text:
International Holding Company’s subsidiary Multiply Holding is preparing to launch the UAE’s first virtual wellness and prevention platform, HealthyU. The move complements IHC’s existing healthcare businesses, which include investments in Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Tamouh Healthcare and Quantlase Lab, adding preventative health to the ADX-listed holding company’s portfolio.
The tech-driven service aims to improve users’ holistic wellness by offering 24/7 access to online teleconsultation with specialists in areas like sleep health, fitness, nutrition and mental wellbeing, working in longevity and wellness clinics worldwide. The easy-to-use HealthyU platform will also enable users to access advanced diagnostic services at labs across the UAE and health assessments, and will provide personalized, comprehensive solutions and advice such as fitness training and wellness plans, tailored to users’ needs and lifestyle.
HealthyU uses a proactive management approach that is designed to address and identify the potential root cause of illness, maintaining wellness rather than treating symptoms. The platform is being developed in collaboration with Abu Dhabi-based health tech company, G42 Healthcare, and global partners including Weill Cornell Wellness and Cardiovascular Preventative Medicine in New York and a Zurich-based private wellness clinic.
Samia Bouazza, CEO, Multiply Holding, said: “Multiply, an Abu Dhabi-based holding with more than 15 years of experience, is expanding its investments and business operations into tech-focused and fast-growing industries based on disruptive technologies. We’ve identified a particularly growing demand in the wellness and preventative health industries, especially in the consumer-friendly digital solutions. The global pandemic has heightened health awareness among the already highly digital-savvy UAE population. To serve this demand, our teams and partners in Abu Dhabi, Zurich and New York have built an incredible platform in HealthyU with the aim of offering personalized, precise and predictive solutions, which we look forward to bringing to the market.”
The economic burden of chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes is increasing and will continue to increase. In the UAE, the government has made significant efforts to reduce chronic diseases. HealthyU will deliver proactive and preventative care direct to users at home.
The robust and scalable HealthyU platform has been built on a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) model with strong security controls embedded throughout.
Lara Itani, Project Manager, HealthyU, concluded: “Digital opportunities and innovations in the field of wellness and longevity are increasingly taking center stage. There is no doubt that personalized health is tomorrow’s healthcare. HealthyU will provide tremendous value to its users as it will offer access to personalized plans, programs, and tips that help increase energy, mental alertness, productivity, immunity, and overall wellbeing. With only a click of a button, users can navigate and choose from a list of wellness specialties through the comfort of their homes.”
HealthyU is yet to launch in a pilot phase and will be available for users through the Apple App Store and Google Play store in the second half of 2021.


text:
Food Compass: What this Tool Means for Food and Beverage Communications
Last week, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University released their new nutrient profiling system – Food Compass – aimed at helping consumers, food companies, restaurants and more choose and produce healthier foods, and pressure officials to create better public nutrition policies to improve health. Created by some of the leading nutrition and food researchers, Food Compass is likely to not only influence healthcare professionals’ recommendations but extend to the choices consumers make and ultimately force food and beverage companies to be more thoughtful in their production and communications.
Food Compass is meant to be a truly holistic nutrient profiling system. Others, such as the nutrition facts panel, front of pack marking of single nutrients – think disclaimers calling out products as low sodium – or even the UK’s traffic light system, all evaluate specific nutrients or processing standards. Food Compass takes a revolutionary approach and scores specific foods from one to 100 – one being unhealthiest; 100 as the healthiest – by measuring against health-relevant domains including nutrient composition, ingredients, additives, processing and more. This results in one of the most comprehensive food profiling systems in the world.
What the Means for Food, Agriculture & Beverage Marketers:
- Develop Truly Healthy Foods: As consumers demand more transparency and better understanding of the foods they consume, tools like Food Compass remove much of the confusion and misunderstanding within the nutrition landscape. This means that food and beverage manufacturers and marketers must be extremely thoughtful in their nutrition communications – rooting the products’ messaging in the true benefits the products provide.
- Think Beyond Price: Food Compass takes a systematic approach to scoring the nutritional benefits of their products and doesn’t give extra points for products being organic, non-GMO or other benefits often associated with increased nutrition (and a higher price). Simple, cost-effective foods, like tuna salad made with light mayo score in the top third of products, which will hopefully help remove barriers to good nutrition by showing that healthy diets can be achieved at nearly every budget. Food Compass can be used as a tool to demonstrate the nutrition of products without needing extra labels and claims.
- Previously Maligned Products Have Support: Certain foods that are frequently criticized are ranked higher in Food Compass than one may expect. For example, certain cuts of pork and sausages are considered appropriate for moderate consumption by Food Compass standards. Many types of 100% fruit juices are ranked in the top tier as a tool to increase vitamin and mineral consumption. This could serve as a new tool in communicating why your product fits to target audiences.
What is Missing from the Food Compass:
While Food Compass is undeniably a more holistic analysis of the nutritional impact of food and beverages, there is one critical piece missing in the equation: food’s impact on the environment. According to research conducted by FleishmanHillard’s TRUE Global Intelligence practice, consumers now make food decisions based on what is nutritionally sound and what is good for the planet. As the world enters a pivotal time in the fight against climate change and the world’s population continues to grow, it is not enough to consider what is healthiest for yourself on an individual basis but also how your decisions affect the larger food system and health of the planet.
As consumers now prioritize the health of the plant over their own personal health, using Food Compass – the most comprehensive nutrient profiling system to date – isn’t enough as food and beverage communicators. To truly breakthrough and resonate with target audiences in this space, a holistic communications strategy – that also includes the environmental impact – is needed.

domain: news


text:
The Art of Collecting
Steve Roach, Coin World’s editor-at-large, has been deeply involved with numismatics for more than 20 years, starting as a young coin collector in Michigan. Two years spent as a coin grader, nearly three years at a major coin wholesaler and a stint as a paintings specialist at an international auction house have given Steve a rich understanding of the hobby, its market and the unique personalities and exceptional objects that make collecting meaningful. He joined Coin World in 2006 as a columnist, and has served as associate editor and editor-in-chief. He received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Michigan, a juris doctorate from the Ohio State University and is a Certified Member of the International Society of Appraisers.
Coin counterfeiters (and those who help them), beware!
The Collectible Coin Protection Act, which President Obama signed into law on Dec. 19, is an important tool to protect our hobby.
The bill amends the Hobby Protection Act to increase consequences for distributing and selling prohibited items. It also provides protections to keep third-party certification service trademarks secure.
This law is not designed to target an individual who mistakenly passes along or sells a counterfeit coin.
Instead, it prohibits “knowingly engaging” in any act or practice that violates the law. It allows counterfeit coin protections to be enforced across a broader spectrum of the life-cycle of a counterfeit item, going beyond the mere manufacture of the item to include the importation, shipping and sale of it.
The passage of the Hobby Protection Act in 1973 was a game-changer for coin collecting in the United States. It requires that replicas and imitation numismatic items be clearly marked “COPY.”? What the new law does is provide some teeth to the Hobby Protection Act.
The influx of counterfeits from Asia, along with advancements in technology such as 3-D printing have made counterfeiting a continued problem. The flooding of counterfeit U.S. coins from China seems to have eased, due in part to eBay cracking down on the sale of these and also through the advocacy of many in the hobby, including Coin World’s former editor Beth Deisher.
The Industry Council for Tangible Assets should be applauded for its steady effort to keep this in front of legislators.
As long as there is demand, there will be counterfeits, so it’s essential that all of the various parts of our hobby keep vigilant to make people aware of the presence of counterfeit coins and the danger that they pose to numismatics.
More from CoinWorld.com:


text:
Equity Group has restructured loans that customers have to up to three years, valued at sh92 billion, in a bid to cushion them from the effects of COVID-19.
Equity Group is taking a personalized approach in restructuring customer loans to help them navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic that has evolved to a socio-economic crisis. The situation has affected large business ecosystems and industries such as travel, tourism, manufacturing, trade and commerce, construction, oil and gas as well agriculture and education.
Clients who can demonstrate the impact of Covid-19 on their businesses and soundness of their business model in the new normal will get reprieve of loan rescheduling and refinancing with up to an additional three years of repayment. “We have been on a journey with our customers and wish to go far by walking together with them. We believe that by supporting our existing clients, we shall help them keep their supply chains open and functional while maintaining their employees on their jobs,” said Dr. James Mwangi, the Group CEO.
He added that the gesture is intended to ensure their clients focus on cash preservation to ensure survival of their businesses and enterprises. He added that their focus has changed from financial performance and profitability to survival, sustainability and recoveries of their customers who are the reason they exist.
The bank noted that 1.2 million people are reported to have lost their jobs, a third of tenants have challenges paying their rents for the month of April while the informal sector has stagnated. Power consumption and demand is reported to have fallen by a quarter reflecting shut down of factories and manufacturing plants.
A statement from the Group noted that 97 per cent of global aviation business is shut down while 87 per cent of hotel business has been lost. In countries like United States of America (USA), 33 million workers have lost their jobs while 30 million workers have lost their jobs in Western Europe.
Most factories in the manufacturing sector have shut down adversely affecting global supply chains.
The accommodation includes principal and/or interest repayment breaks or reduction of repayment installments.


