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State governments which refuse to comply with Putrajaya’s announcement to ease the movement control order (MCO) risk being slapped with billions of dollars in legal suits from companies seeking damages for being prevented from reopening their businesses, FMT has learnt from sources familiar with the Covid-19 crisis management.
This comes after several states under the opposition Pakatan Harapan announced their own version of the conditional movement control order (CMCO), including Selangor which introduced a “modified CMCO” prohibiting most businesses from re-opening despite the green light from the National Security Council (NSC).
NSC is the body which consults with the health ministry and other relevant ministries in the management of the MCO which has been in force since March 18, effectively bringing economic activities to a standstill except for some sectors.
A source in the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) who spoke on condition of anonymity said state laws cannot supersede federal laws.
“States can issue guidelines and may even have their own laws but they cannot conflict with federal laws.
“Sarawak, for example, has the Protection of Public Health Ordinance but it can only complement federal laws, not conflict with them,” the source told FMT.
It said state governments have no power to unilaterally stop businesses which have been allowed to open under the CMCO.
“The main issue is if the state governments do not allow businesses to open when federal law says they can. The state governments could be sued by these businesses.”
Legal experts have told FMT that state governments have no choice but to accept the CMCO which came into effect today, as it is federal law.
Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Pahang, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah and Sarawak have to varying degrees expressed their reservations about the CMCO, with Selangor and Penang outright refusing to abide by the decision.
Many said they would stick to the partial lockdown until May 12, when the current phase of the MCO ends.
Yesterday, business groups urged states to toe the federal line and allow business activities to resume.
“It is important that business operations in all states resume concurrently as there are interlinkages between states.
“Stopping work in certain states will lead to major disruptions in the supply chain of goods and services and, at the same time, impact the livelihood of the rakyat,” said the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers.
A similar stand was taken by the Malay Chambers of Commerce, which urged state governments to allow businesses to resume operation to help strike a balance between health and the people’s economic survival.
Earlier today, Umno vice-president accused International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali of failing to get consensus from state governments before allowing businesses to re-open.
“This failure indicates significant weaknesses in leadership, strategy and coordination related to the restoration of the economy,” said the former Johor menteri besar.
“This has complicated business and trade activity as Malaysia’s economy is by nature cross-border.”
But a source close to MCO procedures said state governments had been given “at least 48 hours’ notice” of the plan to ease restrictions on businesses.
Khaled also spoke of a “new narrative” where state governments would have more say.
“The era of the federal government having the final say is over,” he said.
Every state in Malaysia should cooperate by carrying out the standard operating procedures for the reopening of businesses and industries under the more relaxed conditional movement control order (CMCO) that started today, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali insisted.
Azmin, who is also minister of international trade and industry, noted that some of the state governments in Malaysia have refused to cooperate and follow the federal government’s new SOP.
“Effective today companies from almost all sectors of the economy are allowed to operate following the government’s decision on April 29, 2020.
“Nevertheless, the government is aware that several states are not co-operating in implementing the Government’s decision,” he said in a lengthy statement.
Azmin urged state governments in the country to continue previous cooperation in fighting against the Covid-19 outbreak by now working together with the federal government to open up businesses.
“Hence, the state governments are urged to co-operate in executing the federal government’s decision to regenerate the economy. The government is confident that we, as a team, will succeed in winning the ‘war’ against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have worked shoulder to shoulder in implementing the MCO in our efforts to contain Covid-19. Now, we need to remain united and strengthen our collaboration towards our economic sustainability, securing our livelihoods and the well-being of the people,” he concluded in his four-page statement.
Earlier in the same statement, Azmin noted that several industry bodies such as the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers and the Malay Chamber of Commerce of Malaysia have already urged for state governments not to impose direct restrictions to stop companies from resuming their operations from today (May 4).
“Should the state governments refuse to co-operate in implementing Act 342 which has been gazetted into law enforceable throughout the country, the state governments may face the possibility of legal action from various parties, particularly the industry players,” he said, referring to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 which is the main law used to enforce and lay out regulations for the MCO in the country.
States acting without authority, says Azmin
States governments reluctant to comply with federal policy to re-open the economy were given a warning today that their actions “were not founded on lawful authority”.
The warning came in a statement by senior minister Azmin Ali, who said the federal government policy had already been made into law and was enforceable throughout the country.
Azmin, who is minister for international trade and industry, said state governments who did not comply faced the risk of being sued for damages by businesses. His comment reinforced an earlier report by FMT in which legal sources had also warned of such suits.
Azmin said the regulations made under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act were specifically for preventing and controlling the spread of Covid-19.
It prevailed over the provisions of other written laws in respect of the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
The relaxation of restrictions on public activities was announced by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on May 1 and came after seven weeks of a national shutdown of activities except essential services.
However several states under the opposition Pakatan Harapan announced their own version of the conditional movement control order.
Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Pahang, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah and Sarawak have to varying degrees expressed their reservations about the CMCO, with Selangor and Penang introducing their own programme for reopening of business despite the decision by the National Security Council.
Many states said they would stick to the partial lockdown until May 12, when the current phase of the MCO ends.
Azmin said the CMCO differed from the previous MCO phases, whereby the CMCO enabled almost all economic sectors to restart in a controlled and prudent setting.
The government, he added, conducted various engagement sessions with the stakeholders of the economic sectors particularly, industry associations, local and international Chambers of Commerce as well as small and medium enterprises in order to gauge the impact on business sustainability, supply chain and employment.
“Therefore, the government’s decision to allow almost all sectors of the economy to operate in order to revive and revitalise the economy is expected to have a positive impact on the economic growth and financial position of the country, not only at the Federal Government but also for the states.
Azmin also said that should the state governments refuse to co-operate in implementing Act 342, they may face the possibility of legal action from various parties particularly the industry players.


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Image Credits: The Health Benefits
Cane arrears had increased to Rs 14,000 crore till January and might touch a record level by the end of this month because of fall in sugar prices and huge unsold inventories, industry body ISMA said today.
To improve liquidity of millers, the government should remove export duty of 20 per cent and allow shipment of 2 million tonnes immediately, it said in a statement.
As per the ISMA data, mills have produced 25.80 million tonnes sugar till March 15 of the 2017-18 marketing year (October-September), as against the target is 29.5 MT.
The top three sugar producing states Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka — contributed 9.38 MT, 8.43 MT and 3.51 MT.
Sugar output in India, the world’s second largest producer after Brazil, stood at 20.3 MT in the 2016-17 marketing year.
Expressing concern over falling prices, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said sugar mills are incurring losses as prices are ruling below the cost of production of around Rs 3,500-3,600 per quintal.
“They are unable to pay cane price to the farmers on time.”
Ex-mill sugar prices have once again started plummeting and are now hovering between Rs 2,900 per quintal in western and southern states and Rs 3,000 per quintal in northern states, it said.
As per the official data, cane price arrears of farmers across the country were about Rs 14,000 crore as on January 31 this year.
The crushing season in full swing in most of the states, ISMA said.
It added: “Considering the trend of cane price paid by the sugar mills in February and March in the last five sugar seasons, and the fact that only 30 per cent of sugar produced in these months gets sold and the rest gets stocked as unsold inventories, it is estimated that cane price arrears at the end of March 2018 may touch record levels and become uncomfortable.”
Since sugar production in the current and the next year will be surplus, ISMA said that the government should enable mills to dispose of some of surplus stocks.
“Government needs to remove export duty of 20 per cent on sugar with immediate effect, as also announce two million tonnes of sugar to be exported under minimum indicative export quotas (MIEQ) as was done in 2015-16,” it said.
The government should also announce export of 4-5 million tonnes of raw sugar well before the start of next season, so that millers could plan, produce and export raw sugar from the beginning of the next season as it will reduce the burden on sugar mills carrying higher inventories for a longer period, it explained.

domain: news


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According to iSuppli, Apple can make the low-end $499 iPad for about $229.
Those costs will fall fairly quickly.
Apple gets a 30% cut of any media sold through its online stores. That can be a nice piece of change, especially when you consider the New York Times is considering charging as much as $30 a month for the iPad version of the newspaper. At that price, the New York Times could offer a bundle deal - a free iPad with an annual subscription. It could also charge advertisers more money for the richer ads.
Other publishers could band together for similar deals, a free iPad with a local newspaper, plus magazine, plus book-of-the-month club subscription.
Apple could offer an iPad to publishers for $100. The publishers would promote their subscription bundles and the iPad. Apple doesn't have to spend a dime advertising the iPad -- another reason it could offer a cut price deal to publishers.
Clearly, there are a lot of ways that the economics of the iPad and the media industry could be sliced and diced, that make sense to offer a 'free' iPad. That might not happen straight away, but it is likely to happen because it can.
A risk with bundled deals might be that customers just want to a cheap iPad and they won't be reading the publications and that means they won't be viewing ads. Advertisers will be able to tell because there will be tracking technology that measures engagement and interaction.
But Apple will still benefit because with more iPads in people's hands, there are more opportunities to sell all kinds of other media, and that means more revenues for Apple. And that's another reason that Apple can offer iPads for lower prices to publishers, for their bundled deals.
I'm looking forward to my 'free' iPad.


