Land Bank Stock Prices
My goal throughout my research in the Egyptian Gazette was see if there was a way to determine when there were ups and downs in the economy during the years of 1905 and 1906. More importantly, my focus was primarily on the “Land Bank of Egypt” stocks and prices throughout these two years. I found it easier to study this specific bank because it had the most different and abundant data out of the other banks and stocks. I was hoping to encounter some significant highs or lows in these two years, and if I did find any I would dig deeper and find the cause of this fluctuation in the market.
First, to be able to come up with enough data to analyze the “Land Bank of Egypt” I created an XPath query that gave me sufficient information to be able to look through the prices in an organized fashion. After a couple of different queries attempts, there was finally one that brought me almost exactly where I needed to be. With this query,
//table//cell[contains(.,'Land Bank of Egypt')]/following-sibling::cell/string(), I was to come up with the a refined set of numbers that showed the prices of only “Land Bank of Egypt” in all the financial tables that came up in the Egyptian Gazette. Coming up with a proper query that gave me the correct information that I needed was probably the most difficult part of the data analysis.
The next part of the process was to then clean up the data that I had come up with using the XPath query. Using atom, I had to clean up the data to be able to make a table or graph out of the data I had collected. This step of the process was not the most difficult, but definitely was the most tedious. Trying to use regular expressions to help clean up my results was also very frustrating. After a while, and after trying many different methods I finally came up with data was ready to be inputted into a line chart, which I thought would best represent the data. I encountered the problem that there were many of the same prices throughout the data, because this was on the templates we used. I decided to keep these prices in the data for now, until I can figure out if I am going to take out completely the template prices or keep them in the data.
Now that the data has been cleaned up and put into a chart anyone can see the fluctuations in prices throughout the years of 1905 and 1906. Instead of using Tableau I put in the dates and prices for the “Land Bank of Egypt” in excel because I am more familiar with it. In the prices column that I had created in excel, I put in a formula that found the minimum price from all the prices. It came back with the price of $8.00. This is how I was able to find where the price for the “Land Bank of Egypt” was the lowest. I plan on doing the same and inputting a formula that would give me the max of the prices but it seems that the template price is $239 which is the maximum price. This skews my data significantly and I am not sure what I will do to get past this.
Since there were so many prices that were from the template or missing, I came up with an idea that would fix the graph that I had started off with. I was able to find the average of the prices for each month in excel. After doing this the graph was much more clean and was easier to read and understand. At this point now I had some good data to work with, which was relieving. Below is the graph that has the averages of the prices of each month of 1905 and most of 1906. Finding the averages was very helpful because it really took away the random ups and downs that I found before due to the template prices.
After some research, I was able to find some information as to why there were some changes in prices and how international banking came to Egypt. The Franco-British entente of 1904 stimulated the influx of foreign capital and the creation of new banks (Cameron). In 1905 French capital created the Land Bank of Egypt through the initiative of the Societe Marseillaise de Credit and banks from Alexandria, Marseille, and London. In the graph you can see the decrease towards the end of the year in 1906. This is thought to be because of the approaching financial crisis that came about in 1907. After the full force of the crisis had passed there were three banks that were established in succession by French capital. The bringing up of these institutions drove into bankruptcy their competitors. This is why you can see the steep decline in the average prices of The Land Bank of Egypt. There were, however some strong moments in the life of the Land Bank of Egypt. In the beginning months the bank had a nice peak, and then had a steady level throughout the year. This was when the foreign banking system was just beginning and showed that it had a strong market in Egypt. The Land Bank of Egypt did trade different currencies, but for the sake of keeping the graph readable I only chose data of the same currency. By trading different currencies the Land Bank of Egypt was a very healthy and strong financial institution in the years of 1905 and 1906.
- Cameron, Rondo, and V. I. Bovykin. International Banking, 1870-1914. New York: Oxford UP, 1992.


Editor’s word: The financial disaster caused by the coronavirus pandemic has elevated the variety of People who cannot at all times get sufficient to eat, together with kids. The Dialog U.S. requested 4 consultants to elucidate how frequent youngster starvation is and what’s being performed to handle it.
1. How huge an issue is youngster starvation within the US?
Heather Eicher-Miller, affiliate professor of vitamin science at Purdue College: Starvation has two very completely different meanings. It might describe that uncomfortable feeling you get after not consuming shortly. It is also a long-term bodily state.
Individuals who expertise long-term starvation aren’t simply uncomfortable. They will really feel weak point or ache and run an elevated danger of sicknesses, together with bronchial asthma, iron-deficiency anemia and poor bone well being.
Starvation can in fact come up when somebody would not eat sufficient, however it’s additionally a results of meals insecurity – what occurs once you lack the cash or different technique of accessing sufficient of the correct varieties or quantities of meals.
Whereas starvation is a bodily situation, meals insecurity is an financial and social scenario.
David Himmelgreen, professor of anthropology on the College of South Florida: Meals insecurity and youngster starvation have each skyrocketed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been an estimated 50 million food-insecure People by the top of 2020, up sharply from 35 million in 2019, the final yr for which official information is out there.
Feeding America, the nation’s largest anti-hunger group, estimated in 2019 that there have been 12.5 million U.S. kids – 1 in 6 – susceptible to starvation. With progress within the variety of American employees unemployed and kids dwelling in poverty, a group of researchers decided in July 2020 that 18 million kids – 1 in 4 – have been experiencing meals insecurity not less than typically, a couple of months into the coronavirus pandemic.
Kecia Johnson, assistant professor of sociology at Mississippi State College: Kids who expertise starvation usually tend to be sick, to recuperate from sickness extra slowly and to be hospitalized extra regularly.
Amongst different issues, being meals insecure will increase the potential for weight problems, coronary heart illness and diabetes, together with for kids. And food-insecure kids are not less than twice as possible as different youngsters to have a wide range of well being issues, corresponding to anemia, bronchial asthma and anxiousness.
Meals-insecure youngsters also can have extra bother in school than different kids and turn out to be extra more likely to expertise social isolation.
2. What’s being performed about the issue?
Diana Cuy Castellanos, assistant professor of dietetics and vitamin on the College of Dayton: Some 15 federal applications help People who need assistance getting sufficient nutritious meals to eat. The applications cowl completely different populations together with the aged, individuals with low incomes, infants and kids, and Native American communities, in addition to areas the place there’s want for emergency aid resulting from disasters.
The biggest is the Supplemental Vitamin Help Program, identified extra generally as SNAP. It gives help for the acquisition of meals based mostly on revenue and price US$85.6 billion within the newest fiscal yr. Following the passage of a bipartisan aid bundle in December, most households of 4 can presently get $782 in month-to-month help by way of SNAP.
Many individuals nonetheless name these advantages “meals stamps,” however now, as an alternative of receiving vouchers to buy meals, individuals obtain a card that appears like a bank card with their meals allowance on it.
The federal government additionally runs the Ladies, Infants and Kids program, which gives dietary help for low-income pregnant ladies, breastfeeding ladies and girls with not less than one youngster age 5 or beneath. As well as, there are the College Breakfast and Lunch applications in addition to the Summer season Meals Service Program, which funds free wholesome meals and snacks to kids and youths in low-income areas when college will not be in session.
Many of those applications goal particular segments of the inhabitants, corresponding to kids and the aged. All have one thing in frequent: They’re designed to assist low-income households afford meals in order to unlock extra of their restricted revenue on different wants, corresponding to housing and transportation.
Himmelgreen: Whereas federal vitamin applications have helped cut back the severity of meals insecurity and youngster starvation, solely a restricted variety of People who do not get sufficient to eat can benefit from them. To get SNAP in Florida, for instance, individuals might not have greater than a complete of both $2,001 or $3,001 – relying on their age and disabilities – of their financial savings and checking accounts. Different states have comparable however completely different restrictions, making it exhausting to estimate the variety of People who need assistance however cannot get it. Therefore, hundreds of thousands extra individuals than ever are counting on drive-through meals pantries throughout the pandemic.
Johnson: There are some 60,000 meals pantries, meal applications and meals banks, in line with Feeding America, serving about 40 million individuals yearly. Feeding America and its affiliated meals banks and pantries additionally run meals pantries in colleges and backpack applications, which give college students with simply ready meals, like boxed macaroni and cheese and canned beans, to take house, all through the nation.
For instance, an elementary college in Holmes County, Mississippi, has provided taking part households with meals and different provides since 2019.
Eicher-Miller: Vitamin schooling is one other solution to handle meals insecurity and assist cut back the variety of kids who go hungry. For instance, the federal authorities affords vitamin schooling to people and households who obtain SNAP advantages by way of the Supplemental Vitamin Help Program Training program, or SNAP-Ed. It gives complete vitamin schooling relating to tips on how to get essentially the most vitamin per meals greenback to most of the individuals who get SNAP advantages and could also be having bother serving their households wholesome meals on a restricted finances.
The federal government helps SNAP-Ed in places like meals pantries, group facilities and meals help places of work. Its sensible budgeting recommendation, cooking courses and vitamin info make households with kids much less more likely to expertise meals insecurity, in line with a examine by my group. When individuals get the grasp of shopping for the healthiest meals they will on a decent finances, their youngsters are much less more likely to go hungry.
I consider vitamin schooling as a present that retains giving within the sense that when somebody has the information they will hold utilizing it to remain meals safe into the long run.
3. What are a number of the extra promising improvements?
Cuy Castellanos: Meals insecurity is a posh drawback for a lot of causes, together with the restricted entry hundreds of thousands of individuals should the recent vegatables and fruits everybody ought to eat.
That is why I am excited to see individuals beginning to develop their very own meals in low-income communities with few grocery shops or alternatives to purchase produce, from Los Angeles to Philadelphia. Nonprofits and households are rising meals on their very own property or are utilizing vacant tons or land on college or church grounds.
Some teams corresponding to Homefull and Mission of Mary Farms in Dayton, Ohio, have even begun to construct greenhouses to increase the rising season and producing root greens and leafy greens in addition to elevating chickens.
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Johnson: A brand new group backyard can be making a distinction within the small majority-Black city of Maben in rural Mississippi, the place there’s nowhere to purchase greens. Beginning in 2019, native leaders accepted the conversion of a former college athletic discipline right into a group backyard. As soon as volunteers from a farmers cooperative had cleared and plowed the sphere, different volunteers planted and harvested crops of tomatoes, purple hull peas, okra and watermelons. The gardeners distributed this primary wave of produce primarily to aged individuals in Maben who used to have household gardens and provides away their very own homegrown meals in years previous.
Himmelgreen: Many revolutionary applications throughout the nation are aiming to cut back meals insecurity and enhance the well being of low-income People.
At “consumer meals alternative” meals pantries, purchasers do not simply choose up bins of free, nutritious gadgets. As a substitute, they get to decide on the meals they need and get recipes and different kinds of vitamin schooling. There are additionally meals prescription applications based mostly in hospitals and medical clinics, the place sufferers are screened for meals insecurity and, if eligible, enrolled in SNAP and given assist connecting with meals pantries both on web site or close by.
A rising variety of nonprofits additionally refer individuals to school-based meals pantries, which function in Ok-12 public colleges and on faculty campuses and the meals-on-wheels applications that help people who find themselves homebound.
I consider these applications must be scaled up or replicated every time potential in areas the place there’s a excessive degree of meals insecurity and youngster starvation however a scarcity of nonprofit assist accessible.
Heather Eicher-Miller, Affiliate Professor of Vitamin Science, Purdue College; David Himmelgreen, Professor of Anthropology, College of South Florida; Diana Cuy Castellanos, Assistant Professor of Dietetics and Vitamin, College of Dayton, and Kecia Johnson, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Mississippi State College