text:
A designer shop in Nottinghamshire has announced its closing after 22 years of being on the high street. Platinum Menswears on Exchange Street in Retford is expected to close in mid-June.
The rent increasing and dwindling footfall in the town and future surgery has meant that owner, Dave Lawson, has to close his shop.
As reported by Lincolnshire Live, Mr Lawson confirmed the closure in a social media post on Tuesday, May 16, he wrote: "It is with great sadness we announce that after 22 years of trading in Retford we will be closing the store in the town.
Do you agree with the tram fares rising in Nottingham? Let us know
“We have not been able to agree to new lease terms on the premises [and,] in the current economic climate, we were not prepared to commit to a substantial rental increase and a long-term lease on the shop.
"The decreasing footfall in the town over the last 18 months, aligned with the news I will be having major ankle surgery and will need to be off work for a few months, have helped us come to the decision not to seek alternative retail premises." Though the brick-and-mortar store will be closing, Platinum Designwear will continue to trade online, Mr Lawson said.
Support from shoppers and residents came flooding in after Dave shared the news of the closure. One customer wrote: "Sorry to hear that, Dave.
"Retford has a big hole to fill now." Another said that it would be a 'great loss for the town,' while others said the town was destined to be 'full of empty shops'.
One resident lamented the cost of running a business in the town, saying: "The rental prices in Retford are disgusting. I don’t know how anyone is expected to make a decent living in town."
Mr Lawson took the time to thank his customers. He added: "We have been lucky enough to have met some fantastic customers and made some great friends through trading in the shop."
Platinum, which sells brands such as Farah, Weekend Offender, and Lyle & Scott, opened in 2001. Customers will need to redeem any outstanding gift vouchers by the end of May.
A final closing date has not yet been confirmed, but Mr Lawson said he expected it to be in mid-June.
Nottingham City Council in 'positive' talks for summer event to celebrate Notts County FC promotion
Police appeal after school children and teachers abused on the tram
Nottingham Forest ready to take £100m action in worst-case scenario
New cameras in 17 locations to clamp down on drivers in bus stops and bus lanes


text:
By Yassir Islam
Whether a bowl of rice or a piece of bread, millions of poor people around the world eat large amounts of staple foods day in and day out. Now, a new technology promises to make such foods more nutritious.
HarvestPlus expects that millions of Rwandans will be eating these beans within the decade. This should greatly reduce the iron deficiency that leaves at least half of Rwanda’s preschoolers physically and mentally impaired. (Photo credit: Bernard Pollack)
While staple foods provide calories, they simply do not provide enough micronutrients such as iron, zinc, or vitamin A that are required for good health. People who do not get enough micronutrients suffer from a ‘hidden hunger,’ often with serious consequences.
Without zinc, an eight-year-old girl may have the stature of a five year old. A young boy not getting enough vitamin A—an amount easily provided daily by a small, orange sweet potato—could go blind, permanently. It is these precious nutrients, needed in only minute amounts, that can make—or break—a young person’s life and haunt them through adulthood.
The ideal solution is, of course, a more diverse diet, but that is beyond the reach of millions of poor people often living in remote rural areas. This is where more nutritious staple foods can help; scientists are breeding new varieties of staple food crops that are richer in micronutrients through a process called biofortification. They scour seed banks to find seeds that contain the desired nutrients and then breed these into popular varieties using conventional methods.
The first crop out of the door was sweet potato. White or yellow sweet potato is traditionally eaten in Africa. Working with partners, HarvestPlus, a global agricultural research program, successfully released in Uganda and Mozambique an orange sweet potato that is far richer in vitamin A. Children and women, who are most susceptible to vitamin A deficiency, are eating substantially more of this locally grown orange sweet potato.
“Me and my family are experiencing better health with fewer visits to the local clinic since we incorporated the orange sweet potato into our diet,” a local farmer in Uganda recently attested to visiting HarvestPlus staff.
HarvestPlus and its partners will soon release two other nutritious staple foods in Africa: beans with more iron and a vitamin A-rich maize.
Rwanda, a country of lush rolling hills, claims bean as its staple. “Beans are the bread of Rwanda,” says Jean D’Amour Manirere, HarvestPlus Country Manager for beans. Manirere shepherds new iron-rich bean varieties through field trials and ultimately to farmers and consumers. HarvestPlus is conducting a feeding trial in Rwanda to demonstrate that these new beans do reduce iron deficiency. With this seal of approval, local partners will be able to get these beans out to smallholder farming communities throughout Rwanda. Farmers will be able to save and share seed to grow, year after year.
HarvestPlus expects that millions of Rwandans will be eating these beans within the decade. This should greatly reduce the iron deficiency that leaves at least half of Rwanda’s preschoolers physically and mentally impaired. Once beans have taken root in Rwanda, neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and several other African countries where people regularly eat beans will also benefit.
In Zambia, a different crop that has become synonymous with African diets is about to become more nutritious: maize. These new varieties are a distinct orange color due to their vitamin A content. “First, we want to confirm that these varieties perform well in the field,” says Eliab Simpungwe, HarvestPlus Country Manager for maize. “We are already working with two seed companies to test this maize in the field.” HarvestPlus partners will begin by first releasing these varieties in provinces where rural households grow maize and where the incidence of vitamin A deficiency among women and children is high.
How do people react to these new ‘orange’ crops? We have found that when you explain their nutritional benefits, people are willing to include these foods in their diet. A HarvestPlus study in Zambia found that there is no stigma attached to orange maize, so the color should not be an issue. Coupled with its more nutritious profile and good field performance, orange maize should easily carve out a niche in farmers’ fields—and the Zambian diet. Once proven in Zambia, orange maize will be adapted to numerous other countries not just in Africa where maize is a popular food.
Biofortification may ultimately prove to be most successful because it uses food crops that rural communities are already growing and eating to deliver better nutrition. It also has built-in sustainability. Once scientists have bred the high-nutrient into the crop, it stays there—nourishing many generations to come.
HarvestPlus is a Challenge Program of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It is based at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
Yassir Islam is Senior Communications Specialist at HarvestPlus.


text:
Numbers released this week put Microsoft’s new era into clearer focus.
The takeaway: The big Microsoft businesses that have shifted most aggressively to the cloud — its Office and Server product lines — are growing increasingly faster than its Windows PC business. The numbers underscore the importance of the cloud to Microsoft’s future, and provide new insights into the performance of its best-known products under CEO Satya Nadella.
The numbers were disclosed this week in a footnote on Page 92 of the company’s annual 10K regulatory filing, described as “revenue from external customers, classified by significant product and service offerings.”
GeekWire first reported on this footnote last year. The annual disclosure provides a glimpse of Microsoft’s products in the terms by which they’re commonly known to the outside world. The company reports its quarterly results through broad divisions — “Productivity and Business Processes,” “Intelligent Cloud” and “More Personal Computing” — that make it tougher to see specific product performance.
Here are some of the highlights from the new set of numbers:
• Microsoft Office system, including the subscription-based Office 365 productivity suite, brought in $25.4 billion in revenue in Microsoft’s 2017 fiscal year, an increase of 7 percent from the previous year.
• Server products and tools, a category that includes the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, brought in $21.8 billion in revenue, up more than 13 percent.
• Windows was responsible for $15.3 billion in revenue, an increase of 4 percent, after adjusting for revenue deferrals related to the Windows 10 rollout.
• Revenue from Devices, including Microsoft Surface hardware and the company’s first-party Windows Phones, fell steeply to $4.5 billion, from nearly $7.5 billion the year before, largely reflecting the company’s pullback from smartphone hardware.
• LinkedIn’s results make their first official appearance in the 10-K this year, following the completion of Microsoft’s $26.2 billion acquisition of the business social network in December. Since the deal closed, LinkedIn has brought in nearly $2.3 billion in revenue for the company.
• Microsoft’s advertising revenue saw the biggest percentage increase among the company’s major business lines, up 14 percent to $6.97 billion, from $6.1 billion the year before.
• Revenue from Xbox fell about 1.5 percent to $9.3 billion, and revenue from consulting and product support fell 1 percent to $5.6 billion.
Also in the filing this week, Microsoft said its total commercial cloud revenue rose to $14.9 billion for the year, up from $9.5 billion the year before.
This category “primarily comprises Office 365 commercial, Azure, Dynamics 365, and other cloud properties,” according to the company. The $14.9 billion for the year was just ahead of the $14.8 billion Microsoft had forecast for commercial cloud revenue a few months ago.
In another section of the 10K filing, Microsoft breaks down its total employment by category, showing the trends among different types of jobs at the company. The numbers this year reveal a big jump in sales and marketing employment, from 29,000 people last year to 34,000 people as of June 30 — which was prior to Microsoft making an undisclosed number of layoffs in July, largely in sales.
Microsoft said it added a total of about 11,000 employees across all categories as a result of the LinkedIn acquisition in fiscal 2017.
The company employed 124,000 people worldwide as of June 30, prior to the layoffs, which was up from 114,000 a year earlier.
As reported earlier this week, Microsoft’s 10K also puts artificial intelligence into its official vision for the first time, and removed references to a “mobile-first” world, fitting with Microsoft’s recent push into AI and retreat from the smartphone market.
The new vision reads, in part. “We believe a new technology paradigm is emerging that manifests itself through an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge where computing is more distributed, AI drives insights and acts on the user’s behalf, and user experiences span devices with a user’s available data and information.”
Listen to our Week in Geek podcast for more on the changes at Microsoft.


text:
Motorcycles are music to our ears, but Taiwanese tuner company aRacer SpeedTek has now programmed a Yamaha R1 to sing Happy Birthday.
They did it via a computer program that revved the bike and used the quickshifter.
On 1 July 2020, it will be Yamaha’s 65th birthday, a date they call #YamahaDay.
They will be celebrating by focusing on their heritage and encourage riders to mark the milestone with social media posts about their Yammie.
Meanwhile, the R1 Happy Birthday video is not the first nor last time a motorcycle has been used to make music.
In 2018, Dutch musician Dominic Seldis produced a special motorcycle symphony to promote Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam musician has recreated Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss using only a range of different motorcycle exhausts.
We’ve seen motorcycle exhausts used to make “music” before, but this is the most complex and comprehensive motorcycle symphony we’ve ever heard.


