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When we used to describe the previous years as challenging, the year 2020 made us rethink and redefine the concept of the word challenging all together. Never in anyone’s dreams have we thought that we go through a global sanitary crisis of this magnitude.
What started as a virus in China by the end of 2019 transformed to a worldwide pandemic that paralyzed the whole world as of March 2020. Covid-19 brought much of the global economy to a halt, which has had a drastic impact on every aspect of business. There have been major shifts in global and local economies and business entities. Companies were forced to find alternatives to working from office; they suffered financially, and many had to let go of a great part of their employees.
One of the many lessons learned during this pandemic is that developed countries dealt in far better way with this crisis, compared to developing markets, in great part due to the governmental support extended to companies and individuals in these developed markets. While across the MENA region, the negative impact of the crisis was far more significant, which forced companies to deal with a crippling situation in various means. The easiest way was to cut cost and often times lay off employees.
Going back to the disruption the pandemic caused on the regional advertising expenditures, there was a big drop compared to 2019, specially on the offline media level. However, this drop was not as significant as many people predicted, and not inherent to the measures taken by companies, nor the prevailing gloomy atmosphere and the business sentiment felt in the marcom circles.
2020 MENA AD SPEND
The total advertising expenditures in MENA in 2020 dropped from 4.03 Billion USD in 2019 to 3.127 Billion USD, which is equivalent to a 22% decrease. Those numbers are based on Ipsos’ estimation of the real numbers, following many researches, digging and examinations. While if we look at the numbers based on the official rate cards, the discrepancy between the two sets of figures is huge, as the numbers indicate an ad spend of 20 Billion USD.
This result of course, as we always said and wrote, is based on the huge disparity between the rate cards and the real spend, specially when it comes to traditional media, and TV more specifically. And still, we are not seeing any solution for this major anomaly.
My analysis will only be based on Ipsos’ estimation of the real advertising expenditures in the region.
So the total Adex declined by 22%, from 4.03 Billion to 3.127 Billion; but if we divide the numbers between offline and online, we notice the decline in offline by 34%, which amounts to a decrease from 2.76 billion USD in 2019 to 1.836 Billion USD in 2020; while online media grew by 2%, from 1.27 Billion to 1.29 in 2020, and this is very indicative of the status of offline media in our region.
Wherever consumer behavior has shifted, advertising spend has adjusted in response. It makes little sense for advertisers to spend on media that have no audience. As confinement measures were introduced around the world, out-of-home and cinema advertising shrank almost instantly; print advertising also fell.
Meanwhile, in-home media usage went up. TV viewership has climbed, but digital consumption has increased even more. Advertisers have adapted by following consumers, which means prioritizing digital advertising.
So, looking at the numbers by media, we notice that Digital is now, and for the second consecutive year, the biggest media in our region overtaking TV.
The total Adex on Online media is 1.29 Billion USD, with a growth of 2%; TV was down to 1.09 Billion USD, a drop of 14%; spend on OOH in 2020 was 358 Million USD, a drop of 58%; newspapers scored 232 Million USD, a drop of 25% compared to 2019; Radio is down to 111 Million USD, a drop of 55%; Magazine down to 25 Million USD, a decline by 48%; Cinema saw a spend of only 18 Million USD, which is equivalent to a 61% drop, the largest decline of all.
Lockdowns restricted mobility giving little onus for companies to purchase media that are usually seen or interacted with when on the move, like out-of-home adverting, Radio and Cinema.
In Figure 1, we selected three of the main markets in the MENA region: KSA, UAE and Kuwait to examine the average time spent watching TV in 2020, which as you can notice has increased in those three markets. 5.2 hours on average recorded in KSA, up from 4.5 hours; 4.2 hours in UAE, up from 4.08; and 3.12 hours in Kuwait, up from 2.35.
What does this say about media consumption? Forced by the pandemic and the many lockdowns, people were constrained to stay home and watch TV. This could be one of the few positive impacts of this pandemic on traditional media, as it has benefited the TV as a media and saved it from declining further. However, this increase in viewership was not reflected on the advertising expenditures, because the Adex on TV shows a 14% drop. This decline could have been more significant if not for the increased TV viewership, which led this media to gain market share.
Figure 2 shows in two markets-- KSA and UAE-- the penetration of over-the-top (OTT) providers and video streaming platforms, is also affecting the viewership on Linear TV, and the shift of the advertising expenditures to digital.
Figures 3 and 4 show the penetration of OTT in both KSA and UAE by different target groups, prior to the pandemic; the viewership on Linear TV was declining, whereas it has changed in 2020 where it increased; but the penetration of OTT stayed stable.
In 2021 we will track closely this trend to examine, once lockdown is lifted and life returns to a semi-normality, if the performance of Linear TV will go back to decreasing and OTT to an increase.
Another important media in our region, which used to be a huge media, is newspapers. Despite all the forecast about its demise, it is still a big media, one to take account of, with an ad spend of 232 million USD, a drop of 25% compared to 2019.
Figure 5 is showing the trend of readership in both KSA and UAE as examples, where there is a decrease in the traditional way people read the newspapers, but with an increase in reading those newspapers online. Yet, the offline readers are still higher than online, but the gap is getting smaller.
Another important media that looked very promising in previous years, but was badly affected by the pandemic, is radio.
Figure 6 shows two examples from KSA and UAE about the decline in time spent listening to Radio, as this media is mostly enjoyed when people are commuting. With people obliged to stay home and work from home, this media saw a sharp drop of 55% in comparison to 2019.
The same goes for OOH and Cinema, two media channels badly affected by the pandemic in terms of ad spend. As confinement measures were introduced around the world, out-of-home and cinema advertising shrank almost instantly.
Digital was the only media witnessing a growth, though a small growth of 2%, but still one indicative of a trend obviously on the upswing, as most clients have started shifting their ad budgets to online.
Now looking at the numbers by market, the KSA is taking the lead, and this is mainly driven by the Digital advertising expenditures targeting Saudis; the market dropped by 27% compared to 2019, mainly driven by a big decline in the OOH media.
The Pan Arab market, where most of the satellite TV stations are allocated, is ranked as the 2nd market in terms of ad spend with 527 Million USD, a drop of 15%; UAE comes 3rd very close to Pan Arab with 526 Million USD, mainly driven by digital, down by 29% as a total market, and this decline is mainly coming from OOH too.
Egypt has witnessed a drop of 11% only, due to the positive effect of the currency, and to a growth of TV, which rose by 11% compared to 2019, while most of the other media declined.
Kuwait has witnessed a drop of 15% only; Morocco is established as a big potential market, with 179 Million USD a drop of 26%, Algeria with 128 Million USD a drop of 16%, Iraq was the only market that grew by 28%; Lebanon, was one of the biggest victims in 2020, due to the pandemic and to the local situation; it lost 57% of the advertising expenditures, down from 133 million USD in 2019 to only 57 Million USD in 2020.
All the other markets witnessed a decline like Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Tunisia, and the Pan Asian market; as for Syria, a small market relatively, it has enjoyed a growth.
To conclude, I would say the outlook in 2020 seemed negative of course, but not as negative as many people predicted. We believe the drop by 22% on total media is something that can be compensated in the coming years. Also, 2020 has confirmed the predominance of digital in our region, and the decline of other media mainly TV, despite the interesting fact that TV viewership has tremendously increased during the pandemic.
To wrap it up, here is a small overview about 2021, and our forecast for this year. We believe many media are set for a steady come back in 2021. The biggest winners will be OOH media and Radio, as they lost a lot of their value in 2020 but are set to make a strong rebound; TV in my opinion will very likely win back a lot of the losses, reaching a level that is close to 2019; and of course digital will keep on growing, and will confirm its dominance as the biggest and most wanted media in our region.


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Each year, Amazon announces a tsunami of new Alexa-powered products. And each year, Google counters with … what? A handful of new Assistant-powered products announced with all the excitement of a college economics class. And, even more quietly, by killing off a few of the products it released in previous years.
To Google’s fans, this aggressive approach to dealing with its most unsuccessful offerings is seen as some kind of a strength, a decisive mindset that ensures that only the best products survive. But Google’s constant killing off of products and services should weigh heavily on anyone in or considering investing in the search giant’s ecosystem. Such as it is.

domain: news


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As of today, Microsoft Solitaire Collection is now available on iOS and Android. The company says that Solitaire been one of the most played games on Windows over the past 25 years, so now it wants to bring the game to other platforms.
Of course, this is not the Solitaire that we all grew up with. That was a free game that came with Windows, along with Minesweeper, Hearts, and FreeCell. The modern version of the game, Microsoft Solitaire Collection, uses a freemium model, so it's free to play, but you'll have to pay if you don't want to see advertisements.
If you download the game for iOS and Android, you'll get the Premium Edition for free until the end of the year, which Microsoft says is a $1.99 value. This includes "no ads, game boosts and double coins for all Daily Challenges."
The game will have Xbox Live integration on both platforms, as it does in its Windows apps. This means that you can sign in with your Gamertag and your progress and game data will sync with the cloud, no matter which device you're playing on.
Microsoft says that Solitaire Collection has reached 119 million unique users since it launched four years ago for Windows 8. This is impressive, considering that the company announced that it had reached 100 million less than three months ago.


