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OKANOGAN-A group of Okanogan County cannabis farmers presented two different proposals to the Okanogan County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, April 19, to address current concerns with the cannabis industry.
The first proposal suggests establishing an Okanogan County Marijuana Industry-Rules Working Group sponsored by the Okanogan Planning and Building Commission. It would include participants from the cannabis industry (producers, processors and/or retailers), concerned citizens and an advisor from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB)’s enforcement or investigation division.
The committee would be advisory only, with no legal enforcement power; and would welcome input from or involvement with city representatives; Sheriff and police support; the Washington Sungrowers Industry Association; and the Okanogan County Community Coalition.
Participation on the committee would be strictly voluntary with no paid positions.
The committee would also assist with RCW revisions beneficial to Okanogan County such as tax distribution and WSLCB enforcement.
The other proposal suggested establishing a Cannabis Industry Oversight Committee whose purpose would be to ensure cannabis remains a viable industry in Okanogan County; to establish “Good Neighbor” guidelines within the industry; to address on-going industry-related issues in the county; and to interface with county and municipal government agencies on behalf of the industry.
Activities would include compiling, publishing and maintaining a “Best Practices” informational text; coordinating with governmental agencies as needed to ensure compliance with existing rules; and to act as a clearinghouse for validating and sharing industry issues and complaints, as suggested by the WSLCB.
This committee would also be entirely voluntary with no enforcement power. Funding would come from within the cannabis industry; through voluntary contributions or grants and with advertising sales to contractors and suppliers within the industry.
Paul Neir of Howling Dog Farms in Okanogan County said the group looked at the Marijuana/Cannabis Permit Process in Spokane County and turned to a work group in Chelan County created for cannabis rule making for advise and guidance.
“Chelan County is way ahead of us in this process,” said Neir.
Neir said that with Okanogan County already suffering a decline in retail sales over the past two years due to tourism decline after the wildfires and less retail traffic from Canada due to the dollar’s decline this was “not the time to turn away a viable economic opportunity in this county.”
“Okanogan County is the second-largest producer of cannabis in this state; second only to Spokane County with their large indoor grows. And we are the poorest county in the state. Why would we want to give up all these good jobs?” asked Neir. “We are already looking at more job losses this year with the coming closures of Kinross Gold Mine and Hughes Department Store.”
According to a fact sheet published by the Okanogan County Economic Alliance, Kinross Gold is the third largest employer in the county with 229 employees and Hughes Department Store was listed fifteenth with 40 employees.
According to Washington State 1-502 data (http://www.502data.com) Okanogan County has consistently been the second-largest producer in the state for several months, with Spokane County listed in first place.
According to the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM), of the 39 counties in Washington, in 2013 (OFM’s latest firm data) Okanogan County had the second lowest median household income (MHI) at $36,292. OFM forecasts 2014 data to show Okanogan County’s MHI dropped to $36,146, the lowest in the state for 2014. OFM further projects 2015 data to show another drop to $34,808, again the lowest MHI in the state and 18.2 percent lower than the second lowest projected MHI of Pend Oreille County at $41,128 in 2015. (see http:www.ofm.wa.gov/).
Despite the bleak economic outlook the facts indicate for Okanogan County’s immediate future, Cannabis producer and processor Jeff Newton said the commissioners were not interested in hearing about the money the cannabis industry can bring in; nor were they willing to acknowledge the money the industry has already brought into the county.
“The meeting was unproductive from the stand point of trying to achieve anything positive. The commissioners were completely not into the idea of having a working group they would be involved with,” said Newton, who arranged the meeting. “We were trying to talk to them about money coming in to the county from different 502 businesses and the industry in general. (Commissioner) Sheila Kennedy did say all they’ve gotten was a $12,300 check.”
Newton said the state collected about $145 million in excise tax from 2015 revenues, and dispersed $6 million of that out among all the counties in Washington state. Okanogan County’s portion was the $12,300.
“Sheila (Kennedy) wouldn’t even entertain the other benefit, besides the twelve thousand-dollar check, of all the sales tax from the three retail cannabis stores in the county. The county’s portion of the sales tax from the marijuana stores was $17,000 in 2015. But the commissioners didn’t even want to talk about sales tax. They wouldn’t even admit it was true.”
All three county commissioners were contacted by the Gazette-Tribune on April 21 asking for comments on the proposals submitted to them April 19, or if they were willing to consider working with the groups. DeTro and Campbell did not respond before this article went to press April 26.
Commissioner Kennedy responded the same day the request was made.
“I am in the process of reviewing the information that was presented to us on Tuesday (April 19), so I am still in the review process,” said Kennedy.


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The report was delivered by senior member Jeshter2000 who, having got his hands on a Galaxy S6 Edge, uncovered that undesirable bloatware can be erased from Samsung’s most recent smartphone. Screenshots verify that the new deletable applications incorporate Samsung’s own S Health and S Voice, alongside pre-loaded services from Google and Microsoft.
This might mean that any Samsung cell phone running the most recent operating system and TouchWiz UI will soon have the feature to manage all applications on the handsets, implying also that older versions such as the Galaxy S5 will likewise get this feature once upgraded to the fresher software.
Furthermore, it additionally proposes that the mobile producer is looking to further enhance its business presence, as having the capacity to delete certain applications will be helpful in BYOD or corporate circumstances where the utilization of a few applications is prohibited.
This move into the business sector was likewise obvious from the dispatch of Trustonic for Knox a week ago, supported security that makes the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge more appropriate for big business and government use.
Samsung did not conform the move yet, but it wouldn’t be a shock. New rules enforced last year in Samsung’s country of origin, South Korea require mobile producers and operators to guarantee that any software unessential to running the telephone can be erased by the holder.
Strikingly the deleteable apps incorporate core apps such as Gmail, Google+, YouTube and even the Play Store and Microsoft MSFT offerings: OneNote, OneDrive and Skype.
What its is left are phone dialler, logbook, web browser, vanilla email cam and Samsung’s ‘Cosmic system Apps’ store. However, the outcome is an OS which can possibly be “cleaned” to a level that will leave even Nexus holders feeling envious.
Obviously Android users ready to root their telephones have already been enjoying a level of control and personalization over their gadgets that even Google would not go for, and this incorporates deletion of any app. But this can nullify a gadget’s warranty and requires a base level of tech ability that can make a some owners uncomfortable. Therefore Samsung truly moving away from the trend with this option.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge are both accessible to pre-order in the UK currently, but the general discharge date is April 10.
Image Source: The Verge

