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Sustainability has become an important strategic focus for all FMCG brands as well as retailers in recent years as the intensified focus on climate and the environment continues to dominate debate globally. Policymakers and consumers are essentially demanding that brands and retailers demonstrate their sustainability credentials and understand what these companies are doing to have a positive impact on our planet.
And so, packaging has become an increasingly important consideration for companies who are beginning to understand their packaging strategy can play a part in helping them achieve their sustainability objectives. As a result, Smurfit Kappa, Europe’s leading corrugated packaging company, has seen a significant shift in the demand for more sustainable packaging solutions that are recyclable, renewable and biodegradable, says Phil Husband, Innovation Development Director, Smurfit Kappa.
This has led to retailers across Europe making very public announcements on environmental targets invariably committing them to using less or no plastic in their stores. This change is here for the long term with retailers, brands and shoppers needing to adapt and so Smurfit Kappa has experienced a greater demand for paper-based packaging alternatives. Paper, with its inherent sustainable qualities, is becoming the packaging of choice for many companies and Smurfit Kappa market research has shown 75% of consumers prefer corrugated packaging above plastic.
Another trend in recent years is the growth of ecommerce across the world and particularly in Europe. In Europe alone, ecommerce activity is estimated to have increased by 13.6% compared to 2018, according to the European E-commerce Report. This growth has led to demand for more packaging and brands looking for more sustainable and innovative alternatives that significantly reduce that amount of packaging that is required. This can bring its own challenges as brands try to find the balance between reducing the amount of packing with ensuring that the product purchased arrives in the way the consumer expects it and not damaged in transit.
“Smurfit Kappa is at the forefront of developing innovative and sustainable packaging solutions for customers and this is central to our Better Planet Packaging initiative, the aim of which is to reduce packaging waste and address the challenges of waste and litter that ends up in our oceans and in landfill right across the globe,” comments Husband. “As such, we place a strong focus on innovation and have developed a growing portfolio of sustainable packaging products which can be used to replace less sustainable materials such as plastic.”
James Lomax, Sales Director for UK Packaging at DS Smith, comments: “The packaging trends we’re seeing emerge will profoundly impact manufacturers, brands, retailers, and producers in ways we’ve not seen before.”
A recent survey by DS Smith for example, has revealed that six out of ten Europeans are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging, suggesting that companies will not only need to be able to adjust to consumer changes, but also act on them and win.
“Shoppers are not just demanding ‘now’ experiences, but ‘wow’ experiences, and the challenge for brands is delivering this experience with the conscious consumer in mind, without compromising on cost,” adds Lomax. “This means we’re constantly working with our customers to create and deliver innovative, sustainable packaging.”
Brands are actively seeking to create innovative experiences through packaging, such as boxes that fit through the letterbox, augmented reality to turn cardboard into children’s toys, or even allowing customers to design the box that their gift is delivered in.
DS Smith offers “supply cycle thinking” to its customers, offering a range of expertise and services into all areas of the supply chain process, from design and manufacture, through to recycling. “Our innovative packaging solutions and unified process is designed to eliminate complex methods, we offer services that can address every stage of the supply chain or focus on one part, to anticipate and solve problems for our customers,” says Lomax.
The company works closely with its customers to provide expertise from its Impact and PackRight centres to create the right product, that ultimately increases sales, reduces costs and minimises risk. In line with innovation goals, DS Smith uses digital printing and Made2Fit technology to respond to the changing needs of customers, innovating together with them to create the most effective product, with constant emphasis on efficient and sustainable best practice.
Its Retail and Shelf Ready Packaging for example, uses the concept of ‘thinking back from the shelf’. The company works with retailers to calculate the optimal size of a pack for a particular type and quantity of product, for the appropriate size of a shelf, while also considering the rate of sale and replenishment. These factors allow not just for greater production efficiency and less waste, but also the generation of sales in store at the point of purchase.
“In the supply cycle, it’s all about finding marginal gains to deliver cumulative value,” adds Lomax. “Significant savings can be realised through seemly simple actions by creating the right size pack, reducing air and ullage and implementing more efficient palletisation so that you can get more product on a pallet, more pallets on a lorry and ultimately less trucks on the road. It’s a win-win for cost and carbon reduction.”
P. Wilkinson Containers Ltd. is now one of the largest manufacturers and stockists of metal and plastic containers in the UK. The company uses solar panels to generate energy all day and even overnight if there’s a bright, full moon. This powers the firm’s entire site – its canmaking factory, warehouse and offices. During peak times, the site also draws from the National Grid but its solar farm powers its electricity usage, whether recharging a laptop; a hybrid car; e-bikes; forklifts; machinery on the manufacturing line; or charging phones and boiling the kettle at lunchtime.
Stuart Wilkinson, sales director at P. Wilkinson Containers Ltd, comments: “As packaging manufacturers, suppliers and stockists, we know how important it is to show that we are actively looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint. I’m pretty sure that this will become a key metric in the procurement process, if isn’t already.”
Laura Fernandez, packaging technologist at Marks & Spencer, says the company is already looking at ways that they can rate suppliers against factors such as their use of renewable energy.
“We know from our own customers that they are looking for packaging materials with heightened environmental credentials,” adds Wilkinson.
Every piece of metal packaging produced by Wilkinson’s factory, from paint cans and industrial containers to biscuit tins, is produced with machinery powered by the solar farm.
“We share our environmental policy and we know that our solar farm gives confidence to our customers that we actually walk the talk,” says Wilkinson. “It’s also important to our customers’ customers, everyday consumers, who are looking for greener alternatives and want to physically see how a piece of packaging is pulling its weight.”
In the case of Wilkinson’s tins, each is now embossed with both the ‘Metal Recycles Forever’ logo which reminds consumers to both recycle their can and of metal’s special status as a permanently available material which means it can be infinitely recycled with no loss of quality.
And when consumers turn the cans upside down, they’ll also see ‘manufactured in London using solar power’ showing both the provenance of the packaging and its solar credentials.
Paula Birch, Global Sales Director at Parkside, comments: “It’s clear that sustainability is front and centre in packaging design and development today for the grocery sector. With the education of consumers around single use plastics, recycling and food waste, brands are seeking new and innovative ways to meet their customers’ concerns. At Parkside, we have led in the development of sustainable flexible packaging for many years; delivering the world’s first accredited industrial and home compostable crisp packet, as well as new recycle ready flexible packaging film laminates for convenience, chilled and confectionery products.”
Another clear trend in the sector is the move to fast turnaround short run work.
As the omnichannel retailing competitive intensity increases, printer converters like Parkside need to deliver speed to market for customers.
“Quality and consistency of packaging is a given, it’s the ability to deliver shelf standout with innovative features quickly, that makes the difference,” adds Birch. “At Parkside, we have invested in a creative suite and laboratory facility to support our customers to move from design to sample reality in under eight hours to meet this need.”
Parkside has become internationally recognised in two key markets. First, it is the leader in the production of the latest innovative flexible packaging solutions for the global tobacco market, supplying brands from both the UK and Malaysia.
It is also the only company globally delivering fully accredited compostable packaging solutions for both home and industrial composting, that has also been marine water tested.
It has invested over 8 years of research and development into its Park2Nature range of compostable film laminates that have the pack performance attributes of standard flexible packaging and today are supplying coffee, tea, snack and convenience brands with a range of high performing compostable designs.
Parkside’s major customers are leading global tobacco brands, food and drink brands (across a variety of categories from beverages to dairy, chilled, convenience and confectionery) and it supports a range of confectionery and health and wellness start-up brands.
The company supplies a range of conventional, functional and sustainable flexible packaging solutions supporting our customers through design, development and production to deliver high shelf impact, ideal supply chain performance and appropriate end of life disposal solutions.


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Apple is beefing up its hiring efforts in artificial intelligence and machine learning, according to a latest report from Reuters. The company is going on a recruiting spree and trying to hire at least 86 more employees from these two fields.
Apple is also seeking students fresh from PhD programs, with a view to developing applications that can better predict user’s requirements before they actually ask for it. It is recruiting machine-learning PhD’s with the likes of Google, Amazon, Facebook and others. The main aim of the company is to make Siri even smarter in order to compete with Google Now and latest entry in the voice digital assistant market- Microsoft’s Cortana.
Machine learning relies on a vast amount of data to make predictions about what users might want. The report further adds that Apple faces a challenge with machine learning due to its focus on privacy and reluctance to tap into all possible data sources. With an increase in data collected from users personal devices growing rapidly, companies are looking at developing systems that will allow them to leverage this information to deliver more tailored services to their customers.
In addition, Apple is also hiring machine learning experts for divisions such as product marketing and retail, “suggesting a broad-based effort to capitalize on data”, said the report. Apple is expected to announce the new iPhones and new OS tomorrow.

domain: news


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PowerTown action figures have finally arrived from the factory. The fledgling wrestling toy company posted a video today of an unboxing of the Bruiser Brody action figure. Take a look at this intense, nearly 90-second video.
To allay concerns about the durability of the figures, the mystery unboxer works through the figure’s articulation, testing the leg, arm, hip and body joints.
This figure looks dope. Can’t wait to get these in hand.
That’s not the only PowerTown news of the day, Action figure influencer Kyle Peterson got his hands on a Verne Gagne figure and tested it out as well.
The wait is nearly over.


