#online marketing bureau

[maromedia]

Maro Media

Maro Media is een marketingbureau dat gevestigd is in Gent maar zijn diensten aanbied in Vlaanderen, Antwerpen, Limburg en Vlaams Brabant. Hun specialiteiten zijn SEO, hoger scoren in Google, social media onderhoud en Google mijn bedrijfsprofielen optimaliseren. Een marketingbedrijf dat dus ook een social media bedrijf is. In het specifiek zijn zij een online marketing bureau.

Social media bedrijf

[cnipdigitalagency]

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Everything advertised on social media is overpriced junk

In “Behavioral Advertising and Consumer Welfare: An Empirical Investigation,” a trio of business researchers from Carnegie Mellon and Pamplin College investigate the difference between the goods purchased through highly targeted online ads and just plain web-searches, and conclude social media ads push overpriced junk:

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4398428

If you’d like an essay-formatted version of this thread to read or share, here’s a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/08/late-stage-sea-monkeys/#jeremys-razors

Specifically, stuff that’s pushed to you via targeted ads costs an average of 10 percent more, and it significantly more likely to come from a vendor with a poor rating from the Better Business Bureau. This may seem trivial and obvious, but it’s got profound implications for media, commercial surveillance, and the future of the internet.

Writing in the New York Times, Julia Angwin — a legendary, muckraking data journalist — breaks down those implications. Angwin builds a case study around Jeremy’s Razors, a business that advertises itself as a “woke-free” shaving solution for manly men:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/06/opinion/online-advertising-privacy-data-surveillance-consumer-quality.html

Jeremy’s Razors spends a fucking fortune on ads. According to Facebook’s Ad Library, the company spent $800,000 on FB ads in March, targeting fathers of school-age kids who like Hershey’s, ultimate fighting, hunting or Johnny Cash:

https://pluralistic.net/jeremys-targeting

Anti-woke razors are an objectively, hilariously stupid idea, but that’s not the point here. The point is that Jeremy’s has to spend $800K/month to reach its customers, which means that it either has to accept $800K less in profits, or make it up by charging more and/or skimping on quality.

Targeted advertising is incredibly expensive, and incredibly lucrative — for the ad-tech platforms that sit between creative workers and media companies on one side, and audiences on the other. In order to target ads, ad-tech companies have to collect deep, nonconsensual dossiers on every internet user, full of personal, sensitive and potentially compromising information.

The switch to targeted ads was part of the enshittification cycle, whereby companies like Facebook and Google lured in end-users by offering high-quality services — Facebook showed you the things the people you asked to hear from posted, and Google returned the best search results it could find.

Eventually, those users became locked in. Once all our friends were on Facebook, we held each other hostage, each unable to leave because the others were there. Google used its access to the capital markets to snuff out any rival search companies, spending tens of billions every year to be the default on Apple devices, for example.

Once we were locked in, the tech giants made life worse for us in order to make life better for media companies and advertisers. Facebook violated its promise to be the privacy-centric alternative to Myspace, where our data would never be harvested; it switched on mass surveillance and created cheap, accurate ad-targeting:

https://lawcat.berkeley.edu/record/1128876?ln=en

Google fulfilled the prophecy in its founding technical document, the Pagerank paper: “advertising funded search engines will be inherently biased towards the advertisers and away from the needs of the consumers.” They, too, offered cheap, highly targeted ads:

http://infolab.stanford.edu/~backrub/google.html

Facebook and Google weren’t just kind to advertisers — they also gave media companies and creative workers a great deal, funneling vast quantities of traffic to both. Facebook did this by cramming media content into the feeds of people who hadn’t asked to see it, displacing the friends’ posts they had asked to see. Google did it by upranking media posts in search results.

Then we came to the final stage of the enshittification cycle: having hooked both end-users and business customers, Facebook and Google withdrew the surpluses from both groups and handed them to their own shareholders. Advertising costs went up. The share of ad income paid to media companies went down. Users got more ads in their feeds and search results.

Facebook and Google illegally colluded to rig the ad-market with a program called Jedi Blue that let the companies steal from both advertisers and media companies:

https://techcrunch.com/2022/03/11/google-meta-jedi-blue-eu-uk-antitrust-probes/

Apple blocked Facebook’s surveillance on its mobile devices, but increased its own surveillance of Iphone and Ipad users in order to target ads to them, even when those users explicitly opted out of spying:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/14/luxury-surveillance/#liar-liar

Today, we live in the enshittification end-times, red of tooth and claw, where media companies’ revenues are dwindling and advertisers’ costs are soaring, and the tech giants are raking in hundreds of billions, firing hundreds of thousands of workers, and pissing away tens of billions on stock buybacks:

https://doctorow.medium.com/mass-tech-worker-layoffs-and-the-soft-landing-1ddbb442e608

As Angwin points out, in the era before behavioral advertising, Jeremy’s might have bought an ad in Deer & Deer Hunting or another magazine that caters to he-man types who don’t want woke razors; the same is true for all products and publications. Before mass, non-consensual surveillance, ads were based on content and context, not on the reader’s prior behavior.

There’s no reason that ads today couldn’t return to that regime. Contextual ads operate without surveillance, using the same “real-time bidding” mechanism to place ads based on the content of the article and some basic parameters about the user (rough location based on IP address, time of day, device type):

https://pluralistic.net/2020/08/05/behavioral-v-contextual/#contextual-ads

Context ads perform about as well as behavioral ads — but they have a radically different power-structure. No media company will ever know as much about a given user as an ad-tech giant practicing dragnet surveillance and buying purchase, location and finance data from data-brokers. But no ad-tech giant knows as much about the context and content of an article as the media company that published it.

Context ads are, by definition, centered on the media company or creative worker whose work they appear alongside of. They are much harder for tech giants to enshittify, because enshittification requires lock-in and it’s hard to lock in a publication who knows better than anyone what they’re publishing and what it means.

We should ban surveillance advertising. Period. Companies should not be allowed to collect our data without our meaningful opt-in consent, and if that was the standard, there would be no data-collection:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/03/22/myob/#adtech-considered-harmful

Remember when Apple created an opt out button for tracking, more than 94 percent of users clicked it (the people who clicked “yes” to “can Facebook spy on you?” were either Facebook employees, or confused):

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/02/facebook-says-apple-ios-privacy-change-will-cost-10-billion-this-year.html

Ad-targeting enables a host of evils, like paid political disinformation. It also leads to more expensive, lower-quality goods. “A Raw Deal For Consumers,” Sumit Sharma’s new Consumer Reports paper, catalogs the many other costs imposed on Americans due to the lack of tech regulation:

https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A-Raw-Deal-for-US-Consumers_March-2023.pdf

Sharma describes the benefits that Europeans will shortly enjoy thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act, from lower prices to more privacy to more choice, from cloud gaming on mobile devices to competing app stores.

However, both the EU and the US — as well as Canada and Australia — have focused their news industry legislating on misguided “link taxes,” where tech giants are required to pay license fees to link to and excerpt the news. This is an approach grounded in the mistaken idea that tech giants are stealing media companies’ content — when really, tech giants are stealing their money:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/04/18/news-isnt-secret/#bid-shading

Creating a new pseudocopyright to control who can discuss the news is a terrible idea, one that will make the media companies beholden to the tech giants at a time when we desperately need deep, critical reporting on the tech sector. In Canada, where Bill C-18 is the latest link tax proposal in the running to become law, we’re already seeing that conflict of interest come into play.

As Jesse Brown and Paula Simons — a veteran reporter turned senator — discuss on the latest Canadaland podcast, the Toronto Star’s sharp and well-reported critical series on the tech giants died a swift and unexplained death immediately after the Star began receiving license fees for tech users’ links and excerpts from its reporting:

https://www.canadaland.com/paula-simons-bill-c-18/

Meanwhile, in Australia, the proposed “news bargaining code” stampeded the tech giants into agreeing to enter into “voluntary” negotiations with the media companies, allowing Rupert Murdoch’s Newscorp to claim the lion’s share of the money, and then conduct layoffs across its newsrooms.

While in France, the link tax depends on publishers integrating with Google Showcase, a product that makes Google more money from news content and makes news publishers more dependent on Google:

https://www.politico.eu/article/french-competition-authority-greenlights-google-pledges-over-paying-news-publishers/

A link tax only pays for so long as the tech giants remain dominant and continue to extract the massive profits that make them capable of paying the tax. But legislative action to fix the ad-tech markets, like Senator Mike Lee’s ad-tech breakup bill (cosponsored by both Ted Cruz and Elizabeth Warren!) would shift power to publishers, and with it, money:

https://www.lee.senate.gov/2023/3/the-america-act

With ad-tech intermediaries scooping up 50% or more of every advertising dollar, there is plenty of potential to save news without the need for a link tax. If unrigging the ad-tech market drops the platforms’ share of advertising dollars to a more reasonable 10%, then the advertisers and publishers could split the remainder, with advertisers spending 20% less and publishers netting 20% more.

Passing a federal privacy law would end surveillance advertising at the stroke of a pen, shifting the market to context ads that let publishers, not platforms, call the shots. As an added bonus, the law would stop Tiktok from spying on Americans, and also end Google, Facebook, Apple and Microsoft’s spying to boot:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/03/30/tik-tok-tow/#good-politics-for-electoral-victories

Mandating competition in app stores — as the Europeans are poised to do — would kill Google and Apple’s 30% “app store tax” — the percentage they rake off of every transaction from every app on Android and Ios. Drop that down to the 2–5% that the credit cards charge, and every media outlet’s revenue-per-subscriber would jump by 25%.