domain: news


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There were also a range of other developers including Pieter Wuille and Peter Todd who contributed to the development of Bitcoin Core – the first client on the Bitcoin network. A client is a piece of software that enables a network participant to run a node and connect to the blockchain. Jack Mallers, founder and CEO of payments application, Strike, believes Bitcoin can bring the first real change to the payments industry since the invention of the credit card. The future of bitcoin and bitcoin’s price remains uncertain.
Enter the number of bitcoins you have, and watch their value fluctuate over time. The downside move which began at the end of last month is actually a part of a new https://www.beaxy.com/ downtrend on H4. The trading opportunities inside of this trend are in our sell zone. The first target will be price reaching 35K and eventually breaking below it.
- That means anyone can purchase a fraction of a bitcoin with as little as one U.S. dollar.
- As of 2021, the Bitcoin network consumes about 93 terawatt hours of electricity per year – around the same energy consumed by the 34th-largest country in the world.
- The suit even led to major crypto exchanges delisting Ripple from their platforms.
- These percentages show how much the exchange rate has fluctuated over the last 30 and 90-day periods.
- Data may be intentionally delayed pursuant to supplier requirements.
Based on this, the major influential body that can impact the BTCUSD pair is the U.S. Federal Reserve, which has the mandate over the most powerful fiat currency, the USD. The Fed releases rate decisions 8 times a year, and these are important events for the BTCUSD price. This appetite for electricity has drawn widespread criticism from celebrities such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk to government bodies such as China’s State Council and the U.S.
The most simple way to do so is using the Instant Sell in the CEX.IO mobile app. By using this feature you can easily convert Bitcoins to USD, for example, and send the proceeds right to your card. Any of the excellent strategies you’re using for forex trading will also work when trading BTC/USD. One very excellent strategy uses the On-Balance Volume indicator to trade Bitcoin.
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We are affiliated with SRO-member VQF, an officially recognized self-regulatory organization according to the Anti-Money Laundering Act by FINMA, the Swiss financial market supervisory authority. See our pricing page to see the different limits to sell Bitcoin by bank transfer, with or without KYC. Yes, there is a minimum cash out value of CHF25 to withdraw Bitcoin in USD by bank transfer with Mt Pelerin. History of daily rates BTC /USD since Wednesday, 24 March 2021. The easiest way to buy crypto on EXMO is the “Simple Trade” option. Just select the desired currency in the “I give” field and indicate the amount and currency which you want to receive.
On top of this, most people who use cryptocurrency-related services worldwide are retail clients rather than institutional investors. This means outlooks on whether Bitcoin prices will fall or grow are difficult to measure, as movements from one large whale already having a significant impact on this market. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are like the email of the financial world. The currency doesn’t exist in a physical form, and the coin is transacted directly between the sender and the receiver without banking intermediaries to facilitate the transaction. usd to bitcoin Everything is done publicly through a transparent, immutable, distributed ledger technology called blockchain. As stated, earlier Bitcoin provides the price direction cue for almost all cryptocurrencies. Therefore, the BTCUSD has a positive correlation with all the major crypto pairs, such as ETHUSD, BTGUSD, LTCUSD, ETCUSD and XRPUSD. Gold has, for years, been considered a safe haven and a hedge against inflation and fiat – qualities that Bitcoin now portrays. Additionally, the price of gold is measured in USD, something shared by the BTCUSD pair.
Us Stocks Fall In Volatile Session As Earnings Season Heats Up And Bond Sell
We will look at the lower timeframes in the next few days to find out where exactly to sell. Mobile App Buy, sell, earn and exchange crypto anywhere and anytime. Margin Trading Trade digital assets with leverage on CEX.IO Broker. With AvaTrade, you do not need to create a wallet to trade cryptocurrency. But after the 2017 rally, BTC then began a retracement and remained trapped below $10,000 for most of 2018 and 2019. There was cooling interest in cryptocurrencies in general, with traditional investments, such as stocks, proving to be more lucrative and safer as well. The year 2017 looked like a bubble, and the characteristic of cryptocurrencies as stores of value seemed to be largely an illusion. But 2020 changed the fortunes of cryptocurrencies yet again.
Once that level was passed, however, bitcoin’s price continued to surge dramatically throughout 2017 until BTC peaked at its previous long-standing all-time high of $19,850. In February 2011, BTC’s price reached parity with the U.S dollar for the first time. The milestone encouraged new investors into the market, and over the next four months, bitcoin’s price continued to rise – peaking at over $30. These are the average exchange rates of these two currencies for the last 30 and 90 days. A weighted average price of these markets is shown by default (based on 24-hour trade volume).
When using cards online, people care most about the security of their operations and card data. Because no one wants to lose funds as a result of an internet scam. So, when you found a Bitcoin trading platform, make sure it’s secure enough before making any operations. It’s worth mentioning that crypto markets are highly volatile. By trading virtual currencies you can make profits more quickly than when you trade stocks. Besides, trading cryptocurrencies don’t require special finance education. That’s why it’s so attractive for institutional and retail users.
Barron’s Silvergate Stock Is Soaring After Earnings The Crypto Bank Smashed Expectations
”A group of miners who didn’t like SegWit2x are opting for this new software that will increase the size of blocks from the current 1 megabyte to 8,” Morris told Business Insider. Blockchain platform solana will be part of a swarm of activity that disrupts the global payments business, billionaire Chamath Palihapitiya said. Okcoin announced its new NFT marketplace on Tuesday, which features no royalty cap for creators and is backed by Randi Zuckerberg. You’re welcome to contact the creator of this site at Reddit or BitcoinTalk. After having reached, a coupled of hours ago, an intraday high @… CEX IO EU Limited provides its card processing services only to customers from the European Economic Area . Get full access to all features within our Corporate Solutions. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account. Read interesting news and articles about trading on INFO EXMO.
There is a realistic expectation of this happening with major institutions now among the big players in cryptocurrencies as well as the underlying blockchain technology. If major regulators design regulations that will not cripple or limit technology and innovation in cryptocurrencies, it is expected that BTCUSD will be the crypto pair that will best display the market’s optimism. This scarcity has always fuelled the demand for Bitcoin, and it is one of the key reasons why its value started at a measly $0.003 in its early days and exploded to above 5-digits within a few years. The retail investing public took notice of Bitcoin in 2017 when it quickly accelerated above $10,000 and managed to print a then-high of just below $20,000. The 2017 massive rally was driven by increasing demand from retail traders who were keen not to miss out on the abnormal price gains which the primary cryptocurrency continually posted. A blockchain is a digital ledger recording cryptocurrency transactions, maintaining records referred to as ‘blocks’ in a linear, chronological order. By early 2013, the leading cryptocurrency had recovered from a prolonged bearish episode and rose above $1,000, albeit only briefly. But with the infamous Mt Gox hack, China announcing its first ban on crypto and other situations, it took a further four years for the BTC price to return to above $1,000 again.
The pairing, BTCUSD started the year with strong momentum, having already broken above the 2017 highs. The bullish pressure sustained for the entire first quarter of 2021, and Bitcoin managed to print its all-time high of around $65,000. Also known as the ‘greenback’, the US dollar is the greatest reserve held currency in the world. The USD is also the denominator for major commodities such as gold, silver and crude oil in the global markets. As the official currency of the United States, also the world’s largest economy, the USD is the most stable and liquid currency in the world that has rightly earned the title ‘king of currencies’. Also, there was the May 2020 Bitcoin halving event that reduced the incentive to mine Bitcoin, further limiting the supply of the cryptocurrency. After hitting the $42,000 mark, BTC-USD pulled back to settle above $30,000 as of February 2021.
Beyond fundamentals, BTCUSD also has an interesting technical picture worth a look at. At just above $30,000, Bitcoin has already done a 50% retracement off its all-time highs, with that level also being a 1.618 Fibonacci extension of the previous cycle that peaked in late 2017. The price has also been consolidating in the $30,000-$40,000 price range for a while now, and it is only a bit realistic to anticipate a breakout soon. Volatility will likely come sooner rather than later in either direction. Mt Pelerin Group SA is a company established in Switzerland since 2018, with offices in Neuchâtel and Geneva. We are an authorized financial intermediary, which means that our processes are regularly audited by an external and independent entity.
Alternatively, you can choose a specific source from the settings menu. Bitcoin and Ethereum prices struggle to move past resistance as the crypto market downturn forces $160 million in liquidations. 95% of the liquidations are in long positions in Bitcoin and Ethereum. Bitcoin and Ethereum prices witnessed a 9% drop overnight as $160 million in BTC and ETH positions were liquidated within an hour. The anonymous nature of cryptocurrencies attracts scammers and bad actors. So the reliable crypto exchange should maintain the KYC checks and verify customers’ identity to prevent possible frauds. As a rule, verification takes a few minutes to provide necessary information and photos. The year 2021 has been a whirlwind for the flagship cryptocurrency, Bitcoin.
These points are just a few reasons why people prefer virtual currencies against traditional fiat funds. Mainly, crypto transactions are highly secured with hashing algorithms, simple in use, and are not regulated by a single entity . A rate hike would pressure the BTCUSD price lower, while any rate cut would provide tailwinds for the crypto pair. To put this into perspective, in November 2018, the BTCUSD pair traded at $3,778. Mainstream adoption of Bitcoin caused the December 2017 peak of just below $20,000. But as major regulatory bodies sought to impose strict rules governing the space, the crypto party has faced challenging times. Regulation will continue to be a mixed pill for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Good headlines will push the BTCUSD price higher, while bad headlines will pressure it lower.
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Conversion rates are based on CoinDesk’s Bitcoin Price Index and the price indices of other digital assets. World currency prices are based on rates obtained via Open Exchange Rates. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG. Regulation continues to cast a huge shadow over Bitcoin in 2021. In particular, China has been consistent in its aggression towards cryptocurrency. The country instituted a ban on financial institutions and payment services companies offering crypto-related services and even made some mass arrests on people using cryptocurrencies in controversial ways. China is a significant country for Bitcoin, with almost 50% of miners domiciled there. The recent crackdown dented Bitcoin’s infrastructure, which subsequently weighed heavily on the price of the coin.


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Tags: Professional Service Industry (PSI)
Flexco has hired three new employees to its facility in Bolingbrook, Ill. Kevin Moran and Mike Mass were appointed project managers, while Joel Wagner was brought to Flexco as a design engineer to support its transfer chute product line. Moran and ...
Tensar International Corp. has appointed Libby Hungerford to the Central Area regional sales manager team. In her new role, Hungerford will manage technical promotion, design support, sales and distribution for the central U.S. She will partner with construction product distributors, Carter ...
Caterpillar Inc. Director of Investor Relations Mike DeWalt will be speaking at the Jefferies Global Industrial and A&D Conference on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011. He is scheduled to speak at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. The presentation materials will be available Wednesday, ...
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In the US, major energy utility for the state of Illinois Commonwealth Edison is offering its smart meter customers cash incentives or credits to cut electricity usage during periods of high demand as summer temperatures climb in the Midwest.
ComEd has 3,500 customers enrolled on its AC Cycling Thermostat Pilot and Peak Time Savings programme.
Customers need to have a smart meter and a Nest Learning Thermostat or XFINITY Home Thermostat installed to take part in the ComEd programme.
When the utility schedules an Energy Savings Day, customers are offered incentives of up to US$40 to reduce air conditioning during summer’s high demand periods.
Between the hours of 1-4pm, the utility will automatically adjust the temperature, but the customer retains control to change the thermostat at any time.
Val Jensen, senior vice president of customer operations at ComEd, said the deployment of smart meters has made demand response possible: “Our investments in smart meters have enabled greater use of technology and opened the doors for programs that provide customers with more personalised service.”
Peak time savings programme
On 23 July, ComEd called its first Energy Savings Day for customers enrolled in its other demand response program called Peak Time Savings.
As a result, the customers enrolled in this program saved a total of US$135,000.
Currently, more than 58,000 ComEd customers are enrolled in PTS and can earn $1 credit on their electric bills for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity they reduce during PTS hours.
Peak Time Savings, and ComEd’s AC Cycling Thermostat Pilot are part of ComEd’s Smart Grid Exchange, a collaboration between ComEd, entrepreneurs, technology start-ups, universities and customers to explore and design new products, offers and innovative solutions that utilize the intelligence of the smart grid.
Prior to calling an Energy Savings Day, ComEd notifies customers usually the day before by phone and email or through an opt-in text notification.


