Josh Bachman shares his inspiration on gaining a new perspective on how to experience everyday surroundings.

We get a sneak peek of Howard Partridge's Full Day Workshop that he’s presenting at the fall Experience Convention and Trade Show.

Two years ago we spent time talking about the issues facing mothers and children during our nine-month series on Maternal & Early Childhood Issues. Part of that focus was on the work done by doulas, particularly by Amy Wilt and her group at Dauphin County Doulas. Since then, doulas have received a lot of attention across Pennsylvania, with lawmakers in Harrisburg taking the lead on working to increase the access to doulas and their coverage by insurance. Doula services are now covered under Medical Assistance after changes by the Shapiro Administration. In order to be recognized by Medicaid, doulas must be certified through the Pennsylvania Certification Board. Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh and Department of Health Acting Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen recently stressed the importance of doulas as part of care teams for historically underserved populations. With this in mind, we talked once again with Amy Wilt to see what she though of the increased awareness. “I’m so happy about that. That’s great movement,” she said. “Even two years ago when we first spoke, we weren’t recognized as a profession. Nobody talked about us. Nobody knew what we did….There’s a lot more who are learning about us, which is fabulous. “I’ve seen this huge shift, with late-in-pregnancy moms–‘oh I just learned what a doula is and I really need you on board.’ We’re filled up until August and September is my first opening.” But there is still progress to be made. Wilt says she is grateful for the increase in insurance coverage. But she would like to see the coverage give doulas more up-front coverage to ensure client commitment. “I’m not allowed to charge you a deposit to hold your spot. I’m not allowed to charge you anything,” Wilt said, referring to the restrictions involved with the current form of insurance coverage. “That then causes a problem because I don’t know that you are going to call me for your birth. They need to take a look at that. ” Wilt says she has found that moms without a financial commitment, like a deposit, are less likely to call for the birth. “If they don’t call for the birth, then we lose a significant amount of money. We’re just getting paid for a pre-natal visit.” And they have difficulty knowing whether or not to reserve time for moms in the months ahead. Wilt says it will end up hurting the doula industry if things don’t change.  

The variety and delivery of cloud services have been improving over the years. More and more businesses have started to adopt these services to reduce upfront and ongoing costs and enhance business efficiency. However, there remain many considerations and deployment possibilities which a business must take into account before deciding to take up cloud services. In this podcast, Assistant Professor Ouh Eng Lieh from the SMU School of Information Systems discusses his ongoing service profitability research on the factors and considerations that enable consumers to make informed decisions on cloud services adoption.

11/14/2024 - 6:00 PM - Venue: AscenDance

11/13/2024 - 7:00 AM - Venue: Hen House Cafe

TikTok catapulted in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and has now come to dominate the social media landscape. With over 1 billion monthly active users, science communicators have the potential to capitalize on TikTok’s success and share their science with a broad, engaged audience.

The post Harnessing the power of TikTok for science communication appeared first on The Plainspoken Scientist.

On 20 June 2024, AGU joined other organizations sending a letter to leaders of the appropriations committees in the House and the Senate requesting funding for two LC-130J airplanes needed for research operations in the Arctic and Antarctic.    As you advance fiscal year (FY) 2025 appropriations, we urge you to fund procurement of two LC-130J airplanes in the Defense Appropriations bill. These airplanes are critically needed to safeguard U.S. …

The post AGU joins letter requesting planes needed for Arctic and Antarctic research appeared first on The Bridge: Connecting Science and Policy.

Collaboration includes sharing knowledge on packaging technologies to reduce the environmental burden.

Acquisition expands the company's footprint in Asia-Pacific and strengthens its beauty and cosmetic packaging offering.

A report from Future Market Insights finds that growing awareness of non-carcinogenic packaging materials is driving growth.

As part of Nestlé’s continuous efforts towards more sustainable packaging solutions, the company is launching paper-based innovations across major brands.

The update emphasizes collaboration among cross-functional stakeholders—such as procurement, R&D, and corporate sustainability—who often have competing priorities like sustainability commitments and cost control. 

Ardagh Group, Glass – North America, a division of Ardagh Group, has  achieved ISO 14001:2015 certification at its Dolton, Ill., facility. ISO 14001 is the internationally recognized standard for the environmental management of businesses.

Nestlé Waters North America has signed an agreement with recycled PET plastic (rPET) supplier CarbonLITE, which will expand its U.S. operations by building a third facility in Pennsylvania.

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) names Nestlé Waters North America as its 2019 Design for Recycling® (DFR) Award winner, in recognition of its innovative use of recycled plastic and its product design centered on recycling.

