Half off usually unaffordable products? Only $49.99 for that $100,00 dinner? That’s the magic of Groupon, but for some small business owners the “great business” offered by Groupon can be equal to the kiss of death. How could that occur?

    The math of Groupon seems simple at a glance, but upon further inspection the numbers don’t add up when it comes to smaller businesses. A Groupon typically offers a 50% discount on a product or service, then the remaining profit is divided between Groupon and the small business. While Groupon has already received the profit in advance, the merchant is left waiting for their cut. Those worrying numbers are assuming the price cut is 50/50, which, in some cases, is being generous.

    When you break it down to numbers, a Groupon deal seems disastrous, but it’s not only the numbers small business owners have to worry about. The point of Groupon deals is to attract new and hopefully long-term customers. Yet, does this actually happen? The majority of consumers buying the Croupon are there for the bargain and don’t return after using their Groupon. CFHS Junior Angelita Pope stated, “I love the deals offered by Groupon! They can really save you so much money.” However, she went on to say that she hadn’t returned once to any of the businesses after using her Groupon.

    For some small businesses, the pressure lies with the responses of their loyal customers, who watch as new faces get the same product or service for half the price that they have been paying for years. When you break it down, Groupon indicates that the business offering the deal is not only willing to be flexible with their price, but also that their product or service isn’t worth the price they’re charging for. When combining these factors, it’s no wonder loyal customers are put off by the idea of their favorite shop offering Groupons.

    Now I by no means say Groupon has bad effects on all businesses; however, the storm of Groupon is actually a disaster for a small business.

C

    Similar to humans,produce comes in different shapes and sizes.Yet,chances are that you have probably never seen a strange-looking carrot or an apple with"character"at your local grocery store or farmers'market.That's because any fruit or vegetable that looks different from what is considered"normal"is considered unacceptable and thrown away.

    Experts estimate that six billion pounds or about twenty percent of all produce grown in the US ends up either in landfill or as animal food, annually.Now Ben Chester,Ben Simon and Ron Clark want to change that with their new company called"Imperfect".The Oakland-based company plans to purchase the strange-looking produce from farmers and sell it either through a supermarket chain they recently signed a deal with or by delivering it directly to consumers.

    Chester and Simon believe that once consumers realize that"ugly"fruits and vegetables taste as good as the "beautiful" produce supermarkets display,they will embrace the cause.The company who is working with farmers in California plans to start selling the produce to the residents of Oakland and Berkeley by July.If all goes well,Imperfect will extend the service to other California cities and then hopefully,to other states as well.

     I think they're doing the right thing.Here are my reasons.First,they will prevent waste.Second,their idea will also result in additional income for farmers who are sometimes forced to throw away as much as 50％of their harvest just because it doesn't look "right".Third,consumers that eat the produce will benefit,too.That's because the entrepreneurs estimate it will cost as much as 30-50％ less than grocery store produce.Fourth,it will help the environment,too!That's because rotting produce releases hazardous gas into the atmosphere.Fifth,for drought-ridden California the business could not have come at a better time.Each pound of food that gets sold prevents the 25-50 gallons of water it takes to grow a pound of produce from being wasted.Lastly,I think kids may consume more fruits and vegetables if they look "different" than the boring ones they see today!

China’s President Xi Jinping visited the UK from Oct 19 to Oct 23, 2015. This is a high-level state visit. The UK welcomed China’s President Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan with magnificent ceremony. The UK has shown the sincere attitude and committed to build a “golden era”with China in the next years. The etiquette(礼节) and ceremony will be the symbol of the Nation’s culture and World’s status. The UK held grand the ceremony and announced the determination hospitality to the world, China’s President Xi and other Chinese guests.

  As the powerful country, the good reputation of the UK has already spread to the world. The Royal ceremony is the well known formal ceremony. China’s President Xi met with Queen Elizabeth II an her husband Prince Philip, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Prince William and his wife Kate, British Prime Minister David Cameron and other officials. The Buckingham Palace, Mansion House, Chequers, Parliament, No. 10 Downing Street are the main places fo bilateral meetings and banquet.

  The UK aims at building a “golden era” and finding a new road to create extremely pleasing development. The UK joined the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank this year. It will help the UK to strengthen the connection with other memberships. As the reliable partner, the UK is willing to cooperate with China and explore possibilities. China’s “the Belt and Road” is the major initiative (初步行动) to build the economy booming along the new Silk Road. The countries that joined the organization will support each other and seek profits.

  The UK’s ceremony reflects the aspiration to push the “golden era” in UK-China relations. China and the UK should concentrate on establishing an innovative environment, advocating environmental protection and carrying out the policies. It should be the efficient measures for a win-win relationship.