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The $26 million yacht!.
The £17million yacht that comes with its own super-car this ultimate buy one-get-one-free offer has recently gone on the market attracting attention from all over the world.
Double trouble: The incredible 122ft super-yacht comes with its own super car
But even if you could afford to buy;
the company are only making six models and has already attracted five buyers.
The luxury yacht possesses a luxurious Art Deco interior, boasts four large, double state rooms, a reception area, salon, 52' LED TV's and state-of-the art sound systems in every room – all of which can be personalised. And you will never be short of thrills as the ship can reach top speeds of 43 knots, with its twin MTU 16V000 engine, with the ability to achieve 55 knots with its optional Rolls Royce KaMeWa boosters offering a staggering 14,000hp.
But not to be outdone, the super car, which is powered by a 880hp twin turbo V12 engine has a top speed of 375kmh.
Founder of the Swedish company Strand Craft, Kurt Strand said they had built the boat and car for the 'very wealthy'.
He said: 'We have had a lot of interest, specifically the Middle East , it was designed for people who want the best.
'It has a very futuristic design and nothing like this has ever been made before. It even has bullet proof windows.'


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INNOWTECH at CES in Las Vegas
INNOWTECH participated in CES 2021, the Customer Electronics Show, the most important exhibition dedicated to technological innovation in electronics.
Exceptionally this year, Las Vegas did not host the CES 2021 participants. It took place 100% digitally from 11 to 14 January.
This world show allowed INNOWTECH to present our ReCOVery robot: an autonomous robot capable of disinfecting air, floors, walls and other surfaces thanks to a decontamination system using ultraviolet light and a virucidal sprayer.
A collaborative project led by INNOWTECH, STERIXENE, SIREA and FADILEC Group.
The new version of the robot is awaiting validation. The ReCOVery robot will soon be available on the market.


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BASELWORLD 2009: Swiss Exhibitors stay ahead of the game
can feel a warm glow of satisfaction, with this year’s results comparable to those of 2007 and 2006, both judged to have been very good years. An accurate barometer of the industry, the world’s most important Watch and Jewellery Show has ended on a reassuring note after a difficult beginning to the year compared with the first two months of 2008, which were exceptional. Signs are that the industry is returning to normality rather than experiencing a really serious slowdown.
All present and accounted for
With the exception of the Americans, who were under-represented this year, all the industry’s international players made the trip to Baselworld. The drop in visitors compared to the record numbers of last year can be explained by the fact that the delegations came in smaller groups. Nevertheless, the rendezvous in Basel proved to be as crucial as ever: for the exhibitors on the one hand, as a large part of their sales are realised here and it is vital to remain visible in a generally difficult economic climate; on the other, for the retailers as the Show represents the biggest showcase of new trends and innovations in every sector – watchmaking, jewellery and related branches – and at every price level. Furthermore, Baselworld provides the best opportunity for exhibitors and retailers to make contacts, get informed and develop long-term relationships. All signs of confidence and respect, which are so important to the Swiss Exhibitors.
Horological savoir-faire and innovation
Trailblazers sans pareil, Switzerland’s watchmakers premiered several small revolutions. In these tight market conditions, innovation proved to be their most effective response. In-house movements, ingenious display mechanisms and spectacular tourbillons, housed in such noble metals as pink or white gold, high-tech alloys or finely worked ceramic, topped the bill. And while round cases are still the most popular shape, square, rectangular, tonneau or lozenge cases were also much in evidence at the Swiss exhibitors’ booths. Very small cases for women made a strong comeback, while men’s watches alternated between oversized models and slightly smaller ones than those of recent years. Anthracite, full-black and chocolate were the most popular colours.
On the jewellery front
As in 2008, Switzerland’s jewellers welcomed a very well-informed class of clientele. Buyers were seeking particular pieces – unpretentious luxury that could be worn every day or identified with a leading brand – rather than buying on the spur of the moment. This year’s jewels, from white diamonds to coloured stones to semi-precious stones like amethyst, were smaller than in the past. Pearls, for their part, made a grand comeback.
Craftsmen behind the scenes
The slight drop in the number of Asian visitors to the stands of the related branches was counterbalanced by new buyers from Central and South America. While it is too early to see the emergence of a new manufacturing area in this, the Europeans, led by the Swiss, Italians and Germans, were once again present in force, underpinning their role as key players in the world of watchmaking and jewellery.
Baselworld: a venue of excellence
Baselworld is more than ever the most important Watch and Jewellery Show on earth. Besides the impressive number of products and the business generated, its size, aura and well-adapted infrastructure make Baselworld a venue of excellence. And added to this are the incomparable professionalism of its organisers, who also manage such prestigious shows as Art Basel, and the events organised by the exhibitors. The Show’s popularity is not limited to the professionals of the industry since players from other sectors like design, fashion, architecture, as well as new media traditionally little interested in watchmaking and jewellery, have also been charmed by the Show’s sumptuous setting. The countdown has already begun for Baselworld 2010, which will be held from March 18th to 25th.
The Swiss Exhibitors’ Committee
Baselworld 2009 in figures:
- 93’900 visitors
- 1’952 exhibitors
- 453 Swiss brands
- 160’000 m2 of overall exhibition space
- 115’200 m2 of occupied exhibition space
- 2’973 accredited journalists


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ROLI Acquires FXpansion
Will continue development of FXpansion products, and integrate technologies to create new instruments 02/09/16
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Music technology leader ROLI has acquired FXpansion, the maker of software instruments, and says it will accelerate development of the musical instruments of the future. Here's the press release with the details...
London-based FXpansion adds a vast collection of sounds and effects to ROLI's growing ecosystem of music creation tools. The Seaboard, ROLI's touch-responsive instrument that is acclaimed as "the future of the keyboard," will now be developed alongside FXpansion's virtual instruments including BFD3, the world's largest collection of acoustic drum sounds, and Strobe2, the analogue-modelled software synthesizer. The combined ROLI team will integrate its technologies, as ROLI creates a new class of digital instruments that are more expressive and versatile than anything before it.
Deepening ROLI's capabilities in sound and software, FXpansion products also extend ROLI's stack of technologies - which is already more diverse than any other in the music technology space. Beyond the Seaboard ROLI has developed Equator, the software synthesizer; NOISE, the free app that turns iPhones into musical instruments; Blend, the social platform for music collaboration; and JUCE, the C++ coding framework for audio developers.
Roland Lamb, founder and CEO of ROLI, said, "We are creating a Connected Music ecosystem of devices that will change the way people make and enjoy music. Our leadership in music technology innovation - across both software and hardware - strengthens with every link we add to ROLI's toolchain. We're excited to continue pushing the boundaries of musical expression and technological innovation with FXpansion, which has been at the forefront of audio software development for the past 15 years."
Angus Hewlett, founder and CEO of FXpansion, said, "This acquisition is a momentous opportunity for FXpansion. Together ROLI and FXpansion can create best-in-class instruments, even as we continue to develop the FXpansion products our users know and love."
The acquisition follows ROLI's $27 million Series B fundraising - led by US-based Foundry Group - in May 2016. It concludes a transformative 12-month period during which ROLI released the Seaboard RISE, a touch-responsive MIDI controller that the Consumer Technology Association hailed as the most innovative Computer Peripheral product of 2016.
ROLI will support and develop FXpansion's family of products which also includes Geist2, the beat production system, and a range of sound effect plug-ins such as Maul and Bloom. FXpansion products will continue to be sold in their current form. Customer support and product maintenance will be available on all of the current channels. Anticipated updates - including the release of BFD 3.2 and Cypher2 - are progressing.
All FXpansion team members will join ROLI, where they will take on new roles as they continue to develop FXpansion's products. Angus Hewlett will become Head of Sound Synthesis and Lead Software Engineer. Rhiannon Bankston-Thomas, FXpansion's Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, will become ROLI's Head of Software Program Management. Skot McDonald, Chief Technology Officer, will become ROLI's Lead Software and Research Engineer.
About ROLI ROLI is a London-based technology company that is creating a Connected Music ecosystem. The award-winning Seaboard RISE and Seaboard GRAND are revolutionary musical instruments that let music-makers express more on a soft, touch-responsive surface. NOISE, the free app, turns the iPhone into a fun and powerful handheld instrument. Equator, ROLI's groundbreaking software synthesizer and sound engine, enables multidimensional musical expression on a range of compatible instruments. JUCE, the leading C++ framework for audio applications, is making music programs run faster in real time. Blend is building a community for music collaboration by letting artists share their projects on an open social platform. Through hardware, software, social, and audio-developer products, ROLI is creating a chain of music-making tools that lets people express more. About FXpansion FXpansion is one of the world's leading developers of audio instruments and effects for software platforms. Its mission is to push the boundaries of audio software and provide professional-grade products that are also accessible to prosumers. Founded in 1999, FXpansion's first products included DR-008, a powerful drum synthesis and sampling instrument. In 2003 it released BFD, a revolutionary acoustic drum sample instrument that has been continually updated, offering the world's largest collection of studio-quality drum sounds to musicians, composers, and engineers. FXpansion's industry-renowned synthesis products include Strobe2, which features accessible user interfaces that make sound design more intuitive. Geist2, its beat production system, released in April 2016. Other products include Tremor, Bloom, Etch, and Maul.


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The German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) cordially invites you on March 5 (5.30PM to 9PM) to:
German Specialty and Organic Foods in the U.S.: “A taste of quality and innovation from Germany”!
Germany, as the biggest food retail market in Europe, constantly fosters innovative product ideas and new food technologies. With the emerging consumer awareness of healthier diets and functional food, the U.S. food market is very attractive for German food companies. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV), the German American Chamber of Commerce seeks to promote German exports of organic and specialty food into the U.S.
The event will showcase German specialty food producers and will allow for fruitful discussion on the expansion of innovative and unique products within the U.S. market. It will be an excellent opportunity for industry experts and businesses to exchange thoughts and ideas about the continuing growth of the specialty food market.
The networking reception will include a tasting, where participating audience members will get a chance to experience first-hand the quality and innovation that German producers can bring to the table. There’s only very limited space available.
6PM: Welcome Note by GACC
6.05 PM: Welcome Note by the German Federal Ministry of Food
6:15PM: Networking Reception and Food Tasting
Location: Bechtel Conference Center, 500 Washington Street, San Francisco, CA
Only very limited space is available so first come first serve!


