text:
In a pivotal policy shift, tech giant Google has recently opened the gates for developers to incorporate Non-Fungible Token (NFT) transactions within gaming applications. This significant move marks a milestone in the ever-evolving landscape of digital assets and blockchain technology, heralding a new chapter in the NFT market, the gaming sector, and the wider digital economy.
Google: Forging the Frontier Between NFTs and Gaming
The remarkable transformation in Google’s policy not only propels the NFT market to new echelons but also injects a newfound vigor into the gaming industry. According to a recent analysis by DappRadar, the NFT transaction volume rocketed to a robust $2.4 billion in the initial quarter of 2022. With this fresh fusion into the gaming sphere, these figures are anticipated to skyrocket in the coming months.
Invigorating the In-Game Economy: Bridging Virtual and Tangible Value
Popular games like “Fortnite” and “Roblox” have already established a mammoth virtual item trading ecosystem. The inclusion of NFT technology bestows these virtual items with unique, irreplaceable attributes and ownership, markedly enhancing their inherent value and liquidity.
Accelerating Blockchain Technology Adoption: A Majestic March Toward Mass Acclaim
Given the global adoration for gaming as a form of entertainment, integrating NFTs and blockchain technology in gaming is poised to significantly hasten the worldwide adoption of these groundbreaking technologies. With the ongoing mainstreaming of blockchain technology and the flourishing NFT market, entities like NFTHoom are forging alliances with businesses and individuals to usher in a golden era.
Lowering Entry Hurdles, Broadening Accessibility: Welcoming Openness and Global Connectivity
With intuitive interfaces and robust backend support, the emerging platforms in the NFT and blockchain space are demystifying market entry for novices. The global user base these platforms boast unveils an almost limitless reservoir of potential customers for the NFT market, fostering a climate of openness and connectivity in the global market.
Branding and Marketing: Elevating Personal Value
Through the emerging platforms in this realm, businesses and individuals can adeptly engage in brand-building and marketing initiatives. A prime example is the triumph of renowned digital artist Beeple, who lucratively auctioned artwork to the tune of an astonishing $69 million through NFTs, showcasing the immense potential for personal brand amplification.
Multi-Chain Transactions and Liquidity: Introducing a New Framework for Asset Circulation
Supporting multi-chain transactions, these platforms enable users to partake in NFT transactions across various blockchain platforms such as Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain. This functionality significantly amplifies asset liquidity, introducing a novel paradigm for asset circulation in the digital economy, making it more fluid and accessible across different blockchain networks.
Looking Forward: A Spectrum of Infinite Opportunities and Challenges
The aforementioned policy alterations are set to not only catalyze the rapid ascent of the NFT market and gaming industry but also leave a lasting impact on the entire digital economy. This unfolds unparalleled opportunities for market players and provides a fresh perspective to fathom the digital economy. Nonetheless, with new vistas come new challenges, ranging from data security to copyright issues. Therefore, a profound understanding and scrutiny of these changes are indispensable in navigating the prospective trends awaiting on the horizon.
The Power of NFTs in Gaming: A Revolution in User Experience
The integration of NFTs within gaming applications is more than just a technological advancement; it’s a paradigm shift in how users interact with digital content. Gamers, who have long been accustomed to purchasing in-game items, can now truly own these assets, thanks to the unique and immutable nature of NFTs. This not only adds a layer of authenticity to the gaming experience but also empowers gamers by giving them full control over their digital assets.
The Broader Implications: Beyond Gaming
While the immediate impact of Google’s policy change will be felt within the gaming industry, the ripple effects will undoubtedly extend to other sectors as well. The entertainment industry, for instance, could leverage NFTs to offer unique digital collectibles, such as movie posters or music albums, giving fans a new way to connect with their favorite artists and franchises. Similarly, the world of fashion could see a surge in virtual fashion shows, where designers showcase their creations as NFTs, allowing users to purchase and showcase them in virtual worlds.
Challenges Ahead: Navigating the Uncharted Waters
As with any groundbreaking technology, the integration of NFTs within gaming applications presents its own set of challenges. The most pressing concern is the environmental impact of blockchain technology, given the significant energy consumption associated with mining and transactions. Moreover, the volatile nature of cryptocurrency, which underpins NFT transactions, poses financial risks for both developers and users.
Furthermore, the legal landscape surrounding NFTs remains murky, with questions about intellectual property rights, copyright infringements, and potential fraud still unanswered. As the adoption of NFTs grows, regulators worldwide will need to strike a balance between fostering innovation and protecting consumers.
The Future is Bright, But Caution is Key
Google’s decision to embrace NFTs within gaming applications is a bold move, signaling the tech giant’s belief in the transformative power of blockchain technology. As the world stands on the cusp of a digital revolution, the opportunities are boundless. However, as we venture into this new era, it’s crucial to approach it with a sense of responsibility, ensuring that the benefits of NFTs are realized while mitigating the associated risks.


text:
Market Watch November 8, 2019
TechCrunch reports on the business of technology, startups, venture capital funding, and Silicon Valley.
Market Watch October 23, 2019
By TechCrunch|October 23, 2019
There is no bigger industry on our planet than food and agriculture, with a consistent, loyal customer base of 7 billion, writes Ingrid Fung at TechCrunch. In fact, the World Bank estimates that food and agriculture comprise about 10%...

domain: news


text:
Led by the increasing demand for digital streaming, the music industry in the country clocked a 27 per cent growth in revenues on 2017 to touch Rs 725.6 crore, said a report.
The total industry revenues increased from Rs 570.7 crore in 2016 to Rs 725.6 crore in 2017, the largest rise since 2011, according to an Indian Music Industry release which quoted the data from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).
The revenues from music streaming grew at a rate of 37.26 per cent and revenues from digital music now amounts to over 91 per cent of the Indian recorded music industry revenue, the release said.
The digital revenue in 2017 was Rs 665.6 crore, which is greater than the combined industry revenue of in 2016, it added.
The release attributed the growth in digital music consumption to increased data consumption because of cheaper data rates and increasing smartphone penetration.
"Last year's figures were phenomenal and we were expecting the market to do well this year as well, but a 27 per cent growth in 2017 has exceeded our forecasts," Indian Music Industry chairman and Sony Music president Shridhar Subramaniam was quoted as saying in the release.
"Going into 2018, our aim is to make music even more accessible, affordable and unlimited. To sustain this growth the industry will start laying the groundwork for a subscription eco-system," he added.


text:
President, Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (CRFFN), Alhaji Sani Abubakar called on its members and importers to evacuate their goods by rail while the repair of the Apapa port access road by AG Dangote continue.
Speaking in Lagos during a courtesy visit to the Secretariat of Maritime Reporters of Nigeria (MARAN), he said “I doubt if this congestion at the Apapa port will subside without deliberate effort by government to create the enabling environment that would encourage freight forwarders/importers to evacuate their consignments from the Apapa port by rail and water as alternative to road”.
The president disclosed that the purpose of visiting critical stakeholders in the maritime industry like Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Shippers Council to mention but a few was aimed at rubbing minds with them with a view to fashioning out policies that would support growth of the maritime industry.
Abubakar posited that the newly inaugurated Board of the Council would partner with every stakeholder and ensure that more jobs are created. He also promised to review the Act establishing the Council and ensure that laws that does not encourage indigenous participation in the Freight Forwarding are expunged.
In his remarks, president of MARAN, Mr. Anya Njoku, called for review of the Act establishing the Council especially section that allows foreigners to enter our country and clear imported goods whereas the indigenous practitioners remain idle adding that in countries like Ghana, Togo and Republic of Benin foreigners are not allowed to perform the functions Clearing Agents.
President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarder (NAGAFF) Mr. Increase Uche who is also a board member of the Council, restated that apart from reviewing the law to exclude foreigners from practising freight forwarding in the country as obtains in other parts of the world, the Council hopes to amend the present law which allows only Corporate bodies to practise freight forwarding so as to allow individuals to be licensed practitioners.


text:
With passage of Amendment 64, which legalizes cannabis for recreational use in Colorado comes the possibility of a new market for cannabis beer.Washington state legalized recreational cannabis too. Even though cannabis beer has been made by home brewers for years, commercial breweries probably won't ... More >>
See also "Lady Gaga Stinks Like FAME" and "World's Most Powerful Women in Pop: From Gaga to J.Lo."
Lady Gaga has been straight pissing people off with her latest tour, the Born This Way Ball.
She canceled her trip to Indonesia, landed amid some serious protesters in the Philippines and riled up Ko ... More >>
There's no doubt that Jay-Z -- even as hip-hop's retired-unretired elder statesman -- still balls like the best of 'em. Just last night Hova was makin' it rain at the Fountainebleau's LIV in Miami Beach, dropping more $100,000 on a single bottle of champagne in celebration of the release of his n ... More >>
Art vs. ScienceHailing from a Land Down Under, the men of Art vs. Science have quickly claimed both commercial and critical success in their native Australia.Now, the trio is looking to replicate its achievements in America. The band's US invasion kicked off in March with the release of the Magic ... More >>
image via portorikan on flickr.Food poisoning.Blech! We used to think food recalls were a rare phenomenon. Turns out American factory culture may not have changed enough since Upton Sinclair wrote "The Jungle," to stop bacterium-infected food products from hitting store shelves.The last year has ... More >>
Late last month, 65-year-old Laurinda Mae Hughes was found dead in the crawl space of her Tacoma, Washington home. Her body was wrapped in a sheet with a bullet hole in it. The following day, police issued a warrant for the arrest of her son and his wife, Thomas Al Bienville, 39, and Austa Marie Bi ... More >>


text:
Tiger Medicinals Still Available in the U.S.
A 1997 survey by the Wildlife Trading Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC), an agency under the Convention on International
on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), found that products claiming to contain tiger parts can be
widely found in U.S. and Canadian cities, despite a ban on the import of such products since 1973. 41% of the stores
surveyed in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle had products claiming to contain tiger products,
while 45% of the stores questioned in Toronto and Vancouver had such products.
Continued: Rainforest floor
Other pages in this section:
Selection of information sources


