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Toll Holdings move into online delivery highlights opportunity in shipping market
Toll Holdings has announced it will start developing a strategy and delivery service for products purchased online, while some start-ups, such as Mail Call Couriers, have identified a similar opportunity.
Both companies say they believe Australians are fed up with inadequate delivery from local retailers, with many customers having to wait several days for items they could buy overseas and receive in a shorter period of time.
Toll incoming chief executive Brian Kruger told the Australian Financial Review that it will start looking at how it can corner the online delivery market.
“Our strategy will be about minimising the number of failed deliveries to the home,” he said, touching on a sore spot for AusPost. About 70% of the national carrier’s parcels come from online shipping, and it’s hard to experiment with new methods of delivery due to the sheer logistics of all the packages.
AusPost has complained it has nowhere to put them. But Toll says it will start looking at new features such as SMS notification services and even delivery on Saturdays to get packages to their customers.
Toll Holdings was contacted for comment but no reply was available prior to publication.
These comments come as one start-up, Mail Call Couriers is adopting a similar strategy by working with retailers to include their payment option in online shopping carts. Joint managing director Emma Cronin says the idea is to provide a separate payment system and ensure delivery within one or two days.
“Traditional post isn’t set up to do this. We look at this like any customer would – what’s best for them? You want to know exactly when something is going to be delivered, not within a 12 hour block.”
“I think Australian retailers haven’t had many quality partners, and we’re positioned to take advantage of that.”
Cronin says Australians are keen to buy online from local retailers, but are attracted to overseas ventures because they can get products here faster. Delivery, she says, is the key.
“I think retailers just need to prioritise what they’re doing in the online space. I certainly haven’t had a lack of interest from any large retailers, and we’re currently discussing potential work with of the larger retailers in the country. It’s all a matter of when they want to move.
Forrester Research analyst Steven Noble suggests this area is ripe for exploring, but also warns Australians aren’t necessarily as keen for quick delivery as American shoppers may be.
“Nobody likes waiting, that’s a given. In any geography, no one likes waiting for products.”
“But it weighs less heavily on Australian consumers than it does consumers in comparable markets,” he says.
Noble points to research that shows out of all Australian adults who don’t shop online, just 18% say it’s because delivery costs are too high, compared to 29% of US online adults.
“It’s still important. Just not as important as it might be in the United States,” he says.


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The Biden Administration wants more taxpayer spending to go toward American-made products and has issued a proposed rule change to that end. If it’s passed, it will require any government spending to include at least 60% US-made components immediately. The proposal also stipulates future increases to that threshold: 65% by 2024 and 75% by 2029.
While some policy changes are virtue signaling, this proposed rule change appears to have teeth. Federal contract spending checks in at around $600 billion per year, and increasing the rule from its current 55% requirement to 60% will have immediate impacts on which suppliers and products are chosen. Affected industries are a broad spectrum from defense and construction to vehicles and related parts.
At an event on Wednesday in Macungie, PA, President Biden said, “In recent years, ‘Buy American’ has become a hollow promise. But my administration is going to make ‘Buy American’ a reality. I’m putting the weight of the federal government behind that commitment.”
Shoring up American supply chains
Biden pointed to shortages that became excruciatingly clear during the pandemic, both early stages and further into it. “We saw during the early days of the pandemic that the supply chain disruptions can put Americans’ lives and livelihoods at risk. When we needed them most, we were short of protective equipment, we were short on ventilators and other essential health equipment,” he said.
“We need to have a resilient supply chain of our own so that we’re never again at the mercy of other countries for critical goods ever again.”
The list of products that were understocked during the pandemic is mind-blowing. It ranges from bathroom tissue and dumbbells to WFH equipment like home desks, computers, tablets, and web cameras. In the auto industry, foam products and microchips are the most notable products that companies struggled to import in enough volume.
Automakers affected by American content requirement
In addition to simply stating whether their products meet the proposed rule change requirements, the law will mandate that the percentage of American-made components is listed with it. That will go for vehicles as well, and the federal government spends around $4.4 billion on motor vehicles annually.
The NHTSA provides a list of vehicles, broken down by year, that displays the Part 583 AALA (American Automobile Labeling Act) information on passenger vehicles but does not represent all of the fleet vehicles the US might procure. The list shows American AND Canadian content combined as a single percentage. Of all the vehicles and trim levels listed, only one-half of one of its six pages would currently qualify under the 60% threshold.
Certain carmakers are well represented in the American-made content especially Honda, Acura, Chrysler, Jeep, and Tesla. Aside from the Jeep Gladiator, the Toyota Tundra and Ram 1500 Classic are the only full-size pickup trucks within the 60% and higher requirement. Popular government fleet choices, the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado are at 55% and 58% respectively.
The rule update could cause carmakers to scramble to source locally manufactured components to fit their fleet-focused models into the proposed 60% American-made content rule, and will certainly affect procurement for the proposed higher future levels.
The public will be able to submit comments on the proposed rule change for 60 days once it is published in the Federal Register before lawmakers move to finalize it.
Did you enjoy this article from Jason Unrau? Please share your thoughts, comments, or questions regarding this topic by submitting a letter to the editor here, or connect with us at email@example.com.

domain: news


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ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce and Textile Industry has fiercely opposed suspension of gas supply to the textile industry, fearing textile manufacturers will not be able to cash in on the trade preferences expected to be granted by the European Union under the GSP Plus scheme from January next year.
The ministry is also apprehensive that as a result of the halt to gas supply, the textile industry in Punjab may lose $3 billion in export earnings in three months during winter, sources say.
In comments on the gas load management plan, which is to be approved by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the ministry said the textile value chain contributed 55% of exports and employed 39% of the industrial workforce.
Considering the current state of affairs with respect to the supply of natural gas and electricity, the ministry expressed fears that textile manufacturers would not be able to get benefit of EU’s GSP Plus scheme if remedial measures were not taken.
“It may be kindly noted that Punjab-based textile industry was allowed to utilise gas for nine months totalling 270 days, but they utilised this facility for only 114 days, making voluntary savings in order to ensure continuation of gas supply all the year round,” the ministry said.
The industry is willing to accept only 100 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) against the need for 300 mmcfd and this constitutes only 6% of the total gas supply by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL).
“If the existing gas requirements are not met, the textile sector is likely to lose around $3 billion in export earnings in the next three months,” the ministry said.
It was of the view that the proposal to stop gas supply to the industrial sector for seven days a week from December to February and then six days a week in March and April, would have a long-term impact on the textile industry, cripple and make it unviable in the long run.
In view of this situation, the ministry did not support any proposal which would affect textile production adversely.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources is seeking approval of the prime minister in order to allow SNGPL to cut off all gas consumers who are covered under the load curtailment schedule during December 2013 and January 2014 depending on demand and supply. This will eliminate the risk of violation and lead to utilisation of existing resources more effectively.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2013.
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HMD Global has launched three new Nokia-branded smartphones, Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6 ever since the Nokia brand licensing. The company also released a new version of the iconic Nokia 3310 feature phone. HMD Global is now rumoured to launch a premium smartphone called as the Nokia 8 probably in June this year. The internet has been surrounded by the rumours and leaks about the Nokia 8 and a recent report has lightened up the camera specifications of the smartphone.
Several reports are claiming that the upcoming Nokia mobiles will offer Carl Zeiss lenses on it. Since Nokia or HMD Global hasn’t revealed anything about the camera lens integration in its upcoming mobiles, the information must be taken with a pinch of salt.
The Nokia 8 is rumoured to feature a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED bezel-less display with QHD (1440×2560 pixels) display. Under the hood, it will boast a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor paired with 4GB/6GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB of internal storage. For photography, the Nokia 8 will offer a 24MP primary rear camera with Carl Zeiss lens and optical image stabilisation. Up front, the handset will feature a 12MP selfie snapper.
Nokia is expected to release its flagship smartphone in different variants based on storage size with similar specifications, much like Apple and Samsung. The upcoming mobiles will feature a metal unibody design. Coming to the pricing, the Nokia 8 is expected to be priced CNY 4,000 (roughly Rs 38,500) for the smaller model, while the higher variant will cost around CNY 4,500 (Rs 43,500).
The earlier reports suggested that the Nokia 8 will feature a 5.2-inch or 5.5-inch 2K (QHD) display with Carl Zeiss lens at the rear. Also, the reports suggested that the device will offer a dual camera setup with at least 23MP resolution.
Similar to the rebirth of Nokia 3310, Nokia will trigger the nostalgia about its brand among buyers. The Nokia N8 phone had Carl Zeiss lens equipped on it which was the best camera phone available at that time. The integration of Carl Zeiss lens on Nokia 8 will apparently add the same nostalgia. Carl Zeiss has been known as the top lens manufacturer for top-notch cameras.