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For those “too old” for trick-or-treating, living Halloween vicariously through your children is a great way to stock up on some free sweets and treats this fall. Be it candy corn, chocolate bars, sour snacks or delicious gummies, Halloween is the absolute best day of the year for those with active sweet tooths. Read on as we detail America’s candy craving and what it could mean for the shipping and logistics industry.
Because of this annual rush on all things sweet, shipping and logistics providers around the country are already busy moving these treats to market. According to a new interactive from CandyStore.com, one of the country’s largest bulk candy providers, millions of pounds of candy are shipped across the country each year. In fact, according to the National Confectioners Association, 75 percent of Americans buy candy for their households, including what they eat and to give away.
Our local area’s love for Halloween treats is no different. Kansas’ favorite treats include Reese’s Cups (231,476 pounds), M&Ms (230,082 pounds sold) and Dubble Bubble Gum (159,092 pounds sold). Missouri’s favorite candies include Milky Way (42,739 pounds sold), Dubble Bubble Gum (34,751 pounds sold) and Butterfinger (24,780 pounds sold). Nationally, candy corn, the sugary substance colored and shaped to look like tri-colored kernels, is the most popular Halloween candy in five states, making it the candy with the most states.
This year, USA Today is reporting that candy sales may break an all-time record! Specifically, Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $9.1 billion, an increase from the previous all-time high of $8.4 billion in 2016, according to the National Retail Federation.
That said, dentists shouldn’t fret. All these sugary statistics aside, the National Confectioners’ Association reports that 90 percent of parents who took part in its survey say that they teach their children moderation when it comes to their sack of sweet loot.


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“Read-along books aim to help beginners learn English or those not really confident with their reading skill. Families with parents who are not fluent in English can borrow Lotus books, watch videos and read along to practise. Parents and children who live far away or can not afford to borrow books can also refer to Lotus's read-along book channels on YouTube or Facebook,” said Trang, the co-founder. … [Read more...] about Non-profit library offers quality English books for children
Watch dragon ball super english sub
Three or four years ago, Xemesis got acquainted with PewPew, a well known stream, when livestreaming on TalkTV platform. After the platform shut down, Xemesis began establishing relations with ViruSs and Do Mixi, forming ‘Tu Hoang Streamer’ (four streamer kings), very famous in the streamer community. … [Read more...] about Who is the richest streamer in Vietnam?
Deputy Director of the HCM City Department of Information and Communications Võ Thị Trung Trinh, said that raising public awareness about digital transformation should be a top priority. Participants must have a new way of thinking and adapt to the rapidly changing living environment and the fourth industrial revolution. … [Read more...] about HCM City needs to speed up digital transformation process: city leaders
Prime Day kicks off Tuesday, October 13 at 12am SGT and will run for 48 hours, promising two full days of shopping on thousands of deals in Singapore for Prime members Looking for more ways to save? Prime members who purchase S$50 Amazon.sg e-Gift Card in a single transaction are entitled to a bonus S$10 Gift Card SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 9 October 2020 - (NASDAQ: AMZN) - The biggest 48-hour savings this year is almost here as Amazon prepares to kick off Prime Day at 12am SGT on October 13 in Singapore. Prime members will have exclusive access to thousands of deals on everything they need and love from top brands and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The two-day shopping event will offer Prime members incredible savings and deep discounts to shop for the must-have holiday gifts from categories like toys, electronics, beauty, kitchen, home, baby products and more, from the comfort and safety of their homes at amazon.sg/primeday. Anyone can get a … [Read more...] about Amazon Prime Day Deals Revealed! Jumpstart Your Holiday Shopping on October 13 & 14
“We believe the Covid-19 pandemic has caused serious damage. It is also an opportunity for us to look back on our past journey, forcing the community to come together to seek better ways to adapt to the crisis and plan further development,” said Nguyen Son Thuy, QTA’s General Secretary, adding, “It is also a good time to promote the green destination model.” … [Read more...] about BUSINESS NEWS HEADLINES JUNE 12


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Rivals cash in as Indonesia’s largest ISP blocks Netflix
DASHING the hopes of those who eagerly awaited Netflix’s arrival on Indonesia’s shores, the country’s state-owned and largest internet service provider (ISP) blocked the video-streaming service from all its platforms at midnight Wednesday.
“We block Netflix as of Jan. 27 at midnight. The issue is about the permit. They don’t follow the rules. They also display violence and adult contents,” said Telkom’s director of consumers Dian Rachmawan yesterday, according to the Jakarta Post.
The block applied to all of Telkom’s platforms, he said in reference to IndiHome, WiFi.id and Telkomsel.
Predictably, Netflix fans in Indonesia met the news with anger and consternation.
Apparently reacting to the block, Nadya Hutagalung, a popular Indonesian-Australian actress, tweeted:
What is so bad about @netflix? This censorship is going over board. You think people can't go and buy fake DVSs in Indonesia?!
— nadya hutagalung (@Nadya_HutaGalng) January 27, 2016
Some, however, were quick to turn this into an advantage. A rival ISP, MyRepublic, posted on its Facebook page that it was providing full access to Netflix, encouraging users to sign up with it.
The post received a large amount of likes and comments, reaffirming the popularity of Netflix in the country and validating MyRepublic’s sly marketing move.
Ga bisa nonton Netflix karena di block? yuk pakai koneksi MyRepublic sekarang juga dan kamu bebas nonton Netflix, daftar langsung di https://order.myrepublic.co.id
Posted by MyRepublic Indonesia on Wednesday, January 27, 2016
The post reads: “Can’t watch Netflix because of the block? Use MyRepublic connection right now and you are free to watch Netflix.”
Regardless, many worry that Telkom’s move suggests that a blanket ban on Netflix is imminent. Another possibility is an aggressively censored version of Netflix in Indonesia.
SEE ALSO: Southeast Asian governments grapple with censoring Netflix
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Fallout 76 was missing something this whole time that people couldn’t quite put their finger on, and it turns out it might have been a battle royale mode. Aside from the brand new content revealed during Bethesda’s event, they also revealed a brand new battle royale called Nuclear Winter that is coming tomorrow. Players will compete to become the overseer, and there can only be one champion among the 52 players who head into the fight.
Fallout 76 Nuclear Winter launches tomorrow. Check out the teaser trailer below:


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Singapore may create national supply chain disruption task force to help businesses
KPMG said the task force can focus on offering support for vulnerable sectors.
The Singapore government can create a supply chain disruption task force that can help businesses in the more vulnerable sectors such as manufacturing, KPMG said.
“The taskforce can focus its work on the more vulnerable manufacturing, construction, and logistics industries to enable them to achieve faster and more effective responses to disruptions,” KPMG said in a statement.
The task force can provide support for smaller businesses to give advice on rising fuel prices and energy costs.
KPMG said the task force may also offer grants and support schemes to small businesses and suppliers to pursue greener supply chains.
There could also be grants or bonds that will back businesses caught in supply challenges, cash disbalances, and those who do not have enough financial resources.
KPMG said firms are searching for ways to invest in digital solutions that will make their workflow efficient and sustainable.
The advisory firm also proposed the following incentives:
Enhanced deductibility of expenses incurred on supply chain digitisation and transformation (i.e. deductions in excess of actual expenditure incurred) Consulting grants for businesses embarking upon supply chain transformation and digitisation.
Special taxation regime and/or financing for companies involved in investment, development and trade of renewable energy, hydrogen (or other green alternatives) and carbon credit.


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Chilly consumers are urged to be aware of the dangers that come with staying warm this winter, including flammable pyjamas, illegal heaters, gas poisoning and burns.
NSW Fair Trading commissioner Rose Webb said that while there are dangers that come with beating the winter chill, awareness would help NSW consumers stay safe and warm.
“Over the years we have seen quite a range of unfortunate accidents surrounding heaters in winter and the NSW Government is eager to warn consumers of these dangers so they can stay safe in their homes,” Ms Webb said.
“Flammable children’s pyjamas remain a huge concern so always check clothes when purchasing them for labels that indicate they are a low fire hazard, but even then, keep children away from open heat sources, even heaters.
“Indoor portable heaters, otherwise known as cabinet heaters, have been banned in NSW for more than a decade but continue to be sold second-hand and online. These heaters function with an LPG gas bottle and have exploded in family homes. I don’t need to tell you what the risks of an exploding gas bottle are. It’s not worth the risk – do not buy one of these heaters.
“Using outdoor heaters inside or using unconventional heating indoors also poses a huge risk, such as carbon monoxide poisoning and can cause death.
“In 2019 there was a family at Cabramatta, including an 18-month-old baby, who almost died because they were using barbecue heat beads to stay warm inside.
“Make sure you are absolutely certain that the method you are using to keep warm is safe, not only for you but your family and your neighbours too.”
Ms Webb also warned of further dangers including hot water bottles, heat packs, electric blankets, older heaters and warming clothes or linen on heaters.
House fires remain a huge risk in winter, with 30 per cent of all residential fires in NSW occurring in the winter months, so all households are urged to check their smoke alarms are installed and functional.


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FedEx is rerouting hundreds of thousands of packages every day while it scrambles to cope with the labor shortage plaguing many businesses in the U.S.
FedEx Chief Operating Officer Raj Subramaniam said during an earnings call this week that there have been “widespread inefficiencies” in its operation due to “constrained labor markets” which have ultimately forced the company to divert packages.
There are more than 600,000 packages a day being rerouted across the entire FedEx Ground network, according to Subramaniam.
Subramaniam pointed to the company’s Portland, Oregon, hub as an example, saying it’s running on “65% of the staffing needed to handle its normal volume.”
As a result, the hub is diverting 25% of the package volume that normally goes through to the hub because it can’t be efficiently processed.