text: Word has been on the street for quite awhile that some large companies within the fly fishing industry were going to begin selling direct to the consumer, bypassing the retail shops for their dollars. The first of the big ones to step out and do so is Simms and their CEO answers some questions regarding the decision to do so, read more here: Angling Trade Everyone within the industry have their opinions on what this will mean to the sport and the all important boutique retail shops. Mine is it will force those shops that have been hovering on the edge of the bottom dropping out to simply do so, in a way culling out the weaker shops across the country. Secondly I believe this will be the straw that broke the camels back and you will see more and more companies, some more quickly than others go the same route. My suggestion is to pay close attention as this is going to mark a change in how our sport does business!


text:
Intermodal cargo up 10.5 percent in Savannah in July 2019
Intermodal cargo continues its powerful rise at the Georgia Ports Authority, achieving 10.5 percent growth in July. Over the past three years, the Port of Savannah has grown its rail volume by 35.4 percent, completing more than 507,000 intermodal lifts in the fiscal year that ended in June, the company said in its release.
The Port of Savannah handled 47,255 rail lifts last month, an increase of 4,511 containers compared to 2018, which held the previous record for July.
The growth comes as the first sections of new rail track have become operational on the Mason Mega Rail terminal, now 40 percent complete. Phase 1 of the $218 million project will open by year’s end. When Phase II opens in 2020, the project will have doubled the Port of Savannah’s rail lift capacity to 1 million containers per year.
Additionally, the Mega Rail Terminal will improve vehicle traffic flow in neighboring communities by moving all rail switching on terminal.
Savannah’s intermodal success helped drive the port to its busiest July ever for overall container trade, with 387,024 twenty-foot equivalent container units, an increase of 8,257 TEUs or 2.2 percent compared to the same month last year.
Lynch noted recent successes such as Gov. Brian Kemp’s April announcement that Plastic Express will export plastic resins via Savannah. With shipments starting in October, the California-based company will immediately become one of Savanah’s largest export customers.
Lynch and McKnight also credited the container port’s success to GPA’s continual investment in increasing cargo capacity. The Authority commissioned four new Neo-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes in 2018, bringing its Garden City fleet to 30 – the most of any single terminal in North America. Another six cranes will arrive next year, allowing GPA to move up to 1,200 containers per hour across a single dock.
Over the summer, Garden City Terminal received 10 new Rubber-Tired Gantry cranes. Two more are set to arrive in October, bringing the RTG fleet to 158.


text:
Just 2 pieces of dark chocolate a day can solve the eternal problem that women have - aging. According to scientists, the sugar temptation contains substances which prevent the appearance of wrinkles, caused by the effects of ultraviolet rays on the skin.
Furthermore, according to the experts, this type of chocolate can decrease the risk of skin cancer. Dark chocolate also contains high amounts of antioxidants and other healthy substances that protect against free radicals. Milk chocolate, on the other hand, does not have these properties.
In addition, dark chocolate prevents blood clots, while also decreasing mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases by 70%.
The latest research shows that this dessert is capable of preventing the occurrence of visible signs of aging. During experiments, a team of British scientists examined 30 healthy middle-aged women, 22 of which were 42 years of age.
For a period of 3 months, each one of them received 0.7 oz (20 g) of dark chocolate per day and used a solarium every day.
The results showed that dark chocolate possesses extraordinary properties and helps the skin combat the harmful sun's rays.
"Our research proved that dark chocolate really does protect the skin from aging and UV rays, " state the scientists.


text:
Of all the icons of American life, buying Girl Scout cookies is one of the annual obligations of life. Americans buy these cookies from parents selling for their daughters, from uniformed Girl Scouts in front of the grocery store, or from a family member. I can’t wait for my annual infusion of Samoas, the Girl Scout’s take on the macaroon. Caramel and coconut – how could we go wrong? Well, apparently, I need to spend more time to consider the issue of Girl Scout cookies and GMO ingredients.
To be honest, I’m more concerned about the calories in each. But here we are.
Late last year, The Girl Scouts of the USA made an announcement in regarding Girl Scout cookies and GMO products:
At the current time, there are genetically modified agricultural crops (GMOs) in some Girl Scout Cookies based on a range of market-related factors and depending on specific cookie recipes. In some markets, the specialty-ingredient Girl Scout S’mores sandwich cookie baked by Little Brownie Bakers is made with ingredients that are verified as not containing genetically modified organisms. Girl Scouts recognizes that many people have concerns regarding GMO ingredients, and we monitor member and consumer opinion on this matter while simultaneously addressing industry trends, scientific trends, and, of course, consumer preference.
Sadly, the Girl Scouts have decided to cave in to the demands of certain groups that GMOs bring some sort of harm to consumers. Of course, the usual anti-science groups jumped into the fray. March Against Monsanto, a group that ticks off the most of the junk science checklist with their anti-GMO, anti-vaccine, and anti-fluoridated water arguments, were ecstatic with the announcement. They chimed in that,
There was a time recently in the United States when Non-GMO and organic packaged foods were surprisingly rare, so much so that choice was a virtual non-entity and entire communities of people have no access to non-GMO options.
But now, non-GMO has officially gone mainstream: one of the country’s most recognized institutions, the Girl Scouts of the USA (formerly known as America) has announced its first-ever (officially speaking, anyway) non-GMO cookie.
You can almost see the glee dripping from the announcement. Once again, let’s take a look at Girl Scout cookies and GMO safety. This change happened because of a lot of noise that signified nothing. Time to examine it again.
Continue reading “Girl Scout cookies and GMO – subtly pushing an anti-science agenda”


text:
Fri, Jan 11, 1:27am by Staff Writer
A Spanish-based games developer has been granted a Remote Gambling Software License by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission enabling it to offer premium content to the UK market.
Red Rake Gaming has started the New Year with positive news after an exhaustive process according to Calvin Ayre.
The license will solidify Red Rake Gaming’s regulated market focus, with access to one of the biggest regulated markets in the industry.
Red Rake Gaming already works with a number of top casino operators in other European markets such as Spain, Italy, Portugal and Romania.
This license will allow its clients easy access to the top performing games from the UK market.
A host of innovative games will be enjoyed by its UK players, with a first batch of games already tested and certified according to the UKGC technical standards.
Red Rake’s Maltese Managing Director Nick Barr said: “acquiring the licenses to operate in the UK market is a great step in our regulated strategy for 2019. It will have an immediate impact as many of our customers have UKGC licenses and they will be able now to offer our games to their UK player base.”
Mr Barr joined Red Rake Gaming following his role as a sales director at Genii.
Upon his appointment to the role of director of Red Rake’s Maltese gaming operators, Mr Barr told iGamingBusiness.com that growth is a key focus in his new role.
“The main goal for Red Rake is to drive its expansion, bring new clients on board and move into new markets, of which regulated markets will play a pivotal role.”
The head of business development and co-founder of Red Rake Carlos Fernandez Aguilar added: “we have experienced rapid growth since we started our operations two years ago, but our play is to establish us as the go-to content supplier in the market.”
Red Rake Gaming is an online casino provider with a varied portfolio of top performing games across various markets including Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malta and the UK.
It describes itself as a boutique provider to the iGaming industry, working to drive its revenues through high quality game production, exclusive promotions and flexibility to accommodate their individual needs.
The demand and growth seen in Red Rake Gaming since its inception have been promising and it features more than 30 top performing slots, video bingo’s, video poker and table games.
Red Rake Gaming has announced their latest slot creation, Tiger and Dragon, according to World Casino News.
— Yogonet News (@YogonetNews) January 10, 2019
The new slot is expected to launch in 2019 with an ancient China theme featuring a powerful white Bengal tiger and a monstrous dragon. These two creatures are guarding valuable treasures on the reels, with prizes waiting to be found.
This latest online slot game was created in HTML5, meaning the title can be enjoyed via computer or smartphone in either landscape or portrait mode.
Tiger and Dragon offers players a unique video slot experience, including several immerse gameplay features.
One of those is the Tiger and Dragon roulette feature. It is a mini game that offers players the ability to choose between the Tiger and Dragon before spinning the reels. Players can earn multipliers based on what the wheel reveals.
The new online slot game also includes an accumulator roulette feature that activates the wheel when certain symbols are found on the reels, along with multipliers.
Star Entertainment hosted and covered the costs of a Labor fundraiser at its Brisbane casino hotel for Queensland’s Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath. The…
Aristocrat Leisure has more than a dozen mobile video games in the works. The Australian Financial Review reports 19 games are in…
The Star Casino has been dealt a major blow with its $530 million luxury casino and apartment tower plan rejected by the…


text:
A new report
by the Associated Press reveals that U.S. District Judge James Rosenbaum has thrown out Minnesota's new state-specific video game law on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.
Similar laws have been struck down by six courts in five years, including the Eighth Circuit which governs Minnesota, costing taxpayers tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. However, unlike other video game-related bills that target retailers, Minnesota's new legislation, which would have taken effect on August 1, instead would fine children under age seventeen $25 for buying or renting video games rated M for mature or AO for adults only.
Stores would also had been required to post signs in large font drawing attention to the restrictions. Attempts were made, but ultimately not included in the bill, to penalize retailers who sell or rent such video games to young people.
The news follows action by the major game trade associations which formally asked
for implementation of the law to be stopped, as well as an earlier report
in June that indicated first intentions that the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) would file suit in Minnesota Federal District Court asking that the law be overturned.
The federal judge commented that the state failed to show evidence that the graphic nature of video games caused harm to children, and wrote that "there is a paucity of evidence linking the availability of video games with any harm to Minnesota's children at all."
He added: “It is impossible to determine from the data presented whether violent video games cause violence, or whether violent individuals are attracted to violent video games.” The AP report noted that Attorney General Mike Hatch was “disappointed” by Rosenbaum's ruling, and that the decision will probably be appealed.
Hatch responded: “There's been some pretty good evidence that children who use these excessively violent video games really learn inappropriate behavior and they're rewarded for inappropriate behavior - how many people do you kill and things like that.”
The ESA has argued that this bill was an unenforceable effort to substitute the government's judgment for parental supervision. ESA president Doug Lowenstein commented in June that the industry’s products were being unreasonably and unfairly singled out, saying that parents, not government or industry, must be the gatekeepers on what content enters the home.