Add to that an end-to-end rule for tech giants requiring them to deliver updates from willing receivers to willing senders, so every newsletter you subscribed to would stay out of your spam folder and every post by every media company or creator you followed would show up in your feed:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/10/e2e/#the-censors-pen

That would make it impossible for tech giants to use the sleazy enshittification gambit of forcing creative workers and media companies to pay to “boost” their content (or pay $8/month for a blue tick) just to get it in front of the people who asked to see it:

https://doctorow.medium.com/twiddler-1b5c9690cce6

The point of enshittification is that it’s bad for everyone except the shareholders of tech monopolists. Jeremy’s Razors are bad, winning a 2.7 star rating out of five:

https://www.facebook.com/JeremysRazors/reviews

The company charges more for these substandard razors, and you are more likely to find out about them, because of targeted, behavioral ads. These ads starve media companies and creative workers and make social media and search results terrible.

A link tax is predicated on the idea that we need Big Tech to stay big, and to dribble a few crumbs for media companies, compromising their ability to report on their deep-pocketed beneficiaries, in a way that advantages the biggest media companies and leaves small, local and independent press in the cold.

By contrast, a privacy law, ad-tech breakups, app-store competition and end-to-end delivery would shatter the power of Big Tech and shift power to users, creative workers and media companies. These are solutions that don’t just keep working if Big Tech goes away — they actually hasten that demise! What’s more, they work just as well for big companies as they do for independents.

Whether you’re the New York Times or you’re an ex-Times reporter who’s quit your job and now crowdfunds to cover your local school board and town council meetings, shifting control and the share of income is will benefit you, whether or not Big Tech is still in the picture.

Have you ever wanted to say thank you for these posts? Here’s how you can: I’m kickstarting the audiobook for my next novel, a post-cyberpunk anti-finance finance thriller about Silicon Valley scams called Red Team Blues. Amazon’s Audible refuses to carry my audiobooks because they’re DRM free, but crowdfunding makes them possible.

Image: freeimageslive.co.uk (modified) http://www.freeimageslive.co.uk/free_stock_image/using-mobile-phone-jpg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

[Image ID: A man's hand holds a mobile phone. Its screen displays an Instagram ad. The ad has been replaced with a slice of a vintage comic book 'small ads' page.]

[thoughtportal]

It sounds weird to say that carrots are having a moment, but social media has catapulted the humble root to a status resembling stardom. Anecdotal evidence suggests online carrot recipes trail in popularity only those for potatoes and brussels sprouts among vegetables, and Pinterest numbers support that: recipe searches for honey balsamic carrots on the platform are up 75% this year, while queries for roasted parmesan carrots skyrocketed 700%. Fresh carrots are an expanding $1.4 billion U.S. market, andAmericans are expected to consume 100 million pounds this Thanksgiving — roughly five ounces for every human being in the country.

At least 60% of those carrots are produced by just two companies, Bolthouse and Grimmway, both of which were acquired by buyout firms, in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

“There’s only two sources,” Adam Waglay, cofounder and co-CEO of Bolthouse owner Butterfly Equity, told Forbes. “We joke around — it’s kind of like the OPEC of carrots.”

Cartels are less funny for neighbors of the two producers in Southern California’s Cuyama Valley, who are calling for a boycott of Big Carrot over the amount of water their farms are sucking out of the ground. In 2022, Bolthouse and Grimmway together were responsible for 67%, or 9.6 billion gallons, of the area’s total water use. Local residents said they expect their wells to dry up if the carrot farms continue to use as much water as they do — Grimmway CEO Jeff Huckaby told Forbes his company has already reduced the amount of acreage it farms — and the two carrot producers have joined forces to defend their thirst in court. That worries local residents, who say they lack the deep pockets needed to wage a prolonged legal battle.

Cattle rancher Jake Furstenfeld places a boycott sign in New Cuyama, California in September.Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo

Water fights like this can take years to resolve, and often become a way to delay cutbacks, Karrigan Bork, a professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law, told Forbes. “You see these rights again and again get trimmed back by the state or by courts,” Bork said. “In some cases, your savvy water users recognize that, and for them, just delaying that trimming back is a success, and the longer they can do that, the happier they will be.”

Price Concerns

Waglay uses the word “duopoly” to describe the two companies. Such market consolidationoften leads to higher prices, and the government has for years used increased consumer prices as an indicator of possible unfair competition. The U.S. Department of Agriculture declined to comment on any antitrust issues.

Since 2019, carrot producer prices have increased more than 40%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, outpacing the 22% inflation in the U.S. economy.

Carrot Top

Prices are near their highest since 2019, when Bolthouse was acquired by a private equity firm. Grimmway changed hands a year later.

Huckaby, the Grimmway CEO, told Forbes that the costs of a number of inputs have gone up, too. Packaging, fertilizer and fuel prices have all risen at a higher rate than inflation, he said, and California’s minimum wage has increased 27% since 2018. At $15 an hour, it’s the second-highest in the country.

Still, the carrot business has been a lucrative play. Total U.S. production value has increased 34% since 2019.

Duopoly Origins

Bolthouse, founded in 1915 in Grant, Michigan, started selling carrots packed in cellophane bags in 1959. In the 1970s and 1980s, production was centered around Bakersfield, California. After Bakersfield farmer Mike Yurosek invented “baby carrots” in 1986, consumption soared.

In the 1990s, Bolthouse ballooned into the largest carrot operator, reportedly shipping some 80% of California’s carrots. It amounted to half the U.S. carrot market in 1992, followed by Grimmway, founded by brothers Bob and Rod Grimm in 1969, and Yurosek’s family-owned outfit. Grimmway eventually bought out Mike Yurosek & Son. The carrot crop is now the tenth-biggest commodity in California, where one-third of America’s vegetables are grown.

Today, the industry’s growth could be limited by dwindling water supplies in the drought-prone Cuyama Valley, 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 90 miles west of Bakersfield. But the companies behind the duopoly aren’t giving up without a fight.

Both businesses, which own their own manufacturing, are hitting a similar point in their ownership lifecycles. Private equity-backed businesses typically change hands every three to five years. In 2019, Butterfly Equity acquired Bolthouse from publicly traded Campbell Soup for $510 million in cash. A year later, Grimmway was acquired by Teays River Investments, a Zionsville, Indiana-based investment firm, for an undisclosed amount. That means both businesses are in the sweet spot of what most investors consider the hot time to unload an investment or take it public.

Los Angeles, California-based Butterfly has sold only one of its investments, an organic protein company called Orgain, acquired by Nestle Health Science in February 2022 after two years of Butterfly ownership. Grimmway is Teays River’s only current investment after exiting two others in 2019 and 2013. Teays River held those investments for eight years and one year, respectively.

Grimmway’s owner, which according to Pitchbook has $1.38 billion in assets under management, is backed by pension funds including the public employees of the states of Maine and Oregon, Texas teachers, the New York state Teamsters union and the Producer-Writers Guild of America.

Butterfly Equity, by comparison, has $4 billion in assets under management and is backed byexecutives of private equity giant KKR, where Waglay worked for eight years. The firm has done eight deals in the eight years since it launched. Butterfly also owns America’s largest striped bass farm, the largest free-range egg company, an avocado oil maker that controls 60% of the market, and a large whey protein manufacturer.

Water Rights

Bolthouse and Grimmway started working with each other in a way that competitors rarely do. They filed a lawsuit together in 2021 in Kern County, California to ask a court to decide how to split up the water of New Cuyama, where they farm.

What’s happening in Cuyama Valley is an example of the kinds of water fights that are surfacing across California. Farmers of a variety of crops there have depended on irrigation for decades. Those years of pumping water and spraying it over crops through sprinklers or complex drip irrigation systems have had drastic implications, including threats of land sinking, a receding water table that makes it tougher to dig wells and the threat of some of them drying out.

That’s why water use around New Cuyama could get reduced by two-thirds over the next two decades. To bring the region back to a sustainable level by 2040, water cuts of 5% started this year and will continue each year going forward. The Cuyama basin currently has an annual water deficit of more than 8 billion gallons, and much of the area’s carrot farmland may have to be taken out of production. Some experts say Bolthouse and Grimmway would have to reduce their water consumption by about double what the city of Santa Barbara, California uses annually.

But water-efficient sprinklers can only save so much. The carrot companies’ lawsuit has forced area farmers, ranchers, residents and even the area’s public school to rack up legal bills. In response, a coalition of locals launched a boycott of carrots in July. The boycott’s goals: for the companies to drop the lawsuit, pay all legal fees and to reduce the amount of water they pump. One flyer the boycotters distributed suggests a Thanksgiving recipe for brussels sprouts instead.

Both Bolthouse and Grimmway lease farmland rather than own it. They recently withdrew from the lawsuit, though the companies that own the farmland are still in it, and what the judge decides will dictate how much the companies are able to farm there in the future.

Expanding Elsewhere

Huckaby said the carrot boycott has taken aim at Grimmway and Bolthouse because they’re easy targets. Only 3,700 of the 13,000 acres that Grimmway leases in the Cuyama Valley are being farmed, according to Huckaby. “We cut way back and we cut way back and we cut back and no one else did,” he said.

