text:
Retailer: Let cows graze
Grocer says benefits many
DENVER — Cows should be outside.
That’s the position of a Colorado-based grocery store chain that recently announced it will carry only dairy products from farms where cows graze in pastures.
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage claims grazing improves the health of cows, consumers and the environment, and it hopes to expand an ongoing, national debate over how to best care for livestock.
The American Grassfed Association, which helped Natural Grocers develop its rules, said it is the first retail chain to carry only pastured dairy products; many already have rules barring suppliers from such things as keeping chickens and pregnant pigs in cramped cages.
But the issue isn’t as straightforward as it might seem as weather prevents most farms in the United States from grazing year-round. With no clear guidelines on what qualifies as “pasture-raised,” consumers paying a premium for grass-fed milk might be confused about what they are buying. And a dairy nutrition expert says he sees the store’s policy as mostly a marketing gimmick.
Natural Grocers was one of the first retailers in the 1990s to ban dairy products from farms that used growth hormones or excessive antibiotics, said Heather Isely, whose parents founded the business in 1955. Over time, the family decided that wasn’t enough because cows that were drug- and hormone-free still might not go outside.
“Consumers are buffeted with all these images of cows grazing on pasture when it comes to dairy,” Isely said. “When you talk to most people, that’s what comes to mind . . . and we wanted to become completely transparent and lift that veil away and say, you know, that’s not always the case and you really do need to take a more careful look at your dairy products.”
The company announced in late April that it would require all dairy products at its nearly 90 stores in Western and Plains states to be made with milk from cows that grazed at least 120 days per year, mirroring federal organic standards.


