceutical sector.
Latest Tesla news: Tesla stock price tanks amid reports of 'widening probe' by SEC and claims the base Model 3 loses money
SEC 'probe' takes its toll on Tesla as new research suggests that Tesla loses $6,000 on every $35,000 Model 3
10nm Cannon Lake Core i3-8121U CPUs make a rare outing with Intel's NUC mini PC
'Notorious' Australian child hacker thought he had executed 'flawless' hack
The former employee says that Tesla fired him for bringing the accusations to management internally


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It’s Friday and that means its time for some new Vinylmation releases including a new Marvel Eachez and a Gravity Falls twin pack.
First up we have the Peter Parker/Spider-Man Eachez figure, this figure is priced at $16.95 and has a limited edition size of 2500. The common figure is Peter Parker, with half Peter’s face and the other half is a Spider-Man mask, while the variant is just Peter Parker.. This figure is released online at Disneystore.com and at D-Street in Walt Disney World and Disneyland. This figure was designed by Thomas Scott.
Also released online today are the Pirates of the Caribbean – Mickey & Friends Combo Toppers which were released last week at the parks. These figures are sold in a reveal and conceal combo topper, with every purchase coming with Pirate Mickey along with a blind box featuring either Mickey, Stitch, Donald or Pluto. They are priced at $24.95 and are an open release.
And finally, the new Valentines Mickey Mouse Eachez have also been made available online, these Eachez are limited edition size of 2500 and feature Minnie Mouse as the variant. They had previously been released at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.


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Porsche is reportedly working on a “coupe” version of the Porsche Cayenne–whatever that means. According to AutoExpress in the UK, the new Cayenne coupe is a stylized version of the Zuffenhausen automaker’s famous crossover SUV.
Ok, admittedly, we’re not entirely mystified by this concept as it makes sense as a competitor against the BMW X6 and the production variant to the Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupe SUV. Should the rumor hold to be true, the model could be ready by 2018. It will be based on the third generation model when the Cayenne gets completely designed and engineered.
The normal Cayenne on the other hand is preparing for a new facelift, which is expected to debut at the Paris Motor Show in October of this year with a sales launch destined in the first half of 2015.


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Chevy Celebrates 50th Anniversary of the Malibu in Fitting Style
Chevrolet is marking the 50th anniversary of the Malibu and the release of the new-for-2014 model with a retrospective that studies all eight generations and compares the latest Malibu to the first one created back in 1964.
The 2014 Malibu comes with a standard 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that can put down 196 horsepower; by comparison, the 1964 Malibu had a 3.2L inline-six that only generated 120-hp. The original Malibu debuted as Chevrolet’s “intermediate” car, becoming one of the first midsize cars in America.
A comprehensive list of Malibu generations (and a disheartening reminder that gas was $.30 a gallon fifty years ago) is available at GM’s News page and covers all of the bases: from the muscle of the 1966 Malibu SS to the 1973 model like the one driven by Ryan Gosling in Drive; from the fifth generation re-launch that won Motor Trend’s Car of the Year in 1997 to the 2008 North American Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Are you a seasoned Malibu driver who proudly drove one of those old classics, or a newer convert looking to share a story? Help us celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Malibu and let us know what makes it special to you!


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Weinberg: Open Source Hardware and the Law
[Development] Posted Oct 10, 2012 19:29 UTC (Wed) by n8willis
At the Public Knowledge blog, Michael Weinberg addresses the differing legal underpinnings of open source hardware and open source software. "This combination – copyright that does not protect function, trademark that needs to be applied for and does not protect function, and patents that need to be applied for and can protect functions – means that most hardware projects are 'open' by default because their core functionality is not protected by any sort of intellectual property right. Of course, in this case 'open' means that their key functionality can be copied without legal repercussion, not that the schematics have been posted online or that it is easy to discover how they work (critical elements of open source hardware)." The article is an extension of Weinberg's recent talk at the Open Hardware Summit, and poses questions interesting in light of MakerBot's announcement that its latest 3D printer would not be open.
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By Leena Eldeeb / Startup Scene ME
Sitting on the bamboo chairs of the Greek Campus at the heart of Cairo, 20-year-old Nour Haridy looked at the voice recorder I was using for the interview and it took an instant to get the conversation started about the institutional skepticism the surrounds technology. I told him that voice recorders like the one I own were banned from being sold here because they had a USB port; I knew this from the store manager of one of the electronic stores in Cairo; but that wasn't really new to Haridy, a fresh high school graduate, who took a gap year to establish Lamarkaz and embark on a journey to decentralise the world's banking system through blockchain.
"What is happening with blockchain now has happened before;" Haridy tells me. "This particular early adoption stage has happened with many technologies multiple times before, including the worldwide web. Even here in Egypt, when the internet first gained worldwide adoption, everyone was concerned about its security implications and afraid of hacking. The encryption of information wasn’t a big thing back then," he adds. It was the same for GPS, banned until 2009; "Google Street View is still banned today, because they don't want cars filming or taking pictures of people and all streets in the country," Haridy continues.
The 20-year-old entrepreneur predicts that, in 10 years, the world will be using cryptocurrency as their main form of monetary transactions. He believes that when the entire world operates this way, infusing blockchain in both micro and macro economies, there’s no way to deal with the entire world. "Especially in the case of cryptocurrency and blockchain, because we deal with value directly. If this is the way the world operated directly, then regulators and companies here will all be required to be intro-operable with the rest of the world. Otherwise the risks on the other side of not adopting it become way higher than the risks we’re afraid of now."
Blockchain right now cannot handle the entire world using it. In fact, it’s already breaking down because people are using it.
If it’s going to happen 10 years later, why regulate it and operate with it now? Haridy doesn’t want to replicate the aftermath of the "dotcom bubble" that burst in the break of the 21st century. The dotcom bubble occurred in the late 1990s and has triggered a rapid rise in equity markets, fuelled by investments in Internet-based companies. The "bubble," drove the value of equity markets to grow exponentially, with the technology-dominated NASDAQ index rising from under 1,000 to more than 5,000 between 1995 and 2000.
The Blockchain technology is as young in its development as a newborn; it lacks scalability and discrete arbitration. "Blockchain right now cannot handle the entire world using it. In fact, it’s already breaking down because people are using it," Haridy says.
His startup, Laarkaz, was founded in September 2017, driven by the mission to help accelerate blockchain worldwide adoption, by solving some of its problems. One of its first products is Dcourt, a decentralised court where people can have their conflicts resolved without a central resolver. "What we are also trying to do is to be better than central arbitrations, using tangible economic collaterals. So users would know that they are guaranteed to have a fair trial by this sum of money. So we're trying to create more resilient, more reliable conflict systems where we can have actual true justice without having to depend on a centre that tells us their verdict from their own perspective, he explains.