text:
If you are trying to figure out what the ongoing trade dispute with China means for you and your business, you are not alone.
I have rewritten this piece at least four times in the last weeks, updating it each time with the latest developments. In reality, it could very well have been left exactly as it was because the uncertainty that has been created with the threat of tariffs is almost as troubling to markets as actual tariffs.
In fact, looking at what is happening on Wall Street, uncertainty may be worse than reality.
Let’s look at the “truce” with China—if, in fact, there is one—as a 90-day reprieve to try to mitigate the potential damage of further uncertainty or actual tariffs. At some point, the only hope is that the administration realizes that their tactics aren’t working and the industry never faces additional tariffs on apparel, which, as anyone reading this knows, are already subject to some of the highest tariffs on imports into the U.S.
Between the recent announcement that GM will lay off 15 percent of its workforce, at least in part due to the punitive tariffs on imported steel, coupled with increased regional value content and minimum wage requirements in NAFTA 2.0, and a trade deficit that is the worst since October 2008, the administration has to realize that hitting consumers harder will not be the answer.
In my opinion, apparel, as well as the remaining $267 billion of goods imported from China, are unlikely to be subjected to additional tariffs.
The last $267 billion of Chinese imports represent large numbers of consumer sensitive-products—including iPhones, laptops and apparel, as well as items that were granted exclusions—that to date, have been spared the Section 301 tariffs. Additional tariffs on these items would not be lost in the small, less noticeable increases such as a few cents more for a can of beer or a few dollars more for a washing machine. These increases, while they affect consumers, are less noticeable to the average American than when their favorite jeans or their daughter’s school uniform suddenly costs $5 more than the last time they purchased it.
As such, it’s likely the administration would want to avoid following through on the threat to add 25 percent tariffs to the remaining Chinese products.
In the interim however, companies have been rushing to find alternatives to Chinese manufacturing, leading to increased demand, and thus price increases for goods made in Vietnam, Bangladesh and Indonesia, among others. Even if the tariffs are never put in place, we are already feeling pricing pressure in the apparel sector as a result. Chinese companies are accelerating their investments in Vietnam and elsewhere outside of China in order to provide their products without a “made in China” label. This will provide some relief, but will not be fast enough or sufficient to mitigate the damage.
Companies should be using this 90-day period to reevaluate, rethink and renew their strategic sourcing to protect themselves going forward.
The threat of existing duties of up to 32 percent combined with an additional 25 percent should serve as a wakeup call to incorporate strategies combining tariff engineering and duty-free sourcing alternatives into all apparel importers’ strategies. Additional investments in CAFTA, including a new polyester fiber plant opening in Honduras, Ethiopia and other duty-free sites will grow capacities, increase competition, and offer new opportunities to reduce exposure and realize savings. Now is a good time to relook at these locales.
Gail W. Strickler is the president of global trade for Brookfield Associates, LLC., a consulting group that helps organizations, governments and businesses develop and coordinate their global trade policy.


text:
This has inspired a unique partnership between MakerBot, DonorsChoose.org, America Makes, and Autodesk, which aims to put a 3D printer in every school across America.
Even though the real-world applications of 3D printing are still relatively limited, President Barack Obama pegged the technology as the spark that will ignite the next industrial era with a recent comment positing that “3D printing has the potential to revolutionize the way we make almost everything.” This has inspired a unique partnership between MakerBot, DonorsChoose.org, America Makes, and Autodesk, which aims to put a 3D printer in every school across America.
Individuals and corporations interested in helping get MakerBot Desktop 3D Printers in schools can visit DonorsChoose.org, a crowd funding site just for teachers, and pledge to financially support the program. Teachers then register on DonorsChoose.org to receive a MakerBot Academy bundle.
“As a former teacher, I believe strongly in creating a new model for innovation,” said Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot. “Instead of waiting for someone to create a product for you, you can create your own. It can change the whole paradigm of how our children will see innovation and manufacturing in America.”
MakerBot has already contributed its own resources to launch this education initiative, along with key partners.
Read more . . .
The Absolute Latest on: 3D-Printing in America’s Classrooms
3D Printing News Briefs: April 20, 2018 - 3DPrint.com
April 20, 2018 - We're getting right down to business today in 3D Printing News Briefs – Identify3D and atum3D are both announcing new collaborations and partnerships, and Made In Space has received an award from NASA. WASP created a new hub network, while the Library ...
Annual Extreme Redesign 3D Printing Challenge - Business Wire (press release)
April 20, 2018 - “For 14 years, our Extreme Redesign 3D Printing Challenge has highlighted the best of the best in student 3D printing innovation,” said Gina Scala, Director of Marketing, Global Education, Stratasys. “Our contest empowers students to tap into 3D ...
Connecting Research Communities Through Podcasts - PLoS Blogs (blog)
April 17, 2018 - Whether this is in the use of social media, eBooks, 3D software applications, 3D printing, MOOCs (massive open online courses), virtual and augmented reality; or the current focus on changing pedagogies from teacher- to student-centred approaches to ...
Ultimaker Core Lessons: STEAM Set Launched | TenLinks News - Ten Links
April 13, 2018 - CAMBRIDGE, MA, Apr 13, 2018 – Ultimaker, the global leader in desktop 3D printing, announced the launch of the Ultimaker Core Lessons: STEAM Set, which includes eight free lessons for STEAM educators based on feedback and guidance from the company's ...
Ultimaker Launches New 3D Printing Core Lessons for STEAM ... - 3DPrint.com
April 12, 2018 - In the summer of 2016, desktop 3D printer manufacturer Ultimaker launched an educational initiative of its own with the Pioneer Program, which invites educators to share their own 3D printing work and experiences on the Ultimaker Education website ...
All Aboard the Additive Manufacturing Express - Advanced Manufacturing
April 10, 2018 - “Part of my role as a [TLT] fellow was to build awareness, a culture around it [3D printing], and find lead users to get it into the classroom,” said Simpson of the TLT fellowship. “We're continuing to promote and work across the university, and I ...
3D Printing news Sliced, Ripple, Verizon, HP and Hyundai - 3D Printing Industry
April 4, 2018 - Today's Sliced asks the following questions: What is Verizon doing to bring 3D printing to education? How can 3D printing help detect diseases? And what does the cryptocurrency have to do with 3D printing crowdfunding? Ripple funds 200 3Doodler ...
3D Printing Market Analysis by Current Industry Status & Growth Opportunities, Emerging Investors, Top Key Players ... - Digital Journal
April 4, 2018 - With the platform, the company aims to help prepare the next generation for their future careers and provide teachers with engaging content for use in the classroom. January. 2018 - Swiss engineers have created a fully functional tourbillon watch using ...
Cal Poly Students 3D Print a Steering Wheel for Shell Eco-marathon Race Car - 3DPrint.com
March 30, 2018 - ... on the team in his daily 3D printing design work. “At the club level, we do so much work that you don't get to experience in the classroom, work that prepares you for a job that has stresses like a situation where the customer doesn't know the ...
PrintLab Releases Educational Bundles to Get 3D Printing Started in Classrooms - 3DPrint.com
January 19, 2018 - For teachers who are looking to incorporate 3D printing into their classrooms for the first time, starting out can be a daunting challenge. There's a lot you need – not only a 3D printer but materials, a curriculum and, of course, knowledge. PrintLab ...