Powers of a metropolitan district
County and municipal governments are often constrained in their ability to provide infrastructure to new development. The Colorado Revised Statutes provide in Title 32 for the creation of a local governmental entity called a special district, which can fill in some of the gaps that may exist between the services counties and municipalities are able to provide and the services the residents of a special district may desire. There are many types of special districts in Colorado, including water and sanitation districts, school districts, park and recreation districts and metropolitan districts. Metropolitan districts combine many types of functions and can be organized to provide any two or more of the following services:
1. street improvements
2. water facilities and services
3. sanitation facilities and services
4. park and recreation facilities
5. traffic related safety protection improvements
6. transportation facilities and services
7. television relay and transmission facilities and services
8. mosquito control facilities and services
The functions of a metropolitan district can include both the construction of improvements and the ongoing operation and maintenance of the improvements. Metropolitan districts must be publicly accountable, which means, among other things, that they must hold open meetings, give notice of all meetings, keep minutes and other records, hold elections for the governing board of directors, adopt annual budgets, and submit to annual financial audits.
A metropolitan district has various financial powers given to it by Title 32, including the power to tax and/or assess fees for the services it provides and to issue tax-exempt bonds to help pay for public improvements. The eligible electors within the boundaries of the metropolitan district must first vote in an election to authorize the metropolitan district to incur any general obligation or revenue indebtedness. Once approved by the electors within the district, the bonds are sold to investors and must be repaid over time with interest. The money from the bonds is used by the metropolitan district to pay for necessary public infrastructure like streets and traffic signals, sidewalks and median landscaping, water and sewer treatment plants and lines, storm drainage facilities and parks and recreation facilities. The metropolitan district pays for bonds it issues by levying a property tax on all the property within the district boundaries or by assessing infrastructure, tap or other fees, or through a combination of these methods.
The tax levy is the rate of tax applied to the assessed value of all the property within the district's boundaries. The "assessed value" of property is that portion of the total market value of property that can be assessed for property taxes. Currently in Colorado, 7.94% of residential market value is assessed for property taxes. The assessed value of a $100,000 home, for example, would be 7.94% of $100,000, or $7,940. If the total assessed value of property within the boundaries of a metropolitan district was $10,000,000, and the district's tax levy rate was 25 mills, then the district would collect $250,000 in annual property tax revenue (25 mills x $10,000,000 assessed value = $250,000).
A metropolitan district can use other means to raise revenue, including assessing fees, rates, tolls and other charges for the services it provides, and the district can use those fees to pay for the public infrastructure costs. Until paid, these fees, rates, tolls and other charges constitute a perpetual lien upon the property served by the public improvements, which may be foreclosed upon in the same manner as a mechanics' lien. A metropolitan district can also issue revenue bonds that are repayable from the fees, rates, tolls and other charges. Metropolitan districts, since they can offer many services, are often established by developers to finance, through the issuance of tax-exempt bonds and/or the assessment of fees, the infrastructure necessary to support a new subdivision. Streets, water and sewer lines, and other utilities must be provided to an area, which, prior to the subdivision's development, may have been vacant land. After the infrastructure is in place, the developer builds homes in the district. New and ongoing development increases the assessed value of the property within the district's boundaries, and provides the tax base necessary to generate the revenue required to make payments on the outstanding bonds.
The following actions are required in order to form a Title 32 special district:
- The process is initiated when the organizer of the special district submits a Service Plan to the Town Board of Trustees, City Council, or CountyCommissioners. The Service Plan must include a description of the proposed services, a financial plan of how the proposed services are to be funded (i.e., through a mill levy, the imposition of fees, or both); engineering and architectural surveys showing the location of the public improvements, maps, and other relevant information concerning the proposed district.
- A public hearing is held on the Service Plan following notice and publication of the hearing. The Town Board will approve or disapprove the Service Plan, with or without conditions.
- No Service Plan may be approved if a petition objecting to the Service Plan is signed by the owners of taxable real and personal property which equals more than 50% of the total valuation for assessment of all taxable real and personal property to be included in the district is filed with the Town Board.
- After the Service Plan of the proposed district is approved by the Town Board, a petition for the organization of the district and the authorizing resolution are filed in the appropriate district court. The petition must be signed by at least 30% or 200 of the taxpaying electors of the proposed district, whichever number is smaller.
- A court hearing is held with regard to the submitted petition following notice and publication of the hearing, and if it appears that the petition has been signed by the requisite number of persons and otherwise complies with all statutory requirements, the court will direct that the question of the organization of the district be submitted to the eligible electors within the district boundaries at an election. This election will occur either in May or November.
- If a majority of the eligible electors of the district vote in favor of the district's organization, the court will order the district organized. Only property owners (and their spouses) and residents within the boundaries of the district can vote in the election.
A metropolitan district provides for the infrastructure necessary for new developments. The district itself constructs the improvements, and only the property owners within the district are taxed for the cost of the improvements. The Town is never responsible for the obligations of the metropolitan district.


