text:
In a closed-door meeting at a Manhattan mansion, executives outlined changes to controversial software that was implicated in two crashes.Aerospace & Defenseread more
Current and former Tesla employees working in the company's open-air "tent" factory say they felt pressure to take shortcuts to hit aggressive Model 3 production goals,...Technologyread more
Minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia's monetary policy meeting in July showed the central bank was ready to adjust interest rates if required.Asia Marketsread more
President Donald Trump and the RNC are picking up key supporters in the business community who did not back him as a candidate in 2016.2020 Electionsread more
Amazon workers in Minnesota and Germany are striking as Prime Day kicks off, in a stand against working conditions and wage practices. The action in Minnesota represents the...Retailread more
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is raising red flags ahead of Facebook's proposed cryptocurrency launch.Marketsread more
Epstein is accused of sexually exploiting dozens of underage girls from 2002 through 2005 at his New York and Florida residences. He is a former friend of Presidents Donald...Politicsread more
When you think of Prime Day, you might be thinking about deals on Instant Pots and Amazon Echo devices — not half-off dresses and designer heels. But the market for apparel...Retailread more
David Marcus, the head of Facebook's digital currency project, said the company expects Libra will drive more advertising revenue for the company.Technologyread more
Some White House officials expect the Cabinet secretary, who has known the president for years, to depart as soon as this summer.Politicsread more
"The important thing is that you shouldn't try to hit homeruns this week, because you're much more likely to end up striking out," Jim Cramer says.Mad Money with Jim Cramerread more
The service, a conversational computer program — or chatbot — is available to Citi's consumer banking clients in Singapore beginning Thursday. A spokeswoman said the bank plans to roll out the service in Hong Kong and Australia later this year before moving onto other markets in which Citi operates.
Customers who register for the service can access information such as their account balances and credit card bill summaries by sending a message to the chatbot.
The chatbot was developed as part of the bank's efforts to reach out to its increasingly digital-savvy customers, especially those in Asia Pacific.
Citi serves more than 16 million clients in the region.
"The rapid adoption of mobile and other digital channels has transformed how Citi's clients bank, sign up for cards or loans, pay their bills or use the bank's wealth management services," the bank said in a statement sent to CNBC.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg publicly announced developer tools for Messenger chatbots in 2016.


text:
New Zealand is set to ban a raft of single-use plastics such as plates, bags, cotton buds, drinking straws, fruit labels and polystyrene products by 2025.
The items will start to be phased out in three stages between late 2022 and July 2025, as announced by the New Zealand government this week. A new fund to help find alternatives to plastic has also been launched.
Environment minister David Parker says the types of plastics that will be banned often end up as waste in landfills and cause pollution in soil, waterways, and the ocean.
“We’re encouraging businesses and people to find reusable options. We know alternatives are readily available including recyclable plastic or paper-based containers,” spoke environment minister David Parker when discussing the decision. Parker also said that figures indicate New Zealanders are among some of the highest generators of plastic waste in the world, with each person throwing away an estimated 159 grams of plastic waste on an average day.
The ban will phase out hard-to-recycle food and drink packaging made from PVC and polystyrene, as well as some degradable plastic products. The 2019 plastic bag ban was well-received and supported by the public and businesses, Parker explained, and this is New Zealand’s time to “do more.”
Items to be phased out include drink stirrers, cotton buds, produce bags, cutlery, plates and bowls, straws, and fruit labels. The ban will NOT extend to single-use cups, wet wipes or some types of expanded polystyrene used to transport cold goods and protect large items.
“Phasing out unnecessary and problematic plastics will help reduce waste to landfill, improve our recycling system and encourage reusable or environmentally responsible alternatives” Parker added.
The policy is estimated to remove around two billion single-use items from landfills or the environment for each year that it’s in place.
A big step in the right direction 👏♻

domain: news


text:
Biotiful Dairy has entered the frozen category with the launch of a new range of kefir ice cream.
The range contains three variants: Vanilla, Chocolate and Cherry, that are available now in 500ml tubs (rrp: £4.50).
Made using British milk, the new range is aimed at consumers looking to try a healthy, gut friendly alternative to traditional dairy ice-creams that are a natural source of protein and lower in sugar.
Biotiful Dairy founder Natasha Bowes said: “After recognising a gap in the frozen market for kefir products, it made perfect sense for us to take our expertise to a new category. The aim is to provide an even wider range of delicious products for those already familiar with kefir, as well as bring new consumers into natural gut health by offering a unique product range that couples great taste with better nutrition.”


text:
Texas' remaining Kmart store set to close
MCALLEN – It’s the end of an era in Texas and for some Rio Grande Valley workers, the end of their jobs. The last remaining Kmart store in the Valley will soon be no more.
The yellow signs are just another indication of more than 100 Sears and Kmart stores will be closing throughout the U.S. in the coming weeks, including the South 10th Street location in McAllen.
The impact of the store closing is already being felt by some loyal local customers.
Watch the video above for the full story.
City of Edinburg extends amnesty period
Bill in state senate could challenge public access to beach shoreline
New warning signs for migrants placed along the Rio Grande
Thursday, March 30, 2023: Breezy and warm, temps in the 80s
New partnership between DHR Health and Texas A&M University aims to relive...


text:
Press release -
Singapore-based Japanese engineer wins S$1 million at Changi Airport
Anchor promotion ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ continues to drive robust retail environment at the airport
SINGAPORE, 1 February 2015 – A 34-year-old Japanese civil engineer working in Singapore struck a windfall of S$1 million at Changi Airport today, as he beat five other contestants to emerge a newly-minted millionaire at the ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ 2014 Grand Draw.
Mr Seiichiro Oiyama, who has been residing in Singapore with his family for the past one year, shopped at Changi Airport last July before flying to Hanoi for a business trip. He spent about S$80 on some chocolates as a gift for a client, with no inkling that those few bags of goodies would lead him to a reward much bigger than just that business deal just a few months down the road.
Changi Airport Group’s (CAG) ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ Draw is Singapore’s biggest retail promotion, featuring the largest prize purse in a local retail promotion or by any airport in the world. The fifth instalment of the airport’s annual anchor promotion was open for entries from May to October 2014. One finalist was drawn each month, for participation in the Grand Draw.
Today, all six finalists – including three from China, one from Egypt, one from Japan and one from Singapore – gathered at the Departure Hall of Terminal 3, to partake in the battle of their lifetime which featured quite literally, a million-dollar stake. About 500 captivated spectators watched with bated breath, as the contestants went through four rounds of exciting games, which involved progressive elimination down to just two in the final round.
Mr Oiyama and Mr Qin Peng from China made it into the deciding finale, where the lucky one to pick the correct finishing piece to complete a world map jigsaw puzzle would be crowned champion. After a nail-biting 15 minutes, during which the pair took turns to draw from 12 puzzle pieces, the game was down to the last two pieces. In a dramatic moment, Mr Oiyama picked the piece labelled number 12 – which turned out to be the perfect fit that completed the puzzle, triggering an immediate shower of gold confetti and fanfare, pronouncing him the winner of million-dollar fortune.
An ecstatic Mr Oiyama, who was accompanied by his wife and four-year-old son who ran onto the stage to embrace him, said, “It was very, very exciting. I chose No. 12 because it is my son’s birthday. I had to close my eyes because I was so nervous. I didn’t imagine this could happen.” With this windfall, Mr Oiyama plans to fulfill two things he has always hoped for – to bring his family on a celebratory trip to Mexico to enjoy its beautiful beaches, and to realise his dream of owning a black Porsche Cayenne, right here in Singapore.
A successful 2014 promotion
The ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ draw is part of CAG’s efforts to create a robust retail environment – one that is both exciting for Changi Airport’s passengers to shop at, and conducive for retailers to thrive in. The 2014 promotion saw a participation rate of 1.8 million lucky draw entries, more than double its inaugural run in 2010, which registered 830,000 entries. Passengers from more than 200 countries across the world participated in the 2014 Draw, with the most number of entries coming from Singaporeans, Chinese nationals and Malaysians. Over the six-month period, more than 406,000 instant prizes were won, an average of 2,200 prizes a day.
“We continue to be pleased with how ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ has been very effective in generating buzz and excitement among our shoppers, as well as providing our retailers with sales opportunities. Our retail business is of strategic importance to the air hub, for two reasons. Firstly, it is an integral part of the award-winning experience that our passengers enjoy and value at Changi Airport. And it is also a key revenue stream that goes into subsidising the cost of running the airport, enabling us to keep aeronautical charges competitive,” said Ms Lim Peck Hoon, CAG’s Executive Vice President, Commercial.
Since 2010, five lucky passengers at Changi Airport have been made overnight millionaires through the ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ Draw. Mr Oiyama joins the ranks of two Singaporeans, former deejay Ivan Rantung (2010) and business development director, Peh Hock Peng (2012), Australian engineer Jessica Down (2011), as well as Indonesian businessman Irvung Tio (2013), as lucky recipients of S$1 million just from shopping at Changi.
The other five finalists of the ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ Draw won S$5,000 in cash, as well as a three-night stay at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, with airfare provided for the non-Singaporean participants. As a result of the positive response received, CAG will be running the sixth instalment of the ‘Be a Changi Millionaire’ Draw in 2015. More details will be unveiled in the coming months.
Instant prizes included the Apple iPad Air, Mont Blanc pen, GoPro Hero3+ camera, shopping vouchers and travel accessories
About Changi Airport Group
Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CAG) (www.changiairportgroup.com) was formed on 16 June 2009 and the corporatisation of Singapore Changi Airport (IATA: SIN, ICAO: WSSS) followed on 1 July 2009. As the company managing Changi Airport, CAG undertakes key functions focusing on airport operations and management, air hub development, commercial activities and airport emergency services. CAG also manages Seletar Airport (IATA: XSP, ICAO: WSSL) and through its subsidiary Changi Airports International, invests in and manages foreign airports.
Changi Airport is the world's sixth busiest airport for international traffic. It served a record 53.7 million passengers from around the globe in 2013. More than 350 retail stores and 120 F&B outlets are situated across three terminals to cater to passengers and visitors. With over 100 airlines providing connectivity to 300 cities worldwide, Changi Airport handles about 6,600 flights every week, or about one every 90 seconds.


