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GUELPH, ON (October 29, 2018) – Grain Farmers of Ontario, congratulates the Canadian government and all parliamentarians in the passing of Bill C-79 and the announcement that Canada will ratify its partnership with the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership).
The CPTPP is an important trade agreement for Canada and agriculture as it builds relationships with new and emerging markets.
“Ontario grain farmers are relying on our government to open doors to new markets as we try to offset the negative impacts of the U.S.-driven trade wars,” said Markus Haerle, Chair, Grain Farmers of Ontario. “Agreements like CPTPP help the Canadian agriculture and agri-food industry to remain competitive. This is vital for an industry that employs almost one million Canadians.”
Grain Farmers of Ontario continues to support the Canadian government in moving trade talks forward with China and for other free trade agreements.


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Apple's iPhone 4S sold four million units in its first weekend of sales. But the entire rugged phone industry sells only half as many devices over the course of an entire year.
That's a good definition of niche market, according to figures from IDC, and one that's noticeably lacking in smartphones. We spoke with Sonim's CEO Bob Plaschke about his company's line of rugged phones, how the likes of Motorola and Samsung are trying to compete, and why we haven't seen a truly rugged smartphone—yet.
Sonim has a made a nice living over the past few years selling ruggedized feature phones to users in security industries, oil and gas utilities, agriculture, and heavy manufacturing—fields where typical phones just won't cut it.
These people want a phone that can last an entire day outdoors without a power source; a screen they can still see outdoors; buttons or touch functionality that are responsive enough to be used with a glove; or a speaker that can ring incredibly loud.
"All those things you can't find in an Otterbox, you can't find in a case for iPhone," Plaschke says, attempting to dispel the notion that ruggedization is only about build quality and weatherproofing. Device protection is a big deal in the consumer market, but it's only half the battle as far as business users in the field are concerned.
As we previously covered, ruggedized phones are often built to adhere to a number of industry standards for dust, water, and drop protection. The problem is that these protections require materials and construction that aren't found in your typical smartphone. This can pose a financial burden on manufacturers when the market for rugged phones is so small.
"We couldn't convince the large OEMs like Samsung or Motorola to build ruggedized phones for this class of folks," Plaschke says of years past. "They were willing to put some rubber on the phones, around the edges and make it waterproof, but they weren't willing to build to the specifications that these folks who work outdoors demand."
Of course, times have changed, and the likes of Samsung, Motorola, and even Casio are now making ruggedized smartphones that adhere to industry specs—with the promise of surviving low-temperatures and four-foot drops. But Plaschke feels there are still certain areas where smartphone ruggedness falls flat, at least when compared to the standards met by previous Sonim phones.

domain: news


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Answers a fan’s question on Twitter, Spencer said that although the Xbox team had “nothing to announce” regarding the future of the Fable franchise, he believes that it still has “a lot of places it could go” in the future.
The comment comes just a few days after an interview Spencer did with The Guardian, during which he admitted that the market for single-player, story-based games like Horizon: Zero Dawn wasn’t “consistent,” and that this makes the decision to back such projects more difficult for publishers.
Though it featured cooperative play as well, the canceled Scalebound from PlatinumGames was expected to a “traditional” heavy-hitter for Xbox later this year. With the exception of the traditional campaigns in the Gears of War and Halo franchises, the majority of Microsoft’s games now contain online connectivity as an integral part of the experience.
Fable hasn’t been known for this in the past — and the cooperative Fable Legends was actually canceled before it officially released — so it’s unclear just what a potential Fable 4 would look like, should it ever come to fruition.
Microsoft’s small number of studios, now limited to just seven developers already working on several projects, would also mean that the game would likely be outsourced to a third party. Original creator Peter Molyneux has moved onto other projects in recent years, including the god game Godus and the disastrous experiment Curiosity: What’s Inside the Cube?
- Xbox confirms Phil Spencer shared an old prototype of streaming device
- Xbox Series X controller support is coming to Apple devices in future update
- Xbox Series S appeared in the background of Phil Spencer interviews months ago
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate gamers will be able to play anywhere with xCloud add-on
- Xbox exec attempts to explain Perfect Dark, Fable accounts on Twitter


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While the share prices of companies that experienced a sizeable/huge data breach suffer just a temporary hit, in the long term breached companies underperformed the market, an analysis by consumer tech product review and comparison site Comparitech has shown. This is the site’s second annual analysis into the share prices and overall performance of 24 companies that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and have suffered a data breach in the last ten … More
The post Data breaches make companies underperform the market in the long run appeared first on Help Net Security.
A group of researchers from Queen’s University (Canada) have proposed a new approach for keeping important documents safe: creating so many believable fakes that attackers are forced either to exfiltrate them all or to try to find the real one from within the system. Of course, both actions carry an increased risk of detection. They’ve also demonstrated that creating and maintaining many fakes can be relatively inexpensive for the defenders, that the real document can … More
The post Preventing exfiltration of sensitive docs by flooding systems with hard-to-detect fakes appeared first on Help Net Security.


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Burma's government says the price of a lottery ticket is set to double.
The government-run Myanmar Ahlin reported Thursday the game's top prize will also increase by about two thirds.
The highest jackpot will grow from 25,000 dollars/30 million kyat to 41,000 dollars/50 million kyat.
Tickets which had been selling for about four cents/50 kyat each will now go for eight cents/100 kyat.
Lottery shops in Burma often sell tickets at more than their retail price because of high demand.
The government hopes the increased jackpot will lure more players away from popular underground lotteries.


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India determined to expand despite recession: AnsariApril 7th, 2009 - 11:09 pm ICT by IANS
By Manish Chand
Kuwait, April 7 (IANS) Indian Vice-President Hamid Ansari Tuesday said India’s economic growth will dip to six percent this year but stressed that it will still be one of the highest in a recession-hit world.
Ansari also warned against the perils of resorting to protectionism in recessionary times.
“Despite the current global financial crisis, we are determined to make the economy expand at a healthy rate,” Ansari told leading industrialists and fund managers at the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry here.
“During the last five years, our rate of growth was at an average of around nine percent. This year it will be about six percent, still one of the highest globally,” he said.
“Winds of global recession should not mean erection of new walls and protectionist barriers for trade, investments and free movement of service-providers and professionals,” he said.
Underlining the need for inclusive growth, Ansari said India’s “calibrated, stable and sustainable” process of growth has contributed to the “economic empowerment of millions of citizens, paving their way out of poverty”.
Kuwait was upbeat about India’s rising status as an economic power.
“India will be a centre of power in Asia, the most attractive destination for FDI and perhaps one of the fastest growing economy in the world,” said Ali Mohammed Thunayan Al-Ghanim, chairman of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Tags: al ghanim, ali mohammed, attractive destination, chamber of commerce and industry, chand, economic empowerment, economic power, fastest growing economy, fdi, fund managers, global financial crisis, global recession, hamid ansari, industrialists, kuwait chamber of commerce, kuwait chamber of commerce and industry, manish, power india, protectionism, recessionary times


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FX.co ★ Daily Forex Analytics. Forecast of the currency exchange rate for today
Unilever says No to M&A, but inflation puts more pressure
After Unilever's announcement of a possible decline in profitability this year and raising prices to offset rising expenses, investors got really worried after a failed offer to buy GlaxoSmithKline's consumer...
Trading on stock exchange on November 29, 2021
Buying shares of Unilever (#UL), a British multinational consumer goods company. On the weekly chart, the price reversed upward from the price channel line during the emerging convergence. It could...