Through a healthy hydration program developed by the alliance, grants, recycling bins and thousands of bottles of water will be awarded to PTAs across the country with the goal to help families live healthier lives by encouraging them to choose water.

Nestlé Waters North America’s ReadyRefresh by Nestlé delivery service has expanded its beverage portfolio as part of ReadyRefresh’s mission to deliver healthy, convenient and great-tasting hydration to its customers. 

New unit is strengthened by RLG’s recent acquisitions of MedLit Solutions and Pharmaceutic Litho and Label.

Nestlé will produce more than a quarter of a million KitKat bars wrapped in paper in an exclusive partnership with Coles, a local retailer. The pack has a QR code which people can scan to have their say and give valuable feedback on the new paper packaging.

Installation of Cama Group’s IG270 and IF296 machines has enabled a 14% increase in line productivity.

The innovative QR codes, powered by Zappar technology, allow blind and partially sighted shoppers to easily retrieve essential product information.  

A detailed description of the symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping by the National Institute of Mental Health.

HERMA applicators are being used in a labeling solution that Gernep has just completed for the Sterzing dairy farm.

The pandemic caused a sudden storm that has buffeted individual companies and entire industries and caused business leaders to seriously consider the critical importance of resilience, efficiency, and sustainability.

The iFTS will be showcased alongside R.A Jones’ Criterion CLI-100 cartoner at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2023.

The relaunched brand, made in collaboration between musician Dave Matthews and winemaker Grayson Stewart, is rooted in sustainability, from grapes to glass.

This innovative approach to wine packaging marks a first in the U.S. market, underscoring a commitment to recycled packaging solutions without compromising on the quality and flavor of wine that customers expect.

Meeting face-to-face with packaging leaders and innovators at PACK EXPO Las Vegas provided valuable context and nuance that official news releases don’t offer.

AMERIPEN supports Minnesota’s packaging EPR law for a number of reasons, most important of which is that it provides for true shared responsibility for recycling costs instead of putting the onus entirely on producers.

The ten year roadmap aims for beverage cartons made from renewable and/or recycled material. 

The Orbi-Trak TC-6 speedup kit for Meridian XR machines is designed to allow beverage and food manufacturers to run a variety of canned product configurations at a reported surge speed of 345 cartons per minute.

McIlhenny returned to R.A Jones to upgrade its production lines with four new Legacy CS-600 ultra high-speed Horizontal End Load Cartoners.

In 2023, the packaging equipment industry saw significant innovations, including Packsize's award-winning X5® solution, MGS's Matrix TL top-loading case packer, and Ishida Europe's ACP-700 series automatic case packing system. Read more about these game-changing innovations!

With its large packing portfolio and secondary packaging expertise, Sidel has provided three adapted case packers to handle different homecare, automotive and insecticide products on three lines, contributing to an overall 40% production line increase.

Company is expanding its palletizing range with the introduction of the high-performing RoboAccess_Pal S.

Erik Bronander brings life-long experience in packaging, including nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industry experience to lead the team.

No manufacturer can afford to stand idle, so one expert suggests several critical design considerations to keep in mind before deciding on a conveying solution.

The egg brand is using the redesign to celebrate spring and attract more customers.

The VELTEKO WASHDOWN-360 vertical packaging machine can be used in operations with more stringent hygiene requirements as well as anywhere that liquids need to be packaged.

In a recent video, Domino, a leading manufacturer and distributor of digital printing and product identification solutions, caught up with Label King to learn more about the company, their vetting process for adding digital printing, and the impact digital has had on their business. 

Registration Now Open for Destinations International Fall 2024 Conferences: Advocacy Summit, Social Inclusion Summit and Business Operations Summit dbreisch@desti… Wed, 07/10/2024 - 18:22

What do you charge for your teaching? If you want to take a fresh look at your tuition model, join us on Wednesday for an online discussion about this most important subject.

The election is going to dominate early November trading so making moves based on seasonals is unwise. That said, it's useful to keep them in mind as the dust settles.

• November is the best month for USD/JPY
• Best month for the Nasdaq
• Third-best month for the US dollar
• The November through February is strong for gold
• Second-best month for the S&P 500
• Second-best month for the MSCI world index
• Second-best month for the German DAX
• Best month for the Nikkei 225
• The final month of the seasonal slump for oil. Seasonals neutral in Dec-Jan then strongly positve from Feb-June

Going into last November, the S&P 500 had declined for three straight months but that month marked a turning point as it recouped nearly all the gains in what was the beginning of a five-month rally. This time, we're coming into the month with better momentum, though October was negative for stocks.

