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The 2nd Guangzhou International Exhibition of 3D Printing Technology Industry will be held at the Canton Fair Pazhou Exhibition Hall from April 6 to 8, 2015.
After this year’s successful event with more than 86 companies showcasing their latest products and technologies, the Guangzhou International 3D Printing Exhibition goes into its second round in April 2015.
According to organisers the majority of companies such as 3D Systems, Materialise, Huashu tech, Lian Tai Technology, CEL, Tier Time, Binhu Electromechanical, Kevvox, E-sun, Flashforge, ShanGu, YiLin, ZBOT, ONROL, Tianqi, Silverage etc. will take part in the event again.
“As one of China’s largest 3D printing exhibitions, we’ve been striving to become the largest and most influential professional exhibition in the world. With the assistance of many other friend industry associations & Media from United States, Germany, Belgium, South Korea, Singapore, HongKong, Taiwan and China mainland, we intend to create a 3D multi-industry event. Focused on innovative applications of 3D printing technology and relying on region of Guangzhou, our goal is to promote industrial restructuring and integrating of 3D printing technology at home and abroad and to form agglomeration effects! By developing materials, equipment will be upgraded accordingly, which will promote the development of R & D, build the Guangzhou 3D printing industry brand exhibition and promote the rapid development of 3D printing industry.”
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Bosses at a Black Country chip shop serving up a Christmas dinner with a difference said customers had been flocking to get their hands on the novel festive menu.
Battered turkey, sprouts and Christmas puds are among the unusual items that feature at Bearwood Fish Bar.
Owners Maxine and Steven Devonport said they were delighted their festive fried food is proving so popular among customers at the shop in Three Shires Oak Road.
On the menu is a complete battered dinner, which includes turkey, sprouts, pigs in blankets or sausage wrapped in bacon, stuffing and parsnips. They also have battered mince pies and Christmas puddings on sale.
The couple say their new festive menu is proving to be a hit among customers.Subscribe to our Newsletter

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The weekend is here and it’s time to log off! But, before you go, what did the stock market do today?
The S&P 500 gained 1.09%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.67%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also gained, to the tune of 1.44%. Stocks continued their recovery rally after selling off in the wake of news that President Joe Biden is revaluating the capital gains tax.
So what else did the stock market do today? Here are the top stories.
What Did the Stock Market Do Today? Watch Musk.
Elon Musk has had a bad week. In summary:
- On Saturday, a fatal Model S crash killed two individuals in Harris County, Texas. Police responding to the accident said no one was in the driver seat. Musk said on Twitter that Tesla data shows autopilot was not engaged, but many are not convinced. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
- Consumer Reports then released a video showing that it is possible to trick the autopilot system. Essentially, this would prompt the feature to turn on even if someone was not in the driver seat.
- Then, in China, Tesla faced similar concerns over the safety of its vehicles. One protestor climbed on top of a vehicle at the Shanghai Auto Show, claiming that faulty breaks caused a crash that injured her parents. In response, Tesla says that data show the car was traveling nearly 120 kilometers per hour before crashing.
- However, Musk and Tesla angered many with how they responded to the protests at the auto show.
- Chinese media outlets have said company apologies were “insincere.”
- Lastly, analysts are pointing to the Shanghai Auto Show as proof that the EV leader will face rising competition.
So what comes next? Musk got some relief this morning with the launch of the NASA-2 SpaceX mission. Four astronauts are currently en route to the International Space Station, sparking enthusiasm for Musk’s other business endeavor. However, with Tesla in the crosshairs, investors may want to look at these seven companies that could be the next big thing.
What Does the Digital Renminbi Mean for Big Tech?
As the Wall Street Journal tells it, China is once again disrupting the global financial system. After first introducing paper money, China is now turning its legal tender into computer code. The end result is a digital central bank currency, a so-called digital renminbi.
So how will it work? And what is its purpose?
Essentially, the central bank will issue the new currency and then send it to six of the largest commercial banks. App providers like Alipay and WeChat will also receive the digital yuan. From there, the commercial banks will be responsible for making sure consumers have access to the digital currency. One way this could play out is through exchange programs, where bankers could swap out coins and cash for the digital yuan. Officials cite a variety of purposes for the switch, including a chance to accelerate the transition to a cashless economy. Other benefits include financial stability, which experts say will come from the financial tracking associated with the digital yuan.
For investors, there are two things to note. The first is that U.S. officials are already on watch as a result of the digital yuan. News that China is pressing forward with this innovation has prompted Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to say a digital dollar could be a possibility. This ties into the second takeaway. As Craig Mellow wrote for Barron’s, some analysts are starting to wonder what this will all mean for Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) and Tencent (OTCMKTS:TCEHY). As China leans into its centralized digital currency, will these companies and their payments platforms be necessary?
Right now, the takeaway is that Alibaba and Tencent have more than enough ways to make money. However, in the long term, it is something prompting serious conversation. And if a digital dollar were to follow in the United States, what could that mean for Big Tech companies like Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG, NASDAQ:GOOGL) that are also leaning into payments tech?
Consider this food for thought as you head into the weekend.
Winners, Losers, Honorable Mentions
Winners: Skillz (NYSE:SKLZ) and MicroVision (NASDAQ:MVIS) are two companies that many on Wall Street love to hate. Skillz specializes in mobile esports and MicroVision promises to disrupt autonomous vehicles with its laser beam scanning (LBS) tech. This week saw both of the hard-hit stocks erupt, with r/WallStreetBets jumping and talk of short squeezes gaining.
Losers: Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (CCC:BTC-USD) and Dogecoin (CCC:DOGE-USD) started this week as big winners, coming off the Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) direct listing. #DogeDay on Tuesday was supposed to be a major catalyst, and investor hopes were high. Unfortunately, cryptos have taken a big hit, with BTC falling below $50,000. Here is what you should know about the crypto selloff now.
Honorable Mentions: Speculative cryptocurrency SafeMoon (CCC:SAFEMOON-USD) certainly deserves an honorable mention, after rocketing more than 100% in a single trading day earlier this week. Promising to reward long-term holders and punish those who sell, the SafeMoon crypto quickly attracted a large social media following. Although not everyone is on board, it took the crypto world by storm. Another honorable mention goes to Playboy (NASDAQ:PLBY), which is looking to rebrand itself with a focus on NFTs.
On the date of publication, Sarah Smith did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.
Sarah Smith is a Web Content Producer with InvestorPlace.com.


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Trinnov Audio unveils its revolutionary WaveForming™ technology, poised to redefine the audio landscape. In a recent interview with Tom Garrett, a Sales Manager of…
What’s the future of banking? Well we know that in the future our mobile phones will replace money, and even our credit cards. Why? Because this is the device that is with us all the time and is always connected. But who is going to make this play? The banks? The cellphone operators? The phone manufacturers? Or a mobile social network?
Mxit is taking mobile money and payments quite seriously. Earlier this year the popular instant messaging service rolled out a payment option to restaurants, allowing users to pay for meals using the platform. More recently the service launched geo-fenced payment system GustPay, a standalone service for smartphones.
It seems the company wants to keep a close grip on its 10-million South Africa users with a partnership with Standard Bank (one of South Africa’s major banks) by launching another payment system. This new payment system, Mxit Money, is an app developed with FireID — a Stellenbosch-based startup specialising in mobile authentication.
In an interview with Memeburn, former Vodacom CEO Pieter Uys said that “cellphone banking has become so big that now it is the largest bank in that region. Your mobile device is being used for everything from buying electricity to paying taxes. It has become integrated into everything in countries like Kenya and Tanzania.”
Starting today, Mxit users will be able to send money to anyone with a mobile phone and to other Mxit users for free. The service will allow people to deposit and withdraw cash as well as buy airtime and electricity using money from their Instant Money account via Mxit Money.
Instant Money is an electronic currency from Standard Bank used predominantly for person-to-person money remittances where one or both parties are usually unbanked. Instant Money is also used to facilitate online payments without the need for a credit card or bank account.
Users can access Mxit Money as a contact within the Mxit platform. It is also available as a stand-alone iPhone app. This partnership allows the social network’s community to extend payments into the real world away from just transacting with virtual currency, Moola.
According to Mxit CEO Alan Knott-Craig, this will open the social network up to immense retail and trade possibilities giving South Africans a great opportunity to capitalise on the growing trend towards mobile payments.
“This partnership allows us to offer users the ability to transact in the real world from within their social network. Mxit Money becomes the portal to a digital marketplace of 10-million users who, with real money, can purchase content and access applications from our development partners,” says Knott-Craig. “To top it off, Standard Bank, an African bank, is showing the world how to integrate the old world with the new. A bank and a social network are working together to make life easier. Our users win, our partners win and the bank wins.”
The mobile payment space is riddled with technical, regulatory and user adoption challenges. Partnerships are key in the mobile payment game it seems when Vodacom, one of South Africa’s largest mobile networks, launched its mobile payment option MPesa, it chose to partner with an established bank, Nedbank.
Mxit’s alliance with Standard Bank makes sense as it bypasses the regulation and adoption. The bank seems to have enjoyed respectable success with its Instant Money offering, which gives customers the ability to securely transfer, withdraw and spend their money.
“In a competitive and ever-changing marketplace, it is essential for banks to provide innovative solutions,” says John Campbell, Head of Beyond Payments, Standard Bank’s innovations unit. “By partnering with a social network and integrating into the Mxit Money platform, we have demonstrated that Instant Money can be used both in the digital and real world to access funds, affect payments and transfer real money between people. We are proud to lead the digital sphere with Mxit, which continually evolves to meet changing customer and market needs. This is another demonstration of its leadership.”


