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The country’s largest exporter of medicines, Douglas Pharmaceuticals, says the Health Minister hasn’t listened to feedback and if passed, the Therapeutic Products Bill presents a real risk to New Zealand’s therapeutic product exporters.
The company, which exports hundreds of products to over 45 countries, says it does not support the bill because it requires a New Zealand based mandatory export authorisation for every therapeutic product before it is allowed to be exported, which will add complexity (significant time and costs) plus unnecessary paperwork to the export of products in overseas markets.
All of Douglas’ exported products are required to meet the stringent requirements of regulators around the world, including the European authorities and the US FDA.
Douglas believes a mandatory export authorisation on all therapeutic products for export adds more red tape and is unnecessary to achieve the stated purpose of the Bill which is, “to promote, protect and improve the health of all New Zealanders”.
Douglas Pharmaceuticals Managing Director, Jeff Douglas says “If this Bill is passed in its current form, it risks significant economic harm to those who export therapeutic products, at a time when New Zealand needs the industry most.”
The Health Minister, Dr Ayesha Verrall, claims she has listened to the likes of Douglas and other industry exporters through the select committee process and that the Bill will be implemented in a way that supports those businesses, however Douglas has heard nothing from the Minister nor the Ministry of Health after the company raised concerns about the addition of an export authorisation requirements.


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Retailers on Chester’s revamped Frodsham Street say business is beginning to get back to normal following major redevelopment on the street – but have called on shoppers to continue supporting them in the months ahead.
The popular route in to the city centre was partially closed to traffic back in June 2016 as part of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s £13.5m bus interchange project, allowing work to begin on transforming the road into a brand new attractive gateway into the city.
Problems with suppliers meant the original December 2016 completion date was missed and a number of retailers in the area reported a downturn in visitor numbers whilst work was on going, but the street finally re-opened in April 2017 and is now a welcoming shared space for pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists.
“Things are looking much better now the road works have gone and the new benches and art installations are in place,” said Barry Bellamy, franchisee at Steak ‘n Shake on Frodsham Street.
“Our restaurant only opened last December and we were expecting the redevelopment work to finish before the end of the year. Obviously we were disappointed that didn’t happen, but we don’t want to dwell on the past – we’re just pleased to see everything finished now.
“Things are beginning to get back to normal and our customer numbers are increasing. We’re hoping that continues because I still think a lot of people don’t actually realise that Frodsham Street has re-opened and the builders have moved on. We’ve been a street people have avoided for months because of the road works but now we’re a really welcoming gateway to the city and it’s a great place to be.”
Jason Rigby, director of Rigby Jewellers, echoed Mr Bellamy’s sentiments that it’s ‘great to see people walking up and down’ the street again.
He added: “It was always going to be a case of short-term pain, longer-term gain in my view but I think the finished product looks fabulous.
“Along with many other stores on the street, we saw a dip in trade whilst the work was ongoing so we really need customers to come back to us now that it’s re-opened.
“Obviously it’s still early days but we’ve seen an uplift in visitors during the last few weeks and we’re hoping that trend continues.”
Along with CH1ChesterBID – the city’s Business Improvement District – a number of businesses on Frodsham Street recently attended a drop-in session to share their thoughts on the development so far and find out more about the work still to be done on the bus interchange from Cheshire West and Chester Council.
The latest update suggests the new bus interchange will open in June 2017, replacing the Princess Street bus exchange and creating space for the £300m Northgate Development retail scheme.
“We’ve worked hard over the past nine months on behalf of our member businesses to improve communication from the developers and do everything in our power to speed up the work,” said Nick White, city centre manager at CH1ChesterBID.
“We were really pleased when the street re-opened back in April and it’s fantastic to hear that many businesses are now beginning to see an upturn in customer numbers. Once the bus interchange is complete, Frodsham Street will become an even busier gateway into the city centre and we’re hopeful that increase in visitor footfall will boost the bottom line of our members in that part of the city.”

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Want to be a fashion editor? There’s an app for that
A former magazine boss has created Drest, which bridges the gap between styling and gaming. Users, and the sartorial industry, are playing to win.
Lucy Yeomans is about as far from the stereotype of a gamer as you can imagine. A former magazine editor who helped set the fashion agenda in Britain for 20 years as editor of Harper’s Bazaar and then Porter, Net-A-Porter’s print magazine, she has a knack for knowing what will trend next. Which is exactly why she’s made a play for the world of gaming herself – with a very fashionable twist.
Last year, Yeomans launched Drest, a video game app with which users compete to create the best looks: think Project Runway, but you’re calling the shots.
“I became fascinated with gaming about 10 years ago,” she says. “My kids were playing these Harry Potter games and I fell in love with the sophistication of the storytelling, the immersive experience.” An obsessive stint with the Facebook game FarmVille followed, when Yeomans got to thinking, “What if there was a game like this, where you got to build and share things, but with fashion at the centre?”
But at the time, technology was not yet up to realising her concept and anyway, she admits, users weren’t ready for a fashion-based game.
So Yeomans spent the next decade dreaming of Drest, and two years in earnest developing it. Users create their own avatars, which can be based on real-life models, like Irina Shayk, or options slightly more attuned to the real world, and then gain points by competing in style challenges. Points can then be spent in the game, on new clothing.
The idea, Yeomans says, was to make everyone feel like a fashion editor. It is this sense of democracy that fuels both the fashion industry and the world of gaming, she says. So far, Drest features more than 200 brands and has showcased collaborations with the likes of Prada, Christian Louboutin and multi-brand platform Farfetch.
“The fashion industry was changing even back in my editing days,” she says. “There was no longer a sense that a handful of editors controlled everything; bloggers and influencers were starting to gain traction.”
Now, she says, the net is even wider. “Young audiences don’t want to be told. They want to have a conversation, they want to share their opinions and not sit back and listen to what someone else thinks. They want immersion, autonomy.”
Gaming and fashion may seem worlds apart, but the luxury market is firmly on board. DKNY took up the challenge early, debuting a branded game on Facebook in 2012 in which players could win digital versions of the label’s clothing. Last year, Balenciaga showed its autumn collection as a literal video game. Burberry showed its spring/summer collection via gaming platform Twitch, and brands such as Marc Jacobs and Valentino have supplied “skins”, or digital clothing, for popular Nintendo game Animal Crossing.
Because for all that the games give to users – the ability to control their own narrative, the pretence that they are fashion editors for an hour – brands are also reaping benefits. Drest is a pioneer in RVR (Real items, made Virtual, shoppable in Reality). So those Christian Louboutin shoes you’re styling your avatar with? Christian Louboutin hopes you’ll be so enamoured with them that you’ll buy them in real life, too.
“I think it helped that I had great relationships with brands already,” says Yeomans. “And people understood its applications and the potential immediately. One of the first designers I spoke to about it was Tabitha Simmons, and halfway through my pitch she said: ‘You’ll never believe it, but I am obsessed with Candy Crush.’ And I find that quite a bit – you’ll find an impeccably dressed marketing manager for Celine or something, and they’ll be into gaming.
“It’s interesting that the perception of gaming is it’s teenage boys. But women are very creative, very into self-expression – that is gaming.”
Initially, Yeomans had to fight the perception that gaming was not aligned with luxury fashion, but she says this has roundly shifted since the pandemic.
“I did have people tell me that luxury brands wouldn’t take up gaming, but it all made so much sense to me – the aspiration, the iconography, the branding – the stuff you dream about. That’s the stuff the luxury space is made of, and that’s why it works here.
“I remember taking Porter on the roadshow before we launched it. I found that was a tougher pitch to investors.”
Yeomans reports the app has experienced a 50 per cent month-on-month increase in installs since March last year and the average user spends 33 minutes a day playing at least five challenges. Two groups of people – mainly women – use Drest: older women who use it as a sort of personal styling tool, trying before they buy, and younger women who enjoy the gaming element.
“What excites me is the creativity. It’s what excited me initially about Instagram – seeing artists and photographers and designers use Instagram, to have this portal into their world, was very exciting. But that world is now saturated with influencers, and I don’t find it very creative. Gaming is.”
In fact, one Drest user was recently tapped by a prominent designer to join their team, she says.
After spending half an hour on the game myself, I see the appeal. It is set up like a magazine, showcasing trends – jumpsuits, pleats, Jane Austen’s Emma – which users can then play with, much as one would with real clothing.
The next part is a little like shopping, where you select items to dress your avatar. For a second, I forget I’m not actually shopping and become quite excited by the idea of the Stella McCartney dress I’ve chosen. And, as a Millennial, the instant gratification of having my styled look judged within five minutes is extremely alluring (for the record, 4.75 out of a possible five stars).
And all the while, Yeomans, ever the editor, is present in the game, her perfectly coiffured head guiding me through each challenge, praising me for an outfit well styled.
“I just love seeing it all come to life,” she says. “I’ve spent my career telling stories for these brands – this is just a different way of telling them.”
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SHANGHAI, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai's exports grew by 2.3 percent year on year over the first five months in 2020 to reach 530 billion yuan (about 74.7 billion U.S. dollars), the Shanghai Customs said Wednesday.
The municipality's exports stood at 115.8 billion yuan in May, up 3.8 percent year on year amid achievements in COVID-19 prevention and control and gradual resumption of normal business operations.
The exports of mechanical and electrical products reached 358.3 billion yuan in the January-May period, accounting for more than two-thirds of the city's total, while the exports of integrated circuits, and mobile phone handsets enjoyed a rapid year-on-year growth of about 30 percent respectively during this period.
Shanghai's exports of labour intensive products increased by 7 percent year on year during the period to reach 73.8 billion yuan, the customs said. Enditem


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For some, it may seem silly to advise against office supply deals
on Black Friday, as it's not typically a category associated with the shopping event. But for several years running, office supply stores like Office Depot
have released Black Friday ads in the hopes of encouraging an uptick in business. Unfortunately, these deals are generally no better than those we see throughout the rest of the year. In fact, during the entire Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday stretch in 2011, we only found a measly three Editors' Choice deals in this category.
(iStock) More on dealnews.com
: Ways to Make the Most of Black Friday Retailers Want Your Black Friday Loyalty What to Buy on Cyber Monday The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.