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The cost of bitcoin increased in the year 2017. Coinbase, one of the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, was in the best location at the right time to profit from the spike in interest. Nevertheless, Coinbase isn’t thinking about taking its crypto gains for granted. To stay in advance in a much bigger cryptocurrency market, the firm is plowing refund into their master plan. Up until 2017, the firm’s revenue was reported at $1 billion and also over $150 billion of properties were traded throughout 20 million clients.
Coinbase, a San Francisco based company, is known as the leading cryptocurrency trading platform in the United States as well as with its continued success, landed at the No. 10 place on the CNBC Disruptor list in 2018 after falling short to make the listing the previous two years.On their course to success, Coinbase has actually left no stone unturned in poaching vital execs from New York Supply Exchange, Twitter, Facebook, as well as LinkedIn. In the present year, the dimension of its permanent engineering group has practically doubled.
Earn.com was bought by Coinbase this April for $100 million. This platform allows the customers to send out and receive electronic currency while responding to mass market emails and finishing micro jobs. Presently, the firm is preparing to bring a former Andreessen Horowitz investor, Earns owner and Chief Executive Officer as its first-ever chief technology officer.According to existing valuation, Coinbase valued itself at about $8 billion when it set out to purchase Earn.Com. This value is much more than the valuation of $1.6 billion which was estimated at the last round of financial backing financing in the summer of 2017.
Coinbase declines to talk about its assessment although that it has greater than $225 million in funding from top VC’s consisting of Union Square Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz as well as likewise from the New york city Supply Exchange.To fulfill the demands of institutional investors, the New York Stock Exchange is planning to start its own cryptocurrency exchange. Nasdaq, a rival of NYSE is likewise considering a comparable action.
As completing organizations look to take a bite out of the Coinbase’s business, Coinbase is looking to various other equity capital chances in an attempt to build a moat around the company.Dan Dolev, a Nomura split second analyst, said that Square, a company run by Twitter Chief Executive Officer Jack Dorsey could consume right into Coinbase’s exchange organisation due to the fact that it started trading cryptocurrency on its Square Cash money app in January.
According to the quotes by Dolev, Coinbase’s average trading charges were about 1.8 percent in 2017. Costs this high can drive the individuals to various other less costly exchanges.
Coinbase is seeking to come to be a one-stop buy the institutional capitalists while hedging its exchange company. To entice in that white handwear cover financier class, the company revealed a fleet of brand-new items. This class of financiers has been especially careful to dive into the volatile cryptocurrency market.Coinbase Prime, The Coinbase Institutional Protection Team, Coinbase Safekeeping and Coinbase Markets are the items launched by the firm.
Coinbase feels that there are billions of bucks in institutional loan which can be bought the electronic money. It currently has the custody of $9 billion in customer assets.Institutional capitalists are concerned regarding safety and security despite recognizing Coinbase has actually never ever experienced a hack like a few other international cryptocurrency exchanges. Coinbase head of state and also COO stated that the catalyst of introducing the Coinbase safekeeping last November was the lack of trusted custodian to safeguard their crypto possessions.
According to newest data offered from Autonomous Next Wall Road’s, interest in cryptocurrency seems to be enhancing. At present, there are 287 crypto hedge funds, while in 2016, there were only 20 cryptocurrency hedge funds that existed. Goldman Sachs has actually also opened a cryptocurrency trading workdesk.
Coinbase has additionally introduced Coinbase Ventures, which is an incubator fund for early-stage start-ups operating in the cryptocurrency and also blockchain room. Coinbase Ventures has currently accumulated $15 billion for additional investments. Its initial financial investment was revealed in a startup called Substance which permits one to borrow or provide cryptocurrency while gaining an interest rate.
At the start of 2018, the company introduced Coinbase Commerce, which allows merchants to approve major cryptocurrencies for settlement. Another bitcoin startup was BitPlay, which lately elevated $40 million in venture cash. In 2014 BitPlay refined more than $1 billion in bitcoin payments.The proponents of blockchain technology believe that in the future, cryptocurrency will certainly have the ability to eliminate the demand for main financial authorities. In the process, it will decrease expenses and also create a decentralized economic remedy.Learn more about Coinbarters.com here.


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Leguan enters Slovakian access market
13 June 2022
Finland-based spider lift manufacturer Leguan Lifts has expanded into Slovakia with the appointment a new equipment dealer.
The company recently signed a distribution deal with equipment supplier Grolos, which is headquartered in Rokovo Municipality in the north of the country.
Primarily catering to the agricultural and forestry sectors, and already a distributor of mini loaders made by Leguan’s sister company Avant, Grolos, will now offer sales and after sales services for the full range of Leguan spider lifts.
Jori Mylläri, VP of Sales and Marketing for Leguan Lifts, said, “We have heard a lot of good feedback about Grolos from other Leguan distributors in the region and are excited to start the partnership with them.
“All the preparations for the sales start have gone smoothly with their team, and we are expecting them to become a vital part of Leguan sales in this part of Europe in the future.”
Known for producing platforms with tracked chassis that provide high ground clearance and steady driving on difficult terrain, Leguan said that now is the “perfect” time to enter the access equipment market in Slovakia, “which is covered by mountainous terrain”, as spider lifts are not yet in common use in the country.
Radovan Fatul, CEO of Grolos, said, “Leguan spider lifts have state-of-the-art features such as the advanced automatic levelling system and the fastest driving speeds of any spider lifts.
“We think that the market is ready for Leguan, as there are many projects around the country that would benefit from increased efficiency while working in heights.”
The appointment of Grolos comes as the manufacturer seeks to expand its European presence, following a period of significant market growth that it said was driven by a “sizeable” investment in the development of its product range.
Mylläri said, “We have been looking to strengthen our sales network in Europe for a while now, but as we have grown in such a fast phase during the past few years (nearly 70 % sales growth last year) we were forced to postpone most sales expansion plans in new markets.
“After achieving the first steps of production expansion plans, we are ready again to start gradually welcoming new partners to our distributor network.”


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The most reliable recession indicator in the world just flashed red—and it’s actually setting us up for 33%+ gains in the next two years.
A contradiction? Sure sounds like it.
But history tells us we can expect a fast return like this when the economy and stock market look exactly like they do right now.
I’ve got two ways for you to grab a piece of the action, one of which even hands us a growing 7% cash dividend.
And when I say “growing,” I mean it: this already-huge cash stream has grown 96% in the last 15 years, and it’s backed by the strongest stocks in America (I’m talking about the 30 names on the Dow Jones Industrial Average), so there’s plenty more to come.… Read more


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Half-year report: Einhell sets the course for the next growth steps
After a record year in 2022 with more than 1 billion euros in sales for the first time, followed by consolidation in the 1st quarter of 2023, Einhell Germany AG is continuing its growth trajectory. Having already established a leading position for itself in many markets with its Power X-Change battery platform, Einhell is now focusing both on the expansion of proprietary battery production in Europe and on international corporate acquisitions. The share of Power X-Change products sold in the total sales of the group was also increased to 46 percent, corresponding to a rise of three percentage points on 2022, a record year. Despite the challenging economic climate across the world, the board of Einhell Germany AG is standing by its very ambitious targets for the year.
CEO Andreas Kroiss: The aim is sustainable growth
Andreas Kroiss, CEO of Einhell Germany AG: “Einhell was the first company in the DIY and garden tool sector to establish a battery platform, Power X-Change. It now comprises more than 300 tools and will be expanded to some 450 products by 2027. Going forward, we will continue to utilize our expertise in the battery technology segment to develop innovative solutions for consumers, and tap into new markets around the globe. These are the core elements of our corporate strategy to deliver sustainable growth for Einhell.”
As already reported, the Einhell Group had finished the first quarter of 2023 with the second best figures in the company’s history. In the second quarter of 2023 sales continued to approach the record level of 2022. Overall, Einhell posted revenue of EUR 525.9 million for the first half of 2023, just 6.7 percent below the record EUR 563.7 million in sales achieved for the same period the year before. This was due in part to exchange rate effects in various countries. The other financial ratios also consolidated on the records posted in 2022, with earnings before tax (EBT) reaching EUR 44.3 million (previous year EUR 48.2 million), pre-tax earnings 8.4 percent (previous year 8.5 percent) and earnings per share EUR 8.0 (previous year EUR 9.0).
Einhell board expects a much stronger second half
“Overall the second quarter has been a satisfactory one for the Einhell Group. The Einhell Group expects a much stronger second half compared with the previous year, when customers were running down their stocks. That means sales should now pick up again,” the board of Einhell Germany AG states in its half-year report.
To further optimize perception of the Einhell brand, the company will also step up marketing measures in the current fiscal year. “The cooperation agreed last year with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team is another key element here. This partnership brings together two strong international brands that have the highest technological aspirations. The cooperation with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team is already having a positive impact on the visibility and image of the Einhell brand, and will be expanded further in the future. The collaboration with soccer club FC Bayern Munich will also be continued with the aim of ensuring even greater visibility for the Einhell brand.”
Extensive international activities
To prepare itself for this further growth, Einhell Germany AG founded Einhell Operations GmbH in Budapest (Hungary) in July. Einhell Germany AG holds 100 percent of the shares in the company, which is to concentrate on the manufacture of batteries.
Einhell Germany AG has also acquired 100 percent of the shares in the Vietnamese company Swisstec Sourcing Vietnam Joint Stock Company, based in Thu Dau Mot City (Vietnam). The company is an established distributor of screws, fastening materials and various hand tools, and its main customers are European and Canadian do-it-yourself retail chains. On the back of its longstanding experience, Swisstec will assume responsibility for sourcing and packing the Einhell and KWB accessories in the future. The addition of the company to the group marks another important strategic step towards broadening the purchasing base in the Asian market.
To drive expansion in Thailand as well, on June 1st this year Einhell Germany AG acquired 66.67 percent of the shares in the newly formed Surazinsano Co., Ltd., based in Bangkok (Thailand).
In South Africa, meanwhile, Einhell Germany AG has increased its shareholding in Lawn Star Pty Ltd. and Mould Star Ltd. by acquiring the remaining 49 percent, having taken a 51 percent stake in this highly regarded company back in 2020. The company is making great strides and succeeded in winning a contract with one of the largest DIY chains in the country.
Einhell is also holding promising discussions with takeover candidates in the USA, which is regarded as the biggest DIY market in the world and thus offers huge potential for the Power X-Change battery platform.
About Einhell Germany AG
Einhell is a leading manufacturer of state-of-the-art tools and equipment for the house and garden. From its headquarters in Landau/Isar (Bavaria), the internationally successful company has continuously expanded its innovative rechargeable battery platform Power X-Change and is now the market leader in the area of cordless tools and garden equipment. For many years Einhell has set new standards in terms of endurance, performance, and safety. Einhell customers appreciate the freedom of cordless operation for all their DIY projects, as well as the excellent value for money that Einhell products represent and the first-class customer service offered by the company.


