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Bremen Cotton Exchange says estimates of water used in cotton farming are exaggerated. It says the majority of cotton is irrigated by rain water and that cotton is able to grow in especially dry climates. It is commonly assumed that between 10,000 and 17,000 liters of water are necessary to produce one kilogram of cotton. Bremen Cotton Exchange is out to dispute such claims which are found on the internet, in newspapers and magazines, on radio and television, as well as on social media. The cotton exchange says false information is being reproduced. It points to recent global research by the International Cotton Advisory Committee which shows that producing one kilogram of ginned cotton requires on an average only 1,214 liters of artificial irrigation water worldwide, that 41.3 per cent of the total volume of cotton production does not require artificial irrigation and that 55 per cent of the global cotton growing area is irrigated exclusively by rain.
In recent years, cotton producers in many countries have used modern irrigation systems, which have led to a huge increase in the efficiency of water use. Thus, it is now possible to produce significantly more cotton using less water using computer-controlled sensor technology.


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Usually, we only hear about corporations caving into left-wing demands for sensitivity. Here’s a rarity: a corporation apologizing to critics offended by merchandise featuring murderous Marxist Che Guevara. Good:
Target Corp said on Friday it had pulled a CD carrying case bearing Ernesto “Che” Guevara’s image after an outcry by critics who label the Marxist revolutionary a murderer and totalitarian symbol.
Target had touted a music disc carrying case for Che admirers emblazoned with the Argentine-born guerrilla’s iconic 1960 portrait by Alberto Diaz, or “Korda.” A set of small earphones was superimposed on the image, suggesting he was tuned in to an iPod or other music player.
“It is never our intent to offend any of our guests through the merchandise we carry,” Target said in a statement. “We have made the decision to remove this item from our shelves and we sincerely apologize for any discomfort this situation may have caused our guests.”
Investor’s Business Daily’s always on-target editorial board helped turn up the heat last week:
Target, the retailer that distinguished itself last year by banning Salvation Army bell-ringers, has topped itself this yuletide by selling Che Guevara CD cases for a little tyrant-chic right under your tree.
The big box retailer has jumped onto the Guevara bandwagon, selling the murderous revolutionary’s image as if it had just turned its stores into Marxist rally stalls.
What next? Hitler backpacks? Pol Pot cookware? Pinochet pantyhose? Target gives this monster a pass, while using common sense on almost everything else it sells.
We can only guess it’s because Alberto Korda took one glamorous snapshot of Guevara in 1960 that has delighted leftists and blown around at global anti-American rallies ever since, something Target might do well to consider.
The firm is not immune to trendy leftism. In its Community Giving program, it has given cash to artist Rupert Garcia, whose claim to fame is glorifying Guevara, something noted on Target’s Web site.
All this reflects an indifference to history. For some real market research, Target ought to go to Miami, a shopper haven that is a place of exile for the 20% of Cubans who fled for their lives from Guevara’s communist Cuba.
For them, Guevara was no hip revolutionary with a free spirit wearing earbuds, as the Target CD case shows. He was a psychopath with a central role in Cuba’s 1961 mass executions in the “year of the wall.” Guevara signed at least 600 death warrants and executed children against firing squad walls; he was responsible for at least 2,000 deaths.
After that, the Argentine-born communist organized Cuba’s gulag. His violence was so over the top it scared even Castro, who eventually sent him away to fight mercenary wars in Africa.
Guevara also left a lot to be desired on a personal level, never paying bills, living in houses he confiscated and wearing Gatsby suits and smoking from a cigarette holder as Cubans starved.
Target would be well-advised to yank the Guevara trash from its shelves, melt it down and purchase their buyer some history lessons.
Val at Babablu Blog has some reading recommendations.

domain: news


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- Blockchain Capital has joined the Libra Association as the project’s governance member.
- The investment firm will participate in the project’s decision making.
- The association recently appointed ex HSBC official, James Emmett.
Libra Association, the now-independent member organization overseeing the Facebook-planned Libra token development, is notably becoming active on its mission in the recent days. On Thursday, the non-profit association onboarded an ex HSBC official to lead the initiative forward. Today, it announced Blockchain Capital as its newest governance member.
Blockchain Capital joins Libra Association
The development was confirmed in a press statement published by the association on Friday. Going forward, Blockchain Capital, as a governance member, will participate in the key decision making for the development of both the Libra network and its Reserve. Specifically, the association noted that the company will recommend better ways to ensure the creation of the long-planned Libra payment system.
Also, the Vice Chairman of the Libra Association, Dante Disparte, said:
As a member of the Libra Association, Blockchain Capital brings deep industry insight and a dynamic network of supporters as we work on building a blockchain-based payment system that supports responsible financial services innovation.
Libra project is gaining more ground
Blockchain Capital, the newest governance member of the Libra Association, is notably one of the long-standing investment companies in the cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystem. The venture capital firm has funded more than 80 industry companies, since its inception seven years ago. It reportedly holds investments in digital currency exchange, Coinbase, and Ripple.
Last year, may people had assumed that the Libra project would die-off as several prominent companies like Mastercard, PayPal, etc., began withdrawing from the association suddenly. However, the organization vowed to remain even with 21 company members then. Fast forward to today, the association seems stronger. It recently welcomed three new members, as Cryptopolitan reported.
Meanwhile, the organization has appointed the former HSBC top official, James Emmett, as the managing director of Libra Networks LLC, a company operating under the association. Emmett is to work towards the enhancement of “financial innovation and inclusion and to deliver the operationalization of the network.”


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Never mind Missouri's weed shortage. The industry needs banks
It’s been just over two months since dispensaries started selling recreational marijuana in Missouri and despite shortages, business is booming. Now the industry must grapple with perhaps its biggest hurdle since legalization: banks.
Marijuana is in high demand in the Show-Me State.
Since early February, Missourians have spent over $230 million on marijuana, according to the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association.
MoCann Trade spokesperson Jack Cardetti told Up To Date on Thursday that high demand is contributing to the statewide supply shortage. Plus, state cultivators are only producing at about 40% capacity after overproducing for the medical market by 92,000 pounds in 2022.
“There was a severe oversupply so a lot of cultivators in Missouri shut off rooms and had yet to expand once the vote (to legalizerecreational marijuana) came down in November,” Cardetti said.
But he said the shortage is a short-term problem. The real issue? Banks.
“Things like going to a bank and getting a loan to build out a cultivation facility, that doesn’t happen,” he said.
Because weed is illegal at the federal level, both banks and businesses are under scrutiny to meet regulations. The federal government requires banks to inspect every marijuana facility and licensee, which banks say is a lot of work.
Missouri lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow state agencies, like the Department of Health and Senior Services, to share marijuana licensing information with banks and credit unions so they wouldn't need to duplicate efforts.
“A lot of the normalized banking and investing that would happen in any other billion dollar industry can't happen in the cannabis industry,” Cardetti said.
- Jack Cardetti, spokesperson for the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association


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From creator tools to commercial tools
Photo: Caspar Camille Rubin
Creator tools are taking an evolutionary step toward commercially empowering creators. Live streaming tool Happs’ recent $4.7 million investment is a relatively small yet significant bet that the future of creator tools in live streaming and beyond is not solely in tools designed to create content. It is also in commercial tools designed to create audiences. No channel is building and monetising fandom better than live streaming, and the tools that facilitate this are changing what it means to be both a creator and a fan.
A creator-friendly business model
MIDiA’s research on Twitch’s fandom-building capability showed the potential that live streaming has to create audiences and revenue for streaming. Twitch users spend an average of 15.8 hours a week on the platform, more than double any other platform, and create monetisation opportunities through subscriptions and donations. There are now more opportunities and channels than ever for artists to make a living beyond music streaming. However, developed music markets are still slow to embrace these opportunities when compared to China, the indisputable hub of live streaming.
China lays out the blueprint of what a live streaming creator economy can be. An audience of half a billion is fuelling the rise of live streamers who earn tens of thousands of dollars every month. The infrastructure that has emerged around live streaming is also thriving, with talent agencies Meione and Qianxun planning IPOs having spearheaded the massive growth of e-commerce in live streaming. The focus on live streaming and monetising fandom is driven partly by the struggle to monetise consumption on streaming. While this may not be a problem for the biggest labels in developed markets, it is a situation many artists are all too familiar with.
Creators have found live streaming to be a profitable endeavour that presents a more sustainable business opportunity than streaming. Trivium’s Matt Heafy recently shared how he earns almost as much from Twitch every month as the band makes collectively from all streaming platforms with a quarter of the audience. The next generation of creator tools is not only about creative empowerment; artists are now searching for commercial empowerment, too.
Independent label survey Playing the volume game
This report presents data from the 2023 MIDiA Research Independent Record Label survey The survey was fielded across three months in H1 2023, closing in May2023, with a sample size of 142 Topics covered...Find out more…
Integrating art and commerce
Live streaming and the virtual concert space are fragmented and moving towards a focus on specialisation. Many start-ups emerged last year with professional solutions covering multiple aspects of the value chain. Now clear winners have begun to emerge across infrastructure, with Venew and Maestro who have been backed by UMG and Sony respectively, and production with Driift. The greatest opportunity in live streaming, however, are the tools that make live streaming and its lucrative business model more accessible.
Tools in live streaming range from traditional creator tools hardware such as Roland’s GO: Livecast to back-end streaming software like OBS. Monetisation capabilities have been left to the platforms themselves. What Happs aims to do is monetise within the tool itself: a creator tool and a commercial tool. As creator tools platforms like Bandlab continue to grow, the scene is set for a new wave of integrated commercial capability in the very tools artists create music with.
The future of commercial tools
One of the core challenges with music streaming is its focus on consumption over audience building. Creator tools have facilitated a groundswell of independent creators who have a need to build fandom. Streaming’s playlist-driven consumption has struggled to do this and is not delivering sufficient compensation for independent creators. The tools for live streaming now offer a new way.
Modern creators have an abundance of creator tools and platforms to choose from. What they need are commercial tools. Live streaming offers more than just tools for creation and platforms for consumption. With extensive monetisation capabilities and community-driven focus, it offers tools for building fandom. Social studio platforms are making creation easier and more accessible than ever. Now the time has come to give these creators the tools to make a living.
A music industry driven by live streaming looks very different from the industry that we are currently used to. Making music becomes less output-driven (due to the need to feed platforms content) to something more fandom-driven that helps creators build and connect with audiences. More independent artists using creator tools have worked for platforms and labels in the output-driven industry. It remains to be seen how well it will continue to work when a fandom-driven industry puts commercial tools into the creator’s hands.