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Highly Anticipated Hammerhead Shark Bowl By Shima Ceramics Goes On Sale Tonight; May 31
The original Hammerhead Shark Bowl by Shima Ceramics sold out a long time ago, but a new version will debut tonight. Most of the new bowls have been glazed in a Bondi Blue color, but several Artist Proof mugs in a variety of colors will also be available.
The new shark bowl holds a whopping 50 fluid ounces of cocktail and has been completely re-sculpted by hand. Bondi Blue bowls will retail for $175 each, but a number of bowls with minor cracks on the bottom (non-leaking) will be available at a discounted rate for the budget conscious.
Shima Ceramics is a ceramic company headed by Chris Shima, who creates deviant oddities by hand in Port Costa, California.
Those hoping to secure a Hammerhead Shark Bowl can do so through the official website of Shima Ceramices May 31 at 6:00pm PDT and 9:00pm EDT. Photos of the mug have been shared on Shima Ceramics’ Instagram page. Which glaze is your favorite?
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Senator Lummis Plans to Introduce Clearer Guidelines in 2022 with New Crypto Bill
As per the latest developments, United States Senator Cynthia Lummis, a major advocate for the cryptocurrency industry and one of Bitcoin's most ardent supporters on Capitol Hill, has announced that she will be pitching some much-needed new ideas and regulatory changes to Congress next year regarding the formation of a cryptocurrency regulatory agency as part of her comprehensive digital asset policy plan.
Lummis, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, desires nothing less than full acceptance of digital assets within the United States. Her future policy would ideally propose federal regulations for stablecoins in addition to consumer protections as well as revised taxation instructions. Moreover, she also wants to introduce a new watchdog in the form of a self-regulatory agency run by the executive branch's swaps and securities regulatory authorities.
A fully &lsquocomprehensive' bill
A lot of today's issues surrounding the cryptocurrency industry revolve around those being regulated at the state level, and numerous crypto enthusiasts have talked at great length about the increasing need for more regulations in order to legitimize the sector, with FTX CEO Sam-Bankman Fried recently mentioning this need to Congress not too long ago.
As such, Lummis had previously stated that she was working on a 'complete' measure for this calendar year. The endeavor comes at a time when Congress is grappling with virtual assets on numerous fronts. Members of Congress questioned prominent cryptocurrency leaders earlier this month in a session that was as much about introducing educational efforts as it was about overseeing the rapidly developing sector.
With that being said, the senator's bill shall reportedly address one of the main complaints that regulators and agencies such as the SEC have had pertaining to securities and how laws centered on them are much too ambiguous to cope with the current state of the cryptocurrency sector and its constant changes. Her recommendations shall hence involve clear instructions to regulators on the various asset types.
A new era for cryptocurrencies and regulations
As the cryptocurrency sector continues its record-breaking wave of momentum (which saw the likes of popular cryptocurrencies such as ADA, ETH and XRP all record amazing spikes in price from last year until now), there is a lot of concern about its future and the role that regulators shall play. Although the doors for healthy debate and discourse continue to open, there are nevertheless those such as China who wish for nothing more than to put an end to this thriving industry.
Whatever the future does hold however, we can only hope that it is positive and that people of influence such as Senator Lummis strive to work in favor of the cryptocurrency space instead of actively against it, as well as continue to tackle contemporary issues from a place of understanding rather than one of contempt.
The Metaverse Will Be The Next Frontier For Gaming
Anyone who has recently paid attention to the world of DeFi would know that when it comes to providing an immersive digital consumer experience, the metaverse is indeed perhaps the next big thing. As such, not only are an increasing number of organizations actively searching for ways to capitalize on the craze surrounding it (which also includes Barbados planning to open up a digital embassy in the metaverse), but numerous gaming industries and P2E (Play To Earn) projects have also become more involved.
There is one problem however, which is that the metaverse as it currently stands is still a bit of a hazy, high-concept idea which has not yet been completely defined or characterized. Some have defined it as a collection of digital experiences, places, and materials that grew in popularity during the ongoing pandemic's 'contactless era' and its corresponding transition in mainstream society. Others, such as Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, view it as a virtual world in which individuals may interact with one another. He had thus recently referred to Facebook as a &lsquometaverse corporation', which presumably had a lot to do with its recent rebranding to 'Meta'.
Metaverse and gaming
Gaming has become an extremely popular way to pass the time over the last few decades. Fast forward to today, and you have some of the most realistic games that are built using innovative technologies such as Unreal Engine which provide amazing lifelike graphics and visual effects. Nevertheless, one common issue for gamers worldwide is that there wasn't a mainstream way to earn money through gaming until fairly recently thanks to platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. Now though, gamers are targeting the metaverse.
One of the biggest reasons as to why so many gamers are becoming increasingly attracted toward the metaverse is the existence of P2E projects. It is now possible to play all sorts of games and earn passive income through them simultaneously. This is made possible by purchasing certain NFTs and using them as in-game characters through which completing various missions, quests and objectives will reward the users with the native token of that project, which can then be sold at any supported exchange for real money. Moreover, gamers often feel the need to be a part of different digital worlds where they have control, and what better way to accomplish just that than with the metaverse.
The metaverse's potential is limitless. Every new experience, be it an event, an NFT, or gaining player support, may be duplicated in-game to boost consumer engagement. It doesn't have to be difficult either, as according to Barbara Messing, Roblox's Chief Marketing and People Experience Officer, this is not a static advertisement, as instead it is a terrific method for people to connect with their audience and convey a compelling narrative about their company, business or organization.
Furthermore, according to Matthew Ball, a venture investor and one of the primary futurists promoting the new concept, the metaverse requires new technologies, protocols, firms, breakthroughs, and discoveries in order to grow. He added that there shall hence be no clear indication of a 'Before' and &lsquoAfter' when it comes to the metaverse. Instead, it will quietly develop over time as diverse goods, services and skills integrate and melt together to help create the next iteration of digitalization.
Whatever the case may be, it is becoming abundantly clear that the metaverse has already become a highly discussed topic in 2021. If the gaming industry wants in on this, then reliable technology and a strong community are both essential aspects that must be provided, in addition to the aforementioned P2E concept.
‘Global Policy Ought To Be Prioritized Over A Blanket Ban’, Says IMF Chief Economist
The International Monetary Fund's Chief Economist, Gita Gopinath, recently stated that developing economies must avoid outlawing cryptocurrencies. Instead, she referred to global industrial regulation as a need that must take precedence. She has therefore recommended regulating the industry rather than introducing a complete ban, given the latter's practical problems associated with its real-life implementation.
Gita's comments are in line with the growing sentiment that the cryptocurrency sector has grown so much that a ban may in fact no longer be feasible. As such, numerous regulators and governmental authorities are actively moving towards heightened regulation instead.
&lsquoRegulations to be preferred over a ban'
Arguing for a worldwide strategy, Gita, who will shortly take over as the IMF's deputy managing director, warned that if several nations banned crypto in its entirety, they would lose control over various offshore exchanges which are not subject to the rules of their respective country. This, she added, would then perhaps lead to them being disregarded completely.
Furthermore, Gita explained that there are obstacles to fully banning crypto due to the fact that many exchanges are based overseas, which would make it difficult to implement a ban on a global scale. This once again has to do with the fact that not every nation would be subject to following the same rules of another country or regulatory authority.
The Chief Economist's statements come at a time when governments around the world are debating how to regulate cryptocurrencies. The People's Bank of China for example formally announced a number of new efforts to prevent cryptocurrency adoption within their country back in September, including increased inter-departmental collaboration in suppressing cryptocurrency-oriented activities. More recently, the Russian central bank had officially outlawed mutual funds from being able to invest in Bitcoin (BTC) earlier in December.
Crypto keeps growing
As aforementioned, the cryptocurrency industry continues to grow at an exponential rate. New tokens, protocols and projects are emerging seemingly every other day, and the current market capitalization of Bitcoin is $892,158,622,767.  With such unprecedented growth, many regulators are becoming increasingly worried that if left unchecked, the rapid expansion could have unforeseen consequences. However, many entities believe that this is only the beginning for cryptocurrency's dominance, as companies like Grayscale keep purchasing more BTC.
What Happened When Crypto CEOs Met With Congress?
The CEOs of many prominent cryptocurrency startups travelled to Capitol Hill for a Congressional hearing. The topic of the hearing was reportedly on 'Digital Assets and the Future of Finance: Understanding the Challenges and Benefits of Financial Innovation in the United States', and it was held by the House Financial Services Committee.
Some of the more notable attendees included FTX CEO, Samuel Bankman-Fried. FTX is one of the world's biggest and most active cryptocurrency exchanges. Coinbase Global CFO Alesia Haas, Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire, Paxos CEO Charles Cascarilla, Bitfury CEO Brian Brooks, and Stellar Development CEO Denelle Dixon were all in attendance as well.
What were the main highlights?
Although the CEOs requested customized laws and regulations to respond to the developing cryptocurrency sector, they also warned against severe restrictions which could end up stunting innovation. Stablecoins and how they functioned were also reportedly discussed.
The legislators, led via California Democratic Representative Maxine Waters who acted as the committee's chairperson, asked various technical questions. Representative Waters went on to say that the overall popularity of digital assets such as cryptocurrencies has greatly risen throughout the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, and that the existence of cryptocurrencies has thus vastly 'contributed to working people searching for viable alternatives so that they can financially recover by investing in numerous cryptocurrency assets'. However, she added, as things stand right now, cryptocurrency markets lack a centralised regulatory framework, making digital asset investments prone to fraud, scams, money-laundering, manipulation, and other kinds of misuse.
Representative Patrick T. McHenry of North Carolina nevertheless stated that his colleagues might not be as tech-savvy as they ought to be in order to effectively design new rules and regulations, after which he then asked as to whether anyone in the current administration is actually knowledgeable enough about cryptocurrencies to create an appropriate regulatory framework or not. He then added that the U.S does not require politicians to hastily regulate and restrict out of anxiety and paranoia rather than attempting to comprehend what this new kind of technology truly is and what it may lead to. This dread of the unknown, he concluded, as well as the push to regulate before knowing, will in all likelihood inhibit American inventiveness and place the country at a competitive disadvantage.
What to expect going forward?
Ultimately, the CEOs agreed that regulation might indeed be beneficial since it would define the role of numerous products and services while minimising any future confrontations between service providers and regulators. Samuel Bankman-Fried in particular stated that regulation is very likely and that it's essential. He added that more regulation would be a healthy development for the sector, if done properly.
In the end, the hearing took place at a time when governments all over the world are deciding whether to follow China's example and entirely prohibit or regulate cryptocurrencies as well as digital assets, or to alternatively allow the embryonic technology to thrive as it has in El Salvador. Other notable developments which occurred included the proposed Token Taxonomy Act, which seeks to define digital tokens as not being securities.
Stark Ware Just Dropped Game Changing Innovation
The cryptocurrency, blockchain and DeFi sector is constantly evolving with the addition of all kinds of new and innovative technologies, projects and protocols. However, there is one that everyone should be keeping an eye on and that is StarkNet.
StarkNet is a decentralized permissionless ZK-Rollup. It runs as an L2 (Layer-2) network over Ethereum (ETH), allowing any dApp (decentralized application) to attain unlimited scale regarding its respective computation, all without jeopardising Ethereum's safety or composability.
What makes StarkNet so special?
One of the most recurring problems within this industry is that of scalability. StarkNet promotes scale while maintaining L1 (Layer-1) Ethereum security via the creation of STARK proofs off-chain, after which it would then subsequently confirm the proofs on-chain. In this way, StarkNet offers composability near the level of Ethereum itself, allowing for simple and straightforward development as well as innovation.
Simply put, through the intuitive usage of StarkNet Contracts, developers will hence be provided with the ability to quickly deploy any business logic on StarkNet. To that end, StarkNet Alpha is now live on the mainnet, through which the developers can take it one step further and implement the aforementioned business logic of preference in a smart contract, after which it would be a simple matter of permissionless deployment on StarkNet.
There are various milestones that StarkNet has already managed to achieve, with numerous more expected to be accomplished before long. As of right now, the smart contracts all support general computation, and they can even interact with one another too, which will reportedly enable further composability. Furthermore, L1 to L2 interoperability has been added, and complete Layer-1 security has been administered via on-chain data (Rollup).
In terms of future goals, the project shall be adding a Solidity to Cairo Compiler as well as StarkNet full nodes soon. There shall also be a wide range of data availability solutions which shall be offered, and a permissionless Sequencer and Prover is in the works too.
Lastly, in terms of its ecosystem, there is a wide array of useful educational resources available (where you can actually learn how to write and deploy your very own StarkNet contract), in addition to all kinds of innovative tools such as StarkNet JS, Devnet, Cairo Docker, Cairo Playground, Voyager Block Explorer, Warp EVM Transpiler, and more. Finally, it has a supportive and active community and the team is also usually quite active on Discord.
Visa Launches Crypto Consulting Service In Bid For Mainstream Dominance
Visa is introducing new advisory and consultancy services to assist its customers in navigating the cryptocurrency sector. Visa has since acknowledged UMB, an American bank, as a client which is already utilising its new advisory services.
The world-renowned payments processor announced this past Wednesday that its crypto-advisory service, contained inside its respective consulting and analytics department, will provide information and guidance to numerous financial institutions, firms, retailers, and various other businesses on topics ranging from implementing cryptocurrency-oriented features to examining NFTs.
Visa to cash in on crypto craze?
The initiative is Visa's newest attempt to expand its presence in the cryptocurrency market and industry. As per Nikola Plecas, Visa's European cryptocurrency head, the organization handled $3.5 billion in digital currency transactions via its cryptocurrency-connected card schemes from October 1st, 2020 to September 30th, 2021.
Nikola went on to say that a sizable portion of large exchanges worldwide have millions or perhaps even tens of millions of active users. He then added that Visa allows customers to spend their cryptocurrencies at more than 80 million merchants. Visa's Cuy Sheffield also called cryptocurrencies &lsquocool' during a recent conference.
The business is also working on solutions for stablecoins, which are virtual tokens pegged to the value of fiat currencies, generally the dollar. Some of the more notable stablecoins include but are not limited to USDT, BUSD, DAI, and USDC. Efforts concerning central bank digital currencies are also reportedly being worked upon.
What's the endgame?
Visa expects that its new consulting services will hopefully aid in the growing mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies. The credit card company, like major competitor Mastercard, views cryptocurrencies as a crucial growth prospect as it goes beyond card-based transactions.
Moreover, leading payment networks have experienced greater competition from a slew of new financial companies and businesses within the past few years. Emerging developments like open banking, which intends to provide competing fintechs access to customer bank information as well as payment capabilities, threaten to destabilise their business model.
Meanwhile, huge Internet businesses are putting pressure on Visa. Amazon announced last month that it will no longer accept Visa credit cards in the United Kingdom owing to the company's &lsquoexceedingly high costs'. Additionally, in both Singapore and Australia, the e-commerce behemoth has taken similar action against Visa.
Nonetheless, the future looks promising. According to a recent Visa poll, 94% of Americans are already aware of cryptocurrencies, and nearly one-third admitted to having used the digital assets as either a medium of exchange or an investment.
For Visa, the growing popularity surrounding cryptocurrencies hence represents a significant new sector and massive growth potential, according to Nikola. He concluded that the company shall therefore continue to focus on building this side of the organization even more for the foreseeable future.
Jack Dorsey Rebrands Payments company Square to Block
One of the most shocking events which dominated the headlines both in and outside of the cryptocurrency community was that of Jack Dorsey announced that he will indeed be leaving his position as Twitter CEO behind. However, what is perhaps even more intriguing is the fact that not long afterward, Jack also announced that Square, a financial payments company of which Dorsey is the current CEO, shall be rebranding itself as Block in the near future. SQ shall remain the official stock ticker for now.