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Fight the Fakes Press Release: Leadership rotation at Fight the Fakes, the worldwide campaign to protect people from fake medicines
- Today the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (IFPW) begins its role as secretariat of Fight the Fakes, the global campaign to raise awareness of the threat fake medicines pose to people and public health.
- Launched in November 2013, Fight the Fakes has grown into a coalition of over 30 organizations, including healthcare professionals, academia, NGOs, the generic and research-based pharmaceutical industry, healthcare distributers, and consumer protection organizations.
- As the Fight the Fakes secretariat, IFPW will continue to coordinate and amplify campaign partners’ activities in combatting fake medicines, and leverage their supply chain expertise and membership base to strengthen the campaign’s network.
Manager at campaign partner the Fondation Chirac. “Building on our past joint initiatives at the World Health Assembly and workshops on regulatory system strengthening in Africa, our cooperation with IFPMA in fighting fake medicines will continue. With this transition, we welcome the unparalleled
supply chain expertise of IFPW at the helm of Fight the Fakes, and we are certain the campaign will continue to grow with their guidance.”
About Fight the Fakes
Fight the Fakes is a campaign that aims to raise awareness about the dangers of fake medicines. The campaign gives a voice to those who have been personally impacted and shares the stories of those working to put a stop to this threat to public health. It seeks to build a global movement of organizations and individuals who will shine light on the negative impact that fake medicines have on people around the globe and to reduce the negative consequences on individuals worldwide.
You can read the Joint Statement of campaign partners on the Fight the Fakes website (http://fightthefakes.org/about/). Follow Fight the Fakes on Twitter (www.twitter.com/FightTheFakes)
and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FightTheFakes).
Fight the Fakes Partners
Alliance for Safe Internet Pharmacy in the EU (ASOP EU); Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP); Active Citizenship Network (ACN); Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP); Dutch
Malaria Foundation; Fondation Chirac; European Healthcare Distribution Association (GIRP); Generic Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (GPhA); Global Pharma Health Fund (GPHF); International Council of Nurses (ICN); International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA);
International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT); International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP); International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF); International Federation of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (IFPW); International Institute of Research Against Counterfeit
Medicines (IRACM); Malaria Consortium; Medicines for Europe; Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV); Mobilium; Mylan; NCD Alliance; PharmaSecure; Pharmaceutical Security Institute (PSI);
Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM); Partnership for Safe Medicines India; Roll Back Malaria; Rx360; Sproxil; University College London (UCL) School of Pharmacy; U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP); World Medical Association (WMA); World Heart Federation (WHF)
The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (IFPW) is the global trade association representing full-service pharmaceutical wholesalers, distributors and wholesaler associations in 26 countries, and provides a strong, effective platform to establish dialogue within the global
pharmaceutical community. The association is dedicated to helping its members and stakeholders advance the safe, efficient and continuous access to pharmaceuticals worldwide through the promotion of good distribution practices and services. The IFPW’s charitable arm, IFPW Foundation, aims to improve access to and availability of quality medicines and health commodities worldwide.


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Leading Early Education Franchise Ranked #353 On List of the 500 Largest United States Franchise Brands
FORT WORTH, Texas – Children’s Lighthouse announced today it has been named #353 on the 2022 Franchise Times’ Top 500 list.
With nearly 70 locations open, and another 18 in development across the United States, the company is currently on pace to exceed $110 million in systemwide sales for 2022.
“We couldn’t be more honored about being named as a top franchise company,” said Michael Brown, President of Children’s Lighthouse Franchise Company. “I watch our franchisees and their teams work day in and day out to live up to our brand promise of creating a safe, fun, and happy place that gives a child confidence, a sense of comfort today, and a lifelong love of learning, friendship, and community. Everything we do is for the child and with that promise in mind, it allows our franchisees to provide the best possible education and care. This is a huge testament to all that they do. I truly can’t put into words how much this means to our entire company.”
“Previously the Top 400, Franchise Times expanded its annual ranking to 500 of the largest U.S.- based franchise systems by global systemwide sales to better encompass the biggest brands in franchising, along with promising young concepts in growth mode. The project is the result of a five-month research and reporting effort that leads to the most credible and objective franchise ranking available,” said Franchise Times Editor in Chief Laura Michaels.
The collection of systemwide sales data also provides useful insight into the franchise industry’s performance coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every segment gained ground in 2021, with some getting back to or even surpassing pre-pandemic sales.
The mission of Children’s Lighthouse Franchise Company, the franchisor to Children’s Lighthouse, is to give franchisees the tools, guidance, and opportunity to operate a profitable business that is designed to give children a safe, loving place to learn, make friends, and build confidence. Children’s Lighthouse Franchise Company does this by partnering with Franchise owners at the local level and giving them the skills, guidance, and best practices to develop children through three age-appropriate curriculums designed with specific needs of children in mind. Additionally, franchisees across the network are actively involved with their local communities and regularly give back through volunteering, donations and more.
For more information about available franchise opportunities, visit https://www.childrenslighthousefranchise.com/.
ABOUT CHILDRENS LIGHTHOUSE FRANCHISE COMPANY
The Children’s Lighthouse brand was established in Ft. Worth, Texas in 1997. Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning Schools™ are the nation’s leading values-based early learning schools. Currently, Children’s Lighthouse Franchise Company has nearly 70 franchised schools in operation and 25 additional franchised locations in the development pipeline. Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning Schools™ promise to create a safe, fun, and happy place that gives children confidence, a sense of comfort today, and a lifelong love of learning, friendship, and community. Its proprietary curriculum helps children of all ages develop healthy brains, bodies and best behaviors.
About the Franchise Times Top 500.
The Franchise Times Top 500 is the only ranking by systemwide sales and units of the largest 500 U.S.-based franchise brands. Published in the October issue and available in a searchable database online, the Franchise Times Top 500 also analyzes industry sectors based on percentage change in sales growth, reports the 10 fastest-growing franchises by four different measures, and includes exclusive news stories about the biggest names in franchising. The rankings and full report, and the searchable online database, are available at www.franchisetimes.com/top-500- 2022.


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There is no shortage of 360-degree cameras out there. These days, many of the newest entries on the market are coming from smartphone manufacturers. Android startup Essential revealed one alongside its new smartphone, the PH-1, which is set to launch sometime this summer, and Samsung has its Gear 360. Not to be outdone, Motorola now has a 360-degree camera of its own — and it’s available now for a steep $300 price tag.
The company officially announced the camera at a press event in New York, July 25, alongside its new Moto Z2 Force smartphone. Although it might seem like something of a “me too” move, there’s one particular aspect of this camera that differentiates it from the competition: it’s modular. The camera has been designed to work with the Moto Z family, which also includes the recently-released Moto Z2 Play. It can even capture-three dimensional audio.
As a Moto Mod, the camera is part of a larger back shell that magnetically snaps on to the back of the phone. While that does make it rather simple to use, it also restricts compatibility to only the Moto Z line, as the E and G models do not accept Mods.
While there is certainly a lot of potential in the Moto Mods platform — as evidenced by the Transform the Smartphone Challenge from earlier in the year that saw a variety of unique and inventive pitches — the first-party Mods haven’t been released with the frequency that Moto Z owners probably had hoped for. The ability to take 360-degree video is a nice addition, but it’s still a bit of a niche feature.
Lenovo, Motorola’s parent company, says it’s on track to release “at least” 12 Moto Mods in the next year, according to TechDroider, and the company showed off a couple concepts in a video at an event in Ghana. These included a Marshall-branded speaker, a camera body that accepts full-size lenses, and a strange DirecTV-branded contraption that featured an HDMI port in the back for compatibility with media streaming sticks, like a Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV.
While those particular Mods may not necessarily see the light of day, the 360-degree camera is a full-fledged product at this point.
It’s also worth noting Moto has several other Mods available now as well. There’s the new Style Shell with wireless charging and the TurboPower external battery. The company will also release a gamepad attachment before the fall that looks strikingly similar to a Nintendo Switch. Check out our handy guide on the best Moto Mods for more info.
Update: Added availability of Motorola’s 360-degree camera mod.
- The best 360-degree camera apps for iOS and Android
- Motorola’s flagship Moto Edge+ packs 6.7-inch curved OLED, 108MP camera
- The Moto 360, the original round smartwatch, is back, and it’s a stunner
- The best Moto Mods for the Moto Z-series
- Moto Z4 vs. Google Pixel 3a XL: Smartphone spec comparison


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When a Wi-fi hotspot was announced in 2013, it seemed like a way to bring more convenience to the masses of people who just couldn’t afford a cellular connection.
It could be used to connect to the Internet when you’re not using it, for example, and it could be paired with a computer to share your photos.
But for the last year, Wi-FI hotspots have remained largely invisible to the public, and those with a smartphone have had to keep them off of their hands to keep their data speeds up.
The FCC, which oversees the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), says it is considering new rules for Wi-Fis.
The National Wireless Telecommunications Association (N2A) says it wants the new rules to make sure Wi-fis can be used for everything from connecting to a business network to communicating with others, including the general public.
In an open letter to the FCC, N2A President Robert Hormats said the N2G is “confident that the proposed rules will provide the greatest benefits to the Wi-Connect network and its users.”
Hormat went on to say the N1G is also committed to supporting the WiFis, but said the rules must be “flexible enough to be applied to all wireless devices, including hotspots.”
The letter was signed by members of the NUW, which is made up of wireless trade groups and advocacy groups.
It also included representatives from the NHTSA, which regulates the wireless industry, and the NWA, which represents the wireless trade group Wireless Association.
N2G’s letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler states the following: The N2B is committed to support the WiConnect network, and will not object to the use of Wi-TPs, as long as they can meet the requirements of current law, and not be used in the absence of a lawful Wi-Safe plan.
The N1B is not committed to any of the proposed changes to the existing Wi-Fire standard, which we have supported for more than a decade.
The Wireless Association supports the use and development of WiFi technology, and supports the WiFI standard for the purposes of providing a safe and convenient Wi-Safety network, as we have done with the NTMF.
We believe the NTFI standards for WiFIs are best suited for use in homes and offices, and support the use for businesses and other organizations where Wi-Security is important.
A list of WiFI standards, which cover different aspects of the WiFi networking standard, has been updated in recent years to better reflect the latest Wi-Tech developments.
The FCC’s rules would also require Wi-Gig hotspots to meet a set of new rules, called “Safe Wi-Wi” or “SafeW,” to allow users to share their Wi-Enabled devices with others and prevent interference.
“We’re really pleased with the letter, and we’re hopeful that the FCC will take the steps necessary to make this an open Wi-Wifi standard for consumers,” N2C president Scott DeMoro told Ars.
“I’m sure they will be very open to hearing all viewpoints, and I think that the industry is excited to see that the public has an opportunity to weigh in and comment on these issues.”
NUW President Hormatt said the goal of the letter was to “make sure that the technology is made available to everyone, not just the people who can afford to buy a device.”
The NUWs goal is “to give the wireless consumer the best Wi-fire experience possible, while still giving them the flexibility to choose the device that best fits their needs,” DeMora said.
But Wi-Wireless isn’t a standard for everyone.
The American Radio Relay League (ARL) has opposed the changes to Wi-FSIs because it believes Wi-Ethernet, a protocol for connecting to the internet, should be a “common standard,” not a “unique” one.
The wireless industry is also pushing for the FCC to require a minimum of one router per device and for data roaming to be included.
“We do not believe there is a WiFire standard for every device,” said Mike Schmitt, a wireless network engineer for Ars.
“[We] do not see WiFI as a universal protocol.
It’s more of a unique protocol for certain applications.”
But the FCC’s comments will likely be a long time coming, since the agency has made it clear it doesn’t want to make any changes to existing WiFits.
It will have to take its time before making any changes, especially if it doesn`t get a majority of support from the FCC.
There is one area where WiFishes might have an advantage over their non-WiFi counterparts: wireless network congestion. Wi-Power