The companies may have to find new farmland to grow carrots. The average American now eats roughly seven pounds of the fresh vegetable every year, with consumption up 2% so far in 2023, according to NielsenIQ.

Grimmway has already expanded its farming operations outside of California with facilities in Florida, Washington and other states.

Butterfly’s Waglay doesn’t deny that water is one of the biggest barriers that his investment in Bolthouse faces. “Water challenges,” he said with a sigh. “This asset has great access to water, but it’s going to get worse and worse, and you need to be planning for that and trying to work on ways to minimize that. That’ll be a long-term challenge.”

California water fights often result in residents and smaller business owners getting “outgunned in the courts by large commercial actors,” Pomona College environmental analysis and politics professor Heather Williams, an expert on water issues, told Forbes. The lawsuit is among the first of many, she said.

“It’s put into motion a race to the basin — pumping as much as you can, and putting that into production,” Williams said. “Water is property in California. It’s what a rational actor acting on behalf of investors is going to do. If they’re playing this game, they’ve got to play hard.”

Grimmway and Bolthouse can move on, said Williams, unlike most of the residents in New Cuyama. “These are their homes, their small farms. If the well goes dry, it’s worth basically nothing,” she said. “They can’t pay lawyers for ten years of litigation.”

[banecraft]

Why I won’t buy, read, or review “The Green Mysteries” by Daniel Schulke

Three Hands Press has become an untrustworthy print on demand grift and Daniel Schulke, its sole proprietor, is as equally terrible at indie publishing as he is at writing intelligible books. A lot of people don’t know Daniel Schulke is the only person behind Xoanon and Three Hands Press. There’s no companies, no offices, no warehouses, no employees, and no cultus sabbati group, it’s literally just a dude. Despite claiming it was founded in 1992, Xoanon didn’t exist until post 2000 and it was just Chumbley self-publishing. After his death Schulke used it for self-publishing. Despite claiming it was founded in 2003, Three Hands Press was founded after Chumbley’s death in 2004 with its first book not published until 2009. I doubt Chumbley was ever involved. The press ran smoothly for a few years until Michael Howard (the anonymous unnamed partner who was the money and the publishing expert) died in 2015 and then it started to fall apart. Chumbley and Schulke are windy trash bags and always were. Stop listening to traditional witch influencers who make you think you have to have certain authors on your shelf to be legit. Neither has given anything back to the community. They never created community. Exclusion was their marketing ploy and it worked. Everyone wants into the exclusive club. It was always about book sales and the email list. Just an occult bro mlm. And y’all fell for it. Eight years to publish just one book and y’all still kissing Schulke’s ass after he spent all the preorder money, wouldn’t answer emails or give refunds, and then the book sucks? Insane.

Sources:

“Navigating the Crooked Path: Andrew D. Chumbley and the Sabbatic Craft “by Ethan Doyle White, 2019.

Video: “Why I won’t buy books from Three Hands Press anymore”

https://youtu.be/-abIFwGxWuQ?si=x3vK7Rrv0ayNYDfy

Three Hands Press’ Better Business Bureau complaints:

https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-pablo/profile/online-shopping/three-hands-press-1116-925897/complaints

[viceroy-transporter]

How to Buy a Car Online

Buying a car online offers a unique convenience, but it’s essential to approach the process with a plan.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you purchase a car online confidently and securely.

1. Set a Budget and Define Your Needs

Decide on a budget and list your must-have features. Consider whether you need a new or used car, your preferred make and model, fuel efficiency, and any additional features that matter to you. Establishing your needs early on will help narrow your options and streamline your search.

2. Research Reliable Websites and Sellers

Stick to reputable online car marketplaces and dealership websites to avoid scams. Look for verified sellers, read customer reviews, and check the Better Business Bureau for ratings. Some popular and trusted platforms include Carvana, Autotrader, and Vroom. Many dealerships also offer virtual showrooms with secure purchasing options.

3. Conduct a Thorough Vehicle Inspection

Once you’ve found a car that interests you, request detailed photos and a video tour. Look for any signs of wear, rust, or damage, and ask about the car’s history. For used vehicles, check the VIN and obtain a vehicle history report through CARFAX or AutoCheck. It will provide information on the car’s maintenance record, previous ownership, and any reported accidents.

4. Verify Pricing and Value

Use tools like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds to get an estimate of the car’s fair market value. Comparing the asking price to these resources ensures you’re paying a reasonable amount and gives you leverage for negotiation.

5. Arrange Financing and Insurance

If you’re not paying in cash, arrange financing through your bank, credit union, or directly through the online car platform if they offer financing options. Shop around for the best interest rates and terms, and get pre-approved if possible. You’ll also need to secure insurance coverage for the car before finalizing the purchase.

6. Schedule a Virtual or In-Person Test Drive

If the car is within reach, test drive it in person to assess comfort, handling, and overall performance. If you’re buying from out of state, many sellers offer virtual test drives via live video calls, where they can demonstrate features and provide a closer look.

7. Negotiate the Price

Don’t hesitate to negotiate, especially if you’ve noticed minor issues or can provide lower price comparisons. Negotiating online is often straightforward, with many platforms allowing you to make offers and negotiate via chat or email.

8. Finalize Paperwork Securely

Complete all necessary paperwork securely, including title transfer, bill of sale, and any required warranty information. Ensure the contract includes any promised services or warranties, and carefully read through all terms. Most online platforms and dealerships will offer a secure digital signing process, or you may be mailed the documents to sign.

9. Arrange Delivery

If the car is far from your location, work with a reliable transport service to have it delivered to your home. Many online car sellers provide their own delivery services, while independent transport services like Viceroy Auto Transport also offer secure and timely vehicle delivery.

10. Inspect Upon Delivery

Once the car arrives, thoroughly inspect it to ensure it matches the listing and is in the agreed-upon condition. Verify that it includes all promised items, such as spare keys or additional equipment, and perform a final test drive if possible.

By following these steps, buying a car online can be a smooth and secure process. With the right preparation, you can find and purchase a vehicle from the comfort of home, making online car shopping a convenient alternative to traditional dealerships.

[rrcenic]

hey you guys should read the winnie the pooh/bee movie (with a camp camp reference because i was a basic bitch) short horror story i wrote in 7th grade

cw for blood, violence, substance abuse, addiction, and overall gore/horror

Morning dawned on the little cottage in the Hundred Acre Wood. The little yellow furry yawned, stretched his legs, and slowly waddled to his bathroom. He looked in the mirror and saw Winnie the Pooh, an innocent little bear.

Well, at least, he used to be an innocent little bear.

It had been 6 years since Christopher Robin left for boarding school.

6 years since the honey addiction started.

6 years since he started trying to find his father.

8 months ago, Owl’s black market trade of honey smuggled in from America had gone dry. Apparently, the bees had revolted against the honey companies. But Pooh had enough. 

Until he didn't.

Honey substitutes kept him sane, but they weren't enough. He had psychotic breakdowns, he was shaky, unstable. And worst of all: Christopher Robin never responded to his texts.

Piglet couldn't take it anymore. He did some digging online and found records of possible families. He gave Pooh the address of an investigation bureau. 

So he traveled to America, with a note to the office. But at this point he’d given up on finding his family. He now had one goal in mind: 

Find honey

Pooh pulled his black hoodie over his head as he jumped out of the white van. He quickly clipped the barbed wires and snuck into the abandoned honey farm. Sneaking in was highly illegal, and just the slightest creak made 

Pooh jump. He took a deep breath and kept walking.

The abandoned hives had started to decay, the honey had rotted and turned red. In this lighting, Pooh could have sworn it looked like...blood… 

No! he thought, It's just my imagination… 

He stopped, and sniffed, his little black nose sticking tentatively out of his hood, his yellow snout scrunched up...did he smell what he thought he smelled?

Honey!

Pooh ran towards the hive, forgetting about the idea of staying secret. Sweet, sweet honey! He began to shovel it into his mouth, when he heard a small voice.

“Hey! Don't you know the laws!” shouted a bee, standing there with his arms crossed.

“It's just a little honey!” Pooh pouted.

“If you take another mouthful of that honey, you will forever pay the consequences!” the bee continued. “You’ll face the wrath of me, Barry B. Benso-”

Pooh had run out of patience. He quickly stomped on the bee and continued eating, convinced that the bee was dead and he wouldn't be bothered again. He scampered over to another hive.

Behind him, Barry’s hand twitched.

When he was full, he filled his van with as many jars of honey as possible. Pooh knew he had to get out of there fast, so while he left, he didn't pay attention to the 25 mph speed limit sign, and was half-an-hour away from the old farm when he first heard the police sirens. He sighed and pulled over.

However, the police officer immediately noticed the sticky red stuff on his yellow paws. “And one more question,” the officer asked after Pooh received the ticket. “What is that?”

Pooh panicked. Honey was illegal now, and he didn't want to be put in jail. “Uhhhh, corn syrup?” he cringed.

“Oh, really?” the officer scoffed. “It looks suspiciously like... blood.”

“It's not! I swear!” Pooh shouted.

The officer grabbed his paw. “Wait, is this honey?”

Pooh hit the gas

He quickly found a place to sleep. A dingy motel, the color of mildew, that smelled like wet socks. Pooh was so tired from the police chase and the jet lag, and the honey effects were starting to wear off. Pooh sighed and rolled over. He tried to sleep, but a little scratching noise on the wall kept him awake. Eventually, he sighed, took a swig of honey, and stood up.