text:
A new burger shop has opened in Manhattan, opening in the former Burger King location at the corner of Fulton and 8th Streets.
The burger joint is called kebab shop and the menu includes salads, sandwiches, burgers, and more.
The menu also includes a coffee shop and a cafe, which can be used for a coffee after-party or as a lounge area.
The new location opened last week and will be open until February 1.
The owners of kebacart.com, the company behind the venture, said they will be working with the new restaurant to create a “modern, sustainable and welcoming space.”
It will be the first of its kind in New York City.
The kebabs will feature seasonal ingredients, and they will use the same cooking methods as the kabobs in the restaurant.
The owners also plan to open an additional location in the Bronx.
The new location is located at 828 West 8th Street.
It is also open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.k. to 5 p.k., according to the New York Post.


text:
Ever wished your F1 ticket came with extra perks or maybe, just maybe, never expired? Well, Platinium Group, the pit crew chief of F1 ticketing, is about to turbocharge your race day experience. They’re flagging off a revolutionary concept – NFT race tickets, and they’re debuting on the biggest stage of them all, the Monaco Grand Prix. So, strap in and hold on to your helmets because we’re about to go from 0 to 100 real quick! 🏎💨
Strap in folks, because Platinium Group is about to do a victory lap in the world of F1 ticketing. They’re bringing non-fungible token (NFT) tickets to the starting line, and their first pit stop? The iconic Monaco Grand Prix. To make this happen, they’re in cahoots with blockchain gurus Elemint and the Web3 wizards at Bary. Minted on the Ethereum sidechain Polygon, these NFT tickets are going to be your VIP pass to not just the race, but a load of other perks down the line, like hospitality benefits and future race discounts. Talk about a pit stop that keeps giving!
Elie Zerbib, the co-founder of Bary, is confident that this new ticketing experience will get your engines revving. Why? Because it’s transparent, traceable, personalized, and comes with a side of engagement. For F1 fans scattered across the globe, this is a game-changer. Zerbib says, “By providing a completely seamless experience on the main website, the user doesn’t need to have any Web3 knowledge to purchase the NFT ticket.” The aim? To put you in the driver’s seat of your F1 experience.
Crypto Joins the F1 Sponsorships Fast Lane
As the adage goes, “where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” In the world of F1, when one brand dips its toes into the waters of sponsorship, others tend to follow in a lemming-like manner. This pattern has played out time and again, with industries such as tech startups, liquor brands, and financial institutions all jumping on the F1 sponsorship bandwagon. When Bitburger, a beer label, sponsored Benetton, it wasn’t long before its market competitors Veltins and Warsteiner were plastered on the sides of Williams and McLarens. The same happened with HSBC, RBS, Credit Suisse, and Santander, and again with Dell, HP, and Lenovo.
Fast-forward to today, and the latest entrant to the F1 sponsorship game is the world of blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). A number of teams now sport the logos of at least one such platform. The last of the major teams to embrace this trend last year was Ferrari, which has replaced PMI’s ‘space’ with the logos of blockchain platform Velas.
But it’s not just Ferrari that’s been bitten by the crypto bug. Red Bull, not to be outdone, has inked a deal with Bybit reportedly worth $150 million over the next three seasons, complementing their existing NFT sponsor Tezos, who also sponsored McLaren in 2022. Mercedes partnered with the FTX before the crash, while Aston Martin enjoyed the backing of Crypto.com – a corporate sponsor of F1 and the naming rights holder to F1’s Sprint races, in a deal that echoes Marlboro’s dual F1 and team partnerships.
When the crypto market started to skid in late 2022, several Formula 1 teams were quick to pump the brakes on their crypto sponsorship deals. In a pitstop-like maneuver in mid-November, the Mercedes F1 team hit the pause button on an estimated $27 million partnership deal with the beleaguered FTX exchange.
Additionally, Ferrari, in a sudden pit-lane exit, put an abrupt halt to its long-term arrangement with Swiss blockchain firm Velas in January. Alfa Romeo, too, waved the checkered flag at its sponsor, Vauld, in the wake of the crypto lender’s kerfuffles last year.
The crypto sponsorship roadshow faced further speed bumps as Singapore, in September, red-flagged crypto advertising around the track, although it allowed the logos to continue to adorn the cars. Other countries, including France, also waved the yellow flag at trackside crypto commercials last year, forcing some teams to peel off the logos.
Nevertheless, not all sponsorship deals have been thrown off track. The Aston Martin team has kept its crypto sponsors, Crypto.com and Socios, in the race. Binance continues to ride shotgun with the Alpine team, and OKX and Tezos still share the cockpit with McLaren Racing, according to pit lane chatter earlier this month.
In the meantime, the Red Bull racing team has kept its crypto sponsor Bybit on the grid, and OpenSea continues to navigate the circuit with Haas. Despite the bumps and bends, it seems some in the F1 world are still willing to ride the crypto wave.
|McLaren||OKX, Tezos||OKX, Tezos|
|Red Bull||Bybit, Tezos||Bybit|
|Aston Martin||Crypto.com, Socios||Crypto.com, Socios|
|Alfa Romeo||Floki, Valud, Socios, Everdome||Socios, Everdome, CryptoDATA|
The Future of F1: Crypto At the Wheel?
As we speed down the crypto circuit, one has to wonder: could crypto become the supercharged engine powering the future of F1?
Imagine this: a world where the roar of the engines is matched by the digital hum of blockchain. Where pit crew strategies are decided by decentralized voting and where fans trade NFT collectibles of their favorite heart-stopping moments from each Grand Prix. Instead of popping champagne, winners could be rewarded with freshly minted tokens on the podium!
Crypto could turn the sponsorship game into a veritable Grand Prix of its own. Racing teams could tokenize their assets, allowing fans to buy a piece of the action and earn a slice of the prize money. Imagine having a stake in your favorite racer’s victory – that’s a victory lap you’d want to be part of!
Moreover, imagine the merch! From VR experiences to digital memorabilia, the fan experience could be transformed by blockchain tech. Picture a virtual garage tour or an NFT of a legendary overtake – all owned by you.
But let’s not forget the bumpers – or, in this case, the potential speed bumps. Regulation, market volatility, and public perception could all throw a wrench in the gears. Like a daring overtake on the last lap, crypto’s F1 journey could be a thrilling, unpredictable ride.
So, as we rev our engines on the starting grid, remember: in the world of F1, the only constant is speed – whether we’re talking MPH or blockchain transactions. In the rearview mirror, the past. On the horizon, a crypto-fueled future. Strap in, folks – it might be one hell of a ride!
Cover image was taken from Unsplash


text:
Think your restoration of a classic car took more time and cost more than you anticipated? Consider what Ford Motor Company has undertaken in its effort to restore the historic Michigan Central railroad station and its Beaux Arts-style architecture located near downtown Detroit.
Ford purchased the long-vacant station in 2018 with a goal not only to restore it by the end of 2022, but to make it the centerpiece of a 30-acre Michigan Central “mobility innovation district” featuring shops and restaurants as well as a place for Ford and others “to develop, test and launch new solutions to solve urban transportation challenges.”
“More than 400 workers are currently on site each day, doing masonry repairs and installing roofing, flooring, windows, plumbing and electrical systems,” Ford reports. “Crews are also busy restoring the magnificent Guastavino vaulted ceiling in the old waiting room that features three self-supported arches, and fixing terracotta cornices and limestone capitals on the exterior of the building.”
As with the restoration of a classic car, there have been surprises along the way. In the case of the building, they include more than 200 items people left behind, or in at least one case, that they hid, likely in hopes of the item being discovered sometime in the future.
“Days after unveiling the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning, the next big reveal for Ford Motor Company is not a vehicle at all,” Ford said in a news release. “Crews working at Michigan Central Station recently stumbled upon a pre-Prohibition-era Stroh’s beer bottle with a mysterious message neatly rolled and stuffed inside.”
Stroh’s is a popular Detroit area beer brand founded in 1850 by Bernhard Stroh, who learned brewing at his family’s inn in Germany before emigrating to Detroit.
The Michigan Central station opened in January 1914. The Stroh’s bottle with the message inside was stamped July 19, 1913 by the brewery.
Laborer Lukas Nielsen and foreman Leon Kimble, working for plaster restoration contractor Homrich, discovered the bottle with the message inside on May 4 while working on plaster restoration in the station’s tearoom. Ford praised the pair for not trying to open the bottle to read the message themselves.
“It was extremely tempting, it really was,” Nielsen is quoted in the Ford news release. “If we did anything to remove it, we would have destroyed it.”
“Nielsen and Kimble were on a scissor lift to reach a high section of plaster cornice that would be removed from the wall when Nielsen noticed something behind the cornice – a glass bottle stuffed upside-down and situated behind the wall’s crown molding,” the news release reported.
“Kimble was about to strike the wall when Nielsen stopped him. They stopped working and removed the bottle instead.”
“I think the bottle was left there with the hope that someone finds it in the future,” said David Kampo, project superintendent for Christman-Brinker, the construction team leading the restoration project.
Later during the same work shift, the pair found within the wall a button from an earlier worker’s Finck’s “Detroit Special” overalls. Other recent finds by various workers in the restoration include a china set, an adding machine, baby shoes and a Shinola shoeshine bottle.
Ford noted that Nielsen and Kimble have found other vintage bottles in the station, though none with notes inside. The bottle has been delivered to Ford archivists who, on May 28, removed the paper to reveal the message, which is being rehumidified for continued study.
“The main thing you have to do is slow down the deterioration of the paper,” said Ford heritage manager Ted Ryan. “With the bottle, that’s easy because it’s glass, but we’ll also have to make sure the rest of the label doesn’t deteriorate. It’s just like the pieces of a classic car.”


