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AIMPLAS, Plastics Technology Centre and Spanish company Bandesur have joined forces to develop a polypropylene (PP) tray resistant to microwave heating and a biodegradable and compostable foamed polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA) tray.
Adding tiny shards of eggshell to bioplastic could create a first-of-its-kind biodegradable packaging material that bends but does not easily break, according to The American Chemical Society (ACS).
The global bioplastics production capacity is set to increase from around 1.7 million tonnes in 2014 to approximately 7.8 million tonnes in 2019, according to the European Bioplastics association.
Coca Cola and Activia are advocates of bioplastics
The first edition of a Biobased Packaging catalogue, compiled by Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research has been launched by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs to the NVC Netherlands Packaging Center.
Perry-McCall has partnered with Meredian Bioplastics after starting construction on a $70m manufacturing facility in Bainbridge, Georgia, US, due for completion in December this year.
Solegear Bioplastics has sealed a deal with r-pac International to speed production, sales, and distribution of its plant-based plastic packaging.
Coop supermarket has launched a compostable bioplastic for its Änglamark own-brand frozen berries using Invercote Bio packaging.
Perstorp specialty chemicals group is launching Capa thermoplastic products for bioplastics at the plastics and rubber tradeshow, K Fair, in Düsseldorf, Germany in October.
Cereplast can expand its eco-friendly packaging activities for customers including food processors, having secured a US patent for biodegradable nanopolymer compositions.
The full message of a speech by a European Commissioner was missed and led to bioplastics being misrepresented, according to NatureWorks.
European Bioplastics has predicted fivefold growth of bioplastics by 2016 but warned South America and Asia are favoured for new manufacturing sites.
“Green” plastics promise optimised performance in food packaging
A new range of polylactic acid (PLA) plastics has overcome a major trade-off in properties that has prevented previous PLA formulations from providing eco-friendly alternatives to polystyrene and polypropylene in packaging such as microwaveable frozen...
Telles expands its bioplastics line to food applications
A new bioplastic thermoforming grade was launched this week for food packaging applications by Telles, a joint venture between Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Metabolix.
Biodegradable and compostable food packaging overview
Shifting opinions on sustainability means that biodegradable and compostable plastics are no longer seen as destined to replace all traditional packaging – but are now viewed as one option among many, according to a new report by industry experts.
A newly-developed deep freeze packaging said to be the first multilayer film to be made from renewable sources is set for a European launch, according to Germany based bioplastic producer FKuR.
Bioplastic packaging made from fruit skins
Researchers in Malaysia said they have developed a biodegradable plastic packaging from tropical fruit skins that is durable and economic to produce.
High energy prices prompt fourfold rise in bioplastics demand
Global demand for bioplastics will rise more than fourfold to 900,000t by 2013 with a value of $2.6bn fuelled by high crude oil and natural gas prices, according to the latest report from market research group Freedonia.
Oxo-bio claims challenged again as bioplastics row rumbles on
The oxo-biodegradable industry “likes to suggest seriousness where there is none", is the latest attack launched by a rival trade body as the battle between bioplastic factions shows no sign of easing.
Biodegradable baking trays span production process
Biosphere Industries and Sealed Air have developed a completely biodegradable range of trays and pans specifically for bakery use, designed to be used throughout product manufacture from freezer to oven to table.
New bio paperboard coating caters to demand, says Iggesund
A newly developed coating for Invercote paperboard is biodegradable and meets the European standard for compostability, claims paperboard manufacturer Iggesund.
Bioplastics award for Amcor
Multi-national packaging company Amcor Flexibles has won the 2008 Bioplastics Award in the category Best Bioplastics Application – Packaging for its NaturePlus compostable film used to pack Sainsbury's SO Organic Wild Rocket salad.
Additive extends the use of PLA, claims DuPont
A new modifier for bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) packaging can enable it to withstand elevated temperatures during transport, storage and use, claims DuPont.
News briefs: Investments in renewable plastics
Two companies move into German bioplastics market, Brazilian firm Braskem claims ‘first’ 100 per cent renewable polypropylene and collaboration between PolyOne and ADM looks to create bio-based plasticizers.
Event to answer tough questions on biodegradability, says organisers
Tough questions on the central issue of biodegradability will be answered at a plastics packaging conference in Prague next month, claims the event organiser.
BASF to extend biodegradable focus
BASF is planning to significantly step up production of its
biodegradable plastic materials amidst growing demand from various
industries including packagers.
Biodegradable packaging makes UK cereal debut
A new compostable laminate is making its UK market debut with the
re-launch of a popular cereal brand.
Compostable tray devised for meat packaging
A recent development in compostable packaging trays for fresh meat
products can offer a sustainable alternative to existing tray
materials, according to its distributor.
Biodegradable PHB with nanoparticles resolves brittle problem
Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) modified with clay nanoparticles could be
the next wave in the biodegradable plastics market.
PLA plastic nanoengineered for high temperature thermoforming
A compostable plastic made from nanoengineered polylactic acid
(PLA) is designed to meet the demands of high-temperature
Company develops biodegradable packaging from CO2
Novomer today announced it has raised $6.6m (€4.5m) in seed funding
to develop a range of biodegradable plastics made from carbon
Company to produce compostable food packaging
The Instone Group has joined the race to grab a slice of the
biodegradable food packaging market by launching a subsidiary that
will target the produce and meat segments.
Company to produce PHA biodegradable plastic
A new player has entered the biodegradable plastic packaging
market, with Procter & Gamble selling off the rights to its
polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) technology to
a private company.
Biodegradable packaging patents indicate growing interest
Food packaging is beginning to move away from plastics such as
petroleum-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and toward
biodegradable materials, according to a new report.
Stanleco's moves indicate biodegradable market shakeup
Major setbacks for UK-based Stanleco over the past year serve as a
warning that the road to riches in the bio-degradable and
recyclable packaging market is not yet paved with gold.
Film targets biodegradable market
Total Processing & Packaging Exhibition
With the launch of an oil-based biodegradable film Natural Flexible
has added to its portfolio, through which it hopes to
conquer the emerging market.
Steamer pouch made out of biodegradable PLA
A new steamer pouch for the microwave is made of biodegradable
polylactic acid (PLA).
Metabolix announces $200m bioplastics factory
US firm Metabolix is constructing a new $200m bioplastics factory
in Iowa, with commercial production of the packaging material
expected to begin in 2008.
Biodegradable peelable lidding film available
A biodegradable peelable lidding film made from corn starch is now
available on the European market.
BASF hikes price for biodegradable plastic
BASF has raised prices for its biodegradable plastic Ecoflex by 20
Sainsbury's makes major switch to biodegradable packging
Sainsbury's will become first major retailer to shift to the large
scale use of biodegradable packaging, putting pressure on food
processors to make the conversion.
Delhaize expands biodegradable packaging switch
With Belgium-based supermarket Delhaize opting to adopt
biodegradable packaging for prepared salads, retailer mandates are
just around the corner.
Treofan steps up development of biodegradable film
The Treofan Group has transferred the production and development of
its biodegradable packaging film to Germany from a plant in France.
ADM jumps into biodegradable plastic market
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has jumped into the growing market for
biodegradable plastic, saying yesterday it will start production of
polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) in a joint venture with a biotechnology
Biodegradable packaging moving into the mainstream
Corn is the operative word in packaging today, with more and more
processors turning to biodegradable materials made from the crop
and other plants for packing their food products.
Diamant produces biodegradable pallet wrap
Diamant Art has opened choices on the market for biodegradable
packaging by expanding its range of recyclable stretch film to
include a pallet wrap based on polystyrene.
Bioplastics sector calls for government support
A lack of government support could undermine the remarkable growth
in the bioplastics sector before companies gain a foothold in the
marketplace, an industry expert has warned.
RPC launches biodegradable PLA packaging range
RPC Bebo Nederland has launched a range of biodegradable containers
manufactured in the pioneering Polylactide (PLA) material.


text:
With the new Audi Q8 having just been revealed, attention has now turned to Audi's RS division. Would it be keen on producing an RSQ8? The answer is yes, and it has been spied undergoing testing.
These photos... Read More
We've been tracking the development of the new Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV and it looks like the vehicle is almost ready to be revealed. Our latest spy photographs show the new Mercedes-Benz GLE virtually... Read More
Nissan recently introduced a host of Intelligent Mobility active safety technologies in its Qashqai, X-Trail and Patrol ranges. Nissan Intelligent Mobility helps drivers to monitor their vehicles and their surroundings,... Read More
Volkswagen has introduced a 7-seater version of its well-liked Tiguan. It gets a slight visual tweak and a new engine (sort of).
In May this year, Volkswagen SA launched the Tiguan Allspace, a longer, more practical... Read More
Audi has revealed its flagship Q8 SUV! Take a look at what the sporty-looking newcomer has to offer...
Previously we only had design sketches to ogle over but official details of the new Q8 have now been released by... Read More
BMW has unveiled its all-new 4th-generation X5 and it features new engines and a host of new technologies. The Bavarian brand's premium SUV is expected to arrive in South Africa in Q4 of 2018. Take a look at what... Read More
Jaguar has bolstered the local E-Pace lineup with the addition of a 147 kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine as well as offering adaptive suspension and Smart Settings self-learning technology across the E-Pace range.
The... Read More