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Two years after Turkey implemented a ban on live cattle exports from France, it has been lifted.
The French Department of Agriculture made the announcement yesterday, that the ban had been lifted. The ban was first introduced due to an outbreak of bluetongue in the French cattle sector in 2015.
Although the ban has been lifted, Turkey will retain strict export conditions, which will include regular testing and vaccinations of all animals. It will also include quarantine of suspect animals and protection against the flies, which carry the bluetongue disease.
It is thought that these strict measures, will have an adverse effect on all exports from France to Turkey in the near future. In 2015 France exported in excess of 80,000 cattle to Turkey before the ban was put in place. It is now expected that they will begin to export large numbers again.
Turkey are said to require over 100,000 head of cattle from Ireland next year, in order to meet demands. Ireland has already exported over 20,000 cattle so far this year, with more shipments due to set sail before the new year.


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In a business environment where family-owned stores are being acquired daily or are put out of business by national retailers, 20 A&W restaurants in the Green Bay and Fox Valley area, along with restaurant owners nationally, recently made the decision to divest from their parent company, YUM Brands Inc.
The move was done to help A&W owners reconnect with their local communities in personal ways and position themselves for continued growth, said Bruce Hundertmark, owner of the Clintonville A&W that opened in 1939. His daughter Erica is a third-generation family member now working in the restaurant.
“Our root beer is what made us famous, and we are committed to continue to serve our local customers well with freshly-made, creamy and smooth root beer and promotions that serve our local residents and market,” said Hundertmark.
In an effort to stay true to the vision of A&W’s founders 90 years ago, the franchisees are bringing back the restaurant’s mascot, Rooty The Great Root Bear, and promising to continue to make their root beer fresh on site in an age when most fast food restaurant drinks come from soda fountains mixed with concentrates.
The eight ownership groups of 20 A&W restaurants in the Green Bay and Fox Valley area have already made some changes including:
• Bringing back “Rooty The Great Root Bear” as A & W’s mascot.
• Promoting A&W’s freshly-made root beer. “It’s a best kept secret that we brew our root beer fresh in the back room,” said Hundertmark. “We want people to enjoy the smooth, creamy taste of A&W Root Beer. As people become more aware of their food choices, it’s refreshing to know that the ingredients are all natural and the root beer is brewed fresh in our restaurants.” A & W Root Beer does not include high fructose corn syrup or caffeine.
• Promoting A&W locally including serving up free root beer floats for a limited time beginning with newspaper coupons which will land on April 29 in area newspapers.


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Comcast recently agreed to buy DreamWorks Animation for about $3.8 billion. The $41-per-share offer represents about a 51% premium from DreamWorks' closing price prior to the buyout talks. The deal has been widely compared to Disney's $7.4 billion purchaseof Pixar in 2006.
Continue Reading Below
Image source: DreamWorks Animation.
Comcast says that the acquisition will help develop it's media arm NBCUniversal. The addition of DreamWorks to NBCUniversal will boost film animation and consumer products businesses, add characters to theme park attractions, and provide TV shows for kids. In other words, Comcast wants NBCUniversal to become more like Disney. But will buying out DreamWorks make NBCUniversal a potential challenger to the House of Mouse? Let's take a look at the key numbers to decide.
What NBCUniversal means to ComcastNBCUniversal's broadcast TV and filmed entertainment businesses posted respective annual revenue declines of 7.3% and 4.3% last quarter. Both units faced tough comparisons to the prior year quarter, when broadcast revenues were propped up by the Super Bowl and filmed entertainment revenues were boosted by Fifty Shades of Grey.
However, its theme park revenue soared 57.5% annually, thanks to the acquisition of its 51% interest in Universal Studios Japan. On a pro forma basis -- which excludes the impact of that acquisition -- theme park revenues rose 9.6% annually, thanks to stable guest attendance, and higher per capita spending at its parks. NBCUniversal has been investing billions into expanding its theme parks with new Harry Potter, Despicable Me, andFast and Furious attractions, and plans to expand aggressively overseas withnew parks in Beijing, Moscow, South Korea, and Dubai.
Image source: Universal Studios.
Why Comcast wants DreamWorks AnimationDreamWorks Animation's revenue is expected to rise2% to $935 million this year. That's equivalent to about 3% of NBCUniversal's top line and 1% of Comcast's revenue from 2015. NBCUniversal's filmed entertainment revenue rose 46% to $7.3 billion last year, thanks to the strong box office performance of Minions, Jurassic World, and Furious 7. Therefore, just buying DreamWorks Animation won't boost Comcast's top line growth by much.
DreamWorks also trimmed its theatrical slate from three films to two last January due to poor box office earnings from films like Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Rise of the Guardians, and Turbo. Due to that adjustment, feature films revenue as a percentage of DreamWorks top line fell from 66% in 2014 to 57% in 2015. The near-term outlook for the company remains murky, with Kung Fu Panda 3 coming in below Wall Street expectations.
But if Comcast digs into its deeper pockets to expand DreamWorks Animation by releasing more films per year, expanding film franchises to TV shows, and adding new character-based attractions from Shrek or Kung Fu Panda to its theme parks, the unit's sales growth could improve. DreamWorks Animation also developed an entertainment complex near Shanghai through its Oriental Dreamworks jointventure, which could give Comcast a foothold to challenge Disney's new Shanghai Disney Resort.
Can Comcast challenge Disney?Comcast's purchase of DreamWorks Animation might widen its intellectual property moat against Disney, but its theme park, media, and movie businesses remain smaller than Disney's.
Fiscal 2015 revenues. Source: Company earnings reports.
However, buying Dreamworks might help Comcast overtake Disney in annual film revenues. The media business could also benefit from DreamWorks' multi-year agreement with Netflix to stream its films and original kids' programming.
Comcast also plans to sell toys and other products through DreamWorks' consumer products division, which generated just $86.5 million in sales last year. If Comcast expands that unit, it might grow into a multi-billion dollar business like Disney's consumer products division, which generated $4.5 billion in sales last year. Comcast could also use the unit to sell and license merchandise from NBCUniversal's own popular franchises, like Despicable Me or The Fast and the Furious. Therefore, buying DreamWorks is really more about challenging Disney in media, movies, and toys instead of engaging in a head-to-head battle of the theme parks.
Comcast has plenty to proveComcast investors didn't seem excited about the acquisition, since the stock barely budged after the deal was announced. That's likely because DreamWorks' films often lag behind Pixar in box office returns and critical acclaim, and its top-grossing Shrek series ended in 2010.
However, DreamWorks might thrive and evolve under NBCUniversal, which could bring back and expand old franchises like Shrek. After all, Marvel and Lucasfilm weren't in great shape when Disney acquired them, but both studios have produced new blockbuster franchises under its guidance. If Comcast works similar magic with DreamWorks, it could be much better equipped to challenge rivals like Disney.
The article Can Comcast Catch Up To Disney By Buying Dreamworks Animation? originally appeared on Fool.com.
Leo Sun owns shares of Walt Disney. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Netflix and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool recommends DreamWorks Animation. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Copyright 1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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With EV producers pushing for aggressive cost decreases, battery manufacturers and cathode suppliers alike are putting raw materials front and centre of their future technology choices
A hectic Q1 for battery conferences culminated with the International Battery Seminar in FL, USA in late-March, as leading producers gathered to discuss emerging technologies and market trends. A stand out topic at the conference was the ongoing spike in a number of critical raw material input prices; a subject which was echoed at industry events throughout the quarter.
With battery producers under pressures to continue driving down costs to below the $100 . . .


