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Trade and trade policy outlook, 2022
January 13, 2022
Author: Russell Hillberry, Professor of Agricultural Economics
Last year’s trade policy outlook offered informed speculation about the trade policy that might be expected from President-elect Biden (Hillberry 2020). At that time, the incoming administration seemed to be attempting to maintain ambiguity on many trade issues, so there was considerable uncertainty about how a Biden administration might handle trade policy. One year later, the administration’s approach is becoming clearer. US trade policy will not be as outwardly combative as it was under the Trump Administration, but neither should we expect a return to the pre-2016 situation. This has implications for the supply chain crisis, and for the broader international trade system, which is important for export-oriented agriculture.
The Supply Chain
One of the economic concepts with which many people have recently become familiar is the “supply chain” – the sequence of production and transportation activities required to make and deliver goods to our doorstep or to our stores. The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic generated a large volume of supply chain issues, many of which abated as pandemic-related restrictions eased. During the last year, however, problems in the supply chain have become widespread once again, delaying the delivery of some kinds of goods. Supply chain problems go well beyond agriculture, but they have also beset agricultural producers (Gayman 2021).
The primary reason for the supply chain issues we see is that demand in the United States is growing faster than the ability of the supply chain to deliver the goods that consumers and other buyers desire. A set of interlocking problems – Covid-related shutdowns in upstream countries, labor shortages (in the US and elsewhere), high costs of freight, and the unavailability of necessary inputs at various points in the supply chain – have hamstrung the ability of suppliers to meet surging demand.
While surging demand is the primary reason for supply chain difficulties, trade policy has contributed to the problem. The tariffs imposed by President Trump make imports more expensive, and limit the availability of some goods altogether. While President Biden has taken some administrative actions to relieve supply chain difficulties, an important step that he has not taken is broad-based removal of these tariffs. Lower tariffs would reduce the price of imported goods, both final goods and inputs into US production. Lower tariffs might also generate new supply routes for imports, routes that would avoid the congested Southern California ports.
Since the problems in the supply chain are multi-faceted and interlocking, it is difficult to grasp the scale of the problem, or how long it might last. One aspect of the supply chain problem that affects export-oriented agriculture has been the run-up in freight costs, especially the costs of international shipping. A look at these costs is perhaps informative about the broader situation.
Figure 1 shows the “Baltic Dry Goods Index,” the best summary measure of the costs of moving bulk freight. Figure 1 shows the index from 1985 to the present. Looking narrowly at recent events, one can see a rapid run-up in freight prices since the end of 2020 (when the index was at approximately 1000 on the scale). Bulk freight rates peaked in October 2021 at levels that were nearly six times higher than they had been 10 months earlier. More recently, freight rates have fallen back; they are now only three times last December’s rates. It is hazardous to guess how quickly freight rates might normalize, but the history of the index offers some hope. During the Financial Crisis of 2007-8, the index was much higher than today – more than three times its current level. During that time, shipping rates came quickly off their highs, but remained volatile for a period of another two to three years. Current fluctuations are not so extreme, but we should probably take the lesson that full normalization of freight rates is unlikely to occur in 2022. It also seems likely that many of the other problems in the supply chain will ease throughout 2022, but not be completely resolved during the next year.
The most difficult trade policy problem facing any U.S. President is dealing with China. Several of the international challenges that President Biden is pursuing require China’s cooperation (notably the supply chain problem, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the mitigation of climate change). But at the same time China’s is widely seen – in the US and elsewhere – as having flouted World Trade Organization rules. Since the multilateral system relies, to a large degree, on countries voluntarily adhering to commitments they have made, China’s intransigence is seen as an important challenge/threat to that system.
To date, President Biden has taken relatively few trade policy actions that relate to China directly. President Trump’s tariffs have been kept in place, but there has not been an escalation of the trade war. But there is potential friction coming. Stung by criticism of its mismanagement of the trade war, the Trump administration negotiated what they called a “phase one” agreement with China during its final year in office. This was an unusual trade agreement in that the focus was not on specific trade policy commitments from China (such as permanent reductions in tariffs on certain goods). The Trump administration instead wanted – and received – a commitment from China to purchase an additional $200 billion of US products (compared to 2017 purchases) during the years 2020 and 2021. $80 billion of the $200 billion were to be purchases of agricultural products. Bown (2021a) shows that those commitments have not been met. One question the Biden Administration will face is, what to do about this shortfall? An effort to punish China might risk a re-ignition of the trade war, exacerbating the supply chain problems. Nonetheless, it appears that the administration plans to attempt to enforce the deal (Bown 2021b).
US policy and the international trading system
One of the key ways that we should expect the Biden Administration to differ from its predecessor is its approach to managing trade relations with traditional US allies in Europe and elsewhere. President Trump’s combative approach saw US relations with these allies deteriorate. Most notably, President Trump imposed iron and steel tariffs on “national security” grounds, but nonetheless included traditional US allies in the list of exporters to be taxed. Those countries responded in kind, imposing tariffs on many US exports, including agricultural goods and food items. More importantly, the tariffs alienated countries who would have been receptive to a collective effort to respond to China’s violation of WTO rules (a collective effort would be more likely to produce results). As expected, President Biden has sought to ease tensions with traditional US allies. An October agreement with the European Union removed tariffs on imported steel from the European Union (Amaro 2021).
While the President’s handshake diplomacy with the Europeans is an important step in rebuilding the international trading system (a system that is critically important for export-oriented agriculture), the President has also pushed policies that pose risks to that system.
First, the agreement with Europe included an agreement to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum from countries that do not impose a price on carbon. While this approach makes sense as climate policy, carbon tariffs have not yet been reconciled with longstanding rules about how countries should structure their trade policies (Hayashi and Schlesinger, 2021).
Second, President Biden (along with Congress) has imposed more stringent “Buy America” provisions as part of the major infrastructure package that the President signed in November. These provisions will make the construction of new infrastructure more costly than it needs to be; they will also likely conflict with past US commitments on open trade. The legislation itself says that the new rules are not to contradict past trade agreements, but it seems unlikely that this will be true, in practice. US trading partners – especially Canada – are concerned that the new rules run counter to past agreements, and have threatened to respond in kind (Ljunggren 2021).
The international trading system is critically important for producers of export-oriented agricultural products. President Trump’s trade policy actions gravely undermined this system. One key question that was unresolved last year is what actions President Biden would take take in the wake of the chaos President Trump left him. By now, it seems clear that trade policy is not a key priority of the Biden administration, but that several other Biden Administration priorities affect, and are affected by, international trade. Some progress has been made with respect to restoring normal trade relations with Europe. But President Biden, like President Trump, appears ready to use unilateral trade policy, albeit with different goals. Unilateral trade policy has domestic political appeal, but it risks undermining the international system that rewards US agriculture so handsomely. Unilateral policies pursued over the last five years have also contributed to the current difficulties with the supply chain.
Amaro, Silvia (2021) U.S. and EU agree to ease metal tariffs imposed by Trump administration, CNBC, October 30.
Bown, Chad (2021a) US-China phase one tracker: China’s purchases of US goods, Petersen Institute for International Economics, November 24.
Bown, Chad (2021b) Why Biden will try to enforce Trump’s phase one trade deal with China, Petersen Institute for International Economics, October 5.
Gayman, Deann (2021) Supply chain crunches affecting agriculture — from farm to table, Nebraska Today, October 25.
Hayashi, Yuka and John Schlesinger (2021) Tariffs to Tackle Climate Change Gain Momentum. The Idea Could Reshape Industries, The Wall Street Journal, November 2.
Hillberry, Russell (2020) Trade Policy Outlook: What should we expect from a Biden Administration?, Purdue Agricultural Economics Report, December 9.
Ljunggren, David (2021) Canada, citing Buy American fears, says it might limit U.S. procurement opportunities, Reuters, October 14.