domain: news


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Chatbots are so prevalent in the banking industry, according to the report, that more than a third of Americans (98 million) interacted with a bank chatbot in some way last year. Few enjoyed the experience.
One study found that 8 out of 10 consumers who interacted with a chatbot were “more frustrated,” and that “78% felt less connected to a human after a chatbot failed to meet their needs.” I needed it.” The report also suggests that bots may violate consumer finance laws designed to protect bank customers and cause real harm, such as denying customers the support they need. are doing.
“Poorly implemented chatbots can lead to customer dissatisfaction, loss of trust and even violations of the law,” CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a statement accompanying the release of the report.
To date, many financial chatbots have been rules-based, meaning they are programmed with specific, pre-determined responses depending on keywords detected in the user’s question. More complex chatbots are increasingly using natural language processing and machine learning to respond with more human-like and more creative responses.
For banks, chatbots have become a pillar of their customer service teams. The Charlotte, N.C.-based bank said in its latest quarterly report that at Bank of America, conversations with chatbot Erica increased sixfold in three years. In the first quarter of 2020, about 5.3 million customers used his digital assistant to chat with him 27.8 million times. By the first quarter of this year, that number had skyrocketed to his 17.8 million, with bot interactions reaching his 166.7 million.
Betterment, a Flatiron-based automated investing platform, uses chatbots to help its customer service team answer common questions, according to Betterment president Mike Reust.
“But providing good service requires a real commitment to supervision,” Roist added in an email reply. Cranes. “We regularly review our internal data and constantly iterate our tools so that users can fully resolve their issues directly in the chatbot.” He said it would be resolved within the next few days, but live customer service and certified financial planners are always on hand to help.
Over the past six months, many chatbot makers and users have added AI capabilities to their bots. The Times, which has been developing its automated customer service product since 1997, his Square-based Liveperson announced in early May that his users will be able to easily program their own bots to meet customer needs. , launched his AI-powered bot of DIY type. Later that month, Flatiron-based Kasisto, which is developing financial bots used by JPMorgan Chase and TD Bank, cited in a CFPB report, was the first bank designed to address industry-specific needs. It announced what it called a unique large-scale language model. For compliance with extensive rules regarding accuracy, reliability and data privacy.
“Banks can realize significant growth and performance benefits from generative AI, but this requires deep consideration of compliance, accuracy, safety and ethical responsibility,” said Kasisto CEO One Zor Gorelov said in a statement accompanying the May 31 release. That AI product is called his KAI-GPT.
In response to the CFPB’s report, the company added, “We appreciate the CFPB’s continued focus on consumer protection as AI technology is used more extensively across financial services.” The industry is on the brink of major change driven by the power of generative AI, and this power must be applied carefully, responsibly and with governance. ”
JPMorgan Chase & Co. declined to comment on its use of chatbots or the CFPB report.


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Show notes are at https://stevelitchfield.com/sshow/chat.html
Manage episode 302875149 series 2975155
By CNBC. Discovered by Player FM and our community — copyright is owned by the publisher, not Player FM, and audio is streamed directly from their servers. Hit the Subscribe button to track updates in Player FM, or paste the feed URL into other podcast apps.
Our anchors start off with a full feed of Facebook news with the stock down nearly 4 percent this morning. Then, The Margins Founder Ranjan Roy joins to give his take on Chinese tech stocks, including why he’s bullish on JD.com. We also cover the move in Adobe’s stock after its latest earnings report released last night. Next, Former CBS CEO Joe Ianniello joins as he launches his own media and tech focused SPAC today called Argus Capital Corp. Then, CNBC’s Kate Rooney joins to speak with Robinhood’s Chief Product Officer as the company announces new crypto features. We also bring you the details on new product announcements from Microsoft’s ongoing Surface event today. Later, we have Squarespace CEO Anthony Casalena as the company takes on Shopify with a slew of new e-commerce tools. Plus, Freshworks CEO Girish Mathrubootham joins live from the Nasdaq on the company’s public debut today.


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Ukrposhta works as scheduled during quarantine and offers updated services. Postmen deliver pensions, social benefits, medicines, groceries home. Ukrposhta is doing everything so that people of venerable age are less exposed to the risk of coronavirus, so that our relatives stay at home," the Minister of Infrastructure emphasized.
So, in Ukrposhta you can deliver it through a postman or use the online services:
- receive a pension and social benefits,
- pay utility bills,
- order medication
- subscribe online
- receive the postal order "From the card home",
- order products and other consumer goods,
- buy goods from online stores
As we reported before, Ukrainian Postal Service (UkrPoshta) has warned of possible delays in the delivery of parcels due to the coronavirus outbreak. UkrPoshta has engaged all passenger flights in order to send exports to destinations in Europe and the world for March 14-15.
Ukraine's Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Krykliy added that Ukrainian Postal Service would continue to work in a regular mode.


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With shoppers relying on unique digital shopping experiences in the lead up to the 2020 holidays, KitKat is launching Australia’s first Facebook Live shopping experience.
According to Nestlé, ‘LIVE from the KITKAT CHOCOLATORY’ will be a highly immersive brand experience that will transport shoppers to the KitKat Chocolatory flagship boutique in Sydney.
Hosted by head chocolatier Connie Yuen, Facebook Live viewers will get up close and personal with unique KitKat Chocolatory creations, product demos, special guests and limited-time offers, with the ability to make instant, direct purchases from kitkat.com.au.
Nestlé head of marketing confectionery Joyce Tan said: “We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to connect people with the unique and premium experiences we offer at KitKat Chocolatory boutiques.
“Being able to partner with Facebook for the first ever shoppable live stream in Australia is just one of many e-commerce solutions we’ve been working with the team at Facebook on which align with platform behaviour and build experiences that provide utility.”
In this instance, Tan said the experience would “enhance” the KitKat Chocolatory online shopping experience between product discovery and purchase intent, “from wherever you are”.
Live shopping, an APAC-led “Shoppertainment” trend, incorporates a Messenger comment entry solution from Facebook’s native platform.
The new feature enables viewers of the live broadcast to purchase specific products in real time by typing prescribed keywords in the livestream comment box, which automatically triggers a notification within Messenger to direct users to purchase online.
To learn more about LIVE from the KITKAT CHOCOLATORY, click here.
MediaCom’s recent hunt for a new CEO went global, ultimately delivering the globetrotting Yaron Farizon to its North Sydney headquarters. And Farizon certainly comes with the right pedigree. Born in Kiev in the Ukraine, educated in Israel, he worked for P&G as a business director for eight years through the UK and Eastern Europe before […]
To mark Majella Pinnuck’s return, AWP spoke to her about why she has come back, the hybrid that skills that today’s large organisations need in their corporate affairs and communications professionals, and the challenge of finding candidates with the right skillset. Pinnuck (pictured) started at AWP after she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Law […]
The Media Federation of Australia (MFA) has launched a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council, consisting of 13 media agency professionals from diverse backgrounds, with the aim of providing guidance to the industry across all facets of diversity and inclusion. The MFA DE&I Advisory Council will promote the MFA’s ambition to build a diverse, equitable […]
One month into the new financial year, Melbourne-based agency Theory Crew has won four new clients across the beauty and FMCG divisions. New clients include the gourmet fruit spread range from France St. Dalfour; organic tea range Higher Living, new to market Australian baby skincare range from Biophysics Group Avo Baby, and soon to be […]
SCA has appointed Commercial Radio Australia Brian White Scholarship winner Zac De Silva (pictured) to its Albury newsroom as it invests in new talent for regional radio newsrooms nationwide. De Silva received the prestigious Brian White Scholarship in 2020 and completed a paid internship at SCA as part of the award. He is just one […]
Spinach has been appointed to manage the media strategy, buying and data capabilities for Australian property developer Beulah. The Melbourne-based developer has several projects in the works including STH BNK by Beulah, one of the most ambitious developments to be undertaken in Australia. With backing from the City of Melbourne’s Future Melbourne Committee, the $2 […]
Digitas, the Connected Marketing Agency, part of Publicis Groupe, has announced the promotion of Adrian Farouk as CEO of Digitas APAC. Farouk (pictured above) is currently CEO of Digitas & Epsilon ANZ, he will take on the new role with immediate effect whilst continuing his leadership at Epsilon, the group’s data and tech platform business […]


text:
All In Lutron
Launchpad exhibitors will be in the running to win $5,000 as a part of this year’s TechStarter program at CEDIA designed to help new businesses enter the CE space.
CE Pro Editors · August 03, 2021
During CEDIA Expo 2021 some of the lighting industry’s top manufacturers will be on hand to exhibit the latest innovations and educate integrators on how to get involved in the market.
Robert Archer · July 26, 2021
Registration for the CEDIA Expo 2021 is now open. This year’s show features a number of events, including the Tech Starter, Innovation Hub and Dr. Poppy Crum’s keynote address.
Robert Archer · June 09, 2021
The luxury audio brand Bang & Olufsen has announced the opening of its first smart home retail space in the world, located in the design district of Boston. The new so-called “Beohome Experience Store” provides an interactive, immersive showcase for Bang & Olufsen’s products, including its range of custom installation (CI) solutions. Designed as part […]
Robert Archer · May 21, 2021
Lighting giant debuts more affordable lineups of fixtures offering integrators greater flexibility to meet application needs throughout a home.
Jason Knott · May 20, 2021
Created as the perfect all-weather getaway, local integrator Spire Integrated Systems worked alongside an interior designer to produce a truly unique home theater featuring a lattice ceiling.
CE Pro Editors · May 17, 2021
Manufacturers come through with flying colors during the pandemic to meet the service needs of integrators in 11th annual CE Pro Quest for Quality Awards.
CE Pro Editors · March 30, 2021
Drawing inspiration from his annual trips to Italy, integrator Keith Yates decided to create a Mediterranean-styled home theater complete with Meyer Sound speakers and Dolby Atmos compatibility.
CE Pro Editors · March 19, 2021
Arizona-based Desert Valley AV adds electrical division, and expands geographically into California with strategic purchase of Audio Concepts.
Jason Knott · February 25, 2021
Smart products from companies as diverse as Lutron, JBL, Kwikset and Sony offer homeowners the opportunity to integrate stylish Tech into their homes.
Robert Archer · February 19, 2021


