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10 October 2007
The EU Novel Foods Regulations (1997), initially brought into force as a protection against GM foods entering the market without sufficient safety testing, is now being used as the tool with which superfoods from indigenous cultures are being discriminated against within the EU. Today's story in The Times (UK) tells how Goji berries, a completely natural nutrient dense superberry eaten for centuries in China and other parts of Asia, is due to be removed from the shelves on 23rd March 2007, if proof of sale in any EU Member State before 1997 cannot be shown.
11 September 2019
Delving around the plusses and minuses of the trend in advance of Food Navigator’s webinar
18 December 2003
Pharmaceuticals legislation in Europe has the potential to classify any food, food supplement, cosmetic or medical device as a medicine!! Find out what ANH is doing about it!
10 October 2018
Are you becoming more sensitive, intolerant or allergic to foods - like millions of others?
22 May 2004
Prosecutions follow supermarket attempts to support government policy and promote the importance of increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables. Read on for ANH comment.
03 October 2018
Pret a Manger & allergens; The truth about antidepressants; Traditional diets better for kids; Gluten neutraliser?; Toxic sweeteners
24 January 2019
Can we trust the findings of industry-funded studies that fly in the face of independent science?
29 January 2014
We review how bad science is being used as the lynchpin for an assault on supplements
31 October 2018
Environmental red flag; Fracking, environment & earthquakes; EU war on vaccine hesitancy; Obesity raises risk of premature death; Natasha’s Law
20 February 2013
Farmers say 'no' to GM while governments push for easier approvals


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The Halewood plant on Merseyside, which makes Escorts, is moving from single-shift working to two shifts a day four days a week, while the Transit van plant in Southampton is returning to full five-day production.
These are the first increases in output since Ford began putting its plants on short-time working last year. They follow an 18 per cent increase in Ford's UK sales in the first two months of the year.
Ian MacAllister, Ford chairman, said the move was encouraging but there would be no return to full production until there was a recovery in Continental markets.
Ford made a total of 313,000 cars and car- derived vans in the UK last year and expects to increase production by between 5 and 10 per cent this year.Reuse content

domain: news


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Economic Nexus explained
"Economic nexus is making the headlines lately, as the Supreme Court is weighing whether out-of-state sellers are on the hook for collecting and remitting sales tax. But many don’t know how economic nexus means is defined and why it matters to your business.
We’re brought in tax policy expert Scott Peterson to explain:
• How economic nexus is triggered
• Which types of companies are most affected
• What the impending Supreme Court decision will mean
• How to determine whether you’re on the hook for sales tax based on where you conduct business"


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According to the latest report made by Bolivian Autoridad de Regulacion y Fiscalizacion de Telecomunicaciones y Transportes (ATT), the entity in charge of regulating and supervising telecommunications activities in the country, the pay TV market continues to rise and ended Q1 2021 with a total of 702,275 subscribers. This is the highest figure reported in the country in terms of TV subscriptions in these last years, which shows almost 80 thousand subscribers comparing it with the 622.3 with which the country ended 2020.
The reported figure is also higher than the 653.2 thousand subscribers with whom Bolivia ended 2019, thus managing to overcome the decline reported during the last quarter 2020, when the country reported the already mentioned 622.3 thousand customers hiring a pay TV offer.
ATT also reported that the highest number of pay TV subscribers as of March 31st, 2021 took place in Santa Cruz, which reported 222.2 thousand subscribers and 31.6% of the market share; followed by La Paz (214.9 thousand subscribers; 30.6%); Cochabamba (114.7 thousand clients; 16.3%); Tarija (41.6 thousand clients; 5.9%); Oruro (37.9 thousand subscribers; 5.4%); Potosí (29.4 thousand clients; 4.2%); Chuquisaca (19.6 thousand clients; 2.8%); Beni (17.9 thousand subscribers; 2.5%); and Pando (3.8 thousand subscribers; 0.5%).
One of the main news that will take place in the Bolivian pay TV market will be the launch of the new IPTV offer of the Cooperativa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones de Santa Cruz (Cotas), which will take place in September.
Rolando Barja, Director of Coaxial Networks at Cotas, is one of the confirmed speakers for the coming Nextv Series South America’s virtual edition, to be held by Dataxis. The event will take place on Wednesday, September 1st and Thursday, September 2nd, both days starting at 9:00 AM (ART). Registration is now open, and can be done here.


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Some of Fake Apps Which Banned by Google Play Store. On Google Play Store, we discovered a few FakeApps with over 50,000 installations. These apps pretend to be legitimate PDF readers, PDF downloaders, PDF scanners, and so on, but they lack the necessary capabilities. The main goal of these apps is to boost the number of downloads and raise the ratings of other apps.
In order to activate this app, users must first install and rate sponsor apps with a five-star rating. During a day after download and ratings of other applications, the user would be able to utilize the PDF viewer. However, after a day, the process repeats again. It requires people to log in using a password they establish and to install the same software to activate the app.
List of Some of Fake Apps Which Banned by Google Play Store
Bitfunds – Crypto Cloud Mining
Google has removed this application from the Play Store, which is a significant step. The Play Store has officially disabled the installation of the BitFunds Crypto Cloud Mining application. This application was removed from the Play Store because it was discovered to be exploiting unsuspecting people.
The emergence and growth of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are attracting consumers to such applications. In reality, cryptocurrency has dominated the news over the past two days. The value of Bitcoin soared again past the same level! Most individuals have heard about virtual currencies like Bitcoin.
Why was BitFunds Crypto Cloud Mining software removed from the Google Play Store?
Crypto Cloud Mining, an Application for Android that was pulled from the Google Play store, was only at version 1.0 at the time of its removal, and it has since had over 100k installs. The program was just 2.7 Megabytes, yet it had in-app buys for PHP approx 700.
The application does not include any Bitcoin mining functionality, as per the security company. It was all a ruse to deceive people. It basically “simulates” bitcoin mining, identical to certain other similar applications on the store, while encouraging users to “improve” their attempts by “purchasing” machinery to create wealth quicker.
The famous anonymous chat app Sarahah, which proved popular that year, has been removed from the Play store and Apple’s Google Play store. Abusers were allegedly abusing people using the application, which enabled users to chat with one another without exposing their identities. After Katrina Collins’ complaint began circulating, the app was removed. Collins claims the application was being used to deliver her daughter terrifying texts. Nearly 4,50,000 individuals signed petitions, several of them related their own abuse stories on the website.
TubeMate application allows users to install YouTube clips instantly on phones. The reality that didn’t have to play the video to install it makes TubeMate much nicer. TubeMate, on the other hand, was removed from the App Store since Google apparently didn’t want consumers install videos from YouTube. TubeMate being blocked isn’t as big of a concern given that YouTube allows users to save videos for offline watching.
CM Installer was always an application that enabled users to download CyanogenMod ROMs without needing to unlock smartphones. Due to unclear reasons, the application was deleted from Google Play.
TV Portal was a hit among fans of television programs. The software allowed people to watch TV programs on Android smartphones instantly. The software was enhanced more greatly by the large collection of current shows. Eventually, due to copyright difficulties, Google removed TV Access from the Google Play store.
AdAway, as the title implies, assisted people in removing all the bothersome adverts from their Android handsets. It was one of the most famous ad-blocking applications until Google took it down from the Google Play store.
It is the most divisive application on the list, having been released and removed from the Google Play Store on many occasions. For individuals who didn’t reside in the United States, Grooveshark was a Pandora option. Following allegations from the Record Company, Google removed this from the Play Store. Grooveshark eventually shut down their organization after a series of legal disputes.
PSX4Droid was a PlayStation adapter that enabled players to access PlayStation games on Android phones and tablets. Simply put, it was a huge hit right away. PSX4Droid was removed from the Play Store due to legal difficulties and copyright claims.
Rush Poker, one of the most common game applications on Play Store, was removed from the market for just that reason. Unauthorized individuals exacerbated the problem by using the application to wager with actual cash.
This equalization tool was created with music fans in mind. It improved the phone’s surround sound and made voices sound considerably better. x86 Support, Speaker Optimization, Difference Surrounding / Haas Effect, Frequency Control, Headset Surround, and more. The software was pulled from the Google Play store, meanwhile, since it requires a hacked smartphone to work.
It’s Popcorn Time!
This software was created for movie and television series fans. It lets people save information to their computers and watch it later. One may see the preview initially, then select subtitle and sound quality before downloading a TV program using its behavior.
F-droid has a number of apps that aren’t available on the Google Play Store. This is due to the fact that F-droid only contains open-source apps, which Google does not allow on its platform. As a result, the app isn’t available on the Google Play Store.
Xposed Framework is a framework that allows you to create your own
This program allows users to completely personalize their Android smartphone. However, if the smartphone is not rooted, the app will not work. As a result, it is not available on the Google Play Store.
Patcher was really fortunate.
Ads, patching, licensing verification, altering APKs, backup/restore, and much more are all removed from other programs you download with this app. It goes without saying that it requires root access to work.