text:
Shoppers face chip and Pin puzzle
IT'S 1 January, you've queued for 30 minutes for the shop to open, barged a rival to that cut-price jumper out of the way and are set to pay on your brand new chip and Pin card. Don't be surprised if the retailer rejects it and asks for another payment method.
From the beginning of the new year, if a chip and Pin card is used for fraudulent purposes in a shop that hasn't upgraded to chip and pin technology, the liability for the fraud will shift from the bank to the retailer.
A massive 20% of retailers, or over 300,000 tills, still haven't upgraded their technology and to limit their exposure to fraud those retailers may simply refuse to accept purchases on the cards.
The banks claim it is mainly small local stores that haven't upgraded but a walk down the average High Street reveals large swathes of retailers and restaurants still using the old system. Even High Street giant Marks & Spencer only completed its upgrade in mid-December.
It's easy to see why retailers without the technology aren't comfortable about accepting chip and pin cards. According to the British Shops and Stores Association, an average store generated annual card sales of £111,000, with a 10% profit margin, in 2003. Around £8,000 worth of those sales were fraudulent and covered by the card issuer.
It estimates that after 1 January, stores that fail to upgrade will suffer a 20% increase in fraud to £9,600, wiping out the majority of the retailer's card profit.
A spokeswoman for the National Consumer Council said: 'The change seems to only suit the banks who want to reduce their exposure to card fraud, which is around £400m a year.
'Those retailers without chip and pin facilities are perfectly entitled to reject the card and ask the customer to pay with another method. There seems to be little benefit to the consumer with this change but more risk.'
Even retailers with the technology may reject your payment if you forget your Pin and want to sign for purchases. Thousands of bargain hunters will be using their credit cards in the new year sales to give their battered current accounts a rest, but how many of us know the Pin numbers to our credit cards off by heart?
If a signature is used, these companies will again be liable for fraudulent purchases unless they check with the card issuer to check whether the card has been lost or stolen. To avoid queues at the checkout they may reject the card and ask for another payment method.
The Association of Payment Clearing Services insists that companies that rely on card transactions won't damage their business by rejecting cards. A spokeswoman said: 'Some retailers have adopted a wait and see approach. Those retailers that haven't upgraded tend to be smaller retailers that don't do much card business or stores that have a localised customer base.'
But James Lowman, public affairs and commercial manager at the Association of Convenience Stores, says it is a genuine concern for businesses, particularly medium-sized companies that are struggling to pay for upgrades.
He said: 'Small shops tend to hire their equipment from the banks so they should automatically be upgraded, while the large retailers that own their own facilities will have upgraded as part of their annual IT spend. It is those businesses in between that own equipment but haven't large IT budgets and can't afford to upgrade to the new equipment that may not yet have chip and Pin.'
It can cost as little as £200 to upgrade a one-till shop, but the majority of medium-sized retailers have more than one till point and will be looking at an average of £1,000. Those shops that have paid for their own upgrade have complained that the cost is eroding the profit margin from goods such as cigarettes and are implementing minimum payments for card purchases.
Most watched Money videos
- Kia creates an electrical storm with all new battery-powered EV6 GT
- Matra MS 670: One of the most expensive cars bought in 2021
- Renault unveils retro drone based on classic 4 for 60th anniversary
- Renault show off AIR4 retro drone version of Renault 4 without wheels
- Renault Zoe scores zero stars in crash tests after airbag removed
- Rare 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione sold for £5.6million
- Nissan creates electric Newbird using battery from a Leaf EV
- Stunning 1955 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta is sold for £5.2 million
- Incredible Lewis Hamilton's GP winning McLaren sold at auction
- Citroen C5 Aircross moves firmly upmarket with mature makeover
- Dragons' Den star Piers Linney shares tips for startup success
- A look into the extremely rare 1962 Ferrari 268 SP classic car


text:
ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA, Asia’s only dedicated fresh fruit and vegetable trade show, celebrated its tenth anniversary last week with record visitor numbers.
More than 11,000 high-quality buyers and trade visitors from 74 different countries attended ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA 2016 on 7-9 September at AsiaWorld-Expo.
The visitor numbers marked a 22 per cent increase on last year’s event, and confirmed ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA’s status as Asia’s fresh fruit and vegetable hub.
“We are delighted with this year’s attendance to ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA,” said Wilfried Wollbold, commercial director of event organiser Global Produce Events. “The results underline ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA’s position as the unique pan-Asia event for this business, and also the growing global interest in Asia from leading buyers and suppliers.”
Visitors to ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA found a show that had expanded by some 18 per cent on last year’s event in terms of exhibition space.
Altogether, some 665 companies from 37 different countries exhibited their products and services at the trade fair, an increase of almost 100 on the 2015 edition.
Asia Fruit Awards
The winners of the 2016 Asia Fruit Awards – the annual pan-Asian awards for the fresh produce business – were also unveiled before the Networking Lunch at Asiafruit Congress on 6 September.
Presented by Asiafruit Magazine and ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA to celebrate excellence in Asia’s fresh produce business, the Asia Fruit Awards recognise the best companies in the fields of marketing, importing and retailing.
The Marketing Campaign of the Year was presented to ‘MR CHENG, FRUITDAY’. Fruitday won the Marketing Campaign of the Year Award for ‘Mr Cheng’, its campaign to launch a Chinese orange brand with guaranteed sweetness.
SAM’S CLUB CHINA won the Produce Retailer of the Year Award. The Walmart-owned membership-only warehouse club has carved out a niche in the Chinese retail market, servicing the needs of the country’s high-end consumers.
The Importer of the Year was presented to ‘JINWON TRADING’. South Korean company Jinwon has developed substantial warehouse and cold chain infrastructure from port to market as well as significant in-house expertise.
The exhibition formed the core of ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA’s Perishable Business Week in Hong Kong, which also featured a rich programme of conference events running from Tuesday to Friday. “Our Perishable Business Week provided visitors and exhibitors with a wide range of content and a first-rate opportunity to gain industry insights and network across the whole value chain,” said Wollbold.
It all got under way with the Asiafruit Congress – Asia’s premier fresh produce conference – which took place on 6 September, the day before ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA opened its doors. Attracting some 375 high-level industry professionals from 40 different countries, ASIAFRUIT CONGRESS kicked off with a focus on the future of the Chinese market with expert analysis of the consumer market evolution from the head of Boston Consulting Group’s China Center for Customer Insight Youchi Kuo. ASIAFRUIT CONGRESS was also addressed by a number of high-profile industry figures including: Liu Mau Wah, co-chairman of China’s largest vertically integrated fresh produce business Joy Wing Mau; Lain Jager, CEO of global kiwifruit marketer Zespri; and Ray He, general director of Alibaba Group’s Tmall Fresh. Read more...
Cool Logistics Asia
Taking place on Wednesday 7 September, the second COOL LOGISTICS ASIA conference brought together a high-powered programme of industry experts to discuss the latest trends in Asian perishable supply chains. Simon Pearson, the former Asda UK supply chain executive, discussed his work setting up a cold chain network in China; Ole Schack Petersen, SVP chief strategy officer of LCL, chaired a breakout session on perishable product solutions and innovations; while Isabella Hu of Costco Container Lines’ global sales division spoke on perishable shipping and logistics. Read more...
SMART Horticulture Asia
SMART HORTICULTURE ASIA, the new fresh-produce technology conference, launched on Thursday 8 September. The conference explored the impact of disruptive information technology on traditional fresh produce trade practices, crop cultivation and business models. Speakers included key figures from the fresh produce business, such as Edward Zhu, CEO of Chic Group, and Loren Zhao of e-tailer Fruitday, as well as leading horticulture technology experts, including Professor Salah Sukkarieh of the Australian Centre for Field Robotics and Ken Moyihan of Compac among others. Asia’s development is speeding up with the use of horticultural technology, but rightsizing of technology’ is as important as disruptive technologies in Asia. That was one of the key takeaway messages from the inaugural conference, which underlined the crucial role of global information standards. Read more...
Information opportunities continued for ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA participants on the show-floor with the Asiafruit Business Forum, a programme of two daily workshop sessions hosted by Asiafruit Magazine. Technology was the focus for Day One, which looked at ‘the packhouse of the future’, and at latest technologies spanning the supply chain. Marketing was the theme for Day Two, with sessions on ‘persuasive packaging’ and ‘new product launches’. Day Three turned the focus on Trade, with sessions on how fresh produce industry stakeholders can get the most out of free trade agreements, and on export opportunities for Asian fruit and vegetable suppliers. Read more...


text:
FUEL prices in Namibia will remain unchanged for the month of November, the ministry of mines and energy has announced.
This is expected to further lighten the burden on consumers as the price of food and other goods are expected to remain stable.
The ministry of mines and energy in a statement said that the price of refined fuel and the exchange rate between the Namibia Dollar and the United States Dollar remained stable over the past month, which means that minor over and under recoveries in terms of fuel imports occurred.
The reduction of diesel prices in September and October and a slight gain for the Namibia Dollar against the United States Dollar also saw a lowering in transport costs of the various kinds of fuel to Namibian shores.
“The Ministry will continue to soften the burden on the consumers and at the same time keep the fuel pump prices stable in order to ensure sustainability of the National Energy Fund,” the statement reads.
Fuel prices at the pumps in Walvis Bay will remain at N$11.58 per litre of diesel and at N$11.65 per litre of petrol.


