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Corona crisis: EDRA against the closure of DIY stores
17 Apr 2020
DIY stores and garden centres stock many items that are essential in these present days and thus fall under basic human supplies. – Photo: R.Moers
The European DIY stores association is underlining the fact that DIY stores must also be classified as indispensable retail outlets during the current Corona crisis.
The world is without question faced with one of the biggest challenges of the past decades as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In order to slow down the spread of the virus, the governments around the globe are relying on social distance. Institutions such as schools, universities, theatres, restaurants as well as many retail outlets thus remain closed in many countries. With the exception of, as a rule, supermarkets and other food providers, chemists, drugstores and banks.
Regarding DIY stores and garden centres very different regulations currently apply throughout Europe. They remain open in some countries, whereas in others they have been forced to close. There is no uniform picture in Germany either: Sales in general are still ongoing in most of the 16 states. Bavaria, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony have however limited the admission. Goods are now only allowed to be sold to tradesmen and craftsmen.
Appeal to the politicians
EuroCommerce, the voice of the European retail trade in Brussels already appealed to the EU Government on 18 March 2020 to classify DIY stores as being system-relevant and thus prevent them from being closed. The Europe DIY Retail Association (EDRA) and the Global Home Improvement Network (GHIN) have now reinforced this demand. The press declaration stated that DIY stores and garden centres stock many items that are essential in these present days or which could become so and thus fall under basic human supplies. For example, wood and charcoal are cited, which citizens without central heating are dependent on or gas cylinders, which many people need for cooking. Furthermore, most DIY stores stock cleaning agents, household and pet supplies as well as replacement materials for necessary repairs – from door locks to taps. Plexiglas, foils and barrier materials that are needed to build protective devices are also found among the line-ups of DIY stores. Of course, many customers are also buying building materials and garden items at the moment. But one can fully understand that they are looking for projects that they can occupy themselves with at home to compensate for the forbidden leisure and outdoor activities.
John W. Herbert, EDRA/GHIN General Secretary – Photo: EDRA
"Our absolute top priority lies during this time in protecting our customers' and employees' health," commented John W. Herbert, EDRA/GHIN General Secretary. "We can secure the demanded necessary distance between people by implementing corresponding measures, for example the significant reduction of the number of customers in the shops."
Suspension of new EU provisions
As well as keeping the DIY stores and garden centres open, the EDRA is also urging the European Commission to suspend the implementation of new EU provisions for a certain period of time. Noting that the majority of the companies are currently under enormous pressure due to the Corona pandemic and the respective measures that have to be heeded, which would make it difficult for them to additionally implement new provisions during such times.
European industry umbrella association
The trade association, EDRA, was primarily not founded for times of crisis such as these, but indeed to create a network within the European DIY industry. Its key tasks are the cooperation on cross-state relevant industry themes, political lobby work in Brussels as well as the exchange of information between the members. With its offices in different cities the association always has its finger on the pulse of time, is in contact with almost every DIY company and thus enables the exchange of ideas. Tours are regularly organised for the members, which enable them to get to know stores in other countries and new shop concepts.
The foundation of EDRA in the year 2002 was based on an initiative of the German Retailers' Association for Building, Home Improvement and Gardens (BHB) and the French association, Fédération des Magasins de Bricolage et de L'Aménagement de la Maison (FMB). Today the association's members include 140 DIY stores from 27 countries of the European Economic Area (EEA). They are mostly represented by the national trade associations.
Since 2015, all EDRA members have also been members of the Global Home Improvement Network (GHIN), which has 214 member companies worldwide that operate in 74 countries in total. Overall, the members of the global network run over 30,000 home improvement stores.
Global DIY Summit 2020 postponed
A few years ago, together with its supply chain partner, fediyma, EDRA established the Global DIY Summit for the DIY industry. The 8th DIY Summit was actually scheduled to take place in Amsterdam in mid-June. The Corona crisis has however also toppled this industry get-together. Currently, in coordination with the sponsors, participants and speakers the organisers are looking for a new venue date. Further information on this matter will be published during the next few weeks. The following statement is posted on the website: "Postponing the DIY Summit to a later date will enable us to conduct the event in its full capacity and offer our members and partners the quality, which we strive to achieve with each of our events." "We are expecting the next Global DIY Summit to be the best event we have ever organised."


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The past year has not been kind to Chipotle. For several years after one of its first investors, McDonald’s, sold its stake in the company, Chipotle was often showcased as a leading example of why the Golden Arches, and the fast-food industry at large, has struggled in recent years. Concerns about the national food supply, and the desire to eat at a place that served both quality food and a commitment to corporate responsibility, have arguably made the round red and maroon logo with that eponymous chili pepper a new American icon.
So, when Chipotle removed pork carnitas from many of its locations’ menu because of some suppliers’ questionable animal welfare practices, Wall Street grumbled but its loyal fans were forgiving. Then the worst nightmare for any food company started: Norovirus and E. coli outbreaks hit stores here and there across the country, from the Pacific Northwest to New England. Critics can discuss the reasons until they are blue in the face, as the Los Angeles Times has done, but the damage will be long lasting. Sales have tanked, as disclosed in the company’s most recent filing submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
In the meantime, the company is trying to lure customers back. Like you, I received a flier touting a free burrito at my nearby Chipotle. And like you, I am not sure if I will take the bait. After you read about the ordeal of the several hundred people who got sick from eating contaminated food at a Chipotle location, and what a Bloomberg writer has alleged is often less than transparent business practices, many past and potential customers may pass on the chain for a long, long time.
Surprisingly, Chipotle’s stock has not taken as sharp a dive as expected, but many analysts say sell in the wake of the company’s largest sales drop to date. And the fact that Chipotle has mailed out all these giveaways is a big no-no in the eyes of many Wall Street observers, as they create a bigger dent in the company’s overall performance.
But to many of the Chipotle’s stakeholders, the biggest offense committed by the company is that its sustainability ethos is not one embedded throughout its company’s offices and restaurants but instead, it now comes across as more of a thin veneer. Chipotle’s marketing campaigns trumpet “food with integrity” and a steadfast commitment to animal welfare. Critics of the company, however, will point out there is really no such thing as a “humane” slaughter. And when news outlets such as Buzzfeed pressed for specifics on how Chipotle defines “responsibly-sourced meat,” the company has often responded with platitudes and garbled PR-speak.
Chipotle’s emphasis on buying local has also hit plenty of snags. One outcome of the company’s ongoing food contamination crises is that it had to backtrack on its promise to source local ingredients. And while Chipotle’s executives say they are committed to grass-fed beef, critics have pointed out that most of it comes from Australia. American ranchers have largely complained that the company (and in fairness, its customers) just do not want to pay the premium for beef not raised on grain. Meanwhile, not only is there a chance that your Chipotle meal is not entirely raised locally, but it is also not cooked locally: Much of the meat used in the company’s burritos, tacos and salad bowls is braised by one of its largest suppliers, including OSI and Miniat Holdings, both of which are in Chicago. Cooking at your local Chipotle outlet is largely limited to heating plastic bags of meat in hot water and then shredding it by hand.
Recovery for Chipotle is possible, but the road ahead is long. One hope for the company is that when other restaurant chains endured similar crises, they in part bounced back because of consumers’ short memories. In this age of social media, however, any more contamination outbreaks -- or revelations that Chipotle is not the sustainable and local model citizen it called itself for years -- will mean that the company may not regain a business’s most important asset nowadays: trust.
Image credit: Wally Gobetz (Flickr)
Leon Kaye has written for 3p since 2010 and become executive editor in 2018. His previous work includes writing for the Guardian as well as other online and print publications. In addition, he's worked in sales executive roles within technology and financial research companies, as well as for a public relations firm, for which he consulted with one of the globe’s leading sustainability initiatives. Currently living in Central California, he’s traveled to 70-plus countries and has lived and worked in South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.
Leon’s an alum of Fresno State, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the University of Southern California's Marshall Business School. He enjoys traveling abroad as well as exploring California’s Central Coast and the Sierra Nevadas.
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AT&T's $48.5 billion purchase of DirecTV is set to close after winning approval from the Federal Communications Commission.
The Justice Department had already cleared the deal, which will create the largest provider of cable or satellite TV in the U.S., with 26.4 million cable and satellite TV subscribers.
That's more than Comcast as well as a bigger Charter, which is seeking government approval to buy Time Warner Cable.
Suppliers of TV are buying one another as video from Internet competitors like Netflix gets more popular and costs rise for channels.
Adding TV customers gives AT&T more power to negotiate with big media companies over prices for those channels. The deal also combines a nationwide satellite TV service, the country's largest, with the No. 2 nationwide wireless network as time spent on mobile devices increases.
AT&T's purchase of DirecTV was approved even as Comcast's bid for Time Warner Cable, which would have made the country's biggest cable company even more massive, was blocked. The AT&T deal did not trigger the same fears from consumer advocates because the company wouldn't contain an entertainment division like Comcast's NBCUniversal and wouldn't gain Internet customers, considered the future of the industry, by buying DirecTV.
The FCC said that for the deal to happen, AT&T has to expand a fiber network that can handle fast Internet speeds to 12.5 million possible customers, offer "low-price" home Internet to low-income customers and not manage Web traffic in a way that could make online video competitors unattractive for subscribers that are allowed only a certain amount of data on the home Internet.