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On Monday, Steve Jobs will take the stage for WWDC, Apple's yearly developer conference. Anticipation is rapidly rising for the event, where the Apple CEO is expected to make major announcements, most notably about the iPhone. We'll be on-site, covering the entire conference live.
Things are a little more complicated this year though, thanks to the lost iPhone prototype case. It's a virtual certainty that Apple will announce the new iPhone, but could Apple surprise us with a Verizon iPhone? What about a cloud-based iTunes? Could Apple TV be getting some air time next week?
Here's our preview of what we think Steve Jobs will drop next Monday at WWDC.
The New iPhone
We'd be beyond shocked if Apple doesn't announce a new iPhone next Monday. In all likelihood, it's going to be almost exactly like the prototype phone that Gizmodo got on its hands on in April. That means it's going to have a front-facing video camera, HD video recording, an LED flash, and a more industrial look and feel.
It'll also come loaded with iPhone OS 4.0 and its many features. Multitasking, folders and enterprise features will all come with the new iPhone. We also bet that Apple will also include some video chat software to take advantage of that front-facing camera.
As for the actual release date, a month ago we were told that the new iPhone could be released next week. We've been digging for more information since then and, after talking with our sources, we believe the most likely sale date for the new iPhone is now June 25, about three weeks from today.
Predicting the sale date of an Apple product is always tough, but you can expect your local Apple and AT&T stores to have the device before the end of June.
Don't expect Apple to say much, if anything, about a Verizon iPhone. There are countless rumors surrounding a potential iPhone collaboration between Apple and Verizon, with launch dates set as later this year to 2012 and beyond. However, recent comments from Verizon suggest that there will be no iPhone in the immediate future.
We haven't heard much new information on a Verizon iPhone. Our bet is that this event will be focused on the new iPhone itself and that a Verizon iPhone will get its own event later this year. Even if it were to be announced next week, it likely wouldn't be available this month.
We're hoping that we're wrong about the Verizon iPhone, but we suggest you don't get your hopes up.
iTunes Live, Mobile Me and the Cloud
Earlier this week, Apple shut down Lala, a music streaming service the company acquired late last year. At the time, we speculated that the closing of Lala might indicate that a cloud-based version of iTunes could launch next week. Discussions over a web-based iTunes have been going on for months.
With Google's Android OS now offering users the ability to stream their music collection from their desktops, next week seems like the right opportunity for Jobs to reveal Apple's new cloud initiatives. Not only do we think it's like you'll hear iTunes.com announcements next week, but Mobile Me could get some major enhancements to keep it competitive with Android.
This is the year Apple takes the cloud seriously.
Other Potential Announcements
While the focus will be on the next-generation iPhone, it doesn't mean that Steve Jobs won't pull a few other surprises out of his hat. The MacBook Air hasn't been upgraded in a year, making it a prime candidate to get some attention at this year's WWDC. There are also rumors that Safari will finally get extensions.
What do you hope Apple announces during next Monday's keynote? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to tune in on Monday for our live coverage of WWDC.


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In a surprise move, Apple just introduced a brand-new color for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini — purple.
The new color spiced up Apple’s “Spring Loaded” special event Tuesday. It’s an unusual move for Apple, which rarely introduces new colors or finishes mid-cycle.
“The new purple finish, just in time for spring, adds another bright and fun option to the lineup, and we think customers are going to love it,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, in a statement.
Also at the event, Apple unveiled new M1-powered iMacs and iPad Pros, new AirTag trackers, a revamped Apple TV 4K with new Siri Remote and a redesigned Podcasts app.
Purple iPhone 12 preorders start April 23
Preorders for the new purple phones will begin Friday, April 23. They ship on Friday, April 30.