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Court voids settlement parties made behind their lawyers' backs
Frustrated parties entangled in certain consumer litigation can't just cut deals behind their lawyers' backs, a court ruled Tuesday.
The state Court of Appeals threw out the settlement a car dealer worked out with its disgruntled customer, and reinstated the lawsuit a Milwaukee circuit judge had dismissed.
"The parties are now back to square one — they can settle if they wish, or try the case if they wish," the court wrote.
"This is a good decision for consumers," said Vince Megna, a noted lemon law lawyer who represented the buyer in the case, and stood to lose his fee under the private settlement.
Randy L. Betz of Milwaukee bought a 1999 Cadillac Escalade from Diamond Jim's Auto Sales in October 2009. He had constant engine problems and hired Megna in 2010, who sued for misrepresentation, claiming the dealer knew of the problems and failed to disclose them.
If Betz prevailed, Megna would have been paid by Diamond Jim's, under the fee-shifting provisions of the applicable consumer laws.
But after initial offers and counter offers fell flat, the dealer went to Betz in 2011 and got him to take $15,000, without notice to Megna or attorneys for Diamond Jim's. When Megna learned about it, he sought his fee share but Circuit Judge Maxine White rejected the claim. Megna then appealed.
"Permitting represented parties in fee-shifting cases to negotiate settlements behind the backs of their lawyers would strike a deathblow to the legislature’s use of fee-shifting statutes to vindicate the public interest by giving lawyers an incentive to take cases where persons have suffered palpable injury but whose monetary damages would be too meager to sustain a lawsuit.
"This case hinged on public policy, that these fee shifting statutes are very important because without them the courthouse is closed to the average person with a claim like this," Megna said.
The Legislature last year imposed presumptive caps of three times the actual damages for fees under fee-shifting laws, driven in part by car dealers hit with huge fees Megna had won in lemon law cases.
Megna and other consumer lawyers lobbied against the caps, noting that huge fees only result in cases in which deep-pocket defendants ramp up costs by trying to out-litigate consumer plaintiffs, rather than reach reasonable settlement.
In Betz's case, the don't-tell-the-lawyers settlement will likely backfire in the end, especially given that Megna's initial settlement demand was for about the same amount.
Betz will have to return the $15,000. He's already given back the Cadillac. Megna estimates the case has grown to about $100,000.
"It's a big mess," he said.
- Reelz Network airing show Saturday on Steven Avery and the Teresa Halbach murder
- Citing inappropriate Randa rant, 7th Circuit orders new sentencing in heroin case
- Illinois man who drove drunk at WI Boy Scout camp loses appeal
- Kenosha man seeks U.S. Supreme Court review of expanded warrantless home search
- WI Supreme Court to hear case of fired Walgreens worker
- New episodes of 'Making a Murderer' are in the making
- Milwaukee defense lawyer suspended 60 days
- Supreme Court decided 43 cases last term, fewest in in 25 years
- Tiny school district feels big financial pain from Woznicki records requests
- Marcia Clark, O.J. Simpson prosecutor and author, coming to Pabst Theater


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With some 12 million people across more than 100 countries, the Filipino diaspora is one of the largest in the world.
Yet the food of the Philippines isn’t as widely known as some Asian cuisines. Fans of the cuisine argue that adobo — chicken or pork braised in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and peppercorn — should be as recognizable as phad thai, ramen and shrimp dumplings.
As more Filipino chefs gain international recognition, the popularity of Philippines cuisine is gaining traction. In 2015, Antonio’s Restaurant — helmed by Filipino Tonyboy Escalante — was the first restaurant in the Philippines to break onto the World’s 50 Best list, debuting at No. 48.
Sarsa’s motto is “Filipino Food Forward.” Dishes from the Manila restaurant are (clockwise from top right): sisig, crab tortang talong (eggplant omelet), sizzling kansi (beef shank soup), chicken inasal, and (middle) beef caldereta.
Scott A. Woodward
In 2016, Bad Saint, the Washington, D.C., restaurant launched by the James Beard award-winning chef Tom Cunanan, was named the second-best restaurant in America by Bon Appetit magazine. That same year, Manila’s Margarita Fores was honored as Asia’s Best Female Chef by the U.K.-based 50 Best organization.
Yet insiders say struggles to popularize Filipino food come from stereotypes abroad as well as issues within the Philippines.
Cheryl Tiu, a Manila-born food journalist and founder of the Miami-based events website Cross Cultures, attributes some of the problem to “hiya,” meaning shame in Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines.
A baker in Panderya Toyo dusting bicho — a local version of beignets — with sugar and cacao.
Scott A. Woodward
“We were colonized for so many years, and we were made to think that anything imported was better,” said Tiu. “Thankfully, today’s generation has been loud and proud about our heritage.”
Television hasn’t been helpful either, said Tiu.
“We’ve also received so much bad press in the sense that some of our dishes were ‘Fear Factor-ized,'” she said. “Many associate all our food with that.”‘
On Gallery by Chele’s tasting menu, blue crab is topped with


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Gov. Jerry Brown of California signed legislation on Thursday that bans plastic microbeads, giving his state one of the country’s strongest laws against the tiny abrasives used in exfoliators and other products.
“We’re obviously incredibly excited,” said Stiv Wilson, director of campaigns at the nonprofit group the Story of Stuff Project. “We just passed a very simple ban on plastic microbeads without any loopholes.”
The consumer products industry had objected to certain aspects of the bill, arguing that it was overly restrictive and did not allow companies to come up with environmentally friendly alternatives. The California rules include a prohibition against biodegradable microbeads, which other states with similar legislation allow.
At least six other states have passed laws restricting microbeads, including Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland and New Jersey.
Lisa Powers, a spokeswoman for the Personal Care Products Council, said in an email that the industry trade group had taken a neutral position on the bill.
Microbeads look like tiny dots suspended in cleansers and other toiletries. Manufacturers including Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble advertise their exfoliating power, particularly in face and body scrubs.
But when consumers rinse these products off, the microbeads flow from sinks and showers into the water. Billions of microbeads have the same effect as grinding up plastic water bottles and dumping them into the ocean, environmentalists say.


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Joystiq has learned from multiple sources that an as yet unannounced Turok sequel has been shelved due to sweeping layoffs at Disney. According to one source, Turok 2 had been in development for "over a year and a half," before the team was notified the project would be put aside on Thursday, January 29.
Turok 2 was set to continue the story of the recently revamped series, which debuted on the Xbox 360, PS3 and the PC in 2008. One source told Joystiq that Propaganda was working hard to produce a quality title, with hopes of bringing some familiar weaponry to fans of the original series, including the infamous Cerebral Bore from Turok 2: Seeds of Evil. While Turok 2 may return to development, sources say, "A lot of the core people are no longer there," meaning a future Turok would likely be significantly different from the team's original vision.
It was also indicated that Propaganda Games may be the studio behind the recently rumored Tron title.
The layoffs were reportedly first announced internally via a conference call by Steve Wadsworth, president of the Disney Interactive Media Group on Wednesday, January 28, hours before the news broke online. After the call it was revealed that 204 employees throughout the Disney Interactive Media Group had been laid off. The groups hit include Disney Online (DOL) Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online (WDPRO), Mobile Japan. At least 75 employees have been shed from Propaganda Games and the now defunct Fall Line Studios.
Alleged Turok 2 concept art can be viewed in the gallery below. Know anything more? You know where to find us.


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Several members of the sales and marketing collective are spending this week in Paignton, Devon, testing out the market while also fitting in some much-deserved R&R.
The Devon trip has seen CEO James Dearing return to his sales roots, putting himself in the shoes of Blue Custard brand representatives by going out into the field to see how the client’s services are received by the South Westerly region.
James has taken three high performing individuals from the firm along with him, selecting the most promising and determined members of the team to accompany him on the market research trip.
The business owner has spent the week training the team, demonstrating a hands-on approach that he believes is vital to improving performance in the field. Speaking on the subject of training, James has said: “Being out on the front line with my associates is the very best way of keeping in touch with trends and market patterns.”
James believes watching and working with his contractors helps all aspects of his business in the long run because it allows him to see what is working well and what needs greater attention. The firm has reported that their client’s product has been well received so far during their trip.
To make the most of their time in the beautiful countryside area, James has also organised for the team to take part in an afternoon of Tobogganing. “I want to reward them for their help this week and do something memorable and fun. Also, it is a great, competitive team activity which is a bit crazy and random just like Blue Custard!” said James.
As a fresh thinking start-up promotional marketing company, Blue Custard plan to liven up your marketing campaigns by providing a new, creative, and tailored twist to traditional forms of marketing. Differing from other agencies by bringing marketing back to basics. They believe that your company’s energy and unique point of view can only be felt by the consumer through direct connections with a real person. As such, their collective of amazing sales and marketing representatives are on hand to deliver your vision to the public and drive engagement with your audience.


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If you’ve ever read the label on the package of any sort of processed food, you’ve undoubtedly encountered a whole host of unpronounceable, unrecognizable chemicals–so it’s really no surprise that discussions about organic practices, GMOs, and the current state of our food production/distribution system have been building steam over the past several years.
But in these increasingly health-and-environment-conscious times, consumers are growing more concerned not just with what they put in their bodies, but also what they put on their bodies. Chances are, the label on your shampoo bottle is just as unsettling as the label on your cereal box. With this in mind, several specialty lines of self-care products like Origins, Murad and others have taken full advantage of the trend toward natural ingredients, building their brands by boasting about the ingredients not included in their products.
Now, Johnson & Johnson, which makes a wide range of personal care products including everything from its famous baby shampoo to familiar drugstore brands like Neutrogena, Aveeno, and Clean & Clear, has announced that it will be phasing out harmful chemicals from its products by 2015, and from several of its baby products by 2013.