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Today members of the Loop Bally club were greeted by a whiteboard in the lobby announcing a new policy. Starting June 1, everyone must register for electronic bill pay. We’re not sure why this is required, or even if it’s legal to mandate members give up a credit card number. It seems particularly odd for members on a month-to-month plan. Guess the receptionists are too busy selling supplements and Bally Soy Protein Bars® to handle people paying their membership fees at the club cash register.
Enjoy your workout.

domain: news


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South Korean Government Program to Empower Blockchain Startups with $3.2mn
The South Korean government announced further investment enhancing domestic companies that utilize blockchain technology and/or are directly engaged in blockchain practices, worth of $3.2mn.
The funding was announced both by the S. Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and the Ministry of Information and Communication Industry Promotion through their respective channels.
According to Decenter.kr, a S.Korean media outlet covering the matter, the latter ministry is about to launch a pilot program dubbed “Blockchain Technology Validation Support in 2020” which aims to strengthen startups that have chosen the blockchain path.
More specifically, the government plans to empower around ten different projects through a series of IPOs (initial public offerings), and up to $360k in funding will be allocated to each one.
While the criteria for applying for funding are not strict, the program has a list of factors in order to filter out money-grabbers. Performance status, the feasibility of future performance, technology verifications, solid business plans, and the number of new jobs to be created through each company will be taken under consideration, among other aspects.
“We plan to support domestic specialized companies to rapidly grow and activate the ecosystem in the early stage of the blockchain market.” – Park Yoon-kyu, Minister of ICT said to K-Global.
From what’s publically available so far, it seems that the South Korean government is looking for companies that offer financial and/or tech services empowered by distributed ledger technology. At the same time, these companies must be able to create economic and social value.
In addition, the fund will be available to startups involved with the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Big Data, presumably as long as they’re keen on upscaling their operations to a blockchain-focused strategy.
Read More: Bitcoin IS Money Says French Court
The official announcement made by the Ministry of Information and Communication Industry Promotion cited that the analogous program from last year generated five blockchain patents, nine copyright registrations, and two investment rounds.
South Korea is not a newcomer when it comes to blockchain technology. In 2018, blockchain specialist was the most demanded job in the fintech-focused country, surpassing traditional banking positions.
In October 2019, South Korea’s leading party in association with the government launched a series of negotiations in order to upscale the country’s national policy on blockchain technology.
While countries like Russia are not ready to accept public cryptocurrencies as monetary assets subject to exchange markets, South Korea passed a new law earlier this month introducing a legal permit for cryptocurrency exchanges.


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V: Hertz orders 100,000 Teslas in deal reportedly worth $4.2 billion
THE VERGE reports: Rental car company Hertz has ordered 100,000 Teslas as part of an ambitious ...
SEEKING ALPHA reports:
– Electric vehicle automaker Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has made roughly $1B of digital profit on Bitcoin (BTC-USD) over the last month, estimates Wedbush Securities.
– Dan Ives puts that windfall in perspective by noting that Tesla is on a trajectory to make more from its Bitcoin investments than profits from selling its EV cars in all of 2020.
– Ives and team think other public companies will follow Tesla’s lead on the speculative diversification play.
To read the full post, please click here.


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China CBEC concerns: Authorities urge e-commerce supplement firms to play by ‘general trade’ rules
The presence of banned components, fake health claims, and IP infringement are common problems seen in health foods imported into China via cross-border e-commerce (CBEC), and the authorities are urging companies to adhere to general trade rules even when selling online.
Geng Fei Fei, spokeswoman from the quality and safety risk national inspection centre for CBEC trade and products pointed out the above when speaking at an event organised by the China Chamber Of Commerce For Import & Export Of Medicines & Health Products (CCCMHPIE) held in Shanghai on June 19.
Examples of problematic imports include men’s health supplements containing the medicine Tadalafil – a medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction and weight management products, especially those from Japan found containing sibutramine – an appetite suppressant.
‘Red tape nightmare, inadequate consultation’: Opposition MPs join NZ industry body in voicing new regs concerns
New Zealand’s natural health product industry body and several opposition members of parliament have voiced concerns over the Therapeutic Products Bill – a pending bill which is intended to regulate natural health products in the country.
Several MPs claimed that the pending bill could become a “red tape nightmare” during the bill’s second reading at the Parliament on June 29.
Opposition MP, Dr Shane Reti from the National Party, for example, took issue with the market authorisation process, explaining that this could adversely affect both small and medium-sized manufacturers.
Immunity benefits: China adds soy protein isolate, whey protein to health foods raw material directory
China health foods authorities are including soy protein isolate and whey protein to the country’s Health Food Raw Material Directory – Nutrition Supplement, which means that products containing these two ingredients could make specific health claims.
Products containing either of these two ingredients could make the claim “strengthening immunity” from October 1, 2023.
Soy protein isolate or whey protein products that provide between six and 25 grams of protein could claim to strengthen the immunity, said the authorities.
Scientific research reports, clinical evidence might be prohibited on health foods advertisements – China regulator
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has proposed to ban the use of scientific research reports and clinical evidence for health foods advertisements.
It is proposing that health foods advertisements should refrain from using “theories, opinions or the use of scientific journal publication, research reports, clinical evidence and etc beyond what is present in the user manual.”
It also proposed that the advertisements should not involve underage individuals.
The Taiwan Food and Drug Authority has officially permitted the use of another genetically modified (GM) bacteria strain – the third one so far – for fermenting human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) 2-fucosyllactose (2’-FL).
The strain permitted is GM E. coli K-12 MG1655 INB000846, effective from June 1, the FDA announced.
The 2’-FL fermented from this particular strain could be used in infant and follow-up formulas, complementary foods for toddlers, Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP), and milk powder for kids below seven years old.


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If you glance at the numbers, it seems like the cattle industry is getting more beef — and more AAA or Prime beef — from fewer animals than ever before.
But dig a little deeper, and the numbers tell a different story.
According to longtime beef industry analyst Charlie Gracey, the trend of feeding cattle to higher weights comes at the expense of the lean meat yield. In other words, fat is going up, lean meat content is going down, and it’s the customer who’s paying the price.
“The consumer is being shortchanged,” he said. “The industry is supplying more fat and less lean meat than ever to a consumer who is generally unaware. The fat the consumer pays for was removed in the trimming process, but somebody — and who else but the consumer? — had to pay for that production.”
The problem boils down to deficiencies in the Canadian industry’s quality and yield measurements, said Gracey, as well as a lack of awareness among all parties of the connection between quality and yield.
One should not come at the expense of the other, he said.
“We have known for at least the last four decades that it is possible to breed, raise, feed, and market animals that are of high quality and also high yield. Only when producers are paid fairly for both quality and yield will they respond with a better product. The cattle feeder cannot and should not be blamed for responding to a marketplace that sends strong signals about quality and faint beeps about yield.”
Where’s the beef?
While the grading system considers several factors, marbling is the key determinant for the top grades (Prime, AAA, AA and A). But the system, developed at the Lacombe Research Centre in 1992, also measures the amount of lean meat from a carcass. The top category is Canada 1, more commonly called Y1, which is given when the lean yield is 59 per cent or more. (Y3 is for 53 per cent or less while Y2 is for carcasses that fall in between.)
It’s when you look at both yield and grade that a much different story emerges, said Gracey.
In 1995, 67 per cent of carcasses in the Prime through A range were categorized Y1. In 2015, that number had fallen to just 41 per cent.
“There appears to be a conundrum here because the primary determinant of ‘quality’ within the Maturity 1 category is degree of marbling,” he said. “Marbling refers to the interspersion of fat as seen and evaluated on the cut surface of the LD (loin) muscle and, as such, should not have a measurable impact on yield.
“So why is yield declining while marbling increases? In order to achieve and ensure the desired level of marbling, the easiest thing to do is to feed cattle longer which leads to increased external fat.”
It’s not just that there’s a lot more trim on today’s super-big fat cattle — the notion that more marbling equals better beef is simply wrong, said Gracey.
“There is a great deal of literature that suggests that marbling may indeed have some influence upon flavour but has little, if any, influence on tenderness,” he said. “From a consumer perspective, quality is highly associated with tenderness.”
It’s not surprising that consumers and retailers don’t know about the yield issue, but producers are also “generally unaware of variations in yield and do not fully appreciate its importance.”
“The industry is used to, and seemingly happy with, working on averages,” said Gracey.
Fixing the system
There are several steps the industry can take to fix the problem, he said.
First, it should move to full instrument grading and also calculate yield on a percentage basis rather than grouping carcasses into three broad categories.
More importantly, grading data should be shared and widely available.
“Grading does occur within packing plants but that necessity does not, and ought not, confer ownership of the data upon the packing plant operator,” said Gracey, adding the Canadian Beef Grading Agency would be the logical choice to be a central repository for grading data.
And cow-calf producers, not just the last buyer and seller, should be able to easily find out how their cows graded.
“With national ID and traceability this is now possible and indeed was virtually promised as a benefit of the national ID program. The creation of BIXS (Beef InfoXchange System) now makes this possible.”
Cargill’s recent move to supply carcass data to the company now operating BIXS is a step in the right direction, he added.
But Gracey’s biggest recommendation is to overhaul a pricing system so that it rewards both yield and quality.
“At present the base price for cattle sold on the rail is usually a price bid for AA cattle with premiums for AAA and Prime carcasses and a discount for A grade carcasses,” noted Gracey. “Since quality is somewhat — if not totally — subjective, a premium or discount is appropriate and these premiums and discounts are determined in the marketplace.
“But yield is not a subjective carcass attribute. It is a measurable quantity and thus can be compensated for with an actual adjustment in the price, just as the price of milk is based on a standardized butterfat level with adjustments for higher or lower average butterfat.”