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The formerly nimble Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) continues to generate the idea of lounging on the beach on a permanent vacation, as its dream to reinvent TV may have just received the first signs of a death blow, with Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox One taking direct aim at that market, shooting off an effective volley, one which awaits a response from Apple. One we're not likely to see. And if we do see it, it's quickly approaching the time of irrelevancy as the reinvention is already taking place.
As for competitors in the console field, Nintendo (OTCPK:NTDOY) released its latest entry last November, which has only sold 3.45 million units as of the end of March. That's nowhere near what the company was hoping for.
Sony (NYSE:SNE) has also been actively pointing to the release of its PlayStation 4, although it has yet to reveal what its new console will look like. While including some social features and deeper graphics, so far the response has been mixed, opening the door wide for the Xbox One. If Microsoft is able to deliver big, it'll be a huge move which could put them in the solid lead in integrating gaming, the Internet and TV in a way that blends them into something new.
The lack of sales for Nintendo and somewhat weak response to the Sony suggests consumers have waited to the final entry in the field to be revealed, and so far most people like what they see.
I'm not calling a victory yet for Microsoft, but I think the company has definitely placed itself in the No. 1 position in consoles at this time, and will likely continue its dominance there.
Microsoft and its Reinvention of TV
As to why Microsoft's Xbox One may be a big game changer in TV, it is that it can do things a smart TV can't. Now the contrast for users will be whether or not they want to play the relatively simple smart TV games, which don't have a lot of functionality with the apps, or get the Xbox One and do things not even available with smart TV. I already know that answer to that question.
Is Xbox One a real threat to smart TVs? There is no doubt it is. At this time it's too early to have a funeral for smart TVs, but Microsoft looks like it has hit a home run here, and at this time it's hard to see why people wouldn't use the Xbox One in place of existing smart TV offerings.
Xbox One TV Features
A major feature of the Xbox One is the ability to switch seamlessly almost instantly between TV, the computer, and gaming experience. Microsoft offers that functionality via a totally conversational voice control. You can also run Skype while participating in various functions.
Beyond tech features, a serious contender to the smart TV experience must differentiate with content. To that end Microsoft entered into an exclusive partnership with the NFL, which will include a variety of interactive features which will enhance the TV viewing experience.
Part of the partnership includes the use of Microsoft technology on the sidelines of games, which hints at a possible long-term relationship between the NFL and Microsoft. That's a big advantage over its competitors in the console segment. It also could open up new doors into television for the software giant.
Part of the reinvention of TV will allow Xbox One users to be able to watch games, get highlights in real time, chat, access fantasy data, and view statistics all from one screen. Those wanting a multiple screen experience will be able to use their tablets or phones in a similar way.
As for your cable provider, with the Xbox One you will be able to get a feed of TV channels from it.
Users will also have access to a proprietary TV guide with Xbox One, which allows people to switch between channels using a voice command.
To add a little more interest to the mix, Microsoft announced it has made a deal with Steven Spielberg to create a Halo TV series.
Cloud-based Games and TV Features
So far Microsoft has been coy about the promise of extraordinary cloud-based multiplayer games in the future, which will respond to the specific behavior of gamers.
Microsoft said the game cloud will be powered by over 300,000 servers around the world. It promises interactive TV features with it.
How it All Flows Together
Of course the whole idea of reinventing TV is the interconnectivity between devices, and Xbox One offers that nicely.
For example, all the usual features of a console, such as video recording, playback, and chat will all perform at much smoother level.
Here's an example of how that would work:
"Users can chat on Skype on one side of the TV while watching sports on the other-or switch between videogame, fantasy and live-action football without a second's delay in between. Microsoft says the box accomplishes this by sandwiching three operating systems-one for the gaming console, another based on Windows and a third that ties the two together. That should make it easier for the Xbox to show files on PCs with the help of a new Advance Micro Devices Inc. chip based on the same architecture found in most of the world's computers."
Finally, Microsoft has added an improved Kinect to the Xbox One, this one including a high-definition 1080p wide-angle camera and new microphone arrays.
The motion-sensor will now be able to use motions or gestures to control the size you want the screen to be, among other actions.
Also fascinating is the ability to use visual clues to sense the heartbeat of a gamer. It also is asserted the slightest movement of the body will be able to be detected.
There is a lot more offered with the Xbox One than is mentioned in this article, as the major thesis was to show Microsoft has provided a strong entry into the reinvention of TV, and it's one that appears to have the possibility of long-term success.
The rest of the players are going to come from behind in that part of the game, and that will be a real challenge in the near term.
Do people want their television experience reinvented? In many ways, yes. There have been a number of years of testing to confirm this is definitely a direction consumers want to go in. Now it's a matter of whether or not Microsoft has provided the type of console that will bring the desired experience to the masses.
I think they have, and it should be a boost to the company's bottom line.
Going forward, I see the need for Microsoft to land a variety of content deals which will appeal to a wider audience. The NFL deal was a blockbuster, and the right one to start with, as it appeals to the base male user. But there are a lot of content that out there that could be used in a way that makes Microsoft a provider of a truly new TV experience.
Competitors are going to go after similar deals when they see the success of Microsoft, so that's one thing I would watch as it relates to the television side of the Xbox One.
It already has its fan base, and it's unlikely that will diminish in any way. What this does is provide the possibility of a much larger user base which could catapult the company into a lucrative, new revenue stream.
Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.


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Nearly three in four SME manufacturers being supported by the Made Smarter initiative are putting data collection and analysis at the heart of their productivity and growth plans.
A total of 61 manufacturers that have received funding through the Industry 4.0 adoption pilot have embraced digital technologies which connect disparate systems and unify data residing in different sources. This helps business leaders to spot trends in production and labour, correct maintenance and quality issues, and minimise safety, business risk and operational downtime throughout their production.
Handrail Creations in Bolton is one of the 61 manufacturers to have adopted this approach. With support from Made Smarter, it has invested in a new hand-held scanner and software designed to integrate with its systems. Managing Director Kenny Macfarlane believes the technology will boost processing speed by 25 per cent by converting data into usable information for his design team:
“With more than 70 live projects being managed at any one time and 75 per cent of surveys done using a 3D scanner, we are looking at saving a lot of man hours. It will increase our efficiency, but more importantly it will reduce the chance of error, ensuring that our bespoke products are right first time.”
As well as adopting data and systems integration, around a quarter of the 84 manufacturers that have so far received funding from Made Smarter are using Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors to collect data, and more than a fifth are adopting robotics and automation technology.
Donna Edwards, Programme Director for Made Smarter North West, said:
“Data and analytics are central to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, so I am extremely pleased that so many SME manufacturers are putting data at the heart of their own digitalisation journeys. Capturing the data from across their processes and bringing it all together in one place is a vital first step for many manufacturers looking to solve problems and recognise opportunities.”
“Simultaneously, many of these SMEs are also deploying sensors in their factories to collect valuable data. The next step, one which some forward-thinking SMEs are already taking, is to analyse the data using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. It is encouraging that so many of this region's makers are recognising that using these tools can empower them to grow their business and increase efficiency.”