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Dunkin' Brands (DNKN) has ambitious long-term hopes to break out of its current regional footprint, surge westward across the country, and double its stores in the U.S. Many of the company's recent initiatives, including an upgraded snack menu and the relaunch of an espresso-based beverage platform, have been aimed at supporting that strategy.
Yet the coffee and snack giant's latest earnings report hinted at the limits of the power of those moves, especially as companies like Starbucks (SBUX -0.32%) and McDonald's fight over the same subset of caffeine- and calorie-seeking customers.
A tough competitive environment
Dunkin' Brands said in its fourth-quarter report that sales growth was nonexistent at established locations, marking a slowdown from the modestly positive upticks the chain posted in each of the last two quarters. That's a disappointment considering Starbucks and McDonald's both grew sales by 4% in the U.S. for the period.
Like these national giants, Dunkin' Brands cited lower customer traffic as a drag on growth. The difference is that its peers found ways to boost average spending per customer visit. Starbucks in particular noted improving traffic and spending trends, which suggests Dunkin' Brands' move into premium beverages failed to poach market share from the industry leader.
That drink launch did support rising profitability, though, as the espresso-based beverage platform helped push operating income up to $102 million, or 32% of sales, from $96 million, or 30% of sales, last year. There are no glaring problems with Dunkin' Brands' efficient operating model, as profitability inched higher for the full year.
Overall, executives sounded an optimistic tone despite the tough selling conditions in the industry. "While we did not drive consistent traffic momentum," CEO David Hoffmann said in a press release, "we laid the foundation for future growth" through improvements to the menu and aggressive store remodeling spending.
Dunkin' Brands issued a new medium-term outlook that amounts to scaled-back growth expectations. Sales at existing locations are still projected to rise in the low single-digits, roughly on par with the past year's 1% uptick. Yet the company plans to open just between 200 and 250 new locations across the U.S. in each of the next three years, compared to 278 last year and 313 in 2017. The more immediate outlook is even weaker, with about 200 launches expected in 2019.
It makes sense for the chain to slow its footprint expansion while growth trends are declining at existing locations. The shift will free up cash that executives can direct toward improving established stores and building on recent wins in its snack and beverage offerings. Dunkin' Brands' more modest expansion also likely played a role in the 8% dividend increase management just announced.
At the same time, a third straight year of reduced store launches shows that the restaurant chain faces serious challenges in its bid to double its U.S. footprint to nearly 20,000 sales points. Dunkin' Brands still might eventually hit that target, but for now, the chain has to focus on recapturing customer traffic growth at its existing stores and finding a way to speed up sales gains to levels already enjoyed by its national peers.


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No Shopping Without Showing Nadra CNIC at Utility Stores During Ramadan, Shopping Limits & Helpline Numbers
Ration system has been introduced in utility stores during the Ramzan. Now no customer will be allowed to shop food items freely. Although Ramazan package has already been announced and implemented in all utility stores of the country but now each customer will be able to buy limited number of items during Ramadan on subsidized rates. Each customer will have to provide copy of CNIC on shopping. Without showing original CNIC and without providing photocopy of CNIC you will not be allowed to buy any item from utility stores on subsidized rates. This decision has been taken for the purpose of supply chain management. Notification has been issued in this regard.
Utility Stores Ramazan Bachat Package 2022 Details
It has been decided that on one CNIC a customer will be allowed to buy 40 kg of flour, 5 kg of sugar, 5 kg ghee and 2 litres cooking oil in the month of Ramazan. Electronic receipt will be issued to all customers for ensuring transparency. Detailed rate list of utility stores for month of Ramadan has also been announced, which study solutions has published on this page.
Strict action will be taken on staff and general public whoever will violate these special rules for shopping from Utility stores during Ramazan. Utility stores corporation of Pakistan has also introduced special helpline number for addressing the complaints of customers about utility stores Ramazan package. You may call at toll free number 0800-05590 for registering your complains. Phone number of help center is 051-111-123-570۔ You may call on these 2 utility stores helpline numbers during the office hours. Keep visiting studysolutions.pk for latest breaking news about different government schemes. Remember our team in your prayers during this holy month. Happy Ramazan to all of you.
Shopping Limit at Utility Stores in Ramazan, CNIC Mandatory for Shopping، Helpline


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NTT DoCoMo Inc. announced today that it plans to make an additional investment of up to $38.3 million in German mobile and interactive service provider Net Mobile AG, which it acquired in 2009 through its wholly-owned German subsidiary. Net Mobile plans to use the investment to buy a controllling stake in Bankverein Werther, a private German bank with strong electronic commerce and payment services.
A presence in the banking industry will allow Net Mobile to enhance its mobile payment platform, according to NTT DoCoMo. Net mobile already offers operator-billings systems such as premium SMS payments, and after the acquisition it plans to offer direct debit and credit card payments and also develop various means of settlement.
Japan’s NTT DoCoMo is an international mobile operator and provider of comprehensive mobility solutions. Net mobile operates primarily in Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.


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Singapore-based digital assets exchange Bitrue has found success by putting the digital asset XRP at the center of its trading platform. The asset is used by Ripple’s payment network to facilitate low-cost, same-day cross-border transactions and Bitrue believes that XRP’s growing utility among businesses and individuals will bring more users to its exchange.
Co-founder and CEO, Curis Wang discovered XRP at a FinTech Conference and immediately understood its value as a much-need solution to the problem of slow and expensive global payments. Making Bitrue an XRP-centric exchange had the potential to make the business more than just a simple trading platform.
Bitrue is excited to maintain an XRP-centric platform. With businesses and individuals around the world continuing to adopt XRP for cross-border payments, the company expects to also increase transaction volume on its exchange platform. As 2019 came to a close, Bitrue was exchanging 77 XRP pairs.
To learn more about Bitrue and XRP visit www.ripple.com/insights.


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2017 Fast 55 finalist: Pure Romance
Pure Romance launching luxury line of products (Video)
Which Cincinnati businesses, executives gave Cranley money for his re-election race?
EXCLUSIVE: Pure Romance acquires major competitor
Here's why Cincinnati companies are increasingly launching pop-up shops
2016 Fast 55 finalist: Pure Romance
Here's how Pure Romance will give a $28M boost to Cincinnati
Best Places to Work finalist 2015: Pure Romance
Pure Romance’s success gives city a much-needed image makeover
Cincinnati's spiciest company has nothing to do with chili
Pure Romance makes big Cincinnati 'casting call'
Your favorite lunch spot may be more crowded today, here’s why (Video)
Cool Places: Go inside Pure Romance's stylish new downtown headquarters
Pure Romance adds to bedroom empire, buys competitor
JobsOhio head talks job creation, critics and winning more than Ohio's fair share: EXCLUSIVE
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FAU-G is all set to launch in India on January 26, the company officially announced last week. Ahead of the official release, Vishal Gondal, founder of Bengaluru based nCore Games, developer of FAU-G, confirmed to BGR.in in an exclusive telephonic conversation that there will be a liter version of the game as well, if users feel the need of it. Also Read - Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) could launch a Hindi voice pack very soon, Krafton suggests
Gondal said, “we will first wait for the feedback from our users on the first version of FAU-G and then if required release a liter version of the game in the near future.” He didn’t confirm any timeline for the release. Also Read - Top 5 free made in India mobile games: FAU-G, Ludo King, Real Cricket 20, and more
The nCore Games founder confirmed that the FAU-G action game, which is set to launch later this month, will mainly target the mid and high-end smartphone segment. Based on the feedback from users, developers will release a liter version of the game in the near future for budget or entry-level smartphones. Gondal highlighted that the first version of the FAU-G game will revolve mostly around the story than the game play. Also Read - Top 5 Battlegrounds Mobile India alternatives you can play right now
The first episode of FAU-G game will be around the Galwan Valley episode between the Indian and Chinese army. He didn’t reveal details of the next versions of the game and said that developers are currently focusing on improvising the first version of the game.
The company will release the first version of the game on January 26 followed by other versions with more and more game modes, battle royale features and more later this year. “FAU-G is not going to be like PUBG Mobile or any of the existing battle royale games. We are working on many gaming modes and also battle royale game features, which will be released in the next six to eight months through an OTA update,” Gondal highlighted.
FAU-G and PUBG Mobile are different
Time and again Gondal has highlighted that FAU-G isn’t a competitor of PUBG Mobile, which is currently banned in India due to privacy and security reasons. The government of India banned the battle royale game in the country last year alongside hundreds of other Chinese applications in the country.
For the last few months, PUBG Corporation is working hard to bring the game back to India as PUBG Mobile India but there seems to have been some delay in the re-launch of the game. The gaming company is trying hard to address the concerns raised by the Indian government at the time of banning the game in the country.
The FAU-G game will be initially released on Google Play Store later followed by Apple App Store. This suggests that during the launch the action game will be available only for Android users. The game has been available for pre-registrations for a few weeks now and Gondal claims that five to seven million users (approx) have shown interest for the action game so far.
While gaming enthusiasts call FAU-G to be India’s answer to PUBG Mobile, Gondal said he is serving a different product. “We are not a clone of any game and have an identity of our own. We are serving a different product.” Gondal also revealed that for FAU-G, user data security is crucial. “Data of all users will be stored on servers based within India and there’s no compromise on that bit,” he added.


