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Do you have concerns with electronic cigarettes or vaping?
As always, check with your national organization’s policies regarding smoking and vaping. While we do not have a position on electronic cigarettes, most of the incidents occur to a single individual with minor property damage. Sixty-one percent of the incidents occurred while the device was in a pocket and eighteen percent of incidents occurred while the device was being stored.
- The combination of an electronic cigarette and a lithium-ion battery is a new and unique hazard. There is no analogy among consumer products to the risk of a severe, acute injury presented by an e-cigarette.
- Fires or explosions caused by the batteries used in electronic cigarette are uncommon; however the consequences can be devastating and life-altering for the victims.
- It is likely that the number of incidents and injuries will continue to increase.
- Since the current generation of lithium-ion batteries is the root cause of these incidents, it is clear that these batteries are not a safe source of energy for these devices.
- Between January 2009 and December 31, 2016, 195 separate incidents of explosion and fire involving an electronic cigarette were reported by the U.S. media. These incidents resulted in 133 acute injuries. Of these injuries, 38 (29 percent) were severe.
- To date, there have been no deaths in the United States caused by electronic cigarette fires or explosions.
- One hundred and twenty-one (62 percent) of the incidents of explosion and fire involving an electronic cigarette or its battery occurred when the device was either in a pocket or actively in use.
- The shape and construction of electronic cigarettes can make them (more likely than other products with lithium-ion batteries) behave like “flaming rockets” when a battery fails.
- Lithium-ion batteries must be charged in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.


text: Five years may be a long time for most gadgets and consumer electronics, but you could argue that's just when video game consoles really hit their prime. Reaching that mark today is the Sony PlayStation 3, which made its North American debut on November 17th, 2006 (a week after its launch in Japan). In those five years it's helped Blu-ray win a format war, introduced gamers to some new, now-familiar characters like Sackboy and Nathan Drake, and delved into the realms of 3D and motion-control -- dropping quite a bit from its original $500 starting price along the way. Of course, it has also seen more than its share of hiccups. Sony's collecting some thoughts from game developers on its blog to mark the occasion, and you're naturally welcome to share your own in the comments below.

domain: news


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Texas, along with Washington state, Indiana and the District of Columbia, filed suit Monday against Google, alleging the internet giant engages in deceptive location tracking. The suit claims that even when users of Google apps turn off location-tracking features, Google continues to record their movements. Texas and other states have previously sued Google over allegations that the company engages in anti-competitive advertising practices.
David Shepardson reported on the lawsuit for Reuters, along with his colleague, Doina Chiacu. He told Texas Standard that Google’s $150 billion advertising business depends in part on the data it collects from mobile users.
“A lot of that advertising comes from being able to target advertisements to individuals based on where they are, and their habits,” Shepardson said.
When location tracking is left on, Google apps and mobile phone operating systems not only know where you are, but can offer suggestions for where you might want to go, based on your past behavior. But devices and apps collect additional data that’s valuable to Google and its advertisers.
“This is about other data that phones collect, beyond just that location history,” Shepardson said. “And Google is able to use that data to continue to amass data about where users are and to help create profiles to help target advertising.”
The new lawsuits accuse Google of using “dark patterns” to continue tracking people’s locations.
“One of the suits says that Google designs its products to push or pressure people to provide more location data, either inadvertently or out of frustration,” Shepardson said. “You notice if you use certain services, like Google Maps, if you agree to give them your location data, it makes it a lot easier to use the map.”
Shepardson says the states filing suit believe Google users should be better informed about how the apps they use actually track them and when.
Google says the allegations in the suit are outdated. The suit covers the period between 2015 and 2019. Google says it has enhanced its privacy protections and disclosures since that time.
“They say, ‘Look, every time we serve up a new app, or a new request, we do ask you as a user to say yes or no,'” Shepardson said.
A judge hearing an earlier Arizona lawsuit against Google expressed skepticism of state claims that users should be able to expect that turning off location tracking would keep Google from doing any tracking.


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Coal Valley Boxing reopens to public
Fernie and Sparwood’s Coal Valley Boxing locations officially reopened this week.
To ensure safety, both facilities are following COVID-19 guidelines set by ViaSport, Canada Boxing, Boxing BC, WorkSafeBC, and Interior Health, including washing down and sanitizing equipment after every class, using individual grids and bags, and limiting spaces to 12 clients per session in Fernie and six per session in Sparwood. There will also be no sharing of equipment permitted, and all participants must bring or purchase their own wraps and gloves.
Fernie’s location is currently offering two one hour sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays in July from 6:45 p.m. till 7:45 p.m. and from 8 p.m. until 9 p.m. Sparwood is running their classes Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Drop in fees run at $10 per class, however Sparwood’s summer classes are currently fully booked. For more information and a list of COVID-19 guidelines, as well as to sign up for Fernie’s classes, visit their Facebook page.
Meat Draw Saturdays begin at the Legion
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 36 is once again hosting Meat Draw Saturdays starting at 4 p.m. each week. With 15 draws for an assortment of meat, as well as a 50/50 draw, the event raises money to give back to community groups, youth organizations, and soldiers.
To accommodate for pandemic restrictions, seating is limited and a variety of hygienic practices are to be followed for ticket sales, as well as the distribution of meat.
Tickets may be purchased 20 minutes prior to the event, and guidelines remain open to input and change. For more information, visit The Legion’s Facebook page.
Polar Peak Popcorn opens for business
A new local business, Polar Peak Popcorn, is bringing delicious kettle corn to the people of Fernie. Offering sweet and salty popcorn, as well as a variety of seasonal flavours, customers can purchase their kettle corn in both 15 and 24 inch bags.
After starting off by selling their goods at Elkford’s Wildcat Days Online Craft Fair, the team is now selling their products at the Fernie Mountain Market on select weekends throughout the summer, as well as online. In the future, owners hope to expand the business to accommodate special events and weddings.
“I decided to start the business because my entire family loves popcorn,” said owner Paula Vera. “It’s a great snack and really fun to spice up in different ways and share with people.”
For questions or to place online orders for pickup in Fernie, message Polar Peak Popcorn on Facebook or Instagram @polarpeakpopcorn.
Elkford opens a pay at the pump gas station
Elkford officially opened an Esso gas station on July 1. The convenient pay at the pump service is currently available 24 hours a day. Alongside gas, the Esso store opens from 5 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., offering a wide variety of to-go breakfasts including homemade fresh sandwiches, trays of chicken fingers, breakfast poutine and buns, breakfast bowls, coffee, and more.
EKCCU hosts virtual 70th annual AGM
The East Kootenay Community Credit Union (EKCCU) hosted their 70th annual general meeting (AGM) on June 24. The meeting was hosted over Zoom, with all board members signing in from their own homes.
Despite minor concerns, the credit union acknowledged that technology permits increased accessibility to meetings, allowing members from all their communities to attend with ease.
The format of the meeting was matched to the live meetings, however the Community Cash program was unable to continue. In previous years, community groups attended the meeting to raise awareness about their offerings, allowing attendees to vote using community cash, ultimately giving back over $30,000 since 2016. This year’s cancellation prompted organizers to explore alternative options to giving back to communities.
Salvation Army accepts donations
Fernie’s Salvation Army is once again accepting donations after a pandemic induced hiatus. Donations are currently only being accepted on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., as all donations must be isolated prior to being sold.


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OAK PARK, Ill. – The Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA) has signed an agreement with National Check Retrieval, LLC (NCRLLC) to provide free bank check recovery services for its members, the association reported in a statement this morning.
NCRLLC, located in Louisville, Ky., will take over for dealers on the collection of NSF (not-sufficient funds) checks. The service is free to MRAA members, and they will receive 100 percent of the check value upon collection. The check writer will pay all penalties, not the retailers.
MRAA members must only sign two simple pre-filled out forms to start this service, according to the association. Signs noting the use of the NCRLLC service will be provided to dealers.
“Dealers will no longer have to be bill collectors,” noted MRAA President Phil Keeter. “We are delighted to offer this service to our members from a company that has a collection rate of approximately 90 percent within 90 days after processing begins.”
To learn more about this benefit, go to www.nationalcheckretrieval.com, call Hency Bunner at 502-244-8924 or contact MRAA at 708-763-9210.
- For more of the latest news, click here.