Good morning, afternoon and evening all. Any charts, technical analysis, trade ideas, thoughts, views, ForexLive traders would like to share and discuss with fellow ForexLive traders, please do so:

There were numerous Fed speakers on Tuesday, US time:

• Fed's Kashkari: The fundamentals seems strong and I'm optimistic that will continue
• Fed's Barkin: Fed in position to respond appropriately regardless of how economy evolves
• Fed's Waller: Makes no comments on economy or monetary policy outlook

and we get one more today in Asia:

• 2200 GMT / 1700 US Eastern time - Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Patrick Harker speaks on "Fintech, AI and the Changing Financial Landscape".

Which doesn't sound too promising for remarks from him on the economy or monetary policy. But, perhaps we'll get a mortsel thrown to us in any Q&A.

***

As for the data agenda, it's a bit of a yawn, none of it likely to move around major FX upon release.

From Japan we'll get an update of wholesale inflation - the PPI for October. The Producer Price Index (PPI) in Japan is also known as the Corporate Goods Price Index (CGPI)

• its a measure of the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output
• is calculated by the Bank of Japan

Unlike the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the price change that consumers see for a basket of goods and services, the CGPI focuses on the change in the prices of goods sold by companies.

The PPI reflects some of cost pressures faced by producers

• its based on a basket of goods that represents the range of products produced within the Japanese economy, including items such as:
  • raw materials like metals and chemicals
  • semi-finished goods
  • and finished products
  • different weights are assigned to each category within the index based on its contribution to the overall economy.
• it does not account for the quality improvements in goods and services over time, which might lead to overestimation of inflation
  • additionally, it reflects only the prices of domestically produced goods, leaving out the impact of imported goods

The PPI can be used as a guide to inflationary pressures in the economy:

• If producers are facing higher costs, they may pass these on to consumers, leading to higher consumer prices.

***

From Australia we'll get wages data for Q3. Wage growth is expected to keep slowing (y/y) in Q3 2024. With the labor market softening, upward pressure on wages has been easing over recent quarters.

In Commonwealth Bank of Australia's preview they cite their internal data as indicating a quarterly wage growth of around 0.9%, a notable decrease from the 1.3% growth seen in the same quarter last year, which had been boosted by a significant 5.75% increase in award and minimum wages. As a result, the annual wage growth rate is projected to fall to 3.6%, bringing it closer to a level compatible with sustainable, in-target inflation.

While the labour market softening, but from strong levels, the RBA is eyeing wage growth as a factor helping keep inflation sticky. A moderation in growth for wages will be welcomed by the bank if it translates into softening price pressure also.

• This snapshot from the ForexLive economic data calendar, access it here.
• The times in the left-most column are GMT.
• The numbers in the right-most column are the 'prior' (previous month/quarter as the case may be) result. The number in the column next to that, where there is a number, is the consensus median expected.
• I’ve noted data for New Zealand and Australia with text as the similarity of the little flags can sometimes be confusing.

CPI data from the US due today, Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

Greg popped up a preview earlier:

• US CPI to be released tomorrow at 8:30 AM. Expectations are for 0.2% MoM

In a recent note, BMO previewed the data also. Analysts at the bank suggest that any significant influence from recent storms on inflation data is likely limited, meaning market reactions to any deviation in core inflation—either upward or downward—may be pronounced.

The consensus forecast calls for a steady +0.3% rise in core CPI for the month, with expectations leaning toward a possible upside surprise.

A +0.4% reading or higher would make waves, particularly against the backdrop of the recent election results. The logic suggests that if inflation was already ticking up before the GOP’s victory, the added impact of tariffs and potential trade conflicts could fuel further inflationary momentum. However, BMO analysts also point out that while targeted tariffs may not universally drive up prices, this assumption currently shapes US rates market sentiment. With this market outlook in mind, BMO expects that an upside surprise in October’s inflation numbers could have a meaningful impact on yields, increasing their upward trajectory.

At present, actual inflation data is seen as the most direct factor that could push 10-year yields beyond the 4.50% threshold. A softer-than-expected core CPI reading could trigger a rally in the Treasury market, though there appears to be a limit to how much the market will temper expectations for inflation following Trump’s victory. Instead, BMO anticipates the market will continue to define a trading range in this post-election landscape, characterized by a mix of cautious optimism and prevailing skepticism.

0945 GMT / 0445 US Eastern time - Bank of England policymaker Catherine Mann is a panellist on the Female Central Bankers panel organised by BNP Paribas’ Global Markets

*

The Bank of England cut last week

• Forexlive Americas FX news wrap 7 Nov: FOMC/BOE cuts by 25 basis points

Expectations are for slower cuts ahead:

• More gradual Bank of England rate cuts = support for GBP