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Nike has launched a new equality-themed advertising and social awareness campaign, including a film featuring several sports celebrities, as well as social media, billboard and poster promotions.
Nike says its Equality initiative, timed with February's Black History Month as well as recent Nike partnerships with two community-driven organizations, is designed to encourage people “to take the respect and fairness they see on the field and translate it off the field,” by becoming forces of action in their communities, according to a statement.
The film features LeBron James, Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Megan Rapinoe, Dalilah Muhammad, Gabby Douglas and Victor Cruz, and is intended to use the power of sport to create conversation, inspire people to act and press for lasting change in their communities. Meanwhile, Nike Equality t-shirts and footwear from the company's annual Black History Month collection are available to purchase via the athletic apparel retailer's website and select brick-and-mortar locations.
Nike's campaign is very well-meaning and very well-timed. A lot of people right now probably are viewing sports as an escape from the current political climate and a host of other things killing their moods. However, sports are not and should not be just an escape, but an inspiration as well. Nike recently announced support for community-focused groups MENTOR and PeacePlayers International, and is broadening its effort to back positive causes.
Putting together a multi-channel campaign is a good way to do this. Sports documentaries have been having a heyday in recent years (what might be called the "30 for 30" era), so a message film from a sports apparel brand would seem to fit right in. The campaign's web and social media aspects also are important for a company that has tried to revamp and revitalize some of its digital efforts of late.
Nike remains one of the top athletic brands, but it has been slipping in the last year, with a troubling loss of traction particularly among young consumers. Could a "big issue" message campaign filled with sports icons help? Nike may not want to position this as a marketing campaign, but it did helpfully mention where to buy Equality t-shirts and footwear from the Black History Month collection.
Maybe some who have forgotten about Nike will respond to this sort of less intense, less direct sales pitch. Maybe others, who are concerned with where their communities and their country is headed, will simply appreciate the message.


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Moncton comic book artist using his craft to inspire kids to read
Nick Bradshaw spends his days huddled in a tiny room in Moncton drawing some of the most popular superheroes in print.
The world-renowned Marvel comic illustrator, who says he is currently working on revamping Spider-Man for a new generation, is surrounded by walls covered in the artwork that inspired him to begin reading as a child.
“I learned to read through comic books,” he said. “I learned to associate the pictures with the words and it made it a lot easier for me.”
It’s a big reason why Bradshaw has embarked on a mission is to inspire more kids to read and help improve New Brunswick’s dismal literacy rates. According to the provincial government, up to 30 per cent of young children in the province have difficulty reading.
“It’s about getting kids to read, but it’s also an acceptable medium in the family for kids to be able to read,” he said.
Four years ago, Bradshaw started a not-for-profit comic convention in Moncton to help spread the word about comics and inspire more kids to read.
“We have a teacher who works in Hillsborough, Scott Tingley, who tried comics in the classroom, and he tries to expose his students to comic books,” he said. “So he sits on our committee. We get his point of view on it and we are constantly trying to attract people who work in the school.”
Bradshaw said there was a time 20 years ago when comics were considered taboo.
“You had your little den of friends, fellow nerds hiding in the basement reading comics. Now with the movies and the TV shows there’s tons of television shows that are comic-related,” he said.
“It’s mainstream, so comics are cool again.”
Free Comic Book Day will be held around the world this year on May 7, and local comic book store manager Remi Vienneau LeClair said it’s so popular that lineups are usually out the door.
READ MORE: Girl, 7, publishes her own comic book series
“I get a lot of parents and teachers who come in here and they are buying for their kids and for their classrooms because it’s the only thing they will read,” he said.
Bradshaw says because comic books are fun, it’s easy to get kids excited about reading.
“It’s a great segue for kids where you can sort of trick them [and] they are getting an education. They are learning to read,” he said.
© 2016 Shaw Media

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Last December 7th, the EU co-legislators (European Parliament, the Council and the Commission) have reached an agreement on the Commission proposal from Jnauary 2016 to increase checks of cars that are already on the EU market and strengthen the voerall system with European oversight. The main building blocks of the new rules are:
- Raise the quality level and independence of type-approval and testing before a car is placed on the market: Technical services, responsible of vehicles emission quantification in new models, will be regularly and independently audited.
- Increase checks of cars that are already on the EU market: Member States will have to carry out regular spot-checks on vehicles already on their market and such results will be made publicly available. All Member States will now be able to immediately take safeguard measures against non-compliant vehicles on their terrritory without having to wait for the authority that issued the type-approval to take action, as is currently still the case
- European oversight: The Commission will carry out market checks independently from Member States and will have the possibility to initiate EU-wide recalls. This institution will be able to impose adminsitrative penalties on manufacturers or technical services of up to €30,000 per non-compliant car
The preliminary political agreement is now subject to formal approval by the European Parliament and Council. The regulation will then be directly applicable in all Member States and will become mandatory on 1 September 2020.
The Commission has supported Member States´work by developing a common testing methodology to screen for defeat devices altering the results of laboratory tests and ensure consistency of results of national investigations.
Full text available here.