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Sky Mavis, the company behind leading non-fungible token game Axie Infinity, has raised US$152 million in a Series B funding round with a valuation of nearly US$3 billion, according to news outlet The Information.
- Led by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, Sky Mavis said it will use the funds to improve its blockchain gaming infrastructure and build a distribution platform for other blockchain-based games. As part of the deal, Arianna Simpson, general partner at Andreessen, will join the board of Sky Mavis.
- The funding round’s timing is inauspicious, however, as the game posted its first month-over-month loss since its historic rise earlier in the year began, with profits in September falling 40% from the previous month. While still significant, the NFT-based game last month earned 64,933.71 ether (ETH), worth US$220.32 million — down from US$342 million in August, according to data from Axie World.
- Axie Infinity’s growth was led by its play-to-earn function, which allowed players to earn the in-game cryptocurrency “SLP” by breeding and battling Pokémon-like creatures known as Axies. However, as the game has grown more popular, the price of SLP has steadily decreased after hitting a high of US$0.3355 in June, falling more than 80% since then. In order to help address this, developers have recently adjusted the amount of SLP players are rewarded in game in an effort to recalibrate the supply.
- “There was too much supply of SLP, and no one was breeding [Axies],” an Axie player who prefers to go by his online name “Porky” told Forkast.News recently, adding the previous system disincentivized the spending of SLP from creating new Axies. “SLP is a free money, it just generates and generates. That’s why it crashed, and the [developers] had to balance it.”
- Sky Mavis has also recently announced it plans on developing its own decentralized exchange for the game in order to lower the friction for players who want to trade SLP and the game’s governance token AXS. Unlike SLP, AXS has continued to increase consistently in value in recent months, with its price jumping over 100% in a matter of hours after the announcement of the DEX was made, briefly reaching US$153.57. It has since declined quite steeply, however, and was trading at US$123.03 at press time, according to CoinMarketCap.


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According to the company, Niki empowers non-English speaking users with a unique conversational interface for doing online transactions in their own language. It handholds the upcoming internet users from Tier 2, Tier 3 India for paying monthly bills, prepaid recharges, booking bus tickets online and more, as it assists them through every step and provides assured fulfilment.
“While creating an impactful platform for the users of Bharat to transact online, one of the things we are constantly working towards is expanding Niki’s reach amongst the next billion users in the most efficient way. Connect India has one of the largest networks of on-ground agents and retail outlets which ties in perfectly with our goal of reaching users in the remotest areas and enabling them to manage their expenses online. Niki’s services complement Connect India’s vision and platform perfectly and this partnership is a win-win for all stakeholders involved. I foresee this partnership as being a major catalyst in realising the Digital India dream”, Sachin Jaiswal, co-founder and CEO, Niki.ai, said.
Niki is now leveraging Connect India’s large network to reach users in the remotest of areas to enable them with a natural, more convenient and faster way of transacting online through its vernacular platform.
The company added that Connect India’s network spanning over 8000 centers in 20 states will provide Niki an unprecedented access to a large and loyal customer base while Niki’s simple interface, voice capabilities, and vernacular platform create a revolutionary experience for the non-English population of the country.
India’s first-ever vernacular platform for online transactions, Niki has seen a massive 300x growth in Hindi GMV, at an annualized run rate of $40 million, since it launched its Hindi language capabilities in October 2018. It is currently enabling 4.5 million users, 80% of whom are living in Tier 2, Tier 3 India.


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Bhubaneswar: The price of paneer and cottage cheese in Odisha capital has been hiked by Bhubaneswar Milk Products Traders’ Association.
The rate for paneer has been increased to Rs 250 per kg while the same for cottage cheese was hiked to Rs 180 per kg.
The new rate will be effective from June 1, 2022.
The association said the traders were under financial pressure ever since OMFED increased its milk price by Rs 2 per litre on April 21.
It further said that the businessmen were incurring loss of Rs 12 per kg of cottage cheese.
Hike in fuel prices has also led to increase in cost of transportation of cheese from rural areas to the capital city, the association said.
The new rates will be applicable at all sweet shops in the city.


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Break out your fiercest front-row looks, because it's time for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's annual event: The Walk. This Friday, May 3, the SAIC’s fashion-obsessed are taking over Millennium Park to put on four remarkable fashion shows that highlight the school’s interdisciplinary approach to fashion. Tickets start at $40 for early birds attending the 9 a.m. dress rehearsal, rise to $75 for the 12 and 3 p.m. shows, and then to $500 for stylish overachievers who attend the main evening runway-show event.
Serving as a fundraiser for student scholarships, The Walk is the SAIC’s chic gala benefit that will award the school’s Legend of Fashion Award to Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy, and the Heart of Fashion Award to longtime SAIC supporter Melissa Sage Fadim. In addition to honoring fashion heroes, tickets to the event include a pre-show cocktail hour, entrance to the 6:30 p.m. runway show, and an elegant rooftop dinner. But whether you’re going for the early morning preview or the full-fledged evening event, get your tickets now. We definitely don’t want you to miss a chance to say you knew these risings stars back when!
Photo: Courtesy of Francis Son


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Toby’s Sports to expand online
Philippines-founded retailer Toby’s Sports has launched a new e-commerce site as it marks its 40th anniversary.
“Our e-commerce platform was completely revamped and we have since added multiple services to allow for a more convenient shopping experience,” explains Toby Claudio, president of Quorum International, parent of Toby’s Sports.
The site features a wide range of footwear, apparel and equipment from high-profile international sports brands.
Also coinciding with the anniversary, Toby’s Sports has launched a national campaign entitled, ‘We Got This’, highlighting an individual’s journey to achieve success in whatever sport or fitness activity they pursue.
A video journey examines the mental and physical hardships of sports training – from an aching, calloused body to a state of frustration and self-doubt – to achieving success.
“When you take on a challenge or set a goal for yourself in sports and fitness, you undergo several hurdles that make you want to give up. #WeGotThis is our rally cry to keep them going; to let them know that as the leader in the sports industry. We are here not just here to provide them with the right gear, but to also give them the support they need to succeed,” said Claudio.
“Officially introducing the site at the same time as the new campaign really brings the message home for us – that our dedication to our customers and their well being is unparalleled,” he added.


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One of the most interesting municipal enclaves in the Denver area may be sitting out the marijuana delivery game.
A hot target for many in Colorado's marijuana industry now that the business is legal at the state level, the topic of delivery keeps coming up at local government gatherings. Aurora has already opted in to the practice, and Denver City Council is set to begin considering rules for delivery on March 2.
Glendale, a town of around 5,000 people that's surrounded by south/central Denver, will likely bide its time, according to Deputy City Manager Chuck Line.
"We're a small city. Some things we want to be the frontrunners on, because there's a benefit to the businesses and citizens," Line says. "I haven't really heard a citizen say they'd really love to have delivered, but then again, most of them are literally within a couple blocks of a dispensary."
According to the United States Census Bureau, Glendale's total area is less than one square mile, and as Line notes, any of its able-bodied residents can walk to one of the town's seven dispensaries in a short time. While the topic of delivery has come up casually among city councilmembers and staffers, the town's marijuana industry hasn't brought up the subject, Line says.
If Denver eventually opts in to delivery, Glendale could theoretically allow dispensaries from Denver (and other nearby towns allowing delivery) to deliver to Glendale residences, but that would also require government approval. While Glendale does allow restaurants from outside of town to deliver to residents, Line notes that allowing outside marijuana delivery might not benefit local dispensaries. However, If a Glendale dispensary wanted to seek a delivery permit in a nearby town, "we wouldn't have any preclusion from that," he explains.
Although Glendale may not get in the delivery game any time soon, the town's pot shops can now apply for a local marijuana hospitality license. Last March, Glendale adopted an ordinance allowing dispensaries to have tasting rooms in their establishments — days before the state began enacting public-health orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the pandemic delayed any plans to open marijuana tasting rooms, at least two local dispensaries — the Smokin Gun and the Green Solution — have expressed desire in doing so when the pandemic ends. "We were one of the first to opt in there," Line notes. That does and will especially benefit our businesses."
Several Colorado municipalities have rejected marijuana delivery since the state began slowly legalizing the practice in 2020. The Colorado Springs City Council opted out of marijuana delivery last year, while the Silverthorne Town Council did so in January.
Keep Westword Free... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Denver with no paywalls.


