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Posted on May 22, 2018
Lyteus in-car HUD display shows power of flexible, transparent OLED lighting technology
Revolutionary in-car HUD shows power of flexible, transparent OLED lighting technology. When designing a vehicle, manufacturers need to ensure drivers can receive essential information without unnecessarily distracting them from the road ahead.
Posted on May 16, 2018
Flexible fingerprint sensors promise embedded secure access control
A new class of flexible large-area sensor technology for detecting finger- and palmprints. Visit us at the I-zone SID Display Week (Los Angeles, USA) and ITF (Antwerp).
Posted on Feb 5, 2018
Henkel and Holst Centre continue collaboration
Henkel and Holst Centre today announced the extension of their fruitful longterm collaboration, which focuses on developments related to health patch technologies and products. Drawing on a wide range of complementary expertise, Henkel and Holst Centre will continue the development of several sol...
Posted on Nov 15, 2017
(Not) breaking the barrier to foldable OLED displays
Eindhoven, November 15th 2017 - With today's smartphones, tablets and laptops, there always seems to be a compromise: do you choose a bigger display for a better experience or a smaller, more portable device? But what if you could have both? Displays the size of newspapers that fold up to ...
Posted on Nov 14, 2017
Holst Centre and AMSYSTEMS Center showcase latest developments in flexible and printed electronics at IDTechEx show! USA
Eindhoven (NL) / Santa Clara (CA, USA), November 14th, 2017 – On November 15-16, 2017, Holst Centre, an open innovation initiative of imec and TNO, and AMSYSTEMS Center, a joint innovation center of TNO and the High Tech Systems Center of Eindhoven University of Technology, will demonstrate t...
Posted on Oct 17, 2017
Holst Centre, imec and Philips demo world's first curved, plastic photodetector
Researchers from Holst Centre, imec and Royal Philips have produced the first ever prototype of a curved photodetector on a plastic substrate. The breakthrough paves the way for smaller optical and 3D imaging X-ray systems with better, more uniform image quality. A prototype curved X-ray detector has been integrated into a medical cone-beam CT (CBCT) demonstrator that will be presented at the IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on October 22. Curved surfaces are the most natural shape for photodetectors – just think of the human eyeball. Nevertheless, today's photo-imager arrays are flat. Flat optical detectors suffer from a phenomenon called vignetting, where image quality at the edge of the detector is less than at the cen...
Posted on Sep 20, 2017
CPT and imec / Holst Centre Demonstrate 1250 ppi, FMM-free Multicolor OLED Displays with Photolithography
Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd. (CPT) together with the European research institute imec in the framework of the Holst Centre collaboration, showcase today an ultra-high resolution display realized by photolithography patterning of organic light emitting diode (OLED) arrays. The results pave the wa...
Posted on Jun 19, 2017
Holst Centre showcases flexible electronics demonstrators at Automotive Interior Expo in Stuttgart
On June 20-22, 2017, Holst Centre – an open innovation initiative of imec and TNO - will demonstrate the latest developments in flexible electronics at the Automotive Interior Expo 2017 at Messe Stuttgart. Holst Centre is at the forefront of the development of flexible electronics, that can be embedded directly into fabrics, plastics and construction materials to create systems that conform to our bodies, the surroundings of our daily life including consumer products, interiors and transport vehicles. In Holst Centre's hybrid printed electronics program, the best of both worlds of printed materials and silicon based electronics are combined to obtain maximum form freedom. We are able to design fully stretchable systems that can be applied in fabric integration....
Posted on May 16, 2017
Imec and Holst Centre Present Solution for Precise Low-Cost Eye Movement Detection
Imec, the world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, and Holst Centre (set up by imec and TNO) today announced the development of a sensing technology to detect eye movement in real time based on electrical sensing. Paving the way for the next generation of eye-tracking technology, imec's solution has promising applications in the fields of virtual and augmented reality. Today's eye movement detection technology makes use of high-resolution cameras embedded in eye-tracking screens or glasses. Such devices are already being commercialized for numerous applications, including healthcare, research and gaming. While camera-based solutions can accurately determine where users are looking, most cameras' frame rates...
Posted on May 10, 2017
Holst Centre wins IDTechEx Printed Electronics Europe 2017 Award for functional car console demonstrator using in-mold electronics technology
At the 13th IDTechEx Printed Electronics Europe conference and exhibition in Berlin, Holst Centre – an innovation initiative by imec and TNO – received the Best Institute/Academic R&D Award for a functional demonstrator using in-mold electronics (IME) technology, which creates a larg...
Posted on Mar 29, 2017
Holst Centre demonstrates a smart shirt monitoring key vital signs for medical and fitness applications
Researchers from Holst Centre – an open innovationinitiative by imec and TNO - have developed a prototype smart shirt that integrates imec's validated medical-grade electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring with breathing rate and breathing depth. The use of state-of-the-art printed electronics technology offers complete freedom in design and optimization of printed sensors and electronics, being as thin as 60 µm and up to 100% stretchable. The properties of the electronics thereby become similar to those of textile, allowing unobtrusive integration. The design can be adapted for a variety of applications. For example patient monitoring in hospitals, home care, elderly care but also for sports. The new demonstrator is the third generation of vital sign monitoring shirt cr...
Posted on Mar 27, 2017
Holst Centre and partners deliver functional surfaces for intuitive automotive and consumer user experiences
Eindhoven, March 27, 2017 - A functional demonstrator using Holst Centre's in-mold electronics (IME) technology points to a bright future for intuitive human-machine interfaces (HMIs) in automotive electronics and consumer appliances. Developed by a group of key industry players led by Hol...


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Source: Petworks Announces Partnership With the Certification Council for Prof…
Discovered on: 2021-12-13 18:00:04
Petworks and CCPDT seek to highlight the importance of selecting credentialed trainers to ensure knowledge, professionalism, and skill.
Dec 13, 2021 13:00 EST
December 13, 2021 (Newswire.com) –
Petworks (https://www.petworks.com), the pet care marketplace for a new generation of pet parents and pros, has partnered with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) in an effort to provide credentialed professional trainers and behavior consultants to a growing number of pet families. This initiative is designed to educate pet parents on dog training, and connect them with trained professionals. CCPDT is a leader in the development of rigorous exams to demonstrate mastery of humane, science-based dog training practices. Thousands of dog training professionals worldwide maintain the CCPDT’s certifications as a mark of high professional distinction.
“Through this partnership, we look to increase pet parent understanding of certified training professionals,” said Michael Caldwell, CEO of Petworks. “We look forward to highlighting professionals who have earned the trusted CCPDT certification and connecting them with pet parents needing training and behavior services. Our pets bring us such joy throughout their lives, and as their guardians, we can enjoy peace of mind knowing that we have entrusted their training care to a credentialed professional.”
“The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers welcomes the opportunity to connect our certified professional dog trainers and dog behavior consultants with Petworks’ dog owners who need training and behavior services,” said Brad Phifer, Executive Director of CCPDT. “Our CPDT-KA®, CPDT-KSA®, and CBCC-KA® certificants are committed to the highest standards in dog training and have demonstrated a level of knowledge and professionalism that is relied on by dog owners around the world.”
Petworks, at the forefront of pet care trends and insights, has seen pet parent requests for pet training nearly triple in 2021. Training has become the #1 most requested service on its platform year-to-date, fueled by new pet parents seeking to socialize their newly adopted “COVID furbaby” pets, and existing pet parents returning to work post-pandemic. Many families are addressing separation anxiety issues with pets home alone for the first time in more than a year.
Petworks is the nationwide pet care platform revolutionizing the way pet parents find and hire pet care. With over 5,300 registered pet care professionals, Petworks guides pet parents through all stages of their pets’ lives – enabling parents to connect and transact with well-trained specialists in every conceivable category of pet wellness, specialty care, and time of need services.
About The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®), established in 2001, is the leading independent certifying organization for the dog training profession. The CCPDT is the leader in the development of rigorous exams to demonstrate mastery of humane, science-based dog training practices. Thousands of dog training professionals worldwide maintain the CCPDT’s certifications as a mark of high professional distinction.
Kevin H. Kinyon

domain: news


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2012 Toronto Fall Expo
It’s one of North America’s biggest and best shows, but many Americans have never been to the Toronto Expo. Held in the spring and fall, the show draws collectors and dealers by the thousands. Here are a few posts from around the web as the show wraps up for 2012.
Storified by Sports Collector · Sun, Nov 11 2012 18:19:49
Toronto Sport Card & memorabilia show…we are here! http://pic.twitter.com/tNegd80RClassic Auctions
RT @PaniniAmerica: @PaniniAmerica on location at 2012 Fall Expo in Toronto #collect #thehobby http://pic.twitter.com/XyBXM4WVCardboardRadio
Panini America was a popular booth thanks to its hockey card promos. They also sent back an album full of photos from the three-day event.
Panini America On Location: More Wrapper Mayhem on Day 2 at 2012 Toronto Fall ExpoTORONTO, Ontario — Day 2 at the 2012 Toronto Fall Expo started with the Panini America team arriving to a line of sports collectors and …
One collector blogs about his experiences.
2012 Toronto Spring Sports Card and Memorabilia Expo ReviewEmail Me | Twitter | Facebook My eBay Store | RSS Feed Friday was the first of the two biggest days of the year when it comes to my hobby…
A few more photos and some info from the local paper.
Mississauga Article: Sports card expo hits International CentreAs the NHL lockout continues, fans of the game have been lining up in Malton this weekend to add to their hockey card collections. The Sp…
Some of the promo cards from the show have already hit eBay.