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Why enterprise resource planning needs to be mobile
83% of Indians trust robots more than humans in finance
Will IoT smart devices power a speedy return to the workplace?
70% of SEA population are targets for cyber criminals
IBM and Samsung collaborate to help businesses drive Industry 4.0 innovation
What’s behind India’s booming enterprise software market?
For tech workers, remote working is here to stay
China’s first private 5G network deployed for mining
SMEs in Vietnam, Indonesia embracing e-learning to train workers
Alibaba Cloud’s new digital ecosystem strategy targeting Philippine SMEs
Adobe, Oracle, Salesforce – who leads in B2B digital commerce?
Singapore looks to automation to minimize legacy IT mishaps
9 trends which could impact all industries post-pandemic
Hype or not? Gartner eyes three future cutting-edge tech trends
Cognitive automation – the next frontier of enterprise RPA?
Why it’s a pivotal year for multi-cloud across APAC
How data will help create the ‘new normal’ workplace
Lockdown lessons – how NZ SMEs were transformed by tech in 2020
How much do you know about Bytedance’s enterprise tools?
Lessons on cloudification from Malaysian telco giant Celcom
BANKING AND FINANCE
Singapore sets the pace for quantum computing in Southeast Asia
6 June, 2022
IBM z16: Here's why the cloud won't replace the mainframe
4 May, 2022
Chip shortage: The lack of “chips to make chips” is exacerbating the shortage by another 2 years
27 June, 2022


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Conjunto legend Linda Escobar dedicated her new album, Vi Una Nube, to her mother, who passed away earlier this year.
“I thank GOD for giving me the strength to complete this project in loving memory of my beautiful mother, Jesusa Koehler Escobar, ‘Jesusita’,” Escobar posted on her official Facebook page. “My new CD is dedicated to my mom, who passed away Feb. 18, 2017. This CD has a lot of heartfelt emotion…I hope you all like it.”
The album, released on May 19, includes 12 original tracks, featuring the lead single “El Traicionero.”
Vi Una Nube is available now at all digital platforms, including the Tejano Nation Amazon Store.
LISTEN: “El Traicionero” — Linda Escobar Y Conjunto Amable


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Mumbai: To meet RBI demands, WhatsApp has finally set up its data storage facilities in India and is reportedly preparing for the full launch of its UPI payments app in association with ICICI Bank.
In April 2018, the RBI had issued a circular asking all payment system operators in the country to store data – pertaining to their customers – within India to ensure that user details remain secure against privacy breaches. They also had to get a third-party audit done by CERT IN-empanelled auditors.
Going ahead, RBI has toughened its stand on companies processing data outside India and has set a 24-hour deadline for the companies to bring back all data back to the country in such cases. These directives were applicable not only to payment entities but also to all banks operating in India.
While the Indian players like Paytm took no time to comply with the norms, WhatsApp and other foreign players active in payment domain were seeking a bit of relaxation in terms of securing mirror or copy payments data within India, while also storing the same data in its overseas servers. The list included Visa, Mastercard, American Express and the likes of Pay-Pal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, as well.
“The entire payment data shall be stored in systems located only in India,” the RBI said in its frequently asked question (FAQ) section on Wednesday, responding to certain issues raised by payment system operators. “The data should be deleted from the systems abroad and brought back to India not later than one business day or 24 hours from the payment processing, whichever is earlier,” it added.
The clarification has come a week after the government said the RBI would examine concerns around its strict data-localisation guidelines.
Payment providers have been lobbying at various levels for the free flow of data across borders in order to ensure that customer benefits and fraud analysis are not affected.
While the government has been pushing for softer data-localisation guidelines by allowing data mirroring, the RBI has held its ground, maintaining that India’s payments data can only be stored locally.
The central bank has also said the data stored in India can be accessed or fetched whenever required for handling customer disputes as well as for any other related processing activity, such as chargeback. The data may be shared with the overseas regulator, if so required, depending upon the nature/origin of a transaction with due approval of the RBI, it added. The RBI allows a copy to be stored abroad in case of cross-border transactions.
The clarity on data processing outside India may come as a relief to global payment firms, but the RBI’s reiteration on exclusive storage poses a problem.
The RBI had released data-localisation guidelines on 6 April 2018 and gave payments providers six months for complying with the norms. Despite excessive lobbying by these players, the RBI remained firm on its guidelines and nearly all payments providers submitted a compliance plan and report to the regulator when the deadline approached. Majority of payment players have complied with the data storage norm.


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Curbside donations in San Francisco kicked off this weekend for St. Anthony Foundation’s annual holiday food and clothing drive, the charity’s spokesman said this morning.
“There’s joy in the folks dropping off their stuff, knowing it’s going to be used very quickly,” spokesman Karl Robillard said. “It was a great turnout this weekend.”
The nonprofit is accepting curbside drop-offs of nonperishable food items and canned goods, along with certain clothing items particularly needed during the giving season, Robillard said.
Over the weekend, donors pulled up to the drop off center at 121 Golden Gate Ave., but the foundation is still short on some items on its list, with less than a week until Christmas Day.
The nonprofit’s biggest goal is to provide 3,000 pairs of new or gently used socks for Christmas gifts. As of Monday morning they had 690 pairs and counting, Robillard said.
“(Socks) are appreciated by people who are on their feet all day,” he said.
Other coveted clothing items include warm coats–especially women’s coats, but any new or gently worn coats for men, women and children will be accepted.
Often overlooked, underwear is also high on St. Anthony’s list to give for Christmas. New underpants for men, women and children are always needed, Robillard said.
Also by Sunday, the foundation is looking for hams to be delivered to their kitchen to feed the hungry a traditional holiday meal.
Curbside drop offs can be made from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday and on Christmas Eve donations will be accepted at the site from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We make it as easy as possible to drop off,” Robillard said.
Donors can drive up to the curb on Golden Gate Avenue and give items to St.
Anthony members in red coats up until Christmas Eve.
Many people stop by on Christmas Eve for last minute donations, which Robillard assured is still beneficial for the charity. Even after curbside deliveries have ended, on Christmas Day people can donate holiday items at the St. Anthony dining room, located at 45 Jones St.
A newer holiday tradition at St. Anthony’s is collecting hand-knit scarves for the foundation’s patrons. The group set out in September to collect 5,000 homespun scarves by Christmas and this weekend they hit the 5,000 mark with more coming in, Robillard said.
Anyone with a knit scarf can also donate those for Christmas giving at the curbside location.
For more information about donations and St. Anthony’s visit www.stanthonysf.org.
Sasha Lekach, Bay City News


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Oman is a hot favourite for staycations - thanks to its stunning landscape, crystal-clear waters and lush coastline.
And now, it just got a bit cheaper to get there, thanks to the launch of new flights from Abu Dhabi to Muscat.
SalamAir has announced it will be flying four times weekly between the capitals, with prices hovering around Dhs280-Dhs290 one way.
The flights will be four days per week - Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, ideal for long weekends.
Time to book your next adventure!


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Bay Area rap artist, Bobo Norco, had a good rookie year in 2014 with two radio singles, 1.6 million YouTube views, a performance at South by Southwest, and he was on the cover of ten print magazines.
One of the things his social media followers seem to admire most is Norco’s unique and exclusive style of clothing. His IG fans frequently comment on his trendy wardrobe, exclusive accessories, and his $250,000 shoe collection which has it’s own bedroom in his seven bedroom NorCal residence.
According to the press release, Norco was approached with an offer of starting his own fashion line at the 2015 Super Bowl. Norco agreed to be the spokesperson and creative director of a new clothing line he called, Kindom Couture or KNDM. KNDM’s website (KNDM.co) shows joggers, jerseys, hoodies, and hats for men and everything is hand-stitched.
It also looks like Bobo Norco has a lot of celebrity friends that might like the new threads. He’s seen on his social media with Mistah F.A.B., Russell Simmons, Ace Hood, Evander Holyfield, Janice Dickinson, Welven Da Great, Hazel E, and Teairra Marí. I’m not ganna lie the fits are pretty dope! What do you think?


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An online resource for a food community
Local farmers and locavores have a new resource—a place to connect and engage with the Kootenay food system.
“The objective with Kootenay Food is that we’ve really become a central hub for everything having to do with food and farming in the region,” said Shauna Teare. She’s a Slocan Valley farmer and graphic designer as well as the website developer for the project. “We’ve developed a really interesting and enticing interface where eaters can come and seek out local farmers,” she said.
There are a number of channels within the website that allow users to find exactly what they’re looking for. The directory is open to any Kootenay food producer and provides a listings by region and category. It’s currently filled out for the Slocan Valley, thanks to an area-specific grant. However, farmers or local food-focused businesses can easily add their own business listing. They simply need to click the login button on the site and then follow the promptings. Other options are free classified ads or event listings. All these options provide ways for producers to communicate with their customers and for consumers to learn about what’s going on with food in their backyard.
“In this day and age when we’re trusting certifications to tell us the integrity of the food that we’re getting, we’re going beyond that and wanting to introduce people to farmers directly and have them have an understanding of the ethics and the ways that the farms are operated," said Teare. "We’re really wanting people to feel connected to farmers, so that’s a huge focus of what we’re doing.”
Farm Food Fork was a four-part initiative under the West Kootenay Permaculture Co-op that is completed with the debut of a Kootenay Food website. The first piece involved an online survey in early 2014. Participants were asked about growing and consuming local food. Some of the results have been shared on Kootenay Food under the “facts” page. Farm Food Fork also culminated in a two-day feast, festival and forum early in 2014. Over 400 people attended the event, which was held in Nelson, B.C. Proceeds were awarded through a bursary fund to local agriculture initiatives that were selected by attendees. Winners included the Queens Bees Project and the W.E. Graham Community Society, which is working on a food bank garden.
Teare said that reactions from the community to Kootenay Food have been nothing but positive. It will be an ongoing project with content being curated into the news section and a monthly newsletter touching on everything in the Kootenay food scene that is sent out to subscribers. The listings, classifieds and events will also be an evolving part of the website as the communities continue to interact. Teare is excited to continue building an inclusive website that will build connections between food advocacy groups, producers and consumers.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the website populate itself—to seeing added listings across the region,” she said. “Our real work right now is to get out there and hit the ground and visit all the farmers markets and talk to farmers directly and get them posting on there. Once they’re on there, they’re pretty blown away with what is available and how well it interacts.”


text: The NBA has released its latest jersey sales-rankings and LeBron James is on top once again. According to an ESPN report LeBron leads the group of individual players followed by Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant comes in at #3. The list is based on sales at the NBA Store in New York and NBAStore.com for the period of April through Nov. 26. As far as team rankings go the New York Knicks lead the way followed by the Miami Heat at #2 and the Lakers at #3. The biggest movers of the individual sales were Derrick Rose who fell from #1 to #5 and Jeremy Lin who was lastly ranked #2 but is nowhere to be seen in the top 10 this time around.