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Aussies' fight for manuka
AUSTRALIAN beekeepers are gearing up for a sticky fight with New Zealand over the naming rights of manuka honey.
In a sting for Aussie apiarists, their trans-Tasman neighbours are trying to monopolise the bee's knees of honeys, saying the popular manuka nectar is native to New Zealand.
But ManukaLife director and Australian Manuka Honey Association member, Paul Callander, said the east coast of Australia also homes the so-called superfood.
"We have 83 varieties of the manuka or tea-tree bush, whereas New Zealand only has one,” he said.
"New Zealanders are responsible for building the industry, but that should not stop Australians from exporting their products under the manuka label, especially when we have the same plant they do.
"We certainly don't want to coin this as a war with New Zealand, we'd like to work with them on improving the industry.”
Manuka honey is known for its hefty price tag with a top-of-the-line jar costing about $120 for 500g.
From easing eczema to curing gingivitis, the product is believed to have a large number of health benefits and antibacterial qualities.
On Monday, more than 20 beekeepers from across Australia met in Melbourne to kickstart the Australian Manuka Honey Association with the purpose of protecting the profitable export and its name.
Kiwis have successfully marketed the manuka moniker as their own for many years, but Aussie beekeepers say their honey is equally legitimate and there's plenty of business to go around.
"Demand is far outstripping supply, therefore co-operating with New Zealand would be a positive, but we want free-market access for our products,” Mr Callander said.
"It's a global business.
"China are using manuka as a food and high-grade vitamin supplement, whereas the western world are looking at it as pharmaceutical and cosmetic application.”
Novak Djokovic, Scarlett Johansson and Gwyneth Paltrow are just a few big names buzzing about the super honey.
If Kiwi producers are granted exclusive trademarks on manuka honey, Australian apiarists will be forced come up with an alternative name.


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Do you remember playing Manhole on a Game & Watch? We invite you on a little gadget reverie.
Experts from China’s artificial intelligence companies underscored how the industry is devoted to alleviating social problems globally,
The Kunitachi College of Music in Tachikawa, Tokyo, and the University of Tokyo have launched a unique research project to determine whether a humanoid robot can conduct an orchestra and elicit a performance with artistic expression.
The Japanese government plans to create a performance simulator in which the roads around the Odaiba district of Tokyo are replicated in virtual reality,
Artificial intelligence (AI) is inching its way into every consumer product imaginable – from wearable devices that read a dog’s mood and companionship robots that ask for cuddles to beauty systems that analyse skin tone and outfits that recommend suitable shades of lipstick.
Walking down music memory lane can take an even more nostalgic turn when you think about how you listened to all those songs you loved so well.
Although unrelated, the last decade has seen two significant events: Nepal promulgated a new constitution after decades of instability and is now aiming for prosperity.
In a significant move aimed to protect Nepali migrant workers from possible exploitation, the Nepal government has introduced an online application system that will regulate the hiring of workers.
Beginning in July in Bhutan, a microchip would be embedded under the skin of pet dogs and quick response code around a dog’s neck would help locate dogs.


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Savings Won't Be Getting A Boost From Boomers
With a savings rate well under 5% in recent years, the U.S. has a global reputation as a nation of spendthrifts. Some economists have optimistically suggested that this may soon change as an aging baby-boomer population starts putting away money to cover college costs and retirement. But a new report by economist Edward F. McKelvey of Goldman, Sachs & Co. is much more downbeat, arguing that demographic changes are likely to provide scant increase in savings. First, says McKelvey, "there's little evidence that excessive consumption by yuppies was responsible for the saving slump." True, consumers did save less. But McKelvey calculates that they were spending more on medical care rather than splurging on such discretionary purchases as clothing and recreation. As the boomers age, medical expenses are likely to rise rather than fall.
McKelvey also points out that baby boomers just aren't numerous enough to boost the savings rate very much. To be sure, households headed by 45- to 54-year-olds save some 8.1% of their income, about twice the national average. And this group will make up 20.2% of the population by the year 2000, up from 15.5% in 1990. But this shift would increase the savings rate by only half a percentage point--far less than some have predicted. So according to Mc-Kelvey's analysis, the savings rate will get no free ride from demographics.


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With registration for Lockex 2018 – Security & Fire Safety now officially open, the event’s organisers (the same team behind the country’s industry-leading magazine The Locksmith Journal) have started to reveal some of the fantastic things visitors can expect to see next June.
If you were one of the 1,700 people that came to Lockex 2016 – the first ever Lockex, held last September – you may think you already know what’s in store from the second show. In fact the only thing you can be sure of is that Lockex 2018 – Security & Fire Safety will be even bigger and even better than ever before.
Take a look at the official Lockex 2016 review video right here:
Lockex 2018 will be BIGGER
Building on the success of the event in 2016, the Lockex organisers have expanded the scope of show to include extra exhibitors from the world of security and fire safety, without any compromise whatsoever to the locksmith and auto locksmith displays and demonstrations. This means that for building specifiers, architects, planners, and designers, just one weekend could be all it takes to get up to speed with the latest information and innovations from across the industry.
Whilst Lockex 2016 saw over 80 locksmith and auto locksmith exhibitors from all over the world, plus 68 free workshops from some of the most highly-skilled and well-known names in the industry, the next event – held on the 8th, 9th and 10th June – includes a brand new ‘Pavilion of Trade Bodies’ plus a reimagined workshop space right in the heart of the Ricoh Arena, with eight demo zones, and staging for the official key note speaker Neil Vann.
Lockex 2018 will be BETTER
Organisations such as the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), Institute of Architectural Ironmongers (IAI), Security System and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB), Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) and UK Construction Week have already secured their spots in the show’s new 72-square metre ‘Pavilion of Trade Bodies’. Representatives from all regions will be on hand to discuss the latest certifications across the board, plus there will be CPD points on offer and exclusive expert revision sessions and master-classes for visitors about to sit their summer exams.
Furthermore by moving the workshop area right into the centre of the arena, visitors won’t have to miss a moment of the show by walking out of the exhibition area to attend their free seminars. All of this and more still comes part and parcel with your all-inclusive entrance tickets that gets you free parking, free meal tickets and as many free workshops – across any field – that you can fit into your schedule.
LOCKEX 2018 – SECURITY & FIRE SAFETY REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Do you want to exhibit at Lockex 2018 – Security & Fire Safety? Stands are selling fast but there are still some available – call 01226 321450 to book your slot and unlock all the extra benefits that come with being a Lockex exhibitor.


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For Immediate Release:
January 8, 2024
Brittney Williams 202-483-7382
Denver – As members of the American Sheep Industry Association gather for the organization’s annual convention at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel this week, they’ll be met with a stark reminder of the pain behind their products, courtesy of PETA: a suffering, frail sheep with the message “I Don’t Belong on Your Plate or in Your Wardrobe. Choose Vegan.” The visual plea located near the hotel reminds viewers about the sheer horror sheep face in the environmentally destructive wool industry and as young lambs killed for their flesh.
“Gentle sheep are treated not as individuals but as wool-producing machines before being slaughtered for meat once their wool production slows,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA urges everyone to choose vegan options and leave sheep in peace, not in pieces.”
PETA entities’ investigations have uncovered cruelty to sheep at over 100 wool operations worldwide—even on disingenuously named “responsible” farms, where shearers have been seen punching, stomping, kicking, and throwing around sheep. Shearers are often paid by volume, incentivizing them to work recklessly, and sheep are often left bloodied and in pain as a result. Their gaping wounds are then crudely stitched up—without painkillers. Once their wool becomes less desirable as they age, they’re shipped off for slaughter at just a fraction of their natural life expectancy—while some lambs are shorn once and sold for meat at only 6 to 9 months old. Millions of sheep are slaughtered every year in the U.S. alone.
Wool production is also massively damaging to the environment, as sheep farming generates huge quantities of greenhouse gas emissions and sucks up vast amounts of water and land. Independent auditors have identified wool as one of the worst environmental offenders on the market. Fortunately, most top retailers offer clothing made of natural eco- and animal-friendly vegan fabrics, including organic cotton, linen, Tencel, and modal.
The billboard is located down the street from the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel at the intersection of 14th and Champa streets.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to wear”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, or Instagram.


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Today’s post was shared by The Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group and comes from www.reuters.com
|(Reuters) – A federal judge said Facebook Inc must face a nationwide class-action lawsuit seeking to force the social media company to provide refunds when children spend their parents’ money on its website without permission.
U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman in San Jose, California on Tuesday said a class of plaintiffs estimated in the hundreds of thousands may press their claim that Facebook should change how it handles online transactions by minors.
The judge also said the plaintiffs could not pursue refunds as a group under U.S. Supreme Court precedent, because any refunds would vary from case to case, but could still seek individual refunds. She set an Oct. 19 trial date.
Facebook said it believes the lawsuit lacks merit, and said it will defend itself vigorously.
The April 2012 lawsuit said Facebook let children use their parents’ credit and debit cards to buy the virtual currency Facebook Credits, and violated California law by refusing refunds under its “all sales are final” policy when the parents complained.
In opposing class certification, Facebook said the plaintiffs’ claims were too disparate, and an injunction would not address them.
But Freeman said state law protects parents and their children when those children “occasionally use their lack of judgment” and buy things they should not.
“Though some minors undoubtedly may wish to continue making purchases through credit or debit cards they do not have permission to use, such a desire…