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News & Reviews: Predator Helios 300
Acer Predator Helios 300 and Nitro 5 Malaysia release: up to RTX3060, 11th Gen Core i7 processor, up to 144Hz display from RM3799Apr 06, 2021
In conjunction with the Predator League 2020/2021, Acer Malaysia has officially announced the Predator Helios 300, as well as the Nitro 5 gaming laptop at the price of RM3799 and RM5299 respectively. Both the laptops will be available at all Acer participating partners nationwide starting from today onwards.
Apr 12, 2019
Acer had their [email protected] Global Press Conference last night in New York, launching a bunch of their brand new products that we will likely see come by Malaysia throughout this year. Among them were a number of impressive gaming devices which includes gaming laptops, a gaming desktop and a huge 43 inch monitor with 144Hz refresh rate.
Aug 02, 2018
Looking for a new laptop? Well, starting tomorrow onwards (3 August 2018) - Acer Day campaign is making a come back under the theme "Acer Day - Play Music Together", Acer hopes to connect people through music and colour and the event will be concurrently held all across the entire Pan-Asia region.
Acer Malaysia unveils new Predator Helio 300 and Nitro 5 gaming laptops from RM3299, and Acer Day promotion rewardsAug 02, 2017
Today, Acer Malaysia has brought in the latest laptop lineup from both gaming and lifestyle category for consumers. For the gamers, the Predator Helios 300 is finally available for RM5999 and a more budget friendly Acer Nitro 5 starting from RM3299. Meanwhile, the lifestyle laptops are the newly revamped Swift 3, the 2-in-1 Swift 5, One 10, and the all-in-one desktops Aspire U27.
Apr 28, 2017
During at the [email protected] global press conference that was held in New York today, the company released two new Predator gaming laptops - the Predator Helios 300 and Triton 700 gaming notebooks. The Helios 300 comes in two variants of 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch displays, while the Triton 700 will only come in 15.6-inch.


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As rumoured last night, Activision and Tencent have announced Call of Duty Online. The game, which is planned for release as a free-to-play game in China, has been in development at Activision for two years.
“We are very excited about our relationship with Tencent and the opportunities for gaming in China,” said Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. “We think China is one of the most exciting places in the world for us to grow our business and to develop innovative new games.”
Martin Lau, President of Tencent, said, “We are thrilled to work with the world’s premiere game developer and publisher to bring this much-awaited title to Chinese game players. We believe Call of Duty Online will attract tens of millions of loyal fans in China, and our game platform and operational expertise to run massive multi-player online games can provide strong support to deliver the immersive and highly interactive game experience to game players in China.”
Call of Duty Online will leverage the multiplayer experience that the Call of Duty franchise is known for and introduce a new gaming model designed specifically for the Chinese market. This new model will allow players the ability to personalize their weapons, characters and equipment by way of an in-game store, through micro-transactions.
The game includes a number of modes (which weren't detailed in this announcement) and features an original story set in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare universe.


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As the powersports industry heads into 2020, dealers and lenders will likely see higher auction volume and flat pricing, Jim Woodruff, chief operating officer of National Powersport Auctions, told Powersports Finance.
While concrete predictions about next year can be made in December, some factors can be determined based on how 2019 has performed.
“Through the auctions, we will see continued growth in volume, both from dealer inventories as well as from bank repossessed inventory — which is healthy,” Woodruff said. “The repossession won’t be because of default rates, it will be because of more lending and portfolio growth going on, and so there’s a natural growth in volume that goes with that on the auction side.”
For More Read: NPA parent Copart appoints new president
Additionally, weather will likely have a more muted impact in 2020 than it did in 2019 because it’s “rare” for there to be two rainy seasons in a row, Woodruff added. Peak pricing occurred in March, which was softer and later than the standard timeframe of February. The delay was due, in part, to an extended rainy season that impacted retail sales.
“I hate blaming things on weather, but I do think it had an impact this year,” Woodruff explained. “I think that [sales] didn’t recover as much as people might have wanted. There’s an expectation that the people who didn’t buy [a vehicle] when it was raining would come to buy one in June, July or August; some did, but not as many as we might have hoped.”
While economic factors like tariffs have prompted uncertainty heading into 2020, preowned vehicles will likely remain unscathed. “People have jobs, and they’re going to buy motorcycles,” Woodruff stated. “Whether it takes effect in 2020 or not, some of the Motorcycle Industry Council ridership initiatives that were revealed [this month], with more details to come, we may start to see some of the fruits of that later in 2020 and going into 2021.”
Join us for Powersports Finance Summit 2019, October 23-24, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. At the Summit, lenders and dealers will have the opportunity to learn new information that will help their business grow, discuss the latest industry data and trends, and network to form new relationships with fellow attendees and vendors. Register now at www.powersportsfinance.net.


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ACCI weighs in on wages and power prices
Energy retailers say the government's proposed energy default price could act as a price cap and reduce competition.
But the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says the government is right to focus on lower prices for consumers.
And ACTU has led large rallies in Melbourne and Sydney to call for higher wages.
- James Pearson
- CEO, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Tim Skelton


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Cheaper yuan brings little cheer for Chinese exporters at Canton Fair
The Chinese currency has depreciated steadily against the greenback since the People’s Bank of China devalued the yuan by 1.9 per cent on August 11 last year, hitting a multi-year low of 6.77 yuan to the dollar on Monday. But Chinese exports, in dollar terms, shrank 7.5 per cent in the first nine months to US$1.5 trillion. Even in yuan terms, exports dropped by 1.6 per cent.
While it is debatable how much a weakening currency can boost exports, Chinese exporters attending the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, also known as the Canton Fair, played down the exchange rate’s role and said they were pinning their hopes on stronger offshore demand and better products.
Todd Zhao, a veteran salesman with aluminium panel maker Shanghai Huayuan New Composite Materials, said a cheaper yuan was no help if there was no demand from overseas buyers. “But a fall in the yuan is good in a sense if it makes our products cheaper in the global market to woo customers,” Zhao said.
“We have lowered our prices in dollar quotes for foreign clients because of the yuan’s depreciation but we haven’t seen immediate results.”
Guangzhou Taiji Electronic’s booth was one of the busiest at the fair, drawing interest with its “automatic manicure machine”, a compact device that can print a pattern for a nail in seconds.
Sales supervisor Billy Li said the profit margin on the relatively new product was fat but the yuan’s exchange rate was not the main factor.
“The important thing is the product and timing of the market. If my product proves popular, there will be big manufacturers making similar models in six months, and the profit margin will become very thin,” Li said.
A dozen Chinese exporters at the fair, which opened just over a week ago, said they were more concerned about economic conditions overseas. Darren Xiao, a sales consultant with furniture maker Oppein Home, said “economic conditions in importing countries” would determine his firm’s business.
Robin Chen, from Xiamen-based LED lighting supplier Leedarson in charge of sales to Russia and Eastern Europe, said the yuan’s depreciation in the last few months could not make up for the fall in sales prices for LED light bulbs.
“Bulb prices have dropped about 30 per cent this year, and demand is still weak, especially in Russia,” he said. “The yuan’s fall has sometimes put us in an awkward position because buyers ask for a lower price in dollars but our raw materials costs are not coming down accordingly.”
Overseas buyers at the fair said China was losing its low-cost advantages.
Stanislav Koroed, a Russian buyer of lighting products, said some Chinese products were still more advanced but it was increasingly cheaper to make things in Russia than in China.
Another problem is the range of products at the fair. Craig Hicks, an Australian distributor of audio and video equipment, said he failed to find “a single new product” at the fair.
“There is not much innovation here … If you look at the speaker products, they are all the same,” Hicks said.
But the yuan has performed better against a basket of currencies than against the dollar.
“An appropriate depreciation in the yuan can help China’s domestic economic stability … and it’s a wise decision to keep the status quo of yuan depreciation,” Everbright Securities’ Xu Gao said.


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With Google’s first-generation Tensor chip alive and kicking in the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, it is unsurprising to stumble across evidence that development on the Tensor 2 has apparently started.
Apps Included in the Pixel 6 Found References to the Codename ‘Cloudripper’ Which Could Be Related to the Tensor 2
Prowling around applications included in the Pixel 6, the 9to5Google APK teardown team uncovered references to the codename Cloudripper. Bear in mind that the Pixel 7, or Pixel 7 Pro, do not share this codename, but 9to5Google believes that this name is for a developer board that shares hardware between the two devices. Where GS101 was assigned to the first-generation Tensor, Cloudripper appears to be connected to the Tensor 2, which features the model number GS201.
This evidence suggests that Google is preparing or starting development work on the Tensor 2, which will probably be found in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro next year. There is no word if Google will be introducing a third member to the Pixel 7 family, but if there is, we will update our information accordingly. Since the tech giant had previously reported to have chosen Samsung to exclusively mass produce the first-generation Tensor, next year Google could choose the same chip maker if TSMC continues to tackle high demand from the likes of Apple.
If that is the case, we do not know if the Tensor 2 will be mass produced on Samsung’s 4nm or 3nm architecture. The company previously announced that mass production of its 3nm chips will start in the first half of 2022, so we should expect a decent leap in performance and power efficiency from the Tensor 2 if it skips the 4nm node and makes a direct jump to 3nm. Naturally, the entire process is easier said than done because Samsung will likely run into its own mass production problems.
Regardless, let us keep our fingers crossed and hope that the Tensor’s successor is better at delivering some impressive performance gains because previously reported revealed that Google’s current chip is slower than Apple’s A12 Bionic, a silicon that launched three years ago. Though several reviewers have praised the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro from various aspects, a little performance bump on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro will be greatly appreciated.
News Source: 9to5Google


