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Daily Mirror managing director Colin Myler has left. He has been replaced by Mirror Group’s deputy managing director Roger Eastoe.
Sainsbury’s has appointed Phil Robinson to the role of director marketing services, responsible for all aspects of market research, competitive analysis and forecasting. He joins from IDV where he was director of market research. Robinson takes over from John Renshaw, who takes up the new role of director, location marketing…
… Sainsbury’s says it has signed up more than 5.5 million customers for its Reward Card.
The Department of Trade & Industry has launched a consultation document on pyramid selling and other trading practices.
BT is setting up a chain of nationwide superstores. The out-of-town stores will target small business customers and will be called BT Business Connections Centres.
Nintendo will launch a handheld console, Game Boy Pocket in October. It will be 30 per cent smaller than the highly successful Game Boy. The console will cost about 70 and have improved graphics. It will target mid-teens to mid-20s instead of the traditional eight to 14-year-olds.
Software City will open this Friday as the largest computer software site in Europe. Alan Taylor, chief executive of the 7,000 ft sq site in Leeds, says he plans 40 more sites by the year 2000.
Nike and Robbie Fowler, the Liverpool striker, are thought to have signed a multimillion-pound boot deal, as reported in Marketing Week (April 12).
Lloyds TSB bank has confirmed that marketing services director Tim Pile (right) has resigned and will join Alliance & Leicester (MW last week). An Alliance & Leicester spokesman says no appointment has been made.
McCain Foods (GB) has appointed the woman behind the launch of soft drink Oasis as its marketing director. Julie Leivers, former marketing controller for Coca-Cola Schweppes Beverages on adult soft drinks brands, will take responsibility for McCain brands including Pizza Perfection and Oven Chips and new product development.
Littlewoods Leisure has appointed Jeff Nicholas consumer marketing manager. Littlewoods Pools is being relaunched with a new strapline ‘Get A Result’.
McVitie’s is launching four products targeted at the under-tens called Noddy Rich Tea Fingers, McVitie’s Squidgers, McVitie’s Jam Splatz and Dotty Cookies.


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Each day TFO Canada publishes a sample of trade news on the Canadian import market along with any new, updated or changed regulations and legislations regarding international trade; countries in which TFO Canada offers services and on the export sectors which it promotes.
Canada Small Business Optimism Sliding: SurveyFriday, October 31, 2008 > 14:21:59
"There is no doubt the continuing bad news in international markets has seriously dented small business operating plans," the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said on Thursday.
Its survey of 809 owners showed that 39% of them expect their businesses to be "somewhat weaker" in the next year, up from 32% who said so a week earlier.
Access to credit appears to have stabilized, but hiring intentions have swung lower, the group said. Only 20% of those surveyed expect to add full-time staff in the next year, down from 23% a week earlier. On the other hand, 19% expect to reduce their employee levels, up from 16% a week earlier.
"These are considerably weaker numbers than recorded as little as six weeks ago," the CFIB said. The business group normally conducts its "Barometer" survey quarterly, but it is running the survey each week until mid-November. Its next survey results will be released November 6.

domain: news


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Talon, a US-based supplier of apparel zipper, has announced that the US Patent and Trademark Office has awarded second patent in a series of patterns concerning the company's Adjustec stretch technology Bandroll product. The patent provides an additional protection for Adjustec Bandroll—the design behind Talon's Inventor of the Year Award for 2020, by Aramark.
Talon, a US-based supplier of apparel zipper, has announced that US Patent and Trademark Office has awarded second patent in a series of patterns concerning the company's Adjustec stretch technology Bandroll product. The patent provides an additional protection for Adjustec Bandroll—the design behind Talon's Inventor of the Year Award for 2020, by Aramark.#
“The Adjustec stretch technology has brought fashion to a new level of comfort and performance with their innovative stretch technology, using fusibles with any material. The Bandroll offers a stretch-fit solution for garments--particularly dress pant waistbands--providing a comfortable and durable fit that lasts a lifetime,” the company said in a press release. “Aramark the workwear giant has adopted it as well in their quest to ensure they lead in providing performance in the workwear field.”
Following this second patent are two more patterns pending for the Adjustec Bandroll that cover even a wider range of applications.
Talon International has already been awarded three dress shirt design patents amongst 17 other granted patents for various product developments. Talon patents have been welcomed and adopted by several name brand clothing companies, including—but not limited to—Dockers, Uniqlo, Ralph Lauren, Round Tree and York, Murano, Van Heusen, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Aramark workwear.
“We believe in innovation and technology, and we use patents to protect our intellectual property,” Larry Dyne, CEO of Talon International said. “The modern production reality in the textile market is that anyone that tries to make these updated waistbands or collars without our approval, or a license from us, would, in fact, be infringing our patterns and pending patents.”
Alongside creative design patterns, Talon's Adjustec division patents provide companies everywhere the opportunity to revolutionise the way they make fashion. With constant innovation in the fashion world, the Adjustec Bandroll provides the level of performance desired by buyers everywhere without sacrificing design and style, according to the company.
“We believe that all modern pants... needs our technology to be competitive… companies will also need our patented manufacturing systems and equipment to enjoy the incredible efficiencies and savings they provide,” Herman Roup, president and inventor of Adjustec said in the release.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JL)


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OneNest.com plans to mark the beginning of spring tomorrow with its “Something's Blooming on oneNest” guerilla marketing campaign that will feature the distribution of 15,000 daffodils each tagged with the oneNest logo and an invitation to “Buy, Sell or Browse for handmade objects from around the world.”
The site, which launched at the end of last month, is an e-commerce community that brings together artists looking to sell their handiwork and buyers looking for original pieces of art.
To reach consumers with a taste for art, the site has taken an “anti-Gap” marketing approach, according to Victor Morgan, COO of oneNest.com, New York. For example, next month the site plans to distribute logoed coffee coasters at select locations as well as hand out goody bags at art-related benefits.
Ads have appeared in local print weeklies in Boston, New York and San Francisco. The site has also partnered with Healthy Living, Gardener Magazine and Rebecca's Garden magazine. These publications showcase featured items from the site in their respective editorial sections.
Online, banners bearing cryptic messages such as “the king owned it, his mistress stole it and now you can own it” are perking the interest of consumers, yielding click-through rates nearly double the average rate of 0.5 percent. Banners are being distributed by the Flycast Network and have appeared on sites such as NYTimes.com and Boston.com. OneNest.com has signed on for seven million impressions running from the end of February through the first week of April.
To encourage repeat visits, the site offers weekly giveaways. Prizes have included Pashmina shawls and Moroccan perfume bottles.
Aside from reaching consumers interested in purchasing handmade crafts, the site is also faced with the challenge of reaching artists to supply the inventory for the site. To get through to this iconoclastic audience, oneNest.com is relying heavily on creating strong ties with artist-friendly organizations and non-profit organizations.
The site currently has relationships with the Asia Society, Peoplink, CARE and the San Francisco Craft and Folk Museum. Through these partnerships and others, the site has collected a database of 30,000 artists.
To reach its A-list artists, the site dropped 3,000 direct mail pieces earlier this year. The offer let artists know that they can set up a free online catalog at the site for a limited period of time. An additional 500 direct mail pieces are being dropped every two to three weeks.
To hit its B-list artists, oneNest.com has been sending out the same offer via e-mail. At press time it had sent out 5,000 e-mails. It plans to send out an additional 10,000 e-mails by month's end.
“To appeal to top-notch artisans, you really have to invest in communications,” said Morgan. He estimates that these efforts have enabled the site sign up each individual artist for about $15.
Online, the site's artist referral program has been effective, according to Morgan. Artists can earn up to $10,000 by helping their friends sell their items on the site, he said. OneNest.com pays $2.50 for every person referred to the site, $1 secondary referrals and 50 cents for tertiary referrals.
At press time, the site had registered 2,000 artists and shoppers. It offered more than 1,000 products and was receiving 200,000 hits per day.
OneNest.com expects to raise $10 million in financing next month.


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The big Canadian Auto Show, held in Toronto, is only about a week away. It seems that every day, another showcase, or related attraction is announced. It should turn out to be quite the event this year!
This time, it’s the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada’s 2018 Canadian Car of the Year and Utility Vehicle of the Year finalists that are revealed.
This year’s process was different from the past where all new vehicles available to Canadian buyers, not just those new to the market, were eligible for an award. Nearly 100 AJAC journalists have cast 3,000 ballots on 182 vehicles and we now have the Top 3 in each category.
The three car finalists are:
Honda Accord (Best Large Car in Canada)
Mazda 3 (Best Small Car in Canada)
Volvo S90/V90 (Best Large Premium Car in Canada).
The three utility vehicles finalists are:
Chrysler Pacifica (Best Minivan in Canada)
Mazda CX-5 (Best Small Utility Vehicle in Canada)
Mazda CX-9 (Best Large Utility Vehicle in Canada).
The winners will be divulged at 8:15 a.m. on February 15 during Media Day.