Many had since speculated with varying degrees of accuracy that Jack had hence accomplished what he had set out to do back in 2006 with the formation of Twitter and the subsequent revolutionizing of social media as we know it, and is now focusing his efforts on Web 3.0.
Square is Out, Block is In
Dorsey has been obsessed with cryptocurrencies and blockchains, particularly Bitcoin, for several years now. He has extensively pushed for and backed the advancement of the Bitcoin Lightning Network, as well as personally assisted Bitcoin developers through a unit known as 'Square Crypto', which shall also reportedly be rebranded as 'Spiral'.
Furthermore, the enhanced Square's Cash App with Bitcoin capability. In related news, he also implemented Lightning-based tipping on Twitter and guaranteed NFT (non-fungible token) avatar inclusion prior to actually stepping down.
Now though, he plans to develop Square into a full-fledged cryptocurrency as well as blockchain corporation. There isn't much else to say about the name change to 'Block', as not only does this indicate Jack's interest in the cryptocurrency and decentralized finance sector, but it is also is a term used by many in this industry including but not limited to &lsquoBlockchain.com', &lsquoThe Block', &lsquoBlockworks', and many more.
A New Era?
However, Block appears to be understating the seemingly unmistakable crypto-oriented parts of the rebranding. Blockchain was undoubtedly the main inspiration for the rebranding, but it's sandwiched between drivel such as building blocks, neighborhood blocks and their local businesses, music-based block parties, and more.
This is in stark contrast to the other significant name change in the last month when Facebook became &lsquoMeta'. Facebook went all-in on declaring the turnaround, and it has since received a lot of press coverage.
The difference here though is that Facebook was attempting, at least in part, to divert attention away from the legal and regulatory issues that have plagued it. Another problem is that some believe the transition from social media advertising towards something akin to a virtual reality &lsquometaverse' has yet to be supported by concrete goals and technologies.
For Block, however, the sky's the limit and many are eagerly waiting to see what Jack will do next. Needless to say, with a man as capable as Dorsey at the helm and all of his efforts seemingly focused towards DeFi, the potential regarding what Block may be able to accomplish may indeed be limitless.
VanEck To Launch Digital Asset Mining ETF
In recent news, VanEck has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to create an ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) focusing on digital asset mining firms.
The fund shall reportedly invest a minimum of 80% of its accumulated assets in securities of digital asset mining enterprises which produce or have the potential to provide at least half of their income from mining or similar technologies.
Small and medium-capitalization enterprises, as well as international and developing market issuers, may be included in the ETF's holdings. Additionally, it might invest in various depositary receipts as well as foreign currency-denominated securities.
It is worth mentioning however that the ETF will not make direct investments in digital assets and ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings). Moreover, the filing did not include information about the potential ETF's listing date, ticker, or associated costs.
What to expect
Viridi Cleaner Energy Crypto-Mining & Semiconductor ETF (RIGZ), which has risen 45% ever since commencement in July, and Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (BITQ), which has risen 26% since its commencement earlier this year, are two other ETFs that are listed in the United States and have significant exposure to cryptocurrency miners.
Moreover, the SEC denied VanEck's proposal to launch a Bitcoin Spot ETF last month. The filing was made public in March. However, it took many months for the commission to dismiss it due to investor protection concerns.
The SEC has a history of delaying Bitcoin ETFs until October when the ProShares Bitcoin strategy ETF became available. The ProShares ETF was based on futures contracts. Furthermore, because of the CME safeguards, Gary Gensler has since indicated more receptivity to it. Nevertheless, the commission has since authorized a number of similar ETFs. One of them came from VanEck in November, although it received significantly less attention on launch day than the ProShares ETF.
VanEck's ETF plan thus seems to offer a creative solution for the SEC's warning about spot crypto ETFs. To some extent, mining businesses' profits are dependent on Bitcoin's price, offering an indirect type of asset exposure.
Barbados To Launch Digital Embassy In The Metaverse
The world as we know it is changing. The metaverse is no longer simply a concept, in fact, it is rapidly transforming into a reality. With that being said, Barbados recently revealed its plans to build a metaverse embassy, taking a huge step toward legitimizing the metaverse concept in the process.
Barbados, therefore, hopes to build a digital embassy through a partnership with Decentraland. The local government is currently in the midst of negotiating collaborations with many top Metaverse platforms and industry leaders. Although there is a lot more work to be done, many believe that this will go a long way towards bringing the idea of the metaverse and its subsequent implementation into the mainstream.
Barbados, if successful, will be the first independent nation in history to have an embassy constructed in the metaverse. The foreign minister of Barbados, Jerome Walcott, stated that Barbados remains optimistic about interacting with the rest of the world via the new digital embassy. The plan had also reportedly been in the works for several months prior to the announcement.
The Times Are Changing
Hot on the heels of Facebook recently rebranding as 'Meta', other various constituents of several sectors such as those pertaining to the blockchain, cryptocurrency, NFT, and social media industries had all begun taking the notion of the metaverse much more seriously.
Now, with the new plans of constructing a digital embassy being announced by Barbados, few can argue against the fact that we are gradually moving towards a new age, one that will in all likelihood be fully digitalized. However, it is worth pointing out that despite the interest in the metaverse, Barbados' government has stated that current affairs in the real world are still going to be prioritized above all else.
Moreover, there is also the issue of how sovereignty will actually work within the metaverse, and how certain things such as the issuance of visas and passports along with the establishment of international treaties will function in a digital realm. Still, although these problems are certainly going to become more common as time progresses, the government's willingness to even consider a move that will include active involvement with the metaverse is indeed noteworthy.
Not Everyone Is On Board
Unsurprisingly, not everyone is supportive of the aforementioned decision to create the digital embassy. Will Gottsegen from CoinDesk recently commented that perhaps not everything should be dependent on blockchain technology and that the idea of a metaverse embassy, while certainly intriguing, is one that may be little more than an empty promise from a politician or official who simply wants to cater to the members of the cryptocurrency and blockchain communities.
Elsewhere, others are worried about how the treatment of property rights will occur within the metaverse. Some have even gone as far as to claim that shifting to a digital realm with little to no laws will in all certainty lead to anarchy and chaos. Some are also concerned about the role that NFTs will play in this as well, in addition to Barbados' government potentially using this opportunity to exploit others via land rights and impose digital control while simultaneously bypassing international rules and regulations in the real world.
Whatever the case may be, it is clear that before the idea of this digital embassy can be fully actualized, plenty of obstacles and challenges will need to be navigated through first. In related news, Barbados also has plans of opening digital embassies with various other providers such as SuperWorld and Somnium Space. Additionally, as per the latest reports, Barbados plans to tentatively launch the embassy by January 2022.
Layer 2 DEX, Diversifi to Launch New Rewards Program with Incentivized AMM
DeversiFi exchange is on a mission to make DeFi accessible to everyone, and ensure that the DeversiFi platform becomes a one-stop-shop for all DeFi needs. Earlier this year they soft-launched DVF token, through their very own launch mechanism (DeversiFi launch market), and have since grown that community. But that was just the beginning for Diversifi s growth plan, working hard to bring further value for users.
In two weeks DeversiFi will launch its first rewards program, along with an inaugural series of incentivized automated market makers (AMMs). This twin initiative will allow you to earn by trading on DeversiFi, OR providing liquidity to one of the brand new incentivized pools, offering some of the best rewards on Layer 2.
One of the best features about DeversiFi is the gas-free trading, but they are going one step further with a new rewards program. From December 1st, traders on the platform can earn some sweet DVF token, which will be calculated by the amount of fees they have paid each week as part of the overall &lsquofees pot'. Simply trade on DeversiFi and earn DVF. It's as easy as that!
50% of total DVF supply is controlled by the DVF DAO, with some of it initially allocated to liquidity mining and trading (at the DAOs discretion). There could be a vote after 3 months to continue the program or alter the parameters, so holding DVF will give you a voice in these decisions.
Automated Market Makers (AMMs)
Unlike the traditional order book method, which matches buy and sell offers, AMMs offer a liquidity pool where traders can simply buy and sell their tokens against the liquidity that is present in this crowdsourced vault. In other words, you can make trades even if there is nobody on the other side.
The launch of DeversiFi AMMs will involve 16 new incentivized liquidity pairs. The initial incentivized launch pools were chosen by DeversiFi and the DVF Community in a governance vote, and contain a mixture of large blue-chip tokens as well as stablecoin pairs and NFT & DeFi tokens.
By providing liquidity to the pools, users are entitled to a portion of the trading fees collected by that pool.
Empowering decentralized trading by rewarding usage, cutting fees, motivating platform investment, and decentralizing control. This is a formula for certain crypto success, and DeversiFi seems to have it calculated well. These types of financial growth offerings will only increase in volume as crypto goes mainstream. More people every day become aware and gain access to crypto investment and savings options that traditional systems cannot compete with. DeversiFi is developing their exchange and community with new-age users and platform growth fundamentals in their sights.
Constitution DAO Raises over $40M Ether in Bid To Buy The U.S. Constitution
The original print of the United States Constitution has only 13 surviving copies. After a high-stakes bidding battle that captivated the Internet's interest and imagination, a DAO (decentralized autonomous organization) recently stated that it had lost its bid to successfully purchase one of the original copies of the U.S. Constitution from a recent Sotheby's auction.
The United States Constitution sold for just over $43 million at Sotheby's this past Thursday. The winner was also recently revealed to be none other than hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin, who is both the founder and current CEO of Citadel.
Although defeated, the daring rise of the DAO, a collection of individuals who had connected with each other via the Internet, is nevertheless a unique situation that must be examined further.
The group of individuals had been identified as ConstitutionDAO. Following a brief burst of enthusiasm on Twitter, when some members of the organization incorrectly declared that they were victorious, the group then issued a follow-up statement clarifying what had actually transpired. According to the announcement, the organization may have lost the bid but it nevertheless made history by raising the biggest amount of money through crowdfunding within a time period of under 72 hours.
According to one organizer in the DAO's Discord channel, the group was defeated because it did not earn enough money to construct the reserve needed to consistently preserve and maintain the document. Moreover, the participants of the DAO would reportedly receive their money back, excluding gas fees.
Constitution DAO's bid had witnessed thousands of contributors continuously donating via ETH. The founders of the organization had gathered for the first time just over seven days ago which was around the time that they began requesting funds. The group had carried out a campaign primarily using word-of-mouth tactics via Twitter as well as various other forms of social media.
The power of DAOs
The campaign, which was mostly fuelled by Twitter and a rapidly growing Discord server, provides a glimpse into what a community-driven effort where transparency, honesty, and shared ownership are the main driving forces would be like as we continue to make technological progress. The prospects provided by the decentralized autonomous organization framework are hence actively piquing people's curiosity and interest.
Furthermore, as dramatic as it may appear, the joy of welcoming individuals into the cryptocurrency community is therefore an exhilarating by-product of ConstitutionDAO. It allows users and members to enjoy the perks as well as overall experience of a fully decentralized community.
However, although the influx of new users may indeed be beneficial, it also necessitates that someone must educate those who are new to the industry regarding certain matters such as where their hard-earned money may actually be going. As a matter of fact, the ConstitutionDAO team felt the need to adjust their initial message from potentially 'owning a very small part of the U.S Constitution' to 'users shall receive governance tokens'. This change had to be implemented relatively early on in order to ensure that the participants understood exactly how everything works and where their money will be allocated. Still, the success that the DAO had in gathering everyone together to achieve a common goal should not be understated.
The Gamified Stock Betting App That Rewards Effective Traders
Trading crypto is a lot like trading stocks. It's a little scary, a little overwhelming, and a little risky. But these are exactly the reasons why so many people are drawn in. While there's no sure-fire way to be successful in the crypto markets, fantasy trading platforms like StockBattle let users get the vital experience needed to find success in crypto trading.
It's Easy to Join and Fun to Participate
StockBattle contests aren't games &ndash they offer a chance to profit based on your skills to identify the right crypto or stocks. However, most participants agree that contests are fun and exciting. You'll love the adrenaline rush you feel while competing against others in 15-minute head-to-head rumbles backed by real-time price data.
The great thing about these competitions is that they are easy to join. Essentially, it comes down to picking 5 stocks or cryptocurrencies for your portfolio and watching them perform in a real-time dynamic chart. The entrant whose portfolio grows higher wins a predefined cash reward. It's a simple concept that you'll feel comfortable with using in seconds. However, you will need to analyze the market and rely on your intuition to create a winning portfolio.
Get Started with Free Contests to Learn the Basics
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Accelerating the uptake of zero emission HGVs
eFREIGHT 2030 selected for UK Government Zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme
Bringing together leading logistics providers, high street names and leading hauliers, the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium has been selected to join the UK Government’s Zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme, which aims to kickstart the uptake of zero emissions heavy goods vehicles.
One of four projects being funded by the Department of Transport in partnership with Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency, eFREIGHT 2030 will receive £49.2 million in government support, which will help unlock an expected £500 million of private investment from consortium members in electric vehicles and charging hubs across the UK by 2030.
Led by Voltempo, developers of the British designed and manufactured electric HGV megawatt charging system, the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium members are seeking to lead the way in decarbonising their operations and business sectors.
“We’re delighted to bring together a group of experts in the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium with the ideas and ambition to transform the distribution sector. Their combined experience will both prove the case for today’s technology and create the path to tomorrow’s. We look forward to 2030 when electric commercial vehicles will be commonplace on our roads, and when we can look back on the value of the Government’s investment on Zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme.”
Michael Boxwell - Group CEO of Voltempo
What is the Programme?
The aim of the Zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme is to stimulate the deployment of long haul zero emission HGVs with a multi-year demonstration of 40 – 44t battery electric trucks, including the development of the required business models for scalable deployment and a network of dedicated infrastructure.
Alongside the vehicle and charging offer, consortium member Dynamon will bring a full data and planning service using its ZERO software package, allowing operators to both plan the most efficient use of their vehicle fleet, both diesel and electric, and analyse their business model to identify when specific vehicles or routes can be decarbonised.
The eFREIGHT 2030 consortium will introduce 100 electric HGV 4×2 and 6×2 tractor units, and 32 new charging locations, all of which will have megawatt-charging capacity from day one.
As well as the nominated vehicle operators, the consortium includes a number of vehicles to be managed by the vehicle leasing company Vertellus as an extension of its EV Discovery Programme, which enables electric vehicle operation on a subscription basis. This will allow other fleet operators and SMEs to join the eFREIGHT 2030 programme as associate members of the consortium.
Work on the eFREIGHT 2030 project will begin in early 2024 and take seven years to complete.
An overview of the eFREIGHT 2030 project.
Meet Our Chairman
We are delighted that the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium has been selected to participate in the Zero emission HGV and infrastructure demonstrator programme, to accelerate the EV revolution that will decarbonise heavy duty transport. eFREIGHT 2030 will create UK jobs in the industries of the future, as well as unlocking investment into zero emission electric HGVs that meet the pressing need to reduce fossil fuels and improve air quality. We recognise that to create a greener and more sustainable future for road freight transport will require success in developing different zero-emission fuels and welcome the opportunity to demonstrate the contribution which EV technology can bring to bear.”
Sir Vince Cable – Chairman


