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With the number of members who have opted not to conduct transactions with paper checks continuing to grow, St. Cloud Federal Credit Union knew it was time to make a change.
What’s your wallet made of – leather, or bits and bytes? At CUNA’s recent Government Affairs Conference held in Washington that was a key question raised among those close to the evolution of payment transactions.
Sixteen credit unions signed on with the JHA Payment Processing Solutions division of Jack Henry & Associates Inc. during the first half of its 2012 fiscal year, which ended on Dec. 31, the company said.
New clients include the $2 billion Keesler FCU in Biloxi, Miss., the company and credit union said.
Kristen Christian, the Los Angeles art dealer, will speak at the CUNA GAC on March 18-22 in Washington, D.C., and at CSCU's annual conference in St. Petersburg, Fla. on April 25-29.
A California credit union's concerns that Los Angeles retailers may be steering their members away from using their credit union-issued debit cards appeared unfounded last week.
One CUSO predicts the four areas credit unions and banks will focus on in 2012 are profitability, efficiency, product and service mix and deeper member and customer relationships.
PSCU CEO compares struggle with banks to "Davd in the Goliath battle."
When considering how to save money in the back office, some say too many credit unions retreat from looking carefully at their credit and debit card program, often believing the portfolios are too complicated to understand or manage more efficiently.
A new white paper offered by Card Services for Credit Unions urges CUs to review the way they process debit and credit card transactions with an eye toward both reducing costs on the debit side and increasing revenue on the credit side.


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NEW YORK: Retailers hoping to boost their profits this holiday season will be simultaneously cheered, yet concerned, by a new survey that suggests American consumers plan to spend more this year, but many will never pay full price.
According to Accenture, the professional services firm, 44% of US consumers plan to spend more than they did last year, but 42% say they rarely or never expect to pay full price for an item during the holiday season.
In addition, around two-thirds (67%) say they will buy goods from different stores or websites to get the lowest price, while nearly three-quarters (72%) say they would shop with a retailer they haven't used in the last year if they are offered promotions.
Now in its tenth year, the Accenture Holiday Shopping Survey based its findings on an online poll of 1,500 US consumers that was carried out in September.
While the survey indicates that a significant proportion of consumers intend to be frugal this year, it appears they are also "willing to give more to receive more".
More than half (54%) say they are open to sharing personal information and shopping preferences in return for personalised offers, which is a major increase on the 33% of consumers who felt the same way in 2014.
Discounts and coupons (78%) are most effective at persuading shoppers to share their personal data, although loyalty card points (52%) and highly relevant promotions (47%) also work.
"The good news is that US consumers plan to spend more and are increasingly willing to share personal information to receive offers – but they remain focused on frugal bargain hunting," said Jill Standish, Senior MD of Retail at Accenture.
"The clear opportunity for retailers is to learn all they can about their customers and use these insights to provide the personalised and timely deals consumers are seeking. By optimising inventory and marketing, they can increase the profitability of each customer visit to their store or website and maximise each click," she added.
Data sourced from Accenture; additional content by Warc staff

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Mark Birchall, the chef of the Michelin-starred Moor Hall restaurant, which was crowned the best restaurant in the UK at the Estrella Damn National Restaurant Awards last year, announced that the restaurant and rooms will open from July 22.
British chef Birchall said: “I cannot wait to reopen the doors to Moor Hall. The last few months have been incredibly challenging, as they have been for the rest of our industry. Our entire business is built on the loyalty and devotion of our team, our suppliers and our guests. I am thrilled that we are once again able to work with our favorite small businesses, artisans and farmers that are so crucial to what we do at Moor Hall, and start welcoming back our guests once more.”
The UK government has given restaurants the green light to reopen from July 4, providing they adhere to the rules of keeping guests at least one meter apart, Elite Traveler reported. Moor Hall plans to move forward to make its guests feel safe. It brings innovative measures such as guests’ temperature checks, new digital menus, glass screens between tables and contactless payment methods such as Apple Pay.


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HAZLET – Heads up. Hazlet Plaza, at Poole Avenue and Route 35 North, is getting a facelift. A contractor was taking measurements Friday, a merchant said.
Property owner Park Brooke Hazlet said it will spend about $500,000 for a façade upgrade along its 1,270 foot long front, according to a zoning permit filed at Town Hall.
The shopping center, once anchored by shuttered Toys R Us, faces the Hazlet Town Center shopping plaza across Route 35. That center is now undergoing major renovation by OASG Hazlet, LLC with new tenant Burlington, and soon lots of plantings, the planned expansion and relocation of Planet Fitness, the addition of Panera Bread and another unnamed restaurant.
An application for a Wawa with gas, opposed by two Hazlet gas station owners, is still being heard by the Land Use Board.
The Hazlet Plaza shopping center is now hosting a Spirit Halloween pop-up, as well as several popular Hazlet destinations like Normandie Bakery, Gem’s, the Max Challenge of Hazlet, Philadelphia Pretzel Co.


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FAXON, Okla. (TNN) -The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association has compiled a list of ranchers across the state who are selling beef directly to consumers.
Cattle prices have plummeted during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, more beef producers are selling their product directly to consumers instead of going through a supply chain.
“It really gives you a chance to market your genetics for one, meat quality that is in your program, as well as increases your profitability,” said rancher, Cody Pearce.
Pearce says it also provides a level of transparency to the consumer.
“If you ask me the genetics of that particular animal that you’re purchasing, I can tell you,” said Pearce. “If you ask me what breed they are, I can tell you. If you ask me how many days they were on feed, I can tell you. If you ask the meat counter clerk or whomever at the big box stores, they’re not going to know where it came from.”
As for price, it depends on the type of beef you buy, which can range from grass fed to grain fed.
“In that case, would that consumer be saving money versus going to a grocery store, well maybe not in a dollar sense, but they might be getting something that they want, and that they’re willing to pay for which is a value to them,” said Michael Kelsey, Executive Vice President of Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association.
Kelsey says for a producer to be able to sell directly to a consumer, they must first go through the Department of Agriculture.
“Part of those verification processes are, are you using a state inspected plant to process your meat,” said Kelsey. “You have to do that in order to be able to sell your meat locally your beef locally.”
For anyone interested in buying straight from a producer, Pearce says it’s usually sold on hoof, meaning the consumer commits to buying a percentage of the animal while it’s still alive. He says, it’s not a quick process.
“From the time we put an animal on feed, from the time it’s making it to your freezer, we’re looking at probably five to six months,” said Pearce. “So it’s something that you don’t decide on Monday that you want to have a beef, and then it’s in your freezer the following Saturday.”
To find the OCA’s list of ranchers in our area, you can go to their website, OKCattlemen.org.


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BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The European Commission launched legal action Tuesday against the British government over Internet advertising tracker Phorm, which it claims violates EU data privacy laws.
According to The Times in Britain, Internet Service Provider BT covertly used the controversial user-tracker several years ago. Phorm monitors a user's surfing habits and provides the information to clients for targeted advertising.
Viviane Reding, the European Union's Commissioner for Information Society and Media, announced the first round of legal moves Tuesday.
"Technologies such as Internet behavioral advertising can be useful for businesses and consumers but they must be used in a way that complies with EU rules," Reding said in a statement, The Times reports. "These rules are there to protect the privacy of citizens and must be rigorously enforced by all member states."
The European Commission claims BT conducted trials in 2006 and 2007 without the consent or knowledge of users and then followed with invitation-only trials last year, all of which has drew an uproar within the UK, including "hundreds of complaints" made to the EU.
"I call on the UK authorities to change their national laws and ensure that national authorities are duly empowered and have proper sanctions at their disposal to enforce EU legislation on the confidentiality of communications," Reding said.
The UK signed on to EU ePrivacy Directive in 2002, which took effect in October 2003. But the European Commission said British laws are not matching up to the directive.
UK law makes it illegally to unlawfully intercept communications, but it's limited to "intentional" interception only, which is seen as too gray an area for Phorm and similar tracking services to sneak in.
The EU privacy directive states user consent must be "freely given, specific, and informed", and also requires EU member states -- which includes Britain -- to impose sanctions should rules be violated.
London law enforcement declined to step in last year over the BT-Phorm trial, because of "implied consent" from ISP users and a lack of criminal intent on the part of either company.
The EC believes both companies should have been fined for their surreptitious actions. The UK government has two months to respond to the charges, which could ultimately lead to a decision in the European Court of Justice as well as daily fines.
In her weekly video message via the EC website, Reding lashed out further.
"Privacy is a particular value for us Europeans; a value reflected in European laws for many years." she said. "However, in spite of the many advantages of technological development, there is an undeniable risk that privacy is being lost to the brave new world of intrusive technologies. On the global information highways, personal information is increasingly becoming 'the new currency.' And I believe that Europeans... must have the right to control how their personal information is used."
"European privacy rules are crystal-clear," she continued. "A person's information can only be used with their prior consent. We cannot give up this basic principle, and have all our exchanges monitored, surveyed and stored, in exchange for a promise of 'more relevant' advertisements. I will not shy away from taking action where an EU country falls short of this duty."
In a related move, EU regulators also are considering proposals to order social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace to hide minors' profiles from search engines, contending that protected the privacy of all minors is even more urgent than protecting adults.
The Times said Phorm has been investigated by UK police and government agencies because of privacy concerns. Meanwhile, its service has brought agreements with not only BT, but UK telecoms Virgin Media and TalkTalk, though no company has fully introduced the tracking system.
The Wall Street Journal reports English-based Phorm responded to the EC action Tuesday stating, "Phorm's technology is fully compliant with U.K. legislation and relevant European Union directives. We note that there is no suggestion to the contrary in the commission's statement."
The company also claimed it receives consent from users and does not store personal data or browsing histories.
Britain's Information Commissioner's Office would not comment on the EU actions.