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NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday told the special 2G court that there were money transactions which allegedly showed that Sun... ...http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/aircel-maxis-case-enforcement-directorate-says-firms-netted-rs-742-5-crore/articleshow/50884370.cms
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Evansville, Ind. and you will Chi town, Ill. –Dated Federal Bancorp (“Dated Federal”) (NASDAQ: ONB) and First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (“Basic Midwest”) (NASDAQ: FMBI), as one revealed now he’s got inserted into the a decisive merger contract to mix in the a the majority of-stock merger off means transaction with a complete market price off $6.5 million to create a premier Midwestern bank that have $forty-five billion in joint possessions.
Which have nearly 270 combined several years of service and a discussed commitment to Midwestern philosophy, Dated Federal and Earliest Midwest are a couple of groups inspired by a good customer-centric way of financial, an enthusiastic unwavering commitment to society and a robust work on corporate societal responsibility, making the combined organization the new prominent option for personnel, readers and you can shareholders.
Underneath the terms of the latest merger agreement, that has been unanimously authorized by the Forums from Directors out of each other enterprises, Earliest Midwest stockholders get 1.1336 offers away from Old Federal common inventory for every display from Earliest Midwest prominent stock they own.
Michael Scudder, Chairman and you may Chief executive officer off Very first Midwest Bancorp, commonly serve as the fresh new Exec President and you can Jim Ryan, Chairman and you may President regarding Dated National Bancorp, will maintain his character because the President
- Draw Sander, Chairman and you may Chief Operating Administrator (Basic Midwest)
- Jim Sandgren, Ceo of Industrial Banking (Old Federal)
- Brendon Falconer, Chief Economic Manager (Dated National)
- Kendra Vanzo, Chief Administrative Administrator (Dated National)
- Kevin Geoghegan, Captain Borrowing from the bank Officer (Very first Midwest)
- Thomas Prame, Ceo away from Community Financial (Basic Midwest)
- Chady AlAhmar, President from Money Government (Old National)
The brand new business commonly efforts within the Dated National Bancorp and you can Old Federal Financial names, that have twin head office in Evansville, Indiana and you may il, Illinois
The brand new Board out of Administrators of your own shared providers get 16 administrators, including 8 directors from Old National and you may 8 administrators off Basic Midwest. Becky Skillman, head separate manager to own Old Federal, usually keep that it status on joint company.
“Earliest Midwest and Old Federal are a couple of relationship-centered loan providers with steeped histories, most compatible countries and a shared dedication to providing the subscribers go financial achievements,” said Michael Scudder, Chairman and you will Ceo away from Basic Midwest. “As a blended business, we will be from inside the an amount stronger status to spend, grow and you will innovate when you look at the skill, capabilities and you will functions which can improve a currently superior consumer experience and additional lay us apart because an industry frontrunner not simply inside the Chi town however, across the Midwest.”
“First Midwest’s frontrunners cluster and you may associates not only echo the outdated Federal goal, beliefs and you can culture, nonetheless they promote exceptional user and you may commercial financial services,” told you Old Federal President and you may Ceo Jim Ryan. “Our company is confident that the latest effective synergies, more sector publicity and economic power this connection brings will push long-name stockholder worth, and now we was thinking about combining the fresh a fantastic legacies off several good, client- and society-focused teams.”
Michael Scudder, Chairman and you may President regarding Earliest Midwest Bancorp, will act as the brand new Administrator President and you may Jim Ryan, Chairman and you can Ceo from Old National Bancorp, will keep his part as the President
- Strengthened industry status: The joint company will create the fresh 6th premier bank based inside this new Midwest, having a visibility in the half a dozen of one’s premier Midwestern MSAs, strong industrial banking potential, a powerful retail footprint and you will a significant riches system. The two financial institutions possess absolutely no solution urban area convergence, restricting disturbance.
- Top-tier industrial and you may neighborhood lender: With more substantial equilibrium piece, alot more varied geographical impact and you can greater unit room, the new combined team will have enhanced capacity to suffice each other existing and new clients and you may take on the largest banks regarding the part.
- Electronic and tech possibilities: This new combined organization brings the size and style and you may earnings so you can accelerate electronic and you may tech payday loans Hawaii potential to-drive upcoming investments from inside the consumer, wide range government and you may commercial financial functions.
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Mazda announces special-edition MX-5, which will have a limited run of 450
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS|
Feb 06, 2012 | 1:09 PM
Mazda is using the occasion of next week's Chicago Auto Show to launch its limited-edition MX-5 sports car.
The Japanese brand confirmed the launch last week, saying that only 450 Special Edition variants of the MX-5 will be produced, boasting an upgraded roof and new interior.
Since its launch in 1989, the MX-5 Miata has become the world's best-selling two-seat roadster and is a popular -- and much cheaper -- alternative to high-end models from the likes of Porsche and BMW.
The new Special Edition will feature two new exterior colors and a powered retractable hard top in black, Mazda said, marking the first time a non-body-colored hardtop (a trademark style of models such as the Mini Cooper) has been offered.
Inside, the model will offer black heated leather seats, black interior accents and gloss finishes -- the whole thing will ride on 17-inch black gunmetal alloy wheels.
As the Chicago Auto Show is known for focusing on the everyday buyer, it's no surprise that plenty of more affordable models will be on display alongside the supercars which normally grace the isles of the world's premier auto shows.
Nissan is also said to be preparing a revamp of its 370Z sports car series, one of the MX-5's major competitors, to launch at the event, although further details are currently in short supply.
The show opens to the public February 10, and runs through Feburary 19.


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25 Million Flying for Thanksgiving
If you are planning to travel this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, you certainly will not be alone. Airlines for America is projecting that 24.6 million passengers will travel worldwide during the 12-day Thanksgiving travel period, a slight increase over last year.
The holiday air travel period will go from Nov. 21 through Dec. 2 with the busiest travel days in order expected to be Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and Nov. 26. The lightest travel days will be Nov. 27-28.
"As for daily travel during the Thanksgiving period, we're expecting an average of 2.05 million passengers per day, which is up 1.5 percent or approximately 31,000 passengers per day from the same period in 2013," said John Heimlich, vice president and chief economist of Airlines for America. "The number of daily passengers expected to fly during the holiday ranges from 1.36 million on Thanksgiving day to 2.61 million on the Sunday following the holiday."
Last year, the trade group's Thanksgiving travel forecast turned out to be too high by about 3 percent. Heimlich blamed bad weather that caused widespread flight cancellations. Still, if airlines meet this year's forecast, Thanksgiving travel will still be about 6 percent lower than it was before the recession that began in 2008. Currently, airlines are doing well financially because they are limiting the supply of new seats and raising fares. During the first nine months of 2014, the nine largest U.S. carriers reported earnings of $6.8 billion, up from $4.5 billion in 2013.
"An expanding U.S. economy, rising personal incomes, employment growth and lower energy prices are driving growth in demand," Heimlich said. "There is no better time to fly than now, as airfare remains one of the best consumer bargains in America, given its superior speed and price versus other modes of travel."


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According to California Closet chief design officer, most people only wear about 20% of their clothes regularly. The rest gets thrown out in the next spring cleaning.
The Environmental Cost of Clothes
The problem is that every article of clothing you buy has a huge environmental cost. The fashion industry produces 10% of the world’s greenhouse gases, which is more than shipping and air travel combined.
It takes 3,781 litres of water to make one pair of jeans, which creates about 33.4 kilogrammes of carbon. Then there are synthetic clothes, which when washed, dump half a million tonnes of microplastics into the ocean per year, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles, which end up in our food chain. Despite the environmental costs, globally an average garment is worn 120 times. However, this number drops precipitously in wealthier countries like the UK and the US, where an average piece of clothing is worn just seven times.
About 87% of these clothes end up being disposed of in a landfill or incinerated, with the average American throwing away about 32kg of clothes per year. The most common reason sighted was because of weight change, another was that it was an impulse buy.
In this age of fast fashion, we are constantly being manipulated by social media influencers, advertising, and our peers into buying the latest trends and styles to “keep up”. But is any of this even making us happy?
Materialism Doesn’t Make Us Happy
Studies show that in general, materialistic people are less happy and more insecure. According to psychologist Tim Kasser, “We found that the more highly people endorsed materialistic values, the more they experienced unpleasant emotions, depression and anxiety, the more they reported physical health problems, such as stomachaches and headaches, and the less they experienced pleasant emotions and felt satisfied with their lives.” According to Kasser, materialistic people use stuff to fulfil their unmet psychological needs.
A study from the University of Arizona says that buying less stuff can make you happier. According to Sabrina Helm, who authored the study, “People who buy less and consume less show less depressive symptoms, so there’s a positive mental health effect.”
Creating a Circular Economy on Phuket
Some say that the solution to our wasteful ways is a circular economy, which is based on three principles:
- Eliminate waste and pollution
- Circulate products and materials (at their highest value)
- Regenerate nature
The Phuket Swapshop
The Phuket Swapshop is a step toward a circular economy and embodies the second principle “circulate products and materials”. This means getting away from the “buy and throw away” mentality that we have become accustomed to. It means reusing and repairing things when they can be, and taking the raw materials and recycling them into something new when they can’t. This way, nothing is wasted.
As the saying goes, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure”.
Yoana Vastree Estevez and Sarha Robinson currently run the Phuket Swapshop and are two best friends who are both primary school teachers. The idea began in 2019, originally organised by their mutual friend who invited people to vegan cafes and restaurants around the island to exchange their used clothes, books, and household items.
After the founder left the island, she passed it on to the two friends who were inspired by the videos from the beginning of the pandemic, of clear canals in Venice, and news that the ozone hole was restoring itself after decades of deterioration.
Wanting to do their part to help our planet heal, the Swapshop was relaunched on July 4, 2020, but the two were not satisfied with just exchanging stuff. They wanted to support local charities, so they invited their friends, local artists, and musicians to perform and started charging a B200 entrance fee. The first charity was the Life & Home Foundation Orphanage, but they have since raised funds for elephant sanctuaries, an elderly care home, schools and other orphanages.
The premise is simple. You bring your “pre-loved treasures” and leave them in a drop-off zone. They then distribute the items over several tables, which usually include a wide assortment of clothes, books, kitchenware, sports equipment, furniture, toys, shoes and home décor.
You are then welcome to choose from among the goods, picking up as many things as you like. What isn’t taken is given to charities around the island.
Besides the “pre-loved treasures”,” artisanal vendors sell handmade and organic products, like natural soaps, jewellery, artwork and kombucha.
Yoanna and Sarha see the Swapshop as an opportunity to get people away from the big shopping malls and the destructive, fast fashion they sell and a way to give back to the community that they’ve called home for the past four years.
If you’d like to attend, the next Phuket Swapshop will be held at Boat Lagoon on Saturday, June 18. You can also follow them on their Facebook Page: phuketswapshop.
Palmer Owyoung is an environmental activist working with the Kamala Green Club and the Global Sustainability Hub.