text:
- For meaningful corporate activism, businesses must support their words with actions, and make activism part of their company values.
- Shareholder activism – when shareholders use their positions to influence charges – can lead to short-term financial gains for an organization.
- Bandwagon activism is when people or businesses participate in a movement because it has become popular or feel it is expected of them.
- This article is for people who want to learn about different types of corporate and shareholder activism and how to avoid bandwagon activism.
Advertising and social media marketing have developed into a nuanced and complicated entity, one where every step a brand makes is scrutinized. It's also become an enormous opportunity for brands to speak out about their values and develop a unique online identity.
But when enormous, divisive movements, like the racial inequality movement we are experiencing right now come up, brands have a choice to make: o they jump on the bandwagon and try to appease as many people as possible with a basic message, or do they commit to action behind the message?
What is corporate activism?
Corporate activism is something that occurs when businesses advocate for government policy change on social or moral issues. It is different from corporate social responsibility – for example, when Walmart stopped selling rifles, that would be regarded as corporate social responsibility, because the company distanced itself from the firearm industry.
But in 2019, after a mass shooting in a Walmart store, CEO Doug McMillon engaged in corporate activism when he called on lawmakers to enact stricter gun control measures.
And more recently, Amazon, Coca-Cola, Nike, Facebook, and Uber have pledged large donations to racial inequality and criminal justice reform advocacy groups, making them all participants in corporate activism.
Key takeaway: Corporate activism is when businesses advocate for government policy change on social or moral issues.
Examples of meaningful corporate activism
Many well-known companies have emerged as solid examples of meaningful corporate activism. Here are some that effectively demonstrate how you can support a cause while staying true to your company identity:
- Ben and Jerry's is a great example of consistent, brand-appropriate activism. Activism and social justice campaigning have been integral to the brand from its inception, so when it is vocal about the Black Lives Matter movement, LGBT rights, and climate change, it feels authentic.
- "I've been impressed by the response of Netflix," said Dan Bailey, president of WikiLawn. "It pushed Black-created content to the forefront of its site, making important works available to all. It also acquired a lot of work from Black creators recently. Its activism is helping people understand the movement."
- Patagonia has been a longtime vocal supporter of environmental protection and preservation, including fighting against climate change and promoting a sustainable industry. It has built its advocacy into the fabric of its brand by featuring an 'Activism' tab on its website and paying a self-imposed "Earth Tax," where it donates 1% of its profits to environmental nonprofits around the world.
Key takeaway: Companies that do activism well support their words with action.
What is shareholder activism?
Shareholder activism is when shareholders attempt to use their influence as a shareholder of a publicly traded company to enact change within the organization. The changes can range from environmental or social concerns to issues with governance or profit distribution within the company.
Why is shareholder activism important?
Shareholder activism can serve as an effective monitoring tool that improves the efficiency of corporate governance, and has a positive impact on a company's performance and decision-making. If a company's leadership team is aware that shareholders are committed to using their rights to enact positive change in the company if needed, they are more likely to make those positive changes themselves.
Why is shareholder activism increasing?
Shareholder activism, as we know it today, began in the 1980s as a way to protect the financial interests of member investors, and has increased as shareholders realize that they hold the power to influence corporate behavior in a way that the shareholders believe will benefit the company.
A large reason behind the increase is the short-term boost that these efforts can have on stock prices. From 2001 to 2006, Thomson Financial studied the performance of 75 companies with activist shareholders and saw that in the first three months, their shares rose nearly 12%, which was much higher than the control group – whose stocks rose just 1.5%. After one year, these companies reported gains of 17% , compared to the control group's 7.2% gains.
Key takeaway: Shareholder activism is when shareholders use their positions to enact change within an organization. It can improve corporate governance and can have a positive short-term effect on stock prices.
What is bandwagon activism?
Ever since protests against police brutality and racial inequality erupted across the country, companies big and small have posted support on their websites, social media, and advertisements. Nike released a minute-long advertisement against racism with the hashtag #Don'tDoIt, and almost immediately, brand after brand released somber messages in white text on a black background, all saying some variation of the same thing: "We stand against racism," "We stand for inclusion," "It's time for change," and so on, which left many consumers feeling as though the words were empty and brands were posting them because they felt it was what was expected of them.
The "bandwagon effect" is a phenomenon where there is a high rate of adoption of beliefs, ideas, or support based on the sudden popularity of those beliefs or ideas. Therefore, bandwagon activism is when there is a sharp increase in brands and businesses taking part in social movements because support for those movements has increased in popularity.
"Think about companies that change to a rainbow logo June 1, immediately change back July 1, and do nothing for LGBT rights outside of the month of June," said Rex Freiberger, CEO of Gadget Review. "That's bandwagon activism."
Why is bandwagon activism not helpful in the long run?
The heart of activism is change, and to enact true change, you need to be fully committed. The issue with many bandwagoners is that they will post when it's trendy and appear to be committed to the cause, but when the time comes to vote for new policies, they don't show up.
It's like bandwagon sports fans – the ones who buy the jersey after the team wins the Superbowl but stop showing up after they lose a game – powerful and unifying at first, but disheartening after the initial momentum fades.
"Bandwagon activism is better than nothing. But from multiple perspectives – corporate image, building a brand, gaining a following of dedicated fans, being seen as a reliable ally and charity partner – it's far better to build a consistent interest, be seen as a company that really cares, and be there for the long term," said Shel Horowitz, marketing consultant and author at Going Beyond Sustainability.
Key takeaway: Bandwagon activism is when people or brands participate in a social movement only because it has become popular to do so. It isn't helpful in the long run, because it does nothing to create meaningful, long-lasting change.
How to make your corporate activism count
Bandwagon activism is an easy hole to slip into, especially with social media, which enables businesses to put forth minimal support for a cause in a highly visible way, without holding itself accountable to meaningful change.
Here are six ways your business can support a cause in a meaningful way:
- Look at your motivation for being involved. "Companies need to have a clear idea of why they're joining a particular cause," said Freiberger. "If it's just because it will look bad if they don't, that needs to be evaluated. It's far better to choose causes that align with the business rather than trying to force a square peg into a round hole."
- Be choosy about what you speak out about. It can feel like you are pressured to make a statement about many issues, but that is one of the most common ways to fall into bandwagon activism. Rather than making an empty statement, carefully choose issues that align with your company, and make sure that you are participating in the movement and making positive changes at your own company – like actively promoting diversity and fostering an inclusive environment – and focus your statements and efforts there.
- Make change in your organization before committing to a major movement. In the wake of the most recent Black Lives Matter movement, many companies have been called out for posting support of the movement but underpaying their Black employees or not hiring diverse talent. It's vital that you make internal changes in your company and ensure your business is on the right path before you speak out in support of a movement. "Change has to start from the inside," said Bailey. "It's not enough to tell your customers they should support a cause. You need to do the hard work in your own organization first."
"Authentic allyship is ensuring that your organization is committed to the work," said Tammy Tsang, co-founder of AndHumanity, an inclusive communications agency. "That is ensuring that your leadership is on board and that there is a deep understanding of what it means to contribute to the solution. They have to be brave enough to look inward and ensure that they're not contradicting what they say they stand for."
- Be consistent about your causes. Many companies are silent about major issues such as racial inequality until it's in the news, then suddenly act as if it's new to them or that they've just been called to act on, which comes across as insincere. "Companies shouldn't have to be reminded to care about the world because of a trending hashtag, or once they've been called out, for not using their platform to speak up," said Kimberly Porter, CEO of Microedit Summit. "It should be something that happens all along." [Read related article: Diversion and Inclusion Strategies for Startups]
- Make change part of your company values. If you have created meaningful changes in your organization, the next challenge is making sure it lasts. The best way to this is to make it part of your company values and imbue this sense of change and action into everything you do. "That's the only true way to get it to last," said Freiberger. "Teach your employees and customers that it's important to you in everything you do, from hiring policies to the way you conduct business."
- Find other ways to lend your support. After your business has made internal changes to support a movement, seek other ways to provide support. This may be making financial donations to advocacy groups, charities, or politicians working to enact change for that cause, or even providing your employees with PTO to volunteer for those organizations or participate in peaceful protests. You can tailor your actions to fit your business – for example, many bookstores donated a portion of their profits from anti-racism books they sold to organizations like Black Lives Matter or the NAACP.
Key takeaway: To enact meaningful change in your business, commit yourself and your employees to doing the work, and make that commitment part of your company values.


text:
Full profile →'">
The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer.
Apple recently announced that it will launch of the new iPad in China on July 20, following the settlement of the Proview case last week. The company said Tuesday that the new iPad will make its appearance on Chinese shores on July 20th and pre-orders can be placed from a day earlier. Also, perhaps more importantly, the new iPad will be available at the same price as in the U.S.
Apple last week bought the rights to use the ‘IPAD’ trademark in China in a $60 million settlement with Proview that ended a longstanding legal dispute which threatened to ban iPad sales in the country. Going by how important China is for Apple considering the huge growth in sales that the company is seeing from the region, the announcement will help the company increase its iOS market share, spur the development of China-specific apps and prep the market for a greater Apple presence through China Mobile.
Apple’s China story
China is Apple’s fastest growing market and the availability of the highly popular new iPad will further bolster Chinese sales. Revenues from greater China, which includes mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, in the March quarter grew threefold year-over-year and accounted for almost 20% of Apple’s overall revenues. This brought Apple’s FY 2012 first half revenues from the region to $12.4 billion, just shy of the $13.3 billion in revenues Apple managed to generate from the region during the whole of last fiscal year. While most of the revenue growth was due to the iPhone 4S launch, the nascent stage of the tablet market as well as the halo effect of the iPhone makes the iPad a compelling buy among well-to-do Chinese customers.
The new iPad had a tremendous opening in March, selling over 3 million units in the debut weekend itself despite not being available to most of the Chinese (only Hong Kong saw shipments for the new iPad due to the Proview case). Apple sold almost 12 million units of the iPad last quarter, more than double as many as it did in the year ago quarter. Going forward, we see the iPad performing well in the absence of meaningful competitors in a nascent tablet market. Being available to most of the Chinese will bolster iPad sales in the coming quarters.
Driving the Chinese app ecosystem
This, along with the already available iPhone 4S, should help accelerate the creation of China-centric apps that the iOS6 will support. The new iOS will offer an improved Chinese input system, a better Chinese dictionary, Baidu support as a search engine and enhanced compatibility with Chinese social networking as well as video sharing sites. Increasing the customer base for its iOS devices will help the development of apps that take advantage of the enhanced Chinese functionality in iOS6.
Creating a big enough ecosystem of Chinese apps will help bring more of the growing China’s middle class under Apple’s fold and see an even higher demand for the iDevices. Gartner’s first quarter numbers show that Apple had only 7.5% smartphone market share in China compared to Android’s 24.3%. However, Apple is preparing for a bigger Chinese play through its iOS6 initiatives and a deal with the world’s largest wireless carrier, China Mobile, is on the cards. Making the new iPad available will put more iDevices in the hands of the Chinese and spur the development of Chinese apps that the iOS6 will support; in turn increasing demand for the Apple’s products as it increases its Chinese presence.
Like our charts? Embed them in your own posts using the Trefis WordPress Plugin.


text:
WEEKEND discussions between US president Donald Trump and China’s visiting president Xi Jinping have apparently increased prospects of US beef entering China some time soon.
China has agreed once more to permit US beef exports, ending a ban that took effect in 2003 following the discovery of BSE in a beast in the US.
A deal over beef access was struck over the weekend, according to a report in the Financial Times.
Any access breakthrough by the US, which is rapidly expanding beef exports this year in response to herd rebuilding, would add another level of competition for Australian beef, currently coming under considerable competitive pressure in China from exports from Brazil.
US analyst Farha Aslam from Stephens Inc cautioned in a note to investors, however, that China had twice before agreed to grant market access to US beef, but regulatory hurdles had prevented any trade taking place.
A similar announcement was made last September (see Beef Central’s earlier report) that China would end its 13-year ban on US beef. At the time the US Meat Export Federation cautioned that while it was a good first step, USDA and its Chinese counterparts still had to negotiate conditions for access.
Since then, US beef industry groups and some Congress Senators have been calling on the Trump Administration to take action on the issue. Details were not immediately available on how the new agreement will move the issue forward from the September agreement, meatingPlace reported.
Access to China would have considerable limitations for the US production system however. China’s no HGP policy would mean the vast majority of US fed cattle would be ineligible. The US produces only relatively small volumes of HGP-free fed beef – some estimates say as few as three percent of cattle entering US feedlots do so without the use of implants.
That would limit supply to China primarily to non-fed cattle, principally beef and dairy cows, and bulls. That could push mostly manufacturing type beef, rather than chilled cuts to China, in the event of a full market access occurring, analysts say.


