text:
Billy Grant, owner of West Hartford Center mainstay Grants Restaurant and Bar, is looking to create a more casual image for the eatery.
By Ronni Newton
Billy Grant is proud of the restaurant that bears his name, occupies a prime location on Farmington Avenue in West Hartford Center, and has been “the” place to go for special celebrations since it opened more than a decade ago – but he said it’s time for a change.
“I want to make it more casual, shake the fine-dining image,” Grant said.
He feels that Grants has gotten pigeonholed into the category of a fine-dining restaurant, with an identity based on its steaks. “The trend in dining is more about sharing, moving away from the high-priced items,” Grant said. Now that his other West Hartford Center restaurant, Bricco, is being capably handled by chef Tyler Southwick, Grant is personally focused on tweaking the food and the atmosphere at Grants.
A month ago the dinner menu at Grants feautured six high-priced steak options, with four items priced above $30. There were two fish dishes also priced above $30 and two others in the $27-$29 range.
Although the revamped menu still includes two large steaks (the signature filet mignon and the Black Angus New York strip), there are many more less-expensive items, including “big” salads topped with chicken or fish and an assortment of burgers and sandwiches that were previously served only on the tavern menu.
Grant has also added daily offers like half-off bottles of wine on Tuesday and “blue plate” specials like chicken pargmigiano (Wednesday), BBQ ribs (Thursday), fish (Friday) and braised short ribs (Saturday).
The appetizer selections have been tweaked as well. Instead of crabcake there’s hot crab and Jerusalem artichoke dip, Grant said. Rather than tuna tartare there are “Grandma’s” meat balls. There are two crispy pork tacos in an order.”The appetizers are mostly designed for sharing,” Grant said.
Other items are now sold to allow diners more flexibility. The menu previously offered a cheeseboard ($17) and meat board ($14), but now the items are sold individually, priced at $4-$5 so people don’t have to commit to the entire thing. Raw bar items are also available as single pieces.
And rather than traditional side dishes intended to accompany the à la carte meats, there are now “extras” that can also stand alone – like house-smoked chicken wings or baked mac and cheese – or be combined with a salad and maybe something decadent to finish the meal.
Dessert offerings are now displayed on the dinner menu, so diners can decide in advance to leave room for delectable endings to their dinners like apple skillet pie or warm chocolate pudding cake.
Grant has even made some changes to the restaurant’s hours. Lunch is served daily from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., and dinner is from 5 – 10 p.m. Sunday is dedicated to brunch, which is served through 2 p.m. There’s no longer a lunch available on Sundays, but there is a limited menu between 2 p.m. and dinnertime, which begins at 4 p.m.
“Grants is a chef-driven restaurant,” Grant said, but he acknowledged that it also has a reputation for a lively bar scene. “The bar gets busy at 11:30 p.m.,” Grant said, and he doesn’t think it has any impact on the dining room.
“Bar sales are good to have, and we don’t want to lose that, but we also don’t want to drive diners away.” He wants to ensure that the bar scene doesn’t ruin the restaurant.
“We want them here and we want them happy,” Grant said.
Grant envisions the restaurant’s new image as more “gastro-pub” rather than fine dining, but said nothing about the quality of the food has changed. “Everything we make is from scratch. Even the more casual things like making our own pastrami.”
And Grant said the pastrami, served as a Reuben (with braised red cabbage, melted cheese, and Russian dressing on rye bread with house chips) is on the “must try” list, along with Grandma’s meatballs and the pork chops (glazed with local honey and served with caramelized sweet potatoes, shaved brussel sprouts, and apple mostarda).
Grant also recommended the burger – which has been re-tooled into one sandwich with two quarter-pound burgers served on an artisan roll with two types of cheddar, shredded lettuce, and secret spices and sauce. “I took a risk because I don’t like a fat burger that’s hard to get to the right temperature,” Grant said. It’s the same amount of meat, but by splitting it up both patties are seasoned and easier to cook to perfection, he said.
Changing the culture of a restaurant is a complicated and multi-step process, Grant said, and also depends on factors such as available equipment and the skill set of cooks. The menu has to match the customers, and they change over time as well.
Grant said that as a chef and a restaurant owner, “It’s up to me to redefine the culture. You have to keep redefining yourself.”
“Casual elegance in a modern stylish environment” is Grant’s new definition.
Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!


text:
As Europe’s contracting season approaches, shippers and forwarders are considering their options for the forthcoming year in what is turning into a volatile global market, making predictions more difficult.
This time last year, shippers were looking forward to a rebound of the global economy, as Covid restrictions were lifted and consumer sentiment rose. In Retail Week’s annual survey, some 88% of respondents expected sales to rise.
Respondents to this year’s Retail 23 survey, conducted in June, are reeling from this year’s massive global shocks of war, high energy prices and rising inflation driving down consumer demand.
This year’s survey reveals: “Some 67% [of respondents] believe 2023 sales figures will be up on 2022, and 71% say they are likely to navigate next year with more or the same number of staff. This suggests major lay-offs are not part of the wider industry agenda.”
However, even before this year is out, changes to the outlook could alter the landscape for consumers, and the logistics companies that operate for them.
“Adidas, Asos, Hotel Chocolat, Joules and Made are among companies to rein in their forecasts in recent months, as issues such as rising supply chain and procurement costs and new customer behaviours have impacted their sales and operations,” says Retail 23.
It is indicative of the fast pace of change that two of those four retailers, Joules and Made, have already gone into administration.
Retailers in mainland Europe are also seeing a slowdown, according to the 30th annual Eurochambres Economic Survey.
“Business confidence for next year is even lower than during the 2008-09 financial crisis and the height of the pandemic,” says the survey. “Concerns about affordable access to energy and raw materials, skills shortages and labour costs are among the key challenges.”
Eurochambres, an association of chambers of commerce, published the report today, based on responses from 42,000 companies in 25 countries.
With consumer confidence low and supply chain disruptions having seen retailers across Europe raise inventories to have stock available, contract negotiations remain unpredictable.
Larger freight forwarders always have contracts with shipping lines, pointed out Nicolette van der Jagt, director general of forwarders’ association Clecat.
“The carriers have not wanted to give smaller forwarders contracts, forcing them onto the spot market, and of course the forwarders will go for the better rates.”
For Global Shippers’ Forum director James Hookham, the picture is more complex.
“There was a fair amount of over-ordering this year to get products to warehouses that are close to market. Those warehouses still have a high level of occupancy and consumer demand has deteriorated,” he said.
Given the high levels of inventory and lack of a peak season this year, the major question for shippers, according to Mr Hookham, is will spot rates remain low? Last year, some shippers were caught out, agreeing contract rates at high levels, only to see spot rates rapidly decline, leaving contracts with higher logistics costs.
Shippers have a choice, he said, and asked: “Do we wait until later in the year [to see how rate levels develop] or do we commit now and get locked into potentially higher contract rates while the lines manage capacity?”

domain: news


text:
A woman has been caught attempting to smuggle 102 iPhones into Shenzhen after buying them in Hong Kong. The products were tapped to the lady's body, sealed in plastic wrapping, beneath layers of clothing. Apparently, customs officials became alert after noting her upper torso seemed wildly out of proportion to her arms and legs. Chinese media also reported officials deducing that the woman was wearing ‘more clothes than appropriate’ for summer in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
The lady’s 100 plus haul beats the time in 2014 when a man was caught at Futian Port in Shenzhen with 94 iPhones strapped to his body.
The penalties for smuggling under Hong Kong law can be as high as a $2m (£171,000) fine and seven years in prison.