“What is that noise?” he asked. Pooh looked over to the small, dirty window. It was open, and there was a hole in the bug screen. Small enough for a bee to fit in...

I'm just paranoid, he assured himself. Barry is dead. I killed him...didn't I?

“You didn't do a good job of it.” a buzzing whisper echoed around the room. 

“Barry?! How are you alive! How do you know what I'm thinking?!” Pooh screeched.

“Oh Pooh, I was never alive. I’m not a normal bee.” Barry smiled a crooked, dead smile. “And you’ve destroyed my mortal body and taken my bee syrup. I'm here for revenge.”

“B-b-but where are you?” Pooh whimpered.

“We are right outside your window” the voice responded.

We? Pooh though. But he’s only one bee...

Pooh looked outside and let out a shriek.

Swarms of bees crowded around his small window. And they looked intent on revenge. Pooh quickly hid the jar behind his back and slammed the window.

Two hours had passed and Pooh was still cowering in his room. Sure, he had stolen some honey. Sure, he had squished the lead bee. But how did Barry get here so fast? Who were the other bees? Eventually, his curiosity got the better of him.

Pooh cracked the window. “Uhm, so sorry to bother you, but...who are you?” he whispered cautiously.

“We are Barry B. Benson, the reincarnation of every bee you’ve ever stolen honey from, and we are here to make sure it never happens again. Barry NEVER forgets. In fact, we are already on the path to vengeance.” the bees screeched in unison. 

“What-what have you done?” Pooh whimpered.

Barry smiled. “Why do you think Christopher Robin won't  talk to you?”

“H-he’s at school, he may have forgotten-”

The bees began to cackle as Barry held up a rotted head. Pooh’s vision clouded. No, no, no- 

He was paralized by the indescribable sight.

(authors note: i edited this at age 12 im sorry)

Pooh ran.

The flight back is in 20 minutes, Pooh told himself. I’ll be fine, it'll be fine. He had all of his honey hidden under his fur coat, which blended in with his fuzzy yellow figure. As soon as he could see the JFK check-in, he slammed on the breaks and ran for it. Through check-in, through security, through international customs, and to Gate 1B of British Airways. The stewardess offered him a cup of coffee. He panicked and threw it back at her, covering her in boiling liquid and mumbling something about wanting tea. The seatbelt signs came on, and Pooh relaxed. He was safe now, there was no way Barry could find him here.

On the back of the plane, a woman asked the grumpy stewardess why there were thousands of bees outside her window.

Cameron Campbell was not your average man. He’d had several crumbling careers, including a failed fast-food chain called McCampbells, a Russian honey-smuggling business, a mini war with Kentucky, and a summer camp. But he’d spent his time in jail towards becoming a better person, and was ready for his first day as a co-pilot. His partner had gone to use the bathroom and left him steering the plane. He smiled, his grey mustache shining in the sun, and turned on the speaker. 

“This is your captain speaking. We’re currently passing over the Atlantic Ocean. That island you can see in the distance is-” 

He was momentarily distracted by a half-decomposed bee holding an ax above his head. Cameron dropped the speaker and screamed. “WHAT?! WHO ARE YOU- PLEASE DON'T KILL ME, PLEASE-”

With the speed of a bullet, it lodged itself deep into Cameron’s eye. With one last scream, his body went limp. Barry B. Beson was deep in Cameron’s brain. Barry concentrated hard, and bees swarmed Cameron’s eyes. Barry was now in complete control. Cameron’s body smiled and steered straight down, towards the ocean.

“We apologize for the noise and turbulence. Please remain calm. Everything will be fine.” 

He clicked off the microphone and locked the cockpit door.

Pooh knew what had happened. He didn't know how it had happened, but he knew that voice. Barry had found him. Pooh ran as fast as he could, but he knew it was pointless. He was trapped. 

The bees began to swarm throughout the plane, attacking the other passengers. Pooh hid under a seat, in an empty dog cage. The buzzing suddenly stopped. Pooh looked up. 

There were people sprawled everywhere, covered in stinger scratches and dripping with red. Pooh tried not to vomit at the sight. A small child stirred. Pooh ran over, trying to see if he was alive. 

“H-hello? Are you quite well?” he whispered.

The child turned around. In her empty eyes, Pooh could see the familiar glare of Barry B. Benson. 

“Oh, I feel just nifty, Winnie benson.” it creaked softly. 

“B-Benson? What?” Pooh stuttered.

“That's right, pooh. Why do you think you like honey so much? It runs   in the family.” Barry’s voice echoed.

In a way, Pooh realized he’d succeeded. He’d found his father. But all these people would be alive if he hadn't. 

The lifeless bodies of the passengers stood up and smiled at Pooh, blood dripping from their empty sockets. There was nowhere Pooh could run. He slammed on the cockpit door, knowing it would make no difference. Tears streamed down his face. No, no, no, this wasn't how it ended!

The door opened. Pooh ran inside and leaned against the door. He had about 3 minutes till the swarm penetrated the metal barrier.

Pooh curled up into a ball and screamed. He shouldn't have come here at all. Should have listened to his friends. There was no one to blame but himself. All the bees he’d killed had come back to find him. He’d tried to hide from it, but it was true. There was nowhere he could go where his past couldn't catch up. Nowhere he could run where his problems couldn't find him.

He noticed the parachute bag, 5 feet away from him. There was still hope for the little yellow bear! He wiped his nose, then quickly strapped the bag on and opened the emergency exit door.  Pooh thought about everything he had to live for, took a deep breath, and jumped.

Pooh was falling fast. He fearfully pulled the parachute. It opened and-

He kept falling. Pooh panicked and looked up. The parachute was full of little, bee-shaped holes. In one last moment of paralyzing fear for what would happen now, he managed to squeak, “Oh, bother!” before he hit the water.

They never found any trace of Winne the Pooh ever again, except for a small, empty jar of honey with his TikTok username scrolled on the bottom. They never found the bees, either. But legend tells us that every time you take the life of a bee, its soul joins the ever-growing form of Barry B. Benson.

And Barry never forgets.

[mediakingbel]

De evolutie en impact van reclamebureaus

Invoering In de ingewikkelde wereld van marketing fungeren reclamebureaus als cruciale spelers, die creativiteit, strategie en marktinzicht met elkaar verweven om merken in de schijnwerpers te zetten. De evolutie van reclamebureaus weerspiegelt het dynamische landschap van media, technologie en consumentengedrag. Vanaf hun oprichting tot hun huidige status als veelzijdige entiteiten hebben deze bureaus zich voortdurend aangepast om te voldoen aan de eisen van een steeds veranderende markt. Dit artikel duikt in de geschiedenis, evolutie, rollen en toekomstperspectieven van reclamebureaus en werpt licht op hun onmisbare rol in de zakenwereld. Voor meer informatie bezoek Reclamebureau.

Een korte geschiedenis van reclamebureaus Vroeg begin Het concept van reclame is zo oud als de handel zelf. Het gestructureerde reclamebureau zoals wij dat kennen begon echter halverwege de 19e eeuw vorm te krijgen. Volney B. Palmer richtte in 1841 het eerste erkende reclamebureau op in Philadelphia. Palmers bureau fungeerde voornamelijk als makelaar voor krantenruimte, een rol die de basis legde voor toekomstige advertentiemodellen.

De opkomst van fullservicebureaus Aan het einde van de 19e en het begin van de 20e eeuw ontstonden full-service reclamebureaus. Deze bureaus kochten niet alleen mediaruimte, maar boden ook creatieve diensten, campagneplanning en marktonderzoek aan. NW Ayer & Son, opgericht in 1869, wordt vaak gezien als het eerste full-service bureau. Ze pionierden met het open contract en introduceerden het concept van creatieve afdelingen, waardoor het reclamelandschap voor altijd veranderde.

De gouden eeuw van reclame Naoorlogse bloei De periode na de Tweede Wereldoorlog markeerde de gouden eeuw van de reclame. De economische welvaart leidde tot een stijging van de consumptiegoederen, en televisie kwam naar voren als een dominant medium. Reclamebureaus floreerden en werden essentiële partners voor bedrijven die de kracht van de massamedia wilden benutten. Iconen uit deze tijd, zoals David Ogilvy, Bill Bernbach en Leo Burnett, introduceerden innovatieve ideeën die de nadruk legden op creativiteit, verhalen vertellen en emotionele verbondenheid.

De creatieve revolutie De jaren zestig en zeventig luidden een creatieve revolutie in de reclame in. Bureaus als Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB) voerden de leiding met baanbrekende campagnes waarin creativiteit en humor voorop stonden. De beroemde ‘Think Small’-campagne van Volkswagen is een goed voorbeeld van deze verschuiving, waarbij eenvoud en slimheid worden gebruikt om een aanzienlijke impact te maken. Deze periode versterkte de rol van creatieve professionals in de reclame en benadrukte het belang van originaliteit en merkpersoonlijkheid.

De digitale transformatie Opkomst van digitale media De komst van internet aan het eind van de 20e eeuw bracht een revolutie teweeg in de reclame-industrie. Traditionele media als print, radio en televisie moesten plaats maken voor digitale platforms. Deze verschuiving bracht nieuwe kansen en uitdagingen met zich mee voor reclamebureaus. Zoekmachinemarketing, sociale media en online display-advertenties werden cruciale componenten van de advertentiemix.