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Attorney General for New York Letitia James is leading a bipartisan coalition that calls for the breakup of Facebook.
"I'm leading a bipartisan coalition of 48 attorneys general in a lawsuit against @Facebook to end its illegal monopoly. We are taking action to stand up for the millions of consumers and many small businesses that have been harmed by Facebook’s illegal behavior," James wrote.
James said that "Facebook has used its monopoly power to crush smaller rivals and snuff out competition, all at the expense of everyday users. Instead of improving its own product, Facebook took advantage of consumers and made billions of dollars converting their personal data into a cash cow.
"Today’s suit should send a clear message to Facebook and every other company: Efforts to stifle competition, reduce innovation, or cut privacy protections will be met with the full force of almost every attorney general's office in the nation."
The suit alleges that "Facebook is the world’s dominant online social network. More than 3 billion people regularly use Facebook’s services to connect with friends and family and enrich their social lives.
"But not content with attracting and retaining users through competition on the merits, Facebook has maintained its monopoly position by buying up companies that present competitive threats and by imposing restrictive policies that unjustifiably hinder actual or potential rivals that Facebook does not or cannot acquire."
The suit, Federal Trade Commission v. Facebook, asks for a breakup of the tech giant's additional social media holdings.
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|Bid||98.17 x 100|
|Ask||100.20 x 100|
|Day's Range||98.56 - 100.51|
|52 Week Range||75.97 - 102.96|
|PE Ratio (TTM)||33.75|
|Forward Dividend & Yield||1.40 (1.50%)|
|1y Target Est||N/A|
Visa surged into a buy zone and PayPal rallied on strong earnings Thursday. Shares of American Express, Mastercard, Square and Pagseguro Digital also rallied.
American Express is closer to becoming the first U.S. card network to offer services in China, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
Visa (V) posted its fiscal 2Q18 results yesterday, exceeding analysts’ EPS (earnings per share) estimate of $1.02 with EPS of $1.11. After its strong fiscal 2Q18 results, the company may be set to witness growth in fiscal 2H18. During fiscal 2Q18, the company’s total payment volumes rose 15% YoY (year-over-year) to $1.9 trillion.
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Alphabet, General Electric, Schlumberger, American Express and SAP
BEIJING—American Express Co. cleared a hurdle in its yearslong effort to operate in China, potentially becoming the first U.S. card network to receive permission to offer services in the Chinese market. China’s central bank informed the New York-based card issuer that it would “formally accept” its application to clear and settle domestic bank-card transactions, an AmEx spokesman said. The firm has applied to do so by forming a joint venture with a Chinese mobile-payment provider, Lianlian Group, the spokesman said.
American Express reported an earnings beat for the first quarter last week, overcoming seasonal headwinds to churn out its best ever quarterly revenue figure thanks to an upbeat interest rate environment as well as due to its acquisition of a portfolio of Hilton co-branded cards from Citigroup.
The card is aimed a the ‘most premium and often-traveling, globetrotting’ customers, the company says.
Women business owners receive 45% less in finance from lenders than men“Scandal” star and actress Kerry Washington and co-executive producer Judy Smith. After seven seasons, ABC’s (DIS) hit TV series “Scandal” is airing its final episode Thursday night — and, with it, viewers can take one last look at the challenges that face women who own small businesses. The brainchild of Shonda Rhimes, “Scandal” followed the forays of Olivia Pope, the owner of a Washington, D.C.-based crisis management firm as portrayed by actress Kerry Washington.
Discover Financial Services (DFS) has a price-to-earnings ratio on an NTM (next-12-months) basis of ~8.9x, which highlights its lower valuations. The average price-to-earnings ratio of Discover’s peers is ~14.0x.
The S&P 500’s top gainers on April 19 were: American Express (AXP) gained 7.6%. Snap-On (SNA) gained 6.2%. Bank of New York Mellon (BK) gained 5.7%. W.W. Grainger (GWW) gained 5.3%. KeyCorp (KEY) gained 3.6%. American Express
On a day stocks slumped, American Express rose following its first-quarter report and Philip Morris plummeted on disappointing sales of cigarette alternatives.
American Express' (AXP) strong first-quarter earnings had something to do with it. The financial sector normally responds positively to rising rates since it's a sign of a strengthening economy. After dipping during the first half of 2017, Treasury rates started to rise, and since then the link between the rates and the financial sector’s performance, known as correlation, has gotten stronger.
American Express (AXP) topped all other S&P 500 components on Thursday, helped by its upbeat first-quarter earnings. AmEx gained $7.22, or 7.6%, to $102.37. The S&P 500 fell 15.51 points, or 0.57%, to 2693.13.
Wall Street's three major indexes closed lower on Thursday, with tobacco stocks leading a tumble in consumer staples while concerns about smartphone demand hurt the technology sector and rising bond yields and earnings helped financials rebound. The market pared some losses late in the session after Bloomberg reported that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein told President Donald Trump last week he is not a target of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.
Key stock market index funds dropped Thursday as Apple and Intel offset a big gain from American Express on the Dow Jones industrial average.
American Express Company ( AXP) shares rose nearly 6% on Thursday after the company reported better-than-expected first quarter financial results following the bell on Wednesday. Revenue rose 11.6% to $9.72 billion – beating consensus estimates by $580 million – while earnings per share of $1.86 beat consensus estimates by 15 cents per share. Card member spending rose 12%, while the effective tax rate dropped from 32% to 22%.


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new Delhi3 minutes ago
- Copy link
- Toyota sold 5386 units in July 2020, while in July 2019 it sold 10423 units.
- Hyundai sold 41,300 units in July 2020, while in July 2019 it sold 57310 units.
Auto companies have released data on vehicles sold in July. Sales figures of many companies have increased, while the figures of many have gone badly. Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited (SMIPL) registered a record 37% growth in two-wheeler sales. At the same time, Toyota’s sales fell by 48.32%. Let’s take a look at the July sales figures of Suzuki, Toyota, Hyundai, Mahindra & Mahindra.
Suzuki motorcycle figures
Company figures grew by 37% over July 2019
First let’s talk about Suzuki motorcycle figures. The company, which was affected by the Kovid-19, resumed manufacturing on 18 May. The company sold 31,421 units in July and exported 2991 units. The company’s figures increased by 37% as compared to July 2019.
Regarding the sale, Koichiro Hira, managing director of Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd said that automobile production, distribution and sales have become normal with the unlock. We will try our best to increase our production in the month of August. The company is taking full care of the rules and guidelines set by the government during production.
Mahindra and Mahindra figures
The company sold 25,402 units in July
Talk about Mahindra and Mahindra, then its tractor sales have increased by 27 percent. It sold 25,402 units in July. The company said that it sold 19,992 units during this time last year. That is, he sold 5410 units more. Domestic sales rose 28% to 24,463 units in July this year as compared to 19,174 units in the month a year ago. During this time the company also exported 939 units. This is 15% higher than the previous year.
Hemant Sikka, president of the farm equipment sector at Mahindra & Mahindra, said that we have the highest sales ever in July. Tactor demand still remains.
Hyundai motor india figures
Domestic sales fell 2% to 38,200 units in July
Now, talking about the figures of Hyundai Motor India Limited, the company’s sales fell by 28 per cent in July. The company sold 41,300 units in July, while the company sold 57,310 units in the same month last year. At the same time, domestic sales declined by 2% to 38,200 units in July, compared to 39,010 units in July 2019. Last year, the company had exported 18,300 units in July, which was down 83 percent to 3,100 units this year.
Regarding falling sales, HMIL Director (Sales, Marketing & Service) Tarun Garg said that the company is able to contribute to the economic revival of the country. We are constantly moving towards meeting the needs of customers and meeting market demand.
Toyota motor figures
Sales of the company declined by 48.32 percent to 5,386 units in July.
Finally, Toyota Kirloskar Motor data showed the company’s sales in the domestic market declined by 48.32 percent to 5,386 units in July from 10,423 units in the same month last year. The company’s sales in the domestic market stood at 3,866 units in June.
The company’s senior vice president (sales and service) Naveen Soni said that despite a number of challenges, the company’s retail and wholesale sales in July were better than in June. June was the first month after the unlock. Demand again recovered and retail sales were good. The company had to temporarily close its plant for four days due to the lockdown in Bengaluru last month.