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JR East to launch new luxury sleeper train
Date: Jun5, 2014
Source: The Yomiuri Shimbun
East Japan Railway Co. is ramping up efforts to increase the number of passengers who travel by train for sightseeing purposes. The company will launch a luxury sleeper trains service for affluent individuals as early as spring 2017. Also, JR East will develop and create travel products for foreign visitors to Japan in cooperation with Japan Airlines.
A new luxury 10-car sleeper train has six passenger cars and one dining car. The passenger cars have two types—one deluxe suite car with two compartments, and five suite cars with 15 compartments. Each compartment is for two persons, so only a maximum of 34 persons can travel overnight on the train.
The train’s interior design is inspired by Japanese-style wooden houses, the company said. JR East President Tetsuro Tomita unveiled at a press conference on Tuesday the company’s target consumer as wealthy individuals, including foreign visitors, saying, “We’d like passengers to enjoy Japan’s beautiful nature and culture of high quality through spending time on this train.”
Although the train’s service route has yet to be determined, the company will start operating the train within JR East’s train network. The railway operator is to examine the possibility of operating the train on other JR networks in the future.
Kyushu Railway Co.’s “Seven Stars in Kyushu” has set a precedent for cultivating demand from potential travelers. JR East is launching sightseeing train services, offering value in addition to the provision of a means of transportation for commuting and business trips. In April, JR East launched “SL Ginga,” a steam locomotive service inspired by famed author Kenji Miyazawa’s “Night on the Galactic Railroad” between Hanamaki and Kamaishi stations on the Kamaishi Line in Iwate Prefecture. The railway company will also introduce a car with footbaths on the Yamagata Shinkansen route from July.


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Technological developments in the manufacturing of silicones have meant that they can now be specified in an increasing range of personal care and cosmetics ingredients, bringing about greater formulation flexibility and efficacy.
“Silicones offer personal care formulators unique properties, like quick drying in deodorants or optimal effects like wrinkle masking which are difficult to replicate with other substances,” said Michel De Poortere, secretary general, CES.
“Silicones are cost-effective which is particularly sought after in everyday products like antiperspirants and deodorants,” De Poortere added.
Big impact on hair care solutions
Although silicones are used in a variety of industries, the cosmetics and personal care is one of the most important categories, with an estimated 18 per cent of all silicones production being devoted to this area.
Silicones can be found in a wide range of cosmetic, skin care and sun care products, but it is particularly in hair care products that they have been making an increasingly big impact in recent years.
De Poortere explained that contrary to the myth that silicones coat the hair and and weigh it, silicones can actually help improve the condition of limp hair.
“Silicones are often recommended for hair care products for limp and damaged hair as they strengthen and improve the condition of hair as well as protecting it from heat and styling damage,” said de Poortere.
“This is not limited to weakened hair as most conditioners contain silicones of some kind. Indeed, silicones are used in hair care products for all ethnicities.”
High-tech solutions to tackle increased competition
Although the silicones industry has been hit by stiff competition in recent years – including a number of ingredients launched as silicone alternatives - De Poortere believes that high-tech silicone ingredients will insure the future.
“In personal care, developments like organomodified or hybrid silicones – a substance which is part silicone, part natural – are opening up new markets,” said De Poortere.
By looking ahead, working closely with the market and regulators, De Poortere believes that the silicones industry is in a strong position to maintain and further build on its position within the cosmetics personal care industry, even in the face of greater competition.


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Rena sarigianopoulos dating
This year 200 participating restaurants in the Twin Cities, Duluth, and Mankato have agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds to The Aliveness Project on April 28.
Read the highlighted choices of hotspots and then plan your day to “Dine Out, Do Good” by checking out the full list of participating restaurants and the percentage of proceeds they’ll be donating at Box Izakaya — 35% Everybody knows their way around a sushi menu by now, but if you’re looking to step up your Japanese bar food and ramen game, take a trip to Zen Box Izakaya and explore a whole new menu of deliciously adventurous treats.
cafe of many hats, The Finnish Bistro is another great stop on the Tour de Dining Out for Life.
Their menu is seemingly never ending with a long list of wines, desserts, a gluten-free menu, all-day breakfast and a dinner menu. Paul cafe will make you feel like you’re traveling the world through your stomach.
Stay tuned for the wedding images to follow in another post!
You’ll see KARE11 personalities Sven Sundgaard and Rena Sarigianopoulos, in addition to hundreds of volunteers, wearing red aprons at your favorite restaurants that are generously donating portions of their proceeds to benefit The Aliveness Project.GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn.--Dining Out for Life is Thursday, April 27.Grab a few friends and dine out at one of the 160 participating restaurants that will be donating a portion of their sales that day to support people living with HIV/AIDS.Known for its drinks, food and dancing, Lush Food Bar will be donating 100% of their profits to AIDS organizations through Dining Out for Life.Their famous homemade guacamole is reason enough to check it out, not to mention the convenient bar food, which includes all of the staples: quesadillas, nachos and wings.


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Posted on August 13, 2019 - 11:28 AM
by Diane Sterling
B.Braun set to further expand Daytona Beach manufacturing plant: German medical products maker to invest $100 million, create another 100 jobs. These jobs, are $40,000 to $60,00 a year
The company’s capital investment in its facilities in Daytona Beach have totaled $250 million so far and was accompanied by a pledge to create at least 175 new jobs at its now-214,000-square-foot plant and 30 new jobs at its distribution center.


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For Andrea Kantelberg, "green" isn't just another one of those warm, fuzzy buy words exploited by slick marketers eager to cash in on the latest craze. The same might be said for Mitch Abrahams, Martin Blake and others like them in Greater Toronto's development industry – people for whom green is a way of work and a way of life.
And increasingly, they have allies among homebuyers who – despite being skeptical about products being labelled green – are making it known they want residences that are safe, cheap to operate and enviro-friendly.
So while the trees may be changing colour, the great push of 2007 toward greening our homes and lifestyles will only gain momentum through fall and winter, Kantelberg, Abrahams, Blake and other industry leaders say.
"(Green priorities) will absolutely soon be the norm because we can't carry on as a world without making some serious changes," says Kantelberg, who has won awards for her numerous eco-friendly projects, including a Smart Environments award from the International Interior Design Association. "That's not preachy, that's reality."
Kantelberg, who lived in Holland between the ages of 8 and 14, says she grew up recycling and eating healthy, organic foods. "So designing green interiors was just a natural segue."
Owner of Kantelberg Design, a five-person boutique shop, she has worked on projects for Tridel, including the 1,900-square-foot Eco-Suite in Tridel's Element project.
That showcase unit features eco-friendly wallpaper and water-based, low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint. Her projects use recycled steel and drywall and local materials such as quartz or porcelain countertops instead of granite.
But building on the green trend and doing right by the environment all requires attention to economics.
Blake, vice-president of project implementation for Daniels Corp., fully agrees that the greening of the condo and new home construction industry is a good thing. "But the challenge is to make sure it is affordable as well," he says.
One way Daniels has been able to make costs work for clients is by building its subdivisions before the homes are sold, he says. Most GTA builders do it the other way round.
The strategy allows the builder to purchase materials in bulk and pass on savings to buyers, he says, adding that Daniels also scraps many costly cosmetic upgrades in favour of energy-saving materials and appliances.
The extra initial costs of quality windows or beefed-up insulation can easily be recouped within a few years of lower operating costs, Blake says. "But it's not just the energy and cost savings that count, it's also a tangible benefit to the environment."
And as these messages gradually permeate the public consciousness, the green trend only solidifies itself.
Alas, there's still a long way to go. A recent Ipsos Reid survey of Canadian homeowners indicates many are still not convinced that going green will save them money, and almost two-thirds think that when a company calls a product green it is usually just a marketing ploy.
"There is a lot of skepticism about green products out there and men are even more skeptical than women," says home improvement expert Jon Eakes, a spokesperson for insulation manufacturer Icynene, which commissioned the poll.
So how can homebuyers cut through all the noise to ensure a product billed as environmentally friendly is just that and not simply more greenwash?
Abrahams, president of the Benvenuto Group, a residential condo developer, admits it isn't always easy. "Sometimes there is more marketing than substance," he says.
Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence, says consumers must look carefully at products and homes being peddled as eco-friendly, saying many don't live up to their billing.
"Some of their green stuff reminds me of the developers who name their subdivisions after the very natural features they have just obliterated – you know, Wildflower Lane," Smith says. "We're living in an era where every manufacturer claims to be green and buyers are vulnerable to unsubstantiated builders' claims."
It doesn't help that the construction industry itself is still grappling to define what it really means to build green, he adds. "We're at the very beginnings of this debate," he says. "I think buyers have to proceed with caution and carefully examine these claims."
That means homebuyers should look for recognized eco-brands such as LEED, Energy-Star and Green Globe when it comes to assessing whether a home – or any other product – can live up to an eco-friendly billing, Smith says.
Buyers should also look for homes with built-in features such as smart thermostats, solar water heaters, extra insulation and energy-efficient windows.
Most of the ratings systems such as LEED and Energy-Star focus on energy efficiency, but Smith predicts that over the next few years, a system to create eco-standards for building materials will also evolve.
This will rate materials according to their levels of toxicity or whether they are organically produced. Currently, there is a rating system for lumber called FSC – the Forest Stewardship Council – the "gold standard" for enviro-wood, Smith says.
Then there are the consumers who say they would purchase environmentally safe products, but only if there is no price difference and they can still get the upscale products they want.
"It's great to say in a focus group that you care about the environment," Blake says. "But are you willing to give up your granite countertops (which have often been transported from Europe)?"
Blake agrees with Kantelberg about the importance of buying and building local. "No more imported Kentucky limestone; why don't we just go with what the local environment has," he says. "There has to be a recognition of the cost and the impact," he adds.
So is using granite for your countertops eco-friendly? "Forget about it," Kantelberg says. "People may perceive it as a natural product, but it is not a renewable product."
The granite is often mined in Italy, and the weight and the long-distance shipping mean huge costs for the environment in carbon emissions, she says.
"For all those reasons, it is a poor choice," Kantelberg says. "There are so many products, such as recycled bottles, that are good alternatives."
Smith agrees, calling stone countertops "an environmental disaster. The energy alone used to power the water-cooled saws needed to cut marble is gigantic," Smith says.
Abrahams of Benvenuto Group says buildings also have to be constructed with an eye to how they will "perform" down the road.
What kind of eco-friendly homes will hit the market in 15 years? And how will communities build to save energy?
Smith, Abrahams and Blake all foresee more localized solar and wind power for our homes and more use of geothermal systems for heating and cooling.
And most new homes will be net-zero homes, meaning they consume less power than they generate through renewable sources.
Abrahams also says that making more efficient use of land and cutting the need for carbon-based transportation is crucial, using Benvenuto Group as an example for taking an "eyesore" sunken parking lot near Eglinton Ave. E. and Yonge St. and turning it into energy-efficient condos.
"I think intensifying is key to the whole green movement," he says.