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Nielsen claims that its Cross-Platform Campaign Ratings service, launched in beta trial phase last week, will be the first research system to deliver "true multiscreen advertising measurement".
The hybrid initiative will take industry-standard TV ratings data from Barb and fuse it with Nielsen’s Online Campaign Ratings survey (launched in October last year), enabling advertisers to measure the combined audience for a campaign across broadcast, TV and online.
James Oates, Nielsen’s managing director of media in the UK, explains: "Many consumers are living platform-agnostic lives, and the advertising world needs to adapt to that. Creating a way to reach, measure and monetise inventory across screens and platforms advances the industry towards a high-calibre, seamless standard that can provide new opportunities for advertisers, agencies and publishers – allowing a mutual exchange of value between buyer and seller."
And, of course, that’s probably the most interesting point here. Will this change the relationship between buyer and seller, especially in the TV airtime market?
The concern of some broadcasters is that the digital revolution will force them to trade most of their inventory on a highly commoditised, ad-server basis – a scenario that comes ever closer as smart TV penetration rises.
You could argue that any initiative that pushes TV on to the same playing field as other digital screens could raise hackles. But for commercial broadcasters, this sort of study actually moves the digital research agenda into familiar territory – after all, it’s a melding of two panel surveys to produce data that can be subjected to conventional, demographics-based target audience analysis.
Furthermore, this helps to shore up the Barb-underpinned trading that has been the industry’s bread and butter for decades. It is no coincidence that Barb has also been moving in this direction – two weeks ago, it hired Kantar Spring to collect data on viewing patterns on the video-on-demand platforms of the UK’s major broadcasters.
As for the Nielsen initiative, sticklers will fret about the validity of merging two studies that measure slightly different notions of audience, and there will also be those who worry about the move towards a "standard".
Some in the research community say there is not enough of a big-picture vision in the industry about the direction we should be heading in if we want genuine cross-platform standard measures.
The Thinkbox research and planning director, Neil Mortensen, says: "Advertisers want an industry-approved, single-source measurement. Nielsen’s initiative is not this and the numbers may be open to interpretation."
And it could clearly have an impact on strategic planning, according to Mark Greenstreet, the chief research officer at Carat, whose parent, Aegis Media, is one of several companies helping the trial.
Greenstreet points out that planners are comfortable using the IPA’s TouchPoints research, which compares measure of audience across different media. This Nielsen study, he suggests, will offer similarly valid comparisons.
He sums up: "This research will give us a measure of overlap in exposure. We’re certainly interested in the potential here – and in working with Nielsen to get this right."


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WASHINGTON (December 21, 2012)--Confidence among U.S. consumers is at its lowest point since July, according to a monthly index released Friday.
The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index for December fell to 72.9, a sharp drop from the November reading of 82.7.
The November figure was a five-year high.
Peter Newland, an economist at Barclays, said consumer confidence has dropped because of uncertainty over whether Congress and the Obama administration will reach a budget deal to avert sharp tax increases and government spending cuts set to take effect in January.
Economists at Stone & McCarthy say confidence could fall further if the standoff over the "fiscal cliff" persists into 2013.


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Coffee giant Starbucks is set to reopen a town centre branch tomorrow after a major refurbishment.
The cafe in Greengate Street, Stafford, will welcome back customers on Thursday (June 21).
And an official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Friday (June 22) at 10am.
There will then be coffee tasting and goody bags for the first 50 people through the doors.
Operations manager Marcus Clayton said: “We cannot wait to open our doors again to the local community here in Stafford.
“The team is excited to welcome back friendly faces and invite in new customers – please do come along and join us on the day for coffee tastings.”
Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy and a representative from Macmillan Cancer Support will be at the event.


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The market declined for the fifth straight trading session on Thursday. Trading was volatile due to monthly expiry of the February series of derivatives contracts. The Nifty ended below its 200-day simple moving average placed at 11,685.62. The undertone of the market was weak as investors were concerned that the global economy could slow down as China struggles to contain the coronavirus outbreak. Except pharma, all other indices ended in the red. Nifty PSU Bank index fell 2.5 percent, followed by the IT, energy, metal, infra and auto.Global Markets
Online fashion retailer Zalando plans to offer more premium and luxury ranges and move into the vintage clothing market as it predicted slower sales growth in 2020 after a strong final quarter to 2019.U.S. stock index futures slid after American health authorities said they’ve identified the first case of coronavirus that doesn’t have known ties to an existing outbreak.Euro Stoxx 50 futures declined 2.7%.
TVS Motor Companyannounced their partnership with Motomundo SA, one of the largest, respected business groups in Honduras.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals‘ Swiss subsidiary, Glenmark Specialty S.A., has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC for commercializing its novel nasal spray Ryaltris in the US.
Shares of RITES fell 5.7 percent as government would sell its 10 percent equity stake through two-day offer for sale.
The construction arm of L&T has secured orders from prestigious clients for its varied businesses in India and abroad.
Biocon share price declined 2 percent after the pharma company received observations for its Bengaluru facility from the US drug regulator.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited has incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary namely “Adani Bangladesh Ports Private Limited” in Bangladesh.
Asian markets were mixed on Thursday morning. South Korea’s central unexpectedly left rates unchanged, dashing hopes for a cut.The KOSPI lost 0.9%.
Japan stocks were lower after the close on Thursday, as losses in the Paper & Pulp, Railway & Bus and Real Estate sectors led shares lower.The Nikkei 225 declined 2.13% to hit a new 3-months low.
Australia stocks were lower after the close on Thursday, as losses in the IT, Energy and Telecoms Services sectors led shares lower.The S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.75% to hit a new 1-month low.
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Port Canaveral, one of Florida’s largest cruise ship ports will close down on Friday afternoon as Hurricane Irma inches her way towards the Sunshine State. Other ports in Florida are also shutting down well ahead of the storm.
Port Canaveral Says
A statement sent out by the port this morning said, “The US Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) has set Hurricane Condition Yankee for Port Canaveral: Sustained gale force winds are predicted within 24 hrs. Condition Yankee marks the last chance to further prepare Port Canaveral as well as mitigate potential heavy weather threats.”
It went on the say, “As of 3:00 PM today, Port Canaveral will cease all operations and is closed until further notice.”
You should monitor Port Canaveral’s Facebook Page for more updates on the status of the port. Guests should check with their cruise line before heading to the port.
Cruise Lines Who Have Canceled Sailings from Port
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean
- Disney Cruise Line
Carnival Magic is currently on a seven-night cruise current cruise and will proceed directly to New Orleans where it will arrive on Saturday, Sept. 9. Guests will be given the opportunity to disembark and make independent arrangements to travel home.
Guests also have the option to remain on board and sail back to Port Canaveral, where they will disembark the ship as soon as the port reopens. It is currently unknown when the port will reopen to marine traffic through Carnival Magic is expecting to sail again on September 13.
Hurricane Irma has already spun through the Caribbean causing loss of life, making some Leeward islands uninhabitable, and causing millions of dollars in damage. The current projection of the storm is the make landfall in South Florida over the weekend.
Our prayers go out to the island and families who have and will be impacted by this storm.
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Crypto markets fell along with the general economy, a new alignment for new technologies. Miami Herbert Business School faculty members expect it to rebound stronger than ever, in part due to its inherent stability from risk aversion.
While some refer to a devastating cryptocurrency crash and an industry in freefall, business tech thought leaders at the University of Miami classify the current upheaval as a turmoil, a scenario to be expected for a tech new and evolving that will ultimately cleanse and empower the industry.
“This upheaval indicates that we can now see that certain business models and projects funded by certain companies are not working, and that is good for crypto – and in the long term, a significant cleaning up of the industry,” said Ola Henfridsson. , Schein Family Endowed Chair and Professor of Business Technology at University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School.
He noted the general tendency of people to overestimate what technology can do in the short term and underestimate what it can do in the long term.
“That’s definitely the case here,” Henfridsson added. “Because this is new technology, many new business models have not been tested.”
The same factors behind the global slowdown—inflation, rising interest rates, war in Ukraine and global uncertainty—caused the crypto slowdown. Some media reports even report a perfect storm that caused the crypto slide. During the pandemic, people with extra funds flocked to virtual currencies, big banks and hedge funds invested, and now both have pulled out.
Robert Gregory, an associate professor at the business school, noted that one of the biggest takeaways and insights from 2022 is how crypto markets have aligned with the general macro environment.
“These ups and downs are completely normal, but one thing that is new and that we have become aware of is the strong correlation between the crypto markets and the broader markets, perhaps a sign that there is a very important involvement of institutional actors which was not the case five years ago”, he declared.
Henfridsson identified some of the many stakeholders that make up the “crypto space”—custodians, exchanges, traders that include hedge funds, among others— and said the industry’s potential commercial or case uses are so vast that it’s difficult to talk about the industry as a cohesive whole. He highlighted the role played by custodians, a third party responsible for storing and safeguarding currency.
“If crypto is going to become a widely adopted technology or currency in society, we need custodial solutions. And these custodians need to be regulated the same as banks,” Henfridsson said. “Some more conservative currencies, like Coinbase, have collaborations with banks.”
For Henfridsson, one of the advantages of cryptocurrency is its high security and its ability to resist tampering.
“No one can take your bitcoin, no one can take your wealth, and it’s very valuable. But that also means you need to have custodial solutions that make it easy for people to hold assets, because otherwise you need to know the cryptography. [for self-custody],” he said.
Although decentralized in nature and design, the crypto industry is looking to a centralized government or international body to provide the regulatory framework that will protect investors, according to the two experts.
“This new technology has come up against a regulatory vacuum—regulators don’t know how to categorize it and it creates a lot of confusion because you can’t apply old ways of thinking and standards to new technology,” Gregory said. He pointed out that, in the same way that the US telecommunications policies of the 1990s paved the way for companies to take advantage of the new emerging Internet platforms of that era, US regulators will play an immense role in the future of industry.
Gregory noted that while the internet has evolved to become controlled by a few mega-corporations, the current crypto phase is in part an attempt to return to a collective vision that eliminates middlemen to provide a fairer distribution of wealth.
He distinguished between original mission crypto believers and short-term speculators looking to make money off the platform’s volatility and compared the current crypto stage to the Renaissance of the 14e-17e century, a time when the advent of the printing press and the concept of double-entry booking revolutionized the world in terms of communication and business.
Henfridsson said he sees the crypto industry playing an important role going forward, especially in a world that seems increasingly vulnerable to crises.
“We have to get used to the fact that disasters happen and be in crisis mode,” he said. “We are de-globalising—global economies are under threat due to security concerns and supply chain issues, and so we need to produce our own food and have our energy for this new kind of world.
There will be only a handful of currencies that can survive this development, Henfridsson suggested. And while the U.S. dollar has long been the world’s standard currency, China’s rise and Russia’s recent isolation by sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine have prompted both countries to seek to develop their own monetary systems, he said.
Bitcoin, because it is country and politically neutral, could well become a strong player in the global economy, said the specialist.
“There is no one supporting bitcoin, not Russia, not China, not the United States, which makes it a very good alternative for smaller countries to adopt something that is legal tender,” said explained Henfridsson. “It’s something powerful. Over the next 10 years we will see more digital currencies in general, and then it will be more about how traditional institutions like central banks and the International Monetary Fund will shape this new technology.
Gregory suggested that the next 12 to 18 months will bring clarity to the industry in terms of the US regulatory framework.
And Henfridsson predicts a “big, big bull market” when this regulation happens.
“Many investors have waited on the sidelines as the crypto space has been unregulated,” he said. “Once it becomes legit from their perspective, it will be huge for the whole space.”