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ECD: Of course, e-cigarettes are not the only alternative to smoking. Snus is regarded as one of the safest alternatives and some experts we have interviewed believe it contains no measurable risk at all. In your opinion, has the banning of Snus caused the death of smokers in the UK?
Adrian: Times have changed since the EU ban on snus was originally imposed and even hard-line tobacco control advocates now acknowledge that snus is much safer than cigarettes. So the reasoning for maintaining the ban seems more political than scientific, especially given that some smokeless products that are potentially much more harmful than snus are legally on sale. Quite bizarre really!
Perhaps the best answer would be to replace the specific EU ban on snus with a comprehensive overhaul of EU tobacco and nicotine regulation. I’d hope that this would put all nicotine-containing products under the same regulatory umbrella, classify them according to risk, and ensure that consumers are informed accordingly so that they can self-regulate their risk.
To get back to your question, according to one study over 200,000 premature deaths might be avoided annually in just fifteen EU countries if smoking rates were as low as in Sweden, which is attributed in large part by many observers to the Swedish preference for snus instead of cigarettes. So intuitively, it’s very tempting to say ‘yes’. However, without snus having been on sale legally in the UK it’s not really possible to give a definite answer. This is because we don’t know what the UK consumer reaction might have been to snus being made available as an alternative to cigarettes.
It’s not sufficient to just put a less harmful product like snus on the shelves in the hope that consumers will buy it; it has to have consumer relevance and sufficient utility to stimulate trial and repeat purchase. The same is of course true for E-cigarettes and any other less harmful cigarette-alternative. This is where public health backing, rather than criticism, of the launch of such products can play a vital role in getting the message across to the consumer, even if these products originate from the tobacco industry.
ECD: Do you see parallels between Snus and E-Cigarettes?
Adrian: Absolutely, there are definite parallels here. Both products offer smokers nicotine-providing alternatives to cigarettes at a vastly reduced relative risk, primarily because of users not having to inhale tobacco smoke. Both products also offer the consumer some elements of the ritualistic aspects of smoking that medicines don’t. And Sweden offers a good example of how preferences have changed when consumers are given the choice. That doesn’t mean to say that either type of product would necessarily have a universal attraction for smokers. But even if only a small minority of smokers switched, the public health benefits could still be considerable.
A regrettable parallel is that the opposition of some to cigarette alternatives such as snus and E-cigarettes seems to be born out of an absolutist view that the use of tobacco products (or anything resembling them) should be eradicated from modern-day society. Prohibition didn’t work for alcohol in the US and I see no reason why it should work for tobacco either. Some detractors claim that making cigarette alternatives like snus and E-cigarettes available encourages dual-use in combination with cigarettes and thus delays quitting smoking. But the same criticism could equally well be directed towards medicinal nicotine products marketed to relieve cravings during temporary abstinence from smoking.
Finally, I’d say that the current controversy about both snus and E-cigarettes is indicative of the fact that current models of tobacco and nicotine regulation have outlived their usefulness. Urgent revision is required to help, rather than hinder, consumers being able to make healthier choices if they either don’t want to, or can’t, quit their nicotine dependence entirely. E-cigarettes and the voices of the many E-cigarette users world-wide could prove to be a powerful catalyst for change in this regard; as someone who has long had a passionate interest in tobacco harm reduction, I certainly hope so!
Many thanks to Dr Payne for sparing us the time for this interview.
To use the ECigaretteDirect website you must be aged 18 years or above. Please verify your age before entering the site.


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NEWS: Whitechapel stream new album ‘Mark Of The Blade’ in full!
June 14th, 2016
Although not set to officially drop until June 24th, deathcore troupe Whitechapel are offering fans a chance to hear their new LP ‘Mark Of The Blade’ in its entirety.
The album, released through Metal Blade Records, will be the band’s first to feature clean vocals, and is streaming exclusively with Vans Warped Tour.
You can check it out by heading over to the Vans Warped Tour official website (here).


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By David Himbara
Uganda Built a Larger Market in DR Congo, Which Has Replaced Kenya As the Top Destination for Ugandan Exports
General Paul Kagame closed the Rwanda-Uganda in March 2019 supposedly to punish Uganda for harbouring anti-Rwanda elements.
By denying Uganda the Rwandan market, Kagame hoped to bring Uganda to its knees due to the lost Rwandan export market.
Before the border closure, Uganda’s top export market was Kenya at US$580 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates, US$562 million; South Sudan, US$356 million; Rwanda at US$212 million; and DRC, US$204 million. Fast forward to 2022 – DRC has replaced Kenya as the top destination for Ugandan products.
It is reported that for the month of January 2022, “Uganda’s exports to DR Congo jumped to US $74.3 million compared to Kenya’s US$40.9 million, which has for years been Uganda’s largest export destination in EAC and Comesa trading blocs.”


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Barclaycard today launches a nationwide integrated marketing campaign that showcases how its contactless payments devices – from cards to mobile apps, fobs and bracelets – allow you to ‘Pay Your Way’ by making paying speedy, simple and secure.
Barclaycard, which has been at the forefront of payments innovation for the last 50 years, launched contactless technology in the UK in 2007. Paving the way for the 10th anniversary of contactless payments in September, the new marketing campaign celebrates how they have revolutionised the way we pay for different items throughout the day.
The twenty-week campaign debuts with a 60” film premiering in cinema and then airing on digital and social platforms. Exploring a day in the life of a busy protagonist as she goes from work to buying new clothes to picking up a magazine and then partying with friends, the cinematic film features different contactless payment devices from Barclaycard’s diverse range.
The fast paced tempo and highly colourful scenes, which morph from one to another, are designed to create the sense of liberation and freedom where payments don’t get in the way. The film underscores how Barclaycard has a different device for the different roles people play and how they truly allow them to pay their way: when they want, how they want, and in a way that suits their lifestyle.
The multi-format, multi-channel campaign will also see two real-life content films launching across digital and social platforms on 10 July. Martin Heald, a brilliant defender with the England Amputee Football Team, and Carlton Gadsby, a full time carer and passionate Northern Soul dancer, are shown using Barclaycard contactless payment devices to seamlessly support the diverse needs of their everyday lives.
Andrew Hogan, Global Head of Brand Strategy at Barclaycard said:
“This is a colourful celebration of the way we now live our lives and how Barclaycard, as a brand, has been at the forefront of payments innovation for over half a century. Our cinema campaign shows the full breadth of contactless devices that we offer in fast paced and dynamic situations, whilst the inspiring real life stories show how paying with contactless allows us to seamlessly get through the day and enjoy our passions.”
The activity is part of a wider strategic approach Barclaycard is taking to motivate consumers and merchants to start something new today entitled ‘Start Today’. Along with a nationwide television ident campaign currently running on Channel 4, the activity is a prelude to the wider marketing campaign planned for later in the year.
For more information please contact Tom Foxton on 0207 116 7285 or email@example.com.


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If you are looking for an answer to the question What is Artificial Intelligence? and you only have a minute, then here's the definition the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence offers on its home page: "the scientific understanding of the mechanisms underlying thought and intelligent behavior and their embodiment in machines."
However, if you are fortunate enough to have more than a minute, then please get ready to embark upon an exciting journey exploring AI (but beware, it could last a lifetime) …
China's e-commerce giant Alibaba has announced plans to invest more than $15 billion over the next three years in researching emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Jack Ma, Alibaba's executive chairman, announced his decision to establish the Alibaba DAMO Academy (DAMO stands for Discovery, Adventure, Momentum, and Outlook) on the first day of the company's 2017 Computing Conference, which opened on Wednesday. Ma said the academy will do research aimed at "solving problems" related to the Internet of things, fintech, quantum computing, and AI. It will open seven research labs in China, the U.S., Russia, Israel, and Singapore. Chinese tech companies are increasingly looking to invest in cutting-edge research, especially artificial intelligence (see "China's AI Awakening").
More investors are setting their sights on the financial technology (Fintech) arena. According to consulting firm Accenture, investment in Fintech firms rose by 10 percent worldwide to the tune of $23.2 billion in 2016. China is leading the charge after securing $10 billion in investments in 55 deals which account for 90 percent of investments in Asia-Pacific. The US came second taking in $6.2 billion in funding. Europe, also saw an 11 percent increase in deals despite Britain seeing a decrease in funding due to the uncertainty from the Brexit vote.
The Data Science Trends for 2018 are largely a continuation of some of the biggest trends of 2017 including Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), along with some newer technologies like Blockchain, Edge Computing, Serverless Computing, Digital Twins, and others that employ various practices and techniques within the Data Science industry.
I joined Booking.com as a data scientist about two and a half years back, straight after a 3 years consulting gig in Dubai. Moving from consulting to a pure data science role was a big shift in my career and in hindsight I'm very happy I made that choice. In fact, I was already impressed with the company during my interviews. What I liked the most was that I was interviewed by peers who were already in the same role, which allowed for many'quality' interactions during the process and reaffirmed the recruiter's claim that the company had a'flat hierarchy'. Also the background of the interviewers was very diverse and interesting -- one had a PhD in astronomy, and the other was CTO of his own startup.
Samsung's virtual assistant Bixby is built into its latest smartphones. Smartphones have dominated the last 10 years of computing, but we're on the cusp of the next big platform: voice-activated virtual assistants, powered by artificial intelligence. While the smartphone isn't going away, you'll soon be able to interact with many more devices thanks to assistants like Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa. All the big technology companies – Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft – are building assistant platforms. But perhaps the most promising is Samsung, which just announced a new AI version of its Bixby assistant.
Artificial intelligence is not fiction. It is already our reality and has been for a very long time. Its origins date back to the 1950s. How has it changed since then? Are computers able to teach themselves? What does a smartphone have to do with the landing on the moon, and could machines be smarter than humans?
Artificial Intelligence is the future of growth. There is sure to be at least one article in the newspaper/internet/blogs daily on the revolutionary advancements made in the field of Artificial Intelligence or its subfield disrupting standard industries like Fintech, Banking, Law, or any other. In banking domain digital banking teams of all modern banks planning to transform the customer experience with their AI based chat-driven intelligent virtual assistant i.e. bots. AI promises benefits, but also poses urgent challenges (not threats, please make a note) that cut across almost all industries and business be it of any nature, i.e software development, technical support, customer care, medicines, law domain or factory / manufacturing work. The need of the hour is to upgrade our skill sets to exploit AI rather than compete with it.