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Raleigh-based beer app PintLabs has officially been acquired by Indiana-based SteadyServ Technologies.
SteadyServ, a mobile inventory and management system for the beer industry, will acquire all of PintLabs’ assets, including its BreweryDB, a database with detailed information on more than 30,000 beers and brewers.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The acquisition, says Steve Hershberger, CEO of SteadyServ, “puts us another step closer to delivering a new standard of performance.”
The goal, he adds, is for patrons to never again hear “sorry, we are out of that,” when it comes to their beer.
With the acquisition, SteadyServ promises to relocate PintLabs to a larger office in Raleigh, which will also serve as a software development and sales support office for its iKeg inventory software.


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Thanksgiving Turkeys May Be 112% More Expensive This Year
Gathering around the Thanksgiving table is going to cost a bit more this year. Not only are holiday flights the most expensive they’ve been in years, but turkeys are pushing the pocketbooks too. The prized bird may be much more expensive this year, says a new report from the American Farm Bureau Foundation.
Ongoing inflation and rises in the cases of bird flu are affecting prices for turkey at the grocery store, says the AFBF. The foundation notes that, as of September, the retail cost for boneless, skinless turkey breast was averaging $6.70 per pound, which was 112% more than the same time last year when it cost $3.16 per pound.
Putting that into perspective, at current rates, a 10-pound bird for a family gathering of 10 (assuming the standard one-pound per person rule) would amount to $60.
The current pricing is even above the last record-breaking Thanksgiving grocery trip in 2015 when turkey retailed for $5.88 a pound due to an outbreak of avian influenza.
“All of us are feeling the pain of higher prices at the grocery store,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said in a statement. “HPAI outbreaks in the spring and an uptick in cases in the fall are taking a toll, but farmers remain dedicated to ensuring America’s food supply remains strong.”
The USDA reported in July that avian flue cases had been found in 40 states and are growing, but the AFBF assures there will be enough turkey supply for families who still want to make the bird the centerpiece of their meal.
The agency also wants to ensure consumers know that farmers are not profiting off the record prices. They point to the fact that farmers are feeling the hit from inflation too, having to pay more for fuel, fertilizer, feed for the birds and labor costs that makes sourcing the meat more expensive on their side.
Those same factors have increased the overall cost of food 11.4% month-over-month in August, according to the latest findings from the Consumer Price Index, released in mid-September. Eggs and flour are also up in price, which could affect the holiday baking staples too.
Poultry prices are the highest in the meat category, according to the latest CPI data. Chicken and turkey are now 16.6% higher month-over-month whereas beef is up 6.7% and pork has increased by 6.8%. So if you’re looking for a more affordable option for Thanksgiving dinner, you might consider a braised pork loin or glazed roasted chicken or even a meatless “veggie” steak, tapping into a variety of non-traditional entrees that are becoming more popular for Thanksgiving feasts according to Food & Wine.
Take Our Poll: Do You Have an Emergency Fund Established?
Good Morning America spoke to American Farm Bureau Federation senior economist Veronica Nigh who also suggested going for more side dishes in place of turkey as prices skyrocket.
“We’re looking at ways to perhaps mitigate cheaper Thanksgiving dinner and maybe more side dishes to go along with that with that turkey and looking for substitutes at the grocery store,” she said. “Think about getting a frozen rather than a fresh turkey this year. Ways to really stretch that dollar and so that we can all be together but still have that traditional Thanksgiving dinner.”
More From GOBankingRates


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The man arrested in a Gelderland village earlier this year on charges of breaking Russian sanctions was trying to supply microchips and drones to Russia under the cover of an office supplies shop, the AD said on Thursday afternoon. Dimitri K, 55, was arrested in September after an investigation involving the Dutch finance ministry and Europol. The probe had been sparked following a report by an un-named bank to the financial intelligence unit FIU.
According to the AD, in May, shortly after sanctions were introduced, K officially changed his shop from a radio and electronics specialist to trading in paper and other office supplies. In reality, however, he continued to sell microchips, using a company in the Maledives as a cover. Between June and September, he falsified eight invoices, the public prosecution department told a preliminary court hearing. –
The microchips and other hardware ended up with a Moscow-based company which did business with high tech firm Rostec, which in turn supplies the weapons industry, the AD quoted the department as saying. He also tried to ship drones to Russia, ‘the same type as those used by the Russian army’, the spokeswoman said. K’s lawyer Christian Visser told the court that there is no evidence his client’s products had ended up with the Russian army.
Nor is €2 million worth of goods involved, as the prosecutor claimed, he said. In addition, Visser said, K had changed the name of his shop because another company had a similar name. K is a dual Russian Dutch national and has lived in the Netherlands for 30 years. Judges on Thursday agreed to release him from custody pending the full trial. The Dutch military security service MIVD warned at the end of October Russia was using front companies in an effort to obtain western technology. https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2022/12/man-accused-of-selling-chips-to-russia-used-office-supplies-shop-as-a-cover/


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Upstate law enforcement officers share tips for safe holiday shopping
Published: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 11:52 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 11:52 p.m.
Law enforcement officers plan to increase patrols around shopping centers as stores gear up for a busy Black Friday.
Spartanburg Public Safety Capt. Art Littlejohn said when the holiday shopping season begins each Black Friday, officers volunteer for extra duty to patrol the east and west sides of the city around major shopping centers.
“We always have additional patrol officers,” Littlejohn said. “They'll be visible in the parking lots. The officers are also encouraged to get out of their cars and walk through the businesses as well.”
Littlejohn said officers also beef up patrols around banks this time of year.
Spartanburg County sheriff's deputies will also be increasing patrols around store parking lots, Lt. Tony Ivey said.
Shoppers are reminded that they can become targets for thieves looking to snatch a purse or break into a car for an easy score of cash or merchandise.
Shoppers should secure packages out of sight in their vehicles by placing them in the trunk or a covered area inside the vehicle. Always be aware of your surroundings by scanning the parking lot for suspicious persons that may be hanging out around parked cars or are driving slowly through the parking lot and shop in groups for safety.
“Women are encouraged to carry their purse close to their body and not casually drape it over their shoulder,” Ivey said. “Criminals have been known to drive by women carrying purse in such a casual manner and reach out and grab the purse as they drive away. Have your keys in your hand ready to unlock your vehicle before you leave the store instead of standing outside looking for your keys.”
If you feel uncomfortable walking back to your car alone ask a store employee or on-duty security employee to accompany you to your vehicle, Ivey said.
- It's also a good time of year to remember to record your debit and credit card information and keep it at home so if your cards are stolen, you can contact the credit card companies or banks to cancel the cards.
- Officers remind those going out of town for the holidays to keep outside lights on around the home to deter burglaries.
- Ask a trusted neighbor to watch your home while you are away. Have mail and newspaper delivery stopped, because if it piles up, it's a sign no one is home.
- Get an automatic timer for lights in your home and set them to randomly turn on and off.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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Terms and definitions in Blockchain and Bitcoin for those looking to start trading cryptocurrency
It is now possible that Blockchain could replace credit cards in the near future.
An amazing chart from Morgan Stanley, cited by the Financial Times, sheds new light on the Bitcoin and cryptocurrency phenomenon.
Being woken up by a screaming alarm clock is hardly a pleasant experience early in the morning
For those observing the crisis in Venezuela, it can feel like tragedy in slow motion.
As per a research report by IDC, a total of over $1.5 Billion have already been spent by companies.


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Kool2Play has pushed out an update to their estimation based game called Estiman which brings the game into the Valentine’s Day spirit. The update adds a new seasonal game mode for players to check out, all of which still deals with your ability to estimate what your next move should be.
First of all I just want to say Happy New Years to everyone out there in the Android gaming land. Hopefully everyone had a great holiday and will have a fantastic 2017. Over the next few days we will be getting back into the full swing of things. It looks like the same goes for developers as this week has plenty of Android releases in store for us including the Mega Man ports arriving on January 5th. In the meantime some indie developers have launched their games and ESTIMAN is one of them, coming from Kool2Play.