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PORT ORCHARD — Sylling’s Elderberry, a small business in Port Orchard and Poulsbo, won the edg3 FUND small-business competition’s Innovation Award and $10,000 in cash Nov. 20 from sponsoring company Kitsap Bank.
The Innovation Award goes to one business selected from a pool of small-business finalists that, in the opinion of judges, demonstrated creativity, innovation and resiliency and, when faced with challenges, the business was able to adapt and overcome obstacles.
Founded by Nate and Lindsey Sylling, Sylling’s Elderberry creates an elderberry syrup using simple, organic ingredients with no artificial preservatives. The ingredient reportedly has an ancient history of supporting the immune system and maintaining whole-body health, and having antiviral, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, the owners said.
Requests for their elderberry syrup spiked in 2020, causing Sylling’s Elderberry to find solutions to meet the new demand for their product. The company created a doorstep drop-off service, and also produced do-it-yourself brewing kits for those preferring to make their own syrup, have special dietary restrictions, or want to choose an alternative sweetener for their syrup.
When faced with supply-chain disruptions, the owners worked with other producers to establish the nationwide Elderberry Trade Association, allowing members across the country to obtain quality elderberries in larger cost-efficient quantities.
Campfire Coffee of Tacoma, owned by Quincy and Whitni Henry, edged seven other competitors in the seventh annual edg3 FUND competition to take home the grand prize of $25,000. The company is the only known coffee roaster in the nation that honors the tradition of roasting coffee over an open campfire flame and bringing specialty coffee to their local community, sponsors said.


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The US government approved the Philippines’ request for another round of the US Generalized System of Preferences scheme starting this year, the Trade Department said Tuesday.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the government was now assured of the continuity of the program that would benefit Filipino exporters to the US.
“There is a pending proposal from the legislative side of the US government to increase the validity of the [GSP+] program to three years. I heard the US House of Representatives already approved the amendment for a three-year renewal. We have yet to hear from the Senate,” he said.
The amendment to the program would involve not only a three-year renewal but could also include retroactive effectivity.
The Philippines’ contract for the US GSP expired in December 2017. Preparations for the petition for renewal started as early as November 2017.
The scheme went into force in 1974 and was subject to periodical renewal. It provides duty-free access to about 3,500 eligible products for beneficiary developing countries like the Philippines.
Lopez said the Philippine government was also working on expanding the coverage of Philippine products under the program to include garments, footwear and bags.
The Philippine government plans to revive the garments and textiles sector whose exports decreased from an annual average of $2.4 billion between 1995 and 2006 to an average of $1.6 billion over the past five years.
The industry currently employs around 300,000 workers and has the potential to increase employment to over 4 million if the Philippines can attract more investments in the garments and leather goods manufacturing in the country, the department said.
“We will be also pushing for the inclusion of more agro-based products such as fruits and the likes,” Lopez said.
Lopez said the possible expansion of US GSP to US GSP+ could increase interest, for both parties, to pursue the possibility of having a more permanent FTA with the US which is now at exploratory stage.


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A mass migration to alternative telephony is forecast over the next five years, with a quarter of Western European households expected to ditch their landlines.
By 2010, mobile and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services will account for more than 60 percent of residential voice spend in Western Europe, according to a new report from Analysys.
The research firm predicts that around 25 per cent of households will have abandoned traditional telephony services offered via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by 2010 in favour of cheaper options.
"The mass market for voice services in Western Europe is being transformed by the substitution of mobile and new VoIP services for traditional fixed voice services," said Katrina Bond, lead author of the report. "We expect that in five years 45 per cent of voice minutes will be made from a mobile or VoIP connection, compared to 28 per cent in 2004."
According to the study, so-called "Plain old Telephony Services" (POTS) will account for just 39 per cent of declining spend on residential voice services by 2010.
The report reveals that there has already been substantial fixed-mobile substitution in Western Europe. Mobile networks accounted for 51 per cent of voice spend in 2004; in 2010 mobile voice services are expected to account for 35 per cent of voice minutes and 57 percent of voice spend in 2010.
"The usage of broadband connections for VoIP is at a nascent stage in Western Europe currently, but the scene will change dramatically over the next five years," said Bond. "In 2010, it is estimated that VoIP could account for 9.6 per cent of voice minutes, but only around 3.6 per cent of voice spend because of its low price compared with POTS services."
The report points out that consumers' spend on voice services will decline as a percentage of disposable income because falling prices for all voice services will enable spend to be transferred to other services or uses of time.


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The search is underway to find the very best in exceptional accessibility for disabled people and to reward hotels, restaurants, leisure, and tourism venues worldwide that are getting ‘Accessibility with Style’ right. The launch of the Blue Badge Access Awards 2023 sets the standard for ‘Access for All’ in the hospitality industry and will take place at the brand-new Sun Street Hotel, in London EC2 on Tuesday 25 April 2023.
The aim of the awards is to encourage hospitality industry bosses, architects, and designers worldwide to consider ways in which they can address the needs of disabled people and to make their experience more joyful and inclusive. The Blue Badge Access Awards are the only awards that recognise exceptional accessibility for disabled people through stylish thoughtful design, innovation, and liberty in the hospitality industry.
Twelve categories will award the best accessibility in bars, hotels, restaurants, historic buildings, and any public venue in the hospitality sector. Nominations can be made by the public, design professionals, venue managers and owners in the hospitality business.
- NEW for this year is the Best Accessible Spa award.
- The Access Champion of the Year Award and 2 Conceptual Design Awards
- Along with the most Accessible Toilet Award 2023, the BBAA announces that the Ludicrous Loo Award is BACK! (The exception award for lack of accessibility)
If you have gone the extra mile to make your venue accessible to everyone, and in doing so you have treated disabled guests as customers rather than ‘compliance issues’ then you are just what we are looking forfiona jarvis
The BBAA awards are run by Fiona Jarvis and Robin Sheppard united by their mission to celebrate thoughtful and stylish inclusive design. Fiona Jarvis Founder and CEO of Blue Badge Style said: “If you have gone the extra mile to make your venue accessible to everyone, and in doing so you have treated disabled guests as customers rather than ‘compliance issues’ then you are just what we are looking for”.
Co-Founder Robin Sheppard, president of Bespoke Hotels is the leader of accessibility in the hospitality industry adds: “We want to drive the industry to replace the DDA compliant rooms and re-title them ‘Liberty Rooms’. Disability is not only about wheelchair access. Nine per cent of disabled people are wheelchair users, and 75% of disabled people have hidden impairments. We need to look after all our disabled guests. Many accessible hotel bedrooms can look more like a hospital than a hotel. This needs to change”.
How to nominate a venue: https://www.bluebadgeaccessawards.com/the-awards
Closing date: 18 September 2023


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Apple's iCloud online storage jumped 20 percent in the most recent quarter, the company noted onwith analysts.
Apple chief financial officer Peter Oppenheimer said the company now has 300 million iCloud users. In January, Apple noted that iCloud had 250 million users.
The service stores and syncs data from Apple customers, such as calendars, email, photos and more across the various Apple devices that users own. Last month, Strategy Analytics reported that Apple held 27 percent of cloud storage usage in the United States during the third quarter of 2012, leading rivals.
All the latest Apple news, featuring developments on the iPhone, iPad, Macbooks, OS X and much more.
Mar 29Donald Trump has a new iPhone, says social media director
Mar 29iPad users get their own version of Google Calendar
Mar 29Spotify's 'Carpool Karaoke' wannabe? Meet 'Traffic Jams'
Mar 28Best iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus cases


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Millionth tyre is produced at Silao, Mexico
Pirelli’s factory in Silao, Mexico has produced its millionth tyre. Celebrating the event with Pirelli were the Governor of Guanajuato, Miguel Márquez Márquez, and Guanajuato’s Secretary for Economic Development, Héctor López Santillana, who were received by the CEO for the NAFTA Region, Paolo Ferrari, and Pirelli Operations Director, Giuliano Menassi. During the ceremony, the Governor of Guanajuato stressed how the region is becoming increasingly important as regards the automotive sector thanks to the presence of international companies such as Pirelli that promote rapid growth for the sector in Mexico and Latin America as a whole. The facility was opened on 31st May 2012 and its tyre production covers the United States, Canada and the growing demand from the local market. It is estimated that 60% of Pirelli tyres sold in the NAFTA area will be manufactured at Silao. Pirelli’s overall investment up until 2017 will be around 400 million dollars. Furthermore, the new hi-tech factory will turn increasingly to the development of state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, including the Green Performance project for environmentally-friendly premium tyres.


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1st of October 2015 is the first official International Coffee Day (ICD), a holiday designated by the International Coffee Organisation to celebrate one of the world’s most popular drinks in the world.
The Coffee Break is a Global Trend
Whether your “cup of coffee” is a Macchiato, a strong double Espresso, a sweet Mocha or an iced-cold Frappuccino you can be sure to find your favorite coffee almost everywhere around the globe. The cult of coffee has diffused all over the world, from Europe, to the Americas all the way to Asia. In fact, after petroleum, coffee is the second most traded product with an annual production of 148 million 60kg bags. Furthermore, worldwide consumption of this beverage is expected to rise almost 25% in the next five years as “[…] societies in India, China and Latina America continue to be Westernized” claims Roberio Silva, executive director of the International Coffee Organization.
Every day we consume 2.6 billions of cups of coffee.
ICD: What is the point?
Some people think ICD is just like any other day and or a commercial excuse to sell extra frappuccinos to enthusiastic caffeine- lovers. Comments like these are abundant on the web under the hashtag #InternationalCoffeeDay:
Apparently today is #InternationalCoffeeDay. I honestly thought it was every day.
— Nash Nashy (@NASHterpiece) September 29, 2015
Nevertheless, the importance of a day like this is to help to raise awareness about sustainable coffee cultivation and fair trade practices within the coffee industry. Coffee derives from the seeds or berries of the coffee plant. Even though historians believe that it was first discovered in Ethiopia, today the world leading exporters of coffee are Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia and Indonesia. Initially it was used for religious ceremonies and rituals, but it eventually became a very diffused beverage in most households of Europe and America by the XVIIth century.
The launch of the first official ICD will take place in Milan, (Italy) host city of EXPO 2015 – the Universal Exhibition, which is dedicated to the theme “Feeding the Planet – Energy for Life”. In occasion of the first International Coffee Day, the world leading coffee producers, related associations, institutions and business representatives will meet up in Milan at the Global Coffee Forum (30 September – 1 October) in the Stella Polare Conference Center (@coffeeforum15) to discuss about the development of a sustainable coffee economy.
Coffee and Sustainability
The theme of the International Coffee Day is to communicate that coffee is more than a drink or a tasty experience;
Coffee is the work of 25+ millions families in more than 56 countries around the world as long as an issue for climate change.
The biggest source of environmental damage that derives directly from coffee comes during the production of the beans themselves. The global increase in demand has caused a massive change in the growing methods with profound implications on sustainability. Traditionally, coffee was cultivated under a shaded canopy if trees which provide an optimal ecosystem for the local fauna. However, this traditional growing system has been superseded by ‘sun cultivation’, a cultivation method with no forested canopy.
As a consequence, 2.5 million acres of forest in Central America have been destroyed to create space for coffee farming.
The WWF has pointed out that 37 of the 50 countries in the world with the highest deforestation rates are also coffee producers. Along with the environmental concerns related to its growing methods (see the work of Rainforest Alliance), more attention needs to be dedicated also to the ethical side of production (see world of Fairtrade).
Despite the huge changes that have revolutionized the coffee industry in the last few decades there is still a lot of work to do to make the world coffee-drinking habit a sustainable one. This is why it is important to support the International Coffee Day.