text:
While the FAA continues to weigh different options on how to regulate the domestic use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), the use of drones have already been in play, for better or for worse.
In September, the agency approved permits for UAS use to seven Hollywood production companies and allowed law enforcement to use drones to aid in the search of a woman in Dallas. In contrast, a student at the University of Texas was arrested for flying one at a school football game.
The debate on who should be allowed to operate these machines is ongoing, but the benefits of using unmanned drones are broad. Public safety and entertainment value aside, drones range in size and capability and can be equipped to handle a range of tasks. Companies across numerous industries recognize this.
In anticipation of the 2015 deadline for the FAA report, here is a short list of companies that could also benefit from consumer drone expansion — some that are more obvious, and some you may not have thought of right away.
1. Major League Baseball
Fill in the blank with any sports organization that relies on the power of images to compel and grow their sports, but Major League Baseball has been in the news recently for its usage of drones. During Spring Training this year, the Washington Nationals used drones to capture publicity photos in Viera, Florida. In a sport that is heavily in competition with the NFL and NBA, Major League franchises want to gain an edge in their local markets. MLB should consider some kind of usage on a larger scale, but may have to sort out the air rights with MetLife and the Snoopy Blimp.
GoPro, or any company that makes portable and wearable cameras that can be operated remotely, can see huge benefits when they collaborate with drone companies. The craze has already begun, with footage of a GoPro capturing footage of an erupting volcano.
3. American Farm Products
According to the American Farm Bureau, there are about 2.2 million farms in the U.S., most of them family-run. Farmers are always looking for a way to better assess their crops, something that drones can help them do in the air or on the ground — and operated from the comfort of their homes, no less. Michigan-based American Farm Products, and companies like it across the country, could definitely find some usage in drones, if they invest in the research and development.
4. RGM and Shinola
Creators across the country are breaking new territory with the emergence of wearable technology. Nixie has a product for a wearable drone that launches from your wrist! Wearable technology is growing and is ample territory for the traditional fashion sector to collaborate with tech startups. RGM and Shinola, perceived as America’s top watch manufacturers, have the reputation and prestige to collaborate with startups — and give Rolex and Omega new inroads to product directions for the watch industry.
Drones have an uncanny ability to analyze and collect information for research purposes. Gizmodo, in September, reported that a drone helped researchers map out, in 3D imaging, ancient Maya sites in Mexico. In the U.S., where anthropological and archaeological research is ongoing and numerous, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) enable researchers to capture and analyze geographical and spatial data for various research purposes. It is the drone’s capacity for more accurate results that could compel the development of integrated technologies for companies like Esri, one of America’s larger GIS developers, and their relationships with academic institutions and think tanks.
Do you have any other companies in mind that may benefit from expanding uses of drones in the US? Let us know.


text:
Prices are soaring for almost everything, but a few choice gifts are even cheaper than two years ago. Or show your love by going on your family’s annual “lard run.”
By Ron Lieber
The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on the burdens of philanthropy — and more.
By Kwame Anthony Appiah
As an aspiring entrepreneur, you may have a good idea, but tread lightly before using retirement savings as capital.
By Tammy La Gorce
A deserving group of dedicated people has been left out of the government’s latest patch for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Start with insulating the attic and turning down the thermostat at night. And there’s always your father’s advice: Wear a sweater.
By Ann Carrns
Lost pay during the pandemic and high costs threaten strides they had made in homeownership, often a key driver of long-term wealth.
By Tara Siegel Bernard
Consumers are likely to see more plan options and lower premiums for next year. “This is a whole new ballgame,” one health expert said.
The rise in prices has affected not only consumer goods but some government savings bonds, and it could benefit some investors looking for safe spaces for their money.
Even after winning the right to marry across the U.S. more than six years ago, some same-sex couples have faced challenges obtaining certain benefits.
Most Medicare beneficiaries don’t compare plans during open enrollment season, and may be paying more, or accepting more restrictions, than they should.
By Paula Span


text:
The New York Department of Financial Services, or NYDFS, has released guidelines on how licensed crypto firms should handle customer assets should they face “insolvency or similar proceeding”.
In a Jan. 23 announcement, NYDFS superintendent Adrienne Harris said crypto firms and exchanges operating under a BitLicense — required in New York state — should segregate corporate funds from users’ virtual currency holdings both on-chain and in the “internal ledger accounts” of the company’s custodian. According to the regulator, crypto firms are expected to hold users’ assets “only for the limited purpose of carrying out custody and safekeeping services”:
In addition to these guidelines, NYDFS added that all licensed firms custodying assets should “maintain appropriate books and records” as well as disclose information related to its products and services in terms and conditions available to customers. Harris said the guidance was aimed at the “safekeeping of customer assets”.
#ICYMI: Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris released Regulatory Guidance to better protect customers in the event of an insolvency or similar proceeding. Read more here: https://t.co/Nstz39M9Wo pic.twitter.com/FJ0fbrJBxH
The announcement followed several crypto exchanges based in the United States filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after some reported liquidity issues, including FTX, BlockFi, Voyager Digital, and Genesis. Many former customers of the crypto firms have not been made whole amid bankruptcy proceedings.
Related: New York proposes to charge crypto companies for regulating them
Harris said during a November 2022 speech that lawmakers at the federal level should consider a “framework nationally that looks like what New York has” in terms ofRead more on cointelegraph.com


text:
LiveDeal Inc. (Nasdaq: LIVE), which is part-owned by private equity firm Isaac Capital Group, is buying an 80 percent stake in high-end flooring company Marquis Industries for $31.4 million in a leveraged buyout.
Marquis' owners, who are looking to retire in the next three to five years, rolled over 20 percent of their equity, according to Armando Soto, a managing director at Isaac. Marquis, headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, is a carpet yarn manufacturer and hard surface reseller.
LiveDeal is making the acquisition through a subsidiary, Live Ventures Inc., which has set out to acquire profitable companies. Marquis' sales reached $60 million for 2014, with about $8 million in trailing 12-month Ebitda. The parent is a Las Vegas-based marketing company that aims to connect merchants and consumers through geo-location technology.
Isaac, a San Diego-based firm that sourced the Marquis deal out of its New York office, plan is to pay down debt aggressively for the next 18 months, and then look to grow organically and through add-on acquisitions, Soto says. The firm owns 65 percent of LiveDeal.
The firm put down $6 million as a down payment, and took out a $16.5 million loan from Bank of America at Libor plus 200 basis points, and then formed a joint fund with Marquis to provide the junior debt. "We'll be looking to refinance that through a traditional mezzanine lender in the next 120 days," Soto says.