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An Indiana woman has been sentenced for allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from her trucking company employer.
Forty-two year old Lucy Owens was sentenced to 57 months in prison and a year of supervised release, according to a September 11 news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of Indiana. Owens was also ordered to pay $820,483.66 in restitution.
In May 2018, Owens was convicted on 7 counts of wire fraud in connection with a five year long embezzlement scheme.
According to authorities, between 2010 and 2015, Owens took part in two different fraud schemes that diverted over $800,000 from the Hammond, Indiana-based trucking company she worked for.
From the news release:
In one scheme, Owens used her position as the company’s accounts payable clerk to fraudulently pay over $460,000 in personal credit card bills from the company’s bank account. In the second scheme, Owens used her position as the administrator of the company’s diesel fuel card program to help two individuals obtain over $330,000 in unauthorized cash advances at truck stops. One of the individuals, Kirk Stroh, also from Hobart, Indiana, was a truck driver for a rival trucking company. Owens helped Stroh obtain over $290,000 in fraudulent cash advances at a truck stop in Lake Station, Indiana, in increments of $800 per day. Stroh, a co-defendant in the case, who previously pled guilty, split the proceeds with Owens. In addition to paying her personal credit card debt funds stolen from her employer, Owens used her portion of the stolen funds to pay for frequent family vacations, dining, clothing, jewelry, home improvements, and other items.
“The great work of the Hammond Police Department has brought this case to a successful conclusion with an order of restitution and significant prison time,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners will continue to hold people accountable for their actions when they choose to take advantage of others.”


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If you’ve got a highly successful bakery, why not expand it?
That’s not exactly what the owners of Blackbird Bakery are doing with the opening of Fork & Spoon in early April, since the new eatery will be more of a lunch/dinner satellite than an enlarged bakery.
Still, the near proximity of the two businesses – with 120 Madrone Lane just around the corner from Blackbird – will allow much of the food to be prepared in the bakery and its owners, Jeff Shepard and Heidi Umphenour, to create an endeavor that is still very close to home.
“It’s something we’ve talked about for a while,” said Shepard. “Having the restaurant in a building so close to the bakery was an opportunity we couldn’t pass on.”
The owners, who opened the Blackbird in 1999 and have been busy baking breads, quiche and sweets for a grateful community ever since, will emphasize local food products while serving soups, sandwiches and salads for lunch. In the evening, small plates of appetizers will be served with beer and wine.
While Blackbird is strictly vegetarian, Fork & Spoon will feature a variety of meat and fish sandwiches, including meatloaf, BLT, salami and tuna.
“We’ve talking to local and county farmers about the products they can provide us,” Shepard said. “We want local and seasonal food to dominate our menu. It depends on availability, but we want to be as local as much as possible.”
The inside of the restaurant is a cozy 600 square feet, which is large enough for 10 two-person tables. There will also be four tables placed in a 300-square-foot courtyard that is tucked away from traffic.
And, at least during the Winslow Way reconstruction project, there will be public seating outside on Madrone Lane, part of which will be closed to vehicle traffic during much of the summer.
“We’re looking forward to that,” said Shepard, whose Blackbird clientele will also spill out into the narrow street. “Despite the construction, it’ll have a piazza feel to it where people can walk around and enjoy eating outdoors. We’ll put some seating out there for that.”
The Fork & Spoon will not have an oven or stove, which means the bakery will produce ingredients such as soup and bread while the food will be prepped and assembled in the café.
“Part of our motivation is that lunch has been successful at Blackbird but because of the small space we couldn’t grow it,” he said. “Plus, we’ve wanted to take advantage of the increasing amount of food being grown locally.”
The staff will be small with no more than eight employees, including Lena Davidson, who will be the café’s floor manager.


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Chinese tourists made 98 million overseas trips last year, and the figure is expected to cross 116 million this year. Since the increase in the number of Chinese people traveling abroad has been astronomical over the past ten years, it’s no surprise that there is still that pesky minority of Chinese tourists behaving badly, and with the growth in tourists, so too have the bothersome ones multiplied. In a survey conducted by LivingSocial and Mandala Research two years ago, American tourists were ranked the world’s worst, followed by Chinese.
Evidently superpower rivalry comes in many forms.
There is no way to ensure that every traveler behaves properly, but when Mainland sightseers misbehave and forget their manners, they really go full out. The Chinese are traveling more but also becoming notorious for rough behavior. As a Huffington Post article wrote this week: “Bad Chinese Tourists Are Earning A Reputation As The New ‘Ugly Americans’.”
In hot water #NoodleGate
Arguably one of the most talked about stories this week has been the story of the Chinese traveler who scalded a flight attendant with hot water and noodles while her friend threatened to “blow up a plane”. The incident, involving four people, on a charter flight from Bangkok to Nanjing, was a result of the Chinese travelers being angered by their seating arrangements on a Thai AirAsia flight.
The shocking incident is expected to be taken seriously by the China National Tourism Administration who said the disruption “badly damaged the overall image of the Chinese people”. As the news of the incident quickly spread over the social network Weibo, nearly all netizen’s were disgusted and embarrassed and took to the site writing: “Talk about embarrassing, can we please be more civilized when going abroad! Just what kind of people are going abroad!” and “How do such people with such low characters manage to go abroad? China’s face [reputation] is all lost by these kinds of people.”
Speaking to China Daily the National Tourism Administration said the four young Chinese passengers had been fined and will have a bad credit record with the provincial tourism association.
Tagging tombs & pooing in Paris
Causing havoc on a plane is not the only way that the Chinese are leaving their mark on the world traveling stage. As we reported last year someone carved the words “Ding Jinhao was here,” into the 3,500-year-old Luxor Temple in Egypt. Even though the marks have already been cleaned up, there is still a lasting impression left on the rest of the world.
A tour guide surnamed Zhang told QQ that he “had never seen this sort of behavior from tourists,” and that “until recently, the Chinese tourists going to Egypt were relatively few, and their character was relatively good.”
“There’s a lot of this kind of uncivilized behavior out there,” said Zhang. “Take for example the sign outside the Louvre Museum, only in Chinese characters, that forbids people from urinating or defecating wherever they want.”
There is indeed a sign in Mandarin which tells visitors not to defecate in the surrounding grounds reports Quartz’s Gwynn Guilford and in another example of bad form a Chinese mother saw it fit to let her young boy urinate in a bottle in the middle of a Hong Kong restaurant.
While Chinese abroad have had their fair share of transgressions, it’s also worth nothing that tourist attractions on the mainland have come under fire too as foreign relics aren’t the only ones being defaced, as China Daily reported: “At tourist sites in China, it’s not rare to see people carving their names on ancient relics or climbing up walls or statues. Some have made a habit to jump queues to book tickets or get up on trains and planes. Tourists are known to leave behind tons of garbage as ‘souvenirs’ at the spots they visit.”
As the BBC’s Beijing correspondent Celia Hatton wrote last year:
Chinese people make an estimated 83 million trips outside China every year, so it is not a surprise that a minority sometimes clash with their foreign hosts. Just a few years ago only the richest people in China could afford to travel abroad but now millions of people from China’s second- and third-tier cities are applying for passports in order to gain their first glimpse of the outside world.
However, many in China also complain they are treated like second-class citizens abroad. Chinese internet forums were flooded with protests earlier this year when news emerged that a hotel in the Maldives had removed kettles from rooms occupied by Chinese tourists. Apparently, the hotel’s manager was upset that some Chinese tourists were using boiling water to eat instant noodles in their rooms, instead of spending money in the hotel’s restaurants.
In cities like Paris, Chinese tourists are most targeted by businesses seeking cash. Chinese visitors are thought to be particularly tempting because of a cultural preference for carrying cash over credit cards, the South China Morning Post reported.
A guidebook of behaviors
To deal with the issues caused by “uncivilized behavior”, tourism officials last year even issued a detailed 64-page guidebook to steer even the newest of holidaymakers through the etiquette hazards of an overseas trip, as Vice Premier Wang Yang said in a statement at the time:
Improving the civilized quality of the citizens and building a good image of Chinese tourists are the obligations of governments at all levels and relevant agencies and companies (…) Guide tourists to conscientiously abide by public order and social ethics, respect local religious beliefs and customs, mind their speech and behavior (…) and protect the environment.
Soon China will become the single-largest source of international tourism while simultaneously possessing the largest domestic tourism market in the world. Already, the Chinese have surpassed Germans and Americans to become the world’s top international spenders, according to The U.N. World Tourism Organization, with a record $102 billion spent in 2012 thanks to a ferocious appetite for luxury goods (If you want to know more read our Luxury Without Borders blogs).
Article 14 of a new tourism law brought in last October even states: “Tourists shall observe public order and respect social morality in tourism activities, respect local customs, cultural traditions and religious beliefs, care for tourism resources, protect the ecological environment, and abide by the norms of civilized tourist behaviors.”
With the slew of reports about bad behavior its important to remember that the Chinese middle-class has grown at an unprecedented rate (from 1995 to 2005, the population of China’s middle class grew from close to zero in 1995 to an estimated 87 million in 2005) so travel is a relatively new thing for a majority of people leaving the Mainland. China’s travel industry is still in its infancy. Few domestic or foreign companies understand the needs of Chinese travelers, 95 percent of whom claim they are poorly served on both the domestic and international fronts.
So don’t jump to conclusions when you meet a Chinese traveler – let them learn and adapt to the great things that seeing the world has to offer. But it also has to be accepted that a tiny minority is ruining the fun for the majority and that not everyone has that “innate” sightseers knowledge that many of the world’s travelers think they possess.