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The Market on Melrose is part of a new mixed-use center operated by Goodwill Industries of the Valleys in Virginia. (Image credit: Goodwill Industries of the Valleys website)
Goodwill is getting into groceries in one part of the United States. A local affiliate of the nonprofit known for its retail thrift stores is opening a grocery store in Roanoke, Va.
According to local media reports, the store is called The Market on Melrose and is located at the existing Goodwill Roanoke Jobs Campus at 2502 Melrose Avenue in that city. The supermarket is part of a broader project that includes a community wellness center and adult high school.
Mindy Boyd, COO of Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, told television news outlet WDBJ that the store will be run by that group but the Goodwill name and logo won’t be visible to consumers. “The overall concept here is to provide a full-service grocery store, access to fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, in an area of the city, which is considered a food desert where people don’t have access to these things easily,” she explained, adding that donated foods will not be part of the assortment, compared to Goodwill-run thrift stores that carry things like clothes and furnishings. “All the groceries that come into the grocery store will come in through our wholesaler, but we also hope to offer a local component so local farmers, people who have local items made baked goods are things of that nature that they may want to sell.”
Earlier, Boyd told another local media source that this will be the first full scale grocery store in Goodwill’s national network.
The Melrose Plaza space is expected to open at the end of 2024. In late September, Goodwill Industry of the Valleys reported that the project will break ground within the next few months, now that the group has received rezoning approval and chosen a construction engineering firm. Richmond, Va.-based Kjellstrom + Lee will develop Melrose Plaza.


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Oh, how exchange traded funds have changed. ETFs have evolved from simple securities that track indexes to complicated "smart beta" structures designed to outsmart the index.
"The toolbox of products that are available to investors in the U.S. and Canada have grown phenomenally over the past couple years," says Deborah Fuhr, partner and co-founder of Britain-based ETFGI LLP. Her company researches and consults on a database of 4,700 exchange traded products around the globe with assets topping $1.7-trillion (U.S.).
ETFs have opened up a world of opportunity for retail investors trying to wean themselves off of North American equities and venture into foreign markets - without having to pay huge fees. Ms. Fuhr's advice to investors is to work with their advisers to determine which ETFs will give their portfolios the right amount of exposure to the right geographic regions.
She also suggests subdividing bigger geographic regions such as the United States and Europe based on sector and company size.
In its simplest form, an exchange traded fund tracks an index such as the S&P 500 or Japan's Nikkei. The holdings are market weighted, meaning the ETF holds a portion of a company's shares relative to its market capitalization.
The mother of all global indices is the MSCI ACWI (all country world index). It tracks the biggest companies in the world. Canadians can buy into it like a stock through an iShares fund (XWD), or use the country weightings as a guideline to invest in regions or countries through other ETFs.
There is an ETF for just about every geographic region and sector in the world. Several companies, such as Blackrock iShares and Vanguard, offer ETFs.
That competition has resulted in several exchange traded products that have expanded from the market weighted formula - a term called "smart beta."
"Smart beta is defined as any benchmark that is not market cap weighted," Ms. Fuhr says.
One variation is equal weighted, where every company in an index has the same value in the ETF, giving smaller-cap stocks with more growth potential greater prominence. Other smart beta strategies seek to minimize volatility or focus on criteria more closely tied to the economic fundamentals behind the country or sector.
"The commonality would be that it's taking a market cap benchmark and reorganizing it based on looking at one or a number of factors. The idea is that in many market cycles, these non-market-cap benchmarks do better than market cap," she says.
Much of Chicago-based fund analyst Morningstar's database is devoted to new smart beta ETFs. ETF strategist John Gabriel says they can get complicated and it is important that investors understand what they are getting into. "It's a little bit more homework because you have to understand the methodology."
One methodology gaining popularity is RAFI, which is based on four fundamental factors for selecting companies in an ETF: sales, cash flow, book value and dividends. "They will give each company a weighting according to those four factors. The company gets a weighting equivalent to its economic footprint rather than its market capitalization," he says.
As an example, he says, a smart beta approach could be beneficial in China, where the biggest companies are state owned, and smaller, consumer-related companies with more growth potential hold a bigger stake.
He says smart beta ETFs are in their infancy and comparing them to market weighted ETF performance can be difficult. "The problem with these strategies is that a lot of them are new and are all based on back-tested strategies because they don't have long histories," he says. "The next 10 years could be vastly different."
He also warns about smart beta fees. Standard market weighting ETFs normally carry annual management fees of about half a per cent because they are fairly simple to manage. Smart beta funds are normally much higher, and that could eat into returns.
© 2007 The Globe and Mail. All rights reserved.
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SEGA has announced London 2012: The Official Videogame of the Olympic Games will release on June 29. Developed by Sega Studios Australia, the game features 45 events and will be available on PC, PS3 with support for Move, and Xbox 360 with Kinect support.
Brace yourselves: the Steam Summer Sale has started.
GTA modding tool OpenIV is back online after discussions between Rockstar and parent company Take-Two
OpenIV is back online alongside an updated version, thanks to Rockstar Games having a chat with Take-Two.
Final Fantasy 15 players can look forward to some announcements pertaining to the game in August, says Square.
FIFA executive producer David Rutter has calmed talk of female players being added to the franchise.
The Olympics may be over, but that hasn’t stopped consumers snapping up the game. For a third week, London 2012 is number one.


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Facebook’s shares are skyrocketing in trading this morning, up more than 20% since the company reported its third-quarter earnings last night after the bell.
The actual earnings were a modest beat, but there were a few things worth noting — particularly that Facebook’s News Feed ads are picking up $4 million every day.
Basically, they are advertisements that appear in your News Feed as a sponsored story or post. A huge chunk of that revenue is also coming from mobile, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on the call.
So while Google’s advertising business is starting to show signs of weakness, and its cost-per-click continues to decline, as more users shift to mobile, Facebook basically generated a mobile advertising business out of thin air.


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For the first time ever, Straight Talk Wireless now has more subscribers than all other Tracfone brands combined, excluding SafeLink. SafeLink is a notable exclusion because it is part of the government-funded Lifeline program that helps low-income consumers get discounted phone service.
Straight Talk Wireless's subscriber count currently sits at 9.382 million as reported in América Móvil's 2019 quarter 4 earnings report. That's a gain of 75,000 subscribers compared to quarter 3. The subscriber count for all other non-SafeLink brands totals 9.321 million down about 200,000 from the prior quarter.
América Móvil is the conglomerate behind Tracfone and its associated brands which also include NET10 Wireless, Simple Mobile, Total Wireless, Walmart Family Mobile, and several other smaller brands. The company overall has seen its US subscriber base shrink for at least the last 8 consecutive quarters as tracked by Wave7 Research. The total subscriber count for all brands stands at 20.9 million down from 21.2 million in quarter 3. While the subscriber count has been declining, revenues and ARPU's (average revenue per user) year over year have increased. América Móvil attributes those improvements to its bottom line due to subscribers shifting towards its higher spend brands which include Straight Talk and Total Wireless. The company's improved ARPU was also helped by the loss of 700,000 low-margin ARPU SafeLink subscribers year over year.
Straight Talk Is The Largest MVNO Brand In The USA
Most MVNO brands do not disclose their subscriber counts. Of the brands that do, with over 9.3 million subscribers Straight Talk Wireless is the largest in the USA. The next largest non-Tracfone related brand is Consumer Cellular with 3.75 million customers. To put that more into perspective, Straight Talk Wireless is also one of the largest prepaid brands in the USA falling just below a couple of carrier prepaid brands.
Sprint's Boost Mobile brand only holds over 8 million subscribers. AT&T's Cricket Wireless boasted of having 10 million+ subscribers last year while T-Mobile says its prepaid brands which include T-Mobile Prepaid and Metro By-T-Mobile total over 20 million subscribers. A majority of those subscribers are with Metro By-T-Mobile. Verizon's prepaid brand Visible was launched less than two years ago and likely only has a small subscriber base given Verizon's lack of marketing of the brand.
Why Is Straight Talk Wireless Such A Success?
Straight Talk Wireless's success can likely be attributed to the brand's relationship with Walmart. Walmart is Straight Talk's exclusive retail partner. The brand is heavily marketed inside the store with advertisements frequently being displayed on the store's televisions. Big displays like the one pictured above can also readily be found within Walmart's electronics department. Straight Talk also provides a more affordable option for customers seeking service on the Verizon network compared to subscribing to Verizon directly. Verizon Wireless plans are sold at Walmart too.
Besides having the in-store partnership with a major retailer, Straight Talk's success can also be attributed to the money it spends on marketing. The MVNO is constantly churning out new commercials for both TV and radio that air nationally. One of the latest commercials airing on a TV near you can be seen below.