text:
Brookfield, WI (PRWEB) May 16, 2013
NiceLabel recently released the Automation Enterprise software package designed specifically for automated label printing integration with SAP. Considering Niceware International is an SAP Partner, the SAP SAPPHIRE NOW & ASUG Annual Conference was a perfect venue to promote the latest label printing technology from NiceLabel. NiceLabel Automation Enterprise is built on the latest 64-bit technology, allowing the new print engine more power to handle hundreds to thousands of printers.
In addition to powerful and innovative software technology, Niceware International is backed by a team of experts who have implemented countless SAP printing integrations. Their professional services team is growing at an unprecedented pace. “Niceware’s project team is experiencing an influx in demand for custom label printing solutions. Our partnership with SAP has allowed us to integrate printing at an enterprise scale across many Fortune 500 companies,” says Nick Sannes, Marketing Director at Niceware International.
Headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, Niceware is an independent software vendor (ISV) specializing in Application Workflow Design and Implementation built upon today’s leading software platforms. Comprised of industry experts, Niceware understands the channels need for reliable and cost effective software solutions for advanced identification and tracking. Niceware has an experienced team that is recognized within the AIDC reseller community for its work in successfully deploying thousands of partner applications. We are committed to help not only design solutions, but to educate partners how best to use technology to help grow a business.


text:
Produce trade between Canada, the United States and Mexico is big business. Canada imported more than $6.3 billion in fresh and frozen fruit and vegetable produce from the U.S. and Mexico last year. We also sent more than $2.7 billion in produce south of the border, including $1.3 billion worth of vegetables from Ontario alone. Canada and the U.S. are each other’s largest trading partners in agriculture, while Canada is the third largest export market for Mexico. Agriculture trade forms a key part of all three economies.
The establishment of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994 created the largest free trading region in the world. This trading environment gave consumers wider access to food and increased market size for domestic growers considering exports. The extent of this trade relationship wouldn’t be nearly as prolific without the regulatory cooperation promoted between these countries over the past two decades. An important component of this cooperation for crop protection has been the creation of the NAFTA Trilateral Working Group (TWG) on pesticides.
Established in 1996, the goals of the TWG are to collaborate on crop protection regulation, eliminating barriers and promoting food trade across the three countries. There have been some solid achievements in regulatory harmonization under the TWG including joint registration reviews, NAFTA-wide product labels and alignment of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). These efforts have been commended for increasing the speed of the review process, benefitting regulators, registrants, and growers. The public has also indirectly benefitted through growers gaining access to new crop protection technology sooner.
The 2019 edition of the TWG was held the first week of September with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosting the meeting at its headquarters for pesticide programs in Arlington, Virginia – across the river from Washington, DC. It marked the first TWG meeting since the U.S. began the renegotiation of NAFTA last summer. Representatives were present from all three countries, including the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), EPA, SENASICA (Mexico), registrants, CropLife and other government departments. Many grower groups including the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association and the Canadian Horticultural Council also attended.
It was clear that the lack of a new ratified trade agreement between the nations impeded any significant outcome at the TWG. Despite the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement being signed by all three countries, it has yet to be ratified by domestic governments in Canada or the United States. The prospect of federal elections in Canada this fall and the United States in 2020 added further uncertainty to this TWG, at least from the perspective of the regulatory agencies. Unfortunately, despite over two decades of trilateral meetings, there is still much work to achieve the original objectives of the TWG as set out almost 25 years ago.
One of the original goals of the TWG was to achieve full North American collaboration during product reviews including re-evaluation. Despite significant progress on collaboration during new registrations, the re-evaluation process at PMRA or the equivalent registration review at EPA is far from aligned. This is currently a major issue in horticultural crops where Canadian growers have been losing access to products during re-evaluation that continue to be acceptable south of the border. One of the most common deviations for PMRA compared to EPA in this process has been the selection of conservative safety factors and/or toxicological endpoints. These alone can determine if a product will pass or fail re-evaluation.
The PMRA and the EPA have the same mission: to protect human health and the environment. That has not guaranteed their alignment. Drastically divergent decisions through these processes causing different registrations, use patterns, re-entry intervals, and pre-harvest intervals create advantages for other jurisdictions frustrating growers for good reason. Our free trade environment in North America has certainly increased availability for consumers and opened export opportunities for Canadian growers. However, in a mature industry with small margins, advantages such as better access to crop protection products can make the difference – in favour of the competition.
Just like many industries, our fruit and vegetable markets in North America have been integrated. The TWG recognized the importance of regulatory harmonization for crop protection products now almost 25 years ago. Canada, the United States, and Mexico must continue this progress towards increased harmonization, especially alignment of scientific methodology and processes for registering and reviewing products. This would go a long way towards harmonized or closely aligned use patterns and MRLs in North America, levelling the playing field for growers across the board, and further facilitating the high degree of produce access to which we’ve become accustomed.


text:
As usual, Thrun intends to be on the cutting edge of this emerging technology 0SHARES Share Tweet Email Udacity co-founder Sebastian Thrun is pictured in this undated handout photo obtained by Reuters January 23, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS Self-driving car pioneer Sebastian Thrun has shifted his gaze to the skies, as his Silicon Valley online school Udacity launches what it calls the first “nanodegree” in flying car engineering. With companies from Airbus and Amazon to Uber throttling up development of their own autonomous aerial vehicles, Thrun believes “in a few years’ time, this will be the hottest topic on the planet.” As usual, Thrun intends to be on the cutting edge of this emerging technology. No pedal to the metal in GM’s planned self-driving Cruise AV car The 50-year-old PhD computer scientist and former Stanford University professor co-founded Udacity in 2012 and says the online school’s self-driving car program has attracted 50,000 applicants since 2016. He expects the new flying car curriculum, which opens in late February and begins taking applications on Tuesday, to draw at least 10,000. Udacity is offering two 12-week terms, at $1,200 each, including a course in Aerial Robotics and one in Intelligent Air Systems that provide… Read full this story
- How Australians may choose a simpler life of camping holidays, dinner parties and even drive-in movies post COVID-19 - and why the outer suburbs may become fashionable again
- Inside Scientology
- Coronavirus live updates: Bay Area hospitalizations drop significantly after record high
Self-driving car experts offer online degree in 'flying cars' have 254 words, post on tribune.com.pk at January 24, 2018. This is cached page on IT Breaking News. If you want remove this page, please contact us.


text:
Apple will enable its users to turn off the iPhone hardware slowdown
Apple CEO says users will be able to disable battery slowdown in future iOS update
Apple has said it plans to enable iPhone owners to turn off the feature in the driver and slow the performance of old battery devices, a feature that has sparked controversy since the announcement of iPhone three weeks ago.
But Tim Cook, the company’s president, confirmed at the same time in a television interview with ABC America: “The company does not recommend it, because it can lead to a sudden restart of the equipment.”
Cook explained that his company has made sure since the availability of this possibility about a year ago to facilitate the use of iPhone devices smoothly even if these devices have low batteries, “but if you do not want to, you can stop this function.”
Apple has so far announced that there will be more information on the safety of the battery in the next release of the iPhone operating system.
We’re going to give people the visibility of the health of their battery. So it’s very, very transparent.
He also mentioned:
We will tell someone we’re reducing your performance by some amount in order to not have an unexpected restart. And if you don’t want it, you can turn it off.
The company also lowered the price of iPhone batteries in Europe from 89 to 29 euros.
Apple has been widely criticized for hiding its users for several months at the fact that it is sometimes intentional to reduce the performance of the iPhone’s batteries with dilapidated batteries to prevent these devices from stopping suddenly at the peak of use for fear that this interruption will damage the operating system.
Several US consumer protection groups have sued Apple.
The plaintiffs justify their complaint that the company had been tempted to purchase new equipment, although they could have dispensed with the new devices by buying new batteries and maintaining the performance of their old devices.
Cook said in response that his company had announced the function at the time of its availability to operate “but many did not care about it .. Perhaps we should have been more clear.”


text:
Heathrow Airport's food and drink retailers will be expected to reduce food waste, water and energy and to help out their local community under new guidelines.
Punnily titled Ingredients for Success, the 'UK's first airport sustainable restaurant guide' encourages Heathrow's eateries to reduce energy use by ten per cent for every person served and to contribute to the airport's target to recycle 70 per cent of all food waste – the airport has its own cooking oil recycling programme which should help – and expect to be audited through a sustainability mystery shopper scheme.
Businesses' staff are expected to pitch in, for instance by taking up Heathrow's car sharing scheme, while employers should also look to hire people from the local community. The airport also has its own charity, the Heathrow Community Fund, which retailers are urged to support.
"Heathrow is a small city, hosting over 400 companies, 76,000 employees, and serving 190,000 passengers every day. An operation the size and scale of Heathrow relies on collaboration with our partners to ensure our sustainability ambitions are realised," says Jonathan Coen, Retail Director at Heathrow.
Heathrow partnered with the Sustainable Restaurant Association to draft the guidelines. The SRA's Founding Director Simon Heppner comments: "The public's appetite for a sustainable dining experience is increasing significantly – wherever they are eating out. So for Heathrow to put sustainability at the heart of the passenger experience is a very welcome and positive move."