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Everything from strategic plans to everyday decisions are influenced by the data an organization has available.
Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) July 02, 2015
Pragmatic Works' releases infographic to show the importance of testing in a data-centric world. Testing has long been undervalued in the data world. Because if this, incorrect data is often supplied to decision makers within an organization. Using incorrect data can lead to an increase in production workload and delivery time, as well as costly decisions being made based on inaccurate data.
By not testing, companies are often unsure if they are gaining value from the data they are being provided. By implementing a testing plan your company can reduce cost, increase confidence in production data and have many other benefits.
"Organizations today are driven by their data - everything from strategic plans to everyday decisions are influenced by the data an organization has available. Businesses need to have confidence in that data," says John Welch, VP of Product Development for Pragmatic Works.
To view the infographic and learn more about the importance of data testing, please visit http://blog.pragmaticworks.com/why-you-should-care-about-data-testing
About Pragmatic Works:
Pragmatic Works is a software, consulting and training company that focuses on helping customers optimize their data lifecycle. We are experts on data management and performance, business intelligence, big data and cloud technologies. Pragmatic Works has served more than 7,200 customers globally, across multiple industries including banking, insurance, financial, automotive, education and many others.
For more information about Pragmatic Works, please visit our website http://www.pragmaticworks.com
For additional information, interview and image requests contact Liz Hamilton, Marketing Manager, at 904-297-3235 or lhamilton(at)pragmaticworks(dot)com


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- Why you should never use Google Authenticator?
- Which is better Google Authenticator or Authy?
- Is Authy desktop secure?
- Which is the best authenticator app?
- Who owns Authy?
- What is Authy for?
- Can Google Authenticator be hacked?
- Can Authy replace Google Authenticator?
- How does Authy make money?
- What happens if you lose your phone Authy?
- What companies use Authy?
- Can you have Google Authenticator on 2 phones?
- Can Google Authenticator be used for multiple accounts?
- How is two factor authentication more secure?
- Is Authy backup secure?
Why you should never use Google Authenticator?
According to a recent report from Nightwatch Cybersecurity, Google’s Authenticator app for Android comes with an unfixed issue that can create a big security nightmare if you have any malware or otherwise shifty apps installed on your device..
Which is better Google Authenticator or Authy?
‘They’re a more secure way to do two-factor verification. … As for which app to use, Google Authenticator offers a barebones experience backed by a company with a sterling security record, while Authy offers more features, like being able to pull codes from not just your smartphone but your desktop or tablet.
Is Authy desktop secure?
Authy for PCs not only provides more convenient and secure access to two-factor authentication tokens, but it goes the extra step by keeping your tokens safe on your computer, and by offering protection from phishing attacks.
Which is the best authenticator app?
Google Authenticator: Best overall.LastPass Authenticator: Runner up.Microsoft Authenticator.Authy: Best multi-device solution.Yubico Authenticator.Titan Security Key.
Who owns Authy?
TwilioTwilio today announced that it has acquired Authy, a Y Combinator-backed startup that offers two-factor authentication services to end users, developers and enterprises. The two companies declined to disclose the financial details of the transaction.
What is Authy for?
Authy is a free mobile / desktop app for two factor authentication, as well as security partner and SMS delivery service of many websites that want to make two-factor authentication work better for their users. … You will receive a push notification if someone else is trying to access your account via SMS.
Can Google Authenticator be hacked?
Security researchers say that an Android malware strain can now extract and steal one-time passcodes (OTP) generated through Google Authenticator, a mobile app that’s used as a two-factor authentication (2FA) layer for many online accounts. Google launched the Authenticator mobile app in 2010.
Can Authy replace Google Authenticator?
Authy is a fully-fledged two-factor authentication service. But don’t get this confused with Google Authenticator. … You see, the Authy App also handles Google Authenticator 2FA code registration. This means that instead of using the official Google app, you’ll now use the Authy App instead.
How does Authy make money?
In a nutshell, Authy is a product of Twilio, a company that makes it easy for businesses to communicate with individuals (and vice versa) by providing developers with access to complete software solutions. These businesses pay for authentications generated by Twilio’s pre-built authentication software, the Authy API.
What happens if you lose your phone Authy?
If your phone has been lost, stolen, or is inaccessible because it’s broken in some way, Authy has options for you to help restore access as quickly and securely as possible. … You have a new device with the same number, but NO other Authy apps are installed. You have a new device and a new phone number.
What companies use Authy?
29 companies reportedly use Authy in their tech stacks, including Twitch, Coinbase, and Kaidee.Twitch.Coinbase.Kaidee.DuckDuckGo.Tiamat.Tech …DNSFilter.Zscaler.Startaê
Can you have Google Authenticator on 2 phones?
Use Google Authenticator with multiple accounts or devices Google Authenticator can issue codes for multiple accounts from the same mobile device. Each Google Account needs a different secret key. To set up extra accounts: … Use the same Google Authenticator app.
Can Google Authenticator be used for multiple accounts?
Yes, the Android as well as Blackberry versions of Google’s Authenticator app supports multiple accounts. Press MENU and choose SCAN BARCODE after you’ve set up your new Google Account for 2-factor auth to grab the displayed barcode or enter details manually.
How is two factor authentication more secure?
Two-factor authentication is helpful. It’s an important part of a broader approach called multifactor authentication that makes logging in more of a hassle but also makes it vastly more secure. Like the name suggests, the technique relies on combining multiple factors that embody different qualities.
Is Authy backup secure?
Backups are encrypted prior to upload For your convenience, Authy can store an encrypted copy of your Authenticator accounts in the cloud. The account is encrypted/decrypted inside your phone, so neither Authy or anyone affiliated with Authy have access to your accounts.


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The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) projects that the USMCA bill will pass the Senate soon, followed by a greater focus on agriculture labor, transportation and infrastructure and childhood nutrition this year.
Eating healthier is a common New Year's resolution that brands like to capitalize on every year. New plant-based dairy alternatives are kicking off 2020, trying to tap into the oat, almond and coconut-based craze that’s challenging the dairy industry.
The Dairy Farmers of America is realigning its portfolio of dairy-based ingredients into a new group, DFA Ingredient Solutions. It says this will provide better support for food manufacturers and operators.
As the year's fourth quarter wraps up, Rabobank's RaboResearch looks back on global dairy's performance in 2019, and ahead to 2020. Milk production and prices are up, leading to challenges for producers.
Research shows cattle have their own voice and aren’t afraid to speak out


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Politically Correct Liberals Enraged by Target CHRISTMAS SWEATER
Progressives never find anything funny. We’re not even allowed to say the words “crazy” or “nuts” anymore because it apparently stigmatizes mental illness.
A new Christmas sweater at Target is giving some people fits.
The New York Post reports:
Target is facing backlash over a new Christmas-themed sweater, which disgruntled shoppers say makes light of mental illness.
The sweater reads “OCD Obsessive Christmas Disorder” and is available in red, white or green for $22.40.
Angry consumers have flocked to social media, saying the garment trivializes those who suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder.
“Hey @Target this sweater isn’t cute or funny. OCD is a serious mental illness that shouldn’t be mocked,” shopper Kate Gannon tweeted.
“Making light of mental illness continues to enforce the stigma against those who suffer. It is sad to see that Target, a major retailer, has decided to shill this product,” user Candy Clymer wrote on the retailer’s Facebook page.
Some social media users, however, like the design.
“Hey @Target, tell the people who are obsessing about your OCD sweater to take their Zoloft! I have #OCD, and I like the sweater,” Austin Mayse said on Twitter.
What isn’t offensive these days?


