text:
It’s not just big business that will be hit by this levy on labour, says CBI BOSS CAROLYN FAIRBAIRN:
The UK’s medium-sized businesses (MSBs) are often the unsung heroes of the British economy. Many are poised to become future leaders in their fields and we must support them to achieve their full potential, creating jobs across the country and exports around the world.
Firms like Love Home Swap, which started less than five years ago. It now has a global presence through revolutionising the property market, creating the world’s biggest home exchange club. Two Circles, set up in 2011, employs more than 60 people and works with the world’s biggest sports brands, providing clients with new ways to access customer insight. These are great examples of what can be achieved.
These fast-growing, scale-up businesses are integral to the UK’s economic success and we must work hard to help more companies join their ranks. We need to help today’s growing firms become Britain’s global brands of tomorrow.
Unhappy: CBI boss Caroyln Fairburn says there is growing concern over the cumulative impact of additional burdens on business
In parts, the Autumn Statement placed a welcome emphasis on nurturing our expanding business community and there were welcome announcements on infrastructure and advanced manufacturing support.
But among the companies I’ve spoken to since becoming director-general, there is growing concern over the cumulative impact of additional burdens on business. While recognising there were some tough choices to make in balancing the books, many businesses are reaching a tipping point. Taken together, the new apprenticeship levy, national living wage and growing cost of unreformed business rates will force firms to look at jobs and pay to meet these new obligations.
MSBs in particular can lack the resources of larger companies to juggle the effects of big policy changes. Now that we have some detail on the apprenticeship levy, it is clear that more growing businesses will be affected. Any company with a payroll of more than £3 million will pay the levy on labour costs above this level, hitting firms with around 100-150 employees.
Given the scale and scope of the levy, business views are vital to ensure the system delivers quality, not just quantity. Creating a business-led body to shape the system is welcome, but it must be a real voice for what firms – and their staff – need. Government will need to collaborate closely with businesses to ensure the money is spent on raising the quality of these vital routes into work and that firms truly feel that they are getting their investment back.
Tomorrow’s CBI MSB Summit will bring 300 leaders together to focus on how they can help increase growth and productivity at their businesses and help all parts of the UK to prosper.
We will be publishing a report that will highlight how these fast-growing mid-market firms have made the difference between recession and recovery in recent years. And in my first keynote speech, I will focus on how we can achieve even more in the future.
Introducing a Long Term Lending Trust would provide tax incentives for individuals to offer long-term loans to business. Similarly, the Government can help alleviate the skills shortage by raising the cap on Tier 2 visas.
As a country we are already successful in shouting about the impact of our small and large businesses. MSBs must not become the untold story.
Most watched Money videos
- The classic Moke is reborn as an electric vehicle
- Are BP and Shell worth investing in despite green concerns?
- Range Rover announces new fully electric version
- New £95k Range Rover unveiled - and will have an EV version
- Volkswagen launch stunning all-electric cars ID.5 and ID.5 GTX
- Kia creates an electrical storm with all new battery-powered EV6 GT
- MGB Roadster Limited Edition in detail
- Renault unveils retro drone based on classic 4 for 60th anniversary
- Government unveils new design for electric vehicle charging point
- 5% of public electric car chargers revealed to be unusable
- Portable electric vehicle charger that can be stored in the boot
- Renault show off AIR4 retro drone version of Renault 4 without wheels


text:
The public has a somewhat different opinion on which car deserves to be the ST Car of the Year.
In an online poll The Straits Times carried out, most readers thought the Mercedes-Benz C-class should win.
Out of 585 votes cast up to Wednesday noon, the C-class garnered 115. Toyota Corolla followed it with 88 votes.
The other cars trailed behind them by a quite a distance, clinching between 37 votes (Porsche Macan) and 57 votes (Mercedes-Benz S-class).
BMW's i3 - the ST Car of the Year 2014 - emerged fifth among the 10 shortlisted cars in the readers' poll. It had 53 votes.
The results were not too surprising, since the C-class was also a hot favourite with the panel of judges from Life! and Torque.
It was only when each car was scrutinised more closely that a more quantifiable set of results emerged.
The time-tested point-based system is also used, with variations, by judges in various other Car of the Year awards across the world.
In the ST awards, initial hot favourites do not always win the crown.
As ST Car of the Year panellist Lynn Tan says: "This is a sign that our voting framework is doing its job. A car may feel like a winner, but when you sit down and rationally score it based on the various criteria, it may not do as well against its peers.
"It may shine in one or two aspects... but it may be pulled down by lower scores in other aspects.
"I think this is how it should be. Otherwise, we are just voting with our hearts and not our heads."
How do car buyers decide which car to buy - with their head or heart? Or could budgetary considerations rule, perhaps?
Going by the distribution pattern of the car population here, it would seem that a car's performance in the showroom has little to do with its success with the Car of the Year jury.
Land Transport Authority statistics show that the top five most popular car makes, according to last year's population size, are Toyota (157,589 cars), Honda (87,747), Nissan (54,360), Hyundai (42,643) and Mercedes-Benz (38,554).
Out of these, only Honda has ever clinched the ST Car of the Year title - in 2004 and 2006, with the Odyssey and Civic respectively.
With the exception of MercedesBenz this year, none of the other four even came close.
But if we cast the net wider, to include the next five most popular brands, the link between winning a Car of the Year title and selling more cars is stronger.
The sixth to 10th bestsellers according to population are BMW (37,691), Mitsubishi (34,117), Kia (23,080), Mazda (21,542) and Volkswagen (19,466).
Among them, Volkswagen won thrice - in 2005 and 2009 and last year, with the Golf GTI, Scirocco and Golf respectively. And BMW won this year's title with the i3.
The top 10 makes accounted for more than 75 per cent of the entire car population of 623,688 last year. The remaining 25 per cent was shared among some 65 other brands.

domain: news


text:
As Apple prepares to celebrate 10 years of booming retail, some of company’s staffers who believe are not compensated for their hard work are forming a boycotting group to spread the word that Apple retail is not what we see in the promotional videos.
“We are launching today to get fellow employees, shoppers, and the world know that we work in one of the most demanding retail environments while suffering through unfair treatment and compensation among many other various issues… We deserve better. Our time has come,” reads a statement on behalf of the Apple Retail Workers Union., according to cultofmac.com.
They’re hoping to group together as many dissatisfied staffers as possible to have resounding on voice on Sunday, when Apple is to announce an “Apple Store 2.0” initiative.
You can count on the author of the CrApple Store blog to be part of that group.
We’d go as far as to speculate it could well be the same person who, now blog-less, won't rest until Apple is exposed for its allegedly unfair treatment of the retail staffers.
Just as well, you can count on Apple (Steve Jobs) to issue a defending statement saying that its retail organization boasts a well-established system of compensating everyone for their work. Whatever truth, what else could they say, right?
Either way, there will clearly be something to talk about this weekend as Apple is reportedly supplying stores with customized iPads and training materials for staffers to study in the hours leading up to the Apple Store 2.0 announcement.
The Apple Retail 10th anniversary event will be celebrated worldwide, say people who were privy to the company’s plans.
There is no word on where the ‘Apple Retail Workers Union’ will strike, but it will most likely be in the United States, where Apple has the most outlets.


text:
Hyrule Warriors was such a success that it may lead to Super Mario Warriors
Shigeru Miyamoto confirms that Pikmin 4 is in development
PGA Tour 15 pushed back to Spring; Need For Speed, Star Wars: Battlefront on track for 2015
Xbox Store Today: Riptide GP2
Activision details CoD: Advanced Warfare's Havoc Map Pack ahead of January 27 launch
Sega to institute layoffs, early retirement program as company continues to struggle
Life Is Strange launches tomorrow… so here’s the launch trailer
Ermac force punches his way into Mortal Kombat X
Daily Scoop: January 29, 2015 – Free games are the best games
Nintendo Download: Metroid Prime Trilogy, Gunman Clive 2, Shadow of the Ninja, more
We’ll see Super Smash Bros. 4 for the first time at E3 2013
Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has announced that development on Super Smash Bros. 4 for the 3DS and Wii U is going well. But he also said that Director Masahiro Sakurai needs a little more time before he’s comfortable showing the game to the public. But we won’t have to wait very long to get our first glimpse of the smashing.
Iwata confirmed that the first screenshots and details from Super Smash Bros. 4 will be available at this year’s E3 Expo. Without confirmation of a playable demo, it’s unlikely that Super Smash Bros. 4 will make its way into stores this year. But we’re one step closer at least.
It's Dangerous To Go Alone! Read This.
More From Warp Zoned
Super Smash Bros. 4 will be playable at more than 100 Best Buy stores next month
Super Smash Bros. 4 will be available for 3DS on October 3; Lady Palutena joins the fight
Namco Bandai developing Super Smash Bros. 4