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This year marks the 10th anniversary of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Each October, in response to constantly evolving technology and the personal safety and security threats the adoption of new tools may pose, the Department of Homeland Security sponsors a campaign to engage the public in creating a safe and secure cyber environment. Massachusetts is proud to participate in spreading the key messages of this national event.
Mobile Safety and Security – According to data from the Pew Research Center, 85% of Americans use the internet and mobile devices are quickly replacing the traditional desktop computer. Additionally, tablet computer use has increased from 3% of the population in 2010 to 35% in 2013. Laptop ownership doubled from 2007 to 2012, while desktop ownership decreased 15%.
People are eager to adopt mobile solutions that facilitate everyday transactions, such as banking and online shopping, by offering anywhere/anytime access. Cyber criminals are constantly looking for ways to capitalize on this trend by taking advantage of unsecure wireless networks, third-party applications, and texting to acquire personal information.
As technological innovations continue to progress, there are important steps to take in order to protect yourself and your personal information.
- Restrict access to your wireless network by only allowing access to authorized users.
- Create passwords that would be difficult for an outsider to guess.
- Keep your anti-virus software updated to protect against viruses, spyware, and malware.
- Use caution when downloading or clicking on any unknown links.
Personal Safety and Security – As people become more and more reliant on technology, they also become more vulnerable to cyber-crimes. Tactics such as hacking and phishing are used to trick people into revealing personal information. Email scams are a common form of fraud that cyber criminals use to take advantage of unsuspecting people. Personal safety dangers such as cyber stalking and cyberbullying can pose threats as well. It is important to be able to recognize these dangers and take steps to protect yourself.
- Keep personal information secure to avoid identity theft. Only transfer personal information to trusted sites.
- Use caution when interacting with others online through platforms such as social networking sites, chat rooms, instant messaging, or online dating.
- Keep children safe online by monitoring their internet usage in order to reduce the likelihood they will find themselves in a dangerous situation. Also remind children of important internet safety tips to follow.
The 2013 Cyber Pledge asks anyone who uses the internet at home or at work to join others across the country in adopting good cyber security practices online. It also serves as a friendly competition among states. Take the pledge and help Massachusetts show its dedication to the cause!
Tweet @MassGov and let us know if you’ve taken the pledge!
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Winter is here, but your outdoor adventures don’t have to end. There’s a winter wonderland just waiting to be explored in Massachusetts state parks, Wildlife Management Areas, and forests. Whether you’re interested in hunting, fishing, or camping, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Department of Fish and …Continue Reading Ice Fishing, Hunting, and Camping This Winter
New Year’s Eve Safety posted on Dec 23
Whether you’re celebrating in the Berkshires, Boston, or somewhere in between, New Year’s Eve events can be found across Massachusetts. While the holiday offers us a chance to ring in 2017 with friends, family, and fun, there are a few safety tips everyone should keep …Continue Reading New Year’s Eve Safety
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Another New England winter is rolling in with snow, ice, and more snow. But you don’t have to go into hibernation just because the temperature drops. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a number of winter activities can help you stay fit. Between …Continue Reading 3 Activities to Keep You Moving this Winter


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July ’23 sees continued drop in textile and apparel shipments
The numbers were $ 1,381 million in July 2022 and $ 1,141 million in the last month.
The exports of textiles and apparel had experienced a decline of 1.9 per cent and 17.37 per cent respectively in July this year when compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
The cumulative export of textiles and apparel during the April-July 2023 period had undergone a decrease of 13.74 per cent as compared to the same period last year.
According to the data shared by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), it was indicated that there had been a growth of 6.62 per cent in cotton yarn, fabrics, and made-ups in July 2023, as opposed to July 2022. However, negative growth was observed in the shipment of manmade yarn, fabrics, and made-ups, jute products, carpets, handicrafts, and apparel items.
The total value of textile products that were shipped in the previous month had amounted to $ 1,663 million, which was in contrast to the figure of $ 1,695 million for the same month the previous year. In terms of apparel exports, the numbers were $ 1,381 million in July 2022 and $1,141 million in the last month.


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Bioindustrial solutions provider Carbios has been granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on its innovative process for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling from plastic and textile waste using enzymatic technology.
The firm stood out for its efforts to reinvent the lifecycle of plastic and textile polymers, tapping into the ongoing conversation about the necessity for the fashion and textile industry to stir towards sustainability.
The innovative method recycles polyethylene terephthalate from a mixture of plastic and textile waste products using enzymes specifically apt to depolymerise PET into its basic monomers. The monomers can in turn be transformed back into usable polymers for the manufacturing of new products, such as bottles, packaging or recycled polyester fibres.
Jean-Claude Lumaret, CEO of Carbios, stated: “This patent strengthens our competitive position for the recycling of PET and it is gratifying to have the United States Patent and Trademark Office recognize the innovative nature of our proprietary technology.”
The US patent protects Carbios’ proprietary innovation until 2033. Alongside its latest award, Carbios currently holds 98 similar titles worldwide representing 29 patent families. Six of these fully protect its proprietary method of biorecycling while five are linked to PET degrading enzymes.
Carbios believes that its biological process for depolymerising PET will facilitate the development of a cost-efficient circular economy for recycling without the need for extensive sorting, a step generally required by conventional thermo-mechanical or chemical methods.