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While many consumers have been worried about the possibility of paying near-record prices at the pump this summer, it looks like that may not be the case. The price of gasoline futures traded in New York City has fallen significantly in recent weeks, and experts believe the downward trend in gas prices will continue, according to CNN Money.
The futures, which help set prices for gas, dropped from $3.40 to $3.10. The significant fall will likely start to be reflected at the pump sometime in the coming weeks. It's certainly good news given that drivers are nearing one of the busiest driving seasons of the year. Analysts believe the drop in prices is tied largely to the fact that crude oil has decreased by about $5 in price over the course of April.
"We're certainly going to see prices move lower at this point," industry insider Stephen Schork told the news source.
The estimates are good news, especially given that gas prices have already been trending downward. After reaching a nationwide average of $3.95 in early April, the average price of a gallon has dropped to $3.84, and with more reductions expected, motorists may soon feel a little bit of relief.
Although gas is becoming less expensive, that doesn't mean drivers should abandon fuel-efficient practices, such as driving less aggressively and making sure their tires are properly inflated. Motorists looking for a more fuel-efficient vehicle may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which has plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.
There are few things more frustrating than a traffic jam. Perhaps if everybody paid attention, traffic would move at a smoother clip, but because that's not the case, it can be stop-and-go for miles. While it might seem like there's no fix to the problem, Honda believes it could have the secret to a more stress-free commute.
Honda began work on a new system with the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo, and the company hopes it can help eliminate the behavior that causes traffic jams. Specifically, scientists are trying to curtail the practice of sudden stops and starts by providing drivers with detailed information including acceleration and deceleration patterns, which will hopefully allow motorists to drive more smoothly.
The initial findings were encouraging, according to Honda. Scientists discovered from the first round of testing that the system increases the average speed by around 23 percent, which in turn helped boost fuel economy by around 8 percent.
Although traffic jams can be a frustrating daily occurrence, they are also more damaging than potentially making you late for work, experts say. In particular, Honda points out that congestion can cause an increase in carbon dioxide emissions and is responsible for an increased instance of rear-end collisions.
While avoiding congestion and driving smartly can be an important part of an enjoyable experience behind the wheel, a lot depends on which car you're driving as well. If you're looking for a used car in New Jersey to fit the bill, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the place to go. With a wide variety of makes and models, there are plenty of cars to choose from.
Triplets are a handful and finding a car that caters to a trio of toddlers can be tough, especially if you can't bear the idea of driving a minivan. Cars.com spends a lot of time testing car seats in a number of models, and they recently published a list of the vehicles that cater to families with at least three small children. This does not mean the safety seats are crammed in so tight you can barely shut the door. To qualify for the list, there needed to be enough space between the seats for a child to reach in and unbuckle the seat belt.
The list includes sedans as well as SUVs, so families don't have to settle for the stereotypical van. The 2011 Chrysler 200 and 300 were the only sedans to make the grade. These cars were designed to be luxurious with an economic price tag. Those looking for used cars in NJ can find a used Chrysler 200 for around $15,000, according to Edmunds.com. Other vehicles with room for three kids in the back include the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2011 Nissan Murano, 2012 Honda Pilot and 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Families with more than three kids who need safety seats may need to bite the bullet and purchase a minivan, or they can seek out larger SUVs. Many new vehicles offer seven passenger seating, which could make them a good fit for your growing family.
Whether you want something small like a Chrysler 200 or a larger Honda Odyssey, New Jersey State Auto Auction will have the perfect ride for you and your family. Every used vehicle is CARFAX certified, so motorists know they're driving away in a reliable ride.
With gas prices still hovering around $4 per gallon, drivers are looking for ways to get the most mileage out of their car, and some innovative designers recently created a car that gets an astonishingly high number of miles to the gallon. The only problem? None of them are old enough
to drive. A group of junior high school students in Missouri unveiled a ride that gets an impressive 358 mpgs, FoxNews.com reports.
The vehicle, designed by seventh and eighth graders, won a competition that pitted them against high school students. The unique single-seat car weighs just about 100 pounds and is powered by an engine typically reserved for motorized bicycles.
The project was led by industrial technology teacher Marcus Reynolds, and he and his students are not quite done yet. Reynolds hopes to enter the unusual car in the prestigious Shell Eco Marathon, which would put them alongside college students from around the world, according to the website.
While the car certainly won't make it into dealerships, motorists can take a cue from Reynolds and his students and do their best to try to conserve gas while out on the road. There are a number of easy ways they can reduce fuel consumption, including making sure tires are properly inflated, driving at the speed limit and using cruise control when taking long drives on the highway.
Auto maintenance is also a crucial component of increasing your gas mileage. Luckily, New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center provides an easy option for motorists looking for talented and knowledgeable mechanics. Located in Jersey City and open to the public, the center can provide everything from general upkeep to bigger repairs.
When it comes to owning a car, there are many different costs to consider aside from the initial price. Everything from fuel to repairs and insurance can really add up, and a recent AAA study reveals the average cost of ownership has increased since last year. For every mile the average driver puts on their vehicle, they spent about 59.6 cents, which is 1.1 cents higher than it was last year. The researchers examined the cost of driving the five top-selling vehicles in five categories – small, medium and large sedans, minivans and SUVs.
"The average driving cost for 2012 is up due to relatively large increases in fuel and tire costs, and more moderate increases in other areas," said John Nielsen, the director of automotive engineering and repair for AAA. "Those increases were offset by a decrease in depreciation resulting in an overall increase [in cost of ownership] of 1.9 percent. Some driving costs fluctuate at different times during the year, such as what we have experienced with fuel prices since the middle of February."
Depreciation cost, which dropped 4.9 percent, was the only aspect of ownerships that declined. Insurance rose by 3.4 percent and maintenance fees saw a more modest bump of 0.7 percent.
The higher strain on the budget of owning a car has created a larger demand for used vehicles, as they are typically more affordable than their new counterparts. While recent trends have shown a push toward fuel-efficient new cars, there are still plenty of used models that offer decent mileage. Drivers looking for used cars in New Jersey can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The NJ dealer has a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices.
The Mazda Takeri concept car, which made its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show, was rumored to be the model for the next generation Mazda6. However, AutoWeek reports the new car, due out in early 2013, will not have the same SkyActiv V6 engine as the elegant concept model. Instead, the new car will be outfitted with a SkyActiv four-cylinder similar to the motor found in the Mazda CX-5.
The concept car's 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine was capable of generating 175 horsepower, but the motor that makes it into the production model will be slightly watered down with only 150 hp. However, the decline in power does mean an increase in fuel efficiency.
"We believe that the balance of fuel economy and power that SkyActiv offers is what customers want," a Mazda spokesman told the news source. He also said the company had not yet decided against offering a V6 option, but no decisions have been finalized.
If nothing else, the automaker has promised the new car will be modeled closely after the design of the Takeri. With a strong, muscular body and sleek aerodynamic curves, the concept car was one of the head-turning cars at the NY Auto Show.
The new Mazda6, which will likely be priced in the mid-$20,000 range, may be out of some drivers' price range, but the car has been in production for a number of years. Motorists looking for used cars in NJ may be able to find a used version of this sporty midsize sedan at the New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a wide selection of makes and models, so consumers are sure to find the vehicle they're looking for at a price that fits their budget.
Many motorists are choosing to buy green cars for their next big purchase, but people hoping to find a quality fuel-efficient used car in New Jersey may not know where to start. With pre-owned vehicles being more reliable than ever before, there are many suitable options for drivers looking for something eco-friendly while also saving some money, according to GreenCarReports.com.
The Toyota Prius is at the top of the list, mainly because it's so plentiful. The iconic hybrid was one of the first of its kind, and motorists can likely find a quality used version pretty easily. Specifically, experts suggest buying the 2004 to 2009 models, which get around 46 miles per gallon.
Though hybrids are often viewed as the most eco-friendly and fuel-efficient cars, there are some other used options that can be just as kind to the environment. In particular, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI comes to mind, according to the website. The diesel-powered vehicle gets around 34 miles per gallon and has greatly improved its emissions in recent years.
Smaller cars may be the best option when it comes to fuel efficiency, but sometimes it may not be the most practical choice. Drivers who need more room but still want to go green may want to pick the 2009 through 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. It's big, powerful and spacious yet still gets about 21 miles per gallon, certainly not bad for a large SUV.
Whether you're looking for a hybrid SUV, compact car or spacious sedan, New Jersey State Auto Auction will likely have you covered. With a wide variety of makes and models all available for affordable prices, there will be something for everyone.
From a practical car to take to and from work to a larger vehicle capable of transporting a lot of people, motorists buy used cars for a number of different purposes. Sometimes people want to add a new car to their collection that will be solely used for cruising. However, they'll probably want to spend as little money as possible on their leisurely new ride, and according to the Philadelphia Inquirer there are several options that fit the bill.
At the top of the list is the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata. This small sports car has been a popular option for years, and for good reason. A 2009 model with around 50,000 miles will go for just around $19,725 and will be the perfect sporty addition to anybody's fleet. Additionally, it gets around 28 miles per gallon, so it won't break the bank when it comes time to fill up.
Along with the Miata, the Inquirer says the 2006 Honda S2000 provides another sporty, yet affordable option. Analysts say it comes in a little bit higher at $19,900, but it's certainly worth it. The S2000 offers drivers significantly more horsepower than the Miata, and thanks to the fact Honda doesn't make the S2000 anymore, you'll have to go used.
If the Miata and S2000 are a bit too small, the newspaper suggests opting for the 2007 Nissan 350 Z. It's the biggest, most powerful car in the group but will run you just about $19,500 for a model with around 70,000 miles.
Regardless of the reason you may be looking for a used car in NJ, New Jersey State Auto Auction likely has the model for you. With plenty of options to choose from, you'll drive away happy.
Land Rover is well known for its popular line of luxury SUVs, so it should come as no surprise the manufacturer enlisted the help of one of the most glamorous celebrities in the world to promote its Range Rover Evoque. Victoria Beckham recently helped design and lent her name to a special edition of the SUV.
Beckham, formerly known as Posh Spice, is certainly a good fit to help design the car, which recently made its debut at the Beijing Auto Show. Her post-Spice Girls career has been defined mostly by her impeccable style while out with her four children and husband, soccer star David Beckham.
"Both Land Rover and Victoria Beckham are British luxury brands with credibility and global appeal," said Gerry McGovern, Land Rover's director of design. "This dual 'Britishness' makes the collaboration even more exciting especially when considering the huge audience for bespoke products around the world, particularly in China, Russia and Brazil where Land Rover is growing."
Though the Evoque is already fairly luxurious to begin with, Beckham's design takes things to a new level. In particular, its interior is especially attractive with vintage tan leather complete with baseball-esque stitching as a nod to her husband's athletic prowess.
Special edition or not, the Evoque has been one of the most well-reviewed cars of the last year. In fact, it earned the coveted Truck of the Year distinction from Motor Trend magazine.
Thought it might be difficult to get your hands on a specially-designed Evoque, anybody looking for a used car in New Jersey has plenty of appealing SUVs to choose from at New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models to pick from, there's the perfect vehicle for everyone.
The 2013 Nissan Altima was a big hit at the New York International Auto Show, and experts are predicting this car could be the best-selling family sedan by the end of the year. This projection is made all the more impressive as the newly-redesigned sedan won't hit dealers nationwide until July.
"Overall with improving fuel economy, we expect 2012 new car sales to jump roughly 15 percent over 2011," said Kelsey Mays, an automotive analyst for Cars.com. "Taking the redesign of the Altima into account, we'd expect the 2013 Altima to outsell its 2012 predecessor by 39 percent by year's end, 24 percentage points above our expected market growth."
The new Altima was among the many gas-powered vehicles on display in New York that offer improved fuel economy over previous models. In fact, a continuously variable transmission, coupled with weight reduction and a more aerodynamic design make the new model 15 percent more efficient than the 2012 version. The overall look of the Altima is relatively the same, but tweaked to appear sleeker, with a smoother front end, streamlined tail lights and a low-profile rear hatch. The sides of the car's body are also a bit more muscular in the new model.
While the newest model may outperform its predecessor, older models are still a good bet for those looking for a reliable family car that gets decent gas mileage. A 2012 Altima gets 32 miles per gallon on the highway. Those in the market for used cars in NJ can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which has a wide variety of makes and models sure to suit the needs of every driver.


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Troubled Seattle video game company Infinium Labs is being sued by its former chief executive, Kevin Bachus, the company said in a filing this week.
Bachus, who gained fame as one of the founders of Microsoft’s original Xbox system, joined Infinium in early 2004 and resigned last November. In March, he announced he had signed on as chief executive of Nival Interactive, a U.S.-based video game company with most of its operations in Moscow.
Soon after making that announcement, Bachus filed a lawsuit against Infinium and its officers claiming he is owed $51,000 in back wages and unpaid vacation time. Infinium has refused to pay him, he said in the suit, which is currently making its way through King County Superior Court.


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Big sales: A saleswoman picks gold necklaces to show to a customer at a jewellery showroom in Kochi. About 60% to 70% of India’s gold consumption is in the form of jewellery. — Reutersaws<《试》用《『账号』》>（www.2km.me）〖【提供】〗aws《『账号』》、aws 全区号[、aws32v《『账号』》、亚马逊云《『账号』》出售，〖【提供】〗api ，（质量稳定），『数量持续』。 另[有售azure oracle linode等《『账号』》.
MUMBAI: Wedding invites have been sent and the festival season is expected to be lively. That’s good news for India’s gold jewellers, as a reprieve in the pandemic means they can eye a recovery in their most lucrative sales period.
In the final quarter, Indians usually boost their purchases of gold ornaments for marriage celebrations, while sales of coins and bars for investment surge during a series of celebrations that culminates with Diwali, or the Festival of Lights that this year is being held in November.
But during the pandemic, they’ve mainly held back their spending on the precious metal as prices surged and restrictions of movement crippled the economy, delayed weddings and muted festivals.
Now, daily-infection tallies around seven-month lows and climbing vaccination rates are boosting optimism of a better peak sales season.
Jewellers are being further encouraged that sales volumes will rise due to a 17% decline in gold prices in the local markets since their record high last August, as the precious metal’s safe-haven value wanes amid a global economic recovery from the pandemic.
About 60% to 70% of India’s gold consumption is in the form of jewellery. The World Gold Council data shows that Indians bought 315.9 tonnes of gold-use jewellery in 2020, almost equal to the combined purchases in the Americas, Europe and Middle East. China is the biggest buyer at 433.3 tonnes.
According to Ashish Pethe, chairman of the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council, pent-up demand and lower prices could boost last-quarter gold sales as much as 15% higher than in the same period two years ago.
Indians bought 194.3 tonnes of gold in 2019’s October-December festival period and 186.2 tonnes during the same period last year, World Gold Council data shows.
“Last year was an aberration,” Pethe said of last year’s peak sales period. This quarter, gold prices “have mellowed down and are favourable; weddings are also very high in number.”
Bullion surged to a record last year on massive stimulus measures unleashed by central banks during the pandemic, which sparked a rush of investor money into exchange-traded funds. — Bloomberg