text:
February 11, 2019 by Steve Blade
The organic chicken market is likely to witness a notable shift from traditional selling to chain stores and online selling channels. Manufacturers can leverage the strength of retail chain stores to establish brand visibility in a bid to enhance sales. Moreover, online stores are also expected to gain significant traction as manufactures can tap remote consumers and enhance their sales funnel. Fact.MR reveals that the sales of organic chicken via chain stores are likely to grow at a meteoric CAGR of 14.7% in terms of value during the period of forecast, 2018-2028. However, sales of organic chicken through direct sales are estimated to surpass other channels, says the report.
For More Information Raise Enquiry Here:
Sales of organic chicken are expected to remain concentrated in the developed countries of Europe closely followed by emerging economies of Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), physical fitness being a common and a key aspect observed in these regions. Strong fitness industry of Europe is likely to present potential opportunities with rising people participation in fitness clubs. For instance, according to IHRSA, in 2017 European health club market served around 56 million members with fitness clubs generating more than US$ 29 billion. This has translated into increasing demand for high protein natural food products such as organic chicken, in turn boosting its market’s growth in Europe.
Request Sample Here
Organic Chicken Market: Fresh from the Organic Producers
Against the backdrop of a steadily increasing consumption of organic chicken, participants and key stakeholders in the market are focused on enhancing their product portfolios by increasing their product lines. For instance, Tyson Foods Inc., is focusing on increasing its organic chicken product line by acquiring Tecumseh Poultry LLC – an organic chicken producer. With this acquisition, Tyson’s product line would extend by including organic chicken sausages and organic fresh chicken, which is expected to favor sales and growth prospects for Tyson in the burgeoning chicken market. Likewise, new players are entering the organic chicken market, given the rising demand for organic poultry. Players such as Pilgrim’s Inc., is in the process of tapping organic chicken space. Tepid growth of conventional chicken products since the past few years has provoked this move by the company as Pilgrim’s has witnessed a mushrooming demand for antibiotic free organic chicken.
Browse Full report with TOC
Thermoformed Variants Likely to Gain Significant Traction
Albeit a steady demand for vacuum skin packaging method, food and beverage manufacturers have come up with a novel packaging technique for their vacuum variants – the vacuum thermoformed packaging – for the food and beverage sector. Demand for vacuum thermoformed variants for organic chicken packaging is likely to reign in sales and are expected to witness resurgence throughout the period of assessment, says the report. Initially, organic chicken packaging was carried out using vacuum skin packaging, however, the packaging technique faced limitation apropos of size of the product. Vacuum thermoformed packaging offers more packaging space, with high durability, transparency and strength, preventing from contamination which resulted in high adoption of vacuum thermoformed packaging for organic chicken.
To Buy Organic Chicken Market Report Check-
Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.
11140 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852


text:
Even Stevens is expected to donate 100,000 sandwiches to local nonprofit organizations by the end of April.
The Annual PHX Vegan Food Festival will be held at Margaret T. Hance Park on Feb. 24, 2018.
This award-winning BBQ food truck turned restaurant is set to open in Roosevelt Row on March 2.
Hula’s new location is opening summer 2018, with new design features and the menu they are known for.
The new year is bringing four new businesses to the Flowers Building in the Roosevelt Row Arts District.
For December’s community handle, Genuine Concepts is partnering with the Arizona Humane Society.
The new micro marketplace is scheduled to open spring 2018 in the Evans Churchill neighborhood.
Genuwine, a self-serve wine bar, will be coming to Roosevelt in December.
Phoenix Art Museum kicks off the holiday season with special discounts, giveaways and ways to give back, from Black Friday through Giving Tuesday.


text:
INDIA'S TOP 100 BRANDS
It’s durable at the top, as the consumer durables category continues to dominate India's top 10 brands this year, as revealed in a detailed survey by consumer insights firm Nielsen, in partnership with Campaign.
While Samsung and LG remain at the top of the rankings, holding their number one and number three spots from last year, Sony and Philips have also enhanced their...
- Campaign Asia-Pacific online premium content* including in-depth monthly focus on key trends and industry issues
- Unlimited website access*, and an archive of more than 70,000 articles
- Regular value-added supplements including brand health checks, sector studies, ad critiques and research charts
- Daily newsletters and breaking story alerts straight to your inbox
- New weekly feature articles on the latest research, innovation and marketing trends
- Be the first to hear about industry events


text:
Huawei is no longer manufacturing Windows Phones, at least not for the time being.
This according to Richard Yu, the head of Huawei's consumer business group, as he revealed to the Wall Street Journal in an interview, revealed in a report published yesterday.
In the interview, Yu revealed Huawei has been losing money for quite some time trying to push Windows Phone devices.
"We have tried using the Windows Phone OS, but it has been difficult to persuade consumers to buy a Windows phone," Yu told the Wall Street Journal. "It wasn't profitable for us. We were losing money for two years on those phones. So for now we've decided to put any releases of new Windows phones on hold."
Huawei still makes smartphones running on Android, but he did not speak glowingly of the Google operating system either saying it's "the only option" for the company who he feels "have no choice" at this point.
Windows Phone is the third largest operating system in the world in terms of market share, with 7.4 million smartphones being sold in the second quarter of this year, good for a market share of 2.5 percent, according to IDC.
These numbers are down from last year's numbers when 8.2 million Windows Phone devices were sold, for a market share of 3.4 percent.
"Windows mobile is something that has been unsuccessful," said Stephen Monteros, vice president of business development and strategic initiatives at SIGMAnet, an Ontario, Calif.-based solution provider and Microsoft partner. "The phone platform is not something we spend a lot of time on and for me, [Huawei] views it the same way we do. We don't consider it a leader, and they'll make their bets on Android."
Monteros sees the software and user interface of Windows Phone being quiet popular, but it's the app ecosystem that holds the platform back. He says that with Microsoft losing a vendor of Windows Phone devices gives developers even more of a reason to push away from the platform.
"I think it's a big blow to Windows Phone, because now they will lose developers," he said. "With a much smaller market, you won't have a lot of developers working on this platform. The ecosystem drives adoption. Obviously this is definitely not good news for Microsoft. I wouldn’t be surprised to see other vendors drop out."
The last Windows Phone device released by Huawei was the Ascend W2 in November, 2013. That could be the last one we'll see.
Windows Phone 9, the newest version of Microsoft's mobile operating system, is expected to be released in just over a month on September 30.
Huawei confirmed Yu's statements in the Wall Street Journal report, but had no further comment on the matter.
A Microsoft spokesperson declined comment on the matter.
PUBLISHED AUG. 25, 2014


text:
Manchester United’s FIFA 17 player ratings ‘leaked’ on social mediaPublished August 17, 2016
For months fans of the award winning EA Sports franchise, have been teased by trailers and new features without being told how each player’s abilities will change in the new game.
But with the release of FIFA 17 drawing closer, Manchester United player ratings appear to have been leaked online, and it’s fair to say that this time looks rather tasty.
In past years, the weeks leading up to the game’s release have seen inaccurate player rating rumours, but if the tweet (below) of United’s new ratings is correct then the Red Devils will be a very tough team to beat in the new FIFA.
Whilst fans may disagree with some of the player ratings awarded, the fact that the Manchester club have recently signed a new three-year partnership deal with EA Sports last week, may perhaps give an indication as to why they are rated so highly.
Check out the ‘interesting’ player ratings below.


text:
Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos, world’s richest person with a net worth of $93.7 billion has recently sold $1.1 billion worth shares of the company’s stock, as reported by Security and Exchange Commission.
Microsoft’s co-founder Bill Gates has now become the world’s 2nd richest man with $4.1 billion lower than Jeff Bezos. Jeff sold one million of the Amazon’s shares, worth $1.1 billion a couple of days ago.
Bezos’s wealth spiked last week when Amazon stock jumped 13.5% after an increased earnings report. Thanks to the stock surge, his net worth climbed more than $10 billion to a total of more than $90 billion. For comparison, Bill Gates is currently worth around $88 billion.
It’s the second time this year that Bezos has sold one million shares of Amazon. The first time was in May. This recent sale was $150 million more profitable pre-tax than the first because Amazon’s share price was 12% higher this go round. After paying capital gains taxes, Bezos will pocket an estimated $840 million from this week’s sale.
Jeff also has ambitions to donate for philanthropic efforts as he recently tweeted for suggestions following the footsteps of Bill Gates who has always been active in giving charity funds.
At the beginning of this year, Bill Gates and about 18 other billionaires like Jeff Bezos had also teamed up and created a firm called Breakthrough Energy Ventures. With the investment of $1 billion, their aim is to create clean energy sources at a cheaper cost.


text:
Curd is a staple of the Indian diet and is loved by all (If you don’t like curd, we can’t be friends!). Lucky for me, a couple of years ago curd on steroids finally became available in the subcontinent. AKA, yogurt. With its gain in popularity, (come on, it’s like less cold ice cream) Indian brands are getting in on the action. In an effort to make every yogurt lover’s dreams come true, Heritage Foods Limited (HFL) said it is in the process of entering into a Joint Venture with a European dairy firm for manufacturing and marketing yogurt in India.
Heritage Foods is better known as the company promoted by the family members of Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. They manufacture and market a full line of dairy products including fresh milk, curd, butter milk, lassi, ice cream, paneer, butter, ghee, milk powder, flavored milk, milk sweets and UHT milk and dairy whitener (and now yogurt, yay!).
Brahmani Nara the Executive Director of Heritage Foods said the company aims to achieve a $1 billion revenue in the next five years. Last year Heritage raked in a whopping Rs 2380 crore revenue. She also stated that being the leading player in curd segment, the company is going to launch varied products in the Yogurt market, by tying up with its international partner. In addition to this, the company is going to launch new products very soon in the beverage segment. This will further strengthen the current large portfolio of value added products.
In what seems to be playing out like a James Bond film, Brahmani only mentioned that the negotiations with “a European firm” would be finalised by the end of the month.
HFL currently handles 14 lakh litres of milk per day. Heritage had already made inroads into western markets like Pune and Mumbai besides Northern market. The management is confident of achieving these numbers by both organic and inorganic growth.
As a part of their inorganic expansion, the company had recently acquired the dairy business of Reliance Retail making Heritage Foods a pan-India player. It seems like they’re well on their way to achieving their billion dollar dream!
Conçu’s Innovative Brews Redefine Coffee Culture: A Flavourful Journey for International Coffee Day
In celebration of International Coffee Day, we invite you to embark on a flavourful journey with Conçu, where every sip...
Shangri-La Bengaluru Celebrates Eight Years of Excellence
(Bengaluru, 21st September 2023) Shangri-La Bengaluru, the iconic 19-storey hotel situated in the heart of the city’s bustling central business...
Blend Bazaar returns with its spectacular 2nd edition: Bengaluru’s Ultimate Fusion Festival on October 7-8!
India’s only creator community-powered festival, curated by the Blend Community, combines culinary, fashion, art, and literature experiences with a stellar...
Discover the Taste Of Luxury At Pangeo – The Ultimate High-End Lounge and Bar in Brigade Road, Bengaluru!
Devoted to providing global experiences one can experience elegance and opulence at Pangeo Introduces India’s first exquisite Chivas XV Lounge...
Cafe Duco X Pack-A-Pav: Pav With Friends by Chef Urvika Kanoi
Get your taste buds pepped up because the iconic Cafe Duco is teaming up with Pack A Pav, the...