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- We at Fitch Solutions have revised our forecast for South Korea’s 2020 real GDP growth to 1.7%, down from 2.2% previously, reflecting the rapid spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in the country.
- The main channels of weakness include private consumption, investments, and exports of goods and services.
- We also note downside risks to our forecast, to reflect the possibility that the outbreak will not be controlled by June.
We at Fitch Solutions have revised down our forecast for South Korea’s 2020 real GDP growth to 1.7%, from 2.2% previously, and marking a slowdown from 2.0% in 2019. This view is informed by our expectations for domestic consumption and investment to slow considerably due to the coronavirus outbreak. Additionally, we expect tourism arrivals to decline severely, as other countries around the world restrict their citizens from travelling to South Korea owing to the local coronavirus epidemic. With 1,595 confirmed cases and 12 deaths as of February 27, the scale of the epidemic in South Korea has become the second largest after China. Our core forecast assumes that the Covid-19 outbreak in South Korea is controlled by June. If the outbreak is prolonged beyond that, we see risks of South Korea’s economy contracting for at least three consecutive quarters of negative growth (see chart below).
Covid-19 Outbreak To Weigh On South Korea Economy
South Korea - Real GDP Growth Scenarios, %
Recent Surge In Cases Bodes Ill For Economy
The coronavirus epidemic has spread widely across major cities in South Korea, with the number of confirmed cases rising from 31 on 18 February to 1,595 at the time of writing on 27 February, marking an increase of over 5,000% in nine days. The initial surge has been attributed to a patient who participated in a gathering at the Shincheonji Church in Daegu, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). While the outbreak was initially largely confined to the city of Daegu, the coronavirus has spread to every major province (see map below). The government has also raised the virus alert level to ‘red’, the highest level, as of February 23.
Core View: Sharp Slowdown With Downside Risks
Due to these recent developments, we at Fitch Solutions have revised our 2020 real GDP forecast to 1.7% from 2.2% previously. Our core scenario assumes that the Covid-19 epidemic is contained in China by April, and in South Korea by June. Our new forecasts follow a similar trajectory as seen during the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, in which South Korea was hit hard. During the SARS outbreak, the economy suffered two quarters of contraction, largely due to the impact of the outbreak on its export sector. We use the SARS outbreak as a reference rather than the Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak that impacted South Korea in 2015 as the coronavirus outbreak is potentially evolving into a region-wide pandemic, which was not the case for MERS. Thus, the outbreak is expected to impact both domestic demand and also weigh down South Korea’s external sector.
Economic Impact To Be Similar To That Of SARS
South Korea - Real GDP By Expenditure, % chg q-o-q
Our core scenario of 1.7% y-o-y growth is predicated on an assumption of an economic contraction of 0.5% q-o-q and 0.6% in the first two quarters of the year, before recovering to positive growth in the subsequent two quarters. These forecasts assume a sharp slowdown in domestic consumption and investment on a y-o-y basis while contracting on a q-o-q basis, and for tourism arrivals to contract. We also note that given the epidemic in China, which will lead to slower growth in that country, the typical post-Lunar New Year seasonal rebound in trade and industrial activity is unlikely to materialise this year.
Retail Sales Heavily Impacted During SARS Period
South Korea - Retail Sales Index
We have revised our forecast for private consumption to grow by 1.7% in 2020 from 2.2% previously. We expect South Korean nationals to reduce their visits to brick-and-mortar stores and cut back on gatherings in public places due to fears of contracting the virus. This is likely to result in closures and reduced operating hours of many retail outlets, movie theaters, and restaurants. We expect this to further weigh on consumer confidence, at least over the first half of the year. Indeed, retail sales of duty-free companies in Korea declined by 30% y-o-y in the first week of February, compared to a 25% increase in January, according to data from the Korea Duty Free Shops Association. Additionally, during the SARS outbreak in 2003, retail sales declined by 7.9%, and we expect a similar impact on the sector in 2020.
PMI Back In Contractionary Territory
South Korea - Manufacturing PMI
We have also revised down our forecast for Gross Fixed Capital Formation growth in 2020 to 0.6%, from 1.0% previously. Manufacturing contributes 25.6% of GDP as of 2019, with employment in the sector making up 24.8% of the total labour force. The Covid-19 outbreak is likely to result in a decline in industrial output, as businesses in the manufacturing industry impose compulsory work stoppages or shorter working hours as possible precautionary measures. Indeed, Hyundai’s move to stop production at its Ulsan manufacturing plant from 7 to 14 February is estimated to have cost the company USD35.9mn in sales revenue. Additionally, South Korea’s manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell back into contractionary territory in January, coming in at 49.8, compared to 50.1 in December 2019, as the autos sector continued to struggle, and we expect further declines ahead.
Tourism Arrivals To Decline
South Korea - Tourist Arrivals By Country, %
We have revised down our forecast for export growth to 0.8% from 1.2% previously, to reflect our expectations for South Korea’s travel and tourism sector to take a significant hit in 2020 due to the coronavirus epidemic, thereby further depressing receipts from the external sector. While the tourism sector itself is relatively small in South Korea, accounting for 2.7% of GDP according to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, 42% of total tourist arrivals are from China. Visitor arrivals from China are expected to decline to almost zero due to the widespread outbreak in both countries. Meanwhile, arrivals from Japan, Taiwan, and the US are also expected to decline significantly as the governments of these countries have advised their citizens to avoid travel to South Korea. With nationals from these four countries making up two-thirds of total tourist arrivals, we expect 2020 to be a tumultuous year for South Korea’s tourism sector.
While our core view is that the epidemic is contained by the end of Q220, we note that the alternative of a more prolonged outbreak would put further downside pressures on the growth outlook. As such, we estimate that if the epidemic carries on in Q320, South Korea’s 2020 full-year growth could slow to 0.7%, and possibly lower. Under this scenario, we would expect real GDP growth to contract in the first three quarters of the year, before recovering in Q420 on the back of the ongoing 5G rollout and base effects. Additionally, we would also expect the country to run a larger fiscal deficit than the current forecast of 3.1% as the South Korean government will likely roll out more comprehensive fiscal measures to combat the economic impact of the virus.
This commentary is published by BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, and is not a comment on Fitch Ratings Credit Ratings. Any comments or data included in the report are solely derived from BMI and independent sources. Fitch Ratings analysts do not share data or information with BMI. Copyright © 2023 Fitch Solutions Group Limited. All rights reserved. 30 North Colonnade, London E14 5GN, UK.


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NEW YORK - Stocks posted their largest drop in a month on Wednesday as traders locked in recent gains after a provisional budget deal out of Washington removed one of the near-term reasons for the Fed to keep up its current pace of economic stimulus.
- Exclusive: Ford board aims to pin down CEO Mulally's plans
- Apple scores legal victory over Samsung in South Korea
- Criminal action expected for JPMorgan in Madoff case: NYT
- Exclusive: As Fed looms, Morgan Stanley sets sale of U.S. oil terminal business
- Centerbridge Partners offers to buy LightSquared for $3.3 billion: WSJ
Recent Business News
- Hotel operator Hilton Worldwide Inc raised $2.34 billion in its IPO on Wednesday, returning to the public markets some six years after Blackstone Group LP took it private in one of the largest deals of the leveraged buyout boom.
- Stanley Fischer, who led the Bank of Israel for eight years until he stepped down in June, has been asked to be the Federal Reserve's next vice chair once Janet Yellen takes over as chief of the U.S. central bank, a source familiar with the issue said on Wednesday.
- Standard & Poor's on Wednesday said Facebook Inc will join its S&P 500 stock index after the close of trading on December 20, cementing the social media network's rise into one of the biggest, most powerful U.S. companies.
DETROIT - With General Motors Co in recent days setting in motion big changes around the globe, the focus for new Chief Executive Mary Barra and her team will be making cars and trucks that prove popular enough to help end losses in Europe, analysts said.
Today, GM announced its new CEO will be Mary Barra, the company's current head of global product development.


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Normal service at NY Consulate after long suffering
Staff Reporter: After almost a year of extreme suffering, the normal consulate service for expatriates was re-launched at the Bangladesh Consulate in New York. From March 3, 2021, consular service recipients will be able to go directly to the Bangladesh Consulate and get services directly by following Corona Epidemic Health Rules. No appointment will be required for this. However, the postal service will continue as usual.
Due to the Corona epidemic, the expatriates were not getting the desired service from the Bangladesh Consulate in New York as only online appointments and postal services were available.
Expatriate Bangladeshis in eight states under the consulate are suffering due to not getting online appointments. To alleviate the suffering of the expatriates, the consulate has announced the launch of consular services without an appointment following the hygiene rules. He announced that from now on consular services can be taken without application from Bangladesh Consulate in New York.
The Bangladesh Consulate in New York said in a statement that as per the previous rules, applications for all types of consular services would be accepted during office hours from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm and delivery would be provided daily from 3 pm to 5 pm. All clients are requested to wear masks and follow other local hygiene rules to visit the consulate.
The statement said that because of the Corona epidemic, local governments in New York currently have a ban on more than a certain number of indoor gatherings, so customers may need to line up outside the consulate to follow the hygiene rules.
Those who have already made an appointment online will be able to come to the consulate at the convenient time of the accepted appointment or during office hours at their convenience.
In case of emergency, everyone is requested to contact the following telephone numbers and emails. Consulate phone numbers 212-599-6767 (Monday through Friday every day from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, excluding holidays). Hotline phone number is 646-645-7282 (running 24/7 daily). E-mail communication. email@example.com
Many expatriates living in New York and nearby states have complained that no one can easily get in touch by calling the consulate’s phone number. Even if there is a connection, the question is answered in a hoarse voice from the other end. Many people complain that in many cases the answer is given in an angry tone when they want to know the answer to two or three questions.