text:
There are some infamous bad game launches in the history of gaming, and while none could probably take the spot from CD Projekt Red’s recent troubled launch with Cyberpunk 2077, another sci-fi game that launched 5 years ago has been desperately trying to regain its reputation, and according to Steam, it seems to have finally pulled that off.
No Man's Sky had a pretty rough launch 5 years ago, with an insurmountable amount of backlash from fans who were excited for the procedurally generated sci-fi exploration game. Steam reviews have not been too kind on the game’s reputation, but the developers have since regained that reputation thanks to some massive updates over the years.
The latest update, Frontiers, is one of the biggest and most anticipated updates yet, and thanks to a lot of positive reviews recently, the game now sits at a “Mostly Positive” rating with 70% of all reviews since launch being positive. It is worth noting though that recent reviews within the past 30 days are even higher, sitting at a “Very Positive” rating with 91% positive reviews.
It’s a big step for the game in regards to rebuilding its reputation amongst players, so much so that developer Hello Games Founder Sean Murray even tweeted an image of the Steam reviews with the caption “you guys” followed by a crying emoji.
What do you think? Have you played No Mans Sky recently? Is it much better now? Does it deserve the positive reviews on Steam? Let us know!


text:
Tata Motors unveiled its futuristic SUV concept H5X at the recently concluded Auto Expo 2018. The concept in the production form will be a premium SUV that will go up against the Jeep Compass in the Rs 15 to Rs 20 lakh category.
It looks like the development of the H5X is in the fast lane as the first prototype has already been spotted. The purported model was seen testing under the Land Rover Discovery Sport body many times last year while this is the first time in the close-to-production avatar.
The test mule is fully draped in camouflage, yet it is clear that the silhouette of the concept has been carried as it is. The test mule has more road-hugging stance while the snazzy 22-inch wheels of the concept have made way for smaller 19-inch wheels. Tata Motors has retained the beefy wheel arches and it will add a muscular look to the sides.
Though the concept has high-set slim headlights, the test mules carry vertically stacked twin round headlamp units. This is expected to be a dummy unit only for the testing purpose. The test mules have a more defined humanity line, a prominent trait of the Impact Design 2.0 design philosophy and chunky cladding at the base of the doors. The roofline has a rearward slope but it doesn't look as rakish as the one on the concept design.
The spy pictures reveal that the H5X's cabin will comfortably seat five adults. The twin-layered dashboard layout is contemporary and top-half houses a touchscreen for the infotainment. The test mule gets a new steering wheel, a six-speed manual gearbox and memory function for the front seats.
The production version of the H5X will be a monocoque SUV. It will also be the first vehicle based on Tata's new generation Optimal Modular Efficient Global Advanced Architecture (OMEGA), developed in collaboration with its British subsidiary -- Jaguar Land Rover. Tata Motors claims that the architecture is derived from the legendary Land Rover D8 architecture.
The company is expected to plonk Fiat's 2.0 Multijet diesel engine, which is already seen under the hood of the Jeep Compass, in the H5X. The engine is readily available in India as it is manufactured at Fiat's high-tech facility in Rajangaon. The mill is expected to develop 140hp in the H5X while the seven-seater model of the same, which is in the pipeline, will get the 180hp tune. ZF's nine-speed automatic unit will be the probable transmission along with the standard manual transmission option.


text:
11 April 2023 3:22 PM GMT
Holding that right to safe food is a Fundamental Right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the Gujarat High Court today observed that the right to free trade in food items like meat, or any such food has to be subserving to the public health and food safety requirements. The bench of Justice N. V Anjaria opined thus while disposing of a bunch of PIL Pleas filed by meat vendors...
Holding that right to safe food is a Fundamental Right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the Gujarat High Court today observed that the right to free trade in food items like meat, or any such food has to be subserving to the public health and food safety requirements.
The bench of Justice N. V Anjaria opined thus while disposing of a bunch of PIL Pleas filed by meat vendors and associations in Gujarat challenging the closing of their establishments/shops by official authorities on account of not complying with food safety laws, selling meat in unhygienic conditions or through unlicensed shops.
In its order, the High Court also said that the consumers of any food including meat and meat products have a right to have safe food and that the right to food with hygiene is also concomitant to Article 21 of the Constitution, as the right to the food itself is.
In this view of the matter, the Court added, the meat vendors can not insist on doing business even if the meat is unstamped meat or the slaughterhouse is not licensed or the norms compliant.
"Article 21 would also envelope in it a right to safe food. Right to ensure such safe food is also an obligation on the State authorities, which they discharge by implementing and enforcing the food safety norms and other regulatory measures prescribed in the different statutes...The licensing of the meat shop or the slaughter house and ensuring the hygienic operation of such premises and places, go long way to food safety" the Court remarked.
Further, the Court observed that all the meat shops and slaughterhouses that have been closed by the authorities for the reason that they have failed to comply with the licensing and regulatory norms, food and safety standards, pollution control requirements, and for any such other legal considerations including non-observance of hygiene imperatives, COULD NOT be permitted to be reopened unless they become fully compliant of such norms and regulations.
"The freedom to trade or right to do business have to yield the public health norms and the restrictive compulsions needed to be enforced in larger public good. The right to free trade in food items like meat, or any such food has to be subserving to public health and food safety requirements," the bench remarked.
The Court noted that the Right to freedom of trade may be a fundamental right, but not a carte blanche and that the meat sellers/slaughterhouses have to comply with the the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety Regulations as these laws are enacted and operate in the public good and public interest.
The Court also noted that the above laws and other laws seeking to fulfill the purpose of insulating the animals from cruelty and cruel acts, pollution, and environmental laws are all limiting factors, which will operate as reasonable restrictions on the right of the vendors of the meat and slaughterhouse owners to run their business.
Importantly, the Court specifically observed that the meat sellers can also not be permitted to assert unrestricted freedom to do business in meat or to run slaughterhouses on the ground of religious occasions when they are otherwise non-compliant with the norms in law.
Against this backdrop, the Court refused to intervene in the PIL pleas.
However, the Court gave the liberty to meat shop owners, meat vendors, and slaughterhouse owners whose establishments have been closed, to approach the competent authority or competent committee by showing that it has ensured compliance of all the laws and regulations as may be applicable and they would be allowed to reopen shops or slaughterhouses subject to the satisfaction of the official authorities.
The background of the case
The Gujarat High Court had, in a PIL plea seeking a ban on illegal and unlicenced slaughterhouses and meat shops in the state, earlier directed the civic body authorities to act against such shops, meat sellers, and slaughterhouses who are operating in violation of statutory laws.
Following the order of the HC, the civic body authorities had sealed and ordered for closure of such shops affecting meat vendors, shop associations, and owners prompting them to move to the HC as a party in the PIL plea as being aggrieved parties.
Essentially, 21 applicants prayed for passing an order to open the seal of chicken meat shops in the city of Surat. Some other pleas were also moved seeking similar directions for reopening the premises or shops or slaughterhouses of the members of the applicant association engaged in the slaughtering of small animals such as goats and sheep and further to permit to sell the mutton
Some petitioners prayed that if unstamped meat is sold at some shops, it is the failure of the Stand and authorities of the State in discharging statutory duties of providing slaughterhouse. It was also submitted that therefore, no fault could be found with the persons engaged in slaughtering the animals and selling meat.
According to them, there was no proper mechanism to take care of the meats, and for running the business of meat selling.
Importantly, it was their uniform argument that the closure of meat shops was illegal and amounts to deprivation and curtailment of their right to free trade under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution. It was also submitted that the month of Ramadan is underway, therefore, the State should liberally act to redress the grievance of the applicants to permit them to sell the meat by allowing the opening of the shops.
However, rejecting their arguments, the Court in no uncertain terms held that for such shops to continue running, they have to comply with the applicable laws.
Case title - Patel Dharmeshbhai Naranbhai vs Dharmendrabhai Pravinbhai Fofani
Case Citation: 2023 Livelaw (Guj) 70
Click Here To Read/Download Order


text:
The food and household product giant has sold the Chicken Tonight business along with its other sauces brand, Ragu, in the UK and Ireland for an estimated £30m to £40m, allowing it to concentrate on higher growth developing markets.
It has been bought by Symington’s, a food manufacturer in Leeds, which has a history stretching back nearly 200 years, when it invented pea flour. In more recent times it has specialised in manufacturing food brands under licence, as well as reinvigorating “heritage brands”.
It makes Aunt Bessie under licence, owns the Golden Wonder brand, and makes Campbell’s powdered soups under a joint-venture with the US manufacturer, as well as making the packaged food ranges developed by the celebrity cooks Ainsley Harriott and James Martin.
Last year the two Unilever brands had a turnover of £20m in UK and Ireland and the deal will increase Symington’s annualised sales to around £150m.
David Salkeld, chief executive at Symington’s, said: “Our plan is to bring back the famous advertising jingle. We think it’s a key part of the brand.
"The first thing we are going to do is talk to Ian Wright", he said referring to the last celebrity to flap his arms as if he were a chicken in the television advert.
If the company's plan comes to fruition, the advert will be on television screens next year.
Symington’s will be forced to drop the Knorr brand, currently on the Chicken Tonight labels, but will be – as part of the deal – manufactured in Unilever's factory for the next three years.