text: OHC has recently moved into its new 147,000 square foot warehouse in Lufkin, Texas in order to accommodate the addition of 2 million board feet of lumber that came with the Sitco acquisition. The new warehouse will contain a fully functional Millwork division of OHC with all of the manufacturing capabilities of their state of the art Stockton Plant. We recently broke ground on the new offices and Machining operations, a building from the current OHC Angelina Plant will be moved to the new Lufkin Warehouse to accommodate the new machines. This new Millwork facility will add an additional 21,000 square feet to the existing structure. Rocky Thigpen, originally from Angelina Hardwoods Co., was brought on to be the new warehouse manager. He has over 30 years of experience in the lumber industry and will be bringing all he has learned to his new position. “We are lucky to have him and can’t wait to see what all he can achieve with his new position” said Lee Robinson, Vice President of OHC.


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Can Mobile Wallets Increase Access to Remittances and Other Financial Services?
Digital is transforming remittances, enabling people to move their money around quickly, inexpensively and more conveniently. As we celebrate the International Day of Family Remittances, commemorating the significant contributions migrants make to their families back home and to the broader economy, an important question to ask is: How effective has this digital remittance transformation been in driving inclusive financial access and ecosystem growth?
One market where this question is most relevant is Jordan. Home to more than 600,000 Syrian refugees, Jordan hosts the second highest ratio of refugees in the world - 89 refugees per 1,000 inhabitants. A significant proportion of these refugees are women and children, with more than 80 percent living below the poverty line. This often means they are excluded from the formal financial system. Yet, a key area of opportunity is that most of these refugees use mobile phones. In fact, about 10 to 20 percent of their aid received is spent on connectivity such as airtime and data.
So to increase financial inclusion among Syrian refugees in Jordan, GIZ teamed up with Dinarak, a licensed payment service provider in Jordan, to explore digital solutions for increasing access and usage of remittances and financial services. This Dig#ttances project rolled out in 2015 and as it came to an end in early 2019, Amarante Consulting was brought in to perform a final evaluation of this public-private partnership. In our assessment, we emphasized learnings and challenges with mobile wallet uptake among the target population of Syrian refugees, women and unbanked Jordanians.
Our findings shed light on the question we asked above: how effective has digital been in promoting access to remittances and financial services and driving ecosystem growth? Here we share with you some of our answers:
Registrations have been successful, but usage is low: As of October 2018, of the total 8,000 Syrian refugees registered for mobile wallets with payment service providers in Jordan, Dinarak alone accounted for 5,000 registrations. Although this share is impressive, the number pales in comparison with the total population of over 600,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan. To add to that, usage is very low. Amarante’s investigation revealed that low funds and lack of trust in the digital ecosystem play a major role in this low usage. Also, refugees do not directly receive humanitarian aid onto their wallets, creating a “negative nudge” away from usage. This brings us to our next point.
Fewer wallet use cases limit uptake: The humanitarian industry is currently rather disconnected from payment service providers, meaning refugees have to take an extra step to deposit humanitarian cash transfers into their wallets, creating a first barrier to adoption. The integration of humanitarian cash transfers and digital transactional accounts is needed to help address this. If refugees received aid into their wallets, this would set off a series of use cases that could drive enhanced financial usage and growth of the digital financial services ecosystem. Other use cases such as direct deposit of salaries into wallets and multiple digital user experiences such as tap-and-pay can also help galvanize the uptake of digital financial services.
Expansive agent networks still rule the roost: Even though digital has made significant headway in the remittances space globally, in most markets it still relies on agents to deliver services at the last mile. Jordan is no exception. A strong agent network is a prerequisite to expanding access to financial services. Besides, in predominantly cash-led and communal societies such as Jordan, customers value the human interaction very highly and there is a certain market learning curve which is best serviced by the “phygital” (a combination of physical and digital) before going full digital. Realizing this, Dinarak with GIZ’s support invested in 217 agents in 421 locations across Jordan.
However, agent incentivization and branding is very important. Despite these efforts by Dinarak in increasing number of agents, wallet customers interviewed in Irbid, for example, preferred to travel to Dinarak’s shop in the city center mall to carry out transactions instead of going to their nearest agent, raising questions about customer preference, trust and legacy. On the supply-side, agents will need the right incentive structures to be sufficiently motivated to drive financial usage and they also need to be well branded with clear and attractive signage to make them easily visible to current and future users.
In conclusion, Jordan offers myriad opportunities for an inclusive digital ecosystem to develop and mature. However, payment service providers like Dinarak cannot work in isolation. A continued joint effort is needed by the Central Bank of Jordan, the private sector and development partners to:
- Facilitate joint digital and financial literacy efforts to raise awareness and comfort levels among refugees, women and unbanked populations to go from cash to digital.
- Widen the range of wallet use cases starting with targeting direct incoming funds into the wallet, thereby expanding end-customer choices. The current dominant use case of bill payments cannot address a gamut of financial needs among the unbanked. More thoughtfully designed use cases will be needed to provide the necessary impetus to drive increased usage.
- Increase synergies between humanitarian and digital realms in order to engage Syrian refugees and women.
- Create the right incentive structures for agents to be more involved in propelling financial usage. Innovative models such as partnerships with MFIs that can finance agents and cashbacks or discounts to agents could help create the initial momentum.
- Increase interoperability among wallet providers so that users and bulk disbursement providers (like humanitarian organizations) can transact easily across wallets offered by multiple payment service providers.


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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 26 January 2024: Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Sendo Ichi Seafood proudly announce the collaboration in organizing the first ever Japanese Seafood Fest 2024, showcasing the finest treasures from Japan’s seas. This event aims to strengthen cultural and business ties between Japan and Malaysia, offering a delightful experience for seafood enthusiasts and culinary connoisseurs alike.
At the official media launch, Koichi Takano, Managing Director of JETRO Kuala Lumpur highlighted the significance of this culinary celebration.
“Our role at JETRO is to support the export of Japanese products including food globally. In Malaysia, we are delighted to note the value of food exports from Japan to Malaysia has more than tripled over the past five years. We are deeply grateful to Malaysians who recognise and have an appreciation for the quality and the taste that only Japanese food can bring.” stated Koichi Takano, Managing Director of JETRO Kuala Lumpur.
“I invite everyone to relish the exquisite Japanese seafood on offer, with the hope that it fosters a newfound appreciation of Japanese seafood. It is also my wish that you can continue this experience by visiting renowned establishments such as Sushi Yoshi, HUT Sake Bar, and Ten Itsu. For those who prefer the comfort of home, premium Japanese seafood is readily available at retail stores like Mochiya Fine Food Store.” he added.
The festival kicked off with a grand launch featuring the carving of a 60 kg live tuna by renowned chef Otsuka Kenji of Sushi Yoshi. Guests and VIPs were treated to an exquisite sashimi delight, savoring the freshness and exceptional taste of Japan’s harvest.
“Today is a significant occasion as JETRO and Sendo Ichi unite for the Japanese Seafood Fest 2024. This event serves as a platform to introduce and highlight the excellence of fresh, sustainable seafood directly imported from Japan. Sendo Ichi upholds its commitment to the core principle of ‘freshness first.” said Aldred Yaw, General Manager of Sendo Ichi Malaysia. He added, “Sendo Ichi remains steadfast to ethically source food products globally. We pride ourselves on delivering the freshest, highest quality food to health-conscious consumers, adhering rigorously to all food safety handling standards.”
Collaborating with the best Japanese restaurants and partners such as Sushi Yoshi, HUT Sake Bar, Ten itsu, and Mochiya, the Japanese Seafood Fest aims to connect the artistry of Japanese gastronomy with culinary enthusiasts. Attendees can learn the craft of delightful handrolls, turning the festival into a feast for both the eyes and the stomach.
As part of the interactive experience, festival-goers can explore Japan’s harvest, test their knowledge in a quiz, and be rewarded with samples of Maguro (Bluefin Tuna), Kaki (Oyster), Hotate (Scallop), Saba (Mackerel), and Hamachi (Yellowtail). To cap off the culinary adventure, visitors are encouraged to try on a “yukata” to commemorate the occasion.
Foodies and visitors are invited to register for the event to receive a RM20 cash voucher from Mochiya. The Japanese Seafood Fest 2024 will take place from 26th to 28th January 2024, from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at WOW Plaza (South Entrance), Lalaport, Bukit Bintang City Centre.