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IRISH stores are selling bras for girls as young as three years old despite years of criticism about the sexualisation of children.
And retailers are also selling padded bras to enhance the figures of nine-year-olds despite concern from children's rights groups.
The Irish Independent found that Dunnes Stores is selling bra-and-knicker sets for three-to-four year olds and for five-to six year olds.
Although the lace-trimmed underwear is labelled as a 'crop top set', it's in the underwear department amongst other starter bra sets for girls.
Dunnes also has padded bras for girls with a 28 to 30-inch chest, although it does not make clear what age group these are designed for.
Penneys, meanwhile, has padded bras emblazoned with the logo "Superstar" targeted at girls who are 140cm tall -- or aged around nine.
The chain also has non-padded bras for five or six year-olds, again labelled 'crop tops' but sold with other underwear sets aimed at girls.
Penneys also has knickers for seven-year-olds with logos such as "And your problem is . . .?", "I don't ask for much, just my own way!" and "Whatever!"
Last night the Barnardos director of advocacy Norah Gibbons said: "The availability of these items of clothing for children as young as three and four is adding to the early sexualisation of children.
"It is undesirable to encourage young girls to dress as adults -- it is denying them the right just to be children, and it could give solace to those who seek out children inappropriately," she said.
Childcare worker Suanne O'Connor said she had been shocked to see bras for small girls on sale in Penneys in Limerick recently.
"I have worked with young people in crisis and believe me the last thing that's needed is to encourage girls to dress up like adults younger and younger. Can we just bring back the teddy bears please," she said.
"The fact they're calling them crop tops is just a total copout, anyone looking at these would call them bras," she said.
A Penneys spokesperson said their bras were labelled by chest size with no reference to age and were lined for comfort and modesty and were not designed to provide enhancement.
They said their bras for five- to six-year-olds were crop tops that were classified as vests.
"Penneys is a responsible retailer which takes great care to ensure that its products are both attractive and appropriate for all age groups," the company said in a statement.
Dunnes Stores did not respond to request for a comment on the sale of the items highlighted.
The British Retail Consortium recently introduced a code of good practice for selling children's clothes, signed up to by many major retailers such as Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and Tesco, but not subscribed to by Penneys.


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Instead of fueling the flames of customer dissatisfaction, AT&T has chosen to forgo appeals and shell out the $850 awarded to Matt Spaccarelli in small-claims court. Spaccarelli sued AT&T over their throttling of his unlimited data plan. Though they have paid the court ordered amount, they have made no strides to revise the throttling policy. Read the full story at the New York Times
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named LinkedIn’s “Top Voice in Technology,” he covers tech and business for Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular daily business blog. He's a bestselling author, and the creator of the popular, free online course, Generative AI for Execs. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.


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A top banker describes the industry's reaction to the implementation this month of Central Bank rules on retail lending as "anger, denial, then grudging acceptance".
Such has been the concern among banks in the UAE the Central Bank has now set up a retail banking committee, formed to consult regularly with the industry over future regulation.
But the gnashing of teeth among lenders has given way to concern, with some banks saying the new regulations will force the most radical shake-up of the industry in years. The initial effect appears to have been to cause credit growth to stall, with personal loans to residents barely budging between February and March, according to the most recent data from the Central Bank.
One of the key points of contention regarding the Central Bank's circular on retail lending was how it would apply to existing loan books. Having to apply the limits on loan size, now capped at 20 times monthly income, would have created a nightmare for banks with large numbers of retail assets, as much as Dh35 billion (US9.52bn) in the case of First Gulf Bank.
But during the course of negotiations, the regulator relented and allowed existing loans to be "grandfathered" into the rules, meaning only new lending would be bound by the lending limits. "Without that, of course, the industry would have had a huge issue," says Suvo Sarkar, the general manager of consumer and elite banking at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi.
But that meant loans granted before the May 1 deadline for implementing the new retail banking rules could be worryingly large.
There is a great deal of concern among the industry that some banks, particularly smaller lenders looking to grow the size of their loan books in a hurry, "maxed out" in the period before the new rules came into effect, in a "last hurrah" for the easy flowing credit of the old days.
"We would expect that it would be natural by banks to try to maximise on extending loans during the period of the relaxed rules," says Zaid Kamhawi, the chief business officer of Emcredit. Central Bank statistics for lending last month are not yet available. "However, we believe that the biggest winners would be banks that immediately start adopting and working with the new rules instead of finding ways to circumvent them."
Banking chiefs are concerned customers may also be able to circumvent the new regulations by concealing debts. In the absence of a federal credit bureau, banks have limited means to check that customers' total repayments do not exceed the new limit of 50 per cent of monthly income. "The effectiveness of the Central Bank regulations could be greatly enhanced if banks have access to accurate information about the borrower's past payment behaviour which is the strongest indicator of a borrower's future willingness to repay," Mr Kamhawi says, adding that a credit bureau with oversight of the entire industry would be best placed to provide such data.
"The only and most accurate way to determine the total debt exposure of a borrower, and therefore determine his debt burden ratio, is by accessing comprehensive credit information reports that reflect total liabilities extended to that borrower by all banks," he says.
The new regulations also allow for greater lending to expatriates than had been allowed under the previous limit of Dh250,000, set in 1993.
With all personal lending now capped at 20 times an individual's total monthly income, the amount of credit that can be granted could increase for many expatriates, who are traditionally perceived as more risky than lending to Emiratis because of the transitory nature of the workforce. To counteract the revenue hit from the Central Bank's regulations, cross-selling of products has become more important for banks to maintain revenues since the size of loans has been capped. As separate Central Bank regulations have prohibited banks from cold-calling members of the public with new offers, a number of banks have instead targeted their existing customers with increased numbers of telemarketing calls - permissible under the new rules.
Some bankers question the wisdom of this strategy. To avoid irritating customers and driving them into the arms of rival banks, cross-selling must become better targeted and more intelligent, says Sanjoy Sen, the regional head of retail banking at Citibank.
"It's not about dumping new products on customers," he says. "What we believe is that the cross-sell has to be based on customer need." The bank is touting a suite of analytic tools to make sense of consumer spending patterns and help predict when a customer needs a specific product. "It may be a loan, it may be a top-up [of a pre-paid card]. Based on behavioural patterns and scoring of customers, we offer them new products." Bankers stressed neglected customer service standards in the UAE would have to improve as lenders competed for customers who did most of their banking with one lender.
"We need to build a sustainable core of primary relationships [with customers]," says Douglas Beckett, the head of retail banking at Mashreq. "As an industry, we haven't done a great job."
That sense of customer service had been lost during the Emirates' decade-long property bubble, some bankers say. "In that sense, the crisis, in a perverse way, has helped to improve service," said banker who asked to remain anonymous.


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In front of a scaled-back staff in estee lauder gift set myer a largely-depleted store, she rallied Bon-Ton workers she manages one last day.Elder-Beerman Kentucky Oaks Mall Paducah, kentucky, elder-Beerman Adrian Mall Adrian.Going out of business sales begin Friday, April.CNN contributed to this story, share this article: Save with.Below we have a full list of the stores closing.Wenn du auf unsere Website klickst oder hier navigierst, stimmst du der Erfassung von Informationen durch Cookies auf und außerhalb von Facebook.It's more than just clothing, cosmetics and jewelry that were big sellers during the liquidation.
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“You can’t defy the laws of physics,” Martrich said
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Anna Jordan’s desk in her sorority home is not only where she works as a full-time student, but also where she runs her own business.
Jordan, a junior business administration major, makes and sells her own statement jewelry pieces under the name “AnnaBanana Jewelry.” In 2018, after making jewelry and clothing as a hobby for years, she started her business on Instagram, @annabanana.jewelry. Soon after, she moved her store to a website.
“It’s kind of cool to see how I started when I was just selling on Instagram and what I was making then to now,” Jordan said. “I think I’ve started making just a lot of cooler, more unique stuff.”
Jordan has always loved making things. She realized she also enjoyed the organizational aspects of running a business, which she said helped her discover what she wanted to study at the University.
“Starting in middle school through high school, I’ve been into making jewelry for fun, and I make clothes and stuff, too. I like crafty stuff like that,” Jordan said. “I was inspired to start [AnnaBanana Jewelry] just to test out whether I liked it and wanted to study business because I didn’t have much direction as to what I wanted to study in college.”
She enjoys maintaining the creative elements of her brand, such as the name and logo, but she also appreciates the logistical aspects, such as deciding costs and figuring out shipping.
Over the summer and extended winter break, Jordan found ways to stay busy with her business.
“I did a lot of collaborating with other small businesses," Jordan said. "I did some giveaway partnerships, and those are awesome for getting more people aware of your brand and for getting a better following.”
Mary Catherine Gray, a sophomore who regularly dons Jordan’s jewelry, is happy to support her friend's business.
“I like that the items are handmade, inexpensive and made from someone here in Chapel Hill,” Gray said. “Supporting local businesses is something that I am really passionate about. It’s just an added bonus that she’s my friend.”
Jordan has also found ways to support local causes she is passionate about through her business. This will be her third year contributing to the Jewels of Hope fundraiser, which is organized by Carolina Women in Business and benefits the Orange County Rape Crisis Center.
Paige Murray, a junior and the CWIB vice president of communications, said she enjoyed working with Jordan during the fundraiser last year.
“Not only is [Anna] incredibly talented at designing and crafting jewelry, but she is an incredibly organized and thoughtful small business owner,” Murray said. “She was so dedicated to the cause that when we sold our jewelry and asked her to produce more, she put in extra hours to make more products to sell.”
Jordan said she’s been excited to see other students and Chapel Hill residents wearing her jewelry.
“I remember after the [first CWIB] fundraiser,” Jordan said. “I sat down beside someone on the bus, and I looked over, and they were wearing my earrings, and it was like, ‘Wait, this is kind of awesome.’”
To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.