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After a long break, MAVA Industrial returned to the exhibition stage.
Between 18 and 21 April 2022, Technomebel 2022 was held at the Inter Expo Center, Sofia.
At the company's stand, visitors were able to find their appropriate packaging or compressor solution and get acquainted with the latest amenities among measuring warehousing equipment.
The four & nbsp; days of intensive conversations and meetings with current and future partners were not only invigorating and motivating & nbsp; for the MAVA Industrial team, but also managed to restore the charm of personal communication, which has long faced challenging pandemic conditions.
Among the products that could be seen on the stand are:
- Packaging machines for various industries from leading global manufacturers such as: Robopac, Minipac-Torre, Strapack, etc.
- Compressor solutions of the highest class, thanks to KAESER, Germany
- Variety of quality packaging supplies from the company's long-term partner - SealedAir
- Fastening tools with the highest quality and impressive performance
- Measuring pallet trucks and forks from RAVAS
- New waste baling presses - a sought-after solution today
We look forward to the opportunity to meet again at the next exhibition.


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Why have sales been so low for the Wii U?
cuetip 50 weeks ago
The Wii U has been out for about 8 months now, and sales have not been good. Some figures I’ve seen suggest that the original Wii continues to outsell the Wii U even though Nintendo has cancelled most of the online services for the older system. At the same time, pre-orders for the PS4 and XBox One seem to be quite strong, and they won’t be on sale for at least another four months. What’s behind the slow sales of the Wii U?
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Raptr, which bills itself as the "leading online service for PC gamers," already had social features, time played tracking, and game optimization. Now you can use it to record or stream your games, too!
Rhapsody International, which operates the Rhapsody and Napster music services, said Tuesday it plans to expand in France and Latin America as a result of deals with mobile operators SRF and Telefonica.
In the U.S. alone, nearly $2 billion worth of Apple devices -- Macs, iPhones, iPads and iPods -- were sold on eBay over the last 12 months.
From now until the end of the month you can get a free copy of The Sims 2 through Origin.
As iOS 8--and, presumably, new iPhone and iPad hardware--approaches its release day, big changes are on the horizon for Apple's Touch ID, a technology that has been met with less enthusiasm than it deserves.
In happier news, next week your PS4 will be able to play 3D Blu-rays, and why that matters.
After seventeen years, Valve and ValveTime Database give us our first look at screenshots from the unreleased 1996 title Prospero.
Who needs a Fitbit anyway? Your iPhone can track your steps for you, but not every pedometer app can go the distance.
Nividia ought to market this new device as a solid general purpose tablet that also happens to play games.
Wireless broadband subscriptions now outnumber people in seven countries as consumers continue to snap up smartphones and tablets, according to a new report.
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Proterra has raised $140 million in equity funding in a Series 5 round that will help the electric bus startup scale its manufacturing as it doubles production to meet growing demand in the U.S.
The funding round was led by an undisclosed investor’s $40 million. Other investors that participated in the round include Tao Capital Partners, Kleiner Perkins, GM Ventures, Constellation Technology Ventures, 88 Green Ventures, and Edison Energy.
The funding follows recent sales momentum and the company’s unveiling in September 2016 of the Catalyst E2 Series, a new line of electric buses that can travel 350 miles on a single charge, enough for a full day.
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Proterra’s sales more than doubled in 2016 from the previous year, according to the company. To date, the company has sold more than 300 vehicles to 35 municipal, university, and commercial transit agencies throughout North America. Customers include transit companies in California, Illinois, Florida, and Utah.
Proterra CEO Ryan Popple told Fortune the company plans to increase production at its Greenville, South Carolina factory by 300%, and continue to hire talent to key positions at the plant, as well its operations in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley. The funds will also be used to initiate production at its factory in the City of Industry, Calif.
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In June, the company took the unusual step of releasing its patents on its fast-charging technology, in an effort to accelerate the adoption of electric transportation. Proterra will grant anyone royalty-free access to its patents covering its single-blade overhead charging design, as well as other related components.
Proterra raised $55 million in June 2015—$25 million of which was debt financing with Hercules Technology Growth Capital, as well as $30 million in equity from new and existing investors. Proterra previously raised about $135 million.


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LV= General Insurance (LV= GI) has introduced an Alexa voice skill for customers who have Amazon Alexa or Google Home Assistant smart speakers.
The insurance company said the application enables car insurance customers to ask questions about their policy using their home assistants. Initially, the skill will be able to handle more than 500 policy-based questions, said LV= GI. These commonly asked questions have been collated from LiveChat and call centre queries.
The company said it plans to update the voice skill regularly to add or refine answers, and update the software when required.
According to LV= GI, the voice assistant skill will be able to handle the 28,000-plus questions on policy documents that are received by call centre staff each month, freeing up time for more in-depth call-handling or claims.
LV= GI said the reason it developed an application that enables customers to use their smart speakers to find out policy information was to help people who are less able to use a computer or telephone to check their documents.
Last year, analyst Gartner predicted that consumer and business spending on smart speakers would top $3.5bn in 2021, providing an untapped channel for businesses to use to interact with customers.
LV= GI has estimated that there are 13 million smart speakers in the UK.
Jon Mansley, sales and marketing director at LV= GI, said: “With the launch of this new voice skill, customers can now find out details of their policy in a matter of seconds, simply by asking their smart device.”
However, as is the case with any skills not pre-integrated into the smart speaker, the customer needs to invoke a command to launch the skill, in this case, saying: “Open LV.”
Describing how the skill was developed, Mansley said: “What was clear from the outset was that our executive team saw the benefit in doing this, so, with their backing, we were immediately able to start work on delivering the project.
“However, one of our biggest challenges was turning potentially dry written policy information into realistic conversational language, while still ensuring that accurate and compliant information was provided. We believe what we’ve created has successfully overcome this challenge and we’re very pleased with what we’ve delivered.”
LV= GI worked with specialist agency Rabbit and Pork to build the voice assistant functionality, and plans to add other products to the voice assistant skill app.
When analyst Forrester looked at smart speakers in April 2019, it marked them down because they often failed to provide direct answers. “Instead of providing a quick response, most of the time, the IA [interactive assistant] made us go find the answer,” wrote Forrester analyst Collin Colburn in a blog post. “For about one-third of our questions, we were redirected to ‘something on the web’ for more information.”
Colburn also noted that smart speakers suffer from bad user experiences. “We, as humans, engage in conversations all the time, and naturally, we are hyper-aware when responses we receive to our questions are too fast or too long,” he wrote. “Specifically, at times, Alexa spoke without the regular human cadence of speech and Cortana blabbed on for more than 30 seconds at a time.”


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The D-Dalus propulsion system is unlike another other current airborne production technology in that is does not use propellers, helicopter blades or wings for lift.
Imagine rolling down the sidewalk, beach, forest path or park trail on an electrified, tracked snowboard. It appears that this will be just the thing for future shredders who want to zip up to 28 miles per hour without expending leg power.
Denmark is going to be the first test market for Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, it was announced yesterday. Electric Vehicle owners will be able sell back power from their EV batteries to the grid, with estimated compensation for EV owners of about $10,000 over the lifespan of the car.