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Moore's Law, a world-famous maxim that has predicted the development of computers for decades, will soon no longer be viable, according to a prediction from the 2015 International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors.
Moore's Law is simple. Formulated by Intel cofounder Gordon Moore in 1965, it says that as technology improves, the number of transistors that can be fitted on a given integrated circuit will double every two years or so — and accordingly, computing power doubles too.
It has held true for the last 50 years, as computers have become exponentially more powerful, shrunk ever-smaller, and become cheaper and cheaper.
But the 2015 International Technology Roadmap, published earlier this month by the Semiconductor Industry Association, thinks this trend will soon come to an end. We first saw the report over on Engadget. The size of atoms themselves means we're pushing how far Moore's Law can go: beyond a certain point, physical constraints and economic costs means conventional transistors can not be made any smaller.
The Semiconductor Industry Association thinks that beyond 2021, it will not be financially viable for companies to make transistors any smaller. Instead, chip builders searching for a speed boost will have to turn to alternatives like layering circuitry in 3D design. But this presents its own challenges, like adequately dissipating the heat that builds up as the circuits function.
If Moore's Law does come screeching to a halt in the next five years — and alternative new designs don't find a way to overcome this new obstacle — this doesn't mean computing devices will just stop getting better.
"Think about what happened to airplanes,” computer scientist Daniel Reed told Nature earlier this year. "A Boeing 787 doesn't go any faster than a 707 did in the 1950s — but they are very different airplanes ... Innovation will absolutely continue — but it will be more nuanced and complicated."


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But, not even Beyoncé can outsmart the spoiler-hungry 24-hour news cycle twice in a row. Or, can she? On Monday, we told you that Vulture may have uncovered a leaked memo hinting toward the imminent release of BEYONCÉ Volume 2, the follow-up to last year's massive visual album BEYONCÉ. The document — which included a possible tracklist and a November 25 release date — has since been deemed a fake.
That's the bad news.
The good news is that Beyoncé will likely be releasing something. Intrepid Internet sleuths noticed that an official Amazon UK listing went up recently for a four-disc BEYONCÉ set that's supposed to be released on November 24. While this may just be an amendment to last year's album (which would include a bunch of remixes and concert footage), fans are hoping the set is made up of all-new tracks and accompanying videos.
Whatever the case may be, we are firm believers that where there's smoke, there's fire. Our guess is that in two weeks, Bey's about to burn it all down.
Update: Well, it's official. We'll be getting new Beyoncé music before the end of the year. With rumors about a possible surprise album swirling, the singer officially confirmed that she'll be releasing a platinum edition box set of her 2013 self-titled album. Though it will only include two brand new songs ("7/11" and "Ring Off"), the new live performance DVD should be enough to keep the Beyhive buzzing until the next album drop, whenever that may be. For now, remember that even just a microscopic amount of new Beyoncé is better than no new Beyoncé.


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Dow to Close TDI Plant
Dow Chemical has announced it will close its TDI plant in Louisiana, US, because manufacturing toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is no longer economically viable.
Although the company plans to close the plant in the second quarter of 2010, it will continue to supply the organic chemical.
Dow announced plans last December to cut 5,000 jobs, close 20 plants and sell off seven businesses to save $700m in 2010, according to furnituretoday.com.
TDI is a chemical used to make foam for upholstery cushioning and other products such as packaging.


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London Olympics Supply Filling Stations, Encourages Attendees to Bring Their Own Reusable Bottle
Not only are schools taking advantage of having filling stations at events and on their campuses, but now the London Olympics are providing free filtered tap water via filling stations to all attendees encouraging them to bring a reusable, refillable bottle.
One of Coca-Cola’s lead representatives to the Olympics was quoted as laughing while saying that he hopes for a hot a sunny summer with “lots of thirsty people.” But spectators at the Summer Olympics will not have to rely on Coca-Cola’sAbbey Well for their hydration needs, as there is another water resource available to consumers: tap water.
It began in 2008 when Tom Brake, an Olympics spokesperson and London Member of Parliament, actively worked to ensure that the Olympic organizers would provide tap water to spectators and athletes. “Everyone wants the 2012 Games to be the most sustainable on record. That must mean free non-bottled water for all visitors to the Games,” he said. That same year, Olympic organizers confirmed that tap water would be available to spectators and athletes of the Games.
London, however, is not the first city to provide attendees of Olympic Events free tap water. When Vancouver hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010, spectators were encouraged to enjoy tap water instead of purchasing bottled water. (We heard a little rumor that Coca-Cola was upset about having to compete with tap water, despite claiming they did not see tap water as competition.)
Although spectators will not be permitted to bring in bottles of liquid exceeding 100 mL (about 3.4 fluid ounces), or “excessive food,” due to security regulations, an empty reusable water bottle will be allowed. So instead of having to waste roughly $2.50 on a bottle of water, spectators can enjoy tap water from designated filling stations.
We encourage all spectators and athletes to take advantage of the free water, and to bring their reusable water bottles to take back the tap in London.
[via Eat Drink Better]


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Open banking regime will empower customers, enhance competition and drive Australian innovation
FinTech Australia today welcomed news that the Australian Government will legislate to empower customers by requiring banks to allow these customers to access their own data.
An open banking regime is key to giving consumers more choice of financial services providers, a greater understanding of their financial standing and overall more control over their financial future, said FinTech Australia chair Stuart Stoyan.
It is also vital to supporting greater fintech innovation which creates increased competition, greater choice, more efficient delivery and lower price of financial services for consumers.
FinTech Australia founding chair and board member Simon Cant said FinTech Australia has been a consistent advocate for policy reform to drive the implementation of an open banking (also known as open financial data) framework in Australia.
From our very first policy reform recommendation paper to Federal Treasury in February 2016, through our three submissions to the Productivity Commissions inquiry into Data Availability and Use and to the current Australian Treasury review, we have continuously advocated that the government mandate the development and implementation of a standardised open banking model, Mr Cant said.
Importantly, we have also advocated that this model also include an accreditation framework for data receivers to ensure consumer confidence in the security of their personal data. We are pleased to see the government has backed this idea.
In articulating a model for achieving both openness and confidence in the security of data Australia has the opportunity to create an open financial data regime which leads the world and therefore leads to strong investment and growth in fintech and financial services.
Mr Stoyan also pointed out that a regulated open data regime would allow fintech firms, and Australias financial services industry, to compete against global tech players.
Without access to the financial data necessary to build, test and deploy innovative fintech solutions in their local market, Australian companies stand little chance of being able to compete on an increasingly global stage against these digital juggernauts. The net outcome of this is that increasing amounts of our tax revenue, and best skilled labour will go offshore, he said.
FinTech Australia will be closely examining the detail of the review report, alongside its members, and lodging a submission.
Mr Stoyan also welcomed news that the government had today released exposure draft legislation to mandate comprehensive credit reporting. The draft legislation will require the major banks to supply 50 per cent of their comprehensive credit reporting data to credit reporting bodies by 1 July 2018, increasing to 100 per cent a year later.
Mr Stoyan said the changes would level the playing field in favour of customers, by ensuring their positive credit history was front and centre when lending decisions were made, and again followed strong advocacy from Australias fintech community.
The governments decision also follows a voluntary move by several members of Australias fintech community, including Ratesetter, MoneyPlace and SocietyOne, to introduce comprehensive credit reporting.
Until now, a number of Australias big banks and lenders have not been sharing the positive data which should allow customers to get better credit, Mr Stoyan said.
The release of exposure draft legislation today is an important step to help consumers get lower interest rates and better access to credit.
This will especially help borrowers with a good credit history who make their repayments on time, rewarding their good behaviour with fairer rates.


