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The social media sites both limited the spread of an article that claimed Joe Biden's son, Hunter, had accepted money from a Ukrainian energy company in exchange for access.
The White House press secretary has accused Twitter of censorship, after the site allegedly temporarily blocked her account when she shared an article about Joe Biden.
The security firm that found the vulnerability said locked in users may need an "angle grinder" to get out of the Qiui Cellmate.
Facebook has issued a rebuttal to The Social Dilemma, which was one of the most watched films on Netflix in September.
A video clip has gone viral after the son of a customer claimed his father's Tesla Model Y's glass roof fell off as they drove down Interstate 580.
Grindr has fixed a vulnerability described by a security researcher as 'one of the most basic account takeover techniques I've seen,' which could have granted easy access to anyone's account.
Twitter has raised the possibility of dropping its image-cropping algorithm, after it repeatedly cropped a Black man's face out of a picture, favoring a white man's face instead.
Seismic blasting produces one of the loudest sounds in the ocean, and can damage marine creatures' hearing and disrupt their feeding behaviors and communications.
Donald Trump's past comments about face masks and COVID-19 have come back to haunt him, with Anonymous posting a video that highlights the president's laid back attitude to the virus.
President Donald Trump, aged 74, and First Lady Melania Trump, aged 50, have both tested positive for COVID-19, the president has revealed.
The tech giant has filed a patent application that describes a screen configuration with a "self-healing" layer that could smooth out scratches, dents, and other types of damage.
The company said it is currently looking at data to determine the impact to its products.
"Content that is debunked will be reduced in News Feed and filtered from Explore and hashtags on Instagram," the company said in a statement.
A swarm of moderately sized earthquakes has hit California near the San Andreas fault, increasing the likelihood that a bigger earthquake could strike within the next seven days.
LG has unveiled an extraordinary smartphone that incorporates two screens and a popup selfie camera.
Apple is holding a virtual launch event today, where it looks set to unveil several new products, including a new Apple Watch and iPad Air, and iOS 14.
Facebook has launched an information hub containing facts, data and advice about climate change.
Tesla is "definitely not" developing a smartwatch, the billionaire said on Twitter.
The Vivaldi browser has launched Break Mode, a new feature designed to improve your remote working habits.
Android finally has an in-built screen recorder, something that users have been clamoring for, and there's plenty more besides.
Facebook software engineer Ashok Chandwaney has criticised the company's approach to hate speech in an impassioned resignation letter.
After nearly two months, Twitter has brought back the ability for users to download their personal data from the site.
Chinese phone maker Vivo has demonstrated a mobile that can change color at the touch of a button.


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The July 19 issue of ACWA News is now available online, with a story on a new statewide public outreach campaign launched this week reminding consumers about the need to save water and save energy. A column by ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn explains how the association and its members are taking steps to develop a Statewide Water Action Plan.
Other featured stories this issue include:
• AB 145 Approved by Senate Health Committee
• Water Agencies Saving Money with Digital Consumer Confidence Reports
• Communications Toolkit for Expected Release of Draft Chromium-6 MCL
• ACWA Region 8 Event Tackles Southern California Groundwater

domain: news


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New Augmented Reality Technology AnnouncedAdd bookmark
Augmented Reality is making headlines.
During the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Flex introduced its new Augmented Reality Reference Design for the next generation of smart glasses. The product is designed to reduce the time to market for companies making AR devices for enterprise and consumer applications.
Basically, companies working within AR and building their own AR products can speed up the process by using the Flex AR reference design rather than develop their own AR device to work with. Essentially, it skips that step and allows employees to go right to design. It saves product development costs and can scale manufacturing.
The Flex AR reference design includes a head-mounted display (HMD), and external processing unit (EPU) and a gesture-based software platform to manage interaction.
"Augmented reality holds tremendous promise for companies of all sizes," said Mike Dennison, president of the Consumer Technologies Group at Flex. "Until now, AR innovators have been challenged by the high costs and cross-disciplinary expertise required to design and build robust solutions. The new Flex AR reference design solves these challenges with a customizable hardware and software platform that innovators can build upon to quickly make an impact in this exciting field."
The announcement couldn’t come at a better time.
The International Data Corporation (IDC) says total spending on augmented reality and virtual reality products will go from $11.4 billion in 2017 to $215 billion in 2021.
"AR headset shipments today are a fraction of where we expect them to be in the next five years, both in terms of volume and functionality," said Jitesh Ubrani senior research analyst for IDC Mobile Device Trackers told Business Wire. "AR headsets are also on track to account for over $30 billion in revenue by 2021, almost twice that of VR, as most of the AR headsets will carry much higher average selling prices with earlier adopters being the commercial segment. Meanwhile, most consumers will experience AR on mobile devices, although it's only a matter of time before Apple's ARKit- and Google's ARCore-enabled apps make their way into consumer grade headsets."
“The fastest-growing area within the AR market is for HMDs in industrial applications, particularly in the fields of healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and other industries that deploy field technicians. AR innovation in these areas can help surgeons perform complex procedures with remote assistance, warehouse workers fulfill orders faster, and field technicians conduct remote repairs.”
Augmented Reality in the Workplace
Augmented Reality has the real potential to boost workers’ speed and accuracy while on the job. For example, workers are Boeing are using AR to assist them in the construction of intricate wire harnesses. Those devices send power and signals in planes. Trying to construct the product using a desktop or a paper manual significantly slows the process down. With AR, workers are able to overlay each step on to existing reality in order to construct the wire harness. Boeing reports using AR has cut assembly time by 25% and reduced the error rate to nearly 0.
That’s not all.
Workers are able to get information on parts instantaneously. If they have to go find a specific part, AR can help them locate the correct piece.
AR helps employees identify errors and help correct the issue.
If the worker needs more help, AR can provide them a link to directly to a supervisor. The supervisor can see exactly what the worker sees through AR and can provide better assistance.
But what is AR’s impact on the HR space?
Like VR, AR can certainly serve as a training tool, but unlike VR, AR has many daily applications. A more precise answer to the question is AR will affect business processes, workflows, and employee training. What’s amazing, all of those could be impacted at the same time.
Through augmented reality the phrase jack of all trades has new meaning.
For example, a company is asked to send a home repairman to a job where furniture needs to be fixed. The problem is the repairman has no experience repairing furniture. Enter augmented reality. Knowing the specific type of furniture he’s going to repair and the problem with it would allow him to download step-by-step instructions to his smartphone. He can then overlay those using the phone and his camera and thus, be guided through the repair.
The business process was impacted by sending an unskilled worker to a job he had no training for. The workflow was affected because the worker had to lean on technology to assist in the repair. Lastly, the repairman received on the job training while fixing the furniture through use of the technology.
It’s through augmented reality we will see companies working with clients in a wide variety of industries regardless of mission.
With technology marching further into the HR space, it’s difficult for some to view it as any less than an invasion. The reality is it’s more of a revolution. The difficulties for HR professionals will be finding a way to apply new technologies to their daily, professional acts. The use of technology is not mandatory, but it is necessary to find the best talent available thus staying ahead of competitors and building better client relationships.


text: The world of online livestock selling is expanding with a new player entering the business in the form of On the Box, an independent service boasting the benefit of being instant as its point of difference. The new platform, which kicked off this week, has been launched by analyst Tim McRae and marketer Greg Szudrich, both of whom worked for AuctionsPlus, which On the Box will compete directly with. They say their new website is designed for simplicity and speed, with the biggest difference being it is not driven by a sale time. "Rather, the vendor loads up and is on the market immediately, staying listed for seven days, with the reserve and buy now price visible," Mr McRae said. "It's the most efficient way for a buyer to know quickly if they are in the market for a particular lot. "Our website is designed to be fast and cheaper than other methods of sale, on or offline, simplifying transactions and respecting people's time." The website is designed for phones, laptops and desktop computers. It utilises an offline assessment entry app and simplified stock assessment. Mr McRae said assessment criteria and integrity systems followed industry standards. Emma Fessey, head of agency and operations, said On the Box was proudly independent and committed to the agri community. "We believe in the industry. Farmers, producers, and agents are vital in making this industry successful. We promise to always back that," she said. Mr Szudrich said in partnership with Spenda, a respected ASX finance provider, vendors would be offered access to short-term finance. "Spenda will offer a fully integrated digital payment solution through On The Box allowing everyone to transact efficiently and get paid quicker," he said. The website is at www.onthebox.com.au.


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The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released its monthly tally of home sales this morning. The headline figure was pretty cheery. The number of existing homes sold in July increased 7.2% from June. Sales in July were also up 5% when compared to July 2008—the first year-over-year gain we’ve seen since November 2005. (The data include single-family houses, townhomes, condos and co-ops that were previously owned—i.e., not new construction.)
Now, prices are still falling. The average sales price of a house—$178,400—was down from the month before, and off 15% from a year ago. But the uptick in volume is good news because it shows that the extra houses sitting around are finally moving into the hands of homeowners. We’ve still got a 9.4-month supply of homes on the market, but that’s because more houses are being put up for sale—inventory is flowing into the system, but it’s also, importantly, flowing out.
And now for the not-so-great news.
First-time home buyers continue to account for 30% of what’s being sold. In a way, that’s not so bad. Folks who ought to be in homes but had long been locked out by bubble prices can now afford to buy in. As NAR noted in its report, and I mentioned in this story, price-to-income ratios are approaching historical levels. Affordability—key to a healthy housing market—is back.
However, a lot of these sales are likely being driven by the $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time buyers. When that money goes away at the end of November, will those buyers leave the market? It is a good, and unfortunately unanswerable, question. Plus, if first-time owners are the big players in the market, then anyone trying to sell a house that’s not priced as a starter home isn’t necessarily benefiting from the pick-up in activity.
The other bit of potentially unsunny information is that, according to NAR, 31% of sales are of distressed properties. That includes both foreclosures (20% of what’s being sold) and short sales (11%). At the end of last year, that figure was higher—45% of everything sold was distressed—but it’s still, obviously, elevated. And by at least one other measure, a study by Campbell Surveys for the trade publication Inside Mortgage Finance, the percentage of distressed sales could be much higher—double what NAR is finding.
That means that if you’re out there trying to sell your house like a normal person, the competition is pretty stiff. You’re up against banks selling repossessed properties that they just want to get rid of, and desperate, underwater homeowners convincing lenders to take less than what they’re owed on the mortgage. There may be reasons to be optimistic, but the housing market is still a messy, messy place.