text:
NoticeIntroduced t-Sort, an automated sorting robot and next-generation robot sorter, at Oi Warehouse
NoticeNotice of release of English and Chinese versions of website
NoticeOpening of Koto Warehouse
NoticeWarehouse introduction video has been updated.
NoticeWeb seminar for logistics companies was held on 1/20(Tue.).
NoticeNew Year's Greetings
NoticeWeb seminar for logistics companies was held on 11/18(Fri.).
Notice360° Gallery of the Oi Warehouse is now available
NoticeOpening of Oi No. 5 Warehouse


text:
Samsung Electronics has admitted breaches of labor regulations at its plants in China, as well as at those of outside suppliers.
A four-week survey of 105 Chinese suppliers to the South Korean electronics manufacturer showed breaches including excessive working hours and the failure to supply labor contracts, Samsung said on Monday.
"Samsung takes concerns about working conditions in China seriously and, whenever an issue is identified, we take immediate and appropriate steps to correct it," the company said.
The internal study followed research compiled by undercover investigators and published in August and September by China Labor Watch, a New York-based group, which alleged labor law breaches at eight factories supplying Samsung, of which six are owned by the South Korean group. CLW also alleged repeated use of child labor at HEG, another supplier, but Samsung says it has found no evidence of this.
(Read More: Samsung to Review China Suppliers for Labor Violations)
"We are now designing, researching, and/or implementing corrective actions to address every violation that was identified," Samsung said on Monday. "Corrective actions include new hiring policies and work hours and overtime practices, among other steps, to protect the health and welfare of employees."
Shares in Samsung fell 2.3 percent to Won1,404,000.
Samsung is reviewing practices at a further 144 supplier factories, and will complete the process by the end of the year. However, it has not released a detailed response to CLW's report in September. The report condemned alleged practices at factories owned by Samsung, including forced work without pay, labor contract violations and dangerous working conditions.
Following an internal probe of those plants, Samsung has admitted failures to comply with guidelines on working time, saying that it will aim to address this by the end of 2014. It denies all the other allegations, and claims that its extensive "in-house" manufacturing network allows it to monitor working conditions at plants more closely than rivals that rely on outsourcing, allowing it to achieve "world-class working conditions".
The rivals alluded to include Apple, which has faced extensive negative publicity over working conditions in Chinese factories operated by Foxconn, a major supplier. Earlier this year Apple admitted that nearly two-thirds of its supplier factories in China did not meet its code of conduct in 2011.
Criticism of its supply chain practices is an unwelcome distraction as Samsung seeks to cement its position as the world's leading smartphone producer by volume. Early this month the group announced that its flagship Galaxy S3 handset had sold more than 30 million units in the five months since its launch.
A technology analyst in Seoul, who asked not to be named, said that while Samsung would respond swiftly to the threat of damage to its brand, there was "no incentive" for it to go beyond ensuring a minimum level of compliance with labor law. Wage pressure in China was making Vietnam an increasingly attractive option for new manufacturing investment by the company, he added.


text:
Skip to main content
Grab acquires Jaya Grocer in deal reportedly worth up to US$424 million
Expanding into the grocery segment.
Dec. 15, 2021, 10:52 a.m.
Walmart might buy TikTok. Really.
Twitter and Oracle have also discussed possible bids for the company.
Aug. 28, 2020, 12:32 a.m.
Philippines' fast food chain Jollibee has acquired Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for US$100m
Jolly good news.
July 24, 2019, 3:06 p.m.
Disney's acquisition rampage has not slowed down as it just bought over Hulu
When will the mouse stop?
May 15, 2019, 1:04 p.m.


text:
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has urged Cal-Mac to charter a vessel, the Pentalina, to ease freight capacity on the Stornoway/Ullapool ferry route.
Cllr Uisdean Robertson, Chairman of Transportation and Infrastructure, said: “The expected problem of freight capacity on the Stornoway/Ullapool Route has materialised. The inclement weather has added to the problem and it appears that the weekend weather could further exacerbate this difficult situation.
“The Comhairle has made a number of suggestions to Cal-Mac on how to help make the dry-dock period of the Loch Seaforth less of a costly exercise to the community.
“The current situation is having a hugely detrimental impact on the local economy. We are sitting at the moment with a backlog of 30+ Artic loads including supermarket supplies, house kits etc. and some companies being told they can’t move certain loads until next week, as they are deemed a low priority by Cal-Mac. We now hear concerns that the aquaculture sector may be impacted as fish cannot be shipped. Hardly an ideal situation to be in in the current climate.
“The Pentalina is currently available following a period on charter to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks in Orkney and will fit the link-spans at both Stornoway and Ullapool. Such a move would also be a positive opportunity to test the suitability of the Pentalina on west coast routes.”


text:
News hotlines: 08111813019, 08025868561
Email: firstname.lastname@example.org, email@example.com
The strike action started by drivers under the umbrella of the Professional E-hailing Drivers and Partners Association (PEDPA), involving Uber and Bolt drivers in Lagos have continued as commuters suffer.
The two companies are the biggest players in Nigeria’s ride-hailing industry and have competed for years since their entrance into the Nigerian market in 2014 and 2016 respectively.
One of the ways they have competed is with pricing, with each operator giving promos and lowering fares to try to win over new customers. Yet, over the years, there have been claims that the pricing wars came at the expense of drivers.
Now Uber and Bolt drivers in Nigeria want the pricing to be reviewed because the prices are no longer reflective of the costs they put in. They also want both companies to reduce the commission charged on rides from 25% to 10%.
PEDPA says that it has written letters to Uber and Bolt about their concerns but has received no response. To press home their demands, the drivers will begin a one-week warning strike today with hopes that both companies will come to the table.
Idris Shonuga, the National President of PEDPA, an association affiliated with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, said “what they (Uber and Bolt) do is deploy an app which facilitates links with riders and they charge a commission. We bear the running costs of fuelling the car and take all the associated risk of managing and running our vehicles.”
“Unfortunately, they fail to give us a say, they keep fixing the price ridiculously low and we’re selling below the cost price.”
Shonuga argues that it has become almost impossible for e-hailing drivers to make a living driving for Bolt or Uber because while inflation is driving prices upward, the cost of the service has remained static.
“You’re seeing several accidents on Lagos roads because drivers are overworking themselves to make very little money; this is systemic slavery of Nigerian youth, many of who are driving because of unemployment.”
Shonuga averred that “For Uber and Bolt drivers to make ₦15,000 ($36) in revenue daily, they have to spend a minimum of 10 hours on Lagos roads. Shonuga also estimates that ₦4,950 ($12) will be used to fuel their cars and then Uber or Bolt will charge ₦3,750 ($9.10) in fees.
“After 10-15 hours of work, drivers may be left with around ₦6,300 ($15.29), which at the lowest end is ₦630 ($1.53) for every hour they work.
“But it gets worse when you consider that many of the drivers on these platforms get the cars they use through hire-purchase agreements that require them to pay ₦20,000 – ₦30,000 ($48.55 – $72.82) per week.
The drivers say these conditions are unfavourable and want ride-hailing companies to give them a seat at the table in making decisions on pricing. They also want these companies to reduce the commission on rides to 10%.
(Additional report from TechCabal)
Business Hilights is an online news channel conceptualized and structured to report and track on a daily basis; latest developments in critical business sectors to serve as a one stop news gateway for governments, foreign and indigenous investors.


text:
|France recalls its ambassadors to Australia and US
A huge diplomatic row has started after France recalled its ambassadors to Australia and the USA. It comes after Australia cancelled an order to buy 12 conventional diesel-powered submarines from France. The 2016 deal was worth $37 billion to France. Instead, Australia will buy nuclear-powered submarines. France called the cancellation of the deal a "stab in the back" and a "betrayal" by Australia. France also recalled its top diplomat to the USA. It said the US and Australia were looking at "future cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines".


text:
August 24, 2016
Football Manager 2017 Coming This November
Sega has announced that Football Manager 2017 will hit shelves on November 4th, giving players the chance to control the action in the worlds biggest sport.
People who buy Football Manager 2017 on PC/Mac/Linux will get a free copy of Football Manager Touch 2017 (the streamlined, ‘transfers and tactics’ version) with their purchase, and Touch which will also be available as a standalone release from the same day.
Fans who pre-purchase Football Manager 2017 from a participating digital retailer will be able to start their new managerial career at least two weeks prior to the official street date through a fully-playable Beta version (single player careers started in the Beta can be continued in the full game).
All pre-orders from participating retailers, whether digital or boxed, will come with downloadable content for Football Manager Touch 2017 including “Board over-ride”, “No firing”, “All job applications”, “National management” and 3 brand new challenges to play in the “Challenge” game mode, as a thank you for pre-ordering.


text:
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Distiller Brown-Forman Corp. on Thursday said second-quarter net income rose 4.5%, helped by international demand for its spirits brands, acquisitions and a weak U.S. dollar.
Net sales rose 23%, reaching 893.4 million.
Analysts, on average, had been looking for Brown-Forman to earn $1 a share on revenue of $868 million, according to estimates compiled by Thomson Financial.
The Louisville, Ky.-based company said the higher quarterly earnings were driven by double-digit international profit growth for its Jack Daniel's, Finlandia and Southern Comfort brands.
Strong international consumer trends, particularly in Europe, as well as a weaker U.S. dollar, higher global trade inventory levels and the acquisition of tequila maker Casa Herradura also contributed to results.
In addition, Brown-Forman narrowed its earnings outlook for fiscal 2008, to a range of $3.42 to $3.54 a share. The forecast includes expected earnings dilution of 13 cents to 18 cents a share associated with the Casa Herradura deal, unchanged from management's previous estimate, and excludes any potential benefit from share repurchases during the remainder of the fiscal year, the company said.
Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect a profit of $3.44 a year for fiscal 2008, on average.
Shares of the Louisville, Ky.-based company slipped nearly 3% to $69.91 in midday action.
'Two key areas of concern'
In a note to investors, analyst Andrew Sawyer of Goldman Sachs wrote that "we see a modestly negative read-across from the result and outlook, with two key areas of concern."
First, "Jack Daniels depletions growth slowed to the low-single-digit range including a decline in the U.S.," he continued. "Second, the company made only minimal changes to full-year guidance despite favorable movements in forex."
Sawyer noted than he doesn't "anticipate any significant changes to consensus earnings estimates. However, the quality of the company's outlook is less robust than we had previously anticipated."