text:
A sharp increase in online consumer spending due to the COVID-19 lockdown is leading to a rise in consumer complaints about goods purchased on the internet. The Citizens Advice Consumer Service reports a near doubling of complaints from March to April 2020 when compared to the same period in 2019.
There will also likely be a record amount of electrical products purchased online this year, and Electrical Safety First warn that consumers should be extra vigilant when it comes to these kinds of products.
As part of National Consumer Week, which runs from 16-22 November 2020, CTSI has launched an advice video for the public which gives several essential tips on how to deal with online purchase problems.
Paul Ramsden, Executive Director at CTSI, said: “With December and the Christmas shopping rush approaching, we expect to see a further rise in online shopping activity. Due to the pandemic, many will do their Christmas shopping online for the first time while online shopping veterans will likely undertake more purchases online as a proportion of their shopping.
“It has never been more crucial for the public to understand the consumer rights that protect them and the responsibilities of online retailers. These protections enhance consumer confidence in business with the net effect of increased economic activity.
“CTSI is proud to take part in National Consumer Week, especially at a time when industry, consumers and regulators need to all pull together to help our economy recover from the pandemic.”
Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First, commented: “Substandard electrical products pose a more significant risk than any other type, risking fire and electric shock. To give yourself peace of mind and ensure that your Christmas gift will only spark joy this season we urge consumers to stick to the stores or websites of trusted manufacturers and retailers, such as those found on the high street.”


text:
Thailand tourism updates: domestic vs international
Thailand and tourism go hand in hand – it’s hard to imagine a time when the country didn’t welcome visitors. From its white sandy beaches and world-famous nightlife to stunning historical temples and ubiquitous street-food culture, there’s no denying that the country is a tourists’ paradise.
Unfortunately, since the start of the pandemic, travel restrictions have been in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Thailand is currently closed to foreign visitors and there’s no sign of the country opening soon. Instead, the focus has shifted to domestic travel. In this Pacific Prime Thailand article, we give you all the latest travel updates.
The Thai authorities have been very strict with their travel ban – all foreign arrivals, including families of Thai nationals stranded abroad, have been denied entry. While this is generally seen as a prudent measure for containing the virus, which Thailand has done exceptionally well at, Thai businesses reliant on tourism have suffered.
In terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the tourism industry accounts for 12%. Foreign tourists arrivals hit a record 39.8 million last year, equivalent to more than half of the country’s population, and was predicted to grow further this year. Therefore, the question on everyone’s mind is: “When will foreign tourists be allowed back in the country?”.
Although tourism-dependent countries like Spain are now open for business, Thailand remains firm in its decision to keep its borders shut. The travel ban currently remains in place until June 30th, but there has been no news as yet on the lifting of the ban. It seems likely that a travel ban of some sort will still be in place next month.
Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said in a CNN Travel article that the return of tourists could be in the fourth quarter of this year at the earliest, but everything is “still dependent on the outbreak situation”. He also hints that tourism in Thailand will look very different.
Travel bubbles and high-end tourists
It is likely that Thailand will agree to a “travel bubble”. Essentially, this is when a country opens its borders reciprocally with destinations that also have COVID-19 under control. In addition to this, there are also reports that Thailand wants to take this opportunity to move away from mass tourism and target high-end tourists instead.
Special long-stay packages
Don’t be surprised if tourists will only be allowed to visit certain isolated or closed areas. As Yuthasak said, “We have studied a possibility of offering special long-stay packages in isolated and closed areas where health monitoring can be easily controlled – for example, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui.”
Domestic air travel in Thailand is currently allowed – having resumed in early May. Initially, there were strict social distancing measures that had to be followed. However, recently, some of these guidelines have been eased given the low number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
To offset the reduced number of foreign tourists, Thailand’s strategy is to encourage domestic tourism. After being forced to close in April, resorts and hotels throughout the country have been allowed to operate since the end of May – provided, of course, that they adhere to certain social distancing and hygiene rules.
It’s a traveler’s market as tourism-related services are aggressively offering discounts. For example, the 5-star hotel chain Marriott is offering deals at 37 of its hotels across Thailand. There’ll be up to 50% discounts on nightly rates, spa treatment, as well as dining – available through June and redeemable through December 30th 2020.
Whether the industry can weather the COVID-19 storm is yet to be seen. Damrong Ong-art, President of the Chiang Mai Tourism Operators Association and owner of the Thai Jungles Zipline warns in a Bangkok Post article that local purchasing power has weakened substantially. But there remain attempts by the authorities to promote travel.
In order to encourage travel, the Thai authorities have approved three stimulus packages worth around THB ฿ 22.4 billion. Over the next few months, eligible domestic tourists such as health workers will receive travel subsidies worth THB ฿ 2,000 per person for a minimum one-night trip amongst others.
There is a possibility that the Songkran holidays, canceled at the peak of the COVID-19 crisis in April this year, will be postponed to sometime in July. Traditionally, the Thai new year results in at least a three-day public holiday and a mass migration of people across provinces. It is hoped that this could give the tourism industry a much-needed boost.
Get in touch with Pacific Prime
As the domestic tourism industry is returning to normalcy, expats currently in Thailand will be glad to know they can go on short trips. However, foreigners in the country should bear in mind that they may face discrimination. For instance, there have been reports of interprovincial bus operators denying entry to non-Thais.
Foreigners and expats, especially during a pandemic, can be left vulnerable. Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, Pacific Prime Thailand has been supporting expats with crucial information regarding their stay. Whether it’s the latest travel, visa, or healthcare updates, we are the trusted source for expats in Thailand.
We also provide both travel and expat health insurance advice during this unprecedented time. For the latter, check out these common outpatient treatments covered. If you’d like to get a no-obligation quote, feel free to use our online comparison tool or speak to an advisor today.
Outside of work, Suphanida enjoys traveling to new places and immersing herself in different cultures.
Latest posts by Suphanida (see all)
- Thailand to introduce long-term residency visas - September 27, 2021
- COVID-19 in Thailand: How to ease your financial burden - September 13, 2021
- Working from home and the “right to disconnect” in Thailand - September 6, 2021


text:
Food Lion, which continues to lead brand performance in the U.S. as an Ahold Delhaize banner, held a June 15 ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly-renovated Goose Creek, S.C., store at 142 St. James Ave.
The remodeled store features an expanded hot food bar that offers a wide selection of Asian menu items and an assortment of wings. The Salisbury, N.C.-based banner said renovations also included a new front end for quick and easy check-out experience, and the store now offers Food Lion To Go grocery pickup.
Store manager Tyrell McPherson welcomed the opportunity to reintroduce the fully remodeled store to the Goose Creek community. “I grew up about 20 miles from here, so I feel at home when I’m serving our customers, local food banks, schools and others in our area,” McPherson said in a statement. “Many members of my dedicated team are from here too. Our neighbors deserve this new and improved shopping experience and we’re excited to bring it to them.”
To celebrate the renovations, the first 100 Food Lion shoppers received a mystery gift card, reusable bag and custom apron.
Food Lion also said it donated $500 in gift cards to both Gateway Open Arms and Helping Hands of Goose Creek through Food Lion Feeds, the retailer’s hunger relief initiative. To date, Food Lion Feeds has donated more than “900 million meals to neighbors in need since 2014 and has committed to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2025,» the grocer sa
An Ahold Delhaize banner, Food Lion for the past 38 consecutive quarters has delivered positive sales growth. Food Lion has more than 1,100 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and employs more than 82,000 associates.


text:
Former licensee Food Solutions KZ said in a statement it would maintain "the high quality and service standards adopted earlier" and would soon present its new brand name.
McDonald's and Food Solutions KZ terminated their licence agreement this month, citing supply issues. Sources earlier told Reuters that McDonald's Kazakhstan had stopped buying supplies from Russia and had trouble replacing them.
Food Solutions KZ did not say on Monday whether it has replaced any components such as beef patties with Kazakh produce, and declined to comment on any questions not addressed in its statement.
Its new menu included items such as beef, chicken and fish burgers as well as chicken nuggets, fries and ice cream.
McDonald's closed its Russian restaurants soon after Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine last February, eventually selling to a local licensee, Alexander Govor, who in June unveiled the Vkusno & tochka brand, which means "Tasty & that's it".
- Front Page
- Pure Politics
- ‘Banks Must Hear Borrower before Tagging as Fraud’- SC
In a setback to lenders, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that banks are bound to give borrowers a personal hearing opportunity before classifying accounts as fraudulent.SC Dismisses DRI Plea Against CESTAT Orders on Adani Cos
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the petition filed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) challenging the orders issued last year by the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) to quash the cases pertaining to over-invoicing allegations levelled by the agency against three Adani Group subsidiaries.AMCs Reopen International Plans to Investors
Domestic mutual fund houses have resumed accepting lump-sum contributions to their international equity plans after the latest Finance Bill removed tax advantages for debt-oriented saving plans from April 1. Onshore plans that invest in overseas markets are treated as debt funds locally for taxation purposes.
Read More News on
Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
ETPrime stories of the day
3 mins read
Sephora spent a decade laying India foundation. Here’s what lies ahead for the French beauty brand
10 mins read
9 mins read


text:
FastFWD Fashion, a conference exploring the latest in technology and innovation, has unveiled its full programme.
The event, created as part of the UKFT’s Rise programme, will host talks on on product and textile innovation, how digital innovation is changing the way consumers buy fashion, culture vs. in-store innovation, how to future proof your fashion business, globalisation, big data, building a mobile offer, and multi-channel in a digital age.
Speakers include Henri Lloyd joint CEO Martin Strzelecki; The Unseen founder Lauren Bowker; Mahabis founder Ankur Shahl; Smruti Sriram, CEO Supreme Creations and LuluZulu co-founder Richard Kendrick.
A panel, including Iconome co-founder Jonathan Berlin, YrStore co-founder Tim Williams and Menswear Insight editor Petah Marian will discuss culture versus in-store innovation.
Meanwhile, Joules direct director James Davey; Fits.me founder Heikki Haldre; Emma J Shipley and UKFT international business development director will discuss globalisation.
Mintel director of retail research Richard Perks will talk about how digital innovation changing the way we view fashion. Import.io co-founder and chief data officer will discuss how real time data can overcome retail issues.
Morphsuits CEO Fraser Smeaton; Grabble CEO Joel Freeman; and Poq Studio co-founder Michael Langguth will discuss building a mobile offer, while TM Lewin CEO Geoff Quinn will discuss multi-channel in a digital age.
FastFWD Fashion is offering Lingerie Insight readers a 20% discount on full-price tickets. Enter Minsight20 as the promo code before 15 October.