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Multicultural consumers are poised to become the majority in the next twenty years. One of the largest demographics in the multicultural ecosystem is U.S. Hispanics, who account for about half the population growth in the country. With slowing immigration, most of that growth is supported by U.S. births. The burgeoning numbers are driving a 1.2 trillion dollar Hispanic/Latino consumer market, making them an attractive target for companies and brands. Traditionally, brands market to U.S. Hispanics with ads translated into Spanish and distributed through Spanish speaking mediums.
September 15th marks the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month. During this month-long celebration, the contributions and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans are thrust into the national spotlight and inspire a steady flow of well-intended marketing campaigns. U.S. Hispanics, however, are often treated as a homogenous group by media, leading to poorly executed campaigns that miss the mark and squander opportunities for brands. Far from fitting the one-size-fits-all formula, the 60 million Americans of Latino/Hispanic origin represent over 20 Latin American countries. Each with their unique heritage and cultural backgrounds.
Over the past six months, economic instability has sent shockwaves through the global marketplace, causing some industries to crumble and others to thrive as e-commerce and digital interactions increase during the pandemic. For example, technology companies like Amazon and Facebook have seen massive spikes in their stock market prices, advertising revenue, and the number of users. While more traditional brands like Hertz and Royal Dutch Shell, as well as most brick and mortar companies, were not so lucky. They suffered massive profit losses as a result of people sheltering in place and abandoning their normal routines.
The Black Lives Matter movements that erupted following the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor have sparked a massive cultural shift in the American consciousness and sparked a global conversation about equality. For the first time, many corporations are lending their voices to denouncing racial injustice and pledging to be more culturally sensitive and inclusive in business. But the outpouring of support has come with notable backlash. Consumers have blasted many brands for “performative woke washing” and not backing up their claims with action.
So far, 2020 has been one for the record books. A worldwide pandemic and subsequent shelter in place orders are causing sharp spikes in online streaming and mobile search activity as consumers seek ways to stay healthy, entertained, and informed. And in recent weeks, the public outcry against social injustice resounds on the tips of the tongues of protesters, as they hit the streets and take to social media to express their outrage and find community. Taken collectively, these rapid shifts in consumer behavior are fast-tracking digital trends and accelerating the push for digital research methodologies to understand the dynamics driving these behaviors.
COVID-19 has completely disrupted our sense of normalcy. Collectively, we’ve hung our hopes on our ability to create a “new normal” post-COVID with some semblance of life before the outbreak. But, life during this pandemic is not normal, nor will it be in the months ahead. From industries to schools and everything in between, routines have been fractured, lives altered, and jobs lost. As a market researcher working in an industry that thrives on consumer interaction, I can speak best to what I’ve seen while navigating this space and how I think the market research industry will respond to the looming uncertainties ahead.
Hispanics are on track to becoming the largest ethnic minority group in the U.S. this year. Not only does this have serious implications for the presidential election, but also for brands seeking new markets to combat stagnating sales. But it’s not just Hispanics. Population growth among African American and Asian American consumers continues to rise, as the population of Non-Hispanic Whites flatline.


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Uh oh, I think John took it personally when some people accused him of dishonesty and/or ignorance. (Words hurt, kids.) Remember, the issue here is that John in his latest Christmas video is taking on the “fallacy” (his term, which he attributes to Keynes and others) that consumption drives the economy, and that if everyone just consumed more, the economy would be fine. Some people said this is a total misreading of Keynes, and that Keynesianism says no such thing. So John defended his honor and struck back with this in the comments over at Daniel Kuehn’s blog (I’m not going to bother fixing the hyperlink formatting):
Here’s LAURA D’ANDREA TYSON and OWEN ZIDAR in the NY Times:
“These demand-side forces explain why consumption goes up much more after tax cuts for the bottom 95 percent than after equivalently sized cuts for the top 5 percent. An increase in consumption, which still accounts for about 70 percent of G.D.P., fuels increases in demand, and that leads companies to create more jobs.”
Here’s Paul Krugman in the NY Times:
“No, what the economy needs now is something to take the place of retrenching consumers. That means a major fiscal stimulus. And this time the stimulus should take the form of actual government spending rather than rebate checks that consumers probably wouldn’t spend.”
Shouldn’t he be talking about retrenching business spending? Ehem. Yeah.
Here’s Henry Blodget:
“American consumers — the folks who account for ~70% of the spending in the economy.
Almost every dollar these folks earn in salaries gets spent — on food, clothing, houses, education, entertainment, cars, and other goods and services that big American companies produce. So, if, instead of hoarding their wealth by hiking their profit margins ever higher, companies invested more in employees and equipment, they would help the whole economy.”
Sure sounds EXACTLY like Thomas Malthus to me, there, Gene. The rich capitalists should pay their worker more since workers consume more as a share of their income. Why not just take a page from William Spence (before Malthus) and have the rich pay the poor to blow glass bubbles and then smash them?!?!?
I could go on and on and on right through Christmas day. I’ve produced a video aimed at confronting a very real fallacy being put forward by economists who should, as you note, know better and a broader media class who disseminates an even cruder version of it.


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Apple is releasing the new iOS 14-system update in early 2021 and within it comes a change that will make targeting the advertising harder, a lot. The new iOS 14-update demands app developers to ask for permission for user data gathering and sharing with a 3rd party. It is expected that many users with iOS 14 will restrict the amount of gatherable data.
Personalization enhances customer satisfaction and sales when done right. Luckily personalization is made easy in the Shopify ecosystem, read our top picks!


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Fire has swept through the Tamale Aboabo market on Saturday and has destroyed properties worth millions of cedis.
Goods including cereal, yam, shea nuts, farm produce among others were also destroyed.
According to some eye witnesses, the fire started from one of the market stores around 5am Saturday January, 30. The National Fire Service were prompted and took them many hours to fight the fire.
Preliminary investigations by the Fire Service indicated that the fire started as a result of some electric fault from one of the stores in the market and actually crossed over to the other stores destroying properties.
The victims have appealed to benevolent individuals, organizations and government to come to their aid because according to them, they have lost huge sums of money they invested.


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Publicis/Bloom here launches its first youth-oriented television commercial for IronKids white bread in two years. The tagline is: "IronKid 'n around."
The 30-second spot, shot in a "virtual cinƒ" technique, begins airing on a spot basis this week during children's and teen programming on cable and broadcast, according to agency co-chairman Steve Price.
The commercial will air throughout 1998 in 43 markets, including Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Austin, Texas, as well as San Francisco, Denver and Phoenix.
Price said a companion commercial targeting parents has already hit the airwaves. "What we've always tried to do is [position] it as a brand that's hip and fun, and tastes good," he said.
IronKids is one of a number of brands Publicis/Bloom handles for St. Louis-based Earthgrains Co.
Earthgrains has spent less than $2 million in each of the past two years on IronKids advertising.
In the "IronKid 'n around" execution, shots of young children playing soccer, swinging from trees and having pillow fights are intercut with images of them eating sandwiches made of IronKids bread.
The fast-action pace of the commercial halts during the "virtual cinƒ" segment, which freezes the on-screen characters for a three-dimensional hologram effect. Price said the creative style helps "capture what kids look for on TV."
The ad was produced by Publicis/Bloom creative director Howard Goldthwaite Sr. and associate creative director Dean Hlavinka. Stone Core Productions in Dallas assisted on the David Blood-directed spot.
The last youth-oriented effort for IronKids was in 1996, when Publicis/Bloom linked the bread to an Olympics promotion.


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New York Hosts Veal, Dairy TourNew York Hosts Veal, Dairy Tour
In April, the New York Beef Industry Council, along with industry partners, hosted a “New York Veal/Dairy Tour 2010”.
May 4, 2010
In April, the New York Beef Industry Council, along with industry partners, hosted a “New York Veal/Dairy Tour 2010”. The tour was made possible with funding by the beef checkoff through a grant from the Federation Initiative Fund of the Federation of State Beef Councils. And for industry influencers who have a connection with the consumer, this event offered the opportunity to gain a better understanding of animal agriculture from pasture to plate and the relationship between veal and the dairy industry.
The event kicked off with tours of Noblehurst Farms (dairy), O-AT-KA Dairy, Provitello Veal Farm and Palmer’s Food Service/Retail. The group of 55 participants concluded the first day’s activities with a cutting demonstration at the New York Wine and Culinary Center. Day Two featured an additional demonstration at the Wine and Culinary Center where attendees explored how veal interacts in the marketplace; and, gave them a hands-on kitchen experience to create their own veal masterpiece.
To read the entire article, link here.
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Google on Tuesday released an updated list of Chrome OS devices that are set to receive support for Android apps in the near future, in addition to officially confirming models that are already capable of doing so. The list itself was also updated with a relatively self-explanatory Status column that reveals the development stages of support for Android apps for particular Chromebooks. The column itself lists three categories – Stable Channel, Beta Channel, and Planned. Many devices listed on The Chromium Projects official pages have already received support for running Android apps, but the newly updated list also reveals five more models that are now officially confirmed as being compatible with software developed for Google's open source operating system.
The models that are now listed as featuring support for Android apps through the Stable Channel are the Samsung Chromebook Plus, AOpen Chromebox Mini, and the AOpen Chromebase Mini, while the ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 and the Acer Chromebook R13 (CB5-312T) only have access to an experimental version of the functionality through the Beta Channel. While the latest update of Google's list of Android-enabled Chrome OS devices reveals some new models boasting this functionality, it's possible that some of them have already been able to run Android apps for a while and it's only now that the Alphabet-owned Internet giant updated its official list of supported computers. Regardless, more Chromebooks are expected to be added to Google's compatibility list in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you can see the full list of Chrome OS devices featuring support for Android apps by following the source link beneath this writing.
The Mountain View-based company originally announced its intention to bring Android apps and the Google Play Store to Chromebooks at Google I/O 2016, though the company is still in the process of rolling out that functionality to many devices and there's currently no word on how long will it take until all Chrome OS devices that Google intends to support become compatible with Android software. Earlier this year, the company confirmed that all Chrome OS-powered computers released in 2017 will be able to run Android apps, and more details on its efforts to expand the Android ecosystem are expected to follow soon, possibly even next month when Google I/O 2017 takes place.