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Black Friday and Cyber Monday have morphed into holidays of their own and have Americans waking up early to find the best deals on vacuums, TVs and more, but how does this impact us as PR professionals?
Even if you don’t plan to hit the stores early Friday morning (I certainly won’t be), you are probably feeling the Black Friday impact from reporters, your CMO and even your colleagues. Sure some people will be making lists while planning their big buys, but how does this impact your media strategy for the end of November? Here are a few tips:
Don’t be afraid to push back on colleagues – Most companies are going to think they have a story to tell about Black Friday, but does that story really make sense? If you think the idea is a stretch, your media contents will likely feel the same way. Really think about what the day is about – getting expensive items, cheaply – and then ask yourself if your company really fits in.
Give reporters time – Just like Black Friday shoppers, reporters like to plan ahead of time and will likely know early on what they plan to cover as it relates to the shopping day. Think about getting your news out (remember, make sure it is relatable) before the Thanksgiving holiday to ensure reporters have time to digest and ask any follow up questions.
Don’t let your message get lost – Just like the crowds at the malls, there are going to be lots of Black Friday and Cyber Monday articles published in a range of publications. Be sure to have a concise message that relates to the shopping day and your company’s key objective. Remember to ask yourself what do you want readers to get out of your story?
With these tips in mind, you should be able to develop a strong Black Friday and Cyber Monday public relations plan. Will you be heading out this Black Friday or pitching stories for your clients? Personally, I don’t think there is a deal good enough to get me out of bed at 4am the day after Thanksgiving…


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Affiliate marketing is big business, and is expected to grow from $4.6 billion in sales now to more than $6.8 billion in the next five years, according to a report released today by Rakuten Affiliate Network that was commissioned to Forrester Consulting.
The researchers polled more than 150 “decision-makers” in the advertising sector at companies with more than $200 million in annual revenue. The survey showed that close to 90 percent of the respondents said affiliate programs “were important or very important to their overall marketing strategy, and the majority of publishers revealed that affiliate partnerships drove more than 20 percent of annual revenue.”
Adam Weiss, general manager and senior vice president of Rakuten Affiliate Network, said when done right, affiliate marketing “cultivates mutually beneficial and authentic relationships between brands and publishers, and those publishers and their audience.”
Affiliate marketing is a performance-based form of online marketing where companies pay affiliates who drive traffic and sales to their e-commerce sites. In the retail and fashion apparel space, many of these affiliates are fashion bloggers and influencers, and many work in affiliate networks. What sets affiliate marketing apart from other campaigns is that the return on investment is more clearly seen. Consumers click through a blog post, for example, to a brand’s site and can then shop and buy a product, which all generates trackable and measurable data.
The researchers said in the report that “the affiliate marketing space has matured into a significant channel for driving sales for advertisers of all sizes.” The firm noted that affiliate marketing spend in the U.S. is poised to see a compound annual growth rate of 10.1 percent between 2015 and 2020.
The poll showed that marketers use affiliate programs at all stages of a shopper’s journey as 83 percent of respondents “targeted consumers during the discovery and awareness phase,” the research authors said. The authors said advertisers are getting better at gathering and measuring various tracking metrics with 80 percent of marketers saying they tracked desktop and mobile sales through affiliate programs, and 66 percent noting that they tracked catalogue-driven sales via affiliate campaigns.
In regard to connecting with publishers, 83 percent of those polled said they use “affiliate network dashboards to recruit partners” while 79 percent “attend events hosted by affiliate networks.”
Some of the key recommendations from the Forrester researchers include: a need to better understand the role of affiliate marketing as it compares to other marketing efforts; working with affiliate networks as a way to mitigate fraud, and, for publishers, better grasping and understanding the needs of advertisers and what they look for in a publisher.


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The year in progress is shaping up to be a banner one for Engel in Germany, its most important market, with record revenue expected there. As a result, the Austrian injection molding machine manufacturer is expanding, with new sales and service employees as well as an expanded footprint at the company's automation center in Hagen.
Engel's German subsidiary chalked up €123 million in revenue and orders worth €162 million during the 2010/2011 business year, numbers the company says indicate a rapid improvement from the 2007-2008 crisis years. For the financial year in progress (2011/2012) the company is predicting record revenue out of Germany s it rides the successful reemergence of that country's automotive industry. Engel is one of the few companies able to supply the large multi-component machines often sought by automotive systems suppliers. In a high-wage country such as Germany, efficient, economical processing cells are in demand," according to Ralf Christofori, director of the company's sales and service offices in Nuremberg....