Shopping for a car is something people have to do sometimes, and a lot of us dread doing it. Take the time to compare all your options and identify the ideal vehicle for your needs and your budget. This article has professional advice that can make your car buying experience better.
Try to stay in control of the negotiations with your salesperson. Don’t let them talk you into a vehicle that is out of your price range. A lot of people purchase a sports car solely because the dealer talked them into it. Keep in mind that a salesperson is trying their best to make a decent commission, so selling a more expensive car benefits them.
Go car shopping online before going to the dealership. The only time you ought to visit a dealership is when you absolutely know which brand and make you want. You can find information online that might not be offered by a dealership, such as reviews from current car owners, safety ratings and comparisons of similar models from different manufacturers.
Do not forget to do some research on the dealer before making an offer on a vehicle. You will have a negotiating advantage if you understand their trade and financing practices. Also, learning about their customer reviews can help you avoid getting ripped off.
Focus on the overall price, not the monthly price, in negotiations. A dealer can make any desired monthly price possible, but you’ll end up paying that monthly price for years and years, making the final cost of the car outrageous. It is a better idea to concentrate on getting a great deal on the final vehicle price, including the financing. From there, look into the monthly cost.
Ask to have the car looked at by your personal mechanic before you purchase it from a dealer. If your dealer does not want to do this, turn around and go somewhere else. A good mechanic can provide an impartial opinion regarding any problems with the vehicle, such as signs that the car has been wrecked or submerged in flood water.
You do not need to pay the full sticker price for your next car. No dealer truly expects you to pay exactly what they ask. If you do not feel comfortable with your negotiating techniques, bring a friend with you who is. Make sure you research the car you are interested in first, however, so you have some idea of what to offer.
Don’t expect to be in and out of the dealership. It is a bad idea to be in a rush, because it might cause you to make a poor deal. Keeping an afternoon open entirely is best. If for some reason you need to leave the dealership before you are ready, don’t panic. It is best to come back when you have more time.
Prior to purchasing a car, test drive it. It isn’t about the make or model but about the specifics of the car you may buy. There might be a slight difference or mechanical problems that you won’t pick up without a test drive.
Always check to see what safety features each car has. The brakes and suspension are two things to take into account when car shopping. It is also important to have air bags. You’ll be in this car a lot, so safety is essential.
Always test drive the car. Test drive the vehicle you have chosen before beginning negotiations. Nothing can compare to hands-on experience. You might just find something you do not like about the car.
Shopping for new cars can be fun and exhausting. Do not forget that you can shop for a car online from home, saving you a lot of time and making it more pleasant. Quite a few websites allow for this and it makes shopping for a car much easier as you can see comparisons for different vehicles right beside one another. Doing so reduces viable options, saving you money and time.
You should only provide a social security number if you are seriously considering making a purchase from that dealership. A lot of places can use this information and they’ll take it and use it to run your credit. Many credit report checks can be a red flag to financiers. First have an ironclad deal before giving your SS number.
Your trade-in should be kept a secret from the dealer. Don’t talk about trading your vehicle until you’re in negotiations about the new car you’re trying to get. Disclosing early will allow the dealer to alter the deal on the car.
Call the lot to see if they have the model you desire in stock. If you go there and they don’t have what you want, the salesperson will try to get you to buy a different car, even if it is not what you were looking for. Going to a dealership that doesn’t have the car you want is a big waste of time. Take the few minutes it takes to make a quick call first.
The goal of a salesperson is to make the highest commissions. Therefore, exercise good judgement when making a deal. Beware of all the extra stuff that they try to add onto a sale. Even a sweet deal of a car can rise up in price fast.
Consider fuel economy when purchasing your car. While it may cost more to purchase a fuel efficient vehicle, it will be worth it in the long run. Think about all of this before choosing a vehicle that fits your budget.
Before you buy anything, have a conversation with an insurance agent. They can give you an estimated cost for coverage. A car that seems affordable might turn out to be too expensive if insurance premiums for this make and model are too high. Look for a vehicle that will balance price with low insurance rates.
Loving the car you buy is possible on any budget. You will get a better deal if you come across as an educated customer. Use these ideas on your next car shopping adventure. You will definitely be pleased at how well these tips work to get you the price that you deserve.


HOW WE DELIVER NECESSITIES
Purchases in Europe ➔ Warehouse in Poland ➔ Delivery in Kyiv, Bucha, Borodianka, Irpin, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, Bakhmach, Avdiivka, and Poltava
We took care of all the logistics. First, we collect donations and purchase medicines, food, and equipment in Europe. Unfortunately, finding everything necessary in Ukraine is practically impossible now: the shelves in stores and pharmacies are empty, and there are enormous queues everywhere.
Next, we take the purchases to our warehouse in Poland, in Tomaszów-Lubelski town. From Poland, the necessities are taken to Lviv, and from there — to Kyiv.
In Kyiv, our volunteers take the necessities to the warehouse, upack them and pack into boxes destined to everyone we take care of. Our volunteers deliver the boxes to people in need across Kyiv within 1 day. Also, they deliver help to people in Bucha, Borodianka, Irpin, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, Bakhmach, Avdiivka, and Poltava. This is much safer and faster, plus many sick people just cannot go to the post office.


Payment and shipping
The following conditions apply:
The goods are delivered worldwide.
Domestic deliveries (Germany):
We charge the shipping costs at a flat rate of 3.90 € per order.
We calculate the shipping costs abroad according to shipping weight:
International Shipping Zone 1-3
up to 1kg: 11,45€
from 1kg: 14,00€
International Shipping Zone 4-6
up to 1kg: 25,35€
from 1kg: 27,30€
Unless another deadline is specified in the respective offer, the goods will be delivered in Germany within 1 – 3 days, in the case of deliveries abroad within 3 – 5 days after the conclusion of the contract (in the case of agreed advance payment after the date of your payment instructions).
Please note that there is no delivery on Sundays and public holidays.
If you have ordered items with different delivery times, we will ship the goods in a common shipment, unless we have made any different agreements with you. In this case, the delivery time is determined by the item with the longest delivery time you ordered.
Accepted payment options
– Prepayment by bank transfer
– Payment via PayPal
– Payment by PayPal (credit card, direct debit, invoice if applicable)
– Payment by invoice
More details on payment
Payment by invoice is possible under the following conditions:
The invoice amount must be sumupiated within 10 days if paid on invoice.
Our bank details:
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If you have any questions, you will find our contact details in the imprint.


An efficient HVAC system is the key to long-term home comfort. All HVAC equipment requires replacement eventually—most furnace systems will last 10-20 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps often last 10-15 years before replacement is required. While HVAC repair is often all it takes to solve common heating and cooling problems, there are some signs that new HVAC installation may be the best way to address frequent or serious breakdowns that affect your home’s comfort and the cost of your monthly utility bills.
Your HVAC System is 10 Years Old or More
The older your HVAC system becomes, the more likely it is to lose efficiency and develop problems. If your HVAC system needs major repairs and is well over a decade in age, it may be a good time to start thinking about new HVAC installation. Even after an older system is repaired, it may still not perform as efficiently as a newer model, simply due to age or advancements in heating and cooling technology that have been made since your current system’s installation. However, it’s important to note that maintenance history can play a large role in the efficiency of your HVAC system at every age. Even if your HVAC system is more than a decade old, if you have taken steps to maintain it properly over the years, you can expect it to last longer and perform better than a system that has not been maintained over the same length of time. A well-maintained furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump may last much longer and will perform better over the long term than a poorly-maintained system.
Your HVAC System Will Be Expensive to Repair
The price of home comfort should balance the results you get. If your HVAC system is aging or inefficient, the cost of major repairs may not be worth retaining a system that will cost you more to run each month than a newer, more efficient model. When considering the cost of repairs versus replacement, talk to your HVAC service expert about how the cost of your HVAC repairs measure up to the price of a new system. If the cost of your HVAC repairs totals more than half the cost of installing a new system altogether, it may be in your best interests to consider new HVAC installation. Particularly if you have been unhappy with the performance of your HVAC system in the past, installing a new system could be a smarter financial move than continuing to pay more than necessary for subpar home comfort, even after repairs. Alternatively, several small breakdowns that affect an older HVAC system may also be indicative that you can benefit from new HVAC installation, as even small repair bills can add up over time. If your HVAC system has been unreliable in the past few months or years, it’s a good idea to think about the benefits of purchasing a new system that will deliver problem-free heating and cooling right from the start.
Are you considering new HVAC installation in Chicago? We are pleased to offer top-quality heating and air conditioning equipment with professional installation and easy payment options to make getting a new HVAC system an easy and cost-effective way to enjoy greater home comfort. You can check us out on the web to learn more about our heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality products, or click through our online blog for more home HVAC tips, information, and news.


