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Boss behind Mr Kipling's cakes defends decision to reject three takeover offers from US food giant McCormick
The boss of the company behind Mr Kipling's cakes has defended the company's decision to reject three takeover offers from US-based food giant McCormick.
Gavin Darby, chief executive of Hertfordshire-based Premier Foods said: 'The majority of shareholders recognise that there was never a bid from McCormick, it was a phantom bid.'
But, last month, Premier Foods' second biggest shareholder, Paulson & Co, branded the bid rejections as 'extremely disappointing'.
Defence: Gavin Darby, chief executive of Hertfordshire-based Premier Foods said: 'The majority of shareholders recognise that there was never a bid from McCormick, it was a phantom bid'
Instead of tying up with McCormick, Premier announced a collaboration agreement with Japanese firm Nissin, which now holds a 19.9 per cent stake in the company.
Mr Darby's comments come as Premier Foods published its preliminary results for the past 12 months today.
Pre-tax profits increased by 3.5 per cent to £386.1million, while total sales climbed 0.6 per cent to £771million.
In the fourth quarter, the group's sales rose by 1.4 per cent to £185.5million.
The company said it expects revenues to increase by around two to four per cent a year and said it will start paying shareholders a dividend again in a 'couple of years' once it reduces its net debts further.
Looking ahead, Mr Darby said: 'The focus is now on growth, our first meeting with Nissin is this week.
'Nissin wants to see its products in UK supermarkets and we want to grow internationally, and Nissin has a big presence in the US and China, so the collaboration makes sense.'
To reach the position where it would be deemed a takeover, Nissin would have to increase its stake in Premier Foods to 29.9 per cent.
Deal: Instead of tying up with McCormick, Premier announced a collaboration agreement with Japanese firm Nissin
Sales: In the fourth quarter, sales at Premier Foods rose by 1.4 per cent to £185.5million
The company said it would look at its manufacturing and warehousing operations closely for efficiencies, while adding that it expects little impact from the rise in the national living wage.
Commenting on the group's results, analysts at Jefferies said they saw signs of a 'hitherto-elusive virtuous circle of top line and bottom line growth emerging, with further efficiency gains promised in (fiscal year) 17.'
Shares in Premier Foods are up 2.98 per cent or 1.17p to 40.42p this morning.
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When managers don't fill up a maintenance supervisor's day with paperwork, they are at their most effective. Here's maintenance supervisors can best serve a company by being active in several roles.
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Falcon customers' savings included 4 percent from both freight and error-related costs, and another 3 from labor-related costs.
The "Uncover… For Manufacturer Reps" program is a proprietary distributor satisfaction survey that enables independent manufacturer rep agencies to solicit feedback from their distributors.
In the wake of the West Coast ports fiasco, BoldIQ wants to bring its operations optimization engine to supply chain organizations after past and ongoing success with aviation providers.
After a solid third quarter of growth, Airgas executive chairman Peter McCausland and CEO Michael Molini discuss the impact of uncertainty in the U.S. dollar and shifting oil prices on the company's Q4 outlook.
PointClear President and CEO Dan McDade concludes his series on how distributors can learn from mistakes made by early adopters of customer relationship management.
In this second segment of a three-part series, PointClear President and CEO Dan McDade discusses how distributors can learn from mistakes made by early adopters of big data analytics.
MSC's recent investments temporarily hindered operating margins, but in the end will produce long-term returns in the form of top-line growth, and increased sales and profitability.
The company generated a net income of $0.4 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, compared to net income of $5.8 million, or $7.28 per diluted share, for fiscal year 2013.
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On Wednesday Applied Industrial Technologies reported results for its fourth quarter and fiscal 2014 year ended June 30.
Graybar recently reported record net sales for the second quarter and the first six months of the year.
SIFCO Industries, Inc. announced Friday the financial results for its third quarter of fiscal year 2014, which ended June 30, 2014.
Ingersoll-Rand plc’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend on Friday.
Kaman Corp. Monday reported financial results for the second quarter that ended June 27, 2014.
Abe WalkingBear Sanchez uses an analogy to explain the Profit Imperative, emphasizing that the "why" drives the "what" and the "how."
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These industrial distributors have not only designed and installed more AutoCrib systems than most distributors, but have made significant training investments in their personnel to ensure that customers receive superior service and rapid support for their AutoCrib systems.
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Beast Hunters is the theme of the new season of Transformers Prime, including all toy line representations. The new theme will introduce a new villain, the robot dragon Predaking, and the official launch date for the new line is February 11th.
IDW is releasing the comic book series, with three variant covers of issue #1. The new season of the animated series will follow in the Spring. As far as the new toys, here’s what fans can expect:
New Legion scale figures will include Soundwave, Blaster and Prowl, along with new Predacon Hun-Gurrr.
Also coming soon are the Commander scale Starscream with Tunder Talon and Shockwave.
New Deluxe class include Ratchet, Dreadwing and Predacon Skystalker.
Voyager Class Wave 2 is coming, with Shockwave (including detachable Beast Armor), Ultra Magnus and Grimwing with Blackbeak.
Beast Hunter Optimus Prime will include a sword and shield, complete with five spinning dragon cannons.
His new nemesis Predaking will be a Target exclusive, with a light-up “dragon breath” feature, and a massive 21″ wingspan. The figure will also include a tail that transforms into his sword.
A new sub line is launching called Construct-O-Bots, action figures “evolved” from a LEGO Bionicle style framework. These figures will include a mix-and-match style, with customizable parts swapping options.
The entry price point figures will include Ironhide and Starscream (both in G1 deco). Elite figures will include Soundwave and Wheeljack, while the Triple Changers class will feature Bumblebee and Blitzwing.
The Ultimates are the top class, and will include Optimus Prime and Megatron. All figures will include reusable storage containers complete with red and purple storage trays and a full color construction book.
The Generations line will continue, celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Trasnformers in 2014. They have partnered with IDW for a new story to celebrate, and variant comic pack-ins with Deluxe Class figures. A new Bumblebee was revealed, along with the rest of Wave 3– a plane version of Megatron, Trailcutter and Orion Pax.
Generations Legends Class include Optimus Prime and Rollbar, Bumblebee and minibot Blaster. Voyager Class will include Triple Changers of Blitzwing and Springer.
New Platinum Edition figures include Ultra Magnus and a two-pack featuring Grimlock (complete with vac-metallized parts) vs. Bruticus. And the Masterpiece Series will include two new figures– Acid Storm and Soundwave, who will include all five cassettes.
The BIG news (literally) is the new Titan Scale– this new class will see the release of the massive Megaplex, with both city and vehicle modes! This massive 24″ tall set will be in scale with Legends Class Transformers, and will include an exclusive Scamper figure. It will retail for around $125, available this Fall.
Stay tuned for more news all week long from Toy Fair, and check back soon for photos from the Hasbro Show Room Floor!