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HMD will be unveiling a new device during the MWC event in Barcelona next month. We already presume that it will be the long-awaited five cameras Nokia 9 PureView. According to information online, the China 3C has already certified the device. Even though that does not say anything about the specifications, we already know that an 18W quick charger will also be included in the box.
With a 5V @ 3A, 9V @2A or 12V @ 1.5A adapter rating, it seems that the adapter will support Qualcomm quick charge and with a USB – Power deliver up to 15W through the 5V @ 3A current. The rumours have revealed that the device will come with 4,150mAh battery capacity. The certification also showed the model number as TA – 1094. This model number has been seen before as well as the TA – 1087 and TA – 1082.
According to previous rumours, the device will come with a 6 – inch display fingerprint scanner and will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. A 5G version of the device that is going to be compatible with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 will likely be announced by Nokia later in future.
You can watch the video of the Nokia 9 PureView that was leaked last month.
According to online rumours, The device will likely come with a 5 camera system at the back, positioning its camera prowess just like the way Nokia did in 41MP Lumia 1020 back in 2013. The five cameras might come with the main RGB sensor, telephoto(zoom), wide angle, monochrome (black and white) and a depth sensor. What do you think about this device?


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By Joseph Woelfel
Nearly 35 million Americans will travel during the Memorial Day weekend but fewer will drive as gas prices in some regions move over $4 a gallon, the American Automobile Association said Thursday.
New Auto ETF Exemplifies Growing Auto MarketFord Building Transmission Plant in ChinaUnited Apologizes for Using 9/11 Flight NumbersAAA projects 34.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Memorial Day holiday weekend -- Thursday, May 26 to Monday, May 30 -- up 0.2% from last year.
Most Americans -- 30.9 million -- will travel during the weekend by car, slightly down from last year. About 88% of holiday travelers will use their cars.
The average price for regular gasoline nationally is $3.91, down from $2.85 last year, AAA said.
Six out of 10 said rising gasoline prices wouldn't impact their travel plans, according to the survey, AAA said. Of the remaining four out of 10 who said rising gas prices would impact their plans, 70% will economize in other areas and the rest will take a shorter trip or travel by other means, AAA said.
AAA said the number of air travelers is expected to increase by 11.5% during the Memorial Day weekend.
"Memorial Day travel experienced a gain of more than 14% in 2010, and this year we expect to add slightly to that gain due to an increase in air travel and an improvement in the overall domestic economic picture," said AAA President and CEO Robert Darbelnet, in a press release. "Some travelers will compensate for the higher fuel costs by cutting other areas of their travel budgets."
Written by Joseph Woelfel
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Preston Henn – an 85-year-old car collector hailing from Florida – is suing Ferrari for refusing to sell him an example of its highly coveted LaFerrari Spyder hypercar, and for rubbing salt in the wound by purportedly stating Henn is “not qualified” to own the neck-snappingly quick automobile.
Most 85-year-old drivers are chiefly concerned with keeping their driver’s licence and subsequent measures of independence–but Henn is not like most 85-year-olds. His chief concern is slotting in behind the wheel of an Italian hypercar that will nearly invert your eyeballs while accelerating from a stand-still to 100 km/h in fewer than three seconds.
Having owned many Ferraris over the course of 60 years, Henn is a self-described “Ferrarista.” Several of Ferrari’s top supercars are found in his collection, including the Ferrari F40, F50, Enzo, FXX, and LaFerrari. A 275 GTB and Schumacher-driven Ferrari F1 car are also among his impressive collection.
It’s worth noting that Ferrari restricted sales of its FXX development-supercar to only 30 loyal patrons–Henn included. More than 30 LaFerraris will be built, so it could be argued that Ferrari have already deemed Henn worthy of the privilege of owning its most exclusive sports cars.
After pleading with Ferrari to supply him with a LaFerrari Spyder, Henn went so far as to write a letter to Sergio Marchionne, chairman of Ferrari and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles–with a $1,000,000 cheque tucked in the envelope for good measure. The cheque was returned.
Henn continued to seek an explanation; it’s alleged that Henn heard through the grapevine that Ferrari employees said he was denied the LaFerrari Spyder because he is “not qualified” to own it. This displeased Henn, who took great offense to the alleged rationale behind Ferrari’s denying him his open-top LaFerrari.
That this Ferrari collector has been denied the latest drop-top Ferrari hypercar truly exemplifies a ‘first-world problem’–but regardless of Henn’s previous fortune, a jury will likely decide if a LaFerrari Spyder – or any measure of compensation – is indeed in his future.


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Jobs saved as Hays Travel buys Suffolk Thomas Cook stores
PUBLISHED: 10:48 09 October 2019 | UPDATED: 10:48 09 October 2019
Suffolk jobs could be saved after the UK’s largest independent travel agent acquired Thomas Cook’s entire retail estate.
Hays Travel has announced it will take over 555 former Thomas Cook sites, including all Suffolk branches.
The agreement will also provide re-employment opportunities for a significant number of former employees and is a huge leap for Hays which currently has 190 shops across the country.
MORE: Planning permission granted for huge Suffolk business park
The firm has already recruited 421 former Thomas Cook employees and this latest move could provide as many as 2,500 jobs for former employees.
Before its collapse last month Thomas Cook operated from a number of high street locations across the county, including Ipswich, Sudbury, Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds.
The official receiver and special managers from KPMG were appointed to head up the travel giant's liquidation and have said the deal represents an important milestone in the process.
David Chapman, official receiver, said: "I am pleased to announce we have reached an agreement with Hays Travel to acquire Thomas Cook's entire UK retail estate, comprising 555 stores across the country.
"This represents an important step in the liquidation process, as we seek to realise the company's assets."
Jim Tucker, partner at KPMG, added: "This is an extremely positive outcome, and we are delighted to have secured this agreement. It provides re-employment opportunities for a significant number of former Thomas Cook employees, and secures the future of retail sites up and down the UK high street.
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"We are pleased to have achieved this in a short time frame and in the context of a complex liquidation process, which is testament to a lot of hard work from a number of parties.
"Over the weeks ahead, we will work closely with Hays Travel and landlords to ensure a smooth transition of the store estate."
Along with Hays Travel the company also runs the Hays Travel Independence Group, a consortium of independent travel agents, and Just Go Travel.
John and Irene Hays, managing director and group chair, added: "Thomas Cook was a much-loved brand employing talented people. We look forward to working with many of them."
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This year’s ZOOLIGHTS will be bigger and brighter than ever before.
The most wonderful time of the year is on its way, and that means wonderful light displays are coming too! There’ll be many to choose from, but there’s a festive holiday experience that you just can’t miss: ZOOLIGHTS presented by Olympia Trust Company. Held at the Calgary Zoo, this popular light celebration is a magical, family-oriented tradition that features over two million twinkling lights, including 200+ light figurines and interactive and choreographed light displays.
Back for its 24th year, this award-winning festive event will be around for six weeks between November 20, 2020, and January 3, 2021. This year’s ZOOLIGHTS will feature more mesmerizing light exhibits than ever before, including the majestic Polar Wonderland, the cultural Journey to Wechiau, and the Enchanted Gardens in the ENMAX Conservatory. In addition, classic activities from previous years will return such as the skating rink, fire pits, Rival Axe Throwing, Lovers’ Lane, and Santa’s Cabin (social distance-style, of course).
Tickets are now on sale and entry between 5 pm and 9 pm will be staggered in 30-minute intervals to ensure visitor safety. General admission prices are $19.95 for adults (16+) and $14.95 for children (3–15). You’ll have to buy tickets in advance as tickets will not be sold onsite, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
A visit to these luminous displays at the zoo is a memorable way to enjoy the magic of the holiday season in a safe and physically-distanced way right in the heart of Calgary.
[Featured Image Source: Facebook / The Calgary Zoo]


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Amazon: Customers should be able to shop better after using deep learning17. May 2023
Amazon: Customers should be able to shop better after using deep learning
San Francisco, 5/17/2023
New job postings reveal Amazon’s plans to reinvent its search function by using large language models (e.g. ChatGPD).
A listing for a “Sr Technical Program Manager” said that Amazon is working on an “AI-First initiative” to transform the way the company searches through large-scale, next-generation deep learning techniques .
In another post for Sr SDE, Machine Learning (ML), Amazon Search, the company is working to improve shopping on its platform using LLMs’ conversational capabilities.
The listing called it “a one-time transformation for search.”
Conversational product search has the potential to reshape a key element of Amazon’s core retail business, according to Bloomberg. The search bar at the top of the app and on the home page has become the default portal for millions of shoppers in recent years. According to Bloomberg, everyone is looking for a specific product.
The result of a survey conducted by Jungle Scout at the beginning of the year fits into this concept: According to this, more than half of US buyers would state that they start their product search on Amazon.com and that is a higher proportion than on Google.
According to Bloomberg, Amazon wants to create a new interactive conversational experience for customers that will help them compare products, get personalized suggestions and find answers to product questions.
Amazon spokeswoman Keri Bertolino declined to comment on the job vacancies. “We are investing heavily in generative AI across all of our businesses,” she said in an email.