text:
Apple sold 9 million iPhones during the first weekend of availability which far exceeded many analysts expectations on fear that consumers no longer desired Apple made goods.
Your Christmas Gift Guide
Neowin Holiday Giveaway: Thecus 5550 NAS
Playbulb Color: The Bluetooth enabled multi-color light bulb and speaker
Another leaked image appears to confirm the next iPhone will have an updated dual-LED flash design. Are Apple trying to keep up with rivals' camera technologies?
It's never too early to start up the iPhone 5S rumors right? Right. Well, take a seat as iMore is pegging the iPhone 5S for a summer release and the iPads could arrive in April too.


text:
Asus will be rolling out an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update to its Transformer Pad TF300 tablet.
The Taiwanese tablet maker announced the good news on its Facebook page and said that the Jelly Bean software update will first arrive in the US, but did not include a specific date.
“We are pleased to announce that we will be rolling out a major software update for the Asus Transformer Pad TF300, which will bring Android 4.1, Jelly Bean to the device for the first time in North America,” the post reads.
That Asus brought in the latest version of Android OS to its cheaper tablet ahead of its older, more powerful Transformer Prime TF201 flagship tablet remains a mystery. However, the company assured that it will reveal future plans on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, so it’s safe to assume all of its high-end tablets will receive the update going forward.
The Transformer Pad TF300 features an Nvidia Tegra 3 chip with a quad-core processor, a 10-inch screen and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, all at the price of £399 (around $625).
Asus is likely to launch its latest, most powerful tablet, the Transformer Pad Infinity TF700, which will reatail at stores for £599 ($940). The Infinity touts a HD (1920×1200 pixels) resolution display, a 10.1-inch Super IPS+ screen, an Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and 32/64 GB internal storage.
Source: Asus Facebook Page
Image: Ben Babcock via Flickr (CC)


text:
Bloomberg via Getty Images
The new Apple Inc. Maps app icon is seen on an Apple Inc. iPhone 5 in this arranged photograph in London, U.K., on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012. Apple Inc. is poised for a record iPhone 5 debut and may not be able to keep up with demand as customers lined up in Sydney, Tokyo, Paris and New York to pick up the latest model of its top-selling product. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A Google spokesman said, "We believe Google Maps are the most comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps in the world. Our goal is to make Google Maps available to everyone who wants to use it, regardless of device, browser, or operating system."
We believe that all smartphone users should be allowed to use quality apps. While Apple understandably wanted its users to use only its products, it should have made sure those products were adequate before replacing them.


text:
About the Meeting
Agriculture provides livelihood to the largest number of rural households in India. According to the Report of the Committee on “Doubling on Farmer's Income", the present agrarian distress is not materialised in low productivity but rather it is defined by the abysmal income received by the small and marginal farmers for their produce. This is the result of the rising cost of cultivation and the lack of viable market linkages to sell the produce at a competitive price. To precisely address these problems, mobilising farmers into Farmer Producer Companies/Organisations has been identified as the most preferred institutional mechanism for farmer prosperity by Govt of India and other development agencies. The recent budget announcement of forming 10,000 FPOs in the next five years across the country and the 5-year tax break are steps in this direction. There is a paradigm shift in the orientation towards agriculture from food security to fostering agriculture as a viable and profitable enterprise for the farmers through mobilizing them into collectives such as FPOs. So far, there are 5400 registered and active FPCs, promoted by SFAC, NABARD, State Governments, and other development agencies across the country.
The track record of these producer companies as sustainable, independent enterprises is limited. So while we continue to support the emergence of these organisations, new institutional innovations are required in search of sustained market access for farmers. Dynamic new markets, far-reaching technological and institutional innovations, rising aspiration of farming families characterize a fast changing agriculture landscape. The emerging new agriculture is led by a new breed of private entrepreneurs (unlike the traditional merchant capital with short-term view) in extensive value chains linking producers to consumers, the new private sector is attempting to bring market to smallholders. Meaningful assured arrangements of private enterprise in supply chain with producer/collectives (formal or otherwise) can open new spaces for long-term market integration.
Assured markets are a big pull for small & medium farmers to collectivise and aggregate their produce. However, this has been the weakest link whenever farmer collectives have attempted to do this themselves. The strength of SMF is her mastery over production system – as efficient producers of quality goods, partnership with private enterprise can unlock this potential at farm end. Innovative linkages and interventions have been made to support FPCs pertaining to key needs like access to markets, finance and technology. Some of these efforts include NCDEX (electronic commodity exchange platform), Samunnati (credit financing according to value chains to FPOs), Kamatan (direct procurement from FPOs) and CropIn (technology based solutions) that have broken the traditional norms of trade and have seized the opportunity that collectivization and aggregation of produce presents. Multi-national companies like Walmart are also investing significantly for the sustainability of FPOs by facilitating access to agricultural technology, training on sustainable farming methods, enhanced access to formal markets, and skill and capacity building of FPOs.
In this backdrop, a fishbowl roundtable meeting is organised jointly by NAFPO & IIMAhmedabad at the Food and Agriculture Conclave (Krishi Manthan) on 29th December 2019, to bring together FPOs and private players in the agricultural sector to deliberate various ways in which private players could invest in strengthening the ecosystem for FPOs which could be beneficial to both parties in the long term.
The participants of the consultation will include experts and practitioners from market access, financial access and technology covering agri-preneurs, financial institutions, regulators, logistics and warehousing service providers and farmer producer organisations.


text:
On April 12th, Biocaro Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd celebrated its 23rd anniversary and held a groundbreaking ceremony for our new workshop. We also unveiled our new products and invited customers from both domestic and international markets to attend the ceremony.
The celebration began with speeches from our company's chairman and invited guests. The second part of the event was the groundbreaking ceremony for the new workshop. Afterward, the guests had the opportunity to visit our GMP workshop and other company hardware facilities. The fourth part of the celebration was the launch of our new products.
In the following two days, we accompanied the guests on a tour of Kaifeng's Qingming Shanghe Garden, and then they enjoyed watching the performance of "Dongjing Menghua."
We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to celebrate this significant milestone with our valued customers. This event demonstrates our commitment to innovation, growth, and excellence in the industry. We look forward to continued success and fruitful partnerships with our customers.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported us throughout the years. We will continue to strive for excellence and deliver quality products and services to meet our customers' needs.
Biocaro has dozens of fully automated production lines for traditional Chinese medicine granules, Chinese herbal extracts, effervescent tablets, gummies,oral liquids, capsules, softgels, tablets, bagged tea, meal replacement powder, gels, ointments, pills, aerosols, and other dosage forms. It has production qualifications for traditional Chinese medicine granules, health foods, functional foods, disinfectants, and cosmetics, as well as 13 international and domestic certifications such as Halal certification, HACCP certification, US FDA certification, EU CE certification, intellectual property management, enterprise integrity management, IS022000, and IS09001 quality management system certification. Zhongying Quality Inspection Technology Co., Ltd. has independent third-party inspection and testing qualifications for physical and chemical, microbiological, and toxicological testing.
Our company has strengthened its brand construction and has successively won titles such as "China Independent Brand Technology Innovation Enterprise" and "China Top 10 Influential Independent Brands". The company is a member unit of the China United Nations Procurement Promotion Association. As of now, its products have been exported to 78 countries and regions such as the United States, Canada, Colombia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Albania, Russia, Romania, Australia, Niger, South Africa, Cambodia, Thailand, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Libya, and Iraq. Eight products have been registered with nearly 20 countries and regions' FDA.
The Biocaro Health Industry Park is located beside Zhengkai Avenue, the core area of Zhengzhou-Bian integration, covering an area of 147.5 acres and a total investment of approximately 552 million yuan. After the project is fully completed, it can achieve an annual sales revenue of over 650 million yuan.


text:
ParTech Inc., a subsidiary of PAR Technology Corp., launched in February its new Boundless Hospitality by PAR initiative, designed to serve as a vision to help restaurant operators conduct business in 2010 and beyond.
The initiative includes new solution offerings for fast casual, QSR and casual-dining restaurants, and an integrated partner program focused on enhancing restaurant technology's ability to help operators solve challenges and better connect with guests. Program partners include Microsoft, Epson, QSR Automations and VeriFone.
Peter Wolf, PAR Tech's VP of marketing and business development, said the initiative also was developed to help restaurant operators communicate with post-recession and social-media savvy consumers who are looking to feel more valued as customers.
"A majority of conversations between consumers and restaurant operators happen outside of the four walls of the restaurant," he said.
And with so many conversations taking place via social media and other outlets, "operators need flexibility to react to all of this information," Wolf said. "There's also an issue of technology to support that flexibility."
To help facilitate closing the bridge of communication, PAR Tech also has introduced its EverServe family of point-of-sale solutions.
The EverServ suite is a main component of PAR's Boundless Hospitality program and includes the EverServe POS QSR software suite and EverServ 2000 POS terminal. The terminal joins PAR's EverServ 6000 and Kiosk family, a lower-cost solution featuring the smallest footprint in the PAR offering.
The suite is intended to provide a "conversational ordering" process for restaurant customers, Wolf said.