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For the first time ever, oat milk was cheaper than whole milk in Germany last month.
In July, German news publication Focus reported that dairy milk prices were rocketing, reaching “historic highs” in supermarkets. Even retailers known for their low prices, like Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd, had increased cow’s milk prices, it reported.
Focus added that most milk prices had exceeded one Euro, and when compared with December 2021, prices for whole milk (also known as full-fat milk) had risen by 29 cents per liter.
This meant that for the first time ever, both oat and almond milk prices were cheaper than whole milk.
Vegan options more affordable across Europe
Across Europe, inflation is rising in many industries, including food, energy, and transportation. This is intensifying the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Increasingly, consumers are looking for more cost-effective ways to shop, and for many, this means cutting down on animal products.
In the Netherlands, plant-based meat now costs less than animal meat. In a recent study, ProVeg International compared the prices of 36 products in June.
It found that while plant-based burgers used to be more costly than meat, they were 78 cents cheaper per kilo in June. Vegan chicken pieces were 37 cents cheaper than their animal-derived counterparts, and plant-based mince was €1.36 less per kilo.
According to Pablo Moleman of ProVeg Netherlands, meat requires more resources to produce, and that’s why prices are rising.
He said: “Meat has always been a product that requires an enormous amount of raw materials. To make one kilogram of meat, you need up to ten kilograms of grain. Now, in times of scarcity, that takes its toll.”
In the UK, research published in June found that one-third of shoppers were ditching meat products, or reducing them, in order to cut down costs.


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See EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaners to evaluate the health and safety of your cleaning products.
In the United States alone, women spend well over $2 billion per year on feminine hygiene products, including tampons, pads, feminine washes, sprays, powders, and personal wipes.
About every three years, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) releases a list of known and suspected carcinogens.
A study led by researchers at UC Berkeley and Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas demonstrates how even a short break from certain kinds of makeup, shampoos and lotions can lead to a significant drop in levels of hormone-disrupting chemicals in the body.
The antimicrobial triclosan is in thousands of products used daily, including hand soaps, toothpastes, body wash, kitchenware, and even some toys.


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Looking for new Eagles NFC Championship merch? Here's where to get it
Local and online shops are starting to stock up on new Eagles merchandise following the team's NFC Championship win against the 49ers on Sunday.
Fans could start purchasing or preordering new NFC Champs gear Monday morning ahead of the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs set for Feb. 12.
While many of the large retailers in the region, including Dick's and Rally House, reported lines and sellouts after Sunday's game, managers said more was on the way Monday. A Rally House manager in Bucks County said she was waiting on a truck with some 400 items for Birds' fans.
In addition to national retailers, small businesses were also in the game.
Retro-inspired clothing store Monkey's Uncle, in Doylestown Borough, is expected to get NFC Championship clothing Wednesday, according to its Facebook page. Preorders for some items can be made through the store's website, https://www.themonkeysuncle.net/.
Derrick Morgan, co-owner of the Bucks County store, said he was expecting to get shipments of the latest official gear Tuesday and Wednesday. That includes shirts, hats and other related attire.
“I mean you name it, we’re pretty much getting it," Morgan said.
He said the shop got used to selling Philadelphia postseason merchandise this past fall, when the Phillies made it to the World Series. When they get the latest gear, they will share that information on their Facebook and Instagram pages, Morgan said.
In addition to the official gear, the shop is expected to get merchandise from some local artists before the Super Bowl. Being able to shop local and purchase official gear, he said, is a big draw for the shop.
“There aren’t a ton of places that can do that, especially at this level," he said.
Rally House in Fairless Hills sold out Sunday night, but was expected to get more later in the morning.
Online, fans can purchase various gear, such as shirts, hats and other memorabilia on the official Eagles shop. https://store.philadelphiaeagles.com/c-7440. Also online retailer fansedge.com was stocked with gear Monday. Amazon also has gear, some with quick shipping.
There are also many options online from small, pop-up shops featured on Facebook and social media ads. Make sure to check shipping information if you want it in time for the Super Bowl.
Rally House's online store has similar items listed, however many of them are not expected to ship until Feb. 6.
The Fairless Hills location's phone had an automated message Monday afternoon directing customers to the website or to personally check the stores for Eagles Super Bowl merchandise. In addition to the Fairless Hills location, there are Rally House stores in North Wales, Willow Grove and Cherry Hill.
Dick's Sporting Goods' online shop also had some NFC Championship apparel available Monday morning. By Monday afternoon, some items were available for in-store pickup at the location attached to the Montgomery Mall.
Dick's also has stores in Fairless Hills, North Wales, Cherry Hill and Wilmington.
Fans may also go to the Eagles Pro Shop at Lincoln Financial Field next to the ticket office for some merchandise. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The pro shop also has a location at the Market Place at Garden State Park in Cherry Hill. The store, located at 2000 Route 70 West, Suite E Building E, is open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Fans celebrate:Eagles fans gather to celebrate before NFC title game, craving Super Bowl return
Eagles win:Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII after defense buries 49ers, injures 2 quarterbacks


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The Scarecrow Stroll is October 1 – October 30, 2021.
The Town of Danville is excited for the second annual Scarecrow Stroll coming this fall. Danville businesses are currently busy creating their scarecrows and adding personality to their festive figure to show off their fall spirit.
Scarecrows will be displayed outside Danville businesses between October 1 and October 30, 2021. Danville visitors and residents will be able to join the Scarecrow Stroll and follow the map to discover all the creative scarecrows while rediscovering and supporting local businesses. The community will also be able to share photos of their favorite scarecrows on social media and tag the Town for a chance to win prizes.
Check back soon, a map with all the participating businesses will be created and uploaded to the website once the stroll starts.