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Ford and Toyota Sever Partnership to Develop Hybrid Trucks
July 24, 2013 8:26 AM
comment(s) - last by
Each automaker will go their own way with hybrid truck development
Toyota and Ford have been working together for the past two years to develop a hybrid system that can be used in full-size pickup trucks. However, the two automakers announced today that they are parting ways with Ford saying that it plans to launch its own hybrid system for trucks later in this decade.
Considering the blows Ford has taken recently with its
not making the grade in real-world fuel economy, you might think they would want help from Toyota, the current hybrid technology leader.
Toyota A-BAT Hybrid pickup concept from 2007
"After successfully completing the feasibility and development of the hybrid system project with Toyota, Ford is moving forward on its own with development of a rear-wheel-drive hybrid system for Ford pickups and SUVs," Ford said in a statement.
Toyota also issued a statement saying in part, "We have agreed to develop hybrid systems individually."
Toyota and Ford did leave the door open for collaboration on other projects. Specifically, the two companies are considering another joint effort to develop infotainment systems and other telematics projects. Ford could certainly use some help with its infotainment systems as they are often pointed to as the reason the automaker has seen a
decline in customer satisfaction
This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled
RE: New designs...
7/24/2013 12:11:43 PM
It's a concept from 2007. I suspect the newer concept is even uglier. But concepts rarely make it into production and so the hybrid F-150 will be ugly in a wholly different way.
As for hybrid trucks ... the electric motor could be a real asset, providing torque at low RPMs and filling in when going up hills. As usual the question is one of cost, will it be worth the extra $$ ?
The answer to that has been no. GM dropped it's hybrid trucks, introduced in 2009, late last year. Cited was poor sales due to the added cost. Alas the present administration has decreed costs are no problem and so I expect hybrids to return and be foisted upon the public.
And be ugly too.
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If 2013 was the year of the ‘Selfie’, then 2014 might well go down as the year of the ‘Spornosexual’, a term coined by British journalist Mark Simpson to describe a new breed of body-conscious men who spend inordinate amounts of time at the gym, salon and spa, pumping, primping and preening themselves into slick Adonises. And then snap selfies afterwards, partly to admire their efforts, but mostly to show off their washboard abs and perfectly teased coifs to their followers on social media.
Simpson’s article, which first appeared in The Telegraph in June, quickly went viral and sparked on online debate. Simpson has a knack for capturing the zeitgeist – it was he who gave us the metrosexual 20 years ago. The thing is, he isn’t the only one to have dreamt up a fancy catchphrase for this contemporary phenomenon. Banking giant HSBC, in a March consumer report, pointed to the rise of the ‘Yummies’, or Young Urban Males, who are rapidly changing the face of modern luxury retail. “The metro-sexual, that cliché from 20 years ago, is now becoming a commercial reality,” said the report.
As Jeremy Lewis, editor of Garmento, told The Business of Fashion: “I think the world’s attitudes towards masculinity have really progressed… The classic male archetype has been pretty misogynistic, sexist and slightly fascist and I think that’s broken down quite a bit over the last 20 years. It makes more sense in a world that is becoming less patriarchal that the male identity would shift to allow for something like fashion or style, once considered feminine and therefore unnacceptable, to be adopted.”
Social media has had a huge part to play in this attitude shift, especially street-style blogs. And cringe-worthy or not, buzzwords like Spornosexual and Yummy come on the back of hard data. A 2013 study by consulting firm Bain & Company revealed that men make up 40 per cent of the luxury market, with a compound annual growth rate of seven per cent from 2010 to 2013. This far outperforms the four per cent for women’s. Market intelligence firm Euromonitor, which tracks sales of apparel and footwear, reported a 4.8 per cent year-on-year growth for menswear in 2013, versus 4.5 per cent for womenswear.
Luxury brands and conglomerates have responded to these tendencies like sharks drawn to a feeding frenzy, ramping up their product offerings for men and opening dedicated men’s stores in key global cities. Fashion powerhouse Prada, in an April earnings report, announced plans to up the number of its standalone menswear boutiques from 30 to 80 over the next three to five years, in the process doubling its menswear revenue to €1.5 billion (S$2.5 billion). Similarly, Michael Kors CEO John Idol remains optimistic that its menswear division will one day hit the billion-dollar mark. CNBC estimates that the brand’s men’s business is currently worth about US$300 million.
The titans of global luxury, LVMH and Kering, can’t possibly sit in the sidelines amid such seismic shifts in the retail landscape, so they’ve promptly gone on the offensive as well. The latter, which bought Roman suitmakers Brioni in 2011, hired Givenchy designer Brendan Mullane to inject new blood into the heritage label. In 2012, LVMH appointed Alessandro Sartori, ex-Z Zegna designer, to create a complete ready-to-wear collection for Parisian shoemakers Berluti. The following year, it appointed rising star JW Anderson to helm Spanish heritage brand Loewe.
Singapore, as a buzzing international port-of-call and home to one of the world’s greatest concentrations of high net worth individuals, is part of this global ‘menaissance’ – another catchy/tacky watchword put forth by Euromonitor. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) has been shaping up as a menswear hub of late, with the likes of uber-luxe brands Tom Ford and Hackett setting up shop. “The Singapore opening is very significant because there is a very sophisticated client who wants the finest accessories and clothing for all aspects of their life, and they want it presented in a modern way that resonates with the new world that is fast emerging in Asia,” says Ford in a press statement.
The 2,031 sq ft Singapore boutique, which opened in April, is modelled after the brand’s Madison Avenue, New York flagship. Swathed in acres of marble, mirror, glass and chrome, it’s a glamorous, refined setting in which to peruse the selection of ready-to-wear, made-to-measure suiting, luggage and perfumes. Meanwhile, those whose tastes veer towards the British landed gentry will find themselves in seventh heaven at Hackett, a 2,575 sq ft emporium of gentlemen’s clothing and accessories – such as tweed suits and enamel cufflinks – that opened last December.
“The interest in luxury menswear in Asia has grown exponentially in the last five years,” says Johnny Manglani, CEO of menswear retail empire Uomo Group. Back in 2010, Manglani rode the first wave when he launched Uomo Collezioni and Stefano Ricci, followed in quick succession by Santoni, Zilli and Brioni – stalwarts of the Italian power dressing universe. It was a smart move, given the number of high rollers that filter through the casino on any given day, particularly those from mainland China.
Much of the menswear boom, to begin with, was driven by the spending power of the Chinese male. In 2012, men accounted for 55 per cent of China’s luxury market, well above the 40 per cent global average, according to research firm CLSA. Come September, Uomo Group will add another feather to its cap with the opening of its latest store, Billionaire Italian Couture, a label owned by the very colourful Italian magnate Flavio Briatore.
Away from the bright lights of MBS, Robinsons Orchard opened last November to much acclaim, not only for its image revamp but also for its fashion-forward merchandising mix. The fourth level was entirely given over to men and populated with exclusive and new-to-market labels such as John Varvatos, Shinola and The Kooples. This past June, ultra-hip Hong Kong-based lifestyle company Kapok opened its first Singapore flagship at the National Design Centre. Menswear brands offered at the 2,300 sq ft outlet include cult favourites like Ami, Maison Kitsune and Sunspel.
But perhaps the most compelling tribute to the clout of the male consumer came from Hermes, when it staged back-to-back, male-centric events earlier this year – the Men on the Move extravaganza at the Old Kallang Airport in April, followed by the Masculins Singuliers exhibition at the Scotts Square boutique in May. This celebration of the brand’s men’s offerings was previously held in Beijing, Paris, Miami, Seoul and Frankfurt, and it is, according to Artistic Director Veronique Nichanian, “The best proposal to show the richness of the men’s universe collection – the ready-to-wear, bags, shoes, silk, even the beautiful Avions Voisin car,” she says, referring to the 1936 Avions Voisin C28 Aerosport upholstered in – what else – Hermes leather.


text:
Razorlight's Johnny Borrell sells less than 600 copies of debut solo album in first week
Singer-songwriter Johnny Borrell, formerly of Razorlight fame, has just released his debut solo album and the first week's sales figures confirm that it shifted less than 600 copies.
'Borrell 1' sold a measly 594 units in the first week of its release according to the NME, despite receiving generally positive reviews from the music press.
Speaking about the collection of songs recently, Borrell explained that he was going for a 'party atmosphere' with the tracks: "It's an album that was born in the spirit of a party, and the arrangements for the songs come from that atmosphere."
Referring to the album's title, he added: "I didn’t want to be pretentious. It was just like, ‘OK, this is one. There you go.’ I didn’t want to come out with some sort of poetic title. The other thing that it suggests is that there may be more of them.” Whether that’s a good thing or not we’ll simply have to wait and see."
Watch Borrell's music video for 'Pan-European Supermodel Song (Oh! Gina)' below:
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Every McDonald’s restaurant has an ice cream machine, but whether you can actually order anything involving the cold treat is a gamble. It’s well-known that McDonald’s ice cream machines are often ‘not working right now’ when someone tries to order, an issue that may have more to do with long repair wait times than employees who simply don’t want to re-clean them.
The frequency with which McDonald’s ice cream machines are broken has led to many jokes, as well as at least one tool to track which stores have functional machines at any given time. The driving force behind this issue is allegedly a type of ice cream machine that is able to handle the milkshake and ice cream demands of a busy restaurant, but with temperamental needs that lead to frequent servicing.
Wired published an investigation into the matter earlier this year, reporting that the machines are made by a company called Taylor and that, reportedly, the company doesn’t make it possible for store owners to easily service the machines on their own. The editorial describes, for example, a ‘secret menu’ on the machines that allegedly aren’t detailed in the machine’s manual. Taylor, for its part, has denied that it makes its machines difficult to repair.
A new report from The Wall Street Journal reveals the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) now wants answers from McDonald’s about its ice cream machines and why they are so often out of service. The report claims the FTC sent requests for information to McDonald’s franchisees, also citing complaints from store owners about their struggles with the machines.
Of note, Taylor, the company behind McDonald’s ice cream machines, allows the companies to fix the machines on their own but warns that doing so will also void their warranty. Insiders speaking to the WSJ indicate the FTC’s interest in the machines — as well as other equipment used in these restaurants — may have to do with right-to-repair laws.
The report notes that the FTC’s inquiry into the matter is preliminary at this time, that it hasn’t necessarily found any “wrongdoing,” and that ultimately nothing may result from the matter. No formal investigation has been opened at this time.