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Dealer group Bristol Street Motors has celebrated its 100th birthday with a special centenary event in Birmingham.
The famous old company, which now forms part of Vertu Motors, was founded in the Midlands city way back on March 18, 1924.
The firm’s first dealership – Bristol Street Motors Birmingham Ford – still stands and was the site for the group’s special birthday celebrations.
Among those in attendance was John Meddings, a 100-year-old former colleague; Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands and former Aston Villa captain Dennis Mortimer, who was sponsored by the group in the 1980s.
To mark the occasion, the dealership underwent a transformation into a mini museum showcasing the brand’s rich heritage.
The exhibition featured archive photographs of the dealership and notable events, including the Birmingham Superprix where the site served as the pitlane in the 1980s.
Visitors were also treated to a collection of classic cars, as well as a treasure trove of newspaper articles, advertisements, posters, and marketing memorabilia from the last 100 years.
Meanwhile, for sports fans, Mortimer even brought along his replica European Cup, which Villa won in 1981.
Reflecting on the history of Bristol Street Motors, Robert Forrester, the company’s CEO, said: ‘Over the last 100 years, Bristol Street Motors has been a name synonymous with the best of the motor industry, and when we started the Vertu Motors group nearly 18 years ago, Bristol Street Motors was our first acquisition.
‘As a Midlands lad, I was over the moon to take on such an iconic brand.
‘We have grown the business to become a key player within the industry; with more than 100 Bristol Street Motors dealerships across England, the name has become one of the most recognisable motor retailers in the country.
‘While preparing for these celebrations, we have uncovered documents, photos and memorabilia linking us with names like Noddy Holder, Ken Dodd, and Aston Villa legend Dennis Mortimer.
‘We’ve also found various advertising campaigns and newspaper articles that are hugely interesting, and show that our approach to being a positive force in the local community has remained consistent.
‘Who knows what the motor industry will look like in another 100 years, but we feel the Bristol Street Motors brand has such longevity, that perhaps it will still be supporting drivers in another 100 years.
‘Though a lot has changed since 1924, including the technology we use and the vehicles we sell which have evolved considerably, our core principles remain the same; provide excellent customer service and brilliant deals, and you’ll always be on to a winner.’
A ‘made in Birmingham success story’
There are more than 100 Bristol Street Motors dealerships across England, with 189 dealerships in total nationwide across the wider Vertu Motors group.
However, the outfit has never forgotten its roots and has now been hailed as a ‘made in Birmingham success story’.
Andy Street, Mayor of West Midlands, said: ‘It’s been brilliant to be here and celebrate one hundred years of Bristol Street Motors, a Birmingham brand that has gone national.
‘People in this region are so proud of their heritage, and what we have given this country. This is another made in Birmingham success story.
‘All the memorabilia tells us that this brand has been a part of history throughout the last century. I actually learned to drive in a car supplied by Bristol Street Motors Birmingham Ford!’
Ian Harrison, operations director for the Ford Division at Bristol Street Motors, added: ‘Ford and Bristol Street Motors are synonymous with one another.
‘Ford has been an incredible partner; we sell every model of car and van. The brands have been intrinsically linked for over a century now – from celebrating the Model T into the future with all-electric vehicles.
‘We’re delighted to continue representing Ford, a fantastic partner of Bristol Street Motors.’


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Twenty thousand Londoners are set to benefit from £57.6 million of improvements to training facilities and equipment thanks to investment recently announced by the LEAP Chair, the Mayor of London.
Our business support portal, London Growth Hub joined the Federation of Small Businesses in celebrating small businesses in London at the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards on 17th April, at the Royal Horseguards Hotel.
Exploring SME digital skills needs in the hospitality and tourism, property and construction, retail and social care sectors
On Monday 18 March, LEAP brought together its stakeholders for a morning of discussion and networking at LEAP’s Annual Public Meeting. Attendees ranged from local councils, to SMEs and local support providers.
On Wednesday 13 March 2019, LEAP hosted the Diverse Entrepreneurs Summit, celebrating entrepreneurs from all backgrounds.
From Angel News Breaking boundaries: embracing the landscape for Female Founders
A London call for proposals under ESF Priority Axes 1 and 2 – Inclusive Labour Markets and Skills for Growth – has been launched on 28th February. The deadline for Applications is 23:59 on Thursday 9th May 2019.


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ROCKY MOUNT, Va. – The town of Rocky Mount is celebrating a year of growth despite the global pandemic. While many businesses are shutting their doors, the town is seeing new ones excited to open up, including a business that the town’s never seen before.
Mark Redden and his wife Nicole have transformed a historic department store into a place where happiness comes true. They moved back to the Roanoke Valley from Arkansas to launch their new business.
“We knew we wanted to be in Franklin County, but then once we really started exploring things we knew we wanted to be in Rocky Mount specifically just because of how welcoming the community was here,” Redden said.
The Grand at 290 is a wedding and event venue spread across two floors on Main Street in Rocky Mount directly across from the courthouse. The building was previously renovated by John Garland and was home to office space among others before the Reddens purchased it.
It’s just one example of about a dozen new businesses, from a car wash to a coffee shop, to open in the last year through the pandemic. Beth Simms is the town’s economic development director and said it’s a positive sign.
“You see all the statistics and the data of the pandemic and it’s hard not to worry when the bottom’s going to fall out, so it’s been reassuring to see that people still have faith in Rocky Mount and Franklin County and that we’re supporting our own,” Simms said.
Simms, who grew up in the area, said Rocky Mount has long been a drive through town, meaning people drove through it to get to other places to do their business. But the pandemic kept people close to home, and in turn, bolstered local businesses.
“Prospective business owners saw that and they said ‘Hey our community is supporting itself right now, this is the perfect time to open’ and we’ve seen that for nine or ten months now,” Simms said.
The Reddens are living on the top floor of their building and are here to stay. Redden said he and his wife have invested more than $1 million and they believe in what’s to come.
“We know it’s going to happen, we know and we can feel the economy is turning in this area, and you know we want to be a key part of that, we want to be a key to bringing as many people into this community as we possibly can,” Redden said.
Simms added embracing regionalism and support from Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge has helped their road to growth.


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The UCT Unilever Institute of Strategic Marketing recently released the results of its research into South Africa’s booming black middle class. Sandra Burger, business unit manager at The MediaShop takes a look at key findings of the study.
A strong black middle class (BMC) is arguably one of the most crucial segments to the wellbeing of our country as this group has significant impact on boosting our economy, encouraging job creation and contributing to a broader skills base through education.
According to AMPS 2012 January – June, the black South African adult population (18+) represents 76% of the total South African population. Since 2004, this segment has increased by 4.224 million people!
The UCT Unilever Institute has just released its second wave of research on the black middle class. In it there are more in-depth observations than the previous wave. The Institute argues that the BMC is too large to be ignored by marketers because it is growing rapidly and is a dynamic force to consider.
Unlike the white middle class, which is in its third plus generation, the black middle class represents a first generation of individuals.
They grew up in rural areas, but have largely migrated to urban or metropolitan areas: 46% reside in Gauteng, 18% in KwaZulu-Natal, 8% in Eastern Cape and 3% in the Western Cape.
They’re seeking their own identity
Because the black middle class stems from a historically unequal (social and financial) society that has had its own challenges, they have remained upwardly focused, while the white middle class has remained static. Successful BMC consumers have weathered a recession, which was preceded by a euphoric period of economic boom, indulgent shopping sprees, high wage negotiations, education opportunities and where credit was offered freely.
Aspirational and on the move
Their average overall spending power is over R400 billion, which has surpassed that of the white middle class. The BMC segment is, however, still lagging by R3 154 per month in average personal income. The support to their extended and own families is staggering, with 39% of BMC consumers being supported by cash grants.
They’re driven by their aspirations and not by income. The purchasing of household assets by black middle class consumers for convenience (microwave, washing machines) and entertainment (DVD and PCs) has skyrocketed and is separating this group from their traditional families.
When it comes to occupation, 32% claim to be professional workers and almost a third say they have secondary incomes. Their entrepreneurial skills are evident in that 13% of BMC consumers own a business; 75% want to own a business. This spirit is however truncated by the little support received from government and the banking sector in terms of the number of loans that are being granted. Inspired by their parents, education remains a ticket to success for BMC consumers. They’re investing in schools with higher fees for their children, and almost 50% have post-matric qualifications.
Eighty percent of the segment claims to be better off than five years ago and they’re driving economic growth supported by credit, education and BEE. The recession has forced them to be much more conservative in their credit management, savings and selections processes. With only 30% of the segment claiming to be suffering the effects of the recession, the reality is that there is a real sense of economic maturity within this group.
They’re subject to unique tensions
The black middle class has moved from fearing the future to embracing a sense of safety. This is driven by a sense of financial literacy, recognition of their skills, enablement and is represented in the choices they’re experiencing. Consumers at the bottom end of the scale have high aspirations, but the debt burden and scarcity of jobs hamper fast traction.
Nevertheless, the black middle class is relishing its newly found status by indulging in top end brands, but have little brand loyalty. The recently ‘arrived’ group has overcome huge odds although some level of advantage has played in their fortune. They’re charged with expectations and will do anything to achieve more, fuelled by the success they’ve already achieved.
The forerunners in this segment have huge pride in their achievements (of which some is self-imposed due to the fear of disappointing their families) and yet they remember their hardships. They’re big dreamers and their positive attitude exudes an ‘anything is possible’ attitude.
They’re not going to slip back and veer away from associations of the past. They consume brands that can enhance and set them apart from the average. The black middle class consumers feel they are still playing catch-up to some extent and perceive the white middle class to be one step ahead of them.
However, this segment expects to move to the front of the line soon and is intolerant of waiting. In terms of entertainment, dining has become a leisure activity, regular weekend takeaways are a normal occurrence and they’re in the mind-set of saving up for months for an annual holiday. On a social level, this group enjoys regular socialising, playing and watching soccer and participating in regular exercise.
In a nutshell, the black middle class:
• Aspires to independence, but is still largely trapped with family responsibility limiting them from self actualisation
• Seek reassurance and recognition
• Like the lifestyle, but are not debt free
• Acknowledge the legacy, but catch-up is paramount
• Are often confronted with the suburb living vs. township dilemma and costs
• Tradition is cherished but modern is in
• Their mother tongue is used to communicate with family while English is used for themselves and their offspring
• Seek a stable job vs. entrepreneurship
• Can afford a car and realistically drive a Toyota or Volkswagen
• Pay off debt and invest in the future
• Can afford some wants (dressing well is essential)
• Own a good home and ‘the lifestyle’
• Like to live in a suburb for practical reasons, but 28% are still living in townships
• They shop at malls and favour Edgars, Woolworths, Mr Price and Truworths
• Send their children to good schools (40% of households have large families consisting of five or more individuals)
• Have financial stability and are a self-help generation
• Internet access has increased by 42% since the first wave research. They’re most likely to juggle between notebooks and cellphone screens whilst watching TV
• 58% have a Facebook profile and are logging on at least once a day
• Enjoy DStv entertainment (albeit Compact bouquet) and 90% are still watching SABC1 (some via DStv), followed by SABC2, e.tv and SABC3
• They’re reading Daily Sun, Sowetan, Isolezwe and The Star
• Are listening to MetroFM, Ukhozi, KayaFM and LesediFM
• They’re noticing brands such as FNB, Samsung, BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai
• 90% regard themselves as fluent in English
Source: UCT Unilever Institute, Black middle class Growth, May 2013
This story was first published by The MediaShop in its newsletter, and is republished here with their permission.
Want to continue this conversation on The Media Online platforms? Comment on Twitter @MediaTMO or on our Facebook page. Send us your suggestions, comments, contributions or tip-offs via e-mail to email@example.com.