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FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Police released surveillance video of a robbery at a T-Mobile store in Southeast Fresno.
It happened last month.
Investigators say the suspect walked into the business on Tulare Avenue and First Street disguised as a woman, wearing a dark red dress and a black wig.
In the surveillance video, you can see him walk up to three employees and spray them in the face with pepper spray.
As they ran to the back of the store, the man grabbed about $8,000 worth of merchandise.
He also used pruning shears to cut through security wires attached to several Samsung and Apple phones.
Officers believe the man is in his 30's. He also has a tattoo above his right ankle.
If you have information about this case, you are urged to contact Valley Crime Stoppers. You could be eligible to receive a cash reward if you provide information anonymously that leads to an arrest. To leave a tip, call 888-498-7867, or fill out the form at ABC30.com/CrimeStoppers.
VIDEO: Man pepper sprays T-Mobile employees, steals $8,000 worth of merchandise
More TOP STORIES News


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Saga CEO Ed Christian said local revenue at Saga speaks volumes about the company, pointing out that 90% of the revenue from Saga’s largest market, Milwaukee, is coming from local. “I’m old school with new techniques. You must spend money on both programming and sales.” And that’s what Christian says he plans to continue to do along with spending money on marketing and promotion.
Christian also said he’s created a new format, along with Bob Lawrence, called “The Outlaw” which the company has already launched in four markets. You can give a listen to Christian’s creation at 937theoutlaw.com


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OUTGOING Digicel Fiji chief executive officer David Butler has been appointed the chief operations officer for Digicel Panama, handing over the reigns to former sales and distribution director Maurice McCarthy.
With over 12 years experience in the telecommunications management sector, Mr McCarthy was promoted to chief operations officer in March.
"I am extremely honoured and delighted with my new appointment as CEO of Digicel Fiji. I look forward to working with the company's dedicated employees to bring innovative products, services and personalised experiences to our valued customers," he said in a statement.
The company said Mr McCarthy has been at the forefront of building the corporate business, refining retail structure and footprint, and implementing effective distribution channels.
Originally from Ireland, Mr McCarthy joined Digicel in April 2009. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North London and a Master of Science degree with honours from the University of Aberdeen.
His recent appointment comes into effect today.


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Thursday, June 21, 2007
New eatery is a family affair
By JESSICA DAVIS
The Salinas Californian
At Wing Stop, a chicken-wing restaurant newly opened in northeast Salinas, almost all of the franchise owner's family members are involved in the production and management of the dine-in/take-out eatery - including 12-year-old Kalanni Young.
Kalanni, daughter of Wing Stop co-owners and Salinas residents Willie and Claudia Young, started helping out by cleaning tables when the restaurant opened about six weeks ago. Then she took orders from guests for a brief period. Now, Kalanni is out in the field with her grandmother handing out flyers to area residents.
"Luckily, all our siblings live in town and we can rely on them for support," said General Manager Yolanda Pena, Claudia Young's sister. Pena said at least one family member is in Wing Stop at all times.
Wing Stop is in the Creek Bridge Shopping Center on Constitution Boulevard at Manchester Drive. The restaurant's grand opening will be held sometime in the next two weeks, Willie Young said.
The family had a dream of opening a chicken-wing-style restaurant, Pena said, and decided to buy a franchise from Wing Stop Restaurants Inc., based in Richardson, Texas.
"We decided it would be better than a mom-and-pop-type restaurant," Pena said.
"If a Wing Stop came into town, it could have blown us out of the water."
The Salinas Wing Stop has had a successful opening, pulling in more than the average Wing Stop restaurant in its opening weeks, Pena said.
"I knew some people would like it, but I didn't expect it to be as popular as it is," Willie Young said.
Young said there is a niche for wing-style restaurants. He is considering opening another store in Gilroy or Monterey.
"It's different. It's not the normal," Young said. "There isn't anyone in Salinas that doesn't like chicken."
The restaurant features nine different hot-wing flavors, including the two most popular - lemon pepper and garlic parmesan.
All food is cooked fresh when ordered, Pena said.
Customers can call in orders. Catering is available.
According to the Wing Stop Web site, 109 stores are to open in California by 2009.


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Rolls-Royce is experiencing overwhelming sales success with its first sports utility vehicle, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. In fact, the ultra-luxurious SUV is surpassing the carmaker’s sales expectations. At this point, some people are already expecting the brand to release a smaller version of the Cullinan. But to their dismay, Rolls-Royce has already shut down the possibility of creating a smaller SUV that would complement the Cullinan.
Rolls-Royce chief executive Torsten Muller-Otvos told AutoCar in an interview that the carmaker has already completed its model lineup when it launched the new Cullinan SUV. The ultra-luxurious utility is the fifth and latest model of the carmaker, joining the Phantom, Ghost, Wraith and Dawn in Rolls-Royce lineup. The remarkable success of the Cullinan is bringing smiles to the top management at Rolls-Royce. According to Muller-Otvos said early sales of the Cullinan have exceeded expectations, calling customer reaction to the luxury SUV as brilliant.
Nonetheless, the British carmaker isn't keen to add a new model, especially a smaller SUV, into its current lineup. Muller-Otvos remarked that Rolls-Royce is already pleased with its lineup, noting that there is no demand for a new SUV model among the brand’s ‘ultra-luxury’ buyers. He said that Rolls-Royce strategy is to maintain its high-end price position -- not moving the brand into lower-price segments just for the sake of getting higher sales.
However, Rolls-Royce’s top honcho noted that while there are no current plans to expand the brand’s lineup, it intends to go with the flow.
For now, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is enjoying success in the ultra-luxury SUV stegment. But should Aston Martin’s newly resurrected Lagonda brand makes true of its promise to offer a new ultra-luxury SUV in 2021 as part of it relaunch, the Cullinan would have a new rival. In fact, Aston Martin has already previewed the SUV in a concept sketch. But as for Muller-Otvos, he isn't fazed, noting that the new Lagonda SUV is a sketch so far, while the Cullinan is real.
Considered as the Rolls-Royce of SUVs, the Cullinan is create to appeal to rich customers are looking for a potent, very luxurious, and practical SUV. It is targeted towards a younger generation of successful people positioned in the middle of the so-called experience economy. While the Cullinan is called as an SUV, Rolls-Royce actually describes it as an all-terrain high-bodied car.
Powering the Cullinan is a 6.75-liter biturbo V12 engine that delivers 563 hp (420 kW) of max output and 627 lb.-ft. (850 Nm) of peak torque at 1,600 rpm. With power distributed to all four wheels through the all-wheel drive system and all-wheel steering system, the Cullinan boasts of an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).


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SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp is offering to purchase shares of Uber Technologies Inc at a valuation of $48 billion, a 30 percent discount to its most recent valuation of $68.5 billion, a person familiar with the matter said on Monday. The logo of SoftBank Group Corp is displayed at SoftBank World 2017 conference in Tokyo, Japan, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Issei KatoThe investment, which has been approved by the Uber board, would give the Japanese investor up to 17 percent of the ride services company. The offer comes as Uber is trying to improve corporate governance and cut the influence of former Chief Executive Travis Kalanick. A second person said the offer price was in line with what investors had been expecting. SoftBank is also expected to make a separate $1 billion investment in the company at the $68.5 billion valuation. SoftBank is making the tender offer on Monday, the sources said. Even at the discounted price, Uber is one of the world’s most valuable companies, and the offer is a chance for early investors to lock in substantial profits. Bloomberg reported the offer price earlier on Monday.
This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Your guide to the latest cricket World Cup stories, analysis, reports, opinions, live updates and scores on https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/series/icc-cricket-world-cup-2019.html. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or like our Facebook page for updates throughout the ongoing event in England and Wales.
Updated Date: Nov 28, 2017 01:12:25 IST