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Welcome to our fortnightly newsletter, where our reporters Kruttika Lokesh and Dhananjay Dhonchak put together handpicked stories from the world of tech law! You can find other issues here.
Private firm blocked from buying “.org” domain
This post has been authored by Unmekh Padmabhushan, a final year student of National Law University, Jodhpur.
Machine learning is the process by which a piece of software is able to expand upon its capabilities and knowledge in a self-driven manner without any significant human input. This technology has been used, for example, in disaster warning systems and in driverless cars. Another scholarly use of such technology allows robots to derive patterns and significant correlations from enormous databases of texts in a manner impossible for human beings. This has led to led to an explosion in the ability of those working in the field of the humanities to analyse data like their natural sciences counterparts have done for years.
TLF is proud to bring you a two-part guest post authored by Ms. Malavika Raghavan, Head, Future of Finance Initiative and Ms. Anubhutie Singh, Policy Analyst, Future of Finance Initiative at Dvara Research. This is the second part of a two-part series that undertakes an analysis of the technical standards and specifications present across publicly available documents on Account Aggregators. Previously, the authors looked at the motivations for building AAs and some consumer protection concerns that emerge in the Indian context.
Account Aggregators (AA) appear to be an exciting new infrastructure, for those who want to enable greater data sharing in the Indian financial sector. The key data being shared will extensive personal information about individuals like us – detailing our most intimate and sensitive financial transactions and potentially non-financial data too. This places individuals at the heart of these technical systems. Should the systems be breached, misused or otherwise exposed to unauthorised access the immediate casualty will be the privacy of the people whose information is compromised. Of course, this will also have an impact on data quality across the financial sector.
TLF is proud to bring you a two-part guest post authored by Ms. Malavika Raghavan, Head, Future of Finance Initiative and Ms. Anubhutie Singh, Policy Analyst, Future of Finance Initiative at Dvara Research. Following is the first part of a two-part series that undertakes an analysis of the Account Aggregator system. Click here for the second part.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released Master Directions on Non-Banking Financial Companies – Account Aggregators (Master Directions) in September 2016, and licences for India’s first Account Aggregators (AAs) were issued last year. From these guidelines and related documents, we understand that the purpose of Account Aggregator (AA) is to collect and share:
Israel spyware ‘Pegasus’ used to snoop on Indian activists, journalists, lawyers
In a startling revelation, Facebook owned messaging app WhatsApp revealed that a spyware known as ‘Pegasus’ has been used to target and surveil Indian activists and journalists. The revelation came to light after WhatsApp filed a lawsuit against the Israeli NSO Group, accusing it of using servers located in the US and elsewhere to send malware to approximately 1400 mobile phones and devices. On its part, the NSO group has consistently claimed that it sells its software only to government agencies, and that it is not used to target particular subjects. The Indian government sought a detailed reply from WhatsApp but has expressed dissatisfaction with the response received, with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology stating that the reply has “certain gaps” which need to be further investigated.
RBI raises concerns over WhatsApp Pay
Adding to the WhatsApp’s woes in India, just after the Israeli spyware Pegasus hacking incident, The RBI has asked the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) not to permit WhatsApp to go ahead with the full rollout of its payment service WhatsApp Pay. The central bank has expressed concerns over WhatsApp’s non-compliance with data processing regulations, as current regulations allow for data processing outside India on the condition that it returns to servers located in the country without copies being left on foreign servers.
Kenya passes new Data Protection Law
The Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta recently approved a new data protection law in conformity with the standards set by the European Union. The new bill was legislated after it was found that existing data protection laws were not at par with the growing investments from foreign firms such as Safaricom and Amazon. There was growing concern that tech giants such as Facebook and Google would be able to collect and utilise data across the African subcontinent without any restrictions and consequently violate the privacy of citizens. The new law has specific restrictions on the manner in which personally identifiable data can be handled by the government, companies and individuals, and punishment for violations can to penalties of three million shillings or levying of prison sentences.
Google gains access to healthcare data of millions through ‘Project Nightingale’
Google has been found to have gained access data to the healthcare data of millions through its partnership with healthcare firm Ascension. The venture, named ‘Project Nightingale’ allows Google to access health records, names and addresses without informing patients, in addition to other sensitive data such as lab results, diagnoses and records of hospitalisation. Neither doctors nor patients need to be told that Google an access the information, though the company has defended itself by stating that the deal amounts to “standard practice”. The firm has also stated that it does not link patient data with its own data repositories, however this has not stopped individuals and rights groups from raising privacy concerns.
Law professor files first ever lawsuit against facial recognition in China
Law professor Guo Bing sued the Hangzhou Safari Park after it suddenly made facial recognition registration a mandatory requirement for visitor entrance. The park had previously used fingerprint recognition to allow entry, however it switched to facial recognition as part of the Chinese government’s aggressive rollout of the system meant to boost security and enhance consumer convenience. While it has been speculated that the lawsuit might be dismissed if pursued, it has stirred conversations among citizens over privacy and surveillance issues which it is hoped will result in reform of existing internet laws in the nation.
Twitter to ban all political advertising
Twitter has taken the decision to ban all political advertising, in a move that increases pressure on Facebook over its controversial stance to allow politicians to advertise false statements. The policy was announced via CEO Jack Dorsey’s account on Wednesday, and will apply to all ads relating to elections and associated political issues. However, the move may only to prove to have symbolic impact, as political ads on Twitter are just a fraction of those on Facebook in terms of reach and impact.
In 2006, Clive Humby, a British mathematician said with incredible foresight that “data is the new oil”. Fast forward to 2019, we see how data has singularly been responsible for big-tech companies getting closer to and surpassing the trillion-dollar net worth mark. The ‘big 4’ tech companies, Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon have incredibly large reserves of data both in terms of data collection (owing to the sheer number of users each company retains) and in terms of access to data that is collected through this usage. With an increasing number of applications and avenues for data to be used, the requirement of standardizing the data economy manifests itself strongly with more countries recognizing the need to have specific laws concerning data.
Standards may be defined as technical rules and regulations that ensure the smooth working of an economy. They are required to increase compatibility and interoperability as they set up the framework within which agents must work. With every new technology that is invented the question arises as to how it fits with existing technologies. This question is addressed by standardization. By determining the requirements to be met for safety, quality, interoperability etc., standards establish the molds in which the newer technologies must fit in. Standardization is one of the key reasons for the success of industrialization. Associations of standardization have helped economies function by assuring consumers that the products being purchased meet a certain level of quality. The ISO (International Standards Organization), BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), SCC (Standards Council of Canada), BSI (British Standards Institute) are examples of highly visible organisations that stamp their seal of approval on products that meet the publicly set level of requirements as per their regulations. There are further standard-setting associations that specifically look into the regulation of safety and usability of certain products, such as food safety, electronics, automobiles etc. These standards are deliberated upon in detail and are based on a discussion with sectoral players, users, the government and other interested parties. Given that they are generally arrived at based on a consensus, the parties involved are in a position to benefit by working within the system.
Currently, the data economy functions without much regulation. Apart from laws on data protection and a few other regulations concerning storage, data itself remains an under-regulated commodity. While multiple jurisdictions are recognizing the need to have laws concerning data usage, collection and storage, it is safe to say that the legal world still needs to catch-up.
In this scenario, standardization provides a useful solution as it seeks to ensure compliance by emphasizing mutual benefit, as opposed to laws which would penalize non-adherence. A market player in the data economy is bound to benefit from standardization as they have readily accessible information regarding the compliance standards for the technology they are creating. By standardizing methods for collection, use, storage and sharing of data the market becomes more open because of increased availability of information, which benefits the players by removing entry barriers. Additionally, a standard-mark pertaining to data collection and usage gives consumers the assurance that the data being shared be used in a safe and quality-tested manner, thereby increasing their trust in the same. Demand and supply tend to match as there is information symmetry in the form of known standards between the supplier and consumer of data.
As per Rational Choice theory an agent in the economy who has access to adequate information (such as an understanding of costs and benefits, existence of alternatives) and who acts on the basis of self-interest, would pick that choice available to them that maximizes their gains. Given this understanding, an agent in the data economy would have higher benefits if there is increased standardization as the same would create avenues to access and usage in the market that is currently heading towards an oligopoly.
The internet has revolutionized the manner in which we share data. It has phenomenally increased the amount of data available on the platform. Anyone who has access to the internet can deploy any sort of data on to the same – be it an app, a website, visual media etc. With internet access coming to be seen as an almost essential commodity, its users and the number of devices connected to the Internet will continue to grow. Big Data remained a buzzword for a good part of this decade (2010’s), and with Big Data getting even bigger, transparency is often compromised as a result. Users are generally unaware of how the data collected from them is stored, used or who has access to it. Although, sometimes terms and conditions concerning certain data and its collection specify these things, it is overlooked more often than not, with the result that users remain in the dark.
There are 3 main areas where standardization would help the data economy –
With the increasing application of processed information to solve our everyday problems, the data economy is currently booming; however, large parts of this economy are controlled by a limited number of players. Standardization in this field would ensure that we move towards increased competition instead of a data oligopoly, ensuring increased competition that will ultimately lead to the faster and healthier growth of the data economy.
In 2018, Anthony Clement Rubin and Janani Krishnamurthy filed PILs before the Madras High Court, seeking a writ of Mandamus to “declare the linking of Aadhaar of any one of the Government authorized identity proof as mandatory for the purpose of authentication while obtaining any email or user account.” The main concern of the petitioners was traceability of social media users, which would be facilitated by linking their social media accounts with a government identity proof; this in turn could help combat cybercrime. The case was heard by a division bench of the Madras HC, and the scope was expanded to include curbing of cybercrime with the help of online intermediaries. In June 2019, the Internet Freedom Foundation became an intervener in the case to provide expertise in the areas of technology, policy, law and privacy. Notably, Madras HC dismissed the prayer asking for linkage of social media and Aadhaar, stating that it violated the SC judgement on Aadhaar which held that Aadhaar is to be used only for social welfare schemes.
Facebook later filed a petition before the SC to transfer the case to the Supreme Court. Currently, the hearing before the SC has been deferred to 13 September 2019 and the proceedings at the Madras HC will continue. Multiple news sources reported that the TN government, represented by the Attorney General of India K.K. Venugopal, argued for linking social media accounts and Aadhaar before the SC. However, Medianama has reported that the same is not being considered at the moment and the Madras HC has categorically denied it.
Adding to the chaos and despair for the Rohingyas, the Bangladeshi government banned the use of mobile phones and also restricted mobile phone companies from providing service in the region. The companies have been given a week to comply with these new rules. The reason cited for this ban was that refugees were misusing their cell phones for criminal activities. The situation in the region has worsened over the past two years and the extreme violation of Human Rights is termed to be reaching the point of Genocide according to UN officials. This ban on mobile phones, would further worsen the situation in Rohingya by increasing their detachment with the rest of the world, thus making their lives at the refugee camp even more arduous.
Alphabet Inc.’s Google and YouTube will be paying a $170 million penalty to the Federal Trade Commission. It will be paid to settle allegations that YouTube collected the personal information of children by tracking their cookies and earning millions through targeted advertisements without parental consent. The FTC Chairman, Joe Simons, condemned the company for publicizing its popularity with children to potential advertisers, while blatantly violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The company has claimed to advertisers, that it does not comply with any child privacy laws since it doesn’t have any users under the age of 13. Additionally, the settlement mandates that YouTube will have to create policies to identify content that is aimed at children and notify creators and channel owners of their obligations to collect consent from their parents. In addition, YouTube has already announced that it will be launching YouTube Kids soon which will not have targeted advertising and will have only child-friendly content. Several prominent Democrats in the FTC have criticized the settlement, despite it being the largest fine on a child privacy case so far, since the penalty is seen as a pittance in contrast to Google’s overall revenue.
Recently, researcher Sanyam Jain located online unsecured servers that contained phone numbers for over 419 million Facebook users, including users from US, UK and Vietnam. In some cases, they were able to identify the user’s real name, gender and country. The database was completely unsecured and could be accessed by anybody. The leak increases the possibility of sim-swapping or spam call attacks for the users whose data has been leaked. The leak has happened despite Facebook’s statement in April that it would be more dedicated towards the privacy of its users and restrict access to data to prevent data scraping. Facebook has attempted to downplay the effects of the leak by claiming that the actual leak is only 210 million, since there are multiple duplicates in the data that was leaked, however Zack Whittaker, Security Editor at TechCrunch has highlighted that there is little evidence of such duplication. The data appears to be old since recently the company has changed its policy such that it users can no longer search for phone numbers. Facebook has claimed that there appears to be no actual evidence that there was a serious breach of user privacy.
Addressing the growing data protection concerns Mozilla Firefox will now block third party tracking cookies and crypto miners by its Enhanced Tracking Protection feature. To avail this feature users will have to update to Firefox 69, which enforces stronger security and privacy options by default. Browser’s ‘Enhanced Tracking Protection’ will now remain turned on by default as part of the standard setting, however users will have the option to turn off the feature for particular websites. Mozilla claims that this update will not only restrict companies from forming a user profile by tracking browsing behaviour but will also enhance the performance, User Interface and battery life of the systems running on Windows 10/mac OS.
Delhi airport would be starting a three-month trial of the facial recognition system in its T3 terminal. This system is called the Biometric Enabled Seamless Travel experience (BEST). With this technology, passenger’s entry would be automatically registered at various points such as check-in, security etc. Portuguese company- toolbox has provided the technical and software support for this technology. Even though this system is voluntary in the trial run the pertinent question of whether it will remain voluntary after it is officially incorporated is still to be answered. If the trial run is successful, it will be officially incorporated.
In one of the first cases of its kind a British court ruled that police use of live facial recognition systems is legal and does not violate privacy and human rights. The case, brought by Cardiff resident Ed Bridges, alleged that his right to privacy had been violated by the system which he claimed had recorded him at least twice without permission, and the suit was filed to hold the use of the system as being violative of human rights including the right to privacy. The court arrived at its decision after finding that “sufficient legal controls” were in place to prevent improper use of the technology, including the deletion of data unless it concerned a person identified from the watch list.
This post, authored by Mr. Srikanth Lakshmanan, is part of TLF’s blog series on Account Aggregators. Other posts can be found here.
Mr. Srikanth Lakshmanan is the founder of CashlessConsumer, a consumer collective working on digital payments to increase awareness, understand technology, represent consumers in digital payments ecosystem to voice perspectives, concerns with a goal of moving towards a fair cashless society with equitable rights.
The San-Francisco cab-aggregator giant, Uber is working on to kick-start an AC bus service in India. With the introduction of AC bus service, Uber is trying to inch closer toward its goals of reducing individual car ownership, expanding transportation access and helping governments plan transportation. Pradeep Parameswaran, Uber India and South Asia head said that “we are in the process of building the product and refining that. Some pilots are live in parts of Latin America and the Middle East. So they are the archetype of markets that would look like India”.
Uber bus will allow commuters to use the Uber app and reserve their seat on an air-conditioned bus. Uber will scan other passengers travelling in the same direction as the rider and hence reaching the destination with fewer stops. Through its bus service, Uber is emphasizing on educational campuses and business centers. Earlier Ola, Uber’s direct competitor, had launched similar kind of bus service in limited cities in 2015 but was stopped in 2018. At present, Gurgaon based Shuttl provides app based bus service to offices. Uber bus service in India is expected to become a reality in mid-2020.
The Israeli Research Company, Check Point recently revealed that WhatsApp could be hacked causing serious potential security risks to users at the Annual Black Hat Security Conference on 7thAugust, 2019. According to Roman Zaikin and Oded Vanunu, they were able to change the identity of a sender, alter the text of someone’s reply on a group and even send private messages to another member in the group as a public message, such that the reply is visible to all the participants of a group. They were able to exploit the weaknesses of the application, after they reverse-engineered the source code in 2018 and decrypt its traffic. Since then Check Point has stated that it found three ways to manipulate and alter conversations, all of which are exploited through its quoting feature. The creators did warn WhatsApp in 2018 that the tool could be used by ‘threat actors’ to create and spread misinformation and fake news. Facebook has responded stating that the risk is not serious, and to alter the application would mean having to store data about the sender, leading to lesser privacy for its users.
Calibra is the new subsidiary of Facebook and its cryptocurrency is called Libra. Calibra hopes to build a financial service on top of the Libra Blockchain. The privacy concerns raised go beyond the question of financial security and privacy because of the expansive collection of data which Facebook accumulates and has access to. Calibra issued a statement that user information will be shared in only certain circumstances but there is no definite understanding of what such situations are.
Apart from privacy concerns, the joint statement issued by the countries includes several concerns on whether Facebook should be given the right to get involved in the banking sector. If they did, they should seek a new banking charter and should be regulated by all the banking laws. These were few of the concerns raised by privacy commissioners.
University of Oxford researcher James Pavur successfully exposed a design flaw in the GDPR, as a bogus demand for data using the “right to access” feature of the regulation saw about one in four companies reveal significant information about the person regarding whom the request was made. Data provided by the companies contained significant information including credit card information, travel details, account passwords and the target’s social security number, which was used by the researcher as evidence of design flaws in the GDPR. Pavur also found that large tech companies did well when it came to evaluating the requests, whereas mid-sized business didn’t perform as well despite being aware of the coming into force of the data protection regulation.
Human reviewers will no longer be used to study conversations recorded by Siri, according to a recent announcement by Apple. The move gives users a greater degree of privacy over their communications, and analysis of recordings will be suspended while the “grading” system deployed by the company is reviewed. The system refers to the manner in which contractors grade the accuracy of the digital assistant’s voice recognition system, with the primary task being to determine the phrase that triggered action by i.e. whether the user had actually said, “Hey, Siri” or if it was something else.
The past month saw a slew of antitrust investigations being opened against big tech companies such as Facebook, Google, Amazon, etc. From the EU’s announcement of an investigation into Amazon’s use of third-party retailers’ data, to the CCI’s order against Google for abusing its dominance in the Android market—the wave against Big Tech’s threats to fair competition has spanned jurisdictions.
In the latest development, the US Justice Department has decided to open a broad investigation into Big Tech companies. The investigation follows bipartisan calls from lawmakers for reigning in the threats posed by big tech to the competitive market. According to the agency, the effort aims to explore grievances raised by consumers and business regarding search, social media and online retail services. This could lead to a heightening of calls for Amazon, Google and Facebook to be broken up. Such companies, especially Facebook, have already faced heat for the way they handle vast amounts of data and jeopardise privacy of individual people.
Spelling further trouble for Big Tech, The Australia Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) submitted the Digital Report Inquiry on 26 July, 2019 which limits the market dominance of major players including Facebook and Google. The report had 23 recommendations to promote competition and increase privacy of consumers due to the lack of informed consent of consumers that presently exists. Josh Frydenberg, the treasurer of the ACCC, stated that a new division would “lift the veil” on the advertising and marketing algorithms being used by these companies. The division would also be able to conduct public inquiries and require companies to furnish any relevant information. Inquiries can be held about supply of ad services, sufficient transparency over prices and the existence of competition within the market. The report also recommended the implementation of the Australian Law Commission Report, which suggested the introduction of a statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy and a general prohibition on all unfair trade practices. Additionally, the Chairman of the ACCC, Rod Sims, stated that five investigations were underway against Facebook and Google and more could follow.
The Protection of Children from sexual Offences (POCSO) Amendment Bill, 2019 introduced in Rajya Sabha by the Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani widened the definition of child pornography that now goes beyond videos. The amended definition now involves any photography, video, digital or computer-generated image indistinguishable from an actual child, and image created, adapted, modified, but appears to depict a child. A new section 15 has also been introduced, which proposes penalties for storage and possession of pornographic material involving children. Although the bill succeeded in garnering support from across the political spectrum, but few MPs criticised the bill for overtly emphasising on punishing the offenders and neglecting the measures to curb sexual assault of children and child pornography.
The Indian cryptocurrency market received a major jolt on 22nd July 2019, with the Inter-Ministerial Committee set up under the Chairmanship of Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg recommending a ban on the use of such cryptocurrencies in India. Set up to look into the legality of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, the Committee submitted that private currencies should be completely banned in India, and drafted the Banning of Cryptocurrency & Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2019 which mandates a fine and imprisonment of up to 10 years for offences involving the use of such currencies. However, the Committee approved of the advantages of the underlying blockchain technology and floated the idea of an official RBI-backed cryptocurrency in the future, perhaps suggesting that the future of cryptocurrencies is yet to be resolved.
Proclaimed to be among the most valuable start-ups in the world, ByteDance plans to invest USD 1 Billion in India over the next three years. ByteDance is the parent company of TikTok, a Chinese video making app which allows users to create and share videos online. On July 17th 2019, the cyber e-security arm of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology sent a notice to TikTok and Helo raising issues related to anti-Indian activities. They were given an ultimatum to respond by July 22nd or face severe consequences. Previously, they had also faced a one week ban in April 2019. Despite all these encumbrances, ByteDance has a promising plan for India. It plans on investing USD 1 billion over the next three years. They would also be increasing the number of employees in India to 1000 by the end of this year. ByteDance implemented several regulatory and safety measures in order to comply with the cultural and political ideologies of the country.