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B&M is coming for Middle England.
The discounter aims to increase its number of British stores from 537 to 950 in the next few years. B&M European Value Retail SA, to give the retailer its full title, sees itself as the Aldi or Lidl of garden furniture and pet beds.
The German discounters have made huge inroads among wealthier customers with cut-price lobster and prosecco. B&M has its eyes on the same crowd, with plans to capture more ground in the affluent home counties surrounding London and among the cash-rich retirees living on England's south coast.
That's filled investors with confidence, pushing its shares up by 30 percent in the past year. After all, its strategy has been road-tested by Aldi and Lidl in their fight with the big supermarket chains. Simply open up stores in middle-class towns and watch the shoppers flock in.
The trouble is that while Aldi and Lidl have continued to grow rapidly through expansion, their like-for-like sales growth has stalled somewhat. And there's a similar worry at B&M, that by opening up too many stores it will cannibalize sales from existing shops. Terry Leahy, the ex-Tesco CEO who chairs B&M, should know all about this given that his former employer over-stretched too.
Simon Arora, the B&M chief executive, points to strong same-store sales growth in his defense. Nevertheless, such grand ambitions do risk damaging the existing estate.
There's also been a setback at B&M's fledgling German business. The cost of clearing the stock that came with the acquisition of the Knuller chain cut the German gross margin by 0.55 percentage points.
Meanwhile, B&M isn't helped by the impact of sterling's slump on the cost of sourcing goods from overseas.
So far, it is navigating this danger well, thanks to currency hedging and sales growth, which helps it get better deals from Asian suppliers. The U.K. gross margin rose by 0.29 percentage points in the year to March 25. Arora says it should remain stable this year. But foreign sourcing will continue to challenge.
There's also the potential for risky acquisitions, with the company holding off from repeating last year's 100 million pound special dividend. Net debt to adjusted Ebitda was 1.71 times, well below the target of 2.25 times, so there's room for another payout. But the company is keeping its powder dry for possible deals.
Plus it's not as if the shares are cheap, trading at about 21 times expected earnings -- well above the average for British retailers and supermarkets.
B&M's built a bit of a niche for itself selling nostalgic British tinned goods and biscuits at knock-down prices. It's going to have to shift plenty of corned beef, Spam and Mint Clubs to justify investor faith.
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners.
To contact the author of this story:
Andrea Felsted in London at firstname.lastname@example.org
To contact the editor responsible for this story:
James Boxell at email@example.com


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Chef Sean Connolly has reopened QT Sydney’s signature restaurant Gowings, with a fresh culinary direction.
The new iteration of the venue is inspired by New York’s little Italy and steakhouse concepts.
“It’ll be a melting pot of Italian food and great Australian beef and produce, what’s not to love? It’s an immersive experience, where the food and drinks are equal to the atmosphere, interaction, brought alive with high-fashion art, photography and music,” says Connolly.
Connolly has previously helped open venues such as Bells at Killcare and recently QT Auckland’s Esther.
The menu hones in on clean flavours made up of seafood, fresh pasta and Australian grain-fed beef.
Up to eight diners can enjoy a chef’s table experience which includes dishes such as garlic pizzetta, mafaldi pasta paired with octopus Bolognese, and popcorn semifreddo.
Beverage Director, Chris Morrison and Head Sommelier, Samantha Belt have created a wine list with over 800 wines and 40 by the glass.
Guests can also expect cocktails from Gowings Bar such as Aurelius in Rome which uses homemade limoncello; the QT Martini and the Dolce Caffe — a dessert cocktail.
“I’m very excited to be working with Gowings, a restaurant that was a pioneer in Sydney’s dining scene, located in a building that is a huge part of Sydney’s cultural fabric,” says Connolly.
“In this new venture, I’ll bring back old school hotel dining with a twist, combining the new interiors and menu with a flair for interactive theatre.”
Gowings is open for lunch Thursday and Friday, and dinner Tuesday to Saturday.


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Following its widely acclaimed global debut, Apple TV+ announced today that we’re getting The Mosquito Coast Season 2.
Hailed by critics and fans alike for standout performances by stars Justin Theroux, Melissa George, Logan Polish and Gabriel Bateman, the renewal was announced ahead of the highly-anticipated season one finale, premiering globally this Friday on Apple TV+.
“The Mosquito Coast has captured the imagination of viewers all over the world, not only because of its adrenaline-fueled action and adventure, but also for the engaging family story and captivating performances at its heart,” said Matt Cherniss, Apple’s head of programming.
“We can’t wait to find out what comes next for the Fox family, and for audiences to continue to experience the thrill ride.”
From award-winning novelist Neil Cross, and based on the best-selling book by Paul Theroux which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, The Mosquito Coast is a gripping adventure and layered character drama following the dangerous journey of a radical idealist and brilliant inventor, Allie Fox (played by Justin Theroux), who uproots his family for Mexico when they suddenly find themselves on the run from the US government.
The seven-episode series is created for television and executive produced by Neil Cross. Executive producers also include author Paul Theroux, star Justin Theroux, Rupert Wyatt and Edward L. McDonnell.
Alan Gasmer, Peter Jaysen and Bob Bookman also serve as executive producers for Veritas Entertainment Group. Developed by Neil Cross & Tom Bissell, The Mosquito Coast Season 2 is a Fremantle Production for Apple TV+.
Apple TV+ is home to award-winning Apple Originals from today’s most imaginative storytellers. Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favorite screens.
After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 108 wins and 376 awards nominations in just over a year.
Apple Originals have been honored with 91 awards wins and 345 nominations in just over a year, including Academy Award nominations, as well as Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Critics Choice Awards, Critics Choice Documentary Awards, Golden Globe Awards, a Peabody Award, and more.
Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, Mac, select Samsung, LG, Sony and VIZIO smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV and Roku devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $4.99 per month with a seven-day free trial.
Are you guys excited for The Mosquito Coast Season 2? Let us know in the comments or tweet us @vitalthrillscom.


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In the last few weeks, people have started to realise that sites like Facebook have something of a darker side. Indeed it’s now much easier to see that these social sites are not nearly as friendly and inconsequential as we first imagined.
I’ve just read a few reports on Mark Zuckerberg’s appearance before the US Senate and it’s great to see this mist rising. Indeed one commentator mentioned that it appeared that data is the new oil and sites like Facebook were simply mining it for their own benefit.
There seems to be a plan that Facebook is deflecting their role in the Cambridge Analytica scandal by making out their an injured party too. Let’s not be fooled by this, Facebook know that their entire business model is built on making money out of their customer’s data. They didn’t directly sell the data but they sold the right for apps developers to make profit from their users.
It’s understandable that a few will always quickly seize the chance to make a fast buck out of new technology. There has always been a problem with laws and legislation keeping up with these revolution. Just like the industrial revolutions of the 19th century, there will be losers and winners and legislation will trail behind ironing out the flaws and inequalities.
Facebook is right to be worried though, these revelations about user’s data and political manipulation will upset many, many people. When you login to your Facebook account to see the banal updates from friends and distant acquaintances most of us are not expecting our profiles to end up being stored in some dodgy firm’s database. Worst still we don’t expect our privacy to be simply ignored in the pursuit of profits and political gains.
We may think that those who post their lives up on social networking sites can expect little privacy. However even those who only use conservatively are actually revealing a huge amount of our digital and real lives. You might not post huge numbers of status updates, but you’ll click on ads and ‘like’ posts without thinking about it. Even these are building up an extremely accurate profile about who you are and what you believe in. If you’ve ever been followed around by adverts for something you searched for weeks ago, you’ll know how pervasive this stuff can become.
Many people think that they have a level of anonymity when they’re online but that’s a myth. Even the most paranoid have digital footprints which are mined and analysed by such companies. You can take efforts to extend your privacy but it’s not simple. For example to hide your location and identity from a website you visit then you have to take significant precautions. You can use things like VPNs to encrypt your data and invest in a false IP address from a residential IP provider to keep some level of privacy but how many do this.
Mind you as soon as you start posting anything for sharing with your friends on sites like Facebook that goes straight out of the window. This stuff is big business, there are companies making millions behind the scene. The parent company of Google is called Alphabet – it’s 20 years old and is now valued at about $500 billion (it was worth 50% a week or so ago!).
This is the value of our data, and the reason that these companies are worth so much. Their justifications and rights are all hidden in the terms and conditions which likely none of us have read when we created our accounts. It’s important that we gain some control back on our data, we’ve had a glimpse of what it can do and what it’s worth. When you consider that huge political decisions can be manipulated by people who have access to this data then we can see how high the stakes really are.
Source and Further Reading – http://residentialip.net/