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By the year 2050, the world population is projected to reach a staggering 9.7 billion people. To keep up with this growth, food production will need to increase by upwards of 70 percent. As developing markets usher in the integration of a new middle class, the demand for meat will rise dramatically.
To keep up with this growth, food production will need to increase by upwards of 70 percent.
Large land mammals like cattle require immense amounts of water and tracts of land to graze and grow feed, and fishing for wild-caught seafood is currently driving the depletion of wild fish populations. On the other hand, sustainably farming fish at scale might be the key to satiating the food systems of our future through harnessing controlled environments that are both tenable and eco-friendly.
Right now, swimming beneath the brackish waters of Indonesian fish and shrimping pools, there might be an answer.
Gibran Huzaifah, co-founder and CEO of the Indonesian-based smart feeding company eFishery, understands just how integral the aquaculture industry is poised to become in the years ahead. The truth is, it’s already revolutionizing the way we can feed the world — all while leaving behind a nominal footprint.
“We have to assure that aquaculture is growing with sustainable practices at heart,” said Huzaifah. “We have a better chance at this because the industry is still in its early stages, and technologies that are available can help change the trajectory.”
In an industry where 80 percent of fish farming cost comes from feeding, this technological breakthrough ultimately means increased productivity and more income for farmers.
Together with Co-Founder Chrisna Aditya, the two have developed a startup that provides an internet of things (IoT) solution that utilizes smart feeding technology to help millions of fish farmers monitor and schedule feeding times for their ponds. Using an IoT system, no human-to-human interaction is necessary; rather, farmers can access data platforms on their smartphone to solve problems of overfeeding. In an industry where 80 percent of fish farming cost comes from feeding, this technological breakthrough ultimately means increased productivity and more income for farmers.
“They can now double their profits,” said Huzaifah. “It’s reshaping the industry.”
When Huzaifah left his impoverished home in East Jakarta to study biological science, roughly 140 million Indonesians were already dependent on marine and coastal ecosystems for their livelihood, making the country one of the most fish-dependent regions on the planet. It was the fastest growing sector of food production in Indonesia, with 3.5 million fish farmers and more than 33 million farms nationwide.
After graduating in 2013, Huzaifah enrolled in an aquaculture class that altered the course of his life. Heeding the words of his professor, who boldly proclaimed fish and shrimp farming would become the future of animal protein, Huzaifah started his own fish farm from the ground up.
Aquaculture was the fastest growing sector of food production in Indonesia, with 3.5 million fish farmers and more than 33 million farms nationwide.
From just one pond, his business grew to 72 ponds by the time he graduated in 2012. A year later eFishery was formed, armed with a penchant to shatter the conventional trappings of an industry bogged down by supply inefficiency, lack of financing, market access, and waste management problems.
“Even with such rapid growth at the time, the industry was still very traditional,” explains Huzaifah. “It was also unsustainable. In some areas, feed was the biggest pollutant in the water. And there was no digital or automation technology involved.”
The eFishery solution provides smart feeding machines that farmers can manage through their smartphones. The machines feed the fish automatically through sensors that can detect appetite and behavioral changes before sending the corresponding data to a cloud server. Huzaifah explained that eFishery employs a multitude of gateways and different kinds of connectivity to send this data to the cloud, and utilizes a built-in algorithm in the platform that farmers can access remotely to analyze what’s going on with their farms.
The end result? Twenty-four percent more efficiency, equaling a potential savings of $21.88 billion across the industry every year.
As a secondary function, Huzaifah’s team also harnesses the data they collect to develop a series of predictive learning that can help connect prospective farmers with financial institutions via eFishery’s proprietary credit scoring system.
Data can be leveraged to bring transparency, traceability, and transaction to stakeholders, which then boosts efficiency in the value chain. The goal is to forge new connections with end-buyers that can further spur business and future development for farmers.
After surmounting the initial challenge of manufacturing hardware with complexities and development costs far greater than most consumer apps, Huzaifah set out to tackle his next biggest hurdle: introducing eFishery’s groundbreaking new method to a technologically bereft market.
“Bear in mind that our customers are traditional fish farmers who never even use smartphones,” said Huzaifah. “We had to introduce a mobile-based IoT device to them.”
The potential for growth onward into the international marketplace is boundless.
Initially the eFishery team had to supply most farmers with phones, but Huzaifah explains that with the recent proliferation of cheap smartphones in Indonesia, many farmers can now purchase their own. Electricity and mobile connectivity are available in the majority of areas that eFishery are targeting, and will likely soon be widespread throughout most of the country.
The next step is to plan for a quick but eco-friendly geographical expansion outside of Indonesia. The startup is currently operating pilots in Bangladesh, Thailand, and Vietnam, with hopes of bringing the technology to other countries in Asia and South America. Once those footholds have been secured, the potential for growth onward into the international marketplace is boundless.
“The data platform can be used to connect with a global network of buyers that can transact directly with the farmer,” said Huzaifah. “My dream is for aquaculture to grow and produce more food while creating positive impacts for both the farmers and nature alike.”


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The Windows 11 Microsoft Store opens up to all Win32 apps... oh, and ads, too
Among the plethora of announcements to come out of Build 2022, Microsoft had quite a bit of news relating to the Microsoft Store in Windows 11. With a sly dig at rivals, the company pointed out that developers are able to use their own in-app commerce engines and retain one hundred percent of revenue. But the announcements about what is new are far more noteworthy.
While developers and users alike will welcome full Microsoft Store support for Win32 apps, news about the arrival of Microsoft Store Ads is likely to prove more divisive. But this is not the end of the Store-related announcements.
- Microsoft announces Project Volterra to breathe life into Windows on Arm
- Microsoft announces that third-party widgets are coming to Windows 11 this year
- Microsoft announces that Windows 11 is now ready for (almost) everyone
While Win32 apps in the Microsoft Store is not entirely new, there were restrictions in place; these have been lifted. Microsoft says that the "Microsoft Store is open to all", adding, "we have removed the waitlist program for Win32 applications in the Microsoft Store, opening it up to all app developers".
When it comes to Microsoft Store Ads, the company has the following to say: "Based on feedback from the developer community, we're soon piloting new developer tools to help reach the right customers at the right time. Using Microsoft Advertising, developers will be able to create, run and view ad campaigns in the Store, improving discoverability and conversion for apps".
In a separate blog post about the Store, Microsoft says:
We are also excited to introduce Microsoft Store Ads, a new product designed to help developers grow their business by getting their apps or games in front of the right customers at the right time and to inspire Microsoft Store customers with great, engaging content. A developer of a music-making app, for example, will be able to create an ad campaign to get their app in front of an audience that likes music or likes to make music.
In the coming months, developers will be able to create ad campaigns in the Microsoft Store using Microsoft Advertising. Only developers with published content on the Store will be able to run ad campaigns, which ensures ads are contextual for customers.
We will soon kick off a pilot program to test and gather feedback; developers interested in participating can sign up on the waitlist. We look forward to sharing more details in the future.
Microsoft also used Build 2022 to announce the wider availability of the Amazon Appstore. The preview version of this Android app repository is currently available in the US, but by the end of the year it will also be available in France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK.


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High-Interest Rates: Will the Job Market or Spending Weaken First?
The ongoing economic conundrum of the chicken-and-egg scenario presents itself with particular poignancy: In the face of interest rates at their highest in 22 years, what will give way first – the job market or consumer spending?
The dynamics are intricate. Reduced consumer spending can exert a double squeeze on companies: as their profits dwindle, they have less to allocate to their workforce, leading to potential layoffs. Conversely, a reduction in staffing levels can trigger a domino effect, curtailing consumers’ purchasing power.
Thus far this year, the heartening news is that consumers have maintained their spending habits, and businesses have continued their hiring spree. But the question that arises is – why?
Economists are divided in their explanations. On one side of the coin, there’s the assertion that a robust job market has been propelling substantial consumer spending. Conversely, the opposing argument holds that strong consumer demand has been instrumental in facilitating businesses’ successful hiring endeavours.
It is crucial to acknowledge that consumer spending accounts for a substantial 70% of the United States’ economic output. Consequently, it serves as an invaluable barometer of the nation’s economic well-being and its trajectory.
The complexities of this situation make it difficult to determine whether spending or hiring will begin to falter. Various factors come into play, including the impact of pandemic-induced savings, with some higher-income individuals still holding significant savings, lingering pent-up demand for specific goods and services, and the variations in broader economic conditions from one business cycle to the next.
While the US job market has undeniably shifted gears from its rapid pace in 2021 and 2022, following its ascent from pandemic-induced lows, it remains sturdy.
For several months now, the US labour market has been transitioning to a slower pace, a trend further underscored by Friday’s jobs report.
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics’ data for October, the US economy added 150,000 jobs. While this figure fell short of expectations, it still marked a commendable month in terms of employment growth.
October’s job creation may have lagged behind September’s tally, which was stronger than initially anticipated, but it remains well above the minimum job gain required to keep pace with population growth, estimated to fall within the range of 70,000 to 100,000. Furthermore, unemployment continues to register at low levels, and job openings persist at historically elevated figures.
It is worth noting that as the labour market gradually cools, income may begin to decelerate. Consequently, consumer confidence in job security could wane, ultimately affecting consumer spending. This, in turn, may usher in layoffs due to the diminished demand.
The counter argument posits that there have been instances where spending took a hit before the job market. A prime example is the sequence of events that led to the Great Recession in 2008. The initial catalyst was the housing market’s collapse, which, in turn, significantly impacted consumer spending.
Shifting our focus to the EURUSD pair’s recent performance, it presents a captivating narrative. The euro has notably surged against the US dollar over the past few days, culminating in a noteworthy spike during Friday’s trading session. This surge underscores the intricate and interconnected nature of the global economy, where events and trends in one part of the world can reverberate globally.
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A new Samsung smartphone has popped up on the Geekbench benchmarks, the Samsung Galaxy A40, the handset was listed with the model number SM-A405FN.
The Samsung Galaxy A40 benchmarks have revealed that the handset will come with a Samsung Exynos 7885 mobile processor.
As well as the Exynos 7885 the device will also come with 4GB of RAM and the handset is listed with the latest version of Google’s mobile OS Android 9.0 Pie.
We recently heard some specifications on the new Samsung Galaxy A50, Samsung are expected to make these new Galaxy A smartphones official at MWC 2019 next month. Mobile World Congress takes place in Barcelona between the 25th and 28th of February and we will have more details about the handsets then.
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Vietnam’s e-commerce sales predicted to soar
Vietnam’s E-commerce and Information Technology Agency (VECITA) predicts the nation’s e-commerce market will grow to US$1.3 billion by 2015.
VECITA found out that of the US$700 million sales generated in 2012, only 11.8 per cent were made via non-cash payment. This factor is an important premise for the development of electronic payment service in Vietnam’s e-commerce market which is still dominated by cash-on-delivery.
Vietnam’s e-commerce sales are still small compared to its Asian peers like Indonesia, whose e-commerce sales stood at US$1 billion in 2012. And B2C e-commerce spending in China reached US$107.4 billion last year.