text:
Nintendo of America’s Twitter account has revealed that Yoshi’s Crafted World is coming to Nintendo Switch on March 29th, 2019.
Soon after the announcement, Nintendo’s YouTube channel posted a new trailer detailing the game’s story in which Kamek and Baby Bowser are out to steal a legendary gem-set stone capable of granting wishes to those who possess it.
Crafted World is being developed by Good-Feel, the same team behind both Yoshi’s Wooly World and its 3DS counterpart. After originally being revealed at E3 2017 as “Yoshi” with a 2018 release window, the game suffered a number of delays.
Though the gameplay we’ve seen in previews seems similar to past entries in the franchise, Crafted World sets itself apart by allowing players to “flip sides” to see the level from multiple angles and access new areas and collectables.
Nintendo Of America also confirmed the release date for another Good-Feel game, the 3DS port of the team’s 2010 platformer Kirby’s Epic Yarn. This news, along with a number of other high profile Nintendo announcements seems to, at least for now, put the rumours of a January Nintendo Direct to rest.
Yoshi’s Crafted World releases exclusively on Nintendo Switch March 29th, 2019.


text:
Around 26% of sales were in the ₹45-75 lakh price bracket, 10% in the ₹75 lakh to ₹1 crore segment, and 19% in over ₹1 crore ticket size
Nearly half of the total housing demand in the primary residential market across eight major cities is for two-bedroom apartments costing up to ₹45 lakh, according to a report.
While analysing the sales numbers of metros, digital real estate brokerage firm PropTiger.com found out that around 45% of sales in the January-March quarter were affordable housing segment – apartments priced below ₹45 lakh.
Around 26% of sales were in the ₹45-75 lakh price bracket, 10% in the ₹75 lakh to ₹1 crore segment, and 19% in over ₹1 crore ticket size.
As much as 44 per cent of the total demand was for units with 2BHK configurations.
"Affordable housing segment has been a top performer since the last few years. The government is providing tax incentives and interest subsidy to boost demand in this segment," said Mani Rangarajan, group COO, Housing.com, Makaan.com and PropTiger.com.
In the Real Insight report for January-March 2021 quarter, PropTiger also found that housing sales across eight major cities declined only by 5% year-on-year at 66,176 units.
Compared with the Q4 of 2020, Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru witnessed a fall in sales, while other five cities – Delhi-NCR, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad – have seen a growth in demand.
"After a huge setback during the April-June quarter of 2020, India's residential property market has been recovering month-on-month on pent up demand, festival sales and the rising importance of having homeownership," said Rangarajan.
However, the outbreak of the second wave of the covid-19 and lockdowns in many states may put a brake on the revival of the housing demand seen during the last few months.
On the supply side, PropTiger research showed that new supply rose by 49% year-on-year to 53,037 units across these eight cities between the Jan-Mar quarter. In line with demand trends, new supply continues to be concentrated in less than ₹45 lakh category, with 45% share from the overall pie.
The mid-segment ( ₹45–75 lakh price bracket) recorded a share of 27% of the total supply in the first quarter. More than ₹75 lakh price bracket accounted for 28% of the total supply.
According to the report, weighted average prices for newly launched projects in most of India's top cities remained muted in the past few quarters, with prices appreciating marginally in the range of 1–3% annually.
(Do you have personal finance queries? Send them to email@example.com and get them answered by industry experts)
Subscribe to Mint Newsletters
* Enter a valid email
* Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint.
our App Now!!


text:
The Westfield location is among 20 of the lingerie retailer's stores slated to close nationwide.
WESTFIELD, NJ — The lingerie retailer did not return requests for comment for this story, but it’s no longer a secret: Victoria’s Secret Westfield location is slated to close.
The principal of 235 Associates LLC, owner of the building at 233 East Broad St., declined to comment this week. However, municipal officials said the lingerie shop at that location is set to close for good by Jan. 31.
The closure comes amid reports the brand’s stock has taken a dive. In August the retailer’s parent company, L Brands, announced that 20 Victoria’s Secret locations would close nationwide, Business Insider reported.
Mayor Shelley Brindle cited news reports about the company’s distress during a recent council meeting at which the lingerie retailer’s closure was discussed.
“Their CEO just quit,” Brindle said. “They’re kind of in a bit of a spiraling tailspin. They just haven’t really evolved their brand to keep up with the relevance of the times.”
News of the lingerie store’s closure comes as the eyeglasses retailer Warby Parker opens its Westfield location for the first time Saturday, and not long after reports that the longtime children’s shoe store, Castle Bootery, is closing.
Email Staff Writer Matt Kadosh at email@example.com; Follow him on Twitter: @MattKadosh


text:
Sir Martin Sorrell's WPP has reported a 37% year-on-year increase in pre-tax profits of £334m in the first half, as the marketing services company trimmed its full-year growth forecast in the face of tougher economic conditions.
WPP, the world's largest marketing services company, reported a revenue increase of 6.1% year on year to £4.7bn in the six months to the end of June.
In the first quarter WPP's revenue growth stood at 6.7%. This dropped to 5.6% across the second quarter due to comparatives against a rosier economic outlook in 2010 and the impact of the World Cup.
The company, which recently said it was "defying the doomsters" by reporting 6.2% revenue growth for the first four months and 5.5% in June, said revenues slipped back in July to just 4.3% growth because of tougher comparatives.
Analysts at Deutsche Bank believe WPP's target of 6% revenue growth for the full year looks "increasingly stretched" and had been looking for the company to report July growth of between 5% and 6% to be able to plausibly deliver its full-year forecast.
WPP said on Wednesday it was slightly tempering its full-year revenue growth forecast to expect a "very similar" performance to the 5.9% the company has delivered across the first seven months of the year.
By geography, the US and UK – which both showed strong growth in the first four months of the year – showed solid growth across the first six months.
North America, which accounts for 35.6% of total revenues, grew revenues by 5.4% in the first half and "continued to show remarkably strong growth".
The UK, which accounts for 12% of WPP's global revenues, grew by 5.1%.
Sorrell reiterated that WPP is committed to moving its tax base back to the UK from Dublin.
"The government is yet to introduce legislation [but] they have a consultation paper out and if that process goes it will be 2012-13 that we come back," he said, speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "We are committed to coming back".
Western continental Europe, a region which has struggled, showed "considerable improvement" in the second quarter as revenue grew 2.9%.
Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Turkey all showed double-digit growth in the second quarter, but France, Greece, Portugal and Spain "remain tougher", the company said.
The "rest of the world" – Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East and central and eastern Europe, which account for more than 28% of total group revenues – grew by 10.5% in the first half.
Latin America was the strongest growth region in the second quarter with revenues over 12%.
WPP said it has not seen any cutback in spending by companies or consumers due to the worsening economic climate – yet.
"So in summary, so far so good in 2011, with forecasts in reasonable heart, but there are storm clouds and we still have to see how the latest stock market crisis affects consumer and client thinking and actions," said Sorrell, the chief executive of WPP.
"The 'LUV' or 'LuVVy' shaped recovery remains battered but intact, particularly with the world moving at different speeds both geographically and functionally, but there is need to exercise significant caution".
• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email email@example.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".


text:
New Delhi. Apple is going to add a message filter on iOS 16 for its users using two SIMs on the iPhone. The new feature will filter the messages received in two different categories on the basis of SIM. The tech giant is also reportedly trying to improve the edit feature for iMessage on iOS 16. Since the edit feature is not available on previous iOS variants, changes to the message were not visible to users running iOS 15 or earlier.
Currently, iPhone maker company Apple is working on adding a new filter to categorize the messages received by dual SIM users. This filter is part of the new iOS 16 operating system, which is currently in its second beta phase. As of beta 2 iOS16, Apple will now allow customers using iPhone dual SIM to filter their messages based on SIM. The new feature will be available for both iMessages and SMS service and will filter messages based on SIM.
Trying to fix edit feature
According to a report by 9To5Mac, Apple is also trying to fix the edit feature for text on iMessage for iOS 16. Currently the edit feature is not backward compatible and hence edited messages are not visible to users of iOS 15 or older.
Also read- New feature of whatsapp, now show profile photo and status to whomever you want
New way to show messages
Apple has reportedly figured out a way to show edit messages. These edit messages now appear with the label ‘Edit for’ on iPhones running earlier versions of iOS. Although it does not replace the previous message, it is better than not showing the edit message at all. Unfortunately, Apple still hasn’t figured out a way to successfully integrate the unsend messages feature on iOS 16 with older versions of iOS, the report said.
Apple will also introduce filter extension
During its WWDC 2022 keynote, Apple introduced the new iOS 16 operating system. Recently, Apple is reportedly also going to introduce filter extension for messages in 12 sub-categories within Transactions and Promotions on iOS 16.
Tags: Apple, Iphone, Smartphone
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 24, 2022, 12:44 IST


text:
Nintendo’s Switch 2 may not arrive until 2025
Nintendo’s “Switch 2” was widely expected to arrive sometime this year, but a new rumor is putting that timeline into question. Now, the company is telling publishers that the next-gen console is slated for release in the first quarter of 2025, according to VGC, Eurogamer and other sources. That would line up with the release of the original Switch, which was announced in October 2016 but came out in March 2017.
Publishers were reportedly briefed recently on the launch date change from late 2024 to early 2025. Several sources said they were working on Switch 2 games with releases planned for early 2025. One key title could be the long-delayed Metroid Prime 4, which is still on Nintendo’s release schedule but has no specific date attached.
Earlier this month, Nintendo slightly bumped its fiscal 2024 Switch sales forecast from 15 million to 15.5 million, compared to 18 million and 23 million in 2022 and 2021. Nintendo’s stock slid today based on the release delay rumors, according to Reuters.
Not much is known about the future device, including the name. Rumors suggest it will have backward compatibility with Switch, along with 4K capabilities and visual quality similar to that of the PS5 and Series X. In any case, this year is bound to be a busy one for the company — if the new console does launch in Q1 2025, it’ll likely be announced at a Nintendo Direct showcase later this year.