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Silvergate Capital, Walgreens, Amazon and more
People walk past a Walgreens, owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., in New York City, Nov. 26, 2021.
Andrew Kelly | Reuters
Check out the companies making headlines and moves in pre-market trading.
Walgreens Boots Alliance — Shares of the drugstore fell about 2% in the market even after the company reported fiscal first-quarter earnings that beat analysts’ estimates. The company also raised its full-year revenue outlook, in part due to the acquisition of Summit Health from its US healthcare segment.
Amazon – Shares of Amazon gained about 2% after it announced it is cutting 18,000 jobs, becoming the latest tech company to downsize after expanding rapidly during the pandemic.
Western Digital — Shares jumped more than 5% after Western Digital and Japan’s Kioxia Holdings resumed merger talks, according to a Bloomberg News report citing sources familiar with the matter.
Silvergate Capital – Shares in crypto-friendly bank Silvergate Capital fell more than 43% after it said digital asset deposits fell by $8.1 billion from September 30 to year-end to just $3.8 billion amid a “crisis of confidence” in the sector subsequent Fall of FTX. The bank said it was forced to sell $5.2 billion in debt to cover the withdrawals and posted a fourth-quarter loss of $718 million on that sale.
Luminar Technologies – Shares rose more than 4% after the lidar automaker announced new technology and said at a trade show that it met performance targets for 2022.
Coinbase Global – Shares of the crypto services company fell more than 6% in premarket trading after Cowen cut the stock price citing the difficult macro environment and continued concerns about the FTX failure. The downgrade comes a day after Coinbase reached a $100 million settlement with the New York Department of Financial Services over deficiencies in anti-money laundering standards.
CrowdStrike Holdings – Shares fell more than 2% after Jefferies downgraded the stock to hold from buy, saying 2023 “will be a more challenging fundamental year for growth names.” The firm expects less upside for CrowdStrike from here.
Wendy’s — Shares of the fast-food chain fell 2% after being downgraded by Oppenheimer to outperform. The firm believes that the stock’s risk/reward and valuation are now fairly balanced.
Shopify – Shares were down more than 2% before the bell after Jefferies cut Shopify to a hold from a buy rating, citing uncertain macro challenges ahead for the e-commerce stock.
American Express — The stock fell 1.48% in premarket after being downgraded by Stephens on Thursday to underweight from equal weight. The firm’s analysts, concerned about American Express’ cushion heading into a recession, also cut their price target to $134 a share from $146 and cut their 2023 EPS estimates by 8%.
– CNBC’s Michelle Fox, Yun Li, Tanaya Macheel and Samantha Subin contributed reporting


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The John Lewis Partnership said that spending at its department stores rose 8.8 per cent year-on-year, excluding VAT, in the week to September 19.
Todd Stitzer, chief executive of Cadbury, has attacked "unbridled capitalism" as he defended his company’s corporate culture, in the face of an approach from Kraft, the largest US food group.
Jaguar Land Rover unveiled cost-cutting plans to ensure its long-term survival by closing one of its West Midlands factories and restricting its final-salary pension scheme
Twitter is close to getting a cash injection of $100 million (£62 million), with a funding round that could quadruple the total value of the company to an estimated $1 billion.
Hewlett-Packard said it expected technology spending to bounce back in the coming year, which would drive the PC manufacturer to gain a 17 per cent gain in earnings per share.
Source: Financial Times
JJB Sports spent £3.7 million over the past year-and-a-half on goods and services from companies connected with its own directors.


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It's frustrating to deal with broken audio on your Chromebook. With much of the world relying on video calls to communicate with family, friends, and work colleagues, issues with audio input and output can be a pain to troubleshoot and threaten disrupt an otherwise productive day. But with the help of a forthcoming Chrome OS update, you might just be able to find out why your speaker or microphone isn't performing as intended.
We've heard it all along, Android Auto is designed around keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. While that doesn't always work out in practice, many of the changes to the Auto interface are at least intended to streamline your interactions with the screen. It looks like Google may have identified people were spending too much time browsing for music and podcasts, because a new shortcut now provides automatic suggestions that can get you listening without a lot of tapping.
The true wireless earbud market is on fire at the moment, at just about every budget level. But according to the reviewers (including our own), Sony's the king of the ultra-premium hill. A smaller audiophile brand, Bowers & Wilkins, is aiming to usurp the throne with its very first set of TWEs, the PI7.
The first Android 12 beta just launched yesterday, and it brought a whole slew of design and animation changes with it. But Google is also working on reducing CPU and GPU usage and cleaning up transitions between apps and notifications. As part of that effort, the company is making audio transitions less jarring when you switch from app to app.
Master & Dynamic make some great sounding audio equipment, including wireless headphones and earbuds, to replace the missing 3.5mm jack on your phone. We see a lot of sales on headphones around here, but it's not often that a company's entire lineup gets a substantial discount. If you're looking to grab some high-end audio gear, Master & Dynamic is running a sitewide sale where you can save 25% on nearly everything in its store.
Master & Dynamic is known for manufacturing high-end audio products, which offer impressive build and audio quality. Sadly, their prices tend to be relatively high; however, you can save 25% on the brand's collection thanks to this boxing day sale.
Twitter has primarily been a text-driven social platform but it hasn't shied away from experimenting with new formats. Earlier this year, the company rolled out Fleets, which allowed users to share fleeting thoughts and moments — a feature not-so-loosely inspired by Snapchat and Instagram. Now, Twitter is testing audio chat rooms in its latest experiment called Spaces.
This isn't the first time that the platform has tested out a voice-based feature though — you can already create voice tweets on the iOS app. However, Spaces is different in that it aims to create a "space" wherein a group of people can speak at once.
This story was originally published and last updated .
Razer released its first fully-wireless Bluetooth earbuds last year, the Hammerhead True Wireless. The earbuds were functional enough, but they ultimately failed to stand out against competing products from Apple and Samsung. Razer has now returned with an upgraded model: the Hammerhead True Wireless Pro.
Razer's new earbuds feature an in-ear design, support for active noise cancellation, and the same low-latency Gaming Mode. However, battery life is still a sore point, Gaming Mode isn't incredibly useful, and there's no support for Qualcomm aptX.
After co-founding the OnePlus back in 2013, Carl Pei left the company in September to take some time off ahead of starting a new venture. That new project is already underway, and Pei has announced that he's been able to secure $7m in seed funding from friends and family ahead of a full unveiling early next year.
Black Friday has been and gone, but don't fear — it's Cyber Monday! Many of the same deals are still available and some have even been improved. Check out our list featuring some of the best discounts on tech this holiday. If you play your cards right, you could get your Christmas shopping out of the way before we even reach December.
End of Update
You and your wallet may have barely recovered from Amazon Prime Day, but what you really need is another healthy dose of consumerism.


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The number of profit warnings issued by UK-listed companies in the first six months of 2022 has increased 66% year-on-year, with a “record” number of companies citing rising costs as the reason behind their warning, according to EY-Parthenon’s latest Profit Warnings report.
A “record” 58% of companies cited rising costs as one of the main reasons behind the warning, up from 43% in Q1, while 19% noted labour market issues.
Overall, 136 profit warnings were issued in H1 FY22, up from 82 in the first six months of 2021. In Q2 FY22, 64 warnings were issued, down from the 72 issued in Q1 but still 10% above the pre-pandemic average and double the 32 warnings issued in Q2 2021.
FTSE finance and credit services companies issued seven profit warnings in H1 FY22, marking the sector’s highest first-half total for profit warnings since 2009 (aside from 2022 due to the pandemic) just after the global financial crisis.
Half of all the profit warnings issued in H1 by UK-listed companies came from consumer-facing sectors, compared with a third in H1 FY21. FTSE retailers issued 16 profit warnings in H1, compared with 10 warnings in H1 FY21, while warnings in the FTSE personal care, drug and grocery stores sector reached a “record high” of 13.
Additionally, three-quarters of the FTSE retailers that issued a warning in H1 FY22 came from companies which operate exclusively or mostly online. These companies have been affected by the shift in sales back to bricks and mortar stores and were “disproportionately” affected by increasing delivery costs and product returns.
Amber Mace, EY UK&I consumer products and retail sector leader, said: “Companies which are managing to weather the storm are those which have a strong focus on demand optimisation and are responding to the needs of their customers by providing value for money and sustainable options.
“They are also developing robust plans to manage cost inflation and have strong processes in place around cash management and inventory visibility to minimise costly write-offs.”
Alan Hudson, EY-Parthenon partner and UK&I turnaround and restructuring strategy leader, added: “As profit warnings and stress levels rise, we’re starting to see more companies issue multiple profit warnings and a return of companies approaching the ‘three warning rule’.
“Credit providers in the best position will be those that have restructured, created a solid balance sheet, and invested in a technology platform on which to base their lending and weather any storms ahead.”