text:
As 10 kids arrived at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Leawood on Saturday afternoon, they discovered that a professional football player had given them each $150 to spend.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce began working with Operation Breakthrough and Dick’s Sporting Goods to make this idea of his into reality. After his first football camp wrapped up in the morning, 10 kids from the camp got frozen custard then began shopping for new items to buy.
Kelce spent an hour walking through the store with the kids, finding the right size shoe for them and even his own jersey. He said he was ecstatic to give back to Kansas City since the city accepts his attitude on the field.
“I love KC man, they have embraced me for who I was. Even my knucklehead ways on the field,” Kelce said. “I appreciate who they are and sure enough getting out here in the community and giving them the respect and everything that they gave me back to them.”
Sign Up and Save
Get six months of free digital access to The Kansas City Star
Dick’s Sporting Good community marketing manager for Kansas City and Nebraska Shane Cloepfil was among the many employees excited to see Kelce come through.
“He has been a good pillar in the community with youth sports,” Cloepfil said. “Our whole thing is that sports matter and that’s what we want to drive home.... It means more for the kids than anything else.”
As the kids walked through the store with Kelce, their faces gleamed with happiness.
Every shirt they showed him drew a positive reaction from Kelce. Before they went to check out, he even sat on the floor with some of the kids and helped them calculate how much money they had left or how much they went over.
“It’s awesome to know they’re having as much fun as I am,” Kelce said. “It’s an amazing feeling. It’s something that my mother taught me at a young age that when you have the ability to be an influence and make people happy, to go ahead and do that.”
As the kids finished checking out, Kelce stood in line with them and talked with them as they waited their turns. Some of them could be seen checking out with No. 87 jerseys in their baskets.
As the offseason dwindles and training camp gets closer, Kelce looks forward to getting back on the field in St. Joseph.
“I’m ready, it’s going to be a fun a year I can feel it coming,” Kelce said. “I can feel the nerves going already. It’s something we’re going to have to build during training camp, we’ve got a young group of guys that are hungry, we are ready to prove ourselves right because we know what kind of offense and team we could be.”


text:
The 2016 Edition of the Auto Expo will be held at the Indian Expo Mart, Greater Noida from February 5th, 2016 to February 9th, 2016. With almost 100 exhibitors and 58 vehicle manufacturers taking part at the Motor Show. The Auto Expo 2016 is all set to be bigger, better and more exciting than its earlier editions. In this edition of Auto Expo, we can see 80 new vehicles. The event team is expecting over 7 lakh people visiting the show. Keeping the anticipation levels high, we list down the 8 most awaited luxury cars that will be present at the 2016 Auto Expo.[adinserter block=”1″]
Auto Expo 2016 – Upcoming Luxury Cars
Jeep Wrangler :
Alongside the Grand Cherokee, the American SUV maker will also launch its off-road SUV- the Jeep Wrangler – at the Auto Show 2016. It will be brought to India via a CBU (Completely Built-Up Unit) route. Under the hood, the SUV features a 3.6-litre V6 engine that is capable of producing 240bhp while yielding a peak torque of 380Nm. Power is transmitted to all-4 wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Chevrolet Beat Sedan :
General Motors will launch a compact sedan based on the next-generation Chevrolet Beat hatchback in India in 2017. Expected to unveil as concept at the Auto Show 2016, Chevy’s Beat compact sedan (MCM) will be powered by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder SDE diesel producing 56.3bhp at 4,000rpm and 142.5nm at 1750rpm. Transmission duties will be taken care of by a manual and an automatic gearbox.
Jaguar F-Pace :
While the XE will be attracting queries from prospective buyers, it will be the Jaguar F-Pace that will be one of the more striking exhibits and is sure to raise some eyebrows. The automaker does first dabble at building an SUV with the F-Pace which looks sharp, brawny and urban with the front fascia resembling the XE whereas the rear gets F-Type inspired tail lights. It is also tech loaded like the automaker’s sedan derivatives and features the new InControl Touch Pro infotainment system. In terms of power, the sporty crossover uses the same 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine seen on the XE, while a 3.0-litre turbo V6 diesel is also offered as optional on the R-Sport and First Edition trims. The F-Pace will be going on sale in the country by the end of this year.
Jaguar XE :
Making a grand entry at the auto expo this year will be Jaguar, as its most affordable XE sedan will be officially launched in the country to take on the likes of Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 in the segment. The newest Jag is based on an all-new monocoque platform made of 75 percent lightweight aluminium that helps in extensive weight savings while power comes from the powerful new 2.0-litre petrol and diesel Ingenium family of engines. Both units are paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. However, what really sets the smallest Jaguar apart are the young looks and quintessential British styling that make the model more desirable. Expect prices in the vicinity of 40 lakhs (ex-showroom) on the locally assembled XE.[adinserter block=”1″]
2016 Audi A4 :
Speaking of which, the fifth generation Audi A4 will be showcased at the upcoming auto expo next week, before the expected launch later this year. While not dramatically different in design, the new A4 looks sharper with the larger single-frame grille, new LED DRLs and a redesigned tail lights. The new sedan is also more aerodynamic with a drag coefficient of just 0.23. Inside the cabin, the interiors get comprehensive changes with a new steering wheel, gear selector while the virtual cockpit from the TT replaces the conventional unit. The 2016 A4 also gets a heavily revised platform helping shed 120 kg of extra weight. The new A4 will be offered with TSI and TDI engine options, paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission and will compete with the new BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class as well as the upcoming Jaguar XE.
Also being showcased for the first time in India, Mercedes-Benz will be bringing the new generation GLC (previously GLK) luxury SUV at the auto expo with the launch expected later this year. The GLC is essentially based on the C-Class using the same underpinnings and can be termed as the brawnier cousin of the four-door sedan. The front fascia is strikingly similar to the C-Class with the bold twin-slat grille and sweptback headlamps with the design losing its boxy stance over the predecessor in favour of an urban appearance. The S-Class inspired interiors only add to the attributes of this SUV. Positioned between the entry-level GLA and GLE in the company’s lineup, the GLC rivals the BMX X5 and Audi Q5.
Audi R8 :
The 2016 auto expo will be playing host to the next generation Audi R8 that will be showcased for the first time in the country, giving a glimpse of the additional power, technology and sharp lines that have made it to the new model. With CFRP infused in its construction, the new generation R8 is 50 kg lighter over the outgoing model, whereas power is uprated on the 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine to produce 540hp on the standard variant and 610hp on the V10 Plus trim. The cabin is now updated to resemble a race car and gets updated with the virtual cockpit, more controls on the steering a host of electronic aids. The new R8 will be one of the showstoppers at the Audi pavilion in addition to the new generation Q7 and A4.
Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet :
If there is anything better than luxury, it is luxury with its top down. And bringing both of them together will be Mercedes Benz with the 2016 S-Class Cabriolet that will be making its India debut at the auto expo. The flagship Mercedes convertible mimics the S500 two-door coupe in design, dimensions and features, while the hard top gets replaced by a soft cover. Loaded with creature comforts, the S-Class Cabriolet packs jewel theme DRLs, Airscarf and Aircap functions as well as the THERMOTRONIC climate control system. Power comes from the 4.7-litre turbocharged V8 motor belting out 455hp and 700Nm of torque with power via a 9-speed automatic transmission. The S-Class Cabriolet will be one of the 12 launches the automaker has planned for the year.
BMW 3-Series :
Officially launched this month, the new BMW 3-Series facelift will have its first outing at the upcoming auto expo. The model gets subtle styling tweaks comprising of the new full LED headlamps, fog lights and revised DRLs; slightly revised bumpers and refreshed tail lamps. The cabin though gets updated with far more comprehensive changes including a heads up display unit, Park Assistant feature and new Navigation Professional system with an 8.8-inch display. Power has also been updated on the refreshed 3-Series with the 2.0-litre diesel motor now producing 190hp and peak torque of 400Nm. As a result, the sedan is capable of doing the 0-100 km/hr sprint in 7.2 seconds and a 230 km/hr top speed. Currently, BMW is offering the 3-Series only with a diesel heart, but the petrol will join the lineup later this year.
BMW 7-Series :
Also making its India debut at the auto expo will be the new generation BMW 7-Series that is sure to grab attention with its extensive feature list and tech wizardry on board. The new generation model is the first BMW to be based on the Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform and gets an evolved design language compared to the outgoing model. Inside the cabin, the flagship sedan is loaded top notch materials, while the feature list boasts of the air suspension, Remote Control Parking, Road Preview predictive adaptive suspension and much more, while using carbon fibre in its construction to help achieve 200 kg of weight savings. Powertrain options will include petrol and diesel units when it arrives in India later this year, while the Hybrid system is likely to make a comeback as well.