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(Bloomberg) -- KKR & Co. is buying a redeveloped former department store in downtown Seattle that's been converted to offices for Amazon.com Inc.
The New York-based investment firm paid $580 million for the building at 300 Pine St., according to person with knowledge of the deal.
KKR's purchase signals conviction that office demand will return in Seattle, which like other high-cost coastal cities has suffered from soaring vacancy rates as workers stayed home in the pandemic.
Read more: Amazon Tacks on a Rare Seattle Lease While It Grows Elsewhere
Amazon, which occupies a huge swath of downtown real estate in Seattle, said this week that its planning a return to an "office-centric" culture, with most employees around the world coming back by the fall.
That could mean thousands of workers flooding back into downtown Seattle in a few months.
KKR is partnering on the deal with Urban Renaissance Group, which will manage the property. The acquisition is KKR's fourth purchase in the Seattle region.


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Brace yourselves, citizens of South Tampa. At some point in 2014, the Trader Joe’s grocery store will open on West Swann Avenue, and here is your official warning about potential parking mayhem — at least around opening day.
Lest this alarm sound alarmist, here’s a point to consider. When Trader Joe’s opened its first South Florida location this week in the Pinecrest area of Miami, so many people clogged the parking lot that traffic overflowed into strip centers nearby. Fifty-five cars ended up being towed, including one owned by a retired judge.
One towing victim was Arthur Rosenberg who told the Miami Herald that he wasn’t even a Trader Joe’s customer — just someone having lunch nearby at the Roasters ‘N’ Toasters deli. “I was furious,” he told the Herald. Eventually, he was able to reclaim his car, “but what about all the other people who are being towed recklessly, who don’t have the fortune to pay the fine, and who don’t have the credibility [of a former judge] to bolster their case.”
Here in Tampa, there are some signs that any potential parking issue may ease up over time, at least mathematically speaking.
The new Trader Joe’s site in Tampa on Swann Avenue is just a few yards off South Dale Mabry Highway, and will encompass about 13,000 square feet of space inside, and zoning documents illustrate a plan for 70 parking spaces outside. That’s a ratio of one parking space for every 185 square feet of interior space. By comparison, the regularly crowded Publix grocery store at South Dale Mabry Highway and West Neptune Boulevard often sees its parking lot filled to capacity, and that store has roughly one parking space for every 333 square feet of space inside. This means the Trader Joe’s may have almost twice as many spaces available, relatively speaking.
One factor that could intensify the parking density for Trader Joe’s: Opening Hours. While Publix stores tend to open at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m., Trader Joe’s Typically opens fewer hours, opening at 8 a.m. and closing at 9 p.m.
For now, construction on the Trader Joe’s site is moving along. The four cinder block walls of the new grocery store are now up at the site on West Swann Avenue. This would be the first store in the wider Tampa region.
Trader Joe’s is famously secretive about its plans, and officially, company executives will only say the store is set to open in 2014, leaving the quirky grocery store’s rabid fan base guessing about the opening date. Though individual stores tend to be especially petite, Trader Joe’s tends to engender fierce loyalty among shoppers, many of whom in Tampa drive to the location already open in Sarasota.