Recycling concrete results in considerable savings for municipalities and promotes sustainability of landfills and natural aggregate reserves.
Landfill space in Alberta is expensive and has limited life expectancy. Reducing the amount of waste at the landfills, through recycling, prolongs landfill life and promotes sustainability.
TBG contributes to sustainable landfills through the recycling of concrete and asphalt from deconstructed municipality infrastructure. Our recycled concrete is suitable for re-use for drainage applications, sidewalk construction, and for other local construction projects.
Optimizing Municipality Budgets
Recycling concrete provides budget optimization opportunities for municipalities. Costs associated with transporting concrete to and disposal at landfills can be saved through using our Portable crushing plants, which can be mobilized to your demolition site to create recycled concrete for use at that site. In addition, using recycled concrete for municipal projects reduces virgin aggregate cost for municipality projects and preserves the life of natural aggregates reserves.
Cost Savings through Crushing Programs
Periodically, Lafarge will execute concrete crushing circuit programs which involve completing several concrete crushing projects within a single mobilization trip, with the intent of providing cost savings to municipalities.
To facilitate providing you a quote, a Lafarge crushing specialist can drive over to your facility to determine how many tonnes of concrete you have. The more concrete piles we crush in a circuit, the cheaper it is for everyone.
High Quality Recycled Concrete
Lafarge’s portable crushing plant can be easily transported to your concrete rubble site and has the ability to crush and recycle up to 2,500 tons of concrete per day in a single 12 hour shift. Our crushing plant is equipped with 2 self-cleaning magnets which remove metal from the processed rubble to create a 20mm crushed recycled concrete aggregate. With our rigorous QA/QC process, you can be assured of crushed concrete
that is consistently clean and reliable for your construction projects.


Our Free Gift with Purchase promotion allows customers to receive a complimentary gift when they make a qualifying purchase on our website. This is our way of showing appreciation for your support and loyalty.
To qualify for a Free Gift, your purchase must meet the specific criteria mentioned in the promotion's terms and conditions. These criteria could include a minimum order value, specific products, or other requirements. Please refer to the promotion details for accurate information.
Please note that the number of Free Gifts you receive will be based on the terms of the promotion. Even if your cart contains a higher quantity of items, we will only ship the expected number of Free Gifts as stated in the promotion terms.
If you believe there has been an oversight and you did not receive the correct number of Free Gifts as per the promotion terms, please contact our customer support team within 7 days of receiving your order. We'll be happy to assist you and ensure you receive the appropriate number of Free Gifts.
If you decide to return any items from your order that qualified you for the Free Gift promotion, you will also need to return the Free Gift. If you have opened/used or decide you want to keep the Free Gift, the retail price of the item will be deducted from your refund credit. Because the promotion is designed to reward qualifying purchases, returning those items would impact your eligibility for the Free Gift.


Matt Goulet, Principal
Urbanomics is led by Matt Goulet, a veteran land use and real estate consultant based in Los Angeles. Mr. Goulet has entitled and serviced more than 3 million square feet of floor area, 3000 residential units and 300 acres of infill development in the City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles and various other municipalities in California.
With a nearly 25-year background in engineering, business development, economic development and urban planning, he has worked with industries that form the backbone of the Southern California economy and job base including aerospace, manufacturing, theme parks and motion pictures. Matt has also created numerous studies on regional economic development, urban planning, real estate economics and goods movement for public agencies and private interests in California. Since 2007, he has produced over 100 land use feasibility evaluations and he has developed entitlement strategies and secured land use approvals for several major projects and landowners in Southern California.
In addition to serving as the Principal of Urbanomics, Matt serves as the Chairman of the Board for 1010 Development Corporation, a non-profit affordable housing developer in Downtown Los Angeles. Mr. Goulet holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, an MBA from California State University Northridge, and a Professional Certificate in Real Estate Investments from UCLA. Matt also holds an FE/EIT certification in Mechanical Engineering from the Maryland Board of Professional Engineers and is a licensed Broker in the State of California. Furthermore, he served as a docent providing architectural tours for the Los Angeles Conservancy and on the Advisory Board and Management Committee for the Los Angeles Chapter of the Urban Land Institute.


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Green Spring provides independent valuations of businesses, business interests, and intangible assets for the purposes of estate planning, financial reporting, business and transactional support, and dispute resolution.
Our approach combines proven valuation techniques, thorough research and analysis, and an understanding of key value drivers to provide credible, well-supported opinions that withstand third party scrutiny and that enable timely and informed decision-making. Our valuation professionals regularly collaborate with Green Spring’s experts in tax, audit, and consulting to provide clients comprehensive insights and unparalleled service.
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Lectra helps sustainable onshore manufacturer BMC go from design to print, cut and stitch in hours
New York, April 29, 2022 – A major global player in the fashion, automotive and furniture markets, Lectra designs industrial intelligence solutions (software, equipment, data and services) for brands, manufacturers and retailers. Lectra is equipping Bespoke Manufacturing Company (BMC) with its range of Gerber AccuMark® solutions and the Gerber Z1 cutting machine for its manufacturing site in Phoenix, Arizona.
A bespoke womenswear manufacturer, BMC is known for its revolutionary on-demand business model, which provides customized garments through onshore manufacturing to improve sustainability and profitability. All products are sold prior to production, minimizing fabric waste and excess inventory, which greatly reduces costs. By adopting this model, BMC also gains agility in helping its customers respond to sudden changes in consumer demand, tastes and preferences. “Our goal is to provide a viable alternative to the traditional supply chain by reducing production times from months to minutes,” says J. Kirby Best, managing director, Bespoke Manufacturing Company.
BMC chose Lectra’s Gerber Z1 cutter and Gerber AccuMark CAD system to power its iCreate.Fashion platform, which serves as the backbone of its on-demand factory. This technology ecosystem incorporates a digital printing solution, Kornit Presto, and AccuMark 2D from Lectra, AccuMark Made-to-Measure solutions, as well as GERBERcutter® Z1 that enable BMC to go from design to print, cut and stitch in minutes. , without having to face the risk of errors. With Lectra’s solutions, BMC can simplify and automate the on-demand production process, without having to deal with complex logistical problems and long lead times. As a result, they can achieve high productivity using fewer resources and manpower, ensure continued profitability, and expand their business to other regions with the same production model.
“Compared to mass production, the on-demand model fits well with the new fashion normality, as it digitizes the supply chain, creates minimal waste and is more agile to meet consumer needs. Traditionally, it is a complicated and tedious process, with long lead times. Our Industry 4.0 technology connects the dots to enable more and more pioneering companies like BMC to adopt this way of manufacturing without any of its drawbacks, thanks to automation. By helping BMC, we are fostering a flexible and responsible manufacturing mindset, which is a step towards the future of the fashion industry. At the same time, we are bridging the gap between profitability and environmental sustainability “, says Lenny Marano, President, Americas, Lectra.
As a major player in the fashion, automotive and furniture markets, Lectra contributes to the Industry 4.0 revolution with audacity and passion by providing the best technologies.
The group offers industrial intelligence solutions – software, equipment, data and services – that facilitate the digital transformation of the companies it serves. In doing so, Lectra helps its customers push their limits and unlock their potential. The group is proud to say that its 2,400 employees are driven by three core values: being open-minded thinkers, trusted partners and passionate innovators.
Founded in 1973, Lectra recorded a turnover of 388 million euros in 2021 and is listed on Euronext (LSS). For more information, visit lectra.com.
About the bespoke manufacturing company:
Custom Manufacturing Company, LLC. specializes in the production of one-off clothing activated by the purchase. BMC has developed technologically advanced manufacturing and distribution solutions for the on-demand apparel industry. Its factory model automates and integrates every aspect of the manufacturing process from order entry to delivery. Integrated components driven by complex software solutions allow BMC to produce unique SKUs on demand, thus eliminating inventory costs and simplifying the supply chain.
iCreate.Fashion (iCreateone, Inc.) is an industrial platform designed for brands and designers to create, track, store and distribute their traditional human-readable technology packages and their machine-readable Smart Tech Packs (STPs) to retailers and manufacturers globally. iCreate also built an Integrated Manufacturing System (M3) designed to eliminate as many human activities as possible in order to deliver customized on-off on-demand products.
BMC is located at 3100 East Broadway Road in Phoenix, AZ.


We supply fruits and vegetables to supermarkets and wholesalers all over Europe, Africa and South America. We also regularly include new varieties of fresh produce.
Main markets: Poland, France, Netherlands
The United Kingdom, Spain, Angola, Morocco and Senegal.
Located in Ribatejo, Portugal, Valfresh Lda. is a company dedicated to the international trade of Vegetables and Fruits.
Our main activity is exporting fresh vegetables and fruits throughout Europe and Africa.
Our main objective is to maintain the highest standard of provided services to ensure our costumers needs are met.
Our most important values are our ambition to help and professional dedication.
We aim to create value for both our customers and suppliers, for our team, and for our region and country.
All products are classified and packaged according to our customer's requirements, regarding quality, food production standards and logistics.
You can count on us.


According to the description, the base of the figurine has built-in LED lighting, which, when turned on, will create the effect of burning candles. The eyes of the vampire are made of glass, the clothes are made of fabric, and the stockings are made of silk.
As with other similar figurines, the circulation will be severely limited. Only 199 units will be produced worldwide. The pre-order is already open. Such a figurine will not be cheap at all. They ask for $ 850 for it. Buyers will receive their goods in the second quarter of next year.