text:
The move by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to reopen its Silo products’ shops across the nation will most probably lead to a remarkable decrease in the prices of commodities that had seen astronomical rises. The GMB has intimated that their 201 granaries are going to be full of grain this season as the they seek to beneficiate and value add for the production of cheap products for the household.
The year began on a day on day rise in prices of most goods and services with prices being pegged against the daily street exchange rate against the greenback.
The President, Cde. Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy, Cde Chiwenga have sounded stern warnings against business doing this to stop their wanton increase in prices.
The decision by the Presidency to open Grain shops with controlled prices have been welcomed by the GMB saying they are more than ready to roll out the programme and bring relief to the common man.
Prices have been on the upward trajectory with bread rising to as much as $3,50 a common loaf up from $2,20
Cooking oil from $7 to $11
Sugar is now on $9 for 2kgs up from $6
A 10kg packet of Mealie meal is now at $11 up from $6


text:
We spent this summer collecting data for the latest Subsidy Tracker update, which now is posted online and available to users. This update consists mostly of local data; however, we also added state data and four megadeals.
As states and localities finally start to disclose how much revenue they lose to corporate welfare (thanks to GASB Statement 77*), we continue to see laggards and leaders.
By Mark Niesse, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Over the objection of a school system that insisted children would pay the price, economic development officials last year granted tax breaks worth more than $250 million to a company that wants to transform an old General Motors site in Doraville into a mix of offices, retail and housing.
In Atlanta, UPS, the world’s largest package delivery company, also was negotiating $28 million in tax breaks for a new logistics facility that will employ 1,000 low-paid workers.
States are following different scripts on the contentious issue of film subsidies. Michigan, Florida, Louisiana and Massachusetts are cutting back while Georgia continues to deal out major incentives to the industry.


text:
Hero Adventure 200 will provide an option to the current Impulse users…
It appears that Hero has decided that it will shed their ‘only-commuter-maker‘ tag. Obviously, they can not just stop producing their bread and butter Splendors and Passions but after settling down in the market with a broken technological pact with Honda, they are now moving ahead.
In a latest report at ET Auto, Hero is believed to be working on a new 200 cc off-road adventure motorcycle. This is apart from the 200cc Xtreme 200S which is slated to be launched in the next few months (pictured below). After Honda NXR Bros’ based Impulse, this would be Hero’s second adventure motorcycle and one which will be completely designed and developed indigenously by the Munjal-led team.
We expect it to be based on the same platform of the Xtreme 200S and against the report which claims that it will be an off-roader, we believe it will be more of an adventure motorcycle. An earlier report has speculated that Hero’s upcoming adventure motorcycle will come with a navigation system which can be paired with a smartphone. More details here.
Hero Adventure 200 Launch
|Hero 200 ADV||Around September-October 2018|
The report claims that Hero’s ADV 200 will be launched by the middle of the next financial year 2018-19 which pegs the introduction timeframe as September-October 2018, bang around the next festive season.
Also, considering how conservative Hero has been we believe this will be a no-frills bare-bones motorcycle which is actually good. Let us hope it is not just an ‘Xtreme 200X’ with slightly differentiated body work and new decals and an actually dedicated motorcycle…


text:
This article is an on-site version of our Trade Secrets newsletter. Sign up here to get the newsletter sent straight to your inbox every Monday to Thursday
Hello from London where the arrival of Omicron has meant that tequila shots have been replaced with Covid-19 vaccine booster shots in the build-up to Christmas. The new variant of coronavirus offers an intriguing stress test on the degree to which economies will chug along or revert to behaviour conducive to bumpy supply chains, such as tough border restrictions and supercharged growth in online shopping.
Our main piece today is focused on whether ocean shipping disruptions have peaked. While many are confident that the turmoil has reached its nadir, it’s less clear to us that the logistics sector will enter 2022 on the up.
Shipping may be cheaper, but delays remain
There’s an air of optimism about supply chains right now. A dip in freight rates has led to suggestions from several macroeconomists penning their 2022 outlooks that the mess we have witnessed over the past year and a half is beginning to clear up.
Jan Hatzius, chief economist at Goldman Sachs, wrote in a note last week that “transport costs and shipping disruptions are starting to normalise”. Bel Air Investment Advisors, a wealth manager, said that “supply side issues such as shipping prices have already begun to normalise”.
Indeed, container spot market freight rates from east Asia to the US west coast have dropped significantly. After peaking at close to $9,000 per 40ft equivalent unit in November, the cost to ship cargo from the world’s manufacturing hub to the biggest consumer market has slumped more than 20 per cent to below $7,000, according to Xeneta, a data provider, and Compass Financial Technologies.
Further evidence of green shoots might appear to have come in the form of claims of a reduction in the number of waiting vessels and containers at the Los Angeles and Long Beach port complex.
The situation at LA/Long Beach has become harder to assess since mid-November, however, because of new rules that require vessels to remain many miles offshore until given approval to approach. While that has made it seem as if congestion has eased, ships were merely waiting to berth further away.
Even so, calls to the ports, which are the busiest in the US, have declined in recent months, from 261 ships in September, to 246 in October and 216 last month, according to Sea/, a data platform owned by broker Clarksons.
However, many within the industry are hesitant to say disruption has reached an apex. They are not as confident as the macroeconomists that ocean freight operations are on the road to normalising.
“We haven’t seen any discernible improvement in the supply chain. The risk of further disruption has heightened with the new variant,” said Simon Heaney, an analyst at Drewry.
He said the recent drop in freight rates was because of the seasonal drop in shipments that would no longer make it in time for Christmas, together with the decision by the likes of carriers CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd to freeze rates for those shipping at the last-minute.
The decline in rates has also reversed on a global level. The Shanghai Containerised Freight index hit a record high last week at almost five times higher than the level at the start of 2020.
That is backed up by Flexport’s Ocean Timeliness Indicator, which measures the time from when cargo leaves an exporter until it is collected from the destination port. Both the China-to-Europe and China-to-US west coast routes remain at or close to records highs above 100 days.
Lars Jensen, chief executive of Vespucci Maritime, a consultancy, said that the recent reduction in vessel calls and easing of container congestion at Los Angeles/Long Beach had come at the expense of making the less visible queue of ships wait longer to dock. The number of container ships backed up waiting to berth was at a record 103 on Monday.
“At the heart of it, the problem is still you don’t have enough inland capacity to move the containers,” he said.
As Trade Secrets noted earlier this week, everyone from procurement managers to central bankers are craving more visibility on freight flows and bottlenecks through long, complex supply chains. Analysts, too, have been lamenting the lack of data tracking throughout the logistics network.
“Whether something is improving inland is pretty opaque. There is no easy-to-read index on warehouse capacity or availability. Nothing for chassis numbers. To get a broad picture regionally and globally, that is lacking,” Heaney said.
Of the many opacities in the supply chain, Peter Sand, of Xeneta, says that one of the most acute concerns is accurate data on Chinese government policy towards coronavirus outbreaks.
A spate of recent cases in Ningbo, a large port that was paralysed for a fortnight in August because of the pandemic, has sparked concerns of another shutdown that would set back any return to normality for ocean shipping. “The lack of transparency . . . is only adding to the mystery,” added Sand.
Some say having threads of information without a complete tapestry exacerbates the problems, leading to measures that ease strains in some areas only at the expense of worsening others. Jensen says the lack of a coherent picture not only prevents a solution to supply chain bottlenecks, but may even make matters worse. The reason: remedies for one issue may trigger snags elsewhere.
For example, Hamburg changed the rules concerning how early trucks with containers for export could arrive at the port. The idea was to reduce box congestion on the docks, quay and yard. A sensible move from a port perspective, Jensen said, but it led to a hold-up for many trucks already en route to the port, thus removing lorry capacity from Germany’s supply chain.
No doubt, a rush of capital-hungry supply chain visibility start-ups will claim they have the tools to provide the kind of useful data we all crave.
But if there is one thing that supply chains have proven during the pandemic, it’s that they are far from being technologically advanced enough for anyone to work out just how low shipping can sink. We cannot even call the nadir, let alone mitigate it.
Additional reporting by George Steer in London
Air freight rates have soared to fresh highs as exporters rush to get their products on the shelves and into warehouses ahead of Christmas, providing yet more evidence that supply chain snags remain with us.
Ahead of a weekend referendum, public opinion in Taiwan favours reviving a ban (Nikkei, $) on US pork imports, a move that would have implications for Taipei’s relations with Washington.
Jude Webber has an interesting read on how Dublin’s port boom has revealed a shift in Ireland’s trade after Brexit. Francesca Regalado and Claire Jones


text:
The annual inflation rate in Ghana accelerated for the fifth straight month to 11% in October of 2021, from 10.6% in September. That was the highest inflation rate since July of 2020, exceeding the Bank of Ghana's target band of 6% to 10% for the second straight month. Prices accelerated for non-food products (11% vs 9.9% in September), namely housing & utilities and transport, while food inflation slowed somewhat (11% vs 11.5%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up 0.6 percent, the same pace as in the previous month. source: Ghana Statistical Service
Inflation Rate in Ghana averaged 15.54 percent from 1998 until 2021, reaching an all time high of 63.10 percent in March of 2001 and a record low of 0.40 percent in May of 1999. This page provides - Ghana Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Ghana Inflation Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on December of 2021.
Inflation Rate in Ghana is expected to be 10.00 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Ghana Inflation Rate is projected to trend around 7.00 percent in 2022 and 6.00 percent in 2023, according to our econometric models.