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Oct 12, 2017
HSBC appoints John Flint as new chief executive
Banking giant HSBC has named John Flint, current head of retail banking and wealth management, as its new boss. Mr Flint, who takes over from outgoing chief executive Stuart Gulliver, will start his new role next February. The appointment is the first big decision by the bank's new chairman, ex-AIA Group boss Mark Tucker, who joined HSBC at the start of this month. Mr Tucker said that the new incumbent, who takes over on 21 February 2018, had a "Broad and deep banking experience across regions, businesses and functions". Mr Flint said that the bank had to "Innovate and accelerate the pace of change required" to meet the expectations of shareholders, customers and employees.
Make a complaint about HSBC by viewing their customer service contacts.


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Beyond 1080p: six-inch WQXGA phablets could arrive next year
You know it had to happen: no sooner do we finally start coming around to the idea of 1080p screens on smartphones – that maybe they’re not completely overkill and can meaningfully contribute to a phone’s specs – when now there’s talk of handsets with even higher resolutions. According to some industry sources, we could start seeing devices arrive in 2014 with six-inch WQXGA screens: that’s a resolution of 2560 x 1600.
We’re already familiar with such high-res displays, but in much larger sizes, like the 10-inch component on the Nexus 10. While a WQXGA screen that size still has a respectable 300ppi, when we shrink things down to the six-inch range, density shoots up to 500ppi. Compared to a 1080p display, we’re talking about nearly twice as many pixels.
Companies like Toshiba and Sharp have already developed six-inch WQXGA panels, and now it seems to be a matter of waiting to see who’s going to be first to try building a phablet around one. What do you say, could this be how next year’s Galaxy Note 4 arrives?


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AMD’s AM5 platform won’t support DDR4 at launch
Rumors abound that AMD’s AM5 platform, slated for release later this year, won’t support affordable DDR4 at launch. Instead, the Zen 4 Ryzen 7000 chips will exclusively support the more expensive DDR5 memory standard. Potentially good news from a performance perspective, but bad news for your wallet.
Our sister site Tom’s gear spoke to motherboard manufacturers who state that Ryzen 7000 chips will be supported by X670 and B650 motherboards at launch and that those motherboards will be DDR5 models exclusively. These manufacturers have also confirmed that AMD is moving to a single chip design for motherboards, with high-end X670 motherboards using a dual-chipset design to bolster throughput.
While the decision to focus exclusively on DDR5 potentially makes sense from a technology standpoint – it could allow AMD to optimize its Zen 4 core for DDR5, which it appears to be doing with its EXPO technology – there is a very real financial cost to such a move. Indeed, DDR5 is considerably more expensive than DDR4, often more than double the more mature memory standard. This price difference is partly due to the shortage of chips, but also because DDR5 has built-in power management and voltage regulation, so the DIMMs are simply more expensive to produce.
The real benefit of DDR5 isn’t particularly proven either, at least not when it comes to gaming. You see a difference of a few frames per second between a high-end DDR5 kit and a decent and much more affordable DDR4 kit. This is going to make switching to the new platform a tough decision for many players. Especially since Alder Lake’s sequel, called Raptor Lake, is supposed to continue to support both DDR4 and DDR5.
One thing in AMD’s favor here is that Zen 4 isn’t expected to land for quite some time yet, and DDR5 prices have come down significantly since the start of the year. While we don’t expect to see a huge price drop for DDR5, time should help a bit.
It’s possible that more affordable motherboards built around the A620 chipset could support DDR4, assuming Zen 4’s memory controller still actively supports it. These affordable chipsets tend to give up key features though, with the current A520 chipset not supporting PCIe 4.0 for example.
We’ll have to wait for AMD to release its Ryzen 7000 chips, which are expected later this year. Ryzen 5000 dropped during the November period, so we might still have to wait a bit. Nevertheless, early adopters should probably start saving now.


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5 Undervalued Small Stocks Under $5
The first to slump and the last to rally — that’s the usual fate of stocks of smaller companies when the markets wildly gyrate. Their perceived riskiness — relative to blue chips — keeps them in the doghouse, even after the broader market posts a sustained rebound. With the S&P 500 up roughly 10% since Oct. 3, might it finally be time for investors to move a bit on out on the risk curve and focus again on low-priced small stocks? If so, it pays to look at stocks that have taken an especially hard hit in this choppy market.
Even as the S&P 500 is now higher than it was on July 22, when the market sell-off began, these five low-priced stocks are off at least 15% since then, and now look like deep bargains.
#-ad_banner-#1. Office Depot (NYSE: ODP)
Recent Price: $2.24
since July 22: -38%
This office supply chain has always toiled in the shadow of industry leader Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS), posting subpar growth metrics for an extended time. You have to go back to 2006 to find the last time that sales grew at least 5%.
Yet tepid sales still haven’t prevented Office Depot from delivering respectable free cash flow: The retailer has generated a cumulative $300 million in free cash flow in the past three years, helping to boost tangible book value to $600 million. That’s right in line with the company’s market value, prompting Chairman and CEO Neil Austrian to acquire 100,000 shares with his own money in late August. He bought stock at $2.50 a share, and it’s now more than 10% below that level. Goldman Sachs, which sees shares rising from a recent $2.20 to $4, assessed results from the most recent quarter and noted that “efforts to improve profitability through better analytics and an ongoing cost-cutting effort are gaining traction.” By Goldman’s math, this stock sports a free cash flow yield (based on 2012 forecasts) of more than 20%.
2. JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU)
Recent Price: $4.45
since July 22: -16%
This stock looks even cheaper than Office Depot on a price-to-book (P/B) basis (tangible book value stands at $1.7 billion, while the company is valued at $1.3 billion). Soaring fuel prices have crimped profits for this low-cost carrier in recent quarters, but with crude oil back down near $85, look for analysts to slowly boost profit forecasts for JetBlue. Expectations that it would earn $0.50 a share in 2012 were largely predicated on $100 oil, based on a survey of analysts’ models. Shares already look cheap at nine times that likely conservative view.
3. Wendy’s (NYSE: WEN)
Recent Price: $4.67
Price change since July 22: -15%
This fast-food purveyor was on the move before the market slumped in July. Shares had reached a two-year high earlier that month, on expectations that a sale of the lagging Arby’s division would enable management to better focus on profitability at the healthier Wendy’s chain. Around Labor Day, Wendy’s installed Emil Brolick as CEO, and he’s generally garnering favorable reviews: “He comes off as thoughtful, strategic and genuine, is clearly a student of the Restaurant industry,” note analysts at Goldman, who predict “Brolick is going to make an excellent CEO.” His plan of action appears to be a massive remodeling program for the stores to help reinforce a perception of quality. To better glean the company’s strategic direction, give the conference a close listen when results are released on November 9.
4. Netspend Holdings (Nasdaq: NTSP)
Recent Price: $5.18
Price change since July 22: -37%
This stock had been above $8 when the market sell-off began, and by the time I wrote about it in mid-September, it had already fallen below $6. Little did I know it would have further to fall.
The investment thesis for this maker of reloadable debit cards, an alternative to traditional banking that’s targeted to the “underbanked” segment of the population, remains intact since my look at the stock a month ago, except its now even more of a bargain, at less than 10 times projected 2012 profits. The stock’s weakness is partially attributable to the growing pains often seen at young companies in a fairly new industry niche. But over time, that perception should change according to analyst at Sterne Agee: “As awareness of General Purpose Reloadable (GPR) cards increases, government and employers decrease check issuance, and more consumers are driven out of the traditional banking system, we expect the GPR card industry and NetSpend to benefit.” They predict shares will rise up to $7 during the next year.
5. Exide Technologies (Nasdaq: XIDE)
Recent Price: $4.87
Price change since July 22: -37%
The deep sell-off at this battery maker is hard to fathom. The company is quite stable, should soon benefit from falling lead prices, and has also pushed through recent price increases. When fiscal second quarter results are released on Nov. 8, look for management to focus on the cash flow potential of this business model. Now that costs are falling and battery prices are rising, look for Exide to boost profits at a steady clip. Per-share profits are expected to more than double in fiscal (March) 2012 and rise another 50% to about $1.20 in fiscal 2013. Shares trade for around four times that figure.
Risks to Consider: Earnings season is a time to reset the bar in terms of forward expectations. Companies may look to offer tepid forward guidance in light of the recent choppiness in the U.S. economy. Though these lagging stocks already reflect expectations of possibly sobering guidance, they’d be unable to rally until investors have a sense that forward results will be strengthening, not weakening. As of now, each of these five stocks is expected to boost profits in 2012.
Action to Take –> The market need not rally in coming sessions for these stocks to move back into favor. Instead, a simply flat and “boring” market would be enough to refocus attention on what are now ultra-cheap valuations. Regardless of how these shares trade in the near term, they’re quite undervalued in the context of potential long-term growth and could deliver ample returns if you have a multi-year time frame.