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You may think they're a harmless prop.
However, spooky cosmetic lenses sold at Halloween can trigger corneal infections.
Dr Parwez Hossain, Consultant Ophthalmologist at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, made the claim.
He made many people using the decorative lenses – worn by Little Mix's Perrie Edwards in the past – were 'largely unaware' of the hygiene risks.
These can result in blurred vision, yellow spots and painful, red or swollen eyes – especially for those who have previously undergone eye surgery.
In costume: Little Mix's Perrie Edwards is one of many celebrities who wear themed lenses
His comments come after a recent rise in severe corneal infections.
'We have just seen a great deal of people in a relationship with the elements in a corneal infection,' Dr Hossain said.
'That raises grave concern for us when it comes to an event when cosmetic lenses are popular.'
This, he says, is partly because they are not individually shaped to fit each eye.
He added that while many online retailers have their own caring for a car accident.
'It's just about any ill-effects,' he added.
Risk: The char-topper pictured without the decorative items, which can cause infections
As if that were not enough, Dr Hossain also said people should be mindful of other potential Halloween horrors.
He explained: "It may have been hard to believe, but there are many people who have had injuries in their eyes mild irritation from the contents of glow sticks.
'We have also seen the children and their eyes on a white background.
They do not make a trip to the eye casualty. '
EATING DARK CHOCOLATE IMPROVES YOUR EYESIGHT
Dark chocolate could improve one's eyesight, research suggests.
Indulging in a bar of 72 percent in a significant improvement in two of the main markers of vision, contrast sensitivity and visual acuity, according to a study published in April.
The findings from University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry at San Antonio mirror previous research including a report published that suggesting dark chocolate is markedly more beneficial than milk chocolate.
Improved vision could have been improved, improved brain function and enhanced mood.
In flavanol, an organic compound found in fruits and vegetables that reduces inflammation.
Inflammation is responsible for many of the degenerative changes associated with various chronic conditions including heart disease, Alzheimer's and cancer.
Previous studies have suggested that flavanol improves blood flow in the brain and cardiovascular system in the short term, but little research has been done in its effects on vision.


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Experian Appoints Nick Boyle as Managing Director for Southeast Asia and Emerging Markets
SINGAPORE, November 2016 — Experian, the leader in global information services, has announced the appointment of Nick Boyle as its Managing Director of Southeast Asia (SEA) and Emerging Markets. Under Boyle’s leadership, Experian will focus on its rapidly growing customer base in SEA, amid increasing demand for customer management and acquisition solutions through smart data driven by analytics.
Boyle has over 15 years of experience in software, data and analytics, 10 years of which have been across leadership roles at Experian, managing multiple arms of its Asia Pacific business including data quality and marketing services. His most recent role was General Manager for Sales in Asia Pacific.
Boyle said: “Businesses are now more than ever realizing the importance of adopting strong data management practices. As the global leader in information services, our clients benefit from powerful analytics-led capabilities to stay on top of the ever-changing needs of consumers, and in the process, deliver data-driven opportunities to the over six hundred million people in Southeast Asia.”
One key factor driving transformation among established firms is the unprecedented e-commerce growth in Southeast Asia driven by the widespread adoption of smartphones. This has resulted in more people owning a smartphone than having a bank account.
“This situation presents businesses, notably banking and telecommunications firms, with a unique opportunity to reach a new customer segment while enabling financial inclusion; providing financial services to the unbanked.” said Boyle.
"Experian connects financial institutions and telecommunication operators through technologies founded on data analytics and micro-analytics. This allows them to serve customers at a lower cost and therefore a larger segment of the population. The goal is for every smartphone user to have access to financial products and services.”
Read full article
Consumers surveyed in six APAC markets are most vulnerable to online fraud on social media sites, a new Experian report showsLearn more
APAC consumers continue to embrace online experiences as economies learn to co-exist with the pandemic, but businesses still need to improve their digital experience to retain consumer trust, Experian report…Learn more
Experian, the world’s leading global information services company, has launched a new PowerCurve® Strategy Management solution, a powerful decisioning solution delivered as software-as-a-service via cloud to help organisations make the…Learn more


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Digital TV News: Pierre Marty
Montage Technology licenses Allegro DVT video encoder IP for STB ICs
Oct 17, 2017 – Allegro DVT has announced that Montage Technology has licensed Allegro DVT's AL-E100 multi-format H.264/AVC and H.265/HEVC encoder IP for integration into its next-generation set-top box (STB) products.
News categories: Allegro DVT, Montage Technology, Pierre Marty, Gene Liu, Digital TV, Semiconductor, Set Top Box, Silicon IP, Worldwide
Anyka Micro selects Allegro DVT multi-format video encoder IP
Feb 21, 2017 – Allegro DVT has announced that Anyka Microelectronics has licensed Allegro DVT's multi-format H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC and JPEG encoder IP for its next-generation System-on-Chips (SoCs) targeting a wide range of end markets.
News categories: Allegro DVT, Anyka Microelectronics, Pierre Marty, Dr. Norman Hu, China, Semiconductor, Silicon IP, Worldwide
Allegro DVT releases multi-codec verification coverage tool
Oct 25, 2016 – Allegro DVT has unveiled a coverage tool that checks that every item of a video compression standard has been exercised by a test. It allows silicon vendors to confirm that their video decoder achieves the highest compliance.
News categories: Allegro DVT, Pierre Marty, Digital TV, QoE, Semiconductor, Silicon IP, Worldwide
Allegro DVT introduces lightweight video encoder IP
Oct 20, 2016 – Allegro DVT has announced the availability of a new lightweight version of its multi-format encoder HW IP targeted at consumer applications with requirements for high quality video compression.
News categories: Allegro DVT, Pierre Marty, Digital TV, Semiconductor, Silicon IP, Worldwide
Allegro DVT unveils ATSC 3.0 system compliance test suite
Sep 7, 2016 – Allegro DVT has announced an ATSC3.0 system test suite which will help silicon vendors and ATSC3.0 device manufacturers validate their implementations of products aimed at this new standard.
News categories: Allegro DVT, Pierre Marty, ATSC, Digital TV, IBC2019, Korea, QoE, Smart TV, Terrestrial, USA
MediaTek selects Allegro DVT AVS2 compliance streams
Sep 5, 2016 – Allegro DVT has announced that MediaTek has licensed Allegro DVT's AVS2 compliance streams. AVS2, China's next generation video codec, is developed by the AVS workgroup with a target to achieve more compression efficiency than the current AVS standard.
News categories: Allegro DVT, MediaTek, Pierre Marty, China, Digital TV, Semiconductor
Allegro DVT extends HEVC Test Suites with MV-HEVC and HEVC-SCC streams
Jun 6, 2016 – Allegro DVT has extended its HEVC test suites and unveiled new MV-HEVC and HEVC-SCC test streams which can now be used by manufacturers developing HEVC compliant decoders to validate the conformance of their implementation against the HEVC standard.
News categories: Allegro DVT, Pierre Marty, Digital TV, Media Player, Worldwide
Allegro DVT launches AVS2 compliance streams
Feb 23, 2016 – Allegro DVT has complemented its portfolio of video codec test suites with the release of new AVS2 compliance streams which allow validation of AVS2 decoders with the latest version of this emerging video coding standard.
News categories: Allegro DVT, Pierre Marty, China, Digital TV, QoE, Semiconductor
Allegro DVT launches HEVC Scalable Extension (SHVC) compliance streams
Jan 18, 2016 – Allegro DVT has announced the immediate availability of HEVC Scalability Extension (a.k.a. SHVC) test suites to help manufacturers developing SHVC compliant decoders validate the conformance of their implementation with the SHVC standard.
News categories: Allegro DVT, Pierre Marty, Digital TV, Media Player
- Fincons Group joins Deutsche TV-Plattform
- Samba TV taps Oracle Moat to measure viewability of CTV ads
- Amazon Prime Video app added to TiVo devices at Atlantic Broadband
- TekSavvy TV launches Cloud PVR and advanced features
- CJ Hello deploys ATEME transcoding solution
- US: Netflix grabs the most attention, but its reign will be challenged
- AWS compute and storage available at the edge of 5G networks
- FOX selects AWS as its cloud and machine learning provider
- TiVo launches Prime Video App to its U.S. pay-TV operator customers
- KPN integrates Amazon Prime Video into the TV menu
- Vodafone UK offers Apple TV 4K with unlimited broadband and mobile data
- A1 Bulgaria launches advanced TV with Zappware
- Tru Optik and Anzu.io to bring targeting to in-game advertising
- 14.5 million Australians now paying TV subscriptions
- EE hosts 5G-powered multi-location augmented reality gig
- Four-fifths of broadcasters considering personalised ads
- 3Q 2019 TV shipments grow 16.8% QoQ owing to peak season
- Worldwide spending on AR/VR expected to reach $18.8bn in 2020
- 13.7 million EU citizens streaming unauthorised IPTV
- WIND-Hellas launching Cloud Recordings with Zappware