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Coca-Cola Says Made First Delivery to Myanmar in 60 Years
For the first time in more than 60 years, The Coca-Cola Company has made a delivery of Coca-Cola to local customers in Yangon, Myanmar. This milestone marks the next step in the Company's long-term commitment to generating lasting positive impact by bringing its global brands to Myanmar, also known as Burma, as the country opens up to the world.
© 2017 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.


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The K4 also got a new firmware update and which does indeed work on the gray shelled K4 which was released last fall. The update adds new font support as well as faster page turns. Amazon is also listing KF8 support as a new feature, but the K4 got that in the June update.
This is reassuring; after finding out that there was a new black Kindle 4 I wasn't completely sure if that was a new device or not. Thanks to the update Amazon posted I would say apparently not.
So has anyone tried it? I'm still in the process of charging my K4 so I can install the update, so I don't have any first hand information. What do you think?
Oh, and you can get it here:


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TOKYO/WASHINGTON, June 25 (Reuters) - Sharp Corp said it may appeal a ruling by a U.S. trade panel that said the Japanese electronics maker had violated an LCD patent held by South Korea's Samsung Electronics.
The two liquid crystal display TV makers, locked in a string of suits and countersuits, are also awaiting a ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission on a separate decision in favour of Sharp earlier this month.
Patent suits, appeals and settlements are often a long prelude to a cross-license agreement.
"We will study the ruling and take necessary steps, including the possibility of an appeal," Sharp said in a statement read by a spokesman, who declined to comment on the possibility of cross-licensing.
Sharp, the world's fourth-largest LCD TV maker, and market leader Samsung are grappling with cut-throat price competition and weak demand for bigger TVs with higher profit margins.
The ITC ruled on Wednesday that Sharp had infringed one Samsung patent, and issued a limited exclusion order banning imports of some Sharp products into the United States.
Earlier this month, an administrative law judge reporting to the commission had ruled in a separate case that Samsung had violated four of Sharp's patents, and recommended that the ITC ban imports to the U.S of the infringing Samsung products.
Sharp first sued Samsung over liquid crystal display patent violations in 2007 in a Texas court, and Samsung promptly countersued in both Texas and in Delaware.
The case is: Investigation No. 337-TA-631. International Trade Commission. (Reporting by Mayumi Negishi in TOKYO and Diane Bartz in WASHINGTON; Editing by Chris Gallagher)
© Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. Users may download and print extracts of content from this website for their own personal and non-commercial use only. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.


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Nationwide Building Society’s digital business is on the front line, connecting the 173-year-old company to its members.
This is the customer-facing piece of a multibillion-pound, multi-year project which has seen the company transform.
James Smith, a developer during the dot com bubble of the late 1990s, today looks after the digital channel for Nationwide Building Society. In his view, it is “about the best job in the business”.
He joined Nationwide in 2010 as one of the people hired to lead the delivery of a £1bn multi-year IT transformation launched a couple of years earlier.
About a year ago, Smith became head of Nationwide Digital. His objectives are around service levels and customer acquisition, in a role that sees him “look after the first line with members”.
With a background in mechanical engineering, Smith learned much of his current trade while at Anderson Consulting.
Today, Smith heads a cloud and DevOps-focused effort to re-platform Nationwide’s digital banking and mortgage services.
“I am the digital version of the branches or the contact centre,” he tells Computer Weekly. “I own the business objective, and then, working with colleagues across the society, I work out what the right strategy is to meet that objective. Then, through a team of people, we use the latest technology, such as cloud and AI [artificial intelligence], to do this.”
“I am the digital version of the branches or the contact centre. I own the business objective, and then, working with colleagues across the society, I work out what the right strategy is to meet that objective”
James Smith, Nationwide Building Society
Smith’s team includes designers, developers and architects who deliver the apps and functionality to the building society’s members. The aim is to digitise customer experiences. “We are progressively transforming the customer journeys,” he says. “We have already done some of our mortgage journeys, as well as some everyday banking journeys.”
Over 60% of its customer acquisition last year came through the digital channel.
Such is the pace of change that systems created as part of the company’s IT transformation are already being upgraded. “We are nine months into this, and over the next two to three years we will largely decommission most of our current digital capabilities and move them onto a new architecture,” says Smith.
For example, the current version of Nationwide’s internet bank was rolled out in 2011 as part of the transformation announced in 2008.
“This was a re-platforming as part of the £1bn IT transformation. We have invested in it in the meantime, but it is very much in the crosshairs to be re-platformed,” says Smith.
The aim is to give customers a deeper and richer digital experience and be more agile with lower costs through automation. “Through DevOps, we have been able to automate the end-to-end development lifecycle,” adds Smith.
Building a talented workforce
As part of its digital journey, the company needs access to a wide talent base. To this end, the building society will open its first major technology hub in London next year to give it access to the IT professionals it needs to continue its digital journey.
The new digital innovation hub will add 750 tech jobs, and the building society is also expanding operations in its home town of Swindon, which currently houses all its 3,500 technology operations staff. In total, Smith manages about 1,500 staff in the digital team.
There are about 5,000 IT staff at Nationwide in total. Its people are organised around the work, with squads aligned to particular domains, using agile principles and focusing on digital, says Smith.
The search for talent continues. Last year, the company revealed plans to increase its IT spending by £1.3bn to £4.1bn over the next five years, aiming to create 1,000 jobs.
Part of this additional investment will see Nationwide use AI technology and big data to help it understand customers so it can provide additional services, such as money management. This will involve working with financial technology (fintech) suppliers.
“We see some really interesting things in the market around this and we have made investments through our venture arm. We are not going to build everything ourselves, but are looking at partnerships,” said Smith.
But it’s not just third-party tech companies that Nationwide is tapping for expertise. Smith says the business as a whole plays a vital role in digital transformation because its very nature – creating user-friendly services in demand – means that people from all parts of the business can contribute.
He told Computer Weekly in an interview last year that sourcing ideas from within the business is crucial: “If you look at the incumbent banks, there are a load of smart people with a load of ideas, and what we have at our disposal now is a set of technologies that increasingly allow people to execute those ideas rapidly with a relatively low, marginal cost.”
The digital team also taps into its customer base for inspiration. “We get ideas from right across the business as well as members through a panel,” says Smith.
Read more about technology at Nationwide Building Society
- Nationwide Building Society is continuing to put money into tech startups to not only offer its customers access to latest tech, but also as an investment strategy.
- Nationwide Building Society is planning to launch a current account for small businesses in partnership with fintech 10x Technologies.
- Nationwide is continuing to invest heavily in the latest tech, with an additional £1.3bn being channelled into IT.