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Fall is just around the corner, bringing warm clothes, cooler temperatures, pumpkin-flavored treats, and a few iconic Disney Princesses. This fall at Walt Disney World, Disney Springs will be celebrating your favorite Disney Princesses with their royal return to theaters.
These famous Princesses first captured our hearts on film, and to celebrate this, the AMC Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theaters will be hosting the “Dream Big, Princess” Movie Marathon. For a limited time, guests to Disney Springs will be able to re-experience some of their favorite moments from classic Disney films daily at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. as follows:
Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” (Live Action) – September 14 – 20, 2018
Disney’s “Princess and the Frog” – September 21 – 27, 2018
Disney’s “Tangled” – September 28 – October 4, 2018
Disney’s “Moana” – October 5 – 11, 2018
Disney’s “Cinderella” (Live Action) – October 12 – 18, 2018
The “Dream Big, Princess” campaign will also be getting a refresh this season. First launched back in 2016, the campaign was a collaboration with photographers from around the world to create a series of images showing real-world girls and women. At the end of its original run, the campaign successfully raised $1 million dollars for the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up campaign. The funds were used to support Girl Up’s leadership development programming for girls around the globe.
The recently revamped Castle Package at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is another way to celebrate Disney Princesses this fall at Disney Springs.
This package features new dresses inspired by Belle, Cinderella, Aurora, Elena, Ariel, Snow White, Tiana, Jasmine, Rapunzel, Merida, Tinkerbell, Anna, and Elsa, and comes with a gown, hairstyling, make-up, nail polish and coordinating accessories.
Guests who want to feel like a princess not only at Walt Disney World but also at home will be able to pick up some Princess-themed products around the entertainment shopping center.
DisneyStyle will offer select pieces perfect for a day in the parks or even at home. World of Disney will have Disney Princess-themed coffee mugs, and Ever After Jewelry Co. & Accessories will offer an Alex and Ani bangle that would make you the envy of any lady-in-waiting.
Are you excited for all of these special Princess-themed celebrations coming to Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below!