text:
A license to deal with digital currencies has been given to Société Générale by the French Financial Market Authority (AMF).
For the past few years, this banking behemoth has been considering blockchain technology.
A unique division of Forge Bank is responsible for conducting market research and developing new services. It will now start offering services for cryptocurrency storage and trading. The Metaco team, which is working to develop the infrastructure for digital asset transactions, is partnered with Société Générale.
The licensing system for cryptocurrency businesses is in France. When dealing with cryptocurrency, AMF registers them as middlemen (DASP).
Voyager, Bitpanda, Binance, and Etoro have already been added to the list of such businesses.
Recently, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told reporters that the French government is preparing to change the taxation of participants in the cryptocurrency market.
The policy in this area will be gradually relaxed to stimulate the development of businesses focused on the blockchain industry.


text:
Tran Duc Luong
a free service
France occupied all of Vietnam by 1884. Independence was declared after World War II, but the French continued to rule until 1954 when they were defeated by
communist forces under Ho Chi MINH, who took control of the north. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to
bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later North Vietnamese forces overran the
south. Economic reconstruction of the reunited country has proven difficult as aging Communist Party leaders have only grudgingly initiated reforms necessary
for a free market.
Update No: 09 - (29/08/02)
The newly-approved cabinet of Vietnam has pledged to build an increasingly efficient and competitive economy, foster a clean administration and promote human
development in its new term of office.
The cabinet was approved by the National Assembly with three deputy ministers and 26 ministers. Fifteen of the ministers are new to their posts, including
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan, Minister of Planning and Investment Do Hong Phuc, and Minister of Industry Hoang Trung Hai, Minister of Post and
Telecommunication Do Trung Ta.
Speaking at the National Assembly gathering to appoint the new cabinet in early August, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai frankly criticized his own record for
socio-economic development during the first 8 months of the year which was weak and not sustainable, and which was reflected in declining exports and foreign
investment as well as weak economIC competitiveness. Therefore, he said, a new period of in-depth development in economic transformation, management and
technology was needed to boost productivity and competition.
The first cabinet meeting in mid-August also set directions for key economic sectors. The export sector needed to focus its attention on processed products,
improved agricultural production, energy sector development and the implementation of infrastructure projects.
The cabinet was committed to further improving the business and production environment, facilitating capital market development, stock market expansion and
attracting foreign direct investment while gradually applying indirect investment forms.
In order not to be accused of going off the track, the new cabinet said it would format institutional systems of a socialist-oriented market economy quickly
and install a legal framework which would shape a fair business environment among economic sectors in terms of capital, land, technology and information
Ministers are busy mapping out strategies for their sectors, and those new to their posts are especially taking initiatives to make milestone innovations to
Stepping into the office of deputy prime minister, Vu Khoan said he would give top priority to the country's bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO)
and to economic integration in general.
Vietnam has finished its first round of negotiations for WTO membership and will begin the second series late this year.
Vietnam's exports in the first eight months of the year are reported to have decreased by 1.2% to $10.3 billion against the same period last year, while
import spending increased by 15% to $11.98 billion. This will bring the country's trade deficit to $1.67 billion in the January-August period.
The country's eight-month export decline is blamed on poor sales of crude oil and other key farm produce such as coffee, rice, and fruit and vegetables.
The country only sold about 11.03 million tons of crude oil worth $1.94 billion in the first eight months, down 5.1% in volume and 17.2% in value, the
statistics office revealed.
Rice shipments also recorded a decline to 2.27 million tons worth $487 million in the January-August period, down 24.5% in volume and 1% in value. The
respective figures for coffee were 481 tons worth $188 million, down 26.2% and 36.9%. Fruit and vegetable exports also fell by 39.9% to $149 million in the
The country earned $1.59 billion from exporting garments and textiles in the first eight months, up 16.2% on-year. Footwear exports meanwhile brought into
$1.25 billion, up 20.9%.
Firms across the country exported 255,000 tons of rubber worth $136 million in the first eight months, up 45.6% in volume and 36.4% in value against the same
period last year. Export of cashews were 36,700 tons and $121.3 million, up 41.2% and 24.3% respectively; 41,000 tons and $40.4 million for tea, up 58.5% and
50.7%; and 99,100 tons and $47.4 million for peanuts, up 64.7% and 63.5%.
Its export activities, however, look better in August when export turnover reached $1.5 billion, up $100 million against July, hitting the highest figure so
far this year. Such an increase is due to higher export revenues from garments and textiles, footwear, handicrafts and other agro products such as rubber,
cashew, tea and peanuts.
State-owned enterprises are predicted to earn $840 million from export sales in August, bringing eight-month exports to $5.57 billion, down 0.9% against the
same period last year. Meanwhile, they spent about $7.93 billion on imports, up 11.4% on-year.
Foreign invested firms also saw a decrease in exports of 1.5% to $4.73 billion, including $660 million in August. Their import spending increased by 22.8% to
Construction begins on new automobile plant
Following its completion, a new automobile plant in suburban Dong Anh District of Hanoi will manufacture different kinds of buses besides chassis for
several kinds of lorries and other vehicles.
Construction began on August 24th on the factory belonging to the Ministry of Transport's Transport Industry Corporation (Transinco). When it goes on stream
in two years time, it will manufacture annually 3,000 buses of 7-9m length and 2,000 buses 10-12m long.
The US$40 million factory, which will spread over 20ha in the outlying district, 20km north of Hanoi, will have production lines from the Republic of Korea's
Hyundai Corporation and China's No.1 Auto Assembly Corporation.
The corporation also has on the cards, plans to build other plants for manufacturing 12,000 lorries a year and 30,000 diesel engines.
US Assistant Secretary of Commerce to visit Vietnam
US Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade Development Linda Conlin will lead more than a dozen US aerospace companies on a trade mission to Vietnam
between August 25th and 30th to boost business relationships between the two countries, according to a source from the US International Trade
"Vietnam is an important trading partner for the US," said Conlin. The two countries' trade turnover stood at $1.5 billion last year.
The 13 aerospace companies selected to participate in the trade mission include Advanced Naviation & Positioning Corp.; ARINC; Bell Helicopters; Boeing
Air Traffic Management; The Boeing Company; Gravitas Digital Solutions, Inc.; Lockheed Martin Global, Inc.; the LPA Group; Orbital Communications
International; Pratt & Whitney; Ratheon International, Inc.; Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.; and Uplift Inc.
The delegation will visit Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to develop contacts with key Vietnamese government officials. US company executives will also meet
individually with potential business partners, including representatives from organizations involved in airport development, air traffic management, air
terminal communications, airport security, aircraft and aircraft parts, global positioning systems, and helicopters and parts.
Boeing and the state-run national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, have signed the first major deal since the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement came into
being last December for the purchase of four new Boeing 777-200ER aircraft at a cost of $680 million, with delivery to be made in the third quarter of next
Vietnam to build plastics plant
Vietnam's plastic association plans to build a $250 million plastics plant powered by natural gas to reduce the country's reliance on imports, an official
The government has given the Vietnam Saigon Plastic Association approval to build the plant that will be one of the country's biggest plastics facilities,
association chairman Tran Cong Hoang Quoc Trang said.
The plant, due to become operational in 2004, will be the first in Vietnam to use natural gas to produce polyethylene and polypropylene, Trang said.
It will be located in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where the government wants to set up more factories to take advantage of large offshore gas
Trang said the association is looking for potential investors in the plant, which will supply the domestic market with 175,000 tons of polyethylene and
175,000 tons of polypropylene each year.
Vietnam spent $540 million importing more than 900,000 tons of plastics last year, including 300,000 tons of polyethylene and 300,000 tons of polypropylene,
"Our demand for plastics will grow fast," he said. Each Vietnamese consumes an average of only 30 pounds of plastics products each year, compared with average
annual consumption of 66 pounds per person in other developing countries and 220 pounds in the United States," he said.
State-owned PetroVietnam is preparing to build another large plastics plant in Dung Cat Industrial Park, beside the country's first oil refinery. That plant
will use crude oil as an energy source, the company said.
Vietnam has 800 enterprises specializing in plastics products. Of these, 600 are domestic and 200 have received foreign investment. The country has attracted
$2 billion in foreign investment for its plastics industry, Trang said.
Plei Krong hydropower plant gets approval
Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) has got government agreement to build the 110-MW Plei Krong hydropower plant in the central highlands province of Kon Tum at
a cost of VND3,000 billion ($197 million) by the end of next year. The plant will be capable of turning out 452 million kWh per annum when it becomes
The deadline for the completion, however, is not available at the moment. This project is part of EVN's master plan to build seven hydropower plants in the
Central Highlands in the 2001-2005 period, including Dong Nai No 3 and 4 capable of producing 510 MW each in Dak Lak and Lam Dong provinces, 300-MW Dai Ninh
in Lam Dong province, 273-MW Se San in Gia Lai - Kon Tum provinces.
EVN has altered the electricity development plan to increase the country's power supply to over 20,000 MW by 2010 instead of 16,000 MW it set initially. To
meet the ever-increasing domestic demand, EVN plans to put into operation additional 24 power plants with a combined annual capacity of 4,600 MW from now
EVN, the country's sole power retailer, reported output of 18.9 billion kWh of electricity in the first seven months of this year, up by more than 17% over
the same period last year. It plans to generate 13.4-13.6 billion kWh in the last five months of the year.
Eight-month industrial output up 14%
Total industrial output throughout Vietnam in August is estimated at VND23.636 trillion ($1.544 billion) up 1.6% against July and 14.2% on August last
year, bringing total output in the first eight months to VND172.855 trillion ($11.3 billion), up 14% year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office.
State-owned enterprises recorded total industrial output of VND69.177 trillion ($4.52 billion), up 11.7%, the private sector VND41.638 trillion ($2.72
billion), up 19.2%, and the foreign investment sector (crude oil excluded) VND44.538 trillion ($2.9 billion), up 21.6% against the same period last year.
Key industrial zones of the country still posted high industrial growth rates, such as Hanoi with 24.7%, Hai Phong 26.3%, Da Nang 19%, Khanh Hoa 28.7%, Binh
Duong 32.4%, and Dong Nai 16.6%. Ho Chi Minh City, the country's most dynamic economic hub, recorded lower industrial growth of 12%, which was still higher
than the 9% growth in the first half.
Vietnam scales down export targets
Vietnam hopes to gain an increase of 4.1% year-on-year in export revenue to $20.2 billion in 2003, according to the Ministry of Trade (MoT).
It set an ambitious plan to increase export sales by 11% on-year to $19.4 billion in 2002, which now seems difficult to reach after the poor export result in
the first seven months of the year.
MoT predicts that Vietnam will be able to earn $16.6-17 billion from shipping commodities abroad next year, up 7-8% against this year.
Industrial and mineral product exports are expected to reach $4.5 billion, light industrial and handicraft goods $7.2 billion, and agricultural, forestry and
fishery products $5.3 billion.
MoT also forecasts that the country's import spending will increase 7.6% to $21.2 billion next year.
The country's export turnover fell 4.2% while import revenue rose 11.6% in the first seven months of the year against the same period last year. That was a
result of falls in exports of its major products such as crude oil and agricultural commodities.
The trade deficit stood at $1.44 billion for the first seven months. The country needs to earn around $2 billion from exports each month in the remainder of
the year, to enable it to realize its annual targets.
FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS