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December 10 [14:00 EDT] -- Elton John has presented the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund with a check for 20 million British pounds -- approximately $32 million in U.S. funds -- and that's just the first installment.
The monies are being generated by the massive sales of "Candle in the Wind '97" which has so far sold 33 million copies. It took just five weeks to surpass the 30 million in sales generated by Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" over the course of 50 years, according to England's PA News.
The check was presented to Lady Sarah Corquodale, Diana's sister, and other trustees at Kensington Palace. Neither John nor Lady Sarah spoke to the press, but they issued a press release that indicated the check more than doubled the fund's previous balance. The fund is expected to reach $160 million U.S. The monies will eventually be distributed to charities supported by the Princess before her death in a car accident earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the British
music industry trade paper Dot Music reports that record retailers drastically underestimated the demand for the allstar tribute double CD released in early December on Richard Branson's V2 label. The publication quotes a spokesperson from the giant HMV chain acknowledging they had ordered just 16,000 copies of the release, which features 32 tracks from megastars including U2, R.E.M, Sting, Michael Jackson, the Spice Girls, Puff Daddy, Eric Clapton's, Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen, Toni Braxton and others.
All 16,000 were sold in less than one day, leaving the distributors scrambling for more product. The HMV spokesperson told Dot that retailers were cautious in spite of the massive success of the Elton John single because a subsequent CD issued by Polygram Classics containing the music played at Diana's funeral, including the live version of John's "Candle '97," had not been that successful. That record had met with huge expectations and lackluster sales.


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World News: 02:00 GMT Friday 12th July 2019. [Technavio Research via Businesswire via SPi World News]
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Business Wire: 02:00 GMT Friday 12th July 2019
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Thailand is rapidly shifting its stance on hemp and cannabis generally, eager to take part in a multi-billion dollar industry and provide additional therapies for its citizens.
Prior to prohibition, Thailand had a long association with cannabis. But as in many other countries, hemp was collateral damage in tackling issues relating to marijuana. Possession, sale, and use of cannabis was criminalised in Thailand by the Cannabis Act in 1935.
Things began to change again back in 2016 when Thailand’s military government decided it would reclassify cannabis and industrial hemp. Then in 2019, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health announced some forms of cannabis will be struck from its list of Category 5 drugs under certain circumstances, after the country became the first East Asian nation to legalize medical marijuana.
The situation has continued to progress since and the New Straits Times reports the country plans to legalise all parts of the cannabis plant next year after it was removed from the new Narcotics code, which was released last Thursday.
From next year, buds and flowers with equal to or less than 0.2% THC and seeds will be legalised, adding to the same status for cannabis stems, roots, leaves and sprigs currently.
Thai households will also be able to grow cannabis without a licence, assuming they have permission from local authorities. Public Health Minister and leader of the Bhumjaithai Party Anutin Charnvirakul has encouraged households to start growing cannabis to make extra money. They may be able to make quite a bit of it given there is no restriction on the number of plants that can be grown.
Another major step recently taken was the signing of an agreement for a new medical cannabis research venture. The International Medical Cannabis Research Center will bring together doctors, researchers and other experts to exchange knowledge and carry out research and product development.
Hard hit by not only the health impacts of the pandemic but also on the economic front, the Thai government hopes the Center, and medicinal cannabis more broadly, will be among the catalysts supporting the country’s economic recovery.


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When Mercedes-Benz unveiled the G63 AMG 6×6 to the world last year, it was met with great enthusiasm from the automotive world. Based on an already successful and outstanding SUV, the Mercedes-Benz 6×6 not only had added power, but also another rear axle. With these six wheels, Mercedes gave the world an SUV that was unfamiliar and exciting.
Tuning company Mansory noted the 6×6’s popularity and capabilities and decided they could create something even more special from the SUV. Using their upgrades for the G63 G65 and newly developed pieces, Mansory has turned the 6×6 into a visual and engineering spectacle known as the Mansory 6×6, according to a press release issued today.
Mansory tuned the 544 hp twin-turbo V8 engine up to 828 hp and an electronically-limited 737 lb-ft of torque. These numbers are possible thanks to a reworked V8 engine that has pistons, connecting rods, big end bearings, crankshaft, cylinder head and many other parts, according to the press release.
Accompanying these engine upgrades are a number of visual modifications true to the Mansory name. New headlights, grille, hood and more give the 6×6’s front-end a definitive “Mansory” look. A large number of carbon fiber components are featured on the SUV’s exterior, which uses carbon fiber that was based in their in-house autoclaves.
(See also: Mansory 2014 Geneva Line-Up)
Inside, the Mansory 6×6 uses carbon fiber components as well. Their in-house upholstery shop implemented a carbon design with contrasting elements that are cohesive with the SUV’s exterior.
The price has yet to have been announced, as well as an idea of how many Mansory 6x6s will be created. Stay with us for information as it is released.
See More Mansory News


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Govt. announces 75% power tariff increase
By Ifham Nizam
The Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) yesterday said that the new electricity tariff hike of 75 percent would be effective from today.
The electricity bill of the consumers who use up to 30 units per month will increase by Rs. 198.
The average monthly electricity bill for those who consume up to 60 units will be increased by some Rs. 200.
Although the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had sought an increase of 276% for the consumers who used more than 90 units, the PUCSL stood firm on sticking to 125%, according to PUCSL Chairman, Janaka Ratnayake, who said that 75 % of the electricity consumers continued to benefit from a subsidy.
Steps had also been taken to encourage electricity consumers to promote renewable electricity generation with the tariff revision decision, he said.
Ratnayake said that the new tariff revision had been formulated to provide relief to the hotel sector and the industrial sector.
“During the last nine years, the value of the dollar has increased by 190 percent. Therefore, the industries in the export sector will not be greatly affected by this electricity tariff revision,” he said.
Instead of the 116 percent tariff increase proposed by the Ceylon Electricity Board for industries, hotels and general-purpose sectors, with low electricity consumption, will get an approved tariff increase of 39 percent for the public sector and 75 percent for the industrial sector.
Only 50 percent of the increase in the approved rates, especially for the tourism sector will come into effect tomorrow. The remaining 50 percent tariff increase will come into effect after another three months as an incentive and relief, facilitating the tourism industry’s recovery, according to the government.
In addition, it has been decided to provide a 1.5 percent discount when electricity bills are paid in dollars as a relief to the tourism and export industries.


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CBD has already changed the game for makers of dietary supplements and beauty products.
Now hemp-derived CBD has the opportunity and momentum to do the same for the enormous pets market.
Two-thirds of American households currently have pets, and according to data from market analytics giant Nielsen Global Connect, hemp-CBD consumers are 10% more likely to have a pet than non-CBD consumers.
Nielsen projects that by 2025, hemp-CBD dog food and treats will increase by threefold among current users of non-CBD products and nearly that much among all dog owners. Dog vitamins and supplements with hemp-derived CBD are on track to more than double among dog owners and current users of traditional consumer packaged goods, non-CBD products.
If the FDA approves this use within the next year, and more mainstream retailers and veterinarians embrace the category, hemp-CBD products could represent one in four animal health supplements by 2025, Nielsen predicts.
Because of these numbers, Nielsen forecasts that hemp-derived CBD products formulated for pets will generate $175 million to $225 million in annual sales across all channels by 2025, signifying a threefold increase in five years.
The sector will represent roughly 3% of the expected $6 billion to $7 billion hemp-derived CBD consumer-products category.
That is a remarkable increase in recent years, considering that sales of hemp-derived CBD products formulated for pets jumped from almost zero in 2016 to roughly $25 million in 2019, according to Nielsen. In 2020, sales are expected to soar to $40 million-$60 million, representing some of the largest growth seen to date in hemp-CBD categories.
Pet spending continues to grow
A national survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) shows that spending on pet products continues to break records year-over-year and that trend is not slowing down. The APPA found that Americans spent a record-breaking $72.6 billion on their pets in 2018. That was an increase of more than $3 billion over 2017 and $6 billion from 2016—both record-breaking years in their own right. The 2018 figure includes money spent on food, supplies, over-the-counter medications, veterinary care, live-animal purchases and other services.
The areas where consumer spent the most in 2018, according to APPA, were:
- Pet food.
- Veterinary care and supplies.
- Over-the-counter medicine.
Pet owners in all demographics view their pets as irreplaceable family members, which is why there is continually “such incredible growth” in all aspects of the pet-care industry, according to APPA President and CEO Bob Vetere.
Considering that younger consumers represent the largest pet-owning demographic, that spending trend likely will continue. This group is willing to pay more for high-quality products and services to enhance their pets’ lives.
Navigating the pet sector
Hemp-derived CBD still isn’t technically legal for animal consumption under federal and state laws because it remains unregulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. By the FDA’s definition, CBD is not “generally recognized as safe” as an ingredient in human or animal food or dietary supplements, and the agency has continued to send warning letters to pet-food manufacturers that have made unsubstantiated medical claims about their products.
Nielsen’s research reveals that a lack of regulation and efficacy are key barriers for consumers not already buying hemp-CBD pet products.
Still, CBD companies continue to roll out products formulated for animals—particularly for small animals kept as pets such as cats and dogs. Retailers ranging from small, independent pet stores to mass-market giants carry these items because customers want them. And while veterinarians are strictly prohibited from prescribing hemp-CBD products to their patients, they also recognize the potential value of hemp-CBD for pets.
To help you navigate the growing hemp-CBD pet products market, Hemp Industry Daily is pleased to present “Sector Snapshot: Insights on the Growing Market for Pet CBD Products,” in collaboration with Nielsen Global Connect. This is part of an ongoing partnership that aims to provide valuable consumer data and research for the hemp and CBD industry.
Illustrated with photos of pets in the Hemp Industry Daily and Marijuana Business Daily staff family, this report provides data and insights into:
- Estimated sales of hemp-CBD pet products.
- Demographics for purchasers of the products.
- Federal regulatory outlook for the category.
- Market penetration.
- Pet ailments likely to be treated with hemp-CBD products.
- Decision drivers and barriers for customers.
- Price of conventional pet products compared with hemp-CBD offerings.
- Retail trends.
- Top brands investing in hemp-CBD pet products.
- Insights on CBD for pets from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Download the report here.