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Cable Bahamas Business Solutions (CBBS) and Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) are delighted to announce the continued success of "The Corporate Connection," radio talk show, where they shine a spotlight on startup and existing entrepreneurs and businesses, contributing to the growth and vibrancy of the local business community.
"The Corporate Connection" has become a highly anticipated platform for entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses in The Bahamas to share their inspiring stories, innovative ideas, and experiences with a broader audience. Hosted by prominent representatives from Cable Bahamas Business Solutions and the SBDC, the show aims to encourage entrepreneurship, foster networking opportunities, and promote eco- nomic development across the region.
POW! Pancakes, Omelets & Waffles Ltd., was the latest business to be featured during the morning show appearance on Y98. POW! was founded by Xavia Rolle- Higgs in 2017. The organization has rapidly gained popularity for its delectable and creatively crafted pan- cakes, omelets, and waffles, earning a loyal customer base and garnering attention across multiple social media platforms. Through the unwavering support and resources provided by the SBDC, "POW!" has overcome challenges, expanded its operations to include a brick- and-mortar establishment, and solidified its position as a prominent player in the local food and beverage industry.
"I am incredibly grateful for the unwavering support we have received from SBDC,” commented Rolle- Higgs. "Their expertise, resources, and encouragement have been instrumental in turning my passion for cooking into a thriving business venture. We are also thankful to Cable Bahamas Business Solutions. Their cutting-edge technology and reliable internet connectivity have been vital in enhancing our online presence, streamlining our operations, and reaching a wider customer base. With CBBS by our side, we feel empowered to navigate the digital landscape and grow our business to new heights,: she continued.
The SBDC is committed to supporting the growth and sustainability of local businesses and plays a crucial role in identifying promising entrepreneurs within their Guaranteed Loan Programme and fund- ed client base to be featured on the show. They provide guidance, resources, and encouragement to these entrepreneurs, ensuring they make the most of this valuable opportunity.
"As a supporter of entrepreneurship, the SBDC takes great pride in connecting entrepreneurs with the right platform to share their stories and inspire others," said Michaela Munnings, corporate communications manager. "We believe that sharing experiences and knowledge is instrumental in nurturing a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem."
Each month, the show features a diverse lineup of guests, ranging from emerging entrepreneurs to seasoned business leaders, from various industries. These dynamic entrepreneurs have the chance to
discuss their ventures, challenges faced, milestones achieved, and the impact they're making in their respective sectors.
CBBS, the leading technology provider, has been instrumental in powering local businesses like "POW!" with its online presence and digital capabilities. Through its reliable and high-speed internet connectivity, CBBS enables seamless online ordering, efficient communication with customers, and enhanced digital marketing efforts for the business.
"We are thrilled to see the tremendous growth and success of 'POW and take great pride in being a part of their journey," said Jennifer Basden, Head of Marketing for B2B Innovations. "Our mission is to empower local businesses with cutting-edge technology and digital solutions, and it's inspiring to witness the positive impact it has on entrepreneurs like "POW!"
"The Corporate Connection" airs once monthly on Y98.7 at 8:30 am. To learn more about the show or inquire about becoming a featured guest, please contact 461-SBDC.


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LOOK: Alex Gonzaga Reveals the Exact Cosmetic Procedures She Has Done on Her Face|Read more »
The Duke of Edinburgh passed away; he was 99.
It's a bit late in the game but still welcome.
It comes in seven pretty colors that are perfect for your coffee nook at home!
The film has been delayed for over a year due to the pandemic.
The "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" star is currently in hot water, and brands are reportedly cutting ties with her after so much negative publicity.
The actress posted the receipts on her IG stories!
From "My Girl" to "My Love from the Star" and a lot more.
The so-called "Gucci Gang" rocked Filipino high society back in the 2000s.
“It’s not social stature, it’s not about different classes. It’s about humanity.”
Her team has been hard at work to scrub all traces of her unfiltered bikini photo off the internet.
It's a pretty massive celebration!
And a sneak peek at their costumes!
You have to see the before and after photos of Gee Cuevas's home in Singapore!
It's available in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for now.
It has already attracted celebrity guests like Ivana Alawi, Rhian Ramos, and Aubrey Miles.
From trays, coasters, to chic organizers!