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PARIS (Reuters) - France's economy eked out meagre growth in the third quarter of 2022 while household spending fell more than expected in October and inflation remained at a high of 7.1% in November.
Consumer spending fell 2.8% in October month-on-month against expectations of a 0.6% decline, reflecting notably a 7.9% fall in energy consumption amid high energy prices made worse by the war in Ukraine.
French consumer prices rose 6.2% year-on-year in November, unchanged from October, reflecting higher food and manufactured goods prices and a slight slowdown in energy prices, preliminary data from INSEE also showed.
On an EU-harmonised basis, the year-on-year rate remained at 7.1% in November, in line with the forecasts of economists polled by Reuters.
INSEE also reported third quarter economic growth of 0.2%, unchanged from a preliminary estimate of 0.2%.
(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Andrew Heavens)


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Portland, Ore.-based Salt & Straw has raised $4.2 million in a new funding round led by the Oregon Venture Fund. The 19-unit ice cream shop chain will use the funds to invest in new technology to build its delivery and direct-to-consumer efforts, CEO Kim Malek said.
BJ's Wholesale Club is making strides toward simplifying its offerings, adding new products and enhancing presentation, according to executives. "We continue to invest in our digital products, properties, adding new capabilities and improving features rolled out over the last year," says CEO Christopher Baldwin.
A school district in Arkansas has expanded its summer-meal program this year, adding three additional locations, says Kathy Platt, the district's child nutrition director. The district offers free breakfast and lunch to anyone under age 18 and lets adults buy those meals for around $5 per day.
Executives from Keurig Dr Pepper have officially broken ground on the company's new headquarters in Frisco, Texas. Keurig Dr Pepper's new facility will be 350,000 square feet and is expected to open in 2021.
New frozen bars from KIND Healthy Snacks and General Mills' new Drumstick cereal caught the attention of SmartBrief's food-and-beverage readers this week. A convenience store concept from Whole Foods Market and Ferrero's new products also resonated with readers.
Fast-casual chain Sweetgreen will now offer five months of paid leave for parents who add children to their families through birth, fostering or adoption. The perk will be offered to full- and part-time employees who have been with the company for at least six months.
McDonald's is keeping an eye on the rise of plant-based meat alternatives but isn't ready to add a meatless burger to the menu, Global Chief Marketing Officer Silvia Lagnado told investors at the chain's annual shareholder meeting. Consumers have urged the addition of a plant-based option, but the company is still working to gauge consumer interest.
Restaurants looking to cut waste and trim their produce bills can join with local farmers, farmers markets and other food sellers to source imperfect fruits and vegetables, culinary arts professor Jonathan Deutsch writes. Overripe tomatoes can make a better sauce than firmer versions of the fruit, and consumers never see the whole veggies that go into soups and chopped salads.
A study by advertising technology company Viant looked at restaurant visits by nearly 1.9 million consumers over six months and identified five different segments to help restaurants target their marketing efforts. "With a better understanding of their customer base, [quick-serves] can build cohesive marketing strategies and drive traffic to their restaurants," Viant Chief Marketing Officer Jon Schulz said.
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Defra have released their estimates of the land area farmed organically, crop areas, livestock numbers and numbers of organic producers and processors in the United Kingdom. The results are produced from data compiled by approved organic certification bodies.
The organic farming statistics for 2018 show an increase in organic producers, indicating opportunity in the sector. While the number of organic processors has declined, bucking the trend seen over the previous five years, the number of organic producers has increased. However, interestingly overall organic land area has reduced, indicating a shift away from larger farms.
Although total organic land area in the UK has fluctuated in and out of decline since the economic recession and, even though there are less farmers generally in the UK, organic producers are up over 2% since 2017, at 3,544.
Roger Kerr, chief executive of OF&G, says the new statistics reflect confidence in the sector. “Continued growth of consumer demand for high-welfare and environmentally friendly produce has seen organic sales increase steadily in the last seven years, which has in turn triggered an increase in organic farm conversions.
“Organic farming also continues on its positive trajectory on a global scale, with organic land area and producer numbers at an all-time high. Organic land world-wide is growing by 20% annually, and producer numbers are increasing by 5% year-on-year, currently sitting at 2.9m,” he adds.
“Our producers are achieving good economic returns, even in the current economic and political uncertainty facing the agricultural industry. But with increased regulation of agro-chemicals and potential increases in currency volatility affecting the price of inputs and outputs, many businesses are looking to reduce risk. And with policy signals from Government, farmers are looking at their options, including organic.”
He says there continues to be high rewards on offer for organic producers, particularly organic cereals. “Organic farming is a viable business option for those who can make the system work. For instance, when taking both yield and price into consideration, it’s now possible to achieve 90% of conventional outputs in organic cereals with significantly lower variable costs and working capital.
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HTC Droid Incredible 2 and HTC Rhyme now free at Verizon “while supplies last”
If you managed to miss Verizon’s Android smartphone promotions that took place in March, Big Red is back with some more discounted devices for your buying pleasure.
That has changed, as they can now both be grabbed for the cool amount of zilch. With a new two-year contract, naturally.
Also note that this is a “while supplies last” kind of thing, which makes us wonder whether these two phones may be on the verge of getting discontinued. That would be one more reason for you to hurry to Verizon and add one of them to that cart. After all, they’re pretty compelling smartphones even if they’re not the newest or the greatest anymore.


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There was a lot going on at the Milan shows last week, and most of it didn't even happen on the runway. From the surprise press conference Prada held announcing the appointment of Raf Simons as co-creative director to reports of the Coronavirus outbreak spreading to parts of Italy (which canceled numerous fashion events and shows like Giorgio Armani), the city made some the biggest headlines of fashion month so far.
Among the highlights were Gucci's show that transported the viewer behind the scenes, Moschino's modern-day Marie Antoinettes and Bottega Veneta's It-status accessories. The week also showcased Emilio Pucci's first collection under guest designer Christelle Kocher of Koché, who took the brand's colorful archive prints and combined them with her elevated sportswear aesthetic.
Another designer debut to take place was Walter Chiapponi at Tod's, who took the collection away from a strict focus on leather and into a more contemporary, relaxed route. Female sensuality was the prevailing theme for designers thanks to Fendi's sophisticated outerwear, Jil Sander's continued purism and DROMe's minimal offerings rooted in strong feminine energy at the brand's sophomore runway outing.
Sustainability was another focal point this season, with leftover materials from old leather supplies used in Ferragamo's upcycled footwear while its bags were made of deadstock exotic skins. While at Tod's, a patchwork dress was made from upcycled leather leftovers from old shoe materials. Diesel also kicked off its new sustainability series "Diesel Upcycling For," which partners with a different designer to create a capsule using deadstock materials from the brand's archives.
See, below, for the biggest trends that came out of Milan for Fall 2020.
Designers experimented with fringe in a variety of subversive ways, from the mop-like strips at Bottega Veneta (including its fringed clutches) to the dense car wash fabric hanging from skirts at Prada.
Whether applied in a maximalist head-to-toe look or affixed as a soft accent, the floral adornment was a recurring motif at shows like Moschino and Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini.
Contrasting lapels and collars were rendered in plush shearlings and cozy fleeces as seen at Missoni, Tod's and Agnona.
Luxe, rich velvets in deep jewel tones on everything from double-breasted suits to streamlined coats featured prominently at Marni, Etro and Sportmax.
Abstract patterns and kaleidoscopic prints in acid hues were melded together to form colorful contrasts such as Moncler 8 Richard Quinn's daisy/rainbow motifs and the reworked archive prints at Pucci.
Geometric shapes and textiles were assembled together to create delightful patchworks, from the colorful knits at Colville to the sumptuous leathers at Tod's.
Crisp whites featured aplenty in monochromatic looks such as the relaxed tailored suits at DROMe and structured feminine dresses at Fendi.
Photos via Imaxtree


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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) – If you live in Texas, the magic of Disney could be headed to a Target store near you.
Over the weekend Target announced that it would open dozens of Disney shops inside it’s stores before Christmas and have shops in some 40 other locations by October 2020.READ MORE: Duncanville Basketball Star Anthony Black Stays Positive Despite Ongoing Legal Battle Over Eligibility
The partnership means Target will carry 450 Disney-branded items including toys and clothing, and some items that are only available at Disney’s own stores.
READ MORE: ‘It’s A Great Concern For Us’ Ukrainians In North Texas Worried About Possible Russian Invasion.
Disney currently operates about 300 of its own stores around the world and is reportedly trying to find new ways to reach customers as shopping mall traffic declines. Just last week Target reported surging second-quarter earnings. The store’s new in-store pickup and same-day shipping services are being credited with helping profits jump some 17%.
According to Target, new Disney shops will average about 750 square feet each and will be located near children’s clothing and toys.
Of the 25 Disney shops opening in Target on October 4 — just as merchandise from Disney’s “Frozen 2” and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” hits shelves — two are in North Texas. Locations in Allen and Euless will open just ahead of the holiday season.MORE NEWS: Suspect In DeSoto Sunday Morning Fatal Shooting In Custody, Victim Not Yet ID'd
The big-box retailer said stores in Austin, Spring and Pasadena, Texas will also open this year.