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record rise in cumin
During the Rabi season 2021-2022, the area under cumin has declined by an estimated 21 percent year-on-year to 9.83 lakh hectares. Of the two major cumin producing states, the area under cultivation has declined by 22 per cent in Gujarat and 20 per cent in Rajasthan.
Cumin now in the list of expensive food itemsCumin) is also going to be included. If a report is to be believed, then the price of cumin may reach a record level in the coming time. CRISIL (Crisil) Research has said in its report that this year the sowing of cumin was less. At the same time, the crop has also been damaged due to rain, so the price of cumin can reach the highest level of 5 years. According to the report, the prices of cumin in the current crop season (Price) can see an increase of 30 to 35 percent. It has been said in the report that the area under cumin crop was already reduced due to sowing of other crops by the farmers, there is a possibility of further reduction in the supply due to rain.
Prices may reach the highest level of 5 years
CRISIL Research has said in a report that due to low acreage and crop damage due to excess rainfall, cumin prices may increase by 30-35 percent to a five-year high in the crop season 2021-2022. According to the report, the prices of cumin seeds can go up to Rs 165-170 per kg due to low yield. In the crop season 2021-22 (November-May), the production of cumin is expected to remain low due to various reasons, which can push the prices of cumin seeds to a five-year high. CRISIL estimates that cumin prices may increase by 30-35 percent to touch Rs 165-170 per kg in Rabi season 2021-2022 As a result, it has come down by 21 percent to 9.83 lakh hectares. Of the two major cumin producing states, the area under cultivation has declined by 22 per cent in Gujarat and 20 per cent in Rajasthan.
Farmers attracted towards mustard and gram
According to the report, the fall in acreage is due to farmers shifting to mustard and gram crops. Farmers have been attracted to their cultivation due to the rise in the prices of mustard and gram. It has been informed in the report that many farmers cultivating cumin have sown crops that pay better prices in their fields. Due to which the area under cultivation of cumin has decreased and due to decrease in production, there is a possibility of increase in prices.
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Thousands of customers were misled by Dell into purchasing add-on monitors under the guise of saving money while paying full price.
LG's new StanbyME Go 27 portable monitor fits in a suitcase and can run for three hours on its built-in battery.
Nvidia has announced its second generation of ultra-low motion blur technology, dubbed ULMB 2 that substantially increases image quality over its predecessor.
BOE showcased its 110-inch 16K panel at Display Week 2023. This unit is a prototype built for the show and there's no timeline for when (if) it will be available.
From rollable displays to a 77-inch QD-OLED panel, Samsung Display is covering all angles with its OLED technology.
The UStation Delta tries for a screen space vs portability sweet spot with its twin 15.6-inch folding design and up to 4 hr battery.
New 32-inch QD mini-LED monitor launched in China seems to offer unbeatable specs for the price, but potential buyers need to watch for independent reviews.
LG's UltraGear 49GR85DC is now available from retailers like Amazon, bringing 5120 x 1440 resolution gaming at 240Hz.
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Brattleboro, VT - December 2, 2013
Increase in Corporate Sustainability Programs Spurs Green Job Growth for North American Recycling Container Manufacturers.
Today, corporate sustainability programs are booming. Waste and recycling is listed as the top sustainability initiative in businesses and institutions. Recycling is the least expensive highest profile way to showcase your commitment to the environment. Fortune Global 500 companies are placing a premium on reporting outcomes of their recycling programs. The Value of Sustainability Reporting 2013 study by Ernst & Young and the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship found that “corporate reputation, expanding transparency and reporting positive deeds” are the most important ways to build public trust in their businesses. The study revealed that more than 50 percent of survey respondents said that sustainability reporting improved their firm’s reputation not only with customers but also with employees. Furthermore, the study revealed a 36 percent increase of inquiries by shareholders regarding the company’s responsibility for recycling products.
Corporate recycling programs success depends on the right container, requiring purchases of large quantity, high-quality recycling bins. Michael Alexander, President of Recycle Away a leading supplier and designer of innovative recycling containers manufactured in North America, brings 25 years of experience in sustainability management to the service side of the company. “Anyone can sell a recycling container, but not everyone will know how to make it work for the customer. Our strategic partnerships with 15 North American-based manufacturers allows us to design the right recycling containers for our customers’ budget and setting.”
As these sustainability initiatives take hold, companies like Recycle Away support these new revenue streams that help family-owned U.S. manufacturing companies provide high-paying green jobs to thousands of U.S. based employees. Manufacturers rely on distributors like Recycle Away to bring distinction to the growing market of recycling containers. Michael Alexander explains the importance of their consulting services. “One of our customers, PNC Bank, is in the race to lead the banking industry in meeting a zero-waste goal. Recycle Away helped in every aspect of the implementation process by customizing the containers with corporate branding and design, identifying which line of products would encourage employee participation, improving cost-savings through landfill diversion, implementing best practices to prevent cross-contamination, and selecting the container that fits perfectly with the design of their new corporate office. Helping companies kick off a successful corporate recycling program involves more than just sales.”
Ex-Cell Kaiser, a family-owned Chicago-area company founded in 1933, introduced their first recycling container into the market just ten years ago. Recycling is now the key driver to their growth. “Individual consumers are holding corporations accountable by demanding social and environmental responsibility, fueling the demand for recycling bins for offices and other commercial spaces,” says Anna Cosentino, VP of Ex-Cell Kaiser. “Our partnership with Recycle Away has enabled corporations to meet their green initiatives, while simultaneously helping us retain and expand manufacturing jobs at our Chicago-based factory.”
Recycle Away and Trash Cans Warehouse, both headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, provide complete recycling solutions to corporations, governments, colleges, schools, and non-profit organizations. They specialize in Recycling Containers for schools, public parks, offices, manufacturing facilities, events, and corporate recycling Bins.
Ex-Cell Kaiser, a Chicago-based developer and manufacturer of unique, high-quality recycling, hospitality and facility management products.
Recycle Away / Trash Cans Warehouse


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Robotics Startup Nuro & Domino's to Deliver Pizza Using Unmanned Autonomous Vehicles
Domino's Pizza, one of the biggest pizza chains in the U.S., said it is launching a pilot with well-funded Silicon Valley-based autonomous robotics startup Nuro, to deliver customer orders using small autonomous vehicles. The pilot will begin later this year in Houston.
Domino's will offer autonomous pizza delivery using a custom-built unmanned vehicle from Nuro known as the "R2". The compact robotic vehicles will deliver orders to Domino's customers who place their orders online.
Nuro's self-driving delivery service first launched in 2018 with grocery chain Kroger.
The company said that partnering with Domino's marks an important next step in its journey to become the autonomous delivery partner of choice for retailers of all kinds.
"We are excited to expand our autonomous delivery service in Houston with Domino's delivery," noted Cosimo Leipold, Nuro's head of partner relations. "Domino's delivers millions of pizzas around the world every day, and the company shares our passion for focusing on the customer experience. We see incredible opportunity in offering Nuro's world-class autonomous technology to Domino's customers, accelerating our shared mission to transform local commerce."
Instead of carrying passengers, Nuro is developing a fleet of small self-driving vehicles that are designed for businesses and e-commerce to deliver a wide variety of goods from restaurant meals, dry cleaning and groceries.
Nuro's vehicles have a maximum speed of 25 mph, making them safer to use in public locations. Unlike vehicles that are designed to carry passengers, Nuro's robotic vehicles can be engineered and built from the ground up more quickly.
Since they don't carry humans, the driverless vehicles do not require seat belts (or seats), airbags, windows, infotainment and other features found on passenger vehicles. Nuro said the vehicle's software is programmed to prioritize humans over its cargo at all times for an added layer of safety.
Nuro said the autonomous vehicles are completely aware of their surroundings at all times. The delivery vehicles yield for pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles, while recognizing traffic signals and obeying all local traffic laws.
How it Works
Select customers who place an online order from one of Domino's participating Houston stores will have the opportunity to use Nuro's autonomous vehicle for delivery. Once they have opted in, customers can track the vehicle in real-time via the Domino's app and will be provided with a unique PIN code to unlock the secure compartment to remove their pizza.
"We are always looking for new ways to innovate and evolve the delivery experience for our customers," said Kevin Vasconi, Domino's executive vice president and chief information officer. "Nuro's vehicles are specially designed to optimize the food delivery experience, which makes them a valuable partner in our autonomous vehicle journey. The opportunity to bring our customers the choice of an unmanned delivery experience, and our operators an additional delivery solution during a busy store rush, is an important part of our autonomous vehicle testing."
Since being founded in 2016, Nuro has become one of the hottest startups in Silicon Valley. The company has raised more than $1 billion in financing from investors including the Softbank Vision Fund and Greylock.
The company put together a team of world-renowned experts in robotics, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and product design. Many of Nuro's employees previously worked on autonomous driving projects at top companies such as Google, Apple, Uber and Tesla.
"Nuro's initial application of transporting goods through self-driving technology has allowed us to build a real service and have immediate impact on communities," said Dave Ferguson, Co-founder of Nuro in April after expanding the autonomous grocery delivery pilot with Kroger to Houston.
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Apple picks logo fight down under
- Steven E.F. Brown
Computer and popular electronics business Apple Inc. has picked another trademark fight, this time in Australia.
Cupertino-based Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) asked antipodean trademark regulator IP Australia to reject an application by retail chain Woolworths Ltd., saying the company’s stylized green “W” logo looks too much like Apple’s own ubiquitous mark.
Woolworths, started in 1924 in Sydney as “Woolworths Stupendous Bargain Basement,” applied for approval of its new logo in August.
Apple worries that Woolies, as the chain is known, which already sells mobile phones, might move into more direct competition by entering the electronics and computer markets.
In the past, Apple has been quite litigious, suing just about anybody who uses an apple in their logo. A year ago Apple sued the Victoria School of Business and Technology in Canada — while critics said a school could hardly be confused by consumers with a computer company.
Apple also sued New York — the Big Apple itself — in 2008 over an ecology campaign called “GreeNYC.”
And Apple had a famous fight with Apple Corps, which owned rights to songs by the Beatles, that was finally settled in 2007.
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Feedback is invited to help update the strategy which guides the way Orkney Islands Council procures work, goods and services.
Comments on the Council’s current Procurement Strategy – and how it can be taken forward for the years ahead – can be provided until Monday 21 January 2019.
More information is available here along with a link to on an online survey.
Earlier this year, a Meet the Buyer event provided local businesses with the opportunity to find out about work planned by the Council in future years. The input the firms provided will also shape the draft strategy for 2019-2021.
Gillian Morrison, the Council’s Executive Director of Corporate Services, said: “We hope that a wide range of contractors and suppliers who do or would like to do business with OIC will take part in the consultation.
"We welcome feedback and all responses received will be considered carefully before a final version of the strategy for 2019-2021 is adopted by the Council.”
If you require a paper version of the survey, please contact Rosemary Colsell by phoning 01856 873535 extension 2640 or by sending an email to Rosemary.


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Chrysler's plan for the next five years includes a radical shift in its product lineup--one that doubles the number of Chrysler-badged vehicles, while the Dodge brand refocuses on performance.
In a reversal of the past two decades, the Chrysler brand will now be marketed as a mainstream brand--not premium.
In a press conference at its U.S. headquarters in Auburn Hills, Chrysler executives confirmed the following new products will be launched through the 2018 calendar year:
2015: The 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan is the brand's big launch this year; the Town & Country minivan and 300 sedan are carryovers--except the Chrysler 300 SRT, which ends production after the 2014 model year.2016: A new Chrysler Town & Countryminivan becomes the company's only sliding-door people mover, as the Dodge Grand Caravan is being cancelled. A plug-in hybrid version will get up to 75 MPGe.
In the same year, the Chrysler 100 compact sedan will be added to the lineup. It's unknown if it will live on the same architecture as the current Dodge Dart--which is only four cubic feet smaller inside than the Chrysler 200.
2017: A full-size crossover with plug-in hybrid technology will be introduced, as a sort-of successor to the old Chrysler Pacifica.
2018: A new Chrysler 300 bows, some 13 years after the first version was introduced in 2005. There's no word on what will underpin this new sedan, or if it will remain essentially a rear-wheel-drive car. In the same year, Chrysler will also introduce a new mid-size crossover.