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25 April 2013 12:48 [Source: ICIS news]
LONDON (ICIS)--Dow Chemical’s first-quarter 2013 net income rose by 27% year on year to $660m (€508m) despite a fall in sales, partly because of stronger pricing actions, the US-headquartered chemicals major said on Thursday.
Dow reported sales of $14.4bn in the first quarter of 2013, down 2% versus the year-ago period, as volumes fell by 3% year on year.
Excluding the impact of the company’s Feedstocks and Energy operating segment, sales were flat, Dow added.
Andrew Liveris, Dow’s chairman and CEO, said: “Our performance this quarter demonstrates our team’s continuing determination to deliver earnings growth, despite ongoing uncertainties in the global economy.
“We are aggressively managing our businesses and driving near-term execution measures – demonstrated by this quarter’s marked improvement in both margins and profitability.”
Dow’s reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was $2.22bn, up from $1.71bn in the year-ago period.
EBITDA increased in most of Dow’s operating segments, led by its Performance Plastics business, it added.
($1 = €0.77)
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Fischer Verlag’s sales of The Sprite Sisters in Germany – known there as Vier Zauberhafte Schwestern – have reached half a million. Volume 9 in the series will be published in August 2016 and the first prequel story in Spring 2017. My thanks to Fischer!
NEWS & EVENTS
- THE MAGIC OF WATCHING MY SISTERS COME ALIVE ON FILM August 16, 2018
- SPRITE MAGIC – NATIONAL CENTRE FOR WRITING August 8, 2018
- THE SPRITES SISTERS FILM GOES INTO PRODUCTION IN GERMANY IN JUNE May 24, 2018
- MARINA’S STORY PUBLISHED BY FISCHER KJB March 19, 2018


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The White House has teamed up with Amazon to make President Obama’s final State of the Union (SOTU) address more accessible to the people. On Tuesday, not only will the President’s address will be available to stream on-demand through Amazon Video, but the speech will be made available across all devices, however people want to view it.
You can also watch the SOTU live on your Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick through Amazon Video.
For the technologically savvy Obama Administration, the addition of Amazon to the SOTU media mix shows that the executive branch is looking at the various ways people are consuming media. Not surprisingly, we’re no longer glued to our television sets, but are rather viewing content on our smartphones or on the Internet when we want it, not when it’s convenient for the government or the media companies.
“We’ll be reaching people where they are — and making it possible for them to engage, respond, and share the President’s speech themselves in new and different ways,” wrote Jason Goldman, the White House’s chief digital officer.
The SOTU is already livestreamed on the White House’s YouTube channel, and the Administration includes an “enhanced” address, meaning that you’re able to view slides that accompany Obama’s remarks.
Amazon will not only offer this year’s SOTU, but also Obama’s previous SOTUs on its Amazon Video platform. This partnership was created through the White House’s Office of Digital Strategy, which is run by Goldman. But Goldman’s team isn’t stopping with the online retailer in its efforts to make the SOTU more appealing to the American public. It’s working with Genius to ensure that all of Obama’s addresses are annotated.
Goldman is reassuring everyone that his team will continue to publish video excerpts of the speech in real time across Facebook and Twitter, while also posting live GIFs, Vine videos, and Instagram photos. “We believe that by ‘broadcasting’ the State of the Union across social media and streaming video platforms we are helping American citizens connect to the government that serves them,” he explained.
Updated on Monday at 10:37 a.m. PT: The post has been updated to reflect that President Obama’s State of the Union address will also be streamed on Amazon’s Fire TV and Fire TV Stick.


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Playstudios, a game development company focusing on free-to-play casino games, has launched Pandarama, the newest add-on to its Myvegas Facebook application.
The new title features a band of colorful, crime-fighting pandas that safeguard the riches of a magical city. The game provides Myvegas Facebook fans with a new way to play and earn rewards from some of the hottest resorts in Las Vegas.
Additionally, Playstudios brings its Facebook game, Reel Chef, to its mobile platform. In the new small screen version, players are treated to the return of Chef Risottolini and the Pizza Wheel Challenge, plus a new Free Spin Bonus Game.
[ Also Read: Moms Demand Action to End Gun Sales on Facebook ]
“We are committed to delivering our players the richest and most entertaining social gaming experiences available,” said Andrew Pascal, founder, president and chief executive officer of Playstudios. “Our newest game, Pandarama, packs a powerful punch with its bold, colorful graphics and two great new bonus features.”
Reel Chef also becomes available to Myvegas mobile players on iOS, Android, and Kindle devices.
Myvegas is free to play and currently available on iOS, Android, and Kindle mobile devices, as well as on Facebook.
Myvegas is claimed to be the only social casino app that gives players a chance to earn real world rewards from an exclusive collection of travel, leisure, and entertainment brands. Rewards include complimentary hotels stays, meals, shows, nightclub access, and more.
You can play Myvegas on Facebook.


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By PARIS WOLFE
In a perfect world, we would eat right, exercise and have perfect health. The people at Heinen’s are working to make that easier for all of us in their grocery stores.
In January 2022, the local chain of 23 grocery stores introduced a new Personalized Nutrition Center (PNC) in its Mayfield Village store. The center is like a medical office in a grocery store, only better. Instead of treating disease, the medical staff and dietitians identify personal health needs and “prescribe” actions, including food, supplements, and vitamin therapies, to improve energy and wellness. The goal is to help shoppers maintain and improve health.
The PNC is the brainchild of Todd Pesek, MD, Heinen’s Chief Medical Officer, and Chris Foltz, Heinen’s Chief Innovation Officer.They brought the merits of this approach to owners Tom and Jeff Heinen who agree that the grocery store is the pharmacy of the future.
“This is the future of medicine,” says Pesek. “It’s both revolutionary and commonsensical to have a doctor in a grocery store.” Pesek is also founder of the 15-year-old local, integrative medicine practice VitalHealth Partners in Willoughby Hills and Westlake.
The PNC offers a fee-based VitalHealth Optimization Package which culminates with action points tailored to the individual. These are based on a panel of propriety blood and urine tests developed in collaboration with Cleveland HeartLab. They offer biomarkers that predict cardiovascular risk and inflammation among other things.
The panel assesses key indicators in immune, digestive, and cardiovascular health.The results, such as heart healthmetrics, are discussed with Pesek or an associate during a personal consultation. For most people the next step is to spend some time with Heinen’s Chief Registered Dietitian Melanie Jatsek or an associate. Together these experts will recommend whole food, whole food supplements, and perhaps vitamin therapies to improve health from the inside out.
Pesek notes, “Although there are many drivers of disease, approximately 20 percent of factors drive 80 percent of disease. We want to address that 80 percent with minimal effort and maximum outcome, so we focus on three critical systems: immune, digestive, and cardiovascular.”
The tests help assess these key systems, so the experts can make targeted recommendations.
Jamie Cole, Club Fx Manager, says, “This proprietary blood panel comes at a time when people are highly concerned about their health and often feel they have no control. This provides them a sense of control.”
Club Fx is a free program for Heinen’s Tasteful Rewards members. It offers education and support through email communication to inspire customers to optimize their health. The PNC enhances the program.
“Food is so habitual,” says Cole. “It’s hard to make change, but if you knew there were things you could substitute and be healthier, wouldn’t you want to do that?”
In the spirit of Hippocrates, Pesek says, “We know that food is medicine. That means the grocery store is the pharmacy of the future. We offer personalized nutrition recommendations that are rooted in nature and grounded in science. Our individualized programs are designed by clinical experts who understand what nutrients the body needs for long-term health and wellness.”
“We take a tailored approach based on biometrics,” says Pesek. “We empower individuals to take action using evidence-based results.”
Some folks identify increased heart risk factors, while others discover a dietary reason underlying chronic fatigue. Both can be addressed with diet and supplementation.
For many people vitamin D levels are low. This can be remedied with supplementation, says Pesek. “Vitamin D is responsible for our basic functioning with roles not only in immune strength but also prevention and memory, cognition, and sleep,” he explains.
“We know that in addition to the classic bone strength and health benefits – the prevention of brittle, weak bones or osteoporosis – vitamin D has also been linked to the prevention of various cancers, diabetes type 1 and type 2, hypertension, chronic pain and multiple sclerosis.”
And the list goes on. “Additionally,” he says, “Vitamin D helps support the immune system in fighting off infections. So, the next time you are thinking about immune system support through cold and flu season, be sure your D is optimal. Supplementation with a high-quality, whole-foods vitamin D supplement can address this.”
Tom Heinen is a supporter and a user of the new program. In fact, in October 2020 he had his first VitalHealth Optimization Panel drawn. “It showed a number of things including a low vitamin D level and a marker that indicates a higher risk for a heart attack or stroke,” he says. He chose to modify his diet as well as add whole-food-based dietary supplements and advanced vitamin therapies. “In January 2022 there was significant improvement including reduced risk for heart attack and stroke. In addition, my vitamin D level is now optimal, and I noticed improvements in energy, mental clarity and mood.”
Services are available by appointment only. For more information visit, www.heinens.com/personalized-nutrition-center-by-heinens/.
Food as Medicine – Heinen’s offers new Personalized Nutrition Center
By PARIS WOLFE


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The following article by Voice of America was originally published in the Uzbek language and is available here.
The translation into English follows:
"While the delegation headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov visited Washington yesterday, U.S. activists held a protest in front of the Uzbek Embassy.
Coalition of dozens of organizations and companies for several years trying to draw international attention to the problem of child exploitation in the cotton fields of Uzbekistan.
According to the representative of the American Federation of Teachers, the Coalition is concerned about the state-sponsored exploitation of the population.
"We want to draw attention to the fact that the forced labor of children is organized by the state. In the development of cotton production, the government forces officials, teachers, children, citizens, like slaves to go to the fields. Private business is also involved in the forced labour. Uzbekistan is different in that it is state-sponsored exploitation," said Abby Mills.
Coalition members came with placards to the Uzbek Embassy. Two people were kept out of the Uzbek cotton fabric embroidered with images of children working in the fields.
According to the international coalition in the last season, despite promises, Uzbek government again sent the children to pick cotton, although in smaller numbers. Coalition demand Tashkent to allow representatives of the International Labour Organization to assess the situation during the upcoming cotton season.
To date, 130 companies reported that exclude Uzbek cotton from their products. That's 50 companies more than last year.
As a result, the South Korean company Daewoo, working in the textile industry of Uzbekistan, which has three factories and clothing stores around the world have lost the cooperation with some major apparel manufacturers.
"Our campaign has increased from year to year and it seems Uzbek government listen our demands. The was less children in the fields, but they have been replaced with older children and adults. But it is also compulsory practice. We demand to stop it completely," said the head of the International Labor Rights Forum Judy Gearhart.
Protesters taking the opportunity of the visit of Uzbek Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulaziz Kamilov in Washington intended to deliver a letter, but no one came out from the embassy to get it."