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Tommy Hilfiger taps into modest fashion market, with launch of first hijab
Tommy Hilfiger has tapped into the growing modest fashion market with the launch of its first hijab.
Following the introduction of curve-sizing to the brand, the launch of its first hijab is in line with the brand's vision to be more inclusive and accessible to fashion consumers.
The Hilfiger hijab features letters “TH” initialed throughout the garment, and has been created from a fine jacquard, with a light shimmer of soft lurex thread, allowing breathability while also ensuring comfort. The hijab is available in the colours ivory and “sky captain” grey.
Last month, Tommy Hilfiger also dressed leading modest fashion model Halima Aden in a custom-made burkini for Sports Illustrated.
The new hijab is available to purchase globally at select Tommy Hilfiger stores, and at tommy.com.
With a State of the Global Islamic Economy report projecting the modest fashion industry to be worth an estimated £226 billion (Dh1.08 trillion) worldwide, Tommy Hilfiger joins a growing list of fashion brand eager to cater to the market.
A number of luxury brands, such as Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry and DKNY, have all produced pieces or entire collections targeted at the modest market, while high-street names such as H&M and Mango have both followed suit.


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New Senior Director of Franchise Development
Discovery Point Franchising is excited to introduce Meredeth Jones as our new Senior Director of Franchise Development!
Meredeth brings over 15 years of franchise sales, operations and legal experience across multiple industries which include restaurant, retail and children's healthcare. Her passion is to serve new and existing franchisees through the achievement of new business ownership and continued growth.
Welcome to the team, Meredeth!


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24 January 2024
Tobacco experts praise closing of vaping law loopholes
Leading Australian tobacco control experts have praised the Federal Government’s plans to close vaping law loopholes in a new paper published today, calling for the proposed reforms to be introduced urgently to grasp the opportunity to end the youth vaping epidemic.
Associate Professor Becky Freeman from the University of Sydney, Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO, Cancer Council Australia, and Anita Dessaix, Chair of Cancer Council’s Public Health Committee, outline the pressing need for vaping reform in a new commentary in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.
Reforms to tighten vaping regulation were announced by Health Minister the Hon Mark Butler in November 2023.
Ending the importation of disposable, single-use vapes came into effect from 1 January. Further legislation planned for this year will strengthen and support enforcement of this change, including preventing the advertising, supply, or commercial possession of non-therapeutic and disposable vapes; tightening legal loopholes to end personal importation; and regulating nicotine levels and flavours in prescription vapes.
The expert authors of the academic commentary commend the proposed changes to vaping regulations, stating that “comprehensively addressing access and supply of vaping products is crucial if Australia hopes to roll back the alarming rise in young people vaping, who are vulnerable to lifelong nicotine addiction.”
Lead author Associate Professor Becky Freeman says that although it’s illegal to sell nicotine vapes since 2021, purchasing e-cigarettes remains alarmingly common and easy for young people.
“Currently, non-nicotine vapes are exempt from regulation that restricts vape access to those with a doctor’s prescription. It’s a legal loophole that allows retailers such as tobacconists, convenience stores, chicken shops and petrol stations to get away with selling vapes under the guise that they don’t contain or aren’t labelled as containing nicotine. The reality is that most of these e-cigarettes do contain nicotine, and even non-nicotine vapes are harmful.
“The alarming increase in youth vaping has gone hand-in-hand with the increasing retail availability of these products. The proposed reforms will be welcomed by schools, parents and teens struggling with the vaping epidemic.”
The academic commentary also takes aim at retailers, who the authors say are “knowingly selling nicotine-containing vapes to young people”.
“Vapes are sold in local shops near schools, with enticing displays of lollies lining the entrance, attracting the attention of young people. The vapes come in the same candy-scented flavours and are sold illegally to teens and children.
“Those advocating for more open access to vapes say that responsible retailers should be allowed to sell vapes like any other consumer good. These groups happen to have a commercially vested interest in selling these products. Many of these so called ‘responsible retailers’ are also currently knowingly selling nicotine vapes to minors,” says co-author Professor Tanya Buchanan.
Co-author Anita Dessaix says it’s important to remember that the reforms do not “ban” vaping, nor will the new laws criminalise people who vape.
“A cornerstone of the Government’s policy is ensuring that people who smoke who have decided they need vapes to help them quit smoking can still access them with the personalised advice of a health professional. The new reforms strike the balance between protecting young people from a notoriously predatory industry and providing controlled access to a highly addictive and harmful product.”
Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO of Public Health Association of Australia, says that the latest evidence-based commentary should send a strong message to politicians in all national, state and territory parliaments about the need to support a strengthened and enforced prescription pathway.
“We urgently need these reforms in place to protect the next generation from reckless retailers and the destructive nicotine industry. The proposed reforms are sound, necessary, and backed by evidence. We are calling on all members of Parliament to get the job done and support these legislative changes, to close loopholes and protect the health of Australians, particularly young people.”
For media enquiries, please contact:
Hollie Harwood, Strategic Communications Advisor, Public Health Association of Australia, firstname.lastname@example.org, 0400 762 010
Note to editors:
“Closing loopholes in Australian vaping laws: why Australia’s proposed vaping reforms are sound public health policy” has been published online here.
Please credit the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. The Journal is the official publication of the Public Health Association of Australia.
All articles are open access and can be found here: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/australian-and-new-zealand-journal-of-public-health


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In a bid to promote the use of Methanol in industry, the government think-tank NITI Aayog is working on a plan that will allow India to use the alternate fuel for meeting BS VI specifications for automobiles.
The think tank is drafting a business model that includes converting the unsold BS III stock of automobiles to eventually run on Methanol-blended fuel.
“There are a large number of two wheelers and cars which have become redundant because of the Supreme Court order disallowing BS III vehicles form April onwards. As a result, we are coming up with a business model to convert those vehicles to work on methanol and make them BS VI compliant,” Niti Aayog Member V K Saraswat told ETEnergyworld.
BS or Bharat Stage are emission standards instituted by the government to regulate the output of air pollutants from internal combustion engine equipment, including motor vehicles.
The Supreme Court earlier this year banned the sale and registration of BS-III vehicles from April 1, 2017. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government recently announced its plants to skip to BS VI norms directly from BS IV emission norms that are now in force, by 2020.
According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), an apex Industry body representing leading vehicle manufacturers, unsold inventory of BS III stock left with manufacturers amounts to around Rs 5,000 crore. Bulk of the unsold inventory comprises commercial vehicles and two wheelers.
“We are working on how to get a conversion kit for the vehicles. A couple of people from the industry are coming forward evincing interest in getting a kit to convert these cars to work on methanol. It is imperative to create methanol production capability in India to reach that goal,” Saraswat added.
Saraswat, who heads Niti Aayog’s committee on Methanol, in a recent interview to ETEnergyworld had also said the Aayog has set an ambitious target of taking Methanol-blending to 15 per cent over the coming years.
According to R S Sharma, Chairman FICCI Hydrocarbon Committee; Former CMD, ONGC, efforts made towards exploration of Methanol-blended fuel is a step in the right direction.
“We are already blending Ethanol with fuel but I’m not sure to what extent Methanol blending can be done. However, any effort made to use non-conventional alternate sources that can supplement conventional fuels is a welcome step given our increasing dependence on imports,” he said.
In a note issued by Niti Aayog last year titled ‘India’s leapfrog to Methanol economy’ the think tank stated that Methanol and Dimethyl ether (DME) can play an important role in order to contain the rising imports and improve the energy security of India.
“Methanol & DME blending with gasoline and diesel respectively can gel very well with the target of 10 per cent import dependence reduction of oil & gas by 2022 of the Government of India,” the note said. According to the note, high methanol blends offer significant vehicle efficiency improvement. Richard Sherman Authentic JerseyShare This


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2013 Paracombe, Shiraz, Adelaide Hills, South Australia
The wildfires in Australia have been devastating and indiscriminate over the past few months and have led to tragic loss of life, property and businesses, as well as of ancient forests and wildlife. It is the most destructive wildfire season Australia has ever seen. It is hard to try to understand the impact these fires have had in my world, the wine trade.
Some of the most saddening losses have been in the idyllic Adelaide Hills. On 20 December alone, one third of the region’s wine production (more than 1,000 hectares) was wiped out, along with 84 homes, including several historic buildings. Fundraising for those affected is taking place, as well as much needed initiatives to drive monies into local fire services. We can help, here in the UK, by buying their precious wines. If we all make an effort to keep this economy going, as best as we can, then replanting and rebuilding will follow and we can hope that this beautiful part of the world will grow back stronger and more resilient.
With this in mind, please check out my 100 Best Australian Wines Report, on my website, for a great selection of Hills wines and also my featured wine this week – an incredible, fully mature, super-smooth and mesmerising shiraz. Slippery, heady, luxurious and complete, this wine and its silky, mellifluous, unoaked 2017 chardonnay (£19) sibling will be sure to place this region in your heart forever.
• Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s Communicator of the Year (matthewjukes.com)