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Apple is reportedly preparing now for the reveal of their brand new 16-inch variant for the MacBook Pro. Many Apple fans have been following this story develop, with rumors dating back as early as February.
Fresh Off the Press
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reports that this new MacBook Pro will be revealed today. It will be sporting a 16-inch screen, which falls between the 15-inch version we currently have and the 17-inch version that was discontinued in 2012.
Aside from the updated screen, the MacBook Pro to be revealed today will have an updated keyboard. It ditches the faulty butterfly keyboard in favor of the more reliable scissor keyboards. The change is meant to address the MacBook's infamously flimsy keys.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is meant to replace the 15-inch version, leaving the portfolio with just 13-inch and 16-inch models. Since it's meant to replace an old version, the 16-inch MacBook Pro is expected to launch at the same price the 15-inch version has right now.
The timing is impeccable. Last year, Apple also revealed the 15-inch MacBook Pro on the same Wednesday of November. That version was delivered to users just a week later. Here's to hoping that we all get our hands on this new MacBook Pro by the end of this month.
Meanwhile, there are also reports that the new Mac Pro will come to stores this December. First revealed last June during Apple's WWDC Keynote, the new Mac Pro is a redesign of the classic Apple desktop.
The Mac Pro's most defining feature is its 6K Display, which Apple claims has a panel that can hold 1,000 nits of brightness across the panel indefinitely. This is just enough to put its panel to VESA's highest DisplayHDR 1000 tier.
Meanwhile, although many of us haven't gotten our hands on the Mac Pro yet, Apple has reportedly been giving some artists early access on their new machine. Eagle-eyed people would notice a Mac Pro on DJ Calvin Harris' studio. Apple must be confident already with the Mac Pro's current build to be giving artists test runs, which is exactly what Apple says the Mac Pro would be perfect for.
These rumors come hot on the heels of the iPhone 11 launch. As always, the iPhone 11 is a huge commercial success, although critics are resentful of iOS 13, which is reportedly buggy even after two updates.
The iPhone 11 showed Apple catching up on the camera game, featuring three back cameras on the Pro and Pro Max versions. These cameras finally introduced telephoto and ultra-wide photography to the iPhone, a feature that many Apple users have been missing out on for some time now.
If ever the 16-inch MacBook Pro would be revealed today or anytime this week, it's sure to make people double-guess their plans for this upcoming Black Friday sale. It's tempting to wait for the latest Apple offering instead of giving in to the big slashes in prices that are sure to come.


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BENGALURU (Reuters) – India’s DLF on Monday reported a 30.6% jump in second-quarter profit, helped by higher home sales and new property launches.
India’s real estate demand has been strong ahead of the festive season which starts towards the end of the September-quarter, on growing consumer confidence despite high inflation and borrowing costs.
DLF’s consolidated net profit came in at 6.23 billion rupees ($74.9 million) for the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with 4.77 billion rupees a year ago.
The company’s share of profit in associates and joint ventures such as DLF Cyber City Developers, DLF Midtown and DLF SBPL Developers rose 24.5%, and accounted for 43% of the total profit.
Revenue from operations rose 3.5%, while expenses rose marginally on higher costs of plots and constructed properties.
“Expect a surge in both new launches and housing sales this festive season, despite domestic and global headwinds in the first nine months of 2023,” said Anuj Puri, chairman of property consulting firm Anarock Group.
“Our new product launches planned for the second half of the fiscal remain on track,” DLF said in a statement, adding that it continued to see a sustained demand momentum.
Founded in 1946, DLF develops and sells residential properties and leases commercial and retail properties in 24 Indian cities.
It is the second among top Indian listed property developers to post results, with rivals Godrej Properties, Sobha expected to report next month.
Oberoi Realty on Friday reported a 43.4% jump in September-quarter net profit, while its revenue surged 76.8% on the back of strong demand.
($1 = 83.2150 Indian rupees)
(Reporting by Rama Venkat in Bengaluru; Editing by Varun H K)


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Didn't Lorraine Kelly look beautiful on Monday morning's Good Morning Britain? The star surprised by changing up her on-screen wardrobe and wearing a brand-new outfit - a pretty dress from one of her favourite shops, Marks and Spencer. In recent weeks Lorraine has been recycling her fashion on the show, so we bet fans will be desperate to get their hands on her new frock.
Lorraine chatted to Emily Atack on the show
Lorraine's pick is the 'Floral Print Shirt Midi Dress' from M&S, costing £45. The floral midi has a modern painterly print which shoppers seem to love, since the shirt dress is winning rave reviews online - and fellow star Ashley Roberts even recently wore the skirt version.
MORE: Holly Willoughby’s best floral dresses: from M&S to & Other Stories
WATCH: Lorraine's gorgeous outfits over the years
The presenter has continued to wow viewers with her style despite changes during lockdown - and has chosen not to share her daily outfits and fashion details with fans on social media as the crisis continues. On Wednesday, she re-wore a fan-favourite frock from Very - now in the sale at just £19 - which we predict will sell out pronto!
Lorraine's blue floral dress, was £45 now £19, Very
Lorraine also revealed a very relatable secret behind her GMB style, taking full advantage of her seat behind the desk by going barefoot to present the show. As the camera panned around the studio on Thursday, viewers could see that Lorraine had decided to leave her usual Kurt Geiger heels in the ITV wardrobe. And who can blame her?
MORE: Alex Jones' ultra-flattering Whistles jeans are 60 per cent off in the sale
This article contains affiliate links, which means HELLO! may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. More information.


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Manufacturing Innovation Consortium Underway
The MIT Forum for Supply Chain Innovation, founded by CEE Professor David Simchi-Levi, has recently announced the launch of a manufacturing innovation consortium. According to the team spearheading this initiative, the consortium will unite members of the global manufacturing and retail industry in collaboration on industry challenges, as well as share insights in data science, technology and supply-chain optimization research conducted by Simchi-Levi. “Data science and machine-learning techniques can have a profound impact on current industry business models and can quickly help companies achieve a competitive advantage,” says Simchi-Levi. Read the MIT News article for more information.


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L&M continues to spread word of new partnership with High Country Potato
“I like the new timing of the New York Produce Show and Convention,” said Carrie Smith, marketing manager for L&M Cos. Inc., a diversified produce growing, shipping and marketing organization headquartered in Raleigh, NC. “It falls between the PMA Fresh Summit and the Christmas business rush. The show is growing and everyone has heard of ‘Christmas in New York,’ not ‘in the spring’ or ‘in the summer.’ “
L&M Cos. will be exhibiting at booth No. 323 at the New York show. The company is continuing its introduction and promotion of the L&M-High Country Potato partnership. High Country is a potato grower and shipper located in Rexburg, ID.
Ms. Smith explained that under the new long-term partnership, L&M is the exclusive marketer for High Country Potato.
“We will be displaying our ‘Nature’s Delight’ and ‘Family Farms’ retail brands at the show, as well as our ‘Nature’s Delight’ foodservice cartons for Burbank potatoes,” said Ms. Smith. “We will also display our year round onion program, including retail and foodservice packs.”
She also announced that Bob Conger is L&M’s newest employee.
Mr. Conger is a part owner in High Country Potato. He began working with L&M on June 15, and is highly instrumental in the smooth transition for the L&M/High Country Potato partnership.
High Country is one of Idaho’s larger packers, currently shipping about 1.5 million sacks [hundredweight] annually, which the company shared in a press release in June.
In the release, Todd Cornelison, president of High Country Potato said, “L&M was looking for an Idaho source to complete its potato program, and High Country needed an experienced marketing arm. It was perfect timing. L&M becomes a solid industry leader in russet potatoes and completes its year-round program.”
Ms. Smith noted that High Country left Potandon/Green Giant to come on board with L&M.
L&M Cos. was founded in 1964. In 1973 it began farming cabbage in north Florida, Ms. Smith said.
“Today we operate from coast to coast and grow cabbage, greens, broccoli, potatoes, onions, melons, apples, bell peppers, cucumbers and more,” said Ms. Smith. “With nearly 50 years in the industry, L&M has been grounded in helping our customers succeed by giving them control throughout the supply chain — farming, packing, logistics and sales. Getting the right product to the right person at the right time is what drives every member of the L&M team, every day.”


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In Nashville, we all make the trek to our favorite emissions testing site once a year when our tags come up for renewal. Although some dread the procedure, it’s a necessary step in protecting the air quality of our city by ensuring vehicles are operating as they should. For Volkswagen and Audi owners with a “Clean Diesel” turbodiesel (TDI) engine, these trips were a sense of pride—a reminder that their cars were environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. But in 2015, that all changed.
Researchers at West Virginia University discovered that Volkswagen had built technology into many of their TDI vehicles that cheated the emissions testing system into thinking their vehicles ran cleaner than they actually did. As a result, the company is facing more than $18 billion in EPA fines, as well as consumer class action lawsuits brought forth by hundreds, if not thousands of owners.
Volkswagen and Audi models with these rigged emissions systems include:
- VW Jetta (2009-2015)
- VW Jetta Sportwagen (2009-2014)
- VW Beetle (2012-2015)
- VW Beetle Convertible (2012-2015)
- Audi A3 (2010-2015)
- VW Golf (2010-2015)
- VW Golf Sportwagen (2015)
- VW Passat (2012-2015)
It’s always a shame when a brand you trust lets you down, but you can do something about it. The consumer fraud lawyers at Ponce Law are actively seeking Volkswagen consumer fraud victims for a nationwide class action lawsuit. If you own one of the Volkswagen or Audi models above, give us a call immediately. You may be entitled to compensation, but your time to join this class action lawsuit is limited, so call now.