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The company was founded 14 years ago at the University of Pennsylvania. It creates immensely popular cookies in various flavors, including chocolate chunk, snickerdoodle, and S’mores deluxe.
The new West Chester shop will be at 142 West Gay Street, replacing the Olive Branch restaurant. While no date has been given by the company’s spokeswoman, it is expected that the new location will open its doors to eager customers sometime this summer.
The full write up can be found at Vista Today.


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Has Nintendo killed hardcore gaming?
- 23 April, 2009 14:20
"Nothing lasts forever. Nobody lives forever. Everything comes and goes. We all begin and rise and fade away...What then?"
— Edward Abbey
You never see it coming. One day, you’re happily swanning about in flannel shirts or cargo pants, the next; your favourite trend is yesterday’s fading fad. It happens to everyone sooner or later; from swingin' fondue enthusiasts to chubby Beanie Baby chasers. No matter how popular a hobby might be, it always reaches its use-by date eventually — and hardcore gaming is no exception.
‘Hardcore gaming’ is a phrase that gets bandied about a lot by the press. It has been used to describe everything from friendless videogame addicts to diehard MMO fans (some would argue these are one and the same). In the context of this article, the phrase refers to all types of gaming other than the ‘casual/party’ genre... which just so happens to be the cause of hardcore gaming's demise.
As much as games journalists refuse to admit it, hardcore gaming is definitely on the wane, to be replaced by its simpler, party-prone brother (i.e. the other ‘C’ word.) The rise of the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS has irreversibly changed the video game landscape, with Sony and Microsoft clamouring to follow suit. We’re entering a new, casual era that we’ve coined ‘Nu N-Gaming’ — and no amount of kicking or screaming is going to alter its indomitable course.
The resurgence of casual gaming is indelibly tied to the new wave of game peripherals. From chick-friendly sing-alongs to the genre-crossing Guitar Hero, every hit franchise in the casual genre has an extraneous gadget to thank. But Nintendo has decided to take this concept to a whole new level — its Wii and DS consoles have all the hallmarks of a game peripheral, built directly into the hardware. Call it a fad or a gimmick if you will, but this is exactly what the masses want — and they’re gatecrashing the party in their millions.
Nintendo’s “come one, come all” approach to gaming has revolutionised our once-insular industry, with grannies, girlfriends and non-gamers all getting in on the action. The sales figures speak for themselves. According to GFK Australia, nine of the 10 best-selling games in 2008 were Nintendo exclusives. Almost all of these were party/casual games, with the top slot held by Wii Fit.
The same data reveals that the 'family genre' was the biggest mover-and-shaker, with a whopping 157 per cent sales increase over the previous year. The only non-Nintendo title to break into the top 10 was GTA IV — which only managed to place fifth. Given the hysterical press coverage that game’s sales figures received, you’d expect it to be ranked much higher. Such is the clout of the Nu N-Gamer.
And it’s not just Aussies jumping on the casual bandwagon: the same statistics are repeated all over the world, with sales charts dominated by scores of novice-friendly Wii and DS titles. Not only has Nintendo won the console war, it’s successfully committing genocide on its enemies. Is it any wonder that Sony and Microsoft have decided to join the winning side? While they still pay lip-service to the hardcore contingent, both companies are gagging to emulate Nintendo’s runaway success. They want in on the Nintendo gravy train, and hardcore gaming is about to take a backseat as a consequence.
Over the past few months, there have been rumblings from both camps about the need to tap into the mainstream market. In a recent interview with VG247, SCEA hardware marketing boss John Koller admitted that Sony’s future focus would be on casual gaming: “We’re moving on now... to look at softer brands that maybe we had with PS2 franchises. There’s certainly a line-up of very strong family-friendly titles that we’re looking at for PS3 in our continuing effort to appeal to that casual consumer.”
Former Xbox boss David Moore has also weighed in on the subject, revealing Microsoft's plans to replicate (sorry, “improve upon”) the Wii formula: “I think they're doing that [introducing motion control] and I think Sony are probably the same.” (Gametrailers.com). It would seem that all the major players are moving towards family-friendly properties, which continue to sell like proverbial hotcakes. So where does this leave the hardcore gamer?
There has already been talk of 2009 being a quiet year for hardcore gaming. With the exception of Final Fantasy XIII and the usual brigade of samey sequels, there are few Triple A titles on the immediate horizon. By contrast, the casual genre is packed-to-the-gills with hotly anticipated games, including The Beatles: Rock Band, Wii NintenDogs, Punch Out!!, Wii Sports Resort and The Sims 3 — not to mention a raft of new games for the Apple iPhone, which is swiftly becoming the new king of casual gaming.
And then there are the other signs, like Microsoft’s rumoured plans to retire its flagship enthusiast console; the Xbox 360 Elite. Tellingly, the same console currently comes bundled with Indiana Jones Lego and Kung Fu Panda — which are about as anti-hardcore as you can get. It’s almost as if Microsoft is ashamed of the Elite's premier status.
If you're still not convinced that hardcore gaming is on the wane, take a look at the woeful sales performance of Nintendo's non-casual offerings. The blood-soaked hack 'em up MadWorld failed to make much of a dent in gamers’ wallets, despite receiving considerable critical acclaim. Even Rock Star’s hotly anticipated Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars didn’t set the world alight. In its first month on sale, it only sold 89,000 copies. (By comparison, the first Nintendogs game sold nearly three times that number in its first week on sale alone).
We now live in a world where Wii frickin’ Sports is the best-selling game of all time. By the end of the next console generation, the kind of games we enjoy and play today may well have gone the way of the Nintendo PowerGlove. Hardcore games will still exist of course, but they will be something of a niche market, much like the PC gaming scene of today. Mark our words, the PS4 and XBox 720 will have full-blown motion control schemes — and hardcore gaming can only suffer as a result. Ladies and gentlemen, it appears that the ‘game’ is up. It's time to welcome our Nu N-Gamer overlords.
Follow GamePro Australia on Twitter: @GameProAu


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As anyone who's had it will tell you, food poisoning can be extremely unpleasant, but by following a few simple guidelines and using commonsense it is also easy to avoid.
This week, July 4th to 10th, is national Food Safety Week, promoted by the Food Standards Agency. It is an independent Government department tasked with using its expertise and influence to make sure people can trust that the food they buy and eat is both safe and honestly described.
The focus of this year's Food Safety Week is the amount of frozen food thrown away because of confusion and misconceptions about what is and isn't safe to eat. In Britain we throw away seven million tons of food and drink from our homes every year, and a great deal of it is from our freezers.
This, says the FSA, is not because the food has gone bad, but because of a number of "freezing myths" that are preventing people from using their freezers properly to make food go further.
Steve Wearne, Director of Policy at the FSA, said: "Much of this food waste is unnecessary, and a better understanding of how to freeze food safely could go a significant way towards tackling the problem.
“Our research shows that many of the fears the public has about freezing food are unfounded and we need to ensure they know the facts; 31% of the people we spoke to said that more information about how to safely freeze food would help them to reduce their food waste."
That research, which involved a survey of 1,500 people, highlighted a number of freezer myths, including:
· 43% wrongly thought that food could only be frozen on the day it was bought
· 38% wrongly believed that it is dangerous to refreeze meat once it has been defrosted and cooked
· 36% wrongly thought that food could become unsafe to eat while in the freezer
· 90% of the people surveyed said there are foods that they would never freeze.
Responding to the research, Mr Wearne added: “The freezer is like a pause button, so you can freeze foods right up to the 'use by' date. While food is kept safe in the freezer, it’s the quality that deteriorates over time, so we recommend eating it within three to six months and checking for any freezing instructions on the packaging.
"Once defrosted, the pause button is off, so defrost food as and when you need it and eat it within 24 hours of it being fully defrosted."
Another reason we throw away so much food is simply because we buy too much, but if you have food which you are unlikely to eat before its 'use by' date then it can be frozen to eat later. The FSA's research found that 68% of those surveyed had thrown away food in the past month, mainly bread fruit, vegetables and leftover meals, all of which could be frozen to be used later.
Helen White, from campaign group Love Food Hate Waste, said: "Freezing food is one of the little things we can all do to make a big difference and the best bit is that most foods can be frozen – even those you wouldn't expect!"
Of course, if you really think a food item – especially meat and fish products – has gone off, it is better to discard it than risk food poisoning. But remember that the 'best before' date on food packaging only means that the food will be at its optimum quality before that date. It is only the 'use by' date which is about whether something should be safe to eat.