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Michigan’s top volume dealership group finds the right strategic partner in Lithia Motors
TROY, MI — April 13, 2021 — The Presidio Group LLC (“Presidio”), the leading investment bank specializing in retail automotive and related M&A transactions, exclusively advised The Suburban Collection on the sale of its 56 dealership franchises to Lithia Motors Inc. (NYSE: LAD). The Suburban Collection is the 12th largest privately-owned dealership group in the U.S. based on revenue.
“A tradition is carried on when like-minded professionals work together to ensure a vision is continually realized,” said David T. Fischer, chairman of Suburban Collection Holdings. “This new partnership will ensure our customers are served like never before and our team members are afforded new opportunities for growth and advancement.”
“The Presidio Group was a careful steward of our requirements for matching us with the best buyer, Lithia Motors, to take our dealerships to the next level for growth,” said David Fischer Jr., president and CEO of The Suburban Collection. “It was incredibly important to us that the new owner maintained our culture and took care of our 2,250 team members. I am honored to continue to lead The Suburban Collection team, backed by the enhanced technology, selection and financing options Lithia brings with its ownership.”
“The Lithia team appreciated the opportunity to once again work with the professionals at Presidio to gain such an outstanding footprint in the mid-west and the important Michigan market,” said Bryan DeBoer, Lithia Motors and Driveway’s president and CEO. “Presidio truly understands the dynamics of these complex transactions, including the needs of each party.”
He added: “The leadership at The Suburban Collection is exceptional and has operated this award-winning, family-owned business for more than 70 years. We look forward to adding The Suburban Collection’s team members to our family and working with David Fischer Jr. and his team.”
Based in southeastern Michigan and founded by the Fischer family in 1948, The Suburban Collection has been a pillar of the region, growing from one dealership to 56 dealership franchises across 34 locations and supporting the communities in which it operates, including through significant contributions to local charities.
With tenured leadership and a significant percentage of long-term team members, The Suburban Collection sells one out of every 10 vehicles purchased in southeastern Michigan and is the 12th largest privately owned dealership group in the U.S. based on revenue, and among the largest concentration of dealership assets. While the majority of its dealerships sell one of the traditional “Big Three” Detroit brands, three of its dealerships, including a Ford franchise and two Cadillac franchises, are ranked among the top 10 by volume in the U.S. The Suburban Collection also includes luxury and ultra-luxury brands such as Mercedes, BMW, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Bugatti.
“Working with the Fischer family to sell its outstanding collection of dealerships was an honor,” said Brodie Cobb, founder and CEO of The Presidio Group. “The family wanted to diversify its holdings, and we were pleased to help them take a significant step towards realizing that goal.”
“The Fischer family’s businesses represented a great opportunity in the Michigan market, and we were pleased that Lithia recognized that,” said George Karolis, president of The Presidio Group. “Demand for dealerships is exceptionally strong and is expected to remain robust throughout 2021.”
Presidio has closed 14 transactions since March 2020 including more than 100 dealership franchises for a total of more than $3 billion. Among them was the sale of Park Place Dealerships to Asbury Automotive Group, one of the largest dealership transactions in history.
The Presidio Group provided exclusive M&A advisory services to The Suburban Collection through its wholly owned investment bank, Presidio Merchant Partners LLC.
Stephen Dietrich and Sarah Seedig of Holland & Knight served as legal counsel to Lithia. Edward Dawda of Dadwa Mann served as legal counsel to The Suburban Collection.
About The Suburban Collection:
Founded in 1948 and based in Troy, Michigan, The Suburban Collection is Michigan’s largest privately held automotive group and the 12th largest in the country based on revenue. Today, The Suburban Collection encompasses 56 dealership franchises across 34 locations, including state-of-the-art collision centers, accessories distribution centers, fleet management and retrofitting services throughout the U.S. and Canada.
For more information visit: www.SuburbanCollection.com
The Presidio Group LLC was founded in 1998 with the simple mission to relentlessly put the interests of our clients first. By steadfastly adhering to this philosophy, the firm has earned the trust of clients throughout the United States. During their careers, the professionals at Presidio have collectively closed more than 200 transactions for over $13 billion. It also publishes Presidio’s Where the Rubber Meets the Road, a leading source of information about the automotive retail landscape and the automotive retail M&A environment. The Presidio Group is based in San Francisco, CA. Presidio Merchant Partners LLC is a subsidiary of The Presidio Group LLC and is a member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information on Presidio, visit www.thepresidiogroup.com.


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As 2020 draws to a close, and with the real impact of the COVID-19 pandemic still uncertain, this session will present the findings of an extensive industry report on the State of the UK Aftermarket from this challenging year, offering an insight and support to individuals, companies and the industry.
The discussion will address the impacts of technology, regulations, industry skills, consolidation, and COVID lockdowns for businesses operating in the UK automotive aftermarket.
Returning on Tuesday 8th December at 11am – 12pm, The Automotive Aftermarket Webinar will host a panel of experts from various parts of the supply chain, including Quentin Le Hetet, General Manager of GiPA UK, who will provide in-depth research findings across the board, looking at trends that could shape the future of the aftermarket.
Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI, will also be on hand to look at best practice surrounding training and apprenticeships, while Frank Harvey, Head of Member Services at IGA, will explore the challenges and opportunities affecting the industry.
Wendy Williamson, Chief Executive of the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation, will share information on how suppliers and distributors can futureproof their businesses by staying ahead of the curve.
This free-to-attend webinar will once again be moderated by Mark Field, PR Manager for Automechanika Birmingham.
Simon Albert, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt UK, organisers of Automechanika Birmingham, said: “We are nearing the end of a tough year, so it is vital for the automotive industry to stay connected. By sharing challenges, best practice and learnings from 2020, we can help shape how businesses will move forward and identify new opportunities.”
The discussion is not only for business owners, but for the workforce who will be responsible for providing services and delivering sales.
Those interested can register now here.
If professionals can’t make the 8th December, Automechanika Birmingham is encouraging individuals to register anyway, as the live session will be recorded and shared afterwards.
Background information on Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. The Messe Frankfurt Group employs around 2,500* people in a total of 30 subsidiaries. The company generated annual sales of approximately €250* million in 2020 after having recorded sales of €738 million the previous year. Even in difficult times caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we are globally networked with our industry sectors. We have close ties with our industry sectors and serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of the Group’s key USPs is its closely knit global sales network, which extends throughout the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are expanding our digital expertise with new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. Headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
* preliminary figures 2020


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As the CRTC makes it easier for Canadian consumers to switch Internet, cable, phone or wireless service providers, it's simultaneously asking the industry whether it should even bother.
On Friday, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission again waded into the issue of how it should deal with consumers who want to leave their service providers.
It decided customers should be able to switch with one phone call to a new provider, thereby avoiding attempts by their current provider to delay the process. The regulator had earlier ruled that transfers should take less than two business days for cable, Internet and phone service, and less than 2½ hours for cellphones.
At a time when new competitors are struggling to convince customers to switch, it makes sense for existing providers to delay, sometimes for weeks. They can use that time to offer discounts or other offers to try to keep clients from leaving.
"It's a great decision for the consumer; it's a win for the consumer," said Dave Dobbin, president and chief executive officer of Mobilicity, a new wireless company that benefits from the decision. "The CRTC doesn't get a lot of high fives, but today every Canadian consumer should give them a high five."
At the same time it made the ruling, however, the commission begun a proceeding on "on whether these safeguards are still in the best interests of consumers and whether they limit a consumer's ability to receive offers from a service provider," and asked for industry submissions on the issue.
Prior to today's ruling, BCE Inc. had asked the commission to implement "symmetry" across the industry. Previously, cable companies could cancel phone companies' existing home-phone customers, whereas phone companies offering TV service such as Bell had to wait for the consumer to call their provider to cancel. Bell asked either that this disadvantage be removed or applied equally to its cable rivals.
Under the new rules, consumers can still call and cancel the services themselves if they wish, leaving them free to negotiate new terms.
The issue of customer transfers is crucial for the industry, as new wireless companies crowd into major cities, offering steep discounts; phone companies start building high-quality Internet protocol TV to compete with entrenched cable rivals; and cable companies such as Quebecor Inc.'s Vidéotron Ltée begin to offer wireless cellphone service.


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The Indian market is gradually maturing towards adopting cutting-edge IT solutions, and technologies as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is here to stay and evolve. There are several applications which involves such [...]
Once we create a critical mass of domestic know-how, we can begin to proliferate this skill into our sensitive domains of Defense and Security. The rapid expansion of the Internet has created [...]
“As enterprises continue their digital transformation efforts, shifting to ‘pay for use’ will continue. This sets enterprises up to deal with the sustained and rapid change that underscores digital business,”
While core applications such as ERP (enterprise resource planning), CRM (customer relationship management) and supply chain continue to get the lion
Open blockchain jobs in the US surged 300% this year compared to last, according to a Thursday report from job search site Glassdoor. As of August 2018, some 1,775 unique blockchain-related jobs [...]
Nasscom and Hiroshima shall invite their respective companies to join this partnership platform and will setup IT Corridor in Hiroshima with incentive package that could be extended to the Indian tech companies that come forward to adopt this platform while forming partnership with Japanese companies.
The primary objective of this IT
"Software is eating the world"..Tech alone won't save the auto industry
American auto manufacturers are desperate to reinvent themselves as software companies, following the uber-popular "Software is eating the world" trope. As called out in a Wall Street Journal detailed analysis , "The [...]
Nasscom-KPMG report forecast that Indian fintech software market will touch $2.4 billion by 2020. Further, fintech software and services market will jump 1.7 times by 2020 from $8 billion in 2016.
With over $154 billion in annual revenues, India's information technology (IT) and information technology enabled services (ITeS) sectors play key
(Image Source: Shutterstock) The Indian gaming industry was valued at $543 million in 2016 and was projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.61 per cent. Andrej Zdravkovic , head of Software [...]
This device is unable to play the requested video.
If you want to carve out a career in machine learning then knowing where to start can be daunting.
Not only is the technology [...]
Image: metamorworks, Getty Images/iStockphoto Application performance monitoring (APM) has existed for a while, but Gartner said last spring that APM suites are only used for about 5% of business software. The research [...]