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Could your TV be spying on you?
As the Internet of Things grows, security concerns mount
Your smart TV could be watching you while you’re watching it.
If you’re tech-savvy, you may be familiar with what’s become known as the “Internet of Things,” or IoT. The term refers to the physical devices — like vehicles, home appliances and other items — that now come equipped with electronics, software and connectivity that enables them to connect and exchange data over the internet.
The more new “things” you buy, the greater the likelihood you’ll have something connected to the internet in some form. That could mean a coffee maker, refrigerator, washing machine, headphones, lamps, and more. It also applies to larger machinery, like jet engines.
Gartner, an analyst firm, said that, by 2020, there will be 20.8 billion connected devices.
Others have made even larger estimates. A Morgan Stanley report said that it expected to see 75 billion devices on the IoT by 2020.
With that much internet connectivity in our daily lives, security against hackers seems as if it would be a major concern.
As things stand, hackers “can do anything,” said Jeremy Houle, a technician at Prescott Computers. “They can turn them into crypto-miners and use the processors in them to mine crypto-currencies. If (the device) has a camera or a microphone, they can hack it to listen to or watch you.”
A take-over of the cameras integrated in some Samsung televisions was proven possible by the CIA, and magazine Consumer Reports found that “a relatively unsophisticated hacker” could gain control of several models of smart TVs.
“I mean, just imagine what someone can do, and it can be done,” Houle said.
And maybe some things you didn’t imagine, like the experiment done by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in 2015, in which a Chevrolet Impala was hacked via its OnStar system, giving the remote hacker control of the car’s acceleration and braking.
Whatever device is affected could be rendered useless, said Dr. Jon Haass, department chairman of Cyber Security and Intelligence at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
“It could mean that the users would not be able to utilize that device, because it had been compromised by an attacker,” Haass said. “The legitimate use of the device might now be broken, because the hacker is now using it for their purposes.”
One of those purposes, using IoT computing power to create a “denial of service attack,” which essentially overloads a target computer with so many fake requests for information that it crashes, has already happened, Haass said.
In October 2016, hackers took control of untold thousands, perhaps millions, of unsecured IoT devices and directed them to query servers at Dyn, a company that provides internet service for many major companies. The attack crashed Dyn’s computer servers.
In that case, security experts said the hackers were able to gain control of the devices because many of them still had their factory-set default passwords in place, such as “111111” or “123456” or “password1.”
But some IoT devices simply don’t have very robust security measures in place, Haass said, and “are beyond the consumer’s ability to change, only the manufacturers can fix (the security on) the devices.”
What you can do
Actions the average consumer can take may stop a hacker, at the cost of limiting functionality, like covering the camera on a smart TV or disabling the interconnectivity of the device, assuming it will still work without an internet connection.
“Much like your iPhone,” Haass said. “For most people, they can’t do anything to change the security of the iPhone. We rely on Apple.”
“We should tell our vendors and manufacturers to take more care, and perhaps, as consumers, we need to look more carefully at what the capabilities of these devices are, and whether we want to have that risk in our lives.”


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Microsoft has been suffering from almost constant printer issues on Windows 11 ever since the OS was introduced last year. And now, reports of similar issues are starting to pop up on 22H2 as well.
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galaxy s24 ultra
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A new security baseline has been released for Windows 10 21H2. It brings protection and prevention against PrintNightmare, ransomware attacks, and more. Windows 11 also received the package earlier.
Microsoft has released a new Beta and Release Preview channel build for Windows 11 Insiders. Dubbed "22000.346", the new build patches several printer issues, some File Explorer problems, and more.
The latest Windows 10 Patch Tuesday update version KB5006670 has introduced new issues related to printing over networks for the affected users. A workaround is to simply uninstall the update.
Brother has announced that several of its printer models are having issues in Windows 11 when connected via a USB cable. The firm is investigating the problem and has asked to avoid USB connections.
Microsoft has recently revealed that a KB update in August's Patch Tuesday effectively breaks printing for some organizations by repeatedly requiring admin credentials when printing.
In this week's recap, we take a look at yet another version of PrintNightmare, the confirmation of Humankind launching on Game Pass day one, and much more. Be sure to catch up via our handy overview.
According to a report, Microsoft's PrintNightmare security flaw is being exploited by a ransomware group called Vice Society. This group is apparently using an associated DLL to infect systems.
Microsoft has released today a new Print spooler service security vulnerability advisory under the ID CVE-2021-36958. As a temporary solution, the firm has asked users to disable the process.
Microsoft has released another patch for the critical PrintNightmare vulnerability. It makes major changes to the Point and Print functionality on Windows, and immediate installation is recommended.
Microsoft has confirmed that its recent July security update has broken printing and scanning on systems when using smart card authentication. The problem is related to certain changes it made.
This past week has seen PrintNightmare patches come out (and be contested), the arrival of new Insider builds, additional Game Pass games, and more. Be sure to catch up via our handy overview.
Microsoft has confirmed that its update KB5004945 breaks Zebra printers preventing them from working properly. The company will release a new patch within the next few days that will fix the problem.
Despite claims to the contrary, Microsoft says that its PrintNightmare patch works as intended. It states that security researchers who are calling it ineffective are using insecure configurations.
Security researchers are reporting that Microsoft's fix for the PrintNightmare vulnerability that rolled out to most Windows versions is ineffective, and can let attackers completely bypass it.
Microsoft has begun rolling out a mandatory update for the most recent Windows 10 versions - 2004, 20H2, and 21H1 - to patch the recently acknowledged PrintNightmare critical vulnerability.
In this week's recap, we'll cover more info that has surfaced about Windows 11, the severe PrintNightmare vulnerability, and even a dash of gaming news. Be sure to catch up via our overview.
Microsoft has offered some further mitigations against the highly dangerous PrintNightmare exploit. The company has also given it a CVSS rating of 8.8/10, which almost awards it "critical" severity.
An exploit called "PrintNightmare" is being investigated by Microsoft. It potentially affects all versions of Windows. U.S. CISA has marked it as "critical" as it can lead to remote code execution.


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Exhibited at The84th TOKYO INTERNATIONAL Gift Show
Exhibited at DESIGN TOKYO 2017
BEL TEMPO taken up a news paper article in Japan
Exhibited at Tokyo International Gift Show 2017
Announcement of New Year holiday
Period of December 29, 2016 – January 4, 2017
It will be the New Year holiday. New Year will be open from January 5th.
(日本語) 2016秋 展示会 のお知らせ ～東京会場～
Exhibited at Tokyo International Gift Show 2016
Our Activity for CSR
We, Prairie Dog co.,ltd., donated to MEDICINS SANS FRONTIERS the part of sales both mask and mask-case .
Thanks to customer for purchasing our products, we can contribute;therefore we well received a letter of thanks from the organization.
We will continue to do our best to contibute to humanitarian aid.


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Online gaming merchants aim to build the best gaming experience for players—incorporating entertaining games and providing convenient payment options. While these aspects attract players to gaming platforms, responsible gaming practices ensure a safe and healthy environment for users.
According to a 2016 stats report by North American Foundation for Gambling Addiction Help, approximately 10 million Americans deal with gambling related problems. Responsible gaming provides players with resources to tackle problem gaming while also highlighting fairness within gaming operations.
With the rise of online gaming and sports wagering in the United States, online gaming operators have introduced tools such as: deposit limits, breaks, account closures, and self exclusion. These tools help in supporting players while providing a safer gaming experience.
Recently, a not-for-profit funded by BetMGM and Entain, The Entain Foundation US, launched a mobile app associated with responsible gaming. According to IGBNorthAmerica, Gamble Responsibly America supports players dealing with problem gambling through educational resources and tools. The tools include habits related assessment, harmful behaviour identifier, and a diary to record gaming and betting related choices. Additionally, the app also includes a 24/7 live chat function.
BetMGM CEO, Adam Greenblatt, explained the importance of responsible gambling, “Responsible gambling is a key focus for BetMGM and is critically important for the industry as a whole. We look forward to empowering our players with a proven program, designed to help support a positive gambling experience.”
Not only BetMGM, but other gaming operators such as DraftKings are also getting involved in promoting responsible gaming in the United States. In May, it was reported that DraftKings would contribute to the International Centre for Responsible Gaming’s sport wagering related research fund. The funds will be available for academic researcher(s) who are looking to study on topics related to the gaming industry such as the evolution of responsible gaming or how demographics plays a role in problem gaming experiences.
Apart from mobile applications and research, gaming operators are also offering responsible payment options—Mazooma is a great example. Mazooma offers bank account-based payments which means players can only bet with the money they have in their bank account—a much more responsible option compared to credit cards. Credit cards can be linked with overspending and additional fees or interest. Bank account-based payments also have higher acceptance rates on gaming platforms, whereas credit cards are sometimes blocked by a player’s bank.
While the most exciting slot game or the fastest payment solution might be the most talked-about components with regards to online gaming and sports wagering, it is responsible gaming that gives gaming operators a chance to connect with their users on a personal level. Responsible gaming is one of the most important aspects in the growing gaming industry in the U.S., where research, mobile applications, and payment options are being launched to support players dealing with problem gaming. With a strong responsible gaming program for players, online gaming operators and the players are bound to prosper.