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We saw a number of startup financings, acquisitions, and partnership deals in the healthcare IT, cleantech, life sciences, Web, and software spaces this week in New England.
—Black Duck Software, a Waltham, MA-based open source software firm, announced that it had purchased Ohloh.net from Geeknet (NASDAQ: GKNT) for an undisclosed sum. Black Duck said it will maintain Ohloh’s free open source directory and software developer Web community, and will integrate the directory into its own code search site, Koders.com.
—Cambridge, MA-based cleantech startup Sun Catalytix announced it had raised a $9.5 million Series B round, led by global conglomerate Tata Limited, owner of the largest auto company in India. Existing backer Polaris Venture Partners also participated in the second-round funding for Sun Catalytix, whose technology is built around MIT professor Daniel Nocera’s discovery of a process that uses water, electricity, and a low-cost catalyst to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen can then be used to power fuel cells, engines, and energy-storage systems, the company says.
—NitroSecurity, a Portsmouth, NH-based maker of cybersecurity and event-management software, wrapped up a $6 million Series B financing, led by existing backers Brookline Venture Partners, First Analysis, and NewSpring Ventures. NitroSecurity also said it acquired the security business unit of LogMatrix of Marlborough, MA, an IT and network management company.
—Waltham-based biotech ImmunoGen (NASDAQ:IMGN) said it inked a deal with Novartis, who will pay $45 million for the exclusive rights to use ImnunoGen’s technology to make antibody drugs for several cancer targets. The firm will also finance ImmunoGen’s development expenses plus some research and manufacturing costs. ImmunoGen could receive $200 million in milestones for each target picked by Novartis that leads to a cancer drug, in addition to royalties on sales of the drugs.
—FashionPlaytes, a Salem, MA-based Web startup, added another $4 million, to bring its Series A round up to $5.8 million. The financing was led by new investor Fairhaven Capital, and was joined by existing FashionPlaytes backers New Atlantic Ventures, LaunchCapital, and Golden Seeds. The website enables girls ages five to 12 to design custom clothing using a game-like interface.
—Waltham- and Menlo Park, CA-based Battery Ventures announced it had bought clinical laboratory data management software maker Data Innovations—its third acquisition of a healthcare-focused software firm in the past three years. Financial terms for the deal weren’t disclosed.
—InfraReDx, a Burlington, MA-based maker of coronary imaging systems, said it raised $21 million in Series D funding from new and existing investors. Its technology combines infrared light and intravascular ultrasound techniques to create detailed images of fatty plaque in the arteries. The newest cash will help kick off U.S. sales of InfraReDX’s newest generation system, which nabbed FDA approval this summer.
—Waltham-based Care.com, a provider of a website for rating family care services, announced it had pulled in $20 million in funding, led by New Enterprise Associates and joined by return investors Matrix Partners and Trinity Ventures.


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04 Oct 2012 US: How Kraft created a market with a squeeze bottle
The grocery business is brutal: Nine of every 10 new products never amount to anything, according to market research. So when a Kraft Foods employee pitched the idea of a concentrated liquid version of powdered drink mixes, the bosses would have been justified in taking a pass.
Instead, they drafted a duo of product developers to create a pocket-portable dispenser to better its chances. In March 2011, their hip little squeeze bottle made its debut as Mio, which roughly translates to “mine” in Italian. The launch was Kraft’s biggest in more than a decade. Within a year, sales hit $100 million.
Mio also helped establish a new product category, an adjunct to Kraft’s Kool-Aid and Crystal Light, which dominate the $1 billion-a-year powdered beverage business.
The notion for Mio came out of Kraft’s 2010 Innovation Days, an annual science fair-type expo where employees bring their product ideas to management. From there it went to Shelley Markoulis and Gary Albaum of the beverage research, development and quality team to produce package prototypes for consumer testing.
Markoulis, 51, is a senior group leader who has worked at the Northfield-based company for 22 years. Albaum, 41, is a senior associate principal engineer; he’s on his second tour of duty at Kraft after a four-year stretch at Clairol, now owned by Procter & Gamble. Their aim was to fashion a container that would be easy to carry, open, dispense its flavoured content and reclose. They also wanted the device to be intuitive.
“People said, ‘I don’t want to have to learn how to use this,’ ” Albaum says. “They just wanted it to work.”
To stand out on store shelves, Mio’s bottle also had to reinforce the idea of a liquid concentrate in a cool way. “We were really challenged to make it look like a drink,” Markoulis says. Above all, the bottles had to be spillproof to prevent messy leaks in a pocket or purse. “People said, ‘There’s no way I will carry this if it’s not secure,’ ” she says.
With help from an outside design team, some 18 R&D colleagues built and tested an array of shapes. They finally decided on a water-drop-shaped, flip-top bottle that could survive bumps and falls during shipping and three pounds of pressure without leaking.
Reaching $100 million in first-year sales is an achievement, even for a packaged-foods giant like Kraft. Just one in 200 new products soared that high over the past decade, according to SymphonyIRI Group, a market researcher in Chicago.
Packaging “can make a huge difference” in a consumer product’s fate, says John Sicher, editor and publisher of beverage trade newsletter Beverage Digest, “One need only recall the multidecade impact of Coke’s contour bottle.”
Years from now that may be true of Mio’s shapely bottle, too.


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Comtuter and Internet News Channel
Russia with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU – Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan) intends to launch its own cryptocurrency on the territory of the Economic Union by 2020. The final name of the currency is not selected, the working version is the version of “cryptoadmin”. Write about this “Izvestia”, citing a source close to the Bank, two bankers familiar with the situation, and the President of the Russian Federation of the blockchain and cryptocurrency Yuri Pripachkin.
Pripachkin said that the total amount of the cryptocurrency in the EEU may appear even before a single monetary unit.
Analyst at Forex Club Ivan Marchena noticed that the first steps to create a common cryptocurrencies in the EEU has already been done. So, Belarus was the first among the countries legalized digital currency, and Russia is actively working in this direction.
Head of rating service of the National rating Agency Tatiana Kovaleva is the first in the Eurasian space.
“Its introduction will allow to simplify and accelerate the calculations and reduce the majority of transaction costs.” Cryptocurrency issued in the framework of the EAEU and used only in non-cash payments, will reduce the risks associated with national currencies, to reduce the risk of fraud and increase the transparency of transactions, “said Kovalev.
The establishment of a national cryptocurrency is being discussed in different countries. The first such currency was El Petro in Venezuela, which is tied to the cost of a barrel of local oil and serves as a tool to bypass sanctions. The intention to create a cryptocurrency in the United States, Japan (J-Coin), the United Arab Emirates (emCash), India (Laksmi), the UK (national currency pegged to the pound sterling), China, and other countries.


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LOS ANGELES - MySpace.com will soon enable members of the popular online social networking hub to sell downloads of their original music directly through MySpace Web pages, company executives said.
The initiative, which is still in a test phase, has the potential to turn millions of computer users, many of them independent or aspiring artists already using the site to build a fan following, into online music retailers.
Los Angeles-based MySpace was expected to formally announce the venture and its partnership with San Francisco-based Snocap Inc., which developed the technology, on Tuesday.
Chris DeWolfe, MySpace's chief executive, said the online music venture is a logical progression for the Internet portal, given changing trends in the music industry that have made it more affordable for bands to make quality recordings and make them available online.
I admit MySpace's popularity mystifies me somewhat as they're all pretty much the shittiest websites on the internets, except maybe for this one. But they did enough right that wasn't offered elsewhere and managed to succeed.


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Beijing on July 14th news, according to foreign media reports, Google confirmed on Friday, has begun testing AdSense mobile phone advertising services in 13 countries around the world, to provide users with more useful information, and bring new opportunities for advertisers.
Google spokesman said that the mobile AdSense advertising service is in the testing phase, the future will be based on feedback from users, publishers and advertisers to improve. Google AdWords said the information service center, AdSense mobile phone advertising test has been opened in 13 countries, namely the United States, Britain, Germany, France, China, Italy, Japan, Holland, Spain, Ireland, India, Russia and australia. Google said that advertisers can be targeted for different countries to release mobile advertising, and the cost of PC users for the standard network advertising roughly the same.
Google mobile AdSense advertising contains two lines of text, each line of 12 or 18 characters (depending on the country’s general text type). Advertisers put the phone AdSense ad, you can set up the phone call directly to the user’s function. Advertisers pay only when users click on a link or call. Analysts said that Google mobile AdSense advertising will be very attractive for each class of mobile phone service website, while forcing YAHOO, Microsoft also developed their own mobile advertising program.
industry believes that if the mobile phone advertising model succeed, the growth of users, mobile phone service prices show a downward trend. Google CEO Eric · (Eric Schmidt) had previously said that mobile advertising can bring subsidies for the operation of the service.