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CHICAGO (CBS) — Since the start of the pandemic, ordering takeout has become the norm.
But sky-high fees for third-party delivery apps could mean family businesses are on the verge of closing down. CBS 2’s Sabrina Franza spoke with an owner who leaves apps before it’s too late.
READ MORE: Chicago Weather Alert: Winter Storm Warning Goes Into Effect Tonight
Majani serves vegan soul food.
“Offering a service that the South Shore badly needed,” said restaurant owner Tsadakeeyah Emmanuel.
So a big part of their business is takeout
“100% of our sales are technically takeout.”
Too much of their profit goes to delivery apps.
“170,000 companies have gone through these platforms, of which $50,000 is returned to them.”
It’s almost 30%.
READ MORE: April trial date set for accused serial scammer Candace Clark after rejecting plea deal
“I don’t make any money. I make no profit from this model.
Mejani has already closed two other sites during the pandemic. After the city’s temporary limit on 15% third-party delivery charges expires, they’re also closing their Uber Eats, GrubHub, and Seamless accounts.
“If you want us to survive, go to our website. Order through our website,” Emmanuel said.
Even if it means losing visibility or a clientele, they take the risk of a higher reward.
“I think we’d be better off investing those dollars in local advertisers that we have a better relationship with rather than someone who doesn’t invest in our community,” Emmanuel said.
To try to sway customers, Majani has stapled cards to every takeout order that comes out.
A statement from Uber Eats the week of Jan. 4 says that for 79 sales, the restaurant paid Uber Eats $686, or nearly a quarter of its pretax revenue.
NO MORE NEWS: Mayor Lightfoot appoints new chair of Park District Board of Trustees following leadership reshuffle sparked by lifeguard sex abuse scandal
CBS 2 asked Uber Eats for a breakdown of their fees and asked the company to justify why their percentage is so high when businesses still rely on takeout orders during the pandemic. The company has not yet responded.


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The global pet food packaging market size is projected to reach USD 16.50 billion by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 5.4%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Pet food packaging is becoming increasingly popular among pet food manufacturing companies focusing on capturing brand loyalty.
The industry has evolved over the years with both international and domestic packaging suppliers looking to offer scientifically advanced and developed materials/ products to their clients. The upshot of offering packaging solutions, however, remains to protect the aroma, freshness, flavor, and shape of packaged products.
The industry is likely to witness high penetration in the cat food packaging space. The number of cat owners across the globe has considerably risen over the years. This, in turn, has been fueling the demand for effective packaging products, most notably in the wet cat food segment. Despite the dominance of the dog food packaging segment in the overall market, the cat (animal type) segment is expected to witness high growth in North America and Europe over the forecast period.
Rising popularity of super-premium packaging and increasing export of pet food products are some of the key driving factors in the industry. The demand for super-premium packaging is attributable to the focus of pet food brands on product differentiation. Super-premium food is being increasingly preferred by consumers across the globe owing to rising awareness regarding the health of pets.
Bags & pouches is likely to exhibit robust growth over the forecast period. These products are being increasingly preferred for their ease of use and functionality. From a manufacturing and marketing standpoint, these products, specifically stand-up pouches, enhance the appeal of products at retail shelves in comparison with their metal-based counterparts. The production of bags & pouches also helps manufacturers achieve economies of scale.
North America dominated the industry in 2018 with a share of over 37%. This region is forecast to retain its pole position throughout the forecast period. The U.S. was observed to be the largest market for pet food packaging in this region. The presence of various internationally reputed packaging suppliers has further strengthened the North American market.
Further key findings from the report suggest:
- In terms of material, plastic segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period owing to rising popularity of pouches and bags in the pet food industry
- Cans emerged as the largest type segment in 2018. Cans are predominantly used to package cat food products
- In terms of animal type, the cat segment is grow at the fastest CAGR of 5.7% over the forecast period. Rising adoption of cats in countries such as Japan is expected to boost the demand for cat food packaging in the foreseeable future
- North America is expected to retain its pole position in the industry throughout the forecast period. The presence of prominent manufacturers in this region is likely to strengthen the position of the North American pet food packaging market
- Research & development activities are likely to surface in the industry over the forecast period with prominent market players keen on global expansion
- The competitive landscape of the industry represents intense rivalry among domestic and international players. Product differentiation is expected to remain one of the key strategies among these players over the forecast period


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Rolls-Royce shares have surged by an impressive 120% this year, currently trading at 225p, the price they were before RR shares collapsed in 2020. Are they still on a roll or should investors sell or buy more?
On the sell side, the CEO cautions that the pace of improvement may slow down as most non-core assets have already been divested. CEO Tufan Erginbilgiç’s turnaround strategy, featuring cost cuts and asset sales, has significantly boosted the company’s H1 2023 operating profit, marking a fivefold increase from the previous year. So this may already be priced into the market.
Analyst sentiment is also bullish, with no sell recommendations among the 18 analysts covering the stock.
Also, the industry air travel is booming, with large engine flying hours approaching pre-pandemic levels. The civil aerospace segment’s robust 12.4% operating margin is noteworthy, and despite recent gains, the stock remains 33% below its five-year high.
However, take caution if you are thinking about buying more and increasing your RR position at the current elevated price. Maybe hold out till November, when management will unveil their strategic plans and financial targets, providing crucial insights into the company’s future.
Overall, Rolls-Royce shares look bullish, considering the company’s recent robust performance and optimistic industry outlook.


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Amb. Odunayo Ojebode
Sometime in 2019, I wrote an article (‘Carted Away‘) on how some groups of people in Nigeria have been executing illegal rights on the minority. This is a follow up on the article.
Nigeria as a geographical location keeps looking like a place that can’t be habited by the indigenes. First, it was willing emigration of people to neighbouring countries in search of ‘greener pasture’ after which foreigners were grouped into the country uncontrolled through the instrumentality of some power that be. Now, businesses keep running away due to unfavourable factors in the country.
As at today, the rate of suffering by the citizens of Nigeria seems unquantifiable. For instance, petroleum which is supposed to be a consolation for the common Nigerians keeps skyrocketing in price. Several strike actions, protests and negotiation have been done by different people groups with the hope to salvage the situation but all to no avail. One of the frustrating things in Nigeria is the brutal, inhuman operation method and scheme of some of the government agencies and departments.
The wake of April 2, 2021, witnessed a protest and rightful ‘fight’ for the goods and wares of Bodija market women in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. According to the news, the Nigeria Customs Service officers invaded the stores and shops of rice sellers in the market, intending to cleanse the market of ‘imported’ rice.
Based on many reports, this operation was done around 1 am while the security men in charge of the market were tied and rough-handled. I could hear from the mouth of the market women, “they carted our goods, wares and money away, and now there is no hope for us.” When the Custom regional office Ibadan was contacted, they claimed innocence of any of such operations and that it must have been from Abuja.
While condemning this raid, the question on many people’s minds are these; where is the duty post of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers? What time of the day are they expected to raid? Perhaps it is part of their duty? Were the goods carted away actually illegal? How are the people concerned expected to survive? Will the people be paid back for their loss? The goods in concern, were they actually stolen or bought by the market women? And the biggest question for NCS, where were your men when these goods were illegally brought into the country?
The situation in this country keeps getting worse, and it is good to know that the silence and naive nature of people should not be taken for granted and as though they don’t know their rights. People are needed for peace and development, and it can only be achieved when people’s rights are not trampled and they are given space to thrive. Carting away people’s goods is carting away their hope and life, and this must stop for us to have a country.
The hope of this nation lies in this truth.
Facebook: Peacepace Initiative
LinkedIn: Peacepace Initiative
Instagram: peacepace_initiative. #Image Credit: Google


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Congrats on making it through that slog of a first week of the year. But while you've been easing your way back into a work, we've been hard at work getting our new smart home site The Ambient live (go check it out). We've also been prepping ourselves for CES 2018, which kicks off over the next few days.
We've already started to see the announcements flow, plus there's been big wearables news from the likes of Samsung and Apple to get you back into the swing of things.
So what exactly had gone down this week? Here's the first Week in Wearable of 2018, folks...
Samsung Gear S4 could get a big battery boost
The Samsung Gear S3 is one of the better battery performers of the big name smartwatches, but we are definitely all for making it better. If a crop of patents are to be believed, the Korean tech giant is hatching a plan to improve battery life by putting batteries inside the straps. Moving those batteries away from the main body could open the door for Samsung to add new features like a fingerprint sensor or an advanced heart rate sensor.
On top of this battery-boosting patent, there was also another indication that Samsung is thinking of adding a sub-display to its smartwatch. So will we see a battery-packing watch strap or a second display on the Gear S4? That's the big question we hope will be answered in 2018.
Apple Watch sold pretty, pretty well in 2017
It sounds like Apple's smartwatch was a big seller in 2017, according to USA Today and GBH Insights which ranked the smartwatch as the fourth best-selling gadget last year. It was beaten by the Amazon Echo, the iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy smartphone range having approximately sold 20 million units. Apple doesn't of course reveal sale figures so those numbers would've most likely been based on estimates and analyst reports, but even still that's pretty good going for the Apple Watch.
That's also unlikely to have factored in how well the Apple Watch Series 3 and older models fared over the Christmas period. We have a feeling there were a fair few nestling under Christmas trees around the world. It's good news not only for Apple, but for wearable in general: the smartwatch is starting to have some serious appeal for a lot more people.
How smartwatches can help kick that smoking habit
For many, the first few weeks of January can signal whether those new year's resolutions are going to stick or get ditched once it turns 1 February. Quitting smoking is one of the most common resolutions and one company believes it can use smartwatches to help you ditch the nicotine. Somatix has created software that is able to detect smoking in real time based on hand-to-mouth gestures picked up by sensors packed into smartwatches.
The SmokeBeat app will apparently will tell users how much they've smoked, as well as the financial cost of smoking. In a study conducted by Somatix, it found that the software was able to detect more than 80 percent of smoking episodes, which sounds pretty impressive. There are no details just yet on when SmokeBeat will be up for grabs, but we're sure smokers will welcome any help to way bye bye to the cigarettes for good.
How we test


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A slow motion splash zone for the ages
When it comes to engaging consumers online, the bar has never been higher. A recent study revealed that 82% of Americans completely ignore most online advertising. And it makes sense -- faced with endless amounts of media online, we've all developed ...
American author and poet Maya Angelou died on Wednesday. In celebration of her life, Elliott Morgan talks about how inspiring one person can be!
Rihanna is queen of the billionaires -- in YouTube views, that is, after becoming the first to hit 5 billion.
Fullscreen media may attempt to pull millennials away from YouTube with a new premium video platform.
Which dog breeds are adored where you live? Elliott Morgan delves into international dog preferences, with a special emphasis on corgis and maltipoos.
The Russian folk song "Korobeiniki" is tells the story of a traveling merchant and a girl who haggle over the price of goods. Of course, everywhere outside of Russia, the bouncing tune is simply known as "The Tetris Song".
UPDATED, May 31 now that "Gangnam Style" has crossed the 2 billion view mark. We now live in a world where Psy's 2012 mega-hit "Gangnam Style" has been watched 2 billion times -- or almost six times the population of the United States. Let those feel...