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Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the textile industry. One of the pioneers of this transformation is Oeko-Tex. Oeko-Tex announced that it achieved great success in its last financial year. It issued more than 43,000 certifications and labels, marking a 21 percent increase in the period between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, compared to the previous fiscal year.
The most striking among these certificates was the "Made in Green" product label. This label recorded a growth of 52 percent, representing one of Oeko-Tex's strong steps towards sustainability.
Oeko-Tex also launched two new certifications during the financial year, aimed at collaboration at all levels of the global supply chain. These new certifications help textile and leather companies reduce negative impacts from their internal business operations, supply chains and wider business relationships. It also enables businesses to meet due diligence requirements and respond to increasing global expectations.
Oeko-Tex has also taken a big step forward with its Organic Cotton program. This program aims to collaborate with a global network of certified companies from the cultivation stage of brands to the finished product to facilitate the supply of chemicals, ingredients and partners.
Oeko-Tex's achievements reflect the growing importance of sustainability and environmentally friendly practices in the textile industry. These efforts continue to advance with the aim of leaving a more sustainable world to future generations.


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NEW YORK - Facebook is adding video to its popular photo-sharing app Instagram, following on the heels of Twitter's growing video-sharing app, Vine.
Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom said Thursday users will be able to record and share 15-second clips by tapping a video icon in the app. They also can apply filters to videos to add contrast, make them black and white or different hues.
"This is the same Instagram we all know and love, but it moves," he said at an event held at Facebook's Menlo Park, Calif., headquarters.
Vine, which launched in January, has 13 million users and lets people create and share 6-second video clips. Instagram has 100 million users, up from 20 million when Facebook bought the company more than a year ago. If users like it, Facebook's move could propel mobile video sharing into the mainstream.
To use the video feature, Instagram users who've downloaded the latest version can tap on the same camera icon they use to snap photos.
A new video camera icon will appear on the right side. Tap it, and a screen with a red video button will let you record clips of sunsets, kids running in parks or co-workers staring at their computer screens.
The app will record as long as your finger is on the red button or for 15 seconds, whichever comes first.
Not unlike Vine, taking your finger off the button will stop the recording, allowing you to shoot the scene from a different angle or record something else altogether.
Once you have 15 seconds of footage, you can play it from the beginning and post it on Instagram to share with others.
A feature called "cinema" adds stabilization to the videos so they don't look like shaky amateur shots. Systrom called it "completely mind-blowing." Right now, only owners of the iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 can shoot video using this feature.
Facebook still hasn't said how it will be able to make money from Instagram, as it has not introduced ads on the service. But online video ads are growing, and it's likely only a matter of time before they arrive on Facebook - and at some point, Instagram.


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Myntra, the popular e-commerce platform, has unveiled its highly anticipated festival event, the ‘Big Fashion Festival.’ This extraordinary sale boasts the participation of 6,000 prominent brands, offering an impressive array of over 2.3 million selections encompassing fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products. The company anticipates an impressive turnout, with over 8 million enthusiastic customers expected to partake in the festival shopping extravaganza.
According to CEO Nandita Sinha, the company has commenced the festive season with strong momentum.
“We have seen a lot of good momentum around Rakhi, Ganesh Chaturthi and others, especially around categories, which are related to festivals. Ethnic categories across men, women, children, footwear, accessories, others, have seen almost a 3-5X demand spike in these festivals,” she said.
The Big Fashion Festival (BFF) is scheduled to kick off in early October, running for approximately ten days.
The Indian wear category has been broadened to encompass an impressive 450,000 distinct styles, catering to both men and women. This diverse range includes a variety of mass premium and premium styles, spanning from lighter to more elaborate Indian attire, as well as fusion wear. The fusion collection alone, featuring 45,000 styles from over 1,000 brands, is poised to be a favorite among GenZ customers seeking trendy Indo-Western fashion choices.
Sinha said that almost five lakh new styles have been added from popular brands coming from T2 cities and beyond, which will include a ‘big chunk of our new customers too.’
Myntra is set to introduce more than 150 new products, in addition to the debut of 50 new made-in-India D2C brands celebrated under the Myntra ‘Rising STARS’ label, offering a wide-ranging assortment for both men and women. Remarkably, the D2C sector has exhibited a robust 70 percent year-over-year growth in the current quarter on Myntra.
“Since the program’s inception, we’ve witnessed a remarkable 70-80 per cent growth in the performance of these D2C brands. This growth trajectory is crucial for these brands as it helps them achieve the scale they need to thrive,” she added.
International brands continue to attract shoppers, with more than 20 highly desirable global brands participating in this year’s BFF.
Myntra’s beauty and personal care selection has seen substantial growth, now encompassing more than 90,000 SKUs from over 1,500 brands, including over 200 international brands. Additionally, the Home category, which has experienced a remarkable 50 percent year-over-year demand surge, will gain even more momentum with the introduction of over 50,000 new home products to the catalog.
BFF will offer incentives to customers who make purchases exceeding a specific threshold, such as providing them with gold coins, shopping carts, and backpacks as rewards.


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A new social media advertising service has been launched called esome. The service is providing a saas service plattform, which enables the deep integration of data and which in working in near real time.
esome is one of two online advertising service being launched lately in Germany. The second one is orbyd, a real time advertising solution serving the DACH region (Austria, Germany, Swiss). Both services are located in Hamburg and both services do rely on proprietary technologies.


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Traditional Chinese Painting, Calligraphy - Big Auction Winners
One year ago, as the art market shivered in the global economic downturn, few would have predicted a warm outcome to the big autumn auctions of 2009, barometers of market confidence.
Contrary to most expectations (but not those of some savvy experts), traditional Chinese ink-wash paintings and calligraphyfetched enormous sums. One calligraphy scroll from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) set a record of 108 million Yuan (US$15.81 million).
Meanwhile, the once-overheated contemporary Chinese art scene still has not recovered and a price-value reality check is underway. It's not expected to bounce back in a big way, but experts say the signs are promising and 2010 will be a good year for really good, realistically priced contemporary art.
But the big story is that wealthy collectors are paying astounding sums for traditional art.
"Just look at the successful autumn auctions by Polk, Guardian and Council - I almost can't believe my eyes," says a veteran middle-aged collector surnamed Zhang.
"I bet nobody predicted correctly early in the year that traditional Chinese ink-wash and calligraphy would fetch such astronomical figures."
The turnover of traditional ink-wash painting and calligraphy at China Guardian Auction reached 1.1 billion Yuan last November, representing nearly 72 percent of its total November turnover.
The total turnover at China Guardian in 2008 was 1.8 billion Yuan.
China Guardian was not alone.
The same scenario played out in the Council 2009 Autumn Auction, selling 700 million Yuan of art, and the Beijing Poly Auction, selling 1.578 billion Yuan in artworks. Both reported 300 percent increase from a year earlier.
"The performance of the Chinese art market in the third quarter is much better than that for the rest of the world," says an art market analysis from the Beijing Research Center.
"In particular, ancient Chinese painting and calligraphy, higher one after another, drive the Chinese art market in the second half by 'the warm' turning into 'the hot'," the report said.
"As the bubbles of Chinese contemporary art seem to evaporate, more and more collectors, especially Chinese collectors, are keen on the hidden value of ancient Chinese ink-wash paintings and calligraphy," says Dong Guoqiang, director of Council Auction House, "because they represent the essence of Chinese culture with both art and historical value."
One calligraphy scroll from the Song Dynasty even sold for 108 million yuan at the Guardian, symbolizing for many "the beginning of the 100 million yuan" level for top paintings and calligraphy.
"I am really excited about the results," says collector Zhang. "Why are the prices of Picassos and Dalis are so daunting? Frankly, I think that the Chinese masters were undervalued and now it's time to reduce the price gap."
The passion for superb ancient painting and calligraphy appears widespread.
In China, the art market is closely linked to the country's economic development, says Dong. "The spending power of the new investors with strong financial capital is really beyond imagination."
It is widely known in the art auction circle that the same four or five people are bidding on works above 50 million Yuan.
"Sometimes they don't care about the price, they merely stick to those masterpieces in art history," says Dong. "Today 100 million Yuan may sound incredible but wait and see. The price of the same work may double or triple several years hence. The richest people really earn easy money."
Buy the right piece,buy the most expensive piece - that's the art investment strategy in China.
For example, a traditional ink-wash painting in the Republic of China period (1911-1949) by a not-so-famous artist may sell for 10,000 Yuan, almost the same price it fetched around 100 years ago.
But that's not the case with works by celebrities.
The art market is realizing the value of written letters and calligraphy by Chinese celebrities, important political figures and intellectuals.
Li Shutong (1880-1942), a pioneer in the New Culture Movement and an eminent monk, was also a calligrapher. His works fetched around 1 million Yuan each.
The passion for ancient traditional ink-wash painting and calligraphy has also increased the appreciation and prices of masters of Chinese modern art, including Qi Baishi, Fu Baoshi, Zhang Daqian and Wu Guanzhong.
"At the beginning of 2009, if one piece by one of those masters sold for 20 million Yuan, the auction staff would open a bottle of champagne to celebrate," says Deng Jing, spokesperson at the China Guardian Auction House.
"But the situation is totally different in the fourth quarter. A piece for 20 million Yuan is far below the market price."
For example, one ink-wash by Zhang Daqian was sold for 50 million Yuan at the Council's 2009 Autumn Auction.
"The Chinese art market will be in full swing in the new year," says Dong.
"The market will continue to be the main line of Chinese painting and calligraphy, supplemented by Chinese antiques and Chinese classical paintings."
If high prices are predictable for traditional Chinese paintings, then what of Chinese contemporary art?
"Chinese art market as a whole will be optimistic, and Chinese contemporary art is a part of it," says Dong from Council Auction House. "After a sluggish year, Chinese contemporary art will be on the right track in 2010."
But the bubble and hype surrounding contemporary art is certainly gone, both in the West and the East.
"Buyers are more cautious. Unlike the situation in previous years when famous and not-so-famous artists all sold well, today's buyers are picky in selecting the best of the best," says collector Zhang.
"Clearly, another round of investment boom in art is still going to be focused on traditional ink-wash painting and calligraphy."