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The software giant claimed it was repairing a technical glitch that prevented users of Opera, Mozilla, and other browsers from accessing MSN.com.
However, Opera CEO Jon von Tetzchner contends that this was not a technical glitch, but a deliberate Microsoft strategy to handicap his company.
Von Tetzchner claimed in a telephone interview that MSN.com blocked access to users whose browsers identified themselves with the string of characters "Opera,". By simply changing one letter, sending the string "Opra," for example, they could gain access. That suggests that Microsoft had put Opera on a "black list," he said.
While he acknowledged that Microsoft has since corrected the situation, he pointed out that parts of MSN.com - such as the Carpoint.com automotive site - were still inaccessible to Opera users Thursday.
He firmly rejected Microsoft's assertion that Opera and Mozilla do not adequately support the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standard XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language). Once Opera users are granted access to MSN.com, XHTML pages render "just fine," he claimed.
He accused Microsoft of using strong-arm tactics to disadvantage his company, suggesting Redmond has designs on one of Opera's chief markets.
"We have been making significant deals in the Internet device market, and Bill Gates has been on record saying the Internet device market will dwarf the PC market in a few years. Microsoft wants that market, so in essence they're trying to use their power in the PC market to gain dominance there," he said.
In related news, Hotmail users who fail to sign into their accounts at least once every 30 days will find their accounts deactivated, Microsoft warns. Such accounts previously expired after 45 days.


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Lawsuit claims CNN is 'rife with racism' akin to allegations at Fox, New York Times
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Regardless, Microsoft's GDC 2019 panel will definitely be one to watch, as Xbox Live is about to blow up.
Fitting with the company's overall push to make its apps and services work across a variety of platforms, including rival offerings, Microsoft Game Stack will work for developers building games for any type of device, as well as other cloud platforms.
Gamers on iOS and Android will be able to able to enjoy Xbox Live features like achievements, Gamerscore, hero stats, friend lists, clubs, and more. None of these services is new on their own, but bringing them together under Game Stack is created to make it easier for developers to find and use Microsoft's tools. "Really uniting all those communities together with a consistent singular experience for those gamers".
Xbox Live first launched on the original Xbox console back in 2002, but in recent years we've seen a couple of Xbox-Live enabled games on Windows 8, Windows Phone, iOS and Android devices.
It's a sentiment that seems to be propelling Microsoft forward at breakneck speed. Couple this new SDK with Game Stack, that was also announced today, means that Microsoft is providing new front-end and back-end solutions that they hope will attract developers, large and small, to its online suite of services.
It's chatter that has people envisioning a future without software exclusives: a world where you'll be able to suit up as Master Chief on the Switch, and take in the panoramic views of Forza Horizon on the PlayStation 4. Today we got the official announcement. but Nintendo Switch support is mysteriously missing.


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Apple Sends Invitation for September Media Event
Apple just sent out invitations for the rumored media event where the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPad mini 2, and iPad 5 are expected to be announced. As the rumors suggested, the event will be on September 10. According to the invite, it will start at 10:00 A.M Pacific Time. Instead of a big meeting center, it will be held at the headquarters in Cupertino, California. The tagline for this invitation is: "This should brighten everyone's day." The image is a white Apple logo with colored orbs floating around it. It’s referring to colors so this could be a sign that there will be an iPhone 5C (which is rumored to come in colors) or the iPhone 5S (which is rumored to now come in four colors).
We will be holding an event recap that night on Google+. You can read more about our event here.
Source: The Loop


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Over the last couple of days, news about Epic Games started poking the hornets nest again by offering V-Bucks, the real world currency for the very popular Fortnite at a discounted price across all platforms. If you play on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One or PS4, this is a straightforward deal, but for players on mobile platforms, things got a little more complicated.
Earlier this week, Epic enabled a feature that allowed users on Apple and Android devices to buy the currency in-game, essentially circumventing the preferred payment methods on both platforms. This is also the only way that mobile players can take advantage of the 20% discount of V-Bucks that Epic is offering for Fortnite across the board. This obviously didn’t sit well with Apple, who has since removed Fortnite from the App Store, which was shortly followed by Google removing the game from the Play Store as well.
Both Apple and Google take a 30% cut of all purchases on their storefronts, something that Epic Games is not willing to accept anymore it seems. Both companies have released statements condemning Epic’s move to bypass the payment systems.
Today, Epic Games took the unfortunate step of violating the App Store guidelines that are applied equally to every developer and designed to keep the store safe for our users. As a result, their Fortnite app has been removed from the store. Epic enabled a feature in its app which was not reviewed or approved by Apple, and they did so with the express intent of violating the App Store guidelines regarding in-app payments that apply to every developer who sells digital goods or services. Epic has had apps on the App Store for a decade, and have benefited from the App Store ecosystem – including its tools, testing, and distribution that Apple provides to all developers. Epic agreed to the App Store terms and guidelines freely and we’re glad they’ve built such a successful business on the App Store. The fact that their business interests now lead them to push for a special arrangement does not change the fact that these guidelines create a level playing field for all developers and make the store safe for all users. We will make every effort to work with Epic to resolve these violations so they can return Fortnite to the App Store.
The open Android ecosystem lets developers distribute apps through multiple app stores. For game developers who choose to use the Play Store, we have consistent policies that are fair to developers and keep the store safe for users. While Fortnite remains available on Android, we can no longer make it available on Play because it violates our policies. However, we welcome the opportunity to continue our discussions with Epic and bring Fortnite back to Google Play.
While both companies are technically right, Epic it seems isn’t happy with the arrangement and is leveraging the power of one of the most popular games on the market to try and change the system and essentially get a bigger cut of the profit for their own game. Exactly how this will pan out for them still remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that the impact of this move by Epic will have a profound impact in the industry as well. And the only reason they can do it is because of the popularity of Fortnite.
Apple is notoriously stubborn, but Epic has been known for stirring the pot and coming out on top, being partly responsible for the cross-platform play we’re getting on many games these days. It might be that both Apple and Google will have to relook their model if it means losing out on that massive gaming market that not only Fortnite has, but brings with it in terms of other games and apps that users might be spending on.
Meanwhile, Apple also confirmed that any cloud gaming services won’t be allowed on their environment because it violates it’s App Store guidelines, since they cannot review all games made available individually. This basically means the xCloud offered my Microsoft and Stadia offered by Google is a no go for Apple users. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games gave his opinion on this on Twitter:
Apple has outlawed the metaverse.— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) August 6, 2020
The principle they state, taken literally, would rule out all cross-platform ecosystems and games with user created modes: not just XCloud, Stadia, and GeForce NOW, but also Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox. https://t.co/OAGC7cXfSl
Source: The Verge
Epic Games has defied the App Store Monopoly. In retaliation, Apple is blocking Fortnite from a billion devices.— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) August 13, 2020
Visit https://t.co/K3S07w5uEk and join the fight to stop 2020 from becoming "1984" https://t.co/tpsiCW4gqK