Between foreclosure fraud, plummeting house values, and a rocky financial outlook , millions of Americans have lost their home in the last five years. The older population has particularly suffered during this period. AARP estimates show that between 2007 and 2011, more than 1.5 million older Americans faced foreclosure as a result of the mortgage crisis. Here is a further look at how foreclosure is affecting an older population and how a bankruptcy lawyer can help.
Lack of Housing Security
The housing crisis of the last half decade rocked the American middle class to its core. While older Americans have always been considered more financially secure than other segments of the population, everyone’s foreclosure and bankruptcy rates have exponentially increased in the last five years. Older Americans are now carrying more debt than the used to, and millions are at constant risk of losing their homes. In fact, people over age 75 have a foreclosure rate of 3.2 percent compared to 3 percent for Americans between 50 and 64 and just 2.6 percent for those between the ages of 64 and 75.
A Look at the Numbers
Statistics from the last 5 years really illustrate the magnitude of the foreclosure crisis. AARP researched the housing security levels of older Americans, and found that among people over the age of 50, the percentage of loans that are seriously delinquent increased 456 percent during the five-year period of the recession. In 2007, the amount was 1.1 percent, and it increased to 6.0 percent by 2011. The AARP study notes that as of December 2011, 16 percent of loans of the mortgages held by Americans over the age of 50 were underwater.
Filing for bankruptcy can help you halt foreclosure and keep your home. If you are thinking about this process, contact an experienced bankruptcy attorney as soon as possible. Illinois residents who are thinking of this legal solution should contact the Belleville office of Dixon & Johnston, P.C. by calling (618) 233-1103. Our bankruptcy and foreclosure team will work to help you keep your home and stop the creditor phone calls once and for all.
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.


The South Africa Map of Financial Inclusion investigates the landscape for financial services in South Africa and provides access to data on the location of more than 38,000 points of service around the country. By mapping financial services providers, the site provides insight into the financial access and inclusion within South Africa. The site provides locations of bank branches and ATMs, post offices, microfinance institutions, salary-based microlenders, development programs and several thousand other credit providers, including pawn shops, retailers providing credit services, and lenders providing cash loans and vehicle finance.
Data on the location of institutions and branches have been collected using primary sources and web scraping to extract the numbers and locations of financial services from publicly available data, consolidated into a single database. For more on this dataset, please see our blog post.
Visit the MIX Market South Africa page for more information on microfinance institutions in South Africa.
Population estimates are provided for the second-level administrative area (metropolitan and district municipalities) for the year 2010. The population estimates were obtained and prepared by the U.S. Census Bureau for the U.S. Government President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) HIV Spatial Data Repository. Estimates are consistent with midyear national projections from the U.S. Census Bureau International Database. Additional metadata provided by the HIV Spatial Data Repository.
Poverty ratio estimates for first-level administrative divisions (province) were obtained from the 2002 study, How Low Can You Go? Combining Census and Survey Data for Mapping Poverty in South Africa, published by the Journal of African Economies. Alderman et al. calculated a poverty headcount index based on observable characteristics of households and provided estimates by province. Alderman H., M. Babita, G. Demombynes, N. Makhatha, and B. Özler. 2002. “How Low Can You Go? Combining Census and Survey Data for Mapping Poverty in South Africa.” Journal of African Economies 11(2): 169–200. Abstract
Data about financial services and access were provided by FinScope. Percent financially excluded by province is an estimated measure of the number of individuals who do not use any formal or informal financial services. Percent never banked by province is an estimated measure of the number of adults who have never banked. Data was obtained from the Finscope South Africa 2010 survey.
This map uses two additional measures of accessibilty, locations per 100,000 and locations per 1,000km2. Locations per 100,000 adults was derived using the 2010 population estimates provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. The number of total financial institutions was divided by the number of individuals 15 years or older based on the age groupings by second-level administrative unit (metropolitan and district municipalities) provided in the population estimates. Locations per 1,000km2 was calculated using the derived area of each administrative unit. The total number of financial institutions was divided by the area (km2) of the second-level administrative unit (metropolitan and district municipalities).


Linyi Liuqing Crafts Co., Ltd.
The supplier's company premises has been checked by Alibaba.com staff to ensure onsite operations exist there. A third-party verification company has confirmed the legal status of the supplier.
|Location:||Shandong, China (Mainland)||Verified|
|Main Products:||Willow Flower Basket,Willow Flower Pot,Willow Bicycle Basket|
|Total Employees:||51 - 100 People|
|Total Annual Revenue:||US$1 Million - US$2.5 Million|
|Top 3 Markets:||Western Europe 45.00% Eastern Europe 20.00% Central America 10.00%|
|Product Certifications:||Test Report|
Linyi Liuqing Craftwork Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer. Our company is located in "Co...
Linyi Liuqing Craftwork Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer. Our company is located in "County Of Willow Base in China" - Linshu County, Shandong Province, and the county is famous for rich and natural resources of willow, soft grass and wood.
Our products include grass and wicker baskets, wicker flower basket, gifts baskets, fruit baskets, laundry baskets, storage baskets, wicker pets beds, wicker coffines, wooden boxes, willow cabinets and wooden toys.
All products are sold to Europe, America, South Africa, Japan, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Macao and so on. Our wicker-grass and wooden products are popular in every corner of the world. We welcome all friends both at home and abroad to visit us and cooperate with us to create a bright future together
Production Capacity View More >
|Product Name||Units Produced (Previous Year)||Highest Ever Annual Output||Unit Type|
|willow gift baskets||200000||500000||Piece/Pieces|
|willow picnic baskets||150000||300000||Piece/Pieces|
|willow decorative crafts||300000||800000||Piece/Pieces|
Trade Capacity View More >
Trade & Market
|Main Markets||Total Revenue(%)|
|Export Percentage:||71% - 80%|
|Export Mode:||Have Own Export License|
|No. of Employees in Trade Department:||6-10 People|
Email to this supplier


In Oman, the community of Fathkait, Dhofar is provided with drinking water
OSMOSUN® 3 BW unit with the view of the installation of solar panels
OSMOSUN® 3 BW unit – Oman, Fathkait community
The OSMOSUN® 3 BW unit producing 21 m3 of clean water per day operating only with solar energy, without batteries.
MASDAR has financed and installed 50 MW of wind power in Oman. In this momentum MASDAR financed the OSMOSUN® 3 BW water production unit of Mascara NT which produces 21 m3 per day of drinking water for the population of the community of Fathkait, Dhofar in the desert of Oman. A project with the on-site relay and the participation of Mazoon FAHOUD Trading Ltd.


Gulf Investment Corporation Acquires Equity Stake in PIPECARE Group Holding
Gulf Investment Corporation, G.S.C. (GIC) has acquired a significant minority stake in the UAE-based PIPECARE Group Holding, a leading provider of engineering and inline inspection tools for the oil and gas industry. The transaction was completed on Abu Dhabi’s ADGM on November 15, 2023.
Given the strong market momentum, GIC’s investment in PIPECARE will accelerate the realization of the group’s vision to become a global leader in pipeline inspection and integrity technology and services. PIPECARE will leverage GIC’s participation and fresh capital injection to strengthen its regional outreach and international expansion, especially in the North American market, with its premium offering of high-end in-line inspection technologies.
“We are excited to enter a new phase in our company’s growth in partnership with GIC to further develop our technology and play a critical role in supporting our customers in the safe delivery of energy, while meeting the challenges of the energy transition” said Dr. Khaled El-Shami, founder of PIPECARE Group and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
“This investment highlights the interest of GIC in partnering with a successful GCC company to help it expand its operations outside the region”, said Mr. Meshary Al-Judaimi, Group Head - Principal Investments at GIC. “The company is positioned for rapid growth in the near future and our investment reaffirms our belief that PIPECARE and its management team will deliver real value” added Mr. Al-Judaimi.
PIPECARE Group, founded in 1998, serves as a major provider of In-Line Inspection services to national and international pipeline operators, covering more than 85 countries. Over the last 25 years, PIPECARE has inspected more than 750,000 kilometers of pipelines with a large fleet of inspection tools, ensuring integrity and safe operations of their clients’ assets. PIPECARE has been providing innovative and adaptive engineering services along with predictive AI software solutions.
Gulf Investment CorporationFounded in 1983 by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), GIC is a financial institution equally owned by the six member states of the GCC. GIC is a principal investor that supports the development of private enterprise and economic growth in the region. It aims to promote economic cooperation and growth throughout the region and beyond through its equity commitments.