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Honeywell has launched its Honeywell Marketplace, an online hub for enterprises to find and purchase innovative software solutions, technologies and services to help improve their productivity and increase efficiency.
The Honeywell Marketplace is an enterprise app store that enables customers to discover, evaluate and download business-critical software for a wide range of industries – including retail, distribution centres, transportation, logistics, manufacturing and healthcare, manufacturing.
The site features solutions from Honeywell as well as dozens of third-party software vendors. Examples of software currently available include asset tracking, point-of-sale software for retailers, push-to-talk communications, password management for mobile devices and medical tracking for hospitals.
“In the past, IT managers across the region would spend countless hours researching and evaluating specific enterprise software solutions to deploy advanced technology in their respective organisations, so they could solve their business challenges,” said Miroslav Kafedzhiev, vice president and general manager, Middle East, Russia, Turkey and Africa, Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions. “Today, we have streamlined that entire process – from searching to purchasing and deployment. Our customers want the same easy-to-use shopping and downloading options that they experience with consumer-focused mobile app stores.”
“A retailer, for example, may need different solutions for enabling customer checkout, tracking mobile devices, managing inventory, routing returned merchandise and communicating with store associates,” explained Kafedzhiev. “At Honeywell, we provide a single source, optimised for mobile devices, to find and purchase these solutions and more.”
Available apps include Honeywell’s Guided Work Solutions for voice-directed activities in distribution centres and the GoalPostTM labor management system, which offers detailed analytics on worker performance.
The Honeywell Marketplace also provides software vendors a flexible approach to building their applications and connecting with customers, which can lead to increased sales opportunities. Software vendors can conduct transactions directly through the online store to simplify the ordering and deployment processes. The Honeywell Marketplace manages the billing process, which eliminates the need for software vendors to invest in costly backend payment and invoicing systems. Vendors who offer direct purchase and downloading from the Marketplace will have their apps reviewed by Honeywell software engineers, which includes a cybersecurity testing and validation process.
Words by Katie Streten Experiential Strategy Director, VMLY&R COMMERCE Throughout the last year,June 13, 2021 | By Shruthi Nair
UAE-based grocery retail chain, Grandiose has opened its first hypermarket in Abu
UAE-based Carrefour announced its theme and plans for Ramadan 2021. The brand
Locally owned supermarket Spinneys celebrates 60 years of doing business in the
UAE-based Carrefour will become the first retailer in the region to offer new levels
The Organic Farmers’ Market is back in Bay Avenue for its 12th
UAE-based Lulu Group recently inaugurated its first-ever all-female staff store in Jeddah,
Jones the Grocer, the gourmet grocer and cheese retailer launches the Jones
UAE-based Al Maya Supermarkets is hosting a two-week food festival at select
Locally-owned supermarket Spinneys has launched its ‘Power of Plants’ initiative in the
Carrefour UAE has launched “Cookit Yourself” — a curated recipe box created
UAE-based Al Islami Foods, one of the largest frozen food companies in
Marks & Spencer’s plant-based range now offers over 25 vegan products including meat-free
Abu Dhabi’s state investment company ADQ is in talks to invest about $500 million
The once powerful department stores that anchored malls and streets around the
Who isn’t a sucker for discounts? Customers today are spoiled for choice
The various e-commerce and virtual retail stores that cater to different product
A private helicopter carrying the chairman and managing director of Lulu Group,
Retailers in the Middle East are making strides in their multichannel offerings,
Tighter restrictions on hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and entertainment venues on account of
All hotels and restaurants have been directed to temporarily hold entertainment activities
The new Dubai Gold Souk is “very much on track”, according to
Gone are the days of traditional brick-and-mortar as well as purely e-commerce
The Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group’s ongoing jewellery campaign, held in association


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Gracie’s latest on the Dish
First Lady Michelle Obama, catalyst and creator of the “Let’s Move” campaign (focused on eliminating childhood obesity epidemic within a generation) and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack just announced the first big changes to school lunches in 15 years.
“Improving the quality of the school meals is a critical step in building a healthy future for our kids,” Secretary Vilsack.
Recipe For Success Foundation’s mission statement – combating childhood obesity by changing the way children understand, appreciate and eat their food- is firmly aligned with the new USDA ruling. Both campaig for those who do not yet have the power to advocate for themselves: children.
The rule – which phases in changes so as to allow all children (grades K-12), schools and food supply chains to adapt- will require most schools to “increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free and low-fat fluid milk and reduce the levels of sodium, saturated fat and trans fat” (Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, Vol. 77, No. 17).
The government ruling, although widely praised and long sought after, isn’t necessarily a “eureka” kind of moment for many; the results of the ruling – largely based on recommendations and backed by research issued by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council of the National Academies of Science- outline changes that could be viewed simply as common sense, describing a simpler diet with an emphasis on vegetables and fruits rather than processed foods high in saturated fat and sugar. While this seemingly novel diet may be relatively easy to achieve on an individual level, it is a mammoth of a task to accomplish on a national level, especially in a sector where the consumer (in this case, schoolchildren) gains most of his or her food knowledge and eating habits from a very limited environment – the school lunchroom.
With public figures such as First Lady Michelle Obama and celebrity chefs from Alice Waters to Rachel Ray crusading for this national cause, a glimmer of hope – in the form of brightly colored veggies and fruits – seems to be peeking through the obscurity that was once a mound of colorless mystery meat.
A lot of children – especially those who qualify for school meal programs- eat two meals a day in the school lunchroom. In Houston ISD alone that means 80% of our students (or 161,600 children) will benefit. This mostly untapped corner of the education world can have a major impact on a child’s relationship with food by introducing healthier dishes in a familiar setting. But the 16,000 children who have participated in RFS Seed-to-Plate Nutrition Education™ program in the last six years will be ready. They already love their veggies!
I can’t wait for the school cafeteria to become an extension of our RFS classrooms.
President Obama has declared that September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. There is a lot to be aware of. Our kids are fat and getting fatter. Despite an increase in attention, advocacy, action and media spotlight directed at the problem and its attendant health risks, the needle hasn’t budged in the last year or so. On the other hand, much really good work that has potential for long-term impact has been done. We all celebrated a recent triumph when Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which made landmark changes to the school nutrition landscape. New rules and guidelines will effect 50 million kids. Read the rest of this entry
Food has been at the center of our lives since the dawn of mankind. It was food that drove us from our caves to explore the world. Food fueled trade, motivated curiosity, invention, travel and wars. Food was even responsible for the discovery of America. Columbus was in search of spices for a demanding European palate, not a new continent. Life revolves around the availability of food and the capricious weather cycles that govern it. A new industry emerged after World War II that used science and technology in an attempt to harness nature and smooth the bumps between feast and famine. Now, there are more than 10,000 new processed food products introduced to the market each year; reality television has turned cooking into entertainment; and we are eating ourselves silly. There have been unintended consequences.
For generations, family traditions and our best childhood memories have centered on food. But sadly in the 21st century, many of us have lost our connection to real food, its source and history. What happens when we subtract awareness and traditional meaning from food and take away the wonderful gift of having time to sit for daily meals with our friends and family? Besides a loss of culture and social bonding, we now see how this disconnection has triggered waves of unhealthy effects ripping through our society, the most prevalent of these being obesity and the chronic diseases that result from it.
Americans are suffering from the explosive effects of a spiraling obesity epidemic. Between 1980 and 2000 obesity rates doubled and continue to climb briskly. Today, 2/3 of us are already overweight or at risk for obesity. That means as a nation, we need to lose 4.6 billion pounds. Researchers predict that 41% of us will be morbidly obese by 2015. The crisis has invaded even our children’s lives. 1/3 of them — that means 20 million American kids today are significantly overweight or already obese. I’m not talking baby fat and cute pudgy arms. Unless we get control, this will be the first generation of kids that don’t outlive their parents. Let me be clear: May even die before their parents. It is not just fat weighing us down. The financial and human costs of obesity are growing at an alarming rate & soon will outpace our ability to deal with them.
Weight related health issues cost the country $147 billion in medical bills in 2008–double the amount a decade ago. Obesity accounts for nearly 10% of all medical spending. Costs are expanding as fast as our waistlines.
Obesity is a stealth killer. These 20 million children, the ones with a problem today, have a much higher risk of type II diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, liver disease, kidney failure and cancer. These diseases are striking them now as early as 6 years old. Catastrophic diseases that kick in this early will keep millions of this generation out of the workplace and will kill them young. There are plenty of contributing factors that exacerbate this problem, but the core cause is what we eat and how we eat it.
In the mid nineties, I began to unravel the remarkable changes in our food system during the last twenty years: the industrialization of farming, an explosion of the snack food industry and ensuing sophistication of manipulated food, the multi-layer processing of the simplest food items, the design of a food distribution system that valued ease of shipping above all other factors. Today’s diet is not about fresh fruits and vegetables harvested in season, distributed locally and prepared from scratch at home. No, most daily American diets consist of high-calorie food made of sugar, fat and compelling flavors, but few nutrients, that is all dressed up as convenience or coolness personified, and marketed 24/7. In fact 1/3 of Americans eat fast food every single day.
The more I learned, the more I realized: This is a WAR. A complex war . . . .we are not facing one enemy. From the powerful marketing influences of junk food makers, to increased television watching and time spent at computers, to decreased exercise, increase in processed food consumption and the demise of the family meal. The enemy is all around us and we are complicit. But lets just focus on food for now.
Farm subsidies launched 35 years ago to feed a hungry nation triggered a profusion of cheap corn. Cheap corn syrup ignited an explosion of processed foods, and cheap corn feed created a new paradigm for livestock farming that flooded the market with inexpensive, low quality meats. Cut-rate resources drove high profit product development for a few powerful manufacturing businesses and fast food chains.
Food companies have figured out how to make our mouths water. These new foods are not easy to figure out—they look just like what we have always eaten, but are dramatically different with added chemicals controlling everything from appearance to taste and smell in recipes that create a neurochemical addiction. Over time, these hyperpalatable foods change our brain chemistry in ways that make us overeat.
To sell all this junk, powerful media campaigns extol a new culture of eating. Food marketing is bombarding us at every turn—there is no safe haven. Advertising triggers what psychologists call the brain’s “click-whirr” response. Food advertising that promotes snacking, fun, happiness, and excitement directly contributes to increased food intake. The tradition of sitting down to three formal meals each day has melted into all day grazing. It’s now socially acceptable to eat at anytime.
We are like lambs to the slaughter.
I hope to use my bully pulpit on “this small planet” to address the solutions to our current system of food injustice and encourage you to join me in the conversation. It’s time to take back our food!