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St. Louis-based pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts Inc. said Wednesday that it is suing Walgreen Co., arguing the drugstore chain is trying to lure away its customers.
The lawsuit alleges that Walgreen is telling Express Scripts plan members, and especially Medicare Part D beneficiaries, that they will not be able to fill their prescriptions at Walgreen pharmacies unless they leave Express Scripts and switch to a new pharmacy benefits management plan. Express Scripts said this violates the contract between the two companies.
Express Scripts administers prescription drug benefits for health plan sponsors and members, and it pays drugstores like Walgreen to fill prescriptions. Walgreen has said it will stop doing business with Express Scripts Jan. 1 because the prescription drug manager is not paying it enough. The drugstore chain has said it will lose $5.3 billion in revenue as a result, but that it would rather do that than conduct business on unacceptable terms.
In the lawsuit, Express Scripts said Walgreen is trying to get Express Scripts members to switch to new plans so it can keep their business and continue being paid to fill their prescriptions.
The St. Louis company has asked a court stop Walgreen from encouraging members to switch plans, saying it would hurt its business. Starting Oct. 15, Medicare Part D beneficiaries can enroll in a plan or leave their current plan and choose a new one. That "open enrollment" period ends Dec. 7.
Walgreen, of Deerfield, Ill., is the largest drugstore chain in the U.S. with more than 7,700 locations. It has said it gets about $5.3 billion in annual revenue from Express Scripts, and Express Scripts said it gives Walgreen access to about 60 million people, including about 2.5 million people who get their prescriptions through Medicare Part D.
Walgreen did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The current contract between the companies lasts for three years, expiring in 2012. In June, Walgreen announced that it would stop doing business with Express Scripts at that time because Express Scripts wanted to cut its payments to unacceptably low levels and wanted too much control over other terms of the contract. On Sept. 6, Walgreen said negotiations are stalled and that it has begun informing clients that it won't participate in Express Scripts' networks after the contract ends.
Express Scripts said that, as part of the contract between the companies, Walgreen agreed it would not encourage members to leave Express Scripts plans or promote one Medicare Part D plan over another. The lawsuit alleges that Walgreen has done just that by sending letters to Express Scripts clients urging them to choose a plan with "Walgreens' coverage," including specific plans they could choose. It also said Walgreen has instructed employees to steer Express Scripts members away from Express Scripts.
During the dispute with Express Scripts, Walgreen launched a website called www.ichoosewalgreens.com . The site says Express Scripts clients will probably not be able to fill their prescriptions at Walgreen stores because the chain will probably not be part of Express Scripts' networks starting Jan. 1. It says that "If you'd like to ensure that you can continue to be able to fill your prescriptions at Walgreens and Duane Reade drug stores with uninterrupted service, you will need to select a different plan that includes Walgreens."
The lawsuit was filed Sept. 7 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.
Shares of Express Scripts declined $1.14, or 2.6 percent, to $42.79 in Thursday trading. Walgreen stock rose 72 cents, or 2 percent, to $36.65.


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- The priciest theme park to clean is Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China – requiring 20.7 million antibacterial wipes
- In second is Disney World Florida, requiring 7.2 million antibacterial wipes
- In third place is Shanghai Disney Resort and fourth Disneyland Paris
With interest increasing by 65% in the past three months, people are excited for a day out like going to a theme park when restrictions ease.
The theme parks must prepare for their reopening, but they also have to ensure they are cleaned top to bottom, which is no small feat.
So just how big of a feat is this, and how much will it cost? Industry experts crunched the numbers to find the costs of cleaning ten of the biggest theme parks in the world!
In first place is Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, estimated to cost $17.8 million to clean. The huge 20.72km2 resort in Zhuhai, China, hosts a range of rides and shows and is the world’s largest oceanarium. Not only that, analysts calculated it would take around 20.7 million antibacterial wipes to disinfect – surely that’s another addition to the resort’s 5 Guinness World Record standing.
In second place is Disney World in Florida, costing an estimated $6.2 million and 7.2 million antibacterial wipes to make COVID-friendly. According to research, that’s almost 30x pricier than cleaning Drake’s apartment for a whole year!
The Disney resorts in Shanghai, Paris and California clinch third, fourth and fifth place respectively. Shanghai’s magic kingdom costs around $3.3 million (3.8 million wipes), Disneyland Paris would set owners back $1.7 million and 2 million wipes, and California’s Disneyland Resort would be charged at $1.6 million and 1.8 million wipes to clean.
Finally with over 11 million annual visitors, last but not least is Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan. The park’s 130-acre area would still cost a whopping $536,042.29 and 622,494 wipes to clean.


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Yesterday we reported the exclusive all examples of the Ferrari FXX K have already been sold and now we have a confirmation for that and new details
Yesterday we reported all examples of the exclusive Ferrari FXX K have already been sold and now we have a confirmation for that and new details.
Top Gear reports that less than 40 cars will be made and all of them have been sold at a cost of 2.5M EUR (3.09M USD) each. During the 2014 Finali Mondiali event in Abu Dhabi Ferrari's Nicola Boari commented that “clients from all over the world have bought the FXX K” and “starting with next season, you will start to see the FXX K on track”.
Our source also says the track machine had lapped the Fiorano track in Italy in 1:14 min, which is five seconds faster than the standard LaFerrari. “This is not simply a track version of LaFerrari,” explained Boari.
As a reminder, the FXX K has a hybrid system that consists of an 860 HP (633 kW) V12 engine and a 190 HP (140 kW) electric motor. Overall it is 90 kg (198 lbs) lighter than the standard LaFerrari and thanks to a significantly redesigned aerodynamic body it generates 540 kg (1,190 lbs) of downforce at 200 km/h (124 mph).


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DFW AIRPORT (CBSDFW.COM) — Today North Texas airports will be put to the test during an expected Thanksgiving holiday travel surge.
Four million Texans are expected to travel. According to AAA Texas, that's nearly pre-pandemic levels.
Both Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) and Dallas Love Field Airport reflect the same, expecting about 95% of the travel volume they had in 2019.
Experts say it's pent up demand from a tough 2020, but also comfort from vaccines that have helped the industry bounce back.
"We are seeing travelers eager to get back out there, feeling comfortable hitting the skies again and traveling to see loved ones for the holidays," said Lindsay Schwimer, a Consumer Travel Expert with Hopper.
Hopper collects data from airports nationwide, and tells CBS 11 News, DFW Airport is expected to be the second busiest in the U.S. this Thanksgiving week.
They calculate Wednesday, November 24 and Sunday, November 28 to be the busiest days to fly.
Schwimer believes this is just the start of what's expected to be a busy holiday season over the next few months. "We were expecting a busy travel season. On Hopper we saw a 105% increase in searches over just the past month alone, just on holiday travel," he said.
Nationwide, TSA Checkpoint numbers are consistently hitting 2 million people per day.
It's a gage many folks are ready to make up for lost time.
"We love it!" said traveler Tiffany Jasper-Jones. "We are going to meet our family in San Diego, and spend some time in the mountains! So we are excited."
for more features.


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Unfortunately, EMV transactions have become synonymous with slower checkout. Not for long. Visa has launched its Quick Chip for EMV solution which Stephanie Ericksen, VP Global Risk Products at Visa, told Karen Webster will make checkout with EMV “as fast as the swipe.” Let the shopping begin.
Cardholders may have cards with chips in them in their hands, and EMV adoption by merchants may be on the rise, but there’s no doubt about it: EMV transactions take longer at the point of sale.
But maybe not for much longer.
Visa announced today the launch of its Quick Chip for EMV solution, designed to speed up checkout times and make the chip and dip card experience for consumers and merchants as, well, quick as the swipe. This solution is aimed at enabling faster checkout, streamlined processing, and a simple implementation for consumers and merchants.
Stephanie Ericksen, VP Global Risk Products at Visa, tells Karen Webster that the new technology will allow EMV chip card processing to closely replicate what U.S. consumers have become used to with mag stripe cards – which is not only the speed at checkout, but the ability to “dip” the card and put it back in their wallet while the transaction goes forward.
“With Quick Chip, consumers insert their chip card into the terminal, which automatically generates the EMV cryptogram (that secure one-time code) – the card can then be removed from the terminal while the rest of the transaction continues,” Ericksen points out.
For merchants, this means getting consumers through the checkout faster without incorporating additional unwanted friction.
According to Ericksen, the ability for EMV transactions to continue as usual without the card remaining dipped after the creation of the cryptogram is actually already an existing EMV process, but it is just not widely used. With the implementation of Quick Chip, no additional testing or certification is needed from a Visa or EMVCo point of view, there are no changes to the process and the technology is inherently EMV compliant.
“It’s a rather simple change to the terminal software and it’s something that would allow merchants of any type to be able to speed up their contact chip transactions without major changes.” – Stephanie Ericksen, VP Global Risk Products at Visa
“It’s a rather simple change to the terminal software and it’s something that would allow merchants of any type to be able to speed up their contact chip transactions without major changes,” Ericksen explained, noting that the impact for merchants will depend on their middleware provider and what that integration is, but that it’s rather minimal effort needed.
As merchants continue to see increased numbers of EMV transactions go through their system and more consumers are experiencing contact chip, there have been discussions in the industry about another alternative to speeding up transaction times.
The concept of introducing cards with a dual interface – bringing contactless and EMV capabilities onto a single card – is still on the table, but Quick Chip may be able to attain the goal of accelerating checkout a little bit faster (and cheaper) than deploying dual-interface cards.
“The great thing about Quick Chip is that there is no change needed to the card or to the issuer processing. There’s also no change to the merchant screens for the cardholder and no additional education and training required for the consumer or for the merchant’s sales associates,” she added.
The screen prompts that what consumers currently see on a terminal when an EMV chip card transaction is being processed will be no different once Quick Chip is enabled — they will just happen in a much more rapid succession than in normal contact chip transactions, Ericksen confirmed.
With the ability for a merchant to simply deploy Quick Chip into an upcoming software iteration, it’s expected that the solution is one that could be hitting the streets rather quickly – with the idea that this will be deployed by the all-important holiday shopping season when speed through checkout is critical.
Though Quick Chip is a Visa specification, the door is still open for it to one day become a standard practice for EMV across all the networks. Ericksen said it is up to other industry players to determine exactly how Quick Chip could fit into their strategy and requirement, but that it remains “open for anyone to use and it would work on all Visa cards whether it’s a debit card or a credit card.”
“We’ve been socializing this a lot with partners and clients and also within the EMV migration forum so that all of the participants, including the other payments systems, are aware of what this is and how it works,” she said.