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Tetra Pak, a leader in food processing and packaging solutions, signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Al Rabie Saudi Foods to install the world’s first high speed Tetra Prisma Aseptic 200 Sq filling line.
The $2.5 million agreement&
The beverage industry in Saudi Arabia has achieved a 6.5 per cent compound annual growth rate, according to Al Rabie Saudi Foods, a major player in the beverages and juice industry.
This is the average consumption growth during a spec
Al Rabie Saudi Foods has increased production of juices by 30 per cent, and its fast food line Awal Qatfa by more than 20 per cent during Ramadan, to meet the significant increase in consumption during the holy month.
“Saudis consume more
The total of donations for Ramadan from most companies in Saudi Arabia has reached SR1 billion ($266 million).
Al Rabie Saudi Food Company, a leading food and beverage brand in Saudi Arabia, recently led a donation campaign to raise funds
Consumers have become more aware of healthy products, and many are reading the health information on the labels of juice bottles and food packages, said a senior official.
Monther Al Harthi, CEO of Al Rabie Foods Company, President of Arab
Al Rabie Saudi Foods, the largest juice manufacturer in the Middle East, recently launched Al Rabie Joya, a new soya drink, aiming to offer healthy options in beverages.
“It is our mission to set a benchmark in food quality and help cultiv
The Al Rabie Saudi Foods Company, a leading Saudi-based producer of high quality juices, dairy and packed food products, recently completed 30 years of operations.
The company celebrated this milestone during its annual conference hel
Saudi Arabia-based Al Rabie Saudi Foods and the British International School in Saudi Arabia recently signed a sponsorship agreement allowing Al Rabie to offer nutritional beverages to the students of the educational institute.
Several Saudi Arabian companies within the regional beverage industry have gained the “Qatra Award 2010” for the quality of their products at a recent beverage conference in Beirut.
The Al Rabie Saudi food Company won the award for its bes
Al Rabie Saudi Foods, the leading producer of dairy products and juices in Saudi Arabia, has launched an expansion plan aimed at gaining the lead in the Gulf’s food and beverage market.
The company has already started upgrading the logo an


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Mobile phones have satellite inside. So do TV programs and computer networks, weather reports and military operations, public safety and transportation systems, retail payments and the world’s financial markets. Satellite professionals know the immense contributions our technology makes to human welfare, commerce, government, security and safety.
And it is time we told the world about it – because too many people think of satellite only when they see a news story about a launch failure or a natural disaster where satellite is the last resort for communications. That lack of awareness has tangible results: regulatory assault on our spectrum, lack of government funding for satellite solutions to the digital divide, the customers in new markets who will never give satellite a try.
SSPI has begun writing a new story. Working with partner associations and the leading companies in our business, we have a launched a campaign, How Satellites Make a Better World, to change the global conversation about satellite. It won’t be easy or quick – but a successful campaign will help level the playing field between satellite and its competition and expand the opportunities available to our industry.


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Sheffield City Region’s logistics sector was told it was one of the most “exciting prospects in the country” at an event last week to help raise the profile of the area’s multimodal capabilities. The gathering of local operators was arranged by Logistics Hub UK (LHUK), a partnership of private sector companies seeking to promote growth in the logistics sector across South Yorkshire. Keynote speaker at the event, Rob Bell, CEO at consultancy Archomai, told the group that if they start […]
Eddie Stobart and the Unite union will start talks at Acas this Thursday (15 November) in a bid to end the row over drivers’ jobs at Tesco’s Doncaster DC. A spokesman for Eddie Stobart confirmed to Motortransport.co.uk that the operator’s MD David Pickering will personally attending the talks with Unite at Acas. The move comes after a 72-hour walkout by 180 Unite driver members facing redundancy at the DC. This included a demo outside a Tesco store in Westminster. Eddie Stobart […]
Eddie Stobart and the Unite union could be heading to arbitration service Acas to end the row over drivers’ jobs at Tesco’s Doncaster DC. The move comes after a 72-hour walkout last week by 180 Unite driver members facing redundancy at the DC. This included a demo outside a Tesco store in Westminster. Eddie Stobart took over the transport function at Tesco’s DC in August and in September said it wanted to remove it and use its nationwide network to […]
BCA Marketplace has opened a new de-fleet operation in Doncaster, specialising in pre-delivery inspection, in-life fleet management and end-of-life refurbishment.


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The death toll from a blaze at a shopping centrel in Russia has risen to 37, according to local authorities.
The fire erupted in the town of Kemerovo, a coal-mining centre in Siberia which is 3,600km (2,200 miles) east of Moscow.
Earlier figures reported that at least 12 were killed and 69 were unaccounted for due to the blaze.
At least 40 of those missing were children, according to local news agencies and it is believed that children are among the dead.
The shopping centre, which contains cinemas, restaurants and shops was evacuated when the blaze was first spotted.
Some witnesses to the blaze have claimed that the shopping centre also contained a zoo with domestic animals, including goats and cats.
It is not known if the fire caused any animal fatalities.
Footage broadcast on Russian television showed individuals leaping from the windows of the shopping centre which was engulfed in black smoke.


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A luxury carmaker has pulled its $1 billion buy-out offer to buy a controlling stake in the Chinese carmaker, according to Reuters.
The deal was announced on Friday by Mercedes-AMG, the world’s second-largest automaker.
The company said it had decided to pull out of the transaction after a series of problems with the deal.
“We remain confident that this transaction will achieve the highest possible value for our shareholders and accelerate the adoption of new technologies and products,” Mercedes-BMG chief executive Martin Winterkorn said in a statement.
China is the world largest car market, with over one-third of the world market.
The $1bn buyout is expected to bring Mercedes-Amg back into the top tier of global automakers, where it was last in the top quartile of the sector in 2014.


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According to the latest issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine, Sony will be releasing the latest firmware for the PlayStation 3 sometime in June, which will come complete with 3D gaming.
Rumors have already started to appear around the internet, revealing that the PlayStation 3 firmware update version 3.40 is already doing the rounds, and could be in developers hands already. No word yet, but this could potentially be the 3D update.
In the Q&A section of the magazine, one question was asked about the 3D-blu-ray functionality, to which they responded “3D is simply too big for this not to happen.”
Do you believe 3D is “too big” for it not to come to the PlayStation 3? What are your thoughts on 3D gaming?
*Identifying Monetised Links - outgoing links that we monetise are marked with an '*' symbol.


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Let's Hope That These iPhone 8 Rumors Are True: $900 Price Tag And Blush Gold Color
Real or Fake? Viral video claims pilot sent photos via AirDrop to Singapore Airlines jet at 35,000ft
Rumors involving the iPhone 8 continue to swirl as the world waits for its official unveiling. The latest ones claim that the iPhone 8 price is lower than expected, and that there will be a blush gold color option.
( Apple )
As the world waits for Apple to finally unveil its 2017 iPhone models in the upcoming Sept. 12 event, rumors on the premium iPhone 8 have been swirling, with the latest ones involving the device’s starting price and color options.
Apple fans who have been looking forward to the iPhone 8 will likely hope that these latest rumors are true.
iPhone 8 Price: Lower Than Expected?
The iPhone 8 price has been one of the most speculated details regarding the upcoming premium device. Most reports have claimed that the iPhone 8 price will start at $1,000, going up to as much as $1,200 for the biggest storage option.
However, UBS analysts believe that the iPhone 8 will carry a price tag lower than what most have expected. The analysts think that there will only be two storage options for the iPhone 8, specifically 64 GB and 256 GB, and that their prices will be $900 and $1,000, respectively.
UBS analyst Steven Milunovich and UBS associate analyst Benjamin Wilson, in a note to investors, “questioned the logic” of an iPhone that will be sold for as much as $1,200. They pointed out that Apple usually sets the price of its flagship iPhone Plus models slightly lower than the Galaxy Note devices of Samsung. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 device is being sold at $930.
While a $900 iPhone 8 is something that Apple fans will hope for, it is not easy to see that the 64 GB iPhone 8 will be priced just over $200 more than the 32 GB model of the iPhone 7 Plus. This is considering that the device is expected to feature a nearly bezel-less OLED screen, a revamped design with no home button, and facial recognition technology.
New iPhone 8 Color Option: Blush Gold
Benjamin Geskin, a prolific leaker who recently chimed in with information that the iPhone 8 will have a starting price of $999, tweeted images of alleged sim trays of the iPhone 8. Because the trays are painted in the same color as the devices, they provide a good look at the color options for the upcoming device.
The most important bit of information from the sim trays is that there will indeed be a copper-gold color for the iPhone 8, and that it will be officially named blush gold. The silver color, meanwhile, appears to be darker, and closer in shade to Apple’s space gray option.
Geskin said in July that there will also be a mirror-like option for the iPhone 8, but there is still no specific information on what that would look like.
© 2017 Tech Times, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.


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A recent study by the Global Business Travel Association revealed that while rental cars and taxis remain the most common forms of ground transportation used on business trips (36% and 24% respectively), ride sharing companies represent 11% of the market, just behind chauffeured transportation (13%).
Google’s Waze is testing a ridesharing service. Dubbed RideWith, the service will allow commuters to carpool and it’s starting the implementation in Israel. Should Uber be worried about the potential entry of what may be a formidable competitor?
In Ontario, a class-action lawsuit has been filed against Uber X, Uber XL on behalf of taxi and limo drivers, owners and brokers. Meanwhile, Alberta’s Superintendent of Insurance and the IBAO have warned Uber drivers to get more insurance.
The Waterloo region is the first one in Ontario to regulate ride sharing. “Under the new bylaw all Uber drivers would be required to have an auxiliary taxi driver licence, issued by the region. To be applicable for the licence, drivers would be required to have a GPS and a closed circuit television system installed in their vehicles, and commercial auto insurance policies for a minimum of $2 million.”