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Though he’s best known as the top ventriloquist in the business, Jeff Dunham has been a muscle car fan since he first discovered Hot Wheels as a youngster growing up in Dallas, Texas. He’s still a Mopar fan with a passion for the 1970 Cuda.
In August, Chrysler’s SRT Division recruited Dunham to help create a show car for the SEMA show that opens in Las Vegas at the end of next week.
Starting with a black 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8, Dunham, Scott Brown, Manager of West Region Communications, Mark Trostle, SRT’s head of design, and Alan Palmer of Palmer’s Customs of Camarillo, California, will produce Project Ultaviolet which will incorporate a new engine from SRT. All in six weeks.
You can watch Episode One of the saga on YouTube.
Thanks to Mike L’Alouette for the tip!
Months after unconfirmed reports made it to Allpar’s pages, the power of Automotive News, in the person of reporter Larry Vellequette, pried a key fact from Chrysler executives — that they cast and build “Ferrari” engines for Maserati. As our sister site pentastars.com reported, the engines are actually cast in Kokomo, and machined in the Trenton Engine plant, using a mixture of [...]
The Challenger Hellcat is a hot image car for Dodge, and the brand’s leader has already said he wants to get as many out to the public as possible, suggesting to dealers that they not tack on $10,000 (or higher) surcharges as they did to hot cars in the past — from Vipers to PT Cruisers. While his calls may [...]
The planned Dodge Dart SRT will be enabled by a brand new series of four-cylinder engines, which some insiders say are a joint effort of Chrysler and Fiat, merging aspects of existing designs from both companies. Originally, the engines, dubbed “Hurricane” after military aircraft (and likely referencing vintage Jeep engines as well), were thought to be merely turbocharged versions of the existing 2.0 or [...]
Dodge’s use of Cummins diesels back in 1989 succeeded beyond expectations, reviving a nearly dead truck line. When the company added a VM diesel to the Ram 1500, sales were, again, much better than expected. Chrysler had predicted a 10% take rate, perhaps up to 15%; but Allpar reported in August that the line was running up to 25% diesels when the engines were [...]


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Now, a coalition of 23 of the world’s largest Internet and technology companies are formally offering their support for the new rules in a letter to the Chairman, posted to the Open Internet Colaition website. Signed by Eric Schmidt of Google, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Evan Williams of Twitter, and other industry leaders, the group once again articulates the pro-Net Neutrality argument:
“For most of the Internet’s history, FCC rules have ensured that consumers have been able to choose the content and services they want over their Internet connections. Entrepreneurs, technologists, and venture capitalists have previously been able to develop new online products and services with the guarantee of neutral, nondiscriminatory access by users, which has fueled an unprecedented era of economic growth and creativity. Existing businesses have been able to leverage the power of the Internet to develop innovative product lines, reach new consumers, and create new ways of doing business.
An open Internet fuels a competitive and efficient marketplace, where consumers make the ultimate choices about which products succeed and which fail. This allows businesses of all sizes, from the smallest startup to larger corporations, to compete, yielding maximum economic growth and opportunity.”
While the major players on the Internet are seemingly united behind net neutrality, it could take “many months” for the rules to be formalized according to The Wall Street Journal. That’s because cable companies and ISPs will also have an opportunity to argue their case that a completely open Internet with no ability to cap bandwidth usage and costs is bad for business.
In any event, it would seem that a battle that has been many years in the making is finally about ready to take center stage.


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FRONT-ROW FRIENDS: Has an industry long-known for bitchiness and back-stabbing transformed into one of sharing and caring? Many New York designers were spotted at each others’ shows — and no, they weren’t spying. Some, like...
FRONT-ROW FRIENDS: Has an industry long-known for bitchiness and back-stabbing transformed into one of sharing and caring? Many New York designers were spotted at each others’ shows — and no, they weren’t spying. Some, like Heatherette’s Richie Rich, who attended Marc Jacobs, were invited for the fun of it. Others, like Tuleh’s Bryan Bradley and Amanda Brooks, who occupied the front row at Miguel Adrover, were out for solidarity’s sake. "It’s important to show support in the industry," Bradley said. "[Adrover’s] had a rough time, and not of his own doing."
Also spotted last week were Todd Oldham at Esteban Cortazar and Anna Sui, Matthew Williamson and Alvin Valley at Jeremy Scott, Anna Sui at James Coviello, James Coviello at Peter Som, John Bartlett at Miguel Adrover, Vera Wang at Ralph Lauren, Diane Von Furstenberg and head designer Nathan Jenden at Behnaz Sarafpour, and Tony Melillo at Calvin Klein.
POP GOES VUITTON: Marc Jacobs is plotting an encore to his famous collaboration with Stephen Sprouse, whose graffiti decorations on Louis Vuitton monogram handbags catapulted the brand — and inspired legions of copycats. WWD has learned that Jacobs has now tapped Japanese "Neo-Pop" artist Takashi Murakami to collaborate with him on spring 2003 accessories for Vuitton. Murakami is famous for his colorful, cartoon-like paintings and toys. Icons of his work include smiley-face flowers, colorful mushrooms and a Mickey Mouse-like character named Mr. Dob. Murakami’s first major European exhibition at the Cartier Foundation in Paris was recently extended through Oct. 27.
MAXIM TELL-ALL: Think the market is glutted with tell-all memoirs written by disgruntled former magazine editors? Well, make room for the newest entry. Former Maxim editor and current Spin magazine staffer Dave Itzkoff is shopping around a book called "Lads: A Memoir of Manhood" about his three-year tour of duty at Maxim magazine. While replete with the requisite dishy anecdotes about infidelity and drug use, Itzkoff’s book — an expanded version of an article he wrote for the New York Press — supposedly has more to offer than just insider media dirt. "It’s really about my failed attempt at becoming a man, and being a failed man while working at a magazine that is attempting to define masculinity for other men," Itzkoff said. Itzkoff’s agent, Nina Collins of Collins McCormick, added that "the book has elements of the Toby Young-type tell-all, but it’s deeper and funnier in a David Sedaris kind of way."
DOING THE HONORS: Christian Lacroix may be doing a scaled-down presentation of his spring 2003 collection Oct. 2, but it will start with a major moment. During a private dinner for 60 people before the event, LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault, who established Lacroix’s couture house 15 years ago, will decorate him as a chevalier of the Legion of Honor, a citation of merit by the French government.
HOP TO IT: Junya Watanabe, who enlisted jeans giant Levi Strauss for his men’s wear debut last year, has another major collaboration afoot. Word has it that the acclaimed Japanese designer has been working with Nike on women’s footwear — and not necessarily sneakers — which will be unveiled at his runway show in Paris Oct. 3.
THE OTHER OSBOURNE: He’s the Osbourne that MTV forgot. But clubbers in the U.K. and Ibiza have been lining up at hot spots like the Ministry of Sound and Cream to dance to the all-night house sessions of DJ Louis Osbourne, 26. Sired by Ozzy during his first marriage, Louis, who hails from Birmingham, England, took to raves instead of rock. After spending the last few years headlining European gigs alongside the likes of the Basement Jaxx, Osbourne will be making his American debut when he spins at the four-day-and-night bender called ClubNation, the first national nightlife seminar, Sunday through Oct. 2, at Webster Hall. Louis’ debut DJ mix CD is due in October, and he'll appear on the cover of the U.S. dance magazine Mixer later this year.
EXCLUSIVE: @tomford is opening its first-ever beauty store. The boutique, which opens November 20 in London’s Covent Gardens, was designed with the over-the-top glam Ford is known for. Read the full story on WWD.com, link in bio. #wwdbeauty #wwdnews (📷: Simon Wagner) #TomFordBeauty
New York-based DJ @harleyvnewton threw a party to celebrate the holiday collection of her dress and pajama line @hvn at the Ladurée Beverly Hills. It Girls @katebosworth, @rashidajones and more joined in on the fun, which included cocktails, croque monsieur sandwiches and a photo booth. #wwdfashion (📷: Owen Kolasinski/BFA.com)
For the holidays, @Burberry partnered with 20-year-old artist @blondeymccoy on a series of three outdoor murals in downtown Manhattan. The murals are McCoy’s interpretation of a Christmas eve party, the idea of charity and the spirit of family. His third mural, pictured here, is the most personal. The image depicts McCoy’s grandparents and father in London’s Trafalgar Square in the Seventies. “My work often features lots of sentimental objects.” #wwdeye
For spring 2018, designers applied bold colors and cartoonish motifs on everything from sneakers and belts to key chains. See all the top men’s accessories trends on WWD.com. #wwdtrends (📷: George Chinsee; Prop Styling by @rnasti; Market Editor: @luiscampuzano)
The @dior-sponsored @guggenheim international gala pre-party has a history of drawing cool-girl musical acts to serenade the crowd –– and last night was no exception. @haimtheband performed songs both new and old, and lured a star-studded audience with the likes of Rebecca Hall, Kate Mara, Mamoudou Athie and more. #wwdeye (📷: @lexieblacklock)
In a partnership between the @metopera and the @englishnationalopera, “Marnie” was born. The opera, with costumes sponsored by @mrporterlive, is an adaptation of the 1961 thriller by Winston Graham. Arianne Phillips, who created the costumes, is no rookie: She’s styled Madonna for her tours and created costumes for a myriad of films in the past. Read WWD’s interview with Phillips, where she talks about her inspiration for the opera’s costumes on WWD.com #wwdfashion
@barneysnyc took a different approach to their holiday windows this year. Instead of Christmas decor, Barneys tapped @thehaasbrothers to tell a story of positivity, gratitude and inclusivity via heartwarming silliness and humor. “It’s about kids and it’s about coming together and being family and loving each other,” said Simon Haas. #wwdfashion (📷: @joshuascottphoto)
Beauty influencer @kandeejohnson makes her foray into hair care with a collaboration with @ogx_beauty — making it the first time that OGX has teamed up for a product creation. The collab includes shampoos and conditioners in three scents. At 39 and a mom, Johnson is a different profile than the emerging social media stars, but is considered one of the pioneers of the digital beauty influencer world. Read WWD’s interview with her on wwd.com, including the strangest beauty product she’s ever tried #wwdbeauty