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The head of Adidas has apologized after speculating that Kanye West did not "mean what he said" with anti-Semitic remarks that put an end to his collaboration with the German sportswear brand.
Bjorn Gulden, who joined Adidas at the beginning of 2023 after the scandal erupted, made the comments last week in an interview with the podcast "In Good Company".
West -- now formally known as Ye -- had made "some statements, which wasn't that good," Gulden told the podcast.
"Very unfortunate, because I don't think he meant what he said and I don't think he's a bad person –- it just came across that way," Gulden said.
The Norwegian CEO subsequently apologized for his remarks, after they provoked a public uproar.
"Our decision to end our partnership with Ye due to his unacceptable comments was absolutely the right one. Our attitude has not changed," Adidas said in a statement to AFP Friday.
Gulden had "apologized for his misstatement," the head of the Anti-Defamation League, Jonathan Greenblatt, said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The CEO spoke to the ADL chief and "reiterated that Adidas is committed to fighting anti-Semitism," Greenblatt said.
Since parting ways with Ye, Adidas has been selling off its stock of highly sought-after Yeezy branded items, the fruit of its collaboration with the rapper.
Part of the proceeds from the sales, are going to organisations such as the ADL and the Philonise and Keeta Floyd Institute for Social Change.
Adidas set aside 110 million euros ($117 million) in the second quarter for donations to charities.
The end of Adidas's lucrative partnership with the rapper last October has added to the sportswear giant's recent troubles.
The group recorded a modest profit of 84 million euros between April and June this year, following two consecutive quarters of losses.


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The Atlantic Media Company’s venture into global business coverage — Quartz — will launch on September 24. The site has been slowly accumulating talent over the past few months, and the latest addition to the staff is Jay Lauf, who was just promoted from vice president and publisher of The Atlantic, The Atlantic Wire, and The Atlantic Cities, to senior vice president/group publisher of Atlantic Media Company and publisher of Quartz.
Lauf, who has been with The Atlantic since 2008, believes company’s flagship brand built the foundation for Quartz.
“Our editorial and sales teams have done an amazing job bringing The Atlantic back to a place of both cultural importance and sustained profitability,” said Lauf in a statement. “Its success is the foundation for all we’ve been able to do with new product launches.”
“Quartz is our boldest launch to-date, one that, I think, is perfectly timed for the current business epoch. There is a wide-open space for a smart, mobile-first product to serve the needs of global business professionals, and our all-star editorial and dev teams have built that.”


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Google Now received an update this morning and brought with it some new cards. TV shows and Google Offers to be exact, both of these cards will be usable today with the update to Google Now. So using Google Now you can now use your phone or tablet to listen to what show your watching and have your device give you information on said show, if your TV is connected to your wifi network that is. As for Google Offers, Google Now will show you reminders for upcoming saved offers when your near a store that you can use one of said offers at.
Also worth mentioning is that Google Now also includes a new voice action after the update that lets a user say “Play [artist name]”, and your phone or tablet will begin playing songs by that artist.
Download Link| Google Now
Latest posts by Nicholas Terry (see all)
- Which Android Wear Device Did You Purchase? - July 12, 2014
- Samsung Will Announce Next Exynos Processor Tomorrow - July 9, 2014
- You Can Now Correct Yourself When Using Google Voice Search - July 8, 2014


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Trends, whether they’re fashion, interior or food, are constantly evolving and it’s never too early to start looking toward the next forecasted trends to ensure your company keeps its one step ahead. Nisbets, suppliers of catering equipment to catering and hospitality companies across the U.K., takes a look at some of the big food trends that we expect to see in restaurants in 2018.
The Breakfast Revolution
From avocado on toast and eggs royale, to artisan breakfasts and all-day ‘bottomless’ brunches, breakfast made its comeback to our menus in 2017, with our spend on breakfasts increasing by 31 percent compared to eight years ago, according to The NPD Group, whilst lunchtime visits were down by 80 million. The breakfast trend is mirrored on our social media accounts with “breakfast” being hashtagged on Instagram more than 53,941,170 times.
During 2018, breakfast, which has traditionally always been thought of as ‘the first meal of the day,” is set to take restaurants by storm in the U.K.. It is expected that restaurants will adapt their menus to serve interesting breakfast-inspired options, that could be available throughout the full day, rather than just before noon.
January this year saw over 60,000 people sign up to participate in Veganuary — a 260 percent growth on figures from the previous year, and 2018 is forecast to continue the rise. The movement involves living by a predominantly plant-based diet for the full month of January to encourage people to change their diets to reduce the suffering of animals, help the planet and improve personal health.
But for many, once they have tried veganism in the Veganuary movement, vegan becomes a lifestyle change. There has been a 350 percent increase in the number of vegans living in the U.K. — with over half of those falling between the ages of 15-34. And this so called ‘trend’ looks to continue its growth right into 2018 as vegan ‘fast food’ also becomes available on the market, with seven percent of the respondents in a recent Nisbets pulse survey firmly believing vegan and vegetarian are some of the next evolving food trends.
Also according to the survey, many establishments have already begun to cater for vegans, and vegetarians – with three percent of respondents already offering one to three vegan and/or vegetarian options, 18 percent offering four to eight options, and nine percent offering more than eight or a full menu of options.
Street Food is Sticking Around
This trend has been present on the restaurant scene for quite some time, but as figures continue to rise, it appears street food will be sticking around for 2018, too. 2016 saw the real rise of street food in the U.K., with search volumes growing more than 80 percent, and over 2.5 million people eating street food every day. Street food has revolutionised city centres, and changed the way consumers want to eat their food.
In a recent Pulse survey from Nisbets, catering and hospitality business owners admitted that they look forward to continuing to see the street food explosion across the U.K. — offering a platform for chefs to showcase their food. Four percent of the respondents named street food as one of the main food trends, with eight percent naming it as the next evolving food trend. 2018 can expect to see further growth with more festivals and events welcoming street food vendors — including The Big Festival (24th-26th August 2018), London’s Camden Market, and the British Street Food Awards. 2018 will continue to celebrate street food.
The Rise of Local Produce
There is now a growing trend amongst consumers for fresh and local produce. Consumers are increasingly wanting to know where their food has come from, how it was made and by whom. According to GS1 U.K., 63 percent of consumers claim that they thought about the source of their food some of the time, and 16 percent said they thought about it all the time, while three-fifths of shoppers admitted that place of origin was at least as important as other influencing factors, such as price and quality. Brexit is expected to influence this too — as the future of importing and exporting produce remains uncertain for now.
Small businesses who are embracing local produce appear to come out on top, as they appeal to consumer demands for British food and drink. In a recent Pulse survey from Nisbets, when asked what evolving trends were impacting the catering and hospitality industry, 10 percent claimed locally sourced produce was having an impact on their company because of the rise in consumer interest.
Moving forward, three percent of survey respondents said they were looking forward to the push towards locally sourced produce. In 2018, we can expect to see local produce in more restaurants across Britain than in previous years — as a result of both consumer demand and potential increase of overseas importing costs.
‘Instagrammable’ Colored Food
The food industry is increasingly revolving around our photo-sharing social media accounts, such as Instagram, meaning chefs now feel pressures to fit in with the emerging trend of unusually colored dishes. Chefs now ensure their food looks striking and interesting (or ‘Instagrammable’) when they serve it to consumers. The Food People suggests that black breads, blue lattes and purple ube cheesecakes are just the start of what is to come in 2018. Research suggests that color also influences your taste experience.
Photo by Rustic Vegan on Unsplash


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It will be a year of firsts for the sixth annual Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week.
For starters, the popular salute to downtown dining will stretch over two weekends for the first time, running Friday, Feb. 22 through Sunday, March 3.
The basics will remain the same: three-course prix-fixe dinner menus priced at $30, at each of more than 40 participating restaurants. Restaurants will offer their choice of specials, some of them a mix-and-match choice of options. Many of the places will offer prix-fixe lunch options, too, most priced at $15.
As for other firsts? This year's celebration sports a theme: "Pierogi Power." To honor Cleveland's unofficial signature food, chefs have been invited to create their unique version of those tasty stuffed pockets. So far, four chefs have announced their creations:
• Cowell & Hubbard's lunch menu will feature braised beef with horseradish pierogi as a second course.
• At Liquid, the kitchen will produce pierogi soup, potato pierogi sliders and a pierogi appetizer for the dinner menu.
• During the promotion, look for an appetizer of Ohio City Truffle pierogi with rabbit ragu, crispy prosciutto and English peas at Hodge's.
• Over at D'Vine Wine Bar, the Restaurant Week lunch menu will boast a sandwich of bratwurst and pierogi served on a pretzel bun with caramelized onion and Dijon mustard.
To launch the days of feasting, how about another first -- a kick-off party. In keeping with the Polish theme, event sponsor Downtown Cleveland Alliance hosts "Go Fourth and Polka," with D.J. Kishka providing live polka entertainment during happy hour on Friday, Feb. 22 in the middle of (where else?) East Fourth Street.
Consider booking reservations early, especially for weekends during the promotion.
Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week: Learn more about the event, including locations for $2 parking, RTA's free trolley lines, and the Downtown Dinner Dream Package contest, online at downtowncleveland.com. (Click on "Events," and on the drop-down menu select "Restaurant Week." The is being continuously updated as restaurants, menus and other info are added.)
Read all the latest Restaurant Row news by clicking RESTAURANT ROW NEWS