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The future of cities are changing. They are getting smarter by incorporating latest gadgets such as drones flying in mass. Soon enough, people will be seeing their parcels being delivered by drone. A new method of transportation is being a viable option to ground transportation that will change the way we live our lives forever.
Some people think this is decades away. But due to rapid technology progress on drones, several tech behemoths like Amazon, Google and Uber are working hard to make this a reality. If you are late to work, all you have to do is take Air Uber to work. Soon enough, you will be able to complain about drones buzzing overhead on the way to your shopaholic neighbor. These are all part of the major plans that tech giants are working on and is in process of being executed.
The companies that are taking the lead is incumbent giants with funds and foresight to see this happening. Amazon, Google, and Uber see the opportunities to expand the business beyond ground transportation. Furthermore, they understand the value and pay-off for those who control our skies. This is happening much sooner than you think with trials under the ways and cities signing up to be the first in line.
Google & Project Wing
In Canberra, which is the capital city of Australian, Google has been working on their latest flying gadget called Project Wing. It focuses on delivering parcels directly to homes. In the past 18 months, they have been trialing drone delivery of food, drinks, medication and even locally-made coffee and chocolate. It appears that the Google Wing is competing along with UPS Flight Forward Service that was launched few weeks ago.
Google was granted an official license by the Australian Aviation Authority, CASA, after a through examination of safety implication. CASA stated that the issues have been assessed and there is no risks to people on the ground, property and aircraft in the sky.
As of now, Project Wing will start delivering on regular basis to around 100 homes with only one condition that the drones are banned from crossing major roads. Furthermore, there is a minimum distance they have to keep away from people on the ground.
Google announced plans for a second city in Helsinki. The drone delivery will bring food from two shops: Herkku Food Market and local restaurant Cafe Monami. There is also reports saying that Wing got approval in the United States to start making delivering, starting in Virginia within few months.
UberAir + UberEats = UberWin
Uber actually made less progress compared to Google. But the company is winning so good in the ambition stakes. They already made deals with Dallas-Forth Worth, Dubai, Los Angeles and Melbourne for trials in 2020 to 2023. It will be focusing on moving people around via skies as opposed to delivering the boxes.
Melbourne will be the first city outside the United States to trial UberAir. The company describe it as aerial-ride sharing that will transport people from Skyport to Skyport for the price of an UberX. This brings a lot of promising features that will reduce traffic congestion that costs around $16.5 billion a year to the Australian economy.
Uber released potential designs for both rooftop landing pads and carriers themselves. They are called Electric VTOLs that will carry up to four passengers and operate as a helicopter. Currently, Uber is working with partners like Aurora Flight Sciences, Pipistrel Aircraft and Karem Aircraft.
Meanwhile, UberEats is gearing up to get into the drone delivery game. It will offer pilot program to deliver food fast in San Diego, California. The goal of drone delivery is to reduce time and expand number of choice for customers. Furthermore, the drones will take order across skies to drop-off points where they will be picked up by Uber drivers and deliver to your door.
Amazon Prime Air Drone
Amazon is a well-known eCommerce retail that dominates global logistics. What is more surprising is that they aren’t leading this race. On June 5th, they announced a brand new drone that can fly vertically. Similar to a helicopter and comes with the ability to fly in aerodynamic airplane mode. They also launched a video on YouTube that you can check out to see what they have in their mind.
The Amazon Prime Air drone was introduced on the stage at Amazon’s Re: MARS conference. CEO Jeff Wilke said that the drone emphasizes on the aircraft’s safety features. Citing that the consumers will feel comfortable ordering drone delivery if they know the aircraft’s safety features is safe. The new drone will be equipped with thermal cameras, depth cameras and sonar for detecting hazards.
With its built-in AI system, it will help Amazon detect obstacles and navigate around them. CEO Wilke emphasizes that this is a drone that is built to exacting aerospace standards. Which isn’t something new to FAA despite its advanced technology and AI system being implemented. He also commented that consumers will soon see drone delivering packages to their home in matters of months.
Now What Happens Next?
Of course, these drone deliveries will not happen right away. But it is numbered in matters of months. Make no mistakes because it will happen in one city. Then after that, it will be two cities, then five cities, then ten, twenty, and so on until it fully integrates into our daily lives. Technology will be solved, concerns will be address, and ultimately the authorities will get on the board.
Amazon, Google, and Uber won’t get there at the same time. But all of them are trialing the new drone technology by introducing their own version. Just as Google Project Wing took a giant flight in Canberra, Australia. Soon enough you will be able to get the item you want on the same day for less than 30 minutes after ordering. The drones are truly changing the ways business and daily lives are taking the places.
What do you think of these drones by Amazon, Google and Uber delivering items to your home? Share your thoughts and views with us by commenting below. We hope to start conversation with you about these latest flying gadgets the tech behemoths are taking the lead. Stay tuned for more updates about drones, gadgets and other awesome things that are evolving the drones.


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Italian entrepreneur Alessandro Bastagli set his sights on Shanghai Tang two decades ago and having finally bought the brand in 2017 from Richemont he aims to increase the group’s sales by 15-20 percent next year.
Fashion cars and fashion have always been good friends. Just ask Tommy Hilfiger, who on Tuesday announced a multi-year partnership with Mercedes Benz to be the Formula One world champion team’s official apparel partner.
2017 was a good year for YNAP as the high-end e-tailer turned in a record sales performance. It saw net revenues rising 16.9% on a currency-neutral basis, or 11.8% as reported, to hit a massive €2.1 billion.
One of the great, unconsummated love affairs in Italian life is between the mechanic and the movie star. Until Sunday night’s Formula One-inspired collection by Miu Miu, staged in the Automobile Club de France.
Yves Saint Laurent, French luxury group Kering's second-biggest brand, expects to nearly double revenue in three to five years while boosting profits, adding to its recent strong growth, the company said on Monday.
First Lady Melania Trump on Friday channeled predecessor Jackie Kennedy as her husband took power, donning an elegant Ralph Lauren powder blue suit that won rave reviews -- and helped silence her critics.


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The U.S. Postal Service plans to drop Saturday delivery of first-class mail by August in its latest effort to cut costs after losing nearly $16 billion last fiscal year, the cash-strapped agency said Wednesday.
The plan would save about $2 billion a year, the Postal Service said. The mail agency will still deliver packages six days a week and will not change post office operating hours.
The Postal Service has been losing billions of dollars each year as it grapples with massive payments for future retiree health benefits and Americans' increasing reliance on online communications, which has driven down mail volumes.
The agency has been seeking congressional approval to get relief from those prepayments and for a larger restructuring to reduce costs. But with no short-term legislative fix in sight, the Postal Service is getting more aggressive in testing its own authority to make cuts.
"The Postal Service is advancing an important new approach to delivery that reflects the strong growth of our package business and responds to the financial realities resulting from America's changing mailing habits," Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said in a statement.
The 237-year-old institution ran into its legal borrowing limit last year and defaulted twice on required payments to the federal government.
Postal officials have said for years that the agency needed to cut back on delivery days, as well as close underused facilities and reduce its workforce.
Officials previously contended they needed permission from Congress to make the changes, but now believe they may be able to take some actions without new legislation.
Donahue said the changes would allow the Postal Service to continue benefiting from rising package deliveries as Americans order more products online from websites such as eBay and Amazon.
Package deliveries were a bright spot in a bleak 2012 fiscal year, with package revenue rising 8.7%.


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Drinking Caffeine During Pregnancy?
Find a Conversation
|Thu, 10-11-2012 - 10:46am|
What do you think? How do you feel about drinking caffeine during pregnancy? Will you be cutting down the amount of caffeine you drink?
Women can drink a cup of coffee or one soft drink a day during pregnancy and not worry that it might put them at risk of miscarriage or preterm birth, according to new guidelines released by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Read the entire article here- http://www.ivillage.com/moderate-caffeine-intake-safe-during-pregnancy-experts-say/4-a-229488?ice=i...


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He did that because he was concerned about his ability, to be good enough to make the team.Working out flight time requires complex software to calculate all the variables including distance, altitude, weather forecast and air traffic congestion along the way.Who’s going to win MVP?
More than a million jerseys cheap people lined the streets to watch the parade in 1933.The retriever then starts brushing his right hind leg across the owner’s face, causing him to scrunch his face as he wakes up as the people behind the camera laugh at the adorable display.He made some hires to familiarize himself.The Jets have had the For Sale on this pick for a year, ever since they gave up all those second-round picks to go up and get Sam Darnold.Signs of food poisoning in dogs can vary widely but key symptoms include things like vomiting, diarrhea, dilated pupils, loss of appetite, restlessness, staggering, and disorientation.You hear that sound-audible on the broadcast and from the courtside seats-the crowd’s confused distress, and you understand what’s awful about it.
A number of major shopping malls also announced they would close on Thursday due to safety concerns as protesters planned further demonstrations throughout the day.They’re deep, they’re motivated and pissed off, and they have unfinished business in the postseason.Jared Goff will face a tough Steelers pass rush, and it won’t be easy offensively without Brandin Cooks.He wraps around your neck.
This really has been great exposure for these harder to adopt dogs, and I would be surprised if this doesn’t lead to an adoption or two.To find all players born within a certain month and year, for example all players born in December of 1985, choose the month and year with the drop down boxes and then choose the ‘Month and Year Search’ option.They were married in a private ceremony in 2005 and have three children of their own.As part of Nike’s focus on elevating consumer experiences through more direct, personal relationships, we have made the decision to complete our current pilot with Amazon Retail, Nike said https://www.freeshippingnfljerseyssshop.com in a statement.
Some people might have felt the fanfare for me was over the top, he suggests.