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SHERIDAN — Longtime Sheridan businesswoman Linda Fauth knows that despite her exciting plans for the future, April 30 is going to be rough.
After all, that’s the day she and her husband Willis are set to close Crazy Woman Trading Company — a 16-year staple of Sheridan’s downtown and an enterprise she describes as one of the most satisfying ventures of her life.
“I’m sure I’ll be a little teary eyed on that day,” she recently told The Sheridan Press.
Still, she’s excited about the prospect of traveling the country while continuing to produce the clothing and assorted other products that made Crazy Woman such a recognizable brand in Sheridan.
Founded in the mid-1990s, the Fauths founded the business in a Main Street storefront next door to their current location.
Specializing in hoodies, T-shirts and other articles of clothing, she credits her emphasis on quality materials as a key component in the company’s longevity.
“I like to keep people happy and comfortable in my clothing,” she said.
As for the business’s distinctive name, County Commissioner Steve Maier gets the credit.
Maier joined the Fauths and several other friends for a New Years Eve dinner during the time period in which the couple was preparing to open the store.
Looking for a way to tie local geography into the name of their new business, the group rattled off several ideas before Maier suggested Crazy Woman Trading Company.
Fauth said the suggestion elicited a laugh from everyone at the table, but, for whatever reason, it stuck.
“Anything I put ‘Crazy Woman’ on sells,” she said. “It just makes people smile.”
A longtime supporter of Sheridan’s Main Street, local business officials said they’re sad to see Crazy Woman close.
“It was kind of an anchor business downtown,” said Downtown Sheridan Association Executive Director Stacie Coe. “I think all the tourists thought it was really cute.”
Coe added that over the years, the Fauths have been instrumental in helping support community efforts such as the annual Christmas Stroll and various public arts initiatives.
For her part, Fauth is quick to note that while the store itself may be closing, Crazy Woman merchandise will continue to maintain a presence both in Sheridan and beyond.
Little Willow Traders, another Main Street mainstay, will become the exclusive distributor of the products in Sheridan while other businesses in neighboring states will stock the distinctive merchandise as well.
As for Linda and Willis Fauth, they said they’re excited to use their newfound free time to travel the country and spend time with family and friends.
But there’s no way of getting around it: They’re going to miss the store.
As she reminisced about the history of her Main Street shop, Fauth noted that in the 16 years she’s been operating the store, she’s received a grand total of two bad checks.
“To me, that says I’ve got the best customers in the world,” she said.
Largely as a result of that loyalty, Fauth said that one way or another, she and her husband plan to continue their involvement in the community they’ve come to love.
“Sheridan’s home,” she said. “Sheridan will always be home.”


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Overview: Yahoo! Celebrity interview with Hollywood Branded CEO Stacy Jones to discuss what it takes to be a celebrity mom in Hollywood who is also a brand ambassador.
Once upon a time in Hollywood, a woman had to be on a TV show or in a movie to stay in the spotlight.
Not anymore! In 2013, female celebrities can drum up just as many headlines, possibly
even more, simply by becoming a mom. First there’s the speculation about the growing baby bump, then the analysis of pregnancy fashion, the coverage of the baby shower and the birth, the baby’s first photos (usually auctioned off to the highest bidder), the observations about the post-baby body, then the quips about motherhood on the red carpet, possibly a blog about being a mommy, snaps when the celeb is out and about with the kid … The possibilities are endless and can keep the publicity train running for years.
“Having a baby is on par with winning an Oscar when it comes to the amount that it can improve a celebrity brand,” says Jo Piazza, the author of “Celebrity, Inc.: How Famous People Make Money.” “Nothing else can do what having a baby does.”
The same can’t be said for a male celebrity, of course, since the public isn’t nearly as obsessed with their relationships, fatherhood plans and what color onesie they put their child in. It’s a definite double standard, notes Alice Marwick, a communications professor at Fordham University who studies consumer culture.
“I think there are a lot of very famous male celebrities that we don’t even know very much about their personal lives, or maybe they date lots of different people,” Marwick says. “But when you look at a female celebrity … she really is judged on the success of her personal life.”
So how does a woman wring the most out of becoming a celeb mom? Here are five easy steps to follow the paths of Jessica Alba, Snooki, Kourtney Kardashian, and many more who have blazed the trail.
1. Be social.
Give fans an illusion of intimacy with you through social media; let them share your journey. Marwick points to former “Punky Brewster” star Soleil Moon Frye as someone who effectively used Twitter, even in its early days, in this way. “What she talked about with her fans and followers, it wasn’t about acting,” Marwick says. “It was really about her efforts as a parent and the relatable struggles that parents go through. Even if you have nothing in common with a woman who lives in Hollywood, who’s really thin and has designer clothes, maybe the one thing you do have in common with her is the fact that you’re both parents.”
2. Always be posting (baby pictures).
Like any proud parent, show off lots and lots of pictures of your baby. Whenever you’ve got a free moment between changing diapers (or supervising the nanny changing diapers) plop a pic on your Instagram or Twitter accounts. Remember, no moment with your child is too small or mundane.
3. Two words: farmers market.
Of all the places to be snapped, nothing suggests perfect, down-to-earth mom like gathering up tote bags of fresh kale while pushing a stroller. Jennifer Garner has lobbied for tougher laws on photographers who snap children. But she is revered as a great mom largely due to the fact that she’s often caught on film leading her girls Violet and Seraphina and her son Samuel through various farmers markets. Garner may have a thing for fresh produce but these collections of stands are, in fact, the ideal place for celeb moms to be seen: they’re family friendly, healthy, and show that even though you’re a celeb, you still take the time to shop for your kid’s dinner.
4. Don’t forget to hide the nanny!
Remember that quote about relatability? Most people don’t have nannies, so there’s no need to broadcast yours. Let people think that’s an unidentified friend or family member by your side. And best not to mention them when you’re asked about balancing work and career during interviews.
5. Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate.
Piazza instructs wannabe celeb moms to start monetizing early. “Break your mommy news with a trusted celebrity news outlet and then begin negotiating for every single milestone in your mommy life,” she shares. “That starts with the first bump shots, goes through the baby shower, the exclusive announcement of the birth, the first reveal of the baby, and then the first birthday. These are all events that a celebrity can be paid between $5,000 and $100,000 for depending on the baby.”
TMZ reported that Alba sold Honor’s first photos to OK! magazine for $1.5 million — not a bad chunk of change!
And the haggling doesn’t stop then.
Stacy Jones, the CEO of marketing company Hollywood Branded Inc., explains that women control most of the household budget, and as a result plenty of companies are willing to pay out big bucks for a spokeswoman that can influence non-famous moms. “New partnership opportunities exist from everything from diapers to clothing lines to food products to toys, retail stores, automotive manufacturers, theme parks, family vacations, and more,” Jones says. “The sky is the limit!”
Better yet, take a cue from Alba, mother of Honor and Haven, and start a mommy-related business. The “Little Fockers” actress co-founded the Honest Company of nontoxic baby and household products, just like the former “Punky Brewster” opened a store (now online only) that sells children’s clothing, The Little Seed.
“In that case,” Marwick says, “you’re literally capitalizing on the fact that you’re a mom by saying this is going to be the cornerstone of a business I’m building … The hook there that makes it legitimate for her to have a business like this is the fact that she is a mom and she’s concerned about her kids. It’s a very clever public relations strategy, but it doesn’t necessarily hang together.”
Wait, you mean celebrity moms don’t necessarily know best?