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Listen up Las Vegas — it’ll be at least a year before the new Fry’s Electronics is finished in Boca Park.
The planned location has been delayed by the company but Boca Park’s management noted Fry’s is still committed to the shopping center. Boca Park is owned and operated by Triple Five, the development company that owns the Mall of America and West Edmonton Mall. Its U.S. corporate offices are in Las Vegas.
“We’re hoping all that is resolved and they’re open by Christmas 2014,” said James Grindstaff, Triple Five’s vice president of planning and development.
Until then, Boca Park is in the midst of a one-year, roughly $1 million capital improvement project that includes a fresh coat of paint added earlier this year, landscaping additions, Christmas decorations and new signage. Included in the new signage are electronic reader boards that will be placed on the corner of Rampart and Charleston boulevards and used to communicate special events.
In case you haven’t been there, Boca Park is a sprawling regional shopping center with multiple national anchors such as Target, Vons, Total Wine, REI and Ross Dress for Less. Included in the mix are locally owned businesses such as the ever-popular Sambalatte Torrefazione coffee shop interspersed with other nationals such as Chase bank and Sally Beauty Supply.
At the Boca Fashion Village entry near Kona Grill, the shopping center soon will have an arch-shaped sign designed to help customers notice there are two sides to the center. The effort is a result of Triple Five-conducted surveys that said customers shopping on the Target side had no idea there was a Vons on the other side.
“You’d be surprised. It’s actually shocking,” Grindstaff said.
Boca Park isn’t short on visitors by any means. The center’s Target, for instance is the No. 1 or No. 2 location in the valley, and the parking lots are packed on any given weekend. Once Fry’s opens Grindstaff said he expects customers will have to use the parking garage’s lower level during the holiday season.
“If it wasn’t for that we’d be in real trouble,” he said.
The center is 100 percent leased. Next to Total Wine, Mosaic Salon is building out its 5,000-squre-foot space, which is slated to open by the end of February or early March.
“The market is improving. It’s a slow improvement gaining some stability. Growth in Vegas will be slow of course,” Grindstaff said.
Elsewhere in the city, Triple Five also owns 18.5 acres across from the Mandalay Bay, and 5 acres across from the Peppermill. As of now both sites will remain as dirt lots until the economy picks up, Grindstaff said.
In the meantime, Triple Five has leased its lot across from the Mandalay Bay to 7 Wheel Wonders, a company that rents out motorcycle-drawn carriages for special events. The land is slated to be transformed into a revolving holiday village called Wonderland on the Strip, with the first incarnation being a Christmas village taking up 12 acres.
Jason Feltz, the project’s executive director, said the Christmas project is expected to be open from Dec. 20-27. Through Feb. 14, 7 Wheel Wonders has planned an ambitious schedule for changing out its special event village to accommodate New Year’s Eve, the 2013 International CES, Chinese New Year, the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day.
Triple Five also owns just under an acre of land at Eastern Avenue and Pebble Road. Grindstaff said the company is looking at selling it or putting in small, fast food-style restaurants.
“Something will probably happen with that piece in 2014 for sure,” he said.
Grindstaff said the overall retail environment in Las Vegas is improving but buyers are still a little cautious.
“They check prices and do price comparisons before they go. Obviously that has affected the high-end market,” he noted.
The best sales are still coming from the restaurant sector, because he said, people have to eat every day but they don’t have to buy a new pair jeans.
“That’s where Boca Park really excels,” Grindstaff said of the center’s many restaurant offerings.
When he’s not in Las Vegas, Grindstaff travels across the U.S. scouting new sites for Triple Five. This week he was in Washington, D.C. looking at possibilities and meeting with colleagues. With increasing pressure from online retailers, Grindstaff said the traditional retailers that survive will be all about an experience. He also sees the market shifting back to enclosed malls such as the Mall of America.
To combine experience with enclosed malls is a specialty of Triple Five, which released its plan to add a ski slope and hotel to its American Dream Meadowlands mall in New Jersey earlier this year. Think 365 days of snow.
“It’s about that experience and people will pay top dollar for that experience,” Grindstaff said.
Contact reporter Laura Carroll at email@example.com or 702-380-4588. Follow @lscvegas on Twitter.


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Times website TimesOnline closes
The Times has closed its original website, TimesOnline.
From today, thetimes.co.uk will be the website for the Monday to Saturday editions of the paper and sundaytimes.co.uk will be the website for the Sunday Times.
News International implemented a paywall at the start of this month, requiring visitors to the site to pay a daily or weekly charge to read the online articles.
[lnk|http://www.featuresexec.com/publications/info_outlet.php?pubid=471|_self|The Sunday Times]


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Anchorage Digital, a leading crypto bank, announced on March 14th that it will be laying off approximately 20% of its workforce, or 75 employees. The company cited regulatory uncertainty and market volatility in the United States as the primary reasons for the decision.
Regulatory Uncertainty and Market Volatility
According to the statement released by Anchorage Digital, the layoffs are part of a “strategic realignment” to better focus the company’s resources. The company also noted that there are “broad macroeconomic challenges, and crypto market volatility” that have contributed to its shift in strategy.
The regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies in the United States has been uncertain in recent years. The lack of clear regulations has made it difficult for companies like Anchorage Digital to operate with confidence. In addition, the crypto market has been known for its volatility, which can make it challenging for companies to plan for the long term.
Anchorage Digital’s Response
Anchorage Digital’s response to the regulatory uncertainty and market volatility has been to focus on areas of the business that are less affected by these factors. The company has stated that it will be doubling down on its core business of providing custodial services for institutional investors.
According to Anchorage Digital, the company is seeing strong demand for its custodial services, and it believes that this area of the business has a bright future. The company has also stated that it will be exploring new opportunities in the crypto space, particularly in the areas of decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
The Impact of the Layoffs
The layoffs at Anchorage Digital will have a significant impact on the company’s workforce. The company has stated that it will be providing support to the affected employees, including severance packages and outplacement services. It is not yet clear how the layoffs will affect the company’s operations in the short term.
However, Anchorage Digital has emphasized that it remains committed to providing its customers with the highest level of service. The company has stated that it will be using the resources freed up by the layoffs to invest in new products and services that will benefit its customers.
Anchorage Digital’s decision to lay off 20% of its workforce is a reflection of the challenges that the crypto industry is currently facing. The regulatory environment in the United States remains uncertain, and the crypto market is known for its volatility.
However, Anchorage Digital’s response to these challenges is a positive one. By focusing on its core business of providing custodial services for institutional investors, the company is positioning itself for long-term success. Additionally, the company’s exploration of new opportunities in the DeFi and NFT spaces shows that it is committed to innovation and growth.
The layoffs at Anchorage Digital are undoubtedly difficult for the affected employees. However, the company’s commitment to supporting these employees, as well as its commitment to its customers, suggests that it will emerge from this period of uncertainty stronger than ever.


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Toyota has had a busy year. Not only has it released a new global-market midsize pickup truck — actually identified as a full-size truck outside the U.S. — but it also has made a few styling upgrades to the 2012 Tacoma sold here in the U.S. and Canada.
When looking at the two new 2012 Toyota pickups, it’s hard not to think North America got the shorter end of the stick. The new Hilux not only gets a better selection of engines — especially if you like turbo-diesels — but it arguably gets the better interior and exterior styling.
After recently seeing the new Thailand-built Chevy Colorado and the new Ford Ranger (recently announced to also be built in South Africa), what is it about global styling that seems to have advanced past U.S. market design? Don't Americans want stylish pickup trucks too? The obvious answer is they do, as long as they don't have to suffer downsized capability.
The Hilux (top) is more aerodynamic, almost like the styling you'd imagine on a new SUV or crossover. The windshield is larger and has a flatter angle compared to the Tacoma (above) as well. The 2012 Tacoma's face is meant to be wider and less compressed. In fact, the grille is larger and more upright, making for a flatter face in the wind.
The differences on the inside are subtle but clear. The Hilux (top) has a more organic, flowing look and feel. The Tacoma (above) is still more angular and sharp. There seems to be a conscious decision by Toyota designers to try to make the U.S. version more rugged and manly, while the global interior could almost go into any car, van or small pickup.
The gauge cluster follow similar simalar theme. The Hilux's design (top) is more open and common to car styles. Tacoma's instrument gauges (above) still echo the old-school barrel styling that many old pickup trucks used to have.
Although the rear of the midsize pickups are, of course, more designed for function than style, look at the wheel arches. The Hilux (top) has a flowing, rounded arch while the Tacoma (above) stayed with the trapaziodal shape. We're guessing someone thought the more angular shaping was more masculine. In the Tacomas favor, the rear window sizing on the Hilux does seem a little odd.