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Microsoft announced on Monday that it's dropping $26.2 billion to acquire LinkedIn, the social network geared towards resumes, employment history, and connecting corporate professionals and white-collar workers.
It's a generous offer: The buy per share is 49.5 percent over where LinkedIn's stock closed on Friday.
It may seem quixotic when a tech giant known for its personal computer businesses buys a social network. But if you dig through Microsoft's history, there's a pretty clear strategy here.
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Microsoft got going as a dual juggernaut in both the world of PCs and the software you run on them. It's not just individual consumers who buy PCs — it's also companies, and they buy in bulk. This provided an excellent opportunity for Microsoft to place its PCs, its Windows operating systems, and its software package of Microsoft Office products into one big grab bag for bulk buyers. In fact, the famous antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft hinged on its use of overwhelming market share to essentially force that amalgam down buyers' throat and freeze out any possible competitors.
Then along came the internet and digital revolutions.
Today, Microsoft still holds about 90 percent of the PC market, but that market isn't what it used to be. The rise of smartphones and notepads and especially detachable tablets — the ones that effectively double as both a mobile tablet and a laptop computer — has massively displaced the overall amount of PC purchases in the country. Taking account of the entire world of mobile devices as well as personal computers, Microsoft only commands 14 percent of the market today.
So far the company has struggled to adapt. Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser dropped from 57.4 percent market share a year ago to 44.8 percent in February. Meanwhile, Google Chrome, the other market leader, went from 25 percent to 36.6 percent. And it doesn't look like Microsoft's new entry — the Edge browser — is making any headway so far.
As for the Windows Phone — meant to be Microsoft's direct challenge to the dominant mobile device companies like Apple — it's below 1 percent market share.
So what was Microsoft to do?
Well, first it needed to capitalize on the one foothold it still had: Microsoft remains popular with the business customers who buy desktop PCs in bulk. They have longer time horizons than individual consumers, and they like the stability of Microsoft's package of Office software and its overall ecosystem. As technology has advanced in recent years, those PCS have arguably become more durable — more of the tasks that used to be dependent on physical memory have been transferred to cloud computing, processing power is just overwhelming these days, and Microsoft has gotten better about making sure its new operating systems don't require completely new hardware upgrades.
But next Microsoft needed to figure out how to expand on that foothold. If they can't compete with mobile devices and the PC market itself is dwindling to obsolescence, what's left? The answer hit on by Satya Nadella, who became Microsoft's CEO in 2014, was to provide a set of services to those businesses and professional customers that wouldn't live or die by Microsoft's PC sales.
There have been two parts to this so far.
First, Microsoft came up with Office 365 — think the Microsoft Office package of programs, except all housed online as web apps rather than as software on a PC. It's been a big hit: "Today, one out of every five corporate employees uses an Office 365 cloud service, up from less than 7 percent just nine months ago," according to a SkyHigh Networks study.
Second, Microsoft created Azure, which essentially allows customers and businesses to rent computer power from Microsoft's cloud network.
Both of these services operate on a subscription basis. And while their revenue isn't quite up to Microsoft's needs yet, it seems to be getting there fast.
This is where LinkedIn enters the picture. Microsoft is already gaining a command of the market for the cloud computing and the cloud-based apps professionals use. So now it's gaining command over the social platform they use to message, hire, and network with one another as well. LinkedIn may not be the big household name that Facebook is, but it caters to a specific audience of white-collar workers and corporate professionals. It even charges businesses to post job ads and take advantage of other recruiting services — all potential revenue for Microsoft now, and a potential avenue for marketing Office 365 and Azure. As Tim Lee put it at Vox, LinkedIn is basically one giant digital replacement for every rolodex that used to adorn the desk of every business person worth their salt.
And now Microsoft owns it.
Another purchase by Microsoft back in 2011 was Skype. That may have seemed strange at the time, but given the degree to which Skype is used for virtual conferencing and the like, it now looks like one more piece of Microsoft's growing ecosystem of online professional services. The company is even looking into virtual reality headsets for business meetings and communication.
We've seen this same sort of strategy with Facebook too; it's buying up Instagram, transforming into a news source in its own right, and attempting to become the internet portal for hundreds of millions of people.
But while Facebook is looking to essentially become the umbrella provider of everything you do as a social person — your news consumption, your photo sharing, your jokes and stories and arguments with your friends — Microsoft is trying to do it for everything you do as a professional — your projects and spreadsheets and communications and hiring decisions and glad-handing and computing power.
Facebook wants to monopolize your social life. Microsoft wants to monopolize your professional life. Between the two, is there room for anyone else?
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Chanel and Versace Are Among the Least Transparent Fashion Brands
According to advocacy group Fashion Revolution’s latest report.
U.K. based advocacy group Fashion Revolution has recently released the third edition of its Fashion Transparency Index. The list ranks brands according to the brand’s willingness to disclose their inner practices. The point system of rankings also sheds a light on the fashion brand’s disclosed information on their supply chain, workers conditions and more. Additionally, the rankings pinpoint the environmental impact of a brand and how it responds to trade unions and gender issues.
The lowest ranked luxury brands including Chanel, Versace, Dior, Marc Jacobs and Dolce & Gabbana scored less than 10-percent transparency. A few of the most transparent brands are adidas, Reebok, PUMA and H&M. Each of these companies fell between 51 to 60-percent transparency.
Fashion Revolution was founded five years ago as a direct response to the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh where 1,135 garment workers died and more than 2,000 were injured according to Reuters. The advocacy group works to highlight the importance of brand transparency, which will ultimately protect human rights and tackle forced labor.
The report featured 150 brands in the luxury, accessories, sports and high-street markets with annual revenue of more than $500 million USD. In the aforementioned report, Fashion Revolution states:
“Only on-the-ground research by NGOs, unions and academics can reveal the true impacts of brands’ policies and practices in real-world situations. The Fashion Transparency Index has been designed to give an illustrative look at how much brands know and share about their supply chains. We have deliberately chosen to focus specifically on transparency by means of public disclosure and not everything that brands and retailers are doing internally or otherwise behind-the-scenes across their companies and supply chains.”
Read the full report over at Fashion Revolution’s official website.
FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK is already kicking off for many countries around the world! Use your voice and your power this Fashion Revolution Week 23-29th April, by asking brands #whomademyclothes? Show that you want a fashion industry that is fair, safe and kind for all! ? Take part in THE biggest fashion event in the world. There are over 1000 events happening around the world, from creative workshops to film screenings, catwalks and thought-provoking panel discussions.Find out what’s happening near you: ?www.fashionrevolution.org/events Tell your friends and family about #FashionRevolution and help us make this year’s campaign our strongest and loudest yet by sharing our campaign materials. Head to www.fashionrevolution.org/resources to find everything you need to spread the word! ? #fashionrevolution
- Image Credit
- Phil Oh/Vogue


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Trashion Fashion Week is April 7 to 15 and, once again, the Sonoma Community Center is offering a variety of activities and events in which the entire community is invited to participate.
Established and budding artists can remake a Barbie doll, dress up a dog or strut their stuff on the runway at the annual Trashion Fashion Show.
Those who plan to participate can now apply.
Applications for all events are available at trashionfashionsonoma.org or by visiting the Sonoma Community Center at 276 E. Napa St. or by calling 938-4626, ext. 1.
Up first is a Trashion Fashion Design Class for Kids and Teens which will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on four Saturdays, March 3 to 24. The class is for young designers ages 9 to 17 who want to participate in the Trashion Runway Show, but don’t know where to start. Under the guidance of
The community center’s Special Project Manager Margaret Hatcher and her “Trashion Team,” students will receive 12 hours studio time to prep for the show. The $140 enrollment fee includes the $20 runway show entry fee. To register, call 938-4626, ext. 1.
Artists can also participate in Trashion week in a “small way” with the “Barbie: Rescued & Reinvented” exhibit and silent auction. Dozens of used Barbie and Ken dolls have been amassed.
“Visit the Center, choose a doll, pick up an entry form and get started,” says Hatcher. “Have fun, be inventive, interpret this any way you like, but use only recycled materials and wholesome imagery.”
The entry fee is $25 per doll. The deadline to apply and deliver dolls is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 30.
“The Trashion Barbie exhibit was a huge hit last year,” says Hatcher. “We were thrilled with the response, and with the astonishing quality and variety of interpretations.” The exhibit of repurposed Barbie dolls will open with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday April 7, in the center’s Gallery 212. All dolls will be for sale in a silent auction. The exhibit will remain up and bidding open through 4 p.m. on Sunday,
All well-behaved canines and owners are invited to participate in Dogs on the Catwalk – Sonoma’s only Trashion Show for dogs at 11 a.m. on Sunday April 8. Prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories. Use recycled materials only. PetsLifeline pet rescue center will be on hand to offer adoption opportunities. The fee for early registration is $25 or $40 to enter the day of the show.
The event is free for audience members. Early registration ends Friday, April 6 at 5 p.m.
The Trashion Fashion Runway Show takes place Saturday, April 14 at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building. Everyone age 9 and over is welcome to apply. This is a showcase for original wearable art created from recycled materials and cast off junk. The deadline to apply for participation in the show is March 1.
“We are very excited about expanding the scope of Trashion Fashion and offering more opportunities for participation,” says Hatcher. “Trashion Fashion is a powerful reminder that so much of what we throw away everyday can be reused or repurposed. A little creativity can transform what we
normally think of as junk into something remarkable.”