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Cook healthy gourmet meals with 54 percent off Blue Apron
You can order Blue Apron today at its lowest price on the web
Warehouse workers at $2 billion food startup Blue Apron complain of stressful, violent conditions, report says
Meal kits are the hottest new food trend
Grab these deals on tech gadgets for spring
Can Meal Subscription Boxes Save You on Groceries?
19 startups that could make you a millionaire if you got hired there today


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One bug in all this free app talk has been the recent Google Voice application for the iPhone that was shot down by Apple. According to Google, "Apple did not approve the Google Voice application we submitted six weeks ago to the Apple App Store. We will continue to work to bring our services to iPhone users--for example, by taking advantage of advances in mobile browsers."
All third-party applications that use Google Voice have also been pulled by Apple. There were varying explanations about why this was done - the apps duplicate features that come with the iPhone etc.
But most of the buzz online about this centered on the theory that AT&T, the exclusive carrier for the iPhone in the U.S., wanted it killed. Google Voice is a free application that some say is an "end run" around wireless carriers because it allows for free texts and international calls for a few pennies (users do still use minutes on their AT&T phone plan).
Of course, Apple has its own reasons too. They probably don't want Google's Android operating system, which is a big competitor to the iPhone OS, to gain any extra ground, especially from within their own app store.
Corporate intrigue abounds... The Federal Communications Commission is checking out things and sending letters
to Apple, AT&T and Google. Google's chief executive stepped down from Apple's board.
Text messages are big moneymakers for the carriers - 20 cents for you, basically no cost to them. International calls? They didn't block Skype, so why block Google? Oh, that's right - because they are GOOGLE.
Google says they can work around the ban with a specialized, iPhone-shaped web page that will behave the same as the app. Would Apple dare to block a web page?


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Spotify is testing a new lossless streaming version of its platform for high-fidelity audio fanatics.
The new service, called Spotify Hi-Fi, was spotted by some users yesterday during what appears to be an A/B pricing strategy test that offered different users the premium service for $5, $7.50 or $10 USD. Users reported the new occurrence on Twitter, Reddit and directly to The Verge.
Anyone get this invitation for Spotify Hi-Fi? Looks awesome! pic.twitter.com/2aeYXMIHJD
— Cody Kloepfer (@Semantics) March 1, 2017
Lossless audio, touted by Jay-Z’s streaming platform Tidal, means that users receive perfect copies of the song that are compressed to stream efficiently, but without any quality loss.
The difference in sound is negligible when listened to through standard headphones, but for those with a headphone amp and premium headphones may be able to hear an improvement. The amount of listeners drawn to this type of service will likely be small, but at an increased price, it could be a smart way for Spotify to gain revenue from its audiophile users.
As this subscription model is still in the testing phase, it’s unclear whether it will make it to Canada or when Canadians could expect to see the service. Currently, Spotify offers an ad-free premium service for $9.99 CAD and a family version of Spotify Premium that provides up to six accounts for $14.99.
Update March 2nd – A previous version of this article stated that the Spotify student subscription for $4.99 was available in Canada. It is not, and the post has been updated accordingly.
Source: The Verge


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The London Metal Exchange is considering an expansion of its business in plastics futures by adding three resins to its portfolio: PVC, PET and high density polyethylene.
The information was released Oct. 20 by Jeremy Goldwin, global head of industrial commodities of Sucden (UK) Ltd. Sucden is one of 11 brokers that operate plastics futures for LME. Goldwin was in Sao Paulo taking part in the International Forum on LME's Plastics Futures.
``LME said that, if the current contracts succeed, they will consider adding further contracts,'' he said. He added, however, that it would take at least six months before any resins would be added.
The exchange started its activities in plastics futures in May, launching contracts for polypropylene and linear low density PE. Since then, roughly 20,000 contracts have been traded - 70 percent being PP and 30 percent LLDPE - but only a few have resulted in actual product delivery.
According to Goldwin, LME's first deliveries started in September, when 140 contracts were delivered. Another 40 were delivered in October.
The one-day forum, also called Invest Plastic, was promoted as a discussion of the feasibility of plastics futures as an alternative, secure business channel for Brazil and all of Latin America.
The forum was organized by Petronews, a local Internet portal that produces and discloses analytical information about chemical and petrochemical products (www.petronews.com.br).
``We believed that a forum would be the best way to introduce and clarify the basis of this new dynamic for doing business,'' said MariÃ¢ngela Guazelli, an Asian and European markets consultant at Petronews. Another goal of the event was to divulge procedures for registering and approving resins at LME.
Roughly 100 people attended the event, which included executives from resin producers and molders, as well as financial market professionals.
``In the position of resin producer, we need to stay on top of things and learn about this type of business. It's an additional channel for selling in the market and we have clients that could go for this type of thing,'' said Marcos Rossatti, commercial manager at PE maker Rio Pol¡meros SA in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Most sales in Brazil's petrochemical industry are based on relationships, he said.
``Processors are generally family-owned companies where the owner is directly involved in the purchase of raw materials. We still do business in a very personal manner, and this could represent an obstacle referent to the advancement of this new concept,'' Rossatti said.
Guazelli, who has been in contact with LME for more than a year, said LME would consider installing a warehouse in Brazil to supply the local market.


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In the internet world, Google is a word that doesn’t need any introduction. In-ground reality Google is offering a number of services at zero cost. As a tech company, crypto and blockchain no longer remain outside the domain of Google.
Google recently hired Arnold Goldberg, the former executive of PayPal. He will work in Google’s payment division.
President at Google commerce, Billy Ready said that crypto was big enough to grab the attention of Google.
As it is, PayPal has created a unique space in the world where it can provide crypto-related services to its users all around the world.
With the integration of crypto services, PayPal users feel like they are using an online bank.
PayPal is not the only payment platform implementing crypto in its services as Apple’s payment app, ApplePay also announced that it will integrate crypto-based payment options.
These moves being made by these companies shows that Google’s GooglePay is lagging behind in this increasing trend and competition to implement with crypto and blockchain technology
In the past, Google imposed a ban on all crypto-related advertisements and this is enough to explain why they are not up to date with blockchain and crypto-related technology.
However, in 2020-2021, it started to lift the ban on some particular category-based crypto ads.
As of writing, Google has established its partnership with Coinbase and crypto payment network, Bitpay.
This will help Google collect crypto assets in the digital cards issued by these two platforms, allowing users can pay in fiat.
We’ve seen the blockchain wave bring with it a new breed of developers. These developers come from different niche backgrounds with ideas on how to utilize blockchain to improve business or create a startup with massive innovation.
As such, several big tech companies have started to implement the blockchain technology in their services.
One of such companies is Microsoft. Microsoft launched Microsoft Azure, a division of their company that provides a sandbox for developers to create decentralized applications, also providing blockchain solutions such as AI big data analytics and machine learning to improve efficiency when it comes to information management.
Companies like Microsoft are giving businesses and developers the tools they need to capitalize on and maximize blockchain technology.
Another tech giant getting involved in the blockchain wave is IBM. Just like Microsoft, IBM also aims to provide the computing resources and technological support necessary for blockchain to help businesses thrive.
IBM is helping businesses build their own blockchain, and helping pinpoint the best use cases for each individual platform specific to your industry and niche.
They help businesses create their own smart contract systems and distributed ledger tool using the Hyperledger blockchain creator tool.
They offer blockchain incubators and workshops to help flesh out rough ideas and provide the resources and technical know-how required to give life to these potentially revolutionary projects.
Businesses can utilize the IBM blockchain platform to increase management efficiency, accelerate development and implement smart contracts to cut down on fees and improve overall business efficiency.
Other tech companies implementing the blockchain and metaverse technology include social media giants, Twitter and Facebook. We expect to see other tech giants jump on the blockchain train in the near future.
Don’t miss important articles during the week. Subscribe to blockbuild weekly digest for updates.


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Last fall, Epic Games released Fortnite’s free-to-play “Battle Royale” game mode for the PC and other platforms, generating massive interest among gamers.
This also included thousands of cheaters, many of whom were subsequently banned. Epic Games then went a step further by taking several cheaters to court for copyright infringement.
While the initial targets were people who coded, used or promoted cheats to gain a clear competitive advantage, this week Epic sued a different type of cheater. In a complaint filed at a California Federal court, the game publisher accuses a New Zealander of creating an exploit that allows users to get free V-bucks.
V-bucks are the game’s currency and can be bought through an online store, starting at $9.99. The virtual coins allow players to purchase skins for their characteras well as other game tools.
According to Epic, people who create and use these kinds of free-money exploits are stealing from the game publisher.
“Players who search for and promote exploits ruin the game experience for others and undermine the integrity of Fortnite. Players who use exploits to avoid paying for items in Fortnite are stealing from Epic,” the complaint reads.
The alleged perpetrator is identified as Yash Gosai, who’s a resident of Auckland, New Zealand. Epic believes that Gosai developed the exploit which was then promoted through YouTube.
“On information and belief, Gosai developed an exploit for Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode that enables players to obtain V-bucks without paying for them. Gosai created and posted a video on YouTube to advertise, promote and demonstrate the exploit,” the complaint reads.
While the game company managed to get the video taken down, they’re not done with the New Zealander. They accuse Gosai of copyright infringement, breach of contract, as well as conversion.
“Defendant’s videos demonstrating the exploit infringe Epic’s copyrights in Fortnite by copying, reproducing, preparing derivative works from, and/or displaying Fortnite
publicly without Epic’s permission, the company writes.
Epic asks the court for damages and wants the defendant to destroy all Fortnite copies and any related works.
As mentioned before, this is not the first lawsuit Epic has filed against a cheater. Thus far, it has reached at least three settlements behind closed doors. Minnesota resident Charles Vraspir signed an agreement early December. Philip Josefsson from Sweden and Artem Yakovenko from Russia followed soon after.
A copy of the complaint against Gosai is available here (pdf).