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Techtec Co., Ltd., the operator of PoL, an online blockchain learning service and blockchain for education, has released a curriculum for learning about Ripple and XRP under the supervision of Ripple, the long-time market leader in the crypto and blockchain space.
Ripple is here
Techtec is here
Ripple is a leading company in the crypto space founded in San Francisco in 2012. RippleNet, a blockchain-based international money transfer network, is designed to dramatically improve the customer experience for international money transfers to financial institutions around the world.
Utilizing the XRP as a bridge currency for international money transfers, not only does it enable real-time payments, but it also achieves significant cost savings.
Background of curriculum publishing
PoL by Techtec, allows users to learn about crypto projects around the world as usecase of how blockchain is being used in various industries.
In our recent blog about content partner expansion, we announced our plan to prioritize curriculum creation, starting with projects that have already been whitelisted crypto-assets.
In line with this, under Ripple’s supervision, we have created a curriculum to teach you about Ripple and XRP, the next generation of global payment systems.
Ripple and XRP curricula are released
We published Ripple and XRP curricula in PoL for this collaboration.
You can learn about Ripple as a global payment system using the blockchain, XRP to provide on-demand liquidity, the challenges in the international money transfer market and the payment systems of the future.
Blockchain projects listed on PoL
Techtec has established partnerships with famous blockchain projects around the world. And we have been a leader in the Japanese crypto and blockchain space.
- since 2018 with Primas – China
- since 2019 with MakerDAO – Denmark
- since 2019 with Kyber Network – Singapore
- since 2020 with SKALE – United States
- since 2020 with Brave – United States
- since 2020 with Bitcoin.com – Saint Christopher and Nevis
- since 2020 with Aave – United Kingdom
We will continue to work with our content partners to develop an ecosystem to learn about the blockchain project.
About Techtec Co., Ltd.
Techtec team is operating the most used blockchain online learning service in Japan called PoL. We also provide PR and translation support for projects around the world to expand into Japanese industry.
Techtec corporate page is here
I believe you are interested in the Japanese market
Techtec team has a reliable presence and track record in the blockchain space in Japan. We have partnered with projects such as MakerDAO, Kyber Network, Brave, SKALE and Aave.
If you are interested in the Japanese blockchain space, please feel free to contact me.
Let’s have a call at least once. Our CEO Tomo, will be there to help. He’s always available via email, Twitter and Linkedin. Email: info[at]techtec.co.jp
PoL is the most used crypto and blockchain learning service in Japan. Users can learn about crypto, blockchain and blockchain projects around the world online. Many of the projects that are well known in Japan have gained prominence after being published in PoL.
You can get more information about PoL here.


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As businesses across the globe grapple with the changing realities presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. and international antitrust enforcers have warned that business should continue to mind the antitrust laws. Global enforcers are also focusing on the role competition laws play as industries – both essential and hard-hit – grapple with the new environment.
On March 9, 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced its intention to continue to hold businesses accountable for per se criminal violations of antitrust laws during the Coronavirus outbreak. On the supply chain and consumer-facing side, for example, DOJ vowed to prosecute “[i]ndividuals or companies that fix prices or rig bids for personal health protection equipment such as sterile gloves and face masks.” DOJ also warned that “competitors who agree to allocate among themselves consumers of public health products could also be prosecuted.” In a departure from typical practice, DOJ’s announcement also included a call to action — inviting potential whistleblowers and would-be informants to come forward with information concerning price-fixing, bid-rigging, or market allocation schemes during the Coronavirus outbreak. DOJ’s public warning is the latest directive in furtherance of its recent formation of the Procurement Collusion Strike Force—an interagency partnership of the Antitrust Division, federal attorneys general, the FBI, OIG, Department of Defense, and the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General – focused on deterring, investigating, and detecting bid rigging and other schemes in the context of government procurement.
Whereas DOJ’s recent pronouncements reflect a focus on investigating traditional violations of Section 1 of the Sherman Act, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) took swift action in furtherance of its consumer protection mission. In February 2020, the FTC issued guidance to consumers for detecting and avoiding Coronavirus-related scams. On March 9, 2020, the FTC announced that, in a joint effort with the FDA, it had issued warning letters to seven sellers of sham products that falsely claimed they could treat or prevent Coronavirus. In addition to outlining the various violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), 21 U.S.C. § 355(a), the letters warned that such false claims were unlawful under the FTC Act absent appropriate substantiation and scientific testing. Offending products included lozenges that supposedly “killed” the Coronavirus, frankincense that “decreased” risk of infection, and essential oils that “protected” against Coronavirus. In addition to sending the specific warning letters, the FTC more broadly warned businesses that any claims relating to Coronavirus will be subject to “exacting scrutiny” and the FTC will take a close look at myriad methods that companies can suggest or imply claims to consumers, including through URLs, hashtags, and suggestively named products.
Outside of the U.S., various international governments and authorities have temporarily relaxed certain competition law provisions to facilitate the provision of essential services. By way of example, large grocery chains in the United Kingdom will be allowed to exchange data on stock levels, share warehouse space and delivery vans, and team up to serve consumers in this time of crisis, after the UK government temporarily relaxed elements of UK competition law. The European Commission has also relaxed state aid rules to allow for exceptional support from member state governments to relevant sectors and businesses impacted by the virus or otherwise providing essential services to combat its spread. Despite the exceptional circumstances, international competition authorities have made clear, however, that the current situation does not provide immunity to businesses from competition/antitrust law infringements, including unlawful collusion, information exchange and/or excessive pricing, even if the relevant government encourages competitors to cooperate for COVID-related purposes.
The recent announcements and activity from the DOJ, FTC, and other global competition enforcers serve as a reminder to businesses that antitrust regulators will apply increased scrutiny to conduct during times of crisis. Companies, particularly those in the health care space, should keep antitrust policies current and closely monitor bidding, pricing, and any issues bearing on market allocation. These concerns are particularly heightened where competitors may be engaging in joint ventures, information sharing arrangements, collective government petitioning, or other collective action designed at responding to the Coronavirus crisis. In addition, consumer-facing companies must continue to ensure that products marketed, particularly those on social media, are not interpreted as implying false or misleading claims to customers.


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Restaurants Canada is very pleased with the impact our Raise the Bar 2017 campaign had from coast to coast to coast. On Nov. 7, we released a liquor review report card to each province simultaneously. This campaign assigns a grade to each province based on four criteria: pricing and selection; licensing and regulation; customer sales; and political and regulatory activity.
Our #RaisetheBar hashtag produced a vibrant dialogue on Twitter and dozens of media outlets and organizations ran articles in response to the provincial report cards. It even sparked debate in at least one provincial legislature.
Restaurants Canada looks forward to keeping the Raise the Bar campaign and dialogue going by continuing the conversation throughout the national foodservice industry. We will closely monitor which changes take place in each province so that liquor standards and practices will improve business throughout the industry.


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No-one wants to spend more on their energy bills than they need to, yet unfortunately, a huge number of households could be sleepwalking into higher bills when their tariffs come to an end this month. Don't be one of them!
Data from energyhelpline.com shows that no less than 20 dual fuel tariffs are scheduled to end on 31 August, and unless those customers take action beforehand, they'll be automatically moved onto their supplier's more expensive standard rates. The figures show that this could add as much as £407 extra to the cost of an annual bill, depending on the supplier, which could have a huge impact on household finances.
Some of the biggest jumps will be experienced by customers of the biggest energy suppliers. For example, those on npower's MSM Collective Fix August 2017 tariff, who currently pay an average of £779 per year, could see their bills jump by 52% to £1,187 if they settled for the supplier's standard rate, an increase of £407.
Similarly, those on the supplier's Fixed Energy Online August 2017 and Online Price Fix August 2017 could see their bills rise by an average of £380 and £401 respectively, equating to increases of 47% and 51%.
Other particularly notable increases could hit customers on first:utility's First Fixed August 2017 v6 ONLINE ONLY tariff, who could see their bills rise by 48% (or £371) to £1,149, while those on First Fixed August 2017 v4 and First Fixed August 2017 v2 could see increases of 40% (£325) and 39% (£323) respectively.
As is often the case, those who opt for smaller suppliers could enjoy some of the smallest price increases should they settle for a standard tariff, with customers on Affect Energy's Fixed Saver August 2017 tariff seeing an average price rise of £100, or 13%, to just £884. Still, it makes a lot of sense to compare energy prices across the market to see what else is out there, as you can invariably secure cheaper prices by fixing.
"Hundreds of thousands of energy customers will see their cheap fixed rate energy deal end in August, spelling price rises of up to £407 a year," said Mark Todd, founder of energyhelpline. "If you're impacted, switch to a new cheap deal to keep savings going.
"Switching is now quicker and easier than ever before. If you do nothing, you'll be moved onto an expensive standard rate and hit by a big price rise."
Information is correct as of the date of publication (shown at the top of this article). Any products featured may be withdrawn by their provider or changed at any time.


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SawStop LLC filed complaints at the U.S. International Trade Commission and the U.S. District Court in Oregon against Robert Bosch GmbH of Germany and its subsidiary Robert Bosch Tool Corporation to stop infringement of SawStop’s patented inventions.
Bosch recently introduced the Reaxx portable job-site table saw, featuring the company’s proprietary flesh-detecting Active Response Technology. SawStop says the saw incorporates numerous inventions it developed and patented. As part of the lawsuit, SawStop is asking the government to exclude Bosch’s infringing table saws from entry into the United States and to order Bosch to stop advertising and selling infringing products in the United States.
“SawStop has invested millions of dollars developing inventions to protect woodworkers from serious injury and those inventions have been awarded patents,” SawStop president Stephen Gass said in a statement. “Patents are the cornerstone of American innovation, protecting the work of inventors from unauthorized use. A foreign corporation like Bosch, who takes advantage of the American patent system by filing multiple patent applications every day, should respect the patents awarded to others instead of relying on its size and financial resources to disregard those patents.”
“We are proud of the difference our table saws have made in the lives of woodworkers. SawStop saws have already saved thousands of woodworkers from serious injury. And although Bosch is one of the world’s largest companies with billions of dollars in annual revenue, we will vigorously defend our patent rights.”
Bosch could not be reached for comment.