text:
493 views, By QView Medical
QView Medical, a worldwide leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for medical imaging and SimonMed Imaging, one of the largest outpatient medical imaging providers in the United States, today announced a new partnership for personalized breast screening..
312 views, By QView Medical, Inc.
QView Medical and Traf Intercontinental announce a distribution agreement under which Traf International will sell QView Medical's QVCAD System to breast imaging clinics in Europe.
92 views, By richard-haxton-s-transformational-skin-solutions
Strawberries are high in antioxidants, including vitamin C which plays an integral role in the formation of collagen. They help combat premature aging, wrinkles, and even protect against broken capillaries under the skin's surface.
602 views, By PhaseZero Ventures
PhaseZero, a Cloud 2.0 B2B and B2C e-commerce software company, was featured as a 2019 Top 10 Tech Solution Provider for E-Commerce by Retail CIO Outlook for its innovative approach to delivering better customer experiences for clients.
952 views, By Afero, Inc.
Companies to showcase end-to-end IoT solutions at CES 2020 booth #41152, Sands Expo
365 views, By EqOpTech Inc.
Equal Opportunity Technology (or EqOpTech) enables free, equal access to technology and STEM education while engaging student volunteers to make the community more equitable.
556 views, By PhaseZero
PhaseZero, a Cloud 2.0 B2B and B2C e-commerce software company, will demonstrate new Voice Commerce technology at the AAPEX 2019 conference.
1517 views, By Afero
Afero Platform Accelerates Manufacture of Low-Cost Smart Devices with Built-in Data Security and On-in-60-Seconds Onboarding
540 views, By PhaseZero
PhaseZero, a Cloud 2.0 B2B and B2C e-commerce software company, today announced that it has successfully transformed the global aftermarket digital commerce platform of Dana Incorporated.
941 views, By Afero
Security risks with connected devices highlight market need for secure IoT and validate the security-first approach taken by the Afero IoT platform
958 views, By Afero
As consumer anxiety grows, Afero offers manufacturers pre-built out-of-the-box secure IoT
773 views, By Afero
Patented Technology Enables Unattended Retail Devices to Securely Accept Payment Without Dedicated Internet Connectivity
237 views, By Facilgo, Inc.
FacilGo® is recognized by CIOReview Magazine as one of the "20 Most Promising PropTech Solutions for 2019." FacilGo® is the only property maintenance and turn solution that guides staff through procedures and purchasing based upon their...
594 views, By Afero
Afero Data Explorer reduces cost and complexity, accelerates data transformation with AI-ready structured data and easy-to-use data query
968 views, By Richard Haxton's Transformational Skin Solutions
In Silicon Valley, techies and budding million-dollar entrepreneurs have run into a crisis: How do I stay relevant and how do I remain youthful? No longer is it Hollywood's A-list elite that are vying to look new day fresh; in the tech capital of the...
817 views, By Afero
Afero IoT Platform uses Murata's pre-certified 1LD technology, showcased at CES 2019
703 views, By Waldorf School of the Peninsula
For one day each year, the WSP Los Altos campus transforms into a magical winter wonderland. The joyous mood, creative activities, and welcoming community of people at our faire invite you to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with us.
2010 views, By Waldorf School of the Peninsula
Parents, educators and the world at large grapple with the implications of the technological revolution embodied in the computers in our hands and on our desks.
819 views, By Afero
Standing strong among industry giants, Afero innovations include IoT Security, Customer Activation and Onboarding, Device Connectivity, and Cloud Services
921 views, By Afero
At the CEATEC Japan Event, with partnership of MUFG, Afero highlights the emerging world of IoT banking working to enable "things" to pay each other via secure micropayments, blockchain, and IoT technologies
539 views, By Afero
Afero Console™ provides a powerful dashboard to monitor and visualize fleets of connected devices in real-time
687 views, By Afero
The Afero Next-Generation IoT Platform now Offers Customers Custom-Branded Mobile Apps that Cut Costs, Accelerate Time to Market, and Deliver High Quality User Experience


text:
photo by Sara RiceThe wall of wine greets you. Taylor Surdyk is the busy great-grandson of the guy who started the family's eponymous store in NE Minneapolis. He's also the CEO and mixologist of Surdyk's Flights, which opened on July 24 in the MSP airport. It's a wine store and bar that serves li ... More >>
Jesse Ventura hangs with the mellow folk tonight.When we interviewed Jesse Ventura last year about his new show, "Conspiracy Theory," he certainly came off as a little paranoid. But not in a Cheech and Chong, flush-the-goods-down-the-toilet way. If anything, Ventura could have used some mel ... More >>
The Bloomington Bros. pitch their TV show idea to Pauly Shore. While comedians and Bloomington natives Matt Houchin and Ross McNamara, a.k.a., the Bloomington Bros., may be better known for their personalized spoof of Nickleback's angst-ridden hit "Photograph," their alter egos have recently taken a ... More >>
Sometimes, a bro just needs to hunt down another bro. Today is one of those times.
Britney's new show is chaotic for all the wrong reasons
Über-girl group W.I.T. sexes up New York's nu-wave boys club
The outsize personality of balladeer Jack Black means there's more of him to love
Pamela Anderson Lee's V.I.P. stretches credibility (and costumes) to the point of bliss


text:
China Mobile deal no cure-all for Apple's China woes (4:56)
Jan. 17 - After years of wrangling, the iPhone finally comes to China's top mobile carrier. But tech consultant Michael Clendenin says that alone won't see Apple win over the world's biggest smartphone market.
Hard-edged reporting, insight and analysis, Reuters TV breaks ground creating informative news and financial videos. Showcasing Reuters’ 3000 award-winning journalists, Reuters TV delivers high-energy investigative journalism with concise explanations. Check it out and let us know what you think.


text:
The Michelin Italy 2019 Guide has been released today during a ceremony in Parma, with the biggest news being that a new three-star restaurant has made the top rankings on the list.
Chef and restaurant owner Mauro Uliassi bounded on stage visibly excited to receive the accolade for Uliassi. The seaside restaurant located in Senigallia in Marche on the East coast of Italy awarded by the guide for its "unique cuisine that combines the maximum of tradition with the maximum of technology." A crowning moment for the brother and sister team who first opened the restaurant in 1990 and had held two stars for nearly a decade.
There were also an impressive 29 new one-star restaurants making the list, but no new two-star restaurants to report.
That now brings Italy up to a total of 10 three-star restaurants, 39 two star restaurants and 318 one star restaurants, meaning the country owns a combined total of 367 stars, second only to France.
These light, flaky and melt-in-your-mouth pain aux raisins are a delight of French patisserie and are great for a breakfast treat, or any time. Make your own pain aux raisins with this easy-to-follow recipe.
Geranium's Rasmus Kofoed has decided to stop serving meat at the restaurant currently ranked number two on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. But the Danish chef isn't yet willing to go purely plant-based.


text:
New toys arriving soon at Ink Spot and Dazzle include Lego’s just released Legends of Chima and in February Teenage Ninja Turtle Lego. Lego Friends for girls and Spiderman for boys mean there are loads for both boys and girls of all ages to build. And … late on in the year Lego will be bringing out a Jake and the Neverland range as well!!
New selection of WWE figures, masks, rings and belts, scary new Monster High dolls, Superman figures and accessories to accompany the highly anticipated film being released this summer will be arriving too!
Series 5 Moshi figures have just been released and Series 6 and Series 7 are due later this year. Micro Moshi figures, new Rox Tins and new playsets are also planned over the next few months.
Brand new for 2013 – Power Ranges
Coming soon – the new wave of Skylanders Giants
New – Apptivity , a whole new way to play with toys.. The future of fun where toy meets tablet.


text:
Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.4 per cent to $53.2 billion in August.
It was the fourth consecutive monthly increase for retail sales since a record drop in April, when restrictions related to the novel coronavirus pandemic shuttered most non-essential businesses. But the reading was far below the expectation of economists, who had on average forecast an increase of 1.1 per cent, according to financial data firm Refinitiv.
Sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers rose 4.5 per cent, while sales at food and beverage stores climbed 0.8 per cent.
Retail sales in volume terms were up 0.5 per cent in August.
The results came as Statistics Canada says a preliminary estimate for September suggests retail sales were relatively unchanged for the month, but added that the figure will be revised.
Source: Read Full Article