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Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has appealed for lower trade costs to help Africa’s economic recovery.
At the opening ceremony of the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) 2021 meetings yesterday, Okonjo-Iweala noted that record-high trade costs hamper on the movement of products.
A report by TheCable quoted her as calling for debt relief for African countries, adding that many countries are at risk of entering debt distress.
She said:”When thinking about how to use debt productively, it is paramount to think about how it is managed and what it is used for.
“Debt means to go into high yielding activities with high rates of returns. One potential area for high returns on investment is acting to lower what economists call trade cost, the cost associated with moving goods from the factory gates to the final consumer.
“This would raise the productive capacity of African economies, ultimately reducing debt burdens and helping build regional value chains and competitiveness of firms on the continent.
“Currently, moving manufactured goods across international borders costs roughly 2.7 times more than moving the same goods across the same distance domestically. Costs are even higher for agricultural goods and services.
“Shipping and logistic expenses often accounts for a significant share of these costs and are key factors of why trade cost between high-income countries and much lower than those among low-income countries.”
Trade costs, she claims, may be reduced through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), improved internet connectivity to stimulate e-commerce, regulatory reforms, and the development of port and road infrastructure.
In light of the COVID-19 crisis, which has seen LDCs suffer the greatest drops in services trade, she urged WTO members earlier this month that repairing and enhancing the export performance of least developed countries (LDCs) in services trade should take a higher priority.
Okonjo-Iweala was presenting at the WTO’s Council for Trade in Services’ webinar on LDCs and services.
She emphasized COVID-19’s effect on the services trade of LDCs.
According to her, the pandemic has had a significant impact on services that require face-to-face interaction between suppliers and consumers, particularly in the tourist and transportation sectors, where LDCs have a significant presence in global trade.
In 2020, LDC exports of travel/tourism and transportation services declined by 69% and 16%, respectively, resulting in a loss of roughly $600 million in total services export earnings, she said.
“Decreased export revenues mean job losses and economic distress for people, along with increased financial and debt pressures for governments.
“Against this background, restoring and increasing the export performance of LDCs in services takes on even greater urgency.
“Services can help LDCs increase and diversify exports from more traditional agricultural products and commodities, reducing exposure to price volatility,” she added.


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Lion reveals secret weapon in beer wars - the designer hops
By Nicholas Bryant
Listed brewer Lion Nathan has launched a new strategy using a special "designer hops" to stop the increasing number of beer drinkers who are turning to wine.
REVOLUTION: The new hops makes beer that tastes like wine
It has made a beer which has the flavours and aromas of sauvignon blanc.
A year after buying branding and distribution rights to boutique brand Mac's, Lion has used the Nelson brewery to develop the revolutionary new beer to take on the increasingly popular wine industry.
Wine has been eating into beer's market share for close to a decade, with total wine available for consumption up 8% to 72.3 million litres for the year to December.
For the same period beer's share rose 0.5%, most of which was on the back of millennium planning.
But now Lion is taking on the winemakers in their own back yard with a beer that does not taste entirely like beer.
The special new hops have been developed by HortResearch scientists just down the road from Marlborough's big guns of the sauvignon blanc trade. Hops are a bittering and aroma agent vital to the production of beer.
The new Nelson Sauvin hop is a particularly aromatic hop and one of only seven new strains developed in the last 40 years.
The new beer, brewed in a crisp European pilsener-style called AroMac, will be a limited release from May 1.
The release is being seen by the industry as an important forerunner to new Anza, Australia-New Zealand Food Authority, food codes.
The Anza codes, which will be law from 2002, will allow flavouring agents to be added to Australasian beer, giving the brewers greater scope for an industry-wide fight back.
With the Lion purchase of Mac's the microbrewery has come full circle.
When Sir Robert Muldoon opened former All Black Terry McCashin's brewery in 1981 he was opening the door to brewery competition. Mr McCashin, also a former publican, started brewing to provide the public with an alternative to what he saw as the two "big, bad, bolshie" brewers.
Lion and Dominion Breweries had alienated their drinkers in an ugly battle for supremacy which involved buying the country's pubs out of independent ownership.
When he labelled his bottles with the message: "I give you my personal guarantee of the quality of this beer and wish you good health," Mr McCashin read the public's mood perfectly and gained a loyal following.
Lion and McCashin's will have exclusive rights to the Nelson Sauvin hops for two years, after which it will be marketed internationally.
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Benefits of Chow property deal in reverse takeover of RIS outweigh negatives, independent adviser says
MARKET CLOSE: NZ shares gain; A2, Kiwi Property rise, Hallenstein, retailers fall
NZ dollar slips from month-high ahead of US payrolls; Fed rate hikes questioned
Fonterra offers payout to organic farmers based on market returns, a first for the cooperative
Fresh NZ seafood reaches rural China via Alibaba's Tmall platform
NZX dairy futures point to further decline in whole milk powder from six-month low
Zespri and T&G's collaborative marketing example for all industry, says Hort NZ
NZ wool prices slip on higher kiwi dollar, reduced demand from China
'Small cost' in removing carbon subsidy from big emitters: NZIER
UPDATE: Hallenstein shares tumble as retailer confirms profit impact from weak dollar


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Across industries, Minnesota businesses have had no choice but to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic. Customers have as well. The return to a restaurant this year might mean ordering using your phone while sitting on a spaced-out patio.
Cori Kuechenmeister has been on the front lines in dining space reimagination. As the Design Director at Minneapolis-based interior design studio Shea Design, Kuechenmeister has found solutions for many of the Twin Cities’ top chefs and restaurants. Some recent projects for the firm David Shea founded in 1978 include a new Smack Shack location in Bloomington, Lat14 chef Ann Ahmed’s Khâluna in south Minneapolis, and StormKing BBQ’s move to the North Loop.
“The businesses that are engaging with us are the optimists, they have to be,” she says. “They’re ready to put more energy into their spaces and revitalize them despite all the challenges. They’re looking at it like an opportunity.”
As more restaurants open up full-service dining for the first time since last March—or ever—Shea has focused on creative ways to provide privacy, seamless pickup areas, and outdoor space.
What themes have emerged as restaurants adjust to the pandemic/post-pandemic world?
We’re looking into a crystal ball, trying to figure out what’s going to be the new norm, how [businesses] can reassess their spaces to accommodate distancing. It’s not one size fits all; if anything, there is no norm. The space ends up being a combination of who the brand is, how they’ve been impacted by the pandemic, what their goal is, and what culture they want to create.
More and more clients are considering how important connections are, in terms of spaces, and how they can shape those feelings when guests come in. They’re not only creating amazing hospitality and taking care of them, but spaces can really shift peoples’ moods. Also, because we haven’t really been able to travel, some places have focused on creating a space that just transports you. It’s been important, being able to go to these serene spaces right in your own neighborhood.
[The pandemic] situation has shifted clients who were reluctant to stray from traditional styles into embracing more modern innovations in interior design. Instead of wanting a “timeless” feel, they’re asking how their spaces can be “relevant.” They want to create excitement in their services, instead of sticking with the safe and familiar.
Which restaurants that you’ve worked with recently show the results of this new reality?
When the pandemic came about, there were some challenges with fine dining and nightlife. We saw this push for casual dining, adapting to that. We transitioned spaces like Vivir [formerly Popol Vuh in Northeast Minneapolis] into a sophisticated but casual, hybrid market/fast-casual/deli concept. That’s been highly successful, especially in pivoting the space but keeping the spirit alive. The market concept in particular was great, being able to take products to go.
Read More: New Restaurant: Vivir Looks Ahead to Spring Patio Season
Right at the beginning of the pandemic, we were working on Grocer’s Table [a retail-restaurant space] out in Wayzata. When that opened, during the pandemic, we could really feel that people needed space to adapt but also have something stable in the community. Something really pivotal there was the patio space and sidewalk seating, those exterior seating options.
Read More: Best New Twin Cities Restaurants of 2020
And we have Surdyk’s Sidebar and Cheese Shop opening up here soon, so that’s a great reminder that businesses can still thrive despite the pandemic.
Read More: New Restaurant Review: Sidebar at Surdyk’s
What challenges have you encountered in designing spaces in a pandemic world?
People bring a lot of energy to spaces. So how do businesses still have that liveliness when there’s that lesser density and distancing in spaces? That’s where it’s helped bringing plants and light in when it can’t be full of people. Or adapting the layout of tables, like bringing tables spaced out against the bar. We think about the health regulations, what they’re truly getting at, and consider adapting within those.
A huge challenge has been figuring out how to “extend the seasons” in Minnesota, like the time we can spend on those patios outside. It’s meant adapting the infrastructure of restaurants in particular, whether it’s gas or electrical heaters, using blankets outside, or embedding heating into the flooring. Also, we’ve seen a lot of work on the versatility of those outdoor spaces, adding drop-down screens and igloos when the weather gets cooler so they can adapt them with the seasons.
Many places have found benefit in bringing the outside in and the inside out. That connection with nature makes the space feel so much more open—with plants, skylights, fresh air, patios, patios, patios. If I had to count how many patios I’ve talked about in the past few days. It’s become the top of my list of priorities, getting that exterior space and natural light. If spaces don’t have that, they’ve been willing to keep looking for that outdoor connection.
Learn more at Shea Design’s website.