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There’s a real fear associated with eating alone.
It feels a touch awkward to be sat at a dinner table without someone to chat to – and that can only be made more uncomfortable with the addition of social distancing measures, Perspex screens, and catching the eye of another diner at a table spaced far away.
To help customers feel less uncomfortable – and ensure everyone maintains social distancing – Vietnamese restaurant Maison Saigon, in Thailand, has hired a bunch of toy pandas.
The concept is simple. Cuddly pandas relax in the seats in which human visitors can’t sit, to make sure proper distance between diners is maintained to ensure safety amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s an easy way to make sure people don’t just mindlessly take a seat less than two metres away from someone else’s table.
Visit our live blog for the latest updates: Coronavirus news live
After all, it would be rude to shove a panda out of its seat.
The added bonus is that if you’re eating by yourself, you’ll have a panda for company, happily sitting opposite or beside you.
It’s a similar approach to the one used at The Moomin Cafe in Tokyo, where solo customers are joined by giant Moomin plushies at their table.
The owner of Maison Saigon, Natthwut Rodchanapanthkul, came up with the idea to add pandas to his restaurant after worrying that new social distancing measures were making people eating alone feel strange and lonely.
The business recently reopened after Thailand relaxed lockdown restrictions, allowing restaurants to serve customers as long as they are seated at carefully spaced-apart tables.
But those heading out for dinner might be a bit put off by the strange, more sterile restaurant experience that greets them.
We reckon toy pandas are a pretty solid solution.
Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
Share your views in the comments section.
Source: Read Full Article


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Services considered to be in the ‘highest risk zone’ of the face are not allowed for the time being, as the UK government warns of a second wave of coronavirus
Salon owners have been dealt a new blow as the UK government announced a backtrack on the easing of restrictions, due to fears over a second wave of Covid-19.
Treatments to the face were the last beauty services to be given...
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The main focus continues to be encouraging growth by creating greater value, and promoting Cavas with longer ageing and higher prestige, as well as suggesting new consumption occasions and consumer profiles.
Vilafranca del Penedés, Wednesday 14 December 2022. The CAVA D.O. is optimistic about this year's Christmas campaign, despite the geopolitical and economic turbulence generated by the war in Ukraine. This optimism has been instilled by the excellent sales performance during the first 9 months of the year, showing growth of more than 3% compared to the same period of 2021.
After the full post-pandemic recovery of last year, the further increase in sales during 2022, pending the release of important figures for the final quarter in the CAVA D.O, could exceed the numbers for 2021, which reached record highs. The recovery of tourism in Spain, along with a strong export performance, has stimulated optimism, despite rising costs and inflation. According to the president of the D.O. CAVA, Javier Pagés, the sector "has continued to grow, showing remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. This leads us to expect a very successful Christmas campaign, with figures even higher than before the pandemic".
As Javier Pagés states, for some years now the CAVA Regulatory Council has been working to extend consumption beyond the mere seasonal - for more than just Christmas and celebrations. The aim is to suggest other occasions for enjoying Cava, whether as the perfect match to accompany any meal, or positioning it as an ideal aperitif or after-work drink. Established events have proved its versatility, such as CAVA Discovery Week in the US, the UK and Japan; the Passeig de Gourmets in Barcelona; the productive collaboration with Paradores de Turismo de España; and the acclaimed CAVA Academy training platform. In addition, the D.O. has supported initiatives such as social media campaigns, in collaboration with leading influencers and gastronomic ambassadors.
The D.O. CAVA's commitment to ecology, sustainability, and high-value Cavas with long ageing processes, has led to unprecedented growth. Organic Cavas grew by a spectacular 65.43% in 2021, while 2022 was a key year with the launch of the first quality labels, under the ambitious new regulations regarding the indication of origin and product category. Cavas de Guarda Superior (Reserva, Gran Reserva and Paraje Calificado) grew by 20.41% in the first three quarters of 2022. The category of the most prestigious Cavas, therefore, continues to advance and, according to the president of the D.O. CAVA, "the scarcity of other quality international sparkling wines on the market opens up the perfect opportunity for the best Cavas to continue their penetration into more competitive channels and markets".
Javier Pagés also said that new elaborations are being promoted to attract new consumers, with the aim of creating greater value. He added that "consumers are opting for more authentic, higher quality, and longer-aged products".
Evidence for this can be seen in the remarkable 20.41% growth of Cavas de Guarda Superior - the longest-aged Cavas - during the first three quarters of 2022 , both in the domestic market (+22.98%) and in international markets (+17.79%), which are increasingly opting for premium Cavas. The Cavas de Guarda Superior include the categories of Cava Reserva, Cava Gran Reserva and Cava de Paraje Calificado, whose new quality standards, vineyard specialisation, and organic production place them at the forefront of quality sparkling wine worldwide.
With more than 70% of international sales, CAVA is the Spanish D.O. that exports the most. The CAVA industry has over 38,000 hectares of vineyards and more than 6,200 winegrowers, and its 349 associated wineries are present in more than 100 countries. CAVA, which pairs harmoniously with every type of gastronomy, is made using the traditional method, with a strict commitment to origin, land and sustainability.


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Culinary photographer Clay McLachlan’s most recent project brought him to Tel Aviv’s celebrated seafood restaurant, Mul Yam. The result — Seafoodpedia — was a winner in Paris at the “the Oscars of art cookbooks.”
- No categories
A super-saturated look at Jerusalem by photographer Noam Chen who’s offering Facebook followers the chance to win a photo from his Holy Land of Israel portfolio.
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Doron Polak, Israeli rep for the International Artists Museum, curates many exhibits and art events – including one that exposes his own nakedness.
Report: Apple has put in a bid to buy Israeli smartphone app for $500 million.
From hummus ice cream to cardboard bikes and Olympians, we bring you the 10 most-watched 2012 videos we’ve produced showing the ‘real’ Israel.
Among the award winners, educational entrepreneur Shai Reshef is commended for his online university that allows students to study for free.
Israel’s AquaMaof Aquaculture Technologies chose Poland as the best location for Europe’s largest fish farm. It will breed tilapia, or the biblical St. Peter’s fish in an environmentally friendly way.
Tel Aviv University research shows that rising temperatures affect lightning patterns.
Swimmer Jonathan Koplev swam to gold in the men’s 50-meter backstroke at the Euro 2012 European Swimming Championships, with a personal best of 24.73 seconds.