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Amazon is making a play for the prefabricated construction and smart home markets, investing in a California startup that manufactures custom single and multi-family homes that it claims are “high-quality, sustainable, healthy and durable”.
The behemoth Seattle-based electronic commerce and cloud computing company’s Alexa Fund announced its financial support for the prefabricated construction startup, called Plant Prefab, on Tuesday.
The prefab startup claims to be the first home factory in the US to focus on sustainable construction, materials, processes and operations.
The fledgling company aims to reduce construction time by 50 per cent and costs by 10-25 per cent in major cities. Its homes are also built to minimise the negative impact of development on energy, water, resources and indoor air quality.
Ray Kappe, Kieran Timberlake and Yves Behar are among the architects and designers that have partnered with the company so far.
“In the housing-crunched major cities like Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, along with areas like Silicon Valley, it takes too much time to build a home from groundbreaking to occupancy, and labor shortages, construction delays and increased construction costs are exacerbating this trend even further – and making homes increasingly less affordable,” Plant Prefab founder and chief executive officer Steve Glenn said.
“Building homes in factories addresses these challenges, particularly as we’re able integrate online technology, new building systems, and automation to dramatically reduce the time and cost necessary to design and build high-quality, custom homes.”
Amazon’s investment follows a series of product announcements in smart home technology to be controlled by the Alexa voice assistant, according to CNBC. This includes a smart microwave oven and a new service called Alexa Hunches that learns to ask if lights should go on or off (among other functions) based on previous activity.
“We’re thrilled to support [Plant Prefab] as they make sustainable, connected homes more accessible to customers and developers,” Paul Bernard, director of the Alexa Fund, said on Tuesday.
“Voice has emerged as a delightful technology in the home, and there are now more than 20,000 Alexa-compatible smart home devices from 3500 different brands,” he said.
Venture capital firm Obvious Ventures also funded Plant Prefab in its series A funding round, which raised $US6.7 million in total.
- See Forget sustainability and trust, you will get that in a box for “free” from Google’s Sidewalk Labs


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Winning with Customer Experience in Post COVID world
Winning with Customer Experience in Post COVID world
The COVID Epidemic has impacted our world in many ways; economic and psychological. The changing CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR can be managed by enhanced CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Published: Jun 30, 2020 12:41:09 PM IST
Updated: Jun 30, 2020 03:44:59 PM IST
The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed much about our world, from the way we live to the way we function. And this impact has been comprehensive and far-spread; from the smallest businesses to the biggest MNCs, none have escaped unscathed. Yet, as the economy opens up again, companies are formulating strategies to make up for the lost business. With the number of COVID-19 cases on the rise, this has proved to be an uphill task as consumers are still worried to venture out in the open as they did before. Dubbed as the "new normal," businesses have to live with the new realities of customer engagement and management. To deliberate upon what could be the way to "Winning with customer experience in the Post COVID world" Forbes India and SAP India organized an exclusive series of interaction with top industry honchos in India. Conducted over the Web, these engagements were meant to be a window to the corporate boardroom, where a strategy to deal with the aftermath of the epidemic is being formulated.
The objective of these interactions was to look at different aspects of coping up with the crisis, and how engaging the customer can be a critical differentiator between success and failure. To get a holistic view, companies across the spectrum participated in these deliberations, from manufacturing to reality, from health and hygiene to airlines. Spread across two sessions, these deliberations touched upon various aspects of business, and what could be the right approach to conducting business in the 'new normal'.
Sectoral variance of impact
One of the first things that became apparent and was acknowledged by the participants was the sectoral variation in the economic impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. While some segments suffered severely due to the crisis like auto and airlines, others might even see an uptick because of the outbreak, like healthcare and online marketplace. This variation was highlighted by Krishnan Chatterjee, CMO & CCO, SAP India, as he listed out the underlying implications for the corporate sector. Rajesh Ramakrishnan, MD, Perfetti Van Melle India, concurred with the sectoral variance sharing the example of how the lockdown had impacted an impulse-buy category of products like candies and chewing gum.
One of the sectors that have been severely impacted by the lockdown has been the auto sector. Through April, there were no new cars sold in India, which has never happened before, according to Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director, MG Motor India. There were 36, 860 cars sold in May 2020 which is a pittance when compared to 2,39,117 sold in May 2019. This gives a picture of how some sectors of the economy have been unaffected, while the rest have been crippled.
The best way to figure out this puzzle is to conscious repositioning and branding. As Narasimhan Eswar, Senior VP, RB India, shares a thumb-rule for corporate relevance; one needs to assess the customer category in which a particular company operates. If the goods and services produced by the company are not unique and not missed in their absence, it means that their relevance is low and hence they need to redesign or create a new category of product or service.
Tweaking business models
There's an old English adage that talks of how when the going gets tough the tough get going. Quite similarly, companies need to gird up and prepare for the tough times ahead. There are many aspects of a business that need to be evaluated and change, right from something as basic as a product offering to as complex as a business model. Companies that can reinvent and adapt during the times of duress are most likely to survive the downturn. Take the case of Bridgestone India, one of the leading tyre companies. Because of the epidemic, customers are wary of walking into showrooms to make a purchase; hence the company is looking at tweaking the business model. Parag Satpute, MD, Bridgestone India, spoke about how businesses need to adapt and bring about changes in their customer engagement, like creating time-slots for customer visits, or launching a new service like car sanitization to help alleviate consumer anxiety.
Innovation is another way to achieve sales growth during the lockdown period. Rajesh Ramakrishnan highlighted how the end consumer needs to be engaged. For instance as families were together at home during this period, Perfetti Van Melle’s flagship Jelly brand Alpenliebe Juzt Jelly leveraged the recipe campaign asking consumers to make home-made recipes with Alpenliebe Juzt Jelly as an active ingredient to bring alive the brand proposition of “Family Fun” in the lives of the consumers to provide them with much needed small moments of happiness.
Over the past few decades, there has been a significant shift in adopting technology in the business sector. From what was earlier a business differentiator, technology is now a business need. This trend towards digitization has been further enhanced by the COVID Pandemic. Even businesses that were earlier reluctant or slow in adopting technology have been forced to scale up to meet up with customer expectations quickly. Ravinder Pal Singh, Chief Information & Innovation Officer, Air Vistara, highlighted the technological side of the business, enumerating the different stages in which companies adopt digitization. He also highlighted how new-age technology like AI and Robotics was making its presence felt in the corporate sphere with 'codification of emotions' no more being a wild pursuit.
Neeraj Athalye, VP & Head - Customer Experience Solutions, SAP India also underscored this trend, talking of how the epidemic had led to a spurt of digitization. He shared an instance of how companies are now looking at digital means, from digital contracts to online deliveries. Technology has become a mainstay for corporates.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Dutt, MD & CEO, Tata Housing & TRL India emphasized on how customer needs to be at the very centre of any business strategy or realignment. He emphasized the need to provide satisfaction, comfort and trust to the customer through the use of technology.
In the end, while all the participants in the two-part series of "Winning with customer experience in the Post COVID world" by Forbes India and SAP India agreed that the times were challenging, the emphasis was also laid on resilience and innovation. In a post-COVID-19 world, businesses that can reinvent themselves through better customer engagement will get more potent than they were before.
Watch the webisode on: https://youtu.be/H9EGalODf4IDisclaimer: The views, suggestions and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Forbes India journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.


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DETROIT – General Motors Corp. said Tuesday its Chevrolet Volt rechargeable electric car should get 230 miles per gallon of gasoline in city driving, more than four times the mileage of the current champion, the Toyota Prius.
GM came up with the figure in early tests using draft guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for calculating the mileage of extended range electric vehicles, said Tony Posawatz, GM’s vehicle line director for the Volt.
If the figure is confirmed by the EPA, which does the tests for the mileage posted on new car door stickers, the Volt would be the first car to exceed triple-digit gas mileage, Posawatz said.
That is so cool, heck I might be buying this car in the near future…
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July pacing at record level for Aspen, Snowmass lodging industry
June wasn’t exactly famine, but July will definitely be feast for the Aspen-Snowmass Village lodging industry.
July is pacing toward a record month for both Aspen and Snowmass Village based on the reservations on the books as of June 30, according to a report by Bill Tomcich, president of Stay Aspen Snowmass, a central bookings agency for the resorts.
Aspen properties were pacing 16 percent ahead of last year while Snowmass was pacing 7 percent ahead for July, Tomcich wrote in his report.
Business is spread throughout the month instead of bunched into a few big days, he said. As of June 30, there wasn’t a single night in Aspen below 70 percent occupancy or greater than 88 percent, he reported. The growth appears to be more in midweek than on weekends.
The boost in July follows a flat June. Paid occupancy was down nearly 5 percent in Aspen for the month compared with last year. The average daily rate was up 3.7 percent despite lower occupancy.
In Snowmass Village, occupancy was up 12.2 percent but it came with a price. The average daily rate was down 3.2 percent.
In the two towns combined, occupancy was up one-half percent, according to Tomcich. However, that’s more a result of 2014’s strength rather than 2015’s weakness.
“While these results may not sound very impressive, it is important to keep in mind that June 2014 saw extraordinary increases over June 2013 in both Aspen and Snowmass with increases over the prior June of 10 percent and 30 percent, respectively,” Tomcich wrote.
Aspen’s experience among western resorts isn’t unique. DestiMetrics, a resort travel research organization that tracks reservations and occupancy at participating resorts, said aggregated occupancy for the resorts from May through October is up 6.8 percent compared with last year.
“Bookings made in June for the remainder of the summer remained strong, and 74 percent of last summer’s entire business has already been realized or booked,” said Ralf Garrison, director of DestiMetrics, in a statement.
Tomcich said in his report that the later calendar shift of Labor Day weekend this year will affect occupancy in late August and earlier September. August will start strong, based on current reservations, but taper off later in the month “probably to a greater degree than many were expecting, especially with the Aspen Music Festival extended through Aug. 23 this year,” Tomcich wrote.
On the other hand, September is shaping up well, particularly in Snowmass Village, with Labor Day weekend Sept. 5 through 7 and the Tough Mudder competition Sept. 11 and 12.
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The city of Aspen is moving toward annexing a piece of property at the Airport Business Center to piece together a 10-acre site for affordable housing.