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Should investors take a slice of Domino’s Pizza US?
Shares in the UK-based Domino's Pizza Group (LON: DOM) have fallen by about 30% over the last year as the group has hit growth headwinds. But the firm's US parent Domino's Pizza Inc (US: DPZ) has gained 11% over the same period. US management remain bullish and have ambitious growth targets, many of which rely on international growth. But is their confidence justified?
Domino's says it is the world leader in pizza delivery. And, having enjoyed at least one Domino’s on four different continents and in more countries than I care to admit, I am inclined to agree. Its franchise business model has generated consistently high returns for shareholders and franchisees while building a valuable brand which is now recognised globally.
However, there is an apparent disconnect between the firm's US market commentary and the story coming from the…
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How Apple’s New Headquarters Will Change Real Estate Investing
Apple announced on January 17, 2018, that they plan to invest over $350 billion in capital expenditures in the United States over the next five years, create over 20,000 new jobs through hiring at existing office and opening a new campus. See their full press release.
Apple has already opened a new location in Austin, Texas to handle tech support with 6,000 people, employs over 84,000 people in the US, and started moving employees into their new Apple “Spaceship” campus in the Silicon Valley.
It is unclear whether this new office will be of as large scale as their main headquarters. More details and the specific location will be release later this year.
The tech giant has spend $14.9 billion in 2017 and expects to spend $16 billion in 2018 in U.S. and foreign based investments.
“Apple is a success story that could only have happened in America, and we are proud to build on our long history of support for the US economy. We believe deeply in the power of American ingenuity, and we are focusing our investments in areas where we can have a direct impact on job creation and job preparedness.
We have a deep sense of responsibility to give back to our country and the people who help make our success possible.”
Impact for Real Estate Investing
Where Apple decides to build their new offices, we can expect the city to explode in economic change. Apple was one of the early companies to help shape Silicon Valley in the 1980s. Since then, tens of thousands of employees have been hired by Apple from all over the globe. The inflow of Apple employees has added to the housing demand in California and economic boom. Every homeowner who has purchased and kept a home before Apple’s popularity has seen a massive jump in their home value.
Let’s take the city of Palo Alto. The median sales price for a home in Palo Alto in 2000 is roughly around $641,000. Today, the home value is $2,670,000, according to real estate data from Trulia. Apple didn’t solely contribute to the high increase in home prices in Palo Alto, however they did heavily influence the market, being a tech giant in the industry.
Imagine being a real estate investor who owned property in and around Cupertino before Apple has boomed in popularity. You would make a killing now if you sold your home. Now imagine yourself owning property in the new city where ever Apple plans to open their new offices. Again, you would see a pretty check after investing in a home. It is risky to bet on a single company however economics never lies. Employees will need housing, and your home can start a bidding war. This is similar to what occurred in Seattle with Amazon’s headquarters.
Take a look at our free buy and hold blueprint of how to qualify a real estate investment that discusses in depth of how to find a property for investment.
If you have the guts to take the risks and purchase a home near Apple’s new offices once the location is announced, then go for it. Buy and hold real estate investing is all about taking risks and investing in the future. You can turn it into a rental and sit on a stack of passive income for the next 10 years or flip it and sell it in 5 years to double your profit.
Go for the gold and invest in the future. Which ever city Apple decides on, it will be interesting to see their affects on economy, transportation, government, and most importantly, housing.
Interested in renting out your property? Schedule a free rent analysis to see how much your property is worth!


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One of the most well-known multiplayer modes in the Halo series is coming to Halo Infinite sooner than you would think. According to Windows Central, 343 Industries community head Brian Jarrard has confirmed that a dedicated Slayer playlist will be released as part of a December 14th update. This will be a “basic” option rather than the varieties 343 had planned for after the holidays, but the team planned to “bolster and expand” it in the future.
The Slayer playlist will be released with three previously announced options: Fiesta, FFA, and Tactical Slayer (SWAT). The December 14th update will also change or simplify the conditions for existing challenges, as well as add new ones to go with the new playlists.
Although it’s merely described as a “initial step” toward actual performance-based experience points, there’s a new challenge category based on player score that should better represent your in-game performance.
Fans who have been waiting for features like campaign co-op and Forge, which aren’t expected until mid-2022 at the earliest, may be disappointed by this update.
The Slayer playlist, on the other hand, demonstrates 343’s eagerness to woo those fans as swiftly as possible, even if it means removing certain features.
- Google doodle celebrates Sri Lanka’s Independence Day - February 4, 2023
- Netflix adds spatial audio to a lot more films and television series - February 2, 2023
- ChatGPT developer launches AI detection tool after complaints from school districts about cheating - February 1, 2023


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Some of Google's hardware is on sale via the Google Store, and the prices match the lowest we've seen yet for this generation of devices.
Recent Pixel Buds Stories
Google's new Pixel devices are months away from official launch, but here's a closer look at the Pixel 3 XL.
Google had an interesting year of platform advances and hardware mishaps. Here are the top stories from 2017.
I previously made the case that AI is how Google will win in devices. Now it's time to get a lot more specific.


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Kansas State University has said that a leading trucking logistics company has invested the amount of $1 million in the College of Business Administration of Kansas State University to name it the Shamrock Student Success Suite and inaugurate funding to sustain the National Strategic Selling Institute. Shamrock Trading corporation is also a parent company to a series of brands in finance, transportation services and technology, Shamrock is a well-known leading company in the industry.
The founder and CEO of Shamrock Trading Corporation, Bill Ryan has shared that the company is delighted to be a part of the initiative led by Kansas State College of Business. Which is an investment for the future of the students, the school and the business community. According to K-State, wildcat fans may be familiar with the family-owned Shamrock of Overland Park as a result of its leadership gifts to the Athletics Department. It claimed the investment in the College of Business Administration this spring marks the company’s first philanthropic commitment to a college and is committed directly to student success.
A leading trucking logistics company has invested the amount of $1 million in the College of Business Administration of Kansas State University.
Explaining the features of the initiative, the university also mentioned how there are several facilities which are provided to the students at the new Shamrock Student Success Suit. The place is claimed to be the perfect place for the students of undergraduate business, as they get access to meet career and academic advisors, and tutors, identify and reach the goals of academics and work with people. The university is getting more than help from the notable partners of the Shamrock group who invest in K-State to become the foremost land-grant and top priority institutional place for the next generation in the country.
Ranked among the top three best places to work in Kansas City in the recent six to seven years, according to K-State, Shamrock has also made investments in the National Strategic Selling Institute at K-State which is one of the best places in the country to learn strategic selling. A collaborative approach to business that focuses on people and their needs, a way how strategic selling connects people with solutions and opportunities for their requirements rather than running after selling their services or products, is what strategic selling is according to the University. During the academic year 2021-2022, the National Strategic Selling Institute has also celebrated its 10-year anniversary.
Shamrock Trading Corporation is a parent company to a series of finance, transportation services, and technology brands.
Kevin Gwinner, who is the dean of the College of Business Administration has stated that Shamrock Trading Corporation has generously donated $1 million to the College of Business. He also added that Shamrock is a great corporate partner, and this gift will strengthen the relationship of both the organisations for the upcoming five years by renaming the Shamrock Student Success Suite, creating a perpetual endowment to benefit the National Strategic Selling Institute, and expanding opportunities and experiences for business students. The investment by Shamrock in business students is a natural extension to help them succeed.
According to K-State, in fall 2021 during a campus visit, Shamrock CEO Bill Ryan envisioned a connection with the College of Business Administration as a solid investment – for Shamrock and the future of business. The gift will benefit both the Shamrock Student Success Suite and the National Strategic Selling Institute.


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One year implementing Intacct - Expert review
We have surpassed our first year of implementing Sage Intacct for our customers. I sat down with Intacct experts, Paolo and Lorna, to discuss how our first year's experience has gone and some of the things we’re looking forward to.Read full article
A view of the Aero Services Global Group
Aero Services Global Group (ASG Group) has over 50 years’ experience supplying precision engineering solutions and components to the world’s most prestigious manufacturers within the aerospace, defence, automotive and energy sectors. We spoke to Stephen Biddlestone, Group Senior Financial and Treasury Controller, about their ambitious plans and how their investment in Sage X3 will help to meet them.
Ambassador Cruise Line set sail
Ambassador Cruise Line is the first new British cruise line to be launched since 2010 and is setting the bar high. Aiming for the friendliest and most diverse crew, Ambassador have also publicised their rigorous environmental standards and practices. We spoke to Head of Finance Mo Parvez about choosing Sage Intacct for this exciting new venture.
Zip-Clip continues to grow
Zip-Clip are manufacturers of high quality suspension systems designed for speed and ease of use. Founded 17 years ago, the company now has distribution centres all over the world. We spoke to Joint CEO Matthew Clay-Michael, about their continued growth and decision to move to Sage 200.
The Musicians’ Union embraces the benefits of Cloud SaaS
The Musicians’ Union (MU) represents over 30,000 members across the music industry, working to maximise employment, improve conditions and offer support and legal assistance where possible. We spoke to Head of Finance, Beverley Dawes about the role they play and the reasons behind their decision to move from Sage 200 to Sage Intacct at this point in time.
Growing company Dolce moves with the times
Dolce is an award-winning, family-run education caterer with over 20 years experience of creating healthy home-cooked meals in schools. We spoke to Jayne Hoather, Finance Director, about how they continue to grow and innovate despite the issues caused by the pandemic.
Since the start of the pandemic, businesses up and down the country have had to adapt their ways of working. And whilst the recent easing of restrictions has led to many businesses getting ‘back-to normal’, others are less keen to do so and are adopting a hybrid working model. But, what exactly do we mean by hybrid working, and what are the benefits?
User assistance brings bonus benefits
We recently caught up with Donna O’Brien, Finance Project Lead at BBI Solutions, to hear about how the ‘Assist’ support service from Datel has empowered all Sage users across the business.
Ribble Cycles race ahead with Sage 200
Founded in 1897, Ribble Cycles is a premium world-class bicycle manufacturer and retailer - designing and hand building bikes in the UK and distributed worldwide. We spoke to Melanie Stock, Finance Manager, about their recent decision to partner with Datel and make the move to Sage 200.
CAT updates their in-house technology
The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is an educational charity dedicated to researching and communicating solutions for environmental change. Director of Finance, Paul Booth, has been committed to upgrading their Sage system for some time. Now finished, we caught up with him to learn how the changes are improving how they work.