text:
Ridge Shinn's cows are fat and happy eating grass, which makes their carbon footprint smaller than that of corn-fed cattle in feedlots, and grass-feeding has health benefits, too.
But improving the carbon footprint and people's health are bonuses to his principle interest of helping local farmers figure out how to make money through his Rotokawa Cattle Co. Mr. Shinn sells the semen of his 110 Rotokawa Devons to farmers for use in artificial insemination to multiply the fat and sassy breed.
“It's a small, profitable business,” Mr. Shinn said. “We make money, the farmer makes money; it's organically built. We think it's a viable concept.”
Through grass-feeding, Mr. Shinn's cows promote a process called carbon sequestration, the provision of long-term storage of carbon in soil and organisms, so that the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will lessen or slow.
Mr. Shinn does this by rotating his cattle several times a year through 175 acres of farmland, some of which he owns and some he leases. The cows trample the grass into the soil, and microbes in the manure-rich soil create new topsoil to capture more carbon, according to Mr. Shinn's Web site. The cows put back more carbon than they take in, he said.
“The reason people make money with it is because it's entirely dependent on solar power,” Mr. Shinn said.
It also requires little infrastructure — an electric fence and a tractor to move hay bales. “That's about it.”
James R. Talvy of West Brookfield said he was caretaker for 25 of Mr. Shinn's cows. He also owns his own cows, which are genetically 50 percent Rotokawa Devons. He said Mr. Shinn's animals represent “the foundation herd for the future grass-fed industry” in the U.S. and Northeast.
“There are a lot of people doing grass-fed beef very nicely with other breeds, but these are something else,” Mr. Talvy said, adding that they look like cows of 100 years ago.
He and his partner, Jane Carbone of Double J Farm, are about halfway through converting his dairy farm to a grass-fed beef operation. Dairy farming, while enjoyable, was “a financial disaster,” Mr. Talvy said.
Recently they sent their first cow to market, selling to the Southboro restaurant Tomasso Trattoria, he said.
“If the restaurants can say it's from a local place, it really adds value to it,” Mr. Talvy said. “And people are concerned about where their food comes from and the carbon footprint that's attached to it.”
The Rotokawa Devons are the life's work of Ken McDowall of New Zealand. A retired master breeder, he passed the bovine baton to Mr. Shinn in 2008. The two had a relationship: Mr. Shinn had bought semen from Mr. McDowall's bulls.
Mr. Shinn had worked in Old Sturbridge Village's farming program, where he surveyed old breeds and discovered examples of the Devons breed, which he is credited with helping to revive. At the Sturbridge program, he observed that the Devons cattle were rugged enough to weather local winters, and he realized they were the kind of animal needed for beef production in the Northeast.
Through a search, he found Mr. McDowall's herd.
When Mr. McDowall reached retirement age, he did not want the herd to be dispersed, so he sold the breed to Mr. Shinn.
The cattle arrived in Los Angeles International Airport aboard two 747s from New Zealand on June 30, 2008. They were quarantined on a farm north of Los Angeles and brought to Hardwick about the time of the December 2008 ice storm.
According to Mr. Shinn, Mr. McDowall wanted someone who understood the herd's importance to grass feeding. Mr. Shinn said he has consulted on grass feeding throughout the United States and for the Argentine government.
Besides the benefits to the environment, grass-fed beef also offers health benefits to people, nutritionists say. It is typically lower in fat and has increased omega-3 fatty acids and concentrations of some anticarcinogenic compounds than corn-fed beef, said Susan K. Duckett, a professor in the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department at Clemson University in South Carolina.
“We also see a higher level of the antioxidants Vitamin E, beta carotene and B vitamins,” she said. “It makes a lot of the things that are positive in beef even better with this finishing system.”
Mr. Shinn said you can't get mad cow disease from 100 percent grass-fed beef. He also claims the chances of contracting E. coli, a dangerous strain of bacteria, from grass-fed cows are slim to none, because acid-resistant E. coli is less likely to be in the digestive system of a grass-fed cow.
The term grass-fed doesn't necessarily mean that cows have been fed grass their entire life. They can be fattened prior to slaughter on corn and soybeans and given hormones and antibiotics. But Mr. Shinn promotes lifelong grass-eating for cows.
The challenge, he said, is getting the consumer to understand how grass-fed beef differs from non-grass-feed beef and getting them to support it.
Beef from Hardwick Beef, the sister company to Rotokawa Cattle Co., is about 15 percent to 20 percent more expensive than, say, beef found at Whole Foods Market, he said.
The venture can't compete on price, but when people understand the differences they will be willing to pay, Mr. Shinn said.
“The people that are into the grass-fed movement seek us out,” said David Lundberg, a manager at Lionette's Market in Boston, which has sold Hardwick Beef for about six years.
“We sell probably a half an animal a week” in a variety of cuts, he said.
Mr. Lundberg said his store sells Hardwick Beef at about $8.99 per pound for ground beef and $23 per pound for rib eye, about three or four times more than non-grass-fed beef at a grocery store.
“It's not mass-produced, subsidized meat,” he said. “It's real beef done the proper way. So when you look at the price tag, yeah it's more expensive. But is it really? The cost on your body of eating hormone (given), antibiotic, sick animals as opposed to eating real meat? I'd say the price is about correct.”
Mr. Shinn said the consumer is confused. Once people fully understand what 100 percent grass-fed beef is, they will drive it into the marketplace, he believes.
Hardwick Beef is for sale in some stores in New England and New York, according to its Web site, www.hardwickbeef.com, and Fresh Direct in Manhattan, an all-automated grocery-ordering service, recently approached Mr. Shinn about supplying their business. An arrangement with Fresh Direct could double Hardwick Beef's production in a couple of weeks, Mr. Shinn said.


text:
Rocklin-based Sleep Train Mattress Centers has kicked off its annual School Supply Drive for Foster Kids.
Now through Aug. 11, Sleep Train is collecting donations of new school supplies at more than 100 of its stores throughout California. Donations also can be made via the "donate online" link at www.sleeptrain.com.
Needed items include backpacks, three-ring binders, loose-leaf paper, multi-subject notebooks, flash drives and pencils.
Schools, sports teams, businesses and others can set up "Host-Your-Own-Drive" efforts at www.sleeptrain.com/host-drive.aspx.
For more information or to find addresses of Sleep Train stores, visit www.sleeptrain.com or call (916) 751-4300.
Call The Bee's Mark Glover, (916) 321-1184.


text:
In the first seven months this year, China’s foreign trade with countries along the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) reached 8.06 trillion yuan ($1.12 trillion), an increase of 7.4 percent year-on-year, data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed on Tuesday.
As the BRI embraces its 10th anniversary this year, experts said that the initiative has brought tangible benefits to countries along the route from infrastructure construction to enhanced cooperation in new energy and green development, providing a new model of co-development.
Trade with BRI countries grew faster than the overall growth rate. According to the GAC, China's foreign trade grew by 0.4 percent year-on-year in the first seven months of the year to reach 23.55 trillion yuan.
China-Europe freight trains, which have become a pillar for the trade for countries along the Belt and Road, have also eyed a rapid growth since the beginning of this year.
As of July 29, China-Europe freight trains made 10,000 trips, 22 days earlier than last year, carrying more than 1.08 million 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers of goods, up 27 percent, data from China State Railway Group showed.
The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor is also one of the key projects under the BRI. Launched in 2017, it's a trade and logistics passage that was jointly built by provincial-level regions in western China and ASEAN members.
In the first half of this year, the number of cross-border rail-sea intermodal trains reached 4,510, up 9 percent year-on-year. International railroad trains totaled 4,091, an increase of 18.51 percent, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Southeast Asian specialties such as Lao sticky rice, Thai durian, Vietnamese balsa fish and Cambodian bananas also enter the Chinese market more quickly along the corridor.
From 2013 to 2022, China’s trade with countries along the BRI doubled from $1.04 trillion to $2.07 trillion, with an average annual growth rate of 8 percent.
By the end of 2022, the cumulative investment in overseas economic and trade cooperation zones built by Chinese enterprises in countries along the route amounted to $57.13 billion, creating 421,000 local jobs.
According to a report by the World Bank, benefiting from the BRI, the GDP share of emerging and developing economies increased 3.6 percentage points from 2012 to 2021. The World Bank estimates that by 2030, the BRI will generate annual benefits of $1.6 trillion for the world, accounting for 1.3 percent of global GDP. A total of 7.6 million people will be lifted out of absolute poverty in 2015-2030, and 32 million people will be lifted out of moderate poverty as a result.


text:
tech story template
Yes, it might look like a dinky toy. And it was unveiled at a toy show.
But this little odd concept is designed to get young kids into cars along with their parents. To that end, Toyota says it could carry three people - essentially two adults and a child.
The Toyota Camatte Concept was revealed at the 2012 International Tokyo Toy Show overnight with features the Japanese carmaker touts as being particularly kid-friendly.
The Camatte's main party trick is the ability to swap out the body panels, snapping in others in a different colour or style as the mood takes you, or perhaps to provide fun for the whole family when there's nothing on television. But the more serious job it's been given is to spark an early interest in driving - in a world where young people are increasingly bypassing the car.