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Startup of the Year® Summit 2020 (11/16 – 11/18) Program: On September 3, 2020, Established produced a pop-up pitch competition that celebrated Black Founders. Five early-stage companies pitched to a panel of expert judges. The winner received a fast-track, automatic spot to compete at the Startup of the Year Summit 2020. Panel of Experts: Shila Nieves Burney (Zane Venture Fund); Edward Jean-Louis (Tale Venture Partners); Aubrie Pagano (Corigin Ventures); and Christie Pitts (Backstage Capital). Competiting Startups: CPRWrap (Hixon, TN); Freeman Capital (Charlottesville, NC); SoLo Funds (Los Angeles, CA); Thermaband (Weston, FL); and Youth Enrichments (Houston, TX). #StartupofYear
More info on Startup of the Year® Virtual Event Recap Celebrating Black Founders
WT’s Peeples to judge startup competition at SXSW EDU
Dr. Shanna Peeples of West Texas A&M University will serve as a judge for SXSW EDU’s Launch competition, said the University. SXSW EDU is set to host a ...
On the NC horizon: 91 events and 8 application deadlines to add to your March calendar
Plenty of technology and life science events and deadlines are on tap for March. If you’re interested in events coming up in the immediate future, check out our two-part list of… We also have a list ...
Event Recap: “Disney Glitz and Glamour with Bésame Cosmetics” Explores the Company’s History of Vintage Disney Collections
On February 12th, they offered “Disney Glitz and Glamour with Bésame Cosmetics Co-Founder and Cosmetics Historian Gabriela Hernandez.” The hour-long event was held over Zoom with Gabriela offering a ...
Black History Month: Virtual storytime features Black historical figures
The McAllen Public Library is celebrating Black History Month by hosting a virtual storytime featuring Black heroes. One of the storytellers says she has learned something ...
ADCOLOR and Facebook Celebrate Black History Month with Three-Part Content Series
"At ADCOLOR, we celebrate and champion diversity every single day, so the spirit of Black History Month is something we and our partners embody not just in February, but year-round," said Tiffany R.
A toast to Black History Month: How you can sip wine, support up-and-coming winemakers
"Black History Month is about celebrating ... Spencer's virtual tastings start at $25 per person. Once an experience is booked, Smith and Cooper will recommend the wines to purchase ahead of the ...
Wide range of Black History Month events
A virtual event ... Each year, the Kansas City Public Library partners with the Local Investment Commission and the Black Archives of Mid-America to produce a Black History Month booklet ...
How to celebrate Black history month in COVID-19 Charlotte | Charlotte Observer
Black History Month begins on Feb. 1 as a celebration ... The event will feature a kick-off program Feb. 18, along with a virtual 360-degree tour. Tickets start at $25. A Sign of the Times of ...
City Of Las Vegas hosting Black History Month events
The city of Las Vegas invites the community to celebrate Black History Month with a variety of events in February. Most of this year’s events will be virtual ... s Strong Start Go Mobile Pre ...
Black History Month events modified during COVID-19 pandemic
Monday marks the start of Black ... the founder of Afrique Ngozi Dance and Drum Inc. WPTV first spoke to Nefer a couple of years ago when she was preparing to hosts a Kwanzaa celebration for ...
AKA Mid-South chapters recognize 113 years of service with joint celebration
FOX13′s Lauren Coleman, also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, asked why it was important to have a joint Founders’ Day celebration this year ... this was the start of just the very beginning ...
Triangle headliners: 43 events & program deadlines coming up this week
Cary Chamber is hosting a breakfast event with Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, who will recap the last year ... the founder and CEO of social impact startup 700 Rivers. In this virtual event ...


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The new schedule won't hurt RIM, said Heins, who made the case that the company could actually benefit from a first-quarter launch. How does a product delay help RIM? BlackBerry 10 could receive a more focused promotional push in the first quarter as one of the few products out there, Heins said. While the fourth quarter represents a crucial holiday selling season, it's also a crowded time with many flagship phones competing for attention. Many of the promotions and activity often veer to the prepaid side, Heins said, and he preferred a more concentrated push for the high end.
Also, even when you've got a laptop or desktop handy, and could use VoIP on the desktop, a calling client on the mobile phone gives you the freedom to wander, You won't be able to see your pals with the Webcam from the iPhone, olixar leather-style iphone x wallet stand case - brown though, so there is a trade-off, 3, Does Skype for iPhone use the native iPhone address book or a proprietary one?, Skype hooks into your iPhone's address book from the dialing screen so you can easily call a non-Skype buddy using Skype credit you've purchased, The Contacts screen shows your list of Skype contacts, and it's from here that you initiate a chat or call to Skype pals who aren't in the phone's address book..
Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg talks 5G and media at a Business Insider conference. "Samsung has been extremely strong in the last couple of years, so we're going to have an iconic 5G phone in the first half of 2019," he said at the Business Insider Ignition conference in New York on Tuesday. Verizon plans to launch a mobility service based on the 5G phone coming from Samsung in the first half of 2019, Vestberg said, but he declined to get more specific. Vestberg's comments are just the latest splash of 5G hype in the mobile industry as the next-generation cellular technology edges closer to its commercial debut in the next few months. There's a race to get to 5G first, and while Vestberg vows Verizon will be first, AT&T is poised to launch its mobile 5G service in the next few weeks.
Nortel Networks has signed up chipmaker Motorola olixar leather-style iphone x wallet stand case - brown to support its "Open IP Environment," a strategy announced this past November by Nortel to license its network routing software to third parties, The two companies said they would jointly promote the technology for use with the PowerPC set of chips made by Motorola, Nortel hopes that by opening up its routing software tothird parties it can rally developer support and expand its base of potential customers vs, competitors, such as routing leader Cisco Systems..
Feedback? firstname.lastname@example.org. Native iPhone games get cool: BlackJack and Spy Hunter clone. Up until now, most native iPhone games, excepting some great emulators (NES and Gameboy Advance), have been less than entertaining. There are two relative newcomers, however, that beyond showing off the iPhone's touchscreen and accelerometer potential for gaming are actually fun. The first is iBlackJack. All you need to know about this game, aside from it being blackjack, are: double-tap to hit, swipe down to double down, swipe right to stand. It works like a charm, and has some of the most polished graphics we've seen yet in any native iPhone application. If only this game were linked to an online gambling site; we could be losing hundreds from anywhere.
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Qualcomm and its Snapdragon 810 may have just gotten a new ally, however indirect it may be. It has just announced that Japan’s largest operator, NTT DoCoMo, will be adopting its security technology which is offers under the Sense ID brand. The platform forms the basis for, among other things, Qualcomm’s advanced fingerprint sensing technology, which will allow manufacturers to optionally fit biometric sensors that can see through dirt and even certain metals. DoCoMo will use Sense ID as part of its own mobile authentication service that it will be launching on Wednesday.
Qualcomm showed off its own biometric security platform at MWC 2015 in March, focusing on augmenting the already popular fingerprint scanning practice. What makes Qualcomm’s Sense ID fingerprint scanning different from, say, Touch ID is that it doesn’t need a capacitive sensor or button to work. The ultrasonic technology employed by the system allows it to “see” through dirt, oil, sweat, water, glass, plastic, and in some cases even metal. This can theoretically turn any touchscreen into a fingerprint sensor of its own.
Whether or not DoCoMo smartphones will actually include such a sensor will be up to the manufacturers themselves, building on Sense ID’s implementation of the FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance’s Universal Authentication Framework protocol. FIDO has become the industry standard in implementing biometric security features and is used by the likes of Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 10 feature, Google’s U2F USB Key authentication, and Synaptics’ SecurePad touchpad.
DoCoMo is the first major carrier in the industry to wholeheartedly adopt Qualcomm Sense ID as a part of its own new authentication, system where Sense ID will be utilized together with other third party biometric sensors. The first smartphones to utilize this combined technology and service will be devices from Sharp and Fujitsu, while it is expected that newer Android smartphones from the carrier will also follow suit.
Update: An earlier version of this story reported that DoCoMo would use Qualcomm’s fingerprint sensing; however, that will be left to individual handset OEMs to decide.