Vietnam, India trade revenue reaches $170m
Bilateral Vietnamese-Indian trade revenue in the first half was $170 million, of which Indian exports accounted for $150 million, according to the Indian
Chamber of Business in Vietnam (Incham). The chamber said they are trying to boost commercial and investment bilateral ties between the two countries.
In mid-March this year, Vietnam and India reached an agreement to develop economic cooperation ties and joint efforts in fighting terrorism, drug trafficking
and money laundering.
Garment, textile & footwear firms expect larger US market share
Local garment, textile and footwear enterprises will have a good opportunity to resolve difficulties and boost export to the US in seminars to be co-held
by the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the Vietnam Garment & Textile Association in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from August
Experts from the AAFA will answer questions raised by Vietnamese enterprises about customs procedures, trademark registration, and regulations on goods'
origin in the US as well as American tastes and quality standards.
Vietnamese enterprises still have a long road to travel to obtain wide access to the American market. Up to 80% of garment and textile bases in Vietnam do not
meet SA 8000 standards, the key standards on the working environment applied in the US and Europe, and only half of the manufacturers under the Vietnam
Textile & Garment Corp. have obtained ISO 9000 certificates.
In the first seven months of this year Vietnam exported over $100 million worth of garments and textiles to the US, from which the Vietnam National Garment
and Textile Corporation earned $45 million, a 4.5-fold increase from the year-earlier period. The country targets export turnover of $300 million to the
foreign market this year.
The US is also the second biggest importer of Vietnamese leather and footwear products. The Ministry of Trade forecasts footwear export turnover of $200
million from now to the end of this year, up 75.4% against the same period last year.
Early this year, a 17-member-delegation from the AAFA arrived in Vietnam to study Vietnam's stipulations and needs regarding the import of material, equipment
and machinery, and to seek local partners for garment, textile and footwear sales to the US.
HCM City to increase trade promotion in Australia
Ho Chi Minh City authorities will make every effort to further promote trade with Australia in the coming years, Trade Service director, Le Van Cong, said
on August 7th.
Australia has a large demand for a variety of Vietnamese goods. Local enterprises last year earned some $500 million from the export of consumer goods,
including shoes, textiles, garments and food.
"Actually, the potential to export locally made goods to Australia is much bigger but we have paid little attention to this market. Local enterprises can also
ship farm produce and materials there," Cong said at the meeting.
In a meeting with the city authorities, Jeff Turner, head of the commercial section of the Australian general consulate in the city said his agency would
initially help Australian companies produce materials for leather and footwear makers in Vietnam, process wood products and cooperate in raising dairy cows by
using modern technology.
The commercial section is planning a trip for Vietnamese beverage and food enterprises to showcase their products in Australia, while 20 Australian companies
are expected to join an export goods exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City in October.
Vietnam to open showroom in the US shortly
Vietnam plans to launch showrooms for local products in the US in late November or early December, according to head of the Trade Promotion Department
under the Ministry of Trade.
Leaving the US on July 27th after a fortnight's investigative visit, Ngo Van Thoan revealed that the showrooms will likely be located in San Francisco and
will also perform as a trade promotion centre for 23,000 local export firms.
The move is part of Vietnam's programme to open professional trade promotion centres overseas to boost exports, firstly in the US, Russia and the United Arab
Emirates. At present, all 41 commercial affairs offices that Vietnam has opened abroad are both undertaking the promotion of Vietnam's official ties with the
host country and seeking to boost bilateral trade and lure more investment from the country into Vietnam.
Thoan said Vietnam could increase sales of household utensils and handicrafts to the US since these commodities are highly competitive.
A recent survey conducted by the Finance Ministry, however, showed that Vietnam was competitively inferior to penetrate the US market despite the bilateral
trade agreement between the two countries. According to the survey, most shipments from Vietnam to the US are seafood, agro- and forestry products with annual
value of $440 million, or 60% of Vietnam's total export turnover to the US. These commodities, mostly unprocessed, enjoy a very slight decrease in tariffs.
Moreover, Vietnam also meets fierce competition from Thailand and India, which are also big seafood and agro exporters.
Sales of garments and textiles, though having high value, do not bring much benefit since Vietnamese firms mostly make products as contracted and designed by
Other Vietnamese commodities such as pharmaceuticals, machinery, automobiles and fertilizers, are totally unable to compete with their American-made
Vietnam will gain $2 billion from exports to the US this year and $10 billion in 2010, up from $1.1-1.2 billion in 2001, the US Commercial Counsellor to
Vietnam, Michael Frisby predicted.
US investors poured $14 million of capital in to 16 projects in Vietnam in the first seven months of this year, bringing the total capital and number of
US-invested projects in Vietnam to $1.03 billion and 143 projects. The US now ranks the 13th largest foreign investor in the country.
Armenian, Vietnamese foreign ministers discuss "revival of ties"
The establishment of an Armenian-Vietnamese intergovernmental commission for coordinating a programme of bilateral cooperation in the economic, cultural
and educational spheres will help the reconsideration and application of the existing contractual-legal field. A relevant proposal was made in the course of
a meeting between the Armenian foreign minister, Vardan Oskanyan, and his Vietnamese counterpart, Dy Nien Nguyen.
Arminfo News Agency has learnt from the Armenian Foreign Ministry press service that during the meeting, the Armenian foreign minister noted that the revival
of Armenian-Vietnamese ties would be very useful for the peoples of Armenia and Vietnam. The sides stressed the importance of the visit of the Armenian
foreign minister to Vietnam which signifies a new stage in relations between the countries following a long break.
During the meeting, the ministers discussed directions of development of Armenian-Vietnamese cooperation and highlighted the economic and educational spheres.
Vardan Oskanyan and Dy Nien Nguyen discussed the foreign policy and regional problems of Armenia and Vietnam, as well the process of reforms carried out in
both countries and economic progress registered in the past 10 years.
HCM City to call for US investment in five projects
Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City will send a delegation to the US in September to introduce the city's five projects and key industries to US partners in
an attempt to lure more investment into the city from this foreign country.
The city will call for US investment in building an underground rail network and solid waste treatment systems, a hi-tech park, and the two urban areas of Thu
Thiem 1 and Nam Saigon (Southern Saigon). It also seeks more investment in the wood processing, information technology and plastic industries.
Thua Thien-Hue calls for foreign investment
The central province of Thua Thien-Hue is calling for foreign investors for 59 projects, according to an investment promotion meeting in Hanoi on August
12th, co-organized by provincial authorities and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
The projects are in the fields of information technology, software development, biology and new material technology, aquaculture and forestry processing,
infrastructure and industrial zones, and several tourism projects in Chan May, Bach Ma and Lang Co resorts.
Provincial authorities introduced special support measures to investors, including exempted or reduced land rents for infrastructure projects, assignment of
cleared land within 60 days of receiving a license, 0% corporate income tax for the first 14-18 years, financial support equalling 30% of labour training
costs, and simplified licence granting procedures.
The meeting was attended by nearly 100 foreign investors from the US, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Thua Thien-Hue province is famous for its tourism potential, with the UNESCO-acclaimed World Heritage Hue City, the nice beaches of Thuan An, Lang Co village
and Chan May port. However, the province has so far only attracted 14 foreign projects with total capital of $140 million.
Second-hand computer devices threatening Vietnam
Computer assemblers at a seminar held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 14th voiced their concerns over the recent bulk import of second-hand products such
as monitors and components, and proposed the Government take strong action.
Such products will soon become scrap in the information technology industry, they said at the "How to Prevent Monitor and Computer Scrap in Vietnam" seminar
jointly organized by the weekly publication Thoi Bao Kinh Te Viet Nam and the Korean-invested Samsung Vina. Most businesses also agreed that illegal imports
also discourage investors in the industry.
The prevailing value added tax does not encourage the production of computers in Vietnam but facilitates the import of second-hand units, the seminar,
attended by State administrators, was told. Participants explained that importers could sell their products to retail outlets that only have to pay lump sum
tax, while producers were subject to the high tariffs imposed on components and VAT.
Moreover, importers of second-hand computers always manage to evade tax. For example, they often declare lower prices for their imported computers and
components and it is difficult for State administrators to determine the true value of such PCs. Strict regulations governing the evaluation of secondhand
computers also make imports of this kind soar.
Nguyen Tuong Vinh, head of the anti-smuggling team of the HCM City Customs Bureau, said that hundreds of containers of second-hand monitors worth $1.6 million
entered the country in the first seven months of this year, and added that another 29 containers originating from the US are waiting for the completion of
local customs procedures.
"It is really difficult to evaluate the quality of second-hand computers and components so as to set a suitable tax rate," he said. Sharing this view, a local
computer producer said importing second-hand computers often brought a 20% higher profit, and consumers prefer them as they do not have to pay VAT.
Pham Van Phu, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Information Technology and Electronic Association, estimated 231,000 PCs and component kits were imported
illegally into Vietnam last year. He estimated that the country loses up to $260 million in taxes each year. The situation this year will be the same or even
worse if the government cannot take control over the imports, he said.
A Samsung Vina official said his company has seen a 16.5% fall in sales since early this year due to increased numbers of second-hand computers. He said
Samsung Vina sold 12,000 monitors every month last year but the monthly figure this year dropped to only 10,000.
Participants also suggested the government give local enterprises financial support or preferences in order to help them work out development strategies for
Vietnamese trademark computers.
Vietnam to produce 60% of medicine demand by 2010
The Vietnamese pharmaceutical sector will meet around 60% of demand from residents by 2010, up from the current 36%, according to a scheme approved by
the government last Thursday. The scheme, aiming to turn pharmaceuticals into a spearhead technical economic sector, also targets to increase the country's
per capita spending on medicine to between $12 and $15 by 2010 from $6 in 2001.
Accordingly, all pharmaceuticals production establishments will have to gain a certificate of good production practice. The sector will spend much on building
more industrial facilities to produce antibiotics and pharmaceutical chemicals, and advantageous medicinal materials, particularly from herbs.
Major measures to realize the scheme include more spending on establishments for chemicals and materials, on production and bio-technology research,
workforce training and reorganizing the State inspection system over drug quality. Vietnam now has 90 state-owned drug producers, as well as 316 limited, 43
joint stock and 15 private companies, according to the Vietnam's Pharmacy Management Department.
By the end of March, 223 foreign companies had also been granted operation licences to trade in pharmaceutical products. The majority are from India, followed
by France, Germany, China, South Korea, Japan and Singapore. Last year, the country imported $418 million worth of drugs, and raw materials for drug
INVESTMENT BACKGROUND REPORTS
Our analysts and editorial staff have many years experience in analysing and reporting events in these nations. This knowledge is available in the form of geopolitical and/or economic country reports on any individual or grouping of countries. Such reports may be bespoke to the specification of clients or by access to one of our existing specialised reports.
For further information email:
Considering an investment or a trip to any newnation? First order our Investment Pack which will give you by e-mail the last three monthly newnation reports and the complete worldaudit democracy check for the low price of
U$12. The print-out would be a good companion to take with you. Having read it, you might even decide not to go!
To order please click here:


text:
Sydney Water is calling for wet wipe manufacturers to follow the lead of Kimberly-Clark and commit to developing clearer packaging guidelines and to display a ‘do not flush’ symbol on products.
Kimberly Clark has made these changes following consumer organisation CHOICE and Sydney Water testing finding that their brand of ‘flushable wipes’ did not not break down like toilet paper and should not be flushed.
Sydney Water’s Peter Hadfield said they are calling on the rest of the wipes manufacturing and retail industry to follow the positive lead of Kimberly-Clark/Kleenex and create clearer packaging guidelines.
“We also call on all wipes manufacturers to either remove the term ‘flushable’ from their packaging and marketing of all of their flushable wipes products or to create a wipe which breaks down in the same manner as toilet paper,” Mr Hadfield said.
“The problem of ‘flushable wipes’ is a global problem. Wet wipes, whether branded flushable or not, do not break down effectively.
“This inability to break down in the same manner as toilet paper comes with a significant associated cost to water utilities and consumers across the world.
“The cost to Sydney Water to remove wet wipes from our network is about $8 million per year.”
The Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) has estimated that the national cost to remove wet wipes from the wastewater networks of utilities across the country is around $15 million per year.
These figures do not include the costs by individual customers who have to pay significant plumbing bills to remove blockages caused by wipes in sewer pipes owned by them on their private properties
CHOICE has filed a submission with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) about the marketing of ‘flushable’ wipes and Sydney Water is assisting the ACCC in their investigations on behalf of all water utilities in Australian and their customers.
When the ACCC has completed their investigation, they will release their findings.
However, Sydney Water’s education campaign on wipes has produced significant results in reducing the acceptability of flushing wipes.
A comparison of the Sydney Water Consumer Sentiment Survey conducted for the March Quarter 2016 and the same survey conducted in the April/June Quarters in 2015 shows that:
- There has been a 50 per cent reduction in the proportion of customers who think it’s OK to flush wet wipes
- There has been a 57 per cent reduction in acceptability of flushing baby wipes
- The number of 20-29 year olds (who were one of the target demographics) who think it’s OK to flush wipes has reduced by 54 per cent
- The number of people 50+ years old who think it’s OK to flush wipes has reduced by 61 per cent
- The number of males of all age groups who think it’s OK to flush wipes has reduced by 46 per cent.
“Consumers across the country need to stop considering their toilet to be a garbage bin with water in the bottom of it,” Mr Hadfield said.
“Everyone should remember the three Ps – the only things that you should flush down your toilet are pee, poo and paper (toilet paper).”


text:
One Impression, an Indian influencer advertising and marketing platform that does enterprise in markets together with Indonesia, Dubai, Europe and the U.S., has raised $10 million in a funding spherical led by the South Korean gaming firm Krafton.
The Gurugram-based startup is constructing an Amazon-like platform to assist manufacturers rapidly discover related influencers for their advertising and marketing campaigns. It touts having more than 7 million content creators on the platform that manufacturers starting from FMCG to e-commerce can entry. These creators embody the micro-ones growing content from villages and tier-2 and tier-3 cities, in addition to massive celebrities and even Bollywood actors that generate more than 100,000 content items for more than 500 manufacturers in over 10 languages. The platform is also not restricted to influencers from a selected style and has creators in comedy, magnificence, vogue and DIY, amongst different fields.
“We ensure the right pricing for every influencer, and as a platform, we ensure that as a brand, you get the best match and the best price for every creator that you work with,” said Apaksh Gupta, co-founder and CEO, One Impression, in an interview with TechCrunch.
Founded in 2018 by Gupta and his brother Jivesh Gupta, One Impression works straight with content creators, companies and brokers to supply manufacturers a variety of influencers to suit their necessities. This is in contrast to a standard influencer advertising and marketing company or a creator discovery device, the place you sometimes discover only a single source to select. Also, the startup affords full-stack options starting from discovery, pricing and funds to compliance, government contracts, supply and efficiency monitoring.
“We’re bridging the gap between brands and creators. We’re trying to make the partnerships between brands and creators the most seamless, fastest, repeatable and scalable,” the executive said.
In addition to serving to manufacturers attain the right influencer, One Impression is constructing instruments for creators to assist them monetize their content and unlock alternatives to collaborate with different creators and make finance simpler utilizing automation. The startup is also engaged on instruments to let creators simply entry studios throughout India and even get PR alternatives, said Gupta.
Currently, One Impression has enabled its platform for Instagram and YouTube. It also plans to unlock it for LinkedIn and Moj in India and TikTok for world markets over time.
“As different platforms continue to become important for any market, we’ll continue to integrate those new platforms into our platform,” Gupta said.
One Impression takes a charge from manufacturers for connecting them with influencers and charges commissions to content creators that develop as soon as the creators develop into more related for large-scale campaigns. This makes it a two-sided market for each manufacturers and creators. It is also engaged on launching premium instruments to supply manufacturers a subscription-based mannequin for normal earnings.
The Krafton-led, all-equity Series A funding spherical also noticed participation from Peer Capital. It valued the startup at $70 million post-money.
On whether or not the funding coming from Krafton was strategic, Gupta told TechCrunch that the gaming giant has come as a monetary investor.
“The creator ecosystem is at the cusp of a revolution. It holds massive untapped potential, and we believe that One Impression is rightly positioned to be a global leader of the influencer industry. One Impression has an ambitious vision for the space, and we are delighted to support them in their journey,” said Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of Krafton India, in a ready assertion.
Since 2021, Krafton has invested over $100 million in varied Indian startups to develop into more than a gaming firm. However, the corporate has confronted the banning of its extensively common gaming title Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) in the country — simply months after it struggled to bring its original PUBG Mobile title back that also got banned by the Indian government in 2020 over nationwide safety considerations.
“At Krafton, we are committed to the Indian market and see tremendous potential here. We have invested around $100 million in various Indian startups since 2021. And our investment in One Impression is a step towards augmenting this ecosystem and creating opportunities of growth,” Sohn said.
One Impression, which claims to have created a worthwhile enterprise with out advertising and marketing, plans to make the most of the contemporary funds to build a advertising and marketing staff and scale its gross sales staff to broaden its presence in world markets, beginning with Southeast Asia and the UAE. It also seems to make acquisitions in Dubai to spice up its market presence. The deliberate growth is projected to assist the startup develop its common income fee to $40 million.
In 2022, One Impression raised $1 million from angels, together with Peyush Bansal of Lenskart, Anupam Mittal of People Group and celebrities akin to Olympian Neeraj Chopra and comic Zakir Khan, amongst others.
Krafton backs Indian influencer advertising and marketing platform One Impression in $10M funding by Jagmeet Singh initially printed on TechCrunch