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Verdantix research finds sustainability leaders have increasing influence, decision-making authority, and budgetary control
Sustainability leaders are a growing force in corporate boardrooms with a new survey revealing the significant input they have on decision-making, strategy, and budgets. Analyst firm Verdantix quizzed...
Gap, H&M, Lee, Mud Jeans, Tommy Hilfiger, and Reformation are among fashion giants to sign up to new circular principles for denim design
The strength of UK innovation means it will continue to lead the world in climate action post-Brexit, argues Earth Capital's Jim Totty
Wind turbine manufacturers are on the winning side of the world's changing energy mix, reports Liontrust's Mike Appleby
Pharmaceutical major's 16,000-strong company fleet to switch to electric power as firm joins EV100 campaign


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Lexington Farmers Market opens with beefed up safety standards
The 2020 opening of the Lexington Farmers Market included essential provisions for Davidson County hospital worker Beth Smith.
“I work in ICU taking care of primarily patients very sick with COVID-19,” Smith said. “This was a happy-place event!”
Smith was welcomed by a friendly group of masked market volunteers, courtesy of the market’s new preorder options. The online system allowed Smith and others to remain in their vehicles while picking up prepackaged items from vendors.
“I preordered because I want to support buying local, support the farmers who are feeding us during this trying time and support small businesses that are hanging on by a thread,” Smith explained. “The pickup process was seamless. My order was ready on time, complete and placed in my trunk by a smiling volunteer.”
The market board and city leadership faced tough decisions this year before being permitted to open during the COVID-19 pandemic. While markets are considered essential, policies, procedures and a number of precautions were put in place in order for the opening on May 2.
For the past few years, the market has worked to build a growing customer base for vendors. This year the market was forced to decrease the size of vendors, allowing only up to 40 shoppers into the Depot area as well as space between vendors being increased to reduce crowding. The board also created an 8 to 9 a.m. shopping window for those who are at high risk. Shoppers were encouraged to only enter and exit from the north entrance. Bathroom visits were prohibited during the opening.
Visitors, like Davidson County resident Ken Lack, didn’t know what to expect. “I walked in blind,” Lack admitted. “The best way I could describe the feeling was friendly, but awkward. It felt good supporting local business, but even though there weren't many people there, I still had to circle twice in order to be able to see what each vendor had because if someone was already at a booth, I would pass it by hoping it would be open on the next round.”
Lack, who did not attend the market last season, said purchasing beef was one of his driving factors. He was pleasantly surprised to find vendors with beef in stock.
“There was only one vendor there who was virtually out of stock of everything. Most vendors still had stock on most of their items.”
Beef farmer Chris Yokeley, owner of Yokeley Farms, has been participating in the market for the past four years. This was the first time he has been completely out of stock for a season-opening. He said that while major meat processors are announcing a reduction in size and production, the public is relying more on smaller farms
“I think it started in the beginning (of the COVID-19 pandemic) when grocery stores were out of meat there was some fear,” Yokeley explained. “The big producers are cutting and decreasing shift sizes trying to keep everybody safe. If workers get sick, then they can’t work.”
Yokely Farms relies on appointments with beef processors that now fill quickly. “I used to be able to book in 30 days, now they are booked up through November.”
Yokeley still attended the market to support other vendors on opening day. Approximately 350 people entered the Depot, with another 17 families trying the new drive-thru pick-up lane, according to farmers market board president Kivi Leroux Miller.
“That's about half of the previous two years. But we asked people to designate one- or two-family shoppers, which nearly everyone did, rather than bringing in the whole family,” Leroux Miller pointed out. “I'm very pleased with both the turnout and how well everyone cooperated with the new social distancing rules.”
Leroux Miller says the board will continue to meet to assess the market as well as adjust to any changing federal, state and local guidelines.
Vendors such as Eddie Collins of Cousin Eddie’s BBQ Sauce said social distancing did not hamper the opening celebration.
“Look around, people are finally starting to come out,” Collins observed. “It means the world being able to get back out and do this.”
Collins, whose sauces sell in small businesses across the region, expressed gratitude to the farmers market for working to move forward with the opening.
“This means a lot to the bottom line for many of our small businesses.”
For information and updates, visit https://www.lexingtonfarmersmarketnc.com.
Antionette Kerr is a media correspondent.


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The China (Shanghai) International Boat Show (CIBS 2017) Is Coming
From 26-29 April 2017 the iconic China (Shanghai) International Boat Show (CIBS 2017) will make a show stopping launch at its new location -- the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Now in its 22nd year, the show is the most prestigious boating event in China. This year CIBS will deliver its biggest exhibition yet, attracting over 500 companies and 6 national and regional pavilions from Italy, New Zealand, Korea, Taiwan, Australia and Japan who will be showcasing their products and services to an expected audience of 40,000 visitors from over 50 countries over the four-day event.
View exhibitions from internationally renowned boat companies including Beneteau, Lagoon, Jeanneau, Ferretti and Brunswick. With over 30 new launches and unrivalled networking opportunities, CIBS is the must attend event of the year for the marine and lifestyle industry.
We are also proud to be presenting the exclusive Asian Marine & Boating Awards (AMBA). Over 500 marine brands from 20 countries will be participating. The awards celebrate the very best of Asian marine design and innovation. The awards will be judged by an expert panel of professionals with diverse knowledge and experience across the whole spectrum of marine categories, with public votes also contributing to the selection of winners who will be announced at a ceremony on site. World Famous yacht brands like Beneteau, Jeanneau, Speedo Marine, BAVARIA, Sea Ray, Sunseeker, Omnia, Azimut, and Far East will run for the awards. The categories this year range from Best Motor Yacht, Nest Yacht Designer, Personality of the Year and much more.
National boat manufacturers and shipyards will be displaying collections from Far East Boats, Sunbird Yacht and Shanghai Double Happiness Yachts to name just a few of the top exhibitors in the industry who will be participating. We will also have professional industry panels sharing their expertise and insights on the trends that are shaping the marine industry as part of our well established educational programme.
"CIBS 2017 is like no other boat show. This year we welcome around 100 new exhibitors, giving industry buyers exclusive previews from companies like S Com Tech who will debut their versatile sailing catamaran, the Smart Cat 50" said Helena Gao, Director of Corporate Business Development, Shanghai UBM Sinoexpo Ltd. "In addition, our team of dedicated staff will facilitate the launch of the first-of-its-kind business matchmaking service, giving buyers and suppliers the chance to collaborate and explore new business opportunities together. "
In addition, this year's sensational CIBS show will take place alongside HOTEL PLUS, a mega event for complete design and architectural solutions for commercial properties, and the China (Shanghai) RV Camping & Leisure Sports Industry Expo and Expo Lifestyle, featuring the latest models in recreational vehicles, mobile homes, travel trailers, camping supplies and accessories.
These additional events alongside CIBS offers investors and enthusiasts alike prime opportunities to engage with an enhanced nautical experience, while catering to China's increasing appetite for luxury brands. There will be professional forums for all attendees, wine tasting sessions, equestrian shows and cultural performances.
CIBS will be opened to the public on 29 April 2017.
For more information about CIBS please visit www.boatshowchina.com/en-us/Home
China Boat Industry & Trade Association (CBITA)
It is an organizer of nationwide activities. With the aim of serving the government, industry and its members, the association actively promotes the recreational boating industry development in China and acts as a bridge to improve the communication between the government and the members, manufacturers, customers and research institutions, Chinese enterprises and foreign counterparts.
Shanghai UBM Sinoexpo International Exhibition Co., Ltd.
It is a professional joint-venture exhibition enterprise between Shanghai Sinoexpo International Exhibition Ltd (established in 1992) and UBM China Ltd., the arm of UBM Asia that is responsible for the group's mainland China business. UBM Sinoexpo organizes a series of international exhibitions and conferences through our global network with government bodies, trade associations & organizations and media companies & partners.


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On a trip to visit Disneyland with his children, John Jimenez of San Jose reserved a compact car from Dollar Rent a Car at Los Angeles International Airport. What he got when he landed was a headache.
Due to a vehicle shortage, the car rental agency offered him a van that he said reeked of cigarettes and marijuana instead of a compact car. Jimenez refused the malodorous van, and after a more than two-hour wait he settled for another van with more than 60,000 miles, visible body damage and a “musty odor” that seemed to come from the air conditioning system.
“The area where the compact cars were was empty,” he said, adding that he has demanded a full refund.
A global microchip shortage that has cut production of new cars continues to deal a heavy blow to car rental companies, but most of the pain is being felt by travelers such as Jimenez who find themselves waiting in long lines, paying nearly double the rates of earlier this year, getting denied the vehicle they reserved or ending up driving away in a car with lots of extra wear and tear.
Read the full story on LATimes.com.


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An Omani woman entrepreneur has raised the sultanate’s flag on an international stage. Farah Zahir al Kindy won the third place in Mewiin – Kuwait. The Middle East Women Inventors and Innovators Network held in Kuwait helps woman progress in the fie-lds of technology and economy.
The award was received by the Minister of Social Development on Monday.
Farah’s project, called Bahr al Massarah – or Sea Delight – also claimed the third place at the Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network (GlobalWIIN) awards held in UK.
GlobalWIIN, formally known as GWIIN, is an independent not-for-profit organisation dedicated to assisting and advancing women inventors and innovators so that they can succeed in the global marketplace.
Speaking to Muscat Daily, Farah informed that her factory in the wilayat of Musannah was started in 2018. Eighty women from several wilayats trained in cutting and packaging before joining the factory.
“Bahr al Massarah produces seven different products, including salted fish, fish burger, dry shak and marinated cuttle fish.” The products come in 270g, 500g and 2kg packs.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources and Industrial Innovation Centre have supported Farah by sending experts to visit and advise on Bahr al Massarah’s production operations.
“The company aims to develop local fish products and raise their nutritional value. It conducts various training programmes for women to work in fishery industries and also helps them set up small projects to improve their economic status,” Farah said.
Recalling the early days of the company, she said marketing the new brand was difficult. “Over time, our products began to be accepted and bought.”
Farah is hopeful of making Bahr al Massarah products popular all over the sultanate, besides expanding production operations to other wilayats. She also has plans to export to create a brand known internationally.