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Nike sneaks into Wal-Mart sans swoosh
Premium brand will call its discount product 'Starters'
Updated 10:00 pm, Thursday, April 14, 2005
VANCOUVER, Wash. -- After long arguing that its brand would be devalued if it sold in discount chains, Nike Inc. has made it to Wal-Mart Stores. But you won't find its trademark swoosh anywhere.
Customers at more than 400 Wal-Mart stores nationwide can buy a pair of $37.64 Starter sneakers engineered by Nike and introduced last month. The world's largest maker of athletic apparel bought the Starter brand last year with the specific aim of entering the value end of the retail business.
Consumers bought about $1.5 billion worth of athletic shoes at discount stores last year -- a market Nike has been yearning to tap, since it makes up the bulk of unit sales. Seventy percent of the athletic footwear sold in the United States in 2003 cost less than $45, according to market research from NPD Group cited by Nike.
The sneaker maker wanted a piece of the market, but feared jeopardizing the cachet of its core brand, said Scott Olivet, senior vice president of Nike subsidiaries and new business development.
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"Nike's positioning is really as a premium performance brand," Olivet said. "And what you always worry about with a brand is extending it too far."
The Starter brand, which Nike acquired in August for $43 million, has a working-class image and has been one of the top-selling sneaker brands in Wal-Mart since 2000, when the partnership began. Its shoes sell for around $20, an average price for discount stores.
The Nike-engineered Starter sneakers, which sport a sleeker design, sell for nearly $40 -- far below the $110 tag for a top-of-the-line Nike shoe. But at nearly twice the cost of the sneakers just down the aisle, the new Starter shoe is scraping the ceiling of what many budget-conscious customers are willing to pay.
"Price is very important to me because I'm a tightwad," said Pamela Anderson, 50, of Camas, who bought a pair of the new Starter sneakers for her 17-year-old son at a Wal-Mart in Vancouver.
Revamping the shoe and then offering it at the highest price the value market will bear is vintage Nike, said analyst Jamelah Leddy, who tracks the company for Seattle-based McAdams Wright Ragen.
"It's fairly consistent with the Nike image. They're going to be the best in their class, regardless of whether they're competing in high-end fashion on Madison Avenue or in Wal-Mart," Leddy said.
Olivet said the company is "really pushing it" by offering the shoe at close to $40.
But Olivet said he and others at Nike spent nearly three years studying the discount world. One of the dynamics they discovered is what he calls the "BMW in the Target parking lot" phenomenon.
Discount shoppers are evolving, a change that is mirrored in the discount chains' merchandise, he said. For instance, the Wal-Mart in Vancouver sells a 14-carat white gold ring for $589 and a 52-inch high definition TV for $1,586.
That change signaled to Nike that there was room to introduce improved products such as the Starter shoe and sell them in the higher price bracket, Olivet said.
That said, Nike is adamant that the products it will offer in Wal-Mart -- as well as at Kmart, Payless ShoeSource, Target and other discounters in coming years -- always will be swooshless. By buying Starter's parent company, Nike also took on the Shaq and Dunkman shoe brands, sold at Target. It plans more discount shoe offerings in coming years, as well as apparel and equipment made specifically for the value chains.
"It's a very funny thing," said Mary Gleason, the president of the Exeter Brands Group, a Nike subsidiary and parent of the Starter and Shaq brands. "You can buy a Pepsi at the Four Seasons for $4 and you can pay $4 for a Pepsi six-pack at Wal-Mart. But when you cross the aisle and get to something personal, it's very different. You have luxury brands, and you have those brands that only sell in the discount (market)," she said.
"The Nike brand just does not belong in the discount channel."


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A ruling in favor of Google after 8 years of litigation about Google Books since it “has become such an important tool for researchers and librarians that it has been integrated into the educational system — it is taught as part of the information literacy curriculum to students at all levels.” On November 14, 2013 US Circuit Judge Denny Chen (Second Circuit) granted Google’s motion for summary judgment which included the following:
…Google is entitled to summary judgment with respect to plaintiffs’ claims based on the copies of scanned books made available to libraries. Even assuming plaintiffs have demonstrated a prima facie case of copyright infringement, Google’s actions constitute fair use here as well. Google provides the libraries with the technological means to make digital copies of books that they already own. The purpose of the library copies is to advance the libraries’ lawful uses of the digitized books consistent with the copyright law.
The Order also includes this description of Google Books:
All types of books are encompassed, including novels, biographies, children’s books, reference works, textbooks, instruction manuals, treatises, dictionaries, cookbooks, poetry books, and memoirs.
Some 93% of the books are non-fiction while approximately 7% are fiction.
This ruling may be appealed, but as it stand now Google won a major victory for Internet consumers who rely on Google Books.
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Yuga Vows 'Slow and Thoughtful' Approach to Reviving CryptoPunks
Arrival of Christie's Noah Davis Marks New Phase for OG NFT Collection
By: Jason Levin •NFT News
CryptoPunks are done playing second string.
That’s the upshot of the news that Yuga Labs, the NFT studio that manages the CryptoPunks collection as well as the blockbuster Bored Ape Yacht Club franchise, has poached Noah Davis from Christie’s as a brand lead for the punks.
Davis, who coordinated the $69M sale of Beeple’s NFT piece “Everydays — the First 5,000 Days” last year, is expected to rejuvenate a collection that blazed the trail for the NFT revolution. Lately, it’s been eclipsed by BAYC and its spinoffs, which have caught fire with celebrities such as Tom Brady and Jimmy Fallon and NFT collectors alike.
Straight away, Yuga Labs plans to turn over intellectual property rights to Punks-holders, said co-founder Wylie Aronow in a tweet. Yuga did the same with BAYC and the move has spawned derivative projects, most notably an upcoming book by Jenkins the Valet and Seth Green’s upcoming TV show. Maybe the same thing will happen with the Punks.
“We’re committed to a slow and thoughtful approach to Punks that takes into account the community’s involvement and support,” Aronow said.
CryptoPunks were the first 10,000 profile-picture NFT collection. It picked up steam during the NFT mania of 2021 and gained legendary status when CryptoPunk #5822 sold for $23M in February. Punks have recorded more than 936,000 ETH in trading volume and hover around a $90 to $100,000 floor price.
Noah Davis’ profile pic.
As a former head of Christie’s digital arm, Davis has been steeped in the luxe end of the NFT scene. Davis fielded requests from NFT artists and collectors and helped select which would hit the block at the fabled auction house. He was careful to sift through Discords to see if projects had a strong community.
Right off the bat, Davis vowed not to tarnish the CryptoPunks image with crass commercialization. “I WILL NOT F@&K WITH THE PUNKS,” he tweeted. “What does that mean? It means no Punks on lunchboxes or cringe TV shows/shitty movies. It means no arbitrary rushed utility or thoughtless airdrops.”
His first task at hand will be getting Punks out from under the Apes’ shadow. When Yuga executed its recent Othersides mint, Apes were prioritized over Punks for land plots. ApeFest is partying on simultaneously to NFT.NYC this week.
By bringing Davis on board, Yuga appears to be trying to reassure collectors that CryptoPunks are about to receive a new wave of support.


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LaRose: Ohio shatters record for new businesses created in a year
Published 1:57 am Saturday, January 23, 2021
COLUMBUS — In December, 13,735 new business filings were filed to the Ohio Secretary of State Business Services Division.
With the 2020 numbers now final, Ohioans have created a new record of 171,073 new business filings, surpassing 2019’s record of 130,621 new business filings.
“When this pandemic began, a lot of us thought we were going to see a drop off in new business formation,” LaRose said. “Who would be so courageous and so bold as to go out there and start a small business amidst all of this uncertainty? Well the answer is — Ohio entrepreneurs are.”
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LaRose said entrepreneuers are “doing what they do best.”
“Finding ways to creatively serve a need in the free market, and we’ve been happy to be ready to help them get their filing done,” he said.
Last month’s new filings are a 51 percent increase from December 2019’s number of 9,071 new filings. Overall, total new business filings were 31 percent higher in 2020, as compared to the previous record in 2019.
LaRose’s office said those looking to start a new business can take advantage of quick and easy online filing through Ohio Business Central by visiting OhioBusinessCentral.gov.