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Fashion designer Rachel Comey, known for upmarket, artistic tie-ups and craft-inspired clothing, made a surprisingly public announcement on her Instagram page late last week: the brand is no longer doing business with cardboard and shipping materials supplier Uline over its owners’ political donations.
In the post — text overlaid on a grainy video of an arid landscape filmed from a moving vehicle — to her 339,000 followers on Wednesday, Comey wrote that she is switching to two packing and shipping suppliers, The Boxery and Paper Mart, to ship to the US East and West Coasts respectively, and wanted to share the resources with designers looking for options other than Uline.
“Finally, we’ve found alternatives to the hideous monopoly on cardboard and shipping supplies, Uline. It’s been a project years in the making for us, and we wanted to share the resource with all of you, so you will never have to order from Uline in the future, either,” Comey wrote in the caption on the post, which had roughly 85,000 views by Thursday afternoon. “Sadly, the family that owns Uline is one of the largest donors to extreme right wing politics in this country. Buying a cardboard box from them is ultimately funding anti-abortion movements, open gun laws, etc.”
Uline owners Liz and Dick Uihlein are top donors to Donald Trump and have reportedly donated millions to conservative politicians. According to a 2018 New York Times article, they spent $26 million on the 2020 election cycle; and reportedly gave $4 million to anti-abortion groups in the lead-up to the overturning of Roe v Wade, per CNBC; as well as more than $4 million to the Tea Party Patriots, the group associated with the March for Trump rally that preceded the US capitol insurrection on 6 January, 2021, according to local news. Uline, which sells shipping materials including cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and poly bags to businesses, is privately owned and made $5.8 billion in revenue in 2020 according to Forbes estimates. Uline did not respond to a request for comment.
Other designers are on board with Comey. Ann Lightfoot, a jewellery brand, responded that they had just split with Uline. Angelina Rennell, founder of Californian boutique Beklina, commented her support and said via email that she is also switching away from Uline. Lingerie and swimwear brand Araks, who also responded to the Instagram post, stopped working with Uline in 2018 following the New York Times article.
“I made a decision to stop purchasing from Uline because I didn't want our dollars to go to people who held ultra-conservative positions and exercise their wealth to forward candidates and laws against abortion, gun laws, LGBTQ and transgender rights. By 2019, we replaced our packaging with EcoEnclose, an American-made, 100 per cent recycled paper packaging, a company who is committed to sustainability,” says Araks Yeramyan, founder and creative director of Araks.
Clare Vivier, the designer behind accessories brand Clare V, says she is also looking for alternatives. “As a founder — and as a company — we've been devoted to advocating for women's rights and common sense gun laws in the product we make and the causes we support,” Vivier says. “I was so glad to see that Rachel Comey has found and generously shared a Uline replacement, as we've been actively looking to find an alternative supplier that more accurately reflects our values.”
Comey, whose brand is independently owned, says that she’d been aware of Uline’s politics for years, but finding a substitute — particularly for specific cardboard shipping materials — had proven difficult. A team member discovered Refuse Uline, a website that links to information on the company as well as resources and alternatives. “We wanted to share the news because we imagined many other small brands like myself are ordering from them and I wanted to share options. There’s nothing worse than feeling kind of powerless in a situation, and it’s how we felt for years not having options.”
Verena von Pfetten, the co-founder of lifestyle brand Gossamer, also says that in some ways, there’s no way around Uline. “Unfortunately due to their size and influence, we’ve found that Uline has a chokehold on most packaging everywhere, to the point that some partners of ours have actually refused our requests to find an alternative source,” says von Pfetten. “While it’s not always possible to entirely avoid Uline’s monopolistic grasp on the market, we feel it’s important to pay the extra cost to work with better companies, especially those who offer sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.” She named East Coast Packaging and Salazar as some alternatives.
Comey found her new suppliers, The Boxery and Paper Mart, through Refuse Uline, which she tagged in the Instagram post. She said she looked for other criteria as well, particularly suppliers that offer recycled materials. “We are thrilled to be the ones to handle her West Coast cardboard needs. We’ve always been an inclusive, high-integrity company and we believe in equality for everyone,” says Allison McGuire, Paper Mart’s vice president of marketing.
Fashion brands have been taking active political stances as consumers increasingly expect brands to reflect their values. Brands including Estée Lauder have offered employee support for abortion access following the Roe v Wade unravelling; while designer Tory Burch has been outspoken on her views on women’s rights. The move by Comey differs in that she is offering up her resources in an open-access way to the broader fashion community. The response spoke for itself, she says.
“It’s clear how many other people had this on their minds, too,” Comey says. “I definitely don’t want to come off as greenwashing — I try with anything social and political to make it actionable. This is an honest share here and a resource for people. I’m sure some customers don’t like it but whatever, bye. The benefit outweighs the risk.”
Rachel Cernansky contributed reporting.
Comments, questions or feedback? Email us at email@example.com.
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(Windsor) One of the world’s largest automakers announced Monday that it has halted construction of an electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor, Ont., saying the federal government has failed to deliver on its promises.
The news prompted the Premier of Ontario to appeal to Ottawa to come to an agreement with the company.
Stellantis, which makes notably Chrysler, Ram and Fiat vehicles, and South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution last year announced the construction of a $5 billion factory, which was to create 2,500 jobs.
All levels of government were to provide financial support within the framework of an agreement, which has not yet been constrained.
“So far, the Canadian government has failed to honor what has already been agreed upon, so Stellantis and LG Energy Solution will begin implementing their standby solutions,” the company said in a press release. “As of now, all work related to the battery production plant has stopped.”
The federal government says negotiations are continuing. “We will continue to fight for the best deal for Canada,” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Monday during question period in the House of Commons.
At the exit of the communes, mI Freeland said she was optimistic about the outcome of the negotiations. But I also want to point out that the federal government’s resources are not limitless. We’re counting on Ontario to do its fair share and Stellantis to be reasonable.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was “very concerned” during a press conference.
He says the government should support Stellantis in the same way it did Volkswagen. A recent agreement with this car company provides for the construction of an electric vehicle plant in St. Thomas, Ontario.
The agreement with Volkswagen provides for an investment of 700 million from the federal government and 500 million from Ontario, in addition to subsidies for the production cost of each battery, i.e. from 8 to 13 billion in a contract.
These scholarships are meant to compete with the United States, which offers similar scholarships.
“We are sure they made a promise to the people of Windsor – I was there with the Prime Minister (Justin Trudeau). Now they have to keep their promise to the people of Windsor.”
Mr. Ford’s appeal joins that of the Mayor of Windsor and Unifor, the largest private sector association in the country.
Conversely, the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation believed that Ottawa should reject Stellantis’ demands.
“If you hand out millions of taxpayer dollars to one auto company, of course the others will follow,” the organization’s director, Jay Goldberg, said in a press release. “Taxpayers can’t afford to spend money on every company imaginable, and Ottawa needs to say no before shelling out billions more.”
With information from Mia Rapson, in Ottawa
“Music guru. Incurable web practitioner. Thinker. Lifelong zombie junkie. Tv buff. Typical organizer. Evil beer scholar.”


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Old Bay is setting the stage for things to come! Immersive Marketing at its finest. Humans are craving engagement now more than ever, and Augmented Reality + Gamification are paving a new way to connect with your consumers.
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon
For those of you who are in the know, your LinkedIn feed was probably nothing but this news story since the announcement. It is a big deal!
When two industry leaders come together with the common goal of empowering creators and allowing for innovation to be the driving force, big things can happen.
“We built Sketchfab with a mission to empower a new era of creativity and provide a service for creators to showcase their work online and make 3D content accessible,” Sketchfab co-founder and CEO Alban Denoyel said in the announcement. “Joining Epic will enable us to accelerate the development of Sketchfab and our powerful online toolset, all while providing an even greater experience for creators. We are proud to work alongside Epic to build the Metaverse and enable creators to take their work even further.”
The future is looking better and better every day!
Tune in next week for more "fresh heck" from the multiverse.


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On Thursday, the FDA announced Camber Pharmaceuticals is recalling 87 lots of Losartan Tablets USP 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg because N-Nitroso N-Methyl 4-amino butyric acid (NMBA) - a "potential human carcinogen" - was detected in a pharmaceutical ingredient of the product.
This is the first hypertension medication found to contain NMBA, but a handful of other recalls at the end of 2018 resulted from the potential contamination of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) or N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-two other potential carcinogens.
As for the latest recall, the FDA has reminded patients prescribed an ARB medication from a recalled lot to continue taking their medicine until their doctor or pharmacist provides a replacement or offers a different treatment option.
The recall noted that Camber has not received any reports of adverse events related to the recall.
This adds to the list of blood pressure medications recalled since October.
The affected Losartan tablets have expiration dates that run from September 2019 through June 2020.
Since last summer, drug companies have recalled hundreds of lots of blood pressure and heart medication drugs after tests showed small levels of potentially cancer-causing impurities.
A series of drugs have been identified as potentially risky since an initial recall began seven months ago.
"FDA scientists have developed novel and sophisticated testing methods specifically created to detect and measure N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) impurities in [angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)] medicines", Gottlieb wrote.
The recalled medication was distributed nationwide at retail pharmacies and from other mail-order pharmacies.
The FDA said in a statement it was investigating the formation of these impurities, which were reported to be made by previously unknown to drug developers. The company also makes losartan for other Indian drugmakers, including Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd., that has been recalled for containing NDEA.
Camber and Macleods said the active pharmaceutical ingredient that contained the impurities came from Hetero Labs Limited, which is based in India.


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Swap TC completed a pre-sale by selling their entire offering of BNB 8 days ahead of schedule. Swap TC provides users with the metrics they require to make well-informed decisions for investment. Investment in projects with no charts and data is more or less like gambling. The Swap TC system is comprehensive and focused on the larger vision, and it rewards the people as opposed to the traders. Swap TC has plans for new cryptocurrency users to take off on a journey with convenient tools.
Mobiquity Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: MOBQ), a leading platform providing next-generation data intelligence and technologies for advertisements, is pleasingly announced that Swap TC has chosen it as its data and programmatic advertising service provider for its Pre-Sale launch. Mobiquity’s CryptoGraph technology helped boost awareness of the pre-sale launch, and Swap TC could sell out the stablecoin BNB considerably faster than anticipated.
Swap TC focuses on empowering people with consumable and precise metrics in real time. They are in the market to offer the data investors require and proactively take part in rehabilitating the financial markets of the world as crypto ambassadors. Swap TC is the first crypto token to build a system that rewards long-term holders individually, as against global taxation models. Users holding their investment would be in the lowest tax bracket. This, in effect, helps reduce large price swings and adds more stability.
President of Mobiquity Networks, Sean Trepeta, said, “We are extremely pleased with the results of the pre-sale campaign, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the Swap TC team to drive awareness to their project. They are true ambassadors to the crypto space.”
“The big picture we had in mind is to restore coherence in crypto analytics, Safemarketcap will provide accurate and real-time data where the user is not the product and ad revenue isn’t a part of the equation. The Swap TC team and I are extremely grateful and honored for having the opportunity to work with Mobiquity Networks and look forward to partnering with them for future campaigns, it’s a no-brainer,” says the CEO of Swap TC, Vlad Vinnichuk.
For more updates, Follow the Cryptocurrencyessentials News section.