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Who is the richest person in the world? Who said, “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap?” Where do they drink the most alcohol per capita? Ireland, Scotland, Russia or France? Readers who immediately answered just might be perfect guests on Dominic Frisby’s Financial Game Show, launching in the United Kingdom. Prizes include standard fiat payouts, but the show is also offering prizes in bitcoin cash (BCH) and even silver bullion.
Also read: Star Trek Icon Joins Bitcoin Mining Revolution
Game Show Offers Prize Money in Bitcoin Cash
A recent announcement blogged by famed UK financial guru, Dominic Frisby, explained he “is host and quizmaster in [a] classic gameshow full of fascinating financial facts. Contestants from the audience (willing volunteers only) can win big prizes including £500 in cash – there is £500 to be won every show – solid silver and bitcoin cash. Games range from higher-lower for house prices to to high-pressure quiz questions with the £500 jackpot at stake. Exciting, informative, amusing.”
Dominic Frisby is a well known author on things financial, including Bitcoin: the Future of Money? (praised by no less than Sir Richard Branson). He’s also something of a television star, hosting very popular shows on financial literacy such as Let’s Talk About Tax, blending both finance and humor. Indeed, he bills himself as “the world’s only financial expert and comedian.”
“I am very excited to be going to the Edinburgh Festival this August,” he posted. “My show is called Dominic Frisby’s Financial Gameshow. It’s at 5pm at the Gilded Balloon.” It’s a triumphant return of sorts, and mostly because it follows his “widely-acclaimed show, Let’s Talk About Tax.” As “the world’s only financial expert and comedian, Dominic Frisby has devised a new game show that mixes The Price Is Right with Mastermind. It’s all about money, finance, economics – you know, boffin stuff but made exciting,” Broadway World Scotland detailed.
Reviews have been positive. The Times described the new show as, “Very witty… entertaining and educational… impressive,” while The Spectator mused it was “Funny, absorbing… full of historical insights.” Mr. Frisby notes the show has “some great prizes for the winners: silver bullion kindly donated by Ross Norman at Sharps Pixley; Moneyweek subscriptions (thank you Merryn); bitcoin cash; and a £500 jackpot each show, donated by a mystery sponsor whose name is yet to be announced.”
Are game shows and entertainment important to crypto adoption? Let us know in the comments.
Images via the Pixabay, Dominic Frisby’s Financial Game Show.
Verify and track bitcoin cash transactions on our BCH Block Explorer, the best of its kind anywhere in the world. Also, keep up with your holdings, BCH and other coins, on our market charts at Satoshi Pulse, another original and free service from Bitcoin.com.


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Consumer price index up 2.1%
CONSUMER PRICES rose by 2.1 per cent in the year to February, according to new data published by the Central Statistics Office.
The increase was fuelled by rises in the cost of education, which gained 9.4 per cent compared with a year earlier, and housing and utilities, which rose 5.8 per cent.
Other notable increases over the year were transport costs, which rose by 4.8 per cent – mainly as a result of rising fuel prices, and miscellaneous goods, which were 3.2 per cent higher. This latter category includes items such as health insurance premiums which have risen sharply over the last year.
These increases were partially offset by a fall in the price of furnishings and household equipment, which was down 2 per cent, and a 0.9 per cent fall in the cost of recreational activities. The latter category includes everything from sports participation, the cost of which was 5 per cent lower, to the price of gardens, plants and flowers, which rose by 3.5 per cent, and books.
Bloxham chief economist Alan McQuaid said the figures were worse than expected, although inflation has eased slightly from January, when the annual rate was at 2.2 per cent.
“Taking everything into account, and despite the higher than expected headline inflation rate in February, we still feel that inflation will be lower on average this year than in 2011,” he said.
“Clearly a lot depends on how severe the global downturn is and how quickly the world economy recovers, but currently we believe Ireland’s headline inflation rate may average little more than 1.5 per cent in 2012.”
On a monthly basis prices in February were 0.9 per cent higher than January as the end of traditional winter sales meant a rise in the cost of clothing and footwear, which gained 8.2 per cent.
Transport costs were pushed 2.7 per cent higher as airfares rose and the price of petrol and diesel continued to rise. Housing and utilities prices declined marginally, by 0.4 per cent, as mortgage interest rates eased, while alcohol and tobacco fell by a similar amount. This sector includes the cost of water, electricity, gas and other fuels, in addition to mortgage interest, rent and the cost of maintaining properties.
“We expect that the increase in VAT and energy prices will be offset by weak domestic demand as retailers exposed to the discretionary spending of the Irish consumer will continue to have very little pricing power.
“However, a prolonged increase in energy prices poses an upside risk to headline inflation,” Goodbody said.
In the services sector, the annual rate of inflation was 3 per cent, with goods rising by 1 per cent.
The harmonised index (HICP), which excludes items such as mortgage interest, rose by 1.1 per cent on the month and 1.6 per cent year on year.
Business groups warned of potential consequences should the Government fail to take action on high State-controlled costs.
Isme chief executive Mark Fielding said the contraction in consumer disposable incomes would help disguise the “upward impetus from indirect taxes and increased charges for government services which continue unabated”.


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Kellogg’s changing to new nutrition labelling system
Cereal maker redesigning box for colour-coded ‘traffic light’ ingredient display
Under the traffic light system, the box will have a panel listing energy, fat, saturates, sugars and salt. Photograph: Peter Morris/Fairfax Media
Breakfast cereal maker Kellogg’s is to adopt the colour-coded ‘traffic light’ nutrition labelling system on the front of its boxes from the beginning of next year.
The new labelling will start to appear from January as the cereal maker undertakes a redesign of all its boxes.
Under the traffic light system, the front of the cereal boxes will have a panel listing the energy, fat, saturates, sugars and salt, with each box an appropriate colour depending on the amount of a particular ingredient in the mix.
If a “sugar” box is red, for example, it will indicate the product is high in sugar while amber will mean sugar is present at medium levels. If it is green, it indicates it is low in sugar.
While it has been in use for several years in the UK and Ireland and used by retailers including Tesco and Marks & Spencer and the cereal maker Weetabix, the system is not mandatory and its adoption by Kellogg’s, the most popular cereal maker in Ireland, could be considered a big step forward for an easy-to-understand system.
Advocates of the system say it allows people to see at a glance whether it is a healthy choice. However, many dieticians are critical of it as they believe it is overly simplistic. Concerns have been expressed that it could put people off buying nutritious products which are high in fat including milk, cheese and yoghurt.
“For more than a decade all our packs have carried black-and-white guideline daily amounts on the front but we recognise times change and people now want more help making healthy decisions,” said the head of Kellogg’s Ireland, Ruth Hughes.
“Following our announcement late last year to overhaul our cereals, we decided to look again at labelling. So we consulted with a number of stakeholders and they said we should change. We’ve listened and now we’re acting. After all, just like people, brands evolve their thinking too.”
The decision to change its front-of-pack labels comes after years in which it has been reducing the amount of sugar in some of its product lines including a 40 per cent reduction on the sugar content of Coco Pops and 20 a per cent sugar reduction in Rice Krispies cereal.


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The French label has inked a licence deal with the Italian eyewear group for the design, production and worldwide distribution of its eyeglasses and sunglasses. The first models will be launched by summer 2021.
A case study in how an influencer reinvented herself as a global brand, Anine Bing has built a fledgling fashion empire. FashionNetwork.com caught up with the influencer-designer as she unveiled her latest launch.
Instead of leading in fashion education, Paris has historically dawdled behind its greatest rivals. Though that seems very likely to change, and quickly, thanks to a major new project launched in Paris with the IFM.