text:
One solace for the industry is that the government is in a “listening mode”. RC Bhargava, chairman of Maruti auto industry is particularly worried that poor economic growth has put pressure on per capita income, limiting consumption. Moreover, the cost of acquiring a vehicle has gone up 10-12% in the last couple of years. Vehicle costs are expected to go up 8-10% more when BS-VI emission norms come into force in April. This would further impact affordability and sentiment. The industry, therefore, has again asked the government to reduce the goods and services tax to 18% from 28%.
Automakers have also requested the government to roll out monetary benefits for scrapping pre-1995 vehicles. This will, they say, support demand generation and also help reduce pollution and combat climate change.
The ministry of road transport and highways has come out with guidelines on establishing scrappage centres and proposed increasing re-registration charges to discourage use of old vehicles. But a formal incentive-based scrappage policy with monetary support is required.
The industry is also seeking allocations to support state transport undertakings procure buses to boost public transport.
To accelerate electrification, the industry has urged the government to do away with the import duty on lithium ion cells to promote local battery manufacturers and higher tax benefit on greener vehicles. Falling vehicle sales have also affected auto component makers — the industry saw a 10.1% decline in turnover in the first half of FY20. Most of the factories are operating at their lowest capacity utilisation in years.
Deepak Jain, president of Automotive Component Manufacturers Association, says the auto industry is going through one of its most challenging times. “A uniform GST rate of 18% for all auto components is a key recommendation from us for the budget. That apart, the industry is keen that a technology development & acquisition fund be created to facilitate R&D indigenously,” adds Jain.
Reviving demand should be the priority, says Vinodkumar Ramachandran, partner for automotive and industrial manufacturing at KPMG India. This will mean leaving more disposable income in the hands of the consumer. Quick completion of metro rail projects through budgetary provisions will reduce traffic jams, encouraging more people to buy vehicles. “Reviving NBFC funding to stimulate rural-demand growth and providing adequate support for the development of a proposed Gigafactory can stimulate demand for electric vehicles and be beneficial for the industry overall,” adds Ramachandran.
The automotive sector contributes about 7.1% to GDP, 49% to manufacturing GDP and 15% to GST collection. A pickup in auto demand in October-November has been a positive for GST collections, too.
Read More News on
Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
ETPrime stories of the day
7 mins read
12 mins read
11 mins read


text:
Brooklyn startup Fridge No Extra is elevating $ 15 million for a 15-minute grocery supply service
The secret to fast food delivery is to focus on the spot, said company Pavel Danilov‘s founder and CEO. Fridge No More couriers never travel more than a mile from either company‘s two storage locations.
The approximately 3,000 square meter warehouses are optimized with customized software and a limited selection of items to help order pickers pack orders placed through the company‘s app, in five minutes or less. All 30 workers at Fridge No More are salaried employees, not gig workers, Danilov said.
“Customers can place an urgent order with us – you don’t‘I don’t have any pepper or lemon – and we don’t get dressed‘t have a minimum order size so we can do that, ”said Danilov.
Many of those customers then return for larger orders, he said. He declined to disclose the company‘s exact number of customers, but he said there are a few thousand, with orders averaging a little less than $ 50.
Grocery delivery has long been a tricky business in New York. Walmart tried and discontinued its jet service in 2019. Two decades earlier, Kozmo, Urbanfetch and other companies offered fast delivery of various goods but went out of business.
However, the online grocery delivery market has grown significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Online grocery sales rose 54% to $ 95.8 billion last year, according to eMarketer, a research firm that expects the market to exceed $ 100 billion this year.
Fridge No More competes with Doordash, Instacart and FreshDirect, which were recently acquired by Ahold Delhaize, a Dutch food company whose holdings include Stop & Shop.
According to Jeff Lieberman, CEO of Midtown, Insight Partners relies on Fridge No More because of its local focus and ability to attract repeat customers. The venture company previously supported HelloFresh, Shopify and Twitter.
Sandalow said he stayed after being impressed with the service on his first try. He used Fridge No More orders to complement bodega stops and Instacart purchases.
Working with Insight, Fridge No More plans to add delivery centers across the city before attempting to expand the rest of the east coast.
The company also plans to add menu options, including those from Brooklyn food manufacturers.
“We want to grow quickly,” said Danilov. “The market is really attractive and the demand is there.”


text:
Uncommon Cacao, which describes itself as the ‘first Transparent Trade cacao supply chain company,' has released its 2021 Transparency Report covering key performance indicators over the past 12 months.
The International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) forecasts a 10% increase in the world cocoa production and a 25% increase in the cocoa price in the next decade. Based on the forecast, the total cocoa production will be approximately 4,700,000 tonnes in 2022-2023.
Stefan Reidy is the founder and CEO of Arviem, a Swiss-based provider of multi-modal, in-transit supply chain visibility. He explains how best to protect valuable cocoa beans during their journey from West African ports to Europe and North America.
A staggering 38% of global cocoa is lost each year to disease or pests - and this figure looks set to rise - yet research is scant compared to rice, corn or wheat. Why is this and what is being done to reduce it?
Brooklyn start-up Raaka is carving out space in the crowded chocolate category by skipping the traditional step of roasting the cocoa bean to create “virgin chocolate” that highlights the “true flavors” of the beans, according to a company representative.
Alkali processing causes a loss of up to 98 per cent on epicatechin in the final chocolate based product, claims Hershey company based scientists evaluating the effect of conventional production methods of cocoa beans on flavanols levels.
As demand continues to outstrip supply, the world price of cocoa was more than 12 per cent higher at the end of last week compared with a year ago, according to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO).
Ambitious growth targets are fuelling leading chocolate supplier Barry Callebaut’s strategy to source cocoa from regions other than West Africa, with Malaysia the focus of the first stage of its cocoa production expansion plan.


text:
It was looking good for a while, after several delays MADiSON VR was due to launch tomorrow. But such is life that wasn’t meant to be, as Perp Games has announced that the atmospheric horror for PSVR 2 and Steam is delayed once more. This time, however, a new date has yet to be confirmed.
Issuing a statement today, Perp Games explained that it’s the PSVR 2 edition causing the problem. It comes down to a new Unity SDK allowing developer Bloodious Games to hit a 90hz refresh rate. Rather than using the planned 60/120 (interpolation) mode that a lot of PSVR 2 games use. As owners can attest, interpolation can cause issues such as blurry visuals, severely impeding a game like MADiSON VR.
Achieving the desired 90hz should make for a far smoother, higher-quality experience for PSVR 2 owners. This does not affect the Steam edition, but it seems Perp Games wants to launch both simultaneously.
MADiSON VR Launch Delays
Going into further detail the teams state:
“Our ambition is to create a realistic and daunting atmosphere with MADiSON VR. And we achieved this through realistic real-time lighting and shadows. These elements heavily utilise the CPU on all platforms.
“To make this possible in VR, we use a technique called “Single-Pass Rendering” so that resource-heavy operations are only done once per frame. Unfortunately, our use of this previously precluded us from also using the eye-tracked dynamic foveated rendering (DFR) feature on PSVR 2, as the Unity PSVR 2 implementation had a known issue with this combination. Without DFR, it would have only been possible to release using the 60/120 (interpolation) mode, which worked adequately, however we always felt fell a little short of the quality we were striving for. As of 22nd March Unity’s new SDK
, now opens up DFR and by extension the possibility to hit the 90hz mode. A last minute improvement we simply can’t ignore.”
While it is certainly disappointing for horror fans – especially considering how often MADiSON VR has been pushed back – getting the launch right from day one is most important.
This isn’t the only VR horror game Perp is launching this year. In September Slender: The Arrival VR will be gracing PSVR 2 and PCVR headsets.
What do you think about the MADiSON VR launch delays? Let us know in the comments below.


text:
Information Security Media Group: Accelerating the Path to Passwordless Authentication
In an exclusive video interview with Information Security Media Group, Dr. Rolf Lindemann of Nok Nok Labs discusses the value of a FIDO-based approach and the road to passwordless authentication.
MORE FIDO in the News
C-Net: Apple Says its New Logon Tech is as easy as Passwords but far more Secure
Apple has begun testing passkeys, a new authentication technology it...6월 15, 2021
Finextra: Visa invests in LoginID to accelerate Fido-certified SCA
Visa has invested in LoginID, the startup behind a series...6월 4, 2021
IBS Intelligence: FIDO2-certified LoginID secures new investment from Visa
LoginID, a FIDO-certified authentication provider, has announced securing additional investment...