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BLOK Technologies Announces Release of the Alpha Version of the Greenstream Network Platform; Showcases the Technology to Industry Leaders
BLOK Technologies Inc. (CSE:BLK) (FRANKFURT:2AD) is pleased to announce that it has completed the Minimum Viable Product (“MVP”) of its Greenstream Network Platform, the blockchain integrity system for the Canadian Cannabis industry, and is embarking on the Alpha release which is ready for demonstration.
This marks a key milestone for BLOK Tech’s 100% wholly-owned subsidiary Greenstream Networks Inc. (“Greenstream”) as it develops a permissioned consortium network that will allow Licensed Producers, Retailers, Regulators and other Cannabis industry stakeholders to communicate, interoperate and transfer assets and value through the Canadian cannabis ecosystem.
The Greenstream Network Platform has a number of features and benefits it provides to Cannabis industry stakeholders. It is designed to ensure compliance within the complex regulatory environment, provides powerful industry data and insights and pioneers new standards for the emerging Cannabis industry. The Greenstream Network Platform seamlessly ensures supply chain data integrity, incorporates a cost-effective and legal payment gateway for the exchange of value and includes an identity verification system, making it the most comprehensive blockchain-enabled platform available in the industry.
The Greenstream Network Platform is being built on leading-edge blockchain platforms including the Hyperledger stack, an open-source, collaborative technology initiative supported by partners such as IBM, Linux, Cisco, Intel, SAP and JP Morgan. Greenstream was accepted as a member of the Hyperledger Foundation in March 2018, the first Quebec-based business to achieve this.
“The Alpha launch of the Greenstream platform is a key milestone we have achieved prior to our April 30th target date.” said Rob Dawson, BLOK Tech CEO. “It takes us one step further to proving out our investment model as we seek to commercialize blockchain technologies for business and industry. In being recognized by key players such as Hyperledger, it provides our investors and our team with added confidence in the solutions we are developing.”
Featured at Industry Conferences and Events
Greenstream has been invited to showcase its platform at technology conferences and events. It is participating in Collision 2018, America’s fastest growing tech conference from April 30th to May 3rd in New Orleans.
In addition, Greenstream is one of a select few blockchain technology companies that has been shortlisted to demonstrate its platform at the Hyperledger booth at Consensus 2018, the 4th annual blockchain technology summit, May 14-16, 2018 in New York City. Consensus brings together 4,000+ attendees from the leading industry startups, investors, financial institutions, enterprise tech leaders, and academic and policy groups who are building the foundations of the blockchain and digital currency economy.
Greenstream also participated and was recognized in the Government of Canada Blockchain Codefest hackathon held April 17th to 23rd where it provided a submission featuring the Greenstream Network Platform under the Global Drug Supply Chain & Verifiable Organization themes.
“We are excited to be participating in leading blockchain industry events, at the invitation of our stakeholders and partners”, said Greenstream Chief Product Officer Manu Varghese. “This provides us an opportunity to showcase our technology and collaborate further with other cutting-edge blockchain developers and industry professionals.”
With a working version of the Greenstream Network Platform, the Company now moves into its next phase of development including demonstration, testing and gaining feedback from Cannabis industry companies. The release is a key step towards full commercialization of the Greenstream Network Platform, which is expected later this year.
About BLOK Technologies Inc.
BLOK Technologies Inc. is a public company that invests in and develops emerging companies in the blockchain technology sector. The Company’s approach is to provide capital, technology and management expertise to the companies it develops. With core technology being developed for the leading cannabis supply chain integrity network, BLOK Tech continues to grow its business into adjacent industries and emerging technologies. The Company systematically identifies early-stage technologies with potential to disrupt and innovate within their industry and invests the necessary resources to ensure the success of their projects.
For additional information regarding BLOK Technologies and other corporate information, please visit the Company’s website at BLOKTECHINC.COM
For further information, please contact:
James Hyland, B.Comm.
Vice President Corporate Development, Director
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President & CEO
Statements in this news release may be viewed as forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. There are no assurances the company can fulfill such forward-looking statements and the company undertakes no obligation to update such statements. Such forward-looking statements are only predictions; actual events or results may differ materially as a result of risks facing the company, some of which are beyond the company’s control.


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In what might be considered a bullish sign for the US IPO market, arcade-themed restaurant chain Dave & Buster’s Entertainment is back in the IPO pipeline yet again. Th
A key architecht behind the the rise of fashion design house Michael Kors into a benchmark for luxury retailers, Sportswear Holdings last week cleared its remaining stake through a US$892.6m overnight trade.
Blackstone has turned its sights on the small, albeit growing rooftop solar panel installation market, a niche already controlled by Elon Musk and his cousins via SolarCity. Carved out of assets that Blackstone acquired in 2012, Vivint Solar last week entered registration with a proposed US$200m IPO.


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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Spartan Stores here last week said it was "exploring alternative strategies" related to its 39 Food Town supermarkets in Ohio and Michigan, following reports that the struggling stores might be for sale. Spartan said it retained investment-banking firm The Food Partners, Seattle, Wash., to assist in the review.
"All options under consideration are intended to more rapidly return our overall operations to profitability," said James B. Meyer, chairman, president and chief executive officer, in a prepared statement. Meyer, who last year said he would retire sometime in 2003, could not be reached for further comment.
Spartan also said it would shutter its distribution operations in Ohio during the fourth quarter. The company operates 55 other supermarkets and 21 deep-discount drug stores, in addition to its wholesaling business.
Chuck Cerankosky, analyst, McDonald Investments, Cleveland, cited both A&P, Montvale, N.J., and Kroger Co., Cincinnati, as potential buyers for the Food Town stores, although he said the chain might have to be sold piecemeal. Food Town is No. 2 in the Toledo, Ohio, market, with a 24% share of grocery sales, according to local reports. Kroger is No. 1 with a 32% share.
"I can't imagine the stores being so perfectly dispersed that Kroger wouldn't have an antitrust problem there," he said.
Kroger said it does not comment on rumors and A&P could not be reached for comment. A&P has five Farmer Jack stores in the market, but has been struggling, according to local sources.
Jefferson Stephens, president, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 911, Holland, Ohio, which represents workers at 25 of the Food Town stores, said rumors about the potential sale of Food Town have been circulating for the past six months.
"Just about any grocery company within 500 miles of here has been rumored to be looking at Food Town," he said, adding Safeway, Food Lion, Safeway and Giant Eagle to the list of rumored potential suitors. He said he thought some of the recently remodeled Food Town stores had been performing better.
In addition to a sale to a major national or regional chain, another option, Cerankosky said, would be for Spartan to sell the stores to independent operators and then supply them through its Michigan warehouse. Spartan also could consider converting the Food Town stores to its more successful Pharm deep-discount drug-store format, he speculated.
Stephens of UFCW said the Toledo market has been highly competitive with the recent entry into the market of Giant Eagle, Pittsburgh, and with constant price pressure from Wal-Mart Stores, Bentonville, Ark.
Last year Spartan closed six Food Town stores and brought in new management in an effort to revitalize the chain, which the company acquired in 2000 in a merger that transformed Spartan from a member-owned cooperative into a publicly traded retailer/wholesaler.


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A new report finds that almost half of Americans fell victim to a credit breach over the past year.
Most of them had their credit card numbers exposed at Target, Michaels Stores, eBay or other retailers that were hacked.
But if you think a debit card would be a safer option after all this, think again.
While debit cards don't hit you with high fees, they are much riskier than credit cards because they provide a door into your bank account.
The personal finance website Bankrate.com says thieves are installing card skimmers in more and more places, and if they skim your number, they get your money, immediately.
So Bankrate says don't use a debit card at:
-Free standing ATMs, that are not part of a bank: there's too much risk of a skimmer installed on it.
-Gas pumps, which are also easy targets for thieves with skimmers.
-Restaurants where the server takes your card from you.
-Online shopping, where you can't be sure who may have access to your card.
Doesn't that Stink
And from the "doesn't that stink" file, what can happen if your debit card is breached.
Thieves will take the money right out from your account.
You then have to wait for a fraud investigation to be completed to get your money back, which can take months.
Consumer Reports magazine recommends tying a debit card to a smaller checking account, not the main bank account you use for your mortgage, rent, or car payment.
That way you don't risk bouncing any important payments, and you don't waste your money.
Don't Waste Your Money is a registered trademark of the EW Scripps Co.
Ford expands air bag recall nationwide
The automaker added 447,000 vehicles to its recall list, bringing the total to more than 502,000.
Amazon now offering one-hour delivery
Amazon is now offering one-hour delivery to Amazon Prime members in Manhattan and hopes to expand to other cities soon.
Angie's List: Is your chimney holiday ready?
For many families, gathering around a crackling fireplace is a holiday tradition, but you need to take the proper precautions.
Airlines play the Grinch with new add-on fees
John Matarese has a caution for holiday travelers.
How to read a car repair estimate
Here's how to read a car repair estimate.
ShopSmart: Pet food, grooming, toy deals
Pets are part of your family and we wouldn't want to forget them during the holidays, would we?


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Now that Spring has officially sprung and warmer months are on the horizon, PR agencies and digital marketing gurus are bombarded by the usual onslaught of products and plans that promise the best beach bods. Listicles and ads point the way to flatter tummies, that youthful glow and even spiritual wealth – but ringing out over the usual din are a few major standouts that are getting more attention than the rest this year. So, what do these buzzy new dietary trends say about us as consumers? Let’s have a look, shall we…
Adaptogens, especially hemp/CBD oil – “Everybody chiiiiiiiillllll.” That seems to be the resounding sentiment as legalized weed becomes a reality in more states and the benefits of hemp and cannabinoids continue to surface. We’re seeing more drinks and snacks infused with hemp and CBD, which seems to be a nod to the recent focus on mindfulness and balance in our daily routines and the ways we’re eating. CBD won’t get you “high,” but it will relax your mind and positively affect your mood – now, who doesn’t want that?
Transparency – With the boom in popularity of local farmers’ markets in the past several years, we saw a new consumer trend really take off: the conscious consumer. Now you hear about it all the time, but just a few years back we didn’t yearn for a connection with the sources of our food because we didn’t know we could get that kind of information. Now, we’re seeing a rise in grocery store products that can introduce you to the sweet family that responsibly harvested your grains, the kindly fisherman who reeled in your sustainably-caught fish and the gentle farmer who pasture-raised your chicken. Beyond making for a nice dinner table topic, shoppers now have an easily accessible way to affect change on non-sustainable industries by voting with their dollars for companies that align with their ethos of caring for people and the planet.
Bone broth & collagen – Skin, hair and nail health still reign supreme on the beauty fix spectrum, and now people are looking more closely at what they put in their bodies to help put their best face forward. Bone broth brews and collagen supplements are proving to be a convenient dietary addition to those on the Keto Diet (we’ll get into that in a bit) and people looking to brighten their glow from the inside out. Basically, this isn’t new – but it does point to a larger trend (more on that in a sec).
Keto – If you haven’t heard of the Keto Diet or met someone who is seeking ketogenesis, you’ve probably been off the grid for a couple months getting your mind right and eating all the CBD things (see above). The Keto Diet has taken America by storm and is helping people achieve some pretty incredible body goals. Basically, it’s a diet in which you consume large amounts of “good” fats and protein and almost cut out carbs – it’s today’s Atkins Diet without the phases. This diet has found its way into grocery store aisles with products that promise to satisfy cravings and replace that piece of bread you know you want. The Keto Kraze trends well with the folks who, unlike our friend who’s been off the grid for a while, are constantly on-the-go and dashing to their next high-intensity interval training (HIIT) class.
What this boils down to (and what it always seems to boil down to) is that there are two basic consumers: the mindful do-gooder and the busy go-getter. Which one are you? And which one is your target consumer?
Konnect with us and share your story.