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Get up to 100% more cash for cars and trucks in Long Beach with CashforCarsQuick.com
Long Beach, CA (PRWEB) July 16, 2012
Acclaimed cash for cars Long Beach service from Cash for Cars Quick is all set to become smarter and better with the recent expansion of their service network. The company has just announced the inclusion of new service partners to continue their excellent track record in the city. The new set of partners would be assisting the company in ensuring the same quality of pick up facility to their customers in spite of a huge increase in business volume. It must be mentioned here that Cash for Cars Quick provides free pick up service most within hours and a maximum time of 24 hours to all their customers. The company's service was introduced in the city in the month of May, and has received an incredible response from old truck car owners in this region. The company has relied heavily on internet marketing to land a large percentage of the used car market in Long Beach. By using online video and social media by SEO professionals to help promote the company’s message of auto recycling for cash, they have done well in delivering the positive message. Their primary focus has been on safeguarding the environment from the deadly pollutants that are found in abundance in junk vehicles. Find out more about environmentally friendly disposal of junk cars by selling them and getting cash for junk cars Long Beach service by visiting http://cashforcarslongbeach.cashforcarsquick.com/.
There has been a nationwide drive to save the environment from the consequences improper disposal of old vehicles in the recent years. A number of government agencies have come forward to implement strict guidelines for the treatment of hazardous components before the disposal of old vehicles. Most people are unaware of the dangers associated with junk cars and trucks. From old batteries, to transmission and engine oil that can leak acid to fluids that end up in the storm drains, and those lead to the bays and beaches. However, advanced treatment facilities are required to adhere to these guidelines, which should help cut down on the damage done by junk vehicles. Along with preventing further damage to the nature, the car owners can receive a fair amount of cash for junk cars in Long Beach that they no longer want or need, when they sell these autos to Cash for Cars Quick. This amount varies between $200 and $600 depending on the type of vehicle and its condition. Unfortunately, some cash for cars Long Beach companies do not have the set up to comply with these norms, and traditional junking methods are still followed by many of them in this region. Cash for Cars Quick boasts of a strong service network consisting of partner companies specialized in treatment of all wastes released from old cars. These treated effluents comply perfectly with the limits set for each pollution parameter.
Talking about the expansion of their service network, the CEO of the company William Leonard states, "Quick pick up has always been our top priority. With rapidly increasing volume of cases per day, it was important to bolster our set up. We have more plans that would also be announced very soon".
About the Company: Cashforcarsquick.com is a growing cash for junk cars service that offers junk car recycling company and provides high return of cash to the car and truck owners in Long Beach California and throughout the United States. The company and its partners follow environmentally friendly disposal practices to safeguard the future of the planet. For more information about the company, click here.


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Tesla received pre-orders for more than 400,000 units of the Model 3 merely days after unveiling its first mass-market electric car. The company is expected to start delivering the first Model 3 units by next year though it’s yet to confirm precisely when that’s going to happen. Those who weren’t able to get a pre-order in will now have to wait even longer to get their electric car because Tesla has now said that the Model 3 has effectively been sold out until mid-2018.
Model 3 is Tesla’s first mass-market electric car which will cost customers below $30,000 when federal incentives for buying an electric car are factored in. It goes without saying that a lot more people are going to buy this car than the Model X or Model X, both of which cost more than $60,000.
Tesla has updated its website which now says that Model 3 deliveries are going to begin “late 2017” with production beginning by mid 2017. It has also updated the wording to reflect that the delivery estimate for “new reservations is mid-2018 or later.”
The mid-2018 timeframe is the best case scenario for customers who place an order for the Tesla Model 3 now, the company has confirmed that the new date is only for new orders. Tesla is now working to make sure that it sticks with the production timeframe for the Model 3.


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Jobs in IT, Communications to Grow Twice as Fast as Calif. Jobs Overall
Not only is California's technology industry growing, but companies in a variety of businesses there - from retail to finance to distribution - are expected to continue expanding their hiring of tech professionals at a rate nearly twice as fast as overall hiring. "While overall employment is declining, these information technology skillsets are growing significantly in terms of overall employment," says Josh Williams, president of BW Research Partnership. California companies anticipate 7 percent overall growth over the next two years for the information and communications technologies workforce - nearly double the 3.8 percent overall employment growth estimates. That's one of the findings of a just-released study of the ICT sector in California that BW conducted with the California Community Colleges Economic and Workforce Development Centers of Excellence, and the Mid-Pacific ICT Center. The study found that 85 percent of California companies require at least some employees to fill ICT jobs, and 74 percent agree or strongly agree that these roles will grow in importance. The ICT jobs sector expects to add 46,000 annual new and replacement jobs in California, paying about twice the state average. On the downside - for the companies, anyway - more than 50 percent reported difficulty recruiting employees with appropriate ICT skills. "We found that even employers whose staffing levels are flat or shrinking are still increasing employment in these skillsets," Williams says. He reports that 78 percent of employers agreed that IT and communications technologies are important to the productivity of their organizations. Although the high-tech sector continues to be a leading employer of IT professionals, Williams says, "we found that industries such as retail and financial services are an increasing employer of IT jobs."
-- Doug Bartholomew


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Blockbuster antitrust trial impact to go beyond AT&T, Time Warner
With a judge set to rule in the trial over the merger of AT&T and Time Warner, any decision could have a far-reaching impact on the media and communications sector and the future course of antitrust enforcement.
US District Judge Richard Leon is set to announce his verdict June 12 in the $85 billion merger of wireless and broadband giant AT&T with media-entertainment conglomerate Time Warner.
The case, heard in Washington over seven weeks, is the most high-profile antitrust trial since the effort to break up Microsoft in the 1990s.
The outcome may set a benchmark for other tie-ups in the sector and how far antitrust enforcers can go in blocking big mergers.
Notably, this is the first trial in decades involving a "vertical" merger of companies that don't have overlapping operations but which operate in the same sector.
"This decision will have an outsized effect because there are so few antitrust trials that challenge vertical mergers," said Michael Carrier, a Rutgers University law professor specializing in antitrust.
"If AT&T wins, it makes it easier for other companies to say they should be able to merge."
AT&T, the largest US pay-TV operator and the second-largest wireless phone carrier, is seeking the deal with Time Warner, owner of premium channel HBO, the Warner Bros studios, Cartoon Network and CNN.
The deal comes with other big tie-ups pending in the sector—Walt Disney Co. is seeking to buy film and television operations of rival 21st Century Fox, and media-cable giant Comcast is expected to make a bid for the same assets.
AT&T vs Silicon Valley?
The companies argue they need more scale to compete against fast-growing rivals Netflix and Amazon, and Silicon Valley giants Apple and Google that are pushing into the sector, with the advantages of data gleaned from the online platforms.
The Justice Department sued to block the deal, saying the tie-up could hurt consumers by raising prices and giving the combined firm an unfair advantage over rivals.
Television industry analyst Alan Wolk said that traditional operators like Time Warner are hurting because they lack precise data about customers that would allow them to pitch programs, packages and advertising to specific viewers and groups.
"If the deal is quashed, Time Warner will probably be sold off for parts," Wolk said.
Blair Levin, a former Federal Communications Commission staff lawyer, said the government faced an uphill battle in proving the deal would likely harm competition.
"For the government to win, the judge would have to lower the bar on the meaning of 'likely,'" said Levin, who is now a Brookings Institution fellow and adviser to New Street Research.
Levin added that the government's case is based on "speculative" data more than evidence of harm in similar kinds of deals.
Jan Rybnicek, a Washington attorney with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, said the government has been "on its heels" in the case.
"I think most antitrust watchers would say this is not going well for the DoJ and that the evidence hasn't really shown there is going to be harm to consumers," Rybnicek told a symposium in April.
The government must overcome decades of precedent that allowed most vertical mergers to go ahead as long as "consumer welfare" was not impacted.
Maurice Stucke, a former Justice Department lawyer who now teaches at the University of Tennessee, said the government's case looks stronger if one looks at the original intent of US antitrust laws.
The trend in antitrust enforcement "is not a precedent of which one should be especially proud," Stucke told AFP.
"Many markets are now highly concentrated and there are significant profits going to a handful of firms," he said.
Under a stricter reading of antitrust law, Stucke said, the government doesn't have to show prices will go up, only that these sectors would become highly concentrated.
The head of the antitrust division, Makan Delrahim, has indicated the administration is taking a fresh look at how it evaluates big mergers, avoiding "behavioral" remedies in which deals are allowed to go ahead with conditions that are monitored and enforced by the courts.
He has also said he is willing to look at "emerging technologies that create novel threats to competition," leading to speculation that antitrust cases could be brought against Big Tech firms.
A ruling for the government could embolden antitrust enforcers, but legal analysts say it's too soon to speculate about future actions.
The AT&T case has long had political overtones. Donald Trump criticized the deal during the 2016 election campaign, and some analysts said the president wanted to block any deal helping Time Warner unit CNN, which he regularly attacks.
Levin said a loose interpretation of antitrust law would allow the government to block almost any deal, and open up the process to political interference.
While the motive behind the challenge to AT&T's deal may never be known, Blair said politicizing the process would be "extremely dangerous for the country."
"If what you see is a pattern where friends of the president get their deals approved and his enemies are challenged, it's problematic," Levin said.
In any case, the judge's decision—which could block, allow or approve the merger with restrictions—is unlikely to be the final word.
A ruling could be appealed by either side, dragging the case out for months longer, possibly to the Supreme Court.
© 2018 AFP