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Smartphone wars are becoming rather predictable. Every quarter sales notch up and every quarter Samsung emerges as the big winner. The last quarter was no exception. However, growth is slowing as the market matures, although there is still plenty of room for growth in emerging markets.
As the mobile handset market grows, smartphones seem to be taking center stage worldwide while the demand for feature phones begin to dwindle.
Facebook is the perfect pastime to engage in while waiting for the bus or standing in a long line. The problem?
Acknowledging that the majority of phones sold around the world are on-smartphone models, Facebook has agreed to buy Israeli start-up Snaptu, which offers social networking services on simpler phones.


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According to Koreatimes Samsung wants to maintains its current title as the World’s No. 1 flat-screen television manufacturer for the foreseeable future. Samsung has won the title for the sixth consecutive year in 2011. Kim Yoo-chul reported that Samsung’s TV segment head Yoon Boo-Keun wants sales of growing. Yoon Boo-Keun is quoted as saying:
There’s no question that Samsung should lead the global TV market for the sixth straight year because we have more varied products coupled with highly customized content. Prices are dropping and that’s a problem. But Samsung thinks the global TV market will rise 10 percent this year from 2010.
Samsung is witnessing other companies such as LG, Sony and Panasonic struggle in the United States and Europe as sales falls. Sony is looking to overhaul its TV business while LG is thinking of cutting its annual sales goal by 20 percent. Yoon states that Samsung will be unveiling a variety of Internet-enabled TVs and smart television content to offer wider options. Smart TVs combine the traditional role of televisions with the versatility provided by the Internet, turning television sets into a one stop entertainment hub.
Image Credit: Techleash


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David Jinks, head of consumer research at ParcelHero.com, talks about the looming– and worrying – prospect of 24-hour deliveries and how to prepare.
It’s a thought guaranteed to have logistics managers awake all night: 24/7 night & day shopping and delivery is likely to become commonplace by 2025.
Sorry if you have just spat out your coffee in disbelief. But remember, it was only back in 2012 that Amazon grasped the nettle and set up Amazon Logistics in the UK.
Before then deliveries were seen as a grim necessity; the unwelcome, expensive bit of ecommerce. Two-day deliveries were considered swift, Sunday deliveries unthinkable and 1-hour deliveries of products such as printers and cameras laughable.
But Amazon showed that deliveries are in fact a marketing tool. One that will win and retain new customers. The ecommerce giant’s desire to win ever more Prime members (who spend twice as much with it as non-members, remember) introduced new customer expectations such as free next-day deliveries and even free 2-hour deliveries in some areas – and now the genie is well and truly out of the bottle. Amazon and other ecommerce leaders have fed consumers’ expectations of near instant gratification, and the inevitable eventual result will be round-the-clock deliveries. ParcelHero’s latest research reveals around 25% of consumers would be happy to pay at least £3 extra for 24/7 deliveries. Prime members already pay a whopping £6.99 for a one-hour delivery up to midnight. That kind of mark-up can’t be ignored.
Where Amazon leads, other retailers – and therefore couriers and delivery companies – must follow or be left behind. In 2012 consumers might not have even realised they wanted deliveries within the hour or on Sunday morning. But now they have developed a taste for these options. As other retailers catch up, the world’s leading ecommerce retailers must go one better to keep hooking in new members. The next step is surely 24-hour deliveries.
24/7 deliveries are already commonplace in areas of China. Already Alibaba-owned Hema-FreshHippo supermarkets in Beijing and Shanghai offer a round-the-clock 30-minute delivery service that has proven highly popular with nocturnal shoppers.
Of course, that’s using local couriers to deliver from close-by stores; more of a Just Eats model than a national delivery strategy. But Alibaba’s model is certainly possible to replicate using the infrastructure behind Amazon’s Prime Now service, for example. Amazon’s Prime Now 1-hour deliveries of thousands of everyday essentials, electrical and household items are already available in cities such as Liverpool, London, Leeds and Manchester. The Prime Now service is largely sourced from neighbourhood stores and supermarkets such as Morrisons, using local couriers; in much the same way as the Hema service works in Beijing and Shanghai. It would be feasible to turn Prime Now into a 24-hour service using the local store network that have already bought in to the service. Remember, there are already plenty of customers paying £6.99 for a one-hour Amazon delivery any time before midnight.
Again, this seems to be a very localised strategy. But there is a nationwide model that might also prove invaluable already in action. Keep in mind there is already a strong network of national couriers offering standard overnight courier delivery. That means parcels are driven through the night to be at a local distribution centre ready for final delivery from 8am. There’s no reason why some of these journeys can’t link up with the ‘last mile’ delivery to customers, rather than then be held waiting in the warehouse. It’s all down to commercial benefit. Are shoppers prepared to pay enough for day-night services? Are ecommerce retailers prepared to spend enough on deliveries to keep themselves in the game?
It’s all a question of cost. It can be done, but is it worthwhile? It’s not only delivery drivers, but store or distribution centre workers that need to be paid extra. Would demand really cover these costs?
Make no mistake, once the option is there, there will be demand. One in five consumers want pharmacy items delivered to them in the small hours. One in ten customers are still ordering things up to 3am. In a society increasingly used to instant gratification shoppers see items they must have right Now – and night owl consumers are prepared to pay handsomely for such late-night deliveries.
Amazon spent an eye-watering $61.7 bn on logistics last year, that’s 26.5% of its net sales, because it knows deliveries are a marketing tool, rather than just a necessary evil. Where Amazon leads, other ecommerce retailers must follow. That’s why our research shows 78% of logistics companies expect to provide same day deliveries by 2023 – and are even investigating the feasibility of 15- and 30-minute delivery windows. Amongst this exponential growth in delivery options, night-time deliveries will have a strong part to play; becoming a vital lifeline and winning long-term customers. It won’t be surprising if the likes of Amazon and Argos, 24-hour supermarkets and pharmacy networks are soon delivering much later into the night.
And it’s not just Amazon awakening to night-time deliveries. On November 7, 2017, the Xbox One X was launched, and such was the excitement surrounding the arrival of the new console that Argos upped the ante on its Fast Track service – delivering games to lucky shoppers at exactly one minute past midnight. Gimmick this might have been, but it shows the basic infrastructure is in place for small hours deliveries!


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Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are unique cryptographic tokens that are part of a blockchain. They can’t be replicated, so they’re often used to represent real-world items, especially artwork. Tokenizing these tangible assets initially allowed them to be traded more efficiently.
However, the viability of NFTs is coming under increasing scrutiny, despite the eagerness of many stakeholders to embrace them. OpenSea, one of the largest online NFT marketplaces, announced in February 2022 that about 80 percent of the NFTs created on its platform were fraudulent. Other sources tell a similar story, indicating there may be more to these incidents than just a few bad actors.
Labeling all NFT projects as scams would be an overgeneralization, but their relatively new framework lends itself to fraudulent activity. Josh Gilbert, financial expert for the global investment platform eToro, reports that NFT scams tend to follow the same patterns familiar in traditional financial fraud. While these scams aren’t unique to NFTs, some people will always look for a way to apply them to emerging technologies. However, this trend doesn’t necessarily jeopardize all NFT projects because they are a transformative technology that will profoundly affect the creators, brands and collectors of unique content.
The basic premise of NFT scams is usually to take advantage of inexperienced investors. It’s therefore crucial to understand a project’s validity, which can be challenging since this determination isn’t always straightforward. Furthermore, newcomers to NFT are less inclined to delve into a project’s origins, making them easier to exploit. John Hawkins, lecturer at the Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, states that many NFT marketing ventures aren’t illegal by themselves, although they do share similarities with Ponzi schemes.
For example, cryptocurrency markets require existing investors to draw new buyers into the market in order to make a profit. The belief that a profit is automatically attached to digital assets is what makes NFT ventures potentially risky. These projects are increasingly subject to speculative bubbles that don’t have any fundamental value. NFTs don’t have any intrinsic worth, but speculators often buy them purely in the hopes that their price will continue to increase.
NFTs provide a collection of ideas that are vulnerable to exploitation for social value and financial gain. Renowned artists and self-promoters are both using innovative approaches that focus more on the economics of NFT’s than the intrinsic value of the tangible asset they represent.
For example, Damien Hirst, a master self-promoter, has created “The Currency” project, which involves him selling NFTs for 10,000 dot paintings that are nearly identical. One year after buyers purchase these NFTs, they must decide if they want the NFT or the artwork. If they choose the NFT, the artwork is destroyed.