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DOJ sues Google. The US Justice Department and eight states have filed a lawsuit against Google, accusing it of illegally engaging in a campaign to dominate the technology used to power online advertising. The complaint states that Google has distorted competition in the ad tech industry and seeks to have the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia force Google to sell much of its ad tech products, and to stop it from engaging in such practices. In a friendly tone, this marks a significant escalation of legal pressure on one of the world’s most powerful internet companies, and the first antitrust lawsuit against a tech giant under President Biden’s Administration.
The fifth antitrust lawsuit against Google has been filed by U.S. officials this year, as world governments continue to strive for curbing the power of tech giants over information and commerce online. Across Europe, Amazon, Google, Apple and others have been subject to antitrust investigations and charges, while new laws have been established to reduce the harms of social media and regulate data collection.
In the U.S., Google has come under special consideration. Last year, a group of states spearheaded by Texas initiated an antitrust lawsuit against the company related to advertising technology, and the Justice Department and a separate group of states launched a lawsuit in response to Google allegedly abusing its dominance of online search. In 2021, some states have also filed a lawsuit against Google’s app store practices.
Overall, the U.S. and other countries have taken steps to ensure that big tech companies are held accountable for their actions and that consumers are offered a fair and transparent online environment.
Get the full DOJ Press Release here: Justice Department Sues Google for Monopolizing Digital Advertising Technologies.


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iPhone XS and XS Max: hands-on with Apple’s giant new phone
Apple just announced the iPhone XS and XS Max Theyre iterations on last years iPhone X, but the XS Max at least stands out in one very notable way its so much larger
Apple just announced the iPhone XS and XS Max. They’re iterations on last year’s iPhone X, but the XS Max at least stands out in one very notable way: it’s so much larger. The Max has a 6.5-inch screen, making it a bigger phone than even the latest model in Samsung’s famously large Galaxy Note line.
The event just wrapped up, and Apple has let us out into a demo area with phones to check out. Our initial impression: they feel like iPhone Xs (or however you pluralize iPhone X). Build quality is of course up to Apple’s standards. Neither the new more durable glass nor the steel rails feel any more slippery than before, and a quick snap of a photo shows that it is fast — though we need to do more testing to really know anything definitive.
The iPhone XS Max is bigger, yes, but as you can see in the below photos it is almost hard to distinguish the two when you’re looking at photos. It feels much better than any “Plus” iPhone ever has.
Both phones have identical specs aside from their screens. They use Apple’s new A12 Bionic processor, which is supposed to be 15 percent faster than the A11, have improved water resistance that’s supposed to let them stay submerged in two meters of water for up to 30 minutes, and have support for two SIMs and gigabit LTE. The rear cameras have each seen improvements to make them faster (larger pixels on the wide angle, a wider aperture on the telephoto), and the selfie cameras is supposed to be faster as well (though not for any immediate spec-related reason).
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My heart goes out to households living on a pension. And households who are not in the elite 1% class of Americans. Particularly if they rely on The Federal Reserve and Federal government to keep inflation low.
Inflation (as measured by the Consumer Price Index) rose to 6.2%.
Yes, a large chunk of inflation is thanks to the green American lobby who want energy prices much higher. Due to the chip shortage, we have used cars and trucks soaring in price at 26.4% YoY growth.
Then we have my least favorite, most misleading inflation measure: shelter. According to the BLS, shelter rose “only” 3.5% YoY. Odd since home prices are growing a 20% YoY clip.
I know, I know. The media talking heads will say “temporary price increases.” Even with all the money pumped into the economy??
I know, I know, (CNN)President Joe Biden said Wednesday that inflation statistics showing America’s prices are surging more than they have in 30 years are proof that there is “more work to do before our economy is back to normal.”
Then stop printing money and slow down your terrible crony spending policies!!!


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This morning we reported that NotifyMe! was in the works as an independent notification system for Windows Phone 8 and how this will be competing with Liquid Daffodil’s proposed Unification system, which is already in early beta testing.
We now have more info including some new screenshots of what that Unification system will look like, including some features that users can expect when it is finally released. What makes this interesting of course is this is not just conceptual but already being done by Liquid Daffodil, moving beyond the numerous proposed models we’ve seen in the past from the Windows Phone community.
This is real, this is happening, folks.


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Cannon Beach Bakery announced on Friday, Oct. 18, that is has been named the Sweetest Full Line Bakery in Oregon by Dawn Foods in its annual Sweetest Bakery in America Contest. The bakery competed against over 1,000 other bakeries across the United States.
Owned by Gib and Deanna Hammond, Cannon Beach Bakery has been a part of the Cannon Beach community since 1936 and is the Home of the Original Haystack Bread, Almond Bear Claws and it’s “almost famous” Almond Poppy Seed Muffins.
“We are overjoyed and humbled,” Deanna said in a press release. “This is a huge honor for a small family owned business on the North Oregon Coast. We cannot thank our local and tourist community enough for all their continued support.”
In the third year of the competition, Dawn Foods invited communities across the U.S. and Canada to cast their vote (from July 1 – Sept. 30) and help their favorite bakery win the title of Sweetest Bakery in America and Sweetest Bakery in Canada. The annual contest continues to grow in popularity with Dawn Foods receiving over 1.4 million votes via text and online throughout the contest. Participating customers also saw up to nine percent sales growth throughout the contest.
“The entire Dawn Foods family wants to extend a big congratulations to all bakeries that participated in our third annual Sweetest Bakery in America contest,” said Dave Rhoades, North America VP of Marketing for Dawn Foods, in the release. “We are inspired each and every day by your hard work and commitment to making life’s sweetest moments even sweeter. As a valued bakery partner for nearly 100 years, it’s our longstanding commitment to bring you the tools necessary to help grow your business – through contest such as this for example – and encourage meaningful connections with your local communities.
From 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 Cannon Beach Bakery will hold a celebratory event at the bakery to honor this achievement, and to thank the Cannon Beach community for its ongoing support.


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People marooned in B.C.’s wealthiest neighbourhoods have the least access to fresh foods and fresh food retailers, according to a study by University of British Columbia researcher Jennifer Black.
“It turned out to be the opposite of what we expected,” said Black. Higher income neighbourhoods in B.C.’s urban centres tend to have fewer food stores, she found.
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That means people in the city’s least dense neighbourhoods who are aging and less mobile or living in basement suites have less access to healthy foods, Black said.
Conventional wisdom has it that the city’s least well-off are most likely to lack access to fresh foods, a misconception fuelled by studies from the United States that found “food deserts” in urban Afro-America and Hispanic neighbourhoods.
But Black and her colleagues Richard Carpiano, Stuart Fleming and Nathanael Lauster found that in B.C., the opposite may be true. According to their analysis, as incomes rise and single-family homes come to dominate the landscape, the distance to a major grocer or small fresh food store increases.


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DENVER (CBS4) – I just wanted to sell a couple of used kids bikes on Craigslist for $35 apiece. Little did I know the ad would lead to a 6-week online scam attempt, the type of hustle that has defrauded many Americans out of billions of dollars.
“We want people to know, don’t fall victim to this sort of activity,” said Dave Joly, a spokesperson for the FBI office in Denver. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
I placed the Craigslist ad in September for the kids bikes. Almost immediately I got an email from an “Ander Joeson,” who said he wanted the bikes. “Please do consider it sold,” he wrote and asked that I remove the ad so nobody else could buy the bikes.
He wrote that, “I’m buying this for my stepchild as a gift … I will be paying you via cashier’s check because its attached to my bank account and its safe and very secure way to make payment. As I’m currently away on business trip and I will be adding an extra $50 to the asking price so you could have the ad deleted off Craigslist and consider it sold to me please.”
He wrote that he would have a “shipper” come to me to pick up the bikes as soon as I had received his check and cashed it.
My hopes of selling the bikes gave way to the realization it was yet another online scam, frequently referred to as a “Nigerian” or “419” scam. I figured if I could at least waste his time I could perhaps prevent him from scamming someone else who would fall for the old trick.
I later emailed him that the price had increased from $70 for the two old bikes to $500 just to see if he was even paying attention. No problem, he indicated. The check was on the way. He never responded to my requests to send a photo of his stepchild so I could see who would be getting the bicycles.
All he was worried about was me receiving his check, cashing it, deducting what I was owed plus the extra $50, and then wiring the balance of the money back to him via Western Union. He said that was needed as his shipper would be needing the excess funds to cover packing and transit insurance and some other logistics.
“You’re done. Once that money leaves and you have made that transaction you are never going to see that money again,” said Joly.
As I kept emailing back and forth with “Ander” he seemed to become confused, writing at one point that I needed to expedite the deal because his grandchild was anxious to get the bikes. Remember, he initially wrote that they were for his stepchild.
Eventually he sent a personal check drawn on a bank in Columbus, Ga. The check was made out for a whopping $1,950. That was far more than the initial $70 asking price. I contacted the bank about the check and they told me the check was not legitimate and that they had received a number of inquiries about checks like this that were fraudulent.
The FBI spokesperson examined the check and marveled at how authentic it appeared to be.
“I wouldn’t question it,” said Joly. “Unfortunately because people are on hard times they are looking for a quick fix to make extra cash and they allow themselves to be victimized.”
Via email I eventually let “Ander” know I was a news reporter in Denver and was going to be doing a story on his attempted fraud. He never emailed back.
The FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center maintain a website at http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx so consumers can report these scams. Joly says the site records about 300,000 complaints a year with people losing millions of dollars to these sorts of scams. Joly said the numbers are likely much higher, but many people are too embarrassed to report they fell for this type of swindle.
“The Internet has become the new way to scam people out of their hard-earned money,” said Joly. “It’s a growth industry and a huge part of what the FBI encounters in the cyber world.”
Joly suggests if you receive any sort of email resembling this “advance payment” scam, hit the delete button and move on.