Datagedreven marketing Met digitale media ontstond de mogelijkheid om enorme hoeveelheden gegevens te verzamelen en te analyseren. Reclamebureaus omarmden datagestuurde marketing en gebruikten analyses om de strategie te onderbouwen en de effectiviteit van campagnes te meten. Deze aanpak maakte preciezere targeting en gepersonaliseerde berichten mogelijk, waardoor de relevantie en impact van advertenties aanzienlijk werd vergroot.

Rollen en functies van moderne reclamebureaus Strategische planning De kern van de activiteiten van een reclamebureau is strategische planning. Dit omvat het begrijpen van de zakelijke doelstellingen, marktomstandigheden en doelgroep van de klant. Bureaus doen uitgebreid onderzoek om uitgebreide marketingstrategieën te ontwikkelen die aansluiten bij de doelstellingen van de klant. Deze strategische basis zorgt ervoor dat alle creatieve en media-inspanningen samenhangend en doelgericht zijn.

Creatieve ontwikkeling Creativiteit blijft een hoeksteen van reclame. Bureaus beschikken over teams van creatieve professionals, waaronder copywriters, art directors en ontwerpers, die samenwerken om boeiende advertenties te produceren. Deze creatieve teams creëren boodschappen die resoneren met het publiek, waarbij ze een mix van visuele en verbale elementen gebruiken om merkverhalen effectief over te brengen.

Mediaplanning en -inkoop Reclamebureaus spelen een cruciale rol bij mediaplanning en -inkoop. Zij identificeren de meest geschikte mediakanalen om de doelgroep te bereiken en onderhandelen over de beste tarieven voor mediaruimte. Deze functie vereist een diepgaand inzicht in mediaconsumptiepatronen en het vermogen om relaties met media-eigenaren te benutten.

Digitale en sociale mediamarketing In het huidige digitale tijdperk moeten reclamebureaus bedreven zijn in digitale en sociale mediamarketing. Ze beheren online campagnes op verschillende platforms, waaronder sociale media, zoekmachines en display-netwerken. Dit omvat het creëren van boeiende inhoud, het optimaliseren voor zoekmachines en het gebruiken van data-analyse om strategieën te verfijnen en de prestaties te verbeteren.

Public Relations en Geïntegreerde Marke

ting Veel reclamebureaus bieden public relations (PR)-diensten aan, waarmee ze klanten helpen hun publieke imago te beheren en effectief met belanghebbenden te communiceren. Geïntegreerde marketing, die verschillende promotiemiddelen en kanalen combineert tot een samenhangende strategie, is een ander cruciaal aanbod. Deze holistische aanpak zorgt ervoor dat alle marketinginspanningen naadloos samenwerken om de doelstellingen van de klant te bereiken.

De impact van reclamebureaus Merk bouwen Een van de belangrijkste gevolgen van reclamebureaus is hun rol bij het opbouwen van merken. Door middel van consistente en strategische berichtgeving helpen bureaus sterke, herkenbare merken te creëren die zich onderscheiden in de markt. Dit houdt niet alleen in dat gedenkwaardige advertenties worden gemaakt, maar ook dat de waarden en persoonlijkheid van het merk op alle contactpunten effectief worden gecommuniceerd.

Consumentengedrag stimuleren Reclamebureaus beïnvloeden het consumentengedrag door boodschappen te creëren die resoneren met het publiek en tot actie aanzetten. Of het nu gaat om het vergroten van het bewustzijn, het aanmoedigen van rechtszaken of het bevorderen van loyaliteit, bureaus gebruiken een mix van psychologie, creativiteit en strategie om de perceptie en het gedrag van consumenten vorm te geven.

Economische bijdragen De reclame-industrie draagt aanzienlijk bij aan de economie. Het genereert werkgelegenheid, stimuleert de vraag naar goederen en diensten en stimuleert innovatie. Door bedrijven te helpen groeien, spelen reclamebureaus een cruciale rol in de economische ontwikkeling en welvaart.

Uitdagingen voor reclamebureaus Technologische disruptie Het snelle tempo van de technologische veranderingen biedt zowel kansen als uitdagingen voor reclamebureaus. Het voorblijven van trends en het adopteren van nieuwe technologieën is essentieel, maar kan veel middelen vergen. Bureaus moeten voortdurend investeren in training en ontwikkeling om hun teams bedreven te houden in het gebruik van de nieuwste tools en platforms.

Veranderend consumentengedrag Consumentengedrag evolueert voortdurend, beïnvloed door culturele verschuivingen, technologische vooruitgang en economische omstandigheden. Reclamebureaus moeten wendbaar blijven en reageren op deze veranderingen, zodat hun strategieën relevant en effectief blijven.

Privacy en ethische zorgen Gegevensprivacy en ethische overwegingen worden steeds prominenter in de reclame-industrie. Agentschappen moeten omgaan met regelgeving zoals de Algemene Verordening Gegevensbescherming (AVG) en ervoor zorgen dat hun praktijken transparant zijn en de privacy van consumenten respecteren. Het balanceren van personalisatie met privacy is een cruciale uitdaging die zorgvuldige aandacht vereist.

De toekomst van reclamebureaus Het omarmen van AI en automatisering Kunstmatige intelligentie (AI) en automatisering zullen een belangrijke rol gaan spelen in de toekomst van reclame. Van voorspellende analyses tot geautomatiseerde contentcreatie: deze technologieën bieden het potentieel om de efficiëntie en effectiviteit te verbeteren. Bureaus die AI omarmen, kunnen meer gepersonaliseerde en tijdige campagnes leveren, waardoor de algehele prestaties worden verbeterd.

Focus op duurzaamheid en sociale verantwoordelijkheid Naarmate consumenten zich meer bewust worden van sociale en milieukwesties, zullen reclamebureaus prioriteit moeten geven aan duurzaamheid en sociale verantwoordelijkheid. Dit houdt niet alleen in dat ethische merken worden gepromoot, maar ook dat hun eigen praktijken in lijn zijn met deze waarden. Agentschappen die voor duurzaamheid pleiten, kunnen sterkere banden opbouwen met gewetensvolle consumenten en bijdragen aan positieve maatschappelijke veranderingen.

Voortdurende evolutie van de media Het medialandschap zal blijven evolueren, waarbij nieuwe platforms en formats zullen ontstaan. Reclamebureaus moeten voorop blijven lopen bij deze veranderingen, experimenteren met innovatieve benaderingen en hun strategieën dienovereenkomstig aanpassen. Dit omvat het verkennen van meeslepende technologieën zoals virtual reality (VR) en augmented reality (AR) om boeiende en gedenkwaardige merkervaringen te creëren.

Conclusie Reclamebureaus hebben een lange weg afgelegd sinds hun oprichting in de 19e eeuw. Ze zijn geëvolueerd van eenvoudige tussenpersonen tot complexe, full-service entiteiten die een cruciale rol spelen in het succes van bedrijven over de hele wereld. Nu de sector met nieuwe uitdagingen en kansen wordt geconfronteerd, moeten reclamebureaus wendbaar, innovatief en ethisch blijven. Door dit te doen kunnen ze de groei van merken blijven stimuleren, het gedrag van consumenten beïnvloeden en bijdragen aan de economische welvaart. De toekomst van reclamebureaus ligt in hun vermogen om nieuwe technologieën te benutten, prioriteit te geven aan duurzaamheid en zich aan te passen aan het steeds veranderende medialandschap, waardoor ze onmisbare partners blijven in de zakenwereld.

[mariacallous]

“Stocks closed higher today amid brisk trading…” On the radio, television, in print and online, news outlets regularly report trivial daily changes in stock market indices, providing a distinctly slanted perspective on what matters in the economy. Except when they shift suddenly and by a large margin, the daily vagaries of the market are not particularly informative about the overall health of the economy. They are certainly not an example of news most people can use. Only about a third of Americans own stock outside of their retirement accounts and about one in five engage in stock trading on a regular basis. And yet the stock market’s minor fluctuations make up a standard part of economic news coverage.

But what if journalists reported facts more attuned to the lives of everyday Americans? For instance, facts like “in one month, the richest 25,000 Americans saw their wealth grow by an average of nearly $10 million each, compared to just $200 dollars apiece for the bottom 50% of households”? Thanks to innovative new research strategies from leading economists, we now have access to inequality data in much closer to real time. Reporters should be making use of it.

The outsized attention to the Dow Jones and Nasdaq fits with part of a larger issue: class bias in media coverage of the economy. A 2004 analysis of economic coverage in the Los Angeles Times found that journalists “depicted events and problems affecting corporations and investors instead of the general workforce.” While the media landscape has shifted since 2004, with labor becoming a “hot news beat,” this shift alone seems unlikely to correct the media’s bias. This is because, as an influential political science study found, biased reporting comes from the media’s focus on aggregates in a system where growth is not distributed equally; when most gains go to the rich, overall growth is a good indicator of how the wealthy are doing, but a poor indicator of how the non-rich are doing.

In other words, news is shaped by the data on hand. Stock prices are minute-by-minute information. Other economic data, especially about inequality, are less readily available. The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases data on job growth once a month, and that often requires major corrections. Data on inflation also become available on a monthly basis. Academic studies on inequality use data from the Census Bureau or the Internal Revenue Service, which means information is months or even years out of date before it reaches the public.