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Raleigh AI startup Pryon raises $100 million
Pryon, a Raleigh-based artificial intelligence startup that makes a virtual assistant for companies, raised $100 million from investors in its most recent round of funding.
Driving the news: The investment, announced Tuesday, was led by the US Innovative Technology Fund — an AI-focused fund chaired by the billionaire investor Thomas Tull that has invested in companies like Anduril and Shield AI.
- The investment values the company at between than $500 million and $750 million, according to a person familiar with the matter.
- The company is headquartered in Raleigh Founded's coworking office in Gateway Plaza. Its employees, which number over 100, are spread throughout the country.
Zoom in: Pryon was founded in 2017 by Igor Jablokov, whose previous startup Yap was acquired by Amazon and used to create the Alexa.
- Jablokov has created an AI assistant that lets businesses upload huge amounts of internal information and data — and then will answer questions from workers related to the information.
- In the past year, Pryon has begun building out a sales team and has landed customers looking to use it as a productivity tool in the finance, government and industrial spaces.
The big picture: Jablokov told Axios there will be a lot of AI companies that rise and fall in the space in the coming years.
- He noted that the team behind Pryon has been working in the field for years and is not jumping on a fad.
What they're saying: Jablokov said the key for Pryon is to create an AI system that can be trusted by companies to give answers based on real sources.
- "Every answer coming out of Pryon is always anchored to ground truth," he said. "It always shows you the exact page and highlights exactly where it learns something from."
- "In order for people to trust output from an AI, they need to trust fundamental sources where this comes from," he added. "Nobody wants anything hallucinating on the flight deck of a 747."
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Do you like your hamburgers medium-rare? If you’re in New South Wales you will have to readjust your taste buds and cooking technique.
Recently, the NSW Food Authority indicated they would beef-up enforcement around the guidelines to cooking mince meat, fearing the growing ‘undercooked’ burger trend could spark fresh E. coli food poisoning cases.
However its sudden enforcement hasn’t gone down well with many businesses, reputable chefs and customers voicing their frustrations and labelling the guidelines as a ‘huge mistake’.
But the government body isn’t budging, with NSW food inspectors prepared to hand out $1,540 fines if they discover businesses are in breach of the guidelines, which require hamburger mince to be cooked to 71 degrees and until there is no visible pink meat.
Why the sudden fuss?
In the authority’s Hamburger Food Safety Factsheet they state, “To reduce the potential for foodborne illness, minced meat should be cooked right through to the centre. No pink should be visible and juices should run clear.”
According to The New Daily, a spokesperson for the authority said they were taking a “proactive” stance to food safety.
“Hamburger meat has always traditionally been cooked thoroughly,”
“This is why the NSW Food Authority’s advice, with regard to the emerging trend of rare or undercooked burgers as identified by council EHO’s [Environmental Health Officers], is to always recommend cooking mincemeat products to 71-degrees.”
The authority has suddenly cracked down on the undercooked burger trend, as they fear it could be a risk for public health. When reviewing data from the United States, who has had this trend for ‘some time’ – they identified that there were a number of outbreaks of E. coli and a total of five deaths since 1993.
At this stage, there have been no reports of illness or hospitalisation in Australia caused by undercooked burgers.
Where to go for more information?
If you have any questions or require further information on the new hamburger guidelines and the correct cooking temperatures visit www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au or phone 1300 552 406.


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“Apple and Qualcomm have been in a heated dispute for the last two years, and now Apple is taking another small jab at the company by opening up jobs that seem to be designed to grab employees from the chipmaking gian,” Jacob Kastrenakes reports for The Verge.
“Bloomberg spotted that Apple has opened 10 job listings this month for chipmaking positions in San Diego. That’s where Qualcomm is based, and according to the report, Apple has never searched for chip engineers there before,” Kastrenakes reports. “It’s notable that Apple is targeting Qualcomm at the very same time that it’s trying to move away from something Qualcomm does best: modems.”
“Apple completely dropped Qualcomm for its latest iPhones, choosing instead to get modems from Intel,” Kastrenakes reports. “That said, Bloomberg reports seeing job listings focused on a variety of technologies, including LTE and 5G, but also Bluetooth and AI, so this could be more than just a way to boost Apple’s cellular performance.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We’d answer our headline, but we can’t stop laughing, plus we’re too dizzy from watching Apple’s A12, A12X, and, for that matter, 2017’s A11/X run rings around Qualcomm’s latest Slothdraggin dreck.
iPad Pro video editing performance takes less than one-third of the time vs. MacBook Pro – November 7, 2018
What Apple’s iPad Pro enables matters more than what it replaces – November 7, 2018
New iPad Pro benchmarks blow away Windows PCs – November 5, 2018
Laptop Mag reviews Apple’s new 12.9-inch iPad Pro: ‘The most powerful mobile device ever made’ – November 5, 2018
The Verge reviews the new iPad Pro: Apple’s approach to iOS is holding back powerful hardware in serious ways – November 5, 2018
John Gruber reviews Apple’s new iPad Pro: ‘A better value than any MacBook Apple has ever made’ – November 5, 2018
Apple iPad Pro’s A12X chip has no real rivals; it delivers performance unseen on Android tablets – November 1, 2018


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- Louis DeJoy's "Delivering for America" plan will slow down some package service.
- Small e-commerce businesses shipping small items will be affected the most.
- President Biden's nominees to the USPS Board of Governors are unlikely to oust DeJoy if confirmed.
Despite anger from progressives, President Biden's three nominees to the United States Postal Service Board of Governors had no harsh words for the controversial Postmaster General Louis DeJoy Thursday as they testified before Congress.
This indicates that if they're confirmed, DeJoy is likely keep his seat at the head of the post office — and get his chance to try and save it from financial ruin. DeJoy rolled out his grand plan to revive the flailing USPS last month. Along with Board of Governors Chairman Ron Bloom, DeJoy said the plan would put the agency on sounder financial ground — it projects $160 billion in losses over the next ten years without action — and attract e-commerce shippers, while building a more reliable service.
Improved financial footing is good for the e-commerce businesses that depend on USPS. But according to three experts in e-commerce package logistics, the 58-page "Delivering for America'' plan could actually drive e-commerce packages away from the service by making it harder to compete with Amazon.
DeJoy has always held that the agency wasn't meeting standards even before the pandemic, which stressed the USPS to the point that packages piled up in the system and deliveries took days longer than usual. USPS estimates total US package volume will increase between 6% and 11% every year through 2025.
The new plan is to handle that growth both by improving operations and by taking more time to ship for some packages.
USPS will spend $20 billion of the more than $40 billion in planned capital investments over 10 years on opening and upgrading processing facilities and an additional $2 billion on technology upgrades. The remaining $19 billion will go toward a new vehicle fleet and retail upgrades.
These investments will help USPS adapt to large swings in the number of packages coming into the system, according to the plan. It will also shift some distribution centers currently processing mail and packages to handle only packages and add more automated equipment.
"Proposed changes to dedicate facilities to package processing makes sense, but there is no indication of expected velocity improvements," Nate Skiver, founder of LPF Spend Management and former logistics manager at Gap and Abercrombie and Fitch, said.
The Amazon effect is still in effect
DeJoy's other major strategy to increase reliability is to shift away from airfreight and move more mail and packages exclusively on trucks.
"It's about service," DeJoy said. "We move cubic volume off of aircraft to allow greater stability in our priority mail service. And we bring reliability and predictability back by moving a lot of volume back onto the ground."
The problem is that this move, while it will certainly cut costs and could increase reliability, will make it harder for many e-commerce sellers to compete on speed.
The plan reads: "We will also propose to adjust the service standards for First-Class Packages to enable a greater percentage of that volume to be moved by surface transportation." (It notes that the Postal Regulatory Commission will be asked to issue an advisory opinion before making this change.)
First Class package service applies to packages weighing under one pound, like a single item of clothing, prescription bottle, or book.
"For the millions of eBay sellers or other [small and medium business] who rely on the postal service for a traditionally two- to four-day delivery — now three to five days is going to be the norm," said Matthew Hertz, cofounder of Second Marathon e-commerce operations consultancy and former operations specialist at Birch Box and Rent the Runway.
That difference could send shoppers to Amazon instead, said Hertz — the one thing e-commerce sellers of all sizes are desperate to avoid.
The service standards for existing one- and two-day Priority services will stay the same and still use airfreight, according to a USPS spokesperson. "Last year, shipping customers selected one- or two-day service for 72% of their parcel shipments. We estimate that this could be as high as 90% by 2025," the spokesperson said via email.
USPS will create new products to offer faster service, according to the plan, but experts say slowing down the delivery standard for some existing services and creating new, likely more expensive services could hurt shippers already struggling to keep up with the free, fast shipping introduced by Amazon, and becoming more commonplace by the day.
"DeJoy is suggesting that the current products are too cheap and too fast," Hertz said.
In other words, when the postal service does meet a two-day window, it's a bargain. But pricing closer to UPS and FedEx for similar speed could drive customers away.
"I expect e-commerce will gravitate away from the USPS over time," Glenn Gooding, president of iDrive Logistics said.
Leave a vacuum and others rush in
Though details were scarce, package shipping prices with USPS are likely going up across the board, according to the experts. Price hikes are a central part of the agency's effort to increase revenue.
"I would be surprised if there isn't a package rate increase request made to the [Postal Regulatory Commission] before May," Skiver said.
When a leading service provider lowers service standards or raises prices, competitors are almost sure to get a boost.
"Regional and final mile carriers will have an opportunity to fill the void created by the USPS, UPS, and FedEx," Gooding said. UPS and FedEx have made it clear that amid the glut of packages triggered by the pandemic, they will be picking and choosing customers based on their own margins, which has already shifted business toward regional carriers.
If this is the case, the experts say any last-mile alternatives that can compete with UPS and FedEx on price are likely to get a boost if shippers diversify away from USPS. Those could be like Doordash, Instacart, and Roadie or regional carriers like LaserShip and Ontrac.
And using those alternatives will require even small online sellers to store more inventory in more places, boosting micro-fulfillment and on-demand warehousing companies.