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Hypermarket, a 50:50 joint venture between Tata
and British retailer Tesco
, plans to open 50 retail stores in Hyderabad in the next 2-3 years apart from setting up a distribution centre, said a top company executive.
The expansion is part of the 200 stores planned for Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. The retailer currently has 45 stores across these cities.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the launch of Star Hyper
’s first store in Hyderabad, Jamshed Daboo, managing director, Trent Hydermarket said, “Majority of our upcoming stores would be in the 8,000-10,000 sft segment under which Star Market
operates and will be our growth driver. This segment requires lesser space and helps us to stay in city hotspots, closer to the customer.”
He added that while a Star Market store entails an investment of Rs 3-4 crore, the distribution centre will see Rs 25 crore in investments. The company has identified a 70,000 sft space for its distribution centre that will cater to the Hyderabad market. It already has two distribution centres that cater to Mumbai-Pune and Bengaluru stores.
On the expected impact of the goods and services tax (GST
) on the retail industry, Daboo said that it was positive for the industry. “GST has simplified the logistics part of it which will bring efficiency in our services,” he said.


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Lower-rate credit cards have become scarcer for Californians than a year ago, a consumer group has found.
In a survey to be released today, Consumer Action in San Francisco found that only 16 cards with annual percentage rates of 16% or less were made available to Californians by out-of-state financial institutions. That was down from 27 cards a year earlier.
Among California-based institutions, only four cards were available with rates of 16% or less, compared to nine a year earlier, the survey found.
It also found that the average interest rate on credit cards offered by California institutions was 17.97%, up slightly from a year earlier. The average annual fee was $15.16, down slightly.
The group cited three major reasons for the reduced availability of lower-rate cards. First, some institutions raised rates. Second, some lower-rate out-of-state cards were no longer available to Californians. Third, some credit card portfolios were sold to other institutions.
Consumer Action surveyed California institutions on Sept. 4. The group surveyed 18 out-of-state institutions that make cards available to Californians on Oct. 5.
Consumer Action said it did not survey all financial institutions, adding that it is possible, but unlikely, that other lower-cost cards are offered.
Among California institutions that raised rates, the largest increase was by American Savings Bank, the once-troubled institution based in Stockton that was taken over last December by investor Robert M. Bass. Last year, American's rate was 15%. As of September of this year, it was 18.9%, up about 26%.
Dianne Nelson, an American Savings spokeswoman, said the large percentage increase is misleading because American in the past was very aggressive in marketing credit card accounts. It offered an unusually low rate before, she said, and now offers a rate similar to those of its competitors.


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Goa wants “richest tourists” and not the ones who “consume drugs” and the ones who “cook food in the buses”, said state Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar on Tuesday.
“We don’t want tourists who consume drugs and who spoil Goa. We don’t want tourists who come to Goa and cook food inside a bus. We want the richest tourists,” Ajgaonkar told ANI on asked about the revival of the tourism industry after the COVID-19 lockdown.
“We welcome all tourists but they should enjoy themselves while respecting Goa’s culture,” he added.
The Minister said the BJP-led government in Goa is “completely against drugs”.
Goa is considered to be the country’s most popular tourist destination.
On January 31, 2019, the Goa Assembly amended the state tourism law and made cooking and drinking alcohol in public places, including beaches and breaking of glass bottles in public, a criminal offence with fines of Rs 2,000.
The tourism industry in Goa is expected to witness a boost after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) earlier this month, announced that granting of fresh tourist visas for foreigners coming to India through chartered flights will commence from October 15.


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FDA Warning on Alcoholic Energy Drinks like Four Loko
The Food and Drug Administration warned makers of alcoholic energy drinks today that their products are unsafe and the government may seize the products if companies don’t remove the caffeine from them. The FDA warning about the safety of alcoholic "energy" drinks was harsh but why did it take so long?
Who are the rocket scientists who thought selling beverages full of alcohol and caffeine that appeal to minors was a good idea?
One of the most popular energy drinks, Four Loko, contains about 12% alcohol which is the equivalent of two beers. In addition, a can of Four Loko contains as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.
FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said the combination of caffeine and alcohol in the drinks is a public health concern and the government can seize the products if the companies continue to make them. According to Hamburg, "Evidence has shown their consumption has led to alcohol poisoning, car accidents and assaults."
The energy drinks look very innocent. The beverages are sold at convenience stores, right next to the Coke and bottled water. But the teens who buy a Four Loko can get the same buzz as drinking two beers---and it's all perfectly legal.
New York Senator Charles Schumer made a statement to the media on Tuesday about the FDA warning:
"This ruling should be the nail in the coffin of these dangerous and toxic drinks. Parents should be able to rest a little easier knowing that soon their children won't have access to this deadly brew."
Four Loko is called "blackout in a can" has already been banned in several states after the drink was linked to several accidents and deaths.
I'm happy to see some action regarding Four Loko and other energy drinks but how did it get to this point? Will someone tell me why "blackout in a can" was EVER legal?


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First Look - US fishermen demand to be heard on offshore wind energy projects - While they support efforts to fight climate change, the fishing industry says wind farms could dramatically impact how and where they fish.
2 days agoBehind that chicken dinner, immigrants with little workplace voice - Poultry processing plants have increasingly relied on immigrant workers to fill jobs with low pay and significant safety risks.
3 days agoFirst Look - Why auto workers are striking against General Motors - About 49,000 members of UAW struck at 55 General Motors facilities in the U.S. just before midnight Sunday. GM has factories in nine states.
4 days agoWill backlash against Big Tech play into China's hands? A new antitrust probe of Google symbolizes rising scrutiny of tech-industry giants. But some economists caution that tech policy needs a larger focus.
6 days agoFirst Look -- Agricultural companies look to enter growing fake-meat market -- Traditional agricultural companies are investing in the surging fake meat market, which some predict will triple in size over the next decade.
10 days agoFirst Look -- Volkswagen invests on new electric model. Will consumers buy in? -- Carbon regulations are pushing EU auto companies to invest in electric vehicles, but so far only customers in wealthy countries are interested.
10 days agoFirst Look -- Why Albertsons says guns and grocery shopping don't mix -- Supermarket operator Albertsons Companies joined Walmart, Kroger, and other retailers asking customers not to openly carry firearms while shopping.
10 days agoChina and industrial theft: What U.S. history says about trade wars -- The U.S.-China trade war ratcheted up Sept. 1 with new tariffs. Lessons from the U.S.'s commercial rivalry with Britain 200 years ago still resonate.
15 days agoCapitalism under pressure: Why CEOs rethink corporate purpose -- When 181 CEOs at the Business Roundtable's revised their view of a corporation's purpose, it reflected social changes since the Great Recession.
15 days agoThe Explainer -- Why carmakers are revving for regulation -- A Trump proposal to scale back fuel efficiency standards has several key automakers siding with environmentalists in California.
10 days agoThe other economic trajectory: Global poverty in decline -- Often the media focus on economic challenges, such as inequality and poverty. That's important, but so is taking note of real progress.
24 days agoAs China trade war escalates, Iowa soybean country is front line -- For soybean farmers, weather is "an uncontrollable." Now President Trump's fight with China is, too.
27 days agoLow interest rates are often a cure. Now they're also a symptom. -- Amid warning signs of recession, economists are taking a look at the endemic circumstances that have brought the world to this point.
27 days agoThe Explainer -- Wireless revolution: What 5G is, and how it will affect you -- Next-generation wireless service will mean smarter homes and faster movie downloads. But it also promises higher prices, less privacy.
1 month ago