text:
The Bank of England (BoE) and the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) have completed a successful pilot of a payment system based on decentralized ledger technology (DLT) for interbank settlements.
The two banks have been working on a system of payment called real-time gross settlement (RTGS) using DLT. The DLT powers the synchronization network named Project Meridian. The pilot involved using participating banks to facilitate the purchase of homes in England and Wales via synchronization, which happened to be very successful.
A report published by BIS shows that the system shows great promise. “Synchronization can provide a catalyst for innovation in wholesale payments and support the emergence of new payments infrastructures that style using central bank money,” BIS said.
Project Meridian uses central bank money under an existing RTGS system to increase efficiency while reducing risk. The report shows that using APIs to link the synchronization network and the RTGS system makes it possible to integrate into other classes.
“Central banks can use the findings from the project to inform considerations on whether to implement synchronization in their RTGS systems,” the report added.
Apart from settlements, BIS said that the the Meridian prototype can be used for other applications, including streamlining real estate processes, anti-money laundering (AML) checks and Know Your Customer (KYC) checks by relying on a synchronization operator.
UK Open to Crypto Innovation
The UK government under its new prime minister Rishi Sunak has shown its intention to make the country a crypto hub. This became evident when Sunak proposed the launch of a non-fungible token (NFT) collection for the country. This met resistance from regulators in the country.
Earlier this year, the the Economic Secretary Andrew Griffiths revealed that the government was putting the plan on hold due to concerns on the sustainability of cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile, Sunak had in April 2022 said that he intends to give crypto businesses a favorable environment to enable them invest in the country long term.
The country under Sunak’s government is also aggressively pursuing the idea of a digital Pound which will be a central bank digital currency (CBDC) for use in the country. This is a cause that many top countries such as Russia and China are also pursuing.
Although the UK has strict crypto regulations in place as well, it is more lenient than the U.S in this regard. It is no wonder that Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong recently said his company was open to relocating outside the U.S when asked if he was considering moving to the U.K.
Crypto A Better Option than Project Meridian
Although the outcome of the pilot was impressive, there seems to be some potential issues with implementing the Project Meridian into the payment system. The first is the legal implication of using the technology which facilitates irrevocable transactions, and the problem of banks using customers’ funds without permission.
The legal concerns may be one of the reasons regulators are careful with crypto adoption, since crypto transactions are also irrevocable. However, financial institutions cannot control users’ funds and only the wallet owner can authorize a transaction, which makes it of less concern that Project Meridian.
RTGS also has a restriction on operating hours, which makes it not suitable for round the clock transactions. Again, this is an advantage that cryptocurrencies have as transactions can be settled at any time of any day in any part of the world.
SureTradeGroup.com is not responsible for the content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or any other content posted on the site. Some of the content on this site is paid content that is not written or posted by our writers or editors and the opinions expressed do not reflect the opinions of this website. Any disagreement you may have with brands or companies mentioned in articles will need to be taken care of directly with those specific brands and companies. The responsibility of anyone who may click links in our articles and ultimately sign up for that product or service is their own. Forex, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, NFTs and Dogital Tokens are all a high-risk asset, investing in them can lead to losses. Readers should do their own research before taking any action.


text:
Technology company Shopify (SHOP -2.05%) has generated fantastic growth over the years. In 2018, its top line was just under $1.1 billion, and last year it was over $4.6 billion. But while revenues have soared, so have expenses. And now that the company’s growth is slowing, the focus has turned to keeping costs in check, where Shopify has a lot going for it.
Has the company dug itself too deep a hole, or is it a good contrarian investment to add to your portfolio today?
Shopify’s expenses grew faster than its revenue
There is no doubt that Shopify has achieved impressive results over the years by providing business owners and entrepreneurs with various tools and services to run an ecommerce store. During the early stages of the pandemic, when people were losing their jobs or looking for ways to make some extra cash, Shopify offered a way for its customers to profit from a hobby or business. The pandemic has accelerated its growth, but it has also led to a surge in spending, which has grown at an even faster rate than its main line.
There was a brief period where Shopify’s profit margin improved rapidly, but that was tied to increased pandemic shopping when businesses were struggling to meet demand and online businesses thrived. Now that the economy has normalized, the trend has reversed.
Shopify is working to reduce costs, but with a net loss of $158 million in the most recent quarter (for the period ended September 30), its profits are back in the red.
Cash burn is another problem
A more troubling issue for the business may be money consumption. This is what growth investors should care most about, because companies need abundant liquidity to fuel any expansion.
Amidst this recent slowdown, Shopify is struggling to maintain positive cash flow. Last quarter, the company burned $214 million from its day-to-day operations, which is a continuation of a troubling trend:
What’s encouraging, however, is that Shopify had just under $1.4 billion in cash and cash equivalents on its books at the end of September. It also has another $3.6 billion in marketable securities. The company is not in danger of running out of cash unless its burn rate accelerates significantly.
However, what this image tells investors is that Shopify still has a long way to go to improve its operations, as a cash-burning business is one that risk-averse investors are likely to shy away from.
Is Shopify Stock a Buy Today?
Shopify’s business grew at a rate of 22% in the recent quarter, which adds to the 46% growth it achieved a year earlier. These are impressive results given the challenging economic conditions that exist today, and are a positive sign that the company is still doing well.
There is a lot of work for the company to do before its business becomes profitable. It could take years for that to happen, but if Shopify can cut its expenses while still generating positive growth, then this could be a terrific investment to buy right now. With sales of 9.1x, the stock is trading at a much more reasonable multiple than it sold nearly 50x a year ago.
With a lot of money on its books, Shopify is a well-funded company and it’s more secure than it sounds. While it can be a bumpy ride, buying and holding Shopify stock could be an excellent move for long-term investors.
David Jagielski does not hold any positions in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has locations and recommends Shopify. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: $1,140 January 2023 long calls on Shopify and $1,160 January 2023 short calls on Shopify. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


text:
Boston-based private equity firm Bain Capital has agreed to buy Rhodia’s North American phosphates business for $550 million (€458 million).
The sale by Rhodia, a global specialty chemicals group based in Paris, will be the final divestiture in its restructuring program. The North America subsidiary manufactured phosphoric acid and phosphates for industrial applications, including food, pharmaceuticals, water and metal treatment and detergents. The unit’s 2003 sales totaled €400 million, according to a press release.
This is the second chemical business transaction this month involving a private equity firm. Last week New York-based private equity firm Apollo Management agreed to acquire certain business and product lines from Eastman Chemical for $215 million (€175 million), as the Tennessee based diversified chemicals manufacturer is also looking to spin off various units and improve profitability.
Bain’s proposed purchase of the Rhodia unit also marks the firm’s second foray into the specialty chemicals market in the past six months. In December, Bain beat rivals to acquire industrial chemicals distribution business Brenntag, auctioned off by Deutsche Bahn, for €1.4 billion.


text:
This year, they have a new Western Late Model car. Family patriarch John Philpott built the Chevrolet Impala from scratch in his south Tracy shop, where he keeps the cars that his son, David, and grandsons Justin and Matt race.
The new No. 50 car is the one David Philpott plans to drive when NASCAR’s Whelen All-American Series opens at Stockton 99’s quarter-mile track April 9 for two races. Justin will be back in his No. 5 Monte Carlo in those events.
They’re also bringing back their Toyota Camry for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West when it returns to Roseville’s All-American Speedway on April 16 for the Toyota/NAPA AutoCare 150. They will take the other cars to compete in a Western Late Model race the night before, April 15, at All-American Speedway’s one-third-mile track
The cars are all named for familiar models but are built to NASCAR specifications. The only resemblance to the cars they’re named for is the stickers that resemble grills, headlights and taillights. Justin Philpott explained that the newest car ended up being classified as a Western Late Model after his grandfather nearly had it finished.
“He started working on a street stock for me and my brother,” Justin Philpott said. “It was more of a late model that he was going to put a street stock body on, and my dad told him you couldn’t do that. He was building a car that was too modern to be a street stock.”
They put in a new $5,500 GM motor, a standard 425-horsepower engine that all Western Late Model cars use.
“We just do a little at a time and do what we can afford, and it turned out to be a pretty nice late model,” Justin Philpott said. “It’s one of the nicest cars we’ve ever had.”
The Philpotts haven’t mapped out their entire season, but they will have to do well at Stockton 99 and the K&N races to make enough money to keep running.
This year, they don’t have a sponsor as they did before, when the local software company Tax Brain supported their cars. They’ve had no luck finding sponsors this year, so the cars are supported by David Philpott’s 11th Street auto repair business.
“It’s so tough with the economy, trying to find anything,” Justin said. “We’ve made 30 or 40 phone calls to companies, trying to talk to the right person. It’s tough everywhere.”
He added that the Camry will be the car to race if they want to get part of the larger purses.
“This class is a lot more money than a late model. You get more exposure in a K&N car than you would in a late model in Stockton or Roseville. They travel all over.”


text:
Pragmatic Play Expands Presence in Switzerland Through Partnership with GAMRFIRST
Pragmatic Play, a prominent content provider in the iGaming industry, has solidified its position in the Swiss market through a strategic partnership with GAMRFIRST, operated by Casino Barrière Montreux, a subsidiary of the Barrière Group.
Pragmatic Play’s highly-regarded Slots portfolio is now accessible on GAMRFIRST.ch, the online extension of the well-established land-based casino provider in Switzerland. This collaboration has resulted in the integration of 50 exciting titles onto the operator’s platform, including popular games like Sweet Bonanza™ and The Dog House™.
The partnership with GAMRFIRST marks another significant achievement for Pragmatic Play in expanding its presence and influence in the Swiss market. The company has been consistently forming successful partnerships, and this latest deal is expected to further boost its growth and reach in the region.
Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Casino Barrière Montreux is highly regarded in Switzerland, where Pragmatic Play continues to expand its presence.” She added, “We’re delighted to welcome the operator’s GAMRFIRST brand to our growing customer base in this key regulated market. The online casino shares our commitment to creating safe and enjoyable gaming experiences, and its players can now access our entire portfolio of premium Slots.”
Patrick Ballestraz, Head of Online at GAMRFIRST.ch, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Pragmatic Play’s industry-leading Slots portfolio makes a wonderful addition to GAMRFIRST, with its captivating titles already proving a success with players throughout Switzerland.” He also noted, “The announcement will undoubtedly go down well with our customers who will be familiar with the studio’s games, as well as build momentum and leverage our position in the Swiss market.”
Pragmatic Play is renowned for its robust portfolio of up to eight Slot titles released every month. Beyond Slots, the company offers a diverse range of gaming experiences, including Live Casino, Virtual Sports, and Bingo games, all accessible through a single API. This comprehensive suite of offerings continues to position Pragmatic Play as a frontrunner in the iGaming industry.
With this latest collaboration, Pragmatic Play strengthens its foothold in Switzerland and underscores its commitment to delivering top-quality gaming solutions to players and operators alike in regulated markets worldwide.