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Freightliner's Big Boys Toys are back
ORGANISERS say Freightliner's epic Big Boys Toys 2020 event is set to be "bigger, better, louder and more rip-roaring than ever before".
Marketing manager Jane Chapman said it is the third time the event has been held at Daimler Trucks Sunshine Coast, with 60 toys in last year's show and shine, with 350 valued customers attending.
"Forward wind to 2020 and the popularity has continued to grow with more than 600 tickets being issued to date and 80 toys already registered, which doesn't include the multitude of Harleys and bikes travelling from Rick's Garage with the Farrows team on the day," she said.
"We are totally stoked that Farrows Customs are putting on two stunt shows to entertain the crowds and local muso Dan Horne and his band are providing the soundtrack."
The event, to be held on Saturday, February 29, is the brainchild of Dealer Principal Chris Spence.
It started as a fun way to thank loyal customers for their ongoing support.
Mr Spence said it evolved over the years with almost twice the number of toys and guests registering already than this time last year.
"As a result, we are opening up the whole of the yard to accommodate the toys and crowd," he said.
And it's not only the number of toys and guests that will be bigger this year either, with everything increased this year: toys, guests, food, drinks, entertainment and cash prizes.
The prizes this year have doubled to $500 each, for the three winning People's Choice toys.
The show will star Bryan Farrow and the Farrows Customs stunt team who are setting up and stunt arena to wow the guests.
Also making an appearance is Freightliner's newest addition to their portfolio the Cascadia which is making its debut on the Sunshine Coast especially for the show.
teh The high energy event culminates in a fuel filled, "rev the engines" demo and prize ceremony where three $500 cash prizes will be awarded to the lucky toy owners who take out the coveted Best on Show categories (chosen this year by the people).
Dan Horne and his band will headline the main truck stage; Matt Wilson from Moffat Beach Brewing Co and new brewery on the block Blackflag are bringing the craft ales to quench guest thirsts.


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The GSA Travel Data Challenge is certainly “novel” as Jay Boehmer relates in his recent blog post on The Beat.
As Boehmer notes, “The U.S. General Services Administration this week kicked off what it called a ‘first-of-its-kind, public prize competition’ that solicits tech developers to design travel data analysis software that would help federal agencies better manage spend.”
What is interesting about the contest is that there are commercial applications that exist today which provide exactly the scope and requirements of the contest. However, it is unlikely that any of the commercial providers will participate since the contest stipulates that the contest winners will grant to the Federal Government “a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use any and all intellectual property….” The contest winners are free to sell their solution to the commercial market and all other government entities.
On the surface this seems a rather clever way to acquire a low-cost solution to a vexing problem. However, the Federal Government will need to adapt the solution to different travel data sources in use, maintain the solution, take responsibility for enhancing it, and otherwise replicate what commercial software vendors do every day. Unfortunately, this approach could cost the Federal Government more in the long run than simply leveraging one of the many commercially available solutions for optimizing travel spending.


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Has there ever been a better time to start rubbing McDonalds fries all over your scalp? It turns out a chemical used to cook french fries at McDonald's may be able to regrow hair.
Researchers at Yokohama National University in Japan discovered that when they cultured cells using the chemical dimethylpolysiloxane, they could mass produce hair follicles that grew hair on test mice. Dimethylpolysiloxane is found in silicone and added to the fry oil at McDonald's to prevent it from popping and spraying when it cooks their famous fries. The hope is that the chemical may one day be able to grow hair on humans as well.
According to Biomaterials, scientists using dimethylpolysiloxane were able to grow 5000 hair follicle germs (HFGs), the reproductive source of hair follicles that then grow and sustain hair. When those follicles were transplanted onto bald mice, the areas affected began sprouting tufts of black hairs. The research group confirmed the hair growth transplants were effective on both the scalps and backs of the mice in mere days. Junji Fukuda, a professor at Yokohama National University, explained that using the chemical made a huge difference to the success of creating the hair follicle germs.
Researchers are hopeful the discovery could lead to a breakthrough in treating hair loss. "We have preliminary data that suggests human HFG formation using human keratinocytes and dermal papilla cells," said Fukuda. "We hope that this technique will improve human hair regenerative therapy to treat hair loss such as androgenic alopecia."
Even though dimethylpolysiloxane was crucial to growing the tufts of hair that formed on the mice, apparently eating a ton of fries from McDonald's isn't exactly an adequate treatment for hair loss in humans. And neither is rubbing french fries on your head, for the time being.
Brainjet is devoted to providing you with all of the craziest, most eye-opening, and overall most interesting information out there.


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London: European equities on Monday extended the previous session’s sharp gains, boosted by Cadbury which surged 39% on a $16.7 billion bid by North America’s Kraft Foods.
At 2:14pm, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 1.3% at 974.72 points after climbing 1.3% higher in the previous session.
The index, which slumped 45% in 2008, is up 17% this year and has jumped 50% since hitting a record low in early March.
“We are quite optimistic for the short term because everything is there in order to manage the uptrend,” said Romain Boscher, head of equity management at Groupama Asset Management.
“The market is talking a lot more about M&A stories this morning. This kind of newsflow coupled with a normalised valuation environment is what the market is waiting for in order to get more bullish,” he added.
Kraft said on Monday it had offered 300 pence in cash and 0.2589 new Kraft shares for each Cadbury share in the hope that it can create a “global powerhouse in snacks, confectionery and quick meals” with combined revenues of about $50 billion.
Cadbury, the world’s second biggest confectionery group, has rejected the approach by Kraft, which still hopes it can clinch a deal.
Other food producers also gained after the Cadbury news. The Anglo-Dutch giant Unilever was up 2.6%, Nestle, the world’s biggest food group, rose 0.8% and Danone gained 4.3%.
The market also got support after the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bankers said in a closing statement that they would not remove economic stimulus until the global recovery was well entrenched.
Under proposed new global rules agreed by top central bankers and regulators on Sunday, banks will have to set aside more profits as a cushion against hard times and face limits on how much debt they can run up.
Financial stocks were among top gainers, with Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland and Societe Generale, Natixis and Commerzbank rising 0.1-4.3%.
Miners got strength from higher metals prices, which rose on expectations of an economic recovery and growth in China. BHP Billiton, Anglo American, Antofagasta, Rio Tinto, Xstrata and Eurasian Natural Resources rose 1.5-2.9%.
Lonmin surged 6.5% after weekend press reports that Xstrata said it asked its bankers to study the viability of a new £3 billion bid for the platinum producer.
Among other individual movers, Whitbread rose 15% as Britain’s biggest hotel operator said it was confident on the full year after reporting a 2.6% fall in underlying half year sales, hit by slower trade at its budget Premier Inn chain.
Surging sales at discount clothing chain Primark led owner Associated British Foods to nudge up its full-year earnings forecast and boosted its shares as much as 6 percent to a 14-month high.
Spain’s Telefonica was up 2.2%. It said on Sunday that it had reached a deal with China Unicom whereby each would buy $1 billion worth of each other’s shares as part of a strategic alliance.
Swiss Re, the world’s second-biggest reinsurer, gained 3.3% after it said reinsurance prices were rising overall and it was well positioned for the January 2010 renewals season.
US markets are closed on Monday for a holiday.


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The Philippines’ accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) and strengthening copyright enforcement are imperative as the country is poised for digital trade integration with its Asia-Pacific neighbors, according to the
Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) discussion paper.
Authors PIDS supervising research specialist Neil Irwin Moreno and senior research fellow Francis Mark Quimba examined some notable low-hanging fruits that can be quickly adopted by the government for the country to be fully prepared for regional integration.
Moreno and Quimba said it could be an “ideal time” for the Philippines to accede to the GPA with the country becoming an observer and the GPA 2012 replacing the GPA 1994.
Signed on 15 April 1994 and entered into force on 1 January 1996, the WTO GPA is a plurilateral agreement that aims to mutually open government procurement markets among its parties by gradually reducing and eliminating discriminatory measures.
Becoming an observer in June 2019 enables the Philippines to participate in the discussions of the committee in drafting the framework for the conduct of international trade in government procurement without any commitment.
“Many of the GPA parties do not have a trade agreement with the Philippines, which could make the GPA accession complementary to the existing FTAs (free trade agreements) of the country,” Moreno and Quimba said.
They said it is thus important to assess the issues discouraging the country from joining the Agreement, most especially the protection of domestic industries.
“Since the Agreement does not compel parties to cover all industries, the Philippines could identify which sectors can be fully covered by the GPA provisions, and those that need greater protection from foreign competition,” they added.
The authors also underscored the importance of strengthening copyright enforcement.
They cited studies noting the prevalence of illegal online activities still decreases the sales of legal content. This discourages creators in the creatives industry to invest in making quality products, thereby hampering the industry’s growth in the long run.
“Moreover, a high level of piracy has serious implications on the country’s cybersecurity,” they said. “Thus, stronger copyright enforcement is important for consumers to perceive that patronizing pirated content is risky and inconvenient. This could be complemented
by programs that provide additional legal means for creators to promote their projects.”
The authors also found the importance of revising the conditions of data retention requirements, and providing additional channels for promoting legal content to facilitate digital trade.
Citing findings of an earlier study, they said it is advisable for the government to modify the conditions of the policies rather than lifting them altogether.
“For instance, the government might consider shortening the required period of data retention or changing the retention condition from minimum to maximum. In this way, firms would not be burdened by the unnecessary storage of data,” they added.