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Phoenix, AZ—Continuing its recent growth boom, Sprouts Farmers Market opened three new stores in three different states on June 5: The location inMarlton, NJ,is the first Sprouts in the state, and new opening inMesa, AZandSan Jose, CA aim to meet “the growing local demand” for fresh, natural, organic food.
By the end of this year, Sprouts will operate in 22 states, including the new markets of New Jersey, Virginia and Louisiana, the company announced in a press release. To support the growth in 2019, which comes after Sprouts created 3,500 new jobs in 2018 and promoted 28% of store team members, local Sprouts stores will be hosting walk-in interviews during a National Hiring Day event on Tuesday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The interview day will be held across more than 300 stores from coast to coast. (Sprouts stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Yuma, Ariz. are not participating.)
“As our stores and workforce grow from coast to coast, our team members are instrumental in helping increase awareness of Sprouts and our unique products that make it easy for everyday shoppers to live a healthy lifestyle,” said Timmi Zalatoris, VP of human resources, in the release. “With job opportunities in a variety of departments across the store, Sprouts is a great place to learn and grow a career.”
Applications can be completed online atsprouts.com/careers.
More good news from Sprouts: All edible unsold groceries from the three newly opened stores will be donated through Sprouts’Food Rescue program: to Food Bank of South Jersey, United Food Bank, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, respectively. Food no longer fit for human use is donated to local cattle ranches and dairy farms as cattle feed, or as compost. In 2018, the grocer donated 27 million pounds of product.
Expo West 2023: 25 Trends to Watch
May 31, 2023


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What’s Your Reaction To The New Facebook ‘Reactions’? [POLL]
Notice something new in your Facebook feed today?
There's still no "dislike" button, but Facebook has now given users a way to express their opinions beyond just a simple "like."
Today (Feb. 24) Facebook has launched it's new "Reactions" to users worldwide. Now, in addition to "like," Facebook users can also choose from "love," haha", "wow", "sad" and "angry" (those actually sound like some of Snow White's rejected Dwarfs, but I digress).
In a post on Facebook's Newsroom page, Facebook Product Manager Sammi Krug said the new reactions came as a result of user requests. "We’ve been listening to people and know that there should be more ways to easily and quickly express how something you see in News Feed makes you feel'" King said. "That’s why today we are launching Reactions, an extension of the Like button, to give you more ways to share your reaction to a post in a quick and easy way."
So, now we have more ways of letting people know what we think without actually writing anything. What do you think of the new Facebook reactions?


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PepsiCo India Feels the Chill from Note Ban
Demonetisation had a significant impact on the cola co’s business in India, expect to overcome the woes by March, says global CEO Indra Nooyi
New Delhi: PepsiCo India may emerge from the setback caused by demonetisation only by the April-June quarter, global chief executive officer Indra Nooyi said, the seventh leader among consumer companies to voice concerns over the note ban’s significant impact on sales.
“Our hope is that by the time Q2 rolls by, we would be through the bulk of the demonetisation challenges,” Nooyi told investors on a call after the US beverage and snacks maker announced its fourth-quarter results on Wednesday. “The new currency and the digital currency will be back in circulation and we’ll be back to retail activity coming back to normal. I’m not sure we are totally out of the woods.”
Nooyi said scrapping of the high-denomination rupee notes in November was a massive change because 80% of the currency was taken out of circulation and the implementation of the measure had its share of challenges.
“Demonetisation had a significant impact on our India busi- ness in Q4. It hit individual retailers significantly. And there’s still some lingering effects. India is a big country,” she said.
While New York-based PepsiCo did not specify India numbers, it said the Asia, Middle East and North Africa (AMENA) region was negatively affected by issues such as operating cost inflation and higher raw material costs. Net income fell 18% to $1.4 billion in the fourth quarter, while net revenue increased 5% to $19.5 billion from a year earlier. On the outlook for the first quarter of 2017, Nooyi said: “At this stage of the quarter, we expect organic sales to decline at our AMENA division, driven by increased levels of volatility throughout the region.”
PepsiCo’s global beverage sales rose1% in the fourth quarter and sales of food and snacks went up 3%.
India’s carbonated drinks sa- les are estimated at over ₹ 14,000 crore. Volume growth has been in the low single digits for at least four quarters as consumers in urban markets increasingly prefer healthier drinks, while in the rural areas, they’ve been scaling down on discretionary spending.
Nooyi told analysts the company was making “significant progress in transforming its portfolio.” The maker of Pepsi and Mountain Dew fizzy drinks and Lay’s chips said last year it would reduce the sugar content in juices and carbonated drinks across markets including India by 2025. Nooyi said the company had a ‘pipeline of innovations’ such as Tropicana Essentials functional juices and Quaker foods, which she said were helping to fuel sales in developed markets such as the US.
Globally, the Pepsi cola trademark contributes 12% of net revenue, while 25% comes from everyday nutrition products such as bottled water and foods and Pepsico’s Hurdles drinks packed with grains, fruits and vegetables.
Food and beverage makers are facing pressure from consumers, health activists and governments to make their products healthier in order to rein in obesity and diseases such as diabetes. Measures to reduce sugar include replacing it with natural and artificial sweeteners and making smaller packs of beverages and snacks. In India, while PepsiCo is using plantbased sweetener stevia in 7UP, leading to a cut of 30% in sugar content, it is selling colas in smaller 150 ml cans. Demonetisation announced on November 8 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi led to slowing down of sales across consumer goods, with global heads of companies ranging from Coca-Cola to Unilever and Colgate-Palmolive stating that the currency curbs had significantly impacted their India numbers. Researcher Nielsen released data that showed the ₹ 2.5 lakh crore fast-moving consumer goods market could take a hit of about 1.5% of net sales, or ₹ 3,840 crore, in the quarter.
Nooyi is the seventh leader among consumer companies to voice concerns over the note ban’s significant impact on sales
Operating cost inflation
Consumers shift toward healthier drinks in urban markets Higher raw material costs
Discretionary spending scaled down in rural areas


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Building a better online world for women and girls
Having lived Web 1.0 and Web 2.0, what should we expect from Web 3.0?
Back-to-school: Ideas to keep kids safe online
Media releasesMore releases
Online industry given more time to resubmit draft codes
eSafety, NSW Police boost partnership to tackle online harms
Twitter, TikTok and Google forced to answer tough questions about online child abuse
Australians’ negative online experiences 2022


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Canada Moto Guide’s new head honcho, Mark Richardson, is an insensitive blowhard.
In a recent display of his showboating, he posted a Facebook selfie in front of his Harley Low Rider with Rice Lake as a backdrop, boasting about his late-February ride. Temperatures in Southern Ontario that day peaked at about 17 degrees Celsius, so it’s entirely understandable that he would dust off his Dyna and fire it up for a spin.
However, he unsympathetically posted this knowing that even if the sun is shining and the thermometer inches its way well into the double digits here in my home province of Quebec (it was 15 C the next day), you can’t ride your motorcycle in winter without risking a hefty fine of between $200 and $300.
This is because of the province’s winter tire law, which came into effect in 2008. It states that between December 15 and March 15, “all passenger vehicles registered in Quebec must be equipped with winter tires.” And this includes motorcycles.
If you’re unaware, a winter tire is officially identified by a pictogram that shows a snowflake outlined by a three-peaked mountain, and moulded into the tire’s sidewall. Winter tires not only have more aggressive tread patterns to deal with snow and ice, but they are also made from special rubber compounds that have better grip below 7 degrees C.
I’m in support of this winter tire law for cars – just not the way it applies to motorcycles. I remember noticing how traffic immediately flowed better during a snowfall that first winter the law came into effect. Cars actually accelerated away from intersections rather than sitting there spinning their tires uselessly. I’d noticed fewer cars overshooting stop signs and red lights. This improved traffic flow, at least within the city. It most certainly also helped reduce collisions and single-car crashes on snow-covered roads.
But (and I can’t really substantiate this claim), it did nothing for motorcycles other than take them off the road for three months, which is really a government rip-off because motorcyclists pay for 12 months of use when renewing their registration.
Now before you cry foul, Quebec isn’t the only place with a winter tire law, nor even one where that law extends to motorcycles. In fact, much of Europe has such laws in effect. In some countries, like Austria, Finland, Sweden, Norway and in northern Italy, winter tires are mandatory, and some of those countries threaten heavy fines if the law is disobeyed. Austria, for example, can fine a driver up to 5,000 Euros and seize their vehicle.
Other countries, like Germany, have a situational law in effect, meaning that winter tire use is mandatory only if the situation calls for them. A driver found to have caused an accident while driving in wintry conditions without winter tires, for example, will be fined accordingly, and the vehicle’s insurance will be void. It is therefore possible to operate a motorcycle any time of the year, as long as conditions allow it.
If more tire manufacturers made winter tires for motorcycles, Quebec riders would be able to take an occasional spin on their bikes in winter. Right now, there is a proper winter tire available in Canada, made by Anlas. The Anlas Winter Grip Plus has the aggressive tread pattern, the ice-gripping sipes, and the appropriate pictogram on the sidewall. The only problem is that it comes in very limited sizes — a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear — meant to fit large adventure bikes like the R1200GS. Although I’ve never tried these tires to see if they actually work on snow and ice, at the very least they probably work better than standard tires in cold temperatures, and they’d allow an occasional sanity-preserving motorcycle ride in winter without the risk of getting fined.
There is a section of the Quebec law that stipulates that studded tires are also acceptable for passenger vehicles, and it doesn’t specify that they must have the winter pictogram. Unfortunately, no one makes such a tire for bikes, at least not for the street (Trelleborg once offered a studded off-road tire, but no longer does), and such a tire would be impractical on pavement, probably even dangerous. You could probably get some automotive tire studs and stick them in knobby tires, but those studs are designed to be inserted into holes already made to accept them, in winter tires with rubber that remains relatively pliable when cold, preventing the studs from falling out.
Ideally, if Quebec’s winter tire law were amended to parallel Germany’s situational law, at least in regards to motorcycles, then I’d be able to ride on fair-weather days in February, just like the insensitive blowhard Mr. Boss.