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Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 26
By Fatih Karimov – Trend:
The latest data released by the Iranian Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade reveals that the performance of the products used in the construction sector still faces challenges to come out of the stagnation.
The country’s cement industry witnessed a decline in its performance as the industrial material’s output over the first seven months of the current fiscal year (started March 20) registered a fall by 4.3 percent year-on-year, to 33.169 million tons.
On a monthly basis 4.584 million tons of cement were produced in the seventh Iranian calendar month (Sept. 22-Oct. 22, 2017), 6.3 percent less compared to the preceding month.
Iran's cement sector is suffering various problems, including deep recession in construction activities and an inadequate provision of natural gas to industrial users as well as a considerable export fall due to global slump in oil prices and regional issues.
Iran produced 54.1 million tons of cement in last fiscal year (ended March 2017), 6.6 percent less year-on-year.
Cement production capacity of Iran soared from 29.5 million tons in 2001 to 83 million tons in 2017. The number of cement producing factories also increased from 30 to 72 in the same time span.
The output of Iran’s tile and ceramic industry increased by 16.3 percent during the first seven months of the current fiscal year to 199 million square meters, according to the industry ministry data.
Iran produced 28.78 million square meters of tiles and ceramics in the seventh Iranian calendar month, 8 percent less compared to the preceding month.
The country’s tiles and ceramics output amounted to 292.5 million square meters last fiscal year (ended March 20, 2017), 4.4 percent less year-on-year.
Iranian officials have earlier announced that the country’s tile and ceramic industry’s nominal production capacity stands at 700 million square meters per year.
The officials have also said that 133 manufacturing units are active in tile and ceramic production nationwide.
Iran also produced 565,600 tons of glass in the seven-month period, 26.3 percent more year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade of Iran.
The Iranian manufacturers produced 56,800 tons of sanitary wares in the period, 25.6 percent more year-on-year.


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Over the past few years, Barbie has been doing powerful work to transform the brand and make it relevant in the 21st century, launching new body types and diverse role models to elevate social norms around representation. As a “next” for the brand, Enso partnered with Mattel to further evolve Barbie’s brand purpose and deepen its impact in the world.
Through a global research study, strategy and messaging, we partnered with the Barbie team and Jess Weiner to uncover the cause of The Dream Gap, when starting at age 5, many girls begin to develop limiting self-beliefs, and stop believing their gender can do or be anything. We then laid out a multi-year roadmap in service of inspiring limitless potential inside every girl. This ongoing global initiative will rally partners around the world to give girls the resources and support they need to continue to believe that they can be anything.
The Dream Gap Project launched leading up to International Day of the Girl on October 8, 2018, with an announcement to fund a research program in collaboration with Associate Professor Andrei Cimpian from New York University. Globally, Barbie is working with local researchers to identify what issues may be holding girls back from fulfilling their potential around the world. Barbie will continue to create impactful content, providing girls with diverse role models and offering empowering products in service of this mission.
Research shows that starting at age 5, many girls begin to develop limiting self-beliefs. They stop believing their gender can do or be anything.— Barbie (@Barbie) October 11, 2018
This is the Dream Gap, and this year #Barbie begins working to close it: https://t.co/jQ83OppcFy. #CloseTheDreamGap #DayOfTheGirl pic.twitter.com/3VWMNee6eq
This year @Barbie is kicking off the Dream Gap Project, an ongoing global initiative that aims to give girls the resources and support they need to continue to believe that they can be anything.— Mattel (@Mattel) October 9, 2018
Learn more: https://t.co/S4o79bTsqs. #CloseTheDreamGap #YouCanBeAnything #Barbie pic.twitter.com/VmgKTthgXc
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Another week, another new Audi.
Audi’s Q2 was one of the first premium compact SUVs on the market.
First there was the Q7. Then the Q5 and Q3. All have been a phenomenal success for Audi.
Audi’s relentless release of new models continues with the launch of its smallest SUV.
Audi has unveiled its range topping Q8.
Audi threw everything it had at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend, with no fewer than nine upcoming models making their UK debuts.
Since its launch back in 2009 the Q5 has become Audi’s most popular SUV, with more than a million sold.
Councillor who called Nicola Sturgeon a “drooling hag” given new role to “promote high standards of conduct”
A Tory councillor banned from teaching over inflammatory tweets about Nicola Sturgeon is being put on the committee in charge of standards by Fife Council.
A Fife Labour MP has received an apology from a senior SNP councillor who described him as “an odious creature” on a social network website.
A crumbling rural rat run in Fife has been tagged as Courier Country’s worst road.


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While it’s only recently that the Indian car market has received the VW T-Roc, the German auto giant has just launched the cabriolet version in its home market
The VW T-Roc has been a runaway success in India. The local buyers have already lapped up the first lot of the SUV and it surely looks like VW India did right to bring the small SUV to us through the relaxed homologation norms. However, back in Germany, which is the home market for the auto giant, the car buyers now have the option to purchase the convertible avatar of this popular SUV.
While the SUV-based convertible is not a new thing, no, actually, far from it, if you remember the Range Rover Evoque Convertible, it’s only now that Volkswagen has jumped into the bandwagon. The soft-top that the newly launched model comes with is electrically-operated, which means it would not take more than a few seconds to put a roof in the place once the weather Gods get a bit angry.
The electrohydraulic soft-top for the VW T-Roc weighs 53.1 kg and can be controlled using a switch placed on a prominent position of the centre console. One can even use a remote control key which is being sold as an optional extra. On, and for the record, it takes just 11 seconds to put the soft-top up, while the car goes topless in even lesser time of just 9 seconds. And just in case you’re wondering, the company has provided a slot in the side panels to help the water drain down.
Not only this, there’s also as a safety system put in place behind the rear seats to protect the occupants in case of an unfortunate even of the car rolling over. Two protective panels behind the headrests pop up in a faction of a second as soon as the sensors detect a pre-defined transverse acceleration or a certain tilt angle. The windscreen frame gets reinforcement, while even the flooring gets convertible-specific strengthening.
The new VW T-Roc Cabriolet is on sale only in a front-wheel-drive format. It measures 4,268 mm in length, 1,811 mm in width and 1,522 mm in height, which makes it 34 mm longer, 8 mm narrower and 51 mm lower than the hard-top sibling. Not only this, the wheelbase, at 2,630 mm, is 40 mm longer. However, the boot space, at 284 litres, is a bit of a compromise in comparison with the 445 litres of cargo space that the regular model offers.
The VW T-Roc Cabriolet is on sale only with the 1.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine that belts out a decent 115 PS and 200 Nm and the 1.5-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine that offers 150 PS and 250 Nm. While the former comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, the latter can be had with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic unit. Prices of the new model start at EUR 27,495, which is equivalent to Rs 22,73,314.09 in the Indian currency as per the current exchange rates.


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This case was verified by the management team Nobody has yet confirmed the case. Feel free to do it 0 |
Proximus in Belgium is offering the user to choose one application to be zero rated. The offer is supposedly limited to particular applications, like WhatsApp, Twitter of Snapchat.
There is no symptoms but just a big infringement to Net Neutrality rules and BEREC guidelines!
agnes - 10/19/2016
RespectMyNet.eu is an online platform enabling citizens to report net neutrality violations. Everyone is invited to report blocking or throttling of their Internet access or unfair discrimination between online services. This will help to shed light on those harmful practices and provide evidence to the telecom regulators to do their duty to defend the open and innovative Internet in Europe.