text:
Via | Cape Business News
A report released by Airbnb last September found that the guest activity on the platform in South Africa supported more than 22 000 new jobs and generated an economic impact of $678 million (R9.9 billion) over one year.
These are substantial numbers by anyone’s calculation, but perhaps the most important is the way in which the platform is driving both tourism as well as one of South Africa’s most important areas for economic growth: the rise of small business entrepreneurs, particularly in the face of increasing unemployment and volatile inflation rates, as locals pay ever more for everyday amenities.
Country Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Airbnb, Velma Corcoran, said the impact of Airbnb was best measured on the ground. “Hosts tell us that their ability to welcome guests into their homes or host experiences on the Airbnb platform has made a huge difference in their lives.
“It’s also interesting to note that of the 35 000 hosts in South Africa that list their home on the Airbnb platform, the majority – 65 percent of them – are women.”
One such host is Fayruza Abrahams, who made the tough decision to leave her high-powered and stressful corporate job when her health started to suffer from the thyroid condition Graves Disease.
She required long-term medical treatment.
As a single parent to a young daughter, she turned to hosting Airbnb food and cooking experiences from her BoKaap home in Cape Town to bring in a much-needed income, and to give her small family a better quality of life than the corporate world could ever do.
“A family member introduced me to the Airbnb concept late in 2017, when the company was just launching its Experiences offering, and I’ve never looked back. Airbnb has given me back my independence; I can take care of my daughter, my mother and my house. I still have to go to the hospital every three months. This disease is going to be a lifelong journey. But now, I’m in control of my own future,” said Abrahams.
A passionate home cook from an early age, introducing Malay food and the Muslim way of life to her guests has become much more than just a livelihood for Abrahams: “I’m contributing to my community by educating guests about the culture in our neighbourhood, and in my home.”
Having once travelled extensively for work, having guests from around the world in her home is also giving her back what she considers important exposure to other cultures: “It feels like I’m still travelling without leaving home.”
For Michelle Dancer and her husband, the decision to open their Forest Town home in Johannesburg to Airbnb guests was originally made for financial reasons: “It gave us an income from which we could maintain our home and pay for unexpected costs.”
However, while the income is much appreciated, Dancer said the accommodation her home provided filled a gap in the current accommodation market.
“A lot of people who stay with us would not necessarily travel for work if they didn’t have to, and sometimes can’t afford the cost of staying in a hotel.
We’ve had university students, families immigrating from overseas who need a home for a bit while they find a place to live, and people coming to see loved ones in hospital. We’re so lucky to be able to be in a situation where we can be that place for those people,” said Dancer.
Apart from the economic value to the country, the 2018 Airbnb report also notes the importance of empowering a more diverse range of people and places.
Busi Msimango opened her large Soweto, Johannesburg, home to Airbnb guests a year ago, after leaving a marketing and sponsorship position in the corporate world. Identifying that her house could become her income, and her love of mountain biking could become an Experience she could share, she has since realised it’s become so much more in building social bridges.
“Besides allowing me to be an entrepreneur, something like this gives us social diversification, particularly in the townships. At the end of the day, we all have the same blood and want the same things: we want comfort, we want love, and it’s just nice to be able to give that to someone and they treat you back at face value,” said Msimango.
Building these bridges has always been part of the Airbnb ethos: its 2018 Africa Travel Summit, which 200 delegates from across the globe attended, was held last year at the Guga S’thebe Arts & Culture Centre in the middle of Langa – a township in Cape Town.
Speaking about the location summit at the time, Global Head of Public Policy and Public Affairs for Airbnb, Chris Lehane, noted that it was a unique opportunity that enabled delegates to connect while seeing community-driven tourism come to life – a factor of enormous importance to South African Tourism.
Via | Cape Business News


text:
Toyota lost its global sales crown in 2011 after being hit by a recall crisis in the US and supply chain disruptions following the Japanese earthquake and Thailand floods.
But last year global sales were up 22.6 per cent to a record 9.75million vehicles.
Toyota expects to post further growth this year
It said demand in Asia, Latin America and North America for its Prius hybrid cars and luxury Lexus ranges had offset weaker demand in Europe and the Middle East.
Toyota expects to post further growth this year, with 9.91million vehicles likely to be sold.
US maker GM sold 9.28million vehicles in 2012, up 2.9 per cent, with Germany's Volkswagen up 11.2 per cent at 9.07million.
Japanese rivals Nissan rose 6 per cent to 4.94million vehicles, while Honda sales were up 19 per cent to 3.82million.


text:
Shares in European consumer-focused firms have taken a battering in the last quarter as soaring inflation and low growth have caused investors to shun the stocks.
Consumer-cyclicals firms, which span sectors including housing, entertainment, and retail, have weathered a sharp average share price plunge of around 16 per cent as investor jitters grow over consumer spending power, according to data from investment analysis firm Morningstar.
Morningstar found that wider share price declines over the first quarter of this year have pared back wider 12-month gains to little over 15 per cent, down from almost 30 per cent last quarter.
Analysts said consumer cyclicals had plunged well beyond the wider share index.
“The Morningstar Europe Consumer Cyclicals Index has significantly lagged the Morningstar Europe Index since the start of the year, as concerns about inflation and its dampening effect on consumer discretionary spending, amplified by the Russia/Ukraine war, weighed on the sector,” analysts said.
“Further, internet retail came under pressure alongside technology shares, as concerns about rising interest rates made future earnings of these high-growth firms less attractive to investors.”
Energy was the only sector to experience price gains over the quarter, up more than 11 per cent, as investors bet on higher energy prices benefiting producers.
But analysts at Morningstar said turbulence in the markets presented opportunities to investors with firms now significantly undervalued.
“Broad-based declines over the quarter have thrown up opportunities across the board, with five star stocks flashing up in every single sector, a situation we have not encountered since our first Europe outlook report in 2021,” analysts said.
“While investors may be understandably nervous in these uncertain economic times, one recurring stock theme in this second-quarter 2022 report is around business model resilience, frequently underpinned by narrow and wide moat ratings.”
It comes as flows into equity funds rebounded in the first week of April after a month of heavy outflows through March as investors scrambled for safer havens to put their cash.
European equity funds received a net $4.84bn in the week to 6th April, while U.S. and Asian equity funds faced outflows worth $930m and $150m, respectively, data from Refinitiv Lipper showed.


text:
When an Accessories4Gamers ad mentioned the existence of a PSP-4000 a few days ago, everyone rolled their eyes. The latest PSP model has only just arrived in the form of the PSPGo, do we really need yet another new addition to family this soon?
Well fear not; the ad company has come forth and admitted the 4000 to be “a mistake on our part” according to license manager Angela Jones. Of course, this probably won’t put the rumours to rest now. After all, the PSPGo was leaked early, right? Oh, and the PS3 Slim… and Resistance 3.
Ah Sony, you need to start hiding your presents better.


text:
Here in China, according to Dell, the company does $23B in business which, when combined with related services and goods, adds an excess of $50B to the gross national product of China and contributes to the employment of two million people. What the company is most proud of is the fact its growing 2.5 times the industry average here in technology, making it a true powerhouse.
Part of why its so successful is Dell invests heavily in the area. For instance they provided 7,000 volunteers, 20 learning centers, $9.3M and 6 tons of earthquake relief after the last disaster. You typically dont see this kind of commitment from an offshore company but Dell, realizing it would have to compete with companies like Lenovo which are local, would have to create the impression that they are just as local and that meant a significant commitment.
The reason why this commitment was made and they want us focused on this geography is that this market is expected to blow by the US market to nearly double the US size by the end of 2015. This was a fundamental strategic move to ensure they didnt become second-class when the US market does. And it is this same set of numbers which are driving HP and IBMs efforts into China, and should create concerns for those following Apple, which has had a great deal of difficulty penetrating this region with PCs or phones.
Selling In China
One of the lessons from China and the Middle East is that buyers are culturally oriented to buy and barter from real people.
They find direct selling largely unsatisfying and, as a result, the Dell of China is vastly different in operation than the Dell in the US. They rolled out a program consisting of 600 partners covering 86% of the available market, 155 solution centers focused on SMB, and Dell on wheels in 100 cities, with the mission to make Dell as trustworthy as any other brand.
Their plan is to expand the solution centers to 1,200 over the next few months. This is all effectively modifying the direct model to meet the needs of what otherwise would be an indirect market that actually wants to deal directly with its vendors.
Its interesting to note that in the Middle East and China, US brands are viewed as premium brands, which naturally make them desirable. To address this massive opportunity Dell is expanding from covering 90+ cities today to covering 1200+ cities in the 2015 timeframe.
This is a massive increase in commitment but necessary if Dell wants a shot at the top technology position in China. And with China, by default, they get the top position in Asia if the market growth numbers are accurate.
Part of what can make the difference between success and failure in any hot market is to shift product design into that market so that the offering meets the unique design and function requirements that every market enjoys.
For instance, part of what makes Toyotas US success so pronounced was the opening of design centers in the US focused on building unique targeted cars for us. Its an interesting side point that in China over 100 new model cars are launched every year, suggesting this market likes substantially more diversity than the US market does.