text:
Honda’s 2018 Clarity Electric hits dealers in California and Oregon
Japanese automaker Honda has recently made its new electric car -- the 2018 Honda Clarity Electric -- available for purchase at its dealerships in California and Oregon. Honda has been moving slowly in the electric vehicle segment and the move marks another major support for the segment from Japanese automobile giant.
The 2018 Clarity Electric can be purchased by customers in a lease-only deal; it cannot be bought outright by customers. The car has been quite aggressively priced by Honda, especially since it faces fierce competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market.
The deal which is being offered by Honda for the 2018 Clarity Electric requires the customers to pay a down payment of $1,499; with an amount of $199 -- plus taxes -- to be paid per month, for a period of 36 months. The lease includes 24/7 roadside assistance, and the customers leasing the car will get 20,000 miles per year.
The aggressively priced Honda Clarity Electric is equipped with a small battery which gives it a barely 89-mile range. In comparison, its competitors like the 2018 Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Bolt EV have a 151-mile range and a 238-mile range respectively.
However, the small battery of the 2018 Honda Clarity Electric comes with the advantage of faster charging. The battery can reach up to 80% of its capacity in only 30 minutes when a DC fast charger is used, and in nearly 3.5 hours when a Level 2 home charger is used for charging it.
In a recent announcement, German automaker Volkswagen (VW) has revealed that it may have to issue a recall of 124,000 electric and hybrid cars, because a carcinogenic metal -- cadmium -- has been used in battery chargers for VW vehicles.
The recent display of a new hybrid SUV by Lynk & Company to electric car enthusiasts in Amsterdam is an apparent indication of the fact that China’s ambitious auto industry is set to go global.
In a recent report, Fitch Ratings has described German engineering giant Bosch’s new diesel exhaust system as a technology ‘breakthrough’ which may slow automakers’ switch to electric vehicles (EVs) if widely adopted.
In response to recent reports about the Tesla Semi electric truck prototype having been spotted in Arkansas, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has commented that the truck was driven “across the country alone.”
According to a recent Autocar magazine report, German automaker Volkswagen’s R performance division is presently exploring the possibility of producing performance-centric electric vehicles (EVs) in the future.
In a recent blog post, General Motors (GM) Chief Executive Mary Barra has reaffirmed that the automaker considers electrification to be a “priority,” even though it supports the revision of fuel consumption rules.


text:
Heavy Hitters: BlackBerry Receives Takeover Bid, Apple Smashes iPhone Expectations
Shares of Pandora Media (NYSE:P) plunged more than 10 percent on Monday and continued to edge lower in late afternoon hours. The move lower followed Apple’s announcement that more than 11 million unique listeners have checked out its iTunes Radio product since it debuted. On Monday, Apple said that over 200 million iOS devices are now running iOS 7, the new operating system that it recently unveiled. iTunes Radio is a free, ad-supported Internet radio service that is joined into Apple’s iOS 7.
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) shares edged slightly lower in late afternoon hours, but still managed to outperform the general market. Microsoft showcased its next generation Surface tablet at an event in New York City. The new Surface Pro 2 provides a 75-percent longer battery life and is 95 percent faster than any laptops on the market. Microsoft also revealed some new accessories for the product, including a cover that also functions as a power source, and a docking station that can click in with a display port and is able to power two monitors simultaneously. Microsoft shares are up more than 20 percent year-to-date.
After a dramatic plunge on Friday, shares of BlackBerry (NASDAQ:BBRY) closed 1 percent higher on Monday. BlackBerry announced it would be sold for $9 a share to a consortium led by Fairfax Financial Holdings, a deal that values BlackBerry at a total of approximately $4.7 billion. Fairfax is the company’s largest shareholder, with a 10 percent stake. However, financing is not yet in place for the deal, and BlackBerry shares traded lower in late afternoon hours.
Shares of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) jumped 5 percent on Monday and continued to edge slightly higher in late afternoon hours. Apple blew most analysts’ expectations out of the water when it revealed that it sold a record-breaking nine million iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C models over the launch weekend. Although Apple didn’t break down the sales by model, it noted that, “Demand for iPhone 5S has exceeded the initial supply, and many online orders are scheduled to be shipped in the coming weeks.” This year’s iPhone sales numbers shatter last year’s numbers when Apple sold five million iPhone 5 models in three days. However, it should be noted that this year was the first time that Apple launched two iPhone models simultaneously. This was also the first time that China was included in the initial iPhone launch weekend.
Don’t Miss: Who Does the Government Really Work For?
Follow Eric on Twitter @Mr_Eric_WSCS


text:
- Article | 23 min ago Hub Browser gets several enhancements and Passport support in the latest update
- Article | 1 hour ago We're taking 50% off these durable clip holsters for BlackBerry Q10 today!
Power Users Rejoice
Passport on Ma Bell
update that OS
GREAT DEVICE ON THE CHEAP
get on the latest OS
News & Rumors
An offer you can't refuse
BlackBerry and the UAE government
Android not such a good deal
News & Rumors
BlackBerry 10 is coming and just in case there hasn't been enough confirmation floating about for you that it will be arriving on U.S. carriers, Reuters has spoken to Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile on the matter. All of which, have confirmed BlackBerry 10 will be added to their device lineups with more information coming soon from each.
"We're hopeful it's going to be a good device," and "We'll carry it" said Lowell McAdam, chief executive of Verizon.
"We're extremely optimistic that it's going to be a successful product and our business customers are extremely interested in it," Chief Executive John Legere of T-Mobile USA said.
"It's logical to expect our current (BlackBerry) customers will have the best BlackBerry devices to choose from in the future," AT&T handset executive Jeff Bradley said.
While none of the executives were keen on offering up much else information, it's pretty clear the outlines have been set already and we'll be hearing more soon. Now, where is Sprint?


text:
2021 Yamaha FZ-X to launch in India today: Price expectation
Yamaha Motor India will be launching the new FZ-X motorcycle in the market today (June 18). With the launch of this bike, Yamaha will have yet another product in its popular FZ series of bikes, as the upcoming bike will be derived from the same platform as the current FZ-FI motorcycles.
Previous spy images have revealed the exterior design and styling of the upcoming Yamaha bike, albeit some closer details including the instrument console, features are still under covers.
Also check these Bikes
In terms of exterior dimensions, a previously leaked document revealed that the new FZ-X will outgrow its donor model. It will measure 2,020mm in length, 785mm in width and 1,115mm in height. In comparison, the FZS-FI spans 1,990mm x 780mm x 1,080mm in terms of length, width, and height figures.
The different body design of the FZ-X has resulted in a change in its overall dimensions. Apart from that, the wheelbase will remain identical at 1,330mm.
The FZ-X will take a neo-retro approach in terms of its exterior design. There will be certain classic elements with a modern touch. It will sport an old-school round-shaped headlamp at the front along with fork gaiters and minimal sump protection lending the bike a scrambler-inspired look. Other design highlights on the bike will include its high-raised fuel tank that swoops down gelling in with the rider's seat. There will also be raised handlebar along with mid-placed footpegs, contributing to an upright riding position.
It is likely to be more premium than the existing FZ-FI or FZS-FI bikes. Expect it to start somewhere around ₹1.15 lakh (ex-showroom). More details will be revealed later in the day.


text:
In the company's latest move to leverage its status as a second screen for millions of TV viewers, Twitter (TWTR) has begun surveying its users about their recent TV viewing activity, presumbaly with the goal of improving ad targeting.
The survey effort comes shortly after Twitter launched a "TV conversion targeting" product that lets advertisers deliver Promoted Tweets to users discussing a particular show.
The company asserts customer acquisition costs are 35% lower "when Promoted Tweets are run alongside TV ads, as opposed to TV ads alone." But as many observers point out, TV ad buys are completely optional.
Earlier this year, Twitter launched a TV ad targeting product more directly tied to TV campaigns. The company also launched Amplify, a platform that allows broadcasters and content owners to promote tweets with embedded video clips (ads included) that are linked to TV broadcasts. Partners include CBS, the MLB, the NFL, Conde Nast, and the Discovery channel.


text:
Pennsylvania’s online sports betting is getting bigger every day. And it’s not done growing yet.
Pennsylvania sportsbooks took in $59 million in total handle, with nearly $39 million (about 66%) arriving via online wagers. Retail handle accounted for $20 million.
The total handle was a record for PA sportsbooks even though July is typically a slower month as far as sports betting. Football season’s arrival should lead to a substantial increase in this month’s numbers.
Sportsbook promotions held revenues back
While the total handle was a record, many sportsbooks issued promotional credits with the launch of their online sites that adversely affected their revenues. Rivers and SugarHouse handed out nearly a million each in credit. FanDuel gave away about $120,000 and Parx followed with $90,000.
Those promotions led to PA’s retail sportsbook revenue finishing ahead of the online total for the month at nearly $2.2 million. Minus the promotions, the online revenue total was $665,798.
The end result was over $2.8 million in combined revenue, with approximately $1 million going to the state in taxes.
SugarHouse leads PA in online sports betting
PlaySugarHouse dominated the competition in terms of online handle, taking in an impressive total of more than $22 million. SugarHouse was the first online site to market and has also been drawing traffic with a number of generous promotions.
BetRivers was second with $9.9 million in online handle, although it took a revenue loss for the month ($250,941) due to its promotions. Both PlaySugarHouse and BetRivers are operated by Rush Street Interactive, which continues to establish itself as a major player in the sports betting landscape.
Parx Sportsbook finished third in online handle with $3.6 million and FanDuel’s online sportsbook finished fourth with $3.25 million. Keep in mind that FanDuel was only up and running for roughly one-third of the month.
Rivers Pittsburgh edges SugarHouse in retail revenue
Rivers Casino Pittsburgh narrowly surpassed its sister property SugarHouse Casino in retail sportsbook revenue. Rivers finished the month with a total of $4.4 million in handle, while SugarHouse finished with about $4.3 million.
The Pittsburgh casino will face a little more competition going forward with the Presque Isle Downs sportsbook in Erie open for business. DraftKings is also planning to enter the market at some point via a partnership with The Meadows in Washington, PA.
Can football season bring PA closer to NJ’s numbers?
While Pennsylvania’s sports betting market continues to grow, its neighbor to the east remains far ahead. According to Legal Sports Report, New Jersey recorded $251.3 million in total handle during the month of July, a number more than four times Pennsylvania’s total. New Jersey benefits from an earlier start in sports betting and a much greater online presence as well.
However, Pennsylvania’s larger population gives it a chance to catch up. As more sportsbooks and online apps spread across the Keystone State, it will be interesting to see if Pennsylvania closes in on New Jersey’s numbers. Football season might provide a few indicators.
With the NFL preseason underway and college football starting this week, both states will see an increase in activity.
Business is about to pick up.