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The announcement of the birth of Sharing Economy (SEUK), trade body to champion the sharing sector shows that ‘sharing economy’ is now mainstream in financial circles.
Companies such as Zipcar and AirBnb have not just disrupted, shaken up their industries, they have made the notion of online platforms where people can share resources, share actual things and properties, skills and personal time, a sound business model.
Peer-to-peer marketplaces are included in this generic term, ‘sharing economy’ which will be represented by this voluntary member grouping which will ensure best practice and establish a code of conduct.
For the first time, the sharing economy should have a single, recognised voice speaking for it. The government is supporting it with the right kind of noises about big and small businesses, consumer choice and ‘advancing the frontier of online business.’
A nation of micro-entrepreneurs
First chairman of the organisation, Debbie Wosskow (of Love Home Swap) said the sharing economy has the potential ‘to turn the UK into a nation of micro-entrepreneurs.’
It is already worth about £9bn a year globally, but this could top £230bn over the next decade with a large slice of that in the UK!
Commenting on the sector last December, Allister Heath wrote in the Daily Telegraph that the sharing economy sounds excessively cuddly and utopian’, when it is ‘as hard-nosed as it is powerful.’
He explained that so much of our economy is ‘grossly’ under-used. Cars just parked for hours a day, sheds full of tools used occasionally, spare rooms in houses used intermittently. On a public sector level, we have schools and council buildings used only part of the day/year.
The digital revolution gives us the power to unlock these precious resources. By sharing, that is in reality ‘renting’ these assets to others, we make full use of them and circulate more money.
We are already used to selling our unwanted assets on eBay. Next we’ll rent them to secure a better return.
Debbie Wosskow wrote a report, Unlocking the Sharing Economy which Heath described as ‘chock-a-block with examples’ of it is taking off. From 20,000 property owners who rent out space on their driveways through easyCar to people who use AirBnB to lease spare rooms out.
There are many. Heath adds that many will fail, but ‘the potential is clearly gigantic, not just in the UK, but globally.’
It is a sharing of time as much as of assets. He cites teacher who offer services through Skype. He refers to car giant BMW working with car hire rentals firms, Sixt, to launch a sharing model to allow drivers to locate, unlock and start cars via an app. They will pay on a per-mile basis; they will not have to return them to a depot.
He thinks car-sharing and pooling will become the new norm, while acknowledging the BMW-Sext pilot will not suit large parties or those with children demanding child seats and guaranteed availability times. However, it may be with the growth of driver-less cars this idea of calling a taxi, in effect, will be commonplace anyway.
So many ideas
Start-ups and used already to sharing office space and servicing facilities. This will extend to most offices in the near future. Heath reckons that with continued decline in the public sector payroll, the amount of available working space will increase exponentially and that can all pay its way better than now.
He thinks that if regulation, insurance and health and safety issues can be established properly and fairly, then there is almost no sector that will not benefit from this sharing economy. ‘Freedom, markets and technology are a great combination.’
The sharing economy which soon will be known as ‘the economy.’
Also worth a look:
The Car of Tomorrow Is Arriving Today, 26 January 2015
The Digital Economy Is No Longer an Add-On, It IS The Economy, 27 August 2013
Image: Iehava nazareth Pikiwiki Israel


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HTC will be announcing its flagship phone, HTC M7, very soon. It is one of the most interesting high end device that is going to be announced this month, and since it is going to be a high end device, there are lot of enthusiasts waiting for it and the particular device is no stranger to leaks and rumors.
The recent leak comes from a passionate individual who has managed to snap two photos of Vodafone Germany’s inventory system somehow, and the content of the images are pretty interesting. Among various other HTC devices, even the HTC M7 is listed, and if the images are to be believed, we can expect the device in two color variants including black and silver.
Talking of the device, we have some leaked specs. The device will supposedly be powered by a quad-core Qualcomm processor, a 4.7-inch 1920 x 1080 (full HD) display, 32GB of internal storage, no microSD card slot, 2GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel rear camera, and 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The device will also feature HTC Sense 5.0, which is the latest iteration of the HTC Sense, and the M7 will be the first device to run it.
This high end flagship device will be announced on February 19th, and it will be a pre-MWC announcement. You can expect to have a look of HTC M7 at the Mobile World Congress that will be held in Barcelona. The device is expected to be available as early as March 8th, and this early launch should give the device an upper hand over the Samsung Galaxy S IV which will be launched few months later. It should be noted that HTC hasn’t had pretty good results last year despite having very good products in its line-up. This new device should make the manufacturer popular again as most of the top carriers will be carrying the device in the US.
According to a highly reliable source for HTC Source, the HTC M7 will be made available via T-Mobile, Sprint and AT&T on the U.S. launch day. Verizon will also sell the device, but it is said that it will make it to the Big Red a bit later, and the reason for that may be the fact that Verizon has an extensive marketing campaign up and running for the HTC Droid DNA, and since the Droid DNA is selling pretty well, the carrier sees no rush to launch a new flagship product.
There are a few devices in the market with 5 inch screen having FHD resolution, but the M7 will stand out of the crowd because it has a smaller 4.7 inch screen with 1080p HD resolution, which translates to a whopping 468ppi in pixel density. To give a perspective on that, the pixel density of retina display on Apple’s flagship iPhone 5 is 326ppi.
According to the gossip, the device will be first made available in Europe and US carriers will follow suite a few weeks later. We will know the exact date at HTC’s press event on February 19th. What’s your take on HTC M7?


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Singapore-based businesses interested in producing or selling Halal products in Indonesia now have access to a tailored training program, thanks to a strategic partnership between Warees Halal Limited (WHL) and PT Insan Halal Terpercaya (IHATEC). This alliance aims to simplify the export process for businesses in light of Indonesia’s upcoming Halal certification enforcement, which the Indonesian government will implement in phases starting from October 17, 2024.
The partnership of Warees Halal and IHATEC was solidified during a signing ceremony on April 14, 2023. The exclusive 4-day training program will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest Halal policies, certification processes, and export procedures in Indonesia. This will cater to the specific needs of Singaporean businesses looking to produce or export their products to the Indonesian market.
Indonesia, with its large Muslim population, has a rapidly growing Halal trade sector. The Halal economy products and services recorded domestic spending of $184 billion in 2020, and experts project that it will increase to $281.6 billion by 2025. This significant growth potential presents vast opportunities for Singaporean businesses eager to tap into the Indonesian market.
The inaugural training program, scheduled for July 24, 2023, will be conducted online. It aims to help businesses gain a clearer understanding of the export and Halal certification requirements in Indonesia, thereby enhancing their preparedness and confidence in navigating the Indonesian market.
Collaboration for Halal Business Support and Learning Pathway
In addition to the partnership with IHATEC, WHL has also collaborated with Temasek Polytechnic (TP) to offer more comprehensive support for businesses in areas such as capacity building, research, and testing. This collaboration seeks to facilitate the development, compliance, and trade of Halal products and services globally. It also aims to provide a structured learning pathway for tertiary students and adult learners, equipping them with relevant and up-to-date knowledge, skills, and tools for a successful career in the Halal and food industry.
TP and this collaboration successfully conducted an accelerated course titled ‘Fundamentals of Food Science and Halal Certification Management’ from March 13 to April 26, 2023. This course offered learners essential knowledge and skills to manage and maintain their Halal certification, focusing on food science, the Halal industry, and certification requirements and compliance. This joint effort represents a significant milestone in integrating Halal food quality topics with innovation and industry transformation, targeting learners at various levels.


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Shiseido: China CEO Kentaro Fujiwara promoted to group president and COO
Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido is about to reshuffle its senior hierarchy. On January 1 2023, Kentaro Fujiwara will assume the role of president and chief operating officer for the group. Fujiwara is currently the CEO of Shiseido China, and in his new role he will be working alongside Shiseido’s group president and CEO, Masahiko Uotani. The latter has been at the helm of the group since 2014, and will assume the role of chairman of the board of directors, while retaining the CEO post.
Fujiwara joined the Shiseido group in 1991. An experienced international executive, he worked in Germany and then in Paris as head of commercial operations, later taking charge of the group’s European distribution hub. In 2011, he was appointed head of Shiseido in South Korea, and in 2018 he assumed his current role in China.
Soon after his arrival, the Shiseido group’s performance was buffeted by the pandemic’s impact on its revenue in Japan and China, the group’s two main markets. To become less reliant on these regions, Shiseido has strengthened its position in Europe. First by launching in France Ulé, a natural skincare brand whose key ingredients are grown on a vertically integrated farm north-west of Paris, then by acquiring last September Gallinée, a brand founded by French entrepreneur Marie Drago in 2016, which exploits active probiotics to soothe, balance and strengthen the skin. The group is also looking to the USA for new acquisitions.
In the first nine months of fiscal 2022, the Shiseido group's sales grew by 4.7% to JPY762.7 billion (€5.2 billion). However, net of the positive exchange rate effects linked with the yen’s depreciation, revenue actually fell by 4.1%. The Shiseido group is still forecasting an annual revenue in 2022 of JPY1.070 trillion (€7.3 billion), equivalent to a 5.9% increase over 2021.
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