text:
It's that massive change that's lit a fire under advocates for the position that states should be allowed to require an online merchant with no physical presence in a state to collect sales taxes from their customers on behalf of it. While online consumers have always been required to pay taxes to their states on online purchases, it's a requirement that’s mostly been honored in its breach – and lacking a means to get internet customers to cough up those taxes, financially stretched states are coming up short on scads of revenue.
While there's general agreement on many points, how to get such taxes into state coffers has become a matter of heated controversy. One of the biggest sticking points is the potentially huge administrative workload for online retailers of having to comply with the rules of many of the nation's nearly 10,000 sales tax jurisdictions.
Timely, incisive articles delivered directly to your inbox.


text:
Fast food continues to dominate, Bord Bia
A report on the Irish food service industry, which is currently valued at €6.07bn at consumer prices, was published at the annual Bord Bia food service seminar in Dublin today.
The Foodservice Channel Insights Report highlights the fact that fast food continues to dominate Irish food service channels and that although price is still a venue differentiator for today’s value-conscious consumer, diners are also looking for excitement and new product offerings when eating out.
According to the report, further growth of the market will rely on operators revitalising the dining out experience, whilst maintaining a sense of familiarity. Initial findings from its Lunchtime Study were also presented by Bord Bia this morning, revealing that on average we spend €6.24 on lunch every day and almost two thirds (57 per cent) of lunches consumed at work are brought from home.
Now in its fifth year, the Bord Bia foodservice seminar was attended by more than 200 Irish food suppliers and foodservice trade buyers. Among the speakers at the event were Larry Murrin, CEO of Dawn Farm Foods; Noel Keeley, MD of Musgraves Wholesale Partners; Joan O’Shaughnessy, vice chairperson and special advisor of Aramark and Sarah Furno, director of Cashel Blue.
Speaking at today’s seminar, Bord Bia’s foodservice specialist, Maureen Gahan commented: “2012 saw a return to growth in four of the five commercial channels, which ended a period of decline that began in 2008. The good news today is that the market is predicted to show continued growth over the next five years to 2018, averaging a 0.8 per cent increase per annum from 2013 to 2018. Interestingly, there is also an ongoing emphasis on Irish sourcing across all product categories – with provenance, transparency and origin identified as driving trends within the trade.”
Quick serve restaurants (QSR) or fast food remains the largest Irish food service channel, making up 37 per cent of the market. Joining QSR in the list of Top 5 most valuable foodservice channels are: pubs, cafes and coffee shops at 32 per cent, full service restaurants (FSR) at 11 per cent, hotels at six per cent and business and industry (B&I) at five per cent. Leisure and travel, education, the Defence Forces and the Prison Service account for the remaining market share.
The combined value of the Top 2 performing channels – QSR and pubs, cafes and coffee shops – accounts for the majority (69 per cent) of total foodservice sales. This demonstrates how Irish consumers have traded down in terms of their meal options and that lower transaction spend is motivating venue choice.
At the event, Larry Murrin, chief executive, Dawn Farm Foods presented an overview of how the company has successfully developed exports through long term partnerships. According to Mr Murrin: “Food innovation and new product development are an integral part of the service that we provide to our global foodservice customers. Our value added protein products are consumed by millions of consumers every day across Europe and the Middle East in sandwiches, ready meals and pizza toppings.”
In 2010 Dawn Farm Foods won a €700m, seven-year contract to supply the Subway sandwich chain with meat ingredients. Meeting today’s consumer needs for value, convenience and customisation, Subway is now one of the largest growing global fast food chains with over 40,000 outlets worldwide.
Among the key findings of the Foodservice Channel Insights Report are:
- In the past year, the hotels channel experienced its biggest growth increase since the recession began – expanding by almost three per cent between 2012 and 2013, to a market value of €384m at consumer prices.
- Improved food offering in pubs has gained traction with consumers, who are increasingly seeing pubs as meal venue choices. Half of Irish consumers (50 per cent) ate in a pub in the 3 month period to September 2013.
- Delivered wholesale remains the principle route to market, accounting for 65 per cent of the distribution value ahead of direct at 13 per cent, cash & carry at 11 per cent, contract at 10 per cent and retail at just 1 per cent.
- Fruit and vegetables is the leading category in terms of share and sales value, accounting for €355m at operator buying prices or 19 per cent of the total market in 2013 – ahead of poultry at €251m, beef at €248m, bread/bakery at €238m, bacon at €186m and dairy at €181m.
- Of the top 10 global foodservice trends identified in this report, five relate to menu offerings. This emphasises the importance of new product development within the future growth of the Irish food service market.
- Lower price points are driving spend within the foodservice industry. Lunch and/or dinner is typically eaten out-of-home two to three times per month (by one quarter of consumers), while light snacks are eaten out of the home up to two or three times a week (by one fifth of consumers).
- When it comes to eating outside the home, meal deals and efficient service are the two key drivers consumers are most concerned with when choosing a venue.
The Lunchtime Study, which focuses on consumer behaviour, was also released by Bord Bia today. Among the key findings are:
- On average, we spend €6.24 on lunch every day, rising to an average of €9.88 when dining at a serviced outlet. However when brought from home, the typical lunch costs as little as €4.
- Almost two thirds (57 per cent) of lunches consumed at work are brought from home. Just one in five lunches eaten in work are items that have been purchased locally and brought back.
- Key considerations when choosing lunch foods are control over budget, ingredients used and calories consumed.
- Interestingly, around a third of us (30 per cent) eat lunch in work while 17 per cent choose to eat out at serviced outlets like cafés, restaurants or pubs.
- We’re a nation of sandwich-lovers! Over 40 per cent of us opt for bread-based lunches.
Bord Bia also published its Irish Food service Market Directory 2013 today. Aimed at providing companies with key background information on potential foodservice customers, the directory includes detailed profiles of more than 100 operators and wholesale distributors.


text:
Endpoint Security Global Market Report 2022: Sector to Reach $22 Billion by 2026 at a CAGR of 9.4%
DUBLIN, Jan. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Endpoint Security Global Market Report 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
The global end-point security market is expected to grow from $14.05 billion in 2021 to $15.38 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The end-point security market is expected to grow to $22.00 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 9.4%.
North America will be the largest region in the end-point security market in 2021. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in this end-point security market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Africa.
For instance, in October 2021, according to The Economic Times, an Indian business newspaper, India had the highest mobile data consumption rate at 12 gigabytes or GB per user a month in the world, and the country is adding 25 million new smartphone users every quarter. Therefore, the increasing number of end-points is driving the growth of the end-point security market.
For instance, in June 2020, Unistal, an India-based company and market leader in software products and application development, launched Protegent endpoint security software based on technologies such as advanced machine learning and advanced DNS Scan. This software has inculcated an encryption feature and helps in controlling any risky activities by providing proficient monitoring.
1) By Component: Software; Services
2) By Deployment: On-Premise; Cloud
3) By Enterprise Size: Large Enterprises; Small and Medium Enterprises
4) By Vertical: Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI); Telecommunications and IT; Government and Defense; Healthcare and Life Sciences; Manufacturing; Retail and eCommerce; Other Vertical
Companies Mentioned: VMware Inc; McAfee; Sophos; Palo Alto Networks; Panda Security
Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA
Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
Time series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
Data segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Executive Summary
2. End-Point Security Market Characteristics
3. End-Point Security Market Trends And Strategies
4. End-Point Security Market - Macro Economic Scenario
5. End-Point Security Market Size And Growth
7. End-Point Security Market Regional And Country Analysis
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xfhoba
Research and Markets
For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/endpoint-security-global-market-report-2022-sector-to-reach-22-billion-by-2026-at-a-cagr-of-9-4-301712341.html
SOURCE Research and Markets