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Chevy Volt: GM's 'moon shot'
A top GM exec says plug-in hybrid could have "the same sort of symbolism" in automotive circles as the Apollo missions did in the aerospace sector.
The Chevrolet Volt has some high standards to live up to: In conversations with Wired News at this week's North American International Auto Show (aka the Detroit auto show), General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said that a successful launch of Chevy's plug-in hybrid could have "the same sort of symbolism" for GM and the U.S. auto industry as the Apollo missions and the moon landings did for NASA and American scientific endeavors. (He also talks price, batteries, and looks.)
For the full article, see Wired News: "Bob Lutz: Volt Is U.S. Car Industry's Moon Shot"


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Peter Kafka, in an article headlined “Apple’s New TV Plan: Same TV, Different Box”:
The latest from the Wall Street Journal: Tim Cook is now more interested in a TV box than a TV set. Certainly plausible—just ask Tim Warner’s Jeff Bewkes, who was predicting this a month ago. But the bottom line hasn’t changed. Apple keeps poking at the TV industrial complex, and keeps concluding that it’s better off playing along than playing a new game.
I mention this mostly to call attention to the assumptions here: namely, that Apple was ever interested in making a TV set. They already make a TV box. Nobody ever provided a very convincing explanation for why Apple would want to make the whole set, beyond vague thoughts about how it might somehow make setting up a television easier—or even more vague pie-in-the-sky thoughts about how Apple would revolutionize television. Somehow.
The bottom line—still—is the bottom line. Kafka does go on to explain this correctly. The only way to “get people the stuff they want without paying for everything else” (i.e., the current cable/satellite model) is present a business model to individual studios and/or networks which will bring in equivalent or higher revenue than the business model they have now. For a host of reasons—mostly contractual—this is an either/or choice: they can have the current model or a new model, but not both.


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Gap Rating Lowered to Market Perform at BMO Capital Markets (GPS)
Gap (NYSE:GPS) was downgraded by equities research analysts at BMO Capital Markets from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, TheFlyOnTheWall.com reports. They currently have a $35.00 price target on the stock, down from their previous price target of $50.00. BMO Capital Markets’ price target would indicate a potential downside of 5.23% from the stock’s previous close.
The analysts wrote, “We are lowering our rating on Gap to Market Perform from Outperform. We have growing concerns that sector-wide 3Q weakness may extend into 4Q, given soft consumer demand, elevated inventory, and an increasingly promotional environment, based on our field research. We see many factors as driving this weakness, including the lack of a clear fashion consensus and an anemic macro backdrop. Please see our Apparel Retail sector report, dated 10/21/13, for details. We do not believe Gap has been immune to this broader slowdown. Further, with Gap’s design team in transition, mixed reviews on Fall and Holiday product from our channel checks, and enhanced marketing efforts, we believe struggling to drive higher traffic, we see risk to margins. The SRI has shown a step-up in promotions at the core Gap brand.”
Shares of Gap (NYSE:GPS) traded down 1.03% during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $36.55. The stock had a trading volume of 6,110,177 shares. Gap has a 52 week low of $29.84 and a 52 week high of $46.56. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $40.06 and its 200-day moving average is $41.11. The company has a market cap of $17.087 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.61.
Gap (NYSE:GPS) last released its earnings data on Thursday, August 22nd. The company reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the analysts’ consensus estimate of $0.64. The company had revenue of $3.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.83 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.49 earnings per share. Gap’s revenue was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Gap will post $2.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.
In other Gap news, Insider Stefan Larsson unloaded 24,688 shares of Gap stock on the open market in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.77, for a total value of $907,777.76. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link.
Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Analysts at UBS AG cut their price target on shares of Gap from $45.00 to $41.00 in a research note to investors on Friday, October 11th. They now have a “neutral” rating on the stock. Separately, analysts at Sterne Agee cut their price target on shares of Gap from $38.00 to $36.00 in a research note to investors on Friday, October 11th. They now have an “underperform” rating on the stock. Finally, analysts at Nomura reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Gap in a research note to investors on Friday, October 11th. They now have a $40.00 price target on the stock, down previously from $42.00. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have given a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. The company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $44.59.
The Gap, Inc (NYSE:GPS) is a global specialty apparel company.
Get Analysts' Upgrades and Downgrades via Email - Stay on top of analysts' coverage with Analyst Ratings Network's FREE daily email newsletter that provides a concise list of analysts' upgrades and downgrades. Click here to register now.


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Over at Forbes, Matthew Herper has a provocative comment from a former Merck executive, Peter DeVillbiss. He’s wondering when and how drug companies lost the public standing that they used to have (remember, Merck used to be the “most admired company in America”, just to give you one example). His theory (which I know is shared by some of the readership here) is that direct-to-consumer advertising was a terrible mistake, bringing in lots of profits while ruining the reputation of the drug companies. His thought experiment:
If there was a regulatory mandate for all pharma companies to cease direct-to-consumer advertising for prescription drugs and vaccines, what would happen? It is not clear to me that this would be a death knell for the industry. I think it’s reasonable to assume that revenues would fall, but the big question is whether costs would fall more? This could never happen on a voluntary basis because of game theory but if it were mandated and applied across the board, I’m not so sure that pharma wouldn’t be better off in a few ways.
Check out the post, and the comments that it’s inspired. I’ll get a few points out of the way – for one thing, DTC advertising has, in fact, probably enriched the drug industry a great deal. No one’s claiming that it’s been a money sink, just a reputational disaster. Another thing to remember is that advertising budgets are supposed to bring in more money to the company than you’d have if you didn’t run ads – that is, they’re supposed to pay for themselves and plenty more besides. So if we can skip the “Pharma spends more on ads than R&D!” part of the argument, that’ll be fine. Ads make money; I’d rather focus on what else they do. Thoughts?


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Wealthy, educated more likely to coupon than poor, uneducated
Michael Brandy, Deseret News
Couponing is on the rise, but it isn’t the less fortunate that are flocking to it.
Households with $100,000 or more in income are twice as likely to use coupons compared to those who earn less than $35,000, CNBC reported citing Coupons.org data. Those with college degrees are also twice as likely to coupon versus those who did not graduate from high school.
Coupon redemption rose by 63 percent last year, and one in five smartphone users used online mobile coupons, like Groupon and Living Social, in 2011. Online coupon access has increased by 360 percent.
“Shoppers continue to love coupons,” Bob Carter, president of Inmar Promotion Services, told CNBC. “With consumer confidence flat, unemployment rates still a challenge and prices for most consumables on the rise, it’s now cool to be frugal — to shop smartly. And, coupons are the vehicle consumers are using to do just that.”
To read more, click here.
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Omega-3 linked to prostate cancer – HFMAs statement
Statement by the Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA) in relation to “Omega-3 linked to prostate cancer” – 11th July 2013
Men in the UK are advised that new research from the US linking Omega-3 and prostate cancer is not conclusive and contradicts pre-existing, robust evidence demonstrating a positive impact of fish oil supplements in this area.
In 2010, a large-scale meta-analysis of 31 studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that high levels of fish consumption did not increase the risk of prostate cancer diagnosis. In addition, in the same meta-analysis, data from four studies found a 63% decrease in risk of death from prostate cancer for high fish consumption[i].
Dr Michèle Sadler, Scientific Adviser to HFMA, said: “This new study from Ohio State University was not designed to investigate the role of Omega-3 intake and prostate cancer, rather to test the effects of Selenium and Vitamin E on cancer prevention and hence no firm conclusions can be drawn. This type of evidence can indicate an association, but does not demonstrate cause and effect.”
Furthermore, British consultant urological surgeon Dr Robyn Webber has said in media reports that the study is “controversial” and contradicted much previous advice. Webber also said: “People shouldn’t stop eating fish and I still think it’s too early to say whether they should stop taking supplements, especially since Omega-3 is said to be to be useful for such things as stroke prevention.” The general public and healthcare professionals are advised to consider the new findings alongside other robust research in this area before formulating public health recommendations.
Earlier this year, Omega-3 supplements also received major recognition for its benefits by having three health claims approved by EU law and supported by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Due to the rigor of this European regulation, not only does this ruling provide further evidence towards the benefits of Omega-3, but it also provides strong testament to its safety. “The vitamin and mineral supplements industry has an exceptional record of both safety and efficacy, in the UK and worldwide,” said Graham Keen, Executive Director of the HFMA. “Figures published by the Food Standards Agency showed that there were only 11 reported reactions to food supplements over an 11 year period, the majority of them in the lowest category of harm. Compared to other foods or medicines, food supplements have an enviable record.”
The Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA) is the voice of the UK’s natural health industry and represents more than 125 manufacturers and suppliers of natural health products. Founded in 1965, the HFMA is a not-for-profit organisation which operates long-standing codes of practice to ensure that member companies adhere to high standards and offer good quality, safe products supported by
responsible, lawful information.
For further information about the HFMA, visit www.hfma.co.uk.
[i] Szymanski KM, Wheeler DC, Mucci LA: Fish consumption and prostate cancer risk: a review and meta-analysis. Am
J Clin Nutr2010;92:1223-1233.