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The wearable devices are now more in demand and gaining popularity. After Google, LG tweeted coupled pictures of their upcoming LG G Watch.
LG G watch has an elegant look with square shape. The body is built out of plastic and is kinda similar to Sony SmatWatch 2. This new watch has improved display features.
At the press conference prior to LG, Company Executives said that this device is still in close cooperation and Google developed. But, there is no information about the release date. The company says that this device will be hit the market till second quarter of this year.


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The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating whether employees at Xerox Corp.'s XRX -1.24 % big computer services division inflated sales figures, taking aim at a business the company has invested in heavily to diversify away from copiers.
The investigation involves Affiliated Computer Services, a technology outsourcing company Xerox bought in 2010 for $6.5 billion, and its former CEO, who now runs the services business at Xerox, according to a securities filing Tuesday.
At issue is whether ACS included the underlying price of the equipment it resold when counting up its revenue rather than booking only its markup—a practice that has tripped up other technology companies.
Xerox said the SEC has issued so-called Wells notices indicating that the agency may bring civil enforcement actions against the former CEO, Lynn Blodgett, and two other employees it didn't name.
Mr. Blodgett, currently president of Xerox Services, couldn't be reached for comment.
According to the filing, all three employees—only two of whom are still with Xerox—plan to argue that the SEC shouldn't take action. The SEC isn't recommending that Xerox be charged, and the company is cooperating with the probe, according to the filing.
The probe casts a shadow over an acquisition that was the biggest in the company's history and central to Chief Executive Ursula Burns's gamble to move Xerox away from equipment sales and into providing back-office services like document management and bill processing for businesses and governments.
The transition has been bumpy. Services accounted for 51% of Xerox's $22.4 billion in revenue last year. But revenue has increased little since 2010, amid falling sales of equipment like printers and copiers; services revenue stagnated last year.
According to the filing, the SEC is looking at whether ACS booked revenue from equipment it resold on a gross basis when it should have used a net basis. Hypothetically, if ACS bought a computer server for $1,000 and sold it to a client for $1,100, the SEC is arguing it should have booked only the $100 it was due rather than the full $1,100.
A similar issue led daily deals marketer Groupon Inc. GRPN 2.42 % to cut its reported revenue in half in the fall of 2011 ahead of its initial public offering. After discussions with the SEC, Groupon shifted to booking only its commission on sales rather than the total value of the online coupons it sold.
Xerox said more than 80% of the revenue in question was booked before it acquired ACS. None of it happened after 2010, and the amounts in question weren't material to the company's subsequent financial results, it said.
In Tuesday trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Xerox shares were down 2.5%, or 26 cents, to $10.14.
"I don't think the numbers matter so much as the fact they are being investigated again," said Dylan Cathers, equity analyst at S&P Capital IQ. "We had hoped that problems that ACS had were long behind them and here they are popping up again."
In 2006, the SEC investigated ACS executives for backdating stock-option grants made to executives, which was followed by the resignation of the CEO Mark King and the Chief Financial Officer Warren Edwards.
Mr. Blodgett took over after as chief executive of ACS after the resignations and became an executive vice president of Xerox when the company acquired ACS. He became president of Xerox Services in 2012. He will continue to lead the services business, a Xerox spokesman said.
Xerox was founded 107 years ago in Rochester, N.Y., as a manufacturing of photographic paper and equipment. It flourished through the 1960s with sales of the first plain paper photocopier, but its fortunes waned amid rising competition in the 1990s. In 2000, the company booked its first loss in 211 consecutive quarters amid a rising levels of bad debt.
The company tangled with the SEC early in the last decade over accounting issues related to how revenue from leasing contracts for its equipment was calculated. Xerox paid a penalty to the SEC and restated its financial results from 1997 to 2000 without admitting to wrongdoing.
—Michael Rapoport and Nathalie Tadena
contributed to this article.
Write to Kate Linebaugh at email@example.com


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Cultivate’15: AmericanHort Announces What’s New
Cultivate is the event for debuting new products, trends, ideas and solutions for all types of horticulture businesses. In an industry that has seen major changes occurring at a fast pace, many industry professionals are left with their heads spinning and no clear idea of how to regroup and strategize. AmericanHort has announced the newest features at Cultivate’15, to be held July 11 to 14.
Changing The Game
Cultivate’15 is “Changing the Game.” As this year’s focus, Changing the Game brings with it a light-hearted seriousness that calls your attention to the ways in which our industry has changed and your opportunities to compete successfully. Cultivate will help you navigate the industry shifts and where you fit in, giving you strategies and game plans backed by researched insights, new technologies and fresh ideas.
All horticultural business segments and professionals are invited to experience four days of educational sessions led by industry experts and insiders on topics like consumers in the new millennium, new technologies for greater efficiencies, the most recent legislative and regulatory updates and strategies to drive sales. Visit the trade show floor, also known as the Solutions Marketplace, where the expanding 8-acre space showcases the latest and greatest innovations, technologies and services.
New This Year: The Retail District
The Greater Columbus Convention Center is growing, and Cultivate’15 is taking advantage of it by putting all of your trade show and retail needs in one space in the Solutions Marketplace trade show. Get all of your business done and more at the new Retail District. The Retail District, which has taken a cue from our European colleagues, provides a striking backdrop to showcase retail merchandise and creates a very engaging trade show experience. Attendees will discover the latest offerings from retail suppliers, providers and vendors, as well as experience the debut of a revolutionary AmericanHort initiative looking at the future of retail. You will be infused with inspiration, ideas and implementable strategies to engage consumers and drive profit in new and notable ways.
Two Game-Changing Keynote Speakers
Curt Steinhorst is a generational expert with an engaging speaking style and sharp insights into our multi-generational workforce. In his keynote, “The Generational Divide,” Steinhorst highlights how for the first time in history, four generations are working side by side — and a fifth generation is on the way. Each generation brings different strengths, values and communication styles to the workplace. These differences can be challenging (you leave a voicemail and they reply by text), or it can be a strategic opportunity depending on how leaders respond. Steinhorst prepares attendees to go back to their businesses and make their multigenerational workforce a competitive advantage.
Nancy Fire is the design director for the HGTV HOME brand, and is backed by her experience as the creative director of Design Works International. Her talk, “Winning a Place in Consumer Lifestyles,” reiterates how crucial it is to stay relevant and maintain emotional resonance as a brand in today’s market. Nancy knows a thing or two about trends. She specializes in trend presentations, print/color direction, color palettes and graphics and applies this to the HGTV HOME brand. The brand curates trends and gives the consumer smart and stylish choices for their constantly evolving lifestyle. Learn how to capitalize on trends and win a permanent place in your consumers’ lifestyles.
Get Ready To Get Your Game On
For more information, visit AmericanHort.org/Cultivate. The remaining exhibition space is currently being sold and registration for the event opens March 10.


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As this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple is likely to show off the next major version of macOS. And as we inch closer, leaks and rumors are starting to slip out. Like a brand new official feature that would let iPad owners use their device as an external display.
According to a report from 9to5Mac, Apple is planning on launching a new feature that would allow iPad owners use the device as a secondary display, as long as it’s physically connected to their computer. Apple reportedly refers to this project as “Sidecar” internally. This new addition to macOS 10.15 is part of a new window management effort from the company. It will allow future users to hover over the green maximize buttons on windows, which will then pop up a variety of different options.
There will be new tiling options, the standard full-screen, and the easy option to quickly send that window over to a secondary display if available. That means users won’t have to click and drag the screen over to that external display. That should make window management a bit easier. In addition to that, Apple is also rumored to be working on the ability to snap windows to sides of the display — something similar to how Microsoft handles it in Windows 10.
Apple Pencil users have something to look forward to as well. The report indicates that while their iPad is connected as an external display, they will still be able to use the stylus for direct interaction. That means the table can be used as an external drawing tablet.
There is no word on which iPad models will support this. And while current third-party apps that support this feature require a physical connection, there’s some speculation that Apple could offer a wireless option. That would definitely stand out, but Apple would have to basically get rid of lag to make it worthwhile.
Apple’s being called out for “Sherlocking” another feature, which isn’t incorrect if Apple really is planning on launching Sidecar to the public. There are apps that do this same thing, like Duet Display, Moom, and Luna. But, an official feature baked into the desktop operating system means a lot more people will not only know about it, but probably use it.
As long as Apple doesn’t completely restrict iPad model access for whatever reason.