But the landscape of economic data is changing. Economists have developed new tools that can track inequality in near real-time:

From U.C. Berkeley, Realtime Inequality provides monthly statistics and even daily projections of income and wealth inequality — all with a fun interactive interface. You can see the latest data and also parse long-term trends. For instance, over the past 20 years, the top .01% percent of earners have seen their real income nearly double, while the bottom 50% of Americans have seen their real income decline.

The State of U.S. Wealth Inequality from the St. Louis Fed provides quarterly data on racial, generational, and educational wealth inequality. The Fed data reminds us, for example, that Black families own about 25 cents for every $1 of white family wealth.

While these sources do not update at the speed of a stock ticker, they represent a massive step forward in the access to more timely, accurate, and complete understanding of economic conditions.

Would more reporting on inequality change public attitudes? That is an open question. A few decades ago, political scientists found intriguing correlations between media coverage and voters’ economic assessments, but more recent analyses suggest that media coverage “does not systematically precede public perceptions of the economy.” Nonetheless, especially given the vast disparities in economic fortune that have developed in recent decades, it is the responsibility of reporters to present data that gives an accurate and informative picture of the economy as it is experienced by most people, not just by those at the top.

And these data matter for all kinds of political judgments, not just public perspectives on the economy. When Americans are considering the Supreme Court’s recent decision on affirmative action, for example, it is useful to know how persistent racial disparities remain in American society; white high school dropouts have a greater median net worth than Black and Hispanic college graduates. Generational, racial, and educational inequality structure the American economy. It’s past time that the media’s coverage reflects that reality, rather than waste Americans’ time on economic trivia of the day.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Inside Climate News:

The four western states that have traditionally exported large amounts of electricity generated with fossil fuels to neighboring states are poised to draw tens of billions of dollars by exporting clean energy across state lines, but only if the region can successfully expand the vast network of interstate transmission lines needed to distribute the electricity, according to a new study released Wednesday by RMI, the clean energy research and advocacy group.

At stake is a market for electricity from Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Montana that could grow to nearly $50 billion by 2050 or dwindle to just $3 billion if more transmission lines aren’t built. The economic impacts could be far-reaching, not just for those four states, but the entire Western U.S. If the entire region was able to coordinate interstate transmission lines, for example, it could reduce the cost of shifting to a carbon-free grid by 30 percent, according to the report, saving billions of dollars for ratepayers across the West and enabling states to better meet their clean energy goals. 

“The larger area you plan over, the larger the savings,” said Tyler Farrell, a senior associate at RMI’s carbon-free electricity program and co-author of the study. 

Renewable energy projects are booming in the West, with vast solar fields, wind farms and other clean energy technologies coming online or being proposed across the region. The Biden administration has said the 245 million acres of public lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management are key to the nation’s energy transition away from fossil fuels, with rules in place to streamline development. 

But getting more clean energy to where it’s needed isn’t just a matter of building more facilities to generate it—it also requires new transmission lines to distribute the electricity, and as the RMI study found, potentially sell the excess to the highest bidder.

Transmission lines are the backbone of the grid, acting as highways that connect the source of electricity to where it is used. With remote solar and wind farms developing over vast expanses far from existing transmission infrastructure, building new lines is critical to the nation’s transition away from fossil fuels, and one of the biggest obstacles to the adoption of more clean energy in the U.S., especially in the West, where interstate lines need to cross vast stretches of federal, state, municipal, tribal and private lands, and can often run into the challenging permitting processes and pushback from those living along a project’s route.

As fossil fuel plants go offline, space opens up on transmission lines for renewables. But that won’t satisfy growing electricity demand, such as from AI data centers and charging stations for electric vehicles, or connect renewable energy projects that are being built in places where transmission lines don’t yet exist.

[cnipdigitalagency]

Drive Success with CNIP - HubSpot Agency Partner

As a certified HubSpot agency partner, CNIP offers expert CRM solutions, inbound marketing, and sales automation to accelerate your growth. Unlock your business’s full potential with our tailored strategies. Discover more at CNIP Agency.

[sellgoldncr]

How To Sell Gold For Cash: A Comprehensive Guide

Assessing Your Gold

Before selling your gold for cash, it's essential to assess its value accurately. Determine the purity of your gold items by checking for hallmarks or conducting a purity test. Weigh your gold using a scale to calculate its total weight. Understanding the purity and weight of your gold will help you determine its market value.

When preparing to Sell Gold for cash, the first step is to assess the value of your gold items accurately. This involves determining the purity and weight of your gold, as these factors play a crucial role in determining its market value.

One way to assess the purity of your gold is to look for hallmarks or stamps on your gold jewelry or coins. These markings indicate the karatage or purity of the gold, with common hallmarks including 24K, 18K, 14K, and 10K. If your gold items are not stamped with a hallmark, you can use a gold testing kit to determine their purity accurately.

In addition to assessing purity, it's essential to weigh your gold items using a digital scale. Gold is typically measured in troy ounces, grams, or pennyweights, so amake sure your scale is calibrated to the appropriate unit of measurement. Once you have determined the weight of your gold, you can calculate its total value based on the current market price of gold.

Researching Current Market Prices

Before selling your gold, research current market prices to ensure you get a fair deal. Gold prices fluctuate daily based on supply and demand dynamics, economic conditions, and geopolitical factors. Use reliable sources such as financial news websites or precious metal market indices to track gold prices in real-time.

One of the most crucial steps in selling gold for cash is researching current market prices to ensure you receive a fair offer. Gold prices fluctuate constantly due to various factors, including changes in supply and demand, economic indicators, and geopolitical events. Therefore, it's essential to stay informed about the latest developments in the gold market before selling your gold items.

There are several ways to research current gold prices. One option is to use online resources such as financial news websites, precious metal market indices, or mobile apps that provide real-time updates on gold prices. These platforms offer valuable insights into gold price trends and allow you to track price movements over time.

Another option is to consult with reputable gold dealers or pawnshops in your area to inquire about current buying prices. While local dealers may offer slightly lower prices compared to online buyers, they can provide personalized service and immediate cash payment for your gold items.

By researching current market prices through multiple sources, you can gain a better understanding of the fair value of your gold and negotiate confidently with Gold Buyer when selling your gold for cash.

Choosing A Reputable Gold Buyer

When selling gold for cash, it's crucial to choose a reputable buyer to ensure a smooth and fair transaction. Look for buyers who are licensed, experienced, and transparent about their pricing policies. Avoid dealing with buyers who pressure you to sell or offer prices significantly below market value.

Selecting a reputable buyer is essential when selling gold for cash to ensure a fair and secure transaction. With numerous buyers available, it's crucial to conduct thorough research and choose a buyer who is licensed, experienced, and trustworthy.

One way to identify reputable Gold Buyers is to check for certifications or accreditations from recognized industry organizations. Look for buyers who are members of associations such as the Jewelers of America or the Better Business Bureau, as these organizations uphold strict standards of ethical conduct and customer service.

Additionally, consider reading online reviews and testimonials from past customers to gauge the reputation of potential buyers. Positive reviews and high ratings are indicators of a buyer's reliability and professionalism, while negative reviews may signal red flags such as hidden fees or poor customer service.

Transparency is another essential factor to consider when choosing a gold buyer to get high Cash For Gold. Look for buyers who provide clear and detailed information about their pricing policies, including how they calculate gold prices based on purity and weight. Avoid buyers who are vague or evasive about their pricing methods, as this may indicate dishonesty or unethical practices.

Furthermore, it's essential to compare offers from multiple buyers to ensure you receive a competitive price for your gold items. Obtain quotes from different buyers and carefully evaluate each offer based on factors such as price, reputation, and convenience. Keep in mind that the highest offer may not always be the best option if it comes from an untrustworthy buyer.

By choosing a reputable buyer who offers fair prices and transparent policies, you can sell your gold for cash with confidence and peace of mind.

Preparing Your Gold For Sale

Before selling your gold for cash, take steps to prepare your gold items for inspection and evaluation. Clean your gold jewelry or coins using a mild soap and water solution to remove dirt and debris. Store your gold items securely in a protective case or pouch to prevent damage during transportation.

Preparing your gold for sale is an essential step in the selling process that can help you maximize the value of your gold items and ensure a smooth transaction. Before presenting your gold items to potential buyers, take the time to clean and organize them to make a positive impression and facilitate the evaluation process.

Start by cleaning your gold jewelry or coins using a mild soap and water solution. Gently scrub the surface of your gold items with a soft-bristled brush to remove any dirt, oil, or tarnish that may have accumulated over time. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as these can damage the finish of your gold and diminish its value.

Once your gold items are clean and dry, inspect them carefully for any signs of damage or wear. Look for scratches, dents, or missing stones that may affect the overall value of your gold. If necessary, consider having your gold items professionally repaired or restored to enhance their appearance and marketability.

After cleaning and inspecting your gold items, store them securely in a protective case or pouch to prevent damage during transportation. Avoid mixing your gold items with other jewelry or valuables, as this can increase the risk of loss or damage. Instead, keep your gold items separate and label them accordingly to ensure they remain safe and secure until they are ready to be sold.

By taking the time to prepare your gold for sale, you can present your items in the best possible condition and increase their appeal to potential buyers. Additionally, thorough preparation demonstrates your commitment to transparency and professionalism, which can help build trust and confidence with buyers during the selling process.

Negotiating The Sale

When selling your Gold For Cash, don't be afraid to negotiate with buyers to get the best possible price for your items. Be prepared to walk away if you're not satisfied with the offer and consider seeking quotes from other buyers to leverage your bargaining position.