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The May issue of Vogue has Kate Moss’s daughter Lila on the cover, which makes me feel as old as the hills. It features an interview with a shoe designer who can somehow afford a Swiss bolthole and a restored castle in Puglia. ‘He rises at 6.30am, exercises and washes his stallion Cavani Z, and is at his desk by 11am.
The Dublin native gave a fan advice on her podcast about how to move on after a similar experience Dublin native and influencer Vogue Williams has said that she was "ghosted" by a man over five years ago and she is still "angry" she didn't call him out.
All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. A toast to the start of wedding season! It’s time to celebrate love and connect with friends and family, but it’s also time to find another wedding guest cocktail dress.
A CORNISH pub has received a framed apology from the world's most influential fashion magazine after it was threatened with legal action. Condé Nast, the publisher of Vogue, sent The Star Inn at Vogue a cease and desist letter, calling on the business to change its name.
“I had 300 followers when I uploaded the photoshoot,” says 51-year-old Canadian stylist and The Row super-fan Neelam Ahooja of the Olsen-inspired shoot she staged with her best friend Mona in October 2020. The fact she now has an online audience of close to 80,000 is some indication of the reaction to it.
There’s something delightfully moody going on in fashion this season. Even dedicated colourists are succumbing to the Morticia Addams mood for dark-as-the-night looks. Take Sienna Miller, for example. The actor attended a charity fundraiser earlier this month wearing a black vintage John Galliano dress that was more gothic than Glasto.
A PUB ordered to drop the word “Vogue” from its name by the famed fashion magazine has received a framed apology after it backed down. The Star Inn at Vogue had been sent a “cease and desist” letter, threatening legal action. But after landlord Mark Graham, 60, of Vogue in Cornwall, complained the story went around the world and publisher Conde Nast backtracked.
Amelia Gray Hamlin flashes her toned midriff before heading to a Pilates class with guru Liana Levi whose clients include Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber
Cover girl Amelia Gray Hamlin was all about her workout look on Thursday. The 20-year-old Vogue model was seen in a black crop top and Nike shorts as she first went to a FedEx office then hit a Pilates session in Los Angeles. The beauty also took to Instagram Stories to tell her followers that she was getting her workout bright and early before the weekend started.
Vogue Williams shines light on ‘massive’ body part that husband Spencer made her feel ‘really uncomfortable’ about
VOGUE Williams has shone a light on her "massive" body part that her husband has made her feel "really uncomfortable" about. The presenter, 36, has been married to Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews since 2018. The couple share three children together: Theordore, 3, Gigi, 1, and newborn Otto.
Having a checklist and an arsenal of wedding day essentials can easily alleviate some of the stress that comes with planning a wedding. All of the details of the big day can easily leave any bride feeling flustered. That’s why preparation is key to ensuring things run smoothly.
Last night in Los Angeles, the front row of Dior Men’s resort 2023 collection—which was guest-designed by ERL’s Eli Russell Linnetz—was filled with stars including Michael B. Jordan, Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz-Beckham, Kid Cudi, and Rita Ora. One more unexpected guest, however, was pro skater Tony Hawk, who rocked the front row in a Dior logo sweater and acid-wash jeans.
Madonna ‘speechless’ after being ‘blocked’ from Instagram Live: ‘I’ve never worn so many clothes in my life!’
‘I haven’t done anything crazy – not this week, anyways,’ singer said Madonna learns she's blocked from posting on Instagram Live Madonna has shared a video of the moment she found out she was blocked from posting Live videos on Instagram. The “Vogue” singer, 68, often makes headlines with her sexually suggestive Instagram posts, last week using the platform to promote a 3D NFT model of her vagina that she is selling for charity.
All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. If you’ve been looking to refresh your home with new chairs or upgrade your outdoor furniture game just in time for barbecue season—now is the perfect time because the best Memorial Day furniture sales have arrived.
A busy day calls for the right looks, and who better to show off the season’s very best than Mia Kang? After all, the half-Korean, half-British, Hong Kong-born Swiss national always has a lot going on. Reference the list of her many job titles—model, Muay Thai fighter, body positivity advocate, TV host, author—and you’ll quickly get the drift.
Photographed by Gordon Von Steiner, Vogue, March 2021 It’s nearly summer! The weather is heating up, and people are heading out, marking the return of leg-baring minidresses. It’s no news that the midi-dress has reigned supreme in recent years, and while love for longline dresses will not falter, it’s time to make room for shorter hemlines this summer.
No awkward moments here! The moment Miles Teller first saw Keleigh Sperry in May 2013, he immediately was drawn to her. “We both had mutual friends of the [Black Keys],” the Pennsylvania native told Vogue in September 2019 of the pair’s first meeting at a party for the band.
A pub landlord has a framed apology from one of the world’s biggest publishing companies to hang in his bar after a bizarre legal complaint. The Star Inn at Vogue was threatened with court action by Condé Nast, which owns the fashion magazine Vogue, over its name.
Trends come and go, but accentuating your authentic, natural features never goes out of style—which is precisely where minimalist makeup comes in. “To me, minimalist makeup means using less product in a smarter way to have more impact,” says Jason Hoffman, veteran makeup artist and vice president of beauty and product experience at Amyris (the parent company behind efficacious clean beauty brands from Rose Inc to Biossance).
Consider it fashion serendipity that summer debuts alongside Memorial Day weekend sales. To celebrate, we’ve scoured the web to curate the best finds for the season ahead. Whether it’s days at the beach, long weekends spent with family and friends, or summer vacations planned, we’re finding little pleasures in happiness-inducing items for our warm-weather wardrobe.


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[Editor’s Note – Joel Murphy is in New York covering the Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony tonight, so today we bring you a column that originally ran on the site on December 3, 2008.]
Last Friday morning, before the sun came up, after spending a day gorging yourself on too much food and doing your best to tolerate annoying family members, some of you headed out to your local malls and retail stores to save a few bucks on what has become known as “Black Friday” (which sounds like it should star Ice Cube and Chris Tucker). Certainly every penny counts now that we are officially in a recession, so I hope that you were able to find some incredible deals. But to be perfectly honest, you are lucky just to have gotten out of there alive.
Three people died this year on Black Friday. Three people. Let me repeat that – three people were killed due to SHOPPING.
In Long Island, New York, a Wal-mart employee was trampled to death while attempting to open the store at 5 a.m. The 34-year-old temporary employee unlocked the doors and was crushed by the overly-excited Wal-mart shoppers as they rushed into the store.
Approximately 12 people were knocked over as customers attempted to enter the Wal-mart. Some sustained minor injuries and a pregnant woman nearly miscarried and had to be hospitalized. The security tape revealed that hundreds of people trampled the Wal-mart employee and it took several minutes before anyone could clear enough space to help the man. CNN reports that police officers attempting to administer first aid were “jostled and pushed.” The Wal-mart employee was pronounced dead at the hospital.
I can’t even begin to comprehend how something like this happened. If all of these people were trapped inside a building that was on fire, then perhaps I could understand how someone was trampled as people fought their way out. But how could hundreds of people trample a man to death in order to save a few bucks on a copy of Lego Batman or a laptop computer? How can these people sleep at night knowing that they ended a man’s life just so they could save 10 percent on season three of Dawson’s Creek? This guy was just some poor bastard forced to work for Wal-mart to make ends meet and he’s dead now. How did we get here?
In Southern California, two men in a Toys R Us were shot and killed. According to Palm Desert Councilman Jim Ferguson, the two men killed each other. Both men had criminal records and it is believed that the shootings may have been gang related.
While the two men who were shot and killed most likely weren’t squabbling over the last copy of The Sopranos: The Complete Series on DVD, it’s still a bit off-putting that even rival gang members felt the need to brave the crowds on Black Friday in an attempt to save a few bucks. If even our nation’s gangs are pinching pennies this holiday season, perhaps the economy is in even worse shape than we all thought. If money is that tight, then who will be there to “make it rain” for the strippers? That’s a world I just don’t know if I can live in.
If you know me at all, you know I am someone who gets excited about the holiday season. It wasn’t too long ago that I shared Courtney Enlow’s enthusiasm for all things Christmas. I’ve gotten bitter and more jaded as the years have gone by, but I still do all I can to find my holiday spirit. I’m truly excited to make my return to the D.C. area this Christmas so that I can see all of the family members I haven’t seen since last December. I also enjoy buying presents for people I care about and seeing their faces when they open those gifts. It’s a good feeling.
But even during the peak years for my yuletide joy, I never once went shopping on Black Friday. I hate crowds and I simply don’t have the desire to attempt to wrestle the last copy of Space Camp out of the five dollar bin at Wal-mart while other patrons are bumping into me and knocking me around. I have enough trouble not stabbing other shoppers in Wal-mart on a normal day, I can’t imagine taking on a group of unruly parents at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.
I’m actually done with all of my Christmas shopping this year. While I missed out on some of the Black Friday savings, I was able to get all of my shopping done this past Monday online. Not only did I not have to fight the crowds, I didn’t even have to put pants on. I bought presents for everyone on my list in a little over an hour without ever setting foot inside a store.
I will never go shopping on Black Friday. I don’t care how cheap the merchandise is; it’s simply not worth it. There is no discount that is worth dying over.
Let’s hope that next year more people take a cue from me. Stay home next year and buy your presents online. It eliminates the stress and frustration that holiday shopping creates, and allows you to focus on what Christmas is truly about – getting free stuff in exchange for spending time with your family.
Joel Murphy is the creator of HoboTrashcan, which is probably why he has his own column. He loves pugs, hates Jimmy Fallon and has an irrational fear of robots. You can contact him at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Turns out it’s maybe not so accurate for women. According to a recent NYTimes article:
Last week, researchers at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago announced a new formula for calculating a woman’s maximum heart rate, a measure commonly used by athletes to pace themselves and monitor their progress. In a study of nearly 5,500 healthy women, scientists discovered that a decades-old formula for calculating heart rate is largely inaccurate for women, resulting in a number that is too high.
The commonly used formula subtracts a person’s age from 220. But based on the data collected in the Chicago study, the right formula for calculating a woman’s maximum heart rate is a little more complicated: 206 minus 88 percent of a woman’s age.
Yeah, whatever. Maybe this obsessive training-by-numbers deserves a rethinking anyway. As the article also notes:
Of course, the new formula for women also raises new questions about the reliability of the old heart rate calculations for men. The original formula stems from research in the early 1970s that reviewed average maximum heart rates from 10 studies of men. The formula was a general calculation made for discussion purposes among academics, never intended to be used by the public.
However, the simplicity of the calculation appealed to a generation of exercisers who were looking for guidance about how hard to push themselves to improve fitness and improve their heart health. Companies promoting heart rate monitors, fitness clubs and family doctors all embraced the formula as a simple measure of fitness and the 220 minus age calculation became standard fitness advice.
But many researchers say it is ridiculous to base exercise goals on a person’s age rather than individual fitness level.
“The fitness industry, by attaching this to every treadmill ever made, kind of perpetuated this formula,” says Dr. Tim Church, an exercise researcher and director of preventive medicine at the Pennington Biomedical Research center in Baton Rouge, La. “There’s the idea that the formula was somehow not working out for women, but I’d make the argument that it doesn’t work out for anybody.”
In 2001, a University of Colorado team also concluded that the standard heart rate equation was inaccurate for both men and women. They devised a similar formula they said applied to both sexes — maximum heart rate equals 208 minus 0.7 times age — but the equation never caught on with the public.