The supreme body of the regional self-government, Zlín Region’s Assembly, consists of 45 representatives elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-years term. The members of the Assembly elect from among them members of the Regional Council that consists of the Governor, Deputy Governors and other members (Councillors). The Assembly convenes at least once every three months and its sessions are open to the public.
Pursuant to applicable law, the Assembly is entitled to submit motions and bills to the House of the Representatives of the Parliament of the Czech Republic; submit proposals for revocation of certain acts to the Constitutional Court; issue Region’s generally binding decrees; co-ordinate regional area planning; approve developmental programmes and provide for their implementation; approve regional tourism development schemes; set the scope of basic public transport services in the region; make decisions concerning international co-operation projects; approve the Region’s budget and balance sheet; establish and disband contributory organizations; establish trading companies, committees etc.; and make decisions concerning the following actions affecting property rights: purchase and transfers of immovable property, providing subsidies to municipalities, providing subsidies in excess of CZK 200,000 to other subjects, etc.
třída Tomáše Bati 21
761 90 Zlín


For over 50 years Moldamatic has been focused on providing our customers with world class injection molded plastic products and services. We are a quality driven, customer focused, and experienced full-service injection molder. Our customers range from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies.
In fact, our multi-faceted Management Team brings a wealth of proven industry experience and knowledge to your plastics and injection-molding requirements. We serve multiple vertical industries and have historically been proven to be very competitive in today’s demanding marketplace offering a myriad of injection molded solutions.
Moldamatic, LLC prides itself on all our services being available under one roof. When our customer’s take advantage of this option we are better able to maintain a standard of quality that surpasses our competitors. However, we are with our customer through every step of the process, whether they decide to stay in house or outsource to one of our trusted offshore partners. This has allowed us to build long lasting relationships with our customers and provide them with:
Moldamatic, LLC was founded in 1967 by William Spolar with two injection presses, venture capital, and a small base of customers. William had recognized the importance of plastic and took his expertise in metal tool and die design and started to design plastic injection molding.
At that time, we offered engineering, mold building, the production of parts, and custom services that we could gear towards any industry. For over ten years we worked on gaining our foothold in the business community under our founder.
In 1976 William Spolar passed away. His son, William A. Spolar became the President of Moldamatic. Together with his sister and Vice President in an advisory role Mary Anne, William A. Spolar continued to grow the company to become what his father had envisioned.
Today, Moldamatic, LLC has grown from a small custom injection molder into a global player. We do business in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, and the Caribbean. We continue to maintain strong, lasting relationships with our customers and we operate under the same core values we were founded on.
We strive to be more than just a vendor to our customers. We strive to be an extension of your manufacturing efforts and a partner in your success. We look forward to working together and becoming a part of your organization.


Share (Savings) Accounts
and direct deposit are available on all share accounts
Our Regular Shares are the backbone of your LFCU account. Whatever your financial goals
are, our Regular Shares account will bring you one step closer to them. Not only will you
earn competitive dividends, but you will enjoy convenient account access through MAC/ATM
machines and our Phone (Personal Access Teller) Teller.
Maintaining a minimum balance of $25 in a Share/Savings account is required to maintain
your membership in Lebanon FCU. Your Share/Savings account can be single or joint and
earns dividends on a monthly basis.
Money Market Share Account
Looking for an investment account that offers you a high return on your investment
dollars and the ability to access your funds with check writing capabilities?
Consider the advantages of a Money Market account with Lebanon FCU. With a minimum opening
balance of $2,500, you can set up a Money Market Shares and get a higher rate on your
savings than you would with Regular Shares. Other features include:
- Earn higher dividends on balances of $2,500 or more. And even higher dividends on
balances above $50,000, $75,000 and $200,000.
- Write up to three checks or make a total of six transfers per month, with a minimum of
$250 per withdrawal.
- Free checks.
Check our latest interest
Need more information on our Savings Shares?
Call (717) 272-2210 or (800) 489-5328, extension
Be aware that by continuing on you will be leaving www.lebanonfcu.org and viewing content from another website not under the control of the Lebanon Federal Credit Union. LFCU cannot be held responsible for it's content or any activity entered into by a member and the third party vendor.


The weight of diamonds and gemstones is measured in standardized metric carats (abbreviated ct) and must not be confused with the ‘caratage’ or purity of precious metals. The name ‘carat’ comes from carob seeds which were historically used as counterweights and are by nature unusually uniform.
One carat equals 0.2grams and 5 carats amount to 1 gram. 1 carat may further be subdivided into 100 points. Small diamonds below 1ct total weight are hence also known as ‘pointers’ in the diamond trade. Pointers of equal to or less than 15 points (pts) are referred to as melée or smalls. These are often measured in millimeters and commonly sieved for fast sorting.
Generally speaking the larger a diamond, the rarer it is, the higher its price will be. This correlation between weight (size) and price is essentially near perfect until a stone reaches a size of approximately 15 to 20ct. Beyond this range the per-carat-price relationship effectively becomes invalid and the price curve flattens. This is primarily due to the lack of practical use for giant stones as wearable ornaments.
The weight of a diamond has further indirect implications.
A well cut stone for example will usually show a sufficiently large face (surface area) due to an expected spread or diameter that is closely correlated with its true weight. Poorly cut stones on the other hand may be deep. However this relationship is not perfect and weight particularly difficult to estimate in smaller stones. When buying diamonds one is hence advised to compare the actual weight to the relative diameter in case of round stones or against the [length x width] figure when assessing fancy shapes. This is important as diamantaires will adjust pricing of stones accordingly.
Prices on a per-carat-basis of stones approaching the next size up, so called ‘oversizes’, are higher than those for stones situated at the bottom of the respective carat size class. For example a price premium will apply to a 1.80ct stone (all other factors equal) relative to the price of a 1.50ct diamond. Such pricing behaviour effectively smoothes out the price curve.
This however does not contradict the percs of buying a ‘shy’ carat diamond. These are stones just below a psychological ‘size’. A good example would be a 1.98ct instead of 2.00ct diamond. Since prices jump at certain weight boundaries, significant savings would be expected. Such a ‘shy’ two carat stone would essentially still look the same size as a true two carat stone and be considered a savvy buy.
Lastly certain cultural superstitions affect marketing of particular sizes nowadays. 8ct diamonds for example attract prosperity according to Chinese who are thus willing to pay premiums for such stones. Contrarily 4ct diamonds are avoided by the Sino market as the number is a harbinger of bad luck.