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READ THE FULL REPORT HERE.
Driving Prices Up
- Western Australia’s dry conditions show no signs of abating anytime soon with fodder supplies in some demand. This coupled with a smaller hay production this year is putting increasing pressure on prices in the state. Similarly parts of South Australia are beginning to see drying conditions with livestock producers looking to ensure winter feed options, which is keeping prices steady.
- Most demand continues to be from feedlots and livestock producers looking to increase cattle and sheep weight due to the lift in the saleyard prices.
- Exporters continue to be a player in the market and are looking to fill shipments as well as secure reasonably high volumes of available stock on hand. This is having an effect on export grade cereal prices, with a flow on effect to other fodder lines.
Driving Prices Down
- Green grass and lush forage paddocks across most of the east coast of Australia is keeping demand lower than expected for this time of year. The lack of consistent high temperatures has seen less drying of in large parts of the country. In some places this is seeing a reduction in pricing to get some fodder moving, but the market continues to be flat for many regions.
- Some previous season lower quality cereal hay is available in the market as producers who have had additional fodder producing opportunities look to empty some sheds of older stores.
- Continued silage and hay production in most of Victoria, Tasmania and NSW is adding more supply to the market and keeping buyers optimistic about availability moving into autumn and winter.
- The MV Bahijah situation is very much a live issue for graziers and members of the export chain especially in WA. The public perception of the conditions for the sheep and cattle on-board including the ramifications for the live export industry is causing concern within the sector. This issue as well as the broader live export trade has been in the minds of many fodder producers as they contemplate long term business decisions.
- Over the spring 2023 to summer 2024 period, reports of hay fires seem to be much higher than previous seasons. AFIA is currently collating a list of hay fires across the country for this period, and if you are aware of other hay fire events we would welcome your input. Details can be found here https://afia.org.au/tracking-hay-fires/
- The Bureau has stated that El Niño continues in the tropical Pacific Ocean. However sea surface temperatures have peaked and are now declining. We are expected to return to neutral El Niño–Southern Oscillation levels in the southern hemisphere in autumn 2024. Some atmospheric indicators, such as cloudiness near the Date Line, are close to normal levels. The typical drying influence of El Niño on Australia’s climate usually reduces during summer, especially in the east; however, below median rainfall is still often observed in north-east Australia. As we have seen this year and through historical data, high-impact rainfall events can occur during El Niño years, particularly during October to April when severe storm frequency peaks.
- Buyers are encouraged to feed test and view fodder before purchase to be sure of the quality of feed.


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President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera says Malawi’s economic outlook for 2021 remains positive with a GDP growth rate of 3.8 percent although headline inflation recorded an uptick to 8.3 percent last months which is consistent with the nature of the transition on the country is in.
President Dr. Chakwera assured Malawians that the depreciation pressures Malawi has experienced over the past 8 months are temporary, saying this is because Government expect the supply of foreign exchange in this country to soon be bolstered by the commencement of the agriculture marketing season for Malawi export crops, including tobacco and soya beans.
He said his Administration will be implementing policies to ensure that there is money in people’s pockets in compliance with the Tonse philosophy of shared prosperity, directing all Ministries, Departments and Agencies [MDAs] to buy supplies from local Small and Medium Enterprises [SMEs] including those owned by marginalized groups.
Speaking in his National Address on governance policies on Sunday evening in Lilongwe, President Dr. Chakwera said while comprehensive review of allowance systems, employment contracts and procurement is underway, is eager to stop the culture of greed that has dominated government’s procurement system for decades.
President Dr. Chakwera directed all heads of MDAs to cooperate with his Administration in finding ways of ensuring that no supplier of goods and services is allowed to hide behind multiple companies to monopolize procurement opportunities and to give preference to the procurement of locally made goods citing local arts in places like Ndirande in Blantyre, Mchesi in Lilongwe and Katoto in Mzuzu.
He directed MDAs to prioritize procuring uniforms and shoes for Army and Police officers locally where they are available finding no justification for importing things like these ones from outside the country, urging government institutions like the MBS and SMEDI to help build the capacity of those within the supply locally made goods and services to government so as to meet the required quality and quantity specifications.
…”I urge the office of the Registrar of Companies to assist the prospective suppliers of goods and services from the informal sector with speedy registration of their enterprises and also the MRA to expedite their inclusion in the tax database…,’’ said Dr. Chakwera.
He reminded Malawians that as a nation, they are still under the state of national disaster declared 75 days ago, saying the regulations enacted for stopping the spread of Covid-19 remain in force including washing of hands, the wearing of masks and the maintaining of social distances , appealing for compliance with these regulations.
By Vincent Gunde


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Last June, the Russo and Steele Newport Beach Collector Automobile Auction rolled into Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and became an instant success, with 300 cars up for bid over two days and generating over $6 million in sales (including a 2008 Bugatti Veyron for $1,078,000, and a 1968 Aston Martin DB6 for $456,500).
This year, Russo and Steele returns June 19 – 21 with an expanded three-day auction. Company founder and CEO Drew Alcazar (who owns and operates Russo and Steele with his wife, Josephine), lives on Lido Island, and told me that this year they are bringing in more cars than ever, which could mean more than 400 vehicles on the auction block.
“While those in the market to purchase have access to an extraordinary selection and variety of high-quality vehicles, sellers will take comfort knowing that Russo and Steele is able to get them the best price possible thanks to our worldwide marketing efforts and highly experienced and knowledgeable sales staff,” said Alcazar.
“For Enthusiasts, by Enthusiasts” is their slogan, and with that in mind the automotive offerings include everything from “affordable” sports and muscle cars to high-end, high priced exotics.
Some of the highlights: an impressive selection of Lamborghinis including a 2014 Aventador Spyder, and for James Bond fans a 1982 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Coupe. Let’s not leave out the boomers, who will recall the Muscle Cars from the 60s. Among the offerings at Russo and Steele is a 1969 Oldsmobile 442 W-30, one of less than 30,000 produced in 1969. Of those few, only 1,389 were ordered with the W-30 option, and just 1,063 were W-30, 4 speeds, based on historical records provided by the Oldsmobile Heritage Foundation.
For those wishing to attend, tickets are again moderately priced at $20 each.
Russo and Steele is partnering with CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County) for a pre-auction fundraiser on Wednesday night, June 18. Tickets for that event are $150 per person and includes dinner, dancing, and a live auction.
For more information, visit russoandsteele.com.


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The End of Yahoo
Verizon closed its acquisition of Yahoo for $4.48 billion, paving the way for the start of its new division called Oath.
After more than two decades, internet pioneer Yahoo’s days as an independent business are no more.
Verizon announced Tuesday it completed its purchase of Yahoo’s internet business for $4.48 billion. The acquisition, which was first announced last July, aims to combine Yahoo’s operating business with AOL, which it purchased in 2015. The merger will form Oath, a division of Verizon that is expected to house more than 50 media and technology brands, including HuffPost, Tech Crunch, and Tumblr.
Verizon plans to layoff more than 2,000 people, or the equivalent of 15 percent of Oath’s new workforce.
Tim Armstrong, AOL’s former chief executive, will lead Oath as its CEO.
“We’re building the future of brands using powerful technology, trusted content and differentiated data,” Armstrong said in a statement, adding: “Now that the deal is closed, we are excited to set our focus on being the best company for consumer media, and the best partner to our advertising, content and publisher partners.”
Marissa Mayer, Yahoo’s CEO, is stepping down from the role and will not be involved with Oath. Mayer served at Yahoo’s helm since 2012, overseeing the company through two massive hacks that affected more than 1 billion users. The security breach resulted in the resignation of the company’s head lawyer, and prompted its board to withhold Mayer’s annual bonus. It also earned Verizon a $350 million discount on its purchase price.
“It’s been my great honor and privilege to be a part of this team for the last five years,” Mayer told Yahoo employees of the deal’s closing. “Together, we have rebuilt, reinvented, strengthened, and modernized our products, our business, and our company.”


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A troubleshooting task force was launched earlier this month with the aim of saving our troubled high streets. Headed up by Bill Grimsey, the former boss of Wickes and Iceland, a review will be released this summer and will provide an update on a similar report he ran in 2013.
Back then, Grimsey highlighted exorbitant business rates, short-termism in town planning and a lack of funding for economic development as key challenges for our high streets.
Five years on, and the new review has been initiated in the wake of the demise of Toys R Us and Maplin, amongst a backdrop of less than healthy first-quarter sales figures across the retail sector – so not much has changed.
The food and beverage industry isn’t immune from the gloom: Prezzo, Jamie Oliver and Byron have all announced widespread closures. Just a few years ago it seemed like a new branch of these restaurants was popping up on almost a weekly basis. So, what went wrong?
Some argue the casual dining chains simply grew too quickly; expanded at such a rate that they became a watered-down version of themselves. Standards slipped and restaurants that once had a clear, well-communicated brand, lost sight of what made them popular in the first place. Throw Brexit into the mix and this makes for a challenging environment to do business.
But this is bad news for independents too, because a mass exodus of chains means less footfall for everyone. The high street conundrum is a complicated one; some argue it isn’t worth saving at all; that it’s better to plough money into businesses which are profitable and simply turn our high streets over to residential developers.
How high streets are used has changed dramatically over the past 30 or so years, with more people choosing to shop for clothes and household items at larger outlets and retail parks. Popping into town is now more often reserved for meeting a friend for coffee or going to the bank (if your bank even still has a local branch). So, are we holding on to a nostalgic image of the high street that doesn’t – or rather couldn’t – exist in the modern world?
Fail to plan…
One thing’s for sure, high streets need to be an appealing place to visit if businesses are ever going to survive there. But interesting independent retailers and one-off restaurants can’t afford the rising costs of running a town-centre business, so our high streets are full of Poundlands and betting shops. It’s an issue that can only really be resolved with policy change.
But, intelligent design and better town planning could play a part too. According to thinktank Urban Pollinators, pedestrian-friendly town centres encourage shoppers to linger for longer and increase the likelihood of return visits. Conversely, business rates penalise town-centre shops and favour out-of-town retail parks, having a hugely detrimental impact on footfall and turning our high streets into post-apocalyptic ghost towns.
Denser areas of shops, bars, cafes and historical buildings are more appealing to visitors and encourage people to linger longer and be sociable. On the other hand, will expensive gift shops and artisan crafts appeal to local people in less-affluent towns that aren’t tourist hotspots? If you stopped and asked a retail-park shopper why they choose to shop out of town, they’d say cheaper goods, more choice and free parking, so the everyday requirements of locals need to be considered to formulate a more realistic and sustainable solution.
The digital high street
Retailers are being told they need to get savvier and think of new ways to offer ‘experiences’ rather than just products – because they can inevitably be bought cheaper on Amazon or eBay. The idea of merging online and offline shopping is bandied about a lot by so-called retail experts. But what does this actually mean – and is it something that the average independent operator can implement?
Retail campaign group Save The High Street thinks so and has championed the idea of a digital, connected high street, where bricks and mortar shops offer the same convenience and seamless transactions as purchasing online and provide incentives to come into store, like free click and collect, or a discount on items bought or collected in person. Many independent shops already have both an online and offline presence, like Retro Revolution, a small vintage boutique in Chasetown, Staffordshire. Its bricks and mortar shop is open four days a week, but it also has an Esty and eBay shop, and sells vinyl records through Discogs Marketplace. A number of other retailers on Chasetown High Street do the same, like Hathaway Refrigeration, which also sells through eBay, and the jewellery shop, Personal Touch, which has an online shop, too. Perhaps this dual approach to business is what has allowed them to survive where others have been less fortunate.
It will be interesting to see what the new Grimsey report can recommend that his 2013 review hasn’t already highlighted. He hopes it will act as a source of evidence and advice for how change can be implemented. If nothing more, he says, it will get the topic back on the agenda. Otherwise, in his words: “we will continue to sleepwalk into the remainder of the 21st century, leaving a legacy of ill-thought-out town centres and high streets to the next generation.”