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Sustainability is among the largest movements in the last 20 years and on its way to becoming mainstream. For those willing to proactively invest the time and energy, significant opportunity exists, according to Bob Langert, who led McDonald's corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability effort for 27 years and served as the fast-food giant's first vice president of CSR and sustainability.
In his new book, The Battle to Do Good: Inside McDonald's Sustainability Journey, Langert provides behind-the-scenes, real-life stories from his experiences at the Golden Arches. He wrote the book to help companies and organizations better shape their own strategies and connect with activists, advocates, consumers and society in general.
At a time when too many within the food and agriculture sector are sitting on the sidelines or simply playing defense, Langert believes the strategies he outlines will go far in helping others build successful CSR and sustainability standards as well as better manage emerging issues ahead of a crisis.
“It really is so much more about opportunity than about risk,” Langert told Feedstuffs in a recent interview. He explained that when a business proactively defines sustainability, it is good for business, sales, the brand, expense control and even employee satisfaction and recruitment.
Companies and organizations that step up now to define sustainability the way they want it defined and then make it a core part of how they do business are the ones that will benefit most, according to Langert. He noted, though, that it must be treated as a “high-level corporate strategy and not just a side thing kept in a drawer.”
Langert said gone, too, are the days when one could just say they are sustainable. Now, it has be proven. For companies, organizations and even individual producers, that means being on a path of continuous improvement for the betterment of the people, planet, animals and profit as well as measuring and communicating about progress in a fully transparent way, he said.
Langert and the team that developed CSR and sustainability strategy at McDonald's took on such issues as climate change, animal rights, obesity, sourcing practices and deforestation — all highly charged and emotional in their own right. Being in the forefront in the corporate world to openly approach these issues, much learning and adjusting of tactics took place along the way. “Could we have done things differently? Most definitely,” Langert said, pointing out that is one of the reasons for his book — to help others best traverse their own sustainability journey.
A current topic Langert believes needs addressing by the food and agriculture sectors is antibiotic use in food animals. “Honestly, I don't think retail companies, in general, are all that anxious to develop farm and animal policy on their own,” he said, adding that most would prefer having it done in more of a collaborative process that involves stakeholders from all sides and that develops related standards and metrics for measuring progress.
Langert also noted that when it comes to connecting with others on sustainability issues, it is a mistake to think the problem is simply communication; these are not things that can simply be countered by “telling the story.” Langert believes that approach is all wrong.
“First of all, it should never be about 'telling'; it should always be about sharing. Telling is the old-fashioned approach — a one-way communication where I'm going to convince you that my way is right. It really has to be a two-way dialogue done humbly and honestly. That, along with a strategic framework backed up by goals, metrics and transparency, is what gives an organization permission to share its story of sustainability,” he said.
Companies and organizations in the food chain that are not openly sharing their story and playing offense on the important issues are missing out.
“For some reason, people are afraid to make moves. They are afraid for all kinds of reasons: the issues are complicated, they are afraid if they do things they will get criticized, it takes extra effort, and they do have to know more things. The list goes on and on as to why people are afraid to be proactive,” Langert said.
Yet, not being proactive only serves to allow others to define the game, but they may not share your same definition of sustainability. That being so, “they then become the ones that define your brand as well as shape the issues,” Langert said.
“It just baffles me why companies and organizations are still sitting on the fence. The answer is so obvious. It is like having a gold mine in front of you and not putting your hands into it. There is no real downside to defining sustainability beyond a commitment of time and focus,” said Langert, whose book is scheduled for release on Jan. 19.


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Considered to be among the first “modern” motorcars with its engine in front, a “gearbox” transmission, “piano-style” pedals and a steering wheel rather than a tiller, a 1901 Panhard-Levassor Type A2 7hp rear-entrance tonneau known as “Le Papillon Bleu” will be offered up for bidding at Bonhams London to Brighton Sale scheduled for November 1 in England.
As an added incentive to bid, the car is guaranteed a starting spot two days later in the Veteran Car Run, an event in which the car first competed in 1927.
Bonhams said that since that first London-to-Brighton run, the 1901 Type A2 has participated more than 60 times in what originally was known as the “Old Crocks Race,” held to commemorate the 1896 Emancipation Run staged to celebrate a law that allowed motorcars to travel as fast as 14 mph in England, where they originally were limited to walking speed and had to be preceded by a man waving a red flag of warning.
Bonhams expects the car to sell at auction for £200,000 to £250,000 ($255,000 to $320,000).
“Le Papillon Bleu” was built for Rene de Knyff of Belgium a pioneer racing driver, a Panhard director and president of the Commission Sportive International, later known as the FIA.
“Made to the Chevalier’s exacting specification, the light tourer featured coachwork by Rothschild et Fils, one of Paris’ finest coachbuilders, with an enameled tonneau body, finished in a striking Cambridge Blue with contrasting scarlet wheels and scarlet (hunting coat) cloth upholstery and highly polished brass fittings,” Bonhams notes.
But not long after the car was completed, Leslie Bucknall, an early British motorcar enthusiast, convinced de Knyff to sell him the car, which Bucknall’s daughter, Vivienne, called the “Blue Butterfly.”
Bonhams said Bucknall didn’t keep the car very long, but it remained in England with subsequent owners, including former Veteran Car Club president tom Lightfoot, who drove in in the London-to-Brighton event.
Bonhams added that the consignor has owned the car for 27 years and entered it in the London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run in 25 of those years. In 2016, the car won the Regent Street Motor Show Concours d’Elegance award as “the car which most embodies the spirit of the veteran era.”
The car was recently serviced by NP Veteran Engineering to make sure it is ready to carry its new owner on the London-to-Brighton event.
Bonhams also announced that a 1900 M.M.C. Tourer consigned to the auction also carries an automatic entry into the 2019 Veteran Car Run and has participated in that event numerous times.
M.M.C. is short for Motor Manufacturing Company, successor to The Great Horseless Carriage Company, which was founded in 1897. M.M.C. produced its last car in 1908.


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Lakeside Furniture Direct to open new store at Lakeside Village Outlet Shopping
Lakeside Furniture Direct is to open a new store at Lakeside Village Outlet Shopping in Doncaster next week.
The new shop will sell a range of quality indoor and outdoor furniture,
The retailer has had a non-store presence at the centre for 19 years, but is now opening in its own unit.
Speaking on behalf of Lakeside Furniture Direct, Andy Stancliffe said: “We are really looking forward to opening the doors of our new shop and welcoming customers from Monday 13 September.
“This was the next logical step for us as a business. The team at Lakeside Village are fantastic to work with and we are looking forward to being a more permanent member of the family.”
Lakeside Village is home to 45 stores including M&S, Ernest Jones and Hallmark.
Di Rodgers, Lakeside Village centre manager, said: “We are extremely happy to welcome Andy and his team to their new unit at Lakeside Village. We know how popular their outdoor furniture has been when customers visit the centre and can see it for themselves. Now with their very own store they will be able to showcase even more of their products and help our customers to get great quality furniture for their homes.”


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Meghalaya: Here's How Drones Can One Day Solve Connectivity Issues For Lakadong Turmeric Farmers
At a first-of-its-kind fly-off event in West Jaintia Hills, a district in Meghalaya, a new idea was born: using drone/UAV technology for payload delivery. This, it's being said, can solve the connectivity issues Meghalaya's Lakadong turmeric farmers presently face.
According to the Nagaland Post, the ministry said in a statement, “West Jaintia Hills today witnessed the first-of-its-kind Fly-Off Event to demonstrate the use of novel and innovative drone/UAV technology for payload delivery, that could serve as a model of solving the first-mile connectivity issues for Lakadong Turmeric farmers from the hinterland.”
Lakadong turmeric has been identified under the One District, One Product (ODOP) Initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as a product with huge potential for growth and export from the West Jaintia Hills, a district of Meghalaya.
Additional Secretary, DPIIT, Sumita Dawra, addressed the gathering and said that this fly-off event was a first step towards showcasing the innovative solutions that can propel first-mile connectivity while ushering in Industrial Revolution 4.0.
First-of-its-kind Fly-Off Event demonstrating the use of innovative #Drone technology for payload delivery of #lakadongturmeric conducted at West Jaiñtia Hills District which could serve as model of solving the 1st mile connectivity issues for Lakadong Turmeric farmers— CMO Meghalaya (@CMO_Meghalaya) February 5, 2022
📷: Syllad pic.twitter.com/ct57CcFRGq
Dawra said that under ‘Lakadong Turmeric 2.0’, new efforts were being planned to scale up procurements for sustainable sales for the harvest season of 2022 and the years to come.
The Lakadong Turmeric is one of the world’s finest turmeric varieties with the highest curcumin content of 7-9 per cent (in comparison to 3 per cent or less in other varieties). It is rapidly becoming a game-changer in the economy of the district. The percentage of curcumin is what determines the price of turmeric.
However, despite having the highest curcumin content and excellent potential for domestic sales and export, Lakadong turmeric faces severe market access issues due to the remoteness of the location, topography and terrain.
One District One Product (ODOP) mission of Centre takes a giant technology boost.— PIB in Nagaland (@PIBKohima) February 5, 2022
First of its kind Fly-off event to demonstrate the use of UAVs/Drones for transport of Lakadong Turmeric happens in West Jaintia Hills, #Meghalaya pic.twitter.com/sbrAcrH3TH
The statement added, “Thus, buyers have to incur additional costs to transport the goods from the villages via local pick-up trucks till the major transporters’ loading point. Additional costs of transportation and delays in the same act as barriers/disincentives for the buyer in the process of procurement.
For the latest from trending, click here.


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We're almost halfway through August and we're getting closer and closer to the beginning of real football that actually counts. But what that also means is that the release of Madden NFL 17 is going to be here even sooner. Fans of the video game are as anxious as ever to get their hands on a copy of this year's installment of the franchise, and many of them are hoping it gets here even sooner than its Aug. 23 release date.
Almost two weeks ago, the people over at EA Tiburon, the longtime developers of the video game, released the ratings for the entire league. The Lions are right around the middle of the pack in terms of their overall ratings, but in comparison to the rest of the league, the Lions won't have many top-rated players from the game's onset.
On Sunday, the Lions' website released a video of numerous players being interviewed by Tori Petry, who was asking them who they thought had the fastest and slowest speed rating on the team. Some players were stuck, digging deep into their think-tanks for an honest answer about who they thought were both the fastest and slowest on the team. Some were already politicking for a higher rating, some thought it was "unreal" and were quickly over the ratings shenanigans.
Above is just a portion of the hilarious video. You have to check out the entire video here and be sure to pick up a copy of Madden NFL 17 on Playstation if you want to get some of this work.