text: It's been a big year for anime-based fighting games, and nobody has been leading the charge better than Bandai Namco. A few months ago, the fighting game giant came out with an announcement that they would be making a brand new One Punch Man fighting game, which is great news for those of us who love classic and fun fighting games. \n \nToday, the fighting game giant told us that they would be releasing two new DLCs for some of their more popular games: One Piece: World Seeker and Naruto To Boruto Shinobi. Both games look like they will benefit greatly from the additions. So here is a great reason for players to bust out the games and give them another playthrough for a fun time. \n \nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/HeugNcHDjeo \n \nFor the latest DLC for One Piece: World Seeker, Bandai Namco has released a new questline and a few new characters. This is the third DLC released by the developers, which means it will likely be more polished than some of the earlier downloadable contents released by the team in earlier periods. \n \nThe latest addition includes Trafalgar Law and Roule, who is a new character in the One Piece Universe, but will definitely be enjoyed by players and fans. The downloadable content also includes several new quests that follow the two characters throughout the world as they seek to complete the unfinished map and discover the buried treasure. \n \nFor Naruto To Boruto Shinobi, Bandai Namco has released downloadable content that includes the character Ino for the famous anime series. \n \nAlthough this was a great idea, several fans are actually upset about the addition o Ino to the game. The problem is not that the character was included, which was a great decision. In reality, the fans are upset because they have been wondering why Ino was never included in the game in the first place. \n \nOn the announcement post on Facebook, one Naruto To Bortuto Shinobi fan asked, "Why not release a complete game instead?" Another asked why Bandai Namco was making basic characters from the television show only available as downloadable content within the game. The general consensus is that Ino should have been released with the original game. \n \nNevertheless, fans will be able to enjoy the DLC for both games. If you happen to be a fan of fighting anime games, both DLCs will be a great reason to replay some classics in the fighting game genre. So get out the games and have a great time fighting through some challenges.


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U.S. home values fell a staggering 9.9 percent year-over-year in the second quarter, the largest drop in the past 12 years, according to Zillow.
The median home value is now at its lowest point since the fourth quarter of 2004, leaving nearly 30 percent of borrowers who purchased a home during the past five years underwater.
The highest rate of negative equity is among buyers who purchased a home in 2006, with nearly half (45 percent) upside down, largely because the median down payment was only 10 percent and prices were peaking.
Over the past year, roughly 25 percent of homes sold nationwide were at a loss and 15 percent of sales were foreclosures.
In some regions of hard-hit California, more than 60 percent of home sales were at a loss and foreclosures sales exceeded 50 percent.
The New York- Northern New Jersey-Long Island MSA had the lowest rate of foreclosure, with just 8.8 percent of home sold at a loss over the past year, and only three percent foreclosure sales.
“The second quarter is the sixth consecutive quarter of home value declines and we see little promise of turnaround in the short-term as the rates of decline have yet to slow and, in fact, actually accelerated in many markets,” said Dr. Stan Humphries, Zillow’s vice president of data and analytics.
“The high rates of negative equity are having a direct effect on home sales figures as we’ve seen considerable growth in foreclosure transactions and homes selling for a loss.”
While it may seem as if the sky is falling, 90 percent of markets covered by Zillow returned positive annualized appreciation over the past five years, and all markets improved over the past decade.


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Food company Pladis Global has announced that it is appointing Luigi La Corte as its new chief financial officer, effective 1 October 2017.
The company, which produces brands such as Godiva and McVitie's, says that La Corte will be responsible for its 'ambitious finance agenda', including its capital markets strategy, investment decisions, and leading the global finance team.
“I’m looking forward to joining one of the fastest growing snacking companies," said La Corte. "Pladis is at an important stage of its global expansion."
La Corte is joining Pladis from GlaxoSmithKline, where he was senior vice president of finance and head of global business development. He started his career in the FMCG sector, working at both P&G and PepsiCo.
“Luigi is a CFO with extensive global strategic exposure and finance experience gained in major blue chip organisations," said Pladis CEO Cem Karakas.
"He has demonstrated his leadership of game changing global performance, across a wide range of areas and he will be integral to our long-term growth strategy.”
Pladis has a plan to expand beyond its two anchor markets, the UK and Turkey, investing in the US, China, the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa over the next two years.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Sarah Harford. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.


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Are Gluten-Free Foods Misleading Consumers?
Celiac.com 06/13/2017 – Are consumers wrongly assuming gluten-free foods to be nutritionally equivalent to their gluten-containing counterparts? Are they being mislead?
That’s the subject of a recent talk presented at the 50th Annual Congress of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). Among the evidence cited was that gluten-free items have a significantly higher energy content and a different nutritional composition to their gluten-containing counterparts.
The presentation also notes that many gluten-containing products, especially breads, pastas, pizzas and wheat-based flours, contain up to three times more protein than their gluten-free counterparts.
In all, the study assessed 654 gluten-free products, and compared them against 655 gluten-containing products. Among the group’s key findings were that gluten-free breads had significantly higher content of lipids and saturated fatty acids; gluten-free pasta had significantly lower content of sugar and protein; and gluten-free biscuits had significantly lower content of protein and significantly higher content of lipids.
These differences can have adverse effects on children’s growth, and increase the risk of childhood obesity.
The gist of the presentation is that gluten-free products cannot be considered as substitutes for their gluten-containing counterparts, and that numerous gluten-free items should reformulated using healthier ingredients to help promote healthy nutrition in children.
Not only are gluten-free products generally poorer in their nutritional composition, but consumers may not be unaware of the crucial differences, due to poor nutritional labelling. Dr Sandra Martínez -Barona, fellow lead researcher, states that “labelling needs to clearly indicate this so that patients, parents and carers can make informed decisions. Consumers should also be provided with guidance to enhance their understanding of the nutritional compositions of products, in both gluten-free and gluten-containing products, to allow them to make more informed purchases and ensure a healthier diet is followed.”
ESPGHAN expert and lead researcher, Dr Joaquim Calvo Lerma, adds that “…it is imperative that foods marketed as substitutes are reformulated to ensure that they truly do have similar nutritional values. This is especially important for children, as a well-balanced diet is essential to healthy growth and development.”
Stay tuned to see how the gluten-free food industry responds to efforts by ESPGHAN to improve both gluten-free product formulation, and gluten-free labeling to help people make better nutritional choices.
Celiac.com welcomes your comments below (registration is NOT required).
Jefferson Adams is a freelance writer living in San Francisco. His poems, essays and photographs have appeared in Antioch Review, Blue Mesa Review, CALIBAN, Hayden’s Ferry Review, Huffington Post, the Mississippi Review, and Slate among others.
He is a member of both the National Writers Union, the International Federation of Journalists, and covers San Francisco Health News for Examiner.com.View all articles by Jefferson Adams
Published at Tue, 13 Jun 2017 15:30:00 +0000