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On the other side of this MOU is Dadvance Agarwood Solutions, a leader in sustainable agarwood plantations based in Malaysia. Their products undergo a rigorous manufacturing process and hold certifications from multiple laboratory agencies, including IFRA and Bioaromatik. These certifications underscore their unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest grade and quality assurance in their agarwood-based products.
A Synergy for the Ages: Agarwood Meets Nano Cellulose
The primary objective of this MOU is to bring together the best of both worlds. Agarwood skincare properties, known for their anti-aging and healing qualities, will merge with the latest modern skincare technology – nano cellulose. This fusion promises to create a more effective and groundbreaking range of agarwood-based skincare solutions. The collaboration aims to unlock the true potential of agarwood in skincare, taking advantage of its centuries-old reputation for rejuvenation and healing.
Boosting the Malaysia Agarwood Industry and Expanding Internationally
This strategic partnership not only promises innovation in skincare but also has far-reaching implications for Malaysia’s agarwood industry. By leveraging the expertise of both companies, Malaysia is poised to further solidify its position as a leader in sustainable agarwood production. Additionally, VNI Scientific’s agarwood-based skincare products, enhanced through this partnership, will find their way into international markets, introducing the world to the unique benefits of Malaysian agarwood.
The Natural Skincare Industry: A Growing Trend
In addition to the anti-aging skincare market, the natural skincare industry is experiencing a surge in popularity. A report published by Statista, The global natural skin care products market size was valued at USD 6.7 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2022 to 2030 with the facial care products accounting for the largest revenue share of 71.8% in 2021.
One of the primary factors driving the market is growing awareness about the adverse effects of chemicals on the skin, such as irritation and dullness. The increasing awareness about the benefits of organic ingredient-based items has prompted customers to seek out eco-friendly, natural skin care products.
Consumers are increasingly looking for products that are free from harmful chemicals and that harness the power of nature for skin health. This trend towards natural and organic skincare is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, presenting an opportunity for products derived from sustainable sources like agarwood.
Exciting Future Ahead
As this remarkable partnership progresses, we can anticipate a wave of exciting developments in the skincare industry. The combined expertise of VNI Scientific and Dadvance Agarwood Solutions is set to unveil a range of products that will redefine beauty routines worldwide. Watch this space for updates on their journey toward creating skincare solutions that are not only effective but also eco-friendly and sustainable.
In conclusion, the MOU between Dadvance Agarwood Solutions Sdn. Bhd. and VNI Scientific Sdn Bhd. represents a significant leap forward for the skincare industry. By merging the unique properties of agarwood with cutting-edge nano cellulose technology, these two industry leaders are poised to transform skincare as we know it. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting collaboration that promises to unlock the secrets of radiant, ageless skin while also boosting Malaysia’s agarwood industry and expanding the reach of VNI Scientific’s agarwood-based skincare products internationally. Additionally, keep an eye on the natural skincare industry, where the trend toward sustainable and natural skincare is on the rise.


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Investors will be startled to see just how well developed Putrino's notion is of the deep limits lurking in the dozens of consumer-grade body motion and data capture devices bulking up today's hip "quantified self" movement. First off, manufacturers tend to be mum about exactly what their devices can and can't do. A very nice Leap Motion spokeswoman, Chelsea Guidice, declined to comment for this story. As did Joseph Teegardin, a press contact at Nike ( NKE - Get Report) and several representatives at the Kinect group at Microsoft. With some digging, it's possible to get a feel for the body of work on the pitfalls of consumer-grade motion sensing tools. Microsoft, to its credit, produces a sophisticated, open and free online Human Interface Guidelines kit for Kinect developers where it is made clear that the Kinect creates only the raw data. It's up to the application developer to interpret that information properly and create a functioning app. "Kinect for Windows enables a lot of new interaction, but also new challenges," the guide warns. "It's especially hard to guess ahead of time what will work and what won't. Conduct user tests often and early." The sense of small developers scaling a giant mountain of motion control data is confirmed in Leap Motion's similar open developer space. Apart from the sheer overwhelming amount of information developers better know their way around, there's a recurring "work in progress" vibe. "Not really sure what to do next," said one post in the Leap Motion online resource. "But I'm sure there's some cool stuff you could do with a system like this." And then there is the Nike+. FuelBand. Teegardin confirmed that the FuelBand is a closed commercial development platform for which only carefully screened partners are given access to core technology. For example, there is the Fuel Lab, where developers race to create apps for a $50,000-per-team prize. But deep in Nike's online FuelBand literature is a manual that discloses that the tool is nothing more than a Class B FCC digital device -- one that Putrino said need not have its claimed health benefits confirmed with regulators such as the Food and Drug Administration.
As Putrino explained it, at the heart of the issues with quantifying the self is how the captured data is ultimately interpreted. The bits of mathematics involved are known as "inverse kinematic algorithms," algos that have exploded in popularity as the video game revolution unfolded. Putrino pointed me to dozens of them littering many game-developer forums, as well as the utter lack of resources needed to confirm they are accurate. "The question you have to continually ask here is, 'How did you validate what you are seeing?'" Putrino said. "Developers mean well. But there's a culture of kids grabbing an algo and running with it. That approach simply does not stand up to rigorous analysis." And the damage can be real. Putrino worries deeply than a new generation of general-purpose consumer motion-capture devices are making claims that are impossible to confirm, much less challenge. "The truly dangerous devices are the ones that say no matter what shape, size or fitness level you are, if you use our one-size-fits-all device we'll tell you how many calories you are burning, how far you ran and how much work each of your muscles did -- and therefore what your next choice of action should be,' he said. "These devices are nothing more than the 'qualified self,'" he said. "It's simply nonsense."


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New third-party applications are trying to make it easier to reset Facebook privacy settings, followingfrom the company that make a sizable chunk of profile content public by default when it was once under lock and key.
A firewall and spam filter company called Untangle launched a tool on Monday called SaveFace, which takes the form of a browser bookmark utility and sets as many Facebook profile elements as it can--contact information, friend lists and connections, wall posts--to "friends only."
"We wanted to help our customers get back to [the] Facebook of 2005," Untangle CEO Bob Walters said in a statement, in which he referred to Facebook's current privacy controls as "insane" and difficult to handle.
Additionally, an independent developer released on Monday a similar tool called ReclaimPrivacy.org, which scans a Facebook member's privacy settings, flags profile elements that may be unexpectedly public, and, like SaveFace, can reset them. Both applications are open source.
It's unclear what Facebook thinks of these apps. But considering the social network very vocally banned an, citing privacy violation, it may also take issue with services that modify privacy settings. Granted, ReclaimPrivacy and SaveFace are not built on the Facebook developer platform, so the rules that govern them may be different.
Still, Facebook may want to leave these services alone because, in a sense, they could put members at ease and couldin the process--regardless of whether it deserves to be or not.
CNET has contacted Facebook for comment and will update this post when the company responds.


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U.S. dairy exporters face both tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade, including sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and other technical barriers to trade (TBT) such as testing, certification, labeling, packaging and certification requirements. Using a mix of advocacy, government relations, and coalition-building efforts, IDFA fights on behalf of our members and the U.S. dairy industry to remove unfair barriers to trade for U.S. dairy exports in markets around the world.
IDFA works on its own as well as with coalitions of companies and organizations across the food and agriculture industries to aggressively advocate for the enforcement of trade agreements and the removal of unfair barriers to trade.
In October 2019, IDFA submitted comments to USTR highlighting trade impediments the U.S. dairy industry faces specifically in Canada, China, the European Union, Japan, India, Russia and the United Kingdom. Several of these issues highlighted in IDFA’s comments were captured in a recent report by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), National Trade Estimate Report, outlining many tariff and non-tariff barriers, including protective measures and technical obstacles to trade, that U.S. dairy companies face around the world.
June 2020: IDFA urges Canada's Coordinator for the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal, to reject a motion filed by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) requesting that the Tribunal restrict public access to DFO milk pricing regulations. IDFA believes the DFO is advocating for the creation of a new class 6 and 7 pricing program--which was dismantled under the USMCA agreement--which would selectively discount Canadian milk prices below global prices, and thereby encourage import substitution. Read IDFA's letter here.
June 2020: In early May, the Government of Mexico published a draft cheese conformity assessment procedure for NOM-223 that requires cheese be tested to ensure it conforms to the outlined standards. IDFA voiced its concern that this measure runs counter to the intent of USMCA to improve trade flows between our nations and is inconsistent with Mexico’s international trade obligations. Read the letter to Ambassador Bárcena.


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Neil McDonough, WPI Trustee and chairman of FLEXcon: Making a PPE Solution
Shortly after Massachusetts state officials asked all non-essential businesses to close in mid-March, FLEXcon Corp. in Spencer, Mass., received a call from a local nurse asking what the company could make to help address the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Led by chairman Neil McDonough, a WPI trustee and longtime supporter of WPI, FLEXcon coats and laminates film materials—multi-layer structures, McDonough explains, most of which are sold in rolls and sheets that are printed as labels. Products made by FLEXcon are everywhere and probably in your home right now: in labels on beverage and shampoo bottles, graphics on the sides of buses, and screen protectors on smartphones. The company makes labels on cars that need to stand up to harsh environments, unit price and bar code labels on supermarket shelves, those metallic-like labels on computers—even labels on cell phone batteries that change color when submerged in water (proof to the manufacturer that a warranty should be voided).
These film labels, McDonough adds, also serve essential industries—as pharmaceutical syringe and vial labels, medical device labels, skin contact adhesives that hold insulin pumps to the body, as just a few examples.
When FLEXcon received the call about addressing PPE needs, the company’s most innovative, out-of-the-box business unit took the lead. They brainstormed and decided to try making a minimally viable product, a face shield, that could scale quickly and sell at a low cost, McDonough says. In 36 hours, they delivered prototypes to a local hospital, received immediate feedback, and redesigned. Over one weekend, the team worked with operations in the 24/7 facility to deliver thousands of version two of the face shield on that Monday.
In two weeks, the company made 60,000 face shields and has donated 30,000 to healthcare facilities across Massachusetts and as far west as California.
“Many of our employees have been proud to give packets of face shields to relatives in healthcare who were concerned about having enough PPE during this crisis,” says McDonough, adding that version three is now in production. “We are leaning out our process to be able to make and sell 500,000 this month and 1 million in May and beyond while meeting our target price of less than $1 per face shield. We are all proud of our team response to the critical need for PPE for healthcare workers.”
The McDonough family name is familiar to many in the WPI community. Neil McDonough is a friend to the university and longtime generous supporter of WPI students and faculty. The McDonough Maker Space in the Foisie Innovation Studio is named for his father, the late Myles McDonough, who also served WPI as a trustee. The McDonough Maker Space recognizes the generous philanthropy of Neil and his mother Jean McDonough, and honors Myles McDonough’s service and commitment to WPI and his entrepreneurial spirit.
Myles McDonough was a chemist who gave up a job with a small adhesives company to start his own company in an old ambulance garage not far from FLEXcon’s current Spencer headquarters. With no bank loans or venture capital and using parts from old washing machines to make equipment, he started the business that became FLEXcon.
Although neither he nor his father graduated from WPI, McDonough says they have always valued their connection to and involvement with the university.
“FLEXcon is a material science company, and the thought process engineers and scientists bring to our work we have found to be valuable and rare. WPI graduates bring an entrepreneurial excitement to our company and have become leaders who take responsibility for their teams and their work.”
Select Media Coverage:
Worcester Business Journal: https://www.wbjournal.com/article/flexcon-donates-hazmat-suits-protective-shields-to-umass-memorial
Worcester Telegram & Gazette: https://www.telegram.com/news/20200325/umass-memorial-opens-donations-center-flexcon-contributes