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Now more than ever, there is a fluorescent light being shed on the fashion industry and its thumbs-down impact it has on our beloved planet and people. While oil still remains the most polluting industry in the world, the fashion industry comes in at a close second. The reason for this comes down to two crippling words: fast fashion.
Sure, the low price points associated with fast fashion can be tempting for any consumer, but the overall price of fast fashion is wreaking havoc on our world, in more ways than one.
According to a recent study conducted by Greenpeace, around 400 billion square meters of textiles are produced every year, of which 60 billion meters are left as waste on the cutting room floor. 80 billion pieces of clothing are produced worldwide, and 3 out of 4 of those pieces will end up in landfill or be incarcerated. Unfortunately, only one quarter will be recycled.
Water Consumption and Pollution
Water scarcity affects more than one billion people on a global scale and every drop of water should be precious. Disturbingly, just one pair of jeans requires 7,000 litres of water to produce, and 2 billion pairs are being manufactured every year.
A whopping 2,700 litres of water is used to make just one t-shirt… that’s the amount of water one average human will consume over 900 days!
And what about water pollution? Beyond a garment’s vibrant print, statement embellishments and glistening finish lies countless toxic chemicals. After agriculture, textile dyeing is the world’s second biggest polluter of clean water. 1.7 million tonnes of mixed chemicals are used in garment production – most notably, dangerous chemicals like PFCs, leaving a detrimental and lasting impact on our environment.
A 2016 Oxfam report revealed more than 60 million people work in the garment industry to churn out cheap, replicated clothing. More than 15 million of those people are based in Asia and over 80% are female, underage and from poorer, rural regions. They work unbearably long hours and earn as little as 39 cents an hour to produce garments sold to fast fashion giants, for mere cents apiece. Their less-than-fair wages do not even cover basic living costs, like food and accommodation.
How You Can Help
The inconvenient truths about fast fashion, our endangered planet and unethical industry practices have finally emerged from under the rug, and are gaining media attention and becoming topics of conversation around the world.
New, informed and sustainable fashion labels are emerging every day and ethical fashion is starting to thrive. Pre-existing brands are joining the sustainable wagon to reduce their carbon footprint and improve social conditions, and more people are donating their clothing.
There are simple steps you can also take to help make a positive change to the fashion industry. If more people boycott fast fashion, there will be less of a market for it.
- Invest in environmentally friendly materials. Learn more here.
- Download Good on You – a conscious shopping app providing ratings on fashion brands based on their ethical, environmental and social impact.
- Support ECA-accredited brands and encourage other brands to get accredited.
- Shop at op shops and markets – one person’s trash is another person’s treasure after all.
- Recycle, repurpose and buy garments on buy/swap/sell websites and on Etsy.
- Learn to DIY or turn your old clothes into something new by altering them.
- Shop sustainable brands! Well Made Clothes is a great online marketplace for local, sustainable and fair trade brands.
Check out the upcoming challenges on our calendar!


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By Emily Hardy2017-09-05T07:22:00
Halfords has unveiled an increase in first-quarter sales, which outgoing boss Jill McDonald attributed to the heightened popularity of holidaying in the UK.
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US consumers will make more than 100 billion mobile calls to businesses this year. Nearly two out of three consumers say it’s very — or extremely — important to be able to call a business during their purchase journey. Call tracking and analytics have become a marketing technology…
Please visit Search Engine Land for the full article.
Source: Search Engine Land
Link: Call Tracking And Analytics 101


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Good news for Proton owners as the national carmaker recently launched the ‘Proton AMP’ a second brand of spare parts.
This will provide its customers with more affordable spare parts as compared to the original ones. The AMP is a an acronym for ‘After Market Parts’ and will be cheaper than those produced by Proton themselves. According to Proton Edar, spare parts have always been an issue for the customers as they want original parts without having to pay too much. Having said that, customers are also wary of being cheated off with counterfeit or reconditioned parts. So with the new Proton AMP, it would surely be slightly cheaper for servicing Proton cars or replacement of parts.


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(Bloomberg) — PTT Oil & Retail Business Pcl, the retail unit of Thailand’s biggest energy company, jumped in its trading debut after raising about $1.57 billion in the country’s biggest initial public offering in almost one year.
Shares climbed as much as 50% to 27 baht before trading at 24.10 baht as of 10:04 a.m. in Bangkok. The company sold 2.61 billion shares to the public at 18 baht, the top end of the marketed price range. The company also has a so-called greenshoe option of 390 million shares.
PTT Oil becomes the third mega Thai IPO in the past year after Central Retail Corp.’s record $2.5 billion offering in February last year and SCG Packaging (NYSE:) Pcl’s $1.3 billion share sale in October. PTT Oil’s IPO drew more than 500,000 subscriptions from retail investors, the highest ever booking by number of investors, according to the company’s statement.
Equity offerings have been proving exceedingly popular of late, with many companies popping on their debuts. Ultra-low interest rates and expectations of more stimulus have stoked a stock rally and boosted demand for share sales, while leading some to warn of frothy markets.
The Thai stock exchange’s daily trading turnover averaged about 94 billion baht ($3.14 billion) so far this year, a 50% jump from the same period a year earlier, boosted by new retail investors, according to the bourse’s data.
Last week Chinese short-video app Kuaishou Technology surged 161% on its debut in Hong Kong, the second-best ever for an IPO of over $1 billion. About one of every five people in the financial hub submitted orders for shares, a record number.
Plentiful cash and coronavirus-induced lockdowns have led to an increase in retail trading globally, which has contributed to some volatile stock moves as seen with GameStop Corp (NYSE:)., as well as hugely oversubscribed share sales.
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CAYMAN ISLANDS – Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN) has acquired substantially all the assets of Nautamatic Marine Systems, Inc., manufacturer of the TR-1 Gold and Gladiator marine autopilots, the company reported in a recent statement. Financial terms of the transaction were not released.
All of Nautamatic’s 28 employees have joined Garmin’s U.S. subsidiary, Garmin International, Inc. and will be based in the facilities previously occupied by Nautamatic in Newport, Ore., and Dania Beach, Fla. The acquisition is expected to be neutral to Garmin Ltd. earnings in 2007, the company stated.
Nautamatic Marine Systems, which has operated under the name TR-1 Autopilots and was founded in 1994 by Graham Dorland and Doug Ford, is known for producing a patented marine autopilot technology that does not require a rudder-angle sensor. These sensors are often the biggest installation and maintenance challenges in other autopilot systems, according to Garmin. In addition, Nautamatic’s patented ShadowDrive technology lets boaters make manual course changes from the helm without disengaging the autopilot, the company said. TR-1 Autopilots are currently factory installed by dozens of boat manufacturers and are offered as an aftermarket accessory through a network of independent dealers.
Garmin will initially continue to offer the existing TR-1 marine autopilot products and intends to develop new marine autopilot products that will be integrated with Garmin Marine Network products.
“Nautamatic is known for its technology innovation and the reliability of its autopilots,” said Dr. Min Kao, chairman and CEO of Garmin, Ltd. “We believe this technology will be an excellent fit for Garmin and will enable us to better serve our marine customers by expanding our product offerings.”
“My colleagues and I are very excited to be joining Garmin,” said Doug Ford, formerly chief operating officer of Nautamatic, who has joined Garmin following the acquisition. “Garmin shares our vision and our focus on innovation, engineering excellence and customer service.”
This acquisition will enable Garmin to develop additional capabilities for the Garmin Marine Network, which already combines features like GPS, sonar, radar, XM WX Satellite Weather, 3D “mariner’s eye” topside view or “fish eye” underwater navigation perspective, auto guidance, and a touchscreen interface.
Neyland promoted to senior marine manager
In related news, Garmin has promoted John Neyland to senior manager of marine marketing and OEM sales. Neyland’s marine industry experience includes his recent position as a regional marine sales manager for Garmin. Previously he ran his own business for several years as a marine installer where he gained experience with radars, sounders, autopilots and other marine products.
Neyland will oversee the integration of the Nautamatic sales team with the Garmin sales team. He will also develop future programs to expand Garmin’s presence in the marine OEM and NMEA install-based market, according to the company. With the addition of an autopilot line and Garmin’s recent introduction of a new marine product line up, including the addition of an expanded line of radars, Garmin is looking to expand its marine market.
- For more of the latest news, click here.


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Ripple Labs, the company that was expected to offer a stiff competition to Bitcoin with its Ripple (XRP) digital currency and Ripple Protocol seems to have fallen behind. Thanks to the recent crackdown by US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) where Ripple was slapped with a $700,000 fine for non-compliance of regulations while operating as a money services business and selling its virtual currency. FinCEN had found that the parent company of Ripple Labs — XRP II, LLC had willfully violated the Banking Secrecy Act by not implementing effective Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program.
Since the enforcement drive, Ripple has suspended all new signups on Ripple Trade. The consumer wallet end of Ripple’s services stands partially effected while the company continues to service its banking and institutional customers. According to Ripple Labs, the company has suspended new signups on its Ripple Trade platform in order to implement compliance features as directed by FinCEN. The company did not make any formal announcements regarding the suspension of new signups on its Ripple Trade platform until last week.
After people started posting on various forums, Ripple has added a small notice on its Ripple Trade website stating that the company encourages its existing users to verify