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Greencore, who announced former DAA boss Dalton Philips as its CEO last month, saw revenues and profits have risen year-on-year. Greencore is our Company of the Month for September 2022, in association with KPMG.
Irish food group Greencore experienced and increase in sales and profits with “progressive” year-on-year improvement. This follows a period of volume growth and inflation recovery for the firm. This reflected a 25% increase in revenue for the firm along with new opportunities in ready meals.
The food manufactures rose from last year’s figure of £1.3billion to £1.7billion this year. Greencore also reported that food-to-go revenues increased by a quarter across the year. They also enjoyed a 19% rise in revenue for other convenience food categories.
The firm enjoyed a bump in sales of Irish ingredients trading and a “low-teen percentage increase in underlying pricing”. Greencore’s adjusted operating profit has been projected to be between £72m and £77m. The company cited the unscheduled UK bank holiday due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the railway strikes as reasons for the results.
This is approximately double the firm’s adjusted operating profit from last year which totalled £39million at a “challenging” time for the business. Greencore recently repurchased ordinary shares at the company valued at €10 million following the conclusion of a share buyback programme which began in July.
The Irish firm said that it remains cautious of the pending effect of the rise in the cost of living although it hasn’t yet seen the consequences of this with regards to consumer sentiment and demand.
The company, which recently appointed former DAA boss Dalton Philips as CEO, said:
“We remain focused on the recovery of inflation through all mechanisms available and are working with our customers and supply partners to mitigate the ongoing impact of the persistently high inflation across the industry on consumer prices”.
Read more about outstanding Irish companies operating in 2022:
Business & Finance, Company of the Month
Business & Finance, in association with KPMG, recognises excellence in business through the ‘Company of the Month’ award. The Company of the Month award recognises the company which best demonstrates outstanding business leadership, sustainable growth, innovative strategy, strong financial returns and employee development.


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In what would be the third-largest tech IPO of the year, data center operator Switch said Monday it plans to raise up to $500 million by going public.
According to a revised prospectus, Switch’s IPO, initially filed earlier this month, is expected to price between $14 and $16 a share. At the midpoint of $15 a share, the sale of 31.25 million shares of Class A common stock would raise about $438.5 million, after underwriting discounts and other expenses.
Including options granted to underwriters to buy additional shares, the proceeds for Switch could be up to $575 million.
At $16 a share, the company would be valued at $16 billion. The offering would be the third largest of the year in the tech sector behind Snap ($3.9 billion) and Altice USA ($2.2 billion).
Switch, which was founded in 2000, booked $345 million in sales for the 12 months ended June 30, 2017, up 20% from $266 million the previous year. It is one of the world’s largest operators of data-center campuses and its 800 customers include Amazon, EBay, DreamWorks, News Corp., eHarmony, and Cisco.
EBay, its largest customer, accounted for 9.6% of its revenues between January and June 30 this year. Ninety-five percent of revenue comes from Las Vegas, where Switch has its flagship campus.
“Our patented data center designs have redefined traditional data center space and cooling, allowing our customers to achieve significantly higher power densities than may be available in traditional data centers,” the prospectus said.
According to 451 Research, global data center colocation spending is expected to grow at a 12% compound annual rate from $29.7 billion in 2016 to $47.4 billion in 2020. “Service provider data centers are only beginning to penetrate the data center market,” Switch noted.
“The Switch IPO gives investors another opportunity to invest in a smaller-cap, growth oriented, colocation, and wholesale data center operator,” DataCenter Knowledge said, adding that Switch provides both super-wholesale and retail colocation and interconnection options, setting it apart from competitor DuPont Fabros.


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Do you know more than the bare minimum of your tech devices' functionality?
The answer to that question can make or break the safety of your personal and financial data while you're connected to the Internet. On Thursday, Google released a study comparing the personal cybersecurity habits of technical and nontechnical people.
Google conducted two surveys, one with security experts and the other with regular Web users, and found the similarities between the two groups start and end with an interest in maintaining strong passwords.
According to the study, 35 percent of security experts place installing software updates as their first security protocol. Only 2 percent on non-experts, meanwhile, believed updating software is important.
In an article on NPR's website, one smartphone user, Nolan Darby, says when he sees a prompt that a software update is available, he ignores it. For him, the reminders are annoying, instead of being the heads up that an important security patch is ready. They "just pop up. And it interrupts what I'm actually doing. I don't need all those reminders," he says.
Google's study found that only 24 percent of non-experts use password managers, compared to 73 percent of experts. "Our findings suggested this was due to lack of education about the benefits of password managers and/or a perceived lack of trust in these programs," Google researchers wrote on the company security blog. An expert tells Google: "Password managers change the whole calculus because they make it possible to have both strong and unique passwords."
It also appears security experts generally don't have the same faith in antivirus software that others do. Only 7 percent said it is one of the top three three protocols they use to keep their data safe, compared with 42 percent of non-experts.
"Experts acknowledged the benefits of antivirus software, but expressed concern that it might give users a false sense of security since it's not a bulletproof solution," Google wrote.
To find out more, check out the full study here. Overall, it revealed how little most people know about keeping their data safe.
"Our findings highlight fundamental misunderstandings about basic online security practices," Google's researchers wrote. "Software updates, for example, are the seatbelts of online security; they make you safer, period. And yet, many non-experts not only overlook these as a best practice, but also mistakenly worry that software updates are a security risk."