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The JAB Holding-backed coffee and tea group says the move will complement its existing business in the South American country, which has ‘been building strong momentum’ in recent years
JDE Peet’s is boosting its presence in the ‘attractive’ Brazilian retail packaged coffee market | Photo credit: JDE Peet’s
JDE Peet’s has announced an agreement to acquire Maratá’s coffee & tea business in Brazil from JAV Group for an undisclosed sum.
The transaction, which is expected to close in 2024, includes the Café Maratá and Chá Maratá retail packaged coffee and tea brands, as well as Maratá’s two manufacturing plants in northern Brazil. Maratá’s currently employs approximately 1,200 staff.
Amsterdam-based JDE Peet’s said the acquisition will increase its scale and national coverage in Brazil, where it currently has production facilities in São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Bahia. The transaction will add to its current packaged retail coffee range in the South American country, where it distributes the Caboclo, Café do Ponto, Café Pelé, Damasco, Moka, Pilão and Seleto coffee brands.
“Over the last three years, we have been focused on transforming JDE Peet’s into a faster growing, correctly invested, and more sustainable company. We are now ready to take the next step and continue our disciplined path of geographical expansion and diversification. I am therefore very pleased with the opportunity to buy Maratá’s well-run coffee and tea platform in Brazil, an attractive market we know well and where we have successfully made acquisitions in the past,” said Fabien Simon, CEO of JDE Peet’s.
“Following completion, this acquisition will represent a highly complementary proposition to our existing business in Brazil, which has been building strong momentum in recent years, allowing us to serve more cups across a full range of price points and product offerings while expanding our regional presence in Brazil,” he added.
JDE Peet’s was formed in 2019 after Luxembourg-based conglomerate JAB Holding merged its Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) and Peet’s Coffee businesses, later launching a successful IPO in late 2020.
The deal to acquire Maratá’s comes hot on the heels of Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), which also sits within JAB’s coffee investment portfolio, taking a minority stake in US specialty coffee roaster and café group, La Colombe Coffee Roasters.
JDE Peet’s also acquired Australian specialty coffee roaster Campos Coffee in 2021.
Reporting on the 12 months ended 31 December 2022, JDE Peet’s achieved 16% sales growth to reach €8.2bn ($8.7bn).


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Victoria Beckham @ X Games 13
Victoria Beckham and lil’ Romeo, 4, attend the sports event X Games 13 on Saturday.
The mother-of-three was also seen shopping at the X Games Pro Shop Interactive Village in the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
X Games 13 = “The annual X Games is the premier action sports event in the world and it features athletes from across the planet competing for medals and prize money in sports such as MOTO X, BMX freestyle, Skateboarding, and Surfing. This is the fifth consecutive year that the action sports event is being held in Los Angeles.”
As reported yesterday, Posh‘s hubby David Beckham is not scheduled to play in tonight’s soccer match in Toronto.
Thanks to our friends at eNewsBuzz!


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Oct. 16, 2023 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering banning chemicals that have been linked to cancer from use in hair straightening products.
The proposal specifies that formaldehyde would be banned, as well as other chemicals that release formaldehyde, such as methylene glycol. Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling but colorless gas that is also found in building materials, glues and permanent-press fabrics. It is also present in cigarette smoke and gas stove emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Using hair smoothing products containing formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals “is linked to short-term adverse health effects, such as sensitization reactions and breathing problems, and long-term adverse health effects, including an increased risk of certain cancers,” the proposal states.
One study published last year showed that repeated use of hair straightening products, which are sometimes called relaxers, could more than double the risk of uterine cancer. And although that study didn’t find that the uterine cancer risk varied based on a person’s race, the researchers noted that women who are Black are among the most likely to use the products and tend to start using them at younger ages, compared to people of other races and ethnicities.
Hair straightening products have also been linked to elevated risks of cancers that use hormones to grow, such as breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) applauded the proposed rule.
“The FDA’s proposal to ban these harmful chemicals in hair straighteners and relaxers is a win for public health – especially the health of Black women who are disproportionately put at risk by these products as a result of systemic racism and anti-Black hair sentiment,” Pressley said in a statement issued jointly with Brown. The two congresswomen wrote a letter to the FDA earlier this year requesting the topic be investigated.
“Regardless of how we wear our hair, we should be allowed to show up in the world without putting our health at risk. I applaud the FDA for being responsive to our calls and advancing a rule that will help prevent manufacturers from making a profit at the expense of our health,” Pressley said in the statement. “The administration should finalize this rule without delay.”
If the proposed rule moves forward, the FDA will initiate a public comment period, a spokesperson told CNN. No timeline is currently published for next steps.
More than 250 cases have been filed in court recently against makers of hair straightening agents, in which people allege they experienced health problems including cancer after using the products, the news agency Reuters reported in July.


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In some places in the United States and around the world, law enforcement agencies have revolutionized the use of their vehicles—with some boasting the world's fastest police cars.
Some of these car brands used by the police match the type you could only see in top-speed car review shows. And with the booming electric vehicle rush, it is only a matter of time before we start seeing police with electric cars.
Here are four of the fastest police vehicles globally and how they are used.
Bugatti Veyron: The fastest police car
The Bugatti Veyron is currently the fastest police car, according to Autoweek. It features a powerful 8.0L V16 engine that delivers stump-pulling 1,200 horsepower that can take it from 0-60 mph in only 2.46 seconds. The vehicle's motor is designed with 64 valves and four turbochargers that guarantee a top speed of 253 mph.
It's used by police in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly in Dubai. Major Sultan Al Marri of the city's General Department of Transport & Rescue said that the department doesn't invest in the Bugatti Veyron to “show off,” but to portray police friendliness to tourists. Equipping police with such high-end car brands enhances the connection between law enforcement and visitors.
Tuner Z06 Corvette: Not for high-speed pursuits
The Euro-Tuned Chevy Corvette Z06 ranks among the police cars with the highest speeds as indicated by Autoweek. It is used in New Braunfels, Texas.
The track car comes with a 6.2L supercharged V8 engine that cranks up an impressive 759 horsepower and 729 lb. ft. of torque. However, the New Braunfels Police Department (NBPD) upgraded their Z06 Corvette, which boosted the engine output to 1,005 horsepower and 228 mph.
The NBPD confirmed that the car is not used for high-speed pursuits. Instead, the department uses it for community outreach during various events, such as school functions, local parades, and National Night Out.
Lamborghini Huracan: The police car of Rome
Another high-speed police car, the Lamborghini Huracan was specifically designed for the police department in Rome, Italy. It's the successor of the Lamborghini Gallardo, and for the right reasons.
The rear-drive vehicle comes with impressive performance credentials. Its naturally aspirated 5.2L V-10 engine offers 602 horsepower, and an acceleration power comes close to the Bugatti Veyron. In just 2.50 seconds, the vehicle can accelerate from zero to 60 mph.
According to Fortune, the Italian Highway Patrol in Rome acquired the Lamborghini Huracan for use in high-speed pursuits of speeding drivers. It's also deployed in areas that require urgent police attention or supply of materials. In November 2020, police used the car to deliver a donor kidney to a hospital 300 miles away in less than two hours.
Nissan GT-R: For highway patrol in Japan
The Nissan GT-R is the preferred police car by the police department in the Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Primarily meant for highway patrol, its acquisition came as bad news to a car owner with a driving record and high-speed drivers because it will match their cars.
Nicknamed Godzilla, the newly released Nissan GT-R packs a standard twin-turbo 3.8L engine with an excellent output of 600 horsepower. Its impressive performance enables it to travel from zero to 60 mph in 2.90 seconds. Couple that with its six-speed automatic transmission and its tenacious handling, and it makes a reliable highway-patrol car in a country with drivers with affinities for sports cars.