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It’s become a common sight: two crossing guards stationed Monday through Friday at their usual location, the corner of Bellerose Avenue and Larkfield Road in East Northport, assisting middle and high school students across the street, right past one of the area’s many new smoke shops.
The crossing guards used to stand in front of Flowers by Fred, a family-owned and operated florist in business for nearly three decades before closing shop in 2020. The storefront remained empty until just a few months ago, when Oasis Smoke Shop took over.
Oasis is the latest addition to a growing smoke/vape shop trend in and around Larkfield Road’s business district – there are currently five smoke shops in the 0.7 miles between Bellerose Avenue to just south of Fifth Avenue.
The stores, which advertise everything from tobacco and kratom (an herbal substance that can produce opioid- and stimulant-like effects) to CBD and water pipes, most recently caused a stir when officers from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Second Precinct Crime Section conducted an investigation into 20 local businesses referencing the sale of marijuana products, vapes and e-cigarettes, and found that eight businesses were selling the products to minors.
The police department conducted the investigation, officials said, in response to numerous community complaints.
Criminal sale of cannabis
During this most recent investigation, an employee of Smokeez Smoke Shop at 324 Larkfield Road was charged with criminal sale of cannabis in the third degree. Smokeez is located on the west side of Larkfield Road, just north of neighborhood bowling alley Larkfield Lanes. A misdemeanor, criminal sale of cannabis in the third degree occurs when a person 21 years of age or older, “knowingly and unlawfully sells or gives, or causes to be given or sold, cannabis or concentrated cannabis to a person less than 21 years of age.”
According to reports, an employee of Evolve Smoke Shop, just .2 miles north of Smokeez, was charged with unlawfully dealing with a child in the second degree, also a misdemeanor. Under New York Penal Law 260.21, a person can be charged with unlawfully dealing with a child in the second degree if they own, manage or work at an establishment that sells alcohol and permit a person who is under the age of 16 to remain on the premises, or sell tobacco or a tobacco product to a person under the age of 18.
“Of particular concern are items that contain marijuana products sold in packaging marketed toward children,” the SCPD said in a statement released on social media. “Parents are urged to remain vigilant when giving snacks and treats to children, and to always read labels. Many products are designed to look like name brand food but can be dangerous if ingested by children.”
The other three vape shops along the stretch of Larkield previously mentioned, Oasis Smoke Shop, Legacy Smoke Shop and East Northport Smoke Shop, were not issued violations during the SCPD investigation.
According to officials with the Town of Huntington (TOH), the town attorney’s office is currently drafting language to address smoke/vape shops throughout the town. Supervisor Ed Smyth is working on the issue alongside NYS Assemblyman Keith Brown, a Northport resident, who told the Journal a follow-up meeting has already been scheduled with the supervisor, after which the officials should be able to discuss the situation in more detail.
The Northport-East Northport Drug and Alcohol Task Force (NENDATF) has also called for a “parenting listening session” on Wednesday, February 15, from 7 to 9pm in the district’s Brosnan building. “Due to the recent events in the Northport-East Northport community, we are inviting you to come and share your concerns with us,” reads an NENDATF flier shared on social media. Last week, the organization, which operates separately from the school district, began working on a stronger collaboration with district officials after four students were sent from the high school to the hospital via ambulance for, according to sources familiar with the incident, ingesting THC gummies.
Laws on smoke shop operations
According to a local law added to the town’s code in September 2016, location restrictions for hookah lounges and vape stores do exist. Establishments in this category are prohibited from operating within 1,500 feet of any park, playground, religious institution or school; they are also prohibited where there are residences within a mixed-use building, and no more than one vape shop or lounge can be located on any lot.
At least two of the smoke/vape shops on Larkfield Road appear to be operating outside of the current TOH code, specifically in their distance from the John J. Walsh playground, which sits adjacent to the East Northport Library. Another is housed in a building that has apartments. Whether or not town officials have a vetting process in place for these establishments, based on town code, is unclear.
Additionally, at least one of these local vape shops has publicly advertised products that are in packages mimicking candies popular among minors or in fonts that appeal to individuals under 21 years of age.
CBD and THC: What vape stores can sell
With the upswing in smoke shops in the community, concern about the sale of THC products, especially to minors, is also increasing. But what are the shops legally allowed to sell, aside from tobacco, to adults?
In 2018, the Agriculture Improvement Act, commonly called the “Farm Bill,” authorized the cultivation, production, sale and use of hemp-based products. The Farm Bill allowed for cannabidiol (CBD) and other products made from the hemp plant to be sold in supplement stores, health food stores, vape shops, and any other establishment across the United States (except for Idaho and Nebraska, who passed prohibition laws).
Under the federal law, hemp-derived products that contain less than 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by dry weight can be legally sold to people 21 years of age or older (an age requirement mandated by New York State).
Within these restrictions, hemp-derived edibles, such as gummies that contain some THC, but in amounts that are less than 0.3% by weight, may also be sold legally with no license requirements. Because the Farm Bill includes only regulations regarding delta-9 THC (the most abundant THC in hemp and cannabis), other hemp-derived cannabinoids with intoxicating properties in higher doses are also being sold in unlicensed establishments, including delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, THC-0, and HHC. The 2018 Farm Bill will expire this year, and updated federal regulations regarding hemp sales are expected for release in 2023.
New York State has also issued further regulations on hemp-based products sold in the state. All products must, by law, contain QR codes that are linked to downloadable certificates of analysis, providing lab reports on the product ingredients and exact cannabinoid dosage.
Additionally, hemp-based products are not allowed to imitate candy labels, or use cartoons or other images popularly used to advertise to children – another concern voiced by locals and the NENDATF; as per state and federal law, these types of products are not considered legal to sell at all, even to adults. Products must also include the phrase “keep out of reach of children,” and provide the recommended serving and clear usage instructions.
New York cannabis legalization
In March 2021, New York State legalized the use of cannabis for adults 21 years of age or older. Since then, the state’s cannabis control board has released extensive regulations on the cultivation, production, distribution and sale of cannabis products, including smokable flower, edibles and tinctures.
Under New York’s cannabis bill, each municipality in the state was required to hold a public hearing on whether or not they would allow for the presence of adult-use dispensaries or consumption sites in their jurisdiction. Both the Town of Huntington and Northport Village “opted out,” thereby prohibiting the existence of these establishments locally, with an option to “opt in” at any time – after another round of public hearings and a vote among town/Village board members.
The only Long Island municipalities that opted in are Riverhead, Babylon, Brookhaven and Southampton; each township adopted legislation that will restrict where dispensaries can operate, requiring that they open in commercial areas and away from educational facilities or other areas where minors congregate. Brookhaven, for example, banned cannabis sales within 500 feet of homes and 1,000 feet of schools, libraries, hospitals, playgrounds, parks, churches and other gathering facilities.
To date, the cannabis control board has approved 66 conditional dispensary licenses in the state, including 14 Long Island businesses. So far, only two licensed adult-use dispensaries have opened in New York.
Licensed cannabis retailers have to follow specific requirements, similar to those selling hemp-derived products, including those related to product packaging; cannabis product packaging cannot contain any components that may be attractive to individuals under 21 years old, including cartoons, bubble-type, rounded, or block letter fonts, and bright or neon colors. Marketing, advertising and signage by licensed dispensaries must also comply with specific requirements to ensure they are not attracting minors.
Letter of the law
During its investigation, 12 of the 20 businesses surveyed by the Suffolk County Police Department were found to be in compliance with regulations. “The SCPD is happy to report that five of the businesses now in compliance had previous infractions but are now following the letter of the law,” the department wrote.
It is the responsibility of town officials, however, to ensure that each business operates within the codes put forth by the local municipality.