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Posted by Maspion Labels: Yamaha
Through various media, Yamaha Indonesia was informed that the sports model R15 possibility marketed in 2013. However, Honda as the main competitor has been confirmed that it will market the same class with CBR 150R flagship product later this month, probably will change the strategy of PT Yamaha Motor Kencana Indonesia.
Yamaha was again set up the All New R15 newest products in India. And the cider country will be born into the world of R15. "We did a study for next year again, just not yet certain," said the source of PT Yamaha Motor Kencana Indonesia (YMKI) to Kompas.com, recently.
If so launched, would be a good thing for consumers because it would have more choices in the marketplace. In addition, price competition and promotional strategy will be played off between the two companies. Unfortunately, about bandrol, the source remains silent. "If it (the price) is still too far away," he said crisply.


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Haivision features InStream Mobile for iOS and Android at I/ITSEC 2012
December 17, 2012
Haivision recently showcased one of its enterprise IP video solutions, the InStream Mobile, at I/ITSEC 2012.
InStream Mobile is an advanced, easy-to-use player for HD video delivery in applications that require the lowest end-to-end delay from source to viewer, such as distributing live modeling and simulation environments to mobile devices.
Haivision has announced the availability of InStream Mobile, a low-latency HD media player for iOS and Android devices. It receives, scales and decodes up to 1080p60 full-frame-rate H.254 video.


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You have searched for "cancer myths"
Showing 11-20 of 193
(Reuters) - Migrants tend to be healthier than the residents of wealthy countries they travel to, such as the United States, and often help fight diseases by becoming healthcare workers in those nations, according to a study published on Wednesday.
It is widely recognised that a sedentary lifestyle, consumption of animal fat and dairy products are associated with prostate cancer.
IT was a morning of charity, pageantry and good company as the guests converged at Eastern and Oriental (E&O) Hotel for the 10th Luscious Ladies Day in Shades of Pink to raise awareness on breast cancer.
Some tips and advice to help those thinking of adopting a vegetarian diet to eat a balanced diet with plenty of nutrients, as not all vegetarians eat healthily.
See the world through different lenses at the sixth Singapore International Photography Festival.
When you are diagnosed with a terminal disease, it’s not unusual to grasp at any straw that offers a chance of survival, but please don’t believe these myths.
Contrary to popular perception, breasts aren’t just big or small, but come in seven common types. Learn about them and how to care for your breasts.
Reducing mortality rates from colorectal cancer
You need to do your own research now that we have infotainment disguised as documentaries, says Big Smile, No Teeth columnist Jason Godfrey.
Local news in brief.


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In a recent interview with Eurogamer, Rare executive producer Danny Isaac informed the site that the Kinect Sports franchise has currently sold over eight million units today.
“We just had great success with the Kinect Sports franchise,” he said. “Up to now we’re over eight million units sold. People don’t realise how popular the franchise is. It’s been hugely successful.”
Danny also explainedwhy Rare decided to develop a new Kinect Sports title for Xbox One…
“Obviously Microsoft talked to us at Rare and we were more than happy to go after it. For a lot of people at Rare, we had some unfinished business with the Kinect sensor. The team did a great job on Kinect Sports 1 and 2, but it didn’t quite hit the vision we had for the sensor and the fidelity we wanted to get from it.
“There was definitely a drive [to create another Kinect Sports]. Obviously we’re first party, so to support the platform and do what we do best. We love building new technology, and there’s nothing more cutting edge in gaming than a Kinect sensor; using light to control where you want to go.”


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An intriguing question, don’t you think so? According to an article published on Aug 4, 2015 by Harvard School Of Public Health, “People who eat spicy foods nearly every day have a 14% chance of living longer than those who consume spicy foods less than once a week, according to a new study. Regular spicy food eaters also are less likely to die from cancer and heart and respiratory diseases than those who eat spicy foods infrequently.” The large-scale study found that people who had more spicy food – generally in the form of chili peppers – more than once a week had a reduced overall risk of death over the seven-year study period.
Fresh chili peppers are high in vitamins C, A, K, B6, and potassium. The active ingredient in chili peppers, capsaicin, has been linked to a number of biological benefits in earlier studies. Capsaicin and other bio-active ingredients in chili peppers have been found in previous studies to have anti-obesity, antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and anticancer properties.
Malay cuisine uses a lot of chili peppers (fresh and dried) in dishes such as Rendang, Assam Pedas and fresh and cooked sambals. The Minangkabau people of Sumatra, Indonesia, take this affinity one step higher; raw bird chili peppers are eaten daily with meals!
There you have it. Chili peppers are good for you and Raguan™ is happy to provide you with six delicious items: Sos Pedas Bijan/Hot Sesame Sauce, Sambal Goreng Cili/Fried Chili Sambal, Rendang Daging/Beef Rendang, Rendang Panggang/Roast Beef Rendang, Rendang Ayam/Chicken Rendang and Sambal Goreng Cili Daging/Fried Chili Sambal With Beef for your indulgence. Long live chili!


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A Potential Winner at a Throwaway Price
Harsh is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
OCZ Technology (NASDAQ: OCZ) has been virtually hammered into the ground after a gaping miss in the first quarter. The company clocked revenue of $113.6 million along with a loss of 17 cents, thereby failing to meet Mr. Market’s top and bottom line expectations of $115.7 million and 12 cents loss, respectively.
An upbeat outlook for the ongoing quarter and the fiscal year couldn’t save OCZ from the wrath of the Street, and the stock is trading almost 15% down as I write this. However, I believe OCZ is a company with a lot of potential, and such a harsh treatment seems unwarranted.
The good and the bad
The top line growth wasn’t a problem at all for OCZ. The company’s revenue zoomed 54% north year over year. Also, it managed to improve its gross margins to 25.2% in the quarter from last year’s 20%. With such a nice growth trajectory, it might be difficult to believe that OCZ is being beaten badly in post-earnings trading action.
However, escalating costs proved to be OCZ’s bane in the quarter. It witnessed temporary scarcity of power regulators toward the end of the quarter, which pushed up operating expenses a whopping 116% to $41.3 million. As a result, the company slipped into the red and posted a loss of 17 cents on an adjusted basis, wiping out last year’s profit of 1 cent in the process.
A terrific value play
But thinking rationally, I believe that a miss perpetrated by a one-time supply chain disruption shouldn’t be taken as seriously as the Street is taking it. OCZ is getting thrashed, and I believe it’s the right time for a value investor to get in. Well, what else you would do with a company that delivered terrific growth in its recently reported quarter and can get better in the long run.
OCZ is growing, and it’s growing fast. It ranks among the best in the rapidly growing solid state drive (SSD) market. OCZ invests a lot of money and energy in research and development, as evidenced by a five-fold increase in R&D expense in the previous quarter. It has been expanding its engineering personnel along with making a few acquisitions, which would drive its long-term growth. Moreover, OCZ counts memory-making stalwarts such as Samsung and Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) among its clients.
The company exited the first quarter with bookings of $140 million, which leads us to the fact that its innovative products, such as Vertex 4 and Agility 4, are finding acceptability with clients. Moreover, OCZ’s new products carry high margins; therefore they will enable OCZ to rake in more cash going forward.
In addition, the company’s core SSD business is doing pretty well, growing 45% from last year. However, OCZ was pinched by declining NAND prices in the quarter. But OCZ isn’t alone in its NAND pain. Its customer Micron had also experienced such a problem in its recently reported quarter. But NAND woes aren’t here to stay for long. Like I said was the case with Micron, OCZ will also benefit from the boom in sales of Ultrabooks that use SSDs instead of traditional hard drives. Chipzilla Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is going on its Ultrabook mission with full-force, and might release more than 75 models in this year of the Ultrabook. Hence, demand for NAND flash will move skywards, correcting prices in the process and help both OCZ and Micron improve their top lines.
Also, we shouldn’t forget that NAND flash is used for making memory for mobile computing devices such as tablets, smartphones and Ultrabooks. Thus, this stands to gain from the growing number of mobile devices that we are going to see in the future.
OCZ has impressive growth catalysts in its pocket. However, things aren’t quite working on the stock price front for it, as the stock has lost 30% of its value so far this year (15% of it in the post-earnings carnage). But as long as it is delivering growth, it is progressing on the right path and probably the stock price will also follow the company’s growth course over time. Hence, at such cheap levels, OCZ might turn out to be a good buy for those who are looking to make a new addition to their portfolio. The way it appears at the moment, OCZ can be a great value pick for your portfolio.
TechJunk13 has no positions in the stocks mentioned above. The Motley Fool owns shares of Intel. Motley Fool newsletter services recommend Intel. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. If you have questions about this post or the Fool’s blog network, click here for information.