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Apple just announced a new version of its battery cases with a larger camera cutout for the new iPhones 11, but they come with more than just an upgraded fix. The cases also come with a dedicated camera button that can launch the phone’s Camera app from behind the lock screen, take a photo with a quick press or record video with a longer one. It’s a feature that has long been present on various Android phones, which offer the same functionality in varying ways, but typically with a double click its “wake” button.
This quick-press camera functionality is not just convenient for blink-and-you’ll miss it shots; it’s also a good security practice. Filming from behind the lock screen ensures that anyone who might snag your phone, from thieves to law enforcement, won’t have access to the whole kit and caboodle.
Obviously the battery case is also a battery case. It is compatible with Qi-certified wireless chargers and displays detailed stats about its level of charge on your iPhone’s lock screen when connected. Apple claims it can offer as much as 50 percent more battery life. The cases are available for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max right now for $129. If that’s a bit rich for your blood, there are much cheaper alternatives, albeit without the camera button, on Amazon for less than a third of that price.
The best way to catch up on the day’s most important product releases and stories. Read the Story


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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has come under pressure from one of his own MPs to reopen outdoor pub beer gardens before next month as the number of coronavirus cases appears to be declining.
From Monday, non-essential shops in England will be able to reopen as long as they can comply with social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus.
During Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons, he explained the government is “sticking to our plan” to reopen outdoor hospitality no earlier than July 4.
Conservative Waveney MP Peter Aldous said that allowing zoos to reopen from Monday was “very good news as it provides them with a realistic chance of survival.”
Mr Aldous asked him: “Would the Prime Minister give full consideration to allowing beer gardens to also reopen from 15 June as the feedback which I’m receiving is that many pubs are now facing the unpalatable and unwanted prospect of having to make staff redundant?”
Responding during PMQs, Mr Johnson said it was “very important that people understand the continuing risks that this country faces” adding: “We want to reopen hospitality as quickly as we possibly can.
“The House will remember that according to the road map, we were going to open outdoor hospitality no earlier than July 4.
“That is still the plan, we are sticking to our plan. So guidance is now being developed for such hospitality.”
During last night’s Downing Street briefing, the Business Secretary Alok Sharma insisted that two-metre social distancing will remain in place in the UK, despite other countries having different rules.
Mr Johnson told PMQs the two-metre socially distancing rule is “under review”.
Responding to SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, Mr Johnson said: “I believe that those measures, the two-metre rule, need now be kept under review.
“As we drive this disease down, as we get the incidence down, working together, I want to make sure we keep that two-metre rule under constant review.”
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said this week that she is “optimistic” at the next review of restrictions on June 18 that Scotland will be “able to move, at least in part into the next phase” of its route out of lockdown.
Moving into phase two in Scotland could allow pubs and restaurants to open outdoor spaces, and smaller stores may also be able to reopen for business, with physical distancing and hygiene measures in place.
In Northern Ireland, larger stores with street entrances were permitted to reopen from Monday, while the economy minister Diane Dodds has indicated plans to allow smaller retail stores to reopen from Friday.
Yesterday, there were 286 UK deaths announced by the Department of Health and Social Care, a considerable increase on the 55 deaths reported on Monday.


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Synthetic Cell-Powered Lotion to Manage Type 1 Diabetes
Early last year we first talked about how researchers Yo Suzuki, PhD, and John Glass, PhD at JCVI set out to eliminate the need for type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients to receive insulin injections to manage blood glucose levels through a novel approach: developing a bacterial replacement for beta cells (the cells that produce and release insulin) that could be applied to the skin as a lotion. Early results suggested that the skin bacterial cells could be engineered to respond to blood glucose levels and produce insulin as needed.
With World Diabetes Day upon us, we would like to share some progress.
- We have now shown that insulin produced in our skin bacterial cells is active (as tested on mammalian culture cells).
- We have made progress on ensuring that our skin bacterial cells are safe and easy to eliminate by making them dependent on a thymidine supplement (an essential ingredient of DNA).
- There are multiple versions of modified insulin. We have implemented a version that acts similarly to the commercial fast-acting insulin. It also has specific activity on glucose regulation as opposed to cell proliferation.
- We are exploring mechanisms for glucose-responsive activation of insulin production in our skin bacterial cells in collaboration with Stanford University.
This progress has put us on a path to begin testing in mice January 2021 with our UC San Diego collaborators. Testing will validate if our engineered insulin-producing skin bacteria can control blood glucose levels in mice and alleviate problems in diabetic mice with damaged beta cells.


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Calm is the number one, leading application for sleep and meditation that has recently known to double-down on its valuation at USD 2 billion by raising an additional USD 74 million funding in round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners.
The funding round also witnessed participation from existing investors including Salesforce CEO-Marc Benioff, Insight Partners and TPG (Texas Pacific Group).
The meditation and relaxation app company has raised total funding worth USD 218 million in 11 financing rounds. The latest funding received by the company was from its Series C funding round that concluded on 8th December 2020.
Calm has created a mental wellness mobile application to help its users relax and meditate.
Founded back in 2012 by Alex Tew and Michael Acton Smith, the company was launched with a mission to make the world a healthier and happy place by developing a range of digital and physical products that elevate…


text: Wearing a mask and disposable gloves, Michal Krauze sped around the restaurant of the Four Seasons Hotel in Tianjin, ensuring every dining table was properly disinfected, knowing that a wave of guests was on its way. It was a day before Lunar New Year's Eve, and the Polish national had good reason to be excited about his work: As China marked this year's Spring Festival with the COVID-19 pandemic largely contained, the hotel's dining business is bouncing back alongside many other restaurants in China. "Even though we set strict limitations on the guest flow and kept a certain distance between the tables, our Chinese restaurant had been fully booked for Spring Festival, and the buffet restaurant was 90 percent booked," says Krauze, director of food and beverage at the hotel. It is a special Chinese New Year for Krauze, who decided to stay in Tianjin with more than 200 staff members of the hotel's six restaurants who followed the government's "stay-put" advice. Instead of returning to Guangzhou to see his wife and daughters during the holiday, he wrote a card reading "Wish you a prosperous and joyful 'Niu' Year!" and sent it home with a gift basket. "Epidemic prevention and control need cooperation and team efforts. In this regard, China sets an example," Krauze says. As China has basically tamed the COVID-19 outbreak, catering businesses are welcoming the return of foodies with stringent anti-COVID-19 measures. "We've been back to full operations since April 2020. Business was even better in the second quarter," Krauze says, noting that the Chinese government's fee and tax cut policy had greatly helped the hotel. He says the hotel's food and beverage sales in December were up 20 percent from the same period in 2019. Eyeing great opportunities in this year's booming Spring Festival market, the hotel's Jin House Chinese restaurant recruited new chefs and designed new dishes revolving around the ox, the zodiac sign for this Lunar New Year. His hotel has also adopted a series of measures to ensure the safety of diners, including limiting the number of guests, regularly sterilizing tableware, disinfecting all imported ingredients, and ensuring all chefs who handle food have been vaccinated. Having lived in China for more than 10 years, Krauze has witnessed tremendous changes in the country's catering sector. "The consumption level has been rising thanks to the growing middle class in China. I see increasing demand for wines and cocktails." According to official statistics, China was likely the only major economy to post growth in 2020, with its GDP expanding 2.3 percent year-on-year and exceeding the 100-trillion-yuan ($15.5 trillion) threshold for the first time. "I'm very confident in China's economic growth. Everything has changed in a positive way. I see a lot of investments in Tianjin. We are very confident about our business this year," Krauze says.