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Ukrainian Dmytro Herasymenko’s Yep search engine launched YepTLDR – an AI-based information summarization tool
Yep.com, search engine, created by Dmytro Herasymenko‘s Ahrefs SEO company, launched YepTLDR, a free tool for summarizing information using artificial intelligence, available to users in 195 countries.
YepTLDR provides concise answers to search queries in English based on the content of the top search results and links to sources of information. Unlike many competitors, Yep does not generate answers using the generation of language models (LLM), which can give inaccurate information. Instead, Yep’s LLM model is trained to summarize information, ensuring that users receive concise and reliable answers.
One of the features of Yep’s AI results is a feedback loop that appears under each AI-generated piece of knowledge, increasing the transparency of search results. Users can also rate the resume as “Useful” or “Inaccurate”, signaling the algorithm about the credibility of the information.
“Personal data is not collected. The algorithm learns on the basis of anonymous user feedback,” says Dmytro Herasymenko, founder and CEO of Ahrefs.
Yep.com has its own web index and does not rely on third-party APIs to generate search results. This allows Yep to be protected from restrictions imposed by industry giants such as Microsoft, which recently announced price increases for developers using the Bing Search API.
Ahrefs has already invested $60 million in Yep.com and directed the funds to open the first data center in Singapore and deploy the search infrastructure. In the past 10 months, Yep.com has added Images and News sections and plans to acquire a turnkey solution for its own map service.


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We love it when Fandoms Collide! And nothing better then The Hunger Games and The Mortal Instruments. Sam Claflin and Lily Collins are shooting Love, Rosie. Yes, it’s another book based on a novel (not much seems to not be these days). It is based on Cecelia Ahern’s Novel WHERE RAINBOWS END.
Remember last year’s Capitol Colors nail polish? It looks like this year, the makeup tie-in to The Hunger Games will be expanded to a full COVERGIRL line. While the full product list has not yet been released, it sounds like we can expect a luxurious, dramatic “fantasy-meets-reality beauty experience.”
What do you hope to see in this collection?
Check out the full press release below:
COVERGIRL ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE NEW BEAUTY PARTNERSHIP WITH LIONSGATE’S “THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE”
COVERGIRL creates striking new CAPITOL COLLECTION beauty campaign inspired by the film
HUNT VALLEY, MD, May 17, 2013 – Today, COVERGIRL announced its first-ever major movie sponsorship of Lionsgate’s highly anticipated The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, scheduled for release in North American theaters on November 22, 2013. COVERGIRL will launch a first-of-its-kind creative advertising campaign inspired by the film, featuring new products from the brand’s upcoming Capitol Collection from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, to be announced at a later date.
Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, and Josh Hutcherson lead an all-star cast in the second installment of The Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The trailer, which debuted last month, has been viewed over 25 million times on YouTube. The film promises to illustrate the exquisite splendor in the world of the Capitol in rich detail, and the film’s makeup department used COVERGIRL products on set to create the film’s luxurious, high couture looks.
“With The Hunger Games: Catching Fire partnership, we wanted to redefine cosmetics’ relationship to film with a fantasy-meets-reality beauty experience,” said Esi Eggleston Bracey, VP and General Manager, Global P&G Cosmetics. “The film inspired COVERGIRL campaign coming out this fall truly will bring beauty transformation to life in an aspirational, dramatic fashion. All of us at COVERGIRL were captivated by Suzanne Collins’ novels and the first film, so we’re thrilled to collaborate with Lionsgate on such a bold beauty partnership with the release of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.”
“We are excited to announce COVERGIRL as the exclusive makeup partner for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” said Paula Kupfer, Lionsgate’s Vice President of Promotions and Consumer Products. “The exquisite beauty and style in the world of the Capitol is a focal point of this film. Partnering with an innovative brand like COVERGIRL to create an additional layer of beauty storytelling and inspiration for the fans is new territory that we’re delighted to explore.”
Over the past year, COVERGIRL has stood out in the beauty category with its addition of several new spokeswomen, including P!NK, Janelle Monáe and NERVO, who, along with the brand, embrace beauty with a sense of authentic individuality and fearlessness. COVERGIRL’s partnership with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is the latest expression of the brand’s passion and commitment to continue to break barriers in beauty.
Lionsgate and COVERGIRL will be celebrating the movie partnership at a Cannes Film Festival Gala on Saturday, May 18th. Further news updates on this partnership will be released via facebook.com/covergirl, as well as on Twitter attwitter.com/covergirl and Instagram at instagram.com/
About P&G Beauty & Grooming
P&G serves approximately 4.6 billion people around the world with its brands. The Company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Fairy®, Gain®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®, Fusion®, Ace®, Febreze®, Ambi Pur®, SK-II®, and Vicks®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 75 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.
Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms and international distribution and sales. Lionsgate currently has 28 television shows on 20 networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as the multiple Emmy Award-winning Mad Men and Nurse Jackie, the new comedy Anger Management, the network series Nashville, the syndication successes Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, its spinoff Meet the Browns, For Better Or Worse, The Wendy Williams Show, Are We There Yet? and the upcoming Orange Is The New Black, an original series for Netflix.
Its feature film business has been fueled by such recent successes as the blockbuster first installment of The Hunger Games franchise, The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn – Part 2, Tyler Perry’s Temptation, Warm Bodies, Snitch, Texas Chainsaw 3D, The Expendables 2, The Possession, Sinister, The Cabin in the Woods and Arbitrage. Lionsgate’s home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 15,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company’s core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.
Alexander Ludwig certainly looks the part of the high school star athlete he plays in When The Game Stands Tall. These photos were taken on the movie’s New Orleans set on Monday (May 13). Ludwig’s costars include veteran actors Clancy Brown and Jim Caviezel.
This week marks the opening of the Cannes Film Festival, and among the films being featured is none other than Catching Fire.
While it is currently unknown if the entire film or only part of it will be shown, the motion poster shown above was set up outside an auditorium at Cannes earlier this week. Jennifer Lawrence and other cast members will reportedly be in attendance for an introduction or some other kind of presentation on the movie.
So much speculation and mystery… We’ll keep you posted as more news surfaces!
Sam Claflin and Lily Collins head to the Toronto, Canada set of Love, Rosie in these photos, taken on Tuesday (May 14).
The two actors star as Rosie and Alex, two best friends who plan to head to the States for college together, when Rosie discovers she’s pregnant, after a crazy night with the most popular boy in school. She encourages Alex to go without her and over the next 12 years their lives change but an undeniable connection remains.
The film, based on Cecelia Ahern’s novel Where Rainbows End, will be directed by Christian Ditter. The remainder of filming will take place in Ireland.
Victoria’s Secret has announced their 2013 “What is Sexy?” list, featuring categories such as sexiest style, sexiest songstress, and sexiest international import. Our girl Jennifer Lawrence won for (of course) sexiest sense of humor. Congrats, Jennifer!


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The American Marketing Association Kicks Off 2016 Summer AMA Conference August 5 in Atlanta
CHICAGO – August 4, 2016 – The American Marketing Association (AMA) today announced the speaker line-up for the 2016 Summer AMA Conference, formerly known as Summer Marketing Educators Conference. It’s the largest academic conference for marketing scholars, faculty, and doctoral students. The Summer AMA Conference will take place August 5-7, 2016, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, GA. Conference attendees will learn from senior executives and leading academic researchers as they share their real-world experiences in sessions that follow the theme “Regaining Relevance: Doing Research that Reshapes the Practice of Marketing.”
“Get ready for a new type of conference experience at the 2016 Summer AMA Conference. This year, we have expanded our programming, strengthened our content and evolved the conversation from research to practice,” said Russ Klein, CEO of the American Marketing Association. “For each of our general sessions, a senior marketing executive and senior scholar will present one of six Big Problems facing marketing executives today by highlighting the problem, challenge, and potential ways to address the challenge through research.”
Kicking off the conference is an Executive Jam Session on the “Role of Marketing in the Firm and the C-Suite,” with Dick Lynch, chief global brand officer, Popeyes; Kim Whitler, associate professor of marketing, University of Virginia; Wolfgang Ulaga, professor of marketing, Arizona State University; Mike French, former senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Altria; and moderator Neil Morgan, professor of marketing, Indiana University. The session will explore how the role of marketing should be re-examined and how firms can best implement and manage its new role.
Other Executive Jam Sessions include:
“The Digital Transformation of the Modern Corporation,” will show how firms are finding the right balance between big data and how the transformation of marketing communications can transform a business from “dumb” to “smart” within the Internet of Things (IoT). Presented by Janette Shimanski, chief learning officer, 3M; Stefan Michel, professor, IMD; Lisa Bowman, executive vice president and CEO, United Way Worldwide; and moderator Roldan Deiser, founder and director, Center of the Future Organization Drucker School of Management.
“Generating and Using Insight to Shape Marketing Practice,” will explore how today’s data orientation may obscure the differences between data, knowledge and insight. Mack Turner, managing director, global marketing research and insights, Bank of America; Liam Fahey, author and principal, Leadership Forum, Kenneth Wilbur, associate professor of marketing, Bob Lurie, senior vice president, strategy, Eastman Chemical and Kelly Hewitt, associate professor of marketing, University of Tennessee will address what it means to have customer insight that can be leveraged in the marketplace.
“Dealing with an Omni-Channel World,” will address what businesses need to know about the omnichannel world and how it is different from multi-channel. Presenters include, Mikael Thygesen, chief marketing officer, Simon; Joel Warady, chief marketing officer, Enjoy Life Food, Mike Ahearne, professor and director, Sales Excellence Institute, University of Houston; and Ray Burke, professor of marketing, director of Customer Interface Lab, Indiana University.
“Competing in Dynamic, Global Markets,” features Mohan Sawhney, professor and director of the Center for Research in Technology and Innovation, Northwestern University; Rob Malcom, former chief marketing officer, Diageo; Tom Polan, executive vice president, Becton Dickinson; Mary Garrett, vice president marketing and communications, global sales, IBM (retired); and moderator Goutam Challagagalla, professor of marketing, IBM will discuss what smart products, smart applications and interconnected devices means for the marketing function and how marketers can best navigate this new competitive landscape.
“Balancing Incremental and Radical Innovation,” will cover how firms can foster innovation beyond the product and accelerate competing for the future. Presented by Luke Mansfield, vice president of innovation, PepsiCo; Zain Raj, chairman and chief executive officer, Shapiro and Raj; Rajesh Chandy, professor of marketing, London Business School and Steve Liguori, chairman and chief executive officer, Liguori Innovation, Columbia Business School.
An extensive line-up of breakout sessions will also take place on both days of the conference. These sessions are organized into six tracks (Brand, CRM/Sales, B2B, Consumer Behavior (CB), Special Interest Groups (SIG) and Strategy) and delivered by a diverse mix of leading marketers and senior scholars from the top marketing research programs, including University of Georgia, Michigan State University, University of Nebraska and University of Wisconsin. Topics include IBM Watson Analytics, Healthcare Advertising, Sustainability Issues in Marketing, Brand Personality and Attachment Marketing Challenges, and Strategies in Emerging Markets, among others.
To register for 2016 Summer AMA Conference, visit here. View the agenda for the 2016 Summer AMA Conference at http://bit.ly/1f5N1bb. Like AMA on Facebook http://bit.ly/1Ypz7B3 and follow @ama-marketing.
About American Marketing Association (AMA)
The AMA is trusted by nearly 1.3 million marketing and sales professionals a year worldwide. It has more than 70 professional chapters and over 350 collegiate chapters throughout North America and select international locations. The American Marketing Association (AMA) is the largest marketing association in the world. AMA serves organizations and individuals who practice, teach and study marketing across the globe. It serves as a forum for connecting like-minded individuals to foster knowledge sharing and relationship building; to be a trusted resource for marketing information, tools, education and training; and to advance marketing practice and thought leadership. For more information about the AMA, visit www.ama.org or follow the latest AMA news at @AMA_Marketing.