Rules of the "SMMASH"
Information on the Seller
- The rules of the "SMMASH" e-shop specify types, scope, and conditions of services and sales of Goods online via the B2B platform with the www.b2b.smmash.eu domain and the e-shop operating with the domain of www.smmash.eu, which belongs to "Complete Brand Management" sp. z o.o. sp. k. with the registered office in Łódź, ul. Rewolucji 1905 r. no. 82, entered in the Register of Entrepreneurs with the no.: 0000464687, NIP: 725-206-85-21, whose registration documents are kept by the District Court for Łódź-Śródmieście in Łódź, Commercial Division XX of the National Court Register.
- It is possible to contact the Seller from Monday to Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 04.00 p.m. via:
- e-mail address: email@example.com,
- phone no.: +48 42 288 10 81.
The following expressions used herein have the following meaning:
- Consumer – Purchaser who is a natural person performing a legal transaction which is not related directly to their economic or professional operations.
- Buyer – Consumer or Entrepreneur who sets up an account in the Shop in order to make a sales agreement with the Seller. In case of natural persons, only a person with full capacity to perform legal transactions may be a Client.
- Entrepreneur – Buyer who is a natural or legal person or an organizational unit with no legal personality, conducting economic or professional operations.
- Rules – these Rules.
- Shop – B2B sales platform with the domain of www.b2b.smmash.eu and the shop operating with the domain of www.smmash.eu, which act as agents for the Seller in sales of the Seller's Goods.
- Seller – "Complete Brand Management" sp. z o.o. sp. k.
- Retail Sale – sale of up to 10 pieces of Goods and sales to Consumers.
- Whole Sale – sale of Goods to Buyers registered as whole sellers.
- Goods – Goods offered by the Seller for sale via the Shop and Goods produced at a Buyer's individual request.
- Agreement – agreement concerning sale of Goods made by the Buyer with the Seller via the agency of the Shop.
- Service – services provided by the Seller on-line based on the Rules.
- The Seller provides Services on-line within the meaning of the Law of 18 July 2002 on providing services on-line (Dziennik Ustaw [the Polish Journal of Laws] of 2002, No. 144, item 1204, as amended).
- Access to the Shop is provided upon principles specified in the Rules and it is free to all Buyers who are connected to the Internet.
- Before starting to use the Shop, the Buyer is obliged to read the Rules. The Seller provides access to the Rules free of charge, in the form which enables downloading, saving, and printing.
- By registering an account in the Shop, the Buyer acknowledges that they have read the Rules and that they accept all provisions hereof. The Buyer is obliged to observe provisions of the Rules.
Technical Conditions of Using the Shop
In order to use the Shop properly, it is necessary:
- to have a device with an access to the Internet,
- to have a web browser and software enabling the use of websites,
- to have an active and correctly configured e-mail account.
Scope and Conditions of Providing Services
Types of Services Provided On-line
The Seller provides on-line services which consist in:
- providing on-line access to the Shop and enabling the Buyers to place orders and make sale agreements with the Seller via the Shop,
- sending ordered bulletins and information on the offer of the Shop by e-mail,
- enabling the Buyer to download Goods sheets, catalogues, technical sheets, and other contents provided by the Seller from the Shop website.
Making an Agreement on Provision of Services
- The Seller provides Services free of charge.
- Services are provided after the Buyer registers their account in the Shop. To register an account, it is necessary to:
- provide the Buyer's data, i.e. user name, e-mail address, and password,
- read the Rules and accept them,
- accept the activating link sent by the Seller to the e-mail address specified by the Buyer.
- Data is provided voluntarily by filling in the registration form.
- Agreement on provision of Services is made for an unlimited period of time.
- The Buyer has the right to terminate the agreement at all times. Termination of the agreement means closing the account in the Shop.
- The Seller is authorized to terminate the agreement on provision of Services and to block the access to the account or delete the Buyer's account with a two-weeks' notice if the Buyer uses the Services with violation of law or provisions of the Rules.
- The agreement is terminated with a termination notice sent by e-mail or post to the recipient's address.
- In case of termination of the agreement by any party, the Seller is obliged to delete the Buyer's account immediately, no later, however, than within five working days following the date of receiving the termination notice.
- The Seller may refuse to make an agreement on provision of services and delete the Buyer's account if it has been set up again after termination of the agreement by the Seller and deletion of the account at the Shop as a result of a violation by the Buyer of legal regulations or provisions hereof.
Principles and Conditions of Making Sale Agreements
Making a Sale Agreement
- The Seller offers Goods for sale which are included in its current trade offer and Goods manufactured at the Buyer's individual request via the Shop. The trade offer of the Seller includes descriptions of significant properties of the Goods and their net and gross prices. Prices binding to the consumers are gross prices.
- Placing of Goods in the Shop is an invitation to the Buyer to place an offer (order) within the meaning of the Civil Code.
- Orders may be placed at the Shop all day, seven days a week, all days a year.
- To place an order, the Buyer, in particular, has to specify the Goods, their quantities, method of payment and delivery, and data required to complete the order i.e. the Buyer's name, address, and phone number. In case of Buyers who are entrepreneurs, their NIP (tax identification) number and name of the company are also required.
- The sale agreement is made when the Seller accepts the order placed by the Buyer or when the Seller starts to process the order. The Seller immediately informs the Buyer that it has accepted the order by sending a relevant message via the B2B selling system or by e-mail.
- If the Buyer provides incorrect or wrong data in the order, the Seller will attempt to contact the Buyer in order to correct it. If it is not possible to contact the Buyer or to correct the mistakes, the Seller is authorised to cancel the order. The Seller is obliged to notify the Buyer of the fact if possible.
- The price of the Goods is determined based on prices specified when the Buyer places an order. The selling price includes VAT. The total price specified when an order is placed includes the price of the ordered Goods and costs of delivery. Delivery costs differ depending on the delivery method selected by the Buyer.
- The Buyer may choose one of the payment methods provided for by the Seller, including advance payment by transfer or payment at delivery on conditions specified below.
- In case of a sale with an advance payment, the Buyer pays for the purchased Goods immediately after placing the order, by transfer to the bank account specified by the Seller.
- If the payment is not made within 5 days following the order, the Seller cancels the order and notifies the Buyer of the fact.
- The Buyer may choose payment at delivery if the registered office of the Buyer and the delivery place is located in:
- Poland and the payment does not exceed:
- PLN 1,000 for retail sale,
- PLN 2,500 for whole sale,
- Germany and the payment does not exceed:
- EUR 200 for retail sale,
- EUR 500 for whole sale.
- If the Buyer chooses payment at delivery, the Buyer is obliged to pay for the ordered Goods upon receipt. The Buyer pays the price directly to the delivery person.
- When placing an order, the Buyer selects the method of delivering Goods out of the methods provided for by the Seller (courier, courier with payment at delivery, collection by the Buyer).
- Delivery costs depend on method of delivery, weight of the parcel, and the payment method. The Buyer is notified of the delivery costs upon placing the order. Delivery costs are paid by the Buyer.
- Order completion period is:
- 14 days for the Goods manufactured at the Buyer's individual order and for whole sale of Goods,
- 5 working days for retail sale of Goods.
- The Buyer is obliged to check the contents of the parcel in the presence of the courier or postman in order to confirm whether the contents are compatible with the order and whether no damage was caused during transport. In case of any damage to the parcel, the Buyer is obliged to notify the delivering entity of the fact and immediately contact the Seller.
- In case of international sales to Entrepreneurs, the place of performance of the agreement is the delivery place for ordered Goods to the registered office of the first carrier performing the delivery or the place where the ordered Goods were left at the first carrier's disposal for the purpose of delivery.
- The Seller sends VAT invoices on-line to Buyers who have consented to such method of delivery. In other cases, the Seller delivers VAT invoices to the Buyer with the ordered Goods.
Liability of the Seller to Entrepreneurs
Guarantee of Quality
- All Goods offered via the Shop are new and free from physical and legal defects.
- The Seller grants a 12-months' guarantee of quality for all offered Goods. The granting of the guarantee excludes the application of provisions concerning statutory guarantee for defects of sold Goods.
- To exercise the guarantee rights, it is required to make a written complaint within 14 days of discovering a defect of the purchased Goods and to deliver the defective Goods with a proof of purchase to the registered office of the Seller. The complaint should include the name of the Entrepreneur, contact data, and a description of the discovered defect. The Entrepreneur loses its guarantee rights if it fails to meet the conditions listed above.
- Complaints are processed within 14 days following the date they were made.
In case the discovered defects are confirmed, the Seller, under the granted guarantee, is obliged to replace the defective Goods with the Goods which are free from defects. The Goods are replaced within the period for processing the complaint.
- Costs of packaging and dispatch of the Goods under complaint are paid by the Entrepreneur.
Liability for Goods
Manufactured on an Individual Request
- The Seller is not responsible for:
- defects of non-standard Goods manufactured at the Entrepreneur's individual request if such defects are a result of manufacturing the Goods based on materials provided by the Entrepreneur, according to its instructions and guidelines,
- violation of copyright or any other rights of third parties if it was related to the use of trademarks, logos, and graphics provided by the Entrepreneur in connection with completing the Entrepreneurs individual order.
- When providing the Seller with trademarks, logos, and graphics for the purpose of completing an individual order, the Entrepreneur represents and warrants that it is the owner of all economic and moral copyright and derivative rights to the provided materials or that it has obtained a written consent of the owner for the use of those materials by the Seller for the purpose of the completed order.
- The Entrepreneur is fully responsible for and is obliged to indemnify the Seller against any claims of third parties resulting from the violation of its copyright to the materials provided by the Entrepreneur. If the indemnification of the Seller against such a violation is impossible or ineffective for any reasons, the Entrepreneur is obliged to pay all costs and losses incurred by the Seller in relation to raised claims. In particular, in case of any negligence of its obligations to the Seller, the Entrepreneur is obliged to pay the Seller compensation for performing the agreement improperly.
Liability of the Seller to Consumers
Withdrawal from the Agreement
- Consumers have the right to withdraw from a sale agreement made via the Shop on principles under the Law of 02 March 2000 on protection of certain consumers' rights and liability for loss caused by a hazardous product (Dziennik Ustaw no. 22, item 271, as amended).
- Entrepreneurs do not have the right to withdraw from an agreement due to their economic and professional activities.
- The right of withdrawal may be exercised within 10 days following the date of delivering the Goods according to Article 7(1) of the Law specified above. To observe that period, it is sufficient to send a representation concerning a withdrawal from the agreement before the expiry of the period. The Seller provides the specimen representation concerning a withdrawal from the agreement free of charge.
- The representation concerning a withdrawal from the agreement should be made in writing and should be sent to the Seller's address. The Buyer is obliged to send the Goods in respect of which the Buyer withdraws from the agreement to the Seller's address referred to above within 14 days following the date of sending the representation concerning a withdrawal from the agreement. The parcel should be labelled "Returned Goods".
- All direct costs of delivering the representation concerning a withdrawal from the agreement to the Seller and of returning the Goods are paid by the Buyer.
- The Entrepreneur is obliged to immediately return, to the consumer, all payments made by the consumer, including costs of delivering things, no later than within 14 days following the receipt of the consumer's representation concerning a withdrawal from the agreement.
- In case of a withdrawal from the agreement, the Seller immediately returns, to the Consumer, all payments made by the consumer, including costs of delivering things, no later than within 14 days following the receipt of the Consumer's representation concerning a withdrawal from the agreement.
- The right to withdraw from the agreement does not apply to non-standard Goods, manufactured according to the consumer's specification or for satisfying the consumer's individual needs.
Incompatibility of Goods with the Agreement
- The Seller is responsible to Consumers for incompatibility of Goods with the agreement under the Law of 27 July 2002 concerning special conditions of consumer sale and amendment of the Civil Code (Dziennik Ustaw 2002, no. 141, item 1176, as amended).
- The Seller is not responsible for incompatibility of consumer goods with the agreement if the Consumer had known about the incompatibility when making the agreement or, judging reasonably, should have known about it.
- The Seller is not responsible for defects of non-standard Goods manufactured at the Consumer's individual request if such defects are a result of manufacturing the Goods based on materials provided by the Consumer, according to their instructions and guidelines.
- When providing the Seller with trademarks, logos, and graphics for the purpose of completing an individual order, the Consumer represents that they are the owner of all economic and moral copyright and derivative rights to the provided materials or that they have obtained a written consent of the owner for the use of those materials by the Seller for the purpose of the completed order.
- The Seller is responsible for incompatibility of goods with the agreement if such incompatibility is found within two years following the delivery of the Goods to the Consumer. That period starts anew in case of any replacement or repair of Goods.
- In case of any incompatibility of the Goods with the agreement, the Consumer should notify the Seller of the incompatibility within 2 months following the discovery. To observe that period, it is sufficient to send a notification before the expiry of the period. The Consumer is obliged to draw up a written description of the discovered incompatibility of the Goods with the agreement and to specify whether they request that the Goods be repaired or replaced with new ones.
- The Consumer should send the Goods incompatible with the agreement to the Seller's address. The Goods should be packed in a manner which prevents damage and they should be accompanied by all additional elements delivered with the Goods.
- The Seller informs the Consumer about the refusal or acceptance of the request within 14 days following the receipt of the Goods.
- If the Goods are accompanied by a manufacturer's guarantee, the Consumer may address their claims according to the provisions of the guarantee.
Protection of Personal Data
Personal Data Processing
- The Seller is a personal data administrator within the meaning of the Law of 29 August 1997 on personal data protection (Dziennik Ustaw No. 133, item 883, as amended), hereinafter referred to as the Law.
- The Seller has the right to process personal data of the Buyer provided in the registration form and in the order under Article 23(1)(3) and Article 23(4) of the Law for the purpose of performing the sale agreement, in relation to direct marketing of the Seller's Goods and services, and for the purpose of pursuing claims on account of the conducted economic operations.
- The Buyer may agree to receive commercial information by e-mail.
- The Buyer may resign at all times from receiving commercial information sent by the Seller. To resign from receiving commercial information, the Buyer has to send a representation concerning resignation to the Seller's e-mail address.
- Provision of personal data required to use the Shop and place orders is completely voluntary. A refusal to provide personal data may result in it being impossible for the Seller to provide Services.
- The Seller processes data describing the manner of using the Services by the Buyer, including without being limited to:
- labels identifying the Seller, attached based on the data referred to in sec. 3 of this paragraph,
- labels identifying the end of the telecommunications network or the IT system used by the Buyer,
- information on the purchase of Goods and services by the Buyer.
- The Buyer has the right to access and modify their personal data.
- Under Article 31 of the Law on personal data protection, the Seller may entrust other entities with processing personal data of the Buyer.
- All contents provided at the Shop website, i.e. photos, logos, and description of the Goods, are protected with copyright owned by the Seller or entities cooperating with the Seller, under provisions of the Law of 04 February 1994 on copyright and derivative rights (Dziennik Ustaw of 2006, No. 90, item 631).
- Copying, multiplying, processing, and distributing all or a part of the contents referred to above with no written consent of the Seller is prohibited and is a violation of copyright.
Jurisdiction and Applicable Law
- In relationships of the Seller with Entrepreneurs:
- law applicable to all claims and disputes related to operations of the Shop, sale agreements made by the Seller, and completion of orders is Polish law;
- all disputes which may arise in relation to operations of the Shop, sale agreements made by the Seller, and completion of orders will be settled by courts of general jurisdiction in Poland. Disputes will be settled by a court of general jurisdiction with jurisdiction over the place where the Seller's registered office is located.
- In relationships of the Seller and Consumers, jurisdiction is determined under applicable legal regulations.
- All matters which are not regulated herein are regulated with provisions of the Polish Civil Code and other applicable provisions.
- The Seller reserves the right to amend the Rules. Clients will be notified of any amendments to the Rules by publication of relevant information on amendments on the Shop website. All amendments to the Rules become effective within a week following their publication as described in the preceding sentence. Orders placed by the Buyer before the date when amendments to the Rules come into effect will be completed according to provisions of the Rules applicable at that time.
- A sale agreement between the Seller and the Buyer is governed by provisions of the Rules applicable on the date of making the agreement.
- The Rules enter into force on 01 November 2014.