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British industry revs up to meet China demand
Updated: 2012-09-15 09:38
By Cecily Liu in London (China Daily)
UK manufacturers retain competitive edge by cashing in on export opportunities
British engineering has long been a poor cousin to its German counterpart, but the UK government hopes to change that with new alliances.
Advanced manufacturing and engineering companies in Britain are increasing their exports to China even as the British government shifts its strategic focus from financial services to technology exports to promote growth.
Rising labor costs over the centuries have eroded the capacity of heavy industry, but investment in technology and innovation has kept advanced manufacturing and engineering industries competitive.
Manufacturers of made-in-UK products such as Rolls-Royce cars regard China as a key market. [Photo/China Daily]
"We continuously invested in technology to make our production efficient, and consequently our products are cheaper than that of our Chinese competitors," said Rob Holmes, sales manager of Bulwell Precision Engineers, a manufacturer of aircraft components in the English Midlands.
The company has sold aircraft components to Chinese importers of Airbus aircraft and Rolls-Royce aircraft engines for a decade, including Xi'an Aero-engine Company.
As the imported aircraft and engines are partly assembled in China, the Chinese importers could have bought some of the smaller components from local suppliers, but Bulwell's price competitiveness helped it to secure growing orders.
"We keep labor to a minimum. For example, if we used to have one worker control one machine, we now have one worker control three machines," Holmes said.
Although Bulwell has no representative office in China, its engineers visit Chinese customers every year to sound them out on their needs.
"Our exports to China have grown alongside China's imports of aircraft, and we expect this market to be huge over the next few decades," he said.
This month the US aircraft manufacturer Boeing forecast in a market outlook that China will need 5,260 new commercial airliners valued at $670 billion over the next 20 years.
Like Bulwell, advanced technology is also giving the British company Satra Technology a competitive edge in China.
Having entered China in the 1970s to provide a leather grading system to help Chinese tanneries understand the quality requirements of Western brands' outsourcing production, Satra has started selling its leather testing machines to China's domestic shoemakers in recent years.
In April Satra opened a laboratory in Dongguan, an export hub in Guangdong province, to provide tailored services to its customers, including product research, design and testing, chemicals analysis and quality control.
Bulwell and Satra's stories are shared by many more small and medium-sized businesses in the English Midlands, Britain's manufacturing hub, where abundance of coal and steel paved the way for the Industrial Revolution.
According to UK Trade and Investment statistics, East Midlands' exports to Asia and Oceania - in which China comprises a great many - was worth 2 billion pounds ($3.2 billion) in the six months to June, a 24 percent increase on the corresponding period last year. The region's exports to its biggest market, the European Union, shrank from 4.2 billion to 4 billion pounds.
Realizing the need to look beyond traditional markets, the British government staged an exhibition to showcase its advanced manufacturing and engineering brands at the Science Museum in London during the recent Olympic Games.


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Popular This Week
More details about the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S III has now been leaked online, according to the reporter BGR all the previous rumors about the phone has become true. Just as rumored, the ceramic back of the phone has now been confirmed along with the other features, including a super-fast 1.5GHz quad-core processor and a huge 4.8-inch display and the power of Android 4.0 ICS.
According to the reports, Samsung is delaying the launch of this device for a simultaneous global launch, soon we will get to know more, stay tuned.
[Via: Samsung Galaxy S III full specs: 1.5GHz quad-core, 1080p display, ceramic case BGR ]
(All The Images, Trademarks, Logo’s Shown on this Post are the property of their respective owners)


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The Government has rolled the GST citing it as Good and Simple Tax and we are wondering if it’s a booby trap.
It is a calculated step by the incumbent authority to bring tax system under one umbrella we are given to believe. While some people frown upon this, the tax experts are hailing the move unflaggingly. However, they opine that the government needs to tweak a lot of angles to make it prosper in the Indian market. But we as a nation are pathologically trained to prostrate before such moves after a lot of hue and cry.
Let’s also not rule out the fact that the launch of Goods and Service Tax will be able to unite the country with regard to the taxation and other services. But it depends on how far our economy can digest the sweeping reforms and refurbishments. While the indirect tax structure is contemplated to be harmonized, launching GST successfully marks a monumental victory of our economy.
In the same line as the tax experts, find out below what our erudite astrologers has to say about the launch timing of GST:
GST has become a buzzword among the astrologers ever since it was proposed.
According to the calculations of the astrologers, the launch of GST happened within the GajKesari yoga which is considered very favourable and lucky. Unison of the Jupiter and the Moon is also there to ensure success of the move. Even if the presence of Angarak Yoga has sparked the public dissent for the GST but the strong positioning of Budh, which is the symbol of commerce, is believed to curtail the further bottlenecks in its path. Besides, the strong positioning of Mars will help the government to enforce GST successfully. Not only this will bring good fortune for the government, the common masses will also be the gainers in the onset of GST.
To conclude we must bring forth the fact that it was GajKesari Yoga running when the Indian parliament was basking in celebration for the newly gained freedom during 14th and 15th Aug, 1947. It was Mesh Lagna too in the same day just like yesterday during the launch of GST.
Of course, the déjà vu plants all sorts of positivity in our hearts so let’s hope for the best.


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Advertising technology, or adtech, companies have largely thrived during the pandemic, and Perion Network (PERI 0.69%) is no exception.
The Israeli small-cap stock known for connecting publishers and brands through its intelligent hub platform is up more than 250% since the start of 2020. Those gains have come as it's delivered strong growth on the top and bottom lines, made several acquisitions, and built out its video and connected TV (CTV) business.
The company topped estimates in its fourth-quarter earnings report, posting 38% revenue growth to $158 million, ahead of expectations at $145 million, and adjusted earnings per share was also up to $0.62, beating the consensus at $0.39. Perion also raised its guidance for 2022, calling for 30% revenue growth to between $610 million and $630 million. The 2022 guidance also projects a similar increase in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization to between $88 million and $92 million.
Those results were enough to give the stock a bump of 3.5% on Wednesday, but there are plenty of reasons to believe that the adtech stock can continue to beat the market. Here are three reasons why 2022 should be another banner year.
1. Technology is differentiating the company
Perion has improved its technology over the last couple of years and is differentiating itself from other adtech players in a number of important ways.
It launched SORT, its cookieless tracking technology, in October and the early results are promising. It said on the earnings call that it has 42 advertisers using SORT already, including brands Walt Disney and Align Technology, which makes Invisalign braces. SORT also offers enhanced privacy, something 74% of consumers say they prefer, but CEO Doron Gerstel said that the main advantage of SORT is that the technology is simply better than cookies, helping deliver better click-through results for advertisers that offer a better return on investment. SORT ads have a logo attached that Gerstel hopes will eventually be recognized by consumers so they know their privacy is being protected.
Separately, the company is also developing high-impact ads that are synchronized through multiple channels like mobile, desktop, and CTV. In the presentation, it shared an example of an ad for Advil, which includes a QR code that automatically connects the consumer to a retail site like Walmart or Target where they can buy the product. Perion calls this technology the "connected cart." The next step in its development is to be able to automatically adjust the SKU if the linked product is out of stock, something Gerstel said advertisers are very excited about and which further differentiates Perion.
2. More acquisitions are likely to come
The fourth quarter was the first period to include Perion's $93.5 million acquisition of Vidazoo, a video-publishing platform that has helped drive growth in CTV. Management has been very pleased with that acquisition, and the company seems to be in the market for more acquisitions to fold into its intelligent hub platform.
The company raised around $300 million in December in order to pursue acquisitions, and Gerstel said that valuations had gotten more appealing with the recent pullback in the market.
Although acquisitions alone aren't a reason to buy a stock, Perion has used the strategy effectively before. And in a fragmented industry, acquisitions can help accelerate growth, improve its technology, and open up new markets. Perion stock has been a victim of compressing valuations, but there's a silver lining there as the company can take advantage of falling prices for potential targets.
3. The price is right
Despite Perion's strong performance and the momentum it's carrying into 2022, its valuation indicates the market is still skeptical of the growth story. Perion stock crashed once before, in 2014, but that was under a different management team, and the business is much different today.
Based on its adjusted EPS in 2021, the stock trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of less than 15, and the company is targeting 30% profit growth in 2022.
In addition to its own execution, Perion is benefiting from a number of secular trends, including the expansion of the digital advertising market and the boom in connected TV. While the pandemic helped accelerate those trends, the momentum in digital ads seems unlikely to fade as consumer demand is there and CTV provides benefits that more traditional forms of advertising don't.


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CLOUD STORAGE SERVICE Sugarsync has announced the end of its free service tier.
From 8 February 2014, SugarSync will move to a paid only service, ending its 2GB free service that had been competing with Dropbox, Box, and Google Drive.
"There are many companies in this space that are giving away free storage, however, most of these companies will not be viable. We are already in a solid financial position and this shift will further strengthen our business," said Sugarsync CEO Mike Grossman.
Grossman's prediction of failure for the competition apparently expressed Sugarsync's desire to be seen as a serious business tool, and in marketing terms the shift might be seen as a ploy to add a perceived premium to a product that is fundamentally similar to everyone else's.
In the meantime, prospective Sugarsync customers can still begin a 90 day trial of the 5GB service or a 30 day trial of the 60GB service, however free customers will be urged to subscribe to a monetised plan or download and migrate quickly, and are expected to be offered discounts.
Meanwhile, the top tier plan at $55 per month, which offers additional services including phone support and remote wiping, signals the context in which Sugarsync wishes to be seen.
Grossman added, "This change will allow us to better serve loyal customers and expand our service offerings. We're excited about the next stage in our growth and confident that our customers and new users alike will achieve greater value through these enhancements."
In a crowded marketplace where up until now most cloud services offer a 2GB free service that most customers stick with, Sugarsync seems to believe that there's money to be made by kicking out the riff-raff and seeking a higher class of customers with deeper pockets. µ
Unfortunately, it's led by TalkTalk
Google's bug hunter strikes again
But Article 29 Working Party still has concerns
Apple's next smartphone could, but probably won't, arrive as the iPhone 6SE