text:
To celebrate the launch of the most awaited space fantasy RPG Honkai Star Rail, the Astral Express Global Tour kicked off on April 19, 2023. The tour has already begun in Berlin and Tokyo, with some events scheduled for the end of April and a few heading into May.
The event will also be featuring fan events such as parades and other sporting events with a chance to get some exquisite merchandise from the makers themselves.
Honkai Star Rail Astral Express Global Tour details
The schedule for the Honkai Star Rail Astral Express Global Tour is as follows.
|CITY||EVENT INFO||EVENT PERIOD|
|New York||Times Square Billboard and Offline event||April 24 to April 30|
|Tokyo||Tram Parade, Island Bus Body, MTR Lightbox, Causeway Bay advertisements||April 15 to May 12|
|Hong Kong||Tram Parade, Island Bus Body, MTR Lighbox, Causeway Bay advertisements||April 26 to May 16|
|Taipei||Express Parade, Wanhua, Zhongzheng, LED Truck, Bus advertisements||April 21 to May 4|
|Berlin||Line Parade and Flash Mob event||April 15 to May 14|
Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila will feature some exciting Offline Special Events while Paris and Moscow will be having Offline Special Display events on particular dates. The event schedule for some cities is yet to be confirmed, so stay tuned for that.
As the giveaways are concerned, receive a 50 Stellar Jade Bundle for taking part in the event. The next reward can be obtained by following the Honkai: Star Rail Twitter account, and posting a picture of yourself with the Express in the background via your Twitter for which you will receive a unique postcard and a special Express ticket worth 50 Stellar Jades.
Every day, the first 300 guests who tweet will receive a tangible badge as well as an instant snapshot. The gifts are limited in number and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Do note that the badges and instant photo events are limited.
There’s no need to purchase tickets to participate in the event. The event is open to all the fans and lovers of the game, and to participate, you just have to show up at the event area. Visit the official website for more information about the Astral Express Global Tour.
Image via HoYoverse
Along with this, there’s also an online Honkai Star Rail countdown event live on, which is releasing congratulatory art on Twitter for the fans to give a glimpse of the various Honkai Star Rail characters every day until the game goes live.


text:
By Scott Ruesterholz – Townhall
Even as Democrats try to undermine President Trump on the world stage with their partisan impeachment circus, he continues to forge ahead, signing a truly historic “Phase One” trade deal with China on Wednesday. This deal serves as a total validation of Trump’s tariff-oriented trade strategy, will provide a material boost to the US economy in 2020-2021, and could lay the groundwork for a smarter relationship with China over the coming decade.
For two years, Democrats and Chamber of Commerce Republicans told us Trump would make no progress confronting China with tariffs. They would crush the US economy, and the US was not strong enough to do battle with the so-called “long term thinkers” in Beijing. It’s rather fitting then that the same day we signed Phase One, it was announced core input prices rose at the slowest pace since 2016, so much for tariff-related inflation! Prices of tariffs goods like furniture and appliances are rising slower than overall inflation. China has paid for these tariffs; their exports to the US have fallen by over 20%, squeezing their economy, and forcing them to reach a deal.
The lopsided nature of this deal speaks to America’s incredible leverage in the talks because China could not afford to lose access to our market while we can and have been sourcing imports from elsewhere. China has agreed to substantive improvements in its intellectual property laws, shifting legal burdens and processes more akin to America’s system, increasing punishments for violations, and making concrete pledges to stop technology transfers. China also agreed to enhanced protection for pharmaceuticals and to level the playing field for financial companies.
Most remarkably, China promised to buy $200 billion more American products than in 2017, which would be a 50+% jump (about $75 billion in 2020 and $125 billion in 2021). These purchases include $78 billion of manufactured goods, $32 billion of agriculture, $52 billion of energy, and $38 billion of services. These purchases represent gigantic increases that some US producers may actually struggle to meet, particularly in energy. Others, like aircraft orders, will likely be filled and delivered subsequent to 2021. Even if, to be conservative, only half of these purchases are met with new American production in 2020, that would increase GDP by at least 0.25%.
Ever since foolishly permitting China’s entrance into the WTO, American Presidents have pretended Communist China was a “market economy” despite its totalitarian nature and central planning structure. Trump is dealing with China that exists, not the one that we wished existed. Chinese firms largely act at the behest of President Xi’s government. Rules alone will not lead to equitable treatment. When faced with a government-commanded economy, we must ensure that the government commits to buy our products. China has now done that.
You can read more here.


text:
Seattle-based stock photography provider Getty Images said on June 1 that it will sell its photos on Amazon.com. Getty, which got out of the direct response catalog business last year in favor of the Web, plans to offer printed photos of Marilyn Monroe, nature scenes, architecture, and other images for $15-$60 per print, depending their size.
For Getty, which sells to businesses, the Amazon presence is a first step toward targeting consumers. “We have long felt that our imagery has an appropriate use in the consumer world,” Getty’s vice president of business development, Jim Gurke, said in a statement. Until now, Gurke said, Getty has avoided selling direct to consumers out of piracy concerns.


text:
Baseball Card Treasure Trove Found In Ohio Attic
What may be some of the rarest Baseball Cards around have been found in an attic in Ohio:
DEFIANCE, Ohio – Karl Kissner picked up a soot-covered cardboard box that had been under a wooden dollhouse in his grandfather’s attic. Taking a look inside, he saw hundreds of baseball cards bundled with twine. They were smaller than the ones he was used to seeing.
But some of the names were familiar: Hall of Famers Ty Cobb, Cy Young and Honus Wagner.
Then he put the box on a dresser and went back to digging through the attic.
It wasn’t until two weeks later that he learned that his family had come across what experts say is one of the biggest, most exciting finds in the history of sports card collecting, a discovery worth perhaps millions.
The cards are from an extremely rare series issued around 1910. Up to now, the few known to exist were in so-so condition at best, with faded images and worn edges. But the ones from the attic in the town of Defiance are nearly pristine, untouched for more than a century. The colors are vibrant, the borders crisp and white.
“It’s like finding the Mona Lisa in the attic,” Kissner said.
Sports card experts who authenticated the find say they may never again see something this impressive.
“Every future find will ultimately be compared to this,” said Joe Orlando, president of Professional Sports Authenticator.
The best of the bunch , 37 cards , are expected to bring a total of $500,000 when they are sold at auction in August during the National Sports Collectors Convention in Baltimore. There are about 700 cards in all that could be worth up to $3 million, experts say. They include such legends as Christy Mathewson and Connie Mack.
Kissner and his family say the cards belonged to their grandfather, Carl Hench, who died in the 1940s.t
The Honus Wagner card may be the most valuable. Wagner, who played in the late 19th Century for a team in Louisville, Kentucky, and then for 17 years for the Pittsburgh Pirates, famously refused to allow his card to be produced after its initial run because it was sponsored by a tobacco company. As a result, any card featuring Honus Wagner has been incredibly valuable.
Just goes to show that you’ll never know what you might find in someone’s attic.


text:
Chinese carmaker Geely has told AM it will press ahead with the acquisition of Volvo by September having secured competition approval for the deal from the European Commission.
It green-lighted the purchase of Volvo Cars by Geely Holding Group and publicly owned investment firm Daqing, owned by the Daqing city government in north-east China’s Heilongjiang Province.
Following a one-month inquiry, the Commission concluded the acquisition would not "significantly impede effective competition" in Europe, and imposed no conditions.
Brussels noted Geely sells few passenger cars in Europe and Volvo Cars has a limited component business, so crossovers are few.
Geely spokesman Ning Shuyong said: “We are pleased to see the progress and we are planning to close the deal by September 2010.”
He added Geely's current focus is closing the deal instead of making plans for Volvo’s future European business.
“Before the completion, Volvo Cars is still part of the Ford Motor Company,” he said.
Geely, a privately-owned auto company based in Hangzhou, spent about USD2.7 billion on the deal, with around USD 800 million coming from the Daqing.
Chinese local media has reported the Daqing investment indicates the future location of a Chinese Volvo plant, but Geely has not chosen a location and is waiting for government approval to manufacture Volvo cars in China.