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The dispute has simmered for years. Critics say it's ridiculous to collect utility payments at places they say provide loans at sky-high rates and target cash-strapped consumers. Customers pay off their utility bills but may find it too convenient to take out a loan to do so.
Utilities defend it as the best and most convenient option for some customers. And payday loan companies argue that very few utility customers paying their bills also take out a loan.
The issue erupted at a recent meeting organized by the
"We've been fighting this for years, and it's finally getting some momentum," said
Most utility customers pay their bill by mail or online. But a small percentage don't have a bank and have to pay in cash. A couple of decades ago, utilities had storefront locations that accepted payments, but those were closed to cut costs.
KCP&L said 2.6 percent of its customers now use walk-in authorized pay stations, such as grocery and convenience stores. But the utility has an arrangement with eight of those authorized pay stations in
"We only use one when we have no other way to have a walk-in payment option," said
The utility has had no complaints from customers about using payday lenders, McDonald said.
The payday loan industry is often the target of criticism, especially in
"Payday lending often perpetuates an endless cycle of debt for consumers who can least afford it," he said in a statement.
"People who turn to high-interest loans are desperate for money," she said, "especially if they've fallen so far behind on payments that their utilities are turned off."
It contended that very few utility bill payment customers took out payday loans. And it pointed out that the
"We strongly contest the unsupported opinion that payday loan stores are taking advantage of bill pay customers,"
In 2009, the PSC staff reviewed the issue and didn't recommend that utilities stop using payday lenders to accept payments. In 2011, regulators said the relationship between the lenders and utilities was a concern, but it wouldn't seek to ban them.
"A bill payment at these locations ... becomes an opportunity to solicit the utility customer to borrow money at an extremely high rate," the
(c)2014 The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.)
Visit The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.) at www.kansascity.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services


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Six months’ jail for assistant accountant who used money she stole from firm to pay off husband’s debts
An assistant accountant used money she misappropriated from her firm to help her husband repay debts he owed to moneylenders.
On Thursday, Khiew Mei Yien, 37, was sentenced to six months’ jail after she pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal breach of trust by employees. A forgery charge was taken into consideration during her sentencing.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Koh Yi Wen said Khiew starting working for Hoz, a digital locks company, on Sept 16, 2021.
Her duties included retrieving cash and cheque payments from customers from a safe deposit box once or twice a week.
The payments were placed in the box by the company’s technicians and sales staff, and the box was secured using a fingerprint system with access limited to only Khiew and Hoz’s director.
Khiew was supposed to verify the sums with receipt summaries that noted details such as the date of the deposit, the invoice number and the amount paid by the customer, before depositing the money in Hoz’s bank account.
On 20 occasions between Nov 22, 2021, and March 10, 2022, Khiew took some of the money from the safe deposit box for her own use before depositing the remainder in the company’s bank account.
Said DPP Koh: “To cover up her misappropriation, the accused made fraudulent electronic records using the company’s Xero platform to indicate that the payments from customers were still pending.”
Khiew’s husband did not know that Khiew stole the money that was used to repay his debts to Malaysian moneylenders and thought that it was from her monthly salary.
After Hoz terminated Khiew’s employment on May 6, 2022 for poor job performance, the firm’s director discovered a large sum of money missing from the company’s accounts and made a police report on June 8, 2022.
After checks were conducted, she was found to have dishonestly misappropriated a total of $13,307.50.
For criminal breach of trust by an employee, Khiew, who has not made restitution, could have been jailed for up to 15 years and fined.
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Sachin will be responsible for designing effective business strategies and bring in growth by taking the company's plans to diversify the consumer business to the next level.
The inception of the consumer business category roots back to the recently announced partnership between PayU and India's leading bank IndusInd, to redefine the digital experience for Indian consumers, by bringing the full suite of consumer banking products online and powering the same through payment innovations and online eco-systems enabled by PayU.
The Consumer Business category would aim at unifying Indian banking services with latest Fin-tech innovations by PayU and create a paradigm shift in the way banking and payments is done in India.
Commenting on the new appointment, CEO and Co- Founder PayU India, Nitin Gupta said, "At this stage of our growth in our business, it was imperative to bring on board someone with a vision and entrepreneurial passion. Sachin brings valuable industry knowledge and experience to PayU India which will help us design effective business strategies and more innovative solutions for our consumers and help PayU grow its presence."
"I am looking forward to expanding the existing consumer base of PayU's business in the country by leveraging PayU's innovative product range and strong tech abilities. We will continue to build strong relationships with banks and bring out products which will largely impact the Indian online payment space," said Head-Consumer Business PayU India, Sachin Singhal.
Sachin joins PayU India with over a decade long experience in business and technology. During his last stint with Bharti Airtel, he led the channel marketing and mobile internet growth. He also led some of the major innovations in Mobile Internet at Airtel, like One Touch Internet (which won MWC GSMA 2015 award for best consumer mobile application), Airtel Zero (sponsored data platform), Wynk Movies.


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A Microsoft executive has confirmed that, contrary to earlier reports from the company, the upcoming Xbox One console will not require the Kinect sensor to be activated at all times after all. This change comes after a widespread backlash from gamers concerned about the privacy implications of an always-on camera pointed from the television back at the couch.
Microsoft's original announcement of the Kinect requirement came at an awkward time, as its privacy practices have been receiving a lot of attention over the past few months. The company was in the midst of an advertising campaign that used the tagline "Your privacy is our priority" when the Guardian published information connecting Microsoft and its product Skype with the NSA's PRISM program. Just days later, Bloomberg published a report that the company provides U.S. intelligence agencies like the NSA with advance information about its products' security vulnerabilities, which could in theory be used to get backdoor access to a person's computer.
Against that backdrop, users expressed concerns that an always-on Kinect camera could be co-opted for surveillance. Some referred to the product as "the future of PRISM." Two Congressmembers even introduced a bill called the "We Are Watching You Act" aimed at Kinect and similar devices.
Microsoft had previously responded to those concerns in June with more information about the privacy protections built in to Kinect, but this week's interview makes it clear they have made additional changes, such that the device could be de-activated all together.
Some of the privacy issues with Kinect are real and substantial, so it is encouraging to see Microsoft respond to feedback. Despite the timing of the NSA revelations, the company has endeavored to compete publicly on its privacy practices. It also joined EFF and other tech companies in calling on the U.S. government to lift unnecessary restrictions on what sorts of government data requests they can publicly report.
If we hope to see more companies push back on NSA surveillance of their users, we must first recognize where that's happening. Removing the requirement for an always-on Kinect may be a minor change, but a step in the right direction.
This change isn't the first time Microsoft has responded to Xbox One criticisms with a real policy adjustment. Earlier this summer, Microsoft made a separate announcement in response to concerns about its plans for an expansive built-in DRM scheme that would have required a constant Internet connection—even to play offline—and restricted the way users could sell and trade games. After coming under heavy criticism from its competitor Sony and the gaming community at large, it lifted many of those restrictions completely.


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If the PS5 break the 20 million sales mark, it would have been sooner or not
The PS5 must be slow, but steady for this piece (pic: Sony).
Sony announced a new sales milestone for the PS5 and pledged to ramp up console production for the rest of the year.
Even the Xbox 5 is in a situation that has been unable to sell very well. Although it was difficult to sell the Nintendo Switch and Xbox series X/S, it got better last month.
After its recent state of play, with many big names revealing, like the Resident Evil 4 remake and Final Fantasy 16s release window, Sony has revealed that the PlayStation 5 has reached a significant milestone.
If this happened weren’t revealed, the PlayStation 5 has now sold more than 20 million units worldwide, something it would’ve reached earlier would not have been for the lack of components to make the console.
This is the reason many games still watch PlayStation 4, although Sony intends to start taking out new PlayStation 4 games in the coming years.
Sony will also start for the rest of the year, no doubt so it can take advantage of Christmas.
To those fans who haven’t yet realized what they want, please know that we’re planning a large expansion in PS5 production this year and working endlessly to make sure that PlayStation 5 is available to everybody who wants it, said Veronica Rogers, head of global sales and business at GamesIndustry.biz.
The analyst Daniel Ahmad shared a few more statistics on Twitter. As a starter, while the PlayStation 5 took just under 19 months to sell 20 million units, the PlayStation 4 managed that much quicker in just 15 months.
Again, that can be chalked up to the PlayStation 5, with the console shortage, and the coronavirus pandemic. Although Sony broke the 10 million mark faster than the PlayStation 4, making it the fastest console for Sony.
Sonys own predictions suggest the PlayStation 5 won’t likely surpass PlayStation 4 sales until around April 2023.
There are reports that PS5 Pro will be released by 2024, though it seems unlikely to be due to the aforementioned chip shortages.
Sony said in its statement today that it is planning to build a significant scale in PS5 production this year but it will continue to stay behind PS4 on the way back through March 2023. According to Sonys projections, it’s not until after April 2023 that it surpasses PS4 pic.twitter.com/N42K0sGDBj.
Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) Jud. 3 a.m. 2022
More: Play by Walking Dead has accidentally confirmed that the PSVR2 has confirmed for 2023 launch.
MORE : The indie and the PlayStation State of Play, in addition to Stray on PS Plus, and rollerdrome game.
More : PS Plus Premium buys Apocalypse and Evil Residents in Japan.
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The amount of new technology available to small businesses is growing by leaps and bounds. This list of top online storage apps and CRM tools might save you some money and improve your business. ...More
LG's G3 made a breakthrough at three of the four carriers in July, while Apple's iPhone 5s returned to prominence after slipping just a bit due to an impressive three-month showing by Samsung's Galaxy S5. ...More
The ill will between the two started in 2011, when Apple filed Apple first sued Samsung, claiming that the Korea-based company copied much of the technology found on the iPhone in its Galaxy phones. ...More
If you don't know much about software-defined networking, or SDN, don't wait. Channel Partners' Craig Galbraith explains why in this Business Value Toolbox News Desk; plus, the growing competition in the infrastructure market.