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Sound Consumer | December 2008
Same prices, less food
To avoid raising prices, many food companies are reducing package sizes in ways that are difficult to detect. They’re trimming a half-ounce off bars of soap, narrowing the width of toilet paper, and shrinking the size of ice cream and peanut butter containers. Unilever’s Skippy peanut butter jar, for instance, now has a dimple on the bottom and holds 16.3 ounces instead of 18 ounces, and Kellogg has reduced the weight of many of its cereals. (Los Angeles Times)
Farm Bill helps organics
The 2008 Farm Bill contains some good news for organic wannabes. It provides $22 million in federal funds to assist producers and handlers in transitioning to organic certification. The funds will be available beginning in 2009. (Capital Press)
Organic pasturing standard
After years of pressure from organic farmers, consumers and advocacy groups, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a draft rule outlining pasture requirements for cattle on organic farms. Grazing will be required every day of the growing season (minimum 120 days) for dairy and beef cattle and at least 30 percent of organic cattle feed must be pasture-grown forage, not grains or other stored feed.
It’s hoped that clarifying the standards will ensure uniform compliance by all certified organic producers. The draft rule, however, also contains another proposal that would allow non-organic cattle to be added to organic dairy farms and be considered “organic.” (Cornucopia Institute)
Record high prices for hay is raising worries that more horses may be abandoned this winter by owners who can’t afford them. With hay selling for as much as $230 per ton, horse rescue groups say they’re getting several calls a day from owners looking to offload their horses.
Meanwhile, the Washington State Department of Revenue reportedly is considering rule changes that would prevent horse boarding, training and riding farms from qualifying as farm and agricultural land. Critics say a rule change would force the sale and development of horse farms. (SaveWashingtonHorseFarms.org)
Court prohibits mad cow testing
A federal appeals court has ruled against a Kansas meat packer, Creekstone Farms, which wants to test all its cattle for mad cow disease (BSE). The USDA tests only 1 percent of all U.S. cattle and has confirmed three BSE cases. Larger companies argued against testing by individual outfits, fearing they’d be pressured to do it, too, if Creekstone could advertise its product as BSE-free.
The Court of Appeals has sent the case back to a lower court where Creekstone Farms can make new arguments. (Los Angeles Times)
Antitrust action against consolidation
The antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice is challenging a proposal that would further concentrate the beef packing industry. It has filed a lawsuit challenging acquisition of National Beef Packing (the fourth largest U.S. beef company) by JBS, the world’s biggest beef producer, based in Brazil.
The proposed consolidation would leave ranchers in parts of the country with just one nearby place to sell their cattle — allowing packers to dictate the price they’ll pay. In some parts of the United States, a single packer already controls 100 percent of the market. (U.S. Cattlemen’s Association)
More allergies in children
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 1 in 26 children had food allergies last year — up from 1 in 30 kids in 1997. Peanut allergies have doubled and children reportedly are taking longer to outgrow milk and egg allergies than in decades past. Researchers aren’t sure what’s causing the increase, but they believe parents and doctors are more likely to now consider food as the trigger for symptoms, such as skin rashes, irritability and breathing problems. (Associated Press)
Pesticide killing bees?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted an “emergency” exemption and “conditional” registration for two pesticides suspected of causing a worldwide die-off of bees. Bayer is the only company selling the pesticides, sold under the trade names Gaucho and Poncho.
France and Germany have banned the entire family of pesticides known as neonicotinoids of which these compounds are a part. Neonicotinoids are applied to seeds but travel systemically throughout a plant and contaminate the pollen, causing paralysis or death. (www.guardian.co.uk)
Non-GM soy making comeback
Farmers reportedly are showing renewed interest in soybeans that aren’t genetically modified (GM). An agronomist at the University of Missouri, Grover Shannon, says farmers are realizing non-GM soy is cheaper to grow and yields as well or better than GM soy.
The cost of the herbicide Roundup for use on Monsanto’s GM soy has increased from $15 to $40 or $50 per gallon over the past year. Plus, overseas demand for non-GM soy and price incentives at the grain elevator are making conventional seeds more appealing. (University of Missouri)
Canada challenging COOL?
Canada’s beef and pork producers are pressuring their government to challenge the new U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law. They say COOL discriminates against imported meat products, violating rules of the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (U.S. Cattlemen’s Association)


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The Children’s Hospital Charity’s famous snowflakes will add a little extra Festive sparkle to Crystal Peaks this Christmas.
Every year, more than 250 sponsored snowflakes decorate the exterior of Sheffield Children’s Hospital, with businesses, schools, community groups and thankful families raising more than £250,000 for The Children’s Hospital Charity.
This year, for the second year running, almost 40 further giant snowflakes will also decorate the exterior of Crystal Peaks shopping centre throughout the Christmas period, forming an essential part of the Festive decorations at the mall when the Festive season officially begins on November 12.
And with current COVID-19 restrictions meaning the centre cannot host its usual star-studded celebration, The Children’s Hospital Charity’s mascot Theo the Bear will instead be invited to flick the switch and get the festivities started
“We are delighted to be joining The Children’s Hospital Charity again for this wonderful Christmas campaign,” said Crystal Peaks centre manager Lee Greenwood.
“Crystal Peaks sees itself as very much at the heart of the community and Sheffield Children’s Hospital touches the lives of so many people every year.
“We hope that our visitors will enjoy seeing the snowflakes and will want to support this great charity as much as we do.”
Sophie Coburn, Corporate Partnerships Officer for the charity, added: “We are so grateful to Crystal Peaks for having snowflakes on the centre for the second year running.
“Every penny raised will help us support Sheffield Children’s where it is needed most and help our current appeal to raise money to transform our Cancer and Leukaemia Ward.
“Thank you to all the stores and the team at Crystal Peaks – we can’t wait to see the snowflakes lit up.”


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NESTLE Japan will soon be offering a Sake-flavored Kit Kat, reports Rocket News 24.
Japan has many Kit Kat flavours ranging from wasabi to red been sandwich to soy bean.
Popular among foreign tourist is the Green Tea Kit Kat.
Nestle Japan now wants to expand its selection of Japanese-exclusive flavours with the Sake Kit Kat, which is also aimed at the foreign tourist market.
The new Kit Kat contains sake powder, giving it the taste and aroma of the famous Japanese rice wine.
Nestle Japan will release the Sake-flavoured Kit Kat on February 1. It will come in packaging that features an image of the well-known liquor.


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Published on: April 13, 2018
Members of Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s Franchise Development Team and some of our Multi-unit Franchise Owners were in attendance at the Multi-Unit Franchising Conference (MUFC) in Las Vegas.
The Conference is a must-attend event for multi-unit owners of other franchise brands checking out concepts to add to their portfolios. They had the chance to hear from Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Owners Craig LeMieux and Emily Harrington who spoke at sessions during the Conference.
Craig LeMieux and his wife Dianne joined Tropical Smoothie Cafe 2004 and have built territories in Michigan, Colorado, and Northern Ohio. They have 75 Cafes now open, with 48 more in development.
Emily Harrington has 5 locations in Florida, with 11 more in development.
Attendees also had the chance to experience the brand up close and personal at the Tropical Smoothie Cafe booth, which was built to mimic an actual store location.
Chief Development Officer Charles Watson was pleased with the response he and his team received at the Conference.
“We heard from several people who said they wanted to see for themselves the brand that is getting all the buzz,” said Watson.
If you are interested in joining the fast-casual brand that everyone is talking about, click the LEARN MORE button above.


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COVID-19 has significantly accelerated consumer engagement with online sources of information. As this trend will continues, OHTO is excited to provide $100,000 to tourism operators looking to enhance their digital presence. Businesses are encouraged to submit applications to receive up to $2,500 in financial support towards the costs of activities ranging from website enhancements, digital advertising campaigns, photo and video shoots, and more.
Applications will be accepted beginning at 9:00 am on October 15, 2020. Interested applicants are encouraged to check out the program guidelines in advance of the submission date by clicking here.
Please note that this program is fully subscribed. Thank you to all those businesses who submitted applications.