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TRADE REMEDIES ADVISORY
Centre for Trade And Investment Law
6th Floor NAFED House, Siddhartha Enclave, Ashram Chowk, Ring Road, New Delhi-110014
Phone: +91-11-39147256, 39147200
CTILS’s fifth anniversary celebration on August 2, 2022.
02 August 2022 6:00 PM
Constitution Club of India, New Delhi
The Centre for Trade and Investment Law celebrated its fifth anniversary on August 2, 2022 at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi. Shri. B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Commerce Secretary, Government of India was the guest of honour for the event. Ambassador Ujal Singh Bhatia, India’s former Ambassador to WTO and former Chairman of the WTO Appellate Body delivered the Anniversary Distinguished Lecture entitled ‘Appellate Advocacy in International Trade Law: Views from the Bench’. Shri. Amit Yadav, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India delivered a Special Address entitled ‘The Role of Academic Think Tanks in Trade Policy Making’. Prof. Manoj Pant, Vice Chancellor, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade delivered the Vice Chancellor's Address. CTIL also launched its magazine on this occasion.
CTIL Magazine - Fifth Anniversary Issue


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AT&T and Universal Motown Records are announcing a multi-platform agreement to promote Nelly’s upcoming fifth album, Brass Knuckles, via exclusive mobile and PC content, according to FierceMobileContent.
Starting today, AT&T will launch a series of exclusive ringtones covering the complete Brass Knuckles track listing. Plus, AT&T and Napster Mobile will release four full-length mobile downloads: “Party People” (featuring Fergie), “Body on Me” (featuring Akon and Ashanti), “Stepped on My J’z” (featuring JD), and “Warrior,” the report said.
Finally, AT&T will air on September 17th (the day after the album hits stores) an exclusive Nelly live gig via its Blue Room online portal. This marks a fairly hefty PC tie in for something that’s originating from a wireless carrier, but it’s not unheard of.


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Yahoo to Show Full-Length Movie From Weinstein Co. Before Theatrical Release
Yahoo is extending its reach in video content with the early release of a full-length film.
The largest U.S. web portal will show "One Chance," a movie from Weinstein Co., on its Yahoo Screen service this fall, the companies said today in a statement. The studio, also behind such movies as "August: Osage County" and "Philomena," will release the film in U.S. theaters after its debut online.
Yahoo representatives did not respond to inquiries about whether it would show ads before or during "One Chance."
Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has been racking up deals to showcase videos on Yahoo Screen as the company pursues new ways to boost traffic and advertising dollars. Last month, the company said it would pick up a sixth season of the TV series "Community" after it was canceled by NBC. That followed the announcement of two original comedy shows in April.
"One Chance" is the true story of Paul Potts, a shop assistant and amateur opera singer who gained popularity after being chosen for and later winning "Britain's Got Talent."
For smaller movies, studios are experimenting with more closely synchronized theatrical and home-entertainment releases. This lets them spend on marketing once rather than twice for separate theatrical and home-video audiences.
Weinstein also released "Snowpiercer," the critically acclaimed sci-fi feature directed by Joon-ho Bong, via video-on-demand directly after a limited theatrical release began. The studio has digital-distribution agreements for its TV business with Netflix, the largest subscription-streaming service.
"In today's digital era, technology has developed and changed the landscape of how many people watch movies and TV," David Glasser, chief operating officer of Weinstein, said in the statement. "Our partnership with Yahoo has allowed us to adapt and expand our reach to limitless audiences."
~ Bloomberg News ~


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The fans of Google were in such a distress the moment they heard the news of unavailability of Nexus 7 marshmallow update on its 2012 version. However, it doesn’t totally mean that everything is finished for Nexus 7. With Marshmallow creating waves, a need is felt on customer’s behalf to find solution to this problem. The ultimate solution being devised by industrious XDA Forums developer dmitrygr has turned out to be the best remedy. This solution would enable users of Nexus 7 from 2012 to enjoy Android 6.0 Marshmallow on the Wi-Fi.
Here, it is worth-mentioning fact that prior to installing the update; you have to study in full detail about the full mechanism of the installation. The custom ROM for Marshmallow is available for download and installing a custom ROM on the Nexus 7 through stepwise guidelines.
Google has put forward a logical explanation for the unavailability of marshmallow update on Nexus 7 for they have listed the device as an outdated one. By keeping in view, the excess usage by innumerable users, it was necessary to figure out this solution. In this regard, thumbs up to the XDA Forums for making this update available and removing this issue with Nexus device.
The buzz that has created spree in the tech industry is that dmitryar are also working on such issues and a lot is expected from them in future when it comes to updating the obsolete devices. Moreover, the developer has received worldwide admiration for this wonderful achievement. Although, Google fails to come up for the user in this issue and on the contrary, a third party i.e. dmitryar has come to help.


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Apple employees are having a rainbow-y day at the Apple spaceship campus.
According to MacRumors, Cult of Mac, drone videographer Duncan Sinfield, and a bunch of posts on Twitter, Apple set up a gigantic new rainbow stage at the heart of its spaceship campus…..and, Lady Gaga was there!
This stage and all the colours, and what we are sure of must have been a fantastic performance by Lady Gaga, were all done in a celebration of Steve Jobs’ “spirit”, according to a tweet by Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Thanks to people posting all of it on Twitter, we found there were rainbow stairs at this partaay!
The coffee cups were brown and boring either; colours are everywhere!
According to Cult of Mac, the rainbow stage is a 25,000 piece structure and has been designed by Apple’s product head Jony Ive. Apparently, the stage breaks down into a set of building blocks, which Apple can use again and again. Very farsighted!


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The pair brings the total number of companies in the accelerator portfolio to 21, Wells Fargo said.
“Helping to advance innovative fintech startups plays an important role in our efforts to deliver the financial experiences of tomorrow that customers demand,” Lisa Frazier, head of the Innovation Group at Wells Fargo, said. “We welcome Open Risk and Vouchr to the Wells Fargo Startup Accelerator program and applaud the passion, agility and focus they bring to create innovative solutions and unique customer experiences. Innovation is critical within financial services, and we’re excited to invest in and collaborate with these companies, and all our accelerator companies, to reimagine financial services.”
OpenRisk Technologies is based in Franklin Park and has built a management platform that leverages web, AI and blockchain technologies to analyze data, facilitate post-trade operations and mange risks.
“OpenRisk is excited to be part of the Wells Fargo Startup Accelerator and to work with business and tech leaders through the program to validate key components of our platform,” Narasimha Kodihalli, founder and CEO of OpenRisk Technologies, said. “We see great potential to grow our solution and build on our foundation of smart people, smart approach and smart technology.”
Vouchr, based in Toronto, has created an engagement platform for digital money that transforms financial institutions’ existing transactions into a personalized experience.
“Differentiated and unique mobile consumer experiences that elevate basic money transfer and bring people closer together are key to attracting new and keeping current clientele,” Suresh Bhat, chief operating officer at Vouchr, said. “Joining the Wells Fargo Startup Accelerator is an opportunity to help us scale our technology globally.”
The accelerator program began in 2014 to help advance emerging technologies in the financial industry. Startups are eligible to receive up to $1 million in funding as well as guidance from Wells Fargo leaders.


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Turns out the bot has been surprisingly effective because according to Browder, it seems that the DoNotPay bot has managed to challenge and beat over 160,000 parking tickets to date. The bot has challenged 250,000 tickets and has managed to beat 160,000, which we reckon is a pretty decent success rate.
According to the stats, in 2015 a record $1.9 billion worth of parking tickets and fines were issued by the City of New York alone. Browder says, “I think the people getting parking tickets are the most vulnerable in society. These people aren’t looking to break the law. I think they’re being exploited as a revenue source by the local government.”
Browder is hoping to expand DoNotPay to Seattle this fall, and he is working on a bot to help people with HIV understand their legal rights. “I feel like there’s a gold mine of opportunities because so many services and information could be automated using AI, and bots are a perfect way to do that, and it’s disappointing at the moment that it’s mainly used for commerce transactions by ordering flowers and pizzas.”


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04 November 2021
Owing to popular demand, the manufacturer reveals longer units for the transportation or storage of models.
DCC Concepts has launched two new storage cassettes, which can double as service cradles. Already available in shorter lengths, its new units are longer, allowing multiple units or a short locomotive and train consist to be lifted on or off a layout, without being handled.
Referring to its units as Motive Power Depots (MPDs), the manufacturer has said that its units are perfect for transporting to the club or a show and "so secure you can even post a locomotive across the world in it". The new units prevent the need to couple and uncouple trains, too.
Its MPD-1120 measures 1120mm in length and is long enough for a Bachmann 4-BEP or similar length trains, while its longer MPD-1680 at 1680mm is long enough for a Bachmann six-car Midland Pullman, or another train of similar length.
Commenting on the new releases, Sales Manager of DCC Concepts, Richard Brighton said, "Following the success of our Motive Power Depot range, we were asked repeatedly for longer units which could be used as storage or transportation cassettes. We have therefore launched two new products which are now available to order."
For further details, pricing and availability, visit the DCC Concepts website.
To find out what’s inside the latest issue of BRM magazine, click here. You can buy the latest magazine with free UK postage or download the digital version.


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Receive Breaking News updates as they occur
Some 2.1 million vehicles produced by Toyota Motor Corp, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and Honda Motor Co are being recalled to fix a potentially defective chip that could cause air bags to deploy inadvertently, U.S. federal vehicle safety regulators said Saturday. The vehicles were subject to three earlier recalls, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement that "a small number of vehicles" fixed under those earlier actions had experienced inadvertent air bag deployments. The recalls were not related to a wider issue involving millions of vehicles recalled over Takata Corp air bags.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Two pilots in a helium-filled balloon landed safely off the coast of Mexico early Saturday after an audacious, nearly 7,000-mile-long trip across the Pacific Ocean that shattered two long-standing records for ballooning.