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The Reserve Bank of Australia has released an official article outlining why it feels that Bitcoin can never be a legitimate store of value, at least not as much as fiat currency.
The article examines “why Bitcoin is unlikely to become a ubiquitous payment method in Australia, and summarises how subsequent cryptocurrencies have sought to address some of the shortcomings of Bitcoin – such as its volatility and scalability problems.”
The article details out that there have been a lot of interesting innovations in terms of cryptocurrencies in recent times but ultimately concludes that, despite the various innovations and developments in cryptocurrencies, none are currently functioning as money in the economy. The article further states in its very introduction:
“People are more likely to view cryptocurrencies as a speculative high-risk investment class than a payment system. We see little likelihood of a material take-up of cryptocurrencies for retail payments in Australia in the foreseeable future.”
The authors have presented graphs in the article that depict price fluctuations and constant volatility of the cryptocurrency which has been a troubling concern for the crypto. Basing their argument on that, the RBA believes that Bitcoin’s unstable price makes it an inferior store of value when compared to Australian Dollars (AUD).
RBA’s report also highlighted the fact that,
“While it is possible for an end user to transact in and manage their holdings of Bitcoin without using a third party, the roles undertaken by intermediaries effectively reinserts the need for some form of trust in a central party for most users.”
The article also ventures into the environmental area by speculating about crypto mining-infused global warming, which they particularly find troubling. There is also no proper settlement policy in place, which further hurts BTC’s chances for adoption.
While the article sounds heavily biased, which was quite expected, it does raise some pertinent points about what could possibly hold back widespread crypto adoption. Bitcoin needs to work on these areas if it wishes to emerge as the most superior store of value.


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Fortnite maker Epic Video games and Apple clashed in court Monday at the opening of a blockbuster trial on the iPhone maker’s App Keep with significant implications for the globe of mobile tech, trading barbs more than alleged monopolistic actions and what is ideal for buyers.
Epic lawyer Katherine Forrest started the situation, accusing Apple of turning its on the web marketplace into a monopoly “walled backyard” that lures in developers and consumers and then squeezes funds out of them.
Apple primarily planted a “flower in the walled backyard (that) was turned into a Venus fly trap,” the attorney explained through opening statements in California federal court, claiming the engineering titan will get income of as significantly as 78 % from apps.
“The proof will display unambiguously that Apple is a monopoly,” she claimed.
Apple attorney Karen Dunn fired back, telling the judge that Epic’s suit is portion of a “self-proclaimed war towards mobile platform costs” that defies the law and the details.
Apple is no much more a monopoly than is a grocery market place that sells a broad array of items, competing with other outlets, Dunn maintained, pointing out that people today can perform Epic video games on platforms like consoles, private personal computers, and smartphones created by Apple rivals.
“Apple did not generate a safe and integrated ecosystem to preserve people today out, it did that so it could invite developers in – devoid of compromising the privacy, dependability, and top quality buyers desired,” Dunn explained.
If Epic prevails, Dunn explained, “The end result for buyers and developers will be: Much less protection. Much less privacy. Much less dependability. Decrease top quality. Much less alternative. All of the factors the antitrust laws look for to defend.”
Entry to iPhone base
Epic, maker of the well-liked “battle royal” game Fortnite, is aiming to break the iPhone maker’s grip on its App Keep.
Epic’s chief executive Tim Sweeney, the 1st witness, explained Apple’s actions forced his enterprise to both accept unfavorable terms or eliminate the huge base of iPhone consumers.
“As Fortnite scales past gaming… it is important to incorporate the much more than 1 billion iPhone consumers,” Sweeney explained in his testimony.
Asked why he waited right up until now to file suit, he explained, “It took me a extremely prolonged time to come to the realisation of all the detrimental impacts of Apple policies.”
The trial resuming on Tuesday prior to District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers comes with Apple feeling stress from a broad selection of app makers more than its management of the App Keep, which critics say represents monopolistic behaviour.
The two companies are debating no matter if Apple has the appropriate to set ground principles, management payment programs, and kick out apps from its marketplace that fail to comply. Also at stake is Apple’s slice of income from iPhone apps of as significantly as thirty %.
Sweeney testified that Epic provoked a public confrontation with Apple by hiding a “Scorching Repair” in a Fortnite app to bypass the iPhone maker’s payment procedure in violation of a contract.
“I desired the globe to see that Apple workout routines complete management more than availability of all computer software on iOS,” Sweeney explained.
Company model at possibility
A important component of Apple’s organization model is at stake in the situation, explained Tejas Narechania, a University of California law professor.
“It is going to inform us a great deal about how we construction industries and the engineering field going forward,” he explained.
“Which is how tightly can firms like Apple and Amazon and Google, how tightly can they vertically integrate their solutions?”
Analyst Dan Ives at Wedbush Securities termed the situation a “Game of Thrones court battle,” with Epic hunting to bypass the app platforms of each Apple and Google “when attempting to acquire assistance from other developers/app makers in a ‘groundswell movement’” towards Apple.
But Ives explained Apple has a robust defense.
“Apple has effectively defended its App Keep moat once again and once again, with this time remaining no diverse in our viewpoint,” Ives explained in a study note.
Epic, which is searching for to return to the App Keep devoid of remaining forced to use Apple’s payment scheme, is not alone in its criticism.
The European Union has formally accused Apple of unfairly squeezing out music streaming rivals based mostly on a complaint brought by Sweden-based mostly Spotify and other folks, which declare the California group sets principles that favour its personal Apple Music.
A not long ago formed Coalition for App Fairness, which consists of each Spotify and Epic, have termed for Apple to open up its marketplace, claiming its commission is a “tax” on rivals.
Apple booted Fortnite from its on the web mobile marketplace final 12 months immediately after Epic dodged income sharing with the iPhone maker.
Apple does not make it possible for consumers of its well-liked units to download apps from anyplace but its App Keep, and developers have to use Apple’s payment procedure, which will take its lower.
Due to the legal row, Fortnite followers working with iPhones or other Apple units no longer have accessibility to the most up-to-date game updates.


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1975 Yamaha DT 400
In 1975 the DT 400 appeared. It had been bored out to 85mm for a total of 397cc. The carburettor was a 32mm Mikuni and with the reed valves this made for a rather thirsty engine.
Lap With A Legend - Dave Fullston
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Best Of Toni Bou
Toni Bou has just wrapped up his 20th Trial World Championship, 10 indoor + 10 outdoor, so we've put together collection of videos showing what Toni Bou doing what he does best.
Toni Bou secures a 20th world championship title in Italy
Toni Bou’s status as a trial legend increases as he adds a new trophy to the silverware collection, rounding off a perfect decade for the Repsol Honda Team ace.
Tomac & Webb top the podium as champions are crowned
Tim Gajser and Jeffrey Herlings locked up the titles in MXGP and MX2 classes while Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac and Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha’s Cooper Webb claimed their first MXGP wins.
Jeffrey Herlings crowned MX2 World Champion
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Redmond on Camping
Redmond doesn't like camping, here's why.
Kirk Gibbs out of surgery but will miss MXoN and Supercross
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2017 Husqvarna TC 50 and TC 65
Husqvarna Motorcycles has unveiled their 2017 TC 50 and TC 65 models – two new from the ground up mini motocross machines.
2017 100% Goggle Range
100% has released its new collection of 2017 products showcased by new designs in the popular Racecraft and Accuri goggles.
Team HRC primed for 2017 CRF450RW debut in USA
During the MXGP of the Netherlands, Evgeny Bobryshev showed off his all-new 2017 CRF450RW, and this weekend the Russian #777 will line-up behind the gate on the new machine for the first time.


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The economic leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) vowed to work together to combat and mitigate the impact of the coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) pandemic to the economy.
“Our coordinated action and cooperation are more important than ever to overcome the challenges of COVID-19 and realise new and emerging opportunities for prosperity for all,” the leaders said in their 2020 Kuala Lumpur Declaration after they met virtually for the first time, for the 27th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
APEC, an inter-governmental forum consisting of 21 member economies including the Philippines, aims support sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
The APEC leaders said they are united in their determination to enable the Asia-Pacific region to recover from the impacts of the pandemic and committed to safeguarding the people’s health and protecting the their lives.
“We will continue to work together to use all available policy tools to support an inclusive, effective and sustained response to COVID-19, minimising its impact on people’s livelihoods,” the leaders said.
The APEC leaders said there is a need to enhance stimulus measures that facilitate economic recovery and job creation. They stressed the importance of the following to facilitate economic recovery:
- improving fiscal sustainability and transparency to support long-term resilient economic growth and future financing needs.
- the need to support developing economies in combatting COVID-19
They also welcomed the establishment of a digital platform for coordinated sharing of information on COVID-related policy responses.
Among the strategies being eyed to improve the digital platform:
- open new opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
- promote innovative technologies
- foster a reliable, interoperable, open, accessible and secure ICT environment
- narrow the existing digital, skills and regulatory gaps
- encourage development in digital infrastructure and transformation
The leaders vowed to:
- cooperate to facilitate the movement of essential goods and services
- cooperate to facilitate the essential movement of people in a safe manner
- help identify and resolve unnecessary barriers to trade
- help strengthen the resilience of supply chains
“We recognise that science, technology and innovation are important to the region’s post-COVID-19 recovery,” they said.
The APEC leaders vowed to foster an enabling environment for the development of the digital economy. They also recognized the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on MSMEs, women and other with untapped economic potentials.
APEC is composed of:
Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand and the United States of America


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August 23, 2013
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts that China is going to surpass Nigeria to become the world's largest rice importer this year.
China imported 2.9 million tonnes of rice in 2012, and is expected to purchase 3 million tonnes from overseas markets in 2013, overtaking Nigeria's imports of 2.4 million tonnes.
According to the data from China's General Administration of Customs, rice imports reached 1.46 million tonnes from January to July this year, rose by 4% on-year.
Historically, China has been the largest producer and consumer of rice in the world. However, as Beijing's subsidies for the grain led to high prices, Chinese mills have turned to cheap overseas rice. China has become a net importer in the last three years, and has bought large volume of supplies from countries including Vietnam, Pakistan and Myanmar.