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Rising prices and changing consumer habits make offering financing increasingly important to HVAC contractors. The actual process for getting HVAC customers financed, however, lags behind that for other major purchases. That’s why EGIA partnered with Microf to introduce Optimus.
EGIA is a nonprofit trade association for home improvement contractors. Microf provides financing, including a lease-to-own product, to the HVAC industry. Optimus uses a soft pull to assess a consumer’s credit. This means taking data derived from the last four digits of a consumer’s Social Security number to estimate a credit score. Too many direct credit inquiries can harm a consumer’s credit score.
The soft pull is used to determine where a consumer most likely receives approval. Optimus includes a range of finance companies in addition to Microf. These include GreenSky, EnerBank, Wells Fargo, Mosaic, and Foundation. FTL Finance provides a second-look option. With Microf’s lease-to-own product, this means most consumers can find financing, said Matthew Bratsis, EGIA’s vice president of contractor services.
Three-quarters of home owners are prime consumers, meaning they have a credit score between 750 and 850. These are the consumers with which most finance companies want to do business. But that leaves a lot of consumers unable to easily secure financing. For HVAC contractors, many of these people are their customers.
“There are as many different sales processes in the industry as there are shapes and sizes of dealers,” said Bruce Matulich, CEO and executive director of EGIA.
Houston, We Have A Credit Problem
Many consumers lack the cash on hand to make a major purchase such as a new HVAC system. Studies have shown that a majority of Americans have less than $5,000 in savings. Meanwhile, the price of HVAC equipment keeps rising.
“Financing becomes more important for homeowners that need to replace their systems,” said Jesse Barrack, Microf’s chief marketing officer.
That’s why more HVAC contractors are now offering financing on every sale. Juan Luna takes this approach. The owner of Trilogy Services and Air Conditioning in Houston sends in a credit application for almost every job. Unfortunately, that almost cost Luna his relationship with EnerBank, his main finance source.
Houston residents have some of the worst credit scores in the United States. Almost 40% of the area’s resident are subprime consumers, according to the Urban Institute. This means they have a credit score below 650. It’s also very hot and humid in Houston, so there is a lot of demand for air conditioning.
EnerBank officials informed Luna they would have to drop him from their program because his customers’ rejection rate was too high. That was the bad news. They also told him about Optimus and helped him enroll in the pilot program.
Luna said Optimus has been a huge help in closing more sales. Consumers get approved in about the time it takes to enter their information. Trilogy representatives can complete the process right at the homeowner’s kitchen table using any device.
Managing Risk Through Leasing
Financing consumers with damaged credit takes more work and carries more risk. That’s why most HVAC finance companies focus on prime consumers, especially since that’s a large part of the market. Microf understands how to manage this risk, in part by maintaining an affordable monthly payment, Barrak said. The company has a reasonable default rate, he said.
Leasing the HVAC system provides some extra protection against the risk. Microf remains the legal owner of the equipment until the consumer pays in full at the end-of-term.
“It’s really designed for consumers who have damaged credit or who have had credit challenges in the past,” Barrak said. “We’re able to provide them with an option when traditional finance companies and even second-look finance companies don’t feel they can work with that homeowner because they are high risk.”
Bratsis said EGIA is working with Advantage Alliance to add a leasing option for prime consumers that will feature a subscription model to the Optimus platform. The best part of the platform is consumers won’t deal with rejection from one before getting accepted by the other. That improves the relationship between the HVAC contractors and consumers.
EGIA members get their customers approved about 70% of the time, Bratsis said. When they don’t, they tend to move toward another payment option rather than resubmit the consumer, he said.
“It’s just an awkward conversation,” Bratsis said.
Optimus also increases HVAC contractors’ access to prime consumers. Many small contractors lack access to the major finance sources because they lack either the experience or the annual sales revenue to qualify. EGIA underwrites these contractors to take away the risk from the finance companies.
Jay Kimbro, co-founder of Microf, said his company is already on the road promoting the Optimus platform at trade shows. He said a big push will be made at EGIA’s Epic event October 28-29 in Las Vegas.
“This partnership will allow EGIA, through the Optimus platform, to improve their current lender offerings and enhance the overall customer experience when financing and/or leasing a heating/cooling system,” Kimbro said.
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Crude oil prices have dropped like a rock during the past year and a half. In turn, gasoline prices have also tumbled.
In Asheville, NC, for instance, gas is selling for as low as $1.54 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.com.
Asheville is where Ingles Markets is headquartered. The company has over 200 supermarkets in the southeastern U.S., and its chief financial officer says the lower gas prices have contributed to a decrease in net earnings.
The details are provided in this Feb. 8 article from Supermarket News:
Decreasing gasoline prices, along with higher labor costs, contributed to decreases in sales and net earnings during the fiscal first quarter at Ingles Markets, the company said [Feb. 8].
Although the Asheville, N.C.-based retailer sold more gasoline than a year ago, a 29% decrease in average per-gallon prices as compared with last year triggered a 1.4% decrease in sales for the quarter. Ingles totaled $951.1 million in sales for the period, which ended Dec. 27.
Excluding gasoline, Ingles’ sales increased by 2.6%, with non-fuel comp-store sales increasing by 2.3% led by a 1.7% increase in average transaction size. Grocery gross margins were flat with last year’s first quarter.
In a conference call discussing results, CFO Ronald Freeman said gasoline margins were also lower than the year-ago period, which along with higher labor expenses, contributed to a 13.7% decrease in net earnings. The company posted $13 million in quarterly net earnings, down from $15 million in the year-ago period.
You can read the entire article by following the link below:


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PHOENIX – Chase Auto Finance will assist Manheim Inspections in introducing InSight ECR to help auto dealers make better decisions about buying used cars for resale. With help from Manheim, Chase becomes the first commercial auto remarketer to offer Manheim Insight ECR — full-disclosure electronic reports — at both Manheim inlane locations and on www.OVE.com. The electronic condition report, called InSight ECR, uses Manheim’s standardized criteria to provide comprehensive and consistent used-car inspection details to buying dealers nationwide.
InSight reports include:
InSight ECR relies on AutoGrade, a point-based system that promotes consistent, accurate grading of a vehicle’s condition. AutoGrade uses Manheim’s and the National Auto Auction Association’s grading scale to eliminate subjectivity and errors.
“Auto dealers who use InSight and its AutoGrade feature should feel more confident about what they’re getting at auction,” said Lynn Wolver, who manages vehicle remarketing nationally for Chase. “The information will help them calculate more accurately what they can expect to spend before reselling the vehicle. We’re pleased to work with Manheim to offer dealers this valuable tool for evaluating vehicles remarketed by Chase.”
Manheim expects to expand the tool to other vehicle remarketers in the coming months. Dealers can see InSight ECR online at www.manheim.com.


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The irony is, of course, that by throwing the brief out of the window, the Un-Inc graphics perfectly fulfilled their objective. Like the high tech boards themselves – and the snowboarders who ride them – the Un-Inc graphics are cutting edge, stylish and ballsy. Their success even appears to have influenced some of the boards in Burton’s regular range – as witnessed by this year’s ‘Love’ model (featuring full-length Playboy girls) and the brand new ‘Farm’ (which takes the rock and roll approach to heart with graphics by ex-Wheezer front man Mikey Welsh). In fact so effective has this return to anti-estbalishment graphics been that they’ve literally upset mom and pop! In Vermont, a group of parents recently began a campaign to have the ‘offensive’ Love range removed from stores. “I want people to see [my daughter] as this vibrant girl, and look at her for her accomplishments, and not for her physical appearance,” explains Jeff Sprenger, the dad of a teenage girl who loves to snowboard. “It’s not like the old days, when it was just a handful of people fighting the ski mountains to get on the lifts. I think their attitude needs to change, and the company needs to show more respect to the community as a whole.” Jeff and his wife Lezlee began a grass roots campaign to get the Love boards off the market, which gained the attention of Vermont’s local TV station WCAX. It has since been reported on America’s global news channel CNN.
Photo: Peter Hasselgren
For the average snowboarder, such a storm in a teacup seems laughable. To tell the truth, these are the exact kind of people snowboarding kids want to piss off. “I think it’s nice to see that certain edge in snowboarding,” said store owner Ian Singleton when questioned by reporters about his freshly-delivered stock of Love boards. “It’s kind of where the roots of snowboarding have always been.” Whatever side of the fence you sit on, one thing is for sure: the Playmate controversy is the ultimate example of the power of graphics.
What then of the future? Where will the fascinating world of graphics go next? “Digital printing is the latest blessing – and a curse,” says Lance Violette. “In the next few seasons digital printing MAY be responsible for the reproduction of some of the best graphics ever to hit a topsheet, but watch out because it will DEFINITELY be responsible for some of the WORST.” Aaron Draplin, a veteran of the graphics game, has a broader take on things. “It’s all so cyclical, and derivative from action sport to action sport. One of them hits on something, and the rest fall in line. And that’s fine. It’s about keeping shit fresh for who cares about it the most: The kids. I was 19 a long time ago, and cared so much about how big your jeans should be, and whatever riff raff was going on at the time. It’s just weird, all these years later, to kinda ‘get’ the cycles, trends and stuff – after seeing it all come and go, and come and go.”
‘The kids’, as Draplin touches on, are central to everything in the graphics game. Every designer we spoke to was conscious of their importance. After all, if a snowboard is a canvas, then they are the audience. For this reason, it seems, relying on your peers and your gut will always be crucial to coming up with successful new ideas. As Danny from Bataleon puts it, the key to snowboard graphics is “just to make good stuff that you and your friends like – and hope somebody else isn’t doing exactly the same thing!”
As the sport we all love has grown up, and the technology in snowboard construction has made riding easier, the graphic designers have developed a medium that we all seem able to read but very few can speak. It is hard to define what makes any given board work, but when it does, its impact can help push the whole sport in a new direction. Whether it is through celebrating our skateboarding roots, or highlighting a board’s new fangled 3D base, a designer’s job isn’t finished when the board leaves the shop floor. If everything falls into place, the stoke that fuelled a purchase will remain, inspiring some kid, somewhere, to try something new. And so it continues.