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Debt is a concept as intricately intertwined with America
these days as baseball, mom and apple pie.
of personal debt in this country is ever increasing, and a large part of the reason
is that credit has never been easier to get. Whereas credit card issuers previously
looked for customers who could repay, today card issuers relish the chance to
reel in those who'll continuously charge beyond their means at 18 or 20 percent.
But debt is a complex
concept. Not all of it is good -- which surprising number of Americans fail to
realize until they're in the hole -- and yet not all of it is bad. When used intelligently,
debt can be of tremendous assistance in building wealth.
of the secrets, therefore, to being smart with your money is to differentiate
between good debt and bad debt. While the differences often seem logical, it is
a logic that apparently is missed by many Americans.
you buy something that goes down in value immediately, that's bad debt,"
says David Bach, CEO of Finish Rich Inc. and author of The
Finish Rich Workbook. "If it has no potential to increase in value,
that's bad debt."
"Good debt produces cash flow, and bad debt doesn't," says John
Waskin, CEO of national nonprofit debt counseling service Bill Free - American
Credit Counselors. "If you go into debt buying an apartment building that
will produce revenue and deductions, that's good debt.
debt is good debt. You're borrowing money, but you're getting a tax advantage
and can write off interest on an asset that's appreciating over time. Plus, you
get to live there."
Robert D. Manning, a professor of finance at the Rochester
Institute of Technology, also recommends taking on debts that are
tax-deductible, and debts that produce more wealth in the long run.
"If you are talking about reducing current
debt, that's where it starts to get nuanced," says Manning. "If you
take a home equity loan because you have 17 percent credit card, and you go with
a 6 percent loan that's tax-deductible, that's good debt."
general rules of thumb set some clear delineations -- buying a home or refinancing
to get rid of excessively high rates is usually good debt, as is generating debt
to buy high return stocks, bonds and other investments.
The concept of bad debt comes in when
discussing the purchase of disposable items or durable goods using high interest
credit cards and not paying the balance in full.
people have a difficult time living within their budget when they charge items
rather than paying cash," says Ann Ray, senior spokespwoman for the National
Foundation for Credit Counseling. "They lose track of how much they have
charged and are unable to pay the total amount by the due date.
less than the total balance results in additional interest charges making the
real cost of the item higher."
you make a partial payment on your credit account you are charged interest. The
disposable or durable item you purchased continues to lose value and the amount
you paid for it continues to increase.
"When you buy clothes,
they're probably worth less than 50 percent what you pay for them when you walk
out the door," says Bach. "So if you borrowed to pay for them, that's
Not to mention what that debt could potentially
do to your credit rating.
"Your unsecured debt, including
credit card bills, should not be above 20 percent of your annual income,"
says Michael Hirsch, debt product manager at LowerMyBills.com. "If it is,
it looks bad on your credit report, even if you're making payments on time.
recommended debt-to-income ratio is under 15 percent to help qualify you for the
lowest interest rates possible when extending your credit to buy a home or car."
it comes to buying durable goods that won't contribute to wealth generation, Bach
offers a basic rule of thumb.
"My grandma used to say
that if you're going to buy something that doesn't go up in value, and you can't
afford to pay cash, then you can't afford it."
the bad debt factor is that people will apply for store credit for the savings,
offers that say if you open a credit card account today, you can take 10 percent
to 20 percent off the cost of your purchase. What people often don't realize is
how much of that savings will be destroyed by the high interest rate on the card
if they fail to pay for the items immediately.
open a store credit card account," says Bach, "and what they're not
telling you is that after the first few months, the rate jumps to 20 percent or
Driving into debt
Another bad debt area is auto debt. While most people need
an automobile, and the ultimate cost of an auto is higher than many people can
pay in one lump sum, the way people go about it -- namely, purchasing more car
than they need -- turns it into bad debt.
can afford to pay cash for a car," says Waskin, "but not the car they
see themselves in from an ego extension standpoint. So you buy a car at a much
higher rate than a house, and that asset is worth less the day you drive it off
Bach considers auto debt a Catch-22.
borrow to buy cars before homes," says Bach, "and that's unfortunate.
For most people, their first major loan is a car loan. That's guaranteed to go
down in value. So you really want to borrow less. For example, instead of rushing
out to borrow to buy a $50,000 BMW, you'd be better off buying a $25,000 car."
reminds us that just a few years ago it might have made more sense to buy a car
at 6 percent or 7 percent, and then invest in other avenues and earn 10 percent
or higher on your money, than to pay off the car. Now, of course, with traditional
market investments substantially riskier, that is no longer the case.
best type of debt is debt that builds wealth over the long run, and the No. 1
example of that is mortgage debt.
"Home values have increased
an average of 6.5 percent a year over the past 30 years," says Bach. "So
when you borrow to buy a home, chances are that's good debt. You'll build value."
heavily promotes the idea of homeownership, saying that everyone needs to own
where they live.
"About 40 percent of Americans are renters,"
says Bach, "and the fastest way to wealth in America is buying where you
Bach cites some shocking numbers to back this
"The average renter has a median net worth of $4,000,
and the average homeowner has a median net worth of about $150,000."
also emphasizes what a good time this is to build wealth through debt.
is the most advantageous time ever to be in debt," says Manning, "in
terms of opportunities to get low income loans, or to renegotiate or refinance."
One of the reasons so many Americans
seem mired in bad debt (both Bach and Waskin report that the average American
carries approximately $8,400 in credit card debt) is that financial education
is virtually non-existent.
"This type of common
sense stuff isn't taught in school," says Bach, "and most Americans
don't realize how bad high-rate credit cards are hurting them."
are stupid people when it comes to financial education," says Waskin. "Only
40 percent of high school students receive any economic training. We don't teach
kids how to balance a checkbook, what a credit card is, paying rent. We just say,
'Figure it out.'"
"People are getting in debt before
they have a job," says Manning. "Education is important. We used to
encourage kids to save, and that has been missed. Students now refer to their
credit cards as yuppie food stamps. They see cards as entitlement, and see they
will be in debt all their lives."
Waskin says that the
way to fix this is to educate kids on the difference between good and bad debt,
and to return to some basic fiscal common sense.
need to go back to the fundamental values our parents and grandparents had, saving
for a rainy day," says Waskin. "The best thing you can do is hope for
the best, but plan for the worst."


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Kylie Jenner shares photos of Christmas presents marked 'wifey' and 'daddy' for her and beau Travis Scott
Kylie Jenner is moving on from the 'fake cheating' scandal, getting everything ready for Christmas.
The 21-year-old entrepreneur and reality star took to her Instagram story to share the first gifts under her Christmas tree, for 'daddy' and 'wifey' - the cute nicknames she and beau Travis Scott have for one another.
The gifts, like the tree and all the trimmings, were wrapped in gold wrapping paper.
Gifts for Daddy and Wifey: Kylie Jenner shared the first two gifts under her Christmas tree on Instagram Friday afternoon
Moving on: The starlet was moving on from the 'fake cheating' scandal that rocked the internet days before. Above Kylie and Travis are seen in May
Jenner wouldn't elaborate about the gifts, but she can be briefly seen in the reflection of the gold ornament bulb taking the video.
She was spotted earlier on Friday doing some shopping with her longtime BFF Jordyn Woods, wearing an all-black ensemble.
The outing also came as she shared shots from new new fashion collection with sister Kendall Jenner.
Christmas gifts: Jenner wouldn't elaborate about the gifts, but she can be briefly seen in the reflection of the gold ornament bulb taking the video
The sisters were seen wearing various items from the collection, including Kylie wearing a leopard print sports bra and jeans.
Kendall was wearing a pair of black biker shorts and a black oversized sweater in another shot.
The sister first formed their fashion line in 2012, with the latest shots taken by photographer Sasha Samsonova.
The outing occurred just as the 21-year-old siren broke her silence on the photo hoax that showed an image of a man who looked just like her beau Travis Scott with a sexy woman.
The image went vital but was a hoax. On Wednesday, YouTuber Christian Adam - a 20-year-old who lives in the Bahamas - admitted that he was behind a mysterious blurry photo that surfaced on social media Monday.
On Wednesday the daughter of Kris Jenner took to Instagram stories to express her concern for such a mean spirited move.
'Idk if this is really a social experiment to some people but you're messing with real people, real relationships, real family,' she said in a post.
Hell for leather: Kylie Jenner was spotted in leather pants on Friday as the 21-year-old did some shopping with BFF Jordyn Woods
Then she quickly deleted it.
The message also said, 'I'm happy my relationship is strong because this is getting out of hand. The internet scares me sometimes for real.'
Her sisters Kim and Khloe Kardashian said they were disgusted with the prank.
'I hate that I am bringing attention to this but this is absolutely disgusting that you would find this funny to mess with Travis & Kylie who just started a family together,' Kim, 38, tweeted Wednesday.
Shook: The outing occurred just as the 21-year-old siren broke her silence on the photo hoax that showed an image of a man who looked just like her beau Travis Scott with a sexy woman
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Dunkin’ Donuts announced this week it will open in Modesto on Aug. 26.
The chain’s Modesto location is at 1320 Standiford Ave., formerly occupied by a Boston Market and notable because it’s across the street from Mr. T’s Delicate Donut, a longstanding and popular independent shop.
For Dunkin’, it’s part of a push into California. The franchise will be operated by Sizzling Platter/Sizzling Donuts, which operates several restaurants in the West, according to a news release. Founded in 1950, the Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin’ Donuts operates nearly 11,000 restaurants in 33 countries.
Mallory Schluter of Formula PR Inc. is handling public relations for the Modesto restaurant. She said the operators plan to hire about 80 people; several hires have been made already and interviews were conducted on-site last week.
Doors open at 5 a.m., and Schluter said there will be a party to celebrate, complete with a special “California-inspired doughnut” and appearances by mascots Cuppy and Sprinkles.
But not everybody is thrilled about the developments. Though the owners of Mr. T’s said they are not concerned, a customer started a petition asking Dunkin’ Donuts to reconsider. The petition, started by Audrey Gnesa of Davis, seeks signatures from those who “feel that a successful and trustworthy family-owned business, such as Mr. T’s, should not have their clientele infringed upon by the Dunkin’ Donuts Corporation and this specific franchise that is threatening their business by moving just a donut hole’s throw away.”
Late last week, the petition had gathered more than 1,500 signatures. I asked Schluter for a response from the Dunkin’ operators; she was checking but did not get back to me.
I asked the owners of Mr. T’s for their thoughts. They said they didn’t have any comment about the planned opening. On their Facebook page, they say, “We aren’t worried about Dunkin’ Donuts. They also have the right to open their shops at any location they want. It’s just great to see our loyal customers supporting us!”
Some of those loyal customers spoke out on Friday when asked their thoughts about the competition.
“They’ll never make it trying to compete with this,” said longtime customer Bill Frame. “They’ll have to be more like a Starbucks.”
Indeed, the release from Dunkin’ Donuts points out that the restaurant is known for more than just fried, sugary treats.
“Our restaurant will feature Dunkin’ Donuts’ extensive array of high-quality hot and iced beverages, as well as sandwiches and baked goods, all served with the brand’s trademark fast and friendly service,” said Ted Morton, president and CEO of Sizzling Platter. “We hope to quickly become the go-to destination for Modesto’s morning coffee, afternoon snack and evening treat.”
Longtime Modestan Dee Mulligan, who drives across town to visit Mr. T’s, said she’ll “probably” try Dunkin’ Donuts. “But I’ll always come back here.”
Elsewhere around the Business Beat
Folks who have lived in the area for some time recall a Sears Outlet operating in Ceres. If you are among those who miss it, you will be pleased to know a new one has opened at 1800 Prescott Ave., Modesto.
According to a press release, the Modesto location is the seventh new Sears Outlet to open this year. The stores offer “new, one-of-a-kind, discontinued, used, reconditioned, overstocked, and cosmetically blemished products across a broad assortment of merchandise categories,” the release says. Those include home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, clothing, mattresses, sporting goods and tools, “marked significantly lower than manufacturers’ suggested retail prices.”
“The Modesto community can expect a treasure-hunt feel as they explore our wide variety of products, all at a great value,” store manager Sajid Malik said in the release. The store also offers delivery and installation.
The Sears Outlet is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call (209) 523-2602.