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Date: May 23, 2013
Keller and Heckman Partner David Ettinger was quoted in a May 23 foodproductiondaily.com article on China's food packaging regulations. "An updated Chinese regulatory scheme for clearing food packaging materials means that it is now desirable for companies to get their unapproved products cleared in China," said David Ettinger, partner at Keller and Heckman's Shanghai Representative Office. Mr. Ettinger, explained that there have been a number of filings so far under the new system, but that obtaining final approval can take 6 to 12 months, or longer. Most of the companies seeking approvals are located outside of China, he added. For the full story click here: China finalises list of permitted additives and resins.


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Looking to get rid of an old child car seat or are you ready to upgrade to a new size for your growing child? Target is bringing back its a car seat trade-in event April 22 through May 4.
During the event, Target stores will accept and recycle all types of car seats, including infant seats, convertible seats, car seat bases, harness or booster car seats and car seats that are expired or damaged.
Customers will receive a coupon for 20 percent off a new car seat, booster seat or stroller. The coupon is good through May 11.


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By getting rid of cash, nations around the world might be able to significantly reduce organized crime and political terrorism since those activities are heavily reliant on easy accessibility to dollars, euros, pounds sterling, yen and other paper currencies.
In a recent op-ed piece in The New York Times, Jonathan Lipow, associate professor of economics at the Defense Resource Management Institute at the Naval Postgraduate School, suggests a type of smart-card technology be used in place of cash which would permit consumers to transfer money from a buyer's card to a seller's card. These cards would somehow maintain records of all transactions that could also be downloaded onto centralized computers. Consequently, any electronic payments by criminals or terrorists would create a paper trail that might be easily detected.
Lipow explained in the piece how organized crime could not survive without cash, particularly bills of large denominations, citing that in 1969 the U.S. Treasury discontinued the issuance of $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 bills specifically to impede crime syndicates — the only entities that were still using such large bills after the introduction of electronic money transfers.
After all, a briefcase filled with hundreds of $500-bills is more manageable than the wheelbarrow filled with thousands of $1s, $5s and $10s.
This topic arose recently when the European Union introduced the 500-euro note which is often called the “Bin Laden” given how high-denomination bills make it a lot easier for terrorists to operate.
Lipow indicated how during the early years of the U.S. military occupation of Iraq, U.S. officials distributed about $19 billion in physical money to Iraqi suppliers and contractors.
But the military has gradually realized that the anonymity of cash makes it easy for terrorists and insurgents to smuggle in money and make purchases without a trace, he wrote. That’s why for the past few years the military has been striving to replace its cash transactions with electronic fund transfers and debit card payments in the hopes of achieving a 'cashless battlefield.'
Lipow wants to extend this concept to the world of criminal syndicates. For example, he noted that raids on drug traffickers in Mexico frequently unearth millions of dollars in cash -- including one raid that turned up more than $200 million, mostly in $100 bills.
So, why not eliminate the use of physical cash worldwide — not just a “cashless battlefield” but a “cashless economy”? he proposed.
A cashless economy could be a realistic objective, Lipow suggests, as long as the costs of making transaction was low enough so that even the smallest payments could be done efficiently.
For example, a Twitter application known as TwitPay allows you to use your cellphone and a PayPal account to transfer money, he said. In Kenya, a mobile banking system known as M-Pesa allows six million people to execute small payments using [Short Message Service] SMS messages.
However, cellular-based systems would be unsuitable as a complete replacement for physical money, he added, particularly in the developing world.
Rather, he suggests the use of smart cards with biometric security features, like the Universal Electronic Payments System.
In South Africa, the technology company Net1 now distributes social welfare grants to almost four million people, he wrote.
It’s simple: with a battery-operated, point-of-sale device akin to a credit-card terminal, money is transferred from one person’s card to another; during the process, the cards download and record each other’s transaction records. Every few days, employees from the payments system head out to the villages and make their own money transfers, downloading the transaction histories of the cards they come into contact with, which contain the histories of the cards they interacted with, and so on. That data is then downloaded into the company’s mainframe, as a way of monitoring the flow of funds across the cards.
Best of all, he added, the system can function offline and off the power grid, providing a secure means of payment under all conditions and without any geographic limitations.
And the incremental cost of executing a transaction via this system is essentially zero, he noted. It is a promising model for the global economy.
In a subsequent TV appearance on CNBC, Lipow estimated that perhaps half of the nearly $1-trillion in U.S. dollars floating around the world are in the hands of criminals and terrorists, i.e., functioning in illegal and illicit activity. Indeed, despite fears of an ever-depreciating dollar due to the Federal Reserve's money-printing, the greenback remains the world's most trusted and valid currency.
Thus, a cashless economy, where every transaction would be recorded, would pose serious, perhaps insurmountable, obstacles for criminals and terrorists.
To help move to a global cashless economy, the Obama administration should push for an international agreement to eliminate the largest-denomination bills, Lipow suggested in The Times.
”Additionally, the U.S. Agency for International Development could make the promotion of electronic payments systems in developing countries one of its strategic objectives, much as the American military has done in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Indeed, as Lipow pointed out, a 2002 survey by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development concluded that “money’s destiny is to become digital.


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Recently released figures have resulted in mixed interpretations among economists about the 2013 economic outlook. Some say the economy is on pace to achieve a modest recovery pointing to better than expected housing figures, and a relatively low amount of first time unemployment claims during the holiday season.
However, while those predicting gains in 2013 feel that these figures indicate better economic times in 2013, the fiscal cliff fiasco gives just about every prediction a fatal caveat.
If a deal is not reached by the end of the year, there will be no shortage of blame being passed around D.C. when the economy ultimately dives. President Obama will doubtless seek to shed responsibility and pass the buck off to Republicans for the looming fiscal cliff failure, along with blame for what will likely be a poor economy in the first year of his second term. The only problem with this strategy is that even if a fiscal cliff deal is reached, the economic outlook for 2013 remains seriously troubling.
USA Today reported that first time jobless claims this week fell to their lowest levels since March of 2008. On its face, this figure seems encouraging but in reality, it is little more than a prediction thanks to widespread office closings during the Christmas holiday.
A department spokesman said many state unemployment offices were closed Monday and Tuesday and unable to compile complete data. Fourteen states provided estimates and the department estimated the numbers for five more states.
The government might estimate one or two states in a typical week, but 19 state estimates are unusually high.
Moreover, consumer confidence and spending levels are not commensurate with what one would expect when unemployment is supposedly dropping.
Consumers are starting to worry about higher taxes. A measure of consumer confidence fell to a five-month low this month, a survey released Friday found. And reports show the holiday shopping season was the weakest since 2008, when the country was in a deep recession.
Of course, while the “unemployment rate” as it is calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics did in fact drop from 7.9 to 7.7 last month, that change was almost exclusively due to the fact that work force participation tumbled and created an artificial drop.
The percentage of working-age Americans who are either employed or actively in search of a job was reported as 63.6 percent for November 2012, two percentage points lower than the previous month and the worst the country has seen since 1978.
Perhaps even more troubling than the workforce participation is the drying up of investment capital over the last three years. John Hewitt, CEO of Liberty Tax Service recently weighed in on the issue when asked whether he believed the economy was poised to make a turnaround in 2013.
I don’t… I’ve been in franchising for 43 years. For the first time ever in the last 3 years — in ’09,’10, ’11 — there were less franchise units in this location of all kinds. Of McDonalds, of Subways, of Dunkin’ Donuts, of Liberty Taxes, there are less franchise units of all kinds than each of the preceding year. That’s happening because the funding, the financing for franchising, is drying up.
Small businesses are suffering from primarily — not so much the recession, which is harmful — but just the lack of funding for small businesses in general.
Essentially, what we have sitting before us are a combination of factors which indicate serious problems ahead. High “real unemployment,” a historically low workforce participation rate, low consumer confidence accompanied by low consumer spending, and the sustained evaporation of investment capital.
The fiscal cliff is yet another support beam of the economy that is about to buckle. President Obama can blame economic troubles in 2013 on Republicans and fiscal cliff negotiations if he’d like, but the truth is that the aforementioned factors indicate that the economy has, in large part, already been dialed in.
What the fiscal cliff does offer President Obama and Congressional Democrats is a convenient scapegoat for an economy that is already teetering on the brink.DONATE
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