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Nubank of Brazil will acquire Spin Pay, a fintech company that helps retailers accept payments via the country’s Pix instant payment system.
According to a press release issued on August 30, the acquisition will assist Nubank in expanding its e-commerce payment solutions. Spin Pay, which will continue to exist as a separate company following the acquisition, works with over 220 retailers ranging from department stores to airlines. Spin Pay currently works with the e-commerce platforms VTEX and Loja Integrada, and will soon integrate with Shopify Plus, according to the announcement.
The acquisition of Spin Pay also sheds light on Nubank’s efforts to broaden its service offerings.
The neobank announced earlier this month that it had acquired Juntos Global, a provider of automated communications tools to banks. Last year, Nubank also added digital investment platform Easynvest, as well as software consultancy Cognitect from the United States and PlataformaTec from Brazil.
Nubank is seeking a valuation of more than $55.4 billion for a planned initial public offering (IPO) in the United States. According to the news outlet, if Nubank succeeds, it will become one of the world’s largest fintechs.
The Spin Pay transaction also highlights Brazil’s evolving fintech market and the popularity of its instant payment system, Pix. Nubank already provides access to Pix to its clients, but the agreement will expand the company’s reach when working with retailers who use the system to accept payments.


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The current economic forecast for the marijuana industry in the U.S. is favourable, as 11 states have legalized recreational marijuana, more than 30 have programs for medical marijuana or are in the process of creating one and numerous others have legislation under discussion to legalize one or the other manners of use.
With that promising forecast, companies are taking the proactive step to expand into other growing markets — those of Europe and Latin America.
The projection for Europe’s cannabis market is to reach $66.8 billion in the next five years, while the market in Latin America has the projected potential to reach $12.7 billion by 2028. While the U.S. market dominates both of these with an expected value of $42.2 billion in 2017 and the potential to reach $466 billion by 2025, the chance to expand into the European market is ripe and a good way to back investments in the U.S.
Numerous European countries have recently legalized medical marijuana, as with U.S. states, and there is even a chance that moves will be made to legalize recreational use as well — according to Prohibition Partners.
The Latin American region has its own appeal — primarily for the fertile land and potential for cultivation in a favourable environment. Research and science efforts related to marijuana cultivation will become the focus in coming years, as efforts are made to grow plants with higher concentrates, unique flavours or other variations to appeal to customers.
Businesses around the world looking to capitalize on the new market will bring new approaches and ideas to the business, keeping the competition alive and efforts in motion to corner a significant portion of the market for themselves. The competition will only allow greater expansion and interest into other countries while bolstering the U.S. markets.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., mergers and acquisitions and other collaborations are also a focus. While innovations are new and the best connections can lead to faster production and release of products in areas new to legalized marijuana sales, many businesses are looking to capitalize on their own strengths. This means working to bring in a company that excels in areas where their current business plan is faltering. Medical centres are also looking at partnerships with promising new businesses, agreeing to carry only the product lines unique to that business.
The opinions provided in this article are those of the author and do not constitute investment advice. Readers should assume that the author and/or employees of Grizzle hold positions in the company or companies mentioned in the article. For more information, please see our Content Disclaimer.


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ArticleDownload Worksheet March 29th, 2012
Reports of Harmful Conditions in iPhone Factories Spur Action
As products like the iPad, iPod and iPhone gain popularity, there are more questions about the harsh labor practices at Chinese factories where they are made.
Apple’s chief executive Timothy Cook visited an iPhone manufacturing plant in China this week following a series of stories The New York Times about deadly safety violations, excessive overtime hours and underage employees at the facility. The reports spurred protests at stores in several U.S. cities.
At one protest, activist Mark Shields started a petition on Change.org urging Apple to respond to the allegations of abuse.
“Apple has changed how we listen to music, how we see movies, how we use our iPhones, how we use computers. They have the creativity and the capital to make this better. They can make their products without horrible human suffering,” he said.
In addition to this week’s factory visit, Apple announced that an independent watchdog group, the Fair Labor Association, would inspect the plants, which are run by a company called Foxconn. The Foxconn Technology Park in Zhengzhou, which makes iPhones and iPads, came under scrutiny after it was reported that managers installed nets to stop upset workers from jumping off the roof after a rash of suicides in 2010.
Who makes iPhones, iPods and iPads?
China’s factories are home to over 130 million migrant workers—the largest migration in human history according to Leslie Chang, the author of the book Factory Girls.
More people live in China than in any other country, and the factories draw from a huge labor force of people under the age of 30 who come from rural farming villages to make money and find a better life. Chinese factory owners have become really good at mobilizing materials and workers to produce whatever international companies want, and many American companies look to large Chinese outsourcing companies such as Foxconn because they’re good and cheap, explains Peter Burrows, senior writer for Bloomberg BusinessWeek.
“It’s really a small city. It has its own soccer stadiums, police force, chicken farms. It goes on and on …. There’s hundreds of thousands of people, young people, beginning of their lives maybe before they get married tend to come into the cities and get work at plants like these,” Burrows said on the NewsHour.
iPhone factory fact versus theater
The working conditions at Apple factories were brought into the spotlight by performer Mike Daisey, whose theater monologue, “The Ecstasy and Agony of Steve Jobs,” was popularized by the public radio program This American Life.
Daisey’s monologue described terrible working conditions he found at Chinese factories making Apple products: workers being poisoned by chemicals and grueling work days with few breaks. However, he recently admitted that some of the details in the show were not true.
Daisey misrepresented the location where a worker poisoning incident took place and inaccurately reported the number of factory visits he made. This American Life considered this bad journalism and retracted the show. Daisey claimed that he is a theater performer, not a journalist, and said he should have never allowed his work to be aired on the radio program.
“I am proud that my work seems to have sparked a growing storm of attention and concern over the often appalling conditions under which many of the high-tech products we love so much are assembled in China,” Daisey said after the controversy.
What are the facts about Chinese factories?
Although the facts behind Daisey’s work were questionable, other organizations and reporters have found concrete evidence of bad working conditions in Chinese technology factories. For example, in January of 2012, the New York Timesreported that workers must stay in overcrowded dormitories, are often underaged, exposed to hazardous waste and must sometimes stand for so long that their legs swell.
In 2011, the NewsHour reported on Chinese factory workers who claim they have been poisoned by the chemicals used to clean iPhone and iPad screens.
“I want to tell all the American consumers the story behind the iPhones,” one factory worker said. “We made iPhones with our health.”
Apple is expected to announce more changes to its manufacturing processes in the coming weeks.
–Compiled by Leah Clapman and Veronica DeVore for NewsHour Extra
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Home > Lifestyle > Features
Tuesday May 13, 2014 MYT 9:25:00 AM
Tuesday May 13, 2014 MYT 12:54:44 PM
Ride on: A Bough Bike.
Bicycles to be displayed in Big Apple in attempt to encourage New Yorkers to cycle.
The New York design scene is going Dutch this week, as the GOED show from the Netherlands brings what is thought to be the first electric wooden bike stateside.
To support the big bicycle movement in New York City, Dutch brand Bough Bikes is set to unveil the first electric version of its wooden bike in an attempt to inspire New Yorkers to cycle rather than drive.
The world premiere will take place today (May 13), as part of the GOED event taking place during NYCxDesign.
The exhibition will showcase various sustainable Dutch design products, including an innovative floor that generates energy when you move on it.
Bags and accessories made from used conveyor belts will also be on display, in addition to a new bag design by Dinand Stufkens set to launch at the exhibit.
Curated by Robbert Zoon and GGrippo art + design, GOED will run through May 18. NYCxDesign runs through May 20. – AFP Relaxnews
Here's a look at Bough Bikes. The video is in Dutch.
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Lifestyle, Bough Bikes, wooden bicycle
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Still standing 100 years later
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Englishman Mat Dan goes native in Terengganu
Hackers steal personal data from US tax agency IRS
Rubbish dumping woes in Laluan Puncak Jelapang left unresolved despite complaints
Restful repose in a capsule
Copyright © 1995-2015 Star Media Group Berhad (ROC 10894D)(Formerly known as Star Publications (Malaysia) Berhad)