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ubisoft Stories June 10, 2019
Google Stadia isn’t launching til November, but there are going to be quite a few big titles coming to the platform. With E3 going on, we’re learning of more big titles coming out. Here are the biggest titles from E3 2019 that are confirmed for Google Stadia, along with those getting new content when they hit the platform.
ubisoft Stories March 13, 2018
Google & Ubisoft announce Agones, a game server hosting project
Google and Ubisoft have today announced Agones, an in-development game server hosting project. Agones, which appropriately means “contest” in greek, is powered by Google-made Kubernetes, which is an open source system “for building complex workloads and distributed systems.”
ubisoft Stories March 6, 2012
Ubisoft unveiled the above teaser for the critically acclaimed “From Dust” videogame by Creative Designer Eric Chahi and announced it is coming to the Google Chrome browser next month.
“Chrome users will be able to play a High-End console game within their very own Google Chrome browser,” contended Ubisoft, the game’s developer.
More information is available below.


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The family home of Dominic Chappell, the former owner of BHS, was on the brink of being repossessed before cash from the department store chain was used to pay off the mortgage. The debt was settled when the parent company of BHS paid out £1.5m. The money came from BHS and was paid out as an interest-free loan. It has not been repaid.
The last of BHS’s 164 stores are scheduled to close before the end of month. The demise of BHS has led to the loss of 11,000 jobs and left a £571m pension deficit.
“I don’t know, it is nothing to do with me, it is my father’s property,” Chappell said when asked about the loan. “I have absolutely no idea what is going on there, nor do I want to know.”


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A controversial ad has prompted Pilot Flying J to pull a magazine from its shelves.
The Knoxville-based chain of truck stops said it is removing all current copies of Maxim magazine from its locations "because of an ad that the company does not believe accurately depicts professional drivers."
According to reports in trucking industry publications, the latest issue of Maxim includes an ad from a Texas law firm which features the front of a tractor-trailer with the headline "serial killer," an apparent reference to accidents involving tractor-trailers.
The ad has caused a firestorm within the trucking community. Earlier this week, American Trucking Associations president Bill Graves sent a letter to Maxim which said the ad was "absolutely appalling and outrageous" and asked Maxim to apologize and provide free advertising space in its next issue.
"Every fatality on our nation's highways is a tragedy, and we all have an obligation to improve highway safety, but our professionals that serve America are certainly not serial killers," the letter said.
The criticism has drawn a quick response.
The law firm that ran the ad, San Antonio-based Villarreal and Begum, has posted an apology on its website, saying they would not run the ad in the future and that they did not intend to "disparage the hard working Americans that drive tractor-trailers for a living."
Pilot isn't the only truck-stop chain that has pulled the magazine.
In a Twitter post, the Ohio-based TravelCenters of America chain said Thursday that all copies of Maxim "have been pulled from TA store shelves and have been destroyed."
Pilot is the nation's largest chain of travel centers and truck stops, with more than 650 locations. According to Forbes, it is the seventh-largest privately held business in the U.S.
Call us at 1-877-304-7769.
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But they want protections in place like extra authentication and verification to feel more secure completing an online financial transaction.
Commonplace systems, such as HVAC, electrical, and parking, can be open doors for hackers. Experts offer advice on how to protect against breaches.
The pandemic made clear which tech products are essential.
Superfast connectivity is getting here—and the impact on your business could be huge.
A new era of affordable, fast-built, more sustainable homes is underway.
Find out where the super-fast connection speed, which has been touted as a potential game-changer for real estate, is most prevalent in the U.S.
Your personal Wi-Fi network is a prime target for hackers. To protect yours and your clients’ private information, beef up your cybersecurity at home.
Smart switches allow homeowners to control interior and exterior lights via a smartphone app or through Amazon Alexa or Google Home devices.
Studies show buyers weigh available internet speed as an important factor in their home search.
RON has helped to sustain the real estate industry throughout the pandemic, but more work is needed to ensure the whole country has access.
Search REALTOR® Magazine


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SDCC: "Spider-Man: Homecoming" Confirms Flash Thompson
After hitting the runway last fall in Milan as part of Moschino’s spring 2016 collection, the Powepuff Girls are heading to a Hot Topic near you.
Just as Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup make their triumphant return to television, the retailer has unveiled a fashion collection inspired by the three heroes of Townsville. The Powerpuff Girls line features three dresses representing each of the little powerhouses — in corresponding blue, pink and green, of course — plus a top and skirt, T-shirt and sweatshirt depicting all three.
Grand Theft Auto V PC mods have brought us everything from a slightly depressing take on Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? to an undeniably weird version of the Pokémon opening. However, none may be as disconcerting as this recreation of The Powerpuff Girls introduction (granted, Pokémon is definitely a close second).
Where is the line? When is an image empowering, and when is it too risque? While the case of the contested variant cover of The Powerpuff Girls #6 has a lot of silly aspects, its core speaks to larger issues the comic book industry has been wrestling with of late, and may find itself wrestling with even more. The questions it raises aren’t always easy to answer — as is so often the case, the devil is in the details.
All-ages comics have a larger presence now than they have in decades. Every month, tie-ins to popular kids’ shows and original books suitable for readers are released in high enough numbers that you could open a comic book store that’s just for kids. Many stores have increased their kids sections, and with events like Free Comic Book Day, it’s easier for those shops to prove themselves to parents as a safe place. Meanwhile, awareness of the industry’s female readership has never been higher; in October, digital comics platform comiXology released some startlingly specific data: Its average female reader is “17-26 years old, college-educated, lives in the suburbs, and is new to comics. She prefers Tumblr to Reddit. She may have never even picked up a print comic.” In six years, female readership on comiXology increased from less than 5 percent to 20 percent.
Artist Mimi Yoon, whose withdrawn Powerpuff Girls variant cover has been the subject of much discussion over the past several days, has revealed one of her next projects for: a cover for BOOM! Studios’ Adventure Time, also licensed by Cartoon Network.
As she pointed out in the comments on her Facebook page, it was painted last year for the miniseries Adventure Time: Candy Capers, which concluded in December, but the publisher now has decided to use it for the main series. Yoon also teased that another, as-yet-unrevealed cover she created will appear before this one.
Artist Mimi Yoon has responded to the controversy surrounding her variant cover for IDW Publishing’s The Powerpuff Girls #6, which was withdrawn last week by Cartoon Network following complaints that the illustration “sexualized” the pre-teen animated characters.
The chain of events began early last week when retailer Dennis Barger Jr. singled out the cover (at right) on his own Facebook page, asking, “Are we seriously sexualizing pre-teen girls like perverted writing fan fiction writers on the internet?”
IDW Publishing’s Dirk Wood explained that the cover was “mandated” by Cartoon Network, which selected Yoon and approved the artwork. When contacted by ICv2.com, the network’s licensing division noted that the cover was intended as direct-market collectible item; however, “We recognize some fans’ reaction to the cover and, as such, will no longer be releasing it at comic book shops.”
After making vague references to the dust-up on Thursday, Yoon took to her Facebook page Friday afternoon to address the matter directly:
ICv2.com reports that Dennis Barger Jr., owner Wonderworld Comics in Detroit, singled out the cover on Monday, writing on his Facebook page, “Are we seriously sexualizing pre-teen girls like perverted writing fan fiction writers on the internet???? is that what this shit has gotten to? DISGUSTED.”
The illustration, by Mimi Yoon, depicts Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup as teenagers dressed in short, skintight dresses and thigh-high stockings. When asked by a commenter why their outfits are shiny, Barger replied, “Because they are wearing latex bondage wear mini dresses, which on an adult would be fine but on the effigies of children is very wrong.”
Dirk Wood, IDW’s vice president of marketing, explained the cover was actually “mandated” by Cartoon Network, using an artist of its choosing. “I think they were thinking of it more along the lines of ‘female empowerment’ than the kind of thing you guys are talking about,” he wrote in the lengthy comments thread, “but certainly, we’re sensitive to the issues here.”