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Two of Westfield San Francisco Centre's biggest tenants will soon have their leases expire, which raises further questions about its future as anchor tenant Nordstrom is preparing to close and its owner looks to sell its U.S. assets.
Century Theaters' lease, which occupies more than 52,000 sq. ft. on the top-floor, will expire in September. According to a final report for a commercial mortgage-backed security loan linked to the property, H&M's lease, which occupies 25289 square foot, will expire in January.
According to the CMBS report, the lease of Bespoke, a large tenant that occupied 40,000 square foot of flexible event and office space, expired on January 20, 2023. Uncertain if this lease has been renewed or the tenant quietly moved out. Bespoke has not responded to any requests for comment in the past week.
CMBS reports indicate that Century Theaters Bespoke, and H&M have all extended their leases for a short time after they expired in December 2020 (Century Theaters Bespoke), and January 2022 (H&M).
The lease for Nordstrom at Westfield Mall expires on October 20, 2023. Last week, the Business Times reported that the retailer was not renewing their 312,000 square foot commitment. The retailer will also close its 45,000 square-foot Nordstrom Rack across the street in this year.
CMBS loans linked to the retail and offices center have been on the industry watchlists at least since 2021. However, the mall owners remain current with payments.
Westfield Mall spokesperson declined to comment about the status of leases. The company previously stated that it does not publish occupancy statistics for specific retail centers.
According to a CMBS report the leasing situation of the mall has dramatically declined since 2016, when its occupancy rate was 95.6%. The mall had a 52.8% occupancy rate last year, compared to 73.9% occupancy at the end 2021.
This decline is attributed to two major tenants leaving the mall at the end 2021, Crunchyroll (71.614 square feet) & Trustarc (28.117 square feet). San Francisco State University terminated its lease of 125,000 square foot of office space in the mall at 2021. It relocated its downtown campus to 160 Spear Street, the fifth floor.
The borrower has other large vacant spaces, as well. The report also included a comment from an analyst. As you may know, the San Francisco mid-market is facing a major challenge in office leasing due to an excess of vacancies and little demand. "There have been few tours and very little activity."
Cinemark, the owner of Century Theaters declined to make a comment via a representative.
The website of Bespoke has not been updated since at least 2020. Three of the companies listed as Bespoke tenants for San Francisco are either out-of-business or not active in that market.
H&M representatives did not respond to a comment request. The clothing retailer closed its large downtown San Francisco shop at 150 Powell St., in February 2021.
Westfield's parent company, French conglomerate Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, has told investors it plans to shift its focus to European properties and hopes to sell most of its U.S. properties by the end of 2023.
Last week, mall representatives were outspoken in their criticism of street conditions and the "lack enforcement against rampant crime activity." The Mayor's Office told me in a conversation with the city that the mall representatives had expressed doubts over the long-term viability and potential of the Nordstrom store. They wanted more space for office tenants.
Zara has a lease for 27,579 sq ft that runs through March 2027. The other two largest tenants in the mall are Bloomingdale's and Zara. Burke Williams Day Spa is the next largest tenant according to CMBS's document. It has 15,841 sq. ft. leased until May 2025.
Macy's Inc. (which owns Bloomingdales) has closed over 100 Macy's in the past few years, but has taken a new approach with Bloomingdale's. The company claims that Bloomingdale's achieved its highest ever sales volume last year. Bloomie's, a new format for Bloomingdale's that emphasizes a smaller footprint and a "highly curate experience," according to company executives, is growing rapidly.
Charles Anderson, Director of Stores at Bloomingdales, stated in a release that the second Bloomie’s store opened in Illinois last year, "the new concept is authentic to the Bloomingdale’s brand, yet reinterprets on a smaller-scale, infused with excitement and ripe for exploration."
The retailer closed a Bloomingdale's department in Skokie's Westfield Old Orchard shopping center and opened a Bloomie store in a new location. Bloomingdale's opened the smaller format at Fairfax, Virginia. It is also about to open a third Bloomie's, less than 20,000 sq. ft., in Seattle's University Village shopping center.


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The Devil Wears Prada Go “South of the City”
The Devil Wears Prada have given a digital release to their Record Store Day offering, “South of the City,” which you can stream below. The band is making a big deal about the fact that they wrote and recorded the song in just four days… which might be interesting, except it still basically sounds like your average TDWP song. Which is to say: the creation of this track didn’t take “just” four days so much as “for some reason” it took four days.
[via The PRP]
Sponsored Links from Across the Internet


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Gin Blossoms to rock Apple Store SoHo tonightAn alternative rock band popular in the 1990s has recently reunited and will swing by Apple Computer's retail store in downtown Manhattan this evening to play a one hour set.
Apple's flagship store in SoHo will be closing its second-floor Genius Bar at 7:00 p.m. to prepare for a special performance by the Gin Blossom, which is due to take place between 8:00 to 9:00 pm.
The Tempe, Arizona-based band released three albums and had several Billboard Top 25 hits, including "Hey Jealousy," "Found Out About You," and "Til I Hear It From You," before breaking up in 1997.
After reuniting in 2002, the group began work on their fourth album, "Major Lodge Victory", which was released about three weeks ago.
Apple's flagship location on Fifth Avenue, just a few minutes north of the SoHo store, is also a frequent host of music events. The 24-hour store earlier this month hosted a live Midnight Mix by Ali Shaheed, a popular DJ from the musical group A Tribe Called Quest.
(Image copyright: Garden Seeker Productions)
On Topic: General
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- Belkin's ScreenCare+ Application System for iPhone launches at US Apple Stores
- Hackers trying to bribe Apple workers into handing over login information, report says
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Plant-based challenger Better Nature has strengthened its board and kicked off a crowdfunding campaign as it continues to push tempeh into the mainstream.
Fiona Fitzpatrick joins the business as a non-executive director to help steer the brand through its next phase of growth.
She brings 25 years’ fmcg experience following a career spanning more than six years at Nestlé in various commercial roles, almost five years with Gü Desserts including time as MD in France, and a spell at Premier Foods.
Fitzpatrick – who also worked with fast-growing frozen veg supplier Strong Roots – now runs her own consultancy and food & drink accelerator for startups, as well as hosting the Brand Growth Heroes podcast.
Her appointment comes as Better Nature launches a £400k convertible crowdfunding round on the Seedrs platform, with the business currently just £20k short of its target.
The raise is part of a wider investment round, with more than £1m already raised from angel and VC backers.
Better Nature will use the funds to continue expanding its UK retail and foodservice distribution, launch new tempeh products and commercialise its patent-protected plant-based protein ingredient.
Co-founder and CEO Christopher Kong said the business was “delighted” to have Fitzpatrick on board.
“This has been a phenomenal year for the business,” he said. “In the past few months, we’ve launched into 560 Tesco stores across the UK, enjoyed sell-out success at all 900-plus Lidl stores and seen revenue increase by 230% year on year.
“There is growing demand for brands that can offer natural and nutritious plant-forward foods with recognisable ingredients that shoppers can trust, and our Seedrs raise is an exciting opportunity to lead the charge into this new plant-forward era.
“We’d love as many people as possible to join our mission to get 500 million people eating tempeh by 2030.”
Fitzpatrick said she was joining Better Nature at a “crucial stage” in its journey.
“As a plant-based brand championing natural and nutritious foods, the business is perfectly poised to steer the meat-free category into a new phase of growth,” she said.
“I met the founders on a trip to London earlier this year and was struck by their incredible intelligence, passion, values and determination to make tempeh the mainstream choice for people looking for better sources of plant protein.
“I’m looking forward to sharing my 25 years’ experience in driving growth and building leaders in the food industry and supporting these incredible founders on their journey.”
Kong founded the brand in 2018 alongside Driando Ahnan-Winarno, Elin Roberts and Fabio Rinaldo, with the product launching to market in 2020.
Better Nature specialises in tempeh, a fermented plant-based protein source typically made from soyabeans, with its products including four marinated, ready-to-cook tempehs and its bestselling plain, organic variant.
Alongside its nationwide Tesco and Lidl listings, the brand is also stocked in Whole Foods and Planet Organic, as well as overseas in Germany’s second-largest retailer Rewe.
The B Corp previously completed a £1.6m seed round in 2021 and a £700k seed-plus round late last year.


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Volkswagen Passat 2020 Price Speed Test – volkswagen passat 2020 price
HAGERSTOWN, Md., Oct. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — For the 2020 archetypal year, which has already amorphous to access for abounding cartage and brands, Volkswagen has redesigned its accepted midsize sedan, the Passat. The agent will anon be accessible at Sheehy Volkswagen of Hagerstown, but the dealership’s agents has already amorphous to get barter accessible for its accession by administration advisory analysis on its website.
Shoppers in the breadth can acquisition all sorts of advice on the 2020 Volkswagen Passat on the dealership’s website, as it capacity abounding of the changes and enhancements that VW engineers fabricated to the sedan. This includes things like the vehicle’s powertrain, which includes a 2.0L TSI engine, as able-bodied as some of the altered appearance with which it is available.
This isn’t the alone folio on the website, either. There’s accession that focuses on the 2019 Volkswagen Arteon, which was aloof alien for the 2019 archetypal year. Added are abiding to be added. In addition, the dealership’s blog promises to blow on all kinds of aspects apropos the altered VW cartage accessible in its exhibit and beyond.
Residents of Hagerstown and above can acquisition all of this advice and added on the dealership’s website, which is accessible at https://www.sheehyvwhagerstown.com. Specific questions can of advance be directed instead to the dealership’s sales aggregation at 844-773-3214. Sheehy Volkswagen of Hagerstown is amid at 10310 Auto Place.
SOURCE Sheehy Volkswagen of Hagerstown