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Businesses in the region will have to wait longer to reap the fruits of free trade, thanks to non-tariff barriers.
According to a new report by the East African Community Secretariat, rather than do away with non-tariff barriers by December 2012 in accordance with the EAC plans, some countries have even introduced fresh ones — about 10 — while 35 remained unresolved. Only 36 have been resolved.
According to the Secretariat’s findings, all the countries expressed frustration with the barriers.
The Secretariat also found that differences over elimination of the barriers had deepened, denying the region larger markets, economies of scale, and promotion of local, regional, and global trade — the benefits envisaged with free trade among the nations.
This means businesses will have to continue incurring huge costs arising from the NTBs — mainly weighbridges, roadblocks, poor infrastructure, unnecessary delays at border posts, and lack of harmonised import and export standards, procedures and documentation.
The sad state of affairs is blamed on the absence of a legally binding framework that has left businesses at the mercy of individual countries.
A draft law meant to punish countries that fail to implement agreed upon mechanisms to eliminate trade barriers was submitted to the regional parliament in November 2012.
EAC Secretary-General Dr Richard Sezibera said a legal framework has been developed and is awaiting comments from member states.
Business executives said that NTBs were hurting trade among EAC countries, a situation that has, for example, contributed to the decline in Kenya’s export trade in the region.
A new report commissioned by Kenya’s Ministry of East African Community shows that the country’s exports, compared with those of other EAC member states, had been growing at a slower rate over the past five years, although the volumes were higher.
Vimal Shah, the chief executive of regional edible oils manufacturer Bidco, blamed unending NTBs for the shifts in regional trade.
“Countries like Tanzania have become very harsh about what is sold within their borders, to the extent that they reject even the packaging of some goods that were earlier allowed into the market but which they now say are substandard,” said Mr Shah.
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics recently stated that inadequate government structures, erratic application of rules and the lengthy customs administration documentation procedures were some of the barriers to trade in the region.
According to KNBS, the other EAC partner states exported goods worth Ksh26.9 billion ($320 million) into Kenya last year, but India and China accounted for the largest share of Kenya’s imports at 22 per cent of the Ksh1.3 trillion ($15 billion) worth of goods.
Uganda has severally raised concerns following the re-introduction by Kenya of a cash bond on vehicles above 2000cc and sugar transiting from Mombasa to Uganda.
Although the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) claims that it cancelled the cash bond in September last year, umbrella business organisation Kampala City Traders Association (Kacita) insists the bond is still on.
“The cash bond is too expensive; it is an addition cost for transit goods from the port of Mombasa,” said Kacita chairman Everest Kayondo.
Uganda also complained that the requirement by KRA that tea from Uganda destined for Mombasa auction market should be stored at the Customs bonded warehouses was hurting trade for it has raised the cost of transactions due to the additional expenses incurred and delays often experienced in deliveries.
Patrick Obath, the chairman of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, a business lobby, said entrenched national interests were frustrating the elimination of NTBs.
“Countries need not complain much about NTBs. For example, Uganda is still under the contentious exemption scheme – the Ugandan List – which allows its businesses to import some goods without paying the 10 per cent common external tariff that other member states apply on such goods,” said Mr Obath.
“This was meant to lapse as the region began to implement the Custom Union protocol in 2005, but Uganda successfully lobbied for its extension for five years up to 2010 and yet it has not ended,” he said.
The progress report also shows Kenya Ports Authority has signed a service level agreement with Maersk Ltd and other private cargo handlers known as container freight stations (CFSs), where transit cargo is transferred upon arrival at the port. This has angered Uganda since businessmen are incurring a cost of over $300 for transferring these containers to the CFSs.
“The CFSs are privately contracted by KPA for clearing local cargo at the port to help decongest the facility and operate under Customs control and other governmental agencies because the port’s cargo handling capacity is currently,” said Lawrence Mangarunyi, divisional manager Signon Global Logistics.
“However, once the construction of the second terminal that was commissioned last year is complete, the CFSs will likely be phased out.”
Construction of the $327 million terminal will be completed in 2016 and is expected to increase Mombasa’s container handling capacity from the current 771,000 containers to 1.2 million containers, and help reduce the clogging that has forced some port users to move to Dar es Salaam.
Kenya and Uganda are also concerned that Tanzania has re-imposed a visa charge of $200-$250 on Kenyan and Ugandan business people.
According to the report, Tanzania said the fee was for a pass issued to persons entering the country on temporary assignment and short-term business activities. However, the fee had been abolished for EAC citizens.
Tanzania complained that Kenya is still imposing a levy of Ksh2 ($0.024) per kilogramme on the agricultural products imported from Tanzania.
Two, that Kenya is still restricting cut flowers from Tanzania for re-export to European and Russian markets.
Kenya also complained that Tanzania is still insisting on the requirement that cigarettes manufactured in Kenya should have 75 per cent local tobacco extract content.
Among other NTBs raised by Kenya that are yet to be resolved are beef and pork products from Kenya Farmers Choice are charged 25 per cent CET by Tanzania; refusal by the Tanzania Revenue Authority to recognise the EAC certificate of origin for furniture manufactured in Kenya.
Kenya reported other new NTBs including the requirement by Tanzania Food and Drug Authority for registration certification and testing of products in Tanzania before they are imported into their country despite certification by Kenya Bureau of Standards.
Kenya also complained that Tanzania is imposing general duties imposed on products originating from Kenya, which are assumed to have benefitted from duty drawback.
Uganda is blamed of imposition of 75 per cent CET/$ 200 per metric tonne for rice wholly produced in Kenya and exported into the country, a matter that the Ugandan Revenue Authority is yet to respond.
Rwanda, in the report, raised concerns on the requirement for payment of cash bonds on high valued goods by KRA, requirement for original documentation at the port of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam for clearance of goods and the ban of import of fresh fruits from Burundi to Rwanda.
Burundi on the other hand complained of the delays in the clearing of goods at the Ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam and the requirements for cash bonds by the Kenya Revenue Authority prior to clearance of certain goods.
Rwanda is the only EAC country that has made progress in the region to abolish the NTBs.
Last year the country threatened to take its neighbours to court over the continued existence of non-tariff barriers in the East African Community, which it says increase the cost of doing business for its industries, making them uncompetitive.


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Two Sacramento men suspected in smartphone resale scam
Two Sacramento men were arraigned for allegedly buying a large number of stolen smartphones for eventual sale in Hong Kong.
The arraignment follows a six-month investigation by the California Attorney General’s eCrime Unit into trafficking $4 million in stolen smartphones.
The men allegedly enlisted people from homeless shelters to buy multiple smart phones from phone carriers. Most carriers allow people to buy up to five phones under their own names at a discount. The homeless folks sold the phones to the conspirators for a nominal fee. They then shipped them to Hong Kong, where iPhones can fetch $2,0000.
They were arrested March 6, and they were arraigned Tuesday in Sacramento on eight felony counts of money laundering, grand theft, possession of stolen property and conspiracy.
Both men are in Sacramento County Jail. Bail was set at $1 million each.
Agents intercepted four of the 110 parcels shipped by Wen and Tan to Hong Kong during the past 12 months. The 412 phones seized from these packages were traced to phony customers as far away as North Carolina.
“This international theft ring used fraud and deceit to steal smartphones and exploit the homeless,” Attorney General Kamala Harris said in a news release. “I applaud the hard work of our special agents whose tenacious investigation put an end to this criminal enterprise.”
Mark Anderson covers technology, agriculture, banking and finance, venture capital, energy, mining and hospitality for the Sacramento Business Journal.
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Recent months have not been an easy ride for cab hailing app giants Uber and Lyft. Not only has the pandemic resulted in significant drops in ridership, the two companies are currently at legal loggerheads with the state of California. The courtroom battle centers around California’s new labor law Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) and may mean that both brands are now seriously considering adopting a license or franchise model as one route forward.
AB5 introduced a three part test (called the ABC test) to determine whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee. It was of course intended to provide protection for gig economy workers by granting them employment rights, although it it has been greeted with controversy with reportedly many independent contractors in California suffering loss of income as a direct result of its introduction. In May, the Attorney General of California Xavier Becerra, joined by the city attorneys of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, issued a lawsuit against both Uber and Lyft, arguing that their drivers should be classed as employees rather than contractors. Becerra then went on to file for an injunction to compel the ride-hailing companies to reclassify their drivers with immediate effect. That injunction was granted on August 10 by Judge Ethan Schulman who rejected the arguments of both Uber and Lyft, stating that drivers were essential to the operation of the businesses and must be reclassified as employees. He stated that ride-hailing companies should not be able to claim exemption from the law and in his judgement wrote that it was “high time that they face up to their responsibilities to their workers and to the public”.
Not surprisingly, both Uber and Lyft oppose the decision. They argued in court that their businesses are multi-platform and that they are effectively technology companies that connect customers to drivers rather than transportation firms. They also claim that their drivers prefer the flexibility of working as freelancers. Should the ruling stand then there are very significant legal and financial implications for both firms and for others operating on a similar basis. Both Uber and Lyft have stated that this would place significant strain on their business operations. Shortly before the judgment however, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi had an Op-ed piece published in the New York Times in which he admitted that it was time for change and that there should be a “third way” for gig ecomomy workers.
The legal process continues and at the time of this article, having lodged an appeal, both firms have been granted a temporary stay on the deadline that had been given to implement the changes.
With the worst-case scenario being a complete withdrawal of services in California (and both Uber and Lyft have indicated that this is a real possibility at least on a temporary basis), it’s no surprise that the hunt is on for alternative models of operation. Uber has said that it is now considering using independently operated fleet operators as one route forward. When it first entered the marketplace in the early days this is of course how Uber started, with it’s black-car operations. By adopting such a model, the companies would franchise or license out their technology to smaller intermediary organisations operating vehicle fleets, so that the intermediaries would then be responsible for the drivers. Uber already operates something similar in Germany and a couple of other countries, partnering up with professional and licensed private hire companies in Germany after a legal ruling followed a challenge by a German taxi association. Lyft has also apparently confirmed that it is looking into alternatives, although hasn’t confirmed if franchising is one of those.
Whilst moving over to a license or franchise model could in theory be one way of solving Uber and Lyft’s headaches, could it be a long term solution and carve out a path for other gig-based businesses that currently operate on a similar basis? One major issue would be the all-round commercial viability – the coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on volume of rides and shares in both companies have dropped significantly. Khosrowshahi has already warned that permanently restructuring its operations in California would result in ‘much smaller service [and] much higher prices’, stating that it would hurt both drivers and customers. In Poland, where Uber has already introduced a franchise-like model after facing regulatory challenges in the territory, intermediary companies sign up drivers as independent contractors instead of drivers contracting directly with Uber. It has been reported though that it is the contractors who have come off worst in that arrangement, with little monitoring and regulation meaning that some intermediaries have been accused of taking advantage of their drivers.
That echoes some of the experiences of FedEx, who back in 2009 made the change from using independent contractors to negotiating contracts with independent providers. Those providers then manage fleets of delivery operatives under the FedEx brand umbrella. The move has not been without its difficulties though – the model has been subject to challenge on several occasions and it has also been suggested that the intermediaries become the “squeezed middle” who then cannot afford to pay their drivers enough.
These are all undoubtedly issues and challenges that Uber, Lyft and also DoorDash, who face a similar challenge from the San Francisco District Attorney, could do without right now in the current climate. Should they lose their respective appeals, they will have to refocus their efforts on a November ballot measure, Proposition 22, which would have the result of exempting certain gig economy companies (including ride-hail) from AB5. In the meantime Uber and Lyft will no doubt continue with their journeys, exploring their own Plan B.


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Following last night’s posting of a next-gen iPhone “engineering sample” (case mold), Gotta Be Mobile has now posted new photos of a physical model of the rumored iPad Mini, reflecting the shape and relative form factor of the device, as well as the rumored smaller dock connector Apple may begin using for their devices.
The site notes that the model seems to be a case mold. Case designs have proven largely accurate in the past – although last year, many case makers jumped the gun, and mistakenly began producing cases for a redesigned next-gen iPhone that instead turned out to be the iPhone 4S.
The report also comments on the likely size of the next-gen iPad, based on the mold:
The iPad Mini will be a little bit thinner than the current iPad, but it is only about two-thirds the size. […]
What we’ve found, using a pixel count, is that the iPad Mini should be around 213.36mm tall and about 143.67mm wide. This is approximately two-thirds of the size of the new third-generation iPad. The new iPad is 185.67mm wide, 241.3mm tall, and 9.39mm thick.
These measurements would also mean that the “iPad Mini” will be significantly wider than other similarly sized tablets, such as the Nexus 7, granting it a fair bit more screen real estate than its competitors. The below image compares the mold against the current iPad:
Again, as with the next-gen iPhone “engineering sample,” the authenticity of this can’t be verified – but if Apple is indeed planning a smaller iPad, the clues provided by this case mold do seem likely, and at the very least, provide some interesting food for thought.