text:
When we asked consumers nationwide about their travel plans for PwC’s 2017 Holiday Outlook, 39% told us they are planning to travel over the holidays . Of those, 50% will visit family; sometimes the holidays are the only time when the family travels together to visit relatives.
But holiday travel can be pricey. For the 42% of our survey respondents who cite vacation as their main travel goal for the holidays, the beach is by far the most popular destination. What about other options?
To find out, I asked my colleague Scott Berman, who leads the hospitality and leisure group at PwC. Here’s what he told me: “There’s only so much beach inventory out there, especially after this active hurricane season. Those who have flexible schedules should consider travelling just before or just after the holidays — because the holidays are among the busiest times to travel.”
More for your money
The holiday travelers in our survey are budgeting $1,216 apiece for travel expenses during the season. Scott said that budget would go a lot farther a little earlier — or a little later. Not to mention an added bonus: fewer crowds everywhere. He said, “For many hotels, resorts, and cruise ships, the two weeks before the peak holiday season — which for travel extends from just before Christmas to just after New Year’s — are among the slowest of the year. And the two weeks after are also fairly slow.”
He added that anyone who can travel during these less-busy periods — retirees, independent contractors, full-time workers with flexible schedules, students whose vacations extend beyond the peak holiday season — will find enticing options. The deals are good and plenty.
Flexibility and value
Scott told me that some destinations — in the quest for pre- and post-holiday traffic — have found innovative solutions; Miami Beach, for example. By attracting an international art festival — Art Basel — the city turned what used to be one of the slowest tourism weeks of the year in early December into one of the hottest tickets in town.
Meanwhile, leisure providers are finding ways to offer both flexibility and value. Scott said, “For flexibility, consider cruising.” Since holiday travel is often family-oriented, Scott said special child- and teen-friendly spaces, menus, and activities are commonplace. Before and after the holidays, the “teen room” may become a library or other more adult-focused space. Menus and activities could also change to appeal more especially to retirees or couples on a romantic getaway.
For value, he said major hotel brands are developing new options for younger travelers, who like — but can’t afford — luxury offerings. Unless, of course, they’re travelling with their parents. For those who aren’t traveling with their parents, brands are offering all the creature comforts demanding travelers want in hotels — via small footprints loaded up with amenities.
“They’re showing that guests can feel pampered, even in a small space,” Scott told me, adding that while these rooms are available year-round, many are already booked for the holidays. He said, “When friends and family ask me for advice, because I’ve been immersed in this industry for more than 30 years, here’s what I tell them, ‘For a taste of luxury, especially if you’re flexible about your dates, go immediately before or immediately after the holidays.’ “
Deals before and after the peak holiday season allow hotels to introduce their brands to new segments of travelers, Scott said. Travelers, meanwhile, can explore otherwise unaffordable options. “So that’s my advice this holiday travel season,” Scott added. “Be flexible in your dates. And you might just make your dream vacation a reality.”


text:
By spending a few pennies more in Tesco when I last went food shopping there I picked up this pack of Cherry Tomatoes:
Why am I telling you this? For 8 pence less I could have bought the regular pack that had, maybe, 5 more tomatoes in. These cheaper tomatoes were a less vibrant red and were obviously not as juicy. That wasn’t why.
The reason was a simple one: this packet was produced from completely biodegradable and compostable organic materials. The paper label with the barcode and nutritional information, the biodegradable polymer wrap and the container itself all would degrade on your household compost heap. As they are made from organic materials too, that means that there would be no net gain in emissions when the gases created during decomposition are released.
I then read the following; an excerpt from the front page of the Financial Times:
Tesco will become the world’s first supermarket chain to assign a “carbon label” to every product on its shelves. The UK’s biggest chain said it would make the labels by measuring the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the production, transportation and consumption of the 70,000 products it sells. “The market is ready… We have to make sustainability a significant, mainstream driver of consumption,” Sir Terry Leahy, chief executive, said last night.
Coming from a company that takes £1 of every £8 spent in the whole UK retail sector, this is promising news. Or so you would think. As the Guardian puts it:
The company sells more DVDs than HMV, more shampoo than Boots, and its £4 jeans outsell Levis, Wrangler and Gap put together.
These are the figures Tesco wants us to remember, but there are other, less palatable statistics. For every £1 spent on bananas at Tesco, for instance, only 1p goes back to the plantation growers in developing countries – far less than they need to feed their families. Indeed, the company makes a profit of £1m per week purely from the sale of bananas – enough to employ 30,000 plantation workers full-time and pay them a proper wage.
Indeed, the globalisation of food production – buying it from the cheapest source rather than the closest – has been taken to ridiculous extremes. In a typical year, 126m litres of milk are imported into Britain while 270m are exported.
It continues this furore into the classic ‘food miles’ argument quoting statistics from the lobbying group Sustain. They estimate that the average UK Sunday lunch travels 26,234 miles.
It also states the statistic that an average of one sixth of the money spent in Tesco goes on packaging. In fact, “only 26 per cent of the cost is accounted for by food; the rest is packaging, processing, transport, store overheads, advertising and the mark-up”.
It’s a good start Tesco, but there’s still a hell of a lot more that you need to do.


text:
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says New Zealand currently receives the “lion’s share” of trade between the countries – something he wants to dramatically change, while also looking at joining a regionwide free trade agreement.
But it was increasing trade between the countries, particularly on Fiji’s end, that Rabuka spent much of his airtime addressing.
Fiji aims to increase two-way trade between the countries to $2 billion (US$1 billion), up from $1.17b (US$850 million) (based on 2018 figures).
Most of Fiji’s trade with New Zealand is in tourism and services, including seasonal workers. When it comes to goods, there exists a huge trade imbalance between the countries. In 2021, New Zealand exported $381m (US$230 million) in goods to Fiji, while Fiji sent $78m (US$47 million) in goods in return.
The imbalance has been reducing in recent years, however, that has also been impacted by Covid-19.
Rabuka said the pandemic had greatly affected their economy, especially with tourism evaporating, but recent forecasts were positive.
He said they wanted to expand away from tourism and increase exports to New Zealand. A recent trade mission here had identified over $1 billion (US$500 million) in export opportunities, he said.
“You enjoy the lion’s share of the benefit. We came to work harder to boost our own export capacity to New Zealand.”
To boost trade, he said they were seeking New Zealand assistance in improving our “ease of doing business programmes”.
The country was also reviewing the Pacer Plus regional economic framework, which includes Australia and New Zealand but which Fiji had not signed up to, previously citing an imbalance in favour of the larger, more-developed economies.
Rabuka said any decisions on joining that agreement needed to be based on a “thorough understanding of its potential impact on Fiji and its people.
“In that regard, we do undertake an internal review with our stakeholders, including our business community.”
While in Wellington, Rabuka also met with Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, and National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis and foreign affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee.
SOURCE: NZ HERALD/PACNEWS


text:
Here it comes, I just hope they roll it out to my Nexus One (eventually).
More news and pics from these sources:
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich: everything you need to know | News | TechRadar UK
BBC News - Android debuts Ice Cream Sandwich
Samsung Galaxy Nexus with Ice Cream Sandwich hands-on (video) -- Engadget
Leedroid and Cyanogen Mod have said the day its released as a ROM, they are cracking it (carrier free) for other devices in their own specific ways
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)


text:
Brisbane Local Business
Local business in Brisbane, CA
Friday Aug 28 | via Chain Store Age
Brisbane, Calif. Bebe Stores Inc. continues to expand its global presence. Bebe announced it has signed a five-year strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai-based brand agency Longgoal LLC to open between 60 and 150 Bebe stores, shop-in-shops and third-party retailers in Greater China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Comment?
Copyright © 2015 Topix LLC


text:
Britain’s second largest supermarket has reported a fall in annual pre-tax profits as it revealed that it had spent more than £560 million on keeping its prices low over the past two years.
Yet profits, not wages and salaries, are the main culprit here. Globally, those companies producing essentials have been doing enormously well from soaring prices. The record profits of the fossil fuel companies are notorious. But research by the union Unite has shown that the profits of the four largest agribusinesses globally, less well-known names like Cargill and ADM, rose 255% from 2019 to 2021.
Those soaring prices have then been fed down the supply chain into domestic profiteering. The big three UK supermarkets – Asda, Tesco, and Sainsbury – doubled their profits over the same time period.


text:
According to this year's Fortune 500 list, it seems that women are the way to go as the number of women running Fortune 500 companies has hit a new record. As compared to 33 women last year, there are 37 women are leading Fortune 500 firms this year
The downside is that despite the record high, women leaders leading the largest companies in the US only make up 7.4 percent of the 500 leaders of the list. Fortune noted that seven of the women-run companies in the top 100 businesses are on the list.
Women in power
There have been many leadership changes in companies that earlier made the list and this new addition of women is the result of that change. The companies here are the ones that pass the $5.7 billion revenue threshold.
Some names in the newcomer women CEOs list are former Home Depot executive Carole Tome, who will become the new CEO of UPS on June 1; veteran health executive Heyward Donigan who became the CEO of Rite Aid in August 2019; former Old Navy chief Sonia Syngal who became Gap Inc.'s CEO in March 2020.
In the year 1998, only two women had appeared on the Fortune 500 list and since then the number has been increasing, though slowly, but it is rising.
Progress is slow
Some women had announced that they will be stepping down from their role as CEOs and these are IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson and KeyCorp CEO Beth Mooney and they are no longer on the list.
Lorraine Hariton, President and CEO of Catalyst, a global nonprofit that works to accelerate women into leadership positions, stated that though this year's list has volumes to say about women playing their role well and things were going in the right direction, a lot more progress still needs to be made.
Hariton explained that "During the coronavirus pandemic, women are not only losing their jobs faster than men, but they are also losing their jobs at a time when they are trying to manage child care, their households and their own emotional well-being."


text:
The warning came as the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders announced that car sales last month were 8.5 per cent down on July 1991, at 33,051.
A Ford spokesman said the decline in the market in July confirmed that there were no signs yet of an upturn in the economy.
The industry had been hoping for sales of 400,000 this month, to help to revive the depressed car market. But Ford, which commands nearly a quarter of the market, said it expected sales of K-registered cars to reach only 370,000 - virtually unchanged on last August's level of 367,000. The Retail Motor Industry Federation, which represents most of Britain's car dealerships, was more optimistic, forecasting that August sales would rise by 6-9 per cent to between 390,000 and 400,000.
Lex, one of the country's biggest car distributors, is predicting a 5 per cent increase in August sales while Inchcape, which owns Britain's largest chain of dealerships, said sales so far this month were up on 1991. In each of the past four years August sales, buoyed by the introduction of the new registration prefix, have accounted for between 22 and 23 per cent of annual sales.
For sales to reach 400,000 this month, the market for the year would have to rise to 1.75 million - a 10 per cent increase on 1991. In the first seven months of the year, however, sales were down 4.3 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Ford said the July total was 5,000 less than forecast at the beginning of the month. 'We have had a very strong start to August and many of our dealers are reporting increased sales, but the market is still flat,' Ford added.Reuse content