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WHAT'S NEWSEE ALL
People's TonightSHOW ALL
Ecija hailed as first LGU to enact rice truthful labeling edict
SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ– The provincial government of Nueva Ecija has been hailed as the first in the country to enact an ordinance on the truthful labeling of rice based on the recommendations of the Agriculture Department’s Philippine Rice Research Institute Policy Research and Advocacy team.
The ordinance, which was approved by Gov. Aurelio M. Umali on Oct.26, 2021, requires rice retailers to indicate valid, reliable, and complete information about the prescribed milling classification, price, and source of rice (local or imported) on rice sacks, box labels and price tags.
Alice B. Mataia, an agricultural economist and team co-leader of PhilRice PRAT said truthful labeling aims to empower consumers to choose between imported and locally produced rice and to ensure food safety.
“Specifying the rice source in rice packages, box labels, and price tags will aid consumers who want safe and quality rice to make easy choices,” said Mataia.
She also explained that the demand for local rice may increase when more consumers are able to spot and buy local rice than the imported ones.
“This will encourage rice traders to source their supply from local farmers,” Mataia added.
Under the ordinance, she said violators will be penalized with a payment of P1,500 or suspension of business permit until fine is paid for the first offense, P3,000 and suspension of business permit until fine is paid for second offense, and P5,000 and revocation of business operations until compliance with the prescribed labeling for the third offense.


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28 Jun 2020
Posted in Technology
COVID-19 had some impact but other issues hound HBO Max and Quibi, says GlobalData
Pandemic or no pandemic, HBO Max and Quibi were committed to launch in Q2 2020. At first glance, this should have been the perfect time to showcase a new streaming service to customers who were in lockdown. However, the streaming platforms had other issues, besides COVID-19 challenges, which led them being ill-prepared for launch, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Tammy Parker, Senior Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “GlobalData expects that the US subscription video on demand total market revenue will increase by 25% to $30.4bn in 2020. Eager to grab their share, HBO Max and Quibi both rushed to market, meaning some features and offers had to be prioritized to meet self-imposed launch deadlines. Many deficiencies in these nascent services could be remedied post-launch, but the services lost some momentum by coming to market before being fully developed.”
COVID-19 has impacted both services’ rollout plans. In the case of HBO Max, the service would have benefitted from an earlier launch during Q1, when society was deeper in the throes of pandemic lockdown. Either way, HBO Max’s content line-up would have taken a serious hit from COVID-19 due to production delays caused by government-required lockdowns. Quibi’s business model relies upon a more mobile society, so any pandemic-timed launch was not in its best interests. However, Quibi’s issues run much deeper than just COVID-19 lockdowns.
Parker continues: “Both have missed opportunities for more customer touchpoints via TV viewing, with HBO Max rolling out minus support for Roku or Amazon Fire TV devices and Quibi not offering casting from mobile phones to TV at launch. Other desirable features are also missing from these services at launch. The role of HBO Max alongside those of HBO GO and HBO NOW remains muddled, and Quibi’s entire business model is looking questionable.”
Initially, it appeared that the biggest issue impacting Quibi’s introduction was the sudden COVID-19 lockdown that kept people at home, disrupting Quibi’s original business model of offering ‘quick bites’ of content to people on the move. However, Quibi actually stood to gain from social distancing guidelines because many people watch video on mobile devices while at home. Apps such as Snapchat and TikTok gained more engagement than normal while tight lockdown orders were in place. Therefore, Quibi’s slow uptake during the pandemic is due mostly to a lack of compelling content.
Parker concludes: “Both HBO Max and Quibi have lots of work ahead. Despite its missteps, HBO Max has plenty of opportunities to make good on its vision. Necessary distribution contracts can be negotiated and signed, delayed shows will start production, the planned ad-supported version will attract new users and HBO Max will eventually be the one streaming service offered by AT&T/WarnerMedia.”


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Brighton has always been famed for its wide choice of veggie and vegan eateries, so it seems only fitting that Erpingham House has had its eyes set on the seaside town for a while. Often noted as the country's biggest vegan restaurant, the business smashed its crowdfunding effort to raise £250,000 to make improvements on its existing home in Norwich and open up a shiny new Brighton sight on Duke Street.
With wheels turning quickly, the restaurant is due to open on the 7th of March 2020. The new restaurant will specialise in vegan food, and refine its menu for the Brighton crowds - however their current menu features vegan bottomless brunches, plant-based cheese boards and seasonal dinners, which we hope will be sticking around. They will also join the town’s collection of sustainable restaurants with its promise to be entirely free from single-use plastics and be 100% carbon neutral.
Taking over from former CBD restaurant, Canna Kitchen, the decor at this Duke Street spot will most likely mirror that of the Instagram-haven in Norwich which has become a social media phenomenon. Bloggers from across the country have been spotted posing against the restaurant's hot pink walls, indoor foliage and plush seating, so we can expect plenty more of that too.
Erpingham House Brighton is due to open on Saturday the 7th of March at 14 Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AH.


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Xiaomi's Mi 9T, the much-talked smartphone, has been finally launched in Europe on Wednesday. The speculations are on the rife that the Mi 9T is a rebranded version of the Redmi K20.
The smartphone comes in two variants i.e. 6GB RAM + 64GB storage variant and 6GB RAM + 128GB storage variant. The base model costs 329 euro (approx Rs 25,800) and the higher model is priced at 369 euro (approx Rs 29,999).
The Xiaomi Mi 9T comes packed with a 6.39-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display. The Mi 9T comes with Snapdragon 730 processor and is backed by a 4000mAh battery. It also comes with 3.5mm headphone jack, Type C charging port, among other things.
As far as the optics of the phone are concerned, the Mi 9T is equipped with a a single 20megapixel pop-up selfie camera on the front. on the back, the phone sports an AI-based triple camera setup that includes 48MP Sony IMX582 sensor + 8MP sensor + 13megapixel sensor.
It is to be noted that the Mi 9T will not come to India, however, Xiaomi will launch the Redmi K20 in the country. Xiaomi India Managing Director Manu Jain has confirmed that the Redmi K20 and Redmi K20 Pro will launch in the country by mid-July. the India launch date of the Redmi K20 series is yet to be revealed.
The Redmi K20 will come with 6.39-inch AMOLED-full HD display with 19:5:9 aspect ratio. The phone further features Gorilla Glass 5 protection and have an in-display fingerprint sensor for authentication. The smartphone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730. It will be available in two variants with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
The smartphone is fuelled by a 4000mAh battery with fast-charging technology. It is to be noted that this handset can be a good option as it has Game Turbo 2.0 for gaming purposes. The Redmi K20 sports triple camera setup at the back with one being a 48 MP Sony IMX586 sensor coupled with 13 MP and 8 MP camera lens. For selfies, it has a 20 MP pop out camera with AI technology.


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The tech giant and major record labels are under scrutiny for collusion in two US states.
The attorneys general of New York and Connecticut have investigated Apple in search of potential antitrust violations. They are seeking to find out whether Apple pressured major labels to withdraw support for popular “freemium” music streaming services, offered by competitors such as Spotify, in favour of Apple’s newly-announced paid subscriptions.
On Tuesday, Universal Music Group confirmed it was cooperating with the industrywide investigation, which is being led by the attorney general of New York, Eric T. Schneiderman, and the attorney general of Connecticut, George Jepsen.
In a letter to the to Schneiderman’s office from Universal Music Group’s legal firm, Hunton & Williams, the label group states it has no agreements with Apple or other labels that could restrict the availability of free or ad-supported services.
According to the letter, the attorneys general investigation is currently suspended. As the letter notes, this does not mean the query is concluded and the attorneys general may take further action in the future.
“UMG shares the Attorneys General’s commitment to a robust and competitive market for music streaming services in the mutual best interest of consumers, artists, services and content companies alike – and we have a long track record to that effect,” UMG told Billboard in a statement.
“We are pleased to have provided the Attorneys General information demonstrating that conduct. It is our understanding that, given these representations, the Attorneys General have no present intention to make further inquiries of UMG in this regard.”
Connecticut Attorney General Jespen told the New York Times that his office was satisfied with Universal’s response, adding, “We will continue to monitor that market to ensure that consumers and competition are protected.” [via New York Times]