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The company's S-1 lays the groundwork for what is widely expected to be one of the largest initial public offerings of the year, second only to Uber's IPO in May. It's also...Technologyread more
Fraud investigator Harry Markopolos' accusations extended beyond GE's management to actuaries, auditors and analysts who he claims overlooked billions in liabilities.Marketsread more
Trump's tweet comes a day after Apple put out a press release describing the money it spends on U.S.-based suppliers and vendors.Technologyread more
CNBC combed through Wall Street research to see which stocks are still a buy after their earnings reports.Marketsread more
President Donald Trump held a call on Wednesday with the CEOs of three major U.S. banks, according to people with knowledge of the situation.Marketsread more
Despite aggressive strides, Waymo needs one thing before their self-driving cars become a seriously useful transportation system: people. We talked to the ones closest to it.Technologyread more
Scientists say the smoke plumes, filled with megatons of tiny, harmful particles, could travel to other areas of the world and cause serious respiratory problems for people.Weather & Natural Disastersread more
Some Weight Watchers loyalists applaud Kurbo by WW. But nutritionists worry Kurbo promotes an unhealthy relationship with food during an especially impressionable time.Health and Scienceread more
Benefits from what President Trump called "the biggest reform of all time" to the tax code have dwindled to a faint breeze just 20 months after its enactment, writes John...Politicsread more
Epstein, 66, was found in his cell in Manhattan federal lockup Saturday morning and transferred to a nearby hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.Politicsread more
Air travelers faced delays at U.S. airports on Friday afternoon after a computer issue snarled processing of international arrivals.Airlinesread more
But staying on top will be a challenge for the German maker of the Golf and Polo, as deliveries are falling in China, destination of a third of its global sales, making it overly reliant on relatively stagnant western European demand.
"The hunt for scale only makes sense if it boosts synergies, something VW hasn't really been able to achieve," said Stefan Bratzel, head of the Center of Automotive Management think-tank. "Dependence on China is VW's weak spot and managing such a large group inevitably poses problems."
VW has been pushing for greater scale under Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn's eight-year reign, propelled by adding brands and factories and roaring sales in China.
The German group on July 17 reported 5.04 million deliveries in the first half year. By comparison, Toyota said on Tuesday it sold 5.02 million cars between January and June, a 1.5 percent decline on year-ago levels.
Toyota, due to announce first-half earnings next Tuesday, said sales were dragged down by a slowdown in emerging markets and increased taxes on mini vehicles in Japan.
VW's rapid expansion has masked underperformance in the United States and Brazil, where it has been slow to upgrade models and adjust its offerings to market trends, analysts say.
Although boosting market share and brand awareness, VW's race for volume has triggered a costly proliferation of models and equipment, especially in its core passenger-car brand where profit margins have languished amid growing inefficiencies.
Read MoreFord earnings top expectations
With over 310 models and nearly 120 factories worldwide, VW's size may be turning into a disadvantage, forming the backdrop to a leadership crisis in April when ex-chairman Ferdinand Piech was ousted after publicly criticizing CEO Winterkorn.
VW's top management has since been trying to regain the initiative, though other top players, notably its unions and stakeholder Lower Saxony, are seeking to influence the course of its move to a leaner structure as VW is pushing 5 billion euros of cost savings in its core division.
Wolfsburg-based VW last year started shifting its focus to boosting earnings quality to help fund growing technology needs and plant upgrades.
Read More GM targets EMs with new line-up
VW has a goal of "moderately" raising deliveries from last year's record 10.14 million cars. The group will publish first-half results on Wednesday.


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Read the full article here.
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Although Apple is the most successful electronics company in the world, the company does not venture into any segment of the electronics industry. Apple focuses on a few products but makes the best products in their category.
This is the complete opposite of Apple’s main rival, Samsung. You can find Samsung’s hands in any segment of the electronics industry. This goes from cell phones to fridges; Samsung has its hands on anything that uses electricity.
While Apple has the most significant market share of high-end cell phone sales, Samsung has the biggest market share in the television industry. Since Apple has the most loyal customers, will Apple ever make a TV? Nope, this will not happen as Apple’s co-founder Steve Jobs wished.
Why Apple will not make TVs
In a book named Haunted Empire: Apple After Steve Jobs by former Wall Street Journal reporter Yukari Iwatani Kane, she writes how Steve Jobs saw the TV industry as an unfeasible business with low profit.
During Steve Jobs’ last yearly meeting in 2010 with Apple’s top 100 employees, Jobs did not want the company to build a television set. According to the book, Steve Jobs was asked by an executive if Apple was ever going to release a television.
Jobs promptly replied with a “No, ” stating, “TV is a terrible business. They don’t turn over, and the margins suck.”
That was in 2010, and up to now, Apple has not released any television.
Later, In 2015, the WSJ published a story claiming that Apple stopped research on a 4K television set around late 2013 or early 2014. One prominent feature this television would have was a built-in camera so viewers could video call each other. Executives decided this was not innovative enough to enter a new market and compete with Samsung, which dominates the TV market.


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Overstock cuts its NY Affiliates due to new Tax Law....will Amazon follow?
The fallout to the recently enacted New York State "Amazon Tax" has begun. Overstock.com, one of the largest internet retailers, has notified more than 3,400 New York based affiliated that their relationship will be terminated June 1st when the law goes into effect.
"We hope this termination period will only be temporary", said Jonathan Johnson, SVP of corporate affairs at Overstock.com. "We think that the New York law is unconstitutional and we think that lawmakers have made a mistake that s hurting small businesses in New York."
The Law requires out of state online retailers to begin collecting sales taxes on purchases shipped to New York addresses, meaning that Amazon.com and Overstock, each of which have no employees or operations in New York, will be required to collect state taxes because it has affiliates based in the state.
Amazon is challenging the law in New York state court. Overstock may join Amazon or begin its own court battle, Johnson said. If the law is dismissed, Overstock will re-establish relationships with all of its New York based affiliates.
"When it came donw to choosing between our customers and our affiliates, it was an easy choice," said Johnson.