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If cyclone hits Indian shores tomorrow, we are not responsible. This is because Pokemon Go will arrive in India on December 14 exclusively via Reliance Jio.
After grabbing 50 million Reliance Jio customers, the company has established a strategic partnership with Niantic, who is the publisher of the augmented-reality game. If you are in India, the game will be available from December 14.
As part of the partnership, nearly thousands of Reliance Digital Stores and other select retail chains will most likely turn into Pokestops and Pokestations. You will be able to find real Pokemon Go characters.
As a user, you will be able to locate exclusive Pokemon Go channel in JioChat. You can establish connections with other players but also level-up quickly.
Responding to media, John Hanke, Chief Executive Officer and founder, Niantic revealed that they are delighted to partner with Jio to launch Pokemon Go in India. Hanke added that they are excited to see Pokemon fans in India step out and explore their neighborhoods in search of Pokemon. They are sure that Jio’s disruptive high speed 4G LTE will be an awesome way to experience the game. He also said that nearly 50 million subscribers are making effective use of 4G LTE ia Reliance Jio.
Originally launched in July 2016, Pokemon Go is fast becoming a huge sensation with over 500 million downloads. The game virtually disrupted the Indian gaming scenario to a large extent.
Even though Pokemon Go ha not yet launched in India, people have already started to play the game by downloading the apk file from various sources on the web.
That being said, a Gujarat-based resident filed a lawsuit against the augmented-reality game by stating that it hurts the sentiments of people. This is because te game allegedly shows eggs in religious places such as temples.
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The IGA supermarket group has hit back at retailing giants Coles and Woolworths, announcing its own petrol discount offer.
But unlike its rivals, which have formed multimillion-dollar alliances with petrol retailers, IGA will offer its customers discounts on petrol purchased at any service station they choose.
IGA's four-cents-a-litre discount offer will be launched in Queensland and northern NSW on Friday and is expected to be offered nationally soon.
It levels the field with the supermarket giants, which control 76 per cent of the grocery market.
However, Metcash, the grocery wholesaler that operates IGA supermarkets, will not be able to generate revenue from petrol sales to subsidise the offer.
The long-anticipated IGA move was a response to Coles' foray into petrol retailing in July, when it announced a joint venture with Shell that would link it with 584 service stations nationally by the middle of next year.
Woolworths, trading as Safeway in Victoria, started selling discount fuel seven years ago, but countered the Coles move by announcing a deal with Caltex, bringing 450 stations under its umbrella.
IGA spokesman John Hockings said customers could get discounts of up to eight cents a litre by obtaining a discount of fours cent a litre at one of the big retailers' aligned service stations and then bringing their receipts to an IGA store to double their discount.
"This has been very cost-effective for us in that we haven't had to outlay huge amounts of capital to procure service stations," Mr Hockings said.
Coles Myer said yesterday that it was still committed to its national rollout of Coles Express service stations, for which it paid Shell $94 million this year.
A company spokesman said he believed Coles still had the best fuel and supermarket deal on the market, but welcomed competition.
"The market continues to innovate and in this climate the customers will always be the winners," the spokesman said.
Woolworths spokesman Ian Brown said the IGA offer would not affect his company's petrol deal.
"I think people come to Woolworths and Safeway stores for much stronger reasons than simply the petrol discount," he said.
Independent petrol retailers, who have said they are being squeezed out of the market by the big players' discounts, yesterday applauded the IGA deal.
Independent Petroleum Marketers Association spokesman Arthur Nestor said the move would help independent petrol operators stay in business and would win back customers for IGA supermarkets.
"And they didn't have to pay $94 million for the privilege, did they? Coles shareholders wouldn't be too happy about that," Mr Nestor said.
Unaligned petrol retailer BP yesterday described the IGA announcement as a win-win for customers.


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Find up-to-date press releases, recent news coverage, and downloable brand assets and media material.
Shapeways Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of 2021
New York, NY - November 15, 2021 — NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Shapeways Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SHPW) (“Shapeways” or the “Company”), a leader in the large and fast-growing digital manufacturing industry, announced its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021. On September 29, 2021, the Company completed its business combination with Galileo Acquisition Corp. and its common stock and warrants began trading on the NYSE on September 30, 2021 under the new ticker “SHPW” and “SHPW WS,” respectively.
Shapeways and Desktop Metal Unveil Partnership to Increase Anytime, Anywhere Access to World-Class Additive Manufacturing Services
New York, NY / Boston, MA – November 11, 2021 — Shapeways Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SHPW) (“Shapeways” or the “Company”) and Desktop Metal, Inc. (NYSE: DM) (“Desktop Metal”) today unveiled a landmark partnership to offer manufacturing and engineering teams unprecedented flexibility and seamless access to industry-leading 3D printing services.
SHAPEWAYS REVISES THIRD QUARTER 2021 CONFERENCE CALL TIME (Timing of Earnings Release Remains Unchanged)
New York, NY, Monday, November 8, 2021 — Shapeways, Inc. (“Shapeways”) a leader in the large and fast-growing digital manufacturing industry, today announced that it will hold its conference call and webcast at 5:30 p.m. ET on Monday, November 15, 2021, instead of at its prior announced time of 5:00 p.m. The Company will still release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021, after the market close on Monday, November 15, 2021.
Shapeways Introduces Otto™ Software-as-a-Service, Giving Manufacturers Free Access to Powerful 3D Printing Manufacturing Services
New York, NY – October 19, 2021 — “Our goal with Otto is to make it incredibly easy and fast for any manufacturer anywhere to benefit from 3D printing,” said Greg Kress, CEO of Shapeways. “Enabling seamless access to world-class digital manufacturing removes the required capex and hassles of setting up dedicated production capabilities. Manufacturers can sign up for Otto free of charge and start using our services right away.”
Shapeways Appoints Leslie C. G. Campbell To Board Of Directors
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 — Shapeways, Inc. (NYSE: SHPW) (“the Company”), a leader in the large and fast-growing digital manufacturing industry, announced today the appointment of Leslie C. G. Campbell to the Company’s Board of Directors. Ms. Campbell will serve as an independent member of the Board, and as chair of the Compensation committee as well as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance committee.


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MONTREAL -- Bombardier's new CEO says the company has enough financial flexibility to complete its development projects including the CSeries commercial jet without selling assets at "fire sale" prices.
Peter J. Thompson/National PostChairman John Thornton has talked about a plan to take Barrick �back to the future.� Twitter · Google+ · LinkedIn · Email · Typo?
Mark Brown, national director of Canadian Union of Postal Workers, joined about 80 union members who canvassed a large section of Brampton's west end Saturday.
BlackBerry posted its lowest quarterly sales in more than eight years on Friday, as the Canadian smartphone maker struggled to find new revenue sources to offset dwindling sales of its handsets.
REGINA - There are 5,109,059 million people in Norway who, by 2020, will have one trillion dollars in oil revenue savings. It's only been since 1963 that Norway asserted its sovereign rights over North Sea oil and only since 1980 that it had its first producing ...


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The demand for Street 750 which was launched exactly a month ago in our markets is somewhat of an eye opener. Initially it was planned that Harley-Davidson India (HD) will deliver bikes by June but owing to higher demand the customers have to wait for an additional 3 months as the deliveries have been pushed to September 2014, according to Financial Express.
The Street 750 has already attained a local content percentage of a good 60% making the bike cheaper and a pain in the you-know-what for the good, old Royal thumpers.
The Steet 750’s V-Twin engine components and parts of powertrain are still being imported, but the majority of other bits and pieces are being sourced locally in India. The bike currently retails at about INR 4.10 lakhs ex-showroom, Delhi, and you can have it on the road and riding home for less than INR 5.00 lakhs at almost all cities of India.
So, what clicked for the Hog here? The price; for one thing, and the sheer timing. A generation fed on cable TV and Hollywood was getting up and about and they had that more important green ones in satisfactory quantities. No surfeit; mind you, just enough and a helping hand of the banks. The boys wanted a something to give voice to their cubicle-confined aspirations of cross country touring and HD stepped in to grant it. The Street 750 and the upcoming Street 500 are quintessentially Harley-Davidson but in a much more chewable chunk.
Currently, HD India has its CKD assembly plant at Bawal, Haryana and a total of 13 dealers in India. The company plans to invade the promising Tier-II cities like Coimbatore, Kozikode (Calicut), Surat and Guwahati during their next phase of expansion. Another assembly facility located in one of the southern states would make sense but as of now HD is concentrating on Bawal and trucking the comparably limited number of units to the rest of the country.
Harley-Davidson also plans to export the Street 750 and the Street 500 bikes from India. However, as of now, the launch date of Street 500 has not been made public and we believe it will be launched sometime next year.