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Panjiva data shows slight gains in U.S.-bound shipments
Following a 0.2% increase from June to July, July to August was stronger, with a 1% bump.
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The number of global manufacturers shipping to the United States inched up from July to August, according to data from Panjiva, an online search engine with detailed information on global suppliers and manufacturers.
Following a 0.2% increase from June to July, July to August was stronger, with a 1% bump in U.S.-bound shipments (1,138,601 shipments), according to Panjiva. While there have been gains in the last two months, these tallies still trail the first half of the year, which saw a 9% spike from April to May and matching 3% gains for the previous two months.
On a year-over-year basis, August shipments were up 15%.
Panjiva also reported that there was a 4% increase in the number of U.S. companies receiving waterborne shipments from global manufacturers in August, following a 2% gain from June to July. This edges out a 3% annual gain from the same period last year and flat growth in 2008.
Panjiva CEO Josh Green told Modern he was encouraged by the most recent numbers.
“There had been some speculation that we had already seen the peak of 2010 in July,” said Green. “And that appears not to have been the case. It suggests that when [shippers] placed their orders a couple months ago they were feeling relatively bullish about this year’s holiday season. There is some possibility, though, that companies were overly optimistic and over-ordered in which case they will be stuck with too much inventory. We have to hope that between now and the holiday season, consumer confidence shores up a bit so retailers are not disappointed.”
Whether or not that happens remains to be seen, given relatively low retail sales numbers and consumer confidence levels in recent months on the heels of a fairly strong first half of 2010. One encouraging sign was today’s Department of Commerce report regarding the trade deficit, which fell from a 2010 high $49.8 billion in June down to $42.8 billion in July, with the $196.1 billion in imports $4.2 billion less than June. And the Institute of Supply Management’s Manufacturing index has seen consistent growth for more than a year. More concerning data appears to be sluggish GDP growth and underwhelming durable goods orders.
Green said that it appears global trade is currently on a seasonal path despite the lack of robust, exciting economic growth. But that is not the say that 4% month-to-month gains in U.S. shipments will continue either.
“The typical track is the peak month in August and then beginning a slow decline through December and into the first quarter of next year for a slow, steady decline,” said Green. “Global trade is about as healthy as it can be with consumer confidence being where it is. We need to see consumer confidence improvements before we seen any significant growth in global trade activity.”
About the AuthorJeff Berman, Group News Editor Jeff Berman is Group News Editor for Logistics Management, Modern Materials Handling, and Supply Chain Management Review. Jeff works and lives in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, where he covers all aspects of the supply chain, logistics, freight transportation, and materials handling sectors on a daily basis. Contact Jeff Berman
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Adani International Port Holdings, a multinational port operator and logistics company owned by India’s richest man, Gautam Adani, is set to expand its interest in Tanzania with the strategic acquisition of Tanzania International Container Terminal Services (Ticts).
The move by Gautam Adani, Asia’s richest man with a fortune surpassing $100 billion, is expected to bolster Ticts’ standing as Tanzania’s largest container terminal. Ticts’ core activities include stevedoring, loading, and unloading of container vessels, onshore operations, stuffing and un-stuffing of containers, storage, and cargo delivery to consignees.
Competition check: Adani’s East Africa Gateway notifies FCC of Ticts acquisition plan
Tanzania’s competition commission, the Fair Competition Commission (FCC), revealed in a public notice that it has received a notification from East Africa Gateway Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani International Port Holdings, expressing its intent to acquire the entire issued ordinary share capital in Ticts.
The United Arab Emirates-incorporated East Africa Gateway was established to spearhead Adani Group’s business interests in East Africa and the broader African continent. The FCC has initiated a thorough review and investigation into the proposed acquisition to assess its potential impact on competition in Tanzania and the East African region.
Adani’s meteoric rise: A $16.4-billion surge in net worth and global expansion plans
Gautam Adani, the chairman and founder of Adani Group, boasts more than 33 years of business experience. Under his leadership, the Adani Group has evolved into a global integrated infrastructure player with interests spanning Resources, Logistics, and Energy verticals.
This year alone, Adani’s net worth has surged by $16.4 billion, reaching $101 billion at the time of this report. Adani Group, a diversified organization comprising 10 publicly traded companies, has established a world-class transport and utility infrastructure portfolio with a pan-India presence.
Key subsidiaries of Adani Group include Adani Enterprises, Adani Power, Adani Total Gas, Adani Energy Solutions, Adani Ports, and Adani Green Energy, each contributing to the group’s prominence in the global business landscape. Adani Group’s expansion into East Africa signifies a strategic move, aligning with its overarching goal of becoming a prominent player in international logistics and port operations.


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As demand grows for more sustainable clothing material alternatives, the fashion industry has turned to sources such as hemp and cactus leather to keep up with trends. Curbing the environmental impact of fast fashion and the industry at large is crucial as it’s the second highest source of pollution in the world. The latest magic bullet comes from surfer enthusiasts in the form of algae.
A team at the University of California San Diego has found a way to turn algae into stylish chanclas. Partnered with Algenesis, the researchers’ goal is to reduce waste from petroleum-based products such as surfboards. The shoes are comprised of algae lipids that scientists have fashioned into a commercially viable foam. When placed in a standard composter, these flip flops decompose in an astonishing 16 weeks, which is a vast improvement over the 10-1,000 years it takes for everyday plastics to decompose.
Flip-flops are one of the most ubiquitous forms of footwear in the world due to their affordability and simple design. Unfortunately, this also means that the 3 billion pairs produced every year eventually become one of the most common forms of ocean pollution. Now, thanks to the UCSD team, that sandal your abuela throws at your head can biodegrade saving you some future pain and the environment all at once!
These products are expected to hit the market within the next year, so keep that in mind when you’re planning your next summer trip!


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Spring is in the air, and at Cowboy Chicken, the season’s warmer temperatures and cool breezes are accompanied by an updated spring menu.
Cowboy Chicken, the fast-casual brand known for its wood-fired rotisserie chicken and handmade side dishes, announced its newest franchise partner, Florida Fine Foods.
Cowboy Chicken has recently launched a completely redesigned website focused on ease-of-use for an increasingly mobile society.
A fabulous Easter meal is a hop, skip and a jump away with the Easter Ham Package from Cowboy Chicken.
Starting January 4, Cowboy Chicken offers guests a new lunch special that’s both delicious and friendly on the wallet.
Philip “Cowboy Phil” Sanders, founder of Dallas-based Cowboy Chicken, passed away on Saturday, September 12 at the age of 85 following a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Summer is in full swing, and Cowboy Chicken has introduced a Buffalo chicken sandwich that is perfect for summertime feasting.
Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and Cowboy Chicken entices guests with a Family Meal special for all to enjoy.
Cowboy Chicken is spreading cheer by adding a little sweetness to every meal purchased through its mobile app.


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All digital product purchases, from apps to digital textbooks to singing e-cards, would be subject to the state’s sales tax.
The proposal is already causing concern in the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. In a blog post, the chamber’s vice president of government affairs called the language “very expansive” and said he would ensure that the proposal would not “cripple Maryland’s technology businesses.”
A poll by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies showed that more than 60 percent of Marylanders say they already pay “too much” in taxes.
What do you think? Should Maryland tax digital downloads to ease a budget shortfall? Is a 6 percent tax too much? Sound off in the comments section below.


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Ari Paul, the chief information officer and managing partner of BlockTower Capital, believes liquidity for institutional investors and professional traders within the bitcoin and cryptocurrency markets will drastically increase in the upcoming months.
Recently, Coinbase, the largest bitcoin wallet and trading platform in the world, raised $100 million at a $1.6 billion valuation. One of the strategies Brian Armstrong, the CEO at Coinbase, implemented upon the closure of its hundred million dollar funding round was an improvement in infrastructure to better serve institutional investors and professional traders.
“Coinbase experienced unprecedented growth over the last year, and we have now exchanged over $25 billion USD of digital currency for our customers. We’ll be using this new funding to continue scaling even further. Specifically, we will open a GDAX office in New York City, further investing in our ability to serve institutions and professional traders.”
Gemini, another strictly regulated US-based major bitcoin exchange founded and operated by the Winklevoss twins, integrated a similar strategy to Coinbase by securing a partnership with the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), the largest options exchange in the US.
Last week, CBOE announced that it plans to integrate bitcoin by the end of 2017 in order to provide a more efficient and practical ecosystem for institutional investors to trade bitcoin futures and options. At the time, Tyler Winklevoss, the CEO at Gemini, stated:
“Gemini’s key concerns in the cryptocurrency ecosystem have always been security, compliance, and regulatory oversight. By working with the team at CBOE, we are helping to make bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies increasingly accessible to both retail and institutional investors.”
The strategy of leading bitcoin exchanges and trading platforms including Coinbase and Gemini to target retail and institutional investors is vital for sustaining the upward trend of the bitcoin price because as CNBC analyst Brian Kelly noted, one of the driving factors that led bitcoin price to its new all-time high at $4,200 has been the significant rise in demand towards bitcoin from institutional investors.
— CNBC’s Fast Money (@CNBCFastMoney) August 10, 2017
The demand from institutional investors and multi-billion dollar investment firms toward bitcoin will continue to rise at an exponential rate if necessary infrastructures can be established by leading bitcoin and financial service providers.
According to Ari Paul, liquidity for bitcoin traders and institutional investors is drastically increasing and as a result, Paul explained that he expects the daily trading volume, which is a key indicator for the performance of bitcoin, to double in the next three months.
“There’s a wall of liquidity coming to crypto. Dark pools, growing over-the-counter desks, liquidity aggregators, bitcoin futures and options. I expect bitcoin volume to be double in 3 months. Ethereum will benefit, not sure how far down the market cap run it will flow. This matters. It’s currently hard to trade even a couple million dollars of the 10th biggest cryptocurrency without huge slippage,” said Paul.
Image License: Pixabay