text:
Saputo, the Canadian dairy company trying to take over Warrnambool Cheese and Butter, isn't just making headlines in Australia.
The company's bidding fervour is big business news in Canada.
Hugh Maynard, an agricultural journalist and consultant in Quebec, says the Canadian dairy market is still highly regulated with a quota system and fixed milk prices.
Saputo has already invested in the United States and is looking at other foreign investment such as WCB, as it has no other way of accessing lucrative Asian markets.
Canadian dairy farmers are also very concerned about their conservative government's in-principle free trade agreement with the European Union.
"They estimate it's going to cost dairy farmers about $450 million", Mr Maynard said.
"The second part of that is that the conservative government here in Canada, for the first time, traded off the dairy sector for access to European markets against better access to the European market for beef and pork."


text:
With just over a week until the start of the season, some information has reportedly emerged regarding shirt sales.
According to what is being reported by PianetaMilan, the sale of Milan shirts ahead of the new campaign is ‘proceeding well’, and we’re sure there will be plenty with the Champions League patch on too. The report states that he best-selling name set is that of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is of course probably still the most recognisable and global name within the squad.
Two defenders complete the podium in left-back Theo Hernandez and centre-back Simon Kjaer, with both having become tremendously popular among Rossoneri fans since their respective arrivals in summer 2019 and winter 2020.
Olivier Giroud has also sold a fair few shirts as per the report (though it is not mentioned if he is in fourth place) as the Frenchman is aiming to dispel the taboo of the number 9 and prove there is no such thing as a curse.


text:
Destiny developer Bungie has detailed its plans for the game's future – the most notable of which is that the base game will be going free-to-play.
This new iteration will be called Destiny 2: New Light, and will launch alongside the game's upcoming expansion on September 17.
New Light will offer all of Destiny 2's Year One content – including 'Curse of Osiris' and 'Warmind' DLC – for free. Additionally, all areas from Year Two will be accessible to players in New Light, although missions specific to the Forsaken expansion and Season Pass will require purchase.
Bungie's new strategy will aim to reduce the barrier to entry for new content. Previously, players were required to own all previous DLC in order to access a new expansion; but New Light will have an à la carte style system where content like Shadowkeep can be purchased without the need to own Forsaken.
There will no longer be any console-exclusive items going forward either.
Leaked details for the Shadowkeep expansion turned out to be accurate, sending Guardians back to Earth's Moon to take on a new Hive threat.
A new teaser (seen above) featuring the gloomy Eris Morn paints a picture of new horrors to shoot and loot, hearkening back to the first Destiny's 'Dark Below' content.
Today's roadmap marks the first moves taken by the studio since its split from Activision back in January. As such, the PC version will no longer be exclusive to the Battle.net Launcher, and will be coming to Steam soon.
Best of all, cross platform support will also be implemented so that Guardians can play the same character across multiple platforms – maintaining their progress along the way.
While previous rumours stated that Sony was reluctant to come to the table, however it seems recent meetings managed to sway them. Cross platform for Destiny 2 will be supported on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and the just-announced version coming to Google Stadia.


text:
Indonesia’s pharmaceutical market is the largest market in the Southeast Asia region. Sales of medicines in Indonesia were valued at Rp 110.6 trillion (roughly US$7.6 billion) in 2020 and is forecasted to expand to Rp 176.3 trillion by 2025, according to US-based Fitch Ratings. This translates to a compound annual growth rate of 9.8% in local currency terms, and 10.7% in USD terms.
This should come as no shock to those who are already in the pharmaceutical business in Indonesia. For the last 10 years, the country’s pharmaceutical market has been one of the fastest growing in the SEA region. This is driven by both the country’s massive market of over 265 million people – the fourth largest population in the world – as well as the expansion of healthcare access via the government’s universal healthcare program enacted in 2014.
This trend is expected to continue over the coming years, supported by an ever-increasing healthcare budget. For 2022, the government has set aside Rp 256 trillion in its effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, or about 9.4 percent of the total budget. This is much higher than the 5% limit mandated by the constitution. And while this is done due to the outstanding circumstances brought upon by the corona crisis, this also demonstrates the Indonesian government’s commitment to providing and improving healthcare access for its citizens.
On the other hand, the government’s high spending for its healthcare sector also reflects one of its most contentious points: the fact that over 90% of the raw ingredients needed by the country’s pharmaceutical sector cannot be produced locally and must be imported. The issue thus carries a certain measure of political weight and is considered a risk for foreign investors. That said, the current government is showing support to foreign investors and has even further opened up the sector from the previous partial foreign ownership to 100% full foreign-ownership by way of the Omnibus Law for Job creation introduced in late 2020.
The impetus for the opening of the pharmaceutical sector is the hope that foreign investors could assist in developing the national healthcare industry, which has been a stated goal of the current administration. According to data from the World Bank, the ratio of hospital bed in Indonesia for every 1,000 patients is only 1.2, lower than Singapore (2.3) and South Korea (12.27). Meanwhile, healthcare spending is at 3.3% of GDP, lower than even the average among low-income countries (6.1% of GDP) as well as the average of East Asia Pacific countries (7.4% of GDP). But even with this low healthcare spending, most private hospitals are already overcrowded and profitable, which implies a huge growth opportunity.
Indeed, amidst the significant economic contraction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the chemical, pharmaceutical and traditional medicine sectors still managed to grow 8.65% in the second quarter of 2020, and 5.59 throughout the first half of the year.
In the long-term, the healthcare industry will experience significant growth as the Indonesian middle-class grows and demand increases for products to treat common and even niche conditions. In this regard, foreign investors may also take notice of the growth of Indonesia’s digital healthcare as the use of healthcare apps is also transforming the local market. Local healthcare app, Alodokter, recorded more than 30 million active users since March 2020. The Indonesian government is also invested in these so-called telehealth firms. The Ministry of Health partnered with Halodoc, as well as local ride-hailing giant Gojek, to provide COVID-19 diagnostics in remote areas.
Source: WDI World Bank, Ciptadana
According to data from the World Bank, the ratio of hospital bed in Indonesia for every 1,000 patients is only 1.2, lower than Singapore (2.3) and South Korea (12.27). Meanwhile, healthcare spending is at 3.3% of GDP, lower than even the average among low-income countries (6.1% of GDP) as well as the average of East Asia Pacific countries (7.4% of GDP).
Source: Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Statistics Indonesia (BPS)
Indonesia contains huge opportunity for the pharmaceutical industry, marked by the rising numbers of industries where, within 2015-2019, domestic pharmaceutical industries saw the rise of 132 new industries. Raw materials industries have also grown from 8 to 14 between 2016 and 2019.
Source: Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia
In 2016-2018 the pharmaceutical industry trade balance experienced an increasing deficit. After its decline in 2019, the trade balance deficit once again rose in 2022, reaching US$1.05 billion. This shows that, in order to fulfill the demand of pharmaceutical products including raw materials, Indonesia still relies on imports.
The fact that over 90% of the raw materials needed to produce medicine must still be imported can be viewed as a double-edged sword for foreign investors as many in Indonesia would rather see the country produce enough of its own medicines to meet domestic demand. The Indonesian government aims to reduce imports by 35% by the end of 2022 in its effort overcome its dependence on raw material imports.
However, also due to this massive domestic demand, the outlook for medicine sales in Indonesia is still seen as largely positive. While revenue growth opportunity from generic drug from multinational companies will inevitably be pressured by this policy, innovative drugs will still remain profitable due to a lack of scientific expertise present in the country.
The current disruption to the global supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic can also be considered as a boon as Indonesia is strategically located astride or along major sea lanes connecting East Asia, South Asia and Oceania. Indeed, the Indonesian government has made it clear that it wants to woo multinational pharmaceuticals away from China as well as other Southeast Asian countries and have them build their manufacturing facilities in Indonesia by offering tax holidays and other incentives.
However, the country’s ambitions remain hampered by the fact that its supply chain infrastructure, level of skilled workers and availability of medical scientists are still poor in comparison to its regional neighbors such as Singapore, India and South Korea. Additionally, foreign multinational companies may also be dissuaded by the dominance of state-owned enterprises in procuring major government contracts. Domestic companies such as Kalbe Farma, Tempo Scan Pacific and Kimia Farma are well established with strong presence in the sub-sectors of logistics, over-the-counter medicine and consumer healthcare across the archipelago.
According to data from the Ministry of Industry, 220 companies support the pharmaceutical industry in in Indonesia, and 90% of these focus on the downstream sector in producing medicines. Meanwhile, data from the Ministry of Health shows that, up to 2021, there are 241 pharmaceutical formulation industries, 17 pharmaceutical raw material industries, 132 traditional medicine industries, and 18 natural product extraction industries.
Despite the aforementioned challenges, Indonesia’s pharmaceutical is still highly prospective. The country’s huge, and young (over 80% are of working age and 50% below the age of 24), population, on top of the government’s support towards a healthcare revolution, promises significant growth opportunities for foreign companies.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the challenges faced by the country’s healthcare system and how foreign companies can assist Indonesia in developing the national healthcare industry. The increase in demand for medical equipment and pharmaceutical drugs during the pandemic was clearly seen in the market. One highly potential sub-sector is the telemedicine sector which, when taking into account the Indonesian e-commerce sector report by Bain and Temasek that forecasts an $83 billion market value in 2025, are just one of the many avenues for growth available in the Indonesian pharmaceutical sector.
This content is done in collaboration with:


text:
The evening of February 10 was filled with red-hot talent as twelve African-American Winemakers united for the second annual Sips With Soul, a celebration of award-winning wine paired with gourmet-comfort cuisine. Hosted by 1300 on Fillmore, the evening offered a unique opportunity to experience the creative talents of African American winemakers, growers and winery owners.
While there are more than 6,000 wineries in the US, only a handful are owned by African Americans. Sips with Soul brought winemakers from Black Coyote, Vision Cellars, Brown Estate, Sharp Cellars, Esterlina Vineyards, Stover Oak Winery, Rideau Vineyard, Longevity Wines, Everett Ridge Vineyards & Winery, Indigene Cellars, McBride Sisters and Markl Wines, who joined 1300’s owners Executive Chef David Lawrence and his wife, Monetta White to celebrate the craft of African American vintners for Black History month.
Executive Chef David Lawrence of 1300 on Fillmore prepared signature hors d’oeuvres of his Soulful American Cuisine — comfort food done well — to complement the wines, while each of the wineries had owners or winemakers on hand to discuss their craft. Among the notable guests was former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, who offered an enthusiastic speech supporting friends and colleagues of the wine and culinary world. Following Mr. Brown’s speech, the enlivened crowd enjoyed the company of the vintners while networking amongst other food and wine lovers.


text:
Staff dress as movie characters as The Light Cinema goes all out to celebrate its first birthday
- Credit: Archant
The Light Cinema in Wisbech threw a party with giveaways and special screenings to celebrate its first birthday.
There was a performance by the Ouse Valley Singles Club, while staff dressed up as movie characters including Princess Fiona from Shrek, Maverick from Top Gun and Minnie Mouse.
To mark the occasion, Downham Market bakers Cream Me Up Scotty made a special cake. The masterpiece was joined by cakes baked by staff members which were sold to raise money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Emma McGuire, marketing and events co-ordinator at The Light, said: “We have had an amazing first year. We have welcomed thousands of people through our doors and have lots of loyal customers that come back time after time. We hope the next year will be just as fun.”
The cinema’s next event will be a weekend of prehistoric fun to mark the release of Jurassic World.
Fossils Galore of March and Wisbech’s Fangtasia will be at the cinema for fossils and reptile handling on June 13 and 14.
The event is free for cinema ticket holders but some activities may have a small charge.


text:
Investors often compare vetting a founder to dating, and completing a deal to getting married. But Stripes Group’s latest investment is more akin to marrying into a tight-knit family. The private equity firm recently invested $90 million in Siete Family Foods, the grain-free tortilla and chip maker based in Austin that is run by nine members of the Garza family.
In this case, Siete wasn’t looking for capital, but 31-year-old CEO Miguel Garza says the family was struck by Stripes Group’s understanding of their vision. “I always lead with this ‘family first, family second, business third’ principle because it’s very important in a family-owned business that operates like a startup,” he says. “Because we sell tortilla chips, it is easy to think of us as a snack company. I told them that we want to build a Mexican food brand.” One that he envisions becoming a billion-dollar business.
“We feel that there’s a lot of power in being able to share our culture and our heritage in a way that can allow people to reconnect because maybe they couldn’t eat tortillas anymore or they couldn’t eat tortilla chips or they couldn’t eat queso,” says Miguel. “If it’s not reconnecting, it may just be allowing them to experience the inclusive nature of our brand and the culture with very familiar products but using very innovative ingredients.”
Siete started in 2014 when Garza’s older sister, Veronica, started making tortillas with almond flour. She had lived without tortillas for months due to an autoimmune disease that forced her to remove all grain from her diet, and the rest of her family did so as well for moral support. When abuela gave the tortilla her blessing, Miguel saw a business opportunity and started pitching the tortillas to local grocery stores. He was later named to Forbes’ 2017 30 Under 30 in food and drink list.
Today, Veronica is president and chief innovation officer, leading the launch of 14 new products last year. Siete now sells tortillas made from cassava, chickpea and cashew flours, too, as well as lines of cassava-based tortilla chips fried in avocado oil, hot sauce and plant-based cashew queso. The products are sold nationwide across 4,000 supermarkets. Adds Veronica: “We keep these principles in mind with everything that we move forward with: Is it heritage-inspired and fundamentally innovative? Does it actually solve a problem for our customers? Is it inclusive?”
With Stripes Group, which now owns a minority stake in the business, Siete will expand its sales team, which currently consists of just three employees (until last March, there was just one). A big push for the new hires will be launching in more conventional supermarket chains, as well as clubs like Costco. The company will also use the funds to hire a research and development team (which also has just one person aside from Veronica).
Siete is partnering with a firm whose recent successes include backing Grubhub, almond milk maker Califia Farms and Refinery 29. Partner Karen Kenworthy, who sits on the Califia board and will join Siete’s, says an opportunity like investing in Siete is rare. “The brand is something really unique in the market today and really doesn't exist in any other consumer brand,” she says. “It’s empowering and enabling the Mexican-American community to have a voice. To celebrate, again, success in this case of the Garza family. And to enable healthier eating in a category where there has been no innovation.”


text:
thyssenkrupp focuses on sustainability at Metpack
thyssenkrupp Rasselstein will be an exhibitor at Metpack this week and will showcase its tinplate made from CO2 -reduced bluemint steel.
“Due to COVID-19, it was regrettably impossible to hold Metpack three years ago. That is why we are all the more pleased to now be able to demonstrate to trade show attendees the products we have developed in recent years and the transformative impact of sustainable rasselstein tinplate on the packaging market,” said Carmen Tschage, Head of Communications and Market Development at thyssenkrupp Rasselstein.
At booth A31 in hall 3, attendees will receive information about rasselstein packaging steel. thyssenkrupp Rasselstein will present a range of products, including tinplate made from bluemint Steel, a CO2-reduced product whose manufacturing process results in up to 69% less carbon dioxide emissions.
Additionally, the company will highlight details pertaining to its green transformation, which aims to accomplish climate-neutral steel manufacturing by 2045.
Sustainability is also emphasised in other contexts. thyssenkrupp Rasselstein is showcasing innovative packaging steel grades that possess novel material-saving characteristics such as rasselstein D&I Solid, an advanced D&I material used in the production of two-piece food cans.
This particular material offers the potential for up to 10 percent in material savings. In application of a study on rasselstein Solidflex, trade show attendees will be able to view how many grams of CO2 can be saved by using this innovative packaging steel grade for food and aerosol cans.
Germany’s only tinplate manufacturer is also continually progressing in the realm of digitalisation.
thyssenkrupp Rasselstein has not only revamped the look of its SteelOnline business platform but also added numerous functionalities to the application.
In addition, the company’s Packaging Steel app has undergone steady development. Customers can now submit and manage complaints and product notes via an app-integrated utility.
In the future, rasselstein Express can be configured and ordered according to European Standards in the Packaging Steel Shop.
“Trade show attendees are invited to observe and test these digital services at our booth,” said Tschage. “We are extremely delighted to finally welcome our customers back to the trade show.”


text:
Nexage provides a solution to tie mobile web, SMS, in-game and video advertising together into one advertising space. The company has raised $4 million in a first round that includes BlackBerry Partners Fund and Grand Banks Capital as investors. The company will also be relocating from Silicon Valley to Boston, an area with more mobile advertising companies and talent.
CEO Devkumar Gandhi founded mobile payment systems maker Wyngate and has previously held several management positions with Nextel.
Marc Faucher of the BlackBerry Partners Fund will speak at MobileBeat 2009 on Thursday, July 16th at the Parc 55 hotel in San Francisco. Tickets are sold out, sorry.


text:
Amazon vs. Macmillan: The latest round in the book wars(Read article summary)
A big publisher fights back, Amazon gives in, and e-book prices go up. But what does it mean in the long run?
Wow, book headlines are beginning to resemble the sports pages. Every day someone's declaring a new winner and a new loser. This morning the loser is purported to be Amazon, because the company backed down in an e-book pricing battle with Macmillan (one of the US's six largest publishers) and agreed to sell Macmillan e-books on its Kindle e-reader for $12.99-14.99, instead of the $9.99 price that Amazon favors.
But did Amazon really lose? In the short run, yes. This weekend Amazon and Macmillan faced down in a contest that, as The New York Times put it, had "the already anxious publishing industry on edge." Macmillan refused to agree to Amazon's $9.99 prices on bestsellers and many new hardcover releases, and Amazon responded by – temporarily – halting sales of Macmillan titles on its Kindle.
It was a dramatic move. After all, Macmillan includes some of the more successful imprints in US publishing, including Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Henry Holt, Picador, St. Martins Press, and Tor Books. Take those off somebody's Kindle and they would notice the difference pretty quickly. Sloan Harris, codirector of the literary department at International Creative Management told the Times, “I think everyone thought they were witnessing a knife fight. And it looks like we’ve gone to the nukes.”
But now Amazon has – almost immediately, albeit reluctantly – backed down, telling its customers that "we will have to capitulate and accept Macmillan's terms because Macmillan has a monopoly over their own titles, and we will want to offer them to you even at prices we believe are needlessly high for e-books."