text:
With milk prices paid to dairy farmers lower in 2006 than 2001, Senator James L. Seward has called for invoking the Rogers-Allen Act and an emergency, over-order price on Class 1 milk. Seward is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
"Dairy farmers in New York are being body-slammed by high fuel prices, high taxes, and higher energy costs at a time when the price they get for their product is lower than ever," Seward said. "The blend price for milk in 2001 was $15.12 per hundredweight and now it's about $12.76. And in 2001, fuel was about $1.48 per gallon. Their expenses rise and incomes drop. An over-order price would help stop the hemorrhaging."
Seward is urging farmers to petition the commissioner of agriculture and trigger the Rogers-Allen Act, which allows the commissioner to establish an emergency price for Class 1 milk which is higher than the federal order's price. The commissioner must also be petitioned by dairy cooperatives that represent at least 35 percent of the state's milk producers in order to keep the over-order price.
Seward said that the cost of fuel pressures a variety of expenses for dairy farmers, from fertilizer and tractor fuel to the cost of electricity for cooling milk and running milking machines. Rising taxes and fuel, among others, are pushing farmers to the financial edge.
"Farmers have contacted me to say they're at the breaking point and they're struggling to survive," Seward added. "Farms provide food, crops, open space, local economic activity, and they are significant in New York's economy, especially in our rural areas.
"Farmers need a lifeline, and a lift in their milk price would be a big help," Seward said.
In 1991, the Rogers-Allen Act provided nearly $17 million in extra income to dairy farmers.


text:
Georgian Telasi's revenue declines
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept.9
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
Georgian electricity distribution Telasi company announced a reduction in sales revenue in the face of the СOVID 19 pandemic, Trend reports via Georgian media.
According to the data for 6 months, Telasi received 190.59 million laris ($62.02 million) from sales, while in the same period of 2019, the revenue exceeded 226 million laris ($73.5 million).
Amid the pandemic, the volume of electricity consumed by the population as well as the commercial and industrial sectors has sharply decreased.
The total profit (-1.6 million laris/$520,688) and profit from operating activities (-53 million laris/$17.2 million) are negative.
The half-year loss is 49.20 million laris ($16.01 million), after the 4.18 million laris ($1.3 million) profit in the first 6 months of last year.
Telasi is one of the largest electricity distribution companies in Georgia, which distributes electricity in Tbilisi. The company supplies electricity to more than 600,000 consumers.
Follow the author on Twitter: @Mila61979356


text:
Kampala. A favourble tax regime can attract investment in the beverages industry, Mr Jacques Vermeulen, the Coca-Cola Beverages Africa chief executive officer, has said.
Speaking at the commissioning of a new $10m (about Shs38b) bottled water production line operated by Coca-Cola early this week, Mr Vermeulen said that whereas government had promised a phased reduction of taxes in the beverages sector, the process has been halted by Parliament yet the tax is still high.
“It is important to note that this investment was made on a promise to reduce Excise Duty from 13 per cent to 12 per cent in the 2018/19 financial year and gradual decrease per year until 10 per cent. We are grateful that this happened. Unfortunately, the reduction from 12 per cent to 11 per cent in the 2019/ 2020 financial year has been rejected by Parliament, he said, noting that the new bottling line was confirmation that a favourble tax regime is required to attract investments.
The new bottling line has a capacity to produce 24,000 bottles of water per hour and will be key in cementing Rwenzori’s leadership position in the mineral water segment.
In a speech read for him by Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde, President Museveni lauded Coca-Cola for fulfilling its commitment to invest in Uganda, noting that the company had spent about $3.5m on civil works, construction and auxiliary services, the bulk of which had gone to benefiting Ugandans.
“This fits well within our Buy Uganda, Build Uganda policy. Also, your investment in a new manufacturing line creates more jobs for very many categories of Ugandans – which fulfills [government’s pledge to create more jobs,” he said.


text:
A new study says South Korea’s TVOD and SVOD services are soaring, with the country’s transactional video-on-demand market one of the most successful in the world.
One of the keys to TVOD’s success? Relaxed release windows that give consumers access to content as quickly as four weeks after it debuts in theaters.
The report, Futuresource’s Video Insights, says the strategy has “allowed for early monetization by capitalizing on existing hype and marketing spend around each film.”
Despite the success of the “Super Premium Video” program, some studios recently have exited or reduced their participation in the program. That might change as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused theaters to close around the world.
Will US see more early releases to streaming?
Could Korea’s success with its TVOD program be a case study for US distributors of how studios can ease release windows without impacting cinematic release? Possibly. At the very least, it’s worth considering given the conundrum Hollywood is facing.
- RELATED: Asia-Pac SVOD subscribers, revenue gains outpacing slowing pay-TV market
- RELATED: Netflix tests trial in India for pennies as Disney+ gets ready to launch
- ALSO: Streaming services are just the new TV channels
Add to that the worry that many theaters won’t survive mandatory closures during the pandemic, despite potential help from government subsidies. The theatrical market has been struggling for years as viewers have increasingly turned to streaming services. Casualties among cinemas have been widespread in the US, well before the pandemic emptied seats.
COVID-19 has made it worse. US movie theaters saw their worst box office weekend in 22 years March 13-15, grossing just $55.3 million. Almost every film saw revenues drop more than 60%. New York City and L.A. ordered all theaters closed March 17, an order picked up across the country shortly thereafter.
NBCUniversal in mid-March announced it would break theatrical release windows for some of its films, making a number of titles available for $20 on a slew of streaming services.
When it made the announcement, the Comcast-owned company said it didn’t plan to make the entire 2020 schedule of content available… but with the worsening conditions of the market, and the continuing spread of COVID-19 across the US, that’s a decision that likely will be revisited – multiple times over the next few months.
Theatrical release windows have been a contentious topic between streaming services and studios, and it has been adjust in the past couple of years, making more movies available earlier. But theater owners have played a big role in keeping that window (mostly) closed despite streamers willingness to pay big bucks for early releases.
The long-term impact of the pandemic may reduce theater owners’ voice in the matter as more cinemas are rolled up.
Korea’s SVOD market is hot
Korea’s SVOD market, meanwhile, also has seen big gains in recent years, as consumers spent 61% more on SVOD services in 2019, closing the revenue gap with the TVOD market.
Netflix has acquired a significant library of local language content, helping it to build and retain a local audience. Netflix subscriptions currently account for nearly half of SVOD consumer spend and service subscriptions in the country.
The streamer has been able to deliver new series on a regular basis, but the pandemic-driven shutdown of new content creation may have an impact on that ability in the near term.
Netflix isn’t alone in its SVOD success. Korea Telecom, SK Broadband and LG U+ are all looking for ways to grab a piece of the SVOD pie. In some cases, they’ve simply partnered with Netflix, making it available to their customers and centralizing billing. In others, they’ve looked to local SVOD partners.
The bottom line
Korea has a number of market factors that has helped it expand its streaming play. It has superb high-speed Internet network infrastructure. It’s a very early adopter of commercialized 5G wireless. It’s citizens have a good amount of disposable income and, most importantly, it has a consumer mindset that has been willing to pay for premium monthly services.
The demand there for more SVOD services remains high and is likely to help spawn additional home-grown video services.
But those same market factors exist in many developed streaming markets, including the US, where the art of getting more for more premium content has been refined by pay-TV operators. HBO, Showtime, Starz, and more are all services that started as premium pay-TV channels, after all, and all have evolved into streaming services as well.
Does SVOD opportunity remain in the US and other big markets? Of course it does, especially as viewers cope with stay-at-home rules during this pandemic.
Stay tuned… and stay well.