text:
Russia has banned all foreigners from working as retailers in its shops and markets under a new law which came into force on Sunday.
Markets are a part of everyday life for millions of Russians
Up to 20,000 non-Russians currently work in Moscow markets alone in a tradition going back to Soviet times.
President Vladimir Putin said earlier that the interests of Russian citizens were at stake.
Migrant groups have condemned the law, passed after ethnic violence last year, as unfair and unworkable.
While foreigners will not be allowed to sell directly they still have the right to work in markets as loaders, cleaners, wholesalers or managers, according to an official from the Russian Federal Migration Service, Vyacheslav Postavnin.
The law was introduced after a number of incidents, but chiefly unrest in the northern town of Kondopoga where two local men were killed in a brawl with ethnic Chechens.
Price rise fears
This law has changed the face of retail in Russia, the BBC's James Rodgers reports from Moscow.
Markets provided jobs for people from poorer countries if they were willing to work long hours, often for low pay,
But that is now illegal. Anyone working in a shop or on a stall has to hold Russian citizenship.
Officials responsible for enforcing the law say they are not planning any major operations to coincide with the new deadline.
They believe market administrators will make sure the law is observed.
Russian media reports have warned of price rises as a consequence of the new law but the authorities insist that any increases are due to inflation.
The new law is the latest in a series on immigration.
On 15 January, migrants from CIS member-states coming to Russia under a visa-free regime were banned from selling alcohol and pharmaceuticals.
Ahead of 1 April, the number of foreigners working in Russian markets was reduced to 40% of the workforce.
Mr Postavnin said the new legislation was aimed at combating the shadow economy.
"People have really begun to emerge from the shadow - it's very good," he told Russian news agency Itar-Tass.
The vegetable and fruit stall that I had here in Sennaya Square market , St. Petersburg, is empty now. I am one of the thousands who are kicked out of the Russia by the new law. Almost 70% of the market stalls are empty also, with long queues at those stalls whose owners managed to get citizenship legally on time. We found our way to Russia after 1994, fleeing the civil war in Tajikistan. This market has become our saviour, with remittances we sent home, our families survived. For the last 9 years , I was selling competitively priced potatoes and onions, that was affordable to the city's lowpaid pensioners. That's why they never swapped spacious supermarkets for a crowded market. The dirty job I was doing will not be taken over eagerly by locals.
Zafar Firouz, Yavan, Tajikistan
It's true that many of the (dark-skinned) non-Russians working in the markets are involved in criminality. However, the (mostly white) Russian police happily turn a blind eye in return for bribes. And white Russian gangsters are involved in the same kind of activities and much worse, but officials practically work hand in hand with them in many cases. This is clearly a racist and populist initiative designed to win votes in the forthcoming election.
CH, Reading, UK
I have personally seen many people from Tajikistan going to Moscow for work, and nobody can deny the fact that migrant workers do contribute to the development of the economy, even developed countries have accepted it. Banning workforce is not a solution, but the need of the hour is proper regulation that promotes interest of all parties. Russia is already facing a demographic crisis, and I don't feel it is a right move. The government should clamp down on the vested interest and protect the right and livelihood of poor migrant workers, who once belonged to part of grand old USSR.
V.Balaji Venkatachalam , Dubai
I am an Afghan in Australia and I know too many Afghans are working illegally in moscow, and they have families back in Afghanistan, who are in desperate need of money for their living back in Afghanistan, and I know it would hit them hard if they lose that income. Apart from that I don't blame Russian authorities for this action, because there are too many Russians who are jobless. I hope they would find a solution for both.
reza zamani, sydney australia
I am resident in Canada but originally from Southern Africa. What I do see is that if Southern African Governments had to copy what the Russians have done then there is bound to be total chaos in the region. Take Johannesburg as an example, almost all of the retail sector flea markets, restaurants and street vendors are supplied and manned by foreigners of Chinese, Lebanese, Russian, European origin and of course Africans. I also know in Zambia there is a big problem with Chinese, Indian and Lebanese traders in the retail trade including markets which were originally meant for indigenous Zambians but the new government gave the contract to operate these markets to foreigners. The whole idea may sound good but it is savagely discriminatory and undemocratic in this global 21st century economy. Trade should not be limited to exchange of goods and services alone but also the exchange of cultures is even more important... Just imagine, you wake up one day and go to London, Paris, Brussels or New York and all you see are English, French, Belgian, White Americans in shops and markets and so forth. The whole place would look spooky! Unreal! Just like a flower garden with a one colour code. Totally meaningless.
Professor Mwiine Lubemba, Ottawa, Canada
The friendly kebab vendor on my street corner left two weeks ago, and despite the heavy traffic his stand always enjoyed, no ethnic Russians have stepped up to open a stand selling this non-Russian food, nor does anyone seem likely to. His was the only independent, non-chain food stand - now they're all franchises. This is not a victory for "the little guy." Alex, when "foreigners" have formed criminal syndicates, isn't the real problem here crime rather than ethnicity? When produce mafias are allowed to exist, with police accepting bribes for looking the other way, why do you expect this whole system to change just because the ethnic makeup of its participants is changing? Nor does it make sense to quell ethnic violence by getting rid of all the "foreigners."
As a Briton living in Moscow, it was apparent from when I first arrived that foreigners as they're called, formed a large percentage of the food and retail market. And when I first arrived those same foreigners were publicly known to have formed criminal syndicates, regulating by means of intimidation or worse just who could sell in Moscow and beyond. There were several incidents shortly after I arrived of shootings and beatings of native Russians being forcibly prevented from setting up shop, or producing goods in their own country. Since then, and more recently, there has been a marked improvement in the mix of native Russians to foreigners, as a result of the Russian Government's crackdown on corruption, and criminal gangs. It may seem hard to outsiders, but a balance is being restored in this country... Unseen to the press, or simply unreported, is a large slice of native Russians who are expected to follow the rules in manufacturing and food standards up to a European level Quality Control, with stiff penalties for non-compliance, and yet they are constantly undermined by the black economy, who have shipped in cheap and often inferior goods, (or made them here in sweat shops) then flooded the market with these goods at inflated prices, with brutal intimidation if challenged by locals. This has hindered natural economic growth, and made things very much harder for native Russians determined to make a success of their lives... Another important consideration is: The foreigners tend to employ their own and very few native Russians, and to a large extent, ship the profits out of the country, paying little or nothing into the Russian economy or tax system... I am in no way an apologist for this country, and know everything's not perfect here...but simply a Briton who has seen the real situation through the eyes of objective 'fair play'...
alex stone, Moscow
Actually in the retail markets in Moscow and other Russian cities work people who came from former USSR republics mainly from Azerbaijan (they are owners or managers of the business), Uzbekistan (mostly they are salespeople) and Tajikistan (they work as a cleaners and loaders). I know some market guys here in Moscow who had been deported back to home because of absence of permission to work legally in Moscow (but real reason was that they refused to pay bribe to local policeman). They had their own fruit selling business and they hired even Russian woman to work as seller. I wonder why Russian authorities try to prevent such hardworking people for whom Russia really need, who can be basis of fuel to develop small business and whole economy as well.
As a citizen of Slovenia, living in Moscow for many years, I can witness that dominance of non-Russians on local Russian markets is main reason for high prices. Ethnic mafias prevent local producers to sell directly.
Just Rugel, Moscow


text:
B & H Workers Vote 200-to-88 for Union
Warehouse workers at the large Hasidic-owned camera store B & H Photo Video voted to join the United Steelworkers union on November 4, organizers said in a statement.
The vote, overseen by the National Labor Relations Board, came after a weeks-long campaign launched in October by employees at two B & H warehouses in Brooklyn. The employees alleged unsafe working conditions and unfair hours at both warehouses.
According to a statement from the Laundry Workers Center, an organizing group, the warehouse workers voted 200 to 88 to join the United Steelworkers.
“Today we won because the workers voted with their conscience,” said warehouse worker Jorge Lora in a statement.
In a statement, B &H responded to the vote, saying: “Our employees have played a central role to the success of our business, and that is why we have gone to great lengths to ensure the highest standards for living wages and benefits, workplace safety, and respect and dignity in the workplace. We look forward to continuing an ongoing dialogue with our employees.”
In an interview with the Forward in October, Lora described dangerous conditions at the warehouse. “The warehouses are full of dust,” he said. “We don’t have training or knowledge how to use the machines.”
B & H’s large retail store in Manhattan is among the city’s leading providers of professional photography equipment. The company is owned by Herman Schreiber, a member of the Satmar Hasidic community, and many of its retail employees are Orthodox. The warehouse workers, by contrast, are largely Hispanic. Many are from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.


text:
Nissan has made three announcements, all of which intend to sharpen the global significance and sales of its NISMO performance arm. Calling it “a new era for NISMO as its global performance car and motorsports brand,” Carlos Ghosn cut the ribbon on the new, larger, nicer NISMO headquarters in Yokohama, Japan. For the first time since the division was founded in 1984, all of its employees are located in one place that was dubbed “a hothouse of passion and performance.” Sign us up.
There, the team will start overhauling Nissan’s entire range with NISMO models. The Juke NISMO is right around the corner for the US market, the second generation of the 370Z NISMO is coming for 2014, the first GT-R NISMO is being developed, and after that will come “a range of affordable performance Nissan models from small cars to flagship sports cars” – a new model every year. The expanded product line will mean that markets that haven’t had access to NISMO’s works will finally be able to buy them.
The last big news is that from now on NISMO will manage every one of Nissan’s global motorsports programs, and its largest initiative will be prepping an entry for Le Mans in 2014. While Nissan has left the DeltaWing project, it hasn’t walked away from experimental racers: the brand aims to have “a pioneering Nissan race car showcasing electric technology” ready in 15 months that shows “a new approach to innovation and excitement.”
You can find out more about all the news in the three press releases and two videos below.


text:
EE may try to cement its position as the UK’s number one phone network by introducing a branded 4G smartphone in the coming weeks.
Engadget carried an image of the purported device that looks like a generic smartphone with a theme that is heavily based on the firm’s aqua colour scheme and a home screen that includes a series of preloaded EE apps. In the background of the same picture there is an EE branded removable backplate that will reportedly also adorn the device.
Many networks have attempted to release branded versions of 3G smartphones in the past but this appears to be the first time a company has started to try and implement a 4G device.
EE is understandably tight-lipped on the new device but did admit that it’s reviewing its product offering at all times and didn’t rule the new smartphone out.
“Our current focus is on delivering the UK’s best value 4G service to consumers and businesses,” an official EE spokesperson told TrustedReviews. “As part of this, we regularly review new products and services for our superfast 4GEE network, but we do not comment on rumour or speculation surrounding these.”
In terms of the device specification, nothing concrete has yet been released by the smartphone rumour mill and the only details floating around concern its Cat 4 connectivity options and the device running on Google’s Android OS. Price-wise, it’s being speculated that it will be cheaper than the £130 Alcatel One Touch Idol S, EE’s cheapest 4G offering as it stands.
EE was touted as the UK’s best mobile phone network in an independent study unveiled by RootMetrics this week that gave it a score of 84.6 out of 100 for overall performance that mainly hinged on the impressive speeds stemming from its 4G roll out.