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Google's Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and first foldable Pixel may already be in the works
Google Pixel 4a
While Google is not exactly known for its ability to keep a secret, losing control of the Pixel 4a leaking situation a long time ago, it definitely seems premature even by the search giant's notoriously low standards to have confidential information about unreleased devices revealed more than a year ahead of a possible announcement.
But here we are, reporting on an internal Android document the typically reliable folks at 9to5Google strongly believe to be legit, which appears to disclose Big G's full (albeit vague) mobile hardware plans for 2021.
Before getting too excited (and there's definitely some exciting stuff included in the doc), you may want to keep in mind these types of long-term product roadmaps are often revised and adjusted to keep up with shifting consumer preferences and various supply chain complexities. The Pixel 4a XL is the perfect example of a planned and cancelled product, which means there are absolutely no guarantees Google will bring its current designs to fruition in the timeline projected right now... or ever, for that matter.
Foldable Pixel incoming?
If you had asked us a little over a year ago how many smartphone manufacturers were likely to get in on the ground floor of the foldable industry, we'd have probably thrown at least a dozen names around. But as many analysts predicted, these groundbreaking designs are a tough nut to crack, which is why a lot of companies haven't even tried to crack them yet, waiting for various interweaving technologies to become fully mature.
Google expressed its skepticism about the utility of the foldable concept way back when the conventional Pixel 3a mid-ranger was unveiled while confirming in no uncertain terms its prototyping work in this field, which was already taking place for "a long time."For its part,
Will Google's rookie foldable effort be able to challenge the amazing Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G?
Well, it appears that those efforts may bear fruit in the not-so-distant future, as the company is currently eyeing a Q4 2021 release for a device codenamed "passport" and explicitly labeled as a "foldable" in the internal document reviewed by 9To5Google.
Obviously, it's far too early to know more about Google's first-ever foldable Pixel phone, which may or may not see daylight by the end of next year and will almost certainly be referred by a different, fish-inspired codename in future reports and rumors. Apple's rookie foldable effort just so happens to be expected out in late 2021 as well, which means competition will definitely heat up in this fledgling Samsung-dominated segment... at some point.
Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and 6 XL are also in the works
Between the cancellation of the Pixel 4a XL, the existence of both 4G LTE-only and 5G-enabled variants of the Pixel 4a, and the possible absence of a Pixel 5 XL model from Google's in-house 2020 product portfolio, we can definitely say the company likes to... keep things unpredictable.
For now, it looks like the 2021 Pixel lineup might be a little less... all over the place, including a "lower end mid year device" explicitly mentioned by the 5a moniker and two models codenamed "raven" and "oriole" that could well end up being called Pixel 6 and 6 XL.
Google Pixel 5 (left), Pixel 4a 5G (right)
The phones we presume to be the high-end Google Pixel 6 and 6 XL are tentatively slated for Q4 2021 announcements, while the handset pretty much guaranteed to come out as the Pixel 5a should do so at some point during the second quarter of next year. That's anywhere between April and June, which makes it crystal clear it was never the tech giant's intention to release this year's Pixel 4a in August.
Speaking of this year, it seems more and more likely that the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G) will be up for grabs in October, a timeline only vaguely teased by Google earlier this week.
15 Aug, 2021Pixel 5a has the biggest battery of any Google Pixel phone yet, component images reveal
06 Aug, 2021Pixel 5a: Google's flagship killer might kill the Pixel 6 instead
28 Jun, 2021Pixel 5a release time frame revealed by a trusted insider
23 May, 2021New Pixel 6 and 5a rumors: Whitechapel chip performance, green color, and price
21 Apr, 2021Google's Pixel 5a 5G is shaping up to be even more underwhelming than previously expected


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December 20, 2016
Readers were curious to learn about the changes taking place within Johnson & Johnson's medical device business. This article described the details of and the reasons behind the organizational realignment.
[Image courtesy of STUART MILES/FREEDIGITALPHOTOS.NET]
Check out the future of medical technology at the world's largest medical design and manufacturing event--register for the MD&M West Conference, February 7-9, 2017.
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Workers at the UK’s Royal Mail on Tuesday voted in favor of going on strike, continuing their pushback against the company’s plans to replace its defined benefit pension (DB) scheme. Of the 73% of workers who voted, 89.1% were in favor of the strike, according to the Communications Workers Union (CWU), which last month called on more than 100,000 of its Royal Mail-employed members to take industrial action.
In May, Royal Mail announced that its DB plan would close to future accrual at the end of March 2018, with a defined contribution (DC) plan taking its place. The CWU said the change would cost pensioners, on average, up to one-third of their future benefits.
Although official strike dates have yet to be announced, the timing could potentially cancel Christmas for parcel delivery companies, causing significant log jams and delayed orders for consumers and retailers alike. Other parcel businesses would be spread extremely thin trying to pick up the slack, David Jinks, Head of Consumer Research for parcel price comparison website ParcelHero told Reuters. According to Reuters, potential strike dates will be determined at a CWU meeting Thursday.
In a statement, Royal Mail said that it would push for an agreement to be reached, as industrial action would be “damaging” for the company.
“A ballot result for industrial action does not necessarily mean there will be industrial action. Royal Mail is committed to further talks as a matter of urgency, to reach agreement with the CWU,” Royal Mail said in a statement. “National industrial action means the current offer from Royal Mail, including on pensions, will be taken off the table,” the company added.


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A bill introduced by a Syracuse state senator would allow vendors to use their permits to sell alcoholic beverages at the 2020 New York State Fair for this year’s event.
State Senator Rachel May is the sponsor of the measure that would extend permits issued for the sale of alcoholic beverages at the 2021 state fair. The fair was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To sell alcoholic beverages at the fair, vendors must obtain a temporary license. Permits are issued for that year’s fair, which means vendors must apply for a new license each year.
Due to the show’s cancellation in 2020, May, D-Syracuse, wants to give sellers a break this year. She wants them to be able to use the permits issued last year for the 2021 state fair.
Vendors pay a $ 260 fee for the temporary permit, according to the state’s liquor control law.
âThe New York State Fair is a huge economic engine in the upstate,â May said. “A lot of our suppliers are small businesses that rely on the fair for a large portion of their annual revenue. Like many other industries, the pandemic has hit these businesses hard and we must do what we can to alleviate their burden. burden.”


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At Mobile World Congress in February, Honor debuted the Magic4 flagship series of smartphones. Most South Africans looked at this as aspirational, because the Magic3 services devices didn’t arrive in our market. Instead, Honor has taken a bottom-up approach with launching devices in the country, starting with mid-range and working its way up to flagships.
Enter the Magic4 Pro and Magic Lite: Honor’s first flagships to enter South Africa. The devices are designed to provide cutting-edge technology to deliver new benchmarks in smartphone design, display, photography, videography, charging, and performance. At an event held in Johannesburg last night, it also revealed the Watch GS 3 and Earbuds 3 Pro.
The Magic4 Pro is the star of the show. It debuts industry-first features: 10-bit log 4K video, AI Privacy Call, AI Super Rendering, LTPO display with 1920Hz PWM dimming, and powerful 100W wireless and wired SuperCharge.
Cinematic videography with Magic-Log Movie Master and IMAX Enhanced
Offering cinematic-level footage, the Magic4 Pro features the Magic-Log Movie Master and AI Film Effects. With this, the handset delivers the industry-first 10-bit Log 4K video recording in 60fps (frame per second), beating another industry benchmark.
Triple camera with Ultra-Fusion Computational Photography
It’s not just for video though. It features a 50MP Wide Camera with a 1/1.56-inch colour sensor, a 50MP 122° Ultra-Wide Camera, and a 64MP Periscope Telephoto Camera. These are all powered by Ultra-Fusion Computational Photography, which enables the device to produce high-definition images in stunning clarity. The lens supports up to 100x digital zoom, as well as optical and electronic image stabilisation, to capture distant scenes.
Powerful 100W wireless charging
The Magic4 Pro is powered by a 4 600mAh battery, featuring 100W wired SuperCharge which charges the device to 100% in 30 minutes. It also supports 100W Wireless SuperCharge technology, which powers up the device to 60% charge in 15 minutes.
Enhanced privacy and security; industry’s first AI privacy call
To top it all off, the handset debuts a new privacy calling feature supported by AI and powered by directional sound technology, preventing sound leakage for more private phone calls in crowded areas.
For more information, visit the Honor Online Store at hihonor.com.


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French distributor Carrefour will be testing its own registerless store concept next year. Just like pioneer Amazon Go, Carrefour will rely on cameras and facial recognition to achieve a fully automated checkout system.
A first for Paris
According to French trade magazine Linéaires, the first experiment will be a small test store in Massy (near Paris). The store will measure 56 square metres and will only be open for Carrefour’s own employees. Cameras will register which items visitors pick up and charge them using facial recognition.
Carrefour has already some experience with the technology as a result of a collaboration with Tencent in China: a test store, located in the harbour city of Shanghai, uses a facial recognition system for payment. The Chinese store operates on a very different scale, though: its surface measures 4,000 square metres.
Retailers looking for the answer to Amazon
The registerless store test is Carrefour’s answer to the threat of Amazon, which has been experimenting with audience reactions to registerless stores for a while. Currently there are seven Amazon Go stores in the United States (located in Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle), with New York to come next. Rumour has it that the Americans have had their eye on France for a while, hoping to cause a paradigm shift in the food industry over there. The test seems to be Carrefour’s way to prepare for that.
Carrefour’s rival Casino already has a registerless store in Paris. Elsewhere in Europe, there are similar stores in amongst others Belgium (Colruyt‘s daughter company Okay), the Netherlands (Albert Heijn) and the United Kingdom (Sainsbury’s).