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A vast debit card fraud scheme that allegedly netted $US45 million has been linked to the hacking of credit card processors in the US and India.
More than 50 million users of the daily deals site LivingSocial are being asked to reset their passwords after hackers attacked the company's servers and potentially made off with personal data.
Following similar initiatives by Apple, Google and Facebook, Microsoft is enabling two-factor authentication for its Microsoft Account service, the log-on service for many of its online and desktop products.
An online bitcoin storage service, Instawallet, said Wednesday it is accepting claims for stolen bitcoins after the company's database was fraudulently accessed.
A new piece of malware that infects point-of-sale (POS) systems has already been used to compromise thousands of payment cards belonging to customers of U.S. banks, according to researchers from Group-IB, a security and computer forensics company bas...
Several high-profile Xbox Live accounts for former and current Microsoft employees were compromised by attackers using social engineering techniques, the company said late Tuesday.
A website that leaked credit reports of celebrities and government officials last week appears to have a curious link to the malicious banking software known as "Zeus."
A site that published the private information and credit reports of several celebrities and other public figures last week went offline on Sunday. The last person to have his alleged private information exposed on the site was CIA director John Brenn...
U.S. consumers experienced the highest level of identity theft in three years in 2012, although much of the fraud losses were absorbed by banks and merchants, according to a new survey.
Financial malware authors are trying to evade new online banking security systems by returning to more traditional phishing-like credential stealing techniques, according to researchers from security firm Trusteer.
A 22-year-old Dutch man who sold credit card details online was sentenced on Friday to 12 years in a US prison in a fraud prosecutors alleged caused more than US$63 million in damages, according to the Department of Justice.
Google thinks it might have found an answer to the vexing problem of forgotten or weak passwords: "physical" passwords, which might come in the form of a piece of jewelry such as a ring.
U.S. banks and their customers are doing a better job of protecting themselves against cyberattacks that result in thieves taking over commercial accounts, according to a survey released by the Financial Services-Information Sharing and Analysis Cent...
Organized crime groups in Europe make about €1.5 billion (US$2 billion) a year from payment card fraud, according to a new report from the European Police Office (Europol).
A German privacy regulator ordered Facebook to stop enforcing its real name policy because it violates a German law that gives users the right to use nicknames online.
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First impression on unpacking the Q702 test unit was the solid feel and clean, minimalist styling.
For work use, Microsoft Word and Excel programs pre-installed on the device are adequate for preparing short documents.
The Fujitsu LifeBook UH574 allowed for great mobility without being obnoxiously heavy or clunky. Its twelve hours of battery life did not disappoint.
The screen was particularly good. It is bright and visible from most angles, however heat is an issue, particularly around the Windows button on the front, and on the back where the battery housing is located.
My first impression after unboxing the Q702 is that it is a nice looking unit. Styling is somewhat minimalist but very effective. The tablet part, once detached, has a nice weight, and no buttons or switches are located in awkward or intrusive positions.
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Microsoft is gearing up to release the ‘Release Preview’ in early June and many expect the RTM to follow shortly after. As we march down that road, new builds are being continuously compiled and Win8China has gotten its hands on build 8375 that shows a few modifications from the Consumer preview released back in February.
The new changes include several new lock-screen images, the Windows Store tile is now green, and the small magnifying glass in the bottom right corner when you scroll has changed to a simple square. While nothing major, they are representative of the across-the-board tweaks we expect to see when the Release Preview hits the digital shelves in June.
The source also refers to this build as the Consumer Preview Update 2, it is reported that this build was distributed to a select group of testers but will not be available to the general public.
Thanks for the tip FaiKee!


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3 Arts Club holds bake sale
Published 2:17 pm Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Members of the 3 Arts Club of Georgiana and Chapman will be selling arts and crafts and baked goods.
The 3 Arts Club of Georgiana and Chapman Annual Christmas Bazaar will be December 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Georgiana Community Center.
“We will be selling arts, crafts, and baked goods prepared by the members of the club,” Belinda Cook, a member of the club, said. “The money goes toward the many club projects.”
Some of the projects include The Rose Memorial Library, Alabama Girls’ State, Student Art Contests, scholarships for Georgiana graduates, Butler County Distinguished Young Woman Scholarship Sponsorship, Safe Harbor and much more.
“We do have a white elephant table (yard sale items) where you can purchase fabulous items for less than $1,” Cook said. “We will have homemade pecan pies, pound cakes, cheese cakes, egg custards, fudge, bread and other homemade candy. Canned goods such as pickles and jellies will also be for sale.”
The bazaar has been held for many years in hopes to raise money to give back to the community.
“We would love for children of all ages to stop by, see Santa, and shop,” Cook said. “We invite parents to come with their cameras to take pictures of their children with Santa. There is no admission cost.”


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If you’re bummed by how long it takes for updates to make their way to your Android device, be thankful that you’re not playing by Department of Defense rules. The DoD has been big on BlackBerry devices in the past, but now they’ve sanctioned Android…to a certain extent, anyway.
The extent: a Dell Venue running Android 2.2.
That’s somewhat convenient, since the Venue still ships with 2.2 and not one of the more up-to-date Android versions that you’d find on most other current phones. Nevertheless, if you’re forced to adhere to DoD standards and you’ve been hankering for an Android device you can actually use, the Venue’s not a terrible option.
It’s at least got a 1GHz processor, a 4-inch display, and an 8MP rear shooter — which puts it in the same ballpark as the original (and long-outmoded) HTC Incredible. It doesn’t hold a candle to today’s top-of-the-line Androids, but when security is a top concern you can’t always expect to be using hot new hardware.
And that outdated OS isn’t quite ready to rock out of the box — there’s actually a complete Android hardening guide which needs to be followed. Some tinkering needs to be done, such as shutting down access to the Android Market and other third-party app stores. Users also won’t be loading any classified information onto their Venues, which presumably means no email access either.
Ultimately, it seems like it’d be a whole lot easier for the DoD to roll a modified, pre-approved ROM for Android devices that it could flash before deploying them. Maybe once the CyanogenMod crew is done working on their ICS ROM they could lend a hand.
More at Security Week


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New research on 5,000-year-old pottery fragments found in China shed light on the region’s earliest beer brewing practices – and may provide new insight into the history of Asian agriculture.
“This beer recipe indicates a mix of Chinese and Western traditions – barley from the West, millet, Job’s tears and tubers from China,” Jiajing Wang of Stanford University, who led a study published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, told Agence France-Presse.
Wang and her team analyzed this ancient alcohol by scraping yellowish residue out of the pottery remains – fragments of vessels they think were shaped for the various stages of beer making. They were found in an underground site in Shaanxi province. Their results indicate a brew made from a variety of wild and cultivated grains, plus a few tubers, such as yam and lily, that would have made the sour suds a bit sweeter. Unfortunately, we won’t get to try this historic beverage for ourselves, because the researchers don’t know the exact ratio of ingredients used in the recipe.
At the dig site, they report, they found the sort of grain husks one would expect to see scattered around an ancient brewery. Microscopic analysis of the residual gunk inside the vessels revealed starch grains that had been mangled as they would be during malting and mashing. They also found what they believe to be ancient stoves used to heat mashed grains – important in the process of transforming the carbs into boozy sugar. The would-be brewery’s underground location would also have been ideal, as it would have allowed beer makers to keep their product cool.
With that evidence, Wang and her team think they’ve found the oldest known beer brewery in China. Archaeologists have found evidence of rice fermentation dating to about 9,000 years ago (which may actually be the first evidence of humankind’s tendency to tipple), but barley beer, which showed up in the Middle East about 5,400 years ago, was thought to be a more recent addition to Chinese culture.
In fact, the researchers say, the presence of barley at their archaeological site pushes the grain’s Chinese history back by about 1,000 years. Their discovery suggests that barley, which contains high levels of a protein that converts carbohydrates into sugar during the fermentation process, was actually brought into China for the purposes of beer brewing, then slowly made a transition into use as a food crop about 3,000 years ago.
“It is possible that when barley was introduced from western Eurasia into the Central Plain of China, it came with the knowledge that the grain was a good ingredient for beer brewing,” Wang told Live Science. “So it was not only the introduction of a new crop, but also the knowledge associated with the crop.”
The exotic foreign drink may have helped to foster social interactions and reinforce hierarchies, the researchers wrote in the study. And their dig site indicates that Chinese brewers had already mastered many of the beer making techniques used today.