text:
Fireflies open for business in Columbia’s Vista
The Columbia Fireflies have yet to take the field, but team management is hoping to see their merchandise under lots of Christmas trees this year.
The team hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday for its retail store at 807 Gervais St. in the Vista.
“This is a great storefront for them,” said Columbia Chamber President and CEO Carl Blackstone. “We’re only about five months away from baseball. April 14 is coming soon.”
The Fireflies Opening Day is scheduled for April 14.
Fireflies President John Katz said the team’s lease at the Gervais store ends in March but that “for the time being, this is a pretty cool place to be. I love the Vista.”
Katz said he has not yet decided whether the Vista store will stay open beyond March.
“We’ll have a full store as part of the stadium,” he said. “This is a great spot, but once we’re up and running in the ballpark, it’s not quite as necessary to have another presence.”
Katz said the stadium construction is on time and under budget.
He said the Vista store opened before the ribbon cutting, just days after last month’s floods, in an effort to help the community the Fireflies are joining.
“We opened specifically to be a drop-off point for the United Way and Harvest Hope,” Katz said. “When we first opened we didn’t have enough merchandise in the store to really be open for business.”
The store is now fully stocked and ready for customers. Hours and information on what’s for sale can be found here.


text:
California announced today that all soda beverages must be labeled with warnings of weight gain, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc. If the law passed, it will be enacted on July 1, 2015.
Some people will continue to consume soda regardless of the labels; however, others may be less inclined or may limit their intake of sweet beverages. It is alleged that there are approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar in each 12-ounce can of soda. It is also important to know that actual sugar is not used to sweeten beverages such as sodas, instead, it’s an artificial sweetener, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). HFCS is linked to obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc.
Warning labels may not deter everyone but it will absolutely contribute to behavior change. The warning labels extend to all sugar-sweetened drinks. Sweet drinks that contain HFCS should be labeled since most of these include juices that are targeted to toddlers and young children. Dependence on unhealthy foods and drinks starts early.
Additionally, the caramel color use in many sodas may contain a carcinogenic chemical (4-Mel).
To read more about the proposed law click here.
To read more about the caramel color chemical click here.


text:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 1, 2016) – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced steps aimed at reducing inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal. The FDA released a draft guidance to industry that proposes an action level, or limit, of 100 parts per billion (ppb) for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal.
Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D., executive director of the Consumer Reports Food Safety & Sustainability Center, made the following statement:
“While Consumer Reports is pleased to see that the FDA has finally proposed a limit on arsenic in infant rice cereal, and it is close to the level we recommended more than three years ago, we remain concerned that so many other rice-based products consumed by children and adults remain without any standards at all. This is particularly true of children’s ready-to-eat cereals. We believe the FDA can act swiftly to protect public health and set levels on these products based on the risk the agency has acknowledged in its announcement today, and we intend to continue to push them on behalf of consumers to do so. In the meantime, we continue to advise that infants and children diversify their diets and focus on alternatives to rice.”
Consumer Reports first identified the risk of arsenic in the food supply in 2011 when it reported on the high levels of the toxin in apple and grape juice. It called for the agency to take action and the FDA responded in 2013 by proposing a threshold. The organization published on the risks of arsenic in rice in 2012 and 2014, conducted extensive risk assessments, and recommended limits on rice and rice-based products. Specifically, Consumer Reports called for a limit of 90 ppb for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal as compared to the government’s proposed limit of 100 ppb. The organization will be reviewing the FDA’s risk assessment on other rice-based products and submitting comments.
David Butler, firstname.lastname@example.org or 202-462-6262, ext. 7416
Kara Kelber, email@example.com, 202-462-6262, ext. 7452
Douglas Love, firstname.lastname@example.org, 914-378-2437
Consumer Reports is the world’s largest and most trusted nonprofit, consumer organization working to improve the lives of consumers by driving marketplace change. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has achieved substantial gains for consumers on health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other issues. The organization has advanced important policies to cut hospital-acquired infections, prohibit predatory lending practices and combat dangerous toxins in food. Consumer Reports tests and rates thousands of products and services in its 50-plus labs, state-of-the-art auto test center and consumer research center. Consumers Union, a division of Consumer Reports, works for pro-consumer laws and regulations in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace. With more than eight million subscribers to its flagship magazine, website and other publications, Consumer Reports accepts no advertising, payment or other support from the companies whose products it evaluates.


text:
The TV industry is a tough nut to crack, just look at what's happened to Sharp. The Japanese electronics company has announced that it's closing its TV manufacturing business in the Americas after a huge first quarter loss.
Although, that doesn't mean the end for the Sharp brand. You'll still be able to get your hands on a Sharp TV in North America and South America, it just won't be made by Sharp.
That's because Sharp is going to lease the rights to its brand name to Chinese technology firm Hisense. The deal also includes the company's Aquos and Quattron TV brands as well as its Mexican production factory.
Hisense has been trying to establish itself as a household name in the region for some time, but with little success. Having the Sharp brand under its belt should certainly bode well for business.
Sharp basically had to jump ship because of money, or the lack of it rather. Its TV arm has struggled in recent years, with significant losses posted in the quarter ending in June.
In a statement, Sharp writes: “In recent years, Sharp has not been able to fully adapt to the intensifying market competition, which led to significantly lower profits compared to initial projections for the previous fiscal year, and has been suffering from poor earnings performance.”
However the deal with Hisense is worth $23.7 million, so we'd expect that to fix some of Sharp's financial woes, at least. Do note, this doesn't mean Sharp will stop making tech in the Americas altogether, we're just talking TVs. Sharp will still be flogging a number of electronics under its own name, including ovens, photocopiers and solar cells.
Sharp does state that there could still be "structural reforms" to come, however, so this may not be the last business Sharp steps away from. We'll have to see how things pan out, stay tuned.