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While Intel prides itself on maintaining a breakneck speed for processor development, the company’s Larrabee GPU effort just couldn’t to keep pace with graphics technology development at rivals NVIDIA and AMD. Intel revealed late last Friday that the company would not be delivering a Larrabee-based discrete graphics product next year, and has instead decided to use the work as the basis for a software development platform.
The company blamed the cancellation of the product release on hardware and software schedule slips, preventing Intel from launching its standalone, x86-based GPU offering in 2010. In essence, the chipmaker has withdrawn Larrabee from its commercial plans and recast it as a research project.
The statement from Intel reads as follows:
Larrabee silicon and software development are behind where we had hoped to be at this point in the project. As a result, our first Larrabee product will not be launched as a standalone discrete graphics product, but rather be used as a software development platform for internal and external use.
Larrabee is a large complex, multi year project that is aimed at creating a new architectural approach to graphics and to high performance computing.
The performance of the initial Larrabee product for throughput computing applications — as demonstrated at SC09 — is extremely promising and we will be adding a throughput computing development platform based on Larrabee, too.
While we are disappointed that the product is not yet where we expected, we remain committed to delivering world-class many-core graphics products to our customers. Additional plans for discrete graphics products will be discussed some time in 2010.
Our plans to deliver the world’s first CPU’s with integrated graphics this month are unchanged.
The implication is that the R&D effort might eventually yield commercial offerings, whether or not they are released under the Larrabee moniker. For the time being though, AMD and NVIDIA have received an early Christmas present. For the next year, at least, the two GPU makers will have the market to themselves, both in traditional high-end graphics and for GPU computing. Both companies are fielding teraflop-level graphics processors today, with performance and general-purpose capabilities continuing to spiral upward.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the announcement is how wide Intel left the door open to using the Larrabee work as a springboard to HPC-type applications. Up until now, the official story line for the GPU wannabe was that it would be introduced as a discrete graphics chip, and its HPC duties would be limited to experimental use. With the discrete graphics line on hold, Intel now seems more interested in exploring its high performance potential.
The reference to “adding a throughput computing development platform based on Larrabee” could mean that Intel has decided to formally link the Ct research language and Larrabee development together. Ct, which stands for “C/C++ for throughput computing,” is a new parallel programming language that the chipmaker is developing for manycore processing. While Ct is meant to be a general-purpose, data-parallel programming language, it always seemed to be particularly well-suited to the Larrabee architecture.
The Larrabee demo at SC09 last month suggests Intel was already in the process of expanding its thinking about how the technology can be applied. At the conference, Intel CTO Justin Rattner pushed the idea that the 3D Web, a cloud platform that encompasses real-time simulations, multi-view animation, and immersive virtual environments, would be the application driver for HPC in the next decade. The climax of his presentation was a 1 teraflop Larrabee performance running SGEMM (Single-precision General Matrix Multiply). If Intel now believes a Larrabee-type platform has a bigger future in server-side computing, rather than client-side computing, that points to a telling shift in its GPGPU strategy.
The problem for Intel is that its GPGPU rivals already have commercial offerings in the field — AMD with FireStream, and NVIDIA with Tesla. NVIDIA, in particular, has established a broad ecosystem for GPU computing based on its CUDA hardware/software architecture. While the CUDA software environment does not offer the high-level programming environment of Ct, a broad spectrum of ISVs and tool developers have already coalesced around CUDA. In 2010, NVIDIA is set to release its most advanced and most general-purpose Tesla product line for HPC, based on the Fermi architecture. The company also just started shipping its RealityServer platform for 3D Web applications. While the RealityServer doesn’t support the real-time animations/simulations envisioned by Rattner’s 3D Web, it’s certainly a step toward that direction.
It’s possible that Intel will decide to split its discrete graphics processor effort from its “throughput computing” work and simply develop an architecture for each one. On the other hand, the company may just regroup and develop Larrabee 2.0 against the new realities of the GPU market. In the meantime, GPU computing is back to a two-horse race.


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HearMyPitch, The Brand-Startup Matchmaker
Advertising is the monetization plan for many of the hottest consumer Internet startups. But for brand new companies, nailing down that first brand partnership is a daunting task. It's an experience Jeffrey Cutler, now Director of Digital Strategy at Team Epic, knows well. He spent a chunk of time "literally running up and down Madison Avenue," he says, as Director of Marketing at Going.com before it sold to AOL in 2009. The time sink required to court brands and agencies is frustrating and full of dead ends. It's even difficult for the biggest, arguably most successful consumer Internet startups: Twitter's New York headquarters are on none other than Madison Avenue and Facebook has invested serious money and manpower into courting the ad world. Smaller startups are competing with them for attention--you can imagine who gets the meeting and in, turn, the ad dollars.
On the flip side, brands and agencies want to be associated with cutting edge startups, but they can get overwhelmed with the volume of options and information out there, Cutler says. At Team Epic he works with brands like Mars Chocolate, Hasbro, Chase and Pepsi. He's seen brand managers tune out the noise and revert back to Facebook and Twitter ads. "They read the tech blogs and their inboxes are full of pitches from startups, but it's too much information to filter," he said. Their time, like the time of the startups, is in short supply.
Brands are not afraid to throw money at a promising new startup. See Foursquare for an example. The company's focus is on merchant services, but it also offers branded badges and pages, as used by companies like Bravo, The New York Times and Red Bull. Being the first brand on the next Foursquare, or any new, potentially huge platform is an enticing opportunity for a brand, Cutler said.
It's catching on--more brands we know are partnering with startups we don't--but those deals are not easily won.
The inefficiencies keeping brands from connecting with new consumer Internet startups motivated Cutler and his friend Michael Cohen, a private equity investor at Torque Capital Group, to launch a brand-startup matchmaking site as a side project. HearMyPitch is purposely simple--"innovators," or startups and entrepreneurs, submit their pitch to the site. Cutler and his team filter and curate the pitches and connect with the companies they find most attractive to their growing community of "explorers" or advertisers. Then, in a biweekly email blast, HearMyPitch highlights two promising startups which may appeal to his advertiser audience. The first blast went out this week, featuring Privy and SocMetrics. Cutler believes the emails resonate with his agency and advertiser contacts because he simplifies the company's pitches in a way his audience can understand. The hope is that his unique position as a former startup guy and current agency person gives him a strong perspective on what both sides care about.
It's incredibly, stupidly simple experiment that, if successful, could save time for everyone involved and maybe help a startup score its first brand partner. The next step for HearMyPitch is to launch brand pages where startups vetted by Cutler and friends can pitch a brand directly in the hopes of nabbing a meeting. The only goal is to create efficiencies. Cutler and Cohen want startups to stop pitching brands that aren't a good match, and brands to open their doors to more startups, knowing the meetings they take will be more productive thanks to his team's qualifying each one.
HearMyPitch isn't the only one trying to solve this problem. Agencies like Joseph Jaffe's Evol8tion have the brand-startup connection in their sights, too. But HearMyPitch is the only one not capitalizing on the situation--it's a side project that Cutler and Cohen launched simply because they wanted to help. To check it out, sign up here.