The last flight of the only supersonic passenger liner Concorde at that time took place in 2003. After nearly 15 years, the start-up company Boom Supersonic (Denver, USA) intends to revive this order by a half-forgotten way of transportation.
The program developed by them to revive supersonic commercial aviation is ready to invest 10 million dollars by the leading Japanese air carrier Japan Airlines (JAL). It is expected that the new liner – Boom Jet – will fly faster and quieter than its legendary predecessor.
As an investor, JAL will have the opportunity to purchase 20 machines from Boom Supersonic. The airline will also help its partners in the design of the aircraft. The commencement of commercial traffic is planned for the mid-2020s. Boom Supersonic has already received orders for the construction of 76 supersonic aircraft – including five of the world’s largest air carriers. Among those who supported the project, the head of the Virgin Group Richard Branson, who is also not against buying 10 cars from the first series.
As expected, Boom Jet will create 30 times less noise and spend less fuel than Concorde. In addition, the tariffs for flights will be comparable with the current tariffs in the business class, that is, 75% lower than the “Concorde” tariffs.
Boom Jet will develop the speed of 2.2 Mach (2330 km / h), reaching from Tokyo to the West coast of the US for 5.5 hours. In addition, by the year 2023, it is planned to install recumbent seats in the cabin.
However, even despite such promising investments, experts are very cautious in forecasting, quite rightly believing that until full-fledged resumption of supersonic commercial flights is still quite far.


The Kenson Group is a Service Contractor to Oil and Gas Companies in the Energy Sector in Trinidad and Tobago. We provide a full range of managed Operations and Maintenance services and technical support services to Offshore Production Platforms and Onshore Facilities.
Keeping Operations Alive!
Our founder lives by the mantra
“Our business is making your business better.”
We do this by providing:
– Fully Certified Staff
– Handpicked Professionals
– Commitment to Quality Service
– Privately Held Award Winning company
“We bring a personal and effective approach to every project on which we work. This is why the Kenson Group is the perfect home to grow future Oil & Gas professionals.”
– Founder, Kenneth Ferguson


It’s at a Premium January 4, 2012Posted by IaninSheffield in Management, research.
Tags: attainment, learning, pupil premium, research, sutton trust, toolkit
The Pupil Premium is one way in which the Government is attempting to address educational inequality.
We know a good education is the key to improving young people’s life chances, to enable them to progress into adulthood with the skills and confidence for success. The Pupil Premium will provide schools with the resources with which to address inequalities in the system and raise the attainment of those pupils from low income families.
I was having a look through the Pupil Premium Toolkit, commissioned by the Sutton Trust, which seeks to guide “teachers and schools on how best to use the Pupil Premium to improve the attainment of disadvantaged pupils.” By reviewing educational research, the toolkit compares different strategies used to improve pupil attainment (Assessment for Learning, One-to-one tutoring etc); exploring impact, cost and the strength of the evidence. You’ll see from either the online version or the downloadable PDF, that the information on each intervention is presented first in a summary, then subsequently in more detailed form.
I got to wondering which approaches might be most cost-effective in terms of greatest gain per £ – not a difficult calculation to do and mere moments of effort to produce a spreadsheet. But then I thought how we might also factor in the strength of the evidence; after all would it be wise to spend money on an approach producing a high attainment gain per £ if the evidence which suggested that approach isn’t quite so robust?
Which all led me to this bubble chart:
Gain in attainment on the horizontal axis, cost on the vertical and width of bubble indicating the strength of the research which produced the findings. So the sweet spot is the bottom right-hand quadrant where we get high gains for low (moderate?) cost. And what do we see? Providing effective feedback, meta-cognitive strategies, peer tutoring and homework (?!) all figure prominently. Sadly, ICT only produces moderate gains and at a high cost … but there’s a whole other post could come from that!
Does that reflect your day-to-day experience though?