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This won't come as a surprise to, well, anyone who has spent considerable time on the Web, but a new study found that people act much differently online than offline.
According to eMarketer, which published the report on Monday, "cyberdisinhibition" has caused many Web users to behave much differently online than they would in a typical offline setting. In fact, the market-research firm, which cites findings from Euro RSCG Worldwide, says 43 percent of U.S.-based Web users feel less inhibited online. It also found that "the effect is most prominent among females and users ages 25 to 54."
Of course, being less inhibited online can lead to both positive and negative behaviors. The research firm found that the Web helps 55.6 percent of men and 51.4 percent of women feel more "able to to meet new people." Users are also using the Web to "be empowered to do something they wanted to." The study found that 33.9 percent of male respondents and 29.2 percent of female respondents do things on the Web that they might not otherwise feel able to do offline.
That said, Web users are also more likely to take a company or brand to task online than they would in person. The study found that 24.4 percent of male respondents have "lashed out" at companies on the Internet. Women did it a little less with about 15.8 percent of respondents saying that they had lashed out.
eMarketer's report also highlighted an interesting change in the way people prefer to communicate. A whopping 48.7 percent of respondents said they find electronic communication far more convenient than communicating with others in a face-to-face setting.
From a social perspective, 57.6 percent of respondents said they disagree with the assertion that "online socializing is for sad, antisocial types." Phew. That's how I communicate these days.


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The MEG Foundation submitted the following press release
The MEG Foundation is proud to present the seventh annual Christmas Tree Festival opening on Dec. 2, 2017 and continuing on Dec. 3, Dec. 7, Dec. 8 and Dec. 9. The opening times for all five dates are 3-8 p.m. Admission is free.
You can decorate your tree representing your business or a special theme of your choice. Some participants have decorated trees in memory of a loved one, promoting a cause, or advertising a business. We are available to help you with your design should you require assistance.
Your tree will be on display for two weekends and viewers will have the opportunity to purchase chances in the hopes of being the lucky winner of their favorite choice of tree. Due to its popularity, early registration is encouraged. The deadline for submission is Nov. 17, 2017 and setup for the trees will take place on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26.
On Sunday, Dec. 10, the names of the winners will be announced. Representatives of the MEG will contact them by phone. Pickup time will be on that same day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For further information contact Linda Ross at 781-233-4607 or Kathy Gianetta at 781-231-2842. We look forward to another wonderful and exciting Christmas Tree celebration!


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Apple introduces new iPad
Published: Thursday, March 8, 2012
Updated: Friday, March 9, 2012 16:03
With rumors swirling on the internet about a new iPad, Apple has gone ahead and introduced the new iPad, solely called "iPad."
While Apple hasn't made any drastic changes to the iPad, it did add some new features to keep up with the times; features that will surely please the Apple fanboys.
The big change for the new iPad is its 2,048 x 1,536 screen resolution. The dimensions of the screen remain the same, although the thickness is now 0.37 inches. Everything else on the surface remains the same—home button still on the bottom and sleep/lock button on the top.
Another minor change to the iPad is the new 5 megapixel camera. Apple has also added 1080p video recording. The camera on the back of the iPad remains the same.
For the tech geeks, Apple has upgraded the processor to an A5X. The graphics processor has been bumped up to quad-core while the CPU remains dual-core.
And finally, the iPad will be available in a 4G LTE model. The prices for the 16GB, 32GB and the 64GB are $629, $729 and $829, respectively. The new iPad will be available starting March 16th.
In other Apple news, Apple has released iOS 5.1 update. The update has a few small features such as Japanese language support for Siri, redesigned camera app for the iPad and battery life fixes, among other things.


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Brands are beginning to rely more heavily on digital advertising through mobile to bring people to their stores.» Read More
A list of popular chain stores that are offering discounted or free coffee in honor of National Coffee Day. NBC News Reports.
How advertisers are adapting to the shifting media habits of consumers in the millennial age group. The New York Times reports.
U.S. consumers were a little more optimistic about the economy in September, according to a report released Tuesday.
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn thinks stocks could go down 'a lot more' as the market comes to grips with bubbles exacerbated by the Fed.
U.S. cigarette maker Reynolds American said it would sell the rights to the Natural American Spirit brand to Japan Tobacco for about $5 billion.
Activist investor Carl Icahn raised his stake in liquefied natural gas company Cheniere Energy to 11.43 percent, according to a filing on Monday.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who wants to be the next House speaker, tells CNBC he'd listen to every voice.
The billboard was put up last week and contains silhouettes of people and the words "Tinder, Chlamydia, Grindr, Gonorrhea."
States spend billions to attract and retain businesses and jobs, but a new survey finds small-business owners angry about the subsidies.
The bull run has ended, and the bear market has arrived, technician Carter Worth says.
The daughter of Paul Walker, who died in a car crash involving a Porsche sports car, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the car company.
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio says even though Hillary Clinton is the most prepared to run for president, he's not ready to endorse her.
Biotech stocks have tumbled for seven straight days, and one trader says it could get worse from here.
How to pick the right financial advisor for your needs and goals.
A key indicator is sending a rare and very bearish signal, according to technical analyst Jonathan Krinsky.
Active fund managers are hopeful they'll have a better shot at outperforming passively managed funds in a bad market than in a good one.
Making a glass of Coke at home will soon be possible, if you don't mind paying more than $300 for a machine that sits on your kitchen countertop.
The drumbeat of market pros that say the market is already in the clutches of the bear is getting louder, USA Today reports.
S&P/Case-Shiller's 20-City Index jumped 5 percent in July, roughly in line with analyst estimates for a 5.1 percent increase.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about social media and his goals for developing India's tech economy. The AP reports.
Get the best of CNBC in your inbox
For this holiday season, gadgets are still considered popular gifts. A look at 10 gifts for gadget lovers.
Experts contend that when planned properly, consumers can still snag big savings on Black Friday.
Manhattan caterer Great Performances and The Salvation Army set out to feed New York's needy this Thanksgiving.
"Mad Money" host Jim Cramer shares his money managing tips to help investors create a winning portfolio.
Cramer says that while foreign exposure in your portfolio is important, it pays to look at stocks in secure geographies.
Mad Money host Jim Cramer says it's a necessity to own something speculative in your portfolio, as long as you follow his rules.


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Sony expects Gran Turismo 5 to be a key driver for PS3 hardware sales in the run up to Christmas.
That's according to Sony UK's head of PR David Wilson, who says the racing sim tops off "one of the strongest years in recent memory".
"2010 has been one of the strongest years in recent memory for quality game releases, and we have culminated the year with the launch of Gran Turismo 5," Wilson told MCV.
"GT5 has been in the making for five years and we believe that it will serve as a true driver of new console purchases. We know it has been a long wait, but we genuinely believe that fans of Gran Turismo will not be disappointed," he added.
"We are confident that Gran Turismo 5 will do great business between launch and Christmas," said Wilson.
GT5's excruciatingly long development time was a sore point for eager fans, but now the game's out Sony funnily touts it as a selling-point. "With five years of development behind it, Gran Turismo 5 will be on top of many gamers' wish lists," Wilson said.
Check out CVG's Gran Turismo 5 review here.


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Australia's dairy industry is characterised by big power imbalances, with supermarket retailers at the top and farmers at the bottom, disadvantaged by weak negotiating positions and high exposure to risk, the ACCC says.
The competition watchdog has called for a new mandatory code of conduct for the industry, while its 18-month investigation has made a number of surprising findings.
* ON SUPERMARKETS: "Supermarkets use their strong bargaining position to negotiate low wholesale prices and reduce the profit margins of processors.
* ON $1 MILK: "Many farmers believe that the major supermarkets pricing their milk at $1 per litre devalues the work they, their families and staff do to consistently produce high quality milk."
"The ACCC did not obtain any evidence that supermarket pricing, including $1 per litre milk, has a direct impact on farmgate prices."
* ON PROCESSORS: "Processors that are able to supply both export and domestic markets can mitigate their exposure to supermarkets' bargaining power to some extent by adjusting the focus of their businesses on different markets as needed."
* ON FARMERS: "Most dairy farmers have little bargaining power and limited scope to reposition their businesses."
* ON NEGOTIATING: "The generic and perishable nature of raw milk, and large number of farmers relative to processors, means that effective contract negotiations between most individual farmers and processors are unlikely to occur."
* ON CONSUMERS: Retail milk prices have fallen since dairy industry deregulation in 2000, and private label milk prices have dropped another 12 per cent since 2011.
"Consumers have benefitted from the lower real retail prices of a range of other dairy products including cream, UHT milk and a number of cheese products over the past eight years," the ACCC says.


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The recent battle between YouTube and Twitch has highlighted just how popular online gaming and streaming are. However, gamers are still at the mercy of large companies to participate, but now it doesn’t have to be this way. Hyperchain X is out to become the next chosen platform for gamers using blockchain. Along with the network’s digital currency HYPER, this could be beneficial for enthusiasts and investors alike. Let’s see if and how this is possible.
More about Hyperchain X
Blockchain has certainly revolutionized many industries including online gaming. As such, a number of crypto projects have been created to enable gaming on the blockchain. However, Hyperchain X is the first one to be fully community-driven and launched on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) as a BEP-20 token.
It was launched on 2 April 2021 by Joshua Bruers (Josh Quantum) and Boy Dennis Hilling (Ninja Krypto). A number of advisors are also part of the team including Derek Tran who has a lot of experience in software development after working on various projects for Google, Samsung, etc.
Since then the price of HYPER has more than tripled in value on CoinMarketCap. This has been thanks to a number of strides made by the project including the launch of the website, release of its whitepaper and being listed on PancakeSwap. The network has also been audited by Techrate to prove that it is fully functional and secure.
What it does
The main goal of Hyperchain X is to provide a decentralized platform for gamers. On the platform, players will be able to play against each other and join tournaments where the winner(s) get paid in HYPER. Those games can also be live-streamed and the plays tokenized and sold as NFTs on the NFT marketplace.
Across the platform, HYPER will be the native currency for all transactions. It can be only bought through PancakeSwap and is yet to be listed on any major crypto exchange. In addition to paying for transactions, investors can also buy HYPER and by doing so help to boost the earnings of users and holders of the coin.
Hyperchain X is fully community-driven. This means that it does not rely on funding from VC firms and institutional investors but instead relies on individual users. An 11% fee is charged for all transactions and then distributed to users already holding HYPER and the rest toward marketing and the liquidity pool. Among the networks used for advertisement is Twitter where you can always find updates on the platform’s progress and Telegram where community members can interact.
Why you should think about investing in HYPER
One of the best things going for Hyperchain X is that it has a strong and reputable team behind the project. A lot of BEP-20 tokens are launched by faceless developers, sometimes being scammers. That is not the case here, and that makes the project safer to invest in. Besides, the smart contracts have already been audited by Techrate.
If you look at the coin’s price chart from Poocoin below, you can see that the coin’s value has steadily gone up ever since its launch. The current market capitalization is nearly $10 million with over 9,000 holders. Although not much compared to the top cryptos, it still represents a lot of acceptance by investors.
That being said, we find that it’s still early to make a huge investment in Hyperchain X. While there is indeed a lot of potential for such an investment, it can be even riskier than investing in other cryptos given the lower market cap and number of holders. If you still choose to make the investment, just be aware of the risk.