text:
India was the world’s largest market for TikTok, which is owned by Chinese firm ByteDance and became the world’s largest platform for short videos.
Is TikTok an Indian company?
TikTok, known in China as Douyin (Chinese: 抖音; pinyin: Dǒuyīn), is a video-focused social networking service owned by Chinese company ByteDance. … Since its launch in 2016, TikTok/Douyin rapidly gained popularity in East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the United States, Turkey, Russia, and other parts of the world.
Who owns TikTok in India?
China-based ByteDance, which is the parent company of short-video making app TikTok, is quitting its edtech business in India, the media reported on Monday. After the ban on TikTok last year, ByteDance now runs education learning app Snapsolve and music streaming platform Resso in the country.
Is TikTok came back to India?
While in July of this year, the parent company of TikTok ByteDance had filed for a new trademark for TickTock, now a new tip by tipster Mukul Sharma suggests that it is indeed returning to India. … In January 2021, TikTok had shut shop in India and had let go of its 2,000 employees.
Is TikTok made by China?
“TikTok is led by an executive team in the US and Singapore,” TikTok said in a statement to Reuters, adding that “the China-based subsidiary of ByteDance Ltd.
Is TikTok banned in 2021?
No, TikTok isn’t being shut down in 2021, says President Joe Biden. Despite catching a lot of flack from the Trump administration over its presence in the U.S. market, the Biden administration initially hadn’t addressed the U.S.’s stance on TikTok.
Is TikTok blocked in India?
TikTok, the short-video platform, was an instant success in India soon after it launched in September 2016. … But, TikTok was banned in India on June 29, 2020, over national security issues. It has been a year since the ban, and the app, now forgotten and vilified, was once the only source of income for many.
Is TikTok banned in China?
No, TikTok is not banned in China, it just isn’t available under the same name. Although it is true that TikTok is not available for download in mainland China, it is not banned. The Chinese version of TikTok is actually the original version of the app, called Douyin.
Is ByteDance a Chinese company?
TikTok’s representative maintained that TikTok has “no affiliation” with Beijing ByteDance Technology, ByteDance’s Chinese entity in which the government took a stake and board seat this year.
Who is the TikTok CEO?
Shou Zi Chew is TikTok’s CEO and the CFO of its parent company, Bytedance.
Is TikTok banned in India 2021?
TikTok, along with 58 other Chinese-created apps, was banned completely in India by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on 29 June 2020, with a statement saying they were “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order”.
How can I use TikTok in India 2021?
Sideloading the APK file on your Android device.
- Sign up for a VPN, like ExpressVPN, and install the app on your device.
- Launch the app, enter your activation code and sign in if it is a paid service.
- Search for a server in a country where TikTok is still available.
- Connect to the server and access TikTok.
Can I use TikTok in India with VPN?
The Indian and Pakistani government has banned Bytedance’s TikTok in the country, leaving it unavailable to millions of people. Fortunately, the popular video-sharing social networking app can be made accessible in India by using a VPN.
What country owns TikTok?
The majority owner of TikTok is ByteDance, a Chinese technology company.
Is TikTok a safe app?
TikTok doesn’t have end-to-end encryption like some other apps, making it less safe to send private or personal direct messages. “Avoid clicking links from unknown users and block posts from accounts you don’t recognize,” Gaffney says.
Who owns TikTok USA?
ByteDance still owns TikTok, which added 7 million new US users in the first four months of this year. Trump is gone, and the threat from the US government has receded—but the Chinese government now looms over the popular app.


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Never Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.
Esther Shein, Contributor
October 29, 2010
2 Min Read
Microsoft's Windows 7 Phone Revealed
(click image for larger view)
Slideshow: Microsoft's Windows 7 Phone Revealed
Attendees of Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference aren't the only people who will get a free Windows Phone 7 -- the Redmond, Wash. company has announced that all of its 89,000 employees will, too.
A Windows Phone 7 executive told Network World that while not all employees currently use a Windows-based phone, everyone was elated about the news that they would receive one. What isn't known is whether Microsoft will also be picking up the tab for the employees' monthly voice and data plans.
The news of the company's largesse was first leaked over the summer in an internal memo from Microsoft VP Andy Lees that said that the company would make its new phone available to every employee as it is launched in each worldwide market. Microsoft isn't the first company to give out free phones; tech blog Gizmodo reported that Apple and Google have both done something similar with their respective phones, the iPhone and the Nexus One.
Last month, a few hundred Microsoft employees held a mock funeral for the iPhone on the Redmond campus, Reuters reported.
The launch of Windows Phone 7 in the U.S. is still about a week away. Some analysts have said the device is Microsoft's last opportunity to compete against Apple and Google's smartphones after losing the strong market share it held. The company stopped working on its Kin device, geared at a young, social networking-focused audience, over the summer after Verizon slashed the prices of its two Kin models. Smartphone manufacturers including HTC and Samsung are debuting Windows 7 phones in time for the holidays. But there is some sentiment that the Windows Phone 7 OS is not significantly better than any other smartphone platform.
Despite its unsteady market share in browsers, slates, and phones, Microsoft earlier this week announced it has sold more than 240 million Windows 7 licenses since the OS was launched one year ago.
On Thursday, chief executive Steve Ballmer told attendees at Microsoft's developers conference that there is still plenty of time for devices running Windows Phone 7 to grab market share.
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Poultry Africa confirms its role as the most complete poultry event in Africa
2,026 visitors in 3 days, from Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions, at the KCC in Rwanda
The second edition of Poultry Africa, held last October in Kigali, gathered the poultry industry once again for a boutique event format that attracted 70% more exhibitors than the first edition and 2,026 professional visitors over three days.
Regional event with focus on farmers and decision makers
With an increase of 13% of African visitors coming from outside of Rwanda compared to 2017, this event has established itself as the point of reference and as a valuable platform for the sub-Saharan industry. The top five visiting countries, following the hosting country, were Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, and Ethiopia.
Exhibitors could meet the regional decision makers such as farm owners (24% of the visitors) and GM/CEO level members of the industry (19%), but also farm employees, marketing and sales reps, as well as vets, technicians, government reps, associations, and others. 67% of the visitors came with investment and buying plans for the next 12 months, which confirms the overall qualified attendance at Poultry Africa, supported also by the Industry Leaders program executed by the show organizer and targeting top specialists and top buyers of the poultry and egg industries in Africa.
Layer and broiler poultry farms represented altogether the 48% of visitor business profiles, followed by feed ingredients and additives operators, feed mills, animal health and pharmaceutical sector, processing and handling companies, and animal industry equipment.
“Exhibitors awarded a 7.4 in a satisfaction scale of 10 to the event, while visitors rated the appointment with a significant 8.2 out of 10. This was possible to achieve thanks to a combination of factors such as the support from local and regional authorities and associations, the commitment in the region to develop the poultry sector as a way of improving people’s lives, and the VIV worldwide network of professionals that the event organizer manages in Africa and in the world.” says Diana Tóth, Poultry Africa event manager. The show thus seems to meet the current needs of both supply and demand.
The Expo: a feed to food showcase
Poultry Africa 2019 proved that the Sub-Saharan region is an attractive market: all sectors of the poultry production supply chain were represented by the 128 international and African exhibitors. The range of products and services showcased at the exhibition makes it the most complete poultry event in Africa. The Expo provides a unique environment for suppliers to actually relate to the local industry, test the progress, and work on the possible solutions for this specific market, whilst the Technical best practice seminars serve as a tool to engage with local farmers and vets and share knowledge with the aim of bringing the poultry sector to the next level.
Leadership conference & seminars
227 delegates took part in the Leadership Conference thanks to a strong line-up. The conference started with a most welcomed presentation by Rabobank Senior Global...
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text:
Apple Cuts iPhone Screen, Component Orders for Q1 2013 by 50 Percent
January 14, 2013 6:30 AM
comment(s) - last by
This may be a sign of how iPhone demand is faring amongst the competition
The latest iPhone may not be
Apple thought it would be. The Cupertino, California-based company slashed its orders for iPhone 5 screens by about 50 percent for the first quarter of 2013, and cut orders for other iPhone components as well.
This may be a sign of how iPhone demand is faring amongst the competition. Rival hardware makers like Samsung, whose devices are coupled with Google's Android operating system, have stolen much of
the smartphone market share
in the U.S.
For Q3 2012, Android was the No. 1 mobile operating system with a market share of 72.4 percent (compared to 52.5 percent in Q3 2011). Apple's iOS followed far behind at 13.9 percent (compared to 15 percent in Q3 2011).
As far as hardware goes, Samsung led the Q3 2012 market share at 22.9 percent (compared to 18.7 percent in Q3 2011) and Apple sat in third place at 5.5 percent (compared to 3.9 percent in Q3 2011).
slipped behind in China's smartphone market
Apple, which previously held the No. 4 spot in the Chinese mobile phone market, slipped to No. 6 in Q3 2012 due to its low number of shipments, according to research firm IDC. Out of China's 60 million mobile phone shipments in Q3, Apple's iPhone accounted for less than 10 percent.
was released in September 2012 with new features like a 4-inch screen and 4G LTE connectivity. It's available in either black or white, and is
priced at $199 for the 16GB model, $299 for the 32GB model, and $399 for the 64GB model with two-year contrac
The Wall Street Journal
This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled
1/14/2013 12:15:11 PM
This article is about a story that is over 1 month old. Plus, the same kind of articles came out a year ago about the iPhone 4S and Apple went on to report blockbuster Q4 results.
Some have speculated that Apple made 60 Million iPhones and sold 45 Million of them. With 15 Million in hand, they are having “only” 30 Million made for Q1 2013 (about a 50% cut in production as per WSJ); this still gives Apple another 45 Million to potentially sell in Q1. They will probably sell less in Q1, but again have inventory left over.
1/14/2013 12:54:18 PM
It's more of an over-correction on planning. Up until December, places were waiting for iPhones, so they couldnt have been waiting in inventory. That and no company builds excess inventory like that. It's insane and you get taxed to death on it. The goal of any and all manufacturers is to plan what you build, build what you plan and sell all that you build. For a company to plan to have 15 million of anything, much less $600 devices in inventory is just like running wheelbarrows full of cash into the incinerator. Its just not done.
It is possible that they already have 15 million in open orders (15 million screens, motherboards, CPU's, conencttors etc). As in PO's already made and parts are in production... But that is still all planned for and reducing orders is reducing orders. It's never a good thing.
1/14/2013 6:29:45 PM
Let's talk again on January 28th
"You can bet that Sony built a long-term business plan about being successful in Japan and that business plan is crumbling." -- Peter Moore, 24 hours before his Microsoft resignation
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