Negotiating the sale of your gold is an essential aspect of the selling process that can significantly impact the outcome of the transaction. By approaching negotiations strategically and confidently, you can maximize the value of your gold items and secure a fair price for your investment.

One key strategy in negotiating the sale of your gold is to be well-informed about current market prices and the value of your gold items. Conduct thorough research and obtain quotes from multiple buyers to establish a baseline for comparison and gauge the competitiveness of each offer. Armed with this information, you can negotiate from a position of strength and confidently assert the value of your gold to potential buyers.

When negotiating with Jewelry Buyers, be prepared to advocate for your interests and articulate the reasons why your gold is worth a certain price. Highlight any unique features or attributes of your gold items that may increase their value, such as rare designs, historical significance, or exceptional craftsmanship. By showcasing the inherent value of your gold, you can justify your asking price and persuade buyers to offer a higher price for your items.

Additionally, don't be afraid to walk away from a negotiation if you're not satisfied with the offer. Remember that you have the right to sell your gold on your own terms and shouldn't feel pressured to accept an offer that doesn't meet your expectations. Consider seeking quotes from other buyers to leverage your bargaining position and explore alternative selling options if necessary.

Throughout the negotiation process, maintain professionalism and courtesy when interacting with buyers, even if negotiations become challenging or contentious. By fostering a positive and constructive dialogue, you can increase the likelihood of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement and completing the sale successfully.

In conclusion, negotiating the sale of your gold requires careful preparation, strategic planning, and assertive communication. By following these tips and approaching negotiations with confidence and professionalism, you can optimize the value of your gold items and secure a favorable outcome for your investment.

[venkat3681]

Online business directories have replaced traditional Yellow Pages, offering businesses an essential platform for online visibility. While there are numerous directories, both free and paid, businesses with minimal budgets can leverage several premium options for effective results. Notable choices include Superpages, Better Business Bureau, LocalBizNetwork, Merchant Circle, and Hotfrog, each offering varying levels of features and visibility. These directories enhance credibility, improve search engine rankings, and provide valuable exposure for businesses, making them essential for modern marketing strategies.

#OnlineDirectories #BusinessVisibility #DigitalMarketing #PremiumDirectories #SEO #OnlinePresence #SmallBusinessTips #MarketingStrategies #LocalSEO #BudgetMarketing

[mypiratecloud]

10 Ways to Find The Best Venue For Your Trade Fair

Organizing a successful trade fair is a complex undertaking that requires meticulous planning and execution. One of the most critical components of this process is selecting the right venue. The venue you choose can significantly impact the overall experience for both exhibitors and attendees, ultimately determining the success of your event. 

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore ten effective strategies to help you find the best venue for your trade fair, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for all involved.

10 Ways to Find The Best Venue For Your Trade Fair

Here are 10 proven strategies to help you identify and secure the best venue for your upcoming trade fair:

1. Define Your Event Requirements

Before embarking on your venue search, it's essential to clearly define your event requirements. This step will serve as the foundation for your decision-making process and help you narrow down your options.

1.1. Determine the Anticipated Attendance

Start by estimating the expected number of exhibitors and attendees. This information will help you gauge the required space for exhibit halls, conference rooms, and other essential areas. It's always better to overestimate your attendance projections to avoid overcrowding or running out of space.

1.2. Identify the Necessary Amenities

Make a list of the amenities and services you'll need for your trade fair. This may include on-site catering, parking facilities, audio-visual equipment, internet connectivity, and accessibility features for attendees with disabilities. Having a clear understanding of your requirements will help you evaluate potential venues more effectively.

1.3. Consider the Event Duration

Determine the length of your trade fair, including setup and tear-down times. Some venues may have limited availability or conflicting schedules, so knowing your desired dates in advance will streamline your search process.

2. Evaluate Location and Accessibility

The location of your trade fair venue is a critical factor that can significantly influence attendance and overall success. Consider the following aspects when evaluating potential locations:

2.1. Accessibility

Choose a venue that is easily accessible by various modes of transportation, such as airports, public transit, and major highways. This will ensure that both exhibitors and attendees can reach the venue conveniently, minimizing travel-related stress.

2.2. Proximity to Accommodations

Consider the availability of nearby hotels, restaurants, and other amenities for attendees and exhibitors who may be traveling from out of town. A venue located in a central area with ample accommodations can enhance the overall experience for your guests.

2.3. Local Attractions and Entertainment

While not a necessity, it can be advantageous to select a venue near local attractions, entertainment options, or popular tourist destinations. This can provide attendees with opportunities to explore the area and create a more enjoyable overall experience.

3. Explore Venue Options

With your event requirements and desired location in mind, it's time to explore potential venue options. Consider the following sources to help you identify suitable candidates:

3.1. Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs)

Contact your local CVB or destination marketing organization. These organizations typically maintain comprehensive databases of venues in their respective areas and can provide valuable insights and recommendations based on your specific needs.

3.2. Online Directories and Listing Sites

Utilize online directories and listing sites specifically designed for event venues. These platforms allow you to filter venues based on your desired location, capacity, amenities, and other criteria, making it easier to find suitable options.

3.3. Referrals and Word-of-Mouth

Reach out to industry colleagues, exhibitors, or attendees who have organized similar trade fairs in the past. Their firsthand experiences and recommendations can be invaluable in identifying venues that have successfully hosted events like yours.

4. Evaluate Venue Capacity and Layout

Once you've compiled a list of potential venues, it's crucial to evaluate their capacity and layout to ensure they can accommodate your trade fair effectively.

4.1. Exhibit Hall Space

Assess the available exhibit hall space to determine if it can comfortably accommodate the number of exhibitors you anticipate. Consider factors such as booth sizes, aisle widths, and potential expansion areas for future growth.

4.2. Meeting and Conference Rooms

If your trade fair includes seminars, workshops, or other educational sessions, ensure the venue has adequate meeting and conference rooms to accommodate these activities. Evaluate the room sizes, seating arrangements, and audio-visual capabilities.

4.3. Flow and Layout

Consider the overall layout and flow of the venue. Will attendees be able to navigate easily between exhibit halls, meeting rooms, and other areas? Is there a logical progression that enhances the attendee experience? A well-designed layout can significantly contribute to the success of your event.

5. Assess Venue Amenities and Services

In addition to the physical space, it's essential to evaluate the venue's amenities and services to ensure they align with your event's requirements.

5.1. Catering and Concessions

Evaluate the venue's catering options and concession stands. Can they accommodate your attendees' dietary preferences and needs? Consider the quality, variety, and affordability of their offerings.

5.2. Audio-Visual and Technical Support

Assess the venue's audio-visual capabilities and technical support services. Ensure they have the necessary equipment and personnel to meet your presentation, lighting, and sound requirements.

5.3. Internet and Connectivity

In today's digital age, reliable internet connectivity is crucial for both exhibitors and attendees. Inquire about the venue's internet infrastructure, bandwidth capabilities, and potential additional costs for internet access.

6. Consider Parking and Transportation Options

Convenient parking and transportation options can significantly enhance the overall experience for attendees and exhibitors.

6.1. On-Site Parking

Evaluate the venue's on-site parking availability, including the number of spaces, accessibility, and potential fees. If on-site parking is limited, inquire about nearby parking facilities and their proximity to the venue.

6.2. Public Transportation

If your attendees and exhibitors will be relying on public transportation, ensure the venue is easily accessible by buses, trains, or other modes of public transit. Consider the frequency and convenience of these transportation options.

6.3. Shuttle Services

Some venues may offer shuttle services to and from nearby airports, hotels, or transportation hubs. Inquire about these services and their associated costs, as they can provide a convenient solution for attendees.

7. Review Venue Policies and Contracts

Before finalizing your venue selection, it's essential to review the venue's policies and contracts to ensure they align with your event's needs and expectations.

7.1. Event Policies and Restrictions

Understand the venue's policies regarding event setup, tear-down, noise levels, decorations, and any other potential restrictions that could impact your trade fair. Ensure these policies are compatible with your plans and requirements.

7.2. Contract Terms and Cancellation Policies

Carefully review the venue's contract terms, including payment schedules, cancellation policies, and any potential penalties or fees. Ensure you understand and agree with these terms before signing the contract.

7.3. Insurance and Liability Requirements

Inquire about the venue's insurance and liability requirements for events like yours. This may include obtaining additional insurance coverage or providing proof of liability protection.

8. Consider Sustainability and Accessibility

In today's socially conscious environment, it's important to consider venues that prioritize sustainability and accessibility.

8.1. Sustainable Practices

Evaluate the venue's commitment to sustainable practices, such as energy efficiency, waste management, and environmental impact reduction. These factors can not only contribute to a greener event but also align with the values of your exhibitors and attendees.

8.2. Accessibility for All

Ensure the venue is accessible to individuals with disabilities, including ramps, elevators, and designated seating areas. Additionally, inquire about the availability of assistive technologies and services to accommodate attendees with varying needs.

9. Negotiate Favorable Terms

Once you've identified a suitable venue, it's time to negotiate favorable terms to ensure you're getting the best value for your investment.

9.1. Leverage Relationships and Referrals

If you have existing relationships or referrals with the venue or its management team, leverage those connections to potentially secure better rates or additional concessions.

9.2. Consider Off-Peak Dates and Times

Venues may offer discounted rates or more flexible terms for events scheduled during off-peak periods or times of the year when demand is lower.