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As Canada’s economy begins to slow, the country’s growing household debt burden is raising new concerns as it outpaces that of most developed countries. In fact, Canada had the second-biggest jump in household debt-to-income ratios of any country other than Greece between 2007 and the second quarter of 2014, a new study says. Canada and Australia along with a number of countries in northern Europe “now have larger household debt burdens than existed in the U.S. or the U.K. at the peak of the credit bubble,” according to a new analysis. The McKinsey Global Institute looked at 47 countries and identified seven with “potential vulnerabilities” in household debt that could lead to financial instability and a consumer spending slowdown: the Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand – and Canada. The study, to be released Thursday, comes amid mounting evidence of a sputtering economy. The country’s GDP shrank in November, and last year’s job growth has been revised lower while oil prices have slumped, restraining business development. The report was based on data to the second quarter of last year. More
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In the best of times, it can be difficult for senior citizens to go grocery shopping. Add a pandemic that specifically threatens the elderly and immunocompromised, and there’s a real risk the elderly won’t be able to access food without help. That’s where Becky Hoeffler comes in.
Becky Hoeffler, a Durham, North Carolina resident, is now working at home—which leaves her with some more time to go to the grocery store. But she’s not stockpiling for herself, she’s shopping for her elderly neighbors in her area.
“The idea actually came about when I called my grandfather the other day,” Hoeffler said.
“He told me, ‘I’m on my way to the grocery store’ and I was just kind of concerned because he’s 91 and I thought, ‘Is there a reason you have to go to the grocery store?'”
“So that’s what made me think, maybe I can go grocery shopping for others since I do live in a community that has several senior citizen neighbors,” she added.
Hoeffler put up a flyer in her neighborhood to let folks know she is happy to do grocery shopping for those who are at risk and she is not expecting anything in return.
She wants to keep her elderly neighbors healthy and safe—and away from crowds in order to minimize their chance of exposure to coronavirus.
“I think being able to help people and being able to help your neighbor is one of the most American things that you can do,” she said. “I think utilizing people power is one of the best ways that we can combat the virus.”


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Brother Nature, an animal lover known to feed animals while talking to them, is urging his fans to ditch beef for the environment.
Brother Nature, Kelvin “Kelv” Peña in real life, educated his 2.7 million Instagram followers about the huge carbon footprint of beef.
Posing with a cow he met in Farm Sanctuary, Kelv said: “Some months back I visited a sanctuary @farmsanctuary that rescued animals from slaughter houses and I met this cow that had the most sincere look in her eyes, that told me ‘we all need help’.”
“After doing some research I found out that the meat industry (mainly beef) is one of the most inefficient use of resources on the planet.”
He explained that 47% of land in the US is used for food production, while 70% is used just to grow food for cattle.
“The cattle’s eat, and then burp/fart methane into the air which is so detrimental to the ecosystem and one of the main causes of global warming,” he further explains.
“Long story short, by simple removing beef from your diet, you can not only help save a life, but take a great step into helping save our planet.”
Kelv was met with mixed reactions from his fans, with some claiming that they love meat too much to stop eating it.
“I love you man, but I ain’t giving up my meat. That’s my choice. I’d much rather we end the lobbying in our politics that allows for dirty fuels and nonrenewable energy sources to be so depended on, filling the pockets of the rich and keeping us poorer and in worse health,” said one user.
“Bro… don’t come for my burgers and steaks. You’re the man, but my red meat is above you,” said another.
Another meat eater commented: “I can never be a vegan or vegetarian. F*ck all that.”
On the other hand, vegans and vegetarians are thankful that Kelv used his platform to speak up for the animals and the environment.
“A handsome young entrepreneur becoming woke about the meat and dairy industry and using his previously hobby and comedic platform to now awaken and inspire others? Yes king go off,” said a Twitter user.
“I love this , animal agriculture is the leading cause of climate change, say no to beef,” said another.
A vegan added: “Brother nature is starting to finally wake up. This is huge step for him to finally speak out about this. This shows me that he’s starting to care.”
“Plant based protein is better than animal protein. You can still build bigger muscle and maintain. Don’t get tricked by meat industries threatening you need this much protein and that. I don’t regret a bit going vegan. All LOVE,” another vegan added.
“Red meat not good for people anyway neither is cows milk,” a fan pointed out.
Brother nature is currently vegetarian but confirmed that veganism is his “next step.”


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Norma Khalid is determined to earn enough as a trader selling titbits and traditional food at Pekan Rabu in Alor Setar, Kedah to raise her grandchildren.
Thankfully, things have been looking up as visitors have been coming to the market from other parts of the country since the ban on interstate travel was lifted beginning Oct 11 for individuals fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
“The resumption of interstate travel has been a boost for business, although it has yet to go back to pre-pandemic levels,” said Norma, who has been operating there for three decades.
It has not been easy for the 59-year-old, who recounted how she lost her daughter during the pandemic.
For Norma, Sept 8 was a black day as it was when her 38-year-old daughter succumbed to Covid-19 at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar.
Teary-eyed, she recalled that her daughter had wanted to become a reporter after completing her degree in mass communication.
“But I did not let her pursue that path as I thought the challenging nature of the job was unsuitable for women,” she said.
Her daughter, who was a single mother, left behind a girl and a boy aged 15 and six, respectively.
Spacious and clean new arcade
A visit by StarMetro to the four-storey complex on a weekday found a sizeable crowd comprising locals and visitors from other states.
Clothing trader Rohana Mohamad, 44, said she had received many shoppers from the Klang Valley and Penang, especially over weekends.
The mother of two from Kuala Kedah had closed her shop during the interstate travel ban because of a lack of customers.
“I made some sales online but the profits were much lower compared to when I was operating physically at the shop.
“I reopened in late September as I had anticipated more shoppers coming by in the weeks ahead,” she said.
Mother-of-three Aminah Sahoh, 40, who sells traditional delicacies in Pekan Rabu, recently resumed her normal operating hours from 9am to 7.30pm daily.
“During the interstate travel ban, many of the shops here closed earlier, around 6pm daily. “Nowadays, we get many shoppers, especially from the southern states,” said Aminah, who has been trading there for the past decade.
Another trader Nor Zaimah Md Shah, 43, who inherited the clothing business from her father three years ago, said she had increased her stock to meet the current higher demand.
“This complex relies on tourists from outside of Kedah.
“Many are coming here again to shop, especially during the holiday season,” she said.
Located on Jalan Tunku Ibrahim, Alor Setar, the Pekan Rabu shopping arcade houses small Bumiputra traders selling traditional wear, local crafts and dry foods.
It spans 0.5ha, comprising some 350 shops and a food court, and has 200 parking bays for cars and 120 for motorcycles.
In 2014, these traders temporarily relocated to the Ukir Mall, sited 2km away, to make way for a RM55.5mil renovation that was completed in early 2018.
Retiree Norshah Kasim, 63, who was visiting from Gombak, Selangor with her son, said the new complex looked clean and comfortable.
“I went to the temporary site in Ukir Mall a few years ago.
“It felt cramped whereas this original building is quite spacious.
“The traders are also friendly,” she added.
However, StarMetro also found that there were shuttered shops, mainly on the upper levels, at the refurbished complex.
A trader, who declined to be named, said this was because some traders owned multiple shops.
“These traders are operating on the lower level, but they store their items on the upper level,” he said.
Border town recovers steadilyMeanwhile, some 80km away in Padang Besar, Perlis, a light drizzle on a weekday did not stop the steady influx of shoppers from making their way to Arked Niaga.
Father-of-five Khosein Ahmad, 55, who sells bedding items at an adjacent site, said many businesses were yet to begin operating at full capacity.
“Some shops buy their supplies from Thailand.
“The border closure meant that we were unable to get some supplies,” he said.
Like the traders in Pekan Rabu, Khosein too felt the resumption of interstate travel had injected hope that businesses here would recover as they relied mostly on visitors from other states.
Padang Besar, situated near the Malaysia-Thailand border, is a popular spot for bargain hunters looking for clothing, mattresses and other household items at affordable prices.
On May 19, Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man told Bernama that a new complex called Padang Besar Pavilion would be built next to Arked Niaga.
The RM30mil project by a private developer, which encompasses 3.64ha on state government-owned land, is expected to be completed early next year.
It will involve 11 blocks, consisting of 96 shoplots, nine food courts and 105 parking bays.