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Turkey said in Presidential decree Posted early Saturday: It has added cryptocurrency trading platforms to the list of companies covered by the AML / CFT Regulation.
The move came after Turkey’s central bank last month banned the use of crypto assets for payments on the grounds that such transactions are risky.
The ban went into effect in Turkey on Friday, and was provided in response to allegations that such transactions could cause irreparable damage.
The presidential decree makes the crypto asset service providers responsible for not unlawfully using their assets, and the decree entered into force immediately with its publication in the Official Gazette of Turkey.
Last month, Turkish authorities launched fraud investigations on two cryptocurrency exchanges, Thodex and Vebitcoin.
Six suspects in connection with the Thodex investigation have been jailed pending trial, including the brothers of the platform’s CEO Faruk Fatih Ozer, whom Turkish authorities are seeking to search for after he traveled to Albania.
Interpol has issued an arrest warrant for the company’s CEO on behalf of Turkey.
The investigation into Thodex, which handled hundreds of millions of dollars in daily deals, initially led to the arrest of 83 people after customers complained they had no access to their money.
Cryptocurrencies are increasingly attracting Turks as a buffer against a falling lira and rising inflation, and the central bank ban has sparked a fear that even holding cryptocurrencies might later become illegal.
Before the start of the government campaign, estimates of the proposed daily circulation around the world for digital currencies indicated 2 billion dollars, and Turkey’s share is 16 percent of the total and ranks fourth.
Cryptocurrency prices have risen recently amid growing social acceptance, with companies like Tesla accepting Bitcoin payments.
The director general of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) slammed Bitcoin earlier this year, arguing that it lacked any intrinsic value and consumed more electricity than Switzerland as a whole.
The Bank for International Settlements, which represents the interests of the Federal Reserve, the Bank of England and others, this month warned that oversight of digital currencies is still in its infancy, with many of the world’s leading economies still developing an approach to crypto assets.
The Turkish government appears to have many legitimate regulatory concerns about the dual risks of tokens used in money laundering and terrorist financing.


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In a major statement of its intentions for North American expansion, MSC Cruises has signed a letter of intent with PortMiami for the development of a new cruise terminal at the port […]
This year a total of 24 new cruise ships will be delivered, introducing 42,488 new berths to the global fleet and representing an investment by cruise lines of US $10-billion.
Viking Sun will cruise via Muscat, Oman on her 2020-21 World Cruise, a 161-day voyage that visits 75 ports on six continents, staying overnight in 13 of them.
Oceania Cruises, the upper-premium subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line has ordered two new cruise ships from Italian shipyard Fincantieri.
MSC Cruises has celebrated the ‘float out’ of its first Meraviglia-plus class cruise ship MSC Grandiosa at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
Cunard will spend a full season in Alaska from June through to September in 2020 on the newly-refurbished Queen Elizabeth, marking the cruise line’s return to the region after a 20-year break.
Holland America Line will reinstate Turkey as a port of call on its European itineraries as part of a six-ship line-up for the region that includes the fjords of Norway, castles of […]
Silver Wind is to become an ice-class cruise ship, capable of polar cruising, during her upcoming 2020 refit and refurbishment, Silversea Cruises has announced.
Carnival Cruise Line has announced an expansion of its 2020 West Coast cruise program, with Carnival Miracle to cruise roundtrip from San Francisco for the first time, in addition to an extended […]
Royal Caribbean has announced plans to homeport one of the largest cruise ships in the world, Oasis of the Seas, in New York from May to August, 2020.


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The four parks will be set up in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, sources said, adding that Uttarakhand and Gujarat have also approached the Centre for a go-ahead for such parks.
These parks will provide necessary infrastructure, where companies can easily plug and play, sources said.
This will not only cut import bill but will also help in easy access to standard testing facilities and reduce cost of production, they said.
The project of Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone for creation of Common Facility Centre (CFC) for Superconducting Magnetic Coil Testing and Research was given in-principle approval recently.
The scheme proposes to provide Rs 25 crore or 70 per cent of the project cost of setting up of CFCs, whichever is less, for creation of common facilities in any upcoming park.
According to estimates, the medical devices retail market in the country is of around Rs 70,000 crore. The domestic medical devices industry is very small even though India is the fourth largest market in Asia.
India is largely an importer of medical devices, with domestic industry accounting for about 2 per cent of the global industry which stands at USD 250 billion, as per the estimates.
- Front Page
- Pure Politics
- ET Markets
- Smart Investing
- Indices Rally on Positive Cues from Fed Minutes
Indian equities made a dramatic surge in the last half hour of trade on Thursday – the last day of the November derivatives series – with two of the biggest gauges advancing over 1% led by information technology companies and the HDFC twins.Will Implement UCC but After Open and Healthy Debate: Shah
Union home minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that the BJP is firm on implementing Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across the country but keeping democratic norms in mind, this should be done only after healthy and open discussions have taken place.LNG Storage Planned at Major Ports at ₹20,000cr Investment
India is preparing a roadmap for setting up floating storage facilities for liquefied natural gas (LNG) at all its major ports, a senior government official aware of the matter said.
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In the latest expansion of General Motors’ safety crisis, the automaker said Monday that it was recalling 3.36 million cars worldwide because they might suddenly switch off if their keys are carrying extra weight and the vehicles experience a “jarring event,” like hitting a pothole or crossing railroad tracks.
The problem bears a striking similarity to a deadly defect that GM failed to correct for more than a decade and has linked to at least 13 fatalities and 54 crashes. In February, the automaker started recalling 2.6 million Chevrolet Cobalts, Saturn Ions and other small cars, saying that if their keys were bumped or jostled, their engines could turn off, disabling critical systems like steering, brakes and air bags.
GM said it was aware of eight crashes and six injuries tied to the problem involved in the latest recall.
The news followed a separate report Monday in which GM said it had repaired only 7 percent of the original 2.6 million recalled products. GM says fixes have been delayed as switch maker Delphi starts making the part for cars that are no longer being produced. Through Thursday, GM had repaired almost 177,000 cars and shipped about 423,000 parts kits to dealers worldwide
For Monday’s recall, GM will add an insert to the slotted keys of the recalled vehicles, leaving a 4-by-6-millimeter hole through which the key ring may be attached.
Similarly, in 2006, the automaker sent dealers a technical service bulletin - a notice that is not supposed to be used to fix safety problems - offering a key insert for the Cobalt that would “result in keys not hanging as low as in the past.”
Dealers were also informed to advise customers to remove unessential items from their key chains.
The vehicles being recalled include some of GM’s most popular sedans: the 2006-14 Chevrolet Impala and the 2006-08 Monte Carlo, the 2005-09 Buick Lacrosse, the 2006-11 Lucerne, the 2004-05 Regal LS and GS, the 2000-05 Cadillac Deville and the 2004-11 Cadillac DTS.
The Chevrolet Impala is the only model still in production and is sold to daily rental fleets as the Impala Limited.
Monday’s recall follows another recall last week of more than half a million Chevrolet Camaros because its keys could turn if bumped by a driver’s knee.


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We have great news.
Since 1996, Amway has offered quality consumer goods and our business opportunity to the people of Greece.
Despite the country’s economic crisis, our business is steady.
And after a ceremonious ribbon cutting with Deputy Mayor Nikolaos Alepous, our employees and distributors are proud to announce that Amway Greece – now 16 years old – has opened a sparkling new headquarters.
Located in the bustling Athens suburb of Maroussi, our new base of operations is designed with our distributors in mind – to help enthusiastic entrepreneurs build their businesses.
The brightly lit, colorful experience center and training facility provide distributors with an elegant space and contemporary tools to introduce different consumer segments to our nutrition, beauty and home products, and the Amway business opportunity. This exciting business site also serves to strengthen the brand of Amway – ranked as the #2 direct seller in Europe.
In the past two weeks, 15 training sessions have been conducted, and hundreds of distributors have invited their customers to show off the new space.
Congratulations to our friends in Maroussi! This is great news, indeed.


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SUNFLOW METALS LTD Q4 RESULTS
Top dons of D-Street out with Q3 results; check who can fit in your portfolio better
The quarter remained special for Tata Steel as the metal major got back to the profit-making mode by posting a consolidated net profit of Rs 231.40 crore.
IMFA Q4 revenues rise 19% to Rs 379 crore
Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys (IMFA) Limited has posted a 19% rise in revenues to Rs 379 crore in Q4 ending March 31, 2013, against Rs 318.49 crore in the previous corresponding period.
Sensex in positive territory, realty, auto, metals advance
The stock market is likely to remain rangebound in the near term. Earnings-based a...
Hindalco Q4 net doubles to Rs 664 cr on high metal demand from auto cos
Metals major Hindalco Industries, a flagship company of the Aditya Birla group, more-than doubled its fourth quarter net profit as auto makers bought more aluminium to reduce car weight and improve fuel consumption.
Global brokerages give 'buy' ratings on these five stocks post Q2 results
Hindustan Zinc, RBL Bank, Havells, Infosys and TCS are among the top stocks that top global brokerages are bullish on post September quarter results.
SAIL Q4 profit marginally up 1.35% at Rs 452.58 crore
The steel giant registered an increase of 20.6 per cent in net profit to Rs 2,616 crore in FY14, up from Rs 2,170 crore in FY13, on a standalone basis.
Vedanta sells 1.6 MT of iron ore from Goa in January-March
For the entire fiscal, Vedanta said production at Goa was 2.2 MT and sales were 2.2 MT, including 1.4 MT of traded ore purchased from the e-auctions.
Hindalco Q4 net profit down 24.68% at Rs 482.03 crore
Hindalco Industries reported 24.68 per cent decline in standalone net profit at Rs 482.03 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2013.
Hero Honda Q4 profit zooms 49%
Hero Honda, India’s largest two-wheeler maker, said on Monday that the twin effects of slower industry growth and higher commodity prices in 2010-11 could affect profit margins and halve its sky-high sales growth rate.
Hindustan Zinc Limited posts Q3 net profit of Rs 1,811 crore
HZL has posted a Q3 net profit of Rs 1811 crore, down 23.9% over Rs 2380 in the same period last year, on lower metal prices and outgo on newly levied DMF.
Vedanta Aluminium plans restructuring, stops ramp ups at plant
The firm has been facing a challenging environment as commodity prices are undergoing a volatile phase leading to downward pressure on prices, affecting profit.
Q4 earnings expected to be very strong: Aditya Narain, Citigroup
Aditya Narain, MD & HoR, India, Citigroup, in a chat with ET Now talks about his expectations on earnings and markets.
India Inc to see muted earnings for one more quarter, but worst is over
Profitability continues to grow across a wider spectrum of companies due to reduced input prices and also on account of lower interest outgo.
NALCO's net profit jumps by 31% to Rs 1069 crore
The sales turnover of Rs 5958.98 crore, also showed a rise of 18 per cent, from Rs 5054.73 crore achieved in the previous fiscal.
Stocks to buy and avoid ahead of Jan-March results
The earnings season for quarter ended March 2013 is on the anvil and market is not expecting the corporates to surprise on the upside due to revenue deceleration.
Copyright © 2020 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service