text:
*Shares down as much as 4 pct in extended New York trading. BEIJING, Oct 28- Chinese internet search giant Baidu Inc warned investors fourth-quarter revenue will slide, hitting shares, as a government crackdown on healthcare advertising that tipped the firm into its first-ever quarterly sales drop bites even harder. Though the latter was better than analysts...
Propelled by strong advertising on mobile devices and video site YouTube, Alphabet's net income climbed 27 percent to $5.06 billion. The company authorized a $7 billion repurchase of its Class C stock, pleasing investors who had been craving more after a $5 billion repurchase last year. Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai touted the company's gains in the...
Martin Limpert, Asia Pacific MD at Porsche, talks about where self-driving technology fits into the automaker's overall strategy.
Oct 27- Google parent Alphabet Inc reported stronger-than-expected quarterly revenues and earnings on Thursday, helped by strong advertising sales on mobile devices and YouTube, and the search company authorized a $7 billion repurchase of its Class C stock. The company posted third-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $9.06 on revenue of $22.45 billion.
Oct 27- Google parent Alphabet Inc reported a 20.2 percent rise in quarterly revenue on Thursday, helped by robust sales of advertising on mobile devices and YouTube, and the search company authorized a $7 billion repurchase of its Class C stock. Google has been dogged by concerns about how it would nudge its vast web advertising business toward mobile, but the...
Oct 27- Google parent Alphabet Inc reported a 20.2 percent rise in quarterly revenue on Thursday, helped by robust sales of advertising on mobile devices and YouTube, and the search giant said it would repurchase about $7 billion of its Class C stock. Alphabet, along with Facebook Inc, dominates the fast-growing mobile advertising market. Google's ad revenue...
NEW YORK— New privacy rules may make it easier to escape at least some online tracking. The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday approved rules that require internet service providers like Comcast, AT&T and Verizon to ask customers' permission to use or share much of their data. Those digital-ad behemoths are not covered by the new FCC rules.
Documentary film legend Ken Burns tells BINGE what he learned from Steve Jobs, weighs in on Donald Trump and reveals his favorite films, and yes, binges.
The social media company's third-quarter ad revenue rose 6 percent year over year, with international growth propelling the increases.
Ken Burns tells us what Steve Jobs had to offer to put "The Ken Burns Effect" on every Apple computer.
Hint: the same show you do.
More documentation? Good. Less attention? Bad.
Legendary filmmaker Ken Burns says films and documentaries about Apple and Steve Jobs are missing something.
Legendary documentary filmmaker Ken Burns on what history tells him about the 2016 election.
The history of the binge? Filmmaker Ken Burns says it began earlier than you think.
What does Ken Burns watch when he's not making documentaries? It starts with sci-fi and "the moments that are with me all the time."
The social media platform's ads are too expensive and not effective at what they do, experts said.
AT&T needs content, but Time Warner's wealth of series and movies shows it didn't need distribution help.
The telecommunications company purchased Time Warner for more than $85 billion, adding premium content to its portfolio.
AT&T Inc has reached an agreement in principle to buy Time Warner Inc for about $85 billion, sources said on Friday.


text:
Aussie Tivo sales surprise retailer
Sales of the Australian version of the Tivo personal video recorder (PVR) are doing better than even its exclusive retailer, major electronics and home furnishings chain Harvey Norman, was expecting.
Executive chairman of the company, Gerry Harvey, told The Australian newspaper that his stores had sold three times the number of Tivos as he had been looking for, although he did not clarify sales figures. Tivo was launched in Australia in early July, with Harvey Norman's deal to sell the unit exclusive for the first six weeks of sales.
Sales will undoubtedly have been helped by Tivo’s Australian partner, Seven Network, running regular ads for the product during its Olympics coverage. Harvey said in his view the Olympics “have been a factor”, with sales of high definition televisions also strong.
Seven, which in common with rival networks Nine and Ten, has a stand-alone high definition channel free-to-air on Australia’s digital-terrestrial TV platform, has been screening its Olympics coverage in high definition as well as on its standard definition channel. According to figures from GfK, HDTVs accounted for 85% of all flat-panel TV sales in June.
Harvey said that sales of HDTVs were up by around 40% in the last few weeks and was “the only product I can think of at the moment that is selling like hotcakes”.


text:
Transform Magazine: Beauty and logic, transforming the brand experience
Brand experience requires a multichannel, strategic approach to content, comms and branding. How can companies take a new approach to experience design?
CCO Alex Moulton answers that question in a new thinkpiece in Transform magazine this week discussing the importance of experience design in the new “attention economy.”
“It’s no longer enough to merely tell people why they should buy a product. Businesses must articulate how they can play meaningful roles in our lives,” Moulton writes. “Like never before, it’s the experience of the brand that must be communicated.”
To peek inside our creative and strategic process at the studio that helps drive a compelling brand experience across platforms, check out Moulton’s full article here.


text:
Restaurant logistics startup Captain AI has secured $2.1 million USD in seed funding to fuel its go-to-market efforts in Canada and the United States (US).
Captain AI, which was founded by Canadians but initially launched in the United Kingdom (UK), has spent six years quietly building an artificial intelligence (AI) platform designed to help restaurant chains manage and improve their in-house food delivery operations.
“The unit economics of having your own driver fleet are better than relying on a third party to do those deliveries if you’re using the right tech.”
– Ryan Perera, Captain AI
Now, with a fleshed-out offering, Pizza Pizza as its anchor client, and fresh capital from Canadian investors like GreenSky Ventures (which led Captain AI’s seed round) and Techstars Toronto, Captain AI plans to relocate to Canada and expand its presence across the continent.
“We have a strong customer base in North America,” Captain AI co-founder and CEO Ryan Perera told BetaKit in an exclusive interview. “Our expansion is really focused on having an established base in Canada, reincorporating in Canada, and continuing to work with our American and Canadian customers.”
Perera said Captain AI’s work with the country’s largest pizza chain, Pizza Pizza—which has over 730 locations in Canada—was the “biggest factor” in its decision to move back to Canada, adding, “We really look forward to a long-term partnership.”
Captain AI’s equity seed financing, which closed earlier this month, also saw support from other undisclosed investors. It brings the startup’s total funding to $4.6 million. Perera declined to disclose Captain AI’s valuation.
Founded in 2017 in London, UK by Perera and head of design Dihan Algama, Captain AI sells AI-powered software designed to help chain restaurants improve delivery speed, optimize kitchen workflows, and improve customer experience. The startup has already helped Pizza Pizza enable nationwide live order tracking.
This was not always the company’s focus. Captain AI’s origins were as a 60-minute delivery startup and early Deliveroo competitor called Henchman, which Perera and Algama launched in 2014. A portion of Henchman’s work involved developing its own software to increase the efficiency of its delivery drivers, predict how many are required, and dispatch them accordingly.
“There was an ‘a-ha’ moment where we realized this technology—that we built for ourselves as a delivery company—could be really valuable to restaurant chains,” said Perera, adding that they sold Henchman to Rico Logistics in 2016 to focus on doing just that.
After doing the deliveries themselves through Henchman, Perera argued that he and Algama have a unique understanding of the problem that Captain AI is now trying to solve.
Some restaurants rely on third-party services like Uber Eats and DoorDash, which take a sizeable cut out of every order, while others offer food delivery via their own fleet of drivers. Per Perera, most restaurants in the latter group are not currently using technology to manage their drivers. Though this tech-free approach can be cheaper, it is also typically less efficient and transparent. “It’s like you’re operating in the dark,” he added.
As Perera noted, the stakes are rising. The growing popularity of food delivery platforms has helped fuel a broader shift in consumer expectations. “Some customers may not order from you unless they can be given an ETA and a live tracking experience,” he said. “They may prefer to order from a third-party app.”
Enter Captain AI, which is developing a platform that aims to help restaurants that deliver using their own drivers improve their guest experience and operational efficiency.
“The unit economics of having your own driver fleet are better than relying on a third party to do those deliveries if you’re using the right tech,” argued Perera.
Captain AI participated in Techstars Toronto’s 2022 cohort. Perera credits Techstars for helping convince the startup to move to Canada, where it intends to incorporate by early next year.
“There was an ‘a-ha’ moment where we realized this technology … could be really valuable to restaurant chains.”
– Ryan Perera, Captain AI
From a product development standpoint, Perera is particularly excited about the smart kitchen system that Captain AI plans to launch soon, which will advise cooks what order items should be cooked in based on which drivers will return first.
Today, Perera sees more demand for what Captain AI is building in North America, citing the size of the market in Canada and the US and the customers that Captain AI has already landed in both countries.
While Captain AI already processes over 500,000 deliveries monthly around the world, Perera still sees plenty of room for growth. “We’ve spent many, many years focusing on product, and we haven’t really taken our product to market yet,” he said.
For now, the main goal is to bring Captain AI to more restaurant chains across North America. To accomplish this, Captain AI plans to invest a significant portion of its seed funding into sales and marketing.
Feature image courtesy Pexels. Photo by Polina Tankilevitch.