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Soon, cross-device conversions will be automatically included in the Conversions column in Google AdWords.
The High Court of Paris decided this week that Google and Bing are under no obligation to try and prevent piracy by filtering out torrent-related searches.
It was recently announced that the revenue from Microsoft’s Bing search engine is up 16% year-over-year as of last quarter.
Today at Google’s DoubleClick Leadership Summit it was announced that advertisements on AMP pages will soon be able to load as fast as the content itself.
Google advertisers will soon be able to showcase the prices of their products and services in mobile text ads via a new feature called price extensions.
With Google’s most recent update, it will provide information directly in the search results about how you can register to vote in your state.
Google has updated its Local Inventory Ads with a feature that allows searchers to browse in-stock products when the name of a retail location is searched for.
The European Union (EU) has thrown yet another antitrust charge at Google, which marks the third charge in less than two years.
A study published this week by Roy Hinkis at SimilarWeb digs deep into the data surrounding June’s Google update to determine which type of sites saw the greatest rankings boost.
An update to Pokemon Go, available now in the App Store, downgrades the app from having full access to your Google account to having just the bare minimum access.
Google announced a series of updates to search results at a press conference today in New York. The updates are aimed towards helping travelers find the best deals on flights and accommodations.
Local Guides are being alerted that Google is now cutting back on one of its most generous offers.
While everyone is hurriedly joining the Pokémon Go craze they may not be aware of what they’re giving up in return for playing the game.
Google is continuing the slow rollout of a feature called Google Posts which allows certain entities to publish directly to the front page of search results.
In an update to Google Now on Tap for Android Marshmallow users, you can now do more without having to leave the app you’re in.
Dr. Pete Meyers of Moz has put together data which suggests Google is slowing but surely accomplishing its goal of having more HTTPS sites on the web.
The ability to plot multiple destinations on Google Maps has come to Android.
Google has introduced a new feature to its search results that will be helpful next time you have to look up information about an earthquake in your area.
Data collected from Glenn Gabe at G-Squared Interactive shows strong evidence that a Google algorithm updated occurred this month.
Google users are receiving notifications that a new web portal has launched which, among other things, allows you to control the types of ads you see online.


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Find out more about the things that inspire and inform our work, a collection of news, views, case studies, and everything in-between.
How designers are bringing virtual museums and galleries to life
As COVID-19 shut down institutions, art galleries and museums have made pushes to be virtual. Could it be part of a bigger shift in the cultural sector?
What has and hasn't changed for Challengers in 21 Years
They've never been more popular, but the context in which they operate is critically different.
Hanifa digitally debuts Pink Label Congo fashion collection using 3D models
Seemingly invisible models wore 3D-rendered garments in a virtual show that Congolese brand Hanifa held on Instagram Live to showcase its latest fashion collection.
The role of graphic design in protest movements
As race protests spark throughout the world, we look at the role of graphic design and why the movement must ultimately "not stop with an image".
Can We Teach Graphic Design History Without the Cult of Hero Worship?
Let’s engage in a thought experiment. Think about what you know about graphic design history. Then omit all mention of design heroes. Try for a moment not to think about the objects of design.
D.C. Artists Paints 'Black Lives Matter' Mural on Road to White House
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the mural was intended to show support of people outraged by the killing of George Floyd.
Let’s Not Forget
56 Black Men founder Cephas Williams has led a campaign honouring George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and those who “haven’t made it to a hashtag”.
Stay home, stay positive campaign
How could staying at home and staying safe be turned into a positive movement?
Cards made in quarantine
Cards made in lockdown by Nitsan Dror are designed to bring us together.
6 Feet Covers, “social distancing” on iconic album covers
To raise awareness about the importance of staying at least 6 feet away from each other, Activista created a series called 6 Feet Covers.
We are living in times unlike anything we have ever known. Although our studio doors are closed, we continue to work as before and believe that carrying on 'as normal' is the best way to play our small part.


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At a recent press conference, the company teased a new, custom service in Japan called Pokémon Shirts. Revealed in part by Tsunekazu Ishihara, president, The Pokémon Company, this new service will create original made-to-order clothing designs featuring the first 151 Pokémon. While initially focused on the Japanese market, Ishihara also reported that the service is set to reach U.K. and Europe following its flagship launch.
The second line of clothing introduced is a new women’s range of Pokémon apparel from Difuzed and Global Brands Group. Items in the collection include Pokémon-themed denim jackets, t-shirts, hoodies and activewear in a wide range of designs. The new range is available now across the U.K. and Europe in all Primark stores.
“We are delighted to be collaborating with this important retailer at this tremendously exciting time for Pokémon,” says Mathieu Galante, licensing director (EMEA), The Pokémon Company International. “The eagerly awaited Pokémon Detective Pikachu film is creating even more interest in Pokémon apparel worldwide, and these fun and fashionable items look set to be a big hit with Pokémon’s many fans.”


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SteelSeries Targets Growing Serious-Gamer Market
The Denmark-based gaming accessories maker SteelSeries has been a fixture in the European market since its inception in 2001. Now, the company, with a base in the Chicago area, is poised to broaden its distribution in the U.S. beyond its current Internet sales footprint.
The company plans to more widely address a 55-million-household gamer demographic, with what newly appointed CEO and former Motorola executive Bruce Hawver says is a “gamer-driven” product suite offering “winning is everything” features that give users a competitive advantage – and dealers product margins ranging anywhere from 30 to 40 points.
The brand is also in the 21-store Micro Center computer chain, but is looking to expand its brick-and-mortar distribution, using family-look packaging that touts the hardcore-gamer-specific feature sets in its headsets, mice, gaming pads and – come May 5 – its first keyboard. These features, says Kim Rom, vice president of global marketing, include refined and highly adjustable mouse sensor technology, headsets that are sound-engineered from a gamer perspective rather than from a music-listening perspective, and the new keyboard’s bulletproof build quality, optimized for gaming versus office use. At $149.99, the 7G Keyboard is designed with an iron-infused plastic chassis and rests on a metal frame. Gold-plated contacts beneath each key heighten touch sensitivity, and the overall design can withstand the slamming fist of a vexed gamer without shattering, as Hawver demonstrated.


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In the lead up to Tech World 2015, Lenovo has unveiled three new consumer laptops for the Australian market: the ideapad 100, Lenovo Z41 and Lenovo Z51 featuring Intel’s RealSense 3D camera as an optional extra. Pricing starts at $399.
Lenovo has teased three new consumer laptops ahead of its global Tech World conference in Beijing. The new 14-inch Lenovo Z41 and 15-inch Lenovo Z51 laptops are being pitched as one part home-entertainment centre, one part all-purpose workstation. They mark Lenovo’s latest push into the A/NZ consumer space after years of catering exclusively to business professionals.
Both models come equipped with a FHD display, Dolby DS 1.0 Home Theater Surround Sound, 802.11 a/c WiFi, up to 1TB of storage and the option of an AMD discrete graphics card powered by the latest Intel CoreTM i7 processor. In stark contrast to the no-nonsense ThinkPad range, the Z51 and Z41 come in a range of coloured finishes including chalk white and crimson red.
The Z51 also features an integrated Intel RealSense 3D camera as an optional upgrade that essentially works as a three-dimensional UI that can be used to scan 3D-printable objects, play 3D games and use gesture controls in place of a mouse or trackpad.
The ideapad 100 is an entry-level laptop for customers who need a basic mobility device for everyday computing. Specifications include an Intel BayTrail-M N3540 processor, up to 500GB HDD storage and up to four hours battery life. It comes in 14-inch and 15-inch iterations which measure 20.2mm and 22.6mm, respectively.
The Lenovo Z51 and ideapad 100 will retail for $699 and $399 in Australia, respectively. (Australian pricing for the Z41 has yet to be confirmed.) We haven’t seen the laptops in the flesh yet but should be getting some hands-on time tomorrow here at Tech World Beijing. Watch this space!
Gizmodo travelled to Tech World in Beijing at the invitation of Lenovo.


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Nintendo Pulse #222 – Say Bye to the Club
July 3, 2015 11:01 pm
It’s a sad day as Club Nintendo is no more. We mourn, the talk about the rest of the news including a revamped Miiverse, NX Rumours, Splatoon gets a mode, Shovel Knight and more! Enjoy!
Category: Nintendo Pulse


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During a Nintendo shareholder meeting held on Tuesday, Nintendo was asked about its plans for the future of its mini consoles. As transcribed by VGC, president Shuntaro Furukawa replied, “We always want our products to be played by people of all ages, from children to adults. In fact, after being in the video game business for many years, we believe that there is now a very wide range of generations who have adopted Nintendo consoles.”
It comes as no surprise that Nintendo directs its mini-consoles towards consumers who no longer play video games, but have had experiences with presumably Nintendo consoles in the past. Furukawa also drops a suggestion about how re-experiencing their past helps in drawing more people into buying a new console. Shuntaro Furukawa says, “We will continue to examine the possibility of offering classic content, such as with the NES and Super NES Classic Mini series, as well as our online services, as a way of communicating the appeal of our products to different generations.”
Nintendo’s attempts with the NES and SNES classic have been incredibly successful, and competitors including the likes of Sony have also joined in with their own classic consoles. Of course, there’s also the fact that manufacturing anything at a large scale is incredibly difficult right now, mostly due to chip shortages.
Nintendo also seems to be on to something with reports and rumors of a Switch Pro flooding through on a consistent basis.