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In a world where smartphones are indispensable extensions of our daily lives, it’s only natural that our essential documents should evolve alongside technology. The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA)’s recent decision to approve electronic driving licenses (e-licenses) in addition to physical cards is a noteworthy step toward embracing digital convenience and efficiency.
In the past, carrying a physical Bangladesh driving license has been the usual way of doing things. But as technology advances, things are changing fast.
With e-licenses, drivers can now store a digital version on their smartphones, streamlining their driving documents. This means less need to carry extra cards and also improves accessibility and security.
A standout feature of the BRTA e-license is its integration of a QR code containing the driver’s information, directly linked to the BRTA’s database. This allows for swift verification, eliminating the need to present physical cards for various official purposes. Whether it’s visa processing, employment verification, or use abroad, the e-license offers a seamless solution.
Furthermore, the process of obtaining a BRTA e-driving license is designed to be user-friendly. Once an individual completes the necessary procedures, including the driving test, the e-license is automatically generated through the BRTA portal. This efficient system not only simplifies the application process but also ensures swift issuance of licenses, reducing bureaucratic delays.
But what about concerns regarding authenticity and security? The inclusion of advanced technology, such as encrypted QR codes linked to official databases, provides robust measures against fraud and tampering. In fact, the digital format may even enhance security features compared to traditional paper licenses, which are susceptible to damage and forgery.
Another crucial aspect to consider is the environmental impact. Transitioning to digital formats, such as e-licenses, can significantly reduce the consumption of paper and plastic associated with producing physical cards. This aligns with global efforts towards sustainability and eco-conscious practices, contributing to a greener future.
It’s crucial to acknowledge the efforts undertaken by the BRTA to modernize and adapt to changing times. The decision to introduce e-licenses on smartphones reflects a progressive mindset aimed at harnessing technology for the benefit of citizens.
As we continue to embrace digital transformation across various sectors, initiatives like this pave the way for a more interconnected and efficient society.
The authorization of e-licenses in Bangladesh by the BRTA marks a significant advancement, ushering in an era of convenience, security, and sustainability in managing driving documents.
By harnessing technology to digitize essential documents, we streamline processes and contribute to building a more resilient and future-ready infrastructure. So, the next time you reach for your smartphone, rest assured that your Bangladesh e-driving license is just a tap away, exemplifying the fusion of digital innovation and everyday convenience.


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Focus - The Current State of Constellation Brands
The release today (6 January) of Constellation Brands' Q3 results means the US drinks giant will hog the headlines at the start of this year as it did at the end of last year. Here's a round-up of Constellation's movements in the last month.
Constellation Brands' rationale for selling its Australia and UK wine business has become clearer following the group's publication of third quarter profits.
Constellation Brands raised its full-year earnings guidance for the second time yesterday after seeing third quarter profits triple, so, naturally, its share price fell by 8%. Here, we examine a day of contrasts for the wine giant.
Constellation Brands has said that the sale of its Australian and UK wine operations will help it to become more profitable.
Constellation Brands has raised its full-year earnings guidance, despite suffering a 2% drop in net sales in the third quarter.
Constellation Brands will report its third-quarter results tomorrow (6 January). Here, just-drinks takes a look at the highs and lows for the company in the three months to the end of November.
Constellation Brands is paying a heavy price to offload the bulk of its Australian wine business and its move marks a low-point for the global wine industry.
Constellation Brands has announced the sale of its Australian wine business, as well as operations in the UK and South Africa, to private equity group CHAMP for AUD290M (US$290.8m).
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One of the most famous face recognition systems is Apple Face ID. It uses special illumination from infrared points, which are allowed to map the depths of the user’s face.
The program is not affected by bright makeup, bushy beard and even sunglasses, but it cannot cope with medical masks. The problem can be solved by using the little-known Express Transit feature, which allows you to use Apple Pay on public transport without authentication.
Unfortunately, not all countries and cities support Express Transit. In May, Apple released an update that quickly detected the presence of a mask and immediately prompted for a password.
According to Andrew Bud, CEO of facial recognition company iProov, Express Transit may be the best solution in the near future.
Tech companies are adapting to this reality. However, experts believe that users themselves will have to change first.
The main problem is that it is difficult for the system to distinguish between a real masked face and a simulated face. And verifying the reality of the face is at the heart of the security of face verification.
“Modern programs are predominantly focused on the eye area,” explains Bud. “The previous solution – measuring the geometry of the face as a whole – was outdated five years ago.”THE MASKS BY THEMSELVES DO NOT HARD FACE RECOGNITION
The issue of vitality has also jeopardized competitive developments. A month after Samsung released the Galaxy S8, independent researchers posted a video in which they unlocked the phone using an infrared photograph of the iris and a contact lens. “The most expensive part of hacking biometrics was buying a Galaxy S8,” they said.
There is also a positive side to the difficulty in recognizing masked people. The problem faced by authentication services is to be solved by facial recognition software. In July 2020, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology published a report on the impact of having masks on identification accuracy. The results of the study showed that the presence of masks reduced the accuracy of face identification algorithms by 5-50%.


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During the whole fiasco that was Scalebound’s cancellation, industry insider shinobi602 noted that Microsoft’s Crackdown 3 – which we hadn’t heard much of in 2016 – also wasn’t doing so hot.
The insider sought to clarify these comments on Twitter. He noted that, “Also asked around a bit and Crackdown 3 is safe, coming along fine. Development was rough but all game development is to be fair.”
As for his earlier statement that it wasn’t going well, shinobi602 said that, “Yea, it’s been rough, and there’s still issues but nothing like Scalebound is what I meant. It’s coming along.”
Crackdown 3 is currently scheduled for release in 2017 on Xbox One and PC. There’s still no word on the promised multiplayer beta but perhaps more details will emerge at E3.


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The USPS increased the cost of postage today (August 29, 2021) based on approval from the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). Postage increases are usually announced in November and take effect in January. This is the second price increase this year. There is usually only one increase per year that is designed not to exceed the rate of inflation.
This is the latest action taken by the USPS executing against the 10-year plan called Delivering for America. The USPS has announced that these changes are essential for building a sustainable service in the years to come. This plan has been widely reported in the media, as leading to slower delivery times, higher prices, and in some cases, more limited hours of retail service at post offices. The timing of these changes, just prior to the recent presidential election, which was more dependent on mail-in ballets due to COVID restrictions, has drawn the ire of some lawmakers as well.
Separately, the USPS announced last week (August 26, 2021), that service delivery performance for the fourth quarter was the best in over five years. Here are the highlights on that announcement:
● First-Class Mail: Delivered 88.8 percent of First-Class Mail on time against the USPS service performance standard, an improvement of 1.3 percentage points from the third quarter.
● Marketing Mail: Delivered 92.7 percent of Marketing Mail on time against the USPS service performance standard, an improvement of 1.7 percentage points from the third quarter. This metric reached 93.9% for the week of August 14 – 20.
● Periodicals: Delivered 82.1 percent of Periodicals on time against the USPS service standard, an improvement of 2.9 percentage points from the third quarter.
Here is a summary of the most recent changes in postal rates. A complete list of the postage increases can be found at USPS August price increase.
- Full Rate First Class Forever stamps increase $.03 from $.55 to $.58 each
- Presorted First Class Commercial Letters increase $.03 – $.035 each
- First Class Postcards (now up to 6×9) increase about $.04 each
- EDDM Flats increase about $.01 each
- Standard Rate Marketing Mail Commercial Letters increase $.015 – $.026 each
The good news for clients of Zairmail is that postage rates and prices will not change until Labor Day (September 6, 2021). The price of a 6 x 9 postcard will reflect the lower postcard rate. If you have a campaign planned, submit it this week, and lock in lower pricing, before postage increases.
Zairmail is the fastest, easiest, and most cost effective way to send (postal) direct mail.
We would appreciate the opportunity to assist with your direct marketing needs.
Zairmail (www.zairmail.com) is the fastest and easiest way to send (real) postal mail. Give us a call anytime at 888.898.0066, we would be happy to help with your direct mail needs.


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Mazda Motor Corp
The Japanese automaker joins a growing number of global automakers who are planning to reduce emissions by producing more gasoline-hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids and battery EVs.
The report is the latest episode in a growing list of data falsifications in Japan that has tarnished the image of the country's manufacturing industry, known for high-quality, efficient production.
The transportation equipment sector stumbled 2.6% and was the worst performer on the board after news of the US probe.
General Motors Co, Volkswagen AG, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and Daimler AG knew of problems with Takata airbag inflators and should have moved faster to recall vehicles, according to company documents cited on Wednesday by owners suing the automakers.


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Just when you thought you couldn’t be more disappointed with the news that Disney Infinity will no longer be creating any more new figures, games or power discs, this comes along. It … Read More
We should have seen the writing on the wall when Disney announced that there would be no Disney Infinity 4.0 this year, but this news still comes as a shock and disappointment … Read More
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Optus boosts customers on iPhone demand
Optus has expanded its mobile customer base to more than eight million, driven by demand for the Apple iPhone, its parent company, Singapore Telecommunications says.
SingTel said on Wednesday that Optus had 8.002 million mobile customers at June 30, up 11 per cent from the same time last year.
In the three months to June 30 an additional 213,000 mobile and wireless-broadband customers were added to the Optus network, SingTel said.
"This growth was underpinned by demand for Apple iPhone 3G, other smart phones, and Timeless plans," the telco said.
The SingTel group, which includes subsidiaries in India, Pakistan and Thailand, had 262 million customers at June 30.
SingTel will announce its results for the first quarter if its fiscal year tomorrow.
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Get your engines ready. Nintendo has just announced that its latest mobile game, Mario Kart Tour, will arrive sometime before March 2019.
The checkered flag has been raised and the finish line is near. A new mobile application is now in development: Mario Kart Tour! #MarioKartTour Releasing in the fiscal year ending in March 2019. pic.twitter.com/8GIyR7ZM4z— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 1, 2018
The Mario Kart franchise is enormously popular and should be definitely well received on iOS devices.
Nintendo’s first jump onto mobile devices, Miitomo, will shut down later this year. But the company’s later titles are still doing well.