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Leaving things as they are may be convenient, but it could be costing you.
When did you last start a new contract for your business broadband? If it was more than a year ago, you're possibly on a rolling contract, lasting no more than 30 days. In other words, you pay month by month, and as long as you don't contact your supplier to cancel, you remain a customer.Read More »
Why saving a few quid on software might not be such a good idea.
Using open-source software for business purposes can seem like a good idea for one simple reason: it’s usually free. When you’re trying to keep down expenses and boost margins, a saving of hundreds or even thousands of pounds can be hard to ignore. But like most things in life, it’s a bit more complicated than that…Read More »
Online connectivity brings a whole load of problems with it.
It’s an increasingly important part of business and daily life, but the Internet of Things is set to become a massive cyber security headache for businesses if more isn’t done to protect it from hackers.Read More »
If you like losing money, hop on board. Otherwise, you should hold off for now.
Depending on who you talk to, cryptocurrency is either the best modern invention since the smartphone or it’s nothing more than a hyped-up Ponzi scheme covered by a thin veil of mainstream acceptability. Previously, when TMB wrote about this subject, we predicted big players like Bitcoin might have the staying power to survive any kind of crash in the cryptocurrency market, but we recommended that SMEs should probably avoid getting involved – at least for now. But more than a year has passed since we wrote that, so what about now? Is cryptocurrency worth it?Read More »
The meme ban and link tax are back on the table again.
Controversial new copyright laws proposed by the EU edged closer to reality this week, having been thus far delayed by disagreements between various stakeholders. Up until now, France and Germany had been at an impasse in regarding some of the conditions of the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market (the EU Copyright Directive to its friends), but a compromise between the two nations has now been reached, opening the way for the next stage of negotiations. And right at the heart of the discussions will be Article 11 and Article 13 – sections of the proposed legislation that have elicited uproar from major web companies and web creatives alike.Read More »
Online services now favoured by an increasing number of organisations.
Cloud computing for business is yet to go mainstream in Europe according to research from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. While cloud computing might not yet be widespread, the use of cloud services in the EU has still increased compared with statistics in 2014, and an uptake in cloud computing has been most noticeable in the UK.Read More »
Flexible options for businesses as banking looks to future.
Earlier this month, two major UK banks launched initiatives that embrace fintech. With solutions such as Tide leading the digital charge, it stands to reason that long-established financial institutions should look to develop their own products aimed squarely at technology-savvy businesses.Read More »
We take a look at some of the current stories surrounding this new technology.
Are consumers willing to pay for 5G? Not according to research from PwC. A recent survey carried out in the US asked 1,000 people about their awareness of 5G, their expectations of the technology and, crucially, their willingness to pay for it. While the research showed that 5G has an opportunity to improve people’s current perceptions of the mobile web experience (only half of respondents stated that they were currently completely satisfied with their mobile internet service) and that the idea of 5G appeals to the majority of consumers, only a third stated that they were willing to pay more for 5G.Read More »
Following a few basic rules can make all the difference.
We’ve written before about how important it is for business owners to know about defamation, slander and libel. But it’s not the only aspect of media law they need to consider, now they’re all able to publish content on their websites and social media. Just as importantly, businesses should also know a bit about copyright – including the potential consequences of infringement.Read More »
It would be hard to think of a more famous tweeter in the world right now than Donald Trump. The US president is, shall we say, candid on the social networking platform, having offended a great many people during his time on Twitter. Of course, Trump has managed to offend people elsewhere too, but it’s on Twitter where his particular points of view have been writ large.Read More »


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If you are thinking about quitting your smoking habit, you aren’t alone. Nearly 77% say they want quit smoking. Quitting smoking, which can cause damage to nearly all of your organs including the heart, is one thing you can do for yourself. Nearly one-third (33%) of deaths from heart disease can be attributed to smoking or secondhand smoke.
You may feel tempted to switch to electronic cigarettes (e.g. vape pen, vape pen and other nondisposable vaping devices) to ease the transition between traditional cigarettes and not smoking. What is the best way to quit smoking cigarettes and vaping? Can ecigarettes be used as a means to quit smoking permanently?
1: Although vaping can be less harmful than smoking it, it’s still not recommended.
E-cigarettes use nicotine (extracted from the tobacco) and flavorings to create an inhalable aerosol. The chemicals found in regular tobacco cigarettes can reach as high as 7,000, with many of them being toxic. Blaha claims that while we don’t know the exact chemical makeup of e-cigarettes (or what they contain), there’s no doubt that vaping is less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
However, there’s been an outbreak in related lung injuries and deaths from vaping. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) reported 2807 cases and 68 deaths of vaping-related lung injury (EVALI), in February 2020.
“These cases most commonly affect people who modify vaping devices and use black market modified electronic e-liquids. Blaha states that this is especially true when vaping products contain THC.
Vitamin E acetate is a known chemical of concern to people with EVALI, according to the CDC. Vitamin E acetate (a thickening agent used in THC vaping product) was found in all EVALI patients whose lung fluids were examined by CDC.
The CDC recommends:
- Do not vape or use e-cigarettes that contain THC.
- Avoid informal sources like friends, family, or online retailers to purchase a vaping apparatus.
- You shouldn’t modify or add to any vaping device for which you are not authorized by the manufacturer.
The Johns Hopkins University has published thousands of chemical substances in vape juices, many of which have yet to be identified. The team found several potentially harmful substances. These included caffeine, three chemicals not previously known to be in ecigarettes, a pesticide, and two flavorings with potential toxic effects and respiratory irritation.
2: Researchers suggest that vaping is bad news for your heart.
Nicotine, the primary chemical in regular cigarettes or e-cigarettes is addictive. It can make you crave nicotine and cause withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine is toxic. It can cause high blood pressure rises and adrenaline spikes, which increase heart rate and increases the possibility of suffering from a cardiac attack.
Is vaping dangerous? There are many things we don’t know about vaping. This includes the chemicals that make up the vapor, and how they affect our long-term health. Blaha says that ecigarettes pose a risk to your health. The emerging evidence suggests links to asthma as well as association between dual e-cigarette use and smoking with coronary disease. You’re likely to be exposed and potentially dangerous to chemicals we don’t understand.
3: Electronic cigarettes are just like traditional cigarettes.
Both regular cigarettes and electronic cigarettes contain nicotine. Studies suggest that this substance may be as addictive or as addictive as heroin, cocaine, and other drugs. Blaha states that ecigarette users are more likely to take e-cigarettes as much nicotine as they would from regular cigarettes. Blaha says that you can either buy extra strong cartridges (which have a higher nicotine content) or increase your ecigarette’s power to get a stronger dose.
4: E-cigarettes aren’t the best method to stop smoking.
Although e-cigarettes have been promoted as aids to quitting smoking, they aren’t approved by Food and Drug Administration as cessation products. A recent study showed that most people who attempted to quit smoking with e-cigarettes ended up continuing to smoke traditional and electronic cigarettes.
The CDC advises those who use ecigarettes to quit smoking to evaluate the risks and consider other FDA-approved options.
5: A new generation has become addicted to nicotine.
E-cigarettes and especially the disposable version are more popular with youth than traditional tobacco products. According to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey more than 2 million U.S. middle school students reported using electronic cigarettes in 2021. 8 out of 10 of those students were using flavored tobacco e-cigarettes.
Blaha believes there are three reasons that ecigarettes may appeal to young people. Many teens believe vaping to be safer than smoking. E-cigarettes can be used at a lower price than traditional cigarettes. A third benefit is that e-cigarettes don’t have any smoke, which appeals to both teens and adults. E-cigarettes do not have the smell of cigarettes, which helps to reduce stigmatization.
Blaha stated that the thing most concerning about vaping is its rise among youth. “It’s all one thing to go from smoking cigarettes, and vaping is another. It’s quite an entirely different matter to vape and begin nicotine use. You may also find yourself addicted to nicotine, which can lead you to use traditional tobacco products.
Data from the CDC show that youth vaping has dropped somewhat since 2020. This trend could have been caused by children being kept at home by their parents during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Blaha points out that interpretation is complicated because young people can change their preferences easily and may not consider vaping using disposable products like puff bars or puff bars. The same CDC report indicates that disposable ecigarette consumption has increased by 1,000% for high school students and 400% for middle school students.
Vaping and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Blaha says that data showed that ecigarette sales fell when the coronavirus outbreak first started. This could have been due to people spending more time at work and avoiding shops.
Blaha however sees a disturbing trend: a rise in daily use of e-cigarettes among vape enthusiasts. “The average number of vapers per day used to only be 1 in 5. But it seems that it has risen significantly, which is worrying as it could indicate more nicotine addiction. I will keep an eye on it.”
Smoking or vaping can increase the severity of respiratory problems related to COVID-19.
Are you looking to quit smoking cigarettes?
There is a strong association between smoke and cardiovascular disease. You can help your body recover faster if it quits sooner. Talk to your doctor and determine the best method or tools for quitting smoking.


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San Francisco (AFP) – Microsoft on Tuesday explained that its earnings in the a short while ago finished quarter fell shy of expectations as personalized personal computer sales experienced from creation holdups in China and sagging demand from customers.
The US technologies giant described revenue of $16.7 billion on earnings of $51.9 billion, topping the similar quarter a yr previously but missing marketplace forecasts.
“While the headline slight pass up will cause agita on (Wall) Street with a knee jerk response, this is mainly international trade and China shutdown driven (Computer pushed),” Wedbush analyst Dan Ives reported in a notice to investors.
“The core DNA of the Microsoft advancement tale is cloud and core Azure development which was balanced this quarter and seems to have momentum into 2023 inspite of financial headwinds.”
Microsoft shares were being up some 4 % in just after-industry trades that followed release of the earnings figures.
“In a dynamic environment we saw potent demand, took share, and enhanced client determination to our cloud system,” claimed Microsoft chief economic officer Amy Hood.
Microsoft reported that the powerful US dollar manufactured its offerings a lot more costly in overseas markets, hurting revenue.
Shutdowns at computer output facilities in China in May possibly, and a deteriorating marketplace for personalized personal computers, price tag Microsoft some $300 million in income it would have built from Home windows working methods purchased to power the equipment, the earnings report indicated.
The own computer system industry experienced been in steady decrease prior to the pandemic, as people today turned to smartphones or tablets.
A huge shift to purchasing, functioning, socializing and actively playing from property reignited demand from customers for desktop computing electricity, but it continues to be to be noticed whether or not that hunger will stay post-pandemic.
Advertisement revenue at Microsoft’s on the net information, search, and job social community LinkedIn suffered due to organizations cutting marketing budgets due to broad financial woes, the organization mentioned.
The tech veteran centered in the US point out of Washington also logged $126 million in running bills similar to scaling back its functions in Russia due to the fact of that country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Microsoft observed individuals spend less on Xbox videogame information in the quarter when compared to the identical period a 12 months earlier, in a feasible signal that lots of are out taking part in in the serious world much more as pandemic limits relieve.
Even so, Microsoft’s cloud, organization and efficiency offerings ongoing to prosper.
“We see true option to help each and every shopper in just about every market use electronic technologies to conquer present-day challenges and arise stronger,” mentioned Microsoft chief govt Satya Nadella.
© 2022 AFP