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New reports say that sugar is bad for you and artificial sweeteners worse.
We don't care, because we know that coffee is healthy!
At one time, some researchers presumed coffee was bad for one’s health. As a result, there have been numerous studies on coffee consumption, some of which were really looking to find health risks. Good news coffee drinkers – most of the studies not only found little risk, the studies found health benefits!
- Coffee seems to help prevent type II diabetes (OK- not so much if you put four sugars in every cup). The Harvard School of Public Health maintains a longitudinal study that includes tracking coffee consumption. According to doctoral candidate Ming Ding who has worked on the study, “Bioactive compounds in coffee reduce insulin resistance…”. More information on that study here.
- Coffee also has some positive impact on liver disease and reduces the likelihood of developing liver cancer. According to Dr. Carlo La Vecchia,” Our research confirms past claims that coffee is good for your health, and particularly the liver.” Find more about Dr. La Vecchia’s research here.
- It’s good for heart health. In our personal view, if it is good for heart health, it is likely good for brain health. There are numerous studies looking for linkage between coffee drinking habits and heart health. One studyfrom Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Harvard Center for Public Health concluded that drinking two eight-ounce cups a day is associated with a reduced risk of heart failure.
- Regular coffee drinking may help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as reported here.
- And check this out – according to a study performed by the University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center of the Keck School of Medicine, coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer. In fact, Dr. Steven Gruber, MD, PhD, MPH said “We found that drinking coffee is associated with lower risk of colorectal cancer, and the more coffee consumed, the lower the risk". Dr. Gruber was the senior author of the study.
- Best of all, a massive study-over 500,000 participants in 10 Euro countries found that higher coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of premature death from all causes!
We aren’t experts on all of that, but we do know it is our performance-enhancing drug of choice. Best of all, if you buy one of our blends, it’s delicious.
Our small batch coffee is roasted for us by one of the first independent boutique roasters in New England. The founder, Mark Verrochi, was stationed in Seattle while in the Navy, where he witnessed the rise of coffee houses featuring high-quality, fresh-brewed coffee. Returning to New England after his service, he started his own roasting operation to produce gourmet coffee.
We have a growing number of flavors for you to enjoy (and us too; we drink coffee all day).
If you buy two or more bags the shipping cost will make a lot more sense.
Have a cup and rejoice!


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Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) Thursday started on much the same note as its Wednesday ended, with the stock continuing to lose value in premarket action. The start of trading, though, has resulted in some positive development for the company finally, and going along with the optimistic buzz is an analysis from S&P Capital IQ analyst Scott Kessler. Kessler reiterated his Strong Buy rating on Apple stock in a research note that followed Wednesday’s more than six-percent slide for shares.
“Apple was down notably yesterday and is lower again today without any obvious negative news,” Kessler wrote, according to Forbes. “We have noted concerns about competition, China, selling ahead of the possible ‘fiscal cliff,’ and stock-specific technicals. However, we continue to see Apple as a likely standout this holiday shopping season, with a stable of new and what we consider best-in-class products, including the iPhone 5, fourth-generation iPad, and iPad mini.”
Our 20-page proprietary analysis of Apple’s stock is ready. Click here and to get your Cheat Sheet report now!
The recent stock slump has been largely blamed on the growing strength of Apple’s many rivals, both in the global smartphone and tablet market. On Wednesday, some negativity was generated after Nokia (NYSE:NOK) announced a distribution deal with China Mobile (NYSE:CHL). There were also worries that margin requirements for the stock had being pushed up, and that Apple was headed toward a technical death cross, which is reached when a stock’s 50-day simple moving average goes below its 200-day SMA.
Kessler was not worried. “We also think Apple could more proactively leverage its $122 billion in cash/investments,” he added. “We see the recent sell-off as an enhanced buying opportunity.”
Don’t Miss: Apple Just Can’t Get This Monkey Off Its Back.


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A man was sentenced to seven years in prison Thursday after he was convicted of an armed robbery at a Walmart in February that injured a sheriff’s deputy.
Jason Rodger Dubose, 37, was found guilty by a New Hanover County jury on charge of robbery with a dangerous weapon, according to a new release from District Attorney Ben David.
The state’s evidence showed that Dubose walked out of the Walmart with a cart full of household items and clothes without paying, David said. The items totaled $216 in merchandise.
When he was approached by a Walmart Asset Protection Associate, Dubose reportedly pulled out a box cutter and refused to stop. New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Bobby Blackmon happened to be at the department store at the time of the incident, David said. He also approached Dubose and asked him repeatedly to put the weapon down.
Blackmon suffered a puncture wound to his hand while in a scuffle with Dubose, David said. Dubose was detained until Wilmington police arrived to arrest him.
Dubose was previously convicted of two counts of grand larceny, attempted second-degree burglary, financial card theft and shoplifting in South Carolina, as well as misdemeanor larceny in Robeson County, David said.


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Retail & restaurants
Fresh Choice closes last store, but gets fresh chance
- Staff San Francisco Business Times
The salad buffet chain Fresh Choice has closed the last of its stores after failing to appease creditors, but a new version of the restaurant is in the making, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Owner David Boyd has rebranded the concept at two of the chain's locations in an attempt to continue the business.
Boyd opened locations in San Leandro and Cupertino under the name California Fresh and hopes he can open more of the former chain's 30-plus stores under the new name.
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How to get 3D printing from scratch
If you’ve ever wondered how to print your own toys, now you have an answer.
Tech companies are taking pre-orders on a new 3D printer called Tinkercad, which lets users assemble the toy with a 3D scanner and print out a prototype.
The printer costs $100 and is available on Amazon and other online retailers.
You need to buy a “smart kit” that includes the 3D printed parts and instructions for the printer to work, and then get a Tinkercid printer to print them.
The Tinkercads are being sold through 3D Hubs, a maker community that specializes in printing and assembling products.
The Hubs have also launched a campaign for a new printer that they hope will be the best and most affordable option.
3DHubs CEO Mark Gubic said the company had to figure out how to deliver 3D printers to its customers at scale.
“We can do it,” he said.
“That was the key for us.”
Tinkercades will be available on Kickstarter starting on Tuesday.
3DPrint.com CEO Scott Kasten, who was a former Google engineer, said the startup has been working on TinkercAD for a few months.
“If you’re an entrepreneur or an inventor, the ability to get something built in a matter of weeks is just amazing,” he told Recode.
“And it’s not even a toy.”
3Dhubs plans to print Tinkercadas using a printer with an internal laser scanner.
The scanner prints parts at a rate of about one millimeter per minute.
The parts are printed on a special plastic and can then be bent and printed as a single piece.
The idea is that you get a toy that’s durable and lightweight, with the ability for the user to print it again and again.
That way, if someone wants to build a toy with more than one of them, they can do so in the future.
The process is a lot simpler than 3D Printing, which requires the user and their printer to bring together thousands of parts.
3dHubs uses a “mesh” printing technique where parts are layered on top of each other and printed in layers.
The startup says the 3d printer should be able to print a variety of toys, including toy cars, food packaging, and even small-scale 3D-printed sculptures.
The company’s crowdfunding page has more details about the printer, including pricing.
The campaign will be running through Wednesday.
Tinkercaders will cost about $100.
The first Tinkercade prototype was built with parts from a $100 printer.
The third prototype uses parts from another printer and can print for $300.
3-DHub and 3DPrint.com have also set up a special crowdfunding page.
3DTricks founder Ryan McKeown said the process of building the Tinkercadia printer was a bit different than that of 3Dprint.com, which he said had to build the parts and then test them out.
The printing process was much easier for him because he could use a scanner instead of the laser.
3DRocks has also set a page on its site, which is designed for creators and makers to make their own Tinkercadian toys.
3DAusts founder Adam Johnson said 3DDRocks will offer the first TinkerCades to users for $250, which will go toward the startup’s funding.
He said he’s also planning to start selling Tinkercada models at his own company.
3DFiles has already started selling the TinkerCad to users.
3DExpress CEO Alex Siegel told Recune that he plans to start producing Tinkercadic toys with 3DMaker, a new startup that specializes at printing 3D models.
3DOXY is also working on its own TinkerCader printer.
3DIosco CEO James Fong said the printer is “probably going to be the cheapest,” with a price point of about $150.
“You can get a printer for $20 to $30,” he added.
Fong is also looking at getting more Tinkercados into the hands of kids and other groups.
3DLoads CEO Mike Rennie said the goal is to get a few dozen Tinkercader models into the homes of people around the world, but the company doesn’t expect to have the numbers to mass-produce a million Tinkercaden models in a year.
Renny said the price point for Tinkercaddy printers will depend on the availability of Tinkercadias in certain parts of the world.
3DKraft has launched a new Kickstarter campaign to raise $50,000 for 3D hub, 3DDCubed, and 3DPower, a startup that’s been working to democratize 3D production.
The crowdfunding page says the company plans to sell Tinkercadalas at its stores in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Rippertech, which makes Tinkercading tools, plans to make the toys in China. Tinker