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By Viral Patel – In the U.S., there are nearly 5.5 million more jobs open than there are people to fill them. HR leaders scramble daily to introduce new benefits — including flexible hours and nitro coffee taps — in attempts to stay relevant to younger workforces and boost recruitment and retention. Unfortunately, these solutions just aren’t cutting it.Read More
By Curtis Bauer – Two consumer financial trends – a growing inclination towards “buy now, pay later” options and a desire by millennials to pay down debt – have combined to highlight the importance of providers’ offering digital patient engagement and payment options that deliver price transparency.
By Erin Jospe MD – There is considerable grumbling about the stereotypical propensities of Millennials, which, just like most generational grumbling, is largely baseless. In particular, the caricature of Millennials as the technology-obsessed generation that prefers….
By Kerri Knippenberg – Millennials between the ages of 18 and 24 have been changing the norms as consumers. Nearly all business sectors have been affected by millennials because they are not sticking to traditional consumer trends. Below I highlighted 5 ways in which millennials are changing the world of healthcare:
By Jonathan Catley – Unlike a majority of marketers who promote a single product, healthcare marketers don’t often have the luxury of honing in on one specific target market.
By Kelley Sullivan – The Facebook generation, the glued to their phone generation, the “ME ME ME” generation – the millennials. Millennials have certainly received their fair share of criticism – just check out 2014’s Time article for an example! But are they the answer to bringing health technology to the forefront?


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A breakthrough technique rivaling traditional 3D printing was designed by US scientists to 'grow' objects in minutes instead of hours by harnessing light and oxygen.
Inspired by an iconic scene in the film Terminator 2, where the robotic anti-hero oozes into existence from a puddle of liquid metal, scientists led by Joseph DeSimone, a chemist at the University of North Carolina, have speeded up the liquid-resin printing process.
The new Continuous Liquid Interface Production technology (CLIP) harnesses light and oxygen, making it 25-100 times faster than conventional 3D printing.
Mr DeSimone said: “Current 3D printing technology has failed to deliver on its promise to revolutionise manufacturing.”
3D printers can traditionally take several hours or even days to create an object either by building one layer at the time or by shining UV light into a bath of resin to solidify it and then pull the product upwards only to repeat the process for the next layer.
CLIP places a pool of resin over a projector that shoots UV light in the form of a series of cross-sectional images of the object. Much like a contact lens, Mr DeSimone explained, a special window between the resin and light allows both light and oxygen to travel through.
By controlling the oxygen flux through the window, CLIP creates a “dead zone” in the resin pool just tens of microns thick where photopolymerisation cannot occur. This carefully balanced tandem act forms the object as it moves upward, with new resin continuously solidifying just above the dead zone rather than in fits and starts.
Mr DeSimone said: “Our CLIP technology offers the game-changing speed, consistent mechanical properties and choice of materials required for complex commercial-quality parts.”
The lack of layers and faster process means that the new technology could be transferred to mass-producing common products or to use materials that were not suitable for traditional 3D printing methods.
Although the printer is still a prototype, DeSimone and his colleagues also founded a new company called Carbon3D hoping to sell the technology commercially within a year.


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Help Queen of All Saints school earn a cash prize by donating canned goods and dog food during the “Lend a CAN” food drive.
SHOP ‘N SAVE stores, Del Monte Foods and the St. Louis Area Foodbank are holding the food drive for families and pets now through October 13.
If Queen of All Saints brings in the most donations, they would earn a $2,500 cash prize. Five second-place schools will earn $1,000.
Proceeds from the “Lend a CAN” drive will benefit the St. Louis Area Foodbank and Five Acres Animal Shelter, the only no-kill shelter in St. Charles County.
“Nearly 40 percent of individuals receiving food assistance from the Foodbank are under the age of 18,” said Frank Finnegan, president and CEO of the St. Louis Area Foodbank. “The ‘Lend a CAN’ food drive is a great way for kids to help other kids. It teaches them to give back to those less fortunate and gives them an opportunity to help their school at the same time.”
In addition to the food drive, Del Monte will donate 25 cents for each Meow Mix, Pup-Peroni and Kibbles ‘n Bits item purchased at SHOP ‘N SAVE, with the funds benefiting Five Acres Animal Shelter. Shoppers have the opportunity to be rewarded during the campaign as well. Customers who purchase 10 cans of Del Monte canned goods at any SHOP ‘N SAVE store can receive a $5 gift card from the retailer by mail-in rebate.


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Charlotte-area March home sales up from February
- Staff Charlotte Business Journal
The number of Charlotte-area home sales in March totaled 1,903, a gain of three closings from March 2010. March sales were up sharply from February, when 1,329 homes sold, according to the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association.
The average home price in March was $194,465, down 1.6 percent from March 2010 and up 8 percent from February’s $180,036.
“Pending contracts are up again over last month, signaling increasing sales activity,” says Laurie Knudsen, association president. Last year’s sales were helped by federal tax benefits, but those have expired. “We believe this year’s activity is directly tied to increased consumer confidence and local businesses’ return to hiring,” Knudsen adds.
The association reports 2,202 pending contracts in March 2011, down 11.8 percent from the year before but up 31.7 percent from February 2011.
The data is from a 10-county service area.
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Last reviewed 21 October 2021
A comprehensive trade agreement with New Zealand will, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, cut red tape for businesses, end tariffs on UK exports and create new opportunities for tech and services companies.
It will also make it easier for UK professionals to live and work in New Zealand.
Mr Johnson agreed what he described as a historic deal with his opposite number, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, after 16 months of talks by Department for International Trade (DIT) negotiators.
Tariffs as high as 10% will be removed on a huge range of UK goods, from clothing and footwear to buses, ships, bulldozers and excavators, giving British exporters an advantage over international rivals in the New Zealand import market - a market which is expected to grow by around 30% by 2030.
High-quality New Zealand products loved by British consumers, from Sauvignon Blanc wine to Manuka honey and kiwi fruits, could be cheaper to buy, the Prime Minister said.
“This is a fantastic week for Global Britain,” he went on. “On Tuesday we raised almost £10 billion in investment for the industries of the future, and this new deal will help drive green growth here and on the other side of the world in New Zealand.”
However, although UK-New Zealand trade was worth £2.3 billion last year, and is set to grow under the deal, it should be noted that this accounts for less than 0.2% of total UK trade.