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Kroger's Stock Slumps as Walmart Slashes Prices
- by Robert Schaulis
CINCINNATI, OH – Kroger Co.’s stock fell three percent this past Wednesday, February 22, after analysts noted price cuts in Walmart stores spread across three Midwestern states—price cuts with the potential to cost Kroger hundreds of millions of dollars on the Midwest-based company’s home turf according to the Cincinnati Business Courier.
“We have concluded that Wal-Mart’s efforts are fairly broad-based and likely mark the second phase of reduction activity which started in earnest over the summer of 2016,” Scott Mushkin, an analyst for New York-based Wolfe Research. “We continue to believe that industry participants, particularly strong operators like Kroger, will not stand by and watch Wal-Mart lower prices, but will indeed react to protect market share."
Walmart announced plans last year to invest billions over the course of the next several years as part of a strategy to lower prices, and Mushkin noted that Kroger will most likely follow suit.
Mushkin’s research showed lowered prices at six Walmart stores in Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan—markets that have traditionally been very strong for Kroger. The cuts were, in part significant because they come on the heels of Walmart price cuts in North Carolina—another market where the company is in fierce competition with Kroger.
Kroger is battling pricing issues on two fronts—with food deflation affecting the grocery industry hard over the course of the last nine months and steep competition from Walmart and other discount competitors sparking price wars in some markets. By midday on Thursday, the Courier reported, Kroger stock dropped another 41 cents, or more than 1 percent, to $32.82.
What will the future hold as these two retail titans vie for superiority? For updates as the situation progresses, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.


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The major flaw in Facebook’s planned cryptocurrency, Libra, is that it’s a closed system — akin to a “walled garden.”
That’s the argument made by Marcus Treacher, Ripple’s senior vice president of customer success, in a CNBC interview published on Sept. 27.
“Walled garden” strategies and the antitrust pushback
The “walled garden” metaphor has notably been used in the past to refer to commercial strategies pursued by tech giants such as Apple, who endeavor to retain complete control over the software, apps and accessories related to their proprietary devices.
This very strategy has come under fire during recent attempts to take down these ostensibly monopolistic practices by anti-trust campaigners and lawmakers. The implications for the likes of Amazon, Apple and Facebook — even ahead of its Libra project — are expected to come into sharper view with the conclusion of a major United States antitrust probe now underway.
In leveling his critique against Libra, Treacher claimed that the Ripple network, by contrast, “has no parameter. It connects with all of the players that want to use the technology.”
He nonetheless weighed that it was still a “really good thing” that a Silicon Valley behemoth like Facebook had envisioned for itself a role in the digital asset space.
Libra not intended to replace currencies, says association head
As Treacher acknowledged, global regulators are, arguably, yet more concerned about the potential threat to national fiat currencies that Libra represents — an anxiety that the Libra Association’s managing director, Bertrand Perez, today attempted to quell.
Speaking today at a blockchain conference hosted at United Nation headquarters in Geneva, he is reported to have stated that:
“We are not in the area of implementing any monetary policy with the [Libra] Reserve.”
Perez further claimed that the cryptocurrency project could help with the fulfillment of multiple
U.N. sustainable development goals, such as eliminating poverty and reaching gender equality.
The conference reportedly included speakers from the Swiss National Bank and International Monetary Fund, among others.
“Each Libra is deposited one-to-one with traditional currencies and no new money is created. There is no impact on interest and yields. In this sense, the Libra reserve cannot disturb monetary policy.”


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EBay said Wednesday it is dropping significantly the fees it charges merchants to list items, hoping to encourage the sellers to increase their marketplace inventory.
The move comes as a significant number of sellers seek alternatives to what they perceive as high costs and unfavorable commerce conditions, shifting items to competing marketplaces from rivals like Amazon.com and Overstock.com as well as to their own online stores.
The fee changes, due to take effect in September in the U.S., are the latest in a string of adjustments eBay has rolled out this year in order to jump-start transaction and revenue growth in its online marketplace.
In January, eBay announced a set of controversial changes that included rebalancing its fee structure and tightening standards for merchants, and that caused many merchants to cry foul.
The centerpiece of the new fee structure is a flat rate of US$0.35 for fixed-price “Buy It Now” listings in most categories and an extension of the listings’ time length from seven to 30 days. EBay will also let merchants list multiple quantities of the same item for a single $0.35 fee.
Along with the listing reduction comes an adjustment on the commission fees, which will rise or fall depending on items’ categories and sale prices.
The most impacted category is the one for books, music, DVDs, movies and video games, which will see an even lower flat-fee listing fee of $0.15, but higher commission charges. A full run-down of the new fee structure has been posted in this page.
While across-the-board fee changes affect merchants in different ways, depending on a variety of elements like item price and product category, eBay said it is confident that most merchants will see a drop in their eBay marketplace costs.
“We aim to be the most competitive marketplace online, and this new, incredibly low pricing helps us achieve that goal,” said Lorrie Norrington, president of eBay Marketplaces, in a statement.
Fees for products sold via auction remain unchanged from the latest changes applied to them earlier this year.
EBay also announced that starting in October it will no longer accept checks or money orders as it moves to what it calls “a fully electronic checkout process” that will rely on PayPal and credit card payments.


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Transformers Online Starts Open Beta Testing In China
The latest Transformers movie might have been a huge disappointment, but the Transformers Online game seems to be doing rather well. According to MMO Culture, the Chinese-exclusive game transitioned into open beta last week to coincide with Transformers: The Last Knight’s release in China. The devs also added in the first female bot in the game along with new maps, skins, and minor tweaks and fixes.
Tencent has also released The Last Knight-themed skin bundles which cost around $15 each. Check them out in the videos below starring Chinese Optimus Prime and Megatron.


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In an interview with Bloomberg, Ye confirmed that he plans to branch out from having corporate partners for his Yeezy brand after his current deals with adidas and GAP end in 2026 and 2030.
“It’s time for me to go it alone,” West told Bloomberg. “It’s fine. I made the companies money. The companies made me money. We created ideas that will change apparel forever. Like the round jacket, the Foam Runner, the slides that have changed the shoe industry. Now it’s time for Ye to make the new industry. No more companies standing in between me and the audience.”
Ye also plans to launch Donda campuses across the US which will host schools, farms, shopping and dorms. It will be hub for YEEZY-designed products unique to the imprint’s physical retail stores and online shops.


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More than a third of children's salt consumption is from breads and cereals, researchers have found.
Analysis of young people's diets found that they eat an "unhealthy amount of salt on a daily basis". 36% of this salt comes from cereal and bread-based products, according to the new research.
The study, published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension, found that many children are exceeding the recommended intake of salt on a daily basis.
More top news
Two other men missing on Scotland's hills this winter have yet to be found.
The decision was made after two Russian athletes failed drugs tests at the PyeongChang Games.
Sunday will be dry and largely sunny, although there will be some patchy cloud, mainly across eastern Scotland and eastern England.


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Prime Finance is Business Insider's midday summary of the top stories of the past 24 hours.
To sign up, scroll to the bottom of this page and click 'Get updates in your inbox.'
It's official: DuPont and Dow Chemical are merging in a $130 billion deal.
The advisory roster on the deal includes Wall Street dealmaker Michael Klein, who is advising Dow Chemicals.
In other news, an anonymous short-seller called a company a 'Ponzi-like real-estate scheme,' sending the stock crashing.
Here are the top Wall Street headlines at midday -
How 'The Big Short' director turned the financial collapse into a big, celebrity-stacked comedy - Adam McKay is best known for directing some of Will Ferrell’s biggest movies — “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” “Step Brothers.”
Junk bonds are flashing their biggest warning sign since 2009 - The US economy is changing gears, and some parts of the bond market are feeling the pressure.
How the founders of the hottest IPO in tech created a $5.78 billion company: 'Discipline' - Atlassian, the profitable Australian business-software company, had a stunning public-market debut on Thursday.
Men’s Wearhouse, George Zimmer is waiting for your call - Men's Wearhouse shares are getting hammered after the company reported ugly earnings. The founder of the company, George Zimmer, says it's clear where the retailer went wrong.
Meet the man breaking down Deutsche Bank's 'ivory tower mentality' - If Deutsche Bank wasn't a bank, it would be an art gallery.
China just dropped a hint about the next massive change for its currency - China's Central Bank suggested in an editorial on Friday that it may be time to de-peg the yuan from the dollar, and instead peg it to a basket of currencies.
The weird speculation that Apple could buy GoPro makes perfect sense — here's why - Facebook, Sony, Google, HTC, Microsoft, and just about every other company under the sun appear to be prepping for a future ruled by virtual reality, interactive holograms, and dorky-looking goggles.
Elsewhere on the web -


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- Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has named a new CMO.
- Hector Munoz — formerly VP of marketing for the chain —has been promoted to the role and will be responsible for aiding the development of ads, promotions, products, and menu ideas.
- Sales have been consistently positive for the last 17 quarters so Munoz will be taxed with innovating to move the brand forward. As chicken just surpassed beef as in the list of top US food choices for the first time ever, the timing of his promotion could work to his advantage.
Though Popeyes have been performing well, sometimes keeping a successful brand moving forward can be just as big of a challenge as salvaging a sinking one. Munoz has already been contributing to the brand's success as VP of marketing so his experience will likely translate well into the CMO role.


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Mérida, Yucatán — After 22 surprise inspections, the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco), suspended both a VIP cinema and a food vendor/restaurant after finding they violated the rules.
And more shutdowns are anticipated in the weeks leading to Easter Sunday.
The restaurant was found to have inaccurate scales and 250 canned seafood products lacking labels with complete information. Both the cinema and the restaurant failed to post prices, Profeco said.
The names of the affected establishments were not announced.
The crackdown is meant to protect the wave of vacationers who will arrive for Holy Week.
Profeco is stationed in the Lucas de Gálvez market, monitoring seafood prices, reported José Antonio Nevares Cervera, of Profeco.
Last year’s Holy Week crackdown snagged five businesses, which were closed and accused of inaccurately weighing their seafood.
The operation lasts 40 days and intensified beginning on Ash Wednesday. The inspectors will visit restaurants, markets, self-service stores and any type of business where seafood is sold, said Nevares Cervera.