9.3. Discuss Package Deals and Bundled Services

Inquire about package deals or bundled services offered by the venue, which may include discounts on catering, audio-visual equipment, or other amenities when purchased together.

10. Site Visit and Final Evaluation

Before making your final decision, it's highly recommended to conduct a site visit to the potential venue(s).

10.1. Walk-Through and Inspection

Schedule a walk-through of the venue to physically inspect the facilities, amenities, and overall condition. This will allow you to visualize the space and identify any potential issues or concerns.

10.2. Meet with Venue Staff

During your site visit, arrange a meeting with the venue's event staff to discuss your specific needs, ask questions, and gauge their level of professionalism and customer service.

10.3. Final Evaluation

After your site visit, carefully evaluate all the information you've gathered, weigh the pros and cons of each potential venue, and make an informed decision that aligns with your event's goals and budget.

Conclusion

Finding the best venue for your trade fair is a critical task that requires careful consideration of various factors. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you'll be well-equipped to identify and secure a venue that not only meets your event's requirements but also enhances the overall experience for exhibitors and attendees.

Remember, selecting the right venue sets the stage for a successful and memorable trade fair, so invest the time and effort necessary to make an informed decision. With meticulous planning and attention to detail, you can create an event that leaves a lasting impression on all participants.

[onenettvchannel]

#OnlyOnRadyoBandera: Critical controversy surrounding Crunchyroll Original's 'High Guardian Spice' raises uncertainty for a potential 2nd Season

(FILE PHOTO COURTESY for REPRESENTATION: Crunchy Onigiri / From top left to bottom right with an upper-like S shape on Tetris: Sage, Rosemary, Parsley and Thyme)

TRIGGER WARNING: The following entertainment news article discusses a sensitive and controversial topic related to the original cartoon series 'High Guardian Spice'. We furtherly acknowledge that this piece of content of OneNETtv Channel and OneNETnews may be too distressing to some news readers, and may contain discussions of political hate speech, criticism and homophobia. We strive to present a balanced view of this situation, and we advise readers to exercise caution while engaging with this material. As part of our ZERO-tolerance policy in a news organization, we do NOT endorse, aggressively attacking to offend others, or to promote hate speech or discrimination of any kind. READER's DISCRETION is STRONGLY and HEAVILY ADVISED. Also, read our full disclaimer at the end of this article. Thank you!

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA -- In a serious surprising turn of the events, the original cartoon web series 'High Guardian Spice' on Crunchyroll is facing an uncertain future as discussions surrounding a potential Season 2 have given way to disappointment and controversy.

High Guardian Spice was produced by Crunchyroll Originals in late-October 2021, and was created by a Cuba-American show creator named Mr. Raye Rodriguez, was initially met with a significant amount of excitement upon the announcement.

With its focus on diverse characters and a story centered around 4 young women named Rosemary, Sage, Parsley and Thyme, whose attending a magical school at the High Guardian Academy (HGA), the series aimed to break new grounds in the world of cartoons, since there is no further evidence or independently claimed for the anime genre. However, as Season 1 concluded, it became evident that the show had garnered mixed to severely negative reviews.

(STOCK PHOTO COURTESY: Google Images)

Criticism and negativity surrounding the show intensified, leading to a series of harsh reactions from some viewers, largely citing issues related to the animation quality and storytelling. Online discussions quickly shifted towards accusations of political hate speech and critiques of the series as a "trojan horse" for LGBTQ+ representation. These criticisms led to extreme divisions within the anime community.

(SCREENGRAB COURTESY: Raye Rodriguez via The X Network, per the relay thread with Nitter Instances)

The situation escalated further as High Guardian Spice, faced backlash from some quarters of the anime and cartoon communities. This led to concerns about its future and the potential for a 2nd Season. A vocal group of fans expressed discomfort with the series, feeling it discouraged non-LGBTQ+ viewers for various reasons, including a lot of online allegations of cyber-homophobia.

The actual controversy additionally prolonged to accusations of underbudgeting for both the writers and animation departments, with some claiming that the show's production quality fails to meet the entire project industry standards. The series receiving massive bad interests from a group of people or individual but vocal, with the incorrect marketing for its targeted audience whose labeled it as the "most unfairly maligned anime" on the internet web series as according to The Mary Sue news bureau.

(ART PHOTO COURTESY: Raye Rodriguez via LinkedIn Blog Post / He is now permanently done on Crunchyroll, which potentially moved on to a different streaming animation platform. While Ms. Rosemary grips her sword and tries herself without giving up.)

In light of these saddened developments to Radyo Bandera news team, Crunchyroll remains tight-lipped with regards to the web series' fate of High Guardian Spice. Speculation about a potential 2nd Season met uncertainty, and it is unclear whether it will return, or be permanently cancelled.

As it stands, the divisive nature of 'High Guardian Spice' has also placed its destiny in jeopardy. Whether Crunchyroll picks to address the criticisms, or if the series will make a move to a different animation studio and a different streaming platform, remains to be seen with a good transparency to the public. The controversy surrounding 'High Guardian Spice' poses a question about how far creators and platforms are willing to go in accommodating both their core targeted audience and people with differing viewpoints. Will a potential Season 2 be an opportunity for a redemption, or risk the show's cancellation forever?

(THUMBNAIL PHOTO COURTESY: DaftPina via YT Images)

Case and point by default in the world of cartoons instead of anime, 'High Guardian Spice' stands as an interesting case study with a point-of-view, limiting boundaries of what a web series can be represent, the impact of fan discourse, and the weight of a balanced public opinions. Only time will tell for what the future holds on this ambitious web series of Crunchyroll Originals.

High Guardian Spice is available to stream all the episodes, on demand right now on Crunchyroll.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Radyo Bandera: Sweet FM Network-Visayas and Bandera News Philippines (both in Bacolod and Palawan), alongside with Crunchyroll are in the parent affiliated firms on this internet TV station of ONC and OneNETnews.

FILE PHOTO COURTESY for REPRESENTATION: Crunchy Onigiri

SOURCE: *https://twitter.com/dinoraye/status/1483551613503426565 [Referenced Thread Post via Twitter] *https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rayetoons_its-a-rough-time-in-the-job-market-these-activity-7117358088466137090-MoW1 [Referenced Captioned Post via LinkedIn blog] *https://youtube.fandom.com/wiki/Rayetoons *https://www.themarysue.com/crunchyrolls-high-guardian-spice-internets-most-unfairly-maligned-anime/ [Referenced Editorial Article via The Mary Sue] *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTz_HVWmNAU [Referenced YT Video via DaftPina] *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Guardian_Spice and *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophobia

IMPORTANT HONEST DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed from an entertainment news article are not necessarily those from the Crunchy Onigiri, LLC. Online suspects in social media toxicity must not be imitated in any political matter. Furthermore, the assumptions of the entertainment news article will NOT state, intervene or reflect those of our affiliated reporters. The show, the station, the management, interwebs and the network. Thanks for reading and stay safe mga Ka-Bandera. Later!

-- OneNETnews Team

[newsbites]

News from Africa, 19 June

Hage Geingob will host Danish PM Mette Frederiksen and Dutch PM Mark Rutte today in Namibia. Green hydrogen will reportedly be among the subjects discussed.

2. Namibia's proposed visa exemption for Chinese nationals is a bilateral agreement that would benefit both countries, according to China's ambassador to Namibia, Zhao Weiping.

Some Namibian politicians have objected to the proposal, with opposition leader McHenry Venaani claiming it is a "hoodwinking process" for Chinese prisoners to come to the country, and aspiring presidential candidate Job Amupanda alleging that it involves a deal between the ruling party and China to garner support for next year's elections.

The proposed agreement's main goal is to attract Chinese tourists and help Namibia become competitive again after the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Namibia's minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Albert Kawana.

3. Angola and Zambia signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in information technology, including digital transformation, AI, and space technology.

The agreement includes the establishment of direct cross-border optical fibre backbone connectivity between the two countries, scheduled to happen this month.

The collaboration is expected to help improve the regulation of the Angolan and Zambian telecom markets and lead to improved coverage and quality of ICT services provided in both countries.

4. Namibia is embarking on a journey of digital transformation to modernize various aspects of the country's life.

The Department of Home Affairs, Immigration and Security recently announced the successful implementation of an online passport application system, a major step towards delivering home affairs government services through digital channels. Namibia is partnering with Estonia to bring government services online and gradually prepare citizens for the transformation ahead. The Vice Minister of ICT recognizes the importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) for African technology spaces, but stresses the need for a clear roadmap or strategy to ensure that solutions developed in Africa fit the lifestyle on the continent.

5. Nigeria has 71 million people living in extreme poverty and 133 million people are classified as multidimensionally poor, according to 2023 data from the World Poverty Clock and the National Bureau of Statistics.

6. The Bank of Namibia increased the repo rate to safeguard the dollar-rand peg and contain inflationary pressures, but this will severely impact consumers who rely on debt to survive.

The governor expressed empathy for people losing their homes due to rising debt costs, and urged the nation to find better solutions to keep more Namibians in their homes while maintaining financial stability.

7. The fighting in Sudan has caused a surge in refugees fleeing to South Sudan, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.

The UN has called for $253 million in funding to respond to the crisis, but donations have been slow to come in.

The lack of resources and funding has led to inadequate food, water, and sanitation facilities in transit camps, resulting in malnutrition, disease, and preventable deaths.