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Brands continue to support the creator economy by seeing how productive these campaigns are in driving results and increasing brand awareness to a relevant buying audience. As social media platforms continue to grow, and TikTok continues to expand as a dominant platform, creators will continue to build their brands and audiences.
The patterns we’re seeing show the value in the creator economy. Brands spending on influencer marketing, directly supporting creators, and emerging new partnership types is a testament to the creator economy’s legitimacy and suspected growth.
In the end, buying into your brand works and the results speak for themselves.
Top Spenders on YouTube
NeoReach’s quarterly reports analyse in-depth brand spending statistics to show just how successful sponsored videos can be, specifically looking at YouTube. In 2020 alone, there were nearly 4,500 qualifying brand videos on the platform ranging from tech videos all the way to travel videos. If you’re looking for sponsored content, be sure to check out what you’re passionate about on YouTube. Another important distinction is that almost 100% of sponsored videos used a call to action of ‘click link in bio’ or direct purchase page – pointing to the strategies for success on the platform.
The top ten highest-spending brands for last week spent a total of $33,472,278 on YouTube sponsored content with the top four spenders – Keeps, Google, GFuel, and ExpressVPN– all spending over $400K in IMV for the week.
This means that on YouTube alone, the data is showing brands not only trust this medium of marketing, but they are willing and able to make substantial investments week after week. Why brands invest in creators on YouTube and other social platforms is no longer the question. Influencer marketing campaigns have proven results and the market has created a whole new creator economy!
Based on the findings from the Creator Earnings Benchmark Report, we learn that $800 million in venture capital has been invested into creator economy startups between October 2020 and April 2021. 43% of surveyed creators reported making $50k in annual income or higher from their content. That is an extremely impressive number of brands that are playing a substantial role in supporting full-time creators in the creator economy.
Monetisation of creator content is done through ways like brand deals, merch lines, sponsored posts, and ads with 77% of surveyed creator income coming directly from brand deals.
TikTok: A Category of Its Own
As the social media platform TikTok continues to rise in popularity, so do the ads that go on the app. For example, there are five major types of ads: in-feed ads, brand takeovers, top views, branded hashtags, and branded effects.
As you should have noticed, TikTok has been taking the world by storm with tons of different ads and influencers from all walks of life. Not to mention the overwhelming flux of screen time the platform garners from its audience.
What are the most popular industries on TikTok and which brands are investing in the economy? Our research shows that the current top three industries are food and drink, beauty, and travel. Some of the top brands include Instant Pot, Covergirl, and Hotwire.
Brands have recognised the asset that is TikTok to their marketing strategy – from its viral potential to its massive, engaged audience. New creators are able to capitalise on their content on TikTok quicker, and with more ease than ever before.
As the results show, the creator economy is extremely resourceful and continues to grow. Social media platforms continue to lead the conversation in terms of marketing and it’s just going to be uphill from here. It has never been a better time to build a brand for yourself.


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Xiaomi has recently made an exciting announcement for its users in India. The company has introduced an extended warranty program for a range of its smartphones, providing additional support and coverage for existing device owners. The extended warranty covers popular models such as the Mi 11 Ultra, as well as several devices from the Redmi Note 10 series.
Xiaomi’s Extended Warranty Program details
This move comes as a response to some reported issues faced by users, including camera malfunctions, unresponsive system UI, and power-on problems with the POCO X3 Pro. mi has recognized these concerns and aims to address them by offering an extended warranty period of two years from the date of purchase for the mentioned devices. This step is a testament to the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction and its dedication to providing top-notch after-sales service.
The announcement was made on the company’s Discord channel during a fan meet, indicating the company’s desire to engage directly with its customers and address their concerns. While the news was initially shared on Discord, they are expected to make official announcements on other social media platforms to ensure that all users are aware of this extended warranty program.
The devices covered under the extended warranty program include the Redmi Note 10, Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, Mi 11 Ultra, and POCO X3 Pro. By extending the warranty for these smartphones, they aim to provide peace of mind to their users and assure them of the company’s commitment to resolving any issues they may encounter.
This announcement is particularly significant for users who have experienced problems such as camera malfunctions and unresponsive system UI. With the extended warranty in place, affected users can now seek support from them to rectify these issues and ensure that their devices perform optimally.
By extending the warranty period, they demonstrate its dedication to delivering reliable and high-quality smartphones. It is a testament to the brand’s commitment to customer satisfaction and its willingness to go the extra mile to address any concerns faced by its users.
As the company continues to expand its presence in the Indian market, initiatives like the extended warranty program are crucial in fostering customer loyalty and trust. By offering additional support and coverage for its smartphones, it solidifies its position as a customer-centric brand that values the satisfaction and experience of its users.
Users of the Mi 11 Ultra, Redmi Note 10 series, and POCO X3 Pro can now rest assured knowing that the company is standing behind their devices and is ready to assist in resolving any issues they may encounter. With this extended warranty program, it reaffirms its commitment to providing excellent customer service and ensuring the longevity and performance of its smartphones.
As for now further announcements across various platforms, users are encouraged to take advantage of the extended warranty program if they own one of the eligible devices.


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With the federal government now shut down, many government services and agencies are closed, suspended or otherwise impacted. Below is a list of offices and agencies that are affected until congressional leaders and the president reach an agreement on a continuing resolution to reopen the government, along with the potential number of employees affected.
“It sounds like a shot in the arm with no downside”—City council president Blair Patton in Choteau, Montana, whose town is gearing up for an economic boom coming from a new equipment plant supplying machinery to Canada’s tar sands. Quoted in the Billings Gazette.
“More than 22 percent of the water consumed worldwide is imported as virtual water, meaning that water is used elsewhere to produce an Imported commodity. Shades of green indicate water-exporting nations; lighter shades and slimmer arrows signify smaller volumes. Other colors highlight nations importing virtual water, with red nations importing the most.”—
“Rather than continue to fight, we’d much prefer to work on a mutually beneficial solution – collaborating on a wolf and wildlife-friendly beef labeling program that would offer livestock producers who embrace conservation the opportunity to realize the significant economic and marketing benefits from doing so. … We would welcome the opportunity to sit down with you, and other stakeholders, in February to discuss this concept.”—
An excerpt from a letter by Oregon Wild Conservation Director, Steve Pedery, sent to the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association with a proposal to bind the two loggerheads with a single common interest of wolf-friendly beef.
“Ski resorts self-report substantially more natural snowfall on weekends. Resorts that plausibly reap greater benefits from exaggerating do it more. Data on website visits suggests that consumers are appropriately skeptical of weekend reports. … resorts do indeed report 23 percent more new natural snow on Saturday and Sunday mornings (1.59 inches vs. 1.29 inches, p-value = 0.014). This “weekend effect” is substantial in absolute as well as percentage terms.”—Wintertime for Deceptive Advertising (PDF), a paper by Dartmouth profs and the National Bureau of Economic Research, explains how the ski industry lies about snowfall on the weekends, to try and get more customers.
“Collectively, women’s magazines—by which I mean the whole field, from fashion titles like Vogue and Elle to health publications like Self and Women’s Health to the more general sex-and-diet-tips mags like Glamour or Cosmopolitan (does that even still exist?)—reach millions upon millions of readers each month. So the lack of willingness to cover globally important topics is dismaying. It’s a colossal missed opportunity…
…[There are] some serious institutional problems, and these can lead to 1) lack of coverage of important topics, 2) less-than-completely-truthful coverage of important topics, and 3) complete and utter bullshit coverage of important topics.”—
Rosner writes (award-winning stories) for us, too. She’s awesome!


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Bloomington Gold closes an era as it finished a spectacular 2012 event at Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, IL and moves to downstate Illinois on the campus of the University of Illinois, Champaign for 2013.
Guy Larsen, owner and President said “we had a good run at Pheasant Run but it is time to move to a new location. Downstate will offer a more convenient location for the majority of our customers.”
Champaign in 2013 will also offer Bloomington Gold the ability to produce events that have not been possible to do in St. Charles. For instance, the Road Tour will be able to feature convenient country roads and spectacular scenery ending in downtown Champaign for an evening of food and entertainment.
Bloomington Gold will be able to do mini-tours of small groups to interesting destinations and they will be done all days of the show and will also offer an Autocross event in the coming years.
For the show this year, eighty-five Corvettes received the Gold Certificate and the Survivor Collector Car event had seven ZZenith awards.
In its third year, ten people/organizations and ten cars were also inducted into the Great Hall which will feature fifty people/organizations and fifty cars over a five year period.
Mecum Auction had a very successful auction at Bloomington Gold and in total there were over 400 new and used Corvettes for sale at Bloomington Gold in the auction, the dealers and the cars for sale by owner area.
Chevrolet brought six 2013 Corvettes including the new, powerful 427 convertible, a Z06 and a ZR1 to the show.
In addition, hundreds of people participated in the Ride-and-Drive Experience with Chevrolet and had a chance to test drive a number of brands including an Equinox, Traverse, Silverado, Cruse, Malibu, Camaro, Volt, Sonic and a Corvette Grand Sport.
See you in Champaign in 2013, June 27-30.