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- Dollar Tree (DLTR): High inflation is helping this discount retailer deliver solid earnings growth.
- Mondelez International (MDLZ): The market may be overestimating how much inflation will impact this snack company’s future results.
- Altria Group (MO): Inelastic demand for tobacco products enables this cigarette giant to pass rising costs onto its customers.
- Nutrien Ltd. (NTR): Investors may be underestimating how long high prices for potash and nitrogen will last.
- UnitedHealth Group (UNH): Recession and inflation-resistant, this healthcare powerhouse will continue to report strong results.
- VICI Properties (VICI): The casino landlord has inflation-protection baked into its lease agreements.
- ExxonMobil (XOM): Continued high inflation means high oil prices.
With the latest consumer price index coming in at a staggering 8.5%, it’s safe to say inflation is something that remains top of mind. Not just among U.S. households, squeezed by a higher cost of living. As this issue continues, investors are on the lookout for inflation resistant stocks. Such names stand to thrive in this environment.
Sure, you may think it’s too late to start diving into inflation plays today. Many of the stocks listed below have already gone up by meaningful amounts in recent months. With some commentators stating that inflation has peaked, you may be concerned you’re getting into these names too late, and at too high of a price.
Then again, maybe not. Even as there’s hope it will not continue to get worse from here, it may be a while before it falls back to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. With this, these seven inflation resistant stocks likely have more runway:
Inflation Resistant Stocks: Dollar Tree (DLTR)
Up nearly 22% in 2022, Dollar Tree (NASDAQ:DLTR) has seen a boost from its inflation-resistant bona fides. This discount retailer is expected to see meaningful earnings growth this year. Rising prices are driving consumers to its stores, instead of pricier retail options.
Per analyst consensus, the company is expected to earn around $7.97 per share this fiscal year (ending January 2023). That’s a big jump from the $5.80 per share in earnings reported for DLTR stock in FY22 (ending January 2022).
But while it’s popped on the prospect of high inflation giving its earnings a jolt, that’s not to say it’s too late to buy. Shares continue to sport a reasonable valuation (forward price-earnings ratio of 21.2). Better yet, high earnings growth is expected to carry on into the next fiscal year (up another 13.2%, to $9.02 per share).
Mondelez International (MDLZ)
Back in November, it was uncertain whether Mondelez International (NASDAQ:MDLZ) could pass rising costs onto the consumer. The confectionary and snack foods giant (owners of brands like Cadbury, Oreo and Ritz) raised its prices in order to account for higher costs (ingredients, labor and shipping).
So far, inflation has had a moderate impact on its operating performance. Back in January, The company reported a slight quarterly earnings miss. MDLZ stock pulled back sharply in late February/early March, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Considering all this, you may think it’s odd I would consider it one of the inflation resistant stocks.
Even so, while it is not exactly crushing it today, the market may have priced in inflation headwinds too much into Mondelez shares. The company’s price increases only kicked in starting late last year. It’s possible the company’s profitability figures improve as 2022 plays out.
Altria Group (MO)
If you’re OK with the controversy surrounding its business (tobacco products), there are many reasons to like Altria Group (NYSE:MO) stock. For starters, it’s a value play, with a low forward P/E ratio (11.3). It’s also a high-yield stock, sporting a 6.5% dividend yield. Not to mention, it’s also a low volatility stock.
Along with these positives, Altria, parent company of Marlboro maker Philip Morris USA, it’s an inflation resistant name as well. Cigarettes benefit from inelastic demand. This company is able to pass along rising costs onto its consumers.
Investors this year have quickly caught on to the appeal of owning this sin stock lately. So far in 2022, MO stock is up by double digits, and has recently hit a new multi-year high.
That said, Atria is still cheap, still offering a high dividend yield, and with modest earnings growth. Consider it a buy.
Inflation Resistant Stocks: Nutrien Ltd. (NTR)
Supply shocks stemming from the Russia/Ukraine conflict have been a boon for shares in Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR). A major producer of potash, nitrogen and other crop nutrients, this Canada-based company stands to see a big earnings windfall.
Earnings per share for NTR stock is expected to more than double this year, from $6.23 to $13.68. Not surprisingly, shares have already skyrocketed ahead of this happening. Since the start of Russia’s invasion, the stock has bolted from around $75 per share to around $110.
Given fertilizer prices could come back down, it makes sense to be concerned high-flying Nutrien could fall back down to earth. But with no end in sight for the war, and other factors playing a role in high crop nutrient prices, Nutrien’s earnings could stay elevated for longer-than-expected. This could give the stock more runway.
UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
Just like how it’s a recession-resistant sector, healthcare is also a sector resistant to inflationary pressures. This explains why so many have already rotated into healthcare stocks, including UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) stock.
Yet like many of the inflation-resistant stocks listed above, it may not be too late to make it a buy. A diversified provider of health insurance and related services, it’s long been a top-performing stock. It has a forward valuation (24.7x) that you can say is pricey relative to peers. Still, paying up for this high quality name could just well be worth it.
Recession and inflation-resistant, UnitedHealth Group stands to continue delivering strong earnings growth. Analyst estimates call for EPS to rise around 13.6% this year, and around 14.1% next year.
Strong performance, even during tough times, will likely pave the way for solid gains for investors buying into the stock today.
VICI Properties (VICI)
A casino real estate investment trust, VICI Properties (NYSE:VICI) may at first seem like an odd name to include on this list. After all, isn’t high inflation, and the possibility of a recession, bad news for consumer discretionary sectors like gaming?
Yes, these factors could mean trouble ahead for gaming operators. Yet for the company leasing them real estate to conduct gaming, the impact may not be so severe. The rents collected from its casino tenants are not based on how well the house is winning (or losing). In fact, even during the lockdown period, when casinos were closed, casino tenants continued to pay their rent.
Also, as my InvestorPlace colleague Tezcan Gecgil pointed out last month, 97% of its rental agreements have escalators based on CPI. That means the ability to keep up with inflation, maintaining (and perhaps someday, growing) its current dividend payout (5.1% yield).
Inflation Resistant Stocks: ExxonMobil (XOM)
When talking about stocks to buy to ride out high inflation, you can’t forget oil & gas plays. There are many options out there, but sticking with a well-known name like ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) may be the way to go.
XOM stock has seen a big run-up in price over the past two years. First, due to oil’s post-pandemic recovery. Oil’s comeback enabled it to maintain, and slightly grow, its dividend. Then, due to Russia tailwinds sending crude oil prices to as much as $126.42 per barrel. As oil has pulled back, you may think you have missed the boat.
Yet if high inflation persists, oil prices will likely remain high. The market may be assuming oil will “return to normal” much sooner. Also, as Louis Navellier argued earlier this month, the company’s cost-cutting and capital allocation strategy could create shareholder value, no matter where oil prices go from here.
On the date of publication, Thomas Niel held a LONG position in MO stock. He did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.


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One major reason why we in Hong Kong have less leisure despite our affluence is the domination of property tycoons and big corporations. They dominate or even monopolise the market, reap huge profits and fuel increases in commodity and property prices, especially the latter. The working class and small business owners have to pay rents or mortgages which represent a huge portion of their incomes or earnings. As a result, many have to work very long hours to get by.
A Hongkonger has now decided to take on the real estate conglomerates. He has sworn not to patronise businesses owned by them for one year.
Pong's one-man battle with big businesses was inspired by a book entitled Land and the Ruling Class in Hong Kong, which is about how a few wealthy individuals and companies dominate the market and stifle competition.
"Property developers eliminate the existence of many small shops, he said. “There are fewer and fewer choices for us and every mall looks the same. People lose their character in such a society."
He now travels on his bike, buys from small shops instead of supermarkets and retail chains. It has not been easy so far, but he enjoys it and has received lots of support from friends and strangers alike. He hopes to raise people's awareness to the anti-competition practices which have been taken up by the conglomerates to the detriment of Hong Kong.
I would like Pong to know that he has my support too. Where possible, I have been following his example of not patronising big supermarkets and retail chains, and while tycoon Li Ka-shing and his Hong Kong Electric has monopolised electricity supply on Hong Kong Island, I have resolved to use as little electricity as I can.
I am sure that Pong's campaign will have an impact.


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According to the officials, Hillsborough Sheriff’s deputies have arrested around 33 people on charges of dealing with prescription medicines.
Officials made a statement that on Thursday they have arrested 33 people in age group 19 to 74 and they are from different social backgrounds.
- Ford unveils new 2015 Mustang in its first global launch
- Ford set to unveil its all-new 2015 Mustang --- the first Mustang to be sold globally
- Finnish startup Jolla Oy launches its self-titled Jolla headset in Europe
- HTC to launch dual-SIM variant of flagship HTC One handset in UK
- Nokia quietly unveils Lumia 525 Windows Phone 8 smartphone


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