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Home >Tesco 'has worst supermarket hygiene record'
Tesco 'has worst supermarket hygiene record'
01 November 2022
Tesco supermarkets has been revealed as the supermarket with the worst hygiene record after 29 of its stores failed inspections aimed to protect customers from food poisoning between 2012 and 2013.
Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Aldi also had stores that failed to meet expected standards, according to data published in the Sun. Waitrose and Lidl were the only members of the 'big seven' to pass with flying colours: all their stores were deemed to meet expected standards.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) reviewed hygiene practices at a total of 11,106 supermarkets in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Of that number, 510 did not maintain standard levels of hygiene. The data, which is regularly updated on the agency's website, reflects the standards of food hygiene found on the date of inspection or visit by the relevant local authority.
Each premises is given a rating between zero and five – with a rating of two or less constituting a "fail". The inspectors look at criteria such as how food is prepared, cooked and stored, the general condition of the premises and what procedures are in place to ensure food safety.
While no UK supermarket received a zero rating, meaning that urgent improvement is needed, five of Tesco's 1,789 stores received a "one" rating - meaning that major improvement is necessary – and 24 more a "two".
Four of Sainsbury's 994 stores received a "two" rating and therefore failed the inspection, along with two of Morrisons 516 stores and one of Aldi's 382 stores.
A spokesperson for Tesco said: 'We take food safety and store hygiene extremely seriously and ensure all our shops are checked thoroughly on a daily basis. While any reported low score is clearly disappointing, these stores represent just one per cent of our shop estate in the UK."
Asda and Morrisons both say that they've made improvements and are waiting for a reinspection.


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Like a host of other companies, Apple threw its support behind marriage equality in Australia.
Now, the tech company has backed it up with a one-minute advertisement titled “First Dance,” released on Sunday. It celebrates the first LGBTQ marriages in the country, many of which have taken place in the last month.
The spot for the iPhone X features a Courtney Barnett cover of INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart,” which according to the release was specifically recorded for the ad.
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North America’s largest retail travel company, Travel Leaders Group, is assisting The Bahamas with attracting travelers back to The Bahamas after the passage of Hurricane Dorian, with its “Travel Helps The Bahamas” initiative.
Travel Leaders represents 50,000 travel advisors and its initiative in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MOT) is designed to “encourage travelers to visit the unaffected islands of the island nation”, according to a release.
The company announced in another release last week an initiative with Royal Caribbean International that offers an exclusive package providing travelers with up to $100 of onboard spending money on Royal Caribbean cruises “that visit Nassau and/or Perfect Day at Coco Cay in The Bahamas.”
According to that release, the offer is combinable with most Royal Caribbean promotions but can only be booked through an affiliate.
Travel Leaders Group Chief Executive Officer Ninan Chacko said the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian on Grand Bahama and Abaco has affected not only the Bahamian people, but also anyone who loves The Bahamas.
“We grieve for those who lost their lives, their family members and their homes and businesses and want to help in the best way we can to foster tourism to The Bahamas and minimize the economic impact on the country’s most important industry,” he said.
MOT executives have been traveling to numerous locations to ensure that The Bahamas’ key tourism markets understand that the entire country was not affected by Dorian and that many other islands are still open for business to visitors.
And while Abaco is still reeling from the effects of the storm, Grand Bahama received its first leisure visitors this past weekend through the sailing of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line to the island. The island’s tourism promotion body has officially classified Grand Bahama as open for business.
An MOT release issued yesterday explained that tourism executives were recently in Montreal, Canada, to speak to top travel agents and journalists and deliver the message that The Bahamas is open for business and ready to welcome Canadian travelers following Hurricane Dorian.
“In partnership with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations, Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar and Tourism Deputy Director General Ellison ‘Tommy’ Thompson provided key destination updates and offered travel industry media and partners critical education in the wake of Hurricane Dorian,” the release stated.
“The MOT leaders reinforced the fact that while two Bahamian Islands, Grand Bahama Island and the Abacos, are rebuilding after the devastation caused by the storm, there are still 14 unaffected Islands, including Nassau/Paradise Island and the Out Islands, that are open for business and ready to welcome visitors for a tropical getaway.”
Tourism executives continue to explain to the rest of the world that the best way they can help The Bahamas rebuild following the devastating hurricane, is to visit the country.
“In addition to planning a trip to The Bahamas, monetary donations to a reputable relief organization are most critical at this time for the Abacos and Grand Bahama Island,” the release stated.
“Those who wish to contribute can find a list of The Bahamas’ verified partners at www.bahamas.com/relief.”


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A voluntary recall of two codes of the Lean Cuisine Culinary Collection Mushroom Mezzaluna Ravioli was announced Monday by Nestle Prepared Foods Company because they may contain fragments of glass.
The Lean Cuisine Culinary Collection Mushroom Mezzaluna Ravioli being recalled have the UPC number 13800-58358 with production codes 2311587812 and 2312587812 and a best before date of December 2013. Both products were sold nationwide. Nestle said the meals were produced in early November 2012.
There have been three reports of consumers finding glass fragments in the ravioli portion of the meal, no injuries were reported.
Nestle believes that few of the meals remain on store shelves so they are urging consumers to check their freezers for the recalled products. If you have any of the recalled products of Lean Cuisine you need to contact Nestle Consumer Services at (866) 586-9424 or email email@example.com for further instructions. Hours of operation for the Consumer Services are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.
Nestlé will provide a replacement coupon to reporting consumers and also may make arrangements to retrieve the product for further examination.
No other Lean Cuisine products have been affected by the recall.
Copyright2013 CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
They were born just two weeks apart. A 10-week-old baby and 8-week-old pit bull have a fascinating relationship. They absolutely adore each other! Louisiana native Brandi Hodges, 25, has posted photosMore >
A 10-week-old baby and 8-week-old Pitbull have a fascinating relationship. They absolutely adore each other!More >
Monday, July 28 2014 2:08 PM EDT2014-07-28 18:08:17 GMT
NWS: Macroburst hit north Phoenix with 100 mph winds
A macroburst with winds in excess of 100 mph hit north Phoenix Saturday night, snapping power poles, toppling trees and cutting power to 33,000 utility customers, the National Weather Service said.More >
Intense macrobursts can cause tornado-force damage of up to F3 intensity, the National Weather Service said after it confirmed the event. The Paradise Valley Hospital sustained rooftop damage.More >
Monday, July 28 2014 1:54 AM EDT2014-07-28 05:54:27 GMT
Authorities now say 14 people - including a 15-year-old - have been struck by lightning during rare summer thunderstorms that have swept through Southern California, injuring two critically.More >
A 20-year-old man died Sunday after lightning struck or rattled 13 people at a popular Los Angeles beach and a golfer on Catalina Island during summer thunderstorms that swept through Southern California, authorities said.More >


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Air India’s Economy Class travellers will now reap the benefits of popular eSuperSaver scheme as Air India has enhanced the benefits under the scheme for its Economy Class passengers, effective 1st November 2015. The scheme which was originally launched for Business Class travellers will now offer exclusive benefits to economy class passengers and is valid on all domestic sectors in India.
Applicable for travel for single users only, the eSuperSaver scheme has two variants- viz For travel on sectors up to 750 kms distance and for travel on all domestic sectors (Irrespective of distance). Each variant offers three booklets of four, eight and twelve coupons.
In the first variant for travel on sectors up to 750 kms distance a traveler can avail a 4-coupon booklet for Rs. 18000/-, 8-coupon booklet for Rs. 34000/- and 12-coupon booklet for Rs 48000/- inclusive of all surcharges, levies and fee for sectors up to 750 km. For example, a passenger travelling on Delhi-Goa sector in Economy class will incur Rs. 6000/- under this scheme as compared to Rs. 10,000 otherwise.
In the second variant for travel on all domestic sectors irrespective of the distance, the economy class customers can avail a 4-coupon booklet value of Rs. 24000/-, 8-coupon booklet value of Rs 46000/- and 12 coupons booklet value of Rs 66000.
Available for sale through www.airindia.in only, the promotional offer is valid for bookings made under the U class. The free baggage allowance on tickets under this scheme is 25kg.
In the Winter Schedule of 2015 Air India has restructured 13 its transit flights and will operate direct flights between two destinations without a stop e.g. the Delhi-Mumbai-Coimbatore flight will now be operated as two separate flights on the Delhi-Mumbai and Mumbai-Coimbatore sectors. Similarly the Mumbai-Chandigarh flight will now operate as Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi Chandigarh flights. The airline has also changed the aircraft type from A319 to A320 on 18 sectors, A320 to A321 on six sectors and A319 to 321 on two sectors thereby offering more capacity on these sectors.
Third frequency to London
Air India will start a third frequency between Delhi and London form 1st November 2015. The flight will operate daily with a B-777- 200Lr aircraft. There is already a daily flight from Mumbai making this the fourth daily flight between India and London.
Operations to Diu
In an attempt to improve the regional connectivity Air India shall commence operations between Mumbai and Diu from October 26, 2015. The state carrier had approached various State Governments to operate flights to Tier II and Tier III cities under Viable Gap Funding (VGF).
Subsequently, the government of Diu has shown a keen interest and a 72 seater, ATR 72-600 aircraft will start operations on the Mumbai-Diu route. Other state governments have also shown their interest and are in the process of finalizing the terms of operations under the VGF route.
San Francisco flight to be launched
Air India also recently announced a non-stop flight to connect Delhi and San Francisco which is to be launched on December 2, 2015. This will be the fourth non-stop flight to the US after New York, Chicago and Newark.
Executive Class Bonanza
Air India launched a slew of schemes under the umbrella of Executive Class Bonanza. There are four schemes in this Bonanza program viz. The Executive Vacation, The Lady Executive, which is available for all women travellers,The Maharaja Experience, The Maharaja’s Bounty.
Web Loyalty Scheme
eSuperSaver is an addition to the string of Schemes Air India has announced in the recent weeks. Earlier, Air India launched Web Loyalty Scheme on October 15 under which the Business and Economy Class passengers buying tickets of 6 and 10 sectors respectively will be entitled to a free return tickets.
Incredible Air India Holiday Packages
Similarly, Air India announced plans to launch the Incredible Air India Holiday Packages scheme in association with various State Tourism Development Corporations under which the passengers will enjoy a wide range of interests like wildlife reserves, religious places, adventure sports etc. by choosing from 3-4 packages in each state.