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AstraZeneca also said results of a separate late-stage trial with Recentin in treating recurrent glioblastoma brain tumors are also expected in the first half of 2013. Initial data were encouraging.
As a result,own deals are a massive ripoff, addiction Consumer Reportsyou information about stocks in this article are mentioned:AAN RCII Manage Your PortfolioNo credit check, low weekly payments and wear them today to home? If you think the deals offered by rent – to-own stores that are too good to be true, you’re right. They are a rip off for a new study by Consumer Reports.
At Stake: Up to $ 329 million by 2013The other study is testing Recentin versus against chemotherapy, and the data are expected in the coming months. Continue reading
Moment, hedge fund managers and private equity partners pay substantially 15 % of the income tax, because. Their income from capital gainsOn Wednesday, a day before his visit to Miami and Orlando, publishes Obama a business plan tax seeks or stop or stop deficit spending have lower for approximately $ 250 billion business tax relief , he also wants to head the corporation and further incentives to promote production.
The Toronto Stock Exchange fell 6.53 percent last week, its steepest weekly as markets plunge worldwide low point in March 2009. The euro is a significant and stable pillar of the international monetary system and has brought stability and growth for its members, Mr. Ackermann said the Institute of International Finance in the group? S annual meeting in Washington Sunday. Its central role in the global monetary system makes it even more important that any doubts about the functioning of the institutional foundations are removed.. Obama ‘s tax plan will of passing of passing Congress? This election year, for by taxpayers. Political payout. It highlights the wealth of his chief Republican rival Mitt Romney through investments income through investments.
Canada, for its part, from the from the turmoil. Continue reading
ButFire Review: 5 Things New Amazon Tablet lacksis their Kindle Fires this month, the rest of the country as early adopters to crack open to watch. Is Amazon.com ‘s new $ 199 gadget as good as the $ 499 iPad 2 or $ 249 Nook Tablet?After playing with the Kindle Fire for a few days, I have no problem recommending it as a quality entry-level tablet. Money is tight this holiday season, and if Junior can speak of an iPad and a Kindle Fire, then we are extra extra bills to be paid.
The Kindle Fire – and Barnes and Noble Nook Tablet – just come in WiFi models. There are no versions 3G 3G chips for the eternal connection when the user leaves a WiFi hotspot. It will be an obstacle for many buyers, but let us not forget the even greater price differences here -. The 3G iPad starts at $ 629, so that’s more than three times the price of a Kindle Fire. Mobile operators also charge hefty monthly fee for 3G access. Continue reading
And abroad. And in the developing world, sales have remained of cheaply made tube television environmental concerns environmental concerns. Now CRT sales are plunging fast and it finally appears, less lead.end of the CRT Soon we will to hand. Soon we will mark the transition from one of the worst providers of lead contamination of the environment in an era of consumer electronics. According to research published on 25 September by tech consultancy DisplaySearch, be expected shipments of CRT TVs decline far faster than analysts, and the end of all sales CRT is probably only a few years.
USD 4.5 billionf problem U.S. Banks Jumps 27 %U.S. Banks unlimited a small profit in the fourth quarter, as the economy recovers, but the number of troubled banks jumped as to more than 700, the government reported Tuesday. Continue reading
The item is Facebook ‘gifts ‘platform originally appeared on Fool.com. Court disqualified Prime MinisterSince then, he has taken the government over allegations of corruption, and has even put the military in question, which has opted for more than half of Pakistan’s 64 – year history.
In April , the Supreme Court Gilani was guilty of contempt of court for refusing to corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari to reopen. – I think enforce reason, and they should be able to that quite easily because they do just the budget. You clear majority . Continue reading
Major U.S.re filings in nearly 60 percent of major U.S. Cities as Wave Builds increasingThe company sells default data from more than 2,200 counties representing 90 % of the U.S. Population.Delayed attacks narrow narrow supply of homes for sale. The number of U.S. Single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses and co-ops on the market last month fell by 19 % over the previous year, according to the National Association of Realtors website.
Your money in the community If you are a small bank in the area, ,, see, work or want go to school, there is a site tool on the ICBA website.
Will receive more than 1 million homes default in urban areas with populations of at least 200,000 auction notices or withdrawal, up 1.5 % from the last six months of 2014, the Irvine, California-based data provider. Among the 20 largest markets, Florida, Chicago and New York City had the largest %age increase in filings; Philadelphia.. WalletPop contacted the Independent Community Bankers of America, a trade group that represents small and community banks, to learn more. ‘Right now, most if not all local banks offer free checking,’says Karen Tyson, vice president of communications. Continue reading
Target , for one, woos buyers with a Black Friday-style sales to 26 December. The retailers offer discounts of up to 50 percent off on popular women’s and children’s clothing, including Home and Holiday decor. Doors are at Target stores open at 7 clock on Monday.
The Americans, 11 percent used refinanced their homes and to reduce credit card debt, so many consumers much healthier than they were a few years ago and are, Craig Johnson, CEO of CGP, tells DailyFinance.
CPG predicts that consumers even more money on Black Friday – the day after Christmas – as at the at the Super Saturday buying. More buyers ‘self – gifting ‘this holiday season. Continue reading
The Ministry Byblos Bank and Bank of America – Merrill Lynch called the lead manager for the issue $ 700,000 to the value of euro bonds.
The source declined to say whether the Treasury Department more more money from the market this year will be funded the government needs? are high and offered bonds on the international market, as the interest on foreign loans is much lower than that of bonds on the local market.
The Ministry of Finance said earlier it would be entering the local market for financing soon to $ 5 billion of euro bonds and treasury bills to cover the issue of public debt in 2015. Continue reading
Whether Drew Lachey Star is still strong enough to keep the audience is drawn rather doubtful, but after a stint on Dancing with the Stars, it’s nice to see him trying his career by taking the next jack to extend all-trades Mario I used to be Tiger Beat cover boy and now I host TV shows random Lopez.
In addition, more than 98 percent recommend recommend to a friend. A standard, the MNI believes is even more difficult to fulfill. In the past year Mortgage Network five five new stores and added more than 100 employees to keep pace with demand in specific areas. We give our customers the best experience possible this we that, we make sure that we are aware opinions opinions of everyone who walks through our doors, executive vice president of Mortgage Network, Brian Koss said. At this sight, 98.86 percent agreement gives us great pleasure to know we are doing our job. Continue reading
The working group also found pay stubs, Social Security numbers, bank data, trade secrets, and even images of patients wounds in a nursing home on hard drives from several countries purchased on eBay and other auctions.
To be fair, are the target funds probably better than defaulting to a money market fund or throwing darts at your 401 options, you choose – something plenty to do 401 participants, but like any heavily hyped investment those things are wrong. Extremely faulty. Let me count the ways:.
Seriously, If you a music CD and turn off your computer you have the smarts to clean up your data. If you would not feel comfortable the DIY route, you can ask your neighborhood geek or take your computer to the store, but for most users this is not required. Continue reading