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AT&T this morning announced the Huawei Impulse 4G, a low-end entry into Android and AT&T's "4G" market. Available Sept. 18 for just $29.99 on contract, the Impulse 4G is a 3.8-inch device at the usual 480x800 resolution, running Android 2.2. It's got a 5MP camera on the back with autofocus and flash, and it records video in 720p. Data plans start at $15.
- Related devices:


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Singapore: Nokia Lumia 800 update (12070) triples battery life
Late last year Nokia begun its comeback with its big push into the Windows Phone 7 platform, which the company is pinning its hopes on to grab back smartphone market share it has lost to the likes of Apple and Samsung. It launched the Lumia 800 that was well received by owners and reviewers alike, but battery life on the handset has been an issue. Now though we can tell you that a Nokia Lumia 800 update (12070) has begun rolling out in Singapore, and is thought to triple the battery life.
Owners of the Lumia 800 have been plagued with charging issues with the handset with some not being able to fire up the handset once the battery life has been run down, but luckily Nokia has been pretty quick pushing out two updates already, and according to SlashGear a third one has begun rolling out in Singapore.
This latest update is going under the 12070 version number, and it is being claimed the update almost tripled the handsets battery life, which will go down very well with owners. The software has been worked on so the handset only draws 70mA of battery power when the device is in idle mode.
There have also been a number of other enhancements with the update that includes improved screen brightness controls, and better white balance in the camera app. There were issues reported previously regarding the bass on the audio, which have reportedly now been addressed, and users on xda-developers have discovered references to a number of new camera features that include a panorama mode.
Currently the update is only available to users in Singapore, and unfortunately there has been no information from Nokia when the update will reach handsets in other regions, but usually the company posts major updates on its Nokia Conversations blog.
Have you been disappointed with the battery life on the Nokia Lumia 800?


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Central Wanganui retailers are looking for an events-driven kickstart to the year to make up for a disappointing end to 2011.
Latest data from Eftpos service provider Paymark showed the value of transactions processed in December fell 0.7 per cent on the same month in 2010. However, a flurry of key events looks set to give some impetus to the local economy.
Starting next week is the International New Zealand Vintage Car Club Rally which is set to bring $12 million to the region. Wellington Anniversary Weekend could also be prosperous with a range of events centred around the rally, including the Mainstreet Wanganui Caboodle (see sidebar).
Following on from those are the World Jet Sprint Series championships at the Shelter View Track at Upokongaro in February.
Mainstreet marketing manager Elise Goodge said most CBD retailers had reported a slight increase on 2010 or the same turnover.
"They had hoped for a significant increase. Initial paymark figures indicated a 1 per cent growth in Wanganui which to me sounded about right.
"They are now reporting a 0.7 per cent decrease shows that in the week before Christmas spending died off."
The internet was having a huge impact on retail turnover.
"Big online companies can undercut retail outlets as they don't have the same overheads. Being a small town we don't have the diversity of product on the shelves that is available on the internet.
"I believe very shortly that in order to survive many stores will have to have two shop fronts, one on the street and one online."
By region, annual spending growth through Paymark was strongest in Palmerston North (+7.7 per cent), South Canterbury (+6.9 per cent), Southland (+6.5 per cent), Otago (+5.4 per cent) and Auckland/Northland (+5.2 per cent).
Weak annual growth rates were recorded in Canterbury (-0.9 per cent), Marlborough (-0.8 per cent) and Wanganui (-0.7 per cent).
The December figures showed that while the value of transactions fell 0.7 per cent, the volume dropped by only 0.2 per cent.
Ms Goodge said this variation may be explained by some families who had set rules to help them get through the festive season with their credit card intact. "Such as putting a limit of $5 on gifts or having a secret Santa so that you only have to buy one gift. I also spoke to many people who had, had trouble affording Christmas dinner and had abandoned expensive hams and lamb roasts in favour of chicken or a barbecue with meat patties and sausages."
Some Wanganui people were shopping out of town, especially in Palmerston North, which helped explain the large rise there.
It also had a bigger catchment.
"Wanganui loses custom there due to the diversity of stores and the longer opening hours of the retailers there."
But Wanganui had a successful late shopping night on Thursday, December 22 with some retailers reporting it was the biggest pre-Christmas late night they had ever had.
Boxing Day was also a big success for many retailers in the CBD, Ms Goodge said.
Christmas party bookings were up a little last year in Wanganui though companies still weren't spending on Christmas parties like they did several years ago, she said.
Weddings were on the increase with a lot booked for September through to January resulting in positive flow through to the hospitality sector, she said.
Ms Goodge was fearful that people who had paid for Christmas on their credit cards might impact on spending later in the year.
"We are not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination."
While the hospitality sector tended to reap most off the back of the large-scale events, Wanganui has a lot to look forward to in this next quarter with the International VCC Rally and the World Jet Sprint Championships coming to town.
"All events are good for the local economy as they bring people to town who intend to spend money."


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- Jacksonville teacher accused of using racial slur in conversation with students
- Post on Jacksonville Facebook page asks where to 'turn over' children
- Florida Senate passes bill approving year-round Daylight Saving Time
- Roofer accused of grand theft has been punished 5 times by state
Target, which hiked starting pay to $11 an hour last fall, said all workers this spring will receive a minimum of $12 per hour.
CEO Brian Cornell said Tuesday that Target will offer workers $15 an hour by 2020. He says Target Corp. recorded a significant spike in applicants when it boosted pay, and a better quality of worker, too.
© 2018 Cox Media Group.


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Latest Eldon James Corporation Stories
The Eldon James Corporation, a plastic tubing and connector manufacturer, held a “pink out” day to raise awareness among employees for breast cancer.
EJ BioMed, an Eldon James Company, announced today that they will be showcasing a full line of true metric tubing and connectors from 4mm to 25mm ID at Compamed in Dusseldorf, Germany – November
The Eldon James Corporation announced today that it has been named a Colorado Company to Watch, recognizing the success and influence that the company has had throughout the state of Colorado
EJ Beverage, a division of the Eldon James Corporation, is launching a new draught line conversion kit with PVC FREE and antimicrobial tubing for the home dispensing market.
Eldon James Corporation, a leading manufacturer of PVC FREE tubing and connectors, announced today the promotion of Chene Cramer to the position of general manager.
EJ BioMed, an Eldon James Company, announced today that they will have an expanded presence this year at the MD&M West exhibition in Anaheim, February 11-13.
Eldon James, an innovative U.S.
Eldon James Corporation, a leading U.S.
Eldon James Corporation – a leading, U.S. based manufacturer of plastic tubing and fittings, announced a major breakthrough for the beer and beverage industry.
Eldon James Corporation – a leading U.S.
- A young chicken: also used as a pet name for children.


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Snapchat is getting into advance AR and e-commerce adoption
Snapchat announced a global partnership (“The AR Lab”) to help brands build and deliver immersive experiences for consumers using Augmented Reality (“AR”). With a particular focus on e-commerce, the partnership combines Snap’s leading AR technology with WPP’s integrated capabilities across creative, media, commerce and technology, allowing WPP clients to better connect with their customers on the Snapchat platform and drive meaningful business results through AR
According to a recent study by Snap, 94% of people are expecting to use AR for shopping purposes the same as or more than 2022 versus 2021.
So, This might be the best time for Snapchat to step into AR-based e-commerce.


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The heat in the Salinas, CA, area is affecting crops there, lowering volumes and causing prices to rise.
While strawberries, cauliflower and broccoli are seeing higher prices, the heat is harming quality for leafy vegetables, causing those markets to soften in mid-June, says Mark Shaw, vice president of operations for Markon Cooperative, BB #:123315 Salinas.
Shaw went into more detail on some crops that are covered in this week’s Fresh Crop Report.
Strawberries -Prices are inching up; demand is strong. The Santa Maria crop is past peak production. California harvesting is centered in the Salinas/Watsonville growing areas.
• Salinas/Watsonville: Supplies are ample; Quality is good
• Santa Maria: Production is past peak levels; Stocks are diminishing; Quality is good
Cauliflower -The market is on the rise, and supplies will be very limited over the next several weeks.
• Recent warm weather has accelerated maturity which is creating a gap in supply
• Harvest crews are having to sort for optimal size, which is slowing production and reducing yields
• Quality is average
Broccoli -Prices continue to rise, and supplies are tightening up quickly
• California’s Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys have experienced volatile weather in late May and early June including heat spikes and late season showers which have taken their toll on broccoli quality. Hollow core is also present in broccoli crown supplies as well as occasional brown or yellow beads; Respiration rates have increased, causing increased oxidation on the cut ends in floret packs
• Managing the cold chain throughout shipping will help maximize quality and overall shelf life, but we can expect to see quality concerns for the next week
Iceberg -Prices are sliding into the week, but supplies are plentiful
• Market will be weak early this week but should begin to turn by late this week as supplies will begin to tighten again
• Quality has been good, some challenges we are currently facing, growth crack, mildew and fringe burn
Romaine -Prices remain depressed
• Quality is a struggle due to the heat the Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys of California have received over the past few weeks
• Main challenge has been fringe burn and mildew
Cantaloupes -Jumbo and large sizes dominate the crop
• Domestic 6- and 9-count cantaloupes are available; supplies are adequate. 12-count melons are extremely limited; prices are elevated; 15- and 18-count cantaloupes are even virtually non existent
• Small sizes 15- and 18-count will remain scarce through June until production in California’s San Joaquin Valley begins July 6
• Limited quantities of cantaloupes are available on the East Coast out of Florida and Georgia
• Quality and flavor out of California has been very good