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Streaming news at CES 2013 last week was all about integration into cars, with big announcements from Ford and JacAPPS, Pandora and Chrysler, Livio, Tunein, and lots of others. The news about Sprint and Nextradio is big as well.
Connected cars are a reality now, and Pandora has played a large part in that evolution. Pandora’s been concentrating on getting their service integrated into connected devices for a long time, and their efforts have had a very large impact. They’ve led a coordinated effort which can take a lot of credit for the high level of interest in connected cars at this year’s CES. Sure, lots of companies are enjoying the advantage of that increased buzz, that’s how it works – pioneers lead the way, open the doors, and others follow, and hopefully flourish.
I’ve said it before and I think it bears repeating – the Internet radio industry has benefitted enormously from having a giant like Pandora in the space. They’ve generated lots of buzz and innovation that others have and will continue to benefit from in terms of listeners as well as technology. This Techcrunch interview with Pandora CTO Tom Conrad offers a nice overview of where they have come from, and how they do it.
This morning in my email, one from Spotify offering me a bunch of ready made playlists for New Year’s. The Top 100 Songs of the Year on Spotify, Most Popular artists, Most Popular Female Artists, Most Popular Male Artists…you get the idea. All waiting for me to listen to and share with my social networks to celebrate the arrival of 2013.
This is very smart marketing by Spotify. The biggest party night of the year and they’re offering up easy soundtracks for the party. It’s an excellent use of playlist based streaming, and a great way to highlight their music library. I’ll bet they get a lot of traction and new listeners from it.
Pandora is offering a slate of End of the Year genre stations as well, including 2012 Top Pop, Adult Rock, College, R&B and Hip Hop, and New Years Eve Party Radio. Built in soundtracks for your party. iHeartRadio is offering one channel, called Party 2013 Radio.
In 2013 streaming audio services will continue to look for ways to grow audience by making their offerings as enticing as possible. Personalizable channels that can be tailored for special events are an easy way to highlight interactive features and hook listeners. In fact, those channels are quite possibly a platforms best marketing tools..
Happy 2013 to you and yours, may you enjoy the streams of your dreams in the coming year…
Fred Wilson, a partner in the investment firm Union Square Ventures, is a music lover and his company is invested in several companies in the streaming audio space including SoundCloud, Turntable.fm, and Targetspot. Wilson has been thinking and talking about monetization of streaming audio services, and his ideas are worth repeating.
In a recent interview, Wilson talked about advertising as a revenue model for streaming services. He sees the radio advertising market, pegged at $17 billion, moving online as listeners transition more and more to listening on smartphones. As that happens, services like Pandora, Rdio and Songza benefit, but so do artists.
In his blog post this morning, Wilson writes about online ad revenue models, and it’s a very interesting post for anyone in the business. He outlines the complexity of the online ad marketplace, and concludes that scale is a very important factor for success in the advertising revenue model. Dollars are limited, and with more and more services going after them, rates are dropping.
Pandora is certainly the service that is best positioned to test this out – they have the scale and are aggressively pursuing an ad revenue model. Each time they gain a dollar in advertising from the general $17 billion radio revenue pool, artists win too, because they get paid for music played by Pandora, but not for music played by broadcast radio. Right? So that means the artists and their labels should want online services which are pursuing ad revenue models to succeed, doesn’t it? Just sayin…
Internet radio services such as Pandora are increasingly important platforms for new music discovery, according to a report released by NPD Group last week. The study also found that listening to Internet radio – 27% over last year, while listening to on-demand streaming music platforms is up 18%.
As Internet radio and on-demand listening has risen, the number of consumers who reported listening to music on CDs dropped 16 percent, while the music audience for AM/FM radio fell 4 percent, and the number of consumers listening to digital downloads declined 2 percent.
“Although AM/FM radio remains America’s favorite music-listening choice, the basket of Internet radio and streaming services that are available today have, on the whole, replaced CDs for second place,” said Russ Crupnick, senior vice president of industry analysis at NPD. “We expect this pattern to continue, as consumers become more comfortable with ownership defined as a playlist, rather than as a physical CD or digital file.”
96 million Internet users listened to Internet radio or an on-demand service in the past three months. In an interesting chart of usage rates of Pandora listeners to other music sources such as AM/FM, CDs, and digital music files on computers, the report shows that Pandora listeners listen less to all of those over time, but continue to listen to AM/FM more than the others.
Internet radio stations that neglect to offer programming for hispanics are missing out, since of the leading demographics in terms of mobile usage, smartphone penetration and web radio listening. One in four Hispanics reported listening to Internet radio in the last 7 days, compared to about 18% for the general population (in a US based study by The Media Audit).
One streaming service that has been catering to that market for a long time is Batanga, which launched in 1999. I spoke with the guys who started it a few times about joining the Net Radio Sales network, but they always assured me that they were doing just fine on their own. In 2005 they merged with a company called Planeta out of Miami Florida. They recently announced upgrades to their platform that enhance interactivity - allowing users to build digital radio stations by adding the songs and artists they love, offering similar sounding songs, and excluding the music that they don’t want to hear. Other new features include lyrics and more songs.
Meanwhile Pandora has been paying close attention to the Hispanic portion of their audience, which accounts for 20% of their overall audience, according to AdWeek. Reporting on a discussion hosted during Advertising week recently, AdWeek quotes Pandora sales vp Priscilla Valls, who said that 80% of Pandora’s Hispanic users are on mobile devices. Pandora plays 7,000 latino artists in its offerings. While Pandora does not ask for race or ethnic background in its listener profile, but does conduct a yearly survey among listeners for supplemental information for advertisers. This info enables them to target Hispanics on behalf of advertisers.
“We have a variety of marketers who advertise to that audience in Spanish, Spanglish and in English,” Priscilla Valls, a vp of ad sales for Pandora…. ”What we are finding is that brands are using their general budgets to also reach a Hispanic audience.”
With 20% of their audience speaking Spanish, Pandora is hip to hispanics…
It’s high season for political advertising, and Pandora is a new favorite for lots of candidates, according to US News. It turns out that Pandora’s highly targetable advertising model, which allows advertisers to micro-target by zipcode, not to mention age, gender, and even musical tastes, is very appealing to the folks that decide where all the money behind political campaigns will go this season.
“On Pandora we know exactly who our audience is, so if you’re trying to reach moms, the D.C. area, or young people in Ohio, we can do that,” says Francisca Fanucchi, a spokeswoman for Pandora. When users sign up for Pandora, they give their ZIP code, gender, date of birth, and E-mail address, all of which are used for targeting purposes, Fanucchi says. Political research firms also buy lots of consumer behavior data to refine their targeted ads.
It turns out that your musical preferences also say a lot about your political views. Recently, music data firm The Echo Nest noticed some distinct profiles among listeners of certain types of music. Turns out Kenny Chesney or George Strait fans are reliably Republican while, Rihanna, Jay Z, Madonna and Lady Gaga fans are Democrats. Fans of The Beatles, Stones and Johnny Cash are hardest to predict.
Politicians advertising on Pandora can also use their new email sign-up feature. That asks the listener to let Pandora provide his email address to the politician so they can contact them directly.
All of this is not foolproof however – on a recent longish drive with my husband we listened to Pandora on my husbands phone, and heard repeated ads for Linda McMahon, the GOP candidate running for Senate in Connecticut. Problem is, he’s a pretty liberal democrat who just happens to like Pink Floyd…
Details of Apple’s entry into the Internet radio space appeared last week, and because it’s Apple, they got lots of attention. Apple has been interested in the space for a while, so this does not come as a big surprise. As WSJ.com puts it – Apple pioneered the online music business with iTunes, and drove it with hardware sales. Now that streaming services have begun to cut into song download sales, it’s time for iTunes to step it up.
Reportedly, Apple is in private talks with the record labels to negotiate royalty deals. Everyone knows that the performance royalty issues related to streaming are prohibitively expensive – content acquisition is the pricey challenge in the space. Indeed, Pandora shells out 50 – 60% of its revenue to labels and artists. The question is, does Apple have the kind of clout with the labels that can leverage an improved royalty landscape? And if so, is it possible this would benefit the streaming marketplace overall?
As far as what the service will be – it does sound a lot like Pandora. The NY Times says “Apple’s service would probably take the form of a preinstalled app on devices like iPhones and iPads and might be able to connect to users’ iTunes accounts to judge their tastes.”
First responders to the news about a streaming service from Apple proclaimed doom and gloom for Pandora. And the truth is, Pandora is so big and so reliant on Apple at this point that they probably will lose listeners if Apple opens up a service of their own. But that doesn’t mean it would be the worst thing for the streaming marketplace. In fact, given Apple’s golden touch, the fact that they are looking so closely at streaming and radio in general these days, could bode well for the space…
Triton released new audience data this week and the most interesting thing on the ranker is the fact that Clear Channel’s streaming platform is beginning to pick up steam, with stats growing 7% from April to May.
As RAIN points out in their analysis yesterday afternoon, Pandora‘s number grew about 4% from April to May, which could be an indicator of slowing in terms of their exponential growth. With more than a billion session starts and close to a million active sessions during the month, their market share is massive. Clear Channel’s growing active session number is approaching just 15% of Pandora’s number.
One thing that can continue to drive Clear Channel’s growth is their ability to brand iHeartRadio throughout their media empire. The deals that they have signed with other broadcast companies also drive listener registration for the iHeartRadio platform. Once registered, those listeners to Cox, Greater Media, Cumulus, or other partner stations in the platform, can easily be converted to listeners to iHeartRadio. Recently introduced features such as artist curated channels, personalized listening options, and social offerings are helping to drive both sampling and listening to iHeartRadio.
Here’s the ranker:
Spotify has moved to offer its mobile streaming options, previously locked down under a monthly subscription, free to listeners. In an obvious response to the exponential growth that Pandora has experienced in mobile listening, Spotify will now feature “free mobile radio – Spotify style”.
The offerings feature the ability to create a station from a song, artist or genre and unlimited listening. Calling it the only free radio that you can save, Spotify mobile offers interactive options to like or dislike a song to influence your station or save the song to a playlist. Until now, it cost ten bucks to get all that on your mobile devices.
It sounds like a good offering, one I’ll bet Spotify wishes they had jumped on a little earlier. Pandora, with 150 million registered users and direct connections on lots of dashboards and tuner devices, has had a handy headstart. This move by Spotify is recognition of the impact that a popular free app in the iPhone and iPad app stores can make.
Free users in the US will hear advertisements from the following launch partners: Chevrolet, Durex, Heineken, Red Stag by Jim Beam, Lipton Iced Tea, Macy’s, McDonalds, Progressive, Red Bull, Taco Bell, Verizon Wireless, and Warner Bros – all of which are current Spotify advertisers.
As for Pandora, I suspect they knew it was only a matter of time before Spotify moved to pick up a piece of all that mobile listening to Pandora for free. They may even welcome the fact that Spotify will now join in their efforts to monetize mobile streaming ads…
Pandora has announced a reseller program that enables companies with local sales teams to sell Pandora ads as part of their portfolio. This is a way that the company can expand beyond the top tier markets where they have their own sellers, to smaller markets. Apparently it’s been in place for a few months now – and it’s working – the local advertising strategy has resulted in more than 800 local advertising campaigns scheduled to run this year, a 100 percent increase from just two months ago.
This year, Pandora has been placing lots of emphasis on expanding its ability to sell ads market by market – a strategy previously considered the turf of local broadcast stations. They hired Edison Research to parse data and create local market comparisons to Arbitron data subscribed to by local radio stations, and more recently contracted with Triton for market by market ratings.
With 70% of their massive audience on mobile devices, Pandora can offer local market media companies a lot of extra clout in reaching mobile customers. Mobile impressions are probably more valuable as location based ads, targeting listeners who are close to an advertiser location. A local sales team can drill down to that level and find advertisers suitable for those impressions.
Pandora Chief Revenue Officer John Trimble said, “Consumers are increasingly mobile, and advertisers want to be where their consumers are. We have a clear advantage, both in our scale of more than 100 million people accessing Pandora on mobile, and our unique ability to help advertisers reach targeted audiences through both visual and audio ad formats.”
Some of the media companies maximizing their reach through the Pandora Local Reseller Program include:The Miami Herald (a McClatchy newspaper), The Salt Lake Tribune, The Tacoma News Tribune (a McClatchynewspaper), The Ventura County Star (an E.W. Scripps Company newspaper) and U-T San Diego.