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The second edition of Argentina’s Excopesca 2009 was opened this week at the Mar del Plata Exposition Centre. The international fishing and aquaculture industry event set to run through Saturday has attracted some 100 exhibitors representing the entire fishing industry chain of value: catch, processing, cold storage and logistics plus other sectors linked to the industry.
The inauguration ceremony was chaired by the governor of the Buenos Aires province, Daniel Scioli; Mar del Plata mayor Gustavo Pulti; the event’s manager, Alexander Clot and the president of Fundación ExportAr, Martin Elizondo, among other officials and executives.
Scioli stressed the importance of giving continuity to Expopesca within the context of the economic crisis impacting the fishing industry as a whole.
“Events like these require Argentina to continue growing and increase its production. Because of the crisis, some told us they had doubts, but we need Expopesca, now more than ever,” the Buenos Aires governor affirmed.
In addition, he pointed out the business opportunities that can arise during the fair that will see executives from Brazil, Korea, Ghana and other countries to network with their Argentine counterparts.
Elizondo said it was a privilege for Fundacion ExportAr to endorse Expopesca’s development. “We have summoned executives from different parts of the world to meet with about thirty local business owners. In spite of the crisis, there are many opportunities for growth”.
The exhibit has been organised by two of Argentina's leading media organizations, Clarin and La Nacion together with an expert team that specializes in fairs and internationally renowned events.
“The start of last year was incredible. I adore this exhibition. It would be great if everyone supported this national event we are undertaking; it is important. All in all, Expopesca is giving us a good opportunity to meet with business people and network with our suppliers. This is always a good idea,” said Jose Moscuzza head of one of Argentina’s main cold storage companies.
“This is a very complicated year; nevertheless, we shouldn’t complain and, yes, get to work, to continue struggling and fighting. Today the market is very stable, [for] demand is low. For now, we are hoping the storm to die down. The major international financial crisis is affecting our products’ buyer countries like Spain, Italy, Portugal and others,” he concluded.
The event also features business rounds, international conferences, dynamic exhibition spaces, a gastronomic sector, sport fishing area and a gastronomic competition in three categories: sea fish, river fish and shellfish.
In the framework of the fair Fundacion ExportAr has organized the second International Round Buyers of the Fishing Industry, Fish-sourced Foods and their Derivatives. The round of business dealing is being held between Argentine companies involved in fishing, processing and cold storage.
Companies present at the expo include, Korea Tsukuji Korea CO. LTD (Korea), Finetec Cold Storage Corporation (Korea), Aquabarna SL (Spain), Jeronimo Martins SA (Brazil/Portugal), SC Foods CO LTD (Japan) and Fasonhog (Ghana).
The conference agenda will cover the following subjects: Technologies applied to fishing control; Financing tools; The Mar del Plata wholesale fish market project; Commitments in international forums; The state of global markets; The application of illegal fishing regulations; The challenge of traceability within the framework of the imminent change of European Union regulations. (FIS).-


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Samsung captured close to 50 percent smartphone market share in India in 2012, according to a Cyber Media Research report that tracks shipments of most handset vendors operating in the country. According to the report, Samsung had 43.1 percent smartphone market share at the end of 2012, which does not include the Galaxy Note and the Galaxy Note II, which the market research outfit classifies as phablets and does not include in its smartphone shipment numbers. Also Read - Indian smartphone market grew by 10 percent in 2018 as Xiaomi lead the charge: Canalys
Nokia followed Samsung with a low 13.3 percent market share, with Sony displacing BlackBerry for the third spot at 8.2 percent of total smartphone shipments in the year. Nokia, however, surprisingly retained its overall numero uno position in the handset market with its 21.8 percent market share of overall shipments, followed by Samsung at 13.7 percent and Micromax at 6.6 percent. The report claims that Nokia captured 22.5 percent of overall feature phone shipments. Also Read - Indian government to postpone tariffs on imported smartphone touch panels: Report
Talking about the overall handset market, India still remains a predominantly feature phone market with 206.4 million shipments of feature phones against 15.2 million smartphones, taking the entire market size to 221.6 million units. This is a 20.8 percent growth over 2011. Smartphones, however, outgrew the handset market with shipments increasing by 35.7 percent year-on-year. Also Read - Micromax to foray into South Africa as it looks to boost international operations
Convergence Catalyst, a boutique research and advisory firm, reckons that India’s smartphone market will increase by over 100 percent in 2013, crossing 44 million units by the end of the year. The firm estimates that sub-$200 smartphones will contribute over 60 percent of the smartphone market while Apple and Samsung will be the leading players in the over USD 450 segment with over 80 percent (volume) share between them.


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Scotts Area Large junior Ashlyn Boothby is not the most significant partner off the fresh Crystal Springs Long distance Way when you look at the Belmont, particularly from the temperature.
However, the new cool weather conditions were nearly perfect for the new Falcons’ ace athlete which obtained brand new Department IV competition in 18 minutes, 10.5 moments at that year’s Main Shore Area Long-distance Titles on Late. a dozen.
It failed to precipitation towards Friday but a storm that showed up booming through a few days before the battle aided settle the brand new dust with the way-some other hate regarding the professional athletes.
Scotts Area senior Amber Boothby, a beneficial UC North park to go, got 2nd for the .0, accompanied by freshman Ava (.9) grabbed 8th to aid the brand new Falcons and additionally take the next straight area term which have a get from thirty-five.
To the win, they are going to go back to the newest CIF Condition Long distance Championships at the Woodward Playground for the Fresno towards the Late. 26.
“Our team provides installed loads of works this present year and it is fun observe how it’s settling,” Ashlyn Boothby said. Continue reading


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This Year September 2020, when the Indian government prevented the Pubg Mobile game in India, Studio nCore Pvt Ltd announced a home-grown replacement of the game called ( The Fearless and United Guards ) FAU-G. It is a game that will pay tribute to India’s armed forces, with a focus on soldiers posted at the nation’s borders. Though the nCore Pvt Ltd previously verified that the FAU-G game will be published last week in November but the company has yet not it clarified any proper launch date.
However,nCore Pvt Ltd has tweeted that FAU-G now opens for pre-registration on Google Play Store. FAU-G pre-registration for Android is ready for gamers can not download it yet. Moreover, there is no data on whether or not the game is available for Apple App Store.
A teaser released by developers nCore Games highlighted the events that took place in Galwan-Valley. While the teaser featured a Galwan-Valley map
On the auspicious occasion of Gurupurab, we are starting the pre-registrations of FAU-G: Fearless And United Guards.— nCORE Games (@nCore_games) November 30, 2020
Pre-register and be the first to play the game. #FAUG #BeFearless
Pre-registration link: https://t.co/4TXd1F7g7J@VishalGondal @akshaykumar #happygurupurab
If you are excited to try out the new FAU-G game on your Android smartphone, here’s how you can pre-register for the game:
- Open Google Play Store on your Android device and search for FAU-G. Alternative, you can click on FAU-G Here.
- Now, tap the pre-register option in order to get in the queue.
- Once the game is available, you will get a notification from the Play Store.


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You're looking at the most expensive Ferrari 250 GTO in history.
The highly desirable Ferrari 250 GTO is famous for being the most expensive car to ever sell at auction. Back in 2014, a fetching 1962 example sold for an eye-watering $38 million. However, a very special Ferrari 250 GTO has now sold for more than double that. According to a thread on the Ferrari Chat forum, a Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis number 4153 GT, was recently purchased for $70 million in a private deal, making it the most expensive example to ever be sold.
Leading Ferrari historian, Marcel Massini, confirmed the sale, claiming he expects a model to sell for $100 million within five years. Finished in silver with French tricolore stripes adorning the front, this particular Ferrari 250 GTO has an incredible racing heritage. It first raced at Le Mans in 1963 by its owner Pierre Dumay, where it finished second in class and fourth overall. It was subsequently sold to the Ecurie Francorchamps and the French livery was replaced by a Belgian racing yellow stripe before being brought back in 2015. The car's crowning achievement came in 1964 when it won the gruelling 10-day Tour de France race at the hands of Lucien Bianchi and Georges Berger.
It's competed in just about every form of motorsport, including the Angolan Grand Prix in 1964, and numerous endurance racing, hill-climbing and rallying events in 1965 by Belgian team Ecurie Francorchamps. More recently, 4153 GT made an appearance at the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where we were able to marvel at its beauty up close on the Cartier Lawn. It's had numerous owners from France, Spain and Germany, including Gerard Delgado who raced it in Spain with his friend Eugenio Baturone in 1966-69.
The car's last owner acquired it back in 2003, and the 4153 GT has now been sold to renowned US Ferrari collector and WeatherTech CEO David MacNeil for a record $70 million. MacNeil is renowned in the car-collecting world for his extensive collection of classic and contemporary Ferriaris, including a 250 SWB that won best in class at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este this week. MacNeil loves to publicly display his collection and will likely enter 4153 GT in track events, rallies, and vintage races, so at least we know the most valuable Ferrari 250 GTO in the world probably won't be stored away gathering dust.
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