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Rahul Jauhari Joins Kunming Diamonds
He is the first director of sales and marketing for the Hong Kong-based company, which specializes in fancy colors.
Rahul Jauhari is now the director of sales and marketing at Kunming Diamonds, a Hong Kong-based company specializing in fancy colored diamonds.
It is a new position for the company.
Jauhari has been in the industry for 17 years, working for Gitanjali Gems, HRD Antwerp and, most recently, spending nearly five years as senior vice president of global sales and marketing for Star Rays.
His areas of expertise include business development, branding, and strategy. Jauhari also is focused on sustainability and traceability, which he sees as key to the future of the diamond industry.
“Natural fancy colored diamonds are truly the epitome of luxury; the ultimate indulgence one can possess,” he said. “I am very excited about the opportunities and challenges that this new role offers.”
Ajay Maheshwari established Kunming Diamonds in 1987 and still serves as its managing director.
The company is an authorized partner of Argyle Pink Diamonds, and a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council, the Natural Color Diamond Association, and the Fancy Color Research Foundation.
Commenting on Jauhari’s appointment, Maheshwari said, “The true potential of natural fancy colored diamonds remains untapped.
“We at Kunming Diamonds are committed to making this category the engine for future growth with the help of innovative marketing and technology. We look forward to having Rahul as part of the Kunming family.”
The fast-casual chain partnered with Anna Sheffield’s Bing Bang NYC brand on a capsule collection and it’s a little “extra.”
De Beers Institute of Diamonds provides the very best in diamond verification, education and diamond services.
A government official said search crews “found the needle in the haystack” when they located the capsule belonging to Rio Tinto along an 870-mile stretch of road.
De Beers is sharing over 130 years of experience and expertise through the De Beers Institute of Diamonds with a selection of courses.
The IJO also welcomed one new vendor member to its 13-member board, Brecken Farnsworth of Parlé Jewelry Designs.
It begins with a “t” and ends with a “c” and is imbued with warmth and positivity, Peter Smith writes.
The tiny capsule, which is believed to have fallen out of a truck, was lost somewhere along an 870-mile stretch of desert road.
The jeweler’s expansion plans include 20 to 30 more stores in North America and the Middle East over the next two to three years.
The NRF’s annual survey shows that consumer attitudes about how, or even whether, to celebrate Feb. 14 continue to evolve.
Executives from Fred Meyer Jewelers and Riddles Jewelers have filled the roles.
The trend forecaster and her guests explored unconventional jewelry designs, NFTs, AI art, and more during her Trendvision presentation.
The Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative provides diamond credit and mentorship to young brands helmed by BIPOC designers.