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Representatives warn of mass layoffs, bankruptcies without government-backed loans, wage subsidies
Representatives of Canada’s COVID-19-crippled travel and tourism industry are warning of mass layoffs and large-scale bankruptcies if the federal government fails to step up with aid for the sector.
MPs on the House of Commons industry committee heard grim stories on Monday about the devastating toll the pandemic is taking on the travel and hospitality sector. Industry leaders said existing federal programs either don’t help their members, or aren’t enough to keep businesses afloat.
Charlotte Bell, president of the Travel Industry Association of Canada, said while other businesses have been allowed to gradually reopen, the tourism sector continues to take a beating due to travel restrictions and border closures. “The visitor economy is unlike other sectors. We can’t provide curb-side products and services nor can we sell experiences online to keep the lights on,” she said.
Bell called for a government-backed loan program, which she said is critical because banks will not extend loans to those businesses deemed too risky. She also pushed for an extension of the federal wage subsidy program until May 2021 to avoid mass layoffs and bankruptcies.
The federal wage subsidy program covers 75 per cent of wages, up to $847 a week per employee. Bell said the government should also consider tax credits or grants for the hotels, conference centres, airports and others that are spending millions to make their locations safe through signage and infrastructure.
“These are maybe stop gaps, but they’re not going to save the industry. The industry needs liquidity and it needs it very urgently,” she said.
Hotels on the brink
Susie Grynol of the Hotel Association of Canada warned that more than a quarter of hotels in Canada would be forced to close if the federal government does not inject more immediate financial aid.
She said there is a misconception that most chain brand properties are operated by big non-Canadian corporations, when in fact they are independently run by franchise owners, many of them local entrepreneurs or families.
Mass gathering and distancing restrictions have left many hotels hanging by a thread, with most grappling with a revenue loss of 70-90 per cent, Grynol told MPs.
“If there is nothing done, we anticipate that at least 25 per cent, likely more than that, of our sector will go under,” she said.
The hotel industry represents more than 8,000 hotels, motels and resorts in Canada, which employ more than 300,000 Canadians and contribute about $10 billion in taxes to all three levels of government.
Grynol agreed that a government-backed loan program is crucial for hotels to survive. She also called for a program that is equivalent to a commercial rent assistance program to cover three months of mortgage payments.
Noting the wage subsidy program has been a lifeline for many hotel operators, she asked that it be extended beyond September to keep employees on the payroll and businesses alive.
“Our future is in your hands. The government will be making life and death decisions for many hotels. We hope that you will recognize that not every sector is alike. It is time to transition into sector-specific support measures in order to bridge hard-hit industries like ours, to the other side,” she said.
John Power, spokesperson for Industry Minister Navdeep Bains, said the government brought in various programs to support the tourism sector, including close to a billion dollars to boost funding for regional development agencies. That funding has already provided aid to many tourism businesses that didn’t qualify for other programs, he said.
The government also announced $110 million to support Canadian tourism, which includes $30 million for domestic marketing and $80 million for local tourism agencies and tourism-related projects. A new industry strategy council will help assess other needs for various sectors, including tourism, Power added.
“We have always stood up for Canadian tourism and transportation workers, and we will continue to do so,” he said in an email.
Conservative MP and committee member Blake Richards said COVID-19 is having a “profound” effect on tourism operators and businesses, and many of them worry the government has not provided enough support.
He pointed to a Tourism Industry Association of Canada Report which predicted that without further government action, 61,000 tourism businesses in Canada, or 57 per cent, are projected to fail. That could mean the loss of employment for 1.66 million Canadians, he said.
“The tourism sector was the first hit at the start of the pandemic and it is amongst the hardest hit industries. Job losses and business closures in this sector will also disproportionately affect women, youth, visible minorities, new Canadians and Indigenous people,” he said.
“The Liberal government needs to be taking a proactive approach to consulting with the tourism industry and to understanding the profound impact the pandemic has had on them.”
NDP MP and committee member Brian Masse said today’s testimony revealed that the tourism industry has been “abandoned” by existing federal aid programs.
“Businesses are shut out, don’t qualify or can’t use what the Liberals created. The government has either chosen not to fix it or can not be bothered since they have been caught up in distractions of their own making,” he said.
“What is needed immediately is a sector-specific package. Tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of communities are at significant risk without action now.”


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W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, recently opened the doors to Melbourne’s first luxury lifestyle hotel – W Melbourne – at 408 Flinders Lane.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation recently announced that a Hyatt affiliate entered into a franchise agreement with 50 Third Street Owner LP for Park Central San Francisco to join the Hyatt portfolio as an affiliated hotel, effective December 18, 2020.
Azerai Ke Ga Bay, an elegant and secluded oceanfront retreat in Southeastern Vietnam, recently debuted as the third property in Azerai Resorts’ growing portfolio.
Priyanka Kapoor, senior regional director of sales and marketing, EMEA, India Swiss-Belhotel International, spoke about the group’s strategies for ‘Future of Revenue Management’ at the annual ROC Middle East 2020 – Revenue Optimisation Conference.
This year marks EAST Hong Kong's 10th anniversary, and to celebrate the guest rooms are receiving a timely and elegant upgrade, incorporating sustainability and in keeping with guest feedback over the past decade.
Atlantica Hotels & Resorts has recently announced that the four-star Atlantica Aqua Blue will now operate under the management of the largest hotel group of Cyprus and Greece.
Azerai Ke Ga Bay, an elegant and secluded oceanfront retreat in Southeastern Vietnam, debuted this month as the third property in Azerai Resorts’ growing portfolio.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,000 hotels across 90 countries, recently announced its continued expansion in Dubai with the opening of the 290-room upscale Wyndham Dubai Deira, and the 94-key Super 8 by Wyndham Dubai Deira – its first property in the UAE under the stylish economy brand.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has recently announced that it will manage and re-brand the historic Savoy Baur en Ville hotel in Zurich, from 2024.


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Two innovative entrepreneurs show that youth can be a stepping stone to success
By Tsepiso Theko
Robert Matema is proof that former president Thabo Mbeki was onto something when he championed education as a means of learning something new.
After bagging his honours degree in Industrial Engineering and halfway through his Masters, Matema got a job with LTS health, a company dealing with laboratory performance improvement, where he worked as an interior designer.
In 2018 he moved to the UK and worked for LTS on different projects. After much consideration and what may also have been boredom, his company Good People lifestyle was born.
Good People lifestyle is an innovative concept that seeks to redefine small businesses. After doing his research and exploring ways of entrepreneurship, Matema came up with the brilliant idea of offering retail space to small businesses.
The idea is to offer retail space and exposure to high market for small businesses that operate in townships garages and streets. It is specifically for young entrepreneurs offering fresh, innovative and interesting products. Entrepreneurs can rent hangers and tables for a certain period of time in different markets. It is basically taking your business to the right people.
Another inspiring burgeoning entrepreneur is Xolani Sifundza, who is, amongst many other titles, the president of the SRC at the University of Johannesburg. Growing up Sifundza loved politics avidly and possessed leadership traits that are evident to date. Albeit his interests changed from politics to business, Sifundza remains an entrepreneurial thought leader. He developed an interest in business because of entrepreneur DJ Sbu, whom he later met and became a mentee of.
The 21-year-old is currently doing his final year in Business Management, majoring in Entrepreneurship and Marketing. Kujenga Mali group financial services is a financial technology start-up company that is seeking to create financial security for informal traders. Growing up under the care of an informal trader, Sifundza saw the social demand and the business opportunity in the situation. The idea is both generous and forward-thinking. According to Xolani, this will be done through e-payments, pension funds and education funds for children.
The financial innovator is passionate about the development of Africa and believes that young people can bring change through entrepreneurship.