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SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – Over the past few years, movies and TV dramas based on webtoons have been increasing in popularity. Films based on online cartoons from Moss and Secretly Greatly to the most recent Fashion King are the talk of the town in the film industry. Misaeng, meaning an incomplete life, which is currently aired on a cable television channel and drawing huge public interest, is also based on a renowned namesake webtoon. Under these favorable circumstances, Daum Kakao is hoping to turn another page in the development of the webtoon industry.
The company plans to commercialize popular webtoon characters in a bid to create a virtuous circle within the industry. The portal site is set to lead the new business activities, developing characters while also distributing and promoting character products. By creating added value with the items, it hopes to generate revenue which will in turn help to nurture webtoon writers. It has already made an effort to develop the cartoonists through its own channels such as the Webtoon League.
As a result of these efforts, the leading character Meung-i of a webtoon entitled Socks Ghost is set for rebirth as a commercialized product on November 29. The protagonist was so popular among cartoon fans that some of them even made it into real doll. Meung-i items such as dolls, notebooks and daily planners are ready for launch. The merchandise can be purchased through the VVANT (www.vvant.kr) online shopping mall.
In order to carry out its plan, Daum Kakao will poll webtoon fans to determine which character will be the next to feature on its website. Anyone who enjoys Daum webtoons can participate in the survey. There will also be another event to provide Meung-i products to its fans at a 20 percent discount.
“As a founder of the webtoon industry in South Korea, we will try our best to nurture webtoonists as well as produce high-quality online cartoons to promote the industry,” a company official said. “It is very important to create a stable environment for the writers as well as support them financially. We want to grow together with the creators in the industry.”
By Veronica Huh (firstname.lastname@example.org)


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Although still considered a new industry, cryptocurrencies are poised to become the future of digital payments. Boasting multiple advantages such as protecting businesses against chargebacks, empowering access to new segments of customers and enabling truly global, borderless and instantaneous payments, it’s difficult to refute cryptocurrency adoption. However, naturally businesses now have a lot of questions about cryptocurrency. As a business, should we accept cryptocurrency? If so, how would it work? What are the benefits? Is it commercially feasible to accept such a volatile asset as payment?
To help answer these questions, Dilyana Gramadarova, Head of Strategic Partnerships at We Are Pentagon Group and host of RWB Digital Series, had a discussion with the CEO of Utrust, Sanja Kon. Utrust is a seamless integration which allows businesses to accept payments and issue invoices using digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.
Together, Sanja touched on several important aspects to consider when it comes to adopting cryptocurrency for your business. What does a world involving cryptocurrency as the future of digital payments look like? What are the key benefits for merchants in accepting crypto payments? What is the best way to go about implementation of crypto as a payment in terms of who to work with, while still prioritising security? All of this – and more – was discussed in this exclusive Retail Without Borders webinar.
Sanja’s Vision: Cryptocurrency as the Future of Digital Payments
To begin with, Sanja shared her vision for cryptocurrencies as the future of digital payments: “The role of cryptocurrencies is not only in payments, but also the whole digital financial system.” According to Sanja, this is a very important distinction to make, because payments are only one aspect of our financial system – there are multiple other necessities in the market (such as lending and borrowing). According to Sanja, today there are more than 2 billion people in the world who do not have access to the traditional financial system, due to its complexity. Therefore, with cryptocurrencies, everyone who has an internet connection and a device (which is the majority of the world’s population) now has the ability to pay, be paid and participate in the global economy. In addition, Sanja believes that not only cryptocurrencies, but also the entire decentralised finance ecosystem will “play a much higher role”, as “most people will not want to be dependent on a bank or a central entity.” The reason for this is increasingly relevant today; banks lend our money to other people and earn higher interest, but give back almost zero interest to us as customers. So while Sanja is not saying that banks or cash will disappear from one day to another, she does believe that cryptocurrencies will play an increasingly larger role as time goes on.
In addition, Sanja draws attention to the fact that today, the current market cap of crypto is about $2 trillion. This is only half of 1% of the total global wealth, so we can only imagine how crypto will shape the future. Today, there are only around 100 million (or slightly more) users of crypto – defined as those who either use or hold cryptocurrencies. Sanja’s prediction is that there will be a “much higher role that crypto can play, not only for payments, but also in the whole decentralised finance ecosystem”.
Key Benefits to Merchants of Accepting Cryptocurrency Payments
As we know, we are seeing increasing levels of adoption of cryptocurrency by users, and have acknowledged that it will likely play a much larger role in the future of the financial ecosystem. But what are the benefits to you – as an online merchant – of accepting cryptocurrency payments right now? According to Sanja, there are several benefits, and especially two of those make a real difference on the payment strategy of businesses.
The first benefit is a drastic reduction in payment processing fees. This is due to using blockchain, which essentially removes any intermediaries in the payment chain. When you pay for something with your credit card, for example, the process appears very easy – you just swipe your card and pay and your money goes to the merchant. But in reality, there are “many intermediaries in that chain and each one of them will take a fee for the service they offer”. Therefore, you can end up paying between 9%-10% in payment processing fees (especially if it’s an international payment). So the first real advantage is the reduction of those fees – in particular Utrust charges a 1% flat fee, which as you can see, is a lot lower than what you would expect to pay otherwise.
The second important benefit of accepting cryptocurrency payments is the elimination of chargebacks. By not relying on a credit card infrastructure, those costs are “completely removed”. Today, credit card fraud is increasing by double digits year on year – and there are a lot of fraudulent buyers not recognising payments or using stolen credit cards. With blockchain payments, this cannot happen, because there is no credit card infrastructure to rely on in the first place. Overall, there are multiple benefits to accepting cryptocurrency payments, two of the main ones being a reduction in payment processing fees, as well as eliminating the possibility for fraud.
Sanja’s Advice: Security and Working with Providers
So far, we have gained a valuable insight into the world of crypto: its importance, the future of the landscape and the benefits of accepting cryptocurrency as a payment method. But how would a merchant go about implementing this into their business? According to Sanja, “one thing I would avoid is trying to accept crypto payments without the help of a provider.” It has been seen in the market that merchants want to learn more about crypto, so they sometimes attempt to configure wallets independently, but this requires a lot of technical skills. Therefore, it is recommended that you partner with a trusted provider to assist with this process. Not to mention, if you also want to do conversion, you would have to partner with different providers to convert crypto into a stable fiat currency.
Sanja recommends that whatever you decide to do, you should “always work with a licensed provider.” Although there are always many unlicensed providers out there, Sanja strongly recommends avoiding working with those, because you should prioritise working with a company that has strong AML (anti-money laundering) and KYC (know your customer) policies in place. With Utrust for example, they are a regulated institution, so are required by law to have comprehensive AML and KYC policies in place. And as Sanja points out, “we are focused on the custody and the transfer of money in order to avoid any money laundering risk associated with cryptocurrency payments.” So of everything that has been discussed, this may be the most important piece of advice; security is key, so it’s absolutely crucial to work with a regulated provider that you can trust.
Overall, this exclusive webinar has provided an immensely valuable insight into the world of crypto and accepting cryptocurrency as a payment method. We’ve seen predictions about crypto as the future of digital payments, the benefits of adopting it as an online merchant and the importance of working with trusted, licensed providers for the implementation. The landscape is constantly changing; so while that is incredibly interesting on the one hand, you also have to be agile as a business and constantly be evolving. As Sanja mentions, for example, they now offer the possibility for merchants to settle in ‘stable’ cryptocurrencies, which are less volatile than the likes of Ethereum or Bitcoin. So increasingly, there are more and more flexible possibilities emerging, and these may be able to offer you more peace of mind as a merchant when it comes to the risks associated with volatility.
Access the Exclusive Utrust’s Offer and Sign up to the RWB Newsletter
Utrust has created an exclusive offer for those who registered for this session of the RWB Digital Series:
- 3 months zero fee for marketplaces, with a marketing support plan (subject to qualification via Utrust)
- 1 month zero fee for merchants (subject to qualification via Utrust)
Email email@example.com if you wish to access this offer! Also, If you enjoyed this article and would like to be notified of future online events, be sure to sign up to the Retail Without Borders newsletter. We’ll deliver the latest marketplace news and insights, upcoming industry events, ecommerce resources and more, directly to your inbox. If you’re in the ecommerce industry, this isn’t something you want to miss!


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Chinese Internet business-to-business e-commerce goliath Alibaba.com Limited says it has increased the number of its paying small and medium-size enterprise members by almost 50% as it announced unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
David Wei, chief executive officer of Alibaba.com, stated: "Although the worldwide economy weakened during the first quarter and China's export sector declined by nearly 20%, our increase in revenue and paying members shows that we are providing SMEs around the world with an affordable and effective global trade solution when they need it most. We are pleased that Alibaba.com helps sustain the operations of so many SMEs which are the backbone of most economies around the world. While our Q1 revenues increased 19% year-on-year, we have taken the decision, as previously announced, to reinvest our profit margin into customers, people, and technology innovation in order to position ourselves for future growth."
As a result of the strong increase in the number of paying members, deferred revenue and customer advances grew by CNY191 million during the quarter to reach CNY2.4 billion as of March 31, 2009, representing an increase of 28% year-on-year and 8% quarter-on-quarter. Total revenue was CNY807 million in the first quarter of 2009, representing a 19% increase from the same period of 2008 and was flat from the fourth quarter of 2008.
As of March 31, 2009, Alibaba had 481,575 paying members, representing a 47% increase from the first quarter of 2008 and a 12% increase from the fourth quarter of 2008. In the first quarter of 2009, Alibaba.com posted record high quarterly net additions of Gold Supplier members of 12,782.
Cash and bank balances for the Chinese B2B Internet company as of March 31, 2009 were CNY6.9 billion, representing a 28% increase year-on-year and a 5% increase quarter-on-quarter.