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Clubhouse chats are breached, raising concerns over security
A week after popular audio chatroom app Clubhouse said it was taking steps to ensure user data couldn’t be stolen by malicious hackers or spies, at least one attacker has proven the platform’s live audio can be siphoned.
An unidentified user was able to stream Clubhouse audio feeds this weekend from “multiple rooms” into their own third-party website, said Reema Bahnasy, a spokeswoman for Clubhouse. While the company says it's “permanently banned” that particular user and installed new “safeguards” to prevent a repeat, researchers contend the platform may not be in a position to make such promises.
Users of the invitation-only iOS app should assume all conversations are being recorded, the Stanford Internet Observatory, which was first to publicly raise security concerns on Feb. 13, said late Sunday. “Clubhouse cannot provide any privacy promises for conversations held anywhere around the world,” said Alex Stamos, director of the SIO and Facebook Inc.'s former security chief.
Stamos and his team were also able to confirm that Clubhouse relies on a Shanghai-based startup called Agora Inc. to handle much of its back-end operations. While Clubhouse is responsible for its user experience, like adding new friends and finding rooms, the platform relies on the Chinese company to process its data traffic and audio production, he said.
Clubhouse's dependence on Agora raises extensive privacy concerns, especially for Chinese citizens and dissidents under the impression their conversations are beyond the reach of state surveillance, Stamos said.
Agora said it couldn't comment on Clubhouse's security or privacy protocols and insisted it does not “store or share personally identifiable information” for any of its clients, of which Clubhouse is just one. “We are committed to making our products as secure as we can,” the company said.
Over the weekend, cybersecurity experts noticed that audio and metadata were being pulled from Clubhouse to another site. “A user set up a way to remotely share his login with the rest of the world,” said Robert Potter, Chief Executive Officer of Internet 2.0 based in Canberra, Australia. “The real problem was that folks thought these conversations were ever private.”
While Clubhouse declined to explain what steps it took to prevent a similar breach, solutions may include preventing the use of third-party applications to access chatroom audio without actually entering a room or simply limiting the number of rooms a user can enter simultaneously, said Jack Cable, a researcher at the SIO.
A week ago, the SIO released a report saying it observed metadata from a Clubhouse chatroom “being relayed to servers we believe to be hosted” in China. Agora's obligations to China's cybersecurity laws mean that it would be legally required to assist in locating audio should the government contend it jeopardized national security.
Clubhouse recently raised $100 million at a reported $1 billion valuation. Agora has soared more than 150% since mid-January. It is now worth close to $10 billion.
In early February, users of Clubhouse in China said they were unable to access the app after an explosion of discussions by mainland users on taboo topics from Taiwan to Xinjiang. For now, it appears that users can still access the app by using virtual private networks, one of the few ways people in mainland China can explore the internet beyond the Great Firewall.
By Jamie Tarabay and Kartikay Mehrotra


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Black Friday 2022 is here. The sale started at midnight and will continue through the weekend to 'Cyber Monday' November 28. Those who are looking to get their Christmas shopping done early will find significant discounts on tablets, gaming consoles, phones, beauty, fashion and big-ticket domestic purchases like vacuums, TVs and mattresses.
With the cost of living crisis, there's more interest than usual in Black Friday deals – and a certain degree of caution. Some retailers have in the past raised prices in October so that the Black Friday discounts seemed larger. Others have rebranded their permanent discounts as Black Friday deals. You my find even cheaper deals by waiting until December or January when prices sometimes drop further.
But these practices are hardly new and canny shoppers factor them into their decisions. As a rule, Black Friday prices are about as low as they'll get and there are genuine deals to be found. If you're in a rush, we've rounded up the best of them here:
Best Black Friday TV deal - Sony Bravia XR 55 inch OLED 4K TV, John Lewis
Best Black Friday vacuum deal - Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, Shark
Best Black Friday Le Creuset deal - Cast Iron Classic Oval Casserole, Le Creuset
Best Black Friday mattress deal - Simba Hybrid Pro mattress, Simba
Best Black Friday Pandora charm deal - Disney Minnie Mouse charm, Pandora
Best Black Friday electric toothbrush deal - Oral-B Special Edition iO8 electric toothbrush, Boots
Best Black Friday pizza oven deal - Ooni Fyra 12 Wood Pellet Pizza Oven, Ooni
It's no surprise that Amazon has the most offers, as it was responsible for bringing Black Friday to the UK. As well as tech and appliances, popular Christmas gifts such as spirits, clothes and beauty products are in the sale. But that doesn't mean that Amazon's discounts are the biggest.
Both John Lewis and Currys have released some big Black Friday bargains. Both stores aim to price-match many of their competitors' best deals, making John Lewis a worthwhile destination for high-end lifestyle products on Black Friday. Currys is a decent place to look for tech and appliances deals.
Individual brands like Dyson, Lego, Charlotte Tilbury and Ninja Kitchen hold their own Black Friday sales, as do Sky, and these can be a great place to look for savings. Cross-category retailers such as Argos, Very and AO are also worth investigating, as they work hard to beat Amazon's prices every year – particularly for home appliances. Clothing and beauty retailers including Net-a-Porter and Bootsalso offer site-wide discounts.
By checking this page regularly. We will be updating it with new deals as soon as they're announced. Below are the best so far from Amazon, Boots, Currys, Gymshark and John Lewis.
Was £1,499, now £824.45, Simba
Best Black Friday Simba mattress deal


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The Bank of Canada’s surprise interest rate cut might seem like a gift for consumers taking on debt, but only if they can afford to pay it down over the long term, experts warn.
The reduction in the bank’s overnight rate to 0.75 per cent from 1 per cent is likely to mean lower interest rates on everything from mortgages to car and home renovation loans.
The news is bittersweet, since the drop is due to lower crude prices that are hurting Canada’s oil-dependent economy.
But thanks to oil’s decline, consumers aren’t just getting cheaper gas, but also the added bonus of lower interest rates that make a new car or truck look more attractive now too.
Experts warn too much of a good thing can cause Canada’s record household debt levels to worsen.
“We know that the level of debt is high and it is concerning that Canadians might see this as an opportunity to use the lower interest rates to purchase things on their wish list,” said Patricia White, executive director of Credit Counselling Canada.
While someone already in the market for a home or a car stands to benefit from the lower rates, White says consumers shouldn’t use lower rates as an excuse to get further into debt.
“Credit card interest rates are not likely to be reduced,” White says.
White said consumers could look at this drop in benchmark rates – the first since September 2010 – as an opportunity to reduce their debt.
“For example those with interest rates that are tied to a prime rate of interest like variable rate mortgages, lines of credit and other loans will have their interest reduced,” White says. “This is an opportunity to reduce their debt by paying down the principle owing.”
People looking to renew their mortgage soon can also look for reduced interest rates.
“They need to remember if they can keep their mortgage payment the same or pay more then their debt will be paid off faster,” White says.
TD Bank economist Leslie Preston doesn’t see consumers rushing out to buying big-ticket items and racking up debt based solely on the 25-point basis cut from the Bank of Canada.
She also says the household debt-to-income ratio, while at a record as of the third quarter, has been growing at a slower pace than in recent years, which is a sign it’s getting under control.
“Despite these continued very low levels of interest rates Canadians have already pared back their pace of debt accumulation,” Preston says.
If the bank didn’t increase rates, she says the debt-to-income ratio may have increased anyway as more people in the oil patch lose their jobs have trouble making ends meet.
“The cut was to help consumers out there … deal with the debt burden they already have,” Preston says.
“While some Canadians might ramp up debt a bit, there are a lot of people who aren’t going to be able to spend because they are either losing their job or uncertain about their income because of uncertainty in the oil patch.”
Wednesday rate cut caused the Canadian dollar to fall to around 81 cents (U.S.) its lowest level since April 2009. The lower loonie will have an impact on consumers looking to shop or travel outside of the country, as well as on some goods bought at home.
"While we’re all getting a nice break when we fill up our gas tanks these days, the cost of goods we import will probably rise and the Canadian dollar weakens," Preston says.
Robert Spector, institutional fixed income portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management, believes the surprise interest rate move was designed in part to weaken the Canadian dollar further.
“A weaker currency helps mitigate some of the commodity price weakness and should also boost non-energy exports, a support to growth,” he said in a note. “In fact, the combination of lower policy rates, lower bond yields and a weaker dollar all mean that overall financial conditions eased meaningfully in Canada today.”


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Here Is What Facebook Inc (FB)’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg Has to Say on Free Basics
Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, chose to address the critics about ‘Free Basics’, which was earlier called as Internet.org. The company sought to expand its presence in India inviting criticisms from the activists, as well as, the operators. The objective was to provide an Internet service to consumers where either broadband connection is not available or people cannot afford it. As a result, only limited number of services and websites were offered to minimize the expenditure of the consumers.
Released Full Page Ad
Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB)’s Zuckerberg selected the media to express his opinion about the net neutrality. The company issued a full-page ad in The Times of India wherein he stated that the platform was open to all developers. Aside from that, there was no ads and would only help the less fortunate users to experience the Internet. He charged the critics that they continued to spread incorrect claims even if his program helps a billion of people.
Critics charged the social media that its app was included in the service. Among others to include was Ask.com, Wikipedia, Bing, AccuWeather, Dictionary.com, and few others. They have claimed that the company’s program violated the net neutrality’s central tenets, which was to treat all users and content equally. They have charged that the program mirrored Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB)’s commercial objectives.
Personal Appeal Is Part Of PR Effort
Zuckerberg appeal is treated more as a public relations tactics as the company has been running a campaign in Indian press seeking the readers’ support to digital equality. His campaign came on the heels of the Indian regulator asking the domestic operator to stop offering the service and wondered whether it was legal.
On its part, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) has urged its users to voice their support by contacting the regulator. The CEO has got some support also. A novelist, Manu Joseph, said that the objection came from the masked elite section in the name of doing things right. The novelist said that it was the paid Internet, which was restrictive since it denied the portal to those who could not pay for it.
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text: Gaming cruise operator Macau Success will continue to increase its investment in Macau's gaming and entertainment business, according to executive director Marco Lee Siu-cheung. The company yesterday reported a 23 per cent rise in net profit to $5.3 million in the six months to March. Operating profit grew 58 per cent to $15 million and operating margin jumped from 9.5 per cent to 31 per cent. Revenue from its main profit contributor - the casino cruise - shot up 293 per cent to $47 million. Turnover dived 51.9 per cent from $104 million to $50 million, which Mr Lee said was linked to the disposal of the non-core construction and retail businesses.