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Long gone are the days when hungry visitors to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden were limited to cheese pizza and plain burgers. You can still get those good ol’ American favorites — along with popcorn, cotton candy and Dippin’ Dots — but the zoo has seriously stepped up its dining game to please visitors’ palates in the age of food trucks and Instagrammable delicacies, opening three new dining options to be followed by a beer garden in the fall. And on May 21, they hosted a press preview day where we got to sample the new eats.
In March, the Cincinnati Zoo completely made over The Grove, its hub for all tasty things situated between Manatee Springs and Lemur Lookout. The space feels less like a food court and more like what you’d expect from the new food truck park in Cincinnati’s East End. The zoo’s first addition here was a sophisticated black-and-red food truck called The Coop.
The Coop offers crispy hand-breaded chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches and poutine. The sweet potato poutine is a complete meal in and of itself. Smothered in a country-style maple gravy, The Coop takes just-thick-enough sweet potato fries and tops them with fresh cheese curds and fried chicken.
An old shipping container at The Grove is home to Taco Caja, which serves its fare on soft, chewy flour tortillas. Taco Caja has four taco options: Both the chicken and barbacoa tacos come with salsa, sour cream, onion, cilantro and cotija cheese, and the fried fish taco is topped with an avocado slaw. But the spicy fried cauliflower is king of this taco stand.
If you’ve yet to jump on the cauliflower-everything bandwagon and are still a little suspicious of the colorless veggie, eat it fried. On this taco, cauliflower comes topped with all the garnishes of the chicken and barbacoa options and includes a smoky chipotle salsa.
Here, you can also grab a churro donut. These fluffy, cinnamon-sugar delicacies are finished with a drizzle of caramel.
Wild Burger, a retro Airstream trailer that harkens back to the days of shiny roadside diners and soda fountains that served milkshakes in a glass, is the third of the zoo’s new stations at The Grove. Wild Burger grills up four types of ground-beef burgers, all served with tomato and lettuce.
The classic Wild Burger is topped with American cheese and Wild Sauce, whereas a few others offer up a little more variety. Their flavors come from a thick fondue drizzled over the patty and include a mushroom and Swiss cheese fondue, a maple-goetta fondue and a blue cheese and bacon fondue.
As stylish as they are, these new dining options are far from a gimmick.
“We see over 1.5 million people come through every year,” says Cincinnati Zoo executive chef John Bird. With all those people to feed, he says that the zoo wanted to take a more varied approach to its food offerings. “It can be trendy (to have food trucks), but it can also be accessible.”
Of course, The Grove isn’t the only place to eat here. Cincinnati favorites like LaRosa’s and Skyline are still available, and the Base Camp Café — which has been a mainstay at the zoo since 2013 — updates its menu seasonally to keep it fresh. The spring salad mixes arugula with strawberries, fava beans, dry-aged cheddar and a Champagne vinaigrette, and the herbaceous carved sandwich stacks sliced turkey and provolone with a tomato basil aioli between slices of rosemary focaccia.
In the fall, the zoo will open The Watering Hole, a beer garden and restaurant overlooking the new Roo Valley habitat, which is currently under construction. (Slated to open in 2020, Roo Valley is an Australian-themed exhibit that will replace the current Wildlife Canyon.) The beer garden will feature a large deck that seats over 100 people, says Bird, and will fire up pizzas in a real Italian brick oven. Features on that menu will include a margherita flatbread with crushed tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil; Brussels sprouts topped with béchamel sauce and fontina cheese; and roasted cauliflower in a savory romesco sauce with almonds and parsley.
If all goes according to plan, Bird says that The Watering Hole will open between August and October, so visitors luckily won’t have to wait too long to enjoy the new space. In the meantime, digging in at The Grove is the way to go.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is located at 3400 Vine St., Avondale. More info/tickets: cincinnatizoo.org.


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Teen Arrested for Allegedly Breaking Into Galloway Restaurant, Store
A 15-year-old man is facing a list of charges after Galloway Township Police say he broke into a restaurant and a convenience store over the past several days.
Galloway Police say they responded to Giovanni’s II Restaurant for a report of a burglary around 3:00 Monday morning. The business owner happened to be at the restaurant at the time and interrupted the crime. The suspect, a 15-year-old black male, fled.
Cops say the owner gave them both a good description of the suspect and surveillance footage. After reviewing that footage, investigators were able to determine where the suspect fled to and cops visited that home. A search of that residence was granted by the teen's parent and clothing matching the description and the surveillance video was found.
Cops also say clothing matching that which was worn by a suspect in two similar burglaries was also recovered. The two previous incidents occurred at the Collins Convenience Store on November 3rd and 8th.
The teen was arrested and charged with three counts each of burglary, theft and criminal mischief. The juvenile was processed and released to the custody of his parent/guardian pending court.


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new South China Morning Post The report says China is expanding its restrictions on online gaming for minors to include live streaming, audio and video, and social media services. The new rules, which are currently open to public feedback, call on all online service providers to create a “youth mode” with restrictions on the allowed usage time, content, and the amount they are allowed to spend on online purchases.
Draft document (Google translated) says that the number of underage Internet users in China has reached 183 million, and the “internet penetration rate” for minors is 94.9%, well above the overall rate of 70.4%. It’s a powerful educational tool, but it also opens the door to “illegal and unscrupulous information” that minors generally don’t know how to properly handle.
In this regard, Chinese Secretary-General Xi Jinping called for “strengthening cyberspace management in accordance with the law, strengthening online content creation, and creating a clean cyberspace for the majority of netizens, especially young people.”
The new rules address four main issues:
- Internet literacy among minors
- Content standards
- Protection of personal information of minors
- Prevention and fight against Internet addiction among minors
Interestingly, the rules apply not only to online service providers, but also to hardware manufacturers that make and sell mobile devices and computers, who must “accept state and public oversight” and install access restriction software on their products before releasing them to the general public.
BUT Reuters The report says some Chinese companies, including streaming platforms Tencent Video and iQIYI, have already implemented “youth regime” systems for minors. But the tightening of restrictions by the Chinese government is taking a toll on many of the country’s big players: stock prices of both tencent as well as iQIYIas well as Chinese video hosting Bilbilidropped sharply since early 2021.


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iPhone 5S Due June 2013: Analyst Predicts Features
A prominent tech industry analyst has predicted that an update to the iPhone 5, the iPhone 5S, will ship in June 2013. Aside from improved hardware specifications, the analyst believes the new device will also come in a number of different colors.
Jeffries analyst Peter Misek recently unveiled his predictions for a new version of the iPhone 5. Misek believes the device will come equipped with a "super HD" camera and screen and will feature a longer battery life.
iPhone 5S to Receive Long-Awaited NFC Technology
Misek also believes an updated iPhone 5 will receive Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, allowing iPhone owners to use the device like a credit card when making payments at retail stores. (Source: latimes.com)
NFC tech can also be used to wirelessly transfer files from one device to another.
Many Apple fans had hoped that NFC technology would be included in the iPhone 5 released in 2012. However, that didn't prove to be the case -- even though various Android phones have since shipped with NFC features built-in.
In fact, there are a number of Android smartphones on the market right now that allow users to transfer data simply by tapping two phones together.
iPhone 5S the First Colorful iPhone?
Misek also believes an iPhone 5S will ship in at least six different colors. Given that Apple has offered iPod Touch and Nano fans a wide choice of colors for years, it makes sense that iPhone users would be given a similar range of color options.
With Nokia and Samsung offering smartphones in different colors, Apple may be feeling pressure to give its iPhone a little more personality.
Finally, Misek suggested that Apple could release a cheaper version of the iPhone alongside the iPhone 5S next June. A possible price range for such a device: $200 to $250. (Source: cnet.com)
It's worth noting that Misek has made several correct predictions about iPhone releases in the past.
However, the Jeffries analyst recently missed the mark when suggesting a possible date for the iPad Mini's unveiling.
Misek originally insisted that Apple would show off the 7-inch tablet in September, when the device wasn't actually unveiled until October 2012.
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Quick: Name Toyota’s bestselling vehicle.
If you said the RAV4, you’d be spot-on correct. Up nearly 6% in sales compared to last year, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 has once again clawed its way up Mount Crossover, beating both the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue to the peak. Completely redesigned and full of the hippest tech in the market, Toyota’s top SUV leaves no question as to why Americans continue to buy the RAV4. It just checks all those checkbox boxes—and then some.


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The winner of CBC Saskatchewan's Boom Box competition for aboriginal entrepreneurs is Meadow Lake's Jana Ross.
"I'm thinking, 'Wow.' I'm thinking, 'I'm shocked and I'm happy.' And this is just a really great boost that I need for my business," Ross said after getting the news.
On Thursday night, Ross walked away with the $4,000 top prize and loads of advice from business experts after impressing the three judges. This year's judges are entrepreneur Brett Wilson, PotashCorp's Darryl Stann and Métis businessman John Lagimodiere.
Ross pitched her clothing line called Bannock Republic.
The idea, she said, is to showcase aboriginal culture and humour in clothing form.
The second-place winner was Brandy-Lee Maxi with her AB-Original Health and Fitness, followed by third place winner, Stephanie Cappo for Steph's cakes.
The competition and the winners will be on CBC television on Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. CST.