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Radio Shack offers gun coupon with satellite TV
HAMILTON, Mont. (AP) - March 28, 2011 (WPVI) -- A RadioShack in Montana is offering would-be satellite television customers more bang for their buck.
The Ravalli Republic reports customers who sign up for some Dish Network packages at RadioShack in Hamilton will receive a coupon for a pistol or shotgun and the required background check. Those not interested in a gun get a $50 Pizza Hut gift card.
Store owner Steve Strand says it took some haggling to get Dish Network to go along with the promotion, but it has tripled his business since last October.
The sign outside the business reads: "Protect yourself with Dish Network. Sign up now, get free gun."
RadioShack Corp. released a statement Friday that the independent dealer's offer does not follow the corporation's marketing practices and that it is in discussions with him.
montana, guns, bizarre bazaar
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50 min ago


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On September 4, 2006, I wrote the following:
Today, Hobart’s first Starbuck’s Coffee store opened. I’m going to celebrate by not going!
It seems that I’ve almost succeeded in my quest to never visit Starbucks here… In the SMH today, it was announced that the Hobart Starbucks will be closing in the near future. I can’t say that I’m unhappy.
(If any mainlanders are perturbed by the lack of a Starbucks when they visit Hobart for LCA, may I recommend Oomph Coffee on Liverpool Street as a far better replacement.)


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The brand's global production footprint has grown substantially in recent years, including the US and China
In recent years, the manufacturing geography of Mercedes-Benz has expanded in a major way outside Germany; it first moved into the US in the mid-1990s, since when it has also expanded its small operation in South Africa into an integral part of its global network, as well as growing substantially in China. In addition, it is establishing a full manufacturing facility in Brazil and has CKD operations in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Egypt. This review looks at each of the major geographic expansions in turn.
In early March 2015, Daimler announced that the Mercedes van division would invest $500m in a new factory in Charleston, South Carolina, which will produce the next-generation Sprinter van for the North American market. The new plant, for which construction will not actually start until 2016, will have a bodyshop, paintshop and assembly line, with Mercedes using external pressings and stampings suppliers just as it does at its other US plant, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The Sprinter already has a strong presence in North America, with a market share of close to 10% of the large-van market; the Sprinter is sold under both the Mercedes and Freightliner brands. In 2014, Mercedes sold around 26,000 Sprinter vans in the US, making the country the second-largest market for the vehicle outside Germany. The company has not yet provided details of the production volume for its new factory, although it would seem likely that capacity for at least 40-50,000 units will be installed, given the size of the investment and Mercedes’ ambitions for the US market.
In order to release capacity for the expanded SUV and C-Class sedan and coupe line-up in Tuscaloosa, Mercedes has decided to move production of the low-volume R-Class to a contract manufacturer, AM General in Indiana. The R-Class is now sold only in China, but the low volumes involved – around 10,000 units a year – do not justify efforts to localise the production arrangements, especially the R-Class’s dedicated supply chain.
Here, Mercedes vehicles are produced in a joint venture factory with Beijing Automotive (BAIC). Production focuses on the long wheelbase version of the E-Class, plus the new C-Class and the GLK SUV. The compact GLA SUV recently joined the line-up, and capacity at the joint venture now exceeds 200,000 units a year. Mercedes models began production in China in 2006 with the E-Class; the C-Class was added in 2008, the long wheelbase E-Class (a vehicle only made in China) in 2010 and the GLK in 2011.
The Fujian Benz plant in Fuzhou assembles the Vito, Viano and Sprinter with kits shipped from Europe, alongside some locally sourced parts. This factory opened in 2007 with a capacity of 40,000 units a year and is a 50:50 joint venture between Daimler and Fujian Motor.
In 2000, after a period of supplying merely the local market, the Mercedes factory in East London became a fully integrated manufacturing operation and quickly established itself as a core part of Mercedes’ burgeoning international production footprint. The plant actually dates back to 1958, when a contract manufacturing arrangement with a South African company commenced operations; Daimler acquired a 50.1% controlling stake in 1984. Initial production focused on supplying the local market at fewer than 15,000 units a year and it was not until 2000 that export vehicles were made. Capacity is around 75,000 units a year, although only about 50,300 were made in 2013, the last year for which official figures have so far been released.
In mid-2014, the plant started production of the latest W205 C-Class, having been designated the main global supply point for right-hand drive models in sedan format; estate models will be supplied from Germany. As well as supplying the local market, the factory now ships vehicles to the UK, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. East London also made left-hand drive versions of the previous C-Class, some of which were shipped to the US, but the latter will now be supplied by C-Class sedans and coupes produced in Tuscaloosa.
In recent years, Daimler’s presence in Brazil has been limited to trucks; the existing Brazilian factory at Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, had made the original A-class and the C-Class compact model until 2010, when production was terminated owing to low volumes. However, Brazil has been designated one of the four locations worldwide to share production of the latest C-Class.
In October 2013, the company announced that both the C-Class and GLA compact SUV would be made in Brazil from 2016, following an investment of €170m. An all-new assembly plant will be built at Iracemapolis, near São Paolo, with a production capacity of 20,000 units per year. The plant will employ around 600 people, with a further 3,000 jobs due to be created in the local supply chain. Construction of the factory began in February 2015.


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IVORY COAST-Dutch animal nutrition specialist Koudijs Animal Nutrition, a subsidiary of Royal De Heus, has commissioned a 120,000 tons capacity poultry feed manufacturing unit in the Akoupé-Zeudji PK24 industrial zone located northwest of Abidjan, Ivory Cost.
De Heus Animal Nutrition, a family-owned company, is a global top-12 feed supplier with over 8 000 employees, represented in more than 75 countries. The company started the construction of the facility in 2019 as it sought to expand its presence in Africa.
The unit, worth 11 billion CFA (US$18M) with a production capacity of 120,000 tons of food per year was strategically built with the potential to increase to 250,000 tons in future.
With this initiative, Koudijs Animal Nutrition intends to strengthen its presence at the upstream level of the poultry value chain in Côte d’Ivoire, where it set a base in 2009. This facility is one of the largest on the continent and is expected to create 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Souleymane Diarrassouba, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Promotion of SMEs, and Sidi Touré, Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources held the inauguration ceremony to show support to the sector.
The minister said that part of the company’s operations aims to source several raw materials locally such as cassava, palm oil, corn, rice and soybean, and palm kernel cake as a way to boost the economic welfare of locals as well as contribute to the country’s GDP.
“ This initiative fits perfectly with the policy of processing local agricultural raw materials and import substitution advocated by the government, which has adopted a reform aimed at accelerating the development of the production and processing of agricultural food products ”, said Souleymane Diarrasouba.
Meanwhile, the poultry sector in the country is one of the most protected against international competition to meet the local consumption of 3kg per capita. This follows the introduction of a tax on poultry imports in 2009.
However, the commissioning came at a time when the Ivorian executive is implementing the second part of the Strategic Poultry Recovery Plan (PSRAII) over the period 2022-2031.
The initiative aims to eventually achieve a poultry meat supply of 200,000 tonnes compared to 56,000 tonnes in 2018 and to achieve a production of eggs for consumption of 3.37 billion units compared to 1.65 billion units currently.
In 2019, the company launched a hatchery with a production capacity of 6 million chicks per year, built at a cost of CFA francs 2 billion (US$3.59m)