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Pollution changes how we shop, live and eat
While periods of acute pollution have always affected the market - generally by boosting sales of masks and air purifiers - this year things got so bad that the impact was much broader, changing consumer behavior and prompting the launch of new products and services as desperate Koreans look for ways to combat the fine dust.
Mask, air purifier sales shoot up
A must-have for any fine dust season, masks have been popular for quite a few years now. Sales figures for this year, however, show that consumer awareness of fine dust has reached new heights this year.
According to ecommerce website TMON, customers this year showed a tendency to prefer masks with finer filters and made more purchases in bulk.
From Feb. 28 to March 5, sales of Korea Filter (KF) masks - which are verified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety - increased 50 times compared to the same period last year. Among them, masks rated at the KF94 level accounted for 93 percent of sales, an increase of 22 percentage points from last year, whereas KF80 masks saw sales decline to 6 percent from last year’s 29 percent.
KF94 means products are verified by the government to block 94 percent of all 0.4 micrometer particles coming through the mask, while KF80 can prevent 80 percent. A dense filter may be effective in blocking fine dust but it is also less comfortable as it feels stuffier and is harder to breathe through.
“In the past, KF80 was considered a reasonable choice to wear on a daily basis,” the company said. “This year, KF99 masks are selling well with a sales growth on year of 989 percent.”
At convenience store CU, growth of mask sales over the winter outpaced disposable hot packs, a traditional steady seller for the season.
Between Dec. 1 and Feb. 25, masks sold 22.6 percent more on year. The growth was particularly concentrated on mid-January, when fine dust levels unexpectedly shot up. Hot packs saw sales retreat 4.8 percent on year during the same period. A warmer winter than the previous year was another influencing factor, CU added.
Air purifier sales are breaking records as well. Local electronics maker Dayou Winia said the product sold 685 percent more on year between March 1 and 5. The sales volume during these five days was equivalent to 61.6 percent of what the company sold in the entire month of February.
“Air purifier sales typically rise around April and May,” the company said. “Demand for the product sector is expected to continue rising in the year’s first half considering the possibility of yellow dust hitting Korea before the summer.”
At Samsung Electronics, daily air purifier sales set all-time highs for four straight days from last Monday through Thursday.
“Air purifier sales were going up by 1.5 times on a monthly basis in January and February, but recently sales have been doubling week on week,” said a company spokesman. “We’re seeing monthly sales for March reach threefold of last year.”
LG Electronics has already recorded a threefold increase so far this month. The product’s popularity is so high that LG says that for some popular models there may be delays in delivery despite the company operating its factories at full capacity.
While masks might help combat dust outdoors, staying inside is the best way to completely avoid fine dust.
Orders from the food delivery app Baedal Minjok, or Baemin, rose by 7.5 percent, or 240,000 orders, to 3.34 million orders from March 1 to 3 compared to the previous weekend. The number of orders was down 4.5 percent compared to the same period last year, which Baemin says is normal as this is normally the time of year when people start going outside as the weather warms up.
The types of food people order also appears to be different on days when fine dust levels are high, with a stronger demand for steamed and soupy dishes. Sales of that kind of food shot up by 11.9 percent last weekend compared to the previous weekend.
“The number of orders for steamed or soupy dishes showed a dramatic jump [during days with high fine dust levels],” said a spokesperson from Baemin. “We believe the high fine dust level induced people to take meals indoors and raised the demand for soupy dishes [due to sore throats from breathing in fine dust].”
The number of orders from Yogiyo, another food delivery app, also jumped up 25.4 percent from the first weekend of March compared to the second weekend of February.
A spokesman explained that delivery orders are usually concentrated during the weekend, but the company has been seeing a rise in orders on weekdays due to fine dust. The number of orders Yogiyo received on Monday, March 4, was 15 percent higher than the second equivalent Monday in February.
The number of visitors to malls and department stores is also rising.
Shinsegae’s Starfield shopping malls in Hanam and Goyang in Gyeonggi saw a 10 percent increase in the number of visitors from March 1 to 3 compared to the previous weekend. Its department stores also saw a 14.4 percent rise in sales from March 1 through March 6 compared to the same period last year.
“Though there isn’t much I can do during weekdays because of work, I try to stay indoors when I have my own time on the weekends,” said a 27-year-old office worker surnamed Jung. He explained that he planned to go to a theme park with his girlfriend but instead headed to the mall, where they spent the day indoors watching a movie and going shopping.
Hyundai Department Stores also enjoyed extra profits last week. Its sales from March 1 through 5 jumped up 8.1 percent on year while the number of visitors shot up 9.7 percent on year.
Bad news for outdoor businesses
Data from BC Card also backs the effect of fine dust on family outings.
A report from the firm’s Big Data Center released Thursday showed that in the last two years, BC’s credit card holders spent 15 percent more in malls on days when the government announced the fine dust level was bad. Spending at kid cafes rose 15 percent on such days while movie theaters also enjoyed an increase of 29 percent.
While the poor air quality may offer a business opportunity for some, it presents a huge challenge for others.
Those operating businesses outdoors were hit hard by the fine dust crisis. To try and reassure potential punters, the sports industry is actively trying to combat the fine dust.
The KBO has decided to provide 75,000 masks to each of Korea’s 10 top-tier baseball clubs, the first such attempt seen in the professional sports world. The league is hoping to prepare the masks in time for the opening games on March 23.
In fact, four professional baseball games in April last year were canceled due to the overwhelmingly high levels of fine dust. The KBO asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to provide a fund to help combat fine dust, ultimately receiving 600 million won ($540,000).
The K League recently established a new rule that allows for games to be canceled when fine dust levels are high enough for an alert to be issued three hours prior to the start of the game.
A 27-year-old office worker surnamed Kim said, “I enjoy going to baseball games, but at this point, I’d much rather watch the game comfortably at home without being concerned about the quality of every breath I take in.”
With fine dust affecting the country for increasingly long periods, some industries are devising ways to introduce permanent facilities or services to fight fine dust.
Coffee shops have started offering fresh air as another selling point. Starbucks Korea has installed more than 1,200 air purifiers in its 212 stores nationwide, complete with signs to let customers know the air is clean. The coffee chain is planning to install air purifiers in all of its 1,270 stores within this year. Its rival A Twosome Place also installed an air purifying system in its newly-opened branch in Seocho District, southern Seoul, and is observing the change in air quality for possible additional installations.
Construction companies are increasingly adopting new built-in systems to offer fresher air in new apartments.
Samsung C&T developed the IoT Home Cube, a small, square, built-in device to go inside Raemian apartments that measures fine dust and automatically turns on the ventilation system.
An air shower that blows away dust will be installed by the front door of apartments. It can blow air at a speed of 25 meters (82 feet) per second. It also plans to install a large water mist facility inside the complex to remove fine dust from the air.
GS E&C will install “Sys Clein” built-in air purifiers in the ceilings of its new Xi apartments starting in this year’s second half. Sys Clein can clean the air without additional ventilation. Moving air purifiers release CO2 into the house and users still have to open the window from time to time to refresh the air.
“There’s been rising demand from the consumer end to maintain cleaner indoor air due to the rise of fine dust,” the company said. “We plan to expand the system to offices and commercial buildings in the future.”
Dongbu Insurance went as far to release the first insurance product for fine-dust related diseases last month. The Direct Goodbye Fine Dust Health Insurance covers six diseases known to be caused by fine dust that affects the throat, nose and eyes.
BY JIN MIN-JI, SONG KYOUNG-SON [firstname.lastname@example.org]
Fine dust is a big problem with elusive solutions


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Celebrities have been donating their leg wear to a charity auction on Peterborough.
Free Kicks Foundation is selling socks
from famous feet every day on eBay throughout the month of 'Socktober' in order to raise money for the children's charity.
Co-founder of the organisation, Steve Thorpe told the BBC that the name was thought up in January and then they had to decide how to involve socks.
"We think it's quite a unique idea that will really capture people's imagination," he explained, adding that it was just a matter of pestering celebrities.
Famous faces who have donated their socks include boxer Ricky Hatton, journalist Alastair Campbell, footballer Fabio Borini and swimmer Ellie Simmonds.
Mr Thorpe said: "The majority of them had been washed first, but there are a few that have a bit of a used smell about them."
As well as legwear a selection of signed sports memorabilia is being included in the daily auctions.
News brought to you by SockShop. Go On…Treat Your Feet
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The consequences of the inability of General Motors to correct a problem that caused airbags to fail to be deployed on vehicles for over a decade could be more significant than originally thought.
It is found that 303 deaths occurred in crashes involving the recall-prone General Motors vehicles where the airbags did not work, as per an article published.
A research firm was hired to search through the automotive Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) for deaths that occurred in two of the vehicles that were recalled which include the 2005 and 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2003-07 Saturn Ion.
For GM recall lawyers you can also opt for a GM airbag recall lawsuit via www.gminjurylawsuitcenter.com/.
Image Source: Google
The company that analyses accidents looked at rear-impact crashes that were not rear, that involved bags that were not deployed, the Times published an article.
With Congress scheduled to be holding hearings regarding the recall, auto safety advocates want to convince lawmakers that they have enough evidence in the hands of the two organizations General Motors and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recognize this dangerous trend earlier than they did.
The NHTSA recalls 1.3 million cars and had reported issues and complaints from consumers dating back to 2001.
Center for Auto Safety said it believes GM could have acted sooner, and that the NHTSA did not take enough action in looking into the complaints and keeping an eye on the automaker.
GM has released a number of 31 accidents and 12 deaths attributed specifically to the recall. The vehicles were found to have a defective ignition switch that was unintentionally moved away from"run" and "run" positions and shut off the engine and deactivated the airbags.