text:
Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida believes that the next generation gaming console war will kick off with the launch of the next Xbox and Wii systems.
The release of the PlayStation 4 could take some time once again to make it to market.
"Looking from the outside, it was Microsoft that released the first of this generation of consoles. Naturally, in my opinion, Microsoft will make the first move," Yoshida told Develop.
"Or, because Nintendo's approach was not to upgrade much on its basic hardware - Wii doesn't even support HD resolution - so they might be the first to move," he added.
This discussion could prompt consumers into readying themselves for the next generation, as the current one is already in year five. The big three in manufacturing have done what they can to minimize discussion at this point, but eventually the need will arise to give gamers the 'next big thing.'
"Probably the watch should be on these companies, in my opinion. Because PS3 was later than Xbox, and is more powerful, so it has a longer lifespan," said Yoshida
Get the latest Microsoft stock price here.


text:
Tujia’s single-day booking exceeds 56,000 room nights after Mayi acquisition
Tujia’s single-day orders exceeded 56,000 room nights for the first time, China’s house-sharing market is expected to embrace a new round of explosive growth.
Tujia, China’s equivalent of Airbnb, announced on August 5 it had registered the largest volume of orders on a single day on August 4. The number of orders exceeding 56,000 room nights is a record high in the house-sharing field in China. Analysts in this sector hold that Tujia’s new record signifies that house-sharing is being favored by an increasing number of Chinese users, and the market is likely to see a new round of explosive growth in the coming 6 to 12 months.
The transaction volume also included orders received by Mayi.com, another leading enterprise in China’s house sharing sector that Tujia announced it would acquire on June 22, 2016. Mayi.com has enjoyed substantial increase in orders in the past two months since the announcement of the merger, with daily orders averaging 10,000 room nights, five times more than before the M&A announcement. The merger with Mayi.com is deemed to be an important strategy of Tujia for consolidating its leading position in the China market.
Figures also indicate that Tujia’s core users are increasingly active. During the summer travel season, more than 70% of the users were families and groups and more than 60% of the bookings were for stays of three days or longer. Tujia users tend to be groups of multiple persons staying together or staying for multiple days.
Market analysts believe Tujia’s record transaction volume signifies that house-sharing is increasingly popular and this market may see a new round of explosive growth in the coming 6 to 12 months. In just over five years since the concept was introduced, at least tens of millions of Chinese consumers have become familiarized and adopted the house-sharing model.
Launched on December 1, 2011, Tujia maintains an annual transaction growth of 300% YoY. In August 2015, Tujia raised USD 300 million of financing at an estimated valuation surpassing USD 1 billion. Tujia hosts an inventory of 430,000 online properties covering 312 destinations in mainland China, and over 1,000 of those are in overseas.
Since 2013, Tujia has gone international by handling outbound travel for Chinese customers. The company’s current focus is on the top vacation destinations for Chinese customers: Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea. Tujia’s overseas transaction volume also maintains rapid growth.
China recorded 4 billion man/trips for domestic travel and 120 million man/trips for overseas travel in 2015. The potential market size for house-sharing in China is still relatively untapped. Meanwhile, major platforms like Tujia that assure customers with quality management on a long-term basis have built users’ trust in this new form of travel accommodation and developed a solid base for rapid market growth in the future.


text:
SpiralFrog.com, an ad-supported Web site that allows visitors to download music and videos free of charge, was scheduled to launch Monday in the U.S. and Canada after months of “beta” testing.
The music service, which has arranged to pay record companies a cut of its advertising revenue, aims to lure music fans who normally flock to online file-swapping networks to share and download music for free. The recording industry has sued thousands of computer users for doing so in recent years.
“We believe it will be a very powerful alternative to the pirate sites,” said Joe Mohen, chairman and founder of New York-based SpiralFrog Inc. “With SpiralFrog you know what you’re getting ... there’s no threat of viruses, adware or spyware.”
To deter users from posting copies of songs and videos they get from SpiralFrog, the service requires that users register and log on to the site at least once a month. Otherwise, the content locks up and can’t be played.
The Web site’s registration screen queries users on demographic filters such as their age, gender and ZIP code. The information is used to determine what kind of ads the users see when they are on the site.
Like other online music services, the SpiralFrog site also features reviews and other information on its artists.
At launch, the service was offering more than 800,000 tracks and 3,500 music videos for download. Much of that content comes by way of Vivendi SA’s Universal Music Group, the world’s largest record company and the only major label that has licensed its music and videos to SpiralFrog.
The site, which also boasts content from independent record labels, expects to have more than 2 million tracks over the next several months, Mohen said.
Though free, the audio and video files on SpiralFrog carry copy protections like those found on tracks available for sale at Apple Inc.’s iTunes Store and elsewhere.
Downloads cannot be burned to a CD, but they can be transferred to dozens of digital music players. The content, however, is not compatible with Apple’s Macintosh computers or its market-leading iPod.
Users are allowed to copy their downloads to no more than two portable music players or compatible mobile phones at one time.
SpiralFrog began allowing some computer users to try out the service earlier this year.
The company aroused interest last fall after it announced its licensing deals with Universal Music and performing rights organization Broadcast Music Inc. But the company missed its early 2007 launch and instead underwent an executive shuffle that ended with the ouster of then-CEO Robin Kent.
Mohen has attributed delays to the time-consuming process of obtaining rights from music publishers and other technical issues.


text:
The Mexican fast-food chain will open sometime in the fall, according to a spokeswoman.
A new Colombian restaurant is also scheduled to open next week in Jamaica.
Don Nico's is slated to bring Mexican-Italian fusion to 163rd Street this fall.
The new tequila bar opened its doors last weekend at 307 Smith St.
The owners of La Hacienda in Elmhurst are aiming for an authentic taquería with affordable prices.
El Coyote will replace Garcia's Mexican Cafe, which closed earlier this year.
A new chef at Teqa in Kips Bay has made tequila the center of each dessert.
Mary Ann's Mexican eatery in Chelsea had roaches, flies, and mice during a recent inspection.
Gabriela's hosts tequila tasting courses to show drinkers the finer side of the spirit.
The small Cocina Economica Mexico offers fresh mezcal cocktails and rich casseroles.
The two take-out locations and one dining spot will offer more than 30 taco options.
Borough President Scott Stringer plans to push the State Liquor Authority to close Papasito.
Staffers at the raved-about taco joint, Dos Toros, have released a finely crafted satirical rap video calling on viewers to "guac it out."
La Camelia Mexican restaurant on Downing St. offers ceviche and a different kind of mole each week.
The crowds at Zarela before it shuttered on Sunday convinced the chef/owner to look for a new space.
Get our daily New York City news and alerts!
Thank you for signing up!
Would you like to sign up for additional newsletters?
Thank you for signing up for additional newsletters.


text:
A CIRENCESTER clothes shop is closing its doors for the final time on Saturday, after supplying the town for over 30 years.
Women's designer clothes store Wardrobe on Dyer Street has been trading in the town for over 30 years, starting on Cricklade Street in 1983.
Now owners Jane Tully and Judy Price have decided it is time to say goodbye and will be celebrating their final day this Saturday with glasses of wine for their customers and a selection of special offers.
“I shall really miss the friendliness of the people and the friendships I’ve formed over the year,” said Judy. “I’ll miss working with and knowing the fellow traders too.”
The pair have worked together at Wardrobe since the very beginning, visiting Paris to purchase new clothes, throwing charity events, and holding fashion shows, one of which was hosted by Earl Bathurst.
“We have both been incredibly moved and touched by the sentiments of the people here since we told them we were leaving,” continued Judy. “I’ve received flowers and bottles of champagne. People have been coming in saying they just can’t bear it to hear we’re leaving.”
Both Judy and Jane are retiring and will also be closing their other Wardrobe shop in Marlborough in June.
They have invited their customers to pop in and say a last goodbye on Saturday, April 26.


text:
Rubber Chemical Price, 2019 Rubber Chemical Price in Thailand
Rubber Chemicals - Global Rubber Markets
CLEVELAND—The worldwide market for rubber processing chemicals is poised to grow 4.9 percent annually, from $3.63 billion last year to more than $5.31 billion... Global Synthetic Rubber News Synthetic rubber prices likely to remain volatileGet Price
Rubber Chemicals Market Research Report 2019 - PrnewsPrime
The global Rubber Chemicals market is valued at xx million US$ in 2018 is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of xx% during 2019-2025. This report focuses on Rubber Chemicals volume and value at global level, regional level and company level.Get Price
IISRP: Natural rubber prices remain cyclical
Thailand has less of a correlation. "When the prices of NR were falling after 2011, the production in Thailand was rising, which seems kind of strange," Gyftopoulou said. "But if you think at the same time that was the seven-year period after the new plantings were made in Thailand between 2004 and 2008, that is why the production increased.Get Price
Global Butyl Rubber Market Report 2019, Competitive Landscape ...
2.2 Global Butyl Rubber Revenue and Market Share by Player (2014-2019) 2.3 Global Butyl Rubber Average Price by Player (2014-2019) 2.4 Butyl Rubber Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type by Player 2.5 Butyl Rubber Market Competitive Situation and Trends 2.5.1 Butyl Rubber Market Concentration RateGet Price
Rubber Chemical Price - Buy Cheap Rubber Chemical At Low ...
389782 items found for rubber chemical. Comparing rubber chemical prices, you can buy quality rubber chemical at factory price / low price in China.Get Price
Unit : Baht Source : Center Rubber Market, Hat Yai, Songkhla FOB (Bangkok) Delivery 1 Month Latex (Local) = Factory Price In Hat YaiGet Price