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SEATTLE — This April, Starbucks plans to roll out a new line of “natural” energy drinks, Starbucks Refreshers, to be sold at c-stores, as well as grocers and Starbucks stores, according to a USA Today report.
With 40 to 55 milligrams of caffeine, the fruity, carbonated drink reportedly uses unroasted, green coffee extract for the energy boost — but has no coffee taste. Beverage flavors include Raspberry Pomegranate and Strawberry Lemonade, and each 12-ounce, 60-calorie can will sell for $1.99.
“Starbucks is firing on all cylinders,” CEO Howard Schultz told 2,000 shareholders at the company’s annual meeting in Seattle recently. “We are now creating lots of Starbucks products to live outside of our stores.”
By late April, Starbucks Refreshers will be sold at 160,000 grocers, USA Today reported. By July, made-to-order versions will be sold at Starbucks stores.


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With an expected fourth-quarter upsurge in spending by Japanese automakers, stations are urged to demonstrate to dealers the reach of television, as well as options such as time-targeted ads and multi-platform plans.
With only 19% of ad dollars spent by local car dealers going to TV stations, it’s incumbent upon local broadcasters to show them the value of television, one expert says.
“Dealers buy what they trust to move the needle,” says Adam Armbruster, senior partner with Eckstein, Summers, Armbruster & Co., the broadcasting consulting company.
Armbruster’s comments were part of his presentation on “Driving Automotive Dollars” at the TVB Forward Conference today in New York.
In order to lure more automotive dollars, stations first need to better engage with local dealers by knowing the differences between kinds of dealerships — regional superstores vs. high-end luxury outlets — and how they can use TV advertising to their advantage, he says.
Demonstrating the reach of television, as well as options such as time-targeted ads and multi-platform plans, is key, he says. Too often, dealers spend valuable ad dollars on efforts like direct marketing, radio and limited cable ads that pale in comparison to TV ads’ reach, he says.
“Show the dealers how to cost shift,” Armbruster says. “They want your help. And they will give you the money.”
Scott Fink, president-CEO of Hyundai of New Port Richey in Florida, the fourth largest car dealership in the country, says TV advertising has played a significant role in his success. He says that TV stations that play their cards right could capitalize on the expected uptick in spending by Japanese car manufacturers and dealers who want to meet pent-up demand in the fourth quarter of this year.
“We are going to have a turf battle,” Fink says. “It’s an opportunity for you.”


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Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Retail (RRL) has launched its first Trends outlet in Bangaluru. The new store outlet is RRL’s eleventh outlet in India. The Bangalore outlet is a stand-alone with a retail space of 18,000 square feet. Further, the company plans to open ten such outlets to bring the pan India tally of Trends to 21. Trends stores are currently located in Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Jallandhar, Ahmedabad and Kochi.
“Rather than targeting numbers in revenues, we are looking at giving our customers a feel of value products. We want to set a new benchmark in the industry through affordable fashion,” said Akhilesh Prasad, senior VP (apparel speciality stores), Reliance Trends.
RRL opened its first retail store in November 2006 and today operates over 900 stores in 77 cities, spanning 14 states with over 4.2 million square feet of trading space.
— IndiaRetailing Bureau


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McDonald's emphasizes the use of sustainable packaging
McDonald's recently announced the fourth edition of its corporate social report with the theme of being responsible for food quality and creating a sustainable future. The report revealed that if the damage occurred at the junction with the chuck, McDonald's had made progress in six major areas: management and ethics, environment, nutrition and health, sustainable supply chain, and employee experience. The report also disclosed that consumer packaging made of renewable materials has accounted for 82% of McDonald's total packaging
the main contents of the report are as follows:
environmental protection: McDonald's strengthened the management of energy utilization, sustainable packaging, waste management and green restaurant design
all McDonald's suppliers tested and reduced their impact on the further improvement of water manufacturing technology and overall strength, energy, air and waste through the environmental scorecard
in 2007, More than 91% of the fish products in McDonald's restaurants come from ecologically managed fisheries and provide customers with delicious fish
since 1989, McDonald's has formulated a tropical rainforest protection policy and promised to refuse to use self heating safety valves to regulate beef in rainforest areas at that time
in 1973, McDonald's reformed its nutrition information disclosure system, For the first time, the connotation of the nutrition information initiative was well displayed.
McDonald's restaurants in more than 30 countries were rated as pleasant workplaces by the great place to work association.
Jim Skinner, chief executive officer of McDonald's, said that a major part of the success of enterprises in McDonald's is to constantly improve our performance in social and environmental protection, This is also the core of our commitment to using our own influence to improve the earth's environment
the report also reached some significant milestones and relevant data:
leading the global trend of green restaurants: McDonald's has opened green and environmentally friendly food cemented carbide bending test halls in Sweden and the United States. In addition, more similar restaurants are being built in France, Brazil, Costa Rica and Canada.
McDonald's has invested US $1.9 billion in existing and new McDonald's restaurants, Boost the local economy
consumer packaging made of renewable materials accounts for 82% of McDonald's total packaging
establish energy management tools, including energy audit, equipment ignition schedule and energy consumption monitoring system
Bob Lange RT, deputy director of McDonald's corporate social department, said: only you decide to deal with matters related to sustainable packaging and improve the transparency of nutritional information, Only by paying attention to the opportunities and challenges faced by enterprises, publishing the main performance indicators and carefully evaluating the work process can we win the trust of consumers
Copyright © 2011 JIN SHI


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NORTH TONAWANDA – Goodwill Industries has opened a new store, its tenth, in an old Fashion Bug shop at the Mid-City Plaza on Payne Avenue.
“It was really too good to pass up,” said Thomas Lynch, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Western New York. “It’s a great location, and the store inside is a little more upscale than what we’re used to. So it was a good deal for everybody.”
Goodwill, which serves the region’s eight counties, will open another new store in a former Fashion Bug shop in Batavia at the end of next month.
Retail, said Lynch, is the “cornerstone of what we’re built on.”
Revenues from the Goodwill stores support classes for high school equivalency diplomas and an expanding veterans services program, as well as its more well-known workshop employment for people with disabilities.
The new store on Payne Avenue will be open every day of the week. Hours from Monday through Friday will be 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the store will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.


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Over 500,000 people visited Farnam Street last month to expand their knowledge and improve their thinking. Work smarter, not harder with our free weekly newsletter that's full of time-tested knowledge you can add to your mental toolbox.
Need batteries at the checkout line? If a stranger is standing nearby, shoppers are more likely to pick the expensive brand, Dr. Argo’s research has shown. Another study from the University of Vienna followed parents shopping with their kids, and found that mom and dad underestimated – by about half – the number of items tossed in the cart because their offspring asked for it. (The study’s authors recommended putting your child in the grocery cart, facing you, so their view of low-level snacks was restricted.)
Dr. Argo has also found that when an attractive salesperson touches a product, shoppers are more likely to buy it. And, another study to be published next year in the Journal of Marketing Research has shown that men who shop with their friends spend more money on products; women tend to spend the same amount as their friends or even less. Shoppers who are more individual, self-focused, says Dr. Argo, “like to bolster themselves in front of the group – it’s a tendency to show off.”
Continue Reading Five tricks companies use to part us from our cash


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Nigeria’s economy is generally classified as a mixed economy with a middle income level. It is a mix of private and state-owned businesses that generates a nominal GDP of $514 million per year. According to these estimates, it is Africa’s largest economy and the world’s 27th largest. Between 2000 and 2012, the country’s purchasing power nearly tripled. In terms of purchasing power parity, it currently ranks 24th on the global scale.
Naturally, much of this can be attributed to the growth of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry over the last decade, which has resulted in a significant increase in internet penetration throughout the country. According to DataReporting, between 2020 and 2021, the total number of internet users in Nigeria increased by 22%. (19 million people). As a result, it is clear that once widespread internet access is achieved, Nigeria will almost certainly develop into a thriving technological hub as well as a sizable technological market.
Flutterwave, a payment processor based in Lagos, announced in May 2021 that it had raised $170 million in venture capital investments. In October 2020, the Irish-American company Stripe paid more than $200 million to acquire Paystack, a well-known Nigerian payment processor. Stripe was able to expand its offerings to customers in Africa as a result of this move. All of this is evidence of the digital revolution that is currently taking place in Nigeria, where an ever-increasing portion of the population earns a significant portion, if not all, of their income online. This demonstrates the digital revolution that is currently taking place in Nigeria.
Participating in Online Surveys
The global market for online survey software was estimated to be worth $5 billion in 2020, and current projections show that it will be worth nearly $4 billion more annually by 2026. Polls conducted online not only help businesses reach more informed decisions about how to manage their operations, but they are also, without a doubt, one of the simplest ways for anyone to make money on the internet. All that is required of a person is to respond to pages of questions about a topic in which they have some or no experience. In order to be eligible for rewards, the vast majority of websites that provide this service require users to perform activities other than answering questionnaires.
These activities include watching videos and playing video games. Furthermore, they usually make payments once a week or once a month with gift cards, e-wallets, or cryptocurrencies. TimeBucks, TGM Panel, and SurveyTime are among the most popular survey websites in Nigeria, with thousands of people using them every day.
Marketing with Affiliates
Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based advertising in which a company rewards its affiliates based on the number of new customers they bring in within a set period of time. Individuals, as well as businesses, can become affiliates; all that is required is the ability to direct customers to a specific service or retail location. Currently, the majority of research market firms believe that entities in this sector generate around $12 billion in global revenues each year.
Affiliate marketers have a wide range of profitable niches to choose from, with online iGaming being one of the most profitable options despite the fact that they do not target players in their immediate area. According to online research, the five most effective affiliate marketing programs in Nigeria are run by Expertnaire, Jumia, Konga, PayPorte, and Wakanow. They all have higher-than-average referral commissions.
According to Allied Market Research, the global market for virtual assistants will reach $44 billion by 2027, growing at a 37 percent annual rate. Grand View Research, on the other hand, forecasts a $6.4 billion annual revenue for the virtual tutoring market. Naturally, the global COVID-19 pandemic boosted both of these spheres, causing them to thrive in every location. The same can be said for Nigeria, which has seen a significant increase in online hubs such as CityTutors, ChatClass, Tuteria, and PrepClass over the last two years. The demand for virtual assistants has also increased significantly in Nigeria, as evidenced by a significant increase in the number of Nigerian job applicants on freelancing platforms such as Truelancer and Upwork.
Transactions with Cryptocurrencies
Over the last half-decade, the use of cryptocurrencies has grown in popularity in Nigeria. According to LocalBitcoin data, Bitcoin trading activity increased by 1,500% in Nigeria in 2017, making it the world’s second most active market after China. The craze for cryptocurrencies grew year after year in Nigeria, leading to the country’s central bank prohibiting all local financial institutions from working with cryptocurrencies in February 2021.
However, this only appears to have increased many Nigerians’ appetite to continue trading cryptocurrencies, as the national cryptocurrency transaction volume reached a record $44.4 million in August of 2021. Therefore, it would appear that preventing cryptocurrency exchanges from accessing the banking system only encouraged cryptocurrency activity to return to the underground, where it had initially flourished. Despite its fragility, Nigeria’s crypto industry has adjusted to the banking ban and is now thriving.
In the Western world, the term “copywriting” refers to the process of producing written content for the purposes of marketing that is intended to generate sales. On the other hand, in Nigeria, it also encompasses search engine optimization and standard content writing. Copywriters and content writers are the people who work in this profession.
They are the ones who provide online businesses with articles, reviews, and product descriptions. Those who wish to advance in this field, which is expanding at an annual rate of 16 percent, are required to have excellent English language skills. There are opportunities for copywriting on a variety of websites, including Upwork, Freelance, and others.


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In a developmental story, Distributed Power Africa(DPA) is embarking on the distribution of Electric Vehicles (EV) charging stations across the country.
The move follows the launch of Energy Polices last year and Electric Vehicle.
This comes amid the country at government level is working round the clock to enhance environmentally friendly cars.
According to Divyajeet Mahajan, DPA Zimbabwe Chief Executive Officer, the EV stations will be rolled out along the country’s highways that links major urban cities. This will help motorists with easy access of power stations.
“Our charging stations will easy a major concern of consumers looking to move to EVs, by removing the fear of running out of battery on their journey,” he reiterated.
Most developed nations have already embraced E-mobililty and according to the latest global demand Electric Vehicles have zero emissions.
The initiative by the energy company is an addition to their usual solar offering.
“Electric vehicles have zero emissions and we are excited to add this innovation to our solar offering. We have grown our commercial and industrial energy deployments, and bundling our solar solutions with EV charging infrastructure will add the transition to cleaner energy.”
The energy company has already installed first three EV charging stations in Msasa. 17 others will be distributed across the country.


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- by New Deal democrat
As I’ve repeated for the past several months, at present the report on personal income and spending is co-equal to the employment report as the most important monthly data. And for the second month in a row, the results were very mixed. And also, like yesterday, revisions played a big role, this time to the downside.
Nominally, personal income rose 0.4%, and personal spending rose 0.8%. Because the applicable deflator rose 0.4%, real personal income was unchanged, and real personal spending rounded to up 0.5%. And real disposable personal income rose less than 0.1% rounding to unchanged.
Since the pandemic began, real income is up 3.3% (vs. a reported 4.0% in March), and real spending is up 8.2% (vs. 7.6% in March). Because much of this was distorted by several rounds of stimulus, here’s the view normed to 100 as of July 2021, also including real disposable personal income (gold), which is much more affected by gas prices:
Note that net revisions added 0.1% to the increase in spending, but revisions subtracted a large -0.7% from income.
Revisions also affected the pesonal savings rate, which was also revised down -0.6% for March from 5.1% to 4.5%, and then declined another -0.4% in April to 4.1%. Due to the “paradox of saving,” while this decline in a negative for individual households, it is good for the economy as a whole, since consumption makes up 70% of economic activity, and consumption leads employment.
In the long term, though, this rate of saving is very low, only exceeded to the downside in the 50 years prior to the pandemic by the period from November 2004 through September 2008:
Finally, let’s turn to the indicators that the NBER uses to determine the onset of and end of recessions, two of which were updated this morning.
The good news is that real personal income less government transfers (blue in the graph below) rose 0.2% in April to a new high. The bad news is that this is against some very big downward revisions for the past 6 months, meaning that April’s “record” is actually -0.6% below where we thought we were in March, and less than 0.1% above its now-previous record of last September:
The other big coincident indicator used by the NBER updated today, real manufacturing and trade sales for March, declined another -0.6% from their recent high in January:
Here is what all of the “big 4” coincident indicators, including industrial production and nonfarm payrolls, look like each normed to 100 as of their respective peaks:
Two of the four - industrial production and real manufacturing and trade sales - are down from their peaks. A third, real personal income less transfer receipts, has essentially been flat since last September. Only jobs have continued to increase significantly.
Further, on a YoY basis, real personal income less government transfers is up 1.2%, industrial production is up 0.2%, and real manufacturing and trade sales are up 0.7%. The historical record going back over half a century shows that when all three of these coincident indicators have been at their current YoY levels they are now, with *no* exceptions a recession was already underway:
In summary, while there was good news on real personal spending and on real personal income less government transfers; there were very negative revisions to income. While it remains unlikely, together with yesterday’s report of negative Gross Domestic Income for Q1, including the average of GDP and GDI; this report increases the chances that ultimately the NBER will discount the continuing growth in nonfarm payrolls and declare that there was a cyclical peak in January.


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Just as we found out that LG has decided to put all tablet development on hold for the time being and only concentrate on Android-based smartphones, we have been introduced to two new handsets from the company.
Well, not exactly introduced, as both phones were unveiled some time ago, but reacquainted with the Optimus 3D Max and Optimus L7. The duo has been made official for the Indian market, where they’ve already started selling, but are still nowhere to be found in several other markets across the world, including the United States.
First up, we have the Optimus 3D Max, a glasses-free phone that offers “3D on the go”. Although the “Max” as a name might make [...]
It’s been a good three years since Avatar ignited a 3D boom in the entertainment and tech industry. Though the 3D hype didn’t really translate into sales for many manufacturers that tried to 3D-ify everything, LG thinks there’s still room for a new 3D smartphone, the LG Optimus 3D Max.
Don’t be fooled by the last part of the name, because the phone actually lost in the thickness and weight department. The LG Optimus 3D Max comes in a thinner 9.6mm body and weighs 20 g less than its predecessor. Just like its predecessor, the LG Optimus 3D, this second generation 3D gizmo from LG doesn’t require users to wear special glasses to view 3D images and videos.
In the [...]
Despite the fact that Android-based smartphones with 3D capabilities haven’t exactly taken off, the Koreans at LG are still trying to make a push in this market niche and will release in the near future their next 3D-enabled handheld, the Optimus 3D Max. LG’s Optimus 3D was the first ever 3D smartphone to hit the market last April, and, while this 3D Max should be an upgraded version of that handheld, it doesn’t look like a device to really look forward to.
At least that’s what we can make from a few benchmark scores leaked by Greek website PostPC.gr yesterday and that look… pretty awful, to be honest. Well, not awful if we were to compare the 3D Max with some of [...]


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Aug 22, 2007
British Columbia company orders ZAP electric vehicles for retail sale in Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia – New Fuel Systems Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia has signed an agreement with California electric car company ZAP for the purchase of $1 million worth of ZAP electric vehicles, including cars, trucks, mopeds, scooters and other vehicles. New Fuel Systems plans to open retail locations throughout Canada and showcase electric transportation during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, B.C.
Officials of the two companies say that the Canadian government’s signing of the Kyoto Protocol, binding it under international law to reduce greenhouse gases, opens up opportunities in Canada for alternative transportation such as the ZAP “zero emission” vehicles.
ZAP has delivered over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries since 1994; its technologies include energy-efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, ethanol, hybrid and other innovative power systems.


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Reuters reports that Citigroup, a U.S.-based bank, announced that it had been hacked and customers’ private data was compromised:
Citigroup Inc said computer hackers breached the bank’s network and accessed the data of about 200,000 bank card holders in North America, the latest of a string of cyber attacks on high-profile companies.
Citi said the names of customers, account numbers and contact information, including email addresses, were viewed in the breach, which the Financial Times said was discovered by the bank in early May.
However, Citi said other information such as birth dates, social security numbers, card expiration dates and card security codes (CVV) were not compromised. […]
Another Citi spokesman, James Griffiths in Hong Kong, said the breach had affected 1 percent of North American card customers, which the bank’s annual report says total 21 million.
But like Japanese electronics and entertainment group Sony, which has declared several security breaches of its networks this year, Citi could come under fire for not telling customers sooner. […]
Citigroup joins a growing list of companies that have suffered cyber attacks.Â Data storage firm EMC Ltd this week offered to replace millions of electronic keys after hackers used data from its RSA security division to break into the network of arms supplier and information technology provider Lockheed Martin.
Sony has reported several attacks, including one in which hackers